It's been about Seven years since my last visit here and long over due! I don't get to TonyTown as much as I used too but was in town for a family function and had to stop by. I got me a delicious chopped BBQ sandwich and a quart of BBQ Cole Slaw. It never disappoints! read more

At one point, this BBQ location was considered amazing. Unfortunately, over the years, it's honestly taken a southward turn. Their food prices have gone up and their food quality has diminished hugely. I would not recommend anyone to visit this establishment anymore. It's quite the shame that it's turned into such a rut and sad establishment, but that's what's happened to it... I would prefer to go to any other BBQ place than RO's at this point because their quality is so disappointing. read more

Amazing food great service very convenient. Everything was just amazing. And bonus, the staff was very kind read more

I went to this reastaraunt today and it was great great service good food everything of the above was great the line wasn't long and it made me think I was in a movie from the 1990's so it gave me ideas on what it would look like then DEFFINATELY COME HERE read more

First of all, it is not BBQ, it's roast pork. BBQ is smoked over an open fire and hot coals. Worst excuse for BBQ slaw I've ever had. I worked in a BBQ place and mayo does not belong in BBQ slaw. Mayo is for white slaw and ketchup is for BBQ slaw. The two should never mix. Had to cover the meat with mustard just to be able to get it down. Meat is sliced across the grain, which is wrong, too. Don't waste your time or money on RO's. Go to McDonald's, Burger King, Hardee's, Wendy's or any place else. I've been trying to eat this sandwich since I started typing this and I've just now been able to get it down. BTW, over priced, too. $6 for a sandwich like this is outrageous. Best part of this sandwich was the mustard I put on it. If you go to RO's just ask for directions to any place else. BTW, I hate the BBQ so much, I tried a hotdog. It wasn't a hotdog. It was a sausage dog. I'm not sure I even recommend a canned Coke from RO's. read more

The staff was very unfriendly, the food was not very good. I'd rather eat at Dairy Queen. If you're a big Trump fan then you'll be happy, from the cutout of him to MAGA hat. If you want good food and friendly service go somewhere else. The woman at the register rolled her eyes and acted as if waiting on us was too much! read more

Best slaw around. I buy at Food Lion. I buy minced BBQ. My son buys Cheeseburger. We enjoy them. Fast orders. Gastonia, NC 28054

Ate here on our way to NC and what a sweet spot. Had never tried barbque slaw and it was tasty. The lady at the counter was kind and helpful. This is a delicious and a nice little spot. Plan on stopping back on our way again. read more

This one goes to my friend Barrett O. https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=NWKkrswnlRkSrqF1IzliDQ who said I needed to go here and even though he lives a thousand miles away, I took his recommendation. When you have a Yelp friend who has good taste in restaurants says you need to go somewhere, do it! Definitely not fancy, R O's is inexpensive and it's tasty. It's called "barbecue" but it's not really. It's just a really good sandwich and that's what you need to know. I ordered the "X-large BBQ" and an order of onion rings at the counter and paid for it there. A few minutes later, my number was called and I brought my white bag of deliciousness to a table. This large sandwich is served on a tasted bun. It's sliced pork with a sweet sauce. I did take a bite of it as it was served and then ate the rest with fork. The onion rings were excellent. Hot, crisp, random slices that suggest these are hand-made. As for COVID practices, half the tables are marked off and all the staff are wearing masks. Some of them are even wearing them properly. About half of the customers were wearing masks. There was hand sanitizer available. I'm guessing that the big ketchup dispenser doesn't get wiped down often, but I used a napkin and was okay. Five stars for an interesting and unique classic restaurant that is a bit off the beaten path in Gastonia. [Review 14103 overall, 1425 of 2020, number 2673 in North Carolina.] read more

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I have eaten this bbq for years. The slaw is out of this world. I've always considered it the best bbq slaw. It has no match. The restaurant is old school with curb side. I have had bbq from all over the eastern United States and RO's wins every time. read more

Came to R.O.'s after they were mentioned in Southern Living Magazine for having a tasty hot dog. As others have mentioned they are providing curb service and as soon as I parked I was quickly greeted by a server. I know they are used to locals but I did have to ask for a menu which she got for me speedily. My order: Hot dog with chili, slaw, and mustard, onion rings, and a sweet tea. Lots of good things about their slaw so I had high hopes. Unfortunately, when I unwrapped my dog, there were more toppings on the paper than on the actual hot dog. The hot dog was a really good size and still not the footlong that they have available. It tasted ok but I really wanted all of those toppings. The onion rings were top notch though and I was able to use them to scoop up some of the misplaced toppings. My experience wasn't their finest hour, but I'll definitely return to R.O.'s to try their BBQ, pimento cheese, and more of that slaw. read more

