I visited based on a coworker recommendation. I was told that Croaker's Sport has great seafood and cornbread. Overall, I enjoyed the experience, but I rate this more of a 3.5 rounded to 4. Ambiance: The spot is historic and well kept. It was clean and we were able to find street parking. Service: The service was friendly, patient, and informal. We came on a Wednesday around noon, so it wasn't too crowded. Our waitress was attentive. Food: The food was good overall, with some standout items and some leaving more to be desired. We started with the clam chowder soup. We found it to be a bit tangy, but it got the job done. We also go the fish dinner with buffalo sauce (on the side). The fish was really good. However, the mac and cheese was grainy. The flavor of the mac and cheese was good, but the flavor is subjective. I also got the oyster po boy sandwich. I was serviceable. It didn't knock my socks off, but I have no complaints. I did enjoy the sauce that came with it. The french fries were fluffy, in a good way. The cornbread was textbook and solid. I didn't wow us, but it was a sizeable portion. Conclusion: Overall, my curiosity has been satisfied, but I didn't get the wow factor. I would consider coming here if I had a strong craving for a fish dinner. read more

Croaker's Spot - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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On an impromptu trip to Richmond we wanted to find a good brunch spot. While talking to my honey pot he said Croaker's Spot was it! He's a foodie, so say less! In your tastebuds I trust. Thankfully we got there early before the Sunday crowd came in and got a booth. Service was good but weird at times with the bar tender being super catty. It appeared she was not in the spirit of team work which made our visit a little uncomfortable. We asked for a cup of ice on the way out and even though the bartender had ice to give she wanted our waitress to get it from the back, it was the ODDEST interaction. The manager ended up helping out but I'm not sure why any restaurant would employ any person who was like that. Ew! Everyone else was all smiles and fantastic! Let's get into it! Oyster Rockefeller- OMG these have to be one of the BEST ones I've ever had in my life! Sooooo GOOD! Like good, good! Buffalo Shrimp - Good! Croakers Brunch Special was okay! Waffle was extremely sweet! Grits were thick, I was not a fan. Overall, I'd come back this food has SOUL! And someone's daddy is making those plates in the back with love! Perfect recommendation and a must do when in Richmond. No frills but good food! Sunday best is okay as most people looked real cute! Okay cute patrons! read more

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BRING YOUR WALLETS AND STRETCHY PANTS! We went as a corporate outing group of 5. The front door is a little tight cause as a popular spot there's a bunch of foot traffic. The lady at the front door was a bit staticky but she got us sat fairly quickly so we could deal with that. Vibes are all wooden, but not creaky. Could be a cool date spot, it was very casual so we were able to be a bit boisterous. Good place to chat and blend in. Service was great and friendly and attentive. The waitress we had always made sure our cups were full and we had napkins and what we needed. We didn't get any alcohol, I got an Arnold Palmer, the wife got a midtown. They were both pretty good, I don't know what the difference was but they slapped. Free refills on sweet tea was dope too! The food came out pretty fast for the portions and quality. The wings are a must get, get the large and if you don't finish air fry them back home (reheat is good) (I would get sauce on the side, we did buffalo). We got like a desert style cornbread with syrup and powdered sugar, not normally my jams but totally delicious (my coworker ordered, I am not into sweets; still 10/10). I had 2 buffalo shrimp and they were also good, I didn't get a flick but that's a safe pick. The mains are pricey (typical soul food prices) but fire!!! Portions were good but the quality of goods and meat are awesome. I eat at a lot of places, the quality was really high here so I think the price tag was fair. My wife got the catfish, I got the stuffed salmon. For our sides we got the greens, cabbage, and the Mac & cheese. I had a couple of things I personally like that I feel would have enhanced the meal but the overall outlook is that this is the place to go. The greens were salty as heck and didn't have like a turkey neck or smoked anything in it, could be a regional preference but that was missing for me. The cabbage was also cooked really well and didn't require much but had no sparkle. Great texture but the flavor wasn't there, I'm also Caribbean so maybe what I like is different, the crunch with a kick would have gone far and maybe some salt from the greens in there. The Mac and cheese was good, I like a creamier one but this will suffice tbh. Overall I'm going to give them a 8.9/10. I could have gotten the wrong things or went on an off day but they certainly delivered and the service was GREAT. I would deff revisit, it's got a lot of charm and personality. The staff were amicable and the bathrooms were clean. I would recommend this spot if you're visiting Richmond! read more

