We regularly visit this restaurant because of the friendly service, tasty food and excellent happy hour food options. We love the cheesy and buttery Shrimp Cargo appetizer that is served with toasted bread. The Chicken Club Salad is my favorite main course. It comes with one of their warm, soft and delicious croissants.
(4)
Mark B.
Prime rib celebration dinner with my husband, newly married and our best friend visiting from out of town. You can count on Charleston's to provide, excellent service and consistent quality food preparation. Though it may be a chain, I have not had a bad experience or meal here. The menu has a great variety. The restaurant makes for cozy casual dining and conversation.
(4)
Glenda E.
We had the avocado Chicken sandwich and the French dip along with the creamy potato soup a the honey drizzled croissants! Oh how can I forget the spinach dip and chips! I know a lot for being almost 9pm but when we're in this part of town we have to order all of our favorites at once and we weren't disappointed! Great Food and Great Service! Thanks to Austin our server for the nicely warm wet napkin w/ the lemon on top for my daughter to clean off her hands from the sticky croissants. It was a nice touch, very impressive! Job well done! Oh and thanks for letting me take your picture to post!!!
(4)
Hollie L.
Excellent food and five star service. Best ribs ever. Everything is fresh and portions are large. Warm croissants with house salad are a special touch. I have had mushrooms, fried okra, garlic mashed potatoes and baked beans... All superb. Atmosphere is warm with wood and brick walls, low lighting with table sconces. Your glass with never be empty. Well staffed means excellent customer service.
(5)
Chanelle D.
Date night and we decided to try a new restaurant. I was immediately pleased when we stepped they the door and the ambiance was exactly what I needed. I ordered the Parmesan Chicken and my husband ordered the Filet with mashed potato. My fish was excellent. Everything was just right. We will definitely come again.
(5)
Rich D.
Came for a date night and was pleasantly surprised by the ambiance. I ordered the Filet with mashed potato and my wife ordered the Parmesan chicken. We both enjoyed our meal immensely. This will be a regular date night spot. We ordered a basket of honey croissants to take home for later. Best part was dinner didn't break the bank.
(4)
Rashmi G.
We went to Charleston's solely for the bread pudding & ended up leaving after a wonderful dining experience. The hostess seated us immediately upon arrival (unexpected at 7:30pm on a Friday night) & our waitress came by to take our drink and appetizer order soon after. After browsing pictures on Yelp, it pretty much went without say that we were getting the Shrimp Cargot. It came out so piping hot that we had to wait a couple of minutes before digging into the delicious-ness. The escargot dish was filled with 6 succulent shrimp in a garlic butter sauce & was covered in havarti cheese; it was served with 2 pieces of garlic toast. The only qualm I had about this was that there wasn't enough garlic toast in ratio to the shrimp, however we enjoyed what was served. Upon recommendation of our waitress, we ended up getting the Ribs & Oven Roasted Chicken combo, split. The Oven Roasted Chicken was by far the biggest disappointment. It was lacking flavor & any kind of pizzaz and was covered in a thick layer of fat which was highly unappetizing. I had to pick it all off. The ribs on the other hand were actually cooked really well and the mashed potatoes & baked beans were tasty. The portion size was definitely enough for two people to split (you may have leftovers depending on how hungry you are, if you get an appetizer, etc). The best part was that they brought everything out on two separate plates so we could just get to eating immediately. Finally, we put in our order for dessert! Yes, I had VERY high expectations and yes, I was satisfied. We were presented with a beautiful piece of bread pudding that was topped with a Bourbon Whiskey sauce. When I pierced my spoon in the pudding & grabbed a bite, I immediately knew it was hot hot hot! Steam filled the air. After only the first bite, I was converted. It was the perfect amount of bread, cinnamon, and sauce but a bit heavy on the raisins; I think those could be lessened since it did start making the bread pudding seem overly sweet towards the end. The size was big so I got to take a little bit less than half home for the next day! Charleston's doesn't have a very big menu but the choices offered seemed great. The service was also pretty on par so I'd recommend this restaurant to others.
(4)
J P.
We ordered the chicken club salad and shrimp scampi. Both were surprisingly good. Only complaints are that I found the menu to be a little short and the fact that they want $5 for a salad with an entree. Oh...almost forgot...the booth we sat in was a tad odd. I'm not a short person, but sitting in the booth the seat seemed to be so low that the table height was right at chest level.
(4)
Connor E.
Celebrated Mother's Day at Charleston's this evening with my family. As usual, the food was solid. Shrimp-cargot, prime rib, and key lime pie? Yes please. As with most dining experiences, the service can make or break the deal. We were fortunate enough to have Mikaela as our server; she was great! Despite the holiday crowds, Mikaela was attentive and gracious, and made all of us feel comfortable and welcomed. It was a great time for all of us, and we'll definitely be back!
(5)
Gweny F.
I sat in the bar area.. My original waiter was horrible to be honest. I think he came to my table twice. The shrimp pasta on the other hand along with the bread was so good. I've been living by this place for years and this was my first visit. I would try it again. I probably wouldn't sit in the bar area though.
(3)
Cierra S.
Everything was great and met the expectation I had walking in! I was greeted with a smile and, my server was timely and to the point. My glass was full, I was full, I left more happy than when I came in.
(5)
Mario C.
We came here on a Saturday Night. They were very busy! they even had a waiting list. But, when we walked in we were lucky enough to be seated right away. No other party of 2 were on that waiting list, so that is why. Service here is spectacular! Food was great! We got the shrimp cargot as an appetizer. was very good, but the very best part of the meal.??? The Ribs. As always they were amazing. They fell right off the bone, they were tender and delicious! Great service, great food, and lots of parking. You cannot ask for much more than that.
(5)
Marty R.
Went here yesterday, 9/12/15 for my birthday with 11 other family members. This is the first time I've been to a Charlston's. The service was fantastic. The food-fantastic. The prices for what you get-fantastic. DEFINITELY going back to this Charlston's location. I had the prime rib-10 oz. mixed vegetables and baked potato with butter only. The waitress was very attentive. Too back she's going back to Las Vegas this December and won't be around for my wife's birthday in March. But, I told her to look for a White Castle up in Vegas. She never heard of White Castle!! Hope she enjoys. Anyway, highly recommend this Charlston's.
(5)
Christopher K.
I went back to this place and I have to update my rating. I had the same exact meal and it was really great..even better than the 1st time. The customer service is top-notch as well.
(4)
Carly H.
For a chain, Charleston's is solid. I've never had a bad thing there and the portions are huge. That being said, they are a little pricey. You can't really walk out of there without spending at least $20 a person. Now the good. Get the spinach salad, it's always been my favorite, along with baked potato soup. Make sure to order some of the croissants if you didn't get them with your meal, you won't regret it. This last time I decided to deviate and get the salmon. Delicious! The sauce on top and cucumber salad perfectly complimented the dish. Would definitely order again.
(4)
tim b.
This spot was picked as good spot for a business lunch/meeting by someone from the area. By the outward appearance, I am thinking it was something like your standard national chain restaurants filled with many choices of mediocre food. But I think this definately a step up or maybe two. The service was solid from the hostess at the beginner and then our waitress was on a mission to make sure our drinks didn't ever get all the way down before they were refilled - Awesome! The salads looked great but I didn't want to try to shovel that much green into my pie-whole while talking with people. I ordered the french dip and outside of being a little bit soggy, it is the best french dip I have had since 2013!
Great food, great service; recommend the roast chicken and ribs dinner and the key lime pie desert, yum :)
(5)
Debbie H.
Checked out Charleston's for Mother's Day lunch. Called the night before to see if they were still taking reservations, to my surprise they were. Was seated shortly after arriving. Restaurant was busy but not crazy busy. Wait staff very attentive. Started with the Cream Spinach Artichoke Dip-yummy & a great start. My mom ordered the 10 oz. Prime Rib & loved every bite of it. I ordered the Famous French Dip-deeelicious!! Wait staff very attentive, the only thing that was odd was the waiter leaving the check before we were even done with our meal.
(4)
Dayna C.
The crossiants are my favorite!! This is a great little neighborhood spot my fam has been frequenting for years. They are amazing at accommodating special occasions. I threw my dad's 68th birthday here and everything was perfect ... And surprisingly affordable! I highly recommend the pork chops and prime rib. Great place for a cute date night or romantic dinner.
(4)
CJ R.
I have nothing but glowing things to say about Charleston's in general, but specifically the Ray location. We have dined here at least 30 times and it's always consistent, always good food, and great service. We have our go to entrees, we always start with shrimp cargot and a basket of croissants (soooo good) and then we get the ribs! The ribs are fall off the bone every time. I would truly say the best ribs I've ever had. Finish that off with the bread pudding and you can die happy. Thank me later
(5)
Tiffany F.
I've been there once & ordered the Cobb salad. It was good. Not enough dressing given. Lighting is way too dark, I understand intimate lighting but I feel it's too much. Food & staff were wonderful.
(4)
Mary S.
Don't go with family or friends if you wish to enjoy a professional dining experience. Expect to have menus dropped and specials read before fully seated. Expect to have attempts to clear plates, while 2 of the 4 guests are still on the entree. Expect to have a check dropped as you're all on your entree. Don't expect to be asked for coffee, after dinner drinks, or desert. Expect a big rush, even though the restaurant is empty, when it used to be packed. Charleston's is now duplicating the worst customer service that Macaroni Grill came to offer -- before they had to close. Why is AZ famous for the worst service ever? Back East, waiters recieve professional training, and are expected to offer a client a dining experience in order to build loyalty -- repeat clientele. This is the 3rd duplicate experience with worst service ever. No matter how much we love the Chicken Piccata, Charleston's you've lost clientele and future guests forever. (Same experience at both Mesa and Chandler establishments). Hire a Hospitality Consultant.
(1)
Alan H.
I've always have had consistent quality with service and food. The rolls are delicious. Not anything to critique; background music is up beat to help motivate patrons to get in and out! Atmosphere is more relaxed than the pace of lunch service. I need to come back for a dinner service and see what pace they have at that time! Anyway a good meal, little on the $$$ till you see the portions (soup and salad combo).
(4)
Tan S.
Used to be our favorite lunch spot, would go at least once a week. The last four visits were awful. The food is always perfect but the service has been definitely gone downhill.
(3)
Nick K.
Great service, great variety and very good food. If you like Houston's you will like this place including their French dip sandwich.
(5)
Robert M.
Amazing!!! Coukdnt ask for a better experience then what we had... This is our new favorite!!!!! Honestly the TV commercials are right... This place is all about the customer..& the food...Becky are server was outstanding.....
(5)
Ginia L.
Wow, what a terrible experience! The shrimp scampi was so acidic that it burned the inside of my mouth and tasted like mostly lemon. It was inedible. We had to wait over 20 minutes before we were even offered or brought a glass of water let alone any other beverages. The service was terrible and the server kept saying that the tip wasn't included so not to forget to tip the waiters. How Rude! A tip is for good service and we didn't have that! It was so noisy inside that we could barely talk to one another and were nearly yelling to be heard by each other. Even after we complained about the bad food and the service nothing was done. They will never get my business again.
(1)
Melanie T.
Second trip to Charleston's was again perfection. Service was on point, timing of appetizer, salads, main entrees was smooth. We had ribs that fell off the bone, the best Ruben Sandwich I have ever had and flatbread to start. Highly recommend!
(5)
Matthew G.
Very good food Awesome service Price a little steep for the type of food I will return.
(4)
Andrew O.
