No idea how this place has such a high rating, everybody must have their bad nights. I took my mom in there as she is staying at a home nearby and people had told me it was a good place. Nothing wrong with the actual set up of the restaurant, it was clean (though cluttered with knick nacks which is kinda neat) however the food I got was garbage. I ordered a hamburger medium rare. What I got was a patty that was burnt to a crisp on a bun that had previously been toasted but left to the air to get cold and stale and fries so brown from over frying I had to drown them in ketchup to choke them down. I know exactly why the food was destroyed, the cook decided he was going to exit the kitchen and hoop it up with some girls dancing to CCR at the end of the bar for about 5 minutes and didn't go back in until the song was over. The best part of my entire meal was a pickle and a beer and the waitress who was quick fast and in a hurry and wasted no time taking care of us. I'll give it another shot considering everyone says it's awesome, but I will do so hesitantly. read more

I can't believe it took me so long to venture over to this side of town and try this place out. I feel so stupid for never going here....aka this place is GRADE A-awesome. Went here on a saturday night around 7pm, had a 10-15 minute wait but that was no problem because we were greeted as soon as we walked in, offered a drink, and told it wouldn't be long. When we got seated, we checked out the menu and I had heard that I really needed to try one of their delicious burgers but I was really craving a steak...which was on special so I ordered that. I go weak in the knees for steak, to be honest.... But the side were where it was at! Awesomely prepared collard greens were paired (by me) with steamed brussel sprouts. I love brussel sprouts...if they are prepared correctly, and these were awesome. So more importantly, I want to comment on my dates dinner....it was AMAZING. He had the shad roe, also on special, perfectly prepared with bacon and onions.. nom nom nom. The flavors were there in every single bite but I digress... So our waitress...so freakin' friendly...she was like a mom/grandmom and I want to go back just so I can talk with her...so sweet...southern hospitality at its best. Go here and go here now. Take care & Savor it up! read more

The food is delicious! I've had both their specials and their regular menu items for dinner and am in love! While it was featured on DDD, the Chicken MacArthur is seriously out of this world. I don't even like artichokes, but this was such a perfect blend of flavors I gobbled up the whole thing! But if you don't like garlic, stay away -- it's super garlicky! Their blackened steak is really good as well. From the burgers and other dishes I've tried, I definitely think this place knows what it's doing! Definitely get the fries as a side -- unique cut with good seasoning. The price and the portion make this a Richmond must! read more

I have been to Dots many times and have yet to review it but I love this place! It's in a cool location, its got great food, it has good service, and the whole experience just makes you look forward to coming back. It's just a really fun place to eat! We typically hit this place up after a round of golf at Glenwood. Burgers and beer is where it's at. The ultimate burger is my favorite but all of their burgers are excellent. And the beer selection is well thought out so most people should find something they will enjoy. As usual I'm looking forward to going back! read more

Went in after visiting Lewis Ginter with the family. First, there is only street parking so it may take some time to find a space. The place is pretty small and not the nicest, but I thought it was cool. The hostess was friendly and offered us drinks while we waited. It only took about 5 mins for a table. Once seated it seemed our server was a little overwhelmed with her tables, but she did her best to get to us as fast as possible. The menu is full of typical diner fair along with some interesting stuff. They had a specials board with things like, Monk Fish and shrimp in a miso glaze. All of it sounded yummy but we wanted diner standards and went for a cheesesteak and burger. The food was good. I really liked the spicy red potato salad they served with it. It was loaded with horseradish. I think this place is worth a try if you're in the area. read more

Dots Back Inn - Philly Cheesesteak with onions and mushrooms. Not a very big serving, but enough. - Diners Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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My husband & I stopped in on our way to Williamsburg for a late lunch. My husband had the black & blue burger & it was awesome! I had a blackened Salmon Sandwich. It too was awesome. The fish was extremely fresh & seasoned just right. They give you a lot of food & the prices are reasonable. Service was great & we are sure to return again. We had a wonderful & tasty experience read more

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I like this place, despite its being featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It is a classic Richmond-style diner- a little retro, a little dark, a little old... serving great food fast. We were seated within 10 mins of arriving even though it was full, our food came out fast and exactly as we ordered it, our waitress was super nice, and the crowd was all normal families and regulars from the neighborhood. My husband got the waffles, which are a new menu item- they were delicious. My sister got the chocolate chip pancakes which were dense and yummy, but I got the chunky monkey- chocolate chip walnut pancakes with a fried banana inside- YUM. I could only eat one of the two on my plate, but it was amazing. read more

