Johnny Mac’s Rib Shack

Pretty good food, the ribs were hot, if a little too fatty. The mac n’ cheese was rancid tasting, though. The two people working there today need to get some manners, too. Not friendly to me at all. When I first walked in, I greeted the girl at the counter. No response, blank stare, whatever. I didn’t show any attitude toward her afterwards, either. Then she got her order pad and pen and was looking down to write my order. Just before I looked up at the menu, I saw her lip the word a**hole. She didn’t notice I was looking at her at the moment. There was no one else there to be saying that about, either. I think she was calling me an a**hole for whatever reason. At that point, I was feeling kind of irritated and disrespected, but I let it go. The order came up quickly and about the same time a police officer, who had been sitting in his cruiser, came in to pick-​up his order. He received his food from the older woman who was cooking the food. She knew him by name and was appreciative and respectful, as I’m certain he deserved. She didn’t say boo to me. I was given my food by the younger girl without so much as a thank you, have a nice day, kiss my a** or anything. They showed no appreciation to me as a customer and I value that alot. Maybe they were having a bad day, I don’t know. Maybe I was too and this episode didn’t help it. I’m sure their other menu items are great, but I’m not going to find out.

This place is a sweet throwback to that neighborhood Dairy Queen experience so many of us had in our youth. The soft ice cream here is the bomb and well worth the the trek down Rt 1, Ice cream Lovers. It’s a smooth and creamy treat that is bound to put a smile on your face. Oh, and with such taste treats as butter pecan, cotton candy, and peach twist, there are flavors galore, However, I am a soft cone purist and opted for your always fantastic vanilla… Heaven.
Johnny Macs also serves up some sweet Carolina BBQ, and I have to say that their pulled pork sandwich is choice. Still, I did think that my sandwich was just a tad dry, but this will be easily rectified on my next visit with a request to add just a bit more of that juicy Carolina goodness. Still, the pulled pork was good enough to make me want try Johnny Macs’s ribs the next time that I’m down in the area.
I’d definitely give this place a try for nostalgia alone. Johnny Mac’s is sure to bring out the kid in you, putting a smile on your face and barbecue love in your heart.

First time here, definitely have been wanting to give this place a try. Had the BBQ pork sammie and husband had the BBQ beef. Got the cole slaw on the side but after tasting it, dumped that goodness right on the sandwich and dug in. The flavor was awesome. So good! Really enjoyed it. We also got a piña colada/​mango smoothie… amaaazing! Will be coming back to give a few more menu items a try.

On a nice summer night, the soft ice cream was perfect. Good prices and excellent service ensure I’ll be back again again.

Very nice people here. Passed by many times early AM when not open yet. Pork sandwich was excellent. NC style, could have used more sauce, which was great BTW. Slaw was also good. I asked for on side in case was no good or had celery seeds. Would have been great on sandwich. Sweet tea also great.

I’ve been coming to this place for almost 3 years and it is honestly one of the best places around for NC BBQ. The family is from Carolina and keeps to tradition with food preparation. Delicious food & good prices. It’s a tucked away on Rt. 1 but well worth the traffic.

Snowed in and craving a classic cheeseburger sub, I headed over to Johnny Mac’s since their regular burger was so good. Cashier asked me whether I wanted it «lettuce, tomato, mayo, and birth control» and I was like, «Huh?» and she’s like «You know, birth control. Onions.» And I’m like, «Hells yeah.» What you get when you order the sub is THREE inch-​thick patties (the third they had to cut in half to fit in the dang sub roll). It’s a good 12 inches of awesome. I could only choke down half, so unless you’re fasting or doing weight training, the regular burger might be a better buy. But for $ 11 bucks and change, you’re getting over a pound of hand-​formed ground beef patties (none of that frozen hockey puck nonsense) that will tell that loud grumbling stomach of yours to STFU.

Lovely little spot and I only got a smoothy while its snowing outside but I can tell when its nice out this will be a great spot to grab food and go home. Another hole in the wall.

