I love Charlie's! Â Lots of options here but I always get the same thing: Â the veggie reuben. Â It is un-fucking-believable. Â That and a Chimay draft (yeah, it's $9 or $10, but whatever, it's delicious). Â Several of my non-vegetarian friends also love the veggie reuben and it's the only thing they order, too (besides beer). Â I've also heard the linguica mac & cheese is excellent, they have sweet potato fries, which always raises a place's value in my opinion, and there are lots of other options, from appetizers to burgers and sandwiches to seafood and poultry.
Charlie's has a great beer selection, fair prices, and fun surroundings - I almost always sit upstairs in a booth, but downstairs is kind of like an old-fashioned diner and they have a beer garden for the warm months (though it tends to get very crowded). Â I think I partly love Charlie's for its nostalgic value ... I worked in Harvard Square for years and spent many fun evenings and lunches there ... but everyone I've brought loves it, too. Â It's nothing fancy, but it's always reliably good. Â They have trivia nights, a bunch of TVs, and a juke box, too. Â The only thing is, if you put songs on the juke box, you need to ask the bartender FIRST to change the radio channel so you can hear your songs. Â One time we put a bunch of money in the machine only to find this out after the fact, and we never heard our songs. Â So sad. Â
Anyway, you should go. Â It's awesome.
Cheap drinks (for MA, as far as I could tell) but the food left a bit to be desired.
The beer garden area seemed to be where it was at so we sat inside because we're old and don't like crowds. Â This bar is also near Harvard Square (I couldn't determine the exact proximity as it was dark and I wasn't familiar with this area at all). Â The interior has a cool, diner type feel and service was friendly. Â I had a Moscow mule for $5 which is cheap no matter where you are. Â They also had Dale's Pale Ale on tap (a hometown favorite!)
The husband and I each ordered a black bean burger type thing and it really wasn't that awesome. Â The patty itself was pretty good and seemed housemade, but it was on one of those super bready, dry, Orowheat type buns. Â A nice brioche type bun would have done wonders for this burger. Â It came with a side of chips and salsa and they were pretty bad. Â The salsa was a step below Pace (probably the kind made in New York City. Â New York City?!) and the chips were a bit stale.
Aside from that, I enjoyed my evening at Charlies. Â It was happening, but not too much so. Â I'd just skip the food and go for the mules/beer.
Dropped by Charlie's Kitchen for a drink with my wife in the tap room upstairs and ended up sampling several new beers over the next few hours under the expert guidance of the friendliest and most knowledgeable beer maiden ever! Stef recommended brews we would never have had the wherewithal to try on our own, and we were not disappointed. We will be back to sample more of Charlie's large beer selection--Stef will make beer connoisseurs out of us yet!
Review Source:For me, Charlie's Kitchen's hayday was in the late 80s and early 90s (most of my teenage years). Â Stoned punks, hippies, metal heads, skaters, and other flavors frequented in droves to grab pre- and post-show food.
The reason to go these days, in my opinion, is the $12 Double Lobster Rolls. Â Where else in a 1000 mile radius of Boston can you get that kind of deal? Â These are not small lobster rolls. Â Astonishing! Â Some places sell a single lobster roll for twice as much.
And Morrissey still plays in the jukebox upstairs.
****** Â TWELVE DOLLARS FOR TWO LOBSTER ROLLS HELLO? ******
I was at Charlie's Beer Garden after watching my cousin graduate from Harvard last week. I had never been but will definitely be back! The french fries were some of the best I've ever had, and the service was outstanding. Our bartender (I think her name was Alexis) was fun, friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. When I left my sunglasses at the bar, she actually ran out to give them back to me! Great, great service.
Review Source:This place is a late night favorite of mine. Mainly I like the upstairs where the long bare is. The food is so so but honestly I don't really goto this place for the food. I just think it's a really great dive bar where you can go have some beers from their very respectable beer list and hang out with your friends.,
Review Source:Went to the beer garden at Charlies Kitchen last, and I have to say it never disappoints. The atmosphere is great, but the real stand out was our bartender Alexis. She was helpful with suggestions on what drinks to order, super attentive and friendly! She even charged my phone for me when my battery was running low! Charlies is always fun and Alexis is great!
Review Source:Didn't eat one of their famous burgers, but went here with some co-workers for drinks after work on a nice late afternoon. Â Charlie's Kitchen is appropriately categorized as a "dive bar." Â Bathroom was absolutely disgusting and dingy. Â
Besides that, it was a good, relaxed hangout spot. Â Perhaps I'll be be back to actually try some of their food - and avoid the bathroom.
