The moment smoke hits your nostrils in the parking lot of Caldwell County BBQ in Gilbert, you realize you’re about to experience something extraordinary – something worth crossing state lines for, let alone making the drive from Phoenix, Flagstaff, or Tucson.
This unassuming barbecue joint has quietly become a pilgrimage site for meat enthusiasts throughout Arizona, drawing devoted fans who think nothing of a two-hour drive for a taste of authentic Central Texas-style barbecue.
The modest white building sits surrounded by desert landscaping and simple picnic tables – no frills, no pretension, just the promise of smoked meat perfection.
And that’s exactly how it should be. In the world of serious barbecue, elaborate décor often inversely correlates with food quality…