If you're looking for an old-school LA bar with history dripping from the walls, Cole's French Dip absolutely delivers. My mom and I came here because Michael Connelly mentions Cole's in his Bosch book series--and we're huge fans--so this stop felt a little like a literary pilgrimage. We came on a Saturday afternoon and immediately felt welcomed. The bouncer was super friendly and took the time to explain how everything works: order at the bar, grab a number, and sit wherever you like. Easy and laid-back. Of course, we came for the French dip--the very sandwich Connelly writes about--and it did not disappoint. Cole's claims to be the home of the original French dip, and honestly, I believe it. We both ordered the USDA Prime beef, which came with a pickle and a side of au jus. The bread was perfectly crunchy, the meat incredibly tender, and once you dipped the sandwich into the au jus... pure harmony. Absolute star of the show. I also had a margarita, which was solid, but let's be real--the French dip is the reason you come here. Even though it's a bar, people under 21 are allowed until 7pm, and there's a pool table if you want to hang out and soak in the vibe. The whole place feels like a time capsule in the best way possible. What a great old-school LA institution. We'll definitely be back. read more

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Went here just to be able to say I've gone prior to them closing, honestly, it was a $32 mistake. The service was terrible, we sat at the bar and the bartender seemed very annoyed with the fact she had to do her job. I hate to say we felt like a genuine inconvenience for simply wanting to order. We got the 1/2 combo with beef, Swiss and a side of pickled eggs. You'd assume for 20 bucks you'd be getting a relatively large portion, nope, quite literally less than 5inchs of sandwich. It was alright, the au jus was lukewarm, bread was good, not too much meat but the cheese was literally not melted whatsoever. The pickled eggs had no pickled taste, they must've just been put in that day or the night prior. We were out of there quick as a drunk guy had been harassing us the entire time. I won't be missing this place, I regret going to begin with but curiosity and a need to feel like I got to try a piece of history got the best of me. Don't come unless you absolutely can't help it, this place is severely underwhelming at best. read more

Cole's French Dip - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Can't believe I forgot to review Cole's until now! An L.A staple, most people probably visit Phillipe's more regularly, sadly forgetting about Cole's. Possibly because Phillipe's is easily visible and accessible right across the street from Union Station. But that's no excuse! Cole's has way more atmosphere, its dark and mysterious, very IYKYK kinda place. The French Dip lived up to my expectations: absolutely delectable thinly sliced- tender, juicy, and on the perfect roll. Au jus served on the side was on point. Spicy mustard - ask for it! And Oh My get the "Cole's Slaw" COLESLAW- I think this place invented it! Its delicious and I have been known to slip a spoonful on the sandwich... Amazing! Bar is authentically wonderful- bartenders are adorable- friendly and accommodating. Had a stellar cocktail made to order- unforgettable - at that beautiful vintage bar. I hope Cole's can get a reprieve. We are losing ao many authentic Los Angeles icons. Its a shame. read more

Cole's French Dip - Cole's! Don't close!! - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Do you love French Dip Sandwiches? Did you know it was made in the heart of Los Angeles in a historic bar (formerly frequented by the old mobsters from the 50s). This is one of the few surviving historic places in LA that hasn't turned hipster, overpriced, or lost its charm and quality. My friend took us to her favorite bar with this cool history. The food as delicious, and the old fashioneds were smooth as hell. Definitely recommend checking this piece of history in case it ever closes down. (the varnish: which was the Coles restaurant prohibition era speakeasy is now forever closed) Make sure you come to where they invented the French Dip! read more

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It's still open... I read earlier this summer that this originator of the French Dip sandwich would be closing its doors on August 3rd after 117 years of business! I made a point to stop by when I learned that the owner was given a reprieve to extend the operations until November 1st. This institution is the oldest public house in the city and is located in the Pacific Electric Building. Unfortunately, it's also fairly close to Skid Row which is one of the less glamorous areas of LA. Metered parking was available, but it's sketchy after sunset. The inside was like traveling into an old-time saloon with dark wood and lots of black and white photographs. All orders were placed at the bar and then a numbered placard was given for tracking. I didn't see any paper menus at the counter so I looked up the menu by viewing the website. The Original French Dips were sold in 1/2 or full dip combos. Each combo included a side of au jus, choice of cheese (Swiss, cheddar, American, goat), and an atomic pickle. Four types of meat were offered... braised lamb, braised pork, pastrami, and prime beef. The prices were quite high in my opinion. The cheapest half combo was the braised pork at $19. The most expensive full combo was the pastrami or prime beef at $23. The sandwich was made up of a French roll with the meat and cheese inside and a cup of jus for dipping. The bread was chewy while the prime beef I selected for my full combo was reasonably tender. For the ambiance, food quality and value, my rating for Cole's French Dip didn't quite meet a four star level. read more

