Yup, Los Angeles is the birthplace of the French Dipped Sandwich.  It happened in 1918 when Philippe Mathieu dropped  the French Roll he was using to make a sandwich into a roasting pan just out of the oven filled with drippings.  The policeman he was making the sandwich for said he'd take the sandwich anyway.  The next day, he came back with some friends and they all wanted to try those "dipped" sandwiches.  Thus the French Dipped sandwich was born.

Philippe's is nestled in Los Angeles just across from the Postal Annex, train station, just up the street from Olvera Street and backs up to Chinatown.  It's become a great place for locals to gather and for folks like my best buddy and fellow Rainer,  Lynda Eisenmann and myself to gravitate to every time we get up to Los Angeles.  Lynda introduced me to this place about five years ago...and now there's no turning back!  If Lynda and I are even within 15 miles of the place, all we have to do is look at one another and whoever is driving just heads straight for the Philippe's.

Outside the sign proudly says, "established 1908".  Yup, they'll  soon be celebrating 100 years of serving up great food at great prices.  Inside, it's not quite like anything else in L.A.  There's community seating at long tables with stools and benches, sawdust on the floors and a very unique serving style.  You step up to a glass, refrigerated counter---like one you'd see in a butcher shop.  Inside are delectable treats like fresh cole slaw, macaroni salad, potato salad, tapioca, custard, pigs knuckles, pickled eggs, huge dill pickles and other interesting treats.  Behind the counter are ladies wearing old-fashioned waitress outfits and those little white starched hats that the gals at the lunch counters wore in the 40's and 50's.  People line up to be waited on in lines adjacent to the servers on the other side of the counter. 

Before you even walk in the door, there's the wonderful aroma of Sunday roast in the oven.  The French Dipped Sandwiches are available in Roast Lamb, Roast Turkey, Roast Beef, Roast Pork or ham.  You have a choice of with or without cheese and single or double dip.  The meat juices are not served in a cup like most restaurants do.  They go directly onto the bun---double dip is the best!  The lady behind the counter is your carver.  She carves your choice of meat from the roast that was freshly cooked that day.  She dishes up your side orders, loads your drinks on the tray and slides a small tray toward you with your bill.  Usually, for two sandwiches, two side orders, and two drinks will run about $12 with tip...unless you decide to sample one of the great beers or a glass of wine.

It's a feast!  You find a table to share and sit down to enjoy.  They make gallons of hot mustard every week and it's served up in little glass jars on each table.  Sit down, take a bite and prepare to be WOWED!  It's just simply incredible food.  Served with pride, prepared the old fashioned way---no nukes---no frozen anything.  Just big old ovens, everything seasoned to perfection and lovingly prepared the old fashioned way with plenty of time, and loving care.

The Pork Roast and Roast Beef are my favorites.  We usually get one of each and split them.  It's a treat you'll not soon forget...You'll be imitating our Governator Arnold, saying, "I'll be back!"  Next time you're in Los Angeles, stop by Philippe's.  They're just East of the 101 Freeway and Downtown at 1001 North Alameda Street in Los Angeles. 

 There are also old-time phone booths---they still work---and a candy counter where you can buy candy that you'll remember from your childhood if you're a child of the fifties.  Things like Big Hunks, Bit ‘O Honey, Abba Zabba, Clove Gum...well you get the picture.  Just plain fun!

Below are some of the fun photos from years gone by that hang on the walls. 

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Marlene Bridges, REALTOR®  800 777-1775

South Orange County Real Estate Website

Orange County Seniors Lifestyles Blog

SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist®

CRS-Certified Residential Specialist®

President - Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce

Marlene is a highly experienced  South Orange County CA REALTOR® specializing in residential Real Estate and the sale of Homes and Condos in South Orange County, California and Saddleback Valley cities of: Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo.   

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