Cavaretta's Italian Groceries

Cavaretta's Italian Groceries
22045 Sherman Way
Canoga Park
818-340-6626

Until last year, I've never had an Italian cold cut sandwich. I knew what mortadella, capacolla, and salame were but they didn't appeal to me in a sandwich. But, one day I figured they all sandwich meat, so I decided to give them a try. My first version of an Italian cold cut sandwich was at Eastside Market Italian Deli, it maybe my favorite place for an Italian cold cut sandwich. I also like the sandwich from Capri Deli & Kitchen. I found out I really liked an Italian cold cut sandwich. So, now when I go to any Italian deli, I look will order an Italian cold cut sandwich.

I read that Cavaretta's Italian Groceries serves up some great sandwiches, maybe the best in the Valley, so I dropped in. Cavaretta's opened in 1959 and has always gotten good reviews for their sandwiches.

Large Italian, mortadella, cotto salame, Italian salame, provolone cheese, $7.45. Every Italian deli has their version of the Italian cold cut sandwich. Some put capacola, others will include turkey, and others will have ham on their sandwich. Well, Cavaretta's is the first to have two different types of salame, cotto and Italian.

I liked the Cavaretta's version of an Italian cold cut sandwich. The meats were very fresh. I opened up the sandwich to see if I could tell the difference between the two salames, but they looked the same to me. The mayo, lettuce and tomatoes were all very fresh and cold, they were stored properly, until some other places! The Italian roll had a nice, soft chewy texture and good crust. While the sandwich was good, it wasn't outstanding and certainly not the best Italian cold cut sandwich I've had.

Service is good. The guy who made my sandwich was nice and made the sandwich quickly.

I was impressed with Cavaretta's Italian Groceries, but I wouldn't rush back to get an Italian cold cut sandwich. It maybe the best in the Valley, but really, how much competition is there? If you live in the area, this is a great choice, I just wouldn't make a special trip for it.

Two Brothers From Italy Pizza

Two Brothers From Italy Pizza
4760 Oceanside Blvd
Oceanside
760-758-3638

I was in Oceanside and while driving around found Two Brothers From Italy Pizza. I was hungry and I haven't had an Italian cold cut sandwich in awhile, so why not give Two Brothers a try? Looked in the corner of a strip mall, Two Brothers From Italy Pizza is a big location, with plenty of seating and is pretty popular judging by the number of people, either dining in or picking up orders.

I got the half, 8 inches, Paolo's Special, ham, salami, capicola, pepperoni, and provolone cheese, $7.49. I read the menu incorrectly, and this wasn't a cold sub, but an oven baked sub. Not what I'm used to but I liked this sub. The bread as well toasted and added a different texture to the sandwich. The meats were pretty good quality, that were piled on top of each other. The lettuce and tomatoes were fresh. This is a solid, good sandwich at a good price. It's nothing outstanding but much better than anything you're going to get at a chain sandwich shop.

Service was good. The cashier who took my order was nice and friendly. Like I said, I misread their menu and thought I was getting a cold sandwich. So, while waiting for the sandwich, the young girl who taking food to the tables, said I'll check on your sandwich. I guess she could see I was wondering what was taking so long!! But, that's my fault because the sandwich had to be toasted and that does take some time.

I wasn't in the mood for pizza, so I didn't get a slice of pizza, or maybe the pizza that was sitting in the warmer turned me off, it didn't look that appetizing.

Overall, I had a positive experience at Two Brothers From Italy Pizza. If I'm in the area again, I may come get a fresh baked pizza, but I'm not going to rush back.

DZ Akin's

DZ Akin's
6930 Alvarado Rd
San Diego
619-265-0218

I enjoy going to the classic deli. I love the atmosphere, the food, the rich cultural significance of a deli. I've been to my share of delis in the LA area. So, on my latest trip to San Diego, I wanted to go back to the only deli that I know of and have been to in San Diego; DZ Akin's. A friend, who lives in San Diego, told me that DZ Akin's became popular because a local news reporter loves the place. In fact they even named a sandwich after him, Ted Leitner-corned beef, pastrami, and American cheese on rye.

