We've been biking on the LA river trail, and we always try to find a new restaurant to frequent. Well, once we discovered Wax Paper, that got harder because we always want to eat their sandwiches for lunch. We've tried the Ian Glass (added protein) and the Larry Mantle, and a friend got the Terry Gross. We've also tried the sides Mr. Beans and the Aloha Pasta Salat. Everything has been so good and so fresh! My fav is the Ian Glass by far! It was so good and so filling. The price is pretty fair for a solid sandwich with good ingredients. Service is quick and easy, no frills. You stand in line, order, and then wait. You cannot and should not go back in line to check on the status of your order. When they're ready for you, you'll know. There are a few tables outside, so grab a seat and enjoy your sandwich! Tip: order online for pick up if you're short on time! But if you're really short on time, this probably isn't the place to go for you. Since we've biked here, I don't have any experience with street parking, but since it's in a residential area, it always looks full. So be aware of street parking! You may need to circle around a few times. read more

Wax Paper - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

tl;dr the tongue-in-cheek sandwiches are more pricey than palatable; the expense is more memorable than the flavor Frogtown's Wax Paper made waves upon its debut in 2015, when it named its sandwich lineup after public radio personalities. Beyond a laugh, the grab-and-go sandwiches have earned praise from news outlets including Eater and the Los Angeles Times, and Wax Paper has expanded to a second location in Chinatown. Wax Paper makes it home within a repurposed shipping crate. A watermelon pink-and-green striped sign is one of the few markers for the otherwise hidden storefront. The interior has been off-limits since COVID, but you can grab a seat at the adjacent canopied patio. Narrow wooden benches are pressed up tightly to rickety tables. The low buzz of side street traffic intermittently interrupts conversation. My fiancee and I arrived for early weekend lunch and placed the day's first in-person order. Some 30 minutes later, we received a text that our food was ready. Of our sandwiches, we preferred the Garth Trinidad. The citrusy slaw and sliced almonds made a statement, even if the sliced turkey occasionally dominated the flavor profile. Meanwhile, the Larry Mantle, Wax Paper's take on an Italian hero, featured premium meats and breads; however, the sum was, frankly, forgettable. The cold cut meats and spicy aioli were drowned out by a sea of shredded lettuce and the all-fluff sesame roll. Lastly, the Aloha Pasta Salad took Hawaiian pizza toppings and mixed them into a mayo-heavy pasta salad; the result was a dud. The service was molasses-slow -- our order (the first of the day and all cold items) still took half an hour. Further, at nearly $50, the prices were eyebrow-raising. Compared to California sandwich staple Mendocino Farms, Wax Paper's was pricier and less palatable. I don't anticipate paying Wax Paper a visit again. read more

Wax Paper - Larry Mantle - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I definitely ordered the wrong kind of sandwich. I got the Ira Glass which is basically a vegetarian sandwich with piled on sprouts and cheddar cheese that over powers anything else included in the sandwich. The Ira Glass is dry and the amount of sprouts involved makes me think this is the closest to eating freshly cut lawnmower clippings. The avocado is extremely fibrous and not pleasant to chew into. read more

See all

As you can see from my account, it's not often I feel motivated to leave a review. It's just that this sandwich was so poorly made, it was impossible to leave it alone. I got the Steve Julian sandwich. It was like a mushy pork fat extra extra sauce sandwich with tough stems inside and barely separated veggies. I feel forever is in that kitchen making those sandwiches cause they must be going through something. I'm sure there are better options, i'm sure this is just one bad misfire. but it was that bad, promise. not one like of care or consideration or thought went into making that sammie that's for sure. read more

Wax Paper - Steve Julian and a Juice = $27.00 - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Fun spot in frogtown! Small & simple but really interesting menu based on NPR hosts. We ordered the San Julian & Larry mantle. Larry mantle was amazing! Came with a little vinegar dressing. A bit spicy. Perfect flavor. San Julian was good, beautiful & colorful but not my favorite. Spicy. Kind of like Tuna but pork. Baguette was SO fresh and soft. Cool outdoor eating area. read more

