Are You in Search of the Best BBQ in Virginia? Try Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque!

I grew up having BBQ year-round, and I loved it! My mother often fired up the grill just to cook dinner, no special occasion needed. Now BBQ, along with many others, is one of my favorite styles of cooking.

Visiting Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque set me up to start my summer off right. If you don’t know who Myron is (I call him Myron since we’re now friends in my head), he is a native of Georgia, and has been crowned the World BBQ Champion multiple times. Myron is such a master at his craft, he is known as “the winningest man in barbecue.”

After watching Myron on my TV screen in shows such as BBQ Pitmasters, and drooling over his BBQ watching his on air competitions, I had the opportunity to meet the man himself. Not to mention meeting his partner Joe Corey who is a certified BBQ judge.  

The Snacks

As I got acquainted with the restaurant I could smell every bit of the 200 POUND HOG that was cooking up in the back. Now you do not have to eat the WHOLE hog, but if you decide to, please call me, I will help you. Myron’s offers a wide range of appetizers to keep you company if you’re in Alexandria, Virginia and would like to stop in for a drink, or to catch a game on one of their many TVs.

For me, I surprisingly enjoyed the Buffalo Pork Rinds. Now these are not your grandma’s pork rinds. They are covered with Tabasco, honey, and blue cheese. Trust me it works. I am not a fan of blue cheese but you cannot help but become entranced by the smell of those pork rinds! The dry rubbed wings are also a must eat. But let’s get into the deviled eggs. The deviled eggs have a meaty surprise at the bottom, RIBS! That pulled baby back rib at the bottom of the egg sets it off.

Restaurants love to get creative with mac and cheese these days and Myron’s is no exception. The Baby Back Mac and Cheese blends cheddar, real cream, and the oh so tender pulled baby back rib meat for a rich and delightful dish. If for nothing else, I will be back for the Baby Back Mac.

The Meat

On to the main attraction, the meat. I was so fortunate that I was able to try the BBQ plates, a party in my mouth. Myron’s BBQ plates are served with your meat of choice (1, 2, or 3 meats), two fixin’s and house pickles.

Unlike some BBQ establishments, each meat at Myron’s seem to have their own flavor. The ribs are savory but with a touch of sweetness. I don’t know who else loves sweet meat, but for some reason I need a touch of brown sugar, honey, molasses, something on my meat. According to co-owner Joe, ribs should be “tender with some pull,” and not overcooked. The ribs at Myron’s fit that definition to a tee. I was so mad at myself for only having one bone, but hey you win some and you lose some eating family style.

If you know like I know, then you know brisket can get dried out over time and become less appetizing. This was not the case for the brisket at Myron’s. The meat was tender, with a slightly smoky flavor. Oh and that smoke ring, pink perfection. I even took some home and it was just as juicy reheated. I took a glimpse at the Sunday brunch menu, and the Double Smoked Burnt Ends served over Pimento Cheese Grits sounds like a necessity. I may have to pop up on a Sunday for those. I love the crisp, over flavoredness (yes I said it) of burnt ends.

The pulled pork was cooked to the perfect temperature, maintaining its texture and definition. Sometimes I run across a plate of pulled pork, or BBQ in general, and there is just too much vinegar for my taste. At times establishments over handle the meat, so to have nice moist pieces of pulled pork was refreshing.

I don’t know why but I love sausages. The smoked sausage links encompass a balanced blend of seasoning. The seasoned meat in the plump casing bursts in your mouth with flavor.

The Fixin’s

Fixin’s are offered in a single serving or pint size. Classic BBQ accompaniments include cole slaw, mac and cheese, loaded baked potato salad, collard greens, seasoned fries, Brunswick stew, and Jack’s Peach BBQ Baked Beans. The coleslaw and potato salad were not overly dressed. A key ingredient that caught my eye, Duke’s mayo. If you’re from the South, if your family is from the South, you know about Duke’s.

The mac and cheese on the Fixin’s menu should not be confused with the Baby Back Mac and Cheese on the Snacks menu. It is just as cheesy, minus the meat. The collard greens where a little too vinegary for my taste, but a classic green none the less. So these peachy baked beans. The beans were beans. The sweetness from the peaches did not quite come through, but I also only had a small taste. I did not get to try the fries.

Now Brunswick stew. If you are not familiar with Brunswick stew, it is a southern stew, a tomato base with a variety of vegetables and meat. I was aware of Brunswick stew but hadn’t tried it. I have no idea how many times I asked, “What is that again?” Once in my mouth, I knew what it was. This stew is hearty and meaty, with a slight sweetness. I would totally order it again.

To accompany all of these delicious meats and fixin’s check out the drink offerings. Myron’s has a full bar with beer (bottled and draft), wine, and cocktails. My drink of choice for the evening, the Cedar Smoked Old Fashioned. The Smokey Old Fashioned has Bulleit Bourbon, Orange Bitters, and Smoke. The drink was prepared just right for my taste.

The Sweets

For your sweet tooth get into one of the desserts that are as decadent as the meat is tender. The desserts are the perfect follow-up to the perfect meal. Choose from the pie of the day, banana pudding, bourbon chocolate pecan pie à la mode, and vanilla ice cream.

The Brand

Mr. Myron Mixon, “the winningest man in barbeque,” is a brand all his own. Do you want to cook up BBQ as delicious as Myron’s (well close)? Take home Myron’s book BBQ&A with Myron Mixon: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Barbecue. In BBQ&A Myron answers all of your burning BBQ questions and provides you with recipes to guide you through your next BBQ adventure. Myron also has a line of BBQ sauce, rubs, and smokers.

Overall my experience at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque was really fantastic. I am sure my experience was made all the better from having the opportunity to meet the owners, but even beyond the great hospitality, the food was good. I am a true foodie and I will be honest about my food experiences. I am apprehensive going into many BBQ establishments because some just don’t deliver. I am glad that Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque came through for me. I will be back for more ribs, more Baby Back Mac and Cheese, more everything!

My Picks:

Buffalo Pork Rinds

Baby Back Mac and Cheese

Baby Back Ribs

Beef Brisket

Smoked Sausage Links

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

Nice For:

Dinner

Brunch

Catering