The Oinkster — Restaurant in Los Angeles

For some odd reason, a good pastrami sandwich always hits the spot for me on rainy days. Southern California doesn't have many rainy days throughout the year but the rain was pouring down today and by lunch time all I could think about was pastrami... lots and lots of pastrami. I had been meaning to try the pastrami at The Oinkster in Eagle Rock for about a year now but just never wanted it enough to deal with the half hour drive in L. A. traffic. It probably doesn't make much sense that I chose to make that drive when rain was pouring down in buckets but the harder the rain, the more I crave pastrami. So I found myself trekking to Eagle Rock in some seriously heavy rain and thunderstorms to finally try the pastrami at The Oinkster. That is a half hour drive each way. Was their pastrami worth risking life and limb for on the slick L. A. streets? Damn right it was! I had gotten the Oinkster Pastrami sandwich which is overflowing with loads of pastrami that they smoke on premises. The sandwich was also overflowing a red cabbage slaw, caramelized onions, and Dijon mustard. It was both beautiful and delicious. It was also huge and I was only able to eat half of the sandwich along with the fries I had ordered. The fries were an order of their piggy fries which are aptly named. It is a large serving of their fries covered with a heaping mound of caramelized onions which in turn are covered with lots of melted cheddar cheese. It comes with a couple of different sauces, a honey mustard\Dijon mustard type of sauce and one other sauce that I believe was a mayonnaise garlic type of sauce. I still had half a sandwich and plenty of fries left over to eat either for dinner later that day or lunch the following day. If this all sounds fattening, I am sure it was. Thank God it doesn't rain all that often here in SoCal cuz I would be so much heavier if it did. The pastrami sandwich was as amazing as it sounds. The fries were good but I found that the fries that weren't covered with any of the extra toppings they came with were only just okay. They were sort of plain and unimaginative on their own. It is one of the reasons I rated The Oinkster 4 stars instead of 5. The other reason for the 4 star rating was the slightly high prices. The pastrami sandwich was about $12. The sheer size of the sandwich and the large amount of pastrami made it with the cost though. The fries were $5.25. That cost is a bit high for the fries. You may get a lot of them but they need to improve the fry itself to justify charging that much. All in all though, this was a great experience and I will be back. I have my eye on the chicken adobo...

The Oinkster is one of those places that has consistently been a go-to spot for delicious comfort food. On my recent visit with a friend, we were delighted to find that their quality and taste remain as excellent as ever. We decided to indulge in a cheeseburger, chili cheese fries, and pastrami – a true feast that left us completely satisfied.

The cheeseburger was cooked to perfection, with a juicy, flavorful patty that was beautifully complemented by the fresh lettuce, tomato, and melted cheese. The bun was soft and held together well, ensuring that each bite was a perfect balance of textures and flavors. It's no wonder that this burger has become a staple of The Oinkster's menu and a favorite among regulars.

The chili cheese fries were another highlight, with crispy, golden fries smothered in a generous helping of chili and melted cheese. The chili itself was rich and flavorful, with just the right amount of heat to keep things interesting. Paired with the perfectly cooked fries and gooey cheese, this dish was indulgence at its finest.

As for the pastrami, my friend and I were not disappointed. The generous serving of tender, thinly sliced meat was seasoned and cooked just right, with a hint of smokiness that paired well with the accompanying bread and pickles. The bread was fresh and provided the perfect vehicle for the pastrami, making for a truly memorable sandwich experience.

Having been a patron of The Oinkster for some time now, I can confidently say that their food is best enjoyed in-house rather than as takeout. The cozy, welcoming atmosphere adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the dining experience, and the friendly staff ensures that each visit is a pleasant one. Eating at the restaurant also allows you to savor the dishes while they're still hot and fresh, which is essential for truly appreciating the quality of their offerings.

In conclusion, The Oinkster continues to be a reliable and enjoyable spot for scrumptious comfort food. The cheeseburger, chili cheese fries, and pastrami we shared during our visit were all testament to the consistent quality and taste that have made this establishment a local favorite. I wholeheartedly recommend dining in to fully appreciate the warmth of the atmosphere and the freshness of the food, and I look forward to many more visits...

On the right track but not quite there…

I was looking very much forward to my visit at the Oinkster. It had come to my attention after watching the food show “worth it”.

I ordered the Oinkster Pastrami and the belgian fries as well as the orange lemonade.

The drink: The lemonade was awesome and refreshing. not overly sweet and actually tasted like real orange, loved it!

The Sandwich: As you can see in the pictures, the sandwich is stuffed with ingredients. However, you only taste the meat and the cabbage, the rest just disappeares and feels like added mush for volume. The pastrami itself is not very flavourful and the whole thing just tastes kind of bland.

The Fries: The fries themselves were great. crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. however, no single crystal of salt, completely unseasoned. I have been to Brussels and had those legendary belgian street vendor fries, they are miles ahead of these fries. The Aioli thats served with them is probably their largest downfall. In comparison to a good Aioli which is creamy, rich and the perfect companion for good fries, the Oinksters Aioli was a oily mess, tasteless and the wrong consistency.

The mustard they served with the sandwich was really on point though, very rich and high quality mustard seeds.

My biggest problem with the Oinkster was not the Quality of the food though. You might ask yourself why I am so harsh in my Review. The food i ate at the Oinkster would have been all ok for 10 dollars , but definitely not for 26$. If you charge close to 30 dollars for a sandwich and some fries, they have to be something special, these were not.

If you want similar food, thats cheaper and better in my opinion, go to Top Round Roast Beef.

I hope next time I come back, i can change my review for the better. The Oinkster has a lot of potential, its just...