Sunday, January 16, 2011

Charle's Country Pan Fried Chicken


I visited the fabled Charle's in NYC's Harlem at 2839 Frederick Douglass Blvd with several friends. I was glad I was with a group because the neighborhood is intimidating at night. Several men were loitering on the sidewalks - talking, smoking and drinking out of brown bags.
There was no one sitting in the miniscule dining room and the 7 of us monopolized the place - all ordering the All You Can Eat Buffet for $13.99.
Even though it was a cafeteria style - you stand up in front of the counter and point to the foods you want while the server behind the glass plates your food - the women who served the food took each plate from behind the counter, walked it the 3 feet distance and placed it at each of our tables with a "here you go, honey".
The fried chicken was good, especially when the fresh round came out and the skin was still crisply and the meat piping hot. The pulled pork was dry (it did not seem to be a good seller as other "to go" customers were not ordering it).
"P" didn't like the smothered turkey wings. "K" liked the regular barbecue chicken.
We all agreed the mac n cheese and mashed sweet potatoes were the best sides. I didn't like the cornbread because it didn't really taste like corn.
The meal also included drinks - your choice of lemonade (too sweet), iced tea (okay) and punch (which none of us tried).
After a second plate we were all too full to have the included dessert of banana pudding.

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