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I've been coming here since I was a kid. And I have to be completely honest it really does suck that they're going to close. But I can say that it brings back some really good memories. My favorite was always the pastrami. I recently went with some family, to do as they say the last run. and we had a great time. The people that worked there were all very cool and down to earth, really friendly, and the place hasn't changed at all... but everything was cool uncomfortable and we had a great time. So if you get a chance, definitely go before they close. It's a part of Los Angeles history. read more

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One of the oldest, if not the oldest operating restaurants in DTLA. Also, one of two LA institutions that claim to have invented the French Dip Sandwich (there's a whole thing on it that I'm not gonna get into). The menu here is streamlined and unsurprisingly is centered around the sandwiches. The bar has a solid selection of spirits and the cocktails here are really well priced - at least the cocktails listed on their main menu. This is one of those places that I've always wanted to go to, but like a lot of others, I took this place for granted. The recent closure announcement is what prompted me to make a real effort to have a meal and an experience here. Came here with one of my good buddies right at opening on a Saturday in early August. We were planning on going to a Dodgers game later in the evening and wanted to start our day here. We got to sit right away. Once you find where you want to post up, you go up to the bar to order food/drinks. The vibe was pretty chill since there wasn't a huge rush/line at least for that day. We ordered the USDA Prime Beef Original French Dip Sandwich. Currently, they said it was possible to split the sandwich and pay an extra $1.50 for each person to have their own au jus and pickle. We took them up on that deal because we didn't want to eat too much early in the day. I also ordered an espresso martini because a) I needed some caffeine and b) I'm a bit of a degenerate and wanted some alcohol. At $13, it felt like a pretty great price for a cocktail. I'm glad I finally got to go to this LA institution before they close and I truly wish all the people involved land on their feet and are able to find something else if nothing else is currently lined up for them. read more

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With Cole's announcing it's closure really attracted the crowd to see them one last time. Cole's is known for being (one of) the originators of the French Dip. My boyfriend and I did a French Dip LA tour to compare. Coming from Union Station, you can take the B orD lines to Pershing Square and it's a quick walk over. Parking in LA is really complicated, but I did see some private lots for various prices nearby. We waited 2 hours to order. I am not taking the 2 hour wait into account since we knew what we were signing up for determined to try a closing business one last time. I felt bad for the elderly folks toughing it out to support Cole's one last time. Not sure how they normally operate but at the end of its' life, it was hey after your 2 hour wait, go fight it out at the bar to order and then find a seat yourself. Also the menu is limited to a 1 pager. I'm assuming a reduced version since they're closing. We ordered a 1/2 Dip Combo ($20) with fries, a 1/2 Dip Combo ($20) with cole slaw, a Coke ($3) and a Build-A-Mule ($13). The interior was really tight and limited. No wonder why there was such a long line. Everyone ate pretty quickly and left too. We actually got lucky cause I vultured again and we got a booth, which is one of the more comfortable seat options. When the food came out I was excited to try the French dip. The beef was really quality and tasty but I can't say the same for the bread. That bread is so hard it definitely needed the au jus. These combos came with a pickle and that was my favorite thing on the plate. The cole slaw and fries were both average. My boyfriend's Coke was flat, maybe since they're closing soon. I'm sad to see this piece of history go, as they were once the go to spot for the Pacific Electric Building. With the rising costs of goods and labor, the operations is no longer feasible. The area is also run down and sketch, and probably no where near as desirable as it once was. However, I'm not sure I enjoyed my meal for it's price, even without all the waiting. If you want to come out and support Cole's one last time, you have until Sunday, August 3, 2025. read more

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Wanted to try Coles just to say I tried it and it costs me an extra $165 of product that I did not get. So I went the week it was supposed to close before the extension. I ordered my 4 sandwiches, some fries and a couple of drinks. The guy taking my order didn't care, I get it he's out of a job in a month or so now. But I was surprised when he looked at me like I'm an idiot when I asked for a Guinness. "We're out" ... like I was supposed to know. I paid and sat down and immediately get an email confirming my order. It's says I ordered one large sandwich at $24 and three 1/2 sandwiches at $20. I immediately go back up and ask why the had three 1/2 sandwiches since I wanted all full sandwiches. The original person that took, Andrew was busy so another gal said she can fix it and charges me the full amount for the sandwiches and fries, $164. I asked why I just don't get billed the $12 for the difference but she says she will credit the other bill. NOPE, Paid $170 plus $164 with full tip on both, because I was supposed to get a credit. Have my credit card complaint in now but I don't think the people at Coles care about doing the right thing. As for the food, it was OK. The Old Fashion had no Luxardo cherries, they had no Guinness. The food was decent but ain't gonna lie, not as good as the Original French Dip on the other side of town and more expensive to boot. The place was pretty packed and they had different areas. We sat in the front and it was really hot. The back seemed cooler but was completely full, especially for our group of five. Oh yeah, they won't take phone calls or emails for that matter. read more

