Phil’s Grill

Too bad this location closed as it was amazing! Next time we’re in NOLA we’ll check out lil’ Phil’s!

I walked over to this place on a Tuesday night at 730 and it was closed, I don’t think it’s still in business as it looks really empty.
Update: Phil’s was nice enough to email me to let me know they weren’t open for dinner on Tuesday. Unilocal had them listed as open so I’d call ahead before heading over. I’m going to make it there before I leave as the food sounds really good. 3 stars based solely on good customer service.

Can we just talk about their Zapp’d chicken? I mean they are taking one of the nation’s greatest chips, crushing it up, and breading chicken breasts with it. Then they deep fry the whole thing. I mean, I don’t even need the bread or any of their amazing toppings to go along with it. You could plop that chicken on a dirty napkin and serve it to me, and I’d eat it happily.
I had my chicken on their jalapeño bun with crystal hot sauce, avocado ranch, tomato, caramelized onions, spinach, and jalapeño jack cheese. To die for.
Unfortunately and fortunately for me, I live two states away. If I didn’t, I would probably eat here at least once a week.

Probably the best cheeseburger I’ve ever had. We have been to both locations and I prefer the downtown location over the Metairie one. The burgers are great at both spots, but the atmosphere is better at the downtown location and it’s much bigger.
I had the Angus burger on whole wheat and loved it. The build your own burger concept has been around for a long time, but this place got it right. They allow you to put pretty much anything you want in the burger and it comes out great. My better half likes to put an egg on her burger and says it’s quite tasty. What I really like about these burger is nothing is overpowering. Everything seems to be in perfect portion and cooked to compliment each other on every bite.
We heard of a deep fried burger there… that’s on the list for next time.

Stumbled here with a few friends while in town for the Sugar Bowl and had a great experience. The service was very laid back and fun, with the server calling everyone nicknames. The birthday boy even got a free beer!
The menu is more of a «Create Your Own Sandwich» type, selecting the type of meat, bread, toppings, sauce and side dish. The orders came out mostly correct, with a few people missing some toppings and my order of grilled veggies being substituted for steamed (when they brought them out, he said they would be better. And they were excellent. Topping wise, I’m guessing they took some liberty because we selected too many options that would clash). With such a large amount of options, it seems some things are not always in stock, but they will make suggestions to enhance your experience.
I ordered the Zapp’s potato chip crusted chicken on french bread. It was delicious. The side of steamed veggies with Cajun seasonings was a great complimentary choice, as the sandwich was huge!
The meal was a great value, as our whole party was full and satisfied for under $ 15 per person. The cost per sandwich is the same and there are only a few toppings/​side dishes that required an additional charge.
This place was very casual and laid back. It’s a great place to stop for lunch while exploring NOLA!

Wow! Beer and a burger place. Very well done. Everything is fresh and some great twists on a standard old burger. Buns cooked in house or local daily. Build your own with lots of choices.
If you have a problem with decisions, or your regular dining companions do, stay away. 8-​) That’s meant as a compliment to this establishment.

The menu is genius in its simplicity. You have some appetizers, shakes and floats, and the rest of the menu is filled with build your own burger pages that you circle the ingredients you want on your burger, rip out, and hand to your server. One of those things that makes you go «Why didn’t I think of that?»
We started with the Duck Wings, there were eight of them, and they were all equally tasty. Next, we created our tasty burgers.
I ordered a burger using a «Philet» as my meat. I added onion, roasted red pepper & garlic dressing, red onion, pickles, sliced tomato, crunchy coleslaw, a fried egg, havarti cheese, and sweet potato fries for my side. I thought the coleslaw and fried egg together was pushing it, but I just went with it.
The burger itself is juicy, moist, and was cooked a perfect medium rare just as I ordered it. Even with all my toppings, the burger still stood out. The missus ordered a bison burger which she allowed me to sample, it was delicious as well.
The sweet potato fries and the regular fries left much to be desired, however. Both needed some seasoning, it’s like they were just added to the menu as an afterthought. Spice up your sides, and you get a five star rating for sure.

I went here for the first the other night with my husband and his mother. It was after a Saints game (home game) but there was still a fair number of people eating. The burgers were amazing — the build-​you-​own-​burger concept is great! The fried pickles and fried mushrooms were crispy, hot and delicious. We even ordered shakes — I had an Oreo and the hubster got chocolate — both were delicious and difficult to finish (only because we were so full from the meal). My only complaint (and it’s not really a complaint — just something that could have used a little work) was the service. We had to ask several times for napkins and forks, and then waited a while for our bill. Other than that, everything was great!

Awesome burgers! Side of fries you can never go wrong with, potato salad is a hit or miss, have found that the potato can sometimes be undercooked, seasoning is not evenly blended, blah blah blah. So sides aren’t always consistent. But you don’t go here for the sides, you go here for the burger, made just how you like it!

