Drove from California to Arizona and had to try this smokehouse that Mark Weins Wowed over…read more The food was amazing and JL is truly a pitmaster. We had the smoked sausage brisket, ribs, and rib tips and everything was cooked to perfection. As we were leaving we saw JL in the back and had to stop and give him our compliments. It is one of the best smokehouses we have ever had. Keep up the good work JL.

It's no wonder JL Smokehouse hit the AZ Central top 100 for 2026. Long before they hit that status…read moremark, we had tried JL's and were flabbergasted we were - really, really good! We love the downhome southern style of cooking JL creates in his meats. There's nothing fancy about their store front, counter space or eating room. It's all about the eats... delish eats. Growing up and coming of age in the south from Florida to Georgia to Alabama, this place brings back those memories and tastes, and more. This is one BBQ you can't designate with a location or region - just southern and great! Everything we've tried is lip smackin'! From the Smoke Sausage, Rib Tips, Rib, Hot Links, Pulled Pork (delish), Pork Belly, Hot Links, Chicken, to the Brisket (my fave). As for sides, listen, they have the best Collards I've had in Arizona to date. They've got plenty of sides to boot, including Tater Salad, Mac & Cheese, really creamy Coleslaw, smooth and silky BBQ Beans, fantastic Cabbage, Roast Taters and Green Beans. No matter where you hail from, this BBQ will make your mouth water... and then some. Kudos JL!

I would like to thank the staff at the hotel for recommending this place. What a hidden treasure!…read more Their food is absolutely fantastic. I had the brisket and pulled pork plate (I also wanted to try the ribs and sausage, but they were already sold out!). That gives you an idea of how popular they are. Great service as soon as you enter. The young staff were super nice and polite...great job by them. The indoor space (with cold AC to fight the Arizona heat) is small but clean and comfortable. They also have outdoor seating with fans and mist to cool you off. I took my order back to the hotel. Let me tell you, the food is phenomenal. That brisket was so moist and perfectly seasoned...gosh it was so good! The pulled pork was fantastic as well. The potato salad was great and definitely made on-site, not from a bag. The beans were really good too. I was really impressed with their offerings and will definitely go back on my next trip to Arizona.

Since my last review a decade ago I have been back about 8 times meeting friends there. I just saw…read morethis come up on the 2026 Michelin SW restaurant reviews again, and I guess I have to give them credit for their awards. I can say that I have never had horrible pork or sausage here, but I tried the beef ribs twice, and I watched friends eat them a couple of times and they were horrible! They don't remove the membrane inside of the ribs most of the time, so they're extra chewy. The biggest issue is that you pay by the pound for a HUGE bone you cannot eat, and your lucky if 1/4 of the weight is fat or meat. They're just not worth the price...period! The ribs are usually very good with a good pull and a decent moisture content, but I had a few batches that we very dry. The issue I have is the price of $28lbs for ribs is crazy money since that's only about 3 or 4 ribs, so a full rack is going to be $75 to $100. When you consider that half or more is bones you can't eat they're just not worth it! Do what I did 15 years ago and buy a good smoker, and learn how to use it.

This place is great. The smoked turkey is phenomenal. Best I have ever had. My kids crave it. Go!read more

Frasher's was excellent for doing everything I asked for. We have gluten sensitivities in our…read morefamily. Maria made sure everything was carefully marked gluten free! We had brisket,pulled pork and ribs. They cut the ribs individually so that was a bonus. The corn was fresh and delicious. Along with the mashed potatoes and coleslaw. The finishing touch was the ice cream custard it was a hit with the chocolate pecan pie! Needless to say our family party was a hit. We had to he party at our home so we arranged for pick up.

Found another spot to walk to for lunch!! Bootleggers Modern American Smokehouse is LEGIT!! I know…read morebecause Guy Fieri said so!!! The service we received was superb, and our food came out in a timely manner. We ordered the Hickman Deviled Eggs to start and WOW!! They definitely put their own twist on these bad boys!! They are plated beautifully and taste even better! I chose the Pick Two option for lunch and I was very satisfied. I was a bit worried when someone mentioned the brisket was dry.. although I had a tiny part of one that was dry, the rest of it was juicy and tender. Yummm!!! The Prime Brisket and Pulled Pork were perfectly cooked and d went well with the Sweet Potato Fries. My coworker got the Snitch Burger and even though the bun was on the thick side, it was a tasty burger! Prices are reasonable and parking isn't an issue. This place has a very casual vibe with the bar seating on one side and the dining room on the other. Give it shot and hop on The Joy Bus at Bootleggers Modern American Smokehouse!

Well, this was not the review I was expecting to write. I was first introduced to Bootleggers when…read morethere was one on Shea. You can go there to see my review and how happy it made me. That location became something of a semi regular stop even after I moved to the other side of the valley. I use to introduce all my friends when they visited me to Bootleggers at that location. After it closed, my husband and I decided to do a small gathering (5 people) at the Scottsdale location expecting the same experience at 4pm. Oh god how wrong I was. TLDR: If you want to be full after you ate, cool, ice in your drink, ADA accessible and have clean bathrooms, this place is not recommended. Full Review: We walked into an empty restaurant and you could tell the AC was dying/dead. It wasn't as hot as normal and we figured a place has a problem every once in awhile and continued to stay. We should have left the moment we got there The 2 girls working appearently never understood the concept ice. The water had like 3 half melted cubes in it. Considering that even though it was 120, but 101 out, and we were seated inside, you'd think there could at least be that. Now this where you might say "wow, you sound picky and entitled. its just eater." I wish I had the forethought to take pictures. Because if you were there, you would get it. I had to ask for refills for the table because they never even tried and were barely around. Reminder the place was empty minus us at 4pm. The ladies restroom had a small layer of water and I had to move random furniture to help get my mother (who is a veteran in a wheelchair) into the bathroom. It smelled horrific and was just gross. Getting her in and out was like a puzzle. So if you are wheelchair bound looking for ADA friendly, skip this unless you have a friend willing to just move the stuff in your way because there is no way you can do it. Now the Food. You would think that at least the food would be fine. That was of course the main reason I brought people there. The Apple pie moonshine and Peach moonshine were fanatic. The food tasted delicious BUT...big BUT here all the portions are hyper reduced. Like I use to get 5 eggs on the deviled eggs, only 3. The sweet potato fries of heaven, was half of the portion. Same with every single appetizer. My pork belly tacos had 3 tacos but the plating wasn't just different, but the tacos were ridiculously small. The only item that had the same portions I was accustomed to was the BBQ platter. My husband quietly paid the bill (around 300) and we left to find a place with AC and apologized profusely to our family. They were hot, still hungry and my mother felt like a burden due to the staff. I don't know if that was just the naturla difference between the 2 locations or if it has new management but, Good bye Bootleggers. NEVER AGAIN. Which is really sad because this use to be one of my favorites.

From the moment our experience began it was amazing. We were greeted within 3 seconds with a…read moresincere greeting from our fabulous server Tabitha, despite how busy the resturant was. The service was spot on. The steaks melted in your mouth, and ribs fell off the bone. Great job to everyone. I will definitely recomend and be a regular patron myself. Looking forward to the tempting lunch menue also.

5 If you haven't been here you're missing out. Hands down…read moreAZs best BBQ . If you can get down there and get your self some bobby qs you'll never go anywhere else it's a hidden gem if you ask me

I recently started to pick up their 1lb shredded barbecue chicken. OMG! This is the second time in…read morea week I've ordered it. Pickup was easy, quick and the staff pitch perfect! Finally, their barbecue sauce remains legendary! It didn't last long enough for a picture!

Wow! If you like bbq, you're going to love BobbyQ's!! Started out with a cocktail at the bar…read more Audrey was our bartender, as well as our server when we moved to a booth. Such a friendly and attentive young woman. We enjoyed chatting with her. Excellent bartender with great recommendations. I took her advice, and had the Prickly Pear Mule. Good flavor, and different than the ordinary mule. My husband had Makers Mark neat & a Dos Equis with a very cold glass. We moved to a booth, and ordered the smoked wings as an appetizer. They were outstanding! Served with carrots, celery, and 3 sauces on the side...buffalo, ranch, and bbq. It was such a generous serving , but we were determined to finish them. Next, we each ordered the 2 meat platter. I had St. Louis ribs with brisket, Mac and cheese, and the bbq beans. My husband ordered the baby back ribs, brisket, bbq beans, and pecan Cole slaw. We were both served a piece of cornbread which was so good. I also had a smoked Old Fashioned. The presentation was very well done! Finally, to top it off, Audrey brought a piece of chocolate with ice cream for my husband's birthday! The food was spectacular, and made us determined to return, possibly the next day for the fried fish! It's actually a 1 1/2 hour drive to get there, but well worth it! Renny, the manager, stopped by our table twice to make sure we were happy with everything. If you're a fan of bbq, check out BobbyQ! You won't be disappointed!!

They don't make it like this anymore. Great customer service wonderful people Lanae is literally…read morethe best. If you want some incredible barbecue and a really fun environment to just chill with your family. This is it and they've got great drinks.!!!

