Phil's Bar & Grille

Food was so good the first night, we went back the next night! Best walleye! Outstanding burger! Delicious scallops! Great fish tacos!

TLDR: food was good, service was BAD. I only come out to Saugatuck to see my uncle and he won’t be returning, otherwise I might give it another chance. I’m late on this review, I know, but better late than never (for me and my review points, that is- not so much for Phil’s Bar & Grille 😬.) We asked if we could sit outside but in the shade, as it was a hot summer day but very enjoyable in the shade. They said yes, as long as there wasn’t another table with 4 people on the list that also wanted to sit outside. It was just my uncle and me- a table of two, and the table that was fully in the shade was a 4 top. They sat us at the two top in full sun, and the 4top remained empty. We asked if it was possible to move to the 4 top and they said no, that a 4 top was coming. They proceeded to sit another couple there instead…. We were like… ok??? Fine. So we order drinks and are about to order an appetizer and the server starts talking to the table next to us instead- we my uncle was mid-sentence and she blatantly ignored him. I got her attention again before she left the patio and she acted annoyed. We decided then that we shouldn’t expect better service for the rest of the meal, and that’s what we got. Very minimal service with almost a blatant disregard for our being there. The sun was mega hot and we soon regretted sitting outside. For appetizers we got the Goat Cheese Croquette- Warm goat cheese, romesco sauce, toasted almonds and scallions served with toast points and drizzled with truffle oil. It was good- I liked it more than my uncle, but the food was warm and it very hot outside, so I think that had something to do with it. He ordered **''The Burger"*- 1/2# ground Moraine Park Farms Michigan Craft Beef* (Zeeland, MI) grilled to temperature served on a toasted ciabatta bun with your choice of toppings. He reportedly liked it, but it was so hot out that we lost our appetite and couldn’t finish our meals. I got the Fish Tacos- 3) Beer battered and flash fried Cod fillets wrapped in your choice of corn or flour tortillas with avocado, cabbage, homemade fresh salsa, light lime-yogurt sauce and tortilla chips. They were super good, but it was a TON of food! I didn’t expect that much fish, which was nice, but again, it was so hot out, I couldn’t finish my meal. If the service wasn’t so bad, I could convince my uncle to give this place another go. Phil’s had a nice atmosphere and the food was good, but really, the constantly being ignored in favor of other tables while we’re mid-sentence ordering our food from the server, after being told that we can’t sit where another couple is soon sat because “they need to keep it open for a 4 top” was too much for my uncle to try again. Hopefully review readers have a better experience than we had!

Excellent service and dining experience. They were slammed and everyone was professional and courteous. Scallops were excellent and the nutty salad was perfect. Had great conversations at the bar and we’ll definitely be back

Came from out of town, was a bit disappointed after seeing great reviews about this place… We ordered the Goat Cheese Croquette and Tuna Poke (both pictured), and the Lake Perch. They tasted fine but neither dish had a “wow” factor that was good enough to bring us back- especially for the high prices. Was not impressed with the service and it was very dark inside the restaurant. Will be exploring other options the next time we are in town.

First time visiting, it was amazing! Food, service and recommendations Will definitely be back!!

We stopped in over St Paddy’s Day. Even with all that madness our server was on point. We never felt like we were stuck waiting on drinks or the tab. We only had drinks and a couple appetizers. The Sangria was delicious. We got the goat cheese croquettes and flash fried portobello mushrooms. The mushrooms weren’t very flavorful and the dip that came with them had an overly strong Dijon mustard flavor. The goat cheese appetizer tasted more like cream cheese. However, presentation was nice and the entrees looked like they would be delicious- nice to see some different, out of the norm from your average bar selections on the menu.

It is rare for my wife and I to be blown away by every dish that we order when we eat out. Usually, there is at least one item that is just "meh" compared to the rest of our order. At Phil's, everything on the menu seems to be a perfect version of that dish. This time, we ordered the goat cheese appetizer, the chicken sandwich, and the blackened burger. All three were to die for. The service was also spectacular. All the servers and staff were kind, attentive, and personable. I also appreciated that they dressed casually. It gave the restaurant a more laid-back vibe. There isn't much outdoor seating, but there are a few outdoor tables and we happened to get seated at one, which was fun. It looked a bit crowded inside, so I was glad we got a spot outside. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and will be returning myself.

