Charlie’s Bakery
2729 C St, Anchorage, AK, 99503
Charlie’s Bakery Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Anchorage for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Anchorage for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Anchorage for healthy meals suggestion.
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Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
Categories
Chinese Cuisine
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
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Jim D.
We went today, Saturday, for dim sum. Excellent. All very freshly prepared and although a limited selection, great for Alaska. The iced tea was good. The duck crispy and succulent and plentiful. My favorite item is always egg custard tarts. These were better than anywhere else; instead of custard they were actually creme brûlée! And the pastry was very flaky--I have abandoned a favorite dim sum place for changing the crust. Very enjoyable and grandsons got plenty they liked to eat.
(5)Roger G.
I can only comment on the broccoli chicken. It has always been very good. Pricing is a little on the high side compared to Sagaya. If you call in the order around quitting time, it's normally done and ready within 10 minutes.
(4)Eddie P.
This is the closest to true Chinese food in Anchorage other than some Chinese's family kitchen. The steam filled buns are little round clouds with a flavor surprise at the center. The atmosphere is neither bad or smiles, but it does satisfy a humans social need to be among ones species. The food is quite good and the service is well rehearsed at pleasing the mass of consumers during lunch hour. Overall the most authentic Chinese food in Anchorage with added bonuses.
(3)Joanna F.
Lunch here is expensive but it's good. I like the soup and the pastries , the dessert is super yummy. I ate here a lot during hair school and it's never let me down.
(4)Heather V.
I just love this place! The potstickers are outstanding, delicious bbq steam buns and the sheet rice noodle with beef was very enjoyable! I always pick up a few vanilla custard buns to have for dessert later. Consistently great.
(5)Lesley L.
I am from out of town and was looking for a birthday cake. My friends 5 year old said that we had to get it from Charlie's Bakery. So I looked it up and off we went. The mocha cake was wonderful. We also got some coconut bread, custard rolls, and ham and cheese rolls. They were all great.
(4)Chini S.
I believe this is the only dim sum restaurant in Anchorage... I've been here for two years and just the last few months knew about this place! =P I'm from NYC where dim sums restaurants are plentiful so finding one in Alaska was exciting! The dim sum here is not the kind I'm use to but it is a decent place with pretty good dim sums. The place is a "sit-yourself kind of place if there are available tables when you come. So far I have tried most of the dim sums such as the sticky rice, pork/shrimp shu-mai, crystal dumplings, steamed pork/chicken bun, beef noodle soup, sesame balls, fried taro, pot stickers, egg tart, and scallion pancakes. They're all pretty good except the scallion pancakes and friend taro, just not what I'm use to like the original ones they make in New York. =P What I was really excited about was their milk tea with bubbles... Wish they had other traditional kinds like taro and green teat but it's better than the frozen kind of "bubble teas" like at Fruit Land. Overall, good place and I've been there 3 times and I would go back again. =)
(5)Amanda M.
I haven't had dimsum in 12 years and I have missed it so much. This place rivals the dimsum I had in Hawaii!!! Absolutely delicious!!!
(5)M M.
An Anchorage gem. The braised beef noodle soup is very good and reminds us of Taipei. Har Gow is good as is the Shu-Mai. Try the ginger chicken on Saturday. Service was fantastic and prices are very fair for Anchorage. Go in the evening for a less crowded experience.
(5)Aaron Z.
The food is OK but the bakery is amazing! If you get in early you can have your pick of all the delicious options... If you show up after lunch you never know what will be left... Don't forget an egg tart they are the best.
(5)Susan K.
Visit #4. It's been roughly two years since my last review of Charlie's. Last time, though critical, was my honest opinion at the time, and was written shortly after a return trip from SF and it's gloriously cheap and flavorful nom noms. So, without further ado here is the review for our Taiwanese eatery: Service: 3.5/5 Asian dude at register was welcoming, overall nice dude. Asian lady who rang us up for bakery purchases was less laser-glare-down-inclined this time around(please refer to previous review if you'd like to know more about this) so service was better overall. It was a bummer that only one register was available for the long line that appeared immediately upon opening, and the wait for to-go was a bit long(though steaming takes a while so it makes sense.) Food: 3.75/5 For today's selection, we ordered the following: #1 Lotus Leaf - Wrapped Sticky Rice Portion size was pretty good, $6 is a little steep, but there's chinese sausage and chicken inside(plus we're in AK and everything costs your first born child.) The consistency of the sticky rice was great. I was expecting dried shrimp inside but I 'spose that's more of a Southern Chinese thing. There seemed to be a lot more rice than filling in ours, but overall it was pretty good - not too salty, just seasoned well. You'd probably want to eat this with something else(like some sort of pickled vegetable, or something crunchy to balance it out.) #5 Har Gow Appearance wise - nice size, not bad for $3.75(in Alaska) looked and smelled pleasing. Consistency of their tapioca/wheat skin was chewy without being latex-like, nor was it mushy and falling apart. Nicely done. Filling was really nice texture-wise, fresh, like eating at your aunt's house. As for the flavor, the ginger was very strong in this. It's very, very seasoned. If you're sensitive to sodium it might take you aback on the first bite, but you get