Rank & File Gastropub — Local services in Goldsboro

We visited Rank&File Gastropub on a Saturday night around 8 PM, and while the downtown Goldsboro parking scene was a little busy, we managed to snag a spot right in front of the building. Walking in, we were a little unsure at first about how seating worked, but any confusion was quickly smoothed over by the incredibly kind and patient staff. Our server was so sweet, and, Serene, one of the owners was just as lovely. Both were genuinely warm and welcoming. You can tell they're all still adjusting to a recent surge in popularity thanks to social media attention, but they handled it all with such grace and kindness that it was easy to be patient and understanding.

The vibe inside is prohibition-era pub meets rustic steampunk, with cool touches like gear-accented lighting that really give the place character. We chose a high-top table since my partner, a disabled veteran, needs back support. The bar was also an option for those who prefer it.

We kicked off our meal with the jerk chicken wings, and my partner couldn’t stop raving about them. Perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of kick, they set the tone for a fantastic meal. Then came the highlight: their famous butter chicken. Our server shared that the chef had actually won an award for it, and once we tasted it, we saw exactly why. My partner loved it so much he complimented the chef personally, AND the chef even came out to shake his hand and take a selfie with us! Such a sweet, genuine moment! 😊

Then came MY favorite part: dessert. The Basque cheesecake with mango lassi and GIRL...I was in HEAVEN. 🤤 Just the right level of sweetness, made with minimal ingredients but maximum love. Easily one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. While we waited for our food, we also had the chance to chat with Serene, one of the owners, and she was an absolute delight. Hearing about her and her husband’s journey here in Goldsboro made the whole experience feel even more personal and special.

As for drinks, my partner had the house draft beer and he loved it so much he ordered a second one after downing the first. I don’t drink alcohol anymore, so I tried the Cool Out THC seltzer (5mg), which was a relaxing, sparkling treat. It paired perfectly with the food and settled so well in my stomach. My partner also had the garlic naan (I’m gluten-free but I did sneak a bite because… sometimes you just gotta suffer for the food! No regrets, it was delicious!).

By the time we left, my partner was gushing about the place all the way home and thanking me for finding it. It was the perfect date night, and we truly cannot wait to go back.

Highly, highly recommend! ❤️

Tell your friends, tell your mama, tell your cat. Rank&File...

Rank and File Gastropub: A Global Gospel in Goldsboro

You walk into Rank and File already off balance in the best way. This isn’t your usual Carolina comfort—no hushpuppies, no pulled pork in sight. What hits you instead is the aroma of jerk spice chasing cardamom through the kitchen door. This is Indian-Jamaican fusion, stitched together with soul and fire. And in a town like Goldsboro, it feels like both a revolution and a homecoming.

The tasting menu read like a borderless hymn book—each course a verse in a song sung low and rich, in kitchens far from here but familiar in soul.

First came the naan, warm and blistered, a soft landing for what was to come. Rice and beans stood up next, humble and fragrant, stitched with the kind of care that makes you quiet. Then braised cabbage—silky and spiced just enough to make your brow rise. A little heat, a little funk, the kind of dish that doesn’t ask for attention but earns it.

And the jerk wings? Mercy. Smoky and sticky, fire on the lips, but the kind of heat that hugs instead of harms. A Southern boy might call ’em barbecue wings with a passport. I’d call ‘em a sermon in spice.

Then the courses marched in, proud and unapologetic.

Lamb korma, lush and slow-simmered, like velvet with backbone. Butter chicken came next, creamy and coaxed into balance, each bite whispering about distant lands and shared cravings.

Chicken biryani followed, layered like a Southern casserole, but scented with cardamom and clove instead of cream-of-mushroom. You didn’t eat it so much as you mined it—each forkful a dig into something deeper.

And just when you think you’ve tasted the best they’ve got, the oxtail slides in—unctuous, fall-apart tender, the kind of dish that makes time irrelevant. Followed by Jamaican curry chicken, bright and bold, dancing with ginger and thyme, a dish that winks and says, I see you, and I brought the heat.

This wasn’t just a meal. It was a diaspora on a plate. It was the story of migration told through flavor, of cultures braided together by fire and patience and love of a good sauce.

Rank and File could have played it safe. Instead, they threw the map out the window and cooked from the heart. And Goldsboro is...

My friend and I had lunch here on Friday. The draft beer selection was great! We did the Tour option and shared it and were both completely satisfied with the amount of food that was offered, especially for the price! We both thought every single dish was delicious, but the Butter Chicken was both of our favorites! I love Indian and Jamaican foods and usually I’m not able to eat very many things on those menus because I’m a wimp with spice. Nothing I ate was too spicy for me here, but everything had a little kick to it. I’m not as versed in Jamaican food, but I eat Indian food in almost every big city that I travel to, including the UK. Love that they are cognizant of better ingredients and many items are gluten free. Excellent option for Goldsboro! Will definitely...