A plant-based blessing! Seriously so good! I'm not ashamed to say I've had everything on the menu. My personal favorite is the Mr. Chuck Jr, but I have been blown away by the flavor of every menu item. Mr. Chuck Sauce, which is reminiscent of McDonalds special sauce, and the Mr. Sunday sauce, a light and sweet barbeque that reminds me of a dip from Chick-fil-A, are both the perfect accompaniment to both the burgers and the fries. Not only is the food delicious, but the daily deals are a phenomenal value! I love that there is a different deal for each day of the week! Mr. Charlie's also has some of the sweetest employees. Abbie and Naima always go above and beyond to make me feel valued as a customer. Needless to say, I am certainly earning my free Frowny rewards (10 visits for a free Frowny Meal) regularly! read more

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Wanted to try this vegan "McDonalds" ever since we saw it pop-up. I'd say, if you were vegan and have never had McDonald's, you would probably enjoy this quite a bit. We went with a Mr. Frowny Meal (Not a Cheeseburger) and got the Deluxe to get the 4 "chicken" nuggets. I was disappointed to not get the Mr. Frowny box since we didn't get it to go. We also wanted to try the breakfast and got the Mr. Muffin Deluxe. The fries were good, they were fine, could use a little more salt in my opinion. I did not like the breakfast sandwich. I think the "cheese" was a little too off-putting. I know it's not real cheese. The nuggets were alright, the texture reminded me of something I couldn't quite put a finger on. Cheeseburger was pretty good, I think hamburger would be better (since we didn't enjoy the cheese). I'd say, if it was a hamburger, you might actually get fooled into thinking it was real meat. Service was friendly. Small seating area inside and outside. Lots of people ordered the dessert which was a soft serve. It's PB so you know how parking goes, park a few blocks into the neighborhood or come early and you'll be fine. read more

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I got to try this new plant-based fastfood restaurant through catering at work. Cheeseburger- tastes like a classic, simple. Biting into it, I could not tell it wasn't beef. Nuggets- texture was most similar to a Mcnugget. The fries- it was alright. I wish it was a little more fluffy inside, but that's my own personal preference (BK fries is usually my jam). Next time I'm going for tots. Dipping sauce- I really liked the Mr. sunday sauce for my nuggets. It's sweet, it's smokey. I think this place really hits the spot if you are looking for an occasional "meaty meal" but need to lay off the animal fat. My body doesn't feel as heavy after eating this compared to eating a full on meat meal. read more

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You had me fooled! Honestly, I'm impressed. Everything here is plant-based, and everything was delicious. I ordered the Mr. Rack (their take on a McRib), and the sauce was absolutely spot on! The Not Chicken Nuggets were also a hit, especially with that BBQ dipping sauce. The service was amazing. My friend and I ordered the Mr. Fluffhead for dessert, and the staff were thoughtful enough to ask if we wanted it prepared later so it would be fresh when we were ready. Beyond the food, the decor is incredible. The yellow and red theme makes you feel like you're inside an art exhibition. The vibes are immaculate. It feels like eating inside a piece of modern art. If you're in Pacific Beach, don't sleep on this spot. read more

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Cool little vegan fast food place in the heart of PB. They are open late, which is great if you're with vegetarian/vegan friends that are craving a bite to eat. Fries are just as good (if not better) than the actual competitor. Worth a try! read more

Mr Charlie’s - Not a Chicken Sandwich, Not Chicken Nuggets, Frowny Fries - Vegetarian Near Me - San Diego, California

The first of two Mr. Charlie's locations in the SD area has opened in PB where a Brazilian bowl business had operated. Apparently, there's a cult following for this viral plant-based fast food concept that has been known as the "Vegan McDonald's." The red and gold color scheme and menu items definitely give off a copycat feel. Even the takeout box mimicked a Happy Meal but with a frown. There were a few tables both inside and outside the suite for seating. The menu screens hung on a wall to the right when you walked in. The a la carte choices were on the left screen while the combination meals (i.e. Mr. Frowny Meal) were displayed on the right screen. I'm not going to lie as there was a sticker shock to see the cheapest combo cost $14.49. Plant-based burgers, patties, and cheese made up the main ingredients of the nine different sandwiches. Breakfast items, sides, drinks, and plant-based ice cream were the rest of the categories. I selected combo #8 (Mr. Rack) for my order. The sandwich was a rib-inspired, plant-based patty covered in barbeque sauce and topped with pickles and onions on a toasted bun. A side of Frowny Fries and a fountain drink came with the meal. There was no soda fountain available yet so I was instructed to pick a can from a refrigerator next to the menu screens. I think there should have been a price reduction if a 12 oz can of soda is replacing the fountain drink because $3.49 was an expensive markup for soda from a can. As for the food, the taste of the fake rib patty was much better than the appearance which looked rather flat and plain. It was hard to distinguish that plant-based ingredients were used. The fries were okay, not the crispiest. We did receive a small tasting cup of the Mr. FluffHead as we finished our meal. This was their plant-based ice cream with a little bit of caramel topping added. The texture wasn't as smooth as regular ice cream, but that was to be expected. I rounded my rating to a four star level because the service was very pleasant. read more

