Pork Barrel BBQ, a locally founded barbeque sauce and food provider, will open its first restaurant in Del Ray in the not-so-distant future. But before they start grilling in Alexandria, co-founders Heath Hall and Brett Thompson were grilled themselves on Shark Tank, a reality show series in which five business tycoons interview ambitious entrepreneurs before deciding whether to invest their personal cash in the businesses.

The show airs this Sunday and Mango Mikes Caribbean Restaurant will hold a viewing party to honor the coming addition to the citys restaurant scene. Mango Mikes owner Mike Anderson, who recently announced a partnership with Pork Barrel, will host the party beginning at 7:30 p.m., with the show airing at 9 p.m.

Hall and Thompson created the company while working on the Hill during a late-night budget debate. When the conversation on the Senate floor turned to Pork Barrel spending, the two began discussing their favorite subject, edible barbeque, and Pork Barrel BBQ was born.

Since December 2008, the company has steadily gained followers and fans with their Pork Barrel BBQ Sauce and All American Spice Rub. The entrepreneurs have taken second place in the Best Sauce in the Nation contest at the 2009 National Capital Barbecue Battle and received the Peoples Choice Award at the 2009 Taste of Del Ray.

Reservations are recommended for the viewing party.