Warriors Taphouse — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

Warrior's Taphouse is located in a shopping center just south of General Booth Blvd. and Dam Neck Rd. in Virginia Beach (across the street from the Food Lion essentially). This place opened in 2015. There is ample parking available in the shopping center where they are located. I've driven past the place many times over the past few years, but never made my way in there. That changed on February 6, 2020 during the 2020 Virginia Beach Restaurant Week.

The exterior of the restaurant is very simple in concept. Red, White and Blue, as well as a flagpole with the U.S. flag on it as well. Simple is great when it comes to this. You can easily see them once you come into the shopping center. Once you come inside, you can easily see that this is military themed, which is expected by the nature of this place. On the back of the menu, there is some information about the warriors on the wall (photo included).

We were immediately greeted when we came in, and they said we could sit where we wanted. Due to coming in at a non-peak time, it wasn't too busy in here, as there were just a few over at the bar area. We went with a booth towards the back. In less than a minute, our server Logan was at the table. He asked if we had been here before and if we wanted anything to drink. I went with the Dr, Brown's Craft Root Beer for a drink. A few moments later, he was back asking if were ready to order or if we had any questions about the menu. We were ready to order at that time. For the appetizer, we both ordered our own Bavarian Soft Pretzels with beer cheese. I ordered the Chicken Sandwich with fries (pickles on the side). My mom went with the Mac & Cheese, which also included a salad with it. Within a few minutes, the appetizers were at the table.

Now the fun begins. While waiting for our food, a nice thunderstorm rolled through with some strong, gusty winds. At that point we watched the staff scramble to get stuff inside because the winds were that strong. The winds were strong enough that they had to lock one of the doors because the winds kept opening the door. The storm didn't last long, but man that rain came down heavy too. Mother Nature at her finest.

Shortly after Mother Nature loosened her grip, our entrees came to the table. The food looked really good and was hot. It took a moment to start. It's always great when it comes out hot. The Chicken Sandwich and fries were really good. I would totally get this again when I return. My mom really liked the Mac & Cheese and the salad that came with it as well. Since this was part of the restaurant week, we also got to pick a dessert. We both went with the Cookies and Cream Nightingale Gourmet Ice Cream Sandwich. This was a nice sweet spot to end the meal.

Overall, this was a great first experience here. The Bavarian Pretzels were amazing and would totally get them again in the future. It's even better that they are cheaper on the happy hour too. Although the menu isn't large, there really is something for just about everyone here. The food was great too. Service was on point the entire time, even during the weather event. This is a great casual place to come and grab something, while supporting local veterans at the same time. If you are in the area and looking for something to eat, come check...

FAILED THIER MISSION STATEMENT via treatment of customers

As "valued customers" as well as 2 active duty service members and one retired vet and their military families. We were seated by the hostess and was left at our table for 24 minutes with no one approaching us. We noticed staff look at us several time from where they were standing by the entrance to the kitchen as we kept searching for someone to take notice we were neglected or overlooked, but eventually had to get one member of our party get up and go over to the staff talking to each other by that kitchen entrance. Waitress came over a few minutes later and got our drink and appetizer part of order. She extremely slow on replenishing water and drinks. We ordered the the entree specials, which was 2 Shepard Pies, a Bangers in Mash - which the server didn't even know was the special and just stared at me until I showed her the digital menu showing the menu options, then threw a shoulder shrug and said "ok" like "so what, it's on the menu, I don't care" body posturing. And two cheese burgers. 5 entree total. Food out in a timely and it was good. This is the only reason it got 2 stars. We waited for 20 minutes more without seeing our waitress after all plates were eaten and stacked to show signal to waitress and staff we were ready to receive our checks. To move and let them seat other customers as it's was a busy weekend, and know table space means profit, which we are aware of. When the checks were requested we also had requested a to-go box for a half eaten entree. The checks came back promptly but not the box. She picked up the checks and payments with a few minutes after dropping them off which was timely.. Never brought the box. Never looked at our table again even when attempting to wave her down. The staff talking by the kitchen noticed us waving and no one tried to notify her or check on us. Another 19 minutes go by this company could have had other customers seated generating profit and good reviews instead of frustrating waiting customers. A member of our party had again approach staff chatting at kitchen entrance and ask for box. They chatted into kitchen took several minutes to return to dining room and place the box on the very edge of the unoccupied table (since part of our party has left after paying their bill) without even looking in our direction when placing that box on the table. Basically ignored. We were patient because it was the weekend and just left but were treated like a party of 5 including NAVY members and their families spending over 155.00 on appetizers, drinks, and entrees were not welcome at this establishment. Not to mention money lost from customers waiting to be seated when staff doesn't care to run a normal pace and prefers to not work their jobs and chat with others during peak dinner hours. We had high hopes for this establishment located outside Oceana. We had decided to dine here to take a retired vet from Colorado and an active duty on training from NASJAX here to celebrate. Worst place we could taken...

I had a very disappointing and uncomfortable experience during my visit. Our server, Logan, came to our table only twice the entire time we were there, while I watched him consistently attend to other tables around us all of which happened to be white customers. As an African American and a veteran, I felt racially profiled and disrespected.Two other employees had to step in to assist us because Logan chose not to. Had to ask the bar for boxes, and the sweet lady who was the food runner had to provide us with silverware and our beverages. On top of that, when he finally did bring the check, he slammed it on the table twice and did not speak to us with any respect or professionalism.This kind of treatment is unacceptable. I will not be dining here again, and I truly hope management takes this feedback seriously to prevent others from having the same experience.

UPDATE: Thank you for your reply. While I appreciate you addressing my feedback, my experience was not reflective of the high standards you mentioned. During my visit, my server only came to my table twice, while consistently attending to other guests, which made me feel dismissed and uncomfortable. As an African American veteran, I could not ignore the difference in how I was treated compared to others around me, and that is unacceptable.

To be clear, there were only four tables seated, including mine, along with three guests at the bar. Another couple arrived toward the end of my visit and was serviced three times before we were ever properly taken care of. Throughout our meal we never received silverware, appetizer plates, napkins, or drink refills from our server — the food runner was the one who had to provide us with a refill.

I hope you take this as an opportunity to truly evaluate how all guests are treated, regardless of background, and ensure your staff is upholding the respect and fairness you mentioned. At this time, I do not feel comfortable returning, but I hope future guests receive...