I always stop by Chicken Charlie's when I'm at the fair. It's a tradition! I also wanted to try their newest item, Mangonada. After much anticipation, this wasn't a hit for me. I wanted to try something new, but I prefer this as a fresh mango with chamoy. The combination of the chamoy and fresh fruit has always worked well together but it misses when the fruit is fried. The batter was thick, mango was warm, and the chamoy was sweet. I'll pass on this next time. I had the Fried Oreos, which is usually my go to, but this was super sweet! Not sure if this was the case the other times I've gotten this, but I could only eat two. Finally, I tried their famous Maui chicken in the pineapple. First of all, the rice was mushy. Too much water! Should be light and fluffy but it wasn't. For the price, not enough chicken and too much pineapple. Would be nice to have more teriyaki glaze drizzled on top. Thankfully we were able to get some seats nearby. Lines weren't so long, so that's a plus. read more

Chicken Charlie's - Mangonada. Mel_foodie_ventures - Chicken Wings Near Me - Del Mar, California

It was my first time ordering my food at Chicken Charlie's. I heard it was REAL fair/carnival food and wanted to give it try. The staff behind the counter was very friendly. The next thing you know, my order came out. I looove the quick service! I wish my Maui Chicken Sliders were intacted instead of stuck together. I had to pull them apart myself. No worries, the tastiness made up for it. My Golden Fries and Strawberry Funnel Cake were fresssh and cripsy just like I like them. read more

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I've been ordering the chicken and rice pineapple bowl at the fair for nearly 10 years - before they became a restaurant and in support of a San Diego fun classic. It was always a fun, satisfying tradition and felt like a lighter option among typical fair foods. This year, we ordered the chicken and rice pineapple bowl and a chicken ramen burrito, and both were disappointing. The ramen burrito was largely inedible -- the ramen was mushy, the green tortilla became soggy, and the overall texture and flavor were unpleasant. We tried 4 bites and set this aside as a no. The pineapple bowl also seemed to have changed significantly. The chicken had a processed (or issue of quality-texture in both items), the rice was mushy, and the pineapple did not taste fresh. We tried the ingredients separately, but the texture, flavor and quality issues remained. Considering the current price point, the quality simply wasn't there. After nearly a decade of making Chicken Charlie's part of our fair tradition, this will unfortunately be our last visit. read more

Total waste of $40. I got this at the San Diego County Fair and ordered the deep-fried lobster and fries, and it was honestly one of the worst meals I've had. The lobster was stale and overcooked, and one of the pieces was literally just an empty shell with no meat inside. The actual lobster meat I did get was the size of my thumb, barely anything. To make it worse, the ambiance was chaotic because no one was directing the line and the service was just as bad. The person taking my order didn't bother to check or care that one of the lobsters was missing entirely. No apology, no effort to fix it. For the price, this was a complete rip-off. I left feeling frustrated and disappointed. I want my money back. Avoid this place. read more

Chicken Charlie's - Sad lobster - Chicken Wings Near Me - Del Mar, California

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You are at the fair and have to eat fair food. The pineapple cut in half with rice and teriyaki chicken looked great. $24.96 but never again. The prices at the fair are outrageous for the food. But you have to try it once. The chicken was good but I wanted some teriyaki or soy sauce and the sauce they call teriyaki sauce is a sweet pineapple fruity thing. NOT what I wanted. It worked to help moisten the chicken but that's all. The young man was polite. 6/22/23 read more

Chicken Charlie's - a pineapple and rice dish - Chicken Wings Near Me - Del Mar, California

It is okay food that is expected at a fair. I ordered the Fair Special, a platter that comes with 2 chicken tenders, some onion rings, and fried zucchini. Not much flavor other than a "fried" taste, but it was okay. The chicken tenders were more like chicken "toughers", in that they were overcooked. They give a ton of fried zucchini, almost too much but given the platter was $20+ I can't complain that they more food than less. read more

