It’s always escaped us how some of the large, family chain restaurants can have a two-hour wait on a Friday, when local jewels sit next to empty. When you really look at it, the answer is simple—there are a lot of people out there who really enjoy that type of experience. Located in the Tuckahoe Shopping Center in the West End, Flinn’s Restaurant offers a local option for fans of casual fare, but is unlikely to lure foodies out to the West End.
The space, recently renovated after a revolving door of tenants over the years, looks great. Tall wooden booths line the brightly painted walls, and a long, inviting bar is safely nestled just off the side of the main dining area. The walls are refreshingly devoid of kitschy knick-knacks; colorful mosaics and a chalkboard of specials provide the minimal accent décor.
We just wish the food improved upon the options available at similar casual eateries. While fried appetizers provide a comforting familiarity, masterful execution and fresh ingredients can still impress. Unfortunately, the Flinn’s sampler ($13.25) consisting of chicken tenders, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, chicken wings and fried mushrooms didn’t produce any true standouts. We had high hopes for the mushrooms, as they were the most unique option, but the heavy breading overwhelmed any mushroom flavor.
Flinn’s menu covers a wide variety of foods: wraps, sandwiches, pasta dishes and entrees ranging from chicken livers to ribs and fried fish. As one might expect from such a wide ranging menu, there were hits and misses.
Overwhelmed by the menu options, Jon took the server’s suggestion of the pasta dishes and ordered the chicken parmesan ($11.50). The dish offered an oversized portion of spaghetti with marinara and breaded chicken baked with a thick layer of Italian cheese on top. The gooey cheese dominated the dish with a tasteless marinara sauce hiding amidst the abundant cheese and pasta.
Leah’s choice of the Spencer sandwich ($8.25) was more successful—our server listed it as a signature dish. Billed as a "grilled cheese hamburger with grilled onions," it was a savory indulgence. Perfectly cooked to medium, the hamburger was flavorful and the grilled red and yellow onions provided the perfect complement to the cheesy toasted bread.
In addition to specialty burgers, Flinn’s offers a $5 burger and fries special on Thursdays, which evidently draws a big crowd based on the packed house during our Thursday night visit.
The service was exactly what you would expect from a family spot—likely tapping nearby University of Richmond for talent—the staff is friendly and energetic. Our server was quick to offer menu suggestions, culminating in our dessert choice of chocolate éclair cake.
The catering background of the owners (they also own the adjoining Cuisines catering company), was evident in the homemade dessert options. Predictably indulgent, the large slice of moist cake layered with vanilla pudding had a thick, rich chocolate icing. Other options include coconut cake, carrot cake, and a brownie pie—new options are often added to the large chalkboard menu.
One thing was clear from our visit to Flinn’s, their patrons are loving it. Tucked away in a residential area, Flinn’s pulls off the neighborhood vibe the ubiquitous chains attempt to manufacture. Packed with families enjoying a night out and a few large tables of laughing friends, everyone we encountered seemed genuinely happy to be there. So, while the food did not have us longing for another visit, the comfortable, family-oriented feel holds its own appeal and, obviously, has contributed to a strong neighborhood following.
Flinn’s ** (Two Stars)
403 North Ridge Road
(804) 303-6125
What’s in the Stars:
0—don’t go
*-average
** above average
*** very good
**** excellent dining experience
Jon and Leah Nelson, like most married couples, can’t agree on how the dishwasher should be loaded, so they eat out a lot so someone else can worry about the dishes. As RVA natives, they have had plenty of practice checking out what the city has to offer.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement