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Recession Obsession: French Dipping Like It's 1909 at Philippe's
Pork French Dip With Swiss, Pre-Spicy French Mustard
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 someramen on the West Side, and some real inexpensive Guatemalan fast food. Today, we obsess...
Many call Philippe’s an “institution.” But is it really? Let’s run it through The LAist Institution Qualification Test:
- Has it been around longer than The Grove? Check. 1901.
- Does it have a signature dish? Check. The french dip sandwich.
- Is the venue unique? Check. There’s sawdust all over the floor.
- Does everyone have an opinion on the place? Check. Over 600 reviews on Yelp.
Philippe’s surely is an institution (LAist has been here before for breakfast.) This institution happens to be priced perfectly for these tough times. Their signatures sandwiches (of beef, ham, pork, lamb or turkey) are $5-$6 each (the lamb being the only over $6.) Most drinks are under a dollar too. That’s why Philippe’s is LAist’s latest Recession Obsession.
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LA's Sandwich
Phillippe's menu goes far beyond the french dip. Most of it's pretty cheap too. The glass counter reveals inflated pies which seem to smile at you. A slice is about $3. You can have that hunking slice but it may push your bill over $10 -- you don't want that. You know you've got late bills. Perhaps you want macaroni salad, some cole slaw, or boiled eggs. These old school fixings aren't expensive, and, while we come here for LA's most storied sandwich, the best thing Phillippe's has to offer may be a free condiment.
Set atop each table, ready to blast your sandwich, are squirt bottles of Phillippe's own spicy french mustard. The spice can make you sweat, but when used sparingly it provides a complimentary burst of color that will have you fighting your friend for the bottle. This addictive stuff is good enough to take home. You can for $3.50/bottle.
Phillippe's, The Original?
The french dip sandwich does not hail from Eiffel Tower's home. This delectable French Roll-encased-meat-dunked-in-au jus (hot juice) was conceived (and born) in Downtown Los Angeles. Where downtown is the question. Phillippe's claims to have created this dipped sandwich in a delicious happy accident. Cole's, another downtown eatery, claims this meaty creation was their doing. Congrats to whomever it really was, LAist thanks you both for your wallet-friendly culinary service.
- Philippe's Chinatown-ish | 1001 N Alameda Street | Los Angeles 90012 | (213) 628-3781
- Located Near: Metro Red Line | Union Station Stop
Photos by Caleb Bacon for LAist
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Are you a big dipper or a little dipper? Comment below!
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Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
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