Bull and Bones Brewhaus and Grill
1470 S Main St, Blacksburg, VA, 24060
Bull and Bones Brewhaus and Grill Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Blacksburg for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Blacksburg for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Blacksburg for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
1470 S Main St
Blacksburg, VA, 24060 - Phone (540) 953-2855
- Website https://www.bullandbones.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Scott B.
My girlfriend and I were in Blacksburg for my day off and wanted to have some drinks and catch up. We were recommended to Bull and Bones by a hotel employee because he had worked in the kitchen in the past. So we took his advice, and headed there around 4pm. First thing, the ice bar was one of the coolest features at a bar I have ever seen. My girlfriend and I got a couple of beers and they were great! We passed the time by playing some pool in the gaming area and watching some TV from on of their numerous TV's around the bar! For dinner I had ribs with the sweet potato casserole (which I HIGHLY recommend) and my girlfriend had the brisket with vegetables. They were both delicious! My ribs were tender and came right off the bone. You could taste the smokiness from their onsite smoker. My girlfriend enjoyed the flavor of the sauces with her brisket and thought the vegetables were very crisp! The sweet potato casserole was like a dessert, except a healthier version! Overall, great restaurant with exceptional food and beer! If in the area again, I will definitely stop in to eat and drink!
(5)Jeff Y.
Had a beef brisket sandwich and house chips. The brisket was tasty but had big chunks of fat that I pulled out. Chips were made a long time ago. Had a Maroon Effect beer that was very good.
(3)Amy Z.
My short review would be "meh". I got a beer sampler and the stout was the only beer worth mentioning. We got wings & pretzels for an app. Pretzels were stale and not warm. Wings were only OK. I got the brisket sandwich, which I enjoyed, but it honestly was only marginal for the price. I wanted so badly to like this place, but unfortunately I just can't :(
(2)Jennifer M.
This is where my husband and I sneak away for a quick lunch date mid week without the kids, and a place that I love meeting clients at (real estate). I've tried several entrées, and am never disappointed but the pulled pork is my favorite. The scampi is my least favorite, only because I can make it better at home with more shrimp. Friendly staff, great drinks at happy hour, and my husband enjoys the brews. A larger wine selection would be appreciated, but not necessary for my continued support.
(4)Lauri T.
I regret that I waited until my senior year of college to visit this place! Today I went to post-commencement lunch with my family. At first we were going to go to iHop, but a fortuitous series of events led us to the fabulous Bull and Bones. My guests were impressed with the atmosphere and the food which was a plus! It's always great when you introduce others to new things and they like it! Appetizer: The crab bisque was uh-mazing. It was a bowl of creamy goodness; any seafood lover's dream. It was a little buttery, but butter is what makes it good right? Entree: The crab cakes were perfection. There was absolutely minimal, if any, filler in the cakes. They were juicy and full of flavor. The sauce that came on the side was full of flavor as well and was a great compliment. On the side I had cinnamon apples (I know, a weird combination but I LOVE cinnamon apples) which were in a rich glazed sauce. I have never tasted better seafood from a restaurant that boasts mainly "bull and bones" fare. The other guests in my party had the pulled pork, the pork chop, and the steak and shrimp pasta. Each dish was delectable and had my family members raving for hours afterward. Other: The service was superb. Our waitress was a young student from Radford University and she was very personable and attentive. Our meals came quickly which really enhanced our experience and the wait took less time than they originally predicted. In a matter of an hour and a half Bull and Bones rose from being a restaurant that I had just heard of to one of my favorite places (not just restaurants) in Blacksburg. It has my highest recommendation.
(5)Nicole S.
I visited Bull & Bones while in Blacksburg to attend a career fair at VA Tech with a couple co-workers. One co-worker ordered the homemade root beer and raved about it, the other co-worker order a half-rack of ribs that came out resembling a full rack (and said they were also delicious!) and I ordered the pasta with steak & shrimp. My steak was cooked PERFECTLY (medium rare) and the whole dish was delicious. I ordered some cheesecake to go, and was pleasantly surprised when I got home to see it could easily feed 2 people for dessert. I, of course, ate it all, alone in my hotel room. :) I will definitely visit here again next time I'm in Blacksburg.
(4)Michael H.
Bull and Bones is somewhere between two and three stars. My black and bleu burger was satisfactory in every way, but it didn't wow me either. The homemade chips were good ... and would have been better with a side of gravy. Service was friendly and I'd go back once more just to see if I caught it on an off food night.
(3)Sandra R.
used to be my favorite place to visit when coming to town. Last two visits were so bad I doubt I will ever go back. Both times my food took too long be served and was cold, had to be sent back and wait longer. Service was poor, when asking about the specials server wasn't sure I think it's...." I am not sure what it comes with, I think they changed it."
(1)Kharlin M.
This is my first time being there. Service was good and the food was even better. I recommend the smokehouse BBQ sandwich and there mac and cheese was solid. You should go here if you're ever in Blacksburg!
(5)Bob F.
I just ate the worst ribs I've EVER eaten in my life. Stopped by this place on my way to my hotel. Ordered a rack of ribs to go. Got to the hotel and found the ribs to be totally burnt on the meat side. Under the char, there was a little bit of meat right next to the bone that was ok. I figure I was able to eat about 3 ribs worth of meat from a full rack. Sure, this was right before the Super Bowl started, but that's no excuse. Had I been served these in the restaurant, I would have sent them back.
(1)Dan D.
Best wings I've ever had and the bar has a frozen strip across it to keep your beer cold!
(5)Kelly M.
This place is very similar to an Applebee's or Outback Steakhouse. The food is average but good. They do brew their own beer which is a plus.
(3)Linsey M.
Bland food except for the outstanding salmon. Decent beer. Sterile brewhouse setting. Unsophisticated service. Appetizers: The pretzels had a nice dark brown crust, the right amount of salt, and a soft chewy interior. The shrimp and crab dip was mostly cream cheese and lacked flavor. Main courses: The shrimp scampi was fine, a nice white wine and butter sauce on nondescript capellini with a fair amount of supposedly grilled shrimp, which were tough and lacked flavor. The grilled salmon was perfectly cooked (had it on two occasions), nice and rare, succulent. I would go again for the salmon, in spite of the blandness in other areas of the menu and dining experience. Beer: They were pleasant enough but did not have much depth. Service: What you would expect from college students (i.e., not much). Kids: Good for young kids because it's loud inside. They provided a kids menu with activities and crayons.
(2)Lauren F.
