01/11/09

Tasty Beef, Retro Cool

by phdforme

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.

• Pros: nice ambiance
• Cons: parking could be a hassle during the day

12/27/08

Its BAAAAAAACK

by dgoshilla

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!

• Pros: downtown quick nostalgic

06/06/07

It's Closed and Smells

by alpugh

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!

• Pros: No Lines
• Cons: It's Closed

04/02/06

Love this place

by groknix

I live in the building and so I am a regular, so take this review with a grain of salt. Now that I have said that, I will be as objective as possible. The food is buffet/cafeteria style, but very good and fresh. Mac-n-cheese is pretty bland and needs salt and pepper, but the meat is juicy and flavorful, no need for au jus in my opinion. Seriously, the pastrami is thick cut, the beef deep as far as I am concerned is better than Phillipe's but I have to say I like Phillipe's a lot too.

Even if you don't find the food worth stopping by, the fact that this place has been operating since 1908 should at least draw a crowd to check it out. Character.

• Pros: Prices, Friendly, History
• Cons: Parking, Run down, Neighborhood

09/14/04

Feast on legendary French dips at this historic downtown eatery.

by Contributor

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!

06/14/04

Cole's is SWEEET

by hemillsy

I've only had the food there once but I've been there several wednesday's in the bar for the awesome bluegrass band that plays there every wed night at 9. Talk about a warm, beautiful atmosphere! Everybody that shows up is wonderfully supported and energetic, and ranges from the bum on the street to USC architecture students. It's so much fun. Thanks, Cole's!

11/13/03

Go to Philippes instead

by hagbeard

During a stint of jury duty downtown, I hit Philippes one day and Coles another for a little au jus shootout. Coles is in a shadier bit of town than Philippes, but not horrible. The interior is awesome, so much memorabilia. The beef was dry, and despite what other reviewers said, I didn't get any au jus on the side. The mac & cheese was tasty, but the coleslaw...it wasn't sweet, it had no vinegar flavor; it only had an aftertaste of dirty dishwater. Nasty.

• Pros: Way cool spot
• Cons: coleslaw, what au jus?, location

12/29/02

Cole's- the real original

by Beaudry

You can spend hours in here....start with the french dip (unlike the Other French Dip you get au jus!) and accompany it with one of the many great beers on tap. Casually mention to the manager/bartender/historian that you are interested in the place and you will be given a grand tour and history lesson. And talk about a diverse crowd...a friendly array of families, bums and trendies.

• Pros: good sammich, great beer, great tales
• Cons: parking scary, no late dining

08/26/02

The ORIGINAL French Dip

by sureshotx69

This place has the best french dip ever. Forget about Phillipes.. That place cannot compare to the original.

• Pros: great Food
• Cons: Bad location, parking

06/24/02

MY RED CAR...

by redpopcrush

The only place in town where you can eat your meal off an original RED CAR table...Now that is HISTORY at it's finest.

Friendly service and great food...all fresh- cooked to perfection and trimmed right off the beast while you wait- vegetarians beware.

May the debate of the originators of the FRENCH DIP RAGE ON! And long live Cole's!

• Pros: RED Car Tables, German Beer, Friendly Service
• Cons: Parking, dodgy part of town