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Name: Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company- Arlington
Address: 3471 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA, 22201
Telephone: (703) 528-9663
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.37

Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company- Arlington

3471 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA, 22201

(703) 528-9663
Store is closed

Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company- Arlington Menu

Salads and Sides

Barbequed Baked Beans

Red Beans and Rice

Homemade Coleslaw

Traditional Potato Salad

Texas Corn Pudding

Grandma Snedden's Collard Greens

Macaroni and Cheese

Minted Cucumber Salad

Caesar Salad with Smoked Chicken

Southwestern Black Bean Salad

Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes

Mason-Dixon Macaroni Salad

Barbequed Baked Beans

Red Beans and Rice

Homemade Coleslaw

Traditional Potato Salad

Texas Corn Pudding

Grandma Snedden's Collard Greens

Macaroni and Cheese

Minted Cucumber Salad

Caesar Salad with Smoked Chicken

Southwestern Black Bean Salad

Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes

Mason-Dixon Macaroni Salad
Ribs and Chicken

Baby-Back Ribs (pork)

Barbequed Spare Ribs (Pork)

Barbequed Beef Ribs (Black Angus beef)

Barbequed Chicken

Quarter Barbequed Chicken

Three Meats Platter

The Belly Buster

Chicken & Ribs

Mixed Rib Platter

Accompaniment Plate

Rocklands Pearl

Hot 'n' Spicy Grilled Wings

Baby-Back Ribs (pork)

Barbequed Spare Ribs (Pork)

Barbequed Beef Ribs (Black Angus beef)

Barbequed Chicken

Quarter Barbequed Chicken

Three Meats Platter

The Belly Buster

Chicken & Ribs

Mixed Rib Platter

Accompaniment Plate

Rocklands Pearl

Hot 'n' Spicy Grilled Wings
Sandwich and Platters

Chopped or Sliced Pork

Pit Beef

Barbequed Beef Brisket

Barbequed Pulled Chicken

Bone-In Pork Rib Sandwich

Grilled Italian Sausage & Onions

Grilled Hamburger

Grilled Vegetables Sandwich

Grilled Lamb

Grilled Chicken Breast Filet

Daily Fresh Fish

Chopped or Sliced Pork

Pit Beef

Barbequed Beef Brisket

Barbequed Pulled Chicken

Bone-In Pork Rib Sandwich

Grilled Italian Sausage & Onions

Grilled Hamburger

Grilled Vegetables Sandwich

Grilled Lamb

Grilled Chicken Breast Filet

Daily Fresh Fish
By the Pound

Chopped or Sliced Pork

Barbequed Pulled Chicken

Barbequed Beef Brisket

Grilled Lamb

Pit Beef

Grilled Italian Sausage

Grilled Fish by the Pound

Chopped or Sliced Pork

Barbequed Pulled Chicken

Barbequed Beef Brisket

Grilled Lamb

Pit Beef

Grilled Italian Sausage

Grilled Fish by the Pound
Sweets and Stuff

Honey Jalapeno Cornbread

Route 11 Potato Chips

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Walnut Brownie

Slice of Pie

Honey Jalapeno Cornbread

Route 11 Potato Chips

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Walnut Brownie

Slice of Pie
Beverages

Assorted Sodas

Fresh Brewed Minted Iced Tea

Fresh Brewed Sweet Tea

Homemade Lemonade

Rocklands Belly Juice

Rocklands Coolant Root Beer

San Pellegrino Limonata or Aranciata

Assorted Sodas

Fresh Brewed Minted Iced Tea

Fresh Brewed Sweet Tea

Homemade Lemonade

Rocklands Belly Juice

Rocklands Coolant Root Beer

San Pellegrino Limonata or Aranciata

Diabetics at Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets serves burgers which are generally high in sodium and fat. Ensure that you pick the burgers which are light and doesn't contain too much sodium. Try ordering salads if you're concerned about your sugar intake and looking for healthy choices.

Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for Diabetics:

Johnny Rockets is a fine dining place for burgers, but you must be selective if you're a diabetic. Skip all kinds of dressing when you order a burger at Johnny Rockets as it will only spike the sodium content on your meal. Salads are often considered diabetic-friendly but not the ones at Johnny Rockets. Avoid Crispy Chicken Club Salad and Grilled Chicken Club Salad as they are too high in sodium and fat.

Make sure you opt for water instead of the drinks available on the Johnny Rockets menu. Besides Diet Coke and Coffee, most of the drinks served at Johnny Rockets are high in sugar. Skip the shakes at Johnny Rockets to avoid high sugar intake. Breakfast is always preferred heavy for diabetics but most of the breakfast items on the Johnny Rockets menu are high in sodium and must be avoided.

Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Johnny Rockets:

Rocket Single Burger (1 Serving)

Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 350mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Bacon Cheddar Burger (1 serving)

Nutritional Facts: 330 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 650mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Route 66 Burger (1 serving)

Nutritional Facts: 330 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 280mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Route 66 Double Burger (1 serving)

Nutritional Facts: 410 calories, 40g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 320mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

The Original Burger (1 serving)

Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 590mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Hot Tea (8 fluid ounces)

Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Sweet Potato Fries, Side (1 serving)

Nutritional Facts: 220 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 370mg sodium, 30g carbs, 10g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Side of Fries (1 serving)

Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 460mg sodium, 30g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Healthy Meal suggestions for Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company- Arlington

Salads and Sides

Barbequed Baked Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Beans and Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Homemade Coleslaw [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Traditional Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Texas Corn Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grandma Snedden's Collard Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Macaroni and Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Minted Cucumber Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad with Smoked Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Southwestern Black Bean Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mason-Dixon Macaroni Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Baked Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Beans and Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Homemade Coleslaw [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Traditional Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Texas Corn Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grandma Snedden's Collard Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Macaroni and Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Minted Cucumber Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad with Smoked Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Southwestern Black Bean Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mason-Dixon Macaroni Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Ribs and Chicken

Baby-Back Ribs (pork) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Spare Ribs (Pork) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Beef Ribs (Black Angus beef) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quarter Barbequed Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Three Meats Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Belly Buster [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken & Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Rib Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Accompaniment Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rocklands Pearl [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot 'n' Spicy Grilled Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby-Back Ribs (pork) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Spare Ribs (Pork) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Beef Ribs (Black Angus beef) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quarter Barbequed Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Three Meats Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Belly Buster [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken & Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Rib Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Accompaniment Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rocklands Pearl [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot 'n' Spicy Grilled Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwich and Platters

Chopped or Sliced Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pit Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Beef Brisket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Pulled Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bone-In Pork Rib Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Italian Sausage & Onions [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Hamburger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Vegetables Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Lamb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Breast Filet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Daily Fresh Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chopped or Sliced Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pit Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Beef Brisket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Pulled Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bone-In Pork Rib Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Italian Sausage & Onions [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Hamburger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Vegetables Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Lamb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Breast Filet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Daily Fresh Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
By the Pound

Chopped or Sliced Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Pulled Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Beef Brisket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Lamb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pit Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Italian Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Fish by the Pound [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chopped or Sliced Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Pulled Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbequed Beef Brisket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Lamb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pit Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Italian Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Fish by the Pound [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sweets and Stuff

Honey Jalapeno Cornbread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Route 11 Potato Chips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Chip Cookie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Walnut Brownie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Slice of Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Honey Jalapeno Cornbread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Route 11 Potato Chips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Chip Cookie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Walnut Brownie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Slice of Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beverages

Assorted Sodas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Brewed Minted Iced Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Brewed Sweet Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Homemade Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rocklands Belly Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rocklands Coolant Root Beer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

San Pellegrino Limonata or Aranciata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Assorted Sodas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Brewed Minted Iced Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Brewed Sweet Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Homemade Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rocklands Belly Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rocklands Coolant Root Beer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

San Pellegrino Limonata or Aranciata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

High Blood Pressure at Johnny Rockets

Fast-food restaurants are your last resort if you are suffering from high BP. Most fast food restaurants including Johnny Rockets offer foods rich in sodium. High sodium intake can be even lethal for people concerned with high blood pressure. However, you can always try the salads or choose food without any extra dressing or side dishes to limit your sodium intake.

Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for High Blood Pressure

It is extremely important to avoid any kind of burgers with extra dressing at Johnny Rockets. You must also skip any kind of breakfast items except Pancakes at Johnny Rockets. Also, avoid Breakfast Belt Sandwich and Rocket Breakfast Burger at Johnny Rockets as both these items are too high in sodium. Also, avoid Crispy Chicken Salad and Grilled Chicken Club Salad as well as any kind of dressing on other low-sodium salads available at Johnny Rockets. Skip shakes containing Oreo on the Johnny Rockets menu as Oreo shakes served at Johnny Rockets are high in sodium.

Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Johnny Rockets

Strawberry Chocolate Swirl Milkshake (1 shake)

Nutritional Facts: 810 calories, 40g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 30g), 300mg sodium, 90g carbs, 90g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Rocket Single Burger (1 serving)

Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 350mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Route 66 Burger (1 serving)

Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 350mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Garden Salad (1 serving)

Nutritional Facts: 150 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 260mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Side Salad (1 serving)

Nutritional Facts: 70 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 110mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Apple Juice (10 fluid ounces)

Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 30mg sodium, 30g carbs, 30g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Visit below restaurant in Arlington for healthy meals suggestion.

Subway ( 4817 Lee Hwy )

Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill ( 2424 Wilson Blvd )

High Cholesterol at Johnny Rockets

Burgers fall into the fast-food category and most fast-food items are high in cholesterol. If you're suffering from high cholesterol, then it is advised that you skip any meal with excessive fat and sugar.

Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for High Cholesterol

You must skip all types of dressing on your burger. Also, avoid burgers like Smoke House Burger at all costs from Johnny Rockets menu. Skip all the drinks except coffee, iced tea, and diet coke as they are completely unhealthy for people with high cholesterol. Breakfast items on Johnny Rockets are very high in cholesterol and it is strictly recommended to avoid all the breakfast items on their menu including the sandwiches.

Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Johnny Rockets

Kids Cappuccino Crunch Milkshake (1 shake)

Nutritional Facts: 740 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 20g), 310mg sodium, 100g carbs, 80g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Garden Black Bean Burger (1 serving)

Nutritional Facts: 330 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 650mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

The Spicy Houston Burger (1 serving)

Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 700mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Kids Banana Shake (1 shake)

Nutritional Facts: 560 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat20g), 190mg sodium, 60g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Johnny's Breakfast Sandwich (1 serving)

Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 230mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Visit below restaurant in Arlington for healthy meals suggestion.

Subway ( 4817 Lee Hwy )

Write An Anonymous Review

B T.

I can't understand why people like this place. Only one sauce and their cole slaw was awful. Cornbread and Sweet tea was average at best. Willards and RHB to me is much better.
(2)
Christina A.

My coworkers love this place, but I just can't rock wtih it like that. Pulled pork sandwiches are definitely in my top 10 foods that I love, and Rocklands just doesn't do it for me. Their BBQ sauce is soooo vinegary... I like mine sweeter and thicker. It's not BAD and the meat itself is good, I just don't love the sauce. I've also ordered the pearl a couple of times, and the mac and cheese on the bottom tastes straight like Kraft from the box. I have yet to find a BBQ spot that I love up here, for the most part I just save those cravings for when I'm back down south. Still, Rocklands isn't terrible and like I said the meat is good, so if you like the more vinegary BBQ sauces you might like this as well....
(2)
Jon W.

I had an very informal birthday dinner here this evening and thought it was just fine. I don't seek out BBQ (except perhaps When Pigs Fly located in Cumberland MD), but the guy whose birthday we were celebrating loves it. I thought everything was decent. I really liked the mac n cheese side, the fried okra, and the winter lager beer from the bar. I think it is better than Red Hot and Blue. I liked the building space. It was cozy and accommodating. (This building used to be a very good bakery.) We easily secured a table for 8 or so at 6 o'clock. I didn't call ahead or anything. There were some kids that arrived right after we did. They didn't scream too much and we were talking up a storm so that really didn't bother me like it did another reviewer. Business seemed to pick up a lot by the time we left around 7:30. There were still seats though. If you like BBQ or a have a friend that does this is a good place to go. I prefer it over Red Hot and Blue and it's dark dungeon like space.
(3)
Elizabeth S.

I went here for an early dinner with a friend last Thursday. Taking classes by the Virginia Square Metro so have been trying out the restaurants nearby. The place was pretty empty and our food came out pretty fast. I ordered the pulled chicken sandwich and fried okra - it wasn't the best I've ever had, but as others have said it's a good substitute for BBQ when you're in the Arlington area (but then again, how much can you screw up fried veggies?). My friend wasn't thrilled with her apple side dish served cold. There was a beer special - buy a draft beer and get a free BBQ sandwich, which looked tempting (about 4 taps). I liked the large display of hot sauces, might go back to get some for gifts. And I liked the atmoshphere/decor for a BBQ place. They also had a surprising number of spots in their lot, which might fill up during busier times. Overall, I'd say it's worth trying if you're looking for somewhere to eat in the area and are thinking BBQ.
(3)
Jonathan L.

Love the atmosphere BBQ, and especially the sides (mac & cheese rocks!). I'm not a BBQ snob but the meat is certainly tasty enough to keep me coming back. The house sauce is spicy and I love the onions in it. You can smell this place from several blocks away which is probably why it draws such a large crowed. Despite the crowd the line goes fast and your order is ready just as quickly. What I especially enjoy are the sides, the mac and cheese is the best I've ever had at a restaurant.
(5)
C. W.

WHAT IS THIS CRAP???!! Seriously! Ugh! We're in Virginia, and this is the best we can do for barbecue? I mean, it's the South still! Lord. This place is more like how one would miserably implement an "all american barbecue depot" dining establishment in the southern/western-themed portion of a theme park, rather than being an actual barbecue place. Pulled pork: the "best" of the worst. Kinda tasted like there was some wood involved at some point, maybe. Very little of the bark involved, and it was chopped, as opposed to pulled, which I prefer. Ok, so that's a stylistic thing, I'll give them that. Not amazing, not terrible. Chicken: likely came out of a tub. Neutral chicken suspended in neutral sauce. Smashing. Brisket: WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? I hope that whoever is in charge of their cooking of brisket is reincarnated as a steer. Ruinously bad. Ok, it had maybe been smoked at some point. Then they slice it thin and....put it on the grill? WHAAATTTT????!!! It's like some kind of bad stir-fry. Please reference the Dinosaur BBQ segment on Triple-D for an example of proper brisket preparation. Shells and cheese: compliments of velveeta. And cold too. Rice and beans: technically correct in name. Rice. And beans. Can't claim false advertising. Seasoning? We didn't mention no stinkin seasoning!! Avoid. One trip here made me want to drive the 3 hours down to eastern NC to cleanse my soul.
(2)
Adam F.

Never can get enough. JUST GO THERE!!!!
(5)
Lesley S.

This place is absolutely the WORST barbeque place I've ever been to. I actually joined Yelp just to review this place because for some reason people are giving it good reviews. The sides were cold and tasted like they had been sitting on a counter for about 30 minutes. The chicken was fatty and chewy (not to mention cold) and the BBQ sauce was BORING. Seriously the worst BBQ I've ever had.
(1)
Nickie S.

This is hands-down one of the best barbecue restaurants I've ever been to!!! I am a native from Alabama !!! so I know what good barbecue is all about !!! what I absolutely love the most is the twist on the cornbread it's sweet but also has tiny bits of jalapeÃ±o. Which is an awesome treat and different experience to the normal plan corn bread Im custom to from living in the South. I absolutely love it!!!!! I say there cornbread is a family favorite!!! Secondly the chopped pork sandwich! Which is the BOMB!!! I also need to mention the staff!!!! They are extremely friendly and warm, very welcoming!!! Something you don't find in DC every day! This again is something I'm accustomed too from living in Alabama! Everyone is very kind and very attentive to the needs of the customer! I visit here regularly to get my southern fix!!! Love Rockland's barbecue!!!!!! Sincerely Nickie xoxo
(5)
Keith P.

Tuesday 7:00 PM - 1 person. Visiting the area for business, Rockland's was recommended to me by a co-worker. I sat at the bar which was fairly full - some people eating, some drinking. The food was good - got the meat trio (chicken, pork, brisket) and I highly recommend the corn pudding! The bbq sauce was unique to me and had a sour kick to it, which may be normal for this area - not sure. The beer selection was average. The staff was fine, not great or enthusiastic. The environment was OK - the bar was cluttered, but they do have outdoor picnic tables for nice weather. I would have no problem going back, but would also like to try some other bbq joints in the area.
(3)
Dan D.

I really wanted to like this place. I will give it for appearance and smell. The place looks great. The bar is cool looking. But... The food is not good at all. No smoke flavor and the sauce is runny. Sorry...
(1)
Jessica K.

great place for lunch! got the brisket sandwich with a side of the greens and watermelon. The brisket sandwich itself was really good, the meat was soft, juicy, and flavorful. I could have gone without the greens, they were not my favorite so I barely touched it.
(3)
Deena H.

This place is amazing. Holy goodness. The potato salad, the ribs, the sides , all delicious. The ribs don't have enough sauce on them but you can get a side of it and just dip to your hearts content I'm too full to write any more.
(5)
Yuchen Z.

First time I've had BBQ at Rocklands. It's a good solid BBQ place. They have a nice laid back, BBQ, no frills vibe. It has a simple menu with different sizes of meat and a burger or two you can try. Peanuts on the tables for everyone to share. I came here on Tuesday for their Half price burgers.... it was a pretty amazing deal-I think it was like $3 for the burger that I got. Amazing. The food was delicious-highly recommend the corn pudding and the potato salad. I sat at the bar and ate with my friend. Def. a nice chill place to be. I gotta come back here for the real BBQ next time.
(4)
Pegah Y.

This review is for the Rocklands BBQ food truck, which visited the Port City Brewing Company in Alexandria, VA last week. I will solely review the food. This restaurant has been on my bookmarks list for a while and I've seen it mentioned on "Best BBQ places in Virginia" lists on food blogs, so I was really excited the food truck was visiting the Port City Brewing Co on the same day we did a brewery tour there. I ordered the brisket (of course!) With a side of coleslaw and my fiancÃ© ordered the chicken bbq dish. Both were delicious and that brisket was pretty juicy. My only qualm was that the bbq sauce on it sort of smothered the taste of the brisket itself. I like the juiciness of brisket and believe it can stand alone if it is cooked the right way. But nevertheless, I did like the sauce and the portion was perfect for reasonable prices. I also went back and got a side of mac n cheese for both my fiancÃ© and I and we also really enjoyed that - so creamy and delicious. I would highly recommend Rocklands BBQ and would love to visit the restaurant itself in the future.
(4)
Jenny L.

My first foray into BBQ culture and I'm a fan! I like the Three Meat Platter, especially the brisket. My favorite sides are the fried okra and the mac n cheese -- you can't go wrong with those sides!
(4)
Taran W.

I absolutely love the food here. It is very fresh & yummy & feels like a home-cooked meal. The staff are very friendly & the space is clean. I adore their cornbread & I will go there after work just to get some & I always leave craving more of that delicious cornbread w/ little jalapeÃ±o bits. Mmmm's & Nom Nom's galore!
(5)
Bob T.

Really good BBQ. This is my first visit since they moved to their "new" location. I think that was about 10 years ago. The first thing that struck me was the compelling Barbeque aroma that reached into the parking lot. The second thing that struck me was how little parking they have now. The third thing I noticed was the limited size of their dining room which could justify the parking lot situation. But, having parked my car and made it inside I figured it was time to eat. The food is better than the last place. (It wasn't that good back then and why I haven't been back in so long.) I had the Chicken and Ribs with a refreshingly cold beer. The chicken was moist without being greasy and tasty. The ribs were a bit on the chewy side with the meat falling off their bones. That's exactly how I like them. I would have preferred a bit more sauce cooked into them. However, there's plenty available for pouring so it's not totally bad.
(4)
Alfredo F.

The best BBQ ribs I ever had, amazing place to have fun with family and friends. The best customer service I'm so excited to visit again
(5)
Chan T.

I wish there was something less than one star I could rate this place. I'm not quite sure why everyone is raving about this BBQ joint. It was rated as one of DC's best BBQ places?!?! That is complete insanity to me. For starters, the people who worked there all seemed miserable and to hate their jobs. I got off of work early, so I was dealing with a 3pm crew. Not that everyone is constantly happy, lets be real it is after all work, but a "thank you" or "have a good day," hell I would even settle for a smile; none of which occurred. Secondly, the brisket here is quite possibly the worst brisket I have ever consumed in my life. To be fair I did live in the South and Austin, TX for a brief while, but honestly one of the worst briskets ever. It was soaked in sauce to the point where you couldn't even tell what type of meat it was and the texture was abysmal. The sad chicken was soaked in this sauce as well to the point where it was difficult to tell the chicken and the brisket apart. I could go on forever about how dissatisfied I am with this BBQ place but I will just leave it with a basic "never going there again." DCist, get your ratings together!
(1)
Skip S.

Last night's carry out was disappointing. More than once, we have not received either a correct or a complete order, and last evening was not an exception. We ordered a full rack of baby back spare ribs, please other items . While most of the order was correct, we discovered when we got home with our 8 guests that we were given a half order of beef ribs. Then, of the ten pieces of corn bread, six were molded. We have been disappointed more than once with Rocklands, but this time - moldy corn bread - is not acceptable and is beyond belief. By the way we tried to call today to register a complaint but were put on "perpteual hold" when they heard about what we were calling. Sorry,no more Rocklands for us.
(1)
Yasmine B.

As a frequent patron of Rocklands, I inevitably found myself driving there after a game of tennis. My partner who is the carnivore in the family comfortably ordered the ribs, but feeling more health conscious that day, I ordered the veggie sandwich. It was AAAMMAAAZZING!!! No lie - I went back to the counter where I had ordered the food from and told the servers there. 'Surprise' does not even define what I tasted when I bit into it. That was the best veggie sandwich I have ever had. Smothered in decadent BBQ sauce, and seared with grill marks, the vegetables just took on a totally different flavor from anything I had had elsewhere. And even my partner wanted more of mine. The only one thing I would suggest is to substitute string onions for the celery sticks as the latter are a tad hard to bite into when they are part of a sandwich. Can you imagine? I will be very happily going back to Rocklands - for the veggies? So glad I discovered this!
(4)
Tamer A.

Delicious meat and delicious sides; what more do you want? We were in a big group so ended up trying lots of stuff. The beef ribs were succulent and large, though a couple of bones were more fat than meat (like a chunk of fat, not the marbling). I like that they didn't put too much sauce on there; you can always add more sauce if that's what you like. The whole chicken was moist and flavorful. The pit beef was delicious-it was my first time. The brisket was, flavor-wise, excellent, but I prefer it to be cut a little thicker. And with both the pit beef and the brisket, I would have preferred to see them served dry without the sauce, and we could add what we want. Potato salad: earthy. Cole slaw: crunchy. Okra: fresh. All: delicious. The collection of hot sauces is pretty darn good too-vicious viper was delicious, but aptly named: it is vicious. Not 100% sure if there are lots of different barbecue sauces available too-I didn't need any so didn't look. Finally, the ambience is really nice, with a nice patio outside with long tables where if it's crowded you might end up eating with strangers (& many smaller tables too). A nice general family feel is what I got from it, which is what barbecue is all about. Will visit again soon.
(4)
Tamar N.

It is not often that I take time to write a review-negative or positive. But the way Rocklands treats its brisket is just criminal. I ordered a half pound. What I got was over-sauced, over-cooked lunch meat. The meat was basically boiled in sauce. Who likes boiled beef? No one I know. Who likes beef boiled in a bbq sauce that lacks in almost every way? No one ever. Period. I could tell the brisket wasn't cooked at a low enough heat, and if it were cooked at the correct heat, it wouldn't have been cooked long enough. To make things worse, the brisket wasn't cut correctly-hence lunch meat, instead of fall apart, crispy ends, tender brisket. To add insult to injury, they included with my boiled beef lunch meat EVEN MORE of that horrible "bbq sauce." DO NOT ORDER THE BRISKET HERE IF YOU KNOW WHAT BRISKET IS SUPPOSED TO TASTE LIKE.
(1)
Carter M.

Some of the best BBQ I've ever had. I went to Rockland's for the second time today and came away so satisfied with my meal that I had to write about it. I was absolutely sated. It was the perfect amount of food, the perfect combination of food groups and the perfect combination of flavors. My chopped pork sandwich was tender, and after I topped it off with some barbecue sauce from their big heated barbecue sauce crock (the one that stews with onions on the condiment counter), it was the perfect combination of sweet and savory. I put some hot sauce on my collard greens with bacon and they just popped. My Texas corn pudding made for a perfect dessert. The weather was nice so we ate outside on the picnic tables--my first taste of summer living after a long, hard winter. Great meal.
(5)
Rachael B.

Decent bbq. Not the best I've ever had, but it hits the spot when I have a craving. The portions are generous. Sandwiches overflow with meat and the ribs are huge. Their collard greens are some of my favorite anywhere! I also like the red beans and rice. The mac and cheese was a big disappointment though. Its one of my favorite sides, but I couldn't even finish it here. The cheese was goopy and artificial-tasting, and whoever seasoned it went way overboard with the pepper.
(3)
Gwen B.

We ordered Rockland's for pick up after my husband had tried it at a birthday party and we were in the mood for some BBQ. There were a lot of mixed reviews but we decide to give it a try anyways. We ordered the following items to share: -1lb beef brisket -1lb chopped pork -a pint of coleslaw My husband has tried the pulled chicken and didn't really like it so we skipped that. When ordering, we debated whether to order less than a pound (which would've had an extra $1 surcharge per item) but 1lb of meat SOUNDED like a lot more food than it actually turned out to be. We were able to finish 3/4 of each item. I preferred the beef brisket while my husband preferred the pork. I would've liked if there was more bbq sauce included, all they provided was a small container. The cost for these three items was $43 or so which was expensive considering the amount of food. I know a lot of people have talked about their meals here being slightly overpriced so it's a common feeling. Overall it was a decent meal but nothing particularly special. We would be more likely to try another BBQ spot next time. However note that there is some good outdoor seating which would be nice for summer days and it would be a fairly family friendly atmosphere.
(3)
Dick F.

Had the 3 meats platter..it was terrible and the BBQ sauce tastes very sour The coleslaw was pretty much tasteless and the apple pie tasted like it was made w uncooked apples The only good things were the baked beans and collard greens and they were just average Even their root beer tasted like it was watered down after all the ice melts I would never try this place again
(1)
Kyle R.

Which is more annoying--people who think they know everything about BBQ, or people who talk incessantly about wine? BBQ people are starting to be the new wine people. I'm so sick of both. Seriously, If I hear one more person be like, "hey bra, I only like south Appalachian smoky vinegar based Carolina pulled left pork thigh, preferably during late July," I'm going to flip. This place is good. You can buy 6-packs to go with take-out which I think is pretty sweet. Did you know you can do that in any bar in Baltimore? Amazing! Best sides here: greens, coleslaw, and fried okra.
(4)
Barrie C.

BBQ Credentials: Grew up in southern Virginia and Texas. Lived in Alabama for three years as an adult. The Good: The pulled pork was decent, but not great. They have sweet tea, which is a rarity in DC (Hello DC, putting sugar in one's unsweetened tea is clearly not the same as having sweet tea since the sugar doesn't dissolve well in cold tea, so don't tell me to do that when I ask for sweet tea. Pet peeve of mine). The Bad: The menu is not set up for mixing and matching at all. The Ugly: Maybe I was really hungry that day, but for the price, the portions were kind of light. Verdict: Meh. DC still lacks real barbecue.
(2)
Sean C.

I had been wanting to try this location for a while having noticed it in my area. Finally on the Fourth of July weekend, I got my chance. I called in my order and went to pick it up. They were very efficient. They said they would have it ready in 8 minutes, I left right away and when I got there, it was ready. I did have trouble finding the entrance - the only entrance is the door from the parking lot, the doors in front are for show, one maybe goes upstairs. Their sides are very good. I had the mustard greens, macaroni and cheese and red beans and rice. I also liked the sauce. I'm not an expert though. It was runny as other people mentioned, but it didn't bother me. It had a nice flavor that I liked. The beef ribs were a little chewy and fatty. When I got a solid piece of meat, it was good, but there weren't many of those. It did have a nice smoky flavor. I might try the baby back ribs next time. I did also notice that this location has a bar (not sure if it was a full bar, but I saw beer taps). I don't think the one in Glover Park does, at least not that I saw.
(3)
Wendy R.

Shiner Bock on tap and happy hour specials until 9pm! On Mondays, with the purchase of any beer, you get a pulled pork sandwich for free. The free sandwich may be small by many standards, but was sufficient for the light meal I had in mind. Shucking peanuts into a spittoon while waiting for your meal passes the time. A small outdoor patio is set up with picnic tables although the view of Washington Blvd and the Giant across the street isn't anything to rave about. Love the variety of hot sauces that are free to try on the food. Rocklands' bbq sauce seems a bit thin and sugary, but the many other sauces available allows the customer to soup it up. I like the flexibility. Hot sauces are available for sale along with 6-packs of microbrews. There is also a bourbon-tasting club that meets at Rocklands as half of the bar's liquor bottles demonstrate. There is draft root beer on tap, which can be mixed with the liquor of your choice. The bartender recommended Captain Morgan. Not a bad combo, but a very sweet drink.
(4)
Kristen S.

I live not far from Rockland's and decided to stop by b/c I passed it going to and from work and it always smelled good when I went by. I've had the brisket and bbq sandwich there with sides (potatoes, mac and cheese, baked beans, and corn pudding) all of which were good. It's not the best bbq I've ever had but it's good and not expensive at all. Nice workers, fast service, lots of options on the menu, outside seating. I'd def recommend it.
(3)
Peter P.

This place is ok. Thee aren't that many good BBQ places around the area. I like the sides: potato salad and cole slaw. The meats are ok. If you are looking for good BBQ, then I would try Willards in Chantilly.
(3)
Paul W.

One of the better BBQ places in the area, I find myself coming here for the ambiance and subtle home cooked spin on food which seperates them from places like RHB. This place is consistent and offers unique flavors, plus the latinas that work here are hot. Solid 3 stars.
(3)
Todd J.

Food - 2 stars Atmosphere - 3 stars Service - 3 stars Bottom line - come here for the relaxed atmosphere and weekly specials, but the food isn't anything fantastic / unique. We're in the south and should be able to provide better BBQ. The food @ the Wisconsin / Glover Park location is better. But the atmosphere here in VA is preferable; I like the option of sitting outside @ a picnic table or inside at the small bar. Prices overall are fair and you don't feel gouged. Monday and Wednesday they offer deals on pulled pork sando's & wings. $3 PBR's cans are tasty and help support the casual country vibe here. What I don't particularly enjoy is the food here. Normally, I like North Carolina BBQ, but much of Rockland's Q is overly smoky - esp the brisket. The pulled pork is decent and moist, but their vinegar based BBQ sauce doesn't add anything special - and it's the base of much of the bbq here, kind of a let down. The chicken, while seasoned well, is a bit on the dry side. Their brisket sando and top sirloin sando are chewy and not easy to eat. Their pork ribs are on the small-side and there is not much meat on the bone, but they taste better than other dishes. They have "ok" sides; the mash, sweet potato fries and mac & cheese are standouts and the beans are good too. Tip: DO NOT get Rocklands for takeout - the food just does not work unless you're eating it within 5 minutes of service, and it does not re-heat well.
(2)
Sylvan F.

Was very disappointed after reading/hearing about this location. Pork was okay but lacked of smoked flavor. Beef brisket was very dry and not what we are used to. Daughter ordered mac and cheese and couldnt eat it because it was WAY too salty. Ribs had good flavor but were very fatty and a little greasy,
(2)
Jeremy B.

I've given Rocklands 4 chances, and I think I've thrown in the towel. The sides are just too dang small and underseasoned, and the meat falls short of the mark. Sure the price is OK, but I'm a bit of a BBQ snob (I'm having BBQ at my wedding rehearsal dinner) and this just doesn't give me the warm and fuzzy I need to come back every Sunday. Believe me, I wanted this place to rock my world- I'll keep looking I guess
(2)
C J.

I'm a Tennessee girl, so I've had quite a bit of BBQ in my life and this was decent. I actually really enjoyed their standard BBQ sauce and the "OMG WTF fire sauce" is exactly what it says.... I dipped a piece of okra all the way in it and popped it in... WHEW, I started sweating from the first bite!! I love it when something really is as hot as it says it is! I had the three meats platter b/c I wanted to try a little bit of everything. The verdict: the chicken was good, not great, not dry, but not juicy either. The pork was a bit dry and unexciting. However, the beef brisket was delicious, I would have just that if I go back. I had mac n cheese for a side... I can make better. They get plus a 1/2 a star for having sweet tea and a minus one star b/c it wasn't sweet enough! :) The fried okra was not hand breaded and fried, it's the frozen kind... again I can make that at home. If I just had the beef brisket they'd probably get 4 stars, so I'll know for next time!
(3)
Henry S.

I was excited when the store moved out of Carpool; it always seemed like an afterthought to the bar. The atmosphere is pretty hectic, and I'd rather not sit with other parties at the large tables. My biggest complaint is that the ordering process for beer and other alcohol is separate from the food, so you have to go order your beer after you order your food. It is also very popular with the stroller set who don't see anything wrong with letting their children run loose in a restaurant. As far as the food, the BBQ isn't bad, maybe a notch above Red Hot and Blue, but I haven't really liked any of the sides I've tried. Maybe the answer is to get take out.
(2)
Lizzy Z.

Oh my, the food here is great. I loved it. I have enjoyed it every time I have gone. The pulled pork is delicious and the sides are to die for. My only complaint is that it doesn't deliver.
(5)
Ami P.

This Rocklands falls short of the one in Georgetown. I ordered the same brisket sammy at this location and it was covered in fat and was very chewy (not nearly as tender as the one I got in Georgetown) The ribs tasted like BO, according to my husband. They didn't give extra portions of BBQ sauce, as the Georgtown location did. I was really looking forward to it. They messed up our order as well, but we didn't realize it until we were already home. The coleslaw was great and the onion rings were out of this world! Looks like we'll be driving to Georgetown to get our Rocklands.
(2)
Alp A.

They are not cheap. I would say they are above average quality-wise. Mac and cheese and beef brisket are really good. Their Cole Slaw and thin cut fries are also great. They have beef ribs which I really like, but they are very expensive.
(3)
Laura S.

Much, much better! Yay Rocklands! Amazing 3 meat platter with cole slaw and side of fruit. It hit the spot even though it's 90 degrees in September. Chicken, brisket and pork bbq all in one plate! Get some extra sauce from right next to the soda fountain. Indoor and outdoor seating!
(4)
Stephen K.

This is definitely one of the better bbq joints in the area, especially if you are a fan of KC style sweet bbq sauce. I don't believe they have a variety of success which is definitely a drawback to some if you're looking for North Carolina, Texas or Memphis style sauces. The thing that set this one apart for me were the sides. They have some of the better sides I've tried at bbq joints in the D.C. area. Also the staff was extremely helpful and friendly. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Shirley G.

They catered my daughters wedding in June. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. There was a major storm during the tented outdoor event and the staff handled the situation wonderfully!
(5)
Ashley R.

The boy was craving BBQ on Sunday morning after we went to church down the street. I had never been to Rockland's before and was very impressed. I have had some good BBQ in my life and I would say this is one of the best places in the area - although we could use a few more BBQ places. We sat at the bar - lots of beers on tap and in cans. Cool looking place that was pretty packed. Large variety of meats and sides. I had the pulled chicken sandwich with a large order of fried okra. The boy had the belly buster - sausage, half a chicken, brisket and two ribs. He mixed the BBQ sauce and hot sauce that is located by the soda fountain and that was amazing. I added lots of extra BBQ sauce to mine. I wish there was a little more flavor in their sauce, but honestly enjoyed the whole meal. Everyone that worked there was very friendly and nice. We will be back!
(4)
R W.

Low marks based on the behavior of their food truck, which parks outside of other restaurants in the Courthouse neighborhood that have outdoor seating. Naturally, the people buying food from the truck sit at the other restaurants' tables and often leave their mess. I saw this happen today. Mind you, Rocklands has a brick and mortar restaurant, so they should really treat their fellow restaurant owners better. Shame on them. Edit: the owner got right back to me and said he would address the issue. Modified my rating to 4 stars - good attitude and good sandwiches.
(4)
Clint C.

It smells like a smokehouse as you enter. Unfortunately, none of that smoke penetrates the meat they're supposedly smoking. small portions and bland sauce. I have friends that like what they offer, so maybe my experience was a fluke. Until I try again and it's better, my rating will stand.
(2)
Jamil K.

Order "the pearl" and you won't regret it! You can even customize it with bbq pulled chicken or brisket (which I always do), or substitute the baked beans with mashed potatoes or collard greens. It comes in a conveniently resealable container, in case you want to safe some for a snack later. This is my favorite Rockland's location. The management and staff are super friendly-- always going around chatting with customers and letting them try out samples (if you get there early on weekdays).
(5)
Jihad B.

Perhaps I've been spoiled with good barbecue since my previous visit, but Rocklands has managed to disappoint me once again, and this time with style. I had the Grilled Italian Sausage and Onions sandwich, Beef Brikset Sandwich, and a Honey Jalapeno Cornbread. How something can be named Honey Jalapeno Cornbread and still not be appetizing is depressingly impressive. I had my order for carry out since I was hung over and lazy, perhaps that was the reason the sausage was lukewarm. However, it was the best thing I had here, and considering this is a barbecue place and I had ordered brisket the sausage should be lowest on the totem pole as far as dishes are concerned. The brisket was dry and flavorless. My roommate had The Belly Buster and I've never seen the 6'3 280lb guy so upset with 4 different kinds of meats. Perhaps I'm missing something here. Maybe I did something to piss off the owner and he remembers me? Maybe I come at the wrong times? I don't know, I just don't see how anyone can find this appealing. In contrast, I've had Sweet Fire Donna's in Alexandria and Rocklands makes that place look like Kansas City itself.
(1)
John M.

I have loved BBQ my whole life. It is a passion for me. Out of all the BBQ that I have eaten in my life, I have never had a pulled pork sandwich like the Rocklands chopped pork sandwich. The fact that it is chopped seems to add a flavor of richness that is indescribable. The BBQ sauce on the pork was perfectly complimented by the coleslaw they generously topped it with. The rest of the BBQ is quite good as well. The ribs were very succulent and the sweet/spicy sauce really did well with the rub on the meat. Finally, the service was excellent. Even though it is a walk up order counter, the manager, Will, checked on me constantly and made sure that I was happy with everything. All in all, I will definitely be back, especially because the chopped pork is truly amazing.
(5)
James S.

I must first say that the owner contacted me directly after my first poor review. He provided a very sincere apology and noted that my original experience was unacceptable and had been discussed with staff. He also provide me with a gift-certificate and invited me to return. Overall, an excellent and appreciated response. I have now been back to Rocklands many times. Hosting a team happy hour there, getting take out a few times, and even having dinner in house. The food has been substantially improved from what I experienced during my first visit however, the BBQ does not blow me away. I still have run into instances here and there where the meat has been a bit overdone or overly smoked. However, for the most part, the food is consistently executed. I prefer my ribs "wet" and a sweeter sauce so YMMV. I do appreciate the fried okra (hard to find) and most recently the "pork eggrolls", as a special, were very tasty. Overall, Rocklands is a laid-back place that is a good spot for some casual comfort food and a few drinks with friends.
(3)
Kevin L.

We have the foodtruck ThaiMachine and my wife brought home some of your barbecue that was as good as any I have eaten macaroni and cheese excellent potato salad excellent you guys got it down I told her trade you food anytime she can she said she had to give you bigger portions next time. I have tried barbecue from two or three different trucks and you guys I buy far the best keep up the great work look forward to having more of it one of these days
(5)
Jenna L.

Meh. The food here was nothing special, and it's a bit expensive since it's a la carte. I got the pulled pork sandwich. There was barely any bbq sauce on it, and I couldn't find more anywhere. Thus, I was forced to dump a ton of hot sauce on my food. It's nice to have the selection of hot sauce, but, I shouldn't have to use it. At a BBQ joint, I expect tons of particularly delicious bbq sauce. Who knows, maybe as someone from the North, I have the wrong expectations. The meat its self was tender, and very smokey tasting, otherwise kind of bland. This place is casual - you order at the counter and they bring you your food. There seems to be a nice outdoor area for summer time. Honestly, I wouldn't return. Just can't see the point.
(2)
Kyle B.

Highly disappointed. Got a half a rack of ribs and they were by far the toughest ribs I've ever had. I ate a total of 1 1/2 and just couldn't handle it anymore. I threw the rest in the trash. Seriously, I don't think they understand how to slow cook meat so it literally falls off the bone. I'm not returning and don't recommend eating here.
(1)
Jam C.

This place is just OK. I find myself here whenever I am craving some BBQ because sadly there isn't any other BBQ places around. I usually get the 3 meat platter that comes with chopped pork, brisket and chicken w/ 2 sides and a bun. The chopped pork was the best tasting one, can definitely taste the smokiness in it. The chicken on the other hand is always so bland even after pouring over their own sauce. But for about $12 it's a not a bad deal. I do recommend the mac n cheese as a side. As for the cornbread, it's disappointing. Not worth paying extra for it.
(3)
Gretchen P.

I'm a big fan of Rocklands. From it's laid-back vibe and chill staff to its outdoor patio (they do Yappy Hours in the summer!) and bottomless pot of hot barbeque sauce, I really enjoy coming to this place. I've tried an assortment of their dishes, including sharing the Belly Buster (ribs, chicken, sausage, and brisket) with the manfriend, and I've enjoyed many Rocklands Pearls (a bowl with mac & cheese, baked beans, chopped pork, and bbq sauce). The meats are juicy, the barbeque sauce is tangy and zesty versus overly sweet, and the mac and cheese is the absolute bee's knees, man. My tip? Do the Rocklands Pearl but swap out the baked beans for mashed taters. You'll be in BBQ bowl HEAVEN. Prices can stack up if you're indecisive and/or love sides (like I do), so that's just something to be aware of -- it's another reason why I love the Rockland Pearl, just $6.99! It can be hard to come by good 'que in the DMV area, but Rocklands definitely stands on its own, IMO!
(4)
Casey P.

I want to like Rocklands, a good entrepreneurial story, the location is convenient, staff and service are great and friendly, there is a good bourbon selection, some great beers on draft, delicious corn pudding and mac & cheese plus a parking lot in Arlington. All signs point to great. I have never before given anyone a 1 star review because I'm a pretty easy guy to please and I always thought I would feel bad. But, and I only say this in hopes that they will fix it, after multiple trips to to make sure it wasn't a fluke or just an off day my conclusion is as follows: The meat served at Rocklands is flat out terrible. So terrible in fact that I believe it would be difficult for me to intentionally ruin good meat as badly as they do in this kitchen. I'm a big guy who rarely skips a meal or doesn't clean his plate and both trips I wound up devouring the sides and throwing more than half of the meat away. The brisket is tough and sliced awkwardly thin which I find very odd the ribs were forgettable and the only thing that was is slightly drier than the overcooked pork on my plate was the chicken. If it was up to me I would find those responsible and haul them out to the center of Virginia Square to be publicly shamed for impersonating anyone who belongs within a mile of a bbq pit. As a lover of all things meaty, smoked and spicy who has crisscrossed the country looking for the best, I suppose there has to be a worst place and out of the hundreds of BBQ places I have tried in my life there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Rocklands is that worst place when it comes to preparing meat. Eating here leaves me confused, sad and I hate that I feel this way especially about a local business who by all accounts seems to be a productive member of the community but I can not for any reason suggest that anyone but a vegetarian frequent this establishment until something changes. Because really, the staff and the Mac & Cheese are great.
(1)
Stephanie T.

Came back here again this weekend when I returned to DC, the mac and cheese was as good as I remembered. Just wanted to leave a tip to those who try the sauces on the table, the vicious viper sauce is DEADLY. I have no spice tolerance and my mouth burned for almost an hour, my friends all tried it as well, most of whom love spicy food and no one could handle it, avoid at all costs!
(4)
Sonnya B.

I don't really like BBQ & I loved this place. It's clean, funky & just yummy. Also God bless them for they have a private parking lot in Arlington. I had the lamb. It was fantaaaaabulous. They have good homemade lemonade. Lots of seating. Prompt helpful service. It also helps that I came here with my favorite ppl in the universe & we laughed & ate forever. The portions are not large so you might have to order more food. I think the portions are ok but I think ppl assume cause it's BBQ you're gonna get a ton of food. The salty sweet potato fries were so very BOMB. I wanted the bobby flay ones to be this good but they weren't. This place is great, just come already.
(5)
PC W.

Any restaurant that serves a dish called Three Meats is A-OK in my book. I agree with the other reviewers that the portions aren't that generous but it was very tasty. Truth be told, I'm a Boston-bred Chinese-American, what the heck do I know about authentic bbq?!?! You can stop reading here and I wouldn't blame you. The Three Meats were shredded chicken, chopped pork and beef brisket. The brisket was soooo good. You get a choice of side and it comes with a roll. The mac 'n cheese was okay, the cheese wasn't as thick and creamy as I wanted but they did succeed in seasoning it. The meats were cooked in sauce but that didn't stop me from dumping barbeque sauce from the vat over in the condiments section. I'm pretty much a carnivore and I find it difficult to find fault in a place that specializes in serving meat. And they have sweet tea!!!!! Be still, my beating heart.
(3)
Scott G.

These guys do a really good rendition of Carolina-style barbecue, but it's not "legendary" or anything like that. The restaurant has a great ambience, a solid beer selection with a little bar area, and prompt service. All-around a solid joint. My favorite dish is the Pearl, which is pulled pork layered upon mac & cheese layered upon baked beans. It's like crack cocaine in a bowl. One thing you gotta watch out for -- sometimes the pulled pork comes with huge chunks of fat in it. I assume they'd swich it out for a better cut if you were ask them, but I've never asked.
(4)
Sara B.

Yum Yum! BF took me here for dinner and it was awesome! We each got a pearl, sandwiches and then the fries. If you want a quick and delish BBQ party in your mouth go with the pearl - beans, mac n cheese, and pulled pork. The brisket and the sirloin sandwich were good but the chix sandwich was awesome. It wasn't pulled chicken, it was a smokey full breast, not BBQy but more mesquitey and def NOT dry at all which will total ruin anything chicken. Homemade BBQ sauce a little too vinegary for me. Fries were okay. Sweet tea and lemonade were great. You know sweet tea when its sweet but not so sweet where it makes you gag? Can't wait to try ALL of the sides and of course, top it off with a pearl :)
(4)
Ryan S.

It's good, but not great. And if you are local, I would say I can't really think of a place better with a mile or two. Maybe Red, Hot & Blue is better in Rosslyn, but it is a national chain. I've been a few times, and the quality has not been consistent. All the sides that I've had (french fries, macaroni & cheese, collard greens, and fried ocre) have been pretty good. Their BBQ seems to be hit or miss, and particularly their beef brisket seems too tough and gristly. The sauces are good. I'd also say it is just a tad expensive for the quality. After all, it is seat yourself order at the counter dining!
(3)
Terria L.

Being a Tennessee girl and knowing great BBQ (my father made his own BBQ sauce and smoked his meat until it fell off the bone), I struggle with living in this area because I know I will never have BBQ like home. But today I had a craving for BBQ pulled pork with cole slaw on a bun, so I yelped all the BBQ places in Arlington. As I was traveling to another BBQ establishment in the area, I came upon Rocklands. I went in and ordered a pulled pork sandwich to go. Surprisingly, it was pretty good. The pork smoked flavor was fantastic but it could use a little more seasoning (i.e.salt). The serving size was enormous but they were skimpy on the BBQ sauce. Overall, if I get the urge again for BBQ, I will return for my $5 pulled pork sandwich
(3)
Sean W.

I tried this place twice in one day for the first time on July 10. I went in for lunch to try the beef brisket sandwich and came back for dinner for the blue plate special which was a buffalo chicken tender sandwich. I have to say both were excellent, especially the beef brisket sandwich. Juicy and smokey and everything you want in brisket. I will say its not cheap ($10.99 for the sandwich, fries and drink) and the sandwich wasnt even that big. Thats not going to stop me from going back though, i just wish it was a little cheaper. Thats why it got 4 stars instead of 5. It also seems like a cool place to hang out with its bar and outdoor patio, but both times i went were for carryout, which actually didn't take very long. I definitely recommend this place for BBQ in the Arlington area.
(4)
Rowena E.

Probably 2.5 stars actually. PROS: plenty of sides, huge pot of lemonade vs. soda fountain dispensed, convenient new option between Balston and Clarendon. CONS: kinda expensive, tiny portions, no sweet tea Come on! How can a BBQ place not serve sweet tea? I'm talking about brewed southern style sweet tea with the perfect ratio of tea flavor and tooth decaying sugar rush. none of those silly sugar packets stirred into your unsweetened/watered down tea and ends up sitting at the bottom of your cup like the sediment sludge at the bottom of the Potomac. Bleh! Oh well, the fresh Lemonade was nice but still not sweet tea. But I digress. Along with the lack of sweet tea (a BBQ staple), the prices were pretty expensive and the portions small for what you pay for. I got the BBQ beef sandwich blue plate special with Mac & Cheese and a drink for ~$9 (This was a "special" lunch special and their menu states their specials start from $6.99). That's practically two visits to El Pollo Rico with meals that actually fill you up. Like Monty C. mentioned, the portions are tiny, with sides coming in these Dixie cup sized portions that remind me of those Fluoride treatments from grade school. Food was so-so. I wasn't expecting Fat Matt's - Atlanta quality or anything (see the reviews) and since my expectations weren't up, food was ok with a tangy tomato based sauce. However, on the positive, they do have a nice variety of sides including Texas Corn Pudding, and their Mac & Cheese was definitely cheesy and thick vs. the runny flavor-less stuff you get elsewhere. Nice to have more food options in this area vs. the usual sandwich places like Quiznos and Cosi. Also, if you dig the food, they also have catering.
(2)
Monty C.

I was very excited to see a Rocklands opening up across from the Giant on Washington Blvd. in Arlington. I hoped that maybe we would finally have a decent place to get barbeque. Unfortunately, Arlington will have to continue to wait for edible BBQ. I ordered take out with my girlfriend last night; the three meat platter with baked beans and a chicken sandwich with mac-n-cheese. I was disappointed when, after a short wait, I picked up my bag of food from the front counter. For $17, it was VERY light. When I opened up the bag at home, I thought it was a joke. My three meats were dished up in a little paper dish about the size of a small order of fries. The side dishes were served in containers that were just a little larger than a single serving chocolate pudding Snack Pack. The meat itself was soggy and tasteless with a big droopy onion on top. The baked beans were equally bland. Luckily, I had scooped up a couple containers of sauce from the big bucket they keep next to the fountain drinks. The sauce is a little tangy and a little sweet, but not at all hot. I could have eaten both our meals and I still would have been hungry. The experience reminded me of that old joke that Woody Allen retells in Annie Hall. Two elderly women are at a Catskill mountain resort, and one of them says, "The food at this place is really terrible." The other one says, "Yeah, I know; and such small portions." I've never been to the Rocklands up on Wisconsin Ave, but I was surprised to see that it's rated with 4 stars, so maybe this newest location is just going through some growing pains.
(1)
Kristen C.

Went here for lunch and was extremely pleased. I had the beef ribs which were delicious. The staff were very friendly and prompt. The manager even came over and had a nice chit chat with us. He told us about their pepper garden they grow annually and their hot sauce contest they have at the end of the pepper harvest. They also have a bar inside and daily drink specials. Their mint sweet tea is perfect. I highly recommend this place if you are a BBQ lover.
(5)
Refayat H.

BBQ DONE RIGHT...wow what a session! Got the beef ribs and they were delicious. The bone had just the right ratio of fat and meat. And the sauce they use is really good as well. For sides I got the coleslaw is good and the fried okra solid. The vibe is great, more casual than anything with retarded frat bros near the bar talking about Sam Adams' market share. -_- But hey, it is after all a BBQ joint. The staff is very friendly, everyone from the cash register person to the people bringing out the food were incredibly courteous and hospitable. All in all, I recommend this spot to anyone in the area craving some good bbq.
(5)
James G.

looks really good in the photos...and Shiner Bock on tap...so naturally, this had to be good Texas BBQ--WRONG! The thin slicing drys out the brisket and pork...what? he slices not pulls the pork? You gotta be kidding me! and both sliced port and brisket are smothered in a nasty sauce. The sauce isn't Texas style (pepper and mustard), nor California style (nice tangy vinegar). The sauce destroys all the smoke flavor...just f's up his meat. It's a shame because in particular the beef rib was nicely cooked--nice big tender, juicy rib...but, that damned nasty sauce smothered on it. And the beans weren't even close to being decent...couldn't even figure out how you could mees up beans that bad. Try Hill Country BBQ in D.C. or even better head out to the Q Company in Leesburg if you want to taste good BBQ. If you want authentic BBQ, this isn't it!
(1)
Steve L.

The decor is really cool-it's a fun mood. The food: Not so good. I had a pulled pork sandwich with fries and macaroni and cheese. Pulled Pork: Very moist, but it also lacked any flavor. :-( Man n Cheese: Could make it much better at home. Fries: Thin, hand cut, but soggy and very salty. Their BBQ sauce is pretty weak as were the hot sauces available to use. Also, I asked for a water, but I received and got charged for a soda cup. I ended up eating somewhere else just 30 minutes after this meal because I was still hungry and unsatisfied.
(2)
Jugga S.

Dang man bro. I don't know too much about nor do I particularly care about traditional barbeque tradition. But I know taste, and dang man bro does Rocklands deliver. Be sure to try their Beef Brisket sandwich (smothered with their bbq sauce); it is out of this world and the best brisket sandwich I've had in my lustrous eating career. Pair your brisket sandwich with a side of the Ceasar salad. its got the right balance of acidity and saltiness to have you wanting more. Don't mess around with other items, which though good are not at the level of the two items above.
(5)
Daniel B.

I have had a chance to eat at this place both when it was located at its old location and its now superior location and I like it. The food here is solid BBQ (not jaw dropping but we are Arlington, for that you really need to head far South of here). You have to love any place that has a sauce container that you can pull from (it even has onions in it). The sides are good (I wish I had gotten the fried okra, love that stuff), there are enough places to sit and the service is quick.
(4)
Nelson W.

I ordered a chicken filet sandwich. What showed up was a piece of (tasty) chicken between two buns. Oh, you want lettuce, tomato, or onion? That will be extra.
(2)
Jon D.