I really, really like this place. There are a few areas where they're lacking, but none that are off-putting enough to keep me away. The crab bisque is PHENOMENAL-so, if that's your sort of thing, definitely try it. The beers are awesome, too. Nothing too outrageous or groundbreaking, but really nice microbrewery interpretations of old standards. Sunlit Wit is my go-to beer there, due to its similarity to Blue Moon (oddly enough, the girliest beer that I actually enjoy). As far as service is concerned, I have to say that in my experience the service is a good deal better at the bar than at a table. Maybe I always tend to sit at a table during exceptionally chaotic times when the servers have too many irons in the fire, and maybe it's just inherently easier to get good service at the bar since you sit right in front of the bartender and it's readily visible to them when you need something, but regardless-the service has tended to be faster and more friendly sitting at the bar. Besides, what better place to enjoy your Sunlit Wit than their built in ice strip on their bar? That thing is amazing...cold beer all the time (not that it's ever going to sit around long enough to get warm anyway)! My favorite foods there are the wings and their steaks. I've thoroughly enjoyed these every time I've ordered them. The wings were a really nice surprise when I happened to pay a visit on a Thursday night, which happens to be their wing night. $0.50 wings, $1 All Night Lite, $2 Sunlit Wit...yep, quite the bargain. Better yet, the quality is beyond what I imagined. I had come to accept that college town wing night deals mean small, dry, relatively flavorless deep-fried wings. So when my plate of wings came out at B&B, I was impressed by how huge these wings were, as well as the fact that they were smoked and had never made the acquaintance of the deep fryer. SO flavorful, moist, and delicious. One note on side dishes, though: the macaroni and cheese isn't fantastic. This was a disappointment to me, as I generally love mac and cheese...but theirs was sadly lacking in flavor and technique. Really dry, really bland, and not very cheesy. Maybe it had been sitting out for too long. Not good. I didn't send it back, but I didn't eat it either. By the time I had already consumed a steak, some steamed broccoli, and I'd also downed a cup of crab bisque for an appetizer-so I didn't particularly need another side anyway. Still, it's an overall great restaurant and bar. Give it a try!
(4)Stan W.
I have eaten at BB many times and never had a bad meal. However this past Saturday (4/11/15) was my first bad experience. My girlfriend and I both ordered the beef brisket platter. When the meal came out, mine was more than half fat and her's was even worse. The waitress was polite and took the food back. The second time the manager brought out the food my meal was now down to 1/4 fat and my girlfriend's meal was just about as bad. Now here is where my opinion of BB changed. The manager asked if it was okay. I said I had seen better. The manager said "well you know brisket has fat in it" in a patronizing way. We sent it back, left and went to "Due South" in Christiansburg. For $8.95 got more of a better qualtiy brisket with absolutely no fat ribbons. I actually thought about taking the to-go container with the meal back to BB and showing the patronizing manager what brisket is supposed to look like. I really like BB before but we are not sure we'll ever go back.
(2)Isaac H.
Don't waste the time! Food was comparable to Applebee's. What gives this place a 1 star is the service. One word; deplorable. I wouldn't go back here if they paid me.
(1)Mike J.
The service was friendly and timely. I had the pulled pork with sweet potato fries. The sand which was piled with pork! Which let me pull a few bites and let me try each sauce. I liked all the made in house sauces! I will say the original and vinegar were my favorite but kept switching them with each bite if the sandwich! The fries were good too.
(4)Cynthia S.
The meat was outstanding! We had steak and a sampler of pulled pork & ribs. It was all deliciously prepared. The "roasted vegetables" were anything but that. They were watery and mushy. The fries were not cooked well at all. The crab bisque was disappointing, too. The first time it was brought out, it was cold. They made it right the second time. However, it was thin without much crab. The seasoning was marginal. The wait staff was very good.
(2)Stella M.
Food was absolutely amazing. Started off with the wings and the meat just fell right off the bone. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and my husband ordered the full rack of ribs. All of it was delicious! They served the sandwich with all their sauce on the side so you can pick your favorite! The ribs were the largest ribs I have ever seen! So much meat and once again the meat fell right off the bone! We both got the Mac as our side item and it was also good. Definitely will be back!
(5)Timothy B.
I have been here a few times and I just find the staff (hostess to bartenders) to be unfriendly and really lacking in the hospitality department. I always get a FU vibe from them the 3 times I have stopped in, caveat emptore. The beer is ok, but nothing exceptional for me. The burger I had was also ok, nothing special either. It's a big place, so may be great for large groups and functions and that does appear to be one of the big attractions. I may give it another try after the new year.
(2)Liddy H.
I've been here a few times. I've had a steak with mashed potatoes once. It was alright, nothing too special. The second time, I ordered the pulled pork with sweet potato casserole. It was really good, both the pork and casserole. I liked that they give you lots of sauces to try. The waitress was also very attentive. She did a great job!
(3)Kristine R.
The host stand needs to learn how to do their jobs. When a guest asks for a table for two, they should not be told to go find one for themselves and then when one is found say it has been taken. Sarcastic apologies not needed. We won't be going back.
(1)Joseph P.
Mary and I frequent Bull and Bones quite often. We especially enjoy their wings! Let's discuss these wings for a moment. These things are smoky and covered in a wide array of sauces. Mary likes the barbecue sauce while I like the spicy garlic, because I need my wings to punch me in the face with heat. Although these aren't the hottest wings I've had by a long shot, they do have a wonderful flavor and enough heat to satisfy my needs. Next, let's talk about beer. Bull and Bones is a brewery as well and they have some very fine brews. My favorite is the Lunch Pale Ale, a pale ale that has the right amount of hops mixed with a nice malty sweetness. But the most popular would have to be the Maroon Effect, a beer that is your standard brown ale but a lot more flavor and awards. But wings and beer aren't the only thing at B&B. I've always had good experiences with the ribs, whose meat (I apologize for the cliche) are always falling off the bone. the pulled pork is very delicious, especially with the assorted barbecue sauces to choose from. Maybe the only reason I can't bring myself to give B&B five stars is their service. Many times we have had lousy service. They can be very slow and inattentive at times. But the food makes up for that to me. Finally, Mary and I are having B&B cater our wedding and we are excited to share such wonderful food with the ones we love!
(4)David R.
Blacksburg's version of [enter your DC based brew pub here; Capitol City or the like]. The menu is mostly BBQ, similar to Red, Hot and Blue, and the beers are very good. The longest bar I've seen in quite some time. This is also a sports bar, so expect tons of TVs. The noise level here is extremely loud, partially because of the unfinished, duct-exposed ceiling, but also because so many people (particularly young women) can't seem to hold their liquor. I miss some of the more gritty spots in Blacksburg; I couldn't find one remnant during my visit last week. Slick, commercial spots have taken over, including a bona fide "Town Center" off 460 on the way to downtown, where Bull and Bones is located. Three stars, mainly for attempting to emulate a northern Virginia suburban hell brewhouse.
(3)Lon H.
I had the wings and some home draft brew here. Best wings I have ever had, ever. They smoke them right and never touch the frier. Pricey for the area, but worth it.
(4)Jessica L.
A nice place to eat, but nothing extraordinary. Out of my handful of experiences here, the only things I can remember are the pretzel bread and the shrimp and crab dip, both of which were good. The steaks are good as well, but I think it's a little over-priced. Gourmet price-tag for an average plate of food. I am still curious to go for brunch sometime however. Follow-up review to come soon!
(3)Bruce B.
Great place. Good Crowd.
(4)Daniel M.
The food here is amazing! I've never been unsatisfied. If you're a beer fan, they brew their own beer including Root Beer (which I had). The wait can be long (3 hours one time) but it's not always like that. Lunch is a great time to go to B&B.
(4)Alida H.
I'm a student at Virginia Tech so this restaurant is available as a choice whenever I'm trying to figure out where to eat. However, I've only been here twice, due to the fact that its relatively expensive. I paid my second visit to this restaurant last night. Unfortunately, the lights went out when our food came out. surprisingly however, not only was their backup generator hooked up to a few of the overhead lamps, but it was also hooked to the many HDTV's around the restaurant. smart on their part because the duke v tech game was on and the crowds of rowdy hokie fans over by the bar would have definitely left. I've read the reviews on this restaurant and one thing stood out to me. Inconsistency. This is definitely accurate. The first time I had the ribs here they were so so, but when I had them again yesterday, it was absolutely amazing. Definitely the best I've ever sunken my teeth in and tastier than the ribs found at TOTS. Although they weren't the fall-off-the-bone type at bull and bones, they were still full of flavor and tender. We also had the shrimp and crab dip for the second time which was also delicious, but it was not accompanied with enough bread and also came out lukewarm. Definitely ask for more bread, because we only finished half the dip with the bread that came out with the plate. The dip came out with breadcrumbs on top this time which was odd, but did not really change the flavor. Service was okay, our waiter kept disappearing on us... This is probably because he had to take over our table since our original waiter was not feeling well. I'm not too big on beer, but my opinion on the beer here is that it IS tasty, but I'd rather go with the beers that taste similar that you can get at the grocery store. For example the sun lit wit is similar to blue moon, and the maroon effect ale is similar to yeungling. From what I hear from friends, most only like two of the beers here. They also have happy hour specials every day of the week except Saturday. Their root beer is also quite tasty as well. All in all, this place is like an "upscale restaurant" for us college kids, but more of a casual place for older adults. The crowd over by the bar were majority married adults rather than college students. I'd probably go back another time or two before I graduate this semester just so I can taste those dreamy ribs again.
(4)Rodney Y.
We saw their ad on the big screen at Lane Stadium and thought we'd give it a try. The smoked wings were probably the highlight. The crab bisque was good, too. I actually selected this place for the beer as I am a bit of a beer nerd and especially enjoy a good IPA. Sadly, the beers are average at best. The on line menu doesn't match the store menu and their chart that accompanies the assortment doesn't match the current offering. Also, the beer menu lacks technical info, e.g. ABV, IBU and OG/OE. Not really a brew house in my book. As other have observed, it's a chain that would be better described as a Grill with beer. Beer is not their strength.
(3)Christine O.
HORRIBLE RUDE FRONT DESK STAFF!!! Can't review the food because we did not stay to eat. Call ahead seating is a joke.
(1)Britt M.
I was so glad to see a brewpub in bburg. Beer is ok; and nice bar/TVA, but service slow, and food just mediocre. Hope it gets better.
(2)Mary L.
I came here for the first time last night with my fiance. Their happy hour specials blew my mind. They were so incredibly CHEAP. My gin and tonic was only $2 and my fiance's beer was $3. You can't even find deals that good downtown. I will be coming here for happy hour from now on. As far as the food goes, I can't say much about it because I didn't try any of the entrees. I did have their nachos which were plentiful and delicious and a girl in our group got the pretzels which looked AMAZING. A few others in our group got entrees and seemed to enjoy them. The entrees seem a little pricey by Blacksburg standards, but it seems like they are targeting an older crowd (who can actually afford the meals). I had a great time here and I would definitely come back again! The place was packed, but it didn't seem like the wait times were too long at any given point. It seems like this place is the only place keeping that new shopping center alive.
(4)W. L.
Bull and Bones used to be within walking distance of my apartment so I went that more than usual during those few months. I usually went there to watch a game so I don't remember ever ordering a "real" meal. But I can say that the cheese fries with the jalapeno ranch are delicious. The beer is another reason to go. The beer sampler is a relatively inexpensive way to try all of their beers and decide which one you like. It's a good place to watch most any sporting event you want. Just be careful which night you choose. I was there once watching a basketball game when suddenly all but one TV in the corner turned to a music video and "Ladies Night" began. Lastly, the ice bar works a lot better than I thought possible.
(4)Chris S.
Wow I'm surprised at the poor reviews. Their home brews are pretty good, but like someone else mentioned they are all pretty similar in taste. The bread/pretzels they bring is good. The service is sketchy, just because it was very spotty. Empty drinks, but the food came quick. The ribs, are delicious. I haven't had ribs as good as these in, years. I don't even remember what sides I had, because I was just that into the ribs. It's expensive but you are getting what you pay for.
(4)Claire E.
I was incredibly disappointed today eating at the Blacksburg location. My fiancee and I got a table outside and had the worst service that we have ever received at a restaurant in this area. Our server was too busy talking with her friends at the table next to us (who appeared to be Bull and Bones servers who were off duty) that she didn't pay attention to us at all. She and about 4 other Bull and Bones servers were eating, drinking, and smoking at the table next to us while ON DUTY and wearing their uniforms. It took over 15 minutes to get our drink and about 25 to get our appetizer. After that, we waited to find our server (who was still hanging out with the table next to us and had not spoken to us since taking our appetizer order, which we had to flag her down to order). We had to leave our section and ask the hostess to re-seat us at the bar so that we could try to salvage the rest of our day. Thank goodness for the bartenders - they are the only thing that saved our day. I am incredibly disappointed at your service.
(1)Gina B.
I've been here a few times for work since I travel to Vtech for college recruiting. Ok, here is the good and bad about this place. The good: very new and clean! And on Monday nights they host, during football season they host the head coach and 2 starting players for a 2 hr live radio broadcast from 7-9. Pretty cool. Big crowd, good drink specials. I think the food is ok/average. Nothing to write home about; above average bar food. It's a good size restaurant and have a diverse crowd. I ordered the crab bisque and side salad combo. Let's just say I didn't see hardly any crab in the bisque, but it was a bit spicy; had a little flavor. The salad was iceburg w/some grape tomatos and some cucs. Again, basic. But, I was satiated. I'd go back again.
(4)Deborah H.
This was decent barbeque but with some misses-so nothing to take a detour with your car. The wings I had tasted of refrigerator air and reheated. The ribs were good but were not sliced (I like them partially cut between the ribs) and since the top was a bit over cooked it made them very hard to eat. The beans were good, the mac and cheese was terrible. I did have a gin and tonic but the tonic tasted flat (probably poor carbonation coming from a tap-why people can't use decent tonic I will never know). The waiter was excellent.
(2)Olive O.
The disappointment here is the beer. I love their smoked wings, but the beer lacks in good microbrew appeal. Pool tables are great, but without the appeal at the tap, I just very rarely hit this joint. I suppose this one depends on your taste buds.
(2)Rich E.
The ribeye was great, I ordered medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. There local brews are quite good, worth a try.
(4)Bill M.
Incredibly meaty ribs. So meaty that they could have been cooked longer. You need a steak knife to cut them apart. So if you're looking for the "falling off the bones" experience it's not here. Waitress commented that they switched ribs supplier and now they're a lot meatier. Tasty. Good sauce. Fast service.
(3)John L.
Good place to eat, good beer selection (this is a brew pub). While it was crowded when I went (VA Tech graduation weekend) we were able to get a table at the bar. The service was a little slow but they were crowded; it was tolerable.
(4)Aaron W.
A bull and bones haiku. Smoked wings or home brew, Can't decide which is better, but don't have to choose!
(4)Yizhou E.
This review is ONLY about the food! I don't know why so many people like this place. I've been here many many times and have always WANTED to like it. They have beer and barbeque...how could they screw up barbeque? The food is ok to sub-par. I had their special tonight. "Slow smoked sirloin" with grilled zucchini and garlic mashed potatoes. Sounds delicious right? Well, not really. The plate came with 6 unevenly cut slices of zucchini that had been steamed and then slapped on the grill for char-marks. The garlic mash was indeed garlic-laden, however had the consistency of lumpy glue. I ordered by steak medium rare but it came out well done and pre-sliced. I hate when they slice my steak for me, but that's not the point. The "smoked" flavor was atrocious. It was like they made a fire with plastic and then threw the steak on for a few hours. The only way I got the thing down was to cover up the "smoke" flavor with their vinegar based spicy barbeque sauce. My friend got the pulled pork plate. That's a dish that is always on the menu so you think they would have perfected it. Again, no. The "roasted vegetables" it came with were still swimming in the water they used to boil them. The baked beans on the plate tasted like it came out of a can...actually the canned stuff is better than what was on his plate. The pork was just "meh". He also poured the mustard-spicy sauce on it and that made the whole thing taste considerably better. The only great thing I've ever had here were the smoked wings. They come in a ton of flavors and taste great going down with a cold beer. Oh that's what's good there too: the beer. In short, it's not worth what they charge for, so eat the food at your own risk. The happy hour is ridiculously good, though. So go for that.
(2)Derek V.
I'm at Bull & Bones regularly for happy hours, karaoke night (Thursdays), and other occasions. Their beer is the star of the show. They brew several beers to satisfy all tastes from light lagers (All Nite Lite) to the darker stuff (St. Maeve's Stout). Their rotating seasonal is hit-or-miss, though. (Please bring back Strick's Dark Lager!!!) Good happy hour drink specials can be had from open to 9pm. The food is a mixed bag. The house-made barbecue sauces are outstanding, especially if you like the Carolina styles. Most of the entrees and appetizers are great, with the pulled pork being a standout. However, the salads are usually half-cheese, and the soups are nothing special. Then there's the wing conundrum. The wing sauces are worth trying, especially the spicy garlic or sesame ginger. And usually the wings are wonderfully melt-in-your-mouth tender. But occasionally (around 1 out of 3 orders), they will have the consistency of rubber. Quite odd. Bull & Bones now does weekend brunch, too. The drinks are tasty, but the food (standard brunch fare of omelets, sausage, etc.) is just "OK." The service staff appears to struggle with high turnover (more than other area restaurants), but we usually have no problems on our visits. Bull & Bones filled a huge void in the area when it opened, and I'm glad to see them thriving. As long as they continue making great beer and food, we'll keep going back.
(4)Patrick B.
My wife told me about this place when she visited the NRV recently. We decided to head there for dinner on her suggestion. It should be noted that I'm a full-on beer geek. I will judge a restaurant, and certainly a brewery, by its beer. If the beer is good, I'm good. Fortunately, the beer was good at the Bull and Bones. I had the pale ale and IPA, both of which were very tasty though not beyond the basics of each style. I would have preferred more personality. My pulled-pork plate was delicious. I appreciated the "east Carolina" sauce, which made mine Lexington style. The beans, slaw and sweat potato dishes were also quite tasty. I'll be back for sure.
(4)Crysta H.
This is a great place to take visiting family. I don't find their food particularly exciting, but it's always enjoyable and it one of only two places in town that manages to have an upscale atmosphere while still allowing for us slightly shaggy college-types. It's not fancy - no dress requirements that I know of at least - but you probably won't run into your freshman roommate still wearing his PJs either, which I appreciate. Now that I think of it, if you're anywhere in the First and Main shopping center around dinner time the smells that drift out of Bull and Bones are really really hard to resist... so maybe it's a little more exciting than I'm giving it credit for. I'm not a beer person, but my friends who are do enjoy Bull and Bones' in-house brews (is that how you say they brew the beer themselves? anyway, you understand what I mean).
(4)Steven S.
Bull and Bones is a great place to eat, drink, and watch a game in Blacksburg! I especially love the chicken quesadilla, buffalo wings, and New York strip. They also have what I call a "beer sampler" (I'm sure they call it something else), where you can sample a bunch of different beers that they make in their brewery. The bar is also very large and very nice, there are tons of HDTVs, pool tables, and plenty or room to move around and mingle. The decor is top notch and they clearly put a lot of money into the place. Oh and there is outside dining if you decide to enjoy the nice weather outside while eating. I highly recommend B&B, especially if you are looking to escape the more loud and obnoxious places that Blacksburg has to offer (don't get me wrong those are a lot of fun too), and want to get some higher quality food in a more upscale restaurant/bar without spending too much money.
(4)Anne M.
Found this place on my first trip to the area, and consider it tops! The BBQ nachos are incredible....tons of pulled pork with just the right amount of cheese, etc. They're huge, so be sure to share. Great chili, great service, and love Martini Mondays.
(5)Ashley K.
I've been here twice so far. Once was a Friday night before a football game, when it was packed with people - the service was slow, but it was understandable because of how full it was. The other time was during lunch - not as crowded with good service. I got the soup and salad special and both were delicious. The food seems a little expensive for what it is - definitely not an every night restaurant for a college student's budget.
(3)The Lover and I I.
