Absolutely incredible food that hits ALL the right spots. They've got the only cole slaw that rivals KFC's...haha. The service was great. The food was ready in a timely fashion and was fresh like it JUST came off the stove. Though I came in only for a take-out order, the ambiance is very chill, very relaxed. It's definitely a great place to sit down and relax with your peoples. I will be ordering from there again!!! read more

Had a dinner party here. The service sucks, they cater a buffet style on leftover food They fed my family on styrofoam plates & plastic utensils. Very dissatisfied, overpriced for what was requested. Not worth it and the owner don't care about quality service I recommend going somewhere else. read more

Passing through and decided to stop here for a good southern meal. Service was very slow. I ordered a sweet tea to start. As soon as I looked at it, that should have been my clue to leave. The tea was a powered mix or something. It wasn't fresh brewed sweet tea and tasted awful. Next I ordered fish and some sides. Nothing was to my liking, and I know good southern food. I ate the macaroni and cheese because that was the best item on the plate. I attempted to eat the fish but couldn't finish it. I took the rest home and eventually threw it away. Very disappointing and a waste of time and money. Not to mention the 20% gratuity added to my bill. My 3-Star rating is generous. read more

Food was great. Service was ok. Terrence was super friendly and had a great personality. He wasn't the greatest waiter but he was really cool. He said that he usually works in the back and I believe him. We had the wings (whole wings), a fried shrimp and fried whiting platter with yams and green beans. The wings tasted like somebody's mama was in the back frying chicken. We also had the fried seafood platter which included a broiled crabcake, a few pieces of fried whiting and some jumbo shrimp Mac and cheese (not my favorite) and potato salad (sweet but different texture). The whiting was good but tough in texture. All food seems to be made to order. Be prepared to wait a little bit but not unreasonably long. It's amazing hat Richmond is so close to DC but yet so south that you immediately feel as if you're in the country. The restaurant is old looking and no frills whatsoever. You can tell that the family is keeping the dream alive. The AC was not pumping the best. It's also obvious that this is a staple in Richmond. The place was packed and when a place is packed with seasoned black folks....thats a great sign! I did have an issue. A 20% gratuity is added to all dine in orders. Our waiter brought out the initial receipt and I saw that fee so when he brought the receipt to sign, I did not offer an additional tip. Like I said, he was cool but not a great waiter at all. We literally ate or entire meal with one napkin each. I felt a type of way that he didn't mention that gratuity was already included. I felt like he was trying to get an additional 18-25%. That really rubbed me the wrong way. Even with this I still give this place four stars and recommend it. read more

See all

Great food! Awesome service! Pleasant atmosphere.. will be returning. Prices are not bad! Potato salad was well seasoned..

Food Pros: The best thing about this visit for me to Family Secrets is the smothered pork chops. They were absolutely delicious. Tender and well seasoned with a great gravy and fresh peppers and onions. The chicken was nice and crispy and tasty on first bite. I would have loved a little more seasoning for the inside of the chicken. The collards,beans and yams were okay. The cornbread was light and somewhat tasty. Food came out piping hot so that was good. Food Cons: The Macaroni and cheese was not good at all. It didn't have enough cheese and it was dry. Service Pros: Our server, once she was attentive, was friendly. She explained how busy they were that day and the issue with being short staffed for the day. Service Cons: the service was pretty slow. They didn't have enough servers on a busy Saturday night. We waited about 10 minutes to be seated then was waved over to sit as opposed to someone leading us to the table. Had to wait about 10 minutes to order and another 25-30 for the food to arrive. Ambiance Pros: the bathrooms were very clean and the tables were sturdy and cleaned well. The music was at a great volume and the room was buzzing with talk and laughter from guests. Ambiance Cons: The ambiance is pretty dark upon walking in. There was no one at the door to greet anyone coming in. We had to find something to ask for a table to be cleaned to be seated. My biggest issue was the sticky floors throughout the restaurant, low light and the dirty windows. Small things that are important to me when dining in. It was an okay visit. After the server explained how busy they were for the day and the need for more staff, we understood some of the service issues. We will return to try different food items hopefully some of the cons will be worked out. read more

