Random question for St Cloud folks.

I’ve been learning some back ways around the HWY 10 construction if I’m driving north during peak times. Lately I’ve been snaking past the airport and across HWY 23 on CO RD 8 (35th Ave) which is a dumb intersection, but that’s a topic for another post. First time I’ve ever seen or heard of Rollie’s BBQ, but it looks like a big deal. I’m not from the area but consider myself pretty versed in good MN dives/eats and have driven through the St Cloud enough to where I would’ve thought I’d have at least heard of it before. Seems to get good reviews on the Google. Told my wife we gotta stop next time. Is it worth it?

Rollies has decent food, at least they did a few years ago when I ate there. But it’s actually named Rollies Rednecks and Longnecks, and more known for being a honky tonk bar with some decent country acts coming thru.

Yeah, I can appreciate the dedication to the theme, but I’m not a redneck and can’t stand today’s country music (IE pop/ bro-country). But if the food and the atmosphere is good, I can suspend my prejudices for a bit

Rollies is a place I used to go drink and meet hot redneck girls. Haven’t been there in years but it used to be fun. Now it’s probably to hip for my old ass

I’ve been in it once, never again. My daughter likes to hang out there; the owner got himself in a wee bit of trouble some years back

I went to college in St. Cloud. Some of the fun from Rollies traveled after closing time . It was a nice break from the St. Cloud downtown college bars and some of the BS that could come with that on the wrong night.

It’s a place I enjoyed drinking at with mediocre or solid food, but wouldn’t really race back to now that I’m well into my 30s with kids.

I work on the East end of St. Cloud, and used to work even closer to Rollies, so we went to it mostly for lunch.

Their Wednesday Pizza n Wings buffet is actually pretty good.

Burgers are slightly above average, 6.5-7/10. I haven’t had a bloody Mary from them in some time, since I’m there normally for lunch, but they were god awful. It was like someone dumped a tablespoon of lime salt into it before serving. Another nice kick, they have the old school roasted peanuts at the tables.

They do have some pretty good other daily specials that are worth a try. So all in all, I would recommend them for lunch. I’m assuming that’s when you’re normally rolling through. Another place to try on the East Side, but would be right into the heart of traffic/construction is Lincoln Depot.

Rumors once you get north of town is also another decent stop.

The BBQ thing is new. There was a BBQ joint going to open in the old Pizza Hut in Sauk Rapids and it never did. Around this same time it was announced that some guy was moving his pits and such to Rollies to open a BBQ joint inside. Is it the same guy? Not sure, but the timing seems interesting. I havent personally been there for the BBQ but know others who have and they said it was very good. Regarding the atmosphere, well if you go there not during the “peak” times of people getting plastered its pretty dang docile. I dont even remember music being played inside, but I am sure there was. They are more known for their live music since they have a huge stage outside.

ThunderLund78 wrote:

can’t stand today’s country music (IE pop/ bro-country)

Neither can Rollie lol, Outlaw or old school country is their m.o.

Interesting! Thanks all. We usually roll through around supper time if we’re heading up on a Friday night – we’ll see if the mood strikes us the next time through. Seems like it’s more about the experience than the food.

Love old School Country and Outlaw Country!

And ride the bull…..

I would recommend stopping at scottys log bar rather then Rollies. Burgers are amazing.

big_g wrote:

And ride the bull…..

Thats reserved for cute girls in skirts.

No more bull to ride! I live close to there and can listen to the outdoor concerts from my deck. I like their pizza and wings so that’s what I usually get when I eat there. I like Sunday nights there. I forget the band they have playing there but it’s older folks playing country classics!

Its crazy the amount of road construction going on in this town right now. I have never seen so many projects taking place all at the same time. Every day it seems like a different road is closed around here. Going to my buddies just a few miles away yesterday I hit 4 closed roads. Just last week none of these roads were closed. Every day is a new adventure here for sure.

fishthumper wrote:

Its crazy the amount of road construction going on in this town right now. I have never seen so many projects taking place all at the same time. Every day it seems like a different road is closed around here. Going to my buddies just a few miles away yesterday I hit 4 closed roads. Just last week none of these roads were closed. Every day is a new adventure here for sure.

But on the other hand, virtually ever road needs some sort of work done to it. So I’m glam they’re finally doing something about it. I’m happy I don’t live in this damn metro anymore, but I do live west of St. Cloud by about 20 miles and work on the east side. Fortunately, I do not run into any construction on my most direct route.

94 by St. Johns is now under constructions also. They are doing around a 5 mile stretch on both sides of the road. In the afternoon this the traffic is backing up for miles especially the traffic heading back towards the city.