We would have awarded this establishment more stars, had we not have had the worst customer service we’ve experienced in Boston (or anywhere for that matter). Food was fantastic. Drinks were average. Atmosphere was like an old school American diner. However, the service was absolutely shocking. In particular, one waitress (the older of the two) went out of her way to be so rude, obnoxious and unhelpful. Serving us was obviously a massive inconvenience for her, especially when having to answer questions we had about the menu. We are on holiday celebrating with my mum and dad (both over 60) and she couldn’t even give them a minute to decide what they’d like to eat and instead huffed and puffed when they were undecided. After being so unpleasant, we decided not to leave her a tip (despite tipping in every other establishment we’ve been, as is the custom). She chased us out the door and demanded “in Boston you tip your servers”. Well, in England you’re tipped on your level of service and hers was appalling! Get rid of her and the place would be great! What a shame, since we’d been looking forward to it and she just about ruined our morning with her aggressive attitude!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Gina S.
Mediocre at best. This place use to be great, not anymore. This is based on the last four visits in the past year. The big guy with the glasses has mis-gendered me or someone in our party. Given the location you would presume it would be automatic. Food I am not sure where to start something is either over cooked or uncooked. The home fries and hash "browns" are neither. So sorry about another Boston institution gone down the drain. Growing up in Boston this is not true representation of locally owned and operated restaurant.
G M.
I'm from California visiting my son in Boston, he told me about a spot around the corner from him Charlie's. It did not disappoint. The place was small and cozy. Charlie's is no joke, with a full bar, counter seating and tables it was perfect. As we walked in I noticed a board with the days specials,haddock sandwich or fish n chips, we both opted for the haddock sandwich, it was accompanied by fries, a small cup of coleslaw. The sandwich was served on a Brioche bun w lettuce, tomato mayo along w homemade tater sauce. Simply amazing. You can't go wrong here..
Veronica Verra
I enjoyed savoring my breakfast in a typical American diner. Very kind and attentive staff, tasty dishes and very good coffee!!! Advised!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christine Bemis
Great spot for breakfast before heading out for the day. Their grilled banana bread is heaven on earth.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Greg ODIN
Fast, fresh, delicious food served by friendly staff!!Kid-friendliness: 100%Wheelchair accessibility: 100%
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hash
Zeynep Beliz Oktay
We came on a sunday at around 12.30pm, put our names on the waiting list and we were called in in less than 10 minutes.The menu was super long which usually makes me wanna go with the restaurant specials. So we ordered the Charlie’s breakfast sandwich and a BLT to share both. Hash browns were especially super delicious but everthing tasted so well and was brought very quickly.Our waitress was very nice, too.The only downside is my jacket and clothes smelled awful :( had to air them out at home.But it s a nice cozy small diner with many food options.Plus, the plastic mimosa glass was very creative!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bill W.
Visiting Boston, and had some time to kill and headed to the South End to have lunch here. Had a tasty BLT and a good coffee shake (not a common flavor at most places) which could have used a little more ice cream. Sat at the counter next to a couple who seemed to be relishing their pancakes and side of fries. The staff was great and quick to help.
Oscar Zenteno
Ordered the Blackstone eggs Benedict (Eggs Benedict with crispy bacon). The bacon was great, the hollandaise sauce was delicious and the hashbrowns were crispy. With an affordable price, this place is a definite repeat for me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: New England Breakfast, Fries, Hash
Ava Mirley
Best place ever, trust me try it and thank me later!!
Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe is a slice of Americana. No nonsense food. A definite go-to when visiting Boston.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
yotam sofer
Such a lovely place. Food was great (we were a group of 4, all were very happy with their order) Huge portions, so value for money is totally there, and that’s kinda rare in Boston.Service was quiet and just very kind.We went there Saturday morning, arrived just before the rush, so try to be there before 11 if you don’t wanna wait in line.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Our Famous Griddle Cakes, Sausage, French Toast, French Toast Breakfast, Our Favorite French Toast, Home Fries, Pancake
Christopher Yannuzzi
We were visiting from out of town and wanted to see what all the buzz was for Charlies and their breakfast. Our visit was initially met with an issue as we are not coffee drinkers so in the morning time we bring our own energy drinks for our breakfast drink of choice. The waitress (the oldest one working on the schedule on Sunday 1/7/24) spoke to us a rude/no personality voice that we were not allowed to drink outside drinks inside. We told her no worries and if they had other energy drinks to offer we would buy those, she said no. So then we just left our unopened energy drinks in the table and said we will just take water. At this point the waitress acted frustrated because we only ordered water and not purchased any drinks and gave attitude or NO PERSONALITY for the rest of our time there. And it was definitely this situation since we observed her walking around talking normal to the other customers. So hence why service was a 1 star from us for running our experience there. As for the food it was what it was billed as - Everything had huge portions and the quality and flavor of each item was amazing !!!! So with that, it made us feel better for coming once you separate the service from this one waitress. Side Note the Banana Bread French Toast is a MUST try !!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Sausage, Triple Play, Banana Bread French Toast, Pancake
U P
Standard American fair, food was nothing amazing but the interior is a throw back to the classic American
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Elle S.
