A legendary Los Angeles eatery that invented one of America's most iconic sandwiches is serving its last meal after more than a century in business.
According to the Daily Mail, Cole’s French Dip announced it will permanently close on August 3 after 117 years in business, citing rampant crime, rising costs, and economic challenges. The restaurant has been a staple in downtown LA, but owners say the current environment has made operations unsustainable.
The restaurant, which opened in 1908 and was declared a Historic-Cultural Landmark in 1974, claims to have invented the French dip sandwich when chef Jack Garlinghouse dipped bread in au jus for a customer with sore gums.
"After exhaustive deliberation and numerous attempts at last ditch efforts, our beloved Los Angeles institution has made the difficult decision to close its doors," a spokesperson told DailyMail.com.
The closure reflects a growing trend of historic businesses shuttering across Los Angeles as they grapple with post-pandemic challenges including labor shortages, inflation, and increased crime.
Cole's statement noted these issues "are not unique to Cole's alone; they are affecting most independent restaurants in Los Angeles," with many already closed and others "fighting to survive."
The restaurant's location in downtown LA has been particularly hard hit by rising crime rates and homelessness that have deterred customers and increased security costs.
Recent incidents include a homeless man allegedly attempting to start a fire with a blowtorch in Woodland Hills before being tackled by residents, and a brutal random attack on Donna DeChristopher in Los Feliz that left her with a broken nose.
While Councilmember Nithya Raman pointed to a 40% drop in street homelessness in her district last year, Skid Row saw a 9% increase, showing the uneven progress in addressing LA's most visible crisis.
Republican State Sen. Roger Niello has criticized current approaches, arguing that providing housing without stricter drug policies enables destructive behavior.
"The state needed to improve the lives of homeless people with stricter drug policies," Niello told the LA Daily News, opposing what he sees as policies that "enable homeless behavior."
Meanwhile, the restaurant industry continues to face mounting challenges including rising labor costs, supply chain issues, and what Cole's described as "mounting bureaucracy and legal exposure."
Cole's will continue serving its famous French dip sandwiches and cocktails until its August 3 closure date, giving loyal customers a final chance to experience the historic venue.
"We care deeply about our family of staff and are immensely grateful for our amazing guests who have supported Cole's over the years," the restaurant said in its farewell statement.
The closure marks not just the end of a business, but the loss of a piece of Los Angeles history, as the city struggles to preserve its cultural landmarks amid growing urban challenges.
