The Phillip’s Coney truck proudly proclaims that it’s been in business since 1912. That’s the truth, although not always on wheels. According to the internet, the first Phillip’s Coney Island was opened by Phillip Manus (that’s THE Philip) in Columbus back in 1912 on High Street, when hot dogs were a bit of a novelty. In the years since 1912, the business operation has been handed down through family generations. It’s also moved around, expanded and contracted to meet market demands. Phillip’s last physical location was at 450 W. Broad St., that’s a spot it held until its building was demolished for redevelopment.
So now, it’s everywhere…in the sense that food trucks are everywhere. That’s the advantage of wheels. The truck keeps a busy schedule rolling through two gigs a day from Powell to OSU to the Brewery District. Customers seem to follow wherever it goes – even to a desolate gravel parking lot on Broad Street.
The easiest and fastest thing to order from the truck would also be the most obvious: Phillip’s Original Coney Dog. It’s a plump, sturdy lil’ frank in a bun that perfectly matches its length. It’s topped end-to-end with a meaty sauce, mustard, onions and a blanket of shredded cheddar. It’s easy to gobble down in a matter of minutes.
But the menu expands well beyond hot dogs. You can dress up your dog with bacon and onion rings (The Chop House). Phillip’s also does burgers, and it does loaded fries and tots. There’s even a milkshake machine somewhere in the truck that will make a fancy strawberry milkshake topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and chocolate shards (That one’s called Chocolate Covered Strawberries). Phillip’s put the whole operation on wheels.
Given the schedule and its hustle, you can probably find the truck someplace nearby this week. Check it out at phillipsonwheels.com.