Phyllis Giant Burgers — Restaurant in Santa Rosa

Pretty good food.

Stays close to it's diner roots/inspiration without venturing too much into the unknown ... or the exciting really.

I typically just go for the basic burger the first few times I eat somewhere, and here was no exception. It'd be a lie to say I was disappointed ... I ate the whole meal and felt satisfied, but around here I feel like you need just a little more to get that fifth star experience.

So the food wasn't particularly amazing, the folks and atmosphere was certainly nice, but nothing outstanding, the value for the food wasn't horrible, but if start ordering anything more than basic food and tack on a milkshake or two, you could be leaving a diner over $30.

The real hinge-point for me between the 4 and 5 star mark was the flavor of the meat. I'll give them credit that it tasted much more juicy and natural than it did greasy and burnt, but in the end of the day it lacked flavor in a big way. I don't feel that it was even properly seasoned on the salt front, let alone with any additional seasonings; although they did cook a pretty good "medium-rare," which if you've ever been to a burger place without a Michelin star, you know that's how you get a medium, so that was pleasant.

If I'm ordering a $18 grass-fed, shade grown, fair trade, cruelty free, no antibiotics, the-cows-got-to-play-pacman-6-hours-a-day-and-little-Betty-read-them-bedtime-stories, ground beef patty in a burger filled with very fresh ingredients, I can easily forgive under-seasoning in an effort to highlight the complexity of the freshness of the dish; but although this burger was good, it wasn't that good, and some simple ground beef seasoning tricks would've made all the difference.

But ... it was still good food, and I'll still probably be back, it's just shy of greatness, and in Sonoma County, it's just too easy to find a...

I've been going to Phyllis Giant Burgers in San Rafael for many years, and when I moved to Sonoma County discovered the Phyllis Giant Burgers on Hwy 12. Have always enjoyed the burgers, and especially liked when one orders extra sauteed onions, they do just that - they give EXTRA sauteed onions. Took my father to the Piner Road location yesterday afternoon, and encountered snotty dude behind cash register. When my father ordered the extra sauteed onions, he told the snotty kid he liked "a little burger with my onions", smiling while he spoke. What did he get? Chopped onions, just like the kind that comes out of a bag you buy at the local Smart & Final, sauteed, but certainly not extra. Hell, not even enough to compose a helping of sauteed onions on the burger. What did the snotty kid do in response? Gotta luv a dips**t - "I put it on the order - you'll have to talk to the cook but he's busy". Yeh, the cook looks real busy standing there reading his book. Go to any other Phyllis Giant Burgers - just NOT this one. By the way we made a special trip there to support this Phyllis as we thought they could use the support after the firestorms of October. Uh No - never again. Go to the Hwy 12 or San Rafael Phyllis, and if you should order extra of something you will actually receive that extra - not some...

Early Saturday afternoon, was in the area and found this burger joint close by. They had plenty of shared parking with other stores. Was not busy and decided to try them out. The inside decor was like an old Mel's dinner from the old days with bench seats with some holes and patching. Haha The place was clean though.

I reviewed their pictures and they served real garlic fries and not the flavored garlic power kind. I love fries with real garlic bits on crinkle fries.

We also had their junior cheese burger with pepper jack cheese with everything on it. The burger itself was juicy but no flavor. It's not the real fresh ground beef flavor kind but it was good enough. I still added a little salt and pepper. I liked that it was the right size for me and my hubs to share and try. We also had onion rings which were ok and garlic fries to share. The garlic fries were a little oily though but good. Had to add a little salt to it though. We also had their shakes. They used Dryers ice cream so I opted to have cookies and cream. Very good and nice and thick. Was happy they don't charge for extra for ranch sauce.

The staff was helpful and friendly. If I was in the area, I wouldn't mind coming back especially the garlic fries and shake. Food was good enough for a quick meal.....