Critic's Review
I don't do a lot of fast food on this site, mainly because we all know what we're getting when we go to a fast food place. But sometimes you're in a mall and you don't have time to go somewhere else. I wandered into the food court at the Westfield Mall and the choices were pretty scarce. There was a place called Cajun & Grill, but they just had bourbon chicken and fried rice; not exactly my idea of New Orleans fare. There was a chick-fila, but then in the corner I saw Charley's. The pictures didn't look so great, but they were doing a deal of free fries and a drink with any sub, so I figured I'd try it.
The place itself is pretty annoying, with a girl yelling the special at shoppers as they walk by. I ordered a standard Philly Cheese, which the girl told me comes with onions, peppers mushrooms and cheese. I paid and headed down the counter to wait.
The guy cooking was clearly no pro. There were a few people waiting but it went pretty quick. The girl asked if I wanted mayo, which I though was odd. I asked for a pickle on the side; they make regular subs here so there's a table with all sorts of stuff, if you happen to like banana peppers on your cheesesteak.
A pretty good haul for $7.41 including tax. I'm not big on fries, but these were pretty good for fast food; cut "natural", hot; as good as I've had at restaurants. The steak was perhaps the most incompetently made cheesesteak that I've ever had. The onions and peppers were roughly grilled;.
It actually wasn't bad, soft bread; more like a Steak-Umm sandwich than a philly cheesesteak, but I've had worse lunches in restaurants. No mushrooms; I'm not sure if they forgot or the info I got was wrong.
I wouldn't go out of my way for this, but if you happen to be in the mall; a cheap lunch that doesn't suck is available.