It is always an interesting move when one style of restaurant moves in and replaces the exact same kind of restaurant that failed not long before. Whether it is a pizza joint replacing a failed pizza joint, