Roots 657 Café & Local Market
42301 Spinks Ferry Road
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-779-9657
http://roots657.com/

Sandwiches – BBQ | $

Chef / Co-Owner Rich Rosendale has created a high-end sandwich mecca just north of Leesburg, VA on Rt. 15. Rosendale is an ACF Certified Master Chef. According to his web page he has trained and mentored under famed chefs Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and Grant Achatz. With Chefs de Cuisine Danny Sterling and Joe Peroney there is never a time when a chef does not have an eye on the food.

There is a strong collection of soups, salads, and sandwiches on the menu to satisfy just about everyone.

Coffee, bottled soft drinks, wine, and tap beer are all available.

My wife began with the pleasingly different Six Onion Soup. Expecting the traditional thin brown salty onion broth, we were surprised by the creamy richness of this version. It was not overly salty and had just the right savory onion flavor.

For her entre my wife ordered the pulled pork with a mac and cheese side. Topped with a wonderful creamy coleslaw and BBQ sauce. She loved the pulled pork and would eagerly order it again.

I could not pass on the brisket sandwich. The brisket comes on a toasted Jalapeno-cheddar roll with a corn pudding side. Chef de Cuisine Joe Peroney told me the brisket is smoked for a minimum of 18 hours. This is some of the best brisket I have had. Super tender with a deep smoke flavor that is not over powering. Chef does a masterful job of smoking the brisket to get the licorice-black shiny lacquer bark that comes from the right combination of rub, temperature, and smoke.

If you are anywhere close to Leesburg don’t pass up the chance to stop at Roots 657 for great food. The best news is the meats and sides are available for carry out by the pound.