Review of Mission BBQ in Roanoke
I’ve made no secret about my disappointment in the BBQ offerings in the Roanoke Valley.
I’ve found a few good spots for pulled pork and ribs, but the region still lacks a variety of places to find quality BBQ.
So when a new BBQ restaurant opens in Roanoke, like the Mission BBQ at Towers Shopping Center, I get really excited.
Because my family travels to Maryland a lot, we were familiar with Mission BBQ. It’s a Maryland-based company and my parents had visited a location in the Baltimore area.
There was reason for optimism that a new Roanoke location would provide a good option for quality, reasonably-priced BBQ. And it would offer some legitimate competition to other BBQ restaurants in the area.
Based on the three meals I’ve had at the new spot, Mission BBQ is off to a good start.
I’ve found a few good spots for pulled pork and ribs, but the region still lacks a variety of places to find quality BBQ.
So when a new BBQ restaurant opens in Roanoke, like the Mission BBQ at Towers Shopping Center, I get really excited.
Because my family travels to Maryland a lot, we were familiar with Mission BBQ. It’s a Maryland-based company and my parents had visited a location in the Baltimore area.
There was reason for optimism that a new Roanoke location would provide a good option for quality, reasonably-priced BBQ. And it would offer some legitimate competition to other BBQ restaurants in the area.
Based on the three meals I’ve had at the new spot, Mission BBQ is off to a good start.
The atmosphere is open and very casual. You order at the counter and wait for your food to be served before finding a table in the open, spacious dining room.
To go along with the “Mission” theme, the restaurant has many elements that pay tribute to our military. Whether it’s through offering cups that provide proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project, or seeing posters and uniforms from military branches hanging on the walls, it’s clear Mission BBQ cares about honoring our troops and veterans. It’s cool to see.
As for the food, Mission BBQ offers a variety of smoked meats, sandwiches and side dishes.
I’ve tried the brisket, smoked sausage, pulled pork, smoked turkey and chopped brisket and enjoyed each one.
They also offer a wide assortment of sauces, including a smoky sauce, Memphis-style sweet sauce, vinegar-based, Texas hot sauce, Alabama white sauce, and others. As far as I know, it’s the only restaurant in Roanoke with an Alabama white sauce, which is great on chicken and turkey.
However, and in what’s always a great sign with BBQ, the meats have plenty of flavor without adding any sauce.
To go along with the “Mission” theme, the restaurant has many elements that pay tribute to our military. Whether it’s through offering cups that provide proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project, or seeing posters and uniforms from military branches hanging on the walls, it’s clear Mission BBQ cares about honoring our troops and veterans. It’s cool to see.
As for the food, Mission BBQ offers a variety of smoked meats, sandwiches and side dishes.
I’ve tried the brisket, smoked sausage, pulled pork, smoked turkey and chopped brisket and enjoyed each one.
They also offer a wide assortment of sauces, including a smoky sauce, Memphis-style sweet sauce, vinegar-based, Texas hot sauce, Alabama white sauce, and others. As far as I know, it’s the only restaurant in Roanoke with an Alabama white sauce, which is great on chicken and turkey.
However, and in what’s always a great sign with BBQ, the meats have plenty of flavor without adding any sauce.
Of the meats I’ve tried, my favorites have been the pulled pork, smoked turkey and smoked chicken. I was also a fan of the chopped brisket sandwich, but the pork, turkey and chicken have been the standouts, particularly the turkey.
All the meats have a smoky flavor, but the pork and turkey are especially moist and not overly seasoned or rubbed.
If you’re a fan of sauces, my personal preferences are for the Smoky Mountain with the pork and the Alabama White with the turkey.
Along with the meats, the side dishes are also quite tasty. My top choice would be the mac & cheese, which is then followed by the baked beans with brisket. For a healthy option, you can also get a side salad.
Comparable to most BBQ restaurants nowadays, the prices at Mission BBQ are very reasonable. A pulled pork sandwich with a side and drink is around $10, and a combo with two meats, sides and a drink is around $15. I can think of one popular BBQ restaurant in Downtown Roanoke that is much more expensive and the quality is nowhere near as good as Mission’s.
The arrival of Mission BBQ is a step in the right direction of Roanoke’s BBQ scene. We’re certainly not the next Lockhart, Texas, but if the region can become known for having good BBQ, it’s mission accomplished.
All the meats have a smoky flavor, but the pork and turkey are especially moist and not overly seasoned or rubbed.
If you’re a fan of sauces, my personal preferences are for the Smoky Mountain with the pork and the Alabama White with the turkey.
Along with the meats, the side dishes are also quite tasty. My top choice would be the mac & cheese, which is then followed by the baked beans with brisket. For a healthy option, you can also get a side salad.
Comparable to most BBQ restaurants nowadays, the prices at Mission BBQ are very reasonable. A pulled pork sandwich with a side and drink is around $10, and a combo with two meats, sides and a drink is around $15. I can think of one popular BBQ restaurant in Downtown Roanoke that is much more expensive and the quality is nowhere near as good as Mission’s.
The arrival of Mission BBQ is a step in the right direction of Roanoke’s BBQ scene. We’re certainly not the next Lockhart, Texas, but if the region can become known for having good BBQ, it’s mission accomplished.
| Restaurant Information Mission BBQ Towers Shopping Center 2229 Colonial Avenue SW Roanoke, VA 24015 540.613.5513 www.mission-bbq.com  | |
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