Your Guide to Authentic Regional Eats
Sign In | Register for Free!
Restaurants Recipes Forums Eating Tours Merchandise FAQ Maps Insider

Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe

429 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA - (617) 536-7669
Posted By Bill Homan on 9/12/2007 4:56:00 PM
I had read about the good breakfasts at Charlie's here on Roadfood.com and decided to give it a try when I was in Boston recently. I arrived 9-ish and it wasn't crowded at all. I liked that the place had a real lived-in feel and one could tell that it has been around for a long time; it doesn't have any pretensions.

I had the three plate-sized griddle cakes with sausage and a side of home fries. I was excited about trying the pancakes, but when they came out, they were just regular-sized and didn't look any different from many others. Normally, size doesn't matter with me, but the menu description reads as follows: "No pans used here! Three old fashioned plate-sized cakes are grilled to a delicious steaming result". I had a certain expectation that just didn't match up. Size aside, the pancakes were wonderful. The most important part, the taste, was right on the money. They were light and tender and had a sweetness to the batter that I can't quite place, but really elevated them to another level. I asked my waitress what was in it, but no luck. She said it was a secret and she doesn't even know. Lots of butter and syrup were applied to create a warm, gooey pool of goodness which the cakes readily soaked up.

Very rarely have I had sausages this good. These beauties were crusty with a bold, meaty flavor and a nice chew, just as sausages should be. The home fries looked fantastic, dark and crusty. I couldn't wait to eat them. However, they were lacking in flavor. They were good potatoes, but hadn't been seasoned; no salt, pepper, or other seasonings (onions, peppers, garlic, etc...).

I would definitely go back again to try more of the breakfast items. Many people were eating the turkey hash and it looked pretty good. The lunch menu appears pretty promising as well.

8 out of 9 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes

Scorecard

4 - Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Rate this place

Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

These pancakes weren't
"These pancakes weren't "plate-wide" as described on the menu, but they were mighty tasty and the sausage was cooked to crusty perfection."
Bill Homan





The home fries, while crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, were lacking in flavor.
"The home fries, while crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, were lacking in flavor."
Bill Homan


The awning in front of Charlie's.
"The awning in front of Charlie's."
Bill Homan


I had to arrive very early to get a photo with the place this empty.
"I had to arrive very early to get a photo with the place this empty."
Stephen Rushmore


This turkey hash with eggs is high octane fuel for the body.
"This turkey hash with eggs is high octane fuel for the body."
Stephen Rushmore


Look for this while driving down Columbus Ave while trying to find a parking spot.
"Look for this while driving down Columbus Ave while trying to find a parking spot."
Stephen Rushmore


The burgers are juicy and they cook it correctly when ordered rare.
"The burgers are juicy and they cook it correctly when ordered rare."
Stephen Rushmore


The omelets are light and flavorful.
"The omelets are light and flavorful."
Stephen Rushmore



What is Roadfood?  |   Submit Content  |   Privacy Policy  |   Contact Roadfood.com   Copyright 2011 - Roadfood.com