Great breakfast sandwiches, nice workers, awesome banana milkshakes. Go there at least a couple times a week.

It was time to eat, but I wasn’t really craving anything. My husband pulls over into this lot. The moment we step out of the car, a passerby says «you gotta try the bbq sandwich, don’t let the appearance of this place change your mind.» I guess we looked like we were hesitant to go in, but the moment he said «BBQ», Polina knew what she was getting. And boy oh boy was that a good decision! Hot, delicious, moist BBQ with delicious coleslaw. MMM, how I love BBQ. It did not disappoint. Not a try bbq sandwich and I didn’t have a problem of the meat falling out of my sandwich and onto the plate. Perfect! Thanks for the delicious meal!

On my first visit, I arrived right and closing time and they opened back up and made me a sandwich. That earns bonus points in my book. I had a BBQ pork sandwich which was a classic western NC style. Pork was well cooked and lightly sauced (I like a little more vinegar) and the cole slaw was fresh and crisp and paired well with the pork. They have some other interesting things on the menu so I’ll definitely be back.

I know it looks like a shady place, but it’s honestly not as bad as it looks. Had a cheeseburger there that was good and decent. It wasn’t five guy level, but good enough for me to want to come again.
Burger was simple, thick, not very wide, but satisfying.
They have a lot of food options.
And ice cream/​milkshake dessert options.

Its no Tubbys (RIP) but if you are looking for an awesome breakfast sandwich check out the Evacuator.

Johnny Mac’s. How I love thee so. Your soft serve ice cream so dense and creamy. So deliciously wonderful that it melts my heart away with each lick. In the summer heat, there is no better treat.
4 Stars — Well worth the drive to the «middle of nowhere.» Try it with the chili half smoke with everything on it or even the Carolina pork BBQ sandwich topped with cole slaw. Tender and bursting with flavor. You will want to go back for seconds.

I give it 3 stars.
I had the pulled pork sandwich and a side of Mac n cheese. The pork was good and the m&c was not dry and pretty average. I will stop again when i’m in the area.

Decent food at good prices. Hot dog platter, burger, steak and cheese, all great and delicious. And don’t forget the ice cream! We go there about once a week for hot dogs and ice cream. Staff is friendly, the place is clean and it’s close by.

Avoid the chili dog. I was awful. The «chili» was just greasy ground beef on a cheap hot dog. Gross! From everyone else, it seems like ice cream is the thing to order here.

This is such a cute little shack off of Route 1. I came here with 2 co-​workers — I was treated to a chili cheese dog combo (came with 2 dogs (!), french fries, and a drink). The chili was pretty decent on the dog itself, and the fries were nice and crispy (thick kinds)). My other co-​worker had a fried bologna sandwich with onion rings, and she said it was mighty tasty, as the bologna was thin and there were multiple layers of it, fried perfectly. There is only outdoor seating (about 3 picnic tables), and the girl who was working at the cash register was sooo sweet and so friendly! I would love to come back and try some of their pulled pork and other items on the menu. The price is pretty decent. There’s a small lot to park your car.
+chili cheese dogs
+french fries

I love this little joint. The owner, I think his name is really Johnny Mac, always comes to shoot the breeze with me and my boyfriend every time we visit here. We always go for the NC BBQ sandwich, which is delicious and I do believe it’s their signature item. The counter-​attendants are always nice and talk to you like you’re a real person. Their sweet tea is home-​brewed and delicious.
Two things I wish were changed: 1) I wish the french fries were hand cut (they are frozen fries). 2) I wish the soft ice cream was actually dairy instead of that weird frozen whipped cream stuff.

Every time I go back, I love this place more. I can’t quite give it 5 stars… but it’s close! This place just has some good food. And the people that work there are always really friendly. I do love going back. And I kick myself that it took me so long to discover this place!
Side note: I do wish they would post their hours because I usually have to call first and find out when they’re open… but I also don’t know if they have set hours.