For more than six years, working in the airline industry has given us the opportunity to travel…read moreacross the country and experience some incredible BBQ. We've developed favorites in several cities, particularly when it comes to authentic Texas-style BBQ. Since moving to Arizona, we've enjoyed exploring the local BBQ scene, including Little Miss BBQ. However, after our first visit to Caldwell County BBQ, we can confidently say we've found our new local favorite! From the moment we walked through the door, the experience was exceptional. We were greeted by Mason, who immediately made us feel welcome. When he learned it was our first visit, he took the time to explain the ordering process, describe the different meats, and share his personal recommendations. Even as the line grew behind us, he never made us feel rushed. He treated us as though we were the only guests there. Mason offered samples of the beef rib, brisket, and sausage, all of which were outstanding. He genuinely wanted us to experience the flavors before ordering. He explained that everything is served à la carte and prepared fresh daily. His enthusiasm was especially noticeable when describing the banana pudding, made fresh at 5 a.m. with bananas, homemade custard, and smoked vanilla beans. That attention to detail immediately impressed us. We ordered a pound of brisket, pulled pork and brisket sliders, green chile mac and cheese, corn casserole, pinto beans, and two absolutely massive beef ribs served with house-made chimichurri. The beef ribs were phenomenal! Incredibly tender, flavorful, and slightly sweeter than the brisket, they were easily among the best we've ever had. The chimichurri was equally impressive, bursting with fresh herbs and peppers. We honestly could have put it on everything! The green chile mac and cheese was creamy and cheesy, with just enough chile flavor without overwhelming heat. The corn casserole was rich, thick, and buttery, while the pinto beans were perfectly tender with a subtle smokiness that wasn't buried under excessive seasoning. The brisket had beautiful bark, exceptional flavor, and was incredibly juicy without relying on excessive fat. The sliders, served on salted pretzel buns, may have been small enough to fit in your palm, but they were generously packed with meat. Don't underestimate them! For dessert, we enjoyed the banana pudding and sheet cake. The pudding was perfectly balanced without being overly sweet. Learning that the vanilla beans are smoked and the wafers are buttered, baked, and layered into the pudding made us appreciate it even more. The sheet cake featured a tender layer of cake topped with rich fudge frosting and walnuts. Both were a wonderful ending to an incredible meal. But as exceptional as the food was, what truly set Caldwell County apart was the hospitality. Mason made a point to check on us during our meal, genuinely interested in hearing about our experience. That simple gesture meant a great deal. Throughout our visit, it was obvious that the entire team takes tremendous pride not only in the quality of their food but also in how they treat their guests. There is a meaningful difference between serving customers and making people feel genuinely valued. Caldwell County understands that difference. Every interaction felt personal, sincere, and unhurried. We never felt like another transaction or simply the next people in line. We felt appreciated, and that is something we'll remember long after the meal. In fact, before we had even finished eating, we were already telling family, friends, and fellow BBQ enthusiasts about our experience! Having enjoyed BBQ throughout the country, we can confidently place Caldwell County among our absolute favorites. The quality, attention to detail, and genuine hospitality make this restaurant something special. We're already looking forward to returning next week with friends visiting from out of town. We sincerely hope Mason is there because we'd love for them to experience the same exceptional hospitality we received. To Mason and the entire Caldwell County team: Thank you for reminding us what genuine hospitality looks like. You've gained loyal customers, and we couldn't be happier to have discovered you here in Arizona! If we could give you a 20 out of 10, we absolutely would. Outstanding in every way!

Pretty good food although a bit over priced. Nice environment but pretty empty at dinner time…read more I think the neighborhood has moved on from this location with other options now open. I'd come more of prices were more reasonable.

This is the end of an era. The people who kept this place…read morerunning during Covid, then treated like we were a burden. Thanks Kiki for keeping this going as long as you did with their disregard of your 11 years!

READ ME!! This…read moreplace by far is the most delicious, juiciest BBQ I've had in TOWN! The food is amazing! The meat is so tender fall off the bone good! The staff there are super helpful and very knowledgeable.

This food truck was located at the Korn, Gojira, and Spirit Box concert at Talking Stick Resort…read moreAmphitheater this past week. For sides, they were $4 for what appeared to be 8oz cups which seemed a little pricey but if homemade it's worth the price point. Both my cousin and I thought the coleslaw was an odd flavor like there was either red apple or radish in there, but we couldn't quite figure it out. A skip for me if I visit this truck again. As for the potato salad, it was fairly decent though it had large pieces of potato skins which I personally do not care for in my potato salad. Since we didn't get any actual food as I stick to a vegetarian diet mostly, I'll give it a 4 star for the sides. Overall, the service was quick and friendly. The atmosphere is what you make of where a food truck is parked. The condiment/utensils available on the ledge do make it easier for grab-and-go.

customer service was phenomenal, I lfelt welcomed, appreciated. The food was amazing, fresh and…read moredelicious I'm most definitely going back.

Today was my first time visiting Sweet Mongolia Smokehouse, and I came with a group of friends. We…read moreall ordered different dishes so we could share and try a little bit of everything and honestly, everything we tasted was delicious! The service was absolutely top-notch some of the best service I've experienced in the Valley. Everyone was welcoming, attentive, and served everything with a smile. The food is cooked fresh to order and has that delicious, authentic barbecue style. Some of my favorites were the smoked wings, sweet potato, cornbread, and beef rib tips. Everything was flavorful, fresh, and satisfying. And you HAVE to try the Guava Lemonade, which was the flavor of the month. It was absolutely amazing! Our food came out quickly, hot, fresh, and beautifully served. Great food, great service, and a great atmosphere. Definitely a spot I'll be visiting again! Highly recommend.