You people from North America know when I say this, you know when you are visiting Canada or the US? Everything is eerily similar but the little things are a little off. It could be measurements. It could be the way people act. It could be how food is served. Its like somebody is messing around with your bearings by putting a little inconsequential thing off kilter. Well that was visiting the New Phillies was to me.
Phillies used be one of my favorite places, when I could get to it. It was a dark and dingy corner bar, and I use “dark and dingy” as a high complement. The whole place just oozed character. The best thing about the character is it was all homegrown, there was not a false pretence about the place. Mike the owner proved to be an adept and friendly host no matter how busy or quiet. It was his place and he was genuinely welcoming to everyone. And best of all, it served a killer facsimile of a Philly cheese steak, cheese whiz variety. Granted that is for Korea and a first time visitor would not say much about it, but for a long timer that meat and cheese combo was nirvana.
Alas that was the old Phillies, this is the New Phillies. Expecting the move of the Army base south, the owner sold the place and moved (or so I gather). The place went downhill quick as the new owner mistook character for dinginess, and cleaned up the place, raised the prices, and bought cheaper food. The place is on the upswing with new foreign ownership, albeit the place is very different.
The New Phillies is now a Commonwealth Bar, and what I mean is it a place that likes to say it speaks English but it defiantly not American. The burger I ordered seemed like a lonely orphan or a menu filled with savory pies, eggs, beans, and what ever else people who speak English in a funny accent eat (making a meal of baked beans and toast has got to violate one or two of ten commandments). The old cheese steak was gone, and I felt like calling for a moment of silence for our fallen brethren. Wanting to fit in I simply ordered the basic burger and paid extra for the whole wheat, W4,800 in total.
The bun was a work of art. Spongy, but with that firm character necessary. The veggies were fresh, and with a memorable slice of tomato. The patty was grilled expertly, however cooked a bit too done for my taste (in there defense I did not order it pink). As a testament to their forethought, it was seasoned with a few things. I tasted cumin, oregano, and rosemary.
That patty, though well intentioned is the reason for the burger’s demerits. High quality and grilled, but so thin it seemed like it was cooked on a George Forman grill with George himself sitting on it. It was corrugated beef. While the seasoning was undoubtedly well intentioned, it was slightly overpowering (too much rosemary), and, well as I said, felt a little off for this American.
Bottom line, good burger, strongly recommended, but I still mourn the passing of the old Phillies.
The New Phillies: ****
Haebongchon
Noksupeon Subway station exit 5(?), west side of the street toward Mt. Namsan
Walk toward Yongsan gate three, keep on walking up the hill past the kimchi pots about 100m.
English menus, English spoken
Previous Reviews:
Smokey’s Saloon: ****1/2
Thunder Burger: ****
Nashville’s=***1/2
Navy Club=***1/2
Home(made) burger=***
Kraze Burger=*
14 Comments
I’ve tried them all, but I have to say the Three Alleys is at the top of my list. It would be nice if their fries were heftier, but the burger is thick and juicy.
Huh? Since when did Three Alleys Pub have hamburgers? I thought they prided themselves on having alternative pub grub.
Btw, I wonder who will be writing the follow-up to this column — the Korea Angioplasty Hunt.
The owner knows his market. Nigeria=Commonwealth.
The few nights I’ve stopped in, Commonwealth meant Irish, Canadian, and Kiwi, as well as the few local Poms. Even got a chance to learn the finer points of Gaelic footie. I knew the old Phillies, and the New is a worthy, if different, successor. Pity that the good review on the hamburger got buried at the bottom of the review.
p.s. les vrai-canadiens eux, ils parlent pas l’anglais.
and why is an accent different from the standard midwestern funny?
The first owner and original founder of Phillies in 1998 was Dave LaR…… I lived just up the hill. He and I are still fast friends. That was a bar that really rocked and featured Philippines Scuba trips. Maybe I am dating myself but that bar rocked.
DAVE! That was it, I had a feeling “Mike” was not right. Knew the owner was some four letter word
Other than that…stop it your making me misty eyed. If your still in touch tell him his presence is sorely missed. (sniff!)
You didn’t even know his name and yet you mourn the passing of the bar. There were always plenty of non-Americans in there and Dave was less hung-up on being American than you are. He didn’t care where you were from and would have told you to shut it. What’s so defiant about not being American? Your insecurity is pretty sad.
Your probally right Dave was quite the host.
Sorry, was a bit harsh there. Keep up the good work.
I sent the link to Dave and he said it broke his heart. He has moved onto other things but keeps well in general.
yes, it was dave. crazy dave as he is fondly remembered in parts. dingy bar with terrible cheesesteaks (i’m from philly), but a lot of character and great place to hang out and drink into the wee hours. new philly’s is nice. their burgers quite good. todd’s a nice, affable guy as well.
God…I should open a bar in haebangchun.