Lovely service and amazing food perfectly summarizes my experience with this cozy and unassuming spot. My search for some of the best fried chicken led me to this place one day. Before I ordered, the person at the counter was having the nicest conversation with a customer who apparently was a regular. I don't know the name of whoever was stationed at the front that day - but they were delivering epitome of customer service that day. When it was my turn to order, they helped me out a little bit as well, too, as it was my first time. Big shout out to you! The food was even better that the hype built it up to. Chicken and rice with gravy were the winners for me. The potato salad was okay - but that wasn't what I was here for. I gave my cornbread to a friend who said it was "pretty good". Overall amazing experience from top to the bottom of my plate. Just be wary that there are only maybe three seats in the location, so you might likely need to eat elsewhere.

The food is here is super delicious💞 The customer service is inviting! Overall the experience is magnificent🥰😍

Absolutely love having this spot in the neighborhood. The most delicious food and always the sweetest folks behind the counter. Also I’ve seen Chef Charles himself here a few times. Absolutely recommend if you’re in the neighborhood. Tip: try the hot sauce, it’s amazing

This place is amazing! The vibes were incredible and loving. This is my first time visiting New York and trying this place & it’s absolutely amazing! Elijah and Elaine were super friendly and very nice! Great deals here!!! Don’t forget to come and try it out!!!! 😆

Visited here on a Tuesday evening and was immediately greeted by staff welcoming me in. Stephanie took care of our order today and was very attentive, answering all our questions with a smile. The food portions were amazing. Would definitely come back again! Looking forward to visiting the other locations as well.

Food was absolutely incredible. The chicken had so much flavor to it, and it was juicy and tender... Even the white meat. Sides were full of flavor. Had the yams, which were so sweet and rich in flavor, black eyed peas, which were hands down the best beans I've ever eaten in my life, and the Mac and cheese was cheesy and well seasoned. Elaine was extremely nice and was a sweet woman. She even gave us a complimentary banana pudding, just for being a fist timer. Truly exceptional place to eat. 10/10 would recommend.

My friend gave me the menu 2 weeks back and told me they just opened so I went there today and let me tell you their food is 😋🔥. It slaps (means it's good) especially the Yams. I mean it is very tasty, not too sweet, not too bland, just perfection. Mac and cheese is great as well as the chicken. Me and my son love soul food and it is better than my Yams 😄. The Limeade is the right amount of sugary sweetness I like. Even though the cornbread breaks apart easily, its ok because I know its fresh. 👏🏾 I will definitely be coming back. The staff is good and they even threw in a couple pieces of Cornbread because they were out of desserts.

+1

Very good experience!! Delicious food and fast service! Definitely worth it.

I ordered a 3 PC with lima beans and rice, and it was perfect. The chicken is fried perfectly, crispy and juicy. The atmosphere is welcoming and pleasant. I definitely will come back when I return to New York.

First time visting Charle's Pan Fried Chicken. The employees were so nice there. They gave our kids a sample of their cornbread warm. It was delicious! We ordered the Family Fried Chicken meal for $40 and a peach cobbler for $6 to go. Family meal comes with, I believe, 10 pieces (3 wings, 2 drums, 3 thighs, and 2 breasts); 3 sides; and big box of cornbread. The Fried Chicken was yummy, crispy skin and juicy meat. We took the recommendation of the nice employee for the 3 sides, mac 'n' cheese; collard greens; and candied yams. She told us to eat all 3 together and she was right! The combination of the Fried chicken and the 3 sides plus corn bread was delicious! I would recommend that combo too!

+6

Very respectful Well mannered first time here and they recommended us something on the menu was fire 🔥

Everything at Charle’s fried chicken is delicious and fresh made. Elaine , the manager and the whole staff are very welcoming and sweet. The banana pudding is to die for. Definitely a must when you come by Harlem!!! Don’t miss out!!!

This was hands down the best fried chicken i’ve had in my entire life and in the world. Ive been to many places before, but this has everything you want from soul food. The meat is juicy, the skin is crispy and the spices are perfect. We got the mac n cheese and grits as sides and those were a serious 10/10 too. Eleine and her colleageaus were so friendly as well, and took care of us so really good.

The friendliest staff, fast service, and consistently delicious and affordable soul food. The chicken is crispy and tender, sides are well seasoned, and the cornbread is fluffy The Charles’ classic combo includes 2 pieces of chicken (white/dark), a side, sauce, and a large piece of cornbread. Quite possibly the best deal in Manhattan. Large platters are also available, making Charles’ a great spot for any number of hungry diners. You won’t regret your visit!

Great place! The chicken was crispy and tender inside, perfectly seasoned. We were really impressed by the sides. Huge portions. The staff were really friendly and helpful.

Frist time trying this and chicken will never be the same . Stephanie was such great help on what i should order , she truly is the gem of this location her sweet soul ! I will def be back.

My favorite place to have lunch! Shoutout to Stephanie and KT! Very helpful staff, good energy and great food

This place had really great food. Very flavorful and delicious. I’d venture to this place again.

Elijah was Great. He has great customer service. Very polite professional and extremely respectful. Not to mention the food was fresh hot and taste great. The whole staff was wonderful

Great food and great vibes. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful, and the atmosphere was fun and welcoming. Elijah helped us and had such a fun, upbeat attitude. As someone from the South, this tasted like home.

Cio at the front does a great job of directing customers on how to order. I also don’t usually leave reviews but she suggested that I should, she’s great!

We went to the 72nd Street location. The meal was outstanding. Service was quick, staff was professional and the food was well prepared. The location is small and there is a counter with three seats. We were lucky they were open so once we ordered we quickly occupied. Pan Fried chicken is a southern technique. It is unlike other restaurants which deep fry or the outcome is on a thicker batter. The sides are incredible but be careful as you don't try and order everything as they are so tempting. Prices are affordable. Overall, we had a very pleasant experience.

Oh, my goodness! This was worth the 1:15 minute train ride and walk! I'm visiting from California. I read about Chef Charles a few years ago and vowed to visit if I ever had the opportunity. I am SO glad I made it here! First and foremost, the service is top notch! All staff members are incredibly professional, polite, respectful and helpful! Elijah, Dio, and Manager Stephanie were awesome! The staff cooking the food CLEARLY know what they're doing! The food is DELICIOUS! Everything is obviously freshly made with fresh ingredients. No canned food here! The macaroni and cheese is SO cheesy and has perfectly cooked macaroni! The collard greens and green beans are expertly prepared and not over or under cooked. The sweet potatoes are the best I've ever eaten! The flavor of pure sweet potato hits the palate first, and then the seasonings gently impart flavors that gently and beautifully enhance the sweet potatoes. One of the things I truly enjoyed about the sweet potatoes is that they did not taste like sugar, just sweet potato. Absolutely divine! My huge regret is not ordering more to take home! I am RUINED and will ONLY consume sweet potatoes made by Chef Charles from now on! I hope he sees this and makes a home version available in the grocery stores. The catfish is perfectly fried! It's moist and flaky. The fried chicken is so juicy! The skin is crispy and has very little batter. Both the catfish and the chicken are not greasy. The cornbread is so unique! It has just the right amount of sweetness and the perfect balance of cornmeal and flour. Serving sizes were generous for all items! The food is so filling! Everything is served hot! I can't wait to come back! Chef Charles walked in while I was there! He actually greeted me and asked how I liked the food! He was so incredibly warm, kind, patient, gracious and friendly! He offered to take a photo with me! Other guests recognized him and he graciously agreed to take photos with all customers who made the request. Chef Charles was very respectful, polite, warm and caring with his staff! This location has a counter that seats 3 people, so it's best to expect to take out. The restaurant gets busy and food is made fresh so it's best to order ahead and pick up.

Charles Pan-Fried Chicken is absolutely amazing! The food is incredibly fresh, full of flavor, and cooked to perfection — you can really taste the love in every bite. The customer service, especially from the outset, we were greeters warmly by Elijah - an employers dream! His colleagues Azaira & Kin were also top-notch — friendly, attentive, and welcoming. And the playlist? Pure vibes, Including the vocals! It sets the perfect mood while you enjoy your meal. Definitely a must-visit spot!

Oh my gosh! It was so good their fried chicken was amazing and crunchy but even better was there smoked ribs with jerk sauce! It melted in your mouth. The sides were good too, with mashed potato’s collard greens Mac and cheese yams and more. Service was also great greeted when came in and had a nice chat with the co owner. Overall a need to try if in Harlem.

