Best bbq ever

I don't know where or if you moved..I will hunt you down Phil...The best bbq ive ever tasted. So sad to see you closed :(

What a disappointment

If you are like me and love good BBQ ribs this is not the place for you.
Went there last night with a friend and we both had the one pound of ribs ($23.50)
Happy to spent that kind of money for great ribs, but, sadly these were far from great. In fact, I wouldn't even describe them as that... more

Real Smoked BBQ

This place is pretty good for real smoked BBQ by American standards. The sauces are unique and lack viscosity like a lot of real American sauces. The hushpuppies are prepared fresh and are quenelle shaped. I thought they needed salt, but the sauce served with them were amazing. My wife loved the hushpuppies plain. The french fries and beans are... more

Best BBQ in Town by far

If your looking for GREAT Slow Smoked BBQ than this is the place. I Love the Ribs, Pulled Pork and the Brisket. The Corn Pancakes are also the best, especially with bits of Brisket in it!!!!

Good food, loved the brisket and potato casserole. But definitely sticker shock every visit, often think part of the meal is missing considering the price. Especially side orders. Would visit more often if portions matched the prices.

HUGE let down

Saw this restaurant featured on the Food Network's "You Gotta Eat Here". Looked amazing.
Drove downtown and parked. Our first clue should have been when there was not a single customer in the restaurant at 12pm.
Had a taste of their potato salad to see if we liked it before ordering our meal. It really had no taste. We both... more

phill's is okay

Went a few months ago it was just okay chicken was good brisket was good .
Bbq sauce was okay nothing exciting. wouldnt be going back again better places out there

Smoked Chicken n' Ribs

~April 2013
I was working in the west end of the city a few Saturdays back and decided to take the guys out for dinner after work. Having never sat in a restaurant for smoked meat I decided on Phil's which is in the upper crust of good smokehouses for Toronto.
We got there around 5.30 and finding parking on... more

Phil uses real smoke when he barbecues.

Great pulled pork and the sauces were fantastic. Ordered some ribs to take home and try as well.

Yummy BBQ

We visited Phil's after seeing 'you gotta eat here' and you really should. We had the brisket and a BBQ platter and we were not disappointed. Restaurant was quieter than we expected, but it was Monday night. I would recommend and most certainly be going back soon.

Ok...place

I liked the food...but didnt love it. I bit over rated and the pulled pork was a bit dry. I wouldn't go again..but only because there are better places...not because its not a decent place to eat

One of the best BBQ restaurants in Toronto and probably the only place to get hushpuppys.

Phil'er up, that's some good BBQ

Phil's BBQ is a solid BBQ experience in Toronto, though a bit of work on some important aspects of their business would bring their rating up a notch. Located at College and Ossington, Phil's is a good way to start out a night on the town. Phil's has been featured on the TV show "You Gotta Eat Here" and for... more

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Mediocre food - terrible service

I love BBQ and I have been to many places. Ordered the Pulled Pork Sandwich and was very disappointed. The pulled pork was very very dry, not smothered in BBQ sauce (or at least have a trace of it). The Coleslaw tasted like out of a bucket, not freshly made. Food aside - the service was terrible.
I had made... more

High Expectation, Big Disapointment

I had heard of Phil's, and had to try it. I went on a Wednesday night at 7:30pm. The place was empty. I sat by the window, and the server came with a menu and took my drink order. When he came with my drink, I ordered the sampler - Ribs, Brisket and Chicken, and picked Beans and Coleslaw as... more

I read some reports before I went

We have visited BBQ joints all over and I have my favourites, of course. It's 5 hours later and the smoky taste is still on my tongue. The service was quick and efficient, we were in and out in 35 minutes. I don't agree with the derogatory comments that I read. In fact I rather like the place. There is... more

Best BBQ in Toronto

Phil's is just amazing. As soon I walk in, and smell the lovely sweat smoke that waffles through the air, my lips start to quiver, and I get so excited about the meal I’m about to eat.
Every time I head downtown, Phil’s is always at the top of the list, but pay attention to the hours as they close... more

Awesome BBQ

I saw Phil's on tv's Restaurant Makeover and just HAD to make it part of the plans on our trip to Toronto. Sure glad I did! Phil's is awesome bbq! There were 3 of us at the table so we tried several different dishes. My wife had the pulled pork sandwich, and my cousin and I tried the combo plate.... more

They know their meat

My husband and I pass by and got attracted by the restaurant name first, and after checking the reviews here, we want to give a try. We ordered the Comb, and we absolutely love it!!! It has the Ribs, even the small fives you the full smoky flavour, the pulled pork meat is fantastic and the beef brisket is just so tender and melting in your mouth. Their comp bread is also yummy. Its a very happy... more

Phil's BBQ is consistently outstanding--love the pulled pork with a side of tangy coleslaw and baked beans (the fries are hefty and satisfying too). Authentic southern BBQ compares favorably with that in the southern US. The atmosphere is super casual, and service can be slow, but takeout is a great option here.

