Charley’s Steak House
4444 West Cypress Street, Tampa, FL, 33607
Charley’s Steak House Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.
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Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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David G.
This is one of my favorite, if not my favorite steak joint in the Tampa Bay Area. I have taken a few clients here and everyone left feeling very satisfied and happy. Excellent seafood, steaks, wine and sides and the service is top notch! My favorite appy is the steak tar tar. You HAVE to try it and please dont be scared of the raw meat. You'll live, I promise. Now it is very spendy (everything is a la carte), the portions are insanely gigantic and for a guy my size (5'10, 190lbs) their "portions" usually amount to approximately (03) normal portions for myself... So I usually get about 3 meals out of the deal (if you order an appy as well). We went here last week and everything was fantastic as usual, but the NY Strip was not the best I have ever had. This is the first time that its ever happened so I hope it was just an off night. Either way, I would highly recommend this place over most steak joint in the area, except for maybe Shula's. It is better than Burns by far!
(5)Julie N.
I'd like to address the reviewer Holly S. that anyone that has experienced Bern's won't like this place. I have been to Bern's a few times and while it is totally amazing, it is an entirely different experience than Charley's. I live in the land of Capital Grille, Fleming's and Smith and Wollensky. Charley's was right up there with the best. The hubby and I had dinner here because it was right next to our hotel and I was feeling a bit under the weather so I didn't want to venture out too far. We were greeted and seated very quickly. We sat in a comfortable booth in a nice yet casual room. Our waiter was quick to arrive and the service was perfect throughout the experience. The salad was fresh. It was a typical steakhouse salad with crunchy romaine and some iceberg perfectly dressed with a nice tangy dressing. I ate every bite. The lobster steak special was delicious and the steak was tender, flavorful and cooked perfectly. The sides were all outstanding, and yes served a la carte as they are in ALL steak houses. For me this is all I need in a steakhouse. Yes, of course everyone should go to Bern's for the adventure of it. It is a very unique dining experience, but not everyone is looking for formal service and a wine list you can't even hope to peruse in less than 2 hours every time they dine. Charley's is very good food, perfectly acceptable service in a casual yet pleasant atmosphere.
(4)Jes M.
My boyfriend and I went out for a romantic meal, so if this is your plan, I DO NOT recommend this place. When we first walked in the restaurant was very, very smokey. They sat us in a both near the fish tank and it was so dark we could barely see in front of us. It was so loud we had to sit next to each other in order to focus on each others conversation. There was a table near us that the party was so loud and obnoxious I could barely take it. One of the patrons literally dropped the "F" bomb about 2 dozen times and no one from the restaurant ever said anything. It made our experience very unpleasant. Needless to say, we will not be going back. On the brighter side, my boyfriend ordered a steak and it was really good. I ordered the lamb chops and they were a bit tough. The lobster Mac and Cheese was and salads were awesome, as was the wine. Overall, I was disappointed and do not plan to go back.
(2)Michael M.
Bottom line up front: If you're seriously into steaks, you have to give Charley's at least one try. The way they grill their beef (with orange wood or some other type of citrus, if I remember correctly) gives it a delicious and unique flavor that I haven't experienced anywhere else. It's a delightful smokey-sweetness and it was great on both steaks I tried: the ribeye and the T-bone. That's on the plus side. On the minus side, I found the service average when compared to steakhouses in general and specifically other Tampa steakhouses like Capital Grille or Ruth's Chris, both of which are right down the street from Charley's. While I absolutely recommend the steaks, I can't recommend the sides - my girlfriend was served a tomato salad consisting of fresh tomato slices (great!) alternated with giant, think slices of raw white onion (what!?!) with no seasoning.
(3)Pauly C.
On a business trip this was just such a great experience. The restaurant is extremely clean, and the bar staff was over the top with their service and professionalism. I will definitely going back without a doubt. From the bar the view is excellent. We can see the wood fired grille burning hardwoods and the magician behind the grille cooking up absolutely delicious steaks and seafood. The New York strip is unbelievable and would recommend it to anyone. The crab cakes I would put up against any I have ever had. Absolutely amazing on a cedar plank. Being from New England it was really a treat to have some gator. They fry it up like calamari with a well matched tartar sauce. My description will do it no justice they are all something that you will have to try for yourself. Excellent experience!
(5)Michael P.
I don't know where to begin! I ordered my filet well done. It came so tender and juicy, you Wouldent think it was well done. The waiter had a great sense of humor (matt) was his name. He was on top of his service. Here the second my coke got low and was very educated on all of the menu items, desserts, drinks and entrees. The atmosphere was kind of loud only because there were 4 different birthdays going on tonight. I'm actually sitting at the table as we speak. Digesting the best meal I have ever had. The steak had the perfect flavor. And for a side dish, get the scalloped potatoes. They are to die for.
(5)Sam Q.
I've only been to Charley's half a dozen times (five here and once in Orlando). I used to think that paying $30 for just a steak was crazy. Give me Longhorn I tell ya! Well, I still like Longhorn, but there IS a difference between what you get there and what you get at Charley's. I've had the Ribeye and the filet mignon. Actually, I tried the Ribeye my first visit, filet the second visit, and never looked at another cut. I've been working up the courage to order the $65 20oz filet, but since I mostly go when someone else is paying, I quite can't do that to them. I'll save my pennies and go on my own dime next time to order that steak, and I'll report back. Service was outstanding. Everything was über delicious. I agree with Harry D. that the mashed potatoes are indescribably delicious. The side salads were also a treat, and I loved the bread and the grilled veggie sides. I haven't tried the crab or the fish or the lobster (or anything else for that matter) so I can't comment. I can say that on one occasion someone ordered an appetizer sampler platter (two actually) and they were like $80 a pop. Be on the lookout for overly friendly waiters offering appetizers. :) I can however speak to what has consistently been the most amazing filet mignon I've had anywhere in Tampa. It's expensive, but you get what you pay for. The atmosphere is upscale and this is a definite spot for conducting business. Make sure you have a pretty big expense account though.
(5)Jade S.
For many years I would have given this restaurant five stars however in the last year or two service has gone way down and so has the quality of food.
(4)Robert P.
Charley Ooooooh Charrrleeeyyy I came to Charley's mainly cause i wasn't paying for the meal. lol Company Xmas party. They had 3 options set up for us, steak, salmon, and chicken i think. I don't know, but i was at the GREAT CHARLEY'S STEAKHOUSE, so obviously I'm going to order a steak, cause I'm not a moron. lol Anyways lets start with the bread. Oh baby oh baby, that bread was ridiculousssss. like i seriously considered stuffing a couple rolls in my pants, no bullshit. Like i may come back here and just order a soup and bread, or maybe just bread. It's that insane. Some ppl in my group didn't like the salad, i thought the salad was good, so maybe they just don't like salads, or maybe they have a shitty pallet. lol Then the steak came and music started playing in the background. The steak was perfectly cooked, and delicious. I probably would have enjoyed it more if i hadn't eaten 10 rolls beforehand though. Mashed potatoes were awesome, au gratin potatoes were good, but not the epic side they made it out to be. Overall Charley's lives up to the hype, but next time I'll try to control myself around the rolls, so i can actually enjoy the rest of my meal without feeling like i just ate a small child
(4)Kat D.
The wait is a bit ri-donk-u-lous. Get a reservation!
(2)A S.
My friend a huge carnivore had been excited about going to this restaurant for years, I went along hoping for a nice fish entree since I don't eat meat but will eat fish The steak selection in the case was beautiful. I liked that the waiter took the time to come over with a tray showing all the cuts of beef available and talked about where the meat came from. Nice touch, they are really proud of the beef they serve there. We shared a stuffed mushroom drowned in hollandaise sauce as an appetizer, I ate a few bites before realizing it was LOADED with bacon, no indication of this on the menu anywhere as an ingredient, unfortunately I have a bad reaction to meat thats why I don't eat it. The fish entree was off that night, out of the five or so fish entrees on the menu they only had salmon for some reason and I hate that so I ordered some of their creamed spinach and a potato. I had to send the spinach back because yet again they had bacon in it and no indication of that on the menu. My friend ordered a steak it looked great and he seemed pleased with it. The bill was very expensive of course and I left feeling pretty unsatisfied, but as a vegetarian going to a steakhouse I can't expect much more. The poor review is because a few hours after eating there my friend became deathly ill, vomiting, shakes and other symptoms of food that has not been handled properly. As a chef I know all too well the dangers of cross contamination, food that has not been kept to temp properly, etc. Probably a freak occurrence, but it was enough to turn off my friend and I forever to that restaurant. My friend was pretty heartbroken from the experience, as a hardcore carnivore visiting Charley's is supposed to be like a "mecca for meateaters" and ours (his especially) experience was really terrible.
(1)Paola H.
When in Tampa or Orlando Charley's Steakhouse is a MUST place to visit. I would have to say by far the BEST steak I've EVER had. The service was great, the food presentation was very informational. Charley's was voted in the top 10 steakhouses in the US and trust me, its a must go! My Kansas City Bone-In Strip was made to perfection juice tender and finger lick'n GOOD along with the sauteed mushrooms, asparagus and the bacon cheddar smashed potatoes. If I had to choose a last meal it would be from Charley's, by far, hands down the best steak Ive ever had. Once you've had Charley's, when you compare it to any other steakhouse what you will say to yourself is "Nothing beats Charley's!!!!!"
(5)Jessica H.
Hey, going to Charleys for the first time this weekend, and would like to get an estimate of what an "average" meal will cost. Menu online has no prices. Much appreciated!
(3)Heather P.
This place is overpriced with decent food.
(2)Inspector Y.
Another great steakhouse. The steaks here are like the ones at Texas Cattle Company. Same company. Great selection of cuts and appetizers. We come here a lot. Great of you don't want to dress up for Berns. Coming back!
(4)Jesse F.
My wife and I met some friends here on Dec. 3rd. The experience was just ok at best. It started with our reservations. They were made for 7pm and we showed up at 630, checked in with the hostess and told her we'd be at the bar while we waited on our friends. At 650, our friends showed and at 7 I went to retrieve our table, only to be told that they "forgot" we had already checked in and gave our table away. We patiently waited until 730 to be seated. Our food was delicious. We both had steak, cooked perfectly. However, our friends experience was terrible. First they ordered a bottle of wine, the waitress poured everyone a glass and at first taste they noticed it was not what they ordered..."she made a mistake, it was sitting next to the correct one". Later, came their entrees, a steak and some crab legs. As they tore into the crab legs they were quickly introduced to the tip of a plastic glove!!!! Of course, the manager apologized and said he would take it off the bill??? Really? Did he expect for someone to pay for "crab legs W/ a glove tip? Overall service was slow, my food was good, drinks were strong, but the experience outside of that was subpar. I would not return.
(3)Draft M.
Steak A+. Service an unmitigated disaster. Fail. Bread, no butter. Out of Woodford. Multiple interruptions during service, with waiter disappearing. Wrong salad. Placed serving tray (loudly) directly in front of a couple enjoying a bottle of wine, to run food several tables away...unreal.
(2)Michael y.
Order the delmonico ribeye that's not on the menu! Excellent, I wanted to eat the bone
(4)Stacey C.
NOT food allergy friendly. Server stated "kitchen will not accommodate #glutenfree & #dairyfree" when I made the reservation stated "No problem, just let your sever know" My daughter was so hungry watching others eat I gave her my salad to make up for no appetizer options. She could only have steak & bake potato. This was a complete epic failure. Really should consider taking care of customers with food allergies especially when you state you would.
(1)Byron L.
Great taste, I took my first bite and the flavor took over...I even stopped starring at the beautiful waitress. Great atmosphere. A bit pricey but worth it.
(4)Mary B.
For the price, this place could be a lot better. My husband ordered the NY strip and it was super fatty. He hardly had any actual meat to eat and left hungry. Not cool for a $34 a la carte steak meal. The best thing I had was the salad. Skip this place and save your money.
(1)Michael C.
Guys--guys, I have a confession. There's something that I've been meaning to tell you; there's something that I need to say. And getting to this point has been a struggle, and there were so many mental hurdles to overcome, but I can finally admit it. I can finally say: This is my favorite steakhouse. "Now, Mike," you might say, "Mike, why was that confession so difficult?" Why indeed? Well, let me tell you a bit about my meat mantra, my steak sensibility, my filet philosophy: It all started a long time ago, when I was but a mere babe. My uncle handed me a piece of beef (a ribeye, as I would learn) and I ravenously began to gnaw on it. "No, no," he chided me, "You need to cook it first," and he proceeded to show me exactly what he meant. That day, I learned the super secret family recipe (1. Sear one side 2. Sear the other 3. Cook until done). It was so simple! And it tasted so good! Given the lack of complexity, I was confused as why restaurants charged so much for a steak. I always considered it the easiest thing to cook. And, despite paying the extra money for the restaurant level quality, homemade steaks always tasted better. As the years went by, my technique improved, and my disdain for steak houses only increased. If a restaurant served me steak, I would evaluate it like so: Does it taste like something I can make, or does it taste worse? And no matter what the answer, I was always disappointed. I couldn't even imagine enjoying a steak served by any restaurant, much less reviewing a steakhouse. Until Charley's. When I sank my teeth into the filet for the first time, I began to see sunbeams and rainbows. A cool breeze swept through the restaurant, carrying the sounds of an orchestra and the joyful laughter of newborn babies. It was magical. And I knew that my life would forever be changed. Realistically, I think it's something about the dry-aging process that makes it so great. I've done dry-aging myself, and it definitely improves the taste and texture of the beef. But even still, I've been unable to reproduce the quality that I found at Charley's. Everything else that was served matched the benchmark that the steaks had set. The seafood appetizer platter was huge and delicious, the wine was one of the best I'd ever had (I ordered an entire case a few days later), and the service was friendly and attentive, despite us having over 10 people in our party. It was an unforgettable dinner--admittedly expensive, but worth every penny. And it was an experience that would be repeated several more times. If there's one thing I wasn't satisfied with it was this: the logo. It looks ostentatious and gaudy, like something you'd find at a cheap diner, and does not in any way convey the elegance of the food. Still, I'm not one to critique a restaurant based on looks alone, and that's why Charley's gets 5 stars from me.
(5)Brian N.
Okay, if there happens to be debate out there about whether Charley's or Bern's is better, let me settle it: Bern's is better. That being said, Charley's isn't pig slop -- not by any stretch. The steak is wonderful, but not quite as good as Bern's. I had the T-bone and my wife had the filet. The t-bone was a little fatty and had some grizzle, but I expect a bit of that from a t-bone. My wife's filet was heavenly -- it's hard to screw up a filet. We had cream spinach because we're old school about our steak house sides; it was good. The bread was okay, as was the salad. For dessert we had key lime pie, which was superb.
(4)Gee. C.
Top 5 best steaks I have ever had service is top notch! Always a great experience!
(5)Peter C.
Good meat, good service. But not great. At this price-point, there's some serious competition out there, and Charley's isn't quite up to snuff. When it comes down to it, a steakhouse is about the steak. So I won't bother with apps (which are huge portions - don't try ordering individually!), drinks, wine lists, etc. The steak gets 4 stars. They have a good variety of cuts, and the quality was certainly high, but it didn't have the melt-in-your-mouth, intense flavor that the truly great steakhouses have. I had the porterhouse, and tried the wagyu. Both were very good, not great. I'd go back, but I'll try other options first.
(4)Lauren V.
I'll admit it, part of my review is being based on appearances. I've been known to be judgy. But Charley's desperately needs an overhaul. The interior is odd and the logo/sign outside? Tragic. All appearance biases aside, the food was pretty great! Our waiter had a fully blown "steak presentation" so that we could truly visualize our cuts of meat. I landed on a filet and it was a good decision on my part. Sides are family style and generous in size. I'd definitely go again, but on someone else's dime. Charley's is on the overly-spendy side.
(3)Greg T.
So much to say here, so I promise to be brief. I agree with a lot of the reviews, you CAN find a much better steak joint to dine at, at this price level. You leave with a BIG bill and very little lasting impression.
(3)Steffanie R.
I am so disappointed. I ate there today and I had the Beef Carpacio, not that great it was warm not cool. Then I had a pound of king crab legs. Mine were over cooked and rubbery. Also the house salad that came with it was way over dressed, tooo much dressing. I was so looking forward to a nice dinner and it was just not what I expected. For $60 for one person I'll find someplace else.
(2)Leo K.
I love their steak! I had the bone-in ribeye medium - rare and it melted in my mouth. The slice of butter on top was unnecessary but still tasty!
(5)Jane J.
We were hesitant to try Charley's because we had heard mixed reviews about it. I am so glad we did! The food was excellent and the service was above and beyond. Our server was Dave and he attended to every detail of the evening. The ambiance in the bar was intimate and we all had a great time. We plan to visit again very soon.
(5)Erika H.
A group of friends get together for cocktails and dinner about once a month. For the last year, we have been caught up trying many of the new restaurants in town. Recently, however, one Tampa native recommended we go to Charley's next, and we are so glad we did. The atmosphere was classic and cozy, the food was phenomenal, and our server Shelly was very knowledgeable and attentive to every detail, from cocktails to choice of entrees to after dinner drinks. Even better, we were not rushed to place an order, complete our meal, and clear out so another party could take our table; rather, we were encouraged to relax and enjoy the experience. This was a first visit, but certainly not the last, for several in our party! More than just a meal, this was an wonderful social & dining experience! I immediately began spreading the good word on social media last night. Thanks for a superior dining night out!
(5)G A A.
Clearly a great choice if you need to impress the boss, your mother in law or a hot date. Way better if you can get someone else to pay the bill as the prices can be as large as the dessert. That being said, I have been to Charley's twice now and I am pleased to report that you by and large will get what you pay for. Great appetizers, nice salads, the choice of bison along with beef and quite the assortment of seafood. Parking can be a bit tight and the wait can sometimes be a bit longer than you expect, but I would go back (after I save up).
(4)Todd W.
Charley's has been my personal Tampa Bay Area steakhouse choice for over a decade and the recommendations I have made to visitors from out of town over that time have always been applauded. It wasn't because of me, but during the Stanley Cup Finals in June this was the steakhouse of choice of the Chicago Blackhawks coaches when they went out for dinner the night before Game Five. (Only problem is the Lightning coaches had all their wine picked up by Charles Barkley and then Vince Vaughn when they dined in Chicago the previous week...and absolutely no customer locally stepped up to return the favor on behalf of our city. Bad karma. Lightning lost the series in six.) Nope. They didn't go to Bern's. They went to Charley's. While I recommend Mark H's 8/17/15 review on this page for an overall grid on Tampa Bay Area steakhouses, Charley's tops my board because the two listed by Mark above Charley's are not even in my mindset because I will not support nor pay for the horrendous "entitlement" attitude of those establishments. (See my review of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for some specifics) Charley's has none of that and offers an extremely comfortable, high-quality experience that gives you better value as well. Also, one of the best wine experts in our city has been making the rounds at Charley's for years now. Every night except Sunday and Monday, Steve Risser is ready and available to enhance your steak and seafood with educated recommendations on delicious wines to compliment your meal. He's just one example of the good people on the floor here who treat customers the right way in that wonderful environment. Considering Eddie V's, Ocean Prime, Ruth's Chris and The Capital Grille are all fine establishments just to the north, Charley's is appropriately and geographically set apart on Cypress for the smart individual who truly knows where to find the right experience.
(5)Jasmine R.
STEAK! YUM! I had the pleasure of visiting Charley's for my birthday and was not disappointed at all. The staff was friendly and accommodating to my party of 12..almost a little too much because I did feel as though the waiter hoovered a little. The venue is nice but the 'low lighting ambiance' was more on the side of out right dark so watch your step. Of course the star here is the steaks and red smashed potatoes! I wanted to just sit there and nibble like a lover on my porterhouse all night long. Between Charley's and Bern's I would recommend Charley's any day due to having a bigger flavor profile.
(4)Alan S.
Bar none, one of the best steakhouses I have ever been too. The prices are a tad on the high end but well worth it. The waygu rib eye is to die for for you foodies that love steak!
(5)Andrea T.
My husband and I have been here several times and each time the food is amazing. We aren't seafood people but we love their steaks. The presentation of the meats they offer is great. They do a fantastic job describing the menu items and offering wines to pair it with. The desserts are AMAZING and their wine selection is phenomenal! It's by far my favorite steak house in Tampa!! The food is pricey but it's worth it. The salad the entrees come with is fantastic as well!
(5)Mark H.
To understand and appreciate Charley's and where it is positioned on the steakhouse totem pole, one must map out the area's competition. I see it in grid format. Restaurant | Steak Quality | Steak Price 1. Bern's | 5 Star | $$$$$ 2. Council Oak | 4 Star | $$$$ 3. Charley's | 4 Star | $$$ 4. Grill 116 | 3.5 Star | $$$ 5. Malio's | 3.5 Star | $$$ 6. Fleming's | 3.5 Star | $$$ 7. Iavarone's | 3 Star | $$ 8. Flamestone | 3 Star | $$ 9. Ruth's Chris | 2.5 Star | $$$ 10. Long Horn | 2.5 Star | $ 11. Outback | 2 Star | $ So the cheaper the steak, the lower the quality. No surprises there, but what I do is carve out the center cut of the grid, where quality and cost are the closest, relative to each other. 3. Charley's | 4 Star | $$$ 4. Grill 116 | 3.5 Star | $$$ 5. Malio's | 3.5 Star | $$$ 6. Fleming's | 3.5 Star | $$$ And of these, Charley's is the best steak for the price. Where it seems Charley's might struggle is with consistency, based on the reviews below mine. If they get quality control under wraps, this could be the best and most affordable top tier steakhouse in the area. I certainly wish everyone's experience was as good as our this past Saturday night. The Manager, Mr. Appt and our server, Richard, were both great. Customer service perfection is definitely their goal, and it showed. All of the food was amazing as well. All 3 steaks were cooked as ordered, and the sides were fantastic. Here is the breakdown. KANSAS CITY STRIP - NY Strip with a bone and some extra meat. I actually ordered the NY Strip, and they brought me this accidentally. Best mistake EVER. Don't waste your time with the creamy cognac sauce for an extra $2.50 though. It does not enhance the steak at all. LOBSTER MAC - Order it! It's delicious, and feeds the whole table. A lot of restaurants have lost their way, and their freaking minds when it comes to mac n cheese. This is a simple country food item that people all over America are screwing up by trying to fancy it up. Condensed milk, butter, noodles and freaking cheese, people. That's it! Keep it simple, like Charley's. WOOD GRILLED CAESAR - Quite possibly the best CEEZ in town. House-made sauce and croutons and served with some cheese crustinis. PORTOBELLO APP - Not bad. Problem is, after the salad, steak and bites of mac n cheese, I found myself looking back on this app as a waste of valuable stomach space. My recommendation? Skip it. So there it is. My assessment of the best steak in town, considering "bang-for-the-buck." Sign up for the birthday club too. You get a $25 gift card, plus a free steak on your birthday. You have nothing to lose, and weight to gain.
(5)Marios D.
Great spot in Tampa that rivals the Berns experience. Good food great service a long wine list. Well worth the visit. Salads come with the entree and there is an option to upgrade. The regular salad is great. We also shared some scallops wrapped in bacon which were delightful. Not such a huge scallop fan but these were great. The Pan seared calamari with peppers was great too. Lighter than the deep fried variety and much more tender. Entrees were steaks of course with the KC strip snd the bison. The strip was extremely tasty but was served almost cold. I did not want to send it back for warming as it would have overcooked. The staff offered that but I declined. The bison was superb. Great spot.
(4)Gigi S.
You might be wondering why a Gigi like me would rate a steak like this the elusive 5 star rating. Allow me to explain. If you took old Tampa charm, with simple steak aging methods, and a wood fire indoor grill where you might run into a friend or two during happy hour, this is it. How dare anyone compare it to Bern's, a world renowned steakhouse reviewed by 1079 Yelpers? Well, the reason I'm certain Bern's keeps coming up is because this is its closest competitor, but with a huge benefit that everyone seems to enjoy. It takes the pomp and circumstance, and huge ceremonious ritual that is dinner at Bern's and replaces it with high end Southern Hospitality and orange wood fired flavor at a third of the price. Sure the service at Bern's is amazing, but have you ever spoken to the manager there when there wasn't a problem? You will probably have a 1k tab, and they don't seem too thrilled to have you there at all? Did you not have five hours to fully appreciate what Bern's is trying to convey? I have made reservations there months in advance only to starve for hours at Bern's. That would never happen to me at Charley's. The value is amazing! Great food. Some of the best, but damn good food, at affordable prices. The best steak tare tar I've ever had. Skip the mushroom fondue appetizer and save room for carrot cake. Order a shot of Grand Marnier and dump it on in. Delicious. It's hard to stray from a fine steak, but the gator bites and shrimp cocktail have never let me down. Sure Bern's is great if you want to look down your nose at the tourist who walks in wearing cargo shorts, but when you ain't got time for that mess, come here! I like this place, it's so...Tampa.
(5)Charlene W.
After Years of frequenting the best steakhouses of Tampa we finally gave Charlie's an opportunity. And I'm extremely glad we did. We were immediately greeted by Steve, the Sommelier with a sample of a very nice Cab, followed by the perfect introduction to Charley's by our Server Suzi ( She is TOP NOTCH) Then a warm welcome and appreciation for choosing the venue by the manager, Cory with a great background and much appreciated history of Charleys. We then received stellar a very informative Steak presentation From our Exceptional Server Suzi. From the distinct oak aroma throughout the establishment to the diners choice of themed dining room options... to the rich, warm Rustic feel. Charlies offers a perfect atmosphere for a truly enjoyable Dining Experience. We started with the Cedar Plank Served Lump Crab Cakes perfectly prepared with Pineapple Salsa. Then we shared the Bison Ribeye which packed more incredible flavor then you would ever expect. Perfectly seasoned. Perfectly prepared. We paired this with a 16oz Lobster Tail. We finished with a crazy good homemade Creme Brûlée and cappuccino. Everything was absolutely Delicious. No complaints what so ever! Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Kara B.
I never ever write reviews period but the experience I just had was unacceptable. This place has signs all over boasting about being one of the top 10 steakhouses in the country. The steak I got was completely inedible. It was so over cooked I asked for medium well but this was extremely well done mostly just burnt. I wouldn't even have taken it home to my dog cuz he wouldn't have been able to chew it up!! They did take it off the bill and offer up free desert but at that point my date and I just wanted to leave!! I can honestly I saw I would have gotten a better steak at outback for $10. Just an overall total disappointment
(1)Joseph D.
Our first time here and what a great experience. My wife and I came to celebrate our 39th Anniversary and I am so glad we did. We had reservations at 5:15 and we were seated promptly. The host presented us with menus and drink/wine list. Both were quite extensive. Since neither of us drink we cannot comment other than to say those we saw drinking did seem to be enjoying them. Our waitresses Shelly and Amber were really great. After finding out it was our first time to Charley's, Shelly went over the specials and took our drink and appetizer order. Next we were presented with a tray with examples of all of their steak offerings. Everything from a 50oz porterhouse to wagu and bison ribeyes. The wife settled on the 12oz filet and I had the 20oz fabulous filet. Why fabulous you ask? Well there is one per tenderloin, only two per animal. This is the center cut of each tenderloin and melts in your mouth. I even added truffle butter to mine. For sides which are served family style we had lobster mac n cheese and garlic smashed potatoes. APPETIZER Since neither of had ever had it we tried the steak tar tar. While it was very good, I not sure I would have it next time. Nothing wrong just not my taste. Not to worry there are plenty of other delicious looking appetizers. While waiting for our main courses we had the house salad and a basket of cheese bread. The cheese bread was very good and the cheese had the consistency of what you might find on a pizza. Kind of golden brown. As for the salad, while it was very flavorful I thought some of the lettuce was limp. I probably should have said something but didn't. Then again maybe that's just the way it comes out with the vinaigrette. MAIN COURSE Quite simply the very best steak I have ever had. Seared on a 1400 grill, fired with citrus and red oak wood. Cooked perfectly. I wish I had had the truffle butter served on the side. I think I would have enjoyed it more. Lobster mac n cheese was wonderful with good sized pieces of lobster topping it. I would have like to have seen it all the way through but understand why it wasn't. Potatoes were very good but not on the same level as the other side. DESSERT Neither of us finished our steaks as we wanted to save room for dessert. How about shared crème bruelle with fresh berries flamed at the table. Oh and don't forget the salted caramel cheesecake to take home. Best crème bruelle ever. Light, flavorful and the berries were so good. The only reason this isn't five stars is the limp lettuce. I know, pretty nitpicky. I just think that at this level of establishment the salad should rank right up there with the rest of the meal. I will call it 4.75 stars. We will be back.
(4)Breonna L.
I ordered the lobster macaroni and cheese which was such a large portion! The sides are definitely something you want to share because of the size but it was a delicious side nonetheless (with creamy cheese and big lumps of lobster just like I like it). I also tried the fried green tomatoes which were crispy and cooked perfectly. Everyone at my table enjoyed their food and service was wonderful.
(4)Jeannie C.
Love this place.Elegant,easy going atmosphere so depending on your mood or situation, you can dress up or down. Now on to the food which is exceptional....the steaks are aged, juicy and flavorful...while the pork chop is a little known delight. Baked potatoes are hugh (very shareable ) and done just right. The martinis are James Bond worthy Problem is that I never have room to sample dessert. This is definitely our "go to " place.
(5)Chad L.
This was a very good dinner, and for some people it will be the best steakhouse in Tampa. For us, we had a nice meal, but it fell a bit short of our hopes. Steak. Charley's marinades their steaks for 4-6 weeks, and they grill them over a wood flame. The flavor from the grill was outstanding. But once that wears off, you're left with the flavor of the marinade, which has a citrus kick to it that was a bit much for me. I had the filet mignon and my wife had the bison ribeye, and the ribeye was the better of the two. Why? Best guess: it better absorbed the flavor of the wood, which, when combined with the marinade, was perfect. The filet mignon, however, had a different balance. It was still quite good, but a bit off to me. To the restaurant's credit, the waitress immediately offered to replace it with another steak, which I declined, because it was still good. My own thought is if you normally love a good filet mignon, this one may disappoint you. Other food. We had bacon/cheese mashed potatoes. Excellent. The bread was so-so. Our dessert, the caramel cheesecake, was amazing. The only outright disappointment was the foie gras butter, which was talked up during the menu discussion. It tasted awful -- and they charge you for it. This was the best service I've had in any steakhouse anywhere. Always attentive, never kept us waiting, relaxed servers, full walk-throughs with steak and dessert trays -- other steakhouses in Tampa should come here to see how its done. Atmosphere. This was another thing I loved about Charley's. It was nice but not fancy. Some people were dressed up and some people were dressed down. It was busy but not loud. It was well lit but not distracting. There was free valet parking. Once again, this is how other steakhouses should be. Price. This is the only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5. Quite simply, the food wasn't as good as the price would indicate. When you pay $75 and up per person without drinks, the food should be perfect. It fell a bit short here. Yes, some people say "you should know the price before you get there", but its not about that....its about expectations when you set the price as high as you do. It was more expensive than Bern's or Ruth's Chris. Too wrap it up Ruth's Chris had better steaks and food, but they're not as expensive as Charley's. I like Charley's atmosphere more, but if I want a great steak that isn't overpriced, I would have to choose Ruth's Chris over Charley's. (As for Berns on Howard, it is perhaps the most overrated steakhouse in America. Worth going to once for the kitchen, wine room, and dessert room, and that's it).
(4)Zao Z.
This place was amazing. I think this place might be better than Berns. The food was amazing. I had the tartar and steak. Both were fresh and of the highest quality ingredients. The steak was tender and juicy. The service was top notch. It was more casual than Berns. Top notch regardless. The decor was nice but less formal than Berns. The exterior looks dated. I would recommend it for Tampa locals who know the place. If you have a out of town guest, go to Berns.
(5)Carla H.
Walking in a weeknight from the hotel next door, the place was still packed with diners at 9 PM. Got prompt service from the waiter. You might want a reservation, especially on the weekend. My traveling companion and I were exhausted so we decide to eat off the app menu to try a little of everything as we had never been here. The gator was tasty and not tough. The bacon wrapped scallops were middle of the road, although the scallops were perfectly cooked, the bacon was about tasteless. The colossal fried shrimp were great. They were beyond colossal size, cooked perfect and had the right amount of breading. I would try them again, but next time I won't be so tired that I don't mind waiting for a perfect mid-rare steak.
(3)Gregory S.
Obviously great service and great food! We began the evening with fruit-infused cocktails and a special taste from the chef prepared just for us!! We then moved on to their plate-chilled house salads and specialty rolls. Our mouths watered after hearing the waiter highlight the appetizer: cedar plank crabcakes, but realized we'd probably hit a wall before finishing our entrée. You can't lose w/ any surf or turf...heck, get both (50 oz. Porterhouse & 1lb. Lobster) as one of the entrée options (to share) allows for a fair price. Anyways, there's no such thing as bad service here (thanks William!) , but save room for desert. BTW, there's a presentation for beef selection and desert. Meal ended w/ salted caramel cheesecake. We will be moving to Birmingham tomorrow, but will be back next year to get another taste!
(5)Elayne L.
Excellent, attentive service at the bar. Great atmosphere for socializing. The bartenders were both friendly and attentive. I really enjoyed the crab cakes and the gator tail! They certainly know how to make a girl happy with their excellent Cosmo's complete with teeny ice chips! Yummo! Cant wait to go back for dinner and peruse the wine list!
(4)Lauren C.
The good: Matt, our waiter, was great! The bad: everything else. We got a Kansas City strip that was waaay undercooked, a bison ribeye that was charred, lobster mac and cheese with the cheese curdled, and roasted veggies that were swimming in a pool of oil. We were told that Charleys was better than Berns. This is not true by any stretch of the imagination. But it was just as expensive. Huge disappointment!
(2)Robert F.
Best Restaurant I have ever been to. The seafood tower is AWESOME!! Throw in some PERFECT steaks...A+
(5)Sara H.
Loved it! We brought our daughter with us to this location and in a room full of business people and couples the server was very nice to her. We had a great time and the steak was the best we've had.
(5)Erica G.
I dined here last night with my boyfriend for his birthday and we had such an amazing time. Our server, Kasey, was great. She was very knowledgeable of the menu and explained the steaks very thoroughly, as it was our first time dining at Charley's. We started off with the blackberry margarita and the jumbo cocktail shrimp app with homemade cocktail sauce. For our entree we both ordered the Kansas City steak and split the lobster mac and cheese for a side. I didn't care for the lobster mac and cheese, bar the steak was amazing! Omg and the garlic butter rolls are to die for! We asked for some to go with our leftovers lol I will return for Charley's again and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good steakhouse.
(5)Gregg B.
Came here on a Tuesday evening about 8:30 pm. Nice Steakhouse decor and dim lighting. The restaurant was packed with patrons and we waited at the lively bar for 15 minutes waiting for our table. We had a few cocktails. A dirty grey goose martini with blue cheese olives and a makers mark manhattan - both shaken and served straight up. Not bad but tasted a little watery as if the ice was watery when shaken we were seated and taken care of by our waitress he was petite but well polished to be a server at a steakhouse. I reviewed the wine list and noticed many of the wines were 3 to 4 times retail. Uh oh! But I did find a good one that was only double retail and under $100 so that was what I selected For dinner we started with the escargot appetizer that was delicious The diver scallops with wrapped bacon were tasty but the bacon was fatty and not crispy and fell off the scallops before we touched them The blue cheese wedge was good For the meal we had a 24 ounce porterhouse medium rare and a Bison meat rib eye There was no way the porterhouse was USDA prime The Bison was good but no worth the cost The mushrooms were good but the onions on top were sweaty not caramelized as I like them Roasted vegetable were ok The cauliflower on a cedar plank with Parmesan was the best side Why does this get three stars- because when you spend 100 dollars a person I expect everything to be terrific as the finest steakhouses are. But this place does have its bright spots
(3)Kimberly N.
I ordered the T-bone and it was easily the best steak I've ever had. Our server Stefan was excellent. We had an all around great experience for our anniversary dinner.
(4)Lucy P.
This is t h e best steakhouse in Tampa. (Imo oc) the food, the presentation, our server was amazing! My steak was perfect. The live menu is awesome. 10/10
(5)Ryan R.
Was there 2 days ago amazing please the whole stuff great food more then good I enjoy it a lot will come back again
(5)Franklin P.
Was exited to come here but left disappointed cuz my wife meal was not good she didn't wanted dessert and she's a desserts person which saids a lot . The waiter was really good no complaints about that.
(2)Armando V.
Went in for an early dinner, as I had to work at 7:45pm. We were a party of four at opening time. We waited for 10 minutes to be seated. While waiting, I ordered an old fashioned at the bar. The bartender was very helpful in selecting a barreled bourbon. The service was welcoming and deserving of another visit, even if the cocktail wasn't. Upon being seated, we were immediately asked about our drink order. At this point, the wine menu had not even been presented to us. Feeling rushed and overwhelmed by the script we were being fed, we ordered waters so we could get a moment of peace. Two of the four had never been there. The waitress began pushing specials. They wanted to experience the Charley's we other two had. This didn't seem to be on the server's agenda. Two of the waters had bugs floating, so we inspected the others. Clouded with what looked like mold or chemicals. Got a response from the server, "well, you asked for tap." Salads were wilted. Lardon(s) (got one giant strip of smoked jerky) was one piece of uncut bacon. Steaks were undercooked and tasted purely of smoke. Desert looked amazing, but wasn't going to risk a fifth letdown. I mean, even the water was bad. I ate two bites of my $44 ribeye and couldn't stomach another bite. I've had turkey legs at the fair that didn't taste as processed! Nothing was removed from our bill. After leaving, we addressed the issue with a friend that relayed to a manager that wasn't present. I was under the impression that I would be contacted. As it's been almost a week and have heard nothing, I can see my business is not their concern. Too bad. I used to love this place. Gone are the days of service.
(1)Greg H.
Took my brother out to dinner for his 40th birthday. Charley's didn't disappoint. Phenomenal steak in a great atmosphere. I enjoyed the 20oz filet while both of my brothers enjoyed the Waygu ribeye. Overall terrific dinner and excellent service thanks to William our server. If definitely recommend requesting him next time you dine at Charley's.
(5)Erikka N.
Nice, old world atmosphere...especially when they have Frank playing. The meat presentation is very interesting, especially if you want to learn about what you're eating. I've had the porterhouse and it was fantastic! Tonight I tried the lamb chops and the Parmesan cauliflower. The lamp chops were pretty good, but the cauliflower was the real star of the show! It is must try! I was too stuffed(did I are ALLLL of my food?) to eat dessert. I've had the carrot cake here before and it's to die for(my girlfriend had an orgasm I think).
(5)Brooke D.
Went here for my college graduation dinner with a party of 7. Yes, I know it's a large party for a busy night but we were shoved in a corner next to a party of 15 and couldn't hear each other speak it was so loud. Our server really sucked too. She was pushy and not helpful. When we asked about her lapel pin, she admitted it was for a server contest in which she was participating. She was required to sell more items from the feature menu and specific up-sells (which she had just tried to push us to buy). It was really awkward and uncomfortable because it was apparent that she just wanted to make us spend more. Skip this place and head to Berns.
(2)Marc M.
First off, steak house and steak was good (only reason a 2 vs 1). Now the rest of the story. Bring deep pockets and zip them up, they are coming after your money. We were a party of a half dozen or so. Pushed drinks to start very hard, all ordered. Pushed show place apps very hard, expensive and with all the food that comes latter a complete waste of money. Salad, wedge is not prepared well. Not cold enough and dressing and fixings are only on part so hard to recompose. They wedge needs to be a properly composed wedge. As I said earlier, steak was good, but we also had lobster, very dry, good thing we had water at our table. Sides, lots of them, some were dry, some were ok, most were left over after all we had before we got there. Did not do dessert, we were done! Now to the wine. I am impressed that there is a real wine culture with many of the servers learning wine. I am completely repulsed by the quality and price of the wines. They tried to push high priced wines and when we went to more moderately priced wines (this is relative, they were still nearly $100) the quality was very average. There are so many great wines out there that are not expensive that compliment steak, this is just unacceptable. Change the list or the sommelier, your call. Net net good steak, rest average to poor, we left poor, and we felt like we were taken advantage of.
