Hal & Al's BBQ

Wow, wow, wow! I just arrived in Virginia for a few days and I’m so lucky to have found this gem! The meat is so tasty you can smell it from across the street. I actually had to stop eating just to order another juicy brisket sandwich! I’ve tried the burgers, the brisket, and the sandwich—demolished them in less than 2 minutes (see the second photo!). 100% recommended. These guys are awesome. Chapeau! Definitely coming back before leaving

This place NEVER DISAPPOINTS! Everything is so good!! Plus it is HALAL!! It is in the Quarter Market of Ballston Mall and there's shared seating. My husband and I have dined twice and had "to go" at least 4 times. Every time it has been ABSOLUTELY FOOD orgasmic!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND EVERYONE TO EXPERIENCE IT!! The picture is just a few of our favorites (wings,mesquite chicken sandwich, dirty rice, mac and cheese, and fries-we each got our own this dine-in)

I’m beyond satisfied to be honest! I tried the wagyu lollipop with a side of sausage, and the chili which comes with a side of cornbread. The cashier was very friendly and suggestive in explaining the menu as I was lost between the available options. The prepping time did not take too long, and market seating area was chill, but I had it take away. The seasoning and level of smokiness the lollipop had just exploded from the first bite, it was absolutely phenomenal and very well done!! The sausage, chili, and cornbread were all really delicious too, but the lollipop took the cake for me! I hope they stay on the menu for good! It wasn’t the easiest for me to navigate and get to the restaurant through the Ballston Quarter Mall, but I’m glad I managed to make it. Worth every step 😂

Our first visit to their bbq location was a delightful experience, with exceptional service and a vibrant atmosphere. The menu offers a wide variety of options, though we were disappointed that the Dino ribs were unavailable. The brisket, ordered by the pound, was a standout—tender, juicy, and practically melting in your mouth. The brisket sandwich was equally impressive, bursting with flavor and perfectly tender. The platters, featuring sausage and jalapeño cheddar bread, were delicious additions. The beef tallow fries were a unique highlight, crispy and unforgettable. However, the chicken wings were a bit too salty, and the mesquite chicken by the pound had an unappealing flavor and aroma that fell short. On a refreshing note, we loved the inclusion of Palestina sodas among the drink options. Overall, a great spot we’d happily revisit!

food was very good, i got the dino ribs, mac and cheese, and french fries. the portions were very big and me and my family were able to share equally without any arguments. ribs were tender and soft, filled with flavor, mac and cheese was rich in flavor and the fries complimented everything with a crunch. would definitely come here again soon.

10/10 food with a very down-to-earth owner. Mohsin took very good care of us, and his passion behind the artwork behind the restaurant is truly inspirational. Next time you visit, be sure to ask about the trains.

"Y'all, I just had the most incredible BBQ at Hal and Al's! The brisket was melt-in-your-mouth tender and packed with flavor. But what truly made the experience was the top-notch service -the owner was friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about the food. If you're craving authentic, mouthwatering BBQ Halal), look no further than Hal and Al's!"

Super tender and flavorful ribs. The brisket was a joy! Rice is a chef kiss!

Hal and Al's is an underrated Gem in the DMV! They are one of the only restaurants if not the only halal restaurant that avoids seed oils and fries in beef tallow. This gives the wings and fries a much better flavor and its alot healthier than processed vegetable oils. They also use Runamok maple syrup for their bbq sauce and for their syrup they have in custom squeeze bottles designed like cow otters mimicking the feeling of milking a cow. had an opportunity to speak with the owner for a few minutes and a big part of the restaurant is about giving back. From donating a percentage of proceeds to an orphanage in Kenya to planting trees to offset their wood usage. As far as the food i tried the brisket sandwich, the chili fries, the jalapeno cornbread, and the wings. Brisket sandwich: solid 8.5/10 it has a good portion of meat and its seasoned well Jalapeno cornbread: 8/10 mild, not too sweet or spicy, decent cornbread that you can mold to your desires you can add syrup to make sweeter or hot sauce for savoury Chili fries: 9.510 SO GOOD! This is the owners favorite thing on the menu and i can see why its seasoned so well with spices like cumin and the fries are so crispy and flavorful from the beef tallow. Bbq wings: 10/10 DELICIOUS! I have always been a big fan of bbq wings and these were no exception! These are extremely tender fall off the bone. I like that the bbq sauce is made with high quality maple syrup and its fried in tallow. I couldn't get enough! If you are eating halal and looking to avoid seed oils and get some delicious food you need to check out Hal & Al's BBQ!

The Wagyu Brisket and Dino Rib are the best bbq in the greater DC, Baltimore, and Northern Virginia area. I have to drive hours south to get anything close. Not kidding. It's that terrific with an owner and crew who care deeply about their craft. We also love the Old Bay mac&cheese. This is a hardcore bbq joint that despises veggies (but the salad next door is very good).

Hal & Al's is located in the food court of Ballston mall in Arlington, VA. I think this is the first halal spot I went to where I was welcomed with a salaam, simple yet meaningful. The prices are insanely reasonable! For example, tallow fries are only $6 and $12 for a brisket sandwich that came with jalapeno corn bread. The corn bread was well done. It's sweet and then there are slivers of jalapeno and it takes you on a whirl. The brisket sandwich was a 1/3 LB waygu brisket in a potato roll. The sauce used is tangy with a touch of spice. The wings had such great breading and the sauce was very good. The complimentary pickles were tart and not butter pickles which I preferred because bbq can be heavy. We went back for another order, we got the brisket and the sausage. The sausage is profound, packed with flavor! I went with some individuals who do not eat zabiha and they all loved it. I woke up craving it this morning and might go back!

Enjoyable Halal BBQ in the Ballston food hall. They don't do pork of course but i enjoyed their brisket sandwich. The large serving of brisket was lean, smoky and tender with the right amount of bark/char without being too dry. I added the pickles and a just a little of their BBQ sauce for an enjoyable and filling sandwich. The accompanying cornbread was solid. The dirty rice was pretty good and it was a large portion for $7 so I got my money's worth but it's not a must have. The teas are bottled here not fresh made, so keep that in mind. That being said, I did like the peach tea. I'll come back here if I'm at the Ballston food hall and want some BBQ.

Overall, solid halal bbq place. The brisket was smoky, tender, and flavorful. The cornbread was a winner: light, buttery, and delicious. The mac and cheese was creamy, cheesy, and tasty. It is definitely on the heavier side though! The tallow fries were solid, not the best I've had, but still quite good. The prices are reasonable for a bbq place and there is plenty of seating as it's situated in a food court. Quick service too! Only complaint was the signature brisket sandwich is served with little to no effort. It's just brisket on a bun, even presentation can be improved. A flavored coleslaw on top, maybe some cheese, or even sauce would elevate the sandwich. They should offer customers a brisket sandwich with the works or a plain slice of brisket for the meat purists. The current sandwich leaves a lot to be desired. Overall though, I would definitely come back.

I have to start with the exceptional service, the owner is genuinely hospitable and also knowledgeable in the art of bbq. There's a nice vibe to the whole place as the decorated wall of wood and the train add a little something g special to the allure of this spot. The food is only getting better as the menu has been upgraded to include wagyu beef! The Dino ribs are a must, and the brisket chili is really on fire. I mean its spice will give heat, and smoke all in one go! The specials he has are amazing, and the rare cuts you don't find around town, like the tritip from a weekend special. Definitely try the gobbler as the turkey sausage with chili on a hotdog bun is my go to every time. The cornbread here is so good, I ask for extras every time. The beef tallow fries are so good, you forget to stop eating them to try the rest of your food . The dirty rice is getting an upgrade soon, so stay tuned, but still an essential to try now!

We were excited for this one because the menu looked so delicious. However, we were rather disappointed. The wagyu burger was dry and not very flavorful, and the Mac n cheese was also very bland. The restaurant is located in a food hall that is ADORABLE with lovely vibes and lots of good seating with open air, but there are so many other restaurants to go to instead. It's fine if you're especially craving BBQ, but usually I would skip this one.

Really good brisket and beef "Dino" ribs. Smoked slow and low, these guys know what they are doing and don't take shortcuts. Pleasant surprise to find this quality of bbq hidden in the back of a Nova food court.

There is a new BBQ spot in Arlington Virginia!! Of course I saw it on my timeline, & what got my attention is that this BBQ is all Halal (prayed over, acceptable food in the Islamic culture)!! Nuff said...LET'S GO!! . Where I am: Hal & Al's BBQ . Location Reviewed: 4238 Wilson Blvd., Space Level C, Arlington V.A. inside of @ballstonquarter . Menu Includes: *See Website* http://www.halandalsbbq.com/ . Items Reviewed: Their Brisket Chili (smoked brisket with beans, peppers, & jalapeno cornbread $12). DECENT. It was a tad bit salty, I probably got a bad batch. Their Fatwahffle (a Belgian waffle topped with brisket, & organic Runamok Maple syrup $12). The waffle itself...DECENT. It was a tad bit hard to cut & chew. The Brisket...DELICIOUS. Spicy hot, ok, just had that sitting for a while taste. Their Mosquite (a 1/4 pound smoked chicken sandwich with onions, jalapeños, jalapeno cornbread, & garlic sauce $12). DECENT. Plentiful, a tad dry,& I just needed more flavor. Their Brisket Sandwich (their signature brisket, in between a potato bun, & jalapeno cornbread $15). LIKE THAT!! After I doused the sandwich in their sweet, & spicy bbq sauce it was tasty. Their Smoked Sausage ($4). DECENT. More of a hot dog flavored sausage, & rather small. Their Old Bay Mac n Cheese ($6). A tad bit runny, I didn't taste the Ol Bay. Their Smoked Apple Pie (with caramel drizzle, & vanilla ice cream $6). STAMP!! Apple crumbles, cinnamon sweet crust, & vanilla ice cream!! . Online Navigation: Easy . Parking: ROUGH . Customer Service: On Point. . Recommendations: That pie was everything!! . Music:YouTube-Backyard Band Socket . Accessibility: This spot is wheelchair friendly, & differently abled persons friendly. 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews

I didn't have a chance to speak with the staff but my partner had a conversation with them, they said that they traveled a lot and learned where to cook from different places which is pretty cool. It is in the food court in ballston quarter, near the restrooms, food smells amazing and is very flavorful, kinds on the spicy side.

Stopped by this spot located in Ballston Quarter and got to talk to the owner Mohsin! He poured his heart and soul into opening this halal bbq spot, and the dino rib is UNREAL. The most tender fall-off-the-bone piece of meat & I've ever had. Mac n cheese is made with aged white cheddar and sooo good - and they serve Gifford's ice cream I wanted to give a shout out to them because a few things really impressed me about their story! * The flavors are a combination of the owner's road trips around the world, including the Silk Road! *NO seed oils (just beef tallow!) * NUT free restaurant (there's sesame seeds in the lamb) * 5% off ALL sales go to an orphanage in Africa that the owner personally visits every Thanksgiving A must-visit in Arlington!

Very nice employees. Ketchup is Heinz but they make their own bbq sauce and it is quite sweet. Hot sauce and maple syrup is also available. The dino bone (boneless) weighs .762 lbs. (~ 345 G ~12.2 Oz) For $38 this was not worth it. However it was pull apart tender and perfectly cooked. The tallow fries are just refried and prepackaged but I appreciate them avoiding seed oils. The beef brisket sandwich is greasy. Corn bread is mid.

REAL food with great ingredients. Felt very nice after eating (no inflammation) and the flavors were great! Meat quality tastes very good and the fries were also delicious!

Hal al's is in ballston quarter, in a new location. I love their sauce dispensers, easy to squirt on my food without having to pick up a bottle or any of that. Really mess free! Their portions are always large and fall off the bone. There are many parking options around but all are paid. Limited drink options but definitely recommend the fat waffle and apple pie

Do your spin around the quarter then end up right here, with my boys Hal & Al. Step up to the counter, order the wagyu trimmed burger with cheddar, get a drink and a side, wait for the text, get your food, find a table. Say a prayer in gratitude for the banger of a burger you're about to eat. SLAM that thing fr. I ate it so fast i forgot to take a picture, so here's the leftovers. It came with a side of cornbread too. I got the burger, a side of fries, and a water. Paired it with their barbecue sauce from the udder, you're golden.

I respect that their meat is halal. This opens a whole new style of cuisine to specific individuals who would have never tried American style BBQ. For that, I applaud them... now for my personal taste - I did not really enjoy what I ordered. I got the brisket and it was very bland. The BBQ sauces did not really help. The sides I got were very mushy; almost like slop. This was not the quality I was expecting seeing so many bloggers post this place. This place is just aight. So much potential to be better!

Another barbecue spot in Virginia, along with some existing, decent options. You also got to be pretty bold to paint an Anthony Bourdain quote on the side of your stall. I ordered the brisket sandwich that comes with a side of jalapeño cornbread. While the meat was tasty, the sandwich overall was quite greasy. The cornbread was a good balance of spice and sweetness, though! I also ordered the smoked chai drink and it was so good! The flavor oddly reminded me of Hong Kong-style milk tea. I wished the menu had an opportunity to try the brisket, turkey, and chicken as platters on their own with sides. My sandwich had chopped brisket inside, but I would really like to try it sliced to give my fair assessment of the meat. Very quick to order, but slower for the food to come out. They claimed to have texted me when it was ready, but I never got anything.

Service was friendly and quick. But the food- please just stay away. My bbq loving brisket in their veins kids that will eat every morsel of meat if we allowed ---- they wouldn't eat the food ! The texture was off . It looked off. And my husband and I tried to not waste the food but we couldnt. Just flavor , texture color all off. We walked next door ordered two personal pizzas and devoured them. We ordered a Dino rib, the old bay mac and cheese , beef brisket moist and lean, cornbread and fries. Lemonade and peach tea. Don't bother. Check out my other reviews and find the place two fifty I believe it's called. You won't regret it.

Great brisket sandwich. Their unique spice blend works really well. It's got enough familiarity to it to still have it feel like BBQ, but uniqueness and a spice kick that works great.

This place is located in the food court in Ballston mall. I bought the dino rib as well as some chili. I felt the Dino rib was kind of on the expensive side, but that's just me. For the most part the food wasn't bad,, I actually liked the corn bread. That being said I was very disappointed in the chili. The chili was very salty, so salty it burns your mouth. I couldn't even eat it with plain crackers. I ended up throwing it away, and I'm the kind of person that never throws away food if I can find a way to stomach it. I really wanted to like this place because even though the chili was bad the service was still good and it seemed like a chill spot.

When we arrived to try the dino ribs, they told us the next batch wouldn't be ready until 2 hours later, and to not be late because they go fast. So we waited 2 hours for the dino ribs and arrived exactly at the time they told us the beef ribs would be ready. To our disappointment, they said it would take at least another hour until the beef ribs would be ready. The ambiance is a straightforward food stand within a food hall. I ended up getting the mac bowl with brisket. The cheese was a tad gritty but still good. The brisket was super tender and the extra fatty pieces were delicious. It costed $18, which I thought was a little steep.

Just tried this new spot at Ballston Quarter. I only tried the brisket chili and cornbread, but they were both great, and I'll likely get it many times in the future! The chili, in particular, had a rich flavor, was well-seasoned and a bit spicy, I'm excited to go back and try more things.

I tried out Hal & Al's on a whim. I wasn't too hungry, so I ordered something small. Small but mighty! The Tallow fries were amazing! They are a must try item on the menu. And the customer service is excellent to boot. I will be back!

Only tried the brisket so far. It was good, as was the bbq sauce. I'd like to go back and try more items. It's in a good hall as well so great for groups who can't decide!

Awesome place!! Must order a smoked fluffy chai with your bbq. The best! Thank you Wilbert for being so welcoming & friendly!

Tried Talkow Luya, Brisket sandwich and mac & cheese. Everything was delicious. Service was great and reasonable price for the quality of food. Will definitely try other things on the menu next time

This place is amazing!! It's so hard to find halal BBQ! The brisket was so good and it's not that pricey. Absolutely love it!

A week later, I'm still thinking about how decadent and cheesy the mac & cheese is here. Imagine a mac & cheese but double the cheese! Definitely come starving because this side alone is quite bountiful and really filling. I also tried the fatwahffles, which is a belgian waffle topped with brisket. The brisket had a great smoky flavor and quite flavorful! I wished that the waffle was slightly crispier so that it could offer a textural contrast, but nonetheless it was yummy with maple syrup.

Incredible food, great people, really phenomenal experience. I had a Mac Bowl with brisket. I added BBQ sauce on top of the generous portion size and enjoyed a remarkable meal. Their chai, with added marshmallow to give it "fluff" was stellar. It tasted just like the chai from street vendors in South Asia. I'll absolutely be returning.

If you love a good brisket...this is the place to go. I have had their brisket before when they catered from their home and to see them have a store presence now...they deserve it! Their brisket is juicy and deliciously seasoned. We tried the sandwich, chili, and mac n cheese with the brisket. The chili had too many tomatoes, but the other 2 were fantastic! We also tried their Dino Rib, this was a bit tough to chew. Cornbread was served with each dish, which was delicious and well made. Definitely go check them out, it's worth it! And they serve all halal.

I wanted to try this place because the Ballston food court really lacks a good BBQ place. Unfortunately this restaurant was a miss for me. There were only two guys working on the Tuesday afternoon that I went but with just three people in line the wait was a bit longer than a food court wait should be. It took about two minutes to even greet me after the person in front of me finished ordering. Both guys were preparing the two orders ahead of mine and it seemed like both did not understand the process very well. This is also the first bbq place that I've been to that has their brisket in a warming drawer. Usually meat is chopped right in front of you or there's a cutting board that's already primed and ready to go for lunch rush. The meat was then scooped and drained on the side for several seconds which was appreciated but again, why was it just sitting in a ton of grease? And how long had it been sitting there? The jalapeño cornbread was ok, but nothing I'd go out of my way to get again. Overall for a $15 sandwich and a piece of cornbread this spot was a flop for me. I hope they're able to rebound and improve their bbq because this food court definitely needs it!

Excellent customer service! Food was delicious. Everything was delicious and finger licking good. Especially the wagyu beef burger. Definitely coming back again.

The Mac and cheese with chili and brisket hit THE SPOT. The brisket sandwich was also good. The guys were really nice and overall was great food. Would come again

Tasty, well prepare, quality beef ribs. Very pricey for the amount of ribs one receives in an order. Self-Service take out or carry out food to tables in the courtyard at Arlington's Ballston Quarter Mall Food Court. This halal BBQ restaurant is the only halal option available for BBQ beef ribs in the DMV area that offers good quality beef ribs.

Wow! Hidden away in the Balston Quarter Mall food court, this isn't your average barbecue joint. It's a halal establishment so no pork, but the rib (advertised as a "dino" rib) is fantastic, as is the brisket chili. Both the chili and the jalapeño cornbread impressed this southern raised guy, with just the right amount of heat but not overpowering for you plain eaters. I can't wait to ho back and try the Cajun turkey sausage chili dog!

My wife and I really enjoyed the food. We had the Tallow Fries, Brisket sandwich, mac bowl, and brisket chili. Smoked apple pie for dessert. the people were friendly, food was pretty quick, and tasted great. I had no complaints, i dont think I've had better BBQ in the area. It's located in a food court so its not exactly a sit down place but still worth the trip

Was excited to go for my birthday. Everything smelled amazing. The rib was overcooked and hard. Why does cornbread comes with sandwich and not this. $39 for a rib without sides?

Amazing food. Quick Service. Great sandwiches. The brisket sandwich is amazing. In Ballston Mall foodcourt so you have tonnes of other options.

Hal and Als is probably the first western style halal BBQ place in Virginia. The owner, of Pakistani descent, said he wanted to share his love for BBQ with the muslim community, though all are welcome. The restaurants options are brisket, a dino rib, chili or a turkey sausage sandwich. My wife and I ordered the brisket sandwich which was tender and had a nice smoky flavor came with pickles on a bun. The sauce served on the side was also tasty. We also ordered a side of Mac and Cheese. The owner has a love of old bay seasoning so he seems to use it in a bit in all his dishes. I think it missed the mark on the mac. We will be back when we get a craving for proper smoked BBQ.

Love love love this place! It is a must try for all BBQ lovers out there. Variety of delicious sauces and sides. Try the brisket or Ribs- chefs kiss! Service is always great, they put their customers at the top of everything they do. Restaurant always clean and sits in a cute space, nicely decorated and IG worthy for pics.

Great food even better service a great spot for any halal eaters you won't regret I promise

The prices are through the roof and nearly all the entries I ordered were cold. Just because you serve your slop in styrofoam, DON'T make it BBQ!! Hope you clowns go out of business. And am not going to mention the explosive diarrhea I experienced about 35 mins after I finished my meal.

Brisket Sandwich: 7/10, nothing special. Chicken: 3/10 kinda subpar, didn't even finish. Mac and Cheese: 6/10, good pasta type but very liquidy and not very flavorful. Brisket Chilli: 8/10 it's good nothing crazy. Cornbread 8/10 it's good. A lot of people who only eat Halal food haven't had a lot of good American BBQ, and hence give disillusioned perspectives of what the local quality is. Their are some really good BBQ spots in this area, and I probably won't return here. Service: 15m wait and text to grab your order Ambiance: it's a mall food court type vibe

This says BBQ and logo is a long horn with a star but THIS IS NOT BBQ!!!!! It's like a cross between Indian and American bbq, it's horrible!!!! Like they took meats from American BBQ and made it without the stuff that gives it BBQ name. It's like weird spices and it's cook awful not like traditional BBQ. The menu is deceiving AF. The Mac and cheese is weird cream pudding like with a dash of old bay. Stay away from this spot!!!!

Really excellent brisket chili, meaty, smoky, with a rich spice mix. One of the managers told me they are a three-time winner at the DC Chili Cook-Off and I can see why. Very friendly service. A great addition to the Ballston Quarter food hall. I'll be back to try the brisket, chicken, and ribs. They use some impressive-looking indoor pellet smokers (they use maple pellets), which can produce some quite decent barbecue. The only slight quibble I have is that the cornbread is Yankee sweet, but that pretty much inevitable this far north.

Went here for lunch and got the brisket sandwich which was delicious. The employees were nice and quick. Definitely going back.

I ordered from here on Memorial Day to try something new on the BBQ front. I ended up getting the Dino Bone, Brisket Chili w/cornbread, a side of sausage, and the smoked apple pie. I really liked the portion size and taste of the Dino Bone meat, and it was a cool experience to just get a big piece of meat. No diddy. The rest of my food items were good as well. There was a good amount of seasoning and spices, with the right amount of kick. I really appreciated how they waited until I arrived to package my ice cream. Great service! The restaurant is located in the Ballston Market and has a communal food court vibe. I enjoyed the area, and I recommend this place to anyone looking for a twist with their BBQ!

A few months ago, we first heard about Hal & Al's BBQ and decided to give it a try. We were instantly impressed with the food! As we were planning our wedding, we thought it would be the perfect choice to cater our rehearsal dinner for 50 guests, especially since most of our guests preferred halal options. The portions were so generous that we had enough to feed almost 100 people! Our guests are still raving about the meal and have been asking where it came from. Thank you to Mohsin for providing exceptional service and making our rehearsal dinner even more memorable!

Chicken was very tasty with a delicious mesquite flavor. They were very friendly with the portion as well. Old Bay Mac and Cheese was creamy and full of a nice cheese flavor. Jalepeno cornbread was moist and paired well with the smoked chai (which was actual masala chai and not like those overtly sweet chai concentrates. Super great customer service as well! Omar was a pleasure to chat with while I waited for my food (which wasn't long as my food was ready pretty quickly after ordering). 10/10, would definitely recommend to my friends in the area and would definitely come back!