One of my favorite spots. Really good food, and priced right. I'm a big fan of the blue plate special of the day. I wish I could branch out a bit more on the sides, but the texas corn pudding and the fried okra get me every time. I especially like going in the warmer months to sit out on the patio. I'm convinced that anything smothered in their BBQ sauce would be delicious. Dig deep in the crock to fish out a scoop full of onions and throw them on whatever meat you got, and your set.
(5)
Sami M.

Hi Rockland's. Umm nice try. Your BBQ is subpar. Your people are nice and your restaurant looks cool on the inside but none of that matters because your food is bad. People cannot stop talking about how good your BBQ is and it makes me feel insane. I ordered your mixed rib platter with a side of mac & cheese and coleslaw. I paid 20 bucks for it. 20 bucks. Sheesh, y'all aren't cheap. But I will gladly shell out 20 bucks for good BBQ. But it was not good BBQ. Where is your spice? Where is your flavor? Where is your kick? Plus I'm pretty sure there was more fat on those ribs than meat. Where was the meat? Also, I definitely don't like throwing around accusations so I will just say your Mac n cheese tastes SUSPICIOUSLY like Kraft. Plus y'all have peas in your coleslaw! What?? Who are you to change up coleslaw? You're not better than coleslaw. You ruined it with your peas. Yuck. Long story short. I am not a fan.
(2)
David H.

Down a star after the last trip. The lamb sandwich is not good, and I struck out with the sides again - fries are too salty, chili is not good
(3)
Good E.

I've come here several times usually I come with some friends to grab a quick dinnerand catch up. I really like the ambiance. you order your food at the counter and seat wherever you can find a chair it's a great way to create some kind of camraderie amongst the guests. I've had the pulled pork as well as the beef ribs and pork ribs and it all been excellent. I like the rub that they put on to the meat. and they have so many different types of hot sauce! They're all really really hot and really really delicious working is never a problem here try everything on the menu !
(5)
Mike C.

I've eaten here quite a few times but its time to write a review. I'm from the South so I have eaten at many BBQ joints. Their Homemade BBQ sauce is the best thing about this place... its pretty darn tastey. It sits in a caulderon over by the soda machine. Chicken Wings - 2 1/2 stars. They are grilled and have great seasoning/sauce on them. However, they are usually very inconsistent in size and juiciness. They are often dry and overcooked and are either tiny to small to medium sized. They need more consistency in the wing and the cooks doing the grilling. BBQ - 3 stars - Very nice chopped pork BBQ sandwich. Good bun and they gave you a lot of meat on the sandwich, sometimes the meat can be dry or bland. Put some BBQ sauce on it and that should enhance the meat. Ribs - 3 stars - They give you a good sized portion with special seasoning and sauce on them but they are usually very dry and the meat does not fall off the bone from pulling which usually portrays the meat being overcooked. They need to find a balance of juicy and tenderness here. Sides - 3 stars - They have numerous sides to choose from and the majority are good but I'm only giving 3 stars here because of the portions. They are scooped out with an ice cream scooper and the portions are TINY. Come on guys, I'm a grown man, give me a bigger portion. I understand you all want to charge an arm and a leg for your BBQ and meats but come on.... don't be stingy on the sides. You can afford to give some bigger portions of your side dishes. Portion size is awful for the side items. The rule in BBQ joints is to make your money off your meats but give your customers some sides! Place is pretty expensive for decent BBQ. $6.50 for a sandwich and like $3 for a side. $2.00 for a soda... so expect to pay at least $10-$15 for a decent sized meal. Advice to Rocklands - They need to pay more attention to their cooking of the meats and side dish portions. Overall, decent place to go eat some BBQ.
(2)
Daniel B. O.

The smell is great!!!! Average bbq place conveniently located if in the VSQ area. Bar is too small and food is a bit overpriced.
(3)
Peter B.

As others have said, the meat is oddly flavorless, the ribs were tough and I found their BBQ sauce was not anywhere near good enough to mask these issues. The pluses of the visit were the house rootbeer (not too shabby) and the Texas corn pudding. Not worth a revisit.
(2)
Jason Y.

This place is SO MUCH BETTER than the old Rocklands that was in Carpool. Not even close. They have a bar as well. I like the OMG WTF hot sauce they use by blending leftover hot sauces. And...I've enjoyed the meats and sides (fried okra, collards, mac n cheese, etc). Wow, I seem to like this place better than other reviewers. :)
(3)
Matt D.

I really dig barbeque joints and Rocklands is the only place I have found in the metro area that serves good barbeque. I have zero barbeque credentials having grown up in New England, but I know what I like. Rocklands make barbeque they way I like. Their ribs have that real smokey flavor and the house sauce is tangy, not too sweet or spicy. Originally Rocklands was on Fairfax Drive in the same building as Carpool, but then moved out. I was so disappointed. I thought I lost Rocklands forever, but then they came back. They are now practically next door to my apartment building. It was a sign from God that I was destined to enjoy Rocklands on a regular basis. I have only gotten take-out and they prepare your meal fast, within 10 minutes of calling in your order. I like the decor that's heavy on the wood and an ample patio section on the side of the building. If you go I recommend the Belly Buster. It's all meat. It's ribs, beef brisket and sausage. It's about 12 bucks and comes with a cup of their house sauce. Order only if you're really hungry. I've enjoyed their red beans and rice and their Texas corn pudding for sides.
(4)
Jim A.

It might not be the best, but it's good, and you can get a good, cold draft at the mini-bar while you wait for them to fill your take out order. The lamb is good (not exactly standard bbq fare, I know). Pulled pork is probably second best. And they have a good selection of hot sauce if you feel the need to spice it up. I'm surprised to see so many "one-star" reviews - seems a bit harsh to me! We ordered it for our daughter's teenage soccer team party - and both parents and kids scarfed it up! They will deliver for a party - minimum $250 order.
(3)
Wendy B.

We came here on a whim once, but its something I'd be willing to return to. I enjoyed a brisket sandwich here, and it was a savory sandwich! The mashed potatoes were also well done, not chunky or peculiar as I have encountered in other places. The bread was soft, which made it even better, and the sweet tea was great as well! The brisket though, oh, how wonderful it was! It brought a smile to my face! When we left, I was sufficiently filled to a satisfactory level, not over board, which made this place a bbq joint I'd return to!
(4)
Jacqueline C.

Great BBQ! Great atmosphere!
(5)
Ayako A.

BBQ ribs r not so good.. Beers r good.. Sides r good. I will go back there to eat outside and drink but not for the BBQ
(2)
Sarah R.

Stopped in for a bite with an out of town guest today... we had two wonderful sandwiches (pulled chicken and beef brisket) and the amazing baked beans. However, my portion of coleslaw was like eating forkfuls of caraway seeds. I couldn't taste any of the other flavors. I would love to have a seedless option of your slaw. For those who don't care for the taste (think rye bread), this slaw will be a downer... especially as there are so many other amazing sides and salads to choose from!
(4)
Jon K.

What is not to like about this place? Great bbq and it has a full service bar right next to the sweet tea. Really great atmosphere and a great family night out. I dream about the corn pudding sometimes.
(5)
Tim R.

not impressed. this is a food only opinion as this was catered for an office lunch. rice and beans... uncooked rice. Ribs... not falling off the bone and hard to eat. Brisket was the best of the meats that i tried. Chicken... really didn't look good and decided not to try it. Based on the food, there is no reason that I would want to go there.
(2)
MARIA G.

On Wednesday they have a $6 special, 10 wings and a beer. Unfortunately, the wings were burnt but the deal was good and I know the BBQ is awesome here. Next time I'm coming on a Monday!
(4)
Sam M.

Rocklands BBQ & Grilling Co. - Rockland's Rocks! This is the place to get your hickory/red oak-smoked BBQ fix. (Unlike other places that claim to be a real 'smoke pit bbq' that taste only of slathered tomato vinegar bbq sauce)...Here you can definitely smell the ample wood-fired aroma just walking towards the restaurant from the establishment's own free parking lot (a pleasant surprise, as far as paid or hard-to-find parking spaces in Arlington!#$%^) The pulled pork was smokey through and through, oh so tender, fresh, with healthier low salt content. The beef brisket (a little tough) and pulled chicken (this portion was much less than the other two 'meats') were also smokey, but I wish I knew they would have also been able to serve 'em 'dry' (sauce on the side), rather than 'wet', and wish that preference would have been asked up front (IMHO authentic smoked BBQ like Rockland's needs no BBQ sauce). They have several entree options and several sides, including Ceasar salad topped with smoked chicken, delicious Texas corn pudding (yum!), desserts, kettle fried Route 11 chips, alcoholic beverages, etc. They have indoor and outdoor patio/picnic seating. Their service is fast and friendly! After taking your order at the counter, you're provided a token to take as a marker for your order, then sit at a table of your choosing. You can munch on roasted peanuts while you wait, until a staff member brings your food order to your table. Another plus is that different types and brands of hot chili sauces (green, red, yellow, sweet, garlic, etc.) adorn each table corner for customers to douse their food. For the adventuresome chili sauce aficionado, shelves of a variety of chili sauces are also for sale. They offer take out and cater. They use biodegradable take-out containers (Hurray for Rockland's eco-friendly ways!) . Their bathroom is clean. We would definitely return to try their other fixins! Too far to drive to Texas, Kansas, North Carolina, Tennessee...Find your nearest Rockland's authentic wood-fired BBQ, they've expanded to other locations throughout the WDC area!
(5)
Paul S.

I've already been to this Rockland's location a dozen times since it opened in November. It's a convenient stop off after work for to grab a take out dinner. The BBQ chicken and pulled pork is quite good and earns four stars. But if it were possible I would have given the location 3.5 stars as I must agree that the prices are on the high side for the portions you get. I typically spend almost $12 to get a sandwich and two small sides. The location has ample seating unlike the Glover Park location. The bar has several beers on tap and there are a couple flat screen TVs positioned strategically in the venue. Each table has a variety of hot sauces and BBQ sauces for patrons to sample. A patio is present for outdoor seating but it is not yet in use.
(4)
Abby A.

Decent BBQ place, picnic table style seating outside perfect for a nice day. Cucumber salad yum. I hear they have a special on Tuesdays for beer and sandwiches, we'll definitely be back to check it out.
(4)
Andrew H.

Average BBQ, the smokiness can taste artificialy which is NOT good. It's also pricier for what you can get other places. The only reason why I go here is b/c there's nothing else close to my work, but there's much better BBQ to be had at other places.
(3)
Y V.

I'd been craving some BBQ and this hit the spot. It's a bit pricey, but we're in DC so it's forgivable. The first time, I had beef ribs and I found them overly fatty. I ended up throwing more away than I actually ate. The second time, I had a full slab of pork spare ribs and that was much better. The sides are good too. The cauldron of serve-urself BBQ is a great feature. They have tons of hot sauces too so if you like things spicey, it's a good place to go.
(3)
Laura L.

I never really get a hankering for barbecue, but when I do, it makes me sad to think that there are so many limited options in the area. There is one viable option that always comes to mind: Rocklands BBQ. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich with a side of mac and cheese. Sadly, the sandwich bread was dry but the pork itself was pretty tasty. The mac and cheese was fantastic but if I had to give a gold star to the winning part of that meal, it was the side dish. But overall? The meal didn't blow me away. Despite just three stars, I would absolutely come back. Next time around, I want to kick it with some BBQ and a beer on their porch/ patio (when I visited, it was still chilly outside).
(3)
Matt O.

As a BBQ lover, I am quite picky. While this is not the best BBQ I have ever had, it is by far the best BBQ in the area by a country mile. I have sampled all of the meats and most of the sides and they all are terrific. In fact, the sides are actually what makes this a 4-star establishment. I am not sure what they put in their potato salad (could be crack...it's that addicting), but it's the best potato salad I have ever had. Drooooool....anyway....If you are looking for reasonably priced, high quality comfort food, this is the place. Pro-tip: The Rockland's Pearl is the best deal on the menu if you don't mind your food touching. You can sub-out any meat and any two sides. I go with pulled pork, potato salad and baked beans. Pretty crucial combo.
(4)
David J.

Excellent ribs in a typical, American rib house. The range of hot sauces is unmatched. They have their most insane hot sauce on the top shelf behind the bar, housed in a wooden box. Be warned.
(4)
Koji H.

This place has moonshine? 3 stars says it all. The food is not spectacular, just ok. I think there are better BBQ places around but it will do if i were craving BBQ.
(3)
Bianca K.

If you like rude, dim-witted people taking your order, then this is the place for you.
(1)
Rokeya J.

This is hands down the best bbq in dc metro. The bbq is very flavorful. I get the pulled chicken.
(5)
Daniel Y.

I love this place. Great BBQ sandwiches and sides. Lots of choice on beers, too.
(4)
Eric M.

Brought my 8 yoa son in along with my mom and dad. We all found a great meal. My son is picky and he raved about his pulled pork!!! (he usually complains about something so this is quite an endorsement) My mom and dad have lived in Arlington for over 65 years and this was their first time...they loved it very much! Finding a home run all the way around for this family is a hard thing to do but you all have done it! Thanks again for the wonderful dinner...y'all rock!!! See ya again...hopefully really soon.
(5)
Steve R.

Fun low key atmosphere with great food and a friendly energetic staff. Tonight I had the chopped barbecue pork sandwich, corn bread and collared greens. Everything was phenomenal. I also sampled some of the mac and cheese. They make it with large shell pasta with a sauce that is a little runny, but the dish is excellent and I recommend it. The cornbread is probably nothing special, but it is good cornbread. The meats are very lightly sauced, which is good because the meat is awesome. If you want more there is a giant vat of it served hot next to the soda machine. You can fill the containers and they have lids if your order is to go. The bartender, I think his name was Jason, was really nice to us and made an additional sale for the restaurant because he was chatting us up about hot sauce and we ended up getting a bottle of hot sauce and some peanuts flavored with ghost peppers as gifts for a relative who loves the heat. I don't know what ghost peppers are, but they sound ridiculously hot. Great time.
(4)
Drew S.

Decent flavored BBQ Pork sandwich. What I like is the bourbon selection though (they even have a club!). Did I join the club? Have you seen some of my other reviews? Of course I did. I'll definitely be going back for that, and JR behind the bar is a good dude.
(3)
Mark R.

I've eaten at Rocklands many times and I've never really been impressed with the caliber of product they produce. Beers are cheap and on Monday's you get a free sandwich with each beer you buy, which is a pretty good deal. Their chopped pork is decent but little more than that. Their BBQ sauce makes the meat more palatable, but even that could not rescue the brisket. The brisket lacks its own flavor signature and with it smothered in BBQ you can hardly tell you are eating brisket. Additionally, a piece of brisket should stand on its own. What I mean is when you slice a piece of brisket you should be able to hold between your thumb and forefinger and it should not fold over. The brisket at Rocklands is most easily eaten by twirling it around your fork like spaghetti. Unacceptable. As the lone establishment for BBQ in Ballston, Rocklands needs to up their game and start supplying quality food that is commensurate with their high prices.
(2)
Ali B.

Delicious pulled pork and corn bread! I love to order by-the-pound and bring it home. Will definitely be back!
(4)
David L.

They're up to four locations in the Washington area, so they must be doing something right. Barbecue isn't exactly plentiful here, so I don't know what some of these reviews are complaining about. My pulled pork was just fine, though it's not Carolina style. The vegetable selection is uncommonly good with offerings like collards and Texas corn pudding. You order at the counter, and the aesthetic is deliberately down-home in a you're-still-in-Arlington kind of way. Also, they have an impressive, if not exactly orthodox, hot sauce selection with even more for sale. I'm not into masochism, but if that's your thing, they have you covered.
(4)
Kris G.

rocklands and i go waaaay back, to the days when they were located inside carpool on fairfax drive, and i was living on the same block. flash forward several years and they're in a new spot with a breezy patio packed with picnic tables, but the same delicious barbeque. as far as meats go, the chopped pork is their standard, and once you taste it, you'll see why it's their best-seller. but if you're partial to chicken or brisket, fear not, as those are primo choices as well. rocklands also does excellent ribs, and they offer combo platters so you don't have to restrict yourself to one meat selection. sandwiches easily become platters when two sides are added for an additional $4, and all of their varied sides are delicious, which makes it hard to pick. but my favorites are the traditional potato salad, texas corn pudding, baked beans, and mac and cheese. clearly, if you don't like carbs, go sit with someone else. collard greens, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw are good choices as well. the red beans and rice was a little bland. the honey jalapeno cornbread is listed as a dessert, not a side, but it's always a hit. DC doesn't have a whole lot of barbeque options, but i think rocklands stands out as one of the best. i found red, hot, & blue to be greasier and less tasty. no matter where they move, i will follow!
(5)
Alex C.

I had heard they were known for their brisket so I decided to give them a try. I ordered a half pound to go. What I received was a plastic cup of meat, that was sliced as thin as roast beef, and drowning in sauce - and not to mention tough & stringy. I don't understand what all of the hype is about...
(2)
Bill B.

My wife found this place and wanted to give it a try. Since I'm always up for BBQ, I took a quick look at yelp and hit the road. Despite the many yelp reviews which slammed the pulled pork sandwich for being tasteless, I ordered it (in my defense, I didn't really think anybody could mess up pulled pork). The meat was moist and well cooked, however, as the reviews stated it lacked any taste, good or bad. Even the BBQ sauce they used on the sandwich was weak. I had to dump a bunch of hot sauce on it to give it any taste. Aside from the pulled pork sandwich, everything else there was great. My wife had a pulled chicken sandwich which was excellent, the kids had awesome all-beef hot dogs, and the sides (corn bread, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and collared greens) were as good as they come. In summary, so long as you steer clear of the pulled pork sandwich, this is a good BBQ joint. The atmosphere was good, the service was good, they actually had parking (a plus for Arlington), and the food was decent to good.
(3)
Alan N.

Of all the BBQ places in the NOVA area, I have to say that Rocklands is hands down the best one. They have a large selection of BBQ meats including the intimidating beef rib. There is a huge selection of hot sauces for you to buy but personally I'd just use the house made BBQ sauce on any of the meats and that was good enough for me. Of all the sides they serve, the coleslaw is the best side they have and I'd get yourself a glass of their handmade lemonade while your at it. You can munch on free peanuts while you wait on your BBQ and they have a outdoor patio area for you to sit and eat at during the spring and summer months.
(4)
Michael S.

Today a friend and I split a full rack of babybacks, a half chicken, a side of baked beans, and sweet tea. I have to say that for about $38 it could be better priced, but it was an OK meal.......not unbelievable; but OK. I've had better, but for Northern Va.. this is about the best that's available in Arlington and I realize that it's not going to get much better. Now to the food. The babybacks were "fall off the bone" but they could have been meatier. The chicken was moist but the skin was a little darker than I'm used to and the meat was a but too smoky. The beans weren't bad, they had chunks of onions and chopped pork in them but could have been a bit sweeter and had a little more smoke on them. Sweet tea just like Grandma used to make. The only sin was the cornbread wrapped in plastic wrap and we know that the cornbread should still be a bit warm from coming out of the oven.
(3)
Brian S.

I have to say this was a barbecue experience I loved. I ordered the belly buster with coleslaw and beans/rice. My friends ordered various barbecue as well. We all loved it. The belly buster came with brisket, half a chicken and beef ribs.
(4)
Mr. Pleco S.

Overall good BBQ but be prepared for depressed-economy meat portions and infant-sized side dishes. I'm finished patronizing this place when a legitimate joint opens.
(3)
Angela N.

I've been wanting to try Rocklands forever and finally made it last night! I was not disappointed---I had a chicken breast sandwich platter with potato salad and corn casserole. Everything was delicious! I did think it was a wee bit expensive for what you get, but nonetheless, thought the portions were a good size and liked the vibe restaurant's vibe. For those people with food allergies, the staff is very good about finding out ingredients in the food if they don't know, and telling you about the best sides they serve. I'll be back!
(4)
AgentxAngel X.

Had the brisket sandwich and fries. It was not the best BBQ I've had, but I will definitely be back again. Fries were good too.
(3)
John Z.

Rockland's is in my rotation with my work lunch buds, the BBQ is really good here. The beef brisket is excellent. My one gripe (and reason for 3 stars) with Rockland's is the portion size of the sides compared to what they cost. $2.50 for an icecream scoop of Mash Potatoes is pretty steep. Either lower the price on the sides or make it a scoop and a half at least. I leave there still a bit hungry after shelling out $12+ for lunch.
(3)
Mickey C.

We go back all the time. Great coleslaw and beans too! Great atmosphere...great beer.....a chick magnet
(5)
Jeremy T.

This is probably our favorite place to go!!!! Sweet tea and BBQ!!! The mac and cheese also rocks!!! You gotta get the belly buster : )
(5)
Nathan C.

Three stars doesn't mean I'm not a repeat customer; I just have to have a real craving for beef brisket. BBQ is hard to come by in the DC area, so Rockland's is one of my go-to spots, since it's just down the street. Like I said, the beef-brisket sandwich with two sides and a sweet tea is my order. I think their beans are good, and I enjoy the peanuts to snack on while waiting for your food. I sort of wish there was a better knock-your-socks-off BBQ spot around, but for now, Rockland's it is.
(3)
Suzanne P.

Really like the Monday special- free sandwich with purchase of a beer. I generally order pulled pork, and here it is tender and plentiful. The sauce is also a step above most other places in the area-tangy, not too thick. The coleslaw is interesting- has a unique variety of components- with rye and crunchy veggies besides cabbage. The mac n cheese tastes like straight up Velveeta, not the best. The potato salad is nice and mayo-ey. There are tv's aplenty for sports watching, and they have a dog happy hour on Thursdays.
(3)
Conor Q.

it's better than a lot of the other chain food places in arlington, but not nearly as good as a legit BBQ place. Food tasted Ok and came out pretty quickly, but def didn't make me want to come back any time soon. Portions were smaller than I expected shelling out $15 for a 3-meat platter, and it wasn't exactly piping hot. Go in with low expectations if you're used to good BBQ and you will like this place. Nice atmosphere, just very average food.
(3)
Clara L.

My friend and I randomly decided to go to Rocklands as we were driving past it heading into Ballston. my friend: sooo are you hungry? me: I could eat my friend: wanna try Rocklands? I heard their ribs are good. me: sure, why not? Perhaps my expectations were set too high. I'm from california, so I am in no way, an expert when it comes to BBQ. I have no idea what to really expect, but aparently it was something more than what I got. We both got a half rack of the regular BBQ pork ribs. The sauce was alright, the meat was a bit chewy, and kinda hard to get off the bone. It was alright overall, but I guess I was hoping for more. I'm glad it wasn't too crowded in the place, cause we were pretty messy looking and needed more than the few towelettes we grabbed... haha *I've heard from other friends that their sandwiches (i.e. pulled pork) and smoked turkey are really good. So I'll have to go back sometime and try something besides the ribs.
(2)
Matt L.

Huge variety of hot sauces, comfort foods, and craft canned beers. What's not to love? I really can't understand some of the complaints on here.
(5)
Ryan W.

I can't really figure out what style of BBQ Rocklands serves. It's not really Carolina (no pulled pork, not a vinegar-based sauce). It's not Texas (no beef ribs, not enough tomato in sauce). It's not Memphis style (sauce doesn't have brown sugar/molasses). So, I guess it's just kind of generic BBQ. The meat (beef, chicken, pork loin) is freshly grilled/smoked/etc. Sometimes I've had too much fat/skin/gristle in what I've gotten. The sauce is just ok. I do like many of their sides, especially the Texas corn pudding. The onion rings and fried okra are great too. Rocklands is fine, though I wish it was more like Texas or Memphis syle.
(3)
Tony M.

A lot of problems with this place. First all the platters come with only two ribs. Two ribs is not a lot of food. Most good BBQ joints have a platter where you can get a half rack, some chicken, some brisket, etc. Rocklands platters are strangley priced and portioned. The prices aren't bad, but I'd rather have the option to pay more money and get more food. I had the beef ribs and a 1/4 chicken. The chicken was very bland. The beef ribs were ok. There was no BBQ sauce on the table. Tiny sides. Overall it was ok at best. If you've ever had really good BBQ you're going to be disappointed with Rocklands.
(2)
Neil H.

The key to enjoying Rockland's is to order the chopped pork sandwich. CHOPPED Pork. I tried a cheeseburger, beef brisket and what they call sliced pork and almost didn't return. But I work across the street so it's easy and lots of others like going here. Ever since I started ordering the CHOPPED port sandwich I have really enjoyed it for every lunch. I'm also not big on their sides, prefer just the sandwich or maybe add a bag of chips. That said, friends have said their collard greeens, mac & cheese and cole slaw are good.
(4)
Cassandra B.

I am not a huge fan of the barbecue here. The sauce is a bit runny and a bit bitter. The bun I had with my meal was very fresh and delicious. But I went for the barbecue and I was disappointed. The macaroni and cheese was bland and room temperature. I definitely will not be going back.
(1)
Matt S.

Rockland's is one of my favorite local restaurants in the area. Love the brisket, pulled pork and chicken, burger (ask for bacon), and the most underrated entrÃ©e, the Rockland's Pearl. They also have a full bar offering a number of beers on tap, plus Dominion root beer, and a bourbon list of 50+ bourbons/whiskeys. Definitely the best BBQ place I've been at around DC!
(5)
Funglin W.

We were on a rush to head down to DC to see all the museums and tourists spots so we came here for a quick bite. Here's a few things I can say about it: 1. good price for the deal 2. if you get a group of 5-6, they have a feast of 5 that was good and more food than we wanted. Best stuff here: Collard Green Side: ..........uhm, this was the only dish here i could not stop eating. it was just sooooo good Pulled Pork: tender!! and juicy!! best meat dish here! Mediocre stuff: mac & cheese: meh. normal mac & cheese minted cucumber salad: pretty decent, would've liked a bit more flavors to it. but it's refreshing for all the meat you're about to eat here! BBQ spare ribs: the flavors are good, but the meat was a bit hard for me to chew down. BB chicken: HUGE & worth the money. some parts are tender but the flavors didn't get into the chicken enoguh, i think.
(3)
Jonas F.

The pork spareribs were tough, the beef rib had way too much fat. The macaroni salad was way too salty and the cucumber salad was limp with no crunch. We had five in our party including my three kids. When they brought the food to our table they didn't even bring paper plates for the food, we had to request paper plates at the counter. The sauce was ok but it wasn't exceptional. I was more disappointed then I thought I was going to be. I will not return which sucks because it's a four minute drive from my house.
(2)
John J.

Stick with the full bbq meats ( as in, quarter chicken, ribs ) instead of the platters. The meats are less bland and more tasty that way! Mac-n-cheese and beans sides are great -- don't miss their hot sauce to go!
(3)
Tammy G.

Really, really good BBQ! Great smoky flavor. Good selection of sides. I have enjoyed everything that I've gotten here. The manager is very friendly but I always feel that the staff (behind the counter) could be a bit more so. Moderate prices. Lunch for 2 (2 platters, 2 sodas) was $25 today.
(4)
Stephanie L.

I'm neighbor gave me left overs from a huge party, only because it was an over order and 1 person can't take down an entire tray by themselves: OMG! It's amazing, and it's left overs. The meat is tender, precisely smoked and seasoned to perfection and this was for a catering job. Well done Rockland's, I can't wait to eat at your sit down restaurant. I agree with Jordan L...anything below 5 stars, is bonkers!
(5)
James W.

Rocklands is a so-so spot that attempts to meld Texas and KC style BBQ. Their BBQ is smothered in sauce and the quality of their pit beef and brisket are both stringy and full of sinew. They do have awesome iced tea (and sweet) as well as some great lemonade. In addition, their hot sauce selection is pretty amazing. Not bad if you are really craving BBQ, but remove any thoughts of great smoked meat you've had in the past outside of the DC area
(2)
Lev O.

I initially reviewed rocklands a few months ago and gave them 4 stars for their atmosphere and monday night special. The more i've gone here the more I realize how mediocre the food really is. More importantly it's over priced for the quality and quantity. I usually order the pulled pork sandwich (4.99) and some sides (4.50 something) so for 10 and change you get a pulled pork sandwich with an average portion of meat and two sides that could certainly be bigger. I'm no bbq connoisseur but their bbq is nothing to get all giddy about. On to the sides....mashed potatoes and beans are not expensive to make, why am I paying almost $5 for two sides....?! The beans are usually good but the mashed potatoes could definitely be more home style and less solid. Another gripe I have is that you have to pay extra for corn bread, the only thing that usually keeps me from passing out during a hot bbq meal, I have to pay for. Corn bread is literally the bread and butter of any bbq restaurant, please stop charging your customers for it. This place has no competition around it and I think that's why they're getting away with murder. Lastly, the only place in this building that's cooled adequately are the bathrooms, which is fine if i'm sweating like balls while on the toilet but I'm usually doing that in the dinning area since I just ruined my sandwich with too much damn hot sauce. The only good part about this place is that if you complain about the price they'll give you a drink for free. I also got a piece of corn bread for free once because I decided I wanted it after I paid and it was a hassle to charge me for it. It's like they know the prices are ridiculous or they just don't care. Anyways, this probably won't do much to change the way Rocklands runs but this is the only power I have as a consumer so I hope others can see past Rockland's crazy menu that has no prices on it.
(2)
Jennifer N.

Rocklands is great. It is down the street from my office so I come here frequently to eat lunch or pick up dinner after work. The food is always freshly prepared, served hot and brought to your table. I adore the salad with chopped chicken. Their sweet potato fries are the best I have ever had anywhere! I love the baby back ribs. The meat is so tender it falls right off the bone. I have enjoyed everything else I have tried including the chicken, brisket, pulled pork and sausage. One of my favorite things about Rockland's is all of the special events they sponsor. One day I walked in to find an entire roasted pig being served with all kinds of toppings. Another day Rockland's was serving meat freshly purchased from a nearby farm. The taste was phenomenal. The absolute best part of the restaurant is the service. The staff is always friendly, courteous and polite. They are more than willing to answer any questions I have and always do so with a smile on their face! The manager always checks in to see if I like my food. If I try something new and don't like it, he is willing to replace. But that has never happened! I have loved everything I have tried at Rockland's!
(5)
Christina H.

I love Rocklands. One of the best BBQ joints in the DC area. Their mac'n'cheese is on point, the collard greens are savory and mouthwatering, and the chicken is bomb, too! Delicious on another level! I originally started going here because I heard about their burbon club and I couldn't resist! I mean, people, a burbon club?! Now that's legit!!!
(4)
Chris C.

So this place is one of those places that I would call quick food. Clearly nothing is cooked to order, but the quality was good and the range of selections was impressive. So first off there are 2 areas to order. One for food and one for beer or wine. This is both good and bad. It was good because you could order a drink and sit at a table while you were waiting for your food to get ready. It was bad because you basically have to pay twice which I found annoying. I mean one meal should have one check. The bar had a decent selection of wine and a good selection of both draft and bottled beers. The prices were pretty low and the bartender was pretty knowledgeable. There were only a 6 or so seats at the bar so I don't think they expect you to stay there for longer than it takes your food to come out. The thing that really made me like this place a lot was the crazy selection of BBQ & Hot sauces they had available. They had at least 50 different ones to choose from. All the standard ones you've heard of and then a whole array of rare ones. I ended up trying a whole bunch of different ones and was mixing some of the hot sauces with some of the BBQ sauces to get the right flavor. My favorite had to be the Ghost sauce which was insanely spicy. For the actual food I ordered a chopped pork sandwich platter with the mac & cheese and BBQ baked beans. The mac & cheese where large shells and the cheese had a slightly peppery flavor to it. I liked it a lot, but it certainly was not your ordinary mac & cheese. The BBQ beans were very tasty with a slight smokey flavor to them. The cornbread was great and the piece was huge. The chopped pork itself was decent, but nothing special. Overall this isn't the best BBQ place around, but I certainly enjoyed it. The quickness of the service, cheap price and the cool sauces are what sold me on it. I will definitely hit this place up again every time I'm in the area.
(4)
Robert G.

Nice place if you need a BBQ fix. That being said, DC isn't a BBQ hot spot. I had their pulled chicken sandwich with mac & cheese and fried okra. The sides come in a few different sizes if you prefer to mix and match. I did the special which was $10.99 for a sandwich, two sides, and drink. The chicken was tender and had a smokey taste as you would expect. The sides were tasty, but nothing out of the ordinary. We hit up the bar for a few beers afterward. They had a few TVs scattered throughout the restaurant and bar area which were nice for watching the game.
(3)
Katharine G.

A few months ago, my friend had a party catered by Rocklands in Rockville. When our family gathering was figuring on what to get for dinner that was easy, I thought the Rocklands near us in Arlington. Good choice! We ordered a couple of pounds of chopped pork, 2 quarts of baked beans, and 2 quarts of coleslaw I have to say, everything was quite delicious. The pork had a good smoky flavor. The coleslaw was fresh and crisp, not like Giant Food deli coleslaw. Highly recommend for takeout.
(4)
Sarah A.

Great food, great price, great atmosphere. The Texas corn pudding and the brisket were real winners. The bar is beautiful, one solid piece of wood. The place has personality and outdoor seating.
(4)
Brent W.

The pulled pork is excellent, and the sauce is even better. Enjoy the sides - broccoli salad is fantastic.
(4)
Amanda Z.

One might think that you can only eat so much BBQ before it becomes too much- not the case with Rocklands. You will want to go back over and over. Delicious, fresh, homemade food. First off, the meat is amazing. Perfectly cooked, juicy, tender. I've eaten the pulled chicken (my fave), the brisket, the chopped pork, and both kinds of ribs. It's a hard decision every time I go in deciding what meat choice I want. Better go for the meat trio. ALSO, the BBQ sauce is to die for- tangy, yet still smoky and sweet, with onions...yum. I can't forget about the sides: mac 'n cheese, potato salad, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, Texas bread pudding, beans, etc. I know I said the meat is amazing, but the sides might be the best part. The mac 'n cheese is SO good. I am not a huge cheese lover (I know, crazy), but I HIGHLY recommend the mac 'n cheese- shell pasta with a cheese sauce that is cheesy, but not over powering, and creamy enough that it keeps the shells moist, but not overly watery. I also love the potato salad and mashed potatoes, oh and the coleslaw...basically everything. Rocklands really does food well. It does get a little pricey, which is the only downside that I see, but worth the quality of food that you get.
(5)
Melissa S.

This place is incredibly convienent to the FDIC training facility. The ambiance is laid back and they have shelled peanuts available to snack on until your food comes. Free refills on soda. There's a nice outdoor patio area with picnic tables that's great for when the weather's nice. The indoor space is a little cramped though so you might have to sit with some strangers if the weather is bad outside. The BBQ chicken is meaty and juicy and the brisket was delicious. The shredded BBQ pork was a little bit fatty. This is carolina BBQ so the sauce is vinegary (which I liked). The sides were hit and miss for me. The potato salad and mashed potatoes were really yummy, but the beans were a little too sugary and the mac and cheese tasted like it was straight velvetta (fake, American-cheese taste). They have about 12 different sides though so you'll eventually find your favorite. The price is about $8-10 for a plate of food and the portions are good. A sandwich is about $5 on its own. Overall this place is a solid 3 stars. I'd come back if I was in the neighborhood craving BBQ, but I wouldn't seek it out.
(3)
Rich Y.

rarely do I write a review, but I got the baby back ribs. Nothing good about it. It was boiled and tossed on the grill for a few minutes. The weak sauce that came on the underside of the ribs, not even on the meat. Meat was tough, stuck on the bone, and favorless. Not to mention the cornbread which comes saran wrapped. What is that about? It tasted under baked and probably came from a box mix. As for the BBQ sandwiches, anyone can really slather it in BBQ and make any meat taste good.
(1)
Ticia P.

The meat is delicious! Texas corn pudding was disappointing, since I was expecting a sweet side, pretty much tasteless. I love the ribs and brisket. Suggestion to management: the cashier should ask if we want the bread or not, mine went to waste.
(4)
David A.

The food here is delicious. The barbecue is sweet and savory. The ribs are falling off the bone tender. The atmosphere is VERY casual and informal. As good as the ribs are, I thought they were a little steep in price. Still, they rank up there as some of the best I've had around here. Parking can be a little dicey, as there isn't much of it.
(4)
shoaib a.

2 minute Drill: This isn't the best barbecue I've ever had. However, it's convenient and certainly not the worst place to go to watch a game and grab a bite. 10 play scoring drive: The Vibe: I like how there's plenty of tv sets in this place. It's great for catching a Saturday college football game. If the weather is nice, sitting outside is a great option as it give you more of a neighborhood feel unlike many other places in the Arlington area. The Spread: The menu is okay. I'd prefer if their brisket was thicker rather than those thin cuts that they do. They also go for the wet barbecue style rather than dry but that's neither here nor there. They've got plenty of peanuts for you to munch on while your order is out.
(3)
D W.

Mediocre. Not bad but not worth the $$ in my opinion, which is a shame. Especially since they're set up to be really great. They use real wood smoke but the food lacks the flavor of it and doesn't appear to have been slow cooked. That's what we like about BBQ!
(2)
Anpan W.

The pulled chicken portion size was small, the chicken was gristly, and the price for that experience was about $5. On the up side--they sell hot sauces, including one labeled with either Penn State or Virginia Tech; and they have a six pack of beer section that includes Oberon and some other interesting selections that you will not find elsewhere in Arlington. So meh food but drop in for beer.
(2)
Janiece W.

This was our first time going, and we got take-out. The delicious smoke can be smelled from a few blocks away. We called our order in and it was ready when we arrived around 15 minutes later. There's a decent amount of parking and there were plenty of spots open at 8pm on a Friday night. I ordered the 1/2 rack of baby back ribs and my boyfriend ordered the 3 Meat Platter w/ baked beans and mac & cheese. We also got the honey Jalepeno cornbread. The portions are decent and the ribs were perfectly cooked and fell off the bone, but everything was just kind of bland. Nothing was bad and I might try it again in case it was just an off night. I also wish they'd offer more than just the one bbq sauce. I ended up using some Famous Daves rich & sassy sauce packets I already had at the house. In summary: I wish it was as good as it smelled. Not good, not bad...but for about the same price, I'd rather just go to Famous Daves.
(2)
Josh S.

3 star is just the right for this establishment. A-OK BBQ place. I guess you can't really expect much from $11 meat platter. At least you get nice side dishes from orders Home-made sweet teas and lemonades are sub-par. Don't be fooled by 'home-made' tag. Just get water or soda if you're in need of carbonated sugary water. Nothing fancy. Just dress like a bum on a lazy day and eat up your meats. Perfect way to end your night. Great selection of hot sauces -- probably the best thing this place has.
(3)
Coco B.

FINALLY tried Rocklands. I had the buffalo pulled chicken sandwich with a side of mac'n'cheese and mashed potatoes. SOOO GOOD! The ambiance was great, and I love that they offer tons many exotic hot sauces -both for use and for sale. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Melissa W.

I got take-out from here a couple nights ago. The ribs were delicious, the service was fast, and the price was right on. I'll definitely be coming back!
(4)
Rachel H.

I pass Rocklands everyday on my way home & the aroma of the barbeque in the air is so enticing. My dad loves barbeque, so I thought I would take him here for Father's Day. I almost skipped it after reading the bad reviews here, but figured I would give it a chance and I'm really glad I did. My dad raves about this bbq place he goes when he visits South Carolina, so I knew his standards were going to be high. He got the chopped pork sandwich, added coleslaw to it, and got fries & baked beans on the side. He loved the sami & said it was on par with the one he loves in SC. Being a vegetarian, I appreciated that they had a veggie sandwich option on the menu & plenty of vegetarian sides to choose from. The portion of the veggies was generous & actually made it difficult to eat as a sandwich. I ended up cutting them up with the bread and eating it with a fork, but the flavor was incredible! They add bbq sauce to it and I really enjoyed the smoky flavor. I go the potato salad, which was really good, and the corn pudding, which wasn't all that great. I loved how they had a big pot of bbq sauce boiling at the condiments station so you could serve your own. The service was friendly & quick, and the atmosphere was pleasant. Overall this was a nice experience for Father's Day and I look forward to my next visit.
(4)
Brad Z.

See my review for Rocklands in Alexandria... yelp.com/biz/rocklands-bâ€¦ ...virtually everything applies to the food at this location as well. I actually prefer this location the best as they offer a full bar and outdoor seating.
(4)
Chuck W.

Been here several times...I must have forgotten about reviewing this place. Yes, it's a barbeque place, but people seem to come here for the sides. I do, at least. On this day, they were running dangerously low in their mac-and-cheese supply, and you would have thought that we were in the depression, and I possessed the last mac-and-cheese ticket. People were enviously looking at the small carton, muttering "I thought they were out", "don't worry, they're making it soon, little boy, don't cry", and "what the hell, I'm going to go up there and change my order". The fried okra is good as well - I love a crisp okra, and it comes out piping hot. People who know me will know that for me, half of the battle is getting the food coming out hot. I'm a stickler for timing the dishes so that everything comes out at the right time at the right temperature. You should have seen me light into my mother a few Thanksgivings ago. Unfortunately, the meat, surprisingly, isn't that amazing. Ribs are large, but certainly not fall off the bone, and the sauce is too sweet. The chicken is just OK, relatively plain. The best thing there might be the chopped barbeque, but I'm sure I've had better having lived in the South for a while. In any case, they get 3 stars for being a friendly neighborhood place (hello free peanuts while you wait), having a nice outdoor patio to eat, and the delicious sides. PS. They also have a bar.
(3)
Kurry P.

Went to Rocklands last night for dinner and it was great. Simple, real, on the plate (paper) bbq. It was great and reminded me of a back yard get together with family from out of town. Prices were reasonable and lots of variety of sides and meats to choose from. I highly recommend it.
(4)
P L.

Decent BBQ Brisket sandwich and sides. A little pricey for lunch at over $10 with a drink. Seating is available, parking is a little scarce.
(3)
David K.

Rocklands is a fine, inexpensive option for a wide variety of barbeque meats. I'm not a snob when it comes to barbeque as I'm not from a region that takes it seriously. If you are from one of those regions, you may be disappointed, as Rocklands tries to have a wide variety of styles that it does OK, but nothing that it excels at. The brisket was tasty but a bit tough. The pork barbeque was good, but the sauce wasn't great. The chicken barbeque was a bit better. I found the Mac and Cheese to be creamy and above average, and the mashed potatoes are OK. I think its a dependable good meal for not much money. It's good for big groups as well, and they do have a bar with a variety of beers. I don't like smelling like a smokehouse when I leave though. They also have pork bones for dogs for a buck, which my dog loves.
(3)
Todd G.

In the famous words of the basketball hall of the famer Charles Barkley, "Terrible, just terrible." How does this place stay in business? Not once, not twice, but three bad experiences I've had at Rockland's and what's so disappointing is that I've only eaten here three times. It's a shame because the location is perfect and the smokehouse aroma coming from the restaurant is phenomenal but they just can't seem to get it together. Staff is very unfriendly and the price is probably about $5 overpriced per meal. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me and fool me 3 times...well I guess I'm just an idiot. Never again Rockland's.
(1)
M B.

I heard some negative things about this place and thought it seemed small from the outside, so I've been avoiding it. But, I was always intrigued. Saturday I stopped in for lunch with a friend and was surprised by how cute it is inside. What a nice little friendly place. The staff seemed a little flustered and strange. But, the food was very good. I'm no BBQ snob, but I've been to the South enough to make some judgments. The chopped pork sandwich was great and I really like their sauce, it's the style that I prefer. The meat was good quality, sometimes pulled pork grosses me out. I had fries and they were pretty darn yummy too. I couldn't believe how filling it was, I couldn't finish everything. Two thumbs up, I'll be returning. Rocklands haters are completely off the mark.
(5)
Margaret B.

I've had the pulled chicken sandwich, the beef brisket and the blue plate special which was a spicy bbq chicken sandwich. I absolutely love this place! It is so so good. Homemade BBQ food with great side options. The baked beans are money and so are the mashed potatoes. I also really like the corn bread and the cole slaw. There's nothing I haven't tried that I don't like. And the best part is that the food doesn't sit heavy in your stomach. You don't walk out feeling like you're going to be in a food coma for the next 20 yrs, rather you walk out feeling very satisfied and like you can continue on with your night/day or go out for some drinks or dessert. Make sure you go to the drink area where they have the big pot of BBQ sauce and fill up some side cups of that! Their sauce is delicious and the staff is always nice.
(4)
Simon H.

I really like Rocklands. I've had them cater a party. I've ordered food on the way from the gym or meetings and its waiting hot and timely for me. The bar is pretty fun to chill out at and watch games. Seating can be tough but they have an upstairs now which looks great. That should help a lot. The only negative for me is the price, which can be some sticker shock. I suppose it's worth it for quality meat and BBQ. I've had everything here and it's all excellent.
(5)
Sarah M.

The place is cute and clean and our food came out quickly, but it just wasn't that good. I had the chicken & pork ribs with two sides: collards and red beans and rice. The chicken (white meat) was really, really dry, although pretty well-seasoned. The pork ribs were tasty but in my opinion should have been cooked until melty and tender; I definitely like them very, very well done and these were kind of rubbery. The collards were super salty and the red beans and rice were ridiculously under-seasoned. Sauce was just average to me, although I was glad that it did not contain any liquid smoke in it like you see in some places. I was really hoping to like this place better based on so many positive reviews, but I thought the barbeque was just ok. It was a pleasant atmosphere, so I would consider going back to try the pulled pork or fish, but I'm not gonna race over there anytime soon.
(2)
Anna M.

I stumbled upon Rockland's while doing errands in the area and was sure glad I did. The service was speedy and friendly. The atmosphere Rocks! I loved the mismatched tables inside and long picnic tables outside. The decor reminded me of places I used to frequent in Louisiana. I was thrilled that they had grilled fish- I've been to too many places that just have fried. All my cares disappeared while sitting outside enjoying my mac and cheese and blacken catfish sandwich. The fish was twice the size of the bun! My dining companion enjoyed enjoyed her ribs, baked beans and DRAFT rootbeer!
(4)
Emily V.

I headed here on a Friday night with my friend who's been wanting to try it for a long time. I had pretty low expectations for finding good BBQ in DC being from NC but this place is pretty good. I really enjoyed the beef brisket sandwich, my mac and cheese had an interesting and unexpected flavor, and the coleslaw wasn't bad. I tried my friend's corn pudding which was really yummy too. I think my favorite part of the place is the relaxed outdoor seating. Looks like a nice beer selection too. I'll be back!
(4)
Izzat A.

One word describes this place: hallelujah! Went here Friday night with some friends and was very very surprised with this place and how good it was. They have a huge menu to choose from. There is a huge selection of hot sauces for you to buy but I just used the house made BBQ sauce. I got a double chicken breast sandwich with sides of mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. The sandwich was HUGE. I can eat my fair share, but this sandwich was a challenge no doubt. The mac and cheese was very very good and the mashed potatoes were good too. My friends ordered ribs and brisket and everybody liked what they got. Prices are pretty fair and service was pretty quick. This place is laid back and serves good southern food. Definitely will return.
(4)
Will L.

I'd actually had Rocklands on my "to visit" list for a long time, and I enjoyed what I'd sampled at a stand at the National Zoo one time. So as we walked in, the aroma of the food and the quantity of customers lifted my expectations even higher. The haphazard line for ordering even hinted at the glory of Ray's Hell Burger. Having placed our orders and chosen our table, which included no less than 5 meats and 5 sides plus fries, we began our "waiting and peoplewatching" - and I greedily spied a large slab of ribs being devoured by a nearby patron. What's more, we were seated outside - plenty of elbow room for tackling a big eat as well as scavenging birds to clean up after you. I was looking forward to this. But when the server arrived with our portions, the tray looked a little small. In fact the baby back ribs were small (even for baby back) and I didn't think three dollops of average sides served on a disposable plate should cost $6.49. I'd rather go to Chicken Out if I'm going to pay $1 per spoonful of food. Sad story short, I'm sorry to say: sub-par barbeque and sides. It's not hard to find tastier (and better value) bbq in NoVA. I have no idea how this place has a decent reputation. The meats were satisfactory but nothing special, fries soggy and cut too thin, rice and beans very oversalted and even the mac and cheese - just bad. The only redeeming side was the baked beans. (I would've tried the collard greens too but they're apparently a "premium side".) Even the house bbq sauce disappointed - too vinegary for my taste although perhaps some North Carolinans would like it. Oh and finally, I was going to get a draft beer to go with my meal but after about 5 minutes too many of standing around the unattended bar looking like I was stalking the bar patrons (and a couple of check backs to see if any bar staff were ready - they weren't), I decided I didn't want to shell out any more for this place. In any case, the draft beer selection was okay but nothing special - Sam, Sam Seasonal, Shiner Bock, Blue Moon, and some Bud/Miller product. Instead I tried some iced tea which I love. It tasted weird and had some solids at the bottom of the plastic cup. Both sweet and unsweet. A bird pooped on my arm when I got home, which summed up my experience nicely.
(2)
Bryan J.

This BBQ joint provides quality consistent BBQ for an affordable price. The portions are huge and the sides are plentiful.
(4)
L. E.

Great classic barbecue. I had the beef brisket and was pleased not only with the North Carolina-style barbecue sauce but even the quality of the beef used!
(3)
Zach S.

The pulled pork is genuinely pretty good. The brisket and chicken are palatable, but very subpar by barbecue standards and are best avoided. I haven't had the ribs. And unfortunately their house barbecue sauce kind of sucks if you happen to prefer vinegar or mustard sauces as I do. As for sides, I like the coleslaw and the Texas corn pudding best. The fries are also decent. Avoid the nasty Velveeta mac and cheese. Overall, I like this place because it's fast, convenient, and the price is right. $9 for a passable pulled pork sandwich and two sides that's ready almost instantly is hard to beat around here.
(3)
Ali B.

A few years ago, I scored a sweet little window decal from the Rockland's booth at the Taste of Arlington and randomly stuck it on my passenger side window. I pretty much forgot the sticker was there up until a few months ago. Seeing as I still hadn't sampled their BBQ (and didn't want to imply to drivers in the adjacent lanes that my body functioned on pulled pork alone), I removed the decal. I was a woman having a chubby day. These things happen. But I digress, dude and I finally made it over to Rockland's on July 4th. We ordered a beef brisket sandwich to share (a pre-festivities snack) then sat down to wait for our order. While we waited, I took in the surroundings. Laid back atmosphere, cute mismatched furniture, fully stocked bar and some good beer offerings, most notably Oskar Blues, Breckenridge and Avery. Nice. 45 minutes later, the sandwich arrived. Screeeeech. 45 minutes? Look, I get it. The 4th is probably one of their busiest days in the year. However, the amount of time it took for us to get our lone sandwich was absurd. My husband stopped one of the managers in passing and politely mentioned the excessive wait time while the passive Asian in me feigned sudden interest in the baseball game on TV and waited for some form of backlash. The manager apologized, went into the back and brought us a small container of brisket, BBQ sauce and two buns to take home with us. No questions, no hassle. In a matter of a few minutes, he turned our slowly souring visit into a happy one. Major props to that guy. Oh and that brisket sandwich? MONEY. We'll be back soon. I never should have removed that window decal...
(4)
Adam W.

Can't speak for everything on the menu, but the brisket sandwich is top notch and the mac n' cheese is simply the best I've ever had. I love their take-home hot sauce selection and try to pick up a different bottle most times that I stop by. They keep a rotating selection, and it appears that someone there is a fellow aficionado, because they do get some of the best ones out there. Overall an awesome place that has been in my regular rotation since moving to Arlington a year ago. Great for carry out on football Sundays, too.
(5)
Melody C.

Terrific meat off the bone baby back ribs, succulent chopped pork sandwich, and tasty cornbread. And with a free chopped pork sandwich when you buy a beer on Monday's, you don't walk away feeling ripped off. Great selection of drinks, San pellegrino, beers on tap, gourmet root beer, homemade lemonade and iced tea... Free peanuts while you wait and outdoor patio which is perfect for the summer/springtime...I can just imagine bringing my dog here. They have a large pot of unlimited hot BBQ sauce for you to smother your free BBQ sandwich with.
(5)
Antoine K.

Thank You to Hazeen Ashby for putting me on! If you need BBQ wings for a party, this is where you go!
(4)
Justin C.

***** 3.5 stars ***** I'm not sure why there are so many low scores for this place, but I'm guessing it's just people who don't actually like BBQ and for some reason expected something else here. I thought the food was pretty damned good, and I've had some of the best BBQ North Carolina has to offer, and even participated in quite a few "pig pickin's" myself. I'm not really all that picky about which style (dry or wet, pork or beef), as long as it tastes good. I actually ate so much here I could barely move back out to the car, mainly because I wanted to try as many sides as possible, and I thought getting a big rack of ribs would be a nice way to accompany them. Most of the sides were done nicely, especially the baked beans and macaroni. The ribs weren't outstanding by any means, but they were on par with most anything else I've had in this area. There was a definite lack of meat on them though, which was a little disappointing. My biggest gripe was with the "CRAZY OMG HOT AS HELL" sauce that tasted barely stronger than Texas Pete. I love a lot of kick with my BBQ and their homemade stuff just failed horribly in that department, but fortunately they had a few open bottles of random hot sauces scattered across the place. We didn't eat outside, but it looked like the had a pretty nice patio, although I'm not sure the view of the street is anything to be desired. The beer selection was pretty good, and they actually have a separate bar here if you want something on draft. I think it's pretty damn cool you can order an entire BBQ'ed pig as well.
(3)
Radha A.

I anticipated eating here but if you're looking for really good BBQ take a pass. The ribs were not tender at all. The charred outside is pretty deceiving because the meats didn't taste or feel like they were slow cooked. The sides were ok but nothing to rave about. Honestly I was most impressed by their hot sauce for sale collection. We ordered the ribs and pulled chicken, the hot wings and the brisket and I didn't find any of them to be more than just ok. The sides were Mac and cheese, baked beans, mashed potatoes and corn pie but didn't find any of them to be authentic. It was pretty disappointing.
(2)
Theo P.

Decent food-very pricey-I was still hungry after spending close to 50.00. eating on picnic tables.Trendy Arlington spot. nothing exciting.
(2)
Mike S.

Went to Rockland's for dinner on Saturday. Ordered the chicken and ribs and found the chicken better than the ribs. For $11.99 I expected more meat, too much gristle and tiny bones with the ribs. The chicken wasn't bad, though I would get more value out of a place like Pollo Rico. The "quarter chicken" looked more like a chick than a chicken. I got macaroni salad (a bit dry and bland) and coleslaw (also, somewhat dry for my taste and pretty nondescript). Overall the food was fine, we got take out and it was fairly speedy, so I can't complain about the service, its more the food quality that was lacking.
(2)
Jim S.

Pretty solid eats. Fries and corn pudding totally work. Pit beef sandwich was so-so.
(3)
Tommy L.

The ambience here is really nice. The interior design is a nice mixture of wood and steel. Nice big windows give you a great view of the outdoors and let in plenty of light. However, the food is just not very good. The ribs are bleh. The cole slaw is double bleh. Mac and cheese was ok. If they ever improve the food, this place would be awesome. The scene is all set. They just need to find a good cook!
(2)
AC P.

I went there on Saturday afternoon in search of a beef brisket sandwich and boy I got that and more. Their sandwich prices are very reasonable and include two sides. I got the baked beans and mac and cheese with my sandwich and was very happy with the beans but not so much with the mac and cheese. My boyfriend got the lamb sandwich and rice and beans and mashed potatoes for sides. The lamb sandwich was good but everything else was mediocre. It's a good place to go but be selective on what you order. I gave this place 4 stars mainly because of its reasonable prices
(4)
Jesus C.

Been 5 times now, and haven't left dissatisfied once. I'd recommend going with the beef brisket sandwich, w/ the mac and cheese (absolutely delicious) and cornbread. If the cornbread is right out of the oven, dont pass it up. They also have draft root beer, not half bad. As far as pulled pork goes.. ehhhh, probably not the best i've had.
(4)
Chompawomp B.

The wilted scallion on the BBQ is pretty symbolic. This place is some twisted new-south yuppie concoction that cant hold a candle to the real stuff. Save your money and go to Red Hot N Blue or Old Glory if they are still around.
(1)
Will Y.

This place is wonderful. The food is great. Great sides. While the pork bbq isn't the best, the sheer variety of meats available makes up for it. I am a big North Carolina (vinegar/mustard sauce) fan, and if this is all you like, Rocklands will be soul-crushing. However, if you are open to try some good Texas-style BBQ, Rocklands will not be a disappointment. If you fancy yourself a foodie, then there is no "right" type of BBQ. They score extra points for take-out six packs and some otherworldly onion rings. Their mac and cheese is middling. One friend voices concerns that when you go to Rocklands, you leave smelling like a pig. However, I feel like its a great place for a quick and hearty weekend lunch. The atmosphere is excellent.
(4)
Sally H.

My husband and I just had dinner for the first time here. Luckily we got there around 6pm on a Saturday because by the time we left people were waiting for a table. We got the Belly Buster and two sides: mac&cheese and collard greens. I thought the brisket was awesome and my husband really liked the chicken. The BBQ sauce was perfect. The Mac & cheese was so good we got a pint on our way out. Will def be back soon. Already know we are going to try the Three Meat platter.
(5)
Bobbi Rae S.

beef ribs - meat was not smokey enough, bark was too smokey and bitter. half of the rib was fat, which probably contributed to the bitterness after being burnt in the smoker. the other big contributing factor: too much hickory. tone it down and smooth out the bitter with some cherry or maple. hell use more oak if you want. corn pudding - star of the show. smooth, creamy, big corn flavor. it's like bread pudding with corn in it. needs some fresh habanero on the side. okra - crisp, not bad at all. potato salad - flavorless. brisket - tender, nice smokiness. not bitter like the beef ribs.
(2)
matt b.

most of the meat is decent, but it isn't excellent barbeque. the fries are pretty good, but the other sides are bland, lifeless, and limp. the markup on their bar food menu is ridiculous. they do have have good sweet tea.
(2)
K S.

As many have said, it's not North Carolina. But Rockland's does meat & sauce fairly well - I've found the pulled pork less fatty than Red Hot & Blue's, the chicken is very flavorful (if sometims a tad dry), and the ribs are big and meaty, if not fall-off-the-bone tender. But just about all of the side dishes are horrible - how do you mess up MASHED POTATOES?! I don't know, but the ones here taste like the only ingredients were potato and vinegar. Collards were equally bitter, and the macaroni and cheese was blander than Kraft. Yes, they now have sweet tea, but it seems to have artificial lemon flavor added, and it's not still not southern-sweet. Portions for the platters are on the small side - better to bring a group and order in bulk. I love how this place smells when I walk by, but after three or four visits I've written it off as a disappointment.
(2)
Rich G.

Average food at above average prices. The food portions are small and not very tasty. A good place to go for a change of pace but not to go there consistently. Red Hot and Blue is way better.
(2)
shawn g.

Rocklands is just down the street from some friends and provided a great meeting place after work. A few blocks away from the Virginia Square metro stop, it's really easy to get to, although if you drive, be prepared to back out of their parking lot, which is a little weird. The Wednesday special was a free beer with an order of wings. That kept us busy, along with the free peanuts while we waited for the rest of our party. The Lady and I split the 'Belly Buster' ribs (dry), chicken (tough skin), brisket (tasty) and sausage (nice and spicy) along with the Accompaniment Combo Plate that gets you three sides and cornbread. We chose the Texas Corn Pudding (excellent), Minted Cucumber Salad (good but average), Macaroni and Cheese (sub-par). The ribs required dipping in sauce to be edible, although the seasoning was decent. The Corn pudding was the standout of the entire meal. I don't know that I'd really make an effort to come back here.
(2)
Tony S.

2.5 stars for Rocklands. I was impressed at first; nice menu selection, peanuts out for the grabbing, and Shiner Bock on tap, but overall, Rocklands is pretty average. Not to say bad, just not stellar. Goods: 1. The aforementioned Shiner. 2. The corn pudding was pretty tasty. 3. The ribs tasted pretty good, but there wan't a lot there. 4. The red beans and rice were decent: better than Zaterains for what its worth... Bads: 1. My wife didn't like the baked beans or mac & cheese. 2. We ordered cornbread twice and never did actually get it. They offered us a refund as we were leaving. Generally the service was decent. Bottom Line: Good enough place if you are hungry for some BBQ and live nearby, but don't expect to be blown away by any sort of awesomeness.
(2)
Tamara Y. W.

Ugh. .....my deep south upbringing is so disappointed in the LACK OF SMOKE in the baby backs I had. The vinegar-based sauce was wonderful, but I tried the ribs WITHOUT the sauce (enter deer in headlights look here). Bleh. I smelled smoke from the parking lot, but I guess that was coming from some other meat they were smoking. My ribs tasted boiled and grilled. I did get the collards and they were.. ..a little "greasy" not sure what that was from. The staff was courteous and super friendly (the reason I took the rating to 2 stars instead of one). Can't say I will run in back.
(2)
Julie W.

Second time we have tried Rocklands, and I am sorry to say that we probably won't be going back. Brisket - chewy and tough, sliced too thin, generally lacking in flavor. We commented that it could have been any part of the cow - couldn't even tell that it was brisket. Wings - not sure how this happened, but they managed to be both charred and slimy. We ate one each and threw the rest away. Collards - delicious. Cornbread - moist and very tasty. It's pretty sad when the sides are by far the best part of the meal. And it's misleading to even call this BBQ.
(2)
Jeff K.

Let me start by saying this is my first Yelp review, and I typically don't post much of anything on the internet. That said, after coming to Rocklands for a while and reading the bad reviews here, I had to sign up for a Yelp account just to write a good review for this place in attempts to offset the negativity I'm seeing here. As for my BBQ background. I am originally from the north (hear me out!), however I've lived in North Carolina where I first discovered and grew to love southern bbq. My gf grew up in Texas, where I've sampled plenty of the local fare. I own a smoker and have been through day-long bbq sessions. I have Texan friends that I've had intelligent conversations with about bbq. When vacationing in the south I always try to sample at least one bbq joint. In short, I think I know a little more about bbq than your average DC resident. Yes, the place is trendy and yuppified, as is everything else along the Arlington orange line corridor. If you're looking for the hole-in-the-wall bbq shack experience this is not the place. But the food here is undeniably very good, bbq or non-bbq. Everything is very flavorful, and I can't remember ever being disappointed. Their homemade bbq sauce is perfect and beats anything the local chains have to offer. The pulled pork is moist and has a very distinct smoky flavor. The baby back ribs fall off the bone and are very meaty. I haven't had their brisket since they moved out of Carpool so I won't comment there. All the sides have that freshly homemade comfort-food vibe to them. I have yet to find something bad on the menu. And yes, they have sweet tea. Even if bbq is not your thing, they have other items on the menu such as catfish sandwiches, grilled lamb, etc. which I've also tried and found to be very good. I do agree with another reviewer that the place has improved since they moved out of Carpool. I think it's absolute blasphemy that another reviewer thinks RH+B is better -- not even close!! I will give you Old Glory even tho I haven't been there in about 5 years. I can see what some people are saying with both the small portion sizes and the prices. This place is not cheap and how they ever got on a cheap eats list I have no idea. But at a place like this you're paying for the quality over quantity. They do tend to serve their food in these smallish containers, but they'll typically cram as much dense meat or side dish in there as possible. The sandwich I had today was overstuffed with meat - had to use a fork to eat everything that fell out. For what it's worth, I've never come away hungry and I enjoy the food here so much that the $$ is an afterthought.
(5)
Malbec G.

Great food, moderate prices. I got the 3 meats platter (chicken, brisket, pulled pork) and it comes w/two sides. Got mac n cheese and collard greens. My brother got the same entree with potato salad and bbq baked beans. YUMMY! Each also came with a potato roll (to make a sandwich w/the pulled pork). We also each got the jalapeno corn bread -- perfect texture not too dry, not too moist. All of that for $28. They're pretty crowded weeknights and weekends and it's relatively small -- I think most folks take orders to go. You can call ahead for pickup which is what I did and only downside is you still have to wait in the line (no separate pick up window/area for takeout orders) but it still cut down the wait time for cooking.
(3)
Colleen S.

**2.5** Overpriced, and utterly mediocre... My husband and I ordered the beef brisket sandwich, a pulled chicken sandwich, and an accompaniment plate with Apple Compote, Pasta Salad, Potato Salad and jalapeno cornbread. The beef on the sandwich was very rubbery and chewy, whereas the chicken was just OK. We drenched both of our sandwiches with the house BBQ sauce - despite doing this, both sandwiches were still terribly bland and tasteless! Jack Daniels BBQ sauce at the grocery store has better flavor than Rockland's BBQ sauce! The accompaniment plate seemed like somewhat of a rip off at $6.49. Portions are definitely on the small side, and you may leave a bit hungry. On the bright side, the decor was kind of cool - Rockland's has a rustic look going on. And there are plenty of tables available outdoors. The staff seemed friendly too.
(3)
Caitlin M.

I went to Rocklands for the first time on Friday night. The atmosphere was cute and bbq-y (?) so that was nice. And the service was fast for our take-out. But I was sorely disappointed by my pulled pork sandwich and my cornbread. The pulled pork sandwich lacked BBQ sauce, and I ended up having to add my own beloved Dinosaur BBQ sauce once we got home! And the cornbread....yuck! It tasted like cigarette smoke. All in all, it was a pretty disappointing dinner. Too bad, since I was looking forward to some delicious pulled pork and cornbread while settling in to a rainy Friday night.
(2)
Michael K.

I eat here a lot and I always get the pork sandwich with two aides. The Texas corn pudding is amazing. I like the beans, the mashed potatoes, and the onion rings too. The shiner bock on tap is great too.
(5)
Ross C.

I've tried this place twice now, as I live close by and really wanted it to be good (driving out to Leesburg or Richmond for BBQ is a drag). They have great cornbread - and it's only $.99. That was the highlight of the meal. The rest of the food needs work. The ribs were tough and chewy and the smoked chicken didn't have much flavor. The sides were better than the meats, but still disappointing. I've yet to find a good BBQ place in Northern Virginia, but I plan to keep looking.
(1)
Xxxx C.

Rocklands' babyback ribs are the standard to judge all others by.
(5)
Joe L.

I like the atmosphere, and the food is pretty good. Probably not the world's greatest BBQ. But I just like it here!
(3)
Carolyn P.

After reading reviews I knew I wanted to eventually visit. Well my friend and I actually came upon it while driving by. We walk in and realize we are definitely out of place. Two young female teenagers. The crowd is more of 21-40yrs who are drinking beer in groups. Awkward for us? Yes, but who cares! We're here for the barbeque! I ordered the barbeque pork ribs. The meat was over cooked and did not have nearly enough sauce. (Expensive too! Ribs and water for $17?!) It was not easy to pull off and the meat was chewy. I should have ordered a sandwich cause the majority of the crowd had sandwich platters. (They offer dessert too but don't think I'd try it at a bbq restaurant.) My friend ordered another ribs and macaroni. she enjoyed the chicken but did not like the flavor of the macaroni. I tried the macaroni too and it was alright. I find better at Boston Market. Overall it is a nice trendy casual place for a beer with friends (tiny bar!). Check it out and see what you think. I might go back... if we come upon it again and starving.
(2)
Brandon S.

Rocklands has it's own flavor, and is consistent. It's in that list of places you run off in your mind on a Tuesday when you just want to go out and grab something decent with some friends. Nice atmosphere too, and who doesn't like cold beer in the "economy" category to go with some charred meat and sauce?
(3)
Da B.

This place has so much potential, but they just don't care enough about the plate of food they put in front of you. The atmosphere is great, the prices are fair, if only they had a few levels of quality control.
(2)
Benjamin B.

first of all, let me start off by saying i'm not even a picky eater and i generally like barbecue, even if its crappy. but i can't believe there isn't a better bbq joint in this area. I had the belly buster, which had ribs, sausage, chicken and brisket. Brisket was super weird, not really sure if its really brisket, sausage was decent, chicken had no flavor, ribs were decent at best, generally the food had a lot of smoky taste by lack real flavor, the sauce is too sweet/tangy for my taste. I was skeptical when i read the reviews, but the food was really 2 star/3 star borderlined.
(2)
Greg G.

Disappointing. Small portions and overcooked. Three of us ate here and we all agreed we will not be back. The pulled pork was inedible. The ribs were ok, otherwise I would have given this restaurant one star. The cole slaw wasn't cole slaw. It was cabbage only. The baked beans tasted like a cheap store brand with sugar dumped in. Give this one a wide berth.
(2)
brandon p.

so im from new england and perhaps have no right to be writing reviews about BBQ but this is the best place in the area hands down and probably the best barbecue ive ever had. While for whatever reason I find the Wisconsin Ave location to be better than the Wash Blvd. version both are amazing. I've patronized both locations numerous times and the baby back and beef ribs are fall off the bone good and the barbecue chicken is fantastic. I grew up country and have cooked over many a fire and smoked my own meats and Rockland's is the next best thing. The smoky flavor is just right. I also love the corn pudding. I'd never had it before going to Rockland's and don't even know what's in it besides corn but I love it. The collard greens are always done right as well and the fried okra is worthwhile as well. i'm not much of a drinker but the Washington Blvd location has a full bar and from what I see they have some yummy beers on tap and the bartenders always seem pretty cheery and interact well with their patrons. Bottom line-if you like ribs this is a must try.
(5)
kevin d.

Best wings deal in Arlington, $5 for 10 wings(i prefer dry), chicken sandwich is very good
(3)
Bill G.

i'm from New Hampshire, so i might not know good ol' southern BBQ, but i love this place. all the sandwiches and platters are great, get the mac and cheese or the texas corn pudding for sides and you're good to go for lunch or dinner. if you want to be a real man about it though, go for the Beef Ribs. i felt like it came straight out of a flintstones cartoon. grab anextra cup or two of their warm bbq sauce and slather it all over everything and you're good to go.
(5)
Jenna R.

Disclaimer: I just moved here from North Carolina where I lived all my life and was raised on pork BBQ. I tend to be a bit critical when it comes to BBQ. That said, this place was just okay. If there was an option for half-stars, I would say 2.5 stars, giving them the benefit of a doubt. I had the chopped pork sandwich and a side of fries for lunch. The pork was a bit on the bland side, not seasoned very well at all. You definitely need extra sauce in order to enjoy it, and maybe that's what they're counting on. If they seasoned it a bit better before smoking, it would have had a lot more flavor. The texture was also a little too moist. You don't want the BBQ to be dry, but you don't want mush, either. This was closer to the mushy side. I'd probably go back again at some point, but my quest for a good BBQ joint continues.
(2)
Jordan U.

My neighborhood BBQ joint. Love the pulled pork, not my favorite ribs. The side dishes are on point. Specials are fun and frequently change. Monday special is a free pork sandwich with a beer. Not a ton of space at the bar but it's not really a bar-centric place. Outdoor seating is great for nice days.
(4)
S. Paul L.

I really like the food here, but I have to drop them down a couple of stars. The price is pretty high and the portion sizes are incredibly stingy. I know there is going to be an increased cost because it is right outside of Clarendon, but I've been to a number of other BBQ joints in the DC/MD area and the portion sizes are much bigger and the prices are about the same; some even cheaper. When you pay 13-15 for a platter and you get 6 small slivers of bbq'ed chicken, it is a bit disappointing. I'm not sure if the portion sizes are coming down from the top or if the folks behind the line are just kind of winging it, but I just can't justify going there on a consistent basis because I leave hungry and you're not supposed to leave a BBQ joint hungry!
(3)
Jeremy T.

Being from Texas I could say that this was arguably without a doubt the best cornbread I have ever had in my life. The beef rib is something to enjoy and cherish as it is truly amazing and more like Texas BBQ then you will ever hope to find in the DC area. Also the owner is an amazingly nice gentleman a great night had by all and accommodated a wedding party to boot. Five stars from me for sure. Last and final comment they serve Shiner Bock which is a wonderful Texas beer.
(5)
Cat P.

I'm judging based on a bunch of their non-meat items. Blasphemous! Sacrebleu! How could you? Well, if they can make their other dishes this good, then I would assume that the barbecued meats must be stunners, too. My man likes their pulled pork and chicken wings a lot. A chicken wing fan girlfriend of mine also loved their wings, too. Fine, you don't have to trust me. But listen up pescetarians and lax vegetarians--there are some great options for you here. Tried and loved dishes: Mashed potatoes Mac and cheese (yum!) Baked beans Potato salad Collard greens Blackened salmon sandwich OMG, the blackened salmon sandwich is probably one of the best fish sandwiches I've ever had. I dream about it all the time. Additionally, the Arlington location has ample seating, quirky decor, and clean facilities. I never mind tagging along when Tom N. needs his barbecue fix, especially not if he's going to Rocklands.
(5)
K T.

Rocklands entire menu is delicious. Probably the best BBQ in the DC Metro area. The beef ribs melt in your mouth. Pulled pork and bbq chicken is done to perfection. Nice staff but you generally have to wait in a long line of customers. It's worth the wait!
(5)
Henry T.

The ribs and chopped pork are the best items on the menu. If you order takeout, get a beer while you wait.
(5)
Erika R.

Ok just be aware this is NOT soulfood. This is velveta Mac n cheese and ribs similar to ones that come in a TV dinner.
(2)
Payal P.

My husband and I were craving ribs one night and decided to Yelp a few places near us. We've always passed by Rocklands but never tried it. After reading reviews and seeing the high ratings we thought we were going to have an amazing dinner. Totally wrong! This place is not anything fancy nor is their food. You have to order at a counter and they come serve your meals in paper plates with plastic utensils. No steak knives or anything! We order baby back pork ribs and beef ribs, along with a pint of Caesar salad and Mac and cheese. Not even the sides were tasteful. The beef ribs had nothing but fat, and the pork ribs were ok but too small and not enough BBQ sauce. They have BBQ sauce in a kettle but just didn't taste the same as the little sauce we did get on the ribs. The Mac and cheese tasted like they just dumped Velveeta cheese and added spices to make it different which wasn't very appetizing. Now how can anyone go wrong with just a salad, right? Well here the Caesar salad with chicken was soggy and just tasted funny. I wouldn't recommend this place at all. I rather go to TGIFridays for some ribs. We won't be coming back here for sure.
(1)
Mojdeh S.

How I heard of this place: We walked past Rockland's numerous times; each time, making a mental note to come back for the food. Type of cuisine: "We've been serving our wood-only barbeque to loyal DC-area fans since 1990." From ribs and chicken, to a plethora of sides ranging from corn pudding to collard greens, macaroni & cheese to minted cucumber salad, pork, beef, chicken and sausage (even sold by the pound!) to a listing of delicious sweets: honey jalapeno cornbread, chocolate chip cookies, walnut brownies and a slice of pie, in our first experience, we determined that Rocklands is delicious, real barbeque. Ambiance: The stand-alone establishment is easily seen, not to be missed, as passerby find a pink-colored building with a huge, painted mural along the side facing the parking and the main entrance to Rocklands. The small, glass door with an axe for a door-handle made us so happy as we entered the cozy, wooden look of the space. The chalkboards overhead, to the right as you enter, gave way to the menu and the extensive kitchen/food preparation area. As if it wasn't enough to see the shelves of potato chips and individually wrapped-in-plastic sweet treats, menu above, the manager, Brad cheerfully called out a hearty hello! before bringing us two samples of some of Rocklands best. A grand, antique and wooden armoir sat quietly to the left of the entryway, with an endless and colorful array of bottles of hot sauce, including Rocklands own Barak Obama Hot Sauce, from shelf to shelf! Just ahead of us as we entered, we found an old cash register, jars of pickled vegetables including pearl onions and green beans, menus, and a silver bucket of shelled peanuts. We were invited to munch on the peanuts as we made our menu selections. While Samyar & Chris looked over the menu, I made my way through the large, yet cozy establishment, walls diving seating areas from each other to create more, intimate spaces. A hefty, wooden barquette just beyond the peanut gallery hosted wooden, backed seats and retro-metal stools, leading its way to the darkened bar. Continuing to the left and into the seating area, hardy wooden tables and chairs were pushed up against the side wall to create a personal space for pure dining bliss. To the far end, making our way back towards Washington Boulevard, the bright, naturally lit space not only gives patrons the opportunity to sit at the window and enjoy their finger-lickin'-good sandwiches and plates of yumminess, but also offers seating at the thick-cut-wooden tables with tons of space for elbows and the many sides that come with each plate. Anywhere you choose to sit, anything you choose to order, there are no leftovers nor any reason to complain. What I ordered: Pork Baby Back Ribs ($20.99) with two sides: Texas Corn Pudding and Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes, and a homemade lemonade ($1.79) for my husband. After receiving a generous sample of the cole slaw and the BBQ pulled pork, I was immediately sold on Rocklands. Not only was the space warm, cozy, friendly and inviting, the manager, Brad, was helpful, efficient, and informative! The food had topped my list for the best BBQ! When he offered the Three Meats Platter ($11.49) with pulled chicken, beef brisket and chopped pork with a choice of two sides, topped with a soft, yellow bun, I couldn't refuse. Sides: fennel and green pea additions to the Cole Slaw and needed to try the soft and creamy Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes. Our guest selected Three Meats Platter, with a substitution of Italian Sausage, rather than chicken (for an additional $0.60) with Cole Slaw and Macaroni & Cheese, made with real cheese. As an added bonus, Brad brought us a side of Grandma Snedden's Collard Greens, on the house. What I loved: Never having had beef brisket before, I was blown away by the ample flavor of the delicate slices of meat. The pulled pork made me actually like pork. The Italian sausage was definitely the best sausage I have ever had! The mashed potatoes were creamy and smooth, with red potato skins throughout, creating texture and flavor. The collards, too, were the best I have had, not too salty, nor overly processed, just soft, melt-in-your-mouth greens prepared in bacon fat. The ribs fell off of the bone. Never before has an entire rack of ribs left nothing to be seen on the bones, without any effort or work. They were seasoned just enough, with a light puddle of BBQ sauce down the concave middle to add sweet and tangy taste without overpowering the taste of meat. Why I loved it: From the large, painted mural outside, to the friendly service and staff, to the welcome bucket of shelled peanuts waiting to be devoured; from the food to the setting, the quirky, mismatched decor placed just so, to the artwork including a metro map of Washington, DC, everything was perfect. Nothing needs to be moved, adjusted or changed. It's pure, simple, genius. Cost: Average to high ($10-$25 per sandwich/plate)
(4)
Leeann S.

Edit: Can you please bring ribs on your truck?! :-D I only have a few food trucks in Rosslyn that I frequent and I am so adding this one any time they are here! I am down to two slices of brisket and I really don't want them to go away :( Previously, I was a fan of BBQ Country in Opal, Virginia, but their quality has gone down over the past few years. Rocklands totally hit the spot! I've been craving brisket for a few weeks and went to Smokey Bones in Fredericksburg but they were out that night. Coleslaw is pretty good, not what I expected. Had diced carrot and peas in it and it wasn't super goopy, loaded down with mayo, either. Had a nice vinegary bite. Again, brisket.. omg so good. Coworker got pork and he is in love with it. Employees were so nice and personable! Price reasonable.. My sandwich was overflowing with meat and I couldn't get my mouth around it and the cornbread was awesome. The chicken is awesome and do NOT skip on the potato salad. It's sooo good.
(4)
Richard R.

Wow, this was a big disappointment. I must say the staff was friendly and helpful. The food didn't taste bad it's just not what I would call traditional bbq. The brisket was cut thinner than most bacon strips. The pulled chicken was just grilled chicken cut into pieces. The chopped pork was ok, basically NC style. The sides were ok, nothing stood out. Anyway, love to see business flourish just not sure how this place does it with their smoked meats.
(1)
Richard C.

I was watching a re-run of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations Austin episode and it gave me a craving for BBQ brisket. Just happened I drove by Rocklands the next day and figured it was fate. So first problem was I was looking for some kind of beef brisket platter, which i couldn't find on the menu. I saw a 3 meat platter, but not a brisket platter. Well, no problem, I'll get a brisket sandwich, a couple of sides, and a fountain drink. So next problem was the price. For a brisket sandwich, 2 small sides, and a fountain drink the total was over $17. Seems a bit high, especially considering the size of the sides. I got a side o red beans and rice and a side of coleslaw. Both sides were just barely big enough to cover the side dish part of the disposable plate, which at $4.98 doesn't quite seem right. Which takes us to our biggest issue, the food itself. The sides were pretty lifeless. No flavor, just blah. Then there's the brisket sandwich. It was sliced thin, too thin. With slices that thin, you don't get a great appreciation for the full brisket flavor and texture. The brisket wasn't pull apart tender and lacked any flavor depth. So that's why they get two stars this time. I will say I do like how they have a selection of hot sauces and their beer selection seems pretty good. I'll probably go again sometime and try the bbq chicken next time, will update the review accordingly if I do.
(2)
Brian R.

We each had brisket sandwich platters. The brisket was nicely smoked, not fatty, and had some nice charred bits. Rocklands' barbecue sauce is excellent, not too sweet. The sides were all good: we had the baked beans, corn pudding, cole slaw, onion rings, and potato salad. Note: the slaw contains caraway seeds, which might be a turn-off to some. I ordered grilled scallions on my sandwich, an awesome addition. Service was prompt and very friendly. Also kudos to the free in-shell peanuts. Only downside is the very limited parking, but there is some available on the street, but it is controlled by permit M-F until 5 pm.
(4)
Kevin P.

I've been to Rocklands more times than I would like to admit. I keep coming back thinking its going to be good, and I leave always reminded that their BBQ is terrible. Overly fatty, flavorless junk. Their brisket is even worse. Their potato salad is downright offensive (seriously, can not overstate how awful it is). Unless you want the worst BBQ in the metro area, stay away.
(1)
Rich S.

Holy smoke, so glad I found this place! Ordered the smallest size of pork ribs and it was more than I could eat almost. The macaroni salad was great, and the southern style greens were perfect. I also sampled the beef rib and it was stunning...next time I come this is what I'm ordering. Besides having great food, the atmosphere is really good.
(5)
Brendan L.

Great food! Amazing. Maybe a little pricy but the management cares and makes an effort to come out and talk to the customers and ask about our food. Great arrangement of all the hot sauces you could imagine. I was sweating the whole time. The 5 star is because of the effort on the staffs part to make sure we were satisfied. Coming back for sure.
(5)
Alex C.

When a BBQ joint can do beef well, you know they have their smoking in order. Too many places do beef and screw it up! Here, you can find delicious juicy, melt in your mouth short ribs that don't need a drop of BBQ sauce. The pork is good too, but pork isn't a good measure when a place does beef. That said, their ribs were fall off the bone and moist; though they could've been a tad smokier. I really was hoping they had some smoked-grilled lamb, but it's really just Mediterranean spices or so on lamb that's grilled. Sides were good. As cliche as it might be, get the mac and cheese.
(5)
Ken M.

Good BBQ, nice to sit inside or outside on picnic tables. Corn pudding is great, beef brisket great, vinegar based sauce, not a sweet BBQ sauce. I'm a fan! Pork fried egg rolls are delicious with the sweet sauce on the side!!
(4)
J P.

Always good. Tried the ribs recently and they were delicious and really tender. The service is wonderful and the line moves quickly.
(4)
Bryant R.

I am a huge aficionado off BBQ. I have a goal of hitting up all the local joints in DC and VA to try to find the very best. I am pretty new to making reviews on yelp though, but will add more about the other places I have been to when I go back and the tastes are still fresh on my tongue. I tried Rockland for the first time about a week ago. I got the ribs, mac and cheese and the collard greens. Ribs are my favorite meat of choice and this place did not disappoint. They were on the sweater side and smoked. However, the color of the meat, red, was a little alarming but they were still very tasteful. I would highly recommend them. The mac and cheese, my favorite side, was nothing special though. I mean after eating the mac and cheese from Hill Country in DC, the bar has been set high for me. But the mac and cheese from rockland was just whatever. The collard green were pretty good as well. Nothing to die for however. I was also able to taste the bean salad which I thoroughly enjoyed. I gave this place three stars because the food there is good but not great. I heard a lot of good things about the place which is why I was excited to go but I did not think the food there was anything too special. I was also trying to figure out what kind of BBQ joint it was (Carolina, Texan, etc.) but could not find any indication at the restaurant or website, so I am not sure.
(3)
Ann K.

Had pulled chicken, brisket, cucumber mint salad, black bean salad, and jalapeÃ±o cornbread. Everything was moist! And the best part was that the meat food not have a lot of fat on it. Yum yum! Feel free to try one of their MANY hot sauces!
(5)
Vince R.

I've been coming here for over the past year. Good chicken and pork. Unfortunately today I got brisket and pit beef. Big negative......tons of sauce to add weight. Basically half sauce and half meat. ???? You won't get me on that one again. Debated one star.
(2)
Jonathan A.

Had lunch here while visiting my girlfriend who lives nearby. I love barbecue, and she wanted a beer, and so as we were looking through yelp, Rocklands came up. It seemed like a good fit. I got a half rack of ribs and a side of mac & cheese, she got a pulled pork sandwich and a side of fries. We both got beers from the bar and enjoyed the outdoor patio. It was great to find this sort of classic barbecue restaurant in Arlington. The meat was very respectable in terms of barbecue. A lot of times, you can go to places that claim to smoke their meat, and you're left wondering if that's true, but it's very clear that Rocklands puts a lot of careful effort into wood-smoking their meat. It was delicious, with a nice tangy sauce that complimented the smoky flavor rather than overpowering it, or being overpowered itself. All together, our meals came out to less than $30 (including a single diet coke that we split) which my girlfriend seemed to think was pretty reasonable after living in the area for several months. Two draft beers totaled $12, which is a little high, but again, not completely unreasonable. I really enjoyed Rocklands, and will probably be back one of the next times I'm in the area.
(5)
Liz C.

I decided to give this place another try. This stuff is legit. I ordered the chopped pork sandwich with a side or cornbread and I put extra BBQ sauce on the sandwich. Yum! We are outside and could even smell the smoker going. We will be back for more BBQ.
(4)
Vicki D.

Not impressed with the lunch we had at Rockland's today. I love a pulled pork sandwich, but not this one. The meat was dry and tasteless, and I didn't care for their sauce either...not sure what flavor they are going for because it tasted nothing like I've ever had anywhere else, and I've had BBQ all over the U.S.. Yes, they give you plenty of meat, but you can't possibly eat your sandwich as a sandwich as there is so much piled on...and it's piled on a plain, dry hamburger bun. Ick. My son ordered the grilled cheeseburger. When it came, there was no cheese...just two super-thin sliced cooked onions and some pickles...either dress it or don't. The fries were drenched in salt and didn't feel, or taste, liked they were freshly cooked. At least the place was clean.
(2)
Lefty M.

Southern barbeque is overrated. So is this place. Don't get me wrong - I love a good grilled burger, steak, chicken, or ribs. The problem is, Southerners spend a lot of time doing weird variations on grilling when there's really not a lot of complexity to it. I don't need or want some silly "slow-cooking" or vinegar sauce or dry rub. None of those things really work anyway. We are dealing with fire and charcoal here; a primitive, elemental process that doesn't lend itself to a lot of fancy styles. Just blacken it a bit and that's pretty much it. This Rocklands place goes for the "pink smoke ring" style. All the meat - ribs, chicken, pork - has the same funny taste to it. A dried out, slow-cooked-to-death kind of pungency. It just isn't the traditional barbeque flavor of carmelized tomato-based sauce like KC Masterpiece or something. I would love a place that served that, but this isn't it. So they pride themselves on this great unique style of barbeque, but it isn't very good. What do you expect from people who think honey on biscuits is a treat? Their menu is also not that good. For a sit-down, informal place, it's awful hard to put together a balanced meal. They don't have much of anything in the way of vegetables. Minted cucumber salad doesn't count and should not be counted as a "side" the same way mashed potatoes are. I can only imagine their profit margin selling 10 slices of cucumber that way. Would it kill them to have some corn-on-the-cob, or maybe green beans? Coleslaw is not cutting it, and neither is the "black bean salad" which is nothing but beans, no corn. Also, the service can be pretty lame. I tried ordering the half-pound cheeseburger once and the cashier had no clue. I kept saying, "Don't you have a half-pound cheeseburger?" and she just kept giggling with her coworker. Finally I got a menu and pointed it out. She said she thought I believed they sold "cheeseburger meat" by the pound, like the pulled pork, and they just kept giggling. Just recently I ordered a side of mashed potatoes and they gave me mac and cheese. I saw a cook lay a receipt right on top of the sauce on a patron's food - those cheap paper things discolor near heat and bleed ink easily - yum! Nothing to get excited about here, that's for sure.
(2)
Amanda M.

Normally I would give this place a 3 but the bun was so soft and delicious and the black bean salad is AMAZING! Fun place and good BBQ deal for your money.
(4)
Jackie N.

Oh Rocklands...you don't know how happy you make George Mason Law Students! How about offering us a student discount ehhh?? Ok, it's a long shot. The location is perfectly nestled behind the school, so we can quickly rush to it to get a good lunch. The chipped pork sandwich is just delicious. Overflowing with pork that will melt your mouth, on top of a simple potato-like bun. It is hands down my most favorite pork sandwich anywhere! I drown it in their BBQ which comes with sweet onions. We also got fries, which the BF ate them up, coleslaw, which was yummy-licious, and macaroni salad,which hit the spot. On Mondays you get a free pork sandwich with purchase of a beer. You really can't go wrong!
(4)
Jamie Q.

Don't understand the hype, taking it to go was a bad idea, it was soggy and flavorless....
(2)
Sandy T.

Went there for the first time and ordered carryout. I had no idea what to order so I asked for recommendations. I have mix feelings about this restaurant. Love the service provided; my cashier was such a sweetheart and attentive to my needs. Definitely did not like the venue too much and parking was terrible! After circling around their parking lot for 10 minutes, I decided to park my car right in front of the smelly dumpsters because there were literally not a single open spot. It was pretty hectic. The interior of the restuarant was hot, smelly, and dirty. My food however, was ready within 5 minutes, so that was a plus! Speaking of mixed feelings, there were some items on the menu that were excellent and others that was sort of disappointing. The cashier recommended their beef brisket sandwich that was really good! Super tender. I also ordered a rack of their baby back ribs that were 'okay'. Meat was a bit on the dry side. The sides had to be my favorite. Definitely order their corn pudding! It was mouthgasmic!
(3)
Pat H.

As a longtime customer of the original Rocklands in Glover Park, I was happy to finally visit the Rocklands location in Arlington last week. To preface my familiarity with the company, Rockland's vinegar based "original bbq sauce" has been a staple in my fridge for the last few years and I have also dabbled with their blackening rub (great for seasoning chicken) and chipotle global warming sauce (excellent for tacos). Inspired by their posts on faceboook about cheap beers (specifically blue moons), I stopped by after a work meeting for some pulled pork, mac & cheese, and their classic slaw. While usually I go with their smoked ribs, their pulled pork sandwich was incredibly tender and paired great with two of the hot sauces I pulled down from the wall. While their other locations in Rockville and Glover have limited seating (I haven't been to the expanded DC store yet) I was able to snag a seat at the bar with my friend and enjoy a beer & some football on the tv while we ate. As a DC native, i think there are only a handful of solid BBQ spots in the area and Rocklands continues to deliver quality product. Relatively new spots, Smoke & Barrel (adams morgan), Right Proper (U St) and Hill Country (chinatown) deserve honorable mentions but Rocklands track record of quality service & smoked meats makes them my go to bbq spot.
(5)
Nikki B.

I'm from the south - and have yet to find any BBQ that could even come close to Memphis or Carolina style... But - this is the best I've found in the DC area. Sides are delicious too! Good neighborhood spot.
(3)
Va Beach M.

Just delicious chopped pork sandwich. I did have to add additional BBQ sauce from the self-serv area, but that was just because it was a ton of meat. I ate half with a fork and still had a loaded sandwich. The coleslaw was delicious. The beans were no good and a mistake in ordering on my part. My companion had the brisket sandwich, also loaded and also doused with extra sauce. Her collard greens and macaroni disappeared on her plate before I even had a chance to steal a taste. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
William T.

I have had Rocklands food before from their food truck, which stops in front of my office sometimes. The food was good and decently priced compared to other food trucks. However, I have never eaten at their brick and mortar restaurant before... until this past weekend. A small group of friends and I met here for dinner / drinks. You have to wait in line to order your food at a counter, with no wait staff. Although, the cashiers give you a letter with some cartoon on it and you take it back to your table and a bus boy or something will come out and give you your food. I felt that this was an odd way of placing an order, but when in Rome as they say... When my friends and I went the line was pretty long and we had to wait about 10 minutes just to place our order. There were a few printed menues flooting around, but all were being looked at (and then brought back to tables by other patrons who were in groups). ughhh! So we had to read the hand written menu on chalkboards above the counter. I get it is part of the feel, but it was a little hard to read certain items which were written down a little messy. I ordered the special, a sausage and grilled onion and pepper sandwhich, with ocra and baked beans. I also asked if I could order a beer at the counter and or substatute it for the soda that comes with the meal, but I could not do either. Like Rocklands' food truck, the prices at the Arlington brick and mortar restaurant were decently priced. They have a bar, but it is not connected to the counter / grill. So you will have to order your drinks separately. The bar is smallish, but it is a full bar with liquer and spirits as well as about six beers on tap. The bar was crowded, but I was able to order a few beers for my group within a few minutes. I believe the first round was Shiner Bock. About 15 minutes later my friends and I recieve our food. The sausage sandwhich came chopped down the middle, and was on your average burger bun you can get from any grocery store. However, the sausage was seasoned well, and the grilled peppers and onions were tasty. I have not had ocra since I was a kid and wanted to try it; wasn't really a fan. The baked beans were pretty good and had a nice spiceyness to it. Also, that reminds me, this BBQ restaurant has a lot of hot sauces -like a whole wall full of them. They don't seem to have a large selection of BBQ sauces like many BBQ places, but have a vast selection of hot sauces - many of which have some form of BBQ taste to it. However, I believe the ones on the wall were for sale, although my friend said you could pick one and bring it to your table and use it without paying. The ones on the shelf looked unopened, so I was not sure... opted to just use the random assortment of hot sauces provided at the table and on a tray near by. Some were extremely hot, others were mild. I opted for a spicey hot sauce mustard scauce for the sausage sandwhich. That combination worked really well. The food was pretty good, a solid 4 stars. If I could I would give Rocklands a 3.5 stars. Mostly because of the unusual set up. However, my friends and I had some pretty good food, and a great time - we stayed for a few hours and had a couple rounds of drinks. I would come back again. Might want to try the one in Alexandria which is a lot closer to where I live though.
(4)
James N.

Two stars for the good people that work here but... My bacon cheeseburger was almost inedible bc the bacon was raw. My friend had a grilled vegetable sandwich. I know it's a barbecue joint, but what is the point of having this on the menu? Roasted celery? Who wants that? French fries were meh.
(2)
Alyssa A.

My boyfriend and I came here for lunch one day. You stand in line, tell them your order, pay, and then they bring you your food based on your number. I order the pork BBQ sandwich that was pretty delicious. They have a pot near the drinks of just heated bbq sauce that I thought was pretty good. The sandwich they give you is pretty average size and the same goes for the sides they give you. I got the black bean salad and coleslaw -- which I thought were both pretty average sides. If you are looking for standard bbq and are near the area, definitely try out this place. I would probably get different sides, but the sandwich is solid.
(4)
Chris S.

Decided to bypass the Alexandria location to venture out to Arlington so that we could watch some college football (and looking at reviews by other yelpers, the Alexandria location was smaller). So we packed up and braved 395 overcast traffic, swerved past the traffic on route 50, and finally found this tucked back in it's little niche. Parking lot made sure you knew that the parking was for Rocklands BBQ Customers only, and looks like it can accommodate around 20 parked cars. BBQ was fired up, and the smoke was billowing out of the back. The blue plate special of the day was the chopped pork, 2 sides and a drink for 10.99, my wife and I decided to split the sides and she would get the BBQ chicken sandwich. Downstairs seating was pretty full so we decided to sit upstairs. The downstairs resembles more of a bar/diner atmosphere, where the upstairs actually looked like a dining room of someones house, complete with closets and window treatments. Next to the drinks was a crockpot full of the (homemade?) barbeque sauce, steeping with what looked like some meat and onions. Our two sides came, macaroni and cheese, and the french fries. The french fries were some of the best tasting, most well seasoned french fries I have had in a long time. They had some kind of seasoning salt that pushed it past ordinary into extraordinary. The macaroni was good, but paled in comparison with the french fries. The chopped pork without the sauce was a generous helping (more than the bun could handle) and had a smokey flavor to it. The barbeque sauce was a nice kick of spice and flavor that paired well with the smoked in flavor. I would have liked to had an opportunity to try their dry rub wings (they tout). Overall, the experience was fun, the food was good. I would like to try the Alexandria location so that the commute isn't so far. I would like like to bea ble to try some of their week night specials, which seemed to be pretty good.
(4)
Brendan S.

Had the Carolina pork sandwich with slaw and a side of mashed potatoes and baked beans...good not great...their barbeque sauce is meh...I'm not a fan of their slaw...I would return and try something new...mac and chesse I heard is good. Outdoor seating with umbrellas is available...which is a plus
(4)
Elina Y.

Cozy light-wooden tables and ample seating arrangements. Their beef brisket sandwich was actually better than I had anticipated. It was tender & flavorful. They have a huge wall mount of different hot sauces near the front of the establishment and I got to try their hottest ghost chilli pepper hot sauce in front of my friend and people by the bar. FUN TIMES. I wanna go back and buy it now...a bottle of fun for around $8 ain't so bad.
(3)
Adam R.

The art of BBQ is a very delicate. The balance between the tenderness of the meat, the tangy flair of the sauce, and the slow cooked flavor is hard to keep in check. Balance is not something that Rocklands has. The meat is nice and tender but is definitely low on flavor. This could be covered by delicious sauce but the Rocklands BBQ sauce is water based, unlike most ketchup based BBQ sauces. It has the wrong consistency, and does not deliver what the mild meat needs. There is some redemption with the selection of sides that are offered. There are a wide variety of options, many of which outshine the main dishes. The coleslaw, baked beans, and Caesar are all particularly tasty. Note that the portions are pretty tiny for the price tag so be sure to fill up on the free peanuts. Also, the bar has their own specials which are sometimes far too good to pass up. One example: 1 beer and 12 buffalo wings for $5. Be sure to take a peek first before ordering.
(3)
JasonJennifer S.

This place asks for do overs on their review. I explained why their way of serving brisket is deplorable but they refuse to change. Go to DCity BBQ on Florida Ave for the best brisket. If this place was in Texas they would be out of business.
(2)
donny d.

In my honest opinion I would NOT recommend this place. If I wanted BBQ id go somewhere else. This place is overpriced for what I got. my qtr chicken looked like a qtr of my qtr chicken( I ordered dark meat). I was not impressed by the beef ribs. Mine was undercooked and you can see the redness and it was NOT the smoke on the ribs. And I don't even think it was smoked? Barely. My jalapeÃ±os popper had wayyy to much cheese and something was off about it. The onion rings were from a frozen bag you can tell. Probably the reason why I havnt heard much about this place. Go somewhere else
(2)
Ricardo R.

The Beef Brisket....delicious. Probably the best BBQ spot I have ever been to. I was introduced to it by my girlfriend about a year ago and I go there almost every week. Their mashed potatoes and mac and cheese are great also.
(5)
Wesley T.

This BBQ spot has a great reputation among my foodie friends and I can see why. The service is super fast (or maybe I go during off-peak hours), the sauces are all great, and the meat is super tender. Even the salad is a good meal. I recommend the brisket or smoked chicken, although I'm sure everything you order will be good there.
(5)
Marc M.

Pretty good. My wish list to make this place better. Burnt ends, ribs with a dry rub and a more traditional cole slaw. None of my wishes would keep me from coming back. If you crave smoke in your meat this is not the place but I don't and the meat is delicious.
(4)
Raquels C.

I'm not a fan of the sauce but my friend loved it! The service was wonderful - 5 stars for them! Looking for beef ribs then I would def suggest coming here. I personally didn't enjoy the ribs I think it was the sauce but my friend did. I really must say that every person I encountered here was VERY friendly. The manager came to the table gave us a card and talked with us for quite some time which was very nice. He genuinely seemed nice and like it wasn't part of his job to greet patrons. When we arrived we didn't know what to get so when ordering the person taking the order asked if it's just for the two us. We told him yes and then he went to explain that we were ordering way tooo much food and then he proceeded to show us how big the ribs were and based on his suggestions we changed the order. While waiting for your meal they have peanuts that you can enjoy but I would suggest you don't waste your time on these fillers and save that space for the meal!! One thing I really did like (sounds kinda corny) but I like that you get your own drinks, they have a place where you can get your own spices, in addition a big pot of the bbq sauce where you can get as much as you like. I really hate having to wait on a waitress to get me a refill or extra sauce if I need it. The ribs as you can see are huge and meaty! They tasted good but I really didn't enjoy the sauce too much but it wasn't awful where I couldn't finish the meal. It was good they weren't drowned in bbq sauce so you could really taste the meat and since I didn't like the sauce I only had to endure a few bites of it. The cornbread was interesting! I think it has jalapenos or something it taste funny but it was still enjoyable. All sides were good but nothing stood out as my favorite. My friend really enjoyed the pork sandwich and liked the fact it wasn't drenched in sauce. They offer outdoor as well as 2 level indoor seating and a bar. We sat downstairs so I don't know how huge the upstairs area is and the outdoor seems small but quaint. They clean the tables very fast and the place including the bathroom was very clean. Huge portions, friendly service, and inexpensive! If you are looking for BBQ would suggest giving them a try!
(4)
Patrick K.

I previously reviewed Rocklands and gave them a poor rating. I wasn't satisfied with the quality of the food and it was always cold when I picked it up. Since the time I wrote my review, I have been going once a week and the food has been much better. The pork in particular could still use some better flavoring, but overall it's been good. I eat the same thing every week. The three meat plate with a double order of the Mac n Cheese. I would recommend trying this restaurant out. It's a good, cheap, and simple. It's what you expect from a barbecue restaurant. As for the reviewer who complained about the ribs. You lost all credibility when you mentioned you would rather eat at TGI Fridays....
(4)
Alex L.

Best BBQ I've had in the DC area! Amazing sides and killer brisket. Excellent customer service, as well - Will, who was working behind the truck, was so friendly and accommodating. We will definitely be back!!
(5)
Trina T.

This place is currently my favorite BBQ joint. I love the beef brisket especially. Their potato salad is also very good. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Benjamin D.

One of my favorite happy hour spots. A pulled pork sandwich for every beer you order, all you can eat peanuts, and a great variety of hot sauces.
(4)
Ryan K.

Absolutely fantastic!! The beef ribs were the best I've ever had and enormous. The hot sauce and BBQ sauce both had a distinctly individual characteristic (a little vinegary) and paired perfectly. I recommend dipping the jalapeÃ±o cornbread in to the hot sauce!!
(5)
Taylor W.

Rocklands has the best BBQ in DC -- I'm so happy they're finally in Arlington!! This place is great -- amazing food, amazing service.
(5)
Ronald M.

$9 brisket sandwich that was just sub standard. $17 total if you add two sides and a small drink. They're definitely overcharging at this place for small quantities of food that's nothing special.
(1)
Dani G.

Ordered the pulled chicken along with Mac n cheese and potato salad....absolutely love the potato salad and the smoked chicken had the smokey flavor that I love. I was a little skeptical at first because of my previous experience with the one on Quaker Lane which was bland but not this place. The portions were a little small but it was still good. Will definitely go again
(4)
Amanda F.

This place was wonderful. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. I had the pulled chicken BBQ sandwich and my boyfriend had the pulled pork platter. He had red beans & rice and the cucumber salad as his sides and noted that the red beans & rice were the best he'd ever had. My BBQ sandwich was delicious and he said the rest of his platter was good as well. It's a very BBQ-joint-like place. Wood all around - wooden tables and such. It is perfect for the kind of food that they use. My only frustration is that the iced tea didn't taste mint at all though the menu indicated it would be.
(4)
Anjali K.

My rating stays the same here, but I do want to mention that I went back to Rockland's recently and got the pulled pork sandwich and Texas corn pudding. The pulled pork was very tender and tasty, and the corn pudding was also delicious. While I likely won't get on the same page with the tart-ness of the sauce (being a fan of the sweeter/Memphis style), I can agree that the food is cooked well. Will likely go back and try some more of their creations.
(3)
Kate P.

Been here multiple times. Cute spot with a parking lot. Decent pulled pork, okay chicken, meh brisket. Good BBQ sauce. Sweet tea, good sides: mac and cheese, okra, potatoes with the exception of the somewhat dry cornbread, simple no frills cute decor and outdoor seating.
(3)
Elizabeth S.

*Shakes head in disappointment*. I had HIGH hopes for this place after visiting the Georgetown (Glover Park yelp.com/biz/rocklands-bâ€¦ ) location. We came here around 8pm and it was packed. Parking lot is kind of small so if you come during dinner rush -might want to find out if there are other parking options. We ordered beef briskets: mash potatoes and mac and cheese...oh wait...they RAN OUT of mash potatoes. Are you kidding me? On a busy Friday night they run out of mash potatoes. Then we were like OK so we got onion rings and collared greens. We waited for about 20 minutes for the food to come. The guy comes - "oh sorry sir, we ran out of onion rings" my eyes went like --________-. Yeah, are you kidding me? So we randomly picked this thing off the menu (fried okra? This fried green thing). Anyways, about the food, which i am so disappointed in. EVERYTHING was drenched in salt. If there wasn't free refills I don't know if we could have finished our food. The mac and cheese (ordered because of yelp) were super salty that I barely took more then three bites. The collared greens were also super salty. Salt salt salt. We left shaking our heads -vowing not to come back to this location. DISAPPOINTED!
(1)
Mary Kate M.

This is the real deal BBQ. I was thrilled to find a good BBQ place since I come from the true BBQ capital of the US ... Memphis. Now, this isn't Memphis style BBQ. It is considered Texas style which they do a little bit differently, but nonetheless, oh so good. For my visit, I decided to get the chicken BBQ sandwich with a side of corn bread. The corn bread had a spit of jalapenos in it which added some flavor to it. Usually I am completely opposed to it, but for this I actually enjoyed it. It was solid. The chicken BBQ was delicious! It had the perfect consistency with loads of flavor. To top it off, I also had some sweet tea. Tasted just like home. One thing you'll notice about Rockland's is they have community seating. A lot of BBQ joints have this concept, so you will be forced to sit next to someone you don't know. Take this opportunity to get to know someone like I did. It was great! I actually connected with a guy about Memphis since he was visiting from there for work. We talked about his vacation he has coming up with his wife, his kids and just life in Memphis in general I've been missing out on. Never know who you may come across to have a good convo. As far as the guys who work behind the counter, they know BBQ. They were able to help me compare their product to the others. Since this was my first BBQ place to try in the DMV, I think that this was a great place to break my BBQ cherry up here. Great customer service, food and ambiance.
(5)
Joanna M.

When it comes to BBQ in the DC area, Rocklands is pretty SOLID. Ribs fall off the bone, pulled pork and brisket are flavorful and juicy. Sides are plentiful (mac and cheese is cheesey, corn bread, fried okra, beans, cole slaw, etc.) Bring your pup to sit and eat patioside (can someone lend me their pup?!) They have pulled pork sandwich and beer special! Oh and munch on some nuts while you wait, sah-weet!
(4)
Dusk D.

The best BBQ in northern Virginia, in my humble.... Rocklands is a great place for a relaxing lunch, or a causal affordable dinner out. The brisket and chicken are both juicy and flavorful, and the ribs are excellent if you're looking for a somewhat larger meal. Sides wise, be sure to try their mac and cheese, or sub one of the sides out for an order of their fried okra. Okra is also good as an order unto itself, but the portions are HUGE, so be ready to share. You wouldn't think of it, but their burger is pretty amazing, too. Decent beer selection at the bar if you're looking for something alcoholic to pair with your meal. Otherwise, skip the soda: go for their sweet tea, it's excellent. Parking is not bad, but if it's crowded you may have to resort to street parking nearby. The patio is GREAT on days that aren't too hot (or after the sun has gone down), but there's usually plenty of space inside to sit. The larger tables are great for small groups (6-8). A definite must visit if you're in the area.
(5)
Tim M.

This place can be great or mediocre depending on what you order. If you stick with the pork or chicken barbeque sandwich with mac and cheese or the mason dixon macaroni salad, you'll be good to go. The other sides are solid too, but those are my favorites. The jalepeno cornbread is tasty as well. If you're like my roomate, who always orders obscure and risky menu items, this place may suck. The brisket and ribs are not good. Not sure why but they just aren't. This place is no super-amazing southern BBQ joint like they have in GA and SC but there are not many places, if any, around here that can compare to that. I think on Mondays you get a free pork bbq sandwhich if you order a beer, which is pretty cool. I also like the plethora of hot sauces they have available to try.
(3)
dfrost d.

