These 7 Arizona barbecue restaurants were named among best in US — one landed in the top 3 (2024)

Yelp released a list of Top 100 Barbecue Spots 2024, shouting out the best barbecue restaurants across the U.S. Seven Arizona joints made the list alongside iconic spots like Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, whose owners have "won nearly every major barbecue competition in the country." One metro Phoenix pitmaster even made it to the top three.

To curate the "all-time list of the Top 100 Barbecue Spots in the US," Yelp took into account the top mentions of barbecue and factors like the ratings and total volume.

Here's a look at all the Arizona barbecue restaurants that made Yelp's best in the U.S. list.

Colt Grill in Sedona ranked No. 80

With multiple locations in northern Arizona, Colt Grill features a menu centered around hardwood-smoked meat.

Rating: 4.5 from 314 reviews.

Reviewer comment: Nicole M. wrote:“This place has the best brisket I have ever had. We ordered the sampler platter and 2 sides which was a generous portion of all their offerings. Their assortment of BBQ sauces were fantastic, we like the Campfire sauce in particular. When eating the brisket, it was shredding on my fork just trying to pick it up. I will definitely make a point to stop by Colt Grill next time I am in Sedona!”

Details: 6101 State Route 179, Suite D, Sedona. 928-325-7200, coltgrill.com.

Word Of Mouth Grill in Tempe ranked No. 71

This family-owned restaurant uses mesquite for its barbecue. As the name indicates, they started as a catering business in 2011 and opened a brick-and-mortar in 2019.

Rating: 4.6 from 440 reviews.

Reviewer comment: Johnny B. wrote:“Nice local place it has been consistently good. I really like the brisket. I prefer sweeter corn bread their version is fine it's typical and the only thing there that I have not been impressed with but that's my personal taste which I understand is not normal when it comes to cornbread. I highly recommend this place I don't think you can go wrong here.”

Details: 7660 S. McClintock Dr., Suite 103, Tempe. 480-621-6247, wordofmouthgrill.com.

Holy Smokin’ Butts BBQ in Tucson ranked No. 64

This spot offers woodfired barbecue style and specialty blend burgers.

Rating: 4.4 from 560 reviews.

Reviewer comment: Forrest R. wrote: "Great food and service. I would gladly recommend this restaurant, one of the best in east Tucson".

Details: 6940 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson. 520-329-3088, holysmokinbutts.com.

Smokey Mo in Tucson ranked No. 54

Smokey Mo offers mesquite-smoked barbecue.

Rating: 4.4 from 644 reviews.

Reviewer comment: Gian Carlo A. wrote: "This was the best bbq I ever had it was amazing and such an amazing experience and some bomb kool aid and amazing and friendly service and food was and music was so good it had me dancing in my seat".

Details: 2650 N. First Ave., Tucson. 520-203-8250, smokeymo.com.

These 7 Arizona barbecue restaurants were named among best in US — one landed in the top 3 (1)

Caldwell County BBQ in Gilbert ranked No. 37

The restaurant serves Texas-style barbecue with an Arizona twist.

Rating: 4.7 from 1,507 reviews.

Reviewer comment: Nora N. wrote: "Best prime brisket in Arizona! Great service. Hidden place we are customers for Gilbert location on Power and 202 Freeway. Ask to get thin slices, my son love their Mac&cheese, my fav side dish is corn casserole".

Details: 18324 E. Nunneley Rd., Gilbert. 480-892-0512 ,caldwellcountybbq.com.

These 7 Arizona barbecue restaurants were named among best in US — one landed in the top 3 (2)

Little Miss BBQ in Sunnyslope ranked No. 20

Owner Scott Holmes offers Texas-style barbecue at Little Miss BBQ in Phoenix and recently opened a fried chicken and ribs restaurant downtown.

Rating: 4.5 from 1,184 reviews.

Reviewer comment: Ambrosia G. wrote: "Best bbq I've had in town thus far. The meat is delicious but the sides are equally stars of the show. I've had many bbq places where the meat is good but the sides are nothing to write home about. I left craving every item I tried. If you haven't been here before, you won't regret a visit."

Details: 8901 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-314-6922, littlemissbbq.com.

Eric’s Family Barbecue in Avondale ranked No. 3

Veteran owned and operated, this is a Texas-style barbecue joint in Avondale.

Rating: 4.3 from 725 reviews.

