Phil's Last Stand

I'm surprised there's no thread already....

Phil's has quickly become my go-to hot dog stand. Char dogs are impeccable, Fatso burger is delicious, fries are above average. Everyone who works there is quite nice, they're open late, it's got that kitschy hotdog stand feel to it. What's not to love?

Discuss.

Phil's Last Stand
2258 West Chicago Ave
773-245-FATS

Yeah, I haven't been around here much recently, but I'm also very surprised that there is not a thread. I think Phil's knocks the standards out of the park. Then they have things like char grilled salami and their off-menu shrimp po' boy. While not necessarily traditional, it has been my favorite sandwich this year. I've probably had at least 20 of them.

If you haven't given Phil's a chance, make it a priority.

The Fatso burger is apparently modeled after the In-N-Out burger, and is about the closest thing one could find in Chicagoland. I didn't think to ask the last time I was there, but I wonder if they have bacon there, and could make the equivalent of a Double-Double Animal Style with Bacon (which for some godforsaken reason can't be had at In-N-Out).

The Po-Boy is solid too, but not quite on par with the renditions at Big and Little's or Chuck's IMHO.

That said, I'm glad I don't live within walking distance of Phil's, as it would definitely be a go-to spot that would immediately go-to my gut. Highly recommended.

If I had a nickel for every time someone said "I'm surprised there's no thread on this place!".

Phil Last Stand is co-owned by Phil Ashbach, who used to own Herm's Palace in Skokie. I'm looking forward to trying this place.

Hours:

Mon-Wed 6 am - 12 pm

Thu-Sat 6 am - 4 am

Sun 6 am - 10 pm

http://www.philslaststand.com/

Now serving breakfast.

Looking at the menu, it appears that Phil's doesn't serve traditional steamed hot dogs. Does anyone know for sure?

Nope, all char all the time. I grew up going to Irving's and Weiner Circle so I am very happy this place is in my neighborhood. Big fan of their char polish and burgers as well. However, I feel like their char salami isnt up to the bar that Poochies has set.

I'm a fan as well - definitely without peer for late-night eats in the neighborhood. The dogs are the way to go here, IMO - I've had the single Fatso a couple of times and been underwhelmed. (I suspect that a double Fatso with cheese is an entirely different animal, but it's a little more money than I'm looking to spend here, especially since it doesn't come with fries.)

i'm a char polish fan, and phil's version is very good-lovely snap to the skin. (though just to be confusing, the dog is 'charred' but the polish is 'grilled'; but, i'm told, they are prepared identically....). i havent tried the fries yet, but earlier this week i was driving by at breakfast time and went in for an egg sandwich with bacon (yes, doschi, they have bacon). i guess i didnt look carefully enough at the menu, because i was surprised when i bit into it, that it was missing the egg. it seems there is one breakfast sandwich with eggs (i forget which of the unappetizing names it goes under),but several without eggs. what i unintentionally ordered was bacon, cheese, chopped red and yellow peppers and no egg. i really liked the grilled, pressed bread; very much like the bread on a cubano sandwich. it wasn't bad at all, but i had to go back inside and confirm that the egg hadn't been forgotten. i thought it was a little strange, though i was assured than an egg can be added to any of the sandwiches for a buck. it never occurred to me that an egg wasn't just part of every breakfast sandwich .maybe it's just me.....anyway, a fine addition to the neighborhood. there's friendly staff and a big patio with tables shaded with umbrellas.

For some reason I always forget this place is open till 4am! Dogs and burgers are good, but I'd skip the shirmp. Tried it once and wasnt worth it.

Yep, charred only. Phil's also gets my vote for best fried shrimp in Chicago. Troha's probably second at this point.

I still haven't been back since my first visit a couple months ago but I enjoyed my char dog which I remember saying "rivals Weiner Circle" I've heard good things about their In-N-Out style burgers and have been meaning to make it back for one but I haven't had the chance. Truth be told I tried In-N-Out in Las Vegas and thought it was alright, not great, not worth driving 100's of miles for like some people say they do. Then again, if you've seen the Doritos Locos taco commercial, some will drive almost 1000 miles for those...sacrificing with multiple stops to the restroom en route back.


Char Dog with fresh cut fries

I also got a 1/2 pound of their panko crusted shrimp and wasn't as impressed with that. Not to say it was bad but it just didn't match the top notch spots such as Frank's, Snappy's, Calumet Fisheries and Troha's which are all better in my book. In fact I still like Goose Island's big thick shrimps better than Phil's as well. Although the shrimp sandwich sounds like that might be worth a chow. All in all I thought Phil's had the feel of another better than average Chicago style fast food stand. I'm sure they'll fit in just fine. I'll be back.


Phil's Fried Shrimp

Phil's Last Stand
2258 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 245-3287

justjoan wrote:i'm a char polish fan, and phil's version is very good-lovely snap to the skin. (though just to be confusing, the dog is 'charred' but the polish is 'grilled'; but, i'm told, they are prepared identically....). i havent tried the fries yet, but earlier this week i was driving by at breakfast time and went in for an egg sandwich with bacon (yes, doschi, they have bacon). i guess i didnt look carefully enough at the menu, because i was surprised when i bit into it, that it was missing the egg. it seems there is one breakfast sandwich with eggs (i forget which of the unappetizing names it goes under),but several without eggs. what i unintentionally ordered was bacon, cheese, chopped red and yellow peppers and no egg. i really liked the grilled, pressed bread; very much like the bread on a cubano sandwich. it wasn't bad at all, but i had to go back inside and confirm that the egg hadn't been forgotten. i thought it was a little strange, though i was assured than an egg can be added to any of the sandwiches for a buck. it never occurred to me that an egg wasn't just part of every breakfast sandwich .maybe it's just me.....anyway, a fine addition to the neighborhood. there's friendly staff and a big patio with tables shaded with umbrellas.

Then breakfast sandwiches are supposed to be modelled after Sarkis in Evanston/Wilmette. Apparently that's the way they do them up there.

Then breakfast sandwiches are supposed to be modelled after Sarkis in Evanston/Wilmette. Apparently that's the way they do them up there.

good call ziggy- i emailed phil's last stand when they first opened to find out their hours, and mentioned that i used to eat at herm's in skokie when i was a kid. phil's partner, david, replied and asked me if i used to eat at sarkis's also. i said i did, but i forgot about the breakfast sandwiches until you posted this- it's been a long time.....

justjoan wrote:

Then breakfast sandwiches are supposed to be modelled after Sarkis in Evanston/Wilmette. Apparently that's the way they do them up there.

good call ziggy- i emailed phil's last stand when they first opened to find out their hours, and mentioned that i used to eat at herm's in skokie when i was a kid. phil's partner, david, replied and asked me if i used to eat at sarkis's also. i said i did, but i forgot about the breakfast sandwiches until you posted this- it's been a long time.....

That'd be the Loretta.

=R=

doschi wrote:The Fatso burger is apparently modeled after the In-N-Out burger, and is about the closest thing one could find in Chicagoland.

Bun and sauce are evocative of In-N-Out, but the burger is grilled not griddled and does not taste like an In-N-Out burger. A good burger, just not In-N-Out.

House cut fries were crisp, hot, perfectly salted, efficient service verging on friendly and both inside and outside seating. Good looking grilled salami sandwich and fried shrimp. I'll be back soon.

Phil's Last Stand

Finally tried Phil's last night - chardog was good, but the fries were only ok. Maybe I should have asked for them extra crispy?

Red Hot Ranch, which has become my go-to hotdog spot, consistently cranks out better fries. While I generally prefer a chardog to a steamed one, I don't see Phil's displacing RHR for me. I'll definitely give it another go (for a char-grilled salami) - maybe I just got unlucky with an impatient fry cook.

-Dan

dansch wrote:Finally tried Phil's last night - chardog was good, but the fries were only ok. Maybe I should have asked for them extra crispy?

Red Hot Ranch, which has become my go-to hotdog spot, consistently cranks out better fries. While I generally prefer a chardog to a steamed one, I don't see Phil's displacing RHR for me. I'll definitely give it another go (for a char-grilled salami) - maybe I just got unlucky with an impatient fry cook.

-Dan

Interesting you say that. I've been here a few times. Overall, I like it, especially the grilled Polish, but I've found the fries victim, again, to the habit these days of over-frying. They just don't get the flavor you find at the great ones like Al's Italian Beef or Gene n Jude's. At least for me, I prefer that style with some latent potato cushion. Then again people used to eat tongue & sweetbreads a lot more often too.

its basically a charred In n Out burger; i recommend getting it with both grilled and raw onions.

In N Out is obviously griddled; Phil's is charred and not an exact copy, but its still dang good.

G Wiv wrote:

doschi wrote:The Fatso burger is apparently modeled after the In-N-Out burger, and is about the closest thing one could find in Chicagoland.

Bun and sauce are evocative of In-N-Out, but the burger is grilled not griddled and does not taste like an In-N-Out burger. A good burger, just not In-N-Out.