DZ Akin's is located off the 8 freeway in a small strip mall. You enter at the bakery and deli counter, then walk through the long dining area. It can get very crowded, I've waited 20 minutes for a table before.

I got the pastrami and corned beef on rye, $12.95. While the sandwich was piled high with meat, the meat quality wasn't that good. There were a lot of fat and gristle on the meat. I know corned beef and pastrami are made from the brisket cut, a very fatty and full of connective tissue, cut of meat. But, most delis trim off a lot of the fat. I can say with almost 100% certainty, that DZ Akin's does not make their own meats. The meats are bought from a source. In other words, I can get a pound of pastrami and corned beef for the deli counter and make my own sandwich, for much less.

The rye bread wasn't anything special, I could have gotten better bread at the local market.

Service was good. I wasn't really lacking for anything, the server was nice, friendly, and helpful. I asked about their plantation soup, and she had the ingredients written on her order book. To me that's impressive. Instead of saying, I don't know or I'll have to ask, all she did was look in her book and gave me the answer. A very well trained and friendly staff.

I won't go back to DZ Akin's again. The food is just ok and like I said, I could get better meats and bread for much cheaper at most deli counters.

Gene's Grinders

Gene's Grinders
800 S Myrtle Ave
Monrovia
626-358-8016

I find restaurants from all different sources. As people have seen by the many restaurants I've reviewed, David Allen, is a professional writer, is one of my sources. Another source is the Chowhounds message board. While I will read about new restaurants on Chowhounds, I think most people who post on Chowhound, like carter, ipsedixit, reality check, will owen, and servorg, are assholes and full of themselves. The moderators are real assholes, with their heavy handed deleting and locking of threads.

Anyways, I read a thread on Chowhounds about, grinders, which is another name for sandwiches, used mostly back east, and Gene's Grinders in Monrovia was mentioned. I knew I was going to be in Monrovia, and decided to give them a try. On a side note about the asshole factor on Chowhounds, the person who started the grinder thread, had all these stupid requirements about a grinder. I really wish people who understand almost nobody uses the term, grinder. It's a sandwich.




Since the pastrami dip, $7.50, was highly talked about, I got a large pastrami. The pastrami is mustard and pickles. When I saw this sandwich, I honestly thought I was at The Hat. The pastrami was sliced very thin and piled high on a nice, chewy roll. Exactly like The Hat. The pastrami was good but nothing outstanding. I'm all about supporting mom and pop restaurants, so Gene's Grinders is fine. But, honestly it's nothing more than The Hat and a longer drive for me.

Service was very good. The guy who took my order, was very nice and helpful. The sandwich came out quickly.

The asshole on Chowhound, talked up Gene's as a holy grail. While Gene's is fine, I certainly wouldn't sing it's praises, but if I'm in the area, I would stop in.

Tip Top Meats & European Delicatessen

Tip Top Meats & European Delicatessen
6118 Paseo Del Norte
Carlsbad
760-438-2620

Knowing I was going to The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, I searched online for something to eat afterwards. I found Tip Top Meats & European Delicatessen, which is a German restaurant and market. I figured I would give it a try since most restaurants around The Flower Fields are chains.

When you walk in, you're in the market part of the building, lots of German products. Then you will see a long line along the deli counter. It's counter service with one cash register and for the entire time I was in line, only one person taking orders. While I was eating, a second person came up and started taking orders, why that second person didn't take order earlier, I have no idea.



Anyways, I made the mistake of ordering a french dip, $7.99, with well done fries. I should have ordered a German sausage or schnitzel or a hot sandwich like corned beef. Anyways the french dip was served lukewarm, not hot. The roast beef was dry, a bit chewy and bland; this needed salt in the worst way. The side of au jus, which was hot, also needed some salt, very bland.

