Willard's Real Pit BBQ — Restaurant in Chantilly

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Willard's BBQ, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience. Located in the heart of town, this restaurant boasts a cozy and inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for a delightful culinary journey. I decided to indulge in their mouthwatering offerings and opted for the Mac and Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, and the Pulled Chicken, Pulled Pork, and Brisket Trio Platter. Here's my review:

First and foremost, let's talk about the sides. The Mac and Cheese was a glorious rendition of this classic comfort food. The pasta was perfectly cooked and coated in a rich, creamy cheese sauce that was both flavorful and satisfying. It was an absolute winner!

The Mashed Potatoes were a heavenly accompaniment to the trio platter. Creamy, buttery, and velvety smooth, they were the epitome of comfort. Each bite melted in my mouth, leaving me craving more. The mashed potatoes were expertly seasoned, striking a perfect balance between savory and creamy. They complemented the meats perfectly and were a standout component of the meal.

Now, let's move on to the star of the show: the Pulled Chicken, Pulled Pork, and Brisket Trio Platter. This dish truly showcased the mastery of barbecue at Willard's. The pulled chicken was tender and juicy, bursting with smoky flavors that penetrated deep into the meat. The pulled pork was equally impressive, with its melt-in-your-mouth texture and a beautiful combination of savory and slightly sweet notes. As for the brisket, it was absolutely divine. The meat was perfectly cooked, tender, and succulent, with a beautifully caramelized exterior. Each protein had its distinct flavor profile, but they all shared a common thread: a delicious smokiness that made every bite a true delight.

The trio platter was accompanied by a selection of house-made barbecue sauces that added even more depth to the already flavorful meats. The tangy and slightly spicy sauce complemented the richness of the meats, providing a harmonious balance of flavors.

Overall, my dining experience at Willard's BBQ was nothing short of exceptional. The Mac and Cheese and Mashed Potatoes were heavenly sides that perfectly complemented the star of the show—the Pulled Chicken, Pulled Pork, and Brisket Trio Platter. The quality of the meats and the mastery of barbecue techniques truly shined through in every bite. Whether you're a barbecue aficionado or simply looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, Willard's BBQ is a must-visit destination. I can't wait to return and explore more of their tantalizing...

I came by on a Wednesday evening to get some barbecue takeaway from a place I had not visited in some time. The ordering process online worked well, and my food was ready at the time requested. My order consisted of one of each kind of slider with pinto beans and greens as sides, two stand alone proteins of three ribs and smoked rockfish, a quarter white jerk chicken platter with potato salad and green beans, and two desserts (not pictured) of a key lime pie slice and their banana pudding “parfait.” The staff made sure to double check my order which I appreciated when they caught a missing item before I left the pickup counter.

I found the pulled chicken and pork sliders enjoyable without sauce and the chopped beef one a little fatty for my taste (others may like the taste I acknowledge). Both sides remained warm and had good taste and consistency as neither was too watery. Ribs had a good bark on the outside and meat that came easily off each bone as I ate. The rockfish struck me as more salty than what I would prefer even if the texture was pleasantly firm and not close to mushy or over cooked. The chicken could have had more jerk flavor for me as well as have more moisture somehow (even for white meat which I realize can be drier than dark meat). The potato salad could have a little more potato, but I liked the crunchy elements of the salad from celery, onions, etc. The cornbread had a good crumbly texture but still holds together without being too sweet. The two desserts were readily enjoyable with the pie slice balancing tartness and sweetness well and the generous pudding portion being a part of a unique way to eat that dessert with the cornbread crumbs to go with the banana and whipped cream. I do suggest swapping the cornbread crumbs for crushed vanilla wafers instead, as that would be more traditional and also have the cookie layer match the cookie garnish on top in looks and flavor.

The total for this meal came to about $42 excluding tax and tip. The value seemed reasonable for the quantity of food and fares well against other barbecue eateries in the immediate area. I could return again if I were in the area and/or craving quality barbecue within a short...

ONLY because I had to add a star to submit my post. It smells amazing when you walk in. That was the start of the disappointment! We didn’t know if we were to seat ourselves or wait for assistance as this was our first time there. After grabbing a paper menu we just sat in the area where we seen a space for us to look at the menu. When we were in line I didn’t know if I were to stand in the line behind the people ordering or the opposite end of the counter, as there was a guy standing there just eyeing people. Finally he lazily waved us over to him. We placed the order and he just kinda started doing things away from us after we paid. There was no, “one second”, “I’m having them prepare your food now” or anything that indicated that we should stand there and wait. We stared to have a seat after standing there a bit and he said, “here you go”.

For our dinner I ordered the pulled pork tray with coleslaw and collard greens and my husband got the pulled chicken tray, baked beans, coleslaw and a side of collard greens. The coleslaw was just cabbage in mayo (I guess). It had no sweetness at all which was disappointing. The collard greens had some type of meat in it but it wasn’t flavored. The baked beans had too much cumin. The extra side of collards that my husband ordered was inside of the container with the rest of the food within a plastic container that’s like the one they put sauces in but double the size. I was charged for a regular size side though. The meats were ok at best and that was with the individual sauces that they have self serve for you to put on your food. OHHHHH, the sweet potato pie. I’m not sure how they pulled it off but it literally taste how cardboard smells. I didn’t even swallow the small bite that I took. Overall, if you are use to southern foods that are well seasoned or authentic BBQ from NC, GA, TX, or St. Louis this “ain’t” the place for you. We went to the one on Willard Road in Chantilly. I absolutely love finding good dives but this is not worth a second visit AT ALL! Now we’re off to the Golden Arches as our 7 year old...