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Charles Pan-Fried Chicken

Updated

Phone: (212) 281-1800

Address: 340 WEST 145 STREET 10039

TLDR

Harlem's soul food gem w/ legendary pan-fried chicken. Sides may vary, but the bird is king!

Reddit Sentiment for Charles Pan-Fried Chicken(based on 25 Reddit opinions)

60% Positive28% Neutral4% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

american 16soul food 6southern american 3fried chicken 13soul food 2southern 2View All

Neighborhoods

Harlem

Other Article Mentions

Lists, round-ups, and guides where this restaurant is featured.

Mentioned In
The 20 best cheap eats in NYC
positive

Enjoy the $10 Classic Combo at Charles Pan-Fried Chicken, a Harlem staple known for its soulful, pan-fried chicken and delicious sides like collard greens.

Morgan CarterApr 25, 2025
Read More →
Infatuation
Mentioned In
The Eater 38: Winter 2026

EaterDate unknown

Details

Experience the soul-satisfying flavors of Charles Pan-Fried Chicken, a Harlem institution celebrated for its authentic Southern cuisine. While the star is undoubtedly the perfectly crusted, moist pan-fried chicken [1], the restaurant also offers traditional New Year's dishes like collard greens and black-eyed peas [2]. Though some find the sides to be lacking, the exceptional quality of the chicken makes it a must-visit for a true taste of the South in NYC [1].

Food Overview

The star of the show at Charles Pan-Fried Chicken is their highly acclaimed pan-fried chicken, known for its crispy exterior and moist interior. The restaurant also serves traditional Southern dishes such as collard greens, black-eyed peas, and cornbread, making it a go-to for authentic soul food. Some diners have noted that the side dishes, like mac & cheese, can be dry or bland, but the chicken's quality often compensates for this.

Highlights / Recommended

"The $10 Classic Combo, featuring two-piece chicken or a smothered turkey wing with a side and cornbread, is a highly recommended and excellent value option. Traditional Southern desserts like banana pudding and peach cobbler are also mentioned."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • mac & cheese(2)

Customer Sentiment

Customers overwhelmingly praise the fried chicken, with many considering it the best in NYC. While some find the sides disappointing, the quality of the chicken itself is consistently highlighted as a major draw.

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About Charles Pan-Fried Chicken

This thread is a strong recommendation for Charles Pan Fried Chicken, with multiple users calling it the best in NYC. While the sides like mac & cheese are noted as poor, the chicken is highly praised.
This post highlights a popup featuring Chef Adrienne Cheatham at Charles Pan-Fried Chicken. The Cajun Shrimp Toast was particularly lauded as an exceptional bite.
Charles Pan-Fried Chicken is recommended for traditional Southern New Year's dishes, including collard greens, black-eyed peas, and pork. The restaurant is also mentioned as a place that likely serves banana pudding or peach cobbler.
Charles Pan Fried Chicken is mentioned as a recommended soul food and BBQ option in the Harlem area, listed alongside other popular establishments.
A user highlights Charles's Pan Fried Chicken as worth visiting for its sides alone and notes that the family meal offers excellent value.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Chef Adrienne Cheatham At Charles Pan Fried

"While not a personal favorite, the commenter acknowledged the skillful pairing of flavors between the dishes."

Negative
Jun 1, 2026View Comment →

From post: Chef Adrienne Cheatham At Charles Pan Fried

"The commenter notes that the restaurant is located very close to their home."

Neutral
Jun 1, 2026View Comment →

From post: Chef Adrienne Cheatham At Charles Pan Fried

"A short expression of desire for the food."

Neutral
Jun 1, 2026View Comment →

From post: Chef Adrienne Cheatham At Charles Pan Fried

"The commenter is curious about the specific preparation of the Coconut Curry Chickpea Soup."

Neutral
Jun 1, 2026View Comment →

From post: Chef Adrienne Cheatham At Charles Pan Fried

"The commenter is asking for more information about the food being offered."

Neutral
Jun 1, 2026View Comment →

From post: Chef Adrienne Cheatham At Charles Pan Fried

"The commenter recognized the chef from Top Chef and expressed happiness that she is still creating delicious food."

Positive
May 31, 2026View Comment →

From post: Chef Adrienne Cheatham At Charles Pan Fried

"The commenter finds the food appealing and thanks the original poster for sharing."

Positive
May 31, 2026View Comment →

From post: Chef Adrienne Cheatham At Charles Pan Fried

"The commenter previously attended a popup by the chef and found the food to be very good, asking if this is the last one."

Positive
May 31, 2026View Comment →

From post: Chef Adrienne Cheatham At Charles Pan Fried

"The commenter, a regular at this chicken spot, plans to visit the popup after seeing this post."

Neutral
May 31, 2026View Comment →

From post: Chef Adrienne Cheatham At Charles Pan Fried

"The Cajun Shrimp Toast from this popup was an exceptional bite, highly recommended if you are in the Harlem area."

Positive
May 31, 2026View Comment →

From post: Bestgood Places To Eat Around 125th In Harlem

"Charles Pan Fried Chicken is recommended along with Jacob Soul Food."

Positive
May 23, 2026View Comment →

From post: Bestgood Places To Eat Around 125th In Harlem

"Charles Pan Fried Chicken is mentioned as a place to eat."

Positive
May 22, 2026View Comment →

From post: Bestgood Places To Eat Around 125th In Harlem

"Charles Pan Fried Chicken is listed among other popular soul food and BBQ options in the Harlem area."

Positive
May 22, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Fried Chicken In Harlem

"A chef and native New Yorker highly recommends Charles Gabriel's original location for its very good and inexpensive shallow-fried chicken, noting that while the sides aren't great, the chicken is the main draw."

Positive
Mar 25, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Fried Chicken In Harlem

"This user agrees that the sides at Charles Pan Fried Chicken are bland and dry, specifically mentioning the mac & cheese. Despite this, they find the chicken to be exceptionally good."

Positive
Mar 25, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Fried Chicken In Harlem

"A commenter emphatically states that Charles Pan Fried Chicken is the best fried chicken in NYC."

Positive
Mar 25, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Fried Chicken In Harlem

"While Charles is excellent, the sides are noted as exceptionally poor. However, the quality of the chicken itself is highly praised, making up for the side dishes."

Positive
Mar 25, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Fried Chicken In Harlem

"Charles is recommended for a first-rate, satisfying fried chicken experience with good sides. The commenter highlights it as a top choice."

Positive
Mar 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Fried Chicken In Harlem

"This user recommends Charles Pan Fried Chicken as a top contender for fried chicken in Harlem."

Positive
Mar 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Food Specials In The Heights

"Charles Pan Fried Chicken was recommended as a dining option in the Hamilton/Washington Heights neighborhood."

Neutral
Jan 30, 2026View Comment →