It's typical to see corned beef and cabbage on restaurant menus — Irish or not — around St. Patrick's Day. But corned beef and cabbage is not a traditional Irish meal. In fact, beef was long considered a luxury in Ireland, with most meals were centered around ham, bacon or sausage.

The tradition of corned beef and cabbage actually began when the Irish landed in America and found beef to be widely available. These L.A. spots make the most of this Irish-American tradition:

Langer's Deli; Credit: Johnathan Lobel

Langer's Deli; Credit: Johnathan Lobel

Langer's Deli
If you’re looking for a straight-up, traditional corned beef sandwich, look no further than Langer’s Deli. This huge, oozing, grilled sandwich is stuffed with corned beef topped with sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing and Swiss cheese, served on rye and with a Wet-Nap on the side. 704 S. Alvarado St., Westlake; (213) 483-8050, langersdeli.com.

Finn McCool's
A traditional Irish meal wouldn't be complete without minted carrots and Irish champ (potatoes creamed with scallions and tons of butter), and this spot serves both with its corned beef and cabbage meal. Be sure to pair your dinner with a Guinness or whiskey flight. 2702 Main St., Santa Monica; (310) 452-1734, finnmccoolsirishpub.com.

The Wilde Thistle
The Wilde Thistle is a pub that wants to be a cafe, boasting both a generous happy hour and an afternoon high tea. Unlike a traditional corned beef sandwich, the Wilde Thistle's version takes the form of sliders with Irish cheddar and mango chutney, a fun twist on a traditional favorite. 3456 Motor Ave., Los Angeles; (310) 730-6208, thewildethistle. 

Canter's Deli; Credit: Scott Beale

Canter's Deli; Credit: Scott Beale

Canter's Deli
One of L.A.'s most iconic eateries, Canter's Deli goes big with its corned beef — and we mean big. Sandwiches and entrees both include a heaping portion of meat, all the fixings and a baked potato. You can choose between the traditional corned beef or the Irish corned beef hash. 419 N. Fairfax Ave., Fairfax; (323) 651-2030, cantersdeli.com.

Casey’s Irish Pub
This downtown spot offers a quick and casual meal with a side of party. The corned beef and cabbage is a popular option — and a suitable one for soaking up a sampling of some of the 30-plus types of whiskey. 613 S. Grand Ave., downtown; (213) 629-2353, 213nightlife.com/caseysirishpub.

Lucky Baldwins; Credit: Lucky Baldwins

Lucky Baldwins; Credit: Lucky Baldwins

Lucky Baldwins
It doesn’t look like much on the outside, but this bar is well known among locals for serving British pub fare along with some solid Irish dishes. Known for its extensive European beer selection, Lucky Baldwins is featuring a wide variety of Irish beers on tap for St. Patrick's Day — for a true Dublin experience. 17 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena; (626) 795-0652, luckybaldwins.com.

Story Tavern; Credit: Story Tavern

Story Tavern; Credit: Story Tavern

Story Tavern
If you aren’t feeling the traditional corned beef and cabbage platter, try Story Tavern's corned beef and cabbage casserole, which is reminiscent of a shepherd’s pie. Corned beef is layered with cabbage, mashed potatoes and Swiss cheese and served piping hot. 150 S. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank; (818) 567-4200, storytavernburbank.com.

The Auld Dubliner
Irish food in L.A. doesn’t get more authentic than this. The Auld Dubliner's menu is inspired by the owners’ frequent trips to the motherland and reflects some of the country's more recent food trends, like the corned beef and cabbage, which is served with parsley cream sauce, lending it a fresher and more refined edge. The Pike at Rainbow Harbor, 71 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach; (562) 437-8300, aulddubliner.com.

Whale & Ale; Credit: Guzzle Nosh

Whale & Ale; Credit: Guzzle Nosh

Whale & Ale
You might have to wait a while to get a seat, but Whale & Ale is worth it. The menu offers rotating specials and, of course, slices of slow-cooked corned beef that shares the plate with potatoes, root vegetables and bright green cabbage. 327 W. Seventh St., San Pedro; (310) 832-0363, whaleandale.com.

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