The Silver Grill is the third try at this location. Perhaps the third time is the charm.

Does everybody like barbecue? Some restaurants must think so. Wendy's had tried a barbecue sandwich several months ago, then dropped it. Recently, it returned to their menu. Bojangles decided to give barbecue a run. Now Subway is trying Korean barbecue.

I had one recently at the Subway in Boger City. Not sure if it's still true, but when I tried it, they gave me a card that offers a free sandwich if you take an online survey telling them your opinion. My opinion? I'll stick with Bar-B-Q King or Sweetfire (although a friend who ate at Sweetfire recently had some very negative comments including hard hushpuppies and watered down tea).

The Korean barbecue at Subway has more heat than anybody else. The sauce is apparently the same thing the Koreans use on that Kimchi cabbage. The Koreans like that stuff so much that most middle-class Korean homes have two refrigerators--one just for the Kimchi (because of the smell).

It wasn't that bad, but not that good. Subway has a lot of very good sub choices--this one seems out of place. I was also puzzled at what one puts on a sub with Korean barbecue when slaw is not one of the options. I had them add a little lettuce and since they asked about cheese, I said American would be fine.

I don't go to Subway--or Bojangles--and probably not Wendy's--for barbecue. I like the subs at Subway, the chicken at Bo's and the other items, especially the salads, at Wendy's just fine. Best leave the barbecue to those who know how.

Speaking of which, I've never been a fan of R.O.'s in Gastonia. In my younger days, it was one of the places one cruised in G-town (like Scronce's, It's and Triple H Plaza in Lincolnton). Teens used to drive to R.O.'s on the west end, then the Beacon on East Franklin and later to Shoney's at the New Hope Road intersection--but that was a half century ago so only us really old people remember. The fact that R.O.'s is still going strong says that a lot of people must like their Q. Not me. Just to be sure, I tried one of their sandwiches recently at the former Harris Teeter parking lot in Boger City (they also sell often at the Bi-Lo in Stanley). It's still not on my top ten (or twenty) list.

They were working on the former Yamato Japanese Steakhouse location in the shopping center with Chillin' & Grillin' and Amy's Closet on Highway 16 Sunday. Byron Sackett says the second Homesteads Grill & Taphouse location will open there in early November. Better hurry--there's still a lot of work to do.

Work is also progressing but no word yet on when LakeShore Barbecue will reopen. They had a fire in early September and while most of the fire damage was in the kitchen area, smoke and water did damage elsewhere. For now, they remain closed.

We are always interested in business news--and we welcome any new business or business making changes or remodeling, etc. to send us the info. As always, opinions expressed are those of the reporter and opinions to the contrary are welcomed. Our email address is [email protected]