Village Cafe — Restaurant in Richmond

This is certainly a very popular place, but the food was pretty mediocre, by and large. Generous portion sizes, and prompt, helpful service, but (and I came with a reasonably large group, so there were lots of dishes tried) despite coming hungry for a late lunch, no one was particularly enthusiastic about their food.

Among our group, we ordered: a calzone, a salad, the blt, the taco salad, a burrito, a chicken sandwich, French toast, cream chipped beef, chopped steak (my order), and a triple stack of chocolate chip pancakes for my kids. We had sides of fried potatoes, mashed potatoes, fries, and broccoli. The fries were good, and I enjoyed my mashed potatoes. The broccoli was steamed, but not mushy and was green and fresh looking, standard.

And that's about how most people felt - the food was okay. It wasn't bad enough to complain about, but not good enough to come back for. Everyone asked me if my "chopped steak" order was a meatloaf. I may have just misunderstood what I was ordering, but what came out was definitely something like a Salisbury steak, like a minced steak patty. It was ok. Not the worst I'd had, but definitely not something I'd get again. My kids each had one pancake and called it quits. This is lunch at 2pm when they normally eat at noon, having not had much to eat before this. Certainly not the most glowing review of the food.

It's mostly small booth seating (for 4 adults, max), with a corner in the back that we (11 adults, 2 kids in laps) squeezed into. They were quite accomodating, and we had women who were willing to sit close to each other, but I would not really recommend it for large groups. They did have two other areas that were not open for dining when we were here that may accomodate a group, but I would call ahead. They do have a complete party seating policy, just to be aware.

This seems like a local hangout spot, and it has character. Would I go out of my way to eat here? No. But if you're a student or resident in the area wanting American food near campus, this...

Alright here's the short version first: the food is fantastic, the staff is awesome, the ranch is homemade and amazing.

(TL;DR below) Here's the long version: Story time! I grew up down near Roanoke, and there was a restaurant over in Troutville called Country Cookin' that we would eat at every so often. When I was younger, I thought their country fried steak was the best thing ever. I loved it so much. Sadly, over the years they went downhill and the quality fell. Or maybe it was always mediocre, and being a child I simply never knew. Regardless, as I took my friend here for his birthday a week or so ago, I was pondering what to order off of their very versatile and extensive menu. I was stuck between the chicken strips (which my friend, who is one of those guys who orders chicken strips from literally every restaurant, says are the best chicken strips ever) and a croissant sandwich when I saw "country fried steak" on the menu. I got excited and ordered it, hoping it wouldn't be some subpar mushy chunk of fried batter. I was very relieved to find that not only was it NOT a mushy chunk of oily breading, it was like reliving the loving moments of my childhood again; trying a country fried steak for the first time. I devoured the entire thing and was very full and super happy. We went again tonight and once again, it was still so fresh and tasty. Needless to say, I am super happy now that I've found somewhere with country fried steak that it actually good! Maybe next time I can get a picture before I inhale the thing.

TL;DR: Country fried steak is better than the one I ate at a small restaurant in southern Virginia as a child, at which I have fond memories of trying my first country...

😱 WOWZER ...... FOR THE PLACE WILL definitely throw you off your JUDGEMENT SEAT

QUESTIONS LIKE.... HOW CAN A PLACE OF SUCH NON EXPENSIVE DECOR AND FANCY RESTAURANT SETTING PRODUCE SUCH AN INCREDIBLE 5 💎 STAR HOTEL CHEF QUALITY MEAL

I WONDERED THE VERY SAME THING

DONT JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

THIS PLACE AND THE WAITER AND WAITRESS THAT WORK THERE WILL NOT BE DRESSED IN A SUIT AND TIE NOR WILL A RED CARPET BE LAID OUT FOR YOU STEPS TO WALK ON...

BUT I TELL YOU THERE FOOD SHOULD GET THE VERY ATTENTION I JUST SPOKE

I ATE THERE WITH GENUINE LOVES OF MY LIFE AND WE ALL HAD SPENT 2 HOURS THERE ENJOYING THE ENTIRE GATHERING BUT I MUST SAY THE FOOD WAS BEYOND TASTY

YOU WOULD THINK WHO EVER COOKS THEIR FOOD MUST BE THE SAME COOK WHO MAKES FOOD FOR CELEBRITIES OR EVEN THE WHITE HOUSE

TO THE CHEF OF THIS PLACE

I PERSONALLY SAY THANK YOU

JOB WELL DONE

YOU GAVE ME SUCH DELIGHT when I ate at your restaurant

I ordered the spaghetti vegetable dinner came with an awesome SIMPLE but very FRESH salad

I almost would think they went in the garden THAT VERY DAY to cut my tomatoes and onions and salad leafs

Everything at this place was delicious

I recommend this place absolutely to anyone who is picky of quality of food.

They hit a home run in my book !

Great job

Phenomenal food. Was not a fast food service but the food was worth the wait!

Thanks again...