Hollywood's Restaurant & Bakery — Restaurant in Virginia

Hollywood's Restaurant & Bakery was the first restaurant my wife and I tried while being recent transplants to Roanoke. We were frankly blown away.

First, the atmosphere is great. Nothing pretentious but also far from a "dive", just the setup of an intimate small-town eatery. While the seating is close to other tables, we never felt boxed in or like we had to shout to hear each other, and that was sitting at a 4 Top for only two persons. The art is delightful and consistent and the small bar area is cute and matches the rest of the decor.

For service, rarely have I had better. Not only did our server stop and check on us at least a dozen times (and we weren't there all day) but other servers and a Manager checked in as well. I never even got close to the bottom of my drink before being offered another and being able to see into the kitchen (from our seating) was an added treat. Everything came out at a respectable pace and was cooked exactly as we asked, including some minor changes like sauce on the side.

Lastly, the food was great. We had Fried Oysters, a BBQ Burger, Coconut Shrimp & Grits, and Crab Cakes (it was a seafood night for us). I've never had a better aioli, period, and all the seafood was great quality. Also some of the best french fries I've had, seasoned well but not overly salty. The portions were bigger than expected and we couldn't eat it all, totally on us, but even the leftovers reheated fine.

I expected to drop at least $100 on just the food/drink (three ciders and a lemonade plus two small desserts) but it was under that so we happily tipped more than extra. I'd enthusiastically recommend Hollywood Restaurant & Bakery and we will be taking anyone who comes into town there right away. This is the definition of an excellent, clean, well-serviced local eatery and a high standard for others in the...

My wife and I are locals. We visited the restaurant for the first time since moving into the area, and after hearing so many positive testimonials we were unpleasantly surprised.

While my food was very good, my wife's was not. She ordered one of the most expensive items on the menu-- the Ribeye-- and she ordered it medium well. Despite it, the first steak she received was still cool and bright red in the center. We sent it back, and a few moments later we had what seemed to be the same steak in exactly the same condition. We sent it back again. This time, the waiter returned a newly cooked steak and explained that the first was oddly cut. Upon cutting into it, the steak did appear to be a little more done on one half, and the other half was just as undercooked as the first.

Another lady -- the manager, I believe -- checked in shortly afterward at which point we explained that the steak was still not what my ordered but that she'd eat it. The lady seemed satisfied with this, and it was the last we heard from her. We were, of course, a little dejected by the apathy. We are not the kind of people who like to complain without very good reason, and after sending the steak back twice we were skeptical that anything would get fixed anyway.

After dinner, a few people from our table ordered desserts. We were given our checks after placing those orders, none of which reflected the dessert orders, and we had to inquire twice with two different people just to straighten it out, and by then it was almost like we were inconveniencing them by trying to buy additional food. After the issue with my wife's steak, we were both unimpressed. We will not likely return or recommend to...

Went in for lunch. I am always impressed with all of the waitresses. It is total chaos in there to me, but everyone of them are delivering orders, bussing tables, making tea, getting to go orders, seating new diners, and it doesn't matter if it's their table of dinners or not. I made the comment to our server that they were making me dizzy just watching them. The food is pretty good too. I am retired USAF and went there to see what was offered to Vets for Veterans day. I was blown away. I had my choice of any of their full entrees. I had the fried cat fish and it was very very good. Lunch time is usually crowded, but the turn over is fairly quick. I don't remember waiting more than 7 to 10 minutes. Thanks to the staff at Hollywood's.

Update 7/13/24 Went in a little after lunch time, about 2 pm. The place wasn't very crowded but the servers were still very busy, I guess getting ready for dinner. Got seated right away, got drinks quickly, ordered the food and it came out of the kitchen very quickly. Our server was wonderful. I had seen her in there every time we went in, but still can't remember her name. Not much more to mention, except, don't go into the restroom and expect to just wave your hands in front of or under the paper towel dispenser expecting a paper towel. I did for a moment or two, until I realized it was manual. It really is a wonderful place to eat and socialize. Come check the place out. You won't be...