Charles Pan-Fried Chicken

Traveled all the way from Portland, Oregon to taste this amazing food! Elijah greeted us with a smile and great service. Food was hot and ready…prepared to perfection! Highly recommend to your visit when in NY!

Florida Boy checking in. I been living in NY almost 3 years. And I was craving some southern fried chicken so bad. Not that Popeyes garbage. I’m talking REAL SOUTHERN FRIED. I asked a New Yorker where can I get some authentic soul food. Everyone I asked said Charles Pan Fried Chicken. I came the first time 2 years ago and I can’t leave Harlem without coming to get my 3 piece. The food is BEYOND AMAZING and the staff feel like distant family especially my cousin Naomi. I love yall! Had to stop and get my 3 piece

This is hands down the best fried chicken I've ever had! Make sure you go early so that they don't run out of sides. The service could be better but I know the place stays packed and the workers are always very busy. I definitely wish they had more seating and a public restroom for paying customers would be nice but it is definitely worth the trip!

Oh my goodness!!! Delicious food! Here’s the order of my favorites. 1. Ribs (amazing, finger licking, falling off the bone ribs). 2. Fried chicken - sooooo good and home made taste. 3. Collard greens - best I’ve ever had 4. Sweet potatoes - delicious 5. Mac n cheese - very good 6. Green beans - green beans :) 7. Corn bread - good, but better if warmed up with butter. Tried the banana pudding and the no bake cheese cake. Both were good, but definitely the no bake cheese cake wins. So worth it! Can’t wait to go back.

I rarely give 5 stars but this place gets 5 stars! The food is amazing! The flavors are so subtle but rich! The yams have an amazing rich taste but so subtle. The black eyed peas are so delicious but such a subtle seasoning. My only complaint is that this place is pretty much take out only. No good seating here.

Lives up to the hype. 2nd best fried chicken I've ever had in my life. Here's the deal though, best I had was Sylvia's, but it was a single piece of chicken and waffle and cost thirty bucks. This place has the 3 piece for 20 after tax, which seemed steep until I saw the sides and cornbread portions. I'm used to sides like "KFC" sized. These "sides" were the equivalent to the family sized at KFC no joke. When you see other reviews saying two people could share a plate, that is not an exaggeration. Great chicken, large portions, worth every penny.

Yum yum yum! I love this spot! Shout out to Rica for her recs. I brought my friend from Arkansas and even she approved! Definitely a must try!

I’ve been going to Charles for years, from when he was at the restaurant located by 155th street. Food was better than too…and cheaper. The food is still good, I was skeptical when he expanded because I know how often the quality goes down. I’d say, it’s still pretty good. I always get the smothered fried chicken (extra gravy) with collard greens and macaroni & cheese. I used to get the yams but they’d been lacking in real authentic flavor so I skip them. Cornbread 5/5. Tasty, right amount of sweetness, slightly fluffy. Collard greens 4.5/5. Pretty good, add some meat and I’d rate it a five. Seasoned well, cooked slowly and they’re not canned. Smothered fried chicken 5/5. My fave dish. This man can do the hell out of some gravy. Chicken is always cooked well and seasoned to perfection. Oh and I always ask for and they give me extra gravy. Macaroni and cheese 4.5/5. It’s been getting better since the expansion. Sometimes, it’d be good and other times it’s just okay. Right amount of cheese in it. Fruit Punch 3/5. Typical koolaid. Not crazy about it but I always drink it. I wish they’d offer a half and half or Arnold Palmer. I’ll try the sweet tea one day too. Overall, I could write more, but an easy 5/5 for ME. I appreciate that he’s a southern black American man running this restaurant, lots of other soul food joints are ran by others. I have an old review from his old spot on Yelp, but this is pretty good. Keep up the excellent work sir!