Crime, soaring rent to shutter Cole's French Dip, LA's oldest restaurant
Los Angeles’ oldest restaurant is dipping out.
Cole’s French Dip — a 117-year-old mainstay of downtown LA that claims to have originated the French dip sandwich — will shutter due to vandalism, sky-high rent and “general crime,” among other challenges.
“The litany of reasons for closing are not unique to Cole’s alone; they are affecting most independent restaurants in Los Angeles,” the eatery said in a press release announcing the closure, set for Aug 3.
Founded in 1908, Cole’s is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the city.
Cole's French Dip/Instagram
But unchecked crime and vandalism, rising rents and an impotent city government have withered LA’s thriving downtown — and now even the mighty Cole’s will die on the vine.
Cole’s staff had to scrub feces off the property every other day, Brian Lenzo, a senior vice president for parent company Pouring With Heart, told the LA Times.
The restaurant also listed the pandemic, recent writer and actor strikes, “mounting bureaucracy and legal exposure” among the industry’s blights.
“Many Historical Independent Restaurants are struggling under the weight of these issues and have already closed, while those remaining are fighting to survive,” the restaurant said.
The honor of having originated the French dip — red meat in a baguette dipped in broth — is also claimed by rival eatery Philippe’s, but there’s no denying the century of influence Cole’s has had on LA’s culinary scene.
With its dusky, mahogany interior and stamped-tin ceilings, Cole’s was at once a high-end bistro, local saloon and late-night cocktail lounge.
Steve Cukrov – stock.adobe.com
But its back-room cocktail lounge — called Varnish — closed last year, and Lenzo told the LA Times that “the writing was on the wall” for the restaurant to follow.
Yet not all hope is lost: A farewell message on its website gives contact information for anyone interested in purchasing the restaurant.
So, maybe someone will give this local legend another dip.
You may also like...
Diddy's Legal Troubles & Racketeering Trial

Music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges but convicted on transportation...
Thomas Partey Faces Rape & Sexual Assault Charges

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been formally charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault by UK ...
Nigeria Universities Changes Admission Policies

JAMB has clarified its admission policies, rectifying a student's status, reiterating the necessity of its Central Admis...
Ghana's Economic Reforms & Gold Sector Initiatives

Ghana is undertaking a comprehensive economic overhaul with President John Dramani Mahama's 24-Hour Economy and Accelera...
WAFCON 2024 African Women's Football Tournament

The 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations opened with thrilling matches, seeing Nigeria's Super Falcons secure a dominant 3...
Emergence & Dynamics of Nigeria's ADC Coalition

A new opposition coalition, led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is emerging to challenge President Bola Ahmed ...
Demise of Olubadan of Ibadanland

Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, has died at 90, concluding a life of distinguished service in t...
Death of Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai

Nigerian football mourns the death of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, who passed away at 61. Known as 'Do...