Reviewer comment: Yelper Elite, Savannah V. wrote:“Phenomenal! Customer service amazing, meat juicy, sides delicious! We frequent smokehouses often, and this (is)hands down the bestsmokehousein Arizona. We ordered 1/2 lb brisket and 1/2 lb pulled pork, potato salad and macaroni on the side. We stuffed our faces and willdefinitelybe back.”

Details: 12345 W. Indian School Rd., Avondale. 623-248-0148, @ericsfamilybarbecue on Instagram.

New restaurant:Owners of restaurants Progress and Sottise open a dive bar in a storied Phoenix diner

Reach the reporter atBAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr onX, formerly Twitter.

These 7 Arizona barbecue restaurants were named among best in US — one landed in the top 3 (2024)

FAQs

Who has the best BBQ in the US? ›

Top 20 barbecue spots in the U.S. according to Yelp Elites
  • Franklin BBQ, Austin TX.
  • Kang Ho-dong Baekjeong, Los Angeles, CA.
  • The Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood, TX.
  • Hae Jang Chon, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Kansas City, KS.
  • Pappy's Smokehouse, Saint Louis, MO. ...
  • Mr BBQ Fullerton, CA.
  • Smoque BBQ Chicago, IL.
May 1, 2023

What state has the number one BBQ? ›

Few people will disagree that the state of Texas is the best place to experience real American barbecue. Texas is unique in that is has different styles of barbecue throughout the state.

Where is the barbecue capital of the United States? ›

Kansas City; BBQ Capital of The World.

What is the best BBQ in the US 2024? ›

The 2024 Best BBQ Cities list has, unsurprisingly, Kansas City, Missouri as No. 1 on the list, followed by Memphis, Tennessee; Houston, Texas; and the other Kansas City — the one in Kansas proper.

What are the top 5 BBQ cities in the US? ›

25 Best BBQ Cities in America
  • Kansas City, Missouri | Overall Score: 55.13. Number of Barbecue Vendors: 27 | Rank: 32. ...
  • Memphis, Tennessee | Overall Score: 47.74. ...
  • Houston | Overall Score: 43.95. ...
  • Kansas City, Kansas | Overall Score: 37.98. ...
  • Los Angeles | Overall Score: 36.2.
Jul 5, 2024

What is the largest BBQ chain in the US? ›

Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. U.S. Since Travis Dickey established the restaurant in 1941, it has become the largest barbecue franchise in the United States and worldwide.

Where did BBQ originate in the US? ›

In his video “A History of Barbecue”, historian Lance Geiger (aka “The History Guy”) explains, “In 1514, explorer Hernando de Soto attended a feast with the Chickasaw tribe in what is present-day Mississippi, where a pig was roasted on a barbecue. The practice was soon readily adopted by American colonists.”

What state is known to be the birthplace of BBQ? ›

As sure as the pit master's day is long, opinions on barbecue's birthplace are endless. But make no mistake, this isn't about choosing sides. It's about being right, and the roots to this sacred Southern dish are buried deep - five centuries deep - right here in South Carolina.

What is the number one rated grill? ›

Weber Genesis E-325s 3-Burner Gas Grill

You'll find Weber grills of all types atop our lists of bests; the brand is well-known for its popular grills, and it lives up to its reputation. The Weber Genesis E-325s got rave reviews in our gas grill tests) for its large capacity and precision temperature control.

What type of grill is healthiest? ›

Pellet Grills are the easiest grills to use and offer a healthier way to cook food since they are producing less smoke and tend to not reach temperatures higher than 500°F/260°C.

What state is best for grilling? ›

Texas has one the best US cities for grilling meat, new ranking shows.

Who is the greatest BBQ chef in America? ›

Myron Mixon (born May 31, 1962) is an American celebrity chef and competitor on the competitive barbecue circuit. He is a five time barbecue World Champion and appeared as a judge on Destination America reality television show BBQ Pitmasters.

Does Texas have the best BBQ in the world? ›

Our definitive, soot-stained guide to the best purveyors of smoked meat in Texas—which is to say, the best purveyors of smoked meat on Earth. Texas barbecue has no peer on earth.

What city in Texas is famous for BBQ? ›

The Texas Legislature, first the House of Representatives in the Spring of 1999, then in the Fall of 2003, the Senate passed a resolution proclaiming Lockhart to be The Barbecue Capital of Texas.

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