Mackie’s Barbecue, which opened just over a year ago at 5500 Olney Laytonsville Rd in Olney (in the space formerly occupied by Umberto’s), has made a significant impact in the community. The restaurant is the only one in Olney to be included in Yelp’s 2024 “Top 50 Places to Eat in the MD Burbs” list, which highlights standout restaurants in the Maryland suburbs.
The list was curated by “Yelp Elites” — a group of reviewers chosen based on their well-written reviews, high-quality photos, detailed personal profiles, and a history of engaging positively with others. The methodology behind the list can be seen below. Earlier this month, we also took a look at the Top 10.
Mackie’s Barbecue is described as a “rustic BBQ joint with juicy brisket and pulled pork in a lively bar atmosphere.” The restaurant offers a range of barbecue staples, including ribs, barbecued chicken, beef brisket, pulled pork, homemade drinks, desserts, and more. A video preview of the restaurant can be seen below.
The restaurant has garnered local praise for its community involvement, including offering free meals to teachers during times of potential staffing cuts, providing holiday meals for families in need, and other outreach efforts. With more than 100 reviews on Yelp, Mackie’s has earned a 4.3-star rating and holds a 4.4-star rating on Google with over 225 reviews. Additionally, Mackie’s operates catering locations in Gaithersburg and Potomac, along with a takeout/delivery service in Frederick.
Methodology used by Yelp to create this list: “To determine the Top Places to Eat in the MD Burbs in 2024, according to Yelp Elites, we identified businesses in the restaurants category, then ranked those spots using a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews given by Yelp Elite Squad members between August 2023 and August 2024. Only businesses in and around the MD Burbs area were considered. Businesses were marked open on Yelp as of August 21, 2024 and when available, all businesses on this list have a passing health score as of August 21, 2024.”
