4. Restaurants

Charlie’s Chili

102 McFadden Pl, Newport Beach, CA, 92663
  • (949) 675-7991
  • Store is closed

Charlie’s Chili Menu

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  • Jessica R.

    Unfortunately this was not a pleasant visit. It took us almost an hour just to order. It's a usual busy Saturday night and yet there's only one waitress! Not only did it take forever to order it took another 20 minutes just to get our chips and salsa. Over all the food wasn't bad but considering the terrible service, I won't be eating there again.

    (1)

  • Judith A.

    I have dined here the last 3 times I have been out to this beach. It is located directly right in front of the pier. I love the outdoor seating. I'll wait the extra time for that. The food quality is great and the food portion size is on the larger size. Make sure to try out their battered onion rings. Also the restrooms inside for the patrons are clean which is a deal breaker and a must for me. Give this place a try!

    (5)

  • Queen T.

    Good location, decent service the servers are really nice and friendly. But the food was terrible. The Bloody Mary was terrible. I had the mahi dinner plate, my fish was seasoned well but it was a bit on the dry side. The breakfast potatoes were like hash browns but weren't crispy, lacking salt. The house salad was all white stale lettuce and drenched in the dressing. The clam chowder was too salty. The fries were good and the fish wasn't too bad. The calamari looked weird but actually didn't taste too bad. It was like fish stick calamari. Over all the food wasn't up to par probably wouldn't come back here ever again

    (2)

  • Jacob W.

    Had the chili cheese fries and they were bomb! We sat outside and the weather was perfect and the pier environment is awesome! For you single dudes out there I think the owner hired models because they are HAWT hot!

    (5)

  • Bill W.

    Great location steps from the sand on Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach. Great seating in doors or out, both are very nice and comfortable. Lots of booths inside, lots of fresh air and ocean views outside. The service and the burger & fries were both wonderful!

    (4)

  • Chris V.

    Lunch there today, five of us. Three adults and two kids. Great food, friendly service. Have the chili.

    (4)

  • Lisa B.

    I'm just getting around to writing my Yelp reviews. This is one that I really wanted to write because this place was just awesome! Normally I take photos, but on this morning I forgot my phone in the car. I was born and raised in Southern California and am always visiting this area of Newport Beach. I've seen this place on many occasions, but this was my first of many future visits. First of all this establishment is in the perfect location situated at the start of the pier. My son and I visited on February 16th for a morning walk on the pier and breakfast. There is nice patio seating available which makes great if you enjoy people watching and the beautiful ocean view. It appeared to be a bit crowded this morning and I wasn't sure if we would be able to get an indoor seat in a reasonable amount of time, but after a quick 5 minute wait, we were seated inside. The gentleman who was taking names at the front door/outside area was very welcoming and kind. You can tell that he cares about the customers and wants them to feel comfortable. Customer service is a HUGE plus in my book! I don't care how good the food is, but it must be accompanied with great customer service to keep me coming back. (Might be the owner....not sure) He called my name and walked us in and sat us at a booth. It's a busy, small but cozy place. It had a very nice vibe and is family friendly. After about 10 minutes we were finally greeted by the waitress. Again, it was a busy morning and she was doing her best to accommodate everyone so no worries. I ordered simple. Bacon and eggs breakfast and my son ordered the Chili Cheese Omelette. The food was served in a reasonable amount of time and was hot and tasty. I have to admit after tasting my sons Chili Cheese Omelette I was hooked and kicking myself at that point for not ordering the same thing. It was so delicious!!! The bacon and eggs were also great, but that chili cheese omelette was the best!!! Overall, we had a very positive dining experience and will continue visiting Charlie's Chili. Great food and great customer service makes me a fan!!!

    (5)

  • Helen S.

    I went there yesterday with my boyfriend and his brothers and cousin. We sat outside at first and ordered. I got a xs clam chowder and it never came but my bf's brother did. Couldn't bother asking the waitress because she never came back. It was cold so we grabbed a table inside instead. When she saw us she looked annoyed or something that we moved. Still waiting on my chowder when it has been almost 20-30 mins in and it was no where in site. I then asked the other waitress if she could let my server know if she either forgot to order it or if it was coming with my chili cheese fries. I don't even think she bothered because none of them came back to give me an answer. I get my food probably after 10-15 minutes later and the waitress threw my fries at me not just nicely setting in front of me... I then asked her politely if she got my clam chowder to make sure and what was her response? "No I don't, I don't have that many hands...." When she could of nicely said that it was coming or something. Then while eating not once did either waitress come and ask us how we were doing, on refills or anything, we had no napkins and had to take the utensils from the next table. Asked for ranch and they just threw that too basically. We had to literally wave them down if we needed something. Oh but the table in front of us gets asked if they were okay and the table beside us got asked for refills but we just get looked at and passed up... I don't know if it was because we were Asian or what... It was just the two but still you're a server and you are working for you tip.. You need to be polite and respectful of your customers. Anyways it was funny because our waitress was nice at the end when of course she was thinking I would tip her anyways. She even asked if we were rollerblading home because she wanted us to be safe. Well I surely gave her zero tip and let her know it was bad service. Sorry but the service you provide is how I determine how much to tip and wow it was just awful that I rather not come back if they are working there again. I don't care how busy you were. I worked as a server and I know how it feels to serve customers and you should always be polite to guest from beginning to end. As for the food, I enjoyed the chowder but I didn't know the chili had beans and I don't like beans.

    (2)

  • Jun Y.

    Took my son here to grab a quick breakfast after getting some seafood from the Dory Fishing Fleet Market. This is a small diner that is near the pier. The restaurant seemed clean but had a little weird smell to it. I ordered the chicken fried steak with extra scrambled eggs to share with my son. Here are the pros: the service staff was very friendly. Here is the cons: there was some rope in the country gravy. Finding that in the gravy killed the meal. The steak was flavorless and dry and was not memorable.

    (1)

  • Adam R.

    Best breakfast spot on the peninsula, love their omelets. My server is usually Amanda and she's super nice and great service, it's defiantly a must see in Newport Beach, right on the water!!

    (5)

  • Stephanie R.

    I went out with my friend to walk the pier and we found this place. The food was really good and well served. The staff was very nice and attentive.

    (4)

  • j h.

    Didn't wait too long to sit, considering it was a Friday. But it took us 50 minutes to get our food, 4 other tables seated after us were served and some finished and left before we got out food. Having 3 young children that were hungry, that does not work. Waitress made 5 different excuses and wanted us decide on how we were going to be compensated. in the end she only gave us 10% off, not even the amount of one of our meals.

    (1)

  • Teresa G.

    Charlie's Chili not only is dog friendly but has great service. Our server Gina took my really good care of us and despite my order being complicated was very attentive. Charlie's makes a super delicious veggie pattie with vegetarian chili. My boyfriend got hawks a chicken sandwich with avocado and it was also yummy! Oh, and there fries are cooked to perfection!

    (5)

  • Maria N.

    Great food, great service, and great vibe! One of my favorite restaurants on the peninsula. Perfect place for outdoor breakfast n people watching

    (5)

  • Angie A.

    Chilly cheese fries are okay, ive had better. Fyi...Chilly is made with beans. Chicken bacon burger not recommended, bacon was way over cooked. Not a fan of their chilly, in general. But if you do go definitely check in in yelp. Saved 20% on my check!!

    (2)

  • John M.

    Great place to eat in Newport Pier. Awesome bfast of french toast. It was fluffy and the syrup was awesome. Not too sweet which I like. Sitting outside is the way to go so you can people watch.

    (4)

  • Amber N.

    I've had an amazing experience here time after time! I recently had Hailey as my waitress and she was phenomenal. The food was great and for as busy as my server was, she had every table under control and kept my drink full. I recommend eating here! As for the person who said something about the waiters being against a certain race, when I go there is always a wide variety of people and I've never seen them be anything but kind to their tables. Thanks for the awesome food, keep it up!!

    (5)

  • Ashley M.

    A group of us ate here over the weekend for the first time and had a wonderful experience! Rebecca was our waitress and was so attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. The nachos and chili cheese fries are so good! We can't wait to come back and try out the breakfast that Rebecca recommended. 5 stars for service!

    (5)

  • Jamie Marie L.

    super nice location but very bland food no flavor what so ever! over then that waitress was very sweet

    (2)

  • Melanie S.

    Thought this place would just be chili - its not! Great convenient location if you're on the beach and just want to grab a quick lunch. The food is pretty average. I had a veggie burger with a salad. Decent sized portions and decently priced, considering the location. The inside looks somewhat like a diner, but they have a large outside seating area where some major people watching can occur.

    (3)

  • Ryan N.

    Not bad, but not out of this world. I had the fish sandwich, that was pretty good. The bun did seem to fall a part while you ate. The location is right off the water, so it's convenient if you're spending the day at the beach. Parking may be hard if you're just coming for a bite to eat due to the beach-goers. Try Charlie's Chili if you're in the location and need some quick food.

    (3)

  • C S.

    First and foremost let me say I do not generally write reviews so this place forced me to as it is amazing! We ordered the chili, it's great but not amazing. For our entrees we ordered fish and chips and French toast. The fish and chips OMG! The fish was A freaking Mazing! The best I have ever eaten! Hands down! The chips and coleslaw was good. The French toast was the best we have ever eaten. It's like French toast meets pancakes. The best of both worlds! Fast service, friendly staff and amazing food- yup we will be back for sure!

    (5)

  • Wendy B.

    Wouldn't come back. Not even for breakfast as some reviewers said. It just wasn't that great. I am usually forgiving in my reviews, but am really stretching it this time by giving them 2 stars. There were a few good moments, like the chili cheese fries, but the remainder was poorly done. The adult son got a hamburger. Don't expect anything special. The patty was from frozen meat, Restaurant Depot variety, and way overcooked. Edible, but a big disappointment. The chili cheese fries. The son wolfed them down. Hope you know to expect beans in your chili. The Frisco burger. Ho hum. Mr. B said it helped having a load of thousand island dressing to juice it up. It wasn't bad. It just was not something worthy of driving all the way there to battle traffic and parking. The country fried steak breakfast was by far the worst of the three. A small, thin, pre-fabbed frozen patty that was grilled to get a crispy crust, and a shockingly strange cream gravy. It had lumps of spongy sausage, bland except for a slight sour milk taste to it. It was gross, simply bad food. The biscuit, supposed to represent the biscuits and gravy element, was obviously pre-fabbed, again Restaurant Depot/Smart N Final fare. I did not even waste my time on this poor excuse for a baked good. The pan fried potatoes were seasoned with seasoning salt and were actually good. But I do that at home. Tsk. I am really surprised they are still in business. Since 1967. I know this to be true, but really? Watch out, unsuspecting tourists. And if you still want to come, curses to parking in general on the weekends. You will have to pay the meter, if you ever find a spot. Good luck.

    (2)

  • Brad L.

    Nothing outstanding, but okay. Chili wasn't very spicy, which is fine with me. Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich was good, but didn't really have any 'Santa Fe'(Southwestern) flavor to it. Girlfriend's fries were very undercooked, barely cooked through and soggy. Asked for replacements, which were a little better, but not much.

    (3)

  • Joe B.

    First, to Helen S, all I can say is you've either embellished your poor service story or you caught a member of the wait staff simply having a bad day. I've been eating at Charlie's for over 14 years and the service and food have always been exemplary. That was the case again earlier today when I and a couple guests visiting from TX had a late breakfast at Charlie's. The service and quality of food could not have been better. I strongly encourage to go back and give them a second chance. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Erica A.

    Do not order the Mexican breakfast there. The food lacked in flavor and the salsa tasted like store bought salsa. Stick to regular breakfast options.

    (1)

  • Jenny D.

    Hunnie Bunnie loved her oatmeal here! She devoured the entire bowl. I ordered a salad - it had iceberg lettuce which I'm not really a fan of in my salads... turkey, bacon, SLICED tomatoes (what? no cherry or grape tomatoes available?? Or at least DICE up the tomato SLICE!), shredded cheese and maybe some other stuff I am forgetting right now. We sat on the patio and shared the salad after she finished her oatmeal. The server checked on us maybe once but I noticed she was doting on the other tables around us a lot more. Whatever. We didn't need anything so I guess there was no harm done and it was a beautiful day out - we just wanted to enjoy the beautiful beach weather! Next time, if there IS a next time, I will have to try their "famous" chili!

    (2)

  • Ritika T.

    This is a fun spot to lunch on a gorgeous SoCal day. They've got a ton of indoor seating but there was only a few parties inside. Everyone else was either sitting or waiting to sit at one of their 4-5 patio tables. Some of them have umbrellas. The ocean is visible if you stand up. There's a ton of foot traffic. We waited just about 5 minutes to snag an outdoor table. The food itself is GREAT! Love their vegetarian chili. I got their veggie tostada, but instead of beans you can get their vegetarian chili. I ate the whole thing! It was huge! Tons of food in a giant tostada bowl-shaped shell. Great food, great location -- what else do you need?

    (5)

  • Ray S.

    Wait a second, world's greatest chili omelet? Had to try it! PROS: price and size of food CONS: Water tasted like a dirty towel EWWW Initial Thoughts| I just needed a place to eat a quick small and cheap bite. And whOA 20% off for checking in on yelp. Totes worth it. Ambiance| Simple diner set up, but near the pier is pretty cool. Food| The Chili Omelet was quite amazing. Packed with chili and Ortega chili. This thing was jam packed with flavor and heavy from the chili. It is topped with crispy potatoes and overall and delightful combo with a piece of toast. All this food and even IIII couldn't finish it. It is definitely a big portion. Extra Comments| That water was gross. I don't think they cleaned the cup or something. That sort of made the experience...SOUR.

    (4)

  • Sherri L.

    I only gave it a 1 star becuz of the location. The service is absolutely lousy! Our waitress was rude and sarcastic! When we came in there were only about 5 other tables but tell me why it took 10 minutes before we got our menus?!? Anyhow, since supposedly this place is known for its Chili so thats what we tried...Chili Cheese Fries and a slice of cornbread. HUGE Regret! First of all, it took another 25 minutes to get our order without any explanation why. And then...The fries were soggy, even the ones that didnt even have chili on them. So I asked the waitress why they were so soggy and why the whole plate tasted like it was microwaved so she answered "oh, well they are water fries, I mean water blanched fries, so they are a healthier version." OMG, did she really just say that?!? I couldn't believe that she said that! I never heard of that before! And she had this attitude the whole time and to top it off after waiting and waiting for her to pick up the check she has the nerve to just snatch it from me. RUDE! Never again! And the cornbread was dry and did not taste fresh. Not even butter can make it taste better. Maybe they had an off day (I hope) but with the rude service, I wouldnt be back!

