New York vs. Los Angeles: Who Has the Best Pastrami?

The Post puts the pastrami from Langer's in LA and Katz's in NYC to the test in a blind taste challenge.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 2:15pm

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In a battle of the coasts, the Post staged blind taste tests in both New York and Los Angeles to determine which city has the superior pastrami - Langer's in LA or Katz's in NYC. The results were surprising, with Langer's edging out the iconic Katz's in New York, while Katz's came out on top in the LA tasting.

Why it matters

The pastrami debate between New York and Los Angeles has been raging for years, with each city claiming to have the best version of the iconic Jewish deli staple. This taste test aimed to settle the score and determine once and for all which coast reigns supreme when it comes to pastrami.

The details

In the New York tasting, 7 Post staffers sampled pastrami sandwiches from both Langer's and Katz's, rating them on a scale of 1-10. Langer's emerged victorious, winning 4-3. Staffers praised Langer's pastrami as "super tasty" with "a nice amount of fattiness" and a "really good bite." Katz's was criticized for being too fatty and dry. In Los Angeles, 7 California Post staffers also participated in a blind tasting, and this time Katz's came out on top 5-2, with tasters praising its "bolder" flavor and "decades of experience, experimentation and perfection."

  • The New York tasting took place just before a snowstorm last weekend.
  • The Los Angeles tasting was held at the California Post's new offices in Century City.

The players

Langer's

A vintage California-style coffee shop in Los Angeles that has been serving up acclaimed pastrami sandwiches since 1947.

Katz's Deli

A legendary New York City deli that has been in business since 1888 and is known for its iconic pastrami sandwiches, including its appearance in the film "When Harry Met Sally."

Norm Langer

The owner of Langer's Deli, who expressed pride in the results of the New York tasting, saying the food speaks for itself after generations of perfecting their pastrami.

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What they’re saying

“After eating this, I think I'll be orgasming like Meg Ryan.”

— Andrew Court, Lifestyle desk staffer (New York Post)

“This tastes like New York.”

— Steve Cuozzo, Post restaurant critic (New York Post)

“There's so much more flavor. You can tell this one has been mastered through decades and decades of experience, experimentation and perfection.”

— Ryan Kostecka, Sports Editor (California Post)

What’s next

The debate over the best pastrami is sure to continue, with both coasts staunchly defending their local favorites. However, this taste test has provided some clarity, with Langer's emerging as the surprise victor in New York and Katz's solidifying its reputation in Los Angeles.

The takeaway

This friendly rivalry between New York and Los Angeles over the best pastrami highlights the deep-rooted pride and loyalty each city has for its iconic food institutions. While the results were split, the taste test proved that both Langer's and Katz's are masters of their craft, serving up some of the most delicious pastrami in the country.