The french bread was toasted, but I think it was put in a holding area and then slightly heated when somebody ordered it.

The fries, which I asked for well done, was served lukewarm. They weren't even well done.

Why their hot menu items aren't hot, is beyond me.

Service is OK. The cashier who took your order wasn't friendly at all. She never smiled or gave a welcoming feeling. She was like a robot; asking what you want, giving you a total and then taking your money.

The line moved slowly, but that's a function of the restaurant and not the workers. They need to add another cash register. One register just can't handle the crowds.

The other dishes I saw like the steak, schnitzel, and sausage plate looked very good. So I would go back to Tip Top and try some other dishes, but I wouldn't touch any of the sandwiches.

Oh, The Flowers Fields are really nice. Well worth the $10 admission price and take the wagon ride.

Sugar Rush Cafe

Sugar Rush Cafe
3900 Valley Blvd
Ste A
Walnut
909-869-7969

A friend has been holding out on me; she went to Sugar Rush Cafe but never told me about it, until today. So we met for lunch and she brought a friend, who was once very nice, but now she is a snotty, pretentious westsider!!! Boooooooooooo. Why do people on the westside think they are better than everybody else?

Anyways, Sugar Rush Cafe, is hidden in an industrial section of Walnut. They serve breakfast all day, and lunch. From what I understand the current owner, bought Sugar Rush from the original owners and there hasn't been any difference in food quality or service.



I really wanted to get a breakfast item but it was lunch time and I decided on the club sandwich, $9.50, turkey, ham, applewood smoked bacon, butter lettuce and tomatoes, mayo on toasted white bread, with fries.

This sandwich was huge, filled with tons of turkey and ham. Both, the turkey and ham are standard lunch meat items. It isn't the top quality brand of meat, but it was good.

The thick sliced bacon was very well smoked and crispy!!!

The bread, while well toasted, was just standard white bread.

The fries were really good. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. There was very little salt on the fries and I love that. Too much salt on fries can ruin the taste.

Service was great. I was greeted when I walked in and they allowed me to sit at a table, even though my two friends had not arrived yet. The young lady was took our order couldn't have been nicer. She was had a nice outgoing personality. We didn't lack for anything as drinks were refilled.

I would go back to Sugar Rush Cafe anything. I really want to try their breakfast! A true hidden gem!! Too bad, my friend held out on me for so long!!

Capri Deli & Kitchen

Capri Deli & Kitchen
713 E San Bernardino Rd
Covina
626-331-0233

As you can tell by the picture, Capri has been around since 1954. I've been craving a good sandwich and I decided to go to Capri.




I got a large (12") cold cut combo sandwich, $7.39, ham, mortadella, salami, coppocollo, prosciuttini, and provolone cheese. Yes, that's right five meats and cheese on a sandwich. The sandwiches come with lettuce, tomato and oil, but I had them replace the oil, with mayo. This was a great sandwich with tons of good quality cold cuts and fresh lettuce and tomatoes. The bread is an Italian roll, that was soft and chewy, with good texture.

The only thing I found interesting is, the way they put the sandwich into two different bags. I thought they would wrap the entire sandwich in butcher paper, but it was split in half and put into two different bags.

But, that wasn't that big of a deal, the sandwich was great.



I wanted a hot sandwich, so I ordered the chicken parmesan sandwich, $6.45, breaded chicken patty, marinara sauce, and provolone cheese. I wasn't impressed with this at all. The chicken was tough, chewy and seemed as they had been in the oven for too long. There wasn't a lot of marinara sauce on the sandwich, but they give you a portion, on the side. The marinara sauce was ok, though a bit bland.

Service was OK. The line during lunch is long, but moves quickly. They have a lot of people making sandwiches. The young girl, who made my sandwich is ok, not overly friendly, just kinda of going through the motions. She wasn't bad, but she wasn't great, either.

I would go back to Capri again, but I wouldn't order the chicken parmesan sandwich again.

Arby's-Pomona-Closed

Arby's
2250 N Garey Ave
Pomona
909-596-1644

I love history and historical things. So when David Allen wrote a story about this Arby's, I wanted to do a review and mention the history of Arby's to readers of The New Diner.

Why is this Arby's historic? It is one, of about ten, remaining Arby's that have BOTH the "Conestoga wagon" building and the ten-gallon hat sign. There are still many places that have the ten-gallon hat sign, but very few with the both!! In fact there is an Arby's in Azusa that has the ten-gallon hat sign, but the building is a modern structure. An interesting note, Pomona's second Arby's location, at 1175 E. Holt Ave., which is now King's Teriyaki, still has the chuck wagon building, but the 10-gallon hat is long gone.

This Arby's opened up in January, 1970 and is still going strong. But, Allen infers that this Arby's maybe renovated very soon.

I won't really go into detail about the food at Arby's. It is what it is. I only got two items on their $1 value menu. Both were fine.



I got the Jr. roast beef sandwich, $1. Filled with thinly sliced roast beef. Everybody knows this is processed roast beef. But it it what it is.



I also got the ham and cheese melt, $1. Filled with thinly sliced ham and melted, what seemed like nacho cheese, this sandwich was fine.

Service was pretty good. The manager of the store took my order. I was a bit surprised because it's usually a regular employee who takes the orders.

I hope Arby's keeps this location, exactly like it is. I love seeing the combination of the ten-gallon hat sign and the Conestoga wagon building.

Update Oct. 28, 2010: I got an email, from a loyal The New Diner reader, who said there is another Arby's with the chuckwagon building and ten-gallon hat sign combo, in Huntington Beach. Just imagine, two of the ten remaining locations, with the chuckwagon building and ten gallon hat sign, within about 45 minutes of each other. I will do a review of the Huntington Beach location soon.

Update Nov. 30, 2010- Arby's in Huntington Beach.

I drove by the Huntington Beach location and just took pictures of the building. All Arby's are the same, no reason to eat there again.

But I also found another location that has the chuckwagon building and ten-gallon hat sign combo, in Buena Park or La Palma on Lincoln. Hopefully, I will have pictures of that location, soon.



Arby's
7942 Edinger Ave
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714-842-5280

Corsica Italian Delicatessen

Corsica Italian Delicatessen
8111 Foothill Blvd
Sunland
818-352-7213

The San Fernando Valley is an interesting place. Many people, outside of California, think "cities" like Northridge, Van Nuys, and Sunland are actual cities. But they are really "communities" Those communities are part of the city of Los Angeles.

But each of these communities, each have their own unique flavor and but one thing they have in common is that, they are a bunch of NIMBY's.

So, while I understand Sunland isn't a "city" it is a community that I haven't reviewed a restaurant. So I was going to be in the area for lunch and looked for some sandwich places. I found Corsica Italian Delicatessen and wanted to give them a try.



The first thing I noticed about Corsica, is it's huge menu. They have so many sandwich choices. I finally decided to get a Clark's Special, $8.99; cappocolla, pastrami, and swiss cheese, with mayo, lettuce and tomatoes on french roll. The sandwich usually comes with hot pepper cheese but I don't like hot pepper cheese.

There was about a quarter pound of meats on the sandwich. But both the cappocolla and pastrami weren't anything special. They were standard lunch meat from any supermarket deli section. They were ok, but nothing outstanding and not worth the high price.

But the french roll was soft, with a very chewy texture, almost like a Philly cheesesteak roll. Maybe the best part of the sandwich.

Service was very good. The lady who took my order was very nice, if a bit talkative. She told me about the area and the fact that Corsica has been around for about 40 years.

I wasn't impressed with Corsica and I wouldn't go back for their sandwiches. High prices for ok quality meats, isn't worth it.

Junior's Restaurant/Deli-Closed

Junior's Restaurant/Deli
2379 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles
310-475-5771

I heard about Junior's Restaurant/Deli a few months back and decided to give them a try. My favorite deli in LA, is Canter's, so Junior's had a lot to live up to.




