Junior’s Restaurant / Deli

Junior’s is an awesome deli.
Their sandwiches are rediculously sized and delicious. They pack their pastrami three inches thick on the bread and they have pastrami down to a science. They have potato pandcakes that they serve with apple sauce and sour cream. When I am

Haven’t been to Junior’s for many years… but so sorry to hear of the closing on the news this morning. I recall as a kid coming in here all-​the-​time with my family, and the highlight — the free cookie I would get!
Enjoy the last day, and wish all of you well!

Every Sunday morning, my father used to take me and brother to Junior’s Deli. To be honest, I never truly loved Junior’s until now. Looking back, Junior’s was like going to see family. I always assumed that it would be there forever, and surely took it for granted.
My dad would order lox with cream cheese on a bagel, with a cinnamon roll on the side. I never really cared for the main course, but I was crazy for that sugary pastry of goodness with melted butter. As if that wasn’t enough, the other dish I looked forward to was the appetizer: a bowl of pickles with sauerkraut. I know that salt and sugar does not make for a healthy breakfast, but the child inside screamed for this weakly mismatch made in heaven.
My brother and I would usually share scrambled eggs with hashbrowns, with a bagel on the side. We had a masterful way of hiding any nutritious food under the orange slice on the plate. If we missed breakfast, we would get good ol’ fashioned turkey sandwiches or pastrami. Look, we didn’t come here for our health — we came here to nourish our souls with carbs.
Soon enough, tradition was forgotten and Junior’s was a distant childhood memory. Every now and then, I would meet up with my dad or my brother to revisit our past, but Junior’s was put on the back-​burner. It wasn’t until this weekend when I heard Junior’s was closing its doors that I had this sudden rush of nostalgia that brought tears to my eyes. After fifty years since opening in the Westside, how could my old stomping grounds be closing?
That was precisely the reason. It was my old stomping grounds. I rarely visited Juniors on my own, unless it was for chicken noodle soup or bagels. Juniors was like family to me. I valued its presence, but I took this restaurant for granted. Junior’s has been a pillar for Jewish families in the community, and today I would like to take a moment to thank them for a childhood filled with warm memories and full bellies.

Been here many times. They are closing this coming Monday. Lease dispute.
So at 12:35pm, with KABC, KCBS, KNBC, AND KFWB present, I ordered the 2 Ks, Kreplach soup, and a Knish. Very good. I’ll miss their pickles and sauerkraut.
They were open 53 years, since 1967 at this location. PS: They may reopen somewhere else.

There are a few great delis in the greater Los Angeles area. This is definitely one of them. Each of these good delis has something they do best. For Juniors, their pickles and sauerkraut side dish, that they place on every table for lunch and dinner, is great and I really like their hot turkey sandwich. If you try it, ask for a double serving a gravy.
This is one of those must eat at restaurants in L.A.

Ever since I had the stuffed cabbage at Junior’s, I’ve started to see this place in a whole new light. I like to go for low key dinners where a wait isn’t an issue. I like that since my first visit here a few years ago, they’ve redecorated and it feels more open and cleaner.
I love their stuffed cabbage and potato pancake. Their sandwiches are also good. Wasn’t a fan of the borscht though. Service is good, but sometimes it’s hard to flag someone down. But overall, I like this spot. It’s like a cleaner Fromin’s.

I’ve been coming to Juniors since I was a kid, but always preferred other delis in the area when it came down to pure corned-​beefyness. However, I was in town for the High Holidays, craving some comfort food before our YK fast, and nothing else was open. My Dad and I came in and low and behold, the deli counter is a mad house. There are like 10 guys working furiously and not a single one is looking up.
At first, it’s understandable. It’s one of their busiest days of the year and we probably should have phoned ahead. However, nearly 10 minutes go by and not one person even looks up from what they’re doing to acknowledge that we are standing there, waiting to order. A simple «we’ll be right with you» would have been appropriate and understood, but just ignoring us felt disrespectful. We know you’re busy with phone orders, but the people in front of you are paying customers, too.
We finally order and it doesn’t actually take that long, which was nice. Dad I browsed the cookies and cakes while our sandwiches were readied. I don’t remember exactly how much it all came to, but we were ordering for our whole family and went kind of overboard on sides (Mmm, knish…), and it came to less than $ 15/​person. Yes, pricey for deli food, but their portions are really large.
When we finally got home to eat, I was a pleasantly surprised. The corned beef was way better than I remembered it being. I genuinely enjoyed the meal, even though it took some time and an extra bit of cash to get it. I also had leftovers the next day that were pretty good cold! I still think Label’s Table has the best corned beef sandwiches in the world, but this was an acceptable substitute.

Deserves 0 stars. The food is disgusting and waaaay overpriced, and the staff is not helpful at all. This place has the worst food I have eaten in LA.
My fiancé ordered Matzo Ball soup, and I ordered a bbq beef sandwich. I said I didn’t want the onion roll, and the waiter said I could have any bread I wanted. I asked for sourdough, and the waiter said, «Sourdough? Great!» So, then he brings me the sandwich on an onion roll and asks if everything is ok. Um, no. I ordered sourdough. So, he says he’ll bring the correct order (meanwhile, my fiancé is still waiting for his soup). Then, the waiter brings the sandwich back on white bread. I don’t send food back more than once, so I decided to try it (I was starving). The beef was dry (can you say microwaved???), and I’m pretty sure it was slathered in KC Masterpiece bbq sauce. I have never had such a bad sandwich anywhere — especially not for $ 15! To make matters worse, on the way home, I got incredibly sick to my stomach!
Oh, yeah. The soup. It was just okay. Not worth $ 10, though. The broth had no flavor (totally watered down), and the matzo ball had no flavor. Thank goodness we used the Groupon Now for $ 8 off. It still wasn’t worth the $ 18 we paid, and it DEFINITELY wasn’t worth the $ 26 we would have paid without the groupon. I will never eat at Junior’s again.

The Junior’s building and sign stands out when you are driving down Westwood Blvd because space is a major commodity in W LA and this bakery/​deli/​restaurant is huge!
Seems like a well-​established place so thought it was worth a try. Ordered the reuben to share w/​a friend upon the recommendation of our server. At $ 16 it was pricey but figured it’d be huge. The sandwich was stacked with meat but not as big as I was expecting. With dijon mustard, it was decent but not as good as at tiny hole-​in-​the-​walls like Pico Kosher Deli.
Don’t judge a restaurant by its beautiful brick-​faced cover?

Eh!

Junior’s is by far my favorite deli in the universe. I was deeply saddened by the passing of Marvin Saul. (
) Thank you, Mr. Saul, for this deli. It is a solid place for a chat and a nosh.
We drop in at least twice a month. In my rotation: matzo ball soup, knocks and kraut, Caesar salad with chicken, breakfast burrito, any of the burgers, chocolate blackout cake, black and white cookies. Sometimes kasha varnishkas. Sometimes turkey pot pie. All of these things are yummy.

Other than these recommendations, I really have nothing to offer you but anecdotal evidence that Junior’s is the best place ever. (Please keep in mind that even though I am in my early thirties on the outside, on the inside I am about seventy-​eight.)
To wit:
*My parents took me here after my graduation from UCLA and I ordered the Nova Scotia platter all for myself. I will always equate that flavor with the taste of adulthood and impending impecuniousness, as I have yet to buy one for myself, even ten years later.
*I’m not sure if they still do it, but if you keep your ticket stub from the Landmark, you can show it here and get a free slice of cake.
*The servers are really nice. Many have worked at the deli for years. I feel that Junior’s customers are more demanding than average: the counter-​slapping, «hey-​I-​was-​here-​first» variety. Servers of a finer grit would definitely not be able to hang.
*Peter Falk and Paul Reiser were once having dinner in the booth next to us. That was pretty cool.

*I like the fish tank.
There you have it, folks. My favorite deli in the universe.

With a pastrami craving and Groupon Now offer, it was time to finally check out Junior’s. The place had a set up very similar to other delis/​bakeries.
I ordered a hot pastrami sandwich (1 star). The server brought the sandwich on rye when I requested it on roll. When the sandwich came back, I was disappointed. I guess hot pastrami means warm pastrami. When I microwaved the half sandwich at home, this sandwich tasted much better. However, I expected a hot sandwich at the restaurant.
I did like the potato pancake (3 stars). According to the menu, each sandwich comes with two potato pancakes, but I only got one. I consumed most of the basket of yummy onions rings (4 stars) to distract from the «hot» pastrami.
Overall, it’s overpriced for not so impressive food. The service (2 stars) wasn’t great either. I would probably go to Factor’s, Canter’s, and even Jerry’s Deli before I return to Junior’s.

Good place for pastrami sandwiches and NY Deli food on the Westside. They have decent $ 8 – 10 specials every day and ok desserts. I think they do Groupon Now specials, so will probably come back for that. Food is good and quantity is average.
Overall good service and trustworthy food, but not something I’d go out of the way for.

An insitution! When I arrive way too early for an appointment at UCLA, I used to grab breakfast here. Coz I’ve never been disappointed. This was before the arrival of Unilocal.I know! HOw were we able to manage!!!
Breakfasts here was never disappointing. A great standby.
Try their pastrami!!!

Junior’s has been around for a long time… and come to think of it, so have I. In fact, I’ve been going to Junior’s since I was a child. I can remember when they used to serve barrels of pickles on each table, and I kinda miss that, but otherwise, everything seems to be the same. Now, they bring a small plate of pickles to the table. It’s more sanitary this way. I don’t know why, but I always order an egg salad or chicken salad sandwich. They’re not quite «deli» items, but that’s what I get. My husband usually gets their pastrami and says it’s «not bad.»
Recently, we were at someone’s house who had ordered Junior’s deli platters, of which one of the platters was their fish platter. OMG… their smoked salmon, Nova lox to be exact, was OUTSTANDING. It wasn’t too salty, it was perfect. I couldn’t get enough of it. The other night, I ate a «smoked salmon appetizer» at a fine dining establishment, and while it was very good, I thought to myself, Junior’s was better. I know I was comparing 2 different kinds of smoked salmon, but still, Junior’s was better. I think from now on, I’ll be ordering their smoked salmon. The egg salad and chicken salad will have to take a back seat.

Without looking at anyone elses reviews today, and knowing that this isn’t typically a 4 to 5 star Unilocal spot, I decided to share a very positive deli experience to my «deli hit list»… and give Junior’s a well earned 4-​stars for «ONE sandwich.» And yes, the contradictions in reviews both bother and confuse me, Some people complain about the food because of pricing, and some berate the place because of the non-​validated parking. I’m trying to just concentrate on the deli meat. That’s it.
Maybe it was a fluke, a sort of Kismet, in that our decision to do lunch at Junior’s coincided with the deli’s vendor, in NYC, getting the word that there was a problem with the corned and pickled beefs; I don’t know? But I benefited, big time.
I have a friend and client in W.L.A., an MOT from South Africa. He and I love great food. And on this day, and because I’d never eaten at Junior’s, he suggested we go there for lunch. I ordered my fav’ sandwich; a combo of corned beef and pastrami. The taste of both meats was magical, to say the least. To this day I’ve not forgotten how good that sandwich was.
After our meal, I found the owner Saul, and his son, both in the restaurant. When I complimented Saul on the meat, he related that just earlier that week he had complained to his supplier in NYC. And he was tickled to hear that his complaints may have actually prompted a change. I couldn’t tell you what that change was, but the sandwich was heavenly.
It’s been a couple years now, and I really need to go back and see if the change has held, or if it was a momentary thing. I’ve seen the reviews for Junior’s, and like all full line deli’s with a bakery, there’s so much to review, that I’m compelled to «compartmentalize» bakery from restaurant, and then meats from home cooked specialties like matzah brei and matzah ball soup, and so on.
But for that one aromatic, moist, delicious sandwich, I am going to have to try Junior’s one more time, at least!

