LOS ANGELES – The carvers at Philippe The Original  have been serving Dodgers fans for decades. 

Five minutes away from Dodger Stadium, it’s been the spot to pick up a French dip and then head on over to the ravine, or stay and watch a game. 


What You Need To Know

  • Businesses like Philippe The Original are struggling without Dodgers game day crowds

  • Philippe's typically serves two to three thousand French dip sandwiches on game day

  • That number has now been cut in half

  • Like other restaurants, Philippe's has pivoted to outdoor dining, family packs, and to-go orders

Manager Mark Massengill has worked at Philippe’s for 20 years.

“Well normally it would be really festive, we have such a loyal Dodger following here it’s tremendous,” said Massengill. 

He has helped the restaurant navigate through the past several months which have been tough on all dining establishments, but here, a Dodger season with no fans, is yet another curveball. 

“Losing the Dodger fans, it’s just a giant blow for us. We’re doing everything we can to make it easy for them to come in before games still,” Massengill said.

On Dodger game day, fans start rolling in two hours before the first pitch, and Philippe's will typically serve between two to three thousand French dips. 

But in the midst of a pandemic and with no home crowds, that number has been cut in half. 

As with many restaurants, Philippe The Original is adjusting, offering family packs, outdoor seating, and pickup orders so that the Dodger faithful can still have a taste of their traditional game day experience.

In this strange new normal, that’s what gives fans like Vincent Hernandez, a little comfort 

He thinks the two complement each other like a ball and glove. 

“It reminds me that Philippe’s wouldn’t be there without the Dodgers, and the Dodgers wouldn’t be there without Philippe’s,” said Hernandez.

While Hernandez will not be able to go to Dodger Stadium to cheer on his team, he can still savor the game day experience with a sandwich from Philippe’s.