I believe this to be the best restuarant for seafood in Virginia, especially for the money. This is a family run restaurant with several family members running the kitchen and waitstaff when we were there. Everything is home made. They had the best fried oysters, fried crab cake and pickled beets we've ever had. Their homemade potato and macaroni salad were also very good. I had the broiled Rockfish and it came with two huge peices. All of their portions were large. Their desserts were also great (warm pineapple upside down cake and cherry cheesecake). This is now our new go-to restaurant for seafood and is definitely worth the 40 minute drive for great seafood. I look forward to trying the other entrees--the fried chicken and burgers being served at other tables looked fabulous. read more

In person was good....second visit to town was rushed so got take out fish sandwich dinners. If they were almost out of flounder- they should have told us to order something else. The sandwiches had maybe 4 inches of fish- none visible outside the small sandwich buns. Pretty disappointed because my 86 yo father had been really looking forward to going back- he'd been raving about the flounder sandwich he had the first time we went. No more raving now read more

A must visit when we are in town. Large portions and a great hometown atmosphere. The seafood is delicious!

Not fancy. Friendly though, and they use quality ingredients. My fried flounder sandwich was simplicity itself, and delicious. Lee's has been around for eighty years, so I think they are doing something right. In an era of big chains, Lee's has the right formula -- friendly, prompt service, good food, all in a classic small town atmosphere. read more

So if you are elderly and your tastebuds and tummy can't handle spices this maybe the place for you. We noticed that they seem to cook to this age group. The food is pretty bland. The inside of the restaurant has just been remodeled and looks really pretty nice! I just didn't care for bland the food was. read more

This place is amazing Had breakfast with Mom this morning and the French toast was amazing. The staff are so nice polite and on point. Hard to beat county cooking and charm a must to stop and be treated like you should and to have a great meal at a good price. read more

Quaint, aged and slow, don't expect anything 'beyond average'! Just because I don't like it, doesn't mean I won't be back! Previous reviews are pretty much on point with their comments of Lee's... not a bad place considering this area of Virginia's establishments tend to be closed more often than their open! So if looking for a hot meal, on par with run-of-the-mill fast food prices - this is the place! We waited a good half hour to be waited on, 20 minutes to be served (teppid food), and had a hard time collecting our bill! Although better than any McD's, the meals we had consisting of a ham and cheese sandwich and liver and onions, at best were frozen entres either nuked or warmed over... although tasty, not great. If you go with the intent of getting fed economically, and you don't demand mediocre service and fare by all means this place will work. And, as WineNDiner noted, it is the elderly hot spot, and the atmosphere reflects it in the staff's breakneck slow speed! Their portions aren't to write home about, and I agree with other diners - but if you're hungry, and there's no other place open (on purpose) in town, you won't be hungry when you leave. read more

Uneventful American kitchen standards. Heavy on seafood. Smallish breakfast menu, but at least they're open. PS: I'm as much a 'local' as someone from Dinwiddie Co., and I stand by my review. read more

My girlfriend and I drove up to Kilmarnock on a Saturday in mid-January for her grandfather's birthday. Because it's his favorite place, we went to Lee's. My girlfriend explained to me that the reason he likes the place is that there would typically be a lot of locals there which would enable some "This is my granddaughter, she came to visit me!" boasting. Also, the pie. I'm not sure what the deal with the pie is. My girlfriend and her grandfather raved about the lemon pie, and I think her grandmother loved the chocolate pie. I didn't think there was anything particularly impressive about my cherry pie, though. The rest of the food was likewise at best unimpressive. That would have been my unmemorable barbecue sandwich. I asked for hot sauce to put on it. I should have asked for it sooner so I could put it on my bland Brunswick mush. Supposedly it was Brunswick stew, but I don't think something deserves that name when it a) has the consistency of damp shredded wheat and b) has no recognizable flavors beyond the potato chunks. The fries had recognizable flavor, though: Ore-Ida. Also, they told my girlfriend she could get her cheeseburger on a wheat bun, but it came out on two slices of wheat bread. Buns and sliced bread are different. read more

I have eaten a lot of burgers nationwide and many on the lists of best burgers, and I have to tell you the burger at Lee's was EXCELLENT. Old school, like it should be lettuce, tomato on a nicely griddle toasted roll. I found out after I complimented the waitress on the great burger, that they grind their burger beef fresh every day! The beef was nice and lean but still juicy. I asked for and got fried onions on the burger too! The place has been around for a long time, so you have to appreciate the circa 1970's remodeling, a little tired but clean and great service. Got to love the fact that this place is still around and serving the community well. Good breakfast and cheap prices. Waitress was very attentive. read more

Great price performer. Good old country cooking. Our server was great. Had a wonderful personality. You can't beat the value. I would definitely go back again. read more

