Is Philippe, The Original Still Open? Best Thing I Ever Ate Update

Best Thing I Ever Ate, Season 4, Episode 2

On the Cooking Channel's Best Thing I Ever Ate episode 'Bang for the Buck' (Season 4, Episode 2), chef Wolfgang Puck named Philippe's French dipped sandwich as his pick, according to Wikipedia's episode guide for the series. Philippe The Original is a sandwich counter at 1001 North Alameda Street in Los Angeles, marketed on its own website as the originator of the French dip. The site lists a full menu of breakfast items, French dips, sides, salads, soups, chili, desserts, and beer and wine, alongside nationwide shipping and gift cards.

A 2026-09-08 check of the website found 2026-dated content and a working online ordering system, with the address and phone number, (213) 628-3781, matching the location on file. OpenStreetMap listed the restaurant's hours as daily service from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Man v. Food, Season 1, Episode 13 Aired February 18, 2009

Man v. Food's Los Angeles episode (S1E13, aired 2009-02-18) featured Philippe the Original, spotlighting the French dip sandwich the restaurant claims to have invented. Philippe the Original has operated continuously since 1908, making it one of the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles, according to Wikipedia (revised 2026-07-31). The restaurant has been located at 1001 North Alameda Street, on the edge of Chinatown near Union Station, since 1951, according to Wikipedia (revised 2026-07-31). The restaurant's website also lists sections for breakfast, sides, salads, soups and chili, desserts, and wine and beer alongside its French dip offerings, according to philippes.com. On 2026-09-08, philippes.com listed an active online ordering system, nationwide shipping, and gift cards for sale at that same Alameda Street address, indicating the restaurant remained in active operation there.