R O 's Bar-B-Que - ws a sign on the side of a building - Barbeque Near Me - Gastonia, North Carolina

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No frills. Just tasty! Carhop service available. Cards accepted here. Lots to choose from on the menu, including sliced and minced pork, roast pork, burgers, livermush and much more. Usually plenty of seating is available, but that's reduced for social distancing during the pandemic. I used to come here as a teenager during driver's education practice with my instructor and driving partner. It's the same and delicious as ever. You can get their slaw and other items in larger servings to go as well. Plenty of parking and close to both I-85 and Highway 74. read more

R O 's Bar-B-Que - Sliced Pork with BBQ Slaw - Barbeque Near Me - Gastonia, North Carolina

I'm not sure if the negative reviews were all on bad days or if they weren't genuine because they didn't match my experience here. The complaints about the meat being dry are likely from people who asked for no slaw on their sandwich, because at R.O.s their sauce is mixed in with the slaw unlike most barbecue places. The pictures don't do the food justice because even though the sandwiches look like a mess they're delicious. The BLT was one of the best I've ever had as were the hush puppies and the onion rings. Make sure to get a Cherry Lemon Sundrop, too. read more

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Although Charlotte is where I lay my head, my hometown is Dallas, NC and Gastonia is where my people are from. It's a little strange I've not mentioned RO's barbecue before. My mom & dad ate here when they were dating in high school and my grandparents were enjoying the BBQ before then. We grew up with the onion rings, the hush puppies, and of course the Cherry Lemon Sun-Drops served fountain-style with that soft crushed ice you can't get just anywhere. When a relative or old friend returns home, a stop at RO's is sure to be on the agenda. Here very recently, RO's has shifted from minced and sliced pork sandwiches to all "pulled pork" offerings which I am told are from a more tender and juicy cut, the Boston Butt. Judging from the sandwich I just polished off, the new cut delivers on both points; It was indeed TENDER and JUICY. RO's isn't it cheap however, a barbecue sandwich, onion rings, and a drink will set you back just south of 12 bucks. But that's a price folks around here are somehow still willing to pay. Top marks for flavor, service (car hop style), hometown realness, and a heavy dose of nostalgia. Pull in and have a taste. You'll be hooked on the slaw from the first bite! read more

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I've been going here for years. It's typical BBQ house. You go to the register and place your order and pay. Then go sit down and wait. They call your number and you go pick it up a few minutes later. I met my brother for lunch and I got the double burger and he got the sliced bbq pork sandwich. We both had it with the red slaw and Cherry Sundrop. I got the chili and fries as well. Everything was tasty and then we went and got some ice cream down the road. read more

They changed from their dry "powder like" minced BBQ to pulled pork, which was better; however, they switched back when people complained about that. My food was cold, including the hush puppies. When you ask for BBQ sauce you get some in a packet, not made by them. If you don't want their slaw they give you a funny look and crappy food. Apparently their slaw covers the bad BBQ quality, but I don't know about the slaw since I do not like it. I won't be back unless my dad wants to go. He rants and raves about their slaw and sliced BBQ, but it hasn't been good in years. Someone needs to go back to the drawing board here. read more

Good food- fast service- affordable meals. Cheeseburgers and ff were yummy. Love the cherry lemon Sundrop.

This was my first time at this barbecue joint and I must say it's probably one of the worst barbecue restaurant I have been to in the last 30 years. Although the restaurant was clean the food was ridiculously bad. This food is what you expect from a gas station. First, this was a dine in order but everything is served in carry out boxes that you can eat at your table- no plates are available only styrofoam containers. The bbq is a very dry highly minced meat with absolutely no favor. Hard to believe considering Gastonia is bbq country. This placed has earned the 'Chef Boryardee' of bbq. Yes, their slaw/sauce was tasty and I recommend it. Additionally the bbq sauce comes in packets (picture attached) Just like public school cafeterias. Also a cup of water is not free- only .75 a cup (tap water). Don't waste your time or money- Fetchers bbq is close by and wonderful. Lastly, the cashier didn't recommend the bbq either, I should had listened .... read more

R O 's Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Gastonia, North Carolina

I wish this place was in a better location. The prices are a bit high but the food is great.

