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KBQ, Kerry Britt's Fantastic Barbecue Reopen in Woodmore Towne Centre in Glenarden - Closed on Dec 20, 2016


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After reading a few recommendations about this place from Chowhound (Link), I decided to give this place a visit before fighting the hordes at the College Park Ikea. Its located in the Safeway Shopping Center on Fairwood Pkwy and reasonably accessible from 495 (~30 mins from rockville). Its in a fairly new stripmall, similar to Urban BBQ, with about 10 small tables and brisk takeout business. Very clean, including the bathrooms, with very helpful and friendly staff. They were almost empty on a Saturday for lunch at 1PM, so it seems to be a great place to go on the weekends for a hearty meal. Here's a link to their website: KBQ Website with directions and their menu in PDF format.

Like most BBQ places, they focus on a few meats, along with a nice selection of sides and 2 choices for dessert(if you have room that is). I've been craving some good ribs, so went with the Half-Slab platter, which was more than enough for two people and maybe enough for 3 with the 2 included sides. I had the Broccoli salad which went very nice with the bbq, and the Mac N Cheese which was ok but nothing special. My friend went with the same platter but with Cole Slaw(good) and Potato Salad(egg and potato really, but also good). We both chose the Jalapeno Cornbread topped with a few shreds of melted cheddar. The bread was fluffy and had a nice balance of jalapeno and cornbread flavors but was a tad dry. I bought a slice of key lime(i'm a bit of an aficionado), and tried a bit at home. Good, not too heavy, but not as good as the one at Ray's the Classics (which I consider to be pretty decent).

The star of the show here is the meat, and this is indeed some darn good bbq. A nice amount of dry rub flavors the meat along with the help of slow smoking to give the rib that characteristic flavor and color that comes from traditional southern bbq. The portions are enormous, including the rib proper and the end meat including the rib tips, expertly sliced and ready to enjoy with one of their two house-made sauces. The original was a smoky tangy barbeque sauce while the Sweet and spicy was just that; both were delicious and didn't overpower the pork flavors but enhanced them when used. And these ribs were moist and flavorful enough to enjoy all on their own without being baked to blandness or charred bone dry, an all too common occurrence in most restaurants.

This is by far the best barbeque I've had in the area, and with the ridiculously low prices for the quality and quantity of food, this is now on my must-visit list whenever remotely in the area and highly recommended for anyone craving some good ol' BBQ. Be warned, visits likely to cause some form of food coma.

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This is by far the best barbeque I've had in the area
Ok, this is easily the best brisket in the area.

These are easily the best pork ribs I've had in the DC area. Too much time has separated my most recent experiences at Chubby's, Johnny Boy's, and Buz & Ned's, but these things are absolutely in that league, and considering KBQ is right outside the beltway?

I ordered a full rack ($19.99), and started plowing through them on the way home, somehow managing to drive a stick AND use only my right hand AND dip them in sauce AND not get a smudge on my white shirt AND finish half the rack before Hillandale, at which point, fullness started kicking in, and, dutiful son that I am, I delivered the rest to my mom.

I'm expecting a message on my phone shortly. "Donald ... WHERE did you get these ribs? These are the best ribs I've ever eaten! But they sure are spicy." (They're not spicy, but she'll say they are.)

In the past week, I've eaten at Palena, CityZen, and Citronelle. But the two most moan-inducing bites of food I've had may have been an Artisan Confections salted chocolate-covered caramel, and the very first bite of these ribs. DAMN these are good!

Cheers,

Rocks.

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Folks, I completely agree. We've gone several times over the past few months, even during my being on Weight Watchers (still am on it!). These are ridiculously local and easy to get to. And sooooo good. But I do also suggest you experiment with the other meats as well, and some of the sides are wonderful (especially the corn salad). And the folks that run the joint are very nice, too.

More thoughts on KBQ here.

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Seeing this bumped reminded me that I tried out KBQ a few weekends ago for takeout.

I really liked what I had. We tried the Pulled Pork, Brisket, and Smoked Chicken. Ah, actual smoke ring to the meat. Very tasty, didn't really even need the sauces [their "regular" and a sweet/spicy version, liked both but not particularly wow by themselves; the regular was a bit better imo].

