The Bent Fork Grill

I’m very pregnant and very sad that I can no longer visit this place which became my favorite restaurant… If ANYONE has any information on the chipotle sauce recipe, please let me know. I’ve been trying to get my hands on it but no one will seem to reply to me. /:

I had the tornado burger and it was amazing! The garlic parmesan tater tots are delicious too. The hard cider was great and cheap — only $ 1.75 a bottle. $ 5 for a captain and coke isn’t bad either. Atmosphere was relaxed and casual, perfect for our group after our weekly volleyball game.
My only complaint was that the corn hole set was… disgusting. The bags were hard and nasty looking, so bad that we all didn’t even want to play with them. Another customer not part of our group tried throwing a bag and then promptly went to wash her hands.
Otherwise, however, I have no complaints. You can eat inside or outside and the area is gated so that you can bring your dog and let it run around while you eat. Definitely a place I will be going to again!

«The Emperor’s New Clothes» (Danish: Kejserens nye Klæder) is a short tale by Hans Christian Andersen about two weavers who promise an Emperor a new suit of clothes that is invisible to those unfit for their positions, stupid, or incompetent. When the Emperor parades before his subjects in his new clothes, a child cries out, «But he isn’t wearing anything at all!» The tale has been translated into over a hundred languages.[1]
When I read all of the other reviews for The Bent Fork Grill, I feel a bit like the voyueristic child on nudity patrol. Maybe it’s me, maybe I’m missing something, but I can’t get all worked up into a froth over The Bent Fork Grill.
The burgers? Yep, they are very good burgers. I ordered the Cowboy Burger, was able to eat and digest it, and it did its thing for the next several hours. As it should have. Scratch the tots, Onion Rings instead, same deal. They were onions coated in batter and deep fried. Served with Love.
Well, hang on a second there. I can understand how some people would not be huge fans of the service at Bent Fork Grill… but to me, it has a touch of European flair in that the service people are not bothering me while I’m having a good time. They trust me to let them know when I need something. Indeed, service like this is something that I seek out far and wide, so what some say is a negative actually gathers a star in for me.
There is local beer on tap. ‘Nuther star.
So am I downing this place? Not at all, it has appropriate vibe for this part of town, has outdoor seating, nice divey feel to the place. The Bent Fork Grill is A-OK…and that isn’t a bad thing at all. I’m just not seeing the source of the Gratuitous Unilocal Love… but am willing to have my eyes opened! If/​when that happens, my follow up review will once again feature Hans Christian Andersen, but this time, instead of looking at naked old rulers, the kid is going to stick his finger in a dyke… consider yourselves warned.
This one is a 3.5 stars, but I’m rounding down in this case.

Whoah! I know I start my reviews a lot with «how did I not know this place existed?» But seriously… HOW DID NOT KNOW? Bent Fork Grill is a small building with two or three two tops inside and a few patio tables outside. I ordered a burger with gouda, bacon, jalepenos, and chipotle sauce. It… was amazing. Nicely seasoned burger, juicy, awesomeness. Then, to make it even better, it was served with PARMESEAN GARLIC TATER TOTS… whaaat!!! So amazing! Their mac n cheese bites are pretty spicy… I’m pretty sure it’s nacho cheese in there. It’s amazing. They have live entertainment and the drink specials are the bomb. Go there. Like, right now.

Great Food, Great Price, Came in on a rainy day a few weeks ago, Sat down and watched the Man work, Flavors were excellent, Had the Tornado Burger and a Philly Cheese Steak, Yes i have hunger issues :) Both were fantastic. Ill be back when I’m in town.