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TLDR: Before the announcement of their closure = an easy 5 Stars. After the announcement of their closure = 2 Stars. Long Version: Personally, I blame the fact that everybody + their mother pretty much wants to come here & try it now because apparently, they couldn't get around to doing so despite Cole's being around for the past 117 years. Coming here after they announced that they're going to close is a big difference, night + day. If you had the pleasure of coming here pre-announcement, the charming & historic landmark known as "Cole's French Dip" is a far, far cry than the clusterf*ck shell of a gem that this place has now become. If you're currently looking to come here before they finally shut their doors for good in mid-September, I wish you the absolute the best of luck. I sincerely mean that. This review pertains to my most recent visit - July 28, 2025 - post announcement of their eventual closure. I can tell you right now, this makes a HUGE difference as the experience before the announcement would had been much, much, different. "He took me to this really swanky speakeasy. I'll have to show you guys sometime." - My former roommate who eventually ended up marrying the guy who took her to The Varnish (directly behind Cole' French Dip). Fast forward 15 years later, I'm now dining at that very same table that my two former roommates, her eventual husband, & myself. However, this is quite the departure in comparison to that first visit. Since The Varnish officially closed around this time last year, this space was converted into much needed extra dining space for the pretty ridiculous influx of "late to the party" customers that are experiencing rather justified F.O.M.O. If you've never been, & even if you have been here before (like myself), Cole's was something of an anomaly. For context, pre-announcement of closure, my sister & I were scoping out places to try since we were attending a Tool concert at nearby Crypto.com Arena. As a native Los Angeleno, I was all too aware, but had never had the pleasure of experiencing Cole's French Dip (especially considering their long-standing rivalry with Philippe's across the other side of DTLA). For February 2024, Cole's was pretty magical. Granted we went on a Wednesday evening around 5pm, there was almost no one there - which I loved because I get a kick of having a place all to myself. The first thing that comes to mind is that you really feel like you're transported back in time. The vintage decor, from the old-time photos, to the "newspaper" on the plates that the sandwiches are served on, you really to feel like you're in the 1920's in the midst of Prohibition. Fast forward to now, especially with the announcement of the inevitable, closure, I can safely & honestly say that pretty much all that magic is gone. I arrived knowing fully well that there would be a line. Sure enough, I was right. Granted I've experienced the worst with the last day of the Original Pantry, the 48 minute wait was rather a walk in the park. As soon as we came in, it was pretty much pandemonium: choose a place to eat. Go up to the bar and place your order. Just know, that all the employees are not exactly in the most spirited of conditions to take your order. And rightfully so. There is no sense of urgency. My party pretty much ordered the entire menu: which, if it wasn't the "end of the world", would had been a reasonable order. I can't in good faith give an honest or good review of the food because I had to go back in line to re-order my cocktail. Because I was behind the slowest ordering patrons - one who pretty much stalled the flow of business due to some technical mishap with his pay method, I waited a good 10 minutes to finally get to correct my missing cocktail with the bartender at the (former) Varnish's counter. By the the time my cocktail came, pretty much all of my food was cold. Flagging down the only runner is damn near impossible. Ordering a drink at the former Varnish's counter is dang near impossible. I can't in good faith vouch for dining here. Especially with the fact that "all of L.A. & their mothers" will be rushing to have a French Dip sandwich that they never once bothered to notice until Cole's announced their closing. Quite simply, the fact that they are closing drastically affects this review; & quite frankly, I don't think that the variable of them closing can be used to give a fair review of the once legendary establishment & L.A.'s oldest restaurant. All I can say is: if you plan of coming here in their waning days, the experience will be the exact opposite of what the experience could had been before they announced their imminent closure. Curb any & all expectations & exercise as much patience as humanly possible. I'd be lying if I didn't say that I'm getting pretty tired of having to make "final visits" for long-standing L.A. institutions. To the Cole's French Dip (& The Varnish) of yesteryear, thank you. read more

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The Roast Beef, Pastrami, Four Cheese Mac 'N Cheese & Wiskey went insane. I'm sad this joint will no longer be w/ us soon after an incredible 100+ year run. I'm glad I was able to try a symbolic & important piece of LA's history. I recommend you to go before November 1st! - @eatingwithricardo read more

