The Oinkster is located in Eagle Rock, on Colorado Blvd. It's our first time there and was just invited by a friend to try it out with them. I guess they heard or read it somewhere that it served some tasty pastrami. It's funny since we've all been in this area many times and know people that lives here but have never once stopped by or let alone known the place existed!
Off to the restaurant and food... the restaurant is plain and there's really nothing special about its location or setting. It's like just any restaurant or stand on the street and perhaps, that's also the reason why we've never stopped there before. It's very unassuming and personally, it's a place that I would not stop by unless someone recommended it to me or I'm meeting a friend who have heard good things about it... as you know the latter is my situation. The food; I had the Oinkster Pastrami. If there's anything to try in a new place, why not start with its namesake. After all, it must be good to bear the name, right? Well, let me tell you that it was not a mistake in doing so. The Oinkster Pastrami is good! It actually have flavor!!! It's not your run-of-the-mill pastrami that just have a pepper and mustard taste to it. This pastrami actually have ingredients which gives it a lot more flavor than the competition. It had caramelized onion, Gruyere cheese, red cabbage slaw, and of course the juicy (not peppered) meat; all in a good sized french bread. Don't think that they won't give you enough to eat as compromise... the sandwich is packed with the tasty and tender meat in it and one order is definitely enough. Of course, had I not gotten some fries, I probably could eat another half. But who could pass on their Belgian fries anyway?! It's actually just like the In-N-Out fries; which I think have the best fries! Make sure to dip your fries in the Garlic Aioli sauce and you will not be disappointed. Warning!!! The sauce is garlic-y so bring mints!!!
Also, I did try the BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich too. Since I wanted to try it, I switched half of my pastrami with someone so, we can try both sandwiches. Hmmm... I did not like the pulled pork as much as I did the pastrami. I'm not saying it's bad, but it's just alright. If I had to pick, definitely the pastrami wins! I did discover one thing though, I did like the pulled pork much better once I started putting some of the garlic aioli on it! It probably sound weird but it's good! I think the pork was just a little dry for my liking and the BBQ sauce wasn't enough to save it. The sauce was a bit runny, as well.
Anyway, overall I liked the experience and the food! The location may be small and unassuming but the food is big on flavor and the pastrami very tasty! There are other items on the menu but I think it'll be hard for me to pass up on the pastrami, when I come back again. Since we got there at 7:30 PM, the line didn't dwindle until about 9:30'ish...since there was quite a few of us, it took us long to leave the place and even had time to try their Taro shake. I heard it's good, but how can you go wrong with Taro shake anyway. I love Taro shakes, specially with Boba!!! I just had too much to eat and drink so didn't bother to get one. So, that's it! I say if you're in the area, definitely go for it and I'm sure you'll be glad you did!
