At this point, the Oinkster is an East Side institution. I've been eating here since they opened, and I'll die on this hill...they serve the best pastrami in LA. It's been a minute since I've eaten here (moved across the country five years ago), but I had the chance to go back recently. Everything is still the same (if the place isn't just a little more run down than I remember). Food is still solid, and staff is great! But Jesus Christ on a hogie roll!! $21 for a plain pastrami sando with a water. No drink. No fries. Just bread and meat, tax, and tip. Sorry kids, while I love everything about, I just can no longer find the value in it. It's a sad day. But I believe this is the last Oinkster Pastrami for me. read more

The oinkster is looking very spiffy and spotless these days after an interior refresh. The food is still solid, and while I still miss some of the items from before the ownership change, this is still a neighborhood staple for a solid burger, salad, or the infamous chicken cluckster sandwich. Keep it up, guys! read more

I've been to Oinkster twice. The first time was many years ago, and I just remember it being very expensive. I recently came back while we were in the Eagle Rock area and decided to stop by for a late lunch. My boyfriend and I shared the Oinkster Pastrami. At $21, I expected a much larger sandwich, but it was a regular size. I made it a combo with fries and a drink for an additional $7.50. The pastrami sandwich was disappointing. The pastrami lacked the saltiness I'm used to and didn't even taste like pastrami. It barely had any Swiss cheese, and the red slaw didn't have much flavor either. The fries were good though and ended up being the best part of the meal. They also didn't have many sugar free drink options, just Diet Coke and unsweetened iced tea. I went with the iced tea. The total came out to a little over $32. If the pastrami sandwich had been good, I wouldn't have minded paying that much, but unfortunately it was just mediocre. I don't see myself coming back, and this is probably why I'd only been here once before. read more

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Ive been coming here for years now and it has never disappointed! A great spot right in the heart of Eagle Rock, Oinkster serves up some of the yummiest food around. Im a creature of habit so I very rarely stray from my usual order of a pulled pork sandwich. It comes with cabbage, caramelized onions and an array of sauces, including the vinegar based bbq sauce that is to die for! The piggy fries are a better version of animal fries in my opinion and the sides of spicy ketchup add an extra layer of flavor. Can't forget about the garlic sauce too! Even their mustard is bomb! The service is always on par, ive never had to wait more than about 10 minutes. The vibe is kind of retro with a great indoor and outdoor seating area and the staff are always great! You really can't go wrong here! read more

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I mentioned Oinkster to the husband ONCE after reading about it somewhere. We looked it up and he's been in my ear about it ever since. So, on our way home from spending the morning in Pasadena, we stopped in for a late lunch. It wasn't too busy when we arrived with a couple available parking spots right in front. The team member at the register was friendly and helpful as he answered our questions. Given our mutual love for pastrami, we decided to begin our experience with both versions -- House and Oinkster with chili fries to share. We were given a number, then got ourselves seated. Our order arrived just a few minutes later. Both pastrami sandwiches were pretty solid -- fresh and tasty. We can't say it's our favorite, compared to others we've had, but well prepared overall. I enjoyed the caramelized onions and red cabbage coleslaw in the Oinkster. The husband is a fan of the small container of horseradish mustard that comes with it. The chili fries were ok. The vibe is old school. The space is clean and bright. There was a constant flow of customers while we dined. It was apparent that most enjoyed having a beer with their meal. The husband on the other hand was admiring the Horchata smoothie. Maybe next time. :) read more

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Was craving chili cheese fries and gave this place a try, not bad! It wasn't exactly what I had in mind but they cook their fries well and that made a difference. Their chicken Cesar salad is OK, nothing special but it hit the spot. Their fries are delicious! Simple but cooked well! Service was great and plenty of free parking. I need to try their chicken sandwich and burgers next time! read more

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I discovered the Oinkster while driving down Colorado and was immediately drawn in by how busy it was and its old school diner ambiance. I was surprised to find that it had been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives a few years ago! After ordering at the counter, seating is available either inside or outside. We ordered the Cluckster and BBQ Pulled Pork combo. Portions were generous for both and it was overall filling. Looking back, I wish I had tried the pastrami, which seems to be what they are known for. Overall, a great find, though on the pricier side! read more

The Oinkster - BBQ Pulled Pork - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

From my experience, anyone who's heard of Eagle Rock often associates it with The Oinkster. For me, it's a part of Eagle Rock history, and just up the street from Casa Bianca Pizza Pie (est. 1955) and the Women's 20th Century Club (est. 1903). I've been coming here for so many years, I can't even count that high. I've seen this place packed during the day, busy at night, and sometimes a mellow afternoon. It's always clean and the minimalism in decor help keep it that way. Chef Andre Guerrero opened this "slow fast food" joint in 2006. Their pastrami is specially seasoned and house-cured. It's delicious because it's all about the sloooow-roasted pork. Generous portions are packed into the fresh rolls with slaw and sauce. Suffice to say, The Oinkster has become this neighborhood's staple pastrami place for 20 years now. My go-to is the OINSTER PASTRAMI with red cabbage coleslaw, caramelized onions, and Swiss on a French roll. I love there's always a fully stocked bar of jalapeños and banana peppers to dial up the heat with every bite. The spice blend from the HOUSE PASTRAMI, however, was a bit on the saltier side for my tastebuds. If you're craving chicken, THE CLUCKSTER is tasty with its buttermilk fried chicken breast, pickles, lettuce, and buffalo sauce smooshed into a bun. Or the CHICKEN & BRIE is quite savory and delish too. It's got tomatoes, onion, and garlic aioli, served on grilled sourdough. As for the Belgian fries, I order it with garlic aioli and it takes me back to my wanderings in Bruges, especially when they have Stella Artois on tap. Oh and let's not forget dessert! If you're an ice cream aficionado, then try one of their handcrafted shakes made from Fosselman's Ice Cream (est. 1919). It's a real classic. read more

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Visited this place while working in the LA eagle rock area and so glad I did. The hamburger was delicious and had that old school taste and flavor that I was looking for. The ambiance was old school diner with small seating inside and but plenty of seating outside and with great LA weather, perfect to have a burger and a great soft drink. The service was good as as you order at the counter and the team was very welcoming and friendly. Will certainly be back when in the area. read more

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First time here. Solid! The pulled pork sandwich is overflowing with meat. Cool outside dining for people watching. Give it a try. read more

Damn good burger! Made to order and not a minute sooner. I love how fresh the ingredients taste. In a fun and walkable neighborhood with lots of other shops and restaurants nearby. Establishment is super clean and the staff is very friendly. When I visit I enjoy sitting out on the patio and enjoying my meal. Can't go wrong with ordering anything on the menu. read more

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Ambiance: it's a sandwich place located in eagle rock area, they have limited parking spots outside the entrance, as well as two gender neutral restrooms, gross odor inside Service: very fast and efficient, you place the order at the counter, grab a number and find your own seats, it takes about ten minutes to have the food ready Food: classic choices for sandwiches and burgers, and I liked their self served chili and pickles THE OiNKSTER PASTRAMI - **** Pastrami with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, and red cabbage cole slaw on a French roll, rich in flavors, recommend CHICKEN & BRIE - *** Grilled chicken breast, brie cheese, tomato, onions, and garlic aioli on grilled sourdough bread, chicken is a bit dry, overall bland taste Price: moderate portions and affordable prices, about $20~$25 per person for a quick bite read more

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The food is very good: burgers, reuben, and even the chicken sandwich. Fries are also very good. Hamburger patties a little too thick so it doesn't go out until the buns. Also they occasionally don't toast the reuben bread well enough and/or put too much of the pastrami liquid on it and it gets soggy by the time they bring it to your table. Most of the staff is good and courteous but, as might be expected in Eagle Rock, they have a despondent air about them. Can't be too energetic or cheerful. But honestly, the biggest downside is the cost. It's ridiculous that for four burgers and a drink or two, no fries, you're paying over $70. We get it, inflation blah blah, but this is highway robbery and definitely not worth the price tag. They don't even have the accoutrements they used to like the spicy carrots. They offer less, charge more. Not for nothin' that I used to come here 1-2 times a month and now it's more like once every 2-3 months. read more

This was SO GOOD!! Really good Reuben (and I do advise you use the mustard they provide on the side). I almost ordered a second sandwich to take home for lunch on Monday. The tater tots were OK ... not as good as the Parmesan fries at The Counter Burger but, made better with the side of garlic aioli. The staff were SUPER FRIENDLY! Bathroom is locked with a code and very clean. This is a place I frequently recommend when you find yourself East of L..A. They are solid. read more