Bull & Bones is located in the heart of Hokie Nation in Blacksburg, VA. The Lover and I heard about this place from his parents, whose friends talked about the brewhaus with high praises. The mouth-watering descriptions were just too hard to ignore. We HAD to go. My first impression of the place was a little mixed. Stepping in, I found myself in two different ambiances. To my left was a typical sports bar complete with billiard tables and 'almost' rowdy college crowd. To my right, it was more of a higher end dining feel. It was confusing. The Lover also thought it was strange that it was setup as a fine dining restaurant with bbq on the menu and microbrews on tap. The Lover thought the food was OUTSTANDING. The baby back ribs, slow-cooked smoked wings, and the sirloin steak from Bull & Bones were the best he had ever tasted. "They also have a couple of German-influenced dishes that appealed to his appetite and were put together very well," the Lover added. Most of the beers at Bull & Bones are well-crafted and very tasty, except for their All-Night Light which was disappointing, to say the least. We both love coming here for their seasonal brews, most importantly. Hints of clove, banana, lemon, rye, chocolate, caramel, biscuit... you name it. In fact, We love it so much that we even got a growler so we can fill up whenever we want for a lower price. The service was most of the time above average. I would like to expect for my waiter/waitress to know more about the menu and the beers. We didn't expect anything big from them but they proved us wrong.
(5)Jim G.
Stopped at lunchtime. Beers were okay, Nothing really stood out but they were drinkable. Had a full flight of tasters and wound up ordering the IPA and the Nite Lite. Smoked wings were great as was the crab bisque. Recommend trying this place out if in the area.
(3)Chris B.
Fantastic barbecue, great craft beer selection (some of which are brewed in-house). This place is fantastic for any food that can be smoked. Try the ribs or pulled pork with the lunch pale ale!
(5)Steve S.
Lunch was good. Had a smokehouse chicken sandwich and homemade chips. Sports bar feel with wide selection of beer. Sandwich had a bit too much bread and not enough fillings.
(3)Bobby H.
Great atmosphere older crowd
(4)D S.
Really wanted this place to be what it could be. Ate here about 6 times since they opened. The place is quite nice inside. Food is just really not very good and of inconsistent quality, perhaps some of the worst I've had in this genre of microbrewery- restaurant. Beer is average at best. Locally, the River Company blows this place out of the water on both accounts. It's redeeming quality? It is a nice bar with pool tables.
(2)R S.
I want to love Bull and Bones and I'm thrilled to have a brewery in Blacksburg but B&B doesn't quite hit the mark. The beers and food are both good, but not great. The BBQ is disappointingly dry and smoked wings sound like a good idea, but aren't; the skin ends up flabby and gross instead of crispy and delicious.
(2)Ali S.
Overall, I was expecting about the same standards as the Rock Bottom chain that I experienced in Bethesda before coming to Blacksburg. Bull and Bones had a lot of potential and fell short in almost all categories both times I have been there. MOOD: Brewery restaurant feel with the stills, large bar, tall tables and the restaurant half. Both times I have been to the bar areas, as they have a much better wall of TVs that is actually very decent for watching sport events. For this purpose, this may be the best place in Blacksburg to watch games while having a drink and munchies. SERVICE: Hit or miss. The first time I came was the first week the restaurant opened and my service was terrible enough that I could have gotten a free meal easily (I ordered an appetizer and it took over an hour to get it, to a point that I didn't want it anymore). The second time things were a bit more timely, so I won't hold them being new against them too much. On to what matters: BEER: They have a regular selection and a seasonal. Many of the regulars taste very similar to each other, I was hoping more experimentation with styles and a stronger selection. Indeed, any of their beers beats the american macros you can get anywhere, but they aren't quite better than something as simple as a guinness or sam adams draft. The stout is quite good, but it isn't very drinkable with food. I suppose the lunch pale ale would be my most balanced choice, but I would prefer Rock Bottom's beer selections. The worst part about it is that their happy hour is basically nonexistent. They say they have one, but I haven't seen it yet. The advantage of having a brewery/restaurant is that you can discount your beer, however I haven't paid less than 4.50 for a pint where at Rock Bottom I could get 1.50 pints and cheaper food during the happy hour. FOOD: It's pretty standard. I didn't find anything on the menu that stands out at me and makes my mouth water and want to order it, the appetizers were just OK and my burger was overcooked. Also, again I must complain about the lack of a decent happy hour really killing this place for me. All in all, if you want to watch sports you can go here or to buffalo wild wings. They have better beer, but it's not worth the extra $$ they charge for it. I won't consider going unless they have 2 dollar pints and cheap nachos, it just doesn't taste good enough to justify spending more at this place.
(2)Ry G.
I have never been disappointed here. The ribs are perhaps my favorite but by no means is the only good thing on their menu (smoked wings and brewhaus chicken, to name two). I also recommend their beer sampler for your first time their (or if you are like me and can't decide). Even though the place is huge, so can be the lines. Also, service is hit or miss depending on the day/waitress. So if you are looking for an in and out meal, you are looking in the wrong place. But if you've got the time of day and are looking for some good ribs and beer, this is the place to be in Blacksburg.
(4)Willy L.
Being a C-Burg native in town for a few days I had to go by and see what the hype is all about. A large group of us 6-10 went there for dinner. I had the Steak n Ribs combo with Sweet potato and asparagus. The steak was quite tasty and cooked to perfection. The ribs were slightly charred but I like that. Asparagus needed some work, but hey I am not complaining. Staff is very friendly, prices are decent and the atmosphere is pretty cool and not the typical college hangout (being on campus and all). I did sample a few other items from friends, including the wing and salmon and I would give them 4 stars as well. Being a large group the staff was attentive and never had to wait very long for drinks or anything else. Kudos to the new Brewhaus in town.
(4)Richard W.
I love craft brewed beer. The food is not too bad either. When traveling out of town on business I try to find a local restaurant that serves local or craft brewed beer. This is a good place in the Blacksburg, VA area.
(5)Jeremy H.
Guess I had the idea that it was going to be something more impressive, but Bull & Bones just doesn't hit me. The food's been alright, but I think for me it's the atmosphere - the place seems like a converted Old Navy or something, not a brewhaus, as advertised. I would, however, recommend their Stout. The name escapes me now, but it's always been good.
(2)Anson P.