I and my son pulled up into their parking lot and the curbside service person approached our car and asked politely if she could help us or take our order. We had called in our order ahead and asked she retrieve it please. Not knowing the final price I produced a $50 bill, told her to pay with that and please break down my change. That way I was assured of the right change so as to tip her. She quickly brought out our food... which was exactly what we ordered.... and handed me my $50 bill back while explaining that I had given her $100..... in the form of two fiftys. She then gave me the rest of my correct change. She easily could have pocketed the money and I would NEVER had known. I was extremely impressed with her integrity and tried to tell her manager as well. R. O.'s has kept this same attitude and high standards since I was a teenager in the 70s... lol. And as always the food is fantastic!!!!! Thanks Allie, for doing the right thing..... because it's the right thing to do. God bless. read more

I've been going to this restaurant my entire life. Last two times have been horrible. Prices have went up but I don't mind paying for good food. The food used to be so good I ordered a minced bbq plate with a cherry lemon sundrop 2 hot dogs all the way fries another cherry lemon sundrop. And absolutely nothing was good. Slaw is definitely not the same .... Cherry lemon sundrop is definitely out of the can because it not the same. It's really disappointing..... I won't be returning sad to say read more

Bbq was hot. Don't think it was smoked. Served with prepackaged bbq sauce. Certainly not a Carolina sauce. Skip the bbq try something else. read more

I know some will judge my review because of sentimentality but you must understand that this place serves my favorite sandwich on the planet earth. This is a sandwich that I could and had for breakfast and all meals throughout the day and s midnight snack. I eat them warm, hot or right out of the refrigerator. I have bought 18 of these huge sandwiches to go to take back to Memphis with me, seriously so don't judge. The love is real!! So here we go: There is a lot that I could say about RO's like they have been in the same location have been doing curb hop service since the 60's when I first discovered them. While it may not be fancy it is clean, convenient and perfectly pleasant inside and our with nice folks to make you feel welcome but seriously the most important thing is the food, right? Well here's what I know, RO's is home of the best damn bbq sandwich on the plane, period. Put everything you know about bbq aside and open your mind to something unique and spectacular. I now actually live in Memphis, a bbq capital, and I have regularly had bbq in Texas, Kansas, MO, and lots of other places from Boston to San Diego and from Mexico to Tangiers. There's lots of styles of smoking, braising, open pit roasting and even pressure cooking barbeque but I had this style of unique lean pork delicacy beginning when I was just 4 years old and everytime I get within 100 miles of RO's I absoluyltely make the trip, and get lots to go. (seriously, I get at a dozen jumbo sliced bbq sandwiches, double wrap them and then double zip lock them, put them on ice and eat them, occasionally share one or two, over the next few days. OMG my mouth's watering!) Try the sliced bbq sandwich that has an amazing and uinque slaw and get ready to be gown away. Whoever writes funky reviews for this place must have been expecting something familiar, but trust me you have not had anything like this before, and can't find it anywhere else, period. Expand your horizons and get ready for a new absolute favorite...... Go to RO's, and I would be grateful if you could FedEx me a dozen or so sandwiches (I have actually done that for someone else & wish someone would actually return the favor) Here's the bottom line, I have been eating here for over 50 years and they have changed a lotbovervtje years but some things, mainly the kickass bbq sandwiches are 100% the real deal and always have been. By the way, I've heard comments about the cherry lemon sundrop and how awesome it is, well here's the real deal, me and a buddy of mine used to order cheerwine & sundrop mixed nearly 50 years ago and we got laughed at. We may have been the trend setters ablong time ago. Maybe. I've had their cooking for casual dining, quick bites and even as treats when I was a kid and it doesn't matter what the rhyme or reason, this place is really terrific! read more

You win some and you lose some. This was a loss on the BBQ front. I've never really had anything quite as odd as the minced smoked pork and "slaw" that looked like a dipping sauce. Apparently, they love mincing everything, very, very fine, including the cabbage in the slaw. I've never seen anything quite like it. Pork didn't taste smoked. Onion rings were awful. Cheap frozen garbage and over cooked. Staff not wearing masks over their noses. I will never go back. It was not good. There are other, better places to eat BBQ in Gastonia. read more

