Federalist Pig
Barbecue restaurant · Hyattsville ·
Smoked meats, burnt ends, and regional BBQ sauces.
Smoked meats, burnt ends, and regional BBQ sauces.
"I know Rob Sonderman already has a carnivorous following as pit master at Federalist Pig, the perennially packed Adams Morgan barbecue shop he opened in 2016 with Steve Salis; the piece notes Federalist Pig’s brisket sandwiches have climbed into the $12-plus range and that the business is gearing up to expand into the next-door space (its FedMobile truck in Hyattsville serves as a placeholder while approvals proceed)." - Tierney Plumb
"I've learned that after more than a year navigating regulatory red tape, the restaurant group behind Federalist Pig is moving forward with a second location in a former tire shop in downtown Hyattsville and, while that 2,500-square-foot restaurant with bar service and a patio is being built, plans to operate a custom 25-foot mobile kitchen from the parking lot at 5504 Baltimore Avenue around the end of September to dispense takeout and delivery. Restaurateur Steve Salis commissioned the trailer from a Texas company; it includes a fryer, stove, flat-top grill and an entirely wood-burning J&R smoker that Salis calls “a real showpiece.” The mobile kitchen — from a restaurant that earned a Bib Gourmand nod in the 2020 Michelin Guide — will serve a pared-down version of Rob Sonderman’s menu (including brisket, ribs and sandwich specials) and help build a Maryland customer base while also testing other markets and festivals. Sonderman says relying entirely on wood fires will let him experiment with different hardwoods compared with the gas-assisted rig in Adams Morgan, but he’ll balance that desire to experiment with a commitment to keeping flavors consistent; the Columbia Road NW location will add J&R smokers when it renovates and expands into the former mobile phone store next door. Salis hopes the Hyattsville project can be completed in the first half of 2021." - Gabe Hiatt
"Known as one of the most respected barbecue joints in the D.C. area, Federalist Pig was opened by Rob Sonderman and Steve Salis in December 2016, with Sonderman serving as pitmaster. The partnership behind Federalist Pig has been discussing a fried chicken concept since the restaurant’s inception, and the Salis Holdings group continues to expand its offerings and reach — they recently bought a custom mobile kitchen with a J&R Manufacturing smoker that will begin selling Federalist Pig barbecue in Hyattsville in the coming month." - Gabe Hiatt
"I see this as an essential D.C. barbecue joint where pitmaster Rob Sonderman has built a loyal following in Adams Morgan; the operation is already at capacity so they can’t produce more barbecue even if they wanted to. Online orders have helped offset lost catering business, and while there have been operational hiccups when 30 orders hit at once, I’m grateful to see neighborhood customers coming more frequently and generous tips keeping staff paychecks close to normal. Two major construction projects—a 2,500-square-foot location in Hyattsville and an expansion into the adjacent Columbia Road NW space that used to house a Cricket Wireless—are paused, but Sonderman says the most important thing is keeping the team paid." - Gabe Hiatt
"Salis is working with pitmaster Rob Sonderman to build a bigger, better Federalist Pigout in Hyattsville as part of expansions tied to his acquisitions." - Gabe Hiatt