I ordered the David Deli Platter, $13.95, corned beef, pastrami, swiss cheese, and rye bread on a platter, because I didn't see a corned beef and pastrami combo sandwich. But I figured they were using the same corned beef and pastrami, as they do on their sandwich, so I couldn't lose. I did like both the corned beef and pastrami. Both were tender, flavorful and didn't have much fat!! Junior's trims the fat, where other deli's serve you a fat filled sandwich.

The rye bread was a bit bland, I want to taste the fennel seed. The swiss cheese was very good, light, nutty flavor.

Service was great. I sat at the counter and the server was annoying and wonderful. I didn't lack for anything and she refilled my drink without asking. She was great. She could dish it out and take it. She was getting on me when I asked for a box, saying I should clean my plate. So I got on her, when put my leftovers in the box, and she took the plate; I told her I wasn't done yet. Then I smiled. She smiled. She asked how everything. I said the food was great but, just as I was going to say, service needs improvement, she said service was annoying!!! It was great. The server's name is Anne and she is just awesome.

I would go back to Junior's anytime. I love this place. Has it replaced Canter's, as my favorite? Let's just say, Junior's is 1B.

Mattern Sausage & Meats

Mattern Sausage & Meats
4327 E Chapman Ave
Orange
714-639-3550

I figured that pretentious jerk Orange County, had a good sized German population. There are two German restaurants in a two mile radius from The Honda Center. But I have never gone to either restaurant. I heard about Mattern Sausage and Meats, and though Mattern is more known for their sausage and deli meats, they do serve sandwiches, so I decided to give them a try. .

Mattern is in a small building with limited parking. I was surprised that many customers spoke German. But, I bet the INS would never check to see if these krauts were in the country, illegally. But they would bust the local car wash, to see if the Mexicans working there, were in the country illegally.




Poor boy, $5.90, German cold cuts with harvarti cheese on rye bread. The sandwiches come with mayo, lettuce, and tomatoes and cheese. This sandwich had meats I've never seen. German baloney and something that looked like a German mortadella, There was a good amount of meat on the sandwich, the meats were fresh and from what I could tell made from quality meats.

The rye bread was a bit tough and chewy and didn't stand out.

Service is very slow. For a first timers, it can be overwhelming. You take a number and they call out the number. But expect a long wait, they are so damn slow. I got there, got number 8, they were working with number 5 when I got there and it took about 20 minutes before I was helped, and #6 had left.

Then the lady who helped me wasn't helpful at all. She didn't ask what kind of cheese I wanted, she was short with her answers, and just took too damn long to make my sandwich.

I wasn't overwhelmed with the sandwiches at Mattern. It is pretty good but nothing great for sandwiches. I may go there for their sausages, which is interesting because some are freshly made but others are in the freezer. WTF?

