Took my dad here for breakfast the Saturday of Father's Day weekend per his request. It's one of his favorite diners in the area so we were glad to grab a table at just the right time on a busy weekend. The menu offers plenty of the typical diner options for breakfast including omelettes, savory breakfast meats, and all the southern breakfast starches (hash browns, biscuits, toast, grits etc). Food was fresh, hot, and delicious. Our server was attentive, fast, and thorough! Coffee and sweet tea frequently refilled without being overly attentive. Definitely would go back with my dad! read more

Whenever I'm in Richmond I make it a point to have breakfast at Shorty's Diner. I live their blueberry pancakes. The service is friendly and efficient and the food comes out pretty quickly. read more

Shortys Diner - Yummy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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The food is terrible. Potatoes are always burnt, the meats have no seasonings, eggs are eggs, corned beef hash is from a can. I've eaten here twice and ordered delivery just to make sure it isn't me. Everytime, the food is terrible. Service is OK. But ugh. read more

It was happenstance that I drove by Libbie & Broad, and saw "Shorty's Diner." The signage and colors on their rolling stock told me it was the same as SD in Williamsburg that I reviewed 2 1/2 years ago: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shortys-diner-williamsburg Woo hoo! Count me in! I requested a table for one + water and a menu. Waitress Noora (rhymes with Nora) fixed me up. After examining the menu for a while, I requested: * Fried Bologna (Thick sliced German Bologna, American Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo on a Brioche Bun) * French Fries for the side * Cup of the Soup of the Day (Chili) It all came out in about 10 minutes, and I began with the French Fries. Superb! Shoestring style, I must repeat that every time. Next I sampled the cup of Chili, which was topped with shredded Lettuce and Sour Cream. Very good; worth repeating, but I'd like to try their other Soups, also. The Fried Bologna was more than I could eat in one sitting. Two things about that entrée were insufficient: The Brioche Bun was too small for the Bologna. And both sides of the Brioche, a scant quantity of Mayo was slathered. I requested extra Mayo, and Noora took care of that. I enjoyed every bite of the Fried Bologna. Noora brought a box so I could take the rest of the FB home. I asked her about desserts. They were written on the white board directly behind me. Three options today: * Coconut Cream Pie * Chocolate Cream Pie * Key Lime Pie I asked, and Noora assured me that all were homemade. I requested the Key Lime Pie and a cup of Coffee. As I was bathing in the afterglow of my lunch, the KLP and Coffee came out. Excellent KLP! And Coffee was the perfect compliment. I intend to return next week to sample more of their dishes. read more

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So I've seen this spot in the 757 area and wanted to try. They opened a new location in RVA so I went this past weekend. I was shocked that all 11am they had tables available. I ordered the Shorty Special which consisted of three eggs, a protein, choice of side and bread. I ordered the eggs scrambled, crispy bacon, Shorty's potato's and the biscuit. I'd rate this meal 3/5, nothing spectacular about it. The potatoes were sliced with onions and peppers, pretty bland...the veggies over caramelized (added some seasoning, ketchup and hot sauce which made them edible). The remainder of the meal was just ok as well, biscuit and bacon average at best. Our waitress was super nice and helpful with the menu. I might return to try lunch. read more

Shortys Diner - SHORTY'S SPECIAL - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

It was my first visit there. Food was excellent & service matched the food. I had the pancakes. No one prepares you for the size or fluff of it! It was a monster!! Delicious, filling and awesome! Powder sugar and butter are options. I would recommend both. It was packed that morning but service was very good considering the volume of hot food ordered & delivered in a timely manner. Go! You won't regret. read more

Greasy, cheesy, DELICIOUS. Shortys does not disappoint. For a diner in Willow Lawn it is surprisingly quaint.

Really good food, the pork tenderloin was delicious and huge I couldn't finish. My son who is 10 and skinny lil man finished his whole french toast cheese eggs and bacon lol wife could only finish half her omelette really good establishment with good service. read more

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Great food and pleasant experience. Looked like an old school diner and the prices weren't too bad either.

