COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF GUIDE SPONSORED BY MODELLO Dec 19th-Dec 25th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com 24 Eric’s Family BBQ 12345 W. Indian School Road,, Avondale Eric’s Family BBQ, a white-painted adobe- style building in Avondale, churns out some of the best barbecue in the Valley. This joint is known for its Texas-style brisket, which takes 16 hours to create, but don’t sleep on the turkey, infused with sweet tea to keep it juicy. Eric’s serves both pork and beef ribs, as well as pulled pork measured by weight at the counter. Find the daily menu scribbled on brown paper taped to the walls. The ’cue is excellent, and sides of cheesy elote, craveable beans and spirals of mac and cheese complete the meal. For dessert, the classic banana pudding brims with fresh fruit and whipped cream. Chow down at a picnic table inside, or sprawl out on the patio as music fills the space. Honey Bear’s BBQ 5012 E. Van Buren Street The Honey Bear’s BBQ recognizable midtown A-frame restaurant closed due to the pandemic and was set to become another barbecue spot which ran into issues of its own. But thankfully, the original location of Honey Bear’s on Van Buren and 52nd streets remains open. This restaurant and catering company has been serving Tenessee-style barbecue since 1986. Standouts on the menu include Honey Bear’s specialty pulled pork shoulder and ultra-creamy mac and cheese. Little Miss BBQ 8901 N. Seventh Street 4301 E. University Drive No Phoenix barbecue list would be complete without the restaurant that reigns supreme in this Valley. Little Miss BBQ, with locations near Tempe and in Phoenix’s Sunnyslope neighborhood, stands at the top, and for good reason. Customers line up around the block, waiting for their turn to try the brisket that former New Times food critic Chris Malloy called “a portal to another dimension.” Add a dose of Arizona to your barbecue adventure with a green chile burrito smothered in bright enchilada sauce. NakedQ Multiple Locations Lucky for Valley residents, NakedQ has restaurants in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Glendale, meaning this modern counter- service joint and its aroma of smoking meat are never too far away. The “naked” in the name refers to barbecue served without sauce and only minimal spices. The sauces can be added later, and they are nothing to miss. Order a butcher paper-lined tray of chopped or sliced brisket, moist and smoky pulled pork or tender St. Louis-style ribs, and douse it all in the house, spicy or mustard-based sauces. Peppery mac and cheese and a block of cornbread round out the meal. Stacy’s Off Da Hook BBQ and Soul Food 1804 W. Glendale Avenue The best description of Stacy’s Off Da Hook is found in the name. This uptown Phoenix joint packs in the flavor, all in a tiny five-booth spot on Glendale Avenue. Squeeze in or, better yet, order takeout for a dinner fit for a backyard bash. Sauced ribs are the perfect amount of messy and satis- fying, while the Southern sides shine. Sweet candied yams and collard greens pair well with the pulled pork, rib tips and cornbread at this Southern staple. Wash it all down with Kool-Aid, served on tap. A platter of meat, of course with a beer, from Little Miss BBQ. (Photo by Jackie Mercandetti) Don’t skip the elote and make sure to leave room for banana pudding at Eric’s Family BBQ. (Photo by Tirion Boan) Best Game-Time BBQ Takeout from p 22
