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\title{Philippe The Original and California}
\author{Ira W. Snyder}
\date{\today}


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Philippe The Original is one of the more well-known restaurants in the Los Angeles area. It is also
a part of the history of Los Angeles, since it has been in business since 1908. Interestingly, though
the food is very good, it is not the best that can be found in Los Angeles. It is other qualities besides
the food that attracts people to Philippe The Original, such as the sense of connection with the past,
and how it shows a story of success to the residents of Los Angeles.

Philippe The Original was started by a Frenchman named Philippe Matthieu in 1908. It is currently located
at 1001 N. Alameda Street, which is about 1 block from Los Angeles' Union Station. Philippe The Original is
best known for the invention of the French Dip Sandwich, which was accidentally invented by the owner
in 1918, when he dropped a sliced roll of french bread into juice still hot from the oven. This sandwich was
served to a policeman who was in a hurry. The next day the policeman brought some friends who were also
interested in purchasing dipped sandwiches, and the rest is history. The origin of the sandwich's name is
not clear, but it could have been called a ``French Dip Sandwich'' because of Matthieu's French heritage, the
French roll the sandwich is made on, or because the police officer's name was French.

The restaurant has a very interesting layout, which is different from what we have come to expect in more
modern architecture. Its unique architecture is a product of its heritage. The building which is currently
occupied by Philippe The Original was previously a machine shop with a hotel on the upper floor. There is
seating on both floors, while the food service is only on the lower floor.

My experience at Philippe's was a good one. I visited it at about 5pm on a Sunday. Once inside, the first
thing you are likely to notice is the sawdust on the floors. This is definitely not seen very often these days,
except at some biker clubs and similar places. Another thing that is very different from what we are used
to are the long tables and stools that are placed throughout the restaurant. These long tables allow many
different groups of people to sit together and interact. This is in contrast to the usual booths and tables
that seat only one group of people.

The ordering of food is also somewhat different from many restaurants that we eat at today. Philippe
The Original is an old style delicatessen. All of the food is displayed in large glass cases at the front of 
the room. The menu is posted overhead. When you order food you put the money on a small tray,
and the person getting your meal takes it back to a cashier, who makes change while your mean is
being prepared. Your change is then brought back on the same tray. This is definitely something
different, and something that is unique, at least to me, since I've never seen it anywhere else.

The menu consists of the French Dip Sandwich, available in roast beef, roast pork, leg of lamb, turkey or ham,
as well as many other things, such as cole slaw, macaroni and potato salads, pickled hard boiled eggs, and pigs
feet. In addition, you can also choose to order from a selection of soups, beef stew or chili. To drink,
Philippe's offers lemonade, iced tea, coffee, and a variety of soft drinks.

This mix of food is quite interesting. On one hand, you have more traditional American-style food, such
as the sandwiches, macaroni and potato salad, and the stew. On the other hand, Philippe's serves
wine, which is almost unheard of except in fancier restaurants. The wine is served at Philippe's to keep
in line with the French heritage of the original owner of the restaurant. This unique cultural blend of foods
may be a reason that people continue to return to Philippe's, and also tell their friends about it as well.

I think that Los Angelinos continue to visit Philippe's because it is a link to the past. In their minds it is a place
that is seperate from all of the problems and worries that they have in the outside world. This is similar to
Disneyland, in a way. People come to both places to forget their problems, and to have a good time. This
image is reinforced by the wall decorations, which include old newspaper clippings about events that have
happened throughout the restaurant's history, and a display of the history of the electric railroad in Los
Angeles. These are both things that we do not see very often, but they connect us to our past.

Another thing that helps people link Philippe's to the past is the prices of some of
their items, such as the coffee, which is only 10 cents. Some time ago, when reminiscing
about her days in college, my mother told me a story about her going down to a coffee
shop once a week and paying 10 cents for a cup of coffee. This was all the money that she
could afford to spend at the time, and it was the highlight of her week. Seeing the price of
coffee at 10 cents, reminded me of this memory, and helped to enhance the feeling of
the past in Philippe's.

The fact that people keep coming back to Philippe The Original shows that they value this link to the past
that is created by the restaurant. This would seem to imply that Los Angelinos value a carefree life,
and they will try to imagine that they have a carefree life by visiting the restaurant.

I think another reason that people enjoy coming to Philippe The Original is that it is a story of success.
The restaurant was founded by a French immigrant, and was eventually sold to a group of immigrants
from Kansas in 1927. The restaurant is obviously successful since it is still around today, 98 years after
it first opened. This is a very good success story, since many restaurants do not last for more than a
few decades.

I think that the primary reason that Los Angelinos keep coming to Philippe The Original is because
they associate it with good memories, and good times with friends while dining at Philippe's. I'm sure
that having good food helps, (after all, who doesn't like a good meal?) but it is most likely good
memories of the place that keeps them returning.

\subsection*{Sources Used}

\noindent http://www.philippes.com/restaurant/history.shtml -- 2006-06-05

\noindent http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe\%27s -- 2006-06-05

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