    (1)

  • Lauren H.

    I have been coming here for years! I love this place! I can't go to this place without ordering their famous chili!

    (5)

  • Brianna K.

    The service was good, but the food left a lot to be desired. We had the Collossus burger and calamari and both tasted like they were frozen food bought at the grocery store and heated up. Another person in the party had a Bloody Mary and it was so bad she couldn't drink it- luckily the server took that off of the bill. Be warned you cannot drink alcohol on their outdoor patio- you have to dine inside in order to have a drink with your meal.

    (1)

  • Scotty W.

    This place always rocks. Even on a Sat we got a table and had our food in like less than 7 min. Service was sweet and always came to see how we were doing. I love the clam chowder and chili here. Very good. Great job on this day!

    (5)

  • BB O.

    My wife bought a clam chowder to go. We sat outside and she began to eat it. Only two bites in and she pushed it aside. She said it was a little too fishy. I tried it and it was easily the fishiest clam chowder I've ever had; bordering on rotten. Mind you, u eat fish all the time and I don't mind "fishy". This was beyond. I asked for a refund because we were unsatisfied. The only waitress in the restaurant said she wasn't sure if they provided refunds so asked if I could speak to the manager. She claimed he wasn't there and smirked at me. It's kinda sad that an establishment will disrespect a customer for a $4 bowl of soup. If they would have returned the money, I probably wouldn't have written this bad review.

    (1)

  • Julie Y.

    Sorry Charlie but your chili was by far the worst chili Ive had since my college days living on canned chili and Ramen noodles. Call me a snob when it comes to chili but I grew up eating chili that had tomatoes and spices. Your chili was tasteless and bland with absolutely no love put in to it. The only good thing about this place was the staff, which moved your 1 star to a 2 star.

    (2)

  • Samantha R.

    The service here is excellent. The portion sizes are huge. I got a burrito and they're sized like 2 chipotle burritos. It even came with a side (which I was unaware about). I chose the salad and it was enormous. My boyfriend and I split it and couldn't finish it, but it was delicious. He got a side of chili with his burrito. I typically don't like chili, but I tried his and it was amazing. Unfortunately my burrito was just okay. I thought the guacamole tasted a bit too much like salsa. Everything else was amazing and I want to come back to try their surfer breakfast burrito!

    (4)

  • Happy M.

    Me and my girlfriend come here all the time and the SERVICE & FOOD is awesome. I highly recommend this place to my friends. However - Do not go on the busy summer days because this place is PACKED! It's because the food is amazing.

    (5)

  • Bryan S.

    Great Breakfast. This is my favorite breakfast place in Newport Beach. I like the French Toast Combo with Bacon.

    (5)

  • Ramiro L.

    We come here ever time we are in Newport mostly for breakfast and we come by since the weather was nice. We enjoy every time we come here the service with the morning staff is extremely great. But for some reason afternoon service was horrible we ask to get a table of 6 since they have small table and have umbrellas. We wait for 10 min and then they finally came out and I ask again if we can get a table of 6 and she gave me a look and said oh you want me to do it. I replied yes since I can't remove the umbrella and store it for you. After at it was just horrible service and to top it off finally when our food arrive the other serve comes out and tell the girl in front of us know wonder your going crazy out here. Keep in mind we were the only ones outside. We will now stick to coming in the morning now for breakfast only. It's a really great places to eat to bad the servers in the after noon have a bad attitude or don't like a specific race like another yelper states on a review.

    (2)

  • Brandie F.

    Yummy bloody marys!! The Surfer burrito was fantastic, especially with their added famous chili. The French toast was also tasty. It was crowded for breakfast but we didn't have to wait long...five minutes or so for a seat. I'd definitely eat here again.

    (4)

  • Josh R.

    Great burgers, great prices. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served all day! I recommend this is all types of people as they have all kinds of food. The chili cheese burger is the best!!

    (5)

  • Shydel M.

    If you're looking for the most ordinary mediocre kind of food this is perfect! I ordered the two taco combo, now let's just say it's pretty pricey for two tacos rice and beans-- but then again you do get your choice of salad chowder or chili so I guess it makes sense for 10$. Location is pretty awesome, I love these located near the water, it was the pier in this case. Now if you read the first sentence it's not the greatest place to eat we were looking for fish n chips that was a little "family" friendly. This happen to be the only spot. Considering the area is infested with bars and loud drunk people (nothing against you guys! Hah but with small kids-- kind of a pain in the...)

    (3)

  • Mrs. A.

    My husband and I go here to eat every time we go to the beach. The patty melts are delicious. I'm not sure what makes the chili famous but it must be because it is awful. Time to get a new recipe! We have always had great service, never a complaint.

    (4)

  • Bernard D.

    I used to come here a long time ago (read when I was single). Came back today with wife and daughter. The food is what you would expect from a chilli/fish and chips place. Food might be a 3+ but it is a friendly place in a nice location so I gave them a little boost!

    (4)

  • Natividad T.

    I love this place. Right by the Newport Pier and the Pacific Ocean. The chili is really tasty and the fish is great. I will recommend this place to all my friends. It' worth the 20 mile drive !

    (4)

  • Ruth K.

    Boyfriend ordered the Popeye omelet and I ordered the two egg bfast. Omelet was completely stuffed with spinach, he loved it! And I have no complaints about my meal. Service was friendly and we were in and out hassle free. Would come back if I find myself in need of breakfast in Newport.

    (5)

  • Ted P.

    I have been going to Charlie's Chili for many years. It is the best place to eat at the Newport Pier by a long shot! Amanda is my favorite waitress, but there are many more that give super service as well. Even the manager is very helpful to everyone. Inside and outside seating under umbrellas. The food is very good to say the least. One would assume it was a tourist trap with sloppy food. But, no! The owner and manager keep a very tight ship! It is amazing to me that the food is always high standard and prepared very will. I managed a BBQ restaurant when I was young, so I know how difficult it is to keep everything high quality. It is a happy place to go and eat! So nice to have a happy atmosphere to enjoy your meal. Say hello to Amanda and tell her Ted sent you! Ha! Ha! She is the tall blond on the inside! I highly recommend this odd little restaurant hiding at the base of the Newport Beach Pier! Enjoy! Oh yes, the owners opened a Super Coffee shop next door, serving gourmet coffee and snacks that are wonderful!

    (5)

  • DaVina L.

    Recently I went to Charlie's Chili and the food was very good. I have been going since a young teen - well I decided to bring my teen girls there for breakfast - and we had an issue with the service. We left and I have to say at the moment we were not so happy but the follow up - made me a big fan!! The assistant manager and Manager were wonderful! Making me want to return, post a better review and let all know that returning to Charlie's Chili's is must when you visit Newport Beach! Can't beat the location and the food is good.

    (4)

  • Elaine N.

    Pretty chill place located right on the boardwalk of Newport Beach. We ordered the Buffalo Wings and the Famous Chili Cheese Fries. Both were pretty standard dishes. Buffalo wings were drenched in buffalo sauce and served with a side of ranch. As for the Famous Chili Cheese Fries, I thought they were alright, I've definitely had better chili elsewhere, but this hit the spot none-the-less. Not too bad for a late afternoon snack after a long day at the beach

    (3)

  • Mighty M.

    Funny, for a place called "Charlie's Chili" I would think the star would be, well...the chili. However, our recent visit left me fairly impressed by everything we received, EXCLUDING the chili. But, hey, to each his own. The fiance and I were rollerblading the boardwalk when thirst and hunger struck. Decided to plop down for a bite on one of the tables outside to re fuel and soak up a little sun. I had eaten before we left the house so I was basically there for company. We ordered iced teas and a turkey sandwich, with chili as the side. To any iced tea connoisseurs...this place has it right. Fresh brewed and perfect strength. Ideal thirst quencher. A+ Cup of chili came out first and we were underwhelmed. I mean, it was OK. But nothing I would order 3 gallons of and pay 60 bucks for. Guess it just depends on your taste. Im more of a chunky chili fan that has different flavors and textures goin on. This is more like your standard "chili-dog- chili".... We will pass. Turkey sandwich came on tasty grilled squaw. Decent turkey meat...not super processed and gelatinous (pet peeve...GROSS!). Nice fresh lettuce, tomm, avo, cheese. Zero complaints. Server was efficient and nice. I wouldn't seek this place out but not a bad place to stop if you are on the beach and need some decent grub.

    (3)

  • Lola C.

    Reliable, pleasing diner type food and atmosphere. Their omelettes are chock full of fillings. I had 3/4 of an avocado and 3 pieces of bacon in mine. I also like that you can opt for refried beans as a side instead of breakfast potatoes. Service is friendly and fairly quick for being consistently busy. It's our go to breakfast joint when in the area.

    (4)

  • Amy V.

    I love stopping for a chicken sandwich after riding my beach cruiser along the board walk!! The service is great! The view wonderful! And, of course, the chili, mmmmmmm.

    (4)

  • Arianne N.

    20% off your entire bill with a check-in on yelp or FB, Monday - Friday. Outdoor sitting consists of about seven tables with plastic patio chairs. It's next to the beach, but your view is mostly the pier entrance and parking lot. It's a lovely place to eat breakfast and people watch. The french toast is yummy and doused with with powdered sugar. Their bacon was surprisingly really flavorful and were perfectly crisp yet chewy in the right places. The deluxe chili omelette consists of tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, and a green ortega chile tucked in an egg and doused with chili and cheese. I don't find the chili amazing, but it is tasty enough. I'm really sensitive to spice so I definitely taste the kick from the ortega chile. The omelette comes with scalloped potatoes and toast.

    (3)

  • M L.

    We go here on Sundays for the outdoor people watching, orange juice and their hostess Maria. She is very cheerful, friendly and efficient. It is always a pleasure to interact with her. She's a great asset and perfect for the job! Thank you Maria!!! See you on Sunday! 5 stars for Maria; 3 stars for the food.

    (3)

  • Margaret C.

    Awesome omelettes! More than enough to eat, loaded with tasty ingredients. Relaxing atmosphere, walking distance to the beach.

    (5)

  • Spencer W.

    Big portions, greasy, American goodness. Went for the first time with my wife's family who have been eating here since the 70's. It didn't disappoint. I'll be back again and again. Bonus: 20% off the entire bill for ten people thanks to yelp coupon.

    (5)

  • Vivian T.

    Went to the restaurant last night with the husband and a few friends. The food was forgettable and the service was terrible! There were only 3 servers working last night. Since it was a Saturday night the place was busy. A few minutes after we sat down, one of the server came up to us and took the drink order. Our waitress came by a few minutes later asking if we were ready to order, we asked for a few more minutes. Not knowing that we would not receive any service for the next 15-20 minutes. While she took the order, the guys ordered another round of drinks, the drinks weren't served for another 15-20 minutes. Someone from our party finally had to flag down another server for the drinks to be served. Service finally picked up a little when they became less busy; however, service remained lousy. The waitress never came by asking about water refills. At the end of the meal, she came and drop off the check, my husband did not pay close attention to the check and she had already swiped his card. I then asked to see the order check that she wrote our order on to check the prices as it was much higher than expected. She paused for a minute and finally agreed to go get it for me. She then stood by the table and was wanting to take the order check back right away and said that she had to keep track of it. I told her that I would leave it for her once I am satisfied with looking at it. She very reluctantly walked away. Since the restaurant never clearly stated how much the beers were, we were not expecting to by paying 3.99-4.99 for a bottle of domestic beer! Because of her attitude, we gave her a tip that we thought is matching her attitude and her service. She took the signed check and started to talk to her coworkers about the tip in front of us and at our ear shot! She walked by to service another table and rolled her eyes as she passed by the table. We asked to see a manger, but there wasn't one working at the restaurant. Another coworker of hers came by to apologize and offered a free beer. We understood that it was a busy night, but it does not excuse for bad service and attitude towards customers. Besides the fact that her coworkers did most of the work for her anyway.

    (1)

  • Alivia M.

    I love Charlie's chili the food is amazing the staff are so nice and happy that you are there the weather is always a plus and they have great tunes everyone is jammin

    (5)

  • Casey M.

    Try their chili cheese omelette. It's ridiculous and very good!

    (4)

  • Elizabeth N.

    As a party of 3 we ordered their Appetizer Sampler and Battered Fish and Chips. We were not fond of the food that was served to us for many reasons. Cons 1-The fries on both platters did not seem fresh. They were really mushy and seemed as if they were left out to thaw then sit there until used to fry. 2- The fried Calamari in the Appetizer Sampler was spongy. I could tell that it was imitation squid rather than real. 3-water tasted like tap and usually when that happens then it means the place is cheap Pros 1- Both the fried shrimp, fish (both small portioned), and zucchini were the only things finished

    (1)

  • Momma D D.

    I love Charlie's food. My kids love it too. The chili is delicious, the chowder (from a chowder lover) is so good, the salad is fresh and everything makes your mouth water! The chili fries are yummy. The chili omelet is a guaranteed favorite! Above and beyond service is always to be had, if you get Amanda. She never let our glass go dry. She has a catchy laugh, a great smile and has what you need before you can ask. We only sit in her section. We'll drive down from Bakersfield just to enjoy a meal here, with her!

    (5)

  • Jasmine C.

    This place was not cheap and you can't order alcohol if you are sitting outside and eating. Plus the service was just so-so. However, the opportunity to sit outside and people watch and be right on the ocean was priceless. They offer vegetarian chili and I really enjoyed the breakfast. A chili omelet with avocado and sour cream. The breakfast potatoes were the bomb.

    (4)

  • Lindy H.

    There's nothing like the combination of eggs, chili, cheese, avocado and very crispy hash brown potatoes. This place does it to perfection. Great variety in the menu and the service is very friendly and courteous!

    (4)

  • Alysa T.