I love it. Im in the process of getting my name on the wall. Joe's awesome.
(5)
Jelli F.

Rocklands, you are like a recycled ex-boyfriend. Just when I've nearly given up for good.... I've had a couple of marginal experiences here and posted a review on Yelp to that effect. Today, I stopped by Rocklands once again with several friends for a quick lunch. I ordered a brisket sandwich and asked for a leaner cut and explained that I've received sandwiches in the past that were too fatty. The sandwich and side (fries) I received today were really outstanding and the service was really friendly. It looks like the owners are making a good effort to improve and it shows. If you've had an off experience, I suggest trying again.
(4)
Brent P.

I'm giving Rocklands a 3 based on the overall food experience, not just on the BBQ. TO be clear this is NOT real BBQ, but it's still meat and that aint bad. I had the beef brisket sandwich, mac and cheese and rice and beans. The brisket was good, but it tasted like it had been grilled not smoked the way BBQ should be. The portion size was also on the smaller side. The sides weren't bad, but not amazing. Rockland's is closer to a fast food joint then a real BBQ place. Not sure why there aren't any real BBQ places in DC, but I'm glad they are at least making the effort. I think they still have long way to go though.
(3)
Minda M.

I've been to this place in Arlington and Rockville MD, and the food is about the same at both places. I do love the fact they take care in to their meat, sauces and Hot sauce selection, but they lack knowing what the customer really wants. I usually get the pulled pork, but their "pulled" pork or chicken is just thick chunks of pork/chicken on a bun with a ladle full of BBQ sauce. I'm used to "pulled" items to be reaelly tender and rich of delicious sauces. I feel the owner is a die hard BBQ-er and is all about the meat. I can appreciate that, but the owner spends too much on the meat and not enough on the sides. The mac and cheese is always mushy and flavorless, and the cucumber salad is average. The one time I went their the special was a rib sandwich, I love ribs, but this was literally ribs on a bun. Ribs AND bone on a bun. Were you supposed to pull the meat off of the bone and then make a sandwich, or eat the ribs off of the bone then eat the bun? No idea. I lived really close to this place, and loved the smell, but I learned that when I need to fill my BBQ fix I would just get beans and a piece of corn bread. The beans have chunks of pork in it. The place is Arlington is awkwardly set up, and I had no passion to get a beer there. I would usually get take out, but when I'm starving I eat there, which means eat and run.
(3)
N B.

Not the worst, but certainly not the best. Their mac and cheese and greens are pretty solid. I got the baby back ribs the last time I went-- very tender, but not as smokey as I like my barbeque. I'm definitely not a fan of their house barbeque sauce. It literally tastes like someone chopped up onions and stuck it in a vat of warm ketchup.
(3)
Laila S.

2.5 stars. I had every intention of loving this place. It's right by my house and the menu sounded fantastic. We came on a weekend night and it was moderately busy. If you're moderately busy, why is your Mac & Cheese cold? If I'm going to be consuming that many fat and calories, I want it ooey and gooey -- not cold. My sandwich was cold as well so I found the whole meal quite odd. My husband's rack of ribs look like he ordered it off the child's menu. Perhaps it was an off night. Oh, and they advertise that they have a new menu item - sweet potato fries. When we ordered them the guy looked at us quizzically turned to the cooks and said "we don't have sweet potato fries, right?!" They looked back at him like they've never had a sweet potato pass through their fryer. Your menu is a chalkboard - if you don't have it, erase it!
(3)
Ted F.

Good brisket, good BBQ sauce, acceptable ribs and sides, avoid everything else on the menu. This gets four stars simply because it is the only acceptable BBQ in the DC area; it would be 2 or 3 stars in Texas. It's a good place to watch a football game during off hours, but the lines during the lunch and dinner rushes are unpleasant and the decor is utilitarian at best. There's an interesting bar that I don't take enough advantage of. Closes far too early.
(4)
Yumi R.

I truly enjoyed devouring my BBQ pork sandwich, primarily because at some point driving in Arlington, I just wanted something BBQ-y (it hit the spot), and secondly because I received some contemptuous glances by others around me as I ate, licking my fingers and declined cutlery. Pertaining to the first clause, the Rocklands BBQ sandwich did satisfy my BBQ craving. The pork sandwich was a hefty helping of cut/shredded tender pork, on a bun, with some flavor, and with added BBQ sauce, it was nearly divine. I requested for green scallions after noticing the sign "Due to many customers plucking off and throwing away green onions, they are only available upon request" I'll take all , please! Well, in any case, I was very satisfied; the sandwich was filling and there is an entire cauldron of tangy BBQ sauce available. (I almost cackled as I stirred up the thick concoction of tomato, spices, and onion). The service was great, though that may be due to the fact it was almost empty (5 pm on Labor Day), and I appreciated the cashier and server helping me to decide what to get based on my preferences. As I was on a very tight budget I spent $5.40 on my sandwich, and decided to forgo the sides. I would imagine they are delicious, and I would like to try the mint iced tea next time. You can eat here cheap, there is a deal for $6.99 or something like that for a sandwich and 2 sides. Or, a pricier meal would run upwards of $14.99 if buying the ribs + sides, etc Thumbs up, and 4 stars.
(4)
Sandi W.

Nothing will ever compare to my family's BBQ, but this was a decent substitute. The ordering process and menu were a little confusing. We weren't expecting that. Just glad we weren't there with a bunch of people waiting behind us. I had the three ribs, but they were the end pieces, so not much there. Thankfully, a member of our group ordered a full rack not realizing what he was getting so he needed all of our help to finish it. (He isn't from the States...) The cornbread pudding was good. Yummy comfort food. I also liked their BBQ sauce. Nice kick to it! Not too sweet either. Love the little pack of matches-like tooth pick packs. Those come in handy!
(3)
Ian Y.

I'm not a barbecue snob. I do, however, enjoy it a lot. The best thing here are the packets of toothpicks, best suited for fishing regret from your teeth after subjecting yourself to incredibly fatty portions of meat. The chopped pork wasn't tender, but it was better than the brisket, which resembled the marble pattern of bacon. The black bean salad was a breath of fresh air.
(1)
Jenna W.

Go. Get the platter with BBQ, mac and cheese, a bag of fries, and sweet tea. It's some of the best BBQ I've ever had. If you have some time to kill, I'd recommend sitting at the bar. The bartenders are really interesting, and it's a good place to watch sports and strike up conversations with the folks around you. If you really want to be a regular here, join the bourbon club. Basically, it's a tasting list of 50+ bourbons. Makes for a fun conversation topic every time, and when you finish the list, you get your name on the wall.
(5)
Amanda E.

Sweet, smokey and a helluva good steal for the price. Order the grilled onion greens on the side - they're apparently no longer a given due to waste. Undecided and craving iron, I went with the brisket platter with okra and collard greens. Really tasty brisket, but I had my eye on pulled meat being whisked from the kitchen. Can't top the fresh veggies. Although I love vinegar-y collard greens, these hock-infused greens were delightful. Didn't miss the vinegar one bit. Okra was super fresh and flash fried with cornmeal breading. Pleasantly surprised how crunchy and vibrantly green the okra was. Their one bbq sauce is all I needed. An initial onion-y sweetness with an instant zing that catches your tonsils. Grab a fresh brewed Root Beer (a la dominion brewery co) and pull up a seat outside and enjoy. Just ignore the Giant parking lot antics.
(4)
Courtney R.

I have to disagree with almost everybody else. Today was my first visit to Rocklands and I will definitely go back. I got the blue plate special--sliced pork loin sandwich with slaw and 2 onion rings on top PLUS two sides a drink for $9.99. I'm not a BBQ connoisseur by any means, but it wasn't horrible. Was it the best I've had? Hell no. But the price is right and the sides I had were delicious, particularly the macaroni salad. Also, the music was great. While I was there, they played M. Ward and the Skulls. To the dude who complained about DMB: I think they got your message. The sweet tea was slammin', plus they have a full bar and peanuts everywhere, something I love dearly but often can't enjoy due to Welshie's deadly allergy. P.S. There's a happy hour special: buy a beer, get a free chopped-pork sandwich.
(4)
K B.

You get alot of food for this cheap-eat hot spot; you can easily have leftovers. Free wifi. Cozy atmosphere. In a great location. Nice Happy Hour selections. Cool team. Grade level: B+ Yummy BBQ chicken. If you request all white meat, they won't charge extra for it. Grilled wings are pretty good, sometimes fatty. Sweet tea is brewed so if you are fan of real southern sweet tea, you will enjoy it. Our friends had the pork ribs; they were well-seasoned, tender, and just 'fall-off-the-bone' delicious. Beef ribs are a no-go; they are too fatty and not very lean.
(4)
Albert L.

Finally got around to this Rocklands joint, and I'd give it 3.5 stars to be honest. Firstly, its location in expensive Arlington doesn't help the price points, but hey, what are you gonna do? Secondly, I find it very refreshing to see an order-at-the-counter BBQ joint that can serve a decently large volume. Thirdly, they actually have a well-sorted ordering system with letter placards. Ok, so upon a friend's recommendation, I went for a half rack of baby-back pork ribs and got the baked beans as a side. Ran me about $16 after tax. Grabbed a beer from the bar while we waited. Took about 10 minutes for my order to come out. Things to note - the small side is a decent portion. I'd recommend maybe 2 smalls to go with your main if you're up for it. The half rack of baby-backs looked and smelled great enough. You get about 6-7 bones, and they were pretty meaty. The meat was falling off of them and had a nice smoke on them. The sauce was sweet and tangy but not overwhelming. Wish they'd serve up more for the price (you're looking at $2 per bone basically). The baked beans were a mixed experience for me. The texture of the beans themselves was actually good, and they were cooked well with some bits of onion in there. However, the flavor was too ketchup-y sweet for my liking, and the sauce consistency was a bit thick. See DD BBQ's baked beans for a great version of this side dish. I was still hungry after, so I got another side of the black bean salad. It was fresh and had a nice mix of beans, peppers, cilantro, and spice. Prefer this over the baked beans. Friends got other various items, such as beef brisket, mac and cheese, pulled pork sandwich, and minted cucumber salad. Everyone enjoyed their food well enough. Overall, it was an OK first-time experience at Rocklands. Didn't blow my mind and not the greatest value-for-money. However, it is a nice option for the Arlington community if you need a BBQ fix. Just don't expect to be full unless you plan to drop a good amount of dough.
(3)
Alex G.

Really great bbq for awesome prices. One of the best values in the area. Bbq platters are my go to
(4)
Random B.

Meh, I've had better. Overall friendly staff. I was surprised I couldn't find regular bbq sauce. They just had different levels of spicy sauce.
(2)
Chris W.

Great Dinner special with lots of different sides and choices. I loved the big rack of hot sauces! The bar also had bourbon night on Tuesday where you get a free PBR with your bourbon. They have a bourbon club, drink 75 which they track on a sheet and you get a plaque. Next time instead of to go, I will stay and get a bourbon with my meal
(4)
Lucas W.

Maybe 3.5 Solid BBQ. Nothing great but nothing bad. My friend had ribs which he said were good but they were very very small. Meat looked appropriately cooked and fell off the bone well but they were very thin and I would've expected a fair bit more from a half-slab. I had a pulled pork sandwich which was fine. Pork was well cooked and the BBQ sauce had a good flavor, just wish there'd been more sauce because it was the main flavor driver and there was no way to get more sauce. The sides were good. The mac and cheese was great and the pit beans were also quite good. My friend had the texas corn pudding which was strange to me, seemed quite like mushy cornbread, but he liked it so I suppose that's enough. If you're just getting a sandwich, it's cheap, less than $5, but you'll need to throw in sides or salad or appetizer or something cuz the sandwich is definitely not a full meal. 2 Sandwiches would be.
(3)
K R.

I'd eaten Rocklands at different events (not at the restaurant) and thought it was better than any bbq I'd had in DC, including Hill Country. When my Husband and I were planning our wedding at Glen Echo we knew we wanted BBQ and we knew we wanted Rocklands. I can't say enough about how AMAZING the food was at our wedding (125 guests). We had the brisket, pork and chicken, along with the mac and cheese, grilled veggies, stuffed mushrooms and jalapeno cornbread. Everything was fantastic and we had so many guests come up to us telling us that it was the best wedding food they'd ever had. Even weeks after our wedding people are still talking about how great the food was. I would 100% recommend hiring Rocklands for your next event.
(5)
Josh M.

Overpriced and overrated! I understand that excellent BBQ probably doesn't exist in Arlington but this place does not live up to the hype. The environment and dÃ©cor is cool and the small bar is entertaining, but that's where the positive feedback ends. I'll keep it simple. Three Meat Platter * Pork: Bland, very little flavor. You could tell the meat was reheated. * Chicken: While the chicken was better than the pork, it didn't have a smokey flavor that I'm usually accustomed to tasting. Yet again, the meat was cold. * Brisket: The brisket was actually decent. Smokey, rich flavor and the meat was actually warm and tasted great. * Coleslaw: I had no idea Coleslaw could be so bad. Absolutely no flavor, tasted like water. They give you a bun with the platter so my plan was to make a pork sandwich topped with coleslaw. That was mistake. * Macaroni and Cheese: I've made better mac and cheese in my freshman dorm room. * BBQ sauce: It was excited to see the BBQ sauce served in a warm pot as opposed to ketchup bottles on the table. Problem is, the sauce was bland. Dickey's (if you've been to Texas) is much better and half the price.
(2)
Beach G.

Hands down the best BBQ in the area. Excellent, FRESH sides too. Pulled pork sandwich is a dream. Fresh, tangy sauce on the side. The bartenders are all pleasant and a nice spot to watch a game and eat real food. Nothing canned. You won't reek of BBQ smoke when you leave either. The patio is a gem in the warm months. Friendly & prompt service. Highly recommend. They have catered neighbors' parties too, easy take out.
(5)
Kenny M.

Ordered a half BBQ spare ribs. They were a bit in the dry side, and didn't have as much flavor as I am used to. But maybe I'm being a little tough cause I just came from spending 10 weeks in Dallas. Mashed taters were good, and amazingly the cucumber salad was delish! I heard their coleslaw wasn't good so I avoided it altogether. Nonetheless I finished the entire half order and am stuffed! If your in the area and want BBQ this is definitely the place to come.
(3)
Alex B.

Location is great and parking but the food is not good. Terrible service, arrogant staff, unclean. And they do not like: The purpose of constructive criticism is to improve the outcome. In collaborative work, this kind of criticism is a valuable tool in raising and maintaining . And I am local.
(1)
The S.

NASTY GROSS! baby backs hardly had any sauce and had tiny bone fragments in the meat. Mac n cheese was terrible. Yuk. Baked beans had hardly any beans and were too tomato-y. Price was outrageous for this slop. Spent $22 for something I could barely eat. Never going back.
(2)
Chris K.

Hungry one night, my girlfriend and i turned to Yelp to help us find a BBQ restaurant. We stumbled upon Rocklands and decided to give it a try. I ordered the three meat (pulled pork, bbq chicken, and beef brisket) with a side of corn pudding and mashed potatoes, and she had a half rack of baby back ribs. Food was quickly served. The pulled pork was a bit dry, but nothing some bbq sauce couldn't fix. The brisket was thinly sliced, good smokey flavor, but again a bit dry. The chicken was my least favorite of the three meats. It had a smokey flavor, but seemed overcooked and again was dry. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone type of ribs nicely smothered in sauce. I would recommend the baby back ribs. The mashed potatoes were nothing to write home about, but the corn pudding was awesome. Definitely my favorite side and would highly recommend it. They also have a hot sauce wall, which you can pick and choose until your spicy desires are fulfilled. At the fountain soda station they also have a big pot of hot bbq sauce, which was a nice touch. The ambiance was casual and it's the type of restaurant where you order at the counter and find your own table/seat in the dining area. Parking can be a bit tricky too as they have a small lot.
(3)
Aaron M.

Best BBQ in Arlington with a nice bar area to grab a drink while you wait for your food. The brisket is my favorite for sure.
(5)
Ann B.

Probably one of my top three places to eat in Arlington. I've eaten here about 12+ times over the past year and have never had a bad meal. I typically go for the pulled pork or bbq chicken sandwich with potato salad and another side. I really like the cucumber salad and the mac and cheese. This past weekend I tried the BLT which was THE BEST BLT I've ever tasted. I really like the casual, neighborhood feel. My only complaint is that we've been turned away a handful of times when we've arrived no later than 9:30 p.m., when the closing time is 10 p.m. If you aren't going to server after 9:30, then you should make that be your closing time.
(4)
Amy B.

Great BBQ & friendly staff. They have outdoor dining, upstairs and lots of TVs for sports. Don't forget about their bourbon bar. It rocks.
(4)
Adam S.

Dry, too thin, flavorless brisket with hard gristle; fatty thigh-meat pulled chicken; and mushy pulled/minced pork. Greens were OK, but weirdly oily. Simply put -- absolutely the worst barbecue place ever. Should have known, since a zillion kinds of bourbon to drink is what they boast of. Unless you are going for the booze (and casual picnic table environment) only, its a definite must-miss. I've got to disagree with my good friend on this place.
(1)
Sunny S.

delicious ribs, amazing hot sauces, try everything on the menu, i loved the fried okra and pulled pork i have been here 2x, i will be back! i love the ambience and the price is amazing!
(5)
Rac Leng S.

Returned to Rocklands again after the last very disappointing visit simply because the family wants to give it a try. I had 1/2 spare ribs this time with sweet potato fries. The ribs are very well cooked with a good smoky flavor unlike the pale water tasting baby back ribs the last time. World of different when I looked at the pictures taken of the two ribs. Anyway, the sweet potato fries tasted very good too and my family enjoyed the BBQ chicken. Reviews here seems to show inconsistency as what I experienced over 2 visits within one week!
(3)
Patricia S.

I was really looking forward to eating at this place . . . the decor made me think I could get really great bbq. Wow was I disappointed. I had the 1/4-chicken and two ribs. Both items were burnt and didn't taste like any barbeque I'd had before. The meats were way-charred. The taste was mostly tangy, very little sweet and no spice/seasoning. And 'very little sweet' to me is actually very little sweet. I'm not a syrupy sweet bbq lover so a moderate amount of sweet would register as highly sweet to my taste buds. Nah, this food wasn't sweet at all. It was incredibly smokey. If that's the goal . . . produce highly smoked meats in a vinegar base, Rocklands succeeds. I was also let down by the mac-and-cheese. It was like cheese whiz poured over macaroni shells. Now I know some folks like their M&C like that. I prefer more complex cheese, not so wet and def baked. The food was fresh . . . wasn't sitting around under heat lamps. That's a definite plus. Judging by the number of people in the joint tells me that folks do like the food. Unfortunately, me (and the hubby) did not.
(1)
B F.

This place is pretty awesome. Great BBQ, wonderful selection of side items. You order food at one counter and beer/drinks at a small bar. Easy place to take the kids or go with a group of friends.
(4)
Aaron S.

Well, I haven't had any other BBQ in the D.C. area, but based on these reviews, I would have expected something better. Growing up in Kansas City, maybe I am spoiled when it comes to BBQ, but Rocklands wouldn't stand a chance at making it there. The flavor of the meat tastes like they didn't put any seasonings on it. The quartered chicken might be the best thing they have to offer. I have had their pork sandwich before and it isn't terrible, but lacks flavor. The ribs are not worth the money you spend for them. I'm not sure they even put salt or pepper on them before smoking them. They taste like they were taken out of the package and thrown in the smoker, pulled out and stored a couple days, then reheated on a grill. They were a bit dry. As far as the sauce, the concept seems like they would have something, however, it tasted like it is tomato juice with a few other seasonings in it simmering with onions. They could use to develop some more flavor here, also. A BBQ restaurant needs to be quick with serving their customers and should try to focus on doing a few items really well versus having a lot of items that are marginal at best. Keep trying.
(2)
Danny V.

I couldn't be more happy to report that Rockland's gets my 100th Yelp Review! Yippie ki yay BBQ aficionados. Before I precede, I should note that this review is coming from a former vegetarian and obviously not someone who has familiarized himself with the likes of, say, Texas or North Cackalacky BBQ. Now I mention this because it speaks volumes for this little buckaroo. They have the power to keep me a-comin' back for more, and how! I started coming to Rockland's in late spring 2011 and have already established quite the rapport with them. I've brought friends and acquaintances from all over Northern Virginia to experience my new favorite restaurant. In June, my partner even catered a private party for 70+ people with Rockland's and won praises from all who attended. Here's a few things I love about "Rocky" 1. Food- Pulled chicken BBQ sandwich is "ta-die fa" (to die for). I tried making my own pulled-chicken sandwich. It's harder to pull it off if my own kitchen. I actually didn't try that hard cause I love Rockland's and it always tastes better when someone else makes it for you. Rocky! You're up dude! 2. Sides- Mac N' Cheese, Cucumber Mint Salad, Apple Compote, The Best Sweet potato fries...I could go on and on, but I won't cause it's making me hungry. 3. Shiner Bock- a Texas favorite. MMM. 4. Ample outside patio seating. A place to enjoy my friends, my food, my beer. No pressure to get up and get out. Just be. Ahh. Doesn't that sound nice? 5. Peanuts at the front door. Chances are I am HUNGRY when I go to Rockland's. Keep the hunger demons at bay and keeps me from turning into the Incredible Dick. 6. Staff. Friendly and super-efficient. I've never had that evil, "where the f**k is my food" thought. They come to you and hand deliver your order. Never had a bad experience. 7. Ambience. In my "old" age I'm getting tired of the fancy-schmancy, ironed, starched digs. I was a dirty martini once. Now I'm a draft beer and reading Kerouac in my white t-shirt and flip flips. This location is tucked in a neighborhood and feels like a block party sometimes. "Who are the people in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood?" Find out for yourself. Come to Rockland's. See you there. A 5 star rating based on what it is and not what I want it to be. ******Thanks for me my 100th review ROCKLAND's***********
(5)
Tara F.

THE BEST BBQ IN DC. Best foods are the wings (but they are dry rub and not spicy) with unexpected exceptional flavor and the BBQ chicken, I don't eat pork so cant speak to that. Burgers are great and sustainable, for your environmentalist. The Brisket is meh- other places in DC with better. The sides are OK also- I like the masked potatoes and cucumber salad. Service is good- never had a problem and they have great specials certain days of the week. Getting food has never taken more than 20 mins even when its busy. Oh! I also love that they have an outside area. Overall great place to get BBQ, particular anything chicken :)
(4)
Nick W.

Really liked the food, had the bbq sandwich with a side of potato salad and chicken caesar salad. Sauce was tasty too. Price was fairly high for the portion size.
(4)
Tom N.

The hot 'n' spicy grilled wings are my favorite; look for them on special. The chicken has a delicious rub on it with all sorts of seasoning. The pulled porked stays moist and falls apart at the touch. The barbeque has a wonderful smokey quality to it. So the cole slaw is a bit different from most places with its very green cabbage, peas, carrots, light on the dressing, and tastes a bit oniony. I can see how some might not like it, but I rather love it. Mac and cheese shells were nice and creamy. The location between Ballston and Clarendon makes Rocklands more convenient then heading out to Ashburn for good barbeque.
(4)
Craig E.

I work very close and have been frequenting Rocklands for a few months. I can honestly say I have never been disappointed with either the food or service. I usually order their Blue Plate special of the day and I am always amazed at how magnificent everything tastes. What really stands out is the deep, smoky flavor. They also make their own BBQ sauce which I highly recommend (although it is heavy on the vinegar). There's a great selection of sides (I prefer the Mac and cheese). I always order to go so I can't speak for the atmosphere but the service is speedy and polite.
(5)
Jerry P.

My wife and I ate at Rocklands BBQ on July 4th in the late afternoon. The place was pretty busy. They have two lines when you enter. One for walk in folks and another for call in customers. I went to the walk in while my wife scouted out a table. The dark woody restaurant had a smoky smell and you know you are in a BBQ place. After placing our order and ordering a pitcher of beer from the bar the food was delivered to our table. We ordered a half slab of baby back ribs and a half chicken, with cucumber salad, baked beans and cole slaw. The ribs were delicious. Tender meat just fell off of the bone. The sauce contained grilled onions and was very tasty. The chicken was hot and similarly tasty. The white meat was a little dry. These folks know how to BBQ! The side orders were pretty small portions but tasted good. The cucumber salad was new to me. The cucumbers were crispy and fresh, the dressing complemented the vegetables without overwhelming them. The cole slaw was different. The cabbage and assorted veggies were cut into chunks, not shredded. The dressing was a tangy vinegar type. To my surprise there were peas in the slaw too! Nice surprise. The baked beans were pretty average. They included the same carmalized onions as the BBQ sauce on the ribs. This was our first time eating at Rocklands. It won't be our last.
(4)
Del C.

Unless you're comparing to down south BBQ (and even if you are) this place is legit. They are located pretty close to work so I go when I can and I have not been disappointed once. I have had a bunch of different things and everything has been delicious. Their sides are really good and the prices are actually cheaper than expected overall. I would personally would pay more and feel like it was still fair. Service - Solid and quick Atmosphere - What you would expect from a BBQ place They also have a bar!!! Check it out, you will not find much better in the area.
(4)
Alexander S.

I have been to Rocklands numerous times over the past two months, the Arlington location is next to my current favorite dry cleaners. And while I am not a "BBQ-Expert" I will say the BBQ over here is not bad. My favorite dish is The Belly Buster (two ribs, sausage, quarter chicken, and brisket), but the babyback ribs are decent too. And I agree the pulled pork is good, but not over the top good. All in all, I would say the place is decent, not an AMAZING place, but a place I enjoy eating at again and again. It is a bit on a pricey side for what you get, but for sheer convenience and fast service, it still is a great place for a quick pickup on the way home. Oh and a word of caution, the Hot 'n' Spicy Grilled Wings are just that, HOT...and the extra Fuego sauce will keep you sucking down beers or other liquids to cool the heat. My favorite sides are the Homemade Coleslaw, Traditional Potato Salad, Macaroni and Cheese. As far as things I would say are a miss, I was not a fan of the pulled pork egg rolls...it is a bit too weird for me. And I am not really fond of their Southern Style Mustard Greens, as I found them a little too soggy for my tastes.
(3)
Trisha S.

I came to the Yelp page of Rocklands thinking I was going to go with 4-stars, but after reading some of the reviews I have to say I agree with some of the remarks... what can I say, I'm a pushover. Rocklands is, as my three star rating says, A-OK. When I'm craving barbecue in Arlington and I'm too lazy to make it myself, Rocklands hits the spot. The ribs are full of meat, but also full of fat. The meat is a little tough, but the once you get a bite you start to think its alright. The sides are alright as well. You could easily make them yourself and your mom's version is probably ten times better. But in all honesty, Rocklands does it for me. It satisfies a craving and it keeps me full.
(3)
Eric K.

We love Rocklands and frequently go there when family is in town. Great barbecue, lines that always move quickly, and great sweet tea! Fair warning, your clothing may smell of BBQ smoke when you leave!
(4)
Cory L.

I go to this place for lunch, have been for a while. PEOPLE, Seriously, how are you rating this place above average for BBQ? I know what im getting when I come here....its usually when I need a BBQ fix real quick. It does that, but not really that great. Last time I got the Meats...chicken, brisket, ribs,pork combo...along with an order of wings...the ribs were burnt to a crisp..and no, its not cause it was smoked...I know BBQ, seriously. The ribs were just plain below average. It was cooked, and reheated in dry heat over and over again (this was 1PM on a weekday aternoon). It gt so bad, it was hard to pull off the dark black carcinogenic layer. Even the wings were bad and CHARCOAL black. I mean, how do you mess up BBQ wings? Oh, and the sauce they just drizze all over the meats......ruins the BBQ'ness of the sow cook. You want good BBQ, go someplace else where they take BBQ seriously..but if you need to feel like you want to walk into a place that sounds and LOOKS like serious BBQ places, stop on by for a quick fix. I hope im doing Yelpers a favor by calling this place out cause im concerned for your precious dollars,dont let it go to waste...even when your food isnt burnt, average BBQ at best.
(2)
spenny r.

I keep going back hoping that either they get better or i start liking it. ok, i also go because its probably the best BBQ in arlington, but thats not saying much. the q at red hot and blue isnt as good, but it isnt nearly as expensive. close to $30 for a full rack of beef ribs? (thats 4 ribs... that are 1/3 fat) the beef is cheaper at ray's the steaks! bottom line: red hot and blue feels like a fast food joint, this place at least feels like a restaurant, its hard to get over the greasy over-priced marginal BBQ though. when *will* someone open a decent BBQ place in arlington?
(2)
Bro H.

I've got to lower my rating to one star. We went back here because the girlfriend swore that their catering was really good when she had it at the office. However, we both agreed that this location was still terrible. The fact that they have to put 10 flavors of hot sauce on your table says it all - they clearly don't stand by the flavor of their meat or sauce. This time, in addition to completely bland barbeque, there were a few chunks of fat and gristle in the sandwiches, which should be pretty damn easy to avoid. Barbeque is tough to perfect, no doubt, but it's pretty damn easy to make it taste good, even if all you've got is a gas grill and a little smoker box. The fact that these people actually own a real smoker and manage to make barbeque this mediocre is a really impressive feat of ineptitude, and for that, only a one star rating is appropriate. Also, the music was terrible. Dave Matthews Band? It's been like 7 years since I last had to complain about Dave Matthews Band. C'mon.
(1)
Nicholas D.

Rocklands is one of my local favorites. Pros: The whole menu is a really good value, the portions are generous, staff is friendly, root beer on tap, really good sweet tea, restaurant is clean, they usually have sports on the TVs, the patio is nice in summertime and I can walk there from my house Cons: It's not the best BBQ I've ever had in my life. It is the best I've had in DC though.
(4)
Sean W.

I have not tried everything on the menu as of yet, but so far so good! Pulled Pork - good/tasty Cheeseburger - awesome Collard greens - delicious French fries - OK Sweet Tea - As good as it gets
(4)
jeffrey d.

The pulled pork sandwich is very tasty but the sauces are only average... There really aren't any good spicy hot sauces available, specifically none that were made by the house ::cough couwillardsgh:: and none that really accentuated the flavor of the meat = ( The sausage leaves much to be desired.....maybe a whole new recipe rework! The sides are pretty damn good. Baked beans, MAC & CHEESE!!! & roommates favorite - collard greens are all great. The ribs are A/A- The brisket, per the roommate, was a little too smokey. I think I remember thinking the same thing!
(4)
J H.

What a complete waste of time and money! This was one of the most disappointing barbeque establishments I have ever tried. Total disappointment. Little to no flavor -- Tasted like water. This was so bad I did't finish nor take home leftovers.
(1)
Stephanie R.

I'm mixed. I loved Mason-Dixon macaroni. But the baby back ribs and cornbread was okay. And the coleslaw was terrible, its had a vinegar tease to it. Some of my family is from Memphis, so I might have too high of standards for BBQ. It's a bit pricey too. I don't think is worth another tip all the way on the Orange line to get it.
(3)
Meaux ..

3.5 Stars We were craving good barbeque and since Mr. P's Ribs and Fish is slightly too far out of the way for us today, we settled on Rocklands based on others Yelp reviews. After checking out the menu online we decided to share the half rack of Baby Back Ribs and the Blue Plate Special of the Day: $9.99 for a Beef Brisket Sandwich covered in coleslaw with 2 sides (we chose Potato Salad and Mac and Cheese). Baby Back Ribs were good; the sauce was tangy and sweet. There was a decent amount of meat on each rib. The Beef Brisket Sandwich was delicious. The meat was incredibly tender and had a nice smoky flavor. It was covered in a nice coleslaw that was fresh tasting, not too watery and had a surprising addition of peas (which I didn't realize I liked until trying). The potato salad was great, and recommendable. Not soggy, with just the right amount of zest. The mac and cheese was simply that, tasted like a creamier version of Velveeta shells and cheese with the addition of pepper. If you are craving mac and cheese you wouldn't be amiss in ordering it, but personally would try something else next time. We ordered a draft root beer which was refreshing and complimentary to the meal. Lots of bench seating outside, a nice surprise was the solid playlist in the outdoor speakers. If you are looking for BBQ in the area it's a good choice.
(4)
Dan B.

good quick service, great selection of sides but the meat is, well, average. It's just ok bbq, prolly could use a tad more smoke. But it will satisfy that bbq craving.
(3)
Ron G.

A great BBQ restaurant that never fails to satiate your crave for good barbecue. There is also a good vibe coupled with great service. If you come here, you will come back soon!
(4)
Laura R.

So my boyfriend and I stumbled upon this restaurant driving home. What a find! The baby back ribs were amazing and the bbq chicken sandwich was really tasty. Did I mention how good the side dishes were? The corn bread and the homemade mac n cheese were mouth-watering. Definitely going back. I found out they have a Thursday doggy happy hour too. We will definitely be returning!!!!!!
(4)
Jen H.

Awesome food, bar, and atmosphere. Went here 2 nights in a row when in town recently -- a little off the beaten place, but a hidden gem! Tried chopped pork sandwich, 3 meat combo, mac n cheese, baked beans -- all great. Potato salad just OK - but not a huge fan anyway. Good tap selection and great can selection. Seating downstairs, upstairs, at bar, and outside. Free peanuts while you wait! On Mondays you get a free pork sandwich with each beer you order. GO!
(5)
C S.

Outstanding. This is the best barbaque I've had in years. Their sides are also totally outrageous. I want more so baddly it hurts. The price for the sandwiches are good but the sides are expensive, but they are really good. I think all the sides are from scratch because they have great texture and taste fresh. Good prices on beers at the bar and outside area is pretty cool. Also for hot sauce people. They have a ton of hot sauces you can try. Basically most of the ones you find at those specialty stores and at fairs and stuff. On my table they had one of those ones (shark one) that most places make you sign a waver to buy. I did not see the warning on the bottle (i figured it would be bigger), I dipped a piece of pork in it and ate it. I cried, my eyes would not stop watering for like 10 minutes. IT WAS AWESOME. After the huge pain went away everything tasted better. Probably because my body thought it had died. Anyhow even with one of the most painful food experiences of my life, this was a great experience.
(5)
Windi L.

The concept of Rocklands is adorable. Between the decor and unlimited hot/bbq sauces to try, it's a winner. The food, however, is about average and for the bbq chicken Rocklands served up my pet peeve: DRY CHICKEN. :-( I service is fast and food reasonably priced. I suggest sticking to their side dishes. I was a HUGE fan of their pulled pork egg rolls and the mac and cheese a coolio, too. They also have a great selection of beers. Overall, Rocklands offers a terrific atmosphere for a group night out but chose wisely when it comes to food.
(3)
Kate T.

I cannot believe I lived in Arlington for two years and never came to Rocklands. I went there for lunch with some coworkers today, finally!! I have been meaning to come for so long, and I'm sooo glad I did! There is nothing better than real BBQ. We all had the pulled pork sandwhich, I had the baked beans and corn pudding. Yum! I was starved and this hit the spot (enough for lunch AND dinner). We took the food to-go, it was ready within 5 min of ordering which was awesome seeing that Rocklands is off the beaten path of Arlington. I like the decor a lot, it has a rustic-hip look. Can't wait to go back, bringing my parents and bf next time!
(4)
James B.

In Memphis, I'd give Rocklands 3 stars, but we're in DC and the BBQ choices are limited.
(4)
Sarah S.

I'm a tough critic when it comes to BBQ. After all, I do hail from the great state of Texas - home to some of the best brisket and sausage in the country. But, what can I say, living in DC I have learned to enjoy pulled pork and smoked chicken....which Rocklands does pretty nicely. The meat is juicy and tender and the buns used for the sandwiches are rockin'. The side items are also great, especially the red beans and rice (with some house-made hot sauce added) and mac-n-cheese. Hell, if you are a BBQ snob like myself, but you really need a fix, Rocklands won't disappoint!
(3)
S R.

The owner reached out to me in regards to my review, so I decided to give them another chance. The chicken was better this time. I will make a few suggestions - maybe add a kick to the bbq sauce, some seasoning to the batter for the fried okra, and use a white cheddar for the mac & cheese. The service is very good, and the staff is great. Zack was very kind to me and offered me a complimentary draft beer.
(3)
Dave B.

I live right down the street from these guys. I drive past it every morning on Washington Blvd, I love to smell the food cooking early in the morning! I am a BBQ nut. But this place is a good fix for a location that does not know how to BBQ. I have been here over 10 times but that is because I live close and it is the only "decent" place around. This weekend my wife and I went and I got the Pearl which is a container that has beans, mac n' cheese, pork and bbq sauce, it was pretty dang good. I was more impressed with their 4pm to 8pm Happy Hour where you can get a Shiner Bock on draft for $3. So far the place is pretty good, I give the food 3 out of 5 stars but the HH and the outside patio area bump it up to 4 out of 5 starts. Wife likes it, I like it, a lot of people like it. They have Blue Plate Specials which are pretty good, entree with two sides and a drink for $10. Give it a go if you are in the area. (Fried okra is a great treat for a Texas boy).
(4)
Keith R.

As a native Syracusan, I know barbeque from the "our region didn't natively have it, so the version that we have is fusion and particular." I've had just about every type of 'cue you can imagine, and I love good contemporary stuff. Rocklands knocks it out of the park for consistency, flavor, and menu. Quality of meat is above average, service has always been great (for a slingin' joint), and I can't speak highly enough about the value. I love the place and can't recommend it highly enough.
(5)
Masha K.

Let me preface this review by saying that I don't even like BBQ. Seriously. I have tried many times and always hated it. I ordered Rocklands for a catered office lunch of 30 because people wanted it. The whole catering process was easy, fast, they worked with my budget (thanks Cindy!) and the delivery was on time. Logistics aside, I decided to give it a shot. And as of this moment, I am masticating my 2nd helping of lunch. Their pork is delectable and their salad is refreshing. Everyone was also a fan of the mac and cheese. And as far as the leftovers...well there were no leftovers :) My only quip is that I wish the food was a bit more warm when it arrived. But thats it!
(4)
Greg F.

I've been meaning to write a review about my experience at Rockands earlier this week...to put it briefly, they totally knocked it out of the park. While the place was busy, me and my buddy headed over to the bar and ordered some beers from the friendly barkeep while we pondered the menu. We ordered the pork eggrolls to start and I ordered the 3 meat combination as my main course. While our food was coming out, the manager Will stopped by the bar and asked us if we wanted any hot sauce- we obviously said yes, and then the magic happened. Will brought over his personal hot sauce recommendations and we tried a bunch of different meat/sauce combos. The chopped pork was solid, but the hot sauce made it really darn good. After a couple more beers, and a glass from their surprisingly solid whiskey selection, we decided to double down and order a Rocklands Pearl "to go". The next day I couldn't have been more pumped about the decision. Baked Beans layered with mac and cheese and covered with chopped pork...I ate it for lunch and dinner and wish I had another. Thanks again Rocklands for totally exceeding my expectations and a special thanks to their friendly staff. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Joseph B.

This place is great. One chopped pork sandwich and fries will fill you up for an entire afternoon...just dont expect to be very active after you eat it. Chili heads will appreciate this place because of the wide variety of hot sauces that are available. Everytime I come here I smother my sandwich in some sauce that claims to come hell or another unworldly place, then I usually enjoy the remainder of my day occupying the men's room at work. No matter the side effects of my own hot sauce over dose, this place is a hit.
(4)
Claire C.

Delicious! Ordered carry out tonight and had the chicken sandwich, corn bread, and Mac and cheese. Hit the spot! Chicken was tender and the corn bread was unbelievable!
(5)
Karen S.

My favorite time to come to Rocklands is on Monday nights. If you order a beer at the bar it comes with a free pork sandwich. Probably the greatest deal known to man. Otherwise I usually get the pulled pork or brisket sandwiches. The ribs and wings look good but I have yet to try them. The sides complement the barbeque well. You can't go wrong with coleslaw and baked beans. The patio is nice for warm nights, but the inside has a good atmosphere as well. Each table is well stocked with a plethora of different hot sauces which are fun to try. Don't miss the house made barbeque sauce bubbling away in the big cauldron by the soda machine!
(4)
Ryan D.

My rating doesn't suggest I will not go back, but if I didn't live right around the corner (2min walk) from it then I wouldn't recommend it if you have to travel a great distance. That's only if you don't have any other options. I'm from NC so maybe my taste in BBQ is a lot different than many of the others. I've only tried the pork sandwiches (sliced and chopped) and over time after it's move from the location with Carpool, it seems it's become a roll of the dice... sometimes it's great but others you're thinking "Eh!". I'll try some of the other foods people have recommended and hope for the best. It would really suck to have a place so close to home not really be worth going to. Edit 5/8: I tried the beef brisket earlier last week and it was better. Then last night I had the Chicken & Ribs (your choice of 2 sides) and I really enjoyed it. It is something I would definitely go back for. Great with a side of sauce to dip it in. If it's consistently good... I may go more often. I'll update as/if I try another item or 2. 2/23: I completely forgot to update this. I've tried several other items and have become a regular. I typically may try whatever is on the Blue Plate Special that looks interesting and I haven't tried yet. They've always been nice and seem to remember my name and face, so that kept me coming back and giving them a chance. All I can say is give a few things on the menu a try and judge for yourself. It can' t hurt to try, right?
(3)
Mark G.

It is odd that we have so few decent BBQ places in this region, considering the proximity of Southside VA and Eastern NC. The places around here range from the disappointing to the fraudulent. I want to specifically talk about the pork BBQ sandwich at Rockland's: it has so much promise yet fails to deliver. The meat (chopped) is over-moist and strangely lacking in flavor, despite it's smokiness. What is truly offensive, though, is the slaw that tradition requires you to order with it. The slaw is bizarre, and as a complement to the BBQ, is disgusting. Imagine slaw with cubes of carrots and peas. Slaw texture should be creamy, not bumpy. Having said this, Rockland's just misses being a good BBQ place. A little more attention to the quality of the meat, a commitment to a regional BBQ style and a return to normal slaw would make a whole lot of difference.
(2)
Matt M.

Rocklands is about as good as it gets in DC...and that isn't saying much. Once you've been to the best bbq joints in Texas, KC and Memphis, nothing else can compare; however, DC doesn't offer that type of variety, so you have to settle with what's available. This place isn't completely awful. The beef brisket is decent, and the macaroni and cheese and corn bread is pretty good. The half rack of pork ribs I ordered weren't great, they were very fatty, and underdone. Rocklands uses a rub and sauce method, which takes away the flavor of enjoying either the rub or sauce. If you want additional sauce, you pour your own into cups. Novel approach, but a large amount of onions in the sauce is a big no-no. The sauce is watery, plain and forgettable. I can't speak for the baby back ribs or the beef ribs, but I wouldn't recommend the regular pork ribs to anyone that values great bbq. The older location by Carpool was a lot better in my opinion. I'm not sure if the ownership is different now, but the food seems different, and not for the better.
(2)
Mike C.

For my follow-up review of this restaurant, I don't have much more to say than the fact that the Three Meat Sampler was a little better than my first experience. No offense to this place, but nothing about the food really tastes that good. I still have to say, the place has a lot of character...very quaint.
(2)
Kenneth Y.

Having tried some of their pulled pork at a recent catered event and finding it halfway decent, I had mild hopes for this place -- my favorite ribs in the area happen to be at the Boulevard Wood Grill, but I hadn't been able to find much else in terms of delicious BBQ in Arlington. Rocklands failed on all accounts. Not knowing what to try (the menu is pretty packed), I went for the Belly Buster (two ribs, sausage, quarter BBQ chicken and brisket) and got it to go. The order came out pretty quickly, and I was excited when I arrived home -- the bag was huge and heavy, and when I unwrapped the foil, I was greeted with an eyeful of meat. If only it tasted as good as it looked... The ribs were easily the worst part of the meal -- dry, flavorless slabs that were painful to chew and even more painful to swallow. It's a good thing they have a vat of their house BBQ sauce up near the front, because I needed to use a good helping of it to get the ribs down. Luckily, the house BBQ sauce is rather tasty, though the vat was full of sorry-looking onions that looked like they had been reheated too many times. The chicken was only slightly better than the ribs, as it reminded me of those Tysons' frozen, pre-sauced chickens you can get at Costco (you know, those free samples that taste good when you have one bite but regret later when you end up tossing out the entire bag you were tricked into buying). Not overly dry, but not juicy either. The brisket and the ribs were probably from the same cow (or the same cook) -- tough and rubbery, requiring more sauce to go down. The sausage was probably the highlight of the meal -- decently tender and with a good amount of smoke-flavor. 2 stars for offering the convenience of quick BBQ in Arlington, good house BBQ sauce and a decent value (for the Belly Buster, although the prices for some of the other dishes seemed slightly on the high side). People here seem to be in agreement that the sides also suck, but what Rocklands really boils down to is dry, flavorless BBQ. I really wanted this place to be better, but I can't really think of a reason to ever go back.
(2)
Juanita P.

We had food delivered from Rocklands for an event at work. Everyone was really excited and the wrinkled hag in HR who ordered it said it was a really good place. I showed up with my hot sauce, ready to get it on. Unfortunately, I was let down. The food was just "ok." I found it to be really bland for BBQ. Speaking to a couple of co-workers after the event I wasn't alone. Perhaps it's just the catering part of the business that's not so great. Either way, I'm not interested enough to investigate further. I'll stick with Red, Hot & Blue or Famous Daves for my BBQ needs.
(2)
cherry h.

The ribs are pretty good here... The service is very friendly.
(4)
Kimberly S.

I knew I would have felt incomplete if I didn't have BBQ at least two times a day during Memorial Day weekend so I decided to stop by Rocklands for lunch while waiting for my dinnertime BBQ to start. Like any good yelper, I read the reviews online and Yikes You guys sure are passionate about BBQ. The reviews here lean towards BEST BBQ EVER to NEVER STEPPING FOOT HERE AGAIN. My experience lends itself more towards the best bbq ever side. There is honestly nothing to complain about here, if I had to write this review in Caveman terms I would say: Beer? Good. Meat? Good. Yum. The boy and I split the three meat platter of pulled chicken, chopped pork, and brisket with a side of fried okra and macaroni and cheese. And because we are fat we also added three beef ribs and Texas corn pudding to the order as well. We settled down on the back porch, took in some sunshine, and drank some beer while we waited our food which came out in no less than ten minutes (the food was also consumed in no less than ten minutes because it was so good). Everything we ordered was wonderfully smoky and tender. I also like the fact that they have a crock pot of their homemade BBQ sauce on site -- it tastes so much better when warm! The macaroni and cheese as someone noted was very Velveeta-like but that's my favorite type of macaroni so I did not mind one bit at all! I like to think of it as Velveeta for the grown and sexy (note, second time using that term in a yelp review this week). The fried okra was great -- reminded me of popcorn only more awesome. I would order a bucket of this if I could. Service was fast and friendly -- I won't even hold it against the manager for being a Phillies fan! Overall this is a great place to sit, relax and get your grub on with a bunch of friends. Rocklands -- in the famous words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, "I'll be back!"
(4)
Travis S.

I went to get some pulled pork for a Super Bowl party and was disappointed to find out that I didn't get a full two pounds. I am a big fan of rocklands and will continue to go but was not satisfied with this visit. The service was nice and the manager was extremely personable and helpful.
(2)
Rebecca C.

Came here to meet a friend for lunch who works in the area and was very impressed by the food. The manager was super nice and said if we didn't like the fried okra he would be happy to trade it in for something else. Well, he needen't have worried since we ate every last bite. The mac'n'cheese was also a major hit. The lemonade tated fresh-squeezed and I actually had seconds. Now the important part: the meat. The meat was good. Definitely not the best i've ever had, but really solid BBQ, especially for the area. The pulled pork was the best, and the chicken was really good. The ribs were huge, but not my favorite item. The portions are big, so know that, but really the food is worth the price no question. I recommend checking it out if you're in the mood to eat.
(4)
Tony M.

Food was good. Mac and cheese had a nice peppery taste to it that i really liked. The meal was just Overpriced for the small portions. Cool antique artifacts. Free peanuts were nice. And fun Lollypops with a cricket in them for just a buck.
(2)
Maury C.

Just had BBQ from the Arlington store the other night and it was excellent -- definitely the best I've had in the Washington area. Sides are great too. We had the coleslaw, corn pudding, and red beans & rice. Service was friendly and fast. Love this location!
(5)
Ryan S.

Can't say it's really the best BBQ I've ever had, but it sure works for me! I generally get the BBQ chicken sandwich, fries, and macaroni. Healthy? No...but who eats BBQ to be healthy? Always a pleasure when the owner brings around free samples of beer and clears your plate for you. Service at its best!
(4)
Emily H.

I can't think of a better place in the DC/VA area for barbecue. Any time my extended family gets together we get Rocklands take out/catering. The pulled pork is my favorite...well so is the Mac and cheese. An easy second favorite is the jalapeÃ±o cornbread. For a girl that's not too into spicy foods, this cornbread is sweet, delicious and has the perfect kick. I've always loved Rocklands and frequent the Arlington location often. The management and staff is great! They really know their stuff!
(5)
Joshua W.

I'm no BBQ snob, but about once every couple months I have a craving for grilled meat dipped in sweet spicy BBQ sauce. Rocklands satisfied that craving and impressed me with the quality. The restaurant is really nice and spacious and their selection of spicy sauces is awesome. If you like unsweet iced tea they had some kind of mint tea or infusion which was delicious.
(4)
Jordan L.

Whoever gives this place lower than five stars is nuts! They're awesome and friendly, and their brisket is beautifully smoked with a slight satisfying crunch on the outside. I love this place. I wish I could smell this place all day. Go. It's the best BBQ I've had.
(5)
Andy C.

I really want to like this place, but it's just not that good. Went for what will probably be my final time the other week. When I think BBQ I think satisfying portions, this place doesn't offer them. All their dishes are pretty pricey and scant on BBQ. The sides are good, but let's be honest, no one goes to a BBQ restaurant for the sides. I ordered the 3 meat combo. The chicken was...well BBQ chicken, not bad, but not inspiring either. The brisket was dry and overcooked. The chopped pork was a little on the dry side and bland. For the money, make the trip into DC and go to Hill Country. Their brisket is better by an order of magnitude and you'll get your money's worth in satisfying BBQ.
(2)
Gus M.

A better BBQ is hard to find - it's pretty awesome. The bartending staff are quirky but helpful and fast. If you're looking for a quiet night out ... Not here - at anytime of the day. TVs, music, clientele ... It's crazy loud. BBQ is great though. Stay away from beef ribs - VERY fatty but the baby back and spare are great. They also have a TON of hot sauce to try but last two times I went all I could find were habanero based ones which is painful - why do people do that? I love me some hot food but seriously ... ouch.
(4)
Kristin P.

This is a great place to come in, relax and enjoy good barbecue and feel like you're really treating yourself to a good meal or feast like I like to call it! I really enjoy the chicken and spare ribs plus the selection of sides that are not only very tasty, but help you to cleanse your palate between tasty bites of entree. After eating there you get a satisfying feeling of fullness because the food always seems to hit the spot! Two weeks ago while visiting Rocklands, I had the best spare ribs of my life!! They were so tasty that they did melt in your mouth! The employees are also very welcoming and friendly. Nice work!
(4)
Michelle H.

Didn't even eat there. Tried to go in for the first time. My husband and I recently moved here from Atlanta and heard the food here was good. It was a Monday and they were packed. The bartender was AWFUL and we couldn't even order beer or food. Supposed to be a free sandwich with any beer. Noticed they were slider sized. So disappointed on this experience and will NEVER go again. It's a shame Bc we live in ballston. Seriously though, DO NOT waste your time.
(1)
Angela M.

What is not to love about a place with awesome food, a fantastic atmosphere, and specials everyday? This is one of our local favorites!!
(5)
Sean S.

It's ok. Nice staff, nice place but the BBQ is just ok. I would agree with some of the other reviews. It's really hard to find great BBQ in the area and I would go back here mostly because the options are so limited.
(3)
Kevin G.

Perhaps I'm spoiled. I don't claim to be a BBQ aficionado, but I do enjoy BBQ and I feel I'm... somewhat qualified. (I say that with confidence.) First let me describe my ideal BBQ: Outsides of the meat can be a bit dryer as long as it's black and smokey. The inside should be moist and flavorful, but not overly oily, or overly watery. And the outside and inside parts are hand-pulled (or fork is fine too) and mixed up so you get those smokey, rich black bits in among the flavorful, tender inside meat strands. This should be the same whether brisket or pork. Fat should be super soft and tender and bursting with flavor. Oh... and a choice of sauce. I love me a mustard BBQ sauce with some heat. No sweet mixed in. And no bun because I'm 4HB slow-carb style. To some of you my description might sound familiar... and yes, I do eat at the Carnivore BBQ truck all the time. Did you know they have a coupon? $1 off your order, boom. Check their website. So that's basically my point of comparison. At Rocklands I ordered chopped pork (why not "pulled"?), brisket, and the cole slaw. I don't get frilly with my BBQ and there are only two baked beans in the world that I like and I didn't even feel like testing them here (in case you're wondering: the PORC truck has the best BBQ beans ever, but Carnivore BBQ's beans are still very good and a close 2nd). I prefer Carolina style slaw (vinegar-base) but this slaw was pretty good. A strong black pepper presence (which I liked) and fresh and crunchy cabbage and other veggie morsels. The brisket was easily the worst part. Sliced paper thin (not sure that's really necessary) and not that flavorful or tender. I wonder if it's sliced so thin to compensate for it not being that tender to begin with? Maybe, maybe not. Fat wasn't all that soft. I almost didn't want to finish it, even though I was still hungry at the end of my meal. I did though, because I was still hungry at the end of my meal. Go figure. The pork was very... watery. Almost like it was too moist. Real wet, ya know? Seemed like maybe it was a little more lean and so the juices were more watery than fatty (and a little fatty is a good thing). That's just conjecture on my part, I don't really know that much about cooking pork. Other than my homemade slow cooker pulled pork is pretty f***in' bangin'. B) ^---a little cool-guy sunglasses emoticon for ya Each came in a tiny clear plastic... "bowl" (more like the bottom of a take-out container) that I had to hold with one hand because otherwise as I tried to eat its contents with a fork it would slide around on the table. I've seen some pretty funny cat videos on the Internet that are based on this very same premise. Each came with a little bloop of sauce right in the middle. Not enough to cover all the meat, just like a little bloop. I like a little more sauce on my BBQ, but I didn't really feel like asking for more of their sauce. It was pretty vinegary, kinda tart but savory... but I guess just not my style. It had lots of flavor, but that flavor was not mouthwatering to me... if that makes sense to you. They have a wall of 100+ hot sauces for you to use but I kinda got over that whole novelty after my 4th brunch bloody mary bar. Who knows how long they've been there and in my experiences most hot sauces taste pretty much the same and aren't that unique or that good compared to any other, typically destroying the complexity of the flavor by overdoing the heat. (Baron West Indian Hot Sauce, as well as Nando's Peri Peri, being exceptions to this rule.) The environment was most certainly interesting. We were there on a Friday night around 8 pm. At first there were many like us, in to grab some BBQ and maybe a beer or two with friends. Some folks were picking up to-go orders. We lucked out and found two open seats at the bar and sat down. The bustle of the busy hours died down and thereafter my friend and I felt like strangers in a community all its own. Not that we felt unwelcome, but it seemed as though everyone else hanging around the bar area knew each other. Folks seemed to know other folks' names and the bartender, RJ, knew them all like old friends. Speaking of RJ, he's a great personality to have behind your bar. Very personable guy, very easy to talk to. A real natural bartender. I swear, the "talkability" of a bartender or a barber/hairdresser can really make or break an establishment. Conclusion: I don't think I'd go back. Cool little place but the food didn't win me over. But again, I could be spoiled because the Carnivore BBQ truck is f***ing amazing and I work near Union Station so I sometimes have it for lunch anywhere from 2-4 times a month. It's that good.
(2)
Alex O.

