Chuck's Steak House has been a fixture in Waikiki since 1959 when Chuck Rolles opened his first restaurant. He liked good food but wasn't comfortable in "fancy" places. He still wanted to serve the finest meat and seafood that money could buy, but he set out to do it a little differently. People would be able to make their own salads so they could get just what they liked. Steaks would be trimmed of any unnecessary fat because Chuck didn't like fat. Hard working, earnest, college-type "kids" in shorts and sneakers would do the serving instead of stodgy 20 year "professionals" in their intimidating tuxedos. There would be no tablecloths or fancy silverware settings and the menu would be painted on a Lancer's wine bottle instead of tucked into a slick leather jacket. Things were kept simple and done right. Without all the extras, prices could be kept down. It turned out that an awful lot of people thought like Chuck did and still do!

Chuck is quick to credit his old friend Raymond "Buzz" Schneider for the original concept ideas. As he says "Buzz's Steak and Lobster was the only restaurant that really made sense to me." Chuck's Steak Houses started opening up across the country, others followed suit and a whole new type of restaurant swept the nation. It all started in Waikiki.

Chuck's Steak House at the Outrigger Waikiki hotel is still owned by Chuck and his son and things are still kept simple and done right. No, steak and lobster is not $2.95 like it was in 1959, but coming into Chuck's will be like stepping back in time; back to an uncomplicated era when you knew you were getting a fair deal. Things are still purposely kept simple and done right.

Aloha!