Second Street American Bistro

Tonight's dinner was @secondstnn! It was really tasty! Drink: Drunken Pumpkin Bird Dog Pumpkin Spice Whiskey, Chilled Apple Cider, Lemon juice, and Simple syrup I also had a Devil's Backbone Vienna Lager Apps: Duck Rangoons Corn, Duck Bacon, and Cream Cheese Stuffed Wontons with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce Smoked Gouda Grit Cakes Entrée: Grilled Bison Meatloaf Ground Bison, Beef, and Pork Meatloaf, Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes, Vegetable du Jour (broccoli), and Demi Glace The drink was fall in a glass. It was so comforting and made me super happy. I highly recommend it. The duck rangoons... these we so duckin' good. They were perfect and wouldn't change a thing. The grit cakes were everything I wanted them to be. The meatloaf was so good and had a great crosshatch. Really good flavor, but simple. The demi-glace finished it perfectly. The atmosphere was great and the service was great as well! Our waiter, Allen, gave us great recommendations and provided great service. Other staff also checked in on us. I have no complaints whatsoever.

Came here for brunch and Chris greeted us immediately at the door in the most pleasant and welcoming way! I had to thank him personally! Then our server "Dora" was the best, she made our drinks to our liking, and explained the menu to a T! I will definitely be back and I will share my experience with everyone! Thank yall for a great brunch!! Great customer service and the vibe of the place is cool l, calm and just right! Drinks were great too. Thank you!

Loved this restaurant! It was busy...holiday seasons, parties, etc. The food was marvelous, our server Ethan was great, and while we were full from dinner, we took home 3 desserts for later! We had grilled bison meatloaf and shrimp and grits. Both were amazing! Highly recommend!

I have so much respect and admiration for Second Street American Bistro in Newport News, Virginia. This restaurant has always been one of my absolute favorites, and I knew it would be the perfect choice for hosting my birthday brunch in their private dining room. Everything about this place is exceptional—from the warm and professional welcome the moment you walk in, to the stunning atmosphere that shows how much the owners care about their business. The food and drinks are consistently amazing, with seasonal options that showcase true creativity and culinary care. Whether it’s brunch, dinner, or dessert, I’ve never left without being impressed. And beyond the flavors, the customer service is always impeccable. I’m incredibly grateful for their team’s kindness and flexibility during my event—letting me arrive early for setup, answering every question with patience, and accommodating my timing with such grace. The personal touch of the staff coming to meet me, complimenting the room, and making me feel valued really stood out. I had a wonderful time, and the effort and dedication of the entire team didn’t go unnoticed. Second Street isn’t just a restaurant to me; it’s a place where thoughtful hospitality and unforgettable experiences come together. I’ll forever be a loyal customer, deeply appreciative of the hard work they put into making every visit special. Special thanks to Shannon, Scott, Chris and Ethan .

Went for my spouses birthday and we were seated right away. Everyone was super friendly and we were checked on every time someone walked by. Very pleasant atmosphere! The food was delicious as well! We will definitely be coming back

It was my first time..the food was great! I would def go again. However, the service was a lil slow due to a large party, so it was understandable. But the atmosphere and food was def worth it. Try it!

While visiting Newport News, Virginia, I was in the mood for a classic American bistro experience, and after checking a few different sources and reviews, I decided to give this local spot a try — and I’m glad I did. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere had a welcoming and laid-back charm. The dining area was clean, well-kept, and had a cozy, modern vibe with comfortable tables and chairs that made it easy to relax and enjoy the meal. I ordered the shrimp jambalaya, and it definitely hit the spot. The portion was generous, and you could tell the ingredients were fresh. The shrimp were cooked perfectly — tender and flavorful — and the dish had a good level of seasoning, just enough spice to bring out the flavors without overpowering. It had that balance of Southern heartiness with a bistro-style presentation. They also offer a limited but well-curated selection of local draft beers, which was a nice bonus for someone like me who enjoys trying regional brews. Service was another highlight — the staff was attentive, friendly, and everything came out on time without a hitch. Overall, this American Bistro is a solid choice if you’re looking for fresh, flavorful food and great service in a casual yet polished setting. I’d definitely come back.

