Frugal Friday at Fat Philly's & Burgers - iconic sandwiches, onion rings are delicious and inexpensive options
Mary Bilyeu | Contributor
Jeremy and I recently ate at Fat Philly's & Burgers, which serves precisely what it promises, with some barbecue, salads, and side dishes offered on the menu as well. On a recent evening, good ol' comfort food just sounded like the perfect option, and Fat Philly's was a great place to go to satisfy the craving.
As soon as we walked in the door, we were greeted by a welcoming chorus of "hello" from the staff. It wasn't one of those orchestrated requirements (i.e. an official greeter at a big box store or an embarrassing round of "Happy Birthday" meant to mortify both recipient and performers); rather, there were genuine smiles, and one waitress even recognized Jeremy from the spot where he regularly hangs out with his friends. We were greeted as though we were regulars.
Our waitress, Dora, was wonderfully cheerful, and she even tried to save us money by suggesting that I order a combo instead of piecing together a meal. Of course, I was considering photo ops and wanted to see what an appetizer's quantity of food would be, rather than merely a side order's worth; but I truly appreciated her thoughtfulness.
So while Jeremy ordered the Bacon Blue Burger combo (with fries and a drink) for $7.89, I ordered the Philly Steak sandwich pictured above for $6.89. It featured generous quantities of tender beef, and just the right amount of peppers and onions. I'm on record as not being a fan of green peppers, but I'm also on record as someone who vehemently disapproves of special orders, so I ate it "as is" with the thought that I could pick a few extra peppers off if they were too strong. But these were not overwhelming or pervasive, and the sandwich did not skimp on the meat; so the usually-offending item actually was perfectly portioned to enhance my meal.
Now, I know that there are some zealous purists who adamantly claim that serving the sandwich "wit Wiz" (with Cheez Wiz, that is) is a sign of authenticity, and there is no Wiz to be seen here. But mild white cheeses are also a favorite for cheesesteaks, and Fat Philly's melts Swiss into their beef-onion-pepper mix. So many aspects of this iconic sandwich are subject to debate — the roll, whether the meat is chopped or sliced, the type of cheese — that virtually everyone has his or her own opinion.
Suffice it to say that I have eaten and enjoyed many versions, regardless of which side of any argument the ingredients may fall on, and Fat Philly's sandwich is excellent. And taste is, of course, the primary concern. This was so good that while I'd had every intention of saving half of it for breakfast the next day, I couldn't resist finishing it. It's definitely large enough to split, so that it falls within our Frugal Floozie Friday budget of $5 or less per person.
Mary Bilyeu | Contributor
Other items which qualify for our frugal budget are the fries basket at $3.89, as well as side dishes of cole slaw or BBQ baked beans or chili or soup for $2.89. The House Salad and the House Caesar Salad cost only $4.89. And the hot dog, chili dog, and chili cheese dog all qualify for our mission, as well. You can eat at Fat Philly's or get a carry-out order, and calling ahead is welcomed.
So for great comfort food, hearty servings, and exceptionally friendly service, head over to Fat Philly's and welcome them to the neighborhood!
Fat Philly's & Burgers
2224 Washtenaw Ave.
Ypsilanti Township, MI 48197
734-544-8521
Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday: noon - 9 p.m.
Mary Bilyeu writes for AnnArbor.com on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, telling about her adventures in the kitchen - making dinner, celebrating holidays, entering cooking contests, meeting new friends ... whatever strikes her fancy. She is also on a mission to find great deals for her Frugal Floozie Friday posts, seeking fabulous food at restaurants on the limited budget of only $5 per person. Feel free to email her with questions, comments, or suggestions: yentamary@gmail.com.
Go visit Mary's blog — Food Floozie — where she enthuses and effuses over all things food-related; and look for her monthly articles in the Washtenaw Jewish News. "Like" her on Facebook, or send a tweet on Twitter, too.
The phrase "You Should Only Be Happy" (written in Hebrew on the stone pictured in this post) comes from Deuteronomy 16:15 and is a wish for all her readers - when you come to visit here, may you always be happy.
Comments
roadsidedinerlover
Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 5:59 a.m.
I like your reviews Mary! keep them up! A question for my meat eating friends...were those chili dogs just that or were they Michigan Coney Hot Dogs?? There is a big difference!
leaguebus
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 2:57 a.m.
I ate there a couple of weeks ago and thought the Philly was good. The frys were limp, so I will order the rings next time. But good place, all being said.
Arboriginal
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 11:18 p.m.
Those onion rings look REALLY good! Thanks Mary!
Urban Sombrero
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 10:53 p.m.
Frugal or not......those pictures made me DROOL. I must try this place!
Jim Pryce
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 9:01 p.m.
I had Lunch there a few weeks ago. The fries were OK, the Burger had good flavor but was only a single patty. I asked if they could put a 2nd patty on the burger & they couldn't because it wasn't on the menu. I even told them they could call it the "Fat Jimmy" if they add it. No Luck so far.
