At Twisted Oak Barbecue, we think some of the best parts of a wedding weekend happen before the actual wedding.

Rehearsal dinners are a great chance for family and friends to get together, relax, have a few drinks, eat some really good food, and enjoy each other's company before everything gets busy the next day. That's where we fit in.

Twisted Oak is a locally owned barbecue and catering business serving Charlottesville and Central Virginia. Owner and pitmaster Michael McCrary started Twisted Oak from a love of cooking barbecue and bringing people together around good food.

Our barbecue is Texas inspired, Tennessee rooted, and crafted in Virginia. We take a lot of influence from Texas when it comes to brisket, bark, smoke, and keeping things simple, along with the pork barbecue traditions Michael grew up with in Tennessee. Then we put our own Virginia spin on it.

We cook with real wood, fire, and smoke. No liquid smoke and no shortcuts. Our menus can include brisket, pulled pork, smoked turkey, chicken, ribs, homemade barbecue sauces, white cheddar mac & cheese, pit beans, sweet slaw, loaded potato salad, street corn, desserts, and other seasonal sides.

We especially enjoy catering rehearsal dinners at vineyards, farms, breweries, private homes, and event venues around Central Virginia. Barbecue works really well for these gatherings because it can be casual without feeling cheap or ordinary. Guests can grab a plate, find a seat, and enjoy the evening without dinner feeling overly formal.

We'll work with you to figure out the menu, how much food you'll need, and the best way to serve it. We can handle everything from simple delivery and setup to a fully staffed buffet with drinks and desserts.

We're a small, owner-operated business, so you're not getting passed from one person to another throughout the planning process. We want to keep things simple, answer your questions, show up prepared, and serve food we're proud to put our name on.

While rehearsal dinners are a big focus for us, we're also available for welcome parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, farewell lunches, and other events throughout the wedding weekend.

Most of all, we want your rehearsal dinner to feel like what it should be — good food, good people, and a chance to enjoy being together before the big day.

Twisted Oak Barbecue

Texas Inspired. Tennessee Rooted. Crafted in Virginia.