We also ordered a half-sheet of their Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread. Yum yum! Those hit the spot.

No Ribs the 1st time, but it's just an excuse to visit again :lol:

Great hours & local in Bowie [easy to get from via 295]. Good place to support.

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I'm expecting a message on my phone shortly. "Donald ... WHERE did you get these ribs? These are the best ribs I've ever eaten! But they sure are spicy." (They're not spicy, but she'll say they are.)

Didn't get a voicemail from my mother, but rather an email from my sister, Claire Voyant:

"donald, what is the name of the place where you got those ribs? mom said it's in bowie. those were the BEST freaking ribs i have ever eaten. meagan agrees. let me know, ok? thanks

susan"

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Made a pilgrimage to KBQ today and was rewarded with some superb ribs. They were amazingly tender and very tasty. They came without sauce but I suggest adding some because the ribs just get better and better with a dab or two. Per a suggestion from the guy at the counter, I ordered the baked beans and they were indeed good. I wasn't so big on the (mustard) potato salad but I prefer my potato salad sans mayonnaise so take that with a grain of salt.

I'd like to add my voice to the chorus: if you like good ribs, go to KBQ.

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Hey, BBQ fans, listen to Don and many others. Eat here. Report back.

First visit: ribs and pulled pork. Both were nicely smoked and quite moist, the latter a definite plus for the pulled pork. Both meats were a testament to their dry rub and smoke, and were delicious without adding a drop of sauce, which smartly is served on the side. The two sauces offered, "original" and "sweet and spicy," are good: I prefer more heat in a spicy sauce but pork is the star here and deservedly so.

Next visit: brisket and key lime pie. Looking forward to it.

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Tried KBQ for the first time this afternoon. By far the best BBQ I have had in the area. I had a half slab platter and was please to get ful ribs with the tips included. I used a combo of sweet spicy and the regular for a pleasant combo, but would have like to have a hot sauce with kick to go along with it. Both sauces were a little sweeter and thicker than I prefer and could ahve used more pepper and vinegar punch. The meat itself was tender and well cooked with a nicely peppery rub. I think the balance of char flavor to actual smoke was a bit too much to the former for my personal taste but well within the range of great Q. The meat was dry and had just the perfect chew.

The side of beans was superlative. Sweet with a hint of smoky meat in the finish. The potato salad less successful, a supermarket style mix that benefitted from a dollop or three of the sauces. The cheesy jalapeno cornbread was just not to my taste at all.

Maybe not up to my hallmarks of ribs- Hogly Wogley's Tyler Texas BBQ in LA or RIb n Bibs in South Chicago in days of yore, but neither of these joints are what they once were. Worth the trip! Great value!

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With it being slow enough that I cold get out tonight and have a date with Kay, we decided to go KBQ. One half slab platter, a 2 meat combo of pulled pork and chicken, iI have to say that either the Q was better tonight or that I just wasn't awake enough the other day. This is the best dry rubbed Q I have had. Given that my preference is a Q with enough of a mop sauce on it to be moist but not smothered, this stuff is freaking incredible. The pulled pork reminded me of Woodly's Sun Spot in the middle of nowhere in Tennessee which had been my benchmark till tonight. The ribs surpassed my memories of Rib's and Bob's on Chicago's South Side. The baked beans are just amazing.

We also met KB who jacked me about my not liking the potato salad, but otherwise is a very nice guy. We chatted for a while. We also tried the cole slaw, which while needing a little vinegar is crunchy and fresh and the mac n cheese is sneaky good. The first bite is just nice but by the end you are licking the bowl. All this for $25.00 for two with a bag of leftovers. Too bad there is no beer!

Off to bed with a shot of Caol Ila Murray McDavid bottling.

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With it being slow enough that I cold get out tonight and have a date with Kay, we decided to go KBQ. One half slab platter, a 2 meat combo of pulled pork and chicken, iI have to say that either the Q was better tonight or that I just wasn't awake enough the other day. This is the best dry rubbed Q I have had. Given that my preference is a Q with enough of a mop sauce on it to be moist but not smothered, this stuff is freaking incredible. The pulled pork reminded me of Woodly's Sun Spot in the middle of nowhere in Tennessee which had been my benchmark till tonight. The ribs surpassed my memories of Rib's and Bob's on Chicago's South Side. The baked beans are just amazing.

