phil's bbq....

[chrisfernando100]

my girlfriend's friends want to go to phil's for some bbq. does it still suck or have they improved?

[bogie]

My biggest complaint about Phil's is that the ribs are expensive considering how little meat is on dem bones. Nothing at all like Stockyards racks, which are huge at $18, enough pork for two hungry chowhounders. Stick to the pulled pork and brisket sandwiches w/fries, which are great values. Oh yeah, his sides suck too.

[jamesm]

I've never had a problem getting BBQ at Stockyards either. By now I've tried most things on the menu and enjoyed them all and actually preferred the pulled pork to Buster Rhino's PP. As for Phil's I haven't been in years but I do remember enjoying the pulled pork and hush puppies a long time ago. I can't comment on whether there has been a dip in quality.

[Danybear]

MONTANA's just announced all the ribs you can eat, all the time, their ribs aren't bad, better than Phils.

[estufarian]

That sounds a little like a punishment, rather than a deal! (even if they are better than Phil's - which isn't difficult).

[GoodGravy]

Sounds like a good deal if you're on a student budget and don't have to worry about cholesterol for a few years, i.e.; college students with appetites.

[estufarian]

I think it's still $26.95 (menu price for a full rack +$1). But if you do like them, then indeed a deal.

[CeeQueue]

I did their AYCE ribs once. I was barely able to finish the first whole rack, but got 4 more bones because I was really not enjoying the sauce I ordered for the first part (something with apricot jelly or something, that was way sweeter than I anticipated). I tried the honey garlic, which were also on the sweet side (though not as bad as the jelly ones). I'm not a big fan of hickory, which was the only other option (their regular BBQ sauce). I wish they'd let you get your first order with two different sauces so you're not stuck with something you don't like. I'd recommend asking for a sample of each sauce before ordering.

[chrisfernando100]

yeah, forget montana's, i had there ribs once and i don't think i will again.

estufarian & davwud - it looks like i'm going to phil's....lol

[estufarian]

Good man - she must be special!

[chrisfernando100]

lol...yeah, i don't care what anybody says about her, i still love her...

[embee]

I tried their beef ribs once, following several recommendations. They were, as advertised, huge, but were not, as advertised, smoked for 24 hours.

While I might have the details wrong, the effect was of meat that had been baked, frozen, nuked, sauced, and glazed on the grill. Alternatively, they could have been baked in a combi oven with a smoke/steam system before the final grilling.

The sauces ranged from very sweet to extremely sweet. There no hint of either spicing or smoke (other than the sweet sauces).

They were edible and they left me stuffed, but they were not worth an extra portion, much less a return visit.

[embee]

Phill once had real BBQ passion, but he lost it years ago. The break with Dipamo's on Eglinton was undoubtedly gut wrenching, but he got to keep his place. Instead of demonstrating how his very personal cuisine was better, he seemed to stop caring. I also never understood why he refused to make beef ribs.

In short, I used to love Phil's, but haven't been there, or missed it, in ages.

[shekamoo]

I have been once, something like a year ago. 'sucked' is an understatement for their dry and flavorless and overpriced food. there is no comparison either with Stockyards or Southern RUB, the two best ribs in the city

[estufarian]

At Stockyards the ribs must be good. They've never had any when I've visited!

[chrisfernando100]

thanks guys. i went to phil's a few years back and had a similar experience, that's why i'm wondering what's up. now the fun starts of trying to convince my gf that her friends may be wrong....lol

take a look here...http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/681800

[estufarian]

However bad Phil's is, DON"T try and convince her that her friends are wrong! That's a fast way to an ex-girlfriend. Sometimes you just have to grin and swallow (literally).
Plan on two outings - one to Phil's and one based on the recommendations here.
Wishing you a long and happy partnership!

[Davwud]

I agree.

Chris, you can be right, or you can be happy. You decide.

DT

[chrisfernando100]

lol....my gf is cracking up reading this right now......

[sarnya]

This is news to me that people think Phil's sucked... I always thought it was pretty good and it's considered to be one of the more successful restaurant makeovers.

I've eaten there before and enjoyed it. There's been times I haven't been able to get in there because it's been so busy. I suppose Phil does have a lot more competition for southern BBQ now than he did a few years ago. Though the Stockyards is my go-to place for BBQ in the city, I wouldn't hesitate going back to Phil's.

[estufarian]

Remind us again when Stockyards does BBQ - every time I've passed by they only seem to have burgers and fried chicken!
But I did have a great porchetta sandwich there (but very expensive). Also it's basically take-out as well - a couple of counter stools, but hardly a 'restaurant'.
But I agree that Phil's is a disaster - or at least was - I never go to Phil's anymore.

[sarnya]

I've never had a problem with getting a seat or the BBQ menu items at the Stockyards, be it lunch, dinner, weekends or weekdays, there's always plenty to order.

It is basically a take out place but because I don't live in the neighbourhood or own a car, I have to eat inside. I've found the employees and other customers to be talkative and friendly so eating in there is actually a great experience.

Regardless, this thread is about Phil's, which is actually a really good restaurant. I'm still shocked to see this hate-on people have for Phil's. With less people going there now, maybe I can finally get in there again without the huge line up.

[duckdown]

My couple visits to Stockyards were a waste of time as well, nothing but burgers or porchetta sandwiches

[childofthestorm]

Just FYI according to their takeout menu sitting on my desk, ribs are available at Stockyards on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. After 5pm only.

[estufarian]

Typically Tuesday is the only potential day for me - and after 7:00.
I WILL give them a try (mainly because of your, and others, recommendation - in principle I go to places that suit my schedule, not require me to match theirs) - but if they're sold out expect me to complain every time this subject comes up. At least I can potentially take the streetcar (sorry, rapid (???) transit ) to/from St Clair subway now without changing (although last time I tried, within the past week, from Wychwood Barns, they still made me change at St Clair West).

[childofthestorm]

Yeah, I have a car...believe me if I had to take the streetcar along St. Clair only to find no ribs at Stockyards, I would complain too.

[magic]

Chowhounders at least have almost universally panned Phil's for years. It's nothing new.

I've never been so I can't comment one way or another.

[carnivore1964]

I went to Phil's BBQ a few weeks ago. Don't bother going it was horrible. I went with 3 other people, we each ordered something else and we each sampled each other's dishes. The meat was all overdone and dry. You needed to drown everything in sauce just to be able to to eat any of it. The only thing that was half decent was the baked beans. As for their famous ribs, you are better off with swiss challet.

NEVER AGAIN!!!!

[kingofboggle]

since when has Phil's sucked? i go about 3 or 4 times a year-last visit was in the summer- and it was incredible as always. i only ever get the ribs but if you are honestly comparing them to swiss chalet..... that is ridiculous. my only problem is that the parking situation isnt great and the George Bell lookalike waiter isn't always very concerned with being friendly. i dont care though, i go for bbq, not to make friends

[Davwud]

The last time I went I vowed never again. That was about 3 years ago.

What about Paul and Sandy's on Dundas W near B'thorpe??
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/680834

DT

[craigger]

just wrote a review for Paul and Sandy's. One word for you - GO.

[duckdown]

why not try the new place that opened up somewhat near there, Smokin Bones.. they sound good

[ingloriouseater]

smokin bones isn't anywhere near there and is take out only

[magic]

Smokin Bones does have a few counters with a dozen or so seats for eating in... it's not just take-out only.

[duckdown]

What is your point, even if its take out only? If Phil's isn't good, you still expect me to tell him to eat there?

[ingloriouseater]

i never recommended nor did i trash phil's, just commented that the two locations discussed are not close to each other, and sorry about the 'take out' only part, but the OP seemed like they wanted a sit down kind of place