Togo’s Eateries Inc., a “West Coast Original” since 1971, will celebrate National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day on January 14. Fans who sign up for the Togo’s Share the Love Pastrami Promotion will a receive a buy-one-get-one-free pastrami sandwich coupon, and they may donate their second sandwich to a local homeless shelter in exchange for a free drink.

Hungry Togo’s fans are also invited to participate in the Fourth Annual Pastrami Pounder Challenge. Anyone who can eat Togo’s two-foot long, Family Size Pastrami Sandwich within 30 minutes will receive a certificate for a free Pastrami Pounder baseball cap.

National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day celebrates a culinary tradition with nearly 130 years of history in the U.S.. By most accounts, pastrami came to the U.S. via Romanian Jews who settled in New York during the 19th century. Legend has it that butcher Sussman Volk got the pastrami recipe in exchange for letting a Romanian friend store luggage at his shop. Volk supposedly served the first hot pastrami sandwich in 1887 and soon converted his butcher shop into a deli to meet demand for the sandwich.

Since 1971, Togo’s has carried on Volk’s tradition with the big, fresh, and meaty No. 9 Signature Pastrami sandwich. Featuring fresh-baked Classic White bread piled high with a quarter-pound of hot, hand-sliced beef pastrami, the world-famous No. 9 comes with a money-back guarantee if customers can find a hot pastrami sandwich they like better. In addition to the No. 9 Signature Pastrami, the Pepper Jack Pastrami, and Pastrami Reuben, Togo’s serves the new Boom Boom Pastrami, a sandwich that pairs Togo's premium pastrami with Ken’s Foods’ Boom Boom Sauce, a creamy blend of fiery chili peppers with a hint of garlic.

For the Pastrami Pounder Challenge, guests must buy one Family Size Pastrami Sandwich at regular price and inform a crew member that they are taking the Challenge. To win, one person must eat the entire sandwich, in-restaurant, within 30 minutes of the purchase time stated on the receipt. Winners will receive a completion certificate that includes details on how to claim the Pastrami Pounder baseball cap. Pastrami Pounder champions will be photographed and proudly featured on Togo’s social media pages.

“The No. 9 is our top selling sandwich and true source of pride for Togo’s. Nobody celebrates National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day with as much passion as us,” says CMO Renae Scott. “We’re excited to celebrate this iconic sandwich, support our communities and cheer on Pastrami Pounder challengers. Come try the No. 9 on January 14, and you’ll taste why we guarantee each and every one.”