Chicken Charlie's - fair special - Chicken Wings Near Me - Del Mar, California

The cbicken is Bomb! Served up in a half pineapple shelled out Coil! But ya'alls rice was $#!# disgusting! I alnist ralpged, it was so GROSS & MYSHY! Fair food is already expenaive if it wasnt for yoyr chicken & presentatiin I woyld totally say $#% thus place. Dobt ear the rice but Chicken is BOMB! read more

Service was outstanding at the Rancho Bernardo Chicken Charlies.Greeted right away and Sam our waiter was cordial and his service was great. The chicken and shrimp dinner was delicious and the tacos were some of the best we've eaten. read more

The Maui chicken is really good! Sweet pineapple teriyaki sauce smothering a mound of grilled chicken served in half a pineapple with a scoop of white rice and pineapple chunks. Delicious protein meal at the Del Mar fairgrounds this summer. Never disappoints. Prices are pretty high but so is the fair in general. Dove was a tad bit salty for my liking but overall a great option. read more

Chicken Charlie's - Maui chicken at Del Mar fair - Chicken Wings Near Me - Del Mar, California

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At the San Diego County Fair 2017 and this was definitely an eye catcher. I give them 5 stars for the creativity of their fried everything literally. Fried peanut butter meat balls, fried avocados, bacon wrap chicken, Krispy Cream burger, and fried frog legs!!!! Insane! I ordered the ribs and fries($14), sister and mom got the Krispy Cream Tripple burger ($10) bacon wrapped chicken with fries($12). Hands down the Krispy Cream burger was BOMB delishious!!! A must try. I like more of a sweet bbq and this sauce was tangy but still okay. My mom's bacon chicken was also okay but 1 of the 5 drumsticks were raw inside(yikes) but she still ate the other 4 and didn't make a big deal. Definitely try them out it's super crazy! read more

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Each year I crave the giant plate of deep fried zucchini... Each year I regret it about an hour after I eat it... $7.95 this year. Two years ago it was under $7...price increases are more than the rate of inflation, why so greedy Chicken Charlie? Been getting tips from Mickey Mouse? read more

Chicken Charlie's - Chicken Wings Near Me - Del Mar, California

Fried everything!!! It's only once a year that I come to indulge at this stand at the SD County Fair to try the latest and greatest. Some notable deep fried foods consumed in the past from CC and other stands are: Oreos, Klondike bar, Twinkies, Snickers, Crispy Creme sandwich, avocado, and S'more, Reese's, zucchini, and funnel cake. During this visit, decided to attempt the hyped up deep fried Kool-Aid. I had heard on the radio that it was a must for this year and how good it was. The order came with 5 - what looked like - burnt donut holes. When you bite into them, you get a small taste of kool-aid with the contents being a pink/red color. Honestly, it wasn't all that. It tasted like old, dry up donut holes. Do yourself a favor and skip it, or if you're dying to try them, at least share with others. Kudos for the creations, however... Note: My fave fried foods at the fair - Aussie potatoes and the deep fried Snickers... Get some... read more

Chicken Charlie's - Deep fried kool-aid - Chicken Wings Near Me - Del Mar, California

The Del Mar location is awesome - excellent service! Way better than the Belmont Park restaurant that closes early when the employees simply don't feel like working late. read more

I stopped by Chicken Charlie's at the OC Fair. Not wanting a Krispy Kreme donut as a bun on my cheeseburger, I asked for a regular bun instead of a donut. The cashier said it was fine and charged me. While waiting for my order, another worker asked what I ordered. I informed her what I ordered and she replied that substitutions aren't available. I let her know my order was taken and the cashier informed me it was fine. She asked who took my order like she was going to inform that cashier not to accept substitutions anymore. It's not too difficult or expensive of a substitution to want a regular bun instead of a donut. There won't be a next time because I will order from one of other 20 food trucks at the fair next time, but if you want to retain customers try not to be so stupid with your operation. read more