    Great breakfast spot! Atmosphere: casual, friendly, you can sit indoors or outdoors right by the entrance to the Pier and look out at the beach Food: I got the Spanish omelet (omelet with cheese, avocado, mushroom, onion and salsa with jalapeños in the side) I definitely recommend it. The potatoes are kind of cut like scallop potatoes but cooked like hash browns, very crispy, I loved them. My dad got the Baja breakfast- it's eggs, potato, onion and tomato all cooked and scrambled together with refried beans on the side. He very much enjoyed it and wants to go back. Portion: large servings, you can probably share. Great price about $10 a plate.

    (3)

  • Matt V.

    Boring, bland food. My wife had the blackened mahi taco plate and said the rice and beans tasted like cardboard. I had a chicken burrito with beans, lettuce, tomatoes and avocado (build your own burrito) and it too was almost flavorless. Piling on the hot sauce salvaged the meal but not in a good way, just to "get through it." Ugh, not my idea of eating out.

    (2)

  • Kirk K.

    I know this place has been around forever, so we gave it a shot. I walked in with pretty limited expectations, but was really surprised by the food and service. First off, we went in at sunset on a Sunday night and got a great seat since it was pretty empty. Our food was good and the chili was pretty tasty. I'm not a foodie, so chances are someone who makes eating a hobby (or takes it more seriously than I do) would have some reason to pick it apart. As we ate, more people came in and it seemed like a mix of locals and tourists. The owner and staff were very friendly to everyone, creating a nice atmosphere. This is definitely a place I would bring my hungry teenager for another chili omelette. It's comfort food served in a cool beach setting at an affordable price.

    (4)

  • Zac S.

    This place is amazing and the food is great! I have had breakfast there many times and it has always been AMAZING! I would recommend there juevos rancheros or French toast! This place is also located right by the pier which has a lot of different stores and little spots! I would deffinately consider try I g Charlie's Chili!

    (5)

  • Shawn M.

    Should be 4 stars... but, it's very pricey for what it is. A result of the location no doubt... it worked to sell cheap good food back in the day, but the rent is likely so high these days, they have to charge more. The food was pretty darn good. Good chili, tasty dogs. Sitting outside is really nice. Check it out if you need a chili fix.

    (3)

  • Laura F.

    Love Charlie's Chili! They tend to get packed during the weekend mornings, so be prepared! Very relaxed atmosphere, right at the foot of the pier. People of all sorts are walking by and riding by on their bikes, etc. Inside tends to get noisy, and it's rather small, so I prefer to sit outside. I always get the Jose Omelette - no mushroom, with a side of salsa. Their salsa is really good surprisingly, and much prefer it over whatever hot sauce is on the table. The hubby always gets the chili cheese omelette and loves it. So much food, so delicious... Parking is crazy, though... But what do you expect? You're at the beach.

    (4)

  • Summer D.

    I love Charlie's chili my family and I have been coming here since since i was alittle girl the French toast and the chili cheese frys are a few of my favorite ! The friendly staff is a plus a bonus as well !

    (5)

  • Kelly H.

    I am planning my trip to Newport this weekend for Labor Day (coming from Vegas) and Charlie's is definitely on my list. Craving the tuna melt and cup of chili already. Charlie's has great food and a very friendly staff. You can tell they love their job! Who wouldn't tough, best office view ever!

    (5)

  • Jeff G.

    Was sitting in my limo waiting on my clients and became hungry so I ventured out to have a lil something to eat and stumbled upon this place, I went in and was greeted nicely. When I asked about the class chowder I was offered a sample, and after tasting the chowder which was hot and fresh I decided to go ahead and have a small bowl. The waitress promptly got my order and served me crackers as well, as I was putting on Black pepper she said "I'm the same way". I gobbled it up and wished I had ordered a larger Bowl, which I will definitely do next time. As I got ready to leave she offered me a refill on my water and asked if I would like it to go. I'm big on customer service and that is why I will definitely be returning again. Thanks for a great experience.

    (5)

  • Dustin D.

    I have been here before and have always liked it. This place has been here forever so I'm always glad to see it's still there. I see they did some remodeling fairly recently. I had the chicken quesadilla and I was very happy because that's all it was, chicken and cheese! The waitress was very attentive and friendly!

    (4)

  • Linda P.

    Best chile cheese omelet anywhere! Great service and great piece of Newport tradition!

    (5)

  • Kyle S.

    Holy Smokes. French Toast. End of story

    (4)

  • Victoria S.

    Only place in Newport Beach that had outside seating!!! So we ended up at Charlie's and were not disappointed. It's a typical beach side joint with a good menu including all the unhealthy beach foods but also had a great Mahi Mahi Avocado Melt which I devoured happily. The veg chili isn't the best I have ever had but very edible and filling. The service was friendly and they all seemed to genuinely like working there.

    (4)

  • Dave H.

    can't say enough about the greatness that Chuck's serves up. Been eating here early and late for 20 years. THE CHOWDER PLATTER. A new menu boasts an array of new sandos and squaw bread my favorite. Get there early for breakfast on weekends and pay no mind to the bums across the way, they are usually sleeping......The menu is vast and you can eat breakfast ANYTIME not like the golden arches..........

    (5)

  • Scott B.

    First off, know that Charlies is NOT high dining. What it IS though is very good, fresh food at a reasonable cost. First, their namesake, the chili. It's not a "thick" chili like some other places serve. It is a thinner type, with a reasonable amount of tang that works well on omelettes, burgers, fries or just on it's own with a side of cornbread. The burgers (my wifes favorites) are juicy and good sized, served with plenty of hot, crispy fries. The fisherman's platter is a great plate, with fresh cod, scallops, shrimp, and fries. Very tasty indeed. Breakfasts are hearty and easy to enjoy as you're less than 500 feet from the Pacific Ocean. For a real treat, dining can be done on the "patio" which allows you to enjoy all of the activity of Newport Beach and the Balboa Pier. Though it's a bit of a drive for my family, we try to make Charlies a regular place to dine at.

    (4)

  • Dany B.

    Came in tonight with a group of 12. They were able to seat us right away. The busser came over quickly to get us started on drinks and he kept the drinks full all night. I'm sorry I didn't get his name. I had the fish and chips. The 3 pieces of fish were generous and came out hot. I didn't care much for the fries, they were pretty bland. Everyone else in the group seemed to enjoy their food with the chili getting rave reviews.

    (4)

  • K. S.

    Waitress, Rebecca, was so rude. Walked by our table several times without saying a word while we waited for about ten minutes. Copped an attitude when I asked her about it.I would have being satisfied with an apology but got a scowl instead. I decided not to order any food. If nothing I hate more is horrible service. Update - I failed to mention the host was very pleasant and seated us promptly. Our water and drinks came promptly as well, forget the gentleman's name who brought them, but he was on the ball. I later voiced my displeasure to the same gentlemen at the front, not sure if he was the manager, but he was very apologetic and as he said below, tried to make it up to Me. I appreciated that. For that, I'm changing my rating to three.

    (3)

  • Friendly F.

    The food is average and the service is horrible. Actually it's was all pretty bad. The waitress, bless her heart, is working inside and outside all alone. This place is packed with only one waitress. Orders were messed up. I could go on and on, but it wasn't the waitresses fault. She was working her backside off. Maybe it was an off night, regardless of the service, the chili was just bad. And you won't get cornbread and honey butter. Even though it's on the menu, they don't serve it. It's fries and a toasted bun. Management needs to step up their game. Hire enough staff and enough with being cheap!!!!

    (2)

  • Diana T.

    There are lots of eateries at the beach and I wanted something that was a little hearty. I decided to stop by this place and try their chili hot dog with a side of fries because I guess that is what they are famous for? I mean, it's in the title of their restaurant so it must be good? I paid a little under $10 for this meal and I thought it was pretty reasonable. I ordered To Go so they were awesome about giving me a menu and packing everything for me in a bag with condiments and utensils. When I opened my box, i was wondering where my hot dog was. It was pretty much under the pile of massive chili!!!. The chili was just okay. There was nothing to special about it. The fries were okay too. Everything didn't taste that bad but it was just ordinary too. I couldn't even pick up the hot dog because there was too much chili on it. I felt like you needed extra bread just to eat the chili. I started to use a fork and knife to cut but the chili was so hot that I started cutting, there would be a hole on the bottom of the box! Anyways, if you're craving a hot dog, just go a few stores next door and get a corndog! Cheaper too!

    (3)

  • Jim M.

    I don't know if things changed since I lived next door to Charlie's Chili eight years ago, but the food was very "whatever" on this particular morning. The service team looked like they're about to go on a jog. The best service of all was the bus boy, (not sure if there's a better term), who was really attentive and nice. People really come to Charlie's for their perfect view of the Newport Pier and they delivered on that.

    (3)

  • Carlos V.

    Waited to be seated or acknowledged by waitress who could not have missed us, so had to ask if I could seat myself. She did not seem happy with me ordering a drink to share with my son Tried the chili since they pride themselves on it but I don't think it was really good. It was very hot, but not really much flavor to it. Customer service sucks and food was not good

    (2)

  • Jason M.

    Location, location, location...situated at the foot of the Newport Beach pier. A family owned local monument. If you're lucky, you can get a table without too long of a wait.

    (5)

  • Shannon C.

    No trip to Newport is complete without a visit to Charlie's! As usual it didn't disappoint! Had the French toast for breakfast and it was great! My 3yr old grandson cleaned his whole plate - which is unusual! The Bloody Mary was on point! We will be back!

    (5)

  • Austin B.

    If all you ever wanted from a waiter was a dirty scowl and a condescending tone this is the place for you. I have an allergy and in fear of ordering an item with egg in it I asked her about possible substitute options. Sarah, the waitress, then gave me a dirty look and said "Oh I don't know?" And started listing inequivalent items such as tomatoes and cottage cheese. While I was deciding she immediately started tapping her foot and rolling her eyes. This is not a place for the family and I do not recommend it to any who are curious about trying this place out. The only reason why this has received a 2 star is because the food was mediocre. This updated review is directed towards Sean who has commented on my review You know it's quite shocking to have others talk about MY experience. I have conducted myself very professionally and I have to say I am further disappointed with this establishment. The use of others to ruin my credibility is very disgusting and should be noted for future customers. I only speak for myself when I say this. When we were finished with our meal the manager approached my table and said "I don't appreciate the comments on yelp that you have been leaving" It is not his place to tell me whether or not he appreciates my commentary or not. If he did his job and managed his employees better we would not be in this predicament. As far other people's opinion on Sarah I don't care. There are numerous reviews that back up my claims and I implore others to review them as well.

    (2)

  • Soo H.

    Bikini girls shine surfers dream of tsunami onions rings frying. The scent of fried veggies was in the air. I admired her beautiful golden brown skin for timeless moments before I could resist no more. My mouth filled with the flavor of delicious crunchy beer batter and onion. Mmm... Juicy perfectly cooked onion ring. One of the best onion rings I've ever had! Also had fried zucchini which was in the shape of french fries. Very good tasting herb batter and zucchini. I found this place on yelp after walk a walk to the end of the Newport Beach pier. There was a cool beach vibe to this place and cute friendly waitresses. :-)

    (4)

  • Jason L.

    Somewhat small restaurant that offers patio seating and excellent service. Kelsey was attentive and took care of us. The interior reminds me somewhat of a ship. We ordered the nachos and some drinks prior to hitting the beach which was located just feet from the entrance. The nachos were fantastic, especially with the chili and steak. The micheladas were also great due to the good quality mix used.

    (4)

  • Teresa L.

    Took a stroll on the beach and came across this place for a nice Cold Corona. Excellent service! I will be coming back again very soon! :)

    (5)

  • Marissa S.

    Named Charlie's Chili, this place must be known for their chili. True or false? I wouldn't know because I came here for their fish and chips. We ordered this to-go so we can eat it just outside while hanging out by the pier. I like that the fish is really fresh, however, that also means you need to wait a little while for it to be cooked. The fries got soggy instantly and I hate soggy fries so I threw most of it away. The coleslaw was good but loaded with mayo. With three pieces of small but nicely battered fish, fries, and slaw, this meal was around $12. As for service, I wish someone greeted us when we walked in. I had to go to the back where the kitchen was to tell a server I wanted to place an order. And the resto wasn't even packed. If in the area and hungry, I could consider coming back and perhaps try their chili. No rush though.

    (3)

  • Stephan D.

    The first time was normal, nothing out of the ordinary, and decent food. Decided to give the place another try as I enjoyed their chili. Today, the second time however, I was greeted by a Hispanic buser who was polite, kind and greeted us to our seats. He asked us what kind of drinks we wanted and delivered them quickly. Then comes the waiter, a brunette by the name of Sarah (according to the bill) who was rude and impatient. With their large assortment of items we were unsure of what to order. Multiple times, the waiter asked if we were ready in a very rude manner and so by the third time we just decided to order. Ordering the chili cheese dog, it was laid flat, spread out and most likely made to eat with a fork as it was unable to be picked up and eaten. The chili cheese fries were decent but the chili cheese dog was difficult to eat. Throughout the meal, the waiter did ask us how our meal went once, but still in a rude and unhappy manner. I work in a restaurant too and I understand that everyone has bad days, but to not even make an attempt to have good service is unacceptable. With the horrible customer service and waiters lack of knowledge in their menu, my friend wrote a review he deemed appropriate for the restaurant. I agreed with the review, but the manager/owner did not, he verbally attacked us about our reviews as we were leaving the restaurant even though he was not even present to see what occurred and caused us to have a poor experience. Very disappointed to see the owner attack us rather than look at his restaurant for improvement. Bottom line Fries were mediocre but the chili made up for that (about ~60-70% beans if that's how you like it) and the chili cheese dog was difficult to eat. The amount of chili was generous but made the bun so soggy and salty that I only ate the meat portion. Service made me and my party uncomfortable, plus the owner's verbal reaction towards me sealed the deal and guaranteed for us to never come back.

    (1)

  • Jolé H.

    I was hoping the blueberry pancakes I ordered would've tasted better, but my expectations were disappointed. I'm going to IHOP next time for my pancakes. UPDATE: @Sean, my review isn't bogus because I literally didn't like the pancakes. They were okay and I could've gone to other restaurants for better tasting ones, but I gave this place a try. Because of the not so great service, I'm planning to not come back here.

    (2)

  • Keith F.

    Good place to grab a quick bite for breakfast. The staff is great the food is ok it just needs to have a facelift.

    (3)

  • Nairy D.

