National French Dip Day is dedicated to a sandwich that's much more American than its name suggests. It's made with roast beef piled on a French roll and served with a small dish of hot beef juices, known as au jus, for dipping.
Who invented the French dip?
The French dip comes from Los Angeles, where two restaurants have been arguing about it for around a century. Both Philippe the Original and Cole's French Dip claim to have created it in the early 1900s. The "French" is thought to refer to either the bread or to Philippe Mathieu, the French-born founder of Philippe's.
Like all great sandwiches, it inspires strong opinions, and you can decide on your own which story to believe.
How to celebrate French Dip Day
- Order one for lunch, with extra jus
- Make it at home using leftover roast beef and a toasted baguette
- Add melted Swiss cheese and caramelized onions