I like Charlie's, especially the beer garden outside. Â It's pretty mellow, and the shandy they had on draft was delicious. Â Servers are cool, and the food is good (fried mac and cheese anyone?) And...dog friendly! Â Looking forward to bringing my (well behaved) dog with me this summer
Review Source:The food is decent. Pretty much pub-quality. The burgers are pretty good, and the fries are excellent. This place is either totally deserted or absolutely bursting, depending on when you get there.
Service is variable. Sometimes we go and the waitstaff is fantastic. Last time we went it was abysmal; the waiter clearly was ignoring us and had his nose in his phone the entire time. We had to ask for our drinks several times before he finally got around to getting them. However, other times, the servers have been incredibly helpful and cheerful.
Pretty decent beer selection, but absolutely horrible service. Â The waitress could not even tell us which types of beer were on tap and made no effort to find out. Â For example, she could tell you there was BBC on tap, but when asked which type of BBC we, "Oh...I don't know." Â Several times we had to go up to the bar to order a beer and were told we had to order from our waitress which we would happily do if we could %&$*ing find her. Â Last time I, and 8 other people in my party, go to Charlie's.
Review Source:Cheap and yummy fare outdoors or in. <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2FRestaurant.com&s=0aab4cbd731f3d3b0d1453050d3abc56a8c80bd214e25469c7555b750dca8a51" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://Restaurant.com</a> gift certificates are available, making this place even more affordable. Service has been slow at a table or in the garden, so if you're in a hurry, sit at the bar.
They are often "out" of items or beers later in the evening, but hey, that means it's popular.
Parking is typical Harvard Square shit. But go anyway.
Charlies is a pretty good place with a good vibe. First walked through the beer garden, but was a little cold so went into Charlies kitchen. Had the lobster burger and a couple of Sierra Nevada Ruthless unfiltered IPAs. Was good and price is right. Back to the vibe, a kid came in and got a burger next to me. We chatted for a while, and then when the staff were at the other end of the bar he bolted out. Talking to the wait staff, they were pretty cool about it. One said the kid really looked like he needed it and was OK with it. That is pretty cool that they have a heart.
Review Source:I really like Charlie's Kitchen because the food is good and cheap, service is quick and friendly, and it's right in the middle of Harvard Square.
I was here for Easter weekend for lunch with a friend and ordered the Homemade Lobster burger ($10) which was essentially a crab cake (but with lobster) between two buns. Â Yummy! Â The lobster patty was flaky and fell apart a bit, but it was still very good!
My only quibble is that the strawberry frappe was a bit bland but that was my fault for not manning up and just getting an ice cream!
I will definitely be back!
This is one of those places that you go to all the time but rate only three stars -- it's a dive bar so the food is dive bar-y but actually the sweet potato fries are not bad. Â Usually have a good range of beers on tap and overall chill atmosphere with lots of tables/seats. Â The beer garden is also spacious and a nice place to hang out when the weather gets nice.
Review Source:As far as dives go, I thought this place was pretty great. Â
A friend and I were in town for a conference, so we wandered around the square for a while until we said we would eat at the next place we saw- and it happened to be here. Â
I had a Shipyard Applehead on draught and a lobster burger with some of the best sweet potato fries I have ever had. Â
Prices were decent, service was fast, food was good- I would return!
Charlie's Kitchen is a pretty surprising place, once you get to know it. Â It's either loud or totally deserted, kinda ramshackle, but with plenty o' character. Â A decent place to come on a Sunday and drink away a hangover. Â Friday and Saturday nights are reserved for the younger, shots-pounding crowd. Â It's not super great for large groups, as the tables are tightly-knit, but if you can find a place, the waitresses will try and keep up with your orders.
The food is mixed - some substandard pub food, very decent (though small) burgers, just an eclectic menu. Â It's a puzzler of a shop.
Fan of Charlie's Kitchen. Â Been going there off and on for just about ever. Â Try the upstairs.
Consider yourself blessed if you are served by Rikki - an awesome waitress. Â I ordered steak tips, red. Â She made sure I got something back that was dark red in the middle. Â Yay, Rikki! Â Oh, she's also a sweetheart. Â (And, yeah, the tips were great)
Four stars for Charlie. Â 5 for Rikki.
The old school diner part of Charlie's is still the same great hole in the wall it always was - predictable bar food at low prices, and classic dive atmosphere. Nothing out of the ordinary... unlike the BEER GARDEN which has to be one of the most fun spots in the city. Totally unique and fun, great selection, and although limited by the New England weather, a go-to spot in warm weather without competition. Drinking a cold beer outside on a hot night in Harvard Square... doesn't get much better than this!
Review Source:I've been here once so far, and will most likely come back.
After a long, hopeless day of applying for jobs, I met my boyfriend in Cambridge for dinner and a movie. Â We decided on Charlie's because I really wanted a cocktail.
