Woody McGees Barstro

I. Love. This. Place. Not only the brunch mimosas on Sunday’s but the FOOOOD! Love love!

As VA residents, we frequent the VA Beach area and are always looking for the little non-​chain gems that keep the locals coming back for more. Enter Woody McGee’s Barstro, and it’s a winner!
The restaurant/​bar has quite the interesting (almost paradoxical) layout, as it is a fairly serious bar on one side of the house, and the other is an American bistro with higher-​end fare like a Brussels Sprout Salad and Steak Diane. Amazingly, this place hits on all cylinders!
We started with the scallop appetizer, served smoky sweet corn and bacon cream. Amazing. The scallops were cooked perfectly with a nice sear, the corn and bacon combination was a rich compliment to the tender scallops. A perfect tasting to share without filling up before dinner.
I opted for the Half & Half Burger (50% ground beef and 50% ground bacon), and yes, it was as delicious as it sounds! Cooked to a perfect medium well with a nice balance of flavor between the smoky bacon and rich, buttery beef. It’s worth the hype and lives up to high expectations.
The wife got the Pistachio Chicken (again, this is served in a BAR) with Gouda Mashers. The chicken was juicy and not overpowered by the madeira cream sauce. Her main complaint was that she wanted more pistachios. The potatoes were outstanding and a nice compliment to mushrooms in the sauce.
Sadly, we were too full to go for dessert, but will likely give it another try the next time we are in the area.
Our main detractor from 5 Stars was the ambiance; as I mentioned, this place is a bar on one side that is incredibly loud and still allows smoking. While they clearly go out of their way to keep the two hemispheres of their brain cleanly divided, there is some spillage that takes a bit away from the overall experience for those that are just out for a nice dinner.

Great menu options, original selection. Spectacular «Boom Boom» shrimp! The Mac & Cheese is «Perfect!» Can’t wait to go back, there are several other menu items I’m dying to try.

The brussel sprout appetizer is a must have! Hubs got the ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ burger Sacramento style and they weren’t lying about the abundance of cheese. I had the crab cake sandwich. It was so good. Mostly meat and not a lot of filler.

We had an excellent Steak Diane and Beef Stroganoff. Both were excellent! The cornbread was delicious as a starter. The Bacon wrapped Brussels Sprouts (I normally refer to Brussels sprouts as «green balls of death») were excellent as well. The wait staff was very enjoyable and attentive. The joining bar, separated by a wall to deaden the volume of the music they were playing was a bit loud, but not enough to run us out or otherwise impact what we thought of the place. A must go-​to place for dinner.

We enjoyed the atmosphere it wasn’t all that loud on the non smoking side. By the way please be advised that this restaurant/​bistro has a non smoking area as well as smoking separately. We did not smell any smoke from the other part of the restaurant.
So far as the food it wasn’t anything out of the normal. It was tasty and well prepared the beverages were within reason.
I’m not sure why some of the complaints are here but we didn’t experience anything but good at this establishment. I do suggest though if you aren’t a smoker then utilize the entrance for the non smoking… you’ll notice there’s two different entrances.

My husband and I went here for a late dinner and it is one of the few places in Virginia Beach that is open past 10 pm so that is a plus. The food was okay but the main room with the bar and the band was a smoking section. If you wanted the smoke free section you had to go to a separate dining area in the back, completely cut off from the bar and the entertainment. I personally thought it should have been reversed and that if you wanted to smoke, smokers should have to go to the back room. Again the food was alright but not anything you wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else. I had meatloaf and my husband had jambalaya and both were pretty standard. The service was okay but again standard, not anything to rave about. It was a pretty dark, casual atmosphere. Honestly, it was a fairly nice place but the smoking and the smoke stench really turned me off and kind of ruined the experience. I just kind of figured that smoking was outdated now but not at this place. Be prepared to wash everything you wear because the smell just permeates. Also the cigarette smoke also takes away from the food. It may have been better than usual but all you smell is smoke which tends to mess up how you taste things.
Came back to look at other reviews to see if I was making a big deal or not. A lot of other people complain about the smoking issue and the owner (Don) repeatedly commented that he’s rarely heard complaints. Well I found at least ten complaints during a cursory Unilocal glance at the reviews. I can’t imagine the smokers are bringing that much more money in than your nonsmoking foodies who are coming in. Get with the program and get rid of smoking and stop passing on second hand smoke and carcinogens to your customers. I won’t be returning until the policy is changed.

