Charlie's Steak House

"Charlie’s is an institution in Uptown’s Milan neighborhood that’s held onto being a locals favorite throughout the decades. With chef Aaron Burgau, formerly of McClure’s barbecue fame, it seems the experience has only improved while holding onto tradition: high-quality steaks are served on tin plates along classic steakhouse sides like onion rings, creamed spinach, and potato gratin." - Eater Staff, Clair Lorell

"This 1930s-era, working-class steakhouse in the Milan neighborhood has held onto its status as a New Orleans institution throughout the decades. Chef Aaron Burgau has only improved on the old-school service, churning out high-quality steaks and classic sides, with favorites like onion rings, creamed spinach, and potato gratin, in the simple, throwback space." - Stephanie Carter, Clair Lorell

"Charlie’s is old-school New Orleans writ large. It’s one of a handful of surviving notable neighborhood steak houses (it’s not far from where the original Ruth’s Chris was also once a neighborhood spot), a no-frills joint with faux-wood paneling on the walls and no menus to hand out. The waiters ask you what size you want, and also if you'd like to start with an order of fried onions. (The correct answer is yes.) Pro tip: Kick off your evening an hour earlier and a couple blocks away at Pascal’s Manale with a dozen or two bivalves at the marble oyster bar of a revered Italian-Creole “red gravy” spot."

"The future of longtime New Orleans steakhouse Charlie’s has been uncertain since the sudden death of owner Matthew Dwyer this summer, but a return is on the horizon, reports NOLA.com. Charlie’s Steak House will soon reopen in its Uptown home under the ownership of local chef and restaurant owner Aaron Burgau, with a kitchen led by Neil McClure, the pitmaster behind the beloved McClure’s Barbecue." - Clair Lorell

"Matthew Dwyer, the proprietor and owner of Charlie’s Steakhouse since 2008, died on June 29. Dwyer was a bartender at this 1930s-era, bare-bones steakhouse in the Milan neighborhood for years before buying it from the Petrossi family, its original owners, in 2007. The family closed Charlie’s in 2005 due to damage from Hurricane Katrina, and it remained empty for two years. Dwyer reopened it in 2008, maintaining its tradition of no printed menus and serving only steaks with classic sides like onion rings, creamed spinach, and potato gratin." - Clair Lorell