Featured Post

Who taught you the most about BBQ?

Most of the questions our editors get are from readers who want to know, Who is your greatest bbq grilling influencer ? The reasons f...

Monday, February 13, 2017

Kevin's Top Five BBQ Joints in the Valley

I think it is pretty obvious at this point that I am a huge Barbeque fan.  I have eaten at almost every barbecue restaurant within 50 miles of my house. Being a native of Kansas City people often think I prefer the Kansas City style of barbeque with its thick sauce, sweet as candy and a smoky after effect. What most people don't know is that I lived in Kansas City as a little boy. I did not know what barbecue was then. When I lived in Kansas City the only thing I knew about food was that I liked Cheerios. 

I am a little older now and in the passing years I have refinded my taste in barbecue. I like a little of everything. I find that most every region gives me something to look forward to. 

Here is a list of my 5 favorite bbq restuatarnts in the Phoenix area. 

  1. Little Miss BBQ - Phoenix

Scott and his team are unabashly fans of the Austin, Texas BBQ Scene. They did not copy the recieps of the Famous Franklin BBQ in Austin. But a heavy homage to the place would be a better moniker. Everything about Little Miss screams Texas BBQ. The fatty brisket is as close to Frankllins that you can get and not be in the 78702 zip code. It is no wonder that people stand in line for hours just to get some of Scott's brisket. Most days the people in the back of the line are disappointed when they are sold out by 11a. Little Miss is not to be "missed". The best time to go may be in the summer when it is at least possible to get some food without an hour long wait. 

2. Honey Bears - Phoenix
Honey Bears is one of the older BBQ joints in the Valley.  Honey Bears opened in 1980 and at the time was one of the only bbq restarants around at the time. Gary and Mark, origannly Iowa natives have adoted the Tennessee style of grilling meats.  Pulled Pork is the name of the game at Honey Bears.  Sandwiches are the best selling items at HB's.  Pulled pork sandwiches served on a soft and aduwuatly large sandwich bun. People have been coming to Honey Bears for a long time and from a long way to experience the pulled pork.  While the pulled pork is the meat they are primarly known for it is acutally one of their desert offerings that sets them apart.  I dare any visitors to find a better peach cobbler than you can find at Honey Bears. 

3. Dillions - Phoenix 
So Little Miss has the Austin style of bbq covered in the valley. Honey Bears will introduce diners to the BBQ scene in Tennessee. So Dillions steps in and covers the Kansas City style. Kansas City style means pork ribs. Ribs can either be dry or wet depending on what kind of rub or sauce is on the meat. Since everyone no matter how novice has at least heard of KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce. Well the reason ribs in the Kansas City style are wet is because of the famous BBQ Sauce. 

4. Rudy's - Phoenix
Rudy's brings us back to the Texas Style and once again brisket is what the pitmasters at Rudy's are cooking. The store features a one of the largest smokers in the state. The capacity of the smoker located in the back of the restuarnt is large enough to keep 3 restaurants supplied in brisket for a week.  Served with a few slices of pickels to get the pallett just right Rudy's knows how to make the expeince of eating brisket one that is truley memorable. 
They also make a mean cornbread for those who need some extra carbs. 

5. Bryan's Blackmountain Barbeque - Cave Creek

Half entertainment venue and half restuarant Bryan's is equally known for their folksey guitater player as much as they are known for their grilled meats.  Bryans always has an excellent rotation of acustic musicans seated to sernande his patrons.  The great sounds almost take you away from the great ribs and coleslaw that is being served at Blackmountain.  The views of the Cave Creek area are not half bad either. 

No comments:

Post a Comment