Good morning and my 5th day of leftover ham for the underwhelming meal

Eating ham and beans for the... fourth day. Yesterday's beans and hams would probably have been my most underwhelming meal, but I bet today's lunch can top it.

haha ham fatigue solidarity.

It was a drink for me. I absolutely love Chai Latte, so I've traveled to different cafes around here looking for a good one. I went to a local, tiny shop on W Broad, and it was the worst Chai Latte I ever had. So milked down, just waaaay too much milk it was white.

Coco + Hazel isn’t very good, IMO. I think they use Dreyer’s ice cream, which is one of the cheaper/lower quality brands you can get in the supermarket.

I always thought they used Tillamook ice cream, and I always thought it was pretty good. A lot of times ice cream is too sweet in a lot of places, and their’s is super creamy and not particularly sweet, which is nice.

Their big dumb milkshakes are way too much—money, food, all of it—but I think a plain old chocolate milkshake from them is great. They also make churros and a churros ice cream that is really nice.

Today is my older son’s birthday, and I was thinking about my first meal after he was born. I was famished after not eating for about 48 hours and asked his dad to bring my favorite salad. I took about two bites and thought nope- I’m absolutely not ready for food yet. A day later, though, I was like a pig at a trough.

Chop up the ham and make quiche to put in the freezer!

Hello, I am Buzz Aldrin. Second man to step on the moon. Neil before me.

One more family dinner and Christmas is over. Im ready for the new year.

U r anus

First Watch. Somehow my wife forgets every time we get a mediocre meal at a place a few months after we've eaten there. Last Monday will have been my 3rd mediocre meal in a row @ first watch. It was ok when the first location down in southside over huguenot opened a few years ago, but now it's just a sad attempt at cracker barrel breakfast, which itself isn't anything great either.

I'm not a brunch snob, and no shade to decent chain restaurant breakfast, but man do I find first watch to be absolutely uninspired, overpriced, boring breakfast.

I just drove here from Lynchburg to get to my office. Realized that nobody else is probably coming in today. I literally just showed up for nothing. I have no work to do since I finished all my tasks yesterday.

I wish I could have just stayed at least another day at home lol.

Haha Ham Fatigue sounds like an indie performer from like 2008 that you would hear on NPR and go “huh that guy sounds interesting” and then you’d hear his name again five years later and be like “oh yeah I was going to look into that and never did”

Went to Jalapenos on Cary st last night and was disappointed with the food and awful service.

I despise En Su Boca. Every time I’ve gone, it’s been incredibly underwhelming despite everyone raving over it.

Anyway, back to sleep for a bit longer then I’ll start my day!

When I first moved to Richmond, I tired Native Plate. It was our anniversary dinner and it was completely underwhelming. Even the drinks were bad. At least they had great presentation.

Side project from Rent America

My vote for underwhelming meal was Southbound, but they shot themselves in the foot expectations-wise. I came in expecting a decent-ish dinner, until the appetizers blew me away. Everything was SO good and I got really excited for the rest of the meal. Then the entrees came and were... decent-ish, but nowhere near as good as the appetizers. Dessert was also underwhelming, especially for the price.

Have you tried their chorizo egg (tacos?) They’re so good

Can anyone recommend which Richmond public library is nicest? Looking to spend the day just reading

Going to follow up on all the good feedback I received yesterday in regards to “shops for a teacher.” If you see some big nerd underdressed for the weather and a big smile on his face, say hey

About to get downvoted for this, but-

The most underwhelming meal I've had here was Perly's benny goodman with smoked salmon. I was so excited and really wanted to like it because I've never heard anything bad about them but everything was so bland.

Nah. They've fully earned their 3 strikes from me. Most likely not going back.

Oh man we went to Sprezza for the first time this week and it was really bad and expensive, like the food had no flavor expensive, which was mind blowing considering how amazing the pop ups were. Then i looked at the google reviews and saw other people complaining about the lack of flavor in the food. Not sure what’s going on but it was crushing to say the least.

Here you go

Yes, Coco + Hazel was a huge disappointment to me too. Blue Cow isn't too far away and I thought it was tasty. No amazing presentation, but I rather have good food.

Not a RPL but my vote for nicest area library is Libbie Mill. Lots of spaces for reading and you can get a card (if you want to check out books) even if you’re a Richmond city resident like me.

Personally, I nominate the main branch! It’s got a great selection and the building is pretty. It’s too cold now but they have a nice little garden area around back to sit

This is exactly how I feel about En Su Boca. I’ll go, I’ll get the food, and it will be okay, but it always lands beneath all the hype surrounding it.

