So my boyfriend suggested going there after the Delaware Art Museum. I thought it was a great idea, because I hadn't been in years, and the last one I'd been to was their Bear location on Route 40. And even that was years ago. Anyway, I don't need to be served by people who say "Hi, I'm so and so and I'll be your server for the day". And I realize that that's not what you get at the Charcoal Pit. But my God, was this woman crass. I guess they were a bit understaffed at that particular moment, because she was hostessing, bussing and cashiering. This was Sunday, August 16 at about 5. I said, "Can we sit by the window?" because I like to take pictures in as much natural light as possible. Especially food pictures! If she were younger, I know she would've said, "Whatever!" She was just rude, OK? then the server. This man - what is it with these waiters in Delaware?? This is the second one who acted like this! He seemed so overwhelmed! As I said, they weren't that busy. Of course he sold me the Orange Freeze without describing it properly. I don't know...I never had one before. I didn't think it was like a Creamsicle milkshake deal. I mean, nothing wrong with that, but I wanted something more...icy. Slushy. You know. Our orders were taken not at a fast pace, and it seemed to take forever to get our food! I'm not kidding. What was going on? I'm still trying to understand this service. I know this food was ready. I know it. This guy seemed to have no idea what to do! Now, our burgers and fries were very good. Not piping hot, but very good. Then it took forever for the Orange Freeze to come out. Naturally I had to ask for water twice. Please understand, I'm not a Charcoal Pit basher. I know this place has been around for many, many moons; I know the Capano family owns it, I know all this stuff. And I love places like this. But this was not the experience we hoped for. And I felt bad because my boyfriend has driven by here 5 million times and never went in. And now not a real good first impression. I felt almost embarrassed, although it was his idea to go. So he orders this butterscotch sundae afterwards. The guy behind the counter, not our server, is the guy who scoops and puts the syrup on. He's good, he knows what's up with that deal. My boyfriend goes into the men's room. The ice cream's sitting on the counter waiting for our server to go pick it up. I keep looking. Minutes are passing. The ice cream started melting. I could see it. Server is doing other stuff. Server's chatting with other servers! Go get the effin sundae! Jeez! I kept my mouth shut. I kept my composure. The counter guy actually gave him a dirty/impatient look and he finally came over and put the whipped cream and cherry on it. When he brought it (and I am posting pictures so you can see), this thing was melllllllting. The butterscotch was all clumpy on the bottom. You're probably wondering why we didn't say make another one. Well, the screaming baby shift was starting and we wanted to get out of there. My boyfriend eats speedy quick, so no big deal, but this really BOTHERED me. No need for this server to be so PERSPIRATION-LADEN like he's got 85 customers at once. He didn't. Maybe we'll go to another location next time. Or maybe we'll give this one another chance. We'll see.
(3)
Missy M.
This place gets high marks for being a landmark in Delaware. It's not the best food, it's not the biggest place, but it's one of my fondest memories. It was a huge treat to hit up the pit as a child. Sometimes the family would share "the kitchen sink" (that's 26 scoops of ice cream and gobs of toppings). In high school we'd bounce back and forth between the pit and Golden Castle. Afterall, what teenagers aren't looking for a cheap place to eat and hang? My absolute favorite is "The Highlander" with chocolate ice cream. Hot fudge, banana spears, wet nuts, and whipped cream. Thank You! The hostess/cashier is a grizzled older woman who has been there for years. She hates everyone and we're convinced she may live there. She makes the whole experience much more authentic.
(4)
Christie K.
I had such high hopes for this place from the reviews, but I thought the Charcoal Pit was AWFUL. The setting is cute with individual jukeboxes for the booths, but the food is mediocre. Dining halls can make better burgers, and one of my compadres had a burger made with two of the bottom bun pieces. Odd. The sundaes are okay and ginormous, but not worth the price tag. Service is awful. I would definitely not return.
(2)
T K.
Great prices, good comfort food. Steak sandwich was good, as always. Crab soup had plenty of crab in it. Grilled cheese was fine.
(4)
Tom C.
We stopped on our way back from the beach for a quick bite. The service is awesome. We walked in the door and someone seated us right away. She took our drink and food orders, and within a few minutes we had our tasty milkshakes. In less than 5 minutes we had our great burgers and sandwich. That's what I call fast food killer. Great service, good food and good value. With the number of patrons still there in the late evening, they will give the fast food giants a run for their money. We will definitely be back for more.
(5)
Nicholas T.
It was lunchtime in Delaware and I was driving down the Concord Pike, looking for cow to eat, when I spotted the sign for the "Charcoal Pit". MOO, BABY, MOO! Inside, I got my cow on: A quarterpound burger, covered in cheese, washed down with a black-and-white milk shake. If they had served it on a leather plate, we would've had the whole animal covered. Aside from the food, the C-Pit's got a classy interior: juke boxes - with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band - in each booth, counter service, and some swell interior design that hasn't been updated since the Eisenhower era. Perhaps the best endorsement for the restaurant came at the end of the meal, when my co-worker "the Rock" (not his real name) referred to his past year spent as a vegetarian as "stupid". Moo, baby... moo.
(3)
Zach S.
Think 1950s hamburger joint. The burgers are good but, don't come expecting a gourmet meal. The shakes and sundays are good as well. It's cheap and tasty - 'nuff said.
(4)
Richard P.
Just got back home ate a Nexium. The Burger was pre cooked. They steamed the cheese to melt it. The fries were cold. The onion rings cold. The waitress didn't know she was alive. Will not go back. I am a native Wilmingtonian. Fair well Charcoal Pit.
(1)
Siobhan S.
20 meals out of the week are healthy & cooked at home, I eat one "treat meal" a week which is generally fatty, greasy, carb-loaded, completely unhealthy, but utterly delicious. I wait the whole week for this meal & unfortunately, the charcoal pit let me down. Craving some BBQ I tried the cp since the place I wanted to go to (Lapps) is closed Sunday. I got the BBQ pulled pork sandwich with a side of fries. The fries were bland (I had to add old bay seasoning when I got home) & tasted stale. I'm usually craving fatty carbs so much at this point in the week, I'll eat ALL my fries even if they aren't top notch...I didnt even eat half of these they were that bad... My BBQ pork came on a good, hearty roll & while the pork itself had a great flavor, there was much more roll than meat. Granted, it was a pretty big roll, but it needed more pork or a smaller roll, I don't want to take bites of nothing but bread... I had an "ice cream fudge cake" for dessert (my weakness), which the girl told me was "hand-made" & "really good"...it was 2 slices of dry yellow cake with vanilla ice cream in between and fudge & whipped cream on top. I ate it all, not because it was good, but it was my dessert for the week, no more till next Sunday :-( Maybe the food would've been better had I eaten it there, but I wouldn't consider the charcoal pit worthy of a future treat meal
(2)
Craig D.
More Nostalgic then good, but their Malts are the best!
(3)
joe c.
Talk about overhyped this decrepid excuse of a restaurant serves bland greasy fried disgusting bits of nothing, makes you wait forever and overcharges you to eat it. Stay away!!!
(1)
Victor P.
Ate at the CP in the late '70s as a high schooler and I stop by whenever I'm driving through the area. This place has the aura of a 1950s hamburger joint. The burgers, sundaes, and shakes are the reason to go, plus the price is right.
(4)
Adam W.
Pull up a booth and step back into a different era at the Charcoal Pit, an ideal place for a great burger and shake. The Pit is a Delaware institution and hasn't changed its style since 1956 when it opened and is a fun experience for all ages. For me, the Concord Pike location is the one and only location to visit. It's the original location, still exudes that 1950s vibe and is the most consistent of all three locations.
(4)
Sandro C.
This is the oldest eating establishment on Concord Pike (Rt. 202). The burger platter is the best in the area. Traditional ice cream sundaes are unforgettable!
(5)
Jill K.
I'm really sad to downgrade my rating. I drove back to PA from MD on Monday and as I was driving, my only thought was as soon as I get off 95 and get on 202, I'm stopping at the Charcoal Pit. I placed a to go order and it was filled quickly, but my bag was so tiny I checked it as soon as I got in the car. I was sure they had forgotten to put my cheesesteak in the bag. It was in there along with my onion rings. Being really hungry, I opened the rings and took a bite. They certainly were hot enough and crunchy, but they were nothing but a skinny little onion wrapped in a HUGE dose of bread crumb batter. Not good! As soon as I got home, I open the cheesesteak and it was so small ( about the size of a WaWa JR.) I know everyone is dieting and cutting back, but when you go to a place called the Charcoal Pit you are not thinking of your diet. The sandwich was about half the size of what it used to be. I was very disappointed in the food. :o(
(2)
Steve V.
I'd heard that this place had great burgers.... Boy, was I disappointed. Got a 4 oz. cheeseburger. The cheese wasn't melted enough and the beef was no better that what you'd get at McDonald's. No juiciness, no flavor (unless you count the "charcoal grilled" taste ) and very dry-- same as everywhere else these days. Additionally, the place has no atmosphere, the waitresses blab with each other quite a bit and, oddly, the waitresses put your lettuce and tomato on your bun (instead of the cooks), out in the open for all to see; at least they put on plastic gloves. Look elsewhere.
(2)
Mark H.
Awesome! Charcoal pit is great; best burgers around...
(5)
Phil J.
I give it 3 stars simply because it does not have a diverse menu and I am not a big "burger joint" person. With that said the burger was pretty good, and the milkshakes were delicious, so if you like that kind of thing I would recomend it. Otherwise its pretty small and old fashioned.
(3)
Martin W.
I was in Wilmington DE today for my kids swim meet and I wanted to duck out for a bite to eat. Earlier in the week I looked into local joints looking for something interesting. It was evident the Charcoal Pit was the place to go, and lucky me, it was about 5 mins from the swim meet. Now for the review: As I pulled into the parking lot off of Concord Pike, I saw a place that looked like it was stuck in time. Great exterior and sign, it just screams burger joint, the type of place with good honest food. The pit delivered and more. I had the 8oz burger with fries, a bargain at $6.95. The burger came out hot, fresh and fast. Cooked to medium just as I ordered, toasted roll was fresh and the fries were hot and crisp. What more can you ask for, the meat was high quality and tasted of the charcoal grill. I did not have a milkshake, however, I understand they are famous for their shakes. I sent a friend and his family for milkshakes after the swim meet, and he reported they were top rate. All in all a great place for basic, quailty burgers, hotdogs and ice cream treats. Incidentally, the kids won the swim meet, so the day was total success, great meal and a win !!
(4)
kara p.
i grew up in DE, so Charcoal Pit was a serious part of my teenage life. after every middle school everyone went to the Charcoal Pit for basic dinner food and ice cream sundaes or shakes. in high school tons of kids got their first jobs there, and more recently i like going for old times sake. when i was younger i only went to the one located in Pike Creek (which is next to a bowling alley, so fun) which is way bigger than this one but has less as a cool old school feel. but both locations have the important things in common- the ice cream creations! all different flavors of shakes, sundaes created to rep different DE high schools, and the Kitchen Sick! in case you didnt know, a Kitchen Sick is a massive banana split sundae that has like 10000 scoops of ice cream and 500 bananas with all the other toppings. pretty great. the bad thing about Charcoal Pit (and is something that is my biggest pet peeve about any dinner that does this) is that fries don't come with your meal. dumb. the food is nothing special either of course bc they're known for ice cream, and the service can be pretty pitiful bc it's a bunch of teens.
(3)
Sam S.
Sad to say that this is the last time I'll come to Charcoal Pit. Over the last couple years I've seen a drastic decline in their food and service and after waiting 30 mins and dealing with a bunch of attitude from the takeout girl, I'm taking my dollars elsewhere.
(1)
Jeudy T.
The milkshakes are amazing! I crave their milkshakes because they use fresh ingredients. You will find chunks of strawberries in your strawberry milkshake which I love! The rest of their food is decent for the price they charge. Everything is very inexpensive and good quality. It's not gourmet but it's good. The service is always very nice. Everybody is very friendly and you will always see families just having a good time. Great local spot it grab a quick bite. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Rome S.
Overall very good good diner food at a landmark in Delaware. Service is always very good and it feels like a family place here. There milkshakes are amazing and their burgers are good too. French fries are nice, crunchy and tasty. Very good place to come for lunch.
(3)
Ben C.
Worst experience in a long time. Waiter eating food off customers plates be for he took there food out. Waiters and waitresses grabbing food with hands. No one caring. Really bad.
(1)
Yong K.
Our first time in Delaware and I had heard about this place from our friend. It's kinda like a diner. The burger was average. the patty wasn't that great.. kinda plain, but big. Their shakes were good though. i got the chocolate with malt. dang that was good. really creamy. the place was kinda small and had a home-y diner feel. If I ever come back, I want to try the kitchen sink with some friends (it's a huge bowl with LOTS of scoops of ice cream)
(3)
Kevin C.
What can I say? Old school restaurant, old school flavor. The only burger that is better is cooked by me, or on the west coast at In-n-out burger. Get the pit special with cheese, it will brighten your day.
(5)
Brian S.
Meh. Our server this most recent visit was lousy. We had to repeat our order a number of times and it still arrived wrong.The fries and onion rings were undercooked and the guy plopping them on plates doesn't use gloves. And my burger that was ordered rare came out well-done. But that's all that was well done this meal.
(2)
Colette W.
How you say, "All kinds of yes!" I was soooo hungry and willing to settle for anything other than a burger so I ordered the grilled chicken with BBQ sauce ($10) with mushrooms (add $2) and grilled onions. It came with fries. When I received the food, I was so shocked to see how tasty it looked ! Every bite of charbroiled chicken had a fork full of grilled mushrooms and onions and it was plain delicious. There was zero time to try to look cute eating this goodness. When the chicken was gone, the leftover grilled mushrooms and onions went just as well with the fries. I ate everything and will certainly have it again in the future!
(5)
Howard S.
When we moved to DE four years ago, we were enthralled by CP. The last few times however, it has been much less than great. Take last night... We had the worst waitress - took forever to greet us, kept forgetting parts of our order and the check arrived 20 minutes after we finished. This is a burger joint! The burgers were stiff. Not bad, just not really tender or juicy. I think they started off frozen and never got any better. The shakes were terrific, so there was that.
(2)
Lisa W.
I really do not understand how people consider the food here to be excellent. Went here once because of all the good reviews, but I will never go back. I got a cheese steak, which was pretty pathetic. There wasn't a lot of cheese and the meat has no flavor at all. My boyfriend got a cheeseburger which was also rather disappointing because of, again, a lack of flavor. Walking in, the place just looks dirty, and the staff is less than friendly. I could get a better and cheaper meal from Burger King.
(1)
Guy I.
Best burgers around! They have the best milkshakes as well. I've been coming here for years.
(5)
John C.
Was in the area the next day and today's front of house guy was extremely nice and outgoing. What a relief.
(5)
Diane K.
I had the worst customer service here on Tuesday May 12 at the take out window. The cashiers were so rude. I spoke to the manager. The manager spoke to the cashiers and they all had a big laugh about the situation.
(1)
Melissa H.
I came here before leaving Wilmington after a business travel. I love good school restaurants so I had to try it. I had the Pit Special or Pit Deluxe I think its called. The cheeseburger with fries. It was good. The service was fast for takeout and everyone was friendly. The diner seemed but I only had the takeout. Nice restaurant for those into old school restaurants.
(3)
Tameka J.
Wanted a hot dog but the other places in Wilmington were closed so we stopped in to the charcoal pit for a dog to go. Everyone coming in was ordering a milkshake and they couldn't stop talking about them. I didn't have one and once I saw the fresh banana go into the strawberry banana milkshake I almost traded in my dog for a shake. None the less my chili dog was tasty, and hit the spot.
(3)
M S.
What's the matter with you folks?!?! I LOVE classic throw back burger joints. But they usually make a good burger... involving fresh ground beef, hand cut fries... The burger they serve here looked and tasted like the burgers they served back in high school. Nevermind that it took... 26 minutes (I timed it) from order to service, nevermind that the meat was room temperature, nevermind that the pickles and lettuce was ice cold.... but I can't excuse the complete lack of flavor. I'm pretty sure any store bought ground beef would taste better. Frozen oreida fries anyone? I have no specific nostalgia for this place. It's nice that other reviewers have their memories here when they were growing up. But to that I say, so what?... what does that have to do with the food? I suppose the other diners must be too misty eyed over their trips down memory lane to be able to taste anything. Places like this went out of business a long time ago... why?... because they sucked. Was the ice cream good? Who cares, I was sufficiently bored enough with the food that I couldn't bother. Just go to five guys, this place isn't even worth the visit to see what the nostalgia is about.
(1)
Kelly M.
Unless you are drunk or hung over this is not good food. Dirty dusty cramped. The burger was over cooked, thank goodness because I don't trust the meat. It's frozen stuff from a box cooked to order.
(2)
Joy G.
Was in Wilmington a few weeks ago and the Charcoal Pit caught my attention. The sheer novelty of this place convinced me I'd have to try it eventually. Was in the area again last night and decided we'd give it a shot. We got the last table in the joint. It was 11pm on a Saturday night and the place was PACKED. The noise was deafening and I literally had to leap over bodies to get to our table. INSANITY! They were so busy they served us our drinks in paper cups because they had run out of glasses. Given how busy it was, our server was attentive and our food served promptly and as ordered. I'm not a big meat eater and not a big fan of hamburgers, but since hamburgers are the "thing" at the Pit, I figured "when in Rome..." It was, hands down, the BEST cheeseburger I've ever had. For the FIRST TIME in my entire life, I ate every last crumb of my burger. My boyfriend, who got the larger burger also scarfed down every morsel. The fries, however, sucked big time. The bathroom was also a nightmare. I had to pole vault over people just to get there in the first place. And when I finally arrived, it was freezing cold in there and the stall was so small trying to aim was a little tricky. The experience was a mixed bag- certainly if you're a fan of burgers or 50's themed restaurants, then this is a good bet. But the menu is VERY limited, If you're a vegetarian, then your only choice is grilled cheese. I wasn't wowed AT ALL by the offerings, but was very glad I ordered what they do well. BURGERS. YUM!
(3)
Kamilah B.
Good place to eat. They are known for their burgers, which are really good. Service is fast and nice. Shakes are good and real onion rings. Seating is tight though.
(3)
Walter K.
I have a booked called Hamburger America in my bathroom. It's a nice read, and it was also my inspiration for a spontaneous trip down to Delaware this weekend. The Charcoal pit win for one of the most awkward dining experiences I've ever experienced. Wehn we first walked in, there was a small waiting area chained off that made us think we had walked in the wrong entrance. The hostess then yelled at us, only half jokingly. We seated ourselves, and our server came over quickly. Everything she said was a statement, like "You want more time" and "You want mayo" instead of asking. The atmosphere here is pretty traditional 50s diner, and although we were eating a little early (around 5pm) it was oddly almost exclusively populated by senior citizens. For food, this place is supposed to have excellent ice cream as well as burgers. We were all too full from dinner to try dessert. The prices here are great. We each had a 8 oz cheeseburger, fries, and a drink and it was under $10 each. The french fries were pathetically soggy. Our orders were all mixed up. When finally sorted out, I had a medium rare burger topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and onions. The fixings were good, but the bread was soggy and thin. My burger was cooked well, but I can't say the same for everyone at the table. Its great to bit into a burger and have to dripping juice. The meat wasn't anything special. Bottom Line: George Mots, you mislead me on this one. The poor service coupled with an average burger produces less than desired results. I wouldn't go to this place if it was in Philadelphia, and I'm certainly not making a trip out of the state to go here again.
(2)
Brianne S.
A Delaware Classic. :)
(4)
janis c.
Went there, DESPITE the fact that it's Joe Biden's favorite restaurant. It's fine for what it is. The best part? The service. Our waitress was very nice and good at what she did.
(3)
KP R.
It's about as simple and basic as american food can possibly be. Its good food, not the best, not the worst. I understand its a landmark here in Delaware, but they need to expand the menu a bit. Ate in once months back and did takeout today. Will go back on a yearly basis maybe.
(3)
LaSha J.
Nostalgic family restaurant. Good cheap food. Ribs were a surprise! Tender and tasty! The Delmonico steak was described as tender with a good grilled taste.
(3)
Steve C.
The original Charcoal Pit, if you want that nostalgic feeling. The burgers are to die for at Charcoal Pit, my mouth waters just thinking about one. This location is also well known for their excellent desserts and ice cream. I would come here over Friendly's any day and twice on Sundays. You can just taste the freshness in the burgers and everytime I have gone there they would cook it to order with a very high accuracy level which is hard to come by. The fries taste homemade and are not too salty like many other places these days. This is spot is definitely woth visiting again and again and again.
(4)
Janice S.
Wow, has Charcoal Pit on Concord Pike changed! We were sooooooooo disappointed with the food, service, and atmosphere :( The chicken sandwich was paper-thin and fried to a crisp, the hamburger quality was poor, the fries tasted like some generic store brand, and there's no more jukebox music at your table, labeled "for display purposes only". It wasn't very crowded at 3 p.m. in the afternoon, but it took over 25 minutes to get our food. Just a totally bad experience and don't think we'll ever go back.
(1)
P E.
Ordered takeout from here and was pleased with the fast and pleasant service. However, the food was disappointing. The burgers were large but tasted frozen. The fries were of the frozen variety as well. My dining partner thought the hot dog more closely resembled a shoe. Definitely will not be going back. It's too bad as I prefer a locally owned place to the chains but this was disappointing.
(2)
Alyssa D.
Being a Delaware native, I have to give the Pit 5 stars. This is the ultimate comfort food to me. They have great milkshakes, burgers, and fries. If you're looking for something fancier or more exotic than that - this is not your place.
(5)
Jay N.
Hitch your wagon & giddy-up down the Concorde Pike to the Charcoal Pit for the biggest and most excellent chargrilled burgers this side of the Rio Grande. Okay, pretty much everything in the U.S. is this side of the Rio Grande but you get the point, it's good burgers. Really, REALLY good burgers. And the shakes.. mmmmm, it's 9:45am at this writing and I could totally suck down one of Charcoal Pit's amazing shakes. The decor here is pretty much original, lots of wood & stainless and 60s style light fixtures; Campy when it's intentional but it works here, giving diners a true feel of being in an off-the-highway grill joint on Route 66. From it's original neon sign outside to the friendly staff and cozy booths, Charcoal Pit is a must-do over and over again, whether you're a local or just a visitor dating a local. YEE HAW!
(4)
Ian L.
A wonderful not-so-hidden gem situated right alongside Concord Pike north of Wilmington. If you're in a large group, you might be split up, as the only places to sit are in small booths. That being said, the food here is awesome! The burgers are fairly big and tasty, the fries are well cooked, but in my opinion, the milk shakes are the best thing about the place! I definitely need to go back down here again sometime.
(4)
angie w.
Wonderful milkshakes, amazing crab cakes (which unfortunately aren't served every day), and they make a good grilled cheese. A popular place to go after high school dances, which means longer lines and a little more noise after Homecoming, Prom, etc. Service is generally okay, but even when it's not at it's best I don't mind because I'm so distracted by high school memories. For years this location didn't take credit cards, but I believe this may have changed.
(4)
Jim H.
3.5 but rounding down due to the onion. My sister and I both voiced our opinions at the same time (although I dont remember who stated it first). After numerous excursions that have gone by the Charcoal Pit, we both agreed that we wanted to try it. Since its not really a convienent location to just go for us, it would take a birthday wish to see this happen. My father takes us out for our birthday, to the restraunt of our choosing. He lives in Deleware, so a central location is usually necessary. While Charcoal Pit would geographically fit the bill, neither of us was willing to waste a birthday meal on an unknown commodity. This dance went on for years. Enter both Yelp and the fact that I now work in DE and pass The Pit every day. Recently, I saw a few reviews on Yelp and combined with my late thursday shift at work, I decided to take the plunge alone. The Pit was gloriously retro, from the neon sign out front, to the 50s decor. It was a little cramped and busy for Thursday at 9pm, but I was seated immediately. The menu was retro as well, and pretty sparse for what is essentially a diner. It didnt matter because I was there for a burger, so anything else on the menu was moot. The service was good and efficient, however it was the standard diner attitude. Very robotic, no warmth or sincerity. I dont take much off for such things, im there to eat, not make a new friend, and being in the business I know the ins and outs of serving. Ordering was simple business. You can order a Burger or Cheeseburger, 60z 0r 8oz. I was surprised that a Charcoal place, didnt offer more burger choices such as bacon or mushroom. I suppose one could order that extra but I wasnt there to buck the trend. My burger came quickly, but not too quick. It looked divine, served with fries (after a day at the shore where all is ala carte, it was welcome to get potatoes, served in the french style). It was juicy, cooked to perfection with fresh sides. Here is my complaint. I love onions, both fried and raw, however, when raw, a thin slice will suffice( restraunteurs, keep that mnenomic in mind). I basically got half of an onion on my burger. The meat and bun were tasty, yet I only remember it in the background. The onion was front and center, for hours after as well. It was really unnecessary. Hopefully, the chef was daydreaming when he sliced my onion and I recieved the anomaly as opposed to the norm. That aside, I left stuffed and satiated. Im not big on icecream or milkshakes but apparently, its something CP does well. I left satisfied, with breath that smelled like an italian cutting board. I had beat my sister to the punch and tried the Charcoal Pit. The build-up in my mind, may have something to do with my disappointment. Things rarely live up to the mythical proportions that ones mind creates. But at least I can say to my sister, ' FIRST!" Yelpers Note: I dont think anyone has mentioned this but the Charcoal Pit has many locations in Deleware and is founded by the Capano family...of the deleware Capanos....which produced the scion Thomas Capano...who murdered Anne Marie Fahey...and disposed of the body with the help of his family.....yep that Capano family. Now I dont let the political and social problems of a few bad seeds get between a good burger and my mouth, but aparently it is responsible for the decline in business over the last few years , as explained to me by a Delewarian co-worker.
(3)
Karen F.
The Charcoal Pit is a local landmark and institution. A friend of mine worked here as a teenager serving up burgers and soft drinks. (Lots of shakes.) It's fun for a family to come here, too. Not healthy - but nostalgic and fun.
(4)
Steven G.
Go back in time to 1956. Charcoal Pit looks the way restaurants looked back then. Charcoal Pit was there. They have a jukebox at every booth. Been going here since 1980 and always had great tasting food. On a recent visit, had a juicy "charbroiled" burger, wonderful fries and a thick chocolate malted milkshake that was right out of the 1950's even with the canister and a spoon. As if I did not have enough sugar, had a sundae after my fantastic meal. I counted ten varieties of sundae on the menu, each named after a nearby high school team. Everything had superb quality and taste. Check out their menu. Have had several of the menu items over the years and loved everything I ever had there. Prices are still low. charcoalpit.net/menus/19… They are not far from I-95 and worth a short side trip. I do not recommend going here with your cardiologist! This place is also a "diet buster." Always a great place to stop. No sales tax there either.
(5)
Clifton S.
The Charcoal Pit is a place that you just have to experience for yourself. It caught my attention as I was driving by. The style of the building and the neon sign bring set the tone for the experience. Lets face it...You are not going here for a steak - although they have a few on their menu. The key item for your visit should be a burger and a milk shake. The setting takes you back in time. There is a juke box at each table and the decor matches that of the 50s and 60s. The menu is simple and everything is a la carte. Order plenty and share. To my surprise, the burger was excellent. We finished off our meal with an ice cream sundae. I would recommend this place for a change of pace from you day to day burger joint.
