Family Secrets Restaurant

Tried to support for the last day of black history month. Can't give a review because we were seated and then left w/o any help. No one gave us menus, silverware.. nothing. My husband had to get the menu. Folks that were waiting after us got menus and drinks while we never even got a "I'll be right with you." from a waiter. So we walked out.

Food was great. Service was ok. Terrence was super friendly and had a great personality. He wasn't the greatest waiter but he was really cool. He said that he usually works in the back and I believe him. We had the wings (whole wings), a fried shrimp and fried whiting platter with yams and green beans. The wings tasted like somebody's mama was in the back frying chicken. We also had the fried seafood platter which included a broiled crabcake, a few pieces of fried whiting and some jumbo shrimp Mac and cheese (not my favorite) and potato salad (sweet but different texture). The whiting was good but tough in texture. All food seems to be made to order. Be prepared to wait a little bit but not unreasonably long. It's amazing hat Richmond is so close to DC but yet so south that you immediately feel as if you're in the country. The restaurant is old looking and no frills whatsoever. You can tell that the family is keeping the dream alive. The AC was not pumping the best. It's also obvious that this is a staple in Richmond. The place was packed and when a place is packed with seasoned black folks....thats a great sign! I did have an issue. A 20% gratuity is added to all dine in orders. Our waiter brought out the initial receipt and I saw that fee so when he brought the receipt to sign, I did not offer an additional tip. Like I said, he was cool but not a great waiter at all. We literally ate or entire meal with one napkin each. I felt a type of way that he didn't mention that gratuity was already included. I felt like he was trying to get an additional 18-25%. That really rubbed me the wrong way. Even with this I still give this place four stars and recommend it.

Food Pros: The best thing about this visit for me to Family Secrets is the smothered pork chops. They were absolutely delicious. Tender and well seasoned with a great gravy and fresh peppers and onions. The chicken was nice and crispy and tasty on first bite. I would have loved a little more seasoning for the inside of the chicken. The collards,beans and yams were okay. The cornbread was light and somewhat tasty. Food came out piping hot so that was good. Food Cons: The Macaroni and cheese was not good at all. It didn't have enough cheese and it was dry. Service Pros: Our server, once she was attentive, was friendly. She explained how busy they were that day and the issue with being short staffed for the day.Service Cons: the service was pretty slow. They didn't have enough servers on a busy Saturday night. We waited about 10 minutes to be seated then was waved over to sit as opposed to someone leading us to the table. Had to wait about 10 minutes to order and another 25-30 for the food to arrive. Ambiance Pros: the bathrooms were very clean and the tables were sturdy and cleaned well. The music was at a great volume and the room was buzzing with talk and laughter from guests.Ambiance Cons: The ambiance is pretty dark upon walking in. There was no one at the door to greet anyone coming in. We had to find something to ask for a table to be cleaned to be seated. My biggest issue was the sticky floors throughout the restaurant, low light and the dirty windows. Small things that are important to me when dining in. It was an okay visit. After the server explained how busy they were for the day and the need for more staff, we understood some of the service issues. We will return to try different food items hopefully some of the cons will be worked out.

The food was great!! When I say great, I mean GREAT! I really didn't want to leave this review because I didn't want to spread the word about this gem of a place. However, someone needs to enjoy the deliciousness that me and my family did this Sunday. We went after church and it was packed! Service was slow but I understood it. The staff was friendly, attentive and just all around great. It really felt like you were at a large family dinner. Ooohh! The cornbread!!!! I'm not even a cornbread eater and after sampling my husband's piece I ordered my own. Nice vibe, great music, definitely going back soon, maybe this weekend.

Came here 2 weeks ago (a Saturday) to celebrate my bestfriend's Moms bday. First time at this new location, but I've visited the old location multiple times on/off in past. They were usually a hit-or-miss, but as the "misses" became more frequent my patronage became nonexistent.With that being said, it's been a few years since I've dined here, and I was excited to see if things had positively changed over time.When I arrived, I noticed a couple of patrons dining-in inside. Over on the other side of the restaurant, they have something like a room with a long table and chairs and some church pew like seats/tables along the wall. I'm assuming this area was use for reserved larger parties (this is where our party was seated). Definitely bigger than the last location. But the ambience and decor definitely give old and thrown together. When it comes to food/resturants, I can appreciate a nice "aesthetic" look or decor, but honestly I'm I care about the food. I wouldn't even speak on the thrift store like furnishings if the food made up for it. It definitelyyyy DIDN'T ‍I don't even know where to start. The cornbread served to the table might've been the best thing smoking, and it wasn't even hot. But had a nice flavor (3/5). Don't even waste time trying to get a drink. The "lemon drops" we ordered, a mess, the "blue motorcycles" terrible. Didn't expect much on the bar side from a "soul food restaurant" but still, do better.I ordered the wings&fish. Comes with whitings, but I opted for catfish (2.50 upcharge for the change that was never discussed when order was placed, but whatever). Got fries and mac&cheese as the sides. My wings were warm-hot (not nearly as hot as the others I was seated with), my fries were actually cold, as if they was cooked hours earlier and sat under a heat lamp. I told the server about my fries and he brought more that were actually hot&seasoned. The wings were beautifully sized, and "pretty", butttttt the seasoning was absent. But that macaroni&cheese, my GODDDD literally the WORSTTTT thing on the table. I couldn't believe it. Tasted uncooked, flavorless, just YUCKKKK.The other 3 sitting at my church pew had also ordered wings, theirs came out about 10mins before mine and were hot and piping out of the grease. Same thing with theirs, pretty on the outside barley seasoned on the inside. A few of them opted to drown them in hot sauce to give it some type of flavor. The "yams" wasn't the worst flavor, but definitely weren't traditional yams, more like mashed sweet potatoes (lots of strings throughout, 100% from a can). The greens were also awful, flavorLESS as could be. Same for the green beans. A friend described them as "school cafeteria style", straight out the can with ZEROOOO seasoning/flavor.Overall, if you're looking for a good soul food experience, pleaseee don't don't disappoint yourself and your tastebuds by dining here. Money was definitely wasted. Price of the disappointing food , plus automatic gratuity (understood because of the large party) PLUS , state tax, PLUSSS a Henrico tax, RIDICULOUSNESSSSSS!!

On a cold rainy day all you is something warm and filling. Decided to try southern cuisine and so glad I did. There is ample parking and seating. Greeted with southern charm and professionalism is an added plus. I ordered the chicken wings & fish, potato salad and candied yams. Oh I forgot to mention that cornbread is given as a appetizer. The cornbread is so soft that it melts in your mouth like cake. My food was so delicious. My sister ordered fried whiting, cabbage and candied yams. When I say that the fish was finger licking good that it never touched a fork. The ambiance was perfect for a family dinner or business lunch. The service was great, answering all questions and provided food recommendations.

Oh my goodness, so happy we found this place. Went for lunch on a rainy Saturday and found it quite empty only to find out they had just opened. Our server "T", was the best pointing out his recommendations, I opted for the fried catfish with mashed potatoes and coleslaw. The chef makes tartar sauce himself and like no other I've had.!They have a long list of sides but I love real mashed potatoes. The cornbread came out steamy hot and fluffy. So buttery there is no need to add butter, my son got an appetizer of barbecue sliders. 4 large rolls packed with yummy meat . We brought two home.I will be back again to try the chicken wings ( I saw them pass by). Everything is hot and cooked to order just like i like it.I'm excited to find a place like this , I'm sorry I didn't know about it before now. Unfortunately I was eating too quickly to take pictures.!!

Very friendly service; excellent wings and sides. The next time I'm in Richmond I'll dine here again.

Poor service we came there for my mom Birthday and it a messed on Feb 2nd then u walk out when no had really got there dinner we waited over 3 hours for food with was very ridiculous i didnt get my food until 7:00 no discount or a Apology it should have been more waiters waiting on table he throught it was more important to sing to my mom then serve his customers i really was upset to know this how u treat you customers u have definitely loss customers our first time there and our last time poor customer service

Great food great atmosphere excellent service I have taken several people there and they have been extremely delighted. One eve ate a dish in one setting that they said no one could do. Nigh Night meal but they didn't know he was from the country