Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet |
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Sign above the restaurant
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1908 |
| Food type | Diner |
| Dress code | Casual |
| Street address | 118 East 6th Street |
| City | Los Angeles |
| County | Los Angeles |
| State | California |
| Postal/ZIP code | 90014 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 34°02′41″N 118°14′58″W / 34.04478°N 118.24943°W |
Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet, often called Cole's P.E. Buffet, is a famous restaurant and bar in downtown Los Angeles, California. It is special because it is the oldest restaurant in Los Angeles that has stayed in the same spot since it opened! You can find it at 118 East 6th Street in the Historic Core area.
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The History of Cole's
Cole's was started in 1908 by Henry Cole. It was on the ground floor of the Pacific Electric Building. This building was once the main station for the Pacific Electric Railway, which had many electric trains called Red Cars.
Unique Tables and Design
Cole's used to have very special tables. They were made from the shiny, varnished doors of old Red Cars! These tables were removed when the restaurant was renovated between 2007 and 2008. The restaurant looks a bit like the bar from the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It even mentions "French dip" on its menu, just like in the movie.
The Famous French Dip Sandwich
Cole's is one of two restaurants in Los Angeles that claim to have invented the French dip sandwich. The other restaurant is called Philippe's. Both say the sandwich was created in 1908.
How the French Dip Was Born
According to the people who work at Cole's, the French dip was created by accident. A customer who had just had dental work found the French bread too hard to chew. So, Henry Cole, the owner, dipped the bread into the meat juices (called jus) to make it softer. Other customers saw this and asked Henry to do the same for their sandwiches. That is how the delicious French dip sandwich became popular!
Cole's as a Historic Landmark
Cole's is not just a restaurant; it is also an important part of Los Angeles history. In 1989, it was named a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. This means it is a special place that the city wants to protect because of its history and unique character.
Recent Changes and Reopening
Cole's closed for a big renovation on March 15, 2007. The new owner wanted to reopen it by its 100th birthday in January 2008. The project took a bit longer, but Cole's finally reopened in December 2008.
Recent News About Cole's
On July 7, 2025, the owners announced that Cole's would close its doors for good on August 3, 2025. However, because so many customers came to visit after the announcement, the closing date was moved to September 2025.
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