accustomed to it after the 1st dumpling. If you're a salt person, you'll appreciate it. If you have a sensitive palate (or a middle-aged Korean woman who never eats out and thinks restaurant food is too salty) then you may want to pass. I'm not sure why it includes low-sodium soy sauce, but hey - to each their own. #6 Bean Curd Roll I wasn't sure how this one would be, but pretty satisfying. The taste is like that of a gyoza dumpling, but wrapped in, you know, bean curd/wrinkled tofu skin, made to look like an eggroll, cut into pieces like sushi. Korean mom said it was too salty, but I didn't think it was too strong compared to the Har Gow's intensity. If you like gyoza, you'll like this. Presentation, texture, portions, are good, but .25 was knocked off for variance it sodium levels. And moving on to the baked goods: Red bean buns: Although a favorite, it wasn't as good this time around. My parents claim that the red bean filling-to-bun ratio was not balanced, there being too much filling. The red beans also seemed to have been burnt this time around. Texture of the bun, however, was great - not to dry, not dense, just good. Overall, for roughly the same price(less, actually) my vote goes to Yummy Bakery this round. The filling is consistent and there's not so much of it that you can't quite enjoy the bread. White sandwich bread loaf: pretty good. It's hard to mess white bread up if you're running a bakery, though. Yummy Bakery also has white sandwich bread, but the consistency varies in that they frequently burn the top layer, leaving a dry slice 'o bread. Charlie's Bakery is the winner here. Egg tarts: Now, I know I was bitching about there not being egg tarts up here, and I realize it was a mistake. Because they're here. And I dunno if it's just because it's been so long since I've had one from Golden Gate Bakery in San Francisco, but it was satisfying. Too satisfying. It tasted like how I thought it expected it to taste. Though the crust was not as crispy(probably because I waited too long) it did not matter. Those damn things were f***in' tasty. I have yet to try their Saturday Menu items like the Duck. But overall, better than previous experiences. You should still go to China Town on Government Hill, though. Seriously. And ask for the Chinese Menu.
(4)Mai H.
Got chicken, mushroom, and asparagus (#11, I think). Seasoning seemed just right, not too salty like some Chinese places can be. Pricier than comparable food in the lower-48, but that seems to be the theme in Alaska. I would come back.
(4)Sylvia M.
Overall, good. I would come back when I have a chinese food craving. The egg tarts aren't that great, however. But the bean curd roll, the sui mai, and the fried noodle with beef (I don't remember what number) was really good. I thought the ginger chicken was just ok. The lady who serviced our table, I asked her for extra small plates, and she answered but forgot to bring them to us. I think she forgot cause the place was pretty packed.
(4)Lynn D.
We've been going to Charlie's for years, but lately have felt the quality was slipping After last evenings debacle it will be a while before we return. We stopped and ordered a simple take out of fried rice and gyoza. When we opened the fried rice we were met with the overpowering odor of fish sauce. The rice was inedible. The gyoza was hard small dense balls of boiled dough bearing no relation to any gyoza We've ever seen. A total waste of time and money. Am curretly airing the malodorous fish smell out of my house. Very disappointed.
(1)Emma C.
Baked Goods: 5/5 Food: 2/5 Love their baked goods, particularly their egg custard. It's to die for, you must try it! Their restaurant is really mediocre, though. BUT TRY THEIR BAKED GOODS!! --- Other great bakeries to recommend: The French Oven, The Flying Dutchman
(4)Adrianne J.
PORK BUN PORK BUN PORK BUN! Those fatty treats got me through many a gray, nasty slog through midtown Anchorage. Is Charlie's perfect? No. One lady who I'm guessing has to be the owner is kinda scary, and the entrees are expensive. Fine. But the small plates are fabulous! Seriously: Go to Charlie's. Try the pork buns (have I mentioned the pork buns?), the crystal dumplings with shrimp, the gyoza, the scallion pancakes, and the curried chicken puff. Charlie's is one of the only Anchorage restaurants that I really miss now that I've moved to the lower 48. Won't you go have a pork bun for me?
(5)Ayesha W.
Amazing! They must cook to order because it's so fresh! Staff is friendly and approachable. Don't judge a book by its cover; this place is a gem.
(5)Todd C.
Good Chinese food but a basic menu. Fresh cooked when you order and reasonably priced. It's the best Chinese food I've found in Anchorage so far.
(4)Joy G.
Charlie's Bakery is easily my favorite Chinese restaurant in Anchorage. The menu is somewhat limited, but everything they make is good. We ordered a LOT of food (portions run on the smallish side) and I wanted to try as much as possible. We enjoyed everything! There definitely a Korean influence on the menu in addition to Chinese stand-bys. I went bananas for their giant fried red-bean sesame balls! I thought when I left Philly I'd never see them again; but Charlie's has them and they are lischy! The ambiance is not much to write home about, and their prices are neither a bargain nor a rip-off. Let's face it, everything in Alaska is more expensive. Service is sparse, but they do aim to please. You won't be doted upon, but they are happy to answer questions or respond to special requests.
(5)Annie C.
I can't get enough of this place. They do a fabulous fried rice with a little bit of everything (I'm a fried rice nut), and their buns are to die for. My husband and I get all giddy and dumb when we decide to grab a bun or two. The ham and cheese is amazing, as well as the curry puff and they are all only a buck or two. We have tried several things on the menu and love them all... Charlies has even become our go-to for fresh baguettes. Super cheap and delicious - who knew a Chinese bakery could do better French and Italian bread than the big guys?!
