Fresh bread means nothing without incredible deli meat, and some sandwich shops understand that better than anyone. California’s appetite for bold flavor and high-quality ingredients shapes every stack of pastrami, roast beef, turkey, and ham found across the state.
Slow roasting, careful seasoning, and hand-slicing transform simple fillings into something worth craving. From coastal towns to busy city streets, California celebrates sandwiches crafted with real care and serious flavor.
1. Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
Santa Monica’s legendary sandwich destination has been stacking meats high since 1925. The famous Godmother comes loaded with prosciutto, ham, capicola, mortadella, salami, and provolone, all piled onto bread baked fresh daily.
What sets this spot apart is the attention to layering – each meat gets its moment to shine. Customers rave about the quality and how every ingredient tastes distinctly flavorful, not muddled together.
2. Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant
Since 1947, this downtown Los Angeles institution has perfected the art of pastrami. Their No. 19 sandwich features hand-cut pastrami that’s been cured for weeks, delivering melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with every bite…