I was so excited when billboards said there would be a new restaurant coming to RB, and the advertisements made everything look amazing. HOWEVER- I've eaten here in person 3 times (friends kept wanting to try out, and I really wanted to give the benefit of the doubt), and ordered from uber raya once. Each time I was given uncooked chicken. Meaning, bloody at the bone. All pieces. Finding this out for me was one thing, but having my kids eat it, I'm livid!! Management is always super cool about a refund, but how about making sure this doesn't keep happening?? Sucks because I shop right next door at the Albertsons, and the outside of the restaurant looks super trendy and nice. Wish they'd live up to what we all hoped they'd be, smh read more

You can't miss this. This place has the most unusual fried stuff out there. You can tell by the neon lights and stuff that you're at the right spot, but I was here specifically for the fried kool-aid. And I want to say that this is some invention that will bring me back here again and again. Nicely cooked all around and they even sprinkle it with even more kool-aid powder. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/7oGeVZYthZe2IWoj2wfLoA?select=1TgH2a8TV_j-V3o7KzUDAA For just under $7, you get 5 donut ball sized kool-aid pieces. It's fluffy and sweet and luckily not a lot of oil. Seriously, it tastes like cherry kool-aid. Good stuff! read more

Chicken Charlie's - Fried kool-aid - Chicken Wings Near Me - Del Mar, California

Ah, Chicken Charlie's... known at fairs all over for deep frying just about anything you can think of (frog's legs, Kool-Aid, butter, Twinkies, and Oreos have all been on their menu at some point or another over the years). This year's gastronimical offerings include the Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger - three beef patties with three slices of cheese, sandwiched between two Krispy Kreme glazed donuts ($10.95) - and fried chicken skin, which I didn't try... yet. When I had heard about the Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger, I just HAD to try it - it's the San Diego County Fair, and something that grandiose is a once-in-a-lifetime thing that had to be done. The verdict? Well, the patties needed a bit of seasoning... but somehow the whole thing works. The sweetness of the glazed donuts blends with the taste of the grilled beef and melted cheese; normally with my burgers, I like a little bit of garnish on them, but it's just as well that the burger is plain. Pack on the napkins, though - your fingers will get messy because of the donut glaze. My girlfriend went with one of their healthier options - their beef kabob on a pita bread ($10.95). Say what you will about Chicken Charlie's being a heart attack waiting to happen, but their chicken and beef kabobs (along with their rotisserie chicken) are some of the healthier (and tastier) options at the fair. And Kathy was inclined to agree. We split an order of the fried zucchini curls ($5.95 after the two dollar coupon we had from the coupon book sold at the fair) - you definitely get what you pay for here (even if the zucchini eventually gets soggy). That plate is HUGE! Chicken Charlie's is the quintessential fair food vendor - make sure to stop by if you hit the SD County Fair (even if it's just to take pics of the food cooking on the grill)! Oh, and apparently this year Charlie will be opening up a permanent location in Clairemont Mesa... read more

Dear Charlie, I have you to thank for my fried food hangover every year. I also have you to thank for my greasy face the next morning. I should send you my Proactive bills. ;-) I had my first real one night stand with Chicken Charlie last year at a Yelp event. We were given deep friend Oreos and Zucchini Weenies. Weeners FTW! That year, when I went back to actually enjoy the fair, I kept with something simple and traditional, I had the frickle pickles. Deep fried pickles, that is. That's what they call them in Kentucky, don't remember what Charlie calls them. But, this year I went all out. I damn near killed myself in a dipped-in-batter, deep-fried blaze of glory. I had, get ready for this, Deep fried Klondike bar. It was surprising delicious. I had garlic fries. They were good too but, tasted almost magical when dipped in the Klondike bar. I had the deep fried butter over deep fried strips of flour tortilla, sprinkled with cinnamon, sugar and coated with whipped cream. It was a MAJOR LET DOWN! Instead of advertising this grotesque excuse for carnival food as deep fried butter, they should have called it what it actually is.. a flippin' churro! blah! If they had told me it was a churro, I would have been pleased. They called it something else, and I bought it. I got 'carnied". Those cooky con artists! But, no folks, the devilment didn't end there, nope. I too had the deep fried avocado. I know, I know. There is no reason to mess with the most precious fruit known to man. But, Charlie did it. And, he did it right! It's really quite a marvelous thing. It's sweet, soft, crisp, hot, cool, salty and sweet all at the same time. It comes with a wedge of lemon. "Lemon?", i thought, "that's odd. But, okay Charlie, you win. I'll taste it." And, taste it I did. Did I call this marvelous? Nay! It's right next door to perfect! Thanks Charlie! You're a crazy man with crazy ideas. But what genius isn't crazy, I ask you? Love, Del read more

