After 117 years, LA's oldest sandwich shop is closing—and here's why it matters
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For more than a century, Cole’s French Dip wasn’t just a place to eat—it was a living piece of Los Angeles history.
Tucked in the heart of downtown since 1908, the beloved restaurant claimed to be the birthplace of the French Dip sandwich and was officially recognized as LA’s oldest public house.
But now, after surviving two world wars, a Great Depression, and countless city transformations, Cole’s will serve its final sandwich on August 3.
The reason behind the closure isn’t a simple one.
It's the result of mounting pressures that have affected businesses all across Los Angeles—especially the independent ones.
And as Cole’s prepares to shut its doors, many Angelenos are left wondering what it says about the future of their city.
Founded by Harry Cole in 1908, Cole’s quickly earned its place in LA’s culinary legacy.
According to the restaurant’s origin story, the iconic French Dip was created by accident when a chef dipped a sandwich roll in au jus for a customer with sensitive gums.
That simple act turned into a signature dish—and a citywide debate between Cole’s and rival Philippe’s about who invented it first.
Cole’s was more than just a restaurant. Over the decades, it became a gathering place for locals, tourists, and celebrities.
The interior, with its old-school charm and tiled walls, felt like a step back in time.
In 1974, the city named it a Historic-Cultural Landmark, sealing its place in Los Angeles lore.
In a public statement, Cole’s leadership laid out the reasons for closing—calling it a difficult but necessary decision.
The challenges, they said, are not unique to Cole’s, but shared by many small restaurants across Los Angeles. The list includes:
Downtown business owners have reported growing concerns about vandalism, theft, and street violence.
Combined with the city’s visible homelessness crisis and struggles with addiction, many say operating safely has become increasingly difficult.
For Cole’s, the risk—and the cost—eventually became too great.
Cole’s closure is part of a much broader shift happening in Los Angeles.
Once seen as a land of dreams, LA has recently faced tough headlines: brazen attacks, open-air drug use, and widespread homelessness.
Encampments have spread across the city—from Skid Row to Venice Beach—drawing national attention.
Some areas, like Hollywood and Venice, have seen a drop in homelessness in the past year (down 49% and 22%, respectively), but other neighborhoods continue to struggle.
Skid Row, for instance, remains a focal point of concern. Residents across the city say the situation feels uncertain at best.
Beyond policy debates and statistics are the human stories that reflect the fear and frustration many Angelenos are living with.
Earlier this year, a homeless man was tackled and zip-tied by residents in Woodland Hills after allegedly trying to start a fire.
In another case, Donna DeChristopher, 52, was attacked in Los Feliz, suffering a broken nose and lasting trauma.
City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who represents Los Feliz, acknowledged the issue: "While our work has yielded results, including a 40 percent drop in the number of people living on the streets in our district last year, much more remains to be done."
Despite efforts from city leaders, many say the results haven’t come fast enough—and that the closure of a landmark like Cole’s underscores just how fragile even the strongest institutions have become.
Cole’s final day of service will be August 3, and until then, the team says they’ll keep doing what they do best: serving up drinks and their iconic French Dip sandwiches.
"We care deeply about our family of staff and are immensely grateful for our amazing guests who have supported Cole’s over the years," their statement read.
For loyal customers, the loss of Cole’s feels personal. It’s not just the end of a restaurant—it’s the end of a tradition, a memory, and a tie to the Los Angeles many still love.
As Los Angeles continues to evolve, the loss of Cole’s is a clear signal that small businesses are still vulnerable to the city’s biggest challenges.
And while the future remains uncertain, the hope is that with community support and stronger policies, other historic spaces won’t suffer the same fate.
Read next: After 118 years in business, Home Depot’s oldest competition is closing its doors
Have you ever been to Cole’s or had a favorite old-school spot that’s now gone? How do you feel about the changes happening in LA and other cities like it? Share your memories and thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your voice and keep the story alive.
Tucked in the heart of downtown since 1908, the beloved restaurant claimed to be the birthplace of the French Dip sandwich and was officially recognized as LA’s oldest public house.
But now, after surviving two world wars, a Great Depression, and countless city transformations, Cole’s will serve its final sandwich on August 3.
