The River and Rail Restaurant — Restaurant in Roanoke

Must have been an off day for this spot. I have never been so frustrated at the same spot, several different ways in the same visit. The only reason I gave 2 stars was because the small plates were delicious. When we got there, with reservations and on time, our server took over 5 minutes to get to us. It's fine, we hadn't quite decided. When we got our salads, the farmers one came with full leaves. So I started cutting up my salad and every leaf had brown oxidation at the bottoms. I kid you not, I had to cut off over 10 bad bottoms. The leaves weren't old or wilted, they decided to serve me the part of the bottom of the leaf no one ever eats. I filled up an entire side dish of leaves. When the server came to check in on us, he didn't even clear the plate full of garbage and didn't acknowledge it. The food took so long to get there, and we only ordered small plates, no entrees. It was 3 small plates and we sat there after our salads had been cleared for almost 30 minutes. It's as if the server didn't fire the food until after he had cleared the plates. By the way, he didn't bother to clear the plates until we finally stacked them in the middle of the table. And even then, the plates were waiting for him to clear for a solid 10 minutes. Once the food did come, we ran out of water and our server walked away with the water jug to not return with a full one for a solid 10 minutes into our meal. Made even the tastiest food seem dry when you have nothing to drink. Upon finally getting service to get a box, I then today opened the food he boxed up for us-- he threw away everything except 2 small ribs! We asked for a box for all the food, he cleared the two plates which we had 2 ribs and several sweet potatoes left over. Perfect for a lunch. He insisted on boxing it up himself, and we never thought to double check his work. Will absolutely never return for table service, it was a quiet Tuesday night we went in with reservations and the table service absolutely ruined the meal entirely. We were stuck there for over an hour, the majority of the time waiting on our server to just do his job. It wasn't busy, but he somehow managed to never be around. Cannot fathom this place having such good reviews if this is the norm. I would highly suggest sitting at the bar if you want the food. For the prices they charge, the table service should at least be the same as a casual place, if not better. I've gotten more attentive service at a waffle...

Sigh If it weren’t for the server I’d contact the owner. Here’s the ‘experience’:

I called on Wed to reserve a dinner for my last living parents bday. Everything ran smoothly until today. They texted at noon to confirm but I was busy driving 7 hours without stopping so had not had a chance to confirm. They called at 1525 to confirm and although still busy driving I offered verbal verification. Then, they contacted me a third time at 1900 to ask if I could come in 15 min earlier, to which I declined for several reasons amongst it being a pandemic and bringing father to bday dinner, as I had prev mentioned several times.

We get there and our table was in the middle of the restaurant at the entrance, unlike a table of someone who called FOUR days in advance. Hopefully whoever got the table had a wonderful meal bc it was obvious we were ‘thrown to the side’.

Felt like the entrees were the only thing that could save us. We ordered the most expensive appetizer and I ordered one of the most expensive entree. The oysters were better than expected for them being ‘out of season’, we grew up/own tons of property here but I went to college/lived at the beach for 10+ years and am a seafood fanatic. ‘Retired’ from fine dining in 2013 after 11+ years and the medium rare steak served was barely cooked, as if they flew it out. The server was great but indicated we needed to put in our entrees quickly - big no no for a newly established restaurant. The customers keep you in business so moving forward the restaurant should not offer a later reservation if the kitchen cannot accommodate. Had I known they were going to ‘fly’ my nearly $40 entree maybe I would’ve ordered more quickly. I then watched them prepare food for the next hour dually wondering why we were rushed to order entrees.

Anyway, it was okay but totally not worth the money and drive. I wish they would’ve treated us like the customers that so seemingly/desperately wanted our reservations! Save your $, pick/drive further for somewhere else.

A Mexican restaurant/any given chain offers...

"Run" from the River and Rail. Service generally very good. All the waitresses quite nice. First course took more than 45 minutes to come out after I complained 2x --- and only 2 of the 3 appetizers made it...the third - the pork ribs - sat under the warmer for 20 minutes while the kitchen waited for the other dishes to be ready...they served them nonetheless, cold / chewy / inedible. We sent them back horrified.

The table of locals sitting next to us came in 30 minutes after we did and their food came out quickly and perfectly to order BEFORE our food. Hmmmm - out of towners not welcome??? They did seem to know everybody.

The owner came over and not so gracefully told us there was a "miscommunication" with the kitchen and server. Didn't really apologize. We just asked for what was ready to come out asap (my 13 year old son had not eaten since lunch and it was now past 915pm) and a check. We left starving, annoyed and frustrated. To Dairy Queen for a burger that came right out...followed by a blizzard.

The owner (Aaron) was at least somewhat gracious and finally (sort of) apologized and told us there was no check and that he felt badly that the restaurant completely screwed up the meal.

Fingers pointed in all directions. The waitress blamed the kitchen and the kitchen said it was put in wrong. Aaron asked that we come back so he could ensure us a great meal.

We were told that this restaurant and Alexander's were the two best in Roanoke. We are here for another 10 days and will try Alexander's tmrw.

While River and Rail atmosphere and the servers were generally quite nice - would recommend a PASS on River and Rail ... and go to a restaurant that can actually process a basic order and "feed" their customers in a reasonable time frame. VERY DISAPPOINTING! This place ain't cheap for such a poor experience!

And if you are from out of town, you will not feel...