I soooooo wanted to like the New York Deli much more than I did. Now that The Daughter is living in the South Bay and not downtown LA-- therefore, not close to Langers!--I was hoping to find something similar. And, the reviews made me believe that this was going to be the case. Nope. But first, the good stuff: Since NY Deli is in a large strip mall, parking was easier to find than on the street. And, it's free. We were also there on a weekday at 11 am, so I'm sure that helped. SUPER nice wait staff. Very clean, including the restroom. Did not hurry us. Brought extras to the table in an efficient manner. Slightly less expensive than Langers or Cantors, although not by much. Okay, now on to the not-so-good stuff: In a nutshell, pretty much all of the food. I ordered the pastrami on rye with Russian dressing, coleslaw and Swiss cheese. I believe that's one of the special sandwiches at Langers. However, this pastrami likely came from top round instead of brisket, so there was MUCH less marbling, which meant MUCH less flavor. Also, I could barely see the coleslaw in the sandwich--probably less than 1/4 inch thick--and there was only one very thin, small piece of Swiss cheese. Also, no mustard! Not even on the table! In fact, no other condiments at all. I had to ask for mustard, and the server seemed surprised at my request. The rye bread was okay but not something I'd write home about. Also, included in my sandwich order was a choice of small salads: I chose the macaroni. Sadly, it looked and tasted exactly like the pre-prepared stuff in the big tubs at Ralphs or Safeway. Hubby got potato salad for his side salad, and he said the same. I felt like something sweet afterwards, and got the coconut cake, which was **the best thing I had--very moist and very flavorful.** A friend got a slice of cheesecake--plain is the only choice--and said it was great. However, unlike other traditional Jewish delis, the dessert was pre-packaged in individual portions in plastic containers. No pretty display of whole cakes and pies and cookies going round and round! Oh, that friend ordered an egg salad sandwich and at NY Deli, sugar is added to the egg mix. She was warned beforehand, but I have to say, I've never heard of sugar in an egg salad! It appears that NY Deli now has a branch in the San Fernando Valley, where tastes may be more discerning than Torrance, so, I'll be interested to see if it's a success there. I know there are a lot of terrific reviews for this place, but it just didn't do it for me or the three other folks I was with. Will I go back? No. Will I head to Langers or Canters next time I'm in town? Yup. 100 percent. :)
Rhianna B.
I ordered the Pastrami Sandwich to go. The Pastrami Sandwich was amazing, tender and not really fatty, thinly sliced and so juicy. The sandwich came with a generous portion of potato salad that has a sweet mustard taste that is light and not too heavy. A pickle completes the meal that has a nice crunch. I really enjoyed my lunch here and will be coming back again.
Megan W.
My boyfriend and I love the food here, not only is it very delicious, the portions are big and the ingredients are so fresh. I love the ambiance as well, there's plants and old Hollywood pictures everywhere. The staff is so nice and attentive too.
Lynwood W.
I had lunch here for the first time this afternoon. I had the hot pastrami on rye with mustard and a side of potato salad. The sandwich was excellent. A generous portion of lean meat with bread that had a nice texture. The service was very good. The only reason I'm deducting a star is the decor. It looks too much like a Chinese restaurant! Other than that, no complaints. I look forward to returning.
Rozanne M.
The service is excellent and the food is good but a bit rich. The ambience is very nice but be prepared to listen to nothing but the Beatles.
Happy J
Friendly staff, she let me try a sample deli and that goes a long way. I thought the prices were a little high, but that’s OK since you do get a lot on and some sides but still.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Martin N.
I got a pastrami sandwich pastrami was very fresh. They do pack it on. I got the number two pastrami sandwich with a pickle and macaroni salad. The macaroni salad was OK. You had other items to choose from with that combo. The menu does look very good. I'll be back very soon to try out more items. They do have a large wine selection when you walk in there. It does look New York like . See you soon
Roxann P.
