- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- AmericanFast Food
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every November 12
- Holiday emoji:
- 🥪
National French Dip Day arrives every November 12, inviting sandwich enthusiasts to indulge in this savory classic. Whether you prefer thinly sliced roast beef, a crusty baguette, or a rich au jus, this day is a perfect excuse to celebrate. Grab a sandwich, try a new recipe, or share your favorite spot with friends!
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Expected National French Dip Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that National French Dip Day brings delicious deals from popular eateries. Look for specials at chains like Arby’s, known for their roast beef sandwiches, or local delis and diners. Restaurants such as The Hat in Southern California, a famous French Dip spot, and Philippe’s The Original, a claimant to its invention, are likely to offer unique promotions. Keep an eye out for deals from sandwich-focused brands like Jersey Mike’s or Potbelly Sandwich Shop, which might feature their own takes or special discounts. Even grocery stores like Whole Foods Market or Kroger could offer sales on roast beef or ingredients for homemade versions. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as November 12 approaches.
Platform Guide for National French Dip Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalFrenchDipDay. Film yourself trying different French Dip sandwiches or making your own at home.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #FrenchDipDay. Share mouth-watering photos of your favorite French Dip, showcasing its juicy beef and golden au jus.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalFrenchDipDay. Tweet about your go-to French Dip spot or debate the best way to enjoy this classic sandwich.
National French Dip Day Hero
Philippe Mathieu
History of National French Dip Day
Cole’s Pacific Electric Buffet, situated in Los Angeles, is one of the first restaurants that served the popular French Dip sandwich. And National French Dip Day marks the 110th anniversary of Cole’s restaurant, which opened on November 12, 1908.
French dip is a roast meat sandwich where the juices of the roast meat are collected and served separately as a side dish to the sandwich. The sandwich is then dipped in the gravy. Cole’s began serving the French dip sandwich in 1908. The sandwich was specially prepared for a customer, who had sore gums and could not chew his roast beef sandwich. The customer asked the restaurant’s chef, Jack Garlinghouse, to moisten the sandwich bread with some roast meat juice. Soon, more and more customers started asking for the same sandwich, and it became one of the top-selling dishes of the restaurant.
Cole’s is one of the first restaurants that came up with the idea of serving roast beef juice with their sandwich. However, another popular restaurant Philippe’s claims that its owner, Philippe Mathieu, is the inventor of the sandwich. Since both restaurants have been operating since the early 1890s, it is still difficult to identify the original creator of the sandwich.
National French Dip Day timeline
French dip recipes start appearing in American print media.
Cole's is proclaimed a Historic-Cultural Monument of Los Angeles since it is one of the few businesses still in its original location.
Coles gets transformed by its new owner, a corporation, and reopens in December 2008.
The first National French Dip Day is celebrated to mark 100 years of the restaurant and sandwich.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National French Dip Day
Local delis, diners, and sandwich shops can celebrate National French Dip Day by offering special promotions or limited-time French Dip creations. Consider a ‘build-your-own’ French Dip bar with various cheeses and au jus flavors. Restaurants could host a ‘French Dip Battle’ where customers vote for their favorite rendition. Even catering companies could feature French Dip platters for office lunches, highlighting the convenience and deliciousness of this classic sandwich.
National French Dip Day FAQs
When is National French Dip Day?
National French Dip Day 2026 falls on Thursday, November 12. It’s the perfect mid-week treat to break up your routine with a savory sandwich.
Who invented the French Dip sandwich?
The invention of the French Dip sandwich is famously disputed between two Los Angeles restaurants: Philippe’s The Original and Cole’s French Dip. Both claim to have created it around 1908, often due to an accidental dipping of bread into meat drippings.
What makes a French Dip sandwich unique?
The defining characteristic of a French Dip is the thinly sliced roast beef served on a French roll, accompanied by a side of ‘au jus’ (French for ‘with juice’) for dipping. This savory beef broth is what gives the sandwich its distinctive flavor and experience.
Is the French Dip actually French?
Despite its name, the French Dip sandwich is an American creation, originating in Los Angeles in the early 20th century. The ‘French’ likely refers to the French roll used, or possibly the French immigrant founder of Philippe’s The Original.
National French Dip Day Activities
Organize a sandwich-making contest
Making a superb sandwich is an art. On this National French Dip Day, organize a fun sandwich-making contest with your friends. You can make it more challenging by setting a time limit or adding a mystery ingredient that must be used in the dish
Try out an authentic French dip sandwich
The French dip sandwich recipe is more than 100 years old. Still, it is not readily available in mainstream fast food joints. Therefore, on this National French Dip Day, visit some less explored restaurants in your city that serve authentic French dip-style sandwiches. Enjoy it in true American style by soaking up the sandwich in piping hot beef juice (au jus).
Bake French bread
Baking is a therapeutic activity, and French bread is one of the main ingredients of French dip sandwiches. French dip tastes best when made with French loaf, and nothing tastes better than homemade bread. All you need is some flour, yeast, and oil to make some delicious artisan bread from scratch.
5 Facts About Roast Beef That Will Blow Your Mind
French people think the English love beef
In the ongoing rivalry between the two nations, the French started calling the English ‘rosbifs’ because the English often had roast beef for their main meal on a Sunday.
The perfect match
Englishmen used to serve Yorkshire pudding as a starter with roast beef.
A ballad on roast beef
Henry Fielding has written a patriotic ballad called ‘The Roast Beef of Old England.’
Open fire roast
Old Englishmen used to cook roast beef on open fires.
The rich ate beef
During the Middle Ages, eating beef was a sign of wealth and success.
Why We Love National French Dip Day
People learn about authentic French dip recipe
Today, the French dip sandwich is not served the way it was in the early 1900s. The National French Dip Day is all about the authentic French dip sandwich that was served in L.A. during the 1890s. The recipe and serving style of the sandwich, however, has evolved with time. Today, restaurants serve it with mustard sauce and a dipping bowl of hot roast meat juice on the side.
Tourists get to try popular American sandwiches
American sandwiches are not as well-known as other American fast food dishes among the locals or tourists. By dedicating an entire day to an American delicacy like the French dip sandwich, more people can become familiar with it, and the unique story behind its invention.
It encourages people to try healthy fast food items
The majority of burgers and sandwiches can be quite fattening as various spreads like mayonnaise, butter, and cream cheese are used to make the sandwich moist and flavorful. The French dip is an alternative to regular burgers and sandwiches, as it only comes with the juices of the roasted meat as a dipping sauce.
National French Dip Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 12 | Thursday |
| 2027 | November 12 | Friday |
| 2028 | November 12 | Sunday |
| 2029 | November 12 | Monday |
| 2030 | November 12 | Tuesday |
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