At 74 years old, Harlem icon Charles Gabriel is still back in the kitchen every day, tongs in hand, flipping birds as they burble away in his huge cast iron pans. 'Going to keep on working. I wouldn't know what to do with myself otherwise.' Read more:
Charles Gabriel said he's been feeding the people of Harlem for almost 50 years, first at the legendary soul food spot Copeland's, where he spent two decades before going out on his own – setting up a table on the sidewalk, then rolling up in a food truck, then opening what would be several iterations of his namesake restaurants, all specializing in the dish that's made him famous, pan fried chicken.
And at 74 years old, he's still back there in the kitchen every day, tongs in hand, flipping those birds as they burble away in his huge cast iron pans. The way to go here is to order one of Gabriel's "Plates," which include one of the above main dishes, plus a slab of his first-rate cornbread and your choice of two sides. All of the latter are good, from the collard greens and mac & cheese to the black eyed peas and okra, so follow your cravings.