This place is one of those hidden gems that you wouldn’t know is there unless you try it out. You can easily drive past it because the sign makes it look like your typical bar but the food is to die for! One side is a bar with pool tables, live music etc. Other side is a restaurant. The wife and I decided to stroll in on Saint Patrick’s day for our anniversary dinner so we look through the menu. Wife goes with the famous crabcakes and I went with the KC BBQ entrée, smothered boneless beef pieces with bowtie Mac & cheese and bacon smothered Brussels sprouts. That combination can’t go any more perfect than that, I ate everything till the last bite. I could have easily finished the crabcakes my wife had as well. No fillers for the crabcake and it was cooked perfectly. Cole slaw was definitely a standout point, it was absolutely perfect and it had a kick of spice to it. I loved every bite. I will definitely be back again to try something else that will satisfy my tastebuds!

Awesome food. It’s literally voted number one almost every year Burger almost every year & they earn it not to mention the prices being so low is especially amazing. Their food is hands-​down my favorite in the area.
Great live bands five or six days a week and all kinds of music not just one time. Every nights a little different when it comes to the crowds the music played.
Great drinks and drink specials made by Awesome bartenders that know how to make a hell of a drink. This place all in all is an A++ restaurant & bar that I’d without a doubt say to check out!!!

I felt this place has lots of potential. It has a nice atmosphere. Waitstaff took a while to circle around, and I get it when you’re super busy, but it was kinda slow. Very friendly, though. For the price, the portions aren’t particularly impressive. I had to order a second entrée to get my fill. I initially order the special, which was duck. My second entrée was meatloaf. Both very tasty, but the duck was a tease. All that being said, the drinks we very nice. Food was great quality.

Started out with some jalapeño corn bread honestly my first time having it this way, which breaks up the manonty of having the regular and now by comparison, dry corn bread of normal places that offer cornbread.
What first drew us in was the pictures on Unilocal,with their ever changing menu was kinda misleading, the run a special «bacon week» which runs at different times each year. However they still have a well equipped menu.
Not a first date type place…
These burgers are so big and sloppy I’m glad its just my husband with me and not my friend’s cause we are going ham on this burger its dripping down our faces and all. These sweet potato fries came with cinnamon and sugar butter for dipping. And this Brussels sprout salad… not what i expected you dont even have to like Brussels sprouts to like this, they should of just named it fun flavors in your mouth salad!
The waitress did forget to put order salad order in but other then that I’m really glad she asked me if i ever ordered this ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ burger before because she wants me to know its the bacon thats pink, the burger is fully cooked and i shouldnt worry. I thought it was very motherly of her.
The vibe in here is kinda old country tavern type setting. Its kinda slow pace, its got a seperate smoking side which we didnt venture to.

We use to be a huge fan of this place when it first opened, but they’ve been through so many cooks and wait staff it’s hard to really enjoy it. You really never know how the food is going to be and wait staff is sometimes on point or horrible.
Not a bad place for a quick burger, but there specials aren’t great and their brunch is terrible.

I always go to the bar. Sunday is Happy Hour all day! Beer $ 2.00−2.50!!! Great place to go.

nope! Sorry and mind you this was some time ago, but every time I pass by this place I still get the jitters, and my friend can attest to this story. We ordered the Nachos and a few drinks, a «critter» pops out and run across my plate. Around this time, I notify my waiter who looked at me deadpan and says «I guess I’ll get you another order of nachos». I would hope so! The waiter at the time made a comment about how a critter couldn’t have survived the heat from being «in the nachos». I didn’t think that would be a comment someone would make after their customer is upset after this «visit». I had to argue to get it removed from my check and the manager never came out to discuss. Again this was some time ago, maybe I’ll give it another chance but every time I hear someone give this place praise, I look at my friend and we both gag in unison.