We sat outside on the patio. The place was packed with people! Food was yummy. Just the right amount.

Food was so tasty, we were very full. The service was good. Interior is bar like, good amount of space. We had Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo and it was excellent. Not too spicy. We had Goat Cheese Croquettes. They were amazing! Super filling for an appetizer really, really enjoyed. We also had the Crispy Chicken Sandwich. The potato wedges were crispy and the sandwich was very stacked. We really enjoyed this restaurant.

Phil's has been on our normal rotation of restaurants we visit often. The menu and quality of dishes is consistently excellent and the service has always been equally great. The staff are professional servers and it shows. I do wish they took reservations, and I'd gladly put a credit card deposit to hold a table but I am glad they have a system where you at least get a vibrating notification thingy so you can go into some of the local shops if there is a wait.

Phil's has amazing food, atmosphere, and staff! We've been coming here for years and enjoy the fish, broasted chicken, scallop pad Thai - it's all amazing! Great variety in menu. They have shoe string fries as an alternate side. Just know it might be a longer wait in peak season - and it's worth it!

Phil's is a great restaurant in the wonderful town of Saugatuck. It is a bit small, so plan on waiting for a table if you go to dinner after 5 pm. They don't take reservations. Food is pretty good. My husband loves the Lake Perch dinner. The bar area can be very crowded, especially on weekends or any day in the summer.

We sat at the bar - good tip if it is packed since the bar is first come first served! The bartender was very friendly and the food came out quickly. The perch sandwich was very tasty and the animal crackers were a fun treat! Extensive drink menu too. We recommend it!

Phil's is a bit of a Saugatuck institution. I've been here several times but never got around to writing a review. It's always crowded, even in the off season. The food is consistently good. The chicken is great, as is the chicken sandwich. I always get the string fries. They're the best! Good selection of beer too. Service has always been good. Phil's is just a well run establishment.

Previously we had great experiences here so I'm disappointed in our last visit. It was a very odd experience and it totally changed our opinion of Phil's. A group of friends, twelve of us in total, had spent the day together in Saugatuck. We had planned to eat at Phil's, and we finished our shopping and ended up in front of Phil's about 20 minutes before they opened. So we waited in front of the restaurant, just talking and waiting for them to open. At 4:00 pm the hostess opened the door, and our group was the first to enter the restaurant. The hostess met us and asked me how many were in our group, and I said, "Twelve, but we are happy to split up at separate tables, how ever it works for you." The hostess immediately said, "Oh, I can't possibly seat a group that large." I stated again that we are happy to split up, we didn't need to sit at one big table. The restaurant had just opened, every table and booth was empty, and we were the only customers inside the restaurant. The hostess told us we would have to go back outside and wait as there was not room for us to wait inside. I pointed to several four tops and asked if we could sit at those tables but she insisted that we go back outside and wait. We started to head back outside but had to wait because a large group, larger than our group of twelve, was walking in the door. The hostess greeted them in a very friendly manner and tables were being pushed together so they could all sit together. The hostess told us that their large group was being seated immediately because they were expecting them. We knew that Phil's didn't accept reservations or call ahead seating in the past, so we asked if they had started accepting reservations. She said, "Oh, they didn't have a reservation, but they "prearranged" for their large group. In hindsight, we should have just left but we were looking forward to dining at Phil's so we waited outside until the hostess said we could be seated. The food was good as always but the service wasn't the same as usual. The episode with the hostess was very strange. Probably won't be returning anytime soon.

Great service! Awesome selection! We had the fish tacos and the perch sandwich and they were delicious! It's a little noisy when they're busy, but we still had a great time. Cost was $20+ per plate with no drinks. It's worth it!

