Cole’s

I love the ambiance, and when I almost let out a few tears and the food oooooh the food. I’ve been wanting to check out this place for a while and if you like good food, good music and great service you have to try this place out! I received my food almost immediately, and it tasted amazing. The drinks unique. The service, everyone was friendly and pretty down right awesome.

Cole’s does have good food and ambiance but Phillieppe’s is where my heart is and will always be my favorite.

Theres nothing better than a bloody mary from coles with their french dip sandwich and fries! I live in the area and this will always be one of my go to places.

Delicious! We all agreed it can’t be compared with Philippe’s because the sandwiches are so different-​both very yummy. The sides were amazing-​we got the spicy garlic tater tots and sweet potato fries. Our waiter was the best ever! He have great recommendations, and free samples of things to my dad since it was Father’s Day. We had an incident where another customer claimed my dad’s lost sunglasses– totally not their fault, but he gave us chips for 3 free sandwiches. Will definitely be back!!!

Spicy garlic fries and great ambiance. What a great escape from the mean streets of LA.

I’ve been to Cole’s for brunch and dinner and have enjoyed both experiences. The French dip sandwiches and chili fries are my favorite things on the menu… they’re amazing especially after having drinks at the Varnish ;)…the breakfast sandwich was alright but I wasn’t too impressed with it.
For brunch they have bottomless mimosas and the waiters are really good at filling up your glass way before you get close to your last sip!
I’d also recommend asking for a side of their atomic pickles which have a sweet and spicy flavor that goes perfectly with the other menu items.

Definitely worth the trip. Very cool spot with some great historic pictures to look at. Make sure you car is locked up good because the surrounding area can be a bit shady. French dip sandwich with Spicy garlic fries are a must. And none of the half sandwich crap. Go big or go home… get the full sandwich.
Cole’s vs Philippe… as of now I’m team Coles.

In the great Philippe’s vs. Cole’s debate, I’ve always landed on the Philippe’s side: I prefer the bustling ambience of Philippe the Original, and I just prefer the French dip at Philippe, too. I made one visit to Cole’s back in the olden days, and I felt one was enough: The food in the old cafeteria-​style line looked old and gross. The tables smelled mildewy from old rags that needed a good washing. The place was inhabited by people who looked like they had just gotten out of a 1980s TV series drunk tank. And the French dip was bland and unmemorable. Okay, I’d tried both. I had seen one of the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles. Cross that off the list.
Since that time — about a decade ago — I felt no need to return, even after the 213 Ventures’ takeover. But finding myself wandering around that side of town one weekday and wondering where to go for lunch, I suddenly remembered Cole’s existed, and I thought, «Why not?» I never think about Cole’s, but I was so near, and it popped into my head, so off I went to the L.A. landmark. I was surprised right off the bat that the serving line was gone; it’s table service now. Okay. The proto-​TGI Friday’s look that allegedly inspired the set of «Cheers» is pretty much the same, although the back rooms are now sealed off. And no more Spaten on tap? Boo! I can get hipster beers anywhere. Spaten on tap was Cole’s thing. Anyway, I’d read about how the French dips have been gussied up with better meat, etc., etc. Well, the «USDA prime beef» French dip is really bland and a little dry. I can’t tell that it’s been fancified. Cole’s big differentiation from Philippe’s is that Cole’s has the bowl of jus on the side for dipping. But me, well, I find that to be a pain. One: It makes a mess, both on the table and on me. Two: The meat falls out when one dips the sandwich, leading to an annoying fishing expedition to pull it out of the jus and stick it back in the sandwich. I’ll take the pre-​dipped Philippe sandwich, thanks. The bun is the only marked improvement I can note; that’s a nice upgrade. The mustard’s the same as Philippe’s.
The fries? I tried their «spicy garlic» fries, and they were just… Ugh. Yuck. I need some new words to describe them. Fargle. Blef. Thewp. They were the kind of overcooked potatoes that have become one with the oil, translucent and mineralized. The reddish seasoning was harsh and shrill. I could also tell from the tater tot crumbs mixed in that I was getting the dregs of the fryer grease — yummo. So a sandwich with too little flavors and fries with too many bad ones — this cost about $ 17 before tax and tip. At least at Philippe the Original, I could’ve washed it down with 10¢ coffee. The server was really great, so points for that, but do I want to come back? Nope. I’ve seen the original Cole’s, and I’ve seen the hipsterized Cole’s, and I didn’t really care for either one.

Yes Food!
Yes Drinks!
Yes Yes Yes!
This Spot is BiG and it gets crowded, so go with no rush, I sat at the bar so I didn’t have to wait to be seated. Sitting at the bar is always a good time, the bartender was fun, alive, and very good at what he does. It was mid day Saturday and bottomless mimosas end at 4pm, I got there and started drinking them at about 3:45pm so I had 15 min to intake and the bartender kept them coming till 4pm :) I ordered food thinking it was just gonna be your average bar food but oh my was I surprised, the food came out looking so good and fresh but the best part was the taste. Hat off to the cooks cause the food was defiantly delicious. The atmosphere is fun and loud that it makes you want to stay and kelp enjoying the good drinks! Enjoy :)
See photos for food

Great old-​timey place with probably one of the worst bartenders I’ve ever had the displeasure of having to sit in front of in my entire life.
The short-​haired lady would bark orders at not only her staff, but the customers too. I thought she would be fired by now, but there she was the next time I was there. And people were tipping her too? Is this a secret BDSM club that I don’t know of?
Anyway, aside from the terrible bartendress, I would recommend the heck out of this place if you’re sitting anywhere away from her. The french dip is A-​OK, and they have some great old school cocktails. The atmosphere is very cool too.

Came here because of some great recommendations. As one of the main French dip restaurants in the area, I was not impressed. I got the Prime beef French Dip. Initial impressions– lots of meat and no veggies– that’s ok– I can be a carnivore for a day. But then… It was sooo bland– the meat was unseasoned– I practically submerged the sandwich in the au ju but it was still bland. Also by dipping the sandwich, the bread becomes all soggy which I do not enjoy– that’s a personal preference though. I ended up dipping the sandwich with ketchup.
Shared some of the garlic Fries– I like the seasoning– garlic wasn’t too pungent and it added a nice subtle taste.
Some in my group got bottomless mimosas with their meal, which was apparently pretty good.
Tl;dr: come here for the mimosas but not the French dips.

Best French dip sandwich in town! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The roast beef with blue cheese is out of this world. I prefer the half sandwich and side of fries, who doesn’t love fries? And these are perfectly crispy and the best sidekick to your sandwich. Tater tots are so yummy but you have to be in the mood for them. And that pickle that just sits quietly next to your sandwich will change your life!
Gold rush is my favorite drink here but yesterday in celebration for 5 de mayo the bartender made us his own version of a Paloma, and I must say its one of the best ones I’ve had!!! Love this place. And how can I forget bottomless mimosas on Sunday’s!

The pastrami dip was amazing. Deliciously sliced pastrami piled between a fresh bread bun made to dip into the aus jus. That bread soaks up the juice like a sponge from heaven. There is some spicy mustard at the table which I used to give it a little kick. I REALLY liked this sandwich.
I got some tots as a side and they were great too. Also had a cocktail — an old fashioned — and wow, they make it strong! This was a legit old school cocktail. Service was excellent and our waitress had a fun personality. Great stop for a casual downtown meal.

Great food and apps for after a night out and on the way home. I like to come here after the Edison or surrounding bars. They have great spicy fries and tater tots along with pastrami and other sandwiches. Solid service and never usually a wait.

Driving around LA wanted to find a good little lowkey spot with good food.
There’s no private parking at all so street parking it is. But that is a challenge in itself hopefully your lucky or you like walking.
Before entering they check your ID which made no sense to me seeing as I came to eat I am not a drinker. Once inside we were told to sit anywhere but there wasn’t much seating available because they were a bit busy. Theres outdoor seating but it was too cold for any of that. I was too dark in there honestly to the point where my eyes were starting to hurt. Also it sucks that you have to get up & order at the bar each and every time you want something.
I got the Skinny Beef Dip with French fries which was about ten bucks I think.
The bread was favorite part because it was so soft but everything else was eh. The sandwich itself was overpriced for the portion & quality. It lacked a lot for me there’s wasn’t anything special about it. The French fries were bland like that ones I can by at the grocery store in the frozen food aisle. FYI the pickle is VERY spicy to the point where it’s unpleasant.

Cole’s or Phillipes for best french-​dipped sandwiches in LA? For me, it’s Cole’s. You can’t beat the décor and I like the fact that it doesn’t come pre-​dipped. I always get the USDA Prime beef dip. Give it a dunk in the au jus, spread some hot mustard on it, and take a big bite. Then take a bite of the atomic pickle and then the garlic tater tots. Wash it down with some root beer and then repeat.
They also serve up one of the better Old Fashioned’s in downtown.
The service was so-​so the last time I went. The only downside here would be trying to find parking. But then again, it is downtown LA.
Now.let me qualify all the above and say that I would choose Phillipe’s if I was going to a Dodger game and wanted to take in a sandwich to the stadium just because it’s much closer.

Philippe’s or Coles??? Tough comparison here, I have to say the bread is slightly crusty still even after dipping at Phil’s, Coles a bit soft, the meats are good at both, mustard is pungent enuff at both. Slaw has a bit more tang at P’s and tater salad is tops at both… Completely opposite atmospheres, Coles is dark n speakeasy bar type as Philippes’ is bright and cafeteria style. Overall I’m gonna have to lean towards Philipppes’ … Coles claims to have «invented» the dipp in 1908 although Philippes’ states they started in 1908 also… So the real question is who actually opened first? To EAT or not to EAT, that is the question…
Answer: always EAT it!!!

This is a great French dip. I got the steak sandwich. It is not pre-​dipped — it comes with flaky bread and the obvious side of dip. The atomic pickle is also perfect.
I would go with the large size sandwich because the smaller portion is essentially a half sandwich. That won’t be enough for you if you’re hungry.
This place is better than phillipe’s. The inside is way cool as you’re sitting down in a historic location. 5 stars.

***As one of the two originators of the French Dip sandwich, Cole’s delivers a satisfying though not exceptional beef French Dip sandwich (especially when paired with their hot mustard and creamy and tangy blue cheese); if you spend a lot of time in Downtown Los Angeles, it is worth trying***
I went to Cole’s a long time ago and I walked away disappointed. The menu highlighted the high quality ingredients being used, but it did not translate to great flavor. The beef in their French Dip was under-​seasoned and the bread was too thick. I walked away liking Philippe’s version of the French Dip more. Philippe’s French Dip definitely did not feature the same quality ingredients, but the beef had a more pronounced flavor and the crustiness and softness of the bread made for a better overall sandwich experience (some recent visits to Philippe resulted in some very dry beef experiences though and I am not sure if I will go back).
I came across The Lincoln Lawyer on TV the other night and both Cole’s and The Association are featured in it so I decided to give their French Dip another shot. Cole’s features several French Dip sandwiches. There is the traditional beef French Dip made from U.S. Prime beef as well as a lamb, pork, turkey, and pastrami French Dip. You can get a full sandwich or you can opt for a half sandwich and side combo.
I went for the combo and had their beef French Dip. I added blue cheese for an extra cost. Other cheeses are available like Swiss, pepper jack and goat cheese. The sandwich was surprisingly good. The bread tasted better this time. Though the portion of beef was fairly skimpy, the bread did not overwhelm the sandwich like my last visit. It also did a good job of soaking up the au jus without becoming unappetizingly soggy like you get with Philippe. The bread felt crustier too and seemed to meld with the sandwich more than my last visit.
The blue cheese was good too. It was not blue cheese crumbles but a creamy blue cheese-​like dressing. It provided a tanginess to the sandwich without overpowering it. The beef was moist and satisfying though I definitely wish there was more of it. The side of hot mustard was a nice addition (and a needed one given the limited amount of beef and how it was slightly under-​seasoned). The sandwich also came with a spicy pickle.
There are several sides and I had the tater tots. They were okay (hot and crispy) but fairly standard stuff. I would opt for one of their other sides (like their French fries) or just get a full sandwich on a future visit.
Cole’s has a nice décor. You walk down some steps to get to this old-​fashioned and masculine supper club. The look of the restaurant is perfect for both the part of town it is in as well as the type of food being served.
Prices are reasonable since you can get one of the more talked about sandwiches in town and a full meal well under $ 20 here.
Service was very good – pleasant and quick.
I enjoyed this Cole’s experience much more than my last visit. Given that Cole’s is in Downtown Los Angeles and this part of town is getting so busy (and, at some times, so hard to get to), I am not sure if I would recommend it as a must visit. That being said, if you live in Downtown Los Angeles or find yourself here often, it is definitely worth trying for a true created-​in-​LA-​sandwich experience.
Parking in this area (like a lot of Downtown Los Angeles) is expensive. Nearby parking lots are $ 5-​$ 8 on weekends.

Stopped here on the way to the Shrine with some friends. Our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs, so we ordered way too much food. But not worry, we still finished most of it! You need that energy before going to a big concert.
DIPS & CHIPS:
— — — — —
* Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup Combo — I just couldn’t resist as soon as I saw this on the menu. It sounded so good on one of the coldest nights in LA. The sandwich was satisfying, but the cup of tomato soup was just okay. On its own wasn’t very fulfilling; dipping the grilled cheese in it was slightly better.
* Pastrami Dip — Since dips are their specialty, I felt like we should at least try one. We ordered the Big Dip version, which is apparently «for a man’s appetite.» Whaaaat… Haha what does it even mean? We added Swiss cheese for $ 1.10. The au jus (beef dip) was flavorful and the amount of pastrami was hefty, but everything was just okay.
* Spicy Sweet Potato Garlic Fries — Wow! The highlight of the meal! The spicy component was just a bit of a kick, nothing you can’t handle. Such a garlicky sweet potato really hit the spot.
* Garlic Tater Tots — My goodness, these were good too! Can’t have enough garlic.
Overall, the food was okay. It’s a little sad when the fries/​tots are the highlight of the meal. However we did leave feeling full and satisfied.
SERVICE/​AMBIANCE:
— — — — — — — -
Service was a little off. Our sweet potato fries came out as regular fries, and we had to each try a fry to make sure we weren’t crazy. The server resolved this matter quickly with no issues. However I never got a cup for water (so I ended up drinking out of the carafe).
The interior of this place has a swanky feel to it. Dim lighting and olde time décor, especially with the speakeasy bar in the back of the restaurant. However, outside Cole’s is a totally different story. It’s not located in the best area, so make sure to not walk around alone. When we left and waited for our Über, there was a lot of screaming and yelling going on.
TIP: Skip the dip, get the chips. Unless you need some of that hefty meatiness like we did.
DATE TIP: This is yet another place that will give you a chance to protect your date while walking here. Make them feel safe! ;)

