You’ll be paying for the location and the history at Smithfield Station – not the food or service, which are both fair at best.
Located on the river in the town from which it derives its name, Smithfield Station is a restaruant that has a long history in the area. It has been an eatery in one form or another for over 20 years, and locals are very fond of it.
It’s hard to be forgiving with a small restaurant when they charge what Smithfield Station does. Meals at the Station are in line with some of the best eateries in the entire state, so I’m going to judge them according to those standards.
The dining areas are very bright and airy, but this also means they are loud. Very loud, at times. The decor is typical seafood restaurant fare, with pictures of boats and wood furniture everywhere. In some places, such as the lobby, Smithfield Station seems to try to be classier than it is. The bar isn’t bad. In the end the most important is the dining area and that is a bit of a let down. It feels rigid and generic, and lacks any kind of inspriration.
Service varies depending on your waiter, but in general it is average. There are no table cleanings between courses, and patrons are often encouraged to keep silverware between servings. I had to ask for a steak knife (as did Geraldine), and the servers seem to have one too many tables each.
The food is easily the worst aspect of the experience at Smithfield Station. Food is overcooked and unimaginative, with a menu that almost never changes and no specials to speak of. This is the kind of place where medium rare comes out burnt and the vegetables have been wilting away under a heat lamp all night. The communal style bread is impossible to cut (not that you get a knife to cut it with), so you’re left to meaty fisted alternatives. If meals were fifteen dollars per person this might be acceptable, but you’re not spending less than double that at Smithfield Station.
Situated on the water, Smithfield Station is a laid back restaurant to dine at while boat watching. They serve both lunch and dinner, offering a variety of seafood, beef, and pork entrees as well as salads and sandwiches. The servers are friendly and eager to please. No single course of mine really stood out. My shrimp appetizer, served with warm butter for dipping, was average. The salad that came with my meal was made with iceberg lettuce and reminded me of a salad you’d get at one of those all you can eat buffet places. I will say that all of the veggies on it were fresh and crunchy.
For the main course I ordered pork. I thought the pork was slightly overcooked but the sauce on top helped. The creamy sauce complimented the pork. My side of mixed veggies were somewhat mushy, but the asparagus underneath my pork was prepared well—buttery with a nice little crunch.
You’re probably not going to be wowed by the food at Smithfield Station. It is not a fine dining establishment, so don’t expect pristine clean bathrooms. Don’t expect to be served from the correct side. Don’t expect new silverware between courses, and don’t expect excellent presentation of the food. It’s the place to go if you like being by the water and want a filling meal that tastes OK.
Contact Information for Smithfield Station:
Smithfield Station
415 S. Church St.
Smithfield, VA 23431
757-357-7700
http://www.smithfieldstation.com
