Langer’s Deli, a beloved culinary landmark in Los Angeles for nearly 80 years, is renowned for its iconic No. 19 hot pastrami sandwich on rye.

At first, the deli catered to the waves of Jewish immigrants in the MacArthur Park area. But over the years, Langer’s has adapted to the changing neighborhood scenery, always drawing in an eclectic crowd eager to try what some say is the world’s greatest sandwich.

Its accolades, including two James Beard Awards and a Michelin recognition, solidify its status in the history books of Los Angeles.

Norm Langer, who grew up watching his parents build the deli from the ground up, continues to run Langer’s Deli with pride.

“It feels like I’ve been able to make a contribution to the city of Los Angeles,” he said. “And it’s something my parents started some 77 years ago, and I’ve tried to carry on the tradition.”

In the latest episode of “LA Stories” with Giselle Fernandez, Langer shares the history behind their legendary food.

The secret to the melt-in-your-mouth pastrami, he said, is allowing it to steam for hours until it becomes fork-tender.

Langer fondly recalls the deli’s early days during his childhood, a time when he said MacArthur Park was more idyllic, and the community was tightly knit.

“It’s part of history, it’s part of Los Angeles, but it’s my upbringing,” he said. “This is where I was born.”

Today, Langer expresses frustration about what he perceives as a downward turn in the neighborhood around the deli.

He says that drugs, homelessness and illegal street vendors make it uncomfortable for his customers to come into the restaurant and wants the city to help clean it up and make it safer.

While he says he realizes that change takes time, Langer is considering closing the famous deli.

Whatever happens, he remains hopeful about continuing his parents’ legacy for many years.

“I’d like to stay open. I’d like to be here,” he said, “To close it… a part of me is going to close up.”

Spectrum News reached out Mayor Karen Bass’ office about Langer’s and Norm Langer’s feeling that the city isn’t doing enough to clean up the area around his beloved restaurant. They sent this statement:

"There have been many efforts over the years to address the homelessness crisis and drug and safety issues in MacArthur Park which have been decades in the making. The Mayor and her senior staff have met with Mr. Langer and spoken with him multiple times as she leads the CIty’s unprecedented and coordinated inter-departmental approach to issues in the community. More is coming – thus far, City actions include:

• LAPD has added officers to the area to deter crime and hold individuals accountable. 

• City departments have stepped up their cleaning and maintenance efforts in and around the park.

  • More than 200 tons of debris have been removed since this additional action began.

  • This includes comprehensive cleanings and illegal dumping response.

  • Increased street sweeping.

  • Hiring more staff to clean and maintain the park.

• The Bureau of Street Lighting installed solar streetlights.

• Changes to public parking have been made to directly support local businesses including Langer’s.

  • More frequent parking enforcement in alleys.

  • Replaced current signage with no parking signage.

  • Currently designating a traffic engineering solution to address illegal parking

• Additional programming in the park is being explored to curb crime and other behaviors as are other interventions including expanding USC Street Medicine, the unarmed crisis response program CIRCLE, and the Collaborative for Substance Use Care. 

"Again – more must be done to address these issues which have compounded for years and the City is ramping up efforts to address homelessness and crime in the area but also to improve things like street lighting and business support."