Established in 1981, Phyllis’ Giant Burgers has been feeding the community for over thirty years. Phyllis Larson Carpenter first opened this burger joint under the name Pearl’s Phat Burgers. It was later owned and operated by Michelle and James Cho, who changed the name of the establishment in honor of Phyllis. With a menu of over 20 kinds of burgers,  it has received a great deal of recognition over the years. The real question is: does its reputation still hold up in a city full of new contemporary burger spots? 

Upon entering the restaurant, the first thing I noticed was the giant menu on the wall. Walking around, I saw a handful of tables and teal chairs lining the windows, red stools across the counter around the cooking area, and a nice patio with additional seating outside. The space is quaint with an antique style. Community member Raul Cervera takes issue with the size of the restaurant, “I don’t like how small the building is as it can get quite crowded, but I like the authenticity of the place.” The walls are filled with pictures of 70s baseball players, this adds to the vintage aura of the place. Cervera agrees, stating “The vibe reminds me of the 1980s.” Walking in felt like stepping into the past. When I sat down I noticed the amount of decor they had on their walls. The patio was my favorite spot, filled with charming fairy lights, a small fence, and a view of 4th Street San Rafael.

Their customer service was superb and the cashier was quite welcoming, and their menu had a myriad of options to pick from which was quite delightful. For example, their menu has different protein options for those with dietary restrictions or preferences, including turkey, chicken, veggie, impossible meat (vegan meat), and beef burgers. A poster on the wall explained that their meat from Niman Ranch is all-natural beef, which I found quite comforting because I knew I was putting clean ingredients into my body. Additionally, I appreciated how they asked for specifics on your order. When I ordered my meal they asked me if I wanted meat and how I wanted it to be cooked and they showed me a chart of the different cheese options I could choose to put on my burger. This goes to show that they care about their customers and want to make the experience enjoyable. 

I decided to try something new, opting for their veggie burger which was really good. I was a bit skeptical, but I really enjoyed it and would get it again. It was fresh and delicious. The first bite was difficult because it was indeed a giant burger, but it was worth it and added to the experience. Former TL alumni Cristian Chi mentioned how his favorite burger at Phyllis is the Giant burger, “It’s very good, and the meat is exceptionally well made.” 

If you haven’t already done so, I would recommend visiting this adorable burger joint and it will have you coming back for more. They have something for everyone to enjoy with many meat options, great service, and delicious food. Chi summed it up best, “I would recommend the place due to the size of the burgers and the tasty meat they have to offer.”