3rd Street Diner

Just left the 3rd St. Diner, unfortunately I left hungry. I walked in around 10am there was only 1 table of customers besides me, sat there for 10 minutes and the waitress was too busy changing the TV channel and talking on her wireless phone. I got up and left. Will never go back more

Awesome servers!!! more

I used to go to this dive back in the day (Maybe 7 or so years ago) and I wasn't really too impressed with the food or service at the time. As many people have posted the food is -drunk food-. It's the kind of stuff you eat at 2am when the bars close and you are half starved with a somewhat skewed judgment. I went back recently and it was noticeably worse... the past few years spiraling this hole in the wall place into decline. But really, here's the worst thing about this place... And likely why all the staff walk around treating the customers like dirt (And would explain the quick turn over). They treat their staff like garbage. The owner is cheap... He demands $10 taken out of each person's check each shift to cover a meal (what there costs $10?) and there is no declining this (Which is illegal)... he shorts their paycheck to below minimum wage and then promises that he will fix the problem and never does. Apparently there are some discrepancies as to if he has been pocketing people's taxes as well. That alone gives me reason never to put another penny in his pocket... The owner also owns two strip clubs in town, generally he is a total slime ball. How do I know all of this? My girlfriend used to work there... In short: Terrible food, terrible service, rude waitresses, poorly treated staff with a high turnover rate, dirty atmosphere... Hungry at 2am? Why not try Denny's? more

I've lived in Richmond for years and have always enjoyed ordering from 3rd street, when you need a greasy diner food fix, it's definitely the place. However, I don't feel at all comfortable recommending this restaurant becuase I have never been treated so poorly by the staff of a restaurant. My co-workers and I looked up the menu online and then called to order. First, we were informed that the menu online was inaccurate, and that despite this fact, we should not have called if we didn't know what they want (perhaps the diner should update the menu that can be view online). Then when I asked for the manager's name I was informed that I was speaking with the manager. Tina, the manager, was by far the rudest member of a staff I have ever come across. When I told her she was being rude, she essentially told me that I was a moron. Obviously, we cancelled our order. I love the food, but will never order again as I cannot tolerate that kind of treatment when I am paying for a service. Pros: good, cheap breakfast Cons: managers and staff are incredibly rude more

After a 40 minute wait, my guest and I decided to ask where the food was. I was told it should be coming out. The waitress also said that the cook only does one order at a time. To me, that was not a good enough excuse for a 40 minute wait for an egg omelette. We had already had three cups of coffee during the wait. We left three dollars on the table and started walking toward the front door. At this time, another waitress approached us and asked us to pay for the coffee. I said, ""You've got to be kidding me."" We left three dollars and it was not enough. We should not have been charged for the coffee because of the extensive wait time. We continued walking out, and the waitress threatened us with calling the cops. This has to be the worst service we have ever received. Pros: location Cons: takes too long to get food after you order more

I walked into the diner for the first time about a year and change ago. It seemed nice, they had just finished renovations if i remember correctly. I had been heard all sorts of things about the place, both good and bad. Like most people the bad reviews stuck in my head but i was in the area and they are 24 hours so i decided 'why not?' I was seated within seconds by a very polite waitress. The service was quick and the wait staff treated me like an old friend and talked to me and made me feel good about giving it a chance. I checked out the menu, great prices by the way. I ordered a soup and salad, it was fresh and tasted so good i ordered an entree AND desert. I usually don't order more than soup and salad but the service was so good, the wait staff was so polite and the whole atmosphere was just perfect. The manager on shift came over during my meal, asked me about the service, talked to me and truly cared about the welfare of the restaurant. He also told me about the historic significance of the building as its been standing since 1861 and a restaurant since 1926! I took home a carry out menu and ive been eating there every week since. Don't listen to the negative hype, plenty of people will complain but not everything is 5 stars. This diner is truly a landmark both for historical sake and for foodies of all ages. I recently ate in and had the same great service. The day waitress and day manager were both eager to take comments and questions and chat with me. Such a friendly environment and the best food on Main St IMHO.You're only cheating yourself if you don't stop by and grab a bite. Truly a place worth visiting every day if you need a hot meal, a friendly chat, a cold beer, and a good good time. Did i mention they're 24-7? I went during the day, usually about noon - 1pm. Check it out, you wont be disappointed i assure you. Pros: Service, Food, Atmosphere, Cleamliness, Location, Everything! more

