Dots Back Inn

Loved everything about Dots. I have to say these were some of the best fried oysters I have had. My drink was delish. I didn't get a picture of everyone else's dinner but the plates were clean 😋. Can't wait to come back! Server was so friendly and service was fast!

Well, we didn't see Guy Fieri there, but we did have a marvelous lunch! It's hard to pass up a place that you've seen featured on the Food Network and we're so glad that it actually lived up to the "Triple D" hype. The Chili Cheese Fries were a perfect starter, and we were pleasantly surprised by the slight sweetness of cinnamon in the chili, which apparently is how "Cincinnati style" chili is made. It's a unique flavor we found curiously appetizing. We both agreed that the home fries my wife ordered with her Dot's Famous Breakfast Club were a little on the bland side, but that the sandwich itself more than made up for it. My Black and Blue Burger was the true rock star. The pungency of the cheese and the perfectly medium-cooked patty sent my mouth on a first-class flight to "flavortown".

It was hopping when we arrived before Christmas. Grabbed a couple seats at the counter. What a joy this place is. The service was quick for how busy it was. Everyone was pleasant and balanced good service with letting you relax and chat with your party. The menu is deep enough most anyone can eat. The Special that day was a carnitas burrito. It was the right choice for me. We will be back. It’s gonna take a few trips to try all the things that we wanted to try. Go for it. Worth a wait if there is one. Cheers!

A good old fashioned neighborhood restaurant! Friendly and so “America” down home. Food is priced well, the service is friendly. It is a popular location so be sure to be prepared for busy. Food is cooked to order and may take longer than a chain restaurant. Sarah was our person who provided the most cheerful service!!! Super friendly and attentive! I wish it was closer to Hampton so I could be a regular!

Great brunch. Pretty fast service, lots of good options. Seems to be a local institution. We enjoyed the biscuits and gravy, the breakfast club sandwich, and some pancakes and french toast for kids (chocolate chips). Prices were reasonable, brunch drinks had tasty options. Really enjoyed it

I was excited to go because the menu had so many options! I think the best thing I had was the drinks. There was an Irish coffee that I got. My friends got a drink with horchata and hot cocoa. Forgot what it was called, but they were both really good! We got a burger, blackened salmon with gumbo on the side, and a Colorado omelette. I also added a pancake which was great. The omelette I didn’t really enjoy, probably because it had way too much cheese, but it was a nice size. Home fries were well seasoned! The burger was a 9/10 and the salmon as well. Didn’t like the gumbo and the desserts were a bit disappointing. The fried cheesecake needed more flavor. I’d probably go back to try something else, but not anything I ordered today.

My son and I stopped by Dot's as I was visiting this particular part of Richmond and this was the closest restaurant to me. I had no idea Dot's was featured on the food network a while back but was pleasantly surprised. This locale has an interesting story and I encourage anyone visiting to read up on it before or while dining. Loved the older WW2 era photos! Our waitress (Danielle) was very pleasant. As this was my first time here, I asked her for a burger recommendation (they all sounded good). She suggested the Ultimate burger while my son got The Club. The food took about 15-20 minutes as there were several seated customers ahead of us. When the food arrived, the burger looked good but the fries (potato chunks) were overcooked. The burger (smash burger, yum,) was good, cooked as I asked. My son's club look really good to which commented after eating all of it that it had a good flavor. I mentioned to our waitress about the fries to which she apologized, stating she would notify the kitchen All in all, I feel like Dot's is a five-star location because of the history and TV publicity but I was disappointed by the fries (potato chunks). The kitchen allowing that food to be served to a customer was concerning. Considering how everything else was good, I will definitely return another time and recommend to friends.

A quintessential neighborhood American restaurant. This place was so busy when we came on a Saturday night, full of families and just people having a good time. But service was prompt and we were checked up on regularly. The food was delicious with very generous portions (none of us had any room for dessert)! I got the catch of the day, which was blacktip shark. I had it grilled with green beans and mashed potatoes. I was pleasantly surprised with the green beans, which were cooked with tomatoes (I'm told it's a Greek preparation style). My husband got the lamb cheesesteak, and his parents got the fried catfish and a salad. Everyone heartily enjoyed their food! There's a good amount of seating, though I would call ahead for larger parties. We came in with a party of 6 (4 adults, 2 kids), and while they were able to accommodate us, it was a lucky and close thing. There's indoor seating and outdoor patio seating, mostly in 4-person tables. There's also bar seating. It's certainly very beloved neighborhood spot, and for good reason. Highly recommend for a quaint, comfort food dinner!

