When pulling up to the front of Charlow’s Grill, the tendency is to hesitate, but not for the food. The soul food restaurant shares parking with community mainstay Copeland Contracting. At the wrong time of the day, parking spots are limited. But, rest assured – there is more parking just to the right of the building.

Over their five years, the demand for Charlow’s Grill has always been there, but the demand is at fever pitch now, during the summer of 2020.

It has never been a sit-down restaurant; the business was always about 90% carry out. So the universally adopted emphasis on carry-out works in their favor.

According to owner, Charles Washington, their catfish dinner is the favorite item on their menu, which also includes BBQ beef and Philly steak & cheese sandwiches.

After suffering a work-related back injury at Norfolk Southern, Washington took the time to mend and game plan for his next venture. He opened the restaurant because he wanted to “provide something our community didn’t have” Washington said.

When a bank wouldn’t help, Washington self-funded his business. 3103 Oxford St. (across from McMillen Park), 260.745.8313