Philippe The Original, Los Angeles — Edible, But Not Extraordinary

One of LA's landmark restaurants — a century-old establishment that claims to be one of the inventors of the French dip sandwich. Since they open early and other breakfast spots around don’t stand out as much, I decided to make a pilgrimage here. The taste was okay, but overall, portions aren’t huge and nothing really stood out flavor-wise. Not highly recommended, but definitely not bad — decent for a casual breakfast. Verdict: It’s edible. ✅ Pros: （1）Opens at 6 AM in the heart of Chinatown — and there’s a crowd of Chinese American seniors eating Western-style sandwiches, reading newspapers, and chatting. The lively, local vibe is delightfully unexpected and full of character! 😄 （2）Starting the day with meat is actually quite nourishing — these seniors clearly know a thing or two about wellness. They look healthy and energetic! 💪 （3）The meat portion, while not huge, is reasonable. （4）Tried the beef dip — beef quality is decent, flavorful and tender. Well-seasoned, not dry or overly fatty. (Though the dipping broth probably helps with dryness anyway.) （5）The baguette is decent — no complaints. （6）Dedicated parking available, and it’s quiet in the early morning. （7）The interior has a cool vintage, historical feel. （8）Props for their culinary invention — they’ve left their mark on food history! 👏 Cons: （1）Portions are on the smaller side — though maybe that’s normal for LA. （2）Personally not a huge fan of the dipping broth — it has a strong anise/spice flavor. Not a dealbreaker though.😁😊 （3）The bread lacks some aroma and depth compared to top-tier versions. （4）The beef isn’t exceptional. Coming from Phoenix — a beef capital with spots like Chicago Hamburger Co. that serve richer, more flavorful dipped sandwiches — this one falls a bit short. But that doesn’t mean it’s bad.😘🙌 （5）The broth and meat don’t feel fully integrated — lacking that deep, harmonious blend where each enhances the other. Without the bread, I might skip the dip altogether. （6）The sandwich doesn’t quite stand on its own with just the meat. Other variations — like Vietnamese-style or Chicago-style改良版 — might be more satisfying. Visited: December 2025 Address: 1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 #Sandwich #BeefSandwich #Beef #LosAngeles #LAChinatown #LAFood #LosAngeles