Latest news with #Cole's
New York Post
6 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Crime, soaring rent to shutter LA's oldest restaurant — which claims to have invented the French dip sandwich — after 117 years
Los Angeles' oldest restaurant is dipping out. Cole's French Dip — a 117-year-old mainstay of downtown LA that claims to have originated the French dip sandwich — will shutter due to vandalism, sky-high rent and 'general crime,' among other challenges. 'The litany of reasons for closing are not unique to Cole's alone; they are affecting most independent restaurants in Los Angeles,' the eatery said in a press release announcing the closure, set for Aug 3. Founded in 1908, Cole's is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the city. 6 The storefront for Cole's French Dip in downtown LA, which is closing after 117 years in business. Steve Cukrov – 6 A French dip sandwich at Cole's. Cole's French Dip/Instagram Advertisement 6 Cole's French Dip will shutter next month due to vandalism, sky-high rent and 'general crime,' it said. Cole's French Dip/Instagram But unchecked crime and vandalism, rising rents and an impotent city government have withered LA's thriving downtown — and now even the mighty Cole's will die on the vine. Cole's staff had to scrub feces off the property every other day, Brian Lenzo, a senior vice president for parent company Pouring With Heart, told the LA Times. The restaurant also listed the pandemic, recent writer and actor strikes, 'mounting bureaucracy and legal exposure' among the industry's blights. 6 The pandemic, recent writer and actor strikes, 'mounting bureaucracy and legal exposure' were among the factors that led to the restaurant's shuttering. Cole's French Dip/Instagram Advertisement 'Many Historical Independent Restaurants are struggling under the weight of these issues and have already closed, while those remaining are fighting to survive,' the restaurant said. The honor of having originated the French dip — red meat in a baguette dipped in broth — is also claimed by rival eatery Philippe's, but there's no denying the century of influence Cole's has had on LA's culinary scene. With its dusky, mahogany interior and stamped-tin ceilings, Cole's was at once a high-end bistro, local saloon and late-night cocktail lounge. 6 With its dusky, mahogany interior and stamped-tin ceilings, Cole's was at once a high-end bistro, local saloon and late-night cocktail lounge. Cole's French Dip/Instagram 6 Cole's staff has had to scrub feces off the property every other day, its parent company said. Steve Cukrov – But its back-room cocktail lounge — called Varnish — closed last year, and Lenzo told the LA Times that 'the writing was on the wall' for the restaurant to follow. Yet not all hope is lost: A farewell message on its website gives contact information for anyone interested in purchasing the restaurant. So, maybe someone will give this local legend another dip.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Oldest restaurant in Los Angeles, claimed creator of French dip, to close
LOS ANGELES – The oldest restaurant in Los Angeles is set to close in the latest blow to the historic dining scene in the City of Angels. Cole's French Dip will close on Aug. 3 after 117 years of operation that included prohibition, two world wars and the rise of Hollywood. The news was first reported by DTLA Weekly and confirmed by USA TODAY in a July 7 visit. Owner Cedd Moses cited ongoing impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 writers and actors strikes as well as rising labor and rent costs in a statement provided to The Los Angeles Times. "The litany of reasons for closing are not unique to Cole's alone; they are affecting most independent restaurants in Los Angeles," Moses said in the statement. USA TODAY reached out to Pouring With Heart, the parent company of Cole's which operates other restaurants in California, Colorado and Texas, and did not receive an immediate response. The restaurant follows in the recent closure of The Original Pantry, which closed in March after 101 years, and the demolition of the Pacific Dining Car the same month. "By the time the Olympics get here, all these mom and pops will be gone," Moses said in the statement. "Hopefully it's a wake up call for the right people to step up and figure out a plan." Restaurant intertwined with Los Angeles history Cole's was opened by Harry Cole in 1908 in the Pacific Electric Building, once the terminus of the city's once ubiquitous Red Car trolley line. "Located near the financial center of the city, the place became a haunt for bankers, attorneys, newspaper types and politicians – as well as more respectable folks," Steve Harvey of the Los Angeles Times wrote of the restaurant's early days in 2009. It closed in 2007 before being purchased by Moses's 213 Nightlife, which would become Pouring With Heart, in 2008. The company completed a $1.6 million restoration which focused on keeping the historic environment. "Too bad Mickey Cohen isn't around anymore," Harvey wrote. "One can imagine the mobster admiring the handiwork of the bartenders with their ice picks." The Varnish, a speakeasy built in a former storage room, opened in 2009 and would redefine the Los Angeles nightlife scene. The bar, once a haunt of the dean of Los Angeles food writing Jonathan Gold, closed in 2024. Cole's claim of French dip invention challenged It is one of two restaurants in Los Angeles that claims to be the originator of the French dip sandwich. The other, Phillipe the Original, is less than two miles from Cole's. Cole's claims that in 1908, the chef dipped a sandwich in aus-jus to soften it for a customer who had bad gums. Phillepe's claims that in 1918, Philippe Mathieu dropped a French roll into a roasting pan filled with juices. The officer took the sandwich and returned the next day with friends to order