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Mr. Charlie's is a new addition to the PB neighborhood! I came by this morning excited to see what it's all about with being plant based. Upon coming in, what stood out is the fun theme similar to Mickey D's with the striking red and yellow decor, lighting, and happy meal looking boxes they place the orders in. I inquired about the Tuesday special and was excited to try it, but I was a bit confused (and bummed) because the Mr. Charlie's Instagram story showed it included two nuggets. My order just had a hamburger and fries. Guess I'll have to come back and try their nuggets next time! The food was tasty and flavorful! I was able to try their chuck sauce which is similar to Big Mac sauce/thousand island/animal spread. On my way out the gentleman working was kind and offered a sample of their dessert Mr.FluffHead their plant-based ice cream. Overall, a fun concept and similar tastes and textures to the OG Golden Arches. read more

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Great place if you don't eat meat but want that fast food, McDonald's style fix. The fries are excellent. Service was nice. Seating available, indoors and out. Everything is a bit pricey to me. read more

MAKE A CARNIVORE WANT TO EAT MORE VEGAN (4.75 stars) "The vegan McDonalds" is turning me away from the fast food I grew up with to a healthier and cleaner alternative without losing too much of that taste that we all have grown up to love. - FOOD: surprisingly good - PRICE: eating "healthy" isn't cheap in America - SERVICE: excellent - AMBIANCE: can't miss it with its bright red and yellow presence on the block First Mr. Charlie's in San Diego! As I've heard two more locations plan to open (in Hillcrest and Little Italy). KID FROWNY ($11.99) - ordered with a cheese burger, came with 2 chicken nuggets, small fry, and small drink. Side of sweet and sour sauce. Perfect introductory meal if you are not yet familiar with Mr. Charlie's. The cheese burger definitely tasted like a McD cheeseburger without that strong taste of onions and pickles and gooey-er "cheese". The texture was very soft. I could do without the chicken nuggets as they did indeed taste "planty" and an after taste that wasn't favored to my pallet even after dunking them in the sweet and sour sauce. The fries are a definitely win for me, tasted exactly like McD French fries with less sodium and grease. I had left over fries and ate them 30m later and they do get stale just as McD fries. Breakfast and Lunch menu served the entire day (open to close). Hours after soft opening will be from 9 - 10pm and midnight on weekends. When I came it was soft opening, so a lot of kinks are still being ironed out. They don't have a fountain machine yet and my beverage was a canned soda (I'm ok with that). I wanted to order a Sundae but the machine was broken or not working. I guess it calls for another visit soon! Looking forward to ordering their version of the Big Mac meal as I heard that was the most popular meal being ordered during their soft opening. Will def be back! Until the next review... read more

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Mr Charlie has a very cool theme, and it's awesome to have a plant based fast food joint in the area! The menu packs a punch with various offerings. I had - Mr Royal with Cheese - Mr Rack - Mr Muffin Deluxe - Not Chicken Nuggets While I enjoyed all of them, except the Mr Rack, flavors didn't have as much of a wow factor to them. The service was quick despite the number of customers, and prices feel more affordable than other places! I'd come back here for the Mr Rack, but perhaps not for the other items that I had. read more

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This is such a cute place. As soon as you walk in you get this nostalgic feeling that reminds you of what it was like to be a kid and getting a happy meal from McDonald's only if this is a healthier version. Once you walk in, it's very bright and the customer service is great. The food is so fresh as if the experience couldn't get better as soon as you eat the food it is just so delicious and flavorful. From the moment you walk in to sitting down to enjoy your food it's such an experience and I would definitely recommend this for any of my vegan or vegetarian friends. Was very excited to find out that this was a black owned restaurant. I can't wait to come back and support. Update : second time coming i did order through yelp (grub hub) id advise against online ordering you won't receive your order. There was another lady here who ordered online and had the same issue. We had to call for a refund and order and wait here. Inconvenient if you're in a rush. read more

