Before I had kids, I have to admit, I was totally "meh" about Chelo's. Fast forward five years and two kids later and this is my favorite place to dine out with the fam. The service is almost always top notch and the food is good too (it's not the type you're going to think about for days afterwards like Gracie's but you're not paying Gracie's $ either). It's a place I can bring my kids and they'll be able to find something off the menu they like and collect their previous wooden coins Chelo's hands out with kids menus. I really like their red clam chowder and the buffalo chicken salad is a favorite as well. You can't go wrong with the family here, bonus points if you come on a birthday (my son LOVED when the staff came out to sing for him).
(4)
James B.
Another great experience since we came here before about 3 months ago! Joe is an amazing person and waiter!! He is very knowledgable band informative! He seated us quickly and made sure we had everything we asked for!! He pays very good attention and is very responsive!!
(5)
Joe C.
Simple Chain-Like Restaurant but a bit Better Not usually my favorite places, but Chelo's does the trick if your looking for a few cheap beers and bar specials. The bar itself is pretty terrible, you can't watch a game here. However, they do have good app specials and 2 dollar draft beers, so it's not bad for a quick lunch. Tip: Sit at the bar and grab a chicken quesadilla on the half price menu, it's actually pretty good with a rosemary tortilla. The other item to try is the giant roast beef sandwich. They cook a fresh roast and cut the beef thin. It's pretty good. Don't go and try any of their strange concoctions, stick with the roast beef, a burger, or a simple chicken pot pie. All of these items are pretty good. Not great but for me it's close and very affordable and the draft beer is ice cold. I can't complain. Thanks
(3)
Linda A.
I still like this place, but it's not as consistent as I'd like it to be. I came back on another occasion and the clam cakes were too salty, the Caesar salad had waaaaay too much dressing on it, and the eggplant fries were horrendously bland. Good customer service though, so only knocking it down one peg.
(4)
Amanda J.
There was nothing memorable about my meal here. A friend had come back to town to visit and suggested we eat dinner here. I had the house margarita with no salt on the rim so I guess they decided to put it in the drink instead. Seriously, it was awful. For dinner I ordered the dinner and dessert combo. I went with the "famous" meatloaf and chocolate fudge cheesecake for dessert. I'm not sure what makes the meatloaf famous unless dry is the new trend. It was such a boring and tasteless dish. The chocolate fudge cheesecake was good but not incredible, just good. I was not impressed with this restaurant and it won't break my heart if I never go back.
(2)
Jamie W.
There burgers went down hill!!! New style buns are cheep and Hamburg is not good at all!!! But they do have an awesome staff working
(3)
Jasmine A.
The manager and hostess are rude.
(1)
Michelle S.
Kind of the same level as Friendlys food but they are more consistent. Prices are great and I've never had bad waitstaff. I just wish they didn't take so many short cuts such as microwaving items and using frozen foods. I'd gladly pay more for fresh!
(4)
Michael B.
I like the Chelo's chain of restaurant. I like the service, I like the quality of their food. I really like their prices. I really don't like their thought that Mayo belongs on a hamburger and that it should be applied to every burger that is served. It is way past the time to ditch the automatic Mayo on burgers. If someone wants it, they will ask for it.
(4)
Maximillian S.
I routinely show up to this Chelo's every Sunday or Thursday (depending on the Niners game) and watch the games at the bar. Ryan is an absolutely great asset to this building and company. The guy is great company, a great server and knowledgeable about the area, the culture the food and drinks he serves. Absolute standout. The Chowder here is top-notch and absolutely delicious with clam cakes and a nice Boston Lager. The rest of the food, at least for me, is not that great. I got what was supposed to be their most popular sandwich, which I believe was the Steak Sandwich and it was absolutely dreadful. I've gotten various other entrees and they just don't hit the mark for me. They feel microwaved. On the otherhand, I've only had top-notch service from every single person in this building and they've gotten me replacements for meals and appetizers that came out that we didn't like and completely took it off the ticket. I've usually found something to suffice (usually the chowder and cakes). Overall, I don't mind spending time at this building and drinking their beer and eating their appetizers. But I'd really like to stick with the bar and the appetizers rather than the meals.
(4)
Andrea R.
Ok walked in and it smells in here. Had the baked scroll, too many breadcrumbs, and was very dry. Not happy with the meal, but manager gave me free dessert, which was nice. Next time will not have fish.
(2)
Scott C.
Chelo's is a small RI Chain that has been around forever. I eat at a Chelo's once every few months or so and I have never had a bad meal here. The menu consists of seasonal favorites that obviously rotate with the season and then the rest of the menu is a nice mixture of salads, sandwiches, and dinners. Everything I have had has been great. I am a fan of their lunch specials. They have a variety of sandwiches to choose from as well as sides and they are all very cheap. At the end of the day there are two big things that Chelo's is known for, their chowder and their desserts. If you go to Chelo's you need to try their chowder and split a dessert (or don't share but they are huge). Other than that I have found anything I choose on the menu is a safe bet.
(4)
Karen S.
First and late time I will eat there. I am an out of towner that comes up every couple months for work. We usually pick a day and order out from somewhere. Today was a day to try something new for me. I didn't want to eat a sandwich for lunch as I get too stuffed. So I decided the grilled chicken salad was the way to go. For $10 you only get 4 strips of chicken, a one ounce cup of shredded cheese, a couple tomatoes, onion and lettuce. The chicken had absolutely no seasoning on it. It was a very plain, boring salad. Wendy's salads are nicer and better tasting than theirs. I should have known it wasn't going to be good when all the others in the office were disappointed that we were ordering out from Chelo's.
(1)
Marty M.
Excellent food and atmosphere. I had the clams with linguini and the wife had fish and chips. We also split the crab cakes and seafood chowder and chocolate fudge cake. The crab cakes (fritters) were delicious! I would give them 5 stars but they didn't give us rolls.
(4)
Michael H.
Can't get enough of Chelo's! I was raised on the stuff, and they never disappoint!
(5)
JLynn C.
This Chelo's is really good. I love the chicken tender salad with their honey mustard dressing Sooooo good! Also their cherry cheesecake is my personal fave. The food here is always hot and good and the prices aren't bad. I like giving Chelo's business over the over priced chainy restaurants like apple bees and Fridays. Better quality and it's a RI business.
(4)
Ryan B.
You only go to Chelo's for the rueben... that's it... nothing else... at all... Don't waste your time. Go down the street to Blackie's Tavern and you'll thank me later.
(2)
Tess W.
Close to home...I am STARVING!!! Stuffies were deep fried and then plunked on the grill. Hot and bad oily. White Chowder is good, decent. Our favorite so far is the Roast beef sandwich, I switch out the fries for mashed and gravy. Delish!
(3)
David F.
Nothing over the moon, just a nice place. I have been to a few Chelo's Restaurants and I have found this location to be the best of them in all respects. It is cleaner, the servers are more attentive and it actually seems the food is better. The other night, we had stopped in around 8:15pm or so and it was fairly full. The hostess said she would check for a clean table and would be right back. In the minute and a half we were standing there four other staff approached and asked if they could help us. Our hostess came back and took us to our table. Unfortunately, it was next to the restrooms and at the end. For some reason the seats somehow shift back throughout the evening leaving no room in that particular booth, especially for someone my size. I had asked our server if we could move to the one across the aisle even though it wasn't yet cleaned. She immediately bussed and cleaned the spot for us and she was apologizing for the table! Not that it was her fault. We ordered some cakes and chowder as a starter. Before I was even ready to order, the cakes were there with the chowder right behind. Jokingly, I said to my wife " Watch, there will probably be a little uncooked spot in the middle of these." They were actually perfect, better than they usually are and I think Chelo's has some of the best cakes to be honest. I had ordered the Ultimate tips, medium rare over mashed. My wife ordered the fish and chips. The tips were done just right with lots of onions and shrooms on a mountain of mashed. The fish was the usual nice quality with thick fries. The food was just what we ordered and a good price and excellent quality. Always worth the trip to this particular Chelo's. Our server, Nikki, was topnotch. She was very pleasant, clean and attentive. She also seemed to like her job, and even if she doesn't like it, she performs to make money. Something that many in food service forget: the service part. Working for tips is not easy but the tip should be the incentive to provide the best dining experience, regardless of how much you hate the job, the cooks, the manager or whatever. This Chelo's location in particular, I have never had poor service, which is more than I can say for some others, The Woonsocket Chelo's is probably the worst I have visited. I have wondered though, why the Chelo's menu has been cut down to the current offerings? Wasn't it originally a steakhouse? They really need to offer more than one steak or tips, no matter how good.