See all

This has been on my list forever and I'm so glad we got to try it. The sandwiches were a good size. We sat outside at one of few tables. We got the Kai rysdale and the Larry mantle. Great sandwiches. The Pb and j ice cream for dessert was great. Lot of street parking. read more

See all

Came here to grab a sandwich with some friends and we enjoyed them. One thing to note is don't expect a cookie cutter type sandwich from Jersey Mike's. These are unique with ingredients you might not see all the time. I ordered the Larry Mantel which had salami, herb bologna, lettuce, pepperoncinis, cans vinaigrette served on a nice hoagie roll. Service was pretty quick for what it is, and the vibes cool LA hipstery vibe. You are in frog town so keep in mind parking is bad. If you can walk or bike do that. They do have some seating outside, it's not plentyful but there's enough for a few groups of people. Would we come back here again. Yes sir! read more

Wax Paper - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

The sandwiches here are gigantic haha. Perfect for a picnic moment, my friend ordered for us from here for pickup and we had the sandwiches nearby. They do NOT skimp on the meat here, and my turkey sandwich was stuffed with layers and layers of ribbony, tender turkey slices. The bread was also super fluffy and soft and everything complemented each other well in terms of texture and flavor. I'm not really a huge sandwich person, but this sandwich I would definitely get again, and in fact kind of crave it. Highly recommend especially if you're in the area. They also had this berry refresher drink that was the perfect amount of not too sweet for me, and was a great complement to the sandwich. Hoping to check it out again soon and taste the rest of the menu. read more

Cute little sandwich shop near the LA river. The sandwiches have a unique touch while still being comfortably familiar and filling. We ordered pick up via door dash. I got the Garth Trinidad which I enjoyed a lot and found had a little unique flair with the nuts inside providing a nice texture and taste. The sandwiches were packaged to go very well. I would try to eat here next time I come, since it's a cute quiet neighborhood with some other shops and restaurants nearby. Service was nice too. read more

Frogtown is my latest obsession. So, here is the third place we tried there. It's very simply because, I so loved the bread they served at Lingua Franca, that, when I found out those two owners also had a sandwich and drinks place nearby that also sold that bread, well, I couldn't wait to try it. And so we did. We walked from Spoke to Wax Paper, a short stroll along the lovely LA River. There are quite a few quaint art-related artefacts to view along the way, so it is worth the walk, even in hot weather. The menu is limited to a handful of very inventive, thick sandwiches, served on their amazing homemade sourdough rye bread. We got sandwiches and a loaf. You will have to slice it, but it's so worth a bit of extra work, believe me. It is a rich, flavorful, chewy bread with a perfect crumb and crust. We had two piled-high sandwiches, served with a generous slice of garlic dill pickle: the Ira Glass and the Kai Ryssdal, both of NPR fame. I couldn't have made them better myself. You order and then wait while they make them. The day we were there, they were packed so it took 20 minutes. That was just enough time to marvel at the line that kept forming at the order window. They are doing something very right at Wax Paper. We will be back. read more

See all

$63 for 2 sandwiches, 2 chips, 2 cokes. Bread was great. Had the Larry Mantle and Kai Ryssdal (tuna). Both were ok. Might come back to try something else. In between a 2-3 stars. read more

Wax Paper - Larry Mantle Sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Small sandwich shop in the Frogtown neighborhood of Los Angeles. First impression was the lack of customer service from the cashier. The next disappointment was the coffee. The Canadian cold brew tasted like chocolate milk from a grade school cafeteria. The last miss was the Steve Julian sandwich which consisted of cold pork, daikon, cilantro, and jalapeño vinaigrette. It reminded me of a cold tuna sandwich. Wax Paper has a lot of positive reviews both on Yelp and Reddit, so my experience may have been a one-off. read more

Wax Paper - Steve Julian - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Good sandwiches! Recommend if you're in the area. Good for take away for a big group.

