Bryan Park Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Virginia

If you know why you're going, be it music, food, or company, and if you're already familiar with the Bryan Park Bar and Grill, you probably won't be disappointed. It's just a typical neighborhood hole in the wall.

On the other hand, if you haven't been yet, you need to know what you're in for. It might help if you go with a friend or friends that are familiar. Otherwise, well, depending on when you go, it might not be what you're expecting.

I made the mistake of thinking I could walk in and get dinner on a Tuesday night. I went because I wanted to see the band. Got there at 6:45 for dinner because the band was to start at 7:30. The place was a little more than half full. Asked a waitress if it mattered where I sat and was told, "You can't. All the seats are reserved."

When i asked how could i get something to eat, I was told I could wait and see if any room opened up at the bar.

I waited about 10 minutes and finally got a seat at the bar. Another 10 minutes and another the bartender took my order: a Bowl O'Rings and a Greek salad with chicken breast. And bottle of domestic beer. The beer came right up. 50 minutes later, I was served my dinner...

Seriously. At least the rings were warm. A $21 meal it was not. Not by a long shot.

This was my experience. Like I said, if you know what to expect, you either won't mind or you won't go. Or you'll make reservations or you'll go on a...

🚨 Bait and switch menu.. 🚨

My wife and I came in for brunch and I saw that they had a Texas toast breakfast sandwich and that's what I was craving . Some breakfast food with the Texas toast had sold me, The waitress even recommended the Texas toast.

You can see they gave me some basic toast, not even buttered toast. Texas toast is buttered on both sides. This doesn't have butter on either side.. I would have told it the staff this but they never came back until after 20 minutes which at that point everything was cold and we had finished eating what we had ordered, I took the sandwich to go so I can try to salvage it later, it was very dry and not at all as advertised.

Unfortunately that was not the only issue, overall it took about 30 minutes from the time we ordered for my wife and I 's sandwiches to be made, with a side of French toast.

I'm pretty sure that the person who was cooking the food was actually at the bar talking for the first 20 minutes, it wasn't until this staff member walked to the back that I finally started hearing stuff sizzle and it appeared we were the only group inside who had ordered food.

Definitely seems like a okay place to get drinks, but I do not...

Clearly a much beloved local gathering spot! Apparently it's been around for a very long time, and is currently the best its been throughout its long tenure (is what one of the regulars, who's lived nearby for decades, told us). They have extensive programming, based on the calendar, almost something every night! A lot of live music with local bands, weekly trivia, karaoke, and open mike, as well as special seasonal and holiday events.

We were coming back from an event at Lewis Ginter, so it was close to 9pm, and it was still busy and full. We sat at the bar and got a giant pretzel and a burger (which was recommended by the regular we'd spoken with). The food came out quickly and was hot and good. Nothing spectacular, but I imagine people come here to hang out and enjoy the music rather than for the food. Service was great, friendly, attentive. My first thought walking in was that this was like a local Cheers spot. It just has that vibe. I'd be curious to come back at a different time of day, but it is definitely a popular spot with lots of regulars who just have fun and enjoy...