Competitive BBQ champion is expanding Alexandria restaurant into Dunn Loring

Dunn Loring diners will soon get a taste of the Southern-style smoked meats that have made Myron Mixon the self-proclaimed “winningest” man in barbecue.

Myron Mixon Pitmaster BBQ is slated to open a new restaurant at 2670 Avenir Place near the Dunn Loring Metro station this fall, its first expansion since launching in Old Town Alexandria in 2016.

“I’ve always found a special home in the DMV area because of the great community here who appreciate good barbeque,” Mixon said in a statement. “It’s very exciting to have the chance to bring even more pitmaster flavor and competition ‘que with this new restaurant in Dunn Loring, and I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone through our doors soon.”

A native of Unadilla, Georgia, where he has served as mayor since 2016, Mixon has earned acclaim on the competitive barbecue circuit with more wins than anyone else in the world, according to his official bio. His accolades have included five world championships and an induction into the Barbecue Hall of Fame in Kansas City.

He has also made TV appearances as a judge on Destination America’s “BBQ Pitmasters” and a competitor on the two-season show “BBQ Pit Wars.”

Even before opening his Alexandria restaurant, Mixon had close ties to the D.C. area as a regular competitor in the District’s annual Giant Barbecue Battle, where he and his team Jack’s Old South won 13 grand championships, according to the Washington Post.

Eric Cohen, a partner on Myron Mixon Pitmaster BBQ, says the business loves “being a part of the Old Town community” and has been eager to expand elsewhere in Northern Virginia “for a while.” When District Barbecue closed earlier this year, they decided it was time to make a move.

“We thought the opportunity was the perfect fit for the brand,” Cohen told FFXnow.

The Dunn Loring restaurant will take a fast-casual approach with counter service, and the bar will be more limited than the one in Alexandria, serving just beer and wine.

However, the food menu — which is still being finalized — is expected to be “very similar” to what’s on offer in Alexandria, a public relations representative said. Offerings include plate and a la carte smoked meats, sandwiches, salads, baby back ribs, chicken wings, and sides like mac and cheese and peach BBQ baked beans.

Cohen credits Mixon’s involvement with distinguishing the business from the “plethora of [other] delicious barbeque options” in the D.C. region.

“He’s incredibly hands on with our menu and team to ensure we serve our guests the best ‘que, worthy of a pitmaster,” Cohen said. “As the winningest man in competition barbeque, Myron is a trusted authority in the barbeque world, and his food reflects the high standards that he sets for each item that leaves the grill.”

An official opening date hasn’t been set, but Cohen says that and details of anticipated grand opening celebrations will be shared “soon.”

The Shops at Avenir Place has recently started to fill vacancies that opened up during the pandemic. The retail center welcomed the tattoo and piercing shop Wicked Goddess this past spring, and the taiyaki pop-up Rice Culture hopes to start serving the Japanese treats out of its first brick-and-mortar store in October.