(5)
Kyle T.
Best milkshakes of my life here. Grew up on it so I may be biased but this is great, old fashioned diner food. Yes, the burgers aren't gourmet or local beef but they are tasty and mine was cooked to perfection. Maybe it just depends on the time of day, but we were served by a veteran and it was great. Tips would be : black and white shakes, fried onions on the burger and extra crispy fries!
(5)
Brian E.
A throw back diner with a charcoal pit. I had a burger, slaw, fries and milkshake. The burger is what they seem to be known for. I got a 8oz deluxe burger cooked medium. It comes on a toasted sesame bun with lettuce, onion, and tomato standard. For some with a smaller appetite, I'd recommend the 4oz. It was a lot of meat. Although I got mine done medium, it was a tiny bit well and rather dry. However, the burger had a very nice char taste that sort of outweighed the dryness. Slaw was pretty decent, not reinventing the french fry wheel. Milkshake was delish. They have a wide array of desserts and treats that are a must try.
(3)
Jaclyn M.
Maybe its the fat kid in me that still loves milkshakes, french fries and everything but the kitchen sink, but this place is great. I haven't lived in Delaware for almost 10 years now (wow), but every time I go back I try to make a stop at the Charcoal Pit. Its a local landmark, 50's style diner. The milkshakes are my favorite - you've got to try the black and white or the clown sundae. Also great with grilled cheese and french fries (hello calories!). My only issue with this restaurant: Wilmington Friends doesn't have a dessert named after the school. What gives?
(5)
Kate G.
I went to the Charcoal Pit after a long day tooting around Delaware. Because I heard that Joe Biden loves to come here. And since I have a huge crush on Joe Biden, I went to the Charcoal Pit hoping against all hope that Joe would be there...waiting for me..in a business suit...to eat a gross burger with me and then shake my hand afterwards. Um not only did this interaction with Joe NOT happen, but there was no mention of Joe in the restaurant at all! A SHAME. and when I asked our waiter, a 14 year old boy, where he ever met Joe, he said YES and HE COMES HERE ALL THE TIME. but he said it with such a lack of enthusiasm that I felt ashamed and sad. We ate the mozzarella sticks, which were decent. but...my disappointment over the lack of joe biden cast a dark shadow on the visit. I'll never return.
(2)
Katherine K.
This is an institution in Wilmington. Every kid on a local swim team in the summer has eaten here at least once, perhaps numerous times. I haven't eaten here since high school, but I have some very fond memories. My go-to order was always a 1/4# cheeseburger, side of fries, and vanilla frosted malt shake. I still remember dipping those fries into that sweet vanilla ice cream goodness. Fat kid.
(4)
Boisty M.
Until recently, I really liked this place. Service has gone downhill. Looking dingy, not cleaned. Old rags on the counter Waiter had filthy hands. Bathroom not cleaned in a long time. Burned out light fixtures, missing glass. I could go on. What happened? I used to really enjoy a meal there...
(1)
Elena C.
T and I went to Delaware to get our wedding rings (yay tax-free shopping!) and wanted to find a place to stop for lunch on our way home. We decided on the Charcoal Pit. Our first attempt to find a location led us to a deserted bowling alley that the Charcoal Pit was attached to. The restaurant was open but we took one step inside, determined it smelled odd and was insanely creepy (I'm quite sure we wouldn't have left there alive) so we decided to check out another location. I'm so glad we did. The location we went to (this one I'm hoping!) seemed to be the main one. People were coming and going the whole time AND it had a bar (where we ended up sitting at a high top table) and watching the Phillies beat the Yankees in pre-season baseball. I swear this makes food taste better. We both had plain cheeseburgers and T got a side of fries (which I sampled) and we split an order of mozzarella sticks. The burgers were okay. Nothing special, not as good as 5 Guys but certainly passable. Fries were out of a frozen package but were hot and salty, a good combination. The mozzarella sticks (which came halfway through our meal because apparently the first batch exploded) were also from a package but it's fried cheese so all is forgiven. I should have gotten a shake as this place seems to be known for their yummy ice cream concoctions! Perhaps we'll stop in again when we go to pick up the gems? It was okay and CHEAP (which was very much appreciated after shelling out mucho dinero for rings!)!
(3)
Alex M.
Nostalgia and good fried food are the recipe to this restaurant's continued success. I've been coming here since I can remember and celebrated school plays and piano recitals with a chocolate milkshake. You can't go wrong here. Unless perhaps if you order a salad...
(4)
Scott K.
Dear Charcoal Pit, What has happened to you. Gone are the days of little old ladies in skirts, moving at the speed of light. Gone are the days of your early kitschy decor. Gone are the days of good food and good service. Seriously, 20 minutes to wait in your takeout for a burger and fries? Did you forget? I know I asked for the fries well done, but they weren't. Mush by the time they got home. My rare burger sat so long that it bled through your lame crusty roll. And what is with your rolls? They used to be good...fluffy but still capable of supporting my rare burger even with toppings. My rare burger is another story. Turn up that grill! Not a char mark on it. You are not cooking hot enough. Pit - you are just a shadow of your former self. As a former professional Pit customer (lifelong), I'm not afraid to say that you've gone down the tubes. Whatashame! Please, you are a Delaware Institution. Fix this quick because consumers are more savvy than you give us credit for. You'll become the tourist trap and the locals will go to Five Guys for their burgers. You want to keep us coming back. You can't rest on your laurels....no restaurant can in this economy. Do it right or shut your doors like Cheeburger Cheeburger. You owned the Pike. Time to take it back. .5 Stars.
(1)
Sara S.
This place is awesome!! Went here with my boyfriend whose mother grew up in Wilmington and highly recommended this place. Has been around since mid 1950's and is a classic burger and milkshake stop. You can get takeout or sitdown and eat. Must get the triple thick milkshake- YUM!! Is rich enough for two people to split. Also, the food is pretty cheap ($6-7 for a large burger,8 oz, with fries) Or, just $4 for a small burger without fries. This place is fun and a great place for a burger and milk shake!
(5)
Lisa M.
I had seen this place all my life on 202 but it wasn't until recently that my boyfriend and I decided to check it out. The hamburger wasn't all that special....maybe I have been ruined by fast food burgers. But I loved my black and white shake. It was sooo good I might go in the future just for take out milkshakes.
(3)
Shirley S.
A throwback to the sixties era! Cheap eats & great shakes & ice cream sodas!
(4)
Max K.
I have been coming to this place for years and my family has been coming here for at least 2 generations. The burgers are really the only reason to go here. Well besides the milkshakes. I always get a burger because they are always cooked perfectly. Juicy, flavorful and always the best tomatoes and onions. Of course when ordering a burger here you must get a milkshake. I really love the Black and White malt shake. So good. McDonald's ripped off this place. I would also recommend bringing at least a sock full of quarters for the jukebox. They have all the latest NOW that's what i call music that is worth playing for the entire restaurant to enjoy. One day I will conquer the everything but the kitchen sink ice cream sundae with 22 scoops of ice cream. I will go to this place and pass it on to my kids and my grand kids one day.
(4)
neal d.
I get a tip that I need to go to Wilmington and try the charcoal pit burger... It was ok - I was not impressed ..... The guy who told me about said that the juices would flow and the burger is the best anywhere? NOPE its a ok burger... Would I make another trip to go there? Not really Would I stop by and eat if im in the area? yep
(3)
Danielle F.
I just don't get it. The only explanation I can come up with for the 4 and 5 star reviews is that it has some kind of nostalgic hold on people in the area. It has a throw back kind of vibe that would be endearingly kitschy if it didn't smell like a public restroom. The staff just seemed sad and my burger and fries tasted like they had come from the freezer. Really bad. So bad. Don't go.
(1)
M. W.
I go to Charcoal Pit for two reasons: 1. They have the best burger in Wilmington and 2. They have the best milkshakes ever! Trust me, after trying every burger joint probably in the state of Delaware, I can assure you, Charcoal Pit is the place to go. Try their "Black and White" milkshake and ask for it "thick with malt" - you can't go wrong!
(4)
t w.
My burger didn't taste charbroiled...really disappointed...wanted those grill marks/flavor. Just tasted like it was done on regular flat top grill. Fries were mediocre and the bun was a little stale. Best thing was the milkshake served in the metal container. Waitress was rather ditzy though so service wasn't that great.
(2)
Missy M.
This place gets high marks for being a landmark in Delaware. It's not the best food, it's not the biggest place, but it's one of my fondest memories. It was a huge treat to hit up the pit as a child. Sometimes the family would share "the kitchen sink" (that's 26 scoops of ice cream and gobs of toppings). In high school we'd bounce back and forth between the pit and Golden Castle. Afterall, what teenagers aren't looking for a cheap place to eat and hang? My absolute favorite is "The Highlander" with chocolate ice cream. Hot fudge, banana spears, wet nuts, and whipped cream. Thank You! The hostess/cashier is a grizzled older woman who has been there for years. She hates everyone and we're convinced she may live there. She makes the whole experience much more authentic.
(4)
Christie K.
I had such high hopes for this place from the reviews, but I thought the Charcoal Pit was AWFUL. The setting is cute with individual jukeboxes for the booths, but the food is mediocre. Dining halls can make better burgers, and one of my compadres had a burger made with two of the bottom bun pieces. Odd. The sundaes are okay and ginormous, but not worth the price tag. Service is awful. I would definitely not return.
(2)
T K.
Great prices, good comfort food. Steak sandwich was good, as always. Crab soup had plenty of crab in it. Grilled cheese was fine.
(4)
Harriet C.
So my boyfriend suggested going there after the Delaware Art Museum. I thought it was a great idea, because I hadn't been in years, and the last one I'd been to was their Bear location on Route 40. And even that was years ago. Anyway, I don't need to be served by people who say "Hi, I'm so and so and I'll be your server for the day". And I realize that that's not what you get at the Charcoal Pit. But my God, was this woman crass. I guess they were a bit understaffed at that particular moment, because she was hostessing, bussing and cashiering. This was Sunday, August 16 at about 5. I said, "Can we sit by the window?" because I like to take pictures in as much natural light as possible. Especially food pictures! If she were younger, I know she would've said, "Whatever!" She was just rude, OK? then the server. This man - what is it with these waiters in Delaware?? This is the second one who acted like this! He seemed so overwhelmed! As I said, they weren't that busy. Of course he sold me the Orange Freeze without describing it properly. I don't know...I never had one before. I didn't think it was like a Creamsicle milkshake deal. I mean, nothing wrong with that, but I wanted something more...icy. Slushy. You know. Our orders were taken not at a fast pace, and it seemed to take forever to get our food! I'm not kidding. What was going on? I'm still trying to understand this service. I know this food was ready. I know it. This guy seemed to have no idea what to do! Now, our burgers and fries were very good. Not piping hot, but very good. Then it took forever for the Orange Freeze to come out. Naturally I had to ask for water twice. Please understand, I'm not a Charcoal Pit basher. I know this place has been around for many, many moons; I know the Capano family owns it, I know all this stuff. And I love places like this. But this was not the experience we hoped for. And I felt bad because my boyfriend has driven by here 5 million times and never went in. And now not a real good first impression. I felt almost embarrassed, although it was his idea to go. So he orders this butterscotch sundae afterwards. The guy behind the counter, not our server, is the guy who scoops and puts the syrup on. He's good, he knows what's up with that deal. My boyfriend goes into the men's room. The ice cream's sitting on the counter waiting for our server to go pick it up. I keep looking. Minutes are passing. The ice cream started melting. I could see it. Server is doing other stuff. Server's chatting with other servers! Go get the effin sundae! Jeez! I kept my mouth shut. I kept my composure. The counter guy actually gave him a dirty/impatient look and he finally came over and put the whipped cream and cherry on it. When he brought it (and I am posting pictures so you can see), this thing was melllllllting. The butterscotch was all clumpy on the bottom. You're probably wondering why we didn't say make another one. Well, the screaming baby shift was starting and we wanted to get out of there. My boyfriend eats speedy quick, so no big deal, but this really BOTHERED me. No need for this server to be so PERSPIRATION-LADEN like he's got 85 customers at once. He didn't. Maybe we'll go to another location next time. Or maybe we'll give this one another chance. We'll see.
(3)
Tom C.
We stopped on our way back from the beach for a quick bite. The service is awesome. We walked in the door and someone seated us right away. She took our drink and food orders, and within a few minutes we had our tasty milkshakes. In less than 5 minutes we had our great burgers and sandwich. That's what I call fast food killer. Great service, good food and good value. With the number of patrons still there in the late evening, they will give the fast food giants a run for their money. We will definitely be back for more.
(5)
Nicholas T.
It was lunchtime in Delaware and I was driving down the Concord Pike, looking for cow to eat, when I spotted the sign for the "Charcoal Pit". MOO, BABY, MOO! Inside, I got my cow on: A quarterpound burger, covered in cheese, washed down with a black-and-white milk shake. If they had served it on a leather plate, we would've had the whole animal covered. Aside from the food, the C-Pit's got a classy interior: juke boxes - with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band - in each booth, counter service, and some swell interior design that hasn't been updated since the Eisenhower era. Perhaps the best endorsement for the restaurant came at the end of the meal, when my co-worker "the Rock" (not his real name) referred to his past year spent as a vegetarian as "stupid". Moo, baby... moo.
(3)
Zach S.
Think 1950s hamburger joint. The burgers are good but, don't come expecting a gourmet meal. The shakes and sundays are good as well. It's cheap and tasty - 'nuff said.
(4)
Richard P.
Just got back home ate a Nexium. The Burger was pre cooked. They steamed the cheese to melt it. The fries were cold. The onion rings cold. The waitress didn't know she was alive. Will not go back. I am a native Wilmingtonian. Fair well Charcoal Pit.
(1)
Siobhan S.
20 meals out of the week are healthy & cooked at home, I eat one "treat meal" a week which is generally fatty, greasy, carb-loaded, completely unhealthy, but utterly delicious. I wait the whole week for this meal & unfortunately, the charcoal pit let me down. Craving some BBQ I tried the cp since the place I wanted to go to (Lapps) is closed Sunday. I got the BBQ pulled pork sandwich with a side of fries. The fries were bland (I had to add old bay seasoning when I got home) & tasted stale. I'm usually craving fatty carbs so much at this point in the week, I'll eat ALL my fries even if they aren't top notch...I didnt even eat half of these they were that bad... My BBQ pork came on a good, hearty roll & while the pork itself had a great flavor, there was much more roll than meat. Granted, it was a pretty big roll, but it needed more pork or a smaller roll, I don't want to take bites of nothing but bread... I had an "ice cream fudge cake" for dessert (my weakness), which the girl told me was "hand-made" & "really good"...it was 2 slices of dry yellow cake with vanilla ice cream in between and fudge & whipped cream on top. I ate it all, not because it was good, but it was my dessert for the week, no more till next Sunday :-( Maybe the food would've been better had I eaten it there, but I wouldn't consider the charcoal pit worthy of a future treat meal
(2)
Craig D.
More Nostalgic then good, but their Malts are the best!
(3)
joe c.
Talk about overhyped this decrepid excuse of a restaurant serves bland greasy fried disgusting bits of nothing, makes you wait forever and overcharges you to eat it. Stay away!!!
(1)
Victor P.
Ate at the CP in the late '70s as a high schooler and I stop by whenever I'm driving through the area. This place has the aura of a 1950s hamburger joint. The burgers, sundaes, and shakes are the reason to go, plus the price is right.
(4)
Adam W.
Pull up a booth and step back into a different era at the Charcoal Pit, an ideal place for a great burger and shake. The Pit is a Delaware institution and hasn't changed its style since 1956 when it opened and is a fun experience for all ages. For me, the Concord Pike location is the one and only location to visit. It's the original location, still exudes that 1950s vibe and is the most consistent of all three locations.
(4)
Sandro C.
This is the oldest eating establishment on Concord Pike (Rt. 202). The burger platter is the best in the area. Traditional ice cream sundaes are unforgettable!
(5)
Jill K.
I'm really sad to downgrade my rating. I drove back to PA from MD on Monday and as I was driving, my only thought was as soon as I get off 95 and get on 202, I'm stopping at the Charcoal Pit. I placed a to go order and it was filled quickly, but my bag was so tiny I checked it as soon as I got in the car. I was sure they had forgotten to put my cheesesteak in the bag. It was in there along with my onion rings. Being really hungry, I opened the rings and took a bite. They certainly were hot enough and crunchy, but they were nothing but a skinny little onion wrapped in a HUGE dose of bread crumb batter. Not good! As soon as I got home, I open the cheesesteak and it was so small ( about the size of a WaWa JR.) I know everyone is dieting and cutting back, but when you go to a place called the Charcoal Pit you are not thinking of your diet. The sandwich was about half the size of what it used to be. I was very disappointed in the food. :o(
(2)
Steve V.
I'd heard that this place had great burgers.... Boy, was I disappointed. Got a 4 oz. cheeseburger. The cheese wasn't melted enough and the beef was no better that what you'd get at McDonald's. No juiciness, no flavor (unless you count the "charcoal grilled" taste ) and very dry-- same as everywhere else these days. Additionally, the place has no atmosphere, the waitresses blab with each other quite a bit and, oddly, the waitresses put your lettuce and tomato on your bun (instead of the cooks), out in the open for all to see; at least they put on plastic gloves. Look elsewhere.
(2)
Mark H.
Awesome! Charcoal pit is great; best burgers around...
(5)
Phil J.
I give it 3 stars simply because it does not have a diverse menu and I am not a big "burger joint" person. With that said the burger was pretty good, and the milkshakes were delicious, so if you like that kind of thing I would recomend it. Otherwise its pretty small and old fashioned.
(3)
Martin W.
I was in Wilmington DE today for my kids swim meet and I wanted to duck out for a bite to eat. Earlier in the week I looked into local joints looking for something interesting. It was evident the Charcoal Pit was the place to go, and lucky me, it was about 5 mins from the swim meet. Now for the review: As I pulled into the parking lot off of Concord Pike, I saw a place that looked like it was stuck in time. Great exterior and sign, it just screams burger joint, the type of place with good honest food. The pit delivered and more. I had the 8oz burger with fries, a bargain at $6.95. The burger came out hot, fresh and fast. Cooked to medium just as I ordered, toasted roll was fresh and the fries were hot and crisp. What more can you ask for, the meat was high quality and tasted of the charcoal grill. I did not have a milkshake, however, I understand they are famous for their shakes. I sent a friend and his family for milkshakes after the swim meet, and he reported they were top rate. All in all a great place for basic, quailty burgers, hotdogs and ice cream treats. Incidentally, the kids won the swim meet, so the day was total success, great meal and a win !!
(4)
kara p.
i grew up in DE, so Charcoal Pit was a serious part of my teenage life. after every middle school everyone went to the Charcoal Pit for basic dinner food and ice cream sundaes or shakes. in high school tons of kids got their first jobs there, and more recently i like going for old times sake. when i was younger i only went to the one located in Pike Creek (which is next to a bowling alley, so fun) which is way bigger than this one but has less as a cool old school feel. but both locations have the important things in common- the ice cream creations! all different flavors of shakes, sundaes created to rep different DE high schools, and the Kitchen Sick! in case you didnt know, a Kitchen Sick is a massive banana split sundae that has like 10000 scoops of ice cream and 500 bananas with all the other toppings. pretty great. the bad thing about Charcoal Pit (and is something that is my biggest pet peeve about any dinner that does this) is that fries don't come with your meal. dumb. the food is nothing special either of course bc they're known for ice cream, and the service can be pretty pitiful bc it's a bunch of teens.
(3)
Lisa W.
I really do not understand how people consider the food here to be excellent. Went here once because of all the good reviews, but I will never go back. I got a cheese steak, which was pretty pathetic. There wasn't a lot of cheese and the meat has no flavor at all. My boyfriend got a cheeseburger which was also rather disappointing because of, again, a lack of flavor. Walking in, the place just looks dirty, and the staff is less than friendly. I could get a better and cheaper meal from Burger King.
(1)
Ben C.
Worst experience in a long time. Waiter eating food off customers plates be for he took there food out. Waiters and waitresses grabbing food with hands. No one caring. Really bad.
(1)
Steve S.
Decided to take a trip down with the family for lunch. It's just one of those places that always intrigued me. This menu is as basic as it gets. The wife and I both got burgers. We sampled some onion rings, and got a grilled cheese with applesauce and milk for my boy. The food quality here is good. Neither of us complained about the burgers. The onion rings were solid. My son ate his grilled cheese with no issues. It's a very good burger. I'd say though at the same time nothing was special. It isn't anything I would drive down from Delco for in the future. The food overall was good diner quality. Although the milkshakes looked tasty, I didn't partake. It's a solid family joint. I can see why it would be popular locally. It's worth a try.
(3)
Brian S.
Meh. Our server this most recent visit was lousy. We had to repeat our order a number of times and it still arrived wrong.The fries and onion rings were undercooked and the guy plopping them on plates doesn't use gloves. And my burger that was ordered rare came out well-done. But that's all that was well done this meal.
(2)
Sam S.
Sad to say that this is the last time I'll come to Charcoal Pit. Over the last couple years I've seen a drastic decline in their food and service and after waiting 30 mins and dealing with a bunch of attitude from the takeout girl, I'm taking my dollars elsewhere.
(1)
Jeudy T.
The milkshakes are amazing! I crave their milkshakes because they use fresh ingredients. You will find chunks of strawberries in your strawberry milkshake which I love! The rest of their food is decent for the price they charge. Everything is very inexpensive and good quality. It's not gourmet but it's good. The service is always very nice. Everybody is very friendly and you will always see families just having a good time. Great local spot it grab a quick bite. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Rome S.
Overall very good good diner food at a landmark in Delaware. Service is always very good and it feels like a family place here. There milkshakes are amazing and their burgers are good too. French fries are nice, crunchy and tasty. Very good place to come for lunch.
(3)
Guy I.
Best burgers around! They have the best milkshakes as well. I've been coming here for years.
(5)
John C.
Was in the area the next day and today's front of house guy was extremely nice and outgoing. What a relief.
(5)
Diane K.
I had the worst customer service here on Tuesday May 12 at the take out window. The cashiers were so rude. I spoke to the manager. The manager spoke to the cashiers and they all had a big laugh about the situation.
(1)
Melissa H.
I came here before leaving Wilmington after a business travel. I love good school restaurants so I had to try it. I had the Pit Special or Pit Deluxe I think its called. The cheeseburger with fries. It was good. The service was fast for takeout and everyone was friendly. The diner seemed but I only had the takeout. Nice restaurant for those into old school restaurants.
(3)
Lauren H.
Wow... Is it me, or has Charcoal Pit gone downhill over the last 2 years? Or maybe my excitement wore off. Whatever it is... the burgers are small, buns are dry, fries are mushy, service is usually pretty bad (there are 1 or 2 really nice waitresses, though). I feel like the food is just...not that great. The only thing I will come back for is milkshakes because that is one thing they continue to do right. I've never experienced such a 180 with a restaurant. But I guess my Charcoal Pit honeymoon stage is over.
(2)
Bruce K.
Here in Wilmington since 1956, this is as much of a local landmark as you can get. This is a classic eating establishment. And when I asked for Wilmington foods in the talk thread, this was one of the places that was suggested. The menu gets into salads and chicken and all sorts of stuff, but you'll want to skip all of that and just focus on what they're good at. "The Pit Special" is available in 4 ounce and 8 ounce patties. It's a burger and if you're doing it right, it becomes a cheeseburger and fries. And let me tell you, it was great. Nice and juicy. And best of all, inexpensive. This is probably the cheapest meal I've had in Wilmington. I'm only disappointed that the drink options are limited to sodas and milkshakes. This burger would have been better with a good beer.
(4)
John S.
Overall not a very good restaurant. We didn't get acknowledged for a long time waiting to be seated. I couldn't taste the burger meat. The chocolate malt was good. Our server was full of himself, rude, and made me feel uncomfortable.
(2)
David B.
The Charcoal Pit is a dining institution in Delaware. The Pit has been around since 1956. I worked in Delaware for over 7 years and this would be an every once in awhile lunch spot but even more so often a destination to grab a black and white milkshake on a hot summer day. I am not going to start off with a ringing endorsement about their food. The CP offers your standard fare and the food is most likely not going to blow you away. The ice cream sundae menu is larger than entrees section. Their sundaes and named after the sports team names of the surrounding high schools. They also have a sundae called the Kitchen Sink, go ahead, I dare you! Burgers and fries are the norm here. Cheeseburgers come equipped with a thick slice of yellow American cheese. The Pit Special comes with fresh lettuce and tomato. The Soup is always on, and the "Soup of the Day" is also a popular option. During my last visit their Chunky Tomato soup was featured. If you want to splurge, you can select the Porterhouse steak for $18.95, a buck cheaper than the aforementioned Kitchen Sink sundae. People come here for the atmosphere and/or because it is probably a family tradition. As soon as you pull off the 202 Boardwalk and into the parking lot you enter reverse time travel. From the outside to the inside of the Pit this place is a throwback. The external neon pink illuminated signage will catch your eye. Once inside you notice the booth style seating with many of the tables having a personal juke box (not actively working). Each table also has a bottle of Heinz 57 as well as spicy mustard. The far end of the restaurant is the Pit's ice cream parlor section. For as long as I can remember, service has always been good here. The waiters and waitresses use the old fashioned check pads. When it is time to pay the bill, you pay at the front of the restaurant from a solo register station. There is also velvet roping attached to stanchions that keep the wait line in check. Again, the food isn't going to have you singing their praises. The ice cream sundaes and milkshakes, maybe. This is a great place to take the family and/or friends to sit back, relax and enjoy the setting. This is the place chains like Ruby Diner aspire to be, only this is the real thing!
(3)
Mac E.
Food is mediocre waitresses are not the brightest, We waited 10 minutes before any waitress came and asked us how were doing, never coming back. Charcoal pit messed up a order. I saw food on the counter waiting to be served for atleast 20 minutes it was there when I got there and left
(1)
Steve S.
Decided to take a trip down with the family for lunch. It's just one of those places that always intrigued me. This menu is as basic as it gets. The wife and I both got burgers. We sampled some onion rings, and got a grilled cheese with applesauce and milk for my boy. The food quality here is good. Neither of us complained about the burgers. The onion rings were solid. My son ate his grilled cheese with no issues. It's a very good burger. I'd say though at the same time nothing was special. It isn't anything I would drive down from Delco for in the future. The food overall was good diner quality. Although the milkshakes looked tasty, I didn't partake. It's a solid family joint. I can see why it would be popular locally. It's worth a try.
(3)
Jessica B.
My review is based on ice cream only. We went in, craving milkshakes. We (the four in my party) ended up each ordering sundaes. Our waitress was very polite. She graciously went over the ice cream flavors they had more than once as some of us were not paying attention. She didn't seem at all as if we were inconveniencing her. The sundaes were quite plentiful! I ordered a hot fudge nut sundae with salted caramel pretzel chocolate ice cream. There is no such thing as too much ice cream and I ate the entire thing! My only complaint is having to wait 5+ minutes for someone to ring us up at the register. Three waitresses were sitting at the bar, talking to other customers, but def looked up directly at us.
(4)
Ed C.