I very rearly give 5* because lets face it, nobody's perfect. 2nd Street American Bistro earned the 5* tonight. The server was amazing! She let me eat but was right there when I needed her. She was attentive, professional, present, kind and above all treated me like a person and not money in the door. The experience here was flawless! Top it all off, the food was absolutely amazing. Timely served. Prepared masterfully. Temperature was great. It was delicious! I will definitely be back. The experience nade it so you want to come back and try everything on the menu at least once and take your favorite dish home. Job well done!

Second Street American Bistro: A Delightful Dining Experience Second Street American Bistro offers a delectable selection of appetizers that tantalize the taste buds and set the stage for a delightful dining experience. Among their must-tries are the succulent shrimp and the irresistible fried green tomatoes. The shrimp are cooked to perfection, boasting a plump texture and bursting with flavor. The fried green tomatoes are a delightful Southern twist, offering a crispy exterior and a tangy, juicy center. These appetizers are the perfect way to start your meal at Second Street American Bistro.

This is not my first time eating here. This location and the Williamsburg store are always been on the top for food and service. This last Friday we took our out of town friends to the New Port News location and we all enjoyed our time. Plenty of food, so much that some of us had to take it to go. I had the 2nd Street Reuben sandwich which was piled so high that I thought that I might have to take it to go as well, but I didn't! Nice atmosphere, not too noisy. They make a Smoked Gouda and Grits fried cake that is wonderful. It used to only be served under the main dish, but now it's on the menu as a side. Am Must try, Yum!

I will absolutely be be returning if I'm ever in the area. Its a lovely spot with great food! I got the french dip sandwich and homemade chips and it was really good. The menu looks like it has alot of options so I look forward to trying something else. We were casual but It can be a more upscale spot if you want. We saw a large group so they can accommodate that as well. The service was good but one important note is that they accidentally delivered a crab soup instead of the one we ordered. A member of our party has a SEVERE seafood allergy and the only reason she didnt take a bite is because she knew crab was the other option and it didn't look like a curry soup. This was a pretty big mistake. The server was apologetic (a member of the kitchen brought it not her) but definitely worth mentioning allergies for safety.

Really liked the food and drinks. Service was good too. Was seated outside due to "lack of staff" (wasn't preferred) but when we decided we couldn't take the heat anymore; the dining room was packed (we were lucky to get the last table at the time) but service (Thank you Casey) was fine. I didn't appreciate the redirection but the food was delicious so I just focused on the evening with my dear grandmother.

The food was delicious, the service was average, but they got some items wrong on the check. The ambiance was excellent! Loved the patio it was great even in cool rainy weather. There were heaters on the ceiling above the table. We were a little too toasty at times!

I've been to this restaurant before for a first date, and it was a fantastic experience, but that was about two years ago. I recall thinking it was a place I'd revisit--the food and drinks were both enjoyable, although I can't recall specifically what I had. However, upon returning recently, I wasn't as impressed with the food; there wasn't anything on the menu that particularly appealed to me. The Lemongrass Mussels I ordered were decent, while my son enjoyed his Smokehouse Burger. For appetizers, the Thai Poppin' Shrimp stood out as excellent, but the Fried Duck Ragoon didn't quite hit the mark for me. Overall, it was an okay experience; the waiter provided great service, the ambiance was pleasant, and parking was convenient.

Alright this is more of a 3.5 rating but I'm rounding up because the group I was with seemed to really enjoy their meals and some of the reasons why I didn't like the food was my personal preferences. Had lunch here with a group of 5 and our server did a great job with taking care of us. Made sure we had water and other drinks. I got to try the portofino salad and it was good but there was almost too much cheese and cranberries. I also wished that the lettuce had been romaine, a thicker lettuce than the micro-greens and mixed greens. I also added on the chicken tenders for $8.40 and you only got two tenders. For the price not worth it. The baked pimento cheese dip with fresh chips was good! Others at the table enjoyed the French onion soup, quiche, split pea & ham as well as a BLT sandwich. Will go back and try other dishes, just think I struck out with the one I ordered. It's fun e sitting outside on the patio area, and inside also had nice table and chairs.

