Charlie Staples Bar-B-Q

This restaurant is located in downtown Youngstown in one of the more run down neighborhoods. During a recent visit with my family and friends we experienced terrible service, rude staff, and long wait times for food. When our food did finally come out it was soggy and Luke warm at best… not the quality I would expect from a local restaurant that has been around for a while. I gave this restaurant 2 stars only because of the unique interior design that follows a New Orleans based theme. Also if you don’t like a vinegar based BBQ then I would not recommend this place. Overall if your looking for quality BBQ or a decent meal, I would not recommend this establishment.

Venturing out of our comfort zone of the Poland-​Boardman area we visited Charlie’s on a Wednesday night. If I could give 3 ½ stars I would but 3 will have to do since I can’t do a half. I started with chili as an appetizer which was good but disappointing. Good flavor but it has clearly been microwaved and had big cold spots in the bowl. Had it all been hot it would have been great!
From there we both got the ¼ rack of ribs and chicken breast combo. Both were good but the chicken was better than the ribs. She asked if we wanted sauce on the fries and we said no but they ended up pretty saucy anyway. The sauce itself was good but we both thought it was doused on a little heavy. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the sauce just not quite so much,

Charlie Staples has been a fixture of excellence in the community for over 40 years… His Bar B Que… should be listed as a main food group!
It’s is simply delicious, and the sauce is to die for! The restaurant is fabulously decorated and the staff is great… I’ve been there at least twice a month since it’s opening in 1974… the food is beyond compare… A fantastic dining experience. ENJOY!

Been coming here for quite a few years now, dine in and carryout. Never had any problems. Bbq chicken is a must with the regular sauce, the spicy is good too. The chicken comes out sauced up and place on top of a slice of white bread. Don’t question it just sop up all that extra bbq sauce that lingers on the plate ;) Their coleslaw is some of my favorite! Love the atmosphere inside so pretty. Vibrant and colors paintings on New Orleans line the wall. Definitely check this place out!!!

I can’t think of a better BBQ restaurant in all of Youngstown. Why do I not go here more often?

We went here for my birthday last Monday night. The staff was so nice, such a warm friendly vibe here. The food was great as usual. I always get the chicken dinner with sauce on my fries. I am never disappointed and my stomach is always more than satisfied. I am a huge coleslaw fan and they have one of of the best I have ever tried. It was creamy with a hint of sweet; the perfect combination with my hot bbq sauce. The sauce is so unique. I can’t really put my figure on what makes it so good. Must be the cup of love Charlie adds. If you do like spicy I highly recommend the hot. It has a little kick but it is full of flavor. The chicken is so tender and the skin has a great crunch; never soggy. It’s always cooked perfectly.
I also recommend getting one of their signature Tornado drinks if you are celebrating a birthday or for any occasion really. My boys love it there and even my vegetarian sister enjoyed it. She ordered a salad and fries with sauce. The whole experience was fabulous. I can’t wait to go back!

Charlie Staples became our favorite restaurant after only a couple of visits. The BBQ is excellent, the atmosphere is peaceful and laid back while exuding the Louisiana charm.
My favorite dish is the ‘Big Bertha’, a HUGE baked potato stuffed with pulled bbq pork, green onions, sour cream, butter, and more. You’ve got to try it.

Truly awful food, and I say food because this is not a BBQ restaurant. After being away from Y-​Town over 20 years, and eating different regional styles, I had hoped for a least something decent. The ribs were tough (cooked too fast), the chicken was just that, chicken with sauce poured on top of it. My friend had the brisket which had just the ever slight presence of a smoke ring and still managed to be dry. There are no pit masters here, just food cooked for speed without the care and love you find elsewhere. I am not sure if it is lack of knowledge or lack of care, but skip this place.

My first visit to Charlie Staples was good. Service was excellent, food, in particular the ribs, was excellent. Was pleased that there was a security guy in the parking lot. That is a nice touch.

We were in town visiting my mom & she had the great idea of going to Charlie Staples. Nobody in the tri-​state area does BBQ like Charlie. The ribs & fries with sauce were unbelievable. We all had it & loved it. We had the brisket the last time & it was good, but not as good. Their baked beans are also very good. If you are wondering where to go for dinner, definitely give Charlie Staples a try. My mouth is still watering & I can’t wait to come back.

