Philippe’s is a little place in downtown LA that supposedly invented the French dip sandwich. And French dip sandwiches are exactly what they serve here. According to the website, they have been in business since 1908. That’s especially remarkable when you consider that in 1908, there was nothing in LA.
Philippe’s is all about “no frills”. You want a sandwich? There’s a sandwich, some meat, some bread, and some of the sauce from the roasts. That’s it.
Even if you’re into hot stuff, I recommend that you watch out for the mustard. Go easy. Go really, really easy. Don’t squirt it directly onto your sandwich. Just wave your sandwich over the bottle. I even would go as far as to suggest that you don’t look at the bottle too long because you may develop cataracts. Trust me.
Philippe’s is the local spot that has been here longer that any of the locals. Bench seating and sawdust on the floor make this an especially unique place. Definitely worth a stop.