The reason behind the closure isn’t a simple one.
It's the result of mounting pressures that have affected businesses all across Los Angeles—especially the independent ones.
And as Cole’s prepares to shut its doors, many Angelenos are left wondering what it says about the future of their city.
A historic downtown Los Angeles landmark is set to close, marking the end of an era for one of the city’s oldest dining institutions. Image Source: Pexels / Tima Miroshnichenko.
A bite of LA history comes to an end
Founded by Harry Cole in 1908, Cole’s quickly earned its place in LA’s culinary legacy.
According to the restaurant’s origin story, the iconic French Dip was created by accident when a chef dipped a sandwich roll in au jus for a customer with sensitive gums.
That simple act turned into a signature dish—and a citywide debate between Cole’s and rival Philippe’s about who invented it first.
Cole’s was more than just a restaurant. Over the decades, it became a gathering place for locals, tourists, and celebrities.
The interior, with its old-school charm and tiled walls, felt like a step back in time.
In 1974, the city named it a Historic-Cultural Landmark, sealing its place in Los Angeles lore.
Also read: Is your local home furnishing store closing? See the full list amid bankruptcy shocker
Rising crime and rising costs
In a public statement, Cole’s leadership laid out the reasons for closing—calling it a difficult but necessary decision.
The challenges, they said, are not unique to Cole’s, but shared by many small restaurants across Los Angeles. The list includes:
- Ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Financial strain from the Hollywood strikes
- Rising costs of food, labor, and rent
- Legal and bureaucratic hurdles
- And perhaps most importantly: a rise in crime
Downtown business owners have reported growing concerns about vandalism, theft, and street violence.
Combined with the city’s visible homelessness crisis and struggles with addiction, many say operating safely has become increasingly difficult.
For Cole’s, the risk—and the cost—eventually became too great.
Also read: This iconic American chain is closing doors–Will your favorite store survive 2025?
LA’s identity in flux
Cole’s closure is part of a much broader shift happening in Los Angeles.
Once seen as a land of dreams, LA has recently faced tough headlines: brazen attacks, open-air drug use, and widespread homelessness.
Encampments have spread across the city—from Skid Row to Venice Beach—drawing national attention.
Some areas, like Hollywood and Venice, have seen a drop in homelessness in the past year (down 49% and 22%, respectively), but other neighborhoods continue to struggle.
Skid Row, for instance, remains a focal point of concern. Residents across the city say the situation feels uncertain at best.
Also read: Macy’s iconic Philadelphia store closing: Why shoppers are upset about "scam sales"
The toll on everyday life
Beyond policy debates and statistics are the human stories that reflect the fear and frustration many Angelenos are living with.
Earlier this year, a homeless man was tackled and zip-tied by residents in Woodland Hills after allegedly trying to start a fire.
In another case, Donna DeChristopher, 52, was attacked in Los Feliz, suffering a broken nose and lasting trauma.
City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who represents Los Feliz, acknowledged the issue: "While our work has yielded results, including a 40 percent drop in the number of people living on the streets in our district last year, much more remains to be done."
Despite efforts from city leaders, many say the results haven’t come fast enough—and that the closure of a landmark like Cole’s underscores just how fragile even the strongest institutions have become.
Farewell to a downtown institution
Cole’s final day of service will be August 3, and until then, the team says they’ll keep doing what they do best: serving up drinks and their iconic French Dip sandwiches.
"We care deeply about our family of staff and are immensely grateful for our amazing guests who have supported Cole’s over the years," their statement read.
For loyal customers, the loss of Cole’s feels personal. It’s not just the end of a restaurant—it’s the end of a tradition, a memory, and a tie to the Los Angeles many still love.
As Los Angeles continues to evolve, the loss of Cole’s is a clear signal that small businesses are still vulnerable to the city’s biggest challenges.
And while the future remains uncertain, the hope is that with community support and stronger policies, other historic spaces won’t suffer the same fate.
Read next: After 118 years in business, Home Depot’s oldest competition is closing its doors
Have you ever been to Cole’s or had a favorite old-school spot that’s now gone? How do you feel about the changes happening in LA and other cities like it? Share your memories and thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your voice and keep the story alive.