I went to a seafood restaurant in Chester a few weeks ago with the family, I had my heart set on a piece of salmon. I ended up with a burger... How the fuck does a seafood restaurant not have any salmon?

I can't remember the name of the place, but it started with an F. Flamingos? Flanagans? Something...

Ham Fatigue, I think I saw them at the Yerb

I want to like Jalapenos so much but the food just isn't good. Margarita mix is so sweet it's like an instant headache and hangover

Hmmm...we made lasagna the other day and that was great. We had some extra noodles left and I saved them. The next day I put sliced deli turkey meat on one with some siracha and rolled it up pinwheel style. It was food.

En su Boca is built around margaritas and tequila shots not food. Still far superior to casa del barco though. No idea how anyone goes there twice.

My wife wanted a bruxl burger after delivering our youngest. She gobbled it up and the fries too. Said it was the best cheeseburger of her entire life.

Probably cheap sour mix that burns right thru your gut.

I’m not sure if Fairfield is Richmond or henrico but it’s got huge windows and great seating.

Westover hills and get a seat by the big window. They have comfy chairs.

One time I decided to step out of my normal NC BBQ sandwich from Wood + Iron and get the Baja fish tacos. I still get queasy thinking about it. I’ve had some bangin’ food there but when they miss… boy howdy do they miss.

It’s henrico but wow it’s beautiful! Oh I’m so excited.

Thank you everyone! It looks like I’ll be having a busy week visiting so many cool libraries

Only been once, but really liked their fish tacos and margarita. Just not convenient so I haven't gone again. I was more disappointed by don't look back. I miss the fish tacos at Sullys happy hour.

No not Ham Fatigue. I hated Ham Fatigue. I’m talking about HaHa Ham Fatigue, the Rent America side project.

I went to First Watch in Miami for the first time years before I even knew the one in Richmond existed (or maybe it wasn’t there yet?) and it was great service and the food was good.

When I went in Richmond, the service was fairly shit on an average day (believe me Miami restaurants get more full than most Richmond ones) AND some of the food was rather crap. I got these grits that tasted/felt like someone just dumped boiling hot water on grits 5 min before they served them to me. Instant grits would be better. Also my eggs that were supposed to be over medium, were so undercooked, both the white and the yolk were like watery in certain places.

The dirty chai from Stir Crazy on MacArthur in north side is sooooo goooood

They have got to be laundering money. It's always empty

I ate everything on the hospital breakfast menu after delivering ours. My husband still has a note on his phone with my order bc it makes him laugh. It was 100% the best breakfast of my life.

Back home after my 10 day Ohio visit, what'd I miss?

Popped into CoCo + Hazel once, was seriously underwhelmed, and disappointed. This was the one in Bon Air.

Was convinced by a friend to try "Eggs Up," a chain breakfast place also in Bon Air. Ye Gods, it was awful. Bland, expensive, boring. A $13plate of salt and margarine.

Consider going to the Henrico library in Varina. By far the best local(ish) library I have ever spent time in.

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First watch is chain garbage. Through and through. Not to say chains can't be good (I used to sous chef for Snooze A.M. Eatery out in Phoenix and that was an awesome brunch chain concept.

Agreed.

I was absolutely with you after I got the anesthesia yuck out of my system.

I've never had any shakes or dessert from Coco + Hazel but I've had a few breakfast items that were great. Bacon egg and cheese biscuit was really flavorful and not dry, if massive. They don't always have the same items though.

For a locals coffee place that serves really good food and coffee I prefer either Cafespresso or Surrounding Counties. The former has awesome paninis and the latter has real kolaches, a staple breakfast where I'm from in TX.

Got some fried rice with no veg, no nothin but then they were busy as hell so will try again

I like a lot of the stuff at DLB, especially their specials, but their fish taco was one of the worst things I've ever had at a restaurant

Booyakasha! I iz here wif my main man Buzz Aldrin- so like wuz you ever jealous that Louie Armstrong walked on the surface of the sun before you?

This one is my favorite!

Wasn't that bad. Was definitely underwhelming though.

I feel like a child every time but I can't stop ordering their chicken tenders...

Holiday hump day. At a running total of 45 minutes of actual work completed so far this week. If I make it through the week with less than 2 hours of work completed, I'll start believing in God. (dies by lightning strike)

They use Tillamook, which is good, but seems weird to use a brand from Oregon when there are great dairy farms who produce amazing ice cream and ice cream bases for production in our region

Unfortunately it was Edo’s Squid. I don’t know if it was normal, but everything was just so over seasoned. Too much salt, too much pepper. The fish, pasta, and appetizers. Only thing that I really liked that evening was the bread. We’ll give it another try, but hearing so much about it we were real excited to go there on our anniversary as it usually isn’t in the budget.