Great food and always consistent, prime is always my go to or the ribs drinks are also very good!
(5)
Debbie N.
Went to Charleston's last evening and had an amazing dining experience. The food is consistently good, the service was great and even though there were small kitchen hicupps the waiter and manager more than made up for them. If you have not tried their Chicken Piccata you need to. It is tangy and lemony and the capers and artichoke hearts make it amazings good! I would highly recommend this location and like usual- they did not disappoint.
(5)
Courtny T.
Excellent food and service. Great steaks, salmon, and salads! There is a great patio to sit when the weather is nice as well.
(5)
Pete F.
Good menu and bar. Have eaten here a few times. Food is very good and well presented. We like this place because we can a great meal in an upscale environment. Prices are reasonable and the service was good. It is a place you can relax and feel comfortable.
(4)
Lisa P.
I love this place!! Literally have never had a bad experience here! Never a wait for a table, I love coming here! The Caesar salad here is amazing. The chicken club sandwich is the best! And my boyfriend got the ribs and chicken combo and loves it! Literally everyone we have brought here loves it..all their dishes turn out the way they ordered them and taste delicious!
(5)
Aaron S.
Their chicken fried steak was the best I've ever had. TexAz has now moved into second place.
(5)
Jeff A.
I love charelstons! 5 star service and food at 3 star price. Its all about the ribs and chicken, its amazing. Also the lobster soup is a banger as well.
(4)
Brian K.
Let me tell you this place is a five star stop the food is fantastic you can taste the love and care they put into it. The service was above expectations I didn't have to ask for a thing management was friendly and informative. This was the first time I've ever eaten at a Charleston's and it will not be the last next time I'll even bring friends and family just to show this place off! In case you are wondering I couldn't finish all the food that came with my lunch.
(5)
Patty L.
Amazing food and service. We ate here last Wednesday, with our friends from Canada. We've always loved the food, but our friends can be a tad particular. Charlestons didn't disappoint. I tried the cheeseburger this time, and loved it. The other meals were equally as delicious. However, the icing on the cake was our server Victoria. This young lady was honestly the smartest and funniest server we've ever had at any restaurant. Thanks Victoria, for making our night fantastic.
(5)
William H.
The prime rib is unbelievable!!! Get it with the raw horseradish and dip it in the sauce. It is a party in the mouth!! Service is surprisingly fast, and very nice. Love a place with friendly people.
(4)
Alexis G.
We eat here often and it's always great food. Always great service. I would recommend eating at Charleston's to anyone looking for a great dinner.
(5)
Wanderin' J.
There were five of us on this visit to Charlestons Restaurant in Chandler. The service was perfect and so was the food. We all ordered different items off the menu and everyone of the food items were cooked to perfection and delicious. Nope .. it does not get any better.
(5)
Scott M.
First the bad: Atmosphere was dark and intimate, however the loud pop music playing in the back round was a bit strange for such a dark and elegant restaurant. We felt like the music belonged in an Applebee's. The water that was served tastes like it came out of 50 foot garden hose. I would expect at least filtered water in such an upscale place. We had to order a bottle water. The Good: Menu had a great selection, we chose a $13 salad and a $20 chicken n ribs platter. Then we ordered the clam chowder for an appetizer. Soup was AMAZING! More meat than potatoes. The salad and the dinner entree was a nice size and tasty. We asked ahead for a half order but they would not accommodate :-/ Service was excellent from the moment the doors were opened for us until we left. Waiter was very accommodating and nice. Overall nice place...
(3)
Neka N.
I liked the atmosphere. This was my first time going to this particular restaurant. So I played it safe and ordered the turkey burger which was good. I really enjoyed the fries as well. The wait was short and the wait staff helped each other out quite a bit which was awesome. I was really impressed with the food and the service. I will definitely try this place again. I would have given it four stars but the music blaring kind of ruins the mood. They should really think about changing the music choices.. Maybe upbeat jazz or something.
(3)
Carlos R.
This is the second time I eat here. My family and I had a great dinner service and the only reason I didn't give the five stars were minor service issues. The food is excellent. It is seasoned well and taste delicious. The service was great, there was only one occasion where we needed a refilled and actually had to ask for it but all other times, they arrived before we needed the refill. Staff was friendly as soon as you walk through the door until you left. The other issue was when we went the first time, we saw people getting pieces of bread before their order was ready and we didn't get anything. On this visit, after our order was taken, i asked the staff about the basket of bread that I saw in several tables. The waiter told me that there they provide french bread free of charge and croissants for a small price. I requested a basket of french bread to taste but that order never showed up. Again, not a big issue but still a valid one. When you are waiting for your food, a piece of bread usually quiets the hunger until your order arrives especially if you have kids.
(4)
Karen S.
My boyfriend & I always order the Chicken Fried Steak with their Peach Bellini! Pure deliciousness!!! =P
(5)
Bella C.
Wonderful service. Friendly and not too intrusive. Very nice atmosphere. Menu prices are very reasonable for the quality. Great salads. Most of the food I've tried I have liked. Just wish there were a few more menu options and that the menu better described the content of dishes (I was surprised there was meat in the bean side). Try this restaurant. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Kate M.
They have a sausage with fresh basil thin pizza on the app menu that is amazing. I don't know what they do to it, but it's so damn good. I've tried the champagne chicken salad which is good too, and Mr. M and I have shared the chicken and ribs entree which is a lot of food, so perfect to share, and we've enjoyed that too. But we have a regular routine of swinging in here just for that pizza and a beer or a glass of wine. We've always had great service in the bar area. I like the dark wood and the booths are semi-private which is nice if you want to carry on a conversation. The pizza is 5-stars and the wine gets 3-stars because they give a skimpy pour for the price.
(4)
TheYelper F.
I would give four stars, but they don't have a good appetizer selection. Otherwise, this place is delicious. I do confess, I come for the beef dip sandwiches which are pricey, but worth it (and big so you can share). The salads are fresh and chock full of great ingredients with delicious housemade dressings (and their signature honey croissant which is always freshly made, not out of the oven). Service has always been excellent too. I am just sorry I took so long to try this place out, I think the name and location might have something to do with it. Charleston's sounds like a southern fish place maybe and it's located behind Carraba's. In any case, trust me, this place is very good.
(4)
Craig J.
I've eaten lunch here about a dozen times with coworkers and the food and service has always been excellent!! I've had salads, burgers, sandwiches, and even the chicken fried steak (which was a TON of food...I have a huge appetite and I overstuffed myself until I was in pain) and they've all been delicious. Haven't had a bad meal or negative experience once. On another note, I recently needed an itemized receipt to expense a lunch from weeks ago, and after 1.5 minutes on the phone with the GM, he sent me what I needed within the hour. Great service during AND after my dining experience. I'll definitely be dining here again.
(5)
Katy Q.
Came here for a business dinner looking for some reasonably priced steak... which is exactly what we got. Service was excellent. The group ordered - Fried okra : some pieces were not edible due to the rough skin. - Chips and guac : chips were eh but guacamole was delicious. - 10oz prime rib : it was OK... a bit salty but I liked that the 'dressing' was on the side. - chicken and ribs : what a huge portion of food for $22 ! Had a nice time but nothing too memorable here.
(3)
Buzz M.
Outstanding on many levels. Walking in, this restaurant will feel VERY familiar. From the bar to the waiting area to the dining room, it might be your first time but you'll swear you've been here before. We had a group of 14 and two young ladies did an outstanding job on every level with our group. Nobody wanted for anything the entire time. The dinners are simple cafe type fare, but are well prepared and presented. I ordered the oven roasted half chicken with mashed and baked beans. Everything was outstanding and the white meat on my chicken was moist and tasty. Drinks are on the lighter side, but other than that you shouldn't have any problems with this restaurant. Enjoy.
(4)
Ainee B.
They guarantee have the best croissant in the valley!
(5)
Crystal C.
My husband and I LOVE Charleston's!!!Always impeccable service and they have the best salmon on the planet
(5)
Sherita W.
Stopped in for lunch at the recommendation of a friend who was craving the catfish platter. We both opted for the lunch special, a catfish sandwich plus a side. We chose the coleslaw to compliment the sandwich. Both the sandwich and the slaw were wonderful. I also ordered a cup of clam chowder. It was nothing special. In fact kind of bland to me. The service was great. My lunch was great. I will definitely return.
(4)
Roy R.
Oustanding food and service. Great pork chops and fresh fish. The salad comes with homemade dressing which is exceptionally good. A warm fresh croissant come with the salad and was the best I have had since N'awlins, as was the fish. The manager Michael came by to tell us our order would be out soon, and it was. Servers are attentive and very competent. Large portions come with a choice of sides, I substituted carrots and baked potato for the cole slaw and fries and they were very good. We travel often and look for above average restaurants, and this Charleston's is way above the usual American fare in most cities. Well worth your time and money.
(5)
Chris L.
came in for dinner one night and sat at the bar... super low lighting... both bartenders were very friendly and made good beer recommendations.... they were, in my opinion, pushing everything on the menu like it was the best thing on earth..... didnt mention the specials till i over heard a waitress talking about them... then he had to ask the other bartender what they were... I ordered the terrayki top sirloin steak special with garlic mashed potatoes... Steak wasnt that good at all but it was cooked to a good medium like i asked. That doesnt earn them any more stars though... mashed potatoes were ok.... Best thing about this place was the beer and thats not even gonna get them an extra star because they sell those beers everywhere in AZ..... wont be coming back here either!
(1)
Joey H.
Taste just like roadhouse but more expensive. The service is much better than roadhouse and it's more classier. The catfish plate is pretty good!
(4)
Mike L.
I have been off work, injured, so I sat down and starting reviewing all these places we have gone to since I have nothing better to do then eat. So you see I have a lot of reviews , most written in a couple of days, but let me tell you this, these are honest reviews. So, let me tell you about Charleston's. This is such a nice place. We go to either this location in Chandler, or the Mesa location, on Stapley. You can't go wrong at either location. We have been coming here for years. We love it here. The best way to start your meal with a great appetizer called "Shrimp Cargot" OMG. its so good, hot out of the oven, shrimp smothered in cheese and butter, so gooey, so good. I now will tell you that the best ribs you can get, are here!!!! Really, no joke! So tender, so ....great!! Burgers are good, chicken, and of course, steaks are wonderful. Come late afternoon, its nice and cool, cozy, and no bright lights. Just relax with your wife, or the kids, yes kids will love the food as well. Sometimes we have to take the kids somewhere nice too. Doh!!!!!! I give this place a giant Woo Hoo!!!!!!!
(5)
Jim A.
Service was outstanding! Fresh Guacamole & Chips were excellent! Atmosphere was fantastic! Was in Phoenix on business and went to Charleston's on a recommendation from a friend back home. I don't enjoy dining by myself when travelling, so I tend to find a place at the bar and watch a game or read a book while eating. The service was outstanding! Both the manager and the bartender were great; friendly, warm, & welcoming. The ribs came recommended (which was my plan) but I started out with a 1/2 off appetizer of fresh guacamole & chip and a happy hour Amber Ale. I realized quickly that the appetizer was going to do me. My only regret ... I didn't get to try the ribs. The table behind me ordered some as I was getting ready to leave and they smelled incredible.
(4)
Vera S.