This place is an awesome old time diner in the Bellvue area of Northside Richmond. It's breakfast can be a little heavy but hey, that's what you're there for. Be prepared to wait on a bench outside on a Saturday or Sunday. read more

Dots Back Inn - Diners Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I'm a fan of dives, and Dot's is evidently a definition dive. That's most certainly not a bad thing, either. I had one of their Saturday brunch specials, which was eggs benedict on an english muffin with ham, and hollandaise, served with home fries. Was pretty good, and what I would've expected from this kind of place. The decor and interior, is what I liked the most, though. Totally dive-y, nothing fancy, and very relaxed atmosphere. The prices weren't expensive, either, which definitely doesn't hurt. I totally had a crush on the waitress, too. read more

Friday night is loud and packed, but line is only a couple tables deep. Great selection of out of the ordinary swimmers and amphibians. Moderate wait, which is good for the small kitchen. The clientele was friendly and suggested seafood and hoppers. The frog legs were very very good, with a tomato bisque sausage sauce the hit all the right notes with the delicate legs that radiated from the center pile of sausage chunks. The shell n cheese lacked a real cheese kick and salt in the water it was cooked in. Acorn squash was simple good with a cinnamon sprinkle. Would have liked to try the ginger soup. read more

Dots Back Inn - Frog legs with creole sausage sauce. Yum-O! - Diners Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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This was the last place I checked out before leaving Richmond, another Diner, Drive Ins and Dives destination. I'd call this place a dive more than anything else though that is not an insult. Its a small homely place but the food was decent. I had a blackened catfish with black beans and rice and broccoli. It was honestly forgettable. The catfish was a little too peppery. However, the pies were AWESOME. We ordered a slice of the chocolate chess and sour cream lemon. The chocolate was soo rich and decadent and the lemon had almost a cheesecake quality too it. The crusts were great on both. read more

Best brunch in Richmond! The biscuits and gravy is delicious!!! The pancakes are perfect too! read more

Dots Back Inn - Best biscuits and gravy ever! - Diners Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Well, it was a chilly Sunday morning and I wanted breakfast and I was dining alone, so I wanted some amusement with my coffee. Thank you Dots for my tasty kielbasa omelette and coffee. The soft onions and provolone were the perfect binder for the tasty little bites of sausage that took me back to breakfast with my dad. He was the champion of the divey places and loved sausage. I have been here a few times before and yes it was crowded, yes I felt invisible at first, but then I felt like part of the family. I even recognized a regular who approached me last time I was in there because she thought she knew me. She didn't, but I remembered her his time and said hello. The food was yummy and comforting, as was the chatting of the servers who were just trying to make everyone happy. Thanks for helping this Baltimore gal feel at home at Dots. read more

A fun and funky joint which has been highlighted on the Food Network Show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and featured in the book of the same name. We had Sunday brunch there yesterday and were quite satisfied. My choice was the corncakes topped with black beans, melted cheese, and fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions. A mild salsa and sour cream were served on the side. It was yummy, especially the pancake-shaped corncakes. There were other good-sounding vegetarian options available as well. My husband enjoyed scrambled eggs, a battered and deep-fried boneless pork chop (which was tender and lean), and grits, which were the creamiest I've ever put in my mouth. The place is tiny and popular but - surprisingly - didn't feel crowded, and the service was good (contrary to some other reviewers' experiences) so the turnover was quick. Next time we are in Richmond, we hope to try Dot's for lunch or dinner, when the menu appears to have more options. read more

Excellent burger that doesn't break the bank. Extra large serving of mega-cut fries are terrific. Great old school neighborhood vibe and definately worth the trip off the beaten path when in Richmond. read more

Dots Back Inn - Diners Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Yup! Awesome! Grabbed a burger and onion rings when passing through Richmond. Definitely would recommend!!!! read more

