MISSION BBQ — Christiansburg

The brand started in 2011; this Christiansburg outpost sits on Market Street N.E., serving brisket, ribs, and pulled pork daily to a room that honours service members and first responders. It's fast-casual in format — order at the counter, find a seat — but the smoke is real and the portions don't hold back.

Open seven days, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. most nights (Sunday closes at 8:30 p.m.). They shut for eight major holidays and trim hours on a few others, so check ahead if the calendar looks uncertain. The rest of the time, the line moves and the meat's ready.