    I used to come here when I lived in Cali, and now that I'm back for visit it's still the same good food. The rancheros omelette is the best as well as the Bloody Mary. It feels good to be back here and enjoy a great breakfast.

    (5)

  • Rithy C.

    I visited this establishment yesterday with my brother and his girlfriend, between 16:00 and 17:00. I ordered a bacon burger along with a side of clam chowder. The food was great. I really enjoyed it. But now, on to the bad part, which is the service, or to be precise, our server. I never got her name, but whoever works there will know that she's the one wearing sunglasses. Not once did she ask us how we are doing. Never made eye contact. Made us feel like we were bothering her by sitting and eating there. For drinks, I ordered an iced water and she brought me a cup of coffee. I told her nicely that I didn't order coffee, and she seemed irritated even more. Anyways, there's more but you guys get what I'm trying to say. Food was great, service was horrible. I would only go back if I didn't see her there.

    (2)

  • Kristine L.

    went here the other day with my boyfriend and I loved it. The chili was so good with the cornbread and that butter that came w the cornbread was so good! I got the Chili and Cornbread with a Caesar salad and for $9 it was a good deal. My boyfriend got a sausage breakfast burrito and the clam chowder he said the burrito was good but nothing too spectacular but he loved the clam chowder. I would go back again because I'm actually craving the cornbread! But the view was so nice and the atmosphere. The waitress was nice and took a yelp coupon. I have no complaints really.

    (4)

  • georgr f.

    We came here a few times over the years. It was great in its day but that day is past. Chili was below average and the signature omlette is surpassed by most diners. The place needs a makeover. Too bad. it was great

    (2)

  • Alexa M.

    Charlie's chili is one of my favorite spots to come by the pier, I come here all the time with friends and family and it's always wonderful! The friendly staff, great food and amazing views make it an incredible dining experience. Must try!!

    (5)

  • Nicole H.

    This place is awesome! Great food with some of the best service around! The Charlie girls rock! People who say otherwise are typically just trying to stir up trouble and hurt this wonderful place.. there is a reason why they have been around so long! They must be doing something right!

    (5)

  • Chelsy D.

    Seriously amazing breakfast. I was expecting far less since it off the pier, but it was great, flavorful, good portion sizes, and the service was fine! We all ordered the French toast combo. The French toast was cinnamon-ny, and huge! It also came with 2 eggs, and either potatoes, bacon, or sausage. I chose potatoes and they were spectacular! I got tons of food for 10 dollars. Next year we are totally going to eat there again!

    (5)

  • Mika M.

    ***UPDATE: the owner sent me a reply, only to tell me that I was NOT sick from their fish and chips. This is the 4th day now and I am STILL sick from it. I ALSO DID NOT EAT ANYTHING PRIOR, AS WE JUST FLEW IN FROM VANCOUVER... (I also had my normal breakfast routine BEFORE I got on the plane!) I appreciate you trying to save your face to the world of yelp, but I definitely got sick from your food as I do not have any food allergies. If it wasn't your fish and chips, it was your water, or your coleslaw or your applesauce (which I also tried). Either way I HAVE BEEN THROWING UP FOR 4 DAYS*** I surprised my husband and daughter to a last minute Newport beach trip (we are from Vancouver, Canada) and rented a couple of bikes so we can cruise down Balboa Island and Newport Beach. We came to a welcoming little square with a few different restaurants and cafe's and Charlie's Chili was one of them... We decided to eat here as it looked like a hole in the wall that could actually be good. Boy did I ever make a huge mistake here. Service was pretty good, we sat outside (it was way colder outside than I expected) and enjoyed the sights. When it came around to ordering, I decided on the Fish n' Chips... We were by the ocean and it felt like the right thing to do... It came within a reasonable amount of time and was a good size. My husband and daughter got something else and it was fairly good. Almost immediately after I ate here, I started having major pains in my stomach... the bike ride back to Balboa was painful as I could hardly peddle. We continued on our evening and by the time we were driving to our hotel, I was throwing up out of the window of our rental car. I decided to just go to sleep as we had a big day ahead of us the next day - we were heading to Disneyland. Of course, the next day I was worse... I had stomach pains and continuous nausea. I threw up a few more times at Disneyland (and it wasn't from the rides). To make matters worse, day 3 of our 3 day trip, I ended up having stomach pains and now - diarrhea. This has been the worst food poisoning that I have ever had... and it absolutely ruined the surprise trip for my family, as I was sick most of the time. I would think twice before ordering the Fish n' Chips here, or you too might experience this terrible food poisoning I got from Charlie's Chili.

    (1)

  • Jessica B.

    This place is great for breakfast before hitting the beach. Everyone is very friendly and the food comes out hot and is good.

    (5)

  • Jennifer P.

    We ordered the fish and chips and they were amazing!! Our waitress was great and super friendly.

    (5)

  • Emma J.

    REPLY TO SEAN F OF CHARLIE'S CHILI - Oh! I see you were able to change the wording just now on the check-in offer - glad I could be of help! :) --------------------------------------------------­--------------------------- We chose the patio of Charlie's Chili on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Newport. We were seated within 15 minutes and enjoyed a coffee from the next-door shop while we waited. We ordered the vege chili, Boston clam chowder, & tuna sandwich. Overall the food was tasty enough but we were really disappointed that our waitress wouldn't accept the check-in offer of 20% off the bill! I guess since it was a weekend, Charlie's Chili doesn't accept the check-in, however there's nothing that indicates that detail on Yelp - disappointing! Kinda felt like they tricked us in the door... The food was yummy enough but with so many restaurants along the pier, we probably won't be rushing back.

    (1)

  • Shyla L.

    Yes please! My dad used to tell me about this place and how he used to frequent it back in the '70s and I was fortunate enough to bring him here recently and according to him it tastes even better than he remembered (he lives out of the area now). I am a huge breakfast person and honestly eggs are in my all-time top favorite food lists, so most of the time if I can order breakfast, I will. I ended up ordering the Deluxe Chili Cheese Omelette because everything in it sounded amazing (chili, Ortega chili, avocado, tomato, and sour cream) and the plate was HUGE! I could only eat about half of it before I was full and barely even touched the home fried potatoes! The wait wasn't too long and they serve alcohol if you sit inside the restaurant. The beer is priced fairly and they even have Micheladas on their menu which was amazing. If you are brave enough to look for parking and are fortunate enough to find some, then you need to come check this place out at least once You'll be glad you did!

    (5)

  • Cloe N.

    Currently in here eating with friends & we got here around 8:20. The server Rebecca greeted us mentioning they close in 20 minutes when the door says they close at 9. I work in a restaurant and I get the fact that you hate when people come in before closing however, we came in 40 minutes before closing & when we told her we were ready to order (accommodating the fact that she's rushing us) she had a sarcastic tone saying she'd be right back. The tuna melt was kinda bland but overall the food is pretty good but the service could be a lot better.

    (3)

  • Lorenne P.

    Charlie's Chili rocks! Used to visit when I was a kid and now I visit with my little ones and it's always a great experience. Good consistent food and all the servers are so friendly. The manager/owner is always there to make sure that every customer has a great experience. Not to sure about some of these bad reviews as I nor anyone I know that dines at Charlie's have ever had a sub par experience there. Thanks Charlie and keep up the great work!

    (5)

  • Pat D.

    Charlie's Chili is a So Cal institution as far as I'm concerned. I've been going there for years and plan to keep it up as long as I'm around because they feed the hell out of ya! And it's a really pleasant place to be.

    (4)

  • Laurie B.

    I love this place! I moved to Newport four years ago and we quickly made Charlie's Chili a weekend tradition.We enjoy walking our dogs on the beach and Charlie's Chili welcomes dog owners. They allow you to sit with your pooch on their patio area while you eat, they even bring water to your table for your dogs! They are awesome. They have great service and their chili is the best.

    (5)

  • Cat H.

    On the weekends, my bf and I like to go walk and get some breakfast. Despite living in Newport, I haven't previously tried this place. I'm generally not a greasy spoon kind of girl. But this place is the very definition of a greasy spoon kind of diner. The wait appears to be decent and they get you in and out pretty quickly here. It's good people watching, too, because it's a healthy mix of hungover kids who were next door at Sharkeez last night or tourists eager to hit the beach. The venue itself looks like your typical greasy spoon. The menu is large, pretty much everything your typical diner chef can make listed. I ordered a Denver omelet with extra cheese and some cottage cheese with sourdough bread and some coffee. My bf got some heaping omelet with chilli. My omelet was pretty much all ham. That's right. You open it up and half of the pig must've been in there. Where's the gooey yummy cheese to hold it all together? I was pretty sad because I asked her for extra cheese. Apparently they took that to mean it was a garnish. The portions here are HUGE too. All in all, it's a cheap greasy spoon type of experience. It'll do in a pinch, but I wouldn't say it's a destination place for me, even if it's walking distance from the pad.

    (2)

  • Sarah Y.

    French toast and bacon is amazing here! I would avoid the potatoes, not so great and a bit dry. Prices are reasonable and very close to the beach!

    (4)

  • Richard E.

    I grew up at the Newport pier so this is like coming home for me. Tonight I had a craving for a chilli and cheese omlet. I was literally the only customer in the place so the food came out fast. Tasty like I remember but the first time I have ever eaten there sober! A must stop after imbibing at the local bars!

    (4)

  • George L.

    Great place on the board walk next to the pier. The chili is delicious. I took the advice of the sign on the wall and ordered the chili cheese omelette. The service is great. There is outdoor seating with nice views. Oh, I had iced tea and they even made me one to go so I could have something to drink while I walk around and enjoy the scenery.

    (4)

  • Marisol F.

    Great food! Clam chowder and corn bread were delicious! Generous portion sizes and staff was friendly. Make your way here!

    (4)

  • Dee G.

    Good place to go to if you are in the mood for chili, burgers and fries. After spending an afternoon walking up and down the beach, this is the perfect place to stop and fuel up. And then go back to the beach and walk it off lol. I'd go back again, next time I'm in area.

    (4)

  • Jessie C.

    I stopped here for fish n chips as a beachside lunch. I was pleased, crunchy and tasty. Coleslaw was good too. I'd go back.

    (4)

  • Natalie L.

    Boyfriend took me here for breakfast this weekend . Was a little skeptical going to a place called "Charlie's Chili" for breakfast food but boy was I impressed ! Got French toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. Great eggs , not runny or fake tasting . Bacon was thick and hearty. The French toast was the best I can remember having . BIG pieces , crispy crusts, warm, and sweet . I ate about 3/4 of a piece without syrup because it was soooo good by itself . My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it . Going back here for breakfast next time I'm in the area . Oh I do need to mention , bf got an omelette and he was very satisfied as well.

    (5)

  • dean B.

    awesome vegetarian chili! i asked specifically if there was any chicken stock or beef or pig thrown in during cooking - and, no! perfect :) amber was a terrific server and had the takeout small veggie chili hot with chopped onions on top hot at rapidly! it was fantastic, planning to return. (note to management - promote her!)

    (5)

  • Kris B.

    Every time we stay in Newport, we make sure to visit Charlie's Chili. It's a 5 mile round trip walk along the beach to get there and back, so it's a beautiful way to rationalize eating stuff that's not that good for you! I've made the mistake in the past of getting the chili cheese burger AND the chili cheese fries, and felt so full that I could barely roll back down the beach. But this time I had the chili cheese burger and a side salad with blue cheese dressing, and it was perfect. Just enough fatty deliciousness offset with "healthy" salad. Although their blue cheese dressing tastes homemade and thick, so it's probably not that good for you either. But hell, were on vacation so why worry about it! Tom had the chili dog with fries and their fries are actually really good, even when not smothered with chili and cheese! I like to put mustard on my chili cheese burger (a nod to Tommy's). The service is quick and friendly, the place is filled with both locals and tourists, and afterwards you can walk on the pier and enjoy the scenery.

    (4)

  • Iakona C.

    Typical over-priced beachside cafe. You dont drop in for the food but for the closeness to the ocean. The food was mediocre at best. Here's what the family had: 1. San Franciscan Burger w/ Chili cheese fries. Burger was okay. I was expecting the chili to be really good since the name of the joint is Charlie's chili but it was just okay as well. 2. Santa Fe Chicken sandwich. Really spicy. Bun completely fell apart but at least it had flavor. 3. Chicken strips for junior. Enough said.

    (2)

  • Matthew M.

    Pretty darn good chili...so we put it on a hot dog, then on some fries...we even put it on some tacos...and even got a couple bowls of it. Not the best chili i've had but it's pretty good. A little too many beans per bite for my liking and it could have used a little more cumin for that darker heavier punch. All in all not a bad place for comfort in a bowl.

    (4)

  • Mark P.

    I've been going to Charlie's for over 25 years. Even after I moved out of state, I would always make a point of visiting Charlie's every time I was back in the area. Yesterday's visit, however, just might be my last. Charlie's used to have a fun, quirky, patchwork of signs on the walls. I could look at those for hours and be entertained. The old menu was interesting, too. The crazy cartoon map was fun to look at. Now, Charlie's has been remodeled and is colored in the overused reds and yellows that are seen to far, far too many restaurants. The walls are boring. Just boring. Now, instead of being unique, Charlie's is interchangeable with a thousand other eateries. Then there was the clam chowder. The old chowder was thick and rich, with a peppery touch, and a slightly brownish hue. The chowder I was served yesterday was thin, bland, and white. It's sad that a place with character and good food has been homogenized down to this. A real loss for the Newport Beach pier.

    (2)

  • Ben W.

    The Good: I would always see this place whenever I would venture out to the Newport pier and have always heard good things about this place. I've tried to go a couple times before but always got there too late and they were closed. This time however....success. I had a killer Jose omelette with chili. Wow this place does not skimp on food, a huge plate with the omelette covering the whole thing, with hash and their sourdough bread. Definitely up there on my breakfast place list. Went this morning and our waitress was oh so cute with the greatest attitude for 8am in the morning. How does she do it? The Bad: This place is tiny, I think the tables they put outside can seat more. This is the beach and I guess who wouldn't want to sit outside anyways. The weather today was great. The Ben: Get there really early and checkout the fish market. Grab some fish fresh from the ocean or crabs for the cheap.

    (4)

  • Tegan M.

    I've been coming here for almost 30 years. Still one of the best chili's in OC however it was better in the past. I think the quality of the ingredients has dropped some over the years.

    (3)

  • Ed P.

