The Big Spruce — Restaurant in Richmond

While the dining room is small, there is ample outdoor seating for spring, summer, and fall. And while I was there it seemed that the take out option was in full swing as well...

The food was outstanding! I always seem to have a blah experience at local Mexican restaurants (and I've tried them all), but this menu is inspired! It is high quality! It is delicious! Those of you seeking cheap Mexican food... Skip this, and go to Taco Bell. Better yet, stsy home, and make it yourself. Stop complaining about the cost of quality food, and talented chefs.

I had 3 tacos and a side of rice and black beans... needless to say I was stuffed! The meats were all perfectly done, the flavor combinations were spot on, the rice was not bland and dry, but flavorful and cooked to perfection. While I had the black beans which were wonderful, I got to sample the refried beans, and I have never tasted another refried bean dish that could compare!

The service was wonderful! Chevy is a true asset to this restaurant! Knowledge about the menu, the ingredients, the preparation, and so friendly! Those of you complaining about the service fee need to relax. I hope more restaurants adopt this policy. When you go out to eat, you should plan on at least a 15% tip. If you don't then it is my opinion that you have no business going out. Do they allow you to make an additional tip? Sure! And it starts at 0. And then 5%. I generally tip 20% when I go out, so I felt that having the option to tip more was great!... in fact, I tipped 10% more because I felt my experience was worthy of it.

On a final note, they are aware of food sensitivities and allergies and help their patrons with ordering as needed.

What an absolute joy! Highly recommend...

So incredibly disappointing, the food was fine. The service was not, and I didn’t get a choice to share that with them since there’s a 15% service charge always added (makes sense if you actually do your job). We had to track someone down for basically everything we needed, we were a table of two and there was ONE OTHER TABLE, and four servers hanging around. All 4 tables around us had old plates + trash on them the whole time we were there. Most of the time I would have to interrupt a conversation about some group chat to get a drink. Which were tiny and took so long to make even tho it was all they had to do. I sat and stared at the bartender and my server for 15 mins waiting for my check, jackets on and everything, while they chatted 5 ft away in an empty restaurant, with two other employees just hanging by the bar. At one point I saw BOH have to interrupt them, and they went back to their conversation after. What a birthday dinner! Also… leopard print leggings? And I’m forced to tip 15% at a place with no dress code and terrible service? I have NEVER not added a tip before, even with a service charge. This was hands down the worse restaurant experience I have ever had, and would have not expected it at such a “nice” place. Hatchet was so much better than this place, if you need a manager hit my line. Separately the place is pretty small and not very nice inside and their plates look nothing like the photos. Fish taco is the reason for the 1 star,...

My Family have eaten here many times before and enjoyed our meal very much, this time not so much. The place was nearly empty on a Saturday night, which probably should have given us a clue. The waitstaff and Bartender extremely friendly, but the food was very disappointing. We ordered Fried Pickles and Artichokes as an appetizer, both were good but had the same spices on them and way too much salt. They were served with the same dipping sauce which was fine but was craving something else. It was all one note. My son ordered the wedge salad which was a great size, but smothered in dressing, too much dressing, the tacos I got were fried in the same batter as the appetizers and were also extremely salty. My husband didn't even eat the other half of his "Crispy" burrito because it was a soggy mess. It's unfortunate that this awesome little gem of a restaurant didn't add up to our previous visits, but we will not be going anytime in the future. Flavor doesn't always mean more salt, I would rather have to salt something myself, than not be able to eat it because it is over salted and all one note of flavor. I'd really like to continue supporting our community, but this just left an extremely bad taste in my mouth and elevated my blood...