Chris Mitry
Google
Before diving into the food, it’s only fair to acknowledge the highlight of our visit: the service. Our server was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming — the kind of hospitality that sets the tone for a great dining experience. Unfortunately, the food failed to follow suit. In fact, Charlie’s singlehandedly inspired me to start reviewing restaurants — to give praise where it is due, and to expose the overrated and underwhelming establishments dragging New Orleans’ food reputation into the ground.
Charlie’s Steakhouse may be billed as an “uptown staple,” but our experience revealed why New Orleans patrons — both local and visiting — often settle for mediocrity under the guise of tradition. The picture speaks for itself.
We ordered medium-rare strip steaks, a basic expectation at any reputable steakhouse. What we received were steaks served raw, with virtually no sear and laughable grill marks. For a $50 cut, this is inexcusable. A proper steakhouse has one primary obligation: get the steak right, every single time. Charlie’s didn’t even come close.
The meat itself was under-seasoned and uninspired, with a texture more reminiscent of an oven-baked roast than a seared steak. Just look at the edges — limp, rubbery, and completely devoid of any crust or crispness. It was disappointing to the point of absurdity. I brought the leftovers home, and even my cat turned her nose up at them.
Ironically, the best thing we ate was the potatoes au gratin — and that’s almost entirely thanks to the obscene amount of cheddar cheese baked into them. It was rich, gooey, and borderline excessive — but at least it had flavor.
Very rarely do I walk away from a meal genuinely regretting the money spent. This was one of those rare occasions. For the price and the reputation, Charlie’s Steakhouse delivered an experience that felt more like a parody of fine dining than the real thing.