Sam’s World Famous Steak Sandwiches comes from the 1950s, but not in any way that would excite the historical societies that saved the original McDonald’s and still pine to revive Johnie’s Broiler. Sam’s is a stucco box with small wooden windows trimmed in thick blue paint, a yellow sign overhead and a lean-to that shades a few picnic tables. But the consistency of the restaurant’s simple recipe—a lean, marinated skirt steak on a French roll with lettuce, tomato, mustard, mayo and the key: special kosher pickles—is crucial to the success of Sam’s Steak Sandwiches because it keeps regular customers loyal. The pastrami brings ’em back, too.

SAM’S STEAK SANDWICHES 15118 LAKEWOOD BLVD | BELLFLOWER 90706 | 562.866.6919 | OPEN MON-SAT 9AM-9:30PM, SUN 10AM-8:30PM | FOOD FOR TWO, $12-$14

Tags: american, bellflower, lunch, sandwiches, steak