Elijah service was great and the food here is excellent. The decor of the restaurant was nice

The food was subpar--and I'm actually being generous saying that. My roommate and I flew 3,000 miles specifically to try this chicken, and the experience was disappointing from start to finish. The cornbread was dry, the mac and cheese was mushy and lacked flavor, and the collard greens had far too many bitter stem pieces. Charles, I'm sorry to say that this meal did not come close to what I would consider Harlem's finest soul food. The chicken pieces were extremely small, not freshly made, and definitely didn't deliver the pan‑fried experience we were hoping for. To make matters worse, we were given the wrong pieces of chicken altogether. Lastly, the customer service was far from welcoming. Overall, this was not the experience we traveled so far for. read more

The combo fried chicken is so worth it! The Mac and cheese was nice and creamy and the chicken was nice and juicy, and well seasoned. The cornbread wasn't my favorite- a bit too dense for my liking but it was still good. There's only 4 high chairs indoors, so it's definitely a good takeout spot. read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - Combo Plate - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York

Fresh and flavorful soul food. They included a wet nap. I love that detail. The staff was friendly and service moved quickly. I opted for the classic 2 pan fried chicken combo which comes with cornbread and one side. You can specify white or dark meat. I did one of each and got the greens. The greens were good- still a nice amount of texture but soft. Meat free in case you want/avoid turkey or pork! Now the chicken, juicy interior and crispy outside. Not greasy at all. My cornbread was piping hot from the oven- a great chew but still moist with a touch of sweetness. I take advantage of the picnic table out front and enjoyed my meal there. Fried chicken is best (to me) ASAP! You could take it and walk down to the pier- would be perfect for a picnic with a view. For a total of 11.92, Charles knows his chicken! I'll be back for me and to try the Mac and cheese, catfish and the banana pudding. read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - Classic combo - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York

It's time to eat a full course meal, that serves your palate very well. Not time consuming to think about where to get a complete dinner just by visiting Charles Pan-Fried Chicken restaurant. Place your order & you're done. The very best Pan-Fried Chicken dinners with delectable side dishes the compliments the your meal wholeheartedly. read more

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After seeing non stop ads and being recommended by a friend, decided to stop by. When I got there it was empty, which I was glad about bc no more than 5 mins later the place was backed out the door. The guy working the line was really nice. Had to wait for fresh chicken, which wasn't a problem. Finally got my food and it was definitely worth waiting. The fried chicken was juicy, well seasoned, crispy. I tried the yams, Mac n cheese and collard greens. Yams were superb, the Mac n cheese was real good (I'm picky about Mac n cheese), collard greens weren't my favorite, they were okay. The cornbread was just as good, cake like fluffy and big. Ordered my friend the chicken and rib combo. The ribs with that bbq sauce, LORD. That rib was divine, fall off the bone, finger licking good. The meat was tender and juicy. The only downside is reheating the food. Once the food gets cold and it's time to reheat, it doesn't hit the same. If you stopping by remember, it's take out. Maybe place your order ahead of time (online, call). It gets busy in there ! read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - Pan Fried Chicken Plate - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York

Charles Pan-Fried Chicken 439 125th. St. Harlem, NY 10027 Cornbread Collard Greens Fried Chicken Red Velvet Cake On West 125th street in Harlem is a local restaurant that prepares southern style fried chicken. While there is a variety of items to order, the Classic Combo caught my eye in a heart beat. For $10, you get two pieces of fried chicken, the side of your choice and complimentary corn bread. Cornbread: This is probably by far one of the biggest pieces of cornbread I explored. It has a crumbly texture and was soft and chewy. Collard Greens: There was a wide variety of sides. With so many options to choose, it was a difficult decision picking one. I decided to explore the collard greens. The leafy vegetable has the perfect texture and each bite sent my taste buds to heaven. Fried Chicken: Now I see why this spot is called Charles Pan-Fried Chicken, hence the catchy name. While I was observing the preparation of the main course in those gigantic pans, I immediately knew Charles's recipe was going to be on the money. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside with tender, white meat on the inside. And the drum stick was paradise as well. Red Velvet Cake: I was so exuberant with the main course that I decided to explore the dessert option. The light, moist cake had a touch of cream cheese frosting. Seating is limited, so I recommend ordering your meal to-go. As a bonus, all take out orders are provided with simplistic directions for re-heating the meal. It was truly a fantastic experience exploring this fried chicken spot in Harlem. This food has soul and it will make you feel whole. #charlespanfried #charlespanfriedchicken #harlemnyc #w125thst #friedchicken #soulfood #cornbread #collardgreens #redvelvetcake #localbusiness #nycfoodie #foodreview #foodstagram #localsports #nyceats read more

