Charlie Brown's: Worth the Money?

I usually visit and review more independent and original restaurants. However, last week I went to eat at Charlie Brown's with my sister and a friend, and I just couldn't help but write about it. 

Over the years I've been in Highland Park, I have eaten at Charlie Brown's quite a few times. I've seen them change their booths, get rid of their old "library," and see the new decor on the walls. The atmosphere used to be homey, with nice vibrant colors and people eating and laughing. Now, however, it was nearly empty. The walls were repainted a dark maroon color with weird pictures and objects hanging on the walls (like half a bicycle). To be honest, it just wasn't a pleasant place to be. 

Their food has, for the most part, stayed the same. At least on the menu. This last time when I went there, Anna, Becca, and I were seated at a book in the front room. We sat down and immediately noticed a rather unpleasant smell which surrounded us. I usually try not to make a fuss at restaurants, because I know it must annoy the staff, but we really could not eat in that atmosphere. We asked to be seated in another section, and although I could see the look of annoyance in the waiter's eye, he smiled and seated us in the back.

Happy to breathe some fresh(er) air, we looked at the menu. Anna, who had not been there in a year or two, was shocked at the numbers. I hadn't realized it myself until she pointed it out: the prices had risen enormously in the past few years alone. The salad bar, which used to cost between six and eight dollars, was no $10.79! The mozzarella sticks were now $7.49, and those are both appetizers. Unprepared for these costs, my sister and I literally had to spill out all our money to see what we could afford. 

The other issue was the options. Seeing as my sister and I are both vegetarians, that was an important factor. Unfortunately, the only vegetarian choices were a few appetizers, salads, soups, and one or two entrees. Now even though Charlie Brown's is known as a "steakhouse," it is important for any restaurant to offer foods for all people. Finally deciding to share the salad bar and an order of onion rings, plus drinks. 

I left Anna and Becca to wait for the appetizers while I went to get food from the salad bar. I was impressed by the selections, including not only traditional lettuce, but onion salads, egg salad, noodle salads, and various olives and such. It looked tasty, and my hopes were high.

When I returned to the table, we dug into the salad, excited to eat. When I ate the first bite, however, I was disappointed. The salads were full of oils and ingredients that made me feel dirty and greasy. It this was their "healthy," "vegetarian" option, I could not believe it. Even as we were leaving, Anna commented "I always feel sick after eating that kind of food."

When the onion rings arrived, it was clear that they were not meant to be shared. There were only four of them, and they were huge. One alone was two inches in width with a circumference of maybe eight inches. Just looking at them kind of scared me! 

When the check came, we were all glad to get up and leave. But when I looked at the check, I was shocked at the amount written. For just the few things we had ordered, the check was over twenty dollars, not counting the tip. We paid and walked back to the front, noticing again that awful smell. It's never a good thing when you leave a restaurant wishing you hadn't eaten.

Rating: out of ★★★★★ (✫=1/2)

Food: ★

Service: ★★✫

Atmosphere: ★✫

Vegetarian variety: ★

Charlie Brown's

247 Raritan Avenue

Highland Park, NJ 08904

(732)545-1778

www.charliebrowns.com