(4)
Erin N.
Typical Chelo's here. Nice location to get out of the city or away from Warwick.
(4)
Jessi W.
The prices are good, service very friendly. Ample parking. I ordered a chicken sandwich which was so dry I had to take a sip of my drink after every bite just to get it down. I substituted my fries to onion rings, and was disappointed the waitress didn't tell me ahead of time there was a charge for that. That all aside, I would definately go back and try something else on the menu and see if they redeem themselves. We do get their cake every year for my moms birthday and it is awesome!!! So I must say that the deserts are awesome!
(3)
Jessica H.
Great service, especially the manager, Joe. He found a sandwich for me without celery :) My mom and I ate here today because we were looking for some good comfort food and that is exactly what we got!
(4)
Christine G.
We visit here a few times a month. We really enjoy sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartenders while enjoying an appetizer.
(5)
Laura T.
I used to go here all the time as a kid, and my husband and I stopped in last night to get a quick bite to eat. We had pretty low expectations but ended up really pleased with the food. Although the service was pretty slow, we were both really happy with our entrees. I got a mushroom burger, which was delicious but super greasy. Their curly fries are my absolute favorite menu item!! They have just the right kick to them and taste RIDICULOUS when dipped in their delicious honey mustard sauce. The hubs got the buffalo mac and cheese and was really pleased. Although this is far from a hot date spot, it was a comfortable and tasty place to grab a bite to eat on a weeknight.
(4)
A Z.
I don't know if it's a sin in RI or not, but I really like Chelos. I have a group of friend that, when we hang out, always opt for Chelos and I don't know why. The food isn't AMAZING, but it's all very good comfort food, made well, with really good service. The service really does stand out. Whenever I go with someone new, they always note how awesome the service is. That's just how Chelo's rolls (this location atleast). If you go, be sure to try the Chili w/ cheese ontop. It's awesome. Also, get the Willie Wonka for desert. Not good: The calamari. I mean, what do you expect, but still not good and real chewy. Run of the mill: Mozzarella sticks, Chicken Caesar Salad, Steak Tips. Really good: Best of Rhode Island Famous Fish & Chips, Willie Wonka Cake, Chicken Finger Salad, and the Bacon Burger (add carmelized onions). The "Feature" meals are all inclusive and include salad, appetizer (i think), entree, dessert, and a soda or beer (or wine). I;ve had the Baked Ziti entree, and I think it was $10 or so, so it was a good value but the entree was really small. No worries though cause you get enough food overall to leave full.
(4)
Jeff J.
The review applies to any Chelo's location. I'll also be rating them in comparison to Gregg's Restaurant, which much like Rigatoni's to Uncle Tony's, very similar in many ways. Similar menu items, service, food. The only thing different are the servers, although they could just be clones of one another. Oh, and sorry to you restroom observers, I don't spend enough time in either to compare, and no photo evidence to suggest they are same or diferent. Like I said, similar in many ways. The one thing that gives Gregg's the slight advantage is their dessert menu. A lot of what you can't get at Chelo's, you can find there. Can't say I've ever had a bad experience at either of these local chains. It's more hit than miss, and when they miss it's not way off either. Pretty sure the Cranston location for Chelo's still has the train that runs on coins, although it's been awhile. So, whether it's desserts you're after, or to be hypnotized by trains, there's no arguing one is truly better than the other.
(3)
Keith M.
I had the Crazy salad. This is one of those comfort food places where you can get anything fried, baked broiled and in portions that will put you to sleep. Too bad I only had a salad.
(3)
Michael R.
