Have been going to Charcoal House for many years to celebrate special occasions. The food & service has always been outstanding.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Basket of Onion Rings, Charcoal House Special, Salad, Steak by George
David Wilson
My friend from Europe is visiting America for the first time, and was eager to have a steak. I told her that the Charcoal House would be the perfect place for an old-fashioned American steak experience. We went last night at 8PM and had the Chateaubriand, with the always-wonderful Demetra as our waitress. Business was slow, and at about 8:30, the owner, Mr. Angelos, sat down two tables away from us and began eating his dinner. Another employee then joined him and they talked and laughed very loudly, reverberating through the almost empty restaurant. I tried to ignore them. At about 9, Demetra cleared our plates and brought us after-dinner drinks, and then almost immediately dropped our check. This was harder to ignore, since we had just begun our drinks. But, worse yet, about five minutes later the restaurant lights were turned up. I wrote a note on the back of the check that it was unacceptable for the staff to be eating dinner loudly next to us, for the check to be dropped prematurely, and for the lights to be turned up. I gave the note and a nice cash tip to Demetra and told her I was sure she was just doing what she was told and it was not her fault. We finished quickly, and on the way out I went to a table where Mr. Angelos was sitting with two younger men. In a friendly voice I said that I was surprised that nobody had come to our table to apologize. Mr. Angelos never looked up or said anything, but a dark-haired man became very hostile. "Apologize for what? You were the last people in the restaurant!" Me: "I'm not sure how that is relevant." Him: "Well, the restaurant closes at 9!" Me: "I've been here many times, I know you close at 10, and every website says the same thing!" Him: "Many times? I don't know who you are." Me: "I don't know who you are either, and I don't know how that is relevant. But I do know that this will be the last time." Him. "I hope so." As we left, my friend said, "Well, I was telling you how America seems much friendlier to customers than Europe, but now I have to take that back." Not a good experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Sandra Le
Service was very good! Food was not. Very old school food recipes. This building is not accessible for handicapped! If you have a family member with a wheelchair or walker, this is not the place to go. I was told the building is grandfathered in, so it does not have to be handicap accessible.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 5
Michael James Reed
Took family along with my 89 year old recently wheelchair bound father there this weekend. As far as I could tell, they seem to have zero interest in making this place welcome to those with disabilities. Stairs entering the place, with no alternative offered. Very narrow and cumbersome doors to enter the main room, which we somehow negotiated without hurting anyone. The dining room was PACKED. So much that to make through the tables, customers and staff literally had to turn sideways to make it. The host (owner) seemed not very interested in helping, so we found a path through bar to our table. It was left to us to figure out how to get his wheelchair there. If it weren't for other nice patrons, there's no way he would've fit. The last I'll say about the lack of ADA compliance was the fact that I had to carry my father into the tiny restroom and stall. The chair was never going to fit.As far as the food and service, I spent most of the evening being bumped every time the frantic staff (basically by the one male server) went past our table. Every. Single. Time. He was always in a mad rush to get to his tables. The place was surely filled way beyond capacity as there was no room for people to get around. The steak was fine (at $50), the $10 salad ridiculously priced and plain, and the desserts stale. What a massive disappointment. Look elsewhere for better service, food and above all, ADA compliance.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Justin M.
Service was pretty good, they were at the least pretty attentive. The ambiance of the place feels like it opened in the 80's and hasn't changed since. The food itself on the other hand, was medium quality at best. Any sauces were definitely from a bag and anything fried was breaded somewhere else frozen and then cooked. The filet mignon was tough but cooked ok. Just wish it had seen some kind of seasoning. Salt pepper or something!! Same story with my fiancée's steak. All in all it was disappointing for what this type place should have been. Texas road house makes a far better steak and that's a chain restaurant.
Lee Gomes
My companion and I had an absolutely wonderful dining experience! We started with the escargot in mushroom caps which were absolute perfection. I had the beef tips with mushrooms and they were also cooked to perfection! My companion had a prime sirloin steak that was absolutely huge and he ate the whole thing because he said it was so good! We both had the twice baked potatoes which Charcoal House has always been famous for and they were delicious! The service was excellent, friendly and attentive. We both agreed that we had not had such a lovely dining experience in a long time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Escargot
Bob Kraemer
Wonderfull meal, great service, old school. Come and be happy@
Susan W.