Cole's French Dip - Roast Beef, Pastrami, Four Cheese Mac 'N Cheese & Wiskey - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Like many others, I had to make my visit to Cole's after hearing they'd be closing soon (though I heard now it is mid-September instead of August 2). Thanks to all the prior Yelpers too who gave the heads-up of a ~45 minute wait on line and ~30 minute wait again once inside. That being said, I will say the food was quite good. I really enjoyed the French Dip sandwich, and be sure to add their mustard, which has a tone of spicy horseradish which I love. If the wait was much shorter, I'd be having these sandwiches way more often. The au jus was flavorful, fatty, and not too salty, which made a great pairing with the sandwich. The garlic fries I had as a side were great too. The way the pricing is, it's definitely better to just get the full sandwich instead of the half combo. The ambiance inside is pretty fun and relaxed, as it's more cafeteria-style of ordering first and then taking your number to any open seat. The outside area is not the best, so do use some caution for parking and/or walking (like I did from Grand Central Market). read more

Cole's French Dip - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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With the closing of several historical restaurants over the past few years, it is Increasingly hard to find them in SoCal. Cole's has been around since 1908, which is when Teddy Roosevelt was POTUS. The French dip sandwich allegedly was invented here. The sandwich actually tasted ok. Perhaps it was ground breaking 128 years ago. But with so many sandwiches that have come since, it's understandable how this sandwich may be ready for retirement. Still it's a real shame that the restaurant is unable to evolve with the times to remain relevant. Thankfully we still have Philippe. I recommend visiting Cole's to experience a bygone era before they shut down for good. They are operating week to week. read more

Cole's French Dip - Historical Cole's - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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3 stars for nostalgia and an amazing interior that I am sad to see go. We went like everyone else is, due to the impending close. Neither of us have ever been here. We waited about 30 min in line, and another 10min inside to order. The bartender took our order in the way back and was very appreciative of us being there. The prices are actually insane. We ordered two beef sandwiches, a cup of fries and one egg. That costs us $70 with tip. Hoping for a great sandwich, we waited another 30 min for our food to be delivered cold. The bread tasted old, was almost impossible to chew and we left most of it behind. The meat was fine, but the cup of au jus was almost clear. So while it's sad to see an "iconic" place closing like all the others, I sadly won't be missing it. read more

Cole's French Dip - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cole's! When news went out that they were closing, Angelenos like me came from far and wide to pay our last respects to this 117 year old institution! Peter Rabbit & I arrived on 7/15/25 to stand in line (about an hour) to indulge in one last French Dip. In my club days, I used to hang out in DTLA quite a bit and Cole's was always a favorite spot. As an adult, I also hung out at The Varnish - the Uber-cool speakeasy that used to occupy the back dining room. RIP Varnish... Opened in 1908, Cole's is the oldest public house in L.A. Built during what's called the "Noir Era" one can imagine gangsters and molls hanging out here. In fact, Mickey Cohen was a regular at the table with the deer's head... Charles Bukowski was another famous inhabitant. Many movies and TV shows have been filmed here: Forest Gump, Jumpin' Jack Flash, The X Files & Mad Men. Two restaurants lay claim to the invention of the French Dip, Cole's & Philippe's. In 2008, Cole's underwent a $1.6 million dollar renovation and in 2009 it received the L.A. Preservation Award. Time to eat! Peter ordered the classic beef French dip while I ordered the lamb. We enjoyed our sandwiches but they were large so we each took 1/2 home. We also hit some sides of coleslaw and Mac n' cheese as well as two slices of pie, one apple and one cherry. A coffee and a Guinness rounded out the afternoon food-fest. (I noticed that the French Dip at Cole's is pricier than Philippe's but I'd have to go and compare sizes...) I have to give an extra special shout out to our lovely waitperson, Winter (Wynter?). She saw (from inside) that Peter wasn't handling the "standing in line for an hour" outside in the heat very well, so she kindly took him inside to sit down in the air con. What a sweetheart!! Thank you so very much! The closing date has now been extended into September. Make sure to go visit Cole's sometime soon! read more

* The French Dip sandwiches were delicious - the Pastrami had a good amount of pepper and smoke, the Prime Beef was sliced thin and absorbed the savory au jus the best, while the Braised Pork French Dip was very juicy on its own, even without the au jus * The Cole's Slaw was mellow with a great crisp, the tater tots had a good crunch with just the right amount of salt, and the Atomic Pickle had a nice, sour bite to it * Overall, a great spot with amazing sandwiches, friendly staff, refreshing drinks, and a warm vibe that reflects its long history read more