Pretty standard American-chain style restaurant with some solid takes on the traditional classics. Pretty reminiscent of a TGI Fridays or Applebees, though it seemed like a mostly older (50+) crowd when I stopped in for lunch. However, the Maui Chicken Sandwich was a pretty unique take on a chicken sandwich -- different from what I'd expect, and it was actually pretty good. Quality grilled chicken paired with crunchy pineapple, BBQ sauce, swiss cheese, and bacon made for a not-quite spectacular, but certainly interesting sandwich. Also, the Potato Skins were good (soft potatoes with a crunchy skin and melty, not plastic-y layer of cheese on top, although they definitely needed more bacon) and are apparently a favorite of those in the area.
(3)
paul v.
My wife and I love Chelo's. The food is great and affordable and the waitresses are always fast and friendly. Their outrageous hot fudge brownie sundae is to die for.
(5)
Andrew B.
I went here last summer when I saw "Don't Mess with the Zohan" at the theater in the Apple Valley plaza. The Restaurant was about as good as the movie, which is to say it satisfied a specific need but was nothing that great. There are several Chelo's scattered around and they're all a basic, cheap, your-mom-would-have-made-this food. Great for nights when you're too lazy to cook and too cheap to go someplace nice.
(3)
Aarik D.
I come here to see my girlfriend as she works here part time and I always have dessert which never fails. The pumpkin cheesecake is delectable! I've had Greek salads and the tuna melt was delicious. From what I've heard, the other courses aren't great, but you can't always win in a small-town chain. As for the service, of course I am partial to my girlfriend but I see her running her butt off for customers and I see the other waitresses bustling too. Many are inexperienced because Chelo's is known for it's flexibility in hiring part time staff because most are full-time students in college who need money for tuition so they should be given some slack. And if you are a respectful customer, the staff will respect you right back! I would recommend a stop by as it's the largest private restaurant chain in RI but if you are looking for an upscale or more formal dining experience, go elsewhere. Hope this helps!
Restaurant was under construction while open. Restroom was unisex during construction. Loud banging and power tools being used. Seating area covered in dust. Ordered a water with lemon was given a water without lemon. Dinner rolls were hard as rocks. Had to ask twice for a knife. Ordered appetizers and dinner, dinner came before the appetizers, when waitress came with entrees I let her know she forgot the appetizers and she said well you should have said something sooner. She offered to have them made but I prefer my appetizers before my meal. ( I'm silly like that) The chicken dinner was slightly pink. I've been here before and thought it was average but after today I won't be rushing back. Waitress was polite and friendly. Dinning out should be enjoying it shouldn't be stressful.
(1)
Elena N.
Growing up in Smithfield, I've been here MANY times. The new renovations are nice, the service is always timely and pleasant. The waitresses are really sweet and attentive. The prices are reasonable. Appetizers are always salty and good. My children have enough choices to keep them happy. Good good good. BUT - and there is a 'but' - I am consistently disappointed with their entrees. Chelo's can make a good burger - a 4 star burger even - but pasta? Nope. Salads? Not competitive. They sound great on the menu, but don't deliver on the plate. I've never had a 4 star entree, and that's why I only give Chelo's 3 stars. My husband and I keep Chelo's on our list of go-to's with the kids, because like I said - the kids are happy with their choices. As a parent, that's all you can ever hope for in a restaurant. No nagging/whining/complaining/ordering things that taste like crap...none of that. So in return, we must order burgers. There are worse things I could say about a place than "I had to order a 4 star burger", but I'd like to see their extensive menu be on a 4 star level across the board.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Joanna S.
Before I had kids, I have to admit, I was totally "meh" about Chelo's. Fast forward five years and two kids later and this is my favorite place to dine out with the fam. The service is almost always top notch and the food is good too (it's not the type you're going to think about for days afterwards like Gracie's but you're not paying Gracie's $ either). It's a place I can bring my kids and they'll be able to find something off the menu they like and collect their previous wooden coins Chelo's hands out with kids menus. I really like their red clam chowder and the buffalo chicken salad is a favorite as well. You can't go wrong with the family here, bonus points if you come on a birthday (my son LOVED when the staff came out to sing for him).
(4)James B.
Another great experience since we came here before about 3 months ago! Joe is an amazing person and waiter!! He is very knowledgable band informative! He seated us quickly and made sure we had everything we asked for!! He pays very good attention and is very responsive!!
