Dining Out Review: T-Miller’s Sports Bar & Grill
EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
T-Miller’s Sports Bar & Grill is located in the new spot that replaced the Richmond Marriott’s Blue Fire Steakhouse.
Related Info
Rating: 
Where: 500 E. Broad St. (inside the Richmond Marriott)
Phone: (804) 648-BALL (2255)
Web site: http://www.tmillerssportsbar.com
Noise level: high
Vegetarian options: a couple of appetizers, veggie burger
Smoking: smoke-free
Hours: 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 7 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday
Prices: $7.95-$26.95
Check for two: $35 (including shared appetizer, two entrées and tax)
Published: November 12, 2009
Considering I had to ask what special teams were when joining a Fantasy Football league, it's ironic that I like sports bars.
There's just something about hanging out with energetic fans, cheering on their favorite teams and engaging in the pleasures of all things fried.
I wouldn't be surprised if a "Go, Redskins!" escaped my lips during the World Series, so I usually focus my energies on the menu.
When T-Miller's Sports Bar & Grill, the snazzy new spot that replaced the Richmond Marriott's Blue Fire Steakhouse, opened just in time for football season, I was psyched.
With its offerings ranging from an Asian chicken salad and guacamole-topped California Burger (both $10.95) to cedar plank salmon ($17.95) and 14-ounce roasted prime rib ($22.95), I hoped this sports bar could crank out food capable of diverting patrons' attention from the TVs.
Alas, my meals there could barely divert my attention from the butchering of the national anthem before one of the World Series games. Inexplicably absent or distracted service didn't help nurture my T-Miller's love, either.
It's a shame, because someone put a lot of effort into creating T-Miller's. Its sleek interior is adorned with numerous TVs, dark woods and a contemporary burnt-orange color scheme. The outdoor patio boasts a fire pit. And the drinklist is more diverse than the usual lineup of Miller products.
I first visited during Monday-night football. To my surprise, the dining room was virtually empty. However, this didn't increase the speed with which our server took orders and checked back in.
After I ordered the black bean veggie burger ($7.95), she asked how I'd like it cooked. A veggie burger?
Served with waffle fries that tasted like Arby's curly fries -- a good thing, actually -- the two thick patties were smothered in gooey cheese, fresh lettuce, tomato, onion and spicy chipotle mayo. It ended up being the best thing I'd eat at T-Miller's.
During another visit, we started with spinach dip ($6.95), a standard I didn't think could be ruined. T-Miller's version featured an impenetrable plasticlike cheese coating that broke every tri-color tortilla we wielded. The dip was so bland, I appreciated the burnt cheese for flavor.
Center Court Pasta ($13.95), rigatoni mixed with spicy sausage, tomato chunks, basil and shaved Parmesan, was a winner, if you like heat. The sausage was so peppery that it made me teary-eyed.
The slider trio ($7.95) was awful. The pulled pork version had virtually no sauce but managed to be greasy.
The Southwest burger was so dry it resembled a hockey puck, yet the dousing of ancho pepper-chipotle mayo made the stale bun soggy.
Despite its stale bun, the buffalo chicken version was best, its fiery orange sauce cut by the vinegary tang of pickles.
T-Miller's signature Fried Cheese, Cheese Burger ($10.95), a beef patty topped with bacon and Cheddar, then sautéed until golden brown, was mediocre. The scant serving of bacon added texture, not flavor. Again, the meat was dry.
The catfish po' boy ($10.95) held two hefty planks of nicely fried fish, but it was lackluster until we flagged down our server for forgotten tartar sauce.
Despite our server being friendly the few times we saw her, getting refills, extra napkins and even the bill was a drawn-out exercise in exhaustion.
Along with Gibson's and The National, T-Miller's could be a great asset in drawing crowds to this up-and-coming area of downtown.
On the surface, it has just enough swank to be up to the challenge. But if the kitchen and servers don't step up, it'll be nothing more than a convenient watering hole for hotel guests.
Freelance writer and graphic designer Dana Craig considers dessert the most important food group. The Times-Dispatch pays for the meals on her unannounced visits to restaurants. Contact her at . Follow her at http://twitter.com/danacraigrtd.
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Reader Reactions
I think all of your comments are insightful, so thank you so much for the feedback.
babar: I’m with you on the chains and sports bars. I chose to review this place because I was really hoping it could be a “different” kind of sports bar — a higher end place that would attract people to the downtown area.
Stacie: I’m glad to hear about your good experiences at T-Miller’s. In all honesty, I wish mine had been the same. I’ve been more times than I wrote about in this review, and sadly, each time has fallen short of expectations.
I would never “grasp at straws” just to find something insulting to say. I think if you re-read most of reviews, you’ll see that I try to look for the best at all places. However, the veggie burger comment needed to be noted because it shows the lack of training (or caring) on the part of some of the staff.
I asked the server “Cooked? For a veggie burger?“ and she clarified, “Yes, how would you like that cooked.“ I chuckled a little, but to me, that shows “going through the motions” of your job rather than listening to what customers are saying or needing. Sadly, that’s what I experienced (in varying degrees) during all my visits.
I hope this review will point out what should be tweaked to allow all customers to receive the experiences you and your husband do.
Again, thanks all for the feedback. It really is appreciated.
I think this review is grossly inaccurate. I’ve been to T Millers at least 5 times and each time the experience has been exceptional. The staff was informative and attentive without being too “over-your-shoulder”. There was one occasion where we were a party of 13. They served us with expedience and no one was left waiting for their order while the rest of us had our food. NOT ONE PERSON. The food was great. I can’t tell you how delicious and juicy the burgers were. They were also cooked to perfection. The mix and match slider collection was super fun and super tasty. My husband raves about their black bean burger that includes not one, but two patties. At $7.95, there’s not a better deal in town.
“After I ordered the black bean veggie burger ($7.95), she asked how I’d like it cooked. A veggie burger?“
Really, Dana, you’re going to put in your review what was obviously a server’s slip of the tongue? Not to mention your commentary on the National Anthem that was played during one of the games. That’s just grasping at straws.
My advice is, if you read this review, go out and try T-Millers for yourself. I’ll bet you’ll find the great little spot that my husband and I have come to enjoy.
I’ve gone to T-Millers several nights before and after seeing shows at CenterStage, The Empire and The National. Personally I loved T-millers. They have a good beer selection, friendly staff, a great location and a great atmosphere (enough TV’s for sports fans but so many that I am forced to watch, nice patio and plenty of space inside) I almost always get the veggie burger with sweet potato fries and a Legend Brown. I have been quite pleased every time I’ve gone.
Please don’t review anything that has “bar” in its name, especially “sports bar”, and especially in Richmond where a bar only serves food because the city of Richmond makes it serve food. I’d almost rather you review another chain. Come on now, you are restaurant critic, and I think a good one at that. But, there are so many actual restaurants that you should be reviewing. Not chains, and not sports bars.
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