{"id":5399,"date":"2026-07-13T22:36:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T17:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=5399"},"modified":"2026-07-13T22:36:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T17:36:09","slug":"it-looks-like-a-war-how-a-38-armenian-brisket-sandwich-ignited-debate-over-culture-and-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=5399","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;It looks like a war.&#8217; How a $38 Armenian brisket sandwich ignited debate over culture and cost"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-element=\"story-body\" data-subscriber-content=\"\">\n<p>On the plate, it\u2019s a half pound of Wagyu brisket smothered in pickles and Mornay sauce, all cradled in freshly made pita bread. On the internet, it\u2019s a cultural flash point.<\/p>\n<p>In late June, the <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/food\/story\/2026-01-28\/armenian-pop-up-brisket-yerord-mas\">viral basturma brisket sandwich<\/a> from  <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/food\/story\/2026-05-07\/yerord-mas-armenian-glendale-basturma-brisket-bill-addison-review\">Glendale restaurant Yerord Mas<\/a> found itself at the center of hundreds of comments dissecting cost, tradition and respect after a content creator deemed the sandwich \u201cnot worth\u201d its $38 price tag. <\/p>\n<p>But it was the influencer\u2019s  <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@richie.gaines\/video\/7655055634974412045\" target=\"_blank\">additional jab<\/a> of \u201cF\u2014 the traditional style\u201d  that especially upset Yerord Mas chef-owner Arthur Grigoryan.  He called creator Richie Gaines\u2019 words \u201coffensive\u201d and announced that Yerord Mas would no longer serve the sandwich that L.A. Times restaurant critic Bill Addison, in his <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/food\/story\/2026-05-07\/yerord-mas-armenian-glendale-basturma-brisket-bill-addison-review\">review of the restaurant<\/a>, said was \u201cphenomenal, a statement piece of excess and engineering &#8230; easily enough to feed two people.\u201d  <\/p>\n<p>Days later, after receiving numerous calls, texts and online messages asking him to continue serving the basturma sandwich, including from legendary kebab and rotisserie shop Zankou Chicken, Grigoryan decided to keep the sandwich on the menu after all.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure m-0\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/80f06eb\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/124a8f9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ec14143\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d3e8e0f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/0c9c86d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/1240x826!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1c6d751\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6115b26\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/2160x1440!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Arthur Grigoryan \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ed588fd\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/dc23962\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/acd02fa\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/bb5fa22\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6909ef7\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/1240x826!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/3eb5d69\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4050406\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/2160x1440!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/bf11d8c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5683x3789+0+0\/resize\/2000x1333!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F51%2F95d71ac5411aae8058503267640b%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0445-rb.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>Yerord Mas chef-owner Arthur Grigoryan at his Glendale restaurant.<\/p>\n<p>(Ronaldo Bola\u00f1os \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>The incident brings into stark relief an influencer culture that has set local <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/food\/story\/2026-06-10\/restaurants-influencers-social-media-posts-hollywood-thai\">restaurateurs at odds with content creators<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Instagram, TikTok and Reddit boards are filled with roughly 1,000 comments regarding the Yerord Mas \u201cragequit\u201d debate, some discrediting the restaurant and others the influencer.<\/p>\n<p>Gaines said his <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@richie.gaines\/video\/7655055634974412045\" target=\"_blank\">TikTok post<\/a> about the sandwich, which has racked up more than 125,500  views, was never intended as a critique of Armenian culture. But Grigoryan said Gaines had echoed a long-standing debate surrounding the cost and \u201cworth\u201d of food that\u2019s traditionally deemed \u201ccheap.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Admittedly unfamiliar with Armenian food or basturma, Gaines compared the brisket sandwich to a pastrami-and-pickle sandwich at a Jewish deli. Langer\u2019s charges $24 for a plain hot-pastrami sandwich, while New York\u2019s Katz\u2019s Delicatessen charges $28.95. Compared with those prices, Gaines deemed the Yerord Mas sandwich \u201cnot worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t like comparisons like that because whether people realize it or not,\u201d Grigoryan said in an interview, \u201cyou\u2019re essentially saying, \u2018Oh, this culture is better than this culture.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The sandwich first gained popularity through a pop-up  he launched in 2018 with with his wife, co-owner and manager Takouhi Petrosyan. In January, they opened Yerord Mas as a bricks-and-mortar restaurant in a strip mall, offering the sandwich alongside traditional Armenian dishes influenced by the chef\u2019s family roots and travels through Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and other parts of the Levant.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s crazy, ever since we opened, there\u2019s  at least four or five subreddit debates about this sandwich,\u201d  Grigoryan said. \u201cIt looks like a war. Half the people are defending us, and then the other half are just like, \u2018Oh, they\u2019re hiding behind the curtain of culture to justify the price.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-right=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure m-0\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d8a1e52\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/320x480!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/00d2219\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/568x852!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/8040f0b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/768x1152!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1696c04\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/1080x1620!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e7145f6\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/1240x1860!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d6c2433\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/1440x2160!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/2b29d51\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/2160x3240!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"A spread of dishes served at Yerord Mas\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/cd496e3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/320x480!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/0a88e64\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/568x852!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/63783ee\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/768x1152!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b8b7ad0\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/1080x1620!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/496a0f2\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/1240x1860!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/321fbf1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/1440x2160!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4122cb9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/2160x3240!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"3000\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/42f775e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3796x5694+0+0\/resize\/2000x3000!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2Fb3%2F1dd77c99437d95548294cf024876%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0378-rb.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>It\u2019s not all about the sandwich at Yerord Mas. A spread of the restaurant\u2019s dishes includes margat samak fish curry and pistachio hummus.