446586 Mon Oct 01 11:42:23 -0700 2007 71 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 2993119 What are the region’s best BBQ ribs? I want to know your opinion. Please take sides out of consideration. This is a search for pure, good ole fashioned smoked ribs. FYI: In order go get a better feel for the flavor of the meet, in my judging, I have ordered the ribs with the sauce on the side. On a scale from 1-10 (ten being best): Andy Nelsons – 7 (Meat is tender, falls off the bone with ease. Get them dry, great rub); Smokey Hollow – 6 (now closed); Klobys BBQ – 6 (meat was very tender); Johnny Boys Carryout - 6 (a little salty, but the sweet sauce was pretty good); Rocklands – 5 (I had a bad cut); Old Glory – 3 (this is being kind); Johnny Mac Ribs - 3 (not smoked, to much fat, no taste); Randy’s Ribs – 2 (inedible). Still on my list to try: Dixiebones; Big Bad Wolfe BBQ; and Willard's Real Pit BBQ. Mon Oct 01 11:42:23 -0700 2007 131368 dorf 1 2993307 Are you ordering the same type of ribs at each place, or are you mixing baby backs, St. Louis, or other according to the stated "specialty of the house"? I'd also add to your list Dale's Smokehouse in Indian Head, MD, Sonny's on route 236, just a blcok or so south of where 236 splits off SW from Route 5 in Mechanicsville(?), or Bear Creek, way down Route 5 between Leonardtown and St. Mary's City. Lefty's in Waldorf might also be worth a try, though it's not among my faves. In the Baltimore area, Mr. Chelsea's on Reisterstown Road might be worth checking out. There's also Pig Picker's which share a space with Sea King Seafood, just off of Route 40, across the street from the Crab Shanty in Ellicott City(?) Of the ones I'm familiar with from your list, the only surprise is Randy's. Is this the Randy's in Hughesville? If so, I'm puzzled. I'm not saying they are outstanding, but in my experience, they've always been at least in the "good" range - never in the "inedible" realm. Maybe you hit them on a really bad day? Mon Oct 01 12:29:05 -0700 2007 2993119 11647 Warthog 2 2993401 Before I go to each place - myself and my BBQ excursion partner do our best to research and find out their specialty, aka baby back, St. Louis, etc. Yes it was the Randy's in Hughsville. Normally, when it comes to BBQ I will clean my plate regardless of its taste. At Randy's neither one of us could finish and we each had over a half of a slab left when it was all said and done. Mon Oct 01 12:52:11 -0700 2007 2993307 131368 dorf 3 2993467 Just curious, what was the specific problem? Poor quality meat? Over or under cooked? Abysmal sauce? Cold? Partially hot and partially chilly - the infamous tell-tale of precooking and subsequent inadequate microwave skills? As a side note, the latter is a problem that eventually happened once too often, and stopped me going to Bare Bones in Ellicott City. I only ask because In all the time I've been doing similar explorations, I've only failed to finish ribs once, and as I've said, I've found Randy's to be at least "acceptable" or "worth coming back" every time I've tried them, and sometimes up to "really good". Mon Oct 01 13:05:55 -0700 2007 2993401 11647 Warthog 4 2993550 Unfortunately with Randys, the entire experience was abysmal. The meat was extremely tough and very hard to chew. It had little to no taste. Also, during this trip, we got one slab dry and the other with sauce and the one with sauce was drowned in the sauce, which overpowered the taste (what litte there was) of the ribs themselves. Lesson learned, since then we have always asked for the sauce on the side. I hope it was just an off day for them and this is not the quality of product they put out regularly, but we did not feel like it was worth the drive to give them a second chance. Mon Oct 01 13:23:32 -0700 2007 2993467 131368 dorf 2 2993707 Sonny's is my current spot of choice. Yes, that is