I LOVEEEE this restaurant so much, its my top 10 and I been in the city since a kid !!! The mac and cheese is to die for and I always look foward to buy the 3pcs combo, the service is lovely and so homey, shot out to KT and Ms.E (iykyk) YALL come here ASAP Happy black history month and ramadan Mubarak 😂

Great service and great food. Definitely will be coming back

The chicken was so good, I went back in the restaurant and said, “Mr. Charles, someone should slap you!! That was so good!” He smiled and laughed then said thank you. Really though, the chicken was seasoned well to the bone, the okra with corn and tomato perfectly seasoned, the yams buttery and sweet. The collards were good, but I like mine a little sweeter. We enjoyed the food so much, I just wish there was one in Brooklyn. It took me an hour to drive to the restaurant on 145th on my scooter. It was well worth the drive!!! I will have to do it again on a weekend. You can see from my pics, I give the food a rating of CLEAN BONES!!! Nothing left😂😂😂

+1

I was not expecting to have the best fried chicken of my life in NYC but here we are. Mac and cheese, greens, cornbread reminded me of home, even the hot sauce was above and beyond any expectations! I took my chicken to central park and enjoyed a nice outdoor meal - and I recommend you do the same at least once if you're in the area.

OH MY GOODNESS!!! What can I say!! My office had a Black History Chat and Chew and Charles Pan Fried Chicken was the food provider. Everyone loved it! The food was so fresh, you wouldn't think it had travel from Harlem to Midtown East. We will be using them again. As a NC girl, TY Charles for your gift!!

+4

Great Southern good with a great dinner deal for $11 (cornbread, 2 sides and 2 chicken pieces). They have tons of Southern classics including desserts like Peach cobbler and mini pies. The staff were friendly but there is only limited dining space inside and outside. Our favorite dishes were the pan fried chicken thighs (cooked to perfection and a nice flavor) and the okra (great texture and flavor). We will be back to get the desserts.

+6

TRULY THE BEST SERVICE EVER Elijah and the rest of the staff were so kind, welcoming and very helpful with suggestions. The food was amazing as well!!!

I have been wanting to try this place forever! And omg! I WAS NOT DISSAPOINTED. One thing that is critical for me when it comes to food is CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WOW! I was blown away! The hospitality, the love, the care, the attentiveness! IT IS SO HARD TO FIND THIS LEVEL OF SERVICE IN NEW YORK CITY! Everyone in this establishment took their time to get to know me! And don’t even get me started on the FOOD! SPECTACULAR! The food here is truly made with LOVE! I ordered the Pan Fried Chicken with Mac and Cheese and Potato Salad! My life has been changed! STOP WHAT YOURE DOING AND HURRY DOWN! You won’t regret it!

Such a wonderful catering experience. I placed an order on the phone and spoke with Bridgette. She catered to our needs and prepared everything as requested. Very professional and polite! She emailed the order and the invoice had the Pay Now button which is quite helpful. The delivery was timely. They have the best chicken ever! Their ribs are tender to the bone and it falls right off.. so so delicious! 😋 The seasoning is on point. Yes, no greasy food! Just perfect! Great delicious sides!

+3

Food is amazing!!! The 3 piece was a perfect shareable lunch with an extra side.

I went to the location in Harlem during the summer. The chicken was hot and fresh. My yams were a bit too sweet for me but I enjoyed everything. Everything I ordered was hot. The collard greens were delicious and perfectly seasoned. I will say that you receive good portions because I could not even eat it all.

Elijah & Shirley were very attentive & give a nice greeting when you come in. The food is delicious! Only 3 seats to dine in so plan to carry out if needed. Definitely recommend!

Charles Pan Fried Chicken is hands down the best fried chicken I’ve ever had! The chicken is perfectly seasoned, crispy on the outside, and incredibly juicy on the inside, every bite is amazing. I also want to give a special shout-out to Elaine and Frida who made the experience even better. Elaina and Frida were both friendly, attentive, and truly made us feel welcome. Customer service like that makes a huge difference and shows how much they care about their customers. If you’re looking for top tier fried chicken with great service, Charles Pan Fried Chicken is the place to go. I’ll definitely be coming back!

The food here was soooo good. Fried catfish was the best I've had, crispy on the outside and not dry. I don't usually eat the crust on fried chicken, but I couldn't resist, it was too good not to. Sides were great and not overly salty. We had green beans, Mac and cheese, okra, and collards. All of them were great, we loved how densely packed the Mac and cheese was in the container, and that it didn't use that weird,fake, overly emulsified cheese, really good. Warmly greeted at the door and quickly served by Elijah, Dio, and Stephanie, and the cooks were so friendly too. Highly recommend. Oh! And the cornbread, holy cow, it's actually a huge *cube* of kind of cakey cornbread with nice cornmeal bits for extra texture, and kernels of corn. Delicious.

Elijah is the absolute truth! He greeted me with a smile and made me feel as if I was back in Alabama. The food looks amazing and his southern hospitality is unmatched.

