Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ

Is this the best BBQ or will it stack up to high quality BBQ from places like make their identity their BBQ? No, but it is still tasty and a great option for the Alexandria/DelRay region. However, I think the star of their menu is their crazy taco offerings, some very unique flavors that keep us coming back. Service can be inconsistent at times but overall it is a worthwhile dining experience that is best in the warmer months with outside seating.

Would not recommend for real foodies that know texas bbq. Food came out to us lukewarm, I asked for the chips (a bit stale) and salsa as an appetizer, and they just gave me chips with no salsa and it came out with one of our entrees, while the salsa came out with the other entree 10 minutes later. The staff is friendly, but the kitchen is lacking. I ordered collard greens as a side and they tasted like they'd been reheated from a couple of days ago, as they had a sour taste to them. Brisket was good, the ribs were ok (a little too peppery) and the sausage was meh.

We allegedly had a server, but she never materialized. Twice the table next to us had a couple who was seated and then left because no one showed up to serve them. And then the hostess sat a third couple there! If you’re short-staffed, then don’t fill all the tables! We managed to get food somehow, but I never got my drink. Our meal was ultimately comped, but I would have much preferred to pay and have a good experience.

Edited 10/24 to note that it looks like they brought some old menu items back so we will give them another chance. Original review: We loved this place when it opened and we went weekly all last year. But they completely changed the menu for the Del Ray location when they opened their Mosaic location and it’s not the same. What really irks me is that they still use photos from their old menu in all of their marketing when it doesn’t match what they’re serving. The menu changes really don’t mesh with the outdoor vibe of the Del Ray location and it really takes away from the experience. The combo plates and smaller tacos on the old menu were the perfect for sharing and trying a bunch of everything. They also had some great menu items they removed, including the mac and cheese that was mentioned by WaPo as one of the best in the city. Now, instead of getting a combo platter and selecting sides that come on a platter you have to choose one meat and it comes on a personal plate with rice and beans, as if it’s a sit down Tex Mex restaurant instead of something unique. We already have four of those within walking distance of the Del Ray spot. Another change they made is that when you order a taco, you get one larger taco instead of two smaller tacos that can be shared. The menu doesn’t specify that, and we were expecting something different because we were used to the old menu. I ordered the fish taco, which sounded great, but was really bland. The changes are a real disappointment. I used to love recommending this place to friends, and the meat is still great, but I feel like this place has lost what made it special wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to eat here. Editing to adjust this downward. We tried to give this place a few more chances over the summer and after last night we are not coming back. Start to finish, it was a really awful experience. We waited at an empty hostess stand for several minutes before we saw anyone and then sat at our table for fifteen minutes before anyone showed up. We never got water. Only two of the five items we ordered came out correctly. The food was cold and honestly just kind of gross. We saw our server twice the entire time we were there and watched someone who ordered takeout return their order because half of it was missing. Whoever is running this place just doesn’t care about it anymore. It’s really sad. We used to love it here but it’s just awful.

Food is really good! Service is still working out some kinks. Great meats and BBQ, and the pork ribs are some of the best I’ve ever had. The vibe is fun and is a perfect outdoor dining experience. Their service needs some work — it took almost 20 minutes for us to be acknowledged and it was only because I walked to the bar to let them know we were waiting. Hostess was kind of oblivious and standing around not doing anything while we waited. Once we were seated it was generally fine but our server did take a while to get to us. Overall really liked the food and I think they will work out the service issue as any new business does. I am excited to see them do well!

Have been to The Front Porch, but only recently made it to Hi/Fi. I had a Ranch Water and my partner had a beer: great selection. We ordered a Yard Bird Taco (the pulled turkey was excellent) and a BYOT Burrito with Orange Soda Carnitas. The Taco hit the spot! The burrito was very packed with the carnitas - brought home the other half and gobbled up as leftovers. Our server was prompt and friendly and really liked the vibe/atmosphere.

have tried the top 10 BBQ places in the DMV and hands down the best smoked Brisket, Pulled Pork and Carnitas has the best flavors and is not dry. We buy by the pound and make Nachos, tacos, and Sandwiches. The Cilantro Rice and the Beans ( I don’t even like beans) have such amazing flavor. The staff is so friendly and accommodating they will let you try a sample of anything to before you order. I recommend anyone give it a try. Aside: excellent choice for the Gluten Free population. Most BBq places do not have GF sides but they do.

Great new-ish spot in Del Ray! The food and drinks are good but the vibe is even better. Our favorites were the brisket tacos and hifi margarita. Guacamole was also good but a small portion for the price. There is also a great beer selection.

Super cute outdoor space, great cocktails. I had a great lunch here with super friendly service that let us move tables when the sun became too much. I recommend the frozen cocktail and a few tacos while sitting in the shade.

Really solid neighborhood taco and bbq place! We came on a very cold and rainy night and they sat us inside at evening star and still served the hi fi menu. Really enjoyed the brisket platter and a sampling of their different tacos. Will be back to try them again when we it is warm enough to sit outside!

Unless you know you are looking for this place it's kind of hard to find. We were craving grilled meats close to home, Yelped options and this place came out so we decided to give it a try. The entrance is not the most popular so arrived at the address given but ended up entering through the dumpsters (back) not a great sight. Anyhow, I looked lost as there was no sign or direction and when I approached the servers they looked, yet did not welcome me to the place, I had to ask if I was in the right place. Fast forward, asked to be seated for dinner in that outside patio but was told a thunderstorm would come through and it was best I sit upstairs. Followed the attendant inside to go upstairs and I asked if the same bbq food would be served inside to which he stated it was a different restaurant. We requested to sit back outside as we wanted bbq/grilled meats. Sat and ordered beers outside. Once again we were told that soon a thunderstorm would be coming through and it was best to be inside. It seemed like the servers weren't looking for business and I told him exactly that, for which he replied that he would be able to take my order and bring it upstairs. We then went back inside/upstairs to what I will call from now on the "dark room". A few minutes later our food came through. Very delicious and moist meats. I ordered the 3 meats platter- brisket, pulled pork, ribs. The only down side, the brisket was extremely salty to the point that the only way to eat them was inside the tortilla with the white sauce provided. The rib meat fell off the bone and the pork was very tasty. The jalapeño Mac and cheese was dry and cold. Very disappointing. The portion was great though, lots of meat for the price. The environment in the dark room was not all that. Place gave me speakeasy vibes but the server there was too distracted so we had to wave him down a few times to get his attention. All in all, seems like a nice place upstairs for drinks late at night on a date. Other than that, not sure that downstairs/outside area is the place to be (for me).

Came here for dinner with my boyfriend and dog last Saturday night. I've had the food from HiFi a few times at the Lounge space but was excited to sit outside! It's much larger than you realize with many seats and they also have a few bar seats as well. It was busy but they had a table or cabana option. We chose cabana but next time I would take a table. It was a little awkward to eat with the low table. I'd take a cabana in the future for drinks and some snacks, but not dinner. Our waitress came out quickly and we got some drinks and chose the quesadilla (had before and love it) and decided on the smoked turkey platter. It was good but I don't think I'd get the turkey again just because the other meats are so good. The side options are tasty. We also got the loaded tots - yum! However the rest of the time we were ignored by our server so I removed a star. We were going to get more drinks but our server had disappeared. I eventually had to go find her and ask for our check. Definitely check out this place!!

My friend loves this place so decided to go give it a try. It is tucked away kind of a open backyard area, so not the biggest. Since it is outside that does leave you open to the bugs flying around which was not the best. I decided to go with the two meat platter. The ribs were good and the brisket was amazing. The sides were nothing special. They had good drink options too; the bourbon slush was not bad. The queso was good but the chips that came along with them were not great. The service was also exceptional. Highlight of this place is the brisket so I would love to get more.

This place was a little confusing to find bc it's in the back of a diner that goes by a different name. We thought we were in the wrong place, so we walked in to ask where Hi/Fi was and the server let us know that it was operating in the back and upstairs that evening. We started with frozen rum cocktails that were on special for only $5- a steal. As for food, I ordered the "pig wings": smoked ribs finished in the fryer and glazed with gochujang. These were AMAZINGGGGGG. My husband ordered a brisket platter, and the brisket was delicious and moist. One of the sides offered is pozole which he got and it was very tasty. Will be back!

Really good food and drinks coupled with a great outdoor vibe. You can choose to sit at the outdoor bar, tables, or spacious cabanas! Since they changed over to a bbq restaurant, it has been significantly better. Tried a few of the tacos, chopped pork platter, and a few of the frozen cocktails and all were excellent. Highly recommend this place for good food and good outdoor vibes!

The BBQ brisket eaten with tortillas, the mix of pickled items, and the variety of bbq sauces and salsas wowed me today. I enjoyed it much more than Valentina's Tex-Mex BBQ in Austin - and I'm from Austin. I can't believe this gem is in my neighborhood. In frickin' Alexandria. The portions of meat on the platters is pretty substantial. I can eat a lot, but couldn't even eat half of a 3-meat platter. The sides of red pozole and chile verde (on the tart tomatillo side) were also filled with shredded beef/pork. Also really liked the smoked wings with pickled chiles and onions, and the queso with green chile was reminiscent of home. Everything was nicely seasoned and perfectly smoky, when a common pitfall these days at BBQ joints is overly smoking and/or overly salting the meats. Anyway, no longer need to make the drive to 2Fifty when I can just walk to Hi/Fi!

One of the best Hidey Holes in Alexandria. Saturday Brunch at 1200 is amazing. Good place to kill off a few hours if you are waiting on car service. :) Staff is fantastic too!

I never knew how good bbq tasted in tortillas. Great folks, fun casual outdoor lounging, and quality tortillas.

Ugh. Ordered a margarita. I think it came premixed. It was 30 minutes from closing at 8:30 and the bartender was totally not into serving anymore. The margarita was mostly water. I told her it was water and I'd prefer a wine (something she didn't have to mix). She had me wait while she made several more watered-down drinks. Setting is cool. I ONLY recommended if you are drinking something they can't water down.

Great restaurant. I loved it really. The outdoor portion is really great. The chef and owner greeted me at my table, great people! I think the owners name was Michael or something. He was so nice. I would go back anytime. Also their drinks are great, tons of tap beers, great cocktails too. Good for date night, brunch with the kids, casual lunch, literally any occasion. Their new hot dog is crazy, tons of stuff loaded on it, I ate the whole thing. Anyways, 5/5.

Food was delicious, drinks were refreshing, AND our server Parker was amazing! Definitely don't sleep on this experience! 10 out of 10, the best.

Ashley took excellent care of us...the food, as always, was delicious...brisket, mac & cheese and plantains...beer crisp and cold...and they are dog friendly!!

Great barbecue and brisket with a big selection of beers. After living in Texas this is the only place I've found around here that comes close.