Memorable | One of the Best
Philippe the Original
Review by: Jane & Michael Stern
Philippe’s (pronounced Phil-ee-peez) claims to have invented the French dip sandwich over a hundred years ago. The story is that a carver accidentally dropped a sliced roll in beef gravy and the customer was in too much of a hurry to wait for another roll to be cut and more beef to be sliced. So he took the sandwich “wet.” Today Philippe’s makes French dips from beef, pork, lamb, ham, or turkey. Beef is the classic, available single-dipped or, for serious juice-lovers, double-dipped.
The French dip sandwiches are delicious as delivered at the counter, but connoisseurs know to slather them with Philippe’s roaring-hot mustard. The menu also lists such stalwart lunch room fare as chili and stew and a hearty soup every day; and you can still come to this old joint to eat pickled spiced eggs, which are hard boiled and displayed at the carving counter in big glass jars.
Philippe’s is worth visiting just for its people-watching opportunities. While it does attract its share of culinary tourists, the it also hosts a cast of only-in-Los-Angeles characters. Not the beautiful people who flock to the hot restaurant of the moment, the regular cadre of customers includes municipal employees from the nearby post office and court house as well as Santa Anita touts with racing forms in hand (or on their cell phones).
Directions & Hours
6am - 10pm
- Monday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
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Article’s & Guides Tagged Mama’s Hot Tamales Café
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8 Responses to “Philippe the Original”
MandalayVA
October 10th, 2011
You have one day in Los Angeles. You have tickets to that night’s Dodgers game and a picky-eating husband. Choose your eatery wisely. Or, best yet, just throw in to L.A. tradition and hit up Philippe the Original. Park at Union Station, the last of the old school train stations, and walk up Alameda a couple of blocks to a true Los Angeles institution.
We came in at roughly 4:30 on a Tuesday afternoon and there were lines at the counter, a mix of tourists, locals, and, judging from the large number of royal blue Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp t-shirts, Dodgers fans grabbing a bite before the game. I’d briefed my husband on what was available and confidently placed our order–a lamb sandwich and a beef sandwich, both double dipped; cole slaw and potato salad, a Dr. Pepper and a lemonade.
What surprised me at first was that the sandwiches seemed small. They were roughly six inches long, but they were decently filled with meat. Then there was the fabled mustard. I warned my husband to let me taste it first since he doesn’t do spice. Yes, there was a brief burn but no worse than your average Dijon mustard, very tangy and flavorful. The lamb sandwich was absolutely delicious, the mustard adding just the right note to the juicy meat as it did for the beef. The sides tasted fresh and homemade, as did the lemonade. My husband went back for his own lamb sandwich–I’d let him try mine–and got me a slice of coconut cream pie. When they say “cream” they’re not kidding: I don’t think I’ve ever had a richer slice of pie. I savored every bite.
The atmosphere at Philippe is cool too. Communal tables lead to chatting among customers, and a nice rousing baseball conversation broke out at my table among an extremely varied group. Good food and good conversation is one of the best of mixes. If I get out that way again, Philippe will definitely be a planned stop.
BigGlenn
September 9th, 2008
Visited Philippes for the first time. My son and I had the beef and lamb dip sandwiches. Sides were potato and macaroni salads. Dessert was cheesecake and coconut cream pie. Dr Peppers to drink.
Although there is a lot of history at Philippe’s, I was not impressed. I actually feel bad saying that for two reasons. #1: Is it me? Why don’t I like this? #2: Everyone else raves about this place. I liked all the nostalgia, the decor, etc. The sandwiches were bland, except for the hot mustard. Salads were OK, Dr Peppers were warm. Dessert was good; can’t knock that.
Will I go back? Probably, just in hopes that it is better the second time around. By the way, this review is by someone who stops in the middle of the night for a convenience store cardboard burger, for what that’s worth. Too bad they don’t have a BBQ dip sandwich.
Jane & Michael Stern
July 11th, 2008
Philippe’s Original is one of those rare gems that are few and far between these days. This is a restaurant that stands on generations of good family management, and service to the Los Angeles community. It is an experience not to be missed.
But besides the wonderful beef, pork, and lamb dip sandwiches (all of which I highly recommend, and have already been extensively reviewed), Philippe’s has some other great menu items as well. For example: their beef stew, chili, and soups of the day are excellent, and a great alternative to sandwiches on cold and rainy days. I’m also a big fan of their tuna sandwich and chicken Caesar salad, and I never pass on some sliced pickles and beets. I even like Philippes as a place to just meet friends for coffee and dessert. They always have a big selection of fresh pies; the banana cream is my favorite.
Richard Brooks Alba
March 15th, 2007
I have to confess: against all the advice I was given to avoid Cole’s (several blocks from Philippe’s) French dips, I DID give it a try for the sake of objectivity. While the naysayers had overly dramatized their objections, I do believe they were correct: Philippe’s was still the champion.
My nieces and nephews are now the fourth generation of my family to indulge in a Philippe sandwich. My dad (and his dad) ate their beef dips before Philippe’s moved the whole shebang over to Alameda, to make way for the construction of Union Station, back in the day.
I go there pretty much any time I’m in LA, even if it’s only to restock on my favorite mustard in the world. I typically get my pork sandwich double-dipped, add enough mustard to feel the burn in my sinuses, and have some coleslaw and a “beeted” (beet-pickled) egg. Chicago has its Italian beef, Philly its cheesesteaks; and LA has the Philippe French dip sandwich: my all-time comfort food favorite.
¡Buen provecho!
Stewdude
December 18th, 2006
I am pleased to report that Philippe has not lost any of its charm or quality. Lunchtime on a Friday found it to be quite busy but the lines moved at a brisk California pace. The restaurant is divided into many rooms, and whether you eat at the counter or one of the many communal tables, your senses will be inundated with the smell and taste of the food and some good ol’ fashioned California people watching.
Sandwiches are not particularly large so it’s a good opportunity to sample several different kinds. In all cases, double-dipped is the way to go, and don’t forget the mustard. Very similar to Chinese mustard, it packs a wallop of heat, clearing the sinuses as it goes down. However, it does not overwhelm the meat or the sandwich. The beef double-dip is excellent, lean pieces of meat dipped in an excellent natural gravy. I also tried the lamb double-dip (sandwiches are available in ham, chicken, and pork versions as well). The meat was chunkier but still very tender and extremely tasty.
The purple eggs on the counter also beckoned. A hard boiled egg soaked in beet juice made for a tasty snack. My son raised his eyebrows when I ordered one. Good thing I took the first bite becuase he knocked off the rest of the egg in two quick bites.
Jane & Michael Stern
February 1st, 2006
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.
Jane & Michael Stern
January 24th, 2006
I’ve been eating at Philippe’s since the mid 60’s. My grandfather ate there before it moved into its new location (the 1940s?). Those who grew up with it swear by it. These French Dips set the standard for all others. Even Cole’s (another Los Angeles institution) does not measure up.
My favorite Philippe meal is a pork dip, with hot mustard from the table, macaroni salad or cole slaw, coconut cream pie or berry pie ala mode, and a 9 cent cup of coffee (it used to be 4 cents). The premium ice cream is from a local dairy. Breakfast at Philippe is delicious too, but I rarely go there in the morning because of those sandwiches.
Philippe, sitting right next to Union Station and Olvera Street, is reminiscent of, no, an actual example of old Los Angeles. It is a step back in time. Generations have carved their names into the brickwork. Nothing seems to have changed in years – same stools, same chairs, old candy counter … new sawdust. My only complaint is that they’ve taken down the old HUGE chalkboard menu in favor of a more modern version. I wonder where that old menu is.
My advice is to spend a day walking the whole area, including Pio Pico’s old hotel and the original Los Angeles plaza.
Jane & Michael Stern
November 5th, 2003
I have been going to Philippe’s since 1960 when my family would take me there after a Dodger’s baseball game. I always order a double dipped Beef Dip with a slice of Blue Cheese served on a sturdy paper plate, a side of potato salad, a pickled egg or two, and two glasses of lemonade. Once at the table, I would add Philippe’s famous hot mustard, from a jar on the table, to the sandwich. Water is self-serve in glassware at the fountain. The women building the sandwiches behind the counter are polite and quick, and most have been there for many years and others are second and third generation. After fourty years, I still love to go there and take famly and friends too.