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The chicken was delicious, I would give it four stars. It was that old school chicken like my auntie use to make in her cast iron pan before deep frying became popular. It was crispy but I still needed to add some hot sauce for a bit more heat and flavor, and thats why I'm giving four and not five. Any chicken you need to add anything on is a four stars or less. The service was good. I did ask a couple of questions and the guy who was serving me was pleasant and didn't give attitude because I was asking so many questions. They did have some seats out front for dining as well if you wanted to stay to eat there. I decided to take my food to go, and that was a two piece and two sides, Mac and cheese, and some cabbage. It also came with some cornbread. I loved the mac and cheese, it was creamy, it had a bit of crispy crust on the top, man that I would come back for any day. The cabbage was good also, but not amazing. I would visit this place again for some good fried chicken and mac and cheese. I would pass on the cornbread though. It was the only thing I didn't like. Thumbs up for me- Happy Yelping! read more

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I have always gone to the other location on 145th Street but decided to try this location. It was the pits. Who messes up fried chicken when it's your specialty and the name of your business. The sweet potatoes were great but the collard greens were so mushy they tasted overcooked and old so I threw them out. I didn't want to get sick over them. The sweet iced tea was horrible too. I'm never going back to this location. I don't think they cook the food at that location because the only thing cooking was the fried chicken everything else was in roaster like warmers. read more

I'd rate Charles Pan Fried Chicken four and a half stars. To be frank, we had returned from a hike in Harriman State Park, so I may have been overly impressed since I was very hungry. I had the classic plate with three pieces of chicken, two sides, and corn bread. I opted for Mac and cheese as well as collard greens as my sides. Chicken was savory and crispy. They allow you to choose the pieces that you want. I had them choose for me. They gave me a thigh, a breast, and a drumstick. Thigh was my favorite. It was thick and juicy. Breast was a huge portion. Mac and cheese was superb. I'd definitely get that next time. I liked the collard greens too but I think I'd be inclined to try a different side next time. My wife and I were polarized on the corn bread. She didn't like it while I felt the opposite. I thought it was sweet and corn forward. Loved the crunchy exterior too. Service was quick and accommodating. There is no restroom, but they were kind enough to provide us some wet paper towels when requested. There are three seats inside and about eight outside. Fast casual. read more

Great, fresh food. Fast service & great customer service. I've been frequenting this establishment since their original location on 8th avenue Btwn 150th & 151st street. read more

The service was a little slow but the service was good once they got to me. I ordered the 3 piece pan fried chicken plate with collard greens, Mac and cheese, that came with corn bread and an extra side of yams. This is legit southern food. The chicken is good. The collard greens were amazing, some of the best I've had outside of the house in NY. I made my five-year-old son a plate with a little bit of everything to eat in the car on the way home and be for I could get Amsterdam Avenue he calls me from the back seat "Yum, mommy this macaroni and cheese is splendid!" read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - Pan Fried Drumstick, Collard Greens, Corn Bread, Baked Mac and Cheese & Yams - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York

Busy on a weekday mid-afternoon. They were still churning out batches of fried chicken and for good reason. Got a chicken and ribs combination to share with a friend, and it was more than enough food. The ribs were fall of the bone, but the meat was dry. I loved the flavor of the bbq sauce though. It brought back some moisture to the meat. The fried chicken was good. The skin was super crispy. A little too salty, but the dark meat was moist. You didn't need any sauce to pair with it. I saw that they changed the oil with each batch of fried chicken as well. Corn bread was a bit on the drier side for me. Collard greens were super flavorful and was a good side of greens to have for a heavier meal. Yams were sweet and soft, a good starch to round out the meal. Only three counter seats at this location. Most people were getting takeout. Would recommend another location if you're planning to dine-in. Meal was surprisingly very affordable, but I did split it. However, they have family meals that seem super affordable as well. read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - Fried Chicken and Ribs Combo - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York

This place is the real deal and has been for decades. Few places can make fried chicken this light, juicy, and crispy without it feeling oily. Plus the sides are great as well. There aren't really tables at this location and it's not fancy...but then again, I wouldn't trust it if it was. read more

