Rolly Rockets BBQ (King/Locke) formerly GP Grumpys

emge · #1 Posted **Oct 15, 2009, 2:08 AM**

They've been gutting and renovating this on the inside for months - I keep seeing kitchen equipment moved and the upstairs has been taken down to studs, new windows, etc.

Not sure on the progress of the upstairs, however the downstairs BBQ restaurant is set to open November 1.

This Saturday they're holding an open house from 10 a.m. to noon including food -- this is part of what I received from them - they're inviting the whole Strathcona neighbourhood out for the open house:

We are an authentic southern wood smoked bbq family restaurant, Our services include:

eat-in ♥ take-out ♥ delivery ♥ kids team and birthday party’s ♥ corporate functions ♥ full off-site catering ♥ competition bbq team… & more

We are planning to open for November 1st 2009, it has come to our attention that there has been opposition to our application for a liquor license and we wanted to take this opportunity to meet our neighbours in an informal setting and answer any questions you may have. We genuinely look forward to meeting with you!

(9 0 5) 393 – 3555

I n f o @ r o l l y r o c k e t s b b q . c o m

W w w . r o l l y r o c k e t s b b q . c o m

Their site's just up and looks like they still need a proofreader, but it looks like authentic southern BBQ and a much more family-friendly place than the previous incarnation of the restaurant. I hope that's what it turns out to be
http://www.rollyrocketsbbq.com/

And eventually if we could get a row of windows on the bottom floor instead of the bricks, that would be a huge improvement for that corner.

drpgq · #2 Posted **Oct 15, 2009, 4:00 PM**

That's sad that people are opposing the liquor license, especially with what is going there now compared to what it was before.

emge · #3 Posted **Oct 15, 2009, 5:03 PM**

Yeah, it is too bad they're experiencing that. I'm guessing the opposition is because of what was there before - I've been hearing lots of questions from business owners and residents about "I hope it isn't another grungy bar"

Smart move on their part to do an open house - they got the Strathcona e-mail list to distribute it as well, so that should hit a big cross-section of the neighbourhood.

I e-mailed them and let them know where I work on that street and that I'm in full support of their liquor license application. I'll draw up a letter of support too if they want it.

thistleclub · #4 Posted **Oct 15, 2009, 5:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by emge

Yeah, it is too bad they're experiencing that. I'm guessing the opposition is because of what was there before - I've been hearing lots of questions from business owners and residents about "I hope it isn't another grungy bar"

The rednecky overtones of the whole "Put The South In Your Mouth" thing can be a bit of an albatross.

emge · #5 Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 2:20 AM**

Since I last posted I've also talked to the owner a few times - I'd hope to see them succeed, but I'm not the type to plug a restaurant that isn't up to par, especially since I don't go out to eat that often. However, they ARE really good - unique and quality food. I've been there a few times so far.. ''tis the season, I guess.

- The Strathcona Christmas party/open house - had a few good samples and got a little introduction to the place/saw the renovation.

- Last week with a group of 11 - we ordered a few racks of ribs, some half-chickens, and fries and sweet potato fries + the coleslaw/beans/cornbread that came with it - I think we fed everyone with drinks (pop) for $150 or so, and there were leftovers to take home. Cornbread was a little bland compared to the rest though. (It was a pretty good deal for me - I was taking a band out to dinner as a thank-you for a show they did, and they all really enjoyed it - and so did I!).

- Today for lunch with 3 people -- My MIL was down for the afternoon, and she knows real Southern BBQ so I wanted her opinion. She liked it so much she ended up ordering extra food after her meal to take back home with her. Plus the cornbread was right out of the oven this time with some kind of glaze on it, and just as good as everything else.

SteelTown · #6 Posted **Jan 16, 2010, 9:43 PM**

Took my parents there. They love watching Pitmaster and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives so I figured they would like it. They got ribs and briskets. Their plate was empty so it had to be good.

I'm vegetarian so I was expecting just fries. But the owner was nice and suggested the soup. The fries was damn good and the soup.

My parents want to go back so they obviously loved it.

The owner is from the Maritimes so we like them even better haha, hence why they have Alexander Keith's and Mooseheads.