Nice atmosphere. Friendly staff. Good food.
Awesome menu to build your own burger, I got the lettuce veggie burger with side of cheese fries and it was great, but difficult to eat. I might try the same ingredients, just get the salad version next time. My friends really liked their regular burgers too.

I have a hamburger in every single city I visit, and next time I come back to New Orleans, I’m going straight to Phil’s Grill on Camp Street.
They specialize in «build your own» burgers, and their menu system supports that. You get a menu that you actually circle your choices on, and then hand to the server.
I got a thing called the «Fat City» burger, which is about a half pound burger, stuffed with american cheese, and battered and then deep fried. I got mine with shredded lettuce and jalapeño aioli, with a white bun so that I could taste everything without clouding things up too much.
I gotta tell ya, this was one of the best burgers I’ve had in a long time. The server said most people can’t finish this burger, but I did, and it was perfect. I ordered mine medium and it was pink in the center, the breading tasted kind of like Brown’s chicken breading, which I love, The aoili was light and not overbearing at all, a perfect complement.
Pop was large and refilled for free, fries were good, shake was creamy and cold.
There cannot be a better burger in New Orleans.
Also, the place was spotless, the staff was courteous and quick. Utensils were clean, and we were never rushed. Price was perfectly matched to the meal — good value, too.
Might just go back tomorrow.

I’m just as happy with this location as I am with the original. The service has always been attentive. The food has always been good except once. I ordered to go & they forgot my pineapple ring. Usually, a no biggie, but that once was when I was craving the pineapple ring the most!
Just some advice, get creative with your burger but if the creation isn’t as good as you imagined, the establishment isn’t to blame. When taking a chance, you have to know that there’s a ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ for succeeding and failing.

Ridiculously good burger that I could not put down. I ordered the angus burger with blue cheese and avocado medium rare and it was irresistible. Phil’s also have a great potato salad side that accompanies the burger perfectly. Wash it down with an Abita and you have had a great lunch or dinner. They burgers are a perfect size not to big and not too small, just right. The décor of the place is excellent and classy. I will definitely be back but not as much as my stomach will want me to.

Phil’s Grill is my number one burger joint of all time! I go to the Metairie location a lot, but when I’m staying Uptown, Phil’s Grill in the CBD is the closest. Awesome quality burgers with unlimited toppings and a side item for $ 9.99!
I always get my usual — angus medium rare on a jalapeño bun with creole aioli and Swiss cheese and topped with lots of sautéed mushrooms and a fried egg.
Like my previous review for the Metairie location, my burgers always come out moist, juicy, and utterly scrumptious! However, the latest time my friends and I were here, the waitress kept messing up our orders. We think she was new so we forgive her. Also, I wish the yolk of their fried egg was runny so when I bite into my burger, the yolk oozes.
I like this location better than the Metairie location. The atmosphere is airy, modern, and very pleasant. Very New Orleans-​y with its decorations. There is a lot more seating and it doesn’t smell funky. Bathrooms are super clean, so that’s a plus!
If there were a Phil’s Grill Uptown close to my bf’s house, I’d be in big trouble. I love the burgers at Phil’s!

In New Orleans for training & I felt like just getting a quick bite to eat. Saw Phil’s was close to my hotel & had good ratings.
Ate at the bar. Bartender was quick & polite. Ordered a side Caesar (the dressing was a little over done), an Angus burger (delicious & came out exactly the way I ordered it), & a piece of grilled corn (tasted great). The burgers can be done in a thousand different combinations with everything from gator burgers, french roll b buns, avocado relish, bacon, Crystal wing sauce, etc. There menu actually has a burger pad built into it.
The salad kind of was over dressing-​ed, but everything was great. Finished the meal off with a chocolate milk shake. It was delicious as well. They don’t push the culinary envelope in a town known for amazing food, but it was good & quick. So if you are looking for a burger give it a shot.