It has been a long time where a meal ordered was inedible. The server was rude and inattentive. Took over 40 minutes to get the omelet special which was disgusting. We did not even eat it. We were never asked how the food was or why we didn't eat it. Payed our bill and walked out with not so much as thank you or have a good day. I wouldn't even give 1 star... But Yelp is forcing me to. read more

Lee's is the go-to restaurant for the locals in Kilmarnock. The atmosphere and food make me think of the diner in the Andy Griffith Show. The food is always good and the service is personable. Check the specials on the board by the front door before going in. These are always good comfort food dishes, and you can't go wrong. Don't forget to order pie for dessert, especially the lemon meringue which is awesome. read more

Love love love the stuffed shrimp for dinner. Salads come cold and fresh. Bill makes the best dinner rolls from his grandfather's recipe. Also love his vegetable soup. Wonderful waitress's too read more

This was dads favorite place to eat. It's a homey place where everyone knows your name . Prices are good. Plenty of street parking or a free lot behind the restaurant. Good American food. Home cooked pies to die for - fresh every day. They have take out. Good for all ages . read more

Great comfort food entrees, and a super nice and attentive waitress. Old fashioned hometown feel here, everyone was friendly.

We vacation in Kilmarnok every year. Lee's is always a hit with us. Their fried oyster sandwich is amazing. We are never disappointed. Their fried chicken is most excellent! Always a stop for us! read more

Service excellent food mostly good except hamburger steak. Lots of filler! Should have NO filler.

We drove down all the way from Phili PA for their world famous soft shell crabs. AMAZING!!! Did not disappoint. I had to buy a tee shirt on the way out so I could remember this special dinner forever. Our waitress had the demeanor of an angel which was fitting for the heavenly ambiance and decor. Must try their onion rings. The only downside was how close to death the rest of the patrons were. read more

The other two reviewers missed the mark with their reviews. This is a family style restaurant that features simple, basic, food at great prices. Yes, lots of fried food, but the locals know that walking in, and Lee's is usually packed for lunch and dinner. I'm not a fish fan, but people have told me they like the flounder. The chopped beef is good, and my favorite is the spaghetti and meat sauce. The highlight of a trip to Lee's are the homemade pies - many choices, and they are indeed homemade. It *is* like a trip back in time, but in a good way - friendly service, good food, great prices...and did I mention the pie? read more

Never in my life has there been a restaurant I wanted to review more vigorously. Lee's is the type of restaurant that survived by virtue of being the only restaurant in town. If you walked into the kitchen you would find cans and frozen foods, if you walked back out into the dining room you'd find 1964 and now fried and heavily boiled foods. My husband lived in Africa and ate whatever the natives did while he was there and his iron stomach - I'll try anything - it'll be fine if I scrape the fuzz off - palate couldn't manage to choke down his fried seafood platter. That dinner they served Indiana Jones was better. read more

Like way back when! Great old fashioned friendly service tasty food and totally reasonable prices. My favorite breakfast is western omelet with texas pete sauce homemade biscuits and fresh squeezed oj! read more

We stopped here on our last morning before ending our vacation. This was amazing. Service was friendly and fast, prices were very reasonable, and we had the best biscuits we've ever been served. We'll definitely stop back by if we come back into town! read more

Fun flash back to my grandmom's kichen. It might not be healthy, but its down home country cooking at its best, with few to no shortcuts. Mashpotatoes, pies, cornbread, breadpudding, all delish...If you like a traditional 50's diner give this one a try...everyone will probably know your name... read more

Absolutely TERRIBLE customer service! No "hello", no "thank you", no "do you need anything",no refills and you are being treated like you owe them something!!! Waited to get coffee for 25 mins and food for about 45!!! Fuck this place!!! read more

We stopped in for breakfast and it was déjà vu! We immediately felt welcomed and at home in this timeless gem and multigenerational restaurant where they cook food straight out of grandma's cookbook, if they still had it! We each had a ham and cheese omelet. He had the wheat toast and I had the biscuits. We shared an order of hash that had enough smoked country ham to make us want to squeal! Happily (and contentedly) we nursed our bottomless cups of hot coffee as we enjoyed our just right omelet in an old-timey, family comfy restaurant . No extra frills on the plate, just wholesome goodness! And that's all and exactly what we paid for. We will happily return for dinner and try out their rather extensive seafood entrees that are offered broiled or fried. Their grilled ribeye steaks at 8,12 and 16 oz as well as pork chops or even the Liver and Onions (really taking me back), all offered with 2 sides looked wonderful without breaking the bank. The waitress informed us that all meat for their burgers is ground in-house, and for a price under $5 which includes fries also seems to be a good pick! Sometimes you just want to go home. Lee's serves it up! $-$$ read more

My first visit to Lee's Restaurant was very good. I went for Breakfast and it was amazing. I went back on the same day for Dinner and got the Chicken Dinner with mash potatoes and gravy and stewed tomatoes. I was so satisfied with my visit. Great service and Excellent people. I highly recommend. read more

In short, unless the staff know you, find somewhere else to eat. We waited 40 minutes for breakfast while others arrived, were served, ate and left. The Spanish omelette was terrible and the only thing more sour than the food was the server. read more

Good service. Affordable food. Tasty mashed potatoes.