Super reasonable drink prices (I got a super delicious hot toddy for $5), good selection (two types of gluten free beer!!), and pretty decent menu. Â I got the pulled pork sandwich without a bun and the texture and taste were awesome. Â
Service was eh. Â It was busy and it looked like there was only 1 server, but he was a bit neglectful.
Went to Charlies for dinner and drinks after work many times. I love their variety of drinks! Their selection of seasonal drinks always put you in a good mood and while their food is your basic bar style, their selection makes it easy for everyone to find something they like.
The atmosphere is definitely casual, and if you are lucky enough to get there during the warm months I suggest taking advantage of their beer garden. The staff is always very pleasant and helpful, I have never gone in there and gotten a poor server or bartender.
I wouldn't call it heaven on earth, but if your looking for cheap drinks, good food, and friendly service then Charlies is your place.
Be warned, the bathroom is bad. It makes me grateful that I had all my vaccinations.
The servers are phenomenal. They are friendly, and attentive and they remember your drink order.
The food selection is very eclectic. They had a pumpkin macaroni and cheese that was awesome.
Minus a very weird random encounter with a "regular" customer at 2 am(if you want the details message me.), this place is my go to place in the square.
The fantastic-ness and wide variety of the beer and food selection as well as the prices and it's convenient location make up for the horrible service.
This place is one of my favorites but I get frustrated with the servers who seem to be clueless. I've seen so many of the servers leaning on bar stools or clumped near the kitchen on their phones or socializing when I'm trying to get their attention. I've had two good experiences - the guy bartender on Sunday nights and another guy server I had in the beer garden on a Wednesday afternoon. If they had a host or a manager's presence (or any inkling of organization), I would probably come here twice as much as I do (once every 2-3 weeks).
Last note, the bathroom outside in the beer garden is nicer than the one upstairs inside... That says it all. (as a lady, never accidentally stumble into the men's bathroom upstairs - you'll think our setup is a palace compared to what they have to deal with..)
What a letdown! Â After reading all the rave reviews, we were anxiously looking forward to checking this place out. Â It wasnt until we tasted the food that we realized that the stellar reviews had likely been written by hundreds of drunken college students. Â The much lauded lobster rolls were an utter disappointment. Â They looked like they were made with Louis Kemp's faux lobster (the kind you get at the grocery store) and tasted more like tuna with celery than lobster. Â The bread was not buttered and was just barely warm. Â But, you get for you pay for. Â And the fact that they charge $13 for 2 lobster rolls should let you know what you'll be getting. Â If you're hungry and sober, go someplace else.
Review Source:I came here late night -- 10 PM -- on a Sunday. I was expecting something really dreary, but alas, the ambiance was terriffic. This place was hopping.
The outdoor beer garden is very nice. The indoor setting is -- we-- interesting.
I had a large lobster and a beer. The price was great. The service was friendly and fast. I'll be back!
Sadly there's no wifi here.
I don't know. It's so bright and shiny and colorful on the outside, so maybe I was just expecting a bright, shiny and colorful experience.
It's pretty averagely priced, which is nice. Big thang (I say this because I really have no idea what volume it was) of Hoegaarden was $5 and a veggie burger was $8. The MOST pitiful veggie burger of my life. Black bean based but not consistent enough to keep its shape long enough for me to even take one bite before it fell apart entirely. ):
My friend had crab cake something or other and crab cake to bun ratio was abysmal. As a vegetarian, I have no idea what the market price is for crab... but hey, why not just serve with a smaller bun?
Service was also a little on the slow side. Waiter came to ask if we wanted something to drink, we said H2O, and before we could mention the Hoes, he disappeared for idk ~20 minutes. Towards the end, we were kind of in a rush so we asked for the check while about 1/3 way through beer #2 and asked him to kindly hurry. I don't chug my beer, ever, but I still finished before this guy came back with our check. Bleh.
I'll go back for the beer garden in the back. Looked like a fun after-work crowd and had a chill vibe.
For Boston, the price and quality of food is stellar. Double cheeseburger for $9 with fries isn't bad at all. The service was kind of meh, we got our food, and pretty much didn't get our water refilled the entire time.
There were tons of intriguing options that seemed like they could be good choices. I didn't get the chance to try everything, but what I did try was pretty good. Furthermore, the rest of their menu seemed pretty appetizing. I really want to come back and try some other stuff. They had some foods that would be certain to give me a heart attack, and that is precisely what I'm looking for.
Attentive staff. Prices are, eh. Can get raucous, but generally just casual and relaxed. The booths are small. A tight squeeze between the seating.
We didnt have any food... so I cant say this is an entirely comprehensive review.
