This Phoenix BBQ Joint Was Just Named The Best In America — See Where

PHOENIX, AZ — A Phoenix barbecue joint has officially been crowned the best BBQ restaurant in the entire United States.

Yelp recently released its Top 100 BBQ Restaurants in the U.S. list, based on ratings and reviews from the platform’s Elite Squad members, and Little Miss BBQ – University on University Drive earned the No. 1 spot.

The University location has more than 3,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Yelp, making it one of the most highly rated barbecue spots in the nation.

Barbecue at Little Miss BBQ is served meat‑market style, with meats sliced in front of customers so they can order as much or as little as they like.

The restaurant focuses on prime beef, simple seasoning and clean‑burning smokers fueled by Arizona white oak, pecan, pistachio and mesquite, aiming to let the quality of the meat stand out.

Owner and pitmaster Scott Holmes is an Arizona native who traces his barbecue journey back to a visit to The Salt Lick in Driftwood, Texas. That experience set the path for what would become Little Miss BBQ.

Scott and his wife, Bekke, spent several years competing on the barbecue circuit, refining their recipes and building a loyal following before opening their first brick‑and‑mortar location in 2014, according to the restaurant’s website.

From smoky roadside shacks to bustling urban smokehouses, Yelp's Elite Squad scoured the country to uncover the 100 must-try BBQ joints in the U.S. — each one recommended by locals who know their 'cue.

The Valley had even more to celebrate. Caldwell County BBQ in Gilbert came in at No. 8, Eric's Family Barbecue in Avondale at No. 36, Smoking Tiger Korean BBQ in Mesa at No. 61, Hapa Food in Mesa at No. 83, and Bobby Q – Biltmore in Phoenix at No. 88.

Little Miss BBQ has a second location in the Sunnyslope neighborhood of Phoenix, near Seventh Street and Dunlap Avenue.