The first time I heard about this place was the Roanoke Wings festival. Bull and Bones was the hands down favorite. They definitely got their name out. I was in town for the VTech/ Duke game and my friend and I decided to hit this place up for some food. Note: Duke really sucks at football. When we walked in, we were quoted a wait time of an hour and 15 minutes. However, the bar area was first come first serve. The wait didn't end up being that long, which is a good thing because I was contemplating stealing wings off a guy's plate. There was also a wing on the floor that I stared at for a good 10 minutes. My friend and I decided to go with the ribs and ordered up a bunch of wings as well. You know it is a good day when you end it being surrounded by meat. The wings are pretty good. Big size, smokey flavor...I would definitely recommend the house bbq wings. The ribs were ginormous as well. However, the ribs might not be what most people expect of ribs. These ribs are grilled which leave them a little tough. You have to tear the meat off the bones with your teeth...which doesn't bother me at all being the carnivore that I am. Sometimes I like my ribs where the meat doesn't fall off the bone. The cole slaw was ok. I liked the sweet potato casserole side...tasted like a sweet potato stuffing. We also had the Sun Lit Wit brews since my friend is a fan of Blue Moon. Definitely pretty good, especially if you like Belgian wheats. The next time I'm in town, I'm going to try their sampler which consists of 6 small glasses of their brews. Decor is not unlike that of a Gordon Biersch or other brew pubs. Service was excellent. I think the bar area could be organized better to allow for more standing room. Also, they should have a few more bartenders especially on game days. Parking isn't too bad, the shopping center has quite a few lots although you might find yourself walking a little bit. I like brew pubs like this. Good atmosphere and good meat. Yeah, don't go here ordering salad because as we all know...you don't win friends with salad.
(4)Justin S.
Was in town for the Spring game and met up with some old friends here. The wait sucked but we found room at the bar. The cooling slab part of the bar is a cool touch and the beer was good and a great price. We finally sat down and I got the ribs. Best choice of the night. Not all the guests were happy with their selection plus I guess seeing mine made them even more jealousy. The service wasn't great but what do you expect in a college town. Great Ribs at a great price.
(4)S W.
I have tried very hard to like this place. It seems to have gone further down each time we go. My family agreed last night to remove Bull and Bones from our list of possible restaurants. This was the last straw on getting decent food for the amount of money we spend. I think we would have done better going to Ryan's than bothering with B&B. Hubby got the pulled pork, sweet potato casserole, and baked beans. Daughter had a cheeseburger with mac & cheese. I ordered the half-portion of ribs with sweet potato fries. The server had the most annioying voice, did not crack a smile, or any other pleasantry. She did keep our drinks filled and checked on us a few times. Hubby said the pulled pork was greasy, no flavor, and he wished he had not gotten it. He added lots of the barbecue sauce to make it edible. He said his sides were okay even though the baked beans were dry and gummy. Maybe overcooked. The cheeseburger was cooked well done as requested. My daughter ate 1/2 of it and said it was just okay. The mac and cheese was a pale yellow scoop in a small bowl. No cheese flavor and the pasta was overdone. Not edible. The half-rack of ribs I got was a big greasy oddly shaped mass of meat. A pool of grease had settled underneath it. I ate two pieces off it and could not continue. It was horrible. Barbecue sauce could not save it. It was crisped on the outside and looked like it should taste delicious. It was supposed to be smoked. It did not have any flavor except grease. I stopped the server on her quick check of our drinks to tell her the rib was not edible. She acted surprised anyone would complain. I thought she said she was going to get the manager. However, she came back with that annoying voice to explain how they cook their ribs. I told her I did not care how they cooked it and the manager should have come out to see what the issue was. The server never apologized and her already non-personality demeanor got even worse. She said she removed my meal from the bill. I told her I was not trying to get a free meal but I was not satisfied and was done with it. I could only eat two bites of that big piece of meat and she wanted to explain how it was cooked? I told her to bring us the bill and let us get out of this joint as quickly as possible. They did take the $13.99 off the bill. We still paid $25 for two sides that were okay while the rest was horrible. We went at 4:00 on 3/10/2013. They must have had a busy brunch and everyone was tired from daylight savings time. The women's bathroom was a wreck. I have seen it look just as bad as that on a Friday night or after a game. Three hostesses were standing at the hostess station gabbing and not doing anything. Other times I have been they have opened the door for patrons and acted interested in having a customer. I said, "Maybe they were having an off day." Hubby reminded me that i said that when we went for lunch on 2/27/2013.
(1)John S.
Most of their home brews need some work. Their wings have a really good smoke flavor, but they need some better sauces and the hot sauce isn't hot at all. Their pulled pork and ribs are the best in town.
(4)Courtney B.
Worst food ever. Went to Bull and Bones last night with my mother and brother and his family. First they took forever getting a simple order of there chips out and these tasted old. Then they didn't get my niece's order right and everyone else had almost finished their food before they got her out. Then the food was just bad. The barbecue sauces are terrible (they put hot sauce in all of them!) and my brother ordered the pulled barbecue and it was not good at all. They burnt my chicken fingers (how do you do that?). This was a horrible place to eat. What they call a knockwurst is actually just a hotdog. This was a horrible place to eat. Don't go to Bull and Bones if you want edible food, I suppose most people are there for the beer and alcohol and if you drink enough you really don't care what the food tastes like but these people are scamming you if you buy the food because it also isn't that inexpensive.
(1)Kevin O.
So I've since been back, and a friend convinced me to try the wings. They've got a strong smoke flavor to them, which I liked, but it can be a little much after a few wings if that's all your eating.
(3)Megan M.
I love Bull and Bones. I have always had great service, great food, and great drinks. For you morons that can't figure out when the happy hour is, it's listed on the menu plain as day. It goes from 11 am to 9 pm so if you miss it, perhaps you should keep different hours.... The spicy garlic wings with home made bleu cheese are the best. Go for wing nite on Thursday's. They are way cheap. The ribs are bomb and if you had a bad rack, its your fault you didn't ask for a replacement when your server undoubtedly asked you how your food was. I recommend you eat at the bar. Those are the best servers, anyway. And the glycol ice rail system to keep your beer cold is pretty awesome. Love my fave bartenders Kristen and Alyssa!! And the pool tables are second to none. Challenge one of the managers to a game and you will have the game of your life.
(5)Ryan N.
I stopped here with my dad before a Tech basketball game for the first time. I did not know what to expect, but definitely was not disappointed. We sat at the large bar and ordered some beers (they brew their own, but Bud, Miller, Coors Lite in bottles are available). I tried the Maroon, which was a smooth brown ale and very delicious. They have an ice strip on the bar to keep your beer cold when you set it down, which is great. We shared an order of the smoked BBQ wings, which were meaty, flavorful, and pretty large sized. The menu isn't very expansive, but still has good variety. I opted for grilled chicken and mixed vegetables and it was great. Service was fantastic and there are a decent number of nice pool tables in the back. I plan on going again the next time I am in town.
(4)J L.
I have been here 3 times, two for dinner and once for lunch. Each time, I hope for a better experience and have yet to receive it. I won't go over the other times I have been here since they are not as fresh in my brain as the previous weekends visit. I debated about going back to B&B and thought maybe we should go to Outback, Texas Roadhouse, or Texas Steakhouse however we did end up at B&B. I "called ahead" for a table which is pointless as it is not a reservation and only serves to put your name on the waiting list once you arrive. Regardless, since there were two of us the wait as initially told to be 40 minutes was actually 15 minutes. This allowed me to grab a Maroon Effect Ale from the bar. One side note here is that the bartenders suck. As I patiently waited at the bar for 10 minutes with money in hand in making eye contact with 2 of the 3 bartenders, it fell on blind eyes. Only after 5 people that showed up after me were served, my order was taken. We were seated (in front of the kitchen) and given menus. The waiter (probably extremely busy) did not come over to the table for about 10 minutes or so. This really wasn't an issue, more like a nuisance. We ended up ordering another round of drinks (Maroon Effect and Sun Lit Wit) which took about 10 more minutes and followed that up with our dinner orders. I ordered the rib eye (medium) with roasted vegetables, a crab cake, and a Caesar salad. My dining partner ordered the sirloin (medium) with a baked potato. My Caesar salad came out about a minute after I ordered and it probably took about 20 - 25 minutes thereafter to get our entrees. The salad was nothing to write home about, consisting of lettuce, croutons, a small amount of grated cheese and a ho-hum Caesar dressing. When our meal arrived, it was nice and hot. I cut into my steak and it was cooked exactly right. The taste was nothing notable, just meat. My friends sirloin however was medium well to well done. They commented on it being dry. While it did not stop them from eating (as they were hungry), they were not happy. My roasted vegetables were average at best. They tasted like the seasoned frozen vegetables you heat up in the microwave. The crab cake was good but tartar sauce tasted more like mayonnaise. The biggest complaint I have about this place is the quantity versus the price versus the quality. I would have no problem paying $57 (2 people) for a good meal with less food or $57 for an ok meal with more food but I don't like paying $57 for an ok meal with less food. I knew the rib eye was 12 oz going in however I did not know the crab cake was going to be slightly larger than a half dollar coin (about as thick too) or the roasted vegetables were going to be about 3 forks worth. The Caesar salad wasn't exactly big either but whatever. The strongest points of this establishment are its beers. The taste and style are great, with the price being justifiable. It isn't outrageous but it's well above Blacksburg's pricing scheme. The weakest points are its food. While B&B delivers on one end, it fails on the other. 2.5 stars, try it once for food, and multiple times for beers note: the cost breakdown was about $40 for food, $9 for drinks, and $8 for tip.
(2)Tina M.
the beers are good. the menu is boring and unimaginative. the service is lackluster. maybe they should take 3 of the 4 hosts/hostesses and have them wait on the customers rather than stand around talking. for a brewhaus, the beers shouldn't take so long to be delivered to the table.
(2)Mark B.
I've had varying experiences when eating here, sometimes within days of one another. I enjoy their craft beer, and the oatmeal stout was very tasty. I usually go,with a burger, and I had one a few weeks ago,that tasted bland. Maybe some of the toppings had to do with this, but it just didn't have much taste. Service on the other had was wonderful, with our waiter doing a nice job of refills and taking care of us. It was a busy Friday night, so that was appreciated. I returned a week later and tried a different burger. Much better, juicy and very tasty. This was on a Sunday afternoon, and they weren't too busy. service was lacking though. I'm not sure if our waitress had other duties, but my friend and I went long stretches without being able to get refills or our check. she was friendly, but it would have been nice to have our check quicker. So, one time the food wasn't the greatest, but service was, and the next time the food was terrific, and the service was lacking. Maybe it's a good place if you want to gamble. Both times the brews were very good and complimented the food. I'd give three and a half stars, if fractional reviews were allowed.
(4)GT W.
Applebee's quality beer and food Stopped in here on my way home from Asheville. Menu was unimpressive, but looked like they specialized in barbecue and hey, it's in semi-rural Virginia so I took a gamble. Absolutely the worst brisket I've ever had, so bad that I thought for a moment I had been served dog food. Opaque poo brown color with no semblance of brisket. Canned green beans as a side. No seasoning, just dumped on the plate. Beer flight of all of their house offerings made it clear they can't make good beer either. Harsh, chemical beers with soda carbonation and lemon water palates. Overall, I just went to the best brewpub ever in Asheville, Wicked Weed, and now I think I've been to the worst. Server gave us a scripted spiel for each beer and went over all them with me awkwardly. I wish I could just say, "no need, I'm all set" but didn't have the balls. She then disappeared for the rest of the meal.
(1)Kristin B.
Nice place to watch the game. Variety of VA beers on tap, good service, and perfect sports bar atmosphere. My brother and his friend ordered the wings and didn't feel so great afterward.
(3)Alfred Sizhe G.
Great beers, must try the beer samplers!. Great ribs here, I liked the ribs here better than the Due South. Great atmospheres. Really close the new IMAX theater.
(4)Debbie S.
The beer tasting flight was good! We tried the pulled pork and it was pretty tasty. Also tried the pretzel rolls and they were decent.
(3)Jessica M.
We went to Bull and Bones after my brother's graduation, and they were great with our big party. Our waitress came to check on us a million times as people were coming in, and she was very prompt with our requests. A few people at my table ordered the ribs, which they devoured like cavemen. A few people at the table ordered the cheeseburger. They said it was nothing special. I ordered a side of macaroni and cheese, a side salad, and an order of fries. My life is much more fun now that I don't eat meat. Sike. The jalapeño ranch that I got with my salad was amazing. I'm going to need to learn how to make some of that this summer. The fries were good dipped in the barbecue sauce, which is why I wanted them. I liked the tangy vinegar-based sauce, but I have had better. I was disappointed by the macaroni and cheese. The cheese sauce was bland, and the pasta was a little overdone. My brother and I ordered the beer sampler. It was pretty good, but I was so full after my food that I couldn't finish it. I know. I should be embarrassed... I do want to mention the oatmeal cookie stout because it was the best beer I have ever had. It was the perfect flavor combination of stout, vanilla, raisins, and cinnamon. I wish I could have it for dessert all the time :-)
(3)Byeonghoon Y.
The food here is good. The portions are appropriately sized and things taste okay. However, I'm only giving three stars to this restaurant because the price is way to high for the quality of food they have. Yes, sadly, this place is very overpriced. Other than the food being average and the overpricing, everything else pretty solid. The atmosphere is very nice and the restaurant itself feels classy and amazing
(3)John N.
This might change with the food... But service lacks big time. They are not busy for how many people are working right now. But the employees are more interested in chatting with each other than getting a drink for the patrons. Finally walked out due to not getting any service at the bar. I had a drink but wanted food. Go to the movie theater next door... Place is packed Asked for manager 5 minutes ago. Finally came up nice guy, but I'm going somewhere else
(1)Garrett E.
So me and a couple of my boys came in here tonight to scope out some honeys and play some pool.... Little did I know that we were going to fall upon the pork wonderland!!!! I had the ribs with the homemade chips... Needless to say... They were delicious!!! My boy J-dizzle also had the ribs but with the Mac n cheese. His thoughts on the Mac were, "I'd rather eat velveeta." So apparently it wasn't very good. G-dizzle ordered the brisket Sammie... He gave it a 3.5 out of 5.... The beer was solid. Ribs were great... Go with the homemade chips... 86 the Mac.
(4)Ingrid K.
Great place for big groups (like ours). Our food came promptly and our server was great. I was amused by all the guys back in the kitchen with STUD printed on the back of their shirts. Hmmmm.
(5)Tim P.
Well, what can I say. This is the third time we've dined here with similar results, yes, I know fool me once... It really comes down to hit or miss on the food and I'm striking out. The last time we were here one of the appetizers we ordered, chicken something or another (is not on the menu anymore) was quite pitiful. Think one chicken breasts cut into chunks. This time I ordered the brisket platter under the guidance of our waitress who said it came with twice the amount of brisket on the sandwich. Perhaps it's because I'm used to the brisket sandwiches in Austin, TX, or perhaps I just got the end of the batch for the night. But if this is double the sandwich, you'll be very hungry if you get the sandwich. Only two and a half thin, over cooked slices of brisket came out on my player along with about hall the amount of sweet potato fries that everyone else received. I really couldn't care less about the fries but over cooked dry brisket is grounds for public shaming in some parts of the country. If we ever make a reappearance, I'll stick with the smoked wings. Probably the best thing on the table, just don't get the House BBQ flavor.
(2)Juju W.
I was told this place was AWESOME, well I wouldn't say that but it was good. Maybe cause we ate at 9:00, and the restaurant was almost empty. My soup was lukewarm, as was the rack of ribs. The Caesar salad was nothing to write home about and the pasta's sauce was heavy and pasty but others seem to like it. The location is in a new looking outdoor mall and half the stores seem to be closing due to lack of business? Anyway, this restaurant is not something I would go out of my way for.
(2)Sam P.
Decent enough spot for a few drinks. Good space in a strip mall. On the Tuesday night we were there, it was just $6 for a pitcher which seemed very reasonable. The beer was fine. Tried the brown, ipa, and the stout. Wasn't really a clear standout, but the IPA was my least favorite. I ordered the Green Street, but i would not want to order it again. To be fair, i wasn't able to try the chipotle aioli sauce which might have saved it, but i did use some buffalo sauce. Sweet potato fries were good.
(3)Kaitlyn B.
I have been to bull and bones on several occasions but after my most recent experience- I will not be in a rush to return. After being put on call ahead seating, our wait was still 45 minutes- just 5 minutes less than the couple that walked in right before us. We had drinks while we waited which were wonderful although. When we got our food everything went downhill. I ordered the tri tips which I have had before but this time half of them were just fat and they were unevenly cooked with some parts being too rare and others too overcooked. My boyfriend ordered the sirloin and ribs. His ribs were delicious but his steak looked like it had hardly touched the grill-definitely not the medium rare he ordered. After three times sending the steak back we finally let it go but each time they came back with the same piece of meat that they just kept plopping on the grill. At the end of our dinner, our waitress brought us our check and we asked if we could speak to the manager because we wanted to mention how different this experience was from ours in the past. The manager arrived and handed us the check telling us he removed the one meal and turned to walk away without even letting us express our concerns. He was rude, condescending, and clearly does not take pride in his restaurant enough to hear his customers opinions. If you decide to go, it's a good ambiance and I recommend going for the pulled pork platters which are the best value.
(3)Jeremiah F.
I've lived in Blacksburg for almost two years now and decided that it was finally time to try the place everyone seemed to be talking about. Thursday karaoke clinched the deal. I've since been back a few times and feel qualified to weigh in an opinion: It's okay. The price is higher than the quality calls for but the food is mostly good. Skip the macaroni and cheese side but make sure to try the baked beans. The brisket sandwich was essentially just a way to convey their sauces and didn't have much flavor of its own. The wings weren't your typical wings and are smoked, which gives them a tenderness and flavor that sets them apart from other places that offer similar fare in the area. The service was friendly and knowledgeable. But seriously, avoid the mac and cheese. And do karaoke. Karaoke is awesome. If it weren't for Thursday night karaoke I probably wouldn't bother going back but as it is I'll grab dinner every Thursday or so and then go sing like a fool. Oh, the alcohol is a bit on the pricey side, like the food, without really being anything special.
(3)Mau C.
Great place in Blacksburg. Nice decor, nice atmosphere and excellent beers. After trying a sampler of all their brews, all of them were fantastic, but I settled for a pint of their brown ale, thick and rich as it should be. Food was very good too -- their ribeye was 18z and came grilled to perfection. The only reason why this did not get 5 stars was because we had to wait 20 minutes depute having made a reservation. Other than that, it is a great place!!
(4)Hokie H.
I used to love eating here, but the quality of the food as gone downhill. The ribs have been too fatty to enjoy multiple times and the wings just aren't the quality they used to be. I hope that they improve their quality, because Bull and Bones used to be one of my favorite places in town.
(2)Sean O.
I've been here a bunch of times, usually when I'm playing pool league. They have a large number of very nice pool tables in the bar area. The bar area is nice, but hard to move around when crowded because of the long-tall tables and pool tables. I've found the service mostly good here ... the first couple of weeks service was bad, but its been pretty good lately. Bartenders are busy, the bar is very large, so you're not going to be bending ears here. Food I've found pretty good ... I stick to pulled pork sandwich (good) with sweet potato casserole (excellent) most of the time. The wings are great, smoked not fried, and are the best in town by a wide margin, although sauces are more limited than some places (BW3). Brisket was OK, salmon was fair, chicken my wife ordered on occasion was good as well. Tastes like most things are made in house and not US Foodservice/Sysco, which is a very good thing. Beer is OK. They use small glasses with handles and not pint glasses, which annoys the snot out of me as their beer is not cheap. Beers they have are usually well made, are identifiable, and made to style. They are not blow your socks off beers, but ones I can drink without enumerating defects. The light lager is the one that sometimes has noticeable diacetyl, but if you don't know what that is, you're good. Their guest/specialty beer has been excellent on occasion (last year's barleywine for example was clean and textbook). Growler fills are a good deal relative to the per glass price. They don't have guest beers and only sell their own ... which means beer sales are much more profitable to them. This also seems to be why they don't often explore beer styles out of the mainstream. They do a VT radio show from this place Monday nights (during football season mainly). The place is quite different then, with a group of boosters in the crowd and VT coaches and players being interviewed. If you follow VT sports, this is a really fun time to be there. I bring guests to B&B for lunch as you rarely have problem finding parking, the food is good, atmosphere nice and the beer is decent. This isn't the Sonoma Taphouse, but it is a great option in BB.
(4)Micah M.
I have been to Bull and Bones several times over the past 6 months and had a burger there at least half the time. Tonight was my last visit there for a burger. Tonight I got the worst burgers I have ever had at a sit down restaurant. I posted it on their Facebook page and they quickly deleted it. Go for a beer and then go somewhere else to eat.
(2)