Cole's

It's all about the French Dip and garlic fries here. The bread is crispy yet soft and the au jus is very flavorful. I'm not a fry guy, but the fresh garlic makes the fries a vehicle for deliciousness. more

I stopped in with friends after going to the X Games. I have to say that Coles is the most unique place I have been to. The owners definitely have vision. The french dip is no joke and they have the best selection of cocktails. We spent a little too much time enjoying the place!!! more

I decided to try this place out because I loovee french dip sandwiches...But, I was pretty disappointed because it was pretty dry & the french fries tasted kind of old, like they were sitting out for a while. The bar area is cute though and the beer was yum. more

If you swing by Cole's for a french dip, please be sure to eat at the bar. The bartenders are great and know how to craft a well-made cocktail. If you sit in the restaurant, don't say I didn't warn you. Service can be extremely slow. I was even skipped once when our server went around the table and took everyone's order but mine. That said, the lamb dip with or without cheese is great. I like the pork and beef as well. The turkey is a bit dry. I haven't tried the grilled cheese but aim to do so on some Meatless Monday. They have all-night happy hour on Tuesday with $2 off cocktails. Pros: alcohol Cons: slow, bad service more

The debate might just be one of the all time greats. On par with Crystal Pepsi or New Coke... Rocky II or Rocky III... Joanie or Chaci... and now ... Cole's or Philippe's? When it comes to these two icons, we're not just talking about who has a better french dip sandwich... we're talking about who invented the french dip sandwich. You'd think a sandwich so good, and so perfectly designed (who wouldn't want to dip crunchy french rolls into a savory pool-o-flavor?) would have been around since Alexander the Great... or at least Jesus. But no, it comes down to Cole or Philippe in the early 1900's. And I'd be damned to say I didn't think they'll go down as equally important historical figures when Good Grubers re-write the history books. And while the debate may rage on (and in the Good Grub's humble opinion Cole's is a definite distant second to Philippe's - Grubed on 12/9/09 - when it comes to the french dip) there's one thing you can't disagree with... Cole's got style. You can't miss the old-school neon lights guiding you into den of the grub. Cross the door and you swear you jumped back in time... Like you just entered a speakeasy and you should be calling the waitress ""doll"" and adding things like ""you hear?"" and ""now scram!"" to the end of each sentence. What better place to celebrate the birthday of Uncle Grub? Pull up to a table and glance over the menu... it shouldn't take you long. French dip or grilled cheese? Damn, I like my chances. While the french dip was good (again we'd hit up Philippe's instead), the grilled cheese with a side of tomato soup is worthy of putting Cole's on the map. Pull apart the gooey, melted-cheesy delight and dunk it in the soup like it was tomato au-jus. Don't mind the people passing by and knocking on the door in the back of the room... okay so, maybe it really is a speakeasy. Possibly Cole's is dishing out prohibition grub in the back? Whatever is going on back there, we really don't care... Just as long as Cole's keeps dishing out sandwiches and sweet potato fries for the next 100 years. So head on down to the heart of LA, maybe throw on a zoot suit or at least a fidora, and brace yourself for a french dip or grilled cheese worthy of being called Good Grub...... You hear? Now scram! See more Grub at www.GoodtoGrub. com Pros: Grubalicious Cons: Nada more

On Tuesday, March 10, 2009, my brother Jesse and I came to Cole’s Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles.... more

On Tuesday, March 10, 2009, my brother Jesse and I came to Cole’s Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. Jesse is a native of southern California and... more

I am so relieved, and happy, and thank goodness. From some prior reviews by people who knew the original... more

I am so relieved, and happy, and thank goodness. From some prior reviews by people who knew the original Cole's, I was expecting a huge letdown. ... more

I love Seven Grand and the Golden Gopher, so I had to see what the owners did with this old dump. It looks great! The food was excellent, as was the service. I had the beef dip which came with a pickle spear. It was good, but not as good as Philippe's. Still, I would choose Cole's over Philippe's for the ambiance alone. Philippe's isn't a place you hang out in for very long. Cole's has a great vibe with retro-cool red leather booths and a bar in the front (which was filled with hipsters the night I was there). If you are driving, I recommend coming in the evening when all the meters are free. Pros: nice ambiance Cons: parking could be a hassle during the day more

