Great food, love the service the people very warming great food great food great food

1 Star goes to Service and 2 to Food lol. We waited for an hour for 2 meat plate and initially a pulled pork loaded fries but as the wait time went on the pulled pork got sold out forcing us to change to Brisket. To be honest tho the Brisket Loaded Fries was the better option in our opinion, seasoned great and no sauce needed for that item! The night we went they had an order call in (I'm guessing the day of) for 100lbs of meat and with little to no prep, they sold out of a lot of meat from the passing time of us waiting for our order. The place is right off the road and on the smaller size but nice interior. Seems very popular cause we saw lots of people in and out while we waited. I would go back for the Loaded Brisket Fries but called ahead to make sure they were ready. The Mac n Cheese is a great side, my wife and I really liked it! Beans remind me of Lehi days beans which are decent. A suggestion for the restaurant would be to take orders 24-48 hours in advance to purchase/prepare the meat for such an order leaving the normal days meat available for customers to pickup. read more

Brisket was good, sausages kinda mushy. Got the platter but be warned the prices on the online menu don't match in store prices. Add $10. Not that hard to upload new menus with accurate pricing read more

Got the brisket plate with beans and coleslaw. Brisket was good but not great. Definitely tender and flaky but not a whole lot of flavor. Beans are not baked beans which they make very clear. They were okay. Coleslaw was very good. Came out quickly and was $19. Will probably go back and try the ribs next time. read more

What I got was the wrong order but it was very tasty. Didn't realize I got the wrong order until I was way down the road. Didn't want to turn back because we were running late. The pulled pork was delicious and I'm glad the sauce was on the side and not mixed in. My order was for brisket and potato salad. read more

Top tier Texas style BBQ in AJ! This place is great. We did a sample and everything was good but the brisket was exceptional.

First timers!!! The food was absolutely delicious!! The staff & service was great!!! Very helpful in suggesting. The area was clean & intimate. Wish the dining area was bigger, would love to take a large group to dinner there. We will definitely be frequenting Papa Bears BBQ!!!! read more

Came here after shopping in Phoenix. I have said it before, but I've had BBQ all over the country and love some good Q. We got a three meat plate with a couple sides. We picked the pulled pork, brisket, and sausage. All three had great flavor, and they were all very tender. When you walk in, like most small BBQ places, you walk up to the counter and order your food. They have a few tables inside, but there isn't much room, so I imagine if they were busy, you might not find a place to sit. Our food came out quickly and exactly as we ordered it. Overall, this was a good choice for some good Q. read more

Bbq was masterfully smoked and seasoned. The sides were good too. My 2 grandsons are finicky eaters but they devoured the ribs

The food is amazing . Always fresh but I will tell you if it's dinner you want , go early because the menu narrows significantly if it's close to closing time! I was pretty disappointed on my last trip there because the pulled pork was gone. If I was smart I wouldn't review this place and keep it to myself, however, I would much rather tell more people and keep the doors open. (Still sounds selfish) My only complaint is the crappy parking lot and I've got a jag that hugs the road but the low tires don't like the holes. Park at the bank and walk across the street is my solution. The service is spot on and the ambience is nice . Not many places to dine but who wants to eat ribs in public anyway . read more

Seemingly out in the middle of Apache Junction, this is a better than average BBQ place. Small menu, hole in the wall restaurant. Good service, slightly higher prices than I've seen at other BBQ places by a dollar or two but the food is tasty, not dry. Staff is efficient and spot on for their recommendations. Parking was dusty but ample for the restaurant size. Restaurant and bathrooms were clean. Lots of folks in and out for take out, only a few folks sat down and ate in the restaurant. The restaurant seating never filled. Tables offered only two sauces, a Carolina (mustard based) and a traditional bbq sauce. Brisket contained quite a bit of fat even though lean was requested--but if you like your brisket that way--it's damn good. I felt the ribs were the best--I'd be back for the ribs.. fall off the bone, not dry. Steak fries were crispy and fresh. Mac and cheese was tasty but seemed to be sitting out a bit. Potato salad was tasty and went well with the bbq. The Cole slaw was good, not great but still worth a try. Beans were tasty but not for some of the other folks in my group. Banana pudding was not too sweet and complemented the meal end. read more

Food was extremely delicious. The service was good and the place was lively. I would definetly be going back. The people were extremely nice. read more

Food is amazing, customer service is outstanding. I love the decor and dog pictures!!