The food at Bent Fork never fails to satisfy. With that being said, it’s not at all so memorable that I can still taste the flavors in my mouth thinking about it. Perhaps what makes it so great is the fact that it’s made with passion. The passion for cooking unhealthy deep fried food to the local neighborhood drunks. None of these are on a bad light per-​say, it’s just not as appetizing to experience almost every time we venture to this little shack.
Small space inside, but there are several wooden picnic table seating outside. You wouldn’t want to be stuck inside smelling like their famous Parmesan tater tots. Oh and restrooms are outside on a separate building.
Bumped up their star from a 3 to a 4 because they’re dog friendly and plenty of outdoor seating during the nicer days. I think I would still prefer dog-​n-​burger before bent fork though.

I was waiting in line at the mcdonalds next door, saw the sign and figured I’d give it a shot… best lunch decision I’ve made this year.
Quality of the burger was superb. BEC single with extra pepper jack and one egg on top.
Tater tots as a side (huge plus for me)
Pricing was legit.
I’ve driven past this place almost 10 months now and upset I hadn’t found it sooner!
Seriously, do yourself a favor and come visit Ron and his crew!
–Juan Carlos

Well, we’ve gone back a couple of times now after my last review and things have changed. The owner is still a bit gruff but the other staff is pretty friendly. They’ve added garlic Parmesan tater tots as a side. I’m not a huge fan of tater tots… at all, but these bad boys are soooooo good! There is more seating now but by more I mean just a few more chairs… but plenty of seating outside if you have a larger party or of there’s no room (except right now in the winter or in bad weather).
The wasabi burger is no longer on the menu (sad face). We did get the chili cheese fries and that was probably the only time we’ll order it again. We’ve ordered pancakes for the baby and they were super fluffy and delicious. The pork BBQ sandwich was terrific. The burgers remain delicious. We had a bit of a hiccup with the burger with bleu cheese on it… the portion of bleu cheese was super generous but overpowered the burger.
Still, better visits mean we’re definitely coming back and bringing the whole family when the weather is nicer. They’ve got some cornhole games set up and also some Cute picnic tables for the pipsqueaks.

For a cheeseburger and dog this joint is great. Great things come to those who wait… And your gonna wait becuase they move slow!!! Call ahead to eat in.
Black and blue burger is really good.
Chilli cheese fries are not that great at all. The tater tots are not my fave. Suggest the onion rings!
Spicy burger was really good too!

I love how this place is quaint and small. They have an area outside to eat with cornholes. They offer beer as well as a variety of other soft drinks.
I ordered the Cowboy burger and my friend got the Fish Tacos. I loved how the burger wasnt messy at all. My friend said his taco was good aka ‘crack’ Lol. I love how you get tots with your meal but you have the option to get fries or onion rings. Their tots are GOOOD btw… garlic parmesan! Definitely looking at coming back

I’m so shocked I haven’t written a review for this place yet! We’re here usually once a month or so, even if it’s just for some french fries (I really like their fries! lol). I love the irony of sitting at the bar in this joint where they really care about the uniqueness and quality of their food as you glance out the window at the Golden Arches of McDonalds! :-) They have some really great toppings and I’m a condiment/​topping person, so I really appreciate that. The hot dog with onion straws on it is my personal fav!
My only complaint is that I try to get my co-​workers to order from here all the time and although the owners are active on facebook (I love restaurants who USE their facebook pages) — I can never find a good menu online to share with everyone so we can order over the phone and pick up. I called once, they posted it online, but it was such poor quality that no one could read it. Something very small, but it would be very convenient!
Otherwise, as far as food and atmosphere, a very comfortable place with quality and fair priced food!

If you read my reviews then you know how much I enjoy the Bent Fork Grill. I try to make it here at least once a week and am still working my way through the menu. More often than not I end up writing about a burger, or my dog and a burger :)
This time however I’m writing about something else. Wings… Didn’t know the Bent Fork had wings? I didn’t either. They’re excellent wings and unique to. How so you ask? Well, they’re grilled not fried and let me tell you that’s an art form all unto itself.
I tried these wings for the first time just a couple of weeks ago and they are delicious. The sauce is also a house sauce and it comes across as a combination of smokey BBQ with some heat. Absolutely delicious and if you like wings I recommend giving them a try next time you’re at the Bent Fork.

