117 Years of Flavor, One Final Sandwich – Farewell, Cole’s French Dip
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Cole’s French Dip in downtown Los Angeles will be closing permanently after 117 years in business.
The restaurant will close its doors on August 3.
There were last ditch efforts to save the business, but owner Cedd Moses said there are a number of reasons leading to its closure
The litany of reasons for closing are not unique to Cole’s alone; they are affecting most independent restaurants in Los Angeles,” Moses said in a statement. “The global pandemic, the actors and writers strikes, overall crime, as well as the consistently rising costs of labor and goods, unsustainably high rents and mounting bureaucracy and legal exposure have all led to this unfortunate outcome. Cole’s is the city of L.A.‘s oldest operating restaurant and bar, according to the statement announcing the restaurant’s closure. Cole’s opened back in 1908 and is best known for its famous French dip sandwich and specialty cocktails.
We have cherished our time serving the Downtown community, and will continue to craft great drinks and our renowned French dip sandwiches until we shutter,” the statement said. “We care deeply about our family of staff and are immensely grateful for our amazing guests who have supported Cole’s over the years.
“We invite you to come in to see us this month before our departure, to laugh, to cry, to raise glasses, to eat, and to say your goodbyes right alongside us.”
After news of the closing was announced, Norm Langer of Langer’s Deli, another beloved institution in downtown L.A., released this statement:
“It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of nostalgia that I learned about the impending closure of Cole’s French Dip — a beloved Los Angeles institution that has stood the test of time for more than a century.
ounded before Prohibition, Cole’s wasn’t just a restaurant — it was a fixture of downtown Los Angeles and a second home to generations of Angelenos. For 117 years, it served up comfort food, community, and memories. It was the kind of place where you could find a warm meal, a good drink, and a friendly face, even in the late hours of the night
As we’ve seen in recent years — through the pandemic, rising crime, increased operating costs, and an ever-growing tangle of bureaucracy — independent restaurants have faced extraordinary challenges. Langer’s has felt those pressures too. I’m heartsick that Cole’s, with all its history and heart, could not only survive but continue to thrive.
Los Angeles has lost more than a business; we’ve lost a piece of our soul. Cole’s was a crown jewel, and its absence will be felt by all who value tradition, resilience, and the unique cultural fabric that made this city great.”