(5)Anita L.
I drove by this place several times and saw that it had chinese food and was a bakery. Just based off the outside appearance and the name, it did not sound appetizing at all! However, I got curious and yelped it and boy am I glad I did! I am from San Francisco which might as well be a mecca for chinese food. Though the food I'm used to is hard to beat, this place is my go to place when I feel homesick and need to get some good chinese food fix. The workers there are so friendly and nice and they actually speak Mandarin! That's pretty legit. The food is prepared when you order it so you know it's fresh and haven't been sitting for hours on a hot table. It's is a bit pricey here but it is pretty comparable to the prices in town so therefore, I think the price is worth the quality of the food. They also sell egg custards and bbq buns! I also feel like the quality of the food is healthier less greasy compared to other places I've tried. You're paying for the quality and the freshness. If you're looking quick, chinese food, New Sagaya's hot table is cheap and fast but the quality is eh - passable but not as good as Charlie's Bakery. Note: If you're going to order the Shu Mai, there is about a 10 minute wait for it.
(4)Kylee H.
I went today for lunch and orders the Mongolian Beef, House Fried Rice, and a pork bun. The Mongolian beef looked peaked. The flavor was decent enough. The texture, wonderful. I like the beef to be well browned (almost crisp) on the outside and moist and tender at the same time. Only one place in Anchorage makes it like that. The beef was served with steamed rice which was the perfect texture. The fried rice had peas, eggs, pork and shrimp. I was dissappointed by it's scorched grease flavor. I wonder if it was just an "off" order. The pork bun was delicious. So soft, just the right amount of sweetness. I will give Charlies another chance. I see many raving about the DIM SUM so I'll have to give that a try.
(2)Masha L.
The best Chinese in town taste and quality-wise! My favorite is #32 - Pork eggplant with veggies :) Their vegetables taste so fresh! I never get tired of it. The reason I'm giving 4 stars is because sometime they are a bit on a slower side when I come and make an order to go.
(4)Linda W.
it's the ONLY game in town. No authentic Chinese food but charlies'. NO REAL DIM SUM PLACES in this town. BUT CHARLIES small selection. Heck it's better than nothing. they are expensive. especially if you coming from big cities with great cheap dim-sum. VIP is the best Korean place
(5)Amanda C.
Charlie's Bakery was quite the surprise. It appears to be the best choice for dim sum in Anchorage. While the steamed pork bun was enjoyable (and not too sweet), the crystal dumplings lacked flavor. Bok choy was very good. Sticky rice was also well made. My real gripe is that I spent $15 on a lunch that would have cost $5 - if that - in Chinatown. And this is definitely not nicer than a Chinatown dim sum hole in the wall. But I know... It's Alaska and everything is expensive here.
(3)Nicole H.
For the custard buns (and other bakery goodness) alone, I write this review. SOOOOO GOOOOOOD. Just try the custard buns. Just. Try them. Mmm...
(4)Jason Y.
love this place! the food is great, the staff is very friendly. The cakes and baked goods are AMAZING!!
(5)Islaw K.
Good quality Chinese food. Bakery has fresh selections as well. I go back for the egg custards and taro dumpling on their Saturday only menu.
(4)Emily M.
Wow, there's a lot of negative reviews on here. I'm suprised because, even if it's not truly authentic Chinese/Korean/French (they have baguettes), it's still great food and decent prices. It's the only place in town to get dim sum dishes, even if they are a little pricey compared to traditional dim sum. As for the price, those pork buns are only $2 and they are HUGE and DELICIOUS. What exactly could you complain about? The sweet sesame balls are particularly delightful. I like the variety of dishes, from spicey to sweet, rice or noodles or soup. Every time I go in I get a bun of some fashion (BBQ pork and custard are my favorites) and order a new dish. Every time I leave happy. The negatives: long waits for your food, the people running the place can seem really disorganized (which drives me crazy so I try not ot pay attention) and it gets really crowded on Saturdays.
(4)Miles S.
I had some fantastic chinese food here as well as some delicious buns. I found the sesame chicken to be nicely flavored and not sickly sweet as it can be at a lot of places. The veggies with my order were well seasons and not over cooked. I want to try some of the backed goods but I have enjoyed every bread product out of the place.
(5)Neil O.
Charlie's is our family favorite since 2005. The price of dim sum here is a bit on the high end, but I don't know of any other place in town that serves dim sum. I usually avoid the dim sum just for that reason and go for my favorites: The Pork Spareribs with Black Bean Sauce is a hearty dish with a subtle, earthy flavor mainly derived from the black beans. The spare ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender. Served on a bed of steamed rice and topped with scallions, the flavor of the sauce and pork complement each other well. The "eggplant" dish (I forgot the proper name) is a somewhat greasy dish with ground pork blended in. What seems to be chili oil contributes to the color, greasiness and spiciness of this dish. This dish wouldn't be complete without sitting on a bed of steamed rice, which it is. The Steamed BBQ Pork Bun and Custard Bun are also my favorites at Charlie's (especially when they are right out of the steamer/oven). They're are a bit pricy like their dim sum, but I believe these are actually worth splurging for.
