2fifty Texas BBQ Goes Downtown with a New Place in Mount Vernon Triangle

Wonderful news! 2fifty, home to the very best barbecue in the greater Washington area, opened it’s long-awaited place in DC at 414 K Street NW, at 11:00 this morning (1-13-24). 2fifty began as a Sunday pop-up in Riverdale Park and expanded into a brick and mortar location at 4700 Riverdale Road and now their DC location.

I went with the peripatetic Dale Leibach, who was staying with us.

It’s always a treat to see Dale, a former neighbor with a gift for seeing the humor in life, along with a streak of mischief. He’s also a genius in Crisis Communications. When Dale was looking for a motto for his new firm, Liza suggested “Making life better for people who do bad things.” Dale offered her a job on the spot. He then reworked the slogan to “Making life better for good people who allegedly have done … things” but by then it was too long for letterhead and business cards. Currently, Dale is a nomad. He wanders the country in his Mercedes van, spreading good cheer.

Dale and I were there as soon as it opened. Well, almost. A rain and a traffic snarl caused by the parallel efforts of the DC Department of Traffic Obstruction and a pro-Palestinian protest slowed us down. A lot of other people were eager to try 2fifty, and there was, of course, a line when we arrived about 11:30 am.

The line continued inside and gave dinners plenty of time to decide what to order, shown here with my slant.

Here’s the view of the menu from the line.

Of course, it was opening day and diners, many new to barbecue, naturally had questions, and that slowed the line a bit, but the delay wasn’t nearly as bad as some otherplaces. By the way, note the lamb, turkey, and whole hog sandwich options, all of which have been terrific at their Riverdale Park location. I hope the downtown location offers the best pastrami sandwich in the area.

Dale and I shared a pound of moist prime brisket (not wagyu) that included a few burnt ends, all of which Fernando personally sliced. 

Actually, it was a little less than a pound. Once sliced, the meat is weighed, and you can add more if you like. I’d weighed my self this morning, and I put on the brakes at .88 pounds, and also forewent my usual sausages. As you can see, we also got some esquites and 2fifty’s “mustardy potato salad.”

As always, the brisket was sensational, maybe the best east of Texas, and right up there with the places I tried on my 2022 trip to Houston, Luling, and Austin. It was achingly tender, tender enough to cut through three thick slices with a plastic fork. (I retook this photo after eating a slice noticing the grayish cast on my initial photo, and on that of the tray. It still doesn’t capture the rich brown color of the meat.)

The esquites, Mexican street corn off the cob, were delicious. They had a nice little tang that I thoroughly enjoyed. The potato salad also was delicious. It looks overdressed, but was not, as the mustard in the dressing lightened the flavor. The diced potatoes were perfectly cooked, with good texture and potato flavor.

The downtown location is larger than it looks. The space is narrow but very deep, and a second, larger dining room reveals itself once you get your tray. And many diners get carryout, as did the friendly expats from the Texas Hill Country next to us in line. They now live downtown and were excited about the prospect of great Texas barbecue right across the street.

2fifty requests that diners not grab a table before getting their tray, and tables invariably are free when you’re ready to eat.

At present, all of the meat is cooked off site at their main location in Riverdale Park, but there’s plenty of space in back reserved for the two big smokers to be delivered from Lockhart, Texas. That will prevent the potential of off-site cooking problems caused by accidents, car jackings by local miscreants or barbecue enthusiasts, and the Maryland and DC Departments of Traffic Obstruction. Our meal demonstrated just how beautifully 2fifty manages the transfer. 2fifty’s DC location offers easily the best barbecue in the city. You owe it to yourself to go there right away and start working your way through the menu. It’s all good.

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