Katella Deli’s pastrami is remarkably lean, with only the thinnest ribbons of fat running through each slice. The pastrami melt, however, isn’t for the health-conscious—tomatoes and cheese squeezed in with the pastrami, pressed and grilled and served hot with your choice of sides. It’s best to pick the onion rings, which are dredged in crumbs so light they’re practically panko. The result is crisp and airy, perfect alone, but sometimes bettered by the accompanying barbeque sauce, a sweet dip so thick it clings to the rings with just the right amount of weight. A good counter to all that heavy eating is Katella’s Cobb salad, which is easily one of the best around. It won’t take much to get hooked on Katella Deli. Then again, at a place so consistent, it shouldn’t.

KATELLA DELI 4470 KATELLA AVE | LOS ALAMITOS 90720 | 562.594.8611 | FOOD FOR TWO $20-30 | BEER, WINE

Tags: breakfast, deli, dinner, los alamitos, lunch