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Tried the french dip sandwich because they are closing forever. Full disclosure: my favorite french dip sandwich is from the Original Philippe, so I am judging every french dip against that. My brother used the restroom and witnessed an employee leaving without washing his hands. Correction: the employee didn't even wet his hands. He didn't even look at or shift his body or transmit a thought in the general direction of the sink. Thankfully, my brother told me after we'd finished our meal because we were already invested and had been there for over an hour and a half. He knew I'd lose my appetite. Although, I wish he'd told me before. The Experience: The queue was not too long, and took about 20ish minutes to enter the restaurant. It is dark and dimly lit, the ambiance is that of a cave. Once inside, you queue at the bar to order and get a number. Either at the front of house or at the rear. This queue took another 20-30 minutes. There is no host to seat you, seating is a free-for-all. I'm going to switch to future verb tenses now. Like someone telling you about your upcoming visit. You will have to wipe down your own table. It will take 30-40 minutes for you to receive your food. Your french dip ($23) will be warm, your tater tots ($8) will be cold. Your drink (soda, $3) will be watered down, and your slice of cherry pie dessert à la mode ($11) will be served at the same time as your meal. So your ice cream will melt. Servers are very busy, so this will be the only time you ever see them. Make sure to ask for utensils, napkins, and condiments because otherwise you'll have to ask the bar or another table for those items. Your sandwich will make you crave Philippe's. Why did I give it a three this time? Maybe two would have sufficed? It does look nice inside. 2.5 stars. Parking can be difficult, this is in a part of LA that is considered Skid Row now - the boundaries of which are forever-changing. I took my brother's word for it, because he experienced a bout of homelessness at one point and lived on Skid Row. This was confirmed by our group witnessing needle usage on the way back to our car, and then swerving around people darting out from the sidewalk and driving around literal garbage on fire in the middle of the street. I was turned off by my egregious overcharge and poor experience during my last visit over 10 years ago. I'd sworn off Cole's. Now I'll never have to visit Cole's again. read more

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"Cole's French Dip, The Oldest Restaurant in Los Angeles, Is Closing After 117 Years" I received this feed this past weekend. I usually like to get three independent sources before spreading this type of info--but Eater Los Angeles is reputable. Before you go running to Cole's for one last hurrah, keep this in mind... Once you're inside, the bar itself is nice; and the institution has a lot of history. However, the area surrounding this restaurant is "uninviting". The location is also "inconvenient". There isn't much street parking; spaces that exist have meters and are usually occupied. There are a couple of public parking lots, which charge $12-$20, within walking distance; but some of those close at night. If you are unfamiliar with Cole's, there are plenty of online articles. I hate kicking a place when it's down; but I want to manage expectations if you're thinking of going. ~ ~ # ~ ~ # ~ ~ Yelp readers provided a lot of positive response to my original submission (above), dated July 3, 2025. Yelp moderators deleted that post because it didn't have enough detail on my firsthand experience -- thus, the following ... ~ ~ # ~ ~ # ~ ~ When I arrived on scene, I looked for street parking. After a circuit around the block, I decided looking for street parking would be a waste of time. I also decided that for the safety of my person and property, it was better to park in an attended lot. I selected a parking lot 40 yards from the restaurant. Parking cost me $20.00. When I got to the restaurant, there was a line to get in. I guess social media spread the word about the impending closure. Fortunately, the line moved; my total wait to get inside was 35 minutes. As I entered the restaurant, security told me that the house was full, and I should just grab a seat when one became available. I was there by myself. As luck would have it, I spotted a single seat at the bar. Sitting at the bar, it was obvious that the bartenders were busy. It took 10 minutes to get the attention of a bartender. She assured me that she had a mental cue; she would get to me as soon as she took care of others ahead of me. I waited another 10 minutes for her to take my food and beverage order. She was able to fulfill my drink order quickly; but the kitchen was backed up. About 40 minutes passed from the time I placed my food order and when my plate was delivered. Cognizant of how many people were waiting for a seat, I ate my meal and left. My full beef dip sandwich, with an add on of cheese, cost $23.00. An Old Fashioned cost $13.00. A side of fries was $8.00. A subsequent pint of Sierra Nevada cost $9.00. With tax $5.17, my food and beverage total was $58.17 before gratuity. read more

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When I heard that this place was closing, I knew I had to make an appearance, try the food, and give it. It's due review. Because of its closing in September (revised from August 2), I knew I had to come to this place, especially because the first time I was introduced to this spot, was because of a movie called Jumping Jack Flash. It took about 40 minutes of waiting outside in the line to get in. Then I had to wait about 20 more to order food from the bar. These guys make a lot of different drinks. I get the simple and ordered a USDA prime beef sandwich with American cheese and fries. As I can see from the photos, it wasn't melted cheese, but with the at jus, it melts pretty good with the bread. The meat was full of flavor, and when you put it in the.au jus, it really incorporated well together. I really enjoyed the bread. It was very crispy, but once you put it in the au jus, it was perfectly soggy to ingest. Because of the day and the night I went, it took a while for me to get my food, but it was totally worth the wait. It's a really beautiful place, with a lot of history. I wish I would've gotten the time to have a drink there. I am thrilled that I've gotten to try a really great establishment, and it's sad that it's going to close permanently. Not a bad run to have for 117 years. The clock is taking so try and get there as fast as you can, even if you haven't been before. read more

