CHARLIE BROWN'S STEAKHOUSE, It's a winner!!!
Written: Jan 25 '04 (Updated Jul 13 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A good overall value. The owners work to get our business through many different specials.
Cons: Parking on a busy Saturday night is there but hard to find..
The Bottom Line: Having been here a couple of times and reading a glowing review I believe this place is an excellent value.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Charlie Brown's Steakhouse |
Update June 2005
Most of the following review reflects, in much detail, one of our first visits to the restaurant with a group of fourteen. I would like to give a short review right here of the kind of experiences we have had since those first couple of visits.
We have now been to Charlie Browns at least ten times. I feel it is the best value for a sit down restaurant on all of Long island.
Update! This review is of the LKynbrrok location that has now closed. Long Island still has the Garden City location.
The salad bar is excellent with well maintained and fresh ingredients. There are also a number of items you may not find at your ordinary salad bar.
I have had a number of different meal selections over the past couple of years and except for one time when the meat did not come out as ordered everything has been excellent.
I just had their T-Bone steak a couple of nights ago. It really is good and for meat eaters the prime ribs there are good too.
My family now makes this our celebration family place to go. It used to be the Outback we went too but this place has lines that are much shorter and it's a much better family value. I am surprised that the lines, at least when we go, have not been long.
Please excuse some minor renovation they are doing to this place so as to accommodate more people comfortably.
Back to the full original review.
Just last week (January of 04) I read the first contribution of this restaurant on this site. It was a glowing review. Charlie Brown is a chain restaurant of about 40 outlets. I have much to tell you about the place and why I feel it's an excellent value.
Though most of these are in New Jersey, we happen to have a couple here on Long Island. The one in this review is in Lynbrook NY. There are a few in Pennsylvania too.
I've been there before and it just happened that we went again last night with a group of friends with whom we go out once a month to a place of one couples choice. One of our friends had chosen the Charlie Brown Steakhouse for this months get together. We were a group of 14.
ATMOSPHERE
From the outside this looks like it was and old colonial home, perhaps a hundred years old that has been bumped up, out, and expanded in many ways. The place sits on a corner plot with plenty of day time parking, about 40 spaces. At night there is a bit of scrambling for spots, however, there is some street parking too. There is no valet parking.
There is a wheel chair ramp in the rear of the building and a lift that takes a chair up the five or six steps at the main entrance in front. This was right next to all the handicapped parking. No problem getting into this place.
To the right as you enter are the lounge and bar area. The lounge has six extra wide booths that are very comfortable and attractive. This room and the bar have a pub-like atmosphere with dark woods, tile floor, 16 or so seat bar with a few tables, about eight drafts available, ceiling fans, and beamed ceilings.
There were small lights that gave enough brightness to read.
This total look carried into the two dining rooms with much more seating. I liked the look and feel of the place. One of the rooms is much brighter than the rest of the restaurant during the day in that it has windows the full length of the room. It was in this room that our party dined last night.
The crowd both in the afternoon and at night dress casually and is a mix of families, couples, and small groups.
SERVICE
I have been here twice in the last couple of weeks, once for lunch, once for dinner. I'll be combining both visits in this one review.
I found the service excellent at lunch time. It was quite empty when I first arrived, however, more people came in afterward. They had plenty of help stationed throughout the restaurant.
I had a gal named Leigh Anne to wait the table. She was very attentive and helpful explaining the menu, options, and other facts about the fairly new restaurant. They have been in business in this place for one year.
I had ordered a soup and she had noticed I wasn't giving it much attention. She asked if I liked it. I didn't think it had much flavor. She immediately asked if she could bring me another kind, she did, and it was excellent. More on the food in a bit.
Last night when we went the atmosphere was far from quiet. This is one of the few restaurants that take "reservations" on a Saturday night. It's really a call ahead seating that worked well for us. When we arrived a table was ready for 14, however, maybe you could have gotten a group of 14 little girl scouts around the table. Some of us in our party are "big", like this guy. There was no way we could sit comfortably. The staff was attentive to our plight, however, we did have to wait a while for the table and extra seating. As it worked out one couple came a bit late and the staff moved in another table from a group of four that had just finished dinner.
Just a quick word. We had received two conflicting messages as far as being a group of 14. One said that we would have to order from a fixed menu, and another said we can use the full menu. We ordered from the regular one. This was the only time our waitress seemed a bit "put off". This particular gal gave us good service, however, there seemed to be a sort of "attitude" for the rest of the evening like, "waiting the table was overwhelming". It should not have been. The orders were simple, polite, and not out of the ordinary.
