Phil’s Bar B Que

Phil’s in Eureka (here) is now out-​of-​business. This seems to have happened in late November 2012.
I have submitted this to the moderators at Unilocal to change the listing permanently as «closed.»

I wouldn’t know how their BBQ is because I have never tried it, otherwise they would be getting 5 stars. Their breakfast is the best around and well priced too. Sure it’s not the cleanest place, but I would rather have a good breakfast at an old building than overpriced junk at Denny’s. Service is absolutely terrific.

Best delux Pizza

Excellent breakfast!!! My favorite stopping point on my trudges to the Lou!

This is my favorite restaurant of all time. I moved from STL years ago, but whenever I go back the first thing I do is go to Phil’s. I wish I lived closer.

We were running errands and came through Eureka about lunchtime on Ms T’s birthday. I thought what could be more special than lunch at a good local barbecue place. Phil’s was on my list so here was an opportunity to try it out. We passed up Super Smokers to get there.
The menu looked promising. It was pretty complete and they are open for breakfast as well. We split a three meat combo platter with brisket, pulled pork and ribs. Well, we have tried it and can now cross it off our list, permanently. This was, quite simply, awful. There was no glimmer of hope in any of it. I am amazed that they are open. Sorry, but that is the way it is and this is not opinion, it is a fundamental fact like the mass of the top quark or the charge of the electron.
The brisket was basically overdone roast beef. It was much like you would find on a slice of white bread, covered with mashed potatoes and gravy, as in a hot roast beef sandwich. It was dry, crumbly and without any smoke. The pulled pork tasted stale and was a little chewy. Again there was little, if any, smoke flavor. The ribs were the worst we have ever had. They were dry, chewy and stale. All three meats were drenched in a non-​descript watery sauce.
It is sad when some canned pork and beans with liquid smoke added are the best thing. The slaw was just OK with a thin very dilute vinegar dressing.
I thought Barney’s was bad (and indeed it was) but at least Barney’s ribs were better. Chuck M described it as nasty. It is actually not that good, he’s just being nice.

Nasty! What can I say, it was pretty bad and expensive. The bottom of my baked potato was burned, the BBQ sauce was a runny ketchup base with no spice at all, my pulled pork sandwich was in a lake of the nasty sauce — so it really wasn’t a sandwich, the glass of water had floaties in it, the silverware was soap spotted, and the service was ridicules. Older waitress was on her cell phone while serving me and the other guy in the restaurant. The older gentleman cooking cussed three times while I was there and kept whistling the same 3 notes from the time I got there till the time I left… Very annoying to say the least. I would never recommend this place to ANYONE!