I heard about Charles Pan-Fried Chicken on social media and I needed to check it out. I stopped here with some family and we all loved it. Elaine waited on us and she was very friendly and professional. I had the original pan fried chicken, collard greens, mac & cheese and yams. All were delicious. They make their own hot and barbecue sauces, which were amazing! I should’ve asked if they sold them separately in larger quantities because they were that good. Even though the space is small and only offers one counter and a few stools for dining in, we made it work. They include reheating instructions which was helpful and our meal was just as delicious the next day. I will definitely be back the next time I’m in the area.

The people are kind and great with the customers. The chicken savory was delicious . The banana pudding cake first time I tried it and I have to say it did not disappoint. Mac and Cheese was better than KFCs . It was perfectly seasoned.

The food here is absolutely amazing! I met Chef Charles at an event for Black Filmmakers recently and I had to come back to try the food again. I got the chicken, Mac and cheese, yams and greens! Kin & Dell provided amazing service. 10/10 highly recommend. I will be back!

Charles Pan Fried Chicken is an absolute must-try! We ordered nearly everything on the menu and were thrilled with the entire meal. The food was ready for pickup quickly, and the walk to get it was easy. Everything was packaged well, and the staff was super friendly. The drumsticks, potato salad, and mac and cheese were the stars of the show—perfectly seasoned and full of flavor. The chicken is incredibly tasty, and the pulled pork also did not disappoint. The only thing I might skip next time is the white rice, but everything else will definitely be a repeat. Highly recommended!

My experience was exquisite at Charles pan fried chicken, The lovely cashier naiomi helped me explore the menu and get something that matches my interest. She recommended me the 3 piece Charles pan fried chicken with mashed potatoes and Mac n cheese with a southern punch, hot sauce, and bbq sauce. Everything was excellent, I rate it a 1000/10.

Went there for the chicken, but was blown away by there ribs! Best ribs I've ever had! Soft, moist, juicy, flavorful, fall of the bone. Service was excellent. Sides were fantastic (Mac and Cheese, and sweet potato were my favorites). I will definitely eat there again when I come back to New York.

Chicken tastes amazing, size of the cornbread is huge and the $10 special for 2 pieces of chicken, a side and a cornbread is incredible value at the heart of New York City! And shoutout to the young lady who served me today, full of positive energy and brilliant recommendations!

I stopped by to get some fried chicken on Halloween and I got so blown away because they were giving away Candies to the kids so my daughter was very happy with that and Elaine was super sweet and polite my daughter loved her and the candy…,, the fried chicken was so crispy and well seasoned . This is definitely going to be our Friday night spot. Highly recommend!

+1

Food was fantastic, service was awesome. Welcoming atmosphere, everyone greets you when you walk in. Elijah was so friendly and helpful, and made sure our portions were heaping! Definitely will be coming back again and again.

My first time here due to an instagram recommendation…I walked a was greeted right away a the young lady was very polite a walked me thru the menu…so I ordered the fried chicken meal with Mac n cheese and collard greens & cornbread….the music playlist was on point an I will definitely be back to explore the rest of the menu….the building had a cool vibe to it…

+2

Omg, if you want an amazing home cooked meal you gotta come to Charles. They have the best fried chicken, the sides are to die for, absolutely delicious and a must try in nyc. The whole crew is so friendly and knowledgeable, Ellen, Elisha and Malik are so nice, thank you for the amazing meal. Will definitely be back.

Very tasty, juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside chicken breast and wonderful, polite staff. It's a really great place!

Your NYC trip can't be complete without hittin this spot! Elijah here make this place very welcoming and was really nice! Absolute fire

This was one of the best restaurant fried chicken dinners I have ever had. The chicken was seasoned and fried perfectly. The greens had excellent flavor, the baked Mac and cheese was perfect. And the cornbread was perfect. Fluffy and not too sweet. 5 stars from me.

All I can say is if you haven't been yet what the hell are you waiting for. My wife and I was in NY this past weekend and went to the 72nd st location on Saturday and just missed the chance to meet Charles. Then on Sunday we stopped at the 125th location to grab a 10 piece to take home. We've also been to the 145th st location many times. We took friends there and all they could say while eating is umm, umm ,ummmmm. I could go on for days.

Great fried chicken! The chicken breast was slightly dry, the sides were succulent. Amazing service: the lady made us try the chicken before we order since we were skeptical, yet we did devour everything!