The Oinkster - Pastrami Reuben Sandwich - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I have always driven past this place on the way to my grandfather's and never had the chance to try until one in our party kept mentioning it, along with BuzzFeed (haven't heard of them in ages). It's definitely a local favorite, many of the tables were taken, though we got tall counter seating and we were able to get parking in their small lot. There was a small line to order but our food came out decently quickly. We got the: 1) Ube Milkshake: -Very rare that an American establishment has this as a constant flavor option for their milkshakes, so I had to get it. -Super sweet, dessert drink, very thick and dense. Not cheaply watered down so you can tell that they used a lot of the ice cream in this. Perfect for sweet tooth ube lovers out there. 2) Belgian Fries: -Can never go wrong with twice fried fries. Adds such a delicious extra crispiness to them. Perfectly seasoned, not too salty and very addicting. A must. 3) Oinkster Pastrami: -The restaurant's name is in the title! You gotta1 This is their house cured pastrami with red cabbage coleslaw, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese on a French roll. Definitely enough to share amongst a group of us after we did some light eating before. -Great mix of salty, sweet, and sour in a sandwich. Would definitely stop by again and maybe take my grandpa too. read more

Great pastrami sandwiches with huge portions. They also have amazing burgers I haven't been able to try yet. Great friendly service. read more

The Oinkster - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Walking into this place took me back to old-time fast food restaurants. Not quite a diner, not quite full restaurant. The prices were reasonable and the food came out fairly quickly. Service was swift and polite. The interior was a bit drab, but it's about what you'd expect from a fast food place. The food was mostly good. The piggy fries were great. Crunchier than I prefer but good enough to make up for it. The chocolate malt I had was perfect. I had to dock some stars because my burger was undercooked. I'm perfectly happy for some pink in a burger but this was excessive. You just can't get a high rating if you're giving undercooked food. read more

Burgers are always juicy and service is great and consistent, they're always so friendly! Everything on the menu is a solid choice, including chili cheese fries and cluckster chicken sandwich. Only con is that the meals are on the quite pricey side. The fries really are the best, always fresh and crispy. the garlic aioli and spicy ketchup combo is amazing. They also do a burger and shake of the month every month and often have cool and unique flavors which i think are fun to try! great eagle rock local restaurant. read more

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The Oinkster was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (Triple D) years ago, but they have not maintained the quality or consistency that was once featured on the show. Being a fan of pastrami, my boyfriend identified this spot for our lunch one weekend. We made the trek out to Eagle Rock. Definitely an old school location. Restrooms are located outside with keypads for access. The interior is really dated, and not that functional. The tables were bolted in place so you can't even move things around. They also have a patio area for outdoor dining when the weather is nice. You order at the cashier and they give you a number to bring with you to any table of choice. My boyfriend had the Oinkster Pastrami ($19.95) and upgraded it to a Combo (additional $7.25) for the fries and drink. I had their BBQ Pulled Pork ($12.95), and there was a sign that disclosed how they would have to charge extra due to the increased cost of eggs, but I still wanted the Garlic Aioli ($0.91). The order took a while to come out. Honestly the sandwich size looked smaller than the photos and videos we've seen of this place. My pulled pork sandwich had an incredibly soggy bun. If it wasn't so soggy I would have saved half for later. Also the filling was uneven where when I ate the first half all I tasted was the caramelized onions but when I ate the second half, all I tasted was the red cabbage slaw. It would have been better if both were spread equally. My boyfriend wasn't really impressed by the Oinkster Pastrami either. We both agreed our favorite thing about this place was the fries. They use the same potatoes as In and Out, so if you like In & Out fries, you'd like these. Fun to try but poor execution. It's too out of my way to consider coming back when I'm not that into it. read more

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Love this place. Been here a few times. Having the Oinkster Pastrami today. Soooo good. Garlic aioli and homemade ketchup for the fries are both amazing. Highly recommend. read more

The Oinkster - Oinkster Pastrami. - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Best burger in LA. No BS old school damn fine cheeseburger, delicious crispy fries and beer!

Is there another location? Yeah like others have said they've given up. Scant, flavorless, dry pastrami, rock hard bread and this was on the weekend . I don't mind paying a little more, but expect to see the difference. I'll gladly brave the druggies and drive down the two to Langers any day. Not sure where the people who posted good pastrami reviews ate at... read more

I came here many years ago and I liked it. Now I came back to have a refresher of how good the food is. I had the cheeseburger which was simple yet so flavorful. read more

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I got the royale and it was a solid burger. The strawberry and chocolate shakes were pretty good. Food came out fast.

