Iconic Cole's French Dip Shuts Down After 118 Years in Los Angeles

The beloved restaurant known as the birthplace of the French dip sandwich has closed its doors for good.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 3:34am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After more than a century of serving as a beloved institution in Los Angeles, the iconic Cole's French Dip restaurant has shut its doors for good. The restaurant, founded in 1908 inside the Pacific Electric Building, was known for its classic roast beef sandwiches dipped in savory jus. Fans flocked to the restaurant's final weekend to bid farewell to the landmark eatery, which fell victim to rising costs, pandemic pressures, labor shortages, and dwindling downtown foot traffic.

Why it matters

Cole's French Dip was a cornerstone of Los Angeles's culinary history, serving as one of the city's most legendary restaurants for over a century. Its closure represents the end of an era and the loss of a beloved institution that had become a part of the city's cultural fabric. The shuttering of Cole's also highlights the broader challenges facing the restaurant industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The details

Cole's French Dip, founded in 1908 inside the Pacific Electric Building, was known for its classic roast beef sandwiches dipped in savory jus. The wood-paneled dining room, late-night bar, and decades of Hollywood lore made it a stop for generations of Angelenos and visitors. However, the restaurant's owner, Cedd Moses, and his team say the closure was inevitable due to rising costs, pandemic-era pressures, labor shortages, and dwindling downtown foot traffic.

  • Cole's French Dip first opened its doors in 1908 inside the Pacific Electric Building.
  • The restaurant hosted its final 'Farewell Weekend' on Saturday, March 28, 2026 and Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Cole's French Dip

A legendary Los Angeles restaurant founded in 1908 and known as the birthplace of the French dip sandwich.

Cedd Moses

The owner of Cole's French Dip who cited rising costs, pandemic pressures, labor shortages, and dwindling downtown foot traffic as the reasons for the restaurant's closure.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There's a lot of restaurants that have been closing, legacy establishments closing in LA, and I just want to support and be a part of that culinary community.”

— Bryson Pintard, Customer

“This might not be the greatest sandwich you ever had in your life, but what you're getting is a taste of the Hollywood glamour that it once was.”

— Unidentified Customer

“The sandwich tasted like a hug in a way.”

— Alexandra Pinedo, Customer

“The food is classic, simple ingredients and timeless flavor.”

— Edgar De La Torre, Customer

What’s next

Multiple buyers have expressed interest in purchasing and potentially reopening the landmark Cole's French Dip restaurant.

The takeaway

The closure of Cole's French Dip, a Los Angeles institution for over a century, marks the end of an era and the loss of a beloved culinary landmark. The shuttering highlights the broader challenges facing the restaurant industry, but also the enduring appeal of classic, time-honored establishments that have become part of a city's cultural fabric.