I have been to Shortys Diner about 10 times in the past year. The food is great every time. The people who serve us are nice, friendly and attentive every time also. I love their biscuit and gravy and their country fried steak is really good. Why did I give this place a 3 star rating ? I notice little things and to be honest what I am going to mention isn't a huge deal or a lot of money it is just plain dishonest and sneaky. Of the 10 times I have been there when I have gone to pay the bill they ask if I want change.....I usually say "yes" because I paid with a bill/s larger than the cost of the meal. When I get my change back 5 out of those 10 times they only bring back bills....no coin change. No they did not round up my change to the next dollar. Again, it doesn't add up to a lot of money but it does come off as sneaky. Yes I do tip....usually 25 + % but I hate the feeling like the server is trying to squeeze a little bit more money out of their customers. Kind of makes me wonder if I paid with a credit card what they might do with that. read more

One of my favorite Richmond breakfast haunts. Except today. It took half an hour to get waited on, and then the waitress was downright surly. She never said good morning or hello, ... just "are you ready" with a scowl. When I thanked her for coffee, she just turned away with another scowl. We were sitting in a booth by the side windows. I don't know her name, but she should not be a waitress, and she certainly doesn't live up to Shorty's otherwise stellar reputation and great breakfasts. read more

Wonderful environment!! Oldies music...nostalgia on the walls and great service! The "Chesapeake Benedict" is unequivically awesome! New store opened in the old Denny's behind WaWa on Midlo Trnpk read more

Just heard about this joint today! Thought we'd give it a try. A slight wait as the joint is packed, I mean like sardines. No social distancing here but reminiscent of your old diners, pre-COVID. Server was nice. Takes a while for the food to arrive after the order even though the joint was thinning out. I ordered the sampler. The portion size was generous but the home fries lacked a bit of flavor. French toast was delivered cold but quickly replaced hot off the grill. The other breakfast sides were as ordered. Nothing to write home about but the meal was enjoyable. Would I return? Not pressed but wouldn't shun the joint. read more

Ehh.. nothing special. Had the French toast (lukewarm) scrambled eggs (ok) sausage (not good) grits (pretty good). Would I return? No...

The service was incredible. Everyone in the establishment treated their customers like guests in their home. The place was full of laughter and life. I ordered the chicken tenders and potato salad. The tenders were like chicken strips. They were plenty of them but smaller than I imagined. They were also over cooked and dry. They could have done better with the food. read more

So, today was my sixth visit to this diner since they opened. I am retired and enjoy having breakfast out every morning. I am pretty laid back and only frequent locally owned businesses. In my younger years I worked in the restaurant business for quite a few of them, so I try to give the benefit of the doubt to all aspects of dining out: the food, service, atmosphere, cleanliness, and so on. I hate whiners and avoid the appearance of being one at all costs. Today's experience at Shorty's was consistent with all of my past experiences at that location over the past few years. The service, atmosphere, and all other aspects met my standards except for the one that is most critical: the food. The food here is simply subpar. I am referring to the quality and the preparation of it. I never have understood how breakfast fare can be substandard, but it seems to be the case here after so many opportunities. I wonder if the owners dine out at their competitors or better yet, dine in to sample what is being served at their own venue. Wishing them all the best. read more

We came to Shortys after my doc appointment at St Mary's since it was literally down the street. It was about 10AM and it was a decent crowd for Monday morning. I started off with an OJ and my husband got a mimosa. The didn't like the mimosa because it was too strong but I had a sip and thought it was perfect. To each their own! Our server then asked were we ready to order and I got the Hangover and husband got the Sampler. The hangover was a side of biscuits and gravy, eggs any style covering corn beef hash. Literally all of my favorite things. My food came out hot with steam coming off the plate. The eggs and CBH were great. I personally love biscuits and gravy that don't taste like straight up sausage and I thought theirs was perfect. The gravy was a little cold though which I thought was weird. My husband got the sampler and I tried a piece of his bacon: cooked to PERFECTION!!! However, his potatoes could have been done a little longer. They came with raw green pepper and onions so really all of it could have been done a little longer. We both had pancakes which were also really good! I love a thick Cakey pancake that absorbs the syrup! The feel inside was just like its name: a diner. Kind of gave me Moore Street Cafe vibes but the crowd was totally different based on the location. Our server was attentive and nice. I couldn't eat all of my food so I got a to go box and headed home. All in all I would definitely come back! read more

Shortys Diner - The HANGOVER - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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It was slow on service, the food was good but I had the bologna burger and it doesn't come with onions.The omelet was flat for the price.I will return but maybe to try something else. read more

