Philippe the Original, a Los Angeles institution that has been serving sandwiches for over a century, has been recognized as California's most iconic sandwich shop. The designation comes from a nationwide roundup by Business Insider that evaluated establishments based on historical significance and popularity.
Founded in 1908, Philippe the Original is best known for its French dip sandwich. According to the shop's lore, the sandwich was created in 1918 when founder Philippe Mathieu "accidentally dropped the sliced french roll into the roasting pan, which was filled with hot juices from the oven." A police officer customer reportedly requested the wet sandwich anyway and returned the next day for more.
Patrons ordering at the counter can select from roasted meats such as beef, pork, lamb, pastrami, turkey, and ham, served on a fresh French roll. The sandwich can be prepared single-dipped, double-dipped, or wet. A single dip involves lightly coating the top half of the roll in the pan juices, while a double dip submerges both sides. A "wet" preparation means the entire sandwich is submerged for maximum flavor.
While Philippe the Original has long been associated with the French dip, another historic Los Angeles restaurant, Cole's, has disputed the origin story, claiming it invented the sandwich first. Cole's closed permanently in March of this year after facing years of financial difficulties.
