Undercover Diner Visits Fleming Mountain Grill

A group of girlfriends and I recently visited Fleming Mountain Grill, a spot that has been revitalized after Mitchell’s convenience store closed years ago. Though I had only visited the bar once for a drink, the restaurant itself was a new experience for most of us. When Fleming’s opened a few years back, one goal was to be known for high-quality steaks—but they also wisely decided to keep Mitchell’s famous fried chicken recipe, a local favorite that had become something of a legendary dish in Greater Lynchburg. I was excited to finally try it out.

Smoky

When we walked in, the restaurant had a slightly smoky smell, which was a bit off putting, and the temperature was on the warmer side. Fortunately, once they turned on the AC, the smoke cleared out, and the atmosphere became much more comfortable. Adding to the ambiance was some wonderful live jazz by Trev Hicks, a talented local saxophonist. It was the perfect background for a fun dinner out with friends.

First, the drinks—then the salad bar.

We started with drinks—red wine and Moscow mules—which set the tone for a relaxed evening. Each of us ordered an entrée that came with a trip to the salad bar, and this salad bar was packed with everything you could imagine. It was delicious and fresh, and I could easily make a meal just from that. That is a menu item: unlimited trips to the salad bar.

Tableside Carving

One unique touch that stood out during our visit was when a staff member brought over a large piece of meat to cut ribeye from right in front of the table. The girls who ordered steak really enjoyed the theatrics of it. Personally, I’m not one for the whole “show,” but it did add a nice, memorable experience for the others. The staff member mentioned that the beef they use is sold at only two other restaurants in the U.S., which added a bit of exclusivity to the whole experience.

When a Website Photo Undercuts a Real Business Practice

While our experience at the restaurant itself was enjoyable, we did notice a concern regarding Fleming Mountain’s online presence. Although their website is well-designed and easy to navigate, one image was inconsistent with our actual experience. Specifically, while the tableside server at the restaurant wore gloves when cutting the steak, the website features an image of someone handling a raw steak with bare hands.

As we’ve mentioned before, just as an employee represents the company in person, a website should accurately reflect the standards and practices customers can expect. This mismatch between the online imagery and the in-person service undermines the restaurant's otherwise strong impression—and could easily put off potential customers who view food safety as a priority. If the goal is to show skill or freshness, a more appropriate website image might feature a gloved chef or simply focus on the steak itself without showing hands at all.

As for the Food

I went for the fried chicken, which came with the vegetable of the day (green beans) and a side—baked potato for me. The fried chicken lived up to the hype—it was crispy, juicy, and delicious. However, the green beans were a bit of a miss for me. They were Italian-flavored, which I didn’t care for, but everything else was spot on. The baked potato was classic and comforting. I ended up taking a good part of my meal home as the portions were generous.

Most of the girls went for the ribeye, and they all enjoyed it. One even described it as "rich but delicious." Another friend ordered the pork chop and enjoyed it as well.

One of the girls had ordered an 8 oz ribeye, but the staff member cut it to 10 oz. She decided to keep the larger part, but I’m personally more of a fan of just ordering the steak off the menu and knowing exactly what I am paying for and getting.

The jazz vibes were great throughout the evening, and the atmosphere leaned toward a cozy, intimate dining experience. Overall, I would go back to Fleming Mountain Grill, though I’m not sure I would order the steak next time, given the cut-and-serve show. But if you are a fan of that kind of experience, it could be a fun experience for you. The fried chicken, however, is a must-try!

Fleming Mountain Grill is certainly a place that blends great food, a lively vibe, and a unique atmosphere, making it a worthwhile spot to check out with friends.