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Charlie's Kitchen
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Nightlife Bars Dive Bars American (Traditional), Dive Bars [Edit]
10 Eliot StCambridge, MA 02138
Neighborhood: Harvard Square
(617) 492-9646
- Nearest Transit:
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Eliot St @ Bennett St (66, 72/75, 74, 75, 77, 78, 86, 96)
16 Eliot St (86)
Brattle St @ Massachusetts Ave (86)
- Hours:
Mon-Wed, Sun 11 am - 1 am
Thu-Sat 11 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Wed, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
468 reviews for Charlie's Kitchen
Review Highlights
"Charlie's has always been in Harvard Square."
(in 61 reviews)
"The Charlie's Beer Garden is like heaven on earth."
(in 71 reviews)
"Their waffle fries are addictive."
(in 65 reviews)
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468 reviews in English
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Review from Face S.
New York, NY
1/31/2012
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! -
Review from Boston B.
Boston, MA
Updated - 2/2/2012
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.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/21/2011
Harvard Square is slacking with generous waitstaff/bartenders.
I went to the restaurant tonight with… Read more »
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Review from Rocco M.
Cambridge, MA
1/29/2012
this cheeseburger plase is really good. i had it today with my friend and it was really good!
i never had their other entrees but i bet they are really good!! but,
owr watress was really nice!! fries are AUSOME!!!!!! -
Review from Kitten M.
Jamaica Plain, MA
2/4/2012
Charlies is the absolute best in Harvard, I work in the area and I'm here all the time now. The juke box has all of my favorite (and embarrassing) music and they have original sin which is not easy to find! My only complaint is that my absolute favorite bartender ricki is moving from Friday mornings to night, normally this wouldn't upset someone but when I walk upstairs ar 3:30 exhausted from work she has my drink already made AND in a pintglass, I'm def in love. I have no problems moving my work shift around to make sure she takes care of my drinks!!!
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Review from Brigid M.
1/20/2012
I like Charlie's Kitchen.
The beer is ok.
The food is ok.
The service is great.
The bathrooms should be condemned.
I like Charlie's.
Its simple. Its predictable. I prefer downstairs rather than up, and will never be even close to the hipster level of the usual clients, but nonetheless its a great spot to return to in HSquare. -
Review from Lan J.
Westford, MA
2/3/2012
Im from boston. so im hard to please. but fridays at charlies are the best. Ricci the bar tender is great.
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Review from Jeff B.
Brighton, MA
1/12/2012
Charlie's kitchen is a must-go in Cambridge if you are looking for decently priced food and a good beer selection! The staff has always been very attentive to me as a customer (especially Jim and Michelle), and they have always managed to get my food and beverages to me in a decent amount of time (even when the bar is packed). Here's a small tip though, and this especially goes for Harvard and MIT students- Charlie's staff works long hours and is usually very generous with their time in terms of explaining and customizing orders...if you go to Charlie's, use that expensive degree to try and at least figure out what 18% of a check is. After all- we all know that good calculus and statistics skills stem from a good understanding of basic arithmetic!
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Review from Ro P.
Boston, MA
1/2/2012
We went for lunch- it was terrible. I recommend you go somewhere else. The staff knew we were disappointed with our meal and they mentioned "it's a different place at night." I don't really want to find out...but maybe you will give it a shot.
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Review from Che S.
WOODLAND HLS, CA
10/27/2011
This place is loud.
It's not classy or dressed up at all.
But here, here; they do have some pretty good sandwiches.
I don't think this would be a foodies delight, however if you like the atmosphere and you and your friends want to have a place to get drinks and stuff I could see you enjoying the vibes and liking the place as a hang out spot in the square.
It's not the crem de la crem. -
Review from Shannon O.
Cleveland, OH
What can I say? It's Charlie's Kitchen, it's eternal. You go there for the burgers and beer, and it's pretty tough to screw those up, so I have a real soft spot for this place. Awesome beer garden out back in the summer -- can't remember seeing that before. Will have to go back when it's warm.
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Review from Kelly O.