I absolutely adore this place. It’s a cute, hidden gem tucked away in between McDonald’s and a bank. I think the only reason the McDonald’s is still in business is because people just don’t see Bent Fork or haven’t tried it yet. I certainly can’t ever see going next door ever again when Bent Fork is right there.
These guys are the most pet-​friendly place to eat in Norfolk. Bring your furry children! The patio is completely fenced in, and they provide full water bowls at all times.
I ordered the Bent Fork burger and a bunless hot dog for my pup, Zarina. She enjoyed her «fancy» people food, and the guys served it to her right from a basket just like she was another of their human patrons.
My burger was delicious and juicy: layered with lettuce, fresh tomato, bacon, cheddar cheese, and slathered with a nice smoky chipotle sauce.
The Parmesan tots were also yummy; they’re sprinkled with parm and parsley, and they’re just the right blend of salty and savory without being too cheesy.
I asked Zarina what she thought of her hot dog, and she just licked her lips and gave me a doggy grin. :)

Bent Fork Grill is Awesome! I went last night to the UYE ( Unilocal) Burger and Dog get together. It was fun to meet all the Unilocalers and their dogs.
Great Dog Friendly Place! I enjoyed the big fenced in area where where you can let your pup run around and they have a number of water bowls for the dogs. Nice picnic tables out here too. Inside it smelled great — the guys were busy cooking but made time to take orders quick. There are a few draft kraft beers and the IPA I tried was fantastic. I ordered the Cowboy Burger and a New York Hot all the way. Both were great looking, smelled great and tasted out of this world! My son Chris had a veggie wrap and fries.
I sure enjoyed the Bent Fork Grill. It is not fancy (and does not need to be). I saw a number of items I need to try there soon — Philly Cheese Steak, Philly Chicken and great looking hot dogs.
The weather was cool and windy for this outing. I look forward to going here on warm sunny day.
Bent Fork is awesome!
I’ve added some photos from this visit.

This place is killing it! Us Unilocalers can’t catch a break when it comes to weather. It’s either hot or cold for us. Either way they are serving some kick ass food.
Any burger on the menu is off the hook. Tonight I had the A-​1 Swiss burger. Be sure to get the fries and covered with Old Bay. If you have a wild hair up your ass add some jalapeño peppers and finish things off with a chocolate milkshake.
Leave a few fries for your pup. He/​she will love you forever especially after taking you to a dog friendly patio. Tonight we have seven Unilocaling dogs join us adults. It’s like we were parents watching our kids play… yelling at them and making sure they were all nice to each other.
I did get a bite in from KC’s dog. :)

This is a nice spot off of Granby tucked away in small brick building next door to a McDonald’s. I came in after reading a couple of Unilocal reviews raving about it, and since it’s not far from where I live i figured I’d check it out.
The place itself is tight — there is a small bar (which seats about 3) and one table inside, but plenty of outdoor seating if you’re looking to dine-​in. On occasion they break out their custom cornhole boards so that you can have a little fun if you so choose. Most of their menu is written out on a chalkboard but, if you look at the menu underneath the glass cover on the two-​top table inside, there are a few more items. It was the menu on the table that I discovered the Wasabi Burger and quickly ordered it.
Let me tell you that the Wasabi Burger is incredibly good. I believe it’s a half-​pound patty, cooked to order, and is topped off with cucumbers and a wasabi mayo that is delicious. The wasabi mayo has a nice kick to it and goes well with the cucumbers. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something a little different in your burgers.
To be honest, that’s what The Bent Fork specializes in. They offer a wide selection of specialty burgers, all of which are tasty and juicy. They do offer other items like hot dogs, subs, wraps and cheesesteaks, so they have that covered, too. TBF serves breakfast, which I haven’t tried, but look to forward to when I return. In addition they have beer on tap, so that’s always good if you’re trying to unwind a little after a tough work day.
The one place I can compare The Bent Fork to is Ghent’s Dog –n– Burger. DnB has a more diverse (but fairly simple) menu of items (still very tasty, do not get me wrong), whereas The Bent Fork sets itself apart from other burger joints with their imaginative spins. The type of burgers TBF serves are what I expect to see at an upscale restaurant, but TBF does so without charging insane prices.
So if you’re craving a good burger and wouldn’t mind trying one with some unusual (at least different) toppings, head over to The Bent Fork. If the food itself doesn’t sell you then take note that the guys working there (Will and Ron) are very friendly and can hold plenty of good conversation. And hey, cornhole, that’s always a plus. JV

