Old school vibe and always worth the drive since its 24 hours!
Mushroom sauce is always on point and the Owner is always welcoming and friendly.
Highly recommended for anyone wanting to try a steak made with passion and love...
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Overall rating: 3.5/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 2/5
Ambience: 2/5
Value: 5/5
We wanted somewhere close by and cheap for our late night shenanigans.
The restaurant felt very traditional and Italian, with the picnic cloth and curtains. However, it did look a little bit messy and dirty - Thats just a minor criticism. Service was not as great as an average restaurant can do. We were ignored a few times, not too sure it’s because there were only two staff working or due to the lack of english. However, they pulled off amazing dishes between one chef and one waitress. This only happened because their restaurant is a popular local gem
Food, was spot on. Honestly, the homemade style of their food makes me appreciate the chef’s hard work and its authenticity.
We ordered the carbonara ravioli and the dish was overwhelmingly large. Every bite was so warm and cuddly, it would just melt in the mouth. The creaminess would cling to the tongue followed by a kick from the garlic and salty element. The ravioli was extremely soft and did not break.
The pizza was delicious, crispy on the outside, with a perfect portion of meat. The cheesy garlic was amazing. It had the perfect amount of salt and cheesy. Tasted just like a bacon cheese toastie but so much better.
Overall, a good night. Would come back some time again!
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Had to come back because we were craving their creamy warm carbonara sauce and garlic bread.
The garlic bread has a nice crunch, and the sesame seeds on the garlic bread gave a nice nutty taste that goes so well with the garlic bread.
We ordered the Four Corners because it gives us the opportunity to have a taste of a few pizzas they serve. Their mushroom BBQ pizza was smokey and full of aroma, which I loved. The other pizzas were tasty, but do not shine over other pizza joints sadly.
The gnocchi was just as amazing as their ravioli, and I believe the star of the dish is the carbonara sauce. It is very filling, so best eaten with a group of people.
Since it was just the two of us, we end up leaving food unfinished at a slightly painful cost.
Went here around midnight with a few work friends and really enjoyed the food. The tables and decorations were a bit shabby but all was forgiven by the generous portions, friendly waiter and delicious food. I ordered the spaghetti bolognese which was creamy and delicious and very filling. The garlic bread was crunchy and melted in my mouth. Good place for a late dinner if you're ever in Footscray.
We decided to visit because my wife had a craving for steak. So happy we did! Everything we had was delicious. Especially recommend the special garlic bread. So good. The mushroom steak was nice and juicy. Mushroom sauce was also a standout. Pizza also impressed. Pizza base nice and soft. Not overloaded with toppings. Only minor quibble was that base not crispy. But I think that is just the way it’s made here. Charlie himself was at the oven and great host. Highly recommended.
There is always a place that’s open very late and serves good food. Charlie’s pizza is one of my favourite restaurants and have always come back to eat their volcano rock beef and lamb. Feels like home cook meal than a restaurant.
Ah Charlie’s. A classic and timeless restaurant that has been a consistent part of my life since childhood. I love how little Charlie’s has changed since then. The mushroom sauce is the best mushroom sauce I’ve ever had in my life to date. I always order an extra serving to dip with the complimentary pizza bread they serve. Charlie himself is an iconic figure and very personable and kind to his customers.
The service was excellent.
The Alfredo penne pasta was remarkable. I’d go for a second plate if I could.
The hot chocolate was decent.
Lights are bit dimmed but that’s the setting of the place.
The place is a little bit dusty but the pasta was really good.
Great portions, quality and soft ravioli pasta, fresh tasty baked Charle's Special and garlic butter to cook with Beef on volcanic rock was great!
Solid mushroom sauce served with dipping bread. Pizza was good too. Classic Italian two tone red and white tablecloths makes a homely if not slightly in need of a decor update restaurant. Service was fine.
The mushroom sauce here is a MUST! If not with the stonegrilled steak, even as a side with the bread. I have been going to Charles Pizza for the mushroom sauce for years now, just love it that much!
Got mushroom sauce with their bread take away awhile back for about $8. Just do yourself and try it, it's delicious. Sauce is as addictive as the bread which tastes like a cross between a focaccia, naan, roti and focaccia.YUMMMMMM!!!
Really adore this place, as was taking young to still dining there now.
The owner is super nice friendly and cheerful, taking care of you himself.
Food is superb. Love their pizzas and the special garlic bread is heavenly!!
Salads are delicious! Recommend the Caesar!
Always leave the place full and happy.
:) :)
Only other thing to note is the late opening hours, so totally recommended for dinner/parties.
Desperate for pizza at 2AM I headed to charlies for the first time and was not disappointed.
Can strongly recommend the Hawaiian.
Great pizza and lovely service. Will return!
Oh the mushroom sauce!! :D This place is old and quaint. Charlie (the owner) is a friendly, awesome character! Servings are big and hearty. This place recently had a little facelift, was a nice touch but has still kept its old charm.
Before I started dating, I never knew so many places existed, including this pizzeria “Charlies Pizza”. I am an Asian who grew up in the Western suburbs of Melbourne, and consistent pass this restaurant when we do our grocery shopping in Footscray. I would look inside and think to myself “this is a dingy dodgy looking place”, “who would eat here”, “it looks unhygienic”, “why are they always closed”, “they are so empty how do they survive”… And hear stories like “the owner is part of some gang/the mafia, he uses this place for money laundering”. All my negative thoughts changed after my first experience, lol, I realized they don’t open during the times I drive pass, and most of their customers are Vietnamese who starts dinner very late in the evening, or Club goers would stop here for supper before heading home. I do think they need a reno cause this place looks like a run down saloon, they also have an outdoors garden area at the back where small gatherings are held. The ambiance is co
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A Time Capsule of Old Footscray..
