Rosebud’s BBQ

ROSEBUDS… I’m sorry I have passed this location way too many times to count and never thought of trying them out. In recent times I’ve read about the owner online then I went to Unilocal and then I figured I better stop by one day as this place is super close to my quarters. I make some of the best RIBS DC has not really known because I usually just cook for my FAM/​Friends and associates. But I tell you I’am GOOD as most folks think I should sell them. So there I’ve repped myself… LOL But really it means I know what a Real Good Ribs taste like. I stopped in this Saturday as I was looking to get my leaking tire fixed but the thought came as I was on the same street as Rosebuds and also hungry. YO…DUDE…LETS TRY ROSEBUDS right NOW… I entered and was the only one in at the time. I was greeted by the Lady and I think she was Rose and she told me to take my time after I informed her this was my first rodeo. No problem hun you take your time… and by the way she said… you smell good… Thank you Mrs Rosebuds… LOL…I’m used to the older ladies hittin on me Im a cougars dream… LOL…JK these are just jokes… now to the food.
Time to order… I wanted wings… like fried and smoked couldn’t really settle so I ordered both… Then I wanted some ribs and ordered a rib sandwich which is 1 pound of meat for $ 7.99. I couldn’t believe when I got home that it was a ribs sandwich but about 7 ribs with bread to go with it. MY KIND OF PLACE!!! The chicken turned out I could only get the fried or wait for the smoked. So I ordered 8 piece wings (4stars) with Mac N Cheese (3stars) and Rib Sandwich (4stars) and was outta there at $ 16.50. The ribs were very good. Nice flavor and smoke ring Im unsure which kind of would is being used. I use Hickory/​Apple mix (note to BBQ enthuse’s out there Mix a nut wood with a fruit wood for a dynamic wood smoke experience) You’ll thank me and then select how useful, funny and or helpful my review was. hahaha lol. The ribs had nice char, good chew and flavor right on point. I especially liked that I couldn’t taste salt although the ribs were well seasoned, Thats how you do that MR. Wayne Marable!!! The Owner that is. HE is a former DC Cop… and he is packing that sucka while he is cooking. Should be more like GUNS and ROSEBUDS… hahahah…The fried chicken was good and a nice brownish red color to it kind of like wing dings color. Very moist and fried to perfection. The Mac N Cheese was creamy and OK nothing standout ish but good nonetheless. I will be back to try the pulled pork sandwich, I hear the chicken salad is off the chains will try that too. All in All Im a fan as they are very close. They are only open on Fridays and Saturdays although I think the owner say something about open Wednesday-​Saturday. Either way check out their website and/​or call them for the real deal. ROSEBUDS so sorry I took so long Ive been riding past you for over 10 years and didnt think you were a local gem. YES YOU ARE!

Delicious delicious delicious. Don’t forget to try the fish basket, the Mac and cheese or of course the ribs. Everything on the menu is affordable. Praying they add hush puppies to the menu

looked up this restaurant up on Unilocal a week ago
they have lunch specials for a ¼lb burger a side of fries and a soda for only 5 $ is really a deal to find at lunch time. especially when their burgers are cooked fresh right there in front of you on the grill with the fries fried in the fryer next to it.
if your nearby the area check it out!

First time trying Rosebud’s and I can say I’m a fan. It’s a little small place (standing room, carry-​out only) just off the Southern Avenue DC line. I had the sliced brisket sandwich and I can say the meat was juicy and tender and just melted in my mouth. The sauce was good but not outstanding. Four stars because the meat was so juicy it soaked my bun (which was exceptionally fresh! :)) and I hate soggy bread so I know next time to tell them toast the bread. Five stars for customer service — the owner was exceptionally friendly and courteous.

The best bbq in the area hands down, the sauce is flavorful with a hint of heat. Wayne the owner came out and greeted me. I got the pulled pork sandwich… it was huge, side of extra sauce came with it and coleslaw… I will be back!!! Thank you Wayne

Ordered the smoked chicken (all-​white meat). White meat was very tender and juicy, but didn’t have much of a smoked taste. Per previous reviews, i got the spicy sauce and it was just right. Sides of meatless Collard Greens and Macaroni and Cheese were AWESOME! Collard greens tasted smoked and VERY favorful. Dinner included: Split breast w/​wing, 2 sides, soda, bread for $ 10.29 w/​tax. Owner Wayne Marable was very personable and helpful to this first time customer. I will return… missing a star as they don’t have true brisket but chopped beef.

This place is amazing… I ordered two slabs and a large collard greens for 15 people. We all loved it and were full. We still have a half slab left. There was so much meat on the ribs and i said meat not fat… my family has been all over the world and by far the best ribs we have had. The owner is a grat guy and a role model for the community. I will go back everytime im in town

We’ve been on a search for the best BBQ in DC — and we found it! (Well, it’s just a few feet over the border into Maryland, but we’ll claim it.) The real standouts were the pulled pork, the smoked chicken wings, the coleslaw, potato salad, and «burger beans». We loved it so much, we had them cater our party for 20 people! The food arrived at our home right on time, hot and delicious, exactly as we ordered it, in enough quantity to feed twice that many, and at an incredibly reasonable cost. Everyone begged us to do it again next year!