(5)Joe C.
Simple Chain-Like Restaurant but a bit Better Not usually my favorite places, but Chelo's does the trick if your looking for a few cheap beers and bar specials. The bar itself is pretty terrible, you can't watch a game here. However, they do have good app specials and 2 dollar draft beers, so it's not bad for a quick lunch. Tip: Sit at the bar and grab a chicken quesadilla on the half price menu, it's actually pretty good with a rosemary tortilla. The other item to try is the giant roast beef sandwich. They cook a fresh roast and cut the beef thin. It's pretty good. Don't go and try any of their strange concoctions, stick with the roast beef, a burger, or a simple chicken pot pie. All of these items are pretty good. Not great but for me it's close and very affordable and the draft beer is ice cold. I can't complain. Thanks
(3)Linda A.
I still like this place, but it's not as consistent as I'd like it to be. I came back on another occasion and the clam cakes were too salty, the Caesar salad had waaaaay too much dressing on it, and the eggplant fries were horrendously bland. Good customer service though, so only knocking it down one peg.
(4)Amanda J.
There was nothing memorable about my meal here. A friend had come back to town to visit and suggested we eat dinner here. I had the house margarita with no salt on the rim so I guess they decided to put it in the drink instead. Seriously, it was awful. For dinner I ordered the dinner and dessert combo. I went with the "famous" meatloaf and chocolate fudge cheesecake for dessert. I'm not sure what makes the meatloaf famous unless dry is the new trend. It was such a boring and tasteless dish. The chocolate fudge cheesecake was good but not incredible, just good. I was not impressed with this restaurant and it won't break my heart if I never go back.
(2)Jamie W.
There burgers went down hill!!! New style buns are cheep and Hamburg is not good at all!!! But they do have an awesome staff working
(3)Jasmine A.
The manager and hostess are rude.
(1)Michelle S.
Kind of the same level as Friendlys food but they are more consistent. Prices are great and I've never had bad waitstaff. I just wish they didn't take so many short cuts such as microwaving items and using frozen foods. I'd gladly pay more for fresh!
(4)Michael B.
I like the Chelo's chain of restaurant. I like the service, I like the quality of their food. I really like their prices. I really don't like their thought that Mayo belongs on a hamburger and that it should be applied to every burger that is served. It is way past the time to ditch the automatic Mayo on burgers. If someone wants it, they will ask for it.
(4)Maximillian S.
I routinely show up to this Chelo's every Sunday or Thursday (depending on the Niners game) and watch the games at the bar. Ryan is an absolutely great asset to this building and company. The guy is great company, a great server and knowledgeable about the area, the culture the food and drinks he serves. Absolute standout. The Chowder here is top-notch and absolutely delicious with clam cakes and a nice Boston Lager. The rest of the food, at least for me, is not that great. I got what was supposed to be their most popular sandwich, which I believe was the Steak Sandwich and it was absolutely dreadful. I've gotten various other entrees and they just don't hit the mark for me. They feel microwaved. On the otherhand, I've only had top-notch service from every single person in this building and they've gotten me replacements for meals and appetizers that came out that we didn't like and completely took it off the ticket. I've usually found something to suffice (usually the chowder and cakes). Overall, I don't mind spending time at this building and drinking their beer and eating their appetizers. But I'd really like to stick with the bar and the appetizers rather than the meals.
(4)Andrea R.
Ok walked in and it smells in here. Had the baked scroll, too many breadcrumbs, and was very dry. Not happy with the meal, but manager gave me free dessert, which was nice. Next time will not have fish.
(2)Scott C.
Chelo's is a small RI Chain that has been around forever. I eat at a Chelo's once every few months or so and I have never had a bad meal here. The menu consists of seasonal favorites that obviously rotate with the season and then the rest of the menu is a nice mixture of salads, sandwiches, and dinners. Everything I have had has been great. I am a fan of their lunch specials. They have a variety of sandwiches to choose from as well as sides and they are all very cheap. At the end of the day there are two big things that Chelo's is known for, their chowder and their desserts. If you go to Chelo's you need to try their chowder and split a dessert (or don't share but they are huge). Other than that I have found anything I choose on the menu is a safe bet.
(4)Karen S.
First and late time I will eat there. I am an out of towner that comes up every couple months for work. We usually pick a day and order out from somewhere. Today was a day to try something new for me. I didn't want to eat a sandwich for lunch as I get too stuffed. So I decided the grilled chicken salad was the way to go. For $10 you only get 4 strips of chicken, a one ounce cup of shredded cheese, a couple tomatoes, onion and lettuce. The chicken had absolutely no seasoning on it. It was a very plain, boring salad. Wendy's salads are nicer and better tasting than theirs. I should have known it wasn't going to be good when all the others in the office were disappointed that we were ordering out from Chelo's.
(1)Marty M.
Excellent food and atmosphere. I had the clams with linguini and the wife had fish and chips. We also split the crab cakes and seafood chowder and chocolate fudge cake. The crab cakes (fritters) were delicious! I would give them 5 stars but they didn't give us rolls.
(4)Michael H.
Can't get enough of Chelo's! I was raised on the stuff, and they never disappoint!
(5)JLynn C.
This Chelo's is really good. I love the chicken tender salad with their honey mustard dressing Sooooo good! Also their cherry cheesecake is my personal fave. The food here is always hot and good and the prices aren't bad. I like giving Chelo's business over the over priced chainy restaurants like apple bees and Fridays. Better quality and it's a RI business.
(4)Ryan B.
You only go to Chelo's for the rueben... that's it... nothing else... at all... Don't waste your time. Go down the street to Blackie's Tavern and you'll thank me later.
(2)Tess W.
Close to home...I am STARVING!!! Stuffies were deep fried and then plunked on the grill. Hot and bad oily. White Chowder is good, decent. Our favorite so far is the Roast beef sandwich, I switch out the fries for mashed and gravy. Delish!
(3)David F.
Nothing over the moon, just a nice place. I have been to a few Chelo's Restaurants and I have found this location to be the best of them in all respects. It is cleaner, the servers are more attentive and it actually seems the food is better. The other night, we had stopped in around 8:15pm or so and it was fairly full. The hostess said she would check for a clean table and would be right back. In the minute and a half we were standing there four other staff approached and asked if they could help us. Our hostess came back and took us to our table. Unfortunately, it was next to the restrooms and at the end. For some reason the seats somehow shift back throughout the evening leaving no room in that particular booth, especially for someone my size. I had asked our server if we could move to the one across the aisle even though it wasn't yet cleaned. She immediately bussed and cleaned the spot for us and she was apologizing for the table! Not that it was her fault. We ordered some cakes and chowder as a starter. Before I was even ready to order, the cakes were there with the chowder right behind. Jokingly, I said to my wife " Watch, there will probably be a little uncooked spot in the middle of these." They were actually perfect, better than they usually are and I think Chelo's has some of the best cakes to be honest. I had ordered the Ultimate tips, medium rare over mashed. My wife ordered the fish and chips. The tips were done just right with lots of onions and shrooms on a mountain of mashed. The fish was the usual nice quality with thick fries. The food was just what we ordered and a good price and excellent quality. Always worth the trip to this particular Chelo's. Our server, Nikki, was topnotch. She was very pleasant, clean and attentive. She also seemed to like her job, and even if she doesn't like it, she performs to make money. Something that many in food service forget: the service part. Working for tips is not easy but the tip should be the incentive to provide the best dining experience, regardless of how much you hate the job, the cooks, the manager or whatever. This Chelo's location in particular, I have never had poor service, which is more than I can say for some others, The Woonsocket Chelo's is probably the worst I have visited. I have wondered though, why the Chelo's menu has been cut down to the current offerings? Wasn't it originally a steakhouse? They really need to offer more than one steak or tips, no matter how good.
(4)Erin N.
Typical Chelo's here. Nice location to get out of the city or away from Warwick.
(4)Jessi W.