Went for breakfast but should have ordered lunch...the place was packed and I only saw 4 servers. There was no hostess to greet us. One server told me the owner felt they didn't need one on the weekends. The weekends are when you really need a hostess to greet, seat and help the wait staff. We finally sat at the counter around 10:40am and had our orders placed within 10-15 minutes. After 40 minutes of waiting I grabbed a server to check on our food and it hadn't been started yet! Food was good but by God....get your housekeeping in order! read more

Try this place for that near-classic-diner experience. Breakfast all day. With large portions and plenty of options. Plus an extensive sandwich menu. One of the last places in Richmond to get a patty melt which is delicious! Plenty of fries came with the order. Cole slaw has an interesting twist with thinly sliced onions and bell peppers, along with the cabbage. Reuben was classic and tasty. GREAT wait staff. The place packs out at lunch. It gets a very hustle and bustle feel when it's busy. Older crowd and working folks. Even when busy, the food comes out quickly. They seem happy to accommodate special orders. And they are also opening back up in the evening for Monday Night Football, and they sell beers (woohoo!). If you want to try this place and can't get there before 2:00 pm, Monday nights during football season would be a great time to go. If I have one slightly negative comment, they seem to have trouble cooking burgers (and patty melts) to temperature. Everything came out well done, although the orders were for medium and medium rare. But still tasty. Not hockey-puck-well-done, but absolutely no pink. Minor, minor downside. read more

Great diner chow. Breakfast is great anytime. I like the Ruben , burgers and turkey bacon wrap. I'm always well feed and never disappointed. Remember , it's a diner . A very good diner. read more

Perfect good ole diner... We love breakfast and this hit the spot. Don't think they offer alcohol. We would definitely go back again. Only thing that wasn't great was the sausage gravy it tasted like they put sour cream in it?! Idk I'm a southern girl and make homemade so it could be that. read more

I had the sausage biscuits and gravy and they had a funny taste to them. I would not recommend these and would not get again

Disappointing breakfast experience. Food was like Waffle House but not as good (but still far better brunch places than both)! Wait was long to get food. Omelette they forgot the cheese in my cheese omelette. Coffee was weak/watery. The hashbrowns are under seasoned and were cold. Come on Richmond we can do better ! I try my best to support small Local business but this breakfast was just so meh. Mushrooms for omelette tasted like from a can. Reasonably priced breakfast but I'd rather pay more and go Somewhere really Good for brunch like Lulu's, Millie's or the Continental. I'll give another try if i hear they improve since it's close to home. Try to do better ! read more

Stopped by with 2 of my friends/coworkers on a Saturday morning around 10. It was mostly full, but we were still seated immediately since this is apparently a good time to come. My friends both had coffee and said it was very good, way better than standard diner coffee. Two of us had the Hangover (corned beef hash and two eggs, plus a biscuit with sausage gravy) and our third had corned beef hash with eggs and a side of bacon. The corned beef was pretty standard, all the eggs were cooked very well (scrambled and over easy). The bacon was cooked perfectly and the sausage gravy was delicious and thick and just like back home. All good diner food. Since I had trouble deciding, I took home a Cuban Omelet to share with Hubs and holy cow! I am never ordering anything else!!!! I wish I had ordered this in the first place because this is next level diner fare. I am having trouble not eating the whole thing while Hubs isn't looking and blaming it on the dog or something. It is the perfect amount if pickles, filled to the brim with this amazing pork, topped with zesty sauce... I'm having trouble stopping long enough to take a picture. It is by far the star of the show and I am taunting my friends for not having the foresight to bring home one "for their Husbands". Order one!!!! Or six!!!! Oh yeah, and the service was good too. read more

Shortys Diner - Cuban Omelet - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Good breakfast and mimosa. Service was good too! Will definitely visit again when I come back to the area.

Second visit, not great. Lovely service staff, that's it. The food is mediocre and the coffee is terrible. Not a lot of places with choices so, I end up here. Not great. If you want to hang out and listen to old music, while being served powdered eggs and bad coffee by a great wait staff, then this is your place. read more

Had Breakfast today, an Omelette ( bacon, sausage green pepper and onion's with tomatoes . The Omelette looked like a burrito but once I started eating it, the complete left side had very very small pieces of bacon and the right side had bits an pieces of bacon with no sausage at all and shivers of onions and peppers, this is not an exaggeration at all. So the waitress took only $.85 off and said sorry, but it was the worst omelette ever at any restaurant. read more

This is the epitome of a diner: hustling and bustling, good coffee and GREAT breakfast food. My daughter and I shared the sampler + grits and fried apples. Hubby got French toast and it looked SO good. I want to go back so I can try it lol. The service was subpar -- not great, not terrible. Based on the food, I highly recommend and will be back! read more

Shortys Diner - Sampler + fried apples and grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

A great little diner to have a good old-fashioned breakfast. It has a pretty decent menu with all of the classic dishes you would expect at a southern diner. I had country ham biscuits and my nephew had a gut-buster of an omelette. Reasonable prices and a quick waitstaff that would allow for a quick meal. read more

We've been to Shortys before and really like it but this time was not good. I think the food was precooked and kept in a warmer drawer. The pancakes needed a knife and fork to cut and the fried chicken biscuit was very over done. I would compare it to low calibre buffet food. We won't be back until fortunately. read more

Great service and great atmosphere, but the breakfast food we got was not good. As a fellow Yelper stated "it was like Waffle House but worse." The hashbrown had a weird taste and it was not cripsy (we asked for extra crispy). Biscuit was not good either. They do have big menu with other breakfast and lunch options, so we may go back to give it another try. read more

Shortys Diner - Top: Shorty's special Bottom: Southern fried catfish - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Fast and friendly service and good food. We went for lunch and had the Philly cheese steak, the chicken salad sandwich and a BLT. All were fantastic. read more

Shortys Diner - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

When you order steak and eggs delivered and all that shows up is eggs....try harder guys.

Really good, we ordered eggs, bacon, and sausage. The waitress was super nice and food was hot and came out quick. Coffee was ok, but I much prefer a darker stronger coffee. We will be back!! Has a 50's diner atmosphere. read more

Shortys is great! The service is awesome, and we were able to get in right away when it was packed. Most of the food is pretty standard diner food, but the sandwiches are fantastic! I ordered the Monte Carlo, and I would go back just to order that sandwich again. Worth a stop by! read more

Great little diner, super cute atmosphere and very friendly staff. I had the Cuban Omelette and it was amazing! Ask for extra sauce and thank me later read more

Shortys Diner - CUBAN OMELET - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Went solo to Shorty's on a Thursday morning around 11AM. It wasn't very crowded, and they seated me in a booth by the window. My Biscuits and Sausage Gravy was very tasty, albeit with a slightly different flavor than I'm used to. Not bad different, just seasoned differently. By the time I was finished, the place was pretty crowded. The service was good throughout, even as it got much busier. I'll definitely be back. read more

Ate here for the first time today around 11 AM with a friend. The hostess was lacking, no mask, she just walked to a table, flopped down menus, and walked away. Thankfully it was uphill from there. We asked our waitress (who was masked) for a different table and she (Rachael) kindly took us to a much better one. In fact, Rachael was a standout, very attentive and friendly throughout. I never ran out of coffee! :-) I had their breakfast special, 3 eggs scrambled hard (your choice), bacon (you can choose), grits with cheese (other choices as well), and biscuits (or toast). It was very good. Eggs were perfect, bacon was crispy, I enjoyed it very much. My friend also liked his as well. We took our time and enjoyed a very nice breakfast. I would not hesitate to eat here again. Looking forward to a return visit! read more

Yesterday, I took the wife and son out for brunch. Waitress took my drink and food order and brought back drinks. Somebody from the kitchen delivered our meals. I ordered steak (medium rare) and eggs (break the yolk and fry it hard). The steak was well done, and the yolks were runny. The waitress never checked on us to see if we're okay. I finished my meal, even though it wasn't how I wanted it. We're done eating, and our drinks were empty before the waitress reappeared to give me the check. She didn't speak. Didn't ask how the meal was. Just dropped the bill on the table and walked off. I normally tip 20% if service is okay, and often tip more if service was great. I didn't want to leave anything, but the waitress gets paid less than minimum wage and relies on my generosity. I'm seriously torn about this situation. I mean, her boss offered her an hourly wage to wait on costumers. A tip should be a gesture of gratitude, not part of her salary. If her wage isn't enough, that's between her and her boss; I didn't enter into negotiations on eithers' behalf. Service was non-existent. I tipped but I'm bitter about it. Restaurant owner: Pay your staff a living wage. If they don't want to be there, don't schedule them to represent you to your paying customers. read more