We were visiting Saugatuck with some family and wanted to find a place for dinner that would appeal to everyone. Boy, are we glad we found Phil's! Here's what we noticed: - We came in on Cinco de Mayo, and we expected it to be crowded, but my sister got there a bit early so our group of six wouldn't have to wait long...luckily they were seated pretty quickly and we joined them shortly thereafter. The vibe in the place was really fun...very comfy pub-like. - The menu was really broad...lots to choose from for all the palates in our group! - My wife and I wanted to try something different so we selected the Fried Bologna sandwich and the Grilled Polenta sandwich. Both were really great (especially the Polenta sandwich)! I ordered the potato wedges on the side, which I loved (especially since I asked for them extra crispy), and my wife got the Cole slaw which she said was good, but nothing too unusual. - We had been to a local winery, so we didn't order drinks with dinner but it looked like they had a handful of beers on tap...most of their beers were by the bottle. - Service was great! Bottom line: We loved Phil's and would go back again next time we visit this wonderful little town.

We stopped in for a quick bite while visiting Saugatuk over a long weekend. So glad we did! The place was packed to the gills! We were told by friends who live nearby that it's always packed. Even with that, we only waited about 10 minutes for a table. Prewarning that the tables are packed close together and the place is LOUD. Service was great - super friendly server who seemed to juggle the crowd well. The food was excellent! I had a portabella sandwich and I'd highly recommend it. It had a really yummy mix of flavors (the goat cheese makes the sandwich, IMO). Another person in our party had the fried chicken and said it was top notch. He gave particular kudos to the homemade coleslaw. My son had a fish sandwich and he loved it! I don't think there was a crumb left on his plate. If we ever come through Saugatuck again, we will absolutely be back. Thanks, Phil's!

Walked in later in the evening on a Saturday night figuring the wait for a table would be a bit less but Phil's was hopping and there was an hour and half wait. Fortunately there was a table open on the patio that were able to seated at, was a little chilly out but not too bad. Food: Nothing short of great. Started with the Thai butternut squash soup. The best squash soup I have ever had. Slightly spicy, slightly sweet. Followed up with a sliced wagyu special/brussel sprouts/mashed butternut squash. Everything was on point. Great flavors. My wife had the fish tacos. Also on point, fish was fried to perfection and the portion was large. Service: Fast and Friendly Atmosphere: Inside is loud and energetic. Don't go here for a quiet dinner. Energetic great atmosphere. Patio is small and intimate.

More than you'd expect. From the outside and upon initially entering I expected nothing more than local pub grub. But the menu was creative with lots of "higher end" options. Ordered the best ribs I'd had in some time.

Wonderful atmosphere, great menu & terrific staff!! The Burger (this coming from a pretty much Vegetarian') was DELISH!!!! Goat Cheese Croquettes was very filling & yummy!!

Always amazing food! I go every time when I'm visiting saugatuck. Great service and great staff.

We decided to eat lunch here while walking by. We noticed there was a good crowd, checked out the menu at the door, and proceeded in. I had the fish tacos and opted for the seared ahi upgrade. It was awesome. Our server was great, food was tasty and fresh, and our overall experience was super! We will be back!

Good food. Chill atmosphere. Great service. Came in a party of 6, had immediate seating around 5:15 on a Saturday evening. This place may seem a bit fancy, but it is relaxed with the crayons and butcher paper tables and the animal crackers for dessert. Only restaurant in town so far to split checks and have order substitutions. 5 stars!

Phil's is the best restaurant in Saugatuck, but you will quickly find this out when you have a 90 minute wait on any given night. Luckily, you can put your name in and walk around the town because the pagers work up and down the street. The food is 10/10. Everything I tried was mouthwatering. The kitchen is tiny so plan to spend some time once you are finally seated. Staff is friendly and makes you feel at home.

