Any good BBQ in the Virginia suburbs of Washington DC?

Heading to DC tomorrow and will be in the Alexandria area.  Any suggestions?
 
Thanks!

Corad

 

There is, indeed, "good BBQ in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C." but, alas,

it is not near Alexandria but near Dulles Airport in Chantilly, Virginia and at:

http://dcbbq.com/

 

FYI and in the event that your Northern Virginia

travels take you anywhere near IAD.

I second I95's recommendation for Williard's in Chantilly.  I have been there a couple of times on business trips and have found it a great oasis in a sea of chain restaurants.

 

Oops. I just remembered that there's an outpost of this

local barbeque operation in Alexandria, Virginia specifically:

 

 

Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company

25 South Quaker Lane, 703-778-9663

 

I always think of D.C. (and their Wisconsin Avenue,

NW location) when I think of Rocklands but the above

noted Alexandria location (off of Duke Street) is supposed

to be good sized (the D.C. location is very small) as it hosts

the more than two-decade old barbeque company's catering

operations. (I've only been to the D.C. location but, indeed,

very good Q!.) 

 

 

P.S. Did the Generous George's (pizza) -- now in Herndon,

Virginia -- close its Duke Street location in Alexandria (just a

stone's throw from the aforementioned Rocklands)?

The Pit Stop at Gilbert's Corner has the best ribs I've ever eaten. (There isn't an actual restaurant at Gilbert's Corner, the guy brings out his smoker and a tent on Sat/Sun.)  

Buffalo Tarheel


I second I95's recommendation for Williard's in Chantilly.  I have been there a couple of times on business trips and have found it a great oasis in a sea of chain restaurants.

 
I "third" it!

i95
 

 

 

P.S. Did the Generous George's (pizza) -- now in Herndon,

Virginia -- close its Duke Street location in Alexandria (just a

stone's throw from the aforementioned Rocklands)?

Sadly, yes.  http://www.nbcwashington.com/the-scene/food-drink/59942547.html
 
As their store had a large amount of frontage that blocked access to undeveloped lots in back they probably lost their lease if their landlord went for fair market on a renewal.  They served very tasty NY-style pies, the thin crust soft enough to fold.

Willard's sounds good, have not been there, but plan to someday. 
 
With all due respect I-95, and granted it was not the DC location, and yes this was enough to make me temporarily de-lurk, I had some of the worst food I have even been served at the Rockville Rocklands location.  Absolutely foul.  Wretchedly, monumentally bad.
 
If anyone is above the beltway and looking for some good Q I heartily recommend Urban BBQ www.urbanbbqco.com/.

 
Our favorite BBQ in the area is Dixie Bones in Woodbridge, VA, about 20-25 miles south of DC.   (Not to be confused with the national chain called "Smokey Bones").
  
 For BBQ, we often go for pork, but at Dixie Bones, their best item is the BBQ beef brisket, in our opinion.  Great pies there, too.    
 
Janet and Glenn
 

I just posted the same information in the 'Ben's Whole Hog' thread, but you've got to check out Carolina Brothers in Ashburn.  Beats the living daylights out of Dixie Bones (Q from 'Bama - seriously?).  Best 'que north of the border that I've found (sorry Kings, original location not Crater Road).  The ribs are the star, pulled pork and brisket good.  Slaw is bland to the point of wallboard - avoid. 

hughbeal


I just posted the same information in the 'Ben's Whole Hog' thread, but you've got to check out Carolina Brothers in Ashburn.  Beats the living daylights out of Dixie Bones (Q from 'Bama - seriously?).  Best 'que north of the border that I've found (sorry Kings, original location not Crater Road).  The ribs are the star, pulled pork and brisket good.  Slaw is bland to the point of wallboard - avoid. 

DAMN! 
 
