If you’ve ever wandered through Long Beach in search of a bite that captures local flavor, history, and that elusive quality people call “character,” you’ve likely landed at the doors of Joe Jost’s. Established in 1924, this century-old Long Beach institution has become one of California’s most enduring bars.
While the pastrami here isn’t the headliner, Joe Jost’s offers something rarer: genuine California hospitality and an experience that lingers long after the last crumb. And if you do order the pastrami, you might be surprised at how juicy and satisfying it is, a hidden gem alongside the true classics.
Here’s why Joe Jost’s has become one of California’s most legendary destinations for lovers of classic bar fare, and maybe, just maybe, a surprisingly juicy pastrami sandwich.
1. A Century of Stories
Walking into Joe Jost’s feels like stepping through a portal to old-school California. Locals tell stories about grandfathers who played pool here or first dates that started with a sandwich and a handshake. The walls wear nearly 100 years of laughs and clinking glasses, all wrapped in a setting that refuses to modernize just for trend’s sake…