(2)Minna S.
I actually think this is probably the best steak house in the Tampa Bay area. The steak is always cooked to my liking, and the menu selection is great. I come here frequently for birthday parties, and I always recommend this place to those who are looking to have great steak. This is not the most upscale place; however, the food is good. The service here is either a hit or miss but I never have a problem with the food. Try this place out!
(5)Justine K.
Never disappointed!! We love to sit in the bar at the cozy tables and Susan was an absolute joy and took care of us as her own!! The bone - in rib eye cuts like butter and there are no words to describe th fruit - infused liquor. The Crown Royal with apples was amazing and we stayed at the Sheraton next door so we could have 2!!!
(5)Karen A.
Excellent service. Good food and wine selection. Key lime pie is delicious. JP, our server, was awesome! He made the experience special with his enthusiasm for their food and steaks.
(4)Anthony M.
The only thing keeping this place from a five star is the loud, over bearing server. First, what a great setting that welcomes you in to this place...along with the prompt valet. We were quickly greater and seated at a great table for six of us. Our server, I don't recall her name, was rather loud and pushy. I appreciate the present of steaks, but it was like she only wanted to push certain cuts. The food was top notch...my steak was a bone-in rib-eye seared to perfection. Our table split six sides which was more than enough for us. Some people have said the prices are high, but thi were what I expect to pay at a place of this caliber. All considered..four stars.
(4)Rania G.
Probably one of the best filet mignon dinner I've had in a long time. The flavor, the tenderness... it was like a dream. I came here for a presentation / meeting for my job, so my menu options were limited. The house salad was just okay - I am not a fan of green olives, and the salad had tiny pieces of green olives strewn about, making the whole salad taste like an olive. The bread was unbelievable. I'm not going to lie, if it wasn't for the fact that I was at a work function and I had to share with a whole table of people, I probably would have eaten that entire basket of bread. The desserts were solid, but I was only able to try a few cake options. And I already mentioned that the steak was fantastic. I have no idea how much it cost since it was paid for by work, but I imagine it's not the cheapest. Which is fine with me if I feel like the food is up to par with the price. All in all, the next time I want a good steak, I'm coming here. I'm looking forward to being able to order off the menu and eating more of that bread.
(4)Damon V.
The steaks are awesome, especially the bison ribeye. Love the Caesar salad and the Martel anchovy they used, not salty at all. I would say that the food is 5 stars. My biggest complaint is the booth at the Cove section of the restaurant. The seats are soft and non supportive, and the space is tight as hell. Please change the padding Charley's. It's uncomfortable as hell to eat at your place. So overall it's a 3 stars for the discomfort while eating. Best Regards, Your loyal customers
(3)Andrew G.
I can honestly say if steak is your passion then this is the place!!!! From the Apple martini the tuna sashimi the kale side dish right tothe main dish (of course the ribeye bone in) the food is excellent and the atmosphere is perfect. . . Our waitress Bianca was professional and had a great personality! !! To boot the GM John stopped by to say hello and see how our meals were.. you don't get that at Bern's. . Do not listen to the haters they probably gave the golden corral 5 stars and do not know what a great steak is. .. Ramsey eat your heart out. . This place blows yours away! !!
(5)VJ R.
We ordered escargot, Crab cakes, house salad, creamed spinach, and Blackened salmon. Our meal came out fast. The escargot was a bit salty. The crab cakes were cooked on a cedar plank. The crab cake had a good flavor and contained nice portions of crab meat. However, the crab cakes were on the mushy side. I was expecting a crispy outer and a firm mix of stuffing and crab meat filling. It was different. The salad was awesome. The blackened salmon and creamed spinach were perfect. Small portions but good. Overall, it was a very nice dinner.. P.S the MENUS are Huge! Why so big Charley?
(4)Gregory F.
We celebrated multiple reasons by dining at Charley's Saturday night. Having ate there a couple of years ago we originally had planned on the Ultimate Surf and Turf (for 2) and were surprised that they reduced the Master Cut from 155 ounces to 150 and the lobster from 1 1/4 lbs down to 1 lbs. Looking at value we figured that we could pretty much get the same thing by ordering 2 porterhouses and add a lobster to each. The waiter, Hector wasn't much help with deciding (you would have figured he would have went for the upsell but apparently didn't have anything to upsell other than the price.) We also ordered a side of augraten potatoes and mushrooms and onions. The steaks were perfect in every way!! The lobsters seemed lacking in that lobster flavor. The potatoes were bland with very little flavor and the mushrooms were really good but the onions were slimy and huge and not really worth the effort to cut them up. Quick summary: Steaks A+, Lobster B, Bread A, Salad B -, Potatoes C, Mushrooms A, Onions C. Waiter C. Worth going just for the steaks!!
(3)Jidd M.
Wow !! All I can say is WOW!! I dine at 5 star restaurants all the time and this particular one is AMAZING!!! Our bartender Kari was amazing By thank u thank u
(5)Michael Z.
I tried Charley's because of the location and all in all, I was underwhelmed. The best part about this place is the bar. It is the ideal bar for grabbing a drink and a light bite while socializing. The barkeeps were knowledgeable and on their game, which I appreciated. But as far as steakhouses go, I was just not impressed. The steaks are grilled with a wood smoke flavor that I just do not find appealing. It is different, so if it appeals to you, this place will likely stand out from the crowd. But for me, I found the aftertaste overpowering and took away from the cut and quality of the beef. Prices, sides and wine list are standard for any higher-end steakhouse, but considering the choices in the area, I would opt for Bern's or Eddie V's in a heartbeat.
(2)Sheri H.
The filet was good! The atmosphere was nice and the monster seafood towers looked amazing. I would go back again if I'm ever in Florida. The only downside was the room we were in was a bit hot for a group of 9.. Otherwise good place. Carrot cake was yummy! Oh, try the fried green tomatoes! Totally my fav!
(4)Loren W.
Third time here coming through Tampa and it just seems to get better. Bone In Strip was perfect. Big steak fan and have been to all the major steak houses. I have to say though, hands down, this is the best steak I have had in the country and it is stronger than Strip House, Ruth Chris and the rest. Great atmosphere, wonderful wine list and good people. I would come to Tampa just for the Steak.
(5)Stephanie V.
I feel a little sheepish writing a review for a steakhouse when I'm not a beef or pork eater. So avert thy eyes now if you just cannot read on! We went as a group of 6. The ambiance was great! Busy for a Monday night. There's a display case right when you walk in with meats and fish showcased. The service was outstanding. 5-stars for sure. We had a seafood sampler as an appetizer. It was pretty good. I would have liked to see oysters or mussels included. The seared tuna was a nice addition though! I had the Australian lobster. I'm honestly spoiled by Maine lobster with its tender meat, so I was surprised to find the Australian lobster to be so tough. I initially thought it was overlooked. That was a little disappointing to me. Everyone else at the table had a meat of some kind. The fiancé had the bison steak. There was a lot of fat (thumbs down). The lobster bisque was phenom. Have to agree though that the salads weren't that great. We also had a side of lobster mac n cheese and was really good. Would have lived to see simple mixed greens with a balsamic drizzle. There are a ton of desserts to choose from should you have room! Let's recap: Pros: ambiance, service, lobster bisque, bread basket, seared ahi tuna Cons: fatty bison cut, salad & seafood sampler need an update
(4)Kirven S.
Can't say much about other entrees but this place has the absolute best steaks in Tampa. Although it might not be as much of an "experience" place as Berns but my wife and I really like the food ALOT more! I've never seen Charley's empty but the service is always excellent. The perfect match of attentiveness without being intrusive! You never feel like you are being either ignore or rushed. I think they have the whole pace thing nailed. The wine list might not be a novel like some other places but it's still pretty size able and you're sure to find something that matches any preference. They also have a great selection of spirits (I love their bourbons) as well as some really nice desert wines. My wife and I always get the "Fabulous Filet" steaks. It's a 20oz filet but they'll split it into two of the most tender 10oz steaks that you'll ever find. The wood grill they use really imparts an incredible flavor! For desert my wife always loves the creme brûlée but I haven't tried that at enough places to say how it stacks up (she says it's amazing). What I can say is that if by some miracle you actually have room for desert, get the carrot cake. It not only is to die for but could also be split between 4 people without leaving anyone hungry! Our 20yr old son loves it when we go. Even if he's bummed about not getting one of the steaks, he knows hat we will bring home some carrot cake for him!
(5)Maria W.
Awesome service, awesome food. Atmosphere was amazing. The attention from not just our server but from all of the other Resturant employees was a demonstration of how service should be experienced.
(5)Paul P.
Mandatory valet so if you want to dine here, you may not park on your own. We had reservations and were seated somewhat promptly however, they placed us at a table where the sun clearly blinded a member of our party. The service was slow and it took 5 minutes or so for us to be acknowledged by a server. Took another 5 minutes for us to get drinks. The server was friendly but not as attentive a great server should be. The food was exceptional and everyone enjoyed thier respective choice of steak, and the carmel cheesecake was also a good choice. For a $50+ per person restaurant, there is a clear opportunity to improve the service here. The food is great but there are other places in this price range with great food and great service.
(3)Paul M L.
First time there in 10 years, why did I wait so long, everything was excellent except the carrot cake, it was good but I have had much better elsewhere for a lot less money, if you want steak this is the place to go, they Oak fire Grill it and has a wonderful flavor to it, very tender, and the fish was excellent also as was the vegetables. They have a very extensive wine list if you are into wine and the drinks are fantastic.
(5)John D.
This was a top notch steak house and was worth every penny. Be prepared to spend some money, but the service and steaks were well worth it. The steaks were prepared in a high temp wood fired grill that gave them a unique taste like something I have never had. The way the steaks were aged also added to the taste. This is not a a place I would go to every week (even though I would love to!), but will save it for special occasions with the wife or when friends/family come from out of town. I will definitely be back. Can't wait!
(5)LaKenya G.
Wonderful service from valet to the table. I have eaten steak from steakhouses from all over the country and the ribeye that I had was literally the best steak I've ever eaten.
(5)Rebekah T.
Charley's is by far one of my favorite restaurants, period. I don't just love it, I crave it. That is based on the quality of food and service we have received at this restaurant each and every time. We love great cocktails, fresh seafood and steaks. This place has and flaunts their selection of the best of the best. The drinks are amazing. You can order just about anything you want, but the infusions and the custom cocktails are adventurous. The Mixologist Garrett made me this amazing serrano chile gin drink and then another later with Tequila. They were spicy yet not overwhelming and very much my style. I've had their steaks and they are so damn good, but this last time in Tampa I really wanted to just overdose on Stone Crab. We ordered 1-1/2 pounds of stone crab claws, I was in heaven. We also ordered the Florida Gator Bites, which were by far the most tender gator bites I've had yet. Sounds funny, but they taste better than chicken. Haha. And last but not least, we had the Beef Carpaccio which was so paper thin and delicate, it falls apart in your mouth with that rich beef taste. Love. So Charley's remains one of those places where we let our cravings take over and order custom cocktails, because the experience is worth every penny and we deserve it.
(5)Carey F.
I, like some of the reviewers before me, was underwhelmed by Charley's. There were some very positive points, but also some definite opportunities for improvement. The bar and dining areas are quite impressive, however, the restrooms are a bit shabbier than I expected, based on the price point. We had seafood samplers to start with, which were spot on. Everything tasted fresh and was well-prepared. Everyone enjoyed their salads and although the plating of the Caesar was a little old-fashioned, the flavors were nice. Now the steaks. Most of us ordered the filet and were disappointed to find that we really couldn't taste the flavor of the steak itself as it was completely overwhelmed by what seemed to be liquid smoke flavor. As a steak lover, I was saddened to find that I could not eat more than a few bites...the flavor was just too strong. Others at the table had similar experiences with the steak. The shared sides were a bit on the small side for "family style" sharing and the grilled veggies tasted as if they'd had the same treatment as the steak. Overall, I'd return for the seafood, however, I would not return for the steak.
(3)Steve E.
One of my business partners wanted to host dinner at Charley's Steakhouse, which meant they were picking up the tab for all of us. Now Charley's isn't my top choice for Tampa steakhouses, but it's hard to argue with a free dinner. Charley's has been family-owned and operated since the mid 1970's, and was founded by Charley Woodsby, co-founder of the Red Lobster chain. Charley and his son Ron now own the Talk of the Town restaurant group, and the steakhouse is the crown jewel of their chain. Charley's serves only USDA prime and choice Angus steers, ages them for four to six weeks for tenderness and flavor, and then hand cuts the steaks daily to ensure consistent quality. The steaks are then flame-broiled over oak and orange woods in a custom-built pit. They claim that their secret is the pit which cooks all of the steaks, chicken, chops and fresh fish over a 1,200-degree fire. As you enter the lobby you'll see a refrigerated case spotlighting all of the different cuts of meat and seafood that are available for dinner. Our group gathered at the bar while we waited for the stragglers, and then we were off to our private dining area in one of the smaller rooms. The service was fantastic, and the waiter that managed our group of 8 was quick to gather up our drink orders and then return to talk about the menu. He led us through a dizzying array of steaks, chops, wild game, seafood, and Chef's specials along with all of the different choices of sauces and sides. We shared some calamari with shrimp and scallop scampi for appetizers, before diving in to our main courses. I ordered the T-bone for my dinner, and had plenty to take home for a second meal. The steak was cooked perfectly, and it had plenty of rich flavor. As a group we shared some creamed spinach, grilled asparagus, and smashed potatoes for sides, and there was plenty of that to take home as well. I passed on ordering dessert, but watched while others tried to tackle slices of the carrot cake and Key Lime pie. I was content to sip a glass of port and let my dinner digest before it was time to pack up the leftovers and head for home.
(3)Heather M.
This was a great experience. We showed up 45 minutes minutes early to our reservation, which was at 6:30 for 4, fully expecting to wait for a while. To our delight, we were immediately greeted and taken to our table and handed some ridiculously oversized menus. Our waitress introduced herself and was aware of the occasions we were celebrating, a birthday and 2 wedding anniversaries, an acknowledged them. They had a beef presentation, orders were placed, and out came the bubbly. I would have preferred it to be much colder before the first glass was poured, obviously they keep the bottles at room temp, but we were ready to get the festivities under way. House salads were served, it was a light salad with chopped tomatoes and green olives, some grated parmesan, with a light vinaigrette dressing. Served with the salad was the most delicious bread, very soft and chewy, basted with garlic butter & herbs, and has cheddar cheese on top...super Yum!! Our dinners came out. Side note: Sign up in advance for their emails, before coming to the restaurant I received an email offering a sampling by the Chef. Everyone in my party received a side of Blackened George's Bay Scallops with Florida Citrus Buerre Blanc Sauce, personally not a scallop fan but they tasted good. For dinner I ordered the Cowboy Ribeye, not on the menu, great crust on the steak definitely could taste the wood fire. The Charley's smashed potatoes were definitely worth the purchase. For desert we did the sampling platter, $40 and was easily split between 4 people with left overs. It included a half slice of Blueberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Moose Pie, Peanut Butter Pie, Salted Caramel Cheesecake, 2 Slices of Chocolate Cake, and a serving of White Chocolate Creme Brûlée. Best was the Blueberry Cheesecake and Chocolate Moose Pie, worst was the chocolate cake...it was dry. Improvement...I wish there was more brûlée on top if the custard. All in all, great restaurant, great decor, and great food. I gave it 4-stars due to the slight, I mean slight, improvements I desired with the food and the service that didn't feel genuine.
(4)Kara P.
My husband and I decided to go to Charley's for our wedding anniversary and his birthday. It was our first time at Charley's and it was incredibly disappointing since we've heard rave reviews. First, we weren't seated until 30 minutes after our reservation. We were never called to be seated, instead we repeatedly had to check when our seat was ready. Once we were seated a cockroach crawled up my back. When we notified the manager he said, "we are in Florida so that is typical." He was kind enough to move our table but it grossed us out. I ordered the sea bass which was very delicious. We split the lobster mac n cheese, which was also very tasty. My husband ordered the Kansas City strip. He was very disappointed and says it was chewy and tasted like any steak you could purchase and make at home. He ordered it medium rare and it came out more well done. Our server was very knowledgeable of the menu and polite, but our waters were never refilled. The atmosphere is very comfortable. I would be willing to visit again because my food was great; however, my husband certainly doesn't want to visit again. I would recommend Berns, Ruth Chris, or Ocean Prime.
(2)Matthew P.
Can I get an AMEN from the congregation!!! Holy COW!! Literally!! This place was top notch!! It has been years since I went here with family, and since moving back to Tampa from Atlanta I am always searching for great restaurants! ie Hormone Free, No Iceburg Lettuce, basically great food! Well Charley's must have not made an impression 20 years ago but they did tonight!!!! Drinks yup indeed, Salad was awesome, Service impeccable, the stone crabs were to die for AND THE STEAK?!!! ???? OMG lets say this the wife and I split the crazy LARGE Surf & Turf!!! It was sooo much food we took it home and had 3 meals out o it EACH even after we tried to eat what we could there!!! Ok my wife and I are smart and eat 5 times per day and work out a metric butt load so our portion sizes are smaller but HOLY COW & LOBSTER!!! Honestly the sweetest lobster I have ever had period for get the fact it was practically 6 lbs!!! Ok you get the point it was BIG!!!! Steak was cooked to perfection!!!! And yup everything else was awesome!! I have no idea how we got out of there for under $300 I was betting $500 easily being from Atlanta!!! I can honestly say the lunch menu is worth going too and we will be back even if we don't go over board!!!! Charley's has made me a regular now!!!!
(5)Amy Z.
So disappointed! Hadn't been to Charley's in years and remember it being awesome. Went with my sister. Wine waiter recommended, salad, and bread were good. Filet was overcooked (both of ours and the 2 guys next to us as well). I was the only one to send it back...they wanted to, but were too hungry. My sis got the lobster tail (as did one of the guys next to us) and both were tough. They were out of sauteed mushrooms and creamed spinach. For the price we paid, I'd have gone to any number of better quality restaurants in town twice or three times over :(
(2)John C.
It was good but pricey as suspected. All the steaks seem to be on the large size but the open flame type cooking really gives them a great flavor.
(4)B T.
I went to the steakhouse for the first time last week. The food was good. The sides enjoyable. There was a nice atmosphere in the resturant. The food was expensive, but nice for a nicer evening out. I was very impressed with the customer service I recieved from the manager who personally addressed some of my concerns. The next time I'm in Tampa, I would definately go back. I recommend the truffle butter on your steak. An excellent addition.
(4)Stephanie W.
Tonight was my first time at Charley's. Kenny was our server, he was very friendly and knowledgeable. The drinks were fantastic. I ordered the 8oz filet medium rare. It came out a bit overcooked and when I inquired they were quick to recook me a new steak. One of the managers, Audrey, quickly approached us and apologized, told me my steak would be ready soon and asked if she could get me anything while I waited. When the steak was ready she brought it out herself and had me cut into it right in front of her to ensure it was exactly how I wanted it. I'd have to say their customer service is phenomenal. And the new steak was delicious too. We will definitely be back.
(5)Jamie A.
My husband and I frequent many different steakhouses in the Tampa Bay area, but Charley's is no longer on the rotation. We gave Charley's 3 chances to "wow" us, but they didn't come through. During our first experience we both ordered our steak med-rare and the came out med-well. Mine was slightly better, so I was just going to deal with it. When the server stopped by to check on us, my husband showed him the steak was overcooked, the server proceeded to take out a flashlight and say "oh, there's a bit of pink right in the middle" ..seriously? We gave up on our meal and left unsatisfied, but we thought we'd give it another shot.. We went on New Year's Eve last year and that was a great experience. Our steaks were prepared correctly, service was great, and we truly enjoyed the meal. Moving along to our third time.. We went on Valentine's Day weekend, which we knew may be a little risky, but we also knew how great our meal was on New Year's Eve.. As we arrived at the host stand for our 8:30 reservation, we were informed that reservations were running about 45 minutes behind. No apology, no explanation... We make our way to the bar and that I can say is the best part about the restaurant. It's been the only consistently good experience each time we've gone to Charley's. Once we were finally sat at what seemed to a pop-up table, we were prepared for the worst. The service was extremely slow and I believe that the kitchen was more at fault than our server. When our food arrived, the food runner informed us that they were out of the mashed potatoes we ordered. We changed it to an alternate side and then watched at the table next to us got potatoes about 5 minutes later. Our steaks were overcooked, but after waiting so long and our server disappearing for the duration of our meal, we gave up. We thought we'd try dessert since our meals were so bad, but the server never returned to offer dessert. A new couple sat at the table next to us and mentioned they were over an hour behind their reservation. We left disappointed and decided this restaurant is not worth it. There are far too many better options in the area to choose from rather than deal with this below average experience.
(2)SallyCinnamon C.
We made a reservation for 8 pm using Open Table, waited only 15 minutes by the bar - bartenders were very attentive. Even refilled our sodas while we chatted. There is a definite up-sell during the steak presentation, but that's to be expected. I ordered the grilled chicken and my husband ordered the NY Strip. Both were outstanding. Took home leftovers - portions are huge! Creamed Kale was delicious. A perfect night. I especially enjoy complimentary valet parking.
(5)Claire K.
It has taken years for me to finally get here to see for myself if anyone can out bid the Bern's experience and food. Turns out, my time at Bern's was well spent. I hate to compare, but....I showed up unbaised and hoped to have an amazing dinner. The Line Up: House Salad (meh) 10oz Filet Mignon (good, but there was chewy fat on it! trim people. TRIM) Bernaise Smashed Potatoes (a nice change from baked) Asparagus (giant! with cheese. nice presentation) THE BREAD BASKET (the highlight of my meal, not becuase it was free) Apple pie a la mode (very good) Overall, it was a nice dinner, but not enough bang for my buck. I came, I ate, I conquered & now....I'll be satisfied that I no longer have to try this place out. * FYI, parties larger than 6 or 8 are charged a 20% gratuity.
(3)Matt B.
I have read many reviews of Charlie's, and frankly I didn't know what to expect. It is widely known in Tampa this is among the best steak restaurants. The building is set back from the road, and a valet will take your car. The flame broiled Charlie's sign out front gives you the perfect smell and feel you are entering a steakhouse! It's a bit old school in here, maybe too much. They could use a update....but it's a classic high end steakhouse showing off ridiculous cuts of meat in a glass case in the lobby, and then both the meat tray and dessert tray table side. I visited with a group of 10, so I was fortunate to be able to try many items. I ordered a Kona firerock pale ale from Hawaii and we ordered a seafood platter, steak tar tar, and several crab cakes.....this was piles of food, the Alaskan king crab, stone crab and shrimp were delicious but the crab cakes stole the show. They are cooked on a wooden plank and have this delicious golden brown crust on them. They aren't cakes up with breadcrumbs, in fact I'm not sure if they even have breadcrumbs in them. They are loaded with crab and the flavor is amazing! I highly suggest that you pace yourself here. This is the type of place you want to spend some time, the bread is fabulous but don't fill up on it...you have to make sure you have room to take down the giant side of beef you are about to order. I chose the Kansas City strip. The steaks here are wet aged and they believe this makes them very flavorful and tender. Mine was certainly that. It was a great steak, not the best I ever had but certainly top 10. The sides are ala carte, and they are big enough to share with 3 people. I shared some sautéed onions and mushrooms with a friend and we both enjoyed them. They add some sort of beef broth to them to step up the flavor. Our main goal for this dinner was to impress one of our work vendors, so we didn't stop after the steaks. We chose creme brûlée, chocolate lava cake, and bananas foster bread pudding as our desserts. They were all great, but the light creme brûlée with a thin sugary crust was very nice after the giant cut of meat. Add a cup of coffee served with a rock candy stir stick and I think I gained 5lbs in 3 hours. I'll be back here for sure, this restaurant serves great food.
(5)Elana L.
For the price, I was disappointed! We skipped the appetizer and ordered 2 glasses of wine, a steak, fish, one side dish, and dessert....grand total...$100! I highly recommend asking for a table far away from the bar area so you can hear the person you are talking to! 32 oz Porterhouse had fantastic flavor! I mean, AMAZING flavor! My Sea Bass filet was also super tasty! But way overpriced!!! $42 for a filet of fish! WHAT!?!? The complimentary bread is super soft and has a perfect amount of cheese/herbs! We ate a lot of it! The Lobster Bisque was also tasty! All in all, this place is ok, BUT if I'm going to pay $100 for a meal, I want a nice private table where I can hear my date, NOT just the bar area!
(3)Richard M.
Stayed at the Sheraton Hotel next door. Have not been in a Charlies in years and was excited to have a nice dining experience. There on a week night and the place was crowed. We got a table in short order after a drink at the bar.. (pricey by the way). We had a nice table, and were anticipating a great eve. Our waiter came over and we could tell right away that he had an attitude and snobby. We were right. A waiter makes the evening for the most part and this guy killed it for us. Just a jerk and did not belong working in a place that charges $35 and up for steak. Talked to one of the managers on the way out, and he did not care and made up some excuse for the guy. Sorry, not going there again. Treated better at a Outback Steak House.
(2)Jeff C.
When I visit Tampa, I stay at the Sheraton Suites West Cypress because it's right next door to Charley's. In the past, I've always been very satisfied with the food and service, but last night was my first negative experience. It's almost enough to make me seek alternative lodging closer to the office. I got there late, around 9:45pm, so I ate at the bar by myself. I've always ordered the 8-oz. filet with a side, but I really wanted to eat something healthy this time, so I asked about several menu items and decided on the swordfish, which I ordered blackened with no sauce. I figured, at $23.95, I can't go wrong, but I should ahve ordered the sashimi for half the price. I asked about substituting another salad for the signature side, but the wedge was another $7 and I'm already pushing my per diem by just walking into this place. The salad came right out and was...well, it was OK. I got the olives on the side, but added some of them back. Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes & onions with an olive vinaigrette just doesn't do it for me. The bread & butter didn't arrive until I was finished with my salad; they were very fresh, but I only had one piece because of the 'good-for-me thing'. I had never eaten a 'baseball' swordfish steak until yesterday; I wish I'd thought to snap a photo. It must have been 2" thick! That said, it was also about 3" square...it couldn't have been 5-oz. And it came out bronzed, not blackened, which evidently means they threw some some spices in the general direction of the pan, hoping some of the aroma would stick. And it came out with the skin on one side; the reason I have a problem with that, is there was so little flavor and every square centimeter needed as much exposure as possible. When the waitress returned to ask how it was, my response was, "at least it's healthy..." I mentioned that it didn't appear to be blackened. She thought I ordered it bronzed, and upon hearing of her mistake, simply replied, "Oh." and left the table after a brief, awkward pause. Anyway, I finished my meal and contemplated another $8 beer, which I decided not to get. My advice to you is, if you get the swordfish, DEFINITELY get it blackened...and get a side of the mango salsa (or whatever else you can think of) to give it some flavor. I could have done just as well in my hotel room with a hot iron. The check came and the swordfish actually cost $28.95, which was like adding insult to injury. I told her about the difference and she begrudgingly adjusted the tab. At this point, I'm sure she could tell I was pissed and just wanted to get back to my room. I left her a rarely-seen 15% tip for her efforts...the least she could have done was apologize and have the manager say something. I'll definitely remember this experience the next time I get hungry for a good steak. Capital Grille and Ruth's Chris are right around the corner, y'know...
(2)Ben M.
A TERRIBLE experience, and a robbery! This place pretends to be a fine dining steakhouse, but is a total failure in that. Here is our nightmare: We were downtown, and wanted a good steak meal, so we thought we'd try this out. The building and décor is nice, with valet parking. We did not have reservations on this week night, but we were told there would be an hour wait. I looked into the dining room and saw it was half empty, so there was something fishy there not on the menu. As we sat in the lobby chairs, a server offered some samples of lobster bisque. The odd thing about this was that the bisque was cold and just a few droplets on a teaspoon. This goo was salty and not very tasty, but it was only a half teaspoon. Then a server came around with a sample of steak on zwieback toast. The steak was like chewing gum, which made us feel uneasy. Then a guy flitted over and asked me if I would like a complimentary sample of house wine, completely and rudely ignoring my female companion. The wine tasted like kerosene, yecchhh. We were finally seated at a table, cramped up against the surrounding tables. The table was covered with a piece of paper. I ordered the Kansa City Strip, and my companion ordered the New York Strip, both around thirty dollars. For that, you only get your steak and a small wilted greens salad. The vegetable side cost extra, from 7 to 10 dollars. The salad was terrible, it came with a watery house vinaigrette that may have just been a splash of dirty dishwater I asked if I could have another dressing, and the waiter reluctantly said the only other dressing was ranch. He brought that out. He tried to bore us hawking the wine and wanting to show us a platter of different steaks, but I said, "No, it's getting late and we want to eat." Apparently the only difference between New York Strip and Kansas City Strip is that Kansas City Strip has four more ounces of inedible blubbery gristle for four dollars more. My steak was tasteless, and I could only eat about 1/4 of it, the rest being gristle. My companion ordered her steak "medium rare, warm red center", and it came out overcooked. Her baked potato was overcooked, dry and cold. He finally returned with mashed potatoes that were dry and served cold. I asked for extra butter, but the waiter balked at that. He returned with a small plate of what looked like white lard, tasteless, and the potatoes were too cold to melt it. I pointed out to the waiter how rubbery and inedible much of the steak was, and how the steak element was of the worst quality. It was tasteless and tough, and was the lowest grade utility cut, probably off an old non-lactating dairy cow that died of old age. Worst steak ever. The waiter started making lame excuses, like saying they deliberately use fatty beef for flavor. He did not explain why most of the steak was gristle. At that point, we had enough gastric disappointment to continue and we asked for the check before we paid it and left. If you're in the area, skip this ripoff. Go to RuthChris across the street, or The Longhorn, just a little north of RuthChris.
(1)Amanda B.
This was my first time at Charley's. There was a group of 7of us. It was really good food. I got the crab cakes(great) loved the mango salsa that came with it. Someone else got the tar tar (not my thing) others loved it. We also tired the calimari (that was good). The house salad was not good. I love salad so a little disappointed that they could screw that up. I got the the New York strip and the person beside me got the salmon. We split it half and half. The salmon was a little under cooked but tasted amazing! The New York strip was excellent! We got the lobster mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes for our sides they were great compliments to our dishes. The staff were a little slow, but they were very busy. We all split the chocolate cake and Carmel cheesecake. What a night!
(4)Argy B.
This is in addition to a previous review from 2014. I've been to Charley's again 10+ times over the past year. Earlier this week (June 23, 2015) I invited two out-of-town business guests to join me. This review ends up as 5 stars because of how the Manager and a wonderful young Server, Kasey, helped save a disastrous experience as it relates to the original Server. The young man, pleasant enough, was completely out of place in this environment, with very little attention to detail - all of that added up to a lousy experience and me offering my apologies to my guests - "It's always great, believe me" I would exclaim. About mid way through the dinner the Manager stopped by - I regret I did not get his name, because he listened to our observations and understood the disappointment immediately. On the spot he reassigned Kasey to our table, and she went above and beyond to make sure the rest of the dining experience was more than we expected. Kudos to these fine folks! I've been in similar circumstances at other spots where the Manager was not nearly so proactive, understanding, and apologetic. Charley's in Tampa has a life-long customer!
(5)Mark Y.
Great steaks cooked perfectly. Service was a little slow but the waitress was very nice and apologetic about being so busy.
(4)Robert D.
I tried the bison, fabulous filet, NY strip and the gator bites so far. For desserts the chocolate cake, cheesecake and the creme brûlée. EVERYTHING is amazing!!! The bartenders are awesome, Christian (?) and Frias are awesome! Great atmosphere and a good time! I almost don't want to try any other places when I come visit Tampa to be honest!
(5)Russell G.
Kirby was prompt through out our dining experience. Food was prepared as ordered. Awesome time, great food!!
(5)Arturo R.
This place is also a very good, very different from Berns, the food is very good as well, the lobster tails are just superb as well as the meat. The best way to compare if you can is to do both Berns, and Charlie's.
(4)Matt B.
Went to Charley's as I was told it was the best steakhouse in Tampa. I was a little disappointed. I was by myself so I was low maintenance. Took a while to get my drink. Waitress was pretty friendly and overall service was good-but not what you would expect from a classic steak house. I didn't get the standard table explanation of cuts/selections and sides-and I don't know why. Bread came out with no butter? I ordered the strip which defines most steakhouses and it was good but a little too much fat for a strip. They forgot my side dish of mushrooms and onions and they took another 5 min to come out. All in all it was ok. I have eaten at much better steakhouses and while Charley's is a neat place, it needs to step up its game in the areas of service, presentation, and food quality.
(3)Channing S.
Wow, simply amazing. I had ordered the angus ribeye blackened and Pittsburghed and they cooked it to perfection. My intial thought was that it was going to be super expensive but it wasnt as bad as i thought. You definitely get what you pay for. The wait staff was also amazing considering i was in a group of 23 people. Shame i dont live in tampa cause i could definitely eat their weekly.
(4)Jerry Y.
Had a good dinner with my family. Porter House steak is wonderful and enough for two people. Fish here is also wonderful. The waiter Mike is handsome and gentle. We like here very much.
(5)Jb B.
What a filling dinner. We were on town for a business meeting and half the group was looking for seafood and the other steak. This place does both options really well. And, it's fresh. Our server did the steak prsentation. Huge cuts of meat... My NY steak was awesome. So were the grilled veggies. I wish my stomach had room for the whole thing. However, it was too much for my Canadian body. If not in the mood for beef, those who had the crab cakes and lamb chops were very satisfied. Dessert should not be missed. So I am told. Unfortunately, I was too full. Maybe on my next visit. A great stop in Tampa.
(4)Sam C.
I have to say the consuming smell of fish when I first walk into a steak house is unappealing. On the other hand, the service was excellent. The ambiance was top-notch. The reason for the two stars is that I just don't like the wood smoke they use on the meat. I just don't care for the taste.
(2)Stephanie S.
It's been a few years since I've been to Charley's and I was worried it wouldn't be as good as my memories. It was. The service and food are both excellent. The steak tartare was awesome, and the ribeye I ordered was cooked to perfection. The creamed spinach was not my favorite, but everything else was spectacular. It's definitely a bit pricey, but worth it if you have money to spend. The only drawback is the noise level. It didn't bother me too much, but I definitely wouldn't come here for a quiet romantic night out.
(4)Tim K.
You ruined me Charley's! How am I suppose to eat Steak anywhere else now? We came here in celebration of my 30th Birthday and it did not disappoint. When you can cut a 14 ounce two inch thick Filet Mignon easily with your fork, then you know it is worth every penny. They prize themselves on their 20 ounce Fabulous Filet stating that it is the most tender and flavorful piece of meat they offer, but I don't know how that is possible when the Steak I had which was just below it in quality was fork tender. We all got Steak, but also ordered the Double Pork Chops and shared them because they sounded so good. And boy were they. I love my wife, but if she could cook a Pork Chop even half as good I would be Happy Happy Happy! The wifey, my sister and her boyfriend ordered the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes as an appetizer and they all agreed it was hands down the best Crab Cake any of them have ever had. The Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fondue, which I wanted as I am not that in to Seafood, was excellent as well. As for sides we got the Creamed Spinach, Asparagus and Lobster Mac & Cheese which was a new item not on the menu. The Cream Spinach was perfectly seasoned, rich and hearty. The Asparagus was cooked over their wood fire which gave them a great smoky flavor. As for the Lobster Mac, it was good, but I have had better. There was much more Mac than Lobster. In total I think there were maybe like three or four small pieces in it so I am not sure if it was worth the $15 we spent on it. All in all it was probably the best meal I have ever eaten. And when the day comes when the Lord wants me by his side (which I hope isn't for a very very long time) I kindly ask that he hold off a bit and let me fly back down to Tampa so I can eat one last Steak at Charley's.
(5)Longball F.
Came here for my birthday (55!) dinner with my wife & 2 adult daughters. Had been to a Charley's before in Orlando a few years ago and it was good. We knew that we were getting into a $100 per person meal and expected service and food commensurate with the price. We ordered a bottle of wine and no appetizers as it was basically all seafood. Thought the house salads were good in composition (chopped) but the dressing was underwhelming. You could see it on there but it had no taste. One ordered King Crab Legs...(Very good) One ordered swordfish, arrived cold had to send back. meh... One ordered a filet well done, it was butterflied and had a strange taste (coating) that stuck in your mouth. Liquid smoke maybe?? Didn't taste that good. I ordered the New York strip medium well, the menu says brown all the way through except for a thin strip of pink. The steak came out in sections joined by gristle and fat and was under cooked- almost raw in spots. Sent it back to be cooked more and got it to medium at least, but no better. Very poor cut of meat! Ordered a bunch of side dishes, some were cold some were barely warm. Ordered desserts, another bottle of wine. Finished our evening going to the hockey game. Disappointed that only one entree was good and everything else was mediocre for a final bill of $479! Seems very hit and miss with Yelp reviews and I realize all tastes are different. But I think this restaurant needs to re-examine its food and make some changes. There is a finite number or one and done diners and this is what seems to be happening to this steakhouse. Go somewhere else and get a better meal!
(2)Mike M.
Once again, one of the greatest meals I've ever had. Nine people ate like kings. To top it off , our waiter Michael was outstanding. Can't wait to go back. Doc
(5)Daniel G.
As long-time fans of Bern's Steakhouse, we decided to try Charley's one evening to ensure we weren't missing-out on a better experience. We discovered very conclusively that no, we were absolutely not. Based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews of others, we assume that we either had a uniquely poor experience or that others have a different standard for what qualifies as a world-class steakhouse. Our steak was good, but not fantastic. They are served by themselves, necessitating ordering separate side-dishes. The included salad was an embarrassing combination of iceberg lettuce and sliced carrots; McDonalds does a better job. While the seafood appetizer platter special was delicious, the $120 price was not articulated and posed quite a shock at bill-time. Although service started out excellent, it quickly devolved into a void when the restaurant became busier. We began to feel ignored and decided to eat dessert elsewhere for that reason. The server was also very pushy about an expensive wine that she wanted us to order. She articulated how much we would enjoy her recommendation both times we ordered a bottle, which was annoying. We felt the ambiance was not anything special, and actually quite dated. We were a party of four seated at a booth, so one of our party had to sit in a chair which protruded into a main passageway; this led to bumps and collisions especially as the restaurant became busier. We were told no other accommodation would be possible despite our having made reservations for a table of four well in advance. Despite the positive reviews, our recommendation is to think twice about giving this establishment a try. Its popularity and clientele remind us too closely of those who fall prey to the in-flight magazine advertisements listing the "10 best steakhouses in America!".
(1)Toshiyuki U.
My very 1st time here. In Tampa, FL for a business trip. Me and my work buddy went here. Ordered the 14 oz. filet mignon medium rare, but came out medium well. The waitress asked how is it. We told the waitress this is over cooked, more like medium to medium well. She was very friendly and agreed of dilema. She had both of our steaks recooked to medium rare. It was worth the wait. Don't get me wrong, the service was great from beginning to end. Will be here again for sure!
(4)Rob W.
Great bar, great steaks, great lobsters, great building. I have eaten here many times, always good. One of my favorite places to eat in tampa.
(4)Frank S.
Three times we have made a reservation only to be told upon arrival that our table would not be ready for quite a while. Once we finally did sit down the service was terrible, they were out of bread and they were out of my favorite entree, Sea Bass.
(2)Brandon P.
Food is ok. First they bring you a platter of their choice of steaks. There were about 8 choices. My wife and I selected the cowboy cut. When we received our meal, the steak was extremely salty. The cheesy au gratin potatoes are just ok. Salad was just ok. I make better at home. The bread and butter was the best part of the meal. My party of 6 did order dessert, which was the tiramasu was phenomenal. The tiramasu here is dipped in amaretto, which is outstanding. The blackberry cheesecake is another just ok thing here and the white chocolate creme brulee is very sweet, but if you like very sweet than you will like this. Overall only deserves a three star rating.
