Charmein's Soul Food: A Definite Don't

if you are looking for quality food in a a timely fashion, don't got to Charmein's.

I was very hopeful for this restaurant, because I love soul food, and for once, something was replacing McDonald's. However, my high hopes were shattered on my first visit.

First of all, the prices were pretty outrageous. I know it's fresh made food, but come on! The cheapest thing on the menu, were the sides, which cost more than the sides I have seen anywhere else. However, the price didn't turn me off completely. I decided to try it once-- maybe it'd be worth the money. So, I ordered my hot wings with fresh cut fries and collard greens, for $7.95 (drink not included.)

After my husband had finished placing his order, and he paid for our meal, is when disappointment number two popped up. The cashier told us it'd be about a twenty minute wait for our food. I was a bit apprehensive, because we were supposed to be meeting some friends for an 8:00 showing of the new Harry Potter movie, and wanted to get in line, so we could get good seats. However, I decided to let it go. We went to sit at our table at approximately 7:35. Time went by very slowly. We did not get our food twenty minutes later, but thirty, yes thirty minutes later, brought out by the cashier who had no hand in helping the one cook make the food, and who apparently had no clue about being a server. He even dropped food on me!

As if all that wasn't enough, the food wasn't great. My chicken wings looked more like boned chicken nuggets. Granted I got ten of them, it still doesn't excuse the puny size. On top of that, the sauce was not really hot, but salty as all gets out. My bleu cheese dressing for dipping, was more clumps of bleu cheese than actual dressing. The fresh cut fries were under seasoned and pretty burned. The only complaint I didn't have, was the collard greens. They were pretty scrumptious. They just needed a bit more seasoning, and perhaps a splash of vinegar. Overall, I was pretty displeased with this meal, and didn't even finish all of it.

If I had to rate Charmein's on a scale from one to ten, I would have to say it gets a one, maybe two, at most. At the rate this restaurant is going, I can see it only lasting for, maybe, two months. My advice: Get McDonald's back.