I came here with my boyfriend and his dad for his dad's birthday. I'm a sufferer of celiac disease, usually steak houses have a good hand full of options for me on the menu. Charleston's had it's own gluten free menu with MANY things, also the menu was an actual menu, not a shoddy old book/ring binder written in comic sans. The waiter was more than helpful and sympathetic, making sure that none of the food i ordered had gluten or came in contact with any of it. When my plate was brought out to me, the manager, JJ, came out with it to let me know that they took extra care in preparing it and there was no cross-contamination of any kind. I was shocked, never before have I gone to a restaurant where the servers/cooks/managers cared enough to warn me about certain options or come out to let me know my food wasn't cross contaminated. I've been glutened at restaurants before when ordering off the GF menu, but Charleston's? Not even a little. Definitely will return. The service is unchallenged in greatness.
(5)
Linda B.
Try the Grilled Trout! It's awesome. Veggies are fresh. The service is always good, not matter how busy they are.
(5)
Andy A.
I was invited here by my grandparents for their last dinner while they were in town before heading back to the midwest and had no idea what to expect... but I was pleasantly surprised. To start out with, it is tucked behind several other chain restaurants and backed right up to highway 10 (don't worry you can't hear any of the traffic once you're inside!). So if you think you're in the wrong place keep driving through the parking lot towards the highway - it'll show up eventually. The restaurant itself is a nice, dimly lit almost wine cellar looking place. The booths were comfortable and the noise level was quiet enough to hold a pretty good conversation. The service wasn't anything to write home about but at least they weren't rude. On the other hand, their croissants that come with your meal... I almost wrote 12 letters home to my mom because they were so fantastic, but be prepared you only get one with your meal so eat it wisely (or just be prepared to pay a little extra if you really need more!). The entrees were reasonably priced for what you get. My chicken was cooked well and very filling and my grandparents raved about their ribs. So overall: good food, ok price, and ok service. i.e. - 4 stars from me!
(4)
toli b.
I have been coming to this location for at least 6 years. The quality of the food has gone down quite a lot this past year. It used to be our family's favorite place to dine and have prime rib. We brought some friends over for dinner last month and was very disappointed. Also, they didn't cook the meat as we wanted. When we complained they only offered to put it back on the grill. No apologies. Service was mediocre and the quality of the meet is not as good as it used to be. I am sad as i had hoped that things would be as they used to be... A quality dining restaurant. I won't be back.
(2)
Carol B.
Fanatastic soup and salad combo. The potatoe soup is an everyday item I am sure because it is so tasty. The only draw back is on a Saturday night/date night, screaming kids kinda ruin the ambiance. Otherwise it was great. Good service and a short wait for the table.
(4)
F E.
We come here every couple weeks, because it's close by, the food and service are consistently good, and because my son is nuts about their ribs. To put finer points on all that, let's start with the staff. They are always, to a person, extremely friendly and attentive. I've never once experienced a dud. Your soda and water glasses will never go empty and they'll always serve with a smile. Now, the food. My only complaint here is they don't do half-sandwiches, and I wish they would, because the portions are huge and there's only so much anyone needs to eat at one sitting. But they are good. The ribs are probably one of the best things on the menu, and frankly, they blow away the crap served down the road at Rudy's and Can't Stop Smokin'. Now, are Charleston's ribs barbecued for hours? No, they're grilled, but they're amazingly tender and flavorful and they taste *good* every single time. The croissants are like little pillows of heaven. I don't know how they do it, but i have never in my life had croissants as good as these. Last night I tried the Walt's Champagne Chicken salad for the first time. WOW, what a nice, flavorful, balanced salad. I'll definitely be doing that again. The potato soup is to die for. The ambience of the place is fairly typical suburban upper-midscale. It's casual, but if you're wearing flip-flops and pajamas this place isn't for you. Frankly, no place is, but this place for sure. Two thumbs up from me...this place is a winner every single time.
(4)
Stephanie L.
We recently visited the Charleston's Restaurant in Chandler/Ahwatukee and had a nice time. We opted to sit in Lounge Seating versus Dining [where the Service left a little something to be desired - Hence the 3 stars] and had an appetizer that was to die for - Shrimp Cargot - and for dinner we both selected the Salmon since that was the primary reason why we went there to begin with - Per my Papa's recommendation. In true fashion, he was absolutely right about the 'awesome-ness' of the Salmon's seasoning, moistness and overall charring execution...Delicious! We will definitely return for this meal time and time again.
(3)
Lene T.
Excellent in every way! Service gets an A+. The waiters were so efficient in refilling our drinks and getting our food on the table with perfect timing. The food was fantastic. The spinach artichoke dip and their house salad with champagne vinaigrette & croissant are amazing! Their filet and mushrooms just melt in your mouth! And their bread pudding is to die for! We live in Tucson but we'll definitely make the trip back to Chandler just to eat here again!
(5)
Mark P.
Had the mahi mahi. Food was very good as always. The service was excellent. Way to go, Charleston's wait staff!
(5)
Raymond K.
Great service and the food above average. I will eat here again. I wish I had room for desert, it looks so good. Moderate prices but so much food it makes it worth the extra price.
(5)
Chris C.
I'm not going to lie, I come to Charlestons primarily for their oven roasted chicken (which is fantastic, though I wish was available in all dark meat) and their croissants, which should be outlawed for simply being insanely good and perfectly done up. Their glazed carrots are everything glazed carrots should be: sweet, delicious, and perfectly cooked. Their mashed potatoes have a ton of flavor as well, and even if this is a done-up chain type restaurant, this place gets it right a fair amount of the time. I almost feel guilty enjoying it as much as I do, but it's really damn decent food for a relatively decent price. (I had the burger recently, which was only so-so, as they were out of my chicken, but the champagne vinaigrette salad is awesome.) Most of the time, I get curbside takeout, which is fast and efficient, but seating inside is nice if there aren't screaming kids. The music trends from decent to absolutely awful, but I don't know how much control anyone there has over that. And it's nice and dark and comfy if you eat in.
(4)
Samantha O.
charlestons is one of the few chains i actually enjoy. I love their croissants and their staff is always awesome. their chicken strips are awesome. i love their grilled chicken and veggies, too. They have an awesome blackened grilled chicken, they don't use oil to cook either which is a plus! they no longer have it on the menu but have never given me a problem ordering it! yay for charlestons!
(4)
Bao H.
It's late I'm hungry....What the heck is Charleston's? Unfortunately, this place is located in the corner of the corner. Yes, if you need to find this place please update your GPS. Food was okay at best, but the service was what made me smile. I had the Hickory Burger and my mate had the fish of the day Tilapia.... Fishy she said. Yes, Tilapia is a fish, but my favorite was the deep fried okras yum. The place was kind of old fashion...I wasn't sure if I was supposed to sign the Declaration of Independence or order me some Sam Adam's - Enjoy!
(3)
Larry S.
Went off of the reviews on yelp and found them somewhat accurate so here is mine. We went for lunch. 1 appetizer, 2 dinners and 3 beers =$66..I guess not to bad. Service was great! Food - We had the spinach dip and both of us got the Chix and Rib plate. Portions were huge, a plus. Chicken was very salty and ribs were, in both our opinions over-sauced. I don't like digging through sauce to find meat and the flavor of the meat was covered up by the super rich, sweet sauce.
(3)
Owen W B.
Only been here once but I will not be back so here is my review. While the service staff seemed very nice the place smelled like stale beer. Kind of a dump really.
(1)
Steve B.
Heard that Charleston had the best roasted chicken ever and I was craving it. So made may way there and the waitress recommended I try the chicken rib combo, OMG this was an incredible meal, they did not disappoint. Later I had one of the best Key lime pies ever for dessert! Wow, I will absolutely be a regular here when I'm in town.
(5)
Chris S.
This location rocks! We've been in AZ and TX and let me tell you, they have the BEST ribs on the planet! You would never guess it, but since being in the land of the bbq nation = TX, this place wins hands down. They also have the best spinach and arti dip around. Salads are great, glazed carrots are to die for, and honey-drenched croissants that will make you drool. Ok, now I'm hungry...Service is always top notch and friendly. Would recommend to anyone for any type of food - they have it all!
(5)
Richard T.
Excellent food and table wait staff but that really didn't offset the 52 minute wait to be seated after being told the wait would be 20 minutes. I don't mind waiting except people that came in after us got seated with little or no wait...seems a staff person would just seat people he saw standing regardless of the wait list.
(3)
Jennifer G.
Charlestons has got to be by far one of my favorite restaurants. First of all, its not very expesive but gives the illusion of a high class nicer restaurant. The service is impeccable and the staff really does care about the customer. They will comp a meal if they can tell someone is not happy with it. They also work as a team so your drink glasses never go empty. I also love the fact that I have never had to experience screaming kids. For some reason, I think people don't consider this a kid friendly restaurant which is fine with me! But my favorite thing about Charlestons is definately the food!!! I am absolutely in love with the Walt's Champaign chicken salad and their croissants with honey drizzle are incredible! I have tried several other dishes here so here are my other recommendations: Chicken salad sandwich - huge and just a downright good sammich, Chicken club salad - This is the hubs fav salad. Totally a man's salad with fried chicken, bacon, avocado, cheese, and make sure to order with lots of ranch dressing to clog your arteries even further Rigatony Bolognese - For not being an italian restaurant, this dish was still amazing. Creamy and a little spicy. Huge portion also Over Roasted Chicken - One of the best chicken dishes Ive ever had! Order with the mashed potatoes (very good consistency and flavor) and the baked beans (dip the chicken in the beans... crazy but sooooo good) Prime Rib with mashed potatoes - Ive have never had their prime rib but the hub says its one of the best he has had and is consistently well trimmed and has had good flavor each time he's ordered it. A few other things worthy of mention: Maryland crab cakes (full of crab and the apple relish served with it is fresh and a really good accompanyment), and the creamy chicken noodle soup (only served one day a week but this is the best chicken noodle soup Ive ever had and I really dont like chicken noodle soup! I would eat this shit even when I am not sick!) And the last, most important thing to remember if you go to Charlestons: YOU MUST ORDER THE BREAD PUDDING!!! Yes yes, I saved the best for last. This bread pudding is the best bread pudding you will ever have. I have converted many a bread pudding hater (myself included) with this bread pudding. Haha. Take my advise and you will be glad you did. I expect a thank you!!!! So to sum it up, Charlestons may be a chain restaurant but I believe its one of the best chains out there. Every time I eat there, I am content with the overall experience. Try this restaurant and their bread pudding and you will not be sorry!
(5)
Monica J.
Went here a couple more times and have to downgrade it to 3 stars for the food and service. Nothing in particular... just overall not as good as what we experienced the first time we went there.
(3)
Melissa W.
My Cajun friend who says he knows his ribs, thinks Charleston's baby backs are pretty good. The ribs certainly were tender and falling off the bone, though I was mostly concentrating on the okra side. I love fried okra... and they give you alot! My boyfriend got the prime rib sandwich, I thought it was going to be shaved meat... literally it's a steak in a loaf of bread. I wish they gave us some horseradish, forget the bread... just like a steak dinner. :)
(3)
Sarah H.
Everything here is mediocre. Blah The food is blah, the menu is a snore, the restaurant ambience is dark and boring Mediocre all the way.
(1)
Aaron L.
I'm not a huge fan of chains but the food here is always consistently good. This is standard "American", little of everything, place. It is a good place to have a lunch meeting if you want to try to please unknown tastes.
(3)
AMber W.
Being a vegetarian I did not think Charleston's would have much for me. It turns out that I was right, HOWEVER, what they did have for me was actually very simple but amazing! I had a business meeting today with a vendor and my biz partner. We all shared the spinach artichoke dip, which was super tasty and a great portion size. The chips were nice, warm and fresh and the dip came with salsa and sour cream on the side. I had a house salad sans the bacon plus avocado for my entree and a baked potato on the side. I opted for the creamy garlic dressing and it was OUT OF THIS WORLD! The salad was fresh with egg, carrots and chopped tomato and the avocado made a nice addition. They cover their potatoes in sea salt.. its pure genius. I'm serious. Genius. All I needed was a little butter and sour cream and I was set. Our waitress was very attentive but not super friendly. She had a new iced tea out to me before I was halfway done with the one I was currently drinking. Great service but I have had to make five trips to the bathroom since. This is a pretty good place for a business lunch but I wouldn't come here outside of that because I normally like something a little heavier for dinner and its a tad on the pricey side, but hey, I didn't pay so what do I care?
(4)
CJ B.
I was taken here for lunch with a couple of guys by one of my partners at work. I can't remember what I had but I remember the portion being perfect. I left and didn't feel like a zombie after lunch. Our waitress was on top of her game. My glass never went below the halfway mark before getting a refill. I would absolutely go back again and I plan to as soon as possible.
(4)
Mark S.
Great place. Tremendous service and a great staff
(5)
Michelle D.
I read the reviews on Charleston's and decided to take the plunge even though there were a few negative reviews. I am a visitor to AZ for business and have grown so tired of restaurant food. I love salad and find most places don't know how to make a decent salad, the one at Charleston's was so good with fresh tomato and egg and the creamy garlic dressing!! Yummy. The filet was medium well and I not being a steak fan usually need some type of sauce (except for Ruth/Chris), but this steak was really good. I took my meal to go and couldn't wait to get the hotel because it smelled so good. Last but not least was the baked potato. The salt on the outside, I quote someone else, "genius". I used curbside to go - AWESOME. If you haven't tried this place, go - despite the few bad reviews. I am now a fan and will do something I rarely do - eat the same meal two days in a row (I am not kidding, it was good!!)
(4)
Treana H.
I typically like to stay away from chain restaurants, but the mister and I were looking for a cheap place and served good food. He suggested Charleston's and I thought "Hmmm... it looks like Denny's from the outside." As soon as we got inside I really liked the interior. It has a nice ambiance... as my friend Peter once said, "It's where I like to go when I want to feel fancy for a cheap price." We had the Honey Burger I think its called and the prime rib au jus sandwich. Both were beyond my expectations. The great surprise was the baked beans that I ordered with my prime rib sandwich! YUMMERS! The burger was one of the best I have had and the sauce with it is just spicy enough to be flavorful, but not overpowering... I am not a big SPICE fan. The one downside was that my boyfriend's fries were cold with his burger, but they instantly brought us new, hot, fresh ones.
(4)
Debi C.
Went to dinner this past weekend with family to one of our "regular" places". We have found over the past year that Charleston's has not been near as consistent as it used to be. Our favorite meals seem to have lower quality meats and they have changed their menu so salads are no longer included. It's really no longer an average priced place, but it's become very average food :(
(1)
Shawn D.
The atmosphere here is very cozy. It is all dark wood and dark interiors. The wait staff is all dressed in black. The lighting is minimal with spot lighting for each table and what appear to be gas lamps on the walls. The food is served in a minimalistic style. You order a dish and a side. You pay for each part of your meal individually instead of as a combination. The vegetables were very fresh and cooked simply. I would definitely eat here again. The only downside is that it seems a little bit pricey for what you get.
(4)
Alexis C.
Good food, speedy lunch service and nice people. Enough said.
(4)
Tori H.
I've driven past Charleston's on the I-10 and Ray plenty of times and never gave it much thought, but a few weeks ago I was invited to a business lunch there and it is pretty much perfect for that. It's a nice professional atmosphere and I was actually impressed with my spinach salad, the quality was much better than I expected. I don't have a whole lot else to say except that the croissants that come with lunch are heavenly.
(3)
Jordan A.
I used to love this place; but this time not-so-much. I was sat at a booth next to the kitchen and all I hear are the servers complaining about how they don't want to work and have too many tables, blah blah blah....I ordered a cheeseburger cooked medium (yes they allow medium); it arrived black and charcoaled (resembeled a hocky-puck)....severely dissapointed and won't be returning here anytime soon.
(2)
Cecil B.
The chicken ciabatta sandwich is out of this world. Great service and many delicious menu items makes Charlestons one of my regular lunch destinations
(5)
Jethro S.
The house salad and any of the steaks are delicious. I prefer mine done medium-well and this is about the best steak place that I have been to.
(5)
Dottsy Z.
Croissants and bread pudding. That's the only reason I eat here, the rest is just details. Ok, the rest of the food is pretty good. I know in all my reviews I put a disclaimer about "it's nothing AMAZING" and this one is no exception. The atmosphere is dark and relaxing and at lunch time, it's always busy. Today I had the new chicken salad sandwich...meh. I should have stuck to their fish or steak selection. They know how to grill a steak or a fillet of fish. The chicken salad however was sad and disappointing. The bread was so coarse that it scraped the roof of my mouth, the chicken salad barely had any mayo and WAY too much red onion chunks. I won't be ordering that again. Other than that, I'm rarely disappointed with Charleston's and plan to devour more croissants and bread pudding. Those are a little piece of heaven on a busy day!
(3)
Graydon A.
This is a chain steakhouse. I usually have the Fillet Mignon - rare, it melts in my mouth. I get the Cesar salad with croissant, garlic mashed potatoes or french fries, sauteed mushrooms, my mouth is watering thinking about it. My iced tea is always full. My biggest complaint is that the wine selection is pretty bad for a steak house and the staff isn't sure weather or not they have a corkage fee. Waiters & waitresses are usually very nice and accommodating. A few times they have not cooked the steak correctly, they are good at fixing it for you, or giving you gift certificates to make up for it.
(4)
Linda C.
This was my favorite restaurant until today. My family would meet there once or twice a month. The food is always good; however, today I found out NO more salad with your meal. The salad is what set their restaurant apart from others. I paid $20 for a piece of meat and a baked potato. No salad, no bread! I will be looking for another restaurant in the area that gives me a full meal for $20.
(3)
Rachel T.
Good food -- especially their ribs, good service -- prompt and attentive. A reviewer mentioned people may not consider Charleston's a kid friendly place. Well, lemme tell ya ... I was there w/ my 2 boys -- 5 and 2, and they were plenty nice to my boys. Brought them crayons, etc. They shared a kids meal and it was more than enough for the 2 of them. I would agree though that the atmosphere and decor lends itself to a more "mature" clientele. There were definitely a lot more "gray haired" customers there the times I've eaten at this establishment.
(4)
M L.
Customer service trumps, so I must downgrade my rating with this addendum which I failed to post when this happened, at least 8 months ago, if not more. More likely it was last year. It's now Sept 2011. I happened to see an ad and thought, my positive review needs updating and sharing on FB, twitter, etc. With almost every frequent visit here, we order at least 1 margarita, which yields 2 glasses from the shaker. We dined in the restaurant over the bar this time and found the shaker only gave up 1 glass. We tell the waiter, after all, we're ordering meals as well. The waiter consults the manager, who then eyes both of us while discussing this, before approaching our table. He very condescendingly begins with speaking loudly, as if we were being reprimanded. We tell him that we've ordered these margaritas for YEARS and it's always been a 2 glass drink. He exclaims loudy still, that he is happy we informed him because the bartenders have been making them wrong and he would be sure to have them make the drinks correctly with the right amount from now on! There was no the customer is right, obligatory apology, no offer to make the drink as we've always had it served, no removing it from the bill, not a single offer to make it right for the customer. We weren't asking for a free meal, nothing outrageous. We asked that the drink we paid for, which if you think about it, are pricey-- for what you receive. Not only do we NOT get a single word in the way of I'm sorry this happened, we are yelled at so every other table nearby turns to look and listen. We weren't embarassed by that but somewhat surprised that he would make a specatcle, in order to make it appear that we were unreasonable to the other customers, a weekend crowd. What fool that gave him the title of manager? tsk tsk, too bad. We dine out for maybe 60 meals per month, who knows$, maybe more. Needless to say, we haven't been back in to spend our money and we never will. Years of dining there and all that wasted money. There are far too many other restaurants with fantastic delicious food and tasty drinks PLUS FRIENDLY, accommodating staff.
(1)
Alisha M.
One of my absolute favorites! A beautiful atmosphere of dark wood, brick, and dim candles set the mood. The service is great, and last time I was there the bartender was amazingly friendly and treated me like we had known each other for years! And as a bonus he was absoutely adorable ;-) The bartenders are also very knowledgable and talented. The free pour which is a lost art at restaurants, this brings you back. The food is always good and they have a good variety of all american food. Start with the spinach artichoke dip or shrimp cargot, both are to die for. The steaks and prime rib are very good too. One thing about this place is that if you order steak or prime rib they use very little seasoning so it is great for true steak lovers who don't need to drown their meat in sauce and seasoning to enjoy it. Another review was critical of the prime rib sandwich because it is a slab of meat on toasted bread, but why would you ruin prime rib with mayo or mustard? But ask for it english cut to slice it up some. I order lots of different things there too though, like the honey-lime salad, chicken club sandwich, ribs, and roasted chicken. End your meal with the brownie sundae or bread pudding, both are delicious! Enjoy! I always do!
(5)
Kerstin M.
I won some gift certificates at my school's raffle, and never having eaten here before, my husband and I decided to check it out. We were both quite hungry, so we ordered the croissant appetizer. They were under-baked, greasy, and drizzled with honey- both unexpected and disappointing. Hubby's clam chowder was full of grit and my salad was drenched in dressing, topped with a handful of chopped mushy tomato, and also full of grit. The grit police must have been on vaycay. Hubby ordered the prime rib sandwich (which is one of his favorites at Houston's) and it turned out to be a full slab of nearly tasteless meat which was poorly trimmed and ribboned with tough membranes on a lame toasted roll. He would have had to tear into it like a Neanderthal to eat it like a sandwich, so he ended up eating as much as he could stand with knife and fork. The au jus tasted like bouillon- and super strong at that. My entree was far better- a tender and perfectly cooked fillet of beef (although I had ordered the less expensive sirloin) with a delicious baked potato with all the trimmings. I ended up giving him about 1/3 of my steak since I felt so badly for his disaster of a meal. When we complained to the manager, he offered us more gift certificates, and we turned them down. You, too, should just say no to this dark, inexplicably crowded, disaster of a restaurant.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Laura F.
We regularly visit this restaurant because of the friendly service, tasty food and excellent happy hour food options. We love the cheesy and buttery Shrimp Cargo appetizer that is served with toasted bread. The Chicken Club Salad is my favorite main course. It comes with one of their warm, soft and delicious croissants.
(4)Mark B.
Prime rib celebration dinner with my husband, newly married and our best friend visiting from out of town. You can count on Charleston's to provide, excellent service and consistent quality food preparation. Though it may be a chain, I have not had a bad experience or meal here. The menu has a great variety. The restaurant makes for cozy casual dining and conversation.
(4)Glenda E.
We had the avocado Chicken sandwich and the French dip along with the creamy potato soup a the honey drizzled croissants! Oh how can I forget the spinach dip and chips! I know a lot for being almost 9pm but when we're in this part of town we have to order all of our favorites at once and we weren't disappointed! Great Food and Great Service! Thanks to Austin our server for the nicely warm wet napkin w/ the lemon on top for my daughter to clean off her hands from the sticky croissants. It was a nice touch, very impressive! Job well done! Oh and thanks for letting me take your picture to post!!!
(4)Hollie L.
Excellent food and five star service. Best ribs ever. Everything is fresh and portions are large. Warm croissants with house salad are a special touch. I have had mushrooms, fried okra, garlic mashed potatoes and baked beans... All superb. Atmosphere is warm with wood and brick walls, low lighting with table sconces. Your glass with never be empty. Well staffed means excellent customer service.
(5)Chanelle D.
Date night and we decided to try a new restaurant. I was immediately pleased when we stepped they the door and the ambiance was exactly what I needed. I ordered the Parmesan Chicken and my husband ordered the Filet with mashed potato. My fish was excellent. Everything was just right. We will definitely come again.
(5)Rich D.
Came for a date night and was pleasantly surprised by the ambiance. I ordered the Filet with mashed potato and my wife ordered the Parmesan chicken. We both enjoyed our meal immensely. This will be a regular date night spot. We ordered a basket of honey croissants to take home for later. Best part was dinner didn't break the bank.
(4)Rashmi G.
We went to Charleston's solely for the bread pudding & ended up leaving after a wonderful dining experience. The hostess seated us immediately upon arrival (unexpected at 7:30pm on a Friday night) & our waitress came by to take our drink and appetizer order soon after. After browsing pictures on Yelp, it pretty much went without say that we were getting the Shrimp Cargot. It came out so piping hot that we had to wait a couple of minutes before digging into the delicious-ness. The escargot dish was filled with 6 succulent shrimp in a garlic butter sauce & was covered in havarti cheese; it was served with 2 pieces of garlic toast. The only qualm I had about this was that there wasn't enough garlic toast in ratio to the shrimp, however we enjoyed what was served. Upon recommendation of our waitress, we ended up getting the Ribs & Oven Roasted Chicken combo, split. The Oven Roasted Chicken was by far the biggest disappointment. It was lacking flavor & any kind of pizzaz and was covered in a thick layer of fat which was highly unappetizing. I had to pick it all off. The ribs on the other hand were actually cooked really well and the mashed potatoes & baked beans were tasty. The portion size was definitely enough for two people to split (you may have leftovers depending on how hungry you are, if you get an appetizer, etc). The best part was that they brought everything out on two separate plates so we could just get to eating immediately. Finally, we put in our order for dessert! Yes, I had VERY high expectations and yes, I was satisfied. We were presented with a beautiful piece of bread pudding that was topped with a Bourbon Whiskey sauce. When I pierced my spoon in the pudding & grabbed a bite, I immediately knew it was hot hot hot! Steam filled the air. After only the first bite, I was converted. It was the perfect amount of bread, cinnamon, and sauce but a bit heavy on the raisins; I think those could be lessened since it did start making the bread pudding seem overly sweet towards the end. The size was big so I got to take a little bit less than half home for the next day! Charleston's doesn't have a very big menu but the choices offered seemed great. The service was also pretty on par so I'd recommend this restaurant to others.
(4)J P.
We ordered the chicken club salad and shrimp scampi. Both were surprisingly good. Only complaints are that I found the menu to be a little short and the fact that they want $5 for a salad with an entree. Oh...almost forgot...the booth we sat in was a tad odd. I'm not a short person, but sitting in the booth the seat seemed to be so low that the table height was right at chest level.
(4)Connor E.
Celebrated Mother's Day at Charleston's this evening with my family. As usual, the food was solid. Shrimp-cargot, prime rib, and key lime pie? Yes please. As with most dining experiences, the service can make or break the deal. We were fortunate enough to have Mikaela as our server; she was great! Despite the holiday crowds, Mikaela was attentive and gracious, and made all of us feel comfortable and welcomed. It was a great time for all of us, and we'll definitely be back!
(5)Gweny F.
I sat in the bar area.. My original waiter was horrible to be honest. I think he came to my table twice. The shrimp pasta on the other hand along with the bread was so good. I've been living by this place for years and this was my first visit. I would try it again. I probably wouldn't sit in the bar area though.
(3)Cierra S.
Everything was great and met the expectation I had walking in! I was greeted with a smile and, my server was timely and to the point. My glass was full, I was full, I left more happy than when I came in.
(5)Mario C.
We came here on a Saturday Night. They were very busy! they even had a waiting list. But, when we walked in we were lucky enough to be seated right away. No other party of 2 were on that waiting list, so that is why. Service here is spectacular! Food was great! We got the shrimp cargot as an appetizer. was very good, but the very best part of the meal.??? The Ribs. As always they were amazing. They fell right off the bone, they were tender and delicious! Great service, great food, and lots of parking. You cannot ask for much more than that.
(5)Marty R.
Went here yesterday, 9/12/15 for my birthday with 11 other family members. This is the first time I've been to a Charlston's. The service was fantastic. The food-fantastic. The prices for what you get-fantastic. DEFINITELY going back to this Charlston's location. I had the prime rib-10 oz. mixed vegetables and baked potato with butter only. The waitress was very attentive. Too back she's going back to Las Vegas this December and won't be around for my wife's birthday in March. But, I told her to look for a White Castle up in Vegas. She never heard of White Castle!! Hope she enjoys. Anyway, highly recommend this Charlston's.
(5)Christopher K.
I went back to this place and I have to update my rating. I had the same exact meal and it was really great..even better than the 1st time. The customer service is top-notch as well.
(4)Carly H.
For a chain, Charleston's is solid. I've never had a bad thing there and the portions are huge. That being said, they are a little pricey. You can't really walk out of there without spending at least $20 a person. Now the good. Get the spinach salad, it's always been my favorite, along with baked potato soup. Make sure to order some of the croissants if you didn't get them with your meal, you won't regret it. This last time I decided to deviate and get the salmon. Delicious! The sauce on top and cucumber salad perfectly complimented the dish. Would definitely order again.
(4)tim b.
This spot was picked as good spot for a business lunch/meeting by someone from the area. By the outward appearance, I am thinking it was something like your standard national chain restaurants filled with many choices of mediocre food. But I think this definately a step up or maybe two. The service was solid from the hostess at the beginner and then our waitress was on a mission to make sure our drinks didn't ever get all the way down before they were refilled - Awesome! The salads looked great but I didn't want to try to shovel that much green into my pie-whole while talking with people. I ordered the french dip and outside of being a little bit soggy, it is the best french dip I have had since 2013!
(4)Rachel C.
My parents have been raving about this place's bread pudding for a few years now, so they brought me here for a special occasion. It's an upscale chain, apparently owned by the same folks who own Krispy Kreme, but they seem to go out of their way to make it a classier Southern-themed dining experience--good atmosphere, no pictures on the menus, professionally dressed waitstaff, etc. We'll get to the bread pudding in a minute (spoiler alert: worth the hype), but let's start at the beginning... The service was top-notch. My dad had to cancel our original reservation because everyone in the family got sick, and they were very kind about rescheduling it and cutting our number from 8 to 3. When we arrived, he asked if the girl he spoke to (Michelle) was there in order to thank her. She caught us on our way out and was very sweet to my father. Our server (Vince) was great! He was friendly, warm, and patient with me changing my mind 3 separate times in the same order. When I asked about the fumé blanc wine, he brought out a sample for me to try. The busser who brought out our food was also incredibly sweet. The overall niceness of the employees makes me think that this corporation treats their staff well...I hope that's the case. I enjoyed the food. The place, as a Southernish joint, isn't vegetarian-friendly, but it's doable if you eat fish. I ordered the catfish platter (grilled) with glazed carrots and fried okra. The fish tasted really fresh, which is always surprising to me in the middle of the desert, and the sides were awesome. Too much fried okra, but I'm not complaining. Mom got the fried catfish with coleslaw and fries, and she said the fish was great. Although I don't especially enjoy coleslaw, they make theirs with jalapeno, and it was actually pretty good--different. My dad got the filet mignon with fries. He said it was a little tough but seemed mostly happy. While dinner was fine, the dessert was absolutely killer. Oversized desserts of the variety that you find at American chains are a secret pleasure of mine, and these delivered. The key lime pie "slice," which was more like a quarter of a pie, was awesome, with a giant mound of fresh whipped cream to top it off. The lime component rode that sweet/tart line just like good key lime pie does, and the crust, while a little thick, was delicious. The bread pudding won the day, though. It was basically a slab of battered and raisin-studded croissant (yep) floating in a frothy cream sauce tinged with nutmeg and cinnamon, served warm. While we were too collectively full to finish both desserts, we did a pretty good number on them. Overall, a nice experience. My parents are a little picky and they LOVE this place, so it's a good place for family celebrations and special gatherings. I even saw a few toddlers running around, so I'm guessing they have a kid's menu.
(4)Armando C.
Great food, great service; recommend the roast chicken and ribs dinner and the key lime pie desert, yum :)
(5)Debbie H.
Checked out Charleston's for Mother's Day lunch. Called the night before to see if they were still taking reservations, to my surprise they were. Was seated shortly after arriving. Restaurant was busy but not crazy busy. Wait staff very attentive. Started with the Cream Spinach Artichoke Dip-yummy & a great start. My mom ordered the 10 oz. Prime Rib & loved every bite of it. I ordered the Famous French Dip-deeelicious!! Wait staff very attentive, the only thing that was odd was the waiter leaving the check before we were even done with our meal.
(4)Dayna C.
The crossiants are my favorite!! This is a great little neighborhood spot my fam has been frequenting for years. They are amazing at accommodating special occasions. I threw my dad's 68th birthday here and everything was perfect ... And surprisingly affordable! I highly recommend the pork chops and prime rib. Great place for a cute date night or romantic dinner.
(4)CJ R.
I have nothing but glowing things to say about Charleston's in general, but specifically the Ray location. We have dined here at least 30 times and it's always consistent, always good food, and great service. We have our go to entrees, we always start with shrimp cargot and a basket of croissants (soooo good) and then we get the ribs! The ribs are fall off the bone every time. I would truly say the best ribs I've ever had. Finish that off with the bread pudding and you can die happy. Thank me later
(5)Tiffany F.
I've been there once & ordered the Cobb salad. It was good. Not enough dressing given. Lighting is way too dark, I understand intimate lighting but I feel it's too much. Food & staff were wonderful.
(4)Mary S.
Don't go with family or friends if you wish to enjoy a professional dining experience. Expect to have menus dropped and specials read before fully seated. Expect to have attempts to clear plates, while 2 of the 4 guests are still on the entree. Expect to have a check dropped as you're all on your entree. Don't expect to be asked for coffee, after dinner drinks, or desert. Expect a big rush, even though the restaurant is empty, when it used to be packed. Charleston's is now duplicating the worst customer service that Macaroni Grill came to offer -- before they had to close. Why is AZ famous for the worst service ever? Back East, waiters recieve professional training, and are expected to offer a client a dining experience in order to build loyalty -- repeat clientele. This is the 3rd duplicate experience with worst service ever. No matter how much we love the Chicken Piccata, Charleston's you've lost clientele and future guests forever. (Same experience at both Mesa and Chandler establishments). Hire a Hospitality Consultant.
(1)Alan H.
I've always have had consistent quality with service and food. The rolls are delicious. Not anything to critique; background music is up beat to help motivate patrons to get in and out! Atmosphere is more relaxed than the pace of lunch service. I need to come back for a dinner service and see what pace they have at that time! Anyway a good meal, little on the $$$ till you see the portions (soup and salad combo).
(4)Tan S.
Used to be our favorite lunch spot, would go at least once a week. The last four visits were awful. The food is always perfect but the service has been definitely gone downhill.
(3)Nick K.
Great service, great variety and very good food. If you like Houston's you will like this place including their French dip sandwich.
(5)Robert M.
Amazing!!! Coukdnt ask for a better experience then what we had... This is our new favorite!!!!! Honestly the TV commercials are right... This place is all about the customer..& the food...Becky are server was outstanding.....
(5)Ginia L.
Wow, what a terrible experience! The shrimp scampi was so acidic that it burned the inside of my mouth and tasted like mostly lemon. It was inedible. We had to wait over 20 minutes before we were even offered or brought a glass of water let alone any other beverages. The service was terrible and the server kept saying that the tip wasn't included so not to forget to tip the waiters. How Rude! A tip is for good service and we didn't have that! It was so noisy inside that we could barely talk to one another and were nearly yelling to be heard by each other. Even after we complained about the bad food and the service nothing was done. They will never get my business again.
(1)Melanie T.
Second trip to Charleston's was again perfection. Service was on point, timing of appetizer, salads, main entrees was smooth. We had ribs that fell off the bone, the best Ruben Sandwich I have ever had and flatbread to start. Highly recommend!
(5)Matthew G.
Very good food Awesome service Price a little steep for the type of food I will return.
(4)Andrew O.
Great food and always consistent, prime is always my go to or the ribs drinks are also very good!
(5)Debbie N.
Went to Charleston's last evening and had an amazing dining experience. The food is consistently good, the service was great and even though there were small kitchen hicupps the waiter and manager more than made up for them. If you have not tried their Chicken Piccata you need to. It is tangy and lemony and the capers and artichoke hearts make it amazings good! I would highly recommend this location and like usual- they did not disappoint.
(5)Courtny T.
Excellent food and service. Great steaks, salmon, and salads! There is a great patio to sit when the weather is nice as well.
(5)Pete F.
Good menu and bar. Have eaten here a few times. Food is very good and well presented. We like this place because we can a great meal in an upscale environment. Prices are reasonable and the service was good. It is a place you can relax and feel comfortable.
(4)Lisa P.
I love this place!! Literally have never had a bad experience here! Never a wait for a table, I love coming here! The Caesar salad here is amazing. The chicken club sandwich is the best! And my boyfriend got the ribs and chicken combo and loves it! Literally everyone we have brought here loves it..all their dishes turn out the way they ordered them and taste delicious!
(5)Aaron S.
Their chicken fried steak was the best I've ever had. TexAz has now moved into second place.
(5)Jeff A.
I love charelstons! 5 star service and food at 3 star price. Its all about the ribs and chicken, its amazing. Also the lobster soup is a banger as well.
(4)Brian K.
Let me tell you this place is a five star stop the food is fantastic you can taste the love and care they put into it. The service was above expectations I didn't have to ask for a thing management was friendly and informative. This was the first time I've ever eaten at a Charleston's and it will not be the last next time I'll even bring friends and family just to show this place off! In case you are wondering I couldn't finish all the food that came with my lunch.
(5)Patty L.
Amazing food and service. We ate here last Wednesday, with our friends from Canada. We've always loved the food, but our friends can be a tad particular. Charlestons didn't disappoint. I tried the cheeseburger this time, and loved it. The other meals were equally as delicious. However, the icing on the cake was our server Victoria. This young lady was honestly the smartest and funniest server we've ever had at any restaurant. Thanks Victoria, for making our night fantastic.
(5)William H.
The prime rib is unbelievable!!! Get it with the raw horseradish and dip it in the sauce. It is a party in the mouth!! Service is surprisingly fast, and very nice. Love a place with friendly people.
(4)Alexis G.
We eat here often and it's always great food. Always great service. I would recommend eating at Charleston's to anyone looking for a great dinner.
(5)Wanderin' J.
There were five of us on this visit to Charlestons Restaurant in Chandler. The service was perfect and so was the food. We all ordered different items off the menu and everyone of the food items were cooked to perfection and delicious. Nope .. it does not get any better.
(5)Scott M.
First the bad: Atmosphere was dark and intimate, however the loud pop music playing in the back round was a bit strange for such a dark and elegant restaurant. We felt like the music belonged in an Applebee's. The water that was served tastes like it came out of 50 foot garden hose. I would expect at least filtered water in such an upscale place. We had to order a bottle water. The Good: Menu had a great selection, we chose a $13 salad and a $20 chicken n ribs platter. Then we ordered the clam chowder for an appetizer. Soup was AMAZING! More meat than potatoes. The salad and the dinner entree was a nice size and tasty. We asked ahead for a half order but they would not accommodate :-/ Service was excellent from the moment the doors were opened for us until we left. Waiter was very accommodating and nice. Overall nice place...
(3)Neka N.
I liked the atmosphere. This was my first time going to this particular restaurant. So I played it safe and ordered the turkey burger which was good. I really enjoyed the fries as well. The wait was short and the wait staff helped each other out quite a bit which was awesome. I was really impressed with the food and the service. I will definitely try this place again. I would have given it four stars but the music blaring kind of ruins the mood. They should really think about changing the music choices.. Maybe upbeat jazz or something.
(3)Carlos R.
This is the second time I eat here. My family and I had a great dinner service and the only reason I didn't give the five stars were minor service issues. The food is excellent. It is seasoned well and taste delicious. The service was great, there was only one occasion where we needed a refilled and actually had to ask for it but all other times, they arrived before we needed the refill. Staff was friendly as soon as you walk through the door until you left. The other issue was when we went the first time, we saw people getting pieces of bread before their order was ready and we didn't get anything. On this visit, after our order was taken, i asked the staff about the basket of bread that I saw in several tables. The waiter told me that there they provide french bread free of charge and croissants for a small price. I requested a basket of french bread to taste but that order never showed up. Again, not a big issue but still a valid one. When you are waiting for your food, a piece of bread usually quiets the hunger until your order arrives especially if you have kids.
(4)Karen S.
My boyfriend & I always order the Chicken Fried Steak with their Peach Bellini! Pure deliciousness!!! =P
(5)Bella C.
Wonderful service. Friendly and not too intrusive. Very nice atmosphere. Menu prices are very reasonable for the quality. Great salads. Most of the food I've tried I have liked. Just wish there were a few more menu options and that the menu better described the content of dishes (I was surprised there was meat in the bean side). Try this restaurant. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Kate M.
They have a sausage with fresh basil thin pizza on the app menu that is amazing. I don't know what they do to it, but it's so damn good. I've tried the champagne chicken salad which is good too, and Mr. M and I have shared the chicken and ribs entree which is a lot of food, so perfect to share, and we've enjoyed that too. But we have a regular routine of swinging in here just for that pizza and a beer or a glass of wine. We've always had great service in the bar area. I like the dark wood and the booths are semi-private which is nice if you want to carry on a conversation. The pizza is 5-stars and the wine gets 3-stars because they give a skimpy pour for the price.
(4)TheYelper F.
I would give four stars, but they don't have a good appetizer selection. Otherwise, this place is delicious. I do confess, I come for the beef dip sandwiches which are pricey, but worth it (and big so you can share). The salads are fresh and chock full of great ingredients with delicious housemade dressings (and their signature honey croissant which is always freshly made, not out of the oven). Service has always been excellent too. I am just sorry I took so long to try this place out, I think the name and location might have something to do with it. Charleston's sounds like a southern fish place maybe and it's located behind Carraba's. In any case, trust me, this place is very good.
(4)Craig J.
I've eaten lunch here about a dozen times with coworkers and the food and service has always been excellent!! I've had salads, burgers, sandwiches, and even the chicken fried steak (which was a TON of food...I have a huge appetite and I overstuffed myself until I was in pain) and they've all been delicious. Haven't had a bad meal or negative experience once. On another note, I recently needed an itemized receipt to expense a lunch from weeks ago, and after 1.5 minutes on the phone with the GM, he sent me what I needed within the hour. Great service during AND after my dining experience. I'll definitely be dining here again.
(5)Katy Q.
Came here for a business dinner looking for some reasonably priced steak... which is exactly what we got. Service was excellent. The group ordered - Fried okra : some pieces were not edible due to the rough skin. - Chips and guac : chips were eh but guacamole was delicious. - 10oz prime rib : it was OK... a bit salty but I liked that the 'dressing' was on the side. - chicken and ribs : what a huge portion of food for $22 ! Had a nice time but nothing too memorable here.
(3)Buzz M.
Outstanding on many levels. Walking in, this restaurant will feel VERY familiar. From the bar to the waiting area to the dining room, it might be your first time but you'll swear you've been here before. We had a group of 14 and two young ladies did an outstanding job on every level with our group. Nobody wanted for anything the entire time. The dinners are simple cafe type fare, but are well prepared and presented. I ordered the oven roasted half chicken with mashed and baked beans. Everything was outstanding and the white meat on my chicken was moist and tasty. Drinks are on the lighter side, but other than that you shouldn't have any problems with this restaurant. Enjoy.
(4)Ainee B.
They guarantee have the best croissant in the valley!
(5)Crystal C.
My husband and I LOVE Charleston's!!!Always impeccable service and they have the best salmon on the planet
(5)Sherita W.
Stopped in for lunch at the recommendation of a friend who was craving the catfish platter. We both opted for the lunch special, a catfish sandwich plus a side. We chose the coleslaw to compliment the sandwich. Both the sandwich and the slaw were wonderful. I also ordered a cup of clam chowder. It was nothing special. In fact kind of bland to me. The service was great. My lunch was great. I will definitely return.
(4)Roy R.
Oustanding food and service. Great pork chops and fresh fish. The salad comes with homemade dressing which is exceptionally good. A warm fresh croissant come with the salad and was the best I have had since N'awlins, as was the fish. The manager Michael came by to tell us our order would be out soon, and it was. Servers are attentive and very competent. Large portions come with a choice of sides, I substituted carrots and baked potato for the cole slaw and fries and they were very good. We travel often and look for above average restaurants, and this Charleston's is way above the usual American fare in most cities. Well worth your time and money.
(5)Chris L.
came in for dinner one night and sat at the bar... super low lighting... both bartenders were very friendly and made good beer recommendations.... they were, in my opinion, pushing everything on the menu like it was the best thing on earth..... didnt mention the specials till i over heard a waitress talking about them... then he had to ask the other bartender what they were... I ordered the terrayki top sirloin steak special with garlic mashed potatoes... Steak wasnt that good at all but it was cooked to a good medium like i asked. That doesnt earn them any more stars though... mashed potatoes were ok.... Best thing about this place was the beer and thats not even gonna get them an extra star because they sell those beers everywhere in AZ..... wont be coming back here either!
(1)Joey H.
Taste just like roadhouse but more expensive. The service is much better than roadhouse and it's more classier. The catfish plate is pretty good!
(4)Mike L.
I have been off work, injured, so I sat down and starting reviewing all these places we have gone to since I have nothing better to do then eat. So you see I have a lot of reviews , most written in a couple of days, but let me tell you this, these are honest reviews. So, let me tell you about Charleston's. This is such a nice place. We go to either this location in Chandler, or the Mesa location, on Stapley. You can't go wrong at either location. We have been coming here for years. We love it here. The best way to start your meal with a great appetizer called "Shrimp Cargot" OMG. its so good, hot out of the oven, shrimp smothered in cheese and butter, so gooey, so good. I now will tell you that the best ribs you can get, are here!!!! Really, no joke! So tender, so ....great!! Burgers are good, chicken, and of course, steaks are wonderful. Come late afternoon, its nice and cool, cozy, and no bright lights. Just relax with your wife, or the kids, yes kids will love the food as well. Sometimes we have to take the kids somewhere nice too. Doh!!!!!! I give this place a giant Woo Hoo!!!!!!!
