The votes are in, and Alexandria has spoken: Smoking Kow BBQ is the city’s favorite barbecue destination, according to the ALXnow Readers’ Choice Awards.
After two weeks of voting that concluded Tuesday night, Smoking Kow BBQ at 3250 Duke Street secured victory with 31.67% of the vote, earning 711 votes from barbecue lovers across Alexandria. The restaurant maintained its frontrunner status throughout the entire voting period.
Mystic Bar & Grill claimed second place with 22.36% of votes (502 total), while Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company rounded out the top three with 16.53% and 371 votes.
The contest drew remarkable participation from Alexandria’s dining community, with 2,245 total votes cast. Sweet Fire Donna’s secured fourth place with 9.27% (208 votes), followed closely by Pork Barrel BBQ at 8.51% (191 votes).
The remaining nominees also showed strong community support: Chalkboard Wings & BBQ captured 4.81% (108 votes), Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ earned 4.10% (92 votes), and Old Blue BBQ received 1.16% (26 votes).
Even with nine strong nominees, 36 voters chose to write in their favorites, representing 1.60% of all ballots and highlighting the depth of Alexandria’s barbecue scene beyond the official nominees.
The victory establishes Smoking Kow BBQ as Alexandria’s reader-chosen champion for smoky specialties like pulled pork and brisket, earning the coveted title through the voices of the community that knows the local barbecue landscape best.