We had a 5:30 reservation for five. Out of town family in town and decided to take them to a nice restaurant . We were seated and the waitress came over. The first words out of her mouth were " We are very crowded tonight, we over booked and you will have to be finished and leave the table by 7:00." We then heard the owner ask the waitress if she told us that we had to leave by 7:00. The food was fine and our waitress Was fine. We were finished with our dinner at 6:45. I guess it was a good thing that we did not order dessert or an after dinner drink - we probably would have still been at our table at 7:00! Can only wonder what they would have done then. Since they gave us a time limit, it was hard not to feel rushed while we were eating our dinner. That is not the way to treat customers. Not our problem that they over booked. We will spend our $400 somewhere else. We will not be returning to Charcoal House.
James H
I have been on a long time search for a super steak. I FOUND it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak by George
Michele B.
We went on New Years Eve the food was great the staff were amazing and the ambiance was amazing. What a wonderful way to start the New Year with great friends and food
Extremely overrated and over priced. Went here for New Year’s Eve for our 10 year anniversary and we were rushed the whole time so they could seat another table. The menu was mediocre at best and we weren’t asked if we wanted dessert or an after dinner drink and couldn’t understand why we were charged as much as we were even after the horrible explanation from our server. I’ve worked in the restaurant industry for over 25 years and know when I’m getting screwed and I did here. Please listen and go to one of the few other steak restaurants in St Louis so you’re not writing a bad review on your anniversary like me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Nicole E.
Celebrated a birthday here. Overall wonderful experience. Nice place to celebrate.a special occasion. Robin was our server & has been there 20+ years. She was very attentive as was the rest of the staff. We all enjoyed our steak & one person in our party ordered the special fish of the day & loved it. They offer a veggie or potato with the entree. Cost per plate was $37-55. We will be back to this wonderful institution.
Carson M.
Charcoal House is fantastic! Our server, Robyn was very attentive and her recommendations were spot on. We will absolutely be back and are looking forward to taking our clients visiting STL for this incredible experience.
Mark Aldrich
Old school steakhouse that’s been around forever. We were a party of four and the service was great. Our waitress was attentive to our needs. The bartender was great and had knowledge of the place. Plus the pours were awesome. All of our steaks were cooked as we ordered! Highly recommended!!
Have been going to Charcoal House for many years to celebrate special occasions. The food & service has always been outstanding.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Basket of Onion Rings, Charcoal House Special, Salad, Steak by George
My friend from Europe is visiting America for the first time, and was eager to have a steak. I told her that the Charcoal House would be the perfect place for an old-fashioned American steak experience. We went last night at 8PM and had the Chateaubriand, with the always-wonderful Demetra as our waitress. Business was slow, and at about 8:30, the owner, Mr. Angelos, sat down two tables away from us and began eating his dinner. Another employee then joined him and they talked and laughed very loudly, reverberating through the almost empty restaurant. I tried to ignore them. At about 9, Demetra cleared our plates and brought us after-dinner drinks, and then almost immediately dropped our check. This was harder to ignore, since we had just begun our drinks. But, worse yet, about five minutes later the restaurant lights were turned up. I wrote a note on the back of the check that it was unacceptable for the staff to be eating dinner loudly next to us, for the check to be dropped prematurely, and for the lights to be turned up. I gave the note and a nice cash tip to Demetra and told her I was sure she was just doing what she was told and it was not her fault. We finished quickly, and on the way out I went to a table where Mr. Angelos was sitting with two younger men. In a friendly voice I said that I was surprised that nobody had come to our table to apologize. Mr. Angelos never looked up or said anything, but a dark-haired man became very hostile. "Apologize for what? You were the last people in the restaurant!" Me: "I'm not sure how that is relevant." Him: "Well, the restaurant closes at 9!" Me: "I've been here many times, I know you close at 10, and every website says the same thing!" Him: "Many times? I don't know who you are." Me: "I don't know who you are either, and I don't know how that is relevant. But I do know that this will be the last time." Him. "I hope so." As we left, my friend said, "Well, I was telling you how America seems much friendlier to customers than Europe, but now I have to take that back." Not a good experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Service was very good! Food was not. Very old school food recipes. This building is not accessible for handicapped! If you have a family member with a wheelchair or walker, this is not the place to go. I was told the building is grandfathered in, so it does not have to be handicap accessible.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 5
