Washington might not be the first place you think of when craving authentic Southern barbecue, but the nation’s capital has quietly become home to some seriously smoky surprises.
Locals know that tucked away in neighborhoods across the city are pitmasters who’ve mastered the art of low-and-slow cooking, bringing Texas brisket, Carolina pulled pork, and Memphis ribs right to your plate.
These hidden gems prove you don’t need to road trip down South to get finger-licking-good barbecue that’ll make your taste buds sing.
1. Federalist Pig
Smoky perfection meets political puns at this Adams Morgan favorite that takes its barbecue as seriously as a Supreme Court ruling. The pitmaster here slow-smokes brisket for fourteen hours until it develops that coveted pink ring and melts on your tongue like butter…