Why not start at the top, right? If you ask around town about where to find the best meats, ZZQ is a name that will come up early and often. Founded by a native Texan, ZZQ’s mission is, according to their website, to “create an authentic barbecue experience that blends the culture, techniques, and flavors of central Texas with the regional influences of Central Virginia”

ZZQ has been racking up accolades and glowing reviews since opening their permanent location in March 2018. This was my first visit and it did not disappoint.

Reputation – 4.6/5

As I mentioned, word of mouth definitely seems to favor ZZQ as the top BBQ spot in RVA. An aggregation of scores from Facebook, Google, Yelp, and Foursquare supports the locals’ recommendation.

Experience – 4.8/5

I’m pretty easy to please. Counter service was swift and friendly. A pulled pork sandwich was $10 without sides included which may seem a bit high, but given the food quality and portion size I have zero qualms. Important note: ZZQ is the type of place that will sell out of certain meats every day, so get there early if you want the full selection.

Presentation – 4.9/5

Your food arrives on a silver tray lined with brown paper. Pickles and onions are offered free of charge and I chose to add a side of jalapeño mac and cheese as well. Each table has a roll of paper towels and three sauces – Sassy, Thick, and Thin (see picture for details). They were all delicious and covered a few different regional styles.

Quality & Taste – 9.6/10

Exceptional. The pork was abundant and juicy. It was savory with a hint of sweetness. However, I found myself especially intrigued by the coleslaw. It appeared to be composed of pickled red cabbage, green onions, shredded carrots, and chunks of pineapple, creating a beautiful complement to the pork full of color and flavor. I don’t believe I’ve ever had a slaw like that before and found it delightful. The only part of the meal that didn’t blow me away was the mac and cheese, but it wasn’t bad by any means.

Final Rating – 95.6/100

That’s gonna be hard to beat. This place delivered everything as promised and is one of the driving forces in putting Richmond on the BBQ map.