Fat Pete's Meat and Vegetable Barbecue on 18th St and Cleveland Park, NW

[Kibbee Nayee]

I've been to Fat Pete's twice in the past month. It's not far from one of the office buildings I work at, and I wanted to give it a try. You don't have to, because I did.

Obligatory catering truck is usually parked across the street from the 18th St location, which is located almost next door to Taberna del Alabardero. From its splash page: "We are not Texas and not North Carolina nor Memphis or Atlanta, we are 'life is short, so we make it the best you possibly can so you never forget it' kind of BBQ."

Yes, you can never forget it. But "best" it is definitely not.

I have had the pulled pork (tasteless and dry), the ribs (chewy and forgettable), and the brisket (tough and dry). What look to be homemade sauces in squeeze bottles are only somewhat of a palliative, or at least they add some moisture and flavor. The sides are at least edible, with the vinegar cole slaw and the collard greens standing out. The cucumber salad is watery.

No alcohol, which makes matters even worse. Enjoy your Pepsi products with the District's most mediocre BBQ.

 

 

[Harbinger]

Yes it’s not very good, but to be fair I think the Cleveland Park location has alcohol.  Weirdly, the Post BBQ article talked this place up two years ago, but retreated in his BBQ ratings last year.

[Tweaked]

All the downtown location meat is smoked at the CP location, so who knows how long it was been sitting around by the time the office lunch hour rolls around.