Iconic 118-Year-Old Restaurant Finally Closing After Months of Speculation

Cole's, the historic Los Angeles restaurant which claims to have invented the French dip sandwich, will finally close its doors this weekend after 118 years. The news comes after the establishment was able to stave off closing several times since last summer.

The longest-running public house in LA will serve its final customers on Sunday, March 29 before shutting down.

Cole's time has finally come

Cedd Moses, the founder of Pouring with Heart hospitality group, which has owned Cole's since 2008, confirmed the closure this week.

“We delayed the closure because we got such a great, big response of people coming out to support the restaurant, which we really appreciate,” Moses told the Los Angeles Times. “But then business started receding again, so now at this point, we’re forced to close. We just can’t keep the doors open and keep hemorrhaging money.”

Originally, it was announced that Cole's would be closing in August 2025. The date was then pushed back to September and later through the end of the year as Pouring with Heart looked for new owners.

Financial burdens became too much to bear, leading to Cole's grand finale this weekend, but Moses says there are still several parties interested in the property and it's not out of the question that the restaurant could reopen down the line under new ownership.

One final sendoff

Founded in 2008, Cole's is now preparing for one last weekend celebration featuring several local chefs collaborating on special meals.

"We are honored to invite you to join us this weekend, March 28th & 29th, for a flavor feast at Cole’s, capping 118 years of service," said the official Cole's Facebook page. "A constellation of LA’s revered chefs are crafting their own version of our iconic sandwiches and sides.

"A portion of proceeds will go to the Independent Hospitality Coalition, @IHCLA.org, in support of their efforts to save storied classics and independent restaurant operators. Thank you all. Enjoy LA!"

In total, six other restaurants will be represented: Jitlada, Fathers Office and Little Fatty on Saturday and Bay Cities, Guelaguetza and Found Oyster on Sunday.

"On Saturday find a beef curry dip from Jitlada, a burger dip from Father’s Office and a Wagyu pho dip from Little Fatty," writes the Times. "Then on Sunday, look for a surprise dip from Bay Cities (an interested party in purchasing Cole’s), red mole loaded fries from Guelaguetza and a po’ boy dip from Found Oyster."

Complimentary See's Candies will be provided to the first 59 dips sold each day.