I came here for lunch between work and it was pretty relaxing to sit closer to the right back side of things. I ordered with ease and the girl taking my order was super nice. Parking is super easy. The ambiance is simple and there is plenty of seating inside and outside of the restaurant. I ordered an ube shake, a small garden salad with ranch dressing, and an order of chili cheese fries. The ube shake was perfectly sweet and a nice finished to the meal. The fries are crispy and the skin is still on them. The chili isn't overpowering and they put the right amount along with the cheese. The salad was finely chopped with cucumbers, tomatoes, and pickled radishes. It was a nice refreshing break from the fries. I would definitely come back to try other items too. read more

The Oinkster - Ube shake, small garden salad with ranch, and chili cheese fries - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Had lunch here today with my daughter. She devoured the pulled pork sandwich (half of it), and I had half a reuben. I loved the sauce/horseradish mustard that came on the side. Leftovers will be enjoyed. Both sandwiches were so good. We sat on the patio and it was quite pleasant. The fries are excellent. read more

Not a local spot to me but when in the area or looking for something in the area this is my first choice and suggestion. Good fresh pastrami, good burgers and fries. Friendly and helpful staff, indoor and shaded outdoor seating. read more

The Oinkster - Patio signage - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This place used to be excellent. The original owner / chef Andre Guerrero produced a great "fast food" restaurant with culinary integrity. Unfortunately they sold to the Burger Lords franchise which turned it into an empty shell of serving food simply riding on the old reputation which Guerrero had built. The food isn't a fraction of what it used to be. Burgers and pastrami are the on,y thing they serve now which is nothing notable. Pete's blue chip up the block serves better food with more integrity. The "house made" pastrami is not made in house and which does not compare to any other pastrami houses in LA. People go and say "the pastrami is the best", they clearly have not been to langers, ugly drum, even the hat has better product. . . . So disappointing that they squandered what was there. You are better off going to any other food establishment on Colorado for a better product. read more

We came here during a bustling Sunday lunch. There were many families and the patio was gorgeous with the beauty of 80 degree LA January winter weather. We had high hopes but none of us was wowed by our orders. It tasted ok, but it was not great food. The burgers looked amazing, but the patties were too big and we all left half of our burgers. The veggie burger was tasteless and dry. We all enjoyed the Parmesan tater tots and Belgian fries were enjoyed by all. We were hoping to find our secondary go to burger spot, but we will need to keep searching. read more

Really good burgers, veggie burgers and chicken burgers. And honestly, the salads are really good too. Great service, great music. Fast food dine right. read more

Never had Oinkster before, so this was our very first time trying it! I heard it's an iconic staple to Eagle Rock, so I got to finally try it today. I am very familiar with The Hat since I had it pretty frequently in my childhood. So that may be the closest comparison to this. Oinkster wasn't busy, but it does feel like a more "cleaner" version of The Hat. It still has that "diner" feel to it, so it feels like a nostalgic and classic joint. Parking wasn't too bad at all since it wasn't too busy. There were a few others dining here for lunch. We ordered the House Pastrami Sandwich and the Chili Cheese Fries. The portion sizes were surprisingly smaller than expected. We actually mentally prepared ourselves that we would feel greasy and heavy from eating this, but luckily the portion size was doable haha. Trying out the pastrami sandwich first, the horseradish and the Dijon mustard combination was pretty nice. The pastrami sandwich itself was also pretty decent. The meat was a bit on the dry side, but overall it tasted okay. The chili cheese fries was a bit underwhelming. It was a tad flavorless, but also with flavor. It might have been either the fries or the chili that wasn't as much flavor? Though, it overall tastes fine. For the prices and the portion for this, it didn't really feel that worth it. It was nice to try, but that's about it. I do like that it didn't make us feel too gross about it, but it did leave us feeling a bit unsatisfied. read more

The Oinkster - Chili Cheese Fries - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Atmosphere: You can't go wrong with sitting inside or outside, both are equally cute, well designed, and spacious. Food + Drinks: I never realized what a difference homemade ketchup could make. I think all of their condiments are made in house and they're all delicious! The fries are just as delicious. I liked the chicken brie sandwich but next time I order it I'll probably ask to add lettuce or arugula. I'm looking forward to trying their ube milkshake next time I go in as well. Staff + Service: Everyone was very friendly, patient, and helpful. read more

