MISSION BBQ — Restaurant in Lakeside

An incredible experience coming down from Canada.

Moved down to Henrico from Canada for work, and living down the street you stop by Buzz and Ned’s, and a bunch of restaurants up and down West Broad. I popped in for curiousity‘s sake, and my goodness what a place. The first thing you notice when you walk in is you’re hit with the smell of smoke. The sweet smell of smoked meats fill your nose with an intense pleasant smell, it just draws you in. The wall is plastered with photographs of veterans and army flags and slogans such as ”The only easy day was yesterday”.

In Toronto, we don’t get much BBQ, so I got called up and said “Hey, sorry this is my first time”. This dude Chris was so unreal and helped guide me through it, gave me a few samples, and his recommendation. I went with the 2 meat platter (Brisket and pulled chicken) Mac and Fries.

“Don’t forget to get the alabama white sauce” was what he told me after I ordered. The wait was short, and I asked for the white sauce. Tables were clean, plentiful and had 6 BBQ sauces to try from. Out of the 6, the most impressive for me was the KC bbq. The cumin in that sauce brings out a great flavor.

Anyway, the brisket was nice and tender. I’m not typically one to eat a fatty meat, because of a texture issue I have with it, but my god it was amazing. The brisket was nice and juicy, the meat was really well smoked, and the flavors of their rub really shone through in the brisket. The pulled chicken was something out of left field for me. I didn’t expect it to be that good it was until I took a bite. My god it’s absolutely worth it. Fries are well seasoned, and the Mac is amazing. I tried a sample of their Collard Greens, and it rocked, cooked in Chicken stock, that was just….out of this world.

If you’re passing by, come by and check them out. Chris was an amazing person to help me out as much as he did, helped orient me and gave me a good experience. He’s a great guy, and I wish him all the best.

They also donate what they don’t sell, which is an amazing gesture and what more restaurants should be doing to support their local community.

Thank you Mission BBQ Richmond Team for an amazing experience, thank you Chris for being so kind...

My aunt who was in town from Maryland had never been to a Mission BBQ before, so she asked me what it was like before we went. I told her that there were three key points that set it apart from the rest:

1. Customer Service - While this establishment does not have waiters, someone will almost always come by to check to see how you are doing. They will have employees that come by to ask how your experience is, to see if you need refills, get rid of your trash, or even provide boxes for leftovers. On a previous experience, I asked them if the turkey was pretty good. Instead of verbally giving me an answer, they provided me with a large container stuffed with their turkey and invited me to try it for myself. Professional, yet warm and courteous to say the least.

2. Food Quality - I've had better barbecue in Texas, but I've never had better barbecue in Virginia. But let me also say that the barbecue in Texas was BARELY better. The brisket is amazing, the ribs fall off the bone, and the half a yard bird is delicious yet incredibly filling. The sides are all great, and their Black Plate Specials are frequently the best items on the menu. It's not the cheapest place you will eat at, but the quality and amount of food you get will leave you with the feeling that your money was properly spent.

3. Veterans Welcome - They have a VIP club for veterans that gives you access to secret items on the menu, a free sandwich on your birthday, and other select deals. I was in the Army for six years, and every time I go there I love looking at the walls at the memorabilia from all branches. If I wear my hat that has my patches from Afghanistan, I always get a warm greeting and a thank you from the staff. Not that I only get that because I'm a veteran, but it may be emphasized a little more because I am.

All in all, I would say I go there at least once ever week or two, and I have NEVER been disappointed, but continue to be impressed...

ALWAYS have had great food and great service here (and their location near Roanoke, Virginia). This particular visit it was pretty busy, but they got us in and thru the line very quickly. Both my wife and I got the pulled pork and for the first time, I can recall, each of us had a little strand of unrendered fat, maybe the diameter of a coffee stirrer, not bad, just the first time that has ever happened here. The sides, as always, were fantastic. One story with staff... We sat in the corner booth near the trash can and tray return. The trays are metal and a staff member, a young man, kept going around collecting the trays and cleaning tables, but he kept loudly dropping the trays in. When a customer dropped theirs in, it was more quiet. Since it was right behind us, my wife got his attention and asked if he could be more careful as it was so loud and shocking. He did start using the one over by the door, where there are no booths or seats adjacent. When we finished our meal and left, we went to the car and my wife felt she should go back in and apologize to the young man. When she got to speak to him and apologize and be sure he didn't take her comment as rude, just being aware, the young man was super polite and said he just wasn't being attentive to what he was doing because he was so busy doing his job, as well as that of the dishwasher who failed to come in that evening. He was super nice, super upbeat, as were all the people behind the register and counter. Another reason I continue to do business with this chain. I look forward to...