Los Angeles Times: My father worked at Langer’s Deli for the last 50 years. This is our story.

Los Angeles Times: My father worked at Langer’s Deli for the last 50 years. This is our story.

Bea Barajas wrote a beautiful tribute to her father, Ascencion “Chon” Barajas, who just retired as our dishwasher, a position he held continuously since 1968. The story appears in the Los Angeles Times:

Pop joined Langer’s in 1968. He was 27 years old. He has decided to retire. His last day was Dec. 31. He worked there for half a century; he is now 78.
He has always spoken highly of the Langer family, and Langer’s has been there to help with life changes for him and his daughter — me — for her entire life, with sandwiches and memories and support. I love that Langer’s has provided for him and us in many ways other than in a monetary sense — it is a place that will always be cherished by the Barajas family.
My sisters and I were, of course, extremely worried about this day. But, as he was there for us throughout whatever was happening in our lives, my sisters and i will be there for him as he closes this long chapter of his life.

Please click here to read the complete article. It’s amazing. Thank you, Bea, and thank you, Chon. We will miss you and your smile every day. – The Langer Family

John and Ken on Langer’s Pastrami

A Langer's #19 hot pastrami sandwich

KFI AM640’s John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou of The John and Ken Show spent a minute discussing pastrami on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, and John mentioned he had recently visited Langer’s Delicatessen. Thank you both for all your kind words about our pastrami! – The Langers

Eater 38 Essential Los Angeles Restaurants, Spring 2018

A Langer's #19 hot pastrami sandwich

We are thrilled and proud to be once again named to Eater’s “38 Essential Los Angeles Restaurants” list for Spring of 2018. This prestigious honor means so much to everyone who works every day to ensure a great dining experience at Langer’s Delicatessen. Thank you to the Eater team for acknowledging our valued employees. – The Langers

Yes, the No. 19 pastrami sandwich is an amazing sandwich, but the pure pastrami on house-based rye is simplicity at its best. There’s a reason why people make pilgrimages to try this place’s pastrami and even corned beef: there is no better version anywhere in town, and perhaps even in the country. Pro tip: Try the No. 54, a blend of both the pastrami and corned beef in one sandwich. And don’t skip the rest of the classic Jewish deli menu — it’s all very well executed in one of the best daytime dining rooms in town.

Click to read the complete article.

Los Angeles Times: Norm Langer guides Langer’s Deli through changing tastes

Los Angeles Times: Norm Langer guides Langer’s Deli through changing tastes

The Los Angeles Times via writer Samantha Masunaga recently profiled owner Norm Langer as part of their “How I Made It” series of business owners.

Over its more than 70 years in existence, Langer’s has made a name for itself as a foodie destination. Since the restaurant has been in business, Langer said, he has sold “over 10 million pounds of pastrami.”

Although Langer has embarked on several advertising campaigns, he said his “claim to fame is word of mouth.”

“You can do all the advertising in the world and sometimes it brings people in,” Langer said. “But when your friend … says to you, ‘I went to Langer’s and I had a corned beef sandwich’… that’s the credential you want. It’s personal.”

The article also includes this great photo of Norm and Al in 1997, which was our 50th anniversary year:

Loyolan: Pastrami on Rye

Student journalist Niko Klein has authored a terrific new piece entitled “Pastrami on Rye” for the Loyolan, the student newspaper of Loyola Marymount University in the Westchester area of Los Angeles. The author visited three delis – Nate ‘n Al’s, Factor’s, and Langer’s – and has generous write-ups for each. Here’s what Niko thought of Langer’s:

The interior screams classic, unchanged, Jewish deli, with classic delicacies behind a long glass display case, brown leather, wood paneling and charismatic servers that seem to be transplants from decades past. While Langer’s itself hasn’t changed much since its 1940s founding, the surrounding area has. Across the street from L.A.’s infamous MacArthur Park, Langer’s lies in a surrounding black and white to that of Nate n’ Al. Langer’s sticks out like a sore thumb amongst discount clothing shops, storefronts brimming with images of Christ and corner fruit vendors. In an area once known for gang violence, the deli not only survives, but thrives. Langer’s exists shoulder-to-shoulder with the Dodgers, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the city’s other great historic institutions. Some will tell you that Langer’s offers the best hot pastrami on rye in the whole United States of America, always neck-to-neck with Katz in New York. This author has never been to New York, so I’ll continue to side with Langer’s as my deli of choice. Maybe it’s atmosphere, maybe it’s nostalgia or maybe the pastrami sandwich is truly superior, but I have an undying affection for this delicatessen that is less than a mile from my beloved Loyola High.

The difference lies in the cut. Langer’s has always hand-cut their pastrami. While most delis machine slice their pastrami, Langer’s hand-cuts in order to avoid drawing out the meat’s moisture, as a machine-cutting process does. With a Langer’s sandwich, you’re guaranteed a melt in your mouth experience. This consistency can be attributed to Langer’s steaming process. The pastrami delivered daily to the store is ready for consumption, but Langer’s steams the pastrami for a few hours in order to get the product as soft as possible. The #19 is their most famous, with swiss, Russian dressing and coleslaw; however, I opt for the #1, as I don’t care for Swiss. The bread is a big competitive advantage for Langer’s. Though most delis will claim a double-baked rye, this downtown delicatessen delivers big time. A hard, crispy crust and a heavenly, soft inside make this the best rye bread around. Nate n’ Al has Langer’s beat on the Matzo ball soup, but Langer’s still delivers a good cup. I usually get an order of French fries, extra pickles and occasionally a chocolate malt, if I’m feeling indulgent. Go in and get a sandwich, but don’t mistake the adjoining park for a pleasant picnic spot.

Click here to read the complete article. Thank you, Niko! – The Langers