#WeeklyDish (No. 31): Brisket from Holy Smokin’ Butts BBQ

#WeeklyDish (No. 31): Brisket from Holy Smokin’ Butts BBQ

Tucson Foodie is member-supported. Join the club.

2017 has been a hot year in Tucson for barbecue joint openings. While the competition is fierce with various specialties, Texas-style brisket is what we’re focusing on today.

Curt Lewis, who owns Holy Smokin’ Butts BBQ with his wife Marisa Lewis, has over 30 years of barbecue enthusiast experience under his belt. Even though he wasn’t a chef, don’t be fooled. That sustained, long-term passion has created magic.

A former food truck, Holy Smokin’ Butts recently settled into a brick-and-mortar location without losing their charm or quality control.

Contrary to the “butts” in the name, their specialty is brisket rubbed with salt, pepper, and a proprietary spice blend before slowly smoking over pecan wood for 18 to 20 hours.

The simple rub allows the meat to shine, while the abundant pecan wood in Tucson provides a sweet smoke flavor that isn’t overpowering when used for extended cooking periods.

While the standard brisket is worthy of praise and is as juicy as they come, the Fatty Moist Brisket is a must-try for eaters that can appreciate abundant fat. The extra unctuousness will leave your knees shaking.

Holy Smokin’ Butts makes limited quantities of barbecue daily and closes once they’re sold out, so keep up with Holy Smokin’ Butts BBQ on Facebook to check for their “sold out” posts before heading over.

Holy Smokin’ Butts BBQ is located at 1104 S. Wilmot Rd. For more information, call (520) 329-3088 or visit holysmokinbutts.com.

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer and photographer. Best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments and petting pets.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

Get our free Tucson Foodie weekly newsletter

New openings, events, dish recommendations, and guides — every Wednesday. No spam.

Advertisement

Follow @TucsonFoodie137.0K followers
The @Tucsonasiannightmarket is coming up! Here are a few things to know before you go. 

🎟️ $10 General Admission
🎟️ Foodie Club members get 50% off 
🎟️ Kids 12 and under are free

• Tickets are emailed to you and available in the Tucson Foodie app. Show your QR code at the gate. No printing needed! 
• Free parking is available. Enter off Ajo Way. 
• No dogs are allowed. 
• Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event.

TICKET ADD-ONS: 
• Chef-Served Food Flight | $20 
Enjoy three dishes featuring Filipino, Indochinese, and Vietnamese flavors. A vegetarian option is also available.

• Early Entry + VIP Parking | $15 
Get in at 5 pm, one hour before general admission, with access to a dedicated entrance and VIP parking.

Save this post for later, and get your tickets through the Tucson Foodie app or Tucsonfoodie.com! 

📍 Kino Sports Complex 
📅 Saturday, November 28 from 6–10 pmThe @Tucsonasiannightmarket is coming up! Here are a few things to know before you go. 🎟️ $10 General Admission 🎟️ Foodie Club members get 50% off 🎟️ Kids 12 and under are free • Tickets are emailed to you and available in the Tucson Foodie app. Show your QR code at the gate. No printing needed! • Free parking is available. Enter off Ajo Way. • No dogs are allowed. • Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event. TICKET ADD-ONS: • Chef-Served Food Flight | $20 Enjoy three dishes featuring Filipino, Indochinese, and Vietnamese flavors. A vegetarian option is also available. • Early Entry + VIP Parking | $15 Get in at 5 pm, one hour before general admission, with access to a dedicated entrance and VIP parking. Save this post for later, and get your tickets through the Tucson Foodie app or Tucsonfoodie.com! 📍 Kino Sports Complex 📅 Saturday, November 28 from 6–10 pm
Have you tried the new holiday drinks at @desertdriftercoffee?💝

The new lineup is full of cozy, nostalgic flavors.

✨ Gingerbread Chai made with @tucsonchocolatefactory gingerbread sauce and @mayateaco chai. Order with alternative milk to make it vegan, and pair it with a vegan gingerbread cookie from @houldens.riseabove for the ultimate gingerbread combo. The cookie is also gluten-free!

🔥Spice Drop Red Bull or Tea (vegan & gluten-free)

🍎Apple Pie Latte (vegan w alternative milk & gluten-free)

🍫Butterscotch Mocha made with TCF sauce and Danzeisen Dairy chocolate milk (gluten-free)

🥛Nana’s Eggnog made with local Danzeisen eggnog

Which one are you trying first?!Have you tried the new holiday drinks at @desertdriftercoffee?💝 The new lineup is full of cozy, nostalgic flavors. ✨ Gingerbread Chai made with @tucsonchocolatefactory gingerbread sauce and @mayateaco chai. Order with alternative milk to make it vegan, and pair it with a vegan gingerbread cookie from @houldens.riseabove for the ultimate gingerbread combo. The cookie is also gluten-free! 🔥Spice Drop Red Bull or Tea (vegan & gluten-free) 🍎Apple Pie Latte (vegan w alternative milk & gluten-free) 🍫Butterscotch Mocha made with TCF sauce and Danzeisen Dairy chocolate milk (gluten-free) 🥛Nana’s Eggnog made with local Danzeisen eggnog Which one are you trying first?!
@Miramontetucson is now serving lunch daily and brunch on weekends! Located at 3352 E. Speedway Blvd., the midtown restaurant has expanded its hours, with doors opening at 11 a.m.🌞

We stopped by to try a few things from the new menus, including the Cornbread & Eggs with pork carnitas and green chile cream sauce, Crab Omelet, Fried Chicken & Waffles with hot honey, and Brioche French Toast with Seville orange marmalade and Chantilly cream.

The weekend brunch menu also includes a classic breakfast and fruit & yogurt, with dishes ranging from $13 to $19.

For lunch, you can find options like the Miramonte Cobb Salad and Tomato Mozzarella.

Visit Miramonte for lunch Tuesday through Sunday and weekend brunch!@Miramontetucson is now serving lunch daily and brunch on weekends! Located at 3352 E. Speedway Blvd., the midtown restaurant has expanded its hours, with doors opening at 11 a.m.🌞 We stopped by to try a few things from the new menus, including the Cornbread & Eggs with pork carnitas and green chile cream sauce, Crab Omelet, Fried Chicken & Waffles with hot honey, and Brioche French Toast with Seville orange marmalade and Chantilly cream. The weekend brunch menu also includes a classic breakfast and fruit & yogurt, with dishes ranging from $13 to $19. For lunch, you can find options like the Miramonte Cobb Salad and Tomato Mozzarella. Visit Miramonte for lunch Tuesday through Sunday and weekend brunch!
@Ursa_az earned two national honors on Nov. 10. @Eater named chef Aaron Lopez (@Aaron_lopez_86) one of five 2026 Chefs of the Year. 

Additionally, @Nytimes awarded the restaurant three stars. The recognitions put Tucson’s Sonoran Desert tasting menu in front of a national audience.

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com@Ursa_az earned two national honors on Nov. 10. @Eater named chef Aaron Lopez (@Aaron_lopez_86) one of five 2026 Chefs of the Year. Additionally, @Nytimes awarded the restaurant three stars. The recognitions put Tucson’s Sonoran Desert tasting menu in front of a national audience. Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com