There is something to be said for consistency in the restaurant business. On Scottsville Road the most consistent casual dining restaurant is Rafferty’s. This is its 25th year, and as far as I know, it started Scottsville Road casual dining.

Just because it’s been around so long, and you drive by it on a regular basis, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider it the next time you go out for dinner. After 25 years, it hasn’t lost its edge, because its motto is &#8220no unhappy guests, not even one.”

However, I will mention that it seems Rafferty’s might discuss this with the staff greeting customers.

We arrived about 6:45 p.m. on a Friday. There was no line, which was good because

Rafferty’s doesn’t have a large foyer where people can wait. Five employees were huddled around the door to the deck. The two of us walked in and only one of the five greeted us. The others gave us a look and then went about their chatting.

If an employee is anywhere near the front door at a restaurant, they had better be trained to have a big smile ready for anyone who walks through the door.

We visited before the oppressive heat wave struck and sitting outside didn’t mean you sweat off the calories as you ate them, so we decided to enjoy the deck.

Our server was quick to take our drink order and was polite and appropriately friendly.

I ordered lasagna, which is promoted as one of the house favorites.

My companion went for the Sunshine Salad.

I had a delicious house salad with Rafferty’s signature fluffy and amazingly light croissant. At first glance I was disappointed in the portion size of the lasagna. But lasagna is one of those dishes that fills you up quickly and when I finished, I was pleased there wasn’t more.

It was very good. But, eating lasagna with the Italian cheese toast on each side covered with melted mozzarella cheese can be a drawn out affair, literally.

You know how melted mozzarella likes to string out when you try to eat it!

So, if you need to impress someone, I would avoid the lasagna and Italian toast, just because I looked pretty goofy sometimes with mozzarella hanging off my chin. But that is the only reason to avoid it. Add a glass of house merlot and you will be set for a nice meal.

My companion enjoyed the Sunshine Salad. Rafferty’s makes its own chicken salad and with fresh fruits and melons. It’s topped with a sweet orange dressing. The chicken was deliciously seasoned, tender and moist.

We ended up with another crowd favorite, the white chocolate banana cream pie. It had a graham cracker crust and was topped with white chocolate shavings.

Our meal and service was very good. It’s nice to have an anchor casual dining restaurant as in integral part of the community.

Rafferty’s Restaurant and Bar

1939 Scottsville Road

Hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Price range for dinner: $8.95 – $18.95

Libation situation: full bar

Smoking: yes