Country dive, or town treasure? You decide.
First Impression: Upon entering this restaurant you'll be thrust into a 1970's country setting, leaving you standing at the entrance gawking in awe at how dated it is. The open kitchen is first thing to greet you, because the staff obviously doesn't care. A real turn-off was watching the extremely immature staff in the kitchen as they joked and pushed each other around, while their long hair swings above the food they were preparing - without a hat or hair net. Or, was I turned off by how the staff (I think they were all family?) stood around a plate of food pecking hungrily like vultures. No one had any identifying marker on them to indicate they worked there, so for all I knew the kid sporting the beard of bees could have been Grizzly Adams's son, or the head chef. To the right is the bar, which immediately reminds me of the one my friends dad had in his den - back in the 70's. The carpet on the floor is so stained and dirty I kept telling myself it must have been bought in Foot-traffic Dirt Brown, because no one can be this filthy - right?
At this point I should have left, but I felt that if I didn't stay and try the food I could be missing out on good cook'n (according to other reviews). Plus, some 'hipster' might come in here and rate this baby 10 out of 5 stars because the wallpaper matched his sweater vest - or something. And we can't have that, now can we?
Menu/Food: The menu is small and to the point, and the prices are reasonable. It's essentially bar food from the 70's, or some stuff you'd see at Denny's or a Waffle House. We ordered the fried chicken basket and ground sirloin steak plate with a side of sautéed mushrooms. These were really the only things we weren't afraid to order out of fear of getting ill on the seafood. The coleslaw and salad came out and were good. The slaw and the blue cheese salad dressing 'seemed' homemade (operative word, 'seemed'). The only thing I ate off of the other plate was a bite of blue cheese dressing, and as of this writing both of our stomachs are doing flips! So, maybe the extra pungent taste wasn't that it was freshly made, but that it was bad. Who the hell makes fresh blue cheese anyway? Uhhg. Moving right along. The waitress asked me how I would like the sirloin cooked, and with a smile I said "medium", which was just an inside joke for myself because I knew it would come out well done. The chef didn't disappoint! It was so well done it was inedible - unless of course you have the stomach for eating hockey pucks. The fried chicken was burned. Yes, burned. Both meals came with a pot of baked beans, but their version of pot-o-beans is a tablespoon of canned baked beans in a paper pill cup. The sautéed mushrooms were nothing but chopped, canned mushrooms, poured into a ramekin and microwaved. The baked potato came out with the foil on it. How lazy are you that you can't take the foil off the potato before you cut it open and add butter and sour cream? Unless of course, you like picking foil pieces out of your food.
So, if you're into people watching, and like witnessing dysfunctional restaurants operate - don't pass it up - just order a cheap beer. Would I eat here again? Not so much.
This place is surprisingly great. The decor is dated, but so are the menu prices. Can you get mixed drinks for $5 anywhere these days? You can here. And they're done right. The food is also great. The fried shrimp was terrific. And so was the steak. Both were well done, with great sides. Overall, great home cooking'. Can't wait to go back!
Review Source:Don't overvalue the food. You don't go to the Charcoal Chef expecting a dry-aged steak. The food is what it is: diner food. Not great, not terrible, but predictable and reliable. That's pretty much all there is to say about the food.
You go to the Charcoal Chef because 1) you're old (STRONG drinks) and/or 2) you're sentimental (both of which are fine reasons), or 3) you're a child and your parents brought you and grandparents there, and 4) because of its authenticity.
(Oh, and it's not like you have a ton of quality restaurant options in that area, but that's beside the point.)
Places like Cracker Barrel and Piccadilly Pub have been trying to duplicate the Chef's atmosphere for years (and always falling short--they're so fake--maybe getting rid of the TVs would help), much like you see diners trying to replicate the 50's feel, all chrome, polish, and jukeboxes.
But the Chef has hardly changed at all (though within the past year they did--perish the thought--start taking credit cards). Some of the posts I've read here have a common thread: it's where you go when you visit your folks. It's part of your past that you can revisit. I can go there once every year or so, and am always hoping that the Fish and Chips will be the Special that day. And it always is (It never wasn't -- although, sadly, during my last visit home I'd noticed that they actually have reprinted the menus, and the F&C are now listed under Entrees, not Special--can't stop progress, I suppose).
Depending on your age, the Charcoal Chef is a part of your past that was never hurtful, was never uncomfortable, and that (I hope for all who've been there) brings back pleasant memories. The Charcoal Chef actually goes against the conventional wisdom, as if to say:
You CAN go home again.
This is one of those places that, if you grew up in the area, your parents used to bring you as a child and they still probably go there once a week. It is situated on a picturesque stretch of road on Route 6 in Woodbury.