Chicken Charlie's - Mmmmm - Chicken Wings Near Me - Del Mar, California

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Deep Fried Oreos!!! Deep Fried Spam!!! Deep Fried Frog Legs!!! The BEST DEEP FRIED FOOD at the FAIR!!! Good thing it's only once a year!!! 2012 San Diego County Fair read more

This is expensive! It was $12 for 2 pork chops and they were terrible. I got a bad feeling when I saw them drenching them in pink bbq sauce. The idea of fried pork chops was great but the execution was not. Also they used twice the amount of salt that would be adequate. They could have been great but the sauce ruined what I find attractive about fried food. The awesome crunch of something fried was reduced to mush. I did get something good here. Fried twinkies. Mmmm... The act of frying elevated the already yummy twinkie. The twinkie was also costly. For the $3 I could have bought a box of regular twinkies. 2013 update: fried little debbie's clone twinkies taste much like real twinkies, great! fried chocolate chip cookie dough tasted a bit like Uncle Biff's killer cookies, great! read more

There was a long line for this stand and it looked promising, so we tried the chicken kabobs since the guy cooking it recommended it over the beef ones. I was disappointed that it was dry and didn't even finish the last piece. Even the pita bread wasn't that good. I guess their fried stuff is better.... read more

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The food is unique but way overpriced. Don't buy the naked shrimp pineapple boat. They say it includes shrimp, rice, and pineapple. It comes in a tiny half pineapple that's completely scooped out. Lots of rice and maybe 7 small shrimp. I was digging and digging for pineapple on the bottom. There wasn't any. It's misleading saying there's pineapple when all the pineapple is scooped out. On the positive side I did like the bacon wrapped pickles but watch out when you bite into it. It'll drip all over you. Just wish things there weren't so expensive but that's how they make so much money. read more

Deep fried avocado was really good. Kids like the chicken but the waffles were too soft and mushy. Prices are a bit high... But it's the fair... read more

Chicken Charlie's - Deep fried avocados - Chicken Wings Near Me - Del Mar, California

Maui chicken for $16 in a pineapple with sticky rice and pineapple puree as a sauce is delicious! I love the contrast between the sweet puree and the savory chicken. I've been wanting to get this each year I come to the fair and I'm finally trying it. Definitely worth it! read more

Chicken Charlie's - Maui chicken for $16 - Chicken Wings Near Me - Del Mar, California

It was very bad experience at the oc fair They took forever really long long time to give us the food and they said because they are doing it fresh, and came out cold food not fresh at all read more

Was at the fair yesterday with family. So when it came to lunchtime, we were trying to decide what to eat. Had heard good reviews about Chicken Charlie's, so we decide to give it a try. Sorry to say we were sadly disappointed. We ordered 3 orders of chicken tenders and fries for everyone to share. First the kids didn't care for them at all (and their experts on the food item), so I have give it a try and agreed with them completely. I don't know if they were processed chicken or plant, but wasn't very tasty at all. If you sell real chicken, then why can't you sell real tenders? We didn't even finish 2 of them. Especially for what we paid for them, a waste of our hard earned money. Sorry, but will not eat there again. read more

Chicken Charlie's is the huge booth with the flashing lights, music, and crazy fried food. I've tried many a deep fried something or other from here, they always have the latest and greatest! Last year the big deal was the Zucchini Weenie, which I loved. Alas, they have gotten rid of that to make room for deep fried Kool-aid. In any case, you definitely want to hit up this booth and test your taste buds! read more