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The Croaker Spot was a favorite stop almost 16 years ago when I was following my nephew playing HBCU football. So on a recent roadtrip to DC it was an easy decision to stop by for dinner. We stopped on. Friday night and called ahead to see if they could accommodate our group of 10. We arrived around 5p and found street parking. Our space was ready upon arrival and we were immediately seated and asked about beverages. Shortly after we placed our meal orders and they started to arrive at the tables in about 15-20 minutes. Southern soul food is the focus so you expect identifiable aromas and presentation. It was all that! Our meals were plated with care...it was obvious. Plentiful and hot things hot and cold things cold. Now the taste?! I had the salmon croquettes, steamed cabbage, macaroni and cheese and corn bread and I cleaned my plate! It was delicious and seasoned to soul food perfection! So good I thought I cooked it myself. Overall everyone in our party of 10 was pleased with the food. After our meals our server brought out delicious cake slices for those who wanted to indulge. I did! I had a delicious slice of the most delightful lemon cake! I'm watering up thinking about it! Let me also mention the vibe was chef's kiss too! There's nothing that compares to great soul food and a soulful cultural experience. I am so looking forward to visiting the Croaker Spot again soon! read more

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Late to the party but here I BE! This little establishment with its wood floors, high booths and impressive black art seems crowded and tight BUT...once you get IN? You absolutely get why. Getting in is the trick. There is no waiting area. The bar is small and fully stocked. It took my family about 45 minutes to be seated. The dining room, wood and walls covered in beautiful paintings of black artwork filled with families celebrating and enjoying huge plates of southern cuisine. Our server, LENA was very helpful and friendly. She made sure we knew what was what. She was Awesome. Okay now this FOOD! So much food and everything hot and fresh. You'll be tempted to order an appetizer. I observed the portions and decided I couldn't eat all that... in a week. Definitely getting the fried oysters next time though. The "Fish Boat" comes with 2, 3 or 4 pieces of whiting. It's fried and the onion and pepper "sauce" is a mustardy, vinegar concoction that compliments the fish perfectly. You have your choice of two sides. Typical southern specialties. Collard greens (no pork added) were delicious, with a little kick; Candied Yams and a BRICK OF CORNBREAD. Light, soft sweet cornbread... my goodness. I don't think I can do this food the proper justice it deserves in this review. The chicken strips; the Alfredo were just as good. Even their version of an Arnold Palmer, (The Uptown) was done right. It's worth the drive and definitely worth the calories. If you love southern food, seafood with an ample serving of back in the day hospitality, (it's on the PLATE) stop by and come hungry. My family said it tasted like Thanksgiving. Family cooking seasoned with love. That's exactly right. Oh! GET THE CAKE... for later read more

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Dear Management and Owners of Croaker's Spot, I would like to first commend manager Margeratte and the young gentleman working the cash register with her. Both were exceptionally professional, courteous, and a pleasure to interact with. Regrettably, the rest of my experience was deeply unacceptable. I feel compelled to address significant concerns regarding management behavior, hygiene, and overall quality: Unprofessional Management: Manager Kim was consistently rude and disrespectful toward paying customers. Having visited the to-go area on several occasions, I have repeatedly observed Kim display an aggressive, unprofessional demeanor. This behavior sets a negative tone for the rest of the staff and creates an unwelcoming workplace environment. Seating and Comfort: If customers waiting for to-go orders are expected to sit, adequate seating needs to be provided rather than forcing everyone into a tiny section at the front. Health & Food Safety Risks: I observed alarming hygiene practices, including cooks wiping sweat from their faces with their arms and immediately returning to food preparation, as well as Kim handling to-go food orders and payment processing without washing her hands. These cross-contamination hazards put customer health at serious risk. Food Quality vs. Value: When customers spend hard-earned money on higher-priced menu items, they deserve flavorful food and high standards of hospitality. As a direct result of Kim's hostility and these persistent hygiene issues, I chose not to place a $5,000 catering order I was actively prepared to submit with your establishment. I will not spend money where customers are treated disrespectfully and basic health protocols are ignored. I strongly advise leadership to provide immediate customer service etiquette training, staff coaching, and strict food safety enforcement. I hope you address these matters promptly for the benefit of your patrons and your business. read more