If you saw the movie Harold and Kumar go to White Castle, that was kind of like my journey to the place but not that intense.
My friend had a groupon deal, so we went, and it was closed! We were talking about it the whole day, looking at the reviews seeing what we wanted to order, so we were kind of bummed that we couldn’t eat there and that the groupon was going to expire in a couple of days.
So we try again on the day it was going to expire, we called ahead to make sure that it was open before I trek it from Virginia Beach. Called a couple of times and NO answer! We thought maybe it’s closed. Again we were sooo looking forward to trying the burgers.
FINALLY 4 weeks later, we end up going. This place is a cool hole in the wall place as you can imagine! We explained our story and the guy actually took our groupon even though it expired, so that was really nice of him, when he didn’t have to do that.
The Burgers were great! Fresh tasting, non-​oily and very moist! It was a worth the 2 attempts trying to head over there. They did get rid of the Wasabi burger which I was totally looking forward to having. The minus star is for the fries, they only thing that was frozen, it would be great to get some fresh fries from cut potatoes.
Ill be back again!

I’m trying desperately to hold onto my Duchess title!
I am almost positive since my very first review last year they have indeed increased their burger size and have actually added more amazing flavors that you only know if you’re in the «know.» Ya know?
The burgers here are fantastic. The sides are also pretty darn amazing but we mostly come here for the meat. Specifically, the breakfast burger and their jalapeño cream cheese (it probably has a really cool name. but I have no idea what it is) burger.
If you go often enough they know you and if you pretty much order the same thing they’ll know that, too. I love this place. If burgers, bacon and onion rings weren’t so bad for my «it’s almost Summer» diet plan, I’d definitely be here all the time.
And they still love dogs! Yay! I can’t wait till the weather clears up a bit so we can eat outside instead of doing take out.

I wanted to wait for a nice day but my Groupon expired today so I grabbed a co-​worker and said «let’s go spend this». My understanding is this place used to be a car wash, you’d never know it. It’s an attractive little building with plenty of outdoor space which is fenced in. Great place to bring your four legged buddy. For a dreary day, this place was hopping inside.
We got the bacon/​bleu burger, the bent fork burger, jalapeño poppers and onion rings. The burger was tasty, grilled on a flat top and topped with bleu cheese crumbles and well cooked bacon. My lunch companion enjoyed his burger as well. The poppers were the highlight of the meal. Just enough heat cooled down by the creamy cheese, yummo. However, my onion rings were over cooked (bordering on burnt) and too salty (see pic), that was a big disappointment.
I’ll give it a try again when the weather clears up.

The owners of this place are very charming and accommodating, they produce a terrific product, and are now starting to experience the success they’ve deserved for all their hard work.
Easily the most dog friendly restaurant in all of Hampton Roads, I frequently hold UYE’s here for the pups to get in on all the cheese covered bacon goodness. And they love Unilocalers, two and four legged alike.
The breakfast burger is an all star here, but the menu has great variety and is entirely customizable. Recently had the pulled pork, and while it was unlike anything I’ve ever had before, I’m a fan. They have an ABC license and a great local beer to try on tap is Smartmouth.
Seeing as this is one of my go to joints, I will continue to do battle over the Duchess title. It will be an epic and tasty battle.