Phil's has been a consistent Saugatuck dining staple since _____ ? Yes, Phil's has been "established" for awhile...and it shows. Venetian, fall, or even in the dead of winter, you can count on Phil's to be open, staff smiling, and ready to serve you some great food. We're a local (SHS grad) who moved and returns a few times every year to enjoy our Rockwellesque town, old friends, and (of course) great food. Phil's has a simple, easy to understand menu with broasted chicken (well-known), burgers, and even some seafood dishes. This time around, we took the old man out for a late lunch, sat at the bar, and ordered the crispy and (still) saucy wings, medium bacon cheese burger, and flavorful fish tacos. All dishes were (as always) well presented, hot, and tasty. Again, consistency is why you go to Phil's. The bartender (we forgot her name) was perky, attentive, and consistent. Sidebar: We're HUGE Jimmy fans and will forever contend that he's the 'Tuck's BEST all around bartender. Phil's price point (which we understand is a constant dining struggle these days) is fair, reasonable, and perfectly reflects "what you get." Further, we ran into Holland's most successful restaurateur, Chef Mitchiel Paul de Boer, also grabbing a late lunch with his charming, biracial family. Hey, if you're in the same spot as Chef Mitchiel Paul, you've done something right. We look forward to our next visit "home," catching up with Jimmy and old friends, cold drinks, and crispy wings.

The hostess Lisa was super helpful in getting our group of six a table on a busy Saturday. I do recommend putting your name in an hour or so before you want to eat. Broasted chicken wings were great! Even tossed they stayed crispy and the blue cheese and ranch were both great. Perch sandwich was also very good, it came with what I think was homemade tartar sauce on the side. Burger was good and i suggest asking for it on brioche instead of ciabatta. Spicy margarita was perfect, not too sweet and just the right amazing of spice. Would definitely come back!

My husband and I went to Saugatuck on a getaway weekend. We were on our way to another place but decided to stop here because the other place was too loud. Not thinking we would be accommodated since we were literally coming in 5 minutes before the technical closing time, they told us to have a seat and order anything we liked. I ordered the lamb chops and mushroom risotto....it was fabulous, so much so I went back the next night and ordered the same thing! Our server Erica was wonderful and Jimmy behind the bar was welcoming in his own gruff but hospitable way. This will be a staple visit when I come here. Great food, old school classic ambience, and great service!

Don't let the name fool you- the food and atmosphere was exceptional, definitely not your average bar food. When it's busy, anticipate a wait for food, but that's to be expected- good food takes time. Vibes are fun and the porch is a little more quiet for those who want to distance themselves from the mix.

Just left the local restaurant Wally's because they do not cater to any food allergies at all and they were extremely rude to us about it. We came to Phil's and the energy immediately switched. Our waitress was so sweet and understanding and helped me understand their gluten friendly menu. The food was killer and so was the staff. Not to mention top tier drinks. A thank you to our waitress Ariann

If I ever get a chance to meet Phil, I'm going to shake his hand because this restaurant ROCKS. Get your phil of the homemade dressings which are delicious. Love the feel of Phil's, the atmosphere is phil-nomenal and my wife and I had a truly fanci-phil time.

Had the perch dinner wife had the salmon, both were delicious, service spot on and the atmosphere, you could tell everyone was having a grand time. Will be back

Fantastic restaurant. Food will not disappoint. Highly recommend the fish tacos and perch dinners. Drinks are solid. Worth the wait! This place is a favorite.

This is definitely a local restaurant hangout. Ask any locals where to go, it's Phil's. I had a perch sandwich, very good and my wife and our friend split a burger. Bottom line you cannot go wrong going to Phil's in Saugatuck.

We have been to Saugatuck many times and walked by Phil's. Our mistake! One will not make again. The inside is a classic bar coupled with upscale dining. Their cocktails looked amazing. I had the fish tacos they were served crisp and hot. They are build your own-three small tortillas, three breaded fish fillets, shredded cabbage, salsa and a sweet creamy yogurt dressing. Oh my goodness the combination of sweet , savory , cool and hot was a delight! We also ordered the chicken and fries. The breaded fried chicken was rocket hot but juicy with a crispy crust. Their fries are huge we'll seasoned potatoes wedges. The wait staff was attentive and knowledgeable. We will make this a destination next time we're in town!

