'Biker-friendly' bar offers great food and huge portions

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By Teri Horsley, Staff Writer 3:20 PM Wednesday, August 5, 2009

It started with one man’s survival strategy in Vietnam.

When Charlie Henry taught himself to cook by picking wild peppers to prepare for his military buddies, a life long love of cooking was born. After he returned from the war, Charlie went to work for Procter & Gamble until five years ago when he decided to merge his love for food and bikers and opened his own restaurant in Fairfield.

“I opened Charlie’s Throttle Stop because I knew so many people in the biking community and saw how their hearts went out to charity. Because of that, I wanted to give them a place to come and enjoy themselves with their family,” he said.

While Henry admitted that his restaurant/bar is “biker-friendly,” he is quick to add that it’s not a typical biker bar. After opening in a building that had long been a headache for those who live in the area, Henry was rewarded last year by the city of Fairfield when he was given a city key for being sensitive to the needs of those who live nearby.

“I’ve added special lighting in the parking lot that is not too bright for my neighbors, and I remind my customers to show respect, and keep it quiet as they leave,” he said.

The biggest surprise at Charlie’s Throttle Stop is the high quality of the food that is served. While much of the menu is made up of familiar foods like burgers, potato skins, quesadillas and wings, Charlie also has a daily lunch special that features home cooked meals like chicken & dumplings, pot roast, spaghetti and fish. The other aspect of the food that sets Charlie’s apart is the size of the portions. Burgers are a half pound of Angus beef, chicken wings are full sized like you’d get at KFC, and the Haddock sandwich is so large that three people could share it and still have plenty to eat. A delicious pork wing called “Hog Wings” is a large piece of pork served on the bone with hot, medium or mild sauce, and is so tender it melts in your mouth.

“ I want people to walk away feeling as if they’ve gotten their money’s worth, and I love to see them have plenty of food left over to take home,” Charlie said.

The menu is rounded out by home made pizzas, a full selection of sandwiches, salads and soups such as the jambalaya which will please anyone who loves the spicy cuisine of New Orleans. There are also home made desserts and a kids menu for those under 10. All food at the restaurant is cooked in oil that is trans-fat free.

Charlie’s Throttle Stop is also home to the annual Sturgis Jam which is held this year on August 9. The event is for those bikers who couldn’t make it to the annual ride in South Dakota, and Charlie has a large selection of food, t-shirts, live music and games for those who participate. Regular weekend nights feature live bands with a cover charge for the music, and kids are not allowed inside after 9 p.m. The full service bar area also has pool tables and dart leagues which will start in September, and Keno is available. The downstairs area at Charlie’s is reserved as a private banquet room which seats 238, and Charlie will cater the menu for private events. Carry out is available at the restaurant.

how to go:

WHAT: Charlie’s Throttle Stop Bar & Grill

WHERE: 7121 Dixie Highway in Fairfield. (At the corner of Dixie & Mack–entrance is off of Mack Road)

WHEN: 11 a.m. to Midnight - Sunday & Monday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Tuesday - Saturday. Kitchen Hours: Sun/Mon closes at 9 p.m., Tuesday - Thursday closes at 10 p.m., Friday/Saturday closes at 11 p.m. Daily lunch specials are served until 4 p.m.

COST: Lunch specials are $5.95, burgers are $5.75 to $7.05. Sandwiches are $6.45 - $8.55 and include chips, Salads are $3.40 - $7.30, desserts are $3.15, and kids menu items are $4.15.

MORE INFO: (513) 874-6111 or www.charliesthrottlestop.com (Full menu and list of events and bands available online)

CRITICS CHOICE: Jambalaya, hog wings, chicken quesadillas.

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