Where to get barbecue in Alexandria: Duke Street, Del Ray and Carlyle

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Refreshed every three months.

Alexandria’s barbecue is spread across the city: two places on and near Duke Street west of Old Town, one in Del Ray, one in Carlyle near the King Street Metro and a catering kitchen on Eisenhower Avenue. Most are counter-service and takeout spots that also cater.

How we made this list. The places come from OpenStreetMap records inside Alexandria’s city limits, the same data behind our local directory, checked against each place’s own website on Oct. 19, 2026. Rocklands, Smoking Kow BBQ, Pork Barrel BBQ and Old Blue BBQ were added from the Virginia Department of Health’s food inspection records, each inspected in 2026. A barbecue grill on North Lee Street is on state records too, but its last inspection was in October 2025 and its website did not load, so it is not listed. The list is alphabetical. It is not a ranking or a recommendation, and nobody paid to be on it. Run one of these places? Write to us to correct your entry.

The list

The places

Old Blue BBQ describes itself as a craft barbecue kitchen with regional barbecue and Southern dishes. Its site lists catering for weddings and office lunches, takeout and farmers markets; the state health department lists its kitchen at 4580 Eisenhower Ave. and inspected it on June 26, 2026. Its site does not post hours, so check before you go.

Pork Barrel BBQ on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray was founded in 2009, its site says. The site now sells the company’s barbecue rubs and sauces and does not post restaurant hours. The state health department inspected the Del Ray restaurant on May 18, 2026.

Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company on South Quaker Lane, near Duke Street, is part of a Washington-area barbecue company with stores in Alexandria, Arlington and Washington. Its Alexandria page lists hours, holiday closings, pickup and delivery, and the company caters. It closes early on the day before Thanksgiving and is closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Smoking Kow BBQ on Duke Street is a restaurant and food truck. Its site lists store hours, online ordering, party platters for 10 or 20 people and catering with local delivery.

Sweet Fire Donna’s on John Carlyle Street calls itself a Carlyle neighborhood bar and Carolina-style barbecue quick-service restaurant. It is walk-in only, with no reservations. Its menu lists pulled pork, brisket, burnt ends, sausage and smoked wings, and it takes Thanksgiving orders for smoked turkey and ham.

Related

• Where to get wings in Alexandria
• Where to get burgers in Alexandria
• Thanksgiving in Alexandria
• Where to eat in Alexandria: every list
• Restaurant inspections in Alexandria
• Local business directory

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get barbecue in Alexandria?

This list has five barbecue places inside the city: Rocklands on South Quaker Lane, Smoking Kow BBQ on Duke Street, Sweet Fire Donna’s on John Carlyle Street, Pork Barrel BBQ on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray and Old Blue BBQ on Eisenhower Avenue.

What time do Alexandria barbecue restaurants close?

Rocklands lists hours to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Smoking Kow BBQ lists hours to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Can I order barbecue for Thanksgiving in Alexandria?

Sweet Fire Donna’s takes Thanksgiving orders for smoked turkey, smoked ham and sides for pickup, and Rocklands lists a 2026 holiday menu, according to their own sites.

Which Alexandria barbecue places cater?

Rocklands, Smoking Kow BBQ, Sweet Fire Donna’s and Old Blue BBQ all offer catering on their own sites, and Smoking Kow sells party platters for 10 or 20 people.