Philippe's The Original

I’ve loved Philippe’s The Original for years, and the fact that it’s 107 years old certainly adds to its charm in my book. Known for its epically long, order-at-the-counter lunchtime lines and their lightening-fast meat carvers, Philippe’s is touted as being the birthplace of the “French Dipped Sandwich.” As the story goes, original owner Philippe Mathieu accidentally dropped a sliced French roll into one of his juice-filled roasting pans while making a sandwich for a policeman, who was so delighted with the result that he came back the next day -- with friends -- asking for the exact same sandwich. The story varies as to the genesis of the name itself – whether it comes from Mathieu’s own French lineage, or the police officer’s alleged equally Gallic name, or the French roll itself upon which the sandwich is made – but what remains consistent is the delicious nature of the dipped roast beef, pork, lamb, turkey, and ham sandwiches served at Philippe’s.  I’m as much of a fan of the traditional roast beef with Swiss cheese as I am of the lamb paired with bleu cheese; but what truly makes these sandwiches otherworldly is the house-made, ultra-hot French mustard prepared twice a week by the restaurant in 40-gallon batches! This mustard is a staple in my pantry, and keeps me running back to Philippe’s on a regular basis – as do their 45-cent cups of coffee, their blackberry pie (freshly baked by Martino’s Original Bakery, as with all of their other fruit and cream-based pies), and – of course – their spectacularly roasted meats.

Dress: Betsey Johnson (old)
Necklace: Debstar Designs Bow and Coffin Necklace
Lips: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in American Doll
Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW® Pomade in Soft Brown
Glasses: Bonlook Keiko frames in Tessa Tort

Lamb Dip with bleu cheese, Philippe's hot mustard, and potato salad.

Beef Dip with Swiss cheese, Philippe's hot mustard, and pickled beet salad.

"Eating at Philippe's since 1919. Charlie L. Sample. 100 years old Sept 23, 2003."