This is your no frills breakfast and brunch spot! The Oysters Rockefeller were amazing! We did not have any drinks, so I can't speak on that part. But the brunch menu items were tasty as well. The service was cool, and we would definitely go back again! read more

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This is a small restaurant packed with authentic seafood dishes. Each meal tastes like it's made with love and the portion sizes are huge! It's easily two meals worth of food per plate. The staff are friendly. The food is fantastic. The desserts are great too. I tried a bean pie for the first time and let me tell you.. Baby! I don't ever need sweet potato pie again because this bean pie was out of this world. The energy of the people and staff is through the roof and this is what Richmond and Va. is known for ...good seafood! Come check them out for yourself! This will be my go-to restaurant whenever I'm in Richmond!!!! read more

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I made my order while driving from the south. I ordered two dinners: 1) fish, Mac, and cornbread; and 2) crab cakes, collards, cabbage, and toasted garlic bread. Also, they gave me a container of onions. The crab cakes were scorched and garlic bread was not toasted. While the person who took my order was polite and helpful, the person who packed my order was not. This young women chastised me for selecting a slice of cake that was on the counter closer to me than her. It was packaged, so I selected a chocolate slice. She said to me, with attitude, you are not suppose to touch the cakes. I replied, I selected a slice. She repeated herself. Unnoticed, was a sign under the cakes not to touch them. If they do not want customers to crab a container of slice cakes, they need to come up with a better way of displaying them where it's more obvious that staff needed to hand them to customers. When, I made my order I was told that my receipt would be in the bag. It was not. With the slice of cake, my bill was $70+. This was too expensive. Plus, they charged me extra for tin container. I was traveling another hour to Woodbridge and wanted the food secured. Croaker's Spot, was not very hospitable. read more

Croaker's Spot - 1st dinner - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Croaker's Spot is still a go-to for Southern soul food with real history behind it. My lady had the fried chicken with collard greens and cheese grits -- crispy, well-seasoned, and done right. I ordered the fried shrimp and had them buffaloed -- do that. The crisp texture with the added heat works perfectly. My sides were the yams and mac and cheese, and both were standouts -- tender, flavorful yams and creamy, well-balanced mac. The cornbread is borderline dessert, but still grab a slice of cake to-go. Service was solid. Just be prepared for tight street parking. read more

Still a tasty place originally located in Downtown Richmond/Jackson Ward with Eggleston's famous fish boats, Croaker Spot is a great place for southern soul food classics. My mom got the blackened chicken with cabbage and cheese grits. Both plates came with a big piece of fluffy cornbread. Food and service are solid. Only thing missing was the buttery toast from the old paper "boats". Parking can be difficult (street parking only) and it gets busy at times. read more

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The service was great. The restaurant itself ambience was nice. I loved the pictures on the wall. The oyster appetizer what's good. We had to send the muscle appetizer back because it was so oily and greasy, You just could not eat it.. everyone enjoyed their platters. The fish was well seasoned and the macaroni and cheese was very good. The cornbread was the largest portion I've ever seen. I thought it would be sweet, but it wasn't the big back of me. Wanted it to be sweet.. If I was ever in town again, I would return for the fried fish. read more

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Food and experience were both wonderful! I could feel the history and warmth of the place. I ordered the fish boat with the mashed red potatoes and corn bread. I ordered a shot of hot soul sauce to enjoy with the slab of corn bread, at my friend's recommendation. The sauce was warm tasted like butterscotch with marachino cherries. I had limeade which was sweet and a little tart. The mussels appetizer was very flavorful! Our waitress was attentive and kind. I hope to return on my next visit to Richmond. read more

Ate here for the first time this week and will definitely return. The staff here are incredibly friendly, efficient, and welcoming. The food is authentic, and there's a wide array of options. Great ambiance: it felt like a local family diner, good vibes all around. read more

Croaker's Spot - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

The wait is longggg. Especially on the weekends. But the food is worth it. The waitress was awesome.