Tiffany Vail

I found this place after doing some research for our New York City family trip. The Fried Chicken was absolutely amazing! It's probably the best I ever had! The cornbread was also amazing. I personally did not recommend the macaroni and cheese but I am also very picky about that as well.

jay kay

The restaurant is small. However, it's very intimate. As soon as you walk in, the cooks greet you. They are very friendly. There's a menu right above the counter. The desserts are in the fridge to the left of the counter. Everything is there were being freshly made. I had the chicken wings, mac and cheese and greens and cornbread. All of it were excellent. The chicken was juicy mac and cheese not runny and definitely not too cheesy nor did it have any "exotic" ingredients in it. The greens were good no stems or anything else. The cornbread was very soft and moist Very very good

AK London

I came across this restaurant through a YouTube interview with the owner, Charles, who’s been perfecting the same recipe for over 30 plus years—and that alone had me intrigued. With my Caribbean roots, I was curious to see if soul food could really live up to the hype. Let me tell you, it absolutely did. The restaurant is small but well organized, with an efficient system that keeps things moving while still feeling cozy. The attendant was especially impressive—once she learned it was my first visit, she leaned in, gave me a warm welcome, and thoughtfully walked me through the menu. I ordered the grits, cornbread, fried chicken, and black-eyed peas, and every bite tasted like home. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and full of flavor, the grits were rich and comforting, and the cornbread was spot on. It’s rare for restaurant food to feel this authentic. I’ll definitely be back to try more from the menu. Easy 10/10.

Gary Gao

Staff was nice, heck if I was to rate this place on the staff alone I’d give it 5 stars, the chicken breast was a bit dry but aside from that the skin was well flavored. Personally I found the catfish much better than the chicken and they ought to be selling it daily instead of just a Sunday and Tuesday special. As for sides, the Mac and cheese were neat but a bit under-seasoned, but the okra and collared greens are great. Cornbread is a nice finisher, not too sweet like some places

Zakary Hori

Great fried chicken and sides. As of December 2025, there’s only a LIMITED amount of seating at a counter (approx 3-4 seats). So if you’re coming during busy lunch or dinner hours, there’s a good chance there will be no seating available.

Tam Hoang

Amazing, I’ve never liked fried chicken breast but this has turned me around. I will definitely be returning. Its quite far from where i live but i fear its gonna be my go to spot 😙❤️

Ruth Rafael Biaou

I always come to Charles for my lunch break and the food is always fresh. The customer service is just as great as the food. The lady who packs the meals is always so sweet and remembers my order as a regular. Love her she deserves a raise!

Phebe F Chew

SUCH a gem. $11 classic combo can’t be beat. Juicy chicken!!! Seasoned well. Good vibes and friendly service. You can sample the sides (yams, mac, and collard greens were good), and you get a huge non dry piece of cornbread. Yes please. Thank you Charles for sharing your fried chicken with NYC.

The Modest Foodie

The chicken was prepared fresh. The candied yams didn’t disappoint and the sweet potato pie made think of home. This is a takeout location so no place to eat in. The employees were extra nice!

Yaroslav Shulga

$10 deal with chicken, corn bread and a side really can’t be beat. Stephanie was absolutely phenomenal setting the standard for hospitality and giving a rec for my personal favorite the strawberry cheesecake. Will definitely be back.

Aviv Acco

Best fried chicken I’ve ever had! Staff was really friendly and food was great. I even got to get a scoop of their fresh Mac & cheese batch.

Anders Eriksson

Just amazing how good the ribs are there. The chicken wings are amazing to. Chicken breast was a bit dry but still really good flavours in there. The girl working there was really friendly and helpful to. And there mac and cheese was great and I loved there coleslaw.

Gaby Diaz

The family meal is a STEAL. Ten giant, juicy, perfectly seasoned pieces of fried on-the-bone chicken. Six colossal pieces of cakey cornbread that are a religious experience. Three large sides. The Lima beans were my fave, and I can’t even believe I’m saying that. Perfect texture and saltiness. I was blown away. If you’re grabbing and going, bring a big and sturdy bag. The paper bags they have can’t hold Gods’ treasures by itself, and you don’t want to be carrying that from the bottom for blocks. The people there are super friendly. No wonder this place is so beloved.

Apaar Bhatnagar

Charles Pan-Fried Chicken on the Upper West Side instantly transported me back to the soul food spots I loved in Atlanta. The fried chicken was perfectly seasoned and crispy, with that signature pan-fried crunch that’s hard to find anywhere outside the South. The sides were absolutely spot-on — creamy mac n cheese, sweet candied yams, and perfectly cooked collard greens that tasted like they came straight from someone’s Sunday dinner table. The sweet tea was solid — not quite Georgia sweet, but close enough to pair well with the meal. What really stood out was the hospitality. The service was out of this world — warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind. You can tell it’s family-operated, and it feels like they’ve invited you into their home for a meal. If you’re craving real-deal soul food in New York, this is it. Charles’ place is a gem, and I’ll definitely be back.