11/28/2011
I've never set foot in the actual restaurant, but I've frequented the beer garden whenever it's nice out, and it's a decent spot to grab a pint in good weather. Sit at the (tight) bar and you'll be served promptly, and listen to the candid bartender chatter ("your table has no taste in beer") or watch the big game on the TV. They have a good selection of beers on tap (mostly $5), including the BBC Charlie's Kitchen that was specially made for them and is really delicious (sort of appley and crisp, an easy drinker with lots of flavor, very refreshing and tasty). This is a really casual/divey place so don't expect amazing service or gourmet food, but for what it is, it does the job.
Listed in: Beer Bars
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Review from Elizabeth G.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2011
I'm not writing anything new here given the hundreds of reviews but oh... I love me some Charlie's Kitchen. I haven't lived in Cambridge for about 2 years now but every time I go back this is one of the first bars I want to go back and visit. You just don't have anything else like it in the immediate vicinity and there is nothing more comforting than a pitcher of beer and a burger from Charlie's with some good friends. Throw on a good Boston sports game and you'll be in casual heaven. First of all, there are plenty of seating options here - upstairs, downstairs, BEER GARDEN.... so don't be off put by what may seem like a crowded bar when you first walk in. Upstairs there are lots of booths for larger groups and downstairs it almost feels more diner-y. They have tons of options beer wise and of course standard well drinks too. One of my friends swears by the lobster roll (which is gigantic) and I seem to always go for the burgers. The onion rings and fries are also delicious.
I just can't really say enough about Charlie's - maybe its nostalgia, maybe it's the company I've kept there, but it really is just a great place to kickback with friends. -
Review from Kirsten S.
Cambridge, MA
10/12/2011
Many years ago I had the most suede shoe-like burger I had ever experienced at Charlie's Kitchen. But, just the other day the menu offered choices like double cheeseburger topped with beets and bacon, or squash and ricotta, or oysters as specials! I had the squash and ricotta. And it f-ing rocked.
Beer is beer is beer. I don't even like beer. All of Charlie's bars have always been good, even if you can't find a place to put your bag down in the bathroom upstairs without getting semen on it. So there's no reason to evaluate the bar part. There are many, some inside, some out, and they have beer and bourbon and bathrooms and, likely, semen.
But now that the BURGER has actually come with impressive fixins', great waffle fries, and speedy service, I feel like a new patron! I don't care what my bag rolls in! I don't care that I've come famished and afraid of another scratchy charred garden glove on a bun! I don't need to feel that way. I can be liberated and well-fed with delicious double-burger daily options. And I can just carry my crap in my pockets!
Five stars, Charlie's! For all that you are, and all that I didn't have the time to complain about previously....GOOD JOB! -
Review from Caro d.
7/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Dear waitress at Charlie's Kitchen,
I'm sorry, for whatever we did, to make you hate us so much. I didn't realize ordering a few beers on a Saturday afternoon in your outdoor seating area was frowned upon. I'm sorry if we moved the table to give us the appropriate amount of space to sit behind it. I'm sorry if only half of our party ordered food while the other half did not. I really don't know why you gave us the stink eye and ignored our various pleadings for water. It was 85 outside, and we were all a little hungover, we really just needed to be hydrated - I apologize if that was too inconvenient for you.
Next time we'll cram into the overpacked beer garden downstairs and won't bother you.Listed in: Get Out of Town, Bah-stahn
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Review from K G.
Boston, MA
9/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Went in here for dinner and drinks randomly and I really enjoyed it. A total dive bar that is so packed you can barely get inside. It has two floors that we were able to find, who knows what else there is. Why is everyone crammed in here like sardines? Well it's a bargain. Double cheeseburgers start at just $5 with fries. A whole slew of other burgers, sandwiches, and other misc plates that you can match with drinks for under $15-20.
When I went with a couple of friends we walked in and a waitress immediately comes by and says she can clear a table in a couple of minutes instead of just ignoring us. The drinks came out in maybe 3 mins and the food arrived about 5 minutes after ordering. Now keeping in mind that this is a dive bar, the food was really good. You can easily go in here and hang out for hours as it looked like some were doing. Many TVs with various sporting events. I would definitely do it again. Very loud, very obnoxious and the way it should be. -
Review from Mike O.