was Twittered about this place by my bro Brody. got there, needless to say, seated IMMEDIATELY. my waitress looked like she just seen a ghost. ordered my coffee ""up"" and ""dirty"" and best believe there were no hassles. ordered a Cloudyburger with grape dippin sauce. every sensory nerve on my taste buds was SCINTILLATED and TITILLATED but they made me go to the car for ketchup packets. but c'mon this diner can sure CUT A MUSTARD packet. thats when i saw the hostess shove some dude. all the charming regulars are really gross and the owners hair was all burnt off. he looked like a lame raisin but my meal was frickin Kream of the Krop. Pros: sweet Cons: regs more

The newly remodeled diner leaves a lot to be desired. I too had hoped that the owner of this diner would make some great improvements when the city made them clean the place up but, that is not the case. The service is really sub standard and most of the wait staff appear to be very disinterested in the customers. The ?regulars? really seem to be treated well but the customers that just happen in seem to wait for long periods of time for any form of service. It also concerns me that they feel the need to post an armed security officer at the front of the diner? The diner is owned by the same guy that owns Daddy Rabbits and the Candy Bar strip clubs and I think that may be the same atmosphere that he is going for here. I recommend that you drive the extra mile and try another restaurant. Pros: Very cheap food Cons: You get what you pay for... more

The 3rd St Diner is a great place to eat breakfast anytime of the day. The new renovation has transformed the restaurant into a cozy place to dine. The breakfast was most excellent. I use to order take out (club or burger) and the food was always good and at a reasonable price. I just dined there last Wednesday and the food and service was first rate. Pros: taste of the food and service Cons: no handicap accessibility more

I had hopes for the recently remodeled diner, but was disappointed. I went for breakfast in the late morning, but the atmosphere was more of a smoky bar. Service was almost nonexistent. After waiting 10-15 minutes for coffee and to place our food order we got up to ask what had happened to our drinks. We were informed that the coffee machine was broken and they were microwaving cold coffee cup by cup. We cancelled that coffee order! There was one server behind the bar and another server or helper who would come by the table to get an order but could answer no questions, and then would never return. When the food finally did come, one order was wrong and the other served with cold bacon and mushy hash browns \r ( I had specifically asked if the hash browns could be crispy and well done and was told by the server that it wouldn't be a problem). At least the eggs and biscuit were eatable. It was a frustrating experience and disappointing as the restaurant is in a good location and could be a pleasant diner if more attention were given to the food and service. It may be a good place for smokers who want to go to the bar at night for a drink, but not for anyone who wants a meal and friendly service. more

the waitresses were rude and provided just about no service. it was late, but that is no excuse to have to wait an hour and a half for breakfast-type food. eggs and pancakes really don't take all that long to cook. more

3rd Street Dinner is a decent place to go study or read a book but I wouldn't go just for the food, it isn't exactly great. The only people that do go for the food are college students with the late night munchies. more

I love to eat here - any time of day. The food is great, the service is above-average, and the crowd is fun and eclectic. more

Classic urban eclectic, from pancakes to eggs, from burgers to even uptown ""greasy spoon"", this place garners my vote for an all around dining experience. Classic dishes, yet cheap to moderate prices, 3rd Street has more than earned its reputation as a Richmond dining staple. Pros: inexpensive Cons: parking really stinks more

I've eaten here at 2am after bar hopping all night. I've eaten here at 11am, after the breakfast crowd is gone. I've eaten here at 7pm with all the other 9 to 5ers who work late!! You can get breakfast any time you want. It's cheap, but good. They are always busy, so be prepared to wait! more

The first time i visited the 3rd st diner, i had the best penutbutter/chocolatefudge pie in the WORLD! after that, plus the fact that they have a jukebox with good songs, i was sold on this place. the fun and friendly people and the funky atmosphere makes this the place to be on friday nights (or any other time ;-) more