Original means "ORIGINAL

I love barbecue and have had it down in the southern states as well as several establishments in southern Ontario. Some are dry, some not tender enough, some too smoky or spicy. Not Phil's. Phil's is the best... hands down. I would even put it against any sweet meat BBQ in the southern states. It is a matter of getting... more

Terrific Lunch at Phil's

My husband and I had a great lunch at Phil's Original BBQ. We both had the brisket sandwiches which were delicious. The tender meat had a really pleasant smoky taste and was not overly salted, something I appreciate a lot. There were two sauces accompanying the sandwiches so you could use the amount you preferred. One was a spicy mix... more

Ribs were burnt and dry.

Ordered a full rack of ribs, they were burnt on the outside (tasted like charcoal) and dry on the inside. I would never come back. I still can't believe that they served that sorry piece of meat and charged me over $20 for it. If you're looking for a real bbq place in Toronto check out Lou Dawg's (they do it right). By the way, I also notice Phil's was featured on "You Got To Eat Here!" food... more

Food Trippin'

Just the aroma of the meat’s smokiness was enough to make anyone salivate. The meat sandwiched in a s0ft bun was... more

Decent bbq

I tried phil's for a take out pulled pork with slaw. Sandwich was decent but te meat was a bit dry on its own. The sauces were quite good though and, this can make the difference between "ok and good" bbq.
I enjoyed the vinegar-based slaw...the yellow tinge could be off-setting to some but its likely a bit of mustard.... more

Good BBQ, I'd give 3.5 if I could

Couldn't resist a sign that boasts "real smoke, real slow". Interior was nice, but humble. Staff was friendly. Brisket was lightly smoky, but not as much as I liked or hoped. Still, it was very tender and moist, and the sauces had great flavor. Beans were awesome. Good sized serving for value.

Tuesday February 21, 2012

Dropped by for a late lunch today, I enjoyed the Brisket while my wife enjoyed the Pulled Pork. Exceedingly attentive and friendly staff. Cosy atmosphere and great prices for the portions received. Not that I am in the neighbourhood that often, but when I am, I will return and regardless, I will recommend. A+++

Mobile review

Looks good, smells good, tastes good. Messy and delicious bbq all year long!

Real BBQ from a dedicated cook

This is the real McCoy, with the emphasis on the careful smoking of the meat. Sides are unpretentious, but there are Mexican touches. Nice atmosphere, with good jazz playing much of the time. But it is all about the meat.

Carnivores delight

Save yourself some room, order the beans and add the spicy sauce, the service here is wonderful and all of the meats are yum!!! The pulled pork makes a great sandwich, the chicken is smoky and tender and the ribs were a huge winner, the brisket also good - may not be as good as mums but not a disappointment,... more

"""I had heard so much about Phil's so was eagerly awaiting the experience. Boring! All the smokey meat smells so great, looks so good and yet was slightly dry and the sauce was pretty ordinary. Everyone else seemed happy - what would a butcher's daughter k"""

Still one of the best. I am glad to see the Restaurant Makeover did not stick. If you want vegetarian do not go to Phil's!

great southern bbq in a big city

"""Excelent BBQ in this family friendly restaurant. The smokiness of the ribs is just unforgettable, so were the beans, pulled pork is moist and portions are generous. You can complete your meal ordering a side portion of venezuelan """"cachapa"""", sweet corn cak"""

Fantastic bbq. You'll smell like the smoke for the rest of the day.

"""Used to be terrific, now barely okay. Pulled pork is still very good, but the rest is just fuel. Skip the canned """"baked"""" beans."""

Great BBQ

We saw the restaurant on Restaurant Makeover and since we're big fans of all things BBQ we decided to try it when in Toronto for a family vacation. The brisket, chicken, hush puppies, pulled pork and beans are awesome. The coleslaw is okay; I'm not a fan of vinegar-based slaw so I'm not the right person to judge. The potato... more

Yummy

Really good BBQ! Service not very fast or friendly but I don't go there for that.

Mobile review

Great food made with loving care. Big portions. Service was friendly and attentive despite restaurant being full.

A Re-Visit to Phil's

Rarely when you re-visit a restaurant is the food as good as you remember it. But I'm very pleased to say that when we re-visited Phil's recently, the food was superb!

Authentic Southern Barbeque

The beans and pulled pork at Phil's are the best in the city. There are better locations in the city for chicken, brisket and ribs but the puled pork and beans are to die for. Service is ok at best but the delicious beans and pulled pork make up for it

Mobile review

Had the combo. Food was ok. A little dry. Have had better for a much better price. No refills on the pop!

Mobile review

Real BBQ rocks.