Keke Might Ride

This was my first time visiting Charles Pan Fried Chicken, and I hope it won't be the last. My coworker and I drove 10 miles to get the restaurant and it was well worth the trip. We were immediately greeted by the workers Freedom and Raven , who were very friendly and helpful. Because it was my first time I wasn't sure what I should try; they both helped make the selection process much easier. Freedom had great interpersonal skill , he had a good sense of humor and was very easy to talk to. Raven was very sweet an and polite she allowed me to try a small serving of the beverage before I made a decision which was great. The food was very good; tasted like a home cooked meal. I drove back before I could try it and even though it wasn't as hot it was still very good. I would definitely recommend you come try this restaurant if you are in the mood for some soul food! Thanks again Freedom and Raven!

Jonathan Kleitman

I've been looking for a meat and three in NYC and I heard about this place. I got fried chicken (leg and thigh) with mac-n-cheese and collards. It came with cornbread too. The chicken was good. Reminded me of a better version of old school KFC. It was moist and tender and well seasoned. The mac was the baked kind I was looking for. I've seen some reviews saying it's dry but if you know Southern baked mac you know that it's not super saucy and this mac is the type I was looking for. The greens were also well seasoned and cooked well. I ordered the $10 chicken plate which came with two pieces of either dark or white meat, one side, and the cornbread. The additional side was $6. The cornbread is the sweet kind and had a cake/muffin type texture. If you've been looking for a meat and three I would check this place out. The $10 plate is a good option for a good lunch if you're in the area.

+2

daily good vibes

Easy to find and small place but BIG flavor. Chicken was nice. Mac and cheese was cheesy and moist. The greens.....perfect. and the strawberry cheesecake dessert all i can say is god bless the person that created that. It was delicious. Super friendly lady inside didn't catch her name. She needs a raise by the way

+1

Food is amazing! Really good chicken, desert and sides. I always look forward to coming here.

food is amazing! Really good chicken, desert and sides. I always look forward to coming here.

Food is amazing! Really good chicken, desert and sides. I always look forward to coming here.

visiting from cali and decided to try charles pan fried chicken. as we walk in we were greeted by Dio and Elijah. they have amazing energy and customer service skills. definitely try this place o…

visiting from cali and decided to try charles pan fried chicken. as we walk in we were greeted by Dio and Elijah. they have amazing energy and customer service skills. definitely try this place out.

service here is southern hospitality at it's best. Even though it's not full dine in the way you get treated makes you want to stay. Stephanie, the lady who took care of me was super sweet and welc…

10/10 service, food quality and ambiance especially in this cold. All the servers are so sweet and food was sooooo good definitely must eat

10/10 service, food quality and ambiance especially in this cold. All the servers are so sweet and food was sooooo good definitely must eat

Best ribs I have ever eaten\nI lived the chicken I loved all of your sides and desserts \nCheesecake was unbelievable \nBut those ribs\nI can't say enough\nCan't wait to go back

Food was extremely flavorful and amazing. All employees were welcoming, vibrant, and helpful. The place itself is cozy and very clean. I 100% would be back.

Some of the best fried chicken that New York City has to offer! I had the chicken and ribs combo, Cole slaw, baked Mac & Cheese and it was delicious. The chicken was juicy and crunchy and you can taste all the seasonings and spices in every bite. The ribs were OK a bit dry but the flavor was good and most of it fell off the bone. The corn bread was good and not a dry hard brick you normally find at other places in the city. The Cole slaw was not too sweet and the Mac & Cheese was decent. I've seen people say it's not good but it was, it's not regular Mac & Cheese but it's backed so the texture is going to be different. All in all I WILL BE BACK FOR MORE OF THAT AMAZING CHICKEN!!!

Pros: the best southern fried chicken on the UWS, not named Popeyes. Sides are solid & better than the chicken 😲 The cornbread is more like corn cake. Friendly & efficient service Cons: Can be $$$ Chicken could be seasoned more Not spicy. Take out mostly, they have a 3 stool counter. Chicken will get soggy if destination is far, crack open the box. These days, fried chicken is everywhere and taste is relative. The original spot in Harlem, now gone, was a destination for me, decades ago. I came here when the first day Charles opened this spot. I did the 1st ever review on Felp, which since was deleted but that’s another story. It’s got a counter now for 3 people to sit. About 15+ years ago, this was a destination for me, along with Amy Ruth’s. No matter what borough I lived in, when that craving hit, which was often, I was on the train to Harlem. Now, both spots have satellite locations, but variations of fried chicken is in every neighborhood and flavor has expanded from the baseline classic. This is no longer a destination, for me. But, if in the area & there’s a seat open at the counter, I’ll go in and get my fix.

+4

I stopped in on a late Saturday night to grab some food and I almost did not go in because of the long line but they were extremely fast and I was in and out in 10 minutes with hot and fresh food. The staff was amazing and pushed out the orders fast with no hang ups. I'm looking forward to going back again!

+3

I got the original pan fried chicken and it was good but didn't quite meet my (high) expectations. The Cornbread was great though, one of the best I've ever had! The sides were okay, the beans were a little bland, I did not like the mac and cheese, the yams were my favorite. I wanted to try the banana pudding put they were out. They were out of water as well. The staff working there was very nice.

Chicken was pretty salty for me! I'm not impressed! Yams were delicious & Mac & Cheese was ok!! Cashier was super helpful & friendly!! There was a small 3 seat table for you to eat there!! Spent about $25 for a 3 piece meal w no drink & honey sauce since they don't have ketchup!!

+1

Ong Shujian

Chicken was flavourful but ribs a bit dry. Mac and cheese stuck together and collard greens underseasoned. Not what I was expecting after hearing so much about this place. Perhaps it would be better to dine in and eat it fresh.

Chicken was pretty salty for me! I'm not impressed! Yams were delicious & Mac & Cheese was ok!! Cashier was super helpful & friendly!! There was a small 3 seat table for you to eat there!! Spent abou…

chicken was pretty salty for me! I'm not impressed! Yams were delicious & Mac & Cheese was ok!! Cashier was super helpful & friendly!! There was a small 3 seat table for you to eat there!! Spent ab…

i just got one chicken breast and ate it there. it was pretty good! crispy and juicy. but very limited seating. its kinda hard to enjoy chicken sitting with all your stuff and your coat on. but i m…

This is not a sit down restaurant with ambiance it's an order and leave joint but don't let it deter you. This is some of the best fried chicken I have ever had. The service is great. The girl work…

Location was small w/ extremely limited seating BUT the service was great. Recommend the collard greens, string beans and cornbread.! Chicken was just ok.

Sadly, the hype let me down. I read countless reviews before making the decision to eat there. I rarely treat myself without the kids and was looking forward to enjoying authentic southern cuisine that I didn’t have to prepare myself. I ordered their signature pan-fried chicken dinner which came with cornbread and two side’s - I got collard greens and yams/sweet potatoes. And I also got peach cobbler. Pros - 1. The yams/sweet potatoes were absolutely delicious. 2. The 3-piece chicken tasted familiar, just like I would’ve seasoned and pan-fried at home. Cons - 1. The collard greens missed the mark completely. When cleaning collards, after thoroughly washing, the stems are to be removed and discarded, then the greens are chopped. These collard greens had an abundance of stems. I included pictures so you can see for yourselves. Instead of discarding all of the stems, I decided to keep the rest to show in the picture without the collards. 2. The cornbread was on the thin side and a little dry. Not completely dry but it should’ve come out of the oven 2 minutes earlier. I was given an end piece so 1/3 of it was inedibly hard. 3. Due to the staff doing a great job at up selling me on dessert, particularly the highly coveted Peach Cobbler that they keep warm in the back, I gave in and ordered the peach cobbler. Unfortunately, the peaches were limp and had a slimy texture. The flavor only seemed to include sugar without the standard spices used in traditional peach cobbler. It also had what tasted like soggy bread. I included a picture of the remaining portion that I didn’t plate. 4. The size of the containers for the side dishes and dessert were very small nor were the small containers filled. If it was a Tapas style restaurant then I would have anticipated the small portions. Summary - Aside from the delicious yams, this dining experience left me anticipating a wonderful festive Easter dinner that I plan to cook for my family.

The food was good. If you’re craving fried chicken it’ll hit the spot but comparatively it’s not much better than fresh crispy KFC. crunch is no where near Popeyes, much closer to fresh KFC. Mac and cheese was real average. Corn bread was GREAT though. Wish I got a hot piece but regardless was good. Seating is limited so roll the dice of staying on your own. OVERALL VERDICT: I would come again.

I tried Charles Pan-Fried Chicken and overall, the experience was pretty mid. The chicken didn’t live up to the hype at all — it was just okay and definitely not what I expected. On a positive note, the string beans and mashed potatoes were really good, but since I went specifically for the chicken, it was disappointing. I also ordered the sweet potato pie, and it tasted more like plain yams in a pie crust rather than a true sweet potato custard-style pie. The texture and flavor just weren’t there. Overall, the meal was average at best, and considering the hype, I expected much better.