With how many trendy restaurants we have, there are bound to be more than a few that are all flash and no substance.

Cafe Rustica has never let me down though, they are 3/3 on clean plate meals. Probably the least flavorful thing there is the spetzle, and that's just a side.

I get their marinated roast with gravy...you can cut it with a fork and it's always hot.

Varina and Fairfield are our favorites. The vibes are 🤌🏽

Unrelated, but has anyone had any success with getting their money back on a stolen package delivered via USPS? It was a couple of ceramic pieces, maybe $80 in value. More sentimental value than anything. I think it was insured by the seller so I'll reach out to them, but wasn't sure if this is just wasted effort?

I’ve been on a hot streak lately so no underwhelming meals to report. Would love to know everyone’s thoughts on Sprezza. The reviews I’ve seen are very conflicting. She did make a ballsy statement on a podcast where she said that there is no authentic Italian restaurants in Richmond. I thought that was tasteless but it sounds like her food is tasteless as well.

You’re not wrong. They’re not my favorite place in town or anything, I do tend to prefer the local locals

Yes but tillamook is wayyy cheaper than anything local. I (unfortunately) worked there for almost a year as a baker… I’d recommend literally anywhere else for your dessert needs

Fairfield library is beautiful

Y'all are gonna hate me, but I don't see the appeal of food at Joe's Inn. They have a nice bar scene but I wasn't impressed by the meals I've had there. Much prefer Bombolini pasta cooked at home and a pint of Guinness at Penny Lane or Rosie's.

I’m fortunately struggling to think of the last underwhelming meal of mine from a Richmond restaurant. I will say that the nice little sandwiches at Sugar and Twine in Carytown used to be a great value for your dollar but that time is sadly over.

Conejo. Flavors were merely okay, everything was pricey, and the portions were tiny. Didn't try any of the drinks, but the whole place felt more like a restaurant to be seen at instead of eat at. These complaints make me feel old.

Yeah, "Joe's Inn is mid" is my hot take for food in Richmond.

Still to this day, I rave about Henrico Doctor's post -L&D bacon.

I usually get the burger or pulled pork. Sometimes French toast/breakfast for dinner and it suited me fine. I feel like the pasta would put me into a coma.

I went with a quarter ham - far fewer leftovers.

That’s too bad. I used to grab lunch there pretty frequently when I worked downtown. Though tbf I always got the same poke bowl lunch special so I’m not too sure about the rest of the menu

Mine was probably mellow mushroom. Not quite crispy enough for my liking, but definitely not the worst…

Yup, that's the one.

WEST STAINES MASSIVE.

their habanero salsa with guac and chips is great with a margarita. I don't know many who praise the rest of their fare.

Eazzy Burger, was excited to give them my $20 but that was a sad burger and cold side. I’d maybe try them again in a few months after they get the kinks out, but this week they’re closed because so many staff members have Covid.

Max's on broad has seriously slipped. last time we were there it was nothing special but priced otherwise.

I drive Uber and in the past 48 hours I’ve had about a dozen or so of my customers feel the need to continue their nasty fights with their spouse or significant other in my car.

Shouting from their house's front door with the person standing by my car getting in, using me as a captive audience to vent. One dude even decided to call my passenger after we’d gotten a block away just to continue the fight they had in progress.

Next customer to drag that into my car is getting kicked out.

Not going to lie. I had my older one at St. Mary’s. When I was ready for food, they brought me fried chicken, green beans (like the school cafeteria kind), and Mac n cheese. Best meal I’ve ever had. It’s been 14 years and I still think about that meal.

Little Nickel in Forest Hill. There was absolutely no seasoning on anything whatsoever, blandest meal I’ve ever had in the city.

That’s a solid meal any day of the week. But when you’re starving, oh yeah.

I was also in Lynchburg for a few days, and I couldn’t wait to get the hell out of that place!

Wish you could have stayed another day (for your sake), but glad you don’t have a bunch of work waiting here!

I have had three 11/10 experiences at Southbound. What didn’t you like?

happy day!

i ordered two guys pizza from the slice app, and i was disappointed that it was so cold when it finally got delivered. not the fault of the restaurant at all, they're usually really good, but i had been looking forward to some new york slices without having to leave my house.

I think im heading back for the weekend

I left a comment in this thread, but went Monday night for dinner and WOOF it was very bad. The food was literally tasteless, the entrees anyway. I had the eggplant which tasted like air and jarred sauce, wife had the spaghetti which tasted like something i could make at home and MIL had the orcchiette pasta that was equally as flavorless. So confusing because we’ve had their pop ups and they were incredible. Not to mention they charged $3 for Parmesan cheese “because it comes from Italy”. Not to mention each dish was nearly $20 or more, $15 cocktails, etc. Cost us over $30 per person with no drinks and 1 appetizer.

Honestly the whole place gives me a stuck up, cold vibe like we know Italian food and if you don’t like it, it’s your fault, not ours. Wish them the best but won’t be going back there at all.

Have fun, I suppose. Do you have family there? I can’t think of any other reason to go other than maybe a job or something. I grew up there so maybe I am a bit negatively biased, but every time I go I want to leave even faster than I did the last time.

Tobacco Company, sadly. The she crab soup was full of lumps like it wasn’t thickened correctly and barely had any crab. Our wine also had a super strong acidity that smacked you in the face. Our last time dining there was pretty much perfect, so this was a bit of a let down

Damn i went there this weekend and enjoyed it. It’s good, not great but was only my second time.

I’m obsessed with their wings! I could drink that homemade Valentina.

Riptides?

That's it!

I meant to buy a 5 pound but instead got 10. Being laid off for my Christmas present I decided I better stretch it out.

If you remove the hump in the R I guess it does look like an F lol Fiptides

Last night at Galaxy Diner. Meatloaf was not out of this world.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Judging by her Google responses on reviews the last part of your comment hit the nail on the head. Very defensive reply’s which IMO is a bad look.

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I’ve actually heard their fish tacos are good, but I don’t eat fish haha

What’s your current read?! I’m planning to pop out to the library later after getting book recommendations from my grandma on Christmas!

I read the reviews and saw the chef personally reply with a very snarky comment about how they will be the best restaurant in Richmond and how the food here isn’t that good essentially which really rubbed me the wrong way for a place that came up through here

It's kind of out of the way, but please visit Powhatan County's public library. It's located right next to the baseball/soccer fields, and on the Fighting Creek park trails. It's a gorgeous and pretty big library.

Haha wow. Everyone I know likes it. I always get it.

Ours was Chicken Gyro, Green Beans, and Rice from More than Greek. One of the benefits of having a child at Memorial Regional. It was amazing.

I think Joe’s food being mediocre is pretty widely accepted. People go for the vibe and the huge portions.

I had that fish taco at DLB and it was so terrible. I didn’t take more than one bite. I had ordered two tacos and ate the other one while the fish taco had just one bite missing. I was a bit shocked when the bartender just cleared the plate with no interaction of how was it or anything. Come to think of it, I haven’t been back since. Side note, I think en su bocas fish tacos are pretty good.

Is it still only $3? (Salsa only)

Their wings SLAP

I always found the librarians to be super helpful at this location and excited to assist people

Wow. I delivered in Roanoke and the hospital food was eh. But my family shows love with food and they brought me everything under the sun and I ate it all, haha.

Nice Christmas present… Sorry to hear.

I just went to dinner at Sprezza on Monday and the spaghetti alle vongele was amazing. Steak was good, properly cooked, just needed a little more salt to my taste. Cocktails delicious. Wine list fairly priced.

I’m sorry you had a bad experience, it really surprises me because I had a great meal there

Oh gotcha, maybe I ordered the wrong things. Hopefully I went at the wrong time.

Sheesh, maybe it was my timing.

Went to Lucky AF last night. Service was stellar but the food was super underwhelming and a lot pricier than I'd expected.

The wife and I love Edo Squid’s food, but the last time we went the tables were too close together. Like uncomfortably close. My elbow kept bumping the guy at the next table.

We really like Ruong Tong and Thai Top Ten. Sabai is good for some things, but more expensive. Also note we've never had "real" Thai food, so YMMV.

I loathe what they call marinara sauce, it’s like a can of stewed tomatoes dumped on pasta.

I cannot find decent hot and sour soup in Richmond. I’ve tried three restaurants- one was just salt broth, one had pork that disintegrated like sliced cardboard, and I can’t even remember the third.

I cannot find decent hot and sour soup in Richmond. I’ve tried three restaurants- one was just salt broth, one had pork that disintegrated like sliced cardboard, and I can’t even remember the third.

I also grew up there. Yeah my family is there and we are very close. I still have high school friends in the area. I went to Amherst County High School.

It's definitely boring for trying to do anything fun. Having a bunch of young friends helps. We typically go out to bars in downtown. However, whenever I go back I find it so interesting to analyze the differences between there and RVA.

