Dine for Less Than $15 a Person at This Iconic Sandwich Shop in Southern California

As far as American cities go, few are as renowned for their food as Los Angeles. Though Angelenos have earned a reputation as health-conscious and spendthrifts, with gimmicky stores like Erewhon earning think-piece coverage in esteemed publications like The New Yorker, they’re not above cheap and greasy classics. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that Los Angeles is the hometown of one of my favorite lunchtime indulgences: the French dip. Even more incredibly, you can still visit this sandwich’s birthplace! Nestled in the heart of Chinatown, Philippe The Original remains one of the city’s most reliable destinations for delicious and affordable fare!

First opening to customers in 1908, Philippe The Original is one of LA’s oldest eateries. Originally conceived as a French delicatessen by founder Philippe Mathieu, the spot quickly gained traction among Angelenos working in the city’s growing downtown core. But the restaurant’s most iconic dish, the French or beef dip sandwich, landed on the menu a full decade after the shop’s debut. Legend has it that Mathieu was preparing a regular’s order when the sliced French roll he'd be holding fell into a roasting pan filled with beef jus. With a line out the door and a parade of tickets to fill, Mathieu asked if the man would mind taking the sandwich anyway. The customer agreed.

That regular was far from disappointed. In fact, he returned the following day for another "dipped" sandwich. Mathieu was happy to oblige, and before long the French dip went from a serendipitous one-off to a staple of the delicatessen's menu. Today's patrons will find Philippe The Original in the same charming, flat iron building it's occupied since 1951. Though some things have changed — including the makeup of the restaurant's lines, which now include sandwich enthusiasts from across the world — Philippe's has managed to maintain its historic character.

Upon arrival, customers file into one of ten lines directing them past a long display counter to a "carver." This carver acts as your server, cashier, and chef, taking orders, preparing dishes, and passing them off on the spot. The restaurant's unique legacy and atmosphere engenders an unmistakable sense of camaraderie between customers. It isn't uncommon, for instance, to brainstorm orders with other Philippe's patrons while you wait. The prices remain first-rate, too, with the iconic beef dip going for $13.50 a pop.

Now, there's no escaping the reality that fame can rob a beloved local eatery of its magic. As crowds increase, they occasionally displace regulars who've made the restaurant part of their weekly routines for years. I'm happy to say this isn't so at Philippe's, where you're just as likely to encounter a seasoned beef dip enthusiast as you are an eager newcomer. Food journalists have long celebrated the shop's enduring appeal, with critics like Merrill Shindler writing for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, “. . . Philippe’s is more than food. It’s one of those marvelous phenomenons I find myself constantly drawn to in an effort to connect with a bit of L.A.’s too often ignored past... What can I say? It’s Philippe’s. It’s the Original— and it always will be.”

Whether you're just visiting or a die-hard Angeleno, put lunch at this historic LA restaurant on your to-do list.