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Food

Historic DTLA restaurant Cole’s French Dip is pushing back closing date

A sun-drenched downtown L.A. street scene with the iconic vintage neon sign of Cole’s—"Originators of the French Dipped Sandwiches Since 1908"—glowing proudly above the sidewalk.
Cole's French Dip, one of the oldest restaurants in L.A., announced it will be closing permanently on Nov. 1.
(
Courtesy Pouring With Heart
)

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Cole’s French Dip, the historic downtown L.A. restaurant, is pushing back its final closing date to Nov. 1, along with a final farewell event.

“Reflecting upon these past few months has been bittersweet — on one hand, we are inordinately saddened to have been forced by external factors to close our beloved Cole’s after a formidable and historic tenure; on the other, the unrelenting love and support from our community has been beyond our wildest imagination, and fortifies our belief that hospitality is indeed valued and cherished in this uncertain world," owner Cedd Moses said in a statement to LAist.

"Because of your amplified patronage amidst the news of our imminent closure, we are able to keep Coles alive a little bit longer, with our last service scheduled for Saturday, November 1st. We will be going with grace, and perhaps a little dose of debauchery, in light of the farewell," the statement continued.

Moses promised an official send-off bash for Cole's — with special guests in tow. Details will be announced soon, he said.

The century-old downtown staple first announced in July that it would close Aug. 3. But the announcement set off an outpouring of support, as diners and Angelenos flocked to the establishment on 6th Street to get one final taste of its signature sandwiches, Old Fashioned cocktails — and a side of nostalgia.

The public response was as strong as it was unexpected, with patrons lining up around the block. As such, Cedd decided to extend the closure.

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