Review Updated: July 29, 2018
Food (8.5): The mushrooms were cut nicely and thick on my pizza – old school style. The pizza’s are old school Australian/Italian pizzas from the 80’s; which to me is a GOOD thing! Don’t expect anything hipster here, this is your Mum and dads pizzeria.
The famous mushroom sauce is a must. It’s the old school comfort food that you just don’t find in Melbourne anymore.
Ambience (9): This is one which depends on personal taste. Charlie's (or Charles depending on which sign you read) Pizza is like going back in time to the late 70's/early 80's right down to the wood grain counter and the velvet wallpaper. I'm a fan of kitsch and I'm a big fan of the old stuff in there that works (the Fosters signs, the signs of Charles himself, the bar, the wood panels).
Since my original review in 2014, the place has been fixed up a bit but kept it’s 1980’s charm (which is a good thing). Would still prefer a change in lighting as it’s still too bright for a late night, eat-in experience.
Service (9): The waitresses in the restaurant have always been very friendly. I’ve had some great conversations with them. Charles himself is pleasant guy and a Footscray icon. The food has also come out for me in a timely manner.
But this place is so old school that it still doesn’t have EFTPOS(!). I’d go be the place a 10 if they did because I love the service, but it is a pain to go to McDonalds every time you need cash out. They also don’t deliver, so don’t expect to find them on UberEats (you don’t get more authentic old school than that!).
Value (9): There is enough charm to make visiting it a must (and yes - the mushroom sauce is a MUST). It’s a Footscray icon of the old west. Nothing pretentious about, what so ever - just old school comfort food. The prices are more than reasonable and the servings are huge.
OVERALL SCORE: 8.75/10: This cool and interesting little restaurant, is the kind that have been lost in the suburbs in the 21st Century. It has a character and charm to it that’s authentic and not manufactured in a ironic hipster way. But as comforting as the 80’s was - save me the trips to Maccas and get EFTPOS! That’s aside - you can’t call yourself a Westie, unless you go to Charlie’s (or Charles - depending on what sign you read) Pizza at least once.
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Good Place to eat Italian + hint of spice. Before I started dating, I never knew so many places existed, including this pizzeria “Charlies Pizza”. I am an Asian who grew up in the Western suburbs of Melbourne, and consistent pass this restaurant when we do our grocery shopping in Footscray. I would look inside and think to myself “this is a dingy dodgy looking place”, “who would eat here”, “it looks unhygienic”, “why are they always closed”, “they are so empty how do they survive”... And hear stories like “the owner is part of some gang/the mafia, he uses this place for money laundering”.
All my negative thoughts changed after my first experience, lol, I realized they don’t open during the times I drive pass, and most of their customers are Vietnamese who starts dinner very late in the evening, or Club goers would stop here for supper before heading home.
I do think they need a reno cause this place looks like a run down saloon, they also have an outdoors garden area at the back where small gatherings are held. The ambiance is confusing, Italian food + extra chili flakes on everything you want on the menu, Vietnamese music in the background with Vietnamese concert billboards hang up in-front of the old peeling wallpaper.
The moderate urban spoon ratings may be due to its atmosphere and services, cause I hear the boss “Charlie” can be a meanie at times. Food wise, it isn’t the cheapest pizzeria, but I personal enjoy what I pay for... Italian food with extra hot chilliness (You don’t get that at many pizzeria).
Favourite steak place in Footscray. One wouldn't walk into this restaurant without hearing about it first. Its layout must have stayed the same for the last 20 years (?), old, even scrubby! Ignore the old furniture, the smokey fume from the Volcano steak dishes (steak cooked on hot stone) and just stick your teeth into the delicious mushroom rib-eye steak. The pizza's aren't bad either, and come quite cheap ($13 for a large pizza).This must be the only Italian pizza house decorated with Chinese red lanterns, and Vietnamese billboards. No wonder it is very popular with the local Asian patrons.
My boyfriend and I ate here last night. He was recommended here by one of his co-workers. We decided we wanted to try pizza and pasta so we each got a small serving and shared. It was plenty for the both of us. We got the Charles Special pizza (with no anchovies) and it was yum. They were not stingy with the toppings and I thought the crust was tasty. For the pasta we got the Calabrese fettuccine. This was probably my fave of the two dishes. Lots of salami and just the right amount of chili. I like spicy stuff and this had a great kick to it. If you're in the area, check it out, get their fairly early or it will pack out. We were there before 7pm and there was only one other table with people and by the time we left every table was taken.
Yum Pizza. I have only had the Pizza at Charlies but it's great pizza.... Better than most pizza I've had anywhere in Melbourne!
The sevice is always great too!
After driving past this restaurant most days, I finally made time to stop and dine in here for the first time.
I ordered a Chicken Parma with vegetables, large Hawaiian pizza and garlic bread.
As a passionate foodie, I am certainly impressed by this restaurant, its style, quality & texture and its most differently a hidden gem in Footscray... the fact that I've lived nearby for 13 years but never heard of it.
The restaurant is clean, relaxing and large enough for the family or group gatherings and the best part... it's open till 3am most days. :)
Thanks Charlie, your food is great!
I ordered a meatlovers pizza for delivery, it was fantastic! Perfectly cooked, delicious tender shredded chicken (none of that processed stuff). The base is thick and soft. All of it was amazing!! If you like a pizza place that isn’t stingy on toppings then this is it :)
Had a great experience in Charlie’s restaurant, very family styled and cosy.
The Mushroom Steak is delicious and would highly recommend.
The service did take some time but it’s understandable due to low staff. Overall worth it.
Traditional Authentic Italian Food.. Charlie himself is a one of a kind, old school service.. always smiling and always gives his best.. Food is great and the serving sizes certainly don't leave you hungry..
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