{{short description|Hot beef sandwich on a roll with broth}} {{Distinguish|French onion dip}} {{Infobox prepared food | name = | image = Roast Beef Dip lunch.JPG | image_size = 250px | caption = Roast beef dip ''au jus'', with french fries | alternate_name = Beef dip | country = United States | region = Los Angeles, California | creator = Multiple claims | course = Main | type = Sandwich | main_ingredient = Baguette, roast beef, beef broth | variations = With cheese | calories = | other = }}

A '''French dip sandwich''', also known as a '''beef dip''', is a hot sandwich consisting of thinly sliced roast beef (or, sometimes, other meats) on a "French roll" or baguette.

A popular variation is to top with Swiss cheese, onions, and a dipping container of beef broth produced from the cooking process (termed ''au jus'', "with juice"). Beef stock, a light beef gravy, or beef consommé is sometimes substituted. The sandwich is most commonly served with a cup on the side, into which the sandwich is dipped as it is eaten, although this is not how the sandwich was served when it was originally developed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/french-dip-sandwich|title=French Dip Sandwich &#124; Traditional Sandwich From Los Angeles &#124; TasteAtlas|website=www.tasteatlas.com}}</ref>

The sandwich is an American invention, with the name seeming to refer to the style of bread.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tastingtable.com/1887065/french-dip-sandwich-california-local/|title=The Popular Sandwich That Was Invented In California, Not France|first=Nathan|last=Legare|date=June 22, 2025|website=Tasting Table}}</ref>

== History == Two Los Angeles restaurants have claimed to have created the French dip sandwich: Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet<ref name="snopes"> {{cite web | url = http://www.snopes.com/food/origins/frenchdip.asp | title = French Dip Sandwich Origins | access-date = May 23, 2012 | last1 = Mikkelson | first1 = Barbara | last2= Mikkelson | first2= David P. | date = March 10, 2009 | publisher = Snopes.com}} </ref> and Philippe the Original.<ref name="snopes" /><ref name="Philippe">{{cite web | url = http://www.philippes.com/history/ | title = History | access-date = May 23, 2012 | publisher = Philippe's the Original | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120524094950/http://www.philippes.com/history/ | archive-date = May 24, 2012 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Philippe's website describes the dish as a "specialty of the house", and the words "Home of the Original French Dip Sandwich" are present in the restaurant's logo. At Phillippe's the sandwich is served "double dipped", where the cut faces of the roll are dipped in the hot beef juices before the sandwich is assembled (a "single dipped" version in which only the bottom half of the roll is dipped is also offered), while at Cole's it is served "dry" with a side of beef juices. The sandwich can also be requested "wet", where the entire sandwich is dipped before serving, at either establishment. Both restaurants feature their own brand of spicy mustard.<ref name="Philippe" />

The controversy over who originated the sandwich remains unresolved. Both restaurants were established in 1908. However, Cole's claims to have originated the sandwich shortly after the restaurant opened in 1908, while Philippe's claims that owner Philippe Mathieu invented it in 1918.<ref name="snopes" /> Neither restaurant cites any period references. A November 1929 reference in ''Modern Mechanics and Inventions'', "War Veteran Erects Sand-bagged Dugout as Eating Place in Los Angeles" (which cites the dish at the Dugout) may be the first mention of the dish in print.<ref name="Mechanix">{{cite web | url = https://archive.org/details/sim_todays-homeowner-solutions_1929-11_3_1/page/102/mode/2up?q=%22French+dip+sandwich%22 | title = War Veteran Erects Sand-bagged Dugout as Eating Place in Los Angeles | work= Modern Mechanics and Inventions | access-date = July 30, 2025 }}</ref>

The story of the sandwich's invention by Philippe's has several variants: some sources say that it was first created by a cook or a server who, while preparing a sandwich for a police officer or fireman, accidentally dropped it into a pan of meat drippings. The patron liked it, and the dish surged in popularity shortly after its invention. Other accounts say that a customer who did not want some meat drippings to go to waste requested his sandwich be dipped in them. Still others say that a chef dipped a sandwich into a pan of meat drippings after a customer complained that the bread was stale.<ref name="mercurynews/great-grandfather">{{cite news |title=Did this California man’s great-grandfather create the French dip sandwich? |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/03/30/mans-great-grandfather-may-be-creator-of-the-french-dip-sandwich/ |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=The Mercury News |agency=Inland Valley Daily Bulletin |date=30 March 2026}}</ref> Cole's account states that the sandwich was invented by a sympathetic chef, Jack Garlinghouse,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harvey|first=Steve|date=1993-10-14|title=Dueling dips: The claim of Philippe the...|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-14-me-45435-story.html|access-date=2021-07-14|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hutson|first=MacKenzie|date=August 6, 2019|title=Invented in California: The French Dip Sandwich|url=https://www.california.com/invented-california-french-dip/|access-date=2021-07-14|website=www.california.com|language=en}}</ref> for a customer who was complaining of sore gums. Some accounts tell Philippe's version of events, but assign the location to Cole's. The mystery of the sandwich's invention might not be solved due to a lack of information and observable evidence.<ref name="snopes" />

<gallery widths="200px" heights="140px"> File:French Dip Sandwich.jpg|A French dip File:French dip.jpg|French dip, with bowl of ''jus'' for dipping </gallery>

==See also== * Beef on weck * Cheesesteak * Italian beef, a similar sandwich which is dipped in the juices * List of American sandwiches * List of sandwiches * Roast beef sandwich * Steak sandwich

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.colesfrenchdip.com Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet] * [http://www.philippes.com Philippe's the Original] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e9YJgQkZbs Philippe's] on ''Sandwich Paradise'' on Travel Channel

{{Beef}} {{Sandwiches}}

Category:American sandwiches Category:Beef sandwiches Category:Cuisine of California Category:Culture of Los Angeles Category:French-American culture in California Category:Hot sandwiches