Been twice now, have sat both inside and outside and each time with a group (5 outside and 7 inside). Inside is definitely more sensory overload noise wise and harder to have conversation. Though the outside space when full might be similar, the night we were there we were the only table. Servers were fantastic both times (once was the owner!) and menu is huge and lots of variety. Had a burger which was excellent the first time and today biscuits and gravy which was good, the biscuit was phenomenal on its own! It's got so much character and love the location and vibe so will def be back. Plus have friends who are regulars so clearly it's a great place!!

Had dinner here with a few friends before heading out to some live music. This place is an old and established location with indoor and outdoor parking. It is kind of a dive diner. Food was good and service was ok. I think we all had burgers and they were pretty good. Street parking only

Great place for a dinner with family. Prices are great and wide selection on the menu. We came the week of Thanksgiving and it was packed so service was understandably slow as it would be anywhere this time of year. We really enjoyed our meal here. Highly recommend.

After a few late day errands we decided to have supper at Dots Back Inn located in Carol's old Richmond neighborhood just as a fast moving thunderstorm swept the area!! Luckily the patio had storm curtains which when lowered kept us dry and cozy. Highly recommended for a Richmond date night!

The home fries are just as good as the down home service. This is my absolute favorite chill spot. Even when I don't want food, I can chill on the front patio or at the bar. The burgers are better than the burgers on Marshall and 27th. LOL (and that place is walking distance for me, I have to drive to Dot's)

I had a beyond burger and it was fine. The fries were average. My child had grilled cheese and fries nothing spectacular. The place is small and cluttered. It's cute but over packed. The waitress was nice and there was not a long wait for a Saturday afternoon. I would not come back though. Ever! There is no diversity. At all

Started off with "Stuck on You" cocktail, ordered grilled ham and cheese with spicy potato salad....fire!!! So good. Husband ordered one eye burger and said you gotta taste these fries, all of it so good! Cool neighborhood vibe, friendly service! Will definitely be back!!

What's not to love? I went to Dot's way back in the day and had to make a stop there right away when I moved back to RVA. Our food was great, service was attentive and prompt, prices are reasonable and the vibe is still super cool, even after all these years! Thanks for still being here Dot's!

This place wasn't at all what we expected. We went because of seeing it on tv with Guy Fieri. I'll start with the one positive: The staff was extremely nice and attentive. That was the only thing we liked. Both mine and my husband's eggs were cold. The breakfast potatoes were cold. The corned beef hash wasn't at all like I have had anywhere else. It was more like two little burgers that tasted like meatloaf with green pepper. We really wanted to like this place but unfortunately all we liked were the people.

I am so sad that this place was very..... not good. The service was decent, but the food was not. We got the chili cheese fries as an appetizer, and I know chili is generally prepared with a bit of cinnamon, but it was all I could taste and it was not good. My friend had a dish that was prepared with bourbon, and it tasted awful and like chemicals as the cook didn't let it simmer off. We informed the server, and she said the cook was new and probably didn't know what he was doing with that dish. She took it back and my friend ordered a different menu item; the new item was okay, but it didn't come with all of the ingredients the dish listed on the menu. Maybe we hit this place on an off day, but I am in no hurry to eat here again.

Finally made it to Dot's Back Inn! Food's good, with a nice varies menu. The service was good, but boy o boy, is it loud! Parking can be tricky along MacArthur

Came in during brunch time and was seated right away. The service here is kind and attentive. Very hospitable and welcoming. 10/10 on the servers. The food was just ok. We got the pancakes - they weren't entirely cooked through resulting in this battery taste, side of bacon that came in pieces, side of fries and Huevos Rancheros with their chili. We both left with upset stomachs the only thing we shared was the Huevos Rancheros. The fries were killer though, and reminded me of Arby's curly fries. Would probably come here again but would the other items on the menu - I would advise people against the chili.

