Galaxy Diner — Restaurant in Richmond

My partner and I are long time customers at Galaxy, very regularly since 2019 but also for years before that as well. So generally speaking we're very familiar with the menu, staff/service, and general environmental - and we usually LOVE coming here. But tonight was a HUGE let down.

There was a server, that I believe is somewhat new, because we hadn't seen her before. She was literally the MOST rude server we've ever had to interact with, which is also highly unusual for Galaxy. We were seated around 10p, closing is midnight, and I know they do last call usually 30 mins before (11:30p). So we were well within the business hours, we ordered an unsweet and a sweet tea to drink and that's when all of the attitude started. The server brought the drinks and then made a comment about how they were going to be out of the tea "somepoint tonight" which is a weird statement (you can't make more?) but the biggest issue is just all of the sass with it. It's like her general attitude and presentation of everything was incredibly off-putting. She also made a comment about how they had already or would be (it was really unclear) be dumping the tea out, which is again weird for being 2-Hours before closing time. I also think the tea in general was a bit old, it had that kinda strange taste that tea gets from sitting, it was totally rotten/soured but it was getting there. So that also tells me that they hadn't brewed any in quite some time, maybe it was a slow day in general, but that's the first I've noticed that at Galaxy.

The other thing that really started to get on my nerves in particular was that anytime she brought something to the table and I would say "Thank You", she'd just walk away, no response. No, "You're welcome" or "No Problem"; just silence, which is very rude.

Thankfully, at some point I believe after she brought us our entrees, she was leaving for the night and the other server took over our table. I was glad to know that our tip would be going to the other server and not our original one. If we were seated with the rude server again, I think we'd have to ask for a different server or just leave. It was that bad, very unwelcoming.

Aside from the issue with the server, our food was good and made accurately. The pumpkin spiced blondie sundae that is on special right now is especially good and I would highly recommend.

For management, I didn't get the rude servers name, so I'm going to physically describe her - slim build; bobbed haircut above her shoulders, dyed a reddish color with a lighter streak; false eyelashes; and...

Added all pictures of the menu because there were portions of the menu I couldn’t find on here before I went. We went in during lunch hour on a Thursday, it was busy but we had no wait. The person who greeted us at the door pointed at us and another group as soon as we walked in and told us to follow him. We were confused on if he actually meant us or not because he just turned and started walking fast toward the back. We did follow him and he sat us down with no extra greeting. I brought my baby and it seems they like to put all people who bring babies to the same section which is in the very back next to the bathrooms. There is no changing tables and there was a faint smell of ammonia where we were sitting. The other people who sat near us had gotten their order in and got their drinks before we were even greeted by our waitress. Which I understand might not be her fault but bad management. Though throughout us eating there she tended to be very short with us, didn’t smile at us, just made me feel like it was a bother that we were there. It took away from what I thought was going to be a fun experience. Absolutely never coming back here and I’m going to discourage anyone I know from going here as well. It’s just not worth the unfriendliness...

VIRAL REVIEW: “We Paid. But Apparently Being Black Means That’s Not Enough Here.”

I never thought I’d have to write a review like this in 2025.

My friends and I (all Black professionals) had dinner at galaxy diner this weekend. The food was decent, the service was just okay—but what happened when we left was outrageous.

We paid our full bill—cash left clearly on the table with tip. We even double-checked before heading out.

As we were walking to our car, a white waiter RAN after us, yelling and accusing us of “dining and dashing.” In the middle of the parking lot. Loud. Embarrassing. Disrespectful. No apology when we told him the money was on the table. He ran back in, and just said, “Oh. It doesn’t matter.” No “sorry.” No accountability. Nothing.

Ask yourself: Would this have happened if we weren’t Black?

We weren’t “mistaken.” We were profiled.

If your staff is trained to assume Black customers are thieves—even after they’ve PAID—your restaurant isn’t just a bad experience, it’s a public risk.

We came to support your business. You gave us suspicion, shame, and zero respect.

Do better. Or shut it down. This is why people record. This is why we speak up. #WePaid #BeingBlackIsNotASuspicion #ShameOnYou...