Mendocino Farms - My favorite place for sandwiches. Very good, gourmet sandwiches. Highly recommended. Hard to find if you are not familiar with the area. Lower level of California Plaza at 300 S. Grand. I love the "wine country steak and brie" sandwich panini grilled. $7-10 per sandwich.
Mangia Mangia - Lower Level of Arco Plaza at 5th and Flower. Italian Food - Pasta's, pizza's and sandwiches. Food just ok. $6-10.
Happy Bowl on 6th in between Grand and Olive. Korean owned bowls similar to Yoshinoya with a Korean twist. $4-7. I like to eat here when I'm in the mood for Asian food. Would not recommend bi-bim bap dish, not authentic. I prefer to take out here.
Cafe Pinot - Just ok, nice ambience for lunch. Visited yesterday. Lunch prices $10-20 for appetizers, $16-25 for entree. I had the yellowtail dish which was more like a yellowtail salad with fennel $19. Nothing memorable. Service was excellent, although food took a while to be served.
Gas Company Food Court (hard to find) at Northeast corner of 5th and Grand (2nd Floor, tell the security guards that you are going to the cafeteria) - Tried it a total 3 times. Supposedly gourmet food. Was not impressed with the roast beef sandwich or fish tacos (very bad), but I know someone who goes here everyday for breakfast. Changes menu daily and weekly (see below):
http://go.compass-usa.com/socalgas/editor/menuview.asp?id=25
Original Philippe's - Historic Landmark claiming to have invented the French Dipped Sandwiches On Alameda, north of Temple Street. $0.09 coffee. $5-6 /beef, turkey, ham, pork and lambsandwiches. Tuna sandwich (not french dipped) also served here. $1 for side of macaroni salad, potato salad and coleslaw. Hot mustard can be added to sandwich. Very popular during lunch. Nice casual restaurant. Open until 10 pm daily. Breakfast served until 10:30 am.
East Side Italian Deli on 1013 Alpine Street near Figueroa/Chinatown- Area used to be Little Italy back in the day until eminent domain of the freeways. Last remaining Italian Deli in that area.Popular with city firefighters and policemen. Traditional sandwiches (meatball, pastrami, etc). $6-10. Located in residential area near Chinatown. West of Figueroa on Alpine. 213-250-2464
Hours: 8 am-4 pm M-Sat
Sashimi lunch special at Sushi Gen, $11. 422 E. 2nd St. (at Alameda in Honda Plaza); (213) 617-0552. Rice included. Same amount of sashimi at lunch and dinner, but lunch is half the price.
11:15 pm to 2 pm M-F lunch
5:30 pm - 10 M-Sun dinner
Pastrami sandwich on rye at Langer's. 704 S. Alvarado St (at 7th street); (213) 483-8050. Curb side pick up service available. Known for their pastrami.
Hours: 8-4 M-Sat, closed Sun
Sandwiches-extra lean add $2.95
HOT PASTRAMI $10.95
HOT CORNED BEEF $10.95
HOT BRISKET of BEEF $10.95
Combination Sandwiches
#1 - PASTRAMI Cole Slaw, Russian Style Dressing : $11.60
#10 - PASTRAMI and SWISS CHEESE Russian Style Dressing $11.60
#19 - PASTRAMI, SWISS CHEESE and COLE SLAW Russian Style Dressing : $12.25
#44 - HOT PASTRAMI, Sauerkraut and Nippy Cheese Grilled on Rye $12.30
#88 - HOT CORNED BEEF, Sauerkraut and Swiss Cheese Grilled on Rye $12.30
Announced on 9/11/07: Intersection outside Langer's deli will be called "Langer's Square" named after the founder of Langer's Deli, Al Langer, who opened the restaurant 60 years ago.
Do not go to Hot off the Press (5th and Grand)- the sandwich place with Boar's head marked all over the sign (I even thought it was called Boar's Head for a while) - Terrible panini sandwiches.
