Flavors · Los Angeles

French dip

Sliced roast beef sandwich on French bread, with the bread dipped in the roast’s jus. Two downtown Los Angeles establishments, opened in 1908, claim its invention.

Traditional dish from Los Angeles, Califórnia

Also known as: French dip sandwich

Updated October 2026

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French dip — Los Angeles, the United States — French dip

French dip — Los Angeles, the United States

The French dip is a sandwich of thinly sliced roast beef on a long French roll. What defines it is the roast jus: the bread is dipped in it before serving, or the jus is served in a small bowl on the side to dip each bite. Other meats are also used, such as pork, lamb, and turkey.

Two downtown Los Angeles establishments, both opened in 1908, claim its creation. Philippe the Original says the owner, Philippe Mathieu, invented the sandwich in 1918 when a roll fell into the pan with the meat juices and a customer, a police officer, wanted the sandwich that way. Cole's credits a cook who dipped the roll for a customer with sensitive gums.

Neither place has contemporary documentation, and the dispute remains unresolved. The Los Angeles tourism board includes the French dip among the city’s classic dishes and acknowledges that the true origin was lost.

There are different ways to order it: with the roll dipped only on the bottom, dipped on both sides, or completely soaked. In the traditional Los Angeles version, the sandwich is served with spicy mustard.

Outside Los Angeles, the French dip spread across the country and is often served with the jus on the side.

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Where it comes from

Los Angeles , Califórnia
Created in downtown Los Angeles, where two 1908 establishments dispute its origin.

Ingredients

Thinly sliced roast beef (or pork, lamb, and turkey), long French roll, roast jus, and optionally cheese and spicy mustard.

How it is eaten

By hand. You choose the roll dipped once, twice, or soaked; in versions with the jus on the side, you dip the sandwich with each bite.

When it is eaten

Year-round, at lunch.

Your questions

Questions about French dip

What is a French dip?

A sandwich of roast beef on French bread, with the roll dipped in the roast jus or the jus served on the side.

Where was the French dip invented?

In downtown Los Angeles. Two establishments opened in 1908, Philippe the Original and Cole's, claim its creation, and the dispute remains unresolved.

Is the French dip French?

No. The name comes from the French bread used in the sandwich; the dish is from Los Angeles.

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