I have been coming here for years and have seen how they've continued to grow. The patio is my favorite spot of this restaurant! It has a cover option so when the weather is bad, you don't have to worry about getting wet. There is also heating and air in it so you're always comfortable. Sitting on the patio is a good bit quieter than inside if you don't like noise. The staff are always super friendly and quick to help you. I've never had to ask how much longer for the food or flag someone down for help. The food is delicious! Their daily specials have let me try some amazing things (if you see the brussel sprouts appetizer with sweet chili sauce, you must try it! I don't even like Brussels) and if there's nothing I want from there, they have a huge selection on their menu. My go to is the chicken pesto pasta and the chili cheese fries. If you need a dessert, the muffin with ice cream is so so good! They have a decent selection of drinks as well. This is a little hidden gem and a must try for RVA!

That is always a great place to eat if you want down home cooking in good sandwiches and a nice atmosphere. People are very friendly and the service is top-notch eat here as much as possible.

Great service. Lots of food. Plenty of shrimp on the potatoes. Husband got the sailor sandwich as it was a recommendation from server. He enjoyed it.

Stopped here as it's a DDD! Food was ok. Dessert was better. I was puzzled by the receipt as it had a meals tax. Ive never heard of that, made the bill almost ten percent higher. Service was not the greatest either, I went the last half of my meal without a drink refill.

Heard many things about this place, finally tried and wow, it did not disappoint, friendly fast service, LARGE quantity of food, excellent and tasty. Cozy restaurant with outdoor seating. We will definitely go back.

This one falls under the category of "how could I have gone THIS LONG without writing a review of this place?" Dot's Back Inn is a dining mainstay in the Bellevue area. The food is always good -- have never had anything I was disappointed by. Over the years I have had burgers, fish, fancy salads, great sandwiches, and awesome specials. As time goes on I will come back and update my write up to talk about other meals, but today I need to hit on a special one. RIGHT NOW THEY HAVE SOFT SHELL CRABS! AT LUNCH! This seasonal delicacy is only available for a few weeks or so each year. And a lot of restaurants go and ruin things by putting their own touch on these babies -- thai softshells, tex mex softshells, whatever. Such approaches completely ignore the beauty of simplicity -- buttermilk soaked, breaded, fried. Stick it on a sandwich, a benedict, or a fork. Dot's understands -- and boy are these things great. Delicately seasoned, good tartar sauce if you like, nice bread that doesn't fall apart under it. And generous tots or wedges... see the pics. Also on the table today was cajun red beans and rice with andouille. Also very good, but the spice level was too low to call it cajun. Still delish. Good service, lousy street parking (it's a busy area) and a real neighborhood vibe. Happy hour golden bevs are $2 for 10 oz draft, $3 domestics, $4 mixed.

I am a whole food eater, so Dots is not to my taste. Everything tastes canned or processed. The presentation is nice, but it doesn't taste fresh or alive. The people I was with seemed to enjoy it though, so if you are a mainstream diet kind of person, I think you will like it well enough.

I've been exploring the local area during my summer vacation and was in search of a great grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup. Well, I found it - Dot's Back Inn! I ordered the Adult Grilled Cheese sandwich and soup of the day - tomato basil. With the sandwich, you get your choice white or rye bread - I chose rye. You also get your choice of cheese - American, cheddar, Swiss, provolone - I chose Swiss. The combo of rye and melted Swiss was heavenly, complimented by the savory tomato basil soup. As far as other aspects of the restaurant go, there are a few things worth mentioning. The place is super small - crammed, noisy indoor seating (I'm surprised it passes a fire inspection with the very limited aisle room) and a bit more seating on the enclosed porch. The service is super slow and maybe not top notch. My server brought me a cup of soup with my sandwich when I asked for the bowl. When i inquired about my bowl of soup she said she would just bring me another cup of soup. It never came nor did a bowl of it. She never refilled my glass of Diet Coke - the hostess came over and asked if I needed a refill when I was finished eating and wanted the check. I let her know I needed the bill and I would love a drink refill. She flagged down my server who brought my check a few minutes later. The decor is nothing fancy and is pretty old. The bathroom is barely big enough to close the door and sit on the toilet seat or wash your hands at the sink. Despite these shortcomings, the place was packed. I think the draw here is the food and the laid back atmosphere. If you're looking for ambience and optimal service, you may want to keep looking.

Great food and very friendly service. Highly recommend for casual dining. Reliable neighborhood lunch place.

