Sheppard Street Tavern — Restaurant in Richmond

Came in last week around 5ish for dinner and sat on the patio. There were good and bad parts to our experience. They had some solid happy hour options, for both food and drinks. It did take us a bit to get drinks at first, due to some miscommunication with our server. We waited for about ten minutes after being sat with waters before going inside to ask our server if we order inside or not, and she told us she was waiting on our third person to get there. Totally understandable, but we didn't get checked on during that time and she seemed a bit annoyed at having to come outside. We ordered happy hour drinks and deviled eggs (traditional style, they change regularly according to the menu!) and garlic parm rub HH wings. Everything came out quickly and was enjoyable. The wings were huge, but we probably would've gone with a sauce next time. Our server seemed to start warming up to us when we placed our entrée orders, despite the initial irritated attitude. We got the devil's triangle hot chicken and the blackened fish tacos. The hot chicken and sides were really good, and a really hefty portion as well. The Mac had a wonderful creaminess to our and the collards were a standout- a little sweet along with the savory. The fish tacos were really good as well, but I had to send them back. There was a hair sitting on the side of one of the tacos, which like whatever, things happen, I just picked it off and went about it. Got through most of one taco before I spotted a second hair, this time more embedded in the taco. I sent them back and got the turkey ruben to go (not pictured) which was pretty good when I reheated it at home. Decided to try the cherry pie with vanilla ice cream for dessert. It was decent, but again we had to send it back after a few bites when we noticed a spot of mold on it. Luckily none of us got sick afterwards, and our server was super understanding and she took it off the bill for us. After closing out, two of us stayed for awhile to wait out the storm that had started up, and our server was kind enough to let us reopen for a couple more drinks while we watched the rain. The bar itself has a real neighborhood watering hole vibe to it, and you can tell that there's a lot of friendly regulars who hang out. I'd probably come back to drink again, but wouldn't order anything to eat if...

Worst Experience Ever!! Do Not Eat Here …. However, If you like horrible service by your waitress, overcooked hamburgers, undercooked wings and ultimately having your waitress tell some (non essential patron) that you are using a groupon as if its a bad thing then by all means .. throw away your money and go here. The worst has yet to be posted … the waitress edged on her buddy friend who mind you did not buy anything just was sitting on the patio chatting with her while no one else was patronizing the establishment - well, the hapless sap felt the need to APPROACH my Mother & I as we were leaving the restaurant & have the AUDACITY to say I Know YOU ** left a tip if you're using a groupon right? HOW DARE YOU.... HOW DID HE KNOW A GROUPON WAS USED? WHY DID THE WAITRESS DISCLOSE THIS? WHAT BUSINESS IS THIS OF HIS? Of course … words exchanged (Older White Man attempting to belittle an African American Mother & Daughter departing their Luncheon) The waitress obviously retreated back inside … did I mention the food was sub-par and not only that but we did pay FULL price as the groupon was not honored either (no worries - money is not a problem / just like trying new things) Left after all the unwanted fiasco… Mom spoke with the manager and now I know why that mentality is so prevalent there … it starts from the top with Management … The Owner David Bender was just as racist as he could be and it is obvious that certain people ... in particular BLACKS / African Americans are NOT Welcomed HERE ….. DO NOT Patronize …. They Changed their name 4 a Reason!!!!!!! Don't Be Mislead …. Sheppard Street Tavern is a joke and I predict will be closed...

I never even got to try the food which might have been a blessing in disguise. As soon as I came in I waited for 5 minutes for a hostess to greet me only to be redirected to the bar to pick up my order. When I get to the bar I’m then ignored for another 10 minutes. I understand if you’re busy (although they didn’t seem to be) but you could at the very least acknowledge my existence. One of the bar tenders then starts conversating with someone who came up after me and then when she finishes that conversation she continues to ignore me. I’m finally asked from the male bartender how I can be helped and I’m finally able to tell them I’m literally only there to pick up food I had ordered a while ago. He tells me there’s something wrong with the system and they never got my order and instead of offering what they can do to help he just continues on serving other customers. I wait there for another 5 minutes and he never tells me what’s going on or if they’re trying to fix it so I leave. Definitely not a place I will be coming back to, the ratings for the food weren’t all that great to begin with so I should of known better. I’m not one to leave reviews but this place really blew me and caused me to be late coming back to my job and hungry for the rest...