Mr Charlie’s - Vegetarian Near Me - San Diego, California

When my wife and I found out that Mr. Charlie's soft opening is happening right now (grand opening is February 7th) we jumped in our car and made the quick trip down the 5 to PB. My wife ordered the Not a Cheeseburger and fries, and I ordered the Mr. Muffin Deluxe. Friendly service and there were maybe 8 other people coming and going while we waited for our order. Understanding that this is a soft opening, a little feedback for improvement: -- My Mr. Muffin Deluxe tasted strongly of burnt grease -- a very bitter aftertaste that lingered. Maybe the crew needs to clean off the grill more often or more thoroughly? In addition, most of the cheese on my sandwich leaked out onto the wrapper, which I then had to scrape off to eat. -- There was a sign out front advertising Thursdays as "Free Fries Day" or something like that. When I asked for my free fries, I was told that there was some fine print on the sign saying that free fries only come with the purchase of a Mr. Sunday -- not regular burgers. That was a disappointment. Otherwise, all good. My wife liked her Not a Cheeseburger and (not free) fries, and we were given (free) samples of a vanilla ice creamish dessert with caramel which was quite good. Also, it's great that the breakfast sandwiches are always available -- that's not the case at Plant Power, which has been our go-to for vegan fast-food burgers and fries. We'll be back after the grand opening and see if things improve in the grill department. Always happy when a new vegan place opens -- hope they stick around. read more

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So glad this opened my fiancee and I have been dying to try it. Honestly we had high expectations and they were MET. The decor is so cute and vibrant and there's a perfect picture spot outside because let's be real, we love our Instagramable moments. The service was quick and really helpful. All staff we interacted with were very kind and more then generous to us. Now the food. I am impressed. I've never had a vegan burger so tender, juicy, and well seasoned. If you didn't tell me it was vegan, I doubt I would have known. The fries also have that beautiful salty flavor to them that I love from fast food fries. We got a not a cheese burger frowny meal for 15 dollars, so about standard fast food prices. We will 100% be back to try more of the menu as well as their daily deals! No photos of the food because we ate it too quickly. So that's saying something. read more

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If you're a vegan and miss fast food, this place is a must! I've gotten the burger, nuggets, tots, and a breakfast sandwich and everything has been great! The decor is also cool. read more

Mr Charlie’s - Vegetarian Near Me - San Diego, California

This place just opened up in the heart of Hillcrest, and the theming of the restaurant is on point. I love the aesthetic, and the merch is so cute. The food is bomb, and im not even vegan. I would recommend ordering the chicken sandwich and ordering it extra crispy, and try the chicken nuggets. read more

Mr Charlie’s - The restaurant - Vegetarian Near Me - San Diego, California

Vegan Delights in a Welcoming Space: Fast Food Done Right! Jaylan welcomed us warmly & quickly took our order. Mr. Charlie's delivered on both flavor & peace of mind. The cheeseburger was fresh, filling, & delicious, with a soft sesame seed bun & all the satisfaction of classic comfort food--without the unpleasant reminder that no animals were involved. The crispy, familiar textures make it easy to forget you're eating entirely plant-based. And the non-dairy soft serve sundae? Mr. Charlie's Mr. Fluff Head is absolutely delicious & not to be missed. A fun, satisfying vegan experience that makes compassionate eating easy. read more

Mr Charlie’s - Jr Cheesebuger - Vegetarian Near Me - San Diego, California

Staff is very kind, we sat outside and they got our dogs a water bowl. Breakfast sandwich was soooo good, same with the tots. Lots of yummy sauces to choose from. It's also really cute inside. The price is half of what I spend at Plant Power.. so I'll definitely be back! read more

Mr Charlie’s - Vegetarian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Yum. So good. Delicious burgers. I think I literally inhaled mine. I will definitely be back. I also love all of the fun options they offer. Burgers are great, however Their chicken sandwiches are so dry . Even after I added sauce at home. Those are not good. read more

The food was ok to good, the service ok to good. Solid 4 stars definitely not 5 Orders do tend to be messed up lol not a big deal they'll fix it with a smile and free extras read more

Our favorite vegan fast food restaurant award goes to... Whenever we visited Los Angeles over the last couple years, my husband and I always made time to stop off at our favorite vegan fast food restaurant: MR CHARLIE'S! When we found out Mr Charlie's was opening TWO locations in San Diego, it's an understatement to say we were ECSTATIC! We love any of the frowny meals. Any combo that sounds good to you - just get it! It's guaranteed to be delicious and hit the spot. Ambiance is so cute with the red & yellow theme. And service is great. Don't forget the soft serve! read more

