Los Angeles Times: Beef Prices Hit All-Time High in U.S.

Jerry Haines, general manager of R.C. Provision in Burbank, holds pastrami that's ready for shipping. The company, which supplies Pink's, Langer's Delicatessen and other eateries, is struggling as beef prices have hit a record high in the U.S. (Al Seib, Los Angeles Times / March 28, 2014)

David Pierson and Tiffany Hsu of the Los Angeles Times report today on the biggest emerging news in the food industry – that of skyrocketing beef prices. Norm Langer of Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant is quoted in the article regarding the impact on menu prices from the rising cost of pastrami and corned beef, staples in the deli business.

The swelling prices are roiling the beef supply chain from rancher to restaurant.

Norm Langer managed to go two years without raising prices at his famed Westlake delicatessen.

But last week, he reluctantly began printing new menus showing a 50-cent increase for sandwiches at his 67-year-old restaurant.

Langer accepts it’s one of the perils of business when your bread and butter happens to be corned beef and pastrami. But he fears he may have to raise prices again, driving away customers.

“No beef, no delicatessen. That’s the bottom line,” Langer said after a typically frenetic lunch service. “Jewish delis aren’t vegetarian, they’re based on corned beef and pastrami. Things are beyond my control. With the price increase, I hope my customers are tolerant.”

Langer said beef prices are the main reason his wholesale food costs have risen 45% in the last two years — much of it passed from his longtime supplier, R.C. Provision Inc.

Read the complete article here. Our thanks to David Pierson and Tiffany Hsu for a well-reported and comprehensive article.

Movoto.com: These 15 Los Angeles Restaurants Will Blow The Taste Buds Out Of Your Mouth

Brian Wu of fun real estate blog Movoto.com has published a great piece entitled “These 15 Los Angeles Restaurants Will Blow The Taste Buds Out Of Your Mouth.” And we’re thrilled that Langer’s was named as part of this elite collection:

Okay people, this is the real deal. Langer’s is the deli that makes America proud. It may be a throwback to an old diner from the 80s, but the food makes up for it. After downing the best ever pastrami sandwich, some biscuits and gravy, warm apple pie soaked in a savory brandy sauce and maybe some coffee to top it off, you’ll need a 7-hour nap.

Check out all the listings on this great article by clicking here. Thank you, Movoto!

DiscoverLosAngeles.com: Where to Find the Best Bread in Los Angeles

DiscoverLosAngeles.com, the fantastic website published by the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, is a great way to stay up on what’s happening, what’s fun, and of course, what’s delicious in Los Angeles.

Their new article by Zach Brooks is called “Where to Find the Best Bread in Los Angeles,” and a more interesting list you won’t find anywhere. Our favorite part, of course:

In the eternal battle of pastrami versus pastrami between Katz’s Deli in New York and L.A.’s own Langer’s, each side has its fans. But when it comes to the bread, the winner is clear cut, and it’s Langer’s. Thanks to their special method of preparation that involves slicing the bread at the last possible moment, it ends up crunchy on the outside and perfectly soft on the inside – but still strong enough to stand up to the cole slaw and Russian dressing in the famous #19. If you’re eating the pastrami – or anything at Langer’s – “protein-style,” you’re doing it all wrong.

Read the complete listing by Zach now over at DiscoverLosAngeles.com.

LA Weekly: 99 Essential Restaurants 2014

Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant is proud to once again be named to the LA Weekly’s “99 Essential Restaurants” list for 2014. Here’s a part of their terrific write-up by Besha Rodell:

How good can a pastrami sandwich be? How quintessentially Los Angeles can an L.A. restaurant be? These questions and more can be answered with a trip to Langer’s, the deli that serves the universe’s best pastrami sandwich.

Click here to read the entire piece. Thank you, LA Weekly! – The Langers

Travel Bites You: Langer’s Deli – Norm Langer Interview Video

[av_video src=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8jTG95T30c’ format=’16-9′ width=’16’ height=’9′]

Zach and Andrew from the video blog Travel Bites You have published their third and final installment of their visit to Langer’s Deli, entitled “Norm.” It’s an interview with owner Norm Langer about pastrami, corned beef and more.

Thank you, Zach and Andrew! Just a wonderful series of videos, and we are grateful.

Travel Bites You: Langer’s Deli – What to Order Video

[av_video src=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBWzvG3119g’ format=’16-9′ width=’16’ height=’9′]

Zach and Andrew from the video blog Travel Bites You has their second of three videos now available, entitled “What to order at a Jewish Deli” with a deep dive into the Langer’s menu. It’s a great clip! Check it out! Thank you, Zach and Andrew!

Food Republic: 10 Places To Eat And Drink Near The Staples Center

Josh from Food Republic just published a terrific article for fine dining when heading towards Staples Center, and Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant is part of the mix.

New Yorkers will gripe, but the #19 sandwich with Swiss, cole slaw and Russian dressing is gospel, and an unadulterated sandwich on double baked rye is still really damn good. So is the grilled #44 with sauerkraut and nippy cheese.

Check out his terrific list now – click here to read the complete article. Thanks, Josh!