We also met KB who jacked me about my not liking the potato salad, but otherwise is a very nice guy. We chatted for a while. We also tried the cole slaw, which while needing a little vinegar is crunchy and fresh and the mac n cheese is sneaky good. The first bite is just nice but by the end you are licking the bowl. All this for $25.00 for two with a bag of leftovers. Too bad there is no beer!

Off to bed with a shot of Caol Ila Murray McDavid bottling.

Say hi next time. :lol:

I hate to complicate things, but I thought the pork ribs tonight were a shadow of what I had before. The other time I went (click), I showed up right when KBQ opened, I was ticket #2 (#1 was a $150 catering order!), and the ribs were furiously alive, moist, and rocket-to-Mars good; tonight at 6:30 PM they seemed dry, tired, and like they had been sitting around for a long time. While still very good, perhaps even still the best in the immediate area, they were not outstanding. Brisket, great but also muted. Mac and cheese, lame. Cornbread, lame. Coleslaw, refreshing. Key lime pie, custard-like and good. Bread pudding with raisins, sweet, fatty, and evil. Service, wonderful as before. I still love KBQ, but if tonight's dinner was my first visit, I wouldn't see why people rave about it. Incidentally, I detoured from Baltimore to Washington through Bowie to have dinner here.

Cheers,

Rocks.

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A week ago I decided to drop by KBQ but was unable to find it. I am from Montgomery County so I do not know the territory but I got the feeling that it was swallowed up by a Home Depot. Is this so?

Rob

Not that I know of (click). It's right in the middle of a strip mall.

Cheers,

Rocks.

P.S. Note the coupons on the website.

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A week ago I decided to drop by KBQ but was unable to find it. I am from Montgomery County so I do not know the territory but I got the feeling that it was swallowed up by a Home Depot. Is this so?

Rob

I'm from MoCo as well. As Rocks pointed out above, Google Maps w/ directions will get you there. If I remember correctly about the area [only been there due to trips to KBQ] goto the next major intersection after the shopping plaza w/ the Home Depot.

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A week ago I decided to drop by KBQ but was unable to find it. I am from Montgomery County so I do not know the territory but I got the feeling that it was swallowed up by a Home Depot. Is this so?

Rob

No, you just didn't go far enough. It's another 2 miles east on 450 toward Bowie from the Home Depot you must have been at (Vista Gardens shopping center at intersection of 450 and 704). After crossing 193, it's a right at next light onto Fairwood Parkway, then left into shopping center anchored by Safeway -- KBQ is just right of midpoint of center, next to a wings place.

Incidentally, the map on their website is not quite accurate. It places KBQ about 2/10 of a mile farther down Fairwood Parkway than it is. (If you'd like a satellite view of area, Google Maps' is pre-construction while MapQuest's is current.)

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Since everybody was so helpful, I guess I ought to review my visit to KBQ last week. I got the two-meat platter (pork ribs and brisket) plus baked beans and green beans with smoked turkey.

The pork ribs were definitely the highlight of the trip--smoky yet moist and full of flavor. Add hot sauce for an extra boost and you will be very happy. Unfortunately, the dry brisket dragged the experience down and the hot sauce barely saved them from nowheresville.

As for the side dishes, the beans were tasty and had plenty of smoke, but the green beans out did them with a peppery kick. Maybe the turkey did it? I couldn't say.

I would go back again but I would stick to the ribs.

Rob

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Just stopped by yesterday w/ a hankering for better-than-decent Q.

The pork ribs here are still smoky [nice to see actual pinkish color from true smoke penetration], good solid, tasty crust on the outside. It makes me want to pull out the smoker soon.

Also tried their Fish Sandwich [today it was Tilapia]. I liked it a lot. Good smokiness on the outside, still moist on the inside. Paired w/ a nice buttery flaky bun, and accompanying "mustard-horseradish" sauce brought a nice light spiciness].

I remember how decadent their Bread Pudding was, but thankfully I resisted.

