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Philippe the Original

1001 N Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA - (213) 628-3781
Posted By Leslie Powell on 2/1/2006 9:02:00 PM
I absolutely love Philippe's. I've been going there since I was a little girl (the 1970's). My great aunts worked there, and it has been a family place to go to for years. To this day when I smell sawdust (the floor was covered in it) I want a French Dip.

The French Dip juices, hearty and not too salty, are hot enough to soften the bread without being so hot that you would get burned by a spill. The roast beef was always tender and full of smoky flavor. I don't eat red meat anymore and I truly miss it.

I recommend the side macaroni salad, simple enough so as not to overpower the sandwich, and a light palate refresher between bites of the roasted beefy goodness.

Philippe has character, the food is cheap, and oh god, try the Lamb French Dip as well, it's just wonderful. I am getting hungry just writing this.

7 out of 7 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

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Scorecard

4 - Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Rate this place
A trayful at Philippe's: double-dipped French dip, a pickled egg, a baked apple, and a cup of coffee.
"A trayful at Philippe's: double-dipped French dip, a pickled egg, a baked apple, and a cup of coffee."
Michael Stern





Nice weekend afternoon pleasure.
"Nice weekend afternoon pleasure."
Dean Olson


Pickled eggs have been a staple at Philippe's for decades and you know something: they're good! Sweet and sour pickly, and a nice companion for a sandwich.
"Pickled eggs have been a staple at Philippe's for decades and you know something: they're good! Sweet and sour pickly, and a nice companion for a sandwich."
Michael Stern


Baked apples are available at Philippes only during apple season, from October through June. Not that this big hunk of sweetness has any fresh crispness left. It is soft and sugary, lolling in a pool of syrup.
"Baked apples are available at Philippes only during apple season, from October through June. Not that this big hunk of sweetness has any fresh crispness left. It is soft and sugary, lolling in a pool of syrup."
Michael Stern


Phillipe's mustard, available in squeeze bottles set out on the tables, is a great companion for the beef, but beware. It is ferociously hot!
"Phillipe's mustard, available in squeeze bottles set out on the tables, is a great companion for the beef, but beware. It is ferociously hot!"
Michael Stern


A huge and delicious slice of coconut cream pie in the foreground, a smaller but no less delicious slice of pumpkin pie to the rear.
"A huge and delicious slice of coconut cream pie in the foreground, a smaller but no less delicious slice of pumpkin pie to the rear."
Patricia Beninato


A nine-cent cup of coffee on a vintage Philippe's tray.
"A nine-cent cup of coffee on a vintage Philippe's tray."
Michael Stern


A juicy home-style sandwich.
"A juicy home-style sandwich."
Dale Fine


A double-dipped lamb sandwich with just enough of Philippe's good mustard to complement.
"A double-dipped lamb sandwich with just enough of Philippe's good mustard to complement."
Patricia Beninato


Colorful neon signs light up the serving counter while L.A. residents enjoy an early-morning meal.
"Colorful neon signs light up the serving counter while L.A. residents enjoy an early-morning meal."
Donald Thompson


Philippe's is not fast food. You likely will wait in one of the lines at the counter (at left of photo), and it takes a few moments for each sandwich to be made and tray assembled.
"Philippe's is not fast food. You likely will wait in one of the lines at the counter (at left of photo), and it takes a few moments for each sandwich to be made and tray assembled."
Michael Stern


Sawdust makes it easy to sweep the floor.
"Sawdust makes it easy to sweep the floor."
Michael Stern


Wish this photo could have been taken at night, old time neon signs for the win!
"Wish this photo could have been taken at night, old time neon signs for the win!"
Patricia Beninato


Is this really the home of the French dip sandwich?
"Is this really the home of the French dip sandwich?"
Michael Stern


Philippe's, circa 1935. Even then, it was a pretty old restaurant.
"Philippe's, circa 1935. Even then, it was a pretty old restaurant."
Michael Stern


Cole's P.E. Buffet in downtown Los Angeles disputes Philippe's claim of having invented the French dip. I wanted to do a one-after-another comparison of the two sandwiches, but mysteriously, Cole's was closed. It has had some rocky years recently. I hope it isn't gone for good.
"Cole's P.E. Buffet in downtown Los Angeles disputes Philippe's claim of having invented the French dip. I wanted to do a one-after-another comparison of the two sandwiches, but mysteriously, Cole's was closed. It has had some rocky years recently. I hope it isn't gone for good."
Michael Stern



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