Dots Back Inn - Diners Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Stopped in here on a drive from DC to North Carolina. First, my 7 month old daughter is a Diners Drive ins and Dives addict. Ever since she was an infant, if she was crabby, and the show came on, she would stop and stare intently. As for Dots, Arrived around 1115 on a Monday, only three other people in the place. We asked for recommendations on what to get. The waitress recommended the Rajun Cajun Burger and the Muriel Thornburger. We decided to cut both in half and share. Muriel Thornburger: Perfect over easy egg. awesome crust on the meat, and the perfectly toasted soft bun. The Rajun Cajun: My wife's comment after eating a few bites. "Did they put crack in this?" Fries, I have to say that I am a french fry purist, but the redskin potato fries were cooked perfectly and I enjoyed them. Everybody was super friendly and loved chatting up my little one. Definitely worth the 5 minutes off the freeway! read more

My husband and I went here for a nice lunch together. It was a beautiful day so we sat outside. The servers were great. I really appreciate that we were sitting outside and they didn't forget about us like at other places. Drink and prices were very reasonable (we were on vacation). I had bottles of cider that were around 2.30 a bottle. The food was good. The fries are actually potato chunks! As a potato and cider lover, I was very happy here. I just wish we could have gotten there a bit later to try the specials. read more

I had the homemade cornedbeef sub and spicy red potato salad. The food was SOOO delicious!! Unfortunately, I'm not impressed with the service. The cook in the kitchen had to provide me the menu and utensils after he saw that the server didn't provide me any (I sat at the bar). After I was served, I was never followed up on. If you're just looking for great food, then you should definitely come here, but don't expect great service -- I'd rate this 5 stars if the latter wasn't the case. read more

Went during the dinner rush one night before Christmas. Had to wait for a table but no biggie! The atmosphere and food were amazing. Can't wait to go back! read more

Didn't know it was a Triple-D joint until posting this review. I can see why Guy likes it - a cozy little neighborhood joint, were all the food is tasty. We were a party of three for lunch: the two different burgers were wonderfully cooked with spicy potato salad on the side; the salad was equally well received. Service was prompt and friendly. Though it was packed for lunch, we'd only had to wait about 5 minutes. Lots of locals, including the Fire Department, which is a sign of good food. It's in a small commercial block in the middle of a residential neighborhood. There's plenty of parking. That's the really good news. On the flip side, the music is a bit loud, so conversation can be strained inside. It's quieter outside (enclosed in winter.) Might have been 4 stars, but the place isn't the cleanest we've seen. read more

This place is reasonably priced, small, don't go with a party bigger than 4, the decor is very dive like, and the food is OK. I"ve been here twice for brunch and the food is ok. My first visit I ordered the shrimp and grits which tasted very boring. No spice, no flavor. I also tasted my friend's chunky monkey pancakes and it was very dry. My second visit I ordered a false advertised corned beef and hash with sunny side up eggs. I was happy to see it on the menu and I ordered grits with it but what came out were two tastey corned beef hash potato croquettes. Tastey, yes, but not what I wanted. I also ordered some blueberry pancakes which were moist this time. I am a Richmonder and I don't know why a lot of other Richmonders will rave about a place that's been featured on TV but isn't very good. I ranked this place a little higher than normal because I want to support local places and because my 2nd time around was an improvement from my first time. read more

I had high expectations of Dots Back Inn and for the most part they met them. I ordered the Ultimate Burger with fries. I liked the combination of flavors, but my bun was SOAKED with fat and that doesn't take into consideration the soaked napkin and fat that dripped on my plate. I know it's a greasy joint so I expect some grease, but thought it was a tad much. The fries were great and tasted so fresh and yummy! My husband ordered the Antony that has pineapple and jalapeño's. He LOVED it!! He got cole slaw as a side and thought it was perfect. We also ordered slices of the chocolate and lemon pie. The lemon could have been tangier, but was still FABULOUS and the chocolate was the best I've ever had!! Would definitely go back...but I'll try a different burger next time. read more

Miss the old Dot's. Been going since 2005 and I felt like I'd never been there before. I don't live in the area anymore so it's been awhile (pre-pandemic but within 2.5 years) There's a hostess and my usual table was off limits. Chalk board for specials is a led screen now. The table of local old guys wasn't there. Kind of a snotty "talk to the hostess" when I asked if I could seat myself (used to be able to). She wasn't around and everyone else did the look right through me thing. This place was my safe place for many years, guess I'm just feeling melonchaly. Food was good, wait staff was great. I wish them much success. Enjoy, yuppies. read more

Go. Enough said. This place is not fancy but is still one of the best joints in town.