Mr Charlie’s - Vegetarian Near Me - San Diego, California

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FINALLY... All vegetarians can now whole heartily eat w/o guilt, as many burgers/ fries from Mr.Charlie's... This place beats McDonalds- only thing needed is a super size menu and a playground read more

The Big Chuck at Mr. Charlie's perfectly captures that nostalgic Big Mac flavor that's arguably even better than the original. It is a delicious plant-based alternative that satisfies cravings for those who grew up with the Big Mac including the "secret" sauce and vegan cheese. The staff at the Pacific Beach location was friendly and there were some tables both inside and outside. Looking forward to eating there again. read more

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I've really enjoyed every visit to Mr. Charlie's! The staff is always super friendly, and I've been coming here since the grand opening. Today's visit was even better because I brought my friends, and the supervisor made me feel so special and welcomed -- like a celebrity in front of my friends. Thank you to the PB team for always providing amazing service. You'll forever have my business! read more

This was not lunch, this was a culinary diss track. The patty was crazy juicy, the bun was softer than a PAWG, and the sauce tasted like it was engineered by flavor scientists who quit Big Fast Food on moral grounds. Every bite unlocked that nostalgic McDonald's flavor profile from childhood, except with no dead cows and no cholesterol. read more

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The food was delicious. Think McDonald's turned vegan. And, almost 5 stars but...took longer than expected to get the order out and the menu is pricey read more

Mr Charlie’s - Vegetarian Near Me - San Diego, California

I grew up eating McDonald's as a kid. It was super nostalgic for me. I got their double cheeseburger with their sunday sauce and the chicken nuggets and I'm not gonna lie they really nailed some of the essential elements that make it a McDonald's burger, such the mustardy/ketchupy pickle and onion sauce and the melty cheese. off the get go I knew the cheese was non dairy from my first bite but the texture and overall taste grows on you. I think if you didn't tell someone that it was a McDonald's dupe they would've been fooled. That's just my opinion I think in order to get that authentic McDonald's burger patty feel I would maybe have the patties a little less thick other than that pretty good. read more

Mr Charlie’s - the box the burger comes in - Vegetarian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Being vegan, this is definitely a place to visit when a new business opens. I know it can be stressful for both customers and staff, but I felt the staff handled it really well. They were very friendly and more than willing to help. I've visited this place twice now, and I can say that from the first visit to the second, things are already running more smoothly. I'm super excited to keep eating here! The food is great, and it doesn't remind me of other fast-food restaurants I used to eat at when I was younger. I really like the variety of food options, and my kids absolutely love it too, which is a huge plus. Our four-year-old wanted a burger, which he usually won't eat from another vegan restaurant, so it was a win that he actually ate it! They also really enjoyed the nuggets and fries, and they were very happy with the ice cream too. I really enjoy the layout and the color scheme of the restaurant. I think it's a great idea and wish there were more seating, but I totally understand given the location. Overall, it was a fun experience. I also love the little frowny boxes and can't wait to keep going back! read more

Mr Charlie’s - Vegetarian Near Me - San Diego, California

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I went to the Pacific Beach location of Mr. Charlie's on the day of their grand opening so long wait times and lines were to be expected. My entire experience took about two hours including waiting in a line outside to get in, ordering, and waiting for the food. Such a long wait gave me a chance to see how phenomenal the customer service is at Mr Charlie's. The staff were friendly in spite of nonstop orders. I mean I would've been exhausted, but they made every single person feel welcome, greeted people with smiles, acknowledged the long wait times, thanked people for waiting, and made sure everyone was comfortable by checking in on people, handing out samples of their plant-based ice cream, and even giving out extra chairs so people weren't standing for hours. The ambiance is great. It's casual and fun, lots of photo ops. Now to the most important part, the food! I ordered the Not a Cheeseburger Frowny, which is a meal that comes with the plant-based cheeseburger, fries, and a drink. I loved it! It was fresh and delicious. I also ordered the Not a Chicken Sandwich, which was pretty good. I'm a fan of the whole concept! I enjoyed feeling like a grown up can still get a happy meal (a Frowny meal) but plant-based. I'll definitely be back! read more

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My meal was amazing. It is difficult to find vegan fast food, and this was so delicious and nostalgic. Very fun vibes inside, and the staff were all super friendly! read more

