sandfiddler cafe

sandfiddler plays no 2nd "fiddle"!. ok let me start this review off by saying my visit ofsandfiddlerwas by complete chance. i was in the area visiting a client when our meeting got pushed back. so i had an hour to kill. since it was lunch time i thought i would go ahead and grab a bite nearby. i pulled the trusty urbanspoon ap on the droid and started lookin'. well there was sandfiddler, when i saw the 90% "like" ranking and amount of votes well over 350, i knew i had to check this little baby out. so i did just that. i rolled up to find a very clean shop front and customers streaming in and out. i thought this place must be pretty happening with that kind of traffic. as i entered i noted right away how clean the place looked. well organized and nicely decorated. i was greeted immediately by warm smiling faces, i would later find out it was the owner jeff, and my server. it's a really laid back atmosphere so you can seat yourself. that only adds to the great chilled out beach theme. my server was there right away and asked for my drink order. i of course got my usual, an ice cold diet coke, it came quickly, served in a really cool, very unique glass, it was big but not hard to pick up. i like that. the syrup to soda ratio was spot on so the flavor was great! as i scanned the menu i came across (as many of you who follow my reviews know as my favorite) a club sandwich, jackpot! i ordered the club on sour dough with fries. i waited just a few minutes for my food. during that time i watched the staff, they are real pros. lots of smiles, on top of refills, communication between the cooks and the servers was spot on, and they all seemed to know everyone that walked in. that's awesome in my book. so the big moment! my club was here. it looked delicous! (i posted many pics above for you to see) the plating was great, just the way a club should be, cut into 4 triangles, frill picked, and the fries piled high in the middle was a great touch. and to top it off a great crunchy pickle spear. the bread was so good, it was soft and warm with just a kiss of toasting. the meats were fresh sliced thin, in true authentic deli fashion. i could pick out all the meats individually when i bit into it ham, turkey, fresh grilled hickory bacon. the tomato and lettuce were also fresh as can be, crispy, cold and juicy. and to round off this masterpiece were super creamy mayo and a fresh slice of american cheese. i was really excited about the fries, they were crinkle cut (real diner style), cooked to perfection, they were piping hot but showed no signs of over browning. that tells me that thesandfiddleris all about quality and they switch their fryer oil regularly. i devoured it all, it was sublime. this was a top notch experience. i know i usually say "i recommend" a place when i like them. but in this case i am telling that you have to go here! it was that great! you won’t be disappointed. i got to glimpse some other plates while i was there, one right after the other had the same quality jumping off the plate. i like this place so much that i created a new guide because of them. “clubin” it in hampton roads. you can see it listed here on sandfiddler's page or you can find it on my page, just click my name. again, bottom line:sandfiddleris off the chain! great job sandfiddler, jeff, and the gang! you guys rock!

sandfiddler restaurant. i took my mom and wife to thesandfiddlerfor breakfast. the food was terrific, the service was excellent, the prices moderate, and it was super clean. they specialize in breakfast, but they are also open for lunch. i grew up in norfolk, and now every time i visit i intend to eat there. i had a made to order omelet and hash browns. my wife had eggs, pancakes and sausage, my mom had the french toast. we all loved it. they give servicemen, police and firefighters in uniform a discount. they support the local arts community by selling their art without a commission. i am looking forward to going back. we eat out fairly often and i give this place an a+.

not worth the hoopla. i have been tosandfiddleron a few occasions due to the high reviews, but those obviously come from the regulars!! i felt this place was nothing special, way too costly for undercooked eggs and burnt bacon. tried a couple of their "homemade" desserts as suggested and they obviously have been there a long time and tasted like the fridge!! overall this place stinks, don't waste your time or money coming out there. stick with the broken egg or citrus, so much better!!!

a loyal patron!. this has got to be the premier spot for breakfast in the oceanview area, not to mention lunch , if you haven't been tosandfiddlercafe, then you just haven't tried the best, their eggs benedict is one of my favorites, and the service is unrivaled, everyone who works there is deicated to making your breakfast or lunch experience there one to remember and one that will bring you back time and again as it has done wit me and my family , paula,steff,&steven have done a wonderful job of creating an atmosphere that is conducive to a very enjoyable meal wheather it be breakfast or lunch, try it you will like it i promise.


-----13 dec, 2011-----

john. i have been eating there since they opened the doors in 2006, paula & steff are special people, they care about their community and the kind of service that they give to each and every customer, the food is fabulous the service is unrivalled and the staff is the best ,always smiling and so helpful, if you leave there not stuffed , it's your fault! their eggs benidict is in my openion the best around,bar none. this is the place to eat breakfast & lunch in oceanview, you won't be disapointed, i guarentee it,!.

wow!. thesandfiddlercafe is located in the north east corner of ocean view and easy to find in the only shopping center in that area. you can get there from east ocean view blvd or come up from little creek road. you can't miss it.

they serve breakfast and lunch during their daily hours of operation. we arrived around noon time and were immediately seated. it's a good thing we arrived when we did as the place literally filled up to the brim shortly after we were seated. that's a good sign.

for breakfast this morning i had their meal called 'the hungry fisherman'. it consisted of 3 eggs any way you like, 2 sausages (patty or link), 2 pieces of bacon and either toast or a biscuit and a side. i choose the home fries with onions and cheddar cheese. other side choices include, hash browns, grits, spiced apples, pancakes or fresh fruit. this breakfast was so filling i considered coming home and taking a nap. :)

my guest had the 'fiddler' french toast combo with came with 4 pieces of french toast, 2 eggs to order and 2 pieces of either bacon or sausage.

