Philippe The Original

Sawdust on the floor, long communal tables and a counter where you order by meat and bread: Philippe The Original is one of those Los Angeles landmarks that looks the way it always has. It stands at 1001 N Alameda Street, on the edge of Chinatown, two blocks north of Olvera Street and close to Union Station. It has been in this spot since 1951, and the restaurant itself has been operating continuously since 1908.

The French Dip, Explained

Philippe's is best known for claiming to have invented the French dip sandwich. The story most often told is that in 1918, founder Philippe Mathieu accidentally dropped a halved French roll into the pan of roast drippings while making a sandwich for a policeman. The customer liked the result, and word spread.

You choose your meat: roasted beef, roasted pork, leg of lamb, oven-roasted turkey or ham. It is served on a French roll that is dipped in hot meat juices before the sandwich is assembled, so it arrives wet. A hot mustard on each table is the traditional companion, and it comes with a warning to go easy.

A Family Story

Philippe Mathieu emigrated from France to Buffalo, New York, in 1901 and moved to Los Angeles in 1903, where he opened a deli with his brother Arbin. He sold the business in 1927 to the Martin family, and their descendants, the Binder and Downey families, still own and run it. In 1951, the restaurant moved from its original Aliso Street location to its present site to make way for the Hollywood Freeway.

The result is a restaurant that feels part diner, part museum, with a customer base that includes office workers, tourists, Dodgers fans before games and locals who have been coming for decades.

Practical Notes

Philippe's is open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM. Lines move quickly, since the format is order at the counter, carry your tray and find a seat. Phone: 213-628-3781.

Common Questions

What are Philippe's hours?
Daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

What meats are available?
Roasted beef, roasted pork, leg of lamb, oven-roasted turkey and ham.

What does "dipped" mean?
The roll is dipped in the hot meat juices before the sandwich is assembled, so it is served wet.

When did Philippe's open?
The restaurant has operated continuously since 1908 and has been on Alameda Street since 1951.

Is it near Union Station?
Yes, it is a short distance from Union Station and Olvera Street.