The seating area is comforting & cozy. George and his staff were attentive, courteous, insightful. Knew exactly what to recommend depending on "how hungry you are" . I got to sample the "ice cream"chocolate soft serve you cannot tell the difference, it's silky chocolatey and light. Now let's get into this meal I ordered the #5 and added on 4 nuggets. Oh my soooo delicious, nuggets crunchy, cooked perfectly, the not so is cheesy and it melts in your mouth. read more

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This food changed my life and has me considering a move to Pacific Beach or San Diego or possibly LA because Mr. Charlie's so delicious hospitality shown at the front desk is outstanding. It feels like I'm in another dimension. read more

Mr Charlie’s - Vegetarian Near Me - San Diego, California

Friendly staff and delicious food! Nostalgic fast food with the red and yellow interior :)! read more

Mr Charlie’s - Mr.Chuck and Not a Cheeseburger with Frowny Fries BBQ Sauce Mr.Chuck Sauce Jalepeno & Cilantro Sauce - Vegetarian Near Me - San Diego, California

I love the food at Mr. Charlie's but it's come to my attention that the tips in the tip jar by the register and the tips that we put in when using our cads, does not go to the workers they go straight to corporate. this is illegal. What I've been doing is I give cash tip directly to the employees working behind the register. Anyway you decide what you want to do about this illegal act. read more

Vegan version of McDonald's. Way tastier with no guilt. On the pricey side but still yummy. My kids even enjoyed it and they aren't vegan. Yet.. Just wish I saw salads or something green on the menu. Great service. Small establishment with a few tables inside and outside to dine. Street parking only. read more

Had lunch at Mr Charlie's today not quite sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. I got a combo meal with a double cheese burger. The fries were pretty close to Mc Donald's taste maybe slightly less done, but tasted great. The bun was fluffy and light. Both burgers were large and juicy and had a great meaty taste, much better than a Mc Donald's double cheese, I would compare it to. I love burgers and other than the fact it's a tad pricey I'll come back again for a treat. Today was get an extra sandwich day if you spent a certain amount, so I opted for the chicken sandwich which was also pretty tasty, on par with other fast food chicken sandwiches too. Service was efficient and the seating was adequate. Overall as I said I was impressed. read more

Really great burgers and fries! I've ordered a few times on GrubHub and they have forgotten the drink 3 out of the 4 times. Also, sometimes the food is in a box and sometimes it's in a gift bag. ‍ They give you canned soda at a steep price. If they're going to give you less product at high cost, they should at least include it in the order. read more

This vegan fast food spot nails it. Everything on the menu being plant-based is awesome, and the fries in particular are on par with McDonald's, which is a high bar to clear. What pushed the visit from good to great was the staff. Everyone was friendly, but I want to call out Naina specifically. She was running the register and jumping in on food prep at the same time, and still made the whole experience feel warm and attentive. She went above and beyond. If the owner or manager is reading this, I want you to know Naina is doing a fantastic job! We'll be coming back for sure. read more

I ate a "quarter pounder with cheese" for the first time since 2001! Consider my taste buds tricked. I love it. read more

Reading the reviews of this place, it seemed like fast food vegan heaven. However, when we got there and we sat down there was surprisingly little on the menu. I got a Mr. Chuck Jr. frowny meal which was good, and some other members of my party got other items, I tried one of the chicken nuggets, ABSOLUTELY horrible, the fries were alright they were cold and soggy but I guess you have to mimic McDon's taste as much as possible! The burger itself was good tho, however the quantity to price ratio was not working out, way too little quantity for the price. As for the ambiance it was good. And the service? oh it was decent. We saw this promotion going on after we had paid that was on a board outside, it was something along the lines of spend $15 or more get a FREE frowny meal, now unbeknownst to me the server did not apply this discount and when asked about it, they told us that we had to tell them to apply it and now since we paid they couldn't apply it anymore. SO I leave you with one finally note, To Everyone who says this place is really good, try THE MELT. read more

Mr. Charlie's was an interesting experience. The Mr. Chuck Frowny, which is a double cheeseburger, was good. My boyfriend also liked his burger. However, the fries were disappointing. They were cold and seemed like they could have been cooked longer. The "Not Chicken Nuggets" were unfortunately very bad, and neither of us enjoyed them. The impossible nugget as the store are so much better. We both agreed that if we came back, we would probably only order the burger, since that was the only item we really liked. The biggest issue, though, is the price. The meal cost over $50, and we were still hungry afterward. Overall, the place is extremely expensive for what you get. Unless the prices come down, it's hard to justify the cost. read more