My friends raved about Wax Paper, a small sandwich shop with sandwiches named after prominent NPR personalities. The shop itself is a tiny, colorful, window, but there is seating available outside. I see why people preorder because we did get quoted a 25 minute wait time. I went for the Garth Trinidad and I appreciated the unique flavors. Not as hearty as I was expecting, but filling nonetheless. Honestly, I think the bread was the best part of the sando. Great flavor, phenomenal soft texture. I wasn't as impressed as my friends are by the spot, but it was still tasty. read more

See all

Wax Paper makes sandwiches like public radio makes shows. A little left of the dial if you know what I'm pitching, Frogtown... Calm, thoughtful, and somehow better because nobody is yelling at you. You take a bite and think, "This was researched." The ingredients make sense. The bread has integrity. Nothing is flashy, but everything works together -- like a tote bag full of flavor. Sometimes they sell out, which feels right. If they didn't, I'd worry they were sponsored by a mattress company. I ate the sandwich quietly and nodded, like I was agreeing with an interesting interview. More pickle please. read more

This place can be great if you come prepared with warnings. Unfortunately, due to what appear to be operational efficiencies, you can't just roll up and expect a cold sandwich in a quick turnaround. Pro tip: place your order online 40 minutes before you want to eat your sando. Don't expect any parking; maybe someone can drop you off. I have been coming to this spot for many years. The sandos are fresh with quality ingredients. The combinations are exciting and innovative (not your standard mayo and mustard). Unfortunately, the waits have gotten terrible since 2020. I also hate how they have closed the shop to make it like the Wizard of Oz gate where you have to wait for the cashier to approach. The Ophira Eisenberg is my new favorite. It has a spicy creamy flavorful aioli. The Ira Glass is my go-to even though I'm not a vegetarian. Not all sandos are equally delicious but I find these types to be my favorite. read more

I remember seeing a Wax Paper sandwich on Instagram in early 2021, when I'd been quarantined with an infant for almost a year. It was the Terry Gross, and it looked like heaven. I've had Wax paper bookmarked ever since, but I guess I live a little too far to go for a quick sandwich. I finally got to try the place--or at least, the sandwiches--when our friends picked up lunch for a play date at our house. I thought about the Terry Gross but ended up getting the Larry Mantle, a messy, glorious Italian sandwich with herb bologna, salami, spicy aioli, pickled and raw red onion, shredded lettuce, oregano vinaigrette, pickled peppers, and pecorino on a France Bakery sesame roll. It was delicious, stacked thick with plenty of meat and pickles, my two favorite food groups when it comes to sandwiches. It was also quite wet, and the bread got a little soggy on its way over from Frogtown. The sandwich held together, though, and the second half even lasted a couple days in the fridge. I stole a bite of my husband's Audie Cornish, a grown-up ham and cheese with Black Forest ham, house honey butter, cheddar, sea salt, and cornichon vinaigrette on a Bub & Grandma's baguette. It was excellent, as was the Mister Beans salad, a colorful bean salad with pepperoncini vinaigrette, parsley, radish, and torn bread studded with poppy seeds. I still hope to visit Wax Paper in person one day, but for now, I'm glad I got to chow down on this tasty public radio host in the comfort of my own home. God bless friends who show up with sandwiches. read more

Tip: They always have a line. I would order on the QR code and pick up, give it about 20 - 30 minutes minimum for your order to be ready. Order can also take up to 40-45 minutes if it's busy. Limited seating, and there is a minimum of seats around 11:00 - 12:00. The only downside is that there are not a lot of seats available to eat your sandwich right there. But it's a great place to grab, go and eat somewhere else: maybe down at a park or one of the LA river benches. Larry Mantle Sandwich: Light, packed with refreshing greens (red onions, jalapeño, pickles), and a sesame soft toasted baguette. Bread was freshly baked in house. Multiple meats sliced and the sandwich is packed enough to fill you up. Dole whip Soft serve: Their soft serve flavor changes every time. This time they gave us tart strawberry, pineapple, and drizzled with Tajin. Highly recommend getting this on a warm or sunny day. read more

