DCReview
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
DCity Smokehouse
Included In
When your favorite things get better, that’s something to celebrate. Like when you add ice cream to cake or put chili on your half-smoke. And that’s how we feel about DCity Smokehouse’s Anacostia location.
The fast casual spot sticks to what it’s good at: incredible smoked meat. The menu is exactly the same, but the brisket, ribs, wings, and half-smokes they’re serving up are even more tender and juicy than the Bloomingdale originals. And the fries, brussels sprouts, and potato salad all have a little extra crunch to them.
Order at the counter before finding a table.photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
More than anything, DCity Smokehouse is a welcome addition to the growing Anacostia dining scene—a Black-owned business serving folks high quality food in a historically Black part of town.
This DCity Smokehouse is tiny—which makes us sad because between the ‘90s and ‘00s jams and the down-to-earth staff who will belly laugh with you when it’s slow, we would spend whole days here if we could. So if you can find an empty high-top table or a counter seat overlooking Good Hope Road, stay a while. Which also gives you access to endless homemade barbecue sauce and rolls of brown paper towels to clean up said sauce as it drips onto your hands, face, and shirt.
The best seats in the house.photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
There's a small patio along Good Hope Road for nice days.photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
Most people, though, stick around just long enough to leave with bags full of pulled pork, rib tips, collard greens, and hush puppies that will surely need to be eaten with an elastic waistband—or no pants at all.
Like younger siblings and athletes coming out of retirement, a second edition doesn’t often live up to the original. But DCity Smokehouse in Anacostia gives us everything the Bloomingdale spot gives, with a little extra flavor, in the food and in the location.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
Brisket
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
DCity Half Smoke
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
Spiced Fries
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
Brussels Sprouts
Potato Salad