7/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Last night I saw a drag queen punch this guy in the face; it was awesome! By far one of the best nights yet!! I started coming here years ago, maybe ten, and I loved it even when they didn't have the beer garden. That is to say, I love the beer garden, but Charlie's can stand alone without it if they needed to (like 9 months out of the year when it's cold). Simple food, just better options than the pub, and done so very respectably for the price.
The atmosphere is unmatched in this neighborhood. Totally makes going to Harvard worth the trek from JP. If your friends ask you to go to Harvard, make this a must stop. Even if it's a Sunday afternoon, make sure you go upstairs. If you're reading this and thinking "... uh, this sounds a little gritty." STOP. It's not. Just stop going to Harvard to hang out at all these other bush league joints, and go somewhere where they might not care if their fingernails are clean. I mean, really, do you care?
I like the food, the beer is good, and it's cheap. You can catch soccer matches on the TV on the weekends and it's always a good time. You don't go here because it's suiting your mood at the time; it provides your mood for you!Listed in: Five Stars
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Review from katia s.
Los Angeles, CA
8/29/2011
Nothing about Charlie's that I can complain about. Its a real dive bar. They have a great beer selection, and always really good seasonal beers come and go. Their food is so inexpensive and so amazing after you've had a few beers, trust me.
This isn't a place I would go to have an ice quiet drink. This is where you go with your friends after a long day of classes/work/anything. It's fun, easy going and you are bound to run into someone you know (especially if you are a Cambridge resident). In the summer time the Beer Garden is definitely worth paying a visit to as well.
After leaving Cambridge, Charlie's is definitely a place I really miss. -
Review from Soda Pop C.
Boston, MA
Updated - 7/27/2011
Hey Charlies,
Thank you for being a friend.6 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/11/2011
$11 for 2 PBR Tallboys and a burger and fries! I love this place! Read more »
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Review from Peter B.
Boston, MA
Updated - 8/29/2011 1 photo
In the past I'd have given Charlie's 2 or 3 stars. Usually it's too loud to talk and the service is spotty. One time we were seated in a booth, given menus and ignored for 25 minutes.
Today we had great service from a new waiter named Drew. He was very attentive and got the details right. For a place that always has a TV blasting over my head it's a treat to have a server who presents the coffee nicely and whom I don't have to chase after for cream. The music was at reasonable level today too.
They have a great location across the street from the MBTA 66 and 86 bus. The burgers and fries are damn good. They have 17 beers on tap. Whenever there are sliders on the specials menu I get them.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/3/2010
Prolly the best burger in Harvard Sq. Next to Bartley's. This place is a mixed bag, sometimes too… Read more »
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Review from Jessica B.
Waltham, MA
5/2/2011
I went to charlie's kitchen to meet some friends. They actually meant the beer garden, but I misunderstood. We went upstairs, which was a bit on the hot side, and tried to get a table. The server was very confusing, saying that the tables were only for people ordering food. We wanted food, but were still told the tables were not for us. Eventually, she told us that we could sit, but would need to leave if someone wanted dinner. When she returned, we started to order food, and were told we did not need to order to stay now. Not sure what any of that was about.
We ordered a lobster roll, which was pretty good. A bit heavy on the celery, but for the price there was a decent amount of lobster. I also enjoyed the beer selection, they had Goose Island on tap.
I first had an idea that something was wrong when my friends called and told us to meet them in the beer garden. I asked for my tab, for which I had given my debit card. The receipts came back with no card. I had transferred my tab from the bar, so i went up to the bar to get my card. I was told that the server had it. I asked her, and she said she had not yet run it, which seems strange as I was signing the credit receipt. My friends then decided to come upstairs, so we told her to just keep it open.
After a couple more drinks, we went to close our tab and were told by the server that she had given our card back. This after I had specifically had a conversation with her about how that was not the case. She accused me multiple times of having the card. I had to empty my pockets and wallet before she would believe that I did not have the card. She then went to look for it. 15 minutes later (most of which she was not looking) she told me it was gone and I needed to give her a different card. I asked to see the manager.
