Mrs. Rowe’s Family Restaurant
74 Rowe Rd, Staunton, VA, 24401
Mrs. Rowe’s Family Restaurant Menu
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Address :
74 Rowe Rd
Staunton, VA, 24401 - Phone (540) 886-1833
- Website https://www.mrsrowes.net/index.html
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Serenity N.
Heads up: Nice MILITARY DISCOUNT! Like a couple other reviewers have noted, this is a restaurant best gone to if you know what to expect, accept that it is what it is, don't expect world-class 5-star cuisine, and realize it is an old-school diner that still seems to run much the same way I imagine it has been run for several decades, now. Walking into this establishment's doors is truly like walking into a time capsule--wow, do you feel as if time stood still, here! People who can get into nostalgia & enjoy the experience of the way things used to be, will be right at home here. They even use the same type dinnerware I remember being used by many restaurants in the old days, which means their dinner plates are the smaller size they used to be a few decades back, instead of the platter-size they tend to use now-a-days @ most restaurants. I remember going to this restaurant, which is near a highway going across the state of VA, with my family when I was a kid. This was a popular stop back then for travelers to the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, & many people are repeat customers for the nostalgia alone. There used to be many roadside restaurants like this, before the day came when McDonalds & BK took over. You never knew what to expect & just took a risk when you stopped to get a bite to eat somewhere. But look at what we get now at the chains...pink goo for meat? Yecchh. They do cater to an older crowd here @ Mrs. Rowe's, so expect the food to be what the older crowd often has to opt for ref their health issues, which = less seasonings so you will need to add salt & pepper to taste. They obviously buy into the 'you can add salt, but you can't take it away!" rule-of-thumb, here. Go here for home-style comfort food cooking, and not to have the ultimate foodie experience. Also, go for the ambiance which is quite different & like a blast from the past! For fun, ask them about their 'ghost.' I think a newsprint story circulated around 2012 about that, and they had a local reporter document their experience. Here is a link: archive.newsleader.com/a… They serve something here called Spoonbread (a corn-based 'Is it a veggie, or a dessert? -type dish) that used to be served in many places but you don't see it too often, anymore. It was nice to taste that dish again! They offer various vegetable side dishes, along with home-cooking type fare of pork chops, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, ham steak, mac & cheese, baked sauerkraut, and a full country breakfast. They also sell muffins & pies, which has been a big draw for the restaurant in the past. They even sell frozen entrees! I would think this is helpful for many of their elderly clientele, to make sure they have nutritious food for their meals during the week, even if they are not able to cook for themselves. I think that is a nice service to offer the community. MENU & Mrs Rowes Family Restaurant website link: mrsrowes.net
(3)Bob S.
After reading several 2 & 3 star reviews of Mrs. Rowe's I was a little skeptical of stopping there for lunch when my in-laws suggested it, but figured I'd form my own opinion and even write a review (my first on Yelp) if I either loved it or hated it. All I can say is if you don't like eating here then you're just hard to please! Everything we ordered was delicious and our waitress couldn't have been more pleasant or accomodating. It's not what's classified as a 5-star restaurant by people with more money than brains, but it's close enough for me. Very reasonably priced and very delicious! We'll definitely be back if we're ever passing by in the future.
(4)Samantha D.
Have been here twice for dinner and it was consistent both times. The food is Home cooked and the staff is really nice. Four of us were able to eat for $46 WITH dessert. They also offer a hefty military discount which is awesome and greatly appreciated. We will always stop here when we are in the area. It's refreshing to break away from chain restaurants.
(4)Eric L.
I was in the mood for cracker barrel that is up the street. Instead I thought to try this mom and pop looking place. I ordered the meatloaf with collard greens, spoon bread, and baked apples. The meatloaf didnt seem like enough. Collard greens were good. The baked apples were soggy and the spoon bread was like cornbread mulch. Got pumpkin pie for desert... taste like its from a box. The place I feel definetely banks off the tourist trap vibe. I wouldnt recommend this place to anyone and tell them to go to cracker barrel instead.
(1)John S.
This place has gone downhill within the last year. Used to stop here whenever traveling in the area but not after being served Sunday's desert-dry meatloaf on Tuesday! The gravy looked to be from a can. The kid's mini corn dogs looked like Vienna sausages - blech! Would have given four stars a year or two ago. Did this place change hands recently
(2)Monica L.
Definitely not worth driving out of your way for and actually, probably not as good as the Cracker Barrel up the street. I had fried chicken. It wasn't bad; it's just that it wasn't anything special, and everything else was pretty mediocre. My husband's turkey sandwich was covered with gravy that looked and tasted like it could have come out of a can or jar, and the mashed potatoes that accompanied it were average at best. This appears to be a place that is catering to senior citizen bus tours these days. Stay away.
(2)Dwight P.
Great homemade pies and cookies. Great country type cooking. Look for specials. Great service! The kind of restaurant you would love to have near your house! This type is harder and harder to find these days!
(4)Robert M.
Ever want to eat where the Waltons would dine? This is the place for you. It is definitely country / home cooking. If Cracker Barrel were to go old school, authentic and not a chain - this would be the place. You know you are in a good home cooking spot when you look around and everyone has blue hair. The food was absolutely solid. I've been here three times. Mainly on the way home for a Sunday brunch after camping. It will FILL YOU UP. I especially like getting a slice of pie before going home. The place has been here so long, that you better be careful where you sleep. The floor is pretty sloped. If you drop anything round, you better run it down before it goes too far.
(5)Sonya D.