See all

The food was great!! When I say great, I mean GREAT! I really didn't want to leave this review because I didn't want to spread the word about this gem of a place. However, someone needs to enjoy the deliciousness that me and my family did this Sunday. We went after church and it was packed! Service was slow but I understood it. The staff was friendly, attentive and just all around great. It really felt like you were at a large family dinner. Ooohh! The cornbread!!!! I'm not even a cornbread eater and after sampling my husband's piece I ordered my own. Nice vibe, great music, definitely going back soon, maybe this weekend. read more

See all

On a cold rainy day all you is something warm and filling. Decided to try southern cuisine and so glad I did. There is ample parking and seating. Greeted with southern charm and professionalism is an added plus. I ordered the chicken wings & fish, potato salad and candied yams. Oh I forgot to mention that cornbread is given as a appetizer. The cornbread is so soft that it melts in your mouth like cake. My food was so delicious. My sister ordered fried whiting, cabbage and candied yams. When I say that the fish was finger licking good that it never touched a fork. The ambiance was perfect for a family dinner or business lunch. The service was great, answering all questions and provided food recommendations. read more

Oh my goodness, so happy we found this place. Went for lunch on a rainy Saturday and found it quite empty only to find out they had just opened. Our server "T", was the best pointing out his recommendations, I opted for the fried catfish with mashed potatoes and coleslaw. The chef makes tartar sauce himself and like no other I've had.!They have a long list of sides but I love real mashed potatoes. The cornbread came out steamy hot and fluffy. So buttery there is no need to add butter, my son got an appetizer of barbecue sliders. 4 large rolls packed with yummy meat . We brought two home. I will be back again to try the chicken wings ( I saw them pass by). Everything is hot and cooked to order just like i like it. I'm excited to find a place like this , I'm sorry I didn't know about it before now. Unfortunately I was eating too quickly to take pictures.!! read more

Tried to support for the last day of black history month. Can't give a review because we were seated and then left w/o any help. No one gave us menus, silverware.. nothing. My husband had to get the menu. Folks that were waiting after us got menus and drinks while we never even got a "I'll be right with you." from a waiter. So we walked out. read more

We came into the restaurant tonight at 7 when they close at 8. We never felt rushed and only felt welcome. Our orders consisted of fish and shrimp (best tartar sauce ever) chicken wings and NC BBQ. Everything was cooked to perfection. They cook the BBQ with the sauce and it's not the other restaurants where you have to add it to their bland BBC. I am originally from NC and we have been in VA for 28 years and this BBQ was done right. Best I have ever had in VA. The cornbread was also to die for. So moist. If you haven't checked this place out you need to go visit them. 3 generations working in this local family business. We will be back. read more

Came here 2 weeks ago (a Saturday) to celebrate my bestfriend's Moms bday. First time at this new location, but I've visited the old location multiple times on/off in past. They were usually a hit-or-miss, but as the "misses" became more frequent my patronage became nonexistent. With that being said, it's been a few years since I've dined here, and I was excited to see if things had positively changed over time. When I arrived, I noticed a couple of patrons dining-in inside. Over on the other side of the restaurant, they have something like a room with a long table and chairs and some church pew like seats/tables along the wall. I'm assuming this area was use for reserved larger parties (this is where our party was seated). Definitely bigger than the last location. But the ambience and decor definitely give old and thrown together. When it comes to food/resturants, I can appreciate a nice "aesthetic" look or decor, but honestly I'm I care about the food. I wouldn't even speak on the thrift store like furnishings if the food made up for it. It definitelyyyy DIDN'T ‍ I don't even know where to start. The cornbread served to the table might've been the best thing smoking, and it wasn't even hot. But had a nice flavor (3/5). Don't even waste time trying to get a drink. The "lemon drops" we ordered, a mess, the "blue motorcycles" terrible. Didn't expect much on the bar side from a "soul food restaurant" but still, do better. I ordered the wings&fish. Comes with whitings, but I opted for catfish (2.50 upcharge for the change that was never discussed when order was placed, but whatever). Got fries and mac&cheese as the sides. My wings were warm-hot (not nearly as hot as the others I was seated with), my fries were actually cold, as if they was cooked hours earlier and sat under a heat lamp. I told the server about my fries and he brought more that were actually hot&seasoned. The wings were beautifully sized, and "pretty", butttttt the seasoning was absent. But that macaroni&cheese, my GODDDD literally the WORSTTTT thing on the table. I couldn't believe it. Tasted uncooked, flavorless, just YUCKKKK. The other 3 sitting at my church pew had also ordered wings, theirs came out about 10mins before mine and were hot and piping out of the grease. Same thing with theirs, pretty on the outside barley seasoned on the inside. A few of them opted to drown them in hot sauce to give it some type of flavor. The "yams" wasn't the worst flavor, but definitely weren't traditional yams, more like mashed sweet potatoes (lots of strings throughout, 100% from a can). The greens were also awful, flavorLESS as could be. Same for the green beans. A friend described them as "school cafeteria style", straight out the can with ZEROOOO seasoning/flavor. Overall, if you're looking for a good soul food experience, pleaseee don't don't disappoint yourself and your tastebuds by dining here. Money was definitely wasted. Price of the disappointing food , plus automatic gratuity (understood because of the large party) PLUS , state tax, PLUSSS a Henrico tax, RIDICULOUSNESSSSSS!! read more

