Side Chic — Restaurant in Richmond

I genuinely don’t know where to begin. I’m still baffled. As someone who dines out regularly and takes pride in supporting Black-owned businesses, I came in expecting soul, community, and comfort on a plate. What I got instead was confusion, dysfunction, and a vivid reminder that not everything with a hype train deserves to be boarded. I’ve had bad meals before, but this? This felt like a dare. And frankly, I’m still questioning how this place is legally up and running. Let’s talk food. The wings were so salty they could’ve been used to de-ice roads. The shrimp had a fishy aftertaste that screamed I should’ve been tossed yesterday. And the color? Everything was aggressively red. Chicken, shrimp, all dunked in Sazón like it was the house marinade. Newsflash. Sazón is not a personality. It’s a seasoning. When we asked for tartar sauce, we were handed cocktail sauce, then mayonnaise, with a casual “we’re low on tartar.” Since when is mayo a backup plan for seafood? Oh, and the whiting? “We’re out.” Which sounds like their permanent status, honestly. Even the menu couldn’t get it right. They spelled yams as “yums.” That typo told me everything I needed to know. We weren’t in a restaurant. We were in someone’s delusional side hustle, and it shows. But the food was just the first layer. When I politely expressed to the bartender, a light-skinned gentleman with the kind of attitude that should never come with a service role, that I didn’t like the wings, his immediate response was I never go anywhere and not pay for something I eat. Sir, I took one bite. That’s how dining works. In a real establishment, feedback is welcomed, adjustments are made, and guests are respected. Instead, he escalated the situation, raised his voice, and shouted for someone to call the police. Police. Over chicken. As if that weren’t enough, we paid in full and attempted to leave, only to be followed outside by the owner and her staff like it was a schoolyard fight about to break out. At one point, the owner shouted My daughter’s coming out to fight you. Ma’am. What? Is this an eatery or a neighborhood beef in uniform? The establishment is unprofessional, untrained, and unfit to be serving the public. They were serving alcohol without asking for IDs, a liability waiting to happen. Condiments were improvised. Threats were personalized. Hospitality was nonexistent. You can tell this place isn’t led by a professional. Not in the kitchen. Not behind the bar. And certainly not in ownership. And to be honest, Side Chick is the most unintentionally accurate name I’ve seen. Because that’s exactly what the energy was giving. Scattered, sloppy, and reactive. The behavior was too fluid, too familiar, meaning this wasn’t their first time treating a customer like this. Watching the staff and owner crowd up like it was a block party gone left? Wild. I’m a food critic. I’ve reviewed five-star fine dining and hole-in-the-wall gems. I support Black businesses with pride. But this right here? This was a lesson in what happens when ego runs a restaurant and accountability never clocked in.And these glowing five-star reviews? Probably written by relatives, regulars, or folks who’ve never eaten anywhere with standards. Because if people were being honest? This place doesn’t just lack flavor. It lacks leadership,...

Let’s get straight to it. You had one job. ONE. Feed people well and act like you’ve seen a customer before. Somehow, even that was too ambitious. The food? A comedy of errors dressed up as a menu. The seasoning wasn’t seasoned. It was screaming. Salt levels high enough to qualify for a hypertension study. Texture? Inconsistent. Presentation? Meh. Not a single item gave what it was supposed to give. It felt like the kitchen asked, “What’s the bare minimum we can get away with today?” And then chose less.

As for the drinks? I’ve had more flavorful experiences rinsing my mouth at the dentist. Calling those lemon drops “cocktails” is a disservice to both lemons and drops. Watered down, weak, and not even cold enough to pretend to be cute. Now let’s talk vibe. Because professionalism must’ve called out that day. The staff moved like they were being inconvenienced by doing… their actual jobs. No warmth. No attention to detail. Just vibes and vibes alone, and even those were off.

I came hoping for soul food and hospitality. What I got was chaos in a to-go box and customer service with a side of attitude. But don’t worry. I paid, I tipped, and I dipped. You won’t get the chance to try me twice. To whoever’s in charge, I suggest you gather your team, your recipes, and your purpose, because something got lost along the way. Read this slowly, maybe twice. Then go stand in the mirror and ask yourself, “Was it worth it?”

Because...

My hubby and I were out at the Richmond convention center and wanted to get some food nearby. My husband said he wanted to try sidechic. First off, the name of the restuarant is hilarious, but we were especially sold at the fact that it is walking distance from the convention center and Black owned. The restuarant atmosphere is quaint and laid back. The customer service is A1, as we were greeted immediately upon entering, and checked on throughout our meal. Now to the food, Ah-maz-ing! Everything was made to order, fresh, and well seasoned! My hubby got wings and requested all drums, and he was accomodated without a hitch. I got chicken nuggets, and we got an order of fried catfish to share. First off his wings were big and juicy, and they didnt skimp on the sauce! My chicken nuggs were lightly battered, juicy, and 100% chicken breast meat. The fried catfish was just as delicious and lightly battered. Fish was fresh and flaky, and you can tell it was real catfish and not cheaper low quality fish (that some other restuarants sell to save a buck). Lastly, we tried carol's sauce which had a slight kick and paired perfectly with everything. I wish I took more pictures of the food, but we tore that food up! Lol. If I had to choose a comparision, it reminds me of Zaxby's but with better quality. I wish we lived nearby or we'd come here weekly! 10/10, definitely will come again. Telling all my friends & family to check this...