Breakfast this morning. Nothing fancy, but really good food, prepared as ordered and served with a smile. We will definitely be back.

Good food and service. Fried chicken takes a bit to come out so know that in advance.

Delicious comfort food. Chicken-fried steak with gravy, soup, delicious tuna... excellent service too!! Oh and the pie ... warm apple crisp with ice cream... so tasty. Just what we needed. read more

Everything is good. Many repeat customers. Family owned and operated for 79 years. Better order your pie first because they are homemade and sell out fast. Fried chicken is my favorite. Best food and best prices in town. read more

Try their Shrimp Burger, not the proper name though. Just look or ask, it is the best thing I have had in awhile. I love Kilmarnock! LIveing in Colonial Beach, VA. read more

TERRIBLE SERVICE!!! I ordered a chicken parm spaghetti meal that comes with a side salad and bread. The waitress forgets to bring my salad out before my entree. Of course I'm upset over her screw up, but I remain cordial and politely ask if it was possible to order a desert to replace the salad. I ordered a meal that comes with a salad...and never got my salad, so I not only have been given shity service, but have to come out and ask for an alternative rather than one be offered to me by the waitress. The waitress said "sure that'll be fine to replace this with a desert", and brought out the desert. When I go to pay for my meal, I noticed that the desert was charged on my ticket. I explained the situation to the cashier and she argued with me and told me that I still had to pay for it anyway and that I'm just out of luck. She also said that the waitress doesn't know what she's doing, but I still have to pay for it. How stupid can you be to make a comment like that - your waitress "not knowing what she's doing" is NOT my problem...what is my problem is that I'm dealing with terrible customer service plus was promised a free desert and ended up being charged for it. I thought at first that she just didn't understand the situation correctly, and after repeatedly explaining myself...I start scratching my head thinking "why is this so hard for this person to understand that the apple pie was promised to me for free as a result of the waitress screwing up my order". I couldn't believe that this girl was so oblivious and ignorant to the issue. I felt like I was speaking to a wall! Finally, the cashier brings a manager out to address the situation. I will say that the manager was polite, and ended up refunding my money...as one would do to resolve an issue of bad customer service. Kudos to the manager for understanding the common principle of customer service. The cashier made a sarcastic comment after the manager refunded my money and said "wow you're really lucky that you got an apple pie over a salad"...still, she just didn't get it that the waitress screwed up my order. How am I lucky? I just received terrible customer service and had to argue with the cashier over a mistake made by the waitress. I would have much rather had my salad with great service over an apple pie and an argument. The funny thing is that I'm from out of town and will be staying in Kilmarnock for three straight weeks, and my only option for food is eating out. Given the lack of options, I would have eaten at this place on several occasions. I would say that this place lost a good 10+ meals out of me over a $4 apple pie. Even more so, there are about 9 other people with me that are also from out of town, and trust me - the word will be spread to everyone I know about this place. Not smart business at all!!! If the owners see this review, the waitress's name was Carter and the cashier was a short black girl (can't recall her name). I ate here on July 10, 2012 at roughly 7:30pm. These two employees have done an absolute terrible job representing your business. I hope this feedback helps you address the issues you have at your restaurant. read more

Best family restaurant in Kilmarnock area. Always tasty, delicious food, great variety, excellent and very friendly service and unusually low priced. Most popular restaurant for locals. You will be pleased with your meal as well as your check. Try it, you'll like it and plan to return. read more

Excellent home cooked food. Shrimp steak, crab cakes, cheeseburger deluxe are all great.

Friendly American Cafe. Old school. Good breakfast, I would eat here again, but not sure I would come here for dinner.

Breakfast on a Friday morning....place was just about full but the flow of customers out and in made getting seated and waited on no problem. My sausage gravy on biscuits special was excellent....good milk gravy with tasty sausage over biscuits to which I added scrambled eggs. My wife had blueberry pancakes which had plenty of blueberries in them but carefully placed in the whole pancake rather than a handful in the center. They were also very good. Coffee wasn't gourmet but was good, fresh and hot. A lot of local people in there which says it must be consistently good or they wouldn't come back. Bottom line it is nothing fancy but has good food, reasonably priced and friendly service! read more

Lees is a very nice restaurant with really good comfort food and seafood specials. They also have an excellent choice of sides. Food is very tasty, very reasonably priced and 5 stars for value. Hard working staff is very friendly and accommodating even when the restaurant is busy and it usually is. read more