Little Miss BBQ Menu 2026: Brisket, Ribs & Smoked Meats Guide

Little Miss BBQ is widely regarded as the best BBQ restaurant in Arizona and one of the top regional BBQ joints in the American Southwest. The restaurant is most famous for its USDA Prime Texas-style brisket — smoked low and slow over post oak until it develops a deep bark and buttery, pull-apart texture. It also draws praise for its house-made sausage, spare ribs, and pulled pork. Owned by Scott and Bekki Holmes, the restaurant has appeared on numerous national "best BBQ" lists.

Little Miss BBQ typically opens at 11 AM on its operating days (check the official website for current hours and days). The restaurant sells out of popular cuts — especially brisket and beef ribs — well before closing time on weekends. Serious fans arrive by 10 AM to queue before opening. Weekday visits tend to have shorter lines and more consistent availability. Always check littlemissbbq.com for current hours before visiting.

Little Miss BBQ does not publish a comprehensive price list online. Pricing is typically listed on the in-restaurant chalkboard and changes based on daily availability and meat costs. Expect to pay roughly $20–$30 per pound for brisket (a common price range for premium Texas-style BBQ at this quality level) and comparable rates for other meats, but confirm at the counter. Plates and combos are priced separately. Call the restaurant or check their social media for current pricing.

Little Miss BBQ is consistently ranked #1 in Arizona by major food publications and BBQ enthusiast communities. It has appeared on lists from publications including Texas Monthly, Eater, and various national food media outlets covering regional American BBQ. While taste is subjective, the restaurant's consistent sell-outs and long weekend lines are strong evidence of its reputation. Competing top Arizona BBQ spots include Fate Brewing, Little Miss BBQ's own second location, and a handful of Phoenix-area newcomers — but Little Miss BBQ remains the most cited benchmark.

Little Miss BBQ has multiple Phoenix-area locations. The original University Drive location is at 4301 E University Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85034. There is also a second location in the area. Hours and days of service vary by location — confirm on the official website at littlemissbbq.com before making the trip, especially since not all locations operate every day of the week.

Little Miss BBQ uses post oak as its primary smoking wood — the same wood used by the legendary Central Texas BBQ joints (Franklin BBQ, la Barbecue, etc.) that inspired the Holmes family's approach. Post oak delivers a clean, medium-intensity smoke that complements beef without overpowering it. Some meats, including the turkey breast, may be smoked with fruit woods for a milder profile. The restaurant builds and maintains its fires from scratch each morning before service.

Little Miss BBQ does not take reservations — it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no advance ordering system for walk-in customers. The restaurant occasionally offers whole brisket pre-orders for holidays and special occasions — check the official website and their social media channels for announcements. For a regular visit, the only strategy is arriving early (before opening on busy weekend days).

Both Little Miss BBQ and Franklin BBQ in Austin are post-oak Texas-style brisket specialists and are regularly cited in the same breath when national food media covers regional American BBQ. Franklin BBQ is older, Austin-based, and arguably more famous nationally — it was the first BBQ restaurant to receive a James Beard Award. Little Miss BBQ is newer, Phoenix-based, and widely considered the best in its region. Both restaurants sell out most days, have long lines, and are built around whole-packer brisket smoked over post oak. If you're choosing between them based solely on brisket quality, the gap is narrow — most serious enthusiasts say both are exceptional.

The core smoked meats at Little Miss BBQ — brisket, pulled pork, ribs, turkey, and sausage — are generally gluten-free as prepared (rubs are typically salt and pepper based). However, the restaurant is not a certified gluten-free kitchen, and cross-contact is possible. The sausage may contain binders. If you have celiac disease or a serious gluten sensitivity, confirm directly with the restaurant before ordering. Skip the white bread (included with plates) and confirm the sides you choose.