Hank's Filling Station — Restaurant in Norfolk

The food is a bit overpriced for the size of the portions you get. I ordered a french dip sandwich that took 4 bites to eat and was barely warm for over $11, and a beer that was advertised on the overhead screens as a lager but was actually a "hoppy pilsner" according to signage I saw later at my table. I wound up ordering more food since I was still hungry, and the BBQ mac and cheese did the job, and tasted great also. All in all, it was a decent experience, but could use some improvement.

9/3:This place was horrible.

I wanted to give this place another chance after going here previously with a good friend of mine. I was unimpressed with the portion sizes then, but the food was decent.

My girlfriend and mom had seen the local advertisements on Facebook and had wanted to go here to try Hank's prime rib Thursday special.

We got here just after 6 and it wasn't busy at all. Ordering didn't take any time at all, and I was surprised to see my mom's meal come out quickly. She noted that the meat looked raw, and at the time I chalked it up to her refusal to eat anything that wasn't well done. Her loss, right?

It took about another 10 minutes before our order was ready despite being right after hers and the place being nearly empty. I started on my mac and cheese first. The steak looked a little on the rare side, but I'm not the squeamish type toward that. I took a bite of the steak to find it colder than room temperature even after just receiving it. Wow. I'm speechless at this point. I've never returned anything, but this forced my hand. I had to take all 3 steaks back after we spent over $60 on the meal between the three of us.

The employee said he would have the cook sauté the food more. His excuse somehow for the cold food is that they usually do that special for takeout, which I had a hard time understanding. Upon receiving the food I checked the temperature with the back of my hand thinking it would be satisfactory and returned to our table. After passing the steaks back out we observed that the although the steaks had been warmed they weren't cooked in a pan as indicated. You can see the marks on the steaks in the attached photo showing that more than likely they were microwaved in the original position I handed them to the employee. My mom refused to eat hers, and a portion of mine was raw. See the picture.

The establishment was given the opportunity to fix the issue and failed. I don't recommend anyone come here, and in fact I would have people steer clear of this place...

Went here for a late dinner with my young adult daughters. One is an ODU student. We all like the cute filling station casual themed decor; the back yard is done really well with a variety of seating, picnic tables, fire pits and lawn games. They card after 9 PM but there were still at least 10 kids there at 10 PM. Bocce, foose ball and corn hole games add to the fun atmosphere outback. It felt like a neighborhood BBQ.. There seemed to be more military, older singles and families than college students. One young lady who seemed to have had too much to drink and thought she was the life of the party, was talking much louder than everyone else, practically shouting, and swearing, oblivious to the young children around her. I guess there’s always one. Several staff working the bar but a line still formed for orders. Lots of craft beers on tap, the signs show the brewery name and location for each beer which was cool. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.

The food we ordered was unremarkable. I wouldn’t go just for food again. Tots were toasted instead of fried, not crispy or even well cooked. First order was cold and had to remade. The kitchen crew member did come out and apologize which we thought was very nice. The buffalo chicken dip, served with tortilla chips, was good but the grilled cheese and Reuben were both soggy. The corned beef was stacked high on the Reuben and tasted house cooked but the thousand island was bland and the sauerkraut was negligible. The grilled cheese had a stack of partially melted cheese on super soggy bread. Sides are extra $2. Prices were high for what we got. We drank water and bill for food alone was $34 before tip. It took a long time to get the food also. We didn’t see many people ordering food so not sure why it took over 30 minutes to get our food. Hope they have some lighter fare on the menu this summer. We didn’t order dessert but the cookies at the counter and the cakes in the cooler looked yummy! I don’t know if they serve coffee drinks but I would need coffee with a rich dessert.

Best bet would be to eat before you go and enjoy the variety of beers, people and the atmosphere. They also served liquor, several people had mixed drinks and shots. The had mimosa buckets in the cooler, each ice bucket had a quart size mason jar of OJ and a bottle of champagne. Very cute. We enjoyed the music and would love be there for a live band. Latex...

Hank's Filling Station: Fueling Fun and Flavor in Norfolk Hank's Filling Station in Norfolk has successfully repurposed its unique space into a vibrant and consistently enjoyable destination for good food, great drinks, and a laid-back atmosphere. It's a place that feels authentically local and welcoming, earning a solid four stars for its reliable charm and offerings. The first thing that strikes you about Hank's is its cool, industrial-chic vibe, born from its former life as a gas station. The outdoor patio, complete with string lights and often live music, is a fantastic spot to hang out, especially on a pleasant evening. It's spacious, dog-friendly, and creates a really relaxed and social environment that feels distinct from many other local spots. The indoor space is equally inviting, with a rustic yet modern aesthetic. The food menu focuses on elevated comfort food and barbecue, and they generally nail it. Their smoked meats are a highlight – tender and flavorful, whether you opt for brisket, pulled pork, or ribs. The sides are also excellent, with classics like mac and cheese and collard greens done right. Their burgers are also a solid choice, and they often have creative specials that keep things interesting. Portions are hearty, ensuring you leave satisfied. Hank's also boasts a very respectable beer selection, featuring a good mix of local craft brews and popular favorites on tap. Their full bar means you can also get a well-made cocktail to go with your meal. The service is typically friendly and efficient, adding to the overall positive experience. Why not five stars? While the food is consistently very good, it sometimes hovers just shy of truly exceptional or innovative. It's delicious and satisfying, but might not blow your mind with every dish. Also, because of its popularity, especially on evenings with live music, it can get quite crowded and a bit loud, which can sometimes make conversation challenging. The wait for a table can also be a bit long during peak times, a testament to its success but a minor inconvenience. Despite these small points, Hank's Filling Station is a fantastic addition to Norfolk's dining and social scene. It's a great spot for a casual meal, a lively happy hour, or a fun night out with friends and family (including the furry ones!). It reliably delivers a great experience, making it a strong four-star...