Los Angeles : Eastside Market [Pics]

As I was preparing for my recent trip to Los Angeles, I came across Jonathan Gold's recent LAWeekly feature titled, "The 20 Best L.A. Italian Restaurants," and where, along with a number of classics and personal favourites like Valentino, Angelini Osteria, Bay Cities Deli, Ago, and Angeli Caffè, a few new places caught my eye, including Pizzeria Mozza, and a Dodger Stadium area throwback from the 70s called the Eastside Market.

Now, I didn't imagine that I'd have any trouble convincing PIGMON to try Pizzeria Mozza, but I did have my doubts about Eastside Market, so I was sure to send him a link to the Gold article for review. As it turned out, PIGMON was entirely game to try Eastside Market, but Pizzeria Mozza required a fair bit of debate. At any rate, we made it to both places, and since I already told you about our visit to Pizzeria Mozza, it's time for me to tell you about our visit to Eastside Market...

Tucked in hard against the 110 expressway, and within spitting distance of Dodger Stadium, the Eastside Market is one of the last vestiges of what, for lack of a better term, might be called the "Taylor Street," or "Little Italy" of Los Angeles. And, even though it has only been in operation since 1974, Eastside Market has taken on the patina and character of establishments twice its age by slinging a small roster of hot and cold sandwiches to scores of eager fans. In addition to the standard assortment of American and Italian cold cuts and cheeses, Eastside Market offers an intriguing assortment of Italian-esque hot sandwiches, most notably the Italian sausage and pepper combo, the Italian meatball and pepper combo, the roast beef and cheese, and the widely-acclaimed "pastrami in sauce," shown below. And, it was from the wilds of Chicago that I set my heart on trying this last curiosity, so with PIGMON in tow, and at the end of an already full afternoon of eating and snacking, I sidled up to Eastside Market's counter and inquired about the "pastrami in sauce..."


established in 1974, which was a pretty long time ago in l.a. years...


peep the jars of il primo "hot mix" on the counter... lol!


the famed "pastrami in sauce" sandwich


here, have some more. no, really, i insist, and take my half too...


Me: Do you mean "sauce," as in "gravy"? Like, Italian "Sunday sauce"?

Counterman: Yep.

Me: I came specifically for that sandwich; is it good?

Counterman: Yep. It's great. And, it's probably our most popular too.

Me: OK, we'll split one...

And, the verdict? Well, I'm not gonna speak for PIGMON, but two bites were more than enough for me, and I am certain that the experience does not bear repeating. That said, though, I have no doubt if Eastside Market and its "pastrami in sauce" were instead here in Chicago, it would be discussed in the same hushed and reverent tones reserved for LTH sacred cows like Manny's, Bari, Al's on Taylor, Borinquen, and Jim's Grill.

"The 20 Best L.A. Italian Restaurants" [Jonathan Gold @ LAWeekly]

"East Side Italian Deli - NO!" [Chowhound]

Reviews [Yelp]

Eastside Market [Official Site]
1013 Alpine Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213.250.2464

E.M.

Erik M wrote:I have no doubt if Eastside Market and its "pastrami in sauce" were instead here in Chicago, it would be discussed in the same hushed and reverent tones reserved for LTH sacred cows like Manny's, Bari, Al's on Taylor, Borinquen, and Jim's Grill.

Chicago has its own version of pastrami in sauce. Morry's serves a BBQ pastrami sandwich, pure evil on a roll.



Morry's Deli
5500 S Cornell Av
Chicago
773-363-3800

Rene G wrote:

Erik M wrote:I have no doubt if Eastside Market and its "pastrami in sauce" were instead here in Chicago, it would be discussed in the same hushed and reverent tones reserved for LTH sacred cows like Manny's, Bari, Al's on Taylor, Borinquen, and Jim's Grill.

Chicago has its own version of pastrami in sauce. Morry's serves a BBQ pastrami sandwich, pure evil on a roll.

Which is the greater of two evils, Morry's BBQ pastrami sandwich, or Morry's "Egg McMorry"?

Whichever it is, I'm betting it's still less evil than Eastside's creation.

E.M.