Address: 18324 East Nunneley Road, Gilbert, AZ 85296
I’ve been lucky to have practically lived in Austin long enough to have eaten my way through their delicious, smoke ringed barbecue circuit. I’m blessed enough to call some stellar pit masters, friends. And I’ve been to some killer barbecue competitions across this beautiful country of ours. I own two smokers and a grill, but that doesn’t make me a pit master myself (although I’ll toot my own horn and say I’m passingly good with my own ‘Que).
But this isn’t about Austin. Or a generic blog about barbecue. What this is, is an open love letter for the sweet, smokey and unbelievably tender, barbeque of our own Arizona style Barbecue. I realize this love affair of barbecue is shared with many, and rightfully so, and while Arizona may not be the barbecue capital of the world, we do have some pretty amazing barbecue right here in our own backyard.
In fact located near the 202 on Higley, across from American Furniture Warehouse in a quaint, farmhouse-style home, sits Caldwell County BBQ, a standout establishment that unquestionably makes some of the best barbecue in Arizona.
This love child of Arizona-meets-Texas barbecue was created by Clay and Susan Caldwell, whose appreciation of Texas barbecue Brisket king Aaron Franklin, inspired them to bring their own vision of Arizona-style barbecue to life here in Gilbert, Arizona.
You might encounter a line if you arrive at peak hours, but don’t let that detour you- it moves very fast and is always worth an extra minute or two. Caldwell's mesquite smoked prime brisket is buttery and delicious, slow cooked for 20 hours and with a spicy peppercorn crust, the pulled pork is simply but perfectly seasoned, sides and mains are fantastic. Get a little bit of everything and whatever you do, don’t skip the jalapeño cheddar sausage, and don’t miss out on the Aunt Susan's Corn Casserole or Julio's Mac and Cheese (one of our favorites in town, with a sneaky little spice from green chilies in the sauce).
After grabbing your meal, snag a seat inside or head outside to a picnic table on the shaded backyard and dig into this juicy, tender, smoky, tasty nirvana. Let's just say, you know it’s a good meal when all conversation – even about the meal itself – stops, save for the occasional “wow” or muffled ecstatic “mmmm.” Plastic utensils, normally useless against slabs of beef and pork, sliced easily through the brisket, savory and juicy with a nice char and the rich, pink smoke ring you only get by going “low and slow.” The sausage was great with a thin, crisp skin, firm texture, and robust flavor, with a hint of smokiness and a deliciousness bordering on heavenly and the perfect little "snap" with each bite.
On to a hot topic. Sauce. Several are available and all house made and delicious! With flavors ranging from a Hot and Sweet (exactly how it sounds, a little sweet and a little heat for that perfect blend), to an Arizona Gold (a Carolina style mustard sauce that shines with the turkey and pork), and their House Blend, a beautiful, layered sauce that enhances pretty much everything. I generally stay away from sauces unless the meat can’t stand on its own (and these meats shine bright like the diamonds Rhianna sings about), but there’s something so special about the Arizona Gold sauce, that a bottle just had to make its way home with me.
There are only a handful of barbecue restaurants in Arizona in the debate as to which is the very best and Caldwell County is one of those. A perfect combination of smoke, flavor, delicious barbecue, and sauce, if you want it.
Brisket is the ultimate measure of the quality of barbecue. It’s the most difficult to prepare and it should never be missed. And they do brisket right!
That being said...do not smother your meat in barbecue sauce. For Pete’s sake, please try it as is first! High quality barbecue can stand on its own.
This is one of this places that will sell out, so if it’s a big deal for you to enjoy the fruits of the pit master’s work, arrive as early as you can. And trust me, you want to get your hands on this barbecue.
Always order extra! Barbecue makes amazing leftovers (Pro tip: Throw some brisket on Benny Blancos Tortillas from the Gilbert Farmers Market and you have pure magic, my friends).
Go with friends and order as much as you can. Variety is the spice of life! So, grab a little bit of everything; meats, sides, and if you’re lucky, dessert (Texas sheet cake, anyone?!). The goal here is to sample a little bit of everything.
Coming soon: Queen Creek Opening this Fall - Riggs Road near Ellsworth!
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