Luigi Ortega's-Closed

Luigi Ortega's 1655 E Colorado Blvd Pasadena 626-396-9669 Luigi Ortega's is across the the street for Pasadena City College, where the great Jackie Robinson, attended before breaking the color line in baseball with the BROOKLYN Dodgers. Luigi Ortega's is an interesting combination of Italian and Mexican food. But what I heard they were known for, is their Philly cheesesteaks and hoagies. Later on, I realized the irony of two Philly staples, cheesesteaks and hoagies, near the school Jackie Robinson attended. Philadelphia is a scumbag racist city. When Jackie Robinson broke the color line in baseball, by far, the city who treated him the worst was Philly. In 1997, when Major League Baseball honored 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson, breaking the color line, the Philadelphia Phillies apologized to the Robinson family, for the way jerkoffs on the Phillies treated Jackie Robinson. Philly fans maybe less racist but they are still a bunch of scumbags in Philly. From the jerkoff who ran onto the field during a Phillies game and was tasered; which they should do at any moron who runs onto the field, to the idiot who threw up on a father and daughter at a Phillies game, Philly has nothing but no class loser sports fans. Philly cheesesteak, $6.25, with provolone cheese on an Amorosa roll. Amorosa rolls are a must for any cheesesteak. The rolls have the perfect texture, chewy crust with a soft inside. But, a good ratio of cheese to meat, is also important!! On this cheesesteak, there was a decent amount of beef, though I doubt it was ribeye, but there wasn't much provolone cheese. The beef was more like top round or sirlion. It had a good flavor but not bursting with flavor. I asked for the Italian hoagie, $6.99, coppacola, mortadella, Genoa Salami, prosciutto and provolone Cheese on a Amorosa roll, to go. This hoagie had only mayo, lettuce and tomatoes, added. I hate Italian dressing and vinegar on my sandwiches. I don't want something that is too tangy or will make the sandwich soggy. The meats were pretty good but there just wasn't enough of it. I could go to Eastside Italian Market and get a sandwich with the same meats, ok, without the prosciutto, but with much more meat. I'm not saying this hoagie wasn't good, it was, I just don't think it is worth the price. Service is below average. The lady who took my order, had either just started working or is brand new. She was so unsure about how to write my order etc. I asked if they could put the Sunday night baseball game on TV, they were showing stupid X Games, and some other crap on TV. She said sure. But she didn't get to it until taking two orders, then until my cheesesteak was ready. Another lady brought me the cheesesteak and said I don't think we can change the channel. About 2-3 minutes later the channel was finally changed and I got to watch baseball, a real sport, not some bastardized sport made for TV. Of course, I had just about finished my cheesesteak by that time. There is no reason for me to go back to Luigi Ortega's, for anything. Ok, great they use Amorosa rolls but the meats for the cheesesteaks aren't anything great and there isn't enough meat on the hoagies.

Pasadena Sandwich Company

Pasadena Sandwich Company
259 Sierra Madre Villa Ave
Pasadena
626-578-1616

I wanted to review Pasadena Sandwich Company, so I can mention Top Chef, DC. Now I think all celebrity chefs are douchebags. Their food is average at best and they are living off their celebrity status. Big deal, they are on Bravo or Food Network!! Doesn't mean their food is any good. Now, I know the chefs on Top Chefs, aren't celebrity chefs, just yet. But most are such douchebags, I can't stand them.

Anyways the second episode of Top Chef DC, had the chefs making a school lunch for middle school kids. The guest judge told the chefs the issue of school lunches are; too much processed crap, too much sugar, lack of flavor, and a lack of veggies.

So in this episode, four chefs formed a team and cooked school lunch; that should include an entree, dessert, and veggies. Remember, they are trying to make school lunches, healthy and tasty so kids will eat it.

It's clear that this season, Angelo and Kenny are the top two chefs. Two chefs had immunity; Angelo and Tracy, because they won some stupid contest, that starts the every show. Angelo picked Kenny on his team and proceeded to throw this competition. Douchebag Angelo made a peanut butter and celery dish, for the kids. Their team also had a sweet potato mouse, a nasty looking chicken burger, and other crap. This was a terrible meal, that nobody on the team, gave a damn about. But the DOUCHEBAG Angelo, was the worst. His goal, wasn't to serve a great meal to kids, but to get his main competition, Kenny, eliminated. At judge's table, DOUCHEBAG Angelo, was asked, "Would you have made that dish, if you didn't have immunity?" DOUCHEBAG's answer? I can't answer that right now. Ok, I know that a lot of editing has been done, so there is a chance, that wasn't his true answer. But anybody is a damn DOUCHEBAG, if they throw a competition, that is servings meals to KIDS!!!

Another team had this crazy bitch chef, Amanda, who kept insisting on using cooking sherry for KIDS and another chef, Jacqueline, who is just too stupid to listen.

Even a damn alcoholic would know, not to use cooking sherry when serving kids a meal!!! There are so many other choices!! You're a damn chef, you crazy bitch, Amanda, use your skills. Now, I'll admit Amanda is easy on the eyes but I can't get over how stubborn and stupid she was, using sherry to cook a meal for kids.

