Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company — Restaurant in Alexandria

This review was From December 21, 2021 12:21pm I just edited it and it changed the date. Things could have changed from then to now however caution, try at your own risk. This place is not kind to 1st timers of news are not sure what they want. I walked in I stood at the register for about 4 minutes while members of the staff looked at me as if I was a kitchen admirer. I finally get my order taken after switching to another cash register and ordered beef ribs with greens and Mac. (I ate inside and had to clean my own table and when I entered, I was greeted by a seeming not so fresh spill on the floor from the drink machine.... but the flies enjoyed it). The Mac and cheese was flavorless, but the greens were surprisingly OK. Completely dissatisfied I go back to the register and order an additional brisket half pound with big beans hoping that My lunch can be rescued. Unfortunately, that was not the case, my half pound of the brisket was half fat (so I only got a quarter in theory) the kind that should be trimmed before smoking. After bouts with depression and starvation I attempted to reorder (I did pay for every order I placed) the employee stated to the manager that they were tough and he returned with more, flavor was not there, you could not taste smoke but at least I was able not to leave the restaurant hungry. The biggest disappointment is with my expectation versus the item's description. When you say Texas style people who know then expect it just as it was described. This missed the mark on all levels. If I had a magic crystal ball and do it all over again, I would do with the guy behind me the in order a bacon cheeseburger. To summaries the meat seemed more baked than smoked or grilled. The sides need a chef or just a trip to the local seasoning counter (there was plenty of seasoning for sale just not evident in the cooking process). Outdoor and indoor seating is available but with 14 ppl in the kitchen you still may have to clean your spot before you eat. Not a long wait time but I've made...

Title: Mixed Experience at ROCKLANDS BBQ

I recently had the opportunity to try ROCKLANDS BBQ, and unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. While there were a few positive aspects, there were also some significant shortcomings that made it my least favorite BBQ spot.

One of the major issues I encountered was the lack of friendliness and personability towards non-regular customers. It seemed that the staff was primarily focused on catering to their regular patrons, which made me feel somewhat overlooked as a newcomer. The person who assisted me appeared disinterested and unwilling to provide assistance, which created a negative first impression.

Another aspect that disappointed me was the absence of prices on the menu. It is important for customers to have transparency and clarity when it comes to pricing, and the omission of this information felt somewhat misleading. It would have been helpful to have a clear understanding of the cost before making my selection.

Moreover, I must mention my disappointment with the pulled chicken sandwich. It had an unpleasant taste that reminded me of lighter fluid, which was certainly not appetizing. However, on a positive note, the chicken noodle soup offered a delightful contrast. It was flavorful, well-seasoned, and truly enjoyable.

In summary, my experience at ROCKLANDS BBQ was a mixed bag. While the chicken noodle soup stood out as a highlight, the lack of friendliness towards non-regular customers, the absence of prices on the menu, and the unpleasant taste of the pulled chicken sandwich left me feeling dissatisfied. I believe that a BBQ spot should strive to provide consistent quality and customer service to all, regardless of their status as regulars or newcomers.

Please note that this review is based on my personal experience and may not reflect the overall quality of ROCKLANDS BBQ. Taste preferences and customer service can vary, and I encourage others to give it a try and form their...

Some hits and more misses. Reviewing a BBQ restaurant is highly subjective as everyone has different tastes in BBQ. Some like it smoky. Some like vinegary. And some like it sweet. Rockland's lands mostly on the sweet side with a bit of smoke.

The chili was the best thing we had. Made with creole trinity and not too many beans, it had a great, complex flavor.

The collard greens were also great, and I'm not normally a fan of greens.

It was great to find a pit beef sandwich outside of Baltimore. It was good, but I would have preferred some pink on the beef.

The beef ribs were meaty, but lacked flavor. That's a shame, because they're the reason we came. Not many BBQ shops offer beef ribs.

The Brussels sprouts were drenched in oil and not at all crisp. So much for pan frying them.

The onion rings were tasty, but they were wrapped up when hot out of the fryer. They got soggy on the way home. They were much better after a few minutes in the air fryer. The same was true of the egg rolls. Sadly, the air fryer didn't add flavor, which the filling of the egg rolls desperately needed.

The service is great here and the staff aim to please. I get that some items on the menu are market price. Is it too much for the staff to post those prices inside the restaurant?

The food is hit or miss here, and really depends on your taste in BBQ. Sadly, the meats, which should be the star at any BBQ restaurant, are not...