Charlie & James Place — Restaurant in Hamden

First & foremost, it was my very FIRST time visiting this establishment and I had high hopes and expectations. I was excited to know it was a Black Owned business so of course I didn’t hesitate when it was suggested. Opening time was 4pm, I called at exactly 4:13pm to place an order for pick up. I was told that my order would be ready in 30 minutes. The timing was fine with me but instead of waiting for 30 minutes, I waited for over an hour! Excuse was “We just opened.” Sorry but if you have a serving time of 4pm posted that’s telling a paying customer that things are up and ready to go at 4pm! After patiently waiting an hour I was not asked if I wanted anything extra for my wait, I was offered water while waiting. I assumed that because I did wait so long that my portion of food might’ve been a little heftier than usual but I was again slapped in the face with disappointment! Baked Mac and Cheese was enough for two bites, yams looked like it was scooped with a teaspoon and the rice under my shrimp was little to none! I will not lie, the food is pretty decent but for what I spent (because they make you pay over the phone for to go orders) & leaving a pretty nice tip, all my disappointments definitely outweighed the taste of the food. The bartender seemed to make pretty good drinks and she was very nice! That’s probably the only thing I would recommend this place for, the drinks and music. Seems like it could be a nice night time vibe. While waiting, I was definitely texting my friends telling them that it could be nice hang our chill spot for drinks and music but after my experience, I would probably never return. I could’ve spent my...

I really hate to write this review but I have to be honest because the service I received last night was UNACCEPTABLE!

Because I don’t want to be completely negative I will say that I did enjoy the honey hot wings and the bartenders are lovely and make STRONG drinks lol.

Now to the bs... Yesterday evening I stopped by C+J for happy hour with my friends with plans on going to a few places afterwards. However when I was ready to pay for my meal, I was told I had to wait because I was using a card and they didn’t have receipt paper. I was annoyed but I understand it’s a small business so I had some patience...

30 minutes later that patience was waning as I was READY to go. With still no word on the receipt paper I suggested the bartender give us (my friend was also paying with a card and had to wait) a free drink for our patience which she gave us a free well shot. Okay that was fine but we were still waiting...

Finally the owner came with the receipt paper (I assume he went out and bought it smh). The icing on the cake is when my friend told the owner about our experience and suggested we get a discount, comp or another drink the owner said he had to call his wife!!!

He puts his wife on the phone with my friend and she said that the bartender shouldn’t have given us a free shot in the first place and that we were trying to “break their business”...if two $20 tabs can do that then they’re in trouble!

Anywho the wife said she can refund us TWO DOLLAR!!!! I can’t make this stuff up!

I ended up just paying my bill and leaving. Will not be going back though I truly hope their customer service gets better.

PS they never have...

I dont know where to begin. I really had high hopes for this place after reading such awesome reviews. THAT WAS A LIE must have been for the west haven location couldn't have been for dixwell As soon as we walk in we are told that the cook was on his 30 min break.👀 Ok that was a first, we decided to wait anyways . After 35 mins of waiting the waitress brings over salt and and a dirty empty pepper shaker Which i sent back.Yikes Ten mins after that she proceeded to take our order. After 40mins after our order is place our chicken wings and mac finally came out . The chicken was tiny and dry & over fried, the mac and cheese was served room temperature as if it was just sitting on a stove top all day. I really didn't want to be rude because the waitress was actually pretty nice . So I packed the food up and brought it home anyways . But before exiting the establishment. My other half went to the restroom describing a horrific scene of disbelief on how nasty the restroom was, walked in and walked right back out. I thought to myself how? When the place was a ghost town literally. That should have been a sign...