I finally had a chance to check them out today, and I would agree with this. It's a solid burger, and I will definitely be coming back. It doesn't really remind me that much of In-N-Out. Tangentially inspired by them, sure. But I would not have made the comparison if I weren't prompted.

I was there sometime over the summer (albeit probably after this thread began), and I had the regular burger. I concur with Binko that I wasn't reminded of In-N-Out by its taste. Besides, its french fries are much, much better than the former's.

I'm not going to disagree on the fries. Never been a big fan of In-N-Out fries, even "well done." I do, however, prefer the In-N-Out burger, if given a choice, but I don't have that choice in Chicago. Phil's does a solid burger that I've been back for a few times, but my favorite thing on their menu (well, not literally on their menu, as it appears to be a "secret menu" item) is their shrimp po boy.

The shrimp po-boy has yet to be mentioned in this thread. Not sure if it's on the menu yet (it wasn't when I ordered it), but they'll definitely make you one. It's quite good.

I'd been meaning to get into Phil's Last Stand for a while now. Finally got a chance after a couple hour session at Toons on Saturday. Walking in it reminded me of the original Big & Littles, order at the counter with a grill behind the service counter, etc.. Ordered a double fatso with cheese and a 1/2 lb. of their fried shrimps.

Ate outside at one of the picnic tables and really enjoyed our visit, double fatso was graeat, one of my favorite burgers of recent memory. Juicy, popping with flavor and loaded with onions. Shrimp were good, light breading, a little small compared to some of the x large shrimp i go with elsewhere. Theses were good, perfectly fried and shrimpy.

Interested in a char dog and the chat grilled salami sandwich when I head back.

Great spot.

jimswside wrote:Ate outside at one of the picnic tables and really enjoyed our visit, double fatso was great, one of my favorite burgers of recent memory. Juicy, popping with flavor and loaded with onions.
Great spot.

I had the exact same experience there and the fries are great too. AFAIC,Phil's is the benchmark for what every hot dog/hamburger joint should strive to be.

Question for the regulars. Are the shrimp used for the po boy and the fried shrimp different. Reason I ask is I have received obviously different shrimp on two visits. First visit, plump juicy shrimps. This visit, butterflied(flattened pucks) and a little rubbery..

jimswside wrote:Question for the regulars. Are the shrimp used for the po boy and the fried shrimp different. Reason I ask is I have received obviously different shrimp on two visits. First visit, plump juicy shrimps. This visit, butterflied(flattened pucks) and a little rubbery..

That sounds no bueno. Never had them except in the Po Boy, which is pretty damn good, and the couple times I've had it they weren't butterflied. I'm sure if you emailed them, this won't happen again.

The Po Boy is good, but it's just hard to walk into Phil's and not get a Char-Dog, or a Fatso, or a Ooey Gooey. I can't seem to venture beyond these items because they are such knock outs coming from here. If I feel like shrimp, it's either north up Western to Red Hot, or head east down Division to Goose Island.

I'm very happy that this place is still running quite well and on all cylinders. Phil's Char-Dog has fast climbed up to one of my favorite Dogs in Chicago, especially fully dressed, hands down. If I were to show an out of towner a minimalist dog, and then a fully dressed dog; I'd start at Red Hot Ranch, and then proceed directly to Phil's Last Stand. Mission accomplished in a matter of minutes. It's great to have both these stands so close to each other. We're truly spoiled in this area.

Now what would make Phil's an even better place, is if they would figure out how to offer milkshakes. As it stands for me, Phil's Last Stand followed by a trip up to Margies makes for a nice one-two punch; but if I could have a real milkshake right there to accompany those most excellent burgers and fries.... oh boy.


-B

Funk Dracula wrote: If I feel like shrimp, it's either north up Western to Red Hot, or head east down Division to Goose Island.
B

I hear ya, I had driven close to 350 miles by that point that day with another 90 miles to get home so I hit the closest shrimp spot that was open at midnight. Red hot ranch was an option even though they have undercooked my shrimp on the last 2 visits.

Overall I like Phil's, I'll be back.

Funk Dracula wrote:
Now what would make Phil's an even better place, is if they would figure out how to offer milkshakes. As it stands for me, Phil's Last Stand followed by a trip up to Margies makes for a nice one-two punch; but if I could have a real milkshake right there to accompany those most excellent burgers and fries.... oh boy.


-B

Reverse your punches. Go to Margie's first and get a milkshake to go, then bring it to Phil's. Problem solved.

Only way to go. The same logic holds for Mario's and Al's. Nothing cuts through a beef better than Mario's although I usually upsize to xtra lg when I do something like that. Same w/Jim's Original.