Each team had $130 to shop for items. The stupid chef, Jacqueline, thought each member of the team had $130. I saw her bio and I now understand, why she is so stupid, she is from Boston, an idiot Red Sox fan. So when they went shopping, only $10 of the budget went toward her dessert.

The crazy bitch chef, Amanda, was startled to learn at judge's table, her choice of cooking sherry was a stupid idea. HELLO. Why would you be so stupid and insist on using sherry for kids?? She works in LA, which means, I'm never going to any restaurant where she is the chef. Though I wouldn't mind seeing her at the beach.

But the real stupid chef, Jacqueline said to the judges, she used two pounds of sugar in her banana dessert. It's like she didn't hear the guest judge, saying that school lunches had TOO MUCH SUGAR. Hell, she would have been better off making a banana and strawberry salad or smoothie. The stupid chef was sent packing. But Top Chef, should have also sent, that DOUCHBAG, Angelo, home too. I mean, really, throwing a contest, that benefits kids? DOUCHEBAG.

Anyways, for me lunch has always been about sandwiches. I love sandwiches, everything, except liverwurst. From peanut butter and jelly to pastrami, I love sandwiches. I heard good things about Pasadena Sandwich Company and decided to have lunch there.




I go the Chicago sandwich, $7.95, corned beef, pastrami, swiss cheese, Russian dressing, on rye bread, with cole slaw on the side. Yes, the sandwich was piled high, but there was so much fat, it wasn't even funny. I had to cut out so much fat, I would bet, it added up to about a quarter of the meat. Both the pastrami and corned beef was fatty, chewy, tough, and lacked flavor. The swiss cheese, rye bread and Russian dressing was fine. But who cares, if the meats are terrible. This had to be among the worst sandwiches, I've had. Ok, the portions are huge but who cares, if they use a poor quality meat!!!!

Service was good. Nice and friendly servers. But there they need to clear up which area is for to go orders. When you walk in, there are two windows, one area listed as To Go Pick up, but the other area isn't marked, so I figured that was where to place your order. Anyways, the area where it says; To Go Pick up, is where to place your order.

I would not go back to Pasadena Sandwich Company, again. Terrible, fatty sandwiches.

Johnny's Pastrami-Closed

Johnny's Pastrami
4331 W Adams Blvd
Los Angeles
323-734-6003

Not far from Phillips BBQ on Crenshaw is Johnny's Pastrami, that came with high praise from people in line at Phillips. So I decided to give Johnny's Pastrami a try. Please note, this is not the same as Johnnie’s Pastrami in Culver City, they have different spelling.



Pastrami, $7.45. The pastrami sliced thin, piled high on a bun that is dipped; much like The Hat. But unlike The Hat, the pastrami was dried out,even though it was soaking in it's natural juices, tough, chewy, with lots and lots of fat, and just plain bad. It tasted like it's been sitting around for the entire week. Not good at all.



I noticed they had a hot dog, $2.45, on the menu and decided to try it. The hot dog is made by Hoffy, which I think is a second rate hot dog, because of the poor quality of meats and seasonings used. Anyways, I asked for the hot dog with raw onions and mustard. The hot dog is grilled but was so overcooked, the outside was tough and chewy. The inside wasn't any better since it's a second rate Hoffy hot dog. The bun was straight out of the package, not toasted and pretty poor quality. The onions and mustard were fine.

Service is terrible. First, I walk up the window, the lady sees me but never acknowledges me for about five minutes. I know she is busy, but it doesn't take much to say Hi, I'll be right with you. Taking my order was fine but I can't stand not being acknowledged when I walk up there. Then my total came out to $11.70 for a pastrami, $7.45, and hot dog, hot dog, $2.45. Even with sales tax, that total would be $10.88. So I was overcharged about a $1. Now people may ask, why didn't I question them about the price, right then. I should have but that is still no excuse for them to overcharge people. TERRIBLE service.