Skip this restaurant. Pan fried chicken served undercooked. Biting into raw chicken kills the appetite. Substituted with a club sandwich served on untoasted white bread. The manager did apologize, but no offer to comp my dinner or provide a free dessert.
(1)Lisa B.
The dining room is comfortable and the staff is incredibly friendly. Even if the food were underwhelming this would have been a very pleasant experience. My daughter had the meatloaf and I had the crab cakes. Both were very tasty and the portions were generous for the quite reasonable price. The side dishes were disappointing when we thought they would be the highlight of the meal. If you love southern cooking you may feel differently. The baked tomatoes and spoon bread had a nice flavor but were way too sweet for our tastes. The corn muffins were delicious. Would definitely go back to try some of their other main dishes.
(3)Margaret G.
They don't have much to eat for vegetarians, but it worked out okay for me since I can still eat cheese. The main course didn't really madder to me since we just go there for the pie.
(4)Chuck S.
Great menu with lots of healthy choices ...This is a must stop if you're headed South and near the I-81/I-64 exchange at Staunton, VA.
(5)Becky M.
On our way to Gettysburg, we programmed the GPS for the Cracker Barrel in Staunton, but when we pulled off I-81 and I spotted Mrs. Rowe's, I remembered eating there many years ago. It was good then, so we decided to stop and eat there, rather than continuing on to the Cracker Barrel. The meal didn't live up to my memory, but for some reason we stopped again on our way home from Gettysburg five days later - to give it another chance. Again, the food was only mediocre, and the green lima beans tasted "off" in some way. The next day I had stomach issues. Next time we'll proceed on to the Cracker Barrel, but I really, really wanted Mrs. Rowe's to measure up to my memories.
(2)Nancy M.
This was our fourth visit to Mrs. Rowe's and we felt that the variety of menu options along with the taste of the food has diminished over previous visits. We won't be back.
(2)Donald M.
I began frequenting Mrs. Rowe's shortly after moving to RVA in 1981. It was always a favorite day trip whenever family came to visit and a frequent Sunday excursion with our kids. The southern fried chicken and warm apple pie with cinnamon ice cream were the standards all others were measured against. It really pains me to share this review. My wife and I both had the fried chicken dinner. Even though we are here early, I was surprised how quickly the chicken was served. Both plates were barely warm. My leg quarters were ok, but my wife's breast 1/4 was scrawny. Best described as cold, fried bones. The rolls were fresh and worthy of Mrs. Rowe's memory. The green beans were good, but slightly over cooked. I was hoping for a nice piece of apple pie to make all things right. I was disappointed yet again to find that the cinnamon ice cream is no longer available from their supplier. (All these years I assumed it was home made.). The pie itself was wonderful! Perfect crust and served at just the right temperature (it was warmer than the chicken.) The 2 stars are strictly for the pie and rolls. Maybe my years of patronage have made me set the bar too high for Rowe's. I'll give them another chance in the future, but another meal like this and I'll be headed for the chicken counter at the Food Lion.
(2)Terry V.
They do a great job with old-fashioned blue-plate-special types of meals. A local favorite for decades.
(4)Jeff A.
This isn't the "best" food in the world, but man it is good. Lots of rich history and the food makes your soul feel good. Again, don't go in expecting to get food you would see or taste if you were on a cooking show like "the Taste." The waitresses are REAL. They aren't fine dining wait staff. I hate to see how people review Rowes so harsh. Go in expecting good. You will be pleased. 5 stars based on what it is. Not based on what the world expects. It is not to be compared to the finest restaurant in NYC. It is what it is. My favorite is hamburger steak with mashed potatoes and collard greens. Rolls are yummy. Order pie afterward. Good breakfast as well.
(5)Beth Q.
Good for breakfast. Old fashioned breakfast on the line between the north and the south (meaning there's scrapple AND grits on the menu.) Coffee was okay as was the service. Waitress was a bit scattered and forgetful. The baked goods looked awesome. They also have a refrigerator stocked with take out navy bean soup, lasagna, collard greens, etc.
(4)Winston S.
An average diner-type restaurant with decent food and pleasant service, but far from the traditional country cooking gem some people make it out to be. This was my second time at Mrs. Rowe's at the behest of some friends, and the second time that I was not too particularly impressed (despite their claims that the place was legendary). I had the "he-man steak omelette" with some grits and a biscuit. The omelette was ok and the grits were cold although the biscuit was really good. My fiancé had biscuits with gravy (pretty tasty) and pumpkin pancakes. Unfortunately, while the pancakes looked very good on the plate, they tasted very sour. We asked our friends at the table to taste the pancakes (to ensure our opinion was not subjective), and everyone agreed that something was off about them. The service was pleasant albeit a little slow. We did have to ask for water and coffee refills as they do not come automatically. In sum, an average experience. Not a bad place to eat, but definitely is not worth going out of your way for.
(3)Matt T.
Arrived in time for the AARP happy hour at which I was younger than everyone by about half. It was a walk from the hotel next door so I was resigned to a dinner of mushy vegetables because that sounded a damn sight better than driving even another mile. The hostess stand was guarded by a put-upon crone defending her palace: that charming, low-ceiling, old carpet, cheap wood paneling, high-volume restaurant decor that makes another trip in the car look not so bad. But, damn, what came out of those swinging kitchen doors was delicious. I've lived all over and lots of people try to do southern home cooking. Maybe they're not willing to put enough bacon grease in it, or maybe they just try to get too clever, but this is what they're all after. The collard greens, pickled beets! I generally detest meatloaf but ordered it because it's the only thing I hate less than fried chicken (I'm sorry, Mom). And I'll certainly never eat it again after having it here. Wow. It was amazing.
