LAReview
photo credit: Benji Dell
Wexler's Deli
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The rise of Grand Central Market is well documented. After nearly 100 years of business, the downtown food hall has been revisioned into something close to the Magic Kingdom of food tourism, and it’s hardly slowing down. Head there today and you’ll be met with terrible parking, long lines, crowded aisles, and Doug and Pam from Toledo throwing elbows until they get the seat they want (spoiler: it’s the one you’re in). There’s certainly great food to be had down here, but at some point it begs the question—Is it even worth it?
When it comes to Wexler’s–always.
The NYC-style deli waltzed into GCM a few years back and almost overnight became the headline at the downtown food market. So what’s the fuss about? The pastrami. Cured and seasoned in-house every day, this is easily the best pastrami LA has seen in years. And in a town with Langer’s and Canter’s and Brent’s and Art’s and Greenblatt’s, that’s not nothing. The no-frills O.G. on rye is the easiest way to understand just how good their pastrami actually is, but for our money, once you order that MacArthur Park you’ll never go back. Pastrami, coleslaw, swiss, and Russian dressing piled high on rye, it’s an obvious homage to Langer’s famous #19, but gives the classic an uncomfortable run for it’s money.
photo credit: Benji Dell
But it’s not all about the pastrami either. Prior to 11am, you can get a breakfast that rivals a certain egg-centric food stall around the corner. Wexler’s lox and bagel might not be the best in town, but it’s still very good and at $13, a complete steal. The Ruskie with egg salad and pickles is surprisingly light, all on a fresh-made Kaiser roll we wish they sold by the dozen. Their morning menu perhaps isn’t as successful as their afternoon one, but if you’re roaming around DTLA early, it’s still a great option.
Above all else though, you get the sense Wexler’s actually gives a sh*t. Each sandwich handed out here matters to the people behind the counter, and that’s why whether it’s a Reuben, tuna salad, lox, turkey, or pastrami, it’s going to be good. Sure, the idea of driving down to GCM can be a painful one, but when the people down there are putting in the effort, maybe you should too.