While street parking is limited, it wasn't a problem getting parked. This place was packed and we got the last table, seated by friendly staff. The atmosphere is casual but comfortable. It has a neighborhood favorite feel to it. I had the grilled andouille with spicy red potato salad (not too spicy but very good) while my wife had a Hot Julie. She loved it. If I'm in Richmond again I will definitely go back.

Been trying to come here for a couple years. We took our son to Arc Park in the morning for some outdoor fun and came here for lunch. This is my kind of spot. Local, great interior and staff. Enjoyed a BLT with chips. I'd like to come back in the evening and sit at the bar for some drinks.

I sadly didn't take any pictures, but you'll be able to see those on other reviews. Sorry about that. I went here on a Wednesday at around 7 with my mother. She's got a rollator which is one of those fancy walkers with wheels. I got an andouille sandwich with their spicy potatoes salad. The sandwich was much more than food than I expected. I was quite full afterword. It was two sausages cheese melted on a toasted bun with onions. Excellent meal that I was hesitant to try. The potato salad was great. Better than my mom's but not quite as good as Garnett's. My mom got a hamburger with only onions it's her typical fare with the red skin potatoes. I tried her potatoes and they were good. Her hamburger was pretty boring but she liked it. I think they could have made the beef patties bigger for the price but we had a good meal. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. The meals came out in a reasonable time. The place is very cute and unique. It's a smaller establishment with a covered patio. The place is handicap accessible but would be difficult with a wheel chair. My mom did fine with her rollator. No steps or anything to get over. The bathrooms are tiny but I think that's due to the age of the establishment. If I'm in the area would definitely return. Great food, staff, and atmosphere.

Staff is very friendly and personable foods good! But the service and the smiles make it worth the stop

Dots is almost always my go-to these days. It's not fancy, but the food is amazing, the service is friendly, and it's usually fairly easy to get a table. Sitting on the porch in mild weather is especially pleasant. Their specials are always the best!

Aaahhh! It kills me to give this restaurant two starts because there is a lot to like. So here's the deal: Dots is an old school diner that has maintained the elements of its 1940s heritage. Ambiance is nostalgic and fun with the same look and feel it had decades ago. They have added a few strategically placed TVs for sports fans looking to catch a game but not enough to change the feel or make it into a sport bar. Indoor seating consists of tables, booths and bar seating, able to accommodate smaller sized parties. They also have covered outdoor seating, tent enclosed in winter months. Service was friendly and there were plenty of staff who seemed to share overall wait coverage as we had different people wait, serve and refill. This ensured we never lacked for drinks or anything else we needed. Unfortunately the let down here and the reason for the low stars was for the food. We ordered fries with chili and cheese which was good. Chili here has cinnamon in it which I thought added nicely to the flavor. For entree I ordered a Ruben sandwich. I m sad to report that it is the worst Ruben I've ever had. The bread was fried and I think the oil that the restaurant uses had started turning because it had a distinct and unpleasant fish flavor. The corned beef on my sandwich was also grilled and was overcooked to the point I could not bite through the meat. I had a really hard time cutting it with utensils and gave up on it - the sandwich was not edible. I ate the coleslaw side, which was good, and left the sandwich whole. My wife ordered a chicken sandwich and her bun was also fried and it had the same fishy taste issue, which led us to believe the cause was likely the grill oil. She ate the chicken and left the bun. When the waitress brought our check she noticed I did not eat any of the Ruben. She did not address it or even ask if I wanted a to-go box which I thought was odd. Hoping for a different food experience I will give Dots another try at some point (maybe stick to a burger) as I really like the uniqueness of this restaurant and the service was good. Note: Dots is located in a small group of restaurants with only street parking available. It can make for a parking challenge and a bit of a walk.

I live near Dot's and i have been going there regularly for over 30 years .. love the atmosphere, good service, and the food is still good too .. i really like it, but i do not like it as much now that the prices have recently DOUBLED !!

