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Cole's
American Restaurant$$$$
Fashion District, Los Angeles
Has a stamp of approval from Eater and LA Weekly
"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.
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
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!- Consistently outstanding bartenders: personable, hospitable, attentive, deep knowledge of products and cocktail history, highly skilled, the proof is in the glass.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.- 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.
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.
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."
Cathérine V.DSeptember 7, 2016Really enjoyed my Manhattan drink! First night in DTLA, started in style! (Also try their old fashioned during happy hour!)
Ugur KanerNovember 9, 2015Go for lamb, and thank me later. Add garlic spicy sweet fries and coleslaw. Reach heaven.
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.
Great happy hour and bartender. Try and Old Fashioned. 1st timer? French Dip slider trio! Mmmm
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.)
James GuberaApril 25, 2014Come on a Tuesday for all day Happy Hour. $5 sliders and fries and a pretty strong old fashioned for $6.
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.
Offbeat L.A.January 28, 2016Opened 1908. Known for their cocktails and French dip sandwiches, which they claim to have invented.
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.
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.
Ian AlbertMay 11, 2016All-day Happy Hour on Tuesdays means cocktails for $8, well drinks and beers for $5, and $2 off any spirit.
Billy AmpMay 9, 2016Pastrami French Dip with spicy Garlic tots makes Cole's one of the best sandwich spots in LA!
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.
Stephen SmytheNovember 7, 2015A standard for public houses the Dips are great and the drinks uber strong.
Rhonda BarketFebruary 9, 2020Amazing Happy Hour! Original French dip, excellent garlic fries, great happy hour drinks!
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!
Melissa GomezFebruary 14, 2016Really good place to go have brunch with bottomless mimosas. They also have really good mix drinks.
StefanieFebruary 23, 2016Get the "skinny" beef sandwich with goat cheese. You'll only feel half as guilty.
Paul HinzDecember 27, 2012Outstanding sandwiches!!! Boat loads of history stemming from prohibition days. Your first check-in results in a basket of free fries.
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.
JordanaJuly 13, 2015Beef French dip + spicy garlic fries. Check out the jazz speakeasy bar entrance in the back of the restaurant.
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.
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.
PatrickJuly 10, 2011Happy hour from 3 to 7 is great. 5 dollars got me half a french dip with lamb and goatcheese and side of spicy garlic sweet potato fries. Amazing
Rachel S.November 14, 2010The mac and cheese is awesome...you people are on crack. And the sweet potato fries are amazing. Ah may zing! Dip was ok...philipe's was better. Also loved the spicy pickle!
Big T.February 10, 2014Bloody Mary is good & spicy with pickles & no olives. Modest flavor, but underdeveloped. I was told the mix marinates for 24 hours. Tastes like 2 to 4 hours
DowntownLA.comApril 27, 2011Cole's has been in the Pacific Electric Building since 1908! It may cost a bit more, but don't hesitate to add cheese. And, please, taste the hot mustard first.
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...
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Open until 2:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 4:00 PM–2:00 AM
- Fri
- Noon–2:00 AM
- Sat–Sun
- 11:00 AM–2:00 AM
(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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"Great cozy spot. Try the "Little fling" cocktail if you like spicy stuff: you'll be delighted. Amazing service and atmosphere!"
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