Pretty good burgers and fries. My friend raved about the milkshakes, too, but I found them thin but tasty. The Charcoal Pit is that nostalgic kinda place that used to be common place on US routes before the interstate roads. It features old juke box controls--sadly, for display only--at each booth--and no tables with movable chairs. A little ironic that they are known for fat-inducing foods but only have tight booths for skinny people. The burgers and the fries both reminded me of a place originally in Raleigh, NC--Char-Grill--but with better mayo. The coolest thing about our visit was that, unbeknown to us, President Obama chose to eat there just a few hours before we did... And delawareonline.com showed a picture of him standing at the very booth we sat in! Good burger. Good fries, though the portion was smallish. Nostalgia. And now, the Obama Special. Worth a checking out. Get yours to go if you're a person of size.
(3)
Jay M.
1st visit. Saw the cook drop food on floor, pick up put back on plate, cashier witnessed as well on take out, nothing was done.. Informed manager of situation, did not fire or reprimand employee. Will never eat in that place! -5s
(1)
Crystal F.
Rare meat when we ordered a medium well burger. It came back without a bun.... Meet was too compressed. It was like a brick. Burger is assembled w toothpick then you have to take it apart to put pickles and mayo/mustard on it. This makes no sense! Bacon was good. Crispy Fries were mediocre Server Shawn was good.
(1)
Carissa L.
I never thought I would fall in love with a place called "Charcoal Pit"... My friends and I needed comfort food, and comfort food is what we got. Our server, Joyce, was absolutely wonderful - she was patient, humorous, and got everything perfectly right. I had the grilled cheese and fries, another girl had the chicken deluxe, another had a bacon cheeseburger, and another had the mozaarella sticks meal. The prices were very fair - my whole meal was $4.95 and came with a chocolate milk. I could have used more food on the plate, though. BONUS: Crayons and paper placemats! All in all - we needed diner food and this was definitely the right place to go. We will be coming back for sure! :)
(4)
Dan B.
Here is the deal with Charcoal PIt. If you go there for the quality of the food, you're missing the point. The burgers, chicken fingers, whatever you order, is utterly ordinary. However, this place is an institution in North Wilmington and you go for the experience. A classic midcentury burger and shake joint, this place has been bringing families and groups of teenagers back again and again to share ice cream and mozzarella sticks after swim meets, school dances, and various other coming of age functions. The staff is some of the friendliest I've ever experienced, and the prices seem to be pegged back to 1955. So please, if you just want to go get a good burger, don't go to charcoal pit. If you want a great chocolate milkshake, however, definitely stop by.
(3)
Katja N.
This place is falling apart, wish they would renovate. It really has a retro feel to it and they could make this place really cool with some fresh paint. Burgers are still good and the Malt shake is AWESOME!
(2)
Bruce C.
Wifey and I stopped by yesterday around 1 PM for lunch. and "an older diner" it is not, It's the Charcoal Pit. Wifey had a "chicken" "cheese steak" (get real, really? they actually called it a steak) I had a traditional cheese steak with melted cheese and fried onions. OMG still the best., and the best roll ever!! GINO, PAT RICK's do not come close to these steak sandwiches !!! An old Diner?? Hell they haven't changed a thing in 50+ yrs and that is the charm and memories of this wonderful place.. I was a bit puzzled by the apparent deliberate attempt to lesson the cheese steak/s as their "claim to fame" by promoting their burgers on the menu... We will return
(5)
Julia B.
Who doesn't love a simple and tasty burger? The pit's onion rings are awesome, and their shakes are on point. Prices are good and fair. Ingredients are fresh. Friendly servers, or ones that are so efficient that I don't care if they're friendly or not. Knocking one star for their awkward seating system. Love the pit, will be back again and again when I want a tasty burger and don't feel like dealing with pretentious nonsense at "fancier" burger joints.
(4)
Chelsea S.
Ok so I have only been here twice so I am hoping the second time was a fluke. I will try it a third to give them benefit of the doubt. THIS WAS A TERRIBLY DINIG EXPIERENCE. on 1/27/14 around 5:30pm My boyfriend and I were super excited to go there again, and this time with his parents who came to visit from out of town. The Charcoal Pit did NOT live up to the reviews we've given it to his folks. I ordered a cheese hotdog and cheeseburger with fries. The other 3 ordered steaks. I ordered my burger Med. I know they made it a bit confusing by ordering the steaks 3 different ways- med. rare, med, and med. well. But still.. The server then brought us a basket of cold rolls and cold butter. I have never had cold rolls before at a restaurant. They felt like they came out of a cooler- not even room temp. fYI- you can't spread cold butter on cold bread. Then the food came out...2 steaks were cooked improperly. The medium one was still mooing. It had more blood on the plate than the med. rare one. It was disgusting. We showed the server who took it to the kitchen to be fixed. This steak had been cut and a bit ate at the table- it should not have gone back to the kitchen. A new one should have been prepared. It took a good 10 minutes for her dish to come back. The same exact dish. Steak was cooked better but she couldn't eat half her fries because they had soaked up so much of the blood. Gross! during this, I started to eat my burger that had been ordered medium. That thing was a crispy brick. WELL DONE. No taste at all. I told the server who was great and very apologetic but told her not to worry with a new one b/c I was getting full and would deal with this one. I was fed up. Not once did the manager come over to discuss the issues or apologize. He did however tell the server to offer us free desserts, which was nice. But we didn't want desserts and ended up eating ourselves sick with them. But the sundaes there are to die for and who can resist ice cream?!?! However, the manager did have the nerve to come over at the end of our meal, while he was walking by, to tap my boyfriends mom non-stop on her shoulder to ask her to pick up her coat that had fallen to the floor. He didn't want someone to take off with it. What does that even mean? He still didn't mention the issues with the kitchen. This tells me he didn't care about us or the kitchen service. We spent $70 there- which is a lot for a little dive place. Regardless- you should treat every single customer with respect and attention. This is your job, it's customer service. Not only was the kitchen and manager lacking that night. I won't even go into all the details about what a crabby brat the host was being. He was short with us but I am very attentive (and work in the restaurant industry myself) and if he had treated me the way I watched him and overheard him treat 2 other tables- I would have walked out. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE.
(2)
Michele R.
I'm never super impressed whenever I eat at a Charcoal Pit. The food is good, passable but not spectacular. Even their desserts are just okay. It's reasonably priced though and a good place to take the kids. The menu has something for everyone. Charcoal Pit has been around for many years and I'm glad to see it continues to thrive. I think they need to overhaul the menu though and use better ingredients (not just frozen Sysco type food). The Pit is not a place I would pick first to go to...usually when I go it's because I'm with a group and majority rules. LOL.
(3)
Jeff T.
Pretty disappointing to see some of these negative reviews below..! Simply put, all these miserable haters just don't get what the Pit is about -- yes, this is a comfort-food restaurant that at this point is purely based on nostalgia and tradition. By no means is this gourmet food; this is a simple place where you know what you're gonna get when you go -- burgers, chicken, hamburger steaks, home made soups, milkshakes, vanilla cokes and chocolate sundae's. The place hasn't changed since my dad was going here as a kid in the 50's, which means a lot to all of us 2nd and 3rd generation Pit-goer's. If you grew up in Wilmington, this is where you went after school dances and on dates, etc. It's a special place to a lot of people. So to all those being uber-critical of the food and how the place looks -- get over yourselves and take a hike! Get a dog, get a massage, go write a sh*t review for a Denny's or something if it makes you feel better about yourself -- we don't need ya!
(5)
Steve P.
So I was told that I should visit this place not for the food but for the experience. So I came in for a late lunch on a Thursday. This place was practically empty when I arrived as it was 2:30 in the afternoon and the lunch crowd was gone. Was told to pick a both back by the kitchen. Sat there for 10 minutes. Wasn't approached by a waitress or even asked if I wanted something to drink. Mind you the place was practically empty. Instead of asking me what I wanted to order the waitress sat a the counter within earshot talking in Espanol to the cook. After waiting 10 minutes I asked her if I could get some service. She told me I'll be with you in a minute and continued to sit there and talk to the cook. So I got up and left. Can't speak for the food cause I never got the chance. But the service is terrible. This was my first and last trip to the Charcoal Pit.
(1)
Donna Y.
This place takes me back to a simpler time. The food is always fresh & well prepared. The staffing s always attentive and spit on. A great place for reasonable family dining. The ice cream is simply amazing. Whenever I am in Wilmington I make sure I grab a bite here.
(5)
C. K. B.
This place has been around forever and still packs in the crowds! If your in the mood for a burger and fries or ice cream treats, I would definitely say to try this diner type restaurant. It's casual food and casual prices but you might have to wait in line or you can try a seat for counter service.The smell from outside will make you even more hungry!
(3)
Susan A.
The milkshakes here are soooooo good. My rating for the Charcoal Pit is based solely on their milkshakes. My favorite -- and arguably the best -- is the black and white malt. Whenever I'm in the Wilmington area, I make a pit stop over here to grab one. Thankfully, I'm not in Wilmington as often anymore -- because I need the milkshake here like I need a hole in the head. The only downside is that you can't get a size small milk shake and you can't get a milkshake with skim milk. Bottom line: this is one big, epic, bad ass cheat meal.
(5)
William E.
Ate at the counter & had a 1/4# Deluxe, fries and a Char-Dog. I wasn't too impressed with the char-dog....it had nice flavor but didnt blow me away. The burger however was fantastic. Fries were very good as well. I ordered a root beer before seeing that they have root beer floats.....next time.
(4)
Lisa S.
The Charcoal Pit will always hold a spot in my heart, and I know that part of this 4-star rating is due to nostalgia. :-) The place is basically a diner. When you go in, the "hostess" will likely just point a general direction and then tell you which table to take without actually escorting you there. Menus are stored at the table. The waitresses have all been there since I've been in high school (a very, very long time). They are all friendly in a cordial, diner way. Most tables have jukeboxes, which I used to love when I was younger. Their menu is fairly straightforward- stick to the burgers ($3.95 for 4oz or $5.95 for 8oz), french fries ($1.95), and milkshakes ($3.95+). Their iced tea is also delicious and comes in a giant cup ($1.95). I went a few days ago and we ordered 2 4oz burgers, 2 french fries, and 2 iced teas and our bill came to about $15. The food came quickly, and the waitress was good about refilling my iced tea. We were probably in and out in around 30 minutes. Overall, a great place to grab a burger. It's cheap, it's delicious, and it never changes.
(4)
Miller C.
I have been going here for almost twenty years and i will never go back. I hadnt been in a while and i went twice recently, its gotten too expensive and portions are smaller. I always get an order of cheese fries knowing they use real cheez whiz but not any more they are using some tasteless cheese sauce. What a stupid decision that was , they should try cleaning the bathroom once in a while also . Very sad used to love this place.
(1)
Colin Z.
A cautionary tale. Native Delawareans will rave about this place. If you come to Charcoal Pit with fresh eyes, without the rosy haze of nostalgia, you'll be disappointed. Miserable, overcooked cafeteria food. Cheap, faux diner atmosphere. Inattentive staff. Hey, honestly, I can forgive a lot about a restaurant if the food is good, but I've genuinely had better burgers at a hospital cafeteria. The patty was charred (Charcoal Pit, indeed) beyond recognition without any flavor in the grey lifeless meat. Fries were boring and mushy without any crispness to them. A place doesn't have to be a hoity toity affair to be good. It just needs to care about what food they put in front of you. Charcoal Pit is apparently a tradition, the place high school kids go after football games. If I had fond memories of this place from my childhood I might enjoy it more. Or I might bite into my meal and think about how bad my taste used to be.
(1)
Gerald F.
Always a good experience.
(5)
Valerie S.
Had been wanting to try the Charcoal Pit for quite quite a while, but when I finally did, I was pretty disappointed. First off, there was a gnat/bug in my salad which freaked me out completely. I understand that this can happen, but it pretty much ruined my appetite. I had also ordered a cheesesteak and fries which were okay, but I don't think I've ever been served a cheesesteak that basically looked like a couple of layers of SteakUmm's cooked all in one piece and slapped on a bun with a couple slices of cheese melted on top. Not to mention the guy at the register was completely blah - like he didn't even want to be there. Our waitress was okay though. Sooo, sorry - I won't be going back, but as least I can say "been there, done that."
(2)
Vivz C.
Nothing reminds me more of my Delawarean childhood than Charcoal Pit. I don't get down to Delaware much these days, but when I'm in the area, I ALWAYS make sure to allot enough time to stop in for a burger. And maybe some ice cream if the mood hits. While the food may not be top notch, you go there more for the atmosphere and the company. I enjoy the fact that they give you relish with your burgers which gives an extra tang to each bite. And don't forget about the jukeboxes attached to each booth! You don't see too many places with those anymore. My cohorts and I recently had a blast going through all the choices until finally settling on some old Backstreet Boys jams for giggles. Good times.
(4)
Holly S.
Had a tasty grilled cheeseburger and some thick cut restaurant fries, which are my favorite. :-) My step-mom wasn't crazy about her caesar salad, mostly because they used grated parmesan instead of shredded or shaved. But, it was big and the lettuce was fresh and really green. My niece had a grilled hot dog that she was thrilled with and my dad had the chicken cheese steak and he enjoyed it as well. All in all would definitely visit again when I'm in the mood for something off the grill. Next time will come with a bigger appetite so I can try one of their ice cream treats that everyone seems to enjoy!
(4)
Alexa R.
The Charcoal Pit is one of my favorite things about Delaware. It's cozy, it's cheap, it's fast. They have jukeboxes in the booths. They have booths! The waitresses are wonderful and no-nonsense. The food is basic diner food and the menu hasn't changed in 50 year, but it is so wonderful.
(4)
Matt D.
Where to begin with this review?? First of all, how in the world does a Burger King stay in business sandwiched directly between the Charcoal Pit and Five Guys?!?! I love dining at eateries with a history and a following: this place satisfies both. The interior, exterior, and staff revoke warm feelings of burger shacks of the past. I sat back by the kitchen, which heightened the experience, because I got to hear the interactions between the kitchen and the waitresses along with watching them cook. I was told the black and white shake was a must, so that was ordered along with a cheeseburger with mushrooms and onions, coleslaw and onion rings. The milkshake came first, and I was stunned at the shear size of it....easily the best milkshake deal I've come across, plus it was absolutely delicious. The food came out shortly after the shake, and I was surprised it was actually cooked medium-rare with a char and piled with mushrooms and onions. The bun held up well too! For a burger shack, this was a high quality burger (can't really be compared to the burger at New Haven's Caseus). It's not a five-star review due to the onion rings and cole slaw. They were both good, but I was hoping for something special in them as well. The onion rings were straight out of the freezer (unfortunately, I got to watch them plunk them in the frier from my table). Long story short, the food is very good, the atmosphere is nostalgic, and the Charcoal Pit is well worth a visit when your on the PIke in Wilmington.
(4)
Colette W.
How you say, "All kinds of yes!" I was soooo hungry and willing to settle for anything other than a burger so I ordered the grilled chicken with BBQ sauce ($10) with mushrooms (add $2) and grilled onions. It came with fries. When I received the food, I was so shocked to see how tasty it looked ! Every bite of charbroiled chicken had a fork full of grilled mushrooms and onions and it was plain delicious. There was zero time to try to look cute eating this goodness. When the chicken was gone, the leftover grilled mushrooms and onions went just as well with the fries. I ate everything and will certainly have it again in the future!
(5)
Howard S.
When we moved to DE four years ago, we were enthralled by CP. The last few times however, it has been much less than great. Take last night... We had the worst waitress - took forever to greet us, kept forgetting parts of our order and the check arrived 20 minutes after we finished. This is a burger joint! The burgers were stiff. Not bad, just not really tender or juicy. I think they started off frozen and never got any better. The shakes were terrific, so there was that.
(2)
Bruce K.
Here in Wilmington since 1956, this is as much of a local landmark as you can get. This is a classic eating establishment. And when I asked for Wilmington foods in the talk thread, this was one of the places that was suggested. The menu gets into salads and chicken and all sorts of stuff, but you'll want to skip all of that and just focus on what they're good at. "The Pit Special" is available in 4 ounce and 8 ounce patties. It's a burger and if you're doing it right, it becomes a cheeseburger and fries. And let me tell you, it was great. Nice and juicy. And best of all, inexpensive. This is probably the cheapest meal I've had in Wilmington. I'm only disappointed that the drink options are limited to sodas and milkshakes. This burger would have been better with a good beer.
(4)
John S.
Overall not a very good restaurant. We didn't get acknowledged for a long time waiting to be seated. I couldn't taste the burger meat. The chocolate malt was good. Our server was full of himself, rude, and made me feel uncomfortable.
(2)
David B.
The Charcoal Pit is a dining institution in Delaware. The Pit has been around since 1956. I worked in Delaware for over 7 years and this would be an every once in awhile lunch spot but even more so often a destination to grab a black and white milkshake on a hot summer day. I am not going to start off with a ringing endorsement about their food. The CP offers your standard fare and the food is most likely not going to blow you away. The ice cream sundae menu is larger than entrees section. Their sundaes and named after the sports team names of the surrounding high schools. They also have a sundae called the Kitchen Sink, go ahead, I dare you! Burgers and fries are the norm here. Cheeseburgers come equipped with a thick slice of yellow American cheese. The Pit Special comes with fresh lettuce and tomato. The Soup is always on, and the "Soup of the Day" is also a popular option. During my last visit their Chunky Tomato soup was featured. If you want to splurge, you can select the Porterhouse steak for $18.95, a buck cheaper than the aforementioned Kitchen Sink sundae. People come here for the atmosphere and/or because it is probably a family tradition. As soon as you pull off the 202 Boardwalk and into the parking lot you enter reverse time travel. From the outside to the inside of the Pit this place is a throwback. The external neon pink illuminated signage will catch your eye. Once inside you notice the booth style seating with many of the tables having a personal juke box (not actively working). Each table also has a bottle of Heinz 57 as well as spicy mustard. The far end of the restaurant is the Pit's ice cream parlor section. For as long as I can remember, service has always been good here. The waiters and waitresses use the old fashioned check pads. When it is time to pay the bill, you pay at the front of the restaurant from a solo register station. There is also velvet roping attached to stanchions that keep the wait line in check. Again, the food isn't going to have you singing their praises. The ice cream sundaes and milkshakes, maybe. This is a great place to take the family and/or friends to sit back, relax and enjoy the setting. This is the place chains like Ruby Diner aspire to be, only this is the real thing!
(3)
Mac E.
Food is mediocre waitresses are not the brightest, We waited 10 minutes before any waitress came and asked us how were doing, never coming back. Charcoal pit messed up a order. I saw food on the counter waiting to be served for atleast 20 minutes it was there when I got there and left
(1)
Jessica B.
My review is based on ice cream only. We went in, craving milkshakes. We (the four in my party) ended up each ordering sundaes. Our waitress was very polite. She graciously went over the ice cream flavors they had more than once as some of us were not paying attention. She didn't seem at all as if we were inconveniencing her. The sundaes were quite plentiful! I ordered a hot fudge nut sundae with salted caramel pretzel chocolate ice cream. There is no such thing as too much ice cream and I ate the entire thing! My only complaint is having to wait 5+ minutes for someone to ring us up at the register. Three waitresses were sitting at the bar, talking to other customers, but def looked up directly at us.
(4)
Ed C.
Pretty good burgers and fries. My friend raved about the milkshakes, too, but I found them thin but tasty. The Charcoal Pit is that nostalgic kinda place that used to be common place on US routes before the interstate roads. It features old juke box controls--sadly, for display only--at each booth--and no tables with movable chairs. A little ironic that they are known for fat-inducing foods but only have tight booths for skinny people. The burgers and the fries both reminded me of a place originally in Raleigh, NC--Char-Grill--but with better mayo. The coolest thing about our visit was that, unbeknown to us, President Obama chose to eat there just a few hours before we did... And delawareonline.com showed a picture of him standing at the very booth we sat in! Good burger. Good fries, though the portion was smallish. Nostalgia. And now, the Obama Special. Worth a checking out. Get yours to go if you're a person of size.
(3)
Jay M.
1st visit. Saw the cook drop food on floor, pick up put back on plate, cashier witnessed as well on take out, nothing was done.. Informed manager of situation, did not fire or reprimand employee. Will never eat in that place! -5s
(1)
Crystal F.
Rare meat when we ordered a medium well burger. It came back without a bun.... Meet was too compressed. It was like a brick. Burger is assembled w toothpick then you have to take it apart to put pickles and mayo/mustard on it. This makes no sense! Bacon was good. Crispy Fries were mediocre Server Shawn was good.
(1)
Yong K.
Our first time in Delaware and I had heard about this place from our friend. It's kinda like a diner. The burger was average. the patty wasn't that great.. kinda plain, but big. Their shakes were good though. i got the chocolate with malt. dang that was good. really creamy. the place was kinda small and had a home-y diner feel. If I ever come back, I want to try the kitchen sink with some friends (it's a huge bowl with LOTS of scoops of ice cream)
(3)
Kevin C.
What can I say? Old school restaurant, old school flavor. The only burger that is better is cooked by me, or on the west coast at In-n-out burger. Get the pit special with cheese, it will brighten your day.
(5)
Carissa L.
I never thought I would fall in love with a place called "Charcoal Pit"... My friends and I needed comfort food, and comfort food is what we got. Our server, Joyce, was absolutely wonderful - she was patient, humorous, and got everything perfectly right. I had the grilled cheese and fries, another girl had the chicken deluxe, another had a bacon cheeseburger, and another had the mozaarella sticks meal. The prices were very fair - my whole meal was $4.95 and came with a chocolate milk. I could have used more food on the plate, though. BONUS: Crayons and paper placemats! All in all - we needed diner food and this was definitely the right place to go. We will be coming back for sure! :)
(4)
Dan B.
Here is the deal with Charcoal PIt. If you go there for the quality of the food, you're missing the point. The burgers, chicken fingers, whatever you order, is utterly ordinary. However, this place is an institution in North Wilmington and you go for the experience. A classic midcentury burger and shake joint, this place has been bringing families and groups of teenagers back again and again to share ice cream and mozzarella sticks after swim meets, school dances, and various other coming of age functions. The staff is some of the friendliest I've ever experienced, and the prices seem to be pegged back to 1955. So please, if you just want to go get a good burger, don't go to charcoal pit. If you want a great chocolate milkshake, however, definitely stop by.
(3)
Katja N.
This place is falling apart, wish they would renovate. It really has a retro feel to it and they could make this place really cool with some fresh paint. Burgers are still good and the Malt shake is AWESOME!
(2)
Bruce C.
Wifey and I stopped by yesterday around 1 PM for lunch. and "an older diner" it is not, It's the Charcoal Pit. Wifey had a "chicken" "cheese steak" (get real, really? they actually called it a steak) I had a traditional cheese steak with melted cheese and fried onions. OMG still the best., and the best roll ever!! GINO, PAT RICK's do not come close to these steak sandwiches !!! An old Diner?? Hell they haven't changed a thing in 50+ yrs and that is the charm and memories of this wonderful place.. I was a bit puzzled by the apparent deliberate attempt to lesson the cheese steak/s as their "claim to fame" by promoting their burgers on the menu... We will return
(5)
Julia B.
Who doesn't love a simple and tasty burger? The pit's onion rings are awesome, and their shakes are on point. Prices are good and fair. Ingredients are fresh. Friendly servers, or ones that are so efficient that I don't care if they're friendly or not. Knocking one star for their awkward seating system. Love the pit, will be back again and again when I want a tasty burger and don't feel like dealing with pretentious nonsense at "fancier" burger joints.
(4)
Chelsea S.
Ok so I have only been here twice so I am hoping the second time was a fluke. I will try it a third to give them benefit of the doubt. THIS WAS A TERRIBLY DINIG EXPIERENCE. on 1/27/14 around 5:30pm My boyfriend and I were super excited to go there again, and this time with his parents who came to visit from out of town. The Charcoal Pit did NOT live up to the reviews we've given it to his folks. I ordered a cheese hotdog and cheeseburger with fries. The other 3 ordered steaks. I ordered my burger Med. I know they made it a bit confusing by ordering the steaks 3 different ways- med. rare, med, and med. well. But still.. The server then brought us a basket of cold rolls and cold butter. I have never had cold rolls before at a restaurant. They felt like they came out of a cooler- not even room temp. fYI- you can't spread cold butter on cold bread. Then the food came out...2 steaks were cooked improperly. The medium one was still mooing. It had more blood on the plate than the med. rare one. It was disgusting. We showed the server who took it to the kitchen to be fixed. This steak had been cut and a bit ate at the table- it should not have gone back to the kitchen. A new one should have been prepared. It took a good 10 minutes for her dish to come back. The same exact dish. Steak was cooked better but she couldn't eat half her fries because they had soaked up so much of the blood. Gross! during this, I started to eat my burger that had been ordered medium. That thing was a crispy brick. WELL DONE. No taste at all. I told the server who was great and very apologetic but told her not to worry with a new one b/c I was getting full and would deal with this one. I was fed up. Not once did the manager come over to discuss the issues or apologize. He did however tell the server to offer us free desserts, which was nice. But we didn't want desserts and ended up eating ourselves sick with them. But the sundaes there are to die for and who can resist ice cream?!?! However, the manager did have the nerve to come over at the end of our meal, while he was walking by, to tap my boyfriends mom non-stop on her shoulder to ask her to pick up her coat that had fallen to the floor. He didn't want someone to take off with it. What does that even mean? He still didn't mention the issues with the kitchen. This tells me he didn't care about us or the kitchen service. We spent $70 there- which is a lot for a little dive place. Regardless- you should treat every single customer with respect and attention. This is your job, it's customer service. Not only was the kitchen and manager lacking that night. I won't even go into all the details about what a crabby brat the host was being. He was short with us but I am very attentive (and work in the restaurant industry myself) and if he had treated me the way I watched him and overheard him treat 2 other tables- I would have walked out. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE.
(2)
Michele R.
I'm never super impressed whenever I eat at a Charcoal Pit. The food is good, passable but not spectacular. Even their desserts are just okay. It's reasonably priced though and a good place to take the kids. The menu has something for everyone. Charcoal Pit has been around for many years and I'm glad to see it continues to thrive. I think they need to overhaul the menu though and use better ingredients (not just frozen Sysco type food). The Pit is not a place I would pick first to go to...usually when I go it's because I'm with a group and majority rules. LOL.
(3)
Jeff T.
Pretty disappointing to see some of these negative reviews below..! Simply put, all these miserable haters just don't get what the Pit is about -- yes, this is a comfort-food restaurant that at this point is purely based on nostalgia and tradition. By no means is this gourmet food; this is a simple place where you know what you're gonna get when you go -- burgers, chicken, hamburger steaks, home made soups, milkshakes, vanilla cokes and chocolate sundae's. The place hasn't changed since my dad was going here as a kid in the 50's, which means a lot to all of us 2nd and 3rd generation Pit-goer's. If you grew up in Wilmington, this is where you went after school dances and on dates, etc. It's a special place to a lot of people. So to all those being uber-critical of the food and how the place looks -- get over yourselves and take a hike! Get a dog, get a massage, go write a sh*t review for a Denny's or something if it makes you feel better about yourself -- we don't need ya!
(5)
Steve P.
So I was told that I should visit this place not for the food but for the experience. So I came in for a late lunch on a Thursday. This place was practically empty when I arrived as it was 2:30 in the afternoon and the lunch crowd was gone. Was told to pick a both back by the kitchen. Sat there for 10 minutes. Wasn't approached by a waitress or even asked if I wanted something to drink. Mind you the place was practically empty. Instead of asking me what I wanted to order the waitress sat a the counter within earshot talking in Espanol to the cook. After waiting 10 minutes I asked her if I could get some service. She told me I'll be with you in a minute and continued to sit there and talk to the cook. So I got up and left. Can't speak for the food cause I never got the chance. But the service is terrible. This was my first and last trip to the Charcoal Pit.
