Johnnie's Pastrami • 1952

Since 1952, this neon-lit Sepulveda Boulevard landmark has been piling kosher-style pastrami sky-high on rye bread, earning a devoted following across generations of Angelenos. The crown jewel remains the hot pastrami sandwich—tender, peppery, and served with pickles and a side of old-school charm complete with vintage jukeboxes. Every bite tastes like a time machine back to mid-century L.A., when diners like this defined the city's casual eating culture.