Charley's Steak House

07/01/2007 Posted by sfsgm

We made reservations for me, my wife and son, who had just graduated from the US Army Airborne Course in Coumbus, GA. I told the reservations person that this was something rather special and we would like a quiet place to sit. We arrived and were seated promptly ... almost next to the front door and at a table set for 6. I found that there were different parts of the restaurant other than where we were that much better ambiance and were quieter. The waitress arrived and was mechanical and seemingly condescending. Maybe it was how we were dressed ... shorts and T-shirts. I was about to ask her if her day was not going well when she returned but she became more personable as time went by. The steaks, although very pricey, were as good as I've ever had. My son and I each had the 12 ounce filet ($32.50) and my wife had a strip steak ... they were prepared perfectly. One order of the mashed potatos was enough to feed all three of us. We also had the grilled Caesar salad. We wouldn't order it again as it was to "smokey" tasting. A glass of Robert Mondavi Cabernet was $14. At home, I can purchase a bottle of it for $8.00. The costs of a bottle of wine served in a restaurant should not be more than 2 1/2 times what one could buy it for in a store. I don't know what the Tanqueray and tonic and the Jack Daniels cost. We shared a desert and it was very, very good. The bill for three came to $220 and $253 with tip. Because this was special for our son, I'm still glad we went there. Fortunately our other two kids (12 and 13) wanted to stay in the hotel and eat pizza. That was only $15.50. This is NOT a place for kids. At least one young famly came in, sat down and left when they saw the menu (ala carte) and the prices.

Pros: Parked practically at the door

Cons: Not a place for kids; waitress acted condescending at first; quite expensive

08/25/2006 Posted by rlmtrips

I have for some time heard that Charley's was THE place for steak in Orlando / Kissimmee. So to celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary I booked reservations at Charley's Kissimmee via their (Charley's) website. After dining there (Aug21) I must say both my wife and I can truthfully say we will not return and will advise our many friends not visit either. To start with, our anniversary noted on our reservation, was not acknowledged by any one, at any time!. The steaks were not done correctly - both ordered medium - one rare and the other well done when they arrived (and no I did not send them back - I expect them right the first time from what it promoted as a top 10 steakhouse!) I asked for our steaks to have no seasoning and was rudely told by our waitress "she would ask the chef" as if I had committed a crime - I don't want someone else's idea of what a steak should taste like - I want my steak to taste like steak. PERIOD. The steaks in the end were evidently seasoned and tasted as such, terrible. The side items (asparagus was tough and chewy - the 'fried green tomatoes" were breaded so heavily there was no taste) the wine is extremely overpriced and the $150.00 plus cost while reasonable for a true top 10 steakhouse is not at all reasonable for what was served here. It is by far too much for something that resembled more of an "Outback" steakhouse steak. Perhaps someone from Charley's should visit a real steakhouse like Bobby Van's in DC, Geno and Georgetti's in Chicago, or Shula's in Kissimmee and experience for themselves what a real steakhouse and steaks are. One last comment - wet aged steaks (as Charley's are), are not for knowledgeable steak lovers- the only aging for steaks is dry aging! I should have ( and will in the future) go to Shula's when in central Florida as I will gladly recommend others do as well!

Cons: parking - pushy - condecending attitude - overpriced -