(5)Jim A.
Service was outstanding! Fresh Guacamole & Chips were excellent! Atmosphere was fantastic! Was in Phoenix on business and went to Charleston's on a recommendation from a friend back home. I don't enjoy dining by myself when travelling, so I tend to find a place at the bar and watch a game or read a book while eating. The service was outstanding! Both the manager and the bartender were great; friendly, warm, & welcoming. The ribs came recommended (which was my plan) but I started out with a 1/2 off appetizer of fresh guacamole & chip and a happy hour Amber Ale. I realized quickly that the appetizer was going to do me. My only regret ... I didn't get to try the ribs. The table behind me ordered some as I was getting ready to leave and they smelled incredible.
(4)Vera S.
I came here with my boyfriend and his dad for his dad's birthday. I'm a sufferer of celiac disease, usually steak houses have a good hand full of options for me on the menu. Charleston's had it's own gluten free menu with MANY things, also the menu was an actual menu, not a shoddy old book/ring binder written in comic sans. The waiter was more than helpful and sympathetic, making sure that none of the food i ordered had gluten or came in contact with any of it. When my plate was brought out to me, the manager, JJ, came out with it to let me know that they took extra care in preparing it and there was no cross-contamination of any kind. I was shocked, never before have I gone to a restaurant where the servers/cooks/managers cared enough to warn me about certain options or come out to let me know my food wasn't cross contaminated. I've been glutened at restaurants before when ordering off the GF menu, but Charleston's? Not even a little. Definitely will return. The service is unchallenged in greatness.
(5)Linda B.
Try the Grilled Trout! It's awesome. Veggies are fresh. The service is always good, not matter how busy they are.
(5)Andy A.
I was invited here by my grandparents for their last dinner while they were in town before heading back to the midwest and had no idea what to expect... but I was pleasantly surprised. To start out with, it is tucked behind several other chain restaurants and backed right up to highway 10 (don't worry you can't hear any of the traffic once you're inside!). So if you think you're in the wrong place keep driving through the parking lot towards the highway - it'll show up eventually. The restaurant itself is a nice, dimly lit almost wine cellar looking place. The booths were comfortable and the noise level was quiet enough to hold a pretty good conversation. The service wasn't anything to write home about but at least they weren't rude. On the other hand, their croissants that come with your meal... I almost wrote 12 letters home to my mom because they were so fantastic, but be prepared you only get one with your meal so eat it wisely (or just be prepared to pay a little extra if you really need more!). The entrees were reasonably priced for what you get. My chicken was cooked well and very filling and my grandparents raved about their ribs. So overall: good food, ok price, and ok service. i.e. - 4 stars from me!
(4)toli b.
I have been coming to this location for at least 6 years. The quality of the food has gone down quite a lot this past year. It used to be our family's favorite place to dine and have prime rib. We brought some friends over for dinner last month and was very disappointed. Also, they didn't cook the meat as we wanted. When we complained they only offered to put it back on the grill. No apologies. Service was mediocre and the quality of the meet is not as good as it used to be. I am sad as i had hoped that things would be as they used to be... A quality dining restaurant. I won't be back.
(2)Carol B.
Fanatastic soup and salad combo. The potatoe soup is an everyday item I am sure because it is so tasty. The only draw back is on a Saturday night/date night, screaming kids kinda ruin the ambiance. Otherwise it was great. Good service and a short wait for the table.
(4)F E.
We come here every couple weeks, because it's close by, the food and service are consistently good, and because my son is nuts about their ribs. To put finer points on all that, let's start with the staff. They are always, to a person, extremely friendly and attentive. I've never once experienced a dud. Your soda and water glasses will never go empty and they'll always serve with a smile. Now, the food. My only complaint here is they don't do half-sandwiches, and I wish they would, because the portions are huge and there's only so much anyone needs to eat at one sitting. But they are good. The ribs are probably one of the best things on the menu, and frankly, they blow away the crap served down the road at Rudy's and Can't Stop Smokin'. Now, are Charleston's ribs barbecued for hours? No, they're grilled, but they're amazingly tender and flavorful and they taste *good* every single time. The croissants are like little pillows of heaven. I don't know how they do it, but i have never in my life had croissants as good as these. Last night I tried the Walt's Champagne Chicken salad for the first time. WOW, what a nice, flavorful, balanced salad. I'll definitely be doing that again. The potato soup is to die for. The ambience of the place is fairly typical suburban upper-midscale. It's casual, but if you're wearing flip-flops and pajamas this place isn't for you. Frankly, no place is, but this place for sure. Two thumbs up from me...this place is a winner every single time.
(4)Stephanie L.
We recently visited the Charleston's Restaurant in Chandler/Ahwatukee and had a nice time. We opted to sit in Lounge Seating versus Dining [where the Service left a little something to be desired - Hence the 3 stars] and had an appetizer that was to die for - Shrimp Cargot - and for dinner we both selected the Salmon since that was the primary reason why we went there to begin with - Per my Papa's recommendation. In true fashion, he was absolutely right about the 'awesome-ness' of the Salmon's seasoning, moistness and overall charring execution...Delicious! We will definitely return for this meal time and time again.
(3)Lene T.
Excellent in every way! Service gets an A+. The waiters were so efficient in refilling our drinks and getting our food on the table with perfect timing. The food was fantastic. The spinach artichoke dip and their house salad with champagne vinaigrette & croissant are amazing! Their filet and mushrooms just melt in your mouth! And their bread pudding is to die for! We live in Tucson but we'll definitely make the trip back to Chandler just to eat here again!
(5)Mark P.
Had the mahi mahi. Food was very good as always. The service was excellent. Way to go, Charleston's wait staff!
(5)Raymond K.
Great service and the food above average. I will eat here again. I wish I had room for desert, it looks so good. Moderate prices but so much food it makes it worth the extra price.
(5)Chris C.
I'm not going to lie, I come to Charlestons primarily for their oven roasted chicken (which is fantastic, though I wish was available in all dark meat) and their croissants, which should be outlawed for simply being insanely good and perfectly done up. Their glazed carrots are everything glazed carrots should be: sweet, delicious, and perfectly cooked. Their mashed potatoes have a ton of flavor as well, and even if this is a done-up chain type restaurant, this place gets it right a fair amount of the time. I almost feel guilty enjoying it as much as I do, but it's really damn decent food for a relatively decent price. (I had the burger recently, which was only so-so, as they were out of my chicken, but the champagne vinaigrette salad is awesome.) Most of the time, I get curbside takeout, which is fast and efficient, but seating inside is nice if there aren't screaming kids. The music trends from decent to absolutely awful, but I don't know how much control anyone there has over that. And it's nice and dark and comfy if you eat in.
(4)Samantha O.
charlestons is one of the few chains i actually enjoy. I love their croissants and their staff is always awesome. their chicken strips are awesome. i love their grilled chicken and veggies, too. They have an awesome blackened grilled chicken, they don't use oil to cook either which is a plus! they no longer have it on the menu but have never given me a problem ordering it! yay for charlestons!
(4)Bao H.
It's late I'm hungry....What the heck is Charleston's? Unfortunately, this place is located in the corner of the corner. Yes, if you need to find this place please update your GPS. Food was okay at best, but the service was what made me smile. I had the Hickory Burger and my mate had the fish of the day Tilapia.... Fishy she said. Yes, Tilapia is a fish, but my favorite was the deep fried okras yum. The place was kind of old fashion...I wasn't sure if I was supposed to sign the Declaration of Independence or order me some Sam Adam's - Enjoy!
(3)Larry S.
Went off of the reviews on yelp and found them somewhat accurate so here is mine. We went for lunch. 1 appetizer, 2 dinners and 3 beers =$66..I guess not to bad. Service was great! Food - We had the spinach dip and both of us got the Chix and Rib plate. Portions were huge, a plus. Chicken was very salty and ribs were, in both our opinions over-sauced. I don't like digging through sauce to find meat and the flavor of the meat was covered up by the super rich, sweet sauce.
(3)Owen W B.
Only been here once but I will not be back so here is my review. While the service staff seemed very nice the place smelled like stale beer. Kind of a dump really.
(1)Steve B.
Heard that Charleston had the best roasted chicken ever and I was craving it. So made may way there and the waitress recommended I try the chicken rib combo, OMG this was an incredible meal, they did not disappoint. Later I had one of the best Key lime pies ever for dessert! Wow, I will absolutely be a regular here when I'm in town.
(5)Chris S.
This location rocks! We've been in AZ and TX and let me tell you, they have the BEST ribs on the planet! You would never guess it, but since being in the land of the bbq nation = TX, this place wins hands down. They also have the best spinach and arti dip around. Salads are great, glazed carrots are to die for, and honey-drenched croissants that will make you drool. Ok, now I'm hungry...Service is always top notch and friendly. Would recommend to anyone for any type of food - they have it all!
(5)Richard T.
Excellent food and table wait staff but that really didn't offset the 52 minute wait to be seated after being told the wait would be 20 minutes. I don't mind waiting except people that came in after us got seated with little or no wait...seems a staff person would just seat people he saw standing regardless of the wait list.
(3)Jennifer G.
Charlestons has got to be by far one of my favorite restaurants. First of all, its not very expesive but gives the illusion of a high class nicer restaurant. The service is impeccable and the staff really does care about the customer. They will comp a meal if they can tell someone is not happy with it. They also work as a team so your drink glasses never go empty. I also love the fact that I have never had to experience screaming kids. For some reason, I think people don't consider this a kid friendly restaurant which is fine with me! But my favorite thing about Charlestons is definately the food!!! I am absolutely in love with the Walt's Champaign chicken salad and their croissants with honey drizzle are incredible! I have tried several other dishes here so here are my other recommendations: Chicken salad sandwich - huge and just a downright good sammich, Chicken club salad - This is the hubs fav salad. Totally a man's salad with fried chicken, bacon, avocado, cheese, and make sure to order with lots of ranch dressing to clog your arteries even further Rigatony Bolognese - For not being an italian restaurant, this dish was still amazing. Creamy and a little spicy. Huge portion also Over Roasted Chicken - One of the best chicken dishes Ive ever had! Order with the mashed potatoes (very good consistency and flavor) and the baked beans (dip the chicken in the beans... crazy but sooooo good) Prime Rib with mashed potatoes - Ive have never had their prime rib but the hub says its one of the best he has had and is consistently well trimmed and has had good flavor each time he's ordered it. A few other things worthy of mention: Maryland crab cakes (full of crab and the apple relish served with it is fresh and a really good accompanyment), and the creamy chicken noodle soup (only served one day a week but this is the best chicken noodle soup Ive ever had and I really dont like chicken noodle soup! I would eat this shit even when I am not sick!) And the last, most important thing to remember if you go to Charlestons: YOU MUST ORDER THE BREAD PUDDING!!! Yes yes, I saved the best for last. This bread pudding is the best bread pudding you will ever have. I have converted many a bread pudding hater (myself included) with this bread pudding. Haha. Take my advise and you will be glad you did. I expect a thank you!!!! So to sum it up, Charlestons may be a chain restaurant but I believe its one of the best chains out there. Every time I eat there, I am content with the overall experience. Try this restaurant and their bread pudding and you will not be sorry!
(5)Monica J.
Went here a couple more times and have to downgrade it to 3 stars for the food and service. Nothing in particular... just overall not as good as what we experienced the first time we went there.
(3)Melissa W.
My Cajun friend who says he knows his ribs, thinks Charleston's baby backs are pretty good. The ribs certainly were tender and falling off the bone, though I was mostly concentrating on the okra side. I love fried okra... and they give you alot! My boyfriend got the prime rib sandwich, I thought it was going to be shaved meat... literally it's a steak in a loaf of bread. I wish they gave us some horseradish, forget the bread... just like a steak dinner. :)
(3)Sarah H.
Everything here is mediocre. Blah The food is blah, the menu is a snore, the restaurant ambience is dark and boring Mediocre all the way.
(1)Aaron L.
I'm not a huge fan of chains but the food here is always consistently good. This is standard "American", little of everything, place. It is a good place to have a lunch meeting if you want to try to please unknown tastes.
(3)AMber W.
Being a vegetarian I did not think Charleston's would have much for me. It turns out that I was right, HOWEVER, what they did have for me was actually very simple but amazing! I had a business meeting today with a vendor and my biz partner. We all shared the spinach artichoke dip, which was super tasty and a great portion size. The chips were nice, warm and fresh and the dip came with salsa and sour cream on the side. I had a house salad sans the bacon plus avocado for my entree and a baked potato on the side. I opted for the creamy garlic dressing and it was OUT OF THIS WORLD! The salad was fresh with egg, carrots and chopped tomato and the avocado made a nice addition. They cover their potatoes in sea salt.. its pure genius. I'm serious. Genius. All I needed was a little butter and sour cream and I was set. Our waitress was very attentive but not super friendly. She had a new iced tea out to me before I was halfway done with the one I was currently drinking. Great service but I have had to make five trips to the bathroom since. This is a pretty good place for a business lunch but I wouldn't come here outside of that because I normally like something a little heavier for dinner and its a tad on the pricey side, but hey, I didn't pay so what do I care?
(4)CJ B.
I was taken here for lunch with a couple of guys by one of my partners at work. I can't remember what I had but I remember the portion being perfect. I left and didn't feel like a zombie after lunch. Our waitress was on top of her game. My glass never went below the halfway mark before getting a refill. I would absolutely go back again and I plan to as soon as possible.
(4)Mark S.
Great place. Tremendous service and a great staff
(5)Michelle D.
I read the reviews on Charleston's and decided to take the plunge even though there were a few negative reviews. I am a visitor to AZ for business and have grown so tired of restaurant food. I love salad and find most places don't know how to make a decent salad, the one at Charleston's was so good with fresh tomato and egg and the creamy garlic dressing!! Yummy. The filet was medium well and I not being a steak fan usually need some type of sauce (except for Ruth/Chris), but this steak was really good. I took my meal to go and couldn't wait to get the hotel because it smelled so good. Last but not least was the baked potato. The salt on the outside, I quote someone else, "genius". I used curbside to go - AWESOME. If you haven't tried this place, go - despite the few bad reviews. I am now a fan and will do something I rarely do - eat the same meal two days in a row (I am not kidding, it was good!!)
(4)Treana H.
I typically like to stay away from chain restaurants, but the mister and I were looking for a cheap place and served good food. He suggested Charleston's and I thought "Hmmm... it looks like Denny's from the outside." As soon as we got inside I really liked the interior. It has a nice ambiance... as my friend Peter once said, "It's where I like to go when I want to feel fancy for a cheap price." We had the Honey Burger I think its called and the prime rib au jus sandwich. Both were beyond my expectations. The great surprise was the baked beans that I ordered with my prime rib sandwich! YUMMERS! The burger was one of the best I have had and the sauce with it is just spicy enough to be flavorful, but not overpowering... I am not a big SPICE fan. The one downside was that my boyfriend's fries were cold with his burger, but they instantly brought us new, hot, fresh ones.
(4)Debi C.
Went to dinner this past weekend with family to one of our "regular" places". We have found over the past year that Charleston's has not been near as consistent as it used to be. Our favorite meals seem to have lower quality meats and they have changed their menu so salads are no longer included. It's really no longer an average priced place, but it's become very average food :(
(1)Shawn D.
The atmosphere here is very cozy. It is all dark wood and dark interiors. The wait staff is all dressed in black. The lighting is minimal with spot lighting for each table and what appear to be gas lamps on the walls. The food is served in a minimalistic style. You order a dish and a side. You pay for each part of your meal individually instead of as a combination. The vegetables were very fresh and cooked simply. I would definitely eat here again. The only downside is that it seems a little bit pricey for what you get.
(4)Alexis C.
Good food, speedy lunch service and nice people. Enough said.
(4)Tori H.
I've driven past Charleston's on the I-10 and Ray plenty of times and never gave it much thought, but a few weeks ago I was invited to a business lunch there and it is pretty much perfect for that. It's a nice professional atmosphere and I was actually impressed with my spinach salad, the quality was much better than I expected. I don't have a whole lot else to say except that the croissants that come with lunch are heavenly.
(3)Jordan A.
I used to love this place; but this time not-so-much. I was sat at a booth next to the kitchen and all I hear are the servers complaining about how they don't want to work and have too many tables, blah blah blah....I ordered a cheeseburger cooked medium (yes they allow medium); it arrived black and charcoaled (resembeled a hocky-puck)....severely dissapointed and won't be returning here anytime soon.
(2)Cecil B.
The chicken ciabatta sandwich is out of this world. Great service and many delicious menu items makes Charlestons one of my regular lunch destinations
(5)Jethro S.
The house salad and any of the steaks are delicious. I prefer mine done medium-well and this is about the best steak place that I have been to.
(5)Dottsy Z.
Croissants and bread pudding. That's the only reason I eat here, the rest is just details. Ok, the rest of the food is pretty good. I know in all my reviews I put a disclaimer about "it's nothing AMAZING" and this one is no exception. The atmosphere is dark and relaxing and at lunch time, it's always busy. Today I had the new chicken salad sandwich...meh. I should have stuck to their fish or steak selection. They know how to grill a steak or a fillet of fish. The chicken salad however was sad and disappointing. The bread was so coarse that it scraped the roof of my mouth, the chicken salad barely had any mayo and WAY too much red onion chunks. I won't be ordering that again. Other than that, I'm rarely disappointed with Charleston's and plan to devour more croissants and bread pudding. Those are a little piece of heaven on a busy day!
(3)Graydon A.
This is a chain steakhouse. I usually have the Fillet Mignon - rare, it melts in my mouth. I get the Cesar salad with croissant, garlic mashed potatoes or french fries, sauteed mushrooms, my mouth is watering thinking about it. My iced tea is always full. My biggest complaint is that the wine selection is pretty bad for a steak house and the staff isn't sure weather or not they have a corkage fee. Waiters & waitresses are usually very nice and accommodating. A few times they have not cooked the steak correctly, they are good at fixing it for you, or giving you gift certificates to make up for it.
(4)Linda C.
This was my favorite restaurant until today. My family would meet there once or twice a month. The food is always good; however, today I found out NO more salad with your meal. The salad is what set their restaurant apart from others. I paid $20 for a piece of meat and a baked potato. No salad, no bread! I will be looking for another restaurant in the area that gives me a full meal for $20.
(3)Rachel T.
Good food -- especially their ribs, good service -- prompt and attentive. A reviewer mentioned people may not consider Charleston's a kid friendly place. Well, lemme tell ya ... I was there w/ my 2 boys -- 5 and 2, and they were plenty nice to my boys. Brought them crayons, etc. They shared a kids meal and it was more than enough for the 2 of them. I would agree though that the atmosphere and decor lends itself to a more "mature" clientele. There were definitely a lot more "gray haired" customers there the times I've eaten at this establishment.
(4)M L.
Customer service trumps, so I must downgrade my rating with this addendum which I failed to post when this happened, at least 8 months ago, if not more. More likely it was last year. It's now Sept 2011. I happened to see an ad and thought, my positive review needs updating and sharing on FB, twitter, etc. With almost every frequent visit here, we order at least 1 margarita, which yields 2 glasses from the shaker. We dined in the restaurant over the bar this time and found the shaker only gave up 1 glass. We tell the waiter, after all, we're ordering meals as well. The waiter consults the manager, who then eyes both of us while discussing this, before approaching our table. He very condescendingly begins with speaking loudly, as if we were being reprimanded. We tell him that we've ordered these margaritas for YEARS and it's always been a 2 glass drink. He exclaims loudy still, that he is happy we informed him because the bartenders have been making them wrong and he would be sure to have them make the drinks correctly with the right amount from now on! There was no the customer is right, obligatory apology, no offer to make the drink as we've always had it served, no removing it from the bill, not a single offer to make it right for the customer. We weren't asking for a free meal, nothing outrageous. We asked that the drink we paid for, which if you think about it, are pricey-- for what you receive. Not only do we NOT get a single word in the way of I'm sorry this happened, we are yelled at so every other table nearby turns to look and listen. We weren't embarassed by that but somewhat surprised that he would make a specatcle, in order to make it appear that we were unreasonable to the other customers, a weekend crowd. What fool that gave him the title of manager? tsk tsk, too bad. We dine out for maybe 60 meals per month, who knows$, maybe more. Needless to say, we haven't been back in to spend our money and we never will. Years of dining there and all that wasted money. There are far too many other restaurants with fantastic delicious food and tasty drinks PLUS FRIENDLY, accommodating staff.
(1)Alisha M.
One of my absolute favorites! A beautiful atmosphere of dark wood, brick, and dim candles set the mood. The service is great, and last time I was there the bartender was amazingly friendly and treated me like we had known each other for years! And as a bonus he was absoutely adorable ;-) The bartenders are also very knowledgable and talented. The free pour which is a lost art at restaurants, this brings you back. The food is always good and they have a good variety of all american food. Start with the spinach artichoke dip or shrimp cargot, both are to die for. The steaks and prime rib are very good too. One thing about this place is that if you order steak or prime rib they use very little seasoning so it is great for true steak lovers who don't need to drown their meat in sauce and seasoning to enjoy it. Another review was critical of the prime rib sandwich because it is a slab of meat on toasted bread, but why would you ruin prime rib with mayo or mustard? But ask for it english cut to slice it up some. I order lots of different things there too though, like the honey-lime salad, chicken club sandwich, ribs, and roasted chicken. End your meal with the brownie sundae or bread pudding, both are delicious! Enjoy! I always do!
(5)Kerstin M.
I won some gift certificates at my school's raffle, and never having eaten here before, my husband and I decided to check it out. We were both quite hungry, so we ordered the croissant appetizer. They were under-baked, greasy, and drizzled with honey- both unexpected and disappointing. Hubby's clam chowder was full of grit and my salad was drenched in dressing, topped with a handful of chopped mushy tomato, and also full of grit. The grit police must have been on vaycay. Hubby ordered the prime rib sandwich (which is one of his favorites at Houston's) and it turned out to be a full slab of nearly tasteless meat which was poorly trimmed and ribboned with tough membranes on a lame toasted roll. He would have had to tear into it like a Neanderthal to eat it like a sandwich, so he ended up eating as much as he could stand with knife and fork. The au jus tasted like bouillon- and super strong at that. My entree was far better- a tender and perfectly cooked fillet of beef (although I had ordered the less expensive sirloin) with a delicious baked potato with all the trimmings. I ended up giving him about 1/3 of my steak since I felt so badly for his disaster of a meal. When we complained to the manager, he offered us more gift certificates, and we turned them down. You, too, should just say no to this dark, inexplicably crowded, disaster of a restaurant.
(2)