(3)Steve M.
I have yet to have a better steak in this town than Charley's. High heat seared to perfection and incredible attentiveness in the service department. I was with a group of four and we were all treated over the top. Manager came over and spent time with us and checked on us a couple of times during our evening. All food was prepared perfectly and we probably over ordered on the sides as they are generous also. I defy you to say no when that dessert tray comes over at the end no matter how full you think you are. The others are good, but this is still my favorite for steak in Tampa.
(5)Rob T.
Was in town on business and stopped by since we saw Charleys off the freeway. A couple things. The vibe of the place was to my liking, definitely a steakhouse but more laid back, none of teh hoity toity of other steakhouses I've been to. Looked to be a nice bar area and my martini was good. Nice assortment of cuts. The waiter did a nice job with the meat presentation and talked me into the bone in rib-eye. The steak was fantastic. Top 3 in fact. I can only recall one that was better (Manny's in Minneapolis), just fantastic flavor, truely sublime. I knock off a star for the sides, the asparagas was not great and the potatoes just OK. Maybe if they threw in some of those famous Tampa strippers in there (seriously FL, waht is up with all the strip clubs!!!!) I'd bump it back up to 5. Bone in Rib Eye - 5 Ambience - 5 Martini - 4.5 Service - 4.5 Side Items - 3
(4)Peter L.
Those who know me already know I am not a fan of bloated corporate steakhouses. I went here for dinner the other night, and found myself intrigued the moment I entered. The facility was quite attractive. The service was exceptional. The assorted seafood platter appetizer was done quite well. Then the bomb dropped. I ordered the Surf and Turf for dinner. The lobster tail was quite rubbery, and the petite tenderloin wreaked of bacon grease. The steak was cooked perfectly, but again....the taste was overpowered with the flavor of bacon grease. What's that about?!
(3)Elizabeth R.
I made a reservation and specified it would be my fiancé's 30th birthday, and that neither of us had visited Charley's before. When we arrived, the entire staff seemed to have expected us, telling my fiancé "happy birthday", and letting us know they had a special table just for us. The host sat us at a table directly next to the large, beautiful aquarium. It was such a surprise to have the best seat in the house! Our server, Matt, told us about the appetizers, and we settled on the cedar plank crab cakes, although the complimentary lobster bisque sampler nearly tempted us to order that instead. The crab cakes were the best I've ever had. The cedar created a unique, smoky taste that I cannot stop craving. Matt offered suggestions for our wine choices (which we ended up writing down the names of- they were delectable!). Matt also gave us an awesome presentation of the steaks. We ordered the meal for two with a 50oz. porterhouse and over a pound of lobster. Everything came out incredible. Can't get flavor like that anywhere! Charley's really sealed the deal in the end with the richest, moistest chocololate cake we've ever had the opportunity to try. They really made our visit special with regular check ins by the manager to be sure we were having the best night they could possibly provide us with. I have never felt so honored during a dining experience. Charley's made my fiancé's 30th a very special night neither of us will forget.
(5)Becky S.
This place was awesome!! I have to say, I went with a bit of apprehension. A lot of places that are listed as "Top 10" such and such restaurants are very disappointing. Too much hype. But Charley's was amazing!!! our waiter did a meat presentation to show us examples of the steaks they had cut fresh that day!! We chose the Special which was a dinner for two that included an appetizer, two salads, two steaks, a side dish and a trio of desserts. FOR $69!!! You can't beat a deal like that... the Steaks were 24oz each and DELICIOUS... perfect marbling, great texture, flavor!! Just writing about it here makes me want to eat more!! The desserts were a three-layer chocolate cake with raspberry drizzle, a peanut butter pie (our favorite), and a carrot cake with HagenDaz macadamia nut ice cream and whip cream infused w/ Grand marnier. ugh!! They had to roll us out of there. They also offer complimentary valet parking and a huge wine selection. The only reason i gave it a four instead of five stars is that our waiter, while very knowledgeable, was a large sweaty man who kinda smelled. The service itself was actually pretty good.
(4)Yosafena C.
Best martini I've had anywhere anytime anyhow. It was mixed perfectly and they have a rule that if you can pick up a newly poured martini without spilling, the bartender is in trouble. A substantial glass filled to the brim... you MUST take your first sip while it is sitting on the table/bar. I recommend sitting in the bar, rather than the restaurant tables. More fun. You can soak up the Tampa vibe. All the food is good, interesting appetizers. And let's face it, it's difficult finding good food in Tampa... I never knew so many things could be deep fried. Charley's offers great alternatives. I recommend dressing up a little, but it's no big deal if you're feeling casual. It can be a little chilly, so wear long sleeves or bring a jacket.
(5)Ricky S.
This place happened to be within walking distance of my hotel while I was in Tampa recently. I didn't have any idea of what to expect. It turned out to be a great experience. The reason? The steak was good!! I sat at the bar, and the service was mediocre at best (they could have sold another glass or two of wine if they had been awake back there)- but the steak cooked over orange and oak wood was probably the best I've had in the Eastern US. Sides were pretty standard- lots of salt and butter, and the wine list was a bit above average. But that steak.....nice smoky flavor, good texture...wow! The place is on the pricey side, but I'd say the meat is worth it for a splurge.
(4)Dani W.
The filet mignon I had was excellent - however, I'm not sure it's better than less expensive dishes I've had. Our visit was dampened by the flies that were circling our dishes as we ate. Maybe that's par for the course in Florida (we're from Mass), but for an expensive restaurant, that shouldn't happen.
(3)Patrick K.
When you move to Tampa one o the things that you hear about is the steak. For some reason some of the best steakhouses have chosen to move here. Flemmings, Ruth's Chris, and the so called Cous De Gras Berns. What I will tell you is after eating at all of them Charley's hands down has the best steak of them all. My wife and I went and lucky enough its also stone crab season here in Florida so the night we were there we began the evening with the Stone Crab appetizer, what a beginning. If you are like me, knocking the hooves and horns off is the only way to have a steak, if it is any more than medium rare you have ruined it. If a so called "Steak House" can take any cut of meat over 18oz and cook it to a perfect medium rare then they get at least a 1 thumbs up in my book well they actually cooked a 24oz to a perfect medium rare and it was one of the best aged steaks I have ever had. They have a great wine list and unlike its competitors you didn't feel like you need to have a degree in wineolgy to decipher what to have. The staff was knowledgable and friendly and we will make it back again. Oh and another thing is that you will spend a bit but the food is worth it not like spending a fortune at some of the other "Steak Houses" where you feel like you just got hosed.
(5)Tammy B.
I've never had a bad meal here. The service is always great and we usually get a visit from the dining room or restaurant manager just as a courtesy to see how our restaurant experience is going. The steaks are 'wet' aged are are always tender and very flavorful; usually grilled over oak and citrus wood. We ordered crab cakes on a cedar plank for an appetizer. The best I've ever had! Almost 100% crab with very little filler and lots of flavor. We had the rib eye with au gratin potatoes and grilled vegetables. We topped off our visit with a rich, creamy creme brule!
(5)Ateet A.
FREAKING PHENOMENAL!! I have always loved this place and it truly is one of my favorite steakhouses. I went there again to one of my trips to Tampa and my employees were like take us to a good steakhouse and I immediately thought of Charleys and we went there. They were having this special where you could pay $50 for a Surf and Turf Special which gave you an appetizer, any one of 4 cuts of steak, a surf option of king crab claw, giant madagascar shrimp or crab cake, and then a dessert trio where you get all three desserts of key lime pie, fresh berries, and a kahlua chocolate creme brulee. To Top it off, you receive a glass of wine with each course!!! So that three courses, and three glasses of wine for $50. So that is just a great deal, how is the quality of the food? the food was amazing! i couldn't have been more satisfied. I started with teh jumbo shrimp cocktail, very fresh. I ordered the 22 0z. kansas city Strip which was so juicy and flavorful. I ordered the giant madagascar shrimp, which is so big and unusual that i didnt know what to do with it, and it was different so not my favorite but my employees loved it, and then the dessert trip was to die for! I was given a really nice glass of Riesling for my appetizer, a Cabernet for my entree and an extra-dry champagne for my dessert. It was a perfect way to end the night before we went out to some bars. By far one of my best meals in this city!! If you haven't been to this place, you are missing out and you really need to try it!
(4)rm c.
And I thought Tampa was only well known for its strip clubs... Co-worker - "You're going to Tampa? You have to go to Charley's!" RM - "Is that a strip club?" Co-worker - "No, it's a steakhouse...get your mind out of the gutter!!" I don't eat red meat, but I was taken here during a business trip...so I splurged on seafood. =) There's a LARGE, wood-burning grill that I passed on the way to our table. Our waiter brought over a demonstration plate of all the different steak dishes. l've never seen that done before. Then again, it's very rare that you see me at a steakhouse. This is definitely a steak eater's paradise! My colleagues raved about their meals - they all had steak and the portions seemed sizeable, especially the porterhouse! 3 stars just because I've had better seafood elsewhere. From the reaction of my colleagues, I guess it would probably be 4 stars for the steak.
(3)Tony R.
So, I just realized I have never written a review on Charley's. I have been here 4 or 5 times in the last few years, mainly because I spend my car payment every time I go in and it's so worth it. My last visit I ordered the 20 oz filet to split, medium and the 2 lb australlian lobster tail. This ain't your red lobster giant shrimp! The steak is always perfect, melted drizzle of butter on top, slightly charred and sooo soft and tender. I was never a steak eater until I came to Charley's, I absolutely love it. The lobster is the size of a small child and they take the shell off for you at the table and bring out melted butter with a small candle underneath to keep it warm. Sooo Goood! You can order several different sizes of lobster and the filet comes in 10 or 20 oz. The wedge salad with ranch dressing and bacon is super awesome, and the Au Gratin potatoes are good. I try not to fill up on them. Martinis are always strong as well. Overall, I love this place and would not change a thing. I think its my favorite, yup, pretty sure. Oh, and if you can't resist the dessert tray they pass around try the super huge chocolate cake. Dam its good! $200 later, super happy....every time
(5)Jason R.
This is my favorite prime steakhouse in Tampa. Bern's has a better ambiance, but that is pretty much it. You can't go wrong with the beef carpaccio for an appetizer, the filet and ribeye are amazing as the main dish (get them done Oscar Style), get the sauteed mushrooms & smashed potatoes as sides, and end it with a chocolate cake and/or creme brûlée. Oh, and definitely buy a bottle or two of Jordan and/or Stag's Artemis. A 100-year Anniversary Grand Marnier is a good final.
(5)Mike B.
My wife and I dropped in during a vacation stop over. Although most of the service was above par and most of the food was good, part of the experience was way below my expectations. I ordered a T bone steak rare. It was delivered well done, almost crisp. I pointed this out to our server and a replacement, this time cooked properly, was delivered to our table in a little over five minutes. However, it was over spiced, salty, and very tough to the point I could not cut a good portion of it with my steak knife. I pointed this out to our server, and her response was something to the effect that their T bone steaks tend to be tough. My impression is the staff pays close attention to the featured menu items, but the other, less expensive cuts are sort of ignored. In spite of being offered an unprompted "I'll take care of it," there was no adjustment to our bill even though I ate only a small portion of the steak. This is not a restaurant I will visit again.
(2)Ted P.
Last night was my last time I will eat @ the Tampa location. The service was good, my salad was good the au gratin potatoes were good and my desert creme brulee was good. My Kansas City Strip was horrible!
(2)kevin r.
One thing that I really like about Charley's is that they cook on a grill over open flame via oak and ?(I forget the other type of wood). This really adds a nice flavor that you just don't get at the usual upscale steak houses. The wine list was very extensive and is as good as any other steak house. Being in Tampa it is hard not to compare it to Bern's, but then again that is not a fair comparison for any restaurant so I won't go there! We had the seafood sampler for an appetizer and it was delicious. I believe it included crab legs, shrimp cocktail, seared tuna and a really good shrimp and scallop scampi. The steaks themselves were very good in general at the table. We had a few different cuts, with the fillets turning out the best. My bone in Kansas City cut was much fatier than I would have anticipated. The Au Poive Peppercorn added a really nice flavor. The service was great and the ambience ok. It seemed a bit casual for an upscale price point, but I guess Tampa is pretty laid back in general. I'm not chomping at the bit to go back, but I wouldn't steer anyone that hasn't been away from it either.
(3)Andrew W.
I was down here on business and had an excellent dinner here. Make sure you have assistance from an expense account, but if you're in town, this is definitely a place to try. Great steak and service to match.
(5)Elliot S.
The food is quite good and the service staff very attentive.
(4)Lauren E.
As a steak and potatoes girl that has eaten steaks around the world, I still call Charley's my favorite! Always has been and always will be! Great location, great ambiance, but better yet, GREAT food! The steaks are the best I have ever tasted (way better than rival, Bern's), the hash brown casserole (totally NOT what they call it but best I can remember) is one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. I have tried to recreate it, but unfortunately unable to do so despite having the cook come to the table to teach me. Charley's is the only place I order lobster (with my steak of course) and it just melts in my mouth everytime. Cosmos are unbelieveble and service is impeccable. This has been my favorite restaurant for years and years and will continue to be. I already made my reservations for Valentines Day b/c I know my husband will forget and I WANT my Charlies for V-day!
(5)Winston C.
They have a great bar, but the steak is slightly better than average. There are better choices in the area.
(3)Chili L.
Great steakhouse ...better than most in the area. I would say its worth a visit. I had Stacey as a waitreess she was simply the best she made me feel right at home ( I oredered a bottle of "Cristal") and it was totlaly worth it .. the steaks are great and the staff is fantastic. Stacey gave me a tour of the place and I was in PUG heaven. Visit this place if you ar in tampa you wont be disappointed.... 4 stars for presentatin but not 5 for the decor.. oh yeah and NO KIDS!!!
(4)A N.
this is our favorite steak house in tampa. The steaks are the best. The sides fantastic. I love the seared tuna. The best is dessert the flour less chocolate torte. The wine list very extensive. Don't miss out on the great food.
(5)John C.
Was at a conference in Tampa and went out for a late business dinner. Although there were several closer restaurants took a ride to Charley's on a recommendation. Place was half full on a Monday night which is understandable. We and 6 other tables got sat in the same section all within a 15 minute span. Two waiters were jointly responsible for all the tables in this part of the restaurant. What a disaster this turned out to be. Even thought these two got hit at once with a crowd they still went through all of the formalities of bringing out the meat tray and "selling" the more expensive cuts. The $65 - 20 oz. fillet mignon would be "mouth watering" but the $28 NY strip would not be recommended. So it was 30 minutes for first drink another 30 minutes for appetizers and then we got our steaks and all were cooked two temperatures above what we orderded. I got medium rare and It was cooked through (med-well?). I just asked to have mine taken off the bill as I couldn;t wait another 20 minutes for them to start over. Everyone else at the table choked their overdone steaks down althought i can;t say anyone enjoyed it. After talking to the manager he revised the bill and not only removed my steak but also reduced the overall bill significantly. He was very apologetic but I wanted a great steak and not an apology. I'll use Yelp next time when in TAMPA and look for some recommended spots on my own but definitely stay away from Charley's.
(1)Christina A.
The decor in this place is a little ehhh but that's really the only bad thing I have to say about it. The first time I came I was YOUNG and dragged along on parent's date night, but I remember their beef skewer being AMAZING (I've been a foodie since I was like, 10). I gave it another shot for a birthday dinner recently though and WOW. I started with fried green tomatoes that were on point (a star alone to this place just for having them!). My friend and I split this HUGE 20 oz filet mignon that might have been the best steak EVER. I mean it, EVER. Better then Burns, Ruths Chris, Mortons, Smith & Wolensky... THE BEST. It tasted like bacon! I swear, a bacon steak. DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT?! It was tender and flavorful and fan freaking tastic. The peppercorn smashed potatoes were delicious as well. I would definitely recommend to someone, especially an out-of-towner as this is not a national chain...
(4)K. L.
The meal was very good! The filet stuffed with blue cheese was delicious. The waitress was very slow and the wine was very very warm. The place could be a little bit nicer for the price you pay.
(4)Sue G.
Charley's is more impressed with themselves than I was with them. Steak was bland... No flavor, the sides were also tasteless. If the staff/Kitchen spent as much time on the food as they do selling it you, it might be better. Skip this place and go around the corner to Roy's or Selmon's.
(2)Holly S.
We took my parents there for their anniversary because they wanted to try it. Since we've been to Bern's Steakhouse on many occasions, our expectations were high. It started off well. The waitress suggested an appetizer that my parents were very interested in trying. I believe it was a seafood platter. It was amazing - but then my salad came out and it was pathetic. The iceberg lettuce, large slices of raw onion and tomato were just not appetizing. I think the lettuce at a fast food joint might have been better. I believe I ordered the same cut of steak that I order at Bern's and I was disappointed. Nothing came with our steaks either. We had to order additional sides and those were not very good. When we got the bill we were in shock. We ended up spending twice as much as we would spend at Bern's for 4 people and the food was twice as bad. The service was spotty and overall it was a very disappointing experience, especially since we were celebrating my parents' big anniversary. I don't see how people think this place is good - unless they've never had the experience (and it's an experience, not just a meal) of dining at Bern's.
(1)Kimi M.
Yum. So I don't eat steak but came here with the in-laws and they seemed to thoroughly enjoy theirs. I had the fresh chilean sea bass and it was a-mazing. All around good. It's definitely on the pricey side and seems to be full of dining professionals who are holding business meetings at the dinner table. Whatever, I liked my food... a lot!
(5)Bruce R.
What you would expect from a pricier steakhouse. Steaks well prepared, everything well plated, attentive servers, and a pretty decent wine selection. Be careful of portion size - all are decent, but some are outrageous (like a steak and lobster dinner for two, coming in at almost five pounds of food.) Atmosphere is okay but nothing to make it stand out. We celebrated our anniversary there in May 2010 and tried a new item they were introducing: a Kobe Beef filet with either lobster claw or crab-stuffed shrimp, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus, a glass of wine and a choice between two deserts. Pretty good price for what you get.
(4)courtney a.
My boyfriend and I ate here on our way to the Hard Rock Casino. We didn't have a reservation but were able to sit at the bar with several other couples. From the first moment we sat down we were treated wonderfully. The bartenders were very professional, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu and their recommendations. The place was packed out and very busy but they had great attitudes and were so very helpful. We started with cocktails moved on to wine and had the cedar plank crab cake appetizer. It was fantastic and very fresh. There was absolutely NO filler only crab meat, it was amazing. We then had the bone in lamb chops and I substituted dill cream sauce for the mint and had the house salad. My boyfriend had the 12oz filet which couldn't have been more tender. We finished up with the carrot cake and it was phenomenal! I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)E D.
The surf and turf is great.
(5)Deb P.
Wow, just wow. Awesome experience from beginning to end. Kenny was a great server, and his recommendations were spot on. Our table ordered filets, Kansas strip, and a bison steak, all were greatly enjoyed, as were the blueberry cheesecake and espressos at the end. Thanks for an enjoyable meal and evening!
(5)alan p.
Charley's is my favorite steakhouse in Florida, bar none. I had excellent service in the bar. I ordered the 50oz porterhouse because I a glutton on many different levels. The steak arrived perfectly cooked like I ordered it. And I proceeded to attack the steak. The only way to eat these large steaks is to eat it fast. Before I knew it the steak was gone and the waiter was asking me for my name so I could have may name added to there 50oz club. Great steak, great service, come try out Charley's Steakhouse if your in Tampa.
(5)Dick W.
Major decline and disappointment from a year ago and will be my last visit. Not sure what's going on but they should be removed from any "fine dining" list. Called ahead to reserve a table for our 34th anniversary. We were seated at a 2 person table with one of the seats being a shared bench. The table next to us was nearly in our lap. When a family was seated next to us shortly afterwards any hopes of having a private conversation went out the window. We were given three big fancy menus/wine list/specials but the table was so small I literally had to keep them in my lap and look at them one at a time. The specials were simply items that were on the menu or drink list and nothing special about them. We ordered the crab cakes and the lobster bisque. The crab cakes had multiple shells in them and one of them was slightly burnt where they apparently let the burning of the serving wood get away from them. Had it not been for that the flavor was very good. They comped the crab when we showed them the pieces of shell. The bisque, unlike last year, had zero lobster in it. The server even touted it as loaded with lobster. It had a good flavor but was too spicey. I'm not afraid of spicey foods but not this much for bisque. The salad was average. My baked potato was huge but served on a plate that didn't allow it to be opened and loaded, so I put it on my steak plate. My wife got the $50 sirloin and it was terrible. Flat out, no taste. I ordered the "petite" porterhouse and lobster tail. My steak was O.K. at best and the tail was overcooked and rubbery. The server asked us how everything was and we told her it was just O.K. She must have been fine with O.K. When the manager came by we told him the same...especially regarding my wifes steak. He quickly swapped it out and said he noticed that many of the steaks in the kitchen that went out early (we had a 5:00 reservation) didn't appear to be seasoned enough. He went on to say that he had them add more seasoning and that when seasoned enough the steak will literally be bronze to look at. I had never heard of a fine aged steak needing to be lathered in seasonings. The second steak she received did taste better but by no means to the level I've had at Berns. I have bought steaks at Sams, lightly seasoned them and they tasted better coming off my grill than either of the two steaks we had Saturday. Throw in a rubbery lobster and this was a waste of $250 (other than the company). We passed on coffee and dessert. The only thing wonderful I left Charlies with was my wife of 34 years!!
(2)Karyn L.
Way way way too much $$. Overpriced, even for a steakhouse. The sides were TINY. We ordered two (grilled asparagus and lobster mac & cheese) for a group of four people and each person got one asparagus stalk and a teeny bite of mac & cheese. Sad. I'm going to Bern's or Flemmings or Capital Grille where the steaks are better and the sides are bigger.
(2)Christopher H.
This was my second trip here, this time with a good friend of mine. The place doesn't actually start seating until 5p, but due to no traffic my friend was there at about 4:00; they at least let him hang out in the lobby, which is very comfortable. We were seated at 5 and greeted by our server who took drink orders. When you order a cocktail (and I of course ordered a manhattan), it's about 1.5 drinks. The server comes out with the shaker, pours the drink up to the rim of the glass, has you sip it down a little, and then again tops it off to the rim. That's my idea of a cocktail. Our server then introduced us to all the cuts of steak, and then asked if we wanted to see the fish. Being that we were in a steakhouse, we declined. The steaks are served ala carte, although they do come with a salad. The salad is ok, but that's not really what you come to a steak place for, right? The NY strip is awesome. They're wet age and wood fired. They come out dense, tender, flavorful having absorbed a good amount of the woody goodness from the fire. This is one of the few places where they do a better steak than one I can do up at home, making it worth the price for me. It's spendy, but oh so good.
(5)Aaron S.
My favorite steakhouse in Tampa. The decor is a little dated, but the flavor of the steak is hard to beat. The Ribeye is my favorite here and never disappoints. The crab cakes on the cedar plank are a great appetizer. The lobster Mac and Cheese is always full of lobster meat and is my favorite side. I dine here whenever I am in town and always enjoy the meal!
(5)Martha A.
I have definitely experience better steak houses. The food is not as good as other ones we have been. It is extremely expensive for what they offer. Not worth expending almost $200 for food that is not excellent!
(2)Campbell M.
Disappointing. This is usually one of our favorite steak places in town. Our service was good, but the food and presentation were way off for Charlie's standards. Our scallops were undercooked, and our medium-rare steaks were served cold and undercooked. We had to return them twice. Management did the right thing by us, but it was the most disappointing Charley's experience we have ever had. With the wealth of steak restaurants in Tampa, it will be a while before we return.
(2)Hannah M.
We celebrated Grandma's 75th birthday party here and everyone (even the vegetarians) left with a full stomach and happy heart. Bringing the family together over a family style meal was a great option as everyone could taste everything from the menu. Everything I ate (from the seafood, to vegetables, steak, and dessert) was mouthwatering and I was a huge fan of my bison steak which was cooked to perfection. The biggest downside to the meal was that the private room was being shared with a few other parties including a teenage girl's rambunctious birthday party. The ability to cater to the group of 20 in a private room would have been much more preferable.
(4)Nick D.
Went for special Valentine's dinner, and it was awful all around. They were running the place like a factory trying get diners in and out, and they squeezed us into a room with multiple small folding metal tables where it was hard to sit without hitting your feet on the metal legs. I counted 3 couples sit down at the adjacent table and leave without ordering due to the conditions. Our waitress said she had 5 couples get up and leave to demand a better table. The bar area was too crowded to get a drink while we waited for a table, and once we did our vodka tonics were made with club soda. We were eventually seated at 9:40 for a 9:00 reservation, and we were told my name was called twice without answer. I was standing right by the hostess desk so I know this to be a lie. The assistant Manager and our waitress were very accommodating to our concerns, however, the food was still quite poor. My filet was overcooked (well done, ordered med rare) and the crabcakes were undercooked. I was quite disappointed to spend a Valentine's night at such a poor establishment. I made my reservations based on reviews I read here and elsewhere, and in retrospect, I should have paid more attention to the more recent negative reviews. The establishment may be past its prime, or perhaps a busy night like Valentine's is the wrong day to go. Will never go back and will not recommend. The price is high, but I spent 3 times as much on my wife's birthday the following evening at a Clearwater establishment with much better results to salvage the weekend.
(2)E F.
I'm sorry but blehhhhh. Food was not very good. And for how expensive it was it makes it even worse. The extra star is for service because the staff was nice. But the food kinda sucked!! The house salads were sloppy and wet and warm. The tuna sashimi app was very bland. I've had much better sashimi at Ciccios and Outback. The asparagus was undercooked and the cheese on top just kind if sat there like a big blob. The steak was on the tough-chewy side and had very little flavor. The desserts were very fake tasting. For the price I was surprised how bad most of the food was but this is Tampa so oh well. I would not recommend or go back.
(2)Cooker B.
My family and I frequent Berns, Mortons, Prime, Ruth Chris, etc but what I experienced at Charley's this weekend was something I have never experienced before. I would like to start off by saying that the service was exceptional and I couldn't have asked for any better service. The tuna sashimi appetizer and crab cakes were delicious as well as the cheese bread however I would have been more pleased with a steak from a fast food chain. The steaks had an indescribable disgusting smell similar to rotting meat. Two of the steaks we received were extremely rare when we all ordered medium, and mine was extremely overcooked. They were not tasty at all and nearly inedible. Trying to be polite, we each had a bite or two and then got the bill. We will most likely never come back again.
(2)Kelly M.
Another great time at Charley's last night. My brother and I meet there a couple times a year (and he works for another great steak house in Tampa). The food is awesome but it is the ambiance, the bartenders, the service, the wine list and everything else plus the food that add it up to a 5 star place! And we stay at the bar the whole time!
(5)Primo L.
Great place to go for high end appetizers. Ask for the off-menu cedar-plank Maryland crab cakes with mango chutney. A lot of people commented on the steak tartar but I wasn't a huge fan. A definite must is the Crown Royal infused with apples. Amazing!
(4)Sherri W.
Ok it was my anniversary, They didn't ask us if we were celebrating anything special, but I guess its not special to anyone but me and my hubby. The service was good, but maybe a little too quick, I had not even finished my shrimp cocktail, when he was already bringing the salad. Now I am a slow eater, but I had to ask him to slow it down a bit. I ordered the 23 Oz lobster tail and I must say it was one of the Best I have ever had, It was so huge, my husband had to eat about a 1/3 of it and that doesn't happen very often trust me. My husband had the small filet and compared to the size of my plate, his looked lost. They asked us about dessert (once again not acknowledging our 11 yr anniversary) But there was not room for any more food, I would definitely go back and bring my daughter next time, that way I can be assured there are No left overs.
(4)Lacey S.
I absolutely LOVE Charley's! I really love the flavor of their steaks, probably becuase it's cooked over an open fire with oak and hickory. They really do a nice job getting it to the proper doneness in comparison to some other steakhouses. If you like wine, they really have a nice wine list and if you like appetizers, there is an amazing stuffed mushroom appetizer that is just incredible! Overall, LOVE the steak at this place!
(5)Brian B.
THE MOST AMAZING STEAKHOUSE I HAVE EVER BEEN TO! I've been to many upscale steakhouses. NY Prime, Berns, Mortons, The Capital Grille, etc. But Charley's takes the cake, and let me explain why. I have been to the location in Orlando as well as Tampa. My experiences at both have been phenomenal. Firstly, upon entering the establishment, you are surrounded by the daily cuts of steak, desserts and wines. All while receiving courteous service from the hostess and Valet's who treat everyone who enters as a "VIP." Ambiance is nice. Wood and stone throughout with different rooms stocked with old wines and ports. The grills fire plumes with sizzling steaks in the back of the lobby and you smell a sweet hint of oak planks and Florida leaf that are slowly infused into your entree. They have a great wine selection; not quite like Berns, but who in the hell needs a bottle from Napoleon's collection? Once again, the service is great. Normally somebody "touches your table" within the first minute of being seated. I recall my second and third time there, the waitresses actually remembered my friend and I. This service alone made us become regulars. Keep in mind we had not even indulged in the flavor explosion that laid forth. Over time, my friend and I became friendly with the GM and she would offer us wine specials and let us taste test a few new apps/specials on the menu. Always kind, and always remembers a customer. Normally, we start with the Steak TarTar or snowcrab claws, both absolutely amazing. You can pick any appetizer, and I'm sure you'll be more than satisfied. Don't stuff your face yet though, as the entree that awaits you will have you licking your plate clean! Now, I tend to compare the high-end steakhouses by always ordering the biggest filet mignon offered. I find it is normally the most tender steak, but least fatty and encases more juices and flavor than it's "brothers and sisters." This also allows me to compare a filet to a filet, rather than a T-bone to a NY strip, which just wouldn't be fair in the world of a good steak-review! Now the filet came out with my a la carte mashed potatoes (they have many different flavors and toppings you can get) as well as my baked macaroni and cheese. The filet, done medium-rare, has a bit of oak-grilled crust; leaving the slightest crunch around the outside. Cutting into the steak is like buttery heaven as all the juice flows out onto the plate. The taste is one I can only dream of as I no longer live in Florida. So fresh, so juicy, and it leaves you with nothing but a smile on your face. The "fabulous filet" which is 20 ounces, is my normal choice. However, their 12 ounce is just as amazing. I believe the 20oz runs between $50-60, but it's so worth it! Dessert is unfortunately something I have never been able to accomplish. Not because it doesn't look astounding, but due to stuffing my face with so much food that the valet wheelchairs me outside and tosses me into the drivers seat. Granted, my gut is so protruded at this point that I've put lotion on my stomach to squeeze it under the steering wheel! Charley's is by far my most favorite steak-house and possibly the greatest restaurant I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. I cannot wait to visit again in early June! Have my fabulous filet ready and waiting!
(5)Jason F.
I had reservations for me my sister and my brother-in-law for 9pm on a Saturday. It was my sisters birthday so I brought a cake tipped the server a 20 to bring it out at the end of the meal she said happy to do so. The meal was amazing my brother-in-law got the gator bites very tender me and my sis got the bacon wrapped scallops mouth watering. Brother-in-law got the double pork chops he loved them with smashed loaded potato's my sis got the cowboy rib eye and I was so interested in the presentation of the steaks I laid out 89 bucks for the wagyu rib eye the cow is massaged and given sake' to flavor the meat then it is wet aged 4 to 6 weeks and all I can think is am I wasting 89 dollars on a burger. when I received the steak I sliced into it to see if it was cooked medium it was, then came the time to see if it was worth it and let me tell you I can die tomorrow knowing I have eaten the best steak I will ever eat. Food 9, service 9 décor 8 the only part of the meal I was not satisfied with was the salad it was a little soggy and had chopped olives in it which in my opinion has no place in a salad. Then again the salad came with the meal so if that was the lowpoint of the meal no big deal. I have seen reviews posted complaining about liquid smoke flavor I don't know if they did this in the past but all I could taste on my steak was the perfect amount of salt and pepper and the natural flavor of the steak which was perfect. All restaurants are hit and miss who knows next time I go there I may have a horrible experience but this night was great. Cake came out happy birthday was sung and all were satisfied.
(4)Travis S.
Excellent aged steak done right! I went with my family for my dads birthday. We went on a Tuesday night without reservations and didn't have a problem getting in. I ordered a 10oz filet mignon medium rare and it came out perfect, the trimmings were a tad fatty which gave it tremendous flavor. It wasn't to much fat that you couldn't eat it though, it was spread out perfectly. We also had bacon wrapped scallops for an appetizer and they were superb. For the sides we had lobster mac & cheese which was crispy around the edges. They also gave us a complimentary dessert on the house of our choosing.
(5)Manish B.
By far my favorite steak house in the Tampa area! I've been to all the high end ones around town multiple times. Charley's is consistently the best since I moved here five years ago. They have a wide selection of meat and the portions are huge compared to everyone else and taste way better! It does not stop with the meats, they have awesome appetizers, especially the calamari. And the deserts, wow! The carrot cake is fantastic. Great selection of wines. I have never had a problem with the wait staff, they have always been exceptional.
(5)Dianna B.
Wonderful place! 20oz filet was the best cut of meat I've ever had! Steak tar tar appetizer was amazing! They had a lobster Mac and Cheese that was better than any other I've tried. Great wine selection and dessert was divine (carrot cake...must have!). The manager came by several times to make sure we enjoyed our food and waiter was very attentive. Only criticism and the only reason it didn't get 5 stars, was that the atmosphere was loud and bar-like. I prefer to not have to shout my conversations.
(4)Mike S.
I was very disappointed with my dinner. My steak was chewy and for a Rib-eye I was surprised. The server said there were three salad choices including a caesar so I ordered it only to find out it was $7.95 extra. The server asked if I would like butter on my steak and I said yes to which there was another $7.00 charge. Very disappointed!!!!
(1)Mort Z.
Very disappointing. Smokey from wood fires to cook steaks. Avoid if you have allergies or asthma. Fillet and NY strip not very tasty. Rib eye good. NY tough. Temperature of steaks missed on all . House salad dressing bland almost taste less. Roll doughy and almost tasteless. Many much better steak houses in Tampa at much more reasonable prices. Trying to emulate one of the real top steak places in the world also in Tampa, but misses by a mile. Server haughty, scripted, and rated at C+.
(2)Robin S.
This place was a bit disappointing, although maybe I was spoiled by having just been to Bern's. The service was slow, and we were there pretty late so it wasn't like it was peak time. The food took forever to come out. The crab legs were only okay, although to be fair I did enjoy it when I had a piece of my mom's steak. The lobster mac and cheese was the best part. (That and the wine selection, which was extensive and had a great range of choices in terms of type and price point). I might give it another try if I came to the area and stayed at the Doubletree, but I know you can do a lot better.
(3)Lawrence H.
Excellent service. Big wine list. Crab cake appetizer was best. 32 oz. porterhouse is great for sharing. And oh yeah, Grand Mariniers chocolate cake! What's not to like?
(5)Michelle H.
We ended up here due to a recommendation from the hotel and had no clue that this was THE Charley's. I was in awe and the food was so flavorful with every bite. The lobster mac and cheese and angus steak are definitely a must!
(5)Erica M.
Not impressed. The atmosphere was nice but the food wasn't worth the money. I've had way better steaks. Mine wasn't cooked well enough and my friend's was under cooked. The best part of the meal was the bread. I wouldn't go back.
(2)Stephen F.
Dinner for four, two pork chops, two steaks an order of mushrooms as well as an order of lobster mac-n-cheese. This restaurant has been the launching grounds of many a deal for us, but this evening it feel way short. It appeared that our waiter was more interested in selling high end steaks to other tables that he was taking care of our table. When one in the party wanted garlic and oil on his pork chop he said "no we don't serve it that way." When the bread was served one member asked for a side of butter to which our waiter replied "There's already butter on top of the bread already" after which he did serve us a plate with butter. We ordered Lobster Mac-N-Cheese on his recommendation, several minutes later someone other than our waiter returned to tell us that they had run out Lobster Mac-N-Cheese. Our waiter didn't let us know he sent someone else. One member of our party ordered a refresh on their wine, eventually he had to flag down another waiter to fill his request because our waiter dropped the ball. Had I been entertaining clients I would've been embarrassed by the service. The one upside is that the food tasted fresh and flavorful, one of the best pork chops that I've ever eaten. I'll be staying in the Double Tree, in a few weeks and I doubt that I'll be dining there again.
(2)Da Vman V.
Old burnt vinyl menu (see photo)... Was sold on the crab aches but they were ice cold temp inside ... Manager Corey came by & replaced our app with a hot shrimp & scallop scampi that we chose & it was much better. Dinner was good / avg
(3)Kimberly P.
If you compare this place to Berns or Ruth Chris it falls very short of expectations! I'd say it's an overpriced Outback. I've had better steak and lobster there and was shocked that it was hard for me to give them much credit for their food. The only thing I found unique and delicious was the Mac n cheese. I left over half of a 15oz lobster tail, because it was so dry and rubbery. If you leave lobster on your plate and no-one at the table wants it then obviously that's a problem. The atmosphere is nice, but I doubt anyone goes for only that reason! Sadly I would not recommend this restaurant.
(2)Jason L.
Great food, amazing service. By far a better restaurant than the more known Bern's in Tampa.
(5)Gina K.
This was the first time we had been at Charley's and it was amazing - but - the only drawback was the noise. We were there with friends and could barely hear each other talking without yelling. Food was incredible! We had the appetizers - shrimp cocktail, diver scallops, and our friends had the crab cakes. All were incredible! For our entrees - 8 oz filet, 18 oz NY strip, and the guys got 20 oz Ribeyes - all were cooked to perfection! We ordered sides not realizing they are big enough for the entire table to share! The smashed potatoes were good, however the Lobster Mac & Cheese was to die for!
(4)Tom M.
My favorite place in Tampa to get a steak hands down!! Service and food are always amazing!!
(5)Windy C.
Nice atmosphere but loud as most crowded places with children are. Steaks were not prime quality though prices were. Salads and side dishes were average, nothing stood out as valued. Seafood was the better of quality but still nothing exceptional. Service was great. There are much better dining venues in Tampa for the money.
(2)Jordon M.
Appetizers were great, the smoked salmon was about the best I've ever had. We had a late reservation so the kitchen was out of a few dishes, not the end of the world. The sides were a little dry (potatoes & spinach) but again, I think it was just the end of the night. I would try again during primetime as I know many others who have been quite pleased!
(3)L Z.
We are new to the area, and have heard nothing but rave reviews of this restaurant, so I made reservations for my husband's 71'st birthday. Sorry, for the money, was not all that impressed! When you first walk in, there is a butcher's display of meats. yuck! Because there were only the 2 of us, we were seated at a very dinky table. The waiter, holding a small flashlight, gave a presentation of all the steaks. We ordered the 8 oz. filet at $34.95, which comes with a house salad, and very delicious dinner rolls. For sides, at an additional cost, you have a choice of either a baked potato or vegetables (which is served family style). I have had better steaks, not worth the price. Service was great, but can't say we will be back.
(3)Michael V.
Holy steak... Unique grilled flavor on account of the local Cyrus and oak(?) they use in the grill. Great steak. Great seafood. Definitely loved up to the hype. Eat here.
(5)Matthew W.
Charley's is a great steakhouse I got the Kansas City strip 22 ounce, the steak was flavor full and cooked to perfection medium rare. Service was great drinks were always full and waitress was very attentive. Only draw backs the loaded mash potatoes were a little dry and the lobster bisque was good but have had better.
(4)John B.
Very disappointing ! I had their "signature" filet mignon and it was not very good. Service was mediocre at best. We will not be going back. Much better steak options in the area.
(2)Charlee A.
This was a "surprise" birthday dinner. Quick rundown: the baked potato was cold, steak was overcooked and the evening was a huge disappointment. Many others may like the decor, etc. but I just thought the place felt dingy and outdated. For the price Ruth's Chris, Ocean Prime and Flemings are much better options plus they are nearby.
(2)Tim C.
I used to visit Charley's pretty regularly back in the late 90's and early 2000. Food and service was always top notch. Well, marriage and kids pretty much nullified my fine dining visits, but I did manage to hit Charley's maybe once a year. From about 2007 on, things quickly started to go south. Food quality wasn't the same (fatty, chewy steaks), and the servers weren't as attentive as usual. Well, I hadn't been there in probably 4 or 5 years (harkening back to my previous experiences) but a good friend was in town and wanted to go, so I relented and decided it was time to give it another chance. Was greeted, and after asking for a booth, was nicely accommodated. Took the waiter a good 5+ minutes to even acknowledge us, then said he was busy and would be with us shortly. Finally came back a few minutes later (no apology), and mumbled his name and provided a pretty lethargic and drab introduction. This immediately put me in a crappy mood, not to mention our table was uneven and rocking back and forth, along with it being so dark in our section (by the bar), I could barely read the menu. Noticing the candle at our table was out, I lit it myself since (let's call him Freddy Failure) Freddy didn't notice. Ohh, did I mention that the restaurant was warm, like literally 80 degrees. I realize they have an open grill, but come on, don't be cheap with the a/c. Freddy took our drink order, and said he would be back. Another 5 minutes goes by, and he returns.....no drinks, just fills up our water. He then starts mumbling the specials, and asks if we want appetizers. We decline, and say we want to order. He starts to leave, saying he was going to get the steak display, we say forget it, we know what we want and order (did I mention that we're both almost sweating from the heat by now). We decide to go grab a smoke outside to try and relax because we're both a little annoyed by now. Come back from being outside, and our salads and bread are on the table, still no drinks! Another 5 minutes goes by, and Freddy is still no where to be seen. He finally shows up, and we ask him for our drinks. He puts his finger in the air as if to say ohh, yea, you ordered drinks, then just turns around and walks away without saying anything. Finally brings them out, and still no apology, nothing! Long story short, the service flat out SUCKED. One of my worst experiences in a long time. If it wasn't for the fact that our food was incredible, I would've given one star for my review. Everything was cooked to perfection (we both ordered 20 oz filets, and shared mushrooms and onions, along with smashed potatoes and potatoes au gratin). My steak was amazing, it cut like butter, and everything else was epic. After stuffing our faces, our moods had changed dramatically. The owners at Charley's need to get a handle on their servers, as we wound up talking to a few other couples outside while waiting for our cars, and they too said that the service left a lot to be desired, and that their food was the only saving grace to their overall experience. Just goes to show that a restaurant can live or die by the wait staff. Wake up Charley's management, you're close to reliving the old days, but not with people like Freddy and others represent you. Food: 5 Stars, Service: 1 Star, Overall: 3 Stars.
(3)Clo K.
Great steaks. Bison was awesome. Fried green tomatoes huge. Service was wonderful. ....BUT.... We had the worst small table in the place for our 10th anniversary dinner. I was shocked that we paid $300 for a great meal and had women dress liked prostitutes sitting next to us and teenagers in basket ball shorts sitting across from us. Set a dress code if you charge that much money.
(4)Eden F.
Best steakhouse in Tampa Bay. Don't even spend your time and money on the other over-hyped ones like Shula's (worst, most expensive ribeyes), Ruth's Chris (most bland and no flavor). If you like flavor, best cut steaks, and great service, this IS the spot. You will never be disappointed here.
(5)Kim O.
Oh my god I love Charley's. I believe this is the best steak place in Tampa for sure. When we usually go we share the wagyu ribeye and the Alaskan king crabs. First the wagyu. This is BACON steak!!!! Not really, but that's what we call it because all the marbling creates this wonderful bacony taste when you eat it. And Charley's wagyu is the best. That being said it is also 90 bucks now. Worth it, but since I like to go here a lot we decided to try the regular bone in ribeye last night. I have to say it was almost just as good as the wagyu. It still had a great taste that I think comes from Charley's method of cooking over wood. It is not all smoky or hickory, it's subtle and it is awesome. The salads here are just meh but who cares? They have amazing crab cakes, crab legs, portobello mushroom dishes. And the most yum chocolate cake for dessert you will ever try.
(5)Greg S.
For the life of me I don't know why Charley's doesn't garner a solid 5 stars. To begin with, it doesn't get any better than cooking over hardwood. Morton's, Ruth's and even local competitor Bern's don't hold a candle to this pantheon for carnivores. I have been eating here (Tampa location) for the better part of 7 years and I have never been disappointed. Solid apps include shrimp cocktail (huge), escargot, stone crabs (when they are in). Meats - you simply can't go wrong with any choice. Did I mention they are cooked over real wood!!! I have eaten at the so called best steak joints across the country. If you haven't eaten at Charley's, you haven't eaten at the best. Find a way to make it to Charley's the next time you are in the Sunshine State. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Kelleigh M.
For the price, I think Charley's is ok. It's not my favorite steakhouse in Tampa but its better than average too. Skip their calamari-I've had much better (try ocean prime's). The beef carpaccio is good and their house salad is tasty. The steak is definitely good, but like I stated previously, I prefer others (my all time favorite is Capital Grill). What I will give them props for is the bar area. On any given night, you'll find it packed full of Tampa natives enjoying a cocktail or a glass of wine. Charley's is good, but in my opinion not great.
(3)Mike P.
First rate steak house. This place deserve all the high marks it gets. The steak comes out perfectly cooked with a true mesquite flavor that you don't seem to get anywhere else. This place blows Ruth Chris's away in every aspect!! Extra bonus is all the beautiful eye candy sitting at the bar. This is where the "in " crowd goes which I could care less about because that means usually trendy average food but not here. Great date place.
(5)Crystal P.
Dinner for 3. Kid wanted steak for his birthday, we had a gift card so here we are. Now, our family loves our steak. For special occasion steak dinners we usually go to Bern's or Capital Grill and sometimes Ruth's Chris but the gift card and the fact we've never been to Charlie's brought us here tonight. We self parked. I hate standing around waiting for my car to arrive. ..even if it's complementary valet. If you want to park your own car, take the first left after you turn into the parking lot. First impressions of the outside...lovely. Nice mature landscaping, pretty deck..like an oasis in the desert. Walked inside and the entrance reminded me of someone's old world home. Nice. Bathroom was clean and well kept. The restaurant reminded me of the Tardis....it's bigger on the inside..seemed to go on forever. The bar is in the middle and voices carry...which can be fun (wink). We had reservations and were seated less than 5 mins after we arrived. Our table was in a nice spot facing a glass wall....all I could see were trees and landscaping....pretty. I really felt like I wasn't in the middle of Tampa right next to the interstate. Our waiter arrived and took our drink order. Wine for me, cocktail for the hubs and soda for the birthday kid. Service started slow and ended slow. We went all out for this special occasion. Apps: the calamari- delicious, tender, full of flavor but not a lot of calamari...more peppers than anything. Garlic cheese bread- buttery, garlicky, cheesy, chewy-YUM! All entrées come with a salad- it was ok...not bad just underwhelming....and not too pretty to look at either. Hubs got the Ribeye, Med Rare- steak was cooked perfectly with a very nice char (they cook the meat on a giant 1200 degree grill). I opted for the Lamb Chops, Rare- huge portion cooked perfectly. It came with mint jelly which I found too sweet. I enjoyed the meat more without it- very good flavor on the meat. The birthday kid went with the 12 oz Fillet, Med- he said it was so tender that it melted in his mouth and that he loved the flavor of the charred parts. Sides: Lobster Mac-n-Cheese- noodles cooked well, cheese sauce was good, still searching for the lobster...I think we got jipped. Capital Grill and Clear Sky Draught Haus blew Charlie's away in the lobster Mac-n-Cheese department. For the price I would not order this again. More sides: Asparagus- tender and tasty and Roasted Cauliflower, slathered with a parmesan garlic aoli sauce and roasted until caramelized served with a side of chili-lime sauce- Freaking Fantastic. Because it was the kids birthday and because apparently we are total gluttons we ordered dessert...Chocolate Lava cake with a side of ice cream- chocolate heaven...not the sweet chocolate heaven but the dark chocolate heaven and Salted Caramel Cheesecake- I will think of this cheesecake for a long time it was sweet, rich, little hint of salt that played off the sweet just right. The 3 star rating is due to me comparing this steakhouse to the other 3 I mentioned above as well as the service which was slow and just a tad lacking from what I'd expect at this type of establishment.
(3)Melinda B.
We dined here for Valentines Day with 2 other couples. We were excited to try Charley's based on all the great things we've heard, but all of us left so disappointed. We had reservations so we were promptly seated and greeted by our server. We ordered a round of drinks and things just went downhill from there. Our friends had captain and coke and you couldn't even taste the captain in there. They commented on it and he said the next two would be better, but they weren't. I personally didn't like the mojito so I ordered something else and it took forever to get it. We asked at least 3 times for a refill on water and never got it. There were multiple things we asked for multiple times that we just never got. We finally asked the hostess to speak to a manager and over 30 minutes later there was still no manager so we asked again and were told they would be right over. Again, they never showed up. Overall the food was good, but nothing amazing and not worth the money we spent based on service. Once our food arrived the server checked in with us with in a few minutes of it showing up to ask how it was and then we never saw him again till well after we were done. Drinks were all empty. We sat with empty plates for awhile. By the time we were finally offered dessert we were just over being there and we passed. When it was time to leave the CC was down which I realize wasn't their fault, but again they said we're so sorry and a manager is going to come talk to you and they never showed up again. They over charged us by $26.00 for our bottle of wine which we didn't realize till after we left so we called and were assured they would credit us. They only credited $20.00 instead of $26.00. I know - it's only $6.00, but it's just the principal. We've dined at Berns and this place didn't even begin to compare when it comes to service. If you're going to spend the money please don't waste your time with this place.
(2)Michele D.
We come here all the time. I love their steaks! They are flavored by their aging process then cooked with this cedar wood.. This is where I come when I want a mammoth piece of meat. I always feel like Fred and Wilma Flintstone when they bring my 42oz steak.. Ask to sign up for their emails.. You sometimes get a free steak or invites for one during special events
(5)Victor G.
I took my wife to Charley's because it was highly recommended by a coworker. I was very disappointed. I always order my steak medium rare, the first time it came out it was well done, I had to flag my waiter down after 5 minutes to let him know of the problem. Ten minutes later they bring me another steak that is totally raw in the middle by this time my wife has finished half of her food. For the prices they charge the quality control should be a heck of a lot better. Maybe the one in Orlando is better.
(1)Isabel L.
Everything was amazing from drinks to appetizers to dessert. On the pricey side, but worth it for a special occasion. Will definitely be back!
(5)Steven G.
First night in Tampa and met a friend here for dinner, pretty late. This isn't going to be a "my steak was amazing" story, he got a steak and I didn't, but hopefully gives an adequate idea of what to expect. Standard style decor, and lighting for a steakhouse, and the aroma of the open grill used to cook the steaks was mouth watering, but not too intrusive; like a subtle advertisement of what $30 can get you. We sat at the bar, and Eric was our bartender. He has a pretty good taste in wine, and recommended a Merlot that was made from frozen grapes called the "smash" or "crush"..regardless, it was good. My friend ordered a Martini...or he had a few while he was waiting on me, and it was as delicious as you can make chilled Vodka, bitters, and cheese stuffed olives. Apps started with the Shrimp Cocktail, Beef Carpaccio, and Bacon Wrapped Scallops. In order: the shrimp were enormous, cold, and were everything you'd expect 4 mongo, cold, delicious shrimp to be. Pretty standard. This was the first time I had ever had beef carpaccio, and they add one egg yolk, capers, and a balsamic vinaigrette to it that takes care of any bacteria. Ridiculous. This dish (for a meat-head like myself), absolutely blows any other meat-based app I've ever had out of the water. I'd eat this instead of chicken wings if I was sure I wouldn't mess it up and end up giving myself salmonella. Nothing else more I can say on that...it's just that good. Bacon wrapped dates were a bit pricey, but they were about golfball sized, and wrapped in bacon...not too much else to go off of but they were crazy-good. Just sucks they come in an odd number so it makes it hard to share. Maybe consider selling them individually so you can customize your app? After that I ordered another round of the carpaccio for dinner (told ya) and he got an 8 oz filet. He gave me a bite of the filet and it was killer. All in all it was a positive experience I'd recommend anyone try. It is on par with Morton's and better than Ryan's in my opinion.
(5)Kristin S.
We come here and always sit at the bar... Everytime we look forward to our cocktails.. We only let gabi Adam or Kristian make our drinks!!! They make the best shots/cocktails and we wouldn't come here if it wasn't for them!!!! The 5 stars are for the bartenders and their cocktails! They always make us feel welcome and remember us from the time before.
(5)Zsolt H.
Food was great. Service hmmmm they were really nice, however my surf and turf shrimp and scallops arrived halfway through the steak. There was ant that ran across my plate, and although I didn't care since it didn't come out of the kitchen like that (yes I was gonna squash it for them) it was still something you didn't expect. The manager did come to apologize, but they did not comp anything at all. I am from NY an d I did not act like the stereotype but after having 3 drinks a good costumer service would of been like at least one compt drink. I was their first costumer so you had no excuse really to be sluggish or blame it on being busy. And of course since I'm from NY it is not like you can make it up later when I return. Kind of disappointing experience for a steak house where you drop $100. I hate to say it specially since I love steak houses and I have been to high end ones ( NYC!!!) but if you are in Tampa Longhorns is a better value and at least if they screw up service there is a legit excuse.
(3)Myrna M.
Yes, there is paper on top of the tablecloths. Were we at a crab shack? We have been customers at many good restaurants, Bern's Steak House, Mitchell's Fish Market, Ruth Crist in Tampa, Becco's, Quality Meats, Il Gattopardo and Calle 8 in New York, to name a few, and have never been treated by a server the way we were treated tonight at Charley's. We are very polite people and were nicely dressed because we were celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary. We had been to Charley's many years ago and I guess it was not that memorable when we waited so long to go back. We had reservations for 5pm. Arrived 10 minutes prior and waited about 15 minutes to be seated. We were the second couple seated and then two more couples were seated around us. We waited another 15 minutes and not one server came to our table, but the couples around us were promptly approached and waited on. Finally, a fifty-ish server (John?) came and gave us their specialty speech, without first asking what we would like to drink. He decided we wanted water, left us with our mouths open and rushed away to get it. Came back with the water and then asked us what we wanted to drink. I asked for a sparkling sangria, and my husband asked for a martini on the rocks. "John" went away and after a few minutes, returned and told my husband that there is no such thing as a martini on the rocks and that he would be charged extra if it was prepared differently, as if my husband had asked for the cost of a martini. He then proceeded to "enlighten" my husband by giving him a martini lecture. My husband told him that in his 44 years in the drinking age, he had always asked for a martini on the rocks and never had a problem. This is what Wikipedia says about a martini on the rocks: " A martini may also be served on the rocks, that is, with the ingredients poured over ice cubes and served in an Old-Fashioned glass." At this point I was super furious and very upset and wanted to leave. My husband spoke with the Manager and he said that they could assign another server. No, thanks - evening already ruined! Without a reservation to any other restaurant, we decided to give Seasons 52 a try. We went in and they told us that it would be an hour wait for the restaurant but that in the bar area there were tables available with the same menu so we decided to try the bar area. The atmosphere was very nice and quiet and elegant. Our server came to us promptly and was very friendly. My husband ordered a martini on the rocks and that is what they brought, no lectures given. The service, and the food, was great especially the filet mignon which was like butter melting in our mouths. We commented to our server how the restaurant had saved our evening and she quickly left our table and returned surprising us with a $25 discount gift card for the next time we visit. I had to givre it a star to be able to post but, sorry, no stars for Charley's.
(1)Marc T.
Didn't live up to the hype about being one of the top 10 steakhouses. The smell of smoke hits when you are still outside. And that strong smokey taste over powered our steaks. The calamari appetizer had to be sent back. Not crispy outside and rubbery inside. Good drinks and service.
(2)Ben R.
First the staff: It is sometimes hard to rate the staff when everything goes well. On our first visit, things did not. It began with our reservation, which was erroneously switched with someone else's, this caused a minor delay. After that our service was very good but slow. Until they brought us the wrong food, twice. I am not a huge complainer, and my wife and I were enjoying our evening so this wasn't a big deal. The manager then completely took over our service, apologized profusely, showered us with extras, and took care of the bill. This took us by surprise, and completely made up for the minor inconveniences we had experienced. Obviously this place understands customer service, and holds their staff to very high standards. Now the food... The steak was good, not overwhelming, not amazing, just good. The price point is above an outbacks, but below the top steak joints in the area. I've grown to expect a melt in your mouth steak from the better steak houses and this was not. Wife's filet was overcooked, and my strip had a thick layer of fat on it (perhaps I am unsophisticated in steakery, but I do not understand paying for a steak with 10-15% of it's weight being fat). Sides were okay, bread and salad were both as to be expected. Bottom line, we will go back for a good steak at some point due to manager going above and beyond to rectify the mistakes, but it will not be on our list for a special occasion meal.
(3)Luke S.
Completely amazing food!! The platter of steaks they bring out to choose from is amazing and will bring out the inner carnivore in anyone!
(5)Amanda C.
This was my second visit to Charley's Steak House but it had been a few years since my last visit. Honestly, I think my first visit was more enjoyable. Maybe it was the fact that it was Valentines weekend and it was super packed but I didn't enjoy my meal as much. Our reservation was at 8:15 but we didn't get seated until about 8:50. They kept bringing out huge platters of calamari to hold everyone over before they got seated since they were behind, which was very nice of them. Once we finally got seated I ordered the cucumber spice for my cocktail. I was confused when I got it because there was a lot of pineapple and no cucumbers in sight. Then I realized that the waiter had brought me the pineapple spice margarita on accident, which was fine because I really enjoy spicy margaritas. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get the presentation of the different meat cuts that first timers usually get since my boyfriend had never been to Charley's before. I ordered the Valentine's special which was an 8 ounce filet over mashed potatoes with a side of scallops, I chose mine to be bacon wrapped. My boyfriend got the new york strip and we got a side of potatoes au gratin. It took about 45 minutes for our food to come out, which was understandable, but my meal was cold by the time I got it. Not ice cold, but barely warm. I was so hungry that I didn't want to wait even longer for another meal so I chose to eat it and not send it back. Everything was good but nothing was great. Although, my opinion may have been different if my meal was actually hot. My boyfriends new york strip was very good and and potatoes au gratin were amazing! For dessert we shared the creme brulee...SO good! All in all I didn't enjoy this experience at Charley's as much as my last. The fact that there are so many other steakhouses in Tampa, I'm not sure how soon I will return. I only wish this experience was as good as my first. Maybe coming on Valentines weekend was a bad idea!
(3)David K.
I consider myself a steak connoisseur. Charley's is the place to go for steak in Tampa in my opinion. They wet age there prime beef on premises and the steaks are cut by management daily. What makes Charley's unique is the grill. They have a custom made grill in the middle of the restaurant. The wood they burn is citrus and oak thus giving the steak and amazing smokey flavor with a hint of citrus. They have your typical steak house cuts but also some unique ones. The buffalo rib eye is a healthy flavorful alternative to beef. You also cant go wrong with the wagyu rib eye, it is a little on the pricey side but you only live once. They also have a bone in KC strip but you have to get there early to get your hands on that. If you like the tenderloin they have a 20 ounce center cut fillet that will melt in your mouth. Charley's has an extensive wine list. If you have the jack go for the $2700.00 screaming eagle then wright about it. I have always wanted to know what a $2700 bottle of wine tastes like. The wait staff is very knowledgeable about the wine tell them how much you want to spend and the recommendations have always been spot on.
(5)Priscilla R.
This place has obviously been in Tampa for Years! The decor is very dated. However, the wagyu steak was delicious. The grilled asparagus was good but I think the prices are a bit high for a place with such 1960's- 70's dark look. They really need to step it up if they want charge $89 for a piece of meat. I don't think I would go back here. But it wasn't bad. The wait staff was friendly enough. We walked from the marriott so tht was a plus.
(3)Frank S.
Worth it, sat at the bar and Adam really took the time to steer us into the perfect wine and dinner choice!! Don't miss this place.
(4)Carl Y.
Solid top-shelf steakhouse. Great cuts... though mine wasn't as tender as I'd like, it was good. Good, but overpriced wine list. Amazing service. So... its an impressive indulgence that occasionally is worth the spend.
(3)Dan C.
Good steak and although it is not cheap you get a good size steak. Sides are to be split, we had some pretty good lobster Mac and cheese. Waiter even made me sweet tea because I ordered it and said I would have regular when he said they don't serve it. Not sure how he made it but he mixed a pitcher full which made my night. Also this was sitting in the bar area, and still had really good service.
(4)Jess I.
My friend and I were visiting Tampa for a couple of days. We initially tried to book a reservation at Burns, but they had a wicked late availability and we had to catch our flight early the next morning. Charley's was accommodating and we were able to reserve at 7PM (perfect!). We walked in, and had a couple drinks before we headed to our table. The bartenders, were nice for the most part, we only interacted with two out of the three(or four?). I loved the set up of the bar, and the freshly squeezed orange juice!!! Thirty minutes later and we decided to head to our table. Our server, was awesome! He was attentive, friendly and super on top of things. My friend got the T-bone steak and I ordered the salmon. My salmon was SUPERB. I loved every single bite. We shared the wedge salad, as we weren't too hungry due to a late lunch. I can't really judge the wine, as we did not order a bottle like we usually do. The servers defiantly seemed friendlier than the female bartender. I will return next time I'm in Tampa!
(5)Crystal H.
The stone crab was great. We also loved the house salad. The mix of tomatoes olives cheese and vinegar gave it a great flavor and was different from every day dressing.
(5)Susie F.
We went back to chariey last Sunday , The service and the steak still 5 stars that's why we drove all the way from the south brandon
(5)Hugo B.
Solid steakhouse with a reputation to boot (they have a sign that says they're one of the top 10 steak houses in America, although to me that's a little bit of a stretch). Great service, extensive organic meat selection and long wine list, as you'd expect from a good steakhouse and at that price range. I've been here a few times and I'm never completely wowed but I never leave disappointed either. In a nutshell, it's a basic, high end steakhouse.
(4)John A.
Eh. Second time here and it's basically ok. The service is good but it could be better especially for the price paid. Beware the porterhouse cut. It's labeled as 32 ounces but when you take into account the bone and exorbitant amount of inedible fat ( and I love good fat on a steak) you'd be lucky to have 16-18 ounces. The creamed spinach is good but avoid the veggies. Waste of money for hard flavorless steamed veggies. IMO go to Ruth's. You won't be disappointed.
(3)Jessica P.
Overpriced.. This steakhouse really needs to step it up for the prices. One thing that sticks out the most from my visit.. The tables looked like they were chewed up.. Then covered with some cheap cafe-style paper. Very unpleasant to look at and feel. Steaks were ok, service was horrible. Instead of seating us (my husband and I) in a quieter part of the restaurant, we were sat next to a party of 20, who were clearly drunk and loud. Nice they are having a good time, but we were obviously looking for a more intimate setting. Never again. Ruth Chris all the way!
(2)Shelby S.
By far, Charleys is my absolute favorite steak house in the area. When given the option of Shula's, Ruth's Chris, Berns, Cap Grill or Flemmings, I always always always choose Charleys. Did I mention always? :) Although the interior is a little outdated (don't worry, it's dark - you won't notice), the technique that they use to bring their steaks to perfection must be the differentiator. My filet is always perfect! Even better than the steaks though is the house special seafood appetizer. It's not on the menu, so you will have to ask for it, but it is well worth the $60 price tag. My girlfriends and I are notorious for heading there after work to share the appetizer and have cocktails. If you are looking for the best steak in town, this is it. Even better, though, is the missing pretentious atmosphere that you find at Berns. I get to dine at high end places quite often, it's one of the perks of my job. Having been to all the top spots repeatedly, I definitely pick Charleys if it's up to me.
(5)Todd C.
Crab cakes to start are a must. Followed by salad, bread, 10oz filet cooked to perfection and so tender, paired with lobster mac and cheese. I will eagerly return to Charley's for another great meal on next visit to Tampa. Tip: if you are traveling solo, go and eat at the bar. Bartenders are very friendly as are other patrons.
(5)FutureDentist I.
Worst steak EVER! I love filets and have tried a filet from every steakhouse there is in Tampa Bay and this is the last place I'd ever return to.
(1)Charles T.
I visited this establishment while on business in Tampa. The service was excellent, the food was excellent and the location was reasonably close between the airport and beach. It's very easy to run up a big tab here but worth it.
(4)Andy D.
I was recommended to go here, after talking about Gallagher's Steak House. Charley's Steak House hands down, much better. Although I felt my WAGU Steak was too salty, I had just come off a salt free diet, so maybe I was just being picky! But, the stark was phenomenal, my guests steaks were phenomenal too. The mashed potatoes were the best I've ever had. Charley's will definitely get my business when I'm in Tampa again.
(4)Nick C.
Went to this restaurant for the beginning of our "celebration." There were about 12 of us and had the whole night planned out starting with a great steak for dinner. We were sat in a timely manner, that was the highlight of the experience. After ordering we waited for our appetizers...and waited...and waited. Finally got those, not horrible, nothing great. After that we waited for our entrees...and waited...and waited. We had the whole night planned out and were on a tight schedule. After an hour after ordering our entrees (let me say that I know people exaggerate the time in which they waited for some things but I am not, I timed it) everyone at the table was getting restless. It was so bad it got to the point our waiter was hiding from us and was afraid to come back and check on us. I finally got up and went to the open kitchen area (they have an open grill for the steaks) and asked what was taking so long to the "manager" i found also hiding from what I assumed was other parties waiting on food. He said everything was coming right out. Sat back down, after another 10 or so minutes the entrees started to arrive. Most of us ordered the special bone in ribeye for $40 plus a' la carte sides and Im not exaggerating by saying that probably 3 out of the 12 steaks were cooked correctly, the sides were either cold or overcooked and you could tell they were sitting there waiting on the steaks to be cooked. At this point I was irate, the beginning of our celebratory night was horrible. What started as a group of happy people sitting down, laughing, talking to each other and looking forward to the rest of the night turned into 12 people staring at their plates, awkwardly pushing around food with their forks in silence. I did have to give it to our waiter, he tried the best he could to make the situation better. We were paying $75+ per person after drinks and appetizers and to be honest...I could have taken everyone to Outback Steakhouse and gotten a better meal for 1/4 of the price.
(1)Mike M.
Steak lovers paradise! Dinner, Saturday night at 7:15. Busy time. We were a party of 6 and a waitress nightmare- seated at slightly different times "oh my". They chose to seat us early and start on some drinks- although they didn't have to, they made the right choice, incredibly flexible for a upscale place. Reading others reviews I almost feel like we were in a difference restaurant. From the hostess to the "steak presenter" to our waitress and even the "baked potato girl" every employee we dealt with was the consummate professional. They all had fun and in turn so did we! Lets get to the most important part.. the steaks. Two of us chose to splurge and got the Wagyu steaks. At 45 years old I can honestly say I have never had a tastier more perfectly cooked steak. I would give it 6 strs if Yelp would allow. The other folks with us had the cowboy ribeye, and a Filet MIgnon, and the final two shared the incredibly overindulgent 50 oz porterhouse and lobster tail. All steaks were cooked to perfection, with the wood grill method perfectly seasoning and adding to the flavor of the steak. The sides were quite good as well, Au Gratin potatoes, Asparagus, Creamed Spinach.. Dessert was another overindulgence, giant mounds of carrot cake, death by chocolate, amaretto misu, incredible. Overall our experience here was outstanding! Incredible steaks, great sides and superb desserts!
(5)Michelle M.
The food at Charley's was great with the exception of our steaks. My sister and I ordered the 10oz Filet Mignon. We were disappointed to find that there was a large amount of far on our steaks. This much fat would be expected on a ribeye, but not filet mignon! I ordered my steak medium rare, but the steak I received was burnt on the outside and practically well done in the middle with just a hint of pink in the very center bite of the steak. My sister's steak was overcooked as well. The table next to us returned their steaks and we probably should have done the same. Life is too short to eat overcooked steak! I enjoyed the tuna tar-tar (not on the menu, but they made it for us per my husband's request). I also enjoyed my salad, my Washinton Apple martini and my side items, but I unfortunately the steak was terrible. Besides my burnt steak the service was disappointingly slow. We went on a Monday night and it took almost two and a half hours from the time we arrived to the time we left. Our waitress disappeared with our credit cards for 20 minutes, only to return to our table and ask us again how we were splitting the check. Maybe I came on an off night, but Charley's was a huge let down. There are too many great steak restaurants in Tampa to suffer through another burnt steak at Charley's.
(2)Deb C.
Overall good. Excellent service at the bar and our table. Wagyu ribeye was good but not sure worth $89.95! Kansas City Strip was a little fattier than a strip should be. But, the cedar plank crab cakes were awesome even for this Maryland girl.
(4)Papi P.
Our last experience was just ok. Food was ok, service was lack luster... We might give this place a break for a bit
(2)Kathy C.
Wow! This restaurant was the first restaurant me and my husband went and dined at during our visit in Tampa Florida. It was a complete surprise for us too! We had asked the cab driver to take us to a restaurant nearby our hotel we were staying at hoping to get dropped off at a regular restaurant like Applebees or the Ram. Instead the cab driver took us here and we didn't think anything of it. We walked into a very nice beautiful restaurant with a great sample of the meat selections they serve in a refrigerated style bar right in the front entrance. Also the waitstaff there was excellent. We sat down and got our menus in hand and Woohoo! I thought we were sitting at El Gauchos or Morton's Steakhouse here in Seattle for a minute it was definitely on the pricier side of the house. The taxi driver for some reason decided to drop us off at the most expensive restaurant literally on our first night being in Tampa, Florida. Which ended up being okay that it happened it just was not what we were expecting to spend that night on dinner. Long story short we ended up ordering the most inexpensive Steak which was the Pork Steak and a bottle of wine. I do remember the dinner coming with a salad also. The Pork was excellent very big and very thick in size. I think it was probably the largest pork steak I have ever had at a restaurant and it was delicious. We also ordered a bottle of wine and I can't remember what the brand was but, it was Pinot Noir and very good. The dinner was very filling and the portions well served that we had leftovers. We enjoyed ourselves dining here at this restaurant as the service was excellent and definitely top notch. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an upscale classy restaurant to go to in Tampa, Florida.
(5)Sharon C.
If zero stars was an option that would be my rating. Friends invited us to Charley's and the company was excellent. Everything else was really bad. The server was in a constant state of confusion and made mistakes at every turn. Too many to mention. And the food.....AWFUL. The shrimp cocktail was overcooked and chewy. I ordered my pork chop done (no pink) and it came rare. The put it back on the grill but it still came back to me very pink inside. They just didn't seem to know how to cook meat. The broccoli they served was so overcooked, I wondered if it was canned. The salad dressing tasted like cheap vegetable oil and vinegar. Bland and tasteless. My husband was shocked at how tasteless his filet was. Asparagus came with a big glob of cheese on top when we specifically asked for no cheese on anything. The salad also came with cheese. Drinks are fine, but overpriced compared to other high end restaurants. They offered a free dessert for our troubles. The creme brulee tasted like sweet eggs. The eggs were curdled. Will never return....
(1)Justin P.
Can't make this stuff up...My wife & i had dinner here for the 1st time for our anniversary this past Saturday. The guy that took my reservations over the phone made it seem like they were going to do something "special" for us being 1st visit and anniversary. I don't ever expect something free but not only did they do nothing, they did the complete opposite. I would have settled for a somewhat good experience. 1st we showed up 20 minutes early for our reservation and the hostess didn't ask us but told us to come back at 7:15 or go to the bar and buy a drink. The bartender (bald headed guy, didn't catch his name) wouldn't tell me what the 4 draft beers they offer were. I had to ask 3 times and his response was "it depends, what do you want"? Then he didn't want to give me my change for the $20 bill i gave him for 2 draft beers. Like a dummy i tipped him the $3 change. Yes no typo there $17 for 2 draft beers. Next we were seated at a table set for 4 people they took the place settings in front of us "to make room" and walked away and we had to take the plates and silverware next to us and set it up ourselves. We watched our waitress (Sueanne) bring platters to other tables to display the different cuts of meat but not for us. We ordered our steaks my wife got the bigger filet (i think 14oz) they told her they had to butterfly so they didn't burn it and they still brought it burned on the edges. I got the 18oz NY strip which was OK but not impressive. Overall experience was mediocre and then factor in the money we spent for 2 people ($120 with 2 beers at bar, dinner and tip) takes it down below average. Will never recommend to anyone i consider a friend or ever go back. Maybe if we went in waving around an AMEX black card we may have been treated like guests and not a burden.
(1)Lanny F.
The Management team is tops! Thank you Carl & Chelly!!!
(5)Becky S.
took my boyfriend here for his birthday. The steak was amazing! We shared one because it was so big
(5)Patrick H.
Charley's must be thee place to go for frequent flyers because it is right next door to the Sheraton Suites Airport Hotel. It was my first night in Florida, first place to eat, and I have to say Customer Service is on point. It's got to be if people from around the world are flying in and eating there. So my first night in, I saw this huge sign, "Charley's Steak House". It was like the movie, "Waterboy", I was the fly drawn into the light! I got in, wasn't really hungry for steak, so I had to ask the Bartender, Adam, what was good. He asked me, "Do you like Tuna?", I said, "Yes" and he recommended the Seared Rare Tuna Sashimi. Didn't really know what it was, expected something out of a can, but hey, I could eat. The Seared Rare Tuna Sashimi reminded me of sushi, but without the seaweed wrap. It was sliced thin, layered like a deck of cards spread out, and came with something like soy sauce, but sweeter. It was very delicious and filling. Hands down, gotta get it! If I'm ever back down in Florida. That's probably gonna be the first place I'm going to stop at. d;)
(4)Joe R.
Bison ribeye was the shiz!!
(5)Matt D.
I can't believe I've never written a review for Charley's seeing as I've been here many times over the years. It's probably not fair to say this, but they're docked a star immediately for the price. I get that it's an upscale steakhouse, but it can get extremely outrageous quickly here. That being said, we've found the best tasting, most reasonable thing on the menu. The steak tartar here is by far the best I've ever had and it is easily enough for one person for a meal. They use the very best cuts of meat, and it is only $15.95. I've had their steaks and seafood here, but I always come back to the tartar. I actually wouldn't order a cooked steak here. I've seen and heard that they're not worth the price. The seasonal fish is excellent though. Always cooked beautifully, and a massive serving size. The bread is always amazing, creamed spinach is killer, and the potatoes au gratin are delicious. I would also recommend the stone crab (if you can afford them) and the tuna tartar. I have also had inconsistent service here. For a $$$$ type of establishment, they should really have the very best servers. They tend to be a little slow sometimes, and worst of all, they can be curt.
(4)William C.
Charley's Steaks are FANTASTIC! But lets talk about the other stuff. First, the salad was loaded with finely ground black olives, completely covered the taste of everything else in the salad. No... that was terrible. The lobster bisque was super good. The bisque had chunks of lobster meat, but they put in the lobster claw toe. Its the very tip of the claw. The consistency is different, and it tastes really bad. (We picked them out) Otherwise, the bisque was AWESOME. We got an order of the scalloped potatoes, it was huge! So very tasty!! Total two thumbs up! We got the NY strips, they were perfect. They had a strong smoke flavor, they were truly wonderful to behold! My wife got the chocolate cake to take home... It too was delicious. Now the wait staff. Some of the most professional waiters IMHO I've seen. They double teamed us with two waiters that just ran their assess off. They looked like frickin' male model / strippers, which was really annoying, since I brought my wife there for her birthday.. Just kidding, they were great. I told them about the toe, because i wondered why and Bam, off the bill. I told him dude the bisque was really good, so, I just tipped them extra. The ambiance was very nice, the noise level a little high. It's a little pricey, but worth it in my opinion. Get it on @ Charley's!
(4)Mike S.
Our favorite upscale steakhouse...better overall than Bern's in our opinion......equal or superior food quality with less pretentious ritual and delay. The setting is elegant without being stuffy; service is professional and helpful. Steaks are very good, and you get to select your steak and see the size/marbleing in raw meat cuts brought to the table for your inspection. The spinach souffle, mashed potatoes and fresh veggie sides are excellent, as are the luxurious dessert options....and you do not have to trudge upstairs, change waiters & wait more for dessert. Have not yet tried Ruth's Chris or some other renowned steak places, but so far, we like Charley's the best. However, we are open to dramatic discounts to try the competition.
(4)Donald H.
Great steaks....even very good seafood..! Wait staff was attentive without being a pain in the butt...! My rib-eye was perfect...!
(5)Joe P.
I hate to say it, but I did have the seared Ahi. it was fantastic!! I also had the escargot and there were 2 in each of the little holes in the dish. That is the first place I have been to that has done that, normally you get just one. A good wine list, good service. The guys sitting next to me said their steak was the best they ever had. I will go for the steak next time.
(5)Dr W.
Great steak house. Filet mignon is superb! My medium well was grilled just right, very tender, juicy, flavorful. I had the baked potato, nothing to write home about..I recommend the mashed or creme spinach instead. I sampled my friends salmon, wasn't that great, kind of bland. I would stick with steak here. We started with calamari and shrimp cocktail both were excellent. And for dessert...chocolate cheesecake was fantastic. I recommend trying charleys, just stick with the filet.
(4)Lisa B.
Wish I coul give more than 5 stars!!!! My husband and I went to Charley's last night to celebrate his new job. From the moment we entered the restaurant the evening was perfection. We were seated the moment we checked in for our reservation (unlike a previous experience at local competitor Bern's where we seated for over a half hour after our reservation). Upon being seated we were greeted by our server, John M. We ordered drinks, my cantaloupe martini was sublime! Our starter was their crab cakes which were the special for the evening. I have had crab cakes at many places, this version was by far the best!! Many people try to hide the crab meat with binder and it ends up more binder than crab, this is definitely not the case with Charley's! Tons of lump crab meat with a fruit salsa that was fantastic! My husband had a NY strip with a lobster tail and commented that his steak was the most tender he's ever had. I had the lobster tail and was impressed that John removed the meat from the tail and cut it up tableside. This was definitely a welcome surprise as one who does not enjoy having to liberate lobster meat from whence it came! The lobster was delicious and cooked perfectly. In addition to our entrees, we had 2 sides. Au gratin potatoes that had a perfect crust and were well seasoned and cheesy. We had asparagus as well. I could have skipped the cheese laid over it as I am a purist when it comes to vegetables, but it didn't take away from anything. Lastly, we finished our perfect meal with tiramisu. This has to be the best tiramisu I have ever had! Charley's has broken with convention in its creation by adding toasted almonds to the top and drizzling the plate with caramel. It was the icing on the cake of a wonderful experience. I would whole heartedly recommend this to every person I know!!! Thank you to Charley's for making our evening so memorable!!!!!!
(5)Melissa D.
I'd give them two stars for the service if not the food -- if it weren't for the high price tag. We've been here four or five times over the years, and once or twice we've had a good meal, but more often, I've left thinking, "ick." And for the price, why would you want the possibility of "ick"? Our server was really sweet and did his best, and my companions liked their steaks, but my fish was really, really tasteless and we had to send back the stone crab claw appetizer we ordered because they had been frozen, and tasted fishy and gross. Frozen stone crab claws? Really? The salads were likewise gross, tasteless, and oily. The asparagus side dish was okay, but came with only four stalks. What? I know it's a steak place, but they say "Market Fresh Fish" in the name, and I couldn't disagree more. Plus, the atmosphere is crowded, kinda stressful, and just not that fun. Skip it.
(1)John B.
The best steaks in Tampa, hands down!!
(5)Gregg D.
One of my worst experiences at an upscale steak place. Started out by couple next to us dressed in shorts, etc.... While we were in our Sunday best. Then the salads were drenched in dressing , yuk. The waiter spilled a full glass of wine on my wife and then asked her if she was wet? Manager never came by to see how she was. NY strips were 50% fat by the time my two boys finished with it piled high on their plates. Bottom line - do not waste your money. Ruth Chris blows this place away
(1)Ricky S.
