Farewell to a Downtown Icon: Cole’s French Dip to Close After 117 Years
LA HISTORY - Downtown Los Angeles is preparing to say goodbye to one of its most enduring institutions. Cole’s French Dip, the iconic restaurant tucked into the historic Pacific Electric Building on 6th Street, will close permanently on August 3, 2025, ending a remarkable 117-year run.
Founded in 1908 by Henry Cole, the restaurant has long claimed to be the birthplace of the French dip sandwich—a title also claimed by nearby Philippe’s. Whether Cole’s invented it or not, its hand-carved sandwiches, dipped in savory au jus, became a staple of downtown dining and a point of pride for generations of Angelenos. The dark wood interior, vintage booths, and classic neon sign evoked an earlier Los Angeles, a quality that made Cole’s a natural setting for films like Forrest Gump and The Lincoln Lawyer.
Cole’s was more than a restaurant—it was a cultural landmark, recognized as the city’s oldest continuously operating bar and eatery. In 1989, it was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, and in 2009, it received a preservation award from the LA Conservancy following a $1.6 million restoration led by Pouring With Heart, the hospitality group that took over in 2008.
But despite its rich history and loyal following, Cole’s could not withstand the mounting pressures that have forced the closure of so many independent businesses across Los Angeles. Owner Cedd Moses cited a combination of challenges, including the lingering effects of the pandemic, the impact of the 2023 Hollywood strikes, rising costs for labor and supplies, increased crime and sanitation problems in the area, and a regulatory climate that has made survival difficult for many local operators. According to staff, it had become common to find human waste on the sidewalk outside the front door before opening.
The closure of Cole’s is being felt deeply within the downtown community. Blair Besten, who leads the Historic Core Business Improvement District, warned that unless there are reforms to how small businesses are taxed and regulated, the city risks losing more of its cultural touchstones. As downtown prepares for the 2028 Olympics, some business owners say time is running out. “By the time the Olympics get here, all these mom and pops will be gone,” said Brian Lenzo of Pouring With Heart.
Cole’s final service will be Saturday, August 2. A public farewell event is scheduled for Friday night, August 1, featuring live music and what organizers are calling a “pickle party”—a final toast to one of the last links to LA’s early 20th-century downtown.
For those who’ve never been, or who want one last taste of history, the message is simple: get there while you still can.
###
