DCReview
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
DCity Smokehouse
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DCity Smokehouse is a uniquely DC barbecue spot that serves meat you'll want to keep coming back for. This is where you bring your meat-loving friends to let them live out their Fred Flintstone fantasies. Locals in particular will appreciate all the tiny details lining the walls and the menu that scream Chocolate City. Everyone else will just enjoy the bomb-a*s barbecue.
Inside the refurbished garage, big speakers blast '90s and '00s R&B hits from opposite sides of the room, giving a little surround sound so you can belt out the words without bothering the handful of other folks in the room. Most people are running in and out with to-go orders, but we like to post up at one of the four-tops with rolls of brown paper towels so we can get down and dirty with the smokehouse meat platter piled high with brisket.
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
On a nice day, you can also hang out at the red picnic tables outside. Everything here is red and white—you’ll find the city’s flag in the logo plastered on the doors and the murals on the walls. And there are pictures and sculptures of pigs, chickens, and cows scattered around the restaurant to remind you exactly what you’re there to eat.
Because we’re talking meat in DC, a halfsmoke is a great place to start. DCity does them topped with brisket or pulled pork. The platters come with your choice of meats, like spare ribs and pork belly, and the smoked wings are some of the best naked wings in the city. You really can’t go wrong with any of the meats. Everything comes with a couple plastic ramekins of barbecue sauce that tastes like a weird (but good) mix of Carolina barbecue and mumbo sauce. And like any good barbecue menu, there are a dozen sides to pick from—but prioritize the brussel sprouts and fries.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
Brisket
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
Smoked Wings
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
DCity Halfsmoke
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
Fried Brussels Sprouts
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
Spiced Fries
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo