Hal & Al's BBQ — Restaurant in Virginia

I’ll start by just saying I really wanted this place to be good and that I really wanted to leave a good review. Unfortunately, I’m being generous here with 3 stars.

For context, I’ll preface this by saying I was there for their grand reopening. From the moment I ordered to when I received my food, it was 50 minutes. The wait was far from worth it, but to make matters worse, the restaurant was actively accepting mobile orders from various platforms on their reopening night - a baffling business decision if you understand the extras fees the restaurant incurs by doing that. Why would any business owner even have these apps enabled and accepting orders when they have literally hundreds of people in front of them ready to give them their money with substantially lower transaction fees? To compound the issue, those in person customers then have drastically longer wait times. Glad there was all the cute social media stuff going on, but this business should be focused on the food - this was poorly planned and executed even worse. Oh, and the “free smoked chai” all night long? Yeah, didn’t even make an appearance in the 2 hours I was there. The owner kept saying “more coming out soon,” but it never arrived. More on the owner later.

As for the food, we ordered the ‘Dino’ rib, the Tri tip sandwich, a side of brisket, Mac and cheese, and the smores dessert. The total came to nearly $90, which felt a bit excessive for the quality. The Dino rib was cooked well, but lacked any real seasoning. You had to drown it in some type of sauce for flavor, but there were limited options for that as well. The brisket was oily and also lacked flavor. The trip tip sandwich was probably the best among the options, but was served basically cold. All of the meats shared a lack of much smoke flavor as well, unfortunately.

The s’mores deserve their own special shoutout for being particularly dreadful. Their menu described one thing and delivered another - the marshmallows weren’t even toasted enough for the chocolate to melt and the drizzle they were supposed to have was no where to be found.

I attempted to get the owner’s attention, who seemed busy greeting folks and engaging in lengthy conversations with who I assume to be personal friends of his. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as important as I was just a customer who waited an hour in line and another hour for my food and wanted to show my support for their reopening.

Take your money elsewhere. Truly good BBQ options are limited in the DC metro area, but there’s a lot...

During a recent visit to Washington, D.C., my family and I had the pleasure of dining at Hal & Al’s, a standout barbecue joint tucked away in a bustling food court. The setting, though unconventional for a dining experience of this caliber, only adds to the charm and uniqueness of Hal & Al’s.

The centerpiece of our culinary adventure was undoubtedly the dinosaur ribs. These mammoth offerings were not just a spectacle for the eyes but a delight for the palate, melting effortlessly with each bite. The preparation clearly demonstrates a mastery over the barbecue arts, balancing smoke, spice, and sweetness to perfection.

Complementing the ribs were sides that stand in their own right as culinary achievements. The mac & cheese was creamy, rich, and enveloped in a comforting, velvety cheese sauce, while the jalapeño cornbread offered a delightful kick, juxtaposing its inherent sweetness with a spicy undertone. These sides did not just accompany the main course but elevated the entire meal, demonstrating thoughtfulness in menu design.

Despite its location within a food court, Hal & Al’s offers an experience that rivals that of standalone establishments. The ambiance is surprisingly fitting for a family meal, where the casual setting blends seamlessly with the quality of food on offer. The prices, moreover, are incredibly reasonable, reflecting a commitment to accessibility without...

This is the premiere place to get halal bbq in the dmv! The owner went out of his way to provide us a high end experience. My wife and I tried the Baltimore pit beef sandwich, brisket sandwich, french fries, and Mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese was unreal and had an amazing addicting flavor to it, love old bay on it. The waffle fries were seasoned to perfection and perfectly crisp. The pit beef is made of filet mignon and just melted in my mouth, the horseradish sauce was perfect on it. My wife’s pit beef sandwich took me back to my days in Texas and had an addicting Smokey flavor I loved. The cornbread was great as well. The owner had us also try a new flavor smoked chicken he’s working on and I have to report it is going to be a hit when it makes its way on the menu. The churro cake and ice cream for dessert was absolutely delicious and a perfect ending to the meal. The ice cream itself is from Maine and you can tell this is a premium foodie experience. The prices are on the higher end but I assure you, the menu items are absolutely worth the price. The attention to detail the owner has done with the food presentation, the decor, even the sauce dispenser that resembles cow udders, everything is methodically crafted and presented. I promise you won’t be disappointed, give this establishment all...