I would never go back to this rip off place again. Of the two other pastrami places, I have reviewed, this is the worst, by far. I much prefer Johnnie’s Pastrami in Culver City and The Hat. Terrible service, terrible food. Why bother?

Eastside Market Italian Deli

Eastside Market Italian Deli
1013 Alpine St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-250-2464

The first time I heard about Eastside Market, was when they catered a Christmas dinner. I was pretty impressed with their chicken and lemon capers and their pasta dishes. Later, when I read more about Eastside Market, I found they had; been in business since 1929 and had some good sandwiches. So I decided to give them a try.

The first thing you'll notice about Eastside Market, during a weekday lunch time, is the amount of cops and city of LA, employees. I've never seen so many badges!! If you got a complaint with the city of LA, go to Eastside Market and you may find the person who can help you.




#9, cold cut combo with cheese, $7.10. Turkey, salami, mortadella, capicollo, and ham with provolone cheese, mayo, lettuce and tomato, on Italian roll. I loved this sandwich. Being an Italian deli, I was a bit surprised they didn't put Italian dressing and olive oil on sandwiches. But I hate that stuff on a sandwich, so it didn't matter. But overall a very good quality cold cuts, fresh veggies, on a nice firm Italian roll. The amount of meat and the quality of the meat, makes this sandwich a steal.




#7, roast beef, pastrami, and cheese, topped with a red peppers sauce, $7.10. This is their most popular sandwich. The sandwich is more like a french dip, because this is a messy sandwich. The roast beef and pastrami are soaking in natural juices, then stacked onto the roll with the pepper sauce. But this isn't too soggy because the Italian roll is firm and absorbs the juices and pepper sauce very well. There is a ton of roast beef and pastrami stacked on this sandwich. The roast beef is a bit chewy, but I like it. The pastrami has a very nice texture and flavor. This was a huge sandwich and well worth the price.

Service. Don't be scared off by the lines, they move quickly because 4-5 people are making sandwiches for you. The guy who served me was pretty quick. But he had major attitude when he had to repeat my order. I mean it's crowded as hell, the place is noisy and he is barely talking above a whisper. Yeah, I'm suppose to be able to hear you over that. Another guy is the cashier and he was nice and helpful.
There is only street parking but no meters, a benefits of Eastside Deli being a city worker's favorite?

I would go back to Eastside Deli any time. I loved the sandwiches and the price, is a steal. Eastside is so much better than the last Italian deli I went to, Angelo's Italian Deli.

Magee's Kitchen

Magee's Kitchen
6333 W. 3rd St
Stall #624
Los Angeles
323-938-4127

One of the first times, I ever went to the LA Farmer's Market, I went to Magee's Kitchen and had a corned beef sandwich. Since that first time I went to the Farmer's Market, I have been to four other restaurants/stands at the Farmer's Market; Patsy D'Amore's, Gumbo Pot, Deano's Pizza, Bryan's Pit BBQ.

I figured since I was in the area, I should give Magee's another try.




I got the corned beef sanwich, $8.75, with mustard, on rye bread. You can get horseradish on the sandwich, I asked for it on the side. I know corned beef is from the very fatty, brisket cut, and fat adds flavor to meats. But this corned beef was way too fatty, use the fat to flavor the meat but cut the fat off when serving the corned beef.

Anyways the corned beef, was pretty moist, tender and flavorful. But just to much fat. I cut out most of the fat, and I bet I cut about 10% of the weight of the sandwich. The rye bread was pretty standard, nothing special.

Service was pretty good. The girl taking my order was nice and friendly. She tried to suggest adding sides to the sandwich, but I declined. I didn't mind how she asked, in a nice friendly way, I wish other servers would be as nice, not pushy.

I wouldn't go back to Magee's Kitchen. It wasn't anything outstanding. You're better off, going to Canter's Deli, a few block up the street.