Philippe's or Cole's for a French dip, and is either still worth it?

Food & Drinks
1

I can walk to both of these from downtown and I still cannot settle it. Philippe the Original is the sawdust and the paper hats, Cole's is the dark booth and a drink. Is either one still worth it, or are we just arguing about who invented the sandwich?

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Let me be honest, Philippe the Original still wins if you actually want the sandwich. I drive in from the Marina, order the beef double dipped, and put that hot mustard on it. The roll is already wet, you eat it at those long tables, and it tastes like the same place it was twenty years ago. Cole's is fine for a drink. The dip is why I make the drive.

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I do not fight downtown traffic for a sandwich when Tam O'Shanter is right here on Los Feliz. Prime rib on a kaiser, jus on the side, and it actually soaks instead of turning into soup. It is not the origin story, it is just the one I can get to from Atwater without losing an afternoon. Ask for the jus, they will not drown it unless you say so.

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4

I drove down to Long Beach for Sesame Dinette on Pacific and it was worth the gas. Brisket on barbari bread, pho broth on the side instead of plain jus, basil and onion on it. Not trying to settle who invented it downtown. This one just eats better to me, and I would go back before I stood in another Philippe line.

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5

If I am paying for a French dip and I want it to feel like a proper lunch, I go to South Beverly Grill. It is on Beverly Drive, prime rib sliced thin, a little cup of jus that is good enough to sip, and the bread is soft enough that it does not scrape your mouth. Ask for the horseradish and a hot towel because you will need both.

I like Philippe the Original for the history, I do. This is the one I take my girls to when we actually want to sit down. Fries are actually crisp. It is not cheap, and I am fine with that.

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6

The Hat on Valley in Alhambra is the one I actually repeat. Pastrami dip comes already wet, I park in the lot, and I am eating in ten minutes.

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7

Cole's on 6th is where I go when I want the sandwich with a drink. The booths and the Old Fashioned are the point, the dip is just along for the ride.

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