After 15 minutes of waiting for the manager, I asked again. Response "He is coming." Another 15 minutes later, I informed her that if the manager did not dain to speak to me within five minutes, I was walking. The five minutes passed and I began getting up. When that happened, he showed up real fast. At no point did he apologize, offer to comp anything, offer to look for my card. All he did was insist that I pay in some other way the full price and deal with the lost card. I have never experienced such poor customer service.
For a place I would have liked, the service is so far beyond incompetent. Worst in boston easily. -
Review from Aboud Y.
Cambridge, MA
5/26/2011
I wanna like places like Charlie's and I'll probably be back,but...
I was not impressed with any of the food. I guess it would have tasted better at the end of a night after a beer or twelve. -
Review from Tori G.
Somerville, MA
8/22/2011
I just went here with a friend who was in from out of town and staying in Harvard Square. The night got off to an auspicious start, because we snagged a seat outside and the weather was PERFECT for outdoor beer. And the success continued as I was pleasantly surprised here in all three of the categories that matter.
FOOD: I had what at least tasted like a homemade black bean burger which I thought was more than adequate. Plus, they have a mushroom burger, veggie burger AND black bean burger despite being kind of dive-y, which I appreciated very much. Get the beer-fried fries. My server recommended them, and they were artery-clogging good.
SERVICE: Our server was jauntily mustachioed, witty, and as suggested above gave good recommendations. My friend's glass was empty for an unfortunate amount of time before we could get his attention though, so he doesn't get quite full marks.
BEER: Solid variety. Not overpriced. And they have Widmer Brothers, which is my current favorite. I couldn't really ask for anything else.
Charlie's may not offer haute cuisine, but it's good at what it does. -
Review from Christian H.
Middlesex, MA
5/24/2011
This is always been my go to place when looking for a good bar to chill at after work. Located right in Harvard, its right there, easy to get to, and provides good food and drinks. Its a bit divey, but the staff is friendly and its solid place to go to during the week and weekends.
If you enjoy a good burger and something really simple, Charlie's provides a whole selection of different types with some of the best bacon ever if you prefer it. They must have cooked it some maple syrup or something because it had a hint of sweetness. I always get the triple burger and have yet to venture off to try something new. The burgers are a sure bet. A little small, but for what you pay for its not a bad deal. A friend of mine had the steak and cheese sub and I was almost afraid the he couldve gotten something small and kind of lame. I was super surprised when it came out and was on a huge roll filled with some much. It was crazy awesome.
The apps are pretty good here as well. I recommend getting the combo platter, as it has chicken wings, fingers, jalapeno poppers and mozzarella sticks. All of them were fried nicely and not greasy or anything. Again, I haven't tried much here, but the apps and burgers are good ways to go.
Their beer selection is good as well. With a lot of things to choose from, you can't go wrong to pick a beer based on your mood or preferences. If you don't feel super hungry, its a place to grab a drink and hunker down for a while. I also hear the beer garden outside is worth checking out as it seems very popular. If actual nice weather occurs, I imagine its a great place to be
With cheap drinks and food, Charlie's a great place to hang and unwind. Its a simpler place with a fun atmosphere and chill with friends. Be sure to check it out. -
Review from Kate T.
Boston, MA
7/25/2011
The beer selection is much more impressive than Charlie's rough and rusty facade would suggest, so go for the beer and fries. Try to find a seat in the beer garden if you can--its atmosphere is much more fun and relaxed than inside seating.
The burgers are not all they're cracked up to be. Well, let me rephrase that to be more generous and specific: When sober, the burgers do not meet one's typical standards for such food; drunk, however, these burgers do juuuust fine. The place is famous for "double burgers", two thin patties on an open-faced bun. Thin patties are hard to time well so 9 times out of 10 you'll be getting a dry burger here. The fancy burgers have enough sauce and cheese to mask this--try the Guinness burger for full effect.
Waitstaff was pleasant enough but not too rushed or fussed. After months of smelling Charlie's deliciousness from the bus stop across the street, I'm glad I've tried. But if I'm being completely honest, the smell alone will not be enough to tempt me into a second visit. You're better off spending your hard-earned cash at one of the myriad other burger joints around town. -
Review from Christina M.
