"Charlie", by Ken Merrill 1969
People have always asked "Is there a real Charlie?"
Sit back, grab a drink, and I will tell you the real story.
In the Summer of 1967, my pop, Pete Torre - along with friends Bobby Wilson and Mark Davidson - were sitting on the porch of our home on Balboa Island at 108 Agate. A bottle, or two (or three) of Mondavi's Mountain Red wine had been consumed, and as the day drifted into early evening the gentlemen noticed that a small brick building was for lease on the Island Bayfront, next to the Island Market. The three men quickly decided to open a restaurant, and a name was concocted. "Charlie" was invented because he went well with "Chili", and to protect the founders, in case the bowls tasted better than the chili.
Charlie, pop liked to say, was a Genie who lived in a bottle of Mountain Red
The Summer of `67 was a busy one on Balboa Island. Yes, there was a Charlie's Chili on Balboa Island in the Summer of 1967. 2 Doors from the Island Market (and NOT where Scotty’s was). I was there. I don’t care what some self-appointed “Balboa Island Historian” says. It was there.
In the fall, a restaurant became available for lease on the Lido Peninsula, near the Sea Shanty and Davey's Locker - Pete and Bobby had worked together at the Sea Shanty, and in years past Pete ran galleys on sport fishing boats at Davey's Locker. Pete, now the only visible and determined partner, found himself with two struggling restaurants.
Just another Saturday Night
The first menu, illustrated by Dick Shaw and Virgil Partch
Poor Charlie's of Balboa closed it's take out window forever in the autumn of 1967, and Charlie's on the bay became the hotspot. The hours were odd, because Pete was tending bar full-time at the Quiet Woman in Corona del Mar.
After a year of 26 hour days, with (sometimes) fewer customers than working hours, Pete had "instant success". The great Ketchup fight of 1969 was one of the many events that occurred at Charlie's Chili on the bay. The famous, and not so famous enjoyed the atmosphere, which offered dining along the bayfront at 10 outdoor tables.
You could even get a chili dog from Kay, the Hot Dog Queen while watching the boats ready to head out from Dabey's Locker. Pete finally retired from bartending, making occasional guest appearances at Woody's Warf, Baer's Lair, and Alley West.
A history of Charlie's Chili and it's success, would not be complete without a dip of the Chili spoon to some legends of the Newport Beach restaurant business:
Sid Soffer, of the Blue Beet, and more recently Sid's Place (don't tell nobody), lent equipment, gave several important tips, and generally was a nice guy.
Yes, friends, that Sid.
Mr. Eldred French, of the Quiet Woman was behind the scenes, with advice, moral support, and always ready to help. A true prince of the business.
Jerry Overland and Baer Davis made incalucable contributions and suggestions during the 1972 fine-tuining.
In the 1970’s one could find a hundred places like Charlie's on the bay, but no place that had the spirit of the Genie. In early 1972, Fran Delaney, thinking of ways to expand his fortune, decided to evict Charlie's and Davey's Locker. That Summer, Charlie's moved to it's present location at the Newport Pier, where in the early 1970's, it was the place to be found trying to sober up after a long night of drinking. The outdoor tables then (3) provided a panorama of the Newport Pier Plaza district, and the take-out window served the full menu along with tacos, tortas, and other goodies to take along and spend the afternoon watching the world drift by.
Jac Tabor, and another bottle (or three) of wine, caught the Newport Pier area on a Summer Day in 1972, and his unique interpretation of what he saw that day has become legendary.
Charlie's Chili spawned a multitude of offspring, all very successful in their own rights.
A Little Moore, founded by former manager Roger Moore and his family in 1975, still operates today in Leucadia California, on Old Highway 101. Justin "Babe" Neimic took Charlie's Chili to Aspen, Colorado in the early 1970’s. The best known locally of course was by David Fish, former GM. The Pacific Coast Diner was popular and enjoyed many years of success.
Charlie entered the world of motorsports sponsoring Michael Brayton's Eagle during the SCCA's 1974 and 1975 Formula5000 series.
Although the physical location of Charlie's Chili moved in 1972, the spirit remained alive and well. So well that in late 1974, Charlie's Chili opened in Costa Mesa to the delight of local residents and City Officials.
From the mid-70's to late 80's, in Costa Mesa, Charlie's Chili was the center after any event in the city. Speedway, The Orange County Fair, concerts at the Pacific Ampitheatre, drinking at Hogue Barmichaels, the Swap Mweet, or before a long drive home. Charlie's Chili Costa Mesa enjoyed good business from local bartenders, who often brought along their own customers to marvel at the "Stained-Glass Charlie" that one of the local artisans had created to replace a plate window.
In early 1977, Charlie's Chili debuted in South Laguna Beach on South Coast Highway at 3rd Street, and enjoyed serving the locals and weary travelers.
In the early-80's you could find a Charlie's Chili in Huntington Beach on 5th Street.
As the 1980's wound down, and the world began to change, so did the fortunes of Charlie. One day he looked at me and said: "You know, 20 years is long enough for anything". And with that, Charlie's Chili was sold to entrepreneurs who best exemplified the original spirit of Charlie. So, next time you wonder over your Chili Cheese Omelette, who Charlie really is...
As a reward for the reader brave enough to get this far, we present to you Peter’s personal Chili recipe
Recipe for Charlie's Chili
2 lbs 22% ground beef, browned
1 lg brown onion chopped 2 tsp Gebhart's Chili Powder
1 tsp Crushed Garlic
1 tsp Oregano
1 tsp Beef Soup Base or 3 bullion cubes 2 tsp Ground Cumin
1 15 oz. Can Tomato Sauce
1 tsp chili seeds (well rounded)
1 15 oz can pinto beans with liquid
1 15 oz. can kidney beans with liquid
1 8 oz. cup brewed coffee
Combine all ingredients and simmer 1 hour... enjoy!
This page is lovingly dedicated to my Pop - Pete Torre. And to all the wonderful, fun, talented, drunk, obnoxious, demanding, loyal customers, employees, family, friends and hangers-on who made Charlie's Chili more than just a place to eat.
Menu covers by Jac Tabor. Menu interiors, and the company logo by Mark Davidson. Virgil Partch and Dick Shaw drew the original map for the "Toy-Let Map Co" in 1968.
© 1967, 1984, 2000, 2010, 2022 Pureheart Productions
SPAMMERS NOTE: We will invite you to something impossible if you try to sell us something.