The tables are wood, no cloth.
I liked that a glass of water with lemon was brought right to the table, no asking. This happened in the afternoon, not at night. Though it may not seem like much I did see that they use good quality straws. Once I started lunch my waitress brought a stack of heavy duty paper napkins on top of the one I started with. This is what they did throughout dinner too.
I find it very helpful when I do not have to distract myself from dining to try and find the help to bring these sort of items.
The MENU
Appetizers
Most of the appetizers, like chicken fingers, Shrimp Cocktail, fried calamari, popcorn shrimp, are priced from 5.99 to 7.00.
The new Seafood Sampler that has crabcake, popcorn shrimp, shrimp cocktail,and fried calamari with four dippings sauces was the most expensive at 10.49, however, this is definitely a sharing dish. We shared this and another sampler that had some wings, chicken strips and chicken spring rolls. For a group of 14 we could have ordered one more sampler dish.
The crab cake and wings were ok, the calamari good, the chicken strips and chicken spring rolls were very good.
Also available separately were Crispy Chicken Spring Rolls, Chicken Quesadilla and Chicken Nachos. These were 5.99 and 6.99.
At lunch I first tried the soup of the day, it was some kind of vegetable. It did not have much flavor. This is the soup that was returned for a New England Clam Chowder that I found to be very good. It was creamy, tasty and even had clams!!
Salad Bar
Charlie Browns is noted for their salad bar and rightfully so. It is a step above the rest. They call it the "Farmers Salad". Mixed greens, spinach, onions scallion and the like are available. At lunch time they have strips of American cheese, Swiss cheese, Ham, turkey, and beef. They were perfect to mix in with the salads. They also offer a delicious chopped chicken liver at lunch and dinner. I happen to love the stuff.
At dinner time they offer more salads in lieu of the meat and cheese strips. They have a bland potato salad and a good macaroni salad. The tomato salad was excellent. Fresh a flavorful ripe tomatoes on a January night is not usual but they had it. They also had small cooked carrots in some kind of sauce I don't know what it was but it was good. The cucumber salad was very good too. Beets, eggs, cauliflower, broccoli, small sliced, fresh tomatoes and other items were available too.
Croutons, bacon bits, sliced olives, sliced mushrooms, grated cheese, a variety of seeds, raisins, dried fruit, and a host of "health food" add ons were all neatly arranged and filled to the brim.
The house keeps the salad bar looking full and very fresh. In fact at one time we had a guy trying to chase us to the other side of the salad bar so he could freshen up the one side. There are two stations. Be sure to check both out because they are not mirror images. You will find different product on each.
They also offered some whole fruit. Oranges, delicious apples and Granny Smiths were piled up in bowls.
At the salad station is a huge bread basket with ryes, pumpernickel and others. They had a raisin bread with walnuts that everyone loved. Butter and butter substitute pat packages are piled up for the taking.
Charlie Browns has more salad dressings than most other place I have been to, about ten. The usual Thousand Islands, French, Blue Cheese and Vinegarette mixes were there. They also had an Asian Oriental and a Honey Lime that were excellent. There was also a station with different olive oils, vinegars and other mixes.
Entrees
At lunch time, if you are looking for more than just a salad bar, I can recommend the burgers. They are lean and large.
Let me add a few words from their web site.
Charlie Brown's Steakhouse Est.1966.
"For over 37 years, Charlie Brown's Steakhouse has served the highest quality food at affordable prices in a family atmosphere. We proudly serve USDA Choice Founders Reserve Beef exclusively. Our steaks are hand-cut from aged, corn-fed, Midwestern beef selected specifically for Charlie Brown's Steakhouse. Our chicken and fish are always fresh, never frozen. All of our soups and sauces are prepared from scratch daily.
Great food along with great value, quality and warm hospitality have defined Charlie Brown's for over 37 years, and we are committed to keeping that tradition going for many years to come."
Besides all the varied specialty burgers they have what they call their "Express Lunch". If they are not out to you in ten minutes the entree is free. Here are some of the offerings from their menu.
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken and farm fresh vegetables baked in a flaky crust served with Caesar salad.
Crispy Chicken Spring Rolls
Chicken, salsa, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, wrapped in flour tortillas and fried crisp. Served with sour cream and salsa.
Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich
Crisp chicken breast topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, served open-faced with seasoned French fries.
Fried Fish Sandwich
Fresh beer battered cod fried crisp and served on a grilled soft sesame bun with melted cheddar cheese,
tartar sauce and seasoned fries.
