| Address | 2418 Wisconsin Ave., Washington, DC 20007 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (202) 333-2558 |
| Fax | (202) 333-2775 |
Rocklands is great for their barbque. But their sides could use a little help. The ribs basically just fall off the bone and melt in your mouth but their potato salad is pretty hard to bite into. The atmosphere is not for the shy, they only have one table set up with stools all around it, so privacy is out the window. But they do have peanuts while you wait. Overall for some damn good barbque go to Rocklands, food comes out hot and smothered, there is no other way I like it
This place always gets me in the door because it smells so good. But the taste just doesn't live up to the smell.
Great BBQ takeout. Excellent taste and flavor. My only complaint is that they could be a little more generous with the portions. That aside, what's better than Rocklands on a Sunday evening? And don't forget the sauce. Their homemade bbq sauce is terriffic - pick up a jar to go.
I'm a big fan of North Carolina BBQ and this did not satisfy my cravings. Chopped pork was too dry. Pulled chicken was just okay. Coleslaw was really boring. I've had better and more authentic BBQ in Boston (at Blue Ribbon)!
When the wind chill is in the 20s and people are lined up outside for lunch on a Saturday- you know you've found 'the place'. Rockland's is one of those wonderful "locals only" little hideouts that barely seats 20 at the window counter and a huge butcher block family style table. You can barely squeeze around to the wall of hot sauce when there's a crowd, and if you don't like the smell of smoke, be forewarned that this tiny restaurant's grills produce a ton of it.
But none of that matters when the brisket sandwich tastes this good. I'd stand outside in the cold for Rockland's food, but on this day my friend from New York and I were able to grab a seat at the big family table, throw some hot sauce on my brisket sandwich and his pork ribs and inhale their super mac and cheese and 2 half lemonade/half iced teas and enjoy everything in splendor for $18.
What Rockland's lacks in fancy decor or silverware (your meal comes on a butcher paper placemat) it makes up for in the only thing you should care about in a barbecue joint- great barbecue. I've had ribs, brisket and lamb sandwiches here and everything's always been good. Occasionally the ribs get a tiny bit dry, but the sliced meat sandwiches have never disappointed. The sides are generous and always very good, while dessert is limited to the brownie and cookie variety which I have never had room to try after stuffing myself.
After living away from DC for 3 years, this was the first DC restaurant I dragged my girlfriend to upon returning. You don't do Rocklands for the ambience or the service or anything except great barbecue.