I love that you can order ONLINE! After my catering nightmare with Metro Café, I was in need of a new last-​minute caterer for another breakfast meeting. I remembered Junior’s and realized I hadn’t given their regular menu a look recently. That’s when I found I could order large quantities of their breakfast items and do so online.
When you order eggs you can even designate how you want them cooked and add hash browns, toast or bagels, etc. I placed 10 orders of well-​scrambled eggs and hash browns and asked for half my order with rye bread and the other half with everything bagels. I wanted bacon too, but the system only let me order it as a side. I added a note that I preferred to have my order packed into trays, but didn’t really expect it.
About 10 minutes later, I got a call from Junior’s. The gentleman who spoke with me wanted to confirm my order. I explained that I wanted bacon as well and he changed my order to their eggs and bacon combo (more economical). He assured me my order would be ready by my designated time — 8 am. It was after 9 pm when I placed my order.
The next morning, when I showed up my order was nearly ready and boy, was I stunned by how PROFESSIONALLY PACKED and GENEROUS they were! My eggs were in a tray. My hash browns were in a tray. My bacon was in a tray. Instead of just some toast and bagels, I got an entire loaf and a bag of half a dozen bagels, plus plenty of individually packed condiments (cream cheese, jam, butter, ketchup, salt and pepper) and serving utensils. And all of it packed into a box for me. The guy helping me even offered to carry it to my car. Now that’s service!!!
By the way, the food was great. Hot and fresh. Lots of compliments from my colleagues for the breakfast spread.
Junior’s can deliver within 50 miles from 7 am — 9 pm, everyday!

Juniors is not unlike a lot of American Deli’s that are out there in abundance. But this one, I have frequented on many an occasion. Having stayed just around the corner, well, it’s location is perfect. In fact, unlike the majority of Los Angeles, Westwood is rather cool, because you can actually walk — pedestrians are rare in the rest of LA as cars rule the waves — and so you will not get a shocked look from passing traffic that says, ‘you audacious fool.’ Watch the movie, LA Story and you’ll know exactly what I mean.
You have the vast and popular Westside Pavillion, a huge Mall just yards down the road and if you are feeling really adventurous, you can stride for a couple of miles ‘give or take’ north up the length of Westwood Blvd which takes you right into the heart of the quaint Village of Westwood which is a real hive of activity and is where LA’s famous and well renowned university, UCLA takes pride of place.
Juniors, however, which could be classed as Westwood Blvd Sth is an undernourished persons dream, and again, like most bistros/deli’s in the States, they don’t do things by half measures. And, if your plate portions are too over whelming, they will always give you a little doggy bag to go. Always paper, not plastic. No meanness there!
Brilliant sandwiches stuffed to the rooftops in every conceivable bread choice — wheat, rye, white, bagel, dark rye — toasted or regular (sadly, those folk with wheaten, glutton and yeast intolerance’s are not really considered) but the stuffing’s will surely set you going. Pork is not a big food choice in the US unlike in the UK, in fact, can you really find anything BUT pork and it’s derivatives in the UK?
Juniors will have wonderful hot pastrami, corned-​beef, turkey, brisket, roast beef, salami and liverwurst. You will always be given side order options as well, which you really don’t need but with sandwiches like these you would be a dill not to order a pickle. But beware, this is not a cheap place, you do pay handsomely for what you get.
Sandwiches are really big business in the US and can be almost the staple diet of an American. Tell them they can’t have bread any more and it will probably be the one time you see a grown man cry. But a sandwich there is a major, mammoth meal. Take half of it home and you still have yet another dinner. So don’t try to squeeze in desert, although you would most probably want to at least share one because the vast array in the glassed-​in sweet counter is pure devilish enticement.
There will always be a New York cheesecake which is so thick, rich and everything naughty, that you will be licking your chops all the way home because there will always be a remnant of luxurious cream still coating your teeth The memory alone will keep your tongue swishing away till you leave Tinsel Town.
Juniors is a definite must to visit. And, believe me, you will be going back for more. Besides, if you have to stay anywhere in LA for a short visit, choose Westwood for the convenience and the pleasure of just getting outside of your car and walking will make you unique by Californian standards.

