Image: The Trinity with stuffed sides.
September 2021
Current Status: The Union Market stall is open for take-out. The original Riverdale location is open for counter service for sit-down and take-out. Carman recommends ordering ahead if going to Maryland location. D.C. is walk-up only. Closed Monday, Tuesday.
Overview: Lauded by many as one of the best BBQ spots in the area, 2fifty grew from a farmers market stand to a brick & mortar spot in Riverdale, MD. For us in D.C. there was great joy when they opened a stall in Union Market. The D.C. location has a smaller menu than the mothership, with trays of the Texas Trinity as the focus: Brisket, pork ribs, sausage plus sides. The meat is cooked, wrapped and brought in, then the packages are removed from the heater to slice fresh. The sides are good, with caramelized pineapple stealing the show. Sandwiches are also done from the Union Market location. Owners Debby Portillo and Fernando Gonzalez came to Texas BBQ by way of El Salvador. The pineapple and beans tip towards Central America more than Central Texas. From a family of caterers and restaurateurs, they made pilgrimages to Texas BBQ landmarks. The tasting led to inspiration to start up this endeavor. One of the things that they picked up on the trips was how Franklin vacuum-packed meats for sale and reheating, something that helped them with sales during the early days of the pandemic.
Summary:
Cuisine: BBQ
Neighborhood: Union Market
Address: 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Website: https://www.2fiftybbq.com/
Reservations: Walk-in
Other Critics/Voices:
Washington Post: Tim Carman put the Maryland location as #1 in his survey of area BBQ in 2021.
Washingtonian: Made the summer 2021 list of new BBQ places to check out.
Local Blogger on BBQ John Tanner is a big fan.