Photo courtesy of Founding Farmers
Get ready for some BBQ at Founding Farmers in Alexandria!
UPDATE to this story:
- The in-person experience will now launch in the New Year, with the specific date to come. It will feature both a two-person and four-person "BBQ experience."
- Currently, BBQ will be available on the Thanksgiving Weekend At Home menu and the Christmas menu.
- The experience at ALX is the starting point, with the hope to expand to additional locations in the future!
Did someone say brisket? Starting in 2026, Founding Farmers is debuting Founding Farmers BBQ - an authentic, Central Texas-style experience launching exclusively at its Alexandria location at 461 Swann Ave.
How to enjoy Founding Farmers BBQ:
- Where: Founding Farmers Alexandria (ALX)
- Price: $150 for four people (select non-alcoholic drinks included)
- Menu: HERE
- Credit card required to reserve
For Founding Farmers co-owner Michael Vucurevich and Chef Joe Goetze, Managing Partner for Culinary & Bakery, a shared curiosity for BBQ evolved into a yearlong quest to perfect the craft. The result: Founding Farmers BBQ - an authentic, Central Texas-style experience featuring brisket, ribs, wings, and sausages that balance flavor, texture, and soul.
Mike V.’s BBQ story begins in Sacramento, where family gatherings meant something special. “I grew up roasting lamb in the ground with my father for family gatherings,” Mike V. recalls. “That’s where I first learned that cooking isn’t just about food, it’s about bringing people together.” This early foundation in traditional cooking methods would prove invaluable as he discovered his love for authentic barbecue.
The revelation came during his time in Kansas City, where Mike V. found himself drawn to legendary BBQ institutions like Arthur Bryant’s, Gates, and Jack Stack. But it was his decade living in Austin that truly opened his eyes to the artistry of authentic Texas barbecue. From the iconic Salt Lick to Terry Black’s, to the historic Kruez Market and celebrated Franklin Barbecue, Mike V. immersed himself in the culture and craft that defines Central Texas BBQ.
A Meeting of Minds
Meanwhile, Chef Joe was writing his own BBQ story. Though he grew up in New York, Texas called to him in 1991, and he’s lived there ever since. His journey through the BBQ heartland of Central Texas, from Austin to Dallas to Fort Worth, became a masterclass in the region’s signature styles. Among many techniques, Chef Joe learned the essence of the intricate science behind perfect barbecue: temperature and time. Maintaining an exact temperature of 203 degrees is needed for moist, tender brisket and perfecting the precise timing for cooking and resting required for ribs that pull away from the bone with just the right amount of resistance.
“The best BBQ places focus on delicious, quality meats and simple sides,” Joe explains. “No frills, no extras—just authentic flavors that speak for themselves.” This philosophy would become the cornerstone of their approach to creating Founding Farmers BBQ.
When Founding Farmers Restaurant Group acquired a building and launched their catering company, the idea of bringing authentic BBQ to the DMV region began to take shape. But this wasn’t going to be a rushed endeavor, because the secret to GREAT barbecue combines both art and science. Like Founding Farmers previous ventures into distilling spirits and roasting coffee, Mike V. and Chef Joe approached BBQ with the same meticulous attention to detail.
The duo decided they would dedicate over a year to perfecting their approach. This wasn’t just about learning techniques; it was about honoring the tradition while creating something uniquely their own. They practiced relentlessly, refining their rubs, perfecting their sauces, and mastering the delicate dance of time and temperature that transforms good meat into transcendent BBQ. Chef Joe studied equipment, sourced premium meats, and experimented with different woods – learning when to use dry white oak for longer smokes and clean burns, and cherry wood for shorter smoking sessions.
The result of this year-long labor of love is Founding Farmers BBQ, an authentic taste of Central Texas brought to the DMV with the same attention to quality that defines everything Founding Farmers does. From perfectly smoked sausages and chicken wings to brisket and baby back ribs that achieve that coveted balance of tenderness and structure, every dish reflects the passion and expertise that Mike V. and Chef Joe have poured into this venture.
