Charles the Chef Review

We ordered a pizza and it took 2 hours for it to go in the oven. When asking what took so long we were disrespected by the staff. Do not recommend and will not go back.

Chef Charles studied at the American Culinary Institute, has worked at multiple high-end culinary operations, and was mentored by a former White House chef. It all shows in this little pizzaria's product. Let the friendly staff take your order over-the-phone or in-person at the "order here" window and pick it up at the "pick-up" window. Sit down to enjoy your feast inside or dine al fresco. NOTE: If you want to BYOB, there's a handy liquor store half a block away, but you'll have to dine al fresco -- no alcohol allowed indoors! Bone Apple Tea!

The pizza here is quite good, one of the best I have tried so far in Michigan. Good quality/price ratio.

The BEST pizza, truely the skill of a chef, in humble digs, Friendly and casual.

Best pizza I ve ever had. So many different kinds and all of them are so good it s hard to choose! Definitely would recommend if you are in Elk Rapids.

Really great pizza. Interesting combinations and quick service.

Pizza is just ok. One star better than the chain pizza joints. Crust had a nice chew, but was underdone. Just barely baked enough to eat. Not impressed. But, that comes from a man trained how to make pizzas from a man straight from Sicily.

I've always liked the Greek gluten free pizza.. It's very good!!

hand-crafted local pizza that delivers on quality and convenience. perfect to order for take-out and bring to the local beach 2 blocks away. just keep an eye on the clock and their hours of operation. they're usually closed by 8pm most evenings so it's not a late-night pizza option. INSIDE TIP - they sell pizza by the slice, usually $3-$4 for a large slice that includes a northwoods soda fountain drink!

The pizza had been great for the 25+ years it's been open. And the owner is a wonderful human who teaches teens many life skills, including cooking! Thankful to have been one of them (almost 20 years ago!)

Visiting the area I was leary about trying a new place to eat, however Chef Charles has the best pizza I have ever tasted. I wish I didn't live so far so I can order weekly! They use fresh meats and veggies and has an amazing sauce.

Without exaggerating, it s the best pizza I ve ever had and I m considered a pizza expert. The secret is in the dough and fresh ingredients paired with his unique sauce that pleases even the pickiest of eaters

Good pizza. Thin or thick crust. We got the thin. It was tasty. Good sauce. Worth it.

Best pizza in town, worth the drive to visit beautiful Elk Rapids:)

If you're ever in Elk Rapids, you have to stop in and see Chef Charles. Some of the best pizza I've ever eaten.

Love love love the crust!!! We look k forward to returning every Summer...

Okay place. Pizza lacked flavor and was pretty pricey for what you get.

Great pizza, but please allow people who have phoned in an order to either pay on the phone (they do this now, but only when not "too busy") or pay at the pick up window. Otherwise you have to wait in line behind other customers who have yet to place an order. Makes no sense.

The BEST pizza crust I've ever had. Had the Chef Charles signature pizza and it was phenomenal. Very filling and made with great ingredients and great combinations!

You sicken me if you don t like them anything below 4 stars just sickens me. I e been going here as long as I can remember since I was just a wee little boy.

I go here with my family once a summer. Best Pizza Joint in Antrim County!

The best pizza in town. Every time I am home
I go there to grab a slice of pizza. It s a great price for the size of the slice you get and also get a free 12oz drink I don t know anywhere else that does that. The people there are always friendly and the owner is amazing. As long as this place stays open I will always come to grab a slice of pepperoni and a slice if their 7 cheese pizza

Great pizza shop. Call ahead for takeout, grab a pie, and take it to the pier to watch the sunset!

On our way back from Florida stopped in for a bite best meal I had the whole trip will be coming back for sure!!!

Great staff always happy and talkitive ..... Treat you like great nieghbors

A most enjoyable pizza. He makes one of the best pies around here.

Double charged the credit card, the owner assured me he would correct before it processed! He then asked us to correct after we caught the overcharge on the card! Not the credible or honorable owner or business we expected from a small and local business! Lost a loyal customer !

You won't find better pizza anywhere. A classically trained chef makes the best crust I've ever had. His unique creations go way beyond the classic pepperoni and cheese. If you like spicy the "bayou baby" is delicious.

