Photos By Armando Gallardo, Words By Brandon Wetherbee
Best if: You’re with a large group with large appetites for winning meats
There are celebrity pitmasters.
When I told my co-workers I was headed to Alexandria for a new BBQ restaurant, the first question was, “Who is Myron Mixon?” Mixon is a celebrity pitmaster. Mixon has a TV show. Mixon sells grills and smokers. Mixon is billed as, “The Winningest Man In Barbecue.” Mixon is the mayor of Unadilla, Georgia. Mixon is half the reason Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque is in Alexandria.
The other reason Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque is in Alexandria is Joe Corey. Corey is a local restauranteur. He also owns Faccia Luna. And he’s also a BBQ judge. That’s how Corey and Mixon met. The judge and the BBQ champion now have a restaurant.
If you’re a vegan, do not go to Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque. If you’re a carnivore, you will enjoy Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque. Pitmaster John Bennett is taking advantage of the custom wood-fueled smoker. His work shines in the BBQ, which is good because barbeque is in the name of the restaurant. The highlights are the ribs (if you prefer competition style ribs, competition ribs are not supposed to fall off the bone) and the chicken. The smoked half chicken tastes like it was smoked in a wood-fueled smoker. It was. But don’t just order the chicken, go with friends and order the family meal. For $59 you’ll get half a smoked chicken, pulled pork, beef brisket, sausage links, baby back ribs and white bread. The menu says it serves 3 to 4. It serves 5 to 6.
I loved the dry rubbed chicken wings. Our photographer did not. He wants classic wings. I’m not a fan of classic wings. I think the sauce is there to disguise cheap meat. Served with Alabama white sauce, this is what we recommend if you’re alone or with one other person and sitting at the bar.
The restaurant is very large. It’s facade hides it’s 200+ person capacity. We recommend it for groups of four or more. If you’re not fortunate enough to travel with four adults with adult sized appetites, one sandwich is enough for two people.
If you’re craving competition style BBQ, head to Old Town Alexandria. It’s a lot easier to take a Yellow Line train than an Amtrak to Memphis.
