The Wood Box BBQ & Ribs — Restaurant in Jonesville

I arrived at 12:05. There was not one car in the parking lot. I double checked the hours, and they opened at noon. What is this telling me? Perhaps it’s just a sleepy Saturday in Jonesville, NC. I waited until 12:15. Still no one. Oh, well, caution to the wind. I’m going in.

Cute inside, I was indeed the only patron. But I wasn’t alone. I had several flies buzzing saucily around me. The waitress acted like she would rather be anywhere else. I asked how their sweet tea was, and her reply was “I don’t know. I don’t drink it”. Way to sell! You go, girl!

I tried to order ribs, which are on the menu I was given, but was flatly told that ribs are not available until after 5. Um...Ok... So I ordered the chopped plate and several sides to get a good sampling of what The Wood Box is all about.

Chopped BBQ: Smoke! I taste smoke! Finally a BBQ place in NC that has BBQ that has smoke! So it was good but a bit dry.

BBQ slaw: very good. One of the best I’ve had.

Sweet tea: also very good

Hush puppies (all 4 of them. Yes, 4.): cooked just right and good taste.

Baked beans: missing something. Some sweetness I think. Too ketchuppy

Cole slaw: very bland. No sugar, no salt, no taste

Potato salad: too liquidy. I think it was over mixed, and the potatoes had begun to break down and created a bit of a mush. Uninspired seasonings; no onion or relish or anything for pizazz.

The flies and I were joined by another family at 12:30 and another shortly after that. The blowhard patriarch of the first family seemed interested only in flirting with the waitress and asking about who had been fired recently. She was much nicer to this windbag than to anyone else, obliging him with the latest Wood Box gossip.

Despite the good smoke flavor of the BBQ, this was a pretty disappointing lunch. I have a strong hunch that nothing was freshly made that day. And the server didn’t help with her disinterested attitude. I really wanted to try the ribs, but I’m so hesitant now. I am especially crestfallen about my experience today because other Yelpers for whom I have a deep respect reviewed this place so positively.

But when I went to pay my (too high) bill, I asked the waitress if I could have a sweet tea to go. Her response? A blasé “Yeah”.

Will I...

Oh my goodness can you say slow????? Only ones there when we got there. Gave order then a lady and a child come in and sit down. Then a lady came and gave a to go order. One bag of food was all she got. After about 30 minutes I asked one of the employees what was taking our food so long. She said we had a big order before you. Seriously?????? The one lady with the to go order stopped all progress with food service???? Who came in after us by the way my child ordered the chicken nuggets and that is all he ever eats and would NOT eat theirs!!! But after I asked why our food was taking so long we waited another 15 minutes and they brought my child's food out. The menu says a drink was supposed to come with it and it never did so 10 minutes after my child got their food ours finally arrived. The fries had enough salt on them to put away an army of snails smh those little cups of bbq was not enough I hated to ask for more because I noticed on the menu that they charge for take out boxes and cups so there is no telling what that little cup cost. Meals were not finished but anyways I go to pay and I noticed I'm charged full price for the kids meal so I asked is the meal supposed to come with a drink? I ask is that not what the menu says? The cashier was like yeah I said well you are charging me for it i want it and she just kinda stood there. The whole time we were there i never seen anyone carry out a "big" order. I think the employee was full of bologna. They were just to sorry to fix our food. I will not be back even if someone else pays me too. I can make my own bbq in the time they took to give us ours. Also I have a big mouth so I will tell others not to come....

Adventures in North Carolina BBQ! I’ve passed this place a bunch of times, either on the way to/from The Reeves Theatre in Elkin for open mic night (which is amazing btw) and also during the 21 Road market and other forays up to Elkin and points north. Old school NC BBQ joints are definitely my jam; I much prefer places like this to stuffy, nouveau-hipster BBQ and the Wood Box did not disappoint! I had a classic chopped plate with BBQ slaw (aka “Red Slaw,” unique to Carolina for the uninitiated) and Mac and Cheese. Also had one of their famous hot dogs (not pictured) - Carolina style (of course) and it was amazing. The BBQ was house hickory smoked and was of the superb quality you can expect from a family owned old school joint like this. Eastern vinegar and western hickory sauces available here…I tried both and for me the vinegar sauce slightly edged out its tomato based cousin. The hush puppies were sublime as well and the BBQ slaw equally delicious. BONUS: pretty much an inflation fighter too, as most old school NC BBQ joints are. So glad I finally had a chance to try this and I will be back! Overall: 5...