The clock is ticking for Alexandria’s barbecue enthusiasts. Tonight at 11:59 p.m., voting closes for ALXnow’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best Barbecue Restaurant, and the competition has been sizzling hot.
With just hours left to cast ballots, Smoking Kow BBQ has maintained a commanding lead throughout the two-week voting period, capturing nearly 32% of the vote with 617 supporters rallying behind their smoky specialties. The popular spot has clearly struck a chord with local diners craving authentic pulled pork and tender brisket.
But the race for second place tells a different story. Mystic Bar & Grill has carved out a solid 22.69% of votes with 438 supporters, while Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company—a longtime Alexandria fixture—holds third with 16.06% and 310 votes.
The remaining field illustrates the diversity of Alexandria’s barbecue scene. Sweet Fire Donna’s and Pork Barrel BBQ are locked in a tight battle for fourth place, separated by less than one percentage point. Meanwhile, newer entries like Chalkboard Wings & BBQ and Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ have built dedicated followings despite being relative newcomers to the local scene.
Perhaps most telling is that 35 voters chose to write in their own favorites, suggesting Alexandria’s barbecue landscape extends well beyond the nine nominees. These passionate write-in votes represent nearly 2% of all ballots cast—a reminder that great barbecue can be found in unexpected places throughout the city.
For procrastinating voters, this is your final call. The polls close at midnight sharp, and with over 1,900 votes already cast, every ballot counts in determining which Alexandria restaurant will claim bragging rights as the community’s favorite barbecue destination.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday, crowning one lucky establishment as Alexandria’s top pit stop for smoky, savory satisfaction.