    You don't eat at Charlie's Chili because the food is wonderful and the prices are a bargain; you eat there despite the mediocrity of the food and the somewhat overpriced menu because it's a well-located piece of local history that has been there for decades and survived the transitions, because you can park nearby, because the burgers and fries haven't changed since I lived there in the 70s-80s-90s, and because you can sit outdoors on a beautiful day, relax and celebrate life. After you've devoured your breakfast or lunch, you can stroll on the pier or walk on the beach. Classic Orange County.

    (3)

  • Yappy O.

    The service has always been good for breakfast I can't speak for dinner yet but have always left happy and satisfied with great service. I had the Mexican omelet today and was Good but the biscuits and gravy I had in a precious visit was better.

    (4)

  • Mari C.

    Great! Yummy! The blonde waitress is very attentive and nice!! It's worth every penny. I love the burrito!

    (5)

  • W W.

    Was recommended this place by a 350lb hotel worker down the street. He stated they had a great Mexican cheese omelette, even he couldn't finish, once he uttered that fact I knew that this was the place for me and my pals. Ordered the "delux" cheese omelette and got the 50/50 potatoes and beans (tasted like canned refried without adding any spice) as recommended by my friend with a tarp for a shirt. Not impressed. If it wasn't for the requested jalepeño's it would have been like eating a rice cake with a head cold. No flavor. Even with all stuff put on the plate, it was flavorless. The gals got juevos rancheros. It looked good also. And after half my plate I took a swipe at hers. Nope, that plate tasted like eating air with red sauce. Strange- it had what looked like cheese, eggs, etc... My big boy hotel buddy was right, I couldn't finish it, not because I was full and liked the food, I was bored eating it!!! They have beer. Server was nice and had tattoos. Cheers

    (2)

  • Helen P.

    Very dry burgers and salty chili. We tried the cheeseburger, chili burgers, chili cheese fries. All the burgers will so dry and the chili very salty and not yummy. Did not enjoy.

    (1)

  • Danielle F.

    I think this place has gone down over the years. It used to be way better, now its just average out of the can chili. The best thing they have going for them is the location and the fact that everyone knows they are there! Next time I'll look around and try something else.

    (2)

  • lisa s.

    We have been riding our bikes to this little restaurant for a few years now. It has been going downhill for some time, but today was the final straw! The hostess was downright rude to us. We were told the wait would be 15 minutes because she was busy. There were empty tables, plenty of servers and all the hostess then did was stand around and anxiously look from table to table. After about 5 - 10 minutes of this, I asked for the manager. The manager wasn't there. So we followed another disgruntled party over to Sharkeez. It was only about 1/2 block away and we had a great breakfast with great service!! Cheaper too!! Oh but wait ... that's for another review! :) This was our last hurrah for Charlie's Chili!!

    (1)

  • Jeffrey C.

    Chili was excellent. Very flavorful and not super thick. Fish and chips were also flaky moist and not over battered.

    (4)

  • Ryan F.

    This place is awesome especially after a good surf!!! Breakfast all day a night is definitely a plus. French toast, Baha breakfast and fish market tacos are my fav, oh and the beer batt shrimp ;)

    (5)

  • Greg F.

    Another visit to Charlie's Chili confirmed my previous suspicions that the chili is by far the best I have had! Today, we had the Fish N Chips, the Steak and Cheese sandwich, and of course the chili. Each item was excellent. The service is often excellent as it was today and the beach view was awesome. We can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Tamara J.

    Best hard shell beef tacos I've had in a long time. Not greasy, and so crispy they will explode on contact if you aren't careful. Sadly, I hated the chili. Mushy with a burnt chili flavor. Ruined perfectly decent fries. A very reasonably priced option in the area, 'specially with the 20% check in discount. ps: they may brag about that bloody mary, but it's made with wine...fyi.

    (4)

  • Leland S.

    I'm disappointed I never heard of this place until now. Anyways this place was fantastic. The parking wasn't too bad. It's right by the beach and it provides outside dining. Customer service was great, they were respectful and attentive. Now to the food. I ordered the calamari, the blackened mahi mahi burger, with a side of chili. The Calamari was fresh and crunchy and the burger was great. Mahi and tarter sauce for the win. The side of chili complimented my meal very well. My friend ordered their stacks, it was covered in sweetness, it made me feel like a child again, kinda like eating a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch, but really really good. Overall I had an amazing experience here. I'm definitely coming back.

    (4)

  • Linda C.

    Really enjoy eating at Charlie's Chili when I am in So. Cal. The location, Newport Beach Pier, indoor & outside seating. Friendly staff, good service and a clean place. Most importantly... The food is fresh and delicious, with lots if choices, good bacon and decent coffee. I'll be back soon!

    (4)

  • Joe L.

    Sunday brunch. Good bloody mary. Fast service.

    (4)

  • Felicity K.

    Havent been in Charlie s for years now but went yesterday looking for some chili cheese fries. We started off with chili cheese fries topped with tomato. $7.99 for a large two person sized serving. Good . Then we shared 2 breakfast platters. Not plates, because they were huge. The S.O.S-a take on biscuit and gravy with a burger patty, grilled onions and eggs. And the other plate was the Jose omelette. The best parts of the two were the avocado, the gravy, biscuit, perfectly scrambled eggs and tabasco we added on top. I ordered a screwdriver which was strong and in a big mug. Great Oj. The server/waitress was smiley and friendly and the joint was clean-including the old banos. Apparently, they no longer have the cool jukebox with Bob on it so there was satellite radio playing---sad :(

    (3)

  • Mohammad F.

    Worst customer service ever. I been to Vietnamese restaurants with better service. We go there with my family order food in the to go boxes just incase we dnt finish. We good to sit in their outside patio area and they tell us that we have to leave. We ask them if there is a difference in price and they say no, we tell them to bring us menu so we can order for here and they say no, we have the right to refuse service. Keep in mind this is after we have bought a bunch of food from them and gave them tip alrdy.

    (1)

  • Summer R.

    Charlie's chilli is Amazing! The food and service is excellent. You will not be disappointed. Sit outside and enjoy the lovely view. I highly recommend the baja breakfast, it's delicious. After breakfast head next door to Newport coffee company for a yummy latte or tasty gelato :)

    (5)

  • Brandon S.

    Another spot I've frequented yet managed to not file a review. I really need to stop doing that. I've been coming here on and off since I moved to Newport Beach. I first came with a co-worker on one of those iconic Newport Beach Saturdays prior to the rush of patrons, and prior to checking out the Dory Fishing Fleet Market opening. Since that first visit it has been my go to place for my weekend breakfast fix. The service has always been excellent, outside of that first visit. Ah, but no foul there, I've come to find that was all due to the company I happened to be with. I later found that my co-worker was the cause for many a case of bad service. Which is the reason why I stopped being seen out with that individual. There are just some people in this world that scream Asshole and Pervert whenever they enter a business. Looking back on it, it is somewhat comical what kind of effect a person can have on service. It reminds of a quote from Danny Barnes of the Bad Livers said about about his neighbor. "You know, you can have yourself a real nice place to live, but if you got you a bastard next door, it just kind of ruins it for you." Spot on when applied to this situation. Yeah, I know...not 100% germane to this review...but how often do I have a forum to share things like this. So yes, great service. They are always very friendly, very attentive without being intrusive, and simply a pleasure to be around. What I like most is that no matter how busy they are, and trust me they can get very busy, you never get the feeling that they are trying to rush you along and get you out of your table for more patrons in to replace you. It's certainly not smart business to allow me to lollygag and carry on mindlessly sort of like I am doing in this review. The food is passable to excellent. They have a decent sized breakfast menu that should have most people covered. Oh, and the Bacon.......yeah.....they do that well. Although you may not attach a great deal of genius to a cook that can make consistent Poached eggs, I think perhaps we should. Yet another reason why I love Charlies Chili. Every time I've order poached eggs, they were made to perfection. A perfect combo for the aforementioned bacon. If I had a girlfriend, this would be a great place to start out a morning of pleasant conversation extending into a chill day at the beach. Or perhaps a simple walk to the pier. Get there early if you go.

    (5)

  • Heather H.

    Charlie's has always had amazing food and drinks. The people there are so friendly. Our server that we just love is Amanda. She is the best.

    (5)

  • Michael M.

    best cheeseburgers ever! the chilli is the best!

    (5)

  • Julie P.

    We had brunch at this place because it was conveniently right by the beach and we got a friendly welcome from the waiter while perusing the posted menu. We should have known it would be low-quality, greasy tourist fare but the ambiance won us over. The two stars are for the friendly service. I wish I could say the food was just as friendly but my dining partner needed to use the bathroom quickly after a greasy omelette he couldn't finish. While it was nice to sit outside and people watch by the pier, I wouldn't return to Charlie's. The over-dressed salad with ahi-ahi was OK but there are better chioices in the area. Might be good for drinks only.

    (2)

  • Jackie K.

    I came here with my bf just the other day and was pleasantly stuffed after eating at Charlies Chili. First off, this restaurant is right by the pier so it's not hard to miss. They also have some outside seating so it's perfect if you want to enjoy your lunch in the sun :) We ordered one beef taco and one fish taco. the beef taco came with a crispy hard shell, while the fish taco came with soft tortilla. If you order the tacos and don't like hard shell make sure you let your waiter/waitress know! We also shared the fisherman's platter, which comes with "breaded" (but really, deep fried) cod, shrimp, and scallops. It comes with a small side of coleslaw and yummy fries. The seafood was really good, but the fish was a little too fried for me. My bf said the scallops were too fried too so he took off the fried portion before eating the scallops. Overall, our bill was $18 for 2 tacos and a huge plate of seafood and fries. I also used a check-in offer (20% off) so make sure you check in! I like the food here, but I didn't get to try any of their chili! I will come back for that another time

    (3)

  • Michelle M.

    I ordered a bowl of chili with a salad and cornbread. The chili had a sandy/gritty texture to it. The cornbread barely tasted like corn. The salad was probably the best part of the meal. Meh.

    (3)

  • Leslie R.

    Been eating at Charlie's as often as possible since the mid 60's - I only order the Chili Cheese omelette - accept no imitations - they make it the best and all other chili cheese omelettes at other restaurants never measure up - especially when paired with my favorite extra crispy hash browns, sour dough toast! Love, love, love Charlie's!!

    (5)

  • Gilbert B.

    This place was awesome. I got the best Huevos Rancheros ever. What a great place to eat!

    (5)

  • Sandy V.

    Conveniently located on the pier if youre hungry and wanna grab a quick bite! Ordered the Giant Chili Cheese Fries and shared between three people. Wasn't a big fan .. I personally like thin crunchy fries and not the big soft kind. Service was quick.

    (2)

  • John D.

    Two stars because it's right next to the beach, zero stars for the food because it's horrible.

    (2)

  • SAM P.

    Great views and decent prices considering the location. Outdoor seating available which is great if you like to lunch with your dog. Food is very good except for the chili which was better when the original owner made it. the chili now has too much chili powder in it and not enough cumin.

    (3)

  • Shane V.

    Sense I was 10 or 11 i have been going to Charlie's Chili every time I go to the beach. I use to order nothing but breakfast but now I pretty much like everything. Love sitting on the patio watching the people walk around and just enjoy to beautiful beach weather. Family run and great place to bring the whole family. A must must must go to place if your down by the Newport pier.

    (5)

  • Brandi D.

    My dad has lived in Newport most of my life and I've been going to Charlie's chili for a good while. This place is somewhere you go for the people who work there and the heart and soul they put into the food. It's pretty good. A classic place next to the pier and nest to what Newport is famous for...balboa bars.

    (4)

  • Cindy S.

    After driving around for what felt like forever to look for parking, my friends and I were starving and were desperate to eat just about everything. Charlie's was basically the first place we saw that served breakfast so we decided to eat here. My first impression was okay. I noticed there was a sign that said something along the lines of "possibly the world's greatest chili cheese omelette" so i decided to order the Deluxe Chili Cheese Omelette. Honestly, I've had better chili and thought the chili was just a little to soupy. I guess I just prefer my chili a bit heartier. I must admit the blueberry pancakes were pretty good but not good enough for me to want to give this place a better rating. If i'm ever in the area again, I would be willing to try something else there and hopefully have a better experience. My friend ordered the Eggs Benedict and it came with a very thick slice of ham. I also noticed that many people were drinking their famous Bloody Mary and I'd definitely like to try it next time.

    (2)

  • Myrna M.

    I had lunch at Charlie's Grill this weekend. They have a big menu with lots of food variety. I had the famous chilly cheese omelet. Delicious! All our food was good and the service we received was great. It does get crowded during certain times and days but that's because it's in a great location right next to the pier.

    (5)

  • Maggie B.

    French toast is my favorite... try the sour dough french toast... sounds weird but is wonderful. Ask to be seated in Sadie's station... she's the best! The best time to go is Sunday morning. Great people watching!

    (4)

  • Ryan H.

    Chili cheese fries and a beer was a great combination on a sunny day. They had a Yelp special for 20% off as well which was nice!

    (3)

  • Cheri. A G.

    I probably should have given it 3 stars but I gave it an extra star because of memories. I think my first time here was either 1979 or 1980 when I came here with my boyfriends family (I was in middle school). They would rent a place on the strand and this is one of the places we would go to. A few years later I moved to Huntington and also lived in Newport for a few years and would ride my bike here (ok maybe I spent more time at Blackies and the Beach Ball followed up with a stop at Chariie's. I came here yesterday and had a breakfast burrito with no meat so it wasn't that exciting but I don't eat meat any longer. The place looks the same as I remembered it and the service was good. FYI they now have veggie chili too. [located near the pier]

    (4)

  • C C.

    Their chili is pretty good, like most chili, not gourmet. Their cornbread is average, the to go butter is mushed up and is very much liquid. We were stopping here after a water polo competition, were eating our chili at the beach and were eating and staying in the water for about an hour. Great small business.

    (4)

  • Lisa D.

    Charlie's Chili!!!! came to Newport Beach one morning and when it was time to eat my friend said we hadd to go to Charlie's Chili bc it has the best chili EVER. Well, i didn't try the chili, butt i tried the Albacore Tuna sandwich and it was SCRUMPTIOUS!! It was so gooood that the following day alll i could think about was going back and having another one! lol. Charlie's chili is a really cute restaurant located right on the boardwalk at Newport Beach. The menu has everything from breakfast to chili to sandwiches to tacos! The prices are incredibly reasonable and the portions are filling! I definitely will be coming back here to try more!

