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Lee's Restaurant

4.5 636 reviews Closed 30 S Main St, Kilmarnock, VA 22482, United States

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Lee's Restaurant in Kilmarnock, VA, is a cherished gem that has been delighting locals for over 85 years. Reviewers frequently laud its chicken, notably calling it "some of the best fried chicken" they have ever tasted—a crispy exterior that gives way to juicy tenderness. Diners are also enchanted by the heartwarming atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing meal with family and friends.

The menu boasts a variety of hearty entrees such as Chicken Fried Steak with rich gravy, flavorful Roast Beef Dinners, and satisfying Chicken Tenders accompanied by two vegetables. Sandwich lovers can indulge in classics like the BLT or the Roast Beef Sandwich, served with crispy chips. Patrons rave about the special homemade pies, like the Chocolate Turtle Pie, which have garnered high praise for their amazing taste and quality.

Though the restaurant can get busy, guests often remark on the efficient service and friendly staff who ensure a pleasant dining experience. Whether you’re stopping in for a meal or savoring dessert, Lee's Restaurant offers a slice of hometown goodness that keeps residents and visitors coming back for more.

Photos

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Amenities & More

Service options

  • Outdoor seating
  • Onsite services
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
  • Delivery

Highlights

  • Fast service
  • Great coffee
  • Great dessert
  • Serves local specialty

Popular for

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining

Dining options

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service

Amenities

  • Restroom

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Historic

Crowd

  • Family-friendly
  • Groups
  • Tourists
Note: Amenity details are aggregated from verified visits, the venue's website and Google. They may change without notice. We recommend confirming key details (pet policy, accessibility, reservations) directly with Lee's Restaurant before visiting.

Reviews for Lee's Restaurant

4.5
636 reviews
5
100%
4
28%
3
12%
2
5%
1
3%

Review highlights

Based on 636 reviews

Lee's Restaurant, a longstanding family-owned establishment in Kilmarnock, is widely praised for its consistently delicious American fare, particularly its standout fried chicken and homemade desserts such as pies. Reviewers frequently highlight the authentic, comforting flavors rooted in local ingredients, including fresh seafood and baked goods. Despite occasional busyness and staffing challenges, the service is generally described as friendly and efficient, contributing to a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Patrons appreciate the restaurant’s ability to maintain quality and flavor over decades, making it a favored spot for both regulars and visitors seeking a genuine hometown dining experience.

Catherine Brincefield
Jul 23, 2025

Hometown goodness in a place family owned for 85 years. Homemade pies, local seafood, and hot rolls! Who could ask for more?

tim edwards
Jun 27, 2025

Been stopping in Lee's over the past 30 years. Food is delicious and consistently so. Today's Chocolate Turtle Pie was Extraordinary! Homemade too! Gotta go... Nap Time...

brad joyce
Jun 25, 2025

They were busy and shorthanded but still didn't have to wait very long .. i got a burger which was one of a very few that I've ever had at a restaurant that had good flavor and wasn't overcooked, it was medium as asked. decent sweet tea. decent service even though they were slammed

J P
May 16, 2025

Best fried chicken! We ended up at Lee’s because it was one of the only restaurants open around 3 in the afternoon and I am so glad we found it. The fried chicken was some of the best I have ever had. Crispy on the outside tender on the inside, and full of flavor. Everything else we ordered was really good too. The service was friendly and relaxed. The whole place just had a welcoming feel. We will definitely be back.

Zac Reynolds
May 13, 2025

Amazing food, dinner of the best fried chicken I’ve had. The people I was with got appetizers as their meals and said they were great. Service was excellent. Highly recommend!

S Tam
May 12, 2025

This is a hometown, locally owned restaurant. It's a diner vibe with friendly staff, fresh made, home-cooked favorites and fast service. Everything we ordered was fresh and tasty from fried Oysters, to turkey dinner, to chicken fried steak, to wings. Kids menu is great with fresh pizza. The dough is homemade. The special appetizer of Philly cheese steak egg rolls with a smoked hot pepper jam was fantastic! Now, let's talk about the pies! They are too much, in a good way! We tried 5 pies: keylime, coconut cream, lemon meringue, chocolate pecan and Reese peanut butter. Wow, wow, wow, they were all perfectly sweetened, beautifully decorated and soooooo fresh. The owner makes them fresh daily. We will be back!!!!!

crystal recktenwald
May 07, 2025

My husband and I had dinner here today. It was amazing! Our waitress "Athena" was very attentive and friendly, providing excellent service. We both had a pasta dish with a nice sized salad and homemade roll. The French dressing is made in-house and was very good. I had the Chicken Fettucini Alredo. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and grilled. The Alfredo sauce was very flavorful yet light, which was nice-it wasn't overly rich or heavy. My husband had the Veal Parmesan, which comes with a meatsauce. The veal was tender and perfectly breaded and done. The homemade sauce (which we were told is from a 1939 recipe) was very good. It reminded my husband of his step-father's sauce (that he made from tomatoes fresh from his garden and simmered for three days), making the meal an even better experience for my husband. For dessert we had the Blueberry-White Chocolate Cobbler Cheesecake, which had a refreshing hint of Lemon keeping it from being too sweet; and the Carrot Cake, which was dense, moist and a perfectly spiced balance to the cream cheese icing. Both were very good. If we weren't leaving town in a day, we'd go back. If we're ever in Kilmarnock again, we will definitely eat at Lee's. It's well worth the stop!

Robert From NY
Apr 13, 2025

Lee's is a totally" old school "Village dining, period. Nothing fancy and you arent there for the decor or the social scene, this is just a local place to eat, and one that endured many years. Update. Today I made it my business to hit Lee's. I was itching for a good ole grilled cheese but I switched it up adding bacon n tomato slices. The bacon was seriously good, and I'm a totally fussy tomato guy..but the tomato was perfect too. as if they knew my pickyness! Athena, my waitress, was prompt and got it all right. She checked on me just enough to show she was paying attention. So today a Gold Star for awesome bacon tomato on grilled cheese n Athena.. try the grilled cheese with their good fries too! . I had the crab cake sandwich that comes with coleslaw and fries.. the fries seemed a bit different in a good way and I really enjoyed them.. and I so glad they didnt salt them to death, as other places do nearby. The tartar sauce was fine and I hear many realy like it, the sandwich itself very decent. I had the chicken salad another time which was enjoyable too.. but not overly filled, just enough.. Prices here greatly vary from a simple grilled cheese sandwich to big steak dinners. I hear their pies are great and reasonably priced too, but I was too full to try any this time! Update. Went again and sat outside in the gentle breeze . The streets were filled with shoppers . We waited for a seat outside . My friend enjoyed a fried chicken sandwich and I tried Chicken croquettes (which I haven’t had in ages but these though made differently than in NYC ) they had a crunchy coating and were enjoyable! A popular place with locals that's been around a long time.. if you haven't tried it I think you should ..there's a wide array of offerings to start sampling at reasonable prices!

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Quick info

Address
30 S Main St, Kilmarnock, VA 22482, United States
Price range
$10–20
Category
American restaurants

Opening hours

  • Monday (Today) Closed
  • Tuesday Closed
  • Wednesday 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Thursday 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Friday 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Saturday 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Sunday Closed

Location

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