P E Cole's Buffet
(213) 622-4090
118 E 6th St
Los Angeles,
CA
90014
34.0449
-118.2498
Neighborhoods: Central LA, Downtown, Historic Core
What People Are Saying About P E Cole's Buffet
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
After a yearlong $1.6 million renovation and a slight name change (it used to be called P.E. Cole's, as it's located inside the Pacific Electric building), Downtown L.A.'s most famous spot for taking a dip--French dip, that is--has been born again. Even after it fell into disrepair, its feud with Philippe the Original for the title of French Dip Sandwich Originator is the stuff of legend. Both restaurants have been around since 1908, and each has its own story recounting the birth of the beloved 'wich. Regardless of whose story is the true testament, Cole's has breathed new life into its hallowed walls with restored original glass light fixtures, stools, tile floors and a mahogany bar with a brand-new carving station. It's almost treason not to order a French Dip, and they'll serve it--hand-carved, of course--with your choice of meat, all for around $10. Hallelujah!
User Reviews
phdforme
January 11, 2009
I love Seven Grand and the Golden Gopher, so I had to see what the owners did with this old dump. It looks great! The food was excellent, as was the service. I had the beef dip which came with a pickle spear. It was good, but not as good as Philippe's. Still, I would choose Cole's over Philippe's for the ambiance alone. Philippe's isn't a place you hang out in for very long. Cole's has a great vibe with retro-cool red leather booths and a bar in the front (which was filled with hipsters the night I was there). If you are driving, I recommend coming in the evening when all the meters are free.
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dgoshilla
December 27, 2008
Coles is under new ownership and has reopened in downtown LA. I really love how in downtown whenever anything opens up the community really gets behind it. Anyway, I had a beef au jus with a side of mac and cheese. The sandwich was perfect. Good lean cuts of fresh meat on good bread. I topped mine off with blue cheese and it was worth it. The side of mac and cheese wasn't that good though. I devoured it but it was missing something. It was too mushy. Sides aside the place is awesome. Well done Ced!
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alpugh
June 06, 2007
Ok so I went down there thinking this is going to be great, I'll finally get to settle the question for myself, "Cole's or Phillipe's?" Parking is impossible, but I finally make it there after walking through some skeezy neighborhood and the place it totally gutted with a small sign on the window, "Closed starting March 15th for renovation." I don't remember if it said a year or not. Its dead, there obviously is no work going on so who knows it it will ever be back. Oh yeah and somebody used the stairwell as a toilet. So I want to know why no one has written anything about this before? WTF Citysearch? You're falling down on the job!
read full reviewThe Details on P E Cole's Buffet
What to Drink:
The front bar will offer rotating craft beers; stay tuned for the soon-to-open separate rear space called Varnish, which will serve specialty cocktails.
What to Drink:
The front bar offers rotating craft beers and specialty cocktails.
Save Money:
Happy hour is daily from 4pm to 7pm with $1 off all drinks.