This venerable barbecue restaurant reminds me a little of Snappy Lunch in Mt Airy - a following built on a single speciality food item, that is beloved locally by many, should be visited once by most of us for the uniqueness of it, and pretty much left at that. The Pork Chop Sandwich of Snappy Lunch does seem somewhat more culinarily substantial than Pink Slaw, even an 11 ingredient Pink Slaw, but there is a certain uniqueness, a charming nostalgia, and undeniable character to this 66 year old family operated barbecue joint that somehow manages to draw you back - almost despite the barbecue. The barbecue sans the famous slaw is tender, relatively moist, with no hint of smokiness - it is cooked in an electric pit; comes minced or very thinly sliced - all in all, rather bland. The addition of "the slaw" removes this barbecue combination forever from the Eastern vs Lexington equation - this is a different pork product now, and not one that I would seek out often - I'm just not a big fan of "the slaw" - it does not combine with the pork, it over powers it, and putting it on burgers or dogs, doesn't improve them either. And the Slaw Sandwich simply leaves the slaw totally on its own. Still, there is much here to bring you back - the curb service is efficient and totally cool; the burgers here are pretty good (not as good as some found in nearby Cherryville, but pretty good), especially with the home made Pimento Cheese; and the Cherry Lemon Sundrop is definitely different. Unfortunately, the hot dog is not one I care for, the chili just doesn't get it done. The folks here are friendly, efficient, and part of a family environment - the kitchen manager has been with this operation for 59 years, since he was 15 years old - hard to find that at many places. I'll visit again - probably for a burger, without slaw. read more

Is RO BBQ off of the beaten track, yes. Was it worth the drive off of the interstate to get here, yes. Did this San Franciscan born, Los Angeles raised urbanite feel like he was in Mayberry, absolutely! And that is part of the charm of RO. It's this North Carolina back country look and feel that gives this diner its nostalgic comfortable charm. Don't get me wrong, the food is good also, but the ambiance is what did it for me. I felt like I went through a time warp and was looking for girls with poodles on their skirts and guys in hot rods......which (BTW) they had across the parking lot on this Saturday afternoon - PERFECT! The lady's in our party of four had fried chicken and us men had chopped pulled pork sandwiches. We all shared hush puppies. Again, the food was real good. But their home made BBQ sauce was the star of this show. It was very good. We ate, took pictures, grabbed menus as souvenirs and left for Asheville happy, content and feeling 50's / 60's. Darn, now leaving the time warp and getting back to 2016. read more

This feels like you are in the 1950's I think it hasn't been updated since. They seem to have the philosophy that if it isn't broke don't fix it I've been living here for 30 years and I alway get the same thing . I get the Chopped pork with their slaw It comes warm on a big Hamburg type roll and the slaw that is more like a sauce than the usual slaw you find in other places. Very unique and always good. This is one of the first stops when my kids come home Get a container of slaw to take home It good on anything They sell the pork by the pound too, I often get that for parties read more

Sure, I come here. But not for the BBQ, which is tasty, but mainly for the cherry sundrop. The sandwiches are messy, and as I stated, tasty. RO's is a Gastonain tradition. It's been around for a while. Are there better BBQ joints? Of course! But it's quick, no frills, and hits the spot. read more

R O 's Bar-B-Que - Cherry sundrop... I'm almost confident they sprinkle crack in it to make it taste so refreshingly good. - Barbeque Near Me - Gastonia, North Carolina

Very disappointed t In how this Gastonia institution lacks the quality of the past. Ordered lunch early yesterday. Jumbo minced bbq. Fries. Drink. Sandwich came out cold. Sliced not minced and soaked in slaw. Very sloppy made sandwich. Fries were decent. We buy the slaw and use it at home when we make bbq. Forgot to mention as I entered, stood there a couple minutes before being acknowledged as well. Was asked finally it I would like to place an order? Really, why else would I be standing at the counter? read more

Never disappointed. My husband loves to go there for sentimental reasons. He says the food quality and service is as good as he remembered from his childhood. read more

This place was one of the best 25 years ago. Now it's dry, flavorless meat on a cold bun with plenty of gristle included. And it is way overpriced for an inferior product. Oh, the "slaw" now is just a ketchup/mayo runny sauce with a hint of cabbage thrown in. read more

Best bbq sandwiches in Gastonia. It's so old school bruhhhhh. I usually get the minced bbq sandwich and an order of fries. Looks like a totally hole in he wall because you have to go through the hood to find it. Once you get here and take a bite of the meals here you won't regret it. read more

R O 's Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Gastonia, North Carolina

Gross. Go to blacks. Pulled in because I did not want to drive to blacks. Greasy cheeseburger with no flavor slaw. It was Saturday and two people were there. Never going back. 25 years ago, this was the best in town. read more