This place happened to be within walking distance of my hotel while I was in Tampa recently. I didn't have any idea of what to expect. It turned out to be a great experience. The reason? The steak was good!! I sat at the bar, and the service was mediocre at best (they could have sold another glass or two of wine if they had been awake back there)- but the steak cooked over orange and oak wood was probably the best I've had in the Eastern US. Sides were pretty standard- lots of salt and butter, and the wine list was a bit above average. But that steak.....nice smoky flavor, good texture...wow! The place is on the pricey side, but I'd say the meat is worth it for a splurge.
(4)Dani W.
The filet mignon I had was excellent - however, I'm not sure it's better than less expensive dishes I've had. Our visit was dampened by the flies that were circling our dishes as we ate. Maybe that's par for the course in Florida (we're from Mass), but for an expensive restaurant, that shouldn't happen.
(3)Patrick K.
When you move to Tampa one o the things that you hear about is the steak. For some reason some of the best steakhouses have chosen to move here. Flemmings, Ruth's Chris, and the so called Cous De Gras Berns. What I will tell you is after eating at all of them Charley's hands down has the best steak of them all. My wife and I went and lucky enough its also stone crab season here in Florida so the night we were there we began the evening with the Stone Crab appetizer, what a beginning. If you are like me, knocking the hooves and horns off is the only way to have a steak, if it is any more than medium rare you have ruined it. If a so called "Steak House" can take any cut of meat over 18oz and cook it to a perfect medium rare then they get at least a 1 thumbs up in my book well they actually cooked a 24oz to a perfect medium rare and it was one of the best aged steaks I have ever had. They have a great wine list and unlike its competitors you didn't feel like you need to have a degree in wineolgy to decipher what to have. The staff was knowledgable and friendly and we will make it back again. Oh and another thing is that you will spend a bit but the food is worth it not like spending a fortune at some of the other "Steak Houses" where you feel like you just got hosed.
(5)Tammy B.
I've never had a bad meal here. The service is always great and we usually get a visit from the dining room or restaurant manager just as a courtesy to see how our restaurant experience is going. The steaks are 'wet' aged are are always tender and very flavorful; usually grilled over oak and citrus wood. We ordered crab cakes on a cedar plank for an appetizer. The best I've ever had! Almost 100% crab with very little filler and lots of flavor. We had the rib eye with au gratin potatoes and grilled vegetables. We topped off our visit with a rich, creamy creme brule!
(5)Ateet A.
FREAKING PHENOMENAL!! I have always loved this place and it truly is one of my favorite steakhouses. I went there again to one of my trips to Tampa and my employees were like take us to a good steakhouse and I immediately thought of Charleys and we went there. They were having this special where you could pay $50 for a Surf and Turf Special which gave you an appetizer, any one of 4 cuts of steak, a surf option of king crab claw, giant madagascar shrimp or crab cake, and then a dessert trio where you get all three desserts of key lime pie, fresh berries, and a kahlua chocolate creme brulee. To Top it off, you receive a glass of wine with each course!!! So that three courses, and three glasses of wine for $50. So that is just a great deal, how is the quality of the food? the food was amazing! i couldn't have been more satisfied. I started with teh jumbo shrimp cocktail, very fresh. I ordered the 22 0z. kansas city Strip which was so juicy and flavorful. I ordered the giant madagascar shrimp, which is so big and unusual that i didnt know what to do with it, and it was different so not my favorite but my employees loved it, and then the dessert trip was to die for! I was given a really nice glass of Riesling for my appetizer, a Cabernet for my entree and an extra-dry champagne for my dessert. It was a perfect way to end the night before we went out to some bars. By far one of my best meals in this city!! If you haven't been to this place, you are missing out and you really need to try it!
(4)rm c.
And I thought Tampa was only well known for its strip clubs... Co-worker - "You're going to Tampa? You have to go to Charley's!" RM - "Is that a strip club?" Co-worker - "No, it's a steakhouse...get your mind out of the gutter!!" I don't eat red meat, but I was taken here during a business trip...so I splurged on seafood. =) There's a LARGE, wood-burning grill that I passed on the way to our table. Our waiter brought over a demonstration plate of all the different steak dishes. l've never seen that done before. Then again, it's very rare that you see me at a steakhouse. This is definitely a steak eater's paradise! My colleagues raved about their meals - they all had steak and the portions seemed sizeable, especially the porterhouse! 3 stars just because I've had better seafood elsewhere. From the reaction of my colleagues, I guess it would probably be 4 stars for the steak.
(3)Tony R.
So, I just realized I have never written a review on Charley's. I have been here 4 or 5 times in the last few years, mainly because I spend my car payment every time I go in and it's so worth it. My last visit I ordered the 20 oz filet to split, medium and the 2 lb australlian lobster tail. This ain't your red lobster giant shrimp! The steak is always perfect, melted drizzle of butter on top, slightly charred and sooo soft and tender. I was never a steak eater until I came to Charley's, I absolutely love it. The lobster is the size of a small child and they take the shell off for you at the table and bring out melted butter with a small candle underneath to keep it warm. Sooo Goood! You can order several different sizes of lobster and the filet comes in 10 or 20 oz. The wedge salad with ranch dressing and bacon is super awesome, and the Au Gratin potatoes are good. I try not to fill up on them. Martinis are always strong as well. Overall, I love this place and would not change a thing. I think its my favorite, yup, pretty sure. Oh, and if you can't resist the dessert tray they pass around try the super huge chocolate cake. Dam its good! $200 later, super happy....every time
(5)Jason R.
This is my favorite prime steakhouse in Tampa. Bern's has a better ambiance, but that is pretty much it. You can't go wrong with the beef carpaccio for an appetizer, the filet and ribeye are amazing as the main dish (get them done Oscar Style), get the sauteed mushrooms & smashed potatoes as sides, and end it with a chocolate cake and/or creme brûlée. Oh, and definitely buy a bottle or two of Jordan and/or Stag's Artemis. A 100-year Anniversary Grand Marnier is a good final.
(5)Mike B.
My wife and I dropped in during a vacation stop over. Although most of the service was above par and most of the food was good, part of the experience was way below my expectations. I ordered a T bone steak rare. It was delivered well done, almost crisp. I pointed this out to our server and a replacement, this time cooked properly, was delivered to our table in a little over five minutes. However, it was over spiced, salty, and very tough to the point I could not cut a good portion of it with my steak knife. I pointed this out to our server, and her response was something to the effect that their T bone steaks tend to be tough. My impression is the staff pays close attention to the featured menu items, but the other, less expensive cuts are sort of ignored. In spite of being offered an unprompted "I'll take care of it," there was no adjustment to our bill even though I ate only a small portion of the steak. This is not a restaurant I will visit again.
(2)Ted P.
Last night was my last time I will eat @ the Tampa location. The service was good, my salad was good the au gratin potatoes were good and my desert creme brulee was good. My Kansas City Strip was horrible!
(2)kevin r.
One thing that I really like about Charley's is that they cook on a grill over open flame via oak and ?(I forget the other type of wood). This really adds a nice flavor that you just don't get at the usual upscale steak houses. The wine list was very extensive and is as good as any other steak house. Being in Tampa it is hard not to compare it to Bern's, but then again that is not a fair comparison for any restaurant so I won't go there! We had the seafood sampler for an appetizer and it was delicious. I believe it included crab legs, shrimp cocktail, seared tuna and a really good shrimp and scallop scampi. The steaks themselves were very good in general at the table. We had a few different cuts, with the fillets turning out the best. My bone in Kansas City cut was much fatier than I would have anticipated. The Au Poive Peppercorn added a really nice flavor. The service was great and the ambience ok. It seemed a bit casual for an upscale price point, but I guess Tampa is pretty laid back in general. I'm not chomping at the bit to go back, but I wouldn't steer anyone that hasn't been away from it either.
(3)Andrew W.
I was down here on business and had an excellent dinner here. Make sure you have assistance from an expense account, but if you're in town, this is definitely a place to try. Great steak and service to match.
(5)Elliot S.
The food is quite good and the service staff very attentive.
(4)Amanda B.
This was my first time at Charley's. There was a group of 7of us. It was really good food. I got the crab cakes(great) loved the mango salsa that came with it. Someone else got the tar tar (not my thing) others loved it. We also tired the calimari (that was good). The house salad was not good. I love salad so a little disappointed that they could screw that up. I got the the New York strip and the person beside me got the salmon. We split it half and half. The salmon was a little under cooked but tasted amazing! The New York strip was excellent! We got the lobster mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes for our sides they were great compliments to our dishes. The staff were a little slow, but they were very busy. We all split the chocolate cake and Carmel cheesecake. What a night!
(4)Argy B.
This is in addition to a previous review from 2014. I've been to Charley's again 10+ times over the past year. Earlier this week (June 23, 2015) I invited two out-of-town business guests to join me. This review ends up as 5 stars because of how the Manager and a wonderful young Server, Kasey, helped save a disastrous experience as it relates to the original Server. The young man, pleasant enough, was completely out of place in this environment, with very little attention to detail - all of that added up to a lousy experience and me offering my apologies to my guests - "It's always great, believe me" I would exclaim. About mid way through the dinner the Manager stopped by - I regret I did not get his name, because he listened to our observations and understood the disappointment immediately. On the spot he reassigned Kasey to our table, and she went above and beyond to make sure the rest of the dining experience was more than we expected. Kudos to these fine folks! I've been in similar circumstances at other spots where the Manager was not nearly so proactive, understanding, and apologetic. Charley's in Tampa has a life-long customer!
(5)Mark Y.
Great steaks cooked perfectly. Service was a little slow but the waitress was very nice and apologetic about being so busy.
(4)Robert D.
I tried the bison, fabulous filet, NY strip and the gator bites so far. For desserts the chocolate cake, cheesecake and the creme brûlée. EVERYTHING is amazing!!! The bartenders are awesome, Christian (?) and Frias are awesome! Great atmosphere and a good time! I almost don't want to try any other places when I come visit Tampa to be honest!
(5)Ben M.
A TERRIBLE experience, and a robbery! This place pretends to be a fine dining steakhouse, but is a total failure in that. Here is our nightmare: We were downtown, and wanted a good steak meal, so we thought we'd try this out. The building and décor is nice, with valet parking. We did not have reservations on this week night, but we were told there would be an hour wait. I looked into the dining room and saw it was half empty, so there was something fishy there not on the menu. As we sat in the lobby chairs, a server offered some samples of lobster bisque. The odd thing about this was that the bisque was cold and just a few droplets on a teaspoon. This goo was salty and not very tasty, but it was only a half teaspoon. Then a server came around with a sample of steak on zwieback toast. The steak was like chewing gum, which made us feel uneasy. Then a guy flitted over and asked me if I would like a complimentary sample of house wine, completely and rudely ignoring my female companion. The wine tasted like kerosene, yecchhh. We were finally seated at a table, cramped up against the surrounding tables. The table was covered with a piece of paper. I ordered the Kansa City Strip, and my companion ordered the New York Strip, both around thirty dollars. For that, you only get your steak and a small wilted greens salad. The vegetable side cost extra, from 7 to 10 dollars. The salad was terrible, it came with a watery house vinaigrette that may have just been a splash of dirty dishwater I asked if I could have another dressing, and the waiter reluctantly said the only other dressing was ranch. He brought that out. He tried to bore us hawking the wine and wanting to show us a platter of different steaks, but I said, "No, it's getting late and we want to eat." Apparently the only difference between New York Strip and Kansas City Strip is that Kansas City Strip has four more ounces of inedible blubbery gristle for four dollars more. My steak was tasteless, and I could only eat about 1/4 of it, the rest being gristle. My companion ordered her steak "medium rare, warm red center", and it came out overcooked. Her baked potato was overcooked, dry and cold. He finally returned with mashed potatoes that were dry and served cold. I asked for extra butter, but the waiter balked at that. He returned with a small plate of what looked like white lard, tasteless, and the potatoes were too cold to melt it. I pointed out to the waiter how rubbery and inedible much of the steak was, and how the steak element was of the worst quality. It was tasteless and tough, and was the lowest grade utility cut, probably off an old non-lactating dairy cow that died of old age. Worst steak ever. The waiter started making lame excuses, like saying they deliberately use fatty beef for flavor. He did not explain why most of the steak was gristle. At that point, we had enough gastric disappointment to continue and we asked for the check before we paid it and left. If you're in the area, skip this ripoff. Go to RuthChris across the street, or The Longhorn, just a little north of RuthChris.
(1)Matt B.
Went to Charley's as I was told it was the best steakhouse in Tampa. I was a little disappointed. I was by myself so I was low maintenance. Took a while to get my drink. Waitress was pretty friendly and overall service was good-but not what you would expect from a classic steak house. I didn't get the standard table explanation of cuts/selections and sides-and I don't know why. Bread came out with no butter? I ordered the strip which defines most steakhouses and it was good but a little too much fat for a strip. They forgot my side dish of mushrooms and onions and they took another 5 min to come out. All in all it was ok. I have eaten at much better steakhouses and while Charley's is a neat place, it needs to step up its game in the areas of service, presentation, and food quality.
(3)Channing S.
Wow, simply amazing. I had ordered the angus ribeye blackened and Pittsburghed and they cooked it to perfection. My intial thought was that it was going to be super expensive but it wasnt as bad as i thought. You definitely get what you pay for. The wait staff was also amazing considering i was in a group of 23 people. Shame i dont live in tampa cause i could definitely eat their weekly.
(4)Jerry Y.
Had a good dinner with my family. Porter House steak is wonderful and enough for two people. Fish here is also wonderful. The waiter Mike is handsome and gentle. We like here very much.
(5)Jb B.
What a filling dinner. We were on town for a business meeting and half the group was looking for seafood and the other steak. This place does both options really well. And, it's fresh. Our server did the steak prsentation. Huge cuts of meat... My NY steak was awesome. So were the grilled veggies. I wish my stomach had room for the whole thing. However, it was too much for my Canadian body. If not in the mood for beef, those who had the crab cakes and lamb chops were very satisfied. Dessert should not be missed. So I am told. Unfortunately, I was too full. Maybe on my next visit. A great stop in Tampa.
(4)Sam C.
I have to say the consuming smell of fish when I first walk into a steak house is unappealing. On the other hand, the service was excellent. The ambiance was top-notch. The reason for the two stars is that I just don't like the wood smoke they use on the meat. I just don't care for the taste.
(2)Stephanie S.
It's been a few years since I've been to Charley's and I was worried it wouldn't be as good as my memories. It was. The service and food are both excellent. The steak tartare was awesome, and the ribeye I ordered was cooked to perfection. The creamed spinach was not my favorite, but everything else was spectacular. It's definitely a bit pricey, but worth it if you have money to spend. The only drawback is the noise level. It didn't bother me too much, but I definitely wouldn't come here for a quiet romantic night out.
(4)Tim K.
You ruined me Charley's! How am I suppose to eat Steak anywhere else now? We came here in celebration of my 30th Birthday and it did not disappoint. When you can cut a 14 ounce two inch thick Filet Mignon easily with your fork, then you know it is worth every penny. They prize themselves on their 20 ounce Fabulous Filet stating that it is the most tender and flavorful piece of meat they offer, but I don't know how that is possible when the Steak I had which was just below it in quality was fork tender. We all got Steak, but also ordered the Double Pork Chops and shared them because they sounded so good. And boy were they. I love my wife, but if she could cook a Pork Chop even half as good I would be Happy Happy Happy! The wifey, my sister and her boyfriend ordered the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes as an appetizer and they all agreed it was hands down the best Crab Cake any of them have ever had. The Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fondue, which I wanted as I am not that in to Seafood, was excellent as well. As for sides we got the Creamed Spinach, Asparagus and Lobster Mac & Cheese which was a new item not on the menu. The Cream Spinach was perfectly seasoned, rich and hearty. The Asparagus was cooked over their wood fire which gave them a great smoky flavor. As for the Lobster Mac, it was good, but I have had better. There was much more Mac than Lobster. In total I think there were maybe like three or four small pieces in it so I am not sure if it was worth the $15 we spent on it. All in all it was probably the best meal I have ever eaten. And when the day comes when the Lord wants me by his side (which I hope isn't for a very very long time) I kindly ask that he hold off a bit and let me fly back down to Tampa so I can eat one last Steak at Charley's.
(5)Longball F.
Came here for my birthday (55!) dinner with my wife & 2 adult daughters. Had been to a Charley's before in Orlando a few years ago and it was good. We knew that we were getting into a $100 per person meal and expected service and food commensurate with the price. We ordered a bottle of wine and no appetizers as it was basically all seafood. Thought the house salads were good in composition (chopped) but the dressing was underwhelming. You could see it on there but it had no taste. One ordered King Crab Legs...(Very good) One ordered swordfish, arrived cold had to send back. meh... One ordered a filet well done, it was butterflied and had a strange taste (coating) that stuck in your mouth. Liquid smoke maybe?? Didn't taste that good. I ordered the New York strip medium well, the menu says brown all the way through except for a thin strip of pink. The steak came out in sections joined by gristle and fat and was under cooked- almost raw in spots. Sent it back to be cooked more and got it to medium at least, but no better. Very poor cut of meat! Ordered a bunch of side dishes, some were cold some were barely warm. Ordered desserts, another bottle of wine. Finished our evening going to the hockey game. Disappointed that only one entree was good and everything else was mediocre for a final bill of $479! Seems very hit and miss with Yelp reviews and I realize all tastes are different. But I think this restaurant needs to re-examine its food and make some changes. There is a finite number or one and done diners and this is what seems to be happening to this steakhouse. Go somewhere else and get a better meal!
(2)Andrea T.
My husband and I have been here several times and each time the food is amazing. We aren't seafood people but we love their steaks. The presentation of the meats they offer is great. They do a fantastic job describing the menu items and offering wines to pair it with. The desserts are AMAZING and their wine selection is phenomenal! It's by far my favorite steak house in Tampa!! The food is pricey but it's worth it. The salad the entrees come with is fantastic as well!
(5)Mike M.
Once again, one of the greatest meals I've ever had. Nine people ate like kings. To top it off , our waiter Michael was outstanding. Can't wait to go back. Doc
(5)Jason F.
I had reservations for me my sister and my brother-in-law for 9pm on a Saturday. It was my sisters birthday so I brought a cake tipped the server a 20 to bring it out at the end of the meal she said happy to do so. The meal was amazing my brother-in-law got the gator bites very tender me and my sis got the bacon wrapped scallops mouth watering. Brother-in-law got the double pork chops he loved them with smashed loaded potato's my sis got the cowboy rib eye and I was so interested in the presentation of the steaks I laid out 89 bucks for the wagyu rib eye the cow is massaged and given sake' to flavor the meat then it is wet aged 4 to 6 weeks and all I can think is am I wasting 89 dollars on a burger. when I received the steak I sliced into it to see if it was cooked medium it was, then came the time to see if it was worth it and let me tell you I can die tomorrow knowing I have eaten the best steak I will ever eat. Food 9, service 9 décor 8 the only part of the meal I was not satisfied with was the salad it was a little soggy and had chopped olives in it which in my opinion has no place in a salad. Then again the salad came with the meal so if that was the lowpoint of the meal no big deal. I have seen reviews posted complaining about liquid smoke flavor I don't know if they did this in the past but all I could taste on my steak was the perfect amount of salt and pepper and the natural flavor of the steak which was perfect. All restaurants are hit and miss who knows next time I go there I may have a horrible experience but this night was great. Cake came out happy birthday was sung and all were satisfied.
(4)Travis S.
Excellent aged steak done right! I went with my family for my dads birthday. We went on a Tuesday night without reservations and didn't have a problem getting in. I ordered a 10oz filet mignon medium rare and it came out perfect, the trimmings were a tad fatty which gave it tremendous flavor. It wasn't to much fat that you couldn't eat it though, it was spread out perfectly. We also had bacon wrapped scallops for an appetizer and they were superb. For the sides we had lobster mac & cheese which was crispy around the edges. They also gave us a complimentary dessert on the house of our choosing.
(5)Manish B.
By far my favorite steak house in the Tampa area! I've been to all the high end ones around town multiple times. Charley's is consistently the best since I moved here five years ago. They have a wide selection of meat and the portions are huge compared to everyone else and taste way better! It does not stop with the meats, they have awesome appetizers, especially the calamari. And the deserts, wow! The carrot cake is fantastic. Great selection of wines. I have never had a problem with the wait staff, they have always been exceptional.
(5)Dianna B.
Wonderful place! 20oz filet was the best cut of meat I've ever had! Steak tar tar appetizer was amazing! They had a lobster Mac and Cheese that was better than any other I've tried. Great wine selection and dessert was divine (carrot cake...must have!). The manager came by several times to make sure we enjoyed our food and waiter was very attentive. Only criticism and the only reason it didn't get 5 stars, was that the atmosphere was loud and bar-like. I prefer to not have to shout my conversations.
(4)Mike S.
I was very disappointed with my dinner. My steak was chewy and for a Rib-eye I was surprised. The server said there were three salad choices including a caesar so I ordered it only to find out it was $7.95 extra. The server asked if I would like butter on my steak and I said yes to which there was another $7.00 charge. Very disappointed!!!!
(1)Mort Z.
Very disappointing. Smokey from wood fires to cook steaks. Avoid if you have allergies or asthma. Fillet and NY strip not very tasty. Rib eye good. NY tough. Temperature of steaks missed on all . House salad dressing bland almost taste less. Roll doughy and almost tasteless. Many much better steak houses in Tampa at much more reasonable prices. Trying to emulate one of the real top steak places in the world also in Tampa, but misses by a mile. Server haughty, scripted, and rated at C+.
(2)Robin S.
This place was a bit disappointing, although maybe I was spoiled by having just been to Bern's. The service was slow, and we were there pretty late so it wasn't like it was peak time. The food took forever to come out. The crab legs were only okay, although to be fair I did enjoy it when I had a piece of my mom's steak. The lobster mac and cheese was the best part. (That and the wine selection, which was extensive and had a great range of choices in terms of type and price point). I might give it another try if I came to the area and stayed at the Doubletree, but I know you can do a lot better.
(3)Lawrence H.
Excellent service. Big wine list. Crab cake appetizer was best. 32 oz. porterhouse is great for sharing. And oh yeah, Grand Mariniers chocolate cake! What's not to like?
(5)Stephen F.
Dinner for four, two pork chops, two steaks an order of mushrooms as well as an order of lobster mac-n-cheese. This restaurant has been the launching grounds of many a deal for us, but this evening it feel way short. It appeared that our waiter was more interested in selling high end steaks to other tables that he was taking care of our table. When one in the party wanted garlic and oil on his pork chop he said "no we don't serve it that way." When the bread was served one member asked for a side of butter to which our waiter replied "There's already butter on top of the bread already" after which he did serve us a plate with butter. We ordered Lobster Mac-N-Cheese on his recommendation, several minutes later someone other than our waiter returned to tell us that they had run out Lobster Mac-N-Cheese. Our waiter didn't let us know he sent someone else. One member of our party ordered a refresh on their wine, eventually he had to flag down another waiter to fill his request because our waiter dropped the ball. Had I been entertaining clients I would've been embarrassed by the service. The one upside is that the food tasted fresh and flavorful, one of the best pork chops that I've ever eaten. I'll be staying in the Double Tree, in a few weeks and I doubt that I'll be dining there again.
(2)Da Vman V.
Old burnt vinyl menu (see photo)... Was sold on the crab aches but they were ice cold temp inside ... Manager Corey came by & replaced our app with a hot shrimp & scallop scampi that we chose & it was much better. Dinner was good / avg
(3)Kimberly P.
If you compare this place to Berns or Ruth Chris it falls very short of expectations! I'd say it's an overpriced Outback. I've had better steak and lobster there and was shocked that it was hard for me to give them much credit for their food. The only thing I found unique and delicious was the Mac n cheese. I left over half of a 15oz lobster tail, because it was so dry and rubbery. If you leave lobster on your plate and no-one at the table wants it then obviously that's a problem. The atmosphere is nice, but I doubt anyone goes for only that reason! Sadly I would not recommend this restaurant.
(2)Jason L.
Great food, amazing service. By far a better restaurant than the more known Bern's in Tampa.
(5)Gina K.
This was the first time we had been at Charley's and it was amazing - but - the only drawback was the noise. We were there with friends and could barely hear each other talking without yelling. Food was incredible! We had the appetizers - shrimp cocktail, diver scallops, and our friends had the crab cakes. All were incredible! For our entrees - 8 oz filet, 18 oz NY strip, and the guys got 20 oz Ribeyes - all were cooked to perfection! We ordered sides not realizing they are big enough for the entire table to share! The smashed potatoes were good, however the Lobster Mac & Cheese was to die for!
(4)Tom M.
My favorite place in Tampa to get a steak hands down!! Service and food are always amazing!!
(5)Michelle H.
We ended up here due to a recommendation from the hotel and had no clue that this was THE Charley's. I was in awe and the food was so flavorful with every bite. The lobster mac and cheese and angus steak are definitely a must!
(5)Erica M.
Not impressed. The atmosphere was nice but the food wasn't worth the money. I've had way better steaks. Mine wasn't cooked well enough and my friend's was under cooked. The best part of the meal was the bread. I wouldn't go back.
(2)Windy C.
Nice atmosphere but loud as most crowded places with children are. Steaks were not prime quality though prices were. Salads and side dishes were average, nothing stood out as valued. Seafood was the better of quality but still nothing exceptional. Service was great. There are much better dining venues in Tampa for the money.
(2)Jordon M.
Appetizers were great, the smoked salmon was about the best I've ever had. We had a late reservation so the kitchen was out of a few dishes, not the end of the world. The sides were a little dry (potatoes & spinach) but again, I think it was just the end of the night. I would try again during primetime as I know many others who have been quite pleased!
(3)L Z.
We are new to the area, and have heard nothing but rave reviews of this restaurant, so I made reservations for my husband's 71'st birthday. Sorry, for the money, was not all that impressed! When you first walk in, there is a butcher's display of meats. yuck! Because there were only the 2 of us, we were seated at a very dinky table. The waiter, holding a small flashlight, gave a presentation of all the steaks. We ordered the 8 oz. filet at $34.95, which comes with a house salad, and very delicious dinner rolls. For sides, at an additional cost, you have a choice of either a baked potato or vegetables (which is served family style). I have had better steaks, not worth the price. Service was great, but can't say we will be back.
(3)Michael V.
Holy steak... Unique grilled flavor on account of the local Cyrus and oak(?) they use in the grill. Great steak. Great seafood. Definitely loved up to the hype. Eat here.
(5)Matthew W.
Charley's is a great steakhouse I got the Kansas City strip 22 ounce, the steak was flavor full and cooked to perfection medium rare. Service was great drinks were always full and waitress was very attentive. Only draw backs the loaded mash potatoes were a little dry and the lobster bisque was good but have had better.
(4)John B.
Very disappointing ! I had their "signature" filet mignon and it was not very good. Service was mediocre at best. We will not be going back. Much better steak options in the area.
(2)Charlee A.
This was a "surprise" birthday dinner. Quick rundown: the baked potato was cold, steak was overcooked and the evening was a huge disappointment. Many others may like the decor, etc. but I just thought the place felt dingy and outdated. For the price Ruth's Chris, Ocean Prime and Flemings are much better options plus they are nearby.
(2)Tim C.
I used to visit Charley's pretty regularly back in the late 90's and early 2000. Food and service was always top notch. Well, marriage and kids pretty much nullified my fine dining visits, but I did manage to hit Charley's maybe once a year. From about 2007 on, things quickly started to go south. Food quality wasn't the same (fatty, chewy steaks), and the servers weren't as attentive as usual. Well, I hadn't been there in probably 4 or 5 years (harkening back to my previous experiences) but a good friend was in town and wanted to go, so I relented and decided it was time to give it another chance. Was greeted, and after asking for a booth, was nicely accommodated. Took the waiter a good 5+ minutes to even acknowledge us, then said he was busy and would be with us shortly. Finally came back a few minutes later (no apology), and mumbled his name and provided a pretty lethargic and drab introduction. This immediately put me in a crappy mood, not to mention our table was uneven and rocking back and forth, along with it being so dark in our section (by the bar), I could barely read the menu. Noticing the candle at our table was out, I lit it myself since (let's call him Freddy Failure) Freddy didn't notice. Ohh, did I mention that the restaurant was warm, like literally 80 degrees. I realize they have an open grill, but come on, don't be cheap with the a/c. Freddy took our drink order, and said he would be back. Another 5 minutes goes by, and he returns.....no drinks, just fills up our water. He then starts mumbling the specials, and asks if we want appetizers. We decline, and say we want to order. He starts to leave, saying he was going to get the steak display, we say forget it, we know what we want and order (did I mention that we're both almost sweating from the heat by now). We decide to go grab a smoke outside to try and relax because we're both a little annoyed by now. Come back from being outside, and our salads and bread are on the table, still no drinks! Another 5 minutes goes by, and Freddy is still no where to be seen. He finally shows up, and we ask him for our drinks. He puts his finger in the air as if to say ohh, yea, you ordered drinks, then just turns around and walks away without saying anything. Finally brings them out, and still no apology, nothing! Long story short, the service flat out SUCKED. One of my worst experiences in a long time. If it wasn't for the fact that our food was incredible, I would've given one star for my review. Everything was cooked to perfection (we both ordered 20 oz filets, and shared mushrooms and onions, along with smashed potatoes and potatoes au gratin). My steak was amazing, it cut like butter, and everything else was epic. After stuffing our faces, our moods had changed dramatically. The owners at Charley's need to get a handle on their servers, as we wound up talking to a few other couples outside while waiting for our cars, and they too said that the service left a lot to be desired, and that their food was the only saving grace to their overall experience. Just goes to show that a restaurant can live or die by the wait staff. Wake up Charley's management, you're close to reliving the old days, but not with people like Freddy and others represent you. Food: 5 Stars, Service: 1 Star, Overall: 3 Stars.
(3)Clo K.
Great steaks. Bison was awesome. Fried green tomatoes huge. Service was wonderful. ....BUT.... We had the worst small table in the place for our 10th anniversary dinner. I was shocked that we paid $300 for a great meal and had women dress liked prostitutes sitting next to us and teenagers in basket ball shorts sitting across from us. Set a dress code if you charge that much money.
(4)Eden F.
Best steakhouse in Tampa Bay. Don't even spend your time and money on the other over-hyped ones like Shula's (worst, most expensive ribeyes), Ruth's Chris (most bland and no flavor). If you like flavor, best cut steaks, and great service, this IS the spot. You will never be disappointed here.
(5)Kim O.
Oh my god I love Charley's. I believe this is the best steak place in Tampa for sure. When we usually go we share the wagyu ribeye and the Alaskan king crabs. First the wagyu. This is BACON steak!!!! Not really, but that's what we call it because all the marbling creates this wonderful bacony taste when you eat it. And Charley's wagyu is the best. That being said it is also 90 bucks now. Worth it, but since I like to go here a lot we decided to try the regular bone in ribeye last night. I have to say it was almost just as good as the wagyu. It still had a great taste that I think comes from Charley's method of cooking over wood. It is not all smoky or hickory, it's subtle and it is awesome. The salads here are just meh but who cares? They have amazing crab cakes, crab legs, portobello mushroom dishes. And the most yum chocolate cake for dessert you will ever try.
(5)Greg S.
For the life of me I don't know why Charley's doesn't garner a solid 5 stars. To begin with, it doesn't get any better than cooking over hardwood. Morton's, Ruth's and even local competitor Bern's don't hold a candle to this pantheon for carnivores. I have been eating here (Tampa location) for the better part of 7 years and I have never been disappointed. Solid apps include shrimp cocktail (huge), escargot, stone crabs (when they are in). Meats - you simply can't go wrong with any choice. Did I mention they are cooked over real wood!!! I have eaten at the so called best steak joints across the country. If you haven't eaten at Charley's, you haven't eaten at the best. Find a way to make it to Charley's the next time you are in the Sunshine State. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Kelleigh M.
For the price, I think Charley's is ok. It's not my favorite steakhouse in Tampa but its better than average too. Skip their calamari-I've had much better (try ocean prime's). The beef carpaccio is good and their house salad is tasty. The steak is definitely good, but like I stated previously, I prefer others (my all time favorite is Capital Grill). What I will give them props for is the bar area. On any given night, you'll find it packed full of Tampa natives enjoying a cocktail or a glass of wine. Charley's is good, but in my opinion not great.
(3)Crystal P.
Dinner for 3. Kid wanted steak for his birthday, we had a gift card so here we are. Now, our family loves our steak. For special occasion steak dinners we usually go to Bern's or Capital Grill and sometimes Ruth's Chris but the gift card and the fact we've never been to Charlie's brought us here tonight. We self parked. I hate standing around waiting for my car to arrive. ..even if it's complementary valet. If you want to park your own car, take the first left after you turn into the parking lot. First impressions of the outside...lovely. Nice mature landscaping, pretty deck..like an oasis in the desert. Walked inside and the entrance reminded me of someone's old world home. Nice. Bathroom was clean and well kept. The restaurant reminded me of the Tardis....it's bigger on the inside..seemed to go on forever. The bar is in the middle and voices carry...which can be fun (wink). We had reservations and were seated less than 5 mins after we arrived. Our table was in a nice spot facing a glass wall....all I could see were trees and landscaping....pretty. I really felt like I wasn't in the middle of Tampa right next to the interstate. Our waiter arrived and took our drink order. Wine for me, cocktail for the hubs and soda for the birthday kid. Service started slow and ended slow. We went all out for this special occasion. Apps: the calamari- delicious, tender, full of flavor but not a lot of calamari...more peppers than anything. Garlic cheese bread- buttery, garlicky, cheesy, chewy-YUM! All entrées come with a salad- it was ok...not bad just underwhelming....and not too pretty to look at either. Hubs got the Ribeye, Med Rare- steak was cooked perfectly with a very nice char (they cook the meat on a giant 1200 degree grill). I opted for the Lamb Chops, Rare- huge portion cooked perfectly. It came with mint jelly which I found too sweet. I enjoyed the meat more without it- very good flavor on the meat. The birthday kid went with the 12 oz Fillet, Med- he said it was so tender that it melted in his mouth and that he loved the flavor of the charred parts. Sides: Lobster Mac-n-Cheese- noodles cooked well, cheese sauce was good, still searching for the lobster...I think we got jipped. Capital Grill and Clear Sky Draught Haus blew Charlie's away in the lobster Mac-n-Cheese department. For the price I would not order this again. More sides: Asparagus- tender and tasty and Roasted Cauliflower, slathered with a parmesan garlic aoli sauce and roasted until caramelized served with a side of chili-lime sauce- Freaking Fantastic. Because it was the kids birthday and because apparently we are total gluttons we ordered dessert...Chocolate Lava cake with a side of ice cream- chocolate heaven...not the sweet chocolate heaven but the dark chocolate heaven and Salted Caramel Cheesecake- I will think of this cheesecake for a long time it was sweet, rich, little hint of salt that played off the sweet just right. The 3 star rating is due to me comparing this steakhouse to the other 3 I mentioned above as well as the service which was slow and just a tad lacking from what I'd expect at this type of establishment.
(3)Melinda B.
We dined here for Valentines Day with 2 other couples. We were excited to try Charley's based on all the great things we've heard, but all of us left so disappointed. We had reservations so we were promptly seated and greeted by our server. We ordered a round of drinks and things just went downhill from there. Our friends had captain and coke and you couldn't even taste the captain in there. They commented on it and he said the next two would be better, but they weren't. I personally didn't like the mojito so I ordered something else and it took forever to get it. We asked at least 3 times for a refill on water and never got it. There were multiple things we asked for multiple times that we just never got. We finally asked the hostess to speak to a manager and over 30 minutes later there was still no manager so we asked again and were told they would be right over. Again, they never showed up. Overall the food was good, but nothing amazing and not worth the money we spent based on service. Once our food arrived the server checked in with us with in a few minutes of it showing up to ask how it was and then we never saw him again till well after we were done. Drinks were all empty. We sat with empty plates for awhile. By the time we were finally offered dessert we were just over being there and we passed. When it was time to leave the CC was down which I realize wasn't their fault, but again they said we're so sorry and a manager is going to come talk to you and they never showed up again. They over charged us by $26.00 for our bottle of wine which we didn't realize till after we left so we called and were assured they would credit us. They only credited $20.00 instead of $26.00. I know - it's only $6.00, but it's just the principal. We've dined at Berns and this place didn't even begin to compare when it comes to service. If you're going to spend the money please don't waste your time with this place.
(2)Michele D.
We come here all the time. I love their steaks! They are flavored by their aging process then cooked with this cedar wood.. This is where I come when I want a mammoth piece of meat. I always feel like Fred and Wilma Flintstone when they bring my 42oz steak.. Ask to sign up for their emails.. You sometimes get a free steak or invites for one during special events
(5)Victor G.
I took my wife to Charley's because it was highly recommended by a coworker. I was very disappointed. I always order my steak medium rare, the first time it came out it was well done, I had to flag my waiter down after 5 minutes to let him know of the problem. Ten minutes later they bring me another steak that is totally raw in the middle by this time my wife has finished half of her food. For the prices they charge the quality control should be a heck of a lot better. Maybe the one in Orlando is better.
(1)Isabel L.
Everything was amazing from drinks to appetizers to dessert. On the pricey side, but worth it for a special occasion. Will definitely be back!
(5)Steven G.
First night in Tampa and met a friend here for dinner, pretty late. This isn't going to be a "my steak was amazing" story, he got a steak and I didn't, but hopefully gives an adequate idea of what to expect. Standard style decor, and lighting for a steakhouse, and the aroma of the open grill used to cook the steaks was mouth watering, but not too intrusive; like a subtle advertisement of what $30 can get you. We sat at the bar, and Eric was our bartender. He has a pretty good taste in wine, and recommended a Merlot that was made from frozen grapes called the "smash" or "crush"..regardless, it was good. My friend ordered a Martini...or he had a few while he was waiting on me, and it was as delicious as you can make chilled Vodka, bitters, and cheese stuffed olives. Apps started with the Shrimp Cocktail, Beef Carpaccio, and Bacon Wrapped Scallops. In order: the shrimp were enormous, cold, and were everything you'd expect 4 mongo, cold, delicious shrimp to be. Pretty standard. This was the first time I had ever had beef carpaccio, and they add one egg yolk, capers, and a balsamic vinaigrette to it that takes care of any bacteria. Ridiculous. This dish (for a meat-head like myself), absolutely blows any other meat-based app I've ever had out of the water. I'd eat this instead of chicken wings if I was sure I wouldn't mess it up and end up giving myself salmonella. Nothing else more I can say on that...it's just that good. Bacon wrapped dates were a bit pricey, but they were about golfball sized, and wrapped in bacon...not too much else to go off of but they were crazy-good. Just sucks they come in an odd number so it makes it hard to share. Maybe consider selling them individually so you can customize your app? After that I ordered another round of the carpaccio for dinner (told ya) and he got an 8 oz filet. He gave me a bite of the filet and it was killer. All in all it was a positive experience I'd recommend anyone try. It is on par with Morton's and better than Ryan's in my opinion.
(5)Kristin S.
We come here and always sit at the bar... Everytime we look forward to our cocktails.. We only let gabi Adam or Kristian make our drinks!!! They make the best shots/cocktails and we wouldn't come here if it wasn't for them!!!! The 5 stars are for the bartenders and their cocktails! They always make us feel welcome and remember us from the time before.
(5)Zsolt H.
Food was great. Service hmmmm they were really nice, however my surf and turf shrimp and scallops arrived halfway through the steak. There was ant that ran across my plate, and although I didn't care since it didn't come out of the kitchen like that (yes I was gonna squash it for them) it was still something you didn't expect. The manager did come to apologize, but they did not comp anything at all. I am from NY an d I did not act like the stereotype but after having 3 drinks a good costumer service would of been like at least one compt drink. I was their first costumer so you had no excuse really to be sluggish or blame it on being busy. And of course since I'm from NY it is not like you can make it up later when I return. Kind of disappointing experience for a steak house where you drop $100. I hate to say it specially since I love steak houses and I have been to high end ones ( NYC!!!) but if you are in Tampa Longhorns is a better value and at least if they screw up service there is a legit excuse.