    (4)

  • Amanda G.

    Great food, great, service, great prices &&& best of all... great with our dog!! We ate there last night & it couldn't have been better. Our waitress was very accommodating to both our 2 year old & our dog & was very glad to have us & served us wonderful food, in an extremely timely manner & for a really decent price. Check the place out... you won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Dave B.

    Good food, and great service. Location is fantastic and if you have a booth at the window you have a great view of the ocean.

    (4)

  • Rob W.

    Ah yes, Charlie's Chili - a Newport Institution. As a kid I have had many meals here in Newport, literally 100's, probably only 2 times at Charlie's though. Why? 'Cause my dad would only take us to The Crab Cooker and to this day he's pretty much still the same about where to go for lunch or dinner here. I once mentioned Spaghetti Factory as a possible option.....at that moment I thought this might be the first time my dad slapped me right across the face.....thankfully that didn't happen. So, anyway, I never think of Charlie's....especially not for breakfast. I'm glad Tim found the review about the World's Best French Toast here this morning. Basically for me you could move Charlie's AS-IS just about anywhere and it would be a favorite of mine. Just dig places like this. Basically a Hole-in-the-wall. Getting a table was quick I thought for a Sunday morning, about 10 minute wait at 930am. Service was also "good" considering the small chaotic environment. The French Toast? Yeah...loved it. It's made with thin regular white bread and has a unique thin batter that has a good flavor to it. It was expertly prepared and served with a good heavy sprinkle of powdered sugar. You can also order it using sourdough bread which I would definitely do next time. As stated in the menu it's "Probably" the worlds greatest French Toast..........love that, probably. They make the same claim for the Chili and Cheese Omelet which has a slice of Ortega chili in it. So, try it for yourself. Open everyday from 7am-10pm. The address listed here is correct. But, for some reason the yelp map doesn't locate it correctly. It's pretty easy to find right at the Newport Pier which is directly across the street from Crab Cooker and Spaghetti Factory.

    (5)

  • Nick P.

    Great breakfast menu! We had french toast and biscuits and gravy. The gravy was a little different than what I am used to in the midwest but after a few bites I realized it was an amazing dish. I ordered a side of potatoes, which were crunchy on top and hot in the middle, just the way they should be. I probably didn't need to order them as the biscuits and gravy were huge. The french toast was evenly cooked, although not super thick. The coffee was great! Not sure what company they use but it was a great flavor. Waitress was kind of flaky but decent. Should have advised on portion size but no big deal. Would def. go back for breakfast. Location is amazing!

    (4)

  • Elliot H.

    Charlie's Chili was exactly what my girlfriend and I were looking for when we stumbled upon it, hungover, looking for breakfast in Newport the morning of my birthday. We had seen the sun rise the "night" before, so we would've settled for anything to fill our stomachs but we really wanted eggs and mimosas.. Charlie's was exactly the type of diner we had hoped to find and since it was a Tuesday, there were plenty of tables, so we sat right down. The server was very pleasant and the busser was impressively quick with bringing out our drinks and refilling our water and coffee. We ended up downing about a dozen mimosas and the next one was never far behind. The mimosas were strong and came out in goblets (no delicate champagne glasses here) and they were less than $5 apiece so our hangovers were extinguished rather promptly. When I see country fried steak on the menu, it's a no-brainer for me, and it was delicious. While small in comparison to some chicken fried steaks I've had in the past, this one was fried perfectly and I would gladly trade any He-Man monster slab for this 8 oz beauty. Each bite was glorious and Charlie's knows how it's done, serving it with biscuits and gravy that were fluffy and artery-cloggingly delightful. The lady had her standard bacon n eggs but substituted for fresh tomatoes and it was a great call. They were thick, juicy and with a little salt and pepper added, a nice alternative. She asked for the bacon well-done and got about half a pig's worth. We ended up sitting there for a while, taking our time with our food and drink, but both of us had food left on our plates when we finally let the server take them away.. we were very pleased with the portions. I'd go here for breakfast and then later in the day to try the lunch fare.

    (4)

  • Farmers Insurance C.

    Great food and excellent service! Also a great location right near Newport Pier. I would highly recommend it! The owners are wonderful and care about the food and service that is received.

    (5)

  • ILoveFood H.

    Awesome service, wonderful greasy food. The server even brought our dog a bowl of crushed ice while we ate outside.

    (5)

  • Iris-Bianca H.

    I don't understand. They SPECIALIZE in chili, right? I came there with boyfriend the other day and their chili was served as if it had been sitting in their pot for days. It was cold and flavorless. We ordered their Chiliburger with fries and a side of calamari. I enjoyed their calamari....... more than their burger. Haha. Okay, that speaks volumes of their cold chili. The service was okay. The busboy gave us a coke and water with no ice. We never ordered the coke. Better yet, when we asked to return it, he was either 1). confused or 2) irritated, not sure. But he sure wasn't nice about it! Smile for Gods sake! Waitress took our order. Talked to some guy by the window for the remainder of our stay and then collected our check. She gets a $3.00 tip just for taking our order. Not a penny more. Go here just to get some food, not for the "Chili" experience. Seriously, I would opt for Tommys Burgers. You get two stars. One for location (next to the beach) One for food (calamari, not chili)

    (2)

  • Lily H.

    2nd stars for server& location! Food would get zero! I ordered simple scrambled eggs, bacon ,potatoes & toast..oh & coffee. The eggs were gross, like they had been seating in the pan waiting for someone to be silly enough to order them! The bacon was so dry, my godchild ,who LOVES bacon spit it out! All this for a mere $12.99....McDonald is way better & way cheaper!

    (2)

  • Thibault P.

    Good location, but the food is just ok. Prices remain reasonable. I will try the Chili next time as it is supposed to be their specialty. Service was rude.

    (3)

  • Sherry W.

    Tk Buger across the street has awesome food. We went to Charlie's Chli cause TK had no high chair. Really gross food and expensive. Carl's Jr. has better burgers. Chili is far better at Wendy's. We spent $30 on crappy fattening food. Nothing but regret right now. Where is Charlie and who told him the chili is good?

    (1)

  • Mark R.

    Decent food, close to the water and action, but like others say the staff is minimal and wait times can be long. I enjoyed the food, great fries and of course the chili was excellent, and the staff was friendly and overall attenative when they could be.

    (4)

  • Justin M.

    Ate breakfast here with my family two mornings in a row.. they were always the first open in the morning.. ready to serve. food was great coffee was good.. outdoor seating was awesome. Many thanks.

    (5)

  • Jon R.

    Liked it for breakfast the 3x i'd been there but just had possibly the worst dinner (family) ever....... Dinner for four an virtualy everything was dry, small, tastless or worse. Proves the cliche about breakfast places..... It was so terrible we didn't even complain (what would have been the point?). Would have gone to Mutt's except for the noise (we had the kids). Not sure where we'll choose for family next time on the Peninsula but never again at Charlie's. Bummer. But... The breakfasts are still excellent and you simply cant beat the karma of being at the beach/pier.

    (1)

  • Justin R.

    I'm still a little unsure about my rating for this place. At times I was torn between a 3 and 4 stars. The chili here is great and if you put it on anything, that becomes great! I ordered a special off their white board that can be found outside. Their service is okay, could really use more organization. After I ordered my food, I was expecting them to ask for my name or give me a number. I got a thank you, it'll be out in about 10 minutes. It was more like 15-20 minutes. Someone ordered the same thing as me, ordered it after me and got their order before me. Of course I ordered other things as well but it wasn't much more. I still don't understand how others get their food before me, if they ordered after me. One of the girls comes out with the order, walks outside "Two crispy beef tacos and chili cheese fries" no one claimed it, she walks back inside and I tell her I ordered that. She hands it to me and the other customer comes in and asks for his order, she points to me and he takes it, from my hand. The two crispy beef tacos and chili cheese fries, happen to be a very common special located on their white board. At the time it sounded really good but it was too good to be true. The tacos pretty much sucked. I've had way better tacos at many places and honestly I can't remember if I had tacos worse than this. They reminded me of Tito's Tacos in Culver City, which also suck because they're bland and overhyped. The fries aren't homemade but frozen and fried. The chili really made me forget, that the fries were frozen. If I had ordered an omelette or burger, I know it would've been better than the tacos and far more enjoyable.

    (3)

  • Angela C.

    After my friends (Teresa N. and Arnold W.) ran along the boardwalk from Newport to Huntington Pier training for a half marathon, we saw this cute lil' place sitting right on Newport Pier - it looked like the perfect place to feed our starving bodies after our tiring run. They claimed to have the world's best chili so we figured what the heck, let's try their specialty - the Chili Cheese Omelet ($8.49). It's stuffed with chili and cheese and there's MORE melted cheese on top too... holy moly. The idea of it is better than it really is. It was somewhat disappointing and the chili really overpowered everything else. It's a really big portion though so you more than get your money's worth. Also comes with a side of home fried potatoes and sourdough toast.

    (3)

  • Robin L.

    Delicious! A nostalgic place for my parents so they took us for breakfast, it was great! Chili omelet is the way to go!

    (4)

  • Sandilee M.

    I just wanted to say, I left my favorite scarf here, and the guy had saved it for me, and then when my friend came back he recognized her & gave back the scarf! I was so happy!!! Love this place, go there when I crave the sourdough french toast, yum!!! I wish they would go back to their old, thicker syrup tho. Thanks Charlie's!!! :)

    (5)

  • Marissa B.

    The service was okay, it took awhile for the waitress to actually take our order. The fish and chips were terrible. You could take the fish completely out of the breading and it wasn't even a good texture. My friend had the chili cheese dog which was decent; not the best. I might go here again for their breakfast which supposedly is really good, but probably not.

    (2)

  • Anita K.

    Went in the other day with my dad for some breakfast it was nice and quiet. Our server was more than courteous and it was your typical breakfast. Eggs, toast, bacon and coffee. I did add there French Toast as well which was phenomenal! Overall the best part about the place is the location! Right by the water and the vibe is really mellow! Beach like I guess. If you looking for a quick breakfast and wanting to be near a Newport Beach hot spot, its a great pit stop!

    (4)

  • Ken K.

    My friend and I came here the other night after walking from Balboa Pier to Newport Pier. Since it was cold out, we were in the mood for some warm clam chowder. Charlie's was a place I had seen every time I used to run from Balboa but never tried. We looked at the menu outside and we saw Clam Chowder. Perfect. Then I saw Chili Cheese Omelette and I was sold. She saw Chili and Cornbread and she was sold. So in we went. The clam chowder was okay. I think we really enjoyed it because we just came in from the cold, but otherwise I don't think it would have been worth mentioning. It wasn't as creamy as we had hoped it would be. My order covered the entire plate. The chili was good and the homefried potatoes were really good. The half-ton of cheese on top of the omelette was... impressive. When my friend's bowl of chili came out, it was literally spilling over onto the plate. If anyone complains that this place is stingy w/ their food, they're on crack. Anyhow, after she was done eating, it hardly seemed like she ate anything even though she had eaten a good amount. Gourmet food, this is not. But the location, the food, the price and the service (server was extremely friendly) makes it a fun experience.

    (3)

  • Lynn J.

    This is the perfect place to start your Sunday in Newport Beach. The breakfast plates are huge and the bloody mary's are delish! The outdoor seating area is an great place to hang out with friends, people watch, fill your tummy and figure out how else you want to spend your lazy sunday afternoon. Hubby ordered the French Toast and he said it was pretty amazing. He ate it all before I even had a chance to ask for a bite. It came with four pretty thick slices of full french toast (not little half slices) and a dusting of powdered sugar. I had the Cowboy Omelet and it was yummy! The steak was not tough at all. Served with a side of some pretty darn good hashbrowns that had this crispy crust on them and I had a happy belly. Couldn't finish it! It was huge! (that's what she said...sorry, my new favorite saying) I will definitely be back! Next time I plan to sit outside, enjoy a great breakfast, the view and people watch for much longer than my watiress may appreciate :-)

    (4)

  • John N.

    Technically there should be a 3.5 but I wanted to round it. Anywho, been hearing about this chili place right off the pier and noticed the sign talking about some of the best chili in town. It's good, maybe not the best BUT the prices are comforting. In other words, nothing expensive. Never had the breakfast but the 2 tacos and chili cheese fries combo is great for the money and the portion you get. A lot!

    (4)

  • Franklin P.

    This place has pretty OK chili. It seemed fresh and you could see and taste all of the seasonings inside. The cheese and the onions really helped round out the flavors. Perfect snack for the beach. Newport Beach is one of my favorites too. Check out my blog post for pictures and my experience with Charlie's Chili. dinedelish.com/2011/05/2… Thanks!

    (4)

  • Tony D.

    My friends and I finally all had a meal we really enjoyed at Charlie's the other day. I always had ordered Jose's Omelet because what's not to love when bacon, mushrooms and avocado come together? But it and the potatoes were always overcooked. But I would order it every visit hoping it would finally be the one I was waiting for. This passed weekend I finally made a change and ordered a breakfast burrito. It was pretty good. My friend ordered the Locals burrito which had different ingredients, but was equally tasty. Same goes for the grilled cheese according to my other friend. The place is called Charlie's Chili, but I have only heard mixed reviews on it. I think it depends on what type of chili you like. My friend ordered the chili fries and the chili was thin and messy. If you are a fan of hearty chili you might want to try it elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Wendy D.

    By far my favorite place for breakfast when visiting the Newport Beach area. Love sitting outside with view of the pier watching the people & dogs go by...in fact it's a great place to bring your dog for breakfast. Although we've been going there for years, I only recently discovered their vegetarian chili...so delicious! I always get the chili cheese omelet w/ veggie chili, and it is consistently awesome. One star down from perfect, only because the toast is usually cold and sometimes kind of stale, and the coffee could definitely be better.

    (4)

  • Tim W.

    Breakfast served all day! Good breakfast spot, especially if you want breakfast at 4pm and happen to be riding by this place... then it's perfect! The Newport Omelette is really good. Stuffed with sour cream, avocado, cheese and bacon. I love sour cream in an omelette and not many places have it on the menu. Here they load it up with sour cream and cheese. YUM! Chili is good. They have regular and veggie chili. Don't get the veggie unless you like mushrooms (yuck).... it's loaded with them. Busy on the weekends during the season and if you sit outside you will be right in the middle of all the chaos.

