Ralph Davis opens Mystic BBQ and Grill on Lee St. in Old Town Alexandria

Alexandria, VA  One of Alexandria’s favorite restauranteurs, Ralph Davis, has teamed up with his son Matt to open Mystic BBQ and Grill at 220 N. Lee St. in Old Town Alexandria. Ralph is best known as the founder of RT’s in Arlandria.  The Mystic location came with a grill and smoker so Ralph and his son swung into action by creating a menu that takes advantage of both while reaching back into their southern roots to create a delightful menu.

Mystic is named in honor of his late wife and the music wafting through the space is one of her favorite playlists. The menu features both grilled items and Southern favorites. The full bar menu has an excellent mix of beers and wines with specialty cocktails such as the Gator Bite made with Mount Gay Rum, kiwi, mango, and lime. Check out their version of Bourbon Sweet Tea with Maker’s Mark, tea syrup, and lemon.

Smoke permeates the menu with starters like the Smoked Chicken Wings served with Alabama white BBQ sauce and the Brisket Man n’ Cheese topped with their signature original BBQ sauce. Talking of BBQ sauce, Mystic has three original sauces that echo the flavors of the Southern BBQ: mustard, vinegar, and red. Try them all, they are really good. Check out the original spicy version of She Crab Soup (made famous by RT’s) or the Gumbo Ya Ya with wood grilled chicken and andouille.  Another show stopper is the Fried Green tomatoes topped with lump crab, and drizzled with lemon-habañero comeback sauce.

The sandwiches are made with love and BBQ. Try the Brisket garnished with pickled onions, horseradish, and their original BBQ sauce. This is some of the tenderest and moist brisket that will pass over your lips! The Pulled Pork sandwich is filled with smoked pulled pork, pickled onions, jalapeños, and Carolina mustard sauce. Don’t miss the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake. It is made with all lump crabmeat, lettuce, tomato, and a Florida mustard sauce.

Sate your need for smoke and sauce with a choice of three BBQ Plates. The plates are overflowing with a half-pound of pulled pork, Texas brisket, or a half rack of tender baby back ribs.  The side choices feature collard greens, cornbread and honey butter, French fries, and a knock you over Creole white beans with Tasso ham.

Southern Mains bring a new take on Shrimp and Grits sautéed with garlic, chopped tomato, spring onions, tasso ham, and fresh basil. The Black Pepper Mussels bowl finds mussels floating in white wine, cream, fresh tarragon, and lump crab, served with fries. Another Southern favorite is the Shrimp and Crawfish Etouffee. The dish is smothered Cajun style and served with garlic-parsley rice. Another nod to the South is the Delta Catfish prepared either blackened or fried on a bed of andouille cheese grits, and topped with shrimp Creole.

Children are welcome with a menu filled with chicken tenders, mac n’ cheese, and a burger. Finish on a sweet note with Southern pecan pie topped with Chantilly cream or Bananas Foster bread pudding topped with vanilla ice cream and a brown sugar rum sauce.

Every bite at Mystic is wonderful. You are guaranteed you won’t walk away hungry.

Alexandria’s Accidental Cajun Connection, The Zebra Press, March 2018