“...this Santa Fe Railway Super Chief locomotive had been uncoupled from its El Capitan passenger train from Chicago on the morning of January 25, 1948. Somehow the brakes failed and it continued to move forward until it hit and overshot the 20-foot wall lining Aliso Street in downtown LA. “ Hello, We have been down streets in downtown Los Angeles a hundred times, mostly with our dad. When he took us to a college football game(s) from the 1948 to 1983, he always took us to Phillipe’s the Original (French Dipped Sandwich Restaurant) first to get our great lunch order. The restaurant was right across the street from the wall and location. He got the sandwiches and accessories but, we never saw the original location on Aliso Street. By the time he took us to the physical location in 1951, they had moved to the current North Alameda location. We always liked the rich flavor of the sauce dipped French roll sandwich. My brother and I always knew that if we went to Los Angeles, we would get a Phillipe’s sandwich. It was a given. But, having liked the original flavor in 1948, we instantly said ok, when our dad took us to the newly opened place in the current location back in 1951. There were lines coming out of the door and huge lines waiting in front of the ladies making the dipped sandwiches behind the glass refrigerator display counter, inside. The atmosphere was rough, sawdust on the floor, stools for seats on long bench style tabletops shared with everyone. But, the food was outstanding and potato salad was also the best, ever. A fair warning, if anyone gets there at the normal lunch hour, be prepared to stand in a long line to get to the counter to order. Plenty of lines, but plenty of seats including the upstairs area. No dress codes as it is suit wearing business men, to overalls wearing construction guys, to the secretary just in to pick up the office order. It first opened at 300 N. Alameda before moving to 246 Aliso St in 1918. Philippe’s was forced to move to make way for the then new Hollywood-Santa Ana 101 freeway, and in 1951 relocated to the present location, which was a machine shop with a hotel on the second floor. Jnaki My wife and I always used to stop here for a nice lunch or dinner. The attractions of downtown Los Angeles were just down the streets. But, for our forays to the Coliseum, Sports Arena and Shrine Exposition Hall, as well as the Shrine Auditorium for concerts & shows, made it worthwhile to stop at Phillipe's first. YES !!!
The Jalopy Journal