My 1st time here. The staff greeted us friendly. Our waitress was very nice. The environment was casual. We ordered the Ultimate feast. The fish was seasoned well also the scallops. The shrimp were salty . The cornbread was delightful. Now the collard greens and cabbage were very flavored. I just didn't like all the stems in the collard greens. Didn't care for the macaroni and cheese. It was like they cooked it and it was just a bunch of cheese. The cheesy grits were ok. The half and half was sooo good. I drank it to fast! I would come back again because the food was tasty! read more

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This review is difficult but necessary. First of all my family love this restaurant. The food,service, and atmosphere is Usually Perfect, but Sunday was different. Our server, Angelina, was NOT friendly or efficient in her job. She didn't tell us her name, and it would've been professional or at least nice for her to apologize for the almost 2hrs wait to get our food. Another server refilled our drinks,I guess noticing our glasses were near empty and appeared that we didn't have a server. Not to mention the restaurant was FREEZING. We all had on jackets that didn't help. All of this crushed our Amazing Croaker Spot experience that we're use to. The Food WAS hot, flavorful as always,but the chef needs to use a precise cutter for that delicious cornbread, All pieces should be the same. (instead of adult and child size pieces) All regular customers can't wait to see that delicious dessert tray at the end of your meal. That's another part of the Croaker Spot's experience, Every Regular Guests highlight ! Awaiting for that large round tray of desserts being offered by your server. Sunday was the FIRST time that we didn't get offered. Even though I waited a very long time in that COLD restaurant and POOR service, I did my usual, tipped her well. Again, this is my first unpleasant experience here. read more

Croaker's Spot - 2pc fried fish boat ( there's always an extra piece) - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Hull St Location will always feel like "Home" when you drop in. The customer service & atmosphere are always top notch, you are guaranteed to make friends with the employees or run into someone you know. food is always cooked to perfection, fav dish's would include the smothered chicken, fried wings , and Cornbread. they have multiple variations of there sweet tea & lemonades to choose from. Would recommend a reservation because it does get pretty busy especially during the weekend! read more

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The food and the service was amazing! Best greens I have ever had and the fresh squeezed lemonade was delicious! read more

Croaker's Spot - Fried Catfish Dinner - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

The greeter patiently explained some of the most popular dishes on the menu. The food was good. read more

Passing through once again & had to stop in for lunch! You know, Croaker's really should come to New Jersey! We have the perfect spot, we need good places like this in our town! read more

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Our server, Tawanna B. is CLEARLY overwhelmed. Our beverages came well after our food, which came after at least a 1.5 hour wait. I met my family here after a breakfast meeting so I was not hungry. My husband ordered the wing appetizer and since I had not been here before, he gave me one to try and a piece of his cornbread. I asked Tawanna for a small plate. After about 5 minutes, I asked her again for a small plate. She replied in a snappy way with a lot of attitude, "It's 3.99 for plate sharing ma'am!" Needless to say, you can keep the plate for 1 wingette and a fork full of cornbread. At the end of our visit, we received separate checks which was ok but why not put the parties who are together on their one check. My husband paid cash since there is a slight discount for cash. When I went to the restroom, Tawanna came to him and said he had not paid. He told her he paid cash. she replied, " Are you sure?" Overall, for a restaurant that was not busy, the wait for our food was extremely too long and the service leaves a lot to be desired. As for the food, I only tasted the 1 wing and cornbread (on a napkin, SMH). In my opinion the cornbread was rubbery. The wing was a bit salty for my taste. I ordered a peach bread pudding to go. I have not tasted it yet. On a positive note, the non-refillable sparkling lemonade was delicious. FYI... They charge a transaction fee, I guess if you use a card, and gratuity was also included, not earned. (It may have been included since we had a table of eight.) We drove out of our way to come here at the recommendation of a family member. I will not be recommending and probably not returning. But they must be doing something right with many years in the business. read more

I was excited to try this spot because it's been a while that I had soul food. We were seated 7m before brunch was over being that there was a 40m wait. We quickly ordered. I asked for the fish and grits. The amount of food is very plentiful. I think I took less than 10 bites and I was already full lol. Before the food arrived, the manager of the day came to apologize for how long the food was taking because they were short on cooks. I thought that was really great of her to do so. Haven't had a manager ever do that. The catfish was cooked to perfection. Seasoned just right. I wasn't quite a fan of the cheese grits. It was grainy. The mimosas were good. Our server gave the most excellent service I had ever had. It's a pretty loud environment. Staff were friendly. Whenever I make it back to Richmond, I'll definitely drop in. read more

Croaker's Spot - Fish and Grits (Brunch) - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I had a good time dining at Croaker's today. The ambience of the establishment was nice. I liked the historical context and the decor. Our service could have been better. I'm not sure if it was the kitchen or the server but it took some time for things to come out. The fish boat was good, nice large pieces of fish that came out hot and fried just right. The sides of red potatoes were amazing. The mac & cheese was basic and not worth the $2.50 up charge. The sauce on the salmon Chelsea was amazing and I could've just had that with the rice and the sausage as a stand alone dish. The salmon could've used more seasoning. The cornbread was so good and the pieces were so large! The dessert try at the end of the meal was impressive also. Coming from out of town, I love local eateries and it makes it even better when the food is good. read more

Excellent soul food. Great service and relaxed atmosphere. Portions were plentiful and price reasonable. Nice place to people watch ... just be careful crossing the street. read more

Love this spot! Been here several times and always enjoyed myself. Good nightlife scene!

While visiting my family in Richmond, I was told this place had great Catfish, people my mouth had an epiphany. OMG, my taste Buds and eyes lit up. The presentation and food was beautiful. I had the cornbread, cabbage, Catfish potatoes and lemonade . People please go and get a plate to go for family.. I had leftovers. Oh, the young hostess gave me a brief history, that this restaurant has been in business for 24 years and is black owned. That was a hugh plus and extra stars for them. Thank you for the beautiful service and friendly family atmosphere. I will be back on my next visit prayerfully. Rosa Davis read more

Croaker's Spot - Catfish, cabbage, yams and lemonade - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I placed an order over the phone and was left on hold for 15 minutes- that honestly should have been my first warning sign. I was told the order would be ready in 20 minutes but it ended up taking over an hour. The entire experience was extremely frustrating. The staff came across as unprofessional, disorganized, and lacking basic customer service etiquette. There was no sense of urgency, communication, or accountability. Overall, this was a very disappointing experience, and I wouldn't recommend this place if you value your time or expect even a minimal level of professionalism. read more

My family & I used to make drives to Richmond for Croaker's Spot every Sunday, especially when they first opened. I love the overall ambiance of this restaurant and the art. I cannot deny how absolutely delicious the food is here. I highly recommend the twin crab cake dinner. The crab cakes are soft & lump but I do wish that they were bigger, the baked mac & cheese is so rich sometimes they give it to you in a block, and the collard greens are seasoned so well (which is hard to come by). The cornbread is is so moist and sweet, I could eat it every day. There are long waiting times at times, sometimes so long that you could run some nearby errands, come back, & you still have a little bit of a wait. The service is friendly but slow at times as well, I've once waited on my meal for over 30 minutes. I've called before to ask if there was a long wait for a party of 5 & was told there was no wait, came in not even 10 minutes after the call & had to wait over 40 minutes for a table. The parking at this location is bad, and it may take you a while to find a good spot within walking distance. I'd rate the food 5/5 & the service 3/5. I do hope that they do work towards improving that, as it could be something that deters newcomers away, it can make or break the experience in my opinion. I loved coming to this location specifically, I've gone to Petersburg & old Norfolk location, and the Richmond location is still my favorite, the food and service are better here. Though I no longer dine in & choose to take my food to go, I do still recommend this place if you're looking for some good southern soul food. read more