In particular the people act different if you know what I mean. It's a little bet less diverse, a little bit more southern, and perhaps a little bit more close minded. I used to hate Amherst growing up, but I've learned to appreciate the Lynchburg area a little bit more recently now that I don't live there.

Or maybe it just has to do with the fact my parents bought their first house last year in Lynchburg City. Growing up, my parents had their housing sponsored by their employer (double wide trailer) and honestly it was a bit shitty.

If you or anyone else is back in the Lynchburg area and wants to grab a drink let me know. I need more friends when I'm back there for extended periods of time.

Hey does anyone happen to know a good way to maybe find if a Richmond resident has found a lost reptile? I say this because someone might have found my lost pet Ball Python. Someone took the python a user here found promising to care for it till claimed but doesnt know who. Im trying a last ditch effort to get my pet back. I dont believe this is a coincidence. The python was found on Ellwood. Im just asking for advice.

Otherwise,I hope this snake will be well cared for and loved.

Most underwhelming meal lately... We ate at Q for the first time last night and found everything to be oversalted and otherwise bland, I was disappointed. Best part of my platter was Mac n Cheese. We have yet to find excellent bbq in this town despite trying several different places, sadly. Always open for more suggestions.

On a related note, does anyone know by Kuba Kuba Dos is temporarily closed and when they might reopen? I really wanted to try them with my mom for lunch today. Maybe we will go down to the original Kuba Kuba instead... Edit to add: ah, their website says there was a sewer pipe burst below their restaurant. Maybe we will give the Fan location a try then.

From the mod team:

Assuming you are a new user account for the same person that posted weeks ago about this, and that old user account has since been deleted, do not harass the other user you are most certainly thinking of.

They have told you repeatedly they do not have your snake, do not know the person who took the snake, do not know how to contact that person, and have asked that you leave them alone. From everything they've said and we've seen, they were simply a bystander that was at the same place a snake was at, took a picture and posted it, and were then hounded by you and a few others.

Again, do not harass that user or attempt to identify them on this subreddit or Reddit in general. This is your first and only warning on this matter.

Look,sorry I just wanted advice. They posted it for a reason. It looks just like mine,I am just desperate to get her back and I dont know where to turn. Im looking for the person who actually has her. Why would they even post the pic if not looking for the owner? People post lost dogs and other pets here all the time and thats ok. I want my damn pet. What else am I supposed to fucking do,its not theirs! I paid $425.

>They posted it for a reason. [...] Why would they even post the pic if not looking for the owner?

As they explained multiple times, they took a photo and posted it because they were in the area when a large snake was found in a place where large snakes are normally not found. People post things they think are interesting. That's all it appears to be.

>People post lost dogs and other pets here all the time and thats ok.

Yes, because most of the people posting those have actually caught the pet and are holding it as long as they can as they to locate the owner or find someone else who can take care of them.

There are also a lot of people who post pictures of lost pets and do not have possession of them at the time they post it or know where the pet is.

>I want my damn pet. What else am I supposed to fucking do

I get it. Losing a pet sucks and I am keenly aware of the heartache one goes through when it happens.

Since you deleted your old username, it's hard for anyone who might have your snake to contact you on that post. So, make another post with pictures of your snake and ask if anyone knows of someone who found and has a lost snake.

But, and I can not make this any more clear, do not contact and/or harass that individual you've already interacted with several times and who told you very clearly they do not have it, do not know the person who took it, and don't have their contact information. Don't ask others to try to contact them on your behalf or pressure them to answering even more questions. Just... leave them alone.

>I’ve been on a hot streak lately so no underwhelming meals to report. Would love to know everyone’s thoughts on Sprezza. The reviews I’ve seen are very conflicting. She did make a ballsy statement on a podcast where she said that there is no authentic Italian restaurants in Richmond. I thought that was tasteless but it sounds like her food is tasteless as well.

Went for the christmas eve dinner, we'd had the pop up at Helen's which I thought was great and the various other take out only pop ups over the last year, all of it was delicious, but the food in their new place was just bad. Weird vibes with a stark white dining room, clearly hasn't been touched at all since it was a steak house, and a front of house staff that seemed leaderless and confused most of the night.

Watching the kitchen, it seemed like since this was a set menu they were staging courses but things were backing up, they had no heat lamps to keep dishes warm, and were sending out mostly cold plates with underseasoned food. There was even a fairly public meltdown between a table, the chef in the window, and a couple of servers over something. Pretty awkward, 2/10 will not go back. Edo's and Dinamo are much better Italian no matter what she may say in google reviews.