Changes are coming to one of the city’s oldest restaurants as a more than century-old tradition is ending.
Philippe the Original, which was founded in 1908 and lays claim to inventing the French Dip sandwich, announced on its Facebook page on Tuesday,March 24 a “small — but meaningful — update” about it’s traditional decor.
For as long as the restaurant has been open, customers have walked over sawdust covered floors to order its famous sandwiches. However, according to the post, those sawdust floors will officially be “retired.”
“While this wasn’t our decision, it was a necessary step to meet current safety and insurance standards. It’s a change we didn’t make lightly,” the post stated.
But sandwich lovers don’t need to panic, because according to the restaurant, removing the sawdust is the only change on the horizon.
“What hasn’t changed: our recipes, our spirit, and our commitment to being the place you know and love — just with a little less sawdust. Thank you for continuing to grow with us,” the post continued.
Philippe the Original just announced that they will be removing the sawdust from its floors. The sawdust has been part of the decor of the more than century-old restaurant since it opened in 1908. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
The news of the end of the sawdust floors was first reported by Los Angeles historian Charles Phoenix, who posted it on his social media pages. And while some of the character that made the restaurant famous will be gone, Phoenix thinks that in the grand scheme of things, it’ll be something Angelinos will easily get used to.
“The French Dip sandwiches are not going to change as is virtually nothing else on the menu. This changes nothing except the appearance of the floor and slightly alters the overall ambience of the place but after a month or two we’re going to forget what it looked like with sawdust on the floor,” he said.
Restaurant officials did not return a call for comment, and the news comes as another of the city’s oldest restaurants prepares to close its doors for good on Sunday, March 29. After 117 years in business, and about eight months after announcing its closure, Cole’s French Dip will be serving its last meals and drinks this weekend.
The closing weekend for Cole’s will include collaboration dishes form other restaurants including Father’s Office, Bay Cities, Jitlada, Guelaguetza, Found Oyster and Little Fatty.