Still a good place to checkout if in the Bowie area. [stop by on the way to/from the Eastern Shore]

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My experience last weekend pretty much mirrored sphere777's. I thought the ribs were good, definitely the highlight, but I will not be driving from DC to get them on a regular basis. I loved the smoky flavor and a full rack is way more than any one human can eat in one sitting (I took 3/4 of them to my parents' house), but I found them a little dry and the sauce they came with to not add much of a kick other than a little moisture. While I don't like my ribs "wet" by any stretch, I need a little more moisture than these had if I'm going to call it excellent BBQ.

The sides were all pretty bad outside of the Shrimp Potato Salad, which was a nice surprise when hit with a packet of salt and pepper. The mac n cheese was boring and the jalapeno corn bread plain bad, with a dry texture and a bitter after taste.

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Had a late lunch/early dinner here today after finishing up a flying lesson at nearby Freeway Airport. This was about 4:00 in the afternoon, and unfortunately both the pork ribs and the brisket I had felt like they had been sitting for quite a while. Both were dry, though not unpleasant, just...ok. The baked beans, on the other hand, were fantastic. They had that kind of sweet and sour flavor you'd expect, but also a great, unexpected kick of garlic, and as an added benefit were full of porky goodness as well. I don't know if they're worth a trip from DC, but if you're there definitely try the beans.

From some of the comments above, it seems like the quality of the meat you get here might be related to when you visit...wonder when that sweet spot is.

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From some of the comments above, it seems like the quality of the meat you get here might be related to when you visit...wonder when that sweet spot is.

Friday night at 6:30 they were on point, as the Smoked Chicken, half rack of Pork Ribs, and the lb. of Pulled Pork that we took to-go were all great offerings. The ribs were noticably better than the first time (a Saturday afternoon) I went and the dark meat on the chicken was smoky and delicious.

The sides (shrimp potato salad, fries, and corn bread) were all really bad, though, with the only edible portion being the fries. It's hard to resist getting a starch with a meat-heavy meal, but based on my two visits here you really must avoid, especially the corn bread. It is dry and a total waste of calories.

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I have a love/hate relationship with this board.

I love discovering all of these places that I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

I hate that now I can't walk into the Urban BBQ a couple of miles from my house, and know that I was getting the best 'cue in the area. Now I have to drive 45 fucking minutes to KBQ, because they're not even playing the same game, much less in the same ballpark.

So, screw you all, for the best ribs I've had in probably a decade. Pulled pork and beans were very good as well, but these ribs were off the chart.

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I have a love/hate relationship with this board.

I love discovering all of these places that I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

I hate that now I can't walk into the Urban BBQ a couple of miles from my house, and know that I was getting the best 'cue in the area. Now I have to drive 45 fucking minutes to KBQ, because they're not even playing the same game, much less in the same ballpark.

So, screw you all, for the best ribs I've had in probably a decade. Pulled pork and beans were very good as well, but these ribs were off the chart.

Ditto.

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Pulled Pork-Great...maybe second or third best I have had, next to BBQ House in Laurel and Apple House in Front Royal

Brisket-Just too fatty for my taste, could have been that one cut that one day, so try for yourself

Sauces-I agree combine them, great flavor, but taste a little processed to me

Ribs-Havent tried them yet but will

Owner-Very friendly and interested in keep quality and product top notch, however does seem a little understaffed when they are busy

Next want to try Black Hog in Frederick

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Had to head north this weekend so I made a detour here. These are some damn fine ribs. Incredibly tender with a great smokey flavor that didn't overtake the pork. Side of coleslaw was good but I was sorry I didn't see the small sign saying they had green beans made with smoked chicken until after I started eating. Was very tempted to take home some brisket and chicken but knew I had a few stops along the way and that was no way to treat these fine meats.

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Stopped in today for lunch, and wasn't disappointed.

-First off, the ribs here are REALLY good (even if they're not the best in the DC area; I still prefer Mr. P's in that department). Nice smoke flavor, and the rib tips served with the ribs was a nice touch.

-Also tried the brisket, which is probably the best I've had in the area. I'll be even more impressed, though, if it's as good on future trips; my biggest issue is that I can't get consistent brisket around here.

-Baked beans were sweet and a bit spicy; probably my favorite side I got. I prefer my baked beans a touch on the sweet side, so I really enjoyed these; I can completely understand why somebody else wouldn't like them as much as I did.

