Some of the best barbecue in Arizona is not found in Phoenix or Tucson. It sits on steep mining-town streets, beside old railroad tracks, and along stretches of Route 66 where the smoker is often parked right out front.
This list covers nine small-town spots where brisket, ribs, and pulled pork are the main event, from a former gas station in Page to a train car dining room in Willcox. Each one has its own personality, its own sauces, and its own reason for being a regular stop.
Some serve breakfast, some bake wood-fired pizza, and one comes with a mini-rodeo. If you like planning road trips around lunch, save this one and share it with whoever does the driving.
1. Bobby D’s BBQ, Jerome, AZ
Jerome has around 450 residents and some of the steepest streets in Arizona. Right on Jerome Ave, in the middle of the old copper-mining town, Bobby D’s BBQ serves homestyle barbecue with a view to match.
The menu sticks to the basics done well. Chicken, ribs, brisket, and pork lead the way, and the brisket on a toasted brioche bun is one of the easiest orders to recommend.
The Smokin Sliders and the Rib Platter with Brisket and Cole Slaw are good picks if you want to sample more.
Sauce fans should pay attention here. The house-made lineup includes a classic BBQ Sauce and a Bone Lickin’ Mustard, and the in-house lemonade gets plenty of attention too.
Seating spreads out onto a deck with picnic tables, and dogs are welcome outside. Service is counter-style, reservations are not accepted, and parking in Jerome can take some patience.
Hours run 11 AM to 6 PM Monday through Thursday, with later closings on weekends. Weekday evenings are the quietest time to visit.
2. Big Tex BBQ, Willcox, AZ
Eating barbecue inside a train car makes a lot of sense in Willcox. The southeastern Arizona town of about 3,200 grew up around the railroad, and Big Tex BBQ leans into that history with its train car dining.
Portions here are big. Ribs, brisket, and pulled pork arrive with Southern-style sides like pinto beans, fried okra, and potato salad.
The menu goes beyond the usual smoked meats, too. Catfish, sausage, a Pastrami Sandwich, Chicken Fried Steak, and a Stuffed Baked Potato all show up, along with Corn Nuggets for a vegetarian side.
Then there are the onion rings. They are huge and beer-battered, and sweet potato rings are available if you want to mix things up.
I would save this one for a road trip along I-10, since parking is easy and reservations are accepted. Big Tex is open Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays.
3. Big John’s Texas BBQ, Page, AZ
Fill up on brisket where people once filled up on gas. Big John’s Texas BBQ operates out of a former gas station on Lake Powell Blvd, and the retro look is part of the fun.
Page is a remote high-desert town near Lake Powell and the Navajo Nation. For many travelers heading to the lake, this spot has become a regular stop.
The style is Texas through and through. Ribs, brisket, sausage, and pulled pork are smoked all day in a huge smoker and served with sides like beans and potato salad.
Try the BBQ Nachos or Brisket Nachos if you want something a little different. The Sweet BBQ Sauce pairs well with the ribs.
Live entertainment, dog-friendly seating, and plenty of parking make it easy for families and groups. Big John’s is open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM, and evenings tend to be the busiest.
4. Rim Country BBQ and Wood-Fired Pizza, Payson, AZ
Can’t decide between barbecue and pizza? In Payson, you don’t have to.
Rim Country BBQ and Wood-Fired Pizza sits on West Main Street in the pine-covered town beneath the Mogollon Rim. The kitchen handles both smoked meats and wood-fired pies, which makes it a smart choice for groups who want different things.
The BBQ Sampler Plate is the order to know. It covers the smoked meats and is often enough for two people to share.
Brisket Burnt Ends and pork belly burnt ends are other favorites, and the brisket is known for staying moist. On the lighter side, there are Garlic Cheese Curds, a Pitmaster Salad, and Bread Pudding for dessert.
At $10 to $20 per person, it is one of the more budget-friendly stops on this list. There is a fireplace, dog-friendly outdoor seating, and reservations are accepted.
Saturday afternoons get busy, so a short wait for a table is possible. It is open daily from 11 AM to 8 PM.