I’ve been to Woody McGees three times and have never had any major problems with it. On the bistro side the vibe is chill, the service is impeccable and the food is okay. The barstro side is a little tougher mainly because I don’t breathe well in the midst of cigarette smoke, but in that case I just make it a point to not saunter over to that side.
The last two visits to Woody McGees resulted in me ordering their jambalaya both times. The first time I had it it was fantastic but my most recent visit (¹²⁄₂₃) had me second-​guessing. The jambalaya seemed bland and the sauce was too runny (if that makes sense). I just didn’t enjoy it as much as the first time I had it. So next time I’ll opt for another dish.
Overall, though, Woody McGees is a fine place. I like their takes on traditional dishes (they offer some daring burgers) and they hae daily specials which are difficult to pass up. Combined with the strong service and the laid-​back atmosphere this can easily be a regular spot. Give it a try if you haven’t and I think you’ll be happy with the results. JV

I went to Woody McGees with a few old friends that I hadn’t seen in a long time. The food was delicious and service was friendly and fast! We came for lunch. There wasn’t a wait and it wasn’t crowded, which allowed us to take our time.
We talked with our server and found out that they only purchase soda from a local vendor. They also offer a variety of craft beers. We sat in the restaurant side, but there was a bar area that is popular on the weekends.
Will definitely visit again!

Came in somewhat late (for me, I’m old) after a rowdy night at Dave & Buster’s. I ordered the Sacramento Burger. It was interesting to say the least. My plate of fries, the top bun for my burger, along with the lettuce & tomato came out first. Next I was brought a plate with my burger amid a giant ring well-​done cheese. It was still soft enough that I could fold it without cracking but it wasn’t gooey. I had to get creative to eat it. It was an experience, I won’t ever order it again but I didn’t hate it. Personally, I would have made a cheese cracker just big enough to put under the burger on the bottom bun. The burger itself was perfectly cooked and my husband loved his cheesesteak sandwich. The complimentary jalapeño cheddar cornbread was also very good. Service was quick and our waitress was especially personable. I’m a fan.

Came here on a hunt for She Crab soup. Woody McGees didn’t disappoint! The soup was delicious, as was the crab cake sandwich! Also very reasonably priced for the quality.
Additionally, the non smoking area was very quiet and calming, and our server was incredibly friendly!

Feeling a craving for a good burger, Unilocal brought me to Woody McGees where I opted for a beer special I can’t remember and the «burger of the day». Good service from Amanda who stopped by often but not too often.
Probably a third pound burger in a thick patty, served on a pretzel bun with pepper jack cheese and a tequila habanero pineapple salsa. Messy as heck, not nearly as spicy as advertised. The burger was good, not great. The sweet potato fries were good and crisp.
All told, it was A-​OK. I’d go back, maybe have something other than a burger next time.

OMG… Yes, I mean it.
I’m shock and surprised that this place is tremendously good. I absolutely enjoyed everything I ordered most especially the entrée.
Luckily when we get in to the place; a friend and I didn’t really que for the table. The front greeter took us directly to the spot and arrange for our server. The waitress was very pleasant and knowledgeable of what they have on the menu.
As for the starter, I ordered the bacon wrapped dill pickles and I thought it was very creative. Well, who could have gone wrong with bacon… My only critics, it was a bit oily and would have been nice to sit a little while to drained the excess oil.
My main course, was the highlight of my meal. It was delicious and I enjoyed every bite of it. Thought the flavor was well balanced. The saltiness of mac and cheese and the sweet tender juicy boneless beef are perfect combo. Totally smashing!!!
Wondering what dish I had? Anyhow, I had the KC BARBEQUE (braised boneless beef short ribs served with home made Mac & cheese and bacon Brussels sprouts) Bacon.bacon.bacon.yum!!! Lol
This is they kind of restaurant that without a doubt I am gonna come back. I had the best and enjoyable experience.
Overall, thought the hospitality is extremely superb.