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Joe's Real BBQ

4.1 (1.8k reviews)
ModerateBarbeque
Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 3 months ago

Order Joe's Real BBQ Takeout or Delivery

Joe's Real BBQ Photos

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JOE'S REAL BBQ ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Loud
Good for groups
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Joe's Real BBQ

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Sampler
Brittany M.

This is some of the best mf'n barbecue I have ever tasted in the state of Arizona. I hate sweet cornbread but Joe's....I don't know what they put in this damn corn bread, but that cornbread bread is busting 1000/1000. Just might be my wedding cake of choice. The Meat ugh mouth wet asf, now. You need no teeth to eat. Whole plate ‍ pressure. Makes me wanna get in my car and go get another plate. I have fell in love with this place and this is my first time eating To Go at that. I no longer have to fly out to Alabama Mississippi or Tennessee for food. Joe...this some Real mf barbecue. No this is not a paid review but I'm going being paying them for more Food!!! The CORNBREAD yall ‍. Thank you for Doing Bbq the right way.

Mac and cheese & cheesy potatoes
Claudine C.

There's so many good food options in the downtown Gilbert area but I'm glad we tried Joe's!! I didn't love the styrofoam to go containers but that's just my own preference and has nothing to do with the food which was really good! I ordered to go but their service is really fast here. It's cafeteria style so they have it all ready for you to order. I prefer the chopped brisket over the sliced (too fatty for me). Theres 3 different bbq sauce to choose from, the spicy one was my fav and had a nice kick to it! The sides were pretty decent. Cornbread was on the sweeter side if your into that. The mac wasn't the best I've had but worth trying. The cheesy potatoes weren't my fav, but for the price, I'm not mad at it.

2 Meat Plate brisket and ribs  Pulled pork BBQ Sandwich
Isabella G.

The food was amazing, their barbecue sauces were very delicious. I had the pulled pork sandwich and the mac and cheese and I have nothing to complain about. The employees were kind as well. I love that you order in an assembly line. Will definitely be returning!

Sampler
Patrick L.

Every time I see Joe's BBQ it's been packed with cheerful and happy folks enjoying the food and vibes of the place so I had to give it a shot myself. Definitely a bang for your buck to share the sampler (22$). It comes with ribs, chicken, brisket, pork, cornbread, and a side of your choice (I chose the beet salad). The ribs were the highlight of the meal for me personally because of the balance of sweetness in the sauce that sticks to the tender meat. With the pork, there was more to be desired because this certain serving was more on the dry side but not terrible at all by any means just unlucky. I'd give this place a shot with family and friends if you want to have a good vibe eating hardy barbecue!

Sampler
Adam S.

Good barbecue at a great price. I had the sampler for around $20. I enjoyed the ribs and chicken the most. Slap some of the gold sauce on the ribs...delicious! The chicken was smoked just right. The pulled pork was a close third. Spicy BBQ sauce with just the right amount of kick, cornbread with honey butter, BBQ beans and cobbler for dessert. Joe's own tasty root beer. Everything was awesome. First of all, I am from Texas and very picky with brisket. Killen's and Truth BBQ in Houston, Franklin in Austin...some of the best barbecue in the state. Nice smoke ring, pink meat. Tender and not greasy. Joe's brisket was not for me. Overcooked and greasy, not much of a smoke ring. Maybe I caught them on a bad day. In all fairness, in Houston, I would probably pay for one meat what I paid in Gilbert for 4 meats. Overall a great deal. I wanted to grab some of the gold sauce before I left, but will need to get that next time. I will definitely return. Happy, friendly service in a picnic-like setting (seat yourself, similar to Rudy's BBQ).

Bbq chicken salad!
Aini R.

We love the bbq chicken salad here. The staff was kind enough to split the salad for us. The salad portion is huge! The place is cafeteria style.

Potato salad
Jann L.

We were traveling through the Mesa/Gilbert area & decided to try Joe's Real BBQ. Parking is a little difficult especially on the weekend but there's plenty of seating to make up for it. The restaurant was super busy with conversation being easy to have, the decor classic, restrooms clean & well stocked. The employees were friendly, polite & offered recommendations if asked. The brisket & pulled pork was absolutely delicious perfectly smoked & moist. The chicken & ribs were also delicious. We were extremely happy with everything we ordered that we ended up ordering to go orders to take with us to a family gathering we were heading to. Joe's Real BBQ truly understands what delicious BBQ is.

