Cole's French Dip — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I guess it really doesn’t matter what I write about this place since it’s closing, but I hope to help people who are trying to go in the next two weeks before it closes. The two most important tips in the TL:DR version are … the kitchen closes at 10! and they will run out of beef! Now for my full review.

We went to Cole’s to try the famous french dip before it closes. It doesn’t open till 3p and so we arrived at 4pm. The line was literally around the block, no exaggeration and so my partner didn’t wanna wait in that so we went to Grand Performances and came back afterwards about 830pm. The line was considerably less long but still long nonetheless. We waited for 45 minutes just to get in the building. It took another 45 minutes to order/stalk tables for seating. Once inside it’s very confusing about where and how you should order. My partner was standing at the beginning of the bar just trying to order and I was wandering around for seats. After finding nothing I came back to him and he said those two people just got up from the bar so I went and sat at the bar. I told him to stay where he was as again ordering was very confusing and I didn’t know what was happening. The doorman was very nice and helpful and my partner told me that at some point in the standing he walked over and told him to stand in a different area so the bartenders would see him so he could order.

A bartender who was not that friendly, a man, came up to me and asked what I wanted, I ordered a drink, just trying to stall and trying to flag down my partner which my partner didn’t see me. I asked for the French dip and he told me there was no beef and only lamb, pork or pastrami. I ordered one pork and one pastrami. I thought for a moment that they had run out of beef permanently because they are closing, but upon looking at other reviews, it seems they just run out of beef daily. We spent our final 30 minutes there are actually eating so that makes it a total of 2 hours from standing in line to getting the food and eating. The man who brought out food and older gentlemen was very nice.

After we had gotten our food, maybe 5 minutes later, the unfriendly bartendar starts loudly shouting the kitchen is closed and then he rang a bell. I don’t know if this is standard for this place or they had run out of food for the day or it was some mashup of both but the kitchen closing announcement was at 10pm SHARP! Because of the bell I want to say this is probably standard practice but idk. The man bartender who again was not that friendly was even trying to reprimand or be shady if you will to the female bartender and tell her the kitchen was closed no more food. She told him that she had already promised the gentlemen next to me that they would be her last food order. He seemed annoyed and repeated the kitchen was closed but she was like…okkk but I already told these men they would be my last.

I feel as if this is very important because when we left, the line was still very long going halfway down the block and I know all of these people were not there just to enjoy the bar because according to hours this place closes at 2am. Had we gotten there later, let’s say 915 judging by how long it took us to get in and stood in line only to be told that the kitchen was closed I know we would have been very frustrated and angry.

The pastrami and pork were very tasty. We enjoyed them and I enjoyed my drink at the bar and the female bartender. It is truly a zoo if you are trying to eat in.

By the way, I had my partner ask if we could just do takeout when we first got in line and someone told him that we could order it for pick up. So we actually tride to do that while in line but every delivery app and I mean every ever said that they were closed for pick up. Was it worth it? Sure to try a piece of LA history before it’s gone for good.

Anyway, my goal is to help someone who wants to help folks trying in the best 2 weeks to be aware kitchen closes at 10 and you will have no beef if you don't get there...

I enjoy exploring historical locations in Los Angeles area, as it gives me perspective about the numerous transformations it has endured since its beginnings. It makes me feel more informed about this bustling and constantly changing city in which I live.

Originally Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet, Cole's French Dip began in 1908, housed inside another landmark, Pacific Electric Building, which once was a hub for railway network. It was place to get a decent mail for fair price, and also housed a speakeasy during prohibition. It closed for long period of time, and in 2007, it was shut down for a major remodel.

Cole's is a very cozy casual place. You feel the history approaching it and as you enter - the green and white awning, the neon sign. You have to walk down short flight of stairs to get to entrance; there are a small number of tables with bar stools set to enjoy a quick meal or few cocktails and to the right is the Speakeasy. It is good place for people watching above, and is conveniently located to other attractions in the area.

The renovation resulted in unique table tops, which were made from the varnished doors of retired Red Cars of the Pacific Electric Railway. The tables were removed and were reportedly relocated to the developer's nearby corporate headquarters above Clifton's Cafeteria. Evoking the spirit of an early 20th century saloon, the welcoming 40-foot Red Car Bar boasts original glass lighting, penny tile floors, and historic photos, preserved in the restoration of the cherished landmark.

According to information I was able to find about it on various websites, there are claims (along with Philippe's) that the first French dip sandwich was served at Cole's in the same year. Some have suggested that Philippe's is the original, as the sandwich was named "French" dip because of the original proprietor Philippe Mathieu's French heritage. However, according to carvers at Cole's, Henry Cole first dipped the French bread in jus at the request of a customer who had had recent dental work. The French bread was too hard and it hurt this customer's teeth, so Henry dipped the bread in order to soften it. Other customers, with perfectly good teeth, saw Henry dip the bread and requested that he do the same for them - and thus the French dip was born. Other theories exist, so debate is likely to continue.

I enjoyed the casual vibe, interior lighting and design, architecture, the location, history that has been portrayed through black and white photos, but I think that Philippe's serves a better French dip. The service is good, they are friendly, but the sandwich fell short of my expectations. However, the pecan pie a la mode was quite tasty.

I think this is a good place for cocktails in the lounge or the Speakeasy, but I do not think I will...

I've always seen and noticed Cole's French Dip restaurant as I would take the bus that would run alongside 6th Street but had never made the time to stop by. So, after seeing a post flying around social media saying that Cole's, after 117 years of service in the neighborhood would be closing for good during their first weekend of August (August 2nd is their final day), I made sure to clear up my schedule to ensure that I finally check this place out before they set off into the sunset. I have no regrets! 🙂‍↔️ The wait was considerably long but that was to be expected, from regulars who have been coming for years to new locals who wanted to check out a piece of Los Angeles History, there was a long line forming outside of the establishment before the kitchen opened up, (I arrived at 255~pm), so if you have the time and patience please check them out, as they don't have many days left before shuttering their doors permanently. They have a choice between a full dip or 1/2 dip sandwich with a meat choice of Braised Lamb, Braised Pork, Pastrami or Prime Beef and a side of Au Jus to dip your sandwich, the 1/2 dip comes with a side choice of Mac & cheese, coleslaw, French fries, tater tots and others that I cannot remember off memory, I got their 1/2 dip sandwich, Prime Beef with swiss cheese and side of Spicy garlic fries 🍟. Everything was cooked to perfection, I especially loved their fries👌, the plates and food came to our table hot ♨️ and ready to be devoured 🤤. I also got a slice of their house cherry pie. 🍰🍒🥧 A delicious treat to finish off their historical run. 🫡 Thank you for this memorable afternoon, Cole's! You exceeded my expectations by far! 👏👏 You...