Why did these guys open AFTER I moved to Dallas?
 
http://www.carolinabrothers.com/index.html
 
I go to NOVA every Spring/Summer just to play golf on real golf courses.  (What passes for grass in Texas is a joke; rye fairways and bent greens are impossible "down here").  I plan to hit the Carolina Bros. right out of IAD.
 
Thanks for the info, hughbeal!  (And welcome to Roadfood).

 
Carolina Brothers is located at the old Partlow's General Store on Ashburn Rd.  It's pretty good.  We do prefer Dixie Bones, overall.... but not for pork.  We like the brisket at Dixie Bones.  
 
The one negative issue we have with with Carolina Brothers pork is that their suace has tomato paste as the second ingredient, as well as brown sugar  and regular sugar in the ingredients.   It's okay, but with all that tomato paste and sugar, it ain't "Carolina" to eastern Carolina fans like us.    
Carolina Brothers is still pretty good for what it is. 
 
Sure, Dixie Bones is not Carolina style, either, but they don't portray themselves as "Carolina."
 
For really good eastern Carolina style pork in NoVA, try Carolina Smokehouse on Old Carolina Rd. in Haymarket.    I think they have some TX style BBQ, too.   Been a while since we've been out there.  Need to go again soon. 
 
 
Glenn
 
 

Give King Street Blues a try...haven't been there for years but I never had a bad experience........it's in Old Town Alexandria.
 
http://www.kingstreetblues.com/oldtown/
 
Wow! Looks like they've expanded....three locations now...I've only bee to the Old Town location it's the original as far as I know.

My goodness, I forgot to tell you about one of my favorite BBQ "thangs" in NOVA:  the Eastern Carolina BBQ sandwich at Weenie Beenies in Arlington (corner of Shirlington & Four Mile Run Rds., just off 395's Shirlington exit).  Reviewed here on Roadfood:
http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Reviews/6290/weenie-beenie

MetroplexJim-
You are 100% right!  I usually just get half smokes at Weenie Beenie, but on my visit last year, we decided to try the Carlina BBQ sandwich and it was excellent!

buffetbuster


MetroplexJim-
You are 100% right!  I usually just get half smokes at Weenie Beenie, but on my visit last year, we decided to try the Carlina BBQ sandwich and it was excellent!

Metroplex Jim, do you recall if they gave you, or ask if you wanted, a packet of Texas Pete's Hot Sauce with sandwich?  When I worked in Wash. D.C., I would often go there and get the sandwich, with coleslaw on top, and they always put in a packet of Texas Pete's. 

eruby-
I don't remember getting a packet of Texas Pete's for the bbq sandwich, but it has been almost an entire year, so my memory could be faulty.  Sorry!

eruby

buffetbuster


MetroplexJim-
You are 100% right!  I usually just get half smokes at Weenie Beenie, but on my visit last year, we decided to try the Carlina BBQ sandwich and it was excellent!

Metroplex Jim, do you recall if they gave you, or ask if you wanted, a packet of Texas Pete's Hot Sauce with sandwich?  When I worked in Wash. D.C., I would often go there and get the sandwich, with coleslaw on top, and they always put in a packet of Texas Pete's. 

I always ask for the large sandwich, hold the slaw, add hot sauce; the bun is always toasted.  They squirt the hot sauce out of a plastic bottle.
 
Their 'cue is produced by Brookwood Farms of Siler City, NC; they purchase through their local distributor, Schenck Foods of Winchester, VA. 
 
Yes, it comes out of a can, but so does Beluga caviar.
 
Here's how to buy it online direct from Brookwood:  http://brookwoodfarms.com/assets/php/sideMenu-pages/store.php 
And, it seems that Harris-Teeter carries this product in their deli case labelled simply as "Carolina BBQ".
 
Weenie Beenie (I think) buys the food service quantity (by the case of four 5# tubs) of a slightly different product:  chopped pork bbq. with vinegar sauce.  (Perhaps they use the TVP product; in any case it's damn tasty!).
http://brookwoodfarms.com/BrookwoodBrochure2011web.pdf