BCS Barbecue - Bethesda, MD

I drive past BCS Barbecue everyday on my way to and from work, so the bf and I tried it one lazy weekend. The original Bethesda Community Store has been in operation since 1924 and more recently added this barbecue to their menu in a separate structure practically next door. The place is about the size of a food truck. Located in a small parking lot, there are a few picnic tables if you want to hang around.

Conveniently, the menu is right there! The menu isn't huge but has something for everyone.

We brought our food over to the picnic area and shared it with some employees enjoying the weekend.

The bf decided on the Smoked Brisket Platter (Hearty Potato Salad & Spicy Red Beans and Rice) for $8.50. He found the sandwich to be okay. However, the rice was undercooked and hard, and the beans and potato salad were unmemorable.

I had my heart set on trying the Lobster Roll (Mac & Cheese and Baked Beans) for $17.50. The baked beans weren't tender enough, and the mac & cheese was mushy. I don't have another lobster roll experience to compare this to, but I thought it was boring. Granted it was a lot lobster (hence the price) but it's literally lobster in a hot dog bun. I didn't taste any seasoning or sauce, but maybe that's how they all are?

I haven't found a BBQ place that I love. I was hoping this was it, but it wasn't. We thought the prices were a bit high for food that seemed over or under cooked. I'm all for supporting our historic establishments, but they have a lot to work on. Anyone have a favorite BBQ place to recommend?


8804 Old Georgetown Rd
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-564-1009
11 AM to 7 PM - Seven days a week

Branded '72 - Rockville, MD

BBQ time! I brought my 2 girls with me to use my Living Social deal at Branded 72. Located in an industrial part of town, I've never noticed it before driving by. It has been around since 1972 and all of the meat is cooked Texas-style with hickory wood in an enclosed pit for 16-18 hours.
It has its own parking lot with the closest metro station being Shady Grove on the red line.

The interior looks a bit old fashioned. There are 2 sections: the bar has tables with a server, and the main dining area is open seating for the chow line.

There is a small sauce station with 3 BBQ sauces: Original Texas,  Roasted Habanero and Rockville Red #12. All of them were not spicy.

Lots of open seating available.

My cousin ordered the Barbecue Sliders (Three mini barbecue sandwiches and choice of two
homemade sides) for $10. She got the Smoked Corned Beef and Texas Beef Brisket with Mac N Cheese and Collared Greens. She wasn't crazy over her food.

My friend ordered the Texas Chili Bowl for $5. She said she liked it.

I ordered the Single Smoked Meat Plate (choice of meat, 2 sides and Texas toast) for $12. I went with the Texas Beef Brisket, Mac N Cheese and Collared Greens. I found the Mac N Cheese and Collared Greens bland. The brisket was decent, but I had to really pile on the sauces because it was drier  than I prefer.

It's great the place has been around for so long, but the atmosphere and staff was lacking energy. My cousin and I ordered pretty much the same thing and both of us found the food lacking flavor.

387 E Gude Dr
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 340-8596