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Cole's
American Restaurant$$$$
Fashion District, Los Angeles
The experts at Eater and LA Weekly recommend this place
"It's all about the lamb french dip & spicy garlic fries."(10 Tips)
"Try the pastrami French dip with pepper jack cheese!"(48 Tips)
"There's a speakeasy (Varnish) in the backroom!"(7 Tips)
"Get the Bourbon pecan pie a la mode."(5 Tips)
191 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- French Dip sandwiches
- happy hour
- spicy food
- varnish
- good for dates
- (15 more)
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Jeff S.May 28, 2018Cole’s, Originator of the French Dip Sandwich. It’s the specialty of the house. The roast beef is a legendary sandwich. Check out the hidden speakeasy. Opened in 1908 in the Pacific Electric building.
Cole KennedyJanuary 16, 2023The fact that it shares my name is not the only reason I liked it here. The French dip sandwiches are genuinely good and it’s a dark, cozy space — perfect for pretending it’s not sunny out.
Erik RowleyJanuary 20, 2017Cole's has the best French dip sandwiches in the US (they also claim to have invented it). One of my favorite restaurants. Lots of history and the NYE scene in Forest Gump was filmed here!
Daniel GarciaJuly 6, 2015For an old school bar they sure know how to do lunch. Pulled Pork sandwich w/ goat cheese was great, but spicy garlic fries are amazing! Staff is super friendly as well. Hope to be back for happy hour
Ilusha ZaritskiyAugust 16, 2014The French dips are a must have, get the full sized, because it's so tasty half is not enough. Also old-timey cocktails and a prohibition - era speakeasy around the corner. Try the sazerac.
Adrian PhillipsOctober 10, 2014White Russians, they make their own cream that's infused with such goodness as Bailey's. Probably the best cocktails in LA. Pancho's Smoking Gun is a great spicy tequila twist on an old fashioned.
Weekday happy hour is one of the best, 3-7pm and noon-10pm Tues. Get a well made Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Martini or half dip w/fries for $6. Don’t mind if I do. Cheers!
- Consistently one of the best Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktails in town. The current pre-mixed version on tap made with Rittenhouse Rye is particularly fine.
- Consistently outstanding bartenders: personable, hospitable, attentive, deep knowledge of products and cocktail history, highly skilled, the proof is in the glass.
Incredibly tasty and very affordable. Everything on the menu is fantastic. Ask the bar for a restroom token. Also, it’s THE original
JenniferSeptember 3, 2014Tuesday night happy hour is the best. Grab a cocktail and a full meal for just about the same price as a single cocktail at other times. These days, there's no shame in drinking on a budget!
Cathérine V.DSeptember 7, 2016Really enjoyed my Manhattan drink! First night in DTLA, started in style! (Also try their old fashioned during happy hour!)
Miguel MtzMay 18, 2015Bartenders know what their doing. Go through the restaurant and find the door w the menu on it. It's the door to the hidden speakeasy in the back. "The Favorite" was off the tits.
Jacqueline L.February 5, 2014Happy hour: Mon-Fri 3PM-8PM; all day Tue. $5 Manhattans, draught beers & wells; $6 draught Old Fashioned; food specials. Doesn't carry over to The Varnish.
E GoodenFebruary 15, 2015The food is great. I had the spicy garlic fries, prime beef skinny, lots of the spicy mustard....and the chocolate pie. You cannot go wrong with any of these items.
Justin OrdovezaJanuary 3, 2015I won't go into the french dip debate because I think both cole's and Philippe's are good. Yet here you can get a hand crafted cocktail from amazing bartenders I've never been disappointed.
coles- a true hidden gem. good people, good drinks, good food, and it’s not on the expensive side
LaraOctober 23, 2014Eat: USDA Prime Beef French Dip with side of garlic fries. Sip: A shot of Jameson with a shot of spicy pickle juice.- Jesse FullerApril 12, 2016Delicious French dips, salads and fries. Good beers on tap. Don't compare it to Philipe's, this is a restaurant, not a cafeteria.
