Charley’s a reflection of its owner

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Charley’s Bar-B-Q owner Charley Young opened his restaurant on Sparta Street in 1999 and is in the midst of another expansion. In addition to the food, Charley’s is known for its decorating. (Duane Sherrill photo)

Providing a unique dining experience for his patrons, Charley Young literally built his business with his own hands, starting Charley’s Bar-B-Q in 1999.

“When you come in and look inside Charley’s, you’re seeing Charley himself because it’s a reflection of me,” Young said of his business. “I believe it’s one of the best little restaurants in Middle Tennessee.”

A contractor by trade, Young opened his doors in 1999, testing the waters of the restaurant industry for the first time.

“I started doing barbecue in my backyard and decided I would try to open a restaurant thinking it would be less work than what I was doing. I was wrong,” Young said. “Working a 14-hour day is normal now but that’s what it takes to succeed. I built all this myself from a building that was an old grocery store.”

Young is now on his third expansion as he plans to open a connected 2,800-square-foot banquet section sometime this year.

Young believes a major appeal of his restaurant is the atmosphere. The decor includes walls full of collectibles with a Memphis and blues theme. Many of the decorations were picked up by Young, a Harley-Davidson rider, during his motorcycle excursions about the country.

Along the backdrop of the Memphis visual theme is the constant sound of blues playing over the restaurant stereo system.

“People want something unique,” Young said. “I get a kick out of people who come in for the first time. They are looking up and down, trying to take it all in at once.”

As for the food, Young said he will put his menu up against anyone. The restaurant specializes in baby back ribs, half smoked chicken and barbecue.

“I do my own barbecue on site and everything is made fresh on premises every morning,” Young said. “It’s long hours, but it’s worth it because it provides my customers with great food.”

Young said he also strives to provide top-notch service, seeking out and hiring the best waitresses in the area.

“Service is very important,” Young said. “I want my customers to be comfortable and the service to be timely and good.”

Charley’s is located on Sparta Street and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Charley’s is closed on Sunday and Monday.