(4)Jennifer C.
Three different people recommended this place as the best Chinese restaurant in town. Love it. The food is very authentic and fresh. The service is fast. Love it! Will be back real soon.
(5)A S.
Addendum: Last time I went to Charlie's I was disappointed to see my favorite dish no longer on the menu. In fact, the menu is no longer large. Nevertheless, the rest of my review still stands. I like Charlie's Bakery.
(4)Lisa C.
They are my fav Chinese restaurant in Anchorage. They have the best sesame chicken I have ever had. Also really enjoy their fried rice and the pork buns as well. You also would not expect is because there is a very limited amount of sweet treats in Asian cuisine but their pastries are pretty amazing too.
(5)Kongkiat R.
Recently went back to the place and ordered Shiumai and Hargow. Both were ok but they were cold. (what the heck???) They should at least warm it up. I also ordered the crispy fried noodle w/chicken and it was a little to the bland side. Apparently not everything on the menu is good. Just look at all the previous reviews so, you know what to get. But as far as the cake goes, gotta give it to them. Their cake taste just right. (Not too sweet like those that you get at Carrs and Fred Meyer). They do offer the best cake.
(3)Mel H.
Charlie's has really delicious food, that is prepared right and without a cup of oil like you'd find at most other Chinese joints in town. The menu has a good mix of more authentic Chinese and the type of Chinese most Americans like to see on a menu. Their specials have never let us down. Baked goods are also tasty. The people who run the joint are extremely friendly, service is awesome, and the place is spotless. This is our go-to when we have a hankering for Chinese. Haven't tried the Saturday dim sum yet.
(5)Beckie L.
This is probably one of the better Chinese places in Anchorage. I'm from the asian part of LA, so I'm super spoiled by super good, super cheap Chinese restaurants. Still, the food here is pretty decent.
(4)Kirsten F.
Kind of expensive but yummy. The best Chinese food I've had in Anchorage. What I've had there: Fried shrimp ball: bigger than I expected, pretty good Glass dumpling: looks creepy, like a cocoon for a sea creature, but yummy House fried rice Kailb (I think other places spell it "kalbee") Sesame chicken Kung pao chicken And it's all been good! The only downer is the prices are a bit high.
(4)Grace A.
A great local place for lunch or for delicious baked goods. My favorite meal there is Chicken Chow Mein and an Almond Pastry. Total for that and a beverage is ~$11.
(5)Tim S.
Best authentic Chinese/Taiwanese cuisine in town bar none! My favorite is the marinated pork chops with noodle soup. Other faves are the Chinese Eggplant, House Fried Rice and the Pan Fried Seafood Noodle. I am a regular and visit 1-3 times a month. A bit on the pricier side for lunch as they raised their prices a bit so a lunch averages $10 - $15 but well worth it.
(4)Becca C.
First time I came here, I bought a puff pastry, and it really wasn't anything to write home about. However, just went in there last week, and had some of the best sesame chicken ever. The vegetables were extremely fresh, no wilting here! The sticky rice was boiled to perfection, and the chicken was tender; the sauce at a good consistency. Costs a bit too high to make it a regular visit, but it's still worth the price when you do decide to get it.
(4)Reena M.
For Anchorage, coming from Vancouver for 8 months and really dying for Dim Sum in the last couple, this place was great! It was the only place we found dim sum at and Chinese pastries. It's probably not as great as Vancouver, but it's a great effort Anchorage. And it's a local business you can feel good about supporting. Plus the owners/managers were very very kind to us when we were there and we really appreciated that. For that, they get 5 stars!
(5)ME M.
Best Chinese food you can find in AK. I love all the bakery items and the lotus leaf sticky rice. Prices are consistent with what you'll find in the lower 48s and the service is quick. A great place to stop in for a fast bite to eat.
(4)Samantha C.
This is a great hole in the wall. For me I usually think of sweet and sour chicken when I think of chinese food in the U.S. This has a more traditional side which I appreciate. If you can tell me where to get better, I would go. Till then, this place is great. They have a variety on their menu, breads and pastries ready to go and dim sum is on Sat. There are enough veggie plates to take you vegetarian friends, but some dishes can come off a bit plain. I sometimes stop off for a pork bun when I'm driving around and pick up a horchata from the taco king around the corner. Yummy.
(4)Julie D.
So I absolutely LOVE the baked goods here at Charlie's!! Every single thing in the dessert case is fantastic. There baked buns with various items inside are wonderful as well. Charlie's is the only place in Anchorage that I am aware of that actually does Dim Sum and it's not bad. The steamed dumplings and shy-Mai are quite tasty as well. I have not tried there other Chinese dishes so I can not attest one way or another. But if you want an amazing cake, pineapple cheesecake, or really yummy bakes items please try this little spot out!
(5)Aretha R.
I usually had great food from this restaurant in the past today was horrible. I found 7 bugs in my food and of the 7 found there were 3 different kinds. 1 was a roach for sure and the others Im not sure what kind they were but I DO KNOW it had legs....EW!!! Nonetheless, I will NEVER eat here again. Service was great friendly and fast....food um....I think I would rather take my chances in the vending machine at work... VERY DISAPPOINTING!! I didn't have time to report this to the health department :( but thought everyone should know..
(1)Hina K.