I'm not sure how this place has such a high average. It took them an hour and a half for two pizzas but from what we learned from some regulars that's normal. Okay so we just sat around for an hour and a half even though they said it would take an hour. In that period of time multiple events made me uncomfortable and not want to ever go back. The owner yelled at a customer who had ordered by phone a few hours earlier and the restaurant had dropped the ball and didn't have the pizzas ready. Instead of any resemblance of customer service she got yelled at. Later another man who had also ordered much earlier and was there for pick up. The man asked for an update and got yelled at for simply asking when will my pizza be ready...after that the owner/"chef" started yelling and cussing at his employees. Since it took so long for our food to be ready we were there a little after their close time. There was another local who had earlier told us the wait is worth it. After hearing over and over that the last pizza is in the oven from the chef to the other employees she( the local) walk to the window and asked if that was her pizza and was told that they messed up and haven't made her pizza at all. Again instead of apology or anything, the owner just yelled at his own people and said it will take a while and she should just sit down and wait. When we finally got our pizza we didn't want to stay there and eat. The food was good, or maybe we were just so hungry from waiting so long that anything would have tasted good. Do yourselves a favor and try another place.

Been going since I was a little kid, If ever in Elk Rapids this is a must to visit.

Chef Charles is a hidden gem! He takes a unique and high quality take on the traditional pie. I especially love his namesake.

Every time I come into town I make sure to stop here. Every time I leave I make sure I have leftovers. This place is truly one-of-a-kind.

If you're passing through, visiting, or staying in elk rapids you must stop at chef Charlies'. Best pizza in a 100 mile radius. Not only is the pizza delusion but the price is on point. I highly recommend the 7 cheese pizza! 5 out of 5

good food and nice people but the wait on a busy summer night can be long.

This is easily one of the best pizza places in town. There are lots of different things you can get and the staff are really nice. You can also get some salads and sandwiches too. Sometimes the weights can be pretty long and delivery schedules aren t the best but it s worth it. I would definitely recommend eating here!

Ive had better pizza at gas stations and from the frozen aisle...overpriced, generic ingredients always soggy and floppy. Look elsewhere

This is supposed to be the best pizza in Elk Rapids, but that doesn't speak very well of all the other places in town!!!!! Unlike other reviews, our order was ready for pickup at the requested time, but it's late September and most of the tourists are gone, so they're not real busy. The salads were very good, and a good value! I had requested my pizza well done (extra bake in their jargon) and it was not, plus they are stingy with toppings. Buddy's and Jet's are much better, but that's a different market.

The pizza is really good. Unfortunately, the gluten free pizza was terrible.

Just attempted to place an order at 6:30 on a Thursday night, and told that they will not accept any more orders. They said you need to call 3 hours earlier if you want to place an order. In all my years, I've never had this experience when ordering a pizza to go. Who runs their business like this?

Nice lil pizza place. Great to grab a quick slice and soda. I'm glad they had tables out back so that we could sit out there with our dog.

Thank you for coming home! Reuben Pizza.... Oh yeah

Best pizza I've had in Northern Michigan. Always cooked right. Never burnt. We like to get a large pizza to go and enjoy it on the Elk Rapids beach.

Chef Charles has the best food around. Best pizzas best Italian subs extra crispy.

I only live 5 miles from this joint...I left asking myself "why don't I eat every meal there?"

Pizza was good- nothing to wait a few hours for. We got over charged for our meal but was told they were to busy to fix my bill and too busy to troubleshoot . Pretty shocked by that. We are not locals but if we ever decide to come back to the area, we won t be back.

I've been all across the U.S. This pizza is the best.

Every time I go on a road trip, I prefer to eat in smaller, independently owned eateries instead of chain outlets. This place is a perfect example why. This small unassuming place had 2 of the best pizzas I've ever had in my life. My order was taken by Chef Charles himself and he recommended we try the Chef Charle's and the Burrito Pizza as the vegetarian options. Both pizzas were splendid and the Chef himself was awesome. Highly recommend the place to anyone passing by this lovely lil town

If you are into pizza that is 50% crust with gimmicky toppings, this is the place for you

Great pizza first time ordered. I asked on the phone to have my pizza made with extra love and I wasn't the least disappointed in the pizza. Ordered the Chef Charles Pizza. AMAZING. Will be back for more!

Got the chef Charles pizza and loved it! Never had a bad experience here, highly recommend coming here.

The food is great every time (best pizza in town) and the staff is always friendly and helpful!

They take their pies seriously. Seriously! Great stuff!

Great pizza but long wait even when I called 2 hours in advance.

Best pizza in Elk Rapids, been going since High School.

The 4 cheese blend really makes the pizza taste great.

Great pizza & even better prices! One slice of pizza & a pop for $2.65!! Cannot beat that!

They have the best pizza with my all time favorite kind of pizza 7 Cheese Pizza I would recommend this place to anyone who is in this area or in the world