In the bustling culinary landscape of Los Angeles, certain flavors evoke an immediate sense of place and tradition. The rich, smoky pastrami piled high on rye, the zesty chili blanketing a sizzling hot dog – these are more than just menu items; they are edible icons. Behind these beloved tastes often lies a crucial, yet largely unseen, purveyor: RC Provisions. For decades, this Burbank-based company, owned and operated by the Giamela family, has been the silent partner in crafting the distinctive tastes that define some of the city’s most cherished eateries.
The Giamela Legacy: A Foundation of Quality Meats
Founded in 1958, RC Provisions began with a focus on traditional Jewish deli meats. Over the years, it has evolved significantly, changing ownership before the Giamela family took the helm in 2000. Under the leadership of Bill Giamela, and now his son Matt Giamela since 2010, the company has expanded its offerings beyond its foundational pastrami and corned beef to include roast beef, tri-tip, and chili, all produced in their expansive 25,000-square-foot facility. This dedication to quality has made RC Provisions a cornerstone for countless restaurants across Southern California.
The Art of Pastrami: Customization is Key
RC Provisions is renowned for its pastrami, a product that represents a meticulous culinary process. The journey from raw brisket or navel cut to the final, flavorful meat involves careful curing, precise brining, and a signature blend of “Old World” seasonings. What truly sets RC Provisions apart is their commitment to customization. Each restaurant client can work with the Giamela family to tailor the brining time, smoking process, cut, and preparation method to their exact specifications. This bespoke approach ensures that while the meat originates from the same skilled hands, the final taste profile can be distinctly unique to each establishment. This is particularly evident in the world-renowned pastrami served at Langer’s Delicatessen, a partnership that has solidified both their reputations for serving what many consider the best pastrami sandwich in America. Other storied Los Angeles institutions like Canter’s Deli also rely on RC Provisions for their classic deli meats.
Beyond Pastrami: The Unseen Chili Connection
While their pastrami garners significant acclaim, RC Provisions also plays a pivotal, albeit behind-the-scenes, role in the city’s chili dog culture. The company produces the essential chili base for iconic establishments such as Pink’s Hot Dogs and the beloved Dodger Dogs. These legendary eateries then add their own proprietary blend of spices and seasonings to RC’s concentrate, creating the signature chili that has delighted Angelenos for generations. The history of chili dogs in Los Angeles itself is rich, with spots like Art’s Famous Chili Dog Stand claiming origin status dating back to 1939. Pink’s Hot Dogs, also established in 1939, quickly became synonymous with the chili dog, a legacy RC Provisions helps sustain today.
An Unseen Pillar of Los Angeles’s Culinary Scene
RC Provisions, through its unwavering commitment to quality and its deep understanding of flavor customization, has become an indispensable part of the Los Angeles food narrative. While the Giamela family and their dedicated team may not be household names, their influence is tasted daily in the iconic sandwiches and hot dogs served across the city. They are the unseen architects, the quiet craftsmen whose dedication to their product ensures that the trending and timeless tastes of Los Angeles continue to satisfy, one perfectly prepared bite at a time. This news highlights how a single supplier can profoundly shape the culinary identity of an entire region, making RC Provisions a true cornerstone of the Los Angeles restraunt scene.
