The Plates Are Piled High With Ribs And Brisket At The Delicious Joe's Real BBQ In Arizona
By Katie Lawrence|Published April 29, 2020
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
When a restaurant is still going strong after more than 20 years, you know it’s gotta be good. Joe’s Real BBQ in Gilbert is one such place, serving up gigantic portions of slow-smoked ribs, brisket, and several other mouthwatering meats since 1998. See the deliciousness for yourself:
Dating to 1929, this quaint red brick building has worn many hats over the years.
It was first a Safeway Pay n’ Takit grocery store, but also served as a church, deli, and several other businesses prior to becoming Joe's Real BBQ in 1998.
This charming, cafeteria-style restaurant has been owned by the same two families since day one.
The atmosphere brings vintage kitsch into a modern atmosphere, where nostalgic vibes mingle with a climate-controlled patio to create the perfect hangout spot for all ages.
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Joe's smokes its meat over Arizona pecan wood for hours with no gas or electricity to bring out all the natural juices and depth of flavor.
For those with insatiable appetites, the "Big Bad Wolf Sandwich" features rib meat, ham, pulled pork, coleslaw, and cheddar cheese, all stuffed between two crispy slices of Texas toast.
Joe's has a whopping 12 options, all made from scratch every single day. Think potato salad, cornbread, and mac 'n cheese so good that the recipe for it is a popular search on Google. Just look at that golden, baked-to-perfection crust!
Looking for a no-fuss family dinner that everyone can agree on? "Joe's Big BBQ Feast" feeds four and includes ribs, pork, brisket, sausage, two big sides, and bread for all your soppin' and sandwich-making needs.
The BBQ chicken salad is the crowd favorite, boasting corn and bean salsa, Fritos, cheddar cheese, BBQ ranch dressing, sour cream, and cilantro. There's also a regular house and Caesar salad on the menu.
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No matter what entree you opted for, skipping dessert isn't an option.
You can't go wrong with warm apple cobbler, but the lemon cake and chocolate chip cookies are solid options, too. Add a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent treat.
Unfortunately, Joe’s has temporarily shut its doors due to Coronavirus concerns, but they and other small businesses will need our support once businesses start reopening! Definitely keep the restaurant in mind for a future visit, and keep checking their website and Facebook page for updates.
Are there any restaurants, businesses, or other attractions in Arizona you think the world should know about? Head over to our nomination page and give them a shoutout — you just might see your submission featured in an upcoming article!
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