the staff was very down home and friendly with lots of seating in both booths and a counter in the back by the kitchen. the restaurant is also decorated with a large variety of local beach art and nick knacks that are for sale. i can't wait to go back and try lunch sometime soon.

how about an insult with that coffee?. after a perfectly fine though not especially impressive breakfast (think corned beef hash going from can to microwave), my husband and i left our money along with a modest tip (had to ask for coffee refills and fetch our own cream) we departed the cafe which, on a quiet summer friday morning had a handful of diners. however, this is a very small room so everyone heard everything. not ten steps to the car but some mad woman comes out the door shouting at us that we did not pay our bill. i turned and explained i had left a twenty under the check and she exclaimed, loudly, that "well, its not there now!". we returned to the cafe, all eyes on us and she found the twenty on the floor by our table. she gave me a quick " i apologize" and turned away. funny huh, how she could shriek "thief" at the top of her lungs, shout that the money "is not here now" but practically whispered an apology. here is what she should have done upon picking up the check and seeing no money instead of dressing down her customer in front of god and everyone. looked on the seating and floor areas around the table (this one step would have solved the problem), kindly asked us if we had paid someone else or put the money under the sugar jar, something other than assuming the worst first. when told where the money was she should have smiled and and apologized and gone looking for it. upon finding the money on the floor where she dropped it, she should have loudly and profusely apologized, at least as loudly as she accused. we were treated terribly and we will not go back and further, we will tell everyone we know not to go. we are lifelong, loyal oceanview residents who dine out frequently. ov does not need folks like that. we're good people here, not run out on our check thieves. good riddancesandfiddlerin that run down shopping center.

ever since we foundsandfiddlertwo years ago, it's been our "go to" breakfast joint. we don't mind driving a bit (passing several restaurants along the way) to enjoy the friendly, family atmosphere and good home-style cookin'. the experience starts with a welcome from paula, steph or steve that's lets you know they really do appreciate your business and are willing to earn it - every visit. the service is super, food's great, clean & comfortable setting for a good value. what's not to love?

military lovessandfiddlercafe. i give thesandfiddlermy highest rating for cleanliness, customer service and most of all the terrific food! i've been stationed in norfolk for ten months and came here from the washington d.c. area. this place is like my home away from home with cooking actually better than my ma (sorry mom). my husband and i eat at thesandfiddler2 - 3 times every week. i am especially impressed how the owners support local artists and local events -- like the annual st. patricks day parade. thanks to their refferals i own some beautiful paintings and ceramic art. this is more than just a cafe -- this is a group of people who came together and who treats all their customers just like their very own family.

home away from home. we always eat atsandfiddleron weekends before going to work. i look forward to it all week. i love the food, and they are always asking us how things are, and any way they need to improve on anything. i love it and i love pauly, steph, and steve, they welcome everyone with open arms and make you feel special. its like a neighborhood gathering place, with good food, and good friendly people. bah humbug to those who didnt like it, i"m sorry about that, and sorry they did not have the experience everyone else has. momma pat


-----17 feb, 2010-----

pat alexander. the best kept secret in ocean view no longer, delicious salads of all kinds especially the harvest salad with strawberries walnuts and feta cheese and a balsamic dressing, my savorite. best brealfast amd best hospitality. try it you will love it.

the best, not just of ov either!. my husband, jack, & i grew up in norfolk but have lived in vb, thalia, for the past 15 years. we make the shore dr ride to thesandfiddlercafe often but it still doesn't seem to be often enough for us. the food is so down to earth, just like home. the prices are great but the real extrodinare in this quaint little spot is truly the staff. paula, steph, all the wait staff & even the kitchen folks are so friendly & attentive it will promise to bring you back time after time. you owe it to yourself to come in for a great breakfast or lunch. i promise you'll become a regular also. hope to see ya there soon.
much love, bonnie & jack owens.. & pretty girl too! hugs~

we love it! we love it! weloveit!!!. my wife & i love thesandfiddlercafé. paula, steve, & steph have adopted us & constantly keep us spoiled rotten. really good food, cooked to order, & served by a favored member of my extended family. i do get kind of jealous when i look around and see them spoiling all their other customers too. great food, great staff, & a saturday morning must, as well as other times in the week whenever we can.
neil & dee whitworth

i love thesandfiddlercafe. i truly feel like i'm part of thesandfiddlerfamily. when i was brought to virginia from new york, on my second call to duty; comming to thesandfiddlercafe wasn't just the great food and service you'd expect from a dedicated family of restauranteurs. for me, it's a little slice of heaven. with it's great staff; warm and friendly ways, thesandfiddlercafe is quite superior to anything i could have expected. thesandfiddlercafe is truly the cultural center of east ocean view. almost as delightful as the staff, is its clientel. with great location, prices, food and service, thesandfiddlercafe is a very specail place. despite even the rainy weather patrons and staff alike just want to come to thesandfiddlercafe to have fun. put this restaurant on your commute to work in the morning like i do, and thin follow up on weekends. why? because like dorothy says in the wizzard of oz, "there's -no place like home."

thesandfiddleris the best restaurant in ocean view...great food, great atmosphere, great staff! :d

best restaurant. we have been going to thesandfiddlercafe every weekend since they opened.the owners paula and steff are fantastic.the restaurant staff are upbeat and greet you with a smile.the food is wonderful. great prices. great atmosphere. .its really a great place to start or end your day. the grilled ham and cheese with chip fries my favorite,with paulas chocolate brownie to end my meal.you really have to try the best in ocean view

sweet smiling waitress. we try to make it tosandfiddlerevery sunday. great breakfast, and the curly haired waitress is never without a smile. everyone that works there is very pleasant. great place.