You have the right to remain thirsty and refuse to stay sober.
Any lame drink order may be used against you in a bar of this caliber.
You have the right to consult a bartender before ordering and to have a friend present during questioning now or in the future.
If you cannot afford a drink, none will be served to you until proper currency is available to pay for your order.
If you decide to order without any bartender present, you will still not be served any drink until the bartender returns from absence.
Knowing and understanding your rights as I have explained them to you, are you willing to drink at one of the greatest bars in Los Angeles?

I’ve been going here for years, sadly I moved to sf not too long ago and won’t be able to go as much :(, however this place has definitely one of the best french dip sandwich next to felipe in L.A. They usually have the french dip slider trio happy hour which is the ultimate bar food, they also have old fashioned special on happy hour, pretty cool eh?
Assuming the fact that this is the oldest bar in L.A. and they definitely know how to make an old fashioned.
In my opinion this is by far one of the coolest spots for Sunday brunch and their bloody marys are off the hook.
OOO and by the way, if you’re here at night the back door takes you to varnish, the coolest speakeasy in L. A

Sean and Ben are 5 stars period. The cocktail I got was great. I asked them to have at it and what they whipped together was a mix of Rye Whiskey, Carpano, Cynar, and Averna. I love the old LA feel to the place. For food, I went with the prime beef French dip with blue cheese and added a side of spicy garlic tater tots. The tots were excellent and definitely great after midnight food. The sandwich was just ok to me at best. It wasn’t awful, just not great and not a lot of flavor. The Au Jus was pretty bland. I did like their horseradish mustard which is not for the light hearted.
I’d definitely come back here again, just on a full stomach.

Un local con muchísimo encanto con un bar secreto al fondo pero eso lo abren sólo a partir de las 19. Los camareros son encantadores y te preparan el cocktail que que quieras.
Es precioso merece la pena tomarse una copa.

Apparemment une institution pour les amateurs du French Dip sandwich (qui n’a bien sûr de français que le nom). J’ai goûté les chili fries qui vous donneront une haleine aillée jusqu’à tard le lendemain matin. Ils servent du coca en bouteilles de verre étonnamment petites (20 cl? 25 cl?) J’ai aussi goûté le gâteau au chocolat, bof bof, c’est le même qu’on voit partout. Enfin le service à l’américaine, prévenant, attentif c’est toujours dépaysant! Pas testé le bar speakeasy qui se cache au fond de la salle.

Cole’s French Dip
Este mágico lugar se encuentra ubicado en el centro de Los Ángeles o conocido como DTLA. Ubicado desde 1908 en el edificio de Pacific Electric, el cual ha sido designado por el Estado de California como un punto de interés histórico. Creador del French Dip, es sin duda un lugar que no puede faltar en tu lista de visita.
El plato a ordenar es alguno de estos emparedados, que consisten en un sandwich caliente de carne (en especial de res), servido en un pan francés o baguette, acompañado por el jugo procedente del proceso de cocción. Se suele untar el sandwich en este consomé mientras se come. De aquí deriba todo un debate en la ciudad, ya que dos restaurantes tradicionales reclaman ser los creadores de esta invención: Philippe the Original y Cole’s. Ambos restaurantes abrieron su negocio en 1908, sin que en la fecha se haya resuelto esta disputa por falta de evidencia.
Cole’s mantiene una arquitectua estilo antiguo e iluminación de cristal, pisos de baldosas y fotos históricas que decoran el lugar. Además, como tip, no pueden quedarse sin conocer su salón secreto, en el que antiguamente se usaba para vender alcohol durante los años en que esta bebida no había sido declarada legal en el país, catalogado este tipo de lugares como speakeasy, blind pig o blind tiger. Es ideal para pasar una velada de copas, degustando estos ricos sandwiches y probando sus diferentes cocteles.