I’ve been coming here for years and years since they were at the run down location across the street (which we all loved). When I’m in town I must come to buy several bottles of sauce to take back to Vegas and I make my family bring me sauce when they come to visit (thx for finally bottling that yummy finger licking goodness). The food… eh. I can do without. I prefer the strips and fries when they were at the other location but the chicken is much bigger than the lil strips they used to have but I don’t know I just liked the other ones better. Location is nice. Staff is friendly!

I absolutely love the BBQ Chicken and Saucey Bread. But the restaurant service is hit and miss. And the take-​out section borderlines on horrible to non-​existent for me. I’ve tried ordering carry out on 3 different occasions and it’s been a disaster every time. I’ve totally given up on ordering take out. So the moral of the story is, if I’m craving their food I have to dine in and take my chances on the service.

Unilocal hours are wrong. It says open 10 am to 2 pm on Sat. Location is closed at 11 am and no hours are posted

(3.5) ~ good overall food & service
OUR MENU:
* Root Beer = (4) very good… tasted more like a Birch Beer, which I like better;)
* Cole Slaw = (4) very good
* Onion Rings = (3.5) good
* Corn Muffin = (3.5) good
* French Fries = (3.5) good
* ½ Rack BBQ Ribs = (3.5) good, but kinds cold (temperature)…needed to be warmed up more. These are wet sauced and I got the half-​mild /​half-​hot sauce. They were Fall off the bone too.
NOTE: Yes, they accept Credit Cards and there are (2) entrances… One for Dining & another in the back for Carry Out;)

A well known establishment in youngstown, known for its well prepared BBQ/​southern cuisine. The restaurant itself is very clean with friendly staff. Will most definitely dine in again.

Nicest people ever! My 10 year old picked here for his 10^th birthday and they made it really special for him. It is also his reward of choice for a hockey goal! We’ll be visiting again because he just got his very first goal!

Food was very good but service was terrible I sat at the bar and never saw a bartender sat there for 15 minutes before I talked to anyone

We come to Charlies often for years. The food is great and the new location is bigger and nicer. The décor is all New Orleans style with murals and paintings.
The sauce is amazing… you can pick mild or hot or a mixture which is what I usually get. Charley says his sauce is so good cause its made with a cup of love. Whatever it is… it’s great BUT they are super skimpy with it so always ask for extra sauce when ordering. They up charge a tiny bit for it and also if you get onion rings instead of fries. Th ey place the meat on top of bread and when you’re done eating the ribs or chicken… the bread has soaked up sauce and is amazing.
People are friendly but there is never a rush until you’re done and they need the table for the next patrons. The food is so good that we just deal with everything else.
Another good recommendation is the Big Bertha baked potato. It’s yummy with pulled pork!

I was pleased to find Charlie Staples nearby after an unsuccessful stop at Rust Belt Brewery. As soon as I got out of the car, I wanted to eat the building it smelled so good! And the music just helped draw me in.
The interior design transports you to New Orleans. It’s very festive and maybe a bit over the top, but it works here. The staff was very friendly, everyone happy to introduce themselves and a few asking me about Pittsburgh (I was wearing my favorite t-​shirt from The Pittsburgh Fan). I felt genuinely welcomed not just into the establishment but Youngstown as a whole.
As far as food, I went a bit unorthodox for me and ordered something I don’t see too often but have always wanted to try. I went with the Big Bertha. The Big Bertha is a large baked potato roughly the size of my head covered in butter, cheese, pulled pork, bacon and sour cream. It was as amazing as it sounds and very filling. I couldn’t even finish those last couple bites.
After such a pleasant experience, I think this Pittsburgh gal needs to head west more often.

I am not sure why this place has such positive reviews. No offense (okay, a little), but this might be because people have never had legitimately delicious food. We were driving by Youngstown on our way from NYC to IL and needed lunch. Urbanspoon found me this place. We both ordered chicken (my fiancée got the 5 piece, I did 2) and fries. He got his spicy and I got mine regular. Even though he loves spicy food he said later he should have just gotten regular sauce because then it wouldn’t have tasted like a sauce trying too hard to be spicy. I actually did like my sauce but it wasn’t really what I would define as bbq.
The waitstaff is super nice and makes me think living in a small town would be quaint and fun. Then I remember that I live in NYC and shudder.