This place is really fancy looking but with an affordable menu. The service is professional and friendly. I know I been here a long time ago and thought their food was really good but can't remember what I had or what I liked about it so this review is of what I had recently. Would love to update next time I'm here. The mussels didn't really have as much flavor as I'd like. I thought the garlic bread was a bit random too in terms of complimentary flavor for the dish and it also didn't have as much flavor either. The duck rangoons weren't bad. My husband loves them! But honestly, when I forgot what protein was in it when we were served it, I thought it tasted like sausage. The inside was creamy and was a great taste but it was kind of one of those things where after I ate two, I was done because it was a bit overpowering. I know I had their main entrees before and it was delicious. But this is my first time eating their appetizers and I'm ngl, it could definitely be better with a bit of tweaking. I'd still recommend people to try it out and I would still come back, but I would probably not order those two dishes specifically again.

Great service good food nice vibe and it's Local. Bathrooms clean, tables clean. I reccomend, Eat local.

Each entree was delicious. The cheeseburger was huge and delicious. Enjoyed the chips that came with it. The side salad was larger than I expected. I wish there were more topping options. The Thai shrimp was my fave! Our waitress was friendly and very attentive. Love the atmosphere in the restaurant.

Hit or miss with certain things in the menu but overall okay service is great but the food is really okay not great

The food was pleasing to the eye but not sure if I really enjoyed it. For the food to look as great as it did the taste could have been better. I had a burger and wouldn't have it again Service was good but they don't check on you often as I need some condiment for a little while after my food came. The restaurant itself is very lovely but for an older crowed.

Several years ago I reviewed this location unfavorably. Since then I have visited more recently and had a fabulous dining experience. Tonight there was a sewer problem but it was unnoticable in our dining area. We started off with some fabulous thai popping shrimp! Wonderful flavor! One of us ordered lasagna, one the Asian mandarin salad and one the NY Strip with au gratin potatoes and onion rings hand breaded on site. Every bite of steak was perfect. The mandarin salad was exactly as described but disappointing. Literally dry Ramen soup was crumbled up among an entire can of oranges. But the ginger dressing was flavorful. The onion rings came with a siracha ranch dip that was a perfect complement. On a previous visit we tried a fig pig Flatbread that was a welcome unusual combination that we all enjoyed. Our server was friendly and attentive and the manager came by to check on us as well. Food arrived in good time and freshly prepared. So at this point with two highly enjoyable dining experiences since my first review I feel comfortable upgrading my review to 5 stars, in spite of the $100 plus price point for 3 meals without drinks

We found this restaurant on Yelp. The menu is what got our attention because I am Celiac and vegetarian, and my husband is gluten-free by preference. The hostess was so friendly--even walked over to open the door for us to enter, which was very hospitable. The atmosphere was nice without being too stuffy or trendy. Our food was amazing!! Unique flavors and everything was perfectly cooked. The portions were big enough that we'll both have lunch tomorrow. There are a ton of dietary-restriction-friendly options. There is a separate GF menu that specifies what is just GF versus celiac-safe. Also clarifies what ingredients make a dish unsafe so that you can just remove the item. This is very appreciated by people who love to go out to eat but usually cant do that without getting sick. Felt fine after eating here, so I can tell the kitchen follows their food separation procedures. Our waitress was Angie and she was perfect! Very sweet and a total pro. This will definitely be on the list for when we have friends visit us in Newport News. The drinks were great too! Tasty without being watered down or sugary

Had many recommendations on second street and my wife finally had a date night here. Jason took care of us and he was fantastic. Knew his menu and gave great recommendations. Large portions of food. My wife had the beet and goat cheese salad and I had the chicken tortellini. I would recommend both of these to anyone coming. Wonderful outdoor/covered patio and just a wonderful experience.

