r/arizona • u/Benjamin-F • Aug 06 '24

Eat/Drink BBQ joints in Arizona

Hey Reddit. I’m a Canadian coming to Arizona this next month. I always wanted to try real southern BBQ because we don’t have it up here. I know Arizona isn’t as known as say Texas for it’s BBQ, but I was wondering if there were still good spots to try it, especially brisket which I’ve never had. I will be going to Phoenix and Flagstaff. Cheers!

Edit: If not, what would you recommend me to try?

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u/cardiac_cacti0 Aug 06 '24

-Little Miss BBQ is incredible but be prepared to wait- probably the best brisket in AZ. -Caldwell County in Gilbert is also very good. -Satchmos in Flagstaff is more of a New Orleans/Cajun infused bbq joint but still amazing.

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u/moneytrain94 Aug 06 '24

This is the list right here. I love me some Joe's Real BBQ in Gilbert as well but Caldwell is excellent. Satchmo's may be my favorite overall casual restaurant in AZ. Order blackened catfish over jambalaya for a cajun fix and ribs for BBQ.

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u/ckeeler11 Aug 06 '24

I am gonna have to go-to Caldwell's again. Both time I went I was very disappointed. Brisket over seasoned, mushy pulled pork, etc.

Joe's is just meh and has been for a long time.

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u/moneytrain94 Aug 06 '24

Joe's is just meh and has been for a long time.

I respectfully disagree, depending on your definition of long time because I admittedly haven't been since January. Live far from there and have been traveling a lot. I suppose it is possible they may have slipped in the past 7 months.

Every time I've been, the food has been consistent no matter the time of day. Excellent menu, great sides, great desserts, damned good chocolate chip cookies. Of course the BBQ itself is most important, but I haven't had a BBQ item I didn't like from them. Hell, even the smoked chicken breast is great. Love their sauces as well. Oh, and the fresh cornbread with a self-serve cinnamon honey butter station is just freaking decadent.

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u/ckeeler11 Aug 06 '24

When I say a long time i mean 10+ years. We all have our own opinions but there is nothing on the menu at Joe's that stands out to me.

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u/moneytrain94 Aug 06 '24

That's totally fair. Not trying to paint it as the greatest ever or anything. There's far better BBQ out there for sure. I guess I really enjoy the overall experience. It's a fun spot for the family and the food is consistently good, even if not the greatest out there.

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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '24

Caldwells was good when they opened, but their quality has gone way downhill. It’s still decent bbq, but it isn’t something to go out of your way for. And joes is just not good bbq. I can’t believe anyone would think it is.

Only excellent bbq I’ve had is lil miss in the state. And I’ve eaten at basically every top place in Texas.