Somerville, MA
5/16/2011
I've passed by this place a few times while in Harvard Square and never had to urge to walk in. The carnival lights and sketchy atmosphere just didn't appeal to me. So after a nice stroll through Mt. Auburn with my husband, when he asked if I wanted to get dinner down the street in Harvard Square, I was game. That is, I was game because I thought we were going to Wagamama's. As we walked down the street I was salivating thinking of the curry that would soon fill my belly. But than, what's this? Why is my husband turning off of the street to go to...Charlies? I was hungry so I didn't fight it to much, especially since he never did say we were going to Wagamamas, and you know what they say about people who assume, as I did.
Anyway, Charlie's Kitchen wasn't so bad. Will I go out of my way to come back? Probably not. Would I stop by if I were in the neighborhood? Maybe. They have two entrances into the restaurant--one for outdoor seating and one for indoor seating. We opted for indoors because it was chilly outside, and discovered upon coming in that it was a seat-yourself-kind of place. Other people who came in after us didn't realize this, and after waiting awkwardly for attention from a hostess, they gave up and left. So, it's a good thing to know, but something the regulars might like to keep secret to keep the yuppies at bay.
The decor was a dive bar meets retro diner, and the waitstaff was completely overburdened, but friendly. One waitress came up to us and explained how she should have gone home an hour ago, but it was so busy she was taking some more orders. Even though she was ready to go home, she was attentive to us and got someone to cover our table pretty quickly. I had a cheeseburger and sweet potato fries, and they were tasty and super cheap. I think my meal cost about $6, and they had coke in a bottle! That's the best. If you're looking for a cheap bite to eat and don't care to much about ambiance, than this place is worth a shot. -
Review from Anushri M.
Hermosa Beach, CA
3/22/2011
Is it possible to find a dive bar in Harvard Square?
No.
Is Charlie's the closest thing to a dive spot in Cambridge?
Absolutely.
It's unclear why someone actually likes dive bars. In fact, Charlie's carries many of the same characteristics of any desired dive bar. They serve pretty cheap, yet edible bar food. The ambiance is similar to a dive in that there is absolutely NO outside sun. Furthermore, Charlie's weird lighting and clientele scare out those preppy BU girls searching for Harvard men.
The biggest difference is Charlie's possesses clean bathrooms, lacks that sketchy old dude who plays quarters by himself, and has a functional jukebox.
With all this being so -- is Charlie's a place to dine? SURE!
When you go, get the lobster burger with waffle fries. It's only 12 bucks and you're eating lobster. Fine -- it's a lobster patty, but you feel so good eating LOBSTER. I've also had their salmon burger. Not as good, but still pretty solid.
See you there. -
Review from Brian B.
Brooklyn, NY
8/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Do you drink beer? You'll love this place.
You don't drink beer? Stay away. That's all they have.
We didn't order any food at Charlie's and sat out on the ridiculously crowded patio with everyone else drinking beer. I'm not sure why when there are better bars on every corner in Cambridge. -
Review from KJ W.
Boston, MA
8/1/2011
Sooo....where in Boston can you get a $12 double lobster roll? Beats me! Although the rolls are on what feels, tastes and digests like hotdog buns, the lobster is plentiful, creamy and pretty good!
Just be aware of this: on the main part of the menu, the SINGLE lobster roll is $8.95....I wanted to order the $12 DOUBLE roll... our waitress asked if we wanted to order TWO orders of lobster rolls, and thus I thought she meant 2 orders of double lobster rolls and I was thinking to myself, "do I look like a person who can eat 4 lobster rolls???" (answer could be yes but untested). So the $12 lobster is hidden on the back of the menu!
Get the beer battered fries. The calamari was fresh and delicious! The lemonade...so-so (get the beers)
My friends and I may make this a weekly thing for the rest of the summer... $12 Double Lobster Rolls! -
Review from Randy O.
Boston, MA
7/28/2011
Charlie's is just one of my favorite spots in Harvard Square to grab a bite to eat with a friend. It's dressed down, has a wildly mixed crowd, and there's always the double cheese crab burger, which is...amazing. The service is sometimes a little slow, but they have a good beer selection. If you're looking for a swankier joint, go across the street to Noir. If not, pull up a stool at Charlie's.