Great food, spacious and comfortable seating. Friendly staff. Definitely recommend. I didn't get to try the mimosas but I will be next time because they look so good!

First off, when your waitresses' name is Grace just know your food is going to be amazing!!!! This was my first trip to this location and it surpassed my every expectation!!! Grace was a sweetheart!! We didn't know bread was not served until after 5pm. Grace got us a fresh batch with oil and seasonings and it was a perfect match with our meal. If the menu item says it comes with a grit cake GET IT!!!!!! It looks like a fried potato cake but better!! It was smooth and full of flavor!!! My family and I enjoyed all of our food and will definitely be back!!

I have been to 2nd Street bistro several times. The food has always been wonderful. Went there last night and our server Kristy was phenomenal. Not only is she a terrific person but attentive and spot on. I have saved her card so that when I go there in the future I can ask for her.

I recently dined at this wonderful restaurant, and I must say, it was a delightful experience. The lettuce wraps were simply bursting with flavor, a perfect balance of textures and tastes that left me craving for more. What impressed me equally was the prompt and attentive service. The staff seemed genuinely dedicated to ensuring a great dining experience. Our orders were taken swiftly, and our dishes arrived promptly, allowing us to enjoy our meal without unnecessary waiting. As if that wasn't enough, the warm bread they served before the meal was a pleasant surprise. It was freshly baked and absolutely delicious. The combination of the soft, warm bread with the flavorful filling of the lettuce wraps was a match made in culinary heaven. The restaurant itself was clean and well-maintained, which added to the overall positive ambiance. Cleanliness is essential, especially during these times, and this establishment certainly did not disappoint. But what truly stood out was the top-notch customer service. The staff was friendly, accommodating, and always ready to assist with any request or query. Their attentiveness made the dining experience feel even more special. All in all, I had such a fantastic time at this restaurant that I am already looking forward to my next visit. If you're seeking a place with flavorful food, prompt service, delicious warm bread, and exceptional customer service, this is the spot for you. I highly recommend it, and I can't wait to return!

A great find! Unique menu and everything was delicious. We ordered the crab Rangoon appetizer, grilled bison meatloaf with mashed potatoes and grit cakes, and the chopped salad with grilled chicken. For dessert we enjoyed the smores bread pudding. The service was very friendly and kind. Will definitely come again.

Came back for my birthday. Restaurant is always clean and decorated nicely. Our waiter Conner was great, very attentive and patient. My husband ordered the lettuce wraps and he thought they were great. I got the ahi tuna poke bowl, I enjoyed it overall, I just wish there was less sauce inside of it because the rice was drowning in sauce. My sister got the salmon burger and enjoyed it. My dad got the lasagna and he said it was great. Overall it was a great experience and we will be back. Probably one of my favorite American style restaurants. If you haven't tried it, go!

With Newport News Restaurant Week upon us, this gives Sophia and myself a chance to check out local spots in the area besides heading to the Southside for lunch or dinner. Luckily, this spot is offering their lunch and dinner specials already till mid-March. Not a bad deal if I say so myself. Once we walked in, we went on ahead to ordering. For my picks, I selected the 2nd St. Thai Poppin' Shrimp wrap with a side of house fried chips and Maple Bacon Bread Pudding with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Everything was truly delicious. The shrimp wrap was full of veggies and the Asian glaze for the shrimp was just right. And the house fried chips were full of crunch. The bread pudding was not too sweet at all and full of flavor. You can never go wrong with having cooked bacon in your dessert. Truly the icing on the cake. Sophia enjoyed her grilled cheese sandwich along with tomato bisque and took some home for leftovers. The biggest crime to admit: I should've come here sooner. The food, the service, the hospitality....all excellent. No wonder the reviews for both the Newport News and Williamsburg locations are highly positive. You betcha we'll be back here soon :)

Stopped in for lunch last week and sat at the bar. I was greeted by the bartender, Denise. She gave great service, conversation and recommendations. I got the shrimp wrap which was phenomenal and not to mention, beer was ice cold. Great ambiance and clean restaurant. I am a new account rep in the area and was looking for a great place to eat and bring potential customers. I will be back....great job Denise!