(1)
Donna Y.
This place takes me back to a simpler time. The food is always fresh & well prepared. The staffing s always attentive and spit on. A great place for reasonable family dining. The ice cream is simply amazing. Whenever I am in Wilmington I make sure I grab a bite here.
(5)
C. K. B.
This place has been around forever and still packs in the crowds! If your in the mood for a burger and fries or ice cream treats, I would definitely say to try this diner type restaurant. It's casual food and casual prices but you might have to wait in line or you can try a seat for counter service.The smell from outside will make you even more hungry!
(3)
Susan A.
The milkshakes here are soooooo good. My rating for the Charcoal Pit is based solely on their milkshakes. My favorite -- and arguably the best -- is the black and white malt. Whenever I'm in the Wilmington area, I make a pit stop over here to grab one. Thankfully, I'm not in Wilmington as often anymore -- because I need the milkshake here like I need a hole in the head. The only downside is that you can't get a size small milk shake and you can't get a milkshake with skim milk. Bottom line: this is one big, epic, bad ass cheat meal.
(5)
William E.
Ate at the counter & had a 1/4# Deluxe, fries and a Char-Dog. I wasn't too impressed with the char-dog....it had nice flavor but didnt blow me away. The burger however was fantastic. Fries were very good as well. I ordered a root beer before seeing that they have root beer floats.....next time.
(4)
Lisa S.
The Charcoal Pit will always hold a spot in my heart, and I know that part of this 4-star rating is due to nostalgia. :-) The place is basically a diner. When you go in, the "hostess" will likely just point a general direction and then tell you which table to take without actually escorting you there. Menus are stored at the table. The waitresses have all been there since I've been in high school (a very, very long time). They are all friendly in a cordial, diner way. Most tables have jukeboxes, which I used to love when I was younger. Their menu is fairly straightforward- stick to the burgers ($3.95 for 4oz or $5.95 for 8oz), french fries ($1.95), and milkshakes ($3.95+). Their iced tea is also delicious and comes in a giant cup ($1.95). I went a few days ago and we ordered 2 4oz burgers, 2 french fries, and 2 iced teas and our bill came to about $15. The food came quickly, and the waitress was good about refilling my iced tea. We were probably in and out in around 30 minutes. Overall, a great place to grab a burger. It's cheap, it's delicious, and it never changes.
(4)
Miller C.
I have been going here for almost twenty years and i will never go back. I hadnt been in a while and i went twice recently, its gotten too expensive and portions are smaller. I always get an order of cheese fries knowing they use real cheez whiz but not any more they are using some tasteless cheese sauce. What a stupid decision that was , they should try cleaning the bathroom once in a while also . Very sad used to love this place.
(1)
Colin Z.
A cautionary tale. Native Delawareans will rave about this place. If you come to Charcoal Pit with fresh eyes, without the rosy haze of nostalgia, you'll be disappointed. Miserable, overcooked cafeteria food. Cheap, faux diner atmosphere. Inattentive staff. Hey, honestly, I can forgive a lot about a restaurant if the food is good, but I've genuinely had better burgers at a hospital cafeteria. The patty was charred (Charcoal Pit, indeed) beyond recognition without any flavor in the grey lifeless meat. Fries were boring and mushy without any crispness to them. A place doesn't have to be a hoity toity affair to be good. It just needs to care about what food they put in front of you. Charcoal Pit is apparently a tradition, the place high school kids go after football games. If I had fond memories of this place from my childhood I might enjoy it more. Or I might bite into my meal and think about how bad my taste used to be.
(1)
Gerald F.
Always a good experience.
(5)
Valerie S.
Had been wanting to try the Charcoal Pit for quite quite a while, but when I finally did, I was pretty disappointed. First off, there was a gnat/bug in my salad which freaked me out completely. I understand that this can happen, but it pretty much ruined my appetite. I had also ordered a cheesesteak and fries which were okay, but I don't think I've ever been served a cheesesteak that basically looked like a couple of layers of SteakUmm's cooked all in one piece and slapped on a bun with a couple slices of cheese melted on top. Not to mention the guy at the register was completely blah - like he didn't even want to be there. Our waitress was okay though. Sooo, sorry - I won't be going back, but as least I can say "been there, done that."
(2)
Vivz C.
Nothing reminds me more of my Delawarean childhood than Charcoal Pit. I don't get down to Delaware much these days, but when I'm in the area, I ALWAYS make sure to allot enough time to stop in for a burger. And maybe some ice cream if the mood hits. While the food may not be top notch, you go there more for the atmosphere and the company. I enjoy the fact that they give you relish with your burgers which gives an extra tang to each bite. And don't forget about the jukeboxes attached to each booth! You don't see too many places with those anymore. My cohorts and I recently had a blast going through all the choices until finally settling on some old Backstreet Boys jams for giggles. Good times.
(4)
Holly S.
Had a tasty grilled cheeseburger and some thick cut restaurant fries, which are my favorite. :-) My step-mom wasn't crazy about her caesar salad, mostly because they used grated parmesan instead of shredded or shaved. But, it was big and the lettuce was fresh and really green. My niece had a grilled hot dog that she was thrilled with and my dad had the chicken cheese steak and he enjoyed it as well. All in all would definitely visit again when I'm in the mood for something off the grill. Next time will come with a bigger appetite so I can try one of their ice cream treats that everyone seems to enjoy!
(4)
Alexa R.
The Charcoal Pit is one of my favorite things about Delaware. It's cozy, it's cheap, it's fast. They have jukeboxes in the booths. They have booths! The waitresses are wonderful and no-nonsense. The food is basic diner food and the menu hasn't changed in 50 year, but it is so wonderful.
(4)
Matt D.
Where to begin with this review?? First of all, how in the world does a Burger King stay in business sandwiched directly between the Charcoal Pit and Five Guys?!?! I love dining at eateries with a history and a following: this place satisfies both. The interior, exterior, and staff revoke warm feelings of burger shacks of the past. I sat back by the kitchen, which heightened the experience, because I got to hear the interactions between the kitchen and the waitresses along with watching them cook. I was told the black and white shake was a must, so that was ordered along with a cheeseburger with mushrooms and onions, coleslaw and onion rings. The milkshake came first, and I was stunned at the shear size of it....easily the best milkshake deal I've come across, plus it was absolutely delicious. The food came out shortly after the shake, and I was surprised it was actually cooked medium-rare with a char and piled with mushrooms and onions. The bun held up well too! For a burger shack, this was a high quality burger (can't really be compared to the burger at New Haven's Caseus). It's not a five-star review due to the onion rings and cole slaw. They were both good, but I was hoping for something special in them as well. The onion rings were straight out of the freezer (unfortunately, I got to watch them plunk them in the frier from my table). Long story short, the food is very good, the atmosphere is nostalgic, and the Charcoal Pit is well worth a visit when your on the PIke in Wilmington.
(4)
Lauren H.
Wow... Is it me, or has Charcoal Pit gone downhill over the last 2 years? Or maybe my excitement wore off. Whatever it is... the burgers are small, buns are dry, fries are mushy, service is usually pretty bad (there are 1 or 2 really nice waitresses, though). I feel like the food is just...not that great. The only thing I will come back for is milkshakes because that is one thing they continue to do right. I've never experienced such a 180 with a restaurant. But I guess my Charcoal Pit honeymoon stage is over.
(2)
Tameka J.
Wanted a hot dog but the other places in Wilmington were closed so we stopped in to the charcoal pit for a dog to go. Everyone coming in was ordering a milkshake and they couldn't stop talking about them. I didn't have one and once I saw the fresh banana go into the strawberry banana milkshake I almost traded in my dog for a shake. None the less my chili dog was tasty, and hit the spot.
(3)
M S.
What's the matter with you folks?!?! I LOVE classic throw back burger joints. But they usually make a good burger... involving fresh ground beef, hand cut fries... The burger they serve here looked and tasted like the burgers they served back in high school. Nevermind that it took... 26 minutes (I timed it) from order to service, nevermind that the meat was room temperature, nevermind that the pickles and lettuce was ice cold.... but I can't excuse the complete lack of flavor. I'm pretty sure any store bought ground beef would taste better. Frozen oreida fries anyone? I have no specific nostalgia for this place. It's nice that other reviewers have their memories here when they were growing up. But to that I say, so what?... what does that have to do with the food? I suppose the other diners must be too misty eyed over their trips down memory lane to be able to taste anything. Places like this went out of business a long time ago... why?... because they sucked. Was the ice cream good? Who cares, I was sufficiently bored enough with the food that I couldn't bother. Just go to five guys, this place isn't even worth the visit to see what the nostalgia is about.
(1)
Kelly M.
Unless you are drunk or hung over this is not good food. Dirty dusty cramped. The burger was over cooked, thank goodness because I don't trust the meat. It's frozen stuff from a box cooked to order.
(2)
janis c.
Went there, DESPITE the fact that it's Joe Biden's favorite restaurant. It's fine for what it is. The best part? The service. Our waitress was very nice and good at what she did.
(3)
KP R.
It's about as simple and basic as american food can possibly be. Its good food, not the best, not the worst. I understand its a landmark here in Delaware, but they need to expand the menu a bit. Ate in once months back and did takeout today. Will go back on a yearly basis maybe.
(3)
LaSha J.
Nostalgic family restaurant. Good cheap food. Ribs were a surprise! Tender and tasty! The Delmonico steak was described as tender with a good grilled taste.
(3)
Joy G.
Was in Wilmington a few weeks ago and the Charcoal Pit caught my attention. The sheer novelty of this place convinced me I'd have to try it eventually. Was in the area again last night and decided we'd give it a shot. We got the last table in the joint. It was 11pm on a Saturday night and the place was PACKED. The noise was deafening and I literally had to leap over bodies to get to our table. INSANITY! They were so busy they served us our drinks in paper cups because they had run out of glasses. Given how busy it was, our server was attentive and our food served promptly and as ordered. I'm not a big meat eater and not a big fan of hamburgers, but since hamburgers are the "thing" at the Pit, I figured "when in Rome..." It was, hands down, the BEST cheeseburger I've ever had. For the FIRST TIME in my entire life, I ate every last crumb of my burger. My boyfriend, who got the larger burger also scarfed down every morsel. The fries, however, sucked big time. The bathroom was also a nightmare. I had to pole vault over people just to get there in the first place. And when I finally arrived, it was freezing cold in there and the stall was so small trying to aim was a little tricky. The experience was a mixed bag- certainly if you're a fan of burgers or 50's themed restaurants, then this is a good bet. But the menu is VERY limited, If you're a vegetarian, then your only choice is grilled cheese. I wasn't wowed AT ALL by the offerings, but was very glad I ordered what they do well. BURGERS. YUM!
(3)
Kamilah B.
Good place to eat. They are known for their burgers, which are really good. Service is fast and nice. Shakes are good and real onion rings. Seating is tight though.
(3)
Walter K.
I have a booked called Hamburger America in my bathroom. It's a nice read, and it was also my inspiration for a spontaneous trip down to Delaware this weekend. The Charcoal pit win for one of the most awkward dining experiences I've ever experienced. Wehn we first walked in, there was a small waiting area chained off that made us think we had walked in the wrong entrance. The hostess then yelled at us, only half jokingly. We seated ourselves, and our server came over quickly. Everything she said was a statement, like "You want more time" and "You want mayo" instead of asking. The atmosphere here is pretty traditional 50s diner, and although we were eating a little early (around 5pm) it was oddly almost exclusively populated by senior citizens. For food, this place is supposed to have excellent ice cream as well as burgers. We were all too full from dinner to try dessert. The prices here are great. We each had a 8 oz cheeseburger, fries, and a drink and it was under $10 each. The french fries were pathetically soggy. Our orders were all mixed up. When finally sorted out, I had a medium rare burger topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and onions. The fixings were good, but the bread was soggy and thin. My burger was cooked well, but I can't say the same for everyone at the table. Its great to bit into a burger and have to dripping juice. The meat wasn't anything special. Bottom Line: George Mots, you mislead me on this one. The poor service coupled with an average burger produces less than desired results. I wouldn't go to this place if it was in Philadelphia, and I'm certainly not making a trip out of the state to go here again.
(2)
Brianne S.
A Delaware Classic. :)
(4)
Steve C.
The original Charcoal Pit, if you want that nostalgic feeling. The burgers are to die for at Charcoal Pit, my mouth waters just thinking about one. This location is also well known for their excellent desserts and ice cream. I would come here over Friendly's any day and twice on Sundays. You can just taste the freshness in the burgers and everytime I have gone there they would cook it to order with a very high accuracy level which is hard to come by. The fries taste homemade and are not too salty like many other places these days. This is spot is definitely woth visiting again and again and again.
(4)
Janice S.
Wow, has Charcoal Pit on Concord Pike changed! We were sooooooooo disappointed with the food, service, and atmosphere :( The chicken sandwich was paper-thin and fried to a crisp, the hamburger quality was poor, the fries tasted like some generic store brand, and there's no more jukebox music at your table, labeled "for display purposes only". It wasn't very crowded at 3 p.m. in the afternoon, but it took over 25 minutes to get our food. Just a totally bad experience and don't think we'll ever go back.
(1)
P E.
Ordered takeout from here and was pleased with the fast and pleasant service. However, the food was disappointing. The burgers were large but tasted frozen. The fries were of the frozen variety as well. My dining partner thought the hot dog more closely resembled a shoe. Definitely will not be going back. It's too bad as I prefer a locally owned place to the chains but this was disappointing.
(2)
Alyssa D.
Being a Delaware native, I have to give the Pit 5 stars. This is the ultimate comfort food to me. They have great milkshakes, burgers, and fries. If you're looking for something fancier or more exotic than that - this is not your place.
(5)
Brian E.
A throw back diner with a charcoal pit. I had a burger, slaw, fries and milkshake. The burger is what they seem to be known for. I got a 8oz deluxe burger cooked medium. It comes on a toasted sesame bun with lettuce, onion, and tomato standard. For some with a smaller appetite, I'd recommend the 4oz. It was a lot of meat. Although I got mine done medium, it was a tiny bit well and rather dry. However, the burger had a very nice char taste that sort of outweighed the dryness. Slaw was pretty decent, not reinventing the french fry wheel. Milkshake was delish. They have a wide array of desserts and treats that are a must try.
(3)
Kate G.
I went to the Charcoal Pit after a long day tooting around Delaware. Because I heard that Joe Biden loves to come here. And since I have a huge crush on Joe Biden, I went to the Charcoal Pit hoping against all hope that Joe would be there...waiting for me..in a business suit...to eat a gross burger with me and then shake my hand afterwards. Um not only did this interaction with Joe NOT happen, but there was no mention of Joe in the restaurant at all! A SHAME. and when I asked our waiter, a 14 year old boy, where he ever met Joe, he said YES and HE COMES HERE ALL THE TIME. but he said it with such a lack of enthusiasm that I felt ashamed and sad. We ate the mozzarella sticks, which were decent. but...my disappointment over the lack of joe biden cast a dark shadow on the visit. I'll never return.
(2)
Jim H.
3.5 but rounding down due to the onion. My sister and I both voiced our opinions at the same time (although I dont remember who stated it first). After numerous excursions that have gone by the Charcoal Pit, we both agreed that we wanted to try it. Since its not really a convienent location to just go for us, it would take a birthday wish to see this happen. My father takes us out for our birthday, to the restraunt of our choosing. He lives in Deleware, so a central location is usually necessary. While Charcoal Pit would geographically fit the bill, neither of us was willing to waste a birthday meal on an unknown commodity. This dance went on for years. Enter both Yelp and the fact that I now work in DE and pass The Pit every day. Recently, I saw a few reviews on Yelp and combined with my late thursday shift at work, I decided to take the plunge alone. The Pit was gloriously retro, from the neon sign out front, to the 50s decor. It was a little cramped and busy for Thursday at 9pm, but I was seated immediately. The menu was retro as well, and pretty sparse for what is essentially a diner. It didnt matter because I was there for a burger, so anything else on the menu was moot. The service was good and efficient, however it was the standard diner attitude. Very robotic, no warmth or sincerity. I dont take much off for such things, im there to eat, not make a new friend, and being in the business I know the ins and outs of serving. Ordering was simple business. You can order a Burger or Cheeseburger, 60z 0r 8oz. I was surprised that a Charcoal place, didnt offer more burger choices such as bacon or mushroom. I suppose one could order that extra but I wasnt there to buck the trend. My burger came quickly, but not too quick. It looked divine, served with fries (after a day at the shore where all is ala carte, it was welcome to get potatoes, served in the french style). It was juicy, cooked to perfection with fresh sides. Here is my complaint. I love onions, both fried and raw, however, when raw, a thin slice will suffice( restraunteurs, keep that mnenomic in mind). I basically got half of an onion on my burger. The meat and bun were tasty, yet I only remember it in the background. The onion was front and center, for hours after as well. It was really unnecessary. Hopefully, the chef was daydreaming when he sliced my onion and I recieved the anomaly as opposed to the norm. That aside, I left stuffed and satiated. Im not big on icecream or milkshakes but apparently, its something CP does well. I left satisfied, with breath that smelled like an italian cutting board. I had beat my sister to the punch and tried the Charcoal Pit. The build-up in my mind, may have something to do with my disappointment. Things rarely live up to the mythical proportions that ones mind creates. But at least I can say to my sister, ' FIRST!" Yelpers Note: I dont think anyone has mentioned this but the Charcoal Pit has many locations in Deleware and is founded by the Capano family...of the deleware Capanos....which produced the scion Thomas Capano...who murdered Anne Marie Fahey...and disposed of the body with the help of his family.....yep that Capano family. Now I dont let the political and social problems of a few bad seeds get between a good burger and my mouth, but aparently it is responsible for the decline in business over the last few years , as explained to me by a Delewarian co-worker.
(3)
Karen F.
The Charcoal Pit is a local landmark and institution. A friend of mine worked here as a teenager serving up burgers and soft drinks. (Lots of shakes.) It's fun for a family to come here, too. Not healthy - but nostalgic and fun.
(4)
Jay N.
Hitch your wagon & giddy-up down the Concorde Pike to the Charcoal Pit for the biggest and most excellent chargrilled burgers this side of the Rio Grande. Okay, pretty much everything in the U.S. is this side of the Rio Grande but you get the point, it's good burgers. Really, REALLY good burgers. And the shakes.. mmmmm, it's 9:45am at this writing and I could totally suck down one of Charcoal Pit's amazing shakes. The decor here is pretty much original, lots of wood & stainless and 60s style light fixtures; Campy when it's intentional but it works here, giving diners a true feel of being in an off-the-highway grill joint on Route 66. From it's original neon sign outside to the friendly staff and cozy booths, Charcoal Pit is a must-do over and over again, whether you're a local or just a visitor dating a local. YEE HAW!
(4)
Ian L.
A wonderful not-so-hidden gem situated right alongside Concord Pike north of Wilmington. If you're in a large group, you might be split up, as the only places to sit are in small booths. That being said, the food here is awesome! The burgers are fairly big and tasty, the fries are well cooked, but in my opinion, the milk shakes are the best thing about the place! I definitely need to go back down here again sometime.
(4)
Steven G.
Go back in time to 1956. Charcoal Pit looks the way restaurants looked back then. Charcoal Pit was there. They have a jukebox at every booth. Been going here since 1980 and always had great tasting food. On a recent visit, had a juicy "charbroiled" burger, wonderful fries and a thick chocolate malted milkshake that was right out of the 1950's even with the canister and a spoon. As if I did not have enough sugar, had a sundae after my fantastic meal. I counted ten varieties of sundae on the menu, each named after a nearby high school team. Everything had superb quality and taste. Check out their menu. Have had several of the menu items over the years and loved everything I ever had there. Prices are still low. charcoalpit.net/menus/19… They are not far from I-95 and worth a short side trip. I do not recommend going here with your cardiologist! This place is also a "diet buster." Always a great place to stop. No sales tax there either.
(5)
Clifton S.
The Charcoal Pit is a place that you just have to experience for yourself. It caught my attention as I was driving by. The style of the building and the neon sign bring set the tone for the experience. Lets face it...You are not going here for a steak - although they have a few on their menu. The key item for your visit should be a burger and a milk shake. The setting takes you back in time. There is a juke box at each table and the decor matches that of the 50s and 60s. The menu is simple and everything is a la carte. Order plenty and share. To my surprise, the burger was excellent. We finished off our meal with an ice cream sundae. I would recommend this place for a change of pace from you day to day burger joint.
(5)
Kyle T.
Best milkshakes of my life here. Grew up on it so I may be biased but this is great, old fashioned diner food. Yes, the burgers aren't gourmet or local beef but they are tasty and mine was cooked to perfection. Maybe it just depends on the time of day, but we were served by a veteran and it was great. Tips would be : black and white shakes, fried onions on the burger and extra crispy fries!
(5)
Katherine K.
This is an institution in Wilmington. Every kid on a local swim team in the summer has eaten here at least once, perhaps numerous times. I haven't eaten here since high school, but I have some very fond memories. My go-to order was always a 1/4# cheeseburger, side of fries, and vanilla frosted malt shake. I still remember dipping those fries into that sweet vanilla ice cream goodness. Fat kid.
(4)
Boisty M.
Until recently, I really liked this place. Service has gone downhill. Looking dingy, not cleaned. Old rags on the counter Waiter had filthy hands. Bathroom not cleaned in a long time. Burned out light fixtures, missing glass. I could go on. What happened? I used to really enjoy a meal there...
(1)
Elena C.
T and I went to Delaware to get our wedding rings (yay tax-free shopping!) and wanted to find a place to stop for lunch on our way home. We decided on the Charcoal Pit. Our first attempt to find a location led us to a deserted bowling alley that the Charcoal Pit was attached to. The restaurant was open but we took one step inside, determined it smelled odd and was insanely creepy (I'm quite sure we wouldn't have left there alive) so we decided to check out another location. I'm so glad we did. The location we went to (this one I'm hoping!) seemed to be the main one. People were coming and going the whole time AND it had a bar (where we ended up sitting at a high top table) and watching the Phillies beat the Yankees in pre-season baseball. I swear this makes food taste better. We both had plain cheeseburgers and T got a side of fries (which I sampled) and we split an order of mozzarella sticks. The burgers were okay. Nothing special, not as good as 5 Guys but certainly passable. Fries were out of a frozen package but were hot and salty, a good combination. The mozzarella sticks (which came halfway through our meal because apparently the first batch exploded) were also from a package but it's fried cheese so all is forgiven. I should have gotten a shake as this place seems to be known for their yummy ice cream concoctions! Perhaps we'll stop in again when we go to pick up the gems? It was okay and CHEAP (which was very much appreciated after shelling out mucho dinero for rings!)!
(3)
Alex M.
Nostalgia and good fried food are the recipe to this restaurant's continued success. I've been coming here since I can remember and celebrated school plays and piano recitals with a chocolate milkshake. You can't go wrong here. Unless perhaps if you order a salad...
(4)
Jaclyn M.
Maybe its the fat kid in me that still loves milkshakes, french fries and everything but the kitchen sink, but this place is great. I haven't lived in Delaware for almost 10 years now (wow), but every time I go back I try to make a stop at the Charcoal Pit. Its a local landmark, 50's style diner. The milkshakes are my favorite - you've got to try the black and white or the clown sundae. Also great with grilled cheese and french fries (hello calories!). My only issue with this restaurant: Wilmington Friends doesn't have a dessert named after the school. What gives?
(5)
angie w.
Wonderful milkshakes, amazing crab cakes (which unfortunately aren't served every day), and they make a good grilled cheese. A popular place to go after high school dances, which means longer lines and a little more noise after Homecoming, Prom, etc. Service is generally okay, but even when it's not at it's best I don't mind because I'm so distracted by high school memories. For years this location didn't take credit cards, but I believe this may have changed.
(4)
Scott K.
Dear Charcoal Pit, What has happened to you. Gone are the days of little old ladies in skirts, moving at the speed of light. Gone are the days of your early kitschy decor. Gone are the days of good food and good service. Seriously, 20 minutes to wait in your takeout for a burger and fries? Did you forget? I know I asked for the fries well done, but they weren't. Mush by the time they got home. My rare burger sat so long that it bled through your lame crusty roll. And what is with your rolls? They used to be good...fluffy but still capable of supporting my rare burger even with toppings. My rare burger is another story. Turn up that grill! Not a char mark on it. You are not cooking hot enough. Pit - you are just a shadow of your former self. As a former professional Pit customer (lifelong), I'm not afraid to say that you've gone down the tubes. Whatashame! Please, you are a Delaware Institution. Fix this quick because consumers are more savvy than you give us credit for. You'll become the tourist trap and the locals will go to Five Guys for their burgers. You want to keep us coming back. You can't rest on your laurels....no restaurant can in this economy. Do it right or shut your doors like Cheeburger Cheeburger. You owned the Pike. Time to take it back. .5 Stars.
(1)
Sara S.
This place is awesome!! Went here with my boyfriend whose mother grew up in Wilmington and highly recommended this place. Has been around since mid 1950's and is a classic burger and milkshake stop. You can get takeout or sitdown and eat. Must get the triple thick milkshake- YUM!! Is rich enough for two people to split. Also, the food is pretty cheap ($6-7 for a large burger,8 oz, with fries) Or, just $4 for a small burger without fries. This place is fun and a great place for a burger and milk shake!
(5)
Lisa M.
I had seen this place all my life on 202 but it wasn't until recently that my boyfriend and I decided to check it out. The hamburger wasn't all that special....maybe I have been ruined by fast food burgers. But I loved my black and white shake. It was sooo good I might go in the future just for take out milkshakes.
(3)
Shirley S.
A throwback to the sixties era! Cheap eats & great shakes & ice cream sodas!
(4)
Max K.
I have been coming to this place for years and my family has been coming here for at least 2 generations. The burgers are really the only reason to go here. Well besides the milkshakes. I always get a burger because they are always cooked perfectly. Juicy, flavorful and always the best tomatoes and onions. Of course when ordering a burger here you must get a milkshake. I really love the Black and White malt shake. So good. McDonald's ripped off this place. I would also recommend bringing at least a sock full of quarters for the jukebox. They have all the latest NOW that's what i call music that is worth playing for the entire restaurant to enjoy. One day I will conquer the everything but the kitchen sink ice cream sundae with 22 scoops of ice cream. I will go to this place and pass it on to my kids and my grand kids one day.
(4)
neal d.
I get a tip that I need to go to Wilmington and try the charcoal pit burger... It was ok - I was not impressed ..... The guy who told me about said that the juices would flow and the burger is the best anywhere? NOPE its a ok burger... Would I make another trip to go there? Not really Would I stop by and eat if im in the area? yep
(3)
Danielle F.
I just don't get it. The only explanation I can come up with for the 4 and 5 star reviews is that it has some kind of nostalgic hold on people in the area. It has a throw back kind of vibe that would be endearingly kitschy if it didn't smell like a public restroom. The staff just seemed sad and my burger and fries tasted like they had come from the freezer. Really bad. So bad. Don't go.
(1)
M. W.
I go to Charcoal Pit for two reasons: 1. They have the best burger in Wilmington and 2. They have the best milkshakes ever! Trust me, after trying every burger joint probably in the state of Delaware, I can assure you, Charcoal Pit is the place to go. Try their "Black and White" milkshake and ask for it "thick with malt" - you can't go wrong!
(4)
t w.
My burger didn't taste charbroiled...really disappointed...wanted those grill marks/flavor. Just tasted like it was done on regular flat top grill. Fries were mediocre and the bun was a little stale. Best thing was the milkshake served in the metal container. Waitress was rather ditzy though so service wasn't that great.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes 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 : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
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Harriet C.
So my boyfriend suggested going there after the Delaware Art Museum. I thought it was a great idea, because I hadn't been in years, and the last one I'd been to was their Bear location on Route 40. And even that was years ago. Anyway, I don't need to be served by people who say "Hi, I'm so and so and I'll be your server for the day". And I realize that that's not what you get at the Charcoal Pit. But my God, was this woman crass. I guess they were a bit understaffed at that particular moment, because she was hostessing, bussing and cashiering. This was Sunday, August 16 at about 5. I said, "Can we sit by the window?" because I like to take pictures in as much natural light as possible. Especially food pictures! If she were younger, I know she would've said, "Whatever!" She was just rude, OK? then the server. This man - what is it with these waiters in Delaware?? This is the second one who acted like this! He seemed so overwhelmed! As I said, they weren't that busy. Of course he sold me the Orange Freeze without describing it properly. I don't know...I never had one before. I didn't think it was like a Creamsicle milkshake deal. I mean, nothing wrong with that, but I wanted something more...icy. Slushy. You know. Our orders were taken not at a fast pace, and it seemed to take forever to get our food! I'm not kidding. What was going on? I'm still trying to understand this service. I know this food was ready. I know it. This guy seemed to have no idea what to do! Now, our burgers and fries were very good. Not piping hot, but very good. Then it took forever for the Orange Freeze to come out. Naturally I had to ask for water twice. Please understand, I'm not a Charcoal Pit basher. I know this place has been around for many, many moons; I know the Capano family owns it, I know all this stuff. And I love places like this. But this was not the experience we hoped for. And I felt bad because my boyfriend has driven by here 5 million times and never went in. And now not a real good first impression. I felt almost embarrassed, although it was his idea to go. So he orders this butterscotch sundae afterwards. The guy behind the counter, not our server, is the guy who scoops and puts the syrup on. He's good, he knows what's up with that deal. My boyfriend goes into the men's room. The ice cream's sitting on the counter waiting for our server to go pick it up. I keep looking. Minutes are passing. The ice cream started melting. I could see it. Server is doing other stuff. Server's chatting with other servers! Go get the effin sundae! Jeez! I kept my mouth shut. I kept my composure. The counter guy actually gave him a dirty/impatient look and he finally came over and put the whipped cream and cherry on it. When he brought it (and I am posting pictures so you can see), this thing was melllllllting. The butterscotch was all clumpy on the bottom. You're probably wondering why we didn't say make another one. Well, the screaming baby shift was starting and we wanted to get out of there. My boyfriend eats speedy quick, so no big deal, but this really BOTHERED me. No need for this server to be so PERSPIRATION-LADEN like he's got 85 customers at once. He didn't. Maybe we'll go to another location next time. Or maybe we'll give this one another chance. We'll see.
(3)Missy M.
This place gets high marks for being a landmark in Delaware. It's not the best food, it's not the biggest place, but it's one of my fondest memories. It was a huge treat to hit up the pit as a child. Sometimes the family would share "the kitchen sink" (that's 26 scoops of ice cream and gobs of toppings). In high school we'd bounce back and forth between the pit and Golden Castle. Afterall, what teenagers aren't looking for a cheap place to eat and hang? My absolute favorite is "The Highlander" with chocolate ice cream. Hot fudge, banana spears, wet nuts, and whipped cream. Thank You! The hostess/cashier is a grizzled older woman who has been there for years. She hates everyone and we're convinced she may live there. She makes the whole experience much more authentic.
(4)Christie K.
I had such high hopes for this place from the reviews, but I thought the Charcoal Pit was AWFUL. The setting is cute with individual jukeboxes for the booths, but the food is mediocre. Dining halls can make better burgers, and one of my compadres had a burger made with two of the bottom bun pieces. Odd. The sundaes are okay and ginormous, but not worth the price tag. Service is awful. I would definitely not return.
(2)T K.
Great prices, good comfort food. Steak sandwich was good, as always. Crab soup had plenty of crab in it. Grilled cheese was fine.
(4)Tom C.
We stopped on our way back from the beach for a quick bite. The service is awesome. We walked in the door and someone seated us right away. She took our drink and food orders, and within a few minutes we had our tasty milkshakes. In less than 5 minutes we had our great burgers and sandwich. That's what I call fast food killer. Great service, good food and good value. With the number of patrons still there in the late evening, they will give the fast food giants a run for their money. We will definitely be back for more.
(5)Nicholas T.
It was lunchtime in Delaware and I was driving down the Concord Pike, looking for cow to eat, when I spotted the sign for the "Charcoal Pit". MOO, BABY, MOO! Inside, I got my cow on: A quarterpound burger, covered in cheese, washed down with a black-and-white milk shake. If they had served it on a leather plate, we would've had the whole animal covered. Aside from the food, the C-Pit's got a classy interior: juke boxes - with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band - in each booth, counter service, and some swell interior design that hasn't been updated since the Eisenhower era. Perhaps the best endorsement for the restaurant came at the end of the meal, when my co-worker "the Rock" (not his real name) referred to his past year spent as a vegetarian as "stupid". Moo, baby... moo.
(3)Zach S.
Think 1950s hamburger joint. The burgers are good but, don't come expecting a gourmet meal. The shakes and sundays are good as well. It's cheap and tasty - 'nuff said.
(4)Richard P.
Just got back home ate a Nexium. The Burger was pre cooked. They steamed the cheese to melt it. The fries were cold. The onion rings cold. The waitress didn't know she was alive. Will not go back. I am a native Wilmingtonian. Fair well Charcoal Pit.
(1)Siobhan S.
20 meals out of the week are healthy & cooked at home, I eat one "treat meal" a week which is generally fatty, greasy, carb-loaded, completely unhealthy, but utterly delicious. I wait the whole week for this meal & unfortunately, the charcoal pit let me down. Craving some BBQ I tried the cp since the place I wanted to go to (Lapps) is closed Sunday. I got the BBQ pulled pork sandwich with a side of fries. The fries were bland (I had to add old bay seasoning when I got home) & tasted stale. I'm usually craving fatty carbs so much at this point in the week, I'll eat ALL my fries even if they aren't top notch...I didnt even eat half of these they were that bad... My BBQ pork came on a good, hearty roll & while the pork itself had a great flavor, there was much more roll than meat. Granted, it was a pretty big roll, but it needed more pork or a smaller roll, I don't want to take bites of nothing but bread... I had an "ice cream fudge cake" for dessert (my weakness), which the girl told me was "hand-made" & "really good"...it was 2 slices of dry yellow cake with vanilla ice cream in between and fudge & whipped cream on top. I ate it all, not because it was good, but it was my dessert for the week, no more till next Sunday :-( Maybe the food would've been better had I eaten it there, but I wouldn't consider the charcoal pit worthy of a future treat meal
(2)Craig D.
More Nostalgic then good, but their Malts are the best!
(3)joe c.
Talk about overhyped this decrepid excuse of a restaurant serves bland greasy fried disgusting bits of nothing, makes you wait forever and overcharges you to eat it. Stay away!!!
(1)Victor P.
Ate at the CP in the late '70s as a high schooler and I stop by whenever I'm driving through the area. This place has the aura of a 1950s hamburger joint. The burgers, sundaes, and shakes are the reason to go, plus the price is right.
(4)Adam W.
Pull up a booth and step back into a different era at the Charcoal Pit, an ideal place for a great burger and shake. The Pit is a Delaware institution and hasn't changed its style since 1956 when it opened and is a fun experience for all ages. For me, the Concord Pike location is the one and only location to visit. It's the original location, still exudes that 1950s vibe and is the most consistent of all three locations.
(4)Sandro C.
This is the oldest eating establishment on Concord Pike (Rt. 202). The burger platter is the best in the area. Traditional ice cream sundaes are unforgettable!
(5)Jill K.
I'm really sad to downgrade my rating. I drove back to PA from MD on Monday and as I was driving, my only thought was as soon as I get off 95 and get on 202, I'm stopping at the Charcoal Pit. I placed a to go order and it was filled quickly, but my bag was so tiny I checked it as soon as I got in the car. I was sure they had forgotten to put my cheesesteak in the bag. It was in there along with my onion rings. Being really hungry, I opened the rings and took a bite. They certainly were hot enough and crunchy, but they were nothing but a skinny little onion wrapped in a HUGE dose of bread crumb batter. Not good! As soon as I got home, I open the cheesesteak and it was so small ( about the size of a WaWa JR.) I know everyone is dieting and cutting back, but when you go to a place called the Charcoal Pit you are not thinking of your diet. The sandwich was about half the size of what it used to be. I was very disappointed in the food. :o(
(2)Steve V.
I'd heard that this place had great burgers.... Boy, was I disappointed. Got a 4 oz. cheeseburger. The cheese wasn't melted enough and the beef was no better that what you'd get at McDonald's. No juiciness, no flavor (unless you count the "charcoal grilled" taste ) and very dry-- same as everywhere else these days. Additionally, the place has no atmosphere, the waitresses blab with each other quite a bit and, oddly, the waitresses put your lettuce and tomato on your bun (instead of the cooks), out in the open for all to see; at least they put on plastic gloves. Look elsewhere.
(2)Mark H.
Awesome! Charcoal pit is great; best burgers around...
(5)Phil J.
I give it 3 stars simply because it does not have a diverse menu and I am not a big "burger joint" person. With that said the burger was pretty good, and the milkshakes were delicious, so if you like that kind of thing I would recomend it. Otherwise its pretty small and old fashioned.
(3)Martin W.
I was in Wilmington DE today for my kids swim meet and I wanted to duck out for a bite to eat. Earlier in the week I looked into local joints looking for something interesting. It was evident the Charcoal Pit was the place to go, and lucky me, it was about 5 mins from the swim meet. Now for the review: As I pulled into the parking lot off of Concord Pike, I saw a place that looked like it was stuck in time. Great exterior and sign, it just screams burger joint, the type of place with good honest food. The pit delivered and more. I had the 8oz burger with fries, a bargain at $6.95. The burger came out hot, fresh and fast. Cooked to medium just as I ordered, toasted roll was fresh and the fries were hot and crisp. What more can you ask for, the meat was high quality and tasted of the charcoal grill. I did not have a milkshake, however, I understand they are famous for their shakes. I sent a friend and his family for milkshakes after the swim meet, and he reported they were top rate. All in all a great place for basic, quailty burgers, hotdogs and ice cream treats. Incidentally, the kids won the swim meet, so the day was total success, great meal and a win !!
(4)kara p.
i grew up in DE, so Charcoal Pit was a serious part of my teenage life. after every middle school everyone went to the Charcoal Pit for basic dinner food and ice cream sundaes or shakes. in high school tons of kids got their first jobs there, and more recently i like going for old times sake. when i was younger i only went to the one located in Pike Creek (which is next to a bowling alley, so fun) which is way bigger than this one but has less as a cool old school feel. but both locations have the important things in common- the ice cream creations! all different flavors of shakes, sundaes created to rep different DE high schools, and the Kitchen Sick! in case you didnt know, a Kitchen Sick is a massive banana split sundae that has like 10000 scoops of ice cream and 500 bananas with all the other toppings. pretty great. the bad thing about Charcoal Pit (and is something that is my biggest pet peeve about any dinner that does this) is that fries don't come with your meal. dumb. the food is nothing special either of course bc they're known for ice cream, and the service can be pretty pitiful bc it's a bunch of teens.
(3)Sam S.
Sad to say that this is the last time I'll come to Charcoal Pit. Over the last couple years I've seen a drastic decline in their food and service and after waiting 30 mins and dealing with a bunch of attitude from the takeout girl, I'm taking my dollars elsewhere.
(1)Jeudy T.
The milkshakes are amazing! I crave their milkshakes because they use fresh ingredients. You will find chunks of strawberries in your strawberry milkshake which I love! The rest of their food is decent for the price they charge. Everything is very inexpensive and good quality. It's not gourmet but it's good. The service is always very nice. Everybody is very friendly and you will always see families just having a good time. Great local spot it grab a quick bite. We will definitely be back.
(4)Rome S.
Overall very good good diner food at a landmark in Delaware. Service is always very good and it feels like a family place here. There milkshakes are amazing and their burgers are good too. French fries are nice, crunchy and tasty. Very good place to come for lunch.
(3)Ben C.
Worst experience in a long time. Waiter eating food off customers plates be for he took there food out. Waiters and waitresses grabbing food with hands. No one caring. Really bad.
(1)Yong K.
Our first time in Delaware and I had heard about this place from our friend. It's kinda like a diner. The burger was average. the patty wasn't that great.. kinda plain, but big. Their shakes were good though. i got the chocolate with malt. dang that was good. really creamy. the place was kinda small and had a home-y diner feel. If I ever come back, I want to try the kitchen sink with some friends (it's a huge bowl with LOTS of scoops of ice cream)
(3)Kevin C.
What can I say? Old school restaurant, old school flavor. The only burger that is better is cooked by me, or on the west coast at In-n-out burger. Get the pit special with cheese, it will brighten your day.
(5)Brian S.
Meh. Our server this most recent visit was lousy. We had to repeat our order a number of times and it still arrived wrong.The fries and onion rings were undercooked and the guy plopping them on plates doesn't use gloves. And my burger that was ordered rare came out well-done. But that's all that was well done this meal.
(2)Colette W.
How you say, "All kinds of yes!" I was soooo hungry and willing to settle for anything other than a burger so I ordered the grilled chicken with BBQ sauce ($10) with mushrooms (add $2) and grilled onions. It came with fries. When I received the food, I was so shocked to see how tasty it looked ! Every bite of charbroiled chicken had a fork full of grilled mushrooms and onions and it was plain delicious. There was zero time to try to look cute eating this goodness. When the chicken was gone, the leftover grilled mushrooms and onions went just as well with the fries. I ate everything and will certainly have it again in the future!
(5)Howard S.
When we moved to DE four years ago, we were enthralled by CP. The last few times however, it has been much less than great. Take last night... We had the worst waitress - took forever to greet us, kept forgetting parts of our order and the check arrived 20 minutes after we finished. This is a burger joint! The burgers were stiff. Not bad, just not really tender or juicy. I think they started off frozen and never got any better. The shakes were terrific, so there was that.
(2)Lisa W.
I really do not understand how people consider the food here to be excellent. Went here once because of all the good reviews, but I will never go back. I got a cheese steak, which was pretty pathetic. There wasn't a lot of cheese and the meat has no flavor at all. My boyfriend got a cheeseburger which was also rather disappointing because of, again, a lack of flavor. Walking in, the place just looks dirty, and the staff is less than friendly. I could get a better and cheaper meal from Burger King.
(1)Guy I.
Best burgers around! They have the best milkshakes as well. I've been coming here for years.
(5)John C.
Was in the area the next day and today's front of house guy was extremely nice and outgoing. What a relief.
(5)Diane K.
I had the worst customer service here on Tuesday May 12 at the take out window. The cashiers were so rude. I spoke to the manager. The manager spoke to the cashiers and they all had a big laugh about the situation.
(1)Melissa H.
I came here before leaving Wilmington after a business travel. I love good school restaurants so I had to try it. I had the Pit Special or Pit Deluxe I think its called. The cheeseburger with fries. It was good. The service was fast for takeout and everyone was friendly. The diner seemed but I only had the takeout. Nice restaurant for those into old school restaurants.
(3)Tameka J.
Wanted a hot dog but the other places in Wilmington were closed so we stopped in to the charcoal pit for a dog to go. Everyone coming in was ordering a milkshake and they couldn't stop talking about them. I didn't have one and once I saw the fresh banana go into the strawberry banana milkshake I almost traded in my dog for a shake. None the less my chili dog was tasty, and hit the spot.
(3)M S.
What's the matter with you folks?!?! I LOVE classic throw back burger joints. But they usually make a good burger... involving fresh ground beef, hand cut fries... The burger they serve here looked and tasted like the burgers they served back in high school. Nevermind that it took... 26 minutes (I timed it) from order to service, nevermind that the meat was room temperature, nevermind that the pickles and lettuce was ice cold.... but I can't excuse the complete lack of flavor. I'm pretty sure any store bought ground beef would taste better. Frozen oreida fries anyone? I have no specific nostalgia for this place. It's nice that other reviewers have their memories here when they were growing up. But to that I say, so what?... what does that have to do with the food? I suppose the other diners must be too misty eyed over their trips down memory lane to be able to taste anything. Places like this went out of business a long time ago... why?... because they sucked. Was the ice cream good? Who cares, I was sufficiently bored enough with the food that I couldn't bother. Just go to five guys, this place isn't even worth the visit to see what the nostalgia is about.
(1)Kelly M.
Unless you are drunk or hung over this is not good food. Dirty dusty cramped. The burger was over cooked, thank goodness because I don't trust the meat. It's frozen stuff from a box cooked to order.
(2)Joy G.
Was in Wilmington a few weeks ago and the Charcoal Pit caught my attention. The sheer novelty of this place convinced me I'd have to try it eventually. Was in the area again last night and decided we'd give it a shot. We got the last table in the joint. It was 11pm on a Saturday night and the place was PACKED. The noise was deafening and I literally had to leap over bodies to get to our table. INSANITY! They were so busy they served us our drinks in paper cups because they had run out of glasses. Given how busy it was, our server was attentive and our food served promptly and as ordered. I'm not a big meat eater and not a big fan of hamburgers, but since hamburgers are the "thing" at the Pit, I figured "when in Rome..." It was, hands down, the BEST cheeseburger I've ever had. For the FIRST TIME in my entire life, I ate every last crumb of my burger. My boyfriend, who got the larger burger also scarfed down every morsel. The fries, however, sucked big time. The bathroom was also a nightmare. I had to pole vault over people just to get there in the first place. And when I finally arrived, it was freezing cold in there and the stall was so small trying to aim was a little tricky. The experience was a mixed bag- certainly if you're a fan of burgers or 50's themed restaurants, then this is a good bet. But the menu is VERY limited, If you're a vegetarian, then your only choice is grilled cheese. I wasn't wowed AT ALL by the offerings, but was very glad I ordered what they do well. BURGERS. YUM!
(3)Kamilah B.
Good place to eat. They are known for their burgers, which are really good. Service is fast and nice. Shakes are good and real onion rings. Seating is tight though.
(3)Walter K.
I have a booked called Hamburger America in my bathroom. It's a nice read, and it was also my inspiration for a spontaneous trip down to Delaware this weekend. The Charcoal pit win for one of the most awkward dining experiences I've ever experienced. Wehn we first walked in, there was a small waiting area chained off that made us think we had walked in the wrong entrance. The hostess then yelled at us, only half jokingly. We seated ourselves, and our server came over quickly. Everything she said was a statement, like "You want more time" and "You want mayo" instead of asking. The atmosphere here is pretty traditional 50s diner, and although we were eating a little early (around 5pm) it was oddly almost exclusively populated by senior citizens. For food, this place is supposed to have excellent ice cream as well as burgers. We were all too full from dinner to try dessert. The prices here are great. We each had a 8 oz cheeseburger, fries, and a drink and it was under $10 each. The french fries were pathetically soggy. Our orders were all mixed up. When finally sorted out, I had a medium rare burger topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and onions. The fixings were good, but the bread was soggy and thin. My burger was cooked well, but I can't say the same for everyone at the table. Its great to bit into a burger and have to dripping juice. The meat wasn't anything special. Bottom Line: George Mots, you mislead me on this one. The poor service coupled with an average burger produces less than desired results. I wouldn't go to this place if it was in Philadelphia, and I'm certainly not making a trip out of the state to go here again.
(2)Brianne S.
A Delaware Classic. :)
(4)janis c.
Went there, DESPITE the fact that it's Joe Biden's favorite restaurant. It's fine for what it is. The best part? The service. Our waitress was very nice and good at what she did.
(3)KP R.
It's about as simple and basic as american food can possibly be. Its good food, not the best, not the worst. I understand its a landmark here in Delaware, but they need to expand the menu a bit. Ate in once months back and did takeout today. Will go back on a yearly basis maybe.
(3)LaSha J.
Nostalgic family restaurant. Good cheap food. Ribs were a surprise! Tender and tasty! The Delmonico steak was described as tender with a good grilled taste.
(3)Steve C.
The original Charcoal Pit, if you want that nostalgic feeling. The burgers are to die for at Charcoal Pit, my mouth waters just thinking about one. This location is also well known for their excellent desserts and ice cream. I would come here over Friendly's any day and twice on Sundays. You can just taste the freshness in the burgers and everytime I have gone there they would cook it to order with a very high accuracy level which is hard to come by. The fries taste homemade and are not too salty like many other places these days. This is spot is definitely woth visiting again and again and again.
(4)Janice S.
Wow, has Charcoal Pit on Concord Pike changed! We were sooooooooo disappointed with the food, service, and atmosphere :( The chicken sandwich was paper-thin and fried to a crisp, the hamburger quality was poor, the fries tasted like some generic store brand, and there's no more jukebox music at your table, labeled "for display purposes only". It wasn't very crowded at 3 p.m. in the afternoon, but it took over 25 minutes to get our food. Just a totally bad experience and don't think we'll ever go back.
(1)P E.
Ordered takeout from here and was pleased with the fast and pleasant service. However, the food was disappointing. The burgers were large but tasted frozen. The fries were of the frozen variety as well. My dining partner thought the hot dog more closely resembled a shoe. Definitely will not be going back. It's too bad as I prefer a locally owned place to the chains but this was disappointing.
(2)Alyssa D.
Being a Delaware native, I have to give the Pit 5 stars. This is the ultimate comfort food to me. They have great milkshakes, burgers, and fries. If you're looking for something fancier or more exotic than that - this is not your place.
(5)Jay N.
Hitch your wagon & giddy-up down the Concorde Pike to the Charcoal Pit for the biggest and most excellent chargrilled burgers this side of the Rio Grande. Okay, pretty much everything in the U.S. is this side of the Rio Grande but you get the point, it's good burgers. Really, REALLY good burgers. And the shakes.. mmmmm, it's 9:45am at this writing and I could totally suck down one of Charcoal Pit's amazing shakes. The decor here is pretty much original, lots of wood & stainless and 60s style light fixtures; Campy when it's intentional but it works here, giving diners a true feel of being in an off-the-highway grill joint on Route 66. From it's original neon sign outside to the friendly staff and cozy booths, Charcoal Pit is a must-do over and over again, whether you're a local or just a visitor dating a local. YEE HAW!
(4)Ian L.
A wonderful not-so-hidden gem situated right alongside Concord Pike north of Wilmington. If you're in a large group, you might be split up, as the only places to sit are in small booths. That being said, the food here is awesome! The burgers are fairly big and tasty, the fries are well cooked, but in my opinion, the milk shakes are the best thing about the place! I definitely need to go back down here again sometime.
(4)angie w.
Wonderful milkshakes, amazing crab cakes (which unfortunately aren't served every day), and they make a good grilled cheese. A popular place to go after high school dances, which means longer lines and a little more noise after Homecoming, Prom, etc. Service is generally okay, but even when it's not at it's best I don't mind because I'm so distracted by high school memories. For years this location didn't take credit cards, but I believe this may have changed.
(4)Jim H.
3.5 but rounding down due to the onion. My sister and I both voiced our opinions at the same time (although I dont remember who stated it first). After numerous excursions that have gone by the Charcoal Pit, we both agreed that we wanted to try it. Since its not really a convienent location to just go for us, it would take a birthday wish to see this happen. My father takes us out for our birthday, to the restraunt of our choosing. He lives in Deleware, so a central location is usually necessary. While Charcoal Pit would geographically fit the bill, neither of us was willing to waste a birthday meal on an unknown commodity. This dance went on for years. Enter both Yelp and the fact that I now work in DE and pass The Pit every day. Recently, I saw a few reviews on Yelp and combined with my late thursday shift at work, I decided to take the plunge alone. The Pit was gloriously retro, from the neon sign out front, to the 50s decor. It was a little cramped and busy for Thursday at 9pm, but I was seated immediately. The menu was retro as well, and pretty sparse for what is essentially a diner. It didnt matter because I was there for a burger, so anything else on the menu was moot. The service was good and efficient, however it was the standard diner attitude. Very robotic, no warmth or sincerity. I dont take much off for such things, im there to eat, not make a new friend, and being in the business I know the ins and outs of serving. Ordering was simple business. You can order a Burger or Cheeseburger, 60z 0r 8oz. I was surprised that a Charcoal place, didnt offer more burger choices such as bacon or mushroom. I suppose one could order that extra but I wasnt there to buck the trend. My burger came quickly, but not too quick. It looked divine, served with fries (after a day at the shore where all is ala carte, it was welcome to get potatoes, served in the french style). It was juicy, cooked to perfection with fresh sides. Here is my complaint. I love onions, both fried and raw, however, when raw, a thin slice will suffice( restraunteurs, keep that mnenomic in mind). I basically got half of an onion on my burger. The meat and bun were tasty, yet I only remember it in the background. The onion was front and center, for hours after as well. It was really unnecessary. Hopefully, the chef was daydreaming when he sliced my onion and I recieved the anomaly as opposed to the norm. That aside, I left stuffed and satiated. Im not big on icecream or milkshakes but apparently, its something CP does well. I left satisfied, with breath that smelled like an italian cutting board. I had beat my sister to the punch and tried the Charcoal Pit. The build-up in my mind, may have something to do with my disappointment. Things rarely live up to the mythical proportions that ones mind creates. But at least I can say to my sister, ' FIRST!" Yelpers Note: I dont think anyone has mentioned this but the Charcoal Pit has many locations in Deleware and is founded by the Capano family...of the deleware Capanos....which produced the scion Thomas Capano...who murdered Anne Marie Fahey...and disposed of the body with the help of his family.....yep that Capano family. Now I dont let the political and social problems of a few bad seeds get between a good burger and my mouth, but aparently it is responsible for the decline in business over the last few years , as explained to me by a Delewarian co-worker.
(3)Karen F.
The Charcoal Pit is a local landmark and institution. A friend of mine worked here as a teenager serving up burgers and soft drinks. (Lots of shakes.) It's fun for a family to come here, too. Not healthy - but nostalgic and fun.
(4)Steven G.
Go back in time to 1956. Charcoal Pit looks the way restaurants looked back then. Charcoal Pit was there. They have a jukebox at every booth. Been going here since 1980 and always had great tasting food. On a recent visit, had a juicy "charbroiled" burger, wonderful fries and a thick chocolate malted milkshake that was right out of the 1950's even with the canister and a spoon. As if I did not have enough sugar, had a sundae after my fantastic meal. I counted ten varieties of sundae on the menu, each named after a nearby high school team. Everything had superb quality and taste. Check out their menu. Have had several of the menu items over the years and loved everything I ever had there. Prices are still low. charcoalpit.net/menus/19… They are not far from I-95 and worth a short side trip. I do not recommend going here with your cardiologist! This place is also a "diet buster." Always a great place to stop. No sales tax there either.
(5)Clifton S.
The Charcoal Pit is a place that you just have to experience for yourself. It caught my attention as I was driving by. The style of the building and the neon sign bring set the tone for the experience. Lets face it...You are not going here for a steak - although they have a few on their menu. The key item for your visit should be a burger and a milk shake. The setting takes you back in time. There is a juke box at each table and the decor matches that of the 50s and 60s. The menu is simple and everything is a la carte. Order plenty and share. To my surprise, the burger was excellent. We finished off our meal with an ice cream sundae. I would recommend this place for a change of pace from you day to day burger joint.
(5)Kyle T.
Best milkshakes of my life here. Grew up on it so I may be biased but this is great, old fashioned diner food. Yes, the burgers aren't gourmet or local beef but they are tasty and mine was cooked to perfection. Maybe it just depends on the time of day, but we were served by a veteran and it was great. Tips would be : black and white shakes, fried onions on the burger and extra crispy fries!
(5)Brian E.
A throw back diner with a charcoal pit. I had a burger, slaw, fries and milkshake. The burger is what they seem to be known for. I got a 8oz deluxe burger cooked medium. It comes on a toasted sesame bun with lettuce, onion, and tomato standard. For some with a smaller appetite, I'd recommend the 4oz. It was a lot of meat. Although I got mine done medium, it was a tiny bit well and rather dry. However, the burger had a very nice char taste that sort of outweighed the dryness. Slaw was pretty decent, not reinventing the french fry wheel. Milkshake was delish. They have a wide array of desserts and treats that are a must try.
(3)Jaclyn M.
Maybe its the fat kid in me that still loves milkshakes, french fries and everything but the kitchen sink, but this place is great. I haven't lived in Delaware for almost 10 years now (wow), but every time I go back I try to make a stop at the Charcoal Pit. Its a local landmark, 50's style diner. The milkshakes are my favorite - you've got to try the black and white or the clown sundae. Also great with grilled cheese and french fries (hello calories!). My only issue with this restaurant: Wilmington Friends doesn't have a dessert named after the school. What gives?
(5)Kate G.
I went to the Charcoal Pit after a long day tooting around Delaware. Because I heard that Joe Biden loves to come here. And since I have a huge crush on Joe Biden, I went to the Charcoal Pit hoping against all hope that Joe would be there...waiting for me..in a business suit...to eat a gross burger with me and then shake my hand afterwards. Um not only did this interaction with Joe NOT happen, but there was no mention of Joe in the restaurant at all! A SHAME. and when I asked our waiter, a 14 year old boy, where he ever met Joe, he said YES and HE COMES HERE ALL THE TIME. but he said it with such a lack of enthusiasm that I felt ashamed and sad. We ate the mozzarella sticks, which were decent. but...my disappointment over the lack of joe biden cast a dark shadow on the visit. I'll never return.
(2)Katherine K.
This is an institution in Wilmington. Every kid on a local swim team in the summer has eaten here at least once, perhaps numerous times. I haven't eaten here since high school, but I have some very fond memories. My go-to order was always a 1/4# cheeseburger, side of fries, and vanilla frosted malt shake. I still remember dipping those fries into that sweet vanilla ice cream goodness. Fat kid.
(4)Boisty M.
Until recently, I really liked this place. Service has gone downhill. Looking dingy, not cleaned. Old rags on the counter Waiter had filthy hands. Bathroom not cleaned in a long time. Burned out light fixtures, missing glass. I could go on. What happened? I used to really enjoy a meal there...
(1)Elena C.
T and I went to Delaware to get our wedding rings (yay tax-free shopping!) and wanted to find a place to stop for lunch on our way home. We decided on the Charcoal Pit. Our first attempt to find a location led us to a deserted bowling alley that the Charcoal Pit was attached to. The restaurant was open but we took one step inside, determined it smelled odd and was insanely creepy (I'm quite sure we wouldn't have left there alive) so we decided to check out another location. I'm so glad we did. The location we went to (this one I'm hoping!) seemed to be the main one. People were coming and going the whole time AND it had a bar (where we ended up sitting at a high top table) and watching the Phillies beat the Yankees in pre-season baseball. I swear this makes food taste better. We both had plain cheeseburgers and T got a side of fries (which I sampled) and we split an order of mozzarella sticks. The burgers were okay. Nothing special, not as good as 5 Guys but certainly passable. Fries were out of a frozen package but were hot and salty, a good combination. The mozzarella sticks (which came halfway through our meal because apparently the first batch exploded) were also from a package but it's fried cheese so all is forgiven. I should have gotten a shake as this place seems to be known for their yummy ice cream concoctions! Perhaps we'll stop in again when we go to pick up the gems? It was okay and CHEAP (which was very much appreciated after shelling out mucho dinero for rings!)!
(3)Alex M.
Nostalgia and good fried food are the recipe to this restaurant's continued success. I've been coming here since I can remember and celebrated school plays and piano recitals with a chocolate milkshake. You can't go wrong here. Unless perhaps if you order a salad...
(4)Scott K.
Dear Charcoal Pit, What has happened to you. Gone are the days of little old ladies in skirts, moving at the speed of light. Gone are the days of your early kitschy decor. Gone are the days of good food and good service. Seriously, 20 minutes to wait in your takeout for a burger and fries? Did you forget? I know I asked for the fries well done, but they weren't. Mush by the time they got home. My rare burger sat so long that it bled through your lame crusty roll. And what is with your rolls? They used to be good...fluffy but still capable of supporting my rare burger even with toppings. My rare burger is another story. Turn up that grill! Not a char mark on it. You are not cooking hot enough. Pit - you are just a shadow of your former self. As a former professional Pit customer (lifelong), I'm not afraid to say that you've gone down the tubes. Whatashame! Please, you are a Delaware Institution. Fix this quick because consumers are more savvy than you give us credit for. You'll become the tourist trap and the locals will go to Five Guys for their burgers. You want to keep us coming back. You can't rest on your laurels....no restaurant can in this economy. Do it right or shut your doors like Cheeburger Cheeburger. You owned the Pike. Time to take it back. .5 Stars.
(1)Sara S.
This place is awesome!! Went here with my boyfriend whose mother grew up in Wilmington and highly recommended this place. Has been around since mid 1950's and is a classic burger and milkshake stop. You can get takeout or sitdown and eat. Must get the triple thick milkshake- YUM!! Is rich enough for two people to split. Also, the food is pretty cheap ($6-7 for a large burger,8 oz, with fries) Or, just $4 for a small burger without fries. This place is fun and a great place for a burger and milk shake!
(5)Lisa M.
I had seen this place all my life on 202 but it wasn't until recently that my boyfriend and I decided to check it out. The hamburger wasn't all that special....maybe I have been ruined by fast food burgers. But I loved my black and white shake. It was sooo good I might go in the future just for take out milkshakes.
(3)Shirley S.
A throwback to the sixties era! Cheap eats & great shakes & ice cream sodas!
(4)Max K.
I have been coming to this place for years and my family has been coming here for at least 2 generations. The burgers are really the only reason to go here. Well besides the milkshakes. I always get a burger because they are always cooked perfectly. Juicy, flavorful and always the best tomatoes and onions. Of course when ordering a burger here you must get a milkshake. I really love the Black and White malt shake. So good. McDonald's ripped off this place. I would also recommend bringing at least a sock full of quarters for the jukebox. They have all the latest NOW that's what i call music that is worth playing for the entire restaurant to enjoy. One day I will conquer the everything but the kitchen sink ice cream sundae with 22 scoops of ice cream. I will go to this place and pass it on to my kids and my grand kids one day.
(4)neal d.
I get a tip that I need to go to Wilmington and try the charcoal pit burger... It was ok - I was not impressed ..... The guy who told me about said that the juices would flow and the burger is the best anywhere? NOPE its a ok burger... Would I make another trip to go there? Not really Would I stop by and eat if im in the area? yep
(3)Danielle F.
I just don't get it. The only explanation I can come up with for the 4 and 5 star reviews is that it has some kind of nostalgic hold on people in the area. It has a throw back kind of vibe that would be endearingly kitschy if it didn't smell like a public restroom. The staff just seemed sad and my burger and fries tasted like they had come from the freezer. Really bad. So bad. Don't go.
(1)M. W.
I go to Charcoal Pit for two reasons: 1. They have the best burger in Wilmington and 2. They have the best milkshakes ever! Trust me, after trying every burger joint probably in the state of Delaware, I can assure you, Charcoal Pit is the place to go. Try their "Black and White" milkshake and ask for it "thick with malt" - you can't go wrong!
(4)t w.
My burger didn't taste charbroiled...really disappointed...wanted those grill marks/flavor. Just tasted like it was done on regular flat top grill. Fries were mediocre and the bun was a little stale. Best thing was the milkshake served in the metal container. Waitress was rather ditzy though so service wasn't that great.
(2)Missy M.
This place gets high marks for being a landmark in Delaware. It's not the best food, it's not the biggest place, but it's one of my fondest memories. It was a huge treat to hit up the pit as a child. Sometimes the family would share "the kitchen sink" (that's 26 scoops of ice cream and gobs of toppings). In high school we'd bounce back and forth between the pit and Golden Castle. Afterall, what teenagers aren't looking for a cheap place to eat and hang? My absolute favorite is "The Highlander" with chocolate ice cream. Hot fudge, banana spears, wet nuts, and whipped cream. Thank You! The hostess/cashier is a grizzled older woman who has been there for years. She hates everyone and we're convinced she may live there. She makes the whole experience much more authentic.
(4)Christie K.
I had such high hopes for this place from the reviews, but I thought the Charcoal Pit was AWFUL. The setting is cute with individual jukeboxes for the booths, but the food is mediocre. Dining halls can make better burgers, and one of my compadres had a burger made with two of the bottom bun pieces. Odd. The sundaes are okay and ginormous, but not worth the price tag. Service is awful. I would definitely not return.
(2)T K.
Great prices, good comfort food. Steak sandwich was good, as always. Crab soup had plenty of crab in it. Grilled cheese was fine.
(4)Harriet C.
So my boyfriend suggested going there after the Delaware Art Museum. I thought it was a great idea, because I hadn't been in years, and the last one I'd been to was their Bear location on Route 40. And even that was years ago. Anyway, I don't need to be served by people who say "Hi, I'm so and so and I'll be your server for the day". And I realize that that's not what you get at the Charcoal Pit. But my God, was this woman crass. I guess they were a bit understaffed at that particular moment, because she was hostessing, bussing and cashiering. This was Sunday, August 16 at about 5. I said, "Can we sit by the window?" because I like to take pictures in as much natural light as possible. Especially food pictures! If she were younger, I know she would've said, "Whatever!" She was just rude, OK? then the server. This man - what is it with these waiters in Delaware?? This is the second one who acted like this! He seemed so overwhelmed! As I said, they weren't that busy. Of course he sold me the Orange Freeze without describing it properly. I don't know...I never had one before. I didn't think it was like a Creamsicle milkshake deal. I mean, nothing wrong with that, but I wanted something more...icy. Slushy. You know. Our orders were taken not at a fast pace, and it seemed to take forever to get our food! I'm not kidding. What was going on? I'm still trying to understand this service. I know this food was ready. I know it. This guy seemed to have no idea what to do! Now, our burgers and fries were very good. Not piping hot, but very good. Then it took forever for the Orange Freeze to come out. Naturally I had to ask for water twice. Please understand, I'm not a Charcoal Pit basher. I know this place has been around for many, many moons; I know the Capano family owns it, I know all this stuff. And I love places like this. But this was not the experience we hoped for. And I felt bad because my boyfriend has driven by here 5 million times and never went in. And now not a real good first impression. I felt almost embarrassed, although it was his idea to go. So he orders this butterscotch sundae afterwards. The guy behind the counter, not our server, is the guy who scoops and puts the syrup on. He's good, he knows what's up with that deal. My boyfriend goes into the men's room. The ice cream's sitting on the counter waiting for our server to go pick it up. I keep looking. Minutes are passing. The ice cream started melting. I could see it. Server is doing other stuff. Server's chatting with other servers! Go get the effin sundae! Jeez! I kept my mouth shut. I kept my composure. The counter guy actually gave him a dirty/impatient look and he finally came over and put the whipped cream and cherry on it. When he brought it (and I am posting pictures so you can see), this thing was melllllllting. The butterscotch was all clumpy on the bottom. You're probably wondering why we didn't say make another one. Well, the screaming baby shift was starting and we wanted to get out of there. My boyfriend eats speedy quick, so no big deal, but this really BOTHERED me. No need for this server to be so PERSPIRATION-LADEN like he's got 85 customers at once. He didn't. Maybe we'll go to another location next time. Or maybe we'll give this one another chance. We'll see.
(3)Tom C.
We stopped on our way back from the beach for a quick bite. The service is awesome. We walked in the door and someone seated us right away. She took our drink and food orders, and within a few minutes we had our tasty milkshakes. In less than 5 minutes we had our great burgers and sandwich. That's what I call fast food killer. Great service, good food and good value. With the number of patrons still there in the late evening, they will give the fast food giants a run for their money. We will definitely be back for more.
(5)Nicholas T.
It was lunchtime in Delaware and I was driving down the Concord Pike, looking for cow to eat, when I spotted the sign for the "Charcoal Pit". MOO, BABY, MOO! Inside, I got my cow on: A quarterpound burger, covered in cheese, washed down with a black-and-white milk shake. If they had served it on a leather plate, we would've had the whole animal covered. Aside from the food, the C-Pit's got a classy interior: juke boxes - with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band - in each booth, counter service, and some swell interior design that hasn't been updated since the Eisenhower era. Perhaps the best endorsement for the restaurant came at the end of the meal, when my co-worker "the Rock" (not his real name) referred to his past year spent as a vegetarian as "stupid". Moo, baby... moo.
(3)Zach S.
Think 1950s hamburger joint. The burgers are good but, don't come expecting a gourmet meal. The shakes and sundays are good as well. It's cheap and tasty - 'nuff said.
(4)Richard P.
Just got back home ate a Nexium. The Burger was pre cooked. They steamed the cheese to melt it. The fries were cold. The onion rings cold. The waitress didn't know she was alive. Will not go back. I am a native Wilmingtonian. Fair well Charcoal Pit.
(1)Siobhan S.
20 meals out of the week are healthy & cooked at home, I eat one "treat meal" a week which is generally fatty, greasy, carb-loaded, completely unhealthy, but utterly delicious. I wait the whole week for this meal & unfortunately, the charcoal pit let me down. Craving some BBQ I tried the cp since the place I wanted to go to (Lapps) is closed Sunday. I got the BBQ pulled pork sandwich with a side of fries. The fries were bland (I had to add old bay seasoning when I got home) & tasted stale. I'm usually craving fatty carbs so much at this point in the week, I'll eat ALL my fries even if they aren't top notch...I didnt even eat half of these they were that bad... My BBQ pork came on a good, hearty roll & while the pork itself had a great flavor, there was much more roll than meat. Granted, it was a pretty big roll, but it needed more pork or a smaller roll, I don't want to take bites of nothing but bread... I had an "ice cream fudge cake" for dessert (my weakness), which the girl told me was "hand-made" & "really good"...it was 2 slices of dry yellow cake with vanilla ice cream in between and fudge & whipped cream on top. I ate it all, not because it was good, but it was my dessert for the week, no more till next Sunday :-( Maybe the food would've been better had I eaten it there, but I wouldn't consider the charcoal pit worthy of a future treat meal
(2)Craig D.
More Nostalgic then good, but their Malts are the best!
(3)joe c.
Talk about overhyped this decrepid excuse of a restaurant serves bland greasy fried disgusting bits of nothing, makes you wait forever and overcharges you to eat it. Stay away!!!
(1)Victor P.
Ate at the CP in the late '70s as a high schooler and I stop by whenever I'm driving through the area. This place has the aura of a 1950s hamburger joint. The burgers, sundaes, and shakes are the reason to go, plus the price is right.
(4)Adam W.
Pull up a booth and step back into a different era at the Charcoal Pit, an ideal place for a great burger and shake. The Pit is a Delaware institution and hasn't changed its style since 1956 when it opened and is a fun experience for all ages. For me, the Concord Pike location is the one and only location to visit. It's the original location, still exudes that 1950s vibe and is the most consistent of all three locations.
(4)Sandro C.
This is the oldest eating establishment on Concord Pike (Rt. 202). The burger platter is the best in the area. Traditional ice cream sundaes are unforgettable!
(5)Jill K.
I'm really sad to downgrade my rating. I drove back to PA from MD on Monday and as I was driving, my only thought was as soon as I get off 95 and get on 202, I'm stopping at the Charcoal Pit. I placed a to go order and it was filled quickly, but my bag was so tiny I checked it as soon as I got in the car. I was sure they had forgotten to put my cheesesteak in the bag. It was in there along with my onion rings. Being really hungry, I opened the rings and took a bite. They certainly were hot enough and crunchy, but they were nothing but a skinny little onion wrapped in a HUGE dose of bread crumb batter. Not good! As soon as I got home, I open the cheesesteak and it was so small ( about the size of a WaWa JR.) I know everyone is dieting and cutting back, but when you go to a place called the Charcoal Pit you are not thinking of your diet. The sandwich was about half the size of what it used to be. I was very disappointed in the food. :o(
(2)Steve V.
I'd heard that this place had great burgers.... Boy, was I disappointed. Got a 4 oz. cheeseburger. The cheese wasn't melted enough and the beef was no better that what you'd get at McDonald's. No juiciness, no flavor (unless you count the "charcoal grilled" taste ) and very dry-- same as everywhere else these days. Additionally, the place has no atmosphere, the waitresses blab with each other quite a bit and, oddly, the waitresses put your lettuce and tomato on your bun (instead of the cooks), out in the open for all to see; at least they put on plastic gloves. Look elsewhere.
(2)Mark H.
Awesome! Charcoal pit is great; best burgers around...
(5)Phil J.
I give it 3 stars simply because it does not have a diverse menu and I am not a big "burger joint" person. With that said the burger was pretty good, and the milkshakes were delicious, so if you like that kind of thing I would recomend it. Otherwise its pretty small and old fashioned.
(3)Martin W.
I was in Wilmington DE today for my kids swim meet and I wanted to duck out for a bite to eat. Earlier in the week I looked into local joints looking for something interesting. It was evident the Charcoal Pit was the place to go, and lucky me, it was about 5 mins from the swim meet. Now for the review: As I pulled into the parking lot off of Concord Pike, I saw a place that looked like it was stuck in time. Great exterior and sign, it just screams burger joint, the type of place with good honest food. The pit delivered and more. I had the 8oz burger with fries, a bargain at $6.95. The burger came out hot, fresh and fast. Cooked to medium just as I ordered, toasted roll was fresh and the fries were hot and crisp. What more can you ask for, the meat was high quality and tasted of the charcoal grill. I did not have a milkshake, however, I understand they are famous for their shakes. I sent a friend and his family for milkshakes after the swim meet, and he reported they were top rate. All in all a great place for basic, quailty burgers, hotdogs and ice cream treats. Incidentally, the kids won the swim meet, so the day was total success, great meal and a win !!
(4)kara p.
i grew up in DE, so Charcoal Pit was a serious part of my teenage life. after every middle school everyone went to the Charcoal Pit for basic dinner food and ice cream sundaes or shakes. in high school tons of kids got their first jobs there, and more recently i like going for old times sake. when i was younger i only went to the one located in Pike Creek (which is next to a bowling alley, so fun) which is way bigger than this one but has less as a cool old school feel. but both locations have the important things in common- the ice cream creations! all different flavors of shakes, sundaes created to rep different DE high schools, and the Kitchen Sick! in case you didnt know, a Kitchen Sick is a massive banana split sundae that has like 10000 scoops of ice cream and 500 bananas with all the other toppings. pretty great. the bad thing about Charcoal Pit (and is something that is my biggest pet peeve about any dinner that does this) is that fries don't come with your meal. dumb. the food is nothing special either of course bc they're known for ice cream, and the service can be pretty pitiful bc it's a bunch of teens.
(3)Lisa W.
I really do not understand how people consider the food here to be excellent. Went here once because of all the good reviews, but I will never go back. I got a cheese steak, which was pretty pathetic. There wasn't a lot of cheese and the meat has no flavor at all. My boyfriend got a cheeseburger which was also rather disappointing because of, again, a lack of flavor. Walking in, the place just looks dirty, and the staff is less than friendly. I could get a better and cheaper meal from Burger King.
(1)Ben C.
Worst experience in a long time. Waiter eating food off customers plates be for he took there food out. Waiters and waitresses grabbing food with hands. No one caring. Really bad.
(1)Steve S.
Decided to take a trip down with the family for lunch. It's just one of those places that always intrigued me. This menu is as basic as it gets. The wife and I both got burgers. We sampled some onion rings, and got a grilled cheese with applesauce and milk for my boy. The food quality here is good. Neither of us complained about the burgers. The onion rings were solid. My son ate his grilled cheese with no issues. It's a very good burger. I'd say though at the same time nothing was special. It isn't anything I would drive down from Delco for in the future. The food overall was good diner quality. Although the milkshakes looked tasty, I didn't partake. It's a solid family joint. I can see why it would be popular locally. It's worth a try.
(3)Brian S.
Meh. Our server this most recent visit was lousy. We had to repeat our order a number of times and it still arrived wrong.The fries and onion rings were undercooked and the guy plopping them on plates doesn't use gloves. And my burger that was ordered rare came out well-done. But that's all that was well done this meal.
(2)Sam S.
Sad to say that this is the last time I'll come to Charcoal Pit. Over the last couple years I've seen a drastic decline in their food and service and after waiting 30 mins and dealing with a bunch of attitude from the takeout girl, I'm taking my dollars elsewhere.
(1)Jeudy T.
The milkshakes are amazing! I crave their milkshakes because they use fresh ingredients. You will find chunks of strawberries in your strawberry milkshake which I love! The rest of their food is decent for the price they charge. Everything is very inexpensive and good quality. It's not gourmet but it's good. The service is always very nice. Everybody is very friendly and you will always see families just having a good time. Great local spot it grab a quick bite. We will definitely be back.
(4)Rome S.
Overall very good good diner food at a landmark in Delaware. Service is always very good and it feels like a family place here. There milkshakes are amazing and their burgers are good too. French fries are nice, crunchy and tasty. Very good place to come for lunch.
(3)Guy I.
Best burgers around! They have the best milkshakes as well. I've been coming here for years.
(5)John C.
Was in the area the next day and today's front of house guy was extremely nice and outgoing. What a relief.
(5)Diane K.
I had the worst customer service here on Tuesday May 12 at the take out window. The cashiers were so rude. I spoke to the manager. The manager spoke to the cashiers and they all had a big laugh about the situation.
(1)Melissa H.
I came here before leaving Wilmington after a business travel. I love good school restaurants so I had to try it. I had the Pit Special or Pit Deluxe I think its called. The cheeseburger with fries. It was good. The service was fast for takeout and everyone was friendly. The diner seemed but I only had the takeout. Nice restaurant for those into old school restaurants.
(3)Lauren H.
Wow... Is it me, or has Charcoal Pit gone downhill over the last 2 years? Or maybe my excitement wore off. Whatever it is... the burgers are small, buns are dry, fries are mushy, service is usually pretty bad (there are 1 or 2 really nice waitresses, though). I feel like the food is just...not that great. The only thing I will come back for is milkshakes because that is one thing they continue to do right. I've never experienced such a 180 with a restaurant. But I guess my Charcoal Pit honeymoon stage is over.
(2)Bruce K.
Here in Wilmington since 1956, this is as much of a local landmark as you can get. This is a classic eating establishment. And when I asked for Wilmington foods in the talk thread, this was one of the places that was suggested. The menu gets into salads and chicken and all sorts of stuff, but you'll want to skip all of that and just focus on what they're good at. "The Pit Special" is available in 4 ounce and 8 ounce patties. It's a burger and if you're doing it right, it becomes a cheeseburger and fries. And let me tell you, it was great. Nice and juicy. And best of all, inexpensive. This is probably the cheapest meal I've had in Wilmington. I'm only disappointed that the drink options are limited to sodas and milkshakes. This burger would have been better with a good beer.
(4)John S.
Overall not a very good restaurant. We didn't get acknowledged for a long time waiting to be seated. I couldn't taste the burger meat. The chocolate malt was good. Our server was full of himself, rude, and made me feel uncomfortable.
(2)David B.
The Charcoal Pit is a dining institution in Delaware. The Pit has been around since 1956. I worked in Delaware for over 7 years and this would be an every once in awhile lunch spot but even more so often a destination to grab a black and white milkshake on a hot summer day. I am not going to start off with a ringing endorsement about their food. The CP offers your standard fare and the food is most likely not going to blow you away. The ice cream sundae menu is larger than entrees section. Their sundaes and named after the sports team names of the surrounding high schools. They also have a sundae called the Kitchen Sink, go ahead, I dare you! Burgers and fries are the norm here. Cheeseburgers come equipped with a thick slice of yellow American cheese. The Pit Special comes with fresh lettuce and tomato. The Soup is always on, and the "Soup of the Day" is also a popular option. During my last visit their Chunky Tomato soup was featured. If you want to splurge, you can select the Porterhouse steak for $18.95, a buck cheaper than the aforementioned Kitchen Sink sundae. People come here for the atmosphere and/or because it is probably a family tradition. As soon as you pull off the 202 Boardwalk and into the parking lot you enter reverse time travel. From the outside to the inside of the Pit this place is a throwback. The external neon pink illuminated signage will catch your eye. Once inside you notice the booth style seating with many of the tables having a personal juke box (not actively working). Each table also has a bottle of Heinz 57 as well as spicy mustard. The far end of the restaurant is the Pit's ice cream parlor section. For as long as I can remember, service has always been good here. The waiters and waitresses use the old fashioned check pads. When it is time to pay the bill, you pay at the front of the restaurant from a solo register station. There is also velvet roping attached to stanchions that keep the wait line in check. Again, the food isn't going to have you singing their praises. The ice cream sundaes and milkshakes, maybe. This is a great place to take the family and/or friends to sit back, relax and enjoy the setting. This is the place chains like Ruby Diner aspire to be, only this is the real thing!
(3)Mac E.
Food is mediocre waitresses are not the brightest, We waited 10 minutes before any waitress came and asked us how were doing, never coming back. Charcoal pit messed up a order. I saw food on the counter waiting to be served for atleast 20 minutes it was there when I got there and left
(1)Steve S.
Decided to take a trip down with the family for lunch. It's just one of those places that always intrigued me. This menu is as basic as it gets. The wife and I both got burgers. We sampled some onion rings, and got a grilled cheese with applesauce and milk for my boy. The food quality here is good. Neither of us complained about the burgers. The onion rings were solid. My son ate his grilled cheese with no issues. It's a very good burger. I'd say though at the same time nothing was special. It isn't anything I would drive down from Delco for in the future. The food overall was good diner quality. Although the milkshakes looked tasty, I didn't partake. It's a solid family joint. I can see why it would be popular locally. It's worth a try.
(3)Jessica B.
My review is based on ice cream only. We went in, craving milkshakes. We (the four in my party) ended up each ordering sundaes. Our waitress was very polite. She graciously went over the ice cream flavors they had more than once as some of us were not paying attention. She didn't seem at all as if we were inconveniencing her. The sundaes were quite plentiful! I ordered a hot fudge nut sundae with salted caramel pretzel chocolate ice cream. There is no such thing as too much ice cream and I ate the entire thing! My only complaint is having to wait 5+ minutes for someone to ring us up at the register. Three waitresses were sitting at the bar, talking to other customers, but def looked up directly at us.
(4)Ed C.
