Charcoal Pit

Reviews 4

ME

Media Critic

The serving of an insect in food at a restaurant knowingly in the restaurant industry is the equivalent of flying a plane drunk if youre a pilot, or using inferior grade materials not according to the specifications in the construction industry. These infractions are cardinal rules, not to be broken in those respective industries. Having wanted to try the Charcoal Pit for years. Its a cool, iconic building on 202 that has throwback charm. On July 17, we stopped by for lunch. Waitress was pleasant, we ordered our food and an "Orange Freeze" sherbert milkshake. Food came out uneventfully, and was decent. As for the Orange Freeze, we were now done eating and it still had not come out (we ordered this at waitress introduction). I was kind of hoping that she forgot, only because I began to think about the calorie impact. She then realized she forgot as she was walking toward us, turned quickly, saw one steel mixing canister awaiting pickup, and gasped loudly, "Ooohhh". We were watching intently because we wondered when she would realize we still did not get it. Something was obviously wrong, she and the milkshake making girl looked into the cup and our waitress then disappeared behind some machinery, although I was still able to see her profile from my vantage. She then emerged with the cup walking directly to our table. At no time did she pick up, or carry anything other than the drink delivered to my table. She then placed it down on the table. It was obvious to me that something had been in the drink by her reaction to picking it up, her discussion, disappearance and subsequent reemergence. As I looked in the orange freeze, a spoon sized crater was evident. Something had been scooped out of the drink. I sat in disbelief. After apologizing for the drinks lateness she then disappeared only to come back to the table about a minute later, most likely out of guilty conscience. She said, "is everything ok?" And I said, "was there something in this, like a fly?" She said, "no, it was in the other one , and I took it out." She then said that she could replace mine which I took her up on, but added, I did not want a replacement, just take it off the bill. She then came over and apologized profusely and stated that she would take off a food item, which she did. I then saw her speaking to what looked like a higher level, older woman who appeared to be a manager. I overheard snippets of conversation that appeared to be involving my situation. Shockingly, I heard the manager say, "you can pray that he didnt see it." There are many things wrong here, it surpasses any experience Ive had in a restaurant, in my life. Fact 1: She knowingly served a drink that had something in it but scooped it out. She felt this was ok. Fact 2: She lied about it. She conceded that she cleared something out of someones drink. Her outloud gasp, picking up the ONE drink, hiding behind some machines with the ONE drink and then reemerging with the drink walking directly to our table was done as we watched her. The spoon crater further incriminated her action. Fact 3: The manager, instead of instructing her the proper way to handle the situation, like "dump it out and make a new one," offered instruction to conceal the unacceptable corrective action of the waitress. Once and never again. I understand that insects in food can be unavoidable. However, the corrective measure of the waitress, the management oversight and guidance represent a much bigger problem at Charcoal Pit. It demonstrates that the culture of the restaurant accepts this type decision making. When this expected confidence breaks down in a restaurant, you begin to question everything: "did the chef drop this hamburger patty on the floor", "did she sneeze on this", etc... Ironically, the Orange Freeze didnt look that bad. Further, I always tip 20%, sometimes even if its not the greatest service. This was the first time in 20 years I did not tip.

VA

Valenkine Fate

The only thing i liked were my PRE FROZEN onion rings. When i first walked in there i stood for about 30secs before and anyone noticed me. Then the Asian lady who could barely speak English well enough for me to understand her said hello. Said to sit all the way down there (pointed).... Okay where? Got seated and gad been sitting for over 5 mins till someone came over and asked what would we like. I asked for a menu amd she said ots next to you. ( not like someone could have told us when we sat down....) we werent sure what we wanted since soup is strictly limited to either wednesday or friday.... We tried discussing what we wanted but the elderly waitress kept coming back every 5secs i felt rushed. Then girl at thw ice cream bar was so bored ahe started picking at her nails, cleaning off her glasses with her work shirt, and put in her headphones not doing anything productive and the you could litetally tell the place needed to be swept. So i spoke to the manager and he seemed clueless. Not even a manager type. He went amd said something to her then a cook came out and told her and pointed at me saying i told on her. Then she went around and told everybody else what i did and everybody started staring at me. Im like.... If youre that bored then just go home... I didnt say that but seriously considering it. The girl disappeared for awhile then came back with both headphones in started messing with her hair did NOT where gloves or WASH hands and made some ice cream. after the food came out it took forever to get some refills and noticed the was some food sitting out (not in the kitchen) not covered up completely exposed to everything. That they were actually using it.... Im like WE WILL NEVER BE BACK HERE AGAIN. Jon taffer i know you strickly do bars but this place should be an exception.....

JA

Jacqueline Courtney

My brothers, sister, and I decided to have some ice cream and let the next generation of our family experience the Charcoal Pit, as everyone should. Our server was extremely friendly and beyond patient with all of us. And everyone enjoyed their sundaes, without question. However... the seating is what killed my personal experience. As a customer, you either chose to sit at the counter, which was closed. Or, you may sit at a booth. Being a slightly "fluffy" person, I found it kind of hard to breath while seated at the booth. You may laugh, but Im very, very serious. I was thankful it was around closing time, I wasnt too concerned with ADA compliance, and just grabbed a random folding chair I saw and pulled it up to the booth where the rest of my family was seated, continuing my visit, seated comfortably. I love you guys!! Truly I do! But you may want to consider adding a few 4 top tables with chairs, to accommodate those that are similar to myself in size. Other than that, I think my niece and nephews thoroughly enjoyed themselves! And I think thats all that really mattered!!!!

MO

Morton Fox

This restaurant has been around seemingly forever, yet I didnt get around to trying it until today. Yes, both from the outside and inside, this restaurant truly looks like your grandfather couldve gone there. Maybe even your grandfathers father. Its an original from the 50s and they kept that classic feel up to today. The parking lot seemed rather congested too but that could be because it is shared with the Dunkin Donuts next door. Space inside the restaurant is a bit cramped though, so I doubt they can accommodate more people, even if there was more parking. A quick browser through the menu didnt turn up anything particularly unique though. (Theres a 20-scoop sundae, in case youre looking for a challenge.) Its mostly just simple diner or grill style food. I picked the turkey burger since it was one of the items on the printed sheets and may not be offered later. I thought service was good, even though the server seemed rather busy.