Wow! So excited to have a new bbq in place to go to for lunch now! Every meat was cooked perfect, the brisket was my favorite, can't wait to go back again! read more

Papa Bears Barbeque - Brisket, turkey, potato salad, and slaw - Food Trucks Near Me - Apache Junction, Arizona

Absolutely amazing! All the food is delicious, and the sides are handmade daily! Sauces are homemade, and overall just an amazing scratch kitchen. The owner has a legacy of BBQ he is carrying on, and he does it beautifully. I'm sure his father and grandfather are beaming with pride. Even Heavenside. Thank you for always having the best food, and service! read more

Papa Bears Barbeque - Burnt ends, ribs, French fries - Food Trucks Near Me - Apache Junction, Arizona

MUST TRY. To me it's top 2 BBQ in the whole state of Arizona. Smokiness, seasoning, tenderness (Not fall off the bone/over cooked bbq). Everything you see in that picture plus Sweat Tea drink cost me $30. Price is extremely affordable. read more

Papa Bears Barbeque - Baby back rib plate and 1/4lb brisket - Food Trucks Near Me - Apache Junction, Arizona

I called ahead to make sure they had what we were looking for and was told nothing of a limited supply ! Drove over two hours to get there for all meat and Texas Twinkie's to be all sold out everything we expected from this BBQ spot ended up wasting our whole night perfect birthday ! Either prepare more food or let customers know you don't cook much especially when there calling ahead . read more

The food was amazing - true Texas BBQ! Their service was so friendly and it was clean!

Papa Bear's BBQ is now a brick and mortar outfit in AJ. Teton and Mary the burro came out for today's grand opening. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. The food was abundant, flavorful, tender, and just perfect. I got loaded fries, which were absolutely filled with tender and smoky pulled pork, cheese, sour cream, and their own line of barbecue sauce. There was so much food, that I took a whole box home! I might have also started out with a frozen margarita, which was also tasty! Mr. P had the baby back rib plate, with mac and cheese and beans as his sides. The meat was tender and delicious, with not too much fat. He considers himself a bean connoisseur (no idea), and really enjoyed the beans. I think the mac and cheese maybe had some jalapenos, which gave it a little spicy ending. We would definitely come back here again for some great barbecue. I honestly just wish they had some smaller selections, because they really load you up with food for your money! read more

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Most amazing BBQ we've found in AZ. Worth the drive. Staff is friendly and food service is stellar. Food arrives hot and out to us fast! Sauces are fresh. Sides are plentiful. Ambiance is "country", come as you are. You won't be disappointed. read more

Best barbecue in the valley, went on taco Tuesday and got the brisket tacos ! Staff was so nice and the atmosphere is country cute!

LOVE THIS PLACE!! Everything was out of this world delicious!! Biggest potato ever seen, loaded no way ya could not finish it! They give ya lots of napkins, good thing cuz their meats are soooo juicy!! This is the best BBQ ever had....the owner Mike learned to cook BBQ from his Papa :-) read more

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Food is excellent! Staff is friendly and helpful. Gets very busy at times but doesn't frustrate the staff.

Unbelievably good ribs and brisket. This place is among the top few in the valley for BBQ.

I lived in Texas for 30 years and truly call myself a Brisket snob because I was spoiled by all the good lean brisket. My wife and I stopped by yesterday since it had so many good reviews. The first thing I saw was Texas BBQ as you drive up. Walked in and ordered and the first thing the woman asks is how do you want your brisket (lean or fatty). I knew that was a good sign as most places outside Texas do not ask that question. I usually ask for lean from the flat and they don't know what I am talking about and always serve me a lot of fat. This brisket was perfect. Tender, great smoke ring and just a bit of fat to keep it moist. The turkey and sausage was moist and tender too. Sides of Mac and cheese and the beans were truly homemade. This is THE best bbq in AZ and I have tried a lot. To top it off, you get huge portions at great prices too. If you are a Texas BBQ snob like me, you got to check it out. read more

Staff were very friendly, clean establishment, reasonably priced, food was hot and fresh, brisket was so tender and flavorful, Mac and cheese was perfectly seasoned, definitely will be trying again! read more

Ehhhh. Nothing very special at all. Just another place trying to pass off bbq. Steer clear. Not really worth it. Ate it cus I paid for it. One and done for the wife and I. read more

My friend and I decided to try this place. I ordered brisket plate, Mac n cheese, potatoe salad. Brisket flavor was average, even a little dry, but ok. Mac n cheese good but did not care for potatoe salad. My friend got pulled pork and he enjoyed that with Mac n cheese and coleslaw. He did not like coleslaw but enjoyed the meat and Mac n cheese. It takes about 15 minutes to get good portion of food. I will try another time in future hoping for better brisket. read more

Papa Bears Barbeque - Pulled pork - Food Trucks Near Me - Apache Junction, Arizona

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They were sold out at 5:30 on a Thursday except for sausage. No ribs, no brisket, no pulled pork.

