Boyfriend wanted BBQ for his birthday dinner - he found this place on Google and wanted to try it out. It seems like it's in the middle of nowhere - but it's definitely a local hidden gem! Really cute little restaurant, has an outdoor smoker set-up so you can already smell the deliciousness from the parking lot. Inside had a lot of cute decor with a good amount of seating, as well as a bar area. The ladies inside were so accommodating and friendly! They explained their menu and let us try samples of the brisket/ sausages. We ended up ordering 1.5 pounds of brisket, 1 pound of pulled pork, half pound of chicken, and half pound of sausage... as well as a family sized side of yams, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, and a small side of beans. We also got a package of rolls. All of this was around $100, for take out. EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS. The brisket was awesome. Juicy, tender, flavorful. We were given some of the end pieces, which had that nice smokey grilled taste to it. The pulled pork was a little dry on its own but it was still really good. It would've been awesome as a sandwich! The chicken was moist and good flavor. The sausages were great - boyfriend's sister doesn't like sausages and she still ate them. Coleslaw is more on the vinegary side rather than creamy, which we really liked. Mac and cheese was freshly made and really good - it's mixed in with the melted cheese, not baked in the oven, so it's creamy all around. Yams were very sweet; complemented well with the meal. Didn't try the beans but I liked how they were different types of beans in it. They gave us two cookies on the house because it was boyfriend's birthday. The cookies were interesting - very soft and chewy. I guess that could be a good or bad thing. They also gave us the rolls for free because we had ordered them but they didn't include it with our order when we left, so we drove back to get them. I'm glad we came back for them because they were reallllllly good rolls. Our only regret is that they sold out of ribs by the time we got there so we didn't get to try them :-( TL;DR This is a legit BBQ place. Definitely one of the best ones in the area. Great customer service. Come and try it! read more

HammerDown BBQ - yes we're asian and need rice with every meal *rolls eyes* - Barbeque Near Me - Aldie, Virginia

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Moving up to four. We went again. Same great cue but service was better. Clearly being new it took a little time to get the workflows down and for staff to become knowledgeable about their product. Looking forward to when they have beer there. read more

HammerDown BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Aldie, Virginia

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Easily the best BbQ in the area. I wish it was closer in, but anytime we're near HammerDown BBQ we take the time to stop. Excellent beer selections also! read more

This is easily the best barbecue I've had in the northern Virginia area. We came here and grabbed some brisket pulled pork and sides with a few beers. They had great options of beer on tap including many local craft options. Mac and cheese was excellent. Service was friendly. The place was really busy but we were able to find a seat. Food came out relatively quickly. All of the meat was great but brisket was excellent. Green beans were good too. Great sauces. Overall we had no complaints and plan to go back read more

Great BBQ. Quick service. Have not been to the restaurant, just ordered and did pick up.

Not only are the people friendly and appreciative of non locals, the BBQ is great. We shared the brisket sandwich and it just melts in your mouth. There was a side sauce for dipping that had just the right kick to it. Good stuff and great people. read more

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Another great option for bbq. It's nestled right off of 50 and has a cute ambiance and friendly staff. Wonderful menu choices that you wish you could order 1 of everything! read more

Let me start out by saying that you need to run--not walk--to HammerDown. A couple months ago, I happened to be driving down 50 when I noticed a little, unassuming building offering BBQ on the side of the road. On a whim, I decided to stop. This would prove to be a LIFE CHANGING event. HammerDown's food is without a doubt the best food I have ever eaten in my life, and I have had the pleasure of eating in many world-renowned restaurants. The brisket in particular is incomparable. The meat is perfectly tender and juicy, with a flavor that will scintillate your taste buds. The fat simply melts in your mouth. I can't get over how perfectly the brisket is cooked; you can tell that it is a labor of love. In addition, the meat at HammerDown is fresh every day--they do not sell day-old meat. This ensures that whatever you choose to order is of a high quality. There are two sauces that you can get with your meat. One of these is a house BBQ sauce, and the other is a spicy BBQ sauce. While they are both delicious, with vinegar undertones and a sweet aspect, I found myself drawn to the spicier sauce. While it's definitely not for those who can't handle some heat, it is phenomenal. As I sipped the sauce from the container (I wasn't about to waste it!), I found myself wishing that I could buy a bottle and take it home with me! I have tried a couple of the sides as well, including the mac and cheese and the banana pudding. The banana pudding is light and fluffy, feeling like a cloud of deliciousness on your tongue. I will definitely be ordering it again on my next visit. Finally, the service at HammerDown is incredible. During every visit, I have found myself encountering friendly employees who greet you pleasantly and serve your food with a smile. They genuinely seem to enjoy their jobs, and it is a healthy working environment. I think that really reflects positively on the owners and business as a whole, and it makes the entire experience as a customer to be just that much better. To sum: you need to put down your phone or turn off your computer and go to HammerDown--right now! You will not regret it. read more

