13 Bones Restaurant — Restaurant in Mount Airy

Oh, 13 bones… What happened? This place is not what it once was, when I was a teenager.

I’m sad to say, 13 bones used to have the best ribs and other decent food, but this last time I visited, the food was a big disappointment. Service and atmosphere were both perfectly acceptable.

I ordered a half rack of baby back Kansas City BBQ ribs with Mac n cheese and fries, and a sweet tea to drink. Here are my thoughts on what I ate today.

The good: The fries were mostly cooked correctly and were salted adequately. Only a few soggy duds, so not bad at all. The sweet tea was GREAT. Not too sweet, and perfect ratio of sugar to tea. Top 5 sweet teas I’ve ever drank, hands down. Cheese sticks and marinara are pretty tasty, and were cooked properly.

The bad: The mac n cheese had zero notable flavor whatsoever. It tasted like a packet of Velveeta Mac n cheese straight out of a microwave. (I am so sorry, I couldn’t find another comparison)

The ugly: The ribs I had, shockingly and unfortunately, were not even close to the quality that I remembered from years ago. There was a fair amount of char on the outside of the ribs, which was very detrimental to the overall taste. The meat was also quite tough, for ribs. The majority of my ribs were as if I was eating a well done steak. My ribs were also lacking on sauce. Again, this isn’t the 13 bones that I remember, so this could’ve just been a one-off.

The rolls… I am so sorry for what I’m about to say, but the rolls are literally the same rolls as the premade, frozen yeast rolls that you can buy in the freezer section of any grocery store. In short, these yeast rolls are just bad… And when I got mine today, it was small, and squashed into oblivion.

Again, I am so sorry if these comments are too forward, or harsh… I just try my best to explain what I taste/see when I review food from restaurants, and the verbiage I chose is the most fitting I could come up with.

I may visit 13 Bones again and give them another chance, because this experience could have just been a fluke, but if this happens again next time, I won’t...

We recently had the pleasure of hiring a caterer for our wedding, and we couldn't have made a better choice than 13 Bones. From start to finish, they provided an exceptional experience that left us and our guests truly impressed. With their mouthwatering ribs and delectable pasta dishes, they managed to create a delightful combination of flavors that catered to every palate. Firstly, the quality of the food was outstanding. The ribs were cooked to perfection, with a smoky and tender texture that melted in our mouths. The meat was juicy and flavorful. It was clear that the caterer paid careful attention to every detail, resulting in ribs that were an absolute crowd-pleaser. The pasta dishes were equally impressive. The variety and options provided by the caterer were extensive, allowing us to select dishes that catered to different dietary preferences. The pasta was cooked al dente, and the sauces were rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor. Apart from the exceptional food, the service provided by the 13 Bones team was outstanding. The staff members were professional, friendly, and attentive to every detail. Furthermore, the caterer was highly accommodating throughout the entire process. They worked closely with us to create a personalized menu that reflected our preferences and the theme of our wedding. Their flexibility and willingness to go the extra mile made us feel valued as clients, and we appreciated their dedication to making our special day truly unforgettable. If you're looking for a caterer that excels in both taste and service, we wholeheartedly recommend 13 Bones for your wedding or any special occasion. They will undoubtedly exceed your expectations and leave a lasting impression on...

Visited the area for the first time this weekend, & had already earmarked this spot, then was a highly recommended restaurant by our Air BnB host. Based on reviews, we expected a wait - especially on a Saturday night. When we arrived to put our name on the list, the hostess looked like she genuinely felt bad informing us of a 50-55 minute wait for a two-top. We're from the Raleigh area, so that's pretty standard - plus after reading previous reviews, just to be expected.

We ended up being seated at a table just shortly prior to the expected wait-time, sweet!

Our server was on-point & greeted/took initial drink and app orders promptly. Even though she was juggling many other tables, checked in & took our main entree orders in a timely manner, as well. When our food came, my steak was quite a bit over the medium I ordered, & when asked if we needed anything - simply replied 'just a medium steak'. Before I could even add all the 'loaded' acroutements to my baked potato, I was presented with a perfectly cooked steak to accompany the meal.

While the restaurant remained very busy until we left - hearing the hostess tell other staff members that they were finally off-wait (not too long before closing), we never felt left-out in any way. Food was amazing, service was stellar, and the prices are incredible!

Keep doing what you guys are doing! Thank you - we had an amazing date night while out of town, unwinding! You truly helped us to achieve the...