J & T European Gourmet Food

Wonderful line of sausages and smoked meats wonderful service too truly a gem in the city for great Polish and Hungarian line of specialty meats. more

I have known this deli since the 80s. Under the previous ownership, the product was always fresh, the deli itself was clean and maintained. The current owners did OK at first but now it seems they're cutting corners all around. They'll sell you meat that's 1 or 2 days away from expiration. I bought tenderloin that went bad overnight in the refrigerator. They use too much salt, maybe to mask the increasingly poor quality of their meats. Make sure you check the expiration date on their purchased products such as cheese, kefir, teas, etc. They are often past the expiration date on the label. On top of all this, their products keep getting more expensive. The deli itself is dingy and unappetizing. I think the owners are simply milking it dry. Since they have no competition, they have no incentive to improve their deli and apparently their business ethic is not very strong. I stopped shopping there a few years ago but every once it a while I'll stop by and purchase something in the hopes that they've improved. Unfortunately, I have been disappointed each time so I will not be giving them any more second chances. more

My wife and I haven't found smoked eel like theirs in at least 20 years. The ones that can be found nowadays are scrawny. Theirs are large and haven't been sitting too long.\r \r There are four varieties of head cheese. Innumerable smoked sausages. And their fresh sausage is outstanding.\r \r I can't fathom why there would be complaints. more

I read the previous two reviews and they seem like hatchet jobs. The sausages here are pretty authentic. I know something about that since I once owned a small sausage company. The complaints voiced are pretty trivial all in all, but I agree the place has got a little shabby and could be spruced up a bit. But as far as the quality of the food, especially the sausage goes, it's good. It's a lot better than the cold cuts you get at places like Jon's and other ethnic markets I've sampled, and certainly much better than what you find at mainline markets like Ralphs and Vons that are labeled Polish sausage. The only thing that compares is some of the Basturma (from which we get the word ""Pastrami"") found in mid-East style markets. Pros: Authentic Cons: Could use some sprucing up more

Everyone says this is the place to go, but they are living in the past. Yes, it is the only Polish deli in LA, but the Polka Deli in Orange County has it beat because they carry Polski brand, fresh kielbasa. It is all natural, made locally and low in sodium. It is an authentic family recipe and tastes better than anything I've ever purchased at J & T. Polski tasts just like my Dad used to make. If J & T carried Polski Sausage, they might get my business back. Pros: Old World Appeal Cons: Sausage has gone down hill more

This used to be a wonderful deli with super fresh cold cuts and sausages. Now, the product is often old and way too salty. Maybe they use more salt to cover up the taste of poorer quality. Also, be careful when you buy packaged goods - you may buy something that's past its expiration date. I've bought cookies, candies and bread that were stale. In addition to the steadily declining quality of their meats, the deli itself has become shabby, dingy and dirty. They haven't painted the place in years. I think the owners tried hard to please their customers when they first opened the place but now they're just raking in the dough because they're the only Polish deli around. I'm from Poland and I know how their products should taste. Apparently, they forgot or don't care. When I first notice the place going downhill, I gave them a few chances to improve. Since nothing changed, I no longer patronize J&T Deli. Pros: Good imported beers from Poland Cons: Poor quality of meats, old product, shabby dingy store more