more. However, Phillepe's has offered different versions of its claim, with co-owner Mark Massengill saying on a 2014 episode of "Cheap Eats" that the sandwich was born when in 1917, when Mathieu dropped the roll while making a sandwich for a firefighter. In 1951, Mathieu told the Los Angeles Times that the police officer story now offered by the restaurant is one half of the tale. "One day a police officer asked me if I would mind splitting one of these large loaves of French bread and filling it with 'some of the delicious roast pork,'" Mathieu said. The dip part came later. "One day a customer saw some gravy in the bottom of a large pan of roast meat. He asked me if I would mind dipping one side of the French roll in that gravy. I did, and right away five or six others wanted the same," Mathieu told the Times. The debate over who invented the French dip – and who makes the better sandwich – has been a long-running part of Los Angeles food culture. A March 2016 Thrillist deep dive into the origins of the sandwich point toward Mathieu's 1951 retelling being the likeliest origin story.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Beloved LA restaurant that invented iconic meal forced to close after 117 years due to rampant crime
A beloved restaurant in California, that claims the invention of an iconic Los Angeles staple, has announced it will close its doors for good after 117 years as rampant crime continues to wreck havoc in LA. Cole's French Dip, inventor of the French Dip Sandwich, announced it will permanently close on August 3 due to the rampant crime in the area that has been felt by businesses throughout LA. 'After exhaustive deliberation and numerous attempts at last ditch efforts, our beloved Los Angeles institution, Cole's, Originators of the French Dip, has made the difficult decision to close its doors,' a spokesperson said in a statement to 'The litany of reasons for closing are not unique to Cole's alone; they are affecting most independent restaurants in Los Historical Independent Restaurants are struggling under the weight of these issues and have already closed, while those remaining are fighting to survive.' The statement cited further issues such as the Covid-19 Pandemic, the actors and writers strikes, the consistent rising costs of labor and goods, high rent costs, 'mounting bureaucracy and legal exposure'. The restaurant and bar, founded by Harry Cole in 1908, has been a favorite in the area for many years and was named a city Historic-Cultural Landmark in 1974, according to their website. Cole's claims the invention of the French Dip Sandwich, as well as being the oldest public house in LA, after one of the original house chef's, Jack Garlinghouse, dipped bread in Au Jus to soften it for a customer with bad gums. 'We have cherished our time serving the Downtown community, and will continue to craft great drinks and our renowned French dip sandwiches until we shutter. We care deeply about our family of staff and are immensely grateful for our amazing guests who have supported Cole's over the years,' the statement said. Yet, their longstanding history and iconic reputation has proved to be unable to withstand LA's climate of crime and rising costs. The city has become a byword for crime, riots and homelessness, amid claims local Democrat lawmakers pay little attention to those affected by the city's many social issues. Accounts of vicious attacks as well as widespread riots and chaos has poured out from the Los Angeles area over recent years, as the once iconic, star-studded area has descended into despair. LA county is spending hundreds of millions to combat its notorious homelessness, while many politicians have seen the efforts as simply condoning drug use. Republican State Sen. Roger Niello said the state needed to improve the lives of homeless people with stricter drug policies, and argued that providing drugs or offering housing would enable homeless behavior, the LA Daily News reported. Earlier this year, a homeless man allegedly tried to start a fire with a blowtorch before he was tackled by locals who zip-tied the man in a citizen's arrest. Locals claimed the man was riding a bicycle around the Woodland Hills neighborhood carrying a large 'propane tank or a flamethrower.' Community members claim they surrounded the man, brought him to the ground and detained him up with zip ties after they allegedly saw him trying to set fire to an object behind a vehicle. The near fire came amid the catastrophic fires in LA that caused widespread devastation and killed at least 29 people. Republican State Sen. Roger Niello said the state needed to improve the lives of homeless people with stricter drug policies, and argued that providing drugs or offering housing would enable homeless behavior Months later, a woman in the Los Feliz neighborhood was savagely attacked near Sunset Drive. Donna DeChristoper, 52, was walking in her usually safe and walkable area when the man began sprinting and attacking her without warning. The man, described as a Hispanic male in his 20s, allegedly punched her in the face three or four times before fleeing the scene. DeChristopher lost consciousness and believed she may have been hit again while on the ground. She was left with a broken nose, stitches, and significant trauma to her face. Councilmember Nithya Raman, who represents the district, responded with a statement: 'While our work has yielded results, including a 40 per cent drop in the number of people living on the streets in our district last year, much more remains to be done and we will continue to deploy every resource available toward address this issue.' The Los Angeles Police Department arrested a homeless man believed to be responsible several days later. While homelessness saw a decline by 49 percent in Hollywood and 22 percent in Venice, Skid Row saw a nine percent increase last year.
