Most ‘iconic’ sandwich in California? LA shop takes top spot in state

A beloved LA institution that has been slinging sandwiches for over a century has been crowned California’s most iconic sandwich shop, beating out the Golden State’s countless trendy delis and viral lunch spots.

In a new nationwide roundup of the most famous sandwich destinations in every state, Business Insider tapped Philippe the Original as the top pick in the state, shining a spotlight on the downtown landmark best known for its legendary French dip sandwiches.

The list took into consideration an establishment’s historical significance as well as its following.

The old school downtown eatery dates back to 1908, and its signature order remains the classic beef French dip sandwich, which they claim was famously born their by a happy accident.

As the story goes, in 1918 founder Philippe Mathieu “accidentally dropped the sliced french roll into the roasting pan, which was filled with hot juices from the oven.”

The customer — a police officer — said he’d take the wet sandwich anyway, and came back the next day for more.

When ordering at the counter, patrons can choose from an array of roasted meats, including beef, pork, lamb, pastrami, turkey and ham on a textured fresh French roll. The true magic lies in the details, though: single-dipped, double-dipped or wet.

A single dip order means the top half of the french roll gets a quick pass through the pan juices, whereas a double-dipped sandwich means both sides of the roll get dunked. A “wet” one means the entire sandwich is submerged for maximum flavor.

The consensus for the best order among Philippe’s devotees is clear: “Whatever you do just double dip it n you’re good, other than that order what you like,” one fan commented on Reddit. As far as sandwiches go.

Another historic Los Angeles restaurant, Cole’s, has long disputed that origin story, claiming they invented the French dip sandwich first. However, Cole’s closed permanently in March of this year amid years of financial struggles.

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