Super dooper good burgers and a really fair price! I had a mushroom and swiss, my boyfriend had the cajan burger, both of are burger were huge, but so good we had to eat the whole thing. The fries on the side are some of the best I've had, not quite fries, not quite chips, they are a half moon shape and seasoned just right. We had sodas and coffee and our bill was around $20, you really can't beat that for a lunch that keeps you full all day. There are a lot of semi-50ish semi-rock-a-billy, semi-divey dinners in the USA and most them are shitty, trying to be something they aren't. This is the real thing. I will always come back here when I'm "Back Inn" down. read more

Definitely a keeper. Found with new Food Network App and it was a great experience. Good and service was outstanding !!!! Highly recommend! read more

Dots Back Inn - Breakfast special .... Kielbassi omelette .....awesome - Diners Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I loved going to Dot's about 15 years ago (before I had kids) for fries, burgers and drinks - lots of drinks - with friends. Have gone again recently and not for drinks - for lunch.Still fun, still cute, but food's just average. That said, I love the charm and will go again. Let's make it clear- it's a dive. It is what it is. 1940s diner. Not fancy -but actually really charming inside and cute. Lots of character, old original seats/tables. I'm fine with that. But it was actually a little dirty. Grease spots on the wall. Ew. I kept staring at a grease spot that looked like the state of Ohio while eating. The service was average. Not great, not terrible. Didn't know if we were supposed to pay at the counter or if the waitstaff would take our ticket, so we sat there for about 10 minutes after being done. Finally the cook said something, bless his heart. Food came out fast and hot. Got onion rings and they were great. Nachos too and they were just average. One kid got a burger (just ok, little overcooked) and fries (average); other got the club (plenty big, pretty good). I got the Reuben and it was average. Clientele is a mix of local Northsiders (families, workers) and some hipster VCU college kids. Friendly. Honestly, it's a decent neighborhood joint when you're hungry and want some beers. It's super cute and prices are good. But you're not going for great food or a clean building. It's for convenience and charm. I'll give it another try and try to overlook the greasy walls. Maybe if I pound two beers first like I used to in my pre-kid days,I won't notice. Charm 4 Service 3 Food 3 Price 4 Cleanliness 2.5 read more

Food is good but the service is not. We had lunch there and had to ask the waitress twice to take our order. It was during the week and we all work. The place wasn't crowded at all, so the slowness didn't make a lot of sense. Apparently the waitresses have to start a completely new order form rather than crossing out items if you change your mind. What a waste of paper and it's not like the place was busy at all. The waitress shows her irritation with any changes to your order. And don't ask for any substitutions, regardless of food allergies - they simply don't care. I don't get all the rave reviews. There are plenty of other restaurants in the area where the food is good AND the service folks are pleasant. No reason to go back, we are avoiding it and advising others to do so as well. read more

Totally loved my first experience here! I ordered the Smithfield Benedict and it has to be the best eggs benedict I have ever had!!! I loved the thinly sliced country ham and perfectly poached eggs!!! My date had sausage gravy and biscuits and it was also very yummy but I think he wished he had ordered what I had!! Will definitely come back!! read more

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Fun little hang out. The specials are good and the staff is always knowledgable and easy to deal with. Brunch is fine, especially for a dive style joint. The Chunky Monkey is massive. Be mindful that if you are coming with friends they only seat complete parties. read more

While we were visiting Richmond VA on June 28 we decided we had to find Dots Back Inn since we had seen it on Diners, Drive-Inn's and Dives. What a joy this was. We got there at about 2:30 in the afternoon and there were only about 12 people in the place. From what everyone that was in there told us (they were locals) this was the only slow time of the day and if we had waited about an hour we would have been in line outside. Sure enough, by the time we left, the place was nearly full. Dots is small, old, and damn good. My wife had the pork tacos which were so good I could barely get her to give me a taste of them. Yes, when in Richmond, Dots Back Inn is worth the side trip. read more

