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Judging Restaurants – Kenny’s BBQ

Back in October Kenny’s was briefly mentioned when we discussed the best BBQ in the city. But I thought it deserved its own proper review. Kenny’s is located at 732 Maryland Ave, NE. Any particular favorites from this spot? What’s the best – pork, chicken or beef?

Speaking of BBQ Tom Siestma wrote last week in the GOG:

“Hill Country, the big barn of a barbecue joint in New York, is coming to Washington, courtesy of its founder, Bethesda native Marc Glosserman. While the self-service restaurant is still a year away from opening in Penn Quarter (at 410 Seventh St. NW), some of us are already licking our lips in anticipation of a slab or two of the signature dry-rubbed, slow-smoked brisket and ribs.”

Category: Capitol Hill, Restaurants

By: Prince Of Petworth | 07 July 2009 12:00 PM | 16 Comments

Sunny Florida Avenue

Really good sides and ok pulled pork, but the outdoor seating area (never packed) is the real sell. Two Thumbs up to Kenny’s! (and two fingers pointed towards Mr. P’s on Rhode Island and Hogs on the Hill on NY for the bangin pork a real bbq connesuir desires)

July 7, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Anon

I used to love the Kenny’s BBQ in Mount Pleasant. I think it was the same owner. Too bad it’s long gone.

July 7, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Nichole

Kenny’s is pretty good (with the caveat that Carolina bbq is probably one of my least favorite styles), and wins for being super close to home. I prefer Hogs on the Hill though. (same caveat) I really can’t wait for Hill Country though; Central TX style bbq is my favorite (dry Memphis ribs a close second – I just don’t love all that damn sauce obscuring that delicious meat).

July 7, 2009 at 12:36 pm
R3

I LOVE BBQ and have attempted to eat at Kenny’s three times in the past couple years. Every time I’ve tried, I showed up to a locked restaurant. Anyone know why they seem to always be closed?

July 7, 2009 at 12:57 pm
monkeyrotica

Kennys is pretty good BBQ by DC standards, which isn’t saying much. They’re better than Red Hot and Blue or Old Glory or even Rocklands on a good day. I actually prefer the BBQ (pulled pork and ribs) at Levi’s Port Cafe on 8th SE. But their real secret weapons are the smothered pork chops and the best mac and cheese in town.

Hopefully, Hill Country will force Capitol Q to get its act together. They’ve gone WAY downhill from when they first opened.

July 7, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Nichole

@R3, that seems weird, unless you always go on Sundays, when they’re closed. They’re even open fairly late, especially for being in a residential neighborhood. (9:30 during the week, and 10 on weekends)

July 7, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Collin

I used to live nearby for a year and a half. 4 out of 4 times the food was terrifying. Dry pulled pork/chicken sandwiches and your choice of sides: worse-than-kraft mac cheese or 4 parts sugar to 1 part mayo coleslaw.

Go to Jacob’s across the street for miles better Paninis.

July 7, 2009 at 1:29 pm
AggieGirl

Looking forward to Hill Country since they will supposedly be stocking Blue Bell ice cream… Yummy!!!!

July 7, 2009 at 2:59 pm
R3

@Nichole – Perhaps I’ve only been there on Saturdays, but it’s been a frustration for years (i used to live at 7th & C SE and walked up there a couple times). I’ll try it again on a non-Saturday. Thanks!!

Does anyone know if Hogs on the Hill is still open? I thought I heard that they were closing?

July 7, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Sunny Florida Avenue

They were still open last week, but I suppose things change fast.

July 7, 2009 at 3:50 pm
DG-rad

haven’t been in years, but used to go there all the time when I was a kid and it was called “Hogs on the Hill”.

July 7, 2009 at 4:47 pm
My Hood

I agree with the earlier poster, it’s Carolina BBQ which I really don’t like as much as Memphis BBQ. If they switched to a Memphis style, I’d be 300lbs and constantly constipated.

July 8, 2009 at 10:50 am
My Hood

I think Rocklands is the best ‘local’ BBQ. i just to love Red Hot and Blue, but their quality control is suspect depending on the actual restaurant you visit.

July 8, 2009 at 10:51 am
Anonymous

Some of the worst BBQ I have ever had. The pulled pork was just soaked in sauce, no flavor. The sides are also terrible. My coleslaw, was all mayonnaise and no slaw.

July 8, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Pat

The Mt. Pleasant Kenny’s changed owners a few years before it closed – the Korean family that used to run it was great but it went downhill after they left. Is this run by the same family? Isn’t there also a Kenny’s on Mt. Olivet?

July 8, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Odentex

Rocklands was terrible, like literally inedible, when we went there. Dry, dry, dry, and dry. Just awful. The peanuts weren’t so bad. Haven’t tried any of the others mentioned above after the Rockland’s disaster for fear of the experience generating homesick-induced crying jags.

July 8, 2009 at 4:52 pm