Ordered pork spare ribs and a pork steam bun and it was ready in less than ten minutes. Waited for my cab to take me to the hotel to eat and wow. It was still hot (20min later) and it was so tender I could cut it with my chopsticks. The portions were enough that two could share. I can't believe I've never been here before. The baked goods looked amazing and it seems like Saturday is the best food day because everything gets sold out. The service was exceptional. The two women at the counter greeted me with smiles and let me know to call them if I had any questions. I will definitely be stopping here every time I'm in town. Definitely five stars!!! Can't wait to try the rest of their food.
(5)Erica C.
I think Charlie's is the closest to good Chinese food! Their Saturday menu is basically what I look forward to. Roasted Duck & boiled dumplings. Yum! Their food is the closest "authentic" Chinese food I've had in Anchorage. Definitely better than ChinaTown! They don't really have a large variety of items, but they are good with the execution of the items they do have. So If i have to eat Chinese food, they would be my pick. Their cakes are pretty amazing as well! I've ordered plenty of birthday cakes and even had them do my wedding cake! Be sure to get the fruit filling in it! Bomb! :) The bakery portion definitely earns them the 4 stars. Without it, my review would be at 3 stars!
(4)Katy F.
I've been enjoying their food for 20 years now... I'm 20 so basically my whole life. I love the eggplant dish, it's probably my favorite aside from the (Saturday only) ginger chicken. I also enjoy the pork and chicken steamed buns they will satisfy your carb and protein cravings. If you're hankering for something sweet the sesame chicken is hard to beat! Service is ok to nonexisten some days (hence the minus 1 star) but don't let that stop you from trying their food and baked goods. If you like coconut, get a coconut bun they're butter-y, soft and delicious.
(4)Brandy K.
I swear I thought I had already reviewed this place but apparently I forgot. I'm kindof torn here, really would like to give 3.5 stars, but aside from Chinese food, and dim sum, Charlie's is also a full bakery and has amazing cake, jelly rolls, and egg tarts, so based on the desserts alone which I absolutely love I'm going with 4 stars. Last time I was here I had the wonton soup, the big bowl with noodles. The broth itself is rather lackluster and boring, but the wontons are good and I liked the noodles. I ordered the spicy wonton soup before and it was just a small bowl of wontons with a spicy sauce on them, I again liked the wontons but the spicy sauce was a bit sickening and kind grossed me out after a few bites (I should add I love spicy food so this is unusual.) I've tried the Mongolian beef which many folks love, I don't really care for it, but I like my Mongolian beef kindof sweet and this is not sweet. I've had the sesame chicken and it was ok, but not amazing. I like the pork and shrimp dim sum, and the Har Gow, and Crystal dumplings the best, they also have good pork rolls. I've heard the braised beef noodle soup is very good but I haven't tried it. I like them, and do think they have some decent Chinese food, but you have to try several different dishes to find what stands out for you! Dim sum is probably the best I've been able to find in town though. As for dessert, I absolutely LOVE their jelly rolls. Lightly sweetened sponge cake with a very thin layer of cream and jelly, rolled into it. It is the PERFECT amount of sweet and yummy. Springy cake that is very satisfying but that you don't feel sick after eating. The chocolate jelly roll is also good, its chocolate sponge cake with a light layer of cream in it. Again not overly sweet, and not much cream which I like, but so so good! They also have great egg tarts there. Love love love them!! Again they are just an ever so slightly sweet egg custard in a light flaky crust. I highly recommend them if you like custart type tarts. We ordered my sons graduation cake from Charlie's and again were not disappointed. It was wonderful. The frosting is delicious! Most places have that super rich butter cream, but Charlie's uses like a whipped cream type frosting that is just sweet enough to give the cake flavor, but not overpower the flavor of the melt in your mouth cake! Whenever I want a sweet treat, that tastes real to me (real as in homemade, not fake and full of presevatives) I go to Charlie's. When I eat their baked products I never taste any chemicals they taste like something you bake in your kitchen at home with quality "real" ingredients. Check them out!
(4)Eric C.
Solid 3 stars for Alaska but 2 stars compared to the lower 48. There is a huge wall with pictures to help make your choice and then you place your order at the cashier. After a few minutes, your food comes out smoking hot. The portions are large and the food is decent. I recommend coming here if you are looking for your Chinese (Americanized) fix. I didn't get a chance to try out of the baked items but they looked good. Prices are expensive in Alaska!
(2)Carla C.
Love their angel food cake. So light and not too airy!! Just the right sweetness. Can eat this cake everyday.
(4)Andrew H.
This review is NOT for the bakery portion, which looks delicious. Man, I just don't get it? I'm not sure why this place is so hyped. I thought it was pretty run-of-the-mill Chinese food. Nothing insanely good or bad, just he usual menu with pictures on it with all the Chinese-American standards. As the 3-star rating suggests, everything was just "A-OK". There is nothing to distinguish the food from every other mall or strip mall Chinese food you've ever had. Maybe people are reviewing the bakery. I will definitely come back for that portion!
(3)Rachel S.