Place is good for quick takeouts. The serving size is ample and the servers are gracious. If you like fried chicken and sides this would be a great place for you. Food is good but the chicken could be too dry at times. Still is good option for takeouts. read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York

Best fried chicken hands down! You can see the cook ‍ frying the chicken in a HUGE cast iron skillet feet away from the serving counter. The Mac and cheese, collard greens and yams are good but the real star is the chicken for sure. I think the prices are reasonable and they have good customer service. It's very much a takeout spot with outdoors seating in the summer. Def recommend visiting! read more

Woah. This place just blew my socks off. This is the best not-my-Mama's fried chicken I've ever had. Juicy pieces of chicken with that crispy skin. They must brine this chicken cause it ain't dry, not even a little bit. Great reheat value!!! Got a 10 piece so I warmed the leftovers in my air fryer oven. No lie, the chicken breast retained its juiciness. I need to know the secret!!! The decor is a classic monochrome color theme with photos along the walls. Overall very clean inside. Service was amazing. The staff was very welcoming and helpful and even allowed my husband to sample their juice which was also delicious. I highly recommend this spot...and I'll see you there because I'll definitely be back. read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - So damn good!!! - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York

Took awhile to get here, even though this place is literally right around the corner from me. But once I saw it made it to INSTAGRAM, I decided it was time to hurry up before it became overrated. I came on a weekday evening because my favorite Spanish spot had already closed. They were out of mashed potatoes darnit. They were also out of drumsticks. I opted for a 3 piece meal with the 2 sides. The guy was nice enough to throw an extra piece in for me because I asked for all wings (I don't like thighs/breasts, they're not ergonomically shaped to my liking lol). Since no mashed potatoes, my top choice, I got the macaroni and cheese and black-eyed peas. Now, I'm not reeealllyyyy a mac n cheese lover like THAT....I gotta be in the mood for it, but theirs was basic, dare I say, bland even. The black-eyed peas were honestly better than the mac n cheese. But I give 4 stars because the chicken, which is the star of the show, show starred. As someone who comes from a Black family and grew up on Grandma and Aunties' fried chicken, this place's chicken is a worthy contender. And I tend to avoid soul food joints for this very reason; I grew up with the authentic stuff. But Charles CHICKEN will have me return 100%. Crispy outside, FLAVORFUL inside, it was pretty damn perfect. Their hefty cornbread block is also pretty delicious. And I threw in their snazzy punch which was quite tasty. Bonus points for little details like their carry-out bag (it's super well-quality!) and the little wristbands! I've already returned once after, hoping the mashed potatoes would be back, but they weren't so I left. Maybe I need to try coming earlier, but I will most definitely be returning to sink my teeth into some more chicken, and finally snag those potatoes! read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken is small, offering takeout only Soul Food. Today it was filled to capacity, which means about 15 people inside waiting to order food or waiting on food orders. I chose a two piece fried chicken meal which comes with two sides. My chicken was crispy, with a hint of buttermilk taste in the batter which I'm not fond of. The meat was very close to being dry but still not bad overall. My rice was a bit dried out as most of the sides are at Charles because there are no lids or coverings on any of them. The gravy on the rice was watered down. Collard greens were tender and cooked just fine. A side of hot sauce took it up a notch. I passed on the complimentary side of cornbread. Although it looked very fluffy and moist, there were no butter pats available and I just imagined myself struggling to choke it down. I didn't like the idea of it. The food is pricey. I was charged for a three piece meal even though I only ordered two pieces. I'm sure I wouldn't have saved much more but every cent counts. Charles Pan Fried would be so much better with just a little tweaking. Butter for the cornbread and lids/coverings on all the sides. That's not asking for much. read more

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This was my second visit to Charle's Pan Fried Chicken but my first at the 125th store. We were staying in Times Square and jumped on the "C" line to Harlem. The 125th exit is just blocks to the restaurant. There is a method to the madness as the venue small but efficient. I love the way they display the sides. They feature good ole down home soul food. As tight as the venue is I was impressed at the diversity of their menu. Staff is very professional and organized. You can taste the difference in the preparation of the chicken being pan fried versus deep fried. Absolutely perfection. The only hiccup is seating is tight or three stools. One of the co-owners was there and mentioned they are working on getting permits for outdoor seating. read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York

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The Chicken is definitely worth the hype.. the sides are good as well but that's subjective.. The service wasn't welcoming AT ALL! I don't know if dude was having a bad day or what but if I was alone I would've walked out and went to Crown or Kennedy for some chicken idc if I came all the way from Brooklyn! read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York

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Great customer service from mariska and poppa , great food , I would always come back

I saw a reel on Facebook and it sparked my interest because I am by roots a Harlemite. I reviewed this business and it had the best and the worst reviews. Nevertheless I was down on checking it out for myself. I arrived at 11:00 am and paid for my take out order by 11:06 am. I arrived home in Astoria, Queens, and sat down at 12:20 pm to eat. I first tasted the yams, then the string beans, then the mac'n cheese, and finally the chicken. I'll eat the corn bread at another time. Conclusion: Nothing exceptional in the tastes that would motivate me to travel from Queens to Harlem. However, I might stop by another time in the summer on my way to Grant's Tomb for Jazzmobile Summerfest 2026 for something a la carte. read more

I ordered this meal through the (Togo to go app) and I got four pieces of chicken , gumbo, and cornbread with the order. When they close, it's a take out window you're gonna knock on da window and then bring your order to you. This place doesn't have much seating, but you can stand and eat inside as well when they're open. It's pretty much very good food. Just a long wait to get it. read more

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So I will say the chicken is top tier but the customer service is a bit terrible...the staff pick and choose who to greet and as a black owned business, they need to do better... this was my 2nd time there at this specific location(125th) and I don't think I will be returning. PS the cornbread is dry as well! read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - 2 $10 combo meal - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York

I heard such good things about this place. I them on Instagram. I went to the 125th St. location ordered a dinner.... three pieces of chicken fried with two sides ...The chicken was salty...collard greens were good. The macaroni and cheese was not ..... looked like boxed Mac& cheese ( color and flavor) and the cornbread was dry. Maybe that was just the 1 25th St. location I don't know but I definitely expected more out of a Soul-food place in Harlem. I'll give them another try maybe at a different location, I was disappointed read more

Coming here was an impulse stop after a long day of work and not wanting to figure out what to make for dinner. I mean, how can you go wrong with some good southern comfort food. The spot is nice. It's a take out spot but they have about two picnic tables out front. The inside is brightly lit and the food is right in front of you. You can also see the big pot as they currently fry chicken. All of this is great. Also the customer service was very good. A touch slow but very friendly and even offered me a sampling before ordering. Now the reason you're here. The food. Chicken Come here for the chicken. It was absolutely delicious. Seasoned like your grandma made it and not greasy. But that is where this rave review stops. Mac and cheese I was nervous about the Mac and cheese because of the bright yellow/orange color but my daughter wanted it. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good. And that's the problem. You can't be black backed and southern and messing up peoples Mac and cheese. Yams They don't use brown sugar so they were missing something. Needed a bit more salt and I am not a big salt eater. Just meh. Cornbread I was confused by the cornbread. My teen said it was good. It was definitely moist. But that's it. Usually you get buttery or sweet cornbread. This was neither. It just lacked flavor. Banana pudding DON'T. Just don't. I want my entire $6 back. It was bright yellow as though they used a package to make pudding, added the nilla wafers, and literally about 4 pieces of banana. There is clearly no whipped cream/topping added to make it airy or fluffy. No real banana taste. And they were stingy on the bananas.... In banana pudding. Yes I'm mad about this. I really wanted banana pudding for a min and thought I was going to get satisfied. Overall. Come for the chicken. The sides are lackluster. read more

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Small little takeout spot and Harlem. I heard a lot of Rave about it on Instagram, so I had to check it out. It was not easy to find with all the stores around it. It was very clean inside and welcoming. The menu was big and bold and easy to read. The prices were a little high. I got a three-piece combo with two sides, no drink, and I was $18. Is this a standard price at other establishments? I don't think so. However, we're talking about some good southern fried food here, so let's review the food. The chicken well coated skin was delicious. The meat was Juicy, but it was pretty salty, probably the reason why us Brown Folk keep getting hypertension. Mac and cheese 6/10, sweet potatoes 4/10. I would still recommend this place because other people may have a better judgment of the flavors. However, for my liking, I wouldn't pay that price a second time around read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - Menu - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York