Mechanicsville. It's replaced Flavors of the South in Huntington (I believe), which is just off 2-4. But dorf, you might like Flavors of the South, its good I just prefer Sonny's nowadays. Warthog, how does Dale's compare to Sonny's? I haven't yet stopped in. Mon Oct 01 13:55:46 -0700 2007 2993307 11045 Bonz 3 2995521 Is this the "Sonny's" chain from the south? Tue Oct 02 06:43:19 -0700 2007 2993707 105717 alkapal 4 2995983 No. This Sonny's is a tumble down shack with a stack of wood in the front and a nice old feller (named "Sonny") siting inside in his white undershirt. Tue Oct 02 08:49:25 -0700 2007 2995521 11045 Bonz 5 2996154 Bonz and Warthog, this sounds like the type of BBQ place that I grew up with. (Archibalds BBQ and Dreamland BBQ in Alabama if anyone is familiar). A place where the the emphasis is on the BBQ and each rib is prepared with "love and smoke." Tue Oct 02 09:21:04 -0700 2007 2995983 131368 dorf 6 2996592 Yeah man! That's EXACTLY why Sonny's is my current #1. Tue Oct 02 10:55:47 -0700 2007 2996154 11045 Bonz 2 3000649 Gotta agree with Dale's Smokehouse down Rt. 210 in Indian Head. I was there last Sunday at around noon and the ribs were excellent. Nice dry rub crust, good smoke ring, excellent smokey flavor, and a very moist. The place was buzzing with folks eating in and carrying out. On a sad note though, T&J's Ribs, another local joint and strong contender, seems to have been reduced to a pile of ash some time this past summer. I hope they rebuild the cinderblock shack and start smoking again. Their smoked chicken was something to behold. Wed Oct 03 12:01:10 -0700 2007 2993307 131933 MDBBQFiend 1 2993510 you should also try the Mighty Midget in Leesburg. Ribs available only on Fri-Sat until they run out. You can call ahead to reserve a rack. Mon Oct 01 13:14:32 -0700 2007 2993119 12829 Bob W 1 2993692 Not a bad list, although I've only tried the first three. I'd put Smoke in Federal Hill on there too at a 5 or 6 -- the meat I had was a bit fatty, but the flavor was good. Mon Oct 01 13:53:08 -0700 2007 2993119 11273 JonParker 1 2994456 Adam's Ribs--Annapolis, Edgwater, Prince Frederick, Severna Park. The Edgwater location (never been to Severna Park) has the best of any of the locations, but they are all equally very good. http://www.adamsribs.com/ Mon Oct 01 17:55:35 -0700 2007 2993119 94924 naptownlady 2 2997335 Adams (at least the times I've tried them) does baby backs with a very heavy sweet sauce, and I'm guessing they're parboiled and grilled, not smoked. On the Chicago board, they have a derogatory shorthand term for this style of ribs - "Meat Jello". As with pizza, ribs are a matter of personal taste, and I'm fully OK with it if this is the style somebody is looking for. Not my preference, though. Tue Oct 02 13:40:23 -0700 2007 2994456 11647 Warthog 3 2999287 I don't care what the people in Chicago call them, the baby back ribs at Adams Ribs are consistently wonderful. Wed Oct 03 06:00:15 -0700 2007 2997335 10305 Denise 4 3003199 Just to clarify a bit, the style of ribs that Adam's Ribs does - sweet sauce, fairly heavily applied, baby backs, probably par-boiled and grilled, rather than smoked - is the popular norm in most of the Chicago area, other than in some areas populated by the mid-1900s migration of rural southern blacks to the industrial cities of the Midwest. In those "Northern Migration" neighborhoods, one sometimes finds the more southern style of ribs. The "Meat Jello" phrase was coined in exasperation by those on the Chicago board who were not from the area, and were looking for the style of ribs where they are St. Loius cut and smoked "low and slow" over a wood fire, with only a light swabbing of sauce. In the end, it's just different styles, and which kind one likes is personal preference. I only mentioned the distinction in regards to Adam's Ribs because the O.P.'s rankings led me to believe that their preference may lean more toward the "smoked, St. Louis cut, easy on the sauce" style, and I felt they should know going in that they will not find that style at Adam's Ribs. That said, if they also like the other style, Adam's does do their chosen style fairly well. Thu Oct 04 06:32:52 -0700 2007 2999287 11647 Warthog 3 5171174 Adams does not par-boil their ribs - they're baked and then finished on the grill. Tue Nov 10 15:49:49 -0800 2009 2997335 132385 reiflame 1 2995543 The Kennedyville Inn outside of Chestertown, MD had the greatest ribs. Chef/Owners have left, although I hear they're opening up another restaurant in a converted mill in Chestertown. Can't wait. Hope they still keep those ribs! Tue Oct 02 06:51:18 -0700 2007 2993119 79480 phDuh 2 3171246 I second the Kennedyville! Sat Dec 01 15:34:29 -0800 2007 2995543 11387 nosey 1 2996164 There have been a lot of good suggestions. I found this link from the Washington Post on BBQ in Virginia. Do you agree with what it has to say on the spots you have tried? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/extras/barbecue/maryland.html Does anyone know of a similiar link for Virginia? Tue Oct 02 09:24:02 -0700 2007 2993119 131368 dorf 2 2996564 Here is the VA link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/extras/barbecue/virginia.html Tue Oct 02 10:49:22 -0700 2007 2996164 131368 dorf 2 2997390 Myt first advice is *call first*. In a quick glance through that list, at least one place, Uncle Nicky's in the Crofton area, has been out of business for quite a while. Tue Oct 02 13:50:36 -0700 2007 2996164 11647 Warthog 1 2997448 I know they are not everyone's favorites, but I grew up loving the Corner Stable's ribs in Timonium. And their fries kick ass. I like A. Nelson's too, but comparing them to Corner Stable's is like apples and oranges. Ribs from two different planets. Tue Oct 02 14:05:36 -0700 2007 2993119 22794 debit 2 2998542 i second corner stable. I prefer a pulled pork sandwich at andy nelson's, and ribs at corner stable. yum! Tue Oct 02 19:44:09 -0700 2007 2997448 130504 pmody 1 2999338 at dixiebones, they have Sunday buffet. also try their potato salad -- THE BEST EVER. while there, try that white bbq sauce (they say for the chicken, but i used on the chopped pork). you will be surprised -- and in a real good wayI Wed Oct 03 06:21:12 -0700 2007 2993119 105717 alkapal 2 3000816 i am no expert, but i think the corner stable is the best around! Wed Oct 03 12:35:57 -0700 2007 2999338 94470 elegantelliot 2 3076213 At the dixie bones do they have ribs on the buffet? Mon Oct 29 09:03:17 -0700 2007 2999338 10639 Soup 3 3088518 Soup, i don't know. have not been able to make the buffet since we discovered the place in august. the ribs on buffet would make for an expensive offering i think. the price of 12.95 doesn't seen like it would allow for ribs. maybe i was wrong to post about the buffet without having been to the buffet, but having eaten at the resto and loved it (and saw some good looking ribs at other tables). i need to INVESTIGATE! yum! Fri Nov 02 06:12:41 -0700 2007 3076213 105717 alkapal 4 3120173 I love their baked potatoes w/ BBQ on them. I now go exclusively for those when I go for lunch. Tue Nov 13 06:50:51 -0800 2007 3088518 10639 Soup 2 3125830 alkapal, can you go into more detail on the potato salad? Is it sweet? Do they use pickle juice (which I love in potato salad)? I'm in that area frequently to visit my parents. Wed Nov 14 15:35:06 -0800 2007 2999338 113872 diablo 3 3126945 diablo, it is a creamy yellow mayo/mustard/egg potato salad (i'm guessing egg, though not chopped egg, or any visible boiled egg). maybe they used pickle juice, but the salad was neither sweet nor vinegary. no pickles, as i recall. potatoes were perfect consistency -- not mushy soft, not too firm (underdone). like goldilocks, "just right." honestly, i have eaten LOTS of potato salad from LOTS of good down home cooks. this is the very very top. i've got to get back for further analysis. Do go in. as i mentioned elsewhere, ALL their sides were freshly made and tasty (though the collards were cut a bit too large, imo). also, you must try that white bbq sauce! tell me its secret ingredient, if you can. my husband says dill (!) but i cannot tell. magical, though. Thu Nov 15 06:57:28 -0800 2007 3125830 105717 alkapal 4 3127725 Thanks alkapal. I will definitely give them a try when I'm in the area next week! Thu Nov 15 10:25:23 -0800 2007 3126945 113872 diablo 5 3130262 alright!!! before you go, save up room in your tummy! Fri Nov 16 05:46:52 -0800 2007 3127725 105717 alkapal 6 3243136 diablo, did you go? what do you think of allman's in fredericksburg? Fri Dec 28 12:39:21 -0800 2007 3130262 105717 alkapal 7 3278918 Allamn's doesn't have ribs. Excellent sliced pork q with really good cole slaw and REAL milk shakes made in metal canisters. Wed Jan 09 15:57:24 -0800 2008 3243136 12689 Joe H 8 3281666 yes they do --smithfield baby backs -- the hugest rack of baby backs i have ever seen. they were new -- only a couple weeks on the menu (right after christmas) and the dry rub needed tweaking (imo, way too much salt). $19.95. sides are no big deal. ribs showed promise. good flavor and texture, but need rub changes. need to say, the ribs are only dinner menu (door sign said after 4 pm, but we got some at 2 pm)(maybe that will change). Thu Jan 10 11:25:04 -0800 2008 3278918 105717 alkapal 1 3001083 May be dating myself a little here but whatever happened to Dotsun's that was Furnace Branch Road...once upon a time they had dynamite ribs Wed Oct 03 13:41:58 -0700 2007 2993119 11562 Hue 2 3003154 They are still there, in the same location - storefront on one side of the road, with the pit across the street. It's about as "frill free" as possible, but they are still decent ribs, based on my last visit. I, too, have wondered why they don't seem to get any mention. But then, I live fairly close by, and even I forget they are there! Thu Oct 04 06:22:10 -0700 2007 3001083 11647 Warthog 1 3003025 I can't imagine better ribs than Houston's ribs. Thu Oct 04 05:27:32 -0700 2007 2993119 17318 food dude 1 3008185 dorf, You need to check out Urban BBQ in rockville. They are the best around (Wash. Post 2 Stars!) They do the wet style, but will give them to ya dry if you really want. My wife likes them dry and they were great she said. They also have great pork and brisket. Fri Oct 05 11:19:58 -0700 2007 2993119 132256 DC TOOL 2 3009730 Agree--love Urban's ribs. The sauces could use some work, though. Fri Oct 05 21:16:13 -0700 2007 3008185 52727 ebenbs 1 3073768 Corner Stable: The ribs are one of the best I have ever had. The meat fell right off the bone as I tried to pick them up to eat. The sauce was sweet with a bit of tang. Sun Oct 28 07:08:45 -0700 2007 2993119 113628 PandaLHU 1 3074597 The best I have had so far are at Buzz and Ned's in Richmond virginia. Sun Oct 28 15:06:21 -0700 2007 2993119 14619 MetroHound 2 3074874 Genuinely interesting thread. Warthog and Bonz your posts are the most interesting. I'm credited in Roadfood with introducing Jane and Michael to both Dreamland and Archibald's. Unfortunately in the ten + years since this appeared Dreamland went regional and the various outposts have nothing in common with the Tuscaloosa low slung bunker original. The posts on the various Charles county rib places are really interesting since several friends of mine and I a few years back tried to tour all of them in one day. We finished the day convinced that at least two if not more of them were better than anything in the D. C. area. Fifteen years ago Penny's in Waldorf was the best but this closed soon after we visited. Then, it was La Plata and Johnny Boy's (the orignal was on