The service is always good and the ambiance is nice. It's not an upscale place but the dishes are an upscale style of comfort food. I tried the lettuce wraps which came with multiple components and a lot of flavors. It tasted good however the pieces of Bibb lettuce were too small for the amount of components it offered with the dish. This made it messy and hard to eat as intended. The chicken came glazed in a sauce then it was served with 2 other sauces. It honestly didn't need all of that, because they were trying to compete with one another. Each flavor was so bold they didn't really compliment. The chicken was slightly over cooked leaving it a little dry despite being coated in a sauce. My wife had the poke bowl and said she thoroughly enjoyed it. I may not have enjoyed my food this time but there were other dishes I enjoyed more. All in all it's not a bad place to go.

My favorite restaurant in the Yorktown area (it's technically NN, I know). I absolutely love their crab cakes. Service is always good and the atmosphere is as well.

Overall the ambiance is nice. It seems like an elegant restaurant. The service was good and the food was good. We ordered our meals and my wife and I added soup. They brought the soup with the main dish so our table was overloaded and our main dishes got cold while we ate the soup. Since I had a lot of time to wait for food, I looked around and noticed there were crumbs and bits in the seats between the seat and backs. The French Onion Soup was good and tasted freshly made. I didn't like that it seemed like the seasoning was in one side and the cheese was melted but not crusted. My meatloaf and vegetables were very good. The service was good and it was a nice meal.

This is a great restaurant. Would be 5 stars, but the otherwise impeccable service became unavailable at the end of our meal beyond what Zi gelt was reasonable. Food is tremendous, both on menu and execution. Wine list was great. The theme/decor was modern and yet homey. The design allowed for generous seating while obscuring line of sight views that made the restaurant feel private. Great job to the owners. I'll be back.

We have been coming here for about a year(Newport News location) since we moved to the area. We love the staff and we prefer to sit near the bar it has a great ambiance but when we're with guests or family the dining room is nice! This trip we had the Steamed mussels we love the lemon grass white sauce and for mains I enjoyed their fried chicken sandwich, it's made with their hand breaded chicken tenders and it hit just right. My Wife was in the mood for a burger so she got the black and blue which has bacon cooked inside and topped with her favorite gorgonzola. They have a great wine and beer selection and are good for big parties if you plan ahead!

The atmosphere is great and the food is pretty good. I enjoyed my entree and my wife's burgers was good ( I sampled it lol) the only issue I had was the peppers in my pasta weren't cooked enough.

Great food and great experience! The server was so friendly and the atmosphere was laid back. We will be back!

Ordered the curried chicken salad. It wasn't tasting great and then I got completely sick afterwards. Unfortunately, I was passing through so I have no ability to go back and rate again.

I visited for lunch. Nice quiet place for a business meal. They make a great Rueben sandwich

Food is diverse and tasty. Service is limited by bias ( don't be "of color" and expect good service). Members of party were treated poorly. Seems nicer than it is. If you are friends of the owners you are treated better Ambient nice place.

Service is excellent with very nice ambiance. I can't say I have had anything spectacular, except for their sangria.

Elegant and classy with middle income friendly prices. Nice place to go to for fine dining dinner

A friend and I had a girls night on a Friday night and were seated right away. At some point I'll have to check out the outdoor patio seating because it is heated so its great for the cold weather. There was a great ambiance- dim light, not rowdy. I also saw that there was a private party room which must be great for special occasions. Whatever you order, start with the Thai poppin shrimp. You are gonna wanna share this! The shrimp is fried and cooked in a slightly spicier sauce than your regular thai chili. My friend ordered the shrimp and grits and loved that the grits were grits cake. I ordered the Chesapeake skillet which included shrimp, crab, sausage. garlic and more. The shrimp are huge so I'm glad I ordered it without the sausage. It was a hearty and heavy meal so I could not finish it but it was super delicious and I was glad to bring some home. Will have to try this place again when I'm in the area!

