Review: Carolina Bros. at Partlow’s barbecue pork

ASHBURN, Va. — Last year I mentioned that I discovered the old Partlow Bros. at the intersection of Ashburn and Hay roads and the W&OD trail had turned into a barbecue place. I was really excited that Carolina Brothers, as it is now known, sold glass bottled soda like Pepsi (with sugar, not corn syrup), Cheerwine, Big Red as well as RC and of course, Mexi-Coke. Having just had brunch, we didn’t order any food, but I also bought bottles of their barbecue sauces — The standard “eastern” sauce which is really just vinegar and pepper and the more “western” Lexington-style which is that, plus tomato paste, mustard, sugar, etc. I tried those on my own pulled pork (just a shoulder from the crock pot) and found the eastern to decent, but not the best of that style,while the western was outstanding.

Last weekend, after some apple-picking in Purcellville (Crooked Run Farm, which we have gone to several times now) we detoured a little to Ashburnfor stocking up on sodas, but also getting some lunch. We have done this a couple of times now, but I am only now getting around to blogging about it. I got a pulled pork sandwich and added the western sauce. It was some of the finest pulled pork I have ever had. The pork was juicy, just a little bit smoky and bursting with rich pork flavor. By itself it was excellent, with the sauce it was fantastic. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. It tasted like more.

On a previous visit, my brother got the beef brisket and I had a bite and it was tasty, but not worth getting instead of the pulled pork.

If you find yourself in Loudoun County, it’s worth the detour from either Route 7 or the Dulles Greeway. Trust me.

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