It's all about the Chicken! Absolutely delicious- the sides were so-so! Mac&Cheese was dry, the collard greens are a much better choice. The corn bread, was a shame, somewhat warm on the outside but cold in the center, and dry. The atmosphere- there really isn't any, which is a same, this West Side spot could be a gem. It's a small space, which makes ordering weird, if busy could be a bit crowded- all in all go for Chicken not the atmosphere, it's more of a grab-&-go than anything, but if you gran that Chicken- go love it, because it is that good. Why the low review- because this concept if managed a bit more properly could be the best hole-in-the-wall on 72nd Street.

Great service, friendly staff and decent portion size however the food is average. Good fried chicken and okra. The mac and cheese is very dry and the gravy is quite salty

Came for the Classic Combo and it was okay. The chicken was good, but the highlight were the yams.

Jon John

I went 3 hours before closing and they were out of Mac & cheese and. Mashed potatoes. The chicken was good. The fry was good and it was juicy. It was lacking seasoning in my opinion. I don’t think I would go again. The yams were good. The cornbread was mid, could have used some honey butter. I wasn’t offered any condiments I had to ask for hot sauce.

The turkey wings have no seasoning aside from gravy an the sides except for the Yams are not edible at all...at least at the 145st store, 125 st has a much better chef..

The turkey wings have no seasoning aside from gravy an the sides except for the Yams are not edible at all...at least at the 145st store, 125 st has a much better chef..

WHEN: Mon @3pm\n\nAfter lots of walking at the Natural History Museum, it was time for a late lunch! This place has very limited seating but we were able to sit at the counter since it's not the bu…

It's was yummy! And worth to try, service was friendly and the restaurant had a chill calm atmosphere we went at like 12:30 so it was nice and not super busy

Craig b

Too be honest.. Disappointed.. The mac and cheese was cold and a Congeled, the chicken was hot but bland.. The drinks my god.. I think if you added another gallon of water they would still be to sweet. For me, I would tell everyone not to go

Do not go here, disorganized. food is tasty but willl have you waiting no communication when orders are cancelled, do not recommend

**BEWARE: Horrible Food and Even Worse Customer Service - HORRIBLE**\n\nAfter waiting an hour for my food, the restaurant called to inform me that one of the two desserts I had ordered was unavaila…

My wife ordered through seamless and they quoted 28 minutes as they are 2 blocks away. After an hour my wife gets a hold of seamless who is basically zero help until she gets someone from the restaurant to call. They tell us that they got 10 orders within the hour and they are out of thighs, would we be ok with another breast. Ok, no problem. He says they are bagging it up as we speak and then seamless would pick it up. My wife thanks them and explains we have young children waiting for dinner. 5 minutes later, they cancel the order. At this point an hour and a half have past and we have to get something completely different from one of our old standbys just to get the kids some food. What’s worse is THEY KNEW we had kids waiting and they canceled our order anyway. Very, VERY poor form.

Great service !!!! Great atmosphere. The kid in the front was very polite and he explained the meal and was very patience but my gawd the food was disgusting!!!! The fried chicken was horrible. It wasn’t fresh at all and it was just old chicken from few days ago . The Mac and cheese was horrible also . I threw my food out . The white rice and collard greens was good . I’m upset that we walked this far and food was a big disappointment. Look at the picture dry chicken !!!!

I don’t know if this was just a bad day, or a bad location, but the food was terrible. All the sides looked overcooked. The chicken was lukewarm, dry, and greasy. There was no crunch and no flavor. I just wanted a couple pieces of chicken and some collard greens, but I threw it all away because it was all so unappetizing. The staff were generally unkind, too. Maybe they don’t get paid enough to care, but a soul food spot having bad soul food is just bad.

I purchased 2 dinners 1 Cat Fish with macaroni & Cheese with Sweet Potatoes. The Cat fish was barely seasoned. The 2nd dinner was Ribs, String beans. I ordered Macaroni & Cheese but it was never put in my bag. The Ribs were a week old & burnt, hard & dry. I wouldn’t feed that Rib to my dog. It should’ve been put in the garbage instead of in a container to a paying customer. I spent $47.00 a total waste of my hard earned money! I called in and spoke to the manager who asked me to text the picture. I did & was told to return for a free dinner. I did & all I can do is shake my head. This isn’t Soul Food at all! The food isn’t properly & thoroughly seasoned! The menu is limited! I will never step foot back in there I make better food at home!!