You know this place. Even if you don’t actually know this place, you know a place just like it. The neighborhood bar and grill. Charlie’s. Hopefully, every neighborhood has a place like this.
Where I grew up back in the 1800’s, there was a local saloon. The menfolk called it “The Corner” because the tavern was awkwardly set on a corner. It was the kind of corner you could drive down the street and straight into the parking lot. Every now and then, a kid or two would be sent down to The Corner to retrieve a male relative or two. For their own good, I presume.
What is Charlie’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill? It is a sports bar extraordinaire. It is a fun place to be and to be seen. There are multiple televisions, booths, tables, a lottery ticket dispensing machine and a really big bar. The wall is covered with beer logos and inspirational signs such as, “If at first you don’t succeed, so much for skydiving” and, “If you’re drinking to forget, pay in advance.”
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The bar and waitstaff are lively and animated. The atmosphere is excited and joyful. No hushed tones or airs. It’s the sound of friends being with friends, laughing, drinking and having fun. Come dressed as you are and be yourself.
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The menu is comfort food with a capital “C.” You know you’re getting comfort food (which is the same as messy) because the tables are equipped with large rolls of double-ply paper towels.
We started with Juan’s Mexican Chunky Dunk ($12), which was not a skinny dip but rather cream cheese, chili meat and beans, cheddar, jalapenos, onion and tomato all melted and gooey and piled into a crisp tortilla shell and served with crispy chips. There was nothing not to like there.
My husband ordered Dawn’s Buffalo Chicken Salad ($13), which had gigantic pieces of fried chicken piled atop greens, tomatoes and shredded cheese. A side of cornbread with blueberry butter ($2.25) was a perfect combination of sweetness to his “healthy” salad.
I was here for the burgers and live music. And the onion rings. So I ordered The All-American Burger ($11.75), which was, as promised, an all-beef patty charred on a grill to the temperature of my choice, topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion and heaped onto a bun.
Charlie’s frequently has live music and a calendar of events online. The evening we were there, a trio played well-known tunes that inspired a man sitting at the bar to get up and dance around the restaurant. He paused by our table and seemed to want me to join him, but I had two hands on my burger and wasn’t letting go.
Charlie’s is an enjoyable, vibrant bar with an eccentric character or two. I was happy to see no one had been sent to retrieve my dance partner or his friend to escort them home. For their own good, I presume.
Charlie’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill
- Cuisine: American comfort food
- Address: 400 S.E. Parrot Circle, Stuart
- Phone: 772-288-4326
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Sunday; kitchen is open from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Alcohol: Full bar
- Online: ilovecharlies.com
Lucie Regensdorf dines anonymously at the expense of TCPalm for #WhatToDoIn772. Contact her at Lucie@theloveofcooking.com.
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