Phillips BBQ, Chino: An Enticing Sampling

[ChinoWayne]

Despite the fact that we both began a Weight Watchers regimen this past weekend, after spending an entire afternoon cleaning out two storage lockers, the Mrs. had a powerful hunger and gave in to the temptation to stop at Phillips BBQ. Phillips has been in Chino for about a year already, occupying the site of a previous 'Q joint in a non-descript mini mall, and despite my entreaties to try this place, the Mrs. had been resisting, a little taken aback because it was located in not the most upscale part of town.

The urge to consume real barbeque, from an outpost of a legendary pitmaster, who is also a Soul Brother, was too over powering for the Mrs., so she stopped and picked-up a couple of "dinners" for us to sample. The Mrs. opted for baby back ribs, which came with a side of beans, a side of cole slaw, and the requisite two slices of white bread. I sampled one of the ribs. They were very cleanly trimmed and cooked to a perfect consistency, not falling off the bone mush, they were toothsome, sticking to the bone but tender.

I had the sliced tri-tip plate which came with the same sides. The meat was smokey, tender, and moist. The sauce that came with the ribs and meat was sublime, not sweet, not too thick or two watery, not too spicy but with a nice residual burn in your throat. I could eat a lot more of this meat and sauce, and am looking forward to trying some St. Louis style ribs.

The beans tasted like they came out of a Heinz can, but they complimented the meat. The cole slaw was terrible in my opinion and I only ate one fork full, while the Mrs. polished it off, and we split a slice of sock-it-to-me cake, which was satisfying.

Total cost was about $30.

This meal totally blew our Weight Watchers points, I am now in the hole points wise, and still have two more days to account for this week, now what, broccoli for the next two days?

We will return to Phillips for more barbequed meat fixes in the future.

[reality check]

Phillips in Chino, is now closed. That location is curse for BBQ, first with Clark's BBQ and now Phillips closed. They had cut back their days, closed Sun & Mon, so they were struggling. Not surprised they are closed.

[lil mikey]

If Phillips couldn't make it, they should probably go ahead and tear the buildng down.

[kevin]

very true.

[reality check]

The Mexican market and liquor store, both do pretty well there.

[WildSwede]

Thanks, Wayne. I will have to mention it to my friends who live in the area!! Take care!

[attran99]

A friend had Phillips cater her birthday shortly after the Chino location opened. The food was fabulous! Their macaroni salad is quite good, too.
Anyone have any idea what their hours are? My husband would LOVE this place, and I tried calling tonight, but the line was busy from 6:45PM until 7:15PM. We're in Upland, and I didn't want to drive to Chino only to find them closed.

[monku]

Interesting...they don't have tri tip at their LA locations.

[ChinoWayne]

I had asked the Mrs. to bring me brisket, but apparently the only sliced beef they offer in Chino is the tri-tip, which she said they were very proud of.

[kevin]

that's right its all sliced beef at the LA locations, they sure make some of the best BBQ beef ribs around town for sure.

[A5 KOBE]

I had the brisket when they first opened but not sure if they still have it anymore as I have not been back since. It was pretty dry and not memorable. Overall, I thought the BBQ was decent, and loved the chicken and rib tips, as well as the mac n cheese which I found above average.

I still contend that Bludso's is the best in LA.

[reality check]

That picture is not brisket, it is tri tip. The Chino location has always had tri tip and I went the first week they opened.

[Norm Man]

Monku, the manager of the Phillips BBQ Centinela location (he's the elder Phillips' son) told me that their sliced beef is tri-tip -- not brisket.

[monku]

I've only been to the Leimert and Crenshaw locations. Never saw tri-tip on the menu.

[reality check]

Sliced beef is on the menu at all LA area Phillips. If you ask them what cut of beef is used, they will tell you, it's tri tip.

[monku]

If they said "tri tip" on the menu I'd get it if I wasn't so fixed on their ribs and rib tips.

[reality check]

I think Phillips has the best spare ribs in LA. But I make it a point to ask any BBQ restaurant what cut of beef they use, if they have sliced beef on their menu.

Phillips in Chino closes at 9pm Mon-Fri. Sunday I believe they close at 7 or 8pm.

[hnsbmg]

Of the old-time places, I like those good ribs at Phillips the best, but they can't compare to the juicy, crusty lovelies at Big Mista. (I'm talking about the ribs.) But Phillips IS good, and the counter man at Phillips/Chino is a friendly and helpful guy. For those not familiar with this part of town, excellent dessert is available at Handel's ice cream (just off Mountain Ave., a block north of the 10 freeway) and at the Cupcakery (a block south of the 10 -- again, in a shopping center off Mountain).

[attran99]

I was under the impression that they're church-going folks and are closed Sundays.

[reality check]

I know for sure, the Leimert Park location does not open on Sun.

But I know the Phillips on Crenshaw and in Chino are open on Sundays.

Big Mista's ribs don't do it for me. Fatty, gristly, and not a fan of their bark. I stick to their brisket, which is usually good.

[aizan]

sometimes bigmista's spare ribs are as good as phillips at their best; well trimmed and all that. can't do anything about the dry rub, though.

[hnsbmg]

I've never found much gristle on Big Mista's ribs, but they are fatty, and I love it. That's what makes the ribs so tender and juicy, unlike those at Phillips (which are good -- just not as tender and juicy as I grew up liking in the South, the southern Midwest, and Chicago). I cut or pull away the fat and eat the meat.

[ChinoWayne]

Circling back to this, in yesterday's local paper they list the business hours for Phillips Chino as 11:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M, Wednesday through Saturday, 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Sundays.