Fodor's Expert Review Cole's French Dip
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Downtown Los Angeles
American
Fodor's Choice
There’s a fight in Los Angeles over who created the French dip sandwich. The first contender is Cole’s, whose sign on the door says it's the originator of the salty, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meats. The restaurant opened in 1908 and today is still going strong with dark lighting, delicious sandwiches, and a secret speakeasy called the Varnish hidden in the back.
The men’s room nods to the famous clientele of the past with plaques over the urinals notifying bathroom goers that Charles Bukowski and Mickey Cohen both "pissed here.”
Quick Facts
Known For:
- Historic L.A. dining
- One of the top contenders for best French dip sandwich in the country
- Secret speakeasy in back