(June/July 2007)

By Warren Rojas

Triple delight sub ($7.95) packs shredded brisket, pulled pork and smoked chicken into a roll; coleslaw optional.

(May 2006)

By Warren Rojas

A virtual temple to all things smoked, pulled, shaved or minced, Bubba's Bar-B-Q is where Northern Virginia's weary come to worship when they are in need of good ol' fashioned Southern barbecue.

A kitschy place that's big on decorative pigs, Bubba's remains true to its roots by focusing on honest-to-goodness barbecue chock full of hickory smoke and brushed down with an array of intriguing sauces. Most starters are under $5 and the majority of the meals stay below $13, save for a rack of juicy pork ribs ($19.95). Daily value meals get hand-scrawled on a whiteboard back by the kitchen, while pastel construction paper stars-broadcasting an array of special sandwiches, homemade soups and protein-packed salads-scream for attention from behind the register.

The pulled chicken is grand, bearing a tangy sauce that clings to the juicy shreds of white meat chicken (dark meat also available) without fail. A platter of smoky pork is as sweet as can be, while a Carolina-style minced pork sandwich topped with the requisite cole slaw is good, but sometimes feels a little barren (paging Mr. Vinegar). The shaved brisket is somewhat stringy but abundant, and comes alive when hit with a blend of the complimentary (and complementary) barbecue sauces found at every table. Every sandwich can come regular (basic roll: $4.95), jumbo (double helping of 'cue: $5.75) or as a submarine (a generous spread: $6.50).

A pile of Buffalo wings ($4.95) are fairly big, but not at all spicy enough; the smoked chicken wings are much tastier and hold the barbecue flavor better. Meanwhile, Bubba's also offers roasted chicken, country sausage, chicken tenders, boneless ribs and burgers, along with various deli-style sandwiches and sides.

But perhaps the most amazing thing is the beer prices: $1.95 for a frosty 16-oz. Budweiser draft, while a whole pitcher of Bud sets you back just $3.95.