(4)Sandy F.
The service was less than desirable. No smiles to be found here. Food was mediocre at best. I would not recommend.
(1)Anna V.
We stopped in at Rowe's because we had heard great things about it. It's got a cute Southern style unlike a lot of the chain restaurants you'd find on the highway and does indeed provide real Southern food. However, I found that while it was real Southern style food it lacked anything that made me say "WOW- we've got to come back again." The biscuits were dry, and while the fried chicken was good it lacked flavor. The other guests eating with me agreed that it was nothing special. I will say though, the hospitality of the staff was genuine and efficient. Overall, I would not come back simply because I don't think it's worth the drive or money. But if you're looking for a place to eat that's not a fast food chain and an old-fashioned atmosphere Rowe's is the place.
(3)Don W.
Yummy fattening southern food. Pies are great !
(4)Kate H.
Our 1st time eating there was pretty good. Although the AC was out in the back dinging room with doors, it tended to be a little warm for August. Not a good place for vegetarians! BUT... I ordered hot turkey sandwich that came with mashed potatoes and gravy on their home made bread...YUMMY! I had to eat it with a knife and fork; the turkey was nice and moist and very thick slices, I must add. My hubby had Maryland crab cakes, potato salad and cucumbers and onions, he loved it! It was like real home cooking. Our friends had the meatloaf sandwich and they said it was fabulous. DESSERT WAS THE BEST EVER! I got the lemon merange pie that was to die for. (I wanted the special of the night, blackberry pie but it was sold out!) My hubby got the butterscotch pie...OMG, out of this world. Both our pie crusts were great. Our friends got a gigantic sticky pecan bun that was yummy! Definitely be coming back when we return to the area.
(4)Lisa E.
We were here twice in the same week while traveling down to NC and back. The first time we ate breakfast and it was pretty good so we figured we stop on the way back through for dinner. Although I will compliment their corn bread the rest of the dinner was a disaster. My husband ordered the fried chicken which was delivered to him not once but twice bloody inside. After that he couldn't look at chicken anymore so he got the crab cakes which were ok. My dinner on the other hand was pork and it was well done and 1 piece I couldn't even cut w a knife. Of course the waitress didn't even ask me how mine was was she picked up a less than half eaten plate of food. Thank God for the corn bread. You would think though after being served bloody chicken twice that the manager or someone else would come and apologize to us but only the waitress did and she didn't seem very sincere in fact it seemed like she thought we were crazy. I even asked her after she stared at the 2nd bloody chicken, is this how you eat your chicken down south, thinking maybe we were crazy. A little blood on your plate when you order a medium steak is ok but not when you order chicken. At least not in my world. After all of that you would think they would take a percentage off the check or not even charge for his dinner due to such an inconvenience but no we were charged full price. Needless to say we will not be returning here.
(1)Tracey P.
The outside makes you think you are walking into a upscale diner with good southern style food...wrong! Everything we ordered was just OK. Nothing special or really good about it. When i asked for recommendations that were either fish or veggie friendly, our server told me she really didn't like fish so it was hard to say. I had the fried catfish and the thickest piece was not completely cooked. The kids had a cheese burger that looked good and a kids grilled cheese that seemed to make her happy. Someone at our table asked for a romaine salad with carrots, cucumber and dressing on the side. Definitely a special request but what arrived was pitiful. That the end of our meal we thought for sure dessert would save the day. When we asked our server for a recommendation she said, that her favorite had sold out and all that is left are merengue and she didn't like that so she didn't really have a recommendation. So we didn't order pie. The one good thing...the cookies were awesome!
(2)Rhiannon S.
We read through the reviews and I have to say I'm shocked that the average rating is 3 stars! I'm incredibly picky when it comes to biscuits and gravy and theirs was really good! We had a lot of food and of everything the favorites were biscuits and gravy, pumpkin pancakes, apple cider bacon, country ham, omelette, well pretty much everything!!!! This place is for someone who loves to eat some great country cooking! I also thought the country ambiance was very cute and comfortable. Some may find it strange but I love character and in the area we were sitting the floor sloped a little. We all thought it just made the experience more authentic. I even took a pic of the slanted coffee in our cups. Again some may not find the fun in it but we liked it.
(5)Marsha H.
There needs to be a refresher course given to the cooks at Mrs. Rowes on how to properly prepare breakfast. Two entrees and both were horrible. I realize this is an institution in Staunton but it does not absolve them from cooking properly.
(1)John S.
I've been happy with Mrs. Rowe's in the past, and tonight was no exception, but I didn't feel like the service was very good. The welcome from the host was promising and very friendly, but once I was seated I waited nearly 10 minutes before my waitress even acknowledged I was in the room. She walked by several times and once made eye contact, but it wasn't until her colleague offered to help her get some food from the kitchen that she finally came over to my table. I almost walked out, but glad I didn't because once she warmed up she was ok and the food was very good.
(3)Steve R.
Excellent down home country cooking. Lovely service and quiet atmosphere. They have excellent baked goods all made on the premises. I would absolutely recommend the meatloaf!
(5)Brian H.
Only came here because of an accident on I-81. The food here really does taste homemade, I especially enjoyed the southern fried chicken (just like grandma's), the green beans were also great, as was the potato salad. Not a fan of the mashed potatoes or the rolls, but I prefer them the way my wife makes them. Service is a bit slow and it does take a while for the staff to warm up to you, I get the feeling they prefer to really butter up their older clientele.
