In its early days, Brent’s Deli was known for its enormous sandwiches, which were made with generous portions of meat and cheese.Today, Brent’s Deli is still known for its huge sandwiches, as well as its matzo ball soup, latkes, and other traditional Jewish dishes.
The deli has come to be beloved by Angelenos of all backgrounds, who come from all over the city to enjoy its food. Thanks to its popularity, Brent’s Deli has expanded over the years, and now has locations in Northridge and Westlake Village.
And they have a substantial catering business too so you can have their food at your wedding, bris, bar mitzvah or even for a work lunch in your office.
The menu at Brent’s is extensive, and includes all of the classic deli staples like pastrami sandwiches and matzo ball soup. And a full array of Jewish desserts too!
If you’re looking for a delicious deli experience in Los Angeles, and especially in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, Brent’s is definitely the place to go. The restaurants are large relative to most Jewish delis and have a lively atmosphere and buzz that make them stand out.
Brent’s Deli History
Brent’s Deli is a Los Angeles institution that has been in operation since 1967. Brent’s deli was started by Ron Peskin. He had worked at a variety of delis throughout the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles.
He was looking to advance his career and was offered a position to manage an existing deli in Northridge. Mr. Peskin turned down the offer. And then the owner offered to sell him the business.
Mr. Peskin and his wife Patricia purchased Brents and started the business with 11 employees and one delivery truck. They kept the name because they had a son named Brent and it seemed smart to keep the name!
At the beginning, Mr. Peskin was there daily making all the sandwiches. His focus on quality food, a pleasant atmosphere, and a well run restaurant has been a key part of its success.
And this is why it made our list of Top Jewish Delis in the United States!
Today Brent’s is still a family run business with Ron and, son, Brent, daughter-in-law, Dori, and granddaughters, Taylor and Jordan at the helm as part of the restaurant’s management team.
Here’s What You Need to Know For Your Visit to Brents Deli
Brents Deli Address and Hours
Brents has two locations. The original location is older and in Northridge.
The newer location in Westlake village is the one shown in the photos above. It is more updated and also has a nice bar in the back.
Brents – Northridge Location
Address: 19565 Parthenia St, Northridge, CA 91324
Phone: (818) 886-5679
Monday | 8 AM–3 PM |
Tuesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
Wednesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
Thursday | 8 AM–8 PM |
Friday | 8 AM–8 PM |
Saturday | 8 AM–8 PM |
Sunday | 8 AM–8 PM |
Here is how Brent’s looks from the Northridge parking lot:
Brents – Westlake Village Location
This location is in an office park area so there is ample free parking in the lot.
Address: 2799 Townsgate Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91361
Phone: (805) 557-1882
Monday | 8 AM–3 PM |
Tuesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
Wednesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
Thursday | 8 AM–8 PM |
Friday | 8 AM–8 PM |
Saturday | 8 AM–8 PM |
Sunday | 8 AM–8 PM |
Happy Hour is from 3-6pm
Note: they do take reservations, so you can call ahead.
The Experience Inside Brent’s Deli
Brents “Deli Specials” Signs
They have a sandwich board outside that shows the daily specials. This is a nice touch.
As you walk in from the parking lot you can’t miss it and its a great way to let customers know what their daily specials are.
To Go Order Counter
When you walk through the door, immediately to your left you will see a counter to place a to go order. It has a beautiful presentation as you can see salami’s drying out which is rare these days, Brents own merchandise, cookies, and many other products are also for sale in this area.
Brents Deli Meat Case
You can get some deli meats to go if you like. And this makes quite an impression as you walk past it on the way into the restaurant.
Brents Deli Desert Case
To whet your appetite when you walk in, you will pass a beautiful desert case. Brent’s has an amazing array of Jewish Deli Desserts and the best Jewish Cookies.
Also, check out the 4 layer chocolate cake – it looks amazing!
Bar Area
The Brent’s in Westlake Village is newer and has a modern bar area that is quite nice and blends in seamlessly to the restaurant as you can see in this photo.
Also, they offer a very solid daily happy hour from 3-6pm.
Okay, let’s talk about the food and the best things on the menu.
My Favorite Menu Items at Brents Deli
Now that I’ve shared the experience of walking into the restaurant, let’s get on to the deli food.
Black Pastrami Reuben
This is the #1 item on Brent’s menu and their most popular item.
This features their unique black pastrami which has a deeper seasoning than a regular pastrami.
Black pastrami is often considered to be more of a “New York style” approach to pastrami because it has a slightly different flavor profile. During the process, pastrami is heavily seasoned with some dry herbs and spices before being smoked. This gives it a black exterior ring which makes it visually stand out from regular pastrami and it enhances the savory taste too.