We came here for lunch on a Saturday and it was bumpin'! We got maybe 3 or 4 plates of food and they were all awesome! I forgot which ones they were (they have such a great variety) , but they tasted really authentic and came out within 10 min. We also got a few items from the bakery to take home and they were all really good. You honestly can't go wrong with this place. The plates are small, so order a few. They can get crowded, so you might need to claim a table first, but it would be nice to go with a bigger group, just to get a variety. I would definitely go back, it's probably the best Chinese food o found in anchorage so far, but I have yet to try the other popular restaurants in town. Or if your in a rush, you can pick up a pork bun and a pastry :)
(4)M L.
Sticky rice was perfect! Quick and good food!
(5)J I.
With the name Charlie 's Bakery you'd never know what their really all about but I'm here to tell you this place has some of the best Oriental food in Anchorage if the not in the state. The only one way to describe their Mongolian beef is "where have you been all my life"!!!. Their steamed sweet buns have contributed to some extra pounds on me because of their amazingness. I recommend the bbq one but the ham and cheese is also great. If only I was in Atown right now my stomach would be filled with this place!!!!!
(4)Amanda B.
I agree that most of us add a star in our ratings for Alaska when compared to the lower 48 cuz hey it's Alaska and it's harder to get fresh produce and world class chefs here etc. But this was probably some of the worst Chinese food I've had anywhere in the world. Have been told this is best Chinese food in Alaska, if that's the case I'll do without.
(1)Jon A.
Got to love a Chinese french bakery. Food is good. Seating is abundant. Order at the counter and enjoy.
(4)Nasha W.
I really wanted to like this place. I've been privy to some amazing dim sum and with all the great reviews I thought this would be fantastic. Our experience here was mediocre. If you're looking for table service this isn't quite the place you want to go to. We ordered several items to include sticky rice, steamed bun, pot stickers, shrimp dumplings, steamed rice, bokchoy, and sesame balls. While some of our items made it promptly to our table, others took way long. My dumplings arrived after I had already finished my rice and bok choy so I was not a happy camper. The shrimp dumplings were slimy and overcooked. Even my husband who will absolutely devour them left one uneaten. My husband's pork bun never even made it to the table. When we went to claim it the lady said she forgot about it while pulling it out of the microwave and putting it in a bag for us. Really? Although she was very kind I was taken back by the use of microwave. So in retrospect, I guess not everything is freshly made. I think this place would be really awesome as a bakery that is also a restaurant with table service. The lady even said she'd bring us water and that never happened. I definitely notice a lack of efficiency here. It seems every employee is taking on multiple tasks so it's no wonder things fall under the cracks. The same lady that took our order and money was also bringing out the meals and preparing things (even with other staff around). I'm not sure we'll be back but if we do I'll be sure to update this review.
(2)Liz B.
Seasame chicken is best in Anchorage!! Don't let the bakery name fool you. Charlies is hands down one of the top Chinese resturants in town!! Love the customer service too!!
(5)Rosie V.
Love it here- go on Saturday morning and enjoy their iced boba tea. Soup is great, I have not tried their other foods. Try it!
(4)Fred L.
I just go there for my Dim Sum Fix.. Now my only complaint is the scallion pancake is only available on certain days. In my book its a departure from the normal chinese "specials" that people normally order. I like to get something like baby bok choy, a soup, and something like a shrimp ball. and a steam bun. Hey its Dim Sum!.. Lots of little plates! I'm comparing my experience with Dim Sum places in San Francisco, so thats my reference point.. some items are a little bland, or only on certain days.. Its dim sum in a casual cafeteria type atmosphere.
(3)JP F.
Great new lunch spot. Delicious! Highly recommend. Ordered the Pork Shumai, House Rice, & Bok Choy. Which dessert though? So many great choices. Great Chinese in Anchorage. Just moved from SoCal and needed a dim sum fix.
(5)Elyse R.
Im sold! Delicious Chinese food in Anchorage! It's a bit of a whole in the wall, you wouldn't expect there to be a Chinese restaurant there but those are always the BEST ones! I ordered the sesame chicken, spicy wontons, and the steamed pork buns and all were delicious! I will definitely be back!
(5)Jenny J.
Best Chinese in anchorage. But still doesn't taste like good Chinese in the lower 48. super fast service even when there is a long line. My go to place when I crave Chinese in Alaska.
(4)Ed B.
I have had all good experiences with this place over the years, today I had the Mongolian Beef with rice for lunch, it was near perfect with good high quality fat free tender beef, onions and white rice, the staff has always been very friendly and the place is kept clean.
(4)Crystal M.
This place has a lot of good reviews but I feel like most of these reviews on here are b.s. Three different people I know had cake from here for their birthday, the cakes are nothing special. I don't see what's all the hype about them, they are below average. And I came in there myself because of a colleague and a friend in the Navy said the pork buns are good. I traveled to Flushing, NY and Chicago, IL and their pork buns are top delicious. The pork buns from Charlie Bakery was not good. Wasn't even made right My white bun had way too moister, felt like eating into medium cooked dough... very soggy! The pork itself is a joke. I had my mom tried it and she admitted here cooking is better. Only thing good was the egg tart.
(2)Lard Belly E.
