4017 Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City, CA 90230 (lataco.com map)
Johnnie's Pastrami may be in Culver City, but it is Los Angeles. From the classic sign to the friendly staff to the spicy SoCal twist on an East Coast tradition, Johnnie's has been defining lunch in LA for five decades. Prices have been sneaking up in recent years, making Johnnie's a bit on the edge of a cheap eats designation, but if you're on the West Side and you want to be stuffed full of delicious seasoned pastrami or roast beef, this is your #1 stop. Yes, Langer's may have the city's best traditional pastrami but Johnnie's is something else-- served on a roll and not rye, best eaten with spicy mustard (ask the waitress) and a few spicy peppers (also ask for 'em), and accompanied with some tasty au jus. Come with a friend because the best seats are for 2 only, and remember to bring cash because they don't take plastic (there's an ATM across the street at the gas station).
