Happy National Sandwich Day! While some US politicians are eating crow for their midday meal today, the rest of us can seek out solace or celebrate between two slabs of bread to mark the festive food occasion. more ›

Talk about bad timing. The day the city-at-large learned that the owner of Phillipe's died was the same day health inspectors responded to complaints of a cockroach investigation and closed it for 48 hours. William "Bill" Binder, 94, died of natural causes on January 28th, but word didn't surface until this past Wednesday when his obituary popped up in the news. more ›

So, hey, maybe today is a good day to spark the contentious debate over who makes the best old school French Dip sammie in Los Angeles. more ›

The Official Recession has enveloped us for sixteen official months. It’s still no reason we can’t enjoy life. This is LA -- we have a ton of inexpensive options! A Recession Obsession is truly fantastic, regardless of whether times are good or you've recently been downsized. We last obsessed over some ramen on the West Side, and some real inexpensive Guatemalan fast food. Today, we obsess... more ›

LA Times columnist Steve Lopez had what he thought was an ingenious way to gather the candidates City of Los Angeles voters have to choose from in Tuesday's Mayoral election. His plan was to get them together to chat and to determine "who makes the best French dip sandwich in Los Angeles, Phillipe the Original or Cole's?" he explains in his column this weekend. more ›

The much awaited Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet--the supposed oldest restaurant and sallon in the city--reopened in downtown Los Angeles last week. People flocked and they reviewed. One of those was LAist Featured Photos contributor on Flickr, two wheels good, who submitted this photo. more ›

Here's what the line looked like from an office window looking down on Philippe's birthday celebration today at 4 pm. It stretches around the building from Alameda to Spring Street. more ›

Ok, you still have time to get in the long-ass line winding its way around downtown's Philippe's the Original (1001 N. Alameda St. at Ord) for $.05 coffees and $.10 sandwiches (one per person). The restaurant is celebrating its 100th birthday today at 4 pm with specials and special guests including Huell Howser, Roger the Peanut Man, Harpo the Clown, The Perfect Gentlemen A Cappella Group and other surprises. more ›

Here's a big win for fans of classic sandwiches: a tip just came down the wire that Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet, one of the two restaurants in L.A. that claims responsibility for inventing the famed French Dip sandwich (the other being Phillipe's), will be reopening sometime in late October or early November. Downtown nightlife impresario Cedd Moses, of 213 Downtown, acquired Cole's in 2007 and has been renovating the space back to the glory of its early 20th century heyday. more ›

One of most prolific LAist Featured Photo contributors, ~db~, submitted this salivating shot of his lunch at Philippe The Original in Chinatown with a mini-review: "The sandwich was surprisingly flavorless. The slaw was too sweet. The soup & tea rocked." more ›

Every Friday, LAist is taking you on a trip down to Orange County to uncover the unique dining experiences that await adventurous eaters willing to explore beyond the county line. This month, LAist has brought you daily coverage of some of LA’s finest late night dining spots from all over the Southland. So we’d be remiss if we didn’t throw in at least one spot from OC. Some of you readers that have probably... more ›

Seven Grand had its official “hard opening” Thursday night. (It “softly” opened last month.) The bar is the latest from 213, which also owns Broadway Bar and Golden Gopher and plans to reopen Downtown establishment Cole’s, aka “originator of the French Dip,” in winter 2007. Seven Grand is in the former home of Brocks Jewelry Emporium, although now it’s stocked with stuffed stag and elk heads, a few hot tattooed- and mohawked waiters, and... more ›

The hallowed downtown institution, Philippe the Original, is famous for "creating the 'French Dip Sandwich' and serving the 10 cent cup of coffee more ›