I’ve only heard that this place is good from my old Bosses/​Coworkers Danny and Garrett. Since my best friend and I were in Westwood catching a flick at the Landmark Theater, we thought we’d give Junior’s a try since the other places surrounding didn’t seem so appetizing. Besides, Westwood was my old work stomping grounds, my commute home would consist of driving by Junior’s just to get to the freeway.
I would place Junior’s in the same Deli genre as Canters and Langers. This place has that old school diner/Denny’s feel. If you notice, there’s a lot of old folks around here, so it must be a favorite amongst the Senior community (maybe it’s the Early Bird Specials? lol). It looks pretty crowded, not with your typical LA-​young-​uns.
Bottomless Bread and Butter — Yep, you get bottomless bread and butter, which tastes awesome. REAL BUTTER, not fake stuff, lol. Don’t spend too much time on the bread and butter, or else you’ll NEVER finish your entrée.
Specials — We saw some dinner specials listed. The one that caught our eye was the Pastrami or Brisket Sandwich Special, served with Coleslaw and Fries for $ 15. Not bad considering that a Sandwich alone with just coleslaw or fries is well above $ 15 – 16 dollars. With the special, you’re getting 2 sides instead of one. Being a deli and all, my best friend and I couldn’t pass up SANDWICES. So we went ahewad and ordered the Pastrami and Brisket, and swapped ½ a sandwich each to get a taste of both. The Au Jus is AMAZING. So flavorful, mor than what Langers is from what I remember a few months back when I was still unemployed LOL. Did I mention they have beer specials? $ 2.50 each… not bad at all! Since we were going to catch a late showing, might as well down a beer in the process.
There’s a lot more than just sandwiches on the menu. But I guess Sanwiches were on our palette that evening. I hear great things about their matzo-​ball Soup, and their Turkey Dinner Platter looked pretty moist and tasty. Our waitress, Ninjee was a doll, very attentive and helpful.
I’m looking forward to coming back here. I miss Westwood… :(

After driving past this place for some 9 years, yesterday (Sunday) was the day I decided to try it out for breakfast.
I thought Junior’s was primarily a breakfast place, so I was surprised to see a bakery, hot foods take-​out, salads section, and a full deli… on my way in to the dining room.
Junior’s reminded me of an old Chicago deli, except perhaps that its décor is more austere. Tabletops, booths, and other diners is all you’ll see. No pics on the walls, no color anywhere. It’s no-​nonsense & all about the food.
Had I not been having my first meal of the day (at 1pm), I would have ordered a hot pastrami sandwich, to accompany my complimentary dill pickle with sauerkraut.
Haha, half a dill was indeed my first food of the day, and my stomach probably responded with a ‘wtf is up mama, this is breakfast beeeatch…‘
But let me backtrack a sec, with the story of how I ended up in a booth all to myself at a time when the diner was crowded:
I was heading for the counter when my server, one of a team of older ladies who likely have worked there for decades, herded me into a booth with the words: «Come on Honey, you just sit right down here!»
Who was I to argue? Haha, I did as I was told.
As I perused the menu, I was thinking it was generally overpriced. I suppose all the memorabilia & various awards and certificates I saw as I entered had something to do with the prices. Junior’s is evidently a local institution. So now I know.
But I was having a fun adventure, nevertheless.
I got a simple meal of scrambled eggs, tomato instead of potatoes, and an English muffin, for $ 7.50.
My delightful server brought me a crapload of butter without me even asking, and delivered my food with the remark, «OK, let’s eat!»
Haha, again… I obeyed.
As with everywhere I have breakfast outside my own kitchen, the eggs coulda been hotter. But they were OK, and the muffin dripping butter was delicious.
As I was eating, a little girl was wandering through the dining room carrying a bag from the bakery, obviously looking for her parents. My server announced a «baby on the loose! Whose baby?! Follow me, little girl…»
Hahaha! Lil girl calmly did as she was told…
I completely understand.
On my way out I got myself a cookie from the bakery, cuz I too had been such a good girl.
A couple stars for food, another star for tradition, and one entire star for that server… she made my morning.