oChef » Charleys Cheesesteaks – San Diego

Charleys Cheesesteaks - San Diego

Sandwich Shop Charleys Cheesesteaks in San Diego
Photo from Charleys Cheesesteaks
How do the guests rate it?
Charleys Cheesesteaks at a glance
San Diego Park Haven
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 17 of the guests
#730 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#33 Sandwich Shop out of 39 in San Diego
Poor
3.9 out of 10
4.2
Food
3.1
Service
4.3
Ambience
3
Value
80

Reviews

27.5%

Satisfaction

Often praised
  • Tasty sandwiches
  • Menu variety
Frequently criticized
  • Poor service
  • Low value

The sandwich shop Charleys Cheesesteaks in San Diego’s Park Haven neighborhood offers you a fantastic spot for a quick bite. You can enjoy delicious cheesesteaks and other menu items, perfect for lunch or dinner.

With its casual atmosphere and convenient late-night food options, it’s an ideal choice whether you’re dining in or grabbing something on the go.

Overview: Introducting Charleys Cheesesteaks

Charleys Cheesesteaks offers a quick, hearty meal, with many finding the cheesesteak itself quite satisfying, noting its juicy and flavorful profile. You’ll also find options like gourmet loaded fries and a variety of sandwiches to suit different tastes, including gluten-free bread.

However, the experience can be a mixed bag. Some patrons have encountered less-than-ideal service, reporting slow interactions or early closing times.

The ambiance also tends to be more functional than inviting, with occasional cleanliness concerns that detract from the dining comfort.

Poor
3.9 out of 10
80

Reviews

27.5%

Satisfaction

50

negative

8

neutral

22

positive

Looking at the overall picture, Charleys Cheesesteaks registers a 3.9 out of 10, with customer satisfaction sitting at a low 27.5%. This indicates a general sentiment that leaves much to be desired, reflecting a need for improvement across several areas.

Delving into specifics, the Food (4.2) and Ambience (4.3) topics hover around average, suggesting some positive aspects but also room for growth. However, Service (3.1) and Value (3) fall into the poor category, with 50 negative comments out of 80 total observations highlighting significant issues in these areas, particularly concerning staff interactions and perceived worth.

What people like
  • Flavorful cheesesteaks
  • Diverse menu options
  • Flexible seating choices
What people don't like
  • Inconsistent service
  • Questionable value
  • Uninviting ambiance

If you’re considering Charleys Cheesesteaks, be prepared for a quick meal where the core cheesesteak can be a satisfying choice. However, temper your expectations regarding the overall dining experience, as service consistency and the general atmosphere often fall short.

With a recommendation score of 4.2, it suggests this spot might be worth a try if you’re in a hurry and specifically craving a cheesesteak, but it’s unlikely to impress if you’re seeking a well-rounded or consistently pleasant dining outing.

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Verdict: Our expert take on Charleys Cheesesteaks

Food (4.2 out of 10)

mentioned by 78% of the guests

When it comes to the food, it's a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 4.2, landing it in the average range. However, customer satisfaction sits at a rather poor 32.7%. Still, based on 16 positive remarks, many appreciate the delicious Philly cheesesteak subs, generous portion sizes, and tasty strawberry lemonade.

The meats are often described as tender and juicy, with the Chicken Teriyaki being a standout. On the flip side, with 29 negative comments, there are concerns about declining food quality and sloppy sandwiches. Some found the steak lacked flavor, and the use of Kraft cheese was a letdown.

Issues like excessive mayonnaise and sandwiches being mostly bread with minimal meat also frequently came up.

4.2 Food

49

Reviews

32%

Satisfaction

29

negative

4

neutral

16

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Tasty cheesesteak subs
  • Generous portion sizes
  • Tender, juicy meats
What people don't like
  • Declining food quality
  • Sloppy, bland sandwiches
  • Minimal meat, much bread

Often praised

  • Chicken Teriyaki
  • French fries
  • Philly cheesesteak sub
  • cheesesteak
  • chicken philly stakes
  • different ingredients
  • gluten free bread
  • gourmet loaded fries
  • kids meal
  • meats

Frequently criticized

  • mushrooms
  • sandwich
  • Food
  • Philly Cheesesteak sandwich
  • Philly steak sandwich
  • bread
  • cheese
  • cheesesteak
  • chicken sandwich steak
  • extra green pepper

If you're craving a quick, hearty cheesesteak and know exactly what to order, you might find something satisfying here. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in quality and presentation, especially regarding ingredients like cheese or the meat-to-bread ratio.

