Virginia Diner — Restaurant in Wakefield

Arrived about 3:30 PM on a recent Thursday for a late lunch early dinner. The dining room was quite empty 3 other tables as we were seated. This was our first physical visit to the Diner before we have enjoyed Virginia Diner food at various catered events. It took our server some time (more than 5 minutes) to notice and greet us. She (Jevonne) seemed to be in a rush wanting us to order beverages and food together when we were still looking over the extensive menu. When asked for beverages she placed rolled flatware and extra napkins on the table a left to retrieve the drinks. Upon returning she sloshed beverage onto the table and used the extra napkins to clean it up. No apologies. We ordered explaining it was our first visit. Twenty minutes passed without checking on us again or updating us to any kind of kitchen situation or stopping to refill beverages. When the meals arrived they were well presented. "Amazing Chicken Tenders with hush puppies, green beans, and Mac & cheese. Crispy Fried Pork Loin with mashed red skinned potatoes, collards, biscuit. Our beverages were refilled. Everything looked delicious and the first bite of the crispy pork loin with caramelized onions and brown gravy was very tasty. However it was just warm not hot not as if it had just come from a deep fryer. There's two reasons I didn't immediately send this meal back there is no quick easy fix except to microwave. Which would have caused the crispy coating to no longer be crispy or wait another extended time for the meal to be completely remade. And I was hungry. The second reason I had a guest that I really didn't want to make uncomfortable he doesn't like added attention. So quietly I ate two of the three slices of the pork. But by the time I got to the third the gravy was cold and congealing. My dinner partner seemed to enjoy his meal. Btw at no point during this time did the server return to check on us. Even to refill our empty, again glasses. When I was finally able to see the server again get her attention I ask for a box for the remaining pork loin. Even then no comment on how we enjoyed our meal. She brought the box and check and wished us a nice day. Once in the car I found out my guests meal hadn't been any hotter than my own. This is especially frustrating because at no time did the number of tables exceed what was there when we arrived. One left and one arrived. And I noted 2 other servers besides ours as well as a hostess and a cashier. This should have been a pleasant experience. It was a beautiful sunny day and we had been out for a pleasant day driving. Looked forward to a...

While traveling from Chesapeake VA to Roanoke VA on 460 I kept seeing signs for the Virginia Diner, the pictures of food and desserts did the trick. I entered the town of Wakefield Virginia, the peanut capital of the world. I found the Virginia Diner, which has been in business for over 90 years. It was featured on Diners Drive-Ins and dives. I came to the parking lot and realized there wasn't room for my truck, I took a chance and took the side road behind the building and found a huge parking lot big enough for my truck and maybe three or four others. I made my way to the front door, walked inside and was surprised to find a brightly lit, clean modern dining area that was full of happy people being served by happy people. My waitress Kay, gave me a smile, a menu and took my drink order. I decided I was going to get my money's worth today. There were lunch specials, a la carte and the buffet. I chose the latter and am glad I did. The salad was fresh and the ingredients were normal buffet salad fixings, spring mix, tomatoes, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, slaw, peppers and all the necessary things you need. Kay brought me my 1000 Island. A unique concept, it left more room on the buffet table for fixings and kept it much cleaner with no mess from spillage.+++ Them the fun began, I went back to the buffet to find fresh fried chicken, ham, corn souffle green beans deviled eggs and meat balls in a sweet marinara sauce. I returned to the table to find soft yummy yeast rolls and real butter waiting. 1. Ham, tasty sliced baked ham. Fried chicken, crispy breaded, white meat, soft juicy flavorful(good). 3. Green Beans, cooked just right, flavorful. 4. Corn Souffle, I don't know who invented this dish but it was so good it was like chocolate candy on Christmas morning. The deviled eggs tasted just like my grandma used to make. Meatballs, these were so tasty, so savory, so good. I wish there was some pasta, I even went back to look, but no. I asked Kay about it and she shook her head. I got an idea to make little mini meatball subs with the soft yeast rolls. So Kay brought me more rolls, the meatballs were so good. I went back and got seconds. There was also a baked barbecue chicken that was fall off the bone delicious.... I ate so much of this good food, there was no room for dessert. Now I ain't no Guy Fieri, but I do know good food when I run into it, so I suggest you all run to the Virginia Diner, it's well worth the visit, I...

3 years later (after the review below) I decided to try Virginia Diner out again. 3rd time eating here. I did not get the buffet, as I had it before and knew not to do that. I ordered the Open-faced Roast Beef with Mashed Potatoes and some Mac n Cheese with a sweet tea. Tea comes out- unsweetened, ok... it happens. The actual sweet tea was good. My dinner came out and the waitress said she'd be right back w/ extra napkins... still waiting on them.l, but not too big of a deal. The Mac n Cheese was disgusting! Mushy and tasted terrible. I literally spit it out it was so gross. The Mashed Potatoes were not the greatest, but edible. But the open-faced roast beef was horrific. EXTREMELY salty, dry (even with gravy on it) and very fatty. The bread underneath was actually burnt on one half! I paid $15.50 for garbage. The waitress was decent. The girl at the register asked if I enjoyed everything and I hesitated, but decided to tell her the truth. I said it was my 3rd time trying this place out and I and not very impressed. It wasn't good. Of course, she didn't really care. and just rang up the meal with a "have a nice evening." She should have got a manager at that point... and maybe I should've asked for one, but I don't tend to do that. I figured since they proudly boast on the giant sign outside that they were on the TV show 'Diners, Drive inside and dives, they would've improved. I was wrong. I WILL NOT BE GIVING THEM A 4TH TRY!!

*Older Review: Not worth the price. We got the buffet... it was tiny and so-so.... we'll go elsewhere next time. I'm sure it was just a bad day.. I've heard Nothing but good things about this place, but it...