Who doesn’t love the low-n-slow flavor of great, smoked barbecue?
And if you want the authentic stuff, you have to head south, where they make it daily, as part of the culture. But you don’t have to head too far below the Mason-Dixon Line to find great smoked meat.
You can find it in the nation’s capital!
There are ‘cue masters in and around the city if you know where to look.
Here are 10 great BBQ destinations in Washington DC to scratch that down-south, smoke-risin’, barbecue hankerin’!
I suggest you hit them all!
Roots 657: Run by Chef Rich Rosendale, one of only 70 Certified Master Chefs in the country. They offer a large menu, including low-n-slow barbecue pulled pork and beef brisket. They also feature local beers and wines.
Money Muscle BBQ: A Silver-Spring based BBQ food truck, run by the husband and wife team of Edward Reavis and Jennifer Meltzer, serving BBQ ribs, Carolina pulled pork, and Texas brisket, as well as wings and smoked chicken, for pick-up, delivery, or catering.
2fifty BBQ: Consistently ranked as one of the best BBQ joints in the area, they serve Black Angus brisket, beef and pork ribs, pulled pork, smoked turkey and chicken, and more.
Cinder BBQ: Servin’ up some of the juiciest briskets you’re gonna find anywhere, and pork shoulder, smoked chicken, ribs, as well as a selection of 100 bourbons, whiskies, and ryes. And what goes better with slow-smoked BBQ than that?
Ruthie’s All-Day: A down-home country restaurant, with a Culinary Institute of America chef. The menu barely mentions BBQ, but they definitely do it: offering pulled pork shoulder and brisket, as well as a full menu of other options.
Texas Jack’s Barbecue: Real BBQ served on communal tables. Smokin’ up beef short ribs, pulled pork, pork spare ribs, turkey, sausage, and chicken. Come on in and meat your heart out! It’s a slice of Texas you won’t forget!
Dcity Smokehouse: A perennial award-winning BBQ joint, these guys aren’t messin’ around. They serve brisket, pulled pork, pork belly, spare ribs, smoked turkey, rib tips, and DC’s favorite: half-smokes, a smoked sausage you gotta try.
Hill Country: A tribute to central Texas BBQ, where they originated. They serve beef brisket and shoulder, as well as pulled pork and spare ribs, turkey and chicken, and feature live music!
Smoke and Barrel: Their motto? Beer, BBQ, Bourbon. Sounds like a combo to me! Chef Dan is smokin’ up beef brisket, pork, and chicken wings. But get there early, because when it’s gone for the night, it’s gone!
Rocklands BBQ: Pit-master John Snedden quit college and a potential career as a doctor to make BBQ. That’s love, man! Instead of serving patients, he’s serving up pork baby back and beef ribs, chicken, spare ribs, brisket, pit beef, and more!
Well, there ya have it! 10 great BBQ destinations in Washington, DC. That should keep you busy, and full when you come to visit the nation’s capital next time.
I mean it takes a lot of energy to visit everything this city has to offer. You don’t wanna go hungry while doing it!
Enjoy, and Bon Appetite!