Mission BBQ, Owners Bill Kraus and Steve Newton's Local BBQ Chain with Several Area Locations

[PappyVanWise]

Source: Baltimore Sun Food & Dining

Slow-cooked meats and house-made barbecue sauces served with friendly efficiency

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Has anyone ever been to a Mission BBQ?  One just opened in Richmond in a not very ideal location, but near a bunch of highways and the train station at least.  It's across the street from a Famous Dave's and a few miles down Broad St from Buz and Ned's second location.  Based on pure speculation, I'm sure the food rates somewhere in the middle of the two.

[hunter]

My son (who is a Paramedic/Firefighter in Montgomery County) first took me to the Glen Burnie location. Their "mission" aside from great BBQ is to support the Military and First Responders through fundraising, donations and discounts on special days.

I continue to go to Mission BBQ because I approve of what they are doing and they have the best brisket I've found . Just make sure to order it fatty or "moist" as they to prefer to call it. Of the other meats; Pulled pork is pretty good but no match to whole hog NC style, spareribs have overcooked past fall off the bone to mushy each time I have tried them, turkey impressed me with how good it is very moist for breast, they must brine it a long time. I found they sausage to have good flavor but needed a longer time in the smoker, too flabby and no  crisp bite the skin  when eat them. They have a selection of various regional sauces on each table.I prefer my meat plain or with a little hot sauce.

I've enjoyed all of the sides I have tried: baked beans, cole slaw, mac and cheese and green beans. The green beans are southern style, cooked til very soft.

The corn bread is usually very dry and the corn in it can be very hard and chewy.

The staff is very good. Polite quick to take orders or explain things to those who don't know BBQ. It is cafeteria type service, but the staff does come around to check on your meal and offer to refill your drink for you.

I have eaten or gotten food to take home ~15 times in the past 1 1/2 years. I will continue to go there when I am in the area. The Laurel location is opening soon, so I will have a shorter drive when I get the urge.

[Choirgirl21]

I've only had the opportunity to try their food once, at a catered event so I don't feel like I can judge the quality of the food yet. But I wanted to mention that the Laurel location opens today and in keeping with their mission, they are serving all veterans and active-duty military free lunch (sandwich & cake) tomorrow for Veteran's day.

I'm excited to have this addition to my neighborhood. When your choices are this or Famous Dave's, I think it's a pretty easy one.

[ALB]

I live in Columbia, MD now and frequently miss the food choices of my long time home of MoCo. However, one very bright star is the Columbia Mission BBQ. I can't compare it to the spots in the city, so I won't try, but I have taken several Texans here and they have definitely approved of the moist brisket.

You order at the counter and your food is ready quickly. I go back and forth between lean brisket (I know the horror,but I don't like the extra fat in moist brisket) and the pulled pork. I love the bark on the brisket and the flavor and texture of the pork is really, really great.- not mushy at all like many other places.

They have 6 sauces available on the tables (plus a few more by the ketchup, mustards etc.  including a white Alabama style sauce.) The sauces are regionally inspired. My favorite is the Smokey Mountain, which tastes like my memories of Bennetts BBQ in Tennessee. There is a memphis sauce that is sweeter, an odd Tupolo Honey sauce (hot and sweet), one with old bay and another with horseradish. I have started to buy bottles of the Smokey Mountain sauce for grilled chicken at home.

The sides I've tried are consistently good. The macaroni and cheese is a nice hybrid of styles with a creamy cheese sauce and a bread crumb/cheese crust on the top. The beans have brisket and taste like the Memphis belle sauce. The only miss for me was the green beans with bacon, which are pretty salty. I always order the coleslaw (named cold slaw on this list but I look past it,) which is crunchy and flavorful without being soppy with mayonnaise.  They have a rotating seasonal side and dessert.

For about  $12-14 you can get a meat with 2 sides and a drink. It is enough for me for 2 dinners and sometimes also a snack. I can't comment on other branches of this chain, but Columbia is consistently good.

One sidenote, if you arrive at noon- everyone stands for the Star Spangled Banner ,going along with the mission. Know it is going to happen and it is less odd.

[rhefter]

On 8/15/2016 at 10:20 AM, ALB said:

One sidenote, if you arrive at noon- everyone stands for the Star Spangled Banner ,going along with the mission. Know it is going to happen and it is less odd.

Really like this spot, but this makes me come in around 11am or after 12pm. It is so weird to have to stop your lunch to stand for the star spangled banner. It's like you are in elementary school all over again. Their BBQ is good for the area and I get their whole deal and it's a great business decision for them.

[reedm]

I've been to Mission BBQ only once, and that was to the location near Pax River. With the exception of the sausage, which was not to my liking because of the appearance and texture, the barbecue ranged from very good to excellent. I don't know of many barbecue spots that feature multiple regional bbq styles and sauces. 

Their stated mission is noble, and they contribute to many national and local causes that support military, law enforcement, fire fighters, and first responders. 

While it may be a surprise to first time diners, I think the daily playing of The Star Spangled Banner is a great opportunity to take 2 minutes to honor our country and those who serve and have served.