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Gary's Barbecue
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
12 reviews for Gary's Barbecue
12 reviews in English
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Review from michael c.
Trinity, NC
1/3/2012
I could tell by the smell I was going to like the BBQ here. Very friendly staff, and quick to bring our menus and drinks.I chose a large brown chopped tray with hush puppies, and we wanted a side order of onion rings. My Q was chopped just right, not to fine with a good smokey flavor. I liked their red slaw to. Two bottles of BBQ sauce was on the table one vinegar based the other a little thick sweet tasting.I liked them both. The hush puppies where big as golf balls, but had a good taste. Nice texture. Used to get foot long hot dogs from here years back from someone I worked with, still seemed to be a hot seller with fries. Maybe next time. Gary's old Thunderbird's on display plus the old signs on the walls made a neat decor.Hope I have a reason to be back this way
soon. Nice portions, I think the 3 of us got out for about 30 bucks.Just about forgot, Take CASH something I don't carry much of. There was an ATM at the door, A life savor. -
Review from Trey S.
I recently stopped at Gary's on my way back from Greensboro to Charlotte. I actually found this BBQ joint by mistake, as I was simply trying to avoid what seems like the never-ending traffic on 85 south as you are heading into Charlotte.
Upon walking in, my gf and I were instructed to seat ourselves, and we promptly did so, choosing a booth near a museum-like area filled with classic soda signs and two Ford Thunderbirds which are authentic and spectacular (see pics).
Upon being seated, a friendly middle-aged lady quickly came and took our drink orders and asked if we were ready to order. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with the red, vinegar-based slaw. My gf ordered the chicken tenders plate with ranch and the house salad on the side. It didn't take long for our food to arrive and after taking our customary pictures we immediately dug in. Before biting into my pulled pork sandwich I seasoned it with a bit of the vinegar-based bbq sauce and took and a huge bite of the pulled pork sandwich that just seemed to be calling my name. The red-slaw perfectly complimented the pulled pork which was extremely juicy and tender (see pics). I do concur with a previous reviewer that stated it LACKED SMOKINESS! The texture of the pulled pork was perfect, but the taste was a bit plain for my liking. It lacked a true smoky favor that you find in the pulled pork at places such as Stamey's, Smokey Joe's and Lexington BBQ. The complimentary sauces at the table came in very handy as I felt the sandwich needed additional flavor.
As for my gf's meal, she stated it was good, not great. The chicken tenders she ordered were tender, but once again, tasted a bit plain in her opinion. She loved the crinkle fries that accompanied her meal but felt like the salad left a bit to be desired. The salad was nothing more than shredded lettuce, with tomato chunks on top (see pics), not very appetizing. Food aside, she loved the fountain Cheerwine that came with shaved ice in a styrofoam cup - a true North Carolina classic.
The service was awesome. The ambiance felt classic but not old. The drinks - iced tea and Cheerwine with shaved ice were the perfect compliment to our meals. The food however was just average, nothing really to write home about, and def not worth a trip from Charlotte just to dine here. I've only been to Gary's once, but I feel like its living more off of its reputation than the true taste and quality of its food - just my take. -
Review from Gerry M.
Salisbury, NC
11/23/2011
I have only visited Gary's a handful of times, mostly because of the distance from my home, not because of the food. Each and everytime I did visit, the service and food were amazing. The parking lot is packed and that is the ONLY drawback to this BBQ joint.
If you are looking for some of the best BBQ in Rowan County, or western NC...this is the place to be! The BBQ is flavorful and melts in your mouth. The hush puppies are probably the best part of the meal! -
Review from Johnny F.
Concord, NC
1/11/2012
Been here many times and enjoyed the Q every time.
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Review from Gilberto d.
Houston, TX
2/3/2011
Here in The South from Texas and always on the look-out for some awesome "Q". Realize it's all pork down here but that's OK. After hearing from 5 different people how great Gary's is... trekked up the I-85 to find out for myself.
Compadre and I had a pork sandwich and chessburger. On both these items the buns were totally flattened down. Cheeseburger lacked any sort of flavor and the sliced pork sandwich was VERY dry. Odd sauce was available of the side.
Coleslaw was good and their "famous" hushpuppies are simply too big to be really that flavorful. Golfball-sized to be exact.
Service however was outstanding. Saddens me having to write a negative review but this is what it is here. Lastly NO beer or wine available.
Keep on driving up to Lexington for the real deal. -
Review from Fred B.
Greensboro, NC
9/19/2010
Gary's has been around since the early 70's, and has a devoted following, but this BBQ is not what it once was, there is no smokiness now. The BBQ is still lean, moist and tender, medium chopped, and the sauce is more Eastern than Lexington, and has some heat, like some others in this general area. What I remember about eating here in the 70's was there was a great smoke flavor as well, no more. They do serve a good size portion here, so you get your money's worth.
The slaw is a tangy, red slaw that does go very well on a sandwich with the pork served here - much more so than most of the red slaw I've tasted. Hush puppies are decent, but not spectacular, and the ridged fries are not my favorite.
This is not a bad place to eat NC BBQ, especially if you tastes run more toward the Eastern version, but it once was much more.Listed in: NC BBQ Joints
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Review from crystal f.
Pineville, NC
1/12/2011
I love garys barbecue and miss it being from china grove :( I grew up on Garys and I havent found anyplace in charlotte or york that compares to his barbaque. Its a vinegar base pulled pork or chopped, with a side of wonderful fried hushpuppies that do not have onions in them thank you Gary :) I love the barbecue salad with ranch dressing with a pickle yummy. The footlong hotdogs chili, slaw, mustard is my favorite being a southern girl lol I have used garys for catering a family reunion to taking it to freinds houses for a dinner when I visit at home. If your traveling up
I-85 towards salisbury stop by you wont be disappointed, especially if you love the old cars and Gary can normally be found working or talking to his favorite customers, nice gentlemen. -
Review from Scott Z.
Talleyville, DE
8/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
good ol' southern hospitality with some bbq mixed in. Now i'm more of texas / memphis bbq fan myself, but as far as carolina bbq goes, this place was great. good pork, great burgers, and the best....let me repeat that...THE BEST service i've ever had.....anywhere....
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Review from Jason K.
Loves Park, IL
12/5/2009 1 photo
Made it to Gary's on a lazy, rainy Saturday...and was greeted with good ol' southern hospitality that you'd expect from an "off the beaten path" type place like Gary's. For a beverage, i highly recommend the Cheerwine, which is basically Cherry Coke with a twist. For the meal, I had the combo plate which had an overabundance of food...a whole chicken breast plus about a pound (maybe more) of pulled pork. Throw in some crinkle cut fries, some coleslaw, and three hush puppies, and you've got one heck of a meal...and most likely ready for a nap!
Keep in mind that this is a "Carolina style BBQ", which relies upon vinegar instead of the more traditional (at least "traditional" for me) ketchup/tomato based BBQ sauce.
Wait staff was incredibly nice and helpful, and were genuinely happy to have new faces in their restaurant. In fact, they offered a free banana pudding when they found out it was our first time there! Couldn't take them up on it since I was full to the point of bursting...but it was a very nice gesture nonetheless.
If you find yourself in the area, I'd definitely recommend Gary's! -
Review from Joshua P.
Kannapolis, NC
11/30/2009 1 photo
Gary's is the place to eat good ol' southern BBQ pork if you are in the China Grove area. Nothing like a cup of Cheerwine w/ crushed ice, bbq pork sandwich and crinkle cut fries. The old cars and signs are cool to check out too. Staff is friendly. Make sure to come with cash in your pocket though cause it's cash only here....although they do have an ATM out front if your willing to pay the fee.
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Review from Roger S.
Sunset Beach, NC
3/19/2009
Now that's BBQ!
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Review from Joseph L.
Salisbury, NC
6/3/2009
BBQ in name only if its a BBQ joint then why do they have it on certain days????