The prices are good, service very friendly. Ample parking. I ordered a chicken sandwich which was so dry I had to take a sip of my drink after every bite just to get it down. I substituted my fries to onion rings, and was disappointed the waitress didn't tell me ahead of time there was a charge for that. That all aside, I would definately go back and try something else on the menu and see if they redeem themselves. We do get their cake every year for my moms birthday and it is awesome!!! So I must say that the deserts are awesome!
(3)Jessica H.
Great service, especially the manager, Joe. He found a sandwich for me without celery :) My mom and I ate here today because we were looking for some good comfort food and that is exactly what we got!
(4)Christine G.
We visit here a few times a month. We really enjoy sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartenders while enjoying an appetizer.
(5)Laura T.
I used to go here all the time as a kid, and my husband and I stopped in last night to get a quick bite to eat. We had pretty low expectations but ended up really pleased with the food. Although the service was pretty slow, we were both really happy with our entrees. I got a mushroom burger, which was delicious but super greasy. Their curly fries are my absolute favorite menu item!! They have just the right kick to them and taste RIDICULOUS when dipped in their delicious honey mustard sauce. The hubs got the buffalo mac and cheese and was really pleased. Although this is far from a hot date spot, it was a comfortable and tasty place to grab a bite to eat on a weeknight.
(4)A Z.
I don't know if it's a sin in RI or not, but I really like Chelos. I have a group of friend that, when we hang out, always opt for Chelos and I don't know why. The food isn't AMAZING, but it's all very good comfort food, made well, with really good service. The service really does stand out. Whenever I go with someone new, they always note how awesome the service is. That's just how Chelo's rolls (this location atleast). If you go, be sure to try the Chili w/ cheese ontop. It's awesome. Also, get the Willie Wonka for desert. Not good: The calamari. I mean, what do you expect, but still not good and real chewy. Run of the mill: Mozzarella sticks, Chicken Caesar Salad, Steak Tips. Really good: Best of Rhode Island Famous Fish & Chips, Willie Wonka Cake, Chicken Finger Salad, and the Bacon Burger (add carmelized onions). The "Feature" meals are all inclusive and include salad, appetizer (i think), entree, dessert, and a soda or beer (or wine). I;ve had the Baked Ziti entree, and I think it was $10 or so, so it was a good value but the entree was really small. No worries though cause you get enough food overall to leave full.
(4)Jeff J.
The review applies to any Chelo's location. I'll also be rating them in comparison to Gregg's Restaurant, which much like Rigatoni's to Uncle Tony's, very similar in many ways. Similar menu items, service, food. The only thing different are the servers, although they could just be clones of one another. Oh, and sorry to you restroom observers, I don't spend enough time in either to compare, and no photo evidence to suggest they are same or diferent. Like I said, similar in many ways. The one thing that gives Gregg's the slight advantage is their dessert menu. A lot of what you can't get at Chelo's, you can find there. Can't say I've ever had a bad experience at either of these local chains. It's more hit than miss, and when they miss it's not way off either. Pretty sure the Cranston location for Chelo's still has the train that runs on coins, although it's been awhile. So, whether it's desserts you're after, or to be hypnotized by trains, there's no arguing one is truly better than the other.
(3)Keith M.
I had the Crazy salad. This is one of those comfort food places where you can get anything fried, baked broiled and in portions that will put you to sleep. Too bad I only had a salad.
(3)Michael R.
Pretty standard American-chain style restaurant with some solid takes on the traditional classics. Pretty reminiscent of a TGI Fridays or Applebees, though it seemed like a mostly older (50+) crowd when I stopped in for lunch. However, the Maui Chicken Sandwich was a pretty unique take on a chicken sandwich -- different from what I'd expect, and it was actually pretty good. Quality grilled chicken paired with crunchy pineapple, BBQ sauce, swiss cheese, and bacon made for a not-quite spectacular, but certainly interesting sandwich. Also, the Potato Skins were good (soft potatoes with a crunchy skin and melty, not plastic-y layer of cheese on top, although they definitely needed more bacon) and are apparently a favorite of those in the area.
(3)paul v.
My wife and I love Chelo's. The food is great and affordable and the waitresses are always fast and friendly. Their outrageous hot fudge brownie sundae is to die for.
(5)Andrew B.