A few of us stopped in here on a Sunday for lunch! The place was busy but not overcrowded. They had their lunch menus out and we were sat quickly. The restaurant had a dark yet cozy interior and felt "homey". After we sat we ordered the chicken "wings" for our appetizer. They were fantastic. Big and full of flavor! Next we ordered our meals. All 3 of us ordered sandwiches. My brother and I ordered the burger and the blackened burger. To our surprise the burgers came out on a "baguette" style roll. We didn't know what to think at first but after we took our first bite we were in love. The burgers were full of flavor, cooked perfectly and hit the spot! To top it off the potato wedges were fantastic. My girlfriend ordered the Ham and Cheese. She liked it a lot. The cheese and ham were of a high quality and brought a lot of flavor to the sandwich. One of the things I always look for in restaurants is house made sauces. I'm a sauce guy. I love ordering sauces to dip food into. This place had a really good ranch and house mustard! Would highly recommend them. Over all this place was a 5/5 on food. 4/5 on price. 4/5 on service and a 5/5 on location. We would recommend it and will be back!

Cool bar! If you want a quiet dinner, this isn't the place since the bar area is loud and the restaurant area is small and right next to the bar. I had the fish tacos and it was very good! My wife had the ham & cheese sandwich and thought it was just ok. Beer selection was good and location is great!

Pretty good. I am usually not a fan of bar places, since I don't drink, but the ambiance here was pretty chill and nice and not too loud. I absolutely love that the table has a paper sheet that you can color on, which me and my partner (all grown adults) kept coloring on while we waited. The food was excellent. It was pricy but worth it. I got the salmon which was cook to perfection and the side salad and crab cake it came with was amazing as well. The salmon was a little spicy for me, but I have a very low spice tolerance, so it won't be spicy for most people. The service was great. Our food did take a little long to come out but it wasn't crazy long. I highly recommend this place!

We came here two years ago and loved it (service and food). This time was not as great. The hostess was awesome! She was friendly and got us in as soon as she could. We came a little after 5 on a Tuesday and the wait was an hour for a party of 5. Our server was not as attentive. We ordered right away, but had to wait a long time for food. It was about 35 minutes. We got two kids mac and cheeses, perch sandwich, crispy chicken sandwich and house salads. The salads were the best food items. It was very hard for our kids to wait this long, but it was busy and noisy so our noise didn't stick out. They also cover their tables with brown paper and give crayons on the table. That was a big plus!

Had the ribs and they were amazing. Service was excellent Remember to go early as it gets real busy after 5:30.

Phil's is the place to go in downtown Saugatuck for all the delicious eats. Upon arrival we were told about a 40 min wait, but decided to grab a drink from the bar and sit on the patio until our table was ready. The place was packed! The hostess was very attentive and communicated accurate wait times. My husband and I stared with the scallops and chicken wings. The scallops were delicious and the wings, although messy, were great! For dinner he had lamb lollipops and I had the perch. I highly recommend Phil's as a go to spot when in Saugatuck

Had called ahead, was seated right away. Place was packed and loud...party atmosphere and everyone seemed to have a great time. The Walleye was delicious, and the vegetables! Veggies are often a complete limp afterthought. The broccoli , carrots and zucchini were tender crisp and delicious. great meal, great time..a must every time I'm in town!

The food was great. Piping hot and delicious, especially the broasted chicken. However, the waitresses are quite crabby. The first one working at the bar had a problem because I wanted to sit and wait inside with the kids. Instead of telling me in a polite way kids can't be at the bar, she chose to roll her eyes at me, so when I asked her if it was ok (like an adult should communicate) she told Me she'd rather not have them and I went outside with them. I get the rule, but never had that happen so she could of just communicated it instead of being rude and rolling her Eyes. When we sat at our table- Our waitress was not happy to be there, not one smile, no eye contact, just seemed overall unhappy. I don't know, when I'm spending money somewhere I want to feel Appreciated. This wasn't the case for my husband and I. Won't be going back because of the service. Ambiance is also great though!

Food was very good. Service was solid. I'm glad we sat outside because it was crazy loud inside.

Phil's is a very dark, very loud, very crowded place. When we visited, the place was packed wall-to-wall. I really loved my Grilled Ham and Cheese (grilled smoked applewood ham & swiss cheese, yellow mustard, served on pretzel bread - $12). I would happily get that again. I tried the broasted chicken and thought it was pretty flavorless. Our server seemed fairly terse and overwhelmed. That's not unusual for July 2022, I suppose.

