Charcoal Chef

My grandparents started going to the “chef” in the 50s and my family have been loyal customers ever since!

In the past couple years there have been huge improvements, the food is consistently much better, they’ve have made some good menu upgrades and now have exciting specials!

Best part has to be the strong cocktails!

Always excellent food, in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. It's not pretentious and doesn't try to be anything it isn't. Big menu with lots of choices, and you really can't go wrong with any of it. Love the burgers, and the chicken basket is also a winner. Great breakfast too. This time we got the bread pudding, which is made in-house and was some of the best I've had. Prices are reasonable, though keep in mind sides are extra. Service is great, and the people are very friendly.

I haven't been here in years, mostly because they used to have a cash only policy and I haven't carried cash in years. Food was every bit as good as I remember as was the service. The restaurant has not aged one bit, it's like walking into the actual 1960s and not in a reproduction way. Now that I know they take cards I will be stopping in more often.

I’ve been coming here ever since I was a little kid and I still love it just the same! The atmosphere is so cozy, like many other reviewers said it feels like you are eating in your grandparents house. Also the fried chicken basket is always a must!

Charming place, nice quiet atmosphere. BEST BLOODY MARY EVER HAD!!!! Fast service and super friendly server! We've been here several times and they never disappoint! A true Gem in the area.

Delicious, classic menu. Cozy restaurant with friendly staff. I took my gf here. She has lived a long life of eating chicken hearts, chicken feet, and gizzards and, now, I want her to enjoy the finer things in life. Today, she learned what a cornish hen is and she enjoyed it with ketchup. Charcoal chef makes one of the best shirley temples, baked potatoes, and more. This place is a time capsule and I can’t wait to go back. If anyone knows how I can buy the dracula mansion across the street, let me know.

This is a great little old time diner/restaurant. Nothing fancy, no ornate decorations, no glitzy lighting or flamboyant table settings. There's a whiteboard on the wall white the daily specials. If you are looking for a place to impress someone and spend a ton of cash, you're probably looking for something else. For me it's a 5 star though. Small town feel, great service, food, & drinks and friendly waitstaff. So if that sounds like something you'd like, then you can't go wrong. Try it and you'll be back. Just plain old goodness!

The best steaks, burgers and drinks in town. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Friendly waitresses and cozy atmosphere.
#steak #seafood #breakfast #lunch #dinner #bar #drinks #woodburyct @connecticut_wonders

We had a great meal, NY strip steak, unseasoned, and cooked to the right temperature. It was a larger portion than we're used to for the very reasonable price. The steak, salad, baked potato and strawberry rhubarb pie were outstanding. I remembered coming to this restaurant as a child.with my parents and I was so happy to see it thriving after all these years! I made it a point to tell my local relatives that they need to make a point to visit for a great meal in a comfortable atmosphere.

I come here quite often because I enjoy the rotating cocktail menu, one of my favorites is the mango tango. I’ve had a variety of food off the menu and everything has been great. I appreciate the authenticity of the décor throughout the restaurant as well.

Was a very nice and quiet. Very pretty inside.like a mom and pops place.great food!! Great prices

Classic old school Connecticut. I dream of the franks and beans. Great cocktails. Great service. A fave. Never changes.

Been going there since I was a kid, and that's a long time. Food and service has always been good!

We were coming to Woodbury from VA. We seen they closed at 8pm and we asked if they could wait for us to pick an order up around 8:15pm. They agreed. With traffic we didn’t arrive at Charcoal Chef until 8:50pm! The lady opened the doors with a huge beautiful smile, polite, and kind to serve us our food. A+ for this places hospitality and taste of food!

Food was good atmosphere was very relaxing. The service was very good.

It was my 75th birthday 🎂 and I was treated so nicely and the food was amazing. I had the rainbow 🌈 trout. I also had a Irish coffee which the delightful Lynn and Shirley bought for me. They know big time ⏲ how a drink 🍸 should be made. I will absolutely be returning to have lunch again.

Never had a bad meal. Great relaxed atmosphere

The food was very good. Service was a little slow, but lots of customers for what seemed to be only 2 waitresses.

This is one of the few places that will actually serve you a cube steak which is great when you're trying to save money and still have steak!

There was only 2 ladies working the place they made you feel so at home and the food was incredible. Great Onion Rings and The Patty Melt and Fried Chicken basket were stellar. Such a fair place to eat price wise they have not raised there price hardly and the food is all cooked fresh will be back soon . Love from the Somma's.