See all

I have gotten takeout from Family Secrets a number of times in the past few months and my selections have been delicious. I order by phone and my order is ready by the time I arrive, always "spot on". I will say the music can be a little loud for my aging ears. Thethe folks are having a good time and that is what is read more

I'd like to recommend a higher rating but there were so many struggles endured from entry to departure during my visit. We walked in and in the center, there was a set up for a group celebrating a family member. No big deal but as a first time customer, don't ignore me just to ask how someone's cousin is doing for 5-7 mins while still standing there waiting to be seated. We opted to seat ourselves and no one objected, but we sat there for about 12 more minutes as the older lady scurried about to tend to things. We saw two people working and they seemed overwhelmed. When finally approached, we knew what we wanted but even after being open 90 minutes, my first option was unavailable and I was told they were still cooking it. That'll be a no for me because rushing to cook stuff normally results in intestinal distress and I'm not about that life. Selected the pork chop dinner and asked for one fried and one smothered. The lady asked if I wanted peppers and onions on the smothered pork chop and I said yes. It would be helpful to tell customers beforehand if there is a charge for these things as opposed to realizing it when the bill comes. My two sides were cabbage and collards. The sides were simply warm when brought to the table. The cornbread came 15 minutes after our entrees. The level of seasoning of the food was akin to hospital food. This is not to confuse that soul food should be extremely salty, sweet or greasy but damn can you hit them chops with some Lawry's please and thank you! Just an underwhelming meal paired with lackluster customer service. The price point for the food and the portion seemed appropriate given that everything cost more now. If you choose to dine in, there is an automatic 20% gratuity. The level of quality and customer service didn't support such and it is just disappointing that they do nothing to justify the gratuity and figure you're stuck paying it. We sat there for 15 minutes waiting for the bill, another 10 to come get the payment and as we were preparing to finally leave, the guy working said he wanted to get our opinion on an off menu item. He brought back a serving of banana pudding to sample. The spouse likes banana pudding but me, not so much. I saw it and let him know it was appreciated but just not my thing. Of all the weird ish happening in this place, he should have led with the banana pudding as my husband said it was better than the food. They do have a bar on sight. An item I took issue with is they have sweet tea on the beverage menu and I observed a large bottle of Sun Peak sweet tea on the bar counter....WTF? It takes minimal effort to make sweet tea but you'd rather go next door to Food Lion and charge $2.50/glass for what you paid $2.50 a bottle. Just insulting. If you're that lazy in your offerings should you even claim you have "Family Secrets"? Or is the secret that you're basically fronting? We watched as a customer was served alcohol (4 drinks in less than an hour) in excess with a child in her care. Although each adult drinking is liable for their own actions, why contribute to them in a reckless manner? Just do better. I can't recommend, nor would I give this place a do over. I deserve better and they seem unaware of the needed change(s). Welcome to my one and done list. read more

Food and service were less superb than previous visits. They were pretty busy and didn't seem to have enough wait staff on a Friday night. Service remains friendly but was slow due to reasons already mentioned. Food arrived and was tasty but all of our sides were cold. Macaroni and cheese, which usually hits, wasn't its usual either. We aren't ready to scratch it from our lists of 'must visit' when we are in town but other local faves may be pushed ahead of this one next time. One cautionary note for diners, if you dine in there is an automatic 20% gratuity added. Not a big deal but when my final receipt (for signature) arrived it had a placeholder and 'options' for gratuity (18%, 20%, 25%). If you aren't paying attention, you could end up leaving a 40% gratuity which I found to be off putting. read more

6/24/21: This was our first and LAST visit!! We had a taste for soul food & decided to try something new. After reading the reviews, I thought there was good chance of having some good food. Boy, was I WRONG!! The service was OK. That wasn't the issue. The issue was definitely the quality of the food and the price! Fried shrimp = 1 (If I could give a zero, I would. I basically had steamed shrimp with a breading garnish! The coating was cooked off of them & sitting soggy in the bottom of the flimsy food container!) Hotdog = 4 (It was a good size on a Hawaiian roll. My son loved it!) Mac'n'cheese = 3 (My family LIKED it, but it left a weird aftertaste.) Collards = 2 (They were too spicy!! That's all the flavor we could taste!) Cornbread = 3 (It was cold, but it tasted ok. It needed some butter & a little heat, and it would've been BOMB!) Rice = 2 (It literally was just cooked white rice. It was no flavor to it & no sauce on top. Just WHITE RICE!) Fried pork chop = 2 (It was dry, tasteless, & tough! I should've just cooked at home!) Pork sliders = 3 (We got 4 sliders of pork meat with no sauce. No sauce was offered. It was just plain and a little tough. I tasted vinegar also. It wasn't my fave!) Ribs = 2 (There was more bone than meat. The taste wasn't there. Just bland!) Yams = 1 (Mine was bitter & barely sweet. They charged $.50 to package them separately YET the container was so raggedy that the juice from the collars that poured throughout the bag got into it. I don't like my food touching for a reason & I don't like collards!! I trashed it!) This experience was horrible & I truly wish we would've gone elsewhere. They took no pride in the presentation of our food. I'm still trying to understand how there was NO COATING on my fried shrimp. Like, what did you fry?? What kind of coating was it supposed to be?? I was basically eating HOT shrimp cocktail without the cocktail sauce. We won't be going back. I should've gone to McDonalds. read more

See all

Went here for a late Sunday lunch! I ordered the fried fish with mac and cheese and sweet potato fries and my fiancé, the catfish with mac and cheese, greens, and mashed potatoes with gravy. It took about 25 minutes to get our food because they were short staffed BUT when it came, the order was correct and food was hot! The staff was also very nice! The owner came to talk to us and offer us a banana pudding dessert. They take to-go orders so it'd be easy to call in an order and pick it up on the way home in the future! **would've given 5 stars if I didn't have to add pepper to the mac and cheese and the noodles weren't so soft. I also had to add salt to the sweet potato fries read more

Family Secrets Restaurant - Catfish - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

See all

Service was good. Bbq was awful. As a southerner, good bbq is important. Liked the toasted hamburger bun, but the burger probably had been a frozen patty so nothing special to write home about. I wish the owners would not try to be everything to every customer. Narrow the menu. Specialize in good southern food. Advertise. Open for lunch before 12. Upgrade the decor. There's a big customer base around the restaurant just waiting to try a good restaurant. read more

Slow slow slow. And we were ignored. Several people came in after us and were served first. Very unprofessional.

Great food. Service was a little slow. You could tell this was a local spot with friendly staff.

Very friendly service; excellent wings and sides. The next time I'm in Richmond I'll dine here again.

The service was good but let's talk about the food. It was 7 of us. Smothered pork chops were overcooked dry with not much taste Macaroni and cheese was tasteless needed so much more tasted like milk and pasta Greens and string beans were salty Seafood platter fish and shrimp were fried too hard and as pretty as it looked it lacked seasoning Dry rubbed wings were over seasoned Overall I may go back again perhaps it was a different cook that day read more

The food is great southern soul food. We had the fish & wings plate and the smothered pork chops. Both were really good! The owner and servers were so kind and made us feel at home. Would definitely come back. read more

I'm a huge fan of Family Secret's and could not wait to support them at the new location. I am always pleased with my meal! The staff is absolutely amazing! read more

Family Secrets Restaurant - New signage! Across from The Dump on Brook Road! - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

The food was excellent definitely will get your monies worth nice down home atmosphere

Poor service we came there for my mom Birthday and it a messed on Feb 2nd then u walk out when no had really got there dinner we waited over 3 hours for food with was very ridiculous i didnt get my food until 7:00 no discount or a Apology it should have been more waiters waiting on table he throught it was more important to sing to my mom then serve his customers i really was upset to know this how u treat you customers u have definitely loss customers our first time there and our last time poor customer service read more

So happy we found this place on a whim. We always try to visit the "popular" soul food restaurants when we come down to Richmond area from Northern VA; you know, the Mama J's, Croaker Spot, etc, but that wait is ALWAYS an easy hour or more. Not today! I did a trusty Google search, saw the 4.5 stars , a couple pictures of the fried chicken and made the trip. Came in just about 3:30 pm on a Saturday afternoon. More than a few tables were open, the space is not much to look at, but it was clean and the music playlist was old school R&B The pictures will speak for themselves... Hubby and I got the wings and fish. Two big wing pieces and two large pieces of fish (I got whiting, he got catfish). Delicious. The kids got the jumbo wings with fries and the fish sandwich. Everything was hot, fresh and crispy. Huge portions, so much so that we literally could only finish half. Oh and the cornbread was super moist and soft! I love a good cornbread. Not to mention our waitress (Adriane, I believe), was fantastic! She was quick and had a great attitude. Loved the friendly sports talk too! I'll take Family Secrets over Mama J's any day! read more

See all

Great food great atmosphere excellent service I have taken several people there and they have been extremely delighted. One eve ate a dish in one setting that they said no one could do. Nigh Night meal but they didn't know he was from the country read more

Absolutely recommending! The wings & fish were cooked fresh and the green beans & mac n cheese was delicious! The service and music were on point. Will definitely return! read more

Family Secrets Restaurant - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Probably the best places to get fried jumbo chicken wings. I've eaten here once or twice and ordered take out the rest of the time. I wouldn't suggest dining in here during your lunch break because it does take a little bit longer for the food to come out. I have an hour lunch break and we seem to go overtime when I have dined in. I'm pretty sure they are not connected with apps for you to order in, so you would have to call to order your take out. It takes about 30 mins for them to have my jumbo chicken order ready (and maybe a few more additional minutes depending on how many people are there). The last time I ordered from them, took about 30 mins then I waited for about 10 more minutes after I arrived there. The jumbo chicken is honestly worth it haha. I either get their lunch or dinner special. Lunch special you get 4 pieces and the dinner special gets you 6 pieces. You also get to pick two sides, which I always end up with their mash potatoes and mac and cheese. I honestly am okay with just their wings and cornbread if that was an option. Anyways, if you're wanting some good southern food (mainly chicken wings) they know how to cook it! It's been always perfect every single time I've ordered from them. read more

Family Secrets Restaurant - Jumbo Chicken Wings (lunch). With side of Mac And Cheese and Mashed Potatoes - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Reggie(Owner) went above and beyond for me this evening. The food here is what you are looking for when you are craving a quality southern home cooking read more

Ughhh .. Everytime I leave a bad review I like to give reasons why. 1st off the greens were over cooked & old. 2nd I saw her heat up our sides in the microwave. Lastly I went soon as they opened & to wait 30 minutes I at least expected everything to be fresh. 2/14/20 I was off work & starving so my roommate & I are on the hunt for food & both our options were closed (Sunday). He Chose Family Secret which he stated was a good choice. Being a picky eater I went with his choice. I ordered the fish sandwich(whiting) lunch with sweet potato fries & an added side for $5 (collard greens) 3 stars is because the fish sandwich which i originally wanted was bomb , seasoned well & fried to my taste. The fries were soggy & the greens again after one taste i DISPOSED. I also like the classic design they have set up in there, but due to covid there is no indoor seating. The lady that answered the phone was nice & very cooperative, it was the lack of food taste for me being tho they just opened . read more

