Phil’s Kastle

From the outside it doesn’t look to inviting, but don’t be fooled. Yes by all standards it’s outdated. The pros, super clean inside, very friendly, good value, and most important the food was pretty good. I walked in there and it was spotless, that reassured me about ordering food.

The place is a total dive on the outside. And when you walk in, it’s a total dive on the inside too. Very consistent. It’s a medium to smallish diner sporting a lunch counter with stools and also a bunch of booths off to the side. Everything is a little damaged because it’s at least 50 years old. It’s like if you took a time machine from opening day to present day you’d be like…“hmm, you got a new cash register”. And that would be it.
I stopped in at about 3pm for lunch and ordered the double burger. No one else was in. The lady making it was very nice and was quite accommodating with my requests for extra ketchup and hot peppers and what not. After that I had a grilled cheese sandwich for dessert. On my way out she offered to refill my water bottle. Nice.
This would be a great place to have across the street from me. I’d saunter in every now and then and have a grilled cheese sando, burger or whatever. Then I’d be like, «thanks alot. see you next time». And then I’d go home. Wonderful.
As it is, this dump is in the middle of nowhere right across the bridge from that Calumet Fisheries place on 95^th Street. I can’t see how they can do much business. Maybe 50 years ago the traffic around this area was different. I don’t know. But present day, it’d take an act of of Bourdain to boost business. Which I think they would appreciate.

Phil’s is like stepping back into the past, when Alan Ladd was making his movie in South Chicago in the 40’s. You will see everyone in there from yachtsman and Bank VP’s to the blue collar workers and kids in the hood lookin’ for a cheap burger. They have the baby Monster Burger for $ 1.49 with fries. Great breakfast food, real Gyro’s and the special is 3 for $ 10.00. You have to try it, but just pretend you are on vacation in a small town, when in reality, you are in Chicago. Near Calumet Park, 95^th Blues Brothers Bridge and not far from the Skyway. Enjoy…

Hello, FOOD SNOB here.
From the outside its a DIVE but when you enter its a blast from the past. Old fashion Diner. For years I pass by this place and heard how good their burgers are. Looks like they changed ownership. Is now just your average Burger. Had the Baby Monster Burger. Came in a huge bun and the patty was ¼″ thick but sorry to say not homemade as before.
I must say the Fries were Excellent. And prices are very reasonable. They do have Breakfast. Might try that next time if I’m in the area.

This place is great. I feel like I’m in a scene from The Deer Hunter every time I walk through the door. This is about as blue-​collar working class steel-​mill South Chicago as it gets. Yes, it’s small, yes, it’s out of the way, and it probably wouldn’t hurt to wipe the place down with some heavy duty bleach once in a while, but that’s what makes it so great.
I live on the North Side, and I make the 45 minute journey down here JUST for this place. When friends from out of town come in, this is one of the places I try to take them.
Mary is great, always greets you with a smile and a «hi baby, what can I get you?». It’s great. I absolutely love coming here. It’s about as unpretentious as you can get.
The burgers are really good– get the monster burger with gyro meat added. It’s fantastic!

Have you ever seen the Talking Heads video for Road to Nowhere? Driving down that barren expanse of road you will happen upon Phils Kastle. It’s an old-​fashioned, kitschy diner. It seems a little misplaced here, I would expect to encounter this place somewhere in the South, maybe as part of a road trip to New Orleans.
So you desire a scone? How about a fritatta? HA! This is the east side. How about some real food. Wide menu. Great place for breakfast. They take pride in their gyros. Service has always been pleasant.

The food is just average, just like the service. Avoid it if possible. The prices are reasonable, but thats about it.

I gotta tell ya, I’m a White Castle fanatic. That’s right. «Sliders» don’t gross me out; I’m addicted to chicken rings with honey mustard; and I adore their artificial flavored strawberry shakes. But going to White Castle can get a little repetitive, so when I want to shake things up a bit, I head to Phil’s Kastle.
This place has been serving «homemade» sliders on the east side since the ‘30s. Phil, himself, told me that little tidbit of info. (Although, I’m not sure if it was actually the same Phil that’s been flipping burgers all this time — perhaps his pops started it??) Anyway, the Kastle is an old Greek diner, close to the lake, right by the famous «Blues Brothers bridge». But Phil’s Kastle is NOT your typical Greek diner. You won’t find any frozen GFS or Costco prepackaged foods here. Phil makes everything made-​to-​order from scractch, from his tasty breakfast sandwiches right down to his delicious burgers.
I’m a fan of the double cheeseburger. It’s like eating a «crave case» of sliders all squished into one bun. Two heaping beef patties are pan-​fried in butter (i think! at least it tastes like butter!) and then smothered in grilled onions, cheese, and some kind of secret seasoning that makes the burger taste exacly like a White Castle. Top it off with a little mustard, ketchup, mayo, and some of Phil’s crunchy hand-​cut fries, and you might never return to White Castle again – especially when you can get a double monster burger, fries, and a pop for $ 3.99!
For those looking for the true slider experience, try one of Phil’s «baby» burgers. These little puppies are what makes him famous on the southside. Pint-​sized versions of his larger burgers, these little greasy messes are oh-​so-​tasty!
Go ahead and give Phil’s a try. Phil’s a nice guy and he makes one hell of a burger.