This spot is my absolute go-to when I don't feel like cooking. I always order their classic combo for just $10! Honestly, you can't beat the consistent quality of the food and service at this location. The chicken is always perfectly fried--super crispy on the outside and incredibly juicy inside. I'm pretty sensitive to salt, and one thing I really appreciate here is that their food is always mildly seasoned. If you're like me and prefer less salt, this place might just become your new favorite too! read more

great food and really friendly service. i enjoyed the friend chicken, the ribs and the okra - all great. the mac and cheese was good but the cornbread was very bland and lacked density , crust and a touch of sweetness. I mistakenly left an ear pod here and although they couldn't find it , they took the time to respond back to my inquiry which i really appreciate - classy! will be back ! read more

I wanted a good piece of fried chicken. This location opened up two blocks from where I live. They gave huge pieces of chicken! It was crispy and tasted so good. Not at all greasy. I got the Mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese taste best when it's hot because the cheese melts better. The collard greens were also good had a nice kick. I love collard greens. The girl who tended to us was friendly and helpful. The ribs were also very good! read more

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I came here and ordered the fried chicken meal. I think it was a good amount of food for the price. I went late at night around 9:00 pm the chicken was quite delicious, well seasoned and light. I was a bit worried about the buying chicken that late at night because sometimes it could be dry or oily. That did not happen and I enjoyed my food very much. The macaroni and cheese was ok, it tasted better than it looked. I did not like the cornbread it was dense and dry. I am not sure if it was fresh from that day. I would definitely go back, the fried chicken was delicious and the price was a steal. The service was great, the employee was very nice and welcoming read more

I have never been so disrespected at an establishment in my life! Im a general manager of a Jazz establishment downtown Manhattan i know how customer service in NYC should be, not like this. I have been supporting this business avidly since it opened. Created great relationships with the staff and owner. I stop by at least once a week to show support and tip at least 25% if not more for take out, every single time, without hesitation. Decided to stop by this evening mostly to say hello and show support, ordered the classic combo two pieces of chicken and a side of cabbage (soup), they wanted to plate it together, and I requested if they could put it in a separate container so the chicken stays crispy, they wanted to charge me 3 dollars for a plastic to go container, yeah the same ones they always use. Then an old lady came to the front, looked tired, probably needs a break, and she basically said everything changed here. Clearly, and apparently so did the customer service. And proceeded tell not this making me not want to come back and leave and she proceeded to tell me to leave, so I did. Such a disappointment, to treat people like this when they are trying to support your business. read more

Had a bunch of more food in my bar but I devoured in before I could leave the store. Great food, incredible staff, shout out to Janel! read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - I had a lot more food in my bag but I devoured it before I left the store. Amazing food, amazing workers, shoutout Janel! - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York

I attended Culture Con this past weekend and Charle's Pan Fried Chicken was a vendor that did not disappoint! The Meal was delicious and flavorful! Service was quick and the staff was professional. They actually great you and even had a cute chant when I asked for a tiny bit of sauce on my chicken. Prices are affordable, I spent $15 for meat + 2 sides + cornbread. read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - Chicken + Mac & Cheese + Yams (I asked for a tiny bit of barbecue sauce on the chicken) - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York

This comes as close to a home-cooked fried chicken dinner as I've ever had. They cook their chicken the same way my Mom did and it always brings back good memories. My favorite sides are the greens, the okra and the candied yams. Yum! Sometimes the service is a bit lacking but the place often gets overwhelmed so that's understandable. It's tiny inside with no real seating but I live nearby so that's okay with me. At this point, I've become quite a regular customer and plan to keep being one. read more

Good food, nice staff, good value for price. Thanks Charles!! I enjoy coming to all of the locations read more

I love everything about this restaurant from their outstanding customer service to all of their food. CLEAN COOKING! That chicken is everything! From the flavor to the frying! I love my people and I support all my favorite black owned food spots, bars etc around NYC, but this is my #1 favorite place to get my soul food once a week. I wish I could give it 10 stars! Thank you for your service! read more

Service was slow and gettto... they had nothin left at 9;30... ambiance was clean ... Food was good read more

when I tell you, this is some of the best soul food I have had... You better pay attention! I have the three pieces of dark meat along with the green beans and collard greens. To make matters even more crazier, I'm not a fan of cornbread, but this cornbread was so good. My tonsils jumped out of my mouth and tap dance on the table right before my eyes. I must say whoever is in the back of the kitchen has hands that have been anointed in Jesus name amen. read more

Charles Pan Fried Chicken - Soul Food Near Me - New York, New York