Thursday Treats #8

Thursday Treats #8: Phillippe's

Phillipe's was found in 1908 in Downtown L.A. across the street from Union Station. Along with Cole's, it is one of the oldest and best known restaurants in Los Angeles and remains in competition with Cole's for the title of the creator of the French Dip Sandwich. Phillippe's serves breakfast to dinner, and is truly a dining experience.

Entering Phillippe's, you're greeted by at least ten picnic tables and benches on the rush covered floor. A long counter makes up a wall of the restaurant. Here, you get in one of ten lines until you get to the front to meet one of the ten "carvers," your servers, who cook up the sandwiches, soups, breakfast food and the rest of the good meals Phillippe's serves. Behind the counter are many signs that range over the decades, proudly displaying the restaurant's history along with photographs and model trains.

Once you get to the counter, you have your choice of a "hearty breakfast" from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Afterwards, take your pick of any of the famous sandwiches made with roast beef, lamb, turkey or ham, and any variation of cheese. Add a side of cole slaw, potato and macaroni salads, or any other number of sides. And don't forget Phillippe's homemade hot mustard, with which you are advised to only take a little "because it truly is very hot French mustard." If you're not in the mood for a sandwich, there's the homemade beef stew, made daily. Of course, you can't forget drinks - all standard drinks are sold - and don't forget that coffee is still a nickel.

Now, sit back (be careful though, you are sitting on benches) and enjoy!

Website: www.phillippes.com
Address: 1001 N. Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012