The hungriest workers in our nation’s capital have spoken! There’s no mistaking their message, either. Every winning caterer and restaurant in this year’s Best of Fooda Washington D.C. contest has a connection to the succulent delights of barbeque. While several eateries with less carnivore-focused menus made the nomination list, there was no mistaking the trend in this year’s voting. Who has the best BBQ-adjacent offerings in D.C.? Let’s take a look at this year’s winners.

Popup Awards

Best Entree – North Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich from JD’s Chicken & Ribs

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The pitmasters of North Carolina hold a special status in the culinary world, creating fall-off-the-bone barbeque delights marinated in centuries of pig pickin’ tradition. Operating from the Tastemakers “cloud kitchen” at K&A Catering, JD’s Chicken & Ribs serves a menu that borrows heavily from the Lexington BBQ tradition in Eastern N.C. Their signature sandwich delivers a mouth-watering serving of smoked pulled pork smothered in a secret recipe “dip” of cider vinegar and spices, topped with hot pepper coleslaw, and served on a warm brioche bun. Is it any wonder that Fooda’s D.C.’s voters gave this Tarheel State delicacy the top spot for Best Entree of 2023?

Runner Up: Blackened Salmon with Yellow Rice from Lynnette’s

Best Customer Service – JD’s Chicken & Ribs

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When a chef is passionate about their menu, you can taste it in every bite. It’s not just a matter of finding the best-quality ingredients or following a time-tested family recipe to the letter. Truly great traditional meals come from a personal connection, with a carefully curated collection of flavors passing from one generation to the next. These are dishes that tell a story. As Fooda’s DC’s can attest, this is exactly how the team at JD’s Chicken & Ribs approaches every event they cater.

Runner Up: Grub Rockstar Catering

Most Likely To Visit Outside Of Work – SmokeDatt BBQ

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It starts with the heavenly aroma of pit smoked meat, saturating the air with the promise of perfectly prepared ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. If you’re close enough, you might even hear the sizzle of the grill, and the steady chop of a fresh plate of juicy meat being prepared. How can a simple food truck or catering tent contain so many enticing scents and sounds? And then there’s the exquisite first bite, which is somehow more flavorful than you imagined. This is the captivating culinary experience made possible by the dedicated “barbecue enthusiasts” of SmokeDatt BBQ.

Runner Up: BIBIBOP Asian Grill

Best Overall Popup – Grub Rockstar Catering

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Grub Rockstar is a true D.C. Metro Area success story. Starting with the launch of their popular Rockstar Sauce in 2016, the company has since become one of the city’s most in-demand event caterers. Serving a menu of “enhanced classic American comfort dishes,” they offer an ever-evolving selection of entrees and appetizers for every appetite. Their pop-up experiences are a crowd-pleasing delight, with dishes inspired by regional cuisines from around the world. Why has Grub Rockstar been so successful? According to owners Chef Henry Tucker and Tony Lamar, “We believe the secret is in the sauce.”

Runner Up: JD’s Chicken & Ribs