(3)Thomas R.
The cream puffs had a mountain of powder sugar, the pastry shell was bland (no taste), and the cream was pudding. The crab cakes were flat and had what look like tire marks running across them. The dinner rolls were not fresh or made by hand. The honey mustard dress was quite good.
(1)Jerry C.
Great home style comfort food: excellent fried chicken, meatloaf, turkey dinner and some of the best grilled liver and onions you'll find anywhere. Fresh iced tea is simple and like you would make at home. The pies are fantastic: don't pass up the coconut cream pie, it's the best!
(4)Kristen H.
Have always wanted to stop and finally did. The food was delicious but the staff did not have one smile in the bunch...used all of the verbal niceties but in such a deadpan way that is felt like we customers were a true inconveniences to them. Maybe this was an exception. I will try again another day.
(3)Bob S.
The service was quick, friendly, and excellent. The kids food was excellent. I tried my daughter's grilled cheese and it was wonderful. The macaroni and cheese is also excellent. I had the grilled Tilapia sandwich which was wonderful. My wife had the grilled pork tenderloin sandwich which she said was very tender and good. She stated that it could have used a little more seasoning. The desserts are wonderful and the price is better than the chain restaurants. Overall, we had a great experience and will definitely return.
(4)Patrick J.
Our family stopped off for supper on our way to WV. The reviews seem mixed, so we decided to see for ourselves. When you walk in, the first thing you see our homemade pies, homemade cookies and a few preserves. It has an old country charm with no frills, but it is quaint and very clean. The bathrooms were impressively maintained. Angela, our server, was very polite and professional. I tried country style chicken, mashed potatoes, and collard greens. My wife and daughter tried vegetable beef soup and my son chose the grilled cheese and a side of macaroni and cheese. We all enjoyed our meals, but the winner of best plate seemed to be the soup. They emptied their bowls. All of the food we rated between good and very good. The lemon meringue pie was also delicious. We didn't see any of the negatives from past reviews.
(4)Karen H.
We've been stopping at Mrs. Rowe's every year for over 20 years on our annual trip to see the mountains and the leaves in the fall. A few years ago, we thought it was going downhill, and were hoping against hope that it would find its way back. Well, it has, and it's better than ever! On our stop this year, I ordered my usual veggie plate - the collards were hands-down the best I've ever had (didn't need the vinegar!), and I grew up on SC collards. My husband's meatloaf was delicious with obviously homemade gravy, and our desserts were fantastic, as usual. If anyone suggests that the salty, pre-frozen food at Cracker Barrel is a better option, then they obviously aren't familiar with real southern home cooking.
(5)Wanda C.
We have visited in the past and now go out of our way to include this spot in our annual north to south trip. Yes the clientele is mostly older and yes some of the waitstaff lack charm, but if you are sweet to them and polite we have found they warm right up. The food is not diet-friendly, but if you don't eat here everyday it won't kill you! We have mostly had the fried chicken, always good. Mac and cheese is stellar, other veggies are all yummy. Old fashioned southern cooking at its best! Wine is served in a very satisfying sized glass by the way. Go with an open mind and an empty stomach and you will leave happy.
(4)Wedge A.
The prices are reasonable, but there is nothing on the menu that should be consumed by human beings. Everything has meat or is fried. There is nothing healthy or vegetarian.
(2)Sue C.
When you need comfort food this hits the spot. Mashed potatoes are "real", fried chicken is good, turkey dinner has all the right sides. And the pie selection is big - don't miss the coconut cream.
(3)Don F.
The best chicken salad sandwich I have ever had. On home made bread. The apple pie was also the best pie I have ever had. The crust was flaky. Service was also great.
(5)Susan M.
I really liked Mrs. Rowe's when we ate there last weekend. We slid in around the breakfast time limit but they accommodated us. The building is large and airy, and has a lot of mid century charm. I had a crepe-like omelet with ham and cheese, and fried green apples. The Colonel had pumpkin pancakes with applewood smoked bacon. All was delicious.
(3)Susan A.
Fresh collard greens, fried chicken, liver & onions - Virginia style. Coining from Lockport LA and loved it. Wish we could've had one of those fresh pies!
(5)Liz A.
Love stopping here over the years. Love the fried chicken!! Have to make sure to save room for pie or take a piece to go. Not a place to save calories.
(5)Annette F.
Ordered the beef vegetable soup, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, collard greens, and spoon bread. Husband ordered the same except butter beans instead of collards. Everything was very good, but he said his butter beans were "okay," and my collard greens were a little tough . Service was very good. We both enjoy this place amd return every time we come back to Staunton.
(4)Jeff B.
Was seated, waited 5 minutes, another party came in. The waitress instantly have them water, took their order, and ignored us. We left.
(1)Scott H.
