Culver City mainstay Johnnie’s Pastrami was recently inducted into the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame.
In order to be inducted, the restaurant, which has been serving pastrami, corn beef, and hot dogs since 1952, had to meet several criteria such as how long they have been representing Vienna Beef products, their contribution to the community, their philanthropic leadership, and overall commitment to the quality of their products and the satisfaction of their customers.
Sue Bass, owner of Johnnie’s Pastrami cites consistency and quality as the two secret ingredients that have accounted for the restaurant’s success.
It was that 64-year-long record of success that helped Johnnie’s Pastrami become a southern California icon that was recognized by the Culver City Historical Society as a true landmark.
For more than 60 years, Johnnie’s Pastrami has been serving up ‘50s-style cooking from its Vienna Beef pastrami and corned beef sandwiches to the chili dogs, charbroiled burgers, golden brown chicken, and fish and shrimp baskets. To add to the vintage atmosphere, the countertops and each booth features original 1950s mini jukeboxes.
Some of the celebrities who have paid a visit to sample the wares at Johnnie’s Pastrami include Adam Sandler, Jimmy Fallon, Mark Wahlberg, and Lakers legend Magic Johnson.
Founded in 1893 by Austrian-Hungarian immigrants Emil Reichel and Sam Ladany, Vienna Beef hit it big with their family frankfurter recipe and 123 years later, is still going strong with sausages made with premium domestic beef and their original recipe.
In addition to their hot dogs, Vienna Beef also manufactures deli meats, condiments, beef chili, and Chipico pickles.