HammerDown BBQ - The most amazing brisket ever. - Barbeque Near Me - Aldie, Virginia

Amazing food, really just amazing everything. Juicy and tender brisket, amazing pulled pork, and ABSOLUTELY delicious chicken. The restaurant has the feel of a real BBQ joint, and the food comes out very quick. 10/10 Would recommend. read more

My family and I were driving down to Virginia so we decided to stop by here for lunch because of the raving reviews. It definitely was not one of the best BBQs I have had before. I also felt that the prices were pretty steep ($21/lb for sliced brisket) and $30/full rack of ribs. I don't think it's worth the drive to be honest. FOOD 1. BBQ PLATTER ($19) - you get a choice of 2 meats and 2 sides. I got sliced brisket and chopped beef with kens collards and seasonal green (green beans). This was very disappointing, the briskets were very dry. The green beans looked like it was either boiled or steamed but it had a weird texture, it was dry but crispy? It almost felt like the beans had freezer burn. The collards were the best thing I had in this platter, it was very earthy and flavorful. 2. MAC + CHEESE ($8) - this was the worst. The portion was really small to begin with but there was some weird flavor in here... almost like alcohol that wasn't fully burned off. Or maybe it was the type of cheese that they used that I did not like.... I've definitely had delicious rum or whiskey infused Mac & cheese before but this was not it. 3. FULL RACK OF RIBS ($30) - Great portion. It looked really juicy but it was not as juicy as it looked, I was disappointed. The rub had a great seasoning but I wish it was more smokey. I've definitely had better. SERVICE The staff were extremely friendly and food came out pretty quickly. Everything else is pretty much self serve including plates, water, sauces, etc. read more

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Food is really delicious!!! Love the sauce options. Really generous portions!!! I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was great!!!

Simply Unbelievable. Best brisket I've ever had. Friendly staff in a rustic setting. This is my go-to.

I love Hammerdown. I have now been there twice and can compare both experiences which were excellent. I am reluctant to give any place 5 stars, and in my most of my reviews that receive 4 stars are in fact excellent and worth a try. The fact that Hammerdown is locally owned and to my rating. The barbeque is perfectly done, the three sauces are delicious (I love spicy, but think they might benefit from more sweetness in the other sauce), and the sides too are really good. On both occasions I had ribs. My wife had sausage on our first trip and beef brisket on our second. Other comments: Hammerdown has a wide selection of on tap craft beers. I went for my usual IPA, which was excellent. I love the set up between the bar and eating areas - it gives a nice local sense. Finally, service is very friendly and competent. Really good folks working at HammerDown who can tell you about the beer and food. You cannot go wrong with this place! read more

Great brisket and BBQ beans..... Put a little of their hot BBQ sauce in the beans and stir. Delicious.

Keep flying your flags and if people want their political beliefs to interrupt their appetites then...fuck em.

Good food although just a bit pricey. They seem to have a nice following hard to know what days they are open.

