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Craving fire-kissed brisket and ribs that fall apart at first bite? Arizona hides some serious smoke where you might least expect it, from mountain-town favorites to desert icons with lines out the door. Plan a route, pick your window, and you can eat like a local while skipping the guesswork. Here are the spots worth building a day around, with pro tips to help you time it right.
Little Miss BBQ — Phoenix
Here, the Texas-style brisket arrives smoke-ringed and silky, sliced to order and sold by the pound. Service runs on a short daily window, and the best cuts go fast, so you plan lunch like a mission. Doors open, the board flips, and you watch trays of brisket and links vanish until sold out.
Weekday midday is your friend if you want less waiting and a better shot at the good stuff. You grab a half pound, maybe some sausage, and eat picnic style. The ritual is half the fun, but the bark and fat cap seal the deal.
JL Smokehouse — Phoenix
JL Smokehouse keeps it simple with a compact setup and a counter you can navigate in minutes. Brisket, ribs, and pulled pork headline the board, trimmed tight and smoked until tender. You order fast, grab sauce, and head out if you are on a tight schedule…