Joe's Real BBQ
Review of Joe's Real BBQ
About.com Rating 
Joe's Real BBQ - What I Liked
- Delicious BBQ
- Good prices
- Pleasant environment
Joe's Real BBQ - Be Aware
- Stand on line and carry your own food on trays
- Long lines at peak hours
 BBQ Plate at Joe's Real BBQ © Judy Hedding |
Joe's Real BBQ - The Mood
This barbecue place is located in the old, downtown part of Gilbert,
Arizona. With a 1948 John Deere tractor in the dining room, wall
murals and home-made root beer, it's a family place and not
necessarily conducive to romance or business. If you have a larger
group, kids that need to expend a little energy, or you just like
eating al fresco, there are picnic-type tables outside.
The most expensive item on the menu at Joe's Real BBQ is a full side of 12 pork ribs with two sides. That's $19. Most plates there are in the $8 to $12 range and sandwich plates are less. We ordered four entrees, each with one side, an order of corn bread and four desserts. Excluding beverages, tax and tip our bill came to about $12 each.
My Review of Joe's Real BBQ
At about 5:30 p.m. on a Thursday evening we stopped at Joe's Real BBQ in downtown Gilbert, Arizona with a hankering for some ribs and pulled pork. Decision making can be difficult here, but if you are in the mood for a full meal you can't go wrong with a meat plate on which you get 1/2 pound of one or two or meats of your choice. That's plenty, too. Between the four of us we tried the brisket, pulled pork, hot links, pit ham and pork ribs. We liked them all! You can have either one or two sides with your meat plate (the second side costs a buck more). I regret not having ordered the BBQ Pit Beans, since they looked good when I saw them on someone else's tray. We tried the cole slaw, cheesy potatoes and the mac 'n' cheese. All of us agreed that the potatoes were bland, and the cole slaw was OK, but the mac 'n' cheese was the clear winner. Put the toast aside and pay a little extra for the corn bread. It's worth it.
At about 6 p.m. the crowd began arriving, and we decided that I should get back on line for dessert. It took 20 minutes to get to the front of the line. I considered myself fortunate because a few minutes later the line was twice as long, virtually out the door. I'm guessing that those people waited for more than 30 minutes to pick up a tray and get their food. For dessert we tried the apple crisp, root beer cake and the brownie. The apple crisp was pleasant. Four thumbs up for the brownie. The root beer cake sounded more interesting than it tasted. You can add a scoop of ice cream to any dessert for an additional charge.
 Outdoor Dining at Joe's Real BBQ © Judy Hedding |
Not a meat eater? The jumbo baked potato or a chopped salad will work
for you.
We were at Joe's at the busy time of the day, and consequently our
dirty dishes remained on the table until after we left. We piled them
in the middle of the table so we could comfortably eat dessert. Staff
advised me that between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and
Saturday nights that's just how it is -- busy. Consider yourself
warned! Tip: I am advised that for beverages or desserts it is
acceptable to go to the front of the line.
Joe's Real BBQ is not a chain; it is family owned and operated. It is
open seven days per week for lunch and dinner, except for a few major
holidays. Joe's
Farm House Grill, also in Gilbert, is owned by the same people.
We'll definitely go back to Joe's, but we'll probably try a nonpeak
time, so we can enjoy the delicious barbecue with a little less
stress!
Where to Find Joe's Real BBQ:
301 N Gilbert Rd
Gilbert, AZ 85234
480-503-3805
Visit Joe's Real BBQ online.
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Joe's Real BBQ.
Date of review: March 2009.
All dates, times, prices and offerings are subject to change without notice.
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