A Tale of Two Restaurants: The Complicated History of the French Dip Sandwich

Did you know that the French dip sandwich was invented in California and that 2 L.A. restaurants claim to be the creator? Who do you think did it first? Have you heard any other origin stories? Which restaurant is your favorite?
Special thanks to the homie Joel Lopez for the filming and editing on this video, he is seriously one of the most talented people I know.
Photos:
All photographs were taken from the displays at the restaurants or from their respective websites or social media accounts except for:
Group shot of police officers from Wikimedia Commons
Photo of the Pacific Electric Building from USC Libraries and California Historical Society
References:
“The Century-Long History of Philippe’s and Its Famous French Dip Sandwich” by Jean Trinh, KCET. January 5, 2017.
“Who Actually Invented the French Dip? We Got to the Bottom of It” by Jackson Landers. Thrillist, March 27, 2016.
“Philippe’s Founder Recalls Busy Days: Man Who Made First French-Dip Sandwich Sees Restaurant Bearing Name Close Doors” by LA Times Staff. The Los Angeles Times, Aug. 27, 1951.
Cole’s Menu | Cole’s Website
About Us | Philippe’s Website
“Cole’s Serves a Slice of History” by Steve Harvey. The Los Angeles Times, March 8, 2009.
“A Tale of Two (French) Dips: The Sandwich That People Love to Debate” by Joe Hauler. Los Angeles Downtown News. Jan. 16, 2004.
“Dueling Dips: The Claim of Philippe the…” by Steve Harvey. The Los Angeles Times, Oct. 14, 1993.
“Stale Bread, Leftover Gravy? Voila! A Sandwich is Born” by Cecilia Rasmussen. The Los Angeles Times, Sept. 21, 2003.
Music:
“Plantation” by Omri Smadar
“Picking the Creep” by Lucy Allieres
“Santaphone” by Southside Aces
“Frolic in the Avenue” by Southside Aces
#californiography #philippes #coles #frenchdip #food #sandwich

[@ImpulseScooterTeam]

I served as a Los Angeles Police Officer for 35 years. I was always told that sandwich came about by Officer French that walked a foot beat in that area. Philippe’s has always been my favorite.

[@californiography]

That is definitely the most popular story. Honestly, it's a much better story than the real one. Philippe's is my favorite too, I try not to go too long without dropping in for french dip and if I wake up early enough, some of their pancakes.

[@DiscGoStu]

Double dip lamb from Philippe’s before a Dodger game is LA at its peak

[@californiography]

People sleep on the lamb, it’s honestly my favorite!

[@caraqueno]

The Cole's sandwich is way superior to Philippe's. Philippe's trades on people in their 60s that once lived nearby, had great memories of the restaurant but haven't been near it in 30+ years.

[@Beelzepug13]

Nothing like getting a dip at Philippe’s walking to Union Station for beers at Traxx then taking the bus to a Dodger game. Gotta love LA

[@californiography]

That sounds like the perfect L.A. day!

[@josephshulman6666]

Union Station is such a historic place the recent renovation s have brought it up to its 1940s heyday !!!!

[@RLM575]

Great video and great stories! I have been a huge Cole's fan for years. Definitely the superior meat in the sandwich IMHO, but BOTH are awesome and worth the trip! Thanks

[@californiography]

Yes, I agree that Cole's has the better meat; it's like a premium version of the french dip and I'll grab it when I want to treat myself to a good drink too. Philippe's is my go-to quick bite to eat whenever I'm in the area, but both are are awesome like you said! Thank you for watching and subscribing, I really appreciate you!

[@josephshulman6666]

Ive been wanting to go here for at least 10 years !!!!

[@californiography]

You gotta make the trip, definitely worth it!

[@1timorland]

Thanks for this video! No doubt that I prefer Philippe’s sandwich (beef double dip, no cheese, plenty of hot mustard) to Cole’s. But there is something to be said for the classic cocktails and retro vibe there. We’re lucky to have both!

[@californiography]

Thank you for watching! Yes, definitely lucky to be able to enjoy them both. I do frequent Philippe’s more because they’re open more hours, but sitting in Cole’s is whole other vibe. You definitely feel the history in that building.

[@mrs.rucker2448]

Phillippe’s all the way! I grew up going there and still go with my grown kids.

[@californiography]

That’s a great tradition! I prefer Philippe’s too!

[@8196jlb]

This is the first time I have seen one of your videos. As I grew up Highland Park, I wholeheartedly enjoyed this. Thank you.

[@californiography]

Glad you found my channel! Thank you for watching and commenting, it really means a lot! I appreciate you!

[@aidoon6364]

Wow! just discovered this account and it is great! definitely gonna be successful in the future! one tip is add more enthusiasm / excitement within the video.

[@californiography]

Thank you for watching and for the feedback! I appreciate it; always want to get better.

[@mikekenney1947]

Worked in DT LA in the 70’s. Cole’s and Phillipe’s were favorites and in our group there were fans of each origin story. 50 years later you can still toss a coin. Just eat the damn sandwich.

[@californiography]

That’s a good way to put it, “Just eat the damn sandwich!” We’re definitely lucky to have both of these great spots within minutes of each other.

[@peymang]

Philippes before the Dodger game!!!!

[@californiography]

Yes!!! What's your go-to order?

[@HORSEYANIME2024]

Pls continue uploading more new videos and of unknown California history

[@californiography]

Thank you so much for watching, appreciate you! 🙏🏽

[@HistoricalsocietyLB]

Great Job!

[@californiography]

Thank you!!

[@1792dt]

Philippe’s! Also it wasn’t a hotel on the second floor, before it was a brothel.

[@californiography]

Absolutely correct; I should've said "hotel" with air quotes lol. Thank you for watching and commenting, appreciate you!

[@limeyprat]

Ohhh, that gives an entirely new meaning to "double-dip" roast beef.

[@-EchoesIntoEternity-]

Joker: do you want to know how i got these scars? Phillipe: do you want to know how the french dip started? same energy

[@californiography]

😂

[@debbie7115]

I've been to both, Cole's back in the 80's and more recently in 2018 to Philippe's. I always believed the story from Philippe's but after hearing his 1951 interview I have no idea! Loved the ending, 'Until next time, this is Huell Howser signing off'.

[@californiography]

Right?! I think it's easier (and more fun) to just tell the story of the bread accidentally falling in the pan instead of the story that was told in that 1951 interview. Thank you for loving the ending! Huell is the inspiration and I just want to pay homage to him. Thank you for watching and commenting, it helps the channel grow and I appreciate it!

[@debbie7115]

@@californiography I miss Huell and his 'visiting' so many locations here. Would be fun to see you go 'visiting' like he did. Again, thanks for sharing!

[@californiography]

@@debbie7115 I miss him too! I'm definitely planning on 'visiting' a lot of places he did and those that he didn't get a chance to get to.

[@mindbuzzmedia]

Mark Summer’s Unwrapped vibes … Foo Summers 🤘🏽

[@californiography]

Ha! High compliment! Love that dude, especially when he had beef with Burt Reynolds on the Tonight Show! 😂

[@limeyprat]

Cole's has a great and somewhat pretentious bar but no. The Philippe's story has more facts and overall, it just tastes better. A skeptic could argue that Cole's invented the French dip but it tastes awful and Philippe's does it better.

[@californiography]

I agree that Philippe’s has more concrete evidence to backup their claim. I honestly prefer Philippe’s over Cole’s, it’s so much easier to get to and you can’t beat the cost. For what I pay for one sandwich and drink at Cole’s, I can get 2 sandwiches, sides, and drinks at Philippe’s!

[@bobwire3310]

My Favorite ,when i go i get 2 of them because the lines can get long .

[@californiography]

That’s a good strategy!

[@dsolosan]

I used to prefer Cole's to Philippe's, but I didn't like their changed menu after the renovation. So now I only eat at Philippe's.

[@californiography]

I never ate there before the renovation, so I only know the new menu. I prefer Philippe’s because they’re open more hours and I can feed 2 people for the price of one sandwich and a drink from Cole’s

[@mistervacation23]

Is this the place that also sells a cup of bromo caffeine?

[@californiography]

I don’t think so, I’ve never seen it on either places’ menus.

[@chrishelbling3879]

¡Compadre! Which one did you like better?

[@californiography]

They each have their strengths, but Philippe’s is my favorite of the two. I get the pork, double-dipped, with pepper jack or the lamb, double-dipped, with blue cheese.