**ATTENTION ALL VEGETARIANS! THE TO-FU ASSORTED VEGETABLE CONTAINS CHICKEN BASE!!! Okay, got that out of my system. I used to eat mainly vegetarian food and when I was a line cook I made such a stink that our vegetarian pasta had chicken base. We had vegetable base, what the heck?! Anyways, I asked what the sauce for To-Fu vegetable was and dude said chicken base. I chose Kung-Bou Shrimp for $11.95 instead. You know, there are so many super high reviews and to me this place is just okay. Food is fast and service is efficient so I will come again if a coworker suggests. As I was leaving I saw a guy eating the to-fu assorted vegetable and like a concerned citizen of earth I approached him and asked if he was vegetarian. He said sometimes so I let him know his meal had chicken base. He repeated chicken base as a question, which I said yeah I asked. Hope I didn't ruin his meal or day.
(2)Craig L.
Trickery!!!! All along I thought this was a just some average bakery not the place for the best Dim Sum (and Mu Shi Pork) in Anchorage. Sure the ambiance is not too great - borderline fast food feel however the food more than makes up for it. Business was hopping with good reason. A little more expensive than Seattle Dim Sum understandably but worth going back again and again. Plus the Dim Sum portions and other dish portions were generous. Not huge variety
(4)Rags S.
Wednesday is steak night at koots! $14 gets a steak and loaded baked potato which for the price is very good! I go every week with my girl.
(4)Joey T.
I've been going to Charlie's for many many years and I love the food. My reason for the three stars is the hike in prices they've recently done. I always get the Sticky Rice, which was $5.95. Now, it's $7.95 and much smaller in size!! I think $8 is pretty ridiculous for some rice with some pieces of meat and mushroom. Really disappointed. The food and bakery items are always good but the prices are really pushing it.
(3)Wafula L.
For me personally I really do enjoy Chinese food. I've been going to Charlie's Bakery countless times,But lately I felt this place is awful.The food is absolutely terrible ,their birthday cakes are too sweet!!! I gave it multiple attempts,the result you know was a total waste of time and money.I would never recommend this place , that's my opinion.
(2)Kate H.
Great food and very polite service. Good for a quick bite. My fiancé always got the custard buns and swears by them. I've only tried a few things here but they've all been good.
(4)M B.
We've dined regularly at Charlie's for over 10 years and never been disappointed. We've always found consistent quality, value, and service. Charlie's is an Anchorage institution. Mouth is watering just thinking of the next visit. Seriously: Have never been disappointed with any menu selection. Pastries are excellent and aren't loaded with pounds of sugar. Charlie's is addicting.
(5)Andrew A.
Ordered the beef chow main and the quarter duck. Pretty good when compared to other restaurants in the vicinity; but, it's only comparable to chinese restaurants in the lower 48. It's mostly standard Chinese american food as one would expect. The bubble tea and deserts weren't half bad either.
(4)Megan H.
I've been going to Charile's Bakery for years! They are the best place to get dim sum in Anchorage. With my family being Chinese from Hawaii, I am used to a certain taste when it comes to Chinese food. The owners are from Taiwan, so the taste is closer to authentic dim sum and Chinese food. It's very delicious. Their Chinese baked goods are amazing! My favorites are the puff pastry with chicken curry and the custard bun. The staff is always friendly! The food is always tasty! I would highly recommend this place for dim sum :)
(5)Omar A.
What a nice surprise. It is a bakery but it is also a Chinese restaurant. There is lots to choose from and it was all cooked fresh to order. Price is right so enjoy the meal. Nothing fancy, just good basic food. Great vulnerable for price Ps,,, Dumplings were great!
(4)Jen I.
Charlie's is surprisingly good. I mean that in a nice way - considering that it is an American Chinese food place in Anchorage, it is very impressive and a solid lunch or dinner choice. My favorite things here are the eggplant and the buns. The scallion pancakes and dumplings (Saturday only) are also tasty. They also have pretty good bubble tea on Saturdays, the only drinkable milk tea I have found in Alaska. The staff is very friendly and the place is clean. The food always comes out promptly. If you haven't been, try it!
(4)Sam G.
Best Chinese food in anchorage. I love the sticky rice, steamed pork buns, fried wontons, and egg tarts!
(5)Ella Z.
I love Charlie's bakery! I've only eaten one of their entrees with the shrimp.. Forgot what it's called. But I came here so much had to write a note worthy review. Tastes delicious! This is definitely the place for quality food and baked goods. I always get cakes here for my family's birthdays. Their cakes are not too sweet but just right. Overall, I love Charlie's. They do have weird hours though if I remember.
(5)Blue S.
This is by far the best Chinese restaurant I've been to in Anchorage. Although Charlie's Bakery is well established, I just discovered it. The atmosphere is typical cafe style - plain and clean. So many things on the menu were mouth-watering, I had trouble deciding what to get. The large portion of sticky rice had a generous mix of meat chunks (pork and chicken I think) and the shrimp wonton soup just melted in my mouth. It's located in the strip center on C just north of Northern Lights (on the NE corner). Enter from C or on the KFC side from Northern Lights.
(5)Marie L.
Good food & great place to go for lunch. Food comes out in a timely manner and service is okay. Prices are ok. It's always a little crowded for lunch, so don't be surprised if you don't find a table! I would recommend this place to people.
(4)Brandon H.
Idk if it's me or if I just have good taste but this place is an example of where food looks and seems good but when it comes right down to it isn't. I chowed on some Sesame chicken w/ rice & veggy mix w/ Eclaire for a dessert but it didn't strike my fancy and I wasn't sensationed by asians enough on this one. The people serving here are nice though, you know the kind that does'nt make eye contact but somehow make things calmer. It is intense, the food mediocre.