I don't get it. Take any food (and now drink) and deep fry it. If this was an actual restaurant this place wouldn't survive. The stuff really isnt all that good, kind of disgusting actually. I mean really? Deep fry an avocado? But it is a once a year thing, and every year there is something new, this year was kool aid, and it was decent, like cherry pancakes. They actually offer healthy choices, like pita and hummus, and kabobs...and thats about it. The really bad thing about this place is the line....or lack there of. It is chaos. Some people deciding if they want to venture to the land of fried everything, some people walking through, people cutting. It is a mess. This place isn't going anywhere (except to the next fair) it will continue to come back, and so will the people...me...not so much. read more

While it's fun to try all sorts of fried junk food, it's not that fun to drop such a wad of cash on a bunch of mediocre heart attack fare. My kids had a fried $8 Klondike bar, which they liked, and I sampled their stringy, tough, probably frost-bitten, mini frog legs (two sets), for about $14. These were not at all good, and there were perhaps a few bites of meat to finish them all off, but my kids did like the fries they were served with. I know, it's the fair. I was equally disgusted shelling out $12 for a plastic cup of beer, and having to wait in a line to do it. Chicken Charlie's is a fun idea, but not worth the hype for such awful food. read more

So I saw Chicken Charlies on The Food Network and he was challenged to fry a beef rib by a good looking cowboy. Anyway, the show went along and the rib didn't look all that good, but the cowboy liked it. Anyway, because I try to experience all diners, drive ins and dives and other restaurants show cased on Food Network, I made sure I went to Chicken Charlies while at the SD County Fair. So we were able to walk right up to the counter and ordered the Fair Special. It consisted of chicken strips, onion rings, and zucchini strips. I really wanted to try the deep fried rib, but I didn't see it on the menu. Maybe I was just beat from the day and wanted to get anything so we I could retreat to the tequila garden for an ice cold beer and shot of tequila. Well, my plate over floweth with fried food and once we got to the beer/tequila garden I tucked into my plate. The chicken strips were hot and crunchy, the onion rings were ok. I have had better, but the zucchini strips were great. I think the only thing the plate lacked was a dipping sauce or ketchup or something like that. Maybe I missed all that again? I'm not sure I'd go back, but I wasn't totally disappointed with the meal. It was a lot of grease that my two beers and tequila cut through quite well, but I think I'll stick with the corn dogs. read more

We bought the deep fried Filet mignon Good news it was served fast bad news but cold...we told a chicken Charlie's employee he was indifferent bummer read more

I really don't know why I always go here when I go to the fair. Everything is fried! It's so bad for you and I always leave the fair with a stomach ache from all the extra oil I consumed. Some of their fair fares are good but others are just a complete fail. So yesterday me and bf tried their deep fried avocados, deep fried kool aid, deep fried girl scout cookies & the fry.b.q ribs. So, the kool aid tasted like very dense and super oily donut holes. It was just yuck. The girl scout cookies, would rather have the cookies alone. The avocado was good. It came with a lemon and pesto. All together, the flavors reminded me of something I've had before but couldn't put my finger on it. The fry.b.q ribs were okay. There was something about them that was just okay. I think I'll just give them 2 stars. I wanted a zucchini weeni but for some reason they didn't have them. What a boo! read more

I meant to write this review months ago, but got caught up with a number of other things. Seeing the show on the Travel Channel reminded me that I had work to do. So Chicken Charlies is pretty interesting to go to at least once. They were actually the reason that we ended up at the San Diego County Fair. My mom saw the show and wanted to try them out somewhere. They've got a very wide variety of fried foods and some pretty unique dishes. For that, I think it's worth at least one try. The fries were by far the best of the items we bought at the stand. Maybe they weren't the best fries I've ever had, but they were memorable and delicious. We got the fried vegetable platter, but for some reason there was a stealthy frog leg mixed into the bunch. We didn't mind. It was probably the best of the plate. Everything else on the plate was greasy soggy. If something could ever be overfried, the vegetables on that platter certainly fit that description. My brother got the donut and fried chicken sandwich. While I thought it was going to be at least an interesting treat, it was actually kind of gross. There was jelly involved and it was not the life changing experience I was expecting. I wanted to try the deep fried Klondike bar, but was saving room for a deep fried Snicker's bar, which was surprisingly absent from their menu. In the end, Chicken Charlies is pretty creative in the foods that they fry and they are worth a try at least once, but beyond the fries the quality was not really there and it was kind of disappointing. read more

