Rocky's Asian Bistro and BBQ — Restaurant in Blaine

STAY FAR FAR FAR AWAY!!!

If zero stars were an option, that’s exactly what I’d give. There were so many issues here, I honestly don’t even know where to start. Came here after hearing some good reviews but now I’m thinking those must be PAID REVIEWS or from family and friends of the restaurant. They’re charging outrageous prices for food that doesn’t even compare to DELI FOOD!!!

We got here and stood for 10 mins waiting to be seated. NO ONE greeted us, not even the staff walking by dropping food at other tables. Finally, some guy who was TOUCHING THE RICE comes up and tells us to seat ourselves… WELL THEN WHY IS THERE A SIGN THAT SAYS “PLEASE WAIT TO BE SEATED”????

I sit down and again, no one acknowledges me for almost another 10 mins. Then a guy says he needs to find me a menu… turns out they only have a FEW MENUS and one table ...had them all, THINK ABOUT THAT! After another 5 mins, I finally get one and EVERYTHING IS OVERPRICED! A rice with sausage is $16, The chicken “Pad Thai” is $16, Their Pork Belly Larb is $17!

Since I was already here, I ordered. But of course, no one came by so I had to go up to the window myself because I didn’t want to sit around waiting anymore. While waiting, I realize you also have to grab YOUR OWN water, plates, napkins, utensils, etc!

The music was BLASTING so loud you could barely hear the person next to you, and they had TVs on the wall but NONE OF THEM WERE EVEN ON?????

Now on to the food. It was plain, sad, and badly plated.THE PICTURES THEY HAVE ON THEIR WEBSITE OR ADVERTISE ARE NOT THEIRS. Even the plates in their photos are different - THEY ARE USING STOCK PHOTOS?!?!

The sausage looked like something cooked in an air fryer the day before, broken into pieces by hand, and thrown onto a plate. The Pork Belly Larb tasted like someone was seasoning it and the CAP FELL OFF—so it was like eating powder. The rice that came with it was the size of a chicken egg… two bites and GONE.

The Pad Thai (IF YOU COULD EVEN CALL IT THAT) was DISGUSTING. These ppl need to learn how to “VELVET” meat like they do in Asian restaurants (think the chicken in lo mein or fried rice etc) because what they served was just chopped-up chicken thigh tossed in. It tasted like jarred “Pad Thai” sauce sautéed with noodles and some green onions. It was sweet and weird-tasting.THAT IS NOT PAD THAI!!!!!

PAD THAI SHOULD BE a balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and sour— all flavors complementing one another and no one flavor standing out. The sauce should be made with tamarind paste, palm sugar, fish sauce, rice vinegar, chili, and the proper ingredients: rice noodles, shallots, garlic, egg, pressed tofu, bean sprouts, preserved radish, small dried shrimp, roasted peanuts, and garlic chives (NOT GREEN ONIONS)!!! Served with Fresh Garnishes!!!!

These ppl need to STOP serving dishes labeled as “Thai food” because it gives Thai cuisine a bad name. They aren’t even TRYING to make it authentic—they just take the cheapest shortcut and slap "THAI" on it. SHAMELESS!!!

Finally, when I ask for the check, some guy in SWEATPANTS comes up with a handheld pad and literally sticks it in my face asking for a TIP. A TIP???? Do you not know common courtesy, where you LEAVE THE BILL and the customer decides privately what to tip? Not with you standing over them!!! I believe the smallest tip amount was 18% and the highest 25% ???

AND TIP FOR WHAT EXACTLY???? I sat myself, went to the window to order, grabbed my own cup, ice, water, plate, napkins, spoons. I CLEARED MY OWN TABLE and BOXED MY OWN FOOD. WHAT OR WHO AM I TIPPING???? I’m honestly confused?!?!?!?!

will NEVER step foot in this place again. Honestly, I’m surprised they are even still in business. They’re probably floating by luring in unsuspecting ppl, but I HIGHLY DOUBT they have any...

Disappointing to say the least. Service was not on par. Party of 4 and all the food came out separately. Each time they came out, the prior food that was served, was finished. Spent about an hour and a half total time for food. Order Boba tea as well and that was the very last 2 items that came out as we were all ready to leave. Lo mein came out for my 7 year old daughter and before we got next dish, she was finishing up her dish already. Second dish came out for my 18 year son and he finished his dish before I got mine. After I was done with mine, the wife finally got her dish. After finishing her dish, the Boba tea came out as we were already asking for boxes to pack left over. Literally watching parties of people around who came after us get their food before us was pretty disappointing. Mind you, it wasn't just a few couples either, I am talking about parties of 5 or more who came after us. No refills on water just tips the iceberg too.

Food: what can I say, was so so at most. Brisket was pretty dry and flavorless. The platter was decent. Fried rice was very single dimension as all I can taste was just seasoning sauce. Papaya had lots of juice/liquid and very little papaya. I had ask to have it very spicy and sadly it was not. The wife can not tolerate spice yet she says it taste very mild. Looking at the menu, one would think the restaurant has a lot of potential as the menu items looks very intriguing. Sad to say, flavor wasn't full or bold.

Hard to say if I would give this place another try. Could be an off day for the restaurant or could just be how it normally is, hard to say as this is the first time trying them out. Sadly, this might be the first and last time. Prices of food was quite a bit as well. Definitely not worth the money!

Recommend tips for anyone who wants to try: Order ahead. Do a take out. If you must dine in, see if you can reserve table and order ahead. Menu looks intriguing but lower your expectations on quality. You can...

Wow! Very impressed with the food and exceptional service.

Chicken wings (no sauce/glaze) had the perfect crunch. Dont care much for super flavorful wings, which these werent, as thats what side of pepper dip is for. Dip had good lime/fish sauce ratio.

Crunchy Cali Roll- nice presentation, tasted better than expected. Didnt fall apart. No complaints.

Papaya Salad (lao style)- not the absolute best but definitely among my top 5. Perfect balance of flavors, nothing overwhelming. Only regret is I had to share. Next time its all mine and ordering 5/5 spice. Typical portion for price.

Beef Larb (cooked)- again, well rounded flavors slightly on limey side which is preferred.

Drunken Noodles- good char, not overpowered by too many veggies as I've had elsewhere. Good meat and noodle portion. Worth ordering.

Beef Brisket/Hmong stye- will admit not an expert on brisket but I enjoyed this dish tho I felt maybe a bit overpriced. However, others may disagree and its all good- different strokes/different folks.

Sticky Rice (purple)- not hard and overcooked. Was what sticky rice should be. Portion size adequate.

Already looking to return to try other dishes (pho and eggrolls!) tho may be a while since a bit out of the way. Absolutely great customer service, periodically checking in to see if anything needed and not excessive to point of annoyance. Sure, wait times a bit longer but sign on front door clearly states staff shortage so dont be a karen. Only suggestion I'd make is consider food pairings when bringing out dishes (i.e. with papaya, wings or larb, also bring out rice if ordered, which I'd assume is readily available). And if wanting to go extra mile, tho I'm being a karen now, bamboo baskets for sticky rice as I noticed rice got harder longer it was uncovered. Overall great...