I've been to Philippe's about 3 or 4 times in the past several years, but for some reason, I've always ordered their French Dip Beef Sandwich and each time I've been disappointed.
As for the juices the sandwich bread is dipped in, they just doesn't have the meaty flavor you'd expect or would want, which just leaves me with partially soggy bread.
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Also, the beef is usually a little dry, chewy and tastes unseasoned. Only the addition of Philippe's mustard gives this sandwich any oomph.
As for why I only ordered the French Dip Beef Sandwich, I think a part of me thought that was the specific dipped sandwich to order over all the other dipped sandwich choices. For some reason, I thought the Beef Sandwich was the first "dipped" sandwich that gave Philippe's the fame it has now and given its popularity, there must be something I'm just not getting. Isn't it amazing how something just sticks in your head, even it may be wrong? For all I know, that first dipped sandwich was pork.
I kept on thinking that if I tried it enough, I'd end up liking it more, but nope, no dice. That was obvious at a recent visit there where again, I was disappointed. I also wasn't that thrilled with the potato salad which had so much mayonnaise that you could hardly see the potatoes or the cherry pie, which had a filling that was too sweet and tasted like it came from a can.
After I uploaded my Phillipe photos to Flickr and posted them on my Facebook Wall, I posted a message saying that I didn't get the allure of the Beef Dipped Sandwich at Philippe. In response, a few of my Facebook friends gave me suggestions of other things to try on their menu, which included the:
- lamb and blue cheese double dip
- turkey double dip
- pork dipped sandwich
- macaroni salad
- coleslaw
- pickled eggs
- pickled pig's feet
- beef stew
- baked apple
Philippe The Original
100 N. Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-3781
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I like the lamb with bleu cheese. The lamb is far more tender and luscious.
ReplyDeleteThe lamb with blue cheese seems to be a popular item. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't understand the french dip sandwich craze either (glad to hear I am not the only one). I would love to try the other items on the menu but it's too troublesome to venture out there. I do like the atmosphere of the place though! ;)
ReplyDeleteI've always thought the same thing about the beef dip sandwich. Next time, I'll go for the recommended lamb and bleu cheese.
ReplyDeleteLynda: With all the awesome restaurants to choose from in LA, Philippe for me, may only be a visit if I happen to be in the area. Even then, Chinatown next door may be too hard to resist.
ReplyDeleteSusan: If you happen to go sooner than me, I'd love to know what you think about that lamb and bleu cheese.
Ate their yesterday and was disappointed as well. Ordered the turkey. It was just...dry.
ReplyDeleteoh well.
'
Next stop. Cole's.
the lamb and bleu is great.
ReplyDeleteIMO, Cole's dip is as good if not better, AND
-they serve real cocktails
-they have great french fries
-the mustard at Cole's is better
-we got engaged there.
Both places are wonderful and I hope they both survive another hundred years.