Charcoal Steak House

GENERATIONS IN THE MAKING

In 1956, Del and Ortha Wideman purchased a 30 seat restaurant called the Charcoal Pit on the outskirts of Kitchener. Through incredible hard work, they grew their knowledge of the restaurant trade and cultivated a loyal following. Their Charcoal Pit enjoyed great success and went on to become the Charcoal Steak House which has been the backdrop to Kitchener-Waterloo's most significant life events. From milestone birthdays to year end company celebrations,family reunions to quiet anniversaries, we've been more than just a restaurant, we've been a constant in the community's shared history. Today we are still locally owned by the Wideman family with an incredible team committed to consistent quality cuisine, unwavering service standards and steadfast support of team and community

We began by serving classic steak house cuisine, fostered by a family commitment to excellence, and now we offer extensive options to provide comfortable choices for all who come through our door for special occasions or everyday dining. Our restaurant is ideally situated for culinarians; surrounded by lush farmland, Kitchener-Waterloo is unique in its proximity to world class agriculture. For us, it has always been easy to headline local meats, produce and suppliers. It’s been a great honour to serve this community for almost 70 years, we look forward to your next visit!

Evolving with Purpose

Our journey is defined by continuous improvement. We've grown from a cozy family restaurant to a dining destination that honors its roots, while always pushing forward. Each renovation, new menu item and innovation is a careful step toward something better—a reflection of our commitment to growth and excellence. We invite you to join us and become part of our story.

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A Commitment to Tomorrow

We're not content to rest on our history. Our kitchen continues to learn, adapt, and improve. We listen to our community, experiment with new techniques, and remain dedicated to delivering exceptional food and service. The Charcoal Steak House of today is not the same as it was in 1956—and that's exactly the point.

Executive Chef : Alex Dunbar

"Exceptional from start to finish. From ease of reservation to staff welcome at the door to warm attentiveness throughout our meal, the Charcoal steakhouse has never failed to make our dining experience something worth coming back for time and time again!"

– CaDy , Family Dinner

"The Charcoal is always a great experience! Between the ambiance, the relaxed and spacious interior, and the food, this is a must-do stop. When you add in the Team and the attention to detail, the Charcoal is definitely value for the dollar! We came in today for a much-delayed Anniversary Brunch and were absolutely spoiled. If you are looking for an exceptional meal, you have found it. Enjoy!"

– John , Anniversary Brunch

"Charcoal is always a great option for a steakhouse that always has premium ingredients and excellent service. This is always a go to place for my family and friends whenever we have a special occasion because we know we will always be treated to a fantastic experience. This is definitely a step above the other steakhouses in the area. Couldn’t recommend this place enough."

– Patrick , - Toronto

"Perfect evening! Have never been disappointed in the 45 plus years coming here. Our meals were fabulous and portions too generous. Our server Mary was extremely attentive and very personable, an asset to your business. As we were celebrating my wife’s and sister’s milestone birthday they brought them desserts on the house, was not expecting that but a classy touch. Would give more than 5 stars if I could."

– Brian , Birthday Dinner