Johnny A.
Google
Extremely Disappointing Experience at Meat Project – Centreville, VA
We recently chose Meat Project in Centreville to celebrate a birthday with a group of 25 people. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a special and joyful evening turned into a deeply disappointing experience due to poor service, safety issues, and unprofessional conduct.
Upon arrival, the manager measured my twin nephews (age 3) and confirmed they were exactly 3 feet tall — under the restaurant's height threshold for paying customers. We appreciated the clarity and proceeded to our two reserved tables.
While the food was good, several major concerns quickly became apparent:
Service was extremely slow
The floor was dangerously slippery, posing a safety hazard for both children and adults
Right next to our table was a stack of dirty dishes and a pot filled with what appeared to be dirty oil or water, giving off an unpleasant smell throughout the meal
We tried to remain positive for the sake of the celebration.
However, after dinner — just as we were about to bring out the cake (which we had confirmed with Min, the manager, was okay to bring) — the owner approached us and insisted on re-measuring the twins, this time at a measuring tape on the wall. She claimed they were “a bit over 3 feet” and said we now needed to pay $20 per child. This was after we had already received confirmation from the manager at the beginning of the evening that they did not need to pay.
It wasn’t about the $40. It was about the lack of professionalism and the poor timing — addressing this after the meal, after the measurement had already been settled, and in front of a large party. When I calmly voiced my concerns, the owner responded by yelling at her staff in front of everyone. I respectfully told her this was inappropriate, but she showed little concern.
To top it off, the cake we brought was not refrigerated properly despite our prior request — it was warm and partially melted when returned to us. Also, the carpet throughout the restaurant was filthy, worn, and hazardous — a detail that truly detracted from the overall environment.
Despite the unprofessional conduct, my sister paid the full bill — over $1,500 — and only then did the owner offer a last-minute “compromise” by charging us for just one of the two children and knocking off $20.
This experience left a sour taste. Not because of the food, or even the money, but because of how the situation was handled — particularly by ownership. A special celebration was soured by poor judgment and a complete disregard for the guest experience. I sincerely hope the management reconsiders how they treat customers and staff in the future.
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I got a very polite and professional answer to my review, but just to clarify, this reply doesn't reflect the actual interaction I had with the owner in person, which was quite different.