    (4)

  • John B.

    I did not get to try their chili, but there American breakfast food is just your average type of run of the mill eggs and hash browns. The Denver omelet did not really leave anything to be remembered. The server was helpful but had this really weird sense of humor. Almost like she was too honest about the food. She pretty much said it all taste the same, anytime when we asked her what food was really good or if wanted to compare one item to another. Anyhow, it was not a bad experience, but not a fun one, so I will give them 2.5 stars rounded to 3.

    (3)

  • Fortunato D.

    Go here for brunch to optimize your experience. Funny how I am just sold on the idea of the time you should go here. But let me tell you why... Charlie's Chili is situated at the Newport Beach pier. At this time of day, the morning is bright and beautiful and makes the experience so much better. If you love the sunshine as much as I do, opt to eat outside. It satisfies the compulsions of the folks who love to "people watch." In this particular evolution, we opted to eat indoors. Stained glass lamps hang from the ceiling and carved wooden signs on walls serve as decor here in this establishment. But the chili is what makes this place famous. Hell, they sell it even by the gallon. Yes, I said gallon... We enter this place and seat ourselves as the sign says around 1130a. We sit and I notice adult alternative music playing in the restaurant. I find it ideal. Not too loud, not too boring. The waiter we had (I didn't catch this gentleman's name) was very attentive. I ordered a Cowboy omelette and a chocolate malt shake. The malt shake was exceptional. I like it better than others that I have had. They didn't have Tapatio hot sauce which I like with my omelettes but they had pica hot sauce. Meh', I've experienced better (haha to quote the two star equivalent). Better than not having any hot sauce. They do however have Tabasco and Tabasco Smoked. Good alternatives. My friend asks for a to go box and to my surprise, they carry the cardboard to go boxes. It's a plus for the eco-friendly and environment conscious folk. Just a thought really...

    (4)

  • Nooshi B.

    Hands down, my favorite breakfast spot!!! Can't go wrong with their famous Chili Omelette! Yum!

    (5)

  • Sharen G.

    The best part of Charlie's Chili is the cruise over from HB on our beach bikes. Maybe we were just hungry from the long stretch from Main St. but I think this place gets more credit than it deserves. The meal was satisfying but nothing that made our taste buds jump. It was a great day to sit outside for a bit and grab a bite to eat on a nice warm, California day. But as far as the chili goes....eh, we've had better. They may want to reconsider re-naming thier establishment because chili isn't exactly their forte.

    (2)

  • Karen P.

    Fantastic breakfasts. Great place to spend the mornings in Newport Beach.

    (5)

  • Noel B.

    Best bloody Mary's anywhere! Always great food and fast service. My favorite place to eat at the beach!!

    (5)

  • Jeremy S.

    only if you are desperate

    (1)

  • Katin B.

    Some of the best French Toast I have ever had! It was so good i went back for lunch. I had a burger and some chili for lunch, and they too were fantastic. The service was excellent. I will definitely be recommending this place to all of my friends. Just an over-all great experience. This place is a gem. :)

    (5)

  • J.R. G.

    Love this place. The chili cheese omelet is unbelievable!

    (5)

  • Eric B.

    It's a shame that such mediocrity takes up coveted spot right next to the Newport Pier. A cheap blue-plate diner is always a great idea, but Charlie's fall short of the mark. Bland chili tastes as though it came out of a can. It is topped with chilled onions and cheese, so you end up with a luke warm bowl of meh. It could als use a god scrubdown. Divey doesn't have to mean dirty.

    (2)

  • Gohar A.

    I've been going to Charlie's Chili for about 2 years now and I love their chili cheese fries and chili omelette and the bloody Mary's are pretty good as well! We often stop there after bike riding along the beach! The staff is always friendly and helpful! Love it!

    (4)

  • Monika W.

    Awesome place! Service was awesome- french toast were out of this world and the chili cheese omelet (deluxe) was yummy. Thank you :)

    (5)

  • Michele M.

    I saw the reviews trashing the service, so went in with a little trepidation, although I have to say that if you go out on Mother's Day you need to adjust your expectations and attitude. That said, our server Molly was absolutely darling and totally attentive and accommodating. Looking around the room I saw pretty much the same thing with the rest of the wait staff. The food was adequate...my chili cheeseburger was fine and Mark liked his fish taco. The best part is the location -- almost like a mini vacation checking out the crazy beach scene...and then you get to go home and sleep through the night!

    (4)

  • Meredith W.

    Fruit is the ideal beach food, but when you're feeling a bit naughty, its hard to resist a hearty meal .... (even in a bathing suit) No really. after a long day of swimming and various beach activities one could really work up quite an appetite. Charlies chili is a little greasy spoon that's been in Newport since the 60's. Their chili? its good - son. So is anything else here after working up an appetite! Maybe not the best of the best, but being by the beach, its always delicious. I like this spot!

    (4)

  • Beth G.

    Charlie's Chili is right of the pier in Newport Beach--just about a perfect location. The food was good (maybe not great, but good)--I had chowder and my fiance had the chili. Service was prompt and friendly, and the prices were great. If I had a complaint, it was that the place was crowded--the tables were too close together for comfort. But I bet it relies on outdoor tables to meet demand, and we visited on a day when it was too cold for outdoor seating. All in all, a good choice for lunch.

    (3)

  • Eats Too Much F.

    This place is fantastic for breakfast and is a great place for a Sunday morning cup of get-right while people watching (I've seen many breakfast-of-shame happening there). It is definitely old and rustic, but if you like that kind of thing it's great. The coffee is hot and the food is good diner stuff slathered in chili. You better get there early because the line gets long!

    (4)

  • Brian A.

    I would recommend this place if you are looking for a good, inexpensive beach restaurant in Newport Beach. The chorizo & eggs and the chilli omelette are delicious!

    (3)

  • Sid Kingfish K.

    I have been to Charlie's many times. For that matter, it was my idea to stroll down to Chuckie's on Monday morning. While it seemed as though the rest of my party survived ok, it's now Wednesday night and I can barely take solid food and clear fluids. My butt felt like a thermal tile on reentry of the friggin space shuttle for at least two days. It certainly seemed as though I could have signaled the space shuttle with it at any rate. Unfortunately, I missed the review from Noah C. where he so poignantly stated: "Oh god. Gut-busting, diarrhea causing food is the name of the game here." Hey Noah, you have the chicken fried steak too? what was the recovery time like?

    (2)

  • Sasha K.

    Food was bad. Service was awful. Enough said.

    (2)

  • KELLY G.

    I don't know how this place could possibly be getting these good reviews! My Husband and I enjoyed a beautiful bike ride down the beach for our anniversary... we ended up in Newport and decided to try Charlie's. BIG MISTAKE!! Our two companions ordered Chili and a chili size. The Chili seemed to have been sitting around for days... it was gross! My Husband ordered a bowl of clam chowder, which turned out to be a brown coagulated mess! To me, it seemed like dehydrated potato soup mix... he thought that it was just bad, seemed to be old as well. I ordered a patty melt and a salad, another mistake! Salad left much to be desired and had too much dressing. The patty melt had a miniature patty surrounded by dried out old bread. It was nowhere near being worth the $10 they charged for it... in fact everything there seems to be overpriced! And the service... when we walked in, we were the only ones in the place, and we still couldn't get decent service. The waitress was flittering about, doing nothing as far as I could see... we barely got refills on our drinks just before we walked out. And to top it all off... on the way back home, one of our companions started to have tummy troubles. He ended up spending all afternoon and evening in the restroom!! Nuff said... Charlie's Chili will NEVER see me or mine again!! WE SHOULD HAVE WENT TO CAPPY'S INSTEAD!

    (1)

  • Charles p.

    My family and I decided to go to Charlie chili's. We sat on the patio outside the resturant, the weather was perfect and the service was great. My grandfather ordered the standard bowl of chili with large helpings of onions and cheese, my mom got the clam chowder ( the bowl was left clean), and my father and I ordered the special, tacos with chili cheese frys. It was some of the best tacos I have ever has. My only complaint is That the fries were not crisp enough, and thus became soggy under the weight of the chili . I highly recommend this resturant for a casual good time.

    (4)

  • Kiki L.

    Mmmmmm...greasy comforting chili is the way to go on these "cold" southern CA evenings or any other evening that is. I'm a sucker for diners and their down and dirty comfort foods and Charlies is no exception. This place has held down the pier, fiercely competing with the neighboring Ruby's, since the '60's so it's a local staple. Charlie's boasts ambiguous and surprisingly late closing times for these parts (we're talking after midnight!) with all day breakfast offerings all involving eggs and their famous house beef chili (sorry, chili beans fans, you won't find it here). I really like that Charlie's keeps the same atmosphere and decor that they've probably had since they opened--wide, worn booths, just perfect for sitting with your rotary club or your extended family while downing a gargantuan breakfast. The restaurant itself is small, but oddly, we've never had trouble getting a place to sit with much of a wait. You can sit outside on some little patio tables if you want, but it's usually too cold with the wind or too annoying with all the bicyclists and roller-bladers to make much sense. Besides, Charlie's has a big window that you can people watch from which is always fun at the beach in this town. The food and portion sizes here are SOLID--i.e., you'll walk away weighing an extra 10 pounds and you will be SATISFIED. It's not the best chili I've ever had (I'm still rooting for Tommy's since this is the same style of chili as Tommy's), but it's really decent and comforting. You can also purchase it by the tub if you'd like. I think I need to do this for a party to pour on our burgers or to chili-wrestle in. Charlie's also has a happy hour with wine and beer specials (another hallmark of Charlie's venerable status here! Drinking Sutter Homes and eating chili and toast, just like Mom and Dad used to!) and deals on things like tacos and their chili dog. They do a mean chili-size, and honestly, their bowl of chili and corn bread with honey butter and a side salad is probably one of the best things you can get--it's quintessential Charlie's and makes me happy every time. It'll run you around $8.50. Charlie's is part of the Newport Beach area that I really like--it reminds me of old, carefree and fun times that are truly California beach culture. It's the easy--and tasty--life, personified in a sweet little diner spot.

    (3)

  • Jason J.

    The only reason this place got 1 star was because I couldn't give them none. The waiters was BAD, kept serving hot food over the baby. We sat at a table next to our friends so they said we were a large party (even though we had separate checks and separate waiters. ) they added 18% gratuity automatically. My opinion, the food was below par and I would tell anyone to stay away. And there is no way the prices were only one $....

    (1)

  • Bryan D.

    While visiting the beach I wanted some fish and chips. I decided to try to do just that at Charlie's Chili. I even got some shrimp to go with it. The food was good and the price very reasonable for the area. Not a bad little place.

    (4)

  • Amy K.

    I still like to eat at Charlie's Chili after running in Newport Beach, but I recently discovered that they no longer have turkey burgers on the menu. I even asked our server if they have turkey burgers, and she said no. When the menu changed, I have no idea, but the veggie burger which came topped with avocado, lettuce, tomato, and lettuce, was a good substitute. And of course I finished all the fries.

    (3)

  • Melissa P.

    This is a cool, affordable, spot with a great location - right next to the beach! The outdoor seating area is awesome because it allows for people watching and soaking up the sun - only downside to sitting outside is you can't order alcohol! Say bye bye to countless mimosas you could've had (they offer regular & hibiscus)! The menu has a variety of items from Mexican breakfast foods to fried seafood options like scallops and chips. There's something for everyone! You also have the option of getting a side of chili (instead of the normal sides) with almost every meal selection. You obviously can't leave a place called Charlie's Chili without trying the Chili - it just wouldn't be right.

    (3)

  • Derya A.

    Delicious omelettes, strong mimosas, good service. Great location!

    (4)

  • Dondi H.

    Nice outdoor seating, quick service and breakfast was awesome! Have to try the French toast with sour dough bread, sooo good!

    (5)

  • Virginia T.

    Food: YUM Service: Excellent -- we sat outside, although inside seating is also available. When you can sit outside, see the ocean and watch the "parade" go by -- who wants to be indoors? Location: Great -- right at the Newport Pier. Ambience -- very casual and beachy. We have ridden our bicycles past this place I-don't-know-how-many-times in the last few years, and never stopped before, but it always looks busy. We did stop today for breakfast after a long bike ride, and were pleasantly surprised. I had the breakfast special quesadilla -- it was delectable -- a light flour tortilla stuffed with scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese and whole green chilis. My husband had the breakfast burrito, and he was equally as happy. The potatoes were wonderful -- paper thin slices of potato, grilled crispy on the outside and just done on the inside. All so good. Service was excellent -- food came out within 10 minutes of ordering -- serving freshly cooked and hot -- frequent refils of coffee and soda. We will definitely be back. Maybe we will try their lunch and light dinner menu next time.

    (5)

  • Andrew F.

    One of the best places to eat a recovery meal after a long night of Newport beach bars. Get the CCO DELUX it's insane!!

    (4)

  • Joelle P.

    Charlie's is ok. I've been coming here for the longest time so I guess my palate has just gotten used to the flavors here over the years. Some of my friends swear by this place, but not me. I do however like their french toast. Everyone should try their chili since well, it is charlie's chili. It's located by the pier so it's always a good time when you come to charlie's.

    (3)

  • Jenn S.

    Get breakfast and you will be quite pleased! The french toast is really really good and if you're feeling like you need more carbs get a cinnamon roll. Yummy stuff. It gets packed on summer weekends so be prepared to wait or go early. My brother in law swears by the chili. It's cheap, nothing fancy but it's one of the only places you can actually sit outside this close to the beach.

    (5)

  • Soo Jin M.

    We got the 2 shredded beef tacos and chili cheese fries platter. The shredded beef was so-so, but it was gross how much orange grease dripped out at the end. You'd think the chili would be good since he's built an establishment around it, but it was average at best. How do you make chili cheese fries bland? I guess if you use shredded cheese and no salt or onion in the chili.. :\ Not a fan~

    (2)

  • Christina W.

    Charlie and his chili factory churn out whole beans for their famous chili chese dog. I ordered it take out and it filled an entire white foam box ... i mean, styrofoam box with just one of it's hot dogs and chili and cheese. Willy went wonkers on the chili and the hot dog because there were TWO wieners in the bun ... "Oh Willy," I said dreamingly ... "How do you fit two wieners in your bun?" he bluntly replied, "I grease it with chili. Duh!" and i only paid them $7 bucks for the two wieners in a bun. I guess in this economy, prostitution is taking a hit too.

