As a Texan, I walked in fully expecting to be a harsh critic of barbecue this far from home. I left genuinely impressed.
The atmosphere immediately stood out. Instead of the stereotypical Texas barbecue décor with antlers and taxidermy everywhere, Fischer's Barn has a cozy, covered outdoor seating area with a relaxed barn feel. The tables are spread around naturally instead of feeling packed together, and on a pleasant Virginia evening it was a fantastic place to eat.
The baked beans were the first surprise. They weren't Texas barbecue beans at all. My first thought was, "These aren't proper baked beans." Then my second thought was, "These are absolutely delicious." They were sweeter than what I'm used to, with larger, softer beans, onions, peppers, and a more tomato-forward flavor instead of the smoky, beefy brisket-and-pinto style we tend to have in Texas. Completely different, but excellent in their own right.
The cornbread wasn't trying to reinvent anything. It was just a simple, classic piece of cornbread executed really well. Great corn flavor, buttery, moist, and exactly what good cornbread ought to be.
The agave cream soda was an unexpected highlight. I'd never had one before, and it was fantastic. Smooth, mellow, and easily one of my favorite drinks of the meal.
The sweet tea was probably the best I've had this far north. The sweetness was actually spot-on, but it was brewed much stronger than I'm used to. It had a noticeable tannic, almost wine-like dryness that made it drink more like a strong black tea than the smoother, more refreshing sweet tea I'm accustomed to in Texas. Not bad, just different.
I also sampled the catfish. It was clearly well cooked, incredibly light and flaky, almost the texture I'd expect from a beautifully prepared salmon in a butter-lemon sauce. Personally, though, I thought the thick, heavily seasoned breading overwhelmed the fish itself. My grandmother absolutely loved it, so I suspect that's simply a regional style that isn't what I grew up with.
The only thing I probably wouldn't order again was the steak fries. Reading the menu, I pictured substantial slices of sirloin over fries. Instead, the steak was chopped so finely that it nearly resembled ground beef, topped with a thick layer of white cheese and ranch. I can see exactly what they were going for, but it just wasn't my favorite combination.
Overall, what impressed me most was getting to experience a different regional style of barbecue and comfort food. Coming from Texas, a lot of the dishes were different than what I grew up with, but that didn't make them worse. In several cases, they surprised me in really good ways. Even when something wasn't quite my personal preference, I could still appreciate what they were going for and how well they executed it.
It's not home, but it's still an incredible experience; I look forward to my next chance to visit! read more