Mobile review

Food was pretty good, although I don't really like my BBQ that sweet. The service was incredibly slow, though, and between the molasses service and the sweet, sweet BBQ, we won't be going back.

Too hyped to live up to anything

This place is good. There is no question about that. But if you listen to all of the hype that it has been getting (especially since that awful TV show went in there), it will never live up to those expectations.
Go in with a open mind and enjoy the food for what it is: simple, good BBQ. You will... more

Mobile review

Awesome bbq ribs for an awesome price! Fall-off-the-bone tender! Two thumbs up!!!

Great BBQ - great service

Service is good, and this is REAL BBQ, real sauce, made in house, get the plate with everything on it, take some home.

High expectations fell short of the mark. Sampled brisket plate and pulled pork plate.Brisket very tender, but medium rare? and no visible smoke ring...hmmm was smoked for how long? Pulled pork a bit tastier, but missed the traditional bark on the outside.Both came with bbq baked beans which were the star of the show. Restuarant didn't seem to be the cleanest, the wall beside our table had some... more

Mediocre at best

After seeing the "Restaurant Makeovers" episode and watching Chef David Adjey pontificate over how great the BBQ was, we decided to take a run in from Brampton to get some BBQ after New Years.
Should have saved the gas.
We had the brisket plate and the pulled pork plate. BBQ beans were the star of the show on both platters.... more

Everybody recommended it

Everybody recommended it and it sucked!

Great Ribs

Great Ribs

Okay food - didn't live

Okay food - didn't live up to the Hype... more

tasty. try the corncake

tasty. try the corncake thingy.

I was really excited to

I was really excited to try this place, but was quickly disappointed. Ribs were dry! - during peak weekday dinner time! Coleslaw not fresh, yuck! Sorry to say, but Swiss Chalet ribs would be tastier and cheaper. Fries & bread were delicious. Relaxed, jazz/Southern influenced atmosphere.

Best authentic bbq ribs gotta go back for more

Best authentic bbq ribs
Gotta go back for more!!

Vik's mom couldn't get Ricard's on tap

Vik's mom couldn't get Ricard's on tap.

As someone who has lived

As someone who has lived in New Orleans and tried just about every BBQ joint there, this was damn good BBQ. I HIGHLY recommend.

the service and the food

the service and the food were very disappointing - 6 of us ate there and two of us felt unwell

pretty good, i'm just not a fan of fatty meat. Good southern atmosphere

pretty good, i'm just not a fan of fatty meat. Good southern atmosphere.

ok.

Very disappointed with the food. Ribs were very dry and the pull pork had no taste to it

Very disappointed with the food. Ribs were very dry and the pull pork had no taste to it.

Excellent pulled pork

Excellent pulled pork!

Great price for sandwiches (can't go wrong with $6.95 including a side order of salad or thick-cut fries). Very

Great price for sandwiches (can't go wrong with $6.95 including a side order of salad or thick-cut fries). Very generous portions. The Pull Pork Sandwich is a must try. Overall, a very pleasant experience.

I found it really bland

I found it really bland. May have been an off day for me.

The best, most authentic

The best, most authentic barbeque in Toronto!

Tasty, amazing southern

Tasty, amazing southern BBQ food! Slow cooked well.. even the beans taste awesome!

GREAT hot sauce

GREAT hot sauce

I have visited BBQ houses all across the US, from Texas to Kansas to Oklahoma. Phil's stands up well to these travelled

I have visited BBQ houses all across the US, from Texas to Kansas to Oklahoma. Phil's stands up well to these travelled taste buds.

good food as well as good value

good food as well as good value

Tasty enough, but there's not a lot of variety, the service is slow and the food is unreasonably expensive

Tasty enough, but there's not a lot of variety, the service is slow and the food is unreasonably expensive

Fall of the bone good. and you can bring the sauce home! My fav its Sweet and Sassy. Randy bought it for me because it

Fall of the bone good.
and you can bring the sauce home! My fav its Sweet and Sassy. Randy bought it for me because it reminded him of me.

This is a really neat place for southern style BBQ. Food is delicious

This is a really neat place for southern style BBQ. Food is delicious.

Good try for this far north. Can't touch true southern BBQ though

Good try for this far north. Can't touch true southern BBQ though.... more

The food is spectacular

The food is spectacular. Amazing pulled pork.

Fabulous barbequed beef ribs as well as the famous pulled pork. Be prepared to keep your elbows tight to your side, it gets pretty crowded at dinner time. You may have to wait as much as 45 minutes to get a table but the bar is well stocked and reasonably priced. There is a fair choice of draft. Don't go here if you or your companion are physically handicapped. There's no room to maneuver a... more

You know when you walk in and smell the place that the food will be amazing! And it is! If you live nearby, try the take-out.

good place to go for a good time.