We live in the neighborhood. Been looking for the menu at www.kitchen33.com as posted on the sign above the door, but could not find a web presence. Four of us that live nearby decided to go for an early lunch today, 11 a.m. As we entered, we sign on the window that the website is actually www.kitchen33.org. I asked the server to confirm and she mentioned that the website is indeed www.kitchen33.org which I thought was strange as that suffix is usually designates an organization of some sort and not a retail establishment. Back to that in a minute...
We were seated in a both and there were 2-3 tables occupied at that time. We asked about the "Chicken Nub" appetizer, the server did not know what it was and went to find out and stated that it was some sort of chicken wing, but not to worry, they were out of them anyway. It was not clear when breakfast ended and lunch began, so we asked. The server said that breakfast was still being served. I later looked at the website and found that breakfast is served until 12 noon. We ordered the following: 1) pastrami Rueben with Onion rings, 2) club sandwich with potato salad, 3) scrambled eggs, bacon and toast, 4) egg salad sandwich and macaroni salad. That being said, I had low expectations of the new place thinking that it was "Debbie's Kitchen" under a new name. We have lived in the area for 32 years and we would get the courage to try Debbie's once a year for dinner and conclude that the fried chicken livers were cold and overcooked and then wait another year to try again. We were all very pleased with our selections. My Rueben had all the right ingredients and had a generous amount of pastrami. The onion rings were hot and just a tad over cooked. My husband enjoyed his club and stated the potato salad was satisfactory to his liking. Our friends enjoyed their egg dishes as well. So, overall, a good first impression of a restaurant in start up mode and we agreed we will be back soon.
Back to Kitchen 33's opportunity to sell their story...Kitchen 33 has a prime opportunity to market themselves a little better to let Glen Allen know who they are and what a unique concept they have. I returned home to Google "kitchen 33" and this restaurant was no where to be found. There was one in Miami and a "33 kitchen" showed up as did "Eat 33" up the road. I decided to Google "kitchen 33 Glen Allen" and was able to find it. It is worth reading their story on the website. Here is what I learned: 1) Kitchen 33 is actually a 501(c)(3) public charity owned by American River Restoration. So, now the www.kitchen33.org makes sense. I am not sure of another restaurant I have been to that has had this structure. 2) They make their own pastrami and corned beef and smoke their own brisket daily. 3) they include taxes and fees in their prices. Note that the other couple paid the bill, so this in unconfirmed. 4) They donate surplus food as a meal to a family in need just by contacting the manager on the website.
After reading all this and dining in person, I really want this place to be successful. So I am encouraging anyone reading this review to please drop by and support them.
Just a few ideas for helping them out: 1) fix the signage on the building to depict the correct web address, 2) correct the web address on the menus and get webmaster to get the right restaurant to come up in Google searches, 3) create laminated cards with their "story" and "purpose" as a charity and how they prepare their meats to give diners along with the menu that they can read while they are waiting for their meals, 4) fix the "Toast" online order content as 2 different addresses are showing - 13151 and 13155 Mountain road, 5) create a beer, wine and mixed drink menu to provide to curious people like me to be shared upon request to detail the offerings they have on the regular menu.
Best of luck to the owners and operators of Kitchen 33. We will be back soon. Sell your story! read more