The Oinkster - Chicken and Brie Sandwich - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I recently had the unfortunate experience of dining at The Oinkster, and I have to say, it was a far cry from the vibrant establishment I remember from its time on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." What was once a beloved spot for hearty comfort food has sadly fallen from grace. First and foremost, the pastrami -- I couldn't believe how dry and lackluster it was. I was expecting the rich, juicy flavor that made The Oinkster famous, but instead, I was greeted by a sad, overcooked slab of meat that had no redeeming qualities. It was almost as if it had been sitting out for too long, and I couldn't help but wonder if this was the same quality of food that once caught Guy Fieri's attention. As for the bread, it was stale and unappetizing. Instead of a fresh, soft bun that would complement the pastrami, I received a rock-hard piece of bread that felt like it had been sitting around for days. It was a disappointing pairing that overshadowed the meal entirely. The atmosphere, too, felt off. It lacked the lively energy and character I used to associate with The Oinkster. It's disheartening to see a once-great diner fall so far from its roots. I left feeling regretful and wishing I had opted for a different place for lunch. Overall, my experience at The Oinkster was a big letdown. I hope they can find their way back to the quality and vibrancy that made them a standout in the first place. Until then, I can't recommend this place, especially if you're craving good pastrami and fresh bread. read more

We recently went to the Oinkster for dinner but was very disappointed. After ordering 2 burgers, a chicken salad and 2 orders of fries, we sat down and waited for our dinner. And waited. And waited. Forty minutes later our dinner arrived cold-and not just the salad that we ordered with dressing on the side but came dressed! And by then our 10 year granddaughter was understandably hungry ( as were we) and we were then pressed for time. We didn't have time to complain and ask for new hot food. It will be a long time, if ever, before we return. read more

A reliable spot with friendly staff and delicious food. There's a reason this place gets packed on weekend nights full of locals and their families. Great vibe and parking is super easy. Bacon Crispinator - Yeah, the Wendy's baconator got nothing on this. They really are generous with the bacon, and the chipotle ketchup and crispy onions really bring it together. The only thing this burger suffers from is decadence. Garlic Parmesan Tater Tots - Phenomenal. They really dress these things well. If I had one gripe about this restaurant, it's that they don't consistently have tater tots available. They're as common as a working McDonald's ice cream machine. If tots are available, order them! I'm glad that they adjusted their hours to be open later! read more

The burgers are insanely juicy with bold, smoky flavor, and everything tastes fresh and intentional--not just slapped together. The fries are a standout on their own: perfectly crispy, well-seasoned, and dangerously addictive. But let's talk sauces--the garlic aioli is unreal, rich and garlicky without being overpowering, and the chipotle ketchup adds the perfect smoky kick. Once you start dipping, there's no going back. The vibe is laid-back, very good service and welcoming, the food comes out hot and fast, and it's the kind of place you keep craving after you leave. If you're a burger lover, this spot is mandatory. I'll definitely be back read more

If flavor had a hype squad, The Oinkster would be center stage with a mic. This place delivered -- no fancy tricks, just bold flavor and serious comfort vibes. My BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich was smoky, saucy, and stacked right, while my partner's Chicken & Brie sandwich came out juicy and crisp like it had something to prove (and it did). The fries? Oh, we doubled down -- classic Belgian for the crunch, and piggy fries for the soul. And don't sleep on that homemade ketchup... we were this close to asking for a bottle to-go. Quick, casual, and absolutely worth the stop -- The Oinkster is that local gem that makes you glad you didn't hit the drive-thru. read more

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My better half mentioned this place as one of the "must go" hangouts in Eagle Rock. After our visit at Descanso Gardens we dropped by for the burger, pastrami and Belgian fries. To start with the latter, we do not know many places Stateside that would serve them double fried, which is highly appreciated by this born and raised Dutchman. Between the burger and pastrami sandwiches, we both preferred the burger as it was served with a brioche bun that's smaller than your typically oversized dough wraparound which takes away from the patty and other ingredients: 5/5. Pastrami was OK, salty as expected but it seemed a bit disjointed and underwhelming. Maybe it would have been a better experience without the burger (..). Lastly, service was OK but a bit indifferent. Oh yes, we had an ube milkshake which was great, no complaints. read more

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OMG! The pastrami is delicious. Even though I couldn't get a bun (Keto) and had it as a lettuce wrap. It was still outstanding. Why do I have to live so far away? This place will be at stop for when I visit Los Angeles. read more

First time I came here and I will not be coming back. I ordered a cheeseburger fries and a drink expensive which I expected since those are the times we're in. The burger could've been good, but the meat was very tough. I actually had to spit out a very large piece of grizzle. Otherwise the burger would have been good. The meat was gross. This doesn't even happen with fast food. read more