What I am seeing from the reviews on Mrs. Rowe's is a venerable Staunton franchise that is on a a slow decline. And while I wanted to like Mrs Rowe's more than I did, I would still recommend them over the nearby restaurant chains. We stopped here after our visit to the Frontier Culture Museum, looking for some warm comfort food. We spotted Mrs. Rowe's near the I-81 interchange and opted for the local establishment over the chain options. (Cracker Barrel? BLECH.) Interior was very dated, and the dining area looked like it was right out of a 1970's basement - lots of wood paneling and kitschy southern knick-knacks, and oil paintings from a local artist. (For sale, of course) Just what I expected. Clientele for Sunday lunch was also what I expected - older crowd taking an even older crowd out to lunch between stops at church and back to the nursing home. (The other reviews on the clientele are NOT exaggerating, trust me) But having spent time in many rural southern towns, I'd been in many establishments just like this one. Food was mostly good. Father-in-law and I both got meat loaf with mashed potatoes - an ample 2 slice portion of homemade meatloaf that was still juicy, mashed potatoes were nice, and the gravy was good. Everything was, as others noted, slightly under-seasoned - likely to support their main clientele. And also in the south, a lot of people cook with light seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste. A little S&P here did the trick. As expected, the wife didn't fare so well on her steak. They didn't have the advertised sirloin for Sunday lunch special, and the strip they offered her was not seasoned - and steak is something that needs the seasoning before cooking. Mother-in-law fared better on her turkey and stuffing. Bread was good. Service was fine ... although our server looked like she would be heading back to the nursing home after her shift, and lacked some warmth, she was still nice and mostly efficient. I also found it odd that they do a significant business with not just deserts to take home, but also frozen prepared meals. But I guess that fits with their niche here - affordable, well-portioned, and a bit blandly seasoned southern comfort food. I'd probably come back here again, but I'd like to try breakfast next time.
(3)Heather R.
Wow! Home cookin'! Open faced turkey sandwich, meatloaf and gravy, great burger...only to be topped by delicious pies and cinnamon ice cream. Now I need a nap!
(4)Jeannie H.
Really enjoyed this place. It's quaint and has lots of character. The older clientele meant no screaming kids, which is nice. I had the tilapia, green beans, and potato salad - all were yummy. The green beans tasted just like my grandma's!
(4)Maria H.
Close to hotel which was the only plus. Ham steak was dry and tough as leather, mac & cheese was pretty much only mac. Collards were good, tossed salad was wilted & small. There were 4 tables occupied out of 12 (and the other rooms were emptier) no one offered drinks while we looked over the menu. Poor service I thought.
(2)Jarrod T.
We are local to Staunton and have been here several times. We have never been impressed with lunch or dinner but breakfast is usually quite good. It's been about 6 months since our last visit and we had some friends in town so we all loaded up and went for breakfast. Wow! I don't know what may have changed since our last visit but our service was terrible and everyones food was cold. I'm not talking warm but edible I mean COLD! My wife's omelet was swimming in grease and her biscuit felt like someone took it out of the fridge. The kids' pancakes not only looked unappealing but were also cold. As I was asking everyone if there food was as cold as mine the lady at the table behind us turned to tell me they had to send theirs back to be reheated! There was eight in our party and 4 were kids so we didn't have the luxury of sending it back. This was on a Saturday morning at 8:30 so you would think they would be on their A game but that was far from the case. Do yourself a favor and if you want a delicious country style breakfast go to Kathy's, it's further from interstate but well worth it.
(1)Cody O.
Bland Food, Nursing Home Patrons, and Squeezing a Nickel to Death..... First and foremost, all of the reviews on this site are from people who live 50+ miles away from Mrs. Rowe's. The vast majority of their business comes from tour buses, and people passing through the area on I-81. This should serve as a pretty good indication that "local folk" do no eat here...a big red flag. Second, the food is very bland with little to no taste. To be perfectly honest, most of the food tastes like its a Hungry-Man TV Dinner. Third, a visit to Mrs. Rowe's has much in common with a visit to your local nursing home. All patrons are 70+ years of age. Given this fact, Mrs. Rowe's will be out of business in ten years as their primary customer base dies off. Sad to say, but it is an accurate observation. Fourth, if you want ketchup...you have to ask for it. Straws? Better ask. Extra napkins...you have to ask. Iced Tea is served in tiny 10oz glasses...the size of a child's sippy-cup. I thought that it was common knowledge that when someone orders french fries, a bottle of ketchup is pretty obvious. When someone orders drinks, drop off a straw. Extra napkins as well....this is all common-sense stuff. But, not as Mrs. Rowe's. Their attempt to save a nickel shows, and really hurts the service. Fifth, on the day I visited there were ten people standing in line waiting to pay their bill. The cashier was extremely slow, and engaged in senseless chit-chat...further holding up the line. Not much else to say....
(1)Toni O.
I have been here many times. Liked most everything. Once ordered the hot turkey sandwich and was very disappointed with turkey roll instead of meat. That was long ago and haven't tried it since. Crab cakes were much better today than in the past; less breading. Husband's pork roast good. Pies are delicious. A varied menu and everything can't be phenomenal...
(4)Faith M.
I'm not sure about previous bad reviews but this is a regular stop for us when we travel . Today we ate breakfast which was out in five minutes. The food was great and we had a homemade cinnamon bun that was big enough for the two of us with some to take home !
(5)Alexandria L.
Shrimp is ok, they real treasure is the Turkey & Gravy Sandwich.
(3)Daniel W.
This restaurant is going down hill. We visit every year and always make Mrs. Rowes a tradition. However, this tradition will end this year. Horrible customer service, as if they were mad we walked through the door. My initial pancakes were not cooked all the way through. I asked for fresh, and instead of a fresh batch, they re-served the old ones after heating them up! The waitress said "well that's not my decision, its the cooks". Very rude and disrespectful. Never going to come here again :(
(1)DQ S.