Southern Avenue on the D. C. line but nobody talks about that) which you could smell two hundred yards away. I've been to the Corner Stable and, well, it's ok. Somehow for me baby back ribs aren't real bbq. There used to be a ramshackle bunker of a place near BWI twenty years ago that was incredible. At some point it moved to Ft. Meade and Baltimore magazine (and myself) never raved about it again. That was when The Corner Stable was elevated to exalted status. About the same time (early to mid '80's) O'Brien's on Gude Drive in Rockville ruled D. C. with Sonny Bryan's ribs from Dallas. Then there was a shooting and it was, well, never more. There was a great place near 16th and Irving a block west that didn't last. But overall nothing approached Dreamland or even Hot Spring's McClard's or Chicago's Lem's. Still, it sounds like someone needs to organized a trip and explore all of them again...simlar to the kind of excursion that several on the Chicago board are now famous for. Sun Oct 28 17:18:56 -0700 2007 3074597 12689 Joe H 3 3074999 All I can say, Joe, is let's go! November's cool weather makes it a great time to chow down at some rib shacks. . . . Sun Oct 28 18:15:44 -0700 2007 3074874 11045 Bonz 4 3075248 Bonz, your past recommendations for Maryland seafood restaurants have been outstanding! I know that you know Solomons particularly well-have you been to the Dry Dock? Carol and I went there in late August, sat outside at sunset, and fell in love with the place. Particularly loved a shrimp appetizer made with butter, amarone and heavy cream that was more than worth the cholesterol! Sun Oct 28 19:59:39 -0700 2007 3074999 12689 Joe H 5 3075976 Yes, the Dry Dock has that special atmosphere. The food can be quite good. On the opposit4e end of the atmosphere scale is Courtney's in St. Mary's county. All the atmosphere of a trailer park -- in which it seems to be located -- but the husband catches the fish in the morning and the wife cooks it up that night. Stunningly fresh. Same with the oysters, which come from his dock out back. Mon Oct 29 07:50:36 -0700 2007 3075248 11045 Bonz 6 3084643 Courtney's!!! Bonz, it might be a month or even, two, but we will go. Thanks for the trusted recommendation. Much appreciated. Wed Oct 31 18:23:47 -0700 2007 3075976 12689 Joe H 3 3167736 Hey Joe, thanks for replying. Your abosultely right, the regional dreamlands are not the same. There is only one Dreamland and it is in Tuscaloosa. Archibalds is definitely my favorite and still the first place I stop everytime I go home. Johnny Boy's on Southern Avenue is still open. I've been there a few times and enjoy it. Recently I tried Dixiebones and was very disapointed. I actually retired the pork ribs at Rocklands (much better than their Baby Back) and think these are you best options in the D.C. area. Andy Gibsons in Baltimore still rules supreme in the region. I'm going to try Urband BBQ and Willards next. Fri Nov 30 08:09:53 -0800 2007 3074874 131368 dorf 4 3278922 I haven't been to Andy Gibson's (Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur, though!) but it's just a matter of time. Thanks, much appreciate the tip. Wed Jan 09 15:58:36 -0800 2008 3167736 12689 Joe H 1 3074956 I am curious if anyone has tried "The Charred Rib" in Lutherville/Timonium. Sun Oct 28 17:57:13 -0700 2007 2993119 101477 smt 2 3075901 When my ex lived in Lutherville, she and I tried a bunch of places looking for overlooked gems. This was one of them. Sadly, it was pretty bad. I can't remember a whole lot about it -- it wasn't joke-about-it-for-years bad (like Michael's), just not worth the trouble. Mon Oct 29 07:25:37 -0700 2007 3074956 11273 JonParker 1 3087990 Do I understand you correctly that Smokey Hollow has closed? If true, it's a sad day for BBQ in Maryland. Say it ain't so. Thu Nov 01 20:19:17 -0700 2007 2993119 14360 Lettuce Eat 2 3088344 It is so. I had hoped to make it back for one last meal, but no such luck. Fri Nov 02 03:55:36 -0700 2007 3087990 11273 JonParker 1 3125800 I recently had outstanding ribs at Artie's in Fairfax. Part of the GAR chain I know, but I was impressed. Perfectly cooked and not to saucy, yet not dry rub. It was a great happy medium. The sauce had a bit of tang and not too much sweet. Wed Nov 14 15:24:13 -0800 2007 2993119 12667 Meg 1 3158701 I tried Andy Nelsons recently & I don't get it. The dry rub ribs were so tough & didn't come anywhere near close to falling off a bone, we had to pull it off so tough. Tender is the farthest description from what we had. Anyone been lately? Tue Nov 27 11:11:13 -0800 2007 2993119 11128 pamd 2 3158785 Must have had a rare, but bad cut there. Been there a couple times the past month or so and both the ribs and pulled port where still the best i've had in the region here. Tue Nov 27 11:40:29 -0800 2007 3158701 121022 dominationinc 1 3172185 I live in woodbridge and I go to Dixie Bones a lot. Pork ribs are great. Beef ribs are good here, but I am not a good judge because I just don't like beef ribs. They have three sauce dispensers on the table with a card describing each -- red top, yellow top, and black top. So you do not have to ask for sauce on the side; just ask them to not put sauce on in the kitchen. If you walk around to the right outside of the restaraunt you will see the smokers and the supply of Hickory logs. You'll smell them from anywhere. This is the real stuff. update: I just read through the rest of this thread. I went to the original Dreamland in Tuscaloosa back when it was the only Dreamland. Dixie Bones compares favorably. the only thing they don't have is the large stack of whitebread and the wax paper-covered paper plates. They also do not have an armed officer on a stool at the door! They do not have ribs on the Sunday Buffet but the regular menu is available even during the buffet if you want. I know you said you are not that interested in the sides, but I suggest you order the "Muddy Spuds" available on the menu and the buffet. Sun Dec 02 06:13:49 -0800 2007 2993119 147177 4n5bb 1 3173195 urban bbq rockville corner stable york road in timmonium Sun Dec 02 14:41:56 -0800 2007 2993119 124764 dining with doc 1 3275556 Hello all, This is my first post :) I happen to try http://www.kbqrealbarbecue.com/ this past weekend and I must say that I was impressed with the quality of the food they served. Staff was very friendly and when I told them I was a first time customer and ask for a discount, they gave me $1.00 off my meal. I briefly talked with the owner afterwards who was very nice welcoming. Overall I was very satisfied with the food and I recommend for you to try if your near the Bowie area. Tue Jan 08 17:28:24 -0800 2008 2993119 154633 stangman327 1 3275580 I have also tried http://bigbadwolfbarbeque.com/apagethree.html with positive results also. Make sure you try their "bourbon cherry bbq sauce" For a chain http://famousdaves.com/ is not to bad also Don't waist your time with Dotsons in Glen Burnie. Very poor quality, not consistent. They cant even compete with the others. Andy Nelsons http://www.andynelsonsbbq.com/ in my opinion is excellent also. Tue Jan 08 17:36:06 -0800 2008 2993119 154633 stangman327 2 4176537 I'm glad you mentioned Famous Daves, I like their ribs, the one in Columbia not Laurel. I tried Johnny Boy's in La Plata this summer...didn't like the sauce and they were salty...all hype, but the stand looks nice. Sat Nov 15 15:47:03 -0800 2008 3275580 56766 Pesel 1 3275840 Has anyone tried http://www.alabamabbqcompany.com/ ? Tue Jan 08 19:11:04 -0800 2008 2993119 154633 stangman327 2 3281306 Yup. I just moved from Lauraville where I was in walking distance of their carry-out. They do kansas City style BBQ. Over the last year, I've sampled most of what they have to