4-meat sampler plate
Emily L.

Even through the rapid expansion of the Valley, Joe's Real BBQ still holds up as one of the best barbecue joints! Everything here is pecan-smoked to perfection and wonderfully tender. You can't really go wrong, but the 4-meat sampler plate is a great assortment of some of their best items. Brisket is my absolute favorite -- it's super tender and something between fatty and lean -- and ribs, chicken, and pulled pork are fantastic too. Plus, even as someone who isn't huge into BBQ sauce, I would slather my dishes with Joe's original sauce. It hits the right spot between acidity and sweetness. Cornbread is perfect, especially with honey butter, but the secret superstar: pickles. They are SO crunchy and fresh, balancing the savory heaviness of the meats. And you can get more at the bar! For the included side, I always recommend cheesy potatoes. Parking is easy on the east side of the building, and birthday meals are $14 off with ID. The new-ish patio is big with courtyard games, metal rocking chairs, and lots of extra seating. Highly recommend! Bonus tip: they have a super cool analog photo booth! Try it out!

House Salad w/Meat
Michelle M.

My family has dined at Joe's Real Barbecue several times for birthday celebrations. One of the reasons we keep coming back is their birthday deal...you get $14 off your meal, which brings us in multiple times a year. My absolute favorite item is the house salad with chopped brisket and sauce. I asked which meat was the juiciest, and the staff recommended the brisket...it was a great choice. It was so flavorful with the brisket, green onions, and black olives that I didn't even need the dressing (though the dressing is delicious too). I skipped it to save on calories, and the salad was still amazing! Brisket is a premium meat, so it's an extra $1, but it's totally worth it, especially since I can skip the dressing and still enjoy it. Another favorite of mine is the jumbo baker--especially when carbs aren't a concern. Both the salad and the jumbo baker are generously portioned and very filling. My husband and I have even shared in the past so we could save room for dessert. When the weather's nice, Joe's offers both indoor seating and picnic tables outside. Our kids love the outdoor games like cornhole and Twister...it's a great family-friendly atmosphere.

Loaded baked potato with brisket.

What a great BBQ joint! We had more food than we could possibly eat. I had the pulled pork, potato salad, that comes with cornbread. Husband had the loaded baked potato with brisket with cowboy beans side. The potato was HUGE! Would easily feed 2. There is seating inside and out. The tables are bussed and cleaned fast. Talk about service! They are fast and friendly. Prices are $$

Norm W.

It's been more than a few years since I was at Joe's BBQ. Consistent , reliable service and food. Had the two meat platter. Selected the sliced brisket, pulled pork, cornbread and a side of potato salad. Place still has a great hometown rustic vibe. Way more than enough food, the 1 meat platter would have been sufficient. The sliced brisket was exceptional and in my opinion, their signature dish. All good here, lots of restaurant choices in the area.

Peach cobbler... how long it's been
Brett B.

What a great place to celebrate a birthday! The line servers were so hospitable and friendly, exactly what you'd expect if the Walton's went for a meal on the town We ordered a 2 meat platter, with sliced brisket and ribs. Both were succulent, but that moist brisket is some of the best we've ever had. Great Americana ambiance with homemade BBQ sauce, and... Homemade Root Beer on fountain! The best root beer you'll find is right here, and they can serve it as a float. The Mac and cheese is tasty with a breadcrumb topping, and the potato salad was ok. If you have any room left in your breadbasket, then finish off your meal with a peach cobbler, a la mode. I was happier than a squealing pig running through a pen full of farmer's daughters.

Menú
Danielle R.

I love coming to Joe's Real BBQ, the atmosphere inside and outside is inviting and welcoming. The menu boards and the visible options for sides (when ordering) make me want to order everything. The employees were also super friendly and personable which made the experience great. I ended up coming here for my birthday today and I got the 2 meat plate (chopped brisket & pulled pork) with a side of Mac n cheese and cheesy potatoes. The slow smoked meats are impeccable and full of flavor. For me, I don't need to add anything else to it, but I did dabble in the hot bbq sauce a few times. The Mac and cheese and cheesy potatoes are a duo that pairs well together and leaves you feeling full and satisfied. Lastly, the cornbread is cooked so well with its perfect semi hardened top, it hits the spot (with or without the side of cinnamon butter). I highly recommend stopping here. You won't be disappointed.

