Charles' Southern Style Kitchen

10/22/2007 Posted by susiecue4930

Went to Charles' on a total lark (it looked good) and what a joyful surprise. The ribs were out-of-this-world, the chicken was great, the greens were beyond compare and even the corn bread was moist and tasty. Plus, we sampled four different kinds of great desserts - including banana pudding that was swimming with sweet chunks of fruit. In fact,t he food was so good we all went back fro seconds -- and were unable to eat again until the following day. Service was friendly, food was, of course, ready in an instant, and the whole experience was great - and will be repeated soon. My only reluctance is in sharing this review - for selfish reasons. I don't want the place to get so crowded that I won't be able to go back!!!

Pros: the food, the abundance, the variety

Cons: very small, no atmosphere

09/03/2007 Posted by milahj

I love this restaurant so much. I met the owner and he is so genuine and friendly, which makes writing this review a pleasure. This is hand down the best soul food restaurant in harlem or new york for that matter hands down. I am so sick and tired of people writing great reviews for Slyvias, or amy ruth. Tourists venture up north to see what harlem really has to offer in terms of food. The fried chicken is perfection, so is the yams, macaroni and cheese (very cheesy and seasoned well), beef ribs (very tender) etc. Everything is seasoned just right, nothing is bland. The service is friendly too. I feel like I am at home everytime I come here.

Pros: food, service

Cons: small space, but hey this is new york real estate

08/06/2006 Posted by b00pi3flak3s

Combine virtually any chicken fast food joint with home style cooking and in unlimited quantities (yummy) you get Charles' Southern Style Kitchen. The place is ridiculously small and so is the buffet really, but with items such as fried chicken, potato salad, fried okra, mac and cheese, oxtail, sweet candid yams, etc. it is hard to lose. They actually accept credit card, which is a really nice. They have opened up a new east side location that is closer to the upper east side instead of all the way in Harlem. Hopefully it will be just as good as this one.

Pros: Food, Service, Buffet

Cons: Location, Small Space

04/16/2006 Posted by blackberry2u

I must admit that the customer service at Charles' was quite friendly. Unfortunately the two sides I ordered from the take-out section were not at all impressive. The collards were not well seasoned and the macaroni had a brothy taste to them with no traces of seasoning to be found. It was so unforgettable that I doubt I will be giving them a second chance.

Pros: friendly staff, decent selection, casual dining

Cons: bland food, poor ambiance, over priced

04/06/2006 Posted by dablakness

I went to Charles country style just to get a quick meal nothing spectacular, i had never been there before that night about a month ago but now I am a regular whenever I am in the area. the ribs sing to you the collard greens always taste just like Charles just picked them. The staff is friendly sometimes I don't want to leave, i would just go there for the hospitality of the staff if i had to ( but I would grab some oxtails on my way out LMAO).This is wonderfull place that you would surely make a regular spot.

Pros: STaff, food, price

Cons: Strange Hours

01/06/2006 Posted by lonniew212

This place is great. This is true "Down Home Cookin" no frills. This is one of Harlems Best kept Secrets and I hope it stays that way. And the ambience fits the food no frills - Everyone is a member of the family when they come here. Go and Enjoy all that is right in Soul Food!!!!!!!

Pros: The Food , Charles , Staff

Cons: Needs to Expand

05/15/2003 Posted by yippee1999

I am not one to normally "wolf down" my food, but that's exactly what I do here! Everything is SOOOO good, from the fried chicken, to the candied yams, to the collard greens. Someone mentioned that the "ambiance" at the buffet restaurant isn't that great... I'm not sure what they were looking for. Sure, it's not "upscale" by any means, but the warmth of the staff, and the laid-back attitude of all the patrons makes the ambiance terrific IMHO!

Pros: food, staff

03/07/2003 Posted by Chandy

You have to appeciate this soul food haven. I recommend take out(the ambiance isn't much). The food is delicious, the service friendly, and I'll come here over and over again for a tasty, filling, low cost meal.

Pros: delicious food, quick service, cheap price

Cons: ambiance

08/11/2002 Posted by dollargirl

I was born and raised in the south. I have prepared and eaten southern meals every Sunday for the well over 40 years and it's a great feeling and a pleasure to find a restuarant to seve home cooked meals that taste as if you went into the kitchen yourself and prepared them yourself. Charles Southern Style Kitchen in a gem and a "real deal" in service, price, portions.