Authentic friendly generous portions. Looks like a dive but clean and old school service and food
craig Igster101 (Igster101)
Wait a great place. The food is OMG
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Amy S.
Thursday for lunch I returned here to meet a pal. I think it's incredible that there is one wait staff for entire restaurant. She recognized me and smiled. Ha ha. It was lunchtime and she was swamped however, it appears that she never has anyone else helping. She is incredible. We ordered brisket and pastrami sandwiches to share on sour dough bread ( I have mentioned their rye bread is subpar). Still not a great bread either. I think next time I'm gonna supply my own bread, so I wound up just having some meat and we ordered zucchini sticks instead of my beloved onion rings. Tbh, they felt like they were frozen not fresh like their ONION RINGS! I don't think we will return there at noon ever again... maybe I just pick up the fixings and supply everything else. Afterwards, I went to Manhattan Beach on my way home and got a latte to go from Cafe Luxxe. See my other review. Great place! Happy St Patrick's Day my YELPERS! SYOY soon...
This place is the best in the city. for all things New York cuisine. If you are from New York and miss deli food this the place.
lesley t.
We love New York Deli! Our go to is to share a Matzo Ball Soup and then to get a Pastrami on rye and cut the pickle onto the sandwich with mustard! Doesn't get more delish and so uncomplicated in its perfect simplicity! We love a side plate of piping hot French fries and voila! A great classic Jewish Deli lunch or dinner right here in Torrance. If you don't want to share you'll probably take home the other half of the extremes generous sandwich for later or for tomorrow. Our wonderful gentleman server has been there ever since we started coming there at least 20 years ago! Best sandwich !
Aaron S.
Amazing huge portions. We loved everything about this place. One of my new favorites. Really a true Nee York feel! Try the pastrami, it's amazing. The corn-beef sandwich is my favorite.
Tamaya T.
One of my favorite delis! I got the hot pastrami sandwich, macaroni salad and the matzah ball soup. The services is always great. Very friendly staff!
Lorenzo G.
This is my second time eating there and the food is consistent and the service is very good and the server remember my nane. Large selection of deserts
I soooooo wanted to like the New York Deli much more than I did. Now that The Daughter is living in the South Bay and not downtown LA-- therefore, not close to Langers!--I was hoping to find something similar. And, the reviews made me believe that this was going to be the case. Nope. But first, the good stuff: Since NY Deli is in a large strip mall, parking was easier to find than on the street. And, it's free. We were also there on a weekday at 11 am, so I'm sure that helped. SUPER nice wait staff. Very clean, including the restroom. Did not hurry us. Brought extras to the table in an efficient manner. Slightly less expensive than Langers or Cantors, although not by much. Okay, now on to the not-so-good stuff: In a nutshell, pretty much all of the food. I ordered the pastrami on rye with Russian dressing, coleslaw and Swiss cheese. I believe that's one of the special sandwiches at Langers. However, this pastrami likely came from top round instead of brisket, so there was MUCH less marbling, which meant MUCH less flavor. Also, I could barely see the coleslaw in the sandwich--probably less than 1/4 inch thick--and there was only one very thin, small piece of Swiss cheese. Also, no mustard! Not even on the table! In fact, no other condiments at all. I had to ask for mustard, and the server seemed surprised at my request. The rye bread was okay but not something I'd write home about. Also, included in my sandwich order was a choice of small salads: I chose the macaroni. Sadly, it looked and tasted exactly like the pre-prepared stuff in the big tubs at Ralphs or Safeway. Hubby got potato salad for his side salad, and he said the same. I felt like something sweet afterwards, and got the coconut cake, which was **the best thing I had--very moist and very flavorful.** A friend got a slice of cheesecake--plain is the only choice--and said it was great. However, unlike other traditional Jewish delis, the dessert was pre-packaged in individual portions in plastic containers. No pretty display of whole cakes and pies and cookies going round and round! Oh, that friend ordered an egg salad sandwich and at NY Deli, sugar is added to the egg mix. She was warned beforehand, but I have to say, I've never heard of sugar in an egg salad! It appears that NY Deli now has a branch in the San Fernando Valley, where tastes may be more discerning than Torrance, so, I'll be interested to see if it's a success there. I know there are a lot of terrific reviews for this place, but it just didn't do it for me or the three other folks I was with. Will I go back? No. Will I head to Langers or Canters next time I'm in town? Yup. 100 percent. :)
I ordered the Pastrami Sandwich to go. The Pastrami Sandwich was amazing, tender and not really fatty, thinly sliced and so juicy. The sandwich came with a generous portion of potato salad that has a sweet mustard taste that is light and not too heavy. A pickle completes the meal that has a nice crunch. I really enjoyed my lunch here and will be coming back again.