Sorely disappointed by the BBQ here. We ordered half a pound of brisket and half a pound pulled or chopped pork. The brisket came as a number of slices and a pile of chopped. It was on the chewy side, and quite dry. No discernable bark nor much smoked flavor. It was at best OK. The pork was a disaster all around. mushy, no bark, no smoke and no porky flavor. We actually added it to a bean stew we had warmed up as a side. It was decent because the beans had loads of flavor. The pork didn't add anything. WHie I would go here over Famous Daves or some other chain BBQ of that ilk, this was just not to my liking. read more

LOCATION HAS CHANGED!!! They now have a brick & mortar location at 41153 John Mosby Hwy, Aldie, VA 20105 FOOD: 3.5 stars Brisket is my favorite, so it's the only I ordered here and my review is a little narrow as a result so take it with a grain of salt. When it comes to brisket, it obviously has to be moist, and HammerDown's brisket was definitely moist. Brisket also has to be flavorful, and unfortunately HammerDown's brisket wasn't that flavorful. I barely tasted any smoke and it was definitely under seasoned. At a top notch bbq place I wouldn't even need bbq sauce. At HammerDown, I need the sauce because the flavor is lacking without it. SERVICE: 4 stars The staff is friendly, attentive, and helpful. I had a smooth service experience. No complaints, but no praise either. AMBIANCE: 4 stars The interior has great character and is clean and easy to navigate. The menu is easy to spot and easy to understand. I somehow stumbled into only the 3rd day this brick & mortar location has been open. It's a great spot that I'd love to come back to. I'd like to try other meats and it's unlikely I'll get the brisket again. read more

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So good! We only tried the chicken here and it was amazing! Definitely must try if you are passing by!

Fantastic joint with plentiful indoor and outdoor seating, good beer selection and clean bathrooms. We've made the drive twice and I'm sure we'll do it again. read more

Good portions. Lots of options. Don't forget the sauce. Ordered and picked up when family was here. Very good. Liked all the sides we got and the cornbread muffins and the banana puddings with wafers. read more

Who does not love Barbecue! This place is off the hook it's so good! If you have time swing by give it a try. Thank me later!

We aLways stop here at least once when we are in town - never disappoints. Great ribs and banana pudding and friendly staff

Best BBQ around. Love the laid back atmosphere, and the fact that the food is always fresh. Service is great, although it is more of an order, grab your food, and seat yourself situation. Would give this place 6 stars if I could!! read more

Decided to give this place a try after passing by it nearly a million times. Right when you pull up, you can smell the smokers out front & you know right away this place is legit. I'm just disappointed I didn't try it sooner! Brisket is absolutely melt-in-your-mouth tender. Pulled pork is bomb. Sauces are to die for. Only downside is it's a bit pricey but so worth it. This is good ol' bbq. Try it, you will not be disappointed. read more

We used Ken and company to cater an event at our house...a wake for a dear friend who passed away unexpectedly after retiring from the Air Force. I can't express how grateful we were for the service and quality of the food. The brisket went first...it was delicious. The pulled pork, then ribs went next. All big hits. Great green beans, mac and cheese, bread, and potatoes. The fruit plate, veggie plate, and salad were all perfect...we liked everything so much that this has been a weekend trip for us. Haven't found anything as good as this in NOVA...and don't think I ever will. You done good Marine! Thanks again. Col Bert Guerrero read more

Omg! Their St. Louis ribs and brisket were awesome! Being in Aldie makes it a hike from our home but it was worth the trip. After taste testing a dozen or so other places, Hammerdown won. We fed about 36 guests and got rave reviews. You do NOT want to pass up the chance to eat their Q! read more

These guys are on the Brian's Blackballed List. I was excited to try this place. I drove 30 minutes from Fairfax (and 30 minutes back) just to try them. Sadly, they couldn't accomplish a critical step in becoming a successful restaurant. What is that critical step you ask? That would be accepting payment. As I was about to be served, I was told they were having problems with their cash register and were accepting cash only. It's 2019, who carries cash on them, let alone enough to cover multiple $20+ meals? I told the kid at the counter that I didn't have any cash on hand and drove quite a ways to try their BBQ. He just shrugged his shoulders and said sorry. Pro tip: If this was my restaurant, I would've provided a free meal in hopes my patrons would like it and come back. Instead, they lost a possible patron and got some bad press. Well done. I'll be going to Mission BBQ from now on. It's 5 minutes away from my home and quite delicious. read more