So it's July 2020 and we're now in phase 3 of the coronavirus pandemic. I'm in a Facebook group entitled RVA Dine & Drink that's exploded since Covid began. Dots has posted their menu there a few times and I've been intrigued. The other night, I was at a loss for what to eat, plugged their name into my GPS, and made the 7-minute drive over to Bellevue. Dots has an old-timey, no-nonsense feel inside with a large patio outside. Friendly servers; semi open kitchen; looks like it's been there for ages. Probably has been. I ordered a cheesesteak and upgraded my side to fries, added mayo for dipping. Oh, my gosh. I had to make a point to tell the server how incredible that sandwich was. As a former Philly area transplant, it's been so dang hard to find a good cheesesteak here. That one blew it out of the park. And those fries (wedges)! Wow. Totally impressed. For dessert I also had a blueberry muffin ice cream sandwich, which was just as amazing as it sounds. Dinner was super affordable too. I'll 1,000% be back.

The quintessential greasy spoon diner in MacArthur Ave. Gets busy for Sunday brunch but the food is great. I usually go for the eggs Benedict but last time I got the fish sandwich and it was awesome. Staff is super friendly and quick.

Good service and great food. The staff is highly engaged and have a nice welcoming attitude.

Love this entire little block. It's like a mini carytown in this quiet Northside neighborhood. I've been here for a work lunch and loved it so I brought my Mom to brunch. We were sat out the patio almost immediately and the service was great! Food was fantastic and we both enjoyed the recommended spicy bloody Mary's. Will be back again for drinks now that the weather is warming up. You'll love the patio and outdoor spaces.

We enjoyed this place the first time we went but none of us (4) liked it today. Dots' has great service and is definitely geared towards servers, as it's named after a lady who waitresses there for many years. But the food just wasn't very good today. They are known for their burgers. Two of our family members ordered burgers and neither one particularly liked them. They said they lacked flavor and my husband wasn't a fan of the jarred jalapenMy daughter ordered the club sandwich and only ate one of the segments. She said it was blah. I ordered the Greek salad with the anchovies and found it, especially the dressing, underwhelming. The dressing was more sweet than vinegary, which was odd for a Greek dressing. With all of the great food choices in Richmond, I'm not sure we'll be back.

The corned beef on the Reuben was so tough you literally couldn't bite it. You have to take it off and cut it into small pieces. Not to mention they don't have thousand island. They serve it with tomato paste. yuck. Who ever said tomato paste tastes good on a sandwich? It doesn't. The bathroom is a joke. It's so small it's ridiculous. It's also dirty.

Dots is a great local neighborhood spot! Their Mediterranean Pis is one of my favorite apps in the entire city

Just your average diner. Be prepared to go home smelling like grease though. Would not visit again.

I am usually happy about some diner food but this place was a greasy smelly mess - we ordered a streak and cheese - there was more cheese and onion then meat and the bread was like a hot dog roll. They grill some food right in the bar which makes the whole restaurant stink up and we. won't even go into the service

My partner and I have been wanting to try Dots Back Inn for a while. It is a small restaurant with almost always a wait during rush hour. Luckily we were able to find seats at the bar. The overall vibe and aesthetic is very cute and fun. In terms of the food, some items were better than others. We ordered the onion rings as an appetizer and we were pretty disappointed; they were bland and seemed frozen. I got the Italian sub and overall it was really good. Pro tip - I suggest getting the Italian dressing on the side because it made the sub super messy and soggy. My partner ordered the steak and cheese. He was really happy with how much meat was included but disappointed that they used American (or maybe cheddar) cheese instead of provolone like the menu listed. We both got a side of fries which my partner loved. I thought they were good but wish they would have been described as "home fries" because they ended up being potatoes, not French fries. We shared a piece of the cheddar and jalopeno corn bread which I thought was delicious, maybe the best part of the meal. My partner liked it but was disappointed that they heat it up in a microwave. We each ended with a slice of the Elvis pie which I thought was delicious. All in all, the experience was decent, I'd give it a 6.5/10. We won't be rushing back but would like to return at some point to try other menu items. Oh and I love that they offer some non alcoholic beer options!

Eating indoors with friends and a big cockroash was climbing up the wall where my friend was sitting. It was fast and went into the wall. I was always told that when you see 1 cockroash there are many more. The food, coleslaw, potato salad and tuna salad tasted like it was sitting outside too long! Told waitress about cockroash. She didn't state I am so sorry or I will tell manager. She said nothing. Gave us a look like oh well! I won't be eating there after seeing the cockroach!

