Family Diner — Restaurant in Waynesboro

I was highly disappointed with our whole experience. Gonna lay it all out... Service was basically non-existent and the food was just not good. Went in and tables were wet and dirty from previous diners, but no other options so we had to sit at a dirty table. And not wet from being wiped off, it was drink and plate/bowl rings, food bits etc. It was a couple of minutes before we were given menus and got drinks. And we were not the only ones, a few more tables seated themselves a bit after we came in because nobody was there to seat them or speak at all. Which if your thing is for customers to seat themselves that's fine, but have a sign or a person saying so. And have clean tables available, or at least someone making an effort to clean them. At one point we heard one server tell another in back they were needed because 3 tables had just sat down. This was a couple of minutes after the tables seated. When 2nd server came out, she didn't bother to ask which sat first so went to a later arrival leaving the earlier arrival still waiting for acknowledgement. Food Examples: Ordered Fried green tomatoes as an "appetizer" and they were literally saturated and sitting in pooled oil. Didn't even try to soak up some of the oil on a paper towel or drain the tomatoes at all. Served with no plates or anything, just the greasy basket with the soggy paper and the tomatoes sitting in a literal puddle of oil. They were not turned or shaken during cooking so there was raw flour where the tomatoes were stuck together. 4 small slices and one end slice that was about the size of a half dollar at best, closer to a quarter. I used a corner of the basket paper to put a slice on, and my husband used a napkin. The napkin was soaked thru immediately from the oil, and it left a big mess on the table when he picked the napkin up. Biscuits and gravy: the gravy was the consistency of water, and the biscuits, oh boy, one was actually burnt, black and dark brown on the bottom and up the sides, and the other was very dry, and obviously overcooked. Plus they were pretty small to be a "meal". A side item ok, maybe. Pancakes: they were slightly undercooked and wet in the center. Ordered bacon with both meals, and on both orders the bacon was burnt on one end and undercooked at the other, where it was folded over on itself. Hashbrowns were just meh. Greasy, but nowhere as bad as the tomatoes!!! No flavor, just meh. Had to ask for a straw, server grabbed the glasses at the rims. I'm sorry but you don't touch the rims of customers glasses, period. I don't like doing it at home with my own glass, let alone doing so as part of my job with strangers! And give out a straw with a drink, or at least ask if one is wanted! No refills were ever offered. Server even looked right at me as I was almost finished with my drink, and again a couple of minutes later as I tipped up my glass to get the last drops out, and still didn't ask if any refills were wanted, or anything else for that matter. Even had the empty glass on the edge of the table, as is the universal sign asking for a refill. The fried green tomatoes were served with thousand island (ewww), and I had to almost yell out after a couple of minutes of trying to get her attention to ask for ranch dressing instead. I know she was busy, but they need either more servers or a hostess/runner that can help with basics like speaking to someone when they enter, refills or a box for leftovers, etc... Or even to deliver the bill to the table. We waited and waited and finally just went to the counter to pay with no idea of what was charged or anything else. Had really high hopes after seeing this place busy quite a bit. But not a lot to choose from in this town, so maybe that's why it's busy. It is most definitely not because of the friendly atmosphere and great food!!! It was not worth the money spent, nor the time going. 30 minutes driving to get there and another 30 minutes back home. DO BETTER!! Small town should not mean sloppy service and standards! Though I strongly doubt we will be back...

This was the worst restaurant experience I've ever had. Party of 6, restaurant was not busy at all. We all ordered at the same time, and the menu has simple items. 2 of the members of my party got their food fairly quick, a cheeseburger and chef salad. The rest of us, 2 chicken sandwiches, order of wings, and patty melt....waited almost 1 hr asking 3 different times where our food was. The older blonde waitress was so rude and acted like we were in the wrong wondering where our food was. Finally, I decided to get up and go look in the kitchen and they had just started cooking our food. 2 other parties eating in the restaurant came in long after us and had already finished their meals. I have never been so angry with service in my life. And we never once got an apology or explanation. I don't know how the food taste bc we never got it but service sucks and those incompetent workers should be fired, if the owner has any sense...

Family Diner is definitely as it's name. We felt like and were treated as part of the family. Great Southern food for the lunch special (meat and 3 veggies with cornbread). Delicious! And don't forget about DESSERT (All homemade)! All of the staff were super nice. We actually got to talk and visit with the family that owns and operates; you can tell this is going to be something they love, not just a job. Please be patient and kind with them, since this is a new business and definitely dealing with...