It is seat yourself establishment, so don't wait for a server or hostess to help you. The menu hasn't changed since I was a child (I'm 37 now). The wine and beer selection is good and I remember loving their chocolate milk.
The place is known for their grilled items (steak, fish and especially burgers). My wife and I both got burgers; her, the plain hamburger basket with sweet potato fries and I got the bacon cheeseburger basket with onion rings and coleslaw. My burger was cooked a perfect medium, the bacon was crispy and the roll was fresh. The onion rings were just the way I like them, very thin slices of onion and perfectly crispy, brown coating.
The kids got chicken fingers and fries (as an aside, the fried chicken fingers were phenomenal! They taste like a perfect southern fried chicken!)
When I was younger, I used to get the open faced roast beef sandwich. I remember loving it.
This trip soured my taste for the place and I'm sure it was just an isolated incident though. The service we received today was quite possibly the worst I have received anywhere I have ever eaten. Again, it must've been an isolated incident; I hope it was. I checked in on Facebook, ordered our drinks and 31 minutes later our drinks arrived; she also forgot my wife's and had to bring that later. The food took a bit longer and when it came I ordered another round for our table. Again, all but my wife's iced tea came. She never asked how I wanted my burger cooked, though it came out medium which is what I would have ordered anyway, luckily. I did order it with lettuce, no tomato, no pickle, no onion. Guess what it came with? When it came time for the bill, my wife had to go up to the register and ask for the check. Just awful. I am one who always tips well, 15-20%; this was one rare time when 10% was a gift. I'm sorry it happened and I know it does happen, but it sucks when it does.
Summary, decent food, old school atmosphere, nice location (great for a Sunday road trip). Hopefully service will be better next time. If you're in the area, try to stop in and grab a burger, just make sure you've got the time.
You want to go back in time. It's the kind of place your parents went for a night out ( and I'm in my 50's already) parker rolls and all. The food is not spectacular, but with careful picking of the menu you'll dine well. The trout and occasional soft shell crabs are very good. The burgers are okay. The steaks, halibut and swordfish just small. How can you hate a place that serves "cheese and crackers" as an appetizer? The fried mozarella sticks and onion rings are good. Avoid dessert, those refrigerated pies are nasty. If you must stick to ice-cream. And oh yes, the best blue cheese dressing and cole slaw.
Review Source:In it's own weird way, The Charcoal Chef is a great restaurant. Not because seniors can drink to their hearts content with the cheap, heavily spiked cocktails, but because the food is good and affordable. I remember having a pretty good burger with baked beans and slaw here. Another time I had the fried fish platter with strip clams, scallops, and cod and that was even better.
I mean, the food's not amazing, but it's economical and the ambience is really unique. It almost feels like a big trailer with warm, orangey wood on the walls. I would cry if they ever renovated this place. Such a piece of Woodbury history.
Just  love the back in time atmosphere and menu. I love the drink prices. The rib steak however, for $18.95 was a huge rip-off!! Skinny Skinny piece of meat- tasty, though a bit grizzly -  I could have eaten 2!  For the price, I expect a thicker steak! Decent baked potato and salad.
Very watery rice pudding with good flavor. This place should serve excellent home made fruit pies with ice cream. But the only 2 home made desserts were rice pudding and bread pudding - on a Saturday night no less. Yet I will be back to either try a burger or fried chicken. It just is that fun. Stick with simple fare here and it will be fine.
If you want deep fried foods or a Burger, you have come to the right place. Â The Drinks are pretty strong, so you get a dedicated older crowd.
As Amanda P said you can go back in time. Â I bet the menu has not changed since it's founding but for the prices which are still reasonable. Â Great to go if you are really hungry for some solid comfort food
Who ever said you can't go back in time was wrong very very wrong! Last time I went here was with my mom about a year and a half ago. Â The last time before that...oh I don't know maybe 20 some odd years. Â I was home visiting and my mom asked where would I like to go for lunch. Â The Charcoal Chef popped into my head. Â You see I have very very wonderful memories of going here as a little girl with my parents, siblings and grandparents. Â But the place especially reminds me of my grandparents. Â I have vivid memories of them laughing and talking to all the people in the restaurant. Â You see it's not a very big town (especially back then) and I think most of the people had to have been all over the age of 60. Â At least it seemed that way : ). Â But oh what a wonderful place for a child. Â They had the best hot dogs and the best shakes...well at least next to Phillips diner (which I think has closed down or changed hands). Â Anywho, Â when I went back with my mom I realized the place looked exactly the same, maybe it was that feeling of nostalgia that gave me a warm feeling inside (OK maybe that was heartburn), but whatever.
Review Source:
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