See all

The parking, the wait, the seating and pricing were definitely not worth ok sandwiches. The Gross was ok nothing out of the ordinary. The stave Julian was actually really good reminds me of a cold sushi bake in a bahn mi. But it's not anything I'd come back for. The also have dole whip as well read more

Wax Paper - Terry Gross Steve Julian - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Random find for lunch. I am new in the area and was looking for a place for a quick bite. I ordered online for a quick pick-up since this is what is recommended. I had the Larry Mantle sandwich, it was delicious! I love that the sandwiches are named after KPCC/NPR radio hosts, I am a fan of the radio station and now of this sandwich shop! The location is the best. I like that it is right next to a park that is also next to the LA river. A great spot to take a break away from my desk and computer. read more

I was looking for a quick lunch and noticed all the familiar NPR emcee names were in da house. Great way to get local LA people in the door! I do believe parking is only available on the narrow neighboring streets. A couple of the menu options were sold out - I decided on the Larry Mantle which seems like their version of an Italian sub. I tend to like hole in the wall spots, so sitting at a table on the sidewalk in the hot sun during my wait was fine with me. The wait was about 30 minutes for my 1-sandwich order during prime lunch hour on a Sunday. The sandwich was fine - I like the heaping veggie portions topped with vinaigrette which is typical of Italian subs, but I think I wanted a bit more cheese and meat. I'd come back to check out the other sandwiches, but I'd probably try to preorder to avoid the long wait. read more

Wax Paper - Starstruck - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

I couldn't think of a better spot to have alongside the LA River and in Frogtown. A casual but delicious sandwich spot lends itself so nicely to a walk around the river, a stop in the parks nearby, or a quick pickup to bring to a Dodgers game. I'm incredibly addicted to the Ophira Eisenberg but every other sandwich I've tried from them is equally as good. The staff is quick to learn you as a regular which really adds to the whole experience. Most of the time I'll order at the window then walk around to get some steps in because they just text you when your sandwich is ready. Ordering ahead is just as easy though if you want to get in and out. The real hidden gem of Wax Paper is their weekly Thursday special that's new every time. It shows off their understanding of what a good sandwich can be, even with new ingredients. read more

See all

5 stars for the sandwich, 1 for the experience. 3 stars overall. Sandwiches are always super fresh and the flavors are well chosen. Avoid the Steve Julian (the cold shredded pork really doesn't work for me!) but everything else I've tried has been tasty, the highlight being the Garth Trinidad. But the wait times (regularly 30 mins+) and the window service is dire. I really don't get how it can take so long to assemble a cold sandwich with pre-prepared ingredients (it's not like they are slicing cabbage for the slaw individually for each order). People appear at the window randomly and the line seems to be the same for orders, collecting food, to-go and delivery but no one ever seems to know what's going on. Bad enough that I always vow not to return until 6 months goes by and I crave that flavor again. read more

So. Everyone I know loves the Tuna sandwich, known as Kai Ryysdal was one of the best tuna sandwiches I've ever eaten. Delicious food. Havent had the sides so I can't comment. They seem indulgent, but I am curious how good they are. Now I must qualify this 5 star with, I originally ordered the Ira Glass a vegetarian sandwich with tuna. My friend forgot the Tuna so it was a fancy Alfa Alfa sprout sandwich. And I did not love it. My boss ate half and hated it. Commenting it was tasteless. Wasn't my favorite. But, if you like that stuff it's not bad. I'll try it with tuna. So this 5 is for tuna sandwiches only. read more