Service (3.1 out of 10)

mentioned by 61% of the guests

When it comes to service, it seems there's quite a bit of room for improvement. While a few customers appreciated the quick service and very good attention, and that they accept the app, these positive experiences are unfortunately rare. With a low score of 3.1 and customer satisfaction at a mere 18.2%, the overall picture is poor, based on 4 positive opinions.

On the flip side, the negative experiences are much more prevalent, with 16 negative opinions out of 22 total. Many customers reported issues with staff, including a cashier who rolled her eyes and staff members who were not polite. Slow service, employees closing early, and feeling disrespected as a customer were also common complaints, often tied to confusing closing times and poor communication.

3.1 Service

22

Reviews

18%

Satisfaction

16

negative

2

neutral

4

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Quick service
  • Good attention
  • App accepted
What people don't like
  • Rude staff
  • Slow service
  • Closing early

Often praised

  • service
  • Service
  • app

Frequently criticized

  • closing time
  • service
  • Google hours
  • Google information
  • cashier
  • communication
  • customer
  • employees
  • lady there
  • staff

If you're considering a visit, be prepared for potentially slow or impolite service, and double-check their actual closing time, as it seems to be a frequent point of frustration. While some get quick service, the overall experience suggests you might feel unvalued as a customer.

Ambience (4.3 out of 10)

mentioned by 22% of the guests

A few patrons (2 out of 7 comments) found the atmosphere appealing, with one even rating it a 5, and the availability of both indoor and outdoor seating was a definite plus. While the overall score for ambience is an average 4.3, these positive remarks highlight some potential bright spots. However, the majority of feedback (4 negative comments) highlights some significant drawbacks.

Several guests mentioned the dining court being fly 🪰 invested, which is certainly a buzzkill. Others felt the overall ambiance was functional and didn't invite lingering, contributing to a rather poor customer satisfaction of just 28.6%.

4.3 Ambience

7

Reviews

28%

Satisfaction

4

negative

1

neutral

2

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Outdoor seating available
What people don't like
  • Flies in dining court
  • Ambiance not inviting

Often praised

  • atmosphere
  • indoor and outdoor seating

Frequently criticized

  • Atmosphere
  • ambiance
  • dining court
  • fly 🪰 invested

If youre looking for a truly inviting atmosphere, this might not be your top pick, especially with concerns about flies. While theres some outdoor seating, the overall vibe seems to be more functional than charming, so manage your expectations.

Value (3 out of 10)

mentioned by 9% of the guests

Looking at the value aspect, it seems theres not much to celebrate. With 0 positive remarks out of 2 total comments, customers havent found anything particularly noteworthy or positive about what they receive for their money. This means we dont have any glowing feedback to share in this area.

Unfortunately, the sentiment leans heavily negative, with a customer satisfaction of a stark 0%. The overall score for value is a poor 3, indicating that at least one person felt it was a waste of money. This suggests you might not be getting your moneys worth here.

3 Value

2

Reviews

0%

Satisfaction

1

negative

1

neutral

0

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
  • Waste of money

Often praised

No positive aspects so far.

Frequently criticized

  • waste of money

If youre looking for good value, this might not be the place for you. The strong negative feedback suggests you could end up feeling like your money wasnt well spent. Proceed with caution if budget is a primary concern.

How are the prices at Charleys Cheesesteaks?

You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 17 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Sandwich Shop, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.

Most guests (12 out of 17) spent within that $11–$20 range, showing prices cluster nicely around the average.

Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 17 reviews.

Comparing value for money at this Sandwich Shop against similar spots in San Diego.

Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Sandwich Shop of this caliber. It offers a good balance, so you know you’re getting value for your money without breaking the bank.

