Phil's Bar & Grille — Restaurant in Saugatuck

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...

I have severe food allergies and sensitivities, and gave explicit handling instructions to the server, and even asked questions about the safety of my meal, I thought prior to it being made. She didn't bother to come back and tell me that they'd be able to accommodate my food allergies until I asked her about it 15 minutes later when she finally filled our drinks, and clearly they didn't follow my instructions, or else they don't know what is in their food, because I am very sick 2 hours later. Another person at my table ordered the same item I did but I ordered it with omissions and my accommodations required to not make me sick, and the food runner tried to convince me that the other one was allergen-free, too, even though it was not my order. I tried to explain that I gave very explicit instructions since I will get very sick if anything I'm sensitive to gets in my food, and she argued with me that the item that was NOT safe WAS. The food was tastey, but getting very ill is a HORRIBLE thing and I would not recommend that anyone with food allergies go to this restaurant. I was treated poorly and am very sick to boot. It's been over six months since I've gotten ill from restaurant food, and I tell every server the same things, every single time. If you think you'll be safe here, change your mind. Horrible experience and I will NOT be returning to this restaurant.

To the servers: be careful what you tell your customers To the management: your employees should not be arguing with your customers. You're in a customer service industry. I've served before, and I know, and you should know, that the "customers are...

When: we arrived on a Wednesday night at 6:45 PM, we were told by the person taking names, which I later found out was neither the Manager or the Owner, that it would be about 20 minutes for a table of 7. We even told him we would take a table of 4 and 3. Come one hour later, when people after us were being seated we went in and he told us that the table he was waiting for was done, but they were not leaving the table. When asked why he did not split us up like we asked he did not have an answer. When we finally got our table, the service was mediocre at best. The food was good, but nothing to write home about. Now while waiting for my party to leave, I went out to have a smoke and there was a couple yelling, yet again to the same host as to why they were told 15 to 20 minutes and it was over an hour and other people were walking in and getting sat right away. Clearly if you knew this host you got sat quickly if you did not, well good luck. I questioned one of the staff members on to if he was the owner or Manager and I was told neither. At which I point, since I have not filter, I said THANK GOD. And she said, yeah well that is how we all feel. So, to the owner of Phil's Bar & Grille. Check out your staff, I know the locals are your bread and butter, but the tourists, do count for something. Thank you.

Respectfully...