MISSION BBQ — Restaurant in Chantilly

Nice spot. I stopped by here on a whim, after working out at the nearby OT Fitness in the Fairfax area.

It was a dreary Friday afternoon, just about as dreary as it gets. Rain pour the entire day, a constant pitter-patter, mingling with sweat in my case. I was wearing a casual t-shirt and workout shorts, a light jacket on top (not waterproof, that would be the dream).

Hanging out in the vast and near-deserted P-lot outside, it was drizzling with a consistent intensity, meanwhile I was searching on Google Maps for nearby BBQ spots. Well, I was just in luck, as I found one that looked cool -- called none other than Mission BBQ -- and aw, look at that, 'twas walking distance to boot, as well.

I ran it briefly over on my head, and shrugged and said why not, let's refill all those calories I just burned. Neat little jog there, less than a minute, and at the door I was presented by this sign -- they honor vets and those that served in the armed forces, on a rotational basis throughout the week, so for example the Navy gets a free 'wich on Tuesdays, the Air Force & Marines another day, and so forth down the merry little road.

I promptly went in, almost no line, and a friendly dude behind the counter clad in what looked a police officer's uniform, took my order without further ado.

I noted it was my first time here, and the meat sampler was suggested to me, as it embodied the "best of both worlds" deal.

I said why not, so I ended up going for that, w/ the brisket and spare ribs -- dry rubbed, w/ spices but no bbq sauce on top -- and on the side, corn bread and a peach cobbler, for dessert. Now I'm not sure if normally comes with that, or as it was my first time and all, but either way I'm glad it worked out.

I filled in a glass of water, and in less than two minutes my order was already ready. I blinked in surprise as I went to pick it up, but honestly that is blazing fast service for ribs at any joint, probably the fastest I've ever seen.

The ribs and brisket were equally great, and can't say enough good things on them. On a "first pass", they seemed nothing special, certainly smaller quantities as they weren't full-fledged entrees, but you'd be surprised by how filling the meat can be. I know I certainly was.

The reason I'll give this full stars is the presentation, speed of service, included dessert (which was pretty great) and also the house BBQ sauces, a neat row and two-columns worth, stacked nicely on mine and every other table I could see.

The BBQ sauces were just splendid, and really added a lot to the flavor, as well as to the childlike enjoyment of trying new tastes and flavors, just for the heck of trying something new and great-tasting, because like why the heck would you opt to pass on something good like that, one of the few times it swings by your way. I don't know the answer to that, and I don't expect any others to, so I'll just leave it at that.

Anyways, I tried the house bbq sauces, knocked 'em all out, so here's a few of my personal favorites: Bay-B-Que (dry 'n hot), Tupelo Honey Heat (sweet and tangy like honey, with a kicker 'n sucker punch), and the Smoky Mountain (thick 'n rich like smoked meat on a hiking trail, kind of like the Grand Smokies I visited a while back). I will say, I especially liked mixing 'em all together, they tasted really well with ribs which were rather dry and bland. They helped stand up and illuminate an otherwise solid dish that didn't have a whole lotta flavor on its own.

Overall, awesome spot here at the Mission BBQ. The fact that they cater to & respect those that serve, especially local heroes such as policemen and firefighters among others, is uplifting and great and I say more power to them, but to be honest it's kind of lost on common folk such as (you and) me.

Long story short, this is a respectable, quality BBQ joint in the heart of Fairfax, with high-quality meat and a plethora of house BBQ sauces. I liked it much, and for the price point it was outstanding quality. I'll recommend and will likely be back...

Well, let me tell you y'all, if you're ever in the mood for some good ole fashioned barbecue, then you need to check out Mission BBQ! This place is a real gem for anyone who loves delicious food with a little bit of southern flair.

First of all, the atmosphere at Mission BBQ is just perfect for a lunch spot. It's got a cozy, welcoming vibe that feels like you're stepping into someone's backyard barbecue. There's plenty of seating, both indoor and outdoor, so you can choose the spot that suits you best.

Now, let's talk about the food. The menu at Mission BBQ is chock-full of all your classic barbecue favorites, like pulled pork, brisket, and ribs. But they also have some unique options that you won't find at your typical barbecue joint, like smoked salmon. And let me tell you, everything is cooked to perfection. The meat is juicy and flavorful, and the sides are just as tasty.

But what really sets Mission BBQ apart is their commitment to honoring our country's military and first responders. They have a wall of honor with pictures and memorabilia from our nation's heroes, and they play the national anthem every day at noon. It's a touching tribute that makes you proud to be an American.

Overall, I highly recommend stopping by Mission BBQ for lunch. Whether you're a barbecue connoisseur or just looking for a tasty meal, you won't be disappointed. And the patriotic atmosphere is just the cherry on top of an already great experience. Y'all don't want to miss out...

First off, I think Mission BBQ has the best BBQ for a franchise type place. I've never had a bad meal here and everything is full of flavor and cooked to perfection. That's not what makes this particular Mission BBQ special though. The staff here is wonderful and always super friendly and honestly they appreciate their customers. I know that sounds weird but you get a sense of appreciation from the manager (Elizabeth....I hope you don't mind me calling you out) here and she's just an all around genuinely nice person. The amount of good that Mission BBQ does is phenomenal. They've donated a catered meal to my daughters school for their veterans day event......They've made arrangements for BBQ to be sent to Soldiers serving overseas (I've been a recipient more than once). The amount of charity they give back to veterans and police/firefighters is breathtaking and even if the food wasn't good, I'd still be a supporter. The quality food is just a plus. Run, don't walk, to this Mission BBQ and thank Elizabeth for all that she does. The military preaches selfless service and Elizabeth truly is a shining example of someone that doesn't have to be in uniform to demonstrate that trait.

When you get the chance to have an excellent meal and know, in some small part that you are contributing to a company that doesn't just talk about giving back, you...