(2)Athena G.
Amazing!! All the bread is awesome!
(5)Anson W.
They have really good food, but a little overpriced. Their bbq pork buns are great, but about $1 more than what you can expect to pay in the lower 48. Their more traditional steamed pork buns are great to. I usually get their sesame chicken and crystal dumplings. Their service can be a little spotty sometimes, but usually not too bad.
(4)Josh S.
Look, the food is ok.... However, the service for me was a bad experience. I waited in line at the front I was told that if I wanted to dine in I would need to sit down and wait then they started serving to go orders and completely forgot about us. After about twenty minutes of watching other get there food that were way behind us I decided to get back in line and just tell them I was going to take it to go. When we finally got our food they didn't even ask us for drinks.... So, I went to their vending area to get a drink and took it to the front to pay with my debit card. I was then told I would not be able to pay for the drink since my order was under 5$. WTH, I told the lady I just spent $27 on food that I waited on as they served many others before us and they were the one who forgot to ask us about drinks. So essentially they refused to take my card because of their mess up. :(
(1)Dman S.
must try their egg custard,shuimai,steam bun,short ribs with black beans and the cakes!
(5)G L.
As of yesterday, Anchorage has real dim sum at Mandarin Kitchen on the corner of Benson and Minnesota. No need to cringe and try Charlie's for yourself anymore!
(1)Shawn K.
So I went here after a fellow user's Yelp review. This place is a little spendy for lunch, but I do like this place better than Panda. Keep in mind I still don't think you can get the same type of chinese you get in San Francisco, Vancouver, or Seattle. But the mongolian beef was good and so was the red bean paste roll. I will be going back.
(3)Molly B.
I finally stopped by here after hearing lots of good things about the food and baked goods. I wasn't disappointed. It's a bright and open, no-frills sort of a restaurant with lots of employees bustling in and out of the kitchen. The tables were packed on a Saturday afternoon and most everyone looked liked happy regulars. I tried the sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves (seemed like pretty much everyone in the restaurant ordered the same) and the beef noodle soup, as recommended by a friend. Both were excellent -- the soup leftovers were even better the next day. I also had a small egg custard tart that was really good. The waitstaff was fast, friendly and efficient. Can't wait to go back and try lots more from their menu.
(4)Monique A.
I want to give this place 5 stars, but the bad customer service and the slightlty overpriced selections are enough to dock one star. I went here a week ago and there were literally 5 employees standing at the counter talking. I was standing there for about 2 minutes before anyone acknowledged me. On top of that, I am a regular here and they still ignored me. None the less, they had excellent food and I will still put up with the bad service. I reccomend the dumplings, bbq pork buns, and sesame chicken.
(4)Timmy L.
Only place that serves good dim sum. Oh how i miss dim sum from California! Price are high just like everywhere else in AK. The shrimp ball is good. Also there chicken chow mein was good. Very authentic. Service is average. Food is good. There cakes are good also as i ate many of there cakes at various birthdays over the years. The inside is average. Nothing special. Go here if u want dim sum food.
(3)Vicki P.
I love Charlie's Bakery! The atmosphere is nothing special, but the food is tasty and plentiful. The selection is huge and I've never had a bad meal there.
(4)Paige P.
I went back for the second time today and got the pork chop noodle soup and it was good!! The pork chop was fried just right and was separated from the noodle soup to prevent it from being soggy. The soup base tasted more Japanese udony than Chinese based, however, the noodle soup was still good. A gal even asked me what I ordered coz it looked delicious~~~ The owner probably read my last review coz today's noodle soup was HOT HOT HOT!!! I would definitely go back and try something else!
(4)Tina B.
Delicious Chinese food with dim sum style offerings. Lotus leaves stuffed with sticky rice and a bunch of different meats are great and very inexpensive, but the steamed char siu (pork buns) bao were also very good. The people who work there are really nice and the environment is of a chilled out, slightly grungy bakery, instead of a real restaurant, but the food is pretty good.
(4)Tris W.
Love this place. My two favorite dishes include their beef chow fun (pan fried noodles i think...lol) and their steamed fish. Their steamed fish is SO delicious. It comes with some rice and a side steamed vegetables with some ginger. But NOTE the last time I went there on a Friday evening to have dinner with my Grandpa they were out of that fish and could not make that dish. I was pretty disappointed. I opted to try something different and the waitress suggested a dish with prawns with a tomato sauce. It had way too much batter. I was not a big fan. It was the first time I tried something there that did not agree with my taste buds. Oh well. Hopefully that won't happen again. Their pastries/dessert are amazing. I wish I could try one of every dessert they serve there in one sitting but that would never happen no matter how hungry I may be. The next time I go there with a big group maybe we could...lol.
(4)Wolf X.
Excellent Chinese food that is much more authentic than I was expecting. The milk toast and buns are good too. The French bread I got sucked. So stick with the Chinese stuff. I haven't tried their cakes yet, though they look fabulous. I'm always too full from their main menu items :) They earned 5 stars for friendly, casual atmosphere and quality food that is piping hot and well prepared and flavorful.
(5)