We just noticed Papabearsbbqaz at Valley Dr. and Apache Trail, in AJ with a big sign out front advertising Texas Barbeque. Pulled into the parking lot and had the best meal ever inside the restaurant. We ordered the Pulled Pork sandwiches with fries, beans, and cole slaw. The Pulled Pork was piled sky high and tasted better than the Texas Roadhouse version. The fries were perfectly cooked, not crispy, not mushy, and very tasty and easy to eat. The beans were also good but were a little on the "too runny" side for me, but I did eat all of them so that tells you something! Mike brought us a sample taste of their Brisket and it was wonderful. You won't even need a knife to cut it, just look at it and it crumbles in your mouth with a superior taste you have been looking for in a Brisket. The restaurant was very clean inside. The staff was cheery and helpful with the menu choices. There is talk that an expansion will be on the way in the near future, as the place is packed full most of the time. I will definitely be back for more at this place for sure. read more

When my husband suggested trying a new barbecue place, I was totally on board. We pull up to Papa Bears barbecue and the smell pulled you inside. Not a large storefront only a few tables. There was a good size group ahead of us unfortunately they got the last half rack of ribs. Luckily they still had a few ribs left for the rib plate. Hadn't planned on taking a photo of my food, but once I tasted that first rib! It was so moist and tender and flavorful. Fall off the bone! Didn't even need barbecue sauce. The flavor was amazing. The mac & cheese? They really should call it cheese and Mac. It was very cheesy in the best way. I overheard them tell somebody if you want to reserve ribs, you need to call before 4 PM. I highly recommend making that call. They also explain to me that Papa Bears started out as a food truck, so if you see him driving around follow that truck for the best barbecue out there. read more

Papa Bears Barbeque - This is the baby back rib plate. Comes with three of the tastiest ribs you will ever eat and two sides. - Food Trucks Near Me - Apache Junction, Arizona

Really great meal. Lots and lots of food. People working there are attentive to customers and clean constantly when they are not taking new orders. Very happy with the meal read more

The best turkey I have ever had! It. Was juicy and dissolved right in my mouth! The sauce on the sandwich was also to die for! My side was a mac Mac n cheese and it was so so good! The cheese pull on that thing was insane! I can't believe this gem is here in aj! Definitely going back. This is the best bbq I have had here in Arizona! Fast and friendly service sweet people working there! And the bathrooms were. Super clean! 10/10. Forsure! read more

Delicious Texas style BBQ! Great brisket!! We had a side of Mac & cheese & the beans which were very good. We want to try the beef rib on Friday! read more

Apache Junction is lacking good restaurants, so this place moves to the top of my list. I had high hopes but was ready to be disappointed because good bbq is very hard to find in AZ. I have been to Little Miss Bbq and this place is right up there, better pulled pork IMO. Had a great meal today, I ordered the three meat combo plate. I had the brisket, pulled pork, sausage with mac n cheese and beans. The pulled pork was the best I've had at any restaurant in the state, and the brisket and sausage was wonderful as well. Mac and cheese was great with the beans being the only thing that was just alright. The restaurant is nice and clean inside and looks new, also rare in AJ. I had an excellent meal here, you should go get you some!!! read more

I did not care for the bbq, fall of the bone ribs ,but the meat had no smoke taste. The taste came from bbq sauce. The potato salad was bland . The prices were high, 1/2 rack of baby back ribs $22.00. Waldos bbq was 15.00 and two sides. Some people may like it , but i did not care for it. read more

Papa Bears Barbeque - Food Trucks Near Me - Apache Junction, Arizona

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Great food for a great price!! I highly recommend trying this place out. Friendly atmosphere.

Overpriced food that was mediocre and not very friendly staff. Very small area to sit and eat. When I left them a review telling them the food was not very good. They basically told me you're wrong too bad. read more

Wow! Great smoked meat! Great portions. Sides were okay. Service quick. Definitely will go back.

I took my Vietnamese in-laws here to try it out and they loved the beef brisket and turkey. We felt really lucky that we got the last of the brisket too! Portions were perfect for us, flavor was awesome, service was excellent, very clean place and it was nice to talk to the owners there. Good folks serving great food! I highly recommend them if you have a chance! read more