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The Best Barbecue in Tucson

Guide

The Best Barbecue in Tucson

by Max WingertOct 3, 2023Updated Aug 4, 20263 min read
Welcome to the our picks for the best barbecue spots in the heart of the Sonoran Desert! Tucson may not have a distinctive barbecue style like those in several southern, midwest, or Texas cities, but we've got plenty of talented transplants and home-grown chefs who give grilling a local spin -- not to mention abundant desert-hardy mesquite trees that provide wood for them to practice their techniques. From slow-cooked ribs that fall off the bone to tangy pulled pork sandwiches and everything in between, journey with us as we explore the sizzling best of Tucson's barbecue joints.
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8 spots

Dining room & bar at Bashful Bandit Barbecue (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Bashful Bandit Barbecue

3686 East Speedway BoulevardMidtown

Best New Restaurant

“Eating at the Bashful Bandit is like a best friend’s barbecue. That’s how the owners want guests to feel when they eat here. Inside the dining room or outside on the patio, diners can enjoy sliced or chopped prime brisket, green chili pulled pork, or smoked chicken, to name a few. Sides include mac and cheese, borracho beans, or dill potato salad. There’s more, but you get the idea. Get dinner by the pound, the plate, or as a sandwich. There’s a kid’s portion, too.”

Ribs At Bubb's Grub (Photo Credit: Bubb's Grub)

Bubb’s Grub

16010 Arizona 77Catalina

With a passion for all things comfort food, Bubb’s Grub offers a menu that blends classic favorites with a creative twist. From mouthwatering burgers loaded with gourmet toppings to indulgent mac ‘n’ cheese bowls that redefine comfort, every dish is crafted with love and attention to detail.

(Photo courtesy of Fork & Fire Smokehouse + Taproom)

Fork & Fire Smokehouse + Taproom

11835 North Oracle Road #101Oro Valley

Fork 'N Fire is a sizzling hotspot that ignites the senses with its delectable wood-fired creations. This joint offers a diverse menu featuring pulled pork, sliced brisket, artisanal pizzas, flame-kissed burgers, and flavorful dishes that showcase the essence of wood-fired cooking.

Photo Courtesy of Holy Smokin Butts BBQ

Holy Smokin' Butts BBQ

6940 East Broadway BoulevardEastside

This laid-back joint is a favorite on the east side of town, thanks to their tender Texas-style smoked meats and Carolina barbecue sauce that ranges from sweet to extra spicy. A great introduction to their offerings is the Ol' School Platter, including brisket, pulled pork, tri-tip and sides such as smoked baked beans, coleslaw, and mac 'n' cheese. On Friday and Saturday Steak Nights, you can savor barbecued rib-eye.

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Photo Courtesy of Kiss of Smoke BBQ

Kiss of Smoke BBQ

663 South Plumer AvenueMidtown

Kiss of Smoke BBQ & Catering began with an award-winning barbecue team who now have a low-key brick-and-mortar store while also bringing high-quality food to Tucson events, from weddings to luncheons. The brisket and pulled pork are particular crowd pleasers. And talk about cross-cultural: Along with such specials as nachos that come with your choice of barbecued meat, you can also get a breakfast bagel and a fatty -- bacon-wrapped sausage that is stuffed and smoked.

Ray Kendrick at Mr. K’s Original BBQ (Photo by Brielle Farmer)

Mr. K's Original BBQ

6302 South Park AvenueSouth Side

This South Park Avenue spot is a long-time Tucson BBQ staple -- owner Ray Kendrick has been delighting patrons with his no-frills approach to barbecue since 1997. Popular items on the small menu include beef ribs, along with the more typical pork. Our favorites include the hot links and brisket, but go for the Three Meat Combo and you can decide for yourself.

BBQ Plate from Smokey Mo (Photo credit: Dana Sullivan)

Smokey Mo

2650 North 1st AvenueMidtown

This no-frills spot on 1st Avenue produces some of the best barbecue in town. Takeaway is a good choice when it's too hot to sit out on the back patio or in the small dining area near the kitchen, but if you want to keep inhaling those great meat aromas, you might want to stick around. The friendly chef/owner, who describes his barbecue as Kansas City style, is almost always on site to greet customers if he's not tending the grill.  Along with such standards as brisket and pork ribs, the pastrami and burgers are standouts.

House Smoked Chicken Wings at The Horseshoe Grill (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

The Horseshoe Grill

7713 East Broadway BoulevardEastside

A family-owned steakhouse with an upscale cowboy vibe, the Horseshoe Grill is known for its skillfully prepared meats, especially the pulled pork and pork belly burnt ends. For a sampler, try the Pig Master Sandwich, which also includes bacon, sausage, and beef brisket. Sides such as the fried pickles, apple coleslaw, and the house chili make great complements to the main event meats, which you can watch being grilled in a huge glassed-in enclosure.
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Located at 5526 E. Grant Rd., @Casapitatucson serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites alongside American breakfast and burritos.

Owner Amna Al-Qaisi, known as Mama Amna, has spent more than two decades feeding Tucson. Originally from Iraq, she lived across eight countries throughout the Middle East, bringing those culinary traditions with her to Tucson.

Her family has operated several beloved Tucson restaurants over the years, including Sinbad’s, Geronimo’s, Gyro King, Arabic Express, and Golden Falafel.

In this video: Hummus, bulgur dip, fattoush salad, vegan falafel samoon, chicken shawarma, mixed grill + Dubai drink.❤️

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.comLocated at 5526 E. Grant Rd., @Casapitatucson serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites alongside American breakfast and burritos. Owner Amna Al-Qaisi, known as Mama Amna, has spent more than two decades feeding Tucson. Originally from Iraq, she lived across eight countries throughout the Middle East, bringing those culinary traditions with her to Tucson. Her family has operated several beloved Tucson restaurants over the years, including Sinbad’s, Geronimo’s, Gyro King, Arabic Express, and Golden Falafel. In this video: Hummus, bulgur dip, fattoush salad, vegan falafel samoon, chicken shawarma, mixed grill + Dubai drink.❤️ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Join the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ 

Tickets in bio.
MENU👇🌲

AMUSE:
Forest Floor
Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs

FIRST COURSE: 
Desert Oasis
Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint

SECOND COURSE: 
Campfire Embers
Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla

THIRD COURSE: 
Juniper Ridge
Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños

PALATE CLEANSER:
Aspen Breeze
House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint

FOURTH COURSE: 
Granite Peak
Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot

DESSERT: 
Summer on Mount Lemmon
Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile

#tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmonJoin the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ Tickets in bio. MENU👇🌲 AMUSE: Forest Floor Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs FIRST COURSE: Desert Oasis Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint SECOND COURSE: Campfire Embers Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla THIRD COURSE: Juniper Ridge Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños PALATE CLEANSER: Aspen Breeze House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint FOURTH COURSE: Granite Peak Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot DESSERT: Summer on Mount Lemmon Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile #tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmon
LE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️

Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location.

🍒Tiki Cold Brew
Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam

🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam

🎂Birthday Cake Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam

And the food specials are just as tempting:

• Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries

• Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg

Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger.

2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130

Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodLE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️ Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location. 🍒Tiki Cold Brew Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam 🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam 🎂Birthday Cake Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam And the food specials are just as tempting: • Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries • Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger. 2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130 Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfood
Sonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉

❤️Restaurant owners: Applications close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more.

From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. 

#sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizonaSonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉 ❤️Restaurant owners: Applications close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more. From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizona