Origins of the French Dip Sandwich are Soaked in Mystery | Gunther Toody's Diner (2024)

FAQs

Where did the French dip sandwich originate? ›

Two Los Angeles restaurants, Philippe The Original and Cole's, claim to have invented the sandwich in the early 20th century.

Philippe's was established in 1908 by Philippe Mathieu, who claimed the distinction of having created the “French Dipped Sandwich.” One day in 1918, while making a sandwich, Mathieu inadvertently dropped the sliced french roll into the roasting pan filled with juice still hot from the oven.

The sandwich is an American invention, with the name seeming to refer to the style of bread, rather than any French origin.

Jack Garlinghouse, Cole's house chef, dips bread in Au Jus to soften it for a customer with bad gums. Thus, he originates the French Dip sandwich, a universally beloved Los Angeles culinary invention.

According to history, the sandwich we know and love today was created in 1762 in England. Most food historians agree that the sandwich is the product of John Montagu, “the 4^th Earl of sandwich.” Montagu was known for being a problematic gambler, spending hours upon hours at the card table.

The basic concept is the same at both places – Philippe's serves their French Dip “wet” which means that the roll is dipped in the meat juices and then filled with roast beef, Cole's serves theirs with a side of au jus which diners dip their sandwich into.

French dip sandwiches can be extremely high in sodium and fat. To include them in a healthy, balanced diet, eat them only occasionally and in moderation.

It is not French cuisine; it is called "French" because it is made with dehydrated French onion soup mix.

When it comes to the French Dip, I like to spike my mayo with fresh horseradish for a bit of low-grade heat. If you're making two sandwiches, simply grate about 2 tablespoons fresh horseradish with a microplane and fold it into 1/3 cup mayo until incorporated.

French: sauce à tremper.

What is the origin of au jus? ›

The concept of au jus is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages, when cooks would collect the natural juices that ran off the meat as it cooked and use them to make a simple sauce. Over time, this simple sauce evolved into the more complex and flavorful au jus that is enjoyed today.

History. French onion dip, made of sour cream and instant onion soup, was created by an unknown cook in Los Angeles in 1954. The recipe spread quickly and was printed in a local newspaper.

Triangle sandwiches are at the heart of British food culture. A British earl invented the sandwich, it is said, and the people of this land love the sandwich to this day.

It first opened its doors back in 1908 in the Pacific Electric building, which was once the center of the Pacific Electric railway network. At the peak of its original business, on average 100,000 Angelinos would pass through this space to sample the restaurant's French Dips and cold pints.