Chris S.
Yelp
I have a confession, I've been to Mr. Charles three times in the last week. It's just that damn good! Today their newer restaurant in Cambridge is closed and I've been craving that Whiting fish since my combo plate on Saturday. Yep, I'm driving to the original one to get my fix!
As most have pointed out, this isn't a sit down restaurant. Who am I kidding, any smaller and you'd be picking up the food from outside and through a window! They have a couple of chairs for people waiting for their take-out orders and that's about it, no-frills to the max. I'm actually not even sure if they have a restroom avaliable to customers, don't quote me on that one.
What they lack in amenities, they more than make up for in their namesake: Perfect Chicken, and even perfect-er fish! I told myself that I was going to be good and just get the Whiting fish with collards, but I couldn't resist and got the chicken as well (still got the collards though, so veggies!). One sure way to tell great chicken from 'just OK' is if you have to put any sauce on it. I get the leg and thigh with NO sauce. They have hot sauce packets avaliable but it's not needed. Perfect golden brown and seasoned just right. It would be a crime to put anything on this, just sayin'.
Parking is awful, I know it, you know it, and Mr. Charles knows it. It's a tiny lot, bring your patience and please call ahead! It keeps the chicken flowing smoothly (and the parking a bit more bearable!).
If you're looking for more of a restaurant package with the same delicious food, they recently opened a full-fledged restaurant in the Cambridge neighborhood in East Charlotte. Check 'em out, just remember that the Statesville Ave. location is closed Sunday and the Cambridge store is closed Monday.
Eat here, your soul will thank you.