Philippe the Original

Don't eat lamb and agree with all those negs about this place. And do agree about the one at Bandera's. It's great. Better than any I have had at Philippe's. REPLY (44 Replies) (by mopeyboy, created October 6, 2010)

»Disappointed with the Beef French Dip Sandwich at Philippe or Am I Missing Something?

I've been to Philippe's about 3 or 4 times in the past several years, but for some reason, I've always ordered their French Dip Beef Sandwich and each time I've been disappointed.

When it comes to the juices the sandwich bread is dipped in, they just doesn't have the meaty flavor you'd expect or would want, which just leaves me with partially soggy bread. Also, the beef is usually a little...+READ I've been to Philippe's about 3 or 4 times in the past several years, but for some reason, I've always ordered their French Dip Beef Sandwich and each time I've been disappointed.

When it comes to the juices the sandwich bread is dipped in, they just doesn't have the meaty flavor you'd expect or would want, which just leaves me with partially soggy bread. Also, the beef is usually a little dry, chewy and tastes unseasoned. Only the addition of Philippe's mustard gives this sandwich any oomph.

As for why I only ordered the French Dip Beef Sandwich, I think a part of me thought that was the specific dipped sandwich to order over all the other dipped sandwich choices. For some reason, I thought the Beef Sandwich was the first "dipped" sandwich that gave Philippe's the fame it has now and given its popularity, there must be something I'm just not getting. Isn't it amazing how something just sticks in your head, even it may be wrong? For all I know, that first dipped sandwich was pork.

I kept on thinking that if I tried it enough, I'd end up liking it more, but nope, no dice. That was obvious at a recent visit there where again, I was disappointed. I also wasn't that thrilled with the potato salad which had so much mayonnaise that you could hardly see the potatoes or the cherry pie, which had a filling that was too sweet and tasted like it came from a can.

After I uploaded my Phillipe photos to Flickr and posted them on my Facebook Wall, I posted a message saying that I didn't get the allure of the Beef Dipped Sandwich at Philippe. In response, a few of my Facebook friends gave me suggestions of other things to try on their menu, which included the:

* lamb and blue cheese double dip
* turkey double dip
* pork dipped sandwich
* macaroni salad
* coleslaw
* pickled eggs
* pickled pig's feet
* beef stew
* baked apple

Being from the Philippines, I'm definitely a pork kind of girl, so if I do make my way back to Philippe, that pork dipped sandwich with a side of pickled eggs and a baked apple might make up my three course menu. How about you? What do you like (or don't like) about Philippe? Do you think it's popular just because it's a classic restaurant icon that's been around for over 100 years or is their food actually better than I've experienced so far?

Philippe The Original
100 N. Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-3781

To see post complete with photos, go to:
http://pleasurepalate.blogspot.com/2010/09/french-dip-beef-sandwich-always.html-COLLAPSE / REPLY (44 Replies) (by pleasurepalate, created October 5, 2010)

»Philipes

Philippes is just a classic. How do you rate a place that has been an LA icon for 90 years or so. It's not the best but a classic. The servers uniforms, the choices of food, it takes you back when food was just food. Beware of the mustard! It is freaking HOT! If you go to downtown to see the history etc., you must go to Philippes. (by Hawgwild, created October 21, 2009)

I would THIRD the vote for Philipes ... it's just a simple, yet well made sandwich that you can't miss if you're in that area. To be honest with you, you can get better Mexican food in East LA and even better Chinese in Monterey Park. So, if you're going to try anything unique & delicious in that area, let it be Philippes. REPLY (37 Replies) (by QueerInMySoup, created October 19, 2009)