Took family along with my 89 year old recently wheelchair bound father there this weekend. As far as I could tell, they seem to have zero interest in making this place welcome to those with disabilities. Stairs entering the place, with no alternative offered. Very narrow and cumbersome doors to enter the main room, which we somehow negotiated without hurting anyone. The dining room was PACKED. So much that to make through the tables, customers and staff literally had to turn sideways to make it. The host (owner) seemed not very interested in helping, so we found a path through bar to our table. It was left to us to figure out how to get his wheelchair there. If it weren't for other nice patrons, there's no way he would've fit. The last I'll say about the lack of ADA compliance was the fact that I had to carry my father into the tiny restroom and stall. The chair was never going to fit.As far as the food and service, I spent most of the evening being bumped every time the frantic staff (basically by the one male server) went past our table. Every. Single. Time. He was always in a mad rush to get to his tables. The place was surely filled way beyond capacity as there was no room for people to get around. The steak was fine (at $50), the $10 salad ridiculously priced and plain, and the desserts stale. What a massive disappointment. Look elsewhere for better service, food and above all, ADA compliance.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Service was pretty good, they were at the least pretty attentive. The ambiance of the place feels like it opened in the 80's and hasn't changed since. The food itself on the other hand, was medium quality at best. Any sauces were definitely from a bag and anything fried was breaded somewhere else frozen and then cooked. The filet mignon was tough but cooked ok. Just wish it had seen some kind of seasoning. Salt pepper or something!! Same story with my fiancée's steak. All in all it was disappointing for what this type place should have been. Texas road house makes a far better steak and that's a chain restaurant.
My companion and I had an absolutely wonderful dining experience! We started with the escargot in mushroom caps which were absolute perfection. I had the beef tips with mushrooms and they were also cooked to perfection! My companion had a prime sirloin steak that was absolutely huge and he ate the whole thing because he said it was so good! We both had the twice baked potatoes which Charcoal House has always been famous for and they were delicious! The service was excellent, friendly and attentive. We both agreed that we had not had such a lovely dining experience in a long time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Escargot
Wonderfull meal, great service, old school. Come and be happy@
We had a 5:30 reservation for five. Out of town family in town and decided to take them to a nice restaurant . We were seated and the waitress came over. The first words out of her mouth were " We are very crowded tonight, we over booked and you will have to be finished and leave the table by 7:00." We then heard the owner ask the waitress if she told us that we had to leave by 7:00. The food was fine and our waitress Was fine. We were finished with our dinner at 6:45. I guess it was a good thing that we did not order dessert or an after dinner drink - we probably would have still been at our table at 7:00! Can only wonder what they would have done then. Since they gave us a time limit, it was hard not to feel rushed while we were eating our dinner. That is not the way to treat customers. Not our problem that they over booked. We will spend our $400 somewhere else. We will not be returning to Charcoal House.
I have been on a long time search for a super steak. I FOUND it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak by George
We went on New Years Eve the food was great the staff were amazing and the ambiance was amazing. What a wonderful way to start the New Year with great friends and food
Restaurantji Recommends
Excellent entrees but pretty pricey!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Extremely overrated and over priced. Went here for New Year’s Eve for our 10 year anniversary and we were rushed the whole time so they could seat another table. The menu was mediocre at best and we weren’t asked if we wanted dessert or an after dinner drink and couldn’t understand why we were charged as much as we were even after the horrible explanation from our server. I’ve worked in the restaurant industry for over 25 years and know when I’m getting screwed and I did here. Please listen and go to one of the few other steak restaurants in St Louis so you’re not writing a bad review on your anniversary like me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Celebrated a birthday here. Overall wonderful experience. Nice place to celebrate.a special occasion. Robin was our server & has been there 20+ years. She was very attentive as was the rest of the staff. We all enjoyed our steak & one person in our party ordered the special fish of the day & loved it. They offer a veggie or potato with the entree. Cost per plate was $37-55. We will be back to this wonderful institution.
Charcoal House is fantastic! Our server, Robyn was very attentive and her recommendations were spot on. We will absolutely be back and are looking forward to taking our clients visiting STL for this incredible experience.
Old school steakhouse that’s been around forever. We were a party of four and the service was great. Our waitress was attentive to our needs. The bartender was great and had knowledge of the place. Plus the pours were awesome. All of our steaks were cooked as we ordered! Highly recommended!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5