Phillip's B.B.Q.'s main location is in Jefferson Park, but they have another restaurant on Crenshaw and Adams, which I decided to try out. And, by God, am I glad I did. The food was amazing, but the experience was what made it really worthwhile. People who are scared of semi-shady take-out restaurants would be repelled by Phillip's, but for me, it added to the excitement! By a "Take-Out" restaurant, they truly meant take-out. They offered a couple tables in the back, but that was about it for seating arrangements.
The inside of the restaurant is very small, and consists of an ordering window, and that's about it. The lines can be up to an hour, so it's good to call ahead and order your food. I didn't do that, so I waited in line for a good 20 minutes before ordering. After ordering, an anonymous hand delivers your food to you through a doggy-door-esque window. It was rather entertaining. The area wasn't the most pleasurable, so I decided to eat my meal back at home. I ordered a half rack of pork ribs, with a side of b.b.q. baked beans and potato salad. The ribs were good - they weren't "falling off the bone," but they were tender and flavorful. They could have been cooked a little less, but regardless they were enjoyable and flavorful. They were rich in flavor of Phillip's sauce, which is spicy and bold. Their baked beans were fabulous. They were different than most b.b.q. beans because they weren't in a liquid base. The beans were actually edible with a fork, and the beans stuck together, rather than the typical soupy, dripping in b.b.q. sauce beans. While they weren't covered in sauce, they still had a very strong b.b.q. flavor. The potato salad was a nice compliment to the bold and spicy beans and meat; The potatoes were creamy, bland, with a hint of relish. They tasted really good after a spicy mouthful of ribs.
Phillip's is a great place for ribs and b.b.q. For those looking a restaurant of any sort, however, Phillip's is not for you. The environment is only for the courageous, and is set-up for take-out only. But if it's good food you're after, give Phillips a shot. Don't forget to try the beans.
Phillip's B.B.Q.
2619 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90016
Tel: (323) 731-4772