Wax Paper - Oiliest and most delicious Tuna Sandwich ever. That celery sauce mixed with black olive oil just delicious. - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I had a huge deja vu moment when I was reading the menu and realized all the sandwiches are named after NPR reporters I used to listen to in the car on the way to school when I was younger! You order at a take-out window, and there was a small table to the right with some seats. The Ira Glass was refreshing and surprisingly flavorful for being a completely veggie sandwich. A bit pricey but it's delicious and filling. Street parking only. read more

Been here a few times and never disappoints. Only hassle so far is the parking. They do sell out but I believe they started opening on Sundays now so they're slowly expanding. I recently had the Ira Glass and Terry. I enjoyed the Terry a little more with meat and the bread made it even more good. Very filling, fresh and tasty sandwiches. Always look forward to coming here especially because it's not local to me. read more

Wax Paper - Terry Gross Sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

I've been a regular here for awhile & somehow have no photos! their sandwiches live up to the hype-- in my case, i order them as salads which i'm so glad they started offering some time ago. the rotating teas & their iced coffee are also always delicious. the garth trinidad is my fave! chill seating by the LA river is always a fun stop mid-walk or bike ride. read more

My FAVORITE sandwich shop. Ira Glass is a top seller for good reason. So packed with delicious, refreshing sprouts- I love eating it as it is, no protein add-on necessary. It's that good! There is seating on the side of the order window, but I enjoyed sitting along the river. Bummer it seems like a constant 40 min wait for your sammies no matter the time of day you go, but it's worth bc it's so yummy! read more

Charming neighborhood al fresco deli with delicious sandwiches! Staff was warm and friendly and offered suggestions on menu items. I got the Terry Gross which was fresh and packed with flavor. The side pickle was a nice touch too. Perfect spot for an outdoor bite with friends. Bonus points for the cute match books. read more

See all

My fav sandwiches in LA specifically the Ira Glass (add turkey) and Kai Ryssdal. Oh and the Ophira is delicious. read more

1 Kai Ryssdal $17.50 1 Steve Julian $17.00 1 Audie Cornish $16.00 Kai Ryssdal -tuna on sesame roll - roll was outstanding Audie Cornish - nice blend of ham, cheddar cheese and honey mustard sauce Steve Julian - strange blend of textures and muted flavors - saved by a great roll Parking is a challenge I look forward to try other variety of sandwiches read more

IRA GLASS is SO good - loaded with sprouts, pickled onions, cheddar cheese, cucumbers and avocado spread. The Bub and Grandma's loaf was PERFECTION and it was such a satisfying (yet not too heavy) sandwich! My friend loved her Larry Mantle sandwich - similar to an Italian sub with Italian deli meats. Order ahead on the website so you can pick-up right away. Located in the cutest spot in Frogtown (barely any seating) but we enjoyed our post-lunch walk along the LA river. read more

Wax Paper - Ira Glass Sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

7/10 vibes; 7.5/10 food I got there around 3:15 and ordered at the window. The line was a little slow. Their tuna sandwich equivalent was solid with an interesting sauce. If you're in the area, I would recommend trying it! read more

Wax Paper - Kai Ryssdal Sandwich (tuna sandwich) - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Really good sandwiches. If you're an east coaster this might not quite scratch the itch, but there are some really good options that feel a little healthier. With that said one of the best sandwiches I've had in la. Better than bubs. Good portion sizes and friendly staff. I really consider it a takeout spot, even though the ambiance is good, but I think that would be the case of most sandwich spots so take that with a grain of salt. I would recommend. read more

