The origin of the French dip sandwich

Listen to the full audio story
Show Embed Code | Download the MP3

Despite its name, the French dip sandwich is an American cuisine born right here in Los Angeles.  As Victor Figueroa learned, the French dip may have been an accident created at Philippe the Original.    

Mark Massengill is part of the family that’s owned Philippe's for over 85 years.  He says French dips are special for their au jus sauce, the juices leftover from beef roasts.   

But before the Massengill family, a Frenchman named Philippe Mathieu founded the restaurant. Massengill says it was Mathieu who created the French dip sensation.