Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe
Historic South End diner known for jazz-era clientele and breakfasts.
Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe, a Boston South End diner that opened in 1927, once welcomed African-American jazz musicians when hotels were segregated. Its walls hold photos of patrons like Sammy Davis Jr., Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Al Gore, Barack Obama, and Deval Patrick; as a boy, Davis tap-danced out front for coins. The place has 32 seats, 13 at a counter facing 1927 wooden refrigerators. For 32 years, it ran 24/7. In 2005, it earned a James Beard Foundation America's Classics award.
Quick Facts
- Opened
- 1927
- Location
- Boston's South End
- Seats
- 32
- Counter seats
- 13
- James beard award year
- 2005
- James beard award category
- America's Classics
Facts from the source article.
Background
The floor above Charlie's was a union hall for the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first black porters union founded by A. Philip Randolph. Charlie's has been described as 'equal parts old-school diner and neighborhood coffee shop', but among the locals it is known for its breakfasts. While in 2008 there were no patron bathrooms, one was later added. When Charlie's finally decided to close on Sundays, nobody had a key, and one needed to be made. On May 12, 2014, Charlie's announced it was closing at the end of June 2014, ending its 87-year run. On August 5, 2014, South End restaurateur Evan Deluty announced he would re-open Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe, keeping the breakfast and lunch menu unchanged but adding a new dinner menu and expanded hours. A remodeled Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe re-opened on January 22, 2016.
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