I went here last summer when I saw "Don't Mess with the Zohan" at the theater in the Apple Valley plaza. The Restaurant was about as good as the movie, which is to say it satisfied a specific need but was nothing that great. There are several Chelo's scattered around and they're all a basic, cheap, your-mom-would-have-made-this food. Great for nights when you're too lazy to cook and too cheap to go someplace nice.
(3)Aarik D.
I come here to see my girlfriend as she works here part time and I always have dessert which never fails. The pumpkin cheesecake is delectable! I've had Greek salads and the tuna melt was delicious. From what I've heard, the other courses aren't great, but you can't always win in a small-town chain. As for the service, of course I am partial to my girlfriend but I see her running her butt off for customers and I see the other waitresses bustling too. Many are inexperienced because Chelo's is known for it's flexibility in hiring part time staff because most are full-time students in college who need money for tuition so they should be given some slack. And if you are a respectful customer, the staff will respect you right back! I would recommend a stop by as it's the largest private restaurant chain in RI but if you are looking for an upscale or more formal dining experience, go elsewhere. Hope this helps!
(4)Jasmin G.
Too bad I can't give 100 stars ! This is my favorite restaurant , absolute favorite ! Me and my Fiancé are regulars here , and we have had almost every server here and they're all amazing ! Never once did I have a bad server , they're always checking on you and are there whenever you need them. Me and my Fiancé had our first date ever here :) , needless to say it brings for great memories. I also love this place so much I had my birthday dinner few weeks back here. Now we had reserved for 12 ( which they normally don't do reservations ) and the server was great , she was very patient with us very helpful and very friendly . My best friend made a cake and surprised me with it and they had no problem with hiding it from me and serving it to me I thought that was great. A lot of places charge to do stuff like that , Chelos had no problem which is why they get brownie points. On top of the great servers , when you come in you're greeted by numerous people , they even hold doors for you how wonderful. Now the food , YUMMY! I love the food here , I usually get the lobster roll and it's so amazing , I always get the same amount they never hold back and it's always fresh and new ( I'm a lobster fanatic ) ! My fiancé loves the roasted half chicken , and he won't go anywhere else to get it because he's always upset when places mess it up. We usually get chowder as well which is of course amazing. Now to the drinks ! Which come before when ordering but that's fine. FROZEN MANGO MARGARITAS YUM! Well that shows what I like regarding the drinks. I always get it and won't get anything else. This is a great Chelos , super friendly , very clean , worth the money, foods great , drinks are great , enough parking spots. Make sure to sign up for the guest rewards card , every 200.00 you spend you receive 5.00 off !
(5)Richard F.
Restaurant was under construction while open. Restroom was unisex during construction. Loud banging and power tools being used. Seating area covered in dust. Ordered a water with lemon was given a water without lemon. Dinner rolls were hard as rocks. Had to ask twice for a knife. Ordered appetizers and dinner, dinner came before the appetizers, when waitress came with entrees I let her know she forgot the appetizers and she said well you should have said something sooner. She offered to have them made but I prefer my appetizers before my meal. ( I'm silly like that) The chicken dinner was slightly pink. I've been here before and thought it was average but after today I won't be rushing back. Waitress was polite and friendly. Dinning out should be enjoying it shouldn't be stressful.
(1)Elena N.
Growing up in Smithfield, I've been here MANY times. The new renovations are nice, the service is always timely and pleasant. The waitresses are really sweet and attentive. The prices are reasonable. Appetizers are always salty and good. My children have enough choices to keep them happy. Good good good. BUT - and there is a 'but' - I am consistently disappointed with their entrees. Chelo's can make a good burger - a 4 star burger even - but pasta? Nope. Salads? Not competitive. They sound great on the menu, but don't deliver on the plate. I've never had a 4 star entree, and that's why I only give Chelo's 3 stars. My husband and I keep Chelo's on our list of go-to's with the kids, because like I said - the kids are happy with their choices. As a parent, that's all you can ever hope for in a restaurant. No nagging/whining/complaining/ordering things that taste like crap...none of that. So in return, we must order burgers. There are worse things I could say about a place than "I had to order a 4 star burger", but I'd like to see their extensive menu be on a 4 star level across the board.
(3)