5. Silver King Smokehouse & Saloon, Superior, AZ
Superior’s rugged bluffs make a pretty great backdrop for lunch. The historic copper-mining town of about 2,400 sits east of the Valley, and Silver King Smokehouse & Saloon is right on Main Street.
Brisket is the star. It is slow-smoked and served with a lineup of sauces, and the Brisket Sandwich is a simple way to try it.
Hungrier visitors can go for the Brisket, Turkey and Pork plate or the Loaded Fries with Brisket. Ribs and beans round out the classics.
Vegetarians are not left out, since a full vegetarian menu is offered. Kids have their own menu as well.
Plan ahead on timing. Silver King is closed Monday and Tuesday, open 11 AM to 9 PM Wednesday through Saturday, and closes at 6 PM on Sunday.
6. Hassayampa Smokehouse Barbecue, Wickenburg, AZ
Barbecue for breakfast is a real option in Wickenburg. Hassayampa Smokehouse Barbecue opens at 8 AM, which sets it apart from nearly every other spot on this list.
Morning visitors can order Biscuits and Gravy. Later in the day, the Texas-style menu takes over with the Brisket Plate, BBQ Pork Plate, Pulled Pork Sandwich, and a Prime Rib Sandwich.
The Sampler Platter brings brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and fries together on one plate. The ribs are smoked tender without drying out.
Here is the quirky part. The original house sauce uses prickly pear, giving it a savory and very Arizona twist, and there is a sweet and spicy option too.
Wickenburg is a ranching and gold-rush town with a preserved historic downtown, so a meal here pairs nicely with a stroll. The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays, and Sunday mornings are the busiest.
7. Cruiser’s Route 66 Cafe, Williams, AZ
The giant smoker by the front entrance is hard to miss. At Cruiser’s Route 66 Cafe, the barbecue is cooked right where everyone walking in can see it.
The building is filled with old gas-station trinkets, which fits Williams perfectly. This pine-forest town west of Flagstaff is a classic Route 66 stop and a gateway for Grand Canyon trips.
The BBQ Sampler Platter is a big one. It brings pulled pork, brisket, ribs, spicy baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, and cornbread.
Smoked beef ribs are another highlight, and the Pulled Pork Mac is a fun twist. Burgers, Cruisin’ Wings, a Cobb Salad, and a Banana Split keep the rest of the table happy.
Kids can head to the arcade, and live music plays on the patio. It is open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM.
8. Floyd and Company Real Pit BBQ, Kingman, AZ
Redneck Nachos might be the most talked-about item on Beale Street. Floyd and Company Real Pit BBQ builds them with pulled roast beef, potato chips, nacho cheese, jalapenos, green onions, and sour cream.
The style here is Tennessee-inspired Southern barbecue, smoked over hickory. Pulled pork, baby back ribs, and a Brisket Sandwich lead the menu.
Don’t skip the baked beans. They are homemade with bits of brisket mixed in, and the Jethro Fries are another popular side.
The room is quirky and homey, with picnic tables and plenty of seating. Sweet tea is a classic order, and there is a full vegan menu for anyone avoiding meat.
Kingman holds onto its Route 66 and railroad roots, and Beale Street is lined with local businesses. Floyd’s is open Tuesday through Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday.
9. Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse, Cave Creek, AZ
Few places pair a brisket sandwich with bull riding. At Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse in Cave Creek, that combo is part of the regular routine.
The Western roadhouse doubles as a dance hall and mini-rodeo. Live music, multiple bar stations, and outdoor fire pits give it a lively, rustic setup.
On the food side, the Brisket Sandwich and Pulled Pork Sandwich are the barbecue picks. The Buffalo Chip Burger, Southern Fried Chicken, and Chicken Tenders cover the rest of the comfort-food cravings.
Cave Creek is a Sonoran Desert town of about 4,800 known for its dirt-road feel and old-style saloons. This spot fits right in.
Doors open at 10 AM every day, and the place stays open late. Friday nights are the busiest, especially on bull riding nights, so arrive early if you want a good seat.
From the copper towns to the desert saloons, these nine stops prove that small-town Arizona takes its smoke seriously. Pick one, plan a drive, and bring an appetite.
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