5 stars every time! Happy at a table or the bar! The place where everyone knows your name! Can't pick a favorite, but the steak salad is a must! Other top contender's are the burger (best in the area!), the tuna poke app, the walleye, or the broasted chicken.

Great menu, excellent bar, service always friendly & spot on! One of our local go to restaurants for a delicious meal! Don't miss the chicken.

Nothing goes wrong here. Excellent food. Excellent service. Excellent martinis. I love this place.

In town for a quick trip and we needed carry out late after a day of hiking the dunes and enjoying the sunset on the beach. We were tired and hungry and wanted something reliable and quick. Enter....PHIL'S! One of our go-to dinner spots pre-pandemic made things easy with a quick 25 minute take out order. We scooped up our order and took it back to our hotel room for a feast. I got the crispy chicken sandwich (buttermilk soaked chicken breast, pepper jack cheese, bibb lettuce, pickled red onion, avocado, spicy sriracha~marcona almond sauce on brioche) with a side of the potato wedges. As I said in my review from TEN YEARS AGO (omg) the potato wedges are so good! And I normally am not a fan of the wedge. But they do it right, here! This was my first time with the chicken sandwich and it was massive, flavorful, and juicy. I scarfed the whole thing down in no time, even though it was so big! My husband had the grilled ham and cheese (grilled smoked applewood ham & swiss cheese, yellow mustard, served on pretzel bread) and he made noises of approval as he ate. Winners for both of us, I think! Phil's--a winner 10 years ago and a winner now!

We've been coming to this restaurant for years. Always good. Waited an hour for dinner (fine with us since we had drinks) and ordered their fish. Cold and awful. Really sad. Guess we won't be going back.

I love Phil's. Phil was more than accommodating for my husbands ridiculous request for a happy birthday sign at his restaurant. The fired mushrooms were so delicious, the perfect blend to mushroom and friend, not overpowering in either direction. Great food, great cocktails. Only complains is Phil wasn't having a drink with us.

The food, the service and the staff Rock!! My wife and I love this place and our regulars.

Fun scene! Good food! Burgers...mmmm! Delicious fish tacos too! Nice vibe at the bar as well.

Expect to wait if you'd like to eat here, so budget that in your time. The ambiance inside is dark and bustling, like a bar...so I was expecting bar food. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food! Our waitress was very busy, so she was less interested in being charming snd delightful, and more like a seasoned diner waitress just trying to keep the grill line moving. So I'll give her a pass. Our drinks mostly kept coming and all 7 of us got exactly what we ordered. I can appreciate Efficiency over personality. I got perch, mashed potatoes and veggies, all of which I would happily get again! I was told the fried chicken sandwich was "literally the best chicken sandwich I have ever had in my life." Even the house salad was to die for. The peach and orange blossom mule drink got mixed reviews, it's not something I would drink again.

Phil's is hands-down the best, most consistent restaraunt in Saugatuck. I've been coming since2002 when I purchased a summer home near here. Locals love this place too. That says a lot. I like to pop in for lunch or during the week. It's always busy and waits are common but if you time it right there's less hassle. It's extremely popular for good reason so you have to expect it to be a bit crowded and noisy on weekends. The menu is great. Drinks are great. Love the broasted chicken and tavern fries are awesome.

Phil's in Saugatuck is a go-to for our family. The fish tacos are amazing, the burgers are enormous, and the potato wedges are salty and crispy. Our kids love that the table cover is brown paper and they are invited to draw on the entire thing-- crayons provided. Some tables are in dark corners if you're looking for an intimate setting, some are quite bright from light coming through the large front windows, and there are a handful of high tops on a secluded side deck if you're looking to eat in the fresh air. Servers have always been friendly and efficient. Add on a good selection of beer and wine and you really can't go wrong at Phil's.

Got this place recommended to me by a friend and she told me to order the fish tacos! I ordered the fish tacos and they were AMAZING. The lime-yogurt sauce was delicious and the cod was cooked just right. My one complaint was the noise level of the restaurant. I understand that having a hard floor doesn't help absorb the sound, but it was so loud that my sister ordered crème brûlée to go so we didn't have to deal with the noise level anymore.