Chiocca's — Restaurant in Richmond

I seldom write reviews as evident by my google account. I came to this place with my two roommates and we had the absolute worst experience a customer could ever have. The restaurant had 5 regulars at the bar when we were seated, no other tables. It took 20 minutes for the waitress/bartender/manager to come to put our order in. (After taking our order and then “confirming” it 15 minutes later because she forgot it. So I’m thinking alright it’ll be fine it’s coming then i go up to ask where the subs are at around the 30 minute mark and the Lu opened the rustiest oven I’ve ever seen in my life to show me two burnt subs. From here it took another 10 minutes to cook new bread. The waitress then brings out the food and it’s over cooked as hell but one them were ate and the other wasn’t. They took off the sub which was dope and the cook insisted on our waitress. We said something again because it was simply the worst experience I’ve ever had a restaurant. I’ve been a waiter since I was 18, I worked in restaurants since I was 15 and I don’t need that experience to know that a sub shouldn’t take 40+ minutes. On our way out the bartender/our waitress immediately yelled “they did not wait 45 minutes” and when I defended myself I was told to leave by the entire staff and regulars. We tipped y’all well come on now. Disgusting nasty experience and attitudes, how do u guys keep on the lights fr. Customers should never be cussed out because they do not want to wait 45 minutes for a $15 sub that’s served with a bag of potato chips. The bar is in hell, you guys need a miracle or bar rescue: we’re trying to hook y’all up with bar rescue as we speak. Do urself a favor and never go to this...

I visited Chiocca's recently while in Carytown, I was looking for a place to get a good Italian sandwich. It was only a few blocks away, so walked down to give it a try. This is a tough review, because there were things I really liked about Chiocca's, and one thing I REALLY didn't like, so I average it out at 2/5 stars. For what I liked, the atmosphere is the kind of local place I love, you can tell it's a spot for people in the neighborhood to come and drink and have a sandwich. On to what I didn't like, I had some real issues w/ the food preparation. The food is prepared on a station behind the bar, with an oven and prep station w/ fresh items in view. The problem is the cook wasn't wearing gloves, and all the food was handled by hand. I ordered an Italian sub, and everything was touched. The meats, lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers all saw some contact, oddly no utensils, just hand in the containers, then onto the sandwich. All I could think was "Did they wash their hands? I wasn't paying attention... I don't know! Where could have they had their hands? In their mouth, in chemical cleaning supplies, scratching their butt. where?!?" Instead of focusing on the flavor of the sandwich, it was all I could think of. After tipping the sandwich was around $19, so I tried to power through it, but ultimately just tried the sandwich and tossed the rest. It really spoiled my experience, and I cant really say if it tasted good or not. My recommendation would be to get some gloves for food prep, and make sure that they get worn. Sure, I may be marginally obsessive, but it's a good practice. Patrons shouldn't have to...

I'm going to start on a good note. Both sandwiches were chocked full of meat. Nicely put together, none fell apart. Presentation in the togo box was fabulous! I love both types of pickles. It was worth every penny. You must try!! I understand why after 3 years of living here and never having heard of Chiocca's , why friends looked at me weird...now i know.

However......Why Richmond, WHY???? I don't know why I didnt learn my lesson the first time, at another sandwich shop/Italian restaurant, ASK IF THE 'ITALIAN' IS COLD!!??!? When did a hot pressed 'Italian Sub' become a thing ANYWHERE in the WORLD???

I'm a classically trained Chef that has traveled all over the world, worked in a deli for years while in school. When you buy prosciutto and bread, it is never toasted without asking! Even in French Airports that have baguette with only porcuitto premade and sitting in the case, they bow down to both ingredients and dont expect for you to have it pressed. What is the point of even having that incredibly fresh meats and rolls, if you plan to squeeze the life and integrity from it?

Just the smell of a hot Italian make me cringe. :( Maybe I read the menu wrong? Maybe it's my fault for not knowing this blasphemous way in which Richmond makes Italians'. I was so looking forward to the cold, chewy bun, SOS to dip. The crunch of the fresh tomato and onions i added on...was gonna add my own hot peppers and oregano.

Thwarted!

I will see you again Chiocca's, and I'll be sure to ask for it cold.

My...