    (5)

  • Mike M.

    This place is just plain fun. Outdoor seating right next to the beach. The inside is very clean and modern but they try really hard to decorate it to look like a dive. The chili is terrific. The rest was very average. The chili omelette was huge and very tasty. The fish sandwich and fish n chips were ok, nothing special, and the coleslaw was awful. The location can't be beat and, if you stick with the chili, you'll be fine.

    (3)

  • Alison W.

    I love this place for breakfast because it is right at the base of Newport Pier and convinent if I want to ride my bike. Eat outdoors and sometimes you might be joined by a pelican or two - depending on how early in the day you go! They serve typical american style breakfasts and I haven't been dissapointed once. Average prices ranging around $9 for a full breakfast and they are usually pretty quick at bringing out food. A Saturday at 9:30am and we were seated in 10 minutes, food brought out within 10 minutes of ordering and we were finished and walking the pier an hour after we arrived. Perfect.

    (4)

  • Robert K.

    I have been going here since I was a kid (mid 80's) and my Dad has been going here since the late 60's. I can't get enough of Chili Cheese Omelette. The service is fast and friendly, the prices are good, and the food is the best.

    (5)

  • Ang W.

    Excellent experience, good service, good juevos rancheros, they were good with my toddler also.

    (5)

  • Alex B.

    This place is a Newport Beach icon and has been around for years -- and it shows. Never again. I've never been to a restaurant so dirty in my life. The floors, tables, glasses, you name it were filthy. The food, yes I understand it's supposed to be greasy, is disgusting. To call it a greasy spoon would be a compliment or rather, inaccurate as the spoon was the only thing in the joint not covered by a layer of dirt and grease. ewwww! Gals, don't let him talk you into it. Just say no!

    (1)

  • Randy A.

    Yum...comfort food...try the vegetarian chile. Super nice servers/staff.

    (5)

  • Marie Q.

    It's kind of a 2.5, but I'll bump it to a 3. I got a bowl of chili (chose the veggie) and cornbread dish. The chili was okay and the cornbread disintegrated way too easily. But they were both decent. I thought the veggie chili would have soy instead of ground beef, but apparently not...

    (3)

  • Anne Marie P.

    Found this gem years ago when I received an Entertainment book for the holidays. We go here periodically when the craving is for some comfort and a stroll along the beach. Parking is a zoo, but expected, so not really a big deal. Especially when your driver has parking karma. It took all of five minutes to get a great spot and drop in an extra quarter. Glad DST kicked in, because sun was still high for 5 o'clock. Charlie's is an institution. Laid back, seat yourself kind of vibe. A scattering of tables outside, with roomy booths inside. We beelined for one in the back. At first glance, yes, it appears to be pretty run down. Just take a closer look. Three flat screen monitors strategically placed, and even closed captioning on one. The stained glass light fixtures convey this homey chic that appeals. Even Jack commented the upholstery appeared in better condition than he remembered. This place is maintained. If you want uber fancy, cross the parking lot and go inside Oceanfront 21. Breakfast is served ALL DAY. You know now why I'm so fond of Charlie. Usually, we start with zucchini sticks. It's a huge pile of deep fried happiness. Not this time. He wanted a cinnamon bun. It took over half a dinner platter and was warmed upon request. Not bad. Their menu covers a diner selection with burger, chili, seafood, and brekkie options. I tried the Baja breakfast. A scramble of onions, tomatoes, potatoes, and eggs with salsa on the side. Flour tortillas included and my meal was complete. You have the option of spicy salsa and corn tortillas too. It was very good. Potatoes were chunky and onions had had a 'just chopped' crunch to them. I inhaled it without a second thought. Jack ordered the fisherman's platter (what he always gets), which came with breaded and deep fried shrimp, cod, scallops and (skin-still-on-them) fries. Came with his choice of chowder which was just fine. As always, our server was consistently friendly and her timing was well-executed. The Muzak played new Sheryl Crow, one hit wonder Dido, and classic John Cougar Mellancamp. Afterwards, we took in the salty air and casually looped around the sidewalks before heading back home. Impromptu outings like this are great. Avoiding most of Newport Boulevard and taking Superior up to the 55, priceless.

    (4)

  • Georgia C.

    Always great food and great service. Close to Newport Pier and the bikeway to Balboa. Always fun to go here and have never been disappointed!!!

    (5)

  • Chris S.

    Back for another breakfast here at charlie chilis. Trying smething new today. First time not getting the chili will I regret it. Let you know. Omg the weather can't be beat any where in the country.

    (5)

  • Michele S.

    I love Charlies Chili in Newport Beach. The food is diner food ranging from Hamburger, Fish and Chips, Malts, and of coarse their famous Chili which is great for those chili lovers out there. Most of the staff is friendly and the atmosphere has a casual kick back feel. One of the great things about Charlies is the fact that its right on the beach right off the pier, so its a great bite to have when hitting the beach.

    (4)

  • Marty W.

    Just ok and really nothing that special! I just went with my Husband and family during a family reunion. Everyone wanted to try the "famous" Charlie's Chili. I didn't have the Chili and instead had the Turkey Deluxe sandwich and fries. We waited a very long time to first be seated and then for our order. This place is a little hole in the wall and super busy, so I could understand the wait, but I was expecting more, like some spectacular meal because of it's popularity and I can say I was slightly disappointed. Maybe I just ordered the wrong meal, but I really wasn't impressed and will probably never go back.

    (3)

  • Monica B.

    Excellent french toast and chili omelettes!! Great service too!!

    (4)

  • William S.

    Came here after a big day of boogie boarding and pissing off surfers. Here's a little advice for restaurant owners everywhere: if a food that is on your menu is part of the actual name of your restaurant, that food better be crazy good. I am a huge fan of chili and I don't know about you guys but I think a good chili has to be thick, hearty, flavorful, smoky, and spicy. The chili at Charlie's Chili could boast none of these adjectives. The chili cheese fries came out soggy because the chili was thin and ended up soaking into the fries before they even got to our table. Good chili should stick to the fry so that hardly any chili is left on the plate after you've finished all the fries. I hate when you pick up a fry and all the meat and stuff just falls off the plate and you just get a soggy red-colored fry with zero protein to eat. Charlie please please please do something about your chili because I could get better chili cheese fries at Der Wienerschnitzel. The redeeming factor here was their zucchini fries which were quite tasty. Maybe you should just name your restaurant Charlie's Zucchini and be done with it.

    (2)

  • Titus P.

    Great view, great people watching, really yummy chili and great fries that were super crispy.

    (4)

  • Jill T.

    There was a waiting list during lunch time and the inside is small and they have tables outdoor. We waited about 10 minutes. I ordered the chili and cornbread meal, w/ salad my friend had the country fried steak with eggs/hashbrown & biscuit/gravy. I don't like chili but just got it to see how it is and my friend likes it. The food came out quick after we got our drink. The chili was okay but I did like the cornbread which I mostly ate. My friend liked his eggs. Our waiter was friendly. At the end of our meal he brought out our bill. My friend and I was having a tug of war of who was going to pay. The waiter was like uh oh. So my friend he won the tug and our waiter says looks like you lost. I said it's okay I didn't have any cash on me. hehe So I actually won and he laughed.

    (3)

  • Todd B.

    I love the Denver omelet with a side of biscuits and gravy. Plus I love the casual atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Carrie h.

    Charlie's is simple food, great atmosphere, really nice staff. The food consists of mostly diner basics, with fantastic Chili. I am a huge fan of the grilled cheese sammy with a small bowl of veggie chili; always more than enough and very tasty. On a nice day, it is great to ride your bike down here and sit outside, enjoying the fab weather. The great location is really what does it for me about this place, I mean its right by the pier! Cheap eats, good eats, I'm in :)

    (4)

  • garbanzo b.

    Fantastic location at the end of the street/beginning of the gorgeous pier in Newport...good breakfast items..and great french toast... Simple, quality food, and good. The location is what makes it a slice of heaven.

    (3)

  • Kumi K.

    decent clam chowder at first few sips.. which turns too salty after your stomach stops protesting for not feeding it properly and on timely manner. giant chilie cheese dogs sounded appetizing on menu but such a disappointment :( i could get better chili dogs at Wienerschnitzel at much cheaper price. one good thing about this establishment is that waiters and waitresses were very friendly and helpful.

    (2)

  • jessica c.

    I love Charlies Chili. If you haven't yet make sure you try some of the Mexican food. All of the platters come with rice, beans and a choice of salad, chili or chowder. I personally love getting 1/2 original and 1/2 vegetarian chili with cheese and sour cream. But don't order the veggie chili if you're not a fan of mushrooms because it's full of them, which is what I personally love about it. All of their breakfast items are phenomenal especially the french toast and the jose omelette is my favorite of them all. If you're on a diet come on your "off" day because the portions are huge and the food is so good you won't be able to help yourself from eating everything off of the plate!

    (5)

  • Anne-Michelle E.

    My husband used to dine here as a little kid when his Mom would take him down to Newport Beach. We've been there several times but mostly for sentimental reasons. The food is OK, the atmosphere is interesting...but I hear the chili can't be beat! Their service is inconsistent (sometimes GREAT, sometimes really lacking) and I'd have to say the same thing about their food too. Sometimes it's been awesome and sometimes it's not so great. Definitely a cool little place to check out but not sure if it's a place I'd really recommend.

    (3)

  • Noah C.

    Oh god. Gut-busting, diarrhea causing food is the name of the game here. If you live in Irvine, like I, enjoy that drive home - I made it, but I attribute that to an iron stomach. You might want to go before you leave.

    (2)

  • Fred M.

    pretty good. i actually wouldnt get the chili if i went again. wasnt that great. burger was good though.

    (2)

  • Danger U.

    So sad.... I've been living in this area for about 20 years now and its sad to see great things change. It was a Saturday morning and I had decided that it would be a great opportunity to show my girlfriend where I had feasting breakfeast since I was a nino. We get there, and nothing seems to have changed. Its bustling outside, I'm greeted at the door and seated fairly quickly. Everything seemed pretty average until our food arrived. Now, back in the day, when you went to Charlies, you could be sure you were gonna get a hot steaming plate of some piled (usually breakfast) mess and it was gonna be everything you dreamed for and more, not this time. I must admit, I retracted from my usual order of machaca and eggs and went for the chicken fried steak, but when that baby came out it looked like a little McChicken patty; to top it of the gravy was on the side and it tasted like paste, and the biscuit was some like dinner roll half-butt excuse for a biscuit. Disgusting. It was so bad I had to tell the waitress, she had a more than typical poopy attitude about it and brought me some more food probably with spit in it. Anywho, my point is that it was clearly from a package and not the down home Charlies Chili I had learned to love as a kid. I mean it is really sad... Hey Charlie did the economy get to you too? I mean, if you can't put out the stuff you built yourself on you should just call it quits, cause the locs can tell. Well if you know Newps, you know better places to go. BTW, I still left a fat tip Hey Chuck I'm not cruisin back, sorry brada

    (1)

  • Steph H.

    No-frills food in a no-frills quaintly outdated environment. The fact that a place like this can still exist in cosmetic surgery happy Newport Beach is pretty awesome, but judging strictly from the food and ambiance, it's a solid "OK." I came here with a running group for some much needed breakfast after a run and ordered the half order french toast with a side of bacon and some coffee. Everything was good, but not really exceptional. The french toast is more like a "2/3" order, since a full order is 3 slices and I got 2. It tastes very homey, like the kind your mom would make for you, with slices of store-bought bread and a thick eggy coating. Bacon was nice and crisp, coffee was good. The decor and furnishings were straight outta the late 60s, early 70s but everything looked decently clean and serviceable. Is it a place I'd come to just for their food? Nah. It's good if you're in the area and want some affordable decent chow in an unassuming setting.

    (3)

  • Fred E.

    This place is okay. The place claimed "possibly the best chili cheese omelette in the world".. The chili was runny, the potatoes were plain.. but you do get very large portions. There was a wait but the wait went by fairly quickly. The atmosphere was busy. It was a decent dining experience.

    (3)

  • miles b.

    OK Chili nothing to great. no steak tacos!! sign outside said best taco, but no steak tacos???? service was OK but could have been alot better. my wife did not like or eat here food. kids eat anything but they liked it. my beef tacos were good tho!! she wanted my tacos instead of her mess.

    (3)

  • Sean R.

    Charlie's Chili is comfort food at the beach. Their food ranges from breakfast, to seafood and mexican food. The greatest thing about getting a combination meal is that you have you're chioce of salad, chili or chowder. Do not turn the chili or chowder down, you will regret it! The food is fantastic! Sit by the window and enjoy the view of the beach and all the characters that walk by. Give it a try, and if you show up after 6, you don't have to put change in the meter.

    (4)

  • Heather N.

    I went here during lunch. They have a " patio" , just plastic chairs and tables on concrete outside the door. I was surprised to hear the waiter say they didn't have any Iced Tea today, maybe tomorrow ?? weird. The food was typical burger joint kinda food. I did not get the Chili so maybe that is really good. I got the BLT and it was two slices of crumbling sour dough bread with some lettuce, bacon and tomatoes falling out of it, very hard to eat. the fries were good. My coworker's burger and turkey sandwhich looked more put together. Overall I would go again cause its good lunch casual food but nothing to dream about.

    (4)

  • Holly C.

    Great chili fries and Great Iced tea. : )

    (4)

  • Tom h.

    I am here only for breakfast. Good 'stick to your ribs' food. All the down home stuff and a good staff to serve you. Also nice to take a walk on the pier right outside. I would not drive many miles to come here, but if you live near-by or are going to the beach for the day, it may be fun to leave a bit early to grab some breakfast. Outdoor seating, too.

    (4)

  • R M.

    Fast friendly service by the hostess, drink server and waitress. My wife and I had breakfast. Very good and large portions. Would definetely go back.

    (4)

  • Chris S.

    Not so good chili, decent beer mostly a haven for tourists...I'd steer clear.

    (2)

  • Grace N.

    chili cheese fries.....so good!!!

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :7:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Breakfast
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Dogs Allowed : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Charlie’s Chili

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