Wholly Grill — Restaurant in Mesa

TL;DR: Good food, for the past 10 years. As expected, there will be some misses. But the food is still good. Just wish it's in a different place that has better AC/ventilation for both the tables and the kitchen.

Been going here for 10 years. Food is good. Just like most places, it has it's hits and misses. At times, those misses are because it's summer and the AC doesn't work in this old building. Other times, those misses are because the Dim Sum place is holding an event with loud speakers and people blocking the way to the stall and/or tables.

For the past 10 years, I've been witness to getting fire alarms and smoked out by the multiple vendors cooking (not only Wholly Grill), sweat so much that it was cooler outside than inside (AC was out on that random day), multiple events that made ordering food impossible (thanks Mekong Dim Sum), and many other miscellaneous events. But I stayed with them because they're good!

But I wish they could move to a different spot that has better ventilation in the kitchen, better AC for the customers, not bothered by a loud dim sum place, and more room for their front and storage spaces. Stay in the East Valley, I'll follow.

The food misses rarely happens to my family and I. But the food is good. To-Go orders, of course the food is going to settle and leak juices or oil from the fryer. Or the Halo-Halo melted and isn't that "perfect" shaved ice anymore. But why are people that picky? acechon is first come, first serve on weekends. It's a slab of belly, oven cooked for a long time, then broiled at the last hour of cooking (to get the crispy skin). Good seasoning on it too. Weedays, you have Lechon Kawali. Still good and works when you have the craving.

Mac Salad, pretty good. I'd rank a bit below Oho's Mac Salad. But are on the top on my list (1st and 2nd).

Skewers are always a safe bet for the white folks. But are still good.

Bangus is good too. Sisig isn't spicy, which I like. Crunchy addition to it was nice.

Try it all, see what you like. Or get the traditional items and...

My first time eating at this place and was happy to find food close to home. However, I was kind of disappointed. Our food took a while to arrive. I ordered the BBQ Skewered Pork and the meat tasted just like home. But my rice was on the "fachi" side (Chamorro for wet) and the macaroni salad was pretty good. The foods that were ordered by the others in my group, like the dinigu'an (Filipino for fresh pork stew) and the Crispy Pata (Filipino for crispy pigs feet) were not what we expected it to be. The dinigu'an was not authentic and the Crispy Pata was unpleasant). I would recommend maybe just the BBQ meat like the pork and chicken. Other than that, I will not recommend this place also, if you are in a hurry to get to your destination. We waited for about 30 minutes...

Good food and priced decently. Been going here for years!

Filipino restaurants are far and in between in the PHX Valley. Having a place that will appeal to most white folk because it's grilled meat is very nice to have as a suggestion. Can't go wrong with grilled meats...

Pork Skewers are great. The beef can be tough, but still good (it's a thin cut). There's 3 different kinds of pork belly: Liempo (bbq, cut/chopped), Kawali (fried, big chopped pieces), Lechon (weekends only).

Steamed veggies are okay. Try the eggplant salad/Talong (it's grilled eggplant, shredded, then mixed up with some stuff) or Atchara (pickled, shredded papaya and carrots). Mac Salad is...