Poole's Downtown Diner

09/24/11

Total Disappointment

by chelseahicks

We had high hopes for our dining experience at Poole's after hearing from several friends how good it was and seeing the owner/chef on TV talking about the restaurant. The menu looked interesting but I'm not sure I would call it Southern Comfort food at all, they didn't even have sweet tea! To sum it up the food was over priced and just OK. The presentation was nice but the taste was similar to what you can make at home. After the meal let down noone in our party was interested ordering dessert! The cleanliness of the bathroom was something else. The extra rolls of toilet paper has something spilled all over them and the toilet seat was dirty. Needless to say we won't be going back.

08/19/11

Nasty service; nasty place

by AR1111

The food's fine. Overpriced and far from excellent, but fine. I still can't understand though why Ashley Christenson has such a following; honestly, she's not that good.

The problem is the service though. They don't take reservations (which is fine). We went to the restaurant last night, and they had a private party and were closed until 9pm. Yet, they didn't bother to a) update their website or b) pick up their phone. So basically, we went down and found a sign posted on the door telling us it was closed. Talking with the "manager", he claimed that this sometimes happens and that they can't really do anything. Honestly, even if the food is decent, the fact that they close without notice and the service is condescending is enough to make me not go back.

08/17/11

amazing place

by coronagirl53

I almost hate to write a wonderful review. I'd like to keep this place a secret, but it is a place that makes me happy I'm in Raleigh. Superior service, inventive menu, and wonderful urban vibe!

07/24/11

Too Pricey...............

by KDee

$18.00 for one (1) portion of catfish over a very small bed of peas !! Don't get me wrong, it was very good, but......had it come with at least 2 sides I probably wouldn't complain. The fish was very crispy and well prepared and the black eyed peas were tasty, but a side was missing. Also, where were the menus ? Oh, on the wall ! So, on a busy Friday or Saturday night after you get seated, you have to abandon your seat for a moment to go find the menu and then retain what you read by the time you get back to your seat so you can place you order.....What's wrong with just handing out menu's ??.......The place is small so I get charging a bit more for dinner, but I don't think I'll be returning. And did I mention the $9.00 drinks !! I don't mind paying for a good meal, but that was dissapointing...

06/23/11

An overpriced experience I would like to forget

by RobOfRaleigh

I'm willing to struggle with hard to read menus written on chalkboards and even the restaurant's dark, loud ambiance with uncomfortable seating if the food is good and memorable. The food was indeed memorable, but for all the wrong reasons.

$3.00 for bread or toast if you so happen to find yourself at this establishment for brunch is just the start of a meal experience that was destined to go downhill. So often, bread is complimentary. Here, it comes at a price.

The entrees were unimpressive. Roasted chicken that was tough and flavorless served with potatoes that were bland. The crab cake was equally bad. It was very fishy with vegetables that were undercooked and without any flavor at all.

I'm not a stranger to these kinds of dining experiences, but I would not pay the prices Poole's charges for its meals for dishes like this. Too expensive for a meal I could make at home and make at home better for half the cost. Save your money for a dining experience that will be memorable for all the right reasons, not for one that will be memorable for all the wrong reasons.