Rodi

My wife and I have been going to Rodi's on an off for many years. We are vegetarians and have liked Rodi's as being very vegetarian friendly though a bit on the poorly seasoned side. \r We looked on line on the Saturday the 9th of Nov 2012 and found the music had happened on Friday the 9th! So we went in early. Our regular waitress, Jennifer, met us at the door and seated us. However, she didn't wait on us. She turned us over to a nice young girl who did not know the menu and was pretty inattentive consider there was nearly no one in the restaurant, on a Sat night? \r We were looking over the menu when some of the musicians arrived to set up their equipment. We wondered what happened, oh well. We went ahead and ordered while a couple next to us, apparently also having been long time customers. Our Chips, as another poster mentioned, were greasy. soggy and very dark which is typically an indication that the oil in the fryer hasn't been changed regularly. The oil breaks down, won't fry as fast and allows the oil to be absorbed by the food. We should have sent them back. Our Sourdough bread with the Olive Oil and Balsamic dip was just awful. The oil was too thin, no color and no flavor, while the Balsamic vinegar was, well, like red wine vinegar and easily a very low grade of Balsamic because the two ingredients mixed immediately and became more like a vinegar, overpowering the weak Olive Oil, and oil salad dressing than a Olive Oil and Balsamic dip. Our ""Greek"" pizza arrived and after eating it we wondered why we weren't impressed. When we compared our experience later we figured out that there was no Feta Cheese on our pizza nor were there any Pepperocini's! \r The couple next to us were ready to pay and the waitress went to run their card. The connection was down so they couldn't run the card and told the couple they could either wait for it to come back on line or pay cash. They paid cash and when they left it was obvious they weren't happy. Well about 20 minutes later we were ready to pay, same thing only our waitress never came back after asking us if we would wait a couple of minutes to let the program come back on line. 15 minutes later, no waitress, no opportunity to pay. We felt like we were being held hostage. By the way no one offered to allow us, or the guests that were next to us, to pay the old debit card way with the little portable slider machine until, in disgust we went to the Hostess counter to give them my business card and to tell them that I'd pay but I'm not waiting around. I raised my voice, out of frustration and disappointment to make sure others heard, really bad all the way around. I can't believe how poor the food was nor how bad the service was especially considering the place was nearly empty. The place was cold and uninviting and seems to have gone downhill from the last time we were there, when our waitress then forgot to serve our appetizer completely. I cook better at home, not going back as I won't put up with inferior food and bad service. Oh yeah, we ordered a bottle of California wine, typically fairly inexpensive, it was $35.00. I wouldn't mind if the atmosphere was better, but it wasn't. \r I believe they used to make their own bread and pizza dough on premises as well as using fresh vegetables from Rodi's garden. Well, they order in all the bread now and their pizza's are pre-made by a local bakery.....too bad Rodi, you used to be the premier restaurant in the Area. \r Oh, one other point. My wife works at JC Penney's whose new manager liked eating at Rodi's and wanted to have the company Christmas party there for 112 associates and their guests on a Sunday in the Loft. She was told that Rodi's doesn't work on Sunday. For a failing restaurant not to work on getting nearly 200 diners is just stupid. No wondering they're dieing, bad management, lower quality food, and inept service. What could go wrong? Bye bye Rodi's. more

Friends from work and I went to RODI and had a fairly large party. My first impression of the resturant was nice. I liked the eccletic feel and the laid back feeling. As we trickled in the waitress took our drink orders and it took a while to get them. I was astonished that they only had 1 waitress waiting on 18 people. As we socialized the waitress took our appetizer order. We received them and they were awesome and we dismissed the slow drink service that was countered by the good starters. As we placed our dinner order a friend had ordered an item and was told that it was not available. When the food came out, it was very bland. Several people who had burgers said that the burgers were burnt on the outside but okay in the middle, meaning the cook did not know how to cook them. They were cooked too high and too quickly. The chicken that was ordered was over burnt and over cooked. The rice and beans had a hair in it. I had the fish and chips. The chips were awesome but the fish was extremely bland and had no flavor. A friend sent her burger back and when it came back, recooked, it was still rare in the middle, a health violation. When she sent it back again the cook used the same meat and put it back on the grill, causing cross contamination. The only 2 items that appeared to be good where the highest priced items. I had heard really good things about this place but the server was very unprofessional, rude and we felt that it was because we were a group of young professionals. I always give people the benefit of doubt; however, this was an experience that I do not want to risk again. This was a resturant where the cons far outway the pros. Beware if you go here!!! more

I've given Rodi's several chances on many occasions to redeem their supposed standing as a good place to eat in Gastonia. Each time was an even larger disappointment and I have stopped trying - as of last month.\r \r Their venue in an older adaptive reuse of the original Gastonia High School gymnasium provides the only small charm that Rodi's exudes. \r \r The quality of the food is well below average, very unimaginative and quite overpriced for what you get. It does taste like it came out of a prepared freezer bag entree or can. Adding to the overall unpleasant experience are elderly hostesses and wait staff with poor customer service skills who always appear to be cold and impersonal and at times, even surly.\r \r Such a shame that this place is so underutilized with bad foof and staff. It could be so much more.\r more

Our experience at Rodi was very disappointing.\r \r The ""atmosphere"" was non-existent. The concrete floors and open warehouse ceiling created a cacophony of noise that made conversation virtually impossible. We felt as if we were sitting in the hallway while the bar flies drifted in and out to their watering hole. Our expectations were high because of the glowing descriptions on the website and other reviews here in Citysearch. \r \r The food we had was completely average. The beef and mashed potatoes dish was straight out of the Tyson kitchens and tasted like their ""microwave in a bag beef and gravy"". The trout was edible, but the chocolate dessert reminded us of the Betty Crocker ""Warm Delights"". The bread had no character, it was standard white bread processed variety with little taste.\r \r The waitress was artificially pleasant and seemed reluctant to explain the menu exceptions and conditions. The use of special symbols to designate which entrees included sides and which didn't were confusing and required additional explanation which was not forthcoming.\r \r The prices were high for the value we received. We were willing to spend more money as it was our anniversary, but we lost interest early in the evening and left much of our food behind on the plates. more

This place is amazing. If you're tired of the ""fish camp"" scene and truly desire a new dining experience - go to Rodi. The food is different, amazing, and EVERYTHING is delicious. They also have wonderful music events and just the most relaxing and classy atmosphere. A great place for a date, to relax with friends - even to treat yourself! Pros: Everything is great! more

gastonia is lucky to have a wonderful place to take out towners. The food is a little weird, big on presentation. There is too much of a spice they use but I can't name it. Its in everything. Atmosphere is heavenly. more

Rodi has wonderful food, great service, a funky atmosphere, and great music. The owner has a true love of music and is especially fond of local and regional artists. This is one of my favorite restaurants and is well worth a drive from Charlotte. So get your nose out of the air, drive across the county line , and check it out. You will not be sorry.The food is exceptional and it's a great place to hear music, look at artwork, and relax. Pros: great food, atmosphere, music more

group dining, live music, the gorgeous patio, and fresh, even healthy, food. that is correct. in gastonia. really. nothing here is pre-packaged. not the food, or the art, or the people. on the cutting edge of local and regional music venues. and killer mashed potatoes. yep, gastonia. more

always good food service is great,always happy joyfull waiters.price very reasonable Pros: good service, great food, love the birds more