Family Secrets Restaurant - Fish Sandwich (whiting) , Sweet Potato Fries, collard greens - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This is a family black owned establishment with great service & very delicious food. The owner himself walks around and checks on each customer personally. The music is very chilled & relaxing. I definitely recommend this restaurant to come too at any time and you'll never be disappointed. read more

The food was good and service was great . I did not like having a twenty percent surcharge added to the bill for dining in

Visiting from California, my sister in law recommended this eatery.... I ordered pigs feet along with mac-cheese...my hubby ordered the whiting... Needless to say, it was the best tasting soul food ever! Large portions, excellent service, and again, the food was delicious... P.S...the ambiance was on point! read more

The food looks wonderful but it did lack flavor. My pig feet were not cooked all the way and I did have to season and boil them for an additional hour. The to go service was great. The lady was so pleasant! read more

Family Secrets Restaurant - Pig feet, collard greens, cabbage, yams - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Well . . . After searching for "SOUL FOOD" and reading the reviews, we decided to give it a try! It was our FIRST and LAST time. We know SOUL FOOD and while there were SOUL FOOD items on the menu and a huge sign outside, there was no SOUL FOOD cooking! The greens were straight from a can, super salty and 98% stalky! I am not sure why I was caught off guard--- I really anticipated that there was a "BIG MOMMA" in the back cooking . . . No such cook! The yams were similar to Gerber baby food as they were puréed, soupy and runny! The cornbread was served late . . . it was warm and "okay!" The potato salad was similar to MASHED potatoes sprinkled with parsley! Speaking of parsley, it was heavily drenched on EVERY item on the plate. Low to no ambiance . . . Music playing, A building with tables, chairs and a few booths with wilted roses on the tables. Apparently, this was a "new" location . . . No dispenser drink machine-canned sodas/soft drinks, bottled tea- one cannot go wrong with water. Well . . . Since you added a 20% gratuity WITHOUT any notice (sign on door, table or told by staff) . . . I'm suggesting you at least add a sign that says: 20% Gratuity will automatically be applied! Please let me decide what my gratuity will be based on your service! So, regardless of service, there was Va sales tax, Henrico food tax and 20% gratuity . . .sad, but true. I can say that people were coming and going. There was no wait when we arrived. Wait for food was at a minimal. Unfortunately, we've not located GOOD SOUL HOME COOKED food in the RVA area . . .the demand is HIGH and so, a lot of people do exactly what we did . . . Search SOUL FOOD, read the reviews and off we go!!!! We should have taken a short road trip on 95 to NC (Roanoke Rapids-CAROLINA BBQ) or 85 to Creedmoor-TRU SOUL) for true down home COOKED soul food. Please let me add that the wait staff was attentive, not necessarily 20% gratuity style, but, okay . . . While at the restaurant, we were able to gaze in each others eyes acknowledging without saying a word that we would not return and could not help but think, if the patrons think this is SOUL FOOD, they would be ecstatic to attend our family reunions to get the real down home flavor, taste and ambiance! read more

Got there today right at opening(12noon). We were the only patrons there. We ordered appetizer of chicken wings and our entrees after 35 minutes our entrees came out but no chicken wings. Waiter never ordered them. My husband ordered pigs feet said they were good. I ordered smothered Chopped steak(2 burgers ) with tasteless gravy totally tasteless. And then charged me 50cents for a sliver of cornbread. Way overpriced. Then have the nerve to charge 20 percent tip. Never again. read more

This was my 1st time enjoying the food and service by my server, Devin. The service was outstanding and professional. The food was delicious; seasoned well, and large portions. Thank you. I will be back read more

Food has been hit or miss. My family and I have given the restaurant 3 or 4 chances to get it right. For example Menu says jumbo shrimp however they gave us baby shrimp. At times the chicken was fried and burnt. The fried fish was like rubber The mac/cheese was old and dry You could tell the greens came out of a can My family and I will not be returning read more