The interior is tender with perfectly matched swiss cheese, coleslaw and a hot cabbage sauerkraut. These provide a near perfect balance to the pastrami and a variety of flavors and textures in every bit.
Finally, it is served with their thick-cut steak French fries and coleslaw on the side. The Coleslaw is very good deli slaw. But to be honest, thick cut steak fries in general are very old at this point and tend to be mushy and lacking flavor. Hopefully they will replace and improve them in the future.
#13 Hot Pastrami and Swiss
This sandwich is one of their best. It is a tender cut of pastrami, topped with Swiss cheese, coleslaw and Brent’s house Russian dressing. It is all layered between two thick slices of hot, double-baked rye bread. Served with potato salad and Steak French fries
This is one of Brent’s TOP items. It is similar to the #19 at Langer’s Deli. Overall, the sandwich is excellent and if you love pastrami and rye, you will love it!
The pastrami is tender. The swiss is creamy. The coleslaw has bit of tangy and is slightly on the sweeter side. And the rye bread is twice baked so it has the crispy crunch around the edges.
My only critique is that the coleslaw side of the sandwich was a bit moist – the coleslaw is seeping through the bread. It’s not an issue if you eat the sandwich quickly and don’t take photos for your deli site. So you might not even experience this issue, LOL.
The French fries are very basic – the larger, less flavorful steak cut French fries.
Turkey French Dip with Sautéed Onions
This sandwich is Fresh roasted turkey topped with sautéed onions and Pepperjack Cheese. Served on a french roll with a side of au jus. Overall it is quite tasty and I will definitely re-order. My only critique of the sandwich is that the turkey was a bit too salty.
So when you add the saltier French dip, the overall taste had way too much sodium.
In addition to their world-famous pastrami sandwiches, Brent’s Deli also offers a variety of other menu items that are sure to please any appetite. Their matzo ball soup is legendary, and their Reuben sandwich has been voted “Best in Los Angeles” by multiple publications.
Atmosphere and Service
The wait staff is very solid and attentive. At lunchtime, when we went most recently, it was very busy and we had a slight wait. Service was quick and efficient. Because it’s in an office park setting, it doesn’t have the Jewish feel or vibe of a place like Canter’s Deli, but the food is excellent and it is a pleasant atmosphere.
Video: Brent’s Deli
See the great service, great food and warm atmosphere of this legendary San Fernando Valley establishment.
Final Thoughts on Brent’s Deli
Brent’s Deli has been around in the San Fernando Valley area for over 50 years. Los Angeles is an incredibly large geographic region and many people who live outside the valley have not been there, and many have not even heard of it!
I have to confess, this is my 10th year living in Los Angeles, and it was only recently that I started eating there. This year I was fortunate to be able to visit both locations and they feel quite different and have their own unique character.
So even though it is well known, it is also to some degree one of LA’s best kept secrets for Los Angeles residents that don’t live in the valley. Brent’s is a hidden gem that should be on the radar of any foodie looking for an unforgettable experience.
The deli has a great buzzing vibe you expect in a busy large restaurant. Both locations attract a diverse crowd and it is easy to see why. The food is delicious, the portions are large and the prices are reasonable. Also, everything is made in house (except the bread), which is incredibly rare these days.
The menu is quite extensive so there are plenty of salads, soups and other non deli meat options that will satisfy a wide variety of tastes and satisfy people who don’t normally like to go to a deli.
If you’re looking for a great meal in a relaxed setting, Brent’s Deli is the perfect spot. The food is delicious and the service is friendly. I highly recommend Brent’s Deli to anyone looking for a great deli experience in Los Angeles.
Brents Deli – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Black Pastrami?
Black pastrami is often considered to be more of a “New York style” approach to pastrami because it has a slightly different flavor profile. During the process, pastrami is heavily seasoned with dry herbs and spices (typically a mixture of black pepper, coriander, fennel seeds and sometimes garlic) before being smoked. This gives it a black exterior ring which makes it visually stand out from regular pastrami and it enhances the savory taste too.
Does Brent’s Deli take reservations?
Yes, Brent’s Deli takes reservations for both dine-in and catering services.
Is there parking available at Brent’s Deli?
Yes, both locations of Brent’s Deli offer free parking for their customers.
Does Brent’s Deli offer delivery services?
Yes, Brent’s Deli offers delivery services through third-party platforms such as GrubHub and DoorDash.
Sources:
https://la.eater.com/2015/1/30/7935969/brents-deli-the-hot-dish-northridge-photos-feature-classic#0
My name is Jay and I started this website to share my love of Deli Food. I am Jewish with Italian ancestry and grandparents who emigrated to the US from Poland, Russia and Turkey. This website is my celebration of the delicious flavors of international deli culture. Please feel free to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form.