Home of the original
French Dip (sliced roast beef on a
sourdough roll with "au Jus"
for dipping. The serve breakfast,
lunch and dinner.
They still have sawdust floors, and
the spooky deserted upstairs for the
dining adventurous. This place has
been around since 1908, located just
across the street from Union Station and
the main post office, or a block or two
north of Olvera
St.
You can get a bowl of chili for a
$1.10, or some stewed prunes for .25
(yes, you can eat for under a buck in
L.A.) There a real honest to
goodness Candy Counter straight out of
your childhood memories. I love
this place and it still holds special
memories for me...When I was in grade
school, we would take field trips to
Olvera St. To those of us who ate
Mexican a couple of nights a week, this
was nothing special. So we'd sneak
down the street and have a French Dip or
Lamb Dip sandwich (my favorite!)
Barnum and Bailey's Circus use to
parade down Prairie Blvd. dump off the
elephants and then all the clowns and
performers would go to Philippe's...it
was truly a circus in that place.
Remember, when dining at Philippe's,
it is bad manners to hog seats.
You must share your table. If you
have an open chair, don't be surprised
if someone sits themselves
down.
