Bryan’s wins ‘best ribs’ honor for state
Institute of America and was a chef for 13 years at the Scottsdale Princess resort. His barbecue gets its signature flavor from many hours slow roasting over pecan wood.
The restaurant’s menu features barbecue favorites including pulled pork, beef brisket and, of course, ribs. Diners can enjoy a half or whole slab of pork ribs rubbed with Dooley’s signature mix of more than 15 spices and slathered with house-brand barbecue sauce.
For those who love the flavor so much they need to take it home, the sauce can be bought in bulk.
Those who don’t eat meat can also enjoy a meal at Bryan’s, as the chef prepares pulled spaghetti squash and, as of this fall, an artichoke heart PO’ Boy sandwich.
An unexpected champion
When fighting for the title of best barbecue of any category in Arizona, competition is stiff against Phoenix’s famous Little Miss BBQ.
Little Miss is familiar with contests, as the restaurant started out as a competitive barbecue team. It has been named one of Yelp’s top 100 places to eat across the country in 2018, one of Thrillist’s top 33 BBQ joints and appears on multiple previously published lists from the Food Network.
The Network named Little Miss the Best Barbecue Joint in Arizona in January 2018 and one of the Top 45 Barbecue Spots from Coast to Coast in April 2018.
So, while the all-around barbecue at Little Miss can’t be beat, it is clear there is something special about the ribs at Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue that secured their spot on the Food Network’s newest barbecue rankings.
Details: Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue. 6130 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek. 480-575-7155. bryans barbecue.com. Little Miss BBQ. 4301 E. University Drive, Phoenix and 8901 N. 7th Street, Phoenix. 602-4371177. littlemissbbq.com.