118-Year-Old L.A. Restaurant Cole’s French Dip Finally Closing After Multiple False Closures

**Closing Time for Iconic Los Angeles Eatery Cole’s French Dip**

The celebrated Cole’s French Dip restaurant in Los Angeles, which proudly claims to be the birthplace of the iconic French dip sandwich, has announced its impending closure at the end of March. With a rich history spanning 118 years, the restaurant will host a final farewell event on the weekend of 28th and 29th March, marking the end of an era for this storied culinary institution.

Cole’s French Dip, located in the heart of Los Angeles, has faced numerous challenges over the past year, resulting in multiple announcements regarding its closure. The establishment shared the latest news through an Instagram post, inviting patrons to bid it a “final adieu.” The farewell party is expected to feature a variety of collaborations with other local businesses, presenting specialty French dip sandwiches and sides, with notable contributions from Found Oyster and the beloved Thai restaurant Jitlada.

In a heartfelt message, the restaurant celebrated its legacy, proclaiming the event as a culmination of “118 years of service” to the community. The festivities will include unique offerings crafted by renowned Los Angeles chefs, alongside a commitment that a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Independent Hospitality Coalition, which supports local restaurants facing difficulties.

While many fans expressed their sorrow over the imminent closure, the reaction amongst followers was mixed. Some shared their reluctance to believe the announcement after the restaurant’s previous closure postponements. “I’ll keep eating at Cole’s as long as the doors are open. Why do you care if they announce closing 100 times?” one supporter commented, while another sceptical voice likened the situation to the long-running farewell tours of rock band The Who, commenting on the frequent closure scares.

On its official website, Cole’s French Dip attempted to quash doubts, stating, “This time we really mean it! (Maybe).” The playful message acknowledged the past uncertainty but reiterated the challenges the restaurant has faced, including financial losses that have plagued many hospitality venues since the onset of the pandemic.

Reports suggest that Cole’s has struggled with increased operating costs, diminished patronage due to strikes within the entertainment industry, and the devastating aftermath of the 2025 Palisades fire. Cedd Moses, the founder of Pouring with Heart—Cole’s parent company—revealed that despite an initial wave of public support that prompted previous extensions of closing dates, the reality is that the restaurant can no longer afford to remain open.

Moses expressed a glimmer of hope that a potential buyer might emerge, stating that there has been interest in taking over the establishment, but the urgency to close has become paramount. “We just can’t keep the doors open and keep hemorrhaging money,” he explained.

The culinary legacy of Cole’s French Dip is heavily interwoven with its signature sandwich, which allows patrons to select from a variety of meat options, including braised lamb and USDA Prime beef, to dip into its renowned au jus. This gastronomic creation, according to the restaurant’s history, was invented by Jack Garlinghouse, Cole’s house chef, who ingeniously dipped bread into au jus to soften it for a customer with dental issues, thereby giving birth to a beloved addition to American cuisine.

Founded in 1908 by entrepreneur Harry Cole, the restaurant quickly gained popularity as a convenient stop for passengers travelling through the Pacific Electric Building, an important railway hub of that era. Over the decades, Cole’s has not only become a venue well-loved for its culinary contributions but has also become part and parcel of the Los Angeles dining landscape.

As the end of March approaches, Cole’s French Dip prepares to celebrate its last moments with a community that has supported it through thick and thin. Regardless of the restaurant’s fate, the heritage of the French dip sandwich, along with the stories of countless patrons who have walked through its doors, will surely leave an indelible mark on the city’s culinary history.