Millie's Diner — Restaurant in Richmond

Millie's Ratings: 4.2/5

Food: 4.5/5 - I am always on the hunt for good brunch spots in Richmond. I'd been to a few in the RVA area, and I really enjoyed Millie's. The food is good, vibes are outstanding and fantastic! It is a great spot for a relaxing time and welcoming hospitality from the staffs. Please read the descriptions of the item I got for more details and visit my IG (noraeatsgood) for more content.

Eggs Ben-Gurion [GET]: A perfectly toasted everything bagel, fluffy and chewy, topped with smoked salmon and two nicely poached eggs. The smoked salmon is fresh and tasty. The hollandaise glaze was solid, a bit on the heavier side, but definitely added that moistness to the bagel. Unlike English muffins, I like the twist here, because the bread is denser and chewier. If you like spicy, make sure to add sriracha to the Ben-Gurion. I like their house made potatoes a lot too. They are not as crispy, but super flavorful, covered with bold spices and got a kick to it.

Ambiance: 4.25/5 - Walking in, we can immediately feel the fun and energetic vibes. There's a small kitchen and bar right at the entrance, really cool. We sat in the back section, where the booths and decorated jukebox are located. There's upbeat music at the diner, but not too loud that we can't hear each other. Restrooms are downstairs with cool decor.

Price: 4/5 - The eggs ben-gurion was $15 before tax and comes with a side of potatoes. Although it doesn't seem like there's a lot, but this meal was actually quite satisfying and filling. It is worth it.

Service: 4/5 - Our server was nice, and we got seated as soon as we arrived for our reservation. The staffs are all very friendly, service was prompt, and welcoming. He took our orders and was able to take some special food requests from my sister as well. He would stop by and ask if we need anything and constantly come by to pick up our trash to free up some room for us on the table. Make sure to reserve a spot on OpenTable or call them.

BLUF: Classic Southern brunch spot and a classic in RVA. They have been around for over 20+ years and are known for their famous potatoes. They use bold flavors, so the food can be either on the spicier or saltier side, just FYI. I highly recommend the Ben-Gurion if you are a fan of Egg Benedicts, interesting twist with a bagel or getting the corned beef hash. I would return again...

I didn't want to make this review, but after calling the store multiple times on different days and times there was never a manager on duty. I came in with a friend and had brunch. Food wasn't as good as I remember. As I was eating this sub par food as I kept hearing super vulgar music. The most vulgar song was "Gimme the Loot" by Biggie. I thought it was weird to hear music like this on a weekend brunch. You have kids, older people, and church crowds coming in. For a restaurant that is supposed to be inclusive for all just seems weird to play non family friendly music especially so early. After my meal I left a gracious tip for Ruth. On my way out I simply asked about the music and if they always play it. (I was thinking about bringing my grandmother in because it is right next to my house and the patio has easy wheel chair access) I asked if they always play it because I would like to bring my grandmother, but she does not like this music. Ruth and the host proceeded to laugh at me in my face. They said "yeah don't bring your grandmother in here" sarcastically while they laughed in my face. I have been a server, bartender for years and never, ever in my career have I ever laughed in someone's face. I thought about picking up my forty dollar tip that I left on a $90 tab back up, but I didn't want to cause a scene. And of course there wasn't a manager on duty to make a complaint to. It's absolutley okay to play whatever you want to. A restaurant has every right to their playlist. I love Biggie. But to laugh in someones face when they ask about bringing their grandmother in? That's just wild. And honestly what restaurant operates without a manager on duty? No wonder the staff acts like that, there is never anyone there to lead the team. I will never be back. Like I said the food is nothing to brag about and there is 1,000 other restaurants in walking distance in Churchill and Shokoe that don't treat people like that. I left a 50% tip and got laughed at. I'm still shaking my head. Their staff, especially Ruth and that hostess wearing the camo need a HUGE class on inclusion, diversity, and...

I've been coming to Millie's for years and used to say it was a staple of Richmond. I would bring every single person or and dates to Millie's because of the food and the experience. I don't know what happened but today on a Saturday on Labor day weekend when I would have expected a line out the door the place was half full @ noontime. And I used to feel the hometown/eclectic vibe of the chalkboard menu, which my now current wife remembered the last time she was here. Albeit it was years ago, she remembered huddling under the awning with like 30 other people hiding from the pouring rain just to wait to get into Millie's for like 30 minutes. And then the experience inside being rewarding. Today, it just wasn't there. Hardly anyone around when Lulu's just down street had over an hr wait. Ordered coffee and the server allowed us to have it with only 2 creamer in the dish and never refilled ot even though I posted it empty next to the edge of the table. The coffee tasted burnt when I always remembered it being delicious and feeling like a premium brand. The entire menu has also always been no substitutions but it feels so heavily weighted down with seafood additives that my wife's sensitive food allergic stomach barely had any choices and had to settle for just a side of eggs and toast. My Benedict was cooked well, but whoever decided to pair poached eggs with a falling apart wafer like croissant and crisp heavily salty tough grilled va ham should change that. The tough ham requires cutting or shredding to eat with the soft egg and the falling apart croissant means I have to make a mess or take my bites in parts like cutting food up for a kid. Benedicts are supposed to be made with an English muffin for a reason to match the contents on it. That and the potatoes I was given was a very small serving compared to the past and barely was there compared to the Benedict. The service was good, other than not taking the cues to keep is in accessories for my coffee. Over all I would try some other place of I was a person and not tarnish the good old memories of Millie's...