3.5/5 July 2019. We stopped here after hear some positive feedback from other people. It was definitely a good decision. They are a fairly traditional bbq place meaning they can potentially run out if they get busy. In our case they hadn't but they were having some issues with the AC on the day we arrived. Luckily it had just rained and the temperature was rapidly dropping. The bbq was quite good and the sides were also enjoyable. They had a pretty good beer menu as well. Hammer down would make a great stop on your way home from the vineyards and cideries further west. Although it is a bit of a hike from closer communities so I might call if you're planning a meal later in the day just to be sure they've got what you're looking for. I would definitely recommend stopping by. read more

An excellent selection of craft beer that is made on premises. The Smoked BBQ was excellent and there is a wide selection of entres to choose from. I had a beef brisket and pulled pork plate with two sides and the food was great. I am already planning my next visit. read more

This place is legit. Only takes looking at the stacks of wood outside to see that. Many people have complained about them running out of bbq and closing early. This also means they are legit as you can only make so much bbq at a time. The process is long send slow. It is also hard to predict demand on a given day. I liked everything that I ordered from here. I thought the prices were reasonable. The portions were small on the sides but this seems to be true of most bbq places. read more

Hammerdown is the best brisket I've ever had, hands down! They just catered an event for me that involved the final meeting to discuss the details where I enjoyed one of the 6-8 local beers on tap and discovered another magical item on their menu. Their side dish of mushrooms marinaded in brisket juice is a surprisingly complex flavor profile with a good meat bite to them - no mushy mushrooms here! So back to the brisket... Had folks come in to town from all over. Even after sitting out on hot plates for a while, still had complements from everybody about the flavor, tenderness, juiciness and sauce. While the prices aren't cheap, I'll spend the extra money here as often as I can. read more

The chairs at the tables are uncomfortable. The meat we were served was cold, mashed potatoes were cold with no gravy, and the Mac and cheese was cold. For $23 bucks the portion size could have been much larger and the food could have been hot. We will not return. I'll give them 2 stars because the guy who does the cooking was very nice and talkative, the girl behind the counter couldn't explain anything on the menu and acted like she was bothered when we asked about house favorites. read more

Stumbled upon this gem of bbq. Ribs, chicken, mac and cheese and pulled pork were great.

Great BBQ! Awesome staff!!! My family loves grabbing a quick bite there all the time. Friends who come into town always ask to go there too. A lot more seating outside now. My family loves all the various sauces too. We will be back over and over again. read more

HammerDown BBQ has some of the most tender meat I've ever tasted. The baked beans, collard greens, and green beans were very tasty as well. While the Mac in cheese was creamy with a Smokey undertone it was lacking in the flavor department, perhaps adding a sharp cheese. I would've like to see a kids menu. My overall experience was great and look forward to visiting again in the near future. read more

HammerDown BBQ - HammerDown BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Aldie, Virginia

I was hoping for more from this place. I found the food to be average with prices a bit high. Not a bad place to eat but bring money!!

This is our go to BBQ spot! We love the pulled pork, brisket, and chicken. Everything has great flavor and the meats are never too fatty. The sides are also great and all the food is great even as leftovers. The portion-size is good, hence the leftovers, and the spicy sauce gas a great kick. Head this way if you get the chance! read more

Pretty good place. Went hear a few years ago and enjoyed it. Was expensive for sure, but tasted good. It was busy when I went so We had to sit outside and eat in our car, but that didn't really matter to us. I would like to try the place again. read more

Fantastic pulled pork and ribs!!! We ordered the Two-Meat platter with those meats and two sides (coleslaw and Mac'n Cheese). The coleslaw was vinegar-based with celery seed and thinly-sliced purple onion--delicious. The macaroni and cheese had a hint of smokiness and was not overly cheesy. Yummy. Now I realize that some folks want their macaroni and cheese very, very gooey and cheesy. If that's you, pick a different side. They have several options, such as baked beans, green beans and collard greens. Everything was so delicious that we bought 1-pound of sliced brisket to-go along with family-size potato salad. We can't wait to go back. Don't forget to order the banana pudding for dessert. Ah...heaven. read more