2Fifty Texas BBQ

"For D.C. residents, sampling the most tantalizing brisket inside the Beltway requires a drive into Riverdale Park, Maryland. Fernando González and Debby Portillo, the couple that own and operate 2Fifty, pay homage to Central Texas by using oak smoke to develop a dark bark on fatty hunks of prime and American wagyu beef that jiggle on the chopping block. Beef ribs, pulled pork, sliced turkey, and St. Louis-style ribs are all available, while daily specials (think brisket tacos and barbecue pupusas) give the kitchen a creative outlet, and González and Portillo excitingly nod to their Salvadoran heritage in sides like red kidney beans braised with brisket and coleslaw interspersed with raisins. Diners can preorder for pickup Wednesday through Sunday with the option to dine there or take it to go. 2Fifty expanded with a sit-down smokehouse in Mt. Vernon Triangle this year." - Tierney Plumb, Emily Venezky

"Oak smoke and fatty, wagyu-grade beef make the brisket stand out at this destination for Texas-style barbecue in Riverdale Park. Owners Fernando González and Debby Portillo are part of a large restaurant family in El Salvador. Their barbecue shop, and outgrowth of a farmers market stand, offers giant beef ribs, sausage links, turkey, and pork ribs, too. The barbecue outfit busted into D.C. in January with a standalone location on K Street NW." - Tierney Plumb, Eater Staff

"For D.C. residents, sampling the most tantalizing brisket inside the Beltway requires a drive into Riverdale Park, Maryland. Fernando González and Debby Portillo, the couple that own and operate 2Fifty, pay homage to Central Texas by using oak smoke to develop a dark bark on fatty hunks of prime and American wagyu beef that jiggle on the chopping block. Beef ribs, pulled pork, sliced turkey, and St. Louis-style ribs are all available too. Daily specials like brisket tacos and barbecue pupusas give the kitchen a creative outlet. Sides like red kidney beans braised with brisket, caramelized pineapple, and coleslaw interspersed with raisins nod to the owners’ Salvadoran heritage. Diners can preorder for pickup Wednesday through Sunday with the option to dine there or take it to go. 2Fifty expanded into D.C. during the pandemic with a small stall inside Union Market and are about open a sit-down smokehouse in Mt. Vernon Triangle." - Tierney Plumb, Eater Staff

"2Fifty Texas BBQ is known for its pastrami sandwich." - Adele Chapin

"The barbecue favorite boasts four different game day options. The most expensive, a $275 platter, yields a dozen smoked whole chicken wings, 1.5 pounds of wagyu brisket, two pounds of pork spare ribs, two beef ribs, four smoked sausages, one pound of pulled pork, four sides and 14 pieces of cornbread. While all that feeds up to 10, there are smaller sizes of the aforementioned foods for four." - Vinciane Ngomsi