OMG, Ellis, I am SO sorry to have to dump on your restaurant, but my meal from RO's tonight was absolutely HORRIBLE. First off, BBQ must be cooked SLOWLY over a wood fire/coals - smoke must be present. This stuff tasted like a bad pork roast, no smoke flavor (or any other flavor) whatsoever, just kinda bland. I had the sliced, minced (eeww) was the other option; no pulled pork for me. This place serves 100% food-service grade food. I overheard the cashier talking to a lady about how they had to go up on their prices because "Tyson went up on the price of hams". Hush puppies: greasy, not crisp on the outside, just kinda... thick. French fries: ditto. Onion rings: just above Burger King grade (sadly the 'rings were the best of the plate). Baked beans: straight outta the can. BBQ sauce: "Bullseye" food service single-serve container. There was a container of what appeared to be mustard-ketchup-mayo sauce that was kinda interesting, but that was the ONLY food on the plate that didn't look as if it fell off a US Foodservice truck. In fairness to USF, the onion rings, fries and hush-puppies would have been a lot better if cooked properly. I literally couldn't eat it - $7.99 + tax down the drain. Look, I'm from SC. I've been eating BBQ all my life - raised on the stuff - and I haven't had a decent BBQ plate since I moved to NC - these ppl are unbelievably BBQ deprived! They use ELECTRIC COOKERS as a matter of course! OMG - heresy! "Minced" is a popular option - yeah, like i want my BBQ and my cole slaw to have the same consistency... Is it just the Charlotte area, or is the whole state like this? Anyway, RO's musta went WAYYY downhill in the last couple of years - it just plain sucked. Don't waste your time or your money. read more

Not my cup of slaw I'll start off by saying I'm not from Gastonia. If you live there and love RO's, then you already know about it and nothing I say here will make any difference other than annoy you because I'm going to insult a local institution. If you are not from Gastonia, and you're in town looking for some Carolina barbecue, you'd be well advised to keep looking because you probably aren't going to like it. One of the things I like about traveling on business is that I get to visit local places that are off the tourist path. RO's in Gastonia appeared to fill the bill. It's a dive with architecture in the Early Utility Shed style. The parking lot was covered up with cars and people. Some people were eating in their cars and staff members were running out to the cars to take orders. Obviously a local favorite. Good signs proving that there is no accounting for taste. The interior decor matched the exterior in all its dingy glory, but an A rating from the local Health Department was prominently displayed. We waited behind 3 or 4 other customers to get to the counter. I ordered a sliced pork sandwich. My companions ordered chopped pork sandwiches with fries and onion rings, and a cup of "barbecue slaw." The sandwiches, fries and rings arrived in grease-stained wax paper -- a look back to another time while the slaw came in a foam cup. I eagerly unwrapped my sandwich to discover bland pork loin slices drenched in pink mayonnaise that soaked through a soggy bun. Other reviews here have called the pink sauce spicy. Maybe it's because of my southwest tastes, but the word "spicy" never entered my mind. Bland and mayonnaisey was my take. The slaw, which appeared to be more pink mayonnaise than cabbage, was soupy and also bland. We all looked at each other and knew that we had made a mistake. RO's is obviously a local institution with a loyal following. That's fine. If you aren't from there and haven't been raised on the pink stuff, my bet is you won't like it. To those who know and love it, well, enjoy! You can have my place in line. read more

Literally the worst BBQ of my life. Might be awesome if you're into powdered pig. This is the first time I've thrown away most of my food at a BBQ joint. read more

R O 's Bar-B-Que - The contents of my sandwich. Dry, practically powdered, and flavorless. Just awful. - Barbeque Near Me - Gastonia, North Carolina

YUCK. Sliced pork sandwich was gray and had the consistency and flavor of warmed sliced processed deli meat. There is a reason the pork is covered in the slaw sauce stuff - to hide that bruised looking pork. The slaw sauce was ok...kind of a pickley thousand island with cabbage. The pimento cheese was good but not great. The cherry sun drop was tasty like a cherry slushy. Bottom line - it's true that you eat with your eyes first and that gray meat blinded my appetite. read more

R O 's Bar-B-Que - Yuck the slice pork is gray if not hidden under a ton of the slaw stuff. A one time purchase! - Barbeque Near Me - Gastonia, North Carolina

Today's sandwich was dried out crumbled and bland. I've ate there for ever. It was just not good. I won't go back something changed!

Today was my first visit to R.O.'s. I normally go to Black's but, they are on their annual July vacation. The food is good but not as good as Black's. My main issue with the restaurant is their service. It took about 20 minutes to get my food. It was busy however; they were preparing the food out of order. I was ticket 876. When I was getting my food, ticket 871 was asking where their food was. read more

Mom and I ate there,had the worst food poisoning of our life.Literally thought we were going to die.Never going back,even afraid of there pimento cheese spread now. read more