offer....It was tasty...but larger portion for the price I paid would have been appreciated. The place doesn't have a whole lot of character either (ie: Andy Nelsons). For my money...in Baltimore, Rub (Federal Hill) has great Ribs and is a nice dining experience. Thu Jan 10 10:12:57 -0800 2008 3275840 156283 jimmitch923 1 3336388 I had an opportunity to try "Rub" in Baltimore this week and I must be honest and say that I was not impressed at all. If you like traditional BBQ this is not the place for you. Don't get me wrong it's not bad but it's just not what I'm use too. Sat Jan 26 18:03:44 -0800 2008 2993119 154633 stangman327 1 3336916 We like Ribster's in Annandale. Sat Jan 26 23:49:37 -0800 2008 2993119 14984 MizYellowRose 1 4153001 The Corner Stable in Cockeysville has great ribs. It used to be THEE place to go in Baltimore and there was always a line to get in. Now with all the competition, it's not as popular as it once was, but I recently went there, and it has been nicely renovated and the ribs were as good as they were 20 years ago. Thu Nov 06 06:23:16 -0800 2008 2993119 216662 Trish the Dish 1 4158168 I live in Arlington, and I still make a pilgrimage to Johnny Boys every 5 or 6 months for a half slab. Just delicious, lightly crisp meat on the ribs with a tangy sweet sauce, plus the picnic tables are just right most days. I like it so much I took a photo, linked below, that gives a bit of a feel for the place. It is nice to see this link come up again! There are some serious BBQ lovers posting here! Side note, I have had very good ribs at Randy's, but not in the last 2 years. It used to be my favorite but the ribs have been way undercooked in late 2006 and the last time I went there, last spring, the sauce just wasn't doing anything for me and the ribs were merely ok. It might be better now, but I won't be going back until I hear that they are back on their game. Sat Nov 08 10:12:47 -0800 2008 2993119 19356 Ziv 1 4170950 Don't bother with the ribs at Willard's. Their pulled pork is very very good. Their side dishes are also very good, but the ribs have been dry and have a funny after taste for me. I have been to willard's dozens of times, and the company I work for would cater their food in 3-4 times a year. In every single case when I tried the ribs they were a total let down. Favorite Side Dishes: Dirty Rice, Spicy Green Beans, Mac and Cheese, Cole Slaw Thu Nov 13 11:35:02 -0800 2008 2993119 202540 woot4fun 2 4174362 BBQ lovers, I hate to say I wouldn't take a long drive to get some great ribs, but if I wanted to stay close to home (DC), where is my best bet? Anything decent in town, or immediate burbs? Fri Nov 14 14:04:50 -0800 2008 4170950 226372 DC_Convert 1 4181940 I miss the Mountaindale Convenience Store. He had great bbq everything. Best in the area, by far, especially the brisket. Fantastic stuff. Anyone that was there knows. But he got tired of Maryland and moved back to Texas about a year ago. Now the place isn't the same. Just average. Try Blues BBQ though. Exceptional. He has a blue step van on Grove Rd. near 355. He's only really open for lunch though. The guy (Patrick) just openned a place in Roanoke too, but I can't admit to being there. Famous Daves? Average. Not that that is a terrible thing. But Chubby's in Emmitsburg is just as good or better, with better sides. There is another place in Frederick that just openned. It's called the Black Hog. I haven't been yet so I can't vouch for it personally, but it's getting good reviews from the locals. Run by a local doctor, Taurasso. Sounds like he's using an electric smoker though. You just can't control the temp as well that way. Best potatoes around? That's an easy one. Aka Frisco's "exploded potatoes." I've never had better potatoes. There are none. But how did that come up on a bbq post? Mon Nov 17 20:37:13 -0800 2008 2993119 241072 terpfansteve