All 238 rated mentions, most helpful first
“Charles Pan Fried Chicken was a pleasant surprise. The fried chicken was clearly made fresh to order, with the food being cooked in very large cast iron skillets (you could probably fry a zebra in them), and all of the sides seemed well executed.”
H3
“SO GOOD. Juicy chicken, amazing ribs (more below), mind blowing mac and cheese. A little richer than what I'm usually looking for in takeout but a totally delicious spot.”
H3
“But the ribs are about the best I've ever had. Almost like a mix between Chinese ribs and BBQ.”
H3
“Charles’ Pan-Fried Chicken was excellent when the man himself was making the chicken a few years ago, but I have found the corporate reboot post-Covid hasn’t been as special. I found that chicken isn’t cooked as well.”
H3
“Recently had Charles for the first time and boy am I glad that I ordered the ribs. Sauce is more on the spicy side so I can’t say that that’s for everyone but oh man are they tender.”
H3
“The entrees were mediocre at best and not worth the price I paid. I strongly recommend skipping the hassle and headache of dealing with Charles Pan Fried Chicken and ordering from somewhere else. Charles Pan Fried Chicken has certainly earned a grade of F, and I would give them zero stars if that option were available.”
H3
“it was really good. The cornbread and fried chicken was probably the best I’ve had since moving up here a few years ago.”
H2
“Their chicken gets all the attention, but their other proteins are actually really good, especially the ribs.”
H2
“If fried chicken is acceptable, Charles Pan Fried Chicken”
H2
“Charles pan fried chicken has to be up there”
H2
“an investor will inevitably take them the way of Charles’ Pan-Fried Chicken or Superiority Burger, where the humanity that really set the place apart was lost in a cosmopolitan, investor-backed rebranding.”
H2
“Try the yams sometime. They always hit.”
H2
“Charles pan fried chicken has a great ten dollar deal and that chicken can really be incredible”
H2
“Big fan of Charles Pan Fried Chicken. I don't really eat ribs so I haven't had them but the chicken and corn bread are fantastic.”
H2
“Charles pan fried is absolutely top tier fried chicken.”
H2
“The new restaurants aren’t really comparable to the old joint. I hope Mr. Gabriel is enjoying a well-deserved retirement. I’m happy for him, but sad for the quality of fried chicken in New York.”
H2
“Can confirm that Charles Pan Fried chicken is fire. Their ribs might be even better than their chicken, too. It's worth going multiple days to try both.”
H2
“Classic combo from Charles Fried Chicken”
H2
“The only place I've found in New York that has fried chicken on the standards of most southern restaurants is Charles Pan Fried chicken in Harlem. Its not as good as the best places in Louisiana, but I definitely don't think they'd go out of business in the south.”
H2
“OP was on the right track with the legendary Charles’ fried chicken. The best.”
H2
“Chicken is solid though.”
H2
“Such a lovely place with lovely staff.”
H2
“I definitely recommend you check out Charles Pan fried chicken. They also have great ribs and pulled pork.”
H2
“That Mac n Cheese makes the southerner in me’s skin crawl”
H2
“Really some of the best and most overlooked ribs in the city.”
H2
“Charles Pan-fried chicken if you want another Harlem staple and aren’t going to the American South anytime soon. People might tell you to go to Sylvia’s, but Charles and the Amy Ruth are better imho.”
H2
“worth going for the sides alone. The family meal is one of the best values in the city.”
H2
“I would give this mac and cheese in the 'fine' territory, nothing great, nothing terrible.”
H2
“Just ate there - had the chicken & it was outstanding!! Also excellent cornbread. Will be back for sure.”
H2
“I find Charles's (Charles'?) to be very inconsistent. There are times I go and it's great and other times it's just not even all that good.”
H2
“Charles’ Pan Fried’s wings are really tasty and surprisingly cheap.”
H2
“Charles Pan Fried: Good shit. Brought it to a picnic and ended up a hero. The cornbread was huge but very dense and not super beloved. Would focus on the chicken.”
H2
“Charles is excellent but the sides exceptionally suck”
H2
“But their chicken is so so good that I don't even care.”
H2
“Charles Pan Fried Chicken - don’t sleep on the ribs”
H2
“I love Charles pan fried chicken”
H2
“I really like Charles Pan fried chicken...”
H2
“Charles Pan Fried Chicken! Hands down the best fried chicken in NYC!”
H2
“Charles Pan Fried will fill the southern fried chicken hole in your heart!”
H2
“I’ve ordered their chicken many times and enjoyed it.”
H2
“I don't find the food greasy at all. I mean it is fried chicken but it doesn't taste like grease like KFC.”
H2
“Best fried chicken in NYC.”
H2
“Their turkey wings are surprisingly good”
H2
“Charles Pan-Fried chicken has much better fried chicken and ribs, etc, but IMHO you need to go to 145th for a sit down experience.”
H2
“Love that Charles Pan fried chicken”
H2
“Seconding Charles as well. The best southern fried chicken in NYC.”
H2
“Mac n cheese dry af”
H2
“Charles Pan Fried Chicken is better than ALL of the fried chicken in Charlotte, NC.”
H2
“the best ribs I had in recent memory were from Charles Pan Fried Chicken.”
H2
“Try their ribs, too.”
H2