By Reid Campbell

It was a warm, sunny Friday, and I had just gotten out of school. Like a usual Friday, my friends and I were thinking of ideas for lunch. An idea sprung in my head to get some barbeque, and as my friend Zach Jarvis (‘26) is a giant barbeque fan, he suggested a few options, but one stood out to me: ZZQ. I had heard of this place yet had never been, and Jarvis was the only one of us five who had eaten there. All of us piled in the car, and you could hear our stomachs rumbling at the thought of the many foods we could eat. 

ZZQ’s entrance. Photo credit: Yelp user Sara R.

As we entered the restaurant in Scott’s Addition, the inviting scent of smoked meats, brisket, and turkey hit us as soon as we walked inside. Tucked away in a little cove of restaurants, the captivating decor of ZZQ greets you as soon as you enter the restaurant.

The dining area seems cozy, with its large wooden tables for families and friends and large garage doors that can be opened in warm weather. They let natural light flood the restaurant, creating a bright but not overpowering atmosphere. Preparing myself for what I hoped would be an amazing brisket, I pondered the challenging decision of what to order. I was excited to see if ZZQ could live up to all the great reviews I had heard about. 

As I walked up in line, I asked out loud what I should get when Henry Brost (‘26) jokingly replied, “Obviously the brisket, it’s the best thing here.” The first employee waiting for us behind the counter to take our order started laughing, as he fully agreed. His infectious laugh made us all start laughing. After some deliberation, I did end up settling on the half-pound of beef brisket and a side of jalapeño mac and cheese. The vibrant green jalapeños peeking through the creamy cheese added a hint of excitement to my meal.

Jalapeño Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Yelp user Teodora I.

The mac and cheese had a crunchy coating on top that promised a satisfying crunch, and it looked just as enticing. The tender brisket’s flavor was evident in the first bite. The seasoning was precisely right, and the smokiness was properly balanced. Meanwhile, the mac and cheese exceeded my expectations completely. I didn’t think I would like the mac and cheese that much, considering I’m not an adventurous eater. The crunchy topping boosted the meal, which imparted a pleasing texture. The brisket, on the other hand, melted on my tongue. Perfectly balanced with a delicious combination of spices, the seasoning brought out the meat’s smokey flavor.

We all shared bites of each other’s food, and, to my dismay, I enjoyed the cornbread that classmate Owen Lingerfelt (‘26) got as a side. Normally, when I see cornbread on the menu, I steer clear, because it’s often too dry, but this cornbread was surprisingly tasty.

After we finished our meals, the restaurant’s co-owner and “Pitmistress,” Alex Graf, was walking around tables and talking to everyone cheerfully. When she got to our table, I asked what she enjoyed most about her profession. Graf cheerfully responded, “Seeing the smiles on people’s faces is my favorite part of the job. It’s for the people, really,” Everything about the ZZQ experience is genuine, and all the employees are passionate about connecting with guests, from the warm service to the delicious food. Graf feels that cooking an excellent barbecue is only as important as making a welcoming environment, and you can tell as soon as you walk in.

It became evident as we finished our meal and got ready to leave that ZZQ had left a lasting impression on every one of us. The food was way better than we had expected, but more than that it was the setting, with everyone being happy. Overall, my rating is 9.4/10. This is without a doubt one of the best barbeque and brisket places in Richmond.

Featured image credit: Yelp user John T.