R.O.'s Bar-B-Cue — Restaurant in Gastonia

Having originated from one of NC finest Barbecue Families, other than Lexington, had never partaken of western NC BBQ until I moved to this area. My first and last experience with RO's happened one day as I was driving home, and stopped by their Diner on Wheels....just to sample the infamous ROs Slaw....to my surprise, there was no slaw to it. The BBQ was ok, it was pulled pork....but to my surprise, the sandwich was soaked through the bun with this god-awful thousand-island like concoction. Dressed in business clothes, I couldn't really eat it and asked the gentleman that waited on me, what it was. Ma'am, why that's RO's slaw....he said. In all of my years, I have never seen slaw without cabbage...but evidently, I never lived or visited Gaston County until I was much older...nothing surprises me. Now, you can find ROs slaw just about anywhere you go in this area, grocery stores, convenience stores, to name a couple. It is used as a sandwich spread and a sauce for dipping. It is probably good for dipping wings, fries etc, but hardly complimentary to NC Pit Cooked BBQ. Its what you're use to I suppose....and I'm sure I will get a ton of hate mail from all of the Gaston County Rednecks because of this review, but what can I say....to each his own! Gaston County preachers have rained hell and damnation on me for giving my critiques of restaurants in this area, and even a gaston county born good old girl now living in Texas, actually threatened me, dissed my deceased father who was owner and operator for 60 years of the first BBQ restaurant in Greensboro NC, claiming the next time she flew into this area, she would stop by Greensboro and investigate my families background, now I understand why there are so many jobs available in Gaston County for mental health care workers. Having eaten BBQ all over the country, from Seattle WA to the carolinas... East Coast BBQ, Lexington BBQ, and of course Western BBQ, and after having grown up in a BBQ family, I think it gives me a little bit of experience on the matter. Perhaps if RO's would serve the sauce to the side, allowing customers the choice.....of having it or not, it would be better for those not born bred and fed here. For those that are use to conventional BBQ with the traditional vinegar based or either tomato based sauces......ROs will be a truly new experience. Just imagine pouring Thousand Island Dressing on a BBQ sandwich with nothing else....You...

Disappointing First Visit to R.O.'s Bar-B-Cue

I was excited to try R.O.'s Bar-B-Cue in Gastonia after hearing a lot about it, but unfortunately, my experience was underwhelming.

I ordered the Bar-B-Cue plate with minced Bar-B-Cue, French fries, onion rings, beans, Texas toast, and their signature slaw. The Bar-B-Cue itself was dry and lacked seasoning—same for the fries, which weren't even salted. The onion rings were a complete letdown; the breading completely separated from the onion on the first bite, and I gave up after the third one. The beans tasted like they came straight from a can.

The staff member who took my order was very friendly and explained the menu thoroughly. She told me twice, "the slaw is the sauce," which I guess explains why everything else was not seasoned. Unfortunately, I didn’t care for the slaw—it reminded me of Thousand Island dressing.

Another big drawback: as soon as I walked in, I was hit with a wall of political signage, including a life-size Donald Trump cutout. Regardless of anyone's political views, it definitely clashes with the dining atmosphere and could deter potential customers looking for a neutral, family-friendly spot to eat.

Overall, the service was kind, but the food and environment left a lot...

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...