If you’re looking to find excellent – and I mean X-​cellent – pork bar-​b-​que, look no further. We went over to see Wayne to sample some of the items on their menu because we were having family in for a Memorial Day party and Rosebud had come highly recommended. Well, we settled on the pulled pork, smoked chicken wings, cole slaw, potato salad and those incredible beans ‘n’ beef. Guests pleaded with us for take home! But the portions Wayne supplied and delivered were so abundant that was no problem. We’re going back!

Oh my goodness!!! Rosebud’s BBQ catered a house party that I attended, and to my surprise these were THE BEST BBQ ribs I’ve experienced in a long time. The meat was simply running off the bones. So tender!

Run down, and perfect. I’ve been exploring Capitol Heights, which has no shortage of dive restaurants that are good. Rosebud is worth a stop. Know that this is a cary out: There is no place to eat inside or out. Rosebud is within site of the Welcome to Maryland sign on (old) Central Avenue.
I had the pork sandwich, and it was huge with a good bun. The sauce was very tangy, and really worthwhile. The only negative thing I can say is that the meat might have been a bit on the mushy side. But it held together well and I was really happy with my lunch.
The fries were crinkle style, which is not my personal favorite, but they were fried very crispy and that helped them immeasurably.
I will go back and try the ribs soon.
I’m partial to BBQ joints that stick to one way of doing things: I have yet to see the divided menu work. Meaning the best places have one sauce, one kind of ribs, and at most two sauces. Eat it my way or go home works best.
That is easy for me to say, as I like both vinegar and standard sauces, and like all kinds of cuts of ribs. I really appreciate when a BBQ chef does his thing and demands that you like it.

Their chicken BBQ was fantastic!!!
We stopped by for dinner last night. The BF was hoping that they would carry beef ribs. but no​.no beef ribs for him.
We both ended up ordering the dark BBQ chicken platter. The platter came with two (large) sides and a drink. we tried their mac & cheese, Cole slaw, potato salad and greens. All the sides were fantastic!
sooo i was a bit disappointed when i opened my box and saw that there was only a small piece of chicken (leg) waiting for me! I promise you that i don’t really eat much :)
Would i go back again if i happen to be in the area? YES!

I must have went on a bad eveing because my chicken was hard as a brick the ribs were not eatible I had to throw everything away and I went because my co-​worker said it was the best commercial bbq she and her family ate. I go $ 20 worth of food and had to throw it away. The owner was super friendly she was training the order takers they did not pack my order right and she made sure that I got everthing I paid for. sorry but I will not be returning.

Freaking delicious and insanely cheap. Wife picked some up one night and we both ate our way into the «itis» for under $ 20. Pork ribs & BBQ beef, best collard greens I’ve ever had (tangy and soft, but not mushy), and great mac & cheese. Unbelievable. However, she did note the bulletproof glass and that there was a sign that asked patrons to please remove their hoods and masks before entering…

I had friend drop down and took them here, well let’s just say I have house guests more often.

I walked in on a birthday voyage. I was served with conversation, hospitality, and modest prices. I received everything and more from the care of the family behind the counter. I had walked from the metro and had to eat outside next to the corner liquor store. It was grand! The sauce mild and hot were better than some of the store bought doctored up versions you get at some places. My ribs dripped, had deep dark smoke lines, had flavor and were moist. It would be a 5 except that I have had ribs that were just at touch bit more tender, BUT none in DC. I have yet to try Johny Boys Takeout though!
All in all: Go and support family run food, go and get your monies worth, go and get a good solid tasting deal. Go and get your fix, you will not be upset

Rose and Wayne catered my 50^th b-​day party this weekend. They were fabulous, and so was the food! They served ribs, pork BBQ, chicken, veggie burgers, green beans and potato salad, with ice tea and lemonade. The food was so amazing the guests kept sidling up to me and asking «where did you FIND them?» I haven’t tried the chicken yet (stashed some in my fridge) but the ribs were succulent and melting, with just the right amount of hot sauce dashed on as they served. The pork was moist and perfectly cooked, served on white buns. And the green beans are driving me nuts – I can’t figure out how they are spiced, and it is delicious. Rose also snuck me a small container of coleslaw to try later, and it was just right – crunchy and fresh, not overwhelmed by the dressing.
And they were a joy to do business with. Responded by phone AND email (much appreciated), and patiently put up with me bumping the guest count up and down. We had planned to serve outside, but on the evening of the party it was raining miserably. Wayne and Rose kept their cool as we whisked them up the back stairs of a sports arena, and set up their food in the back corner of a fencing club, gracefully serving with the swordplay as a backdrop. I will use them again for my next big party.

