Charley’s Place is one of those true American dining destinations where all the locals gather. It is very rare that you drive by Charley’s Place on Route 66 next to Route 819 and not see the parking lot full of cars, and, if you do, it will be only minutes before the next group of cars pulls in. Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, there is a loyal patronage of customers who make Charley’s Place their second home. The day I visited Charley’s to interview Gena Crawford, owner, I was introduced to a 96-year old woman who leaves her rest home to visit Charley’s on a regular basis. As one of many of the regulars, she gives Gena and big hug and kiss before leaving. It was 22 years ago that Charley Colewell and his wife Shirley opened Charley’s Place. He started just wanting to be a hot dog and ice cream shop, but events changed that plan quickly. He expanded to a full menu restaurant within a year because Charley’s was so popular. And, it didn’t stop there. The business kept growing and soon Charley was adding a larger kitchen and then a larger dining room. Gena told me, “Roast Beef, Meatloaf, Baked Fish and Spaghetti dinners are the most popular meals” served. She was quick to point out that these are home made meals. I finally bit the bullet and asked the question about ‘home made’ meals in a restaurant. I got a quick lesson that many restaurants order their meats precooked. She said they buy the meat and completely prepare the meal right there. Gena also makes homemade sauce for the spaghetti. Of course, it goes without saying that the pies and cakes are still the big hit at Charley’s. One interesting meal at Charley’s Place is grits. You hardly ever hear of grits in the north, but Charley’s Place serves it. I was first introduced to grits in 1960 in Georgia and have enjoyed eating it ever since. But, I rarely ever find it on a menu. I left Gena with a recipe to a new way of cooking grits, so we’ll see what happens. A new trend could start soon! If you never visited Charley’s Place, I recommend you stop in. You could find yourself becoming a regular! There are daily and weekend specials and breakfast on Sunday goes to 2 p.m. A lot of churchgoers pack the place Sunday for that late breakfast. I hear the omelets and pancakes are outstanding. Charley’s Place is located at 4907 Route 66, near the junction of Routes 66 and 819 and just before Onion Hill and Naser’s Foods. The phone number is 724-727-3235.