Fat Pete's BBQ

I Loved this place. The platters are a decent price, the draught beers and mixdd drinks are on point. The service was outstanding and friendly. The owner treated everybody as if they were family or good friends. If you live in DC, make this a regular spot. If you come to visit and you want some good Bbq, definitely stop by. I did twice during my 3 days in DC.

What a disappointment, because I used to love this place. My 75-year-old+ husband wanted a paper menu; no dice. Not a big thing, but it started a downhill experience. We ordered a platter for 2. Like other bbq places, they bring the food family style in paper bowls on a tray. We asked for plates to put our food on but were given paper bowls. (I used to always get the bbq chef salad and it was served on a plate; how can they have no plates now?) Had to get up myself to fetch salt and more napkins although there is no self-service station. (Fat Pete's has waiters.) The waiter did ask what kind of sauce we wanted and he brought us small plastic containers. In the past, they offered each table about 5 squirt bottles of the various sauces; guess they phased that out. The food is still good and I enjoyed it, but the experience was annoying.

Food was good but price on the menu (QR code at table was wrong). Original server that greeted us seemed like we ruined his whole not by deciding to dine there. Ordered food and it took a pretty long time guess the kid burger was giving them trouble. No drink menu no menu for sauces. When we asked what the sauces were the server gentleman sighed and read them off like we asked him to name 54 decimal points of pie. When we got out sauces one each had to ask for more numerous times. Food was good but the server/bar guy seemed like I ruined his night since he had to take an order besides joke and laugh with people at the bar.

For DC this is four star Texas style bbq. Anywhere else three stars. The meat has flavor which is good, the problem is the way it is cooked and what is served. The person who packed our order really messed things up too. The bbq sauce caps were not put on and it soaked the bag and made a mess. They also did not include the baked beans, but that’s ok sometimes you forget food. The real issue is the actual food. The pork belly bites were just fat, no actual meat or bacon. We threw them out after trying them because there was literally just fat. The burnt ends had flavor but were so burnt they could barely be cut with our steak knives. I chopped them with a butcher knife. I’m guessing they overbooked everything yesterday because the brisket was also over done and had zero smoke ring. It was moist but very over cooked. If it was done properly it would have been melt in your mouth delicious. It was likely a very off day. The corn bread was perfection and the pulled pork was as expected. DC does not have good bbq, so if you’re craving Texas style bbq, Fat Pete’s is your best bet and to be honest, you won’t be disappointed. Once they figure out temperatures and when meat is done, they’re going to be amazing. The seasoning and flavor are there, it’s not learning meats, what to serve vs discard and when to stop cooking it. Ohh the bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers were perfect. I loved them!!! Nicely done.

Got the $40 platter. The brisket and the turkey were beyond dry. I could tell they had just been sitting out. The crust/spices they used on the brisket were not any good. Cornbread was beyond cakey and far too sweet. Collard greens were very bland and far too soupy. No spice and again seemed as if they had just been sitting in a crockpot. Coleslaw was also far below par. Absolutely underwhelming - bland and dry. Hill country in chain town does a much better job on everything.

I Loved this place. The platters are a decent price, the draught beers and mixdd drinks are on point. The service was outstanding and friendly. The owner treated everybody as if they were family or good friends. If you live in DC, make this a regular spot. If you come to visit and you want some good Bbq, definitely stop by. I did twice during my 3 days in DC.