(3)Myrna M.
Yes, there is paper on top of the tablecloths. Were we at a crab shack? We have been customers at many good restaurants, Bern's Steak House, Mitchell's Fish Market, Ruth Crist in Tampa, Becco's, Quality Meats, Il Gattopardo and Calle 8 in New York, to name a few, and have never been treated by a server the way we were treated tonight at Charley's. We are very polite people and were nicely dressed because we were celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary. We had been to Charley's many years ago and I guess it was not that memorable when we waited so long to go back. We had reservations for 5pm. Arrived 10 minutes prior and waited about 15 minutes to be seated. We were the second couple seated and then two more couples were seated around us. We waited another 15 minutes and not one server came to our table, but the couples around us were promptly approached and waited on. Finally, a fifty-ish server (John?) came and gave us their specialty speech, without first asking what we would like to drink. He decided we wanted water, left us with our mouths open and rushed away to get it. Came back with the water and then asked us what we wanted to drink. I asked for a sparkling sangria, and my husband asked for a martini on the rocks. "John" went away and after a few minutes, returned and told my husband that there is no such thing as a martini on the rocks and that he would be charged extra if it was prepared differently, as if my husband had asked for the cost of a martini. He then proceeded to "enlighten" my husband by giving him a martini lecture. My husband told him that in his 44 years in the drinking age, he had always asked for a martini on the rocks and never had a problem. This is what Wikipedia says about a martini on the rocks: " A martini may also be served on the rocks, that is, with the ingredients poured over ice cubes and served in an Old-Fashioned glass." At this point I was super furious and very upset and wanted to leave. My husband spoke with the Manager and he said that they could assign another server. No, thanks - evening already ruined! Without a reservation to any other restaurant, we decided to give Seasons 52 a try. We went in and they told us that it would be an hour wait for the restaurant but that in the bar area there were tables available with the same menu so we decided to try the bar area. The atmosphere was very nice and quiet and elegant. Our server came to us promptly and was very friendly. My husband ordered a martini on the rocks and that is what they brought, no lectures given. The service, and the food, was great especially the filet mignon which was like butter melting in our mouths. We commented to our server how the restaurant had saved our evening and she quickly left our table and returned surprising us with a $25 discount gift card for the next time we visit. I had to givre it a star to be able to post but, sorry, no stars for Charley's.
(1)Marc T.
Didn't live up to the hype about being one of the top 10 steakhouses. The smell of smoke hits when you are still outside. And that strong smokey taste over powered our steaks. The calamari appetizer had to be sent back. Not crispy outside and rubbery inside. Good drinks and service.
(2)Mike P.
First rate steak house. This place deserve all the high marks it gets. The steak comes out perfectly cooked with a true mesquite flavor that you don't seem to get anywhere else. This place blows Ruth Chris's away in every aspect!! Extra bonus is all the beautiful eye candy sitting at the bar. This is where the "in " crowd goes which I could care less about because that means usually trendy average food but not here. Great date place.
(5)Ben R.
First the staff: It is sometimes hard to rate the staff when everything goes well. On our first visit, things did not. It began with our reservation, which was erroneously switched with someone else's, this caused a minor delay. After that our service was very good but slow. Until they brought us the wrong food, twice. I am not a huge complainer, and my wife and I were enjoying our evening so this wasn't a big deal. The manager then completely took over our service, apologized profusely, showered us with extras, and took care of the bill. This took us by surprise, and completely made up for the minor inconveniences we had experienced. Obviously this place understands customer service, and holds their staff to very high standards. Now the food... The steak was good, not overwhelming, not amazing, just good. The price point is above an outbacks, but below the top steak joints in the area. I've grown to expect a melt in your mouth steak from the better steak houses and this was not. Wife's filet was overcooked, and my strip had a thick layer of fat on it (perhaps I am unsophisticated in steakery, but I do not understand paying for a steak with 10-15% of it's weight being fat). Sides were okay, bread and salad were both as to be expected. Bottom line, we will go back for a good steak at some point due to manager going above and beyond to rectify the mistakes, but it will not be on our list for a special occasion meal.
(3)Luke S.
Completely amazing food!! The platter of steaks they bring out to choose from is amazing and will bring out the inner carnivore in anyone!
(5)Frank S.
Worth it, sat at the bar and Adam really took the time to steer us into the perfect wine and dinner choice!! Don't miss this place.
(4)Carl Y.
Solid top-shelf steakhouse. Great cuts... though mine wasn't as tender as I'd like, it was good. Good, but overpriced wine list. Amazing service. So... its an impressive indulgence that occasionally is worth the spend.
(3)Dan C.
Good steak and although it is not cheap you get a good size steak. Sides are to be split, we had some pretty good lobster Mac and cheese. Waiter even made me sweet tea because I ordered it and said I would have regular when he said they don't serve it. Not sure how he made it but he mixed a pitcher full which made my night. Also this was sitting in the bar area, and still had really good service.
(4)Amanda C.
This was my second visit to Charley's Steak House but it had been a few years since my last visit. Honestly, I think my first visit was more enjoyable. Maybe it was the fact that it was Valentines weekend and it was super packed but I didn't enjoy my meal as much. Our reservation was at 8:15 but we didn't get seated until about 8:50. They kept bringing out huge platters of calamari to hold everyone over before they got seated since they were behind, which was very nice of them. Once we finally got seated I ordered the cucumber spice for my cocktail. I was confused when I got it because there was a lot of pineapple and no cucumbers in sight. Then I realized that the waiter had brought me the pineapple spice margarita on accident, which was fine because I really enjoy spicy margaritas. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get the presentation of the different meat cuts that first timers usually get since my boyfriend had never been to Charley's before. I ordered the Valentine's special which was an 8 ounce filet over mashed potatoes with a side of scallops, I chose mine to be bacon wrapped. My boyfriend got the new york strip and we got a side of potatoes au gratin. It took about 45 minutes for our food to come out, which was understandable, but my meal was cold by the time I got it. Not ice cold, but barely warm. I was so hungry that I didn't want to wait even longer for another meal so I chose to eat it and not send it back. Everything was good but nothing was great. Although, my opinion may have been different if my meal was actually hot. My boyfriends new york strip was very good and and potatoes au gratin were amazing! For dessert we shared the creme brulee...SO good! All in all I didn't enjoy this experience at Charley's as much as my last. The fact that there are so many other steakhouses in Tampa, I'm not sure how soon I will return. I only wish this experience was as good as my first. Maybe coming on Valentines weekend was a bad idea!
(3)David K.
I consider myself a steak connoisseur. Charley's is the place to go for steak in Tampa in my opinion. They wet age there prime beef on premises and the steaks are cut by management daily. What makes Charley's unique is the grill. They have a custom made grill in the middle of the restaurant. The wood they burn is citrus and oak thus giving the steak and amazing smokey flavor with a hint of citrus. They have your typical steak house cuts but also some unique ones. The buffalo rib eye is a healthy flavorful alternative to beef. You also cant go wrong with the wagyu rib eye, it is a little on the pricey side but you only live once. They also have a bone in KC strip but you have to get there early to get your hands on that. If you like the tenderloin they have a 20 ounce center cut fillet that will melt in your mouth. Charley's has an extensive wine list. If you have the jack go for the $2700.00 screaming eagle then wright about it. I have always wanted to know what a $2700 bottle of wine tastes like. The wait staff is very knowledgeable about the wine tell them how much you want to spend and the recommendations have always been spot on.
(5)Priscilla R.
This place has obviously been in Tampa for Years! The decor is very dated. However, the wagyu steak was delicious. The grilled asparagus was good but I think the prices are a bit high for a place with such 1960's- 70's dark look. They really need to step it up if they want charge $89 for a piece of meat. I don't think I would go back here. But it wasn't bad. The wait staff was friendly enough. We walked from the marriott so tht was a plus.
(3)Jess I.
My friend and I were visiting Tampa for a couple of days. We initially tried to book a reservation at Burns, but they had a wicked late availability and we had to catch our flight early the next morning. Charley's was accommodating and we were able to reserve at 7PM (perfect!). We walked in, and had a couple drinks before we headed to our table. The bartenders, were nice for the most part, we only interacted with two out of the three(or four?). I loved the set up of the bar, and the freshly squeezed orange juice!!! Thirty minutes later and we decided to head to our table. Our server, was awesome! He was attentive, friendly and super on top of things. My friend got the T-bone steak and I ordered the salmon. My salmon was SUPERB. I loved every single bite. We shared the wedge salad, as we weren't too hungry due to a late lunch. I can't really judge the wine, as we did not order a bottle like we usually do. The servers defiantly seemed friendlier than the female bartender. I will return next time I'm in Tampa!
(5)Crystal H.
The stone crab was great. We also loved the house salad. The mix of tomatoes olives cheese and vinegar gave it a great flavor and was different from every day dressing.
(5)Susie F.
We went back to chariey last Sunday , The service and the steak still 5 stars that's why we drove all the way from the south brandon
(5)Hugo B.
Solid steakhouse with a reputation to boot (they have a sign that says they're one of the top 10 steak houses in America, although to me that's a little bit of a stretch). Great service, extensive organic meat selection and long wine list, as you'd expect from a good steakhouse and at that price range. I've been here a few times and I'm never completely wowed but I never leave disappointed either. In a nutshell, it's a basic, high end steakhouse.
(4)John A.
Eh. Second time here and it's basically ok. The service is good but it could be better especially for the price paid. Beware the porterhouse cut. It's labeled as 32 ounces but when you take into account the bone and exorbitant amount of inedible fat ( and I love good fat on a steak) you'd be lucky to have 16-18 ounces. The creamed spinach is good but avoid the veggies. Waste of money for hard flavorless steamed veggies. IMO go to Ruth's. You won't be disappointed.
(3)Jessica P.
Overpriced.. This steakhouse really needs to step it up for the prices. One thing that sticks out the most from my visit.. The tables looked like they were chewed up.. Then covered with some cheap cafe-style paper. Very unpleasant to look at and feel. Steaks were ok, service was horrible. Instead of seating us (my husband and I) in a quieter part of the restaurant, we were sat next to a party of 20, who were clearly drunk and loud. Nice they are having a good time, but we were obviously looking for a more intimate setting. Never again. Ruth Chris all the way!
(2)Shelby S.
By far, Charleys is my absolute favorite steak house in the area. When given the option of Shula's, Ruth's Chris, Berns, Cap Grill or Flemmings, I always always always choose Charleys. Did I mention always? :) Although the interior is a little outdated (don't worry, it's dark - you won't notice), the technique that they use to bring their steaks to perfection must be the differentiator. My filet is always perfect! Even better than the steaks though is the house special seafood appetizer. It's not on the menu, so you will have to ask for it, but it is well worth the $60 price tag. My girlfriends and I are notorious for heading there after work to share the appetizer and have cocktails. If you are looking for the best steak in town, this is it. Even better, though, is the missing pretentious atmosphere that you find at Berns. I get to dine at high end places quite often, it's one of the perks of my job. Having been to all the top spots repeatedly, I definitely pick Charleys if it's up to me.
(5)Todd C.
Crab cakes to start are a must. Followed by salad, bread, 10oz filet cooked to perfection and so tender, paired with lobster mac and cheese. I will eagerly return to Charley's for another great meal on next visit to Tampa. Tip: if you are traveling solo, go and eat at the bar. Bartenders are very friendly as are other patrons.
(5)FutureDentist I.
Worst steak EVER! I love filets and have tried a filet from every steakhouse there is in Tampa Bay and this is the last place I'd ever return to.
(1)Charles T.
I visited this establishment while on business in Tampa. The service was excellent, the food was excellent and the location was reasonably close between the airport and beach. It's very easy to run up a big tab here but worth it.
(4)Martha A.
I have definitely experience better steak houses. The food is not as good as other ones we have been. It is extremely expensive for what they offer. Not worth expending almost $200 for food that is not excellent!
(2)Campbell M.
Disappointing. This is usually one of our favorite steak places in town. Our service was good, but the food and presentation were way off for Charlie's standards. Our scallops were undercooked, and our medium-rare steaks were served cold and undercooked. We had to return them twice. Management did the right thing by us, but it was the most disappointing Charley's experience we have ever had. With the wealth of steak restaurants in Tampa, it will be a while before we return.
(2)Nick C.
Went to this restaurant for the beginning of our "celebration." There were about 12 of us and had the whole night planned out starting with a great steak for dinner. We were sat in a timely manner, that was the highlight of the experience. After ordering we waited for our appetizers...and waited...and waited. Finally got those, not horrible, nothing great. After that we waited for our entrees...and waited...and waited. We had the whole night planned out and were on a tight schedule. After an hour after ordering our entrees (let me say that I know people exaggerate the time in which they waited for some things but I am not, I timed it) everyone at the table was getting restless. It was so bad it got to the point our waiter was hiding from us and was afraid to come back and check on us. I finally got up and went to the open kitchen area (they have an open grill for the steaks) and asked what was taking so long to the "manager" i found also hiding from what I assumed was other parties waiting on food. He said everything was coming right out. Sat back down, after another 10 or so minutes the entrees started to arrive. Most of us ordered the special bone in ribeye for $40 plus a' la carte sides and Im not exaggerating by saying that probably 3 out of the 12 steaks were cooked correctly, the sides were either cold or overcooked and you could tell they were sitting there waiting on the steaks to be cooked. At this point I was irate, the beginning of our celebratory night was horrible. What started as a group of happy people sitting down, laughing, talking to each other and looking forward to the rest of the night turned into 12 people staring at their plates, awkwardly pushing around food with their forks in silence. I did have to give it to our waiter, he tried the best he could to make the situation better. We were paying $75+ per person after drinks and appetizers and to be honest...I could have taken everyone to Outback Steakhouse and gotten a better meal for 1/4 of the price.
(1)Mike M.
Steak lovers paradise! Dinner, Saturday night at 7:15. Busy time. We were a party of 6 and a waitress nightmare- seated at slightly different times "oh my". They chose to seat us early and start on some drinks- although they didn't have to, they made the right choice, incredibly flexible for a upscale place. Reading others reviews I almost feel like we were in a difference restaurant. From the hostess to the "steak presenter" to our waitress and even the "baked potato girl" every employee we dealt with was the consummate professional. They all had fun and in turn so did we! Lets get to the most important part.. the steaks. Two of us chose to splurge and got the Wagyu steaks. At 45 years old I can honestly say I have never had a tastier more perfectly cooked steak. I would give it 6 strs if Yelp would allow. The other folks with us had the cowboy ribeye, and a Filet MIgnon, and the final two shared the incredibly overindulgent 50 oz porterhouse and lobster tail. All steaks were cooked to perfection, with the wood grill method perfectly seasoning and adding to the flavor of the steak. The sides were quite good as well, Au Gratin potatoes, Asparagus, Creamed Spinach.. Dessert was another overindulgence, giant mounds of carrot cake, death by chocolate, amaretto misu, incredible. Overall our experience here was outstanding! Incredible steaks, great sides and superb desserts!
(5)Michelle M.
The food at Charley's was great with the exception of our steaks. My sister and I ordered the 10oz Filet Mignon. We were disappointed to find that there was a large amount of far on our steaks. This much fat would be expected on a ribeye, but not filet mignon! I ordered my steak medium rare, but the steak I received was burnt on the outside and practically well done in the middle with just a hint of pink in the very center bite of the steak. My sister's steak was overcooked as well. The table next to us returned their steaks and we probably should have done the same. Life is too short to eat overcooked steak! I enjoyed the tuna tar-tar (not on the menu, but they made it for us per my husband's request). I also enjoyed my salad, my Washinton Apple martini and my side items, but I unfortunately the steak was terrible. Besides my burnt steak the service was disappointingly slow. We went on a Monday night and it took almost two and a half hours from the time we arrived to the time we left. Our waitress disappeared with our credit cards for 20 minutes, only to return to our table and ask us again how we were splitting the check. Maybe I came on an off night, but Charley's was a huge let down. There are too many great steak restaurants in Tampa to suffer through another burnt steak at Charley's.
(2)Deb C.
Overall good. Excellent service at the bar and our table. Wagyu ribeye was good but not sure worth $89.95! Kansas City Strip was a little fattier than a strip should be. But, the cedar plank crab cakes were awesome even for this Maryland girl.
(4)Papi P.
Our last experience was just ok. Food was ok, service was lack luster... We might give this place a break for a bit
(2)Peter C.
Good meat, good service. But not great. At this price-point, there's some serious competition out there, and Charley's isn't quite up to snuff. When it comes down to it, a steakhouse is about the steak. So I won't bother with apps (which are huge portions - don't try ordering individually!), drinks, wine lists, etc. The steak gets 4 stars. They have a good variety of cuts, and the quality was certainly high, but it didn't have the melt-in-your-mouth, intense flavor that the truly great steakhouses have. I had the porterhouse, and tried the wagyu. Both were very good, not great. I'd go back, but I'll try other options first.
(4)Lauren V.
I'll admit it, part of my review is being based on appearances. I've been known to be judgy. But Charley's desperately needs an overhaul. The interior is odd and the logo/sign outside? Tragic. All appearance biases aside, the food was pretty great! Our waiter had a fully blown "steak presentation" so that we could truly visualize our cuts of meat. I landed on a filet and it was a good decision on my part. Sides are family style and generous in size. I'd definitely go again, but on someone else's dime. Charley's is on the overly-spendy side.
(3)Greg T.
So much to say here, so I promise to be brief. I agree with a lot of the reviews, you CAN find a much better steak joint to dine at, at this price level. You leave with a BIG bill and very little lasting impression.
(3)Kathy C.
Wow! This restaurant was the first restaurant me and my husband went and dined at during our visit in Tampa Florida. It was a complete surprise for us too! We had asked the cab driver to take us to a restaurant nearby our hotel we were staying at hoping to get dropped off at a regular restaurant like Applebees or the Ram. Instead the cab driver took us here and we didn't think anything of it. We walked into a very nice beautiful restaurant with a great sample of the meat selections they serve in a refrigerated style bar right in the front entrance. Also the waitstaff there was excellent. We sat down and got our menus in hand and Woohoo! I thought we were sitting at El Gauchos or Morton's Steakhouse here in Seattle for a minute it was definitely on the pricier side of the house. The taxi driver for some reason decided to drop us off at the most expensive restaurant literally on our first night being in Tampa, Florida. Which ended up being okay that it happened it just was not what we were expecting to spend that night on dinner. Long story short we ended up ordering the most inexpensive Steak which was the Pork Steak and a bottle of wine. I do remember the dinner coming with a salad also. The Pork was excellent very big and very thick in size. I think it was probably the largest pork steak I have ever had at a restaurant and it was delicious. We also ordered a bottle of wine and I can't remember what the brand was but, it was Pinot Noir and very good. The dinner was very filling and the portions well served that we had leftovers. We enjoyed ourselves dining here at this restaurant as the service was excellent and definitely top notch. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an upscale classy restaurant to go to in Tampa, Florida.
(5)Sharon C.
If zero stars was an option that would be my rating. Friends invited us to Charley's and the company was excellent. Everything else was really bad. The server was in a constant state of confusion and made mistakes at every turn. Too many to mention. And the food.....AWFUL. The shrimp cocktail was overcooked and chewy. I ordered my pork chop done (no pink) and it came rare. The put it back on the grill but it still came back to me very pink inside. They just didn't seem to know how to cook meat. The broccoli they served was so overcooked, I wondered if it was canned. The salad dressing tasted like cheap vegetable oil and vinegar. Bland and tasteless. My husband was shocked at how tasteless his filet was. Asparagus came with a big glob of cheese on top when we specifically asked for no cheese on anything. The salad also came with cheese. Drinks are fine, but overpriced compared to other high end restaurants. They offered a free dessert for our troubles. The creme brulee tasted like sweet eggs. The eggs were curdled. Will never return....
(1)Andy D.
I was recommended to go here, after talking about Gallagher's Steak House. Charley's Steak House hands down, much better. Although I felt my WAGU Steak was too salty, I had just come off a salt free diet, so maybe I was just being picky! But, the stark was phenomenal, my guests steaks were phenomenal too. The mashed potatoes were the best I've ever had. Charley's will definitely get my business when I'm in Tampa again.
(4)Justin P.
Can't make this stuff up...My wife & i had dinner here for the 1st time for our anniversary this past Saturday. The guy that took my reservations over the phone made it seem like they were going to do something "special" for us being 1st visit and anniversary. I don't ever expect something free but not only did they do nothing, they did the complete opposite. I would have settled for a somewhat good experience. 1st we showed up 20 minutes early for our reservation and the hostess didn't ask us but told us to come back at 7:15 or go to the bar and buy a drink. The bartender (bald headed guy, didn't catch his name) wouldn't tell me what the 4 draft beers they offer were. I had to ask 3 times and his response was "it depends, what do you want"? Then he didn't want to give me my change for the $20 bill i gave him for 2 draft beers. Like a dummy i tipped him the $3 change. Yes no typo there $17 for 2 draft beers. Next we were seated at a table set for 4 people they took the place settings in front of us "to make room" and walked away and we had to take the plates and silverware next to us and set it up ourselves. We watched our waitress (Sueanne) bring platters to other tables to display the different cuts of meat but not for us. We ordered our steaks my wife got the bigger filet (i think 14oz) they told her they had to butterfly so they didn't burn it and they still brought it burned on the edges. I got the 18oz NY strip which was OK but not impressive. Overall experience was mediocre and then factor in the money we spent for 2 people ($120 with 2 beers at bar, dinner and tip) takes it down below average. Will never recommend to anyone i consider a friend or ever go back. Maybe if we went in waving around an AMEX black card we may have been treated like guests and not a burden.
(1)Lanny F.
The Management team is tops! Thank you Carl & Chelly!!!
(5)Becky S.
took my boyfriend here for his birthday. The steak was amazing! We shared one because it was so big
(5)Patrick H.
Charley's must be thee place to go for frequent flyers because it is right next door to the Sheraton Suites Airport Hotel. It was my first night in Florida, first place to eat, and I have to say Customer Service is on point. It's got to be if people from around the world are flying in and eating there. So my first night in, I saw this huge sign, "Charley's Steak House". It was like the movie, "Waterboy", I was the fly drawn into the light! I got in, wasn't really hungry for steak, so I had to ask the Bartender, Adam, what was good. He asked me, "Do you like Tuna?", I said, "Yes" and he recommended the Seared Rare Tuna Sashimi. Didn't really know what it was, expected something out of a can, but hey, I could eat. The Seared Rare Tuna Sashimi reminded me of sushi, but without the seaweed wrap. It was sliced thin, layered like a deck of cards spread out, and came with something like soy sauce, but sweeter. It was very delicious and filling. Hands down, gotta get it! If I'm ever back down in Florida. That's probably gonna be the first place I'm going to stop at. d;)
(4)Joe R.
Bison ribeye was the shiz!!
(5)Matt D.
I can't believe I've never written a review for Charley's seeing as I've been here many times over the years. It's probably not fair to say this, but they're docked a star immediately for the price. I get that it's an upscale steakhouse, but it can get extremely outrageous quickly here. That being said, we've found the best tasting, most reasonable thing on the menu. The steak tartar here is by far the best I've ever had and it is easily enough for one person for a meal. They use the very best cuts of meat, and it is only $15.95. I've had their steaks and seafood here, but I always come back to the tartar. I actually wouldn't order a cooked steak here. I've seen and heard that they're not worth the price. The seasonal fish is excellent though. Always cooked beautifully, and a massive serving size. The bread is always amazing, creamed spinach is killer, and the potatoes au gratin are delicious. I would also recommend the stone crab (if you can afford them) and the tuna tartar. I have also had inconsistent service here. For a $$$$ type of establishment, they should really have the very best servers. They tend to be a little slow sometimes, and worst of all, they can be curt.
(4)William C.
Charley's Steaks are FANTASTIC! But lets talk about the other stuff. First, the salad was loaded with finely ground black olives, completely covered the taste of everything else in the salad. No... that was terrible. The lobster bisque was super good. The bisque had chunks of lobster meat, but they put in the lobster claw toe. Its the very tip of the claw. The consistency is different, and it tastes really bad. (We picked them out) Otherwise, the bisque was AWESOME. We got an order of the scalloped potatoes, it was huge! So very tasty!! Total two thumbs up! We got the NY strips, they were perfect. They had a strong smoke flavor, they were truly wonderful to behold! My wife got the chocolate cake to take home... It too was delicious. Now the wait staff. Some of the most professional waiters IMHO I've seen. They double teamed us with two waiters that just ran their assess off. They looked like frickin' male model / strippers, which was really annoying, since I brought my wife there for her birthday.. Just kidding, they were great. I told them about the toe, because i wondered why and Bam, off the bill. I told him dude the bisque was really good, so, I just tipped them extra. The ambiance was very nice, the noise level a little high. It's a little pricey, but worth it in my opinion. Get it on @ Charley's!
(4)Mike S.
Our favorite upscale steakhouse...better overall than Bern's in our opinion......equal or superior food quality with less pretentious ritual and delay. The setting is elegant without being stuffy; service is professional and helpful. Steaks are very good, and you get to select your steak and see the size/marbleing in raw meat cuts brought to the table for your inspection. The spinach souffle, mashed potatoes and fresh veggie sides are excellent, as are the luxurious dessert options....and you do not have to trudge upstairs, change waiters & wait more for dessert. Have not yet tried Ruth's Chris or some other renowned steak places, but so far, we like Charley's the best. However, we are open to dramatic discounts to try the competition.
(4)Deb P.
Wow, just wow. Awesome experience from beginning to end. Kenny was a great server, and his recommendations were spot on. Our table ordered filets, Kansas strip, and a bison steak, all were greatly enjoyed, as were the blueberry cheesecake and espressos at the end. Thanks for an enjoyable meal and evening!
(5)alan p.
Charley's is my favorite steakhouse in Florida, bar none. I had excellent service in the bar. I ordered the 50oz porterhouse because I a glutton on many different levels. The steak arrived perfectly cooked like I ordered it. And I proceeded to attack the steak. The only way to eat these large steaks is to eat it fast. Before I knew it the steak was gone and the waiter was asking me for my name so I could have may name added to there 50oz club. Great steak, great service, come try out Charley's Steakhouse if your in Tampa.
(5)Christopher H.
This was my second trip here, this time with a good friend of mine. The place doesn't actually start seating until 5p, but due to no traffic my friend was there at about 4:00; they at least let him hang out in the lobby, which is very comfortable. We were seated at 5 and greeted by our server who took drink orders. When you order a cocktail (and I of course ordered a manhattan), it's about 1.5 drinks. The server comes out with the shaker, pours the drink up to the rim of the glass, has you sip it down a little, and then again tops it off to the rim. That's my idea of a cocktail. Our server then introduced us to all the cuts of steak, and then asked if we wanted to see the fish. Being that we were in a steakhouse, we declined. The steaks are served ala carte, although they do come with a salad. The salad is ok, but that's not really what you come to a steak place for, right? The NY strip is awesome. They're wet age and wood fired. They come out dense, tender, flavorful having absorbed a good amount of the woody goodness from the fire. This is one of the few places where they do a better steak than one I can do up at home, making it worth the price for me. It's spendy, but oh so good.
(5)Aaron S.
My favorite steakhouse in Tampa. The decor is a little dated, but the flavor of the steak is hard to beat. The Ribeye is my favorite here and never disappoints. The crab cakes on the cedar plank are a great appetizer. The lobster Mac and Cheese is always full of lobster meat and is my favorite side. I dine here whenever I am in town and always enjoy the meal!
(5)Dick W.
Major decline and disappointment from a year ago and will be my last visit. Not sure what's going on but they should be removed from any "fine dining" list. Called ahead to reserve a table for our 34th anniversary. We were seated at a 2 person table with one of the seats being a shared bench. The table next to us was nearly in our lap. When a family was seated next to us shortly afterwards any hopes of having a private conversation went out the window. We were given three big fancy menus/wine list/specials but the table was so small I literally had to keep them in my lap and look at them one at a time. The specials were simply items that were on the menu or drink list and nothing special about them. We ordered the crab cakes and the lobster bisque. The crab cakes had multiple shells in them and one of them was slightly burnt where they apparently let the burning of the serving wood get away from them. Had it not been for that the flavor was very good. They comped the crab when we showed them the pieces of shell. The bisque, unlike last year, had zero lobster in it. The server even touted it as loaded with lobster. It had a good flavor but was too spicey. I'm not afraid of spicey foods but not this much for bisque. The salad was average. My baked potato was huge but served on a plate that didn't allow it to be opened and loaded, so I put it on my steak plate. My wife got the $50 sirloin and it was terrible. Flat out, no taste. I ordered the "petite" porterhouse and lobster tail. My steak was O.K. at best and the tail was overcooked and rubbery. The server asked us how everything was and we told her it was just O.K. She must have been fine with O.K. When the manager came by we told him the same...especially regarding my wifes steak. He quickly swapped it out and said he noticed that many of the steaks in the kitchen that went out early (we had a 5:00 reservation) didn't appear to be seasoned enough. He went on to say that he had them add more seasoning and that when seasoned enough the steak will literally be bronze to look at. I had never heard of a fine aged steak needing to be lathered in seasonings. The second steak she received did taste better but by no means to the level I've had at Berns. I have bought steaks at Sams, lightly seasoned them and they tasted better coming off my grill than either of the two steaks we had Saturday. Throw in a rubbery lobster and this was a waste of $250 (other than the company). We passed on coffee and dessert. The only thing wonderful I left Charlies with was my wife of 34 years!!
(2)Karyn L.
Way way way too much $$. Overpriced, even for a steakhouse. The sides were TINY. We ordered two (grilled asparagus and lobster mac & cheese) for a group of four people and each person got one asparagus stalk and a teeny bite of mac & cheese. Sad. I'm going to Bern's or Flemmings or Capital Grille where the steaks are better and the sides are bigger.
(2)Michael P.
I don't know where to begin! I ordered my filet well done. It came so tender and juicy, you Wouldent think it was well done. The waiter had a great sense of humor (matt) was his name. He was on top of his service. Here the second my coke got low and was very educated on all of the menu items, desserts, drinks and entrees. The atmosphere was kind of loud only because there were 4 different birthdays going on tonight. I'm actually sitting at the table as we speak. Digesting the best meal I have ever had. The steak had the perfect flavor. And for a side dish, get the scalloped potatoes. They are to die for.
(5)Hannah M.
We celebrated Grandma's 75th birthday party here and everyone (even the vegetarians) left with a full stomach and happy heart. Bringing the family together over a family style meal was a great option as everyone could taste everything from the menu. Everything I ate (from the seafood, to vegetables, steak, and dessert) was mouthwatering and I was a huge fan of my bison steak which was cooked to perfection. The biggest downside to the meal was that the private room was being shared with a few other parties including a teenage girl's rambunctious birthday party. The ability to cater to the group of 20 in a private room would have been much more preferable.
(4)Nick D.
Went for special Valentine's dinner, and it was awful all around. They were running the place like a factory trying get diners in and out, and they squeezed us into a room with multiple small folding metal tables where it was hard to sit without hitting your feet on the metal legs. I counted 3 couples sit down at the adjacent table and leave without ordering due to the conditions. Our waitress said she had 5 couples get up and leave to demand a better table. The bar area was too crowded to get a drink while we waited for a table, and once we did our vodka tonics were made with club soda. We were eventually seated at 9:40 for a 9:00 reservation, and we were told my name was called twice without answer. I was standing right by the hostess desk so I know this to be a lie. The assistant Manager and our waitress were very accommodating to our concerns, however, the food was still quite poor. My filet was overcooked (well done, ordered med rare) and the crabcakes were undercooked. I was quite disappointed to spend a Valentine's night at such a poor establishment. I made my reservations based on reviews I read here and elsewhere, and in retrospect, I should have paid more attention to the more recent negative reviews. The establishment may be past its prime, or perhaps a busy night like Valentine's is the wrong day to go. Will never go back and will not recommend. The price is high, but I spent 3 times as much on my wife's birthday the following evening at a Clearwater establishment with much better results to salvage the weekend.
(2)E F.
I'm sorry but blehhhhh. Food was not very good. And for how expensive it was it makes it even worse. The extra star is for service because the staff was nice. But the food kinda sucked!! The house salads were sloppy and wet and warm. The tuna sashimi app was very bland. I've had much better sashimi at Ciccios and Outback. The asparagus was undercooked and the cheese on top just kind if sat there like a big blob. The steak was on the tough-chewy side and had very little flavor. The desserts were very fake tasting. For the price I was surprised how bad most of the food was but this is Tampa so oh well. I would not recommend or go back.
(2)Cooker B.
My family and I frequent Berns, Mortons, Prime, Ruth Chris, etc but what I experienced at Charley's this weekend was something I have never experienced before. I would like to start off by saying that the service was exceptional and I couldn't have asked for any better service. The tuna sashimi appetizer and crab cakes were delicious as well as the cheese bread however I would have been more pleased with a steak from a fast food chain. The steaks had an indescribable disgusting smell similar to rotting meat. Two of the steaks we received were extremely rare when we all ordered medium, and mine was extremely overcooked. They were not tasty at all and nearly inedible. Trying to be polite, we each had a bite or two and then got the bill. We will most likely never come back again.
(2)Jes M.
My boyfriend and I went out for a romantic meal, so if this is your plan, I DO NOT recommend this place. When we first walked in the restaurant was very, very smokey. They sat us in a both near the fish tank and it was so dark we could barely see in front of us. It was so loud we had to sit next to each other in order to focus on each others conversation. There was a table near us that the party was so loud and obnoxious I could barely take it. One of the patrons literally dropped the "F" bomb about 2 dozen times and no one from the restaurant ever said anything. It made our experience very unpleasant. Needless to say, we will not be going back. On the brighter side, my boyfriend ordered a steak and it was really good. I ordered the lamb chops and they were a bit tough. The lobster Mac and Cheese was and salads were awesome, as was the wine. Overall, I was disappointed and do not plan to go back.
(2)Michael M.
Bottom line up front: If you're seriously into steaks, you have to give Charley's at least one try. The way they grill their beef (with orange wood or some other type of citrus, if I remember correctly) gives it a delicious and unique flavor that I haven't experienced anywhere else. It's a delightful smokey-sweetness and it was great on both steaks I tried: the ribeye and the T-bone. That's on the plus side. On the minus side, I found the service average when compared to steakhouses in general and specifically other Tampa steakhouses like Capital Grille or Ruth's Chris, both of which are right down the street from Charley's. While I absolutely recommend the steaks, I can't recommend the sides - my girlfriend was served a tomato salad consisting of fresh tomato slices (great!) alternated with giant, think slices of raw white onion (what!?!) with no seasoning.
(3)Pauly C.
On a business trip this was just such a great experience. The restaurant is extremely clean, and the bar staff was over the top with their service and professionalism. I will definitely going back without a doubt. From the bar the view is excellent. We can see the wood fired grille burning hardwoods and the magician behind the grille cooking up absolutely delicious steaks and seafood. The New York strip is unbelievable and would recommend it to anyone. The crab cakes I would put up against any I have ever had. Absolutely amazing on a cedar plank. Being from New England it was really a treat to have some gator. They fry it up like calamari with a well matched tartar sauce. My description will do it no justice they are all something that you will have to try for yourself. Excellent experience!
(5)Sam Q.
I've only been to Charley's half a dozen times (five here and once in Orlando). I used to think that paying $30 for just a steak was crazy. Give me Longhorn I tell ya! Well, I still like Longhorn, but there IS a difference between what you get there and what you get at Charley's. I've had the Ribeye and the filet mignon. Actually, I tried the Ribeye my first visit, filet the second visit, and never looked at another cut. I've been working up the courage to order the $65 20oz filet, but since I mostly go when someone else is paying, I quite can't do that to them. I'll save my pennies and go on my own dime next time to order that steak, and I'll report back. Service was outstanding. Everything was über delicious. I agree with Harry D. that the mashed potatoes are indescribably delicious. The side salads were also a treat, and I loved the bread and the grilled veggie sides. I haven't tried the crab or the fish or the lobster (or anything else for that matter) so I can't comment. I can say that on one occasion someone ordered an appetizer sampler platter (two actually) and they were like $80 a pop. Be on the lookout for overly friendly waiters offering appetizers. :) I can however speak to what has consistently been the most amazing filet mignon I've had anywhere in Tampa. It's expensive, but you get what you pay for. The atmosphere is upscale and this is a definite spot for conducting business. Make sure you have a pretty big expense account though.
(5)Jade S.
For many years I would have given this restaurant five stars however in the last year or two service has gone way down and so has the quality of food.
(4)Robert P.
Charley Ooooooh Charrrleeeyyy I came to Charley's mainly cause i wasn't paying for the meal. lol Company Xmas party. They had 3 options set up for us, steak, salmon, and chicken i think. I don't know, but i was at the GREAT CHARLEY'S STEAKHOUSE, so obviously I'm going to order a steak, cause I'm not a moron. lol Anyways lets start with the bread. Oh baby oh baby, that bread was ridiculousssss. like i seriously considered stuffing a couple rolls in my pants, no bullshit. Like i may come back here and just order a soup and bread, or maybe just bread. It's that insane. Some ppl in my group didn't like the salad, i thought the salad was good, so maybe they just don't like salads, or maybe they have a shitty pallet. lol Then the steak came and music started playing in the background. The steak was perfectly cooked, and delicious. I probably would have enjoyed it more if i hadn't eaten 10 rolls beforehand though. Mashed potatoes were awesome, au gratin potatoes were good, but not the epic side they made it out to be. Overall Charley's lives up to the hype, but next time I'll try to control myself around the rolls, so i can actually enjoy the rest of my meal without feeling like i just ate a small child
(4)Kat D.
The wait is a bit ri-donk-u-lous. Get a reservation!
(2)A S.
My friend a huge carnivore had been excited about going to this restaurant for years, I went along hoping for a nice fish entree since I don't eat meat but will eat fish The steak selection in the case was beautiful. I liked that the waiter took the time to come over with a tray showing all the cuts of beef available and talked about where the meat came from. Nice touch, they are really proud of the beef they serve there. We shared a stuffed mushroom drowned in hollandaise sauce as an appetizer, I ate a few bites before realizing it was LOADED with bacon, no indication of this on the menu anywhere as an ingredient, unfortunately I have a bad reaction to meat thats why I don't eat it. The fish entree was off that night, out of the five or so fish entrees on the menu they only had salmon for some reason and I hate that so I ordered some of their creamed spinach and a potato. I had to send the spinach back because yet again they had bacon in it and no indication of that on the menu. My friend ordered a steak it looked great and he seemed pleased with it. The bill was very expensive of course and I left feeling pretty unsatisfied, but as a vegetarian going to a steakhouse I can't expect much more. The poor review is because a few hours after eating there my friend became deathly ill, vomiting, shakes and other symptoms of food that has not been handled properly. As a chef I know all too well the dangers of cross contamination, food that has not been kept to temp properly, etc. Probably a freak occurrence, but it was enough to turn off my friend and I forever to that restaurant. My friend was pretty heartbroken from the experience, as a hardcore carnivore visiting Charley's is supposed to be like a "mecca for meateaters" and ours (his especially) experience was really terrible.
(1)Paola H.
When in Tampa or Orlando Charley's Steakhouse is a MUST place to visit. I would have to say by far the BEST steak I've EVER had. The service was great, the food presentation was very informational. Charley's was voted in the top 10 steakhouses in the US and trust me, its a must go! My Kansas City Bone-In Strip was made to perfection juice tender and finger lick'n GOOD along with the sauteed mushrooms, asparagus and the bacon cheddar smashed potatoes. If I had to choose a last meal it would be from Charley's, by far, hands down the best steak Ive ever had. Once you've had Charley's, when you compare it to any other steakhouse what you will say to yourself is "Nothing beats Charley's!!!!!"
(5)Jessica H.
Hey, going to Charleys for the first time this weekend, and would like to get an estimate of what an "average" meal will cost. Menu online has no prices. Much appreciated!
(3)Heather P.
