In a move that may surprise those in Memphis and Kansas City, DC has popped up on a national list ranking the best ribs in the nation. The Daily Meal, a culinary website founded by former Saveur editor Colman Andrews, included Rocklands Barbecue on its annual list of America’s 35 Best Ribs. The District-based ‘cue company clocked in at last place, which is still pretty good considering the competition in Texas, Tennessee, etc.
So how did this happen? Restaurants made the list through a combination of positive online reviews, past ranking on best-of lists, and the opinions of “rib experts” as well as editorial staff. Rocklands beef and pork ribs won points for their “gorgeous pink hue” after smoking over red oak and hickory. Other regional mentions on the list include Baltimore’s Chaps Charcoal Restaurant (#24) and Alamo BBQ in Richmond (#12).
Though DC’s inclusion may be surprising, our barbecue scene is getting more national attention than ever (thanks, Ice T).
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
