From owner John Snedden of Rocklands, Washington DC
Here's some grilling inspiration from John Snedden, owner of Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company in Washington DC. At Rocklands they never cook with gas or electricity and they also have an 8 minute promise: diners will get their food within 8 minutes of ordering it, if not, dessert is on the house!
Smoky, succulent pork ribs, tender smoked, juicy grilled chicken and perfectly grilled salmon provide barbeque and grilling aficionados with their much-needed fix of good old-fashioned southern barbeque in the DC metro region. Since 1990 Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company has been dedicated to maintaining the highest grilling and barbequing standards with its wood only barbeque.
Using custom-built smokers of Snedden’s own design, the restaurant uses red oak and hickory woods to give its barbeque a distinctive flavor and Snedden created Rocklands Original Barbeque Sauce in 1978 after being dissatisfied with store bought sauces.
In addition to its own line of sauces, each of the four locations features a ‘Wall of Fire’, boasting more than 100 hot sauces from around the world for customers to sample and purchase. In fact customers who bring a bottle of hot sauce that the restaurant doesn’t sell, will get a free sandwich.
About the chef: John Snedden received a BS in Chemistry and Biology from Washington and Lee University and following a variety of entrepreneurial pursuits opened Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company in Glover Park in December 1990. A second location was opened in August of 1995, a third in 2004 and a fourth in 2006. John and his wife Kimberly live in DC and have three children.
Chef's note:
This BBQ recipe requires a few special tools -
Smoker
Wood burning grill
Hardwood charcoal
Red oak or hickory wood chips for the smoker.
Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company
2418 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20007
202.333.2558
Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company’s Famous Ribs are served at the restaurant for $22.99 for a whole rack or $11.89 for a half rack.
This recipe makes 1 whole rack.
Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company’s Famous Ribs Ingredients:
1 Rack of pork spare ribs
To taste: ground cumin
To taste: black pepper
Steal This Recipe® Step by Step Instructions:
Prepare smoker with wood chips and bring to 220 degrees.
Remove the fat strip (membrane) from the rack or ribs.
Sprinkle ribs with black pepper and cumin.
Place ribs in smoker and cook for 3 hours, 1.5 hours on each side, at 220 degrees.
*Only open the smoker to turn the ribs, avoiding the release of smoke.
Remove from smoker and finish by grilling the ribs for 10 minutes on each side.
Remove from grill and cut, eat and enjoy.
Add BBQ sauce if desired.
Image may vary from recipe.