I have only been to Dot's back once, but it was absolutely fantastic! This quaint eatery has wonderful food and great service! The Fried Oysters Benedict was sublime, as were the chocolate banana pancakes! It is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the world, and I have traveled to 6 of the 7 continents! Believe me, you won't be disappointed!

I never wanted my burger to end. Even when it was falling apart from all the delicious sauces, I was scooping it up with my bare hands like an animal it was so good. Every bite had a new surprising flavor - I promise I mean this in the best possible way. Do I dare say this is the best food in Richmond? Yeah, I fucking do. My husband says it's really good but can't support my opinion that it's the best in Richmond. Please settle this domestic dispute. Go. Eat. Then respond.

My wife and I stopped in on a road trip because we saw it on Triple D. My wife got a cheese burger with fries and I got the meat loaf special with collards and mash potatoes. Overall the food was great. The only complaint we had was that her burger bun was kinda soggy so she ended up not finishing it. We loved the old school atmosphere and vibes. Will definitely stop by again when we are passing through.

The kind of place where kids can be kids, no dirty looks, just smiles from the staff and even patrons, laid back and the food is awesome, I'm not one to think pancakes are typically "worth it", I tried my kids chocolate chip pancakes and they were so good! I got an omelette and home fries, gosh the home fries were crispy and tasty and perfect. Corned beef hash that my brother got was maybe the best I've had. Our waitress Laura was a gem, would go back just to chat with her again. Most importantly, the vibes were immaculate.

Always friendly and fast service both dine in and take out!!!! Try their Reuben or 5 star nachos

Remember when this place was called Toms Toms? Yes, I'm that old!! We used to live in the area and come here all the time! Not much has changed over the years. The name is new, but the place is still a cool, casual hang out! It's a dimly lit, nostalgic spot with all kinds of funky décor and memorabilia lining the walls. As you grab a table or rustic booth, you'll hear some awesome 70's rock music playing in the background. There's also a covered outdoor seating area. Lots of locals frequent this RVA landmark! It's not a snazzy joint but folks come here for the food, and drinks, and hang... (The restrooms are tiny, so you'll just have to make do! So don't expect too much.) The wait staff is a little brusque, but it adds to the vibe of the place. "What'll it be?" We came for breakfast and ordered the blueberry pancakes which were cooked just the way I like them, fluffy and a little crispy on the edges. I asked for extra blueberries because they were hiding in the batter... not too many to be found. We had scrambled eggs and grits too! The grits were good, not too soupy. We would've liked a refill on our coffees, but alas, it never came. Nevertheless, I love the homey atmosphere and the memories I've had here! I'll surely come back to Dot's Back!

I had such a nasty meal here. It was so so gross. The mashed potatoes tasted soapy, the mahi was chewy and the darker parts weren't trimmed before cooking, and the rice and beans were literally just unseasoned canned beans tipped into a bowl with like 5 pieces of rice. There were flies everywhere. The staff seemed nice enough but nothing can make up for how narsty that meal was. I will say members of my party had fried fish that was good.

My good friend Guy Fieri recommended this RVA hotspot. This place somehow has a unique diner/bar vibe. Good if you want to go on a date or watch a game. The menu is large and offers something for everyone. I have a big appetite but couldn't finish the pesto pasta.

We went after Phase 2 of COVID-19. The staff followed all protocols of social distancing/wearing masks and it made me more comfortable eating there after the several month-long stay at home order. Inside, patrons were seated every other booth apart and the patio was also open for dine-in. Our server was just lovely. I had a cheeseburger with fries - it really hit the spot. Sometimes you're just craving a classic, y'know? The patty was cooked exactly medium which is what I ordered. Yay! The LTO (lettuce/tomato/onion) were fresh. The side of fries that came with my food was more akin to deep-fried home fries rather than actual 'string' shaped fries, but there they were still delicious. The wheat bun was an interesting touch, but I wasn't mad at it. This is a nice local spot with charm and character. Would definitely come back again!

I had the cheeseburger with provolone and got a side of fried potato wedges. The burger came with lettuce, onion and tomato (I skipped the mayo). Overall, the burger was pretty good. Bun was soft and tasty. The fries were chunky wedges, crispy outside, luscious inside. This place is a 3.5 for me, but the fries and retro feel bump it up for me. The pricing was also reasonable.