The French Dip sandwich was invented in downtown Los Angeles around 1908, with two historic establishments claiming origin honors: Philippe The Original and Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet. According to Philippe Mathieu, while preparing a sandwich for a policeman, he accidentally dropped the sliced French roll into a roasting pan filled with hot beef juice; the officer took it anyway and returned the next day with friends clamoring for more 'dipped' sandwiches. Cole's counters that their chef, Jack Garlinghouse, softened stale French bread in meat drippings for a customer with tender gums. Regardless of who dipped first, the culinary combination of thinly shaved beef, melted Swiss or Provolone cheese, spicy French mustard, and a bowl of steaming hot au jus became a global culinary staple, celebrated every November 12.
The French Dip sandwich was invented in downtown Los Angeles around 1908, with two historic establishments claiming origin honors: Philippe The Original and Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet. According to Philippe Mathieu, while preparing a sandwich for a policeman, he accidentally dropped the sliced French roll into a roasting pan filled with hot beef juice; the officer took it anyway and returned the next day with friends clamoring for more 'dipped' sandwiches. Cole's counters that their chef, Jack Garlinghouse, softened stale French bread in meat drippings for a customer with tender gums. Regardless of who dipped first, the culinary combination of thinly shaved beef, melted Swiss or Provolone cheese, spicy French mustard, and a bowl of steaming hot au jus became a global culinary staple, celebrated every November 12.