Cozy spot perfect for casual breakfast with friends. Food was just what I needed after a red eye flight!
We would have awarded this establishment more stars, had we not have had the worst customer service we’ve experienced in Boston (or anywhere for that matter). Food was fantastic. Drinks were average. Atmosphere was like an old school American diner. However, the service was absolutely shocking. In particular, one waitress (the older of the two) went out of her way to be so rude, obnoxious and unhelpful. Serving us was obviously a massive inconvenience for her, especially when having to answer questions we had about the menu. We are on holiday celebrating with my mum and dad (both over 60) and she couldn’t even give them a minute to decide what they’d like to eat and instead huffed and puffed when they were undecided. After being so unpleasant, we decided not to leave her a tip (despite tipping in every other establishment we’ve been, as is the custom). She chased us out the door and demanded “in Boston you tip your servers”. Well, in England you’re tipped on your level of service and hers was appalling! Get rid of her and the place would be great! What a shame, since we’d been looking forward to it and she just about ruined our morning with her aggressive attitude!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Mediocre at best. This place use to be great, not anymore. This is based on the last four visits in the past year. The big guy with the glasses has mis-gendered me or someone in our party. Given the location you would presume it would be automatic. Food I am not sure where to start something is either over cooked or uncooked. The home fries and hash "browns" are neither. So sorry about another Boston institution gone down the drain. Growing up in Boston this is not true representation of locally owned and operated restaurant.
I'm from California visiting my son in Boston, he told me about a spot around the corner from him Charlie's. It did not disappoint. The place was small and cozy. Charlie's is no joke, with a full bar, counter seating and tables it was perfect. As we walked in I noticed a board with the days specials,haddock sandwich or fish n chips, we both opted for the haddock sandwich, it was accompanied by fries, a small cup of coleslaw. The sandwich was served on a Brioche bun w lettuce, tomato mayo along w homemade tater sauce. Simply amazing. You can't go wrong here..
I enjoyed savoring my breakfast in a typical American diner. Very kind and attentive staff, tasty dishes and very good coffee!!! Advised!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great spot for breakfast before heading out for the day. Their grilled banana bread is heaven on earth.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fast, fresh, delicious food served by friendly staff!!Kid-friendliness: 100%Wheelchair accessibility: 100%
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hash
We came on a sunday at around 12.30pm, put our names on the waiting list and we were called in in less than 10 minutes.The menu was super long which usually makes me wanna go with the restaurant specials. So we ordered the Charlie’s breakfast sandwich and a BLT to share both. Hash browns were especially super delicious but everthing tasted so well and was brought very quickly.Our waitress was very nice, too.The only downside is my jacket and clothes smelled awful :( had to air them out at home.But it s a nice cozy small diner with many food options.Plus, the plastic mimosa glass was very creative!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Visiting Boston, and had some time to kill and headed to the South End to have lunch here. Had a tasty BLT and a good coffee shake (not a common flavor at most places) which could have used a little more ice cream. Sat at the counter next to a couple who seemed to be relishing their pancakes and side of fries. The staff was great and quick to help.
Ordered the Blackstone eggs Benedict (Eggs Benedict with crispy bacon). The bacon was great, the hollandaise sauce was delicious and the hashbrowns were crispy. With an affordable price, this place is a definite repeat for me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: New England Breakfast, Fries, Hash
Best place ever, trust me try it and thank me later!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe is a slice of Americana. No nonsense food. A definite go-to when visiting Boston.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a lovely place. Food was great (we were a group of 4, all were very happy with their order) Huge portions, so value for money is totally there, and that’s kinda rare in Boston.Service was quiet and just very kind.We went there Saturday morning, arrived just before the rush, so try to be there before 11 if you don’t wanna wait in line.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Our Famous Griddle Cakes, Sausage, French Toast, French Toast Breakfast, Our Favorite French Toast, Home Fries, Pancake
We were visiting from out of town and wanted to see what all the buzz was for Charlies and their breakfast. Our visit was initially met with an issue as we are not coffee drinkers so in the morning time we bring our own energy drinks for our breakfast drink of choice. The waitress (the oldest one working on the schedule on Sunday 1/7/24) spoke to us a rude/no personality voice that we were not allowed to drink outside drinks inside. We told her no worries and if they had other energy drinks to offer we would buy those, she said no. So then we just left our unopened energy drinks in the table and said we will just take water. At this point the waitress acted frustrated because we only ordered water and not purchased any drinks and gave attitude or NO PERSONALITY for the rest of our time there. And it was definitely this situation since we observed her walking around talking normal to the other customers. So hence why service was a 1 star from us for running our experience there. As for the food it was what it was billed as - Everything had huge portions and the quality and flavor of each item was amazing !!!! So with that, it made us feel better for coming once you separate the service from this one waitress. Side Note the Banana Bread French Toast is a MUST try !!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Sausage, Triple Play, Banana Bread French Toast, Pancake
Standard American fair, food was nothing amazing but the interior is a throw back to the classic American
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Cozy spot perfect for casual breakfast with friends. Food was just what I needed after a red eye flight!