Barbecue is insanely polarizing, and often provokes extreme opinions like nothing outside of religion and politics. For many, many, many folks, there is no such thing as good-but-nothing-great barbecue. It's either amazing or the worst thing someone has ever eaten. If it's not the best barbecue they've ever eaten, then many folks would sooner die of starvation than eat a bite of the offending meat. I tend to try and hold myself to a more rational mindset and keep in mind that even decent-but-nothing-great barbecue is better than a lot of food out there. However, even I can be a bit irate, and no better example can be found than in my scathing take on Rocklands in Rockville...which, I might add, I still stand by. That being said, I heard from enough people that I really needed to give the location in Arlington a try, so, before heading over to Lyons Park for an afternoon of playing bluegrass at an open jam, I stopped by Rocklands to fortify my hung-over self with beer, barbecue, and perhaps a new opinion of the local chain. Based on my Rockville experience, I had low expectations, but the exterior of the Arlington spot has always seemed pretty cool, and the scent of wood smoke as I got out of my car made me optimistic. All I had was the pork sandwich and the collards, but I gotta say that it was like a totally different restaurant. The pork was heaping and overflowing the pillowy soft bun. The meat was flavorful, moist, tender, and almost perfectly smoky. None of those things could be said about my pork in Rockville. Even the house sauce, which I hated in Rockville, was radically better at the Arlington location. The fact that the collards were also perfect sealed the deal. An unwritten rule of BBQ joints (or really any restaurant) is that they can always have a bad day, so I'm sure some Yelpers have indeed had worse meals than I was served. However, I can smoke the hell out of a pork shoulder and have nearly a dozen BBQ joint reviews on Yelp, and I can tell you, this is the best pulled pork I've had in DC. This will easily be my pre-CABOMA eating spot before the semi-weekly Lyons Park bluegrass jams, so I'll be interested to see whether in future visits they can keep up the quality I experienced this sunday, both in terms of pulled pork and other meats I look forward to trying.
(4)
Paul M.

Northern Virginia is in many ways where the South ends. In 1865, it was quickly occupied by Union troops and today it seems it is still occupied by Northerners. That makes Southern accents rare and good Southern food rarer. Barbecue--something Virginia isn't particularly known for--is practically non-existent in NoVa. That makes Rockland a bit of a find. Whatever your standards are for barbecue, you have to admire their drive for authenticity. I had the beef brisket sandwich with a side of collard greens and baked beans. My brother had the chopped pork sandwich with mac & cheese and potato salad. All the meat was smokey and delicious. The potato salad was also a definite winner. The total for two ended up around $25. With prices like that, how can you complain?
(4)
Nickie S.

This is hands-down one of the best barbecue restaurants I've ever been to!!! I am a native from Alabama !!! so I know what good barbecue is all about !!! what I absolutely love the most is the twist on the cornbread it's sweet but also has tiny bits of jalapeÃ±o. Which is an awesome treat and different experience to the normal plan corn bread Im custom to from living in the South. I absolutely love it!!!!! I say there cornbread is a family favorite!!! Secondly the chopped pork sandwich! Which is the BOMB!!! I also need to mention the staff!!!! They are extremely friendly and warm, very welcoming!!! Something you don't find in DC every day! This again is something I'm accustomed too from living in Alabama! Everyone is very kind and very attentive to the needs of the customer! I visit here regularly to get my southern fix!!! Love Rockland's barbecue!!!!!! Sincerely Nickie xoxo
(5)
Keith P.

Tuesday 7:00 PM - 1 person. Visiting the area for business, Rockland's was recommended to me by a co-worker. I sat at the bar which was fairly full - some people eating, some drinking. The food was good - got the meat trio (chicken, pork, brisket) and I highly recommend the corn pudding! The bbq sauce was unique to me and had a sour kick to it, which may be normal for this area - not sure. The beer selection was average. The staff was fine, not great or enthusiastic. The environment was OK - the bar was cluttered, but they do have outdoor picnic tables for nice weather. I would have no problem going back, but would also like to try some other bbq joints in the area.
(3)
Dan D.

I really wanted to like this place. I will give it for appearance and smell. The place looks great. The bar is cool looking. But... The food is not good at all. No smoke flavor and the sauce is runny. Sorry...
(1)
Jessica K.

great place for lunch! got the brisket sandwich with a side of the greens and watermelon. The brisket sandwich itself was really good, the meat was soft, juicy, and flavorful. I could have gone without the greens, they were not my favorite so I barely touched it.
(3)
Deena H.

This place is amazing. Holy goodness. The potato salad, the ribs, the sides , all delicious. The ribs don't have enough sauce on them but you can get a side of it and just dip to your hearts content I'm too full to write any more.
(5)
Yuchen Z.

First time I've had BBQ at Rocklands. It's a good solid BBQ place. They have a nice laid back, BBQ, no frills vibe. It has a simple menu with different sizes of meat and a burger or two you can try. Peanuts on the tables for everyone to share. I came here on Tuesday for their Half price burgers.... it was a pretty amazing deal-I think it was like $3 for the burger that I got. Amazing. The food was delicious-highly recommend the corn pudding and the potato salad. I sat at the bar and ate with my friend. Def. a nice chill place to be. I gotta come back here for the real BBQ next time.
(4)
Pegah Y.

This review is for the Rocklands BBQ food truck, which visited the Port City Brewing Company in Alexandria, VA last week. I will solely review the food. This restaurant has been on my bookmarks list for a while and I've seen it mentioned on "Best BBQ places in Virginia" lists on food blogs, so I was really excited the food truck was visiting the Port City Brewing Co on the same day we did a brewery tour there. I ordered the brisket (of course!) With a side of coleslaw and my fiancÃ© ordered the chicken bbq dish. Both were delicious and that brisket was pretty juicy. My only qualm was that the bbq sauce on it sort of smothered the taste of the brisket itself. I like the juiciness of brisket and believe it can stand alone if it is cooked the right way. But nevertheless, I did like the sauce and the portion was perfect for reasonable prices. I also went back and got a side of mac n cheese for both my fiancÃ© and I and we also really enjoyed that - so creamy and delicious. I would highly recommend Rocklands BBQ and would love to visit the restaurant itself in the future.
(4)
Jenny L.

My first foray into BBQ culture and I'm a fan! I like the Three Meat Platter, especially the brisket. My favorite sides are the fried okra and the mac n cheese -- you can't go wrong with those sides!
(4)
Taran W.

I absolutely love the food here. It is very fresh & yummy & feels like a home-cooked meal. The staff are very friendly & the space is clean. I adore their cornbread & I will go there after work just to get some & I always leave craving more of that delicious cornbread w/ little jalapeÃ±o bits. Mmmm's & Nom Nom's galore!
(5)
Bob T.

Really good BBQ. This is my first visit since they moved to their "new" location. I think that was about 10 years ago. The first thing that struck me was the compelling Barbeque aroma that reached into the parking lot. The second thing that struck me was how little parking they have now. The third thing I noticed was the limited size of their dining room which could justify the parking lot situation. But, having parked my car and made it inside I figured it was time to eat. The food is better than the last place. (It wasn't that good back then and why I haven't been back in so long.) I had the Chicken and Ribs with a refreshingly cold beer. The chicken was moist without being greasy and tasty. The ribs were a bit on the chewy side with the meat falling off their bones. That's exactly how I like them. I would have preferred a bit more sauce cooked into them. However, there's plenty available for pouring so it's not totally bad.
(4)
Alfredo F.

The best BBQ ribs I ever had, amazing place to have fun with family and friends. The best customer service I'm so excited to visit again
(5)
Chan T.

I wish there was something less than one star I could rate this place. I'm not quite sure why everyone is raving about this BBQ joint. It was rated as one of DC's best BBQ places?!?! That is complete insanity to me. For starters, the people who worked there all seemed miserable and to hate their jobs. I got off of work early, so I was dealing with a 3pm crew. Not that everyone is constantly happy, lets be real it is after all work, but a "thank you" or "have a good day," hell I would even settle for a smile; none of which occurred. Secondly, the brisket here is quite possibly the worst brisket I have ever consumed in my life. To be fair I did live in the South and Austin, TX for a brief while, but honestly one of the worst briskets ever. It was soaked in sauce to the point where you couldn't even tell what type of meat it was and the texture was abysmal. The sad chicken was soaked in this sauce as well to the point where it was difficult to tell the chicken and the brisket apart. I could go on forever about how dissatisfied I am with this BBQ place but I will just leave it with a basic "never going there again." DCist, get your ratings together!
(1)
Skip S.

Last night's carry out was disappointing. More than once, we have not received either a correct or a complete order, and last evening was not an exception. We ordered a full rack of baby back spare ribs, please other items . While most of the order was correct, we discovered when we got home with our 8 guests that we were given a half order of beef ribs. Then, of the ten pieces of corn bread, six were molded. We have been disappointed more than once with Rocklands, but this time - moldy corn bread - is not acceptable and is beyond belief. By the way we tried to call today to register a complaint but were put on "perpteual hold" when they heard about what we were calling. Sorry,no more Rocklands for us.
(1)
Yasmine B.

As a frequent patron of Rocklands, I inevitably found myself driving there after a game of tennis. My partner who is the carnivore in the family comfortably ordered the ribs, but feeling more health conscious that day, I ordered the veggie sandwich. It was AAAMMAAAZZING!!! No lie - I went back to the counter where I had ordered the food from and told the servers there. 'Surprise' does not even define what I tasted when I bit into it. That was the best veggie sandwich I have ever had. Smothered in decadent BBQ sauce, and seared with grill marks, the vegetables just took on a totally different flavor from anything I had had elsewhere. And even my partner wanted more of mine. The only one thing I would suggest is to substitute string onions for the celery sticks as the latter are a tad hard to bite into when they are part of a sandwich. Can you imagine? I will be very happily going back to Rocklands - for the veggies? So glad I discovered this!
(4)
Tamer A.

Delicious meat and delicious sides; what more do you want? We were in a big group so ended up trying lots of stuff. The beef ribs were succulent and large, though a couple of bones were more fat than meat (like a chunk of fat, not the marbling). I like that they didn't put too much sauce on there; you can always add more sauce if that's what you like. The whole chicken was moist and flavorful. The pit beef was delicious-it was my first time. The brisket was, flavor-wise, excellent, but I prefer it to be cut a little thicker. And with both the pit beef and the brisket, I would have preferred to see them served dry without the sauce, and we could add what we want. Potato salad: earthy. Cole slaw: crunchy. Okra: fresh. All: delicious. The collection of hot sauces is pretty darn good too-vicious viper was delicious, but aptly named: it is vicious. Not 100% sure if there are lots of different barbecue sauces available too-I didn't need any so didn't look. Finally, the ambience is really nice, with a nice patio outside with long tables where if it's crowded you might end up eating with strangers (& many smaller tables too). A nice general family feel is what I got from it, which is what barbecue is all about. Will visit again soon.
(4)
Tamar N.

It is not often that I take time to write a review-negative or positive. But the way Rocklands treats its brisket is just criminal. I ordered a half pound. What I got was over-sauced, over-cooked lunch meat. The meat was basically boiled in sauce. Who likes boiled beef? No one I know. Who likes beef boiled in a bbq sauce that lacks in almost every way? No one ever. Period. I could tell the brisket wasn't cooked at a low enough heat, and if it were cooked at the correct heat, it wouldn't have been cooked long enough. To make things worse, the brisket wasn't cut correctly-hence lunch meat, instead of fall apart, crispy ends, tender brisket. To add insult to injury, they included with my boiled beef lunch meat EVEN MORE of that horrible "bbq sauce." DO NOT ORDER THE BRISKET HERE IF YOU KNOW WHAT BRISKET IS SUPPOSED TO TASTE LIKE.
(1)
Carter M.

Some of the best BBQ I've ever had. I went to Rockland's for the second time today and came away so satisfied with my meal that I had to write about it. I was absolutely sated. It was the perfect amount of food, the perfect combination of food groups and the perfect combination of flavors. My chopped pork sandwich was tender, and after I topped it off with some barbecue sauce from their big heated barbecue sauce crock (the one that stews with onions on the condiment counter), it was the perfect combination of sweet and savory. I put some hot sauce on my collard greens with bacon and they just popped. My Texas corn pudding made for a perfect dessert. The weather was nice so we ate outside on the picnic tables--my first taste of summer living after a long, hard winter. Great meal.
(5)
Rachael B.

Decent bbq. Not the best I've ever had, but it hits the spot when I have a craving. The portions are generous. Sandwiches overflow with meat and the ribs are huge. Their collard greens are some of my favorite anywhere! I also like the red beans and rice. The mac and cheese was a big disappointment though. Its one of my favorite sides, but I couldn't even finish it here. The cheese was goopy and artificial-tasting, and whoever seasoned it went way overboard with the pepper.
(3)
Gwen B.

We ordered Rockland's for pick up after my husband had tried it at a birthday party and we were in the mood for some BBQ. There were a lot of mixed reviews but we decide to give it a try anyways. We ordered the following items to share: -1lb beef brisket -1lb chopped pork -a pint of coleslaw My husband has tried the pulled chicken and didn't really like it so we skipped that. When ordering, we debated whether to order less than a pound (which would've had an extra $1 surcharge per item) but 1lb of meat SOUNDED like a lot more food than it actually turned out to be. We were able to finish 3/4 of each item. I preferred the beef brisket while my husband preferred the pork. I would've liked if there was more bbq sauce included, all they provided was a small container. The cost for these three items was $43 or so which was expensive considering the amount of food. I know a lot of people have talked about their meals here being slightly overpriced so it's a common feeling. Overall it was a decent meal but nothing particularly special. We would be more likely to try another BBQ spot next time. However note that there is some good outdoor seating which would be nice for summer days and it would be a fairly family friendly atmosphere.
(3)
Dick F.

Had the 3 meats platter..it was terrible and the BBQ sauce tastes very sour The coleslaw was pretty much tasteless and the apple pie tasted like it was made w uncooked apples The only good things were the baked beans and collard greens and they were just average Even their root beer tasted like it was watered down after all the ice melts I would never try this place again
(1)
Laura S.

Much, much better! Yay Rocklands! Amazing 3 meat platter with cole slaw and side of fruit. It hit the spot even though it's 90 degrees in September. Chicken, brisket and pork bbq all in one plate! Get some extra sauce from right next to the soda fountain. Indoor and outdoor seating!
(4)
Stephen K.

This is definitely one of the better bbq joints in the area, especially if you are a fan of KC style sweet bbq sauce. I don't believe they have a variety of success which is definitely a drawback to some if you're looking for North Carolina, Texas or Memphis style sauces. The thing that set this one apart for me were the sides. They have some of the better sides I've tried at bbq joints in the D.C. area. Also the staff was extremely helpful and friendly. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Shirley G.

They catered my daughters wedding in June. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. There was a major storm during the tented outdoor event and the staff handled the situation wonderfully!
(5)
Ashley R.

The boy was craving BBQ on Sunday morning after we went to church down the street. I had never been to Rockland's before and was very impressed. I have had some good BBQ in my life and I would say this is one of the best places in the area - although we could use a few more BBQ places. We sat at the bar - lots of beers on tap and in cans. Cool looking place that was pretty packed. Large variety of meats and sides. I had the pulled chicken sandwich with a large order of fried okra. The boy had the belly buster - sausage, half a chicken, brisket and two ribs. He mixed the BBQ sauce and hot sauce that is located by the soda fountain and that was amazing. I added lots of extra BBQ sauce to mine. I wish there was a little more flavor in their sauce, but honestly enjoyed the whole meal. Everyone that worked there was very friendly and nice. We will be back!
(4)
R W.

Low marks based on the behavior of their food truck, which parks outside of other restaurants in the Courthouse neighborhood that have outdoor seating. Naturally, the people buying food from the truck sit at the other restaurants' tables and often leave their mess. I saw this happen today. Mind you, Rocklands has a brick and mortar restaurant, so they should really treat their fellow restaurant owners better. Shame on them. Edit: the owner got right back to me and said he would address the issue. Modified my rating to 4 stars - good attitude and good sandwiches.
(4)
Clint C.

It smells like a smokehouse as you enter. Unfortunately, none of that smoke penetrates the meat they're supposedly smoking. small portions and bland sauce. I have friends that like what they offer, so maybe my experience was a fluke. Until I try again and it's better, my rating will stand.
(2)
Jamil K.

Order "the pearl" and you won't regret it! You can even customize it with bbq pulled chicken or brisket (which I always do), or substitute the baked beans with mashed potatoes or collard greens. It comes in a conveniently resealable container, in case you want to safe some for a snack later. This is my favorite Rockland's location. The management and staff are super friendly-- always going around chatting with customers and letting them try out samples (if you get there early on weekdays).
(5)
Jihad B.

Perhaps I've been spoiled with good barbecue since my previous visit, but Rocklands has managed to disappoint me once again, and this time with style. I had the Grilled Italian Sausage and Onions sandwich, Beef Brikset Sandwich, and a Honey Jalapeno Cornbread. How something can be named Honey Jalapeno Cornbread and still not be appetizing is depressingly impressive. I had my order for carry out since I was hung over and lazy, perhaps that was the reason the sausage was lukewarm. However, it was the best thing I had here, and considering this is a barbecue place and I had ordered brisket the sausage should be lowest on the totem pole as far as dishes are concerned. The brisket was dry and flavorless. My roommate had The Belly Buster and I've never seen the 6'3 280lb guy so upset with 4 different kinds of meats. Perhaps I'm missing something here. Maybe I did something to piss off the owner and he remembers me? Maybe I come at the wrong times? I don't know, I just don't see how anyone can find this appealing. In contrast, I've had Sweet Fire Donna's in Alexandria and Rocklands makes that place look like Kansas City itself.
(1)
John M.

I have loved BBQ my whole life. It is a passion for me. Out of all the BBQ that I have eaten in my life, I have never had a pulled pork sandwich like the Rocklands chopped pork sandwich. The fact that it is chopped seems to add a flavor of richness that is indescribable. The BBQ sauce on the pork was perfectly complimented by the coleslaw they generously topped it with. The rest of the BBQ is quite good as well. The ribs were very succulent and the sweet/spicy sauce really did well with the rub on the meat. Finally, the service was excellent. Even though it is a walk up order counter, the manager, Will, checked on me constantly and made sure that I was happy with everything. All in all, I will definitely be back, especially because the chopped pork is truly amazing.
(5)
James S.

I must first say that the owner contacted me directly after my first poor review. He provided a very sincere apology and noted that my original experience was unacceptable and had been discussed with staff. He also provide me with a gift-certificate and invited me to return. Overall, an excellent and appreciated response. I have now been back to Rocklands many times. Hosting a team happy hour there, getting take out a few times, and even having dinner in house. The food has been substantially improved from what I experienced during my first visit however, the BBQ does not blow me away. I still have run into instances here and there where the meat has been a bit overdone or overly smoked. However, for the most part, the food is consistently executed. I prefer my ribs "wet" and a sweeter sauce so YMMV. I do appreciate the fried okra (hard to find) and most recently the "pork eggrolls", as a special, were very tasty. Overall, Rocklands is a laid-back place that is a good spot for some casual comfort food and a few drinks with friends.
(3)
Kevin L.

We have the foodtruck ThaiMachine and my wife brought home some of your barbecue that was as good as any I have eaten macaroni and cheese excellent potato salad excellent you guys got it down I told her trade you food anytime she can she said she had to give you bigger portions next time. I have tried barbecue from two or three different trucks and you guys I buy far the best keep up the great work look forward to having more of it one of these days
(5)
Jenna L.

Meh. The food here was nothing special, and it's a bit expensive since it's a la carte. I got the pulled pork sandwich. There was barely any bbq sauce on it, and I couldn't find more anywhere. Thus, I was forced to dump a ton of hot sauce on my food. It's nice to have the selection of hot sauce, but, I shouldn't have to use it. At a BBQ joint, I expect tons of particularly delicious bbq sauce. Who knows, maybe as someone from the North, I have the wrong expectations. The meat its self was tender, and very smokey tasting, otherwise kind of bland. This place is casual - you order at the counter and they bring you your food. There seems to be a nice outdoor area for summer time. Honestly, I wouldn't return. Just can't see the point.
(2)
Kyle B.

Highly disappointed. Got a half a rack of ribs and they were by far the toughest ribs I've ever had. I ate a total of 1 1/2 and just couldn't handle it anymore. I threw the rest in the trash. Seriously, I don't think they understand how to slow cook meat so it literally falls off the bone. I'm not returning and don't recommend eating here.
(1)
Jam C.

This place is just OK. I find myself here whenever I am craving some BBQ because sadly there isn't any other BBQ places around. I usually get the 3 meat platter that comes with chopped pork, brisket and chicken w/ 2 sides and a bun. The chopped pork was the best tasting one, can definitely taste the smokiness in it. The chicken on the other hand is always so bland even after pouring over their own sauce. But for about $12 it's a not a bad deal. I do recommend the mac n cheese as a side. As for the cornbread, it's disappointing. Not worth paying extra for it.
(3)
Gretchen P.

I'm a big fan of Rocklands. From it's laid-back vibe and chill staff to its outdoor patio (they do Yappy Hours in the summer!) and bottomless pot of hot barbeque sauce, I really enjoy coming to this place. I've tried an assortment of their dishes, including sharing the Belly Buster (ribs, chicken, sausage, and brisket) with the manfriend, and I've enjoyed many Rocklands Pearls (a bowl with mac & cheese, baked beans, chopped pork, and bbq sauce). The meats are juicy, the barbeque sauce is tangy and zesty versus overly sweet, and the mac and cheese is the absolute bee's knees, man. My tip? Do the Rocklands Pearl but swap out the baked beans for mashed taters. You'll be in BBQ bowl HEAVEN. Prices can stack up if you're indecisive and/or love sides (like I do), so that's just something to be aware of -- it's another reason why I love the Rockland Pearl, just $6.99! It can be hard to come by good 'que in the DMV area, but Rocklands definitely stands on its own, IMO!
(4)
Casey P.

I want to like Rocklands, a good entrepreneurial story, the location is convenient, staff and service are great and friendly, there is a good bourbon selection, some great beers on draft, delicious corn pudding and mac & cheese plus a parking lot in Arlington. All signs point to great. I have never before given anyone a 1 star review because I'm a pretty easy guy to please and I always thought I would feel bad. But, and I only say this in hopes that they will fix it, after multiple trips to to make sure it wasn't a fluke or just an off day my conclusion is as follows: The meat served at Rocklands is flat out terrible. So terrible in fact that I believe it would be difficult for me to intentionally ruin good meat as badly as they do in this kitchen. I'm a big guy who rarely skips a meal or doesn't clean his plate and both trips I wound up devouring the sides and throwing more than half of the meat away. The brisket is tough and sliced awkwardly thin which I find very odd the ribs were forgettable and the only thing that was is slightly drier than the overcooked pork on my plate was the chicken. If it was up to me I would find those responsible and haul them out to the center of Virginia Square to be publicly shamed for impersonating anyone who belongs within a mile of a bbq pit. As a lover of all things meaty, smoked and spicy who has crisscrossed the country looking for the best, I suppose there has to be a worst place and out of the hundreds of BBQ places I have tried in my life there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Rocklands is that worst place when it comes to preparing meat. Eating here leaves me confused, sad and I hate that I feel this way especially about a local business who by all accounts seems to be a productive member of the community but I can not for any reason suggest that anyone but a vegetarian frequent this establishment until something changes. Because really, the staff and the Mac & Cheese are great.
(1)
Stephanie T.

Came back here again this weekend when I returned to DC, the mac and cheese was as good as I remembered. Just wanted to leave a tip to those who try the sauces on the table, the vicious viper sauce is DEADLY. I have no spice tolerance and my mouth burned for almost an hour, my friends all tried it as well, most of whom love spicy food and no one could handle it, avoid at all costs!
(4)
Sonnya B.

I don't really like BBQ & I loved this place. It's clean, funky & just yummy. Also God bless them for they have a private parking lot in Arlington. I had the lamb. It was fantaaaaabulous. They have good homemade lemonade. Lots of seating. Prompt helpful service. It also helps that I came here with my favorite ppl in the universe & we laughed & ate forever. The portions are not large so you might have to order more food. I think the portions are ok but I think ppl assume cause it's BBQ you're gonna get a ton of food. The salty sweet potato fries were so very BOMB. I wanted the bobby flay ones to be this good but they weren't. This place is great, just come already.
(5)
Kristen C.

Went here for lunch and was extremely pleased. I had the beef ribs which were delicious. The staff were very friendly and prompt. The manager even came over and had a nice chit chat with us. He told us about their pepper garden they grow annually and their hot sauce contest they have at the end of the pepper harvest. They also have a bar inside and daily drink specials. Their mint sweet tea is perfect. I highly recommend this place if you are a BBQ lover.
(5)
Refayat H.

BBQ DONE RIGHT...wow what a session! Got the beef ribs and they were delicious. The bone had just the right ratio of fat and meat. And the sauce they use is really good as well. For sides I got the coleslaw is good and the fried okra solid. The vibe is great, more casual than anything with retarded frat bros near the bar talking about Sam Adams' market share. -_- But hey, it is after all a BBQ joint. The staff is very friendly, everyone from the cash register person to the people bringing out the food were incredibly courteous and hospitable. All in all, I recommend this spot to anyone in the area craving some good bbq.
(5)
Jenna R.

Disclaimer: I just moved here from North Carolina where I lived all my life and was raised on pork BBQ. I tend to be a bit critical when it comes to BBQ. That said, this place was just okay. If there was an option for half-stars, I would say 2.5 stars, giving them the benefit of a doubt. I had the chopped pork sandwich and a side of fries for lunch. The pork was a bit on the bland side, not seasoned very well at all. You definitely need extra sauce in order to enjoy it, and maybe that's what they're counting on. If they seasoned it a bit better before smoking, it would have had a lot more flavor. The texture was also a little too moist. You don't want the BBQ to be dry, but you don't want mush, either. This was closer to the mushy side. I'd probably go back again at some point, but my quest for a good BBQ joint continues.
(2)
S. Paul L.

I really like the food here, but I have to drop them down a couple of stars. The price is pretty high and the portion sizes are incredibly stingy. I know there is going to be an increased cost because it is right outside of Clarendon, but I've been to a number of other BBQ joints in the DC/MD area and the portion sizes are much bigger and the prices are about the same; some even cheaper. When you pay 13-15 for a platter and you get 6 small slivers of bbq'ed chicken, it is a bit disappointing. I'm not sure if the portion sizes are coming down from the top or if the folks behind the line are just kind of winging it, but I just can't justify going there on a consistent basis because I leave hungry and you're not supposed to leave a BBQ joint hungry!
(3)
Jeremy T.

Being from Texas I could say that this was arguably without a doubt the best cornbread I have ever had in my life. The beef rib is something to enjoy and cherish as it is truly amazing and more like Texas BBQ then you will ever hope to find in the DC area. Also the owner is an amazingly nice gentleman a great night had by all and accommodated a wedding party to boot. Five stars from me for sure. Last and final comment they serve Shiner Bock which is a wonderful Texas beer.
(5)
Cat P.

I'm judging based on a bunch of their non-meat items. Blasphemous! Sacrebleu! How could you? Well, if they can make their other dishes this good, then I would assume that the barbecued meats must be stunners, too. My man likes their pulled pork and chicken wings a lot. A chicken wing fan girlfriend of mine also loved their wings, too. Fine, you don't have to trust me. But listen up pescetarians and lax vegetarians--there are some great options for you here. Tried and loved dishes: Mashed potatoes Mac and cheese (yum!) Baked beans Potato salad Collard greens Blackened salmon sandwich OMG, the blackened salmon sandwich is probably one of the best fish sandwiches I've ever had. I dream about it all the time. Additionally, the Arlington location has ample seating, quirky decor, and clean facilities. I never mind tagging along when Tom N. needs his barbecue fix, especially not if he's going to Rocklands.
(5)
K T.

Rocklands entire menu is delicious. Probably the best BBQ in the DC Metro area. The beef ribs melt in your mouth. Pulled pork and bbq chicken is done to perfection. Nice staff but you generally have to wait in a long line of customers. It's worth the wait!
(5)
Henry T.

The ribs and chopped pork are the best items on the menu. If you order takeout, get a beer while you wait.
(5)
Erika R.

Ok just be aware this is NOT soulfood. This is velveta Mac n cheese and ribs similar to ones that come in a TV dinner.
(2)
Jordan U.

My neighborhood BBQ joint. Love the pulled pork, not my favorite ribs. The side dishes are on point. Specials are fun and frequently change. Monday special is a free pork sandwich with a beer. Not a ton of space at the bar but it's not really a bar-centric place. Outdoor seating is great for nice days.
(4)
Tamara Y. W.

Ugh. .....my deep south upbringing is so disappointed in the LACK OF SMOKE in the baby backs I had. The vinegar-based sauce was wonderful, but I tried the ribs WITHOUT the sauce (enter deer in headlights look here). Bleh. I smelled smoke from the parking lot, but I guess that was coming from some other meat they were smoking. My ribs tasted boiled and grilled. I did get the collards and they were.. ..a little "greasy" not sure what that was from. The staff was courteous and super friendly (the reason I took the rating to 2 stars instead of one). Can't say I will run in back.
(2)
Payal P.

My husband and I were craving ribs one night and decided to Yelp a few places near us. We've always passed by Rocklands but never tried it. After reading reviews and seeing the high ratings we thought we were going to have an amazing dinner. Totally wrong! This place is not anything fancy nor is their food. You have to order at a counter and they come serve your meals in paper plates with plastic utensils. No steak knives or anything! We order baby back pork ribs and beef ribs, along with a pint of Caesar salad and Mac and cheese. Not even the sides were tasteful. The beef ribs had nothing but fat, and the pork ribs were ok but too small and not enough BBQ sauce. They have BBQ sauce in a kettle but just didn't taste the same as the little sauce we did get on the ribs. The Mac and cheese tasted like they just dumped Velveeta cheese and added spices to make it different which wasn't very appetizing. Now how can anyone go wrong with just a salad, right? Well here the Caesar salad with chicken was soggy and just tasted funny. I wouldn't recommend this place at all. I rather go to TGIFridays for some ribs. We won't be coming back here for sure.
(1)
Mojdeh S.

How I heard of this place: We walked past Rockland's numerous times; each time, making a mental note to come back for the food. Type of cuisine: "We've been serving our wood-only barbeque to loyal DC-area fans since 1990." From ribs and chicken, to a plethora of sides ranging from corn pudding to collard greens, macaroni & cheese to minted cucumber salad, pork, beef, chicken and sausage (even sold by the pound!) to a listing of delicious sweets: honey jalapeno cornbread, chocolate chip cookies, walnut brownies and a slice of pie, in our first experience, we determined that Rocklands is delicious, real barbeque. Ambiance: The stand-alone establishment is easily seen, not to be missed, as passerby find a pink-colored building with a huge, painted mural along the side facing the parking and the main entrance to Rocklands. The small, glass door with an axe for a door-handle made us so happy as we entered the cozy, wooden look of the space. The chalkboards overhead, to the right as you enter, gave way to the menu and the extensive kitchen/food preparation area. As if it wasn't enough to see the shelves of potato chips and individually wrapped-in-plastic sweet treats, menu above, the manager, Brad cheerfully called out a hearty hello! before bringing us two samples of some of Rocklands best. A grand, antique and wooden armoir sat quietly to the left of the entryway, with an endless and colorful array of bottles of hot sauce, including Rocklands own Barak Obama Hot Sauce, from shelf to shelf! Just ahead of us as we entered, we found an old cash register, jars of pickled vegetables including pearl onions and green beans, menus, and a silver bucket of shelled peanuts. We were invited to munch on the peanuts as we made our menu selections. While Samyar & Chris looked over the menu, I made my way through the large, yet cozy establishment, walls diving seating areas from each other to create more, intimate spaces. A hefty, wooden barquette just beyond the peanut gallery hosted wooden, backed seats and retro-metal stools, leading its way to the darkened bar. Continuing to the left and into the seating area, hardy wooden tables and chairs were pushed up against the side wall to create a personal space for pure dining bliss. To the far end, making our way back towards Washington Boulevard, the bright, naturally lit space not only gives patrons the opportunity to sit at the window and enjoy their finger-lickin'-good sandwiches and plates of yumminess, but also offers seating at the thick-cut-wooden tables with tons of space for elbows and the many sides that come with each plate. Anywhere you choose to sit, anything you choose to order, there are no leftovers nor any reason to complain. What I ordered: Pork Baby Back Ribs ($20.99) with two sides: Texas Corn Pudding and Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes, and a homemade lemonade ($1.79) for my husband. After receiving a generous sample of the cole slaw and the BBQ pulled pork, I was immediately sold on Rocklands. Not only was the space warm, cozy, friendly and inviting, the manager, Brad, was helpful, efficient, and informative! The food had topped my list for the best BBQ! When he offered the Three Meats Platter ($11.49) with pulled chicken, beef brisket and chopped pork with a choice of two sides, topped with a soft, yellow bun, I couldn't refuse. Sides: fennel and green pea additions to the Cole Slaw and needed to try the soft and creamy Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes. Our guest selected Three Meats Platter, with a substitution of Italian Sausage, rather than chicken (for an additional $0.60) with Cole Slaw and Macaroni & Cheese, made with real cheese. As an added bonus, Brad brought us a side of Grandma Snedden's Collard Greens, on the house. What I loved: Never having had beef brisket before, I was blown away by the ample flavor of the delicate slices of meat. The pulled pork made me actually like pork. The Italian sausage was definitely the best sausage I have ever had! The mashed potatoes were creamy and smooth, with red potato skins throughout, creating texture and flavor. The collards, too, were the best I have had, not too salty, nor overly processed, just soft, melt-in-your-mouth greens prepared in bacon fat. The ribs fell off of the bone. Never before has an entire rack of ribs left nothing to be seen on the bones, without any effort or work. They were seasoned just enough, with a light puddle of BBQ sauce down the concave middle to add sweet and tangy taste without overpowering the taste of meat. Why I loved it: From the large, painted mural outside, to the friendly service and staff, to the welcome bucket of shelled peanuts waiting to be devoured; from the food to the setting, the quirky, mismatched decor placed just so, to the artwork including a metro map of Washington, DC, everything was perfect. Nothing needs to be moved, adjusted or changed. It's pure, simple, genius. Cost: Average to high ($10-$25 per sandwich/plate)
(4)
Leeann S.

Edit: Can you please bring ribs on your truck?! :-D I only have a few food trucks in Rosslyn that I frequent and I am so adding this one any time they are here! I am down to two slices of brisket and I really don't want them to go away :( Previously, I was a fan of BBQ Country in Opal, Virginia, but their quality has gone down over the past few years. Rocklands totally hit the spot! I've been craving brisket for a few weeks and went to Smokey Bones in Fredericksburg but they were out that night. Coleslaw is pretty good, not what I expected. Had diced carrot and peas in it and it wasn't super goopy, loaded down with mayo, either. Had a nice vinegary bite. Again, brisket.. omg so good. Coworker got pork and he is in love with it. Employees were so nice and personable! Price reasonable.. My sandwich was overflowing with meat and I couldn't get my mouth around it and the cornbread was awesome. The chicken is awesome and do NOT skip on the potato salad. It's sooo good.
(4)
Richard R.

Wow, this was a big disappointment. I must say the staff was friendly and helpful. The food didn't taste bad it's just not what I would call traditional bbq. The brisket was cut thinner than most bacon strips. The pulled chicken was just grilled chicken cut into pieces. The chopped pork was ok, basically NC style. The sides were ok, nothing stood out. Anyway, love to see business flourish just not sure how this place does it with their smoked meats.
(1)
Richard C.

I was watching a re-run of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations Austin episode and it gave me a craving for BBQ brisket. Just happened I drove by Rocklands the next day and figured it was fate. So first problem was I was looking for some kind of beef brisket platter, which i couldn't find on the menu. I saw a 3 meat platter, but not a brisket platter. Well, no problem, I'll get a brisket sandwich, a couple of sides, and a fountain drink. So next problem was the price. For a brisket sandwich, 2 small sides, and a fountain drink the total was over $17. Seems a bit high, especially considering the size of the sides. I got a side o red beans and rice and a side of coleslaw. Both sides were just barely big enough to cover the side dish part of the disposable plate, which at $4.98 doesn't quite seem right. Which takes us to our biggest issue, the food itself. The sides were pretty lifeless. No flavor, just blah. Then there's the brisket sandwich. It was sliced thin, too thin. With slices that thin, you don't get a great appreciation for the full brisket flavor and texture. The brisket wasn't pull apart tender and lacked any flavor depth. So that's why they get two stars this time. I will say I do like how they have a selection of hot sauces and their beer selection seems pretty good. I'll probably go again sometime and try the bbq chicken next time, will update the review accordingly if I do.
(2)
Brian R.

We each had brisket sandwich platters. The brisket was nicely smoked, not fatty, and had some nice charred bits. Rocklands' barbecue sauce is excellent, not too sweet. The sides were all good: we had the baked beans, corn pudding, cole slaw, onion rings, and potato salad. Note: the slaw contains caraway seeds, which might be a turn-off to some. I ordered grilled scallions on my sandwich, an awesome addition. Service was prompt and very friendly. Also kudos to the free in-shell peanuts. Only downside is the very limited parking, but there is some available on the street, but it is controlled by permit M-F until 5 pm.
(4)
Kevin P.

I've been to Rocklands more times than I would like to admit. I keep coming back thinking its going to be good, and I leave always reminded that their BBQ is terrible. Overly fatty, flavorless junk. Their brisket is even worse. Their potato salad is downright offensive (seriously, can not overstate how awful it is). Unless you want the worst BBQ in the metro area, stay away.
(1)
Rich S.

Holy smoke, so glad I found this place! Ordered the smallest size of pork ribs and it was more than I could eat almost. The macaroni salad was great, and the southern style greens were perfect. I also sampled the beef rib and it was stunning...next time I come this is what I'm ordering. Besides having great food, the atmosphere is really good.
(5)
Brendan L.

Great food! Amazing. Maybe a little pricy but the management cares and makes an effort to come out and talk to the customers and ask about our food. Great arrangement of all the hot sauces you could imagine. I was sweating the whole time. The 5 star is because of the effort on the staffs part to make sure we were satisfied. Coming back for sure.
(5)
Julie W.

Second time we have tried Rocklands, and I am sorry to say that we probably won't be going back. Brisket - chewy and tough, sliced too thin, generally lacking in flavor. We commented that it could have been any part of the cow - couldn't even tell that it was brisket. Wings - not sure how this happened, but they managed to be both charred and slimy. We ate one each and threw the rest away. Collards - delicious. Cornbread - moist and very tasty. It's pretty sad when the sides are by far the best part of the meal. And it's misleading to even call this BBQ.
(2)
Alex C.

When a BBQ joint can do beef well, you know they have their smoking in order. Too many places do beef and screw it up! Here, you can find delicious juicy, melt in your mouth short ribs that don't need a drop of BBQ sauce. The pork is good too, but pork isn't a good measure when a place does beef. That said, their ribs were fall off the bone and moist; though they could've been a tad smokier. I really was hoping they had some smoked-grilled lamb, but it's really just Mediterranean spices or so on lamb that's grilled. Sides were good. As cliche as it might be, get the mac and cheese.
(5)
Ken M.

Good BBQ, nice to sit inside or outside on picnic tables. Corn pudding is great, beef brisket great, vinegar based sauce, not a sweet BBQ sauce. I'm a fan! Pork fried egg rolls are delicious with the sweet sauce on the side!!
(4)
J P.

Always good. Tried the ribs recently and they were delicious and really tender. The service is wonderful and the line moves quickly.
(4)
Bryant R.

I am a huge aficionado off BBQ. I have a goal of hitting up all the local joints in DC and VA to try to find the very best. I am pretty new to making reviews on yelp though, but will add more about the other places I have been to when I go back and the tastes are still fresh on my tongue. I tried Rockland for the first time about a week ago. I got the ribs, mac and cheese and the collard greens. Ribs are my favorite meat of choice and this place did not disappoint. They were on the sweater side and smoked. However, the color of the meat, red, was a little alarming but they were still very tasteful. I would highly recommend them. The mac and cheese, my favorite side, was nothing special though. I mean after eating the mac and cheese from Hill Country in DC, the bar has been set high for me. But the mac and cheese from rockland was just whatever. The collard green were pretty good as well. Nothing to die for however. I was also able to taste the bean salad which I thoroughly enjoyed. I gave this place three stars because the food there is good but not great. I heard a lot of good things about the place which is why I was excited to go but I did not think the food there was anything too special. I was also trying to figure out what kind of BBQ joint it was (Carolina, Texan, etc.) but could not find any indication at the restaurant or website, so I am not sure.
(3)
Ann K.

Had pulled chicken, brisket, cucumber mint salad, black bean salad, and jalapeÃ±o cornbread. Everything was moist! And the best part was that the meat food not have a lot of fat on it. Yum yum! Feel free to try one of their MANY hot sauces!
(5)
Vince R.

I've been coming here for over the past year. Good chicken and pork. Unfortunately today I got brisket and pit beef. Big negative......tons of sauce to add weight. Basically half sauce and half meat. ???? You won't get me on that one again. Debated one star.
(2)
Jonathan A.

Had lunch here while visiting my girlfriend who lives nearby. I love barbecue, and she wanted a beer, and so as we were looking through yelp, Rocklands came up. It seemed like a good fit. I got a half rack of ribs and a side of mac & cheese, she got a pulled pork sandwich and a side of fries. We both got beers from the bar and enjoyed the outdoor patio. It was great to find this sort of classic barbecue restaurant in Arlington. The meat was very respectable in terms of barbecue. A lot of times, you can go to places that claim to smoke their meat, and you're left wondering if that's true, but it's very clear that Rocklands puts a lot of careful effort into wood-smoking their meat. It was delicious, with a nice tangy sauce that complimented the smoky flavor rather than overpowering it, or being overpowered itself. All together, our meals came out to less than $30 (including a single diet coke that we split) which my girlfriend seemed to think was pretty reasonable after living in the area for several months. Two draft beers totaled $12, which is a little high, but again, not completely unreasonable. I really enjoyed Rocklands, and will probably be back one of the next times I'm in the area.
(5)
Liz C.

I decided to give this place another try. This stuff is legit. I ordered the chopped pork sandwich with a side or cornbread and I put extra BBQ sauce on the sandwich. Yum! We are outside and could even smell the smoker going. We will be back for more BBQ.
(4)
Amanda M.

Normally I would give this place a 3 but the bun was so soft and delicious and the black bean salad is AMAZING! Fun place and good BBQ deal for your money.
(4)
Jackie N.

Oh Rocklands...you don't know how happy you make George Mason Law Students! How about offering us a student discount ehhh?? Ok, it's a long shot. The location is perfectly nestled behind the school, so we can quickly rush to it to get a good lunch. The chipped pork sandwich is just delicious. Overflowing with pork that will melt your mouth, on top of a simple potato-like bun. It is hands down my most favorite pork sandwich anywhere! I drown it in their BBQ which comes with sweet onions. We also got fries, which the BF ate them up, coleslaw, which was yummy-licious, and macaroni salad,which hit the spot. On Mondays you get a free pork sandwich with purchase of a beer. You really can't go wrong!
(4)
Sandy T.

Went there for the first time and ordered carryout. I had no idea what to order so I asked for recommendations. I have mix feelings about this restaurant. Love the service provided; my cashier was such a sweetheart and attentive to my needs. Definitely did not like the venue too much and parking was terrible! After circling around their parking lot for 10 minutes, I decided to park my car right in front of the smelly dumpsters because there were literally not a single open spot. It was pretty hectic. The interior of the restuarant was hot, smelly, and dirty. My food however, was ready within 5 minutes, so that was a plus! Speaking of mixed feelings, there were some items on the menu that were excellent and others that was sort of disappointing. The cashier recommended their beef brisket sandwich that was really good! Super tender. I also ordered a rack of their baby back ribs that were 'okay'. Meat was a bit on the dry side. The sides had to be my favorite. Definitely order their corn pudding! It was mouthgasmic!
(3)
Pat H.

As a longtime customer of the original Rocklands in Glover Park, I was happy to finally visit the Rocklands location in Arlington last week. To preface my familiarity with the company, Rockland's vinegar based "original bbq sauce" has been a staple in my fridge for the last few years and I have also dabbled with their blackening rub (great for seasoning chicken) and chipotle global warming sauce (excellent for tacos). Inspired by their posts on faceboook about cheap beers (specifically blue moons), I stopped by after a work meeting for some pulled pork, mac & cheese, and their classic slaw. While usually I go with their smoked ribs, their pulled pork sandwich was incredibly tender and paired great with two of the hot sauces I pulled down from the wall. While their other locations in Rockville and Glover have limited seating (I haven't been to the expanded DC store yet) I was able to snag a seat at the bar with my friend and enjoy a beer & some football on the tv while we ate. As a DC native, i think there are only a handful of solid BBQ spots in the area and Rocklands continues to deliver quality product. Relatively new spots, Smoke & Barrel (adams morgan), Right Proper (U St) and Hill Country (chinatown) deserve honorable mentions but Rocklands track record of quality service & smoked meats makes them my go to bbq spot.
(5)
Jamie Q.

Don't understand the hype, taking it to go was a bad idea, it was soggy and flavorless....
(2)
Alyssa A.

My boyfriend and I came here for lunch one day. You stand in line, tell them your order, pay, and then they bring you your food based on your number. I order the pork BBQ sandwich that was pretty delicious. They have a pot near the drinks of just heated bbq sauce that I thought was pretty good. The sandwich they give you is pretty average size and the same goes for the sides they give you. I got the black bean salad and coleslaw -- which I thought were both pretty average sides. If you are looking for standard bbq and are near the area, definitely try out this place. I would probably get different sides, but the sandwich is solid.
(4)
William T.

I have had Rocklands food before from their food truck, which stops in front of my office sometimes. The food was good and decently priced compared to other food trucks. However, I have never eaten at their brick and mortar restaurant before... until this past weekend. A small group of friends and I met here for dinner / drinks. You have to wait in line to order your food at a counter, with no wait staff. Although, the cashiers give you a letter with some cartoon on it and you take it back to your table and a bus boy or something will come out and give you your food. I felt that this was an odd way of placing an order, but when in Rome as they say... When my friends and I went the line was pretty long and we had to wait about 10 minutes just to place our order. There were a few printed menues flooting around, but all were being looked at (and then brought back to tables by other patrons who were in groups). ughhh! So we had to read the hand written menu on chalkboards above the counter. I get it is part of the feel, but it was a little hard to read certain items which were written down a little messy. I ordered the special, a sausage and grilled onion and pepper sandwhich, with ocra and baked beans. I also asked if I could order a beer at the counter and or substatute it for the soda that comes with the meal, but I could not do either. Like Rocklands' food truck, the prices at the Arlington brick and mortar restaurant were decently priced. They have a bar, but it is not connected to the counter / grill. So you will have to order your drinks separately. The bar is smallish, but it is a full bar with liquer and spirits as well as about six beers on tap. The bar was crowded, but I was able to order a few beers for my group within a few minutes. I believe the first round was Shiner Bock. About 15 minutes later my friends and I recieve our food. The sausage sandwhich came chopped down the middle, and was on your average burger bun you can get from any grocery store. However, the sausage was seasoned well, and the grilled peppers and onions were tasty. I have not had ocra since I was a kid and wanted to try it; wasn't really a fan. The baked beans were pretty good and had a nice spiceyness to it. Also, that reminds me, this BBQ restaurant has a lot of hot sauces -like a whole wall full of them. They don't seem to have a large selection of BBQ sauces like many BBQ places, but have a vast selection of hot sauces - many of which have some form of BBQ taste to it. However, I believe the ones on the wall were for sale, although my friend said you could pick one and bring it to your table and use it without paying. The ones on the shelf looked unopened, so I was not sure... opted to just use the random assortment of hot sauces provided at the table and on a tray near by. Some were extremely hot, others were mild. I opted for a spicey hot sauce mustard scauce for the sausage sandwhich. That combination worked really well. The food was pretty good, a solid 4 stars. If I could I would give Rocklands a 3.5 stars. Mostly because of the unusual set up. However, my friends and I had some pretty good food, and a great time - we stayed for a few hours and had a couple rounds of drinks. I would come back again. Might want to try the one in Alexandria which is a lot closer to where I live though.
(4)
James N.

Two stars for the good people that work here but... My bacon cheeseburger was almost inedible bc the bacon was raw. My friend had a grilled vegetable sandwich. I know it's a barbecue joint, but what is the point of having this on the menu? Roasted celery? Who wants that? French fries were meh.
(2)
Chris S.

Decided to bypass the Alexandria location to venture out to Arlington so that we could watch some college football (and looking at reviews by other yelpers, the Alexandria location was smaller). So we packed up and braved 395 overcast traffic, swerved past the traffic on route 50, and finally found this tucked back in it's little niche. Parking lot made sure you knew that the parking was for Rocklands BBQ Customers only, and looks like it can accommodate around 20 parked cars. BBQ was fired up, and the smoke was billowing out of the back. The blue plate special of the day was the chopped pork, 2 sides and a drink for 10.99, my wife and I decided to split the sides and she would get the BBQ chicken sandwich. Downstairs seating was pretty full so we decided to sit upstairs. The downstairs resembles more of a bar/diner atmosphere, where the upstairs actually looked like a dining room of someones house, complete with closets and window treatments. Next to the drinks was a crockpot full of the (homemade?) barbeque sauce, steeping with what looked like some meat and onions. Our two sides came, macaroni and cheese, and the french fries. The french fries were some of the best tasting, most well seasoned french fries I have had in a long time. They had some kind of seasoning salt that pushed it past ordinary into extraordinary. The macaroni was good, but paled in comparison with the french fries. The chopped pork without the sauce was a generous helping (more than the bun could handle) and had a smokey flavor to it. The barbeque sauce was a nice kick of spice and flavor that paired well with the smoked in flavor. I would have liked to had an opportunity to try their dry rub wings (they tout). Overall, the experience was fun, the food was good. I would like to try the Alexandria location so that the commute isn't so far. I would like like to bea ble to try some of their week night specials, which seemed to be pretty good.
(4)
Adam R.

The art of BBQ is a very delicate. The balance between the tenderness of the meat, the tangy flair of the sauce, and the slow cooked flavor is hard to keep in check. Balance is not something that Rocklands has. The meat is nice and tender but is definitely low on flavor. This could be covered by delicious sauce but the Rocklands BBQ sauce is water based, unlike most ketchup based BBQ sauces. It has the wrong consistency, and does not deliver what the mild meat needs. There is some redemption with the selection of sides that are offered. There are a wide variety of options, many of which outshine the main dishes. The coleslaw, baked beans, and Caesar are all particularly tasty. Note that the portions are pretty tiny for the price tag so be sure to fill up on the free peanuts. Also, the bar has their own specials which are sometimes far too good to pass up. One example: 1 beer and 12 buffalo wings for $5. Be sure to take a peek first before ordering.
(3)
JasonJennifer S.

This place asks for do overs on their review. I explained why their way of serving brisket is deplorable but they refuse to change. Go to DCity BBQ on Florida Ave for the best brisket. If this place was in Texas they would be out of business.
(2)
donny d.

In my honest opinion I would NOT recommend this place. If I wanted BBQ id go somewhere else. This place is overpriced for what I got. my qtr chicken looked like a qtr of my qtr chicken( I ordered dark meat). I was not impressed by the beef ribs. Mine was undercooked and you can see the redness and it was NOT the smoke on the ribs. And I don't even think it was smoked? Barely. My jalapeÃ±os popper had wayyy to much cheese and something was off about it. The onion rings were from a frozen bag you can tell. Probably the reason why I havnt heard much about this place. Go somewhere else
(2)
Ricardo R.

The Beef Brisket....delicious. Probably the best BBQ spot I have ever been to. I was introduced to it by my girlfriend about a year ago and I go there almost every week. Their mashed potatoes and mac and cheese are great also.
(5)
Raquels C.

I'm not a fan of the sauce but my friend loved it! The service was wonderful - 5 stars for them! Looking for beef ribs then I would def suggest coming here. I personally didn't enjoy the ribs I think it was the sauce but my friend did. I really must say that every person I encountered here was VERY friendly. The manager came to the table gave us a card and talked with us for quite some time which was very nice. He genuinely seemed nice and like it wasn't part of his job to greet patrons. When we arrived we didn't know what to get so when ordering the person taking the order asked if it's just for the two us. We told him yes and then he went to explain that we were ordering way tooo much food and then he proceeded to show us how big the ribs were and based on his suggestions we changed the order. While waiting for your meal they have peanuts that you can enjoy but I would suggest you don't waste your time on these fillers and save that space for the meal!! One thing I really did like (sounds kinda corny) but I like that you get your own drinks, they have a place where you can get your own spices, in addition a big pot of the bbq sauce where you can get as much as you like. I really hate having to wait on a waitress to get me a refill or extra sauce if I need it. The ribs as you can see are huge and meaty! They tasted good but I really didn't enjoy the sauce too much but it wasn't awful where I couldn't finish the meal. It was good they weren't drowned in bbq sauce so you could really taste the meat and since I didn't like the sauce I only had to endure a few bites of it. The cornbread was interesting! I think it has jalapenos or something it taste funny but it was still enjoyable. All sides were good but nothing stood out as my favorite. My friend really enjoyed the pork sandwich and liked the fact it wasn't drenched in sauce. They offer outdoor as well as 2 level indoor seating and a bar. We sat downstairs so I don't know how huge the upstairs area is and the outdoor seems small but quaint. They clean the tables very fast and the place including the bathroom was very clean. Huge portions, friendly service, and inexpensive! If you are looking for BBQ would suggest giving them a try!
(4)
Patrick K.

I previously reviewed Rocklands and gave them a poor rating. I wasn't satisfied with the quality of the food and it was always cold when I picked it up. Since the time I wrote my review, I have been going once a week and the food has been much better. The pork in particular could still use some better flavoring, but overall it's been good. I eat the same thing every week. The three meat plate with a double order of the Mac n Cheese. I would recommend trying this restaurant out. It's a good, cheap, and simple. It's what you expect from a barbecue restaurant. As for the reviewer who complained about the ribs. You lost all credibility when you mentioned you would rather eat at TGI Fridays....
(4)
Alex L.

Best BBQ I've had in the DC area! Amazing sides and killer brisket. Excellent customer service, as well - Will, who was working behind the truck, was so friendly and accommodating. We will definitely be back!!
(5)
Trina T.

This place is currently my favorite BBQ joint. I love the beef brisket especially. Their potato salad is also very good. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Wesley T.

This BBQ spot has a great reputation among my foodie friends and I can see why. The service is super fast (or maybe I go during off-peak hours), the sauces are all great, and the meat is super tender. Even the salad is a good meal. I recommend the brisket or smoked chicken, although I'm sure everything you order will be good there.
(5)
Marc M.

Pretty good. My wish list to make this place better. Burnt ends, ribs with a dry rub and a more traditional cole slaw. None of my wishes would keep me from coming back. If you crave smoke in your meat this is not the place but I don't and the meat is delicious.
(4)
Brendan S.

Had the Carolina pork sandwich with slaw and a side of mashed potatoes and baked beans...good not great...their barbeque sauce is meh...I'm not a fan of their slaw...I would return and try something new...mac and chesse I heard is good. Outdoor seating with umbrellas is available...which is a plus
(4)
Elina Y.

Cozy light-wooden tables and ample seating arrangements. Their beef brisket sandwich was actually better than I had anticipated. It was tender & flavorful. They have a huge wall mount of different hot sauces near the front of the establishment and I got to try their hottest ghost chilli pepper hot sauce in front of my friend and people by the bar. FUN TIMES. I wanna go back and buy it now...a bottle of fun for around $8 ain't so bad.
(3)
Nikki B.

I'm from the south - and have yet to find any BBQ that could even come close to Memphis or Carolina style... But - this is the best I've found in the DC area. Sides are delicious too! Good neighborhood spot.
(3)
Va Beach M.

Just delicious chopped pork sandwich. I did have to add additional BBQ sauce from the self-serv area, but that was just because it was a ton of meat. I ate half with a fork and still had a loaded sandwich. The coleslaw was delicious. The beans were no good and a mistake in ordering on my part. My companion had the brisket sandwich, also loaded and also doused with extra sauce. Her collard greens and macaroni disappeared on her plate before I even had a chance to steal a taste. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Benjamin D.

One of my favorite happy hour spots. A pulled pork sandwich for every beer you order, all you can eat peanuts, and a great variety of hot sauces.
(4)
Ryan K.

Absolutely fantastic!! The beef ribs were the best I've ever had and enormous. The hot sauce and BBQ sauce both had a distinctly individual characteristic (a little vinegary) and paired perfectly. I recommend dipping the jalapeÃ±o cornbread in to the hot sauce!!
(5)
Taylor W.

Rocklands has the best BBQ in DC -- I'm so happy they're finally in Arlington!! This place is great -- amazing food, amazing service.
(5)
Ronald M.

$9 brisket sandwich that was just sub standard. $17 total if you add two sides and a small drink. They're definitely overcharging at this place for small quantities of food that's nothing special.
(1)
Dani G.

Ordered the pulled chicken along with Mac n cheese and potato salad....absolutely love the potato salad and the smoked chicken had the smokey flavor that I love. I was a little skeptical at first because of my previous experience with the one on Quaker Lane which was bland but not this place. The portions were a little small but it was still good. Will definitely go again
(4)
Amanda F.

This place was wonderful. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. I had the pulled chicken BBQ sandwich and my boyfriend had the pulled pork platter. He had red beans & rice and the cucumber salad as his sides and noted that the red beans & rice were the best he'd ever had. My BBQ sandwich was delicious and he said the rest of his platter was good as well. It's a very BBQ-joint-like place. Wood all around - wooden tables and such. It is perfect for the kind of food that they use. My only frustration is that the iced tea didn't taste mint at all though the menu indicated it would be.
(4)
Elizabeth S.

*Shakes head in disappointment*. I had HIGH hopes for this place after visiting the Georgetown (Glover Park yelp.com/biz/rocklands-bâ€¦ ) location. We came here around 8pm and it was packed. Parking lot is kind of small so if you come during dinner rush -might want to find out if there are other parking options. We ordered beef briskets: mash potatoes and mac and cheese...oh wait...they RAN OUT of mash potatoes. Are you kidding me? On a busy Friday night they run out of mash potatoes. Then we were like OK so we got onion rings and collared greens. We waited for about 20 minutes for the food to come. The guy comes - "oh sorry sir, we ran out of onion rings" my eyes went like --________-. Yeah, are you kidding me? So we randomly picked this thing off the menu (fried okra? This fried green thing). Anyways, about the food, which i am so disappointed in. EVERYTHING was drenched in salt. If there wasn't free refills I don't know if we could have finished our food. The mac and cheese (ordered because of yelp) were super salty that I barely took more then three bites. The collared greens were also super salty. Salt salt salt. We left shaking our heads -vowing not to come back to this location. DISAPPOINTED!
(1)
Anjali K.

My rating stays the same here, but I do want to mention that I went back to Rockland's recently and got the pulled pork sandwich and Texas corn pudding. The pulled pork was very tender and tasty, and the corn pudding was also delicious. While I likely won't get on the same page with the tart-ness of the sauce (being a fan of the sweeter/Memphis style), I can agree that the food is cooked well. Will likely go back and try some more of their creations.
(3)
Kate P.

Been here multiple times. Cute spot with a parking lot. Decent pulled pork, okay chicken, meh brisket. Good BBQ sauce. Sweet tea, good sides: mac and cheese, okra, potatoes with the exception of the somewhat dry cornbread, simple no frills cute decor and outdoor seating.
(3)
Kenny M.

Ordered a half BBQ spare ribs. They were a bit in the dry side, and didn't have as much flavor as I am used to. But maybe I'm being a little tough cause I just came from spending 10 weeks in Dallas. Mashed taters were good, and amazingly the cucumber salad was delish! I heard their coleslaw wasn't good so I avoided it altogether. Nonetheless I finished the entire half order and am stuffed! If your in the area and want BBQ this is definitely the place to come.
(3)
Alex B.

Location is great and parking but the food is not good. Terrible service, arrogant staff, unclean. And they do not like: The purpose of constructive criticism is to improve the outcome. In collaborative work, this kind of criticism is a valuable tool in raising and maintaining . And I am local.
(1)
The S.

NASTY GROSS! baby backs hardly had any sauce and had tiny bone fragments in the meat. Mac n cheese was terrible. Yuk. Baked beans had hardly any beans and were too tomato-y. Price was outrageous for this slop. Spent $22 for something I could barely eat. Never going back.
(2)
Chris K.

Hungry one night, my girlfriend and i turned to Yelp to help us find a BBQ restaurant. We stumbled upon Rocklands and decided to give it a try. I ordered the three meat (pulled pork, bbq chicken, and beef brisket) with a side of corn pudding and mashed potatoes, and she had a half rack of baby back ribs. Food was quickly served. The pulled pork was a bit dry, but nothing some bbq sauce couldn't fix. The brisket was thinly sliced, good smokey flavor, but again a bit dry. The chicken was my least favorite of the three meats. It had a smokey flavor, but seemed overcooked and again was dry. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone type of ribs nicely smothered in sauce. I would recommend the baby back ribs. The mashed potatoes were nothing to write home about, but the corn pudding was awesome. Definitely my favorite side and would highly recommend it. They also have a hot sauce wall, which you can pick and choose until your spicy desires are fulfilled. At the fountain soda station they also have a big pot of hot bbq sauce, which was a nice touch. The ambiance was casual and it's the type of restaurant where you order at the counter and find your own table/seat in the dining area. Parking can be a bit tricky too as they have a small lot.
(3)
Aaron S.

Well, I haven't had any other BBQ in the D.C. area, but based on these reviews, I would have expected something better. Growing up in Kansas City, maybe I am spoiled when it comes to BBQ, but Rocklands wouldn't stand a chance at making it there. The flavor of the meat tastes like they didn't put any seasonings on it. The quartered chicken might be the best thing they have to offer. I have had their pork sandwich before and it isn't terrible, but lacks flavor. The ribs are not worth the money you spend for them. I'm not sure they even put salt or pepper on them before smoking them. They taste like they were taken out of the package and thrown in the smoker, pulled out and stored a couple days, then reheated on a grill. They were a bit dry. As far as the sauce, the concept seems like they would have something, however, it tasted like it is tomato juice with a few other seasonings in it simmering with onions. They could use to develop some more flavor here, also. A BBQ restaurant needs to be quick with serving their customers and should try to focus on doing a few items really well versus having a lot of items that are marginal at best. Keep trying.
(2)
Nick W.

Really liked the food, had the bbq sandwich with a side of potato salad and chicken caesar salad. Sauce was tasty too. Price was fairly high for the portion size.
(4)
Maury C.

Just had BBQ from the Arlington store the other night and it was excellent -- definitely the best I've had in the Washington area. Sides are great too. We had the coleslaw, corn pudding, and red beans & rice. Service was friendly and fast. Love this location!
(5)
Ryan S.

Can't say it's really the best BBQ I've ever had, but it sure works for me! I generally get the BBQ chicken sandwich, fries, and macaroni. Healthy? No...but who eats BBQ to be healthy? Always a pleasure when the owner brings around free samples of beer and clears your plate for you. Service at its best!
(4)
Danny V.

I couldn't be more happy to report that Rockland's gets my 100th Yelp Review! Yippie ki yay BBQ aficionados. Before I precede, I should note that this review is coming from a former vegetarian and obviously not someone who has familiarized himself with the likes of, say, Texas or North Cackalacky BBQ. Now I mention this because it speaks volumes for this little buckaroo. They have the power to keep me a-comin' back for more, and how! I started coming to Rockland's in late spring 2011 and have already established quite the rapport with them. I've brought friends and acquaintances from all over Northern Virginia to experience my new favorite restaurant. In June, my partner even catered a private party for 70+ people with Rockland's and won praises from all who attended. Here's a few things I love about "Rocky" 1. Food- Pulled chicken BBQ sandwich is "ta-die fa" (to die for). I tried making my own pulled-chicken sandwich. It's harder to pull it off if my own kitchen. I actually didn't try that hard cause I love Rockland's and it always tastes better when someone else makes it for you. Rocky! You're up dude! 2. Sides- Mac N' Cheese, Cucumber Mint Salad, Apple Compote, The Best Sweet potato fries...I could go on and on, but I won't cause it's making me hungry. 3. Shiner Bock- a Texas favorite. MMM. 4. Ample outside patio seating. A place to enjoy my friends, my food, my beer. No pressure to get up and get out. Just be. Ahh. Doesn't that sound nice? 5. Peanuts at the front door. Chances are I am HUNGRY when I go to Rockland's. Keep the hunger demons at bay and keeps me from turning into the Incredible Dick. 6. Staff. Friendly and super-efficient. I've never had that evil, "where the f**k is my food" thought. They come to you and hand deliver your order. Never had a bad experience. 7. Ambience. In my "old" age I'm getting tired of the fancy-schmancy, ironed, starched digs. I was a dirty martini once. Now I'm a draft beer and reading Kerouac in my white t-shirt and flip flips. This location is tucked in a neighborhood and feels like a block party sometimes. "Who are the people in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood?" Find out for yourself. Come to Rockland's. See you there. A 5 star rating based on what it is and not what I want it to be. ******Thanks for me my 100th review ROCKLAND's***********
(5)
Aaron M.

Best BBQ in Arlington with a nice bar area to grab a drink while you wait for your food. The brisket is my favorite for sure.
(5)
B F.

This place is pretty awesome. Great BBQ, wonderful selection of side items. You order food at one counter and beer/drinks at a small bar. Easy place to take the kids or go with a group of friends.
(4)
Tara F.

THE BEST BBQ IN DC. Best foods are the wings (but they are dry rub and not spicy) with unexpected exceptional flavor and the BBQ chicken, I don't eat pork so cant speak to that. Burgers are great and sustainable, for your environmentalist. The Brisket is meh- other places in DC with better. The sides are OK also- I like the masked potatoes and cucumber salad. Service is good- never had a problem and they have great specials certain days of the week. Getting food has never taken more than 20 mins even when its busy. Oh! I also love that they have an outside area. Overall great place to get BBQ, particular anything chicken :)
(4)
Greg F.

I've been meaning to write a review about my experience at Rockands earlier this week...to put it briefly, they totally knocked it out of the park. While the place was busy, me and my buddy headed over to the bar and ordered some beers from the friendly barkeep while we pondered the menu. We ordered the pork eggrolls to start and I ordered the 3 meat combination as my main course. While our food was coming out, the manager Will stopped by the bar and asked us if we wanted any hot sauce- we obviously said yes, and then the magic happened. Will brought over his personal hot sauce recommendations and we tried a bunch of different meat/sauce combos. The chopped pork was solid, but the hot sauce made it really darn good. After a couple more beers, and a glass from their surprisingly solid whiskey selection, we decided to double down and order a Rocklands Pearl "to go". The next day I couldn't have been more pumped about the decision. Baked Beans layered with mac and cheese and covered with chopped pork...I ate it for lunch and dinner and wish I had another. Thanks again Rocklands for totally exceeding my expectations and a special thanks to their friendly staff. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Joseph B.

This place is great. One chopped pork sandwich and fries will fill you up for an entire afternoon...just dont expect to be very active after you eat it. Chili heads will appreciate this place because of the wide variety of hot sauces that are available. Everytime I come here I smother my sandwich in some sauce that claims to come hell or another unworldly place, then I usually enjoy the remainder of my day occupying the men's room at work. No matter the side effects of my own hot sauce over dose, this place is a hit.
(4)
Claire C.

Delicious! Ordered carry out tonight and had the chicken sandwich, corn bread, and Mac and cheese. Hit the spot! Chicken was tender and the corn bread was unbelievable!
(5)
Karen S.

My favorite time to come to Rocklands is on Monday nights. If you order a beer at the bar it comes with a free pork sandwich. Probably the greatest deal known to man. Otherwise I usually get the pulled pork or brisket sandwiches. The ribs and wings look good but I have yet to try them. The sides complement the barbeque well. You can't go wrong with coleslaw and baked beans. The patio is nice for warm nights, but the inside has a good atmosphere as well. Each table is well stocked with a plethora of different hot sauces which are fun to try. Don't miss the house made barbeque sauce bubbling away in the big cauldron by the soda machine!
(4)
Kimberly S.

I knew I would have felt incomplete if I didn't have BBQ at least two times a day during Memorial Day weekend so I decided to stop by Rocklands for lunch while waiting for my dinnertime BBQ to start. Like any good yelper, I read the reviews online and Yikes You guys sure are passionate about BBQ. The reviews here lean towards BEST BBQ EVER to NEVER STEPPING FOOT HERE AGAIN. My experience lends itself more towards the best bbq ever side. There is honestly nothing to complain about here, if I had to write this review in Caveman terms I would say: Beer? Good. Meat? Good. Yum. The boy and I split the three meat platter of pulled chicken, chopped pork, and brisket with a side of fried okra and macaroni and cheese. And because we are fat we also added three beef ribs and Texas corn pudding to the order as well. We settled down on the back porch, took in some sunshine, and drank some beer while we waited our food which came out in no less than ten minutes (the food was also consumed in no less than ten minutes because it was so good). Everything we ordered was wonderfully smoky and tender. I also like the fact that they have a crock pot of their homemade BBQ sauce on site -- it tastes so much better when warm! The macaroni and cheese as someone noted was very Velveeta-like but that's my favorite type of macaroni so I did not mind one bit at all! I like to think of it as Velveeta for the grown and sexy (note, second time using that term in a yelp review this week). The fried okra was great -- reminded me of popcorn only more awesome. I would order a bucket of this if I could. Service was fast and friendly -- I won't even hold it against the manager for being a Phillies fan! Overall this is a great place to sit, relax and get your grub on with a bunch of friends. Rocklands -- in the famous words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, "I'll be back!"
(4)
Travis S.

I went to get some pulled pork for a Super Bowl party and was disappointed to find out that I didn't get a full two pounds. I am a big fan of rocklands and will continue to go but was not satisfied with this visit. The service was nice and the manager was extremely personable and helpful.
(2)
Rebecca C.

Came here to meet a friend for lunch who works in the area and was very impressed by the food. The manager was super nice and said if we didn't like the fried okra he would be happy to trade it in for something else. Well, he needen't have worried since we ate every last bite. The mac'n'cheese was also a major hit. The lemonade tated fresh-squeezed and I actually had seconds. Now the important part: the meat. The meat was good. Definitely not the best i've ever had, but really solid BBQ, especially for the area. The pulled pork was the best, and the chicken was really good. The ribs were huge, but not my favorite item. The portions are big, so know that, but really the food is worth the price no question. I recommend checking it out if you're in the mood to eat.
(4)
Tony M.

Food was good. Mac and cheese had a nice peppery taste to it that i really liked. The meal was just Overpriced for the small portions. Cool antique artifacts. Free peanuts were nice. And fun Lollypops with a cricket in them for just a buck.
(2)
Emily H.

I can't think of a better place in the DC/VA area for barbecue. Any time my extended family gets together we get Rocklands take out/catering. The pulled pork is my favorite...well so is the Mac and cheese. An easy second favorite is the jalapeÃ±o cornbread. For a girl that's not too into spicy foods, this cornbread is sweet, delicious and has the perfect kick. I've always loved Rocklands and frequent the Arlington location often. The management and staff is great! They really know their stuff!
(5)
Joshua W.

I'm no BBQ snob, but about once every couple months I have a craving for grilled meat dipped in sweet spicy BBQ sauce. Rocklands satisfied that craving and impressed me with the quality. The restaurant is really nice and spacious and their selection of spicy sauces is awesome. If you like unsweet iced tea they had some kind of mint tea or infusion which was delicious.
(4)
Jordan L.

Whoever gives this place lower than five stars is nuts! They're awesome and friendly, and their brisket is beautifully smoked with a slight satisfying crunch on the outside. I love this place. I wish I could smell this place all day. Go. It's the best BBQ I've had.
(5)
Andy C.

I really want to like this place, but it's just not that good. Went for what will probably be my final time the other week. When I think BBQ I think satisfying portions, this place doesn't offer them. All their dishes are pretty pricey and scant on BBQ. The sides are good, but let's be honest, no one goes to a BBQ restaurant for the sides. I ordered the 3 meat combo. The chicken was...well BBQ chicken, not bad, but not inspiring either. The brisket was dry and overcooked. The chopped pork was a little on the dry side and bland. For the money, make the trip into DC and go to Hill Country. Their brisket is better by an order of magnitude and you'll get your money's worth in satisfying BBQ.
(2)
Gus M.

A better BBQ is hard to find - it's pretty awesome. The bartending staff are quirky but helpful and fast. If you're looking for a quiet night out ... Not here - at anytime of the day. TVs, music, clientele ... It's crazy loud. BBQ is great though. Stay away from beef ribs - VERY fatty but the baby back and spare are great. They also have a TON of hot sauce to try but last two times I went all I could find were habanero based ones which is painful - why do people do that? I love me some hot food but seriously ... ouch.
(4)
Kristin P.

This is a great place to come in, relax and enjoy good barbecue and feel like you're really treating yourself to a good meal or feast like I like to call it! I really enjoy the chicken and spare ribs plus the selection of sides that are not only very tasty, but help you to cleanse your palate between tasty bites of entree. After eating there you get a satisfying feeling of fullness because the food always seems to hit the spot! Two weeks ago while visiting Rocklands, I had the best spare ribs of my life!! They were so tasty that they did melt in your mouth! The employees are also very welcoming and friendly. Nice work!
(4)
Michelle H.

Didn't even eat there. Tried to go in for the first time. My husband and I recently moved here from Atlanta and heard the food here was good. It was a Monday and they were packed. The bartender was AWFUL and we couldn't even order beer or food. Supposed to be a free sandwich with any beer. Noticed they were slider sized. So disappointed on this experience and will NEVER go again. It's a shame Bc we live in ballston. Seriously though, DO NOT waste your time.
(1)
Angela M.

What is not to love about a place with awesome food, a fantastic atmosphere, and specials everyday? This is one of our local favorites!!
(5)
Sean S.

It's ok. Nice staff, nice place but the BBQ is just ok. I would agree with some of the other reviews. It's really hard to find great BBQ in the area and I would go back here mostly because the options are so limited.
(3)
Kevin G.

Perhaps I'm spoiled. I don't claim to be a BBQ aficionado, but I do enjoy BBQ and I feel I'm... somewhat qualified. (I say that with confidence.) First let me describe my ideal BBQ: Outsides of the meat can be a bit dryer as long as it's black and smokey. The inside should be moist and flavorful, but not overly oily, or overly watery. And the outside and inside parts are hand-pulled (or fork is fine too) and mixed up so you get those smokey, rich black bits in among the flavorful, tender inside meat strands. This should be the same whether brisket or pork. Fat should be super soft and tender and bursting with flavor. Oh... and a choice of sauce. I love me a mustard BBQ sauce with some heat. No sweet mixed in. And no bun because I'm 4HB slow-carb style. To some of you my description might sound familiar... and yes, I do eat at the Carnivore BBQ truck all the time. Did you know they have a coupon? $1 off your order, boom. Check their website. So that's basically my point of comparison. At Rocklands I ordered chopped pork (why not "pulled"?), brisket, and the cole slaw. I don't get frilly with my BBQ and there are only two baked beans in the world that I like and I didn't even feel like testing them here (in case you're wondering: the PORC truck has the best BBQ beans ever, but Carnivore BBQ's beans are still very good and a close 2nd). I prefer Carolina style slaw (vinegar-base) but this slaw was pretty good. A strong black pepper presence (which I liked) and fresh and crunchy cabbage and other veggie morsels. The brisket was easily the worst part. Sliced paper thin (not sure that's really necessary) and not that flavorful or tender. I wonder if it's sliced so thin to compensate for it not being that tender to begin with? Maybe, maybe not. Fat wasn't all that soft. I almost didn't want to finish it, even though I was still hungry at the end of my meal. I did though, because I was still hungry at the end of my meal. Go figure. The pork was very... watery. Almost like it was too moist. Real wet, ya know? Seemed like maybe it was a little more lean and so the juices were more watery than fatty (and a little fatty is a good thing). That's just conjecture on my part, I don't really know that much about cooking pork. Other than my homemade slow cooker pulled pork is pretty f***in' bangin'. B) ^---a little cool-guy sunglasses emoticon for ya Each came in a tiny clear plastic... "bowl" (more like the bottom of a take-out container) that I had to hold with one hand because otherwise as I tried to eat its contents with a fork it would slide around on the table. I've seen some pretty funny cat videos on the Internet that are based on this very same premise. Each came with a little bloop of sauce right in the middle. Not enough to cover all the meat, just like a little bloop. I like a little more sauce on my BBQ, but I didn't really feel like asking for more of their sauce. It was pretty vinegary, kinda tart but savory... but I guess just not my style. It had lots of flavor, but that flavor was not mouthwatering to me... if that makes sense to you. They have a wall of 100+ hot sauces for you to use but I kinda got over that whole novelty after my 4th brunch bloody mary bar. Who knows how long they've been there and in my experiences most hot sauces taste pretty much the same and aren't that unique or that good compared to any other, typically destroying the complexity of the flavor by overdoing the heat. (Baron West Indian Hot Sauce, as well as Nando's Peri Peri, being exceptions to this rule.) The environment was most certainly interesting. We were there on a Friday night around 8 pm. At first there were many like us, in to grab some BBQ and maybe a beer or two with friends. Some folks were picking up to-go orders. We lucked out and found two open seats at the bar and sat down. The bustle of the busy hours died down and thereafter my friend and I felt like strangers in a community all its own. Not that we felt unwelcome, but it seemed as though everyone else hanging around the bar area knew each other. Folks seemed to know other folks' names and the bartender, RJ, knew them all like old friends. Speaking of RJ, he's a great personality to have behind your bar. Very personable guy, very easy to talk to. A real natural bartender. I swear, the "talkability" of a bartender or a barber/hairdresser can really make or break an establishment. Conclusion: I don't think I'd go back. Cool little place but the food didn't win me over. But again, I could be spoiled because the Carnivore BBQ truck is f***ing amazing and I work near Union Station so I sometimes have it for lunch anywhere from 2-4 times a month. It's that good.
(2)
Jon D.

One of my favorite spots. Really good food, and priced right. I'm a big fan of the blue plate special of the day. I wish I could branch out a bit more on the sides, but the texas corn pudding and the fried okra get me every time. I especially like going in the warmer months to sit out on the patio. I'm convinced that anything smothered in their BBQ sauce would be delicious. Dig deep in the crock to fish out a scoop full of onions and throw them on whatever meat you got, and your set.
(5)
John Z.

Rockland's is in my rotation with my work lunch buds, the BBQ is really good here. The beef brisket is excellent. My one gripe (and reason for 3 stars) with Rockland's is the portion size of the sides compared to what they cost. $2.50 for an icecream scoop of Mash Potatoes is pretty steep. Either lower the price on the sides or make it a scoop and a half at least. I leave there still a bit hungry after shelling out $12+ for lunch.
(3)
Alex O.

Barbecue is insanely polarizing, and often provokes extreme opinions like nothing outside of religion and politics. For many, many, many folks, there is no such thing as good-but-nothing-great barbecue. It's either amazing or the worst thing someone has ever eaten. If it's not the best barbecue they've ever eaten, then many folks would sooner die of starvation than eat a bite of the offending meat. I tend to try and hold myself to a more rational mindset and keep in mind that even decent-but-nothing-great barbecue is better than a lot of food out there. However, even I can be a bit irate, and no better example can be found than in my scathing take on Rocklands in Rockville...which, I might add, I still stand by. That being said, I heard from enough people that I really needed to give the location in Arlington a try, so, before heading over to Lyons Park for an afternoon of playing bluegrass at an open jam, I stopped by Rocklands to fortify my hung-over self with beer, barbecue, and perhaps a new opinion of the local chain. Based on my Rockville experience, I had low expectations, but the exterior of the Arlington spot has always seemed pretty cool, and the scent of wood smoke as I got out of my car made me optimistic. All I had was the pork sandwich and the collards, but I gotta say that it was like a totally different restaurant. The pork was heaping and overflowing the pillowy soft bun. The meat was flavorful, moist, tender, and almost perfectly smoky. None of those things could be said about my pork in Rockville. Even the house sauce, which I hated in Rockville, was radically better at the Arlington location. The fact that the collards were also perfect sealed the deal. An unwritten rule of BBQ joints (or really any restaurant) is that they can always have a bad day, so I'm sure some Yelpers have indeed had worse meals than I was served. However, I can smoke the hell out of a pork shoulder and have nearly a dozen BBQ joint reviews on Yelp, and I can tell you, this is the best pulled pork I've had in DC. This will easily be my pre-CABOMA eating spot before the semi-weekly Lyons Park bluegrass jams, so I'll be interested to see whether in future visits they can keep up the quality I experienced this sunday, both in terms of pulled pork and other meats I look forward to trying.
(4)
Paul M.

Northern Virginia is in many ways where the South ends. In 1865, it was quickly occupied by Union troops and today it seems it is still occupied by Northerners. That makes Southern accents rare and good Southern food rarer. Barbecue--something Virginia isn't particularly known for--is practically non-existent in NoVa. That makes Rockland a bit of a find. Whatever your standards are for barbecue, you have to admire their drive for authenticity. I had the beef brisket sandwich with a side of collard greens and baked beans. My brother had the chopped pork sandwich with mac & cheese and potato salad. All the meat was smokey and delicious. The potato salad was also a definite winner. The total for two ended up around $25. With prices like that, how can you complain?
(4)
Funglin W.

We were on a rush to head down to DC to see all the museums and tourists spots so we came here for a quick bite. Here's a few things I can say about it: 1. good price for the deal 2. if you get a group of 5-6, they have a feast of 5 that was good and more food than we wanted. Best stuff here: Collard Green Side: ..........uhm, this was the only dish here i could not stop eating. it was just sooooo good Pulled Pork: tender!! and juicy!! best meat dish here! Mediocre stuff: mac & cheese: meh. normal mac & cheese minted cucumber salad: pretty decent, would've liked a bit more flavors to it. but it's refreshing for all the meat you're about to eat here! BBQ spare ribs: the flavors are good, but the meat was a bit hard for me to chew down. BB chicken: HUGE & worth the money. some parts are tender but the flavors didn't get into the chicken enoguh, i think.
(3)
Jonas F.

The pork spareribs were tough, the beef rib had way too much fat. The macaroni salad was way too salty and the cucumber salad was limp with no crunch. We had five in our party including my three kids. When they brought the food to our table they didn't even bring paper plates for the food, we had to request paper plates at the counter. The sauce was ok but it wasn't exceptional. I was more disappointed then I thought I was going to be. I will not return which sucks because it's a four minute drive from my house.
(2)
John J.

Stick with the full bbq meats ( as in, quarter chicken, ribs ) instead of the platters. The meats are less bland and more tasty that way! Mac-n-cheese and beans sides are great -- don't miss their hot sauce to go!
(3)
Tammy G.

Really, really good BBQ! Great smoky flavor. Good selection of sides. I have enjoyed everything that I've gotten here. The manager is very friendly but I always feel that the staff (behind the counter) could be a bit more so. Moderate prices. Lunch for 2 (2 platters, 2 sodas) was $25 today.
(4)
Stephanie L.

I'm neighbor gave me left overs from a huge party, only because it was an over order and 1 person can't take down an entire tray by themselves: OMG! It's amazing, and it's left overs. The meat is tender, precisely smoked and seasoned to perfection and this was for a catering job. Well done Rockland's, I can't wait to eat at your sit down restaurant. I agree with Jordan L...anything below 5 stars, is bonkers!
(5)
James W.

Rocklands is a so-so spot that attempts to meld Texas and KC style BBQ. Their BBQ is smothered in sauce and the quality of their pit beef and brisket are both stringy and full of sinew. They do have awesome iced tea (and sweet) as well as some great lemonade. In addition, their hot sauce selection is pretty amazing. Not bad if you are really craving BBQ, but remove any thoughts of great smoked meat you've had in the past outside of the DC area
(2)
James G.

looks really good in the photos...and Shiner Bock on tap...so naturally, this had to be good Texas BBQ--WRONG! The thin slicing drys out the brisket and pork...what? he slices not pulls the pork? You gotta be kidding me! and both sliced port and brisket are smothered in a nasty sauce. The sauce isn't Texas style (pepper and mustard), nor California style (nice tangy vinegar). The sauce destroys all the smoke flavor...just f's up his meat. It's a shame because in particular the beef rib was nicely cooked--nice big tender, juicy rib...but, that damned nasty sauce smothered on it. And the beans weren't even close to being decent...couldn't even figure out how you could mees up beans that bad. Try Hill Country BBQ in D.C. or even better head out to the Q Company in Leesburg if you want to taste good BBQ. If you want authentic BBQ, this isn't it!
(1)
Steve L.

The decor is really cool-it's a fun mood. The food: Not so good. I had a pulled pork sandwich with fries and macaroni and cheese. Pulled Pork: Very moist, but it also lacked any flavor. :-( Man n Cheese: Could make it much better at home. Fries: Thin, hand cut, but soggy and very salty. Their BBQ sauce is pretty weak as were the hot sauces available to use. Also, I asked for a water, but I received and got charged for a soda cup. I ended up eating somewhere else just 30 minutes after this meal because I was still hungry and unsatisfied.
(2)
Jugga S.

Dang man bro. I don't know too much about nor do I particularly care about traditional barbeque tradition. But I know taste, and dang man bro does Rocklands deliver. Be sure to try their Beef Brisket sandwich (smothered with their bbq sauce); it is out of this world and the best brisket sandwich I've had in my lustrous eating career. Pair your brisket sandwich with a side of the Ceasar salad. its got the right balance of acidity and saltiness to have you wanting more. Don't mess around with other items, which though good are not at the level of the two items above.
(5)
Daniel B.

I have had a chance to eat at this place both when it was located at its old location and its now superior location and I like it. The food here is solid BBQ (not jaw dropping but we are Arlington, for that you really need to head far South of here). You have to love any place that has a sauce container that you can pull from (it even has onions in it). The sides are good (I wish I had gotten the fried okra, love that stuff), there are enough places to sit and the service is quick.
(4)
Nelson W.

I ordered a chicken filet sandwich. What showed up was a piece of (tasty) chicken between two buns. Oh, you want lettuce, tomato, or onion? That will be extra.
(2)
Sami M.

Hi Rockland's. Umm nice try. Your BBQ is subpar. Your people are nice and your restaurant looks cool on the inside but none of that matters because your food is bad. People cannot stop talking about how good your BBQ is and it makes me feel insane. I ordered your mixed rib platter with a side of mac & cheese and coleslaw. I paid 20 bucks for it. 20 bucks. Sheesh, y'all aren't cheap. But I will gladly shell out 20 bucks for good BBQ. But it was not good BBQ. Where is your spice? Where is your flavor? Where is your kick? Plus I'm pretty sure there was more fat on those ribs than meat. Where was the meat? Also, I definitely don't like throwing around accusations so I will just say your Mac n cheese tastes SUSPICIOUSLY like Kraft. Plus y'all have peas in your coleslaw! What?? Who are you to change up coleslaw? You're not better than coleslaw. You ruined it with your peas. Yuck. Long story short. I am not a fan.
(2)
David H.

Down a star after the last trip. The lamb sandwich is not good, and I struck out with the sides again - fries are too salty, chili is not good
(3)
Mike C.

I've eaten here quite a few times but its time to write a review. I'm from the South so I have eaten at many BBQ joints. Their Homemade BBQ sauce is the best thing about this place... its pretty darn tastey. It sits in a caulderon over by the soda machine. Chicken Wings - 2 1/2 stars. They are grilled and have great seasoning/sauce on them. However, they are usually very inconsistent in size and juiciness. They are often dry and overcooked and are either tiny to small to medium sized. They need more consistency in the wing and the cooks doing the grilling. BBQ - 3 stars - Very nice chopped pork BBQ sandwich. Good bun and they gave you a lot of meat on the sandwich, sometimes the meat can be dry or bland. Put some BBQ sauce on it and that should enhance the meat. Ribs - 3 stars - They give you a good sized portion with special seasoning and sauce on them but they are usually very dry and the meat does not fall off the bone from pulling which usually portrays the meat being overcooked. They need to find a balance of juicy and tenderness here. Sides - 3 stars - They have numerous sides to choose from and the majority are good but I'm only giving 3 stars here because of the portions. They are scooped out with an ice cream scooper and the portions are TINY. Come on guys, I'm a grown man, give me a bigger portion. I understand you all want to charge an arm and a leg for your BBQ and meats but come on.... don't be stingy on the sides. You can afford to give some bigger portions of your side dishes. Portion size is awful for the side items. The rule in BBQ joints is to make your money off your meats but give your customers some sides! Place is pretty expensive for decent BBQ. $6.50 for a sandwich and like $3 for a side. $2.00 for a soda... so expect to pay at least $10-$15 for a decent sized meal. Advice to Rocklands - They need to pay more attention to their cooking of the meats and side dish portions. Overall, decent place to go eat some BBQ.
(2)
Daniel B. O.

The smell is great!!!! Average bbq place conveniently located if in the VSQ area. Bar is too small and food is a bit overpriced.
(3)
Mary Kate M.

This is the real deal BBQ. I was thrilled to find a good BBQ place since I come from the true BBQ capital of the US ... Memphis. Now, this isn't Memphis style BBQ. It is considered Texas style which they do a little bit differently, but nonetheless, oh so good. For my visit, I decided to get the chicken BBQ sandwich with a side of corn bread. The corn bread had a spit of jalapenos in it which added some flavor to it. Usually I am completely opposed to it, but for this I actually enjoyed it. It was solid. The chicken BBQ was delicious! It had the perfect consistency with loads of flavor. To top it off, I also had some sweet tea. Tasted just like home. One thing you'll notice about Rockland's is they have community seating. A lot of BBQ joints have this concept, so you will be forced to sit next to someone you don't know. Take this opportunity to get to know someone like I did. It was great! I actually connected with a guy about Memphis since he was visiting from there for work. We talked about his vacation he has coming up with his wife, his kids and just life in Memphis in general I've been missing out on. Never know who you may come across to have a good convo. As far as the guys who work behind the counter, they know BBQ. They were able to help me compare their product to the others. Since this was my first BBQ place to try in the DMV, I think that this was a great place to break my BBQ cherry up here. Great customer service, food and ambiance.
(5)
Joanna M.

When it comes to BBQ in the DC area, Rocklands is pretty SOLID. Ribs fall off the bone, pulled pork and brisket are flavorful and juicy. Sides are plentiful (mac and cheese is cheesey, corn bread, fried okra, beans, cole slaw, etc.) Bring your pup to sit and eat patioside (can someone lend me their pup?!) They have pulled pork sandwich and beer special! Oh and munch on some nuts while you wait, sah-weet!
(4)
Brent W.

The pulled pork is excellent, and the sauce is even better. Enjoy the sides - broccoli salad is fantastic.
(4)
Amanda Z.

One might think that you can only eat so much BBQ before it becomes too much- not the case with Rocklands. You will want to go back over and over. Delicious, fresh, homemade food. First off, the meat is amazing. Perfectly cooked, juicy, tender. I've eaten the pulled chicken (my fave), the brisket, the chopped pork, and both kinds of ribs. It's a hard decision every time I go in deciding what meat choice I want. Better go for the meat trio. ALSO, the BBQ sauce is to die for- tangy, yet still smoky and sweet, with onions...yum. I can't forget about the sides: mac 'n cheese, potato salad, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, Texas bread pudding, beans, etc. I know I said the meat is amazing, but the sides might be the best part. The mac 'n cheese is SO good. I am not a huge cheese lover (I know, crazy), but I HIGHLY recommend the mac 'n cheese- shell pasta with a cheese sauce that is cheesy, but not over powering, and creamy enough that it keeps the shells moist, but not overly watery. I also love the potato salad and mashed potatoes, oh and the coleslaw...basically everything. Rocklands really does food well. It does get a little pricey, which is the only downside that I see, but worth the quality of food that you get.
(5)
Albert L.

Finally got around to this Rocklands joint, and I'd give it 3.5 stars to be honest. Firstly, its location in expensive Arlington doesn't help the price points, but hey, what are you gonna do? Secondly, I find it very refreshing to see an order-at-the-counter BBQ joint that can serve a decently large volume. Thirdly, they actually have a well-sorted ordering system with letter placards. Ok, so upon a friend's recommendation, I went for a half rack of baby-back pork ribs and got the baked beans as a side. Ran me about $16 after tax. Grabbed a beer from the bar while we waited. Took about 10 minutes for my order to come out. Things to note - the small side is a decent portion. I'd recommend maybe 2 smalls to go with your main if you're up for it. The half rack of baby-backs looked and smelled great enough. You get about 6-7 bones, and they were pretty meaty. The meat was falling off of them and had a nice smoke on them. The sauce was sweet and tangy but not overwhelming. Wish they'd serve up more for the price (you're looking at $2 per bone basically). The baked beans were a mixed experience for me. The texture of the beans themselves was actually good, and they were cooked well with some bits of onion in there. However, the flavor was too ketchup-y sweet for my liking, and the sauce consistency was a bit thick. See DD BBQ's baked beans for a great version of this side dish. I was still hungry after, so I got another side of the black bean salad. It was fresh and had a nice mix of beans, peppers, cilantro, and spice. Prefer this over the baked beans. Friends got other various items, such as beef brisket, mac and cheese, pulled pork sandwich, and minted cucumber salad. Everyone enjoyed their food well enough. Overall, it was an OK first-time experience at Rocklands. Didn't blow my mind and not the greatest value-for-money. However, it is a nice option for the Arlington community if you need a BBQ fix. Just don't expect to be full unless you plan to drop a good amount of dough.
(3)
Alex G.

Really great bbq for awesome prices. One of the best values in the area. Bbq platters are my go to
(4)
Random B.

Meh, I've had better. Overall friendly staff. I was surprised I couldn't find regular bbq sauce. They just had different levels of spicy sauce.
(2)
Chris W.

Great Dinner special with lots of different sides and choices. I loved the big rack of hot sauces! The bar also had bourbon night on Tuesday where you get a free PBR with your bourbon. They have a bourbon club, drink 75 which they track on a sheet and you get a plaque. Next time instead of to go, I will stay and get a bourbon with my meal
(4)
Lucas W.

Maybe 3.5 Solid BBQ. Nothing great but nothing bad. My friend had ribs which he said were good but they were very very small. Meat looked appropriately cooked and fell off the bone well but they were very thin and I would've expected a fair bit more from a half-slab. I had a pulled pork sandwich which was fine. Pork was well cooked and the BBQ sauce had a good flavor, just wish there'd been more sauce because it was the main flavor driver and there was no way to get more sauce. The sides were good. The mac and cheese was great and the pit beans were also quite good. My friend had the texas corn pudding which was strange to me, seemed quite like mushy cornbread, but he liked it so I suppose that's enough. If you're just getting a sandwich, it's cheap, less than $5, but you'll need to throw in sides or salad or appetizer or something cuz the sandwich is definitely not a full meal. 2 Sandwiches would be.
(3)
K R.

I'd eaten Rocklands at different events (not at the restaurant) and thought it was better than any bbq I'd had in DC, including Hill Country. When my Husband and I were planning our wedding at Glen Echo we knew we wanted BBQ and we knew we wanted Rocklands. I can't say enough about how AMAZING the food was at our wedding (125 guests). We had the brisket, pork and chicken, along with the mac and cheese, grilled veggies, stuffed mushrooms and jalapeno cornbread. Everything was fantastic and we had so many guests come up to us telling us that it was the best wedding food they'd ever had. Even weeks after our wedding people are still talking about how great the food was. I would 100% recommend hiring Rocklands for your next event.
(5)
Josh M.

Overpriced and overrated! I understand that excellent BBQ probably doesn't exist in Arlington but this place does not live up to the hype. The environment and dÃ©cor is cool and the small bar is entertaining, but that's where the positive feedback ends. I'll keep it simple. Three Meat Platter * Pork: Bland, very little flavor. You could tell the meat was reheated. * Chicken: While the chicken was better than the pork, it didn't have a smokey flavor that I'm usually accustomed to tasting. Yet again, the meat was cold. * Brisket: The brisket was actually decent. Smokey, rich flavor and the meat was actually warm and tasted great. * Coleslaw: I had no idea Coleslaw could be so bad. Absolutely no flavor, tasted like water. They give you a bun with the platter so my plan was to make a pork sandwich topped with coleslaw. That was mistake. * Macaroni and Cheese: I've made better mac and cheese in my freshman dorm room. * BBQ sauce: It was excited to see the BBQ sauce served in a warm pot as opposed to ketchup bottles on the table. Problem is, the sauce was bland. Dickey's (if you've been to Texas) is much better and half the price.
(2)
Beach G.

Hands down the best BBQ in the area. Excellent, FRESH sides too. Pulled pork sandwich is a dream. Fresh, tangy sauce on the side. The bartenders are all pleasant and a nice spot to watch a game and eat real food. Nothing canned. You won't reek of BBQ smoke when you leave either. The patio is a gem in the warm months. Friendly & prompt service. Highly recommend. They have catered neighbors' parties too, easy take out.
(5)
Matt O.

As a BBQ lover, I am quite picky. While this is not the best BBQ I have ever had, it is by far the best BBQ in the area by a country mile. I have sampled all of the meats and most of the sides and they all are terrific. In fact, the sides are actually what makes this a 4-star establishment. I am not sure what they put in their potato salad (could be crack...it's that addicting), but it's the best potato salad I have ever had. Drooooool....anyway....If you are looking for reasonably priced, high quality comfort food, this is the place. Pro-tip: The Rockland's Pearl is the best deal on the menu if you don't mind your food touching. You can sub-out any meat and any two sides. I go with pulled pork, potato salad and baked beans. Pretty crucial combo.
(4)
David J.

Excellent ribs in a typical, American rib house. The range of hot sauces is unmatched. They have their most insane hot sauce on the top shelf behind the bar, housed in a wooden box. Be warned.
(4)
Koji H.

This place has moonshine? 3 stars says it all. The food is not spectacular, just ok. I think there are better BBQ places around but it will do if i were craving BBQ.
(3)
Bianca K.

If you like rude, dim-witted people taking your order, then this is the place for you.
(1)
Rokeya J.

This is hands down the best bbq in dc metro. The bbq is very flavorful. I get the pulled chicken.
(5)
Daniel Y.

I love this place. Great BBQ sandwiches and sides. Lots of choice on beers, too.
(4)
Eric M.

Brought my 8 yoa son in along with my mom and dad. We all found a great meal. My son is picky and he raved about his pulled pork!!! (he usually complains about something so this is quite an endorsement) My mom and dad have lived in Arlington for over 65 years and this was their first time...they loved it very much! Finding a home run all the way around for this family is a hard thing to do but you all have done it! Thanks again for the wonderful dinner...y'all rock!!! See ya again...hopefully really soon.
(5)
Good E.

I've come here several times usually I come with some friends to grab a quick dinnerand catch up. I really like the ambiance. you order your food at the counter and seat wherever you can find a chair it's a great way to create some kind of camraderie amongst the guests. I've had the pulled pork as well as the beef ribs and pork ribs and it all been excellent. I like the rub that they put on to the meat. and they have so many different types of hot sauce! They're all really really hot and really really delicious working is never a problem here try everything on the menu !
(5)
Steve R.

Fun low key atmosphere with great food and a friendly energetic staff. Tonight I had the chopped barbecue pork sandwich, corn bread and collared greens. Everything was phenomenal. I also sampled some of the mac and cheese. They make it with large shell pasta with a sauce that is a little runny, but the dish is excellent and I recommend it. The cornbread is probably nothing special, but it is good cornbread. The meats are very lightly sauced, which is good because the meat is awesome. If you want more there is a giant vat of it served hot next to the soda machine. You can fill the containers and they have lids if your order is to go. The bartender, I think his name was Jason, was really nice to us and made an additional sale for the restaurant because he was chatting us up about hot sauce and we ended up getting a bottle of hot sauce and some peanuts flavored with ghost peppers as gifts for a relative who loves the heat. I don't know what ghost peppers are, but they sound ridiculously hot. Great time.
(4)
Drew S.

Decent flavored BBQ Pork sandwich. What I like is the bourbon selection though (they even have a club!). Did I join the club? Have you seen some of my other reviews? Of course I did. I'll definitely be going back for that, and JR behind the bar is a good dude.
(3)
Mark R.

I've eaten at Rocklands many times and I've never really been impressed with the caliber of product they produce. Beers are cheap and on Monday's you get a free sandwich with each beer you buy, which is a pretty good deal. Their chopped pork is decent but little more than that. Their BBQ sauce makes the meat more palatable, but even that could not rescue the brisket. The brisket lacks its own flavor signature and with it smothered in BBQ you can hardly tell you are eating brisket. Additionally, a piece of brisket should stand on its own. What I mean is when you slice a piece of brisket you should be able to hold between your thumb and forefinger and it should not fold over. The brisket at Rocklands is most easily eaten by twirling it around your fork like spaghetti. Unacceptable. As the lone establishment for BBQ in Ballston, Rocklands needs to up their game and start supplying quality food that is commensurate with their high prices.
(2)
Ali B.

Delicious pulled pork and corn bread! I love to order by-the-pound and bring it home. Will definitely be back!
(4)
David L.

They're up to four locations in the Washington area, so they must be doing something right. Barbecue isn't exactly plentiful here, so I don't know what some of these reviews are complaining about. My pulled pork was just fine, though it's not Carolina style. The vegetable selection is uncommonly good with offerings like collards and Texas corn pudding. You order at the counter, and the aesthetic is deliberately down-home in a you're-still-in-Arlington kind of way. Also, they have an impressive, if not exactly orthodox, hot sauce selection with even more for sale. I'm not into masochism, but if that's your thing, they have you covered.
(4)
Kris G.

rocklands and i go waaaay back, to the days when they were located inside carpool on fairfax drive, and i was living on the same block. flash forward several years and they're in a new spot with a breezy patio packed with picnic tables, but the same delicious barbeque. as far as meats go, the chopped pork is their standard, and once you taste it, you'll see why it's their best-seller. but if you're partial to chicken or brisket, fear not, as those are primo choices as well. rocklands also does excellent ribs, and they offer combo platters so you don't have to restrict yourself to one meat selection. sandwiches easily become platters when two sides are added for an additional $4, and all of their varied sides are delicious, which makes it hard to pick. but my favorites are the traditional potato salad, texas corn pudding, baked beans, and mac and cheese. clearly, if you don't like carbs, go sit with someone else. collard greens, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw are good choices as well. the red beans and rice was a little bland. the honey jalapeno cornbread is listed as a dessert, not a side, but it's always a hit. DC doesn't have a whole lot of barbeque options, but i think rocklands stands out as one of the best. i found red, hot, & blue to be greasier and less tasty. no matter where they move, i will follow!
(5)
Alex C.

I had heard they were known for their brisket so I decided to give them a try. I ordered a half pound to go. What I received was a plastic cup of meat, that was sliced as thin as roast beef, and drowning in sauce - and not to mention tough & stringy. I don't understand what all of the hype is about...
(2)
Bill B.

My wife found this place and wanted to give it a try. Since I'm always up for BBQ, I took a quick look at yelp and hit the road. Despite the many yelp reviews which slammed the pulled pork sandwich for being tasteless, I ordered it (in my defense, I didn't really think anybody could mess up pulled pork). The meat was moist and well cooked, however, as the reviews stated it lacked any taste, good or bad. Even the BBQ sauce they used on the sandwich was weak. I had to dump a bunch of hot sauce on it to give it any taste. Aside from the pulled pork sandwich, everything else there was great. My wife had a pulled chicken sandwich which was excellent, the kids had awesome all-beef hot dogs, and the sides (corn bread, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and collared greens) were as good as they come. In summary, so long as you steer clear of the pulled pork sandwich, this is a good BBQ joint. The atmosphere was good, the service was good, they actually had parking (a plus for Arlington), and the food was decent to good.
(3)
Alan N.

Of all the BBQ places in the NOVA area, I have to say that Rocklands is hands down the best one. They have a large selection of BBQ meats including the intimidating beef rib. There is a huge selection of hot sauces for you to buy but personally I'd just use the house made BBQ sauce on any of the meats and that was good enough for me. Of all the sides they serve, the coleslaw is the best side they have and I'd get yourself a glass of their handmade lemonade while your at it. You can munch on free peanuts while you wait on your BBQ and they have a outdoor patio area for you to sit and eat at during the spring and summer months.
(4)
Michael S.

Today a friend and I split a full rack of babybacks, a half chicken, a side of baked beans, and sweet tea. I have to say that for about $38 it could be better priced, but it was an OK meal.......not unbelievable; but OK. I've had better, but for Northern Va.. this is about the best that's available in Arlington and I realize that it's not going to get much better. Now to the food. The babybacks were "fall off the bone" but they could have been meatier. The chicken was moist but the skin was a little darker than I'm used to and the meat was a but too smoky. The beans weren't bad, they had chunks of onions and chopped pork in them but could have been a bit sweeter and had a little more smoke on them. Sweet tea just like Grandma used to make. The only sin was the cornbread wrapped in plastic wrap and we know that the cornbread should still be a bit warm from coming out of the oven.
(3)
Brian S.

I have to say this was a barbecue experience I loved. I ordered the belly buster with coleslaw and beans/rice. My friends ordered various barbecue as well. We all loved it. The belly buster came with brisket, half a chicken and beef ribs.
(4)
Mr. Pleco S.

Overall good BBQ but be prepared for depressed-economy meat portions and infant-sized side dishes. I'm finished patronizing this place when a legitimate joint opens.
(3)
Angela N.

I've been wanting to try Rocklands forever and finally made it last night! I was not disappointed---I had a chicken breast sandwich platter with potato salad and corn casserole. Everything was delicious! I did think it was a wee bit expensive for what you get, but nonetheless, thought the portions were a good size and liked the vibe restaurant's vibe. For those people with food allergies, the staff is very good about finding out ingredients in the food if they don't know, and telling you about the best sides they serve. I'll be back!
(4)
AgentxAngel X.

Had the brisket sandwich and fries. It was not the best BBQ I've had, but I will definitely be back again. Fries were good too.
(3)
Lev O.

I initially reviewed rocklands a few months ago and gave them 4 stars for their atmosphere and monday night special. The more i've gone here the more I realize how mediocre the food really is. More importantly it's over priced for the quality and quantity. I usually order the pulled pork sandwich (4.99) and some sides (4.50 something) so for 10 and change you get a pulled pork sandwich with an average portion of meat and two sides that could certainly be bigger. I'm no bbq connoisseur but their bbq is nothing to get all giddy about. On to the sides....mashed potatoes and beans are not expensive to make, why am I paying almost $5 for two sides....?! The beans are usually good but the mashed potatoes could definitely be more home style and less solid. Another gripe I have is that you have to pay extra for corn bread, the only thing that usually keeps me from passing out during a hot bbq meal, I have to pay for. Corn bread is literally the bread and butter of any bbq restaurant, please stop charging your customers for it. This place has no competition around it and I think that's why they're getting away with murder. Lastly, the only place in this building that's cooled adequately are the bathrooms, which is fine if i'm sweating like balls while on the toilet but I'm usually doing that in the dinning area since I just ruined my sandwich with too much damn hot sauce. The only good part about this place is that if you complain about the price they'll give you a drink for free. I also got a piece of corn bread for free once because I decided I wanted it after I paid and it was a hassle to charge me for it. It's like they know the prices are ridiculous or they just don't care. Anyways, this probably won't do much to change the way Rocklands runs but this is the only power I have as a consumer so I hope others can see past Rockland's crazy menu that has no prices on it.
(2)
Jennifer N.