Customer Reviews: what people think about Charleys Cheesesteaks

Price per Person
  • $1–$10
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Size
  • Solo
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Noise Level
  • Loud
Fry Q.
Review date: 10/15/2025
2
Spicy Surprise, No Service
My first time at this restaurant was a bit of a letdown. The lady at the counter seemed uninterested in explaining their sandwiches, so I ended up choosing the "popular" one. Unfortunately, it was incredibly HOT and dripping in spicy sauce. I won't be returning.
  • sandwiches2
  • popular one1
  • lady there1
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Noise Level
  • Quiet
Alex R.
Review date: 09/13/2025
7
Good Cheesesteak, Lacking Atmosphere
After our visit to the Mexican border and a long shopping spree at the outlet, we were hungry and the food options were rather limited. So, we decided on Charleys Cheesesteaks. The cheesesteak itself was surprisingly good: juicy, flavorful, and in terms of taste, actually the best of our entire trip. In terms of satiety, you get exactly what you expect here – a quick, hearty meal that satisfies hunger. However, compromises have to be made with the surroundings. The ambiance is rather functional and doesn't necessarily invite you to linger. Even more disturbing was the view during preparation: the cheese came directly from a Kraft bag. This seems uninspired and doesn't fit with the otherwise really tasty steak. With simple processed cheese slices or fresher cheese, the whole thing could have been significantly upgraded. Bottom line: If you need something good and filling quickly, you won't go wrong here. But the atmosphere and the way it's prepared take away some of the charm from the experience. Therefore, a solid 3 out of 5 stars from us.
  • cheesesteak9
  • satiety8
  • steak8
  • ambiance3
  • cheese2
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Group Type
  • Solo Dinner
Group Size
  • Solo
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Short (6–15 min.)
Kevin G. 4.
Review date: 05/27/2025
2
Rude Service at Closing Time
I arrived 20 minutes before closing, and there was only one person ordering. As soon as I joined the line, the cashier rolled her eyes, turned off the lights, and gave me a dirty look before stating, "We're closed. " I understand the desire to go home after a long shift, as I have experience in the fast food industry myself. However, the way this was communicated was unacceptable. I hope the cashier finds a different job if she is that unhappy.
  • closing time6
  • cashier1
  • communication2
Price per Person
  • $1–$10
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Not O. T. W.
Review date: 04/16/2025
2
Disappointing Cheesesteak, Won't Return
My experience at this restaurant was super disappointing. I hadn't had a cheesesteak from here in a while, and they used to be so good. However, my recent cheesesteak was 90% bread with only two sorry slices of meat. It was not good at all, and I won't be back.
  • Service4
  • cheesesteak1
  • meat1
  • bread1
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Delivery
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Edward L.
Review date: 06/24/2024
2
Sloppy Sandwich, Too Much Mayo
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The sandwich was sloppy, and there was an excessive amount of mayonnaise. I'll stick to Subway in the future for a better experience. 🎵🎶
  • sandwich2
  • mayonnaise2

What Charleys Cheesesteaks offers

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible seating

Crowd

  • Family-friendly
  • Tourists
  • Groups

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Children

  • Kids' menu
  • Good for kids

Popular for

  • Dinner
  • Lunch
  • Solo dining

Amenities

  • Restroom

Offerings

  • Late-night food
  • Vegetarian options
  • Quick bite

Dining options

  • Catering
  • Counter service
  • Dessert
  • Dinner
  • Seating
  • Lunch

Service Options

  • Onsite services
  • Takeout
  • Delivery
  • Dine-in

Parking

  • Free street parking

Atmosphere

  • Casual

FAQs

What kind of dining experience can you expect at Charleys Cheesesteaks in San Diego?
At Charleys Cheesesteaks, you’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal. You can choose from various dining options including counter service, seating for lunch or dinner, and even dessert. For your convenience, onsite services, takeout, and delivery are all available.
Absolutely! Charleys Cheesesteaks is good for kids, offering a dedicated kids’ menu to satisfy younger appetites. Additionally, you’ll find vegetarian options available, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone in your group to enjoy.
Charleys Cheesesteaks receives an overall score of **3.9** with **27.5%** customer satisfaction. While **Food** (4.2) and **Ambience** (4.3) are considered average, **Service** (3.1) and **Value** (3) are rated poorly.
Many customers appreciate the **cheesesteak** itself, describing it as juicy and flavorful. Specific items like **Chicken Teriyaki**, **Philly cheesesteak sub**, and **gourmet loaded fries** are also noted positively, along with the availability of **gluten free bread**.
Service experiences are often criticized for being slow, with issues like early closing times and unhelpful staff. The **ambiance** is described as functional and, at times, negatively impacted by cleanliness issues like being “fly 🪰 invested”.
Loading map…
Location
4211 Camino De La Plaza Ste 158G, 92173 San Diego
Opening hours
Monday – Saturday
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM