The Best Barbecue in Washington

A counter-service BBQ spot in suburban Maryland where the American Wagyu brisket is buttery enough to stop conversation mid-sentence. The smoked turkey and peppery pork ribs fill out a tray you'll keep adding to despite your better judgment, and the sides, brisket-studded beans included, pull their weight. Lines form fast, so regulars often grab their bags and go. A James Beard semifinalist, and ranked tenth on Washingtonian's top 100.

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The American Wagyu brisket is the kind of thing that makes you briefly reconsider your whole life. This counter-service BBQ spot smokes everything over wood, and the lineup, brisket, pork ribs, and smoked turkey, has the room packed early and the bags out the door fast. The sides pull their weight too, particularly the brisket-studded beans. A James Beard semifinalist in 2026, it ranked tenth on Washingtonian's list that same year.

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1. AAA Approved

A dry-aged rib-eye on a tabletop grill is a good start, but Seoul Prime is doing considerably more than that. This Korean barbecue steakhouse in Falls Church layers fine-dining ambition onto the tableside format, with a kimchi vinaigrette on burrata and a croissant pressed in a waffle iron for dessert. The beef tours give the meal a shape; the à la carte menu lets you freelance. Dressy enough to feel like a night out, smoky enough to remind you it's still barbecue.

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