This place was delicious. After we went to the museum we were looking for a place to eat. We hardly go to Newport News. We found this place on Yelp! Thanks y'all. Anyway it was a pretty restaurant. The food was delicious. I forgot to take a photo of our soup but I had tomato bisque soup it was good and my husband had the crab and corn chowder. We then had the appetizer of Brussels Sprouts that had bacon and balsamic and it was really good. After, hubby had the bistro steak. He said it was delicious. It was a beautiful plate. I order ribs. They were HUGE. I didn't expect them to be that size. I couldn't eat a 1/4 of it. It was too much for me. So I boxed it and took it home. I have lunch and dinner tomorrow. I ate a couple fries but at that point after eating all the stuff before that I was really done. I would go again if we are ever in Newport News.

Good food and atmosphere. Service is usually pretty good. Haven't had a bad experience so far.

I took my wife here for a birthday lunch and we had great time. I have a slight gluten intolerance and they were able to accommodate. Our waitress Haley was wonderful, attentive and responsive. It was a beautiful warm fall afternoon, I ordered the jambalaya and my wife ordered the Second St Pasta. Both meals came out hot and both meals were delicious. Beautiful setting and ambience, definitely somewhere we will coming back to.

Excellent burgers, fries and drinks. The milk shakes were awesome. Nice selection of beer and adult drinks. Service was great.. I highly recommend.

The ambiance was excellent, clean, well decorated with good background music. We had the onion rings, queso carnitas flatbread, and shrimp n grits. Other than the shrimp n grits, the food & drinks were very good. I so appreciated the manager for rectifying the situation with the shrimp n grits, she was amazing, we'll definitely be back.

We stopped in on a rainy afternoon and were promptly greeted. So far so good! We ordered from the lunch menu Asian Chicken Lettuce Wrap and their 2nd St. Burger. The server was doubling as bar tender and too was very attentive giving recommendations etc. So why the 1star? All about the kitchen. The Asian chicken was so over spiced my lips were numb. The burger was pretty well done for a requested medium. I'm unable to recommend as even when I alerted the server that the Asian Chicken was too spicy to enjoy, she simply offered a quick sorry and no manager ever appeared just the bill. Too bad as it had such promise.

Great restaurant for Newport News. Service was BY FAR the most impressive part of the experience and the house wine, Aratas, was an absolute gem. The menus (font size and selection) make me assume the target clientele is a few decades beyond me, but it was still a great time. The food/flavors were in line with the target audience and name sake - hearty and American. The bar area was perfect for our group and I loved seeing all of the regulars. We spent 2 hours dining through our courses and never felt pressured to leave. The next time I am caught in Newport News city center area for an evening, I can guarantee this place will be on my list.

Service was good, atmosphere/ambiance was nice, my food was decent. I'd give them another try but order something different next time.

If you're looking for somewhere that will make you l study the menu for 20 minutes trying to find something you *might* like, you'll probably enjoy this place more than my wife and I. Our appetizer, Thai Poppin shrimp, was delicious- but after scouring the menu (and not wanting to default to burgers) we settled on two dishes that eventually disappointed us. Good atmosphere, but not a place we loved.

Outstanding service and food! Great Ambiance. This is the type of restaurant we love to visit. They have a wonderful wi e list.

The food was delicious. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and answered all of our questions. A very upbeat atmosphere and plenty of seating.

This is a great place. The food was plentiful and fresh. The staff was cheerful and kind, especially Kaitlynn. She served us with hot food, acknowledged recommendations and responded quickly to our request. 2nd St even let us bring our little dog to the outside patio. Thank you Second Street for a delightful lunch.

Good food, but a bit pricy. Enjoyed eating on the deck. Drinks were good too. Service was pretty good.

Ambiance and service are great. The food sub par. 2nd st shrimp w/Thai chili sauce was over breaded and burnt. Thai chili sauce was super sweet. Then ordered the loaded smashed potatoes. Also on the verge of being burnt. The "queso" was super heavy and reminded me of 7-11 nachos.