Chicken Salad Wrap
Chunks of fresh chicken breast tossed in a parmesan-peppercorn dressing and wrapped in a flour tortilla. Served with seasoned French fries.
Soup & 1/2 Sandwich
Check the blackboard for today's sandwich selection, coupled with a bowl of Soup of the Day.
NEW- Cajun Shrimp Wrap
Soft flour tortilla filled with crispy popcorn shrimp, lettuce, tomato and cajun remoulade sauce.
The best part is that all of these are just $5.49.
I had the soup and salad. With the mix of meats and cheeses it was perfect.
At dinner time a different menu comes onto the scene. I think it has some excellent values and selections.
Did I tell you I like this place?
Last night I had a Horseradish-Crusted Prime Rib 15.49
14 oz. bone-in cut with a horseradish and sour cream crust and Frizzled Onions. It was outstanding! The meat was tender, not much fat and the horseradish crust was marvelous. The $15.49 price includes the "Farmers Salad Bar". Where else can you get that kind of price?
For those who choose not to have the salad bar with the dinner, you may order a Caesar salad or garden salad to the table. A soup may be substituted.
A baked, smashed, fried potato or rice pilaf comes with the meal. The smashed are real, and mighty good! You can substitute a veggie for a potato.
My wife and two of the guys ordered Rosemary Crusted Rack of Lamb 17.99
14 oz. rack of lamb crusted with fresh rosemary and assorted herbs. Broiled to perfection and served with mint jelly and sherried mushroom sauce.
Again, that a great value for the salad and eight pieces of lamb. My wife said they were very good.
Update, the Lamb is no longer on the menue. My wife misses it but things change.
Other items ordered by our group were.
Charlie's Cut 18 oz. 16.79
Served on the bone.
I saw two pieces sent to the table. The one next to me was all full of those 18 ounces. It was a good size and a real nice cut. The other one was a bit fatty. They sent it back and within a minute another, leaner piece, was at the table.
A couple of people in our party had the Pot Roast 11.99
Tender slices of braised beef slow cooked in mushroom gravy and served with fresh garlic mashed potatoes and frizzled onions. They were happy with it. Again, it's $11.99 with the full salad bar!! These prices amaze me!
One of the gals had the Parmesan Crusted Chicken 11.99
1/2 lb. skinless, boneless breast of chicken coated with fresh parmesan cheese and pan fried to a golden brown. Topped with a lemon-butter wine sauce. It was such a huge piece that she had to take most home. She said it was good.
I don't remember everything ordered at the table but there was consensus that the evening was a successful one!! The couple that suggested the place for the evening, and had never even been there before, were given the honor of receiving the "Handshake Points". More on that in a bit. Be sure to read about it, it's a great offer.
The dinner menu offers many, many other different steak, fish and chicken dishes and combos.
The two most expensive items on the menu were Queen Cut Prime Rib & Lobster Tail 18.99
Our most popular cut of Prime Rib teamed with a sweet cold water lobster tail
and
20 oz. Texas T-Bone 19.99
Grilled to perfection and topped with Frizled Onions. Part filet mignon and part N.Y. strip. The steak lover's steak.
Now for NY/Long Island these are excellent prices and values. If you live near one of these restaurants you should check them out. Prices may vary slightly from place to place.
Refreshments
They sell pints at lunch time for $4.00 at night they go for $4.25. Thursday is $2.00 pint day. This is one of the many specials they offer. Tuesday is $1.50 Margarita day. We haven't tried it but will soon.
I did try their $2.95 beer sampler. They give you three 5 oz beers of your liking. I had a Killians Red, A Blue point Winter ale, and Guinness Stout. I had them in that order. It was an excellent way to start my dinner.
They also offered a number of other beers on tap.
Charlie Brown's has what looks like a pretty good wine list. Here are some offering from their list.
Red Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon
Turning Leaf Select California
Rutherford Vinters California
J. Lohr Seven Oaks Paso Robles, California
Merlots
Reserve St. Martin France
Black Swan Australia
Louis Martini Napa, California
Other Reds
Zinfandel- Rancho Zabaco Dancing Bull Sonoma, California
Chianti-Ruffino Tuscany, Italy
Shiraz-Rosemount Australia
Pinot Noir- Estancia Monterey
House Red-California Cellars
White wines
Chardonnay
RH Phillips Dunningan, Hills
Fetzer Sundial California
Geyser Peak Sonoma County
Kendall Jackson California
Charles Krug Napa Valley
Pinot Grigio-Della Scala Veneto
Ecco Domani Veneto
Sauvignon Blanc-Woodbridge R. Mondavi California
Chablis-California Cellars
Blush
Zinfandel
RH PhillipsCalifornia
Sutter Home California
Blush
California Cellars
Sparkling
J. Roget Brut ChampagneCalifornia
Jean-Louis Charles de Fere France
Moet et Chandon "White Star"France
Charlie Browns advertises many cocktails too including Long Island Iced Tea. If you have never tried one, you must! As they say This ain’t no sippin’ tea! Vodka, Gin, Rum, Tequila
and Triple Sec are just some of the ingredients.