Coles is under new ownership and has reopened in downtown LA. I really love how in downtown whenever anything opens up the community really gets behind it. Anyway, I had a beef au jus with a side of mac and cheese. The sandwich was perfect. Good lean cuts of fresh meat on good bread. I topped mine off with blue cheese and it was worth it. The side of mac and cheese wasn't that good though. I devoured it but it was missing something. It was too mushy. Sides aside the place is awesome. Well done Ced! Pros: downtown quick nostalgic more

Ok so I went down there thinking this is going to be great, I'll finally get to settle the question for myself, ""Cole's or Phillipe's?"" Parking is impossible, but I finally make it there after walking through some skeezy neighborhood and the place it totally gutted with a small sign on the window, ""Closed starting March 15th for renovation."" I don't remember if it said a year or not. Its dead, there obviously is no work going on so who knows it it will ever be back. Oh yeah and somebody used the stairwell as a toilet. So I want to know why no one has written anything about this before? WTF Citysearch? You're falling down on the job! Pros: No Lines Cons: It's Closed more

I live in the building and so I am a regular, so take this review with a grain of salt. Now that I have said that, I will be as objective as possible. The food is buffet/cafeteria style, but very good and fresh. Mac-n-cheese is pretty bland and needs salt and pepper, but the meat is juicy and flavorful, no need for au jus in my opinion. Seriously, the pastrami is thick cut, the beef deep as far as I am concerned is better than Phillipe's but I have to say I like Phillipe's a lot too. Even if you don't find the food worth stopping by, the fact that this place has been operating since 1908 should at least draw a crowd to check it out. Character. Pros: Prices, Friendly, History Cons: Parking, Run down, Neighborhood more

I've only had the food there once but I've been there several wednesday's in the bar for the awesome bluegrass band that plays there every wed night at 9. Talk about a warm, beautiful atmosphere! Everybody that shows up is wonderfully supported and energetic, and ranges from the bum on the street to USC architecture students. It's so much fun. Thanks, Cole's! more

During a stint of jury duty downtown, I hit Philippes one day and Coles another for a little au jus shootout. Coles is in a shadier bit of town than Philippes, but not horrible. The interior is awesome, so much memorabilia. The beef was dry, and despite what other reviewers said, I didn't get any au jus on the side. The mac & cheese was tasty, but the coleslaw...it wasn't sweet, it had no vinegar flavor; it only had an aftertaste of dirty dishwater. Nasty. Pros: Way cool spot Cons: coleslaw, what au jus?, location more

You can spend hours in here....start with the french dip (unlike the Other French Dip you get au jus!) and accompany it with one of the many great beers on tap. Casually mention to the manager/bartender/historian that you are interested in the place and you will be given a grand tour and history lesson. And talk about a diverse crowd...a friendly array of families, bums and trendies. Pros: good sammich, great beer, great tales Cons: parking scary, no late dining more

This place has the best french dip ever. Forget about Phillipes.. That place cannot compare to the original. Pros: great Food Cons: Bad location, parking more

The only place in town where you can eat your meal off an original RED CAR table...Now that is HISTORY at it's finest. Friendly service and great food...all fresh- cooked to perfection and trimmed right off the beast while you wait- vegetarians beware. May the debate of the originators of the FRENCH DIP RAGE ON! And long live Cole's! Pros: RED Car Tables, German Beer, Friendly Service Cons: Parking, dodgy part of town more

Cole's is legendary for their french dip and now I know why! It was quite the tasty treat! Kind of a hassle getting down there, but doesn't the food always make those little out of the way places worth the trip? Try it with a side of mac and cheese! Pros: good french dip, friendly employees, historic Cons: no place to park, shabby part of town, beggers! more

Despite the heated competition between Cole's and Philippe the Original, not many diners venture to this part of downtown to sample what is arguably the prototype of French dips. The beef here is a brisket-quality, cooked till it's well-done--it's not as juicy or flavorful as Philippe's. Sorry, but my vote goes to Philippe. more