Review: Don & Charlie’s displays serious game
September 2nd, 2008, 9:05 pm by Jess HarterI can’t tell whether Don Carson is a restaurateur who loves sports, or a sports fan who loves food. His 27-year-old Scottsdale landmark, Don & Charlie’s, is equal parts old-school chophouse and sports memorabilia museum.
From outside, the low-slung, stand-alone building Carson’s father purchased a half-century ago looks a little like ‘60s motor lodge. But step inside and you feel like you’re in Cooperstown or Canton.
Glass cases of autographed baseballs — more than 800 in all — line both walls of the entryway (pictured below). In the spacious dining room, photos and magazine covers, many signed, completely cover the walls and continue across parts of the ceiling.
In the lounge hang dozens of autographed NFL and NBA jerseys, from Michael Jordan’s to Joe Montana’s. There’s even a golf bag signed by all the players from the 1995 Phoenix Open.
• View a slideshow of Don & Charlie’s
• Check out Don & Charlie’s menu (pdf)
• Previous: Don & Charlie’s launches burger bar (Aug. 1, 2008)