Joe's Real BBQ

The building at 301 N Gilbert Road has been a grocery store, a storage building, a movie theater, a lamp factory and a church. It was built in 1929, and in 1997 it was bought and turned into Joe's Real BBQ, which opened in 1998 and has become one of the best-known barbecue restaurants in the Phoenix area.

Smoke and the pit

Joe's smokes its meat for hours over Arizona pecan wood in a Texas-influenced style with some Kansas City touches. Brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, chicken and sausages are the core, and reviewers praise the tenderness that comes from slow, low-temperature cooking. The menu has a few unusual items: pit ham, which is smoked ham, and a turkey-jalapeno sausage from Schreiner's Fine Sausage.

Sides and sweets

Cornbread is baked in-house every day and served with honey butter. The kitchen also makes cakes and cobblers, and drinks include homemade root beer and cream soda. Individually wrapped cookies are available for the road.

The room and the owners

Co-owner Joe Johnston, a Gilbert native who also founded Joe's Farm Grill, has said local regulars have supported the barbecue place since the beginning. The brick building keeps the charm of old Gilbert, and the setting adds to the small-town feel in the downtown area.

Common Questions

What are the hours?
Monday to Thursday 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 10 PM. Call 480-503-3805 to confirm.

What wood does Joe's use?
Arizona pecan wood.

What is unusual on the menu?
Pit ham and a turkey-jalapeno sausage.

Is the cornbread made in-house?
Yes, daily, and it comes with honey butter.

When did it open?
1998, in a building dating to 1929.