I just got home from eating lunch/brunch there. I effed that burger up. I thought Cary Street Burgers was pretty good and I was wrong. This place is the shit for burgers. I don't know about their breakfast, but I would try it. Cute little place in a cute little neighborhood. Really nice server. Food came out right and cooked right. My drinks stayed wet and full. Adorable little joint. I am definitely recommending. OMFG that was tasty. I ate my whole burger and I never do that. How is this place not plastered around everywhere? Om nom nomivore! read more

An excellent way to start your day. Dot's Back Inn is a quaint and cozy establishment where the waitstaff is friendly and willing to strike up a conversation. Located along in a "shopping strip" within a residential area, it's the last place you'd expect to find a restaurant but that's part of the charm. Dot's Back Inn is first and foremost a neighborhood joint. From the looks of it, it's the ideal neighborhood happy hour hang out considering its low beer prices. I've have to review my notes about this place (somehow forgot to write about it amongst my other DDD reviews) but I recommend ordering whatever I took photos of. [Original Visit: September 7, 2009] read more

This is my first 5 star review, and it is absolutely deserving. The shocking thing, it is sheerly for the food. We want here at 7:30 pm tonight and the wait was out the door. The wait staff is professional but it did take over 30 minutes for drinks and an hour to get our food. I would give the service a 3 star, but like I said, the food is THAT good! They have a very good range of beer and wine for a typical diner, and the atmosphere is upbeat. Now the food: I was skeptical after the wait and seeing as this restaurant was on triple D. My wife had the black bean pancakes and finished them faster than I've ever seen her do. They were moist and extremely flavorful. I had the fried chicken with gravy. Hands down the best fried chicken I have had since my grandmother was alive. Ever bite was moist and had just the right amount of skin. The buttermilk biscuit was superb, and the whole meal (including the mashed potatoes) were all tied together by the gravy. If we lived in Virginia I would buy stock in this restaurant! read more

Fast and friendly service...decent food. We stopped at Dot's Back Inn for breakfast on our way to OBX, since it was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The service was great and the drinks were plentiful...biggest mimosa I ever had! The food was decent, although not out of this world. read more

This is a 3.5 star review rounded up to 4. We were happy to find a place open on our way between Atlanta and Washington DC at about 10:30pm on New Year's day. Ambiance was nice, our waitress extremely friendly and the food came out fast. We shared the tuna bites, which were seasoned just right. We also had a special, a chicken with peanut sauce; it was good though a bit too salty for my taste. Unfortunately, my son had to use the restroom. It was cramped, falling apart, stained and really dirty (his description). Overall, friendly place with good comfort food, but at least the bathrooms need urgent repair. read more

Never been so disappointed. After not being able to visit an elderly aunt for more than a year, we met at Dots to see her... after all it is her favorite place to go.. and where she met her husband many year ago. We ordered a Ruben sandwich and when it arrived it was roast beef. After eating half the sandwich and not complaining, It was brought to the waitresses attention. She brought another lady to the table to see the sandwich and the comment was " well they ate half and are taking the rest home... must be ok". Please know the other half was for a dog.. not leftovers. Never apologized, didn't offer a correct sandwich, and also charged full price. Last time we will be patronizing this restaurant. read more

I'm a little biased because if I'm here it's because I am in town visiting my one of my favorite people in the world, Teresa. That crazy guy with the bad dye job on Food Network was right when he said this place is awesome. There is nothing on the menu I wouldn't it and the cool atmosphere is a bonus. It's southern. It's cozy. It's welcoming. It's one of the reasons I'd be damn tempted to move to Richmond! read more

Dot's is what you expect a good diner to be. Prompt service and quality food. As I've only been here once, I can't say this for a fact, but I think Dot's stays busy on a regular basis, so plan for that. We decided to stick with the basics for our first visit and went with wings and a burger. The wings were cooked properly and very saucy. No ranch or blue cheese came with the plate but plenty of celery did. As for the burger, again, cooked to order, topped with swiss and mushrooms on a whole wheat bun. Not only was the bun very fresh, the tomato, lettuce and onion were, too! And the pickle was a good too! Sticking with the theme of basics, I added fries as my side. They were way above average. Chunks of potatoes fried perfectly.... crispy on the outside and tender and fluffy on the inside. Specials for the day leaned heavily toward seafood and the shrimp jambalaya was flying out of the kitchen. Next time I may branch beyond the basics because there will be a next time! read more