The giant banner outside proclaiming "Best Breakfast in the South" is about as accurate as those NYC dives with little signs stating "World's Best Cup of Coffee." AVOID THIS PLACE. What once impressed the Road Food authors to include Mrs. Rowe's in their classic 2002 Road Food book has rested on its laurels so long that the laurels have crumbled. There's nothing sadder than when a place that once really "had it" - loses it. My breakfast was wrong every step of the way. The waitress and staff were very polite, I'll give them that. But the food was awful. The country ham was very dry, very tough, super salty, and cut super thin (like deli meat for sandwiches). I know country ham and it should not be like this. The big grey spot in the center was not bone -- it was a big grey spot of spoiled meat. Unforgivable to serve such an obviously bad cut of meat. The biscuit was dry and sad. Eggs over medium had raw, runny whites and very pale yellows. And what was called "Fried Green Apples" on the menu was the sugariest pie filling goop I've ever come across. Drive on by. Look for Kathy's in the center of Staunton.
(1)Timothy N.
Ordered a Chef Salad and got a big ole bed of almost white iceberg lettuce. Uhg! The water glass had been used so many times that it looked like it had been etched.
(3)Max G.
We had read good reviews about Mrs. Rowe's and were looking forward to trying it. I ordered the Virginia country ham sandwich...big mistake. It tasted like salted shoe leather. They graciously took it back and brought me a chicken salad sandwich, which was better. My wife had mac 'n' cheese with country ham and liked it very much. For dessert we had pie (coconut cream and peanut butter). Both were delicious. My wife also bought some of their delicious chocolate chip cookies to go. Mrs. Rowe's is worth a stop, but avoid the Virginia country ham.
(3)Rin S.
After all day driving around mountains and rivers, it is hard to find restaurants in that area. Then along the high way, many franchised restaurant and this place. We rather try local one and many time we had bad lucks in country side. But not this place. Old lady who's helped us seated was same lady on the place-mat, that was cute. Server was very friendly. Most of all, their portion was perfect. They do not serve food on the large plate but just right size for one person. So that your stomach will still have room for their dessert. I had coconut pie and my husband had chocolate pie. Their meringue was just perfect, so as their sweetness. I would give them 5 stars if there food and plate was little more warmer. But I know, I should not ask too much withe that price.
(4)M P.
Meanest staff I've ever encountered in my life. On top of mediocre, overpriced, half-cold slop and I find out later, bad health inspections, avoid this place like the plague. It's a heck of a price to pay for insult and sickness.'
(1)Katie B.
This place is beyond overrated. I've had so many of my out-of-down guests ask to go there and I had to shoot them down. It may be well known and maybe it was good once, but I guarantee you that tourists who go there and have taste buds, do not ever make a return trip. The only locals I know who go there are senior citizens. The food, while traditionally Southern, is incredibly bland. Like hospital food bland. Don't waste your time on this "Southern gem" - you can do better.
(2)Kathryn H.
Good country food that makes you miss your grandma. The pies are awesome too. I always get the fried chicken and have not been disappointed yet. Go here instead of the Cracker Barrel up the road. Experience the culture of the Shenandoah for real.
(4)Scott S.
Does it cost anything for an owner, or hostess, or manager or waitress to offer an apology? It does at Mrs. Rowe's, which is why our family will never pass their doorway again. 20-25 minutes into a meal with my wife and two children, a piercingly loud fire alarm goes off. After a few minutes, my wife and kids go to wait outside, leaving a half-eaten table of food to get cold. Other diners flee. Some stick it out with their fingers in their ears (me, not eating, waiting). Others continue eating. It is deafening if you're not blocking it out. No member of the staff comes to announce it's being worked on, we're sorry. Our waitress Shelly offers nothing more than to say, "this has never happened before." I should've left and told them to stick it, the bill, the food, everything. But we'd spent the day driving and were staying across the street and didn't want to start another dinner at 8pm. Eventually, 20 minutes or more later, the alarm goes off. Again. No apology. No graciousness. In fact, my wife and kids were locked out and had to knock to come back in from the parking lot. Whereupon, of course, their food was cold. I should've stiffed our waitress, but instead I felt sorry for her -- although I had to get up and walk 20 feet to get my own bottle of ketchup, so my judgment must've been clouded by the ringing alarm. Upon paying at the front register I discovered what other reviewers have mentioned -- the management could care less about whether you were satisfied, much less happy. After this lengthy disturbance brought the restaurant to a screeching halt, not only could they not comp a cup of coffee or a slice of pie, they couldn't even be bothered asking whether you'd enjoyed your meal, of if everything was alright. Or to apologize. I'd suggest they're afraid to hear the answer, but that suggests a self-awareness and care for their customers. Instead, they're brazen and care about nothing other than the fact you are a paying sucker. Avoid this establishment and take your custom anywhere else. P.S. The food was decidedly mediocre. The sauce on their specialty Southern Pan Fried Chicken was gelatinous, as was their mashed potatoes as was their spoonbread. Chicken portion was tiny for the price; ditto the pie slices.
(1)Jacqui B.
Blueberry pancakes were stingy on the berries, overcooked, and, yet, served cool. Everything else was fine and staff was nice. Nevertheless, don't think I'll ever try it again.
(2)Nestor H.
We stopped in here based on comments in a guide book about the Appalachian Trail. It claimed Mrs. Rowe's had the best fried chicken. So that's what I ordered while my wife had some blueberry cobbler. Both were sad. KFC ran circles around the chicken which had no flavor whatsoever--absolutely no seasoning on the skin. The cobbler was served in a sorry little bowl and similarly was a poor excuse for a southern cobbler.
(1)Martha C.