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Went to Cole's last night after a show at The Regent--if you're seeing something there, I'd suggest heading over to Cole's right after. From waiting in line to finishing our meal and leaving, the whole experience took about an hour. It felt longer, but clocked in at just about 60 minutes. That said, I think the time of night really affected the quality of the food and drinks. It felt like they weren't fully prepped for the wave of love LA was about to send their way before they close. There's even a sign at the front asking folks to "please be patient with us while you wait," which kind of sets the tone. My partner got an Old Fashioned, which was just okay--not as good as it used to be from the OG bar. The mac and cheese? Honestly, not good. Tasted like clay and flour. And the famous French Dip... I hate to say it, but it was giving Arby's. Service was fine considering how slammed they were. Everyone seemed to be doing their best with what they had. The back area was super loud--I actually had to leave my earplugs in from the concert just to get through dinner, but it was late so that kind of comes with the territory. They say they're closing down in August, but it sounds like nothing is 100% certain yet. Guess we'll see what happens. read more

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Hate to say it but this was not worth the wait. Came on a Saturday at 5 pm to experience Cole's before they close because somehow I never been among all these years. We waited 1.5 hours in line. Then another 30 mins inside in another line to order. Then another 30 mins for our food to come out. So 2.5 hours total. The food itself was super mediocre. The bread was a French baguette and very hard. Whereas I'm used to Phillipes having soft bread for their French Dip. Both the beef and pastrami was whatever. The cole slaw was dry and flavorless. The biggest crime here was they gave us ketchup and mustard bottles. I love mustard on my pastrami, so I poured it all inside my sandwich. Then suddenly I got hit with the worst taste in the world. They put horseradish in their mustard, which made the sandwich completely inedible at that point. The only item that really was great was the apple pie. I will say the inside is really cool, and the bartenders and staff are very friendly and open to conversation about what Cole's was and what's next. The restaurant is owned by a restaurant group now and they decided to close it down. It used to be a restaurant with a speakeasy in the back. They changed it to be a bar with food scene. And it never panned out from there, not quite knowing what its identity is. Sounds like they're gonna turn it into something else but will be same owners. I hate to say it, but I won't be missing Cole's. I'll stick to Phillipe's for French Dips, Langer's for Pastrami, and I still miss The Pantry. read more

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With Coles very sadly closing I decided to go in and give it a try. It's an incredible looking establishment and venue you can just feel the history of the place. Drinks here are incredibly good. This was one of the best balanced old fashioned I've had in a long time and considering how busy it was I"m amazed. I will say though that the French dipped Sandwich Phillipes offers is better and is packed with far more meat. Overall I would rank this place as better than Phillipes. It is an incredible shame this institution is closing. read more

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Very sad to hear that Cole's will be closing. This historic bar & restaurant with its unbeatable moody ambiance, delicious cocktails, and unctuous French dip will be sorely missed. It just oozes the essence of downtown LA from the entrance to the moment you leave. IDs at the door, ensuring your soirée will not be interrupted by screaming children. The bartenders are knowledgeable, witty, and just the right amount of welcoming. No frills or fuss, just expertly crafted drinks and a small menu to enjoy. Make sure to stop by if you haven't before they are gone forever. Part of me is holding on hope that they'll end up staying open. Fingers crossed. read more

Cole's French Dip - Pastrami dip & cocktail - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Not sure why all the gripes. It's a sliced beef sandwich...please don't compare it to an aged Waygu steak. As the place is closing, I suppose I reviewed doesn't even matter much but we actually came here because we heard it was an early and maybe even the first or originator of the French dip sandwich so I thought we'd give it a try. The experience is certainly different from a regular restaurant because essentially this is a bar and a pretty old one at that that just happens to have a menu with a few food items. If you go in there with that expectation and not expecting a full restaurant experience you'll be just fine. The folks working here were all extremely friendly. They were working their butts off and I have to say that the quality of the food was excellent. I really enjoyed my sandwich. The coleslaw was fresh and crispy and the mac & cheese was a pleasant surprise. Again, it's not really a place to bring a family or a group or anything like that and it is Not in the best area but what can they do about that? No Fair to blame them so it will be open I think for a few more days unless there is some sort of a change so give it a try if you'd like and I hope you'll enjoy the meal. read more

ALL HYPE!!! Go elsewhere To get here .. $15 for parking. Service was stiff. The bar tender that took our order wasn't enthused to be taking our order. We asked for water and it's get it yourself jug of water. Staff never checked on us and they make you pay first. We left 20% tip prior to receiving service. Our total was $94 for half a combo, a combo and whiskey. I've had better sandwiches from subway. The meat wasn't flavorful. The bread was ok but not soft. What's the hype about? $20 for a five inch sandwich. Never again. read more

Cole's French Dip - 1/2 beef combo Mac n cheese - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Been here before but first time trying the French dip. Purchased the meal with non alcoholic Heineken. The faux beer and fries were the best part of this order. The goat cheese tasted like mayo, the au ju dip was not seasoned. Just made a flavorless soggy sandwich. Otherwise, the vintage vibes is an aesthetic. The bar team are nice. If you're vision impaired, you might glasses or contacts. It's dim lightening. There used to be live jazz/bands performing weekly however due to closer later October, c'est la vie to Cole's. read more

Cole's French Dip - Nonalcoholic Heineken - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I'm so sad that it took me this long to try this place. I got here an hour before it opened because the lines can get over 2 hours long. I got my food within ten minutes. Everything lived up to the hype the bread had lightness and crunchiness to complement the beef dip and the beef itself wasn't too salty and you could actually taste the meat mesh well with the seasonings. The cheese was the perfect companion giving a smooth and sharpness at the same time. Definitely worth the hype and trying to save from extinction. read more

Cole's French Dip - Roast Beef - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Coles is an institution. In fact, it's the oldest, continuing operating restaurant in Los Angeles, which is why I was saddened by the news that it would be closing for good after 117 years in business. Founded by Harry Cole in 1908, Coles claim to fame was the invention of the French Dip sandwich. Philippe's disputes this fact and says they are the originator. Considering Philippe's started in 1918, I'd say Coles in the winner of that title. Walking into Coles was like stepping back in time. Even though it was renovated in 2008, it still maintained its 1900's charm - vintage plush leather banquettes, red vinyl ceilings, velvet wallpaper, retro lamps, and a classic wooden bar. I remember popping in for a late-night snack of fries, onion rings, and their yummy pickles before stepping into the hidden speakeasy, The Varnish, for a night cap. Their last day of business is August 3rd, so be sure to stop by for one last hurrah and a French Dip. read more

Went to check out Cole's before they close down the business after more than a hundred years of business. The line was crazy, waited about an hour to get in, then another 30 minutes for our food. Sandwiches were solid, but I wouldn't want to go back considering the long wait. The ambiance is like old school diner meets slightly upscale dive bar. Found parking around the corner for free cuz it was a Sunday read more

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So sad this staple is closing down, had to get the French dip with beef and white cheese. Will miss walking into this gem that has been open for a little more than 100 years. The service is fast considering how long the line is and how busy they are these last few days. The ambiance is unique and is everything you would walk into 100years ago. Good bye old gem! read more

Cole's French Dip - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

TLDR RIP Cole's. Although it may contend that it made the first French Dip, it surely won't be the last since they are closing. My good friend brought a group together and we went to spend an hour in line without entry. By that time they only had pastrami and lamb available. We left and got Japanese food nearby. Friend and I decided to go early on a Tuesday. Got there when it opened. It was a much longer line but the line moved faster. We ordered once inside and received our drinks and waited for our food.. Lucky there was a booth open. Once inside you need to find your own seating. Apparently they were bought from another owner and spent money to remodel including pool tables. There is another area behind the pool tables which has its own bar. I believe it was a speakeasy in the past. Decor is retro as an example from some time in the past. The food. We order beef and pastrami with some to go. Keeping it simple for a dying brand. A sandwich reaches its heights by level of the bread. The bread is no can do. Ripped pieces of it off to just eat the meat. The au jus couldn't cut through the density of the bread. The proteins were acceptable at best. Really not living up to Prime beef. Nothing to be wowed about. The tots and fries you order separate came in a small cup. It comes with a half sandwich. The Cole slaw was bland. Ordered take out but I don't eat it. Sorry but need to be honest. Would give it less stars but added one for its hero run of 100 years. I love sandwiches and this was truly a disappointment for such a long wait. RIP as I would never return even if they stayed open. Go to Phillip's and order a double dip read more

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A bit disappointing. I wish Cole's the best. The staff working till the end are tru heroes. The menu has been stripped down to just a few items . You order at the bar which is crowded . The food is brought out and the original sandwich still holds up . The bar is mixing drinks and doing the best they can while also taking food orders and payments . The beer is mostly foam . Requiring the bar staff to empty a half glass of foam and then attempt to poor more beer. The Atmosphere is timeless and maintains its historical roots. I truly hope the closure is temporary and it can reopen soon. read more