Rocklands is great. It is down the street from my office so I come here frequently to eat lunch or pick up dinner after work. The food is always freshly prepared, served hot and brought to your table. I adore the salad with chopped chicken. Their sweet potato fries are the best I have ever had anywhere! I love the baby back ribs. The meat is so tender it falls right off the bone. I have enjoyed everything else I have tried including the chicken, brisket, pulled pork and sausage. One of my favorite things about Rockland's is all of the special events they sponsor. One day I walked in to find an entire roasted pig being served with all kinds of toppings. Another day Rockland's was serving meat freshly purchased from a nearby farm. The taste was phenomenal. The absolute best part of the restaurant is the service. The staff is always friendly, courteous and polite. They are more than willing to answer any questions I have and always do so with a smile on their face! The manager always checks in to see if I like my food. If I try something new and don't like it, he is willing to replace. But that has never happened! I have loved everything I have tried at Rockland's!
(5)
Christina H.

I love Rocklands. One of the best BBQ joints in the DC area. Their mac'n'cheese is on point, the collard greens are savory and mouthwatering, and the chicken is bomb, too! Delicious on another level! I originally started going here because I heard about their burbon club and I couldn't resist! I mean, people, a burbon club?! Now that's legit!!!
(4)
Chris C.

So this place is one of those places that I would call quick food. Clearly nothing is cooked to order, but the quality was good and the range of selections was impressive. So first off there are 2 areas to order. One for food and one for beer or wine. This is both good and bad. It was good because you could order a drink and sit at a table while you were waiting for your food to get ready. It was bad because you basically have to pay twice which I found annoying. I mean one meal should have one check. The bar had a decent selection of wine and a good selection of both draft and bottled beers. The prices were pretty low and the bartender was pretty knowledgeable. There were only a 6 or so seats at the bar so I don't think they expect you to stay there for longer than it takes your food to come out. The thing that really made me like this place a lot was the crazy selection of BBQ & Hot sauces they had available. They had at least 50 different ones to choose from. All the standard ones you've heard of and then a whole array of rare ones. I ended up trying a whole bunch of different ones and was mixing some of the hot sauces with some of the BBQ sauces to get the right flavor. My favorite had to be the Ghost sauce which was insanely spicy. For the actual food I ordered a chopped pork sandwich platter with the mac & cheese and BBQ baked beans. The mac & cheese where large shells and the cheese had a slightly peppery flavor to it. I liked it a lot, but it certainly was not your ordinary mac & cheese. The BBQ beans were very tasty with a slight smokey flavor to them. The cornbread was great and the piece was huge. The chopped pork itself was decent, but nothing special. Overall this isn't the best BBQ place around, but I certainly enjoyed it. The quickness of the service, cheap price and the cool sauces are what sold me on it. I will definitely hit this place up again every time I'm in the area.
(4)
Robert G.

Nice place if you need a BBQ fix. That being said, DC isn't a BBQ hot spot. I had their pulled chicken sandwich with mac & cheese and fried okra. The sides come in a few different sizes if you prefer to mix and match. I did the special which was $10.99 for a sandwich, two sides, and drink. The chicken was tender and had a smokey taste as you would expect. The sides were tasty, but nothing out of the ordinary. We hit up the bar for a few beers afterward. They had a few TVs scattered throughout the restaurant and bar area which were nice for watching the game.
(3)
Katharine G.

A few months ago, my friend had a party catered by Rocklands in Rockville. When our family gathering was figuring on what to get for dinner that was easy, I thought the Rocklands near us in Arlington. Good choice! We ordered a couple of pounds of chopped pork, 2 quarts of baked beans, and 2 quarts of coleslaw I have to say, everything was quite delicious. The pork had a good smoky flavor. The coleslaw was fresh and crisp, not like Giant Food deli coleslaw. Highly recommend for takeout.
(4)
Sarah A.

Great food, great price, great atmosphere. The Texas corn pudding and the brisket were real winners. The bar is beautiful, one solid piece of wood. The place has personality and outdoor seating.
(4)
Melissa S.

This place is incredibly convienent to the FDIC training facility. The ambiance is laid back and they have shelled peanuts available to snack on until your food comes. Free refills on soda. There's a nice outdoor patio area with picnic tables that's great for when the weather's nice. The indoor space is a little cramped though so you might have to sit with some strangers if the weather is bad outside. The BBQ chicken is meaty and juicy and the brisket was delicious. The shredded BBQ pork was a little bit fatty. This is carolina BBQ so the sauce is vinegary (which I liked). The sides were hit and miss for me. The potato salad and mashed potatoes were really yummy, but the beans were a little too sugary and the mac and cheese tasted like it was straight velvetta (fake, American-cheese taste). They have about 12 different sides though so you'll eventually find your favorite. The price is about $8-10 for a plate of food and the portions are good. A sandwich is about $5 on its own. Overall this place is a solid 3 stars. I'd come back if I was in the neighborhood craving BBQ, but I wouldn't seek it out.
(3)
Rich Y.

rarely do I write a review, but I got the baby back ribs. Nothing good about it. It was boiled and tossed on the grill for a few minutes. The weak sauce that came on the underside of the ribs, not even on the meat. Meat was tough, stuck on the bone, and favorless. Not to mention the cornbread which comes saran wrapped. What is that about? It tasted under baked and probably came from a box mix. As for the BBQ sandwiches, anyone can really slather it in BBQ and make any meat taste good.
(1)
Ticia P.

The meat is delicious! Texas corn pudding was disappointing, since I was expecting a sweet side, pretty much tasteless. I love the ribs and brisket. Suggestion to management: the cashier should ask if we want the bread or not, mine went to waste.
(4)
David A.

The food here is delicious. The barbecue is sweet and savory. The ribs are falling off the bone tender. The atmosphere is VERY casual and informal. As good as the ribs are, I thought they were a little steep in price. Still, they rank up there as some of the best I've had around here. Parking can be a little dicey, as there isn't much of it.
(4)
shoaib a.

2 minute Drill: This isn't the best barbecue I've ever had. However, it's convenient and certainly not the worst place to go to watch a game and grab a bite. 10 play scoring drive: The Vibe: I like how there's plenty of tv sets in this place. It's great for catching a Saturday college football game. If the weather is nice, sitting outside is a great option as it give you more of a neighborhood feel unlike many other places in the Arlington area. The Spread: The menu is okay. I'd prefer if their brisket was thicker rather than those thin cuts that they do. They also go for the wet barbecue style rather than dry but that's neither here nor there. They've got plenty of peanuts for you to munch on while your order is out.
(3)
D W.

Mediocre. Not bad but not worth the $$ in my opinion, which is a shame. Especially since they're set up to be really great. They use real wood smoke but the food lacks the flavor of it and doesn't appear to have been slow cooked. That's what we like about BBQ!
(2)
Anpan W.

The pulled chicken portion size was small, the chicken was gristly, and the price for that experience was about $5. On the up side--they sell hot sauces, including one labeled with either Penn State or Virginia Tech; and they have a six pack of beer section that includes Oberon and some other interesting selections that you will not find elsewhere in Arlington. So meh food but drop in for beer.
(2)
Janiece W.

This was our first time going, and we got take-out. The delicious smoke can be smelled from a few blocks away. We called our order in and it was ready when we arrived around 15 minutes later. There's a decent amount of parking and there were plenty of spots open at 8pm on a Friday night. I ordered the 1/2 rack of baby back ribs and my boyfriend ordered the 3 Meat Platter w/ baked beans and mac & cheese. We also got the honey Jalepeno cornbread. The portions are decent and the ribs were perfectly cooked and fell off the bone, but everything was just kind of bland. Nothing was bad and I might try it again in case it was just an off night. I also wish they'd offer more than just the one bbq sauce. I ended up using some Famous Daves rich & sassy sauce packets I already had at the house. In summary: I wish it was as good as it smelled. Not good, not bad...but for about the same price, I'd rather just go to Famous Daves.
(2)
Andrew H.

Average BBQ, the smokiness can taste artificialy which is NOT good. It's also pricier for what you can get other places. The only reason why I go here is b/c there's nothing else close to my work, but there's much better BBQ to be had at other places.
(3)
Y V.

I'd been craving some BBQ and this hit the spot. It's a bit pricey, but we're in DC so it's forgivable. The first time, I had beef ribs and I found them overly fatty. I ended up throwing more away than I actually ate. The second time, I had a full slab of pork spare ribs and that was much better. The sides are good too. The cauldron of serve-urself BBQ is a great feature. They have tons of hot sauces too so if you like things spicey, it's a good place to go.
(3)
Laura L.

I never really get a hankering for barbecue, but when I do, it makes me sad to think that there are so many limited options in the area. There is one viable option that always comes to mind: Rocklands BBQ. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich with a side of mac and cheese. Sadly, the sandwich bread was dry but the pork itself was pretty tasty. The mac and cheese was fantastic but if I had to give a gold star to the winning part of that meal, it was the side dish. But overall? The meal didn't blow me away. Despite just three stars, I would absolutely come back. Next time around, I want to kick it with some BBQ and a beer on their porch/ patio (when I visited, it was still chilly outside).
(3)
Josh S.

3 star is just the right for this establishment. A-OK BBQ place. I guess you can't really expect much from $11 meat platter. At least you get nice side dishes from orders Home-made sweet teas and lemonades are sub-par. Don't be fooled by 'home-made' tag. Just get water or soda if you're in need of carbonated sugary water. Nothing fancy. Just dress like a bum on a lazy day and eat up your meats. Perfect way to end your night. Great selection of hot sauces -- probably the best thing this place has.
(3)
Coco B.

FINALLY tried Rocklands. I had the buffalo pulled chicken sandwich with a side of mac'n'cheese and mashed potatoes. SOOO GOOD! The ambiance was great, and I love that they offer tons many exotic hot sauces -both for use and for sale. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Melissa W.

I got take-out from here a couple nights ago. The ribs were delicious, the service was fast, and the price was right on. I'll definitely be coming back!
(4)
Rachel H.

I pass Rocklands everyday on my way home & the aroma of the barbeque in the air is so enticing. My dad loves barbeque, so I thought I would take him here for Father's Day. I almost skipped it after reading the bad reviews here, but figured I would give it a chance and I'm really glad I did. My dad raves about this bbq place he goes when he visits South Carolina, so I knew his standards were going to be high. He got the chopped pork sandwich, added coleslaw to it, and got fries & baked beans on the side. He loved the sami & said it was on par with the one he loves in SC. Being a vegetarian, I appreciated that they had a veggie sandwich option on the menu & plenty of vegetarian sides to choose from. The portion of the veggies was generous & actually made it difficult to eat as a sandwich. I ended up cutting them up with the bread and eating it with a fork, but the flavor was incredible! They add bbq sauce to it and I really enjoyed the smoky flavor. I go the potato salad, which was really good, and the corn pudding, which wasn't all that great. I loved how they had a big pot of bbq sauce boiling at the condiments station so you could serve your own. The service was friendly & quick, and the atmosphere was pleasant. Overall this was a nice experience for Father's Day and I look forward to my next visit.
(4)
Brad Z.

See my review for Rocklands in Alexandria... yelp.com/biz/rocklands-bâ€¦ ...virtually everything applies to the food at this location as well. I actually prefer this location the best as they offer a full bar and outdoor seating.
(4)
Chuck W.

Been here several times...I must have forgotten about reviewing this place. Yes, it's a barbeque place, but people seem to come here for the sides. I do, at least. On this day, they were running dangerously low in their mac-and-cheese supply, and you would have thought that we were in the depression, and I possessed the last mac-and-cheese ticket. People were enviously looking at the small carton, muttering "I thought they were out", "don't worry, they're making it soon, little boy, don't cry", and "what the hell, I'm going to go up there and change my order". The fried okra is good as well - I love a crisp okra, and it comes out piping hot. People who know me will know that for me, half of the battle is getting the food coming out hot. I'm a stickler for timing the dishes so that everything comes out at the right time at the right temperature. You should have seen me light into my mother a few Thanksgivings ago. Unfortunately, the meat, surprisingly, isn't that amazing. Ribs are large, but certainly not fall off the bone, and the sauce is too sweet. The chicken is just OK, relatively plain. The best thing there might be the chopped barbeque, but I'm sure I've had better having lived in the South for a while. In any case, they get 3 stars for being a friendly neighborhood place (hello free peanuts while you wait), having a nice outdoor patio to eat, and the delicious sides. PS. They also have a bar.
(3)
Kurry P.

Went to Rocklands last night for dinner and it was great. Simple, real, on the plate (paper) bbq. It was great and reminded me of a back yard get together with family from out of town. Prices were reasonable and lots of variety of sides and meats to choose from. I highly recommend it.
(4)
P L.

Decent BBQ Brisket sandwich and sides. A little pricey for lunch at over $10 with a drink. Seating is available, parking is a little scarce.
(3)
David K.

Rocklands is a fine, inexpensive option for a wide variety of barbeque meats. I'm not a snob when it comes to barbeque as I'm not from a region that takes it seriously. If you are from one of those regions, you may be disappointed, as Rocklands tries to have a wide variety of styles that it does OK, but nothing that it excels at. The brisket was tasty but a bit tough. The pork barbeque was good, but the sauce wasn't great. The chicken barbeque was a bit better. I found the Mac and Cheese to be creamy and above average, and the mashed potatoes are OK. I think its a dependable good meal for not much money. It's good for big groups as well, and they do have a bar with a variety of beers. I don't like smelling like a smokehouse when I leave though. They also have pork bones for dogs for a buck, which my dog loves.
(3)
Todd G.

In the famous words of the basketball hall of the famer Charles Barkley, "Terrible, just terrible." How does this place stay in business? Not once, not twice, but three bad experiences I've had at Rockland's and what's so disappointing is that I've only eaten here three times. It's a shame because the location is perfect and the smokehouse aroma coming from the restaurant is phenomenal but they just can't seem to get it together. Staff is very unfriendly and the price is probably about $5 overpriced per meal. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me and fool me 3 times...well I guess I'm just an idiot. Never again Rockland's.
(1)
M B.

I heard some negative things about this place and thought it seemed small from the outside, so I've been avoiding it. But, I was always intrigued. Saturday I stopped in for lunch with a friend and was surprised by how cute it is inside. What a nice little friendly place. The staff seemed a little flustered and strange. But, the food was very good. I'm no BBQ snob, but I've been to the South enough to make some judgments. The chopped pork sandwich was great and I really like their sauce, it's the style that I prefer. The meat was good quality, sometimes pulled pork grosses me out. I had fries and they were pretty darn yummy too. I couldn't believe how filling it was, I couldn't finish everything. Two thumbs up, I'll be returning. Rocklands haters are completely off the mark.
(5)
Margaret B.

I've had the pulled chicken sandwich, the beef brisket and the blue plate special which was a spicy bbq chicken sandwich. I absolutely love this place! It is so so good. Homemade BBQ food with great side options. The baked beans are money and so are the mashed potatoes. I also really like the corn bread and the cole slaw. There's nothing I haven't tried that I don't like. And the best part is that the food doesn't sit heavy in your stomach. You don't walk out feeling like you're going to be in a food coma for the next 20 yrs, rather you walk out feeling very satisfied and like you can continue on with your night/day or go out for some drinks or dessert. Make sure you go to the drink area where they have the big pot of BBQ sauce and fill up some side cups of that! Their sauce is delicious and the staff is always nice.
(4)
Simon H.

I really like Rocklands. I've had them cater a party. I've ordered food on the way from the gym or meetings and its waiting hot and timely for me. The bar is pretty fun to chill out at and watch games. Seating can be tough but they have an upstairs now which looks great. That should help a lot. The only negative for me is the price, which can be some sticker shock. I suppose it's worth it for quality meat and BBQ. I've had everything here and it's all excellent.
(5)
Sarah M.

The place is cute and clean and our food came out quickly, but it just wasn't that good. I had the chicken & pork ribs with two sides: collards and red beans and rice. The chicken (white meat) was really, really dry, although pretty well-seasoned. The pork ribs were tasty but in my opinion should have been cooked until melty and tender; I definitely like them very, very well done and these were kind of rubbery. The collards were super salty and the red beans and rice were ridiculously under-seasoned. Sauce was just average to me, although I was glad that it did not contain any liquid smoke in it like you see in some places. I was really hoping to like this place better based on so many positive reviews, but I thought the barbeque was just ok. It was a pleasant atmosphere, so I would consider going back to try the pulled pork or fish, but I'm not gonna race over there anytime soon.
(2)
Anna M.

I stumbled upon Rockland's while doing errands in the area and was sure glad I did. The service was speedy and friendly. The atmosphere Rocks! I loved the mismatched tables inside and long picnic tables outside. The decor reminded me of places I used to frequent in Louisiana. I was thrilled that they had grilled fish- I've been to too many places that just have fried. All my cares disappeared while sitting outside enjoying my mac and cheese and blacken catfish sandwich. The fish was twice the size of the bun! My dining companion enjoyed enjoyed her ribs, baked beans and DRAFT rootbeer!
(4)
Emily V.

I headed here on a Friday night with my friend who's been wanting to try it for a long time. I had pretty low expectations for finding good BBQ in DC being from NC but this place is pretty good. I really enjoyed the beef brisket sandwich, my mac and cheese had an interesting and unexpected flavor, and the coleslaw wasn't bad. I tried my friend's corn pudding which was really yummy too. I think my favorite part of the place is the relaxed outdoor seating. Looks like a nice beer selection too. I'll be back!
(4)
Izzat A.

One word describes this place: hallelujah! Went here Friday night with some friends and was very very surprised with this place and how good it was. They have a huge menu to choose from. There is a huge selection of hot sauces for you to buy but I just used the house made BBQ sauce. I got a double chicken breast sandwich with sides of mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. The sandwich was HUGE. I can eat my fair share, but this sandwich was a challenge no doubt. The mac and cheese was very very good and the mashed potatoes were good too. My friends ordered ribs and brisket and everybody liked what they got. Prices are pretty fair and service was pretty quick. This place is laid back and serves good southern food. Definitely will return.
(4)
Will L.

I'd actually had Rocklands on my "to visit" list for a long time, and I enjoyed what I'd sampled at a stand at the National Zoo one time. So as we walked in, the aroma of the food and the quantity of customers lifted my expectations even higher. The haphazard line for ordering even hinted at the glory of Ray's Hell Burger. Having placed our orders and chosen our table, which included no less than 5 meats and 5 sides plus fries, we began our "waiting and peoplewatching" - and I greedily spied a large slab of ribs being devoured by a nearby patron. What's more, we were seated outside - plenty of elbow room for tackling a big eat as well as scavenging birds to clean up after you. I was looking forward to this. But when the server arrived with our portions, the tray looked a little small. In fact the baby back ribs were small (even for baby back) and I didn't think three dollops of average sides served on a disposable plate should cost $6.49. I'd rather go to Chicken Out if I'm going to pay $1 per spoonful of food. Sad story short, I'm sorry to say: sub-par barbeque and sides. It's not hard to find tastier (and better value) bbq in NoVA. I have no idea how this place has a decent reputation. The meats were satisfactory but nothing special, fries soggy and cut too thin, rice and beans very oversalted and even the mac and cheese - just bad. The only redeeming side was the baked beans. (I would've tried the collard greens too but they're apparently a "premium side".) Even the house bbq sauce disappointed - too vinegary for my taste although perhaps some North Carolinans would like it. Oh and finally, I was going to get a draft beer to go with my meal but after about 5 minutes too many of standing around the unattended bar looking like I was stalking the bar patrons (and a couple of check backs to see if any bar staff were ready - they weren't), I decided I didn't want to shell out any more for this place. In any case, the draft beer selection was okay but nothing special - Sam, Sam Seasonal, Shiner Bock, Blue Moon, and some Bud/Miller product. Instead I tried some iced tea which I love. It tasted weird and had some solids at the bottom of the plastic cup. Both sweet and unsweet. A bird pooped on my arm when I got home, which summed up my experience nicely.
(2)
Bryan J.

This BBQ joint provides quality consistent BBQ for an affordable price. The portions are huge and the sides are plentiful.
(4)
L. E.

Great classic barbecue. I had the beef brisket and was pleased not only with the North Carolina-style barbecue sauce but even the quality of the beef used!
(3)
Zach S.

The pulled pork is genuinely pretty good. The brisket and chicken are palatable, but very subpar by barbecue standards and are best avoided. I haven't had the ribs. And unfortunately their house barbecue sauce kind of sucks if you happen to prefer vinegar or mustard sauces as I do. As for sides, I like the coleslaw and the Texas corn pudding best. The fries are also decent. Avoid the nasty Velveeta mac and cheese. Overall, I like this place because it's fast, convenient, and the price is right. $9 for a passable pulled pork sandwich and two sides that's ready almost instantly is hard to beat around here.
(3)
Ali B.

A few years ago, I scored a sweet little window decal from the Rockland's booth at the Taste of Arlington and randomly stuck it on my passenger side window. I pretty much forgot the sticker was there up until a few months ago. Seeing as I still hadn't sampled their BBQ (and didn't want to imply to drivers in the adjacent lanes that my body functioned on pulled pork alone), I removed the decal. I was a woman having a chubby day. These things happen. But I digress, dude and I finally made it over to Rockland's on July 4th. We ordered a beef brisket sandwich to share (a pre-festivities snack) then sat down to wait for our order. While we waited, I took in the surroundings. Laid back atmosphere, cute mismatched furniture, fully stocked bar and some good beer offerings, most notably Oskar Blues, Breckenridge and Avery. Nice. 45 minutes later, the sandwich arrived. Screeeeech. 45 minutes? Look, I get it. The 4th is probably one of their busiest days in the year. However, the amount of time it took for us to get our lone sandwich was absurd. My husband stopped one of the managers in passing and politely mentioned the excessive wait time while the passive Asian in me feigned sudden interest in the baseball game on TV and waited for some form of backlash. The manager apologized, went into the back and brought us a small container of brisket, BBQ sauce and two buns to take home with us. No questions, no hassle. In a matter of a few minutes, he turned our slowly souring visit into a happy one. Major props to that guy. Oh and that brisket sandwich? MONEY. We'll be back soon. I never should have removed that window decal...
(4)
Adam W.

Can't speak for everything on the menu, but the brisket sandwich is top notch and the mac n' cheese is simply the best I've ever had. I love their take-home hot sauce selection and try to pick up a different bottle most times that I stop by. They keep a rotating selection, and it appears that someone there is a fellow aficionado, because they do get some of the best ones out there. Overall an awesome place that has been in my regular rotation since moving to Arlington a year ago. Great for carry out on football Sundays, too.
(5)
Melody C.

Terrific meat off the bone baby back ribs, succulent chopped pork sandwich, and tasty cornbread. And with a free chopped pork sandwich when you buy a beer on Monday's, you don't walk away feeling ripped off. Great selection of drinks, San pellegrino, beers on tap, gourmet root beer, homemade lemonade and iced tea... Free peanuts while you wait and outdoor patio which is perfect for the summer/springtime...I can just imagine bringing my dog here. They have a large pot of unlimited hot BBQ sauce for you to smother your free BBQ sandwich with.
(5)
Vicki D.

Not impressed with the lunch we had at Rockland's today. I love a pulled pork sandwich, but not this one. The meat was dry and tasteless, and I didn't care for their sauce either...not sure what flavor they are going for because it tasted nothing like I've ever had anywhere else, and I've had BBQ all over the U.S.. Yes, they give you plenty of meat, but you can't possibly eat your sandwich as a sandwich as there is so much piled on...and it's piled on a plain, dry hamburger bun. Ick. My son ordered the grilled cheeseburger. When it came, there was no cheese...just two super-thin sliced cooked onions and some pickles...either dress it or don't. The fries were drenched in salt and didn't feel, or taste, liked they were freshly cooked. At least the place was clean.
(2)
Lefty M.

Southern barbeque is overrated. So is this place. Don't get me wrong - I love a good grilled burger, steak, chicken, or ribs. The problem is, Southerners spend a lot of time doing weird variations on grilling when there's really not a lot of complexity to it. I don't need or want some silly "slow-cooking" or vinegar sauce or dry rub. None of those things really work anyway. We are dealing with fire and charcoal here; a primitive, elemental process that doesn't lend itself to a lot of fancy styles. Just blacken it a bit and that's pretty much it. This Rocklands place goes for the "pink smoke ring" style. All the meat - ribs, chicken, pork - has the same funny taste to it. A dried out, slow-cooked-to-death kind of pungency. It just isn't the traditional barbeque flavor of carmelized tomato-based sauce like KC Masterpiece or something. I would love a place that served that, but this isn't it. So they pride themselves on this great unique style of barbeque, but it isn't very good. What do you expect from people who think honey on biscuits is a treat? Their menu is also not that good. For a sit-down, informal place, it's awful hard to put together a balanced meal. They don't have much of anything in the way of vegetables. Minted cucumber salad doesn't count and should not be counted as a "side" the same way mashed potatoes are. I can only imagine their profit margin selling 10 slices of cucumber that way. Would it kill them to have some corn-on-the-cob, or maybe green beans? Coleslaw is not cutting it, and neither is the "black bean salad" which is nothing but beans, no corn. Also, the service can be pretty lame. I tried ordering the half-pound cheeseburger once and the cashier had no clue. I kept saying, "Don't you have a half-pound cheeseburger?" and she just kept giggling with her coworker. Finally I got a menu and pointed it out. She said she thought I believed they sold "cheeseburger meat" by the pound, like the pulled pork, and they just kept giggling. Just recently I ordered a side of mashed potatoes and they gave me mac and cheese. I saw a cook lay a receipt right on top of the sauce on a patron's food - those cheap paper things discolor near heat and bleed ink easily - yum! Nothing to get excited about here, that's for sure.
(2)
Dusk D.

The best BBQ in northern Virginia, in my humble.... Rocklands is a great place for a relaxing lunch, or a causal affordable dinner out. The brisket and chicken are both juicy and flavorful, and the ribs are excellent if you're looking for a somewhat larger meal. Sides wise, be sure to try their mac and cheese, or sub one of the sides out for an order of their fried okra. Okra is also good as an order unto itself, but the portions are HUGE, so be ready to share. You wouldn't think of it, but their burger is pretty amazing, too. Decent beer selection at the bar if you're looking for something alcoholic to pair with your meal. Otherwise, skip the soda: go for their sweet tea, it's excellent. Parking is not bad, but if it's crowded you may have to resort to street parking nearby. The patio is GREAT on days that aren't too hot (or after the sun has gone down), but there's usually plenty of space inside to sit. The larger tables are great for small groups (6-8). A definite must visit if you're in the area.
(5)
Tim M.

This place can be great or mediocre depending on what you order. If you stick with the pork or chicken barbeque sandwich with mac and cheese or the mason dixon macaroni salad, you'll be good to go. The other sides are solid too, but those are my favorites. The jalepeno cornbread is tasty as well. If you're like my roomate, who always orders obscure and risky menu items, this place may suck. The brisket and ribs are not good. Not sure why but they just aren't. This place is no super-amazing southern BBQ joint like they have in GA and SC but there are not many places, if any, around here that can compare to that. I think on Mondays you get a free pork bbq sandwhich if you order a beer, which is pretty cool. I also like the plethora of hot sauces they have available to try.
(3)
dfrost d.

I love it. Im in the process of getting my name on the wall. Joe's awesome.
(5)
Jelli F.

Rocklands, you are like a recycled ex-boyfriend. Just when I've nearly given up for good.... I've had a couple of marginal experiences here and posted a review on Yelp to that effect. Today, I stopped by Rocklands once again with several friends for a quick lunch. I ordered a brisket sandwich and asked for a leaner cut and explained that I've received sandwiches in the past that were too fatty. The sandwich and side (fries) I received today were really outstanding and the service was really friendly. It looks like the owners are making a good effort to improve and it shows. If you've had an off experience, I suggest trying again.
(4)
Brent P.

I'm giving Rocklands a 3 based on the overall food experience, not just on the BBQ. TO be clear this is NOT real BBQ, but it's still meat and that aint bad. I had the beef brisket sandwich, mac and cheese and rice and beans. The brisket was good, but it tasted like it had been grilled not smoked the way BBQ should be. The portion size was also on the smaller side. The sides weren't bad, but not amazing. Rockland's is closer to a fast food joint then a real BBQ place. Not sure why there aren't any real BBQ places in DC, but I'm glad they are at least making the effort. I think they still have long way to go though.
(3)
Minda M.

I've been to this place in Arlington and Rockville MD, and the food is about the same at both places. I do love the fact they take care in to their meat, sauces and Hot sauce selection, but they lack knowing what the customer really wants. I usually get the pulled pork, but their "pulled" pork or chicken is just thick chunks of pork/chicken on a bun with a ladle full of BBQ sauce. I'm used to "pulled" items to be reaelly tender and rich of delicious sauces. I feel the owner is a die hard BBQ-er and is all about the meat. I can appreciate that, but the owner spends too much on the meat and not enough on the sides. The mac and cheese is always mushy and flavorless, and the cucumber salad is average. The one time I went their the special was a rib sandwich, I love ribs, but this was literally ribs on a bun. Ribs AND bone on a bun. Were you supposed to pull the meat off of the bone and then make a sandwich, or eat the ribs off of the bone then eat the bun? No idea. I lived really close to this place, and loved the smell, but I learned that when I need to fill my BBQ fix I would just get beans and a piece of corn bread. The beans have chunks of pork in it. The place is Arlington is awkwardly set up, and I had no passion to get a beer there. I would usually get take out, but when I'm starving I eat there, which means eat and run.
(3)
N B.

Not the worst, but certainly not the best. Their mac and cheese and greens are pretty solid. I got the baby back ribs the last time I went-- very tender, but not as smokey as I like my barbeque. I'm definitely not a fan of their house barbeque sauce. It literally tastes like someone chopped up onions and stuck it in a vat of warm ketchup.
(3)
Laila S.

2.5 stars. I had every intention of loving this place. It's right by my house and the menu sounded fantastic. We came on a weekend night and it was moderately busy. If you're moderately busy, why is your Mac & Cheese cold? If I'm going to be consuming that many fat and calories, I want it ooey and gooey -- not cold. My sandwich was cold as well so I found the whole meal quite odd. My husband's rack of ribs look like he ordered it off the child's menu. Perhaps it was an off night. Oh, and they advertise that they have a new menu item - sweet potato fries. When we ordered them the guy looked at us quizzically turned to the cooks and said "we don't have sweet potato fries, right?!" They looked back at him like they've never had a sweet potato pass through their fryer. Your menu is a chalkboard - if you don't have it, erase it!
(3)
Ted F.

Good brisket, good BBQ sauce, acceptable ribs and sides, avoid everything else on the menu. This gets four stars simply because it is the only acceptable BBQ in the DC area; it would be 2 or 3 stars in Texas. It's a good place to watch a football game during off hours, but the lines during the lunch and dinner rushes are unpleasant and the decor is utilitarian at best. There's an interesting bar that I don't take enough advantage of. Closes far too early.
(4)
Yumi R.

I truly enjoyed devouring my BBQ pork sandwich, primarily because at some point driving in Arlington, I just wanted something BBQ-y (it hit the spot), and secondly because I received some contemptuous glances by others around me as I ate, licking my fingers and declined cutlery. Pertaining to the first clause, the Rocklands BBQ sandwich did satisfy my BBQ craving. The pork sandwich was a hefty helping of cut/shredded tender pork, on a bun, with some flavor, and with added BBQ sauce, it was nearly divine. I requested for green scallions after noticing the sign "Due to many customers plucking off and throwing away green onions, they are only available upon request" I'll take all , please! Well, in any case, I was very satisfied; the sandwich was filling and there is an entire cauldron of tangy BBQ sauce available. (I almost cackled as I stirred up the thick concoction of tomato, spices, and onion). The service was great, though that may be due to the fact it was almost empty (5 pm on Labor Day), and I appreciated the cashier and server helping me to decide what to get based on my preferences. As I was on a very tight budget I spent $5.40 on my sandwich, and decided to forgo the sides. I would imagine they are delicious, and I would like to try the mint iced tea next time. You can eat here cheap, there is a deal for $6.99 or something like that for a sandwich and 2 sides. Or, a pricier meal would run upwards of $14.99 if buying the ribs + sides, etc Thumbs up, and 4 stars.
(4)
Sandi W.

Nothing will ever compare to my family's BBQ, but this was a decent substitute. The ordering process and menu were a little confusing. We weren't expecting that. Just glad we weren't there with a bunch of people waiting behind us. I had the three ribs, but they were the end pieces, so not much there. Thankfully, a member of our group ordered a full rack not realizing what he was getting so he needed all of our help to finish it. (He isn't from the States...) The cornbread pudding was good. Yummy comfort food. I also liked their BBQ sauce. Nice kick to it! Not too sweet either. Love the little pack of matches-like tooth pick packs. Those come in handy!
(3)
Ian Y.

I'm not a barbecue snob. I do, however, enjoy it a lot. The best thing here are the packets of toothpicks, best suited for fishing regret from your teeth after subjecting yourself to incredibly fatty portions of meat. The chopped pork wasn't tender, but it was better than the brisket, which resembled the marble pattern of bacon. The black bean salad was a breath of fresh air.
(1)
Tom N.

The hot 'n' spicy grilled wings are my favorite; look for them on special. The chicken has a delicious rub on it with all sorts of seasoning. The pulled porked stays moist and falls apart at the touch. The barbeque has a wonderful smokey quality to it. So the cole slaw is a bit different from most places with its very green cabbage, peas, carrots, light on the dressing, and tastes a bit oniony. I can see how some might not like it, but I rather love it. Mac and cheese shells were nice and creamy. The location between Ballston and Clarendon makes Rocklands more convenient then heading out to Ashburn for good barbeque.
(4)
Amanda E.

Sweet, smokey and a helluva good steal for the price. Order the grilled onion greens on the side - they're apparently no longer a given due to waste. Undecided and craving iron, I went with the brisket platter with okra and collard greens. Really tasty brisket, but I had my eye on pulled meat being whisked from the kitchen. Can't top the fresh veggies. Although I love vinegar-y collard greens, these hock-infused greens were delightful. Didn't miss the vinegar one bit. Okra was super fresh and flash fried with cornmeal breading. Pleasantly surprised how crunchy and vibrantly green the okra was. Their one bbq sauce is all I needed. An initial onion-y sweetness with an instant zing that catches your tonsils. Grab a fresh brewed Root Beer (a la dominion brewery co) and pull up a seat outside and enjoy. Just ignore the Giant parking lot antics.
(4)
Courtney R.

I have to disagree with almost everybody else. Today was my first visit to Rocklands and I will definitely go back. I got the blue plate special--sliced pork loin sandwich with slaw and 2 onion rings on top PLUS two sides a drink for $9.99. I'm not a BBQ connoisseur by any means, but it wasn't horrible. Was it the best I've had? Hell no. But the price is right and the sides I had were delicious, particularly the macaroni salad. Also, the music was great. While I was there, they played M. Ward and the Skulls. To the dude who complained about DMB: I think they got your message. The sweet tea was slammin', plus they have a full bar and peanuts everywhere, something I love dearly but often can't enjoy due to Welshie's deadly allergy. P.S. There's a happy hour special: buy a beer, get a free chopped-pork sandwich.
(4)
Patricia S.

I was really looking forward to eating at this place . . . the decor made me think I could get really great bbq. Wow was I disappointed. I had the 1/4-chicken and two ribs. Both items were burnt and didn't taste like any barbeque I'd had before. The meats were way-charred. The taste was mostly tangy, very little sweet and no spice/seasoning. And 'very little sweet' to me is actually very little sweet. I'm not a syrupy sweet bbq lover so a moderate amount of sweet would register as highly sweet to my taste buds. Nah, this food wasn't sweet at all. It was incredibly smokey. If that's the goal . . . produce highly smoked meats in a vinegar base, Rocklands succeeds. I was also let down by the mac-and-cheese. It was like cheese whiz poured over macaroni shells. Now I know some folks like their M&C like that. I prefer more complex cheese, not so wet and def baked. The food was fresh . . . wasn't sitting around under heat lamps. That's a definite plus. Judging by the number of people in the joint tells me that folks do like the food. Unfortunately, me (and the hubby) did not.
(1)
Craig E.

I work very close and have been frequenting Rocklands for a few months. I can honestly say I have never been disappointed with either the food or service. I usually order their Blue Plate special of the day and I am always amazed at how magnificent everything tastes. What really stands out is the deep, smoky flavor. They also make their own BBQ sauce which I highly recommend (although it is heavy on the vinegar). There's a great selection of sides (I prefer the Mac and cheese). I always order to go so I can't speak for the atmosphere but the service is speedy and polite.
(5)
Jerry P.

My wife and I ate at Rocklands BBQ on July 4th in the late afternoon. The place was pretty busy. They have two lines when you enter. One for walk in folks and another for call in customers. I went to the walk in while my wife scouted out a table. The dark woody restaurant had a smoky smell and you know you are in a BBQ place. After placing our order and ordering a pitcher of beer from the bar the food was delivered to our table. We ordered a half slab of baby back ribs and a half chicken, with cucumber salad, baked beans and cole slaw. The ribs were delicious. Tender meat just fell off of the bone. The sauce contained grilled onions and was very tasty. The chicken was hot and similarly tasty. The white meat was a little dry. These folks know how to BBQ! The side orders were pretty small portions but tasted good. The cucumber salad was new to me. The cucumbers were crispy and fresh, the dressing complemented the vegetables without overwhelming them. The cole slaw was different. The cabbage and assorted veggies were cut into chunks, not shredded. The dressing was a tangy vinegar type. To my surprise there were peas in the slaw too! Nice surprise. The baked beans were pretty average. They included the same carmalized onions as the BBQ sauce on the ribs. This was our first time eating at Rocklands. It won't be our last.
(4)
Del C.

Unless you're comparing to down south BBQ (and even if you are) this place is legit. They are located pretty close to work so I go when I can and I have not been disappointed once. I have had a bunch of different things and everything has been delicious. Their sides are really good and the prices are actually cheaper than expected overall. I would personally would pay more and feel like it was still fair. Service - Solid and quick Atmosphere - What you would expect from a BBQ place They also have a bar!!! Check it out, you will not find much better in the area.
(4)
spenny r.

I keep going back hoping that either they get better or i start liking it. ok, i also go because its probably the best BBQ in arlington, but thats not saying much. the q at red hot and blue isnt as good, but it isnt nearly as expensive. close to $30 for a full rack of beef ribs? (thats 4 ribs... that are 1/3 fat) the beef is cheaper at ray's the steaks! bottom line: red hot and blue feels like a fast food joint, this place at least feels like a restaurant, its hard to get over the greasy over-priced marginal BBQ though. when *will* someone open a decent BBQ place in arlington?
(2)
Alexander S.

I have been to Rocklands numerous times over the past two months, the Arlington location is next to my current favorite dry cleaners. And while I am not a "BBQ-Expert" I will say the BBQ over here is not bad. My favorite dish is The Belly Buster (two ribs, sausage, quarter chicken, and brisket), but the babyback ribs are decent too. And I agree the pulled pork is good, but not over the top good. All in all, I would say the place is decent, not an AMAZING place, but a place I enjoy eating at again and again. It is a bit on a pricey side for what you get, but for sheer convenience and fast service, it still is a great place for a quick pickup on the way home. Oh and a word of caution, the Hot 'n' Spicy Grilled Wings are just that, HOT...and the extra Fuego sauce will keep you sucking down beers or other liquids to cool the heat. My favorite sides are the Homemade Coleslaw, Traditional Potato Salad, Macaroni and Cheese. As far as things I would say are a miss, I was not a fan of the pulled pork egg rolls...it is a bit too weird for me. And I am not really fond of their Southern Style Mustard Greens, as I found them a little too soggy for my tastes.
(3)
Trisha S.

I came to the Yelp page of Rocklands thinking I was going to go with 4-stars, but after reading some of the reviews I have to say I agree with some of the remarks... what can I say, I'm a pushover. Rocklands is, as my three star rating says, A-OK. When I'm craving barbecue in Arlington and I'm too lazy to make it myself, Rocklands hits the spot. The ribs are full of meat, but also full of fat. The meat is a little tough, but the once you get a bite you start to think its alright. The sides are alright as well. You could easily make them yourself and your mom's version is probably ten times better. But in all honesty, Rocklands does it for me. It satisfies a craving and it keeps me full.
(3)
Eric K.

We love Rocklands and frequently go there when family is in town. Great barbecue, lines that always move quickly, and great sweet tea! Fair warning, your clothing may smell of BBQ smoke when you leave!
(4)
Cory L.

I go to this place for lunch, have been for a while. PEOPLE, Seriously, how are you rating this place above average for BBQ? I know what im getting when I come here....its usually when I need a BBQ fix real quick. It does that, but not really that great. Last time I got the Meats...chicken, brisket, ribs,pork combo...along with an order of wings...the ribs were burnt to a crisp..and no, its not cause it was smoked...I know BBQ, seriously. The ribs were just plain below average. It was cooked, and reheated in dry heat over and over again (this was 1PM on a weekday aternoon). It gt so bad, it was hard to pull off the dark black carcinogenic layer. Even the wings were bad and CHARCOAL black. I mean, how do you mess up BBQ wings? Oh, and the sauce they just drizze all over the meats......ruins the BBQ'ness of the sow cook. You want good BBQ, go someplace else where they take BBQ seriously..but if you need to feel like you want to walk into a place that sounds and LOOKS like serious BBQ places, stop on by for a quick fix. I hope im doing Yelpers a favor by calling this place out cause im concerned for your precious dollars,dont let it go to waste...even when your food isnt burnt, average BBQ at best.
(2)
Bro H.

I've got to lower my rating to one star. We went back here because the girlfriend swore that their catering was really good when she had it at the office. However, we both agreed that this location was still terrible. The fact that they have to put 10 flavors of hot sauce on your table says it all - they clearly don't stand by the flavor of their meat or sauce. This time, in addition to completely bland barbeque, there were a few chunks of fat and gristle in the sandwiches, which should be pretty damn easy to avoid. Barbeque is tough to perfect, no doubt, but it's pretty damn easy to make it taste good, even if all you've got is a gas grill and a little smoker box. The fact that these people actually own a real smoker and manage to make barbeque this mediocre is a really impressive feat of ineptitude, and for that, only a one star rating is appropriate. Also, the music was terrible. Dave Matthews Band? It's been like 7 years since I last had to complain about Dave Matthews Band. C'mon.
(1)
Nicholas D.

Rocklands is one of my local favorites. Pros: The whole menu is a really good value, the portions are generous, staff is friendly, root beer on tap, really good sweet tea, restaurant is clean, they usually have sports on the TVs, the patio is nice in summertime and I can walk there from my house Cons: It's not the best BBQ I've ever had in my life. It is the best I've had in DC though.
(4)
Sean W.

I have not tried everything on the menu as of yet, but so far so good! Pulled Pork - good/tasty Cheeseburger - awesome Collard greens - delicious French fries - OK Sweet Tea - As good as it gets
(4)
jeffrey d.

The pulled pork sandwich is very tasty but the sauces are only average... There really aren't any good spicy hot sauces available, specifically none that were made by the house ::cough couwillardsgh:: and none that really accentuated the flavor of the meat = ( The sausage leaves much to be desired.....maybe a whole new recipe rework! The sides are pretty damn good. Baked beans, MAC & CHEESE!!! & roommates favorite - collard greens are all great. The ribs are A/A- The brisket, per the roommate, was a little too smokey. I think I remember thinking the same thing!
(4)
J H.

What a complete waste of time and money! This was one of the most disappointing barbeque establishments I have ever tried. Total disappointment. Little to no flavor -- Tasted like water. This was so bad I did't finish nor take home leftovers.
(1)
Stephanie R.

I'm mixed. I loved Mason-Dixon macaroni. But the baby back ribs and cornbread was okay. And the coleslaw was terrible, its had a vinegar tease to it. Some of my family is from Memphis, so I might have too high of standards for BBQ. It's a bit pricey too. I don't think is worth another tip all the way on the Orange line to get it.
(3)
Meaux ..

3.5 Stars We were craving good barbeque and since Mr. P's Ribs and Fish is slightly too far out of the way for us today, we settled on Rocklands based on others Yelp reviews. After checking out the menu online we decided to share the half rack of Baby Back Ribs and the Blue Plate Special of the Day: $9.99 for a Beef Brisket Sandwich covered in coleslaw with 2 sides (we chose Potato Salad and Mac and Cheese). Baby Back Ribs were good; the sauce was tangy and sweet. There was a decent amount of meat on each rib. The Beef Brisket Sandwich was delicious. The meat was incredibly tender and had a nice smoky flavor. It was covered in a nice coleslaw that was fresh tasting, not too watery and had a surprising addition of peas (which I didn't realize I liked until trying). The potato salad was great, and recommendable. Not soggy, with just the right amount of zest. The mac and cheese was simply that, tasted like a creamier version of Velveeta shells and cheese with the addition of pepper. If you are craving mac and cheese you wouldn't be amiss in ordering it, but personally would try something else next time. We ordered a draft root beer which was refreshing and complimentary to the meal. Lots of bench seating outside, a nice surprise was the solid playlist in the outdoor speakers. If you are looking for BBQ in the area it's a good choice.
(4)
Dan B.

good quick service, great selection of sides but the meat is, well, average. It's just ok bbq, prolly could use a tad more smoke. But it will satisfy that bbq craving.
(3)
Ron G.

A great BBQ restaurant that never fails to satiate your crave for good barbecue. There is also a good vibe coupled with great service. If you come here, you will come back soon!
(4)
Laura R.

So my boyfriend and I stumbled upon this restaurant driving home. What a find! The baby back ribs were amazing and the bbq chicken sandwich was really tasty. Did I mention how good the side dishes were? The corn bread and the homemade mac n cheese were mouth-watering. Definitely going back. I found out they have a Thursday doggy happy hour too. We will definitely be returning!!!!!!
(4)
Jen H.

Awesome food, bar, and atmosphere. Went here 2 nights in a row when in town recently -- a little off the beaten place, but a hidden gem! Tried chopped pork sandwich, 3 meat combo, mac n cheese, baked beans -- all great. Potato salad just OK - but not a huge fan anyway. Good tap selection and great can selection. Seating downstairs, upstairs, at bar, and outside. Free peanuts while you wait! On Mondays you get a free pork sandwich with each beer you order. GO!
(5)
C S.

Outstanding. This is the best barbaque I've had in years. Their sides are also totally outrageous. I want more so baddly it hurts. The price for the sandwiches are good but the sides are expensive, but they are really good. I think all the sides are from scratch because they have great texture and taste fresh. Good prices on beers at the bar and outside area is pretty cool. Also for hot sauce people. They have a ton of hot sauces you can try. Basically most of the ones you find at those specialty stores and at fairs and stuff. On my table they had one of those ones (shark one) that most places make you sign a waver to buy. I did not see the warning on the bottle (i figured it would be bigger), I dipped a piece of pork in it and ate it. I cried, my eyes would not stop watering for like 10 minutes. IT WAS AWESOME. After the huge pain went away everything tasted better. Probably because my body thought it had died. Anyhow even with one of the most painful food experiences of my life, this was a great experience.
(5)
Windi L.

The concept of Rocklands is adorable. Between the decor and unlimited hot/bbq sauces to try, it's a winner. The food, however, is about average and for the bbq chicken Rocklands served up my pet peeve: DRY CHICKEN. :-( I service is fast and food reasonably priced. I suggest sticking to their side dishes. I was a HUGE fan of their pulled pork egg rolls and the mac and cheese a coolio, too. They also have a great selection of beers. Overall, Rocklands offers a terrific atmosphere for a group night out but chose wisely when it comes to food.
(3)
Kate T.

I cannot believe I lived in Arlington for two years and never came to Rocklands. I went there for lunch with some coworkers today, finally!! I have been meaning to come for so long, and I'm sooo glad I did! There is nothing better than real BBQ. We all had the pulled pork sandwhich, I had the baked beans and corn pudding. Yum! I was starved and this hit the spot (enough for lunch AND dinner). We took the food to-go, it was ready within 5 min of ordering which was awesome seeing that Rocklands is off the beaten path of Arlington. I like the decor a lot, it has a rustic-hip look. Can't wait to go back, bringing my parents and bf next time!
(4)
James B.

In Memphis, I'd give Rocklands 3 stars, but we're in DC and the BBQ choices are limited.
(4)
Sarah S.

I'm a tough critic when it comes to BBQ. After all, I do hail from the great state of Texas - home to some of the best brisket and sausage in the country. But, what can I say, living in DC I have learned to enjoy pulled pork and smoked chicken....which Rocklands does pretty nicely. The meat is juicy and tender and the buns used for the sandwiches are rockin'. The side items are also great, especially the red beans and rice (with some house-made hot sauce added) and mac-n-cheese. Hell, if you are a BBQ snob like myself, but you really need a fix, Rocklands won't disappoint!
(3)
S R.

The owner reached out to me in regards to my review, so I decided to give them another chance. The chicken was better this time. I will make a few suggestions - maybe add a kick to the bbq sauce, some seasoning to the batter for the fried okra, and use a white cheddar for the mac & cheese. The service is very good, and the staff is great. Zack was very kind to me and offered me a complimentary draft beer.
(3)
Dave B.

I live right down the street from these guys. I drive past it every morning on Washington Blvd, I love to smell the food cooking early in the morning! I am a BBQ nut. But this place is a good fix for a location that does not know how to BBQ. I have been here over 10 times but that is because I live close and it is the only "decent" place around. This weekend my wife and I went and I got the Pearl which is a container that has beans, mac n' cheese, pork and bbq sauce, it was pretty dang good. I was more impressed with their 4pm to 8pm Happy Hour where you can get a Shiner Bock on draft for $3. So far the place is pretty good, I give the food 3 out of 5 stars but the HH and the outside patio area bump it up to 4 out of 5 starts. Wife likes it, I like it, a lot of people like it. They have Blue Plate Specials which are pretty good, entree with two sides and a drink for $10. Give it a go if you are in the area. (Fried okra is a great treat for a Texas boy).
(4)
Keith R.

As a native Syracusan, I know barbeque from the "our region didn't natively have it, so the version that we have is fusion and particular." I've had just about every type of 'cue you can imagine, and I love good contemporary stuff. Rocklands knocks it out of the park for consistency, flavor, and menu. Quality of meat is above average, service has always been great (for a slingin' joint), and I can't speak highly enough about the value. I love the place and can't recommend it highly enough.
(5)
Masha K.

Let me preface this review by saying that I don't even like BBQ. Seriously. I have tried many times and always hated it. I ordered Rocklands for a catered office lunch of 30 because people wanted it. The whole catering process was easy, fast, they worked with my budget (thanks Cindy!) and the delivery was on time. Logistics aside, I decided to give it a shot. And as of this moment, I am masticating my 2nd helping of lunch. Their pork is delectable and their salad is refreshing. Everyone was also a fan of the mac and cheese. And as far as the leftovers...well there were no leftovers :) My only quip is that I wish the food was a bit more warm when it arrived. But thats it!
(4)
Ryan D.

My rating doesn't suggest I will not go back, but if I didn't live right around the corner (2min walk) from it then I wouldn't recommend it if you have to travel a great distance. That's only if you don't have any other options. I'm from NC so maybe my taste in BBQ is a lot different than many of the others. I've only tried the pork sandwiches (sliced and chopped) and over time after it's move from the location with Carpool, it seems it's become a roll of the dice... sometimes it's great but others you're thinking "Eh!". I'll try some of the other foods people have recommended and hope for the best. It would really suck to have a place so close to home not really be worth going to. Edit 5/8: I tried the beef brisket earlier last week and it was better. Then last night I had the Chicken & Ribs (your choice of 2 sides) and I really enjoyed it. It is something I would definitely go back for. Great with a side of sauce to dip it in. If it's consistently good... I may go more often. I'll update as/if I try another item or 2. 2/23: I completely forgot to update this. I've tried several other items and have become a regular. I typically may try whatever is on the Blue Plate Special that looks interesting and I haven't tried yet. They've always been nice and seem to remember my name and face, so that kept me coming back and giving them a chance. All I can say is give a few things on the menu a try and judge for yourself. It can' t hurt to try, right?
(3)
Mark G.

It is odd that we have so few decent BBQ places in this region, considering the proximity of Southside VA and Eastern NC. The places around here range from the disappointing to the fraudulent. I want to specifically talk about the pork BBQ sandwich at Rockland's: it has so much promise yet fails to deliver. The meat (chopped) is over-moist and strangely lacking in flavor, despite it's smokiness. What is truly offensive, though, is the slaw that tradition requires you to order with it. The slaw is bizarre, and as a complement to the BBQ, is disgusting. Imagine slaw with cubes of carrots and peas. Slaw texture should be creamy, not bumpy. Having said this, Rockland's just misses being a good BBQ place. A little more attention to the quality of the meat, a commitment to a regional BBQ style and a return to normal slaw would make a whole lot of difference.
(2)
Matt M.

Rocklands is about as good as it gets in DC...and that isn't saying much. Once you've been to the best bbq joints in Texas, KC and Memphis, nothing else can compare; however, DC doesn't offer that type of variety, so you have to settle with what's available. This place isn't completely awful. The beef brisket is decent, and the macaroni and cheese and corn bread is pretty good. The half rack of pork ribs I ordered weren't great, they were very fatty, and underdone. Rocklands uses a rub and sauce method, which takes away the flavor of enjoying either the rub or sauce. If you want additional sauce, you pour your own into cups. Novel approach, but a large amount of onions in the sauce is a big no-no. The sauce is watery, plain and forgettable. I can't speak for the baby back ribs or the beef ribs, but I wouldn't recommend the regular pork ribs to anyone that values great bbq. The older location by Carpool was a lot better in my opinion. I'm not sure if the ownership is different now, but the food seems different, and not for the better.
(2)
Mike C.

For my follow-up review of this restaurant, I don't have much more to say than the fact that the Three Meat Sampler was a little better than my first experience. No offense to this place, but nothing about the food really tastes that good. I still have to say, the place has a lot of character...very quaint.
(2)
Kenneth Y.