This place is overpriced with decent food.
(2)Inspector Y.
Another great steakhouse. The steaks here are like the ones at Texas Cattle Company. Same company. Great selection of cuts and appetizers. We come here a lot. Great of you don't want to dress up for Berns. Coming back!
(4)Jesse F.
My wife and I met some friends here on Dec. 3rd. The experience was just ok at best. It started with our reservations. They were made for 7pm and we showed up at 630, checked in with the hostess and told her we'd be at the bar while we waited on our friends. At 650, our friends showed and at 7 I went to retrieve our table, only to be told that they "forgot" we had already checked in and gave our table away. We patiently waited until 730 to be seated. Our food was delicious. We both had steak, cooked perfectly. However, our friends experience was terrible. First they ordered a bottle of wine, the waitress poured everyone a glass and at first taste they noticed it was not what they ordered..."she made a mistake, it was sitting next to the correct one". Later, came their entrees, a steak and some crab legs. As they tore into the crab legs they were quickly introduced to the tip of a plastic glove!!!! Of course, the manager apologized and said he would take it off the bill??? Really? Did he expect for someone to pay for "crab legs W/ a glove tip? Overall service was slow, my food was good, drinks were strong, but the experience outside of that was subpar. I would not return.
(3)Draft M.
Steak A+. Service an unmitigated disaster. Fail. Bread, no butter. Out of Woodford. Multiple interruptions during service, with waiter disappearing. Wrong salad. Placed serving tray (loudly) directly in front of a couple enjoying a bottle of wine, to run food several tables away...unreal.
(2)Michael y.
Order the delmonico ribeye that's not on the menu! Excellent, I wanted to eat the bone
(4)Stacey C.
NOT food allergy friendly. Server stated "kitchen will not accommodate #glutenfree & #dairyfree" when I made the reservation stated "No problem, just let your sever know" My daughter was so hungry watching others eat I gave her my salad to make up for no appetizer options. She could only have steak & bake potato. This was a complete epic failure. Really should consider taking care of customers with food allergies especially when you state you would.
(1)Byron L.
Great taste, I took my first bite and the flavor took over...I even stopped starring at the beautiful waitress. Great atmosphere. A bit pricey but worth it.
(4)Mary B.
For the price, this place could be a lot better. My husband ordered the NY strip and it was super fatty. He hardly had any actual meat to eat and left hungry. Not cool for a $34 a la carte steak meal. The best thing I had was the salad. Skip this place and save your money.
(1)Michael C.
Guys--guys, I have a confession. There's something that I've been meaning to tell you; there's something that I need to say. And getting to this point has been a struggle, and there were so many mental hurdles to overcome, but I can finally admit it. I can finally say: This is my favorite steakhouse. "Now, Mike," you might say, "Mike, why was that confession so difficult?" Why indeed? Well, let me tell you a bit about my meat mantra, my steak sensibility, my filet philosophy: It all started a long time ago, when I was but a mere babe. My uncle handed me a piece of beef (a ribeye, as I would learn) and I ravenously began to gnaw on it. "No, no," he chided me, "You need to cook it first," and he proceeded to show me exactly what he meant. That day, I learned the super secret family recipe (1. Sear one side 2. Sear the other 3. Cook until done). It was so simple! And it tasted so good! Given the lack of complexity, I was confused as why restaurants charged so much for a steak. I always considered it the easiest thing to cook. And, despite paying the extra money for the restaurant level quality, homemade steaks always tasted better. As the years went by, my technique improved, and my disdain for steak houses only increased. If a restaurant served me steak, I would evaluate it like so: Does it taste like something I can make, or does it taste worse? And no matter what the answer, I was always disappointed. I couldn't even imagine enjoying a steak served by any restaurant, much less reviewing a steakhouse. Until Charley's. When I sank my teeth into the filet for the first time, I began to see sunbeams and rainbows. A cool breeze swept through the restaurant, carrying the sounds of an orchestra and the joyful laughter of newborn babies. It was magical. And I knew that my life would forever be changed. Realistically, I think it's something about the dry-aging process that makes it so great. I've done dry-aging myself, and it definitely improves the taste and texture of the beef. But even still, I've been unable to reproduce the quality that I found at Charley's. Everything else that was served matched the benchmark that the steaks had set. The seafood appetizer platter was huge and delicious, the wine was one of the best I'd ever had (I ordered an entire case a few days later), and the service was friendly and attentive, despite us having over 10 people in our party. It was an unforgettable dinner--admittedly expensive, but worth every penny. And it was an experience that would be repeated several more times. If there's one thing I wasn't satisfied with it was this: the logo. It looks ostentatious and gaudy, like something you'd find at a cheap diner, and does not in any way convey the elegance of the food. Still, I'm not one to critique a restaurant based on looks alone, and that's why Charley's gets 5 stars from me.
(5)Brian N.
Okay, if there happens to be debate out there about whether Charley's or Bern's is better, let me settle it: Bern's is better. That being said, Charley's isn't pig slop -- not by any stretch. The steak is wonderful, but not quite as good as Bern's. I had the T-bone and my wife had the filet. The t-bone was a little fatty and had some grizzle, but I expect a bit of that from a t-bone. My wife's filet was heavenly -- it's hard to screw up a filet. We had cream spinach because we're old school about our steak house sides; it was good. The bread was okay, as was the salad. For dessert we had key lime pie, which was superb.
(4)Gee. C.
Top 5 best steaks I have ever had service is top notch! Always a great experience!
(5)Steffanie R.
I am so disappointed. I ate there today and I had the Beef Carpacio, not that great it was warm not cool. Then I had a pound of king crab legs. Mine were over cooked and rubbery. Also the house salad that came with it was way over dressed, tooo much dressing. I was so looking forward to a nice dinner and it was just not what I expected. For $60 for one person I'll find someplace else.
(2)Leo K.
I love their steak! I had the bone-in ribeye medium - rare and it melted in my mouth. The slice of butter on top was unnecessary but still tasty!
(5)Jane J.
We were hesitant to try Charley's because we had heard mixed reviews about it. I am so glad we did! The food was excellent and the service was above and beyond. Our server was Dave and he attended to every detail of the evening. The ambiance in the bar was intimate and we all had a great time. We plan to visit again very soon.
(5)Christina A.
The decor in this place is a little ehhh but that's really the only bad thing I have to say about it. The first time I came I was YOUNG and dragged along on parent's date night, but I remember their beef skewer being AMAZING (I've been a foodie since I was like, 10). I gave it another shot for a birthday dinner recently though and WOW. I started with fried green tomatoes that were on point (a star alone to this place just for having them!). My friend and I split this HUGE 20 oz filet mignon that might have been the best steak EVER. I mean it, EVER. Better then Burns, Ruths Chris, Mortons, Smith & Wolensky... THE BEST. It tasted like bacon! I swear, a bacon steak. DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT?! It was tender and flavorful and fan freaking tastic. The peppercorn smashed potatoes were delicious as well. I would definitely recommend to someone, especially an out-of-towner as this is not a national chain...
(4)K. L.
The meal was very good! The filet stuffed with blue cheese was delicious. The waitress was very slow and the wine was very very warm. The place could be a little bit nicer for the price you pay.
(4)Sue G.
Charley's is more impressed with themselves than I was with them. Steak was bland... No flavor, the sides were also tasteless. If the staff/Kitchen spent as much time on the food as they do selling it you, it might be better. Skip this place and go around the corner to Roy's or Selmon's.
(2)Chili L.
Great steakhouse ...better than most in the area. I would say its worth a visit. I had Stacey as a waitreess she was simply the best she made me feel right at home ( I oredered a bottle of "Cristal") and it was totlaly worth it .. the steaks are great and the staff is fantastic. Stacey gave me a tour of the place and I was in PUG heaven. Visit this place if you ar in tampa you wont be disappointed.... 4 stars for presentatin but not 5 for the decor.. oh yeah and NO KIDS!!!
(4)Holly S.
We took my parents there for their anniversary because they wanted to try it. Since we've been to Bern's Steakhouse on many occasions, our expectations were high. It started off well. The waitress suggested an appetizer that my parents were very interested in trying. I believe it was a seafood platter. It was amazing - but then my salad came out and it was pathetic. The iceberg lettuce, large slices of raw onion and tomato were just not appetizing. I think the lettuce at a fast food joint might have been better. I believe I ordered the same cut of steak that I order at Bern's and I was disappointed. Nothing came with our steaks either. We had to order additional sides and those were not very good. When we got the bill we were in shock. We ended up spending twice as much as we would spend at Bern's for 4 people and the food was twice as bad. The service was spotty and overall it was a very disappointing experience, especially since we were celebrating my parents' big anniversary. I don't see how people think this place is good - unless they've never had the experience (and it's an experience, not just a meal) of dining at Bern's.
(1)Kimi M.
Yum. So I don't eat steak but came here with the in-laws and they seemed to thoroughly enjoy theirs. I had the fresh chilean sea bass and it was a-mazing. All around good. It's definitely on the pricey side and seems to be full of dining professionals who are holding business meetings at the dinner table. Whatever, I liked my food... a lot!
(5)Bruce R.
What you would expect from a pricier steakhouse. Steaks well prepared, everything well plated, attentive servers, and a pretty decent wine selection. Be careful of portion size - all are decent, but some are outrageous (like a steak and lobster dinner for two, coming in at almost five pounds of food.) Atmosphere is okay but nothing to make it stand out. We celebrated our anniversary there in May 2010 and tried a new item they were introducing: a Kobe Beef filet with either lobster claw or crab-stuffed shrimp, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus, a glass of wine and a choice between two deserts. Pretty good price for what you get.
(4)courtney a.
My boyfriend and I ate here on our way to the Hard Rock Casino. We didn't have a reservation but were able to sit at the bar with several other couples. From the first moment we sat down we were treated wonderfully. The bartenders were very professional, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu and their recommendations. The place was packed out and very busy but they had great attitudes and were so very helpful. We started with cocktails moved on to wine and had the cedar plank crab cake appetizer. It was fantastic and very fresh. There was absolutely NO filler only crab meat, it was amazing. We then had the bone in lamb chops and I substituted dill cream sauce for the mint and had the house salad. My boyfriend had the 12oz filet which couldn't have been more tender. We finished up with the carrot cake and it was phenomenal! I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)E D.
The surf and turf is great.
(5)Donald H.
Great steaks....even very good seafood..! Wait staff was attentive without being a pain in the butt...! My rib-eye was perfect...!
(5)Joe P.
I hate to say it, but I did have the seared Ahi. it was fantastic!! I also had the escargot and there were 2 in each of the little holes in the dish. That is the first place I have been to that has done that, normally you get just one. A good wine list, good service. The guys sitting next to me said their steak was the best they ever had. I will go for the steak next time.
(5)Dr W.
Great steak house. Filet mignon is superb! My medium well was grilled just right, very tender, juicy, flavorful. I had the baked potato, nothing to write home about..I recommend the mashed or creme spinach instead. I sampled my friends salmon, wasn't that great, kind of bland. I would stick with steak here. We started with calamari and shrimp cocktail both were excellent. And for dessert...chocolate cheesecake was fantastic. I recommend trying charleys, just stick with the filet.
(4)Lisa B.
Wish I coul give more than 5 stars!!!! My husband and I went to Charley's last night to celebrate his new job. From the moment we entered the restaurant the evening was perfection. We were seated the moment we checked in for our reservation (unlike a previous experience at local competitor Bern's where we seated for over a half hour after our reservation). Upon being seated we were greeted by our server, John M. We ordered drinks, my cantaloupe martini was sublime! Our starter was their crab cakes which were the special for the evening. I have had crab cakes at many places, this version was by far the best!! Many people try to hide the crab meat with binder and it ends up more binder than crab, this is definitely not the case with Charley's! Tons of lump crab meat with a fruit salsa that was fantastic! My husband had a NY strip with a lobster tail and commented that his steak was the most tender he's ever had. I had the lobster tail and was impressed that John removed the meat from the tail and cut it up tableside. This was definitely a welcome surprise as one who does not enjoy having to liberate lobster meat from whence it came! The lobster was delicious and cooked perfectly. In addition to our entrees, we had 2 sides. Au gratin potatoes that had a perfect crust and were well seasoned and cheesy. We had asparagus as well. I could have skipped the cheese laid over it as I am a purist when it comes to vegetables, but it didn't take away from anything. Lastly, we finished our perfect meal with tiramisu. This has to be the best tiramisu I have ever had! Charley's has broken with convention in its creation by adding toasted almonds to the top and drizzling the plate with caramel. It was the icing on the cake of a wonderful experience. I would whole heartedly recommend this to every person I know!!! Thank you to Charley's for making our evening so memorable!!!!!!
(5)Melissa D.
I'd give them two stars for the service if not the food -- if it weren't for the high price tag. We've been here four or five times over the years, and once or twice we've had a good meal, but more often, I've left thinking, "ick." And for the price, why would you want the possibility of "ick"? Our server was really sweet and did his best, and my companions liked their steaks, but my fish was really, really tasteless and we had to send back the stone crab claw appetizer we ordered because they had been frozen, and tasted fishy and gross. Frozen stone crab claws? Really? The salads were likewise gross, tasteless, and oily. The asparagus side dish was okay, but came with only four stalks. What? I know it's a steak place, but they say "Market Fresh Fish" in the name, and I couldn't disagree more. Plus, the atmosphere is crowded, kinda stressful, and just not that fun. Skip it.
(1)John B.
The best steaks in Tampa, hands down!!
(5)Gregg D.
One of my worst experiences at an upscale steak place. Started out by couple next to us dressed in shorts, etc.... While we were in our Sunday best. Then the salads were drenched in dressing , yuk. The waiter spilled a full glass of wine on my wife and then asked her if she was wet? Manager never came by to see how she was. NY strips were 50% fat by the time my two boys finished with it piled high on their plates. Bottom line - do not waste your money. Ruth Chris blows this place away
(1)David G.
This is one of my favorite, if not my favorite steak joint in the Tampa Bay Area. I have taken a few clients here and everyone left feeling very satisfied and happy. Excellent seafood, steaks, wine and sides and the service is top notch! My favorite appy is the steak tar tar. You HAVE to try it and please dont be scared of the raw meat. You'll live, I promise. Now it is very spendy (everything is a la carte), the portions are insanely gigantic and for a guy my size (5'10, 190lbs) their "portions" usually amount to approximately (03) normal portions for myself... So I usually get about 3 meals out of the deal (if you order an appy as well). We went here last week and everything was fantastic as usual, but the NY Strip was not the best I have ever had. This is the first time that its ever happened so I hope it was just an off night. Either way, I would highly recommend this place over most steak joint in the area, except for maybe Shula's. It is better than Burns by far!
(5)Julie N.
I'd like to address the reviewer Holly S. that anyone that has experienced Bern's won't like this place. I have been to Bern's a few times and while it is totally amazing, it is an entirely different experience than Charley's. I live in the land of Capital Grille, Fleming's and Smith and Wollensky. Charley's was right up there with the best. The hubby and I had dinner here because it was right next to our hotel and I was feeling a bit under the weather so I didn't want to venture out too far. We were greeted and seated very quickly. We sat in a comfortable booth in a nice yet casual room. Our waiter was quick to arrive and the service was perfect throughout the experience. The salad was fresh. It was a typical steakhouse salad with crunchy romaine and some iceberg perfectly dressed with a nice tangy dressing. I ate every bite. The lobster steak special was delicious and the steak was tender, flavorful and cooked perfectly. The sides were all outstanding, and yes served a la carte as they are in ALL steak houses. For me this is all I need in a steakhouse. Yes, of course everyone should go to Bern's for the adventure of it. It is a very unique dining experience, but not everyone is looking for formal service and a wine list you can't even hope to peruse in less than 2 hours every time they dine. Charley's is very good food, perfectly acceptable service in a casual yet pleasant atmosphere.
(4)Primo L.
Great place to go for high end appetizers. Ask for the off-menu cedar-plank Maryland crab cakes with mango chutney. A lot of people commented on the steak tartar but I wasn't a huge fan. A definite must is the Crown Royal infused with apples. Amazing!
(4)Lacey S.
I absolutely LOVE Charley's! I really love the flavor of their steaks, probably becuase it's cooked over an open fire with oak and hickory. They really do a nice job getting it to the proper doneness in comparison to some other steakhouses. If you like wine, they really have a nice wine list and if you like appetizers, there is an amazing stuffed mushroom appetizer that is just incredible! Overall, LOVE the steak at this place!
(5)Daniel G.
As long-time fans of Bern's Steakhouse, we decided to try Charley's one evening to ensure we weren't missing-out on a better experience. We discovered very conclusively that no, we were absolutely not. Based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews of others, we assume that we either had a uniquely poor experience or that others have a different standard for what qualifies as a world-class steakhouse. Our steak was good, but not fantastic. They are served by themselves, necessitating ordering separate side-dishes. The included salad was an embarrassing combination of iceberg lettuce and sliced carrots; McDonalds does a better job. While the seafood appetizer platter special was delicious, the $120 price was not articulated and posed quite a shock at bill-time. Although service started out excellent, it quickly devolved into a void when the restaurant became busier. We began to feel ignored and decided to eat dessert elsewhere for that reason. The server was also very pushy about an expensive wine that she wanted us to order. She articulated how much we would enjoy her recommendation both times we ordered a bottle, which was annoying. We felt the ambiance was not anything special, and actually quite dated. We were a party of four seated at a booth, so one of our party had to sit in a chair which protruded into a main passageway; this led to bumps and collisions especially as the restaurant became busier. We were told no other accommodation would be possible despite our having made reservations for a table of four well in advance. Despite the positive reviews, our recommendation is to think twice about giving this establishment a try. Its popularity and clientele remind us too closely of those who fall prey to the in-flight magazine advertisements listing the "10 best steakhouses in America!".
(1)Toshiyuki U.
My very 1st time here. In Tampa, FL for a business trip. Me and my work buddy went here. Ordered the 14 oz. filet mignon medium rare, but came out medium well. The waitress asked how is it. We told the waitress this is over cooked, more like medium to medium well. She was very friendly and agreed of dilema. She had both of our steaks recooked to medium rare. It was worth the wait. Don't get me wrong, the service was great from beginning to end. Will be here again for sure!
(4)Rob W.
Great bar, great steaks, great lobsters, great building. I have eaten here many times, always good. One of my favorite places to eat in tampa.
(4)Frank S.
Three times we have made a reservation only to be told upon arrival that our table would not be ready for quite a while. Once we finally did sit down the service was terrible, they were out of bread and they were out of my favorite entree, Sea Bass.
(2)Brandon P.
Food is ok. First they bring you a platter of their choice of steaks. There were about 8 choices. My wife and I selected the cowboy cut. When we received our meal, the steak was extremely salty. The cheesy au gratin potatoes are just ok. Salad was just ok. I make better at home. The bread and butter was the best part of the meal. My party of 6 did order dessert, which was the tiramasu was phenomenal. The tiramasu here is dipped in amaretto, which is outstanding. The blackberry cheesecake is another just ok thing here and the white chocolate creme brulee is very sweet, but if you like very sweet than you will like this. Overall only deserves a three star rating.
(3)Steve M.
I have yet to have a better steak in this town than Charley's. High heat seared to perfection and incredible attentiveness in the service department. I was with a group of four and we were all treated over the top. Manager came over and spent time with us and checked on us a couple of times during our evening. All food was prepared perfectly and we probably over ordered on the sides as they are generous also. I defy you to say no when that dessert tray comes over at the end no matter how full you think you are. The others are good, but this is still my favorite for steak in Tampa.
(5)Rob T.
Was in town on business and stopped by since we saw Charleys off the freeway. A couple things. The vibe of the place was to my liking, definitely a steakhouse but more laid back, none of teh hoity toity of other steakhouses I've been to. Looked to be a nice bar area and my martini was good. Nice assortment of cuts. The waiter did a nice job with the meat presentation and talked me into the bone in rib-eye. The steak was fantastic. Top 3 in fact. I can only recall one that was better (Manny's in Minneapolis), just fantastic flavor, truely sublime. I knock off a star for the sides, the asparagas was not great and the potatoes just OK. Maybe if they threw in some of those famous Tampa strippers in there (seriously FL, waht is up with all the strip clubs!!!!) I'd bump it back up to 5. Bone in Rib Eye - 5 Ambience - 5 Martini - 4.5 Service - 4.5 Side Items - 3
(4)Peter L.
Those who know me already know I am not a fan of bloated corporate steakhouses. I went here for dinner the other night, and found myself intrigued the moment I entered. The facility was quite attractive. The service was exceptional. The assorted seafood platter appetizer was done quite well. Then the bomb dropped. I ordered the Surf and Turf for dinner. The lobster tail was quite rubbery, and the petite tenderloin wreaked of bacon grease. The steak was cooked perfectly, but again....the taste was overpowered with the flavor of bacon grease. What's that about?!
(3)Elizabeth R.
I made a reservation and specified it would be my fiancé's 30th birthday, and that neither of us had visited Charley's before. When we arrived, the entire staff seemed to have expected us, telling my fiancé "happy birthday", and letting us know they had a special table just for us. The host sat us at a table directly next to the large, beautiful aquarium. It was such a surprise to have the best seat in the house! Our server, Matt, told us about the appetizers, and we settled on the cedar plank crab cakes, although the complimentary lobster bisque sampler nearly tempted us to order that instead. The crab cakes were the best I've ever had. The cedar created a unique, smoky taste that I cannot stop craving. Matt offered suggestions for our wine choices (which we ended up writing down the names of- they were delectable!). Matt also gave us an awesome presentation of the steaks. We ordered the meal for two with a 50oz. porterhouse and over a pound of lobster. Everything came out incredible. Can't get flavor like that anywhere! Charley's really sealed the deal in the end with the richest, moistest chocololate cake we've ever had the opportunity to try. They really made our visit special with regular check ins by the manager to be sure we were having the best night they could possibly provide us with. I have never felt so honored during a dining experience. Charley's made my fiancé's 30th a very special night neither of us will forget.
(5)Becky S.
This place was awesome!! I have to say, I went with a bit of apprehension. A lot of places that are listed as "Top 10" such and such restaurants are very disappointing. Too much hype. But Charley's was amazing!!! our waiter did a meat presentation to show us examples of the steaks they had cut fresh that day!! We chose the Special which was a dinner for two that included an appetizer, two salads, two steaks, a side dish and a trio of desserts. FOR $69!!! You can't beat a deal like that... the Steaks were 24oz each and DELICIOUS... perfect marbling, great texture, flavor!! Just writing about it here makes me want to eat more!! The desserts were a three-layer chocolate cake with raspberry drizzle, a peanut butter pie (our favorite), and a carrot cake with HagenDaz macadamia nut ice cream and whip cream infused w/ Grand marnier. ugh!! They had to roll us out of there. They also offer complimentary valet parking and a huge wine selection. The only reason i gave it a four instead of five stars is that our waiter, while very knowledgeable, was a large sweaty man who kinda smelled. The service itself was actually pretty good.
(4)Yosafena C.
Best martini I've had anywhere anytime anyhow. It was mixed perfectly and they have a rule that if you can pick up a newly poured martini without spilling, the bartender is in trouble. A substantial glass filled to the brim... you MUST take your first sip while it is sitting on the table/bar. I recommend sitting in the bar, rather than the restaurant tables. More fun. You can soak up the Tampa vibe. All the food is good, interesting appetizers. And let's face it, it's difficult finding good food in Tampa... I never knew so many things could be deep fried. Charley's offers great alternatives. I recommend dressing up a little, but it's no big deal if you're feeling casual. It can be a little chilly, so wear long sleeves or bring a jacket.
(5)Lauren E.
As a steak and potatoes girl that has eaten steaks around the world, I still call Charley's my favorite! Always has been and always will be! Great location, great ambiance, but better yet, GREAT food! The steaks are the best I have ever tasted (way better than rival, Bern's), the hash brown casserole (totally NOT what they call it but best I can remember) is one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. I have tried to recreate it, but unfortunately unable to do so despite having the cook come to the table to teach me. Charley's is the only place I order lobster (with my steak of course) and it just melts in my mouth everytime. Cosmos are unbelieveble and service is impeccable. This has been my favorite restaurant for years and years and will continue to be. I already made my reservations for Valentines Day b/c I know my husband will forget and I WANT my Charlies for V-day!
(5)Winston C.
They have a great bar, but the steak is slightly better than average. There are better choices in the area.
(3)Kelly M.
Another great time at Charley's last night. My brother and I meet there a couple times a year (and he works for another great steak house in Tampa). The food is awesome but it is the ambiance, the bartenders, the service, the wine list and everything else plus the food that add it up to a 5 star place! And we stay at the bar the whole time!
(5)Sherri W.
Ok it was my anniversary, They didn't ask us if we were celebrating anything special, but I guess its not special to anyone but me and my hubby. The service was good, but maybe a little too quick, I had not even finished my shrimp cocktail, when he was already bringing the salad. Now I am a slow eater, but I had to ask him to slow it down a bit. I ordered the 23 Oz lobster tail and I must say it was one of the Best I have ever had, It was so huge, my husband had to eat about a 1/3 of it and that doesn't happen very often trust me. My husband had the small filet and compared to the size of my plate, his looked lost. They asked us about dessert (once again not acknowledging our 11 yr anniversary) But there was not room for any more food, I would definitely go back and bring my daughter next time, that way I can be assured there are No left overs.
(4)A N.
this is our favorite steak house in tampa. The steaks are the best. The sides fantastic. I love the seared tuna. The best is dessert the flour less chocolate torte. The wine list very extensive. Don't miss out on the great food.
(5)John C.
Was at a conference in Tampa and went out for a late business dinner. Although there were several closer restaurants took a ride to Charley's on a recommendation. Place was half full on a Monday night which is understandable. We and 6 other tables got sat in the same section all within a 15 minute span. Two waiters were jointly responsible for all the tables in this part of the restaurant. What a disaster this turned out to be. Even thought these two got hit at once with a crowd they still went through all of the formalities of bringing out the meat tray and "selling" the more expensive cuts. The $65 - 20 oz. fillet mignon would be "mouth watering" but the $28 NY strip would not be recommended. So it was 30 minutes for first drink another 30 minutes for appetizers and then we got our steaks and all were cooked two temperatures above what we orderded. I got medium rare and It was cooked through (med-well?). I just asked to have mine taken off the bill as I couldn;t wait another 20 minutes for them to start over. Everyone else at the table choked their overdone steaks down althought i can;t say anyone enjoyed it. After talking to the manager he revised the bill and not only removed my steak but also reduced the overall bill significantly. He was very apologetic but I wanted a great steak and not an apology. I'll use Yelp next time when in TAMPA and look for some recommended spots on my own but definitely stay away from Charley's.
(1)Brian B.
THE MOST AMAZING STEAKHOUSE I HAVE EVER BEEN TO! I've been to many upscale steakhouses. NY Prime, Berns, Mortons, The Capital Grille, etc. But Charley's takes the cake, and let me explain why. I have been to the location in Orlando as well as Tampa. My experiences at both have been phenomenal. Firstly, upon entering the establishment, you are surrounded by the daily cuts of steak, desserts and wines. All while receiving courteous service from the hostess and Valet's who treat everyone who enters as a "VIP." Ambiance is nice. Wood and stone throughout with different rooms stocked with old wines and ports. The grills fire plumes with sizzling steaks in the back of the lobby and you smell a sweet hint of oak planks and Florida leaf that are slowly infused into your entree. They have a great wine selection; not quite like Berns, but who in the hell needs a bottle from Napoleon's collection? Once again, the service is great. Normally somebody "touches your table" within the first minute of being seated. I recall my second and third time there, the waitresses actually remembered my friend and I. This service alone made us become regulars. Keep in mind we had not even indulged in the flavor explosion that laid forth. Over time, my friend and I became friendly with the GM and she would offer us wine specials and let us taste test a few new apps/specials on the menu. Always kind, and always remembers a customer. Normally, we start with the Steak TarTar or snowcrab claws, both absolutely amazing. You can pick any appetizer, and I'm sure you'll be more than satisfied. Don't stuff your face yet though, as the entree that awaits you will have you licking your plate clean! Now, I tend to compare the high-end steakhouses by always ordering the biggest filet mignon offered. I find it is normally the most tender steak, but least fatty and encases more juices and flavor than it's "brothers and sisters." This also allows me to compare a filet to a filet, rather than a T-bone to a NY strip, which just wouldn't be fair in the world of a good steak-review! Now the filet came out with my a la carte mashed potatoes (they have many different flavors and toppings you can get) as well as my baked macaroni and cheese. The filet, done medium-rare, has a bit of oak-grilled crust; leaving the slightest crunch around the outside. Cutting into the steak is like buttery heaven as all the juice flows out onto the plate. The taste is one I can only dream of as I no longer live in Florida. So fresh, so juicy, and it leaves you with nothing but a smile on your face. The "fabulous filet" which is 20 ounces, is my normal choice. However, their 12 ounce is just as amazing. I believe the 20oz runs between $50-60, but it's so worth it! Dessert is unfortunately something I have never been able to accomplish. Not because it doesn't look astounding, but due to stuffing my face with so much food that the valet wheelchairs me outside and tosses me into the drivers seat. Granted, my gut is so protruded at this point that I've put lotion on my stomach to squeeze it under the steering wheel! Charley's is by far my most favorite steak-house and possibly the greatest restaurant I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. I cannot wait to visit again in early June! Have my fabulous filet ready and waiting!
(5)Erika H.
A group of friends get together for cocktails and dinner about once a month. For the last year, we have been caught up trying many of the new restaurants in town. Recently, however, one Tampa native recommended we go to Charley's next, and we are so glad we did. The atmosphere was classic and cozy, the food was phenomenal, and our server Shelly was very knowledgeable and attentive to every detail, from cocktails to choice of entrees to after dinner drinks. Even better, we were not rushed to place an order, complete our meal, and clear out so another party could take our table; rather, we were encouraged to relax and enjoy the experience. This was a first visit, but certainly not the last, for several in our party! More than just a meal, this was an wonderful social & dining experience! I immediately began spreading the good word on social media last night. Thanks for a superior dining night out!
(5)G A A.
Clearly a great choice if you need to impress the boss, your mother in law or a hot date. Way better if you can get someone else to pay the bill as the prices can be as large as the dessert. That being said, I have been to Charley's twice now and I am pleased to report that you by and large will get what you pay for. Great appetizers, nice salads, the choice of bison along with beef and quite the assortment of seafood. Parking can be a bit tight and the wait can sometimes be a bit longer than you expect, but I would go back (after I save up).
(4)Todd W.
Charley's has been my personal Tampa Bay Area steakhouse choice for over a decade and the recommendations I have made to visitors from out of town over that time have always been applauded. It wasn't because of me, but during the Stanley Cup Finals in June this was the steakhouse of choice of the Chicago Blackhawks coaches when they went out for dinner the night before Game Five. (Only problem is the Lightning coaches had all their wine picked up by Charles Barkley and then Vince Vaughn when they dined in Chicago the previous week...and absolutely no customer locally stepped up to return the favor on behalf of our city. Bad karma. Lightning lost the series in six.) Nope. They didn't go to Bern's. They went to Charley's. While I recommend Mark H's 8/17/15 review on this page for an overall grid on Tampa Bay Area steakhouses, Charley's tops my board because the two listed by Mark above Charley's are not even in my mindset because I will not support nor pay for the horrendous "entitlement" attitude of those establishments. (See my review of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for some specifics) Charley's has none of that and offers an extremely comfortable, high-quality experience that gives you better value as well. Also, one of the best wine experts in our city has been making the rounds at Charley's for years now. Every night except Sunday and Monday, Steve Risser is ready and available to enhance your steak and seafood with educated recommendations on delicious wines to compliment your meal. He's just one example of the good people on the floor here who treat customers the right way in that wonderful environment. Considering Eddie V's, Ocean Prime, Ruth's Chris and The Capital Grille are all fine establishments just to the north, Charley's is appropriately and geographically set apart on Cypress for the smart individual who truly knows where to find the right experience.
(5)Jasmine R.
STEAK! YUM! I had the pleasure of visiting Charley's for my birthday and was not disappointed at all. The staff was friendly and accommodating to my party of 12..almost a little too much because I did feel as though the waiter hoovered a little. The venue is nice but the 'low lighting ambiance' was more on the side of out right dark so watch your step. Of course the star here is the steaks and red smashed potatoes! I wanted to just sit there and nibble like a lover on my porterhouse all night long. Between Charley's and Bern's I would recommend Charley's any day due to having a bigger flavor profile.
(4)Loren W.
Third time here coming through Tampa and it just seems to get better. Bone In Strip was perfect. Big steak fan and have been to all the major steak houses. I have to say though, hands down, this is the best steak I have had in the country and it is stronger than Strip House, Ruth Chris and the rest. Great atmosphere, wonderful wine list and good people. I would come to Tampa just for the Steak.
(5)Mark H.
To understand and appreciate Charley's and where it is positioned on the steakhouse totem pole, one must map out the area's competition. I see it in grid format. Restaurant | Steak Quality | Steak Price 1. Bern's | 5 Star | $$$$$ 2. Council Oak | 4 Star | $$$$ 3. Charley's | 4 Star | $$$ 4. Grill 116 | 3.5 Star | $$$ 5. Malio's | 3.5 Star | $$$ 6. Fleming's | 3.5 Star | $$$ 7. Iavarone's | 3 Star | $$ 8. Flamestone | 3 Star | $$ 9. Ruth's Chris | 2.5 Star | $$$ 10. Long Horn | 2.5 Star | $ 11. Outback | 2 Star | $ So the cheaper the steak, the lower the quality. No surprises there, but what I do is carve out the center cut of the grid, where quality and cost are the closest, relative to each other. 3. Charley's | 4 Star | $$$ 4. Grill 116 | 3.5 Star | $$$ 5. Malio's | 3.5 Star | $$$ 6. Fleming's | 3.5 Star | $$$ And of these, Charley's is the best steak for the price. Where it seems Charley's might struggle is with consistency, based on the reviews below mine. If they get quality control under wraps, this could be the best and most affordable top tier steakhouse in the area. I certainly wish everyone's experience was as good as our this past Saturday night. The Manager, Mr. Appt and our server, Richard, were both great. Customer service perfection is definitely their goal, and it showed. All of the food was amazing as well. All 3 steaks were cooked as ordered, and the sides were fantastic. Here is the breakdown. KANSAS CITY STRIP - NY Strip with a bone and some extra meat. I actually ordered the NY Strip, and they brought me this accidentally. Best mistake EVER. Don't waste your time with the creamy cognac sauce for an extra $2.50 though. It does not enhance the steak at all. LOBSTER MAC - Order it! It's delicious, and feeds the whole table. A lot of restaurants have lost their way, and their freaking minds when it comes to mac n cheese. This is a simple country food item that people all over America are screwing up by trying to fancy it up. Condensed milk, butter, noodles and freaking cheese, people. That's it! Keep it simple, like Charley's. WOOD GRILLED CAESAR - Quite possibly the best CEEZ in town. House-made sauce and croutons and served with some cheese crustinis. PORTOBELLO APP - Not bad. Problem is, after the salad, steak and bites of mac n cheese, I found myself looking back on this app as a waste of valuable stomach space. My recommendation? Skip it. So there it is. My assessment of the best steak in town, considering "bang-for-the-buck." Sign up for the birthday club too. You get a $25 gift card, plus a free steak on your birthday. You have nothing to lose, and weight to gain.
(5)Marios D.
Great spot in Tampa that rivals the Berns experience. Good food great service a long wine list. Well worth the visit. Salads come with the entree and there is an option to upgrade. The regular salad is great. We also shared some scallops wrapped in bacon which were delightful. Not such a huge scallop fan but these were great. The Pan seared calamari with peppers was great too. Lighter than the deep fried variety and much more tender. Entrees were steaks of course with the KC strip snd the bison. The strip was extremely tasty but was served almost cold. I did not want to send it back for warming as it would have overcooked. The staff offered that but I declined. The bison was superb. Great spot.
(4)Gigi S.
You might be wondering why a Gigi like me would rate a steak like this the elusive 5 star rating. Allow me to explain. If you took old Tampa charm, with simple steak aging methods, and a wood fire indoor grill where you might run into a friend or two during happy hour, this is it. How dare anyone compare it to Bern's, a world renowned steakhouse reviewed by 1079 Yelpers? Well, the reason I'm certain Bern's keeps coming up is because this is its closest competitor, but with a huge benefit that everyone seems to enjoy. It takes the pomp and circumstance, and huge ceremonious ritual that is dinner at Bern's and replaces it with high end Southern Hospitality and orange wood fired flavor at a third of the price. Sure the service at Bern's is amazing, but have you ever spoken to the manager there when there wasn't a problem? You will probably have a 1k tab, and they don't seem too thrilled to have you there at all? Did you not have five hours to fully appreciate what Bern's is trying to convey? I have made reservations there months in advance only to starve for hours at Bern's. That would never happen to me at Charley's. The value is amazing! Great food. Some of the best, but damn good food, at affordable prices. The best steak tare tar I've ever had. Skip the mushroom fondue appetizer and save room for carrot cake. Order a shot of Grand Marnier and dump it on in. Delicious. It's hard to stray from a fine steak, but the gator bites and shrimp cocktail have never let me down. Sure Bern's is great if you want to look down your nose at the tourist who walks in wearing cargo shorts, but when you ain't got time for that mess, come here! I like this place, it's so...Tampa.
(5)Charlene W.
After Years of frequenting the best steakhouses of Tampa we finally gave Charlie's an opportunity. And I'm extremely glad we did. We were immediately greeted by Steve, the Sommelier with a sample of a very nice Cab, followed by the perfect introduction to Charley's by our Server Suzi ( She is TOP NOTCH) Then a warm welcome and appreciation for choosing the venue by the manager, Cory with a great background and much appreciated history of Charleys. We then received stellar a very informative Steak presentation From our Exceptional Server Suzi. From the distinct oak aroma throughout the establishment to the diners choice of themed dining room options... to the rich, warm Rustic feel. Charlies offers a perfect atmosphere for a truly enjoyable Dining Experience. We started with the Cedar Plank Served Lump Crab Cakes perfectly prepared with Pineapple Salsa. Then we shared the Bison Ribeye which packed more incredible flavor then you would ever expect. Perfectly seasoned. Perfectly prepared. We paired this with a 16oz Lobster Tail. We finished with a crazy good homemade Creme Brûlée and cappuccino. Everything was absolutely Delicious. No complaints what so ever! Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Alan S.
Bar none, one of the best steakhouses I have ever been too. The prices are a tad on the high end but well worth it. The waygu rib eye is to die for for you foodies that love steak!
(5)Joseph D.
Our first time here and what a great experience. My wife and I came to celebrate our 39th Anniversary and I am so glad we did. We had reservations at 5:15 and we were seated promptly. The host presented us with menus and drink/wine list. Both were quite extensive. Since neither of us drink we cannot comment other than to say those we saw drinking did seem to be enjoying them. Our waitresses Shelly and Amber were really great. After finding out it was our first time to Charley's, Shelly went over the specials and took our drink and appetizer order. Next we were presented with a tray with examples of all of their steak offerings. Everything from a 50oz porterhouse to wagu and bison ribeyes. The wife settled on the 12oz filet and I had the 20oz fabulous filet. Why fabulous you ask? Well there is one per tenderloin, only two per animal. This is the center cut of each tenderloin and melts in your mouth. I even added truffle butter to mine. For sides which are served family style we had lobster mac n cheese and garlic smashed potatoes. APPETIZER Since neither of had ever had it we tried the steak tar tar. While it was very good, I not sure I would have it next time. Nothing wrong just not my taste. Not to worry there are plenty of other delicious looking appetizers. While waiting for our main courses we had the house salad and a basket of cheese bread. The cheese bread was very good and the cheese had the consistency of what you might find on a pizza. Kind of golden brown. As for the salad, while it was very flavorful I thought some of the lettuce was limp. I probably should have said something but didn't. Then again maybe that's just the way it comes out with the vinaigrette. MAIN COURSE Quite simply the very best steak I have ever had. Seared on a 1400 grill, fired with citrus and red oak wood. Cooked perfectly. I wish I had had the truffle butter served on the side. I think I would have enjoyed it more. Lobster mac n cheese was wonderful with good sized pieces of lobster topping it. I would have like to have seen it all the way through but understand why it wasn't. Potatoes were very good but not on the same level as the other side. DESSERT Neither of us finished our steaks as we wanted to save room for dessert. How about shared crème bruelle with fresh berries flamed at the table. Oh and don't forget the salted caramel cheesecake to take home. Best crème bruelle ever. Light, flavorful and the berries were so good. The only reason this isn't five stars is the limp lettuce. I know, pretty nitpicky. I just think that at this level of establishment the salad should rank right up there with the rest of the meal. I will call it 4.75 stars. We will be back.
