I'm on a "mission" (pun intended lol) to try out and taste test all of the Mission BBQs in the NoVA area thanks to the all around exceptional BBQ experience I had at the Christiansburg (Blacksburg) location not long ago (see my review). Probably just about the best tasting BBQ, especially given the price, cafeteria-style ordering (so it's true you don't have to go full service (and pay the full service price!) to get delicious ribs!!), quick service from cheery, friendly counter staff in a clean, nicely laid out and spacious dining area. Thanks to my Christiansburg experience, I'd say this is the gold standard for a Mission BBQ experience I'm looking to replicate.
The Herndon location comes mighty close with one thing I wish they'd do better at (read on). (Thumbs down to the Sterling location which definitely needs improvement.)
Thumbs up to:
* Great location - in the Clock Tower Shopping Center (where Giant (formerly Shoppers Food Warehouse), Ned Devine's, Breakers, Chuck E. Cheese is) - literally on the corner of Centreville Rd and Sunrise Valley Drive
* Easy plentiful lot parking
* Large inside seating as well as large covered patio seating
* Very clean - this must be a corporate standard (kudos!) - tables are swooped down upon and cleaned almost immediately after a party leaves!
* Super friendly staff - lots of cheerful, energetic young people who call out a greeting when you enter, are patient as you peruse the menu boards, offer their recommendations and are just as nice and friendly as can be. So refreshing these days.
* Quick, fast service - order at the counter, wait for them to call your name for pick up. You can see the staff work the orders as soon as they're punched into the system. You won't be waiting long for your meal. (We came around 8PM on a weeknight - note they close earlier (that night they closed at 9PM) since the pandemic so plan accordingly. But there was no line, the place was not crowded and only a few people came in after us.)
* Decent prices for what you get. Again I say, for real down home authentic smoked meats including baby back ribs, and for a non sit down full service restaurant, you can't beat the prices.
* And great value for what you get for the price. And don't we all need that these days?! Generous portions (they don't skimp here). Definitely makes you want to come back for more.
* Their seasonal desserts. Oh man their desserts. So, I've had their carrot cake with a healthy dollop of cream cheese frosting - a bit of spice and huge on flavor! This time around, we ordered their Peach Cobbler. Not as good as their carrot cake but still SO GOOD. Pro Tip: we knew we would be full after the meal so we order the cobblers to go and took them home to eat later - when you're ready to eat them, simply put them in a bowl and gently microwave them. Voila! They are still as delicious as the day you got 'em. The Peach Cobbler was juicy, fruity and not too sweet. The crust and crumble on top were a perfect compliment to the fruity cobbler filling. MWAH!
* And last but not least, taste....with one caveat (....keep reading!). With this one exception (which is easily fixed), the taste and flavors rock. Expertly spiced and rubbed. And the 6 pack of BBQ sauces at the table kick things up a notch for sure.
Goodbye Famous Dave's and Willard's!
Needs Improvement:
* There was only one thing I would say this location can improve on - don't serve customer's less than quality product. You would think that goes without saying and I hope this was not a "let's see if we can pull one over on this gal - she probably won't notice" (but I did). The 5 rib baby back ribs I was served were not fall-off-the-bone, tender, juicy ribs that I had expected. Some of the ribs had excess fat on them and the top layer on the ribs was over cooked. So for this serving, the value was not there. In hindsight, I should have taken them back. And in the future, I won't hesitate to do that. At the same time, I wonder if because it was an hour from closing, the pickins are slim - ? You get what you get - ? Meaning - don't order ribs close to closing time - ?
* The Hawaiian Rib Eye Special was also a little too well done. I don't believe they asked my friend how he wanted it cooked so he never indicated (he would have said Medium Rare) so - is that also a "you-get-what-you-get" type menu item (steaks) - ? I will say the steak (which was more of a brisket type steak than a classic rib eye), for the price, was incredible - you can't beat it. But the icing on the cake would have been a more juicy, less well done steak.
So....there you are.
Yes, I would definitely come back and WILL be back. And I won't hesitate to call out less-than-quality items right there when I see them at pick up or bring them back up when I cut into them and find an over cooked item.
Other than that (easily fixed), I am happy I've found a Mission BBQ right in my "backyard"! #yay read more