Having tried some of their pulled pork at a recent catered event and finding it halfway decent, I had mild hopes for this place -- my favorite ribs in the area happen to be at the Boulevard Wood Grill, but I hadn't been able to find much else in terms of delicious BBQ in Arlington. Rocklands failed on all accounts. Not knowing what to try (the menu is pretty packed), I went for the Belly Buster (two ribs, sausage, quarter BBQ chicken and brisket) and got it to go. The order came out pretty quickly, and I was excited when I arrived home -- the bag was huge and heavy, and when I unwrapped the foil, I was greeted with an eyeful of meat. If only it tasted as good as it looked... The ribs were easily the worst part of the meal -- dry, flavorless slabs that were painful to chew and even more painful to swallow. It's a good thing they have a vat of their house BBQ sauce up near the front, because I needed to use a good helping of it to get the ribs down. Luckily, the house BBQ sauce is rather tasty, though the vat was full of sorry-looking onions that looked like they had been reheated too many times. The chicken was only slightly better than the ribs, as it reminded me of those Tysons' frozen, pre-sauced chickens you can get at Costco (you know, those free samples that taste good when you have one bite but regret later when you end up tossing out the entire bag you were tricked into buying). Not overly dry, but not juicy either. The brisket and the ribs were probably from the same cow (or the same cook) -- tough and rubbery, requiring more sauce to go down. The sausage was probably the highlight of the meal -- decently tender and with a good amount of smoke-flavor. 2 stars for offering the convenience of quick BBQ in Arlington, good house BBQ sauce and a decent value (for the Belly Buster, although the prices for some of the other dishes seemed slightly on the high side). People here seem to be in agreement that the sides also suck, but what Rocklands really boils down to is dry, flavorless BBQ. I really wanted this place to be better, but I can't really think of a reason to ever go back.
(2)
Juanita P.

We had food delivered from Rocklands for an event at work. Everyone was really excited and the wrinkled hag in HR who ordered it said it was a really good place. I showed up with my hot sauce, ready to get it on. Unfortunately, I was let down. The food was just "ok." I found it to be really bland for BBQ. Speaking to a couple of co-workers after the event I wasn't alone. Perhaps it's just the catering part of the business that's not so great. Either way, I'm not interested enough to investigate further. I'll stick with Red, Hot & Blue or Famous Daves for my BBQ needs.
(2)
cherry h.

The ribs are pretty good here... The service is very friendly.
(4)
B T.

I can't understand why people like this place. Only one sauce and their cole slaw was awful. Cornbread and Sweet tea was average at best. Willards and RHB to me is much better.
(2)
Christina A.

My coworkers love this place, but I just can't rock wtih it like that. Pulled pork sandwiches are definitely in my top 10 foods that I love, and Rocklands just doesn't do it for me. Their BBQ sauce is soooo vinegary... I like mine sweeter and thicker. It's not BAD and the meat itself is good, I just don't love the sauce. I've also ordered the pearl a couple of times, and the mac and cheese on the bottom tastes straight like Kraft from the box. I have yet to find a BBQ spot that I love up here, for the most part I just save those cravings for when I'm back down south. Still, Rocklands isn't terrible and like I said the meat is good, so if you like the more vinegary BBQ sauces you might like this as well....
(2)
Jon W.

I had an very informal birthday dinner here this evening and thought it was just fine. I don't seek out BBQ (except perhaps When Pigs Fly located in Cumberland MD), but the guy whose birthday we were celebrating loves it. I thought everything was decent. I really liked the mac n cheese side, the fried okra, and the winter lager beer from the bar. I think it is better than Red Hot and Blue. I liked the building space. It was cozy and accommodating. (This building used to be a very good bakery.) We easily secured a table for 8 or so at 6 o'clock. I didn't call ahead or anything. There were some kids that arrived right after we did. They didn't scream too much and we were talking up a storm so that really didn't bother me like it did another reviewer. Business seemed to pick up a lot by the time we left around 7:30. There were still seats though. If you like BBQ or a have a friend that does this is a good place to go. I prefer it over Red Hot and Blue and it's dark dungeon like space.
(3)
Elizabeth S.

I went here for an early dinner with a friend last Thursday. Taking classes by the Virginia Square Metro so have been trying out the restaurants nearby. The place was pretty empty and our food came out pretty fast. I ordered the pulled chicken sandwich and fried okra - it wasn't the best I've ever had, but as others have said it's a good substitute for BBQ when you're in the Arlington area (but then again, how much can you screw up fried veggies?). My friend wasn't thrilled with her apple side dish served cold. There was a beer special - buy a draft beer and get a free BBQ sandwich, which looked tempting (about 4 taps). I liked the large display of hot sauces, might go back to get some for gifts. And I liked the atmoshphere/decor for a BBQ place. They also had a surprising number of spots in their lot, which might fill up during busier times. Overall, I'd say it's worth trying if you're looking for somewhere to eat in the area and are thinking BBQ.
(3)
Jonathan L.

Love the atmosphere BBQ, and especially the sides (mac & cheese rocks!). I'm not a BBQ snob but the meat is certainly tasty enough to keep me coming back. The house sauce is spicy and I love the onions in it. You can smell this place from several blocks away which is probably why it draws such a large crowed. Despite the crowd the line goes fast and your order is ready just as quickly. What I especially enjoy are the sides, the mac and cheese is the best I've ever had at a restaurant.
(5)
C. W.

WHAT IS THIS CRAP???!! Seriously! Ugh! We're in Virginia, and this is the best we can do for barbecue? I mean, it's the South still! Lord. This place is more like how one would miserably implement an "all american barbecue depot" dining establishment in the southern/western-themed portion of a theme park, rather than being an actual barbecue place. Pulled pork: the "best" of the worst. Kinda tasted like there was some wood involved at some point, maybe. Very little of the bark involved, and it was chopped, as opposed to pulled, which I prefer. Ok, so that's a stylistic thing, I'll give them that. Not amazing, not terrible. Chicken: likely came out of a tub. Neutral chicken suspended in neutral sauce. Smashing. Brisket: WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? I hope that whoever is in charge of their cooking of brisket is reincarnated as a steer. Ruinously bad. Ok, it had maybe been smoked at some point. Then they slice it thin and....put it on the grill? WHAAATTTT????!!! It's like some kind of bad stir-fry. Please reference the Dinosaur BBQ segment on Triple-D for an example of proper brisket preparation. Shells and cheese: compliments of velveeta. And cold too. Rice and beans: technically correct in name. Rice. And beans. Can't claim false advertising. Seasoning? We didn't mention no stinkin seasoning!! Avoid. One trip here made me want to drive the 3 hours down to eastern NC to cleanse my soul.
(2)
Adam F.

Never can get enough. JUST GO THERE!!!!
(5)
Lesley S.

This place is absolutely the WORST barbeque place I've ever been to. I actually joined Yelp just to review this place because for some reason people are giving it good reviews. The sides were cold and tasted like they had been sitting on a counter for about 30 minutes. The chicken was fatty and chewy (not to mention cold) and the BBQ sauce was BORING. Seriously the worst BBQ I've ever had.
(1)
Antoine K.

Thank You to Hazeen Ashby for putting me on! If you need BBQ wings for a party, this is where you go!
(4)
Lizzy Z.

Oh my, the food here is great. I loved it. I have enjoyed it every time I have gone. The pulled pork is delicious and the sides are to die for. My only complaint is that it doesn't deliver.
(5)
Justin C.

***** 3.5 stars ***** I'm not sure why there are so many low scores for this place, but I'm guessing it's just people who don't actually like BBQ and for some reason expected something else here. I thought the food was pretty damned good, and I've had some of the best BBQ North Carolina has to offer, and even participated in quite a few "pig pickin's" myself. I'm not really all that picky about which style (dry or wet, pork or beef), as long as it tastes good. I actually ate so much here I could barely move back out to the car, mainly because I wanted to try as many sides as possible, and I thought getting a big rack of ribs would be a nice way to accompany them. Most of the sides were done nicely, especially the baked beans and macaroni. The ribs weren't outstanding by any means, but they were on par with most anything else I've had in this area. There was a definite lack of meat on them though, which was a little disappointing. My biggest gripe was with the "CRAZY OMG HOT AS HELL" sauce that tasted barely stronger than Texas Pete. I love a lot of kick with my BBQ and their homemade stuff just failed horribly in that department, but fortunately they had a few open bottles of random hot sauces scattered across the place. We didn't eat outside, but it looked like the had a pretty nice patio, although I'm not sure the view of the street is anything to be desired. The beer selection was pretty good, and they actually have a separate bar here if you want something on draft. I think it's pretty damn cool you can order an entire BBQ'ed pig as well.
(3)
Radha A.

I anticipated eating here but if you're looking for really good BBQ take a pass. The ribs were not tender at all. The charred outside is pretty deceiving because the meats didn't taste or feel like they were slow cooked. The sides were ok but nothing to rave about. Honestly I was most impressed by their hot sauce for sale collection. We ordered the ribs and pulled chicken, the hot wings and the brisket and I didn't find any of them to be more than just ok. The sides were Mac and cheese, baked beans, mashed potatoes and corn pie but didn't find any of them to be authentic. It was pretty disappointing.
(2)
Theo P.

Decent food-very pricey-I was still hungry after spending close to 50.00. eating on picnic tables.Trendy Arlington spot. nothing exciting.
(2)
Kyle R.

Which is more annoying--people who think they know everything about BBQ, or people who talk incessantly about wine? BBQ people are starting to be the new wine people. I'm so sick of both. Seriously, If I hear one more person be like, "hey bra, I only like south Appalachian smoky vinegar based Carolina pulled left pork thigh, preferably during late July," I'm going to flip. This place is good. You can buy 6-packs to go with take-out which I think is pretty sweet. Did you know you can do that in any bar in Baltimore? Amazing! Best sides here: greens, coleslaw, and fried okra.
(4)
Ami P.

This Rocklands falls short of the one in Georgetown. I ordered the same brisket sammy at this location and it was covered in fat and was very chewy (not nearly as tender as the one I got in Georgetown) The ribs tasted like BO, according to my husband. They didn't give extra portions of BBQ sauce, as the Georgtown location did. I was really looking forward to it. They messed up our order as well, but we didn't realize it until we were already home. The coleslaw was great and the onion rings were out of this world! Looks like we'll be driving to Georgetown to get our Rocklands.
(2)
Alp A.

They are not cheap. I would say they are above average quality-wise. Mac and cheese and beef brisket are really good. Their Cole Slaw and thin cut fries are also great. They have beef ribs which I really like, but they are very expensive.
(3)
PC W.

Any restaurant that serves a dish called Three Meats is A-OK in my book. I agree with the other reviewers that the portions aren't that generous but it was very tasty. Truth be told, I'm a Boston-bred Chinese-American, what the heck do I know about authentic bbq?!?! You can stop reading here and I wouldn't blame you. The Three Meats were shredded chicken, chopped pork and beef brisket. The brisket was soooo good. You get a choice of side and it comes with a roll. The mac 'n cheese was okay, the cheese wasn't as thick and creamy as I wanted but they did succeed in seasoning it. The meats were cooked in sauce but that didn't stop me from dumping barbeque sauce from the vat over in the condiments section. I'm pretty much a carnivore and I find it difficult to find fault in a place that specializes in serving meat. And they have sweet tea!!!!! Be still, my beating heart.
(3)
Scott G.

These guys do a really good rendition of Carolina-style barbecue, but it's not "legendary" or anything like that. The restaurant has a great ambience, a solid beer selection with a little bar area, and prompt service. All-around a solid joint. My favorite dish is the Pearl, which is pulled pork layered upon mac & cheese layered upon baked beans. It's like crack cocaine in a bowl. One thing you gotta watch out for -- sometimes the pulled pork comes with huge chunks of fat in it. I assume they'd swich it out for a better cut if you were ask them, but I've never asked.
(4)
Sara B.

Yum Yum! BF took me here for dinner and it was awesome! We each got a pearl, sandwiches and then the fries. If you want a quick and delish BBQ party in your mouth go with the pearl - beans, mac n cheese, and pulled pork. The brisket and the sirloin sandwich were good but the chix sandwich was awesome. It wasn't pulled chicken, it was a smokey full breast, not BBQy but more mesquitey and def NOT dry at all which will total ruin anything chicken. Homemade BBQ sauce a little too vinegary for me. Fries were okay. Sweet tea and lemonade were great. You know sweet tea when its sweet but not so sweet where it makes you gag? Can't wait to try ALL of the sides and of course, top it off with a pearl :)
(4)
Ryan S.

It's good, but not great. And if you are local, I would say I can't really think of a place better with a mile or two. Maybe Red, Hot & Blue is better in Rosslyn, but it is a national chain. I've been a few times, and the quality has not been consistent. All the sides that I've had (french fries, macaroni & cheese, collard greens, and fried ocre) have been pretty good. Their BBQ seems to be hit or miss, and particularly their beef brisket seems too tough and gristly. The sauces are good. I'd also say it is just a tad expensive for the quality. After all, it is seat yourself order at the counter dining!
(3)
Terria L.

Being a Tennessee girl and knowing great BBQ (my father made his own BBQ sauce and smoked his meat until it fell off the bone), I struggle with living in this area because I know I will never have BBQ like home. But today I had a craving for BBQ pulled pork with cole slaw on a bun, so I yelped all the BBQ places in Arlington. As I was traveling to another BBQ establishment in the area, I came upon Rocklands. I went in and ordered a pulled pork sandwich to go. Surprisingly, it was pretty good. The pork smoked flavor was fantastic but it could use a little more seasoning (i.e.salt). The serving size was enormous but they were skimpy on the BBQ sauce. Overall, if I get the urge again for BBQ, I will return for my $5 pulled pork sandwich
(3)
Sean W.

I tried this place twice in one day for the first time on July 10. I went in for lunch to try the beef brisket sandwich and came back for dinner for the blue plate special which was a buffalo chicken tender sandwich. I have to say both were excellent, especially the beef brisket sandwich. Juicy and smokey and everything you want in brisket. I will say its not cheap ($10.99 for the sandwich, fries and drink) and the sandwich wasnt even that big. Thats not going to stop me from going back though, i just wish it was a little cheaper. Thats why it got 4 stars instead of 5. It also seems like a cool place to hang out with its bar and outdoor patio, but both times i went were for carryout, which actually didn't take very long. I definitely recommend this place for BBQ in the Arlington area.
(4)
Peter B.

As others have said, the meat is oddly flavorless, the ribs were tough and I found their BBQ sauce was not anywhere near good enough to mask these issues. The pluses of the visit were the house rootbeer (not too shabby) and the Texas corn pudding. Not worth a revisit.
(2)
Jason Y.

This place is SO MUCH BETTER than the old Rocklands that was in Carpool. Not even close. They have a bar as well. I like the OMG WTF hot sauce they use by blending leftover hot sauces. And...I've enjoyed the meats and sides (fried okra, collards, mac n cheese, etc). Wow, I seem to like this place better than other reviewers. :)
(3)
Rowena E.

Probably 2.5 stars actually. PROS: plenty of sides, huge pot of lemonade vs. soda fountain dispensed, convenient new option between Balston and Clarendon. CONS: kinda expensive, tiny portions, no sweet tea Come on! How can a BBQ place not serve sweet tea? I'm talking about brewed southern style sweet tea with the perfect ratio of tea flavor and tooth decaying sugar rush. none of those silly sugar packets stirred into your unsweetened/watered down tea and ends up sitting at the bottom of your cup like the sediment sludge at the bottom of the Potomac. Bleh! Oh well, the fresh Lemonade was nice but still not sweet tea. But I digress. Along with the lack of sweet tea (a BBQ staple), the prices were pretty expensive and the portions small for what you pay for. I got the BBQ beef sandwich blue plate special with Mac & Cheese and a drink for ~$9 (This was a "special" lunch special and their menu states their specials start from $6.99). That's practically two visits to El Pollo Rico with meals that actually fill you up. Like Monty C. mentioned, the portions are tiny, with sides coming in these Dixie cup sized portions that remind me of those Fluoride treatments from grade school. Food was so-so. I wasn't expecting Fat Matt's - Atlanta quality or anything (see the reviews) and since my expectations weren't up, food was ok with a tangy tomato based sauce. However, on the positive, they do have a nice variety of sides including Texas Corn Pudding, and their Mac & Cheese was definitely cheesy and thick vs. the runny flavor-less stuff you get elsewhere. Nice to have more food options in this area vs. the usual sandwich places like Quiznos and Cosi. Also, if you dig the food, they also have catering.
(2)
Monty C.

I was very excited to see a Rocklands opening up across from the Giant on Washington Blvd. in Arlington. I hoped that maybe we would finally have a decent place to get barbeque. Unfortunately, Arlington will have to continue to wait for edible BBQ. I ordered take out with my girlfriend last night; the three meat platter with baked beans and a chicken sandwich with mac-n-cheese. I was disappointed when, after a short wait, I picked up my bag of food from the front counter. For $17, it was VERY light. When I opened up the bag at home, I thought it was a joke. My three meats were dished up in a little paper dish about the size of a small order of fries. The side dishes were served in containers that were just a little larger than a single serving chocolate pudding Snack Pack. The meat itself was soggy and tasteless with a big droopy onion on top. The baked beans were equally bland. Luckily, I had scooped up a couple containers of sauce from the big bucket they keep next to the fountain drinks. The sauce is a little tangy and a little sweet, but not at all hot. I could have eaten both our meals and I still would have been hungry. The experience reminded me of that old joke that Woody Allen retells in Annie Hall. Two elderly women are at a Catskill mountain resort, and one of them says, "The food at this place is really terrible." The other one says, "Yeah, I know; and such small portions." I've never been to the Rocklands up on Wisconsin Ave, but I was surprised to see that it's rated with 4 stars, so maybe this newest location is just going through some growing pains.
(1)
Matt D.

I really dig barbeque joints and Rocklands is the only place I have found in the metro area that serves good barbeque. I have zero barbeque credentials having grown up in New England, but I know what I like. Rocklands make barbeque they way I like. Their ribs have that real smokey flavor and the house sauce is tangy, not too sweet or spicy. Originally Rocklands was on Fairfax Drive in the same building as Carpool, but then moved out. I was so disappointed. I thought I lost Rocklands forever, but then they came back. They are now practically next door to my apartment building. It was a sign from God that I was destined to enjoy Rocklands on a regular basis. I have only gotten take-out and they prepare your meal fast, within 10 minutes of calling in your order. I like the decor that's heavy on the wood and an ample patio section on the side of the building. If you go I recommend the Belly Buster. It's all meat. It's ribs, beef brisket and sausage. It's about 12 bucks and comes with a cup of their house sauce. Order only if you're really hungry. I've enjoyed their red beans and rice and their Texas corn pudding for sides.
(4)
Jeremy B.

I've given Rocklands 4 chances, and I think I've thrown in the towel. The sides are just too dang small and underseasoned, and the meat falls short of the mark. Sure the price is OK, but I'm a bit of a BBQ snob (I'm having BBQ at my wedding rehearsal dinner) and this just doesn't give me the warm and fuzzy I need to come back every Sunday. Believe me, I wanted this place to rock my world- I'll keep looking I guess
(2)
Jim A.

It might not be the best, but it's good, and you can get a good, cold draft at the mini-bar while you wait for them to fill your take out order. The lamb is good (not exactly standard bbq fare, I know). Pulled pork is probably second best. And they have a good selection of hot sauce if you feel the need to spice it up. I'm surprised to see so many "one-star" reviews - seems a bit harsh to me! We ordered it for our daughter's teenage soccer team party - and both parents and kids scarfed it up! They will deliver for a party - minimum $250 order.
(3)
Wendy B.

We came here on a whim once, but its something I'd be willing to return to. I enjoyed a brisket sandwich here, and it was a savory sandwich! The mashed potatoes were also well done, not chunky or peculiar as I have encountered in other places. The bread was soft, which made it even better, and the sweet tea was great as well! The brisket though, oh, how wonderful it was! It brought a smile to my face! When we left, I was sufficiently filled to a satisfactory level, not over board, which made this place a bbq joint I'd return to!
(4)
Jacqueline C.

Great BBQ! Great atmosphere!
(5)
Ayako A.

BBQ ribs r not so good.. Beers r good.. Sides r good. I will go back there to eat outside and drink but not for the BBQ
(2)
Sarah R.

Stopped in for a bite with an out of town guest today... we had two wonderful sandwiches (pulled chicken and beef brisket) and the amazing baked beans. However, my portion of coleslaw was like eating forkfuls of caraway seeds. I couldn't taste any of the other flavors. I would love to have a seedless option of your slaw. For those who don't care for the taste (think rye bread), this slaw will be a downer... especially as there are so many other amazing sides and salads to choose from!
(4)
Jon K.

What is not to like about this place? Great bbq and it has a full service bar right next to the sweet tea. Really great atmosphere and a great family night out. I dream about the corn pudding sometimes.
(5)
Sam M.

Rocklands BBQ & Grilling Co. - Rockland's Rocks! This is the place to get your hickory/red oak-smoked BBQ fix. (Unlike other places that claim to be a real 'smoke pit bbq' that taste only of slathered tomato vinegar bbq sauce)...Here you can definitely smell the ample wood-fired aroma just walking towards the restaurant from the establishment's own free parking lot (a pleasant surprise, as far as paid or hard-to-find parking spaces in Arlington!#$%^) The pulled pork was smokey through and through, oh so tender, fresh, with healthier low salt content. The beef brisket (a little tough) and pulled chicken (this portion was much less than the other two 'meats') were also smokey, but I wish I knew they would have also been able to serve 'em 'dry' (sauce on the side), rather than 'wet', and wish that preference would have been asked up front (IMHO authentic smoked BBQ like Rockland's needs no BBQ sauce). They have several entree options and several sides, including Ceasar salad topped with smoked chicken, delicious Texas corn pudding (yum!), desserts, kettle fried Route 11 chips, alcoholic beverages, etc. They have indoor and outdoor patio/picnic seating. Their service is fast and friendly! After taking your order at the counter, you're provided a token to take as a marker for your order, then sit at a table of your choosing. You can munch on roasted peanuts while you wait, until a staff member brings your food order to your table. Another plus is that different types and brands of hot chili sauces (green, red, yellow, sweet, garlic, etc.) adorn each table corner for customers to douse their food. For the adventuresome chili sauce aficionado, shelves of a variety of chili sauces are also for sale. They offer take out and cater. They use biodegradable take-out containers (Hurray for Rockland's eco-friendly ways!) . Their bathroom is clean. We would definitely return to try their other fixins! Too far to drive to Texas, Kansas, North Carolina, Tennessee...Find your nearest Rockland's authentic wood-fired BBQ, they've expanded to other locations throughout the WDC area!
(5)
Paul S.

I've already been to this Rockland's location a dozen times since it opened in November. It's a convenient stop off after work for to grab a take out dinner. The BBQ chicken and pulled pork is quite good and earns four stars. But if it were possible I would have given the location 3.5 stars as I must agree that the prices are on the high side for the portions you get. I typically spend almost $12 to get a sandwich and two small sides. The location has ample seating unlike the Glover Park location. The bar has several beers on tap and there are a couple flat screen TVs positioned strategically in the venue. Each table has a variety of hot sauces and BBQ sauces for patrons to sample. A patio is present for outdoor seating but it is not yet in use.
(4)
Abby A.

Decent BBQ place, picnic table style seating outside perfect for a nice day. Cucumber salad yum. I hear they have a special on Tuesdays for beer and sandwiches, we'll definitely be back to check it out.
(4)
Tim R.

not impressed. this is a food only opinion as this was catered for an office lunch. rice and beans... uncooked rice. Ribs... not falling off the bone and hard to eat. Brisket was the best of the meats that i tried. Chicken... really didn't look good and decided not to try it. Based on the food, there is no reason that I would want to go there.
(2)
MARIA G.

On Wednesday they have a $6 special, 10 wings and a beer. Unfortunately, the wings were burnt but the deal was good and I know the BBQ is awesome here. Next time I'm coming on a Monday!
(4)
Mickey C.

We go back all the time. Great coleslaw and beans too! Great atmosphere...great beer.....a chick magnet
(5)
Jeremy T.

This is probably our favorite place to go!!!! Sweet tea and BBQ!!! The mac and cheese also rocks!!! You gotta get the belly buster : )
(5)
Nathan C.

Three stars doesn't mean I'm not a repeat customer; I just have to have a real craving for beef brisket. BBQ is hard to come by in the DC area, so Rockland's is one of my go-to spots, since it's just down the street. Like I said, the beef-brisket sandwich with two sides and a sweet tea is my order. I think their beans are good, and I enjoy the peanuts to snack on while waiting for your food. I sort of wish there was a better knock-your-socks-off BBQ spot around, but for now, Rockland's it is.
(3)
Suzanne P.

Really like the Monday special- free sandwich with purchase of a beer. I generally order pulled pork, and here it is tender and plentiful. The sauce is also a step above most other places in the area-tangy, not too thick. The coleslaw is interesting- has a unique variety of components- with rye and crunchy veggies besides cabbage. The mac n cheese tastes like straight up Velveeta, not the best. The potato salad is nice and mayo-ey. There are tv's aplenty for sports watching, and they have a dog happy hour on Thursdays.
(3)
Conor Q.

it's better than a lot of the other chain food places in arlington, but not nearly as good as a legit BBQ place. Food tasted Ok and came out pretty quickly, but def didn't make me want to come back any time soon. Portions were smaller than I expected shelling out $15 for a 3-meat platter, and it wasn't exactly piping hot. Go in with low expectations if you're used to good BBQ and you will like this place. Nice atmosphere, just very average food.
(3)
Clara L.

My friend and I randomly decided to go to Rocklands as we were driving past it heading into Ballston. my friend: sooo are you hungry? me: I could eat my friend: wanna try Rocklands? I heard their ribs are good. me: sure, why not? Perhaps my expectations were set too high. I'm from california, so I am in no way, an expert when it comes to BBQ. I have no idea what to really expect, but aparently it was something more than what I got. We both got a half rack of the regular BBQ pork ribs. The sauce was alright, the meat was a bit chewy, and kinda hard to get off the bone. It was alright overall, but I guess I was hoping for more. I'm glad it wasn't too crowded in the place, cause we were pretty messy looking and needed more than the few towelettes we grabbed... haha *I've heard from other friends that their sandwiches (i.e. pulled pork) and smoked turkey are really good. So I'll have to go back sometime and try something besides the ribs.
(2)
Matt L.

Huge variety of hot sauces, comfort foods, and craft canned beers. What's not to love? I really can't understand some of the complaints on here.
(5)
Ryan W.

I can't really figure out what style of BBQ Rocklands serves. It's not really Carolina (no pulled pork, not a vinegar-based sauce). It's not Texas (no beef ribs, not enough tomato in sauce). It's not Memphis style (sauce doesn't have brown sugar/molasses). So, I guess it's just kind of generic BBQ. The meat (beef, chicken, pork loin) is freshly grilled/smoked/etc. Sometimes I've had too much fat/skin/gristle in what I've gotten. The sauce is just ok. I do like many of their sides, especially the Texas corn pudding. The onion rings and fried okra are great too. Rocklands is fine, though I wish it was more like Texas or Memphis syle.
(3)
Tony M.

A lot of problems with this place. First all the platters come with only two ribs. Two ribs is not a lot of food. Most good BBQ joints have a platter where you can get a half rack, some chicken, some brisket, etc. Rocklands platters are strangley priced and portioned. The prices aren't bad, but I'd rather have the option to pay more money and get more food. I had the beef ribs and a 1/4 chicken. The chicken was very bland. The beef ribs were ok. There was no BBQ sauce on the table. Tiny sides. Overall it was ok at best. If you've ever had really good BBQ you're going to be disappointed with Rocklands.
(2)
Neil H.

The key to enjoying Rockland's is to order the chopped pork sandwich. CHOPPED Pork. I tried a cheeseburger, beef brisket and what they call sliced pork and almost didn't return. But I work across the street so it's easy and lots of others like going here. Ever since I started ordering the CHOPPED port sandwich I have really enjoyed it for every lunch. I'm also not big on their sides, prefer just the sandwich or maybe add a bag of chips. That said, friends have said their collard greeens, mac & cheese and cole slaw are good.
(4)
Cassandra B.

I am not a huge fan of the barbecue here. The sauce is a bit runny and a bit bitter. The bun I had with my meal was very fresh and delicious. But I went for the barbecue and I was disappointed. The macaroni and cheese was bland and room temperature. I definitely will not be going back.
(1)
Matt S.

Rockland's is one of my favorite local restaurants in the area. Love the brisket, pulled pork and chicken, burger (ask for bacon), and the most underrated entrÃ©e, the Rockland's Pearl. They also have a full bar offering a number of beers on tap, plus Dominion root beer, and a bourbon list of 50+ bourbons/whiskeys. Definitely the best BBQ place I've been at around DC!
(5)
Mike S.

Went to Rockland's for dinner on Saturday. Ordered the chicken and ribs and found the chicken better than the ribs. For $11.99 I expected more meat, too much gristle and tiny bones with the ribs. The chicken wasn't bad, though I would get more value out of a place like Pollo Rico. The "quarter chicken" looked more like a chick than a chicken. I got macaroni salad (a bit dry and bland) and coleslaw (also, somewhat dry for my taste and pretty nondescript). Overall the food was fine, we got take out and it was fairly speedy, so I can't complain about the service, its more the food quality that was lacking.
(2)
Jim S.

Pretty solid eats. Fries and corn pudding totally work. Pit beef sandwich was so-so.
(3)
Tommy L.

The ambience here is really nice. The interior design is a nice mixture of wood and steel. Nice big windows give you a great view of the outdoors and let in plenty of light. However, the food is just not very good. The ribs are bleh. The cole slaw is double bleh. Mac and cheese was ok. If they ever improve the food, this place would be awesome. The scene is all set. They just need to find a good cook!
(2)
AC P.

I went there on Saturday afternoon in search of a beef brisket sandwich and boy I got that and more. Their sandwich prices are very reasonable and include two sides. I got the baked beans and mac and cheese with my sandwich and was very happy with the beans but not so much with the mac and cheese. My boyfriend got the lamb sandwich and rice and beans and mashed potatoes for sides. The lamb sandwich was good but everything else was mediocre. It's a good place to go but be selective on what you order. I gave this place 4 stars mainly because of its reasonable prices
(4)
Jesus C.

Been 5 times now, and haven't left dissatisfied once. I'd recommend going with the beef brisket sandwich, w/ the mac and cheese (absolutely delicious) and cornbread. If the cornbread is right out of the oven, dont pass it up. They also have draft root beer, not half bad. As far as pulled pork goes.. ehhhh, probably not the best i've had.
(4)
Chompawomp B.

The wilted scallion on the BBQ is pretty symbolic. This place is some twisted new-south yuppie concoction that cant hold a candle to the real stuff. Save your money and go to Red Hot N Blue or Old Glory if they are still around.
(1)
Will Y.

This place is wonderful. The food is great. Great sides. While the pork bbq isn't the best, the sheer variety of meats available makes up for it. I am a big North Carolina (vinegar/mustard sauce) fan, and if this is all you like, Rocklands will be soul-crushing. However, if you are open to try some good Texas-style BBQ, Rocklands will not be a disappointment. If you fancy yourself a foodie, then there is no "right" type of BBQ. They score extra points for take-out six packs and some otherworldly onion rings. Their mac and cheese is middling. One friend voices concerns that when you go to Rocklands, you leave smelling like a pig. However, I feel like its a great place for a quick and hearty weekend lunch. The atmosphere is excellent.
(4)
Sally H.

My husband and I just had dinner for the first time here. Luckily we got there around 6pm on a Saturday because by the time we left people were waiting for a table. We got the Belly Buster and two sides: mac&cheese and collard greens. I thought the brisket was awesome and my husband really liked the chicken. The BBQ sauce was perfect. The Mac & cheese was so good we got a pint on our way out. Will def be back soon. Already know we are going to try the Three Meat platter.
(5)
Bobbi Rae S.

beef ribs - meat was not smokey enough, bark was too smokey and bitter. half of the rib was fat, which probably contributed to the bitterness after being burnt in the smoker. the other big contributing factor: too much hickory. tone it down and smooth out the bitter with some cherry or maple. hell use more oak if you want. corn pudding - star of the show. smooth, creamy, big corn flavor. it's like bread pudding with corn in it. needs some fresh habanero on the side. okra - crisp, not bad at all. potato salad - flavorless. brisket - tender, nice smokiness. not bitter like the beef ribs.
(2)
matt b.

most of the meat is decent, but it isn't excellent barbeque. the fries are pretty good, but the other sides are bland, lifeless, and limp. the markup on their bar food menu is ridiculous. they do have have good sweet tea.
(2)
K S.

As many have said, it's not North Carolina. But Rockland's does meat & sauce fairly well - I've found the pulled pork less fatty than Red Hot & Blue's, the chicken is very flavorful (if sometims a tad dry), and the ribs are big and meaty, if not fall-off-the-bone tender. But just about all of the side dishes are horrible - how do you mess up MASHED POTATOES?! I don't know, but the ones here taste like the only ingredients were potato and vinegar. Collards were equally bitter, and the macaroni and cheese was blander than Kraft. Yes, they now have sweet tea, but it seems to have artificial lemon flavor added, and it's not still not southern-sweet. Portions for the platters are on the small side - better to bring a group and order in bulk. I love how this place smells when I walk by, but after three or four visits I've written it off as a disappointment.
(2)
Rich G.

Average food at above average prices. The food portions are small and not very tasty. A good place to go for a change of pace but not to go there consistently. Red Hot and Blue is way better.
(2)
Barrie C.

BBQ Credentials: Grew up in southern Virginia and Texas. Lived in Alabama for three years as an adult. The Good: The pulled pork was decent, but not great. They have sweet tea, which is a rarity in DC (Hello DC, putting sugar in one's unsweetened tea is clearly not the same as having sweet tea since the sugar doesn't dissolve well in cold tea, so don't tell me to do that when I ask for sweet tea. Pet peeve of mine). The Bad: The menu is not set up for mixing and matching at all. The Ugly: Maybe I was really hungry that day, but for the price, the portions were kind of light. Verdict: Meh. DC still lacks real barbecue.
(2)
Sean C.

I had been wanting to try this location for a while having noticed it in my area. Finally on the Fourth of July weekend, I got my chance. I called in my order and went to pick it up. They were very efficient. They said they would have it ready in 8 minutes, I left right away and when I got there, it was ready. I did have trouble finding the entrance - the only entrance is the door from the parking lot, the doors in front are for show, one maybe goes upstairs. Their sides are very good. I had the mustard greens, macaroni and cheese and red beans and rice. I also liked the sauce. I'm not an expert though. It was runny as other people mentioned, but it didn't bother me. It had a nice flavor that I liked. The beef ribs were a little chewy and fatty. When I got a solid piece of meat, it was good, but there weren't many of those. It did have a nice smoky flavor. I might try the baby back ribs next time. I did also notice that this location has a bar (not sure if it was a full bar, but I saw beer taps). I don't think the one in Glover Park does, at least not that I saw.
(3)
Wendy R.

Shiner Bock on tap and happy hour specials until 9pm! On Mondays, with the purchase of any beer, you get a pulled pork sandwich for free. The free sandwich may be small by many standards, but was sufficient for the light meal I had in mind. Shucking peanuts into a spittoon while waiting for your meal passes the time. A small outdoor patio is set up with picnic tables although the view of Washington Blvd and the Giant across the street isn't anything to rave about. Love the variety of hot sauces that are free to try on the food. Rocklands' bbq sauce seems a bit thin and sugary, but the many other sauces available allows the customer to soup it up. I like the flexibility. Hot sauces are available for sale along with 6-packs of microbrews. There is also a bourbon-tasting club that meets at Rocklands as half of the bar's liquor bottles demonstrate. There is draft root beer on tap, which can be mixed with the liquor of your choice. The bartender recommended Captain Morgan. Not a bad combo, but a very sweet drink.
(4)
Kristen S.

I live not far from Rockland's and decided to stop by b/c I passed it going to and from work and it always smelled good when I went by. I've had the brisket and bbq sandwich there with sides (potatoes, mac and cheese, baked beans, and corn pudding) all of which were good. It's not the best bbq I've ever had but it's good and not expensive at all. Nice workers, fast service, lots of options on the menu, outside seating. I'd def recommend it.
(3)
Peter P.

This place is ok. Thee aren't that many good BBQ places around the area. I like the sides: potato salad and cole slaw. The meats are ok. If you are looking for good BBQ, then I would try Willards in Chantilly.
(3)
Paul W.

One of the better BBQ places in the area, I find myself coming here for the ambiance and subtle home cooked spin on food which seperates them from places like RHB. This place is consistent and offers unique flavors, plus the latinas that work here are hot. Solid 3 stars.
(3)
Todd J.

Food - 2 stars Atmosphere - 3 stars Service - 3 stars Bottom line - come here for the relaxed atmosphere and weekly specials, but the food isn't anything fantastic / unique. We're in the south and should be able to provide better BBQ. The food @ the Wisconsin / Glover Park location is better. But the atmosphere here in VA is preferable; I like the option of sitting outside @ a picnic table or inside at the small bar. Prices overall are fair and you don't feel gouged. Monday and Wednesday they offer deals on pulled pork sando's & wings. $3 PBR's cans are tasty and help support the casual country vibe here. What I don't particularly enjoy is the food here. Normally, I like North Carolina BBQ, but much of Rockland's Q is overly smoky - esp the brisket. The pulled pork is decent and moist, but their vinegar based BBQ sauce doesn't add anything special - and it's the base of much of the bbq here, kind of a let down. The chicken, while seasoned well, is a bit on the dry side. Their brisket sando and top sirloin sando are chewy and not easy to eat. Their pork ribs are on the small-side and there is not much meat on the bone, but they taste better than other dishes. They have "ok" sides; the mash, sweet potato fries and mac & cheese are standouts and the beans are good too. Tip: DO NOT get Rocklands for takeout - the food just does not work unless you're eating it within 5 minutes of service, and it does not re-heat well.
(2)
Sylvan F.

Was very disappointed after reading/hearing about this location. Pork was okay but lacked of smoked flavor. Beef brisket was very dry and not what we are used to. Daughter ordered mac and cheese and couldnt eat it because it was WAY too salty. Ribs had good flavor but were very fatty and a little greasy,
(2)
C J.

I'm a Tennessee girl, so I've had quite a bit of BBQ in my life and this was decent. I actually really enjoyed their standard BBQ sauce and the "OMG WTF fire sauce" is exactly what it says.... I dipped a piece of okra all the way in it and popped it in... WHEW, I started sweating from the first bite!! I love it when something really is as hot as it says it is! I had the three meats platter b/c I wanted to try a little bit of everything. The verdict: the chicken was good, not great, not dry, but not juicy either. The pork was a bit dry and unexciting. However, the beef brisket was delicious, I would have just that if I go back. I had mac n cheese for a side... I can make better. They get plus a 1/2 a star for having sweet tea and a minus one star b/c it wasn't sweet enough! :) The fried okra was not hand breaded and fried, it's the frozen kind... again I can make that at home. If I just had the beef brisket they'd probably get 4 stars, so I'll know for next time!
(3)
Henry S.

I was excited when the store moved out of Carpool; it always seemed like an afterthought to the bar. The atmosphere is pretty hectic, and I'd rather not sit with other parties at the large tables. My biggest complaint is that the ordering process for beer and other alcohol is separate from the food, so you have to go order your beer after you order your food. It is also very popular with the stroller set who don't see anything wrong with letting their children run loose in a restaurant. As far as the food, the BBQ isn't bad, maybe a notch above Red Hot and Blue, but I haven't really liked any of the sides I've tried. Maybe the answer is to get take out.
(2)
Malbec G.

Great food, moderate prices. I got the 3 meats platter (chicken, brisket, pulled pork) and it comes w/two sides. Got mac n cheese and collard greens. My brother got the same entree with potato salad and bbq baked beans. YUMMY! Each also came with a potato roll (to make a sandwich w/the pulled pork). We also each got the jalapeno corn bread -- perfect texture not too dry, not too moist. All of that for $28. They're pretty crowded weeknights and weekends and it's relatively small -- I think most folks take orders to go. You can call ahead for pickup which is what I did and only downside is you still have to wait in the line (no separate pick up window/area for takeout orders) but it still cut down the wait time for cooking.
(3)
Colleen S.

**2.5** Overpriced, and utterly mediocre... My husband and I ordered the beef brisket sandwich, a pulled chicken sandwich, and an accompaniment plate with Apple Compote, Pasta Salad, Potato Salad and jalapeno cornbread. The beef on the sandwich was very rubbery and chewy, whereas the chicken was just OK. We drenched both of our sandwiches with the house BBQ sauce - despite doing this, both sandwiches were still terribly bland and tasteless! Jack Daniels BBQ sauce at the grocery store has better flavor than Rockland's BBQ sauce! The accompaniment plate seemed like somewhat of a rip off at $6.49. Portions are definitely on the small side, and you may leave a bit hungry. On the bright side, the decor was kind of cool - Rockland's has a rustic look going on. And there are plenty of tables available outdoors. The staff seemed friendly too.
(3)
Caitlin M.

I went to Rocklands for the first time on Friday night. The atmosphere was cute and bbq-y (?) so that was nice. And the service was fast for our take-out. But I was sorely disappointed by my pulled pork sandwich and my cornbread. The pulled pork sandwich lacked BBQ sauce, and I ended up having to add my own beloved Dinosaur BBQ sauce once we got home! And the cornbread....yuck! It tasted like cigarette smoke. All in all, it was a pretty disappointing dinner. Too bad, since I was looking forward to some delicious pulled pork and cornbread while settling in to a rainy Friday night.
(2)
Michael K.

I eat here a lot and I always get the pork sandwich with two aides. The Texas corn pudding is amazing. I like the beans, the mashed potatoes, and the onion rings too. The shiner bock on tap is great too.
(5)
Ross C.

I've tried this place twice now, as I live close by and really wanted it to be good (driving out to Leesburg or Richmond for BBQ is a drag). They have great cornbread - and it's only $.99. That was the highlight of the meal. The rest of the food needs work. The ribs were tough and chewy and the smoked chicken didn't have much flavor. The sides were better than the meats, but still disappointing. I've yet to find a good BBQ place in Northern Virginia, but I plan to keep looking.
(1)
Xxxx C.

Rocklands' babyback ribs are the standard to judge all others by.
(5)
Joe L.

I like the atmosphere, and the food is pretty good. Probably not the world's greatest BBQ. But I just like it here!
(3)
Carolyn P.

After reading reviews I knew I wanted to eventually visit. Well my friend and I actually came upon it while driving by. We walk in and realize we are definitely out of place. Two young female teenagers. The crowd is more of 21-40yrs who are drinking beer in groups. Awkward for us? Yes, but who cares! We're here for the barbeque! I ordered the barbeque pork ribs. The meat was over cooked and did not have nearly enough sauce. (Expensive too! Ribs and water for $17?!) It was not easy to pull off and the meat was chewy. I should have ordered a sandwich cause the majority of the crowd had sandwich platters. (They offer dessert too but don't think I'd try it at a bbq restaurant.) My friend ordered another ribs and macaroni. she enjoyed the chicken but did not like the flavor of the macaroni. I tried the macaroni too and it was alright. I find better at Boston Market. Overall it is a nice trendy casual place for a beer with friends (tiny bar!). Check it out and see what you think. I might go back... if we come upon it again and starving.
(2)
Brandon S.

Rocklands has it's own flavor, and is consistent. It's in that list of places you run off in your mind on a Tuesday when you just want to go out and grab something decent with some friends. Nice atmosphere too, and who doesn't like cold beer in the "economy" category to go with some charred meat and sauce?
(3)
Da B.

This place has so much potential, but they just don't care enough about the plate of food they put in front of you. The atmosphere is great, the prices are fair, if only they had a few levels of quality control.
(2)
Benjamin B.

first of all, let me start off by saying i'm not even a picky eater and i generally like barbecue, even if its crappy. but i can't believe there isn't a better bbq joint in this area. I had the belly buster, which had ribs, sausage, chicken and brisket. Brisket was super weird, not really sure if its really brisket, sausage was decent, chicken had no flavor, ribs were decent at best, generally the food had a lot of smoky taste by lack real flavor, the sauce is too sweet/tangy for my taste. I was skeptical when i read the reviews, but the food was really 2 star/3 star borderlined.
(2)
Greg G.

Disappointing. Small portions and overcooked. Three of us ate here and we all agreed we will not be back. The pulled pork was inedible. The ribs were ok, otherwise I would have given this restaurant one star. The cole slaw wasn't cole slaw. It was cabbage only. The baked beans tasted like a cheap store brand with sugar dumped in. Give this one a wide berth.
(2)
brandon p.

so im from new england and perhaps have no right to be writing reviews about BBQ but this is the best place in the area hands down and probably the best barbecue ive ever had. While for whatever reason I find the Wisconsin Ave location to be better than the Wash Blvd. version both are amazing. I've patronized both locations numerous times and the baby back and beef ribs are fall off the bone good and the barbecue chicken is fantastic. I grew up country and have cooked over many a fire and smoked my own meats and Rockland's is the next best thing. The smoky flavor is just right. I also love the corn pudding. I'd never had it before going to Rockland's and don't even know what's in it besides corn but I love it. The collard greens are always done right as well and the fried okra is worthwhile as well. i'm not much of a drinker but the Washington Blvd location has a full bar and from what I see they have some yummy beers on tap and the bartenders always seem pretty cheery and interact well with their patrons. Bottom line-if you like ribs this is a must try.
(5)
kevin d.

Best wings deal in Arlington, $5 for 10 wings(i prefer dry), chicken sandwich is very good
(3)
Bill G.

i'm from New Hampshire, so i might not know good ol' southern BBQ, but i love this place. all the sandwiches and platters are great, get the mac and cheese or the texas corn pudding for sides and you're good to go for lunch or dinner. if you want to be a real man about it though, go for the Beef Ribs. i felt like it came straight out of a flintstones cartoon. grab anextra cup or two of their warm bbq sauce and slather it all over everything and you're good to go.
(5)
shawn g.

Rocklands is just down the street from some friends and provided a great meeting place after work. A few blocks away from the Virginia Square metro stop, it's really easy to get to, although if you drive, be prepared to back out of their parking lot, which is a little weird. The Wednesday special was a free beer with an order of wings. That kept us busy, along with the free peanuts while we waited for the rest of our party. The Lady and I split the 'Belly Buster' ribs (dry), chicken (tough skin), brisket (tasty) and sausage (nice and spicy) along with the Accompaniment Combo Plate that gets you three sides and cornbread. We chose the Texas Corn Pudding (excellent), Minted Cucumber Salad (good but average), Macaroni and Cheese (sub-par). The ribs required dipping in sauce to be edible, although the seasoning was decent. The Corn pudding was the standout of the entire meal. I don't know that I'd really make an effort to come back here.
(2)
Tony S.

2.5 stars for Rocklands. I was impressed at first; nice menu selection, peanuts out for the grabbing, and Shiner Bock on tap, but overall, Rocklands is pretty average. Not to say bad, just not stellar. Goods: 1. The aforementioned Shiner. 2. The corn pudding was pretty tasty. 3. The ribs tasted pretty good, but there wan't a lot there. 4. The red beans and rice were decent: better than Zaterains for what its worth... Bads: 1. My wife didn't like the baked beans or mac & cheese. 2. We ordered cornbread twice and never did actually get it. They offered us a refund as we were leaving. Generally the service was decent. Bottom Line: Good enough place if you are hungry for some BBQ and live nearby, but don't expect to be blown away by any sort of awesomeness.
(2)
Jeff K.

Let me start by saying this is my first Yelp review, and I typically don't post much of anything on the internet. That said, after coming to Rocklands for a while and reading the bad reviews here, I had to sign up for a Yelp account just to write a good review for this place in attempts to offset the negativity I'm seeing here. As for my BBQ background. I am originally from the north (hear me out!), however I've lived in North Carolina where I first discovered and grew to love southern bbq. My gf grew up in Texas, where I've sampled plenty of the local fare. I own a smoker and have been through day-long bbq sessions. I have Texan friends that I've had intelligent conversations with about bbq. When vacationing in the south I always try to sample at least one bbq joint. In short, I think I know a little more about bbq than your average DC resident. Yes, the place is trendy and yuppified, as is everything else along the Arlington orange line corridor. If you're looking for the hole-in-the-wall bbq shack experience this is not the place. But the food here is undeniably very good, bbq or non-bbq. Everything is very flavorful, and I can't remember ever being disappointed. Their homemade bbq sauce is perfect and beats anything the local chains have to offer. The pulled pork is moist and has a very distinct smoky flavor. The baby back ribs fall off the bone and are very meaty. I haven't had their brisket since they moved out of Carpool so I won't comment there. All the sides have that freshly homemade comfort-food vibe to them. I have yet to find something bad on the menu. And yes, they have sweet tea. Even if bbq is not your thing, they have other items on the menu such as catfish sandwiches, grilled lamb, etc. which I've also tried and found to be very good. I do agree with another reviewer that the place has improved since they moved out of Carpool. I think it's absolute blasphemy that another reviewer thinks RH+B is better -- not even close!! I will give you Old Glory even tho I haven't been there in about 5 years. I can see what some people are saying with both the small portion sizes and the prices. This place is not cheap and how they ever got on a cheap eats list I have no idea. But at a place like this you're paying for the quality over quantity. They do tend to serve their food in these smallish containers, but they'll typically cram as much dense meat or side dish in there as possible. The sandwich I had today was overstuffed with meat - had to use a fork to eat everything that fell out. For what it's worth, I've never come away hungry and I enjoy the food here so much that the $$ is an afterthought.
(5)
K B.

You get alot of food for this cheap-eat hot spot; you can easily have leftovers. Free wifi. Cozy atmosphere. In a great location. Nice Happy Hour selections. Cool team. Grade level: B+ Yummy BBQ chicken. If you request all white meat, they won't charge extra for it. Grilled wings are pretty good, sometimes fatty. Sweet tea is brewed so if you are fan of real southern sweet tea, you will enjoy it. Our friends had the pork ribs; they were well-seasoned, tender, and just 'fall-off-the-bone' delicious. Beef ribs are a no-go; they are too fatty and not very lean.
(4)
Ann B.

Probably one of my top three places to eat in Arlington. I've eaten here about 12+ times over the past year and have never had a bad meal. I typically go for the pulled pork or bbq chicken sandwich with potato salad and another side. I really like the cucumber salad and the mac and cheese. This past weekend I tried the BLT which was THE BEST BLT I've ever tasted. I really like the casual, neighborhood feel. My only complaint is that we've been turned away a handful of times when we've arrived no later than 9:30 p.m., when the closing time is 10 p.m. If you aren't going to server after 9:30, then you should make that be your closing time.
(4)
Jenna W.

Go. Get the platter with BBQ, mac and cheese, a bag of fries, and sweet tea. It's some of the best BBQ I've ever had. If you have some time to kill, I'd recommend sitting at the bar. The bartenders are really interesting, and it's a good place to watch sports and strike up conversations with the folks around you. If you really want to be a regular here, join the bourbon club. Basically, it's a tasting list of 50+ bourbons. Makes for a fun conversation topic every time, and when you finish the list, you get your name on the wall.
(5)
Amy B.

Great BBQ & friendly staff. They have outdoor dining, upstairs and lots of TVs for sports. Don't forget about their bourbon bar. It rocks.
(4)
Adam S.

Dry, too thin, flavorless brisket with hard gristle; fatty thigh-meat pulled chicken; and mushy pulled/minced pork. Greens were OK, but weirdly oily. Simply put -- absolutely the worst barbecue place ever. Should have known, since a zillion kinds of bourbon to drink is what they boast of. Unless you are going for the booze (and casual picnic table environment) only, its a definite must-miss. I've got to disagree with my good friend on this place.
(1)
Sunny S.

delicious ribs, amazing hot sauces, try everything on the menu, i loved the fried okra and pulled pork i have been here 2x, i will be back! i love the ambience and the price is amazing!
(5)
Rac Leng S.

Returned to Rocklands again after the last very disappointing visit simply because the family wants to give it a try. I had 1/2 spare ribs this time with sweet potato fries. The ribs are very well cooked with a good smoky flavor unlike the pale water tasting baby back ribs the last time. World of different when I looked at the pictures taken of the two ribs. Anyway, the sweet potato fries tasted very good too and my family enjoyed the BBQ chicken. Reviews here seems to show inconsistency as what I experienced over 2 visits within one week!
(3)

Q & A on Johnny Rockets

Who owns Johnny Rockets?

Johnny Rockets is founded by Ronn Teitelbaum. Today, the restaurant chain is owned by Sun Capital Partners.

Does Johnny Rockets serve breakfast?

Yes, Johnny Rockets has a separate breakfast section, especially for breakfast meal. Johnny Rockets serves breakfast all day and night.

Where is Johnny Rockets located near me?

There are over 320 Johnny Rockets outlets across the United States. You can find a Johnny Rockets restaurant nearby using our Restaurant Listings directory.

What time does Johnny Rockets open and close?

All Johnny Rockets restaurants in the United States opens at 8 AM and stays open till 9 PM. Some Johnny Rockets restaurants stay open till midnight at some locations.

Does Johnny Rockets have gluten-free?

Johnny Rockets offers a wide range of gluten-free items. You can opt for the gluten-free bun to turn your burger into a gluten-free burger. For assurance, you can check out Johnny Rockets gluten-free menu.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

About Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets is a restaurant franchise headquartered in the United States. The American restaurant chain features 1950s diner-style restaurant format with individual jukebox stations, red vinyl seats, chrome accents, etc. There are around 320 Johnny Rockets restaurants in the United States.

Ron Teitelbaum from Los Angeles, California founded Johnny Rockets as a recreation of the 1940s vintage themed malt shops of his childhood. The first Johnny Rockets began its operations on June 6, 1986. Johnny Rockets specializes in American burgers and sandwiches as well as offers salads, starters, and shakes to enrich your dining experience at Johnny Rockets.

Healthy Food Options at Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets is a fast-food restaurant and finding healthy food at Johnny Rockets can be a bit tricky. While you can always opt for the salads and healthy shakes at Johnny Rockets for healthy options, there are also some healthy burgers and sandwiches which you can bet on. Ensure that the sugar, sodium, and cholesterol is in check when you order food at Johnny Rockets.

Address : 3471 Washington Blvd
Arlington, VA, 22201
Phone (703) 528-9663
Website https://www.rocklands.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes

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Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company- Arlington

3471 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA, 22201

Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company- Arlington Menu

Salads and Sides

Ribs and Chicken

Sandwich and Platters

By the Pound

Sweets and Stuff

Beverages

Diabetics at Johnny Rockets

Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for Diabetics:

Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Johnny Rockets:

Healthy Meal suggestions for Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company- Arlington

Salads and Sides

Ribs and Chicken

Sandwich and Platters

By the Pound

Sweets and Stuff

Beverages

High Blood Pressure at Johnny Rockets

Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for High Blood Pressure

Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Johnny Rockets

High Cholesterol at Johnny Rockets

Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for High Cholesterol

Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Johnny Rockets

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