Reviews for Howlett's Restaurant & Tavern in Chester, VA

I am not one to skirt the issue, so I will be perfectly honest. Was there to enjoy a nice home cooked Thanksgiving dinner much... as I had several times over the past couple of years at Howletts. I walked away totally disappointed. #1 - Your Googlewebsite advertised Thanksgiving dinner at $22.99 per person. Was totally shocked when we got the dinner menu and is was $34.99per person. Granted that it gave us a choice of either the turkey, prime rib, crab cakes or house chicken, however ..... Youcould have at least taken the time to update the website so as not to mislead customers, STRIKE 1. #2 - My date decided on theprime rib. She was told that you were out. STRIKE 2. Our server did not even mention that it came with soup or salad. When Iasked about it she gave us the choice. STRIKE 3. #3 - When the soup arrived, it was barely luke warm. STRIKE 4 #4 - We bothordered the turkey. When the turkey arrived it looked like it was overcooked, not sliced white turkey breast at all, but rathermore like a brown half inch slab of turkey breast steak. It had very little taste and in places was, not only tough to cutinto, but was also tough to chew. Mine did not come with any gravy. We both ordered the stuffing which looked like soggypacking peanuts and was tasteless. STRIKE 5. #5 - Dessert, my date wanted the Peach Cobbler, but again was told that you wereout. STRIKE 6. We both had the Pumpkin Pie which looked like it was purchased at Walmart STRIKE 7. Bottom line is, the mealwas well below standard and totally overpriced. Needless to say that I/we will not be returning for Thanksgiving dinner nextyear, and if what we experienced tonight is any indication of how this place under New Ownership is going to operate, I, atleast, will not be back at all for any reason. This is what I had for Thanksgiving dinner several years ago. I did it for alark. As it turned out, it was better than what I had on Thursday for a fraction of the price. Joel Gr Read more

I will start by saying the staff were very good. The owner was very empathetic and I will give this place another go simply... because of the quality of service. The Thanksgiving plate was probably the worst tasting food I've ever had. Fake mash(potatoes), soggy frozen broccoli, jar gravy, late seating with reservation... just to name a few. The food reminded me ofhospital quality. I'd love to try again soon and hopefully be able to update this review. Read more

Such a wonderful place! Food is great! Although the owners are new to the entire industry, I will give them a chance to gain... their footing! I’ve never had to throw my all into something so ambitious but it’s inspiring to watch these lovely people“do” instead of talk! So Im excited to visit periodically! Everyone deserves a second, second chance! Read more

Personally I would do no stars but you have to to get to this point. Went tonight for our anniversary. We made a reservation for... 5:30, but the front staff said they couldn’t find it. Ordered clam strips(burnt to a crisp) not sure how you manage to burn abaked potato, salad greens looked like they were picked last month! What the heck? Also ordered fried chicken wings at the tuneof 6 for $12! Also burnt and so salty we couldn’t eat them. I asked our waitress to please let the cooks know they need totaste them before serving anymore! Our waitress was waiting tables, running the bar and trying to manage. So wrong:( I’ve beengoing to Howlette’s for 7 years. Always had good food/staff. We will not return! Don’t waste your money folks. Read more

Lovely find! Just moved To Chester and found this in a cute sorta village of apartments and retail shops. I enjoyed blackened... Tilapia over rice and my wife a cheeseburger. The fried deviled eggs were delicious! Read more

The fried deviled eggs were really good, what a unique idea. The sauce that came with them was the best... It should be... available to add to the sandwiches... If they sold it, I would have bought a bottle!! The crab cake sandwich was just okay..tasted kind of like a frozen crab cake and the bun was subpar. The sides were great though. Brandon was our server, he wasreally sweet. It's a very cute restaurant in a nice area. The food was decently priced. Read more

I found Howletts for the first time last year and loved it so much I ate there 3 more times in 4 days. I am back this year and... just had dinner tonight. Nothing has changed. The food was awesome as was the service. I will be bringing 4 groups ofclients there over the next week or so so that others can enjoy the great food. Read more

Dined here for my 18 year anniversary with my wife. Ordered the crab dip as an appetizer and it was very flavorful and creamy.... We also ordered some of the special drinks. As an entree I ordered the steak with onion rings and baked potatoe. The steak wascooked medium well like I like it. However it didn't have any taste. Wasn't seasoned at all. Even salt didn't help. The waitressbrought out some type of sauce they use to marinade the rib eye. But that didn't help. My wife ordered the fried scallops andshrimp and she loved it. And I tried hers and I can say that I loved it also. I guess next time I will get the scallops andshrimp too. The waitress was very professional and friendly. I would visit again maybe. All in all. It is a nice restaurant. Andbathrooms were clean also. Read more