I love these things.
Margarita's and a host of special Martinis are available too.
If you like frozen drinks, ha, it was ten degrees last night, they have strawberry, banana, peach and mango flavors that can be garnished with your favorite liquors.
For the kids they have sodas. We had a couple of pitchers of soda on our table of 14. They charged $2.00 per head.
We had coffee and tea at dinners end. The coffee was good.
HOURS
Though the hours may slightly differ from place to place, these are the basic hours. Check the web site or call to be sure.
http://www.charliebrowns.com/index2.htm
LUNCH - Monday thru Saturday: 11:30AM to 2:30PM
DINNER - Monday thru Thursday: 3:00PM to 10:00PM (Dining room) 2:30 PM to 12 AM (Lounge)
DINNER - Friday & Saturday: 3:00PM to 10:30PM (Dining room) 2:30 PM to 12 AM (Lounge)
DINNER - Sunday: 11:30AM to 9:00PM (Dining room) 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM (Lounge)
The Handshake Club
Earlier I mentioned something about this club. Here is some info.
Benefits of FREE Membership Include:
$20 in Gift Vouchers for Each 200 points earned
FREE Gift on your Birthday
Special Members-Only
Offers and Events
Here’s how it works:
Sign up for your FREE Membership at any Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse. Just ask your server for an application and they will present you with your own Membership Card on the spot!
Present your Handshake Club Membership Card to your server every time you dine with us — Lunch, Dinner or Snacks!
For each $1 spent, you receive 1 point.
(Due to legal regulations, we can only award points on food purchases).
When you reach 200 points, we will automatically send you two $10 Gift Vouchers for use on your next visit to Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse
As mentioned within, you cannot add drinks onto this but hey, it's still a great way to bring in more customers. The couple at our table received 360 points. That means they will be receiving $20.00 gift certificate soon and as soon as they spend another $40.00, they get another $20.00 certificate. This is a great deal, especially for large families that like to go out.
Kids Menu
This place is perfect for families in that they do their best to encourage you to take the little ones. Kids get a small box with crayons and some coloring material.
The prices for kids under 12 are very fair. $2.49 for just the salad bar. Add 50 cents for a grilled cheese sandwich with the bar. They also offer at about $4.00-$4.50, pizza, chicken sticks, hamburger, fried shrimp, mac and cheese and more. Sodas are $1.29 with free refills. The kids meal also comes with ice cream dessert! Again, prices may vary slightly from place to place. Regardless, these are excellent offers for a night out with the family.
Desserts too !!
Yes, many of us shared desserts. They have a special that many rave about. It's called the Fried Oreo Cookie Sundae $4.99. It's three Oreo cookies dipped in a batter, deep fried and served with vanilla ice cream on a chocolate sauce and topped with fresh cream. I was disappointed with the chocolate. Others liked it. Maybe we were too full at this point and probably should not have even ordered dessert because nothing was said to have been "To die for", "Out of this world", or "Heavenly".
Anyways, I believe you know I highly recommend this place. If I can compare this chain to another I would say it's much like the Outback with more reasonable pricing and an excellent salad bar.
If you are in the New Jersey/NewYork/part of Pennsylvania area look for one and give it a try. This place is a winner!!
Update
We have made this a family celebration stop many times now. The prices have gone up just a touch. Nothing to stay home over. We are also members of the handshake club and have done well with it. Join! We continue to enjoy the good food and the great value.
More chain eateries by popsrocks
Romano's MACARONI GRILL / KFC / OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE / Wendy's
OUTBACK Restaurant / Cozymel's / Cheesecake Factory / McDonald's / Checkers Burgers / Red Lobster
The White Castle / TGI Friday's / Charlie Browns / Burger King / Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips
Boulder Creek Steakhouse / Ruby Tuesday / Applebees / Taco Bell
Friendly's / Cold Stone Creamery / Dunkin' Donuts / Krispy Kreme / Ralph's Famous Italian Ice
Recommended:
Yes
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