How We Rate Dining Establishments?
Upon entering ANY dining establishment, I immediately look for a few key things, in this particular order--
Cleanliness: Are the tables/floor/menu sticky, dead bugs in the window seal, dust on the lights, and clean bathrooms? If filth is present in the dining area, then I have to question what the kitchen standards are like.
Staff: Did they greet me? Are they smiling, welcoming, knowledgeable about the menu, professional, and willing to put my needs first? The staff's attitude can make or break the atmosphere of a restaurant. Their emotions play a large part in a customer's dining experience. Essentially, they are the backbone to the business. There is nothing more off-putting then dealing with an employee who could care less about being there.
Menu: Are the prices reasonable for the amount of food received, is the menu unique, and easy to understand? I don't want any surprises on my plate. I want a clear picture of what I am ordering, and expect to get just that.
Food: Is it fresh, hot, tasty, and hit me in a place that longs to have more? Is the food being served consistent? In other words, it needs to be better than my own cooking, otherwise I might as well of stayed home.
Atmosphere: Is it comforting and casual, with no pressure to fit in, and provide a non-smoking section? It is important to feel the flow of the restaurant and know how you, the customer, fits in the equation.
Accessibility: Are their hours convenient, reservation needed or have long waits? When I get hungry, I want it and I want it now. Period.
As you can see, I placed the food toward the bottom of my list of standards. In my opinion, the cleanliness and staff make a bigger impression over the actual food. If a place is filthy and staff is rude, then I could care less as to what the food tastes like, no matter how good it may be.
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| Winston's Backyard Grill |
How does Winston's Backyard Grill rank by our standards? Here is the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Cleanliness:
The place is clean, which I would expect, seeing they just opened. The kitchen is open to the dining area, allowing me to see how the food is being prepped, and the cleanliness of the equipment. And believe me, I am watching.
Staff:
The staff seems friendly, especially when they aren't slammed busy. Now that they are getting into a grove, I can feel them relaxing a bit more, passing that feeling on to me as the customer. I personally like it when owners, managers, and/or employees of restaurants go out of their way to mingle or simply greet the customers. It makes the atmosphere both personal and inviting, leaving the customer to feel important. Unfortunately, I have not seen such encounters on a regular basis.
Menu:
Although the menu has some common foods, it also offers a unique twist to some items, and it is reasonably priced. The portions are large, and I leave there full every time! The menus are located up on large TV screens, making it easy to see, even from the back of the line. They do not offer a kids menu at this time. You may want to consider splitting a meal between smaller children.
Food:
The food always comes out fresh, hot, and tasty. Most of their items are made from scratch and give that "comfort food" feeling. With that said, I have encountered a handful of inconsistency during many of my visits-- received a cinnamon roll 1/3 of the size of the one on display quite a few times, side condiments missing from my order, received incorrect order, and pricing error upon ordering a special. The big one for me is that on several occasions I ordered the same item, yet received a different variation of it each time. I want to know that what I enjoyed last time will be the very same thing I receive on my next visit.
Atmosphere:
The overall atmosphere is laid-back, with a handful of booths, bar seating, and five TV monitors stationed around the dining area. It is a smoke-free environment. The joint itself is rather small in size, yet quaint. I like being able to place my order, finding a place to sit, then waiting to hear them call my number. I like that I don't have to wait for a waitress or leave a tip.
Accessibility:
You can dine-in, carry-out, call your order in ahead of time, or have your food delivered for free (tip the driver though). They offer great hours, opening early for breakfast and staying open late (for those late night cravings!) On any given visit you can expect to wait an average of 20 minutes to get your food. Food seems to come sooner during breakfast time (mornings), where it typically arrives within 10 minutes. I did notice that people who ordered after me were getting their food before me. It will be interesting to see if service speed picks up over the next few months though. Do keep in mind that this is by no means a fast food establishment, which could be a deal breaker for some customers who are in a hurry.
Obviously, with all of the pros and cons listed, the food is good enough that I continue to go back on a very regular basis! So what are you waiting for? Stop by and give them a try, and let me know what YOU think!
Winston's Backyard Grill
9545 Amberdale Drive
Richmond, VA 23236
(804) 419-4119
Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WinstonsBackyardGrill
Dine in * Carry out * Delivery * Call ahead ordering available
Dine in * Carry out * Delivery * Call ahead ordering available
Directions:
Just east of Courthouse Rd. and Hull St.,
in the Amberleigh Village plaza, located between Wells Fargo and Sheetz,
at the corner of Fordham Rd. and Hull St.
When Pigs Fly received nothing in exchange for this review. It was compiled as 100% voluntary.
When Pigs Fly received nothing in exchange for this review. It was compiled as 100% voluntary.
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