Completely overrated. Store bought bread, very little sandwich filling, cheese crisps are poor, were completely out of desserts for the boxed lunch and most definitely not worth the money. I don't understand what all the Hoop La is about. Will never go back read more

I happened to be passing through Richmond around lunch time and remembered the write up in the current issue of Oprah....so exited 95 and found Sally Bell's Kitchen within 10 minutes. It's a unique place, with lots of history, and I did enjoy the box lunch. Nice change from a fast food lunch! It was after the lunch rush and the service was pleasant and fast so I was quickly back on the road. read more

I've lived in Richmond for over 7 years now and I'm really upset that I didn't find out about this place until today. I had been asked to pick up some baked goods for a meeting for work, and while I was in there, I decided to get a boxed lunch. It was great! Really straight-forward options, simple food, but delicious and all for less than $8. Can't beat it! Everything was delicious (chicken salad sandwich, potato salad, 1/2 deviled egg, cheese wafer & devil's food cupcake w. chocolate frosting). The women behind the counter were so friendly and helpful. Also, the atmosphere of the place was very old fashioned, which is something that I really appreciated. Great place to pick-up a lunch and find a nice spot outdoors! Will definitely be back! read more

I spent a lot of time reading the reviews for this place so I didn't have my hopes up too much. I called my order in (the lady that answered wasn't all that friendly) and when I arrived my order was boxed and tied with swine (had two boxed lunches). The lady that greeted me and rang up my purchase was not the same one that took my order...this lady was all smiles and friendly. For the cost of the boxed lunch you would expect a bigger box, but I was prepared due to previous comments. When you open the box, the items are placed very nicely. The portion size is equivalent to a child's meal. I had the roast beef and Swiss with potato salad and a pineapple cupcake. It also comes with a cheese cracker and 1/2 deviled egg. Everything was good but basic. No lettuce, tomato or onion on the sandwich. Potato salad was good (even better when I added my own smoked salt). The deviled egg was good (my mom's is better) and not sure how I feel about the cheese cracker thingy. My cupcake was not moist...maybe a day or two old. All in all it was not bad. Pricey for the amount of food you get. I can't really see myself going back but I can at least say that I've tried it. read more

Third time going third time disappointed. This time could not even get service as a cashier walked to the back and sat down and started putting together boxes as there are at least a dozen people waiting in line. When I asked the other lady if the cashier was coming back since there was as at least a dozen people waiting, she said I don't know. Place has the worst service and mediocre food at best! read more

I had the chicken salad on a bun, potato salad and lemon frosted cupcake. The potato salad was okay but none of the meal impressed me.

The guy that always works the register here is so sweet and friendly and nice. I always go with their boxes lunch. This place is not gourmet. It's like what I remember my grandma making us for bagged lunches for our car ride home from visiting her. Classic handmade sandwiches. I always get the ham sandwich. I love whatever kind of roll they use for it. It's almost like a cross between a roll and a croissant. The deviled eggs are great- really simple and nothing fancy about them (or anything here). The little cheese wafers are my favorite. I always order extra. Potato salad is great- a little on the sweet side for my liking. And the cupcakes are great. They frost them upside down and all around so you get frosting in each bite. They often are out of a lot of flavors. I have yet to try the lemon filled cupcake that everyone keeps recommending because they never have it when I stop there. The cupcakes are very dense, not very moist, and the icing is really good fluffy buttercream. Their new location is HUGE and bright and clean. Lots of space to put tables, but as of the last time I visited, they don't have it filled with many tables yet ( maybe 4 tables?). read more

I'd been waiting for this place all my life. Completely charming and filling. The boxes are sweet, the food is terrific - and I say this as a vegetarian, with all the accompanying limitations. The only thing I fear about a place like this is that they might change or go out of business. Please, stay exactly, precisely, as you are, Sally Bell's - there's not another sandwich-box place like you in all the world. read more

I am not sure what all the hoopla is about. I ordered some box lunches for a group. We had chicken salad, ham, and turkey. Each box came with either a fruit cup or potato salad, a cheese cracker, a deviled egg, and a cupcake. To say I am under-impressed by this Richmond landmark is an understatement. My sandwich was dry. The fruit was a pre-packaged Dole fruit cup that you would find at an elementary school - the kind in the syrupy liquid. I cannot believe that they did not have fresh cut fruit. Who wants a Dole fruit cup??? Worst, the cupcake (which I was excited about) was also dry and frankly, inedible. The saving graces were the deviled egg, the cheese wafer, and the potato salad. Neither of those three things were out of this world, but at least they were passable to good. Contrary to others, I did think the service was good and the staff was very helpful. I have heard so many wonderful things about Sally Bell's and I am really sad that it did not live up to its reputation. I feel almost guilty writing this! read more

perfect food perfect place ladies are perfect i love sally bells. really a spot everyone should try. has been around for so long so the staff knows what they do, dont look too hard for a smile and dont be too sensitive they can be a bit intense but i love love love love love sally bells boxed lunch. potat salad is a sweet dream and the cupcake selection is unprecedented. you can call ahead and order pick up. i will be coming to and craving sally bells for the rest of my life regardless of if i live in richmond. read more

This place is okay and I respect the fact that it has been in Richmond for so long but I really wasn't that impressed with anything I got, besides the potato salad. I ordered the lunch bag which came with my choice of a sandwich and 2 side items. I got a roast beef and Swiss sandwich, potato salad and a grape soda. The potato salad was one of the best I've ever had. I liked the pickle slice that came on the top of it. I've never had potato salad with a pickle on it! Other than that the two other items I had were just "okay". I got a roast beef and Swiss sandwich which didn't have much flavor and the meat was kind of dry. The other item I got was a grape soda and that was pretty okay too. I wish I would have tried a cupcake instead of the soda but that's okay. I don't know if I'll go back because I found it pretty pricey for lunch and what I got, but if I do I will definitely be getting the potato salad again. read more