I got the six wing platter with greens and mac and cheese, it also came with a soda and bread. The BBQ was thick not that cheap ketchup and vinegar some places try to pass off. The wings were tender, and the sides tasted homeade. The place was clean and the service was good. It’s about 4 miles from my place so I will be back!

Su I blame u for food coma today. TGIF. :)
I wonder if I came out on a bad day because the ribs definitely have great potential. I agree with everything that Su mentioned about the ribs except that it was dry. It didn’t look too promising when I noticed my ribs being heated in a microwave prior to going inside the Styrofoam takeout container.
Even more drier was the chicken (dark meat). There were areas of the chicken that I had real hard time chewing and ended up spitting out. I would not recommend the chicken.
I got potato salad and burger beans w/​my platter. I liked the burger beans. Potato salad was ok.
The spicy bbq sauce had the right amount of kick for me. This sauce gets thumbs up.

The Short — fantastic carryout-​only BBQ ribs and beef. Not exactly the best part of town and probably not worth a long drive, but excellent BBQ if you’re anywhere near NE DC.
The Long —
In the beginning, God created animals, and He saw that they were good. Much later on, He told Peter, «Arise. Kill and eat.» On the Eleventh Day of December in the Year of our Lord two thousand and eight, our hero heeded his Lord’s call and sought out excellent BBQ once more*.
Having done his recon work earlier in the week, our hero had his sights set on Rosebud’s in Capitol Heights, for it and Fat Face are both close enough for a lunch break. The website noted they were closed Mon-​Wed, which our hero later found to be a lie and they are open Tue-​Sun, so he had to wait until Thursday. It was worth the wait.
Food — immediately upon entering the tiny carryout, our hero’s Piggy Senses were tingling. The smell of smoke and BBQ pervaded his senses — he knew he was home. The walls were adorned with Redskins posters and our hero’s two favorite posters of all time (
&
). And like Snow White, this beauty was encased in glass, only this glass was bulletproof. And rather than being poisoned by an apple, this beauty was smoked to death. Oh, but there was a beast in his path — the dreaded Creditcardicus Minimus! Thankfully, this beast was a pitiful LVL $ 10 and the hero easily disposed of it by ordering a beef sandwich ($ 5.75) and a rib platter ($ 11.59) with mac and cheese and burger beans (baked beans w/​ground beef). To make matters even more awesome, our hero was now in the land of Mary, and despite only being a stone’s throw away from The Land of Taxation without Representation, where the overlord charges his peasants a lofty 10% tax, our hero only had to pay 6%! He considered a resounding, HUZZAH! but considering the surrounding area, a HOLLA would have been more appropriate.
Since it’s carryout only, he loaded his substantial bounty into his noble steed, The Mighty Sienna, and headed back to his office. Driving through rain, wind, and speed cameras, our hero carefully returned his bounty to the office. He sat down, prepared his camera to take pictures, and opened the Styrofoam treasure chest. *chorus of angels* The smell? Intoxicating. Smoke rings? Stunning (
). He gave thanks to His God for creating animals and for commanding His subjects to arise, kill and eat.
The ribs were of very high quality. The fat melts in your mouth, the smoke flavor is clearly evident and the ribs can stand on their own without any sauce. These were probably the best home style ribs our hero has enjoyed in Maryland thus far. The platter was slightly smaller than a slab (5 bones) but was quite substantial for $ 12. The beef was also very good and reminded our hero of a Sloppy Joe made with chunks of smoked beef. The beef was a tad dry but the smoked flavor was excellent. Mama Rosebud likes to put little chunks of green peppers and onions into the chopped beef, which our hero really enjoyed. It almost made him think about how his own mother would try to sneak vegetables into his food in the days of his youth. The sides were just ok, but I thought the baked beans with beef were novel. Beef + beans? Who knew?!
Sauces — the sauces reminded our hero of the BBQ sauces served at Cluck U. Though he doesn’t really know how they get that kind of texture/​consistency/​flavor, he doesn’t care b/​c he likes it. A lot. The spicy was not very spicy however, and along with the dryness of the beef, were the only disappointing things about the meal.
After the meal, our hero had to say grace again and thank the Lord for creating animals. He looked at the bones and other remains of the animals he had just laid waste to, and behold, he saw that it was very good.
* Yes, I realize that passage in Acts is symbolic, but this is Unilocal,not Bible study, so chill.
— — –
Location — if you’re near NE DC, it’s a short drive, and it’s 0.7 miles from the Capital Heights Metro stop. It’s certainly not the best area, and I probably wouldn’t recommend heading out there late in the evenings. Owned by a DC police investigator and his wife, Google this place and you’ll find several articles of how this business tries to make a difference in their neighborhood. Two parking spots are available on the side of the restaurant, and there’s a small lot just before it — though I’m not entirely positive if you’re allowed to park there.
Service — very friendly. The food took about 10 minutes. Catering is available.
Final note: There’s a Redskins special on Gameday: ½ rack,½ chicken, 2 large sides = $ 20.08. So even though our team sucks, you can at least enjoy smoked meat to make the sadness go away.