0 Followers
Schwartz's Deli & BBQ
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Schwartz's Deli & BBQ
8.3
A kosher deli that doubles as a serious smokehouse, turning out long-smoked brisket, pastrami, and burnt ends with a confident, peppery bark and clean beef flavor. It’s more neighborhood workhorse than destination dining room, but the meat program and house sides make it one of Pico’s most reliable BBQ-adjacent stops.
Must-Try Dishes:
18-hour smoked brisket, burnt ends, hot pastrami sandwich
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Kosher deli with an in-house, long-smoked brisket and pastrami program.
Who should go: Smoked-meat lovers and kosher diners.
When to visit: Lunch or early dinner for best selection.
What to order: Brisket, burnt ends, pastrami sandwich.
Insider tip: Ask what just came out of the smoker before ordering.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Pico and residential streets nearby; spots are relatively available before 6pm but fill quickly during dinner rush.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; anything from jeans to everyday wear fits the neighborhood deli vibe.
Noise level: Moderate—dining room stays conversational but gets livelier during lunch and early dinner.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on smoker drops and peak rush.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, with steady counter flow.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—salads, sides, and a couple of deli items are available, but smoked-meat focus dominates.
Vegan options: Minimal—most items involve meat or dairy; sides offer the only workable choices.
Gluten-free options: Good options—brisket, pastrami, turkey, and many sides are naturally gluten-free; ask for no bread and verify sauces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if the date is casual—this is more about great smoked meats than ambiance. It’s relaxed, friendly, and low-pressure but not a romantic setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter-service style and operates on walk-ins. Lunch is easiest; early dinner beats the rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families are common, and the menu leans comforting. Best for ages 4+ who enjoy straightforward deli favorites.
Best For
Better for: Smoked brisket, pastrami, and burnt ends with cleaner seasoning and slower smoking than most kosher competitors on Pico.
Skip if: You’re seeking a full-scale BBQ restaurant experience with ribs, chicken, and larger-format pit items beyond the deli-meets-smokehouse core.
Schwartz's Deli & BBQ
7.8
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
A kosher deli-BBQ hybrid where wings show up as a smoky, savory side to the broader brisket-and-sandwich playbook. They’re meaty, well-seasoned, and pair naturally with the house sauces, giving you a different wing angle than the usual buffalo map. Come hungry and treat wings as part of a bigger spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken wings, Smoked brisket sandwich, Burnt ends
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Smoky deli-style wings that fit a full kosher BBQ feast.
Who should go: Kosher diners and BBQ-leaning wing fans.
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early dinner.
What to order: Wings, brisket, burnt ends.
Insider tip: Ask for extra BBQ sauce—wings sing with a dip.
Schwartz's Deli & BBQ
7.9
A kosher deli-BBQ crossover where sandwiches skew hearty and sauce-forward. Think pastrami, brisket, and pulled beef stacked for takeout comfort rather than fine-tuned deli minimalism.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ brisket sandwich, Pastrami sandwich, Pulled beef sandwich
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Kosher BBQ meats turned into bold, messy sandwiches.
Who should go: Takeout-first sandwich and BBQ fans.
When to visit: Lunch for freshest hot-hold meats.
What to order: Brisket sandwich, pastrami, pulled beef.
Insider tip: Order pickup—sandwiches travel best fresh.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Pico and adjacent residential blocks; generally easier before noon and after 7pm. No valet.
Dress code: Casual — come as you are; takeout traffic sets the tone.
Noise level: Low to moderate; mostly counter-service rhythm with easy conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on hot-hold turnover.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait beyond a short counter queue.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — a couple of deli-style sides and salads.
Vegan options: Very limited — this is a meat-heavy kosher BBQ/deli hybrid.
Gluten-free options: Some meats and sides can be done gluten-free, but sandwiches rely on standard breads.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — sandwiches here are hefty and sauce-forward, better for casual meetups than impression-making dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s a counter-service deli with open seating. Expect short waits only during peak lunch rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families are common, portions are generous, and simple sides work well for younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Bigger, bolder kosher BBQ-style sandwiches than traditional Pico delis; great when you want hearty, saucy builds fast.
Skip if: You want classic, minimalist deli technique or a lighter, vegetable-forward menu — this leans heavy, meaty, and casual.
Schwartz's Deli & BBQ
7.6
A long-running kosher deli with a BBQ lean that does wings in a straightforward, crowd-pleasing way—more comfort than craft. Great for a no-frills happy hour pickup or casual table stop anchored by familiar deli energy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Buffalo wings, BBQ wings, Pastrami sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Kosher deli-BBQ hybrid with wings that satisfy the classic craving.
Who should go: Deli loyalists and easygoing wing eaters
When to visit: Late afternoon for a relaxed bite
What to order: Buffalo wings, BBQ wings, pastrami sandwich
Insider tip: Order wings fresh to keep the skin snappy.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is generally available on Pico and adjacent residential blocks; easier before 6pm but can tighten during peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—come as you are; no need for anything beyond everyday wear.
Noise level: Moderate—steady deli energy but still easy to hold a conversation at most tables.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on flow; rarely exceeds that unless there’s a big neighborhood rush.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; walk right in.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several deli staples and sides fit vegetarian needs.
Vegan options: Limited—some sides may qualify but options are minimal.
Gluten-free options: Partial—BBQ plates and salads can be adapted, but wings and sandwiches are not fully gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a relaxed, no-frills meetup. The vibe is casual and deli-forward—great for comfort-food fans, but not ideal if you want something polished or atmospheric.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations are uncommon here. Walk-ins are the norm, and you’ll typically find a table quickly except during brief peak windows.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—very. The menu is familiar, portions are generous, and the room is relaxed enough for younger kids. High chairs and family-friendly seating are usually available.
Best For
Better for: Casual deli comfort, quick wing orders, and straightforward kosher options without the fuss of a full restaurant environment.
Skip if: You want craft wings, a cocktail program, or a more polished happy hour atmosphere—other spots in the area are better suited for that.