Ben's Whole Hog Barbecue

I'm searching for information on Ben's Whole Hog Barbecue in Manassas, VA. I tried calling their number, (703) 331-5980, but the number seemed out of service. Does anybody know their new number, location, or if they've gone out of business??

Don't waste your time looking for Ben's. They must have been good in the past to establish the reputation for the shop, but my wife and I went there about 2 years ago .....and, ....what a dissapointment. We had a hard time finding it too. I must tell you, the food was horrible, apparently under new ownership. We brought a friend with us, and we were completely embarrased about the food. I will never go back there!

For the Wash, DC area, try the Half Moon Barbeque in Silver Spring, MD, and Anette's BBQ in Alexandria. They're both very good for pork ribs and pulled pork, and sides. The Half Moon BBQ also has a great catfish sandwhich and more. I'm sure there are some other good places around DC that people like, such as Capitol Q (beef), or Johnny Boys in La Plata, MD, ..but I go to these two places on a regular basis.

Ben had to sell the place, and the new owners never got their stuff together. last i heard they were out of business. it's a shame they besmirched ben's good name, b/c he made arguably the best BBQ in the state.

I had the very good fortune of eating at Ben's when he was still there. Went back a year+ later and it sucked. The new owners just flat ruined it.

MikeS.

I had been there twice since the new owners had it. Not good at all. I kinda saw the close coming. There is a great place in Woodbridge, VA called, well, I forget the name now, but its off RT 1. Dixie Bones! Thats it!. Real Sweet tea, as well. Good stop to get get out of the horrible 95 traffic south of Washington.
Matt

I've been told that Half-Moon BBQ in Silver Spring, MD, is no longer open.

Anybody out there familiar with T&J's BBQ located on a crossroad (MD Rt. 226?) down near La Plata, MD? Most people traveling Rt. 301 know Johnny Boy's BBQ, but in my opinion, T&J's is a real find.

Also, a couple of roadside joints down near Indian Head, MD on Rt. 210 are very respectable. Charles County Q-Culture is alive and well!

Check out this link to The Baltimore Sun for some info on reportedly good joints in the area:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/bal-fo.kasper26jul26,1,1331704.column

About a year ago, we were in the DC area for the day and decided we were going to eat at Ben's or Dixie Bones for lunch. We chose Dixie Bones and had a fairly good meal. After reading the above posts, I'm feeling fortunate of the rather arbitrary decision we made. I never did make it to Ben's before it closed.

Ben's is reopening in a few days..new name is absolute barbeque..but Ben is still in charge.

mmoyni


Ben's is reopening in a few days..new name is absolute barbeque..but Ben is still in charge.

That's nice to hear.  Circa 1999 was the last time I enjoyed Ben's whole hog.  It was wonderful.  Most of the other BBQ joints in DC just do pork shoulder.  The besty of these, IMHO, is willard's in Chantilly.
 
Welcome back, Ben!  I'll stop by on my next trip "back home".

mmoyni


Ben's is reopening in a few days..new name is absolute barbeque..but Ben is still in charge.

That's confusing, because a post up-thread in 2006 stated that before that Ben had sold the place!

According to the website, Absolute BBQ is now open.  If Ben is in charge, then that is a good sign.  If anything gets a chance to eat there, please report back and let us know what you think.

From Google Maps it looks like he is very near (or at) his former location where the traffic count is miniscule.  As there are plenty of availabilities on Rt. 28 were I he I would have paid a little higher rent and gone for the count and visibility. 
 
Perhaps with the present ubiquity of the internet and sites like Roadfood, Yelp, Yahoo, Urbanspoon, etc. he will be able to overcome his location deficiency this time. 
 
I hope the community supports his new endeavor.

Loved Ben's and had then cater a party for me back in 2002.  If he's back then I will check him out.  But meantime, my current favorite is Carolina Brother in Ashburn.  Right on the W&OD bike trail (so you always see bikers in spandex - don't be alarmed, they've been downwind for at least a mile so don't blame them for stopping).  Ribs are falling-off-the-bone, pulled pork is good as is the brisket.  Only negative is the slaw which is bland to the point of shredded drywall.  Their website is carolinabrothers.com. 

http://www.carolinabrothers.com/index.html
 
I can't wait to visit next time I'm in NOVA.
 
I'm a little concerned that hughbeal describes their pork as "pulled" rather than "minced".  And I don't see why they even bother with brisket.  That said, I can't wait!