(4)Breonna L.
I ordered the lobster macaroni and cheese which was such a large portion! The sides are definitely something you want to share because of the size but it was a delicious side nonetheless (with creamy cheese and big lumps of lobster just like I like it). I also tried the fried green tomatoes which were crispy and cooked perfectly. Everyone at my table enjoyed their food and service was wonderful.
(4)Jeannie C.
Love this place.Elegant,easy going atmosphere so depending on your mood or situation, you can dress up or down. Now on to the food which is exceptional....the steaks are aged, juicy and flavorful...while the pork chop is a little known delight. Baked potatoes are hugh (very shareable ) and done just right. The martinis are James Bond worthy Problem is that I never have room to sample dessert. This is definitely our "go to " place.
(5)Chad L.
This was a very good dinner, and for some people it will be the best steakhouse in Tampa. For us, we had a nice meal, but it fell a bit short of our hopes. Steak. Charley's marinades their steaks for 4-6 weeks, and they grill them over a wood flame. The flavor from the grill was outstanding. But once that wears off, you're left with the flavor of the marinade, which has a citrus kick to it that was a bit much for me. I had the filet mignon and my wife had the bison ribeye, and the ribeye was the better of the two. Why? Best guess: it better absorbed the flavor of the wood, which, when combined with the marinade, was perfect. The filet mignon, however, had a different balance. It was still quite good, but a bit off to me. To the restaurant's credit, the waitress immediately offered to replace it with another steak, which I declined, because it was still good. My own thought is if you normally love a good filet mignon, this one may disappoint you. Other food. We had bacon/cheese mashed potatoes. Excellent. The bread was so-so. Our dessert, the caramel cheesecake, was amazing. The only outright disappointment was the foie gras butter, which was talked up during the menu discussion. It tasted awful -- and they charge you for it. This was the best service I've had in any steakhouse anywhere. Always attentive, never kept us waiting, relaxed servers, full walk-throughs with steak and dessert trays -- other steakhouses in Tampa should come here to see how its done. Atmosphere. This was another thing I loved about Charley's. It was nice but not fancy. Some people were dressed up and some people were dressed down. It was busy but not loud. It was well lit but not distracting. There was free valet parking. Once again, this is how other steakhouses should be. Price. This is the only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5. Quite simply, the food wasn't as good as the price would indicate. When you pay $75 and up per person without drinks, the food should be perfect. It fell a bit short here. Yes, some people say "you should know the price before you get there", but its not about that....its about expectations when you set the price as high as you do. It was more expensive than Bern's or Ruth's Chris. Too wrap it up Ruth's Chris had better steaks and food, but they're not as expensive as Charley's. I like Charley's atmosphere more, but if I want a great steak that isn't overpriced, I would have to choose Ruth's Chris over Charley's. (As for Berns on Howard, it is perhaps the most overrated steakhouse in America. Worth going to once for the kitchen, wine room, and dessert room, and that's it).
(4)Zao Z.
This place was amazing. I think this place might be better than Berns. The food was amazing. I had the tartar and steak. Both were fresh and of the highest quality ingredients. The steak was tender and juicy. The service was top notch. It was more casual than Berns. Top notch regardless. The decor was nice but less formal than Berns. The exterior looks dated. I would recommend it for Tampa locals who know the place. If you have a out of town guest, go to Berns.
(5)Carla H.
Walking in a weeknight from the hotel next door, the place was still packed with diners at 9 PM. Got prompt service from the waiter. You might want a reservation, especially on the weekend. My traveling companion and I were exhausted so we decide to eat off the app menu to try a little of everything as we had never been here. The gator was tasty and not tough. The bacon wrapped scallops were middle of the road, although the scallops were perfectly cooked, the bacon was about tasteless. The colossal fried shrimp were great. They were beyond colossal size, cooked perfect and had the right amount of breading. I would try them again, but next time I won't be so tired that I don't mind waiting for a perfect mid-rare steak.
(3)Gregory S.
Obviously great service and great food! We began the evening with fruit-infused cocktails and a special taste from the chef prepared just for us!! We then moved on to their plate-chilled house salads and specialty rolls. Our mouths watered after hearing the waiter highlight the appetizer: cedar plank crabcakes, but realized we'd probably hit a wall before finishing our entrée. You can't lose w/ any surf or turf...heck, get both (50 oz. Porterhouse & 1lb. Lobster) as one of the entrée options (to share) allows for a fair price. Anyways, there's no such thing as bad service here (thanks William!) , but save room for desert. BTW, there's a presentation for beef selection and desert. Meal ended w/ salted caramel cheesecake. We will be moving to Birmingham tomorrow, but will be back next year to get another taste!
(5)Elayne L.
Excellent, attentive service at the bar. Great atmosphere for socializing. The bartenders were both friendly and attentive. I really enjoyed the crab cakes and the gator tail! They certainly know how to make a girl happy with their excellent Cosmo's complete with teeny ice chips! Yummo! Cant wait to go back for dinner and peruse the wine list!
(4)Lauren C.
The good: Matt, our waiter, was great! The bad: everything else. We got a Kansas City strip that was waaay undercooked, a bison ribeye that was charred, lobster mac and cheese with the cheese curdled, and roasted veggies that were swimming in a pool of oil. We were told that Charleys was better than Berns. This is not true by any stretch of the imagination. But it was just as expensive. Huge disappointment!
(2)Robert F.
Best Restaurant I have ever been to. The seafood tower is AWESOME!! Throw in some PERFECT steaks...A+
(5)Sara H.
Loved it! We brought our daughter with us to this location and in a room full of business people and couples the server was very nice to her. We had a great time and the steak was the best we've had.
(5)Erica G.
I dined here last night with my boyfriend for his birthday and we had such an amazing time. Our server, Kasey, was great. She was very knowledgeable of the menu and explained the steaks very thoroughly, as it was our first time dining at Charley's. We started off with the blackberry margarita and the jumbo cocktail shrimp app with homemade cocktail sauce. For our entree we both ordered the Kansas City steak and split the lobster mac and cheese for a side. I didn't care for the lobster mac and cheese, bar the steak was amazing! Omg and the garlic butter rolls are to die for! We asked for some to go with our leftovers lol I will return for Charley's again and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good steakhouse.
(5)Gregg B.
Came here on a Tuesday evening about 8:30 pm. Nice Steakhouse decor and dim lighting. The restaurant was packed with patrons and we waited at the lively bar for 15 minutes waiting for our table. We had a few cocktails. A dirty grey goose martini with blue cheese olives and a makers mark manhattan - both shaken and served straight up. Not bad but tasted a little watery as if the ice was watery when shaken we were seated and taken care of by our waitress he was petite but well polished to be a server at a steakhouse. I reviewed the wine list and noticed many of the wines were 3 to 4 times retail. Uh oh! But I did find a good one that was only double retail and under $100 so that was what I selected For dinner we started with the escargot appetizer that was delicious The diver scallops with wrapped bacon were tasty but the bacon was fatty and not crispy and fell off the scallops before we touched them The blue cheese wedge was good For the meal we had a 24 ounce porterhouse medium rare and a Bison meat rib eye There was no way the porterhouse was USDA prime The Bison was good but no worth the cost The mushrooms were good but the onions on top were sweaty not caramelized as I like them Roasted vegetable were ok The cauliflower on a cedar plank with Parmesan was the best side Why does this get three stars- because when you spend 100 dollars a person I expect everything to be terrific as the finest steakhouses are. But this place does have its bright spots
(3)Kimberly N.
I ordered the T-bone and it was easily the best steak I've ever had. Our server Stefan was excellent. We had an all around great experience for our anniversary dinner.
(4)Lucy P.
This is t h e best steakhouse in Tampa. (Imo oc) the food, the presentation, our server was amazing! My steak was perfect. The live menu is awesome. 10/10
(5)Ryan R.
Was there 2 days ago amazing please the whole stuff great food more then good I enjoy it a lot will come back again
(5)Franklin P.
Was exited to come here but left disappointed cuz my wife meal was not good she didn't wanted dessert and she's a desserts person which saids a lot . The waiter was really good no complaints about that.
(2)Armando V.
Went in for an early dinner, as I had to work at 7:45pm. We were a party of four at opening time. We waited for 10 minutes to be seated. While waiting, I ordered an old fashioned at the bar. The bartender was very helpful in selecting a barreled bourbon. The service was welcoming and deserving of another visit, even if the cocktail wasn't. Upon being seated, we were immediately asked about our drink order. At this point, the wine menu had not even been presented to us. Feeling rushed and overwhelmed by the script we were being fed, we ordered waters so we could get a moment of peace. Two of the four had never been there. The waitress began pushing specials. They wanted to experience the Charley's we other two had. This didn't seem to be on the server's agenda. Two of the waters had bugs floating, so we inspected the others. Clouded with what looked like mold or chemicals. Got a response from the server, "well, you asked for tap." Salads were wilted. Lardon(s) (got one giant strip of smoked jerky) was one piece of uncut bacon. Steaks were undercooked and tasted purely of smoke. Desert looked amazing, but wasn't going to risk a fifth letdown. I mean, even the water was bad. I ate two bites of my $44 ribeye and couldn't stomach another bite. I've had turkey legs at the fair that didn't taste as processed! Nothing was removed from our bill. After leaving, we addressed the issue with a friend that relayed to a manager that wasn't present. I was under the impression that I would be contacted. As it's been almost a week and have heard nothing, I can see my business is not their concern. Too bad. I used to love this place. Gone are the days of service.
(1)Greg H.
Took my brother out to dinner for his 40th birthday. Charley's didn't disappoint. Phenomenal steak in a great atmosphere. I enjoyed the 20oz filet while both of my brothers enjoyed the Waygu ribeye. Overall terrific dinner and excellent service thanks to William our server. If definitely recommend requesting him next time you dine at Charley's.
(5)Erikka N.
Nice, old world atmosphere...especially when they have Frank playing. The meat presentation is very interesting, especially if you want to learn about what you're eating. I've had the porterhouse and it was fantastic! Tonight I tried the lamb chops and the Parmesan cauliflower. The lamp chops were pretty good, but the cauliflower was the real star of the show! It is must try! I was too stuffed(did I are ALLLL of my food?) to eat dessert. I've had the carrot cake here before and it's to die for(my girlfriend had an orgasm I think).
(5)Brooke D.
Went here for my college graduation dinner with a party of 7. Yes, I know it's a large party for a busy night but we were shoved in a corner next to a party of 15 and couldn't hear each other speak it was so loud. Our server really sucked too. She was pushy and not helpful. When we asked about her lapel pin, she admitted it was for a server contest in which she was participating. She was required to sell more items from the feature menu and specific up-sells (which she had just tried to push us to buy). It was really awkward and uncomfortable because it was apparent that she just wanted to make us spend more. Skip this place and head to Berns.
(2)Marc M.
First off, steak house and steak was good (only reason a 2 vs 1). Now the rest of the story. Bring deep pockets and zip them up, they are coming after your money. We were a party of a half dozen or so. Pushed drinks to start very hard, all ordered. Pushed show place apps very hard, expensive and with all the food that comes latter a complete waste of money. Salad, wedge is not prepared well. Not cold enough and dressing and fixings are only on part so hard to recompose. They wedge needs to be a properly composed wedge. As I said earlier, steak was good, but we also had lobster, very dry, good thing we had water at our table. Sides, lots of them, some were dry, some were ok, most were left over after all we had before we got there. Did not do dessert, we were done! Now to the wine. I am impressed that there is a real wine culture with many of the servers learning wine. I am completely repulsed by the quality and price of the wines. They tried to push high priced wines and when we went to more moderately priced wines (this is relative, they were still nearly $100) the quality was very average. There are so many great wines out there that are not expensive that compliment steak, this is just unacceptable. Change the list or the sommelier, your call. Net net good steak, rest average to poor, we left poor, and we felt like we were taken advantage of.
(2)Minna S.
I actually think this is probably the best steak house in the Tampa Bay area. The steak is always cooked to my liking, and the menu selection is great. I come here frequently for birthday parties, and I always recommend this place to those who are looking to have great steak. This is not the most upscale place; however, the food is good. The service here is either a hit or miss but I never have a problem with the food. Try this place out!
(5)Justine K.
Never disappointed!! We love to sit in the bar at the cozy tables and Susan was an absolute joy and took care of us as her own!! The bone - in rib eye cuts like butter and there are no words to describe th fruit - infused liquor. The Crown Royal with apples was amazing and we stayed at the Sheraton next door so we could have 2!!!
(5)Karen A.
Excellent service. Good food and wine selection. Key lime pie is delicious. JP, our server, was awesome! He made the experience special with his enthusiasm for their food and steaks.
(4)Anthony M.
The only thing keeping this place from a five star is the loud, over bearing server. First, what a great setting that welcomes you in to this place...along with the prompt valet. We were quickly greater and seated at a great table for six of us. Our server, I don't recall her name, was rather loud and pushy. I appreciate the present of steaks, but it was like she only wanted to push certain cuts. The food was top notch...my steak was a bone-in rib-eye seared to perfection. Our table split six sides which was more than enough for us. Some people have said the prices are high, but thi were what I expect to pay at a place of this caliber. All considered..four stars.
(4)Rania G.
Probably one of the best filet mignon dinner I've had in a long time. The flavor, the tenderness... it was like a dream. I came here for a presentation / meeting for my job, so my menu options were limited. The house salad was just okay - I am not a fan of green olives, and the salad had tiny pieces of green olives strewn about, making the whole salad taste like an olive. The bread was unbelievable. I'm not going to lie, if it wasn't for the fact that I was at a work function and I had to share with a whole table of people, I probably would have eaten that entire basket of bread. The desserts were solid, but I was only able to try a few cake options. And I already mentioned that the steak was fantastic. I have no idea how much it cost since it was paid for by work, but I imagine it's not the cheapest. Which is fine with me if I feel like the food is up to par with the price. All in all, the next time I want a good steak, I'm coming here. I'm looking forward to being able to order off the menu and eating more of that bread.
(4)Damon V.
The steaks are awesome, especially the bison ribeye. Love the Caesar salad and the Martel anchovy they used, not salty at all. I would say that the food is 5 stars. My biggest complaint is the booth at the Cove section of the restaurant. The seats are soft and non supportive, and the space is tight as hell. Please change the padding Charley's. It's uncomfortable as hell to eat at your place. So overall it's a 3 stars for the discomfort while eating. Best Regards, Your loyal customers
(3)Andrew G.
I can honestly say if steak is your passion then this is the place!!!! From the Apple martini the tuna sashimi the kale side dish right tothe main dish (of course the ribeye bone in) the food is excellent and the atmosphere is perfect. . . Our waitress Bianca was professional and had a great personality! !! To boot the GM John stopped by to say hello and see how our meals were.. you don't get that at Bern's. . Do not listen to the haters they probably gave the golden corral 5 stars and do not know what a great steak is. .. Ramsey eat your heart out. . This place blows yours away! !!
(5)VJ R.
We ordered escargot, Crab cakes, house salad, creamed spinach, and Blackened salmon. Our meal came out fast. The escargot was a bit salty. The crab cakes were cooked on a cedar plank. The crab cake had a good flavor and contained nice portions of crab meat. However, the crab cakes were on the mushy side. I was expecting a crispy outer and a firm mix of stuffing and crab meat filling. It was different. The salad was awesome. The blackened salmon and creamed spinach were perfect. Small portions but good. Overall, it was a very nice dinner.. P.S the MENUS are Huge! Why so big Charley?
(4)Gregory F.
We celebrated multiple reasons by dining at Charley's Saturday night. Having ate there a couple of years ago we originally had planned on the Ultimate Surf and Turf (for 2) and were surprised that they reduced the Master Cut from 155 ounces to 150 and the lobster from 1 1/4 lbs down to 1 lbs. Looking at value we figured that we could pretty much get the same thing by ordering 2 porterhouses and add a lobster to each. The waiter, Hector wasn't much help with deciding (you would have figured he would have went for the upsell but apparently didn't have anything to upsell other than the price.) We also ordered a side of augraten potatoes and mushrooms and onions. The steaks were perfect in every way!! The lobsters seemed lacking in that lobster flavor. The potatoes were bland with very little flavor and the mushrooms were really good but the onions were slimy and huge and not really worth the effort to cut them up. Quick summary: Steaks A+, Lobster B, Bread A, Salad B -, Potatoes C, Mushrooms A, Onions C. Waiter C. Worth going just for the steaks!!
(3)Jidd M.
Wow !! All I can say is WOW!! I dine at 5 star restaurants all the time and this particular one is AMAZING!!! Our bartender Kari was amazing By thank u thank u
(5)Michael Z.
I tried Charley's because of the location and all in all, I was underwhelmed. The best part about this place is the bar. It is the ideal bar for grabbing a drink and a light bite while socializing. The barkeeps were knowledgeable and on their game, which I appreciated. But as far as steakhouses go, I was just not impressed. The steaks are grilled with a wood smoke flavor that I just do not find appealing. It is different, so if it appeals to you, this place will likely stand out from the crowd. But for me, I found the aftertaste overpowering and took away from the cut and quality of the beef. Prices, sides and wine list are standard for any higher-end steakhouse, but considering the choices in the area, I would opt for Bern's or Eddie V's in a heartbeat.
(2)Sheri H.
The filet was good! The atmosphere was nice and the monster seafood towers looked amazing. I would go back again if I'm ever in Florida. The only downside was the room we were in was a bit hot for a group of 9.. Otherwise good place. Carrot cake was yummy! Oh, try the fried green tomatoes! Totally my fav!
(4)Russell G.
Kirby was prompt through out our dining experience. Food was prepared as ordered. Awesome time, great food!!
(5)Arturo R.
This place is also a very good, very different from Berns, the food is very good as well, the lobster tails are just superb as well as the meat. The best way to compare if you can is to do both Berns, and Charlie's.
(4)Stephanie V.
I feel a little sheepish writing a review for a steakhouse when I'm not a beef or pork eater. So avert thy eyes now if you just cannot read on! We went as a group of 6. The ambiance was great! Busy for a Monday night. There's a display case right when you walk in with meats and fish showcased. The service was outstanding. 5-stars for sure. We had a seafood sampler as an appetizer. It was pretty good. I would have liked to see oysters or mussels included. The seared tuna was a nice addition though! I had the Australian lobster. I'm honestly spoiled by Maine lobster with its tender meat, so I was surprised to find the Australian lobster to be so tough. I initially thought it was overlooked. That was a little disappointing to me. Everyone else at the table had a meat of some kind. The fiancé had the bison steak. There was a lot of fat (thumbs down). The lobster bisque was phenom. Have to agree though that the salads weren't that great. We also had a side of lobster mac n cheese and was really good. Would have lived to see simple mixed greens with a balsamic drizzle. There are a ton of desserts to choose from should you have room! Let's recap: Pros: ambiance, service, lobster bisque, bread basket, seared ahi tuna Cons: fatty bison cut, salad & seafood sampler need an update
(4)Kirven S.
Can't say much about other entrees but this place has the absolute best steaks in Tampa. Although it might not be as much of an "experience" place as Berns but my wife and I really like the food ALOT more! I've never seen Charley's empty but the service is always excellent. The perfect match of attentiveness without being intrusive! You never feel like you are being either ignore or rushed. I think they have the whole pace thing nailed. The wine list might not be a novel like some other places but it's still pretty size able and you're sure to find something that matches any preference. They also have a great selection of spirits (I love their bourbons) as well as some really nice desert wines. My wife and I always get the "Fabulous Filet" steaks. It's a 20oz filet but they'll split it into two of the most tender 10oz steaks that you'll ever find. The wood grill they use really imparts an incredible flavor! For desert my wife always loves the creme brûlée but I haven't tried that at enough places to say how it stacks up (she says it's amazing). What I can say is that if by some miracle you actually have room for desert, get the carrot cake. It not only is to die for but could also be split between 4 people without leaving anyone hungry! Our 20yr old son loves it when we go. Even if he's bummed about not getting one of the steaks, he knows hat we will bring home some carrot cake for him!
(5)Maria W.
Awesome service, awesome food. Atmosphere was amazing. The attention from not just our server but from all of the other Resturant employees was a demonstration of how service should be experienced.
(5)Paul P.
Mandatory valet so if you want to dine here, you may not park on your own. We had reservations and were seated somewhat promptly however, they placed us at a table where the sun clearly blinded a member of our party. The service was slow and it took 5 minutes or so for us to be acknowledged by a server. Took another 5 minutes for us to get drinks. The server was friendly but not as attentive a great server should be. The food was exceptional and everyone enjoyed thier respective choice of steak, and the carmel cheesecake was also a good choice. For a $50+ per person restaurant, there is a clear opportunity to improve the service here. The food is great but there are other places in this price range with great food and great service.
(3)Paul M L.
First time there in 10 years, why did I wait so long, everything was excellent except the carrot cake, it was good but I have had much better elsewhere for a lot less money, if you want steak this is the place to go, they Oak fire Grill it and has a wonderful flavor to it, very tender, and the fish was excellent also as was the vegetables. They have a very extensive wine list if you are into wine and the drinks are fantastic.
(5)John D.
This was a top notch steak house and was worth every penny. Be prepared to spend some money, but the service and steaks were well worth it. The steaks were prepared in a high temp wood fired grill that gave them a unique taste like something I have never had. The way the steaks were aged also added to the taste. This is not a a place I would go to every week (even though I would love to!), but will save it for special occasions with the wife or when friends/family come from out of town. I will definitely be back. Can't wait!
(5)LaKenya G.
Wonderful service from valet to the table. I have eaten steak from steakhouses from all over the country and the ribeye that I had was literally the best steak I've ever eaten.
(5)Rebekah T.
Charley's is by far one of my favorite restaurants, period. I don't just love it, I crave it. That is based on the quality of food and service we have received at this restaurant each and every time. We love great cocktails, fresh seafood and steaks. This place has and flaunts their selection of the best of the best. The drinks are amazing. You can order just about anything you want, but the infusions and the custom cocktails are adventurous. The Mixologist Garrett made me this amazing serrano chile gin drink and then another later with Tequila. They were spicy yet not overwhelming and very much my style. I've had their steaks and they are so damn good, but this last time in Tampa I really wanted to just overdose on Stone Crab. We ordered 1-1/2 pounds of stone crab claws, I was in heaven. We also ordered the Florida Gator Bites, which were by far the most tender gator bites I've had yet. Sounds funny, but they taste better than chicken. Haha. And last but not least, we had the Beef Carpaccio which was so paper thin and delicate, it falls apart in your mouth with that rich beef taste. Love. So Charley's remains one of those places where we let our cravings take over and order custom cocktails, because the experience is worth every penny and we deserve it.
(5)Carey F.
I, like some of the reviewers before me, was underwhelmed by Charley's. There were some very positive points, but also some definite opportunities for improvement. The bar and dining areas are quite impressive, however, the restrooms are a bit shabbier than I expected, based on the price point. We had seafood samplers to start with, which were spot on. Everything tasted fresh and was well-prepared. Everyone enjoyed their salads and although the plating of the Caesar was a little old-fashioned, the flavors were nice. Now the steaks. Most of us ordered the filet and were disappointed to find that we really couldn't taste the flavor of the steak itself as it was completely overwhelmed by what seemed to be liquid smoke flavor. As a steak lover, I was saddened to find that I could not eat more than a few bites...the flavor was just too strong. Others at the table had similar experiences with the steak. The shared sides were a bit on the small side for "family style" sharing and the grilled veggies tasted as if they'd had the same treatment as the steak. Overall, I'd return for the seafood, however, I would not return for the steak.
(3)Steve E.
One of my business partners wanted to host dinner at Charley's Steakhouse, which meant they were picking up the tab for all of us. Now Charley's isn't my top choice for Tampa steakhouses, but it's hard to argue with a free dinner. Charley's has been family-owned and operated since the mid 1970's, and was founded by Charley Woodsby, co-founder of the Red Lobster chain. Charley and his son Ron now own the Talk of the Town restaurant group, and the steakhouse is the crown jewel of their chain. Charley's serves only USDA prime and choice Angus steers, ages them for four to six weeks for tenderness and flavor, and then hand cuts the steaks daily to ensure consistent quality. The steaks are then flame-broiled over oak and orange woods in a custom-built pit. They claim that their secret is the pit which cooks all of the steaks, chicken, chops and fresh fish over a 1,200-degree fire. As you enter the lobby you'll see a refrigerated case spotlighting all of the different cuts of meat and seafood that are available for dinner. Our group gathered at the bar while we waited for the stragglers, and then we were off to our private dining area in one of the smaller rooms. The service was fantastic, and the waiter that managed our group of 8 was quick to gather up our drink orders and then return to talk about the menu. He led us through a dizzying array of steaks, chops, wild game, seafood, and Chef's specials along with all of the different choices of sauces and sides. We shared some calamari with shrimp and scallop scampi for appetizers, before diving in to our main courses. I ordered the T-bone for my dinner, and had plenty to take home for a second meal. The steak was cooked perfectly, and it had plenty of rich flavor. As a group we shared some creamed spinach, grilled asparagus, and smashed potatoes for sides, and there was plenty of that to take home as well. I passed on ordering dessert, but watched while others tried to tackle slices of the carrot cake and Key Lime pie. I was content to sip a glass of port and let my dinner digest before it was time to pack up the leftovers and head for home.
(3)Heather M.
This was a great experience. We showed up 45 minutes minutes early to our reservation, which was at 6:30 for 4, fully expecting to wait for a while. To our delight, we were immediately greeted and taken to our table and handed some ridiculously oversized menus. Our waitress introduced herself and was aware of the occasions we were celebrating, a birthday and 2 wedding anniversaries, an acknowledged them. They had a beef presentation, orders were placed, and out came the bubbly. I would have preferred it to be much colder before the first glass was poured, obviously they keep the bottles at room temp, but we were ready to get the festivities under way. House salads were served, it was a light salad with chopped tomatoes and green olives, some grated parmesan, with a light vinaigrette dressing. Served with the salad was the most delicious bread, very soft and chewy, basted with garlic butter & herbs, and has cheddar cheese on top...super Yum!! Our dinners came out. Side note: Sign up in advance for their emails, before coming to the restaurant I received an email offering a sampling by the Chef. Everyone in my party received a side of Blackened George's Bay Scallops with Florida Citrus Buerre Blanc Sauce, personally not a scallop fan but they tasted good. For dinner I ordered the Cowboy Ribeye, not on the menu, great crust on the steak definitely could taste the wood fire. The Charley's smashed potatoes were definitely worth the purchase. For desert we did the sampling platter, $40 and was easily split between 4 people with left overs. It included a half slice of Blueberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Moose Pie, Peanut Butter Pie, Salted Caramel Cheesecake, 2 Slices of Chocolate Cake, and a serving of White Chocolate Creme Brûlée. Best was the Blueberry Cheesecake and Chocolate Moose Pie, worst was the chocolate cake...it was dry. Improvement...I wish there was more brûlée on top if the custard. All in all, great restaurant, great decor, and great food. I gave it 4-stars due to the slight, I mean slight, improvements I desired with the food and the service that didn't feel genuine.
(4)Kara P.
My husband and I decided to go to Charley's for our wedding anniversary and his birthday. It was our first time at Charley's and it was incredibly disappointing since we've heard rave reviews. First, we weren't seated until 30 minutes after our reservation. We were never called to be seated, instead we repeatedly had to check when our seat was ready. Once we were seated a cockroach crawled up my back. When we notified the manager he said, "we are in Florida so that is typical." He was kind enough to move our table but it grossed us out. I ordered the sea bass which was very delicious. We split the lobster mac n cheese, which was also very tasty. My husband ordered the Kansas City strip. He was very disappointed and says it was chewy and tasted like any steak you could purchase and make at home. He ordered it medium rare and it came out more well done. Our server was very knowledgeable of the menu and polite, but our waters were never refilled. The atmosphere is very comfortable. I would be willing to visit again because my food was great; however, my husband certainly doesn't want to visit again. I would recommend Berns, Ruth Chris, or Ocean Prime.
(2)Matthew P.
Can I get an AMEN from the congregation!!! Holy COW!! Literally!! This place was top notch!! It has been years since I went here with family, and since moving back to Tampa from Atlanta I am always searching for great restaurants! ie Hormone Free, No Iceburg Lettuce, basically great food! Well Charley's must have not made an impression 20 years ago but they did tonight!!!! Drinks yup indeed, Salad was awesome, Service impeccable, the stone crabs were to die for AND THE STEAK?!!! ???? OMG lets say this the wife and I split the crazy LARGE Surf & Turf!!! It was sooo much food we took it home and had 3 meals out o it EACH even after we tried to eat what we could there!!! Ok my wife and I are smart and eat 5 times per day and work out a metric butt load so our portion sizes are smaller but HOLY COW & LOBSTER!!! Honestly the sweetest lobster I have ever had period for get the fact it was practically 6 lbs!!! Ok you get the point it was BIG!!!! Steak was cooked to perfection!!!! And yup everything else was awesome!! I have no idea how we got out of there for under $300 I was betting $500 easily being from Atlanta!!! I can honestly say the lunch menu is worth going too and we will be back even if we don't go over board!!!! Charley's has made me a regular now!!!!
(5)Amy Z.
So disappointed! Hadn't been to Charley's in years and remember it being awesome. Went with my sister. Wine waiter recommended, salad, and bread were good. Filet was overcooked (both of ours and the 2 guys next to us as well). I was the only one to send it back...they wanted to, but were too hungry. My sis got the lobster tail (as did one of the guys next to us) and both were tough. They were out of sauteed mushrooms and creamed spinach. For the price we paid, I'd have gone to any number of better quality restaurants in town twice or three times over :(
(2)John C.
It was good but pricey as suspected. All the steaks seem to be on the large size but the open flame type cooking really gives them a great flavor.
(4)Kara B.
I never ever write reviews period but the experience I just had was unacceptable. This place has signs all over boasting about being one of the top 10 steakhouses in the country. The steak I got was completely inedible. It was so over cooked I asked for medium well but this was extremely well done mostly just burnt. I wouldn't even have taken it home to my dog cuz he wouldn't have been able to chew it up!! They did take it off the bill and offer up free desert but at that point my date and I just wanted to leave!! I can honestly I saw I would have gotten a better steak at outback for $10. Just an overall total disappointment
(1)B T.
I went to the steakhouse for the first time last week. The food was good. The sides enjoyable. There was a nice atmosphere in the resturant. The food was expensive, but nice for a nicer evening out. I was very impressed with the customer service I recieved from the manager who personally addressed some of my concerns. The next time I'm in Tampa, I would definately go back. I recommend the truffle butter on your steak. An excellent addition.
(4)Jamie A.
My husband and I frequent many different steakhouses in the Tampa Bay area, but Charley's is no longer on the rotation. We gave Charley's 3 chances to "wow" us, but they didn't come through. During our first experience we both ordered our steak med-rare and the came out med-well. Mine was slightly better, so I was just going to deal with it. When the server stopped by to check on us, my husband showed him the steak was overcooked, the server proceeded to take out a flashlight and say "oh, there's a bit of pink right in the middle" ..seriously? We gave up on our meal and left unsatisfied, but we thought we'd give it another shot.. We went on New Year's Eve last year and that was a great experience. Our steaks were prepared correctly, service was great, and we truly enjoyed the meal. Moving along to our third time.. We went on Valentine's Day weekend, which we knew may be a little risky, but we also knew how great our meal was on New Year's Eve.. As we arrived at the host stand for our 8:30 reservation, we were informed that reservations were running about 45 minutes behind. No apology, no explanation... We make our way to the bar and that I can say is the best part about the restaurant. It's been the only consistently good experience each time we've gone to Charley's. Once we were finally sat at what seemed to a pop-up table, we were prepared for the worst. The service was extremely slow and I believe that the kitchen was more at fault than our server. When our food arrived, the food runner informed us that they were out of the mashed potatoes we ordered. We changed it to an alternate side and then watched at the table next to us got potatoes about 5 minutes later. Our steaks were overcooked, but after waiting so long and our server disappearing for the duration of our meal, we gave up. We thought we'd try dessert since our meals were so bad, but the server never returned to offer dessert. A new couple sat at the table next to us and mentioned they were over an hour behind their reservation. We left disappointed and decided this restaurant is not worth it. There are far too many better options in the area to choose from rather than deal with this below average experience.
(2)SallyCinnamon C.
We made a reservation for 8 pm using Open Table, waited only 15 minutes by the bar - bartenders were very attentive. Even refilled our sodas while we chatted. There is a definite up-sell during the steak presentation, but that's to be expected. I ordered the grilled chicken and my husband ordered the NY Strip. Both were outstanding. Took home leftovers - portions are huge! Creamed Kale was delicious. A perfect night. I especially enjoy complimentary valet parking.
(5)Claire K.
It has taken years for me to finally get here to see for myself if anyone can out bid the Bern's experience and food. Turns out, my time at Bern's was well spent. I hate to compare, but....I showed up unbaised and hoped to have an amazing dinner. The Line Up: House Salad (meh) 10oz Filet Mignon (good, but there was chewy fat on it! trim people. TRIM) Bernaise Smashed Potatoes (a nice change from baked) Asparagus (giant! with cheese. nice presentation) THE BREAD BASKET (the highlight of my meal, not becuase it was free) Apple pie a la mode (very good) Overall, it was a nice dinner, but not enough bang for my buck. I came, I ate, I conquered & now....I'll be satisfied that I no longer have to try this place out. * FYI, parties larger than 6 or 8 are charged a 20% gratuity.
(3)Matt B.
I have read many reviews of Charlie's, and frankly I didn't know what to expect. It is widely known in Tampa this is among the best steak restaurants. The building is set back from the road, and a valet will take your car. The flame broiled Charlie's sign out front gives you the perfect smell and feel you are entering a steakhouse! It's a bit old school in here, maybe too much. They could use a update....but it's a classic high end steakhouse showing off ridiculous cuts of meat in a glass case in the lobby, and then both the meat tray and dessert tray table side. I visited with a group of 10, so I was fortunate to be able to try many items. I ordered a Kona firerock pale ale from Hawaii and we ordered a seafood platter, steak tar tar, and several crab cakes.....this was piles of food, the Alaskan king crab, stone crab and shrimp were delicious but the crab cakes stole the show. They are cooked on a wooden plank and have this delicious golden brown crust on them. They aren't cakes up with breadcrumbs, in fact I'm not sure if they even have breadcrumbs in them. They are loaded with crab and the flavor is amazing! I highly suggest that you pace yourself here. This is the type of place you want to spend some time, the bread is fabulous but don't fill up on it...you have to make sure you have room to take down the giant side of beef you are about to order. I chose the Kansas City strip. The steaks here are wet aged and they believe this makes them very flavorful and tender. Mine was certainly that. It was a great steak, not the best I ever had but certainly top 10. The sides are ala carte, and they are big enough to share with 3 people. I shared some sautéed onions and mushrooms with a friend and we both enjoyed them. They add some sort of beef broth to them to step up the flavor. Our main goal for this dinner was to impress one of our work vendors, so we didn't stop after the steaks. We chose creme brûlée, chocolate lava cake, and bananas foster bread pudding as our desserts. They were all great, but the light creme brûlée with a thin sugary crust was very nice after the giant cut of meat. Add a cup of coffee served with a rock candy stir stick and I think I gained 5lbs in 3 hours. I'll be back here for sure, this restaurant serves great food.
(5)Elana L.
For the price, I was disappointed! We skipped the appetizer and ordered 2 glasses of wine, a steak, fish, one side dish, and dessert....grand total...$100! I highly recommend asking for a table far away from the bar area so you can hear the person you are talking to! 32 oz Porterhouse had fantastic flavor! I mean, AMAZING flavor! My Sea Bass filet was also super tasty! But way overpriced!!! $42 for a filet of fish! WHAT!?!? The complimentary bread is super soft and has a perfect amount of cheese/herbs! We ate a lot of it! The Lobster Bisque was also tasty! All in all, this place is ok, BUT if I'm going to pay $100 for a meal, I want a nice private table where I can hear my date, NOT just the bar area!
(3)Richard M.
Stayed at the Sheraton Hotel next door. Have not been in a Charlies in years and was excited to have a nice dining experience. There on a week night and the place was crowed. We got a table in short order after a drink at the bar.. (pricey by the way). We had a nice table, and were anticipating a great eve. Our waiter came over and we could tell right away that he had an attitude and snobby. We were right. A waiter makes the evening for the most part and this guy killed it for us. Just a jerk and did not belong working in a place that charges $35 and up for steak. Talked to one of the managers on the way out, and he did not care and made up some excuse for the guy. Sorry, not going there again. Treated better at a Outback Steak House.
(2)Jeff C.
When I visit Tampa, I stay at the Sheraton Suites West Cypress because it's right next door to Charley's. In the past, I've always been very satisfied with the food and service, but last night was my first negative experience. It's almost enough to make me seek alternative lodging closer to the office. I got there late, around 9:45pm, so I ate at the bar by myself. I've always ordered the 8-oz. filet with a side, but I really wanted to eat something healthy this time, so I asked about several menu items and decided on the swordfish, which I ordered blackened with no sauce. I figured, at $23.95, I can't go wrong, but I should ahve ordered the sashimi for half the price. I asked about substituting another salad for the signature side, but the wedge was another $7 and I'm already pushing my per diem by just walking into this place. The salad came right out and was...well, it was OK. I got the olives on the side, but added some of them back. Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes & onions with an olive vinaigrette just doesn't do it for me. The bread & butter didn't arrive until I was finished with my salad; they were very fresh, but I only had one piece because of the 'good-for-me thing'. I had never eaten a 'baseball' swordfish steak until yesterday; I wish I'd thought to snap a photo. It must have been 2" thick! That said, it was also about 3" square...it couldn't have been 5-oz. And it came out bronzed, not blackened, which evidently means they threw some some spices in the general direction of the pan, hoping some of the aroma would stick. And it came out with the skin on one side; the reason I have a problem with that, is there was so little flavor and every square centimeter needed as much exposure as possible. When the waitress returned to ask how it was, my response was, "at least it's healthy..." I mentioned that it didn't appear to be blackened. She thought I ordered it bronzed, and upon hearing of her mistake, simply replied, "Oh." and left the table after a brief, awkward pause. Anyway, I finished my meal and contemplated another $8 beer, which I decided not to get. My advice to you is, if you get the swordfish, DEFINITELY get it blackened...and get a side of the mango salsa (or whatever else you can think of) to give it some flavor. I could have done just as well in my hotel room with a hot iron. The check came and the swordfish actually cost $28.95, which was like adding insult to injury. I told her about the difference and she begrudgingly adjusted the tab. At this point, I'm sure she could tell I was pissed and just wanted to get back to my room. I left her a rarely-seen 15% tip for her efforts...the least she could have done was apologize and have the manager say something. I'll definitely remember this experience the next time I get hungry for a good steak. Capital Grille and Ruth's Chris are right around the corner, y'know...
(2)Stephanie W.
Tonight was my first time at Charley's. Kenny was our server, he was very friendly and knowledgeable. The drinks were fantastic. I ordered the 8oz filet medium rare. It came out a bit overcooked and when I inquired they were quick to recook me a new steak. One of the managers, Audrey, quickly approached us and apologized, told me my steak would be ready soon and asked if she could get me anything while I waited. When the steak was ready she brought it out herself and had me cut into it right in front of her to ensure it was exactly how I wanted it. I'd have to say their customer service is phenomenal. And the new steak was delicious too. We will definitely be back.
(5)