I was feeling quite carnivorous the other day, and called up the boyfriend to let him know we should hit up the Phil’s Grill within walking distance of his house.
He got there probably 10 minutes before me, so I asked him to order me the Toussaint Tchoup: fresh apple juice, Maker’s Mark, and a delicious slice of bacon. When I arrived, my delicious drink was waiting for me as well as half an order of the potato skin appetizer. Don’t tell him, but I may just arrive 10 minutes late all the time because I had food and tasty beverage already waiting for me!!!
While the potato skins curbed the hangry a lil’, I had a fever… and the only cure… was a build-​my-​own burger! The options are seemingly endless, and if you don’t like it… well it’s kind of your own fault. THE PRESSURE IS ON!
So I concocted «The Morgalicious» angus beef, bacon, Monterey Jack slice, chives, shredded lettuce, avocado tomato relish all between a fluffy jalapeño bun with a side of Phil’s version of ambrosia, spicy potato salad. I figured that was enough veggies to offset my monster need for meat.
Though I’m usually a bloody steak-​kinda gal, I get my burger medium well because I’m super paranoid about ground beef. All the flavors meshed well, the bacon (as you can see in the photo) was cooked to above-​par-​fection, and the beef itself was perfectly cooked without drying it out. In the words of Goldilocks (but, of course, on the FIRST TRY) it was «juuuuuust right!»
On the spicy potato salad… I’ve been eating Phil’s tater salad since he opened his first location on Severn and the quality is exactly the same from the first time I tried it. I don’t often use «best» but it is the best potato salad in town. Even so, sometimes I like to jazz it up with some ranch to make it a little creamier and some Crystal if I’m feeling spicy.
Service-​wise, our waitress was cool and attentive without being overbearing. I wish I had had room to try a shake, but I was full up to my ears. It was pretty mellow when we went there, and you know how I love people watching, but today, tunnel vision on my burger was okay.
The building has a great historic edge to it, and I totally would come by to eat a burger at the bar by my lonesome or bring a really large group since it’s a seriously large location. I look forward to coming here on a busier night to see how they fare or when my meaty monster of a stomach starts growling at me again.

Phil’s Grill is great.
I first learned of Phil’s Grill through Unilocal.The Metarie location was very popular, but I was rarely out that way during lunch. When I read Charles and Sarah’s reviews of this location, I knew I had to check it out as soon as humanly possible.
Location
This is a fantastic building in one of my favorite areas of the city. The renovation was beautifully done and maintains the historic charm, but with a very modern feel. It’s a large restaurant so despite the large lunch crowd when I went, it was no problem being immediately seated. I also had no problem finding street parking within a block which was quite convenient.
Service
Realizing that I had never been to a Phil’s Grill, the server gave me the rundown on ordering. There was a pad where I picked a bun, meat, cheese and toppings and turned it over to her. I really liked that method of ordering because there was no confusion over what I wanted, or what was available. Throughout the meal she was super friendly and very attentive.
Food
The food is where Phil’s really shines. I opted for the more pricey ground fillet burger. It was pretty incredible, but in the future I will probably stick with the regular ground beef. I do occasionally like to put on my fancy pants, but for a burger, I really like being a bit less fanciful. That being said, the burger was cooked a perfect medium rare and was so tender and juicy I almost forgot that I was eating a burger. Speaking of medium rare, Phil’s will prepare your burger to order, regardless of the temperature you request. In this whiny litigious society, I truly appreciate that, and it will keep me coming back for more.
Summary
Phil’s was really great. If you are anywhere around this location, I recommend you give it a try.
Note: I recently had Phil’s potato salad at an event. It is phenomenal and I highly recommend you get it as a side dish.

AWESOME burger joint! Huge space, would be great for groups. Staff was attentive and professional (not on their phones or talking loudly with each other). Our waiter was energetic and helpful, even bringing us a few dollups of his favorite sauces for us to try.
I loved the ordering system! It’s definitely overwhelming with all the options. I got the lagniappe (²⁄₃ angus +1/​3 sausage) on white and my fiancé got the alligator on french bread — not a crumb leftover! I especially enjoyed my side of cole slaw — which had a lovely vinaigrette dressing instead of the traditional mayo-​based.
I’m so happy this place is in walking distance of home and we will definitely be coming back.

GREAT BURGER, TERRIBLE TAKE-​OUT: I was totally ready to amp my review on this outstanding burger to 5 stars. But, the take-​out experience was grueling; exacerbated by a bartender who screwed up the simple order, then it took 5 – 10 minutes to correct, she never apologized but blamed others, then let my «go bag» sit on the counter as she cleaned her station. Worse, she even pushed the «delicious» alligator burger although she’d never tried it…
BAD…Bad…bad…
WHEN PHIL’S AWAY THE STAFF GOES LAME (& my burger neglectfuly goes cold).

Damned good burger and the best freakin’ $ 9 «big kids» milk shake you’ll ever suck through a straw! Sure, they’ve got a legit selection of cold beers on tap and a full bar, but how can you resist a hand-​made chocolate shake with a shot of Kahlua added? I couldn’t.
Phil’s offers a chill vibe in a tastefully renovated historic building, with plenty of space for large groups and high-​top tables for two to four. Once you get settled in, with your milk shake of course, you’ll start designing the burger of your dreams, with more than enough options from which to chose, including an array of buns, sauces, cheeses, meats, veggies, etc. If you’ve ever considered putting it on a burger, it’s probably right there on your selection sheet. Now for your side, fries, veggies, baked potatoes, etc. We decided to do it the NOLA way, and went with the loaded baked potato, which was very good, but not quite as big or as good as Port of Call.
Is this the best burger in town? Maybe not, but it’s easily in the top three, without the long lines you’ll find on Esplanade, or the long drive to the end of Oak Street.