Ah, the Del Mar Fair - over for another year, yet your deep fried goodness remains forever on my thighs - Deep Fried Kool-aid - yep - had to try it - not a huge fan - kinda weird - but the Krispy Kreme Chicken sandwich - that's some sin I can get behind...ah..here's to seeing what they deep fry next in 2012! read more

Deep fried kool aid = FAIL!!! Going to the SD fair this year brought on a new selection of deepfried treats, one being the deep fried kool-aid and the deep fried klondike bar. With the thought in my head, "how is that possible?!?" Well the deep fried kool-aid basically looks and tastes like a mini doughnut that's just dyed pinkish red inside. I seriously did not like it at all. I felt sick after eating one. I love kool-aid (AS A DRINK!), not as something that should be deep fried! read more

Close your eyes and If you are going to the San Diego County Fair this year and pay no attention to all the other vendors. This one is by far the best. a. krispy kreme jelly donut with chicken -amazing b. deep fried Klondike Ice Cream Bar - how'd they even do this c. deep fried oreos d. fried zucchini read more

Who says there isn't GREAT, HEALTHY FOOD at the fair! Check out Chicken Charlies, yes the man who's slogan is "TOTALLY FRIED!" for his amazing chicken or steak kabobs and fresh, lemony tabuli salad! read more

I was SO DAMNED EXCITED to try the deep-fried goodies! Me and the Mrs. ramped up, hopped in a cab and hit the fair ready to eat, eagerly seeking out Chicken Charlie's for some fried badness. We had been reading all about the plethora of heart-stopping goodies they offered and had been prepping by eating very healthy salads in the days leading up to our descent into fryer debauchery. We were almost giddy as we sidled up to the booth and placed our order. The girl helping us was not nearly as excited as we were, and who could blame her! We should have taken that as a hint, because she practically drove us away with her lazy, insolent hostility. Trust me, that isn't a knock on her, I now know that she was a good Samaritan, desperately trying to warn us away. It didn't work. We were too stupid and too hungry. Our order: 1 Krispy Kreme Chicken Sandwich, 1 order deep-fried Twinkie, 1 order deep-fried Oreos, 1 order deep-fried Klondike. The verdict: the only remotely tasty item was the Krispy Kreme sandwich, but it was WEIRD. Not just WTF?!? Weird, but cold, hard jelly-filled donut with a hot pressed chicken patty in the middle weird. Why was the donut cold? It was so cold that it was not a good texture at all. Everything else tasted like batter. End of discussion. Seriously. Not good, super expensive, boring. read more

I'm so not giving you my money! You are the leading chicken business at the fair and your selection is ridiculous! I'm sorry that your employees think that everyone at the fair is looking to purchase a heart attack, but I shouldn't ask for my chicken grilled more than once. And I shouldn't have to ask for it doughnut- free, lol, more than once. If you have the cojones to serve chicken in a doughnut, have enough sense to offer grilled chicken option, not the pineapple and rice version but an actual healthy alternative to your doughnut disaster. And when I was offered the wrong item the second time and again said no and asked for my refund, the employee seriously could not count! 10.26+9.74 took over 3 minutes to add.... Wow, maybe too many fried chicken doughnut sandwiches? Anyhow, I got my grilled chicken somewhere else, please please realize that life goes on after the fair and normal people don't eat like they are dying the next day.... read more

Had the beef kabob. Worst thing ever! It was so tough and chewy and no flavor. Just tasted like a BBQ piece of meat without any seasoning. One skewer was almost $10! What a waste of money! read more