Bill Wilson
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 4:54 p.m.
Hmmm, Jim told them they could use it, so how would that be stealing?
Cash
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 10:24 p.m.
We will have to see if they steal your idea, Jim!
Cash
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 6:48 p.m.
Mary, back to the subject at hand (clearing my throat) I LOVE Fat Phillys sandwiches. Our family is especially fond of the fact that they are NOT greasy. I am tired of getting a "hoagie" or steak sandwich that leaves grease on the paper it is wrapped in or on the dish. Fat Phillys must use some very lean beef because there is ZERO grease on the paper wrap! Love that. Great place to pick up an easy supper and reasonably priced. Now I think $5 should get me a soda pop. Sorry but I expect to pay $10 for an easy sandwich/fry combo at a minimum without a drink. I don't eat at fast food places and I don't drink grease. So places like Fat Phillys work out well for me. Oh yes and I LOVE the green peppers! Food and service top notch. I highly recommend it.
Bill Wilson
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 4:53 p.m.
Cash, Maybe the grease isn't on the paper because it soaked into the bun? You expect to pay $10 for an easy sandwich/fry combo? Maybe in Ann Arbor, but even in Montgomery County MD, it's 6-8$ tops.
Bill Wilson
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 5:36 p.m.
@ Mary: I've gotta agree... sharing negates frugality. And you're eating a plate of carbs for lunch... and fried, as well? You're fast-tracking your way to diabetes and heart disease..
Ron Granger
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 4:13 p.m.
The frugal question is a tricky one. To me, sharing cannot be a requirement to achieve "frugal". And, most people on a work lunch don't share.
Dive75
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 3:40 p.m.
Regardless of the frugal aspect of these articles, which is based on opinion, I enjoy them. Always provide reliable intelligence on places I have not tried or even knew existed.
jtrxrogers
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.
Too late in the week to enter into the philosophical plate vs person debate. Thanks for the review, looks like a spot the team would be willing to drive across town for the work day lunch trip.
Melinda Porter
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.
I stopped in about a week ago and will gladly agree, the staff is very friendly and the food was great. I had the chicken cheese steak and the onion rings (again, I agree about just enough breading). The price was right and I would recommend them to anyone looking for something a little different than the fast food establishments in that area. My only recommendation is that they expand their hours and possibly offer delivery to the college age crowd once everyone is back in town.
Stupid Hick
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 1:43 p.m.
First, who orders nothing but a $4 side order of fries for lunch? Second, who thinks $4 for a side order of fries is frugal?
BobbyJohn
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
$4 for one large potato cut up is NOT frugal. Sorry, but it just isn't.And I must add that I don't believe I have ever seen a person eating just a plate of fries for their entire meal. Just Sayin'.
Mary Bilyeu
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 2:03 p.m.
*I* order fries or onion rings for lunch, especially when I get an entire platter full of them which is more than I can eat; an indulgence that my arteries might not be thrilled with, but sometimes you just have to give in to a craving. $4 for that quantity is, indeed, frugal; and it qualifies as frugal because it meets my $5 per person or less budget.
Billy
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 12:48 p.m.
Once again...it's only "frugal" when you eat small portions....or split a normal order for a single person.... That's my only problem here....you keep doing these restaurant reviews under the guise that these are "frugal" places to eat....when most of them aren't. Please....continue to review restaurants, you're not a bad writer....but it's an outright fallacy to claim some of these places as "frugal" when they're not. If you have to do things like split a normal order of something between two people to make it fit the "5 dollar rule" then you're not really fitting that "5 dollar rule" now are you?
nuseph
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 5:10 p.m.
Billy, part of being frugal often means sharing or getting a large portion that you can save for later. There are many places you can get a $5 meal, but I suspect it wouldn't be worth writing about.
Billy
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 2:48 p.m.
Mary.....I want you to stop and think about HOW you just had to explain why it was "frugal." The "per person" thing....that's what I'm talking about. You're creating these extra rules to keep things that would normally be too expensive within the "rule." You're changing the perspective on the cost of a dish so that it doesn't seem too expensive.
Mary Bilyeu
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 2:01 p.m.
My schtick is $5 or less per person, not per dish, and has been since I started this in May, 2011. Most servings at restaurants are FAR too generous, and should be split; no one needs to ingest an entire platter full of food, so the portions I write about are not "small." Anyone who's ever known me can attest to what a good eater I am - I don't skimp on food. Sometimes I can find a dish that qualifies on its own, and sometimes it needs to be shared; what's wrong with splitting a pizza or a large sandwich, for example, with friends? The per person cost is frugal. At every single place I've written about for more than a year, I have found options that meet the $5 per person rule, and thus they ARE frugal. The entire menu might not qualify, and the restaurants I choose might surprise people; I particularly like to find those, to show that no matter where you go you can still eat well and enjoy yourself on a budget.