Photo courtesy of Smoking Now
Smoking Kow BBQ
Just in time for the Fourth of July — and America's 250th — Eater has rounded up the best barbecue across the D.C., Maryland and Virginia region, and two Alexandria smoke joints made the cut on a list of 16.
If you're planning a holiday cookout, lining up a catering order, or just looking for an excuse to skip cooking in the heat, here's a closer look at the hometown standouts — and a question for our readers: have you eaten at either one?
Smoking Kow BBQ
If you follow Alexandria's barbecue scene at all, this name needs little introduction. The roaming food truck turned brick-and-mortar has already swept just about every local honor going, including best barbecue in Alexandria in ALXnow's 2025 Readers' Choice poll, plus nods for best barbecue in Virginia and best food truck in D.C.
The menu runs through the classics — pulled pork and chicken, ribs, brisket — and Eater singled out the Mac n' Meat combo, cheesy pasta topped with your choice of meat, as the order "not to be missed."
You'll find the storefront at 3250 Duke St. Menu and hours are at smokingkowbbq.com.
Be sure to read our story from Smoking Kow's beginnings as a brick-and-mortar spot:
Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ
Over in Del Ray, Hi/Fi puts its own spin on the genre, blending Texas- and North Carolina-style slow-cooked meats with the "Mex" half of the name — think platters alongside tacos, enchiladas and more. There's a second location in Fairfax, and the Del Ray spot comes with a beer garden for warm evenings. The barbecue has earned regional praise, too: the Washington Post called it "truly terrific."
Find Hi/Fi at 2000 Mount Vernon Ave. More at hifitexmexbbq.com.