Cole's French Dip - Entry - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

You will be missed Cole's. Always delicious, service is always amazing, &it feels like youre back in time when you step inside. I hope someone buys it&keeps it open read more

Cole's French Dip - Beef dip with goat cheese & spicy garlic fries - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Coles for the first time, and honestly I was not impressed with the sandwich, sadly. I wanted to like it as I was excited to try it. I've been on a hunt to find the best French dips around LA. This has solidified my choice in Philippe's being my favorite out of the two. However I still feel it is a must see when in DTLA, maybe my sandwich was not the best sandwich ever made lol, it's very simple, meat cheese bread side of au jus, a spicy pickle(that was amazing) and condiments on the side of the table, ketchup and spicy mustard. I liked the bread it was toasted and a little crunchy but maybe it needed mayo, I don't know, I will give it another try. I wanted to try the pastrami as well. No beer or drinks this visit but I love the bar/ speakeasy vibe. Overall the experience was more fun than the food! Maybe others prefer this place but it was not my favorite. The bartender was helpful and our food was out quickly. read more

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I went to this place due to it being in its last days. My family wanted to come here for that reason. We waited one hour in line, and maybe about another hour to order due to them closing the kitchen for 30 minutes since they were backed up. I got the pastrami sandwich, which was average at best. I can say the best thing on my plate was the tater tots. Those were probably the best I've ever had. The seasoning was outstanding. The ambiance is a bar vibe with pool tables. read more

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Finally went, y'all! Living on the west side, I don't get DT often. However, THIS gem was worth it. 1-The Sandwiches were great. Truly. My only beef would be that there wasn't enough beef. However, they gave a very fair portion. I just like the meats! 2- They have great happy hour deals. The beer was like $6.00 2005 called and said they want their beer price back. ;) 3- The bartenders were fantastic. Super friendly. 4- Lots of regular customers! That makes the whole experience so fun. 5- They play great music. Drawbacks- I wish they opened earlier & Parking (but this is LA, so it goes without saying) This is a completely different experience than Phillips's. It's hard to even compare. Both have good food, but the vibe here is fun and upbeat. 10/10 read more

Cole's French Dip - Pickle Back Shit and the Champagne of Beers - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I had seen on the news about Cole's permanently closing soon prior to the extension, but I never thought about actually coming here until my friend mentioned wanting to come here. We were lucky to find a metered parking spot right around the corner for $4 an hour. There was a friendly greeter outside the door. The line inside the restaurant was short. You order at the bar and they give you a number to take to your table. The food was brought over fairly quickly. The dining area was very dark and the music playing was pretty loud. I ordered the half combo beef French dip with cheddar and a side of coleslaw for $20. The sandwich was better than I expected especially after reading the mixed reviews. The cole slaw was fine with a subtle vinegar flavor. I'm glad we made the trek over here before it closes. Many people were taking pictures inside to record the historic restaurant. read more

It's sad this place is closing soon since they've been here for over 100 years. However every time I've been here I've been unimpressed. $20 for a mediocre sandwich is no wonder this place is not popular. The Varnish was probably the best highlight of Cole's. Drinks are ok, bartenders are great. Inside gets hot during the day and the ordering system is a little confusing for first timers if it's packed. The pickles and pickles eggs are great here though, got a little bit a spice to pick it up. read more

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Had to check out this spot before they close their doors. The buzz of them closing down has definitely brought the crowd. We waited about 1/2 an hour outside, ordered at the bar and that was about another 45 minutes. The friend dip itself was very good. Meat was tender and the au jus was tasty. The price is outrageous, truly. Half a sandwich is about $20, no sides. No wonder why they are closing down. read more

After hearing the news that Cole's was closing on August 2nd, we made the trip out on a Monday afternoon to enjoy one last French dip. However, Cole's has just delayed their closure to mid-September now. We got there 10 minutes before opening and there was already a long line. We waited 45 minutes before being let into the restaurant by the doorman. Once you are in, you place your order with the bartender, grab your drinks, and look for a place to seat yourself. Seating was limited but we were able to get a booth all the way in the back where Varnish used to be. After a 30-minute wait, we received our food. It was definitely not as good as we remembered - fries and tots were cold, and there seemed to be less meat in the dips. 2 sandwiches, fries, tots, a beer and a coke was almost $100 so it was not cheap. However, we came for the nostalgia, the history, and the ambiance - it was a great time reminiscing and talking to other customers about their memories at Cole's. LA will miss you. read more

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