Alright, Wax Paper. I'm a believer! I'd heard great things about this sandwich shop, but I'd never made it out because the location is a bit far from where I live in mid-city. I could finally try it out when we had to run errands in DTLA, and I'm so glad I did! I ordered: - Larry Mantle: is the ultimate Italian sub. Their bologna and salami are so tasty and high-quality. - Steve Julian: Wax Paper's take on a Bahn Mi. The roasted and shredded pork and miso aioli pair well together, almost like an Asian twist on a tuna salad. My boyfriend says this was one of the best bahn mi's he's had. And he's had many in his life Tips: - The portions are pretty substantial, so if you're not starving, you may be able to share one with two people. - Their sandwiches have a healthy amount of spread or sauce, so they'll start to get soggy if you let the food sit for too long. - Order ahead on Toast since it takes a while for them to make the sandwich. Even if they're not super busy, it takes 20~30 minutes for them to prepare. - Outdoor seating only, which means you can bring your furry friends with you to lunch. I wish they still had their delivery option at their Chinatown location, but I'll gladly travel to get my hands on their delicious sandwiches! read more

Wax Paper - The Larry Mantle Sandwich with Avocado - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I wanted to like this place more than I did. I used to come here fairly regularly for years, but stopped going in recent years, and this visit reminded me why. The sandwiches were good, but not good enough to justify the overall experience. We spent around $40 for two sandwiches, waited about 30 minutes for them to be made, then had to stand in the same line as ordering customers for pickup, which added another 20 minutes. The line was also stretching into the street instead of staying on the sidewalk, which added to the sense of disorganization. For a business that has been around as long as this one, the pickup flow feels unnecessarily inefficient. After looking through other reviews, it seems multiple people have mentioned similar issues over the years, so this did not feel like an isolated busy day. I understand being a small operation and wanting to protect staff from rude behavior, but the signage and overall process came across more as defending the system than improving it. Businesses that are part of a neighborhood should also be mindful of how their operations affect shared public space and the people around them. The food was solid, but at these prices there should be a smoother experience. Separate pickup handling or a clearer queue would go a long way. read more

This came as a recommendation from my kid who lives in the Silver lake area and said he has been to Wax Paper in Frogtown so we decided to go get sandwiches. I ordered online which was simple to do. I opted for the Ira glass, which is a vegetarian sandwich. I received timely text when the order was ready. The neighborhood is pretty barkers overall surrounded by businesses and homes and quirky little small businesses and cafés. The item was well packaged and came with a pickle. The bread was the star of the show. I could've eaten that with some butter on its own and been content. it had plenty of ingredients, including sprouts, onions, etc. however, it was cheddar shredded cheese which made for a slightly messy sandwich that kept falling apart. Also on the bottom, it was kind of soggy. I don't know if that was from the ingredients or the pickle that was included. My sandwich did not sit long after it was prepared after I was notified. I picked it up on time so I don't think the wait time was the problem. it's extremely filling and delicious. I just wish it had sliced cheddar cheese instead- just my personal preference and that it was less soggy. There is no dedicated parking so you'll have to look for street parking. Another personal preference is that I wish it had little toothpicks or what not to keep the sandwich together because it was pretty deconstructed by time I sat down to eat it as the top bread and ingredients had fallen out; and the sandwich had to be reassembled. Not a big deal, but I thought it's worth mentioning. I would definitely come back and try some of the others. The tuna is sounded really good. read more

Wax Paper - Ira Glass sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Was excited to see my favorite places in Frogtown highlighted in the LA Times Weekend section and discovered that I had not yet reviewed Wax Paper! This is a small but "mighty" good place to eat. We ordered the Terry Gross sandwich with pickles and chips - it was excellent! They have a small seating area and there is some street parking, but very close to the LA River walk for those in the area. Service was great and my sandwich was ready in a few minutes! read more

See all

The float was amazing you should definitely try it service was great to It was great so nice and chill read more

Larry mantel sandwich was great. The ingredients were fresh and flavor profile was great. I loved the shaved parmesean on top. Terry Gross was solid. The kale slaw was a good contrast with the turkey. I'd recommend going with the Larry Mantel. Wait time can be a bit long (25-30mins) read more

Wax Paper - Larry Mantle Sandwich and Terry Gross Sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Los Angeles, California