Charlie’s Kitchen
10 Eliot St Cambridge, MA
(617) 492-9646

It’s not very often that I travel across the river to The Republic of Cambridge. It’s a different place over there, and in my opinion it only has a few redeeming factors… The friends I have that live there of course, and couple surprisingly good burger joints. Charlie’s is one of those burger joints that really evokes a truly old school ambiance, and happens to serve up equally old school burger fare.

The ONLY place to sit when you visit Charlie’s is upstairs, and the booth of choice for our adventures is usually the round corner booth in the back left corner… The jukebox is good, the beers on tap are varied and cold, and the lights are dim. Service, even by the random forgetful newbie, is always pleasant. And the food is always enjoyable.

For me, there is only one selection to be made, and that’s the self proclaimed specialty of the house: Charlie’s Double Burger Special, with waffle fries. Yes ladies and gentlemen, waffle fries.

Charlie’s is one of those places that the fries deserve equal billing with the burger. Waffle Fries definitely warrant that top billing, and these are no slouch… But we’re here to talk burgers, so let’s get to it.

Charlie’s servers up the classic old school diner burger… Not the modern heat lamp cooked, micro-waved, fast -food-pseudo-meat patty, but the real deal griddle cooked beef patty. Thin and greasy, it’s brought to the pinnacle by stacking them two deep with gooey American cheese melting allover the griddled sesame seed bun. Sometimes they’ll ask how you want it done, but don’t worry… They all come out the same. But at Charlie’s, it’s all good. They’ll gladly give you all the fixings; decent pickles, fresh lettuce, and juicy beefsteak tomatoes… Pile it high people, throw it all on there for the quintessential American Burger. Condiments are on the table, the usual fare of drive through packets with relish, mustard, and ketchup. Oh, and the fries… You have to order waffle fries specifically, so if that’s your thing, make sure to make it known.

The Special Double is greasy, but not drowning in grease… Just messy enough to make it fun. It’s not an artful burger, but it’s definitely authentic. The atmosphere is one of an original American diner whose decor may be stuck in 1960, but the music and people are as fresh and new as anyone could expect from a joint in Cambridge. The prices are definitely NOT typical of Cambridge, they’re on the verger of Wicked Cheap.

All in all I give Charlie’s Kitchen three burgers:

Well worth the trip, a classic burger and fries combo, and prices that even old Wimpy could afford.