Ready to be ResQ’ed? The name of Leesburg’s newest barbecue spot, ResQ BBQ, refers to co-owner and pitmaster Chuck Meyer’s previous life as a New Jersey firefighter. But after a recent trip back to Texas, I was hoping that it would also mean I might be saved from mediocre Virginia ‘cue. OK, it’s not really fair to compare ResQ to Houston’s best, but for Leesburg, there’s a lot to like.
First, there are the bacon-wrapped meatballs, a quartet of homestyle, heavily seasoned orbs that are, just as promised, surrounded by crispy bacon. A tad dry on their own, they are an apt palette for Meyer’s many wonderful barbecue sauces. My favorites in that category tend to be the spicier ones on the menu, but, while I enjoyed the spicy and sweet fire sauces, my favorite was the least hot: smoked apple. The viscous sauce tastes like what it is: a lightly smoky fusion of apple sauce and tangy tomato-based barbecue sauce.
But this is Meaty Monday, and a small plate of meatballs, even bacon-wrapped ones, is never enough. My server suggested that I try the pulled pork and brisket on my two-meat platter. The pork is juicy and tastes intensely of pure pig flesh. The brisket has an admirable bark, but I feel like I may have gotten less of the caramelized edges because the meat appeared to have been unevenly pulled apart rather than sliced.
Among sides, the corn muffin, tender and studded with whole kernels, was my favorite. Chile-flecked, tart collard greens are a prime enhancement for the bacon-spiked macaroni and cheese, which would benefit from the addition of stronger flavored cheese.
Pro tip: Save room for dessert. The s’mores eggroll is precisely what it sounds like, only bigger and topped in a mound of vanilla ice cream.
528B E. Market St., Leesburg
Feature image by Alice Levitt
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