Philippe the Original (Chinatown, LA, CA)

Located at:
1001 N Alameda St
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Date of Visit: 10/25/13


     This eatery manages to draw in an insane amount of people regardless what time of year it is. Thanks to all the hype is always seem to get. One of the draws of course is the claim that they invented the french dip sandwich. And since it boasts that it would also go without saying that these sandwiches here should be pretty delectable. Another draw here is that is it's almost like a  historic landmark. Before this area was really Chinatown it use to be Little Italy. There aren't very many remnants left of that time other than maybe this restaurant and another sandwich establishment on the other end of Chinatown. And you do feel a little bit like you're stepping back in time when you set foot into this restaurant. I know i kind of it. Maybe it was just the overall architecture or the things they posted on the walls. Or even the "relics" that they have laying around. (i.e. old telephone booths)

     Although i do live like a mile away I don't often venture out here for a bite. And with all the hype going on I'm just not sure why that is. Don't get me wrong I've eaten here before. Except that was maybe a decade ago. And my earliest memory of dining here was when I was with my grandparents having a slice of cherry pie prior to starting elementary school. Just don't know why this place is rarely on my first pick when I feel the need to go on a rampaging chompfest. So here's to hoping this visit may give me some answers.

      Maybe it's the crazy crowds? It's not that I am extremely anti-social. But there really is a lot of people here. Especially if a "Doyer" (Dodgers) game is going on that day. So much people in fact that they have ten people behind the counter taking orders. Ten. Their tables are more of a family style long design. Which of course may be trying to push the whole... get to know your neighbors kind of thing. But lord help the poor soul who distracts me from my guzzling jamboree.
     All the food items are posted on boards behind the counter or a super massive one adjacent to it. And it's the usual order your food, pay, receive food situation. So nothing special there but it is rather efficient when dealing with this madness.

      And if the main floor is way too packed you could just venture upstairs for more seating areas. But it first wierded me out a bit since the rooms are divided up into smaller dining rooms. Quite a interesting feel.

      Beef Stew. Not going to lie. I was expecting something different. This bowl of Beef Stew felt more like beef soup? The "sauce" was more like a broth than a sauce. But the flavors are nice. The beef was a tad dry and overdone though.

     Double Dipped Beef Sandwich. I ate the first half of this sandwich without an condiments just to get the full taste of things. It was just "alright". There was a lot of of meat. But the flavors of the meat were too much on the bland side. But all the extra flavors that was soaked into the french roll (which got it really soggy) kind of compensated for that.   

      The next one was with their house mustard sauce. It's got a really heavy horseradish flavor to it... really heavy. Which I'm totally cool with. And honestly it did make the sandwich was better with it. Only if you like horseradish.

      Double Dipped Lamb Sandwich. Ok so we were wondering why there were so many people walking around with two sandwiches on each plate. Turns out one just may not be enough. They are rather on the smaller side. Or small to a fatty like me. So I went splitsies with my friend for a second one. And we opted for a lamb one. Again I felt that it was just "alright". The cuts were thicker but tasted a little dry. But then again was compensated with a drenched french roll.

       Once again, seemed better with the mustard sauce. (if you're into horseradish)

     Apple Pie. The pie was actually pretty good. Though it looks rather messy...
     So after the meal I was a bit muddled as to what a lot of the hype was about. Though this place does have a lot going for it when it comes to the over "feel" of the restaurant. But when it comes to the food. Not as much. But it may just be the fact that each one of those beef sandwiches were 7 bucks (including tax) and the little under 9 for the Lamb. I just don't see the sandwiches justifying the cost of each one. I mean it was just meat and a french roll. And they were on the smaller side. So if i really did go to town here I'd have to really drop a bit of dough. So at least now I refreshed my memory why I don't come here as often as I do. Though if I was in a LA nostalgia mood I'd probably pop back in here. Other than that I'd say this place is just "alright".