Find me on Twitter: @onlyrandy -
Review from Ben G.
2/11/2011
For me, Charlie's Kitchen is the common denominator for harvard sq. It doesn't matter if your a local, a cool or dorky college kid or even; dare I say it a senior citizen. This place attracts people from all walks of life. You might be wondering, "Really, How is that possible?" Well,There are many things I like about Charlies Kitchen and I assume as a result of diverse crowd found in Charlie's others agree.
The beer garden in the summer is an obvious first reason why this place rocks so hard. To be out in the garden on a warm night, sipping a wide variety of beers is a perfect way to cap off a summer day.
The cheap and approachable menu is another reason why everyone loves charlies. If you have 10 bucks, you can certainly get a quality burger/ fries and PBR tall boy. Who can't afford that? They even have a vegaterain section of their menu. Who aren't they thinking about? If you say vegans, I will slap you.
in addition to the beer garden and the cheap menu is the atmosphere, it completely laid back. You know? Like anyone wearing anything would feel comfortable inside.
Last night, I had a bacon, blue cheese burger, split a greek salad with the lady. She had a veggie reuban which she enhaled. Oh snap. I almost forgot the most important item of note. can you say WAFFLE FRIES? Oh yes I did. and they were amazing. Lightly seasoned, these little suckers rounded off the meal quite nicely.
So, if your short on loot, and still looking for a fun night out, head over to charlies and have yourself a burger, next to some hipsters, grandmas and a group of dudes playing dungens and dragons. -
Review from Becca F.
Cambridge, MA
7/17/2011
Sometimes they'll give you the wrong drink or ignore you for 20 minutes as you try to order a couple beers before missing the last train to Boston. Usually the food isn't that great. They'll often have signs up to advertise a new beer that they're actually out of.
But it's quality atmosphere, and if they're not ignoring you, the service is solid. Overall, good place to stop for a few drinks, not necessarily to make a night out of it.
Upstairs is better atmosphere, sporadic service. Downstairs has great service, more typical laid-back bar scene. Your choice. -
Review from cristina c.
Boston, MA
4/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is the place where when you fit in somewhere normally, you don't fit in here.
With that said, I'm not a huge fan of the place. I've been several times and a friend of mine used to actually work here so there's that.
Beer selection, nice job.
French fries, very good.
Overall; Meh, I've experienced better.
Bar staff this weekend, awesome! The girl was really funny, she asked what some of the local radio stations are and I said Jamn 94.5 and she said something along the lines of, I like that station too but we can't play it in here, not the right type of music.
..not really my kind of place.
Will I go back, eventually I suppose, it's inevitable. -
Review from Pat G.
Boston, MA
4/26/2011
This place is awesome, and a genuine, great place in Harvard Square, where there are some great places (Shay's, Grendels) and some pretty inoffensive and forgettable spots (Grafton Street). If you are expecting the best burger of your life...well whatever, don't, it's really cheap so just enjoy it. This place shares fish shipments with The Red House next door, so despite what you might think the fish dishes are the best thing on the menu. Great beer list, good juke box, and RIDICULOUS waffle fries.
Don't let the Reality Bites demeanor of the staff fool you, they are all very nice and helpful, just not in-your-face.
One final note: do not be temped by the siren's song of the lobster melt. Just, don't. -
Review from Sean M.
Watertown, MA
7/6/2011
Great Dive Bar! Great Beer Selection.. GREAT GREAT GREAT bartenders.. Except one bartender from my experiences.
"Elenore" I believe is her name. Should NOT I say NOT be bartering at this bar. She is Rude. She is NOT friendly. And She has NO knowledge of beer or how to serve beer for that matter.
She is rude and I do not feel she has much common sense or social skills.
When someone orders a "Fancy" Beer you should give them a glass for it. Especially when the bottles are dirty like they commonly are there. and when the glass is filthy. Maybe take notice and replace it?
When someone asks a question. You should acknowledge them and try to answer the question,.
When someone sits down you should say something along the lines of.
Dinner or drinks? would you like a beer/dinner menu? etc.. common stuff for service industry veterans.