Very disappointed! My 3rd visit. Staff pleasant. Food quality poor. Ambiance unpleasant with 3 neighboring unrelated tables loudly sharing touring notes. Worst was that waitress had to tell us that 3 out of 4 items we wanted were "out.". I have now tried all 3 mealtimes and all have been bad! This spot is not one I'd recommend nor return to!
(1)Kevin L.
This is a greasy spoon home style country cooking sort of place. Food is mediocre and service is spotty. Prices are low, but they should be considering the offerings, execution and location.
(2)H S.
Enjoyed lunch at Mrs. Rowes Saturday. Good country food - I had hamburger steak, baked tomatoes, and pinto beans all of which were perfectly cooked. Others had a huge salad, a hamburger with mushrooms, and a hot turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes. Our only disappointment was that they had sold out of shepherd's pie when we arrived at 12:30. It was the special of the day and was obviously very popular. Our waitress was helpful, friendly, and non intrusive, a real pro. Wish we had room for dessert, the pies and other baked goods looked yummy. We'll definitely return when we're up that way again.U
(4)Freya C.
Oh Mrs Rowe. How sad I am we didn't make it in time for breakfast (from 10.30 onwards was lunch...) though your hearty home made pot roast and the stodgy mac 'n' cheese was still delish. And we did save room for a cookie tasting round, and took away some mighty fine peanut butter pie. Well worth the detour from the Virginia highways we were supposed to be following. Going to try and make that breakfast next time.
(3)Kelly H.
Great family style restaurant. Great for family's or couples...though not for a quiet romantic night out. Food was amazing...tasted like great homecooking!
(5)Jilly W.
Back last night and it will be my last visit. I was with a party that had a reservation for at least 3 weeks but somehow they were surprised when we showed up and didn't have enough waitstaff. When we finally got served, they were out of a lot of items, and the food, when it arrived, was barely warm. I had the fried chicken, which had been good in the past, and it was overcooked and dry. To add insult to injury, they charged us for the wrong dinner and though they supposedly corrected that, the charge was still on our card today! Avoid this place!
(1)Vanessa W.
Mrs. Rowe's is down home country fare, road food at its best. It's cheap and delicious. They have AMAZING friend chicken on Thursdays, but if you're not there then, get the wings which are also friend. Husband had the burger steak and snarfed it down even though it was ginormous. They are noted for their pies and on this last visit we had coconut cream and blueberry - both awesome. There were a lot of older folks here which just tells you what a great value it is. Two large entrees, two drinks, and two desserts were $25. You can't beat it! This is a MUST stop if you are driving north/south through this region in Virginia as you can see the place from the exit. RUN there!
(4)Diana H.
In my experience, Mrs. Rowe's doesn't have any downsides. The staff is all friendly southern ladies, the restaurant is right next to the tracks and gives a great view of passing trains, and the food is solid diner food and just what you're looking for in a roadside breakfast. The pies, however, are incredible. We got the coconut cream and wished we had room for more!
(4)Anita S.
We planned our road trip to ensure that we'd end up at this place for brunch. Fantastic Southern cooking-- I was very excited and wanted to eat everything, prompting the waitress to ask me if I really wanted all the food I'd ordered... yes ma'am! Fried green apples were a nice surprise, and I devoured the hash browns, best I've ever had. My dining companion, a Southerner himself, had gravy & biscuits with sausage as his entree, and he declared the gravy a winner. After stuffing our faces, passing the dessert case still managed to present a serious temptation-- as badly as I wanted the pie, we settled on some cookies to go. Good choice.
(4)Camille A.
We were heading for cracker barrel when we saw this local place and decided to stop. Diner type menu -something for everyone. We had 2 specials of the day- turkey platter and chicken fried type steak- pretty good. I enjoyed their fresh cucumber salad and my husband liked his coleslaw.
(3)G F.
We went there for breakfast and we were quite disappointed. A cup of coffee for 2.50 and the corn beef hash and eggs for 8.50? For that price you could expect good food anywhere in the country. The corn beef was totally oversalted, a small portion and I honestly could not tell if it came out of a can or was made there. It definitely was not fresh had no texture so it probably came from a can. Beside the pricing this was my big disappointment. From a traditional place, hyped to the max, I expected to have a good meal. Nothing was special about this place. They don't bring real milk for the $2.50 coffee and there is no jam, sugar or honey dispenser. Everything is served from little containers like at a roadside trailer.
(1)zeke h.
Reasonably priced, country food. Beats Cracker Barrel, but not by a lot. Food is plain, not particularly flavorful, but hot and served quickly. PIE is the saving grace. mmmm
(3)neph n.
I'll never go here again. I've eaten here about 4x in six months on various trips to the area this year. The food always sounds so good and the crowds are reassuring, but then you take a bite.... everything is a major "eh" except for the sweet tea - which, at over $2 is overpriced.... and anyone can make sweet tea. Most importantly, the servers make you feel like you're a nuisance and you wish you weren't there to bother them. The first thing the server said to us was "What do you want to drink?" two seconds after we sat down. How about a "hi, Happy 4th of July, I'll be your server, what can I get-ch-ya to drink?" This sort of minimal interaction has been standard of my last several experiences to Rowe's. I was a server for over 8 years... when you make your living on tips, be nice! Make people feel comfortable and even happy to be there! In this economy - in any service industry in any economy, the interaction you have with the establishment is vital. Each time that I've gone here in the last year, I think I've thought "I don't ever need to go here again, I hope I remember" and I keep forgetting. Hopefully my review will help me remember. I'd much rather visit a new independent restaurant in Staunton. Never again.
(1)Jeff S.