Pretty good burgers and fries. My friend raved about the milkshakes, too, but I found them thin but tasty. The Charcoal Pit is that nostalgic kinda place that used to be common place on US routes before the interstate roads. It features old juke box controls--sadly, for display only--at each booth--and no tables with movable chairs. A little ironic that they are known for fat-inducing foods but only have tight booths for skinny people. The burgers and the fries both reminded me of a place originally in Raleigh, NC--Char-Grill--but with better mayo. The coolest thing about our visit was that, unbeknown to us, President Obama chose to eat there just a few hours before we did... And delawareonline.com showed a picture of him standing at the very booth we sat in! Good burger. Good fries, though the portion was smallish. Nostalgia. And now, the Obama Special. Worth a checking out. Get yours to go if you're a person of size.
(3)Jay M.
1st visit. Saw the cook drop food on floor, pick up put back on plate, cashier witnessed as well on take out, nothing was done.. Informed manager of situation, did not fire or reprimand employee. Will never eat in that place! -5s
(1)Crystal F.
Rare meat when we ordered a medium well burger. It came back without a bun.... Meet was too compressed. It was like a brick. Burger is assembled w toothpick then you have to take it apart to put pickles and mayo/mustard on it. This makes no sense! Bacon was good. Crispy Fries were mediocre Server Shawn was good.
(1)Carissa L.
I never thought I would fall in love with a place called "Charcoal Pit"... My friends and I needed comfort food, and comfort food is what we got. Our server, Joyce, was absolutely wonderful - she was patient, humorous, and got everything perfectly right. I had the grilled cheese and fries, another girl had the chicken deluxe, another had a bacon cheeseburger, and another had the mozaarella sticks meal. The prices were very fair - my whole meal was $4.95 and came with a chocolate milk. I could have used more food on the plate, though. BONUS: Crayons and paper placemats! All in all - we needed diner food and this was definitely the right place to go. We will be coming back for sure! :)
(4)Dan B.
Here is the deal with Charcoal PIt. If you go there for the quality of the food, you're missing the point. The burgers, chicken fingers, whatever you order, is utterly ordinary. However, this place is an institution in North Wilmington and you go for the experience. A classic midcentury burger and shake joint, this place has been bringing families and groups of teenagers back again and again to share ice cream and mozzarella sticks after swim meets, school dances, and various other coming of age functions. The staff is some of the friendliest I've ever experienced, and the prices seem to be pegged back to 1955. So please, if you just want to go get a good burger, don't go to charcoal pit. If you want a great chocolate milkshake, however, definitely stop by.
(3)Katja N.
This place is falling apart, wish they would renovate. It really has a retro feel to it and they could make this place really cool with some fresh paint. Burgers are still good and the Malt shake is AWESOME!
(2)Bruce C.
Wifey and I stopped by yesterday around 1 PM for lunch. and "an older diner" it is not, It's the Charcoal Pit. Wifey had a "chicken" "cheese steak" (get real, really? they actually called it a steak) I had a traditional cheese steak with melted cheese and fried onions. OMG still the best., and the best roll ever!! GINO, PAT RICK's do not come close to these steak sandwiches !!! An old Diner?? Hell they haven't changed a thing in 50+ yrs and that is the charm and memories of this wonderful place.. I was a bit puzzled by the apparent deliberate attempt to lesson the cheese steak/s as their "claim to fame" by promoting their burgers on the menu... We will return
(5)Julia B.
Who doesn't love a simple and tasty burger? The pit's onion rings are awesome, and their shakes are on point. Prices are good and fair. Ingredients are fresh. Friendly servers, or ones that are so efficient that I don't care if they're friendly or not. Knocking one star for their awkward seating system. Love the pit, will be back again and again when I want a tasty burger and don't feel like dealing with pretentious nonsense at "fancier" burger joints.
(4)Chelsea S.
Ok so I have only been here twice so I am hoping the second time was a fluke. I will try it a third to give them benefit of the doubt. THIS WAS A TERRIBLY DINIG EXPIERENCE. on 1/27/14 around 5:30pm My boyfriend and I were super excited to go there again, and this time with his parents who came to visit from out of town. The Charcoal Pit did NOT live up to the reviews we've given it to his folks. I ordered a cheese hotdog and cheeseburger with fries. The other 3 ordered steaks. I ordered my burger Med. I know they made it a bit confusing by ordering the steaks 3 different ways- med. rare, med, and med. well. But still.. The server then brought us a basket of cold rolls and cold butter. I have never had cold rolls before at a restaurant. They felt like they came out of a cooler- not even room temp. fYI- you can't spread cold butter on cold bread. Then the food came out...2 steaks were cooked improperly. The medium one was still mooing. It had more blood on the plate than the med. rare one. It was disgusting. We showed the server who took it to the kitchen to be fixed. This steak had been cut and a bit ate at the table- it should not have gone back to the kitchen. A new one should have been prepared. It took a good 10 minutes for her dish to come back. The same exact dish. Steak was cooked better but she couldn't eat half her fries because they had soaked up so much of the blood. Gross! during this, I started to eat my burger that had been ordered medium. That thing was a crispy brick. WELL DONE. No taste at all. I told the server who was great and very apologetic but told her not to worry with a new one b/c I was getting full and would deal with this one. I was fed up. Not once did the manager come over to discuss the issues or apologize. He did however tell the server to offer us free desserts, which was nice. But we didn't want desserts and ended up eating ourselves sick with them. But the sundaes there are to die for and who can resist ice cream?!?! However, the manager did have the nerve to come over at the end of our meal, while he was walking by, to tap my boyfriends mom non-stop on her shoulder to ask her to pick up her coat that had fallen to the floor. He didn't want someone to take off with it. What does that even mean? He still didn't mention the issues with the kitchen. This tells me he didn't care about us or the kitchen service. We spent $70 there- which is a lot for a little dive place. Regardless- you should treat every single customer with respect and attention. This is your job, it's customer service. Not only was the kitchen and manager lacking that night. I won't even go into all the details about what a crabby brat the host was being. He was short with us but I am very attentive (and work in the restaurant industry myself) and if he had treated me the way I watched him and overheard him treat 2 other tables- I would have walked out. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE.
(2)Michele R.
I'm never super impressed whenever I eat at a Charcoal Pit. The food is good, passable but not spectacular. Even their desserts are just okay. It's reasonably priced though and a good place to take the kids. The menu has something for everyone. Charcoal Pit has been around for many years and I'm glad to see it continues to thrive. I think they need to overhaul the menu though and use better ingredients (not just frozen Sysco type food). The Pit is not a place I would pick first to go to...usually when I go it's because I'm with a group and majority rules. LOL.
(3)Jeff T.
Pretty disappointing to see some of these negative reviews below..! Simply put, all these miserable haters just don't get what the Pit is about -- yes, this is a comfort-food restaurant that at this point is purely based on nostalgia and tradition. By no means is this gourmet food; this is a simple place where you know what you're gonna get when you go -- burgers, chicken, hamburger steaks, home made soups, milkshakes, vanilla cokes and chocolate sundae's. The place hasn't changed since my dad was going here as a kid in the 50's, which means a lot to all of us 2nd and 3rd generation Pit-goer's. If you grew up in Wilmington, this is where you went after school dances and on dates, etc. It's a special place to a lot of people. So to all those being uber-critical of the food and how the place looks -- get over yourselves and take a hike! Get a dog, get a massage, go write a sh*t review for a Denny's or something if it makes you feel better about yourself -- we don't need ya!
(5)Steve P.
So I was told that I should visit this place not for the food but for the experience. So I came in for a late lunch on a Thursday. This place was practically empty when I arrived as it was 2:30 in the afternoon and the lunch crowd was gone. Was told to pick a both back by the kitchen. Sat there for 10 minutes. Wasn't approached by a waitress or even asked if I wanted something to drink. Mind you the place was practically empty. Instead of asking me what I wanted to order the waitress sat a the counter within earshot talking in Espanol to the cook. After waiting 10 minutes I asked her if I could get some service. She told me I'll be with you in a minute and continued to sit there and talk to the cook. So I got up and left. Can't speak for the food cause I never got the chance. But the service is terrible. This was my first and last trip to the Charcoal Pit.
(1)Donna Y.
This place takes me back to a simpler time. The food is always fresh & well prepared. The staffing s always attentive and spit on. A great place for reasonable family dining. The ice cream is simply amazing. Whenever I am in Wilmington I make sure I grab a bite here.
(5)C. K. B.
This place has been around forever and still packs in the crowds! If your in the mood for a burger and fries or ice cream treats, I would definitely say to try this diner type restaurant. It's casual food and casual prices but you might have to wait in line or you can try a seat for counter service.The smell from outside will make you even more hungry!
(3)Susan A.
The milkshakes here are soooooo good. My rating for the Charcoal Pit is based solely on their milkshakes. My favorite -- and arguably the best -- is the black and white malt. Whenever I'm in the Wilmington area, I make a pit stop over here to grab one. Thankfully, I'm not in Wilmington as often anymore -- because I need the milkshake here like I need a hole in the head. The only downside is that you can't get a size small milk shake and you can't get a milkshake with skim milk. Bottom line: this is one big, epic, bad ass cheat meal.
(5)William E.
Ate at the counter & had a 1/4# Deluxe, fries and a Char-Dog. I wasn't too impressed with the char-dog....it had nice flavor but didnt blow me away. The burger however was fantastic. Fries were very good as well. I ordered a root beer before seeing that they have root beer floats.....next time.
(4)Lisa S.
The Charcoal Pit will always hold a spot in my heart, and I know that part of this 4-star rating is due to nostalgia. :-) The place is basically a diner. When you go in, the "hostess" will likely just point a general direction and then tell you which table to take without actually escorting you there. Menus are stored at the table. The waitresses have all been there since I've been in high school (a very, very long time). They are all friendly in a cordial, diner way. Most tables have jukeboxes, which I used to love when I was younger. Their menu is fairly straightforward- stick to the burgers ($3.95 for 4oz or $5.95 for 8oz), french fries ($1.95), and milkshakes ($3.95+). Their iced tea is also delicious and comes in a giant cup ($1.95). I went a few days ago and we ordered 2 4oz burgers, 2 french fries, and 2 iced teas and our bill came to about $15. The food came quickly, and the waitress was good about refilling my iced tea. We were probably in and out in around 30 minutes. Overall, a great place to grab a burger. It's cheap, it's delicious, and it never changes.
(4)Miller C.
I have been going here for almost twenty years and i will never go back. I hadnt been in a while and i went twice recently, its gotten too expensive and portions are smaller. I always get an order of cheese fries knowing they use real cheez whiz but not any more they are using some tasteless cheese sauce. What a stupid decision that was , they should try cleaning the bathroom once in a while also . Very sad used to love this place.
(1)Colin Z.
A cautionary tale. Native Delawareans will rave about this place. If you come to Charcoal Pit with fresh eyes, without the rosy haze of nostalgia, you'll be disappointed. Miserable, overcooked cafeteria food. Cheap, faux diner atmosphere. Inattentive staff. Hey, honestly, I can forgive a lot about a restaurant if the food is good, but I've genuinely had better burgers at a hospital cafeteria. The patty was charred (Charcoal Pit, indeed) beyond recognition without any flavor in the grey lifeless meat. Fries were boring and mushy without any crispness to them. A place doesn't have to be a hoity toity affair to be good. It just needs to care about what food they put in front of you. Charcoal Pit is apparently a tradition, the place high school kids go after football games. If I had fond memories of this place from my childhood I might enjoy it more. Or I might bite into my meal and think about how bad my taste used to be.
(1)Gerald F.
Always a good experience.
(5)Valerie S.
Had been wanting to try the Charcoal Pit for quite quite a while, but when I finally did, I was pretty disappointed. First off, there was a gnat/bug in my salad which freaked me out completely. I understand that this can happen, but it pretty much ruined my appetite. I had also ordered a cheesesteak and fries which were okay, but I don't think I've ever been served a cheesesteak that basically looked like a couple of layers of SteakUmm's cooked all in one piece and slapped on a bun with a couple slices of cheese melted on top. Not to mention the guy at the register was completely blah - like he didn't even want to be there. Our waitress was okay though. Sooo, sorry - I won't be going back, but as least I can say "been there, done that."
(2)Vivz C.
Nothing reminds me more of my Delawarean childhood than Charcoal Pit. I don't get down to Delaware much these days, but when I'm in the area, I ALWAYS make sure to allot enough time to stop in for a burger. And maybe some ice cream if the mood hits. While the food may not be top notch, you go there more for the atmosphere and the company. I enjoy the fact that they give you relish with your burgers which gives an extra tang to each bite. And don't forget about the jukeboxes attached to each booth! You don't see too many places with those anymore. My cohorts and I recently had a blast going through all the choices until finally settling on some old Backstreet Boys jams for giggles. Good times.
(4)Holly S.
Had a tasty grilled cheeseburger and some thick cut restaurant fries, which are my favorite. :-) My step-mom wasn't crazy about her caesar salad, mostly because they used grated parmesan instead of shredded or shaved. But, it was big and the lettuce was fresh and really green. My niece had a grilled hot dog that she was thrilled with and my dad had the chicken cheese steak and he enjoyed it as well. All in all would definitely visit again when I'm in the mood for something off the grill. Next time will come with a bigger appetite so I can try one of their ice cream treats that everyone seems to enjoy!
(4)Alexa R.
The Charcoal Pit is one of my favorite things about Delaware. It's cozy, it's cheap, it's fast. They have jukeboxes in the booths. They have booths! The waitresses are wonderful and no-nonsense. The food is basic diner food and the menu hasn't changed in 50 year, but it is so wonderful.
(4)Matt D.
Where to begin with this review?? First of all, how in the world does a Burger King stay in business sandwiched directly between the Charcoal Pit and Five Guys?!?! I love dining at eateries with a history and a following: this place satisfies both. The interior, exterior, and staff revoke warm feelings of burger shacks of the past. I sat back by the kitchen, which heightened the experience, because I got to hear the interactions between the kitchen and the waitresses along with watching them cook. I was told the black and white shake was a must, so that was ordered along with a cheeseburger with mushrooms and onions, coleslaw and onion rings. The milkshake came first, and I was stunned at the shear size of it....easily the best milkshake deal I've come across, plus it was absolutely delicious. The food came out shortly after the shake, and I was surprised it was actually cooked medium-rare with a char and piled with mushrooms and onions. The bun held up well too! For a burger shack, this was a high quality burger (can't really be compared to the burger at New Haven's Caseus). It's not a five-star review due to the onion rings and cole slaw. They were both good, but I was hoping for something special in them as well. The onion rings were straight out of the freezer (unfortunately, I got to watch them plunk them in the frier from my table). Long story short, the food is very good, the atmosphere is nostalgic, and the Charcoal Pit is well worth a visit when your on the PIke in Wilmington.
(4)Colette W.
How you say, "All kinds of yes!" I was soooo hungry and willing to settle for anything other than a burger so I ordered the grilled chicken with BBQ sauce ($10) with mushrooms (add $2) and grilled onions. It came with fries. When I received the food, I was so shocked to see how tasty it looked ! Every bite of charbroiled chicken had a fork full of grilled mushrooms and onions and it was plain delicious. There was zero time to try to look cute eating this goodness. When the chicken was gone, the leftover grilled mushrooms and onions went just as well with the fries. I ate everything and will certainly have it again in the future!
(5)Howard S.
When we moved to DE four years ago, we were enthralled by CP. The last few times however, it has been much less than great. Take last night... We had the worst waitress - took forever to greet us, kept forgetting parts of our order and the check arrived 20 minutes after we finished. This is a burger joint! The burgers were stiff. Not bad, just not really tender or juicy. I think they started off frozen and never got any better. The shakes were terrific, so there was that.
(2)Bruce K.
Here in Wilmington since 1956, this is as much of a local landmark as you can get. This is a classic eating establishment. And when I asked for Wilmington foods in the talk thread, this was one of the places that was suggested. The menu gets into salads and chicken and all sorts of stuff, but you'll want to skip all of that and just focus on what they're good at. "The Pit Special" is available in 4 ounce and 8 ounce patties. It's a burger and if you're doing it right, it becomes a cheeseburger and fries. And let me tell you, it was great. Nice and juicy. And best of all, inexpensive. This is probably the cheapest meal I've had in Wilmington. I'm only disappointed that the drink options are limited to sodas and milkshakes. This burger would have been better with a good beer.
(4)John S.
Overall not a very good restaurant. We didn't get acknowledged for a long time waiting to be seated. I couldn't taste the burger meat. The chocolate malt was good. Our server was full of himself, rude, and made me feel uncomfortable.
(2)David B.
The Charcoal Pit is a dining institution in Delaware. The Pit has been around since 1956. I worked in Delaware for over 7 years and this would be an every once in awhile lunch spot but even more so often a destination to grab a black and white milkshake on a hot summer day. I am not going to start off with a ringing endorsement about their food. The CP offers your standard fare and the food is most likely not going to blow you away. The ice cream sundae menu is larger than entrees section. Their sundaes and named after the sports team names of the surrounding high schools. They also have a sundae called the Kitchen Sink, go ahead, I dare you! Burgers and fries are the norm here. Cheeseburgers come equipped with a thick slice of yellow American cheese. The Pit Special comes with fresh lettuce and tomato. The Soup is always on, and the "Soup of the Day" is also a popular option. During my last visit their Chunky Tomato soup was featured. If you want to splurge, you can select the Porterhouse steak for $18.95, a buck cheaper than the aforementioned Kitchen Sink sundae. People come here for the atmosphere and/or because it is probably a family tradition. As soon as you pull off the 202 Boardwalk and into the parking lot you enter reverse time travel. From the outside to the inside of the Pit this place is a throwback. The external neon pink illuminated signage will catch your eye. Once inside you notice the booth style seating with many of the tables having a personal juke box (not actively working). Each table also has a bottle of Heinz 57 as well as spicy mustard. The far end of the restaurant is the Pit's ice cream parlor section. For as long as I can remember, service has always been good here. The waiters and waitresses use the old fashioned check pads. When it is time to pay the bill, you pay at the front of the restaurant from a solo register station. There is also velvet roping attached to stanchions that keep the wait line in check. Again, the food isn't going to have you singing their praises. The ice cream sundaes and milkshakes, maybe. This is a great place to take the family and/or friends to sit back, relax and enjoy the setting. This is the place chains like Ruby Diner aspire to be, only this is the real thing!
(3)Mac E.
Food is mediocre waitresses are not the brightest, We waited 10 minutes before any waitress came and asked us how were doing, never coming back. Charcoal pit messed up a order. I saw food on the counter waiting to be served for atleast 20 minutes it was there when I got there and left
(1)Jessica B.
My review is based on ice cream only. We went in, craving milkshakes. We (the four in my party) ended up each ordering sundaes. Our waitress was very polite. She graciously went over the ice cream flavors they had more than once as some of us were not paying attention. She didn't seem at all as if we were inconveniencing her. The sundaes were quite plentiful! I ordered a hot fudge nut sundae with salted caramel pretzel chocolate ice cream. There is no such thing as too much ice cream and I ate the entire thing! My only complaint is having to wait 5+ minutes for someone to ring us up at the register. Three waitresses were sitting at the bar, talking to other customers, but def looked up directly at us.
(4)Ed C.
Pretty good burgers and fries. My friend raved about the milkshakes, too, but I found them thin but tasty. The Charcoal Pit is that nostalgic kinda place that used to be common place on US routes before the interstate roads. It features old juke box controls--sadly, for display only--at each booth--and no tables with movable chairs. A little ironic that they are known for fat-inducing foods but only have tight booths for skinny people. The burgers and the fries both reminded me of a place originally in Raleigh, NC--Char-Grill--but with better mayo. The coolest thing about our visit was that, unbeknown to us, President Obama chose to eat there just a few hours before we did... And delawareonline.com showed a picture of him standing at the very booth we sat in! Good burger. Good fries, though the portion was smallish. Nostalgia. And now, the Obama Special. Worth a checking out. Get yours to go if you're a person of size.
(3)Jay M.
1st visit. Saw the cook drop food on floor, pick up put back on plate, cashier witnessed as well on take out, nothing was done.. Informed manager of situation, did not fire or reprimand employee. Will never eat in that place! -5s
(1)Crystal F.
Rare meat when we ordered a medium well burger. It came back without a bun.... Meet was too compressed. It was like a brick. Burger is assembled w toothpick then you have to take it apart to put pickles and mayo/mustard on it. This makes no sense! Bacon was good. Crispy Fries were mediocre Server Shawn was good.
(1)Yong K.
Our first time in Delaware and I had heard about this place from our friend. It's kinda like a diner. The burger was average. the patty wasn't that great.. kinda plain, but big. Their shakes were good though. i got the chocolate with malt. dang that was good. really creamy. the place was kinda small and had a home-y diner feel. If I ever come back, I want to try the kitchen sink with some friends (it's a huge bowl with LOTS of scoops of ice cream)
(3)Kevin C.
What can I say? Old school restaurant, old school flavor. The only burger that is better is cooked by me, or on the west coast at In-n-out burger. Get the pit special with cheese, it will brighten your day.
(5)Carissa L.
I never thought I would fall in love with a place called "Charcoal Pit"... My friends and I needed comfort food, and comfort food is what we got. Our server, Joyce, was absolutely wonderful - she was patient, humorous, and got everything perfectly right. I had the grilled cheese and fries, another girl had the chicken deluxe, another had a bacon cheeseburger, and another had the mozaarella sticks meal. The prices were very fair - my whole meal was $4.95 and came with a chocolate milk. I could have used more food on the plate, though. BONUS: Crayons and paper placemats! All in all - we needed diner food and this was definitely the right place to go. We will be coming back for sure! :)
(4)Dan B.
Here is the deal with Charcoal PIt. If you go there for the quality of the food, you're missing the point. The burgers, chicken fingers, whatever you order, is utterly ordinary. However, this place is an institution in North Wilmington and you go for the experience. A classic midcentury burger and shake joint, this place has been bringing families and groups of teenagers back again and again to share ice cream and mozzarella sticks after swim meets, school dances, and various other coming of age functions. The staff is some of the friendliest I've ever experienced, and the prices seem to be pegged back to 1955. So please, if you just want to go get a good burger, don't go to charcoal pit. If you want a great chocolate milkshake, however, definitely stop by.
(3)Katja N.
This place is falling apart, wish they would renovate. It really has a retro feel to it and they could make this place really cool with some fresh paint. Burgers are still good and the Malt shake is AWESOME!
(2)Bruce C.
Wifey and I stopped by yesterday around 1 PM for lunch. and "an older diner" it is not, It's the Charcoal Pit. Wifey had a "chicken" "cheese steak" (get real, really? they actually called it a steak) I had a traditional cheese steak with melted cheese and fried onions. OMG still the best., and the best roll ever!! GINO, PAT RICK's do not come close to these steak sandwiches !!! An old Diner?? Hell they haven't changed a thing in 50+ yrs and that is the charm and memories of this wonderful place.. I was a bit puzzled by the apparent deliberate attempt to lesson the cheese steak/s as their "claim to fame" by promoting their burgers on the menu... We will return
(5)Julia B.
Who doesn't love a simple and tasty burger? The pit's onion rings are awesome, and their shakes are on point. Prices are good and fair. Ingredients are fresh. Friendly servers, or ones that are so efficient that I don't care if they're friendly or not. Knocking one star for their awkward seating system. Love the pit, will be back again and again when I want a tasty burger and don't feel like dealing with pretentious nonsense at "fancier" burger joints.
(4)Chelsea S.
Ok so I have only been here twice so I am hoping the second time was a fluke. I will try it a third to give them benefit of the doubt. THIS WAS A TERRIBLY DINIG EXPIERENCE. on 1/27/14 around 5:30pm My boyfriend and I were super excited to go there again, and this time with his parents who came to visit from out of town. The Charcoal Pit did NOT live up to the reviews we've given it to his folks. I ordered a cheese hotdog and cheeseburger with fries. The other 3 ordered steaks. I ordered my burger Med. I know they made it a bit confusing by ordering the steaks 3 different ways- med. rare, med, and med. well. But still.. The server then brought us a basket of cold rolls and cold butter. I have never had cold rolls before at a restaurant. They felt like they came out of a cooler- not even room temp. fYI- you can't spread cold butter on cold bread. Then the food came out...2 steaks were cooked improperly. The medium one was still mooing. It had more blood on the plate than the med. rare one. It was disgusting. We showed the server who took it to the kitchen to be fixed. This steak had been cut and a bit ate at the table- it should not have gone back to the kitchen. A new one should have been prepared. It took a good 10 minutes for her dish to come back. The same exact dish. Steak was cooked better but she couldn't eat half her fries because they had soaked up so much of the blood. Gross! during this, I started to eat my burger that had been ordered medium. That thing was a crispy brick. WELL DONE. No taste at all. I told the server who was great and very apologetic but told her not to worry with a new one b/c I was getting full and would deal with this one. I was fed up. Not once did the manager come over to discuss the issues or apologize. He did however tell the server to offer us free desserts, which was nice. But we didn't want desserts and ended up eating ourselves sick with them. But the sundaes there are to die for and who can resist ice cream?!?! However, the manager did have the nerve to come over at the end of our meal, while he was walking by, to tap my boyfriends mom non-stop on her shoulder to ask her to pick up her coat that had fallen to the floor. He didn't want someone to take off with it. What does that even mean? He still didn't mention the issues with the kitchen. This tells me he didn't care about us or the kitchen service. We spent $70 there- which is a lot for a little dive place. Regardless- you should treat every single customer with respect and attention. This is your job, it's customer service. Not only was the kitchen and manager lacking that night. I won't even go into all the details about what a crabby brat the host was being. He was short with us but I am very attentive (and work in the restaurant industry myself) and if he had treated me the way I watched him and overheard him treat 2 other tables- I would have walked out. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE.
(2)Michele R.
I'm never super impressed whenever I eat at a Charcoal Pit. The food is good, passable but not spectacular. Even their desserts are just okay. It's reasonably priced though and a good place to take the kids. The menu has something for everyone. Charcoal Pit has been around for many years and I'm glad to see it continues to thrive. I think they need to overhaul the menu though and use better ingredients (not just frozen Sysco type food). The Pit is not a place I would pick first to go to...usually when I go it's because I'm with a group and majority rules. LOL.
(3)Jeff T.
Pretty disappointing to see some of these negative reviews below..! Simply put, all these miserable haters just don't get what the Pit is about -- yes, this is a comfort-food restaurant that at this point is purely based on nostalgia and tradition. By no means is this gourmet food; this is a simple place where you know what you're gonna get when you go -- burgers, chicken, hamburger steaks, home made soups, milkshakes, vanilla cokes and chocolate sundae's. The place hasn't changed since my dad was going here as a kid in the 50's, which means a lot to all of us 2nd and 3rd generation Pit-goer's. If you grew up in Wilmington, this is where you went after school dances and on dates, etc. It's a special place to a lot of people. So to all those being uber-critical of the food and how the place looks -- get over yourselves and take a hike! Get a dog, get a massage, go write a sh*t review for a Denny's or something if it makes you feel better about yourself -- we don't need ya!
(5)Steve P.
So I was told that I should visit this place not for the food but for the experience. So I came in for a late lunch on a Thursday. This place was practically empty when I arrived as it was 2:30 in the afternoon and the lunch crowd was gone. Was told to pick a both back by the kitchen. Sat there for 10 minutes. Wasn't approached by a waitress or even asked if I wanted something to drink. Mind you the place was practically empty. Instead of asking me what I wanted to order the waitress sat a the counter within earshot talking in Espanol to the cook. After waiting 10 minutes I asked her if I could get some service. She told me I'll be with you in a minute and continued to sit there and talk to the cook. So I got up and left. Can't speak for the food cause I never got the chance. But the service is terrible. This was my first and last trip to the Charcoal Pit.