Ugur KanerNovember 9, 2015Go for lamb, and thank me later. Add garlic spicy sweet fries and coleslaw. Reach heaven.
Sit in the red car room and order a Guinness float with your french dip and go easy on the mustard. Contrast this moody restaurant style to the deli style at Philippe's, french dip's other "inventor."
Great happy hour and bartender. Try and Old Fashioned. 1st timer? French Dip slider trio! Mmmm
Good food, who cares who was first with the dip. Wanna sit and eat at a bar, this is the place. Potato salad won't disappoint. Pecan pie was good! Servers are overworked, sit back and take it all in.
Justin McCammonMarch 25, 2015Supposedly invented the French Dip. Go straight to the back and find a door that leads into a secret speakeasy in the back. Walk in like you own the place.
Offbeat L.A.January 28, 2016Opened 1908. Known for their cocktails and French dip sandwiches, which they claim to have invented.
JordanaJuly 13, 2015Beef French dip + spicy garlic fries. Check out the jazz speakeasy bar entrance in the back of the restaurant.
Best fries ever....the spicy garlic fries. Went with 10 people and every drink was a hit. My favorite, the Tom Collins and cosmo. So, so, good. (Tip: don't leave the atomic pickle on your plate.)
Dan GutierrezJune 8, 2011French Dip was standard, very good. The Atomic Pickle Sphere was legit and the spicy garlic fires were awesome. Get the full size if your hungry because the small won't cut it.
StefanieFebruary 23, 2016Get the "skinny" beef sandwich with goat cheese. You'll only feel half as guilty.
Billy AmpMay 9, 2016Pastrami French Dip with spicy Garlic tots makes Cole's one of the best sandwich spots in LA!
Melissa GomezFebruary 14, 2016Really good place to go have brunch with bottomless mimosas. They also have really good mix drinks.
James GuberaApril 25, 2014Come on a Tuesday for all day Happy Hour. $5 sliders and fries and a pretty strong old fashioned for $6.
AskMenFebruary 26, 2010People can’t get enough of the lively atmosphere, friendly service, reasonably priced menu and, of course, its legendary French dip sandwich. Just follow the neon sign to au jus heaven.
Ian AlbertMay 11, 2016All-day Happy Hour on Tuesdays means cocktails for $8, well drinks and beers for $5, and $2 off any spirit.
Rhonda BarketFebruary 9, 2020Amazing Happy Hour! Original French dip, excellent garlic fries, great happy hour drinks!
Blake MeierAugust 10, 2014Get a big French beef dip you don't need more than a dab of atomic mustard. If you don't get the Mac and cheese you are crazy.
Stephen SmytheNovember 7, 2015A standard for public houses the Dips are great and the drinks uber strong.
VxronicaNovember 6, 2011Don't let the standard look of the bar fool you. It's just as good, if not better, than both the Varnish or Association. Plus they make a mean dirty martini.
Paul HinzDecember 27, 2012Outstanding sandwiches!!! Boat loads of history stemming from prohibition days. Your first check-in results in a basket of free fries.
ROBERTO BURRISApril 2, 2011There French Dips Sandwiches alone is a meal and with the spicy garlic fries with some ranch dip! Delicious! If you got room left, the pecan pie ala mode! It's sheer delight!
Mac and cheese: order along with the tomato soup and mix them, so f-ing good!Happy hour: not listed on the menu, but you can order a half a grilled cheese and tomato soup for $5.
Ok so I realize that French Dips are just meat, bread, & au jus and are pretty difficult to screw up but these are about the best I've ever had...
213January 16, 2011Free French fries w/ any dip order on your 1st check-in & on every 5th check-in. Mayor receives 1/2-price dips or grilled cheese, one per visit. Specials apply to regular pricing, not happy hour.
VGRevolutionJuly 16, 2012Our new favorite place when in town for E3. A must for all, and don't forget the speakeasy in the back!
749 Photos
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Closed until 3:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 3:00 PM–Midnight
(213) 622-4090
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Smoking
Yes
Music
Yes
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Happy Hour, Bar Snacks
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
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