The metro Phoenix city named worst for barbecue is getting a new BBQ joint

Bahar Anooshahr, Arizona Republic
·2 min read

LawnStarter studies sometimes pique my interest. When I think about LawnStarter, I automatically think about grass, landscaping, maybe pests and mostly gardening. And yet, they come up with best-of or worst-of lists that have nothing to do with the above-mentioned topics. Think "Best Dog Park Cities" and "Best Cities for Single Dads to Live."

July is the time when the blog publishes barbecue rankings. Last year, it had Scottsdale at No. 45 out of 200 best BBQ cities. Since then, it has moved up to 29.

Surprise, however, ranked at an abysmal 195 out of 200, making it one of the worst cities in the country for barbeque, according to the vague metrics which, according to the site, include: "access to tasty barbecue vendors, consumer ratings, competition awards and the number of barbecue festivals, among 20 total metrics."

A new barbecue joint is coming to the West Valley

Things may be looking up for Surprise, as Maryland-based Mission BBQ, which currently has 127 locations, plans to open its first Arizona branch in the West Valley city sometime in the third quarter of 2024, according to the Phoenix Business Journal.

Mission BBQ has been known for its slow-cooked barbecue and from scratch sides since opening its first location on September 11, 2011.
Mission BBQ has been known for its slow-cooked barbecue and from scratch sides since opening its first location on September 11, 2011.

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Where did Mission BBQ come from?

Mission BBQ was started in Glen Burnie, Maryland, on Sept. 11, 2011, by two friends, former Under Armour executive Bill Krauss and former Outback Steakhouse executive Stephen Newton.

The restaurant was an homage and a thank you to soldiers, first responders, firefighters and police offers. "We believe there is nothing more American than BBQ. And nobody more American than the brave men and women who have sworn to protect and serve our communities and our country," the owners stated on the website.

They stop service every day at noon to play the national anthem and the company has donated $20 million to charities that support first responders.

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What's on the menu at Mission BBQ

Krauss and Newton traveled the states to learn about regional styles of barbecue as they developed a menu that is now divided into a meat market, smokehouse signatures, salads, sandwiches and sides.

Some examples include:

  • Meat market items include brisket, pulled pork and pulled chicken ($8.99 to $13.19).

  • Signatures include dishes like BAY-b-Back Ribs, spare ribs and salmon r($3.36 to $26.29).

  • Sandwiches include brisket, turkey and pulled chicken ($8.49 and $12.69).

  • Sides range from $2.79 per serving to $13.39 per quart.

The restaurant will open in the Surprise City Center development in late 2024.

Details: mission-bbq.com.

Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maryland-based Mission BBQ is opening its first Arizona location