These Are the Best BBQ Joints in Washington D.C.

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This week’s guest article is written by John Tanner, founder of John Tanner’s Barbecue Blog. John is based in Washington, D.C., and has been writing about barbecue joints, events, and notable people in BBQ since 2015.

The barbecue scene in the Washington, D.C., area is exploding. When I first started writing about barbecue on my blog, Washington was a virtual barbecue desert. Now, the desert is blooming. New places spring up wherever high rents permit, and now and then, I uncover a hidden gem in the far reaches of once-rural suburbs and beyond. 

My task of compiling the list of the best BBQ joints in the D.C. area is more complicated than you would think. First, there are all sorts of definitions of the “Washington area.” My definition is “within 50 or so road miles from my house,” a 103-year-old duplex in the poor section of Chevy Chase, D.C., that’s acting its age.

For this list, I have joints listed alphabetically and order the list by the meats they are known for. The last time I did this list, I limited each barbecue place to one meat, but this year, I’m giving credit for more than one meat. As a result, some places appear more than once.

As always, there are places on the cusp. I’ve fretted over some choices. I welcome your responses telling me what an idiot I am, et cetera. (No naughty words, please.) I’m especially eager to find more good places I was completely unaware of.

Here they are, each with a link that explains why I chose it. Note that I’ve posted multiple reviews of some, and you’ll see links to earlier or subsequent reviews.

Best Brisket in D.C.

2fifty Texas BBQ might be the best joint in the D.C. area, with excellent brisket and lots of other things. (Photo via 2fifty / Facebook)

2fifty Texas BBQ in Riverdale Park, MD — 2fifty is a masterpiece run by Costa Rican immigrants who went to Aaron Franklin University and paid close attention. It's one of the very best in the East, if not the best. Read review.

Ruthie’s All Day in Arlington, VA — Ruthie’s combines a trained chef and a genius pitmaster who together create high cuisine and down-home barbecue — something for everyone. Read review.

Sloppy Mama’s in Arlington, VA — It was for a time the only top wood-cooker inside the Beltway, and they remain one of the top places. Read review.