<\/p>\n<p>(Ronaldo Bola\u00f1os \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>Gaines, who is also a stand-up comedian, called Grigoryan\u2019s response to his post \u201cso bizarre,\u201d \u201ckind of slanderous\u201d and \u201clike a real-life \u2018Seinfeld\u2019 episode,\u201d likening the Glendale chef to the show\u2019s famously withholding Soup Nazi.<\/p>\n<p>He began posting critiques of viral L.A. dishes  after a work injury and never expected them to take off. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would go to a lot of these places and some of them would be awesome,\u201d he said. \u201cI want them all to be awesome \u2026 but there\u2019s so many places I\u2019ve been to where I\u2019m like, \u2018Why did I come here?\u2019 and I\u2019m actually upset.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Gaines said in an interview that his sentence about \u201ctraditional style\u201d has been misunderstood, and he rejects the claims of cultural insensitivity that have been leveled against him.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m kind of making a comment, saying, \u2018If [with] traditional-style food, or street-style food, you\u2019re charging more for it but giving less, then you know, f\u2014 that,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cAnd that would apply to any type of food.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Many commenters said they appreciate that Gaines \u201ctells it like it is.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe honesty is so refreshing,\u201d one viewer wrote. Others called the price \u201cwild,\u201d \u201cinsane\u201d and \u201chighway robbery.\u201d But Gaines said he also received hateful direct messages, including antisemitic ones.<\/p>\n<p>Sandwich defenders also chimed in. <\/p>\n<p>One reminded angry viewers that smoked brisket would cost a comparable amount in a barbecue restaurant, in theory without the backlash.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is just the standard that I want for my restaurant, and for Armenian food or Middle Eastern food in general, because it deserves to be,\u201d Grigoryan said. \u201cIt\u2019s just as technical as any other cuisine in the world, but it\u2019s seen as cheap food on the go. But that doesn\u2019t mean that somebody shouldn\u2019t be allowed to take it up a notch and use an ingredient that they believe will make that dish better.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure m-0\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/8b29596\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/296e596\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4fe8a0c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ee477ea\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d0b092e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/1240x826!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e805921\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/0c19e50\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/2160x1440!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Yerord Mas chef-owner Arthur Grigoryan holds a piece of bread baked in  an outdoor oven.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a69e7a4\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a1d1ca3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1e64a46\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/c4ea886\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/624a9d8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/1240x826!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/be65927\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4f60b63\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/2160x1440!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9bbe142\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5858x3905+0+0\/resize\/2000x1333!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd7%2Fa3a1f4c7493b980d9b41ba48733f%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0507-rb.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>Yerord Mas chef-owner Arthur Grigoryan bakes his pita fresh in an outdoor oven at his Glendale restaurant. <\/p>\n<p>(Ronaldo Bola\u00f1os \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>The chef said he understands why people might be surprised by the price, but in addition to rent, labor, utilities, equipment, maintenance and insurance, the sandwich ingredients alone cost him $12.   <\/p>\n<p>Each sandwich at Yerord Mas includes at least half a pound of Australian Wagyu, which costs about $11.50 per pound and is cured and smoked on site. Smaller briskets take three to four days to brine, while larger cuts can take one week. His pickles take three to five days to prepare. <\/p>\n<p>And in place of the sliced Swiss cheese he used to use, there\u2019s a more labor-intensive Mornay sauce  thick with Gruy\u00e8re and premium dairy from California\u2019s Straus Family Creamery.  The bread is made from Central Milling organic flour and baked fresh in an outdoor oven. Every component, Grigoryan said, takes time, and the final price reflects all of this.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure m-0\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/097cb06\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/bb566ab\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/eace1cd\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/beb7063\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/65e4415\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/1240x826!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e4a9eb6\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/14d4372\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/2160x1440!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"The basturma brisket sandwich at Yerord Mas\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/35e5760\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/414c8ee\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7f531e2\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/fe34123\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/938a94a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/1240x826!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/fa94f39\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6276711\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/2160x1440!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/485a57d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5725x3817+0+0\/resize\/2000x1333!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F49%2F11%2F8cd424c9418d9395e304df6a9517%2F1551497-fo-addison-review-yerord-mas-0548-rb.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>The Yerord Mas basturma brisket sandwich.<\/p>\n<p>(Ronaldo Bola\u00f1os \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p> \u201cWhen the entire conversation becomes, \u2018These people are greedy, these people are overcharging,\u2019\u201d Grigoryan said, \u201cand then all [these online comments] about Armenians being criminals, I reached the breaking point.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe do all these sacrifices for our job and &#8230; it gets reduced to a price tag,\u201d he said. \u201cEven though [customers who] matter way more than these influencers have only good things to say about us, that very small percentage seems to be so loud that it easily gets in your head.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Grigoryan cites the famous Big Mec \u2014 celebrity chef Ludo Lefebvre\u2019s decadent, French-inspired burger at Petit Trois \u2014 which  costs $38. Grigoryan said he sees its ingredients and quality as comparable to those used in his brisket basturma. He said the pita sandwich remains the restaurant\u2019s top-selling item. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe internet loves to give negative attention,\u201d he said. \u201cIt makes it seem like the online world is more blown out of proportion than what real life is.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On the plate, it\u2019s a half pound of Wagyu brisket smothered in pickles and Mornay sauce, all cradled in freshly made pita bread. On the internet, it\u2019s a cultural flash point. In late June, the viral basturma brisket sandwich from Glendale restaurant Yerord Mas found itself at the center of hundreds of comments dissecting cost,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5400,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/eb533e5\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5966x3132+0+425\/resize\/1200x630!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2Fd0%2F4ab1f96c4c96a18392223695d7c6%2Fyerord-mas-glendale-by-stephanie-breijo-15.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5399","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5399"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5399\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5399"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5399"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5399"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}