When I first came to the Richmond area and found out about Sally Bell's Kitchen, it was love at first bite!!! I don't work downtown anymore so I don't get to go as often, but I'm told it is still the best boxed lunch in Richmond!! read more

Sally Bells is a Richmond intuition that has hardly changes over many many years. they are known for their potato salad, chicken salad and ham sandwiches. They make excellent box lunches, you always know what you are going to get. Their cupcakes are reverse frosted, turned over and frosted and have been this way for years, before others started. It is a quality place to go. Not fancy with stuff like mango pear chutney spread for your sandwiches. But good simly home style cooking that hasn't changes in 50 years. They only do take out. For box lunches from 2 to 200 call ahead, they will be ready. read more

I love this place especially their boxed lunches. The deviled eggs are amazing and the pasta salad is wonderful. I am not a big fan of mayo on my sandwhiches and they made me a ham and swiss without it. Cupcakes were just the right amount of sweet to complete the meal. I always go for the devils food! I have had the pimento cheese before and it was okay. Have had better. But is great for a quick lunch. Perfect size portions for lunch. Everyone must try it since it is a Richmond landmark! read more

Sally Bell's is a miracle. My husband and I always stop on our way to D.C. Where else can you get a gorgeous, filling, delicious and reasonably priced box lunch? All Southern food fans should go out of their way to make a pilgrimage here. Don't miss the inside out cupcakes and the CHEESE WAFER. Sally Bell's is OUTSTANDING. read more

All the food is delicious and fresh. And the little touches make it special - like the deviled egg and the cheese wafer with the pecan on top and the upside down cupcake. I ask you, "Where else can you get a cream cheese and olive sandwich?" This place is special, unique and not to be missed if you are in Richmond. Close to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and VCU campus. read more

I have been going to Sally Bells for 6-7 years now. The last few years the food has become just okay. With all of the eating places popping up around VCU, I'd rather spend $10 on something else that tastes even better and get much better customer service. I used to enjoy the grandmotherly feel of the place but now it's like going to someone's crabby grandmas house. I always feel the need to apologize for bothering them to make me something to eat. There is no hello, no smiles, no explanation of what is offered, barely a thanks for coming. Today I decided I won't return because my desire to support this local small business has gone away. I'm sad to even say that. With Churchhill and Carytown so close by, there are other small businesses I will choose from now on. read more

Oh my! Surely a temporal stasis surrounds Sally Bell's. Just exactly like it was in my long ago childhood. In these days of fast everything, cheap shortcuts, and rapid change, I feared what I'd find here. The building and counter were a step back into the past - exactly as I remembered. OK, but what about the food? Alleluia! The beloved potato salad still has it's yummy unique taste that I have never been able to duplicate. The cheese - crackers? - are still flavorful, if a bit thinner. My chicken salad sandwich and deviled egg were equally satisfying. Nothing was hurried. Nothing was cheapened. I am awed and grateful. read more

I first ate at Sally Bell's almost 40 years ago and it was awesome! Today I slipped in to get cupcakes as a farewell for a co-worker. While there I grabbed a box lunch as well. I was so disappointed. The potato salad is still the best ever, the sandwich was ok, but the cupcake was either stale or way overbaked. Tastes as if the recipe may have changed as well. I'm debating whether to apologize to my co-worker for the cupcakes as I told her they were "the best cupcakes ever." NOT! read more

I grew up on Sally Bell's Kitchen. My mom was a diabetic and so a great week was when she came in from Mannboro-Amelia County and stopped by Sally Bell's to get cupcakes...I loved seeing her show up with the white box tied in string..i am almost 58 now and have moved to NC. i don't get near home without getting some. My mom was sick with congestive heart failure. She had moved to a place out in Nottoway called the Byrd House. My neice flew in from Chicago for her other grandmothers funeral and rented a car and drove to Sally Bell's and drove to the Byrd House and took my mom a cupcake. We didn't care that she was diabetic for this moment. When she hardly took a bite we knew her time was near. My mom passed away 3 years ago and was buried at Riverview in Richmond. Our lunch was to get Sally Bells box lunch and go home and eat on the porch. Several weeks from now my husband and I will be up to put wreaths on the grave and Sally Bells will be our lunch..everything is good..the box lunches, all the cupcakes..all of it..our favorites were the green pineapple and the strawberry. Try it..if you are disappointed mail them to me in Tarboro, NC. Thanks Sally Bell's for many memories! read more

I was treated to this box lunch by my employer for an employee appreciation day. I ordered the corned beef sandwich, on white bread with mustard.. On my way to work I was wondering if Sally's would know to cut corned beef across the grain to avoid it being stringy. Well needless to say, I did not need to be concerned as it was like potted meat from a can! My co-workers and I could not believe this what was served as a edible sandwich. I will say, the rest of the box lunch was good, based on the reviews I had higher expectations. I would not normally post this type of review, but when I called the manager today I was totally appalled. I was told that the corned beef spread was a homemade item and she told me it was her favorite sandwich on the menu. Why would a restaurant ruin good corned beef? It was just like canned corned beef that I would use to make hash. Although I was offered a free sandwich the next time I come in (never happen), I could not believe she was justifying this spread. I also have to believe that the James Beard Award of Excellence was not based on the corned beef spread sandwich. read more