Croaker's Spot - Twin Crab Cake Dinner - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This place was very nice portions was more than filling. I went on a Sunday night just before closing and I expected black folks closing hospitality but I got 5 star service the young lady who took my order was well knowledgeable about the menu as well as the facility I will definitely have to come back and do a sit down meal thanks again croaker spot you knocked it out the park read more

The food was nasty and tasted old. I will not eat here ever again. It tasted better when it was downtown!

The staff were excellent! Very friendly and attentive. However, the food was disappointing. The famous fish boat was so full of tiny bones, I couldn't enjoy it; having one get caught in my throat. The crab cakes were dry and the crab meat tasted of low quality. The crab stuffed salmon had so much butter & garlic, that's all I could taste. It overpowered the dish completely and, again, the crabmeat tasted low quality. The sides were delicious (cabbage, candied yams, grits & their famous cornbread). This place has such a welcoming vibe that makes you feel like family but, unfortunately, the food fell short. read more

Croaker's Spot - Crab Stuffed Salmon w/candied Side Yams - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I had the best service this year right at Croaker Spot. I came with my mom for a girls night out and we had such a great time. Our server, Josh, was so pleasant and answered all of our questions. I asked for a few recommended dishes and he did not disappoint. Our food was amazing. We ordered the seafood platter and could not eat all of it in one sitting. The scallops and shrimp were so delicious.The fish was fried to perfection. The Mac n cheese was worth the up charge. The greens were tasty. We enjoyed the cornbread. We wanted dessert but were too full to even think about it. This is definitely a southern restaurant with amazing cooks. Oh, the uptown, the half tea and lemonade was amazing!!! We will be back!! read more

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We showed up with a party of six right when they opened on Sunday. All of us tried the flight of mimosas, which were very sweet. My partner got the Shrimp and Grits and I got the Fish and grits. It is a lot of food and I felt like it could easily have been split between us. I was underwhelmed with the food. I wish the menu had biscuits and gravy. We would have talked longer but our server asked us to leave behind cause they needed the table, this timing isn't advertised anywhere. There was also no one waiting. They charge an auto tip for the table or 15%. Which was low for most auto tips. I hate being auto tipped. Also, I know the whole table would have tipped more. read more

Croaker's Spot - Brunch Menu Aug 2024 - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Moistest, most flavorful, succulent catfish ever with scrumptious sides to boot! Cooks know, if you don't want to make it yourself but want it just right.,,at its best...the place to go is Croaker's Spot! read more

Croaker's Spot - Fried Catfish dinner with sides - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This was out 1st time here and OMG was the food amazing!! The service was great, our waitress, YaYa, was attentive and friendly read more

Croaker's Spot - The catfish dinner. - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I drove all the way from Mass to come test out what I was told is some of the best soul food around. It started off pretty dicey with waitress attitude accommodating a large party and having to wait for a couple of people to party but once the food came out it was like her whole souls shifted and was great! The food itself was amazing. The manager sent over an extra cornbread app due to us waiting which was nice. The cornbread itself is something to write home about except the app was over powered by the cherry juice it was much better on the meals without it. The fish and chickens were well seasoned. The sides were huge and delicious (specifically the Mac and cheese and sweet potatoes). The fish had bones which caught me off guard but didn't affect the flavor and the portions. At first I was not happy reading the prices on the menu but then the portions came out and made much better sense. I walked away impressed and happy and with left overs which is always a good sign!! read more

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Loved this place. Great sense of community here. The cooks know what they're doing and I think they're long standing tried-and-true. I had the fish po' boy, and I'm craving another one right now. read more

The food was amazing and very good customer service I can't wait to go again , and you get plenty of food for your money . I love it sooooo delicious . read more

Back In town for a few days. The 3pc fish boat never disapoints. The food was good!! I will always stop here when im in town. read more

Croaker's Spot - 3PC Fish Boat - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia