Johnnie's Pastrami

02/22/2009 Posted by Hawaii96815

Johnnie's & Tito's are almost next door to each other near the corner of Sepulveda BL. & Washington PL. in Culver City, CA. Exit the 405 fwy. at Venice/Washington BL. & you're there. Parking can be a challenge, but it's worth the inconvenience. I've been going to these restaurants for 45 years. I don't live in the L.A. area anymore, so I really miss Johnnie's & Tito's.... Whenever I'm in the L.A. area, here is what I do: I drop off my wife to wait in line at Titos. (the beef, bean, rice & cheese burritos are the best anywhere) After my wife has procured 2 burritos to go, she meets me at Johnnie's where I have already secured a nice table outside next to the fireplace. About this time, the waitress is bringing our greasy, gooey, delicious Johnnie's tacos & their signature original Johnnie's Chili Size.... (Johnnie's has never complained about us bringing in the Tito's burritos) Tito's is great, but lacks the classic '50's ambiance of Johnnie's. I like Johnnie's tacos better than Tito's also. As I recall, you can get a beer at Johnnie's, but not at Tito's. Before I leave Johnnie's, I usually order (to go) one of their big delicious pastrami sandwiches with onions, lots of mustard & extra Johnnie's pickles.

10/02/2008 Posted by mynameisqiana

I have been eating at Jonnie's since I was a kid and I still crave it to this day. Even though I dont live in LA anymore, I have my dad ship me a good ol pastrami sandwich about twice a month. Its a little pricy but it is worth it. High recommended to tourists or anyone craving a really good pastrami sandwich.

07/04/2008 Posted by GEAH

Johnnie's is certainly okay. But the price is far out of line for what you get. A Deluxe Pastami Plate and Coke will, with tip, set you back right around $20. It's simply not a $20 meal.

05/18/2008 Posted by pcos

over $14 for a pastrami and fries. I've had way better pastrami at lots of other locations not worth it

05/15/2008 Posted by dreamsicle64

I am from Culver City and now in live in Ohio........and I miss my sandwhiches from Johnnies!!!!!! I wish they would ship!

Cons: They wont ship to another state UPS or overnight shipment! :( soo sad!!!

04/07/2008 Posted by Lindilu

We grew up in Culver City & now live in WA State... Last time in CA we went out of our way by 50 miles to get a Johnnies Pastrami! My husband went there all the time as a kid & I had vague memories of a delicious pastrami sandwich & good 50's music. The weekend of our H.S. reunion (1954,55) we had to stop early afternoon & get a Johnnies and ohmy! was it ever worth the time! We had friends with us & we all savored our sandwiches & the delicious pickles! There is no place that we have ever been that serves the delicious, juice-dripping, salty, not good for you sandwich like Johnnies!! Have plenty of napkins ready, & be ready to be waddling-full when you are done. Don't plan any meals after this one, for sure! Listening to 50's music made us want to have a street-dance, & eating a johnnies pastrami made us wish they would open one here in WA!! You'll want to pack one for home when you're through!! Next time we're bringing along a small ice-chest & packing a few to bring home for our family to try!! Maybe even a large ice-chest! Next time you're in the area, be sure to grab a Johnnies on the way to the Marina! If the local yuppies can't handle the grease, drippings, salt, great pickles, stay away! We know plenty of "real" people that love the mess & the joy of eating at Johnnies Pastrami!!

03/28/2008 Posted by Morrocan

Been a customer for over forty years----the only change in that time, is that now THEY HAVE AN ATM in the parking lot. But still, only take cash. Best Pastrami period. Sit on the patio and have Sandy serve you a basket of hot, crisp french fries. Steaming Pastrami, Big John Double Cheeseburger---and the best pickles around. If your'e looking for "health food"----stay away from here ! One of the few places in this goofy city, where you can sit on the patio by the firepit, enjoy a beer, a smoke and big nasty Pastrami !! Just remember--"it's always 1977 here at Johnnie's"

Pros: Open late-smoke outside on patio OK

Cons: Big portions and most assuredly not health food !

03/20/2008 Posted by DJFFF

I have been going to Johnnies for many years and the rule has always been that if you phone in a TO GO order, it is TO GO. This has nothing to do with race, religion or sexual preference. Why take a table from a dine-in patron that has to wait for an open table and be served by a waitress? The same waitress that would have earned a nice tip on a $72 order. Feel safe and secure. You can go to Johnnies and have a great pastrami, chili cheese fries, or any of the other great menu items.

Pros: Pastrami good enough to crave. Nice seating outside by the firepit.

Cons: Kinda on the expensive side.

01/03/2008 Posted by scope213

LOL! The Hat (Valley Blvd in Alhambra) serves minced meat for Pastrami...it's disgusting. I was shocked, especially for an establishment thats been in the business for such a long time...also their service is poor. Johnnies is by far one of the best for pastrami including the other Johnnies on Crenshaw and Adams. High quality meat and tons of it. Also, great down to earth service. Go see for yourself!

Pros: TONS OF FOOD

Cons: DON'T GO FOR THE AMBIENCE-TOGO

12/30/2007 Posted by rckero3

I had heard this was the best pastrami in town so I finally decided to try it. On my first and probably my last visit, I learned that A. The pastrami sandwich was good but not great B. The Hat is the best Pastrami sandwich in LA and C. Way tooo expensive. I mean the portions are big but I'm about quality over quantity. If you are in those neck of the wood, might as well go to Tito's Tacos. They are also a Cash Only restaurant but you can have a feast at Titos for under ten bucks and the food is awesome. Not the case with Johnnie's.

Pros: Old Dinner Vibe...big portions

Cons: Too expensive for the quality of the food.