One note that happened in my visit - we ordered 2 drinks when we sat down. A boston lager for myself and a bluemoon for my friend. But I could definitely taste some blue moon in my sam adams. At first I thought my tastebuds were just losing it. Some time later we ordered another round, and it was definitely different. It actually tasted the way boston lager tastes. So I believe that my glass was first filled, partially or fully, with blue moon, then upon realizing the second drink was suppose to be a lager, they poured out the glass and refilled it, instead of washing it or getting a new glass.
Charlie's Kitchen is a great dive for late-night beer food, good burgers, and a pretty cool Beer Garden. We stopped in for lunch last weekend, though, and discovered their Achille's heel: the fried chicken. "chicken" is on the sign out front, so you'd think there was some sort of attention paid to the dish...
No. It's prefab chicken bits, not-quite-discernable pieces of chicken that are breaded to oblivion and fried up extra crispy. I tried to eat a bit, and.... no.
Next up: nachos. Any place that serves a ton of beer should master the art of communal snacking food such as nachos, right? Not in this case. Stale tortilla chips scattered with beans and cheese, akin to something that has emerged from my microwave during a stressful week.
Staff was attentive, as usual; I still like Charlie's for the bar fare, but this lunch was a bust.
Probably one of the best places to visit in Harvard Square. From PBRs to UFOs and Angry Orchards to IPA, they got everything to drink.
They have an amazing Beer Garden outside with a bar and tables and it's great on a beautiful day. You have people passing by the area and when the sun is up and the crowd is right, it's a great time. Â Inside is very casual, laid back. They have 2 floors with both serving food and drinks. Music on some nights.
The food is better than you would think. Be sure to check out their famous burgers.  I have had the Buffalo Burger which if your a Buffalo fan, I would get it.  Mushrooms, Onions, Bacon, Sauce, etc  so good.  They have numerous other burgers that are all great and delicious.
So if your in the area, stop in and grab a few drinks and a bite to eat. If the weather is nice out and the Beer Garden is open, make it a priority to go there. Best out door seating in Harvard Square.
You seriously can't ever go wrong with Charlie's. This is a place that is perfect for a show like "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." It is completely unassuming from the outside. Then, you walk in, and you see a biker at the bar and a businessman eating his lunch in the corner. Random? Yes. Common for this place? Yes.
The burgers here are great. There is nothing that screams special about them -- they're not specially seasoned or cooked or dripping in some kind of flavoring. They're just GOOD. The fries are also great as well. Doesn't matter what kind you get -- shoestring, sweet potato or waffle -- they are all amazing (my personal fave is waffle).
When I don't feel like a burger, my go-to is the steak tips. I feel like they're the hidden gem here. They are tender and juicy and perfectly marinated. Yum!
Also, when the weather is nicer, Charlie's Beer Garden is the place to go.
Went here again for dinner three times last week! I was impressed with the new bartenders down stairs, they knew the menu, were friendly to my girlfriend and I, and made a great drink.
2 stars only because the long haired manager put his hands on our shoulders like he knew us or something, gross. Put your hands on me again you dirty smelly man I'll embarrass you in front of everyone.
and their draft beer taste like ass, the lines need to be cleaned, if not efficiently.
Thank the bartender for the 2nd star, although she belongs at a country club, not a historic bar.
I like this place. I was visiting from NYC and needed to kill time with some friends. It has a very casual, divey feel, and the food is really cheap and quite good.
We sat upstairs and all had a couple beers and some food. I got the $4.50 cheeseburger and fries (waffle fries -- yum).
I wish they listed the beer prices, because I got a fancy framboise beer that ended up being $8.
Overall, a fun place to hang and have some ales!
Charlie's has a ton of reviews... so here's just one of my Trish + Charlie love stories....
As I sat at the counter "rifling" through my wallet, it seemed pretty useless. I mean it's Jacob's Ladder style and if there's no money when opened one way, there certainly won't be any money opened the other way. I sighed and stared into my large glass of generic beer from small town, USA that hurt my soul to drink but only cost a little over $2. Dishie was hungry. Just when my stomach rumbles had reached Garth's drum solo status, I heard the angelic voice of the bartender...
"Anybody want a free veggie burger? I made two by accident."
And like a 5 year old who wanted to ask the teacher for a hall pass before she pissed herself, my hand shot straight up. "Me me!" The bartender came over and placed the glorious food in front of me. "Want some ketchup?" I nodded my head enthusiastically. She laughed, "Lemme know if you need anything else."
There's not much else I can say to express my love for Charlie's. I love Charlie's. I really do. I've never had a bad meal there and I always have a great time no matter who I'm with. I also highly enjoy the fact that whenever I'm there, there's some dude eating a lobster. I'd give them 5 stars, except the table service isn't always the best and the bathroom is rather narsty. But meh, when you're in love you look over such things.
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