(1)Donna Y.
This place takes me back to a simpler time. The food is always fresh & well prepared. The staffing s always attentive and spit on. A great place for reasonable family dining. The ice cream is simply amazing. Whenever I am in Wilmington I make sure I grab a bite here.
(5)C. K. B.
This place has been around forever and still packs in the crowds! If your in the mood for a burger and fries or ice cream treats, I would definitely say to try this diner type restaurant. It's casual food and casual prices but you might have to wait in line or you can try a seat for counter service.The smell from outside will make you even more hungry!
(3)Susan A.
The milkshakes here are soooooo good. My rating for the Charcoal Pit is based solely on their milkshakes. My favorite -- and arguably the best -- is the black and white malt. Whenever I'm in the Wilmington area, I make a pit stop over here to grab one. Thankfully, I'm not in Wilmington as often anymore -- because I need the milkshake here like I need a hole in the head. The only downside is that you can't get a size small milk shake and you can't get a milkshake with skim milk. Bottom line: this is one big, epic, bad ass cheat meal.
(5)William E.
Ate at the counter & had a 1/4# Deluxe, fries and a Char-Dog. I wasn't too impressed with the char-dog....it had nice flavor but didnt blow me away. The burger however was fantastic. Fries were very good as well. I ordered a root beer before seeing that they have root beer floats.....next time.
(4)Lisa S.
The Charcoal Pit will always hold a spot in my heart, and I know that part of this 4-star rating is due to nostalgia. :-) The place is basically a diner. When you go in, the "hostess" will likely just point a general direction and then tell you which table to take without actually escorting you there. Menus are stored at the table. The waitresses have all been there since I've been in high school (a very, very long time). They are all friendly in a cordial, diner way. Most tables have jukeboxes, which I used to love when I was younger. Their menu is fairly straightforward- stick to the burgers ($3.95 for 4oz or $5.95 for 8oz), french fries ($1.95), and milkshakes ($3.95+). Their iced tea is also delicious and comes in a giant cup ($1.95). I went a few days ago and we ordered 2 4oz burgers, 2 french fries, and 2 iced teas and our bill came to about $15. The food came quickly, and the waitress was good about refilling my iced tea. We were probably in and out in around 30 minutes. Overall, a great place to grab a burger. It's cheap, it's delicious, and it never changes.
(4)Miller C.
I have been going here for almost twenty years and i will never go back. I hadnt been in a while and i went twice recently, its gotten too expensive and portions are smaller. I always get an order of cheese fries knowing they use real cheez whiz but not any more they are using some tasteless cheese sauce. What a stupid decision that was , they should try cleaning the bathroom once in a while also . Very sad used to love this place.
(1)Colin Z.
A cautionary tale. Native Delawareans will rave about this place. If you come to Charcoal Pit with fresh eyes, without the rosy haze of nostalgia, you'll be disappointed. Miserable, overcooked cafeteria food. Cheap, faux diner atmosphere. Inattentive staff. Hey, honestly, I can forgive a lot about a restaurant if the food is good, but I've genuinely had better burgers at a hospital cafeteria. The patty was charred (Charcoal Pit, indeed) beyond recognition without any flavor in the grey lifeless meat. Fries were boring and mushy without any crispness to them. A place doesn't have to be a hoity toity affair to be good. It just needs to care about what food they put in front of you. Charcoal Pit is apparently a tradition, the place high school kids go after football games. If I had fond memories of this place from my childhood I might enjoy it more. Or I might bite into my meal and think about how bad my taste used to be.
(1)Gerald F.
Always a good experience.
(5)Valerie S.
Had been wanting to try the Charcoal Pit for quite quite a while, but when I finally did, I was pretty disappointed. First off, there was a gnat/bug in my salad which freaked me out completely. I understand that this can happen, but it pretty much ruined my appetite. I had also ordered a cheesesteak and fries which were okay, but I don't think I've ever been served a cheesesteak that basically looked like a couple of layers of SteakUmm's cooked all in one piece and slapped on a bun with a couple slices of cheese melted on top. Not to mention the guy at the register was completely blah - like he didn't even want to be there. Our waitress was okay though. Sooo, sorry - I won't be going back, but as least I can say "been there, done that."
(2)Vivz C.
Nothing reminds me more of my Delawarean childhood than Charcoal Pit. I don't get down to Delaware much these days, but when I'm in the area, I ALWAYS make sure to allot enough time to stop in for a burger. And maybe some ice cream if the mood hits. While the food may not be top notch, you go there more for the atmosphere and the company. I enjoy the fact that they give you relish with your burgers which gives an extra tang to each bite. And don't forget about the jukeboxes attached to each booth! You don't see too many places with those anymore. My cohorts and I recently had a blast going through all the choices until finally settling on some old Backstreet Boys jams for giggles. Good times.
(4)Holly S.
Had a tasty grilled cheeseburger and some thick cut restaurant fries, which are my favorite. :-) My step-mom wasn't crazy about her caesar salad, mostly because they used grated parmesan instead of shredded or shaved. But, it was big and the lettuce was fresh and really green. My niece had a grilled hot dog that she was thrilled with and my dad had the chicken cheese steak and he enjoyed it as well. All in all would definitely visit again when I'm in the mood for something off the grill. Next time will come with a bigger appetite so I can try one of their ice cream treats that everyone seems to enjoy!
(4)Alexa R.
The Charcoal Pit is one of my favorite things about Delaware. It's cozy, it's cheap, it's fast. They have jukeboxes in the booths. They have booths! The waitresses are wonderful and no-nonsense. The food is basic diner food and the menu hasn't changed in 50 year, but it is so wonderful.
(4)Matt D.
Where to begin with this review?? First of all, how in the world does a Burger King stay in business sandwiched directly between the Charcoal Pit and Five Guys?!?! I love dining at eateries with a history and a following: this place satisfies both. The interior, exterior, and staff revoke warm feelings of burger shacks of the past. I sat back by the kitchen, which heightened the experience, because I got to hear the interactions between the kitchen and the waitresses along with watching them cook. I was told the black and white shake was a must, so that was ordered along with a cheeseburger with mushrooms and onions, coleslaw and onion rings. The milkshake came first, and I was stunned at the shear size of it....easily the best milkshake deal I've come across, plus it was absolutely delicious. The food came out shortly after the shake, and I was surprised it was actually cooked medium-rare with a char and piled with mushrooms and onions. The bun held up well too! For a burger shack, this was a high quality burger (can't really be compared to the burger at New Haven's Caseus). It's not a five-star review due to the onion rings and cole slaw. They were both good, but I was hoping for something special in them as well. The onion rings were straight out of the freezer (unfortunately, I got to watch them plunk them in the frier from my table). Long story short, the food is very good, the atmosphere is nostalgic, and the Charcoal Pit is well worth a visit when your on the PIke in Wilmington.
(4)Lauren H.
Wow... Is it me, or has Charcoal Pit gone downhill over the last 2 years? Or maybe my excitement wore off. Whatever it is... the burgers are small, buns are dry, fries are mushy, service is usually pretty bad (there are 1 or 2 really nice waitresses, though). I feel like the food is just...not that great. The only thing I will come back for is milkshakes because that is one thing they continue to do right. I've never experienced such a 180 with a restaurant. But I guess my Charcoal Pit honeymoon stage is over.
(2)Tameka J.
Wanted a hot dog but the other places in Wilmington were closed so we stopped in to the charcoal pit for a dog to go. Everyone coming in was ordering a milkshake and they couldn't stop talking about them. I didn't have one and once I saw the fresh banana go into the strawberry banana milkshake I almost traded in my dog for a shake. None the less my chili dog was tasty, and hit the spot.
(3)M S.
What's the matter with you folks?!?! I LOVE classic throw back burger joints. But they usually make a good burger... involving fresh ground beef, hand cut fries... The burger they serve here looked and tasted like the burgers they served back in high school. Nevermind that it took... 26 minutes (I timed it) from order to service, nevermind that the meat was room temperature, nevermind that the pickles and lettuce was ice cold.... but I can't excuse the complete lack of flavor. I'm pretty sure any store bought ground beef would taste better. Frozen oreida fries anyone? I have no specific nostalgia for this place. It's nice that other reviewers have their memories here when they were growing up. But to that I say, so what?... what does that have to do with the food? I suppose the other diners must be too misty eyed over their trips down memory lane to be able to taste anything. Places like this went out of business a long time ago... why?... because they sucked. Was the ice cream good? Who cares, I was sufficiently bored enough with the food that I couldn't bother. Just go to five guys, this place isn't even worth the visit to see what the nostalgia is about.
(1)Kelly M.
Unless you are drunk or hung over this is not good food. Dirty dusty cramped. The burger was over cooked, thank goodness because I don't trust the meat. It's frozen stuff from a box cooked to order.
(2)janis c.
Went there, DESPITE the fact that it's Joe Biden's favorite restaurant. It's fine for what it is. The best part? The service. Our waitress was very nice and good at what she did.
(3)KP R.
It's about as simple and basic as american food can possibly be. Its good food, not the best, not the worst. I understand its a landmark here in Delaware, but they need to expand the menu a bit. Ate in once months back and did takeout today. Will go back on a yearly basis maybe.
(3)LaSha J.
Nostalgic family restaurant. Good cheap food. Ribs were a surprise! Tender and tasty! The Delmonico steak was described as tender with a good grilled taste.
(3)Joy G.
Was in Wilmington a few weeks ago and the Charcoal Pit caught my attention. The sheer novelty of this place convinced me I'd have to try it eventually. Was in the area again last night and decided we'd give it a shot. We got the last table in the joint. It was 11pm on a Saturday night and the place was PACKED. The noise was deafening and I literally had to leap over bodies to get to our table. INSANITY! They were so busy they served us our drinks in paper cups because they had run out of glasses. Given how busy it was, our server was attentive and our food served promptly and as ordered. I'm not a big meat eater and not a big fan of hamburgers, but since hamburgers are the "thing" at the Pit, I figured "when in Rome..." It was, hands down, the BEST cheeseburger I've ever had. For the FIRST TIME in my entire life, I ate every last crumb of my burger. My boyfriend, who got the larger burger also scarfed down every morsel. The fries, however, sucked big time. The bathroom was also a nightmare. I had to pole vault over people just to get there in the first place. And when I finally arrived, it was freezing cold in there and the stall was so small trying to aim was a little tricky. The experience was a mixed bag- certainly if you're a fan of burgers or 50's themed restaurants, then this is a good bet. But the menu is VERY limited, If you're a vegetarian, then your only choice is grilled cheese. I wasn't wowed AT ALL by the offerings, but was very glad I ordered what they do well. BURGERS. YUM!
(3)Kamilah B.
Good place to eat. They are known for their burgers, which are really good. Service is fast and nice. Shakes are good and real onion rings. Seating is tight though.
(3)Walter K.
I have a booked called Hamburger America in my bathroom. It's a nice read, and it was also my inspiration for a spontaneous trip down to Delaware this weekend. The Charcoal pit win for one of the most awkward dining experiences I've ever experienced. Wehn we first walked in, there was a small waiting area chained off that made us think we had walked in the wrong entrance. The hostess then yelled at us, only half jokingly. We seated ourselves, and our server came over quickly. Everything she said was a statement, like "You want more time" and "You want mayo" instead of asking. The atmosphere here is pretty traditional 50s diner, and although we were eating a little early (around 5pm) it was oddly almost exclusively populated by senior citizens. For food, this place is supposed to have excellent ice cream as well as burgers. We were all too full from dinner to try dessert. The prices here are great. We each had a 8 oz cheeseburger, fries, and a drink and it was under $10 each. The french fries were pathetically soggy. Our orders were all mixed up. When finally sorted out, I had a medium rare burger topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and onions. The fixings were good, but the bread was soggy and thin. My burger was cooked well, but I can't say the same for everyone at the table. Its great to bit into a burger and have to dripping juice. The meat wasn't anything special. Bottom Line: George Mots, you mislead me on this one. The poor service coupled with an average burger produces less than desired results. I wouldn't go to this place if it was in Philadelphia, and I'm certainly not making a trip out of the state to go here again.
(2)Brianne S.
A Delaware Classic. :)
(4)Steve C.
The original Charcoal Pit, if you want that nostalgic feeling. The burgers are to die for at Charcoal Pit, my mouth waters just thinking about one. This location is also well known for their excellent desserts and ice cream. I would come here over Friendly's any day and twice on Sundays. You can just taste the freshness in the burgers and everytime I have gone there they would cook it to order with a very high accuracy level which is hard to come by. The fries taste homemade and are not too salty like many other places these days. This is spot is definitely woth visiting again and again and again.
(4)Janice S.
Wow, has Charcoal Pit on Concord Pike changed! We were sooooooooo disappointed with the food, service, and atmosphere :( The chicken sandwich was paper-thin and fried to a crisp, the hamburger quality was poor, the fries tasted like some generic store brand, and there's no more jukebox music at your table, labeled "for display purposes only". It wasn't very crowded at 3 p.m. in the afternoon, but it took over 25 minutes to get our food. Just a totally bad experience and don't think we'll ever go back.
(1)P E.
Ordered takeout from here and was pleased with the fast and pleasant service. However, the food was disappointing. The burgers were large but tasted frozen. The fries were of the frozen variety as well. My dining partner thought the hot dog more closely resembled a shoe. Definitely will not be going back. It's too bad as I prefer a locally owned place to the chains but this was disappointing.
(2)Alyssa D.
Being a Delaware native, I have to give the Pit 5 stars. This is the ultimate comfort food to me. They have great milkshakes, burgers, and fries. If you're looking for something fancier or more exotic than that - this is not your place.
(5)Brian E.
A throw back diner with a charcoal pit. I had a burger, slaw, fries and milkshake. The burger is what they seem to be known for. I got a 8oz deluxe burger cooked medium. It comes on a toasted sesame bun with lettuce, onion, and tomato standard. For some with a smaller appetite, I'd recommend the 4oz. It was a lot of meat. Although I got mine done medium, it was a tiny bit well and rather dry. However, the burger had a very nice char taste that sort of outweighed the dryness. Slaw was pretty decent, not reinventing the french fry wheel. Milkshake was delish. They have a wide array of desserts and treats that are a must try.
(3)Kate G.
I went to the Charcoal Pit after a long day tooting around Delaware. Because I heard that Joe Biden loves to come here. And since I have a huge crush on Joe Biden, I went to the Charcoal Pit hoping against all hope that Joe would be there...waiting for me..in a business suit...to eat a gross burger with me and then shake my hand afterwards. Um not only did this interaction with Joe NOT happen, but there was no mention of Joe in the restaurant at all! A SHAME. and when I asked our waiter, a 14 year old boy, where he ever met Joe, he said YES and HE COMES HERE ALL THE TIME. but he said it with such a lack of enthusiasm that I felt ashamed and sad. We ate the mozzarella sticks, which were decent. but...my disappointment over the lack of joe biden cast a dark shadow on the visit. I'll never return.
(2)Jim H.
3.5 but rounding down due to the onion. My sister and I both voiced our opinions at the same time (although I dont remember who stated it first). After numerous excursions that have gone by the Charcoal Pit, we both agreed that we wanted to try it. Since its not really a convienent location to just go for us, it would take a birthday wish to see this happen. My father takes us out for our birthday, to the restraunt of our choosing. He lives in Deleware, so a central location is usually necessary. While Charcoal Pit would geographically fit the bill, neither of us was willing to waste a birthday meal on an unknown commodity. This dance went on for years. Enter both Yelp and the fact that I now work in DE and pass The Pit every day. Recently, I saw a few reviews on Yelp and combined with my late thursday shift at work, I decided to take the plunge alone. The Pit was gloriously retro, from the neon sign out front, to the 50s decor. It was a little cramped and busy for Thursday at 9pm, but I was seated immediately. The menu was retro as well, and pretty sparse for what is essentially a diner. It didnt matter because I was there for a burger, so anything else on the menu was moot. The service was good and efficient, however it was the standard diner attitude. Very robotic, no warmth or sincerity. I dont take much off for such things, im there to eat, not make a new friend, and being in the business I know the ins and outs of serving. Ordering was simple business. You can order a Burger or Cheeseburger, 60z 0r 8oz. I was surprised that a Charcoal place, didnt offer more burger choices such as bacon or mushroom. I suppose one could order that extra but I wasnt there to buck the trend. My burger came quickly, but not too quick. It looked divine, served with fries (after a day at the shore where all is ala carte, it was welcome to get potatoes, served in the french style). It was juicy, cooked to perfection with fresh sides. Here is my complaint. I love onions, both fried and raw, however, when raw, a thin slice will suffice( restraunteurs, keep that mnenomic in mind). I basically got half of an onion on my burger. The meat and bun were tasty, yet I only remember it in the background. The onion was front and center, for hours after as well. It was really unnecessary. Hopefully, the chef was daydreaming when he sliced my onion and I recieved the anomaly as opposed to the norm. That aside, I left stuffed and satiated. Im not big on icecream or milkshakes but apparently, its something CP does well. I left satisfied, with breath that smelled like an italian cutting board. I had beat my sister to the punch and tried the Charcoal Pit. The build-up in my mind, may have something to do with my disappointment. Things rarely live up to the mythical proportions that ones mind creates. But at least I can say to my sister, ' FIRST!" Yelpers Note: I dont think anyone has mentioned this but the Charcoal Pit has many locations in Deleware and is founded by the Capano family...of the deleware Capanos....which produced the scion Thomas Capano...who murdered Anne Marie Fahey...and disposed of the body with the help of his family.....yep that Capano family. Now I dont let the political and social problems of a few bad seeds get between a good burger and my mouth, but aparently it is responsible for the decline in business over the last few years , as explained to me by a Delewarian co-worker.
(3)Karen F.
The Charcoal Pit is a local landmark and institution. A friend of mine worked here as a teenager serving up burgers and soft drinks. (Lots of shakes.) It's fun for a family to come here, too. Not healthy - but nostalgic and fun.
(4)Jay N.
Hitch your wagon & giddy-up down the Concorde Pike to the Charcoal Pit for the biggest and most excellent chargrilled burgers this side of the Rio Grande. Okay, pretty much everything in the U.S. is this side of the Rio Grande but you get the point, it's good burgers. Really, REALLY good burgers. And the shakes.. mmmmm, it's 9:45am at this writing and I could totally suck down one of Charcoal Pit's amazing shakes. The decor here is pretty much original, lots of wood & stainless and 60s style light fixtures; Campy when it's intentional but it works here, giving diners a true feel of being in an off-the-highway grill joint on Route 66. From it's original neon sign outside to the friendly staff and cozy booths, Charcoal Pit is a must-do over and over again, whether you're a local or just a visitor dating a local. YEE HAW!
(4)Ian L.
A wonderful not-so-hidden gem situated right alongside Concord Pike north of Wilmington. If you're in a large group, you might be split up, as the only places to sit are in small booths. That being said, the food here is awesome! The burgers are fairly big and tasty, the fries are well cooked, but in my opinion, the milk shakes are the best thing about the place! I definitely need to go back down here again sometime.
(4)Steven G.
Go back in time to 1956. Charcoal Pit looks the way restaurants looked back then. Charcoal Pit was there. They have a jukebox at every booth. Been going here since 1980 and always had great tasting food. On a recent visit, had a juicy "charbroiled" burger, wonderful fries and a thick chocolate malted milkshake that was right out of the 1950's even with the canister and a spoon. As if I did not have enough sugar, had a sundae after my fantastic meal. I counted ten varieties of sundae on the menu, each named after a nearby high school team. Everything had superb quality and taste. Check out their menu. Have had several of the menu items over the years and loved everything I ever had there. Prices are still low. charcoalpit.net/menus/19… They are not far from I-95 and worth a short side trip. I do not recommend going here with your cardiologist! This place is also a "diet buster." Always a great place to stop. No sales tax there either.
(5)Clifton S.
The Charcoal Pit is a place that you just have to experience for yourself. It caught my attention as I was driving by. The style of the building and the neon sign bring set the tone for the experience. Lets face it...You are not going here for a steak - although they have a few on their menu. The key item for your visit should be a burger and a milk shake. The setting takes you back in time. There is a juke box at each table and the decor matches that of the 50s and 60s. The menu is simple and everything is a la carte. Order plenty and share. To my surprise, the burger was excellent. We finished off our meal with an ice cream sundae. I would recommend this place for a change of pace from you day to day burger joint.
(5)Kyle T.
Best milkshakes of my life here. Grew up on it so I may be biased but this is great, old fashioned diner food. Yes, the burgers aren't gourmet or local beef but they are tasty and mine was cooked to perfection. Maybe it just depends on the time of day, but we were served by a veteran and it was great. Tips would be : black and white shakes, fried onions on the burger and extra crispy fries!
(5)Katherine K.
This is an institution in Wilmington. Every kid on a local swim team in the summer has eaten here at least once, perhaps numerous times. I haven't eaten here since high school, but I have some very fond memories. My go-to order was always a 1/4# cheeseburger, side of fries, and vanilla frosted malt shake. I still remember dipping those fries into that sweet vanilla ice cream goodness. Fat kid.
(4)Boisty M.
Until recently, I really liked this place. Service has gone downhill. Looking dingy, not cleaned. Old rags on the counter Waiter had filthy hands. Bathroom not cleaned in a long time. Burned out light fixtures, missing glass. I could go on. What happened? I used to really enjoy a meal there...
(1)Elena C.
T and I went to Delaware to get our wedding rings (yay tax-free shopping!) and wanted to find a place to stop for lunch on our way home. We decided on the Charcoal Pit. Our first attempt to find a location led us to a deserted bowling alley that the Charcoal Pit was attached to. The restaurant was open but we took one step inside, determined it smelled odd and was insanely creepy (I'm quite sure we wouldn't have left there alive) so we decided to check out another location. I'm so glad we did. The location we went to (this one I'm hoping!) seemed to be the main one. People were coming and going the whole time AND it had a bar (where we ended up sitting at a high top table) and watching the Phillies beat the Yankees in pre-season baseball. I swear this makes food taste better. We both had plain cheeseburgers and T got a side of fries (which I sampled) and we split an order of mozzarella sticks. The burgers were okay. Nothing special, not as good as 5 Guys but certainly passable. Fries were out of a frozen package but were hot and salty, a good combination. The mozzarella sticks (which came halfway through our meal because apparently the first batch exploded) were also from a package but it's fried cheese so all is forgiven. I should have gotten a shake as this place seems to be known for their yummy ice cream concoctions! Perhaps we'll stop in again when we go to pick up the gems? It was okay and CHEAP (which was very much appreciated after shelling out mucho dinero for rings!)!
(3)Alex M.
Nostalgia and good fried food are the recipe to this restaurant's continued success. I've been coming here since I can remember and celebrated school plays and piano recitals with a chocolate milkshake. You can't go wrong here. Unless perhaps if you order a salad...
(4)Jaclyn M.
Maybe its the fat kid in me that still loves milkshakes, french fries and everything but the kitchen sink, but this place is great. I haven't lived in Delaware for almost 10 years now (wow), but every time I go back I try to make a stop at the Charcoal Pit. Its a local landmark, 50's style diner. The milkshakes are my favorite - you've got to try the black and white or the clown sundae. Also great with grilled cheese and french fries (hello calories!). My only issue with this restaurant: Wilmington Friends doesn't have a dessert named after the school. What gives?
(5)angie w.
Wonderful milkshakes, amazing crab cakes (which unfortunately aren't served every day), and they make a good grilled cheese. A popular place to go after high school dances, which means longer lines and a little more noise after Homecoming, Prom, etc. Service is generally okay, but even when it's not at it's best I don't mind because I'm so distracted by high school memories. For years this location didn't take credit cards, but I believe this may have changed.
(4)Scott K.
Dear Charcoal Pit, What has happened to you. Gone are the days of little old ladies in skirts, moving at the speed of light. Gone are the days of your early kitschy decor. Gone are the days of good food and good service. Seriously, 20 minutes to wait in your takeout for a burger and fries? Did you forget? I know I asked for the fries well done, but they weren't. Mush by the time they got home. My rare burger sat so long that it bled through your lame crusty roll. And what is with your rolls? They used to be good...fluffy but still capable of supporting my rare burger even with toppings. My rare burger is another story. Turn up that grill! Not a char mark on it. You are not cooking hot enough. Pit - you are just a shadow of your former self. As a former professional Pit customer (lifelong), I'm not afraid to say that you've gone down the tubes. Whatashame! Please, you are a Delaware Institution. Fix this quick because consumers are more savvy than you give us credit for. You'll become the tourist trap and the locals will go to Five Guys for their burgers. You want to keep us coming back. You can't rest on your laurels....no restaurant can in this economy. Do it right or shut your doors like Cheeburger Cheeburger. You owned the Pike. Time to take it back. .5 Stars.
(1)Sara S.
This place is awesome!! Went here with my boyfriend whose mother grew up in Wilmington and highly recommended this place. Has been around since mid 1950's and is a classic burger and milkshake stop. You can get takeout or sitdown and eat. Must get the triple thick milkshake- YUM!! Is rich enough for two people to split. Also, the food is pretty cheap ($6-7 for a large burger,8 oz, with fries) Or, just $4 for a small burger without fries. This place is fun and a great place for a burger and milk shake!
(5)Lisa M.
I had seen this place all my life on 202 but it wasn't until recently that my boyfriend and I decided to check it out. The hamburger wasn't all that special....maybe I have been ruined by fast food burgers. But I loved my black and white shake. It was sooo good I might go in the future just for take out milkshakes.
(3)Shirley S.
A throwback to the sixties era! Cheap eats & great shakes & ice cream sodas!
(4)Max K.
I have been coming to this place for years and my family has been coming here for at least 2 generations. The burgers are really the only reason to go here. Well besides the milkshakes. I always get a burger because they are always cooked perfectly. Juicy, flavorful and always the best tomatoes and onions. Of course when ordering a burger here you must get a milkshake. I really love the Black and White malt shake. So good. McDonald's ripped off this place. I would also recommend bringing at least a sock full of quarters for the jukebox. They have all the latest NOW that's what i call music that is worth playing for the entire restaurant to enjoy. One day I will conquer the everything but the kitchen sink ice cream sundae with 22 scoops of ice cream. I will go to this place and pass it on to my kids and my grand kids one day.
(4)neal d.
I get a tip that I need to go to Wilmington and try the charcoal pit burger... It was ok - I was not impressed ..... The guy who told me about said that the juices would flow and the burger is the best anywhere? NOPE its a ok burger... Would I make another trip to go there? Not really Would I stop by and eat if im in the area? yep
(3)Danielle F.
I just don't get it. The only explanation I can come up with for the 4 and 5 star reviews is that it has some kind of nostalgic hold on people in the area. It has a throw back kind of vibe that would be endearingly kitschy if it didn't smell like a public restroom. The staff just seemed sad and my burger and fries tasted like they had come from the freezer. Really bad. So bad. Don't go.
(1)M. W.
I go to Charcoal Pit for two reasons: 1. They have the best burger in Wilmington and 2. They have the best milkshakes ever! Trust me, after trying every burger joint probably in the state of Delaware, I can assure you, Charcoal Pit is the place to go. Try their "Black and White" milkshake and ask for it "thick with malt" - you can't go wrong!
(4)t w.
My burger didn't taste charbroiled...really disappointed...wanted those grill marks/flavor. Just tasted like it was done on regular flat top grill. Fries were mediocre and the bun was a little stale. Best thing was the milkshake served in the metal container. Waitress was rather ditzy though so service wasn't that great.
(2)