Mac and Cheese Baked Beans has beef in it Cornbread Ribs

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3 months ago

Always good! Weather is perfect just like the food and service! And Topo ice cream afterwards! Love it! Highly recommend!

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Ask the Community - Joe's Real BBQ

Is the BBQ sauce gluten free? I have a guest with celiac who can't eat gluten and would like to take her here. Please don't answer if you don't know.

Yes. I am celiac and eat here ALOT!! Food is excellent. I believe all the meat is. Half the sides and the sauces are too. Sometimes vinegar bothers me so I do light sauce.

Do you guys have a photobooth in the plaza of your restaurant?

No, great place with photo oops outside !

Can I reserve two tables for a party of 12? (Just called them. No reservations for parties less than 20).

We don't take reservations for parties less than 20 as they aren't really needed and you should have no problem with a group of that size. We have over 200 air conditioned seats and nearly that many in the park outside. If your group has special… Read more

Are dogs on leashes welcome in the outdoor patio area?

I was told by someone that worked there that they are allowed

Are the hot links spicy? Wondering if they would be good for my children.

Not too spicy

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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Caldwell County BBQ

Caldwell County BBQ

(1.9k reviews)

$$

great food great service nice restaurant will be coming back and will bring family and friendsread more

I stopped by Caldwell County BBQ for dinner on a Saturday evening. Located in Gilbert, I found…read morestreet parking right in front of the restaurant despite it being quite busy. I'll preface this review by saying I have very high standards when it comes to BBQ. I am from Houston after all. Caldwell County BBQ very much lived up to the hype. It's no surprise their reviews are so good. Ambiance (5/5): Caldwell County BBQ serves Texas-style BBQ. I felt right at home. There's a lot of Texan decor and the sort of ambiance you would expect at a BBQ joint. It's a spacious restaurant with plenty of seating outside and a decent amount of seating inside. We sat inside. One of the things they do well is keeping the A/C blasting both indoors and outdoors (while you're likely going to wait in line) along with misters. Definitely something you need in Phoenix! Service (4/5): I hate waiting in line. Though it's not unusual at popular BBQ spots, I still wish places like this would hire a couple of more people to make the line move faster (or even completely eliminate the lines). We probably waited in line for about 20 minutes. They have a water cooler along the route, but it was all out. Something the staff should check on a little more frequently. With all this being said, Caldwell County is well worth the wait. Drinks (5/5): Whenever I'm at a BBQ joint, I'm looking for sweet tea. Which they have here. Plus your standard assortment of soft drinks and alcohol, with a focus on beer. Food (5/5): BBQ joints typically have you pay by weight or by plates (one meat, two meats, three meats, etc.). Caldwell does it by the pound unless you go with a sandwich, loaded baked potato, etc. What's nice is they also have a family pack for 4 which comes with brisket, pulled pork, and your choice of ribs, sausage, or one other protein which is escaping me. Plus two large pint-size sides. We rolled with this option as it's a good deal (brisket, pulled pork, and St. Louis style ribs with corn casserole and mac and cheese). White bread, pickles, onions, and jalapenos are available free of charge. There are three BBQ sauces at each table: their classic BBQ, spicy, and AZ gold). We also added a quarter pound of the AZ burnt ends. Man, these are some quality meats. Brisket is the true test of Texas BBQ and the shining star. The brisket here isn't the best I've ever had but it's quite respectable. The sweet and spicy AZ burnt ends were delicious too. The ribs were tender and had a nice sweet glaze on them. The pulled pork was my least favorite, but still quite good. The sides are solid, though they could be a bit better. The mac and cheese was too peppery for my taste and the corn casserole was too sweet. Like pretty much all craft BBQ these days, Caldwell County BBQ isn't cheap. But the quality is there. This is the type of place that I would come back to again and again. They also have a location in Peoria though this one is the original. And I hear they don't run out of meats as other BBQ joints do (especially in Texas). That's a big plus! It's always a bummer when a BBQ joint is out of something you want. If you haven't been to Caldwell County BBQ, change that quick. Yeehaw!

Caldwell County Mexi-Q - Caldwell County Mexi-Q

Caldwell County Mexi-Q

(558 reviews)

$$

OK, we've been big fans of Caldwell's BBQ for years and somehow had never made it over to…read moreCaldwell's Mexi-Q... big mistake on our part--especially since it combines two of my all-time favorite things...brisket and tacos! Parking was a breeze, and since there were three of us (including one never-full teenager ), we went for the Mexi-Q Platter and added an extra birria taco so everyone could try one. It absolutely lived up to the hype! The surprise standout? The brisket tostada--sooooo flavorful and satisfying on every level! We also loved the sausage link, Mexi-Q twinkies (aka smoked jalapeños stuffed with brisket and cream cheese, then wrapped in bacon ), and honestly, everything we tried was a hit. For sides, we ordered Grandma's Calabacitas (a yummy squash veggie mix), roasted cream elote, and Julio's mac n' cheese (which I skipped, but the guys were big fans). We wrapped up this phenomenal meal with their GF banana pudding (they offer both GF and regular options), and it was seriously scrumptious--such a treat to have a gluten-free dessert that feels just as special! From the moment we walked in, the service was warm and attentive. They double-checked that everything we ordered (minus the mac n' cheese) was gluten-free, which is always such a relief. It means so much when a place truly understands gluten and can clearly guide you on what's safe. We sat outside and soaked up the beautiful weather--it was the perfect setting for such a fun and tasty meal! An easily awarded and well deserved

A- MAZING!!!!! So I'm doing my best not to curse, because I…read morewant to truly express how much I F-ING LOVE THIS PLACE! While working in the area of course I hot up my Yelp app...... 2 miles up the road I see this place listed, I click...... and I see a couple reviews from a few of my Yelp friends Derrick & Art. Well, after reading Derrick's review, which is EXCELLENT BTW, I was i may give to go here, then saw Art's endorsement & I was sold! Upon arrival, the parking lot is small, instant anxiety that the place is packed! NOPE.. Just a small lot to park, so food a spot & get here NOW! There's a bunch of Coveted outside seating, clean place, inside is cute & inviting. They jam country too... Approached the counter meet Brian F., this dude rocks! Often I will tell the place I'm visiting that I'm a rookie, must say thanks & ask what I want, not Brian F. he is real friendly. Brian F. said let me grab you a sample Brisket too help you decide... I mentioned i was torn between Brisket & Birria, so Brian F. said "get both! ", he recommends the Birria & Briaket for a 1st timer, I replied, LFG! Give me 2 of each, Brian replied "what about a twinkie? Having grown up during the Twinkie heyday, I was confused & not real interested... Brian F pulled out a Twinkie.... A BACON WRAPPED JALAPENO, stuffed with cream cheese & Brisket! ARE YOU F-ING KIDDING ME!!!!! YES, YES & 5 TIMES YES ON SUNDAYS! The place is delicious, the people are awesome & you would be an A-whole (pc) door not getting here now! I just found a GOTO place when I'm in the area! Thank you Brian F.

WoodBarn BBQ - Brisket

WoodBarn BBQ

(460 reviews)

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I wanted a two meat plate. The menu doesn't have a traditional selection for plate combinations…read more They specialize in sandwiches and family combinations for take home. It looked like they did sell meat by the pound and half pound, however ordering portion sizes for a meat plate, the choices are 1/4 pound increments. I chose the sausage and brisket. There is a single choice of sauce, sweet. The sausage had a consistency of a hotdog, not a typical BBQ joint casing or texture or consistency. The brisket was moist and well cooked, but felt colder to eat quickly while on the plate on a few minutes. They have a way of wanting to direct customers to their way of BBQ and ordering. It works when you are the best. I wish they were but I do not think I will be back. This just isn't what making it easy to order BBQ is all about.

We've been coming here for years and have just never gotten around to writing a long overdue…read morereview. The brisket chili is legitimately one of the best things I've ever had. It's. So. Good. We've done the brisket, pulled pork, turkey, and sausage. All are fantastic, but the brisket comes out on top. Incredible flavor and always so moist. The house made pickles are also a delightful addition. What really put it all over the top was our experience today. I was resisting the bread pudding but just couldn't stop thinking about it and ended up caving and getting it to go after we finished our meal. The man behind the counter, assuming one of the owners, made sure we got to try the homemade vanilla ice cream... game over. It was so damn good. 5/5 for food and service.

Joe's Real BBQ - bbq - Updated May 2026

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