Decided to come here instead of the nearby Cracker Barrel, in the interest of supporting local businesses. Fairly standard diner fare; I had the chipped beef (standard) with a side of apple cider bacon (interesting). They brought a carafe of coffee, which was nice, as one of the more frustrating things is waiting for the waitress to refill your cup.
(3)Paul E.
There is no better place for a slice of pie anywhere. Period. The tart-and-not-too-sweet lemon (mercifully spared any yellow food coloring) is crowned with a gloriously high, perfectly browned meringue. The coconut cream seems to favor the coconut over the cream. And all of these reside within a classic, wonderfully flaky homestyle crust (with just that perfect hint of vinegar). If you close your eyes while taking a bit of the strawberry rhubarb you're likely to be transported back in time to a perfect July picnic in your grandmother's backyard. Mrs. Rowes is an institution and for classic Southern roadside fare you can't find a better spot (right down to the waitstaff that they seem to have found in central casting). But the five stars go to the pies. Mmmm!
(5)Barbara B.
Modestly priced, diner-type food. After reading all the positive reviews about their pies, we ordered a slice of apple pie. The filling was good, but the crust was quite disappointing.
(2)Ford M.
Average food. Prices are a little high. Don't think it was home-cooked. Crowded.
(3)Eva L.
My bf and I were in Stauton for 1 and half days and tried to go there for dinner but they close really early so the next morning we got a tin of cookies to go from them (we have our own cookie tin so I didn't pay attention to whether Mrs. Rowe's sells tins or not ). The cookies are amazing. They are moist, soft, not overly buttered but just enough to satisfy the craving for the extra fat you have when you eat a cookie. If I ever get a chance to be in the region again I am bringing a larger tin!
(4)Kelly G.
Chocolate pie...seriously good chocolate pie. Need I say more? If you are looking for good southern cooking, look no further. If you're ever driving down I81 in Virginia, make sure you time your trip accordingly for a stop in Staunton.
(5)kelly m.
Lunchtime yesterday. A limited menu if you're trying to find something relatively healthful. Most entrees sounded heavy and geared towards dinnertime (ex: roast beef platter) but I guess that's what people come here for. Chef salad (the only salad option aside from the obligatory generic garden side salad) was delivered in a large bowl, which I Iiked. Iced tea was served in glass carafes, which I loved because you don't have to keep asking for refills. Staff was friendly and the place felt homey and welcoming. Desserts looked yummy but that's not my thing. They also had large upright freezers full of their menu options that you can take home with you. Nice! I would return but when I'm in the mood for a hearty meal...and near Staunton. A banner across the front of the restaurant says it was one of the best 10 southern breakfasts according to some magazine in 2005......(kinda funny b/c it was 6 years ago, anything recently?)
(3)Mike M.
Pies: 5 star. Dinner: 3 star. Pies are the best I've had (particularly the fruit pies). Stick with baked goods. The dinners are fine, but none of the options were particularly memorable in the context of other Southern meat-and-veg restaurants.
(4)Wayne S.
Guess I'll be the difficult one here. I went today (Friday) evening before it got busy. 430PM when I showed up. The server I had was non plussed and really didn't seem to want to be there. She was also in a hurry for me to order. On the menu it said (Allow for extra prep time) or something similar for several meals to include the pan fried chicked which is what I ordered. I was glad as I had my paper and was looking forward to reading it. I barely started on the paper when the meal was delievered. Obviously they precook the chicken and kept it warm as it was not cooked for me. I got the 1/2 chicken and if that was a 1/2 chicken I'd hate to see how small the 1/4 chicken is. I ordered pie for dessert based on comments here. Got the Pecan Pie. It was good enough but nowhere near the best I've ever had. When I first asked for a pie list to order the server said I'll just tell you what we have. She named 5 total, none which interested me. When I asked if they didn't have Pecan she said they did. It wasn't on the list she supposedly memorized. Overall not very impressed with the place.
(2)Andy M.
We just ate at Mrs Rowes. Yummy southern pan fried chicken. Great service very southern feel VERY clean. Very respnably priced Unbelievable coconut cream meringue pie.
(4)Amy M.
If you want a real southern breakfast, this is the place! Country ham and biscuits with sausage gravy were as good as they come. The whole place is squeaky clean and the people are really friendly.
(4)Bill D.
What a great find. I have been in the road for two days and was pulling into the Cracker Barrel when I saw the parking lot loaded at Mrs. Rowes and decided to give it a shot. Great choice! The food was reasonably priced, delicious,home cooked and the service was excellent. If you are driving 81 or even if you are from the area this is a very good choice
(4)D A.
This is a breakfast review. I grew up in the area and have great memories of family meals over the years...mainly family dinners. We were in town for a weekend and tried the Sunday breakfast. Unfortunately, the menu items felt like a game of hit or miss. We had a party of six. It's possible to have a really good meal, but you would need to order wisely. Starting with the bad, the pancakes were awful (think Green Acres). Improving from there, the home fries, bacon and coffee were ok. I tasted the sausage biscuit and that was good. Scrambled eggs and omelette were also good. While we did not have it, the toasted homemade bread going to other tables looked great. In the unlikely case that I go back for breakfast, I would get scrambled eggs with grits, toast and sausage.
(2)Susan V.
I know Rowe's has been around for many years. And generally, people here love it. While the staff is topnotch, the food is meh. Sugar is a big ingredient. I don't particularly like my green beans to taste sweet. If you love Southern cooking, you'll like Rowe's. If you want a restaurant that supports locally sourced and fresh ingredients, this is not the restaurant for you.
(2)