When someone orders a specific beer. Don't try to pass off a different beer like its the one that was ordered.. THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BROWN ALE AND LAGER! but she wouldn't take responsibility for messing that up.
Charlies kitchen is a drinkers bar... the bartenders should know drinks.
Charlies Kitchen is a GREAT bar... if you go and see a blondish gingerish short haired women with no smile on her face sit at the other end of the bar to avoid having terrible service and a awful time.
The women with brown hair and glasses ROCKS and knows her drinks very well! .. as does the tall blond with curly hair they are both FANTASTIC!!!!
Elenor... GET A NEW JOB!!! maybe not somewhere where you have to talk to people. YOU SUCK! -
Review from Cy K.
9/18/2011
An unapologetic dive bar. If you're sick of the pretension permeating Harvard Square this is the place for you - beer burgers and sports abound! The food quality is pretty low (burgers glistening with excess oil), but after a couple beers you can forget about what the incoming coronary and enjoy!
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Review from John S.
3/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm just adding to the pile here, but I'm going to echo the general statement of the masses and say that Charlie's Kitchen is a staple Harvard Square location that does what it does and doesn't pretend to be anything it's not.
Burgers and beer, with a lot of noise, laughter and bumping into people as side dishes. You'll either love it or hate it the second you get in. -
Review from Laura K.
12/15/2010
400th REVIEW!!!!!!!
"I'd like the Double Cheeseburger with nuts and bacon; and, if you could slap a Band-Aid on that and have it walk over here - that'd be grand."
Fairly raw, chock-full-o-nuts and one non-dubs burger later, Alyssa and I were splitting a nutty, bacon-accented burger with a modest amount of waffle fries. Were we full? Negative. Will we keep our girlish figures? Affirmative.
Never super-crowded - never full of desirable men.
CATCH-22! -
Review from Dara C.
2/24/2011
Charlie's isn't quite a dive but it's not exactly a destination either. There's a lot neon behind the well-stocked bar, and to the bleary-eyed or double-visioned, it almost looks like a carnival. Whatever it is, it's fun, cheap, and deeply satisfying. A decent burger for less than $10 with two thin, juicy patties in a soft bun is the only meal worth getting (though the veggie burger is not terrible, if you have friends of that ... persuasion.) I am hopelessly addicted to waffle fries and Charlie's don't fail although they might come to the table a bit cold.
The beer list is above-average with your usual seasonal standards and perhaps something fun on tap; this past winter, the list was heavy on porters and stouts. Cocktails are the uncomplicated classics with the occasional odd duck but they do make a mean sidecar. And if all else fails, the bartenders pour a nice long shot. Prices aren't bad for being in Harvard Square.
The staff is nice in that tattooed-but-not-working-at-the-Other-Side-Cafe kind of way. They'll let you park your butt for a while in one of the booths, and as long as you keep drinking, you shan't be moved. And really, when the jukebox is playing an excellent selection of Backstreet Boys and the Misfits, where would you go? Out into the cold? No, no, brother, order another round and stay awhile. -
Review from Amanda G.
Somerville, MA
2/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is better in the Summer, but still worth a trip in Winter... if you're in the mood for cheap eats and draft beer.
The beer garden, only open in sweet Summertime, is the place to be in Harvard Square for happy hour, and gets crowded by 5 p.m. most days.
Indoors feels pretty dive-y but I kind of like that... sometimes. Service is spotty here - every time I go a waiter has to revisit the table to ask again what we wanted - but food is consistently good and did I mention, cheap? A fat burger and two beers is under 20 bucks. I don't eat beef, but I am a huge fan of their homemade salmon burger & waffle fries. Mmmm....Listed in: Baller on a Budget
-
Review from Trevor S.
Cambridge, MA
6/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
My wife and I wanted to unwind from a day shopping and sight-seeing in Boston so we decided to try Charlie's Kitchen. Overall the atmosphere was that of a small, friendly hometown bar. The bartenders were quick to get us our drinks and the appetizer came out shortly after.
We went on a Friday in June so the bar wasn't too busy although there was enough of a crowd to make it interesting. If you like cozier bars that are pretty laid back, definitely give this place a try.