Miami Herald
08-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Oldest LA restaurant permanently closing after 117 years
It is uncommon for a restaurant to stay in business for over a century, so when one is open for that long, it becomes a local legend and everyone's go-to hangout spot. Every city and town has a much-loved local restaurant that has stood the test of time, a place where many have created lasting memories and fostered meaningful connections. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Although it's sad when a place that brought us so much joy closes forever, this unfortunate event has become increasingly common in the restaurant sector. Related: After bankruptcy, closed clothing chain hints at comeback Running a restaurant is no piece of cake, especially in today's uncertain economy and amid a consumer slowdown that has been so disruptive, even major restaurant chains have been forced to close locations or file for bankruptcy. Now, a local LA favorite has reached the end of its long-lived run after 117 years in business. Image Source: Shutterstock Cole's French Dip was established in 1908 by Harry Cole inside the historic Pacific Electric Building, making it the oldest public house in Los Angeles. The restaurant has become one of the most iconic eateries in the city because it claims to have invented the French dip sandwich after the house chef, Jack Garlinghouse, dipped bread in meat broth (the "jus" accompanying a sandwich served "au jus") to make it easier for customers with sensitive gums to chew. However, rival LA restaurant Philippe the Original has also claimed the title for years. More Food News: Wendy's quietly brings back unexpected menu item after 8-year hiatusStarbucks unveils huge store updates amid turnaround planMcDonald's brings back experimental menu item 13 years later In 2008, Pouring With Heart, previously called 213 Nightlife, acquired Cole's to continue the restaurant's legacy. It spent $1.6 million on renovations and brought in chef Neal Fraser to improve the original French dip recipe. Cole's is so iconic to LA culture that it has appeared in various classic films and shows, including "Forrest Gump," "The Lincoln Lawyer," and "Mad Men." After 117 years of serving French dip sandwiches to Los Angeles locals, Cole's French Dip announced that it will permanently close its doors on August 3. Unfortunately, being a local favorite didn't make the beloved restaurant immune to the aftermath of uncontrollable events, including the Covid pandemic, the SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023, and steadily rising operational costs. Compounded by an uncertain economy, these challenges created a financial burden that ultimately proved unsustainable for Cole's, leaving it unable to pay rent. Related: Starbucks' huge new rival opens first US stores Although shocking to the entire community, this was a devastating event waiting to follow after Cedd Moses, the leading partner of Pouring With Heart, closed Varnish, a speakeasy inside Cole's, the year prior, after 15 years in business. "We have cherished our time serving the Downtown community, and will continue to craft great drinks and our renowned French dip sandwiches until we shutter. We care deeply about our family of staff and are immensely grateful for our amazing guests who have supported Cole's over the years," said Moses in a statement to Eater. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iconic Restaurant Where 'Mad Men' Filmed Closing After 117 Years in Business
Sadly, another one bits the dust in downtown Los Angeles. Cole's, the oldest public house in Los Angeles and established in 1908 as the inventor of the Original French Dip sandwich, is reportedly set to close its doors for good on Aug. 2. DTLA Insider was first to report the news and Los Angeles Weekly later reported the same news. Cole's was established by Harry Cole. For more than a century, the restaurant was housed in the historic Pacific Electric Building. The restaurant claims that its house chef, Jack Garlinghouse, invented the dip sandwich when he would dip the bread in Au Jus to soften it for customers with bad gums. Philippe's, another Los Angeles staple since 1908, also claims to have invented the Original French Dip sandwich. Cole's is so legendary, it sold a record of fifty-eight 32-gallon kegs (some 19,000 gallons of beer) the first day California lifted the ban on beer to mark the end of Prohibition. Civic dignitaries and gangsters alike often visited the restaurant -- often times at the same time -- for its famous sandwich and pints. Mickey Cohen, L.A.'s most famous gangster, visited so often he has a plaque dedicated to him above one of the two original urinals. The plaque reads, "Mickey Cohen pissed here." The second plaque is dedicated to the poet and novelist Charles Bukowski. The restaurant even made news in 1983, when Jimmy Barela, the lead barman since 1918, retired after 65 years. It's unclear why Cole's is closing after 117 years in business. Neither of the news outlets offered a reason, but rising rent costs in Los Angeles has contributed to other iconic institutions being forced to close its doors. The Original Pantry Cafe, just one block north of Arena, closed in March after 101 years of 24-hour diner service. Cole's also played a character in many movies and TV shows. The restaurant was prominently featured in the 1986 film Jumpin' Jack Flash starring Whoopi Goldberg. While the film is set in New York City, Cole's and Los Angeles made its mark on the spy comedy. Cole's also appears in Forrest Gump for the New Year's Eve scene with Forrest and Lieutenant Dan. Some hit TV shows that filmed inside Cole's includes the X-Files, NYPD Blue and, of course, Mad Men. Cole's appears in season 4, episode 6 of "Waldorf Stories." In that scene, Roger Sterling's (John Slattery) flashback scenes reveals how he first met Don Draper (Jon Hamm). Their boozy lunch is filmed at Cole's. Iconic Restaurant Where 'Mad Men' Filmed Closing After 117 Years in Business first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 7, 2025