My boyfriend and I love the food here, not only is it very delicious, the portions are big and the ingredients are so fresh. I love the ambiance as well, there's plants and old Hollywood pictures everywhere. The staff is so nice and attentive too.
I had lunch here for the first time this afternoon. I had the hot pastrami on rye with mustard and a side of potato salad. The sandwich was excellent. A generous portion of lean meat with bread that had a nice texture. The service was very good. The only reason I'm deducting a star is the decor. It looks too much like a Chinese restaurant! Other than that, no complaints. I look forward to returning.
The service is excellent and the food is good but a bit rich. The ambience is very nice but be prepared to listen to nothing but the Beatles.
Friendly staff, she let me try a sample deli and that goes a long way. I thought the prices were a little high, but that’s OK since you do get a lot on and some sides but still.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
I got a pastrami sandwich pastrami was very fresh. They do pack it on. I got the number two pastrami sandwich with a pickle and macaroni salad. The macaroni salad was OK. You had other items to choose from with that combo. The menu does look very good. I'll be back very soon to try out more items. They do have a large wine selection when you walk in there. It does look New York like . See you soon
Authentic friendly generous portions. Looks like a dive but clean and old school service and food
Wait a great place. The food is OMG
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Thursday for lunch I returned here to meet a pal. I think it's incredible that there is one wait staff for entire restaurant. She recognized me and smiled. Ha ha. It was lunchtime and she was swamped however, it appears that she never has anyone else helping. She is incredible. We ordered brisket and pastrami sandwiches to share on sour dough bread ( I have mentioned their rye bread is subpar). Still not a great bread either. I think next time I'm gonna supply my own bread, so I wound up just having some meat and we ordered zucchini sticks instead of my beloved onion rings. Tbh, they felt like they were frozen not fresh like their ONION RINGS! I don't think we will return there at noon ever again... maybe I just pick up the fixings and supply everything else. Afterwards, I went to Manhattan Beach on my way home and got a latte to go from Cafe Luxxe. See my other review. Great place! Happy St Patrick's Day my YELPERS! SYOY soon...
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is the best in the city. for all things New York cuisine. If you are from New York and miss deli food this the place.
We love New York Deli! Our go to is to share a Matzo Ball Soup and then to get a Pastrami on rye and cut the pickle onto the sandwich with mustard! Doesn't get more delish and so uncomplicated in its perfect simplicity! We love a side plate of piping hot French fries and voila! A great classic Jewish Deli lunch or dinner right here in Torrance. If you don't want to share you'll probably take home the other half of the extremes generous sandwich for later or for tomorrow. Our wonderful gentleman server has been there ever since we started coming there at least 20 years ago! Best sandwich !
Amazing huge portions. We loved everything about this place. One of my new favorites. Really a true Nee York feel! Try the pastrami, it's amazing. The corn-beef sandwich is my favorite.
One of my favorite delis! I got the hot pastrami sandwich, macaroni salad and the matzah ball soup. The services is always great. Very friendly staff!
This is my second time eating there and the food is consistent and the service is very good and the server remember my nane. Large selection of deserts