Virginian-Pilot correspondent
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Discussing barbecue can be more dangerous than religion and politics. Whitner's on Lynnhaven Parkway in the Parkway Plaza Shopping Center is a place that every barbecue fan can agree on.
The high ceiling and cool warehouse-style venue with a massive mural of our country's stars and stripes exudes all-American, which also resonates on its menu.
A multitude of meats - North Carolina pork, Kansas City burnt ends, Texas sliced brisket, St. Louis ribs and Jamaican jerk, BBQ or pulled chicken - shows no partiality to barbecue styles. Multiple ways to purchase, by sandwich, tray, platter, "bulk" and "group meals," give many choices, the American way.
Whitner's even offers catering. All meats, sauces, gravies and soups are prepared on the premises, and sides and desserts are fresh made with the exception of canned green beans, which are "doctored up."
A North Carolina pulled pork sandwich with two sides ($5.79) was delicious. The perfectly smoked pork was tender and moist. Potato salad, nicely flavored with parsley, and coleslaw, kicked up with horseradish and tempered by sweet shredded carrots, each had just the right amount of mayonnaise.
The tender and terrific hot open-faced brisket sandwich ($6.99), served with marvelous mashed potatoes, great green beans and gravy was a fabulous feast with a cornbread square.
Jamaican jerk chicken -strictly thighs and legs, platter (two pieces $5.19, four pieces $7.99) - was savory, but the meat was on the dry side. Nonetheless, the fabulous flavor would have us try it again. Seldom-seen sides of fresh collard greens and dirty rice were both good.
The kids meal ($1.99) includes a slider - choice of pork, chicken or burnt ends - and a 2-ounce side. Burnt ends were too spicy for my 11-year old, but my husband loved the spicy-sweet beef. Creamy macaroni and cheese got two thumbs up.
Whitner's operating owner, Warren Rogers, typically greets customers at the counter with a warm welcome and a sample taste to help guide a menu choice. Rogers is in business with his brother-in-law, Chris Janowski, who also owns Willard's Barbecue in Chantilly.
When you order, be sure to ask for the homemade pickles. They aren't automatically included, and you wouldn't want to miss out on another excellent reason to return to Whitner's.
Tammy Jaxtheimer, flavor@pilotonline.com
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Great Review on Good Food - Bad Map
Good review on great food at a good price. I only am sorry to see the map you used is a dis-service as it shows the location on the wrong side of Lynnhaven Pkwy.
Whitners BBQ
I eat there once a week for lunch and I think the BBQ and all sides are delicious so I highly recommend them.
Whitners Again??
Boy, this is the 3rd time in recent history that you've covered Whitner's!
I agree that their BBQ is delicious but I'm not a fan of their sides. Their rice would be delicious if they'd cook the rice a little longer. I've mentioned to them that, to me, the rice tastes undercooked because it's hard, but nothing has changed so that must be their recipe. Their baked beans are nothing special but the mashed potatoes are OK (I don't care for "smashed" potatoes, so it's all just a matter of personal taste).
However, I highly recommend their meats - the pork, brisket and BBQ chicken are all fantastic and we're happy that Whitner's is just up the street when we're craving BBQ and don't feel like driving across town to get some.
Agreed
Whitner's deserves to have a long, long tenure as a VB restaurant, and hopefully their business plan will also allow their owners and employees to make a decent living. Their prices put them on par with your favorite chinese take-out, until you get to the "bulk" menu --- but I'm not complaining! They are definitely on par with Wilkes in Hampton --- plus their meats menu is more diverse, and I think their sides are better than Wilkes. And they're a whole lot closer if you live in VB!
Keep it up, Warren and crew --- you're a GREAT addition to the Lynnhaven restaurant scene.
Me too. .
Before Whitner's came along at Lynnhaven I stopped trying BBQ as it was garbage around here. This place is awesome! Keep up the great work.