Biscuit Belly - Chesapeake — Restaurant in Chesapeake

My family and I went to meet some friends this last weekend at Biscuit and Belly.

For myself, I was not a fan of the line to order as soon as you walk in. For a place that is brunch oriented, I personally would prefer a sit down option with waiters/waitresses. Because of the system to stand in line when you order, you can’t just go find a table, which also makes this difficult if you’re waiting for others. As with most places these days, after ordering, it asks if you want to tip the cashiers. I’d be more happy to tip should the restaurant had waiters/waitresses serving the tables than an initial interaction with runners getting the food to tables.

The atmosphere is well designed, but with a location that I believe may be too small for their vision. They try to accommodate being able to serve a lot of customers, which in turn, leaves little space for people to move in the restaurant, or, seat your children on the outside. A high chair, which they offer, feels like it’ll likely block others’ walking paths in most seating options in the restaurant. There is an outside seating area, but didn’t look like it was meant for a medium size group with a couple infants/toddlers. Really, not many tables looked like it could accommodate such a group.

I ordered the Barry Jam’ilow Pancakes. As with all of their entrees it seemed, the entree does not come with sides. I ordered a side of sausage patties and home fries to go along my meal with an iced cinnamocha. I can only speak for what I ordered. The iced cinnamocha had ice in it, but was still warm as it seemed they just put ice in a pre-prepared, warmed drink. It tasted okay, but temperature was not a hot coffee or an iced drink. The ice almost made it room temperature. Believe it or not, I felt as though the home fries were the most consistent item I ordered, as they were crispy and flavorful with every bite. The sausage patties didn’t really do anything to set itself apart from any other sausage. As for the jam’ilow pancakes, I was unimpressed with the pancakes themselves. The main attraction to the pancakes was the bourbon cream frosting paired with the fruit. The bourbon cream frosting was very delicious as the bourbon cream frosting had the flavor of bourbon, without the bite and an added sweetness. The jam was an after sight along with the fruit, but a good pairing nonetheless.

Overall, I felt that the meal was just okay for the price. Biscuit Belly has presentation perfected, but the temperature for the coffee along with the average pancakes took away from food experience considering the cost. The congested seating area along with the congested line area was a bit overwhelming for me and was not enjoyable at the start of my experience at Biscuit Belly. I personally would suggest an improved welcoming experience as customers enter, a waiting system for serving food, and a more open seating area.

I’m glad I tried Biscuit Belly, but am not really sure I’m so quick to visit again...

Went here with the family to bring more family here as we've enjoyed this place in the past. I've genuinely enjoyed the food but this last visit just straight peeved me off.

Went here during prime time brunch hour - Sunday brunch. While I was in the line (was to the door), I noticed that folks that would come in, sit down, then send someone else to order. Me thinking this was a good idea, we sat outside and waited for a table to appear and I would sit there.

When two tables cleared, I went to sit down and the lady that was there said that I was only able to sit there if I had placed an order. To be fair, I was a bit peeved because I had noticed others doing it. To be compromising, (and not dime out others) - I went ahead and placed an order for coffee and some fried green tomatoes in an effort to be a patron while my parents walked in from the parking lot and still retain a seat.

Now at this point I was getting quite frustrated.. why? Because our seats were directly in front of the cashier and while I was ordering a lady had just walked in, sat down at the table adjacent to us with her kids while her husband got in line to order. Apparently, there no enforcement there - just to me because I was noticed? Idk.

If this were the only instance, I honestly would've let this all go. However, when I was sitting down with my daughter, the lady who went to deliver my initial order looked at someone and asked where this order goes. She pointed to my table and as she was putting them down, she was snarky and muttered "wooooowwww.."

So now, I'm already frustrated as I tried to meet the policy in the middle.. I don't need people to be straight up a-hats. While sitting there I had a clear view of the kitchen. Please explain to me why it's ok for these folks to not wear hair nets and in one instance, an employee tossed hash browns at another employee. Watching how some folks would rotate between the front and back between handling money and food made me question some of the sanitary guidelines I'm sure they're regulated to follow.

Now to be fair to the establishment - there are small signs on the table that say, you should place your order prior to sitting down. I never saw them until we had all our food. I'll own that. Regarding the policy - either enforce it with a sense of urgency and add signs at the front or don't single out people. Let alone don't gossip and further escalate.

Will I come back? Possibly. Next time I'll wait, just like everyone else, but seriously...

Biscuit Belly: A Southern Comfort Powerhouse with Room to Grow Biscuit Belly in Norfolk has quickly cemented itself as a go-to spot for those craving hearty, Southern-inspired breakfast and brunch. My recent visit left me thoroughly satisfied, enjoying both the inventive menu and the vibrant atmosphere. It's a solid four-star experience, with just a few minor tweaks that could elevate it to a full five. Let's talk about the biscuits. They are, as expected, the stars of the show. Fluffy, buttery, and substantial, they provide the perfect canvas for a myriad of delicious toppings. I opted for the "Gravy Train," a glorious medley of sausage gravy, fried chicken, and an over-easy egg. The fried chicken was exceptionally crispy and juicy, and the gravy was rich and well-seasoned without being overly salty. My dining companion raved about the "Wakey Bakey," featuring smoked brisket and a generous dollop of pimento cheese – a truly indulgent combination. Beyond the biscuits, the "Biscuit Waffle" (a biscuit cooked in a waffle iron) was a delightful textural innovation, and their coffee, a smooth house blend, was a welcome accompaniment. The service was friendly and efficient, even during a busy Sunday morning rush. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and happy to offer recommendations. The ambiance is lively and inviting, with a modern rustic charm that feels both comfortable and chic. It's clear a lot of thought went into creating a welcoming space. So, why not five stars? While the food is undoubtedly delicious, some of the dishes, while creative, lean heavily towards the rich side. A touch more freshness or a lighter option on the menu could provide a nice balance. Additionally, while the service was good, during peak times, getting a table can involve a bit of a wait, and the noise level can be quite high, making conversation a little challenging. These are minor quibbles, however, and they certainly don't detract from the overall excellent experience. Biscuit Belly delivers on its promise of delicious, comforting food in a fun setting. It's a must-try for biscuit lovers and anyone looking for a satisfying start to their day in Norfolk. I'll definitely be back for more...