-Ditto with the potato salad, which was heavy on the mustard. Again, I usually prefer my potato salad this way, so I was really happy.

-Green beans were a special side, cooked with some of their smoked chicken. Really nice flavor to these, with the smokiness and meatiness you'd expect from a good plate of collards.

-Cornbread was decent; not the best I've had, but far from the worst, too.

-Key lime pie had a really nice, strong lime flavor, but the custard was too soft.

Overall, I enjoyed my meal today, and I'm looking forward to a return trip. Many more hits than misses, and while I think KBQ didn't nearly live up to the hype (of which there was plenty), it's still going to be in my rotation as much as humanly possible.

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from facebook:

Kerry Britt

Dear Friends....KBQ is Relocating!!! Our lease expires at the end of the month and we will be relocating within the coming months. It is bitter sweet, but we won't stop Smokin'. Look for more details here on Facebook. Thanks for all of your support and hope to see you soon. KBQ Mgmt.

This shouldn't be too big of a deal because (I think) everything is smoked off-premises and brought into the storefront. I may be wrong, but that's how I remember it being done.

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I've been following their Facebook feed, and Kerry has kept it very close to the vest as to where they are relocating. I heard rumors about DC rather than PG County, but nothing worth repeating.

Two months later, nothing appears to have changed. The phone number is not accepting calls, and there's no update on either their website or Facebook page.

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There wasn't an update with new info, but Kerry has posted "stay tuned" a few times over the last few months, including just before the holidays. It seems to me that if the business was completely dead, he'd have no reason to keep doing this, so I hold out hope that he will eventually reopen.

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There wasn't an update with new info, but Kerry has posted "stay tuned" a few times over the last few months, including just before the holidays. It seems to me that if the business was completely dead, he'd have no reason to keep doing this, so I hold out hope that he will eventually reopen.

I think that makes good sense - he's probably trying to find a location and a lease.

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Posted moments ago on their Facebook page:

Happy New Year! KBQ needs your help finding a new home. Negotiations on the DC location have reached a stalemate and we are anxious to re-open and serve you. Tell us if you have seen any vacant restaurant locations in your daily travels. If your location is selected, an undetermined, tasty reward will be yours! HELP!
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I may have a very favorable, turn-key opportunity available in a high-profile location if anyone would like to put Kerry in touch with me via PM. No broker or other fees paid. Usual full disclaimers. Does not constitute an offer or offering.

Good opportunity for other creative, close-to-the-ground, close-to-the-people, hands-on owner/operators as well.

Emphasis on "may", bloggers and Post Toasties and -ists.

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The lack of a new KBQ is due to bureaucrats getting in the way. KBQ had hoped to be open by now in Columbia Heights but had the rug pulled out from beneath them at the end of last year.

KBQ has submitted preliminary paperwork for another place in DC and hope to start the permit process soon. I'll post the new location when they have signed the lease.

They are as eager to reopen as we are.

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The lack of a new KBQ is due to bureaucrats getting in the way. KBQ had hoped to be open by now in Columbia Heights but had the rug pulled out from beneath them at the end of last year.

KBQ has submitted preliminary paperwork for another place in DC and hope to start the permit process soon. I'll post the new location when they have signed the lease.

They are as eager to reopen as we are.

Ah, too bad. Columbia Heights would have been a great location for them...and for us. I remember chatting with Kerry maybe a year ago in Bowie about his location, thinking if was even 5 or 10 miles closer to DC, he's attract legions of new followers given the state of BBQ in the District (Sr Andres' thoughts notwithstanding). At that time, Kerry laughed about the rents in DC likely be too stratospheric. That this is even being considered now is a great sign. Thanks for the update; will stay tuned.

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Disappointed that they weren't able to land in DC proper, as they had hoped, but thrilled to hear they will be back in business.

An odd location - where are they going to put a smoker there - but when they were on they had the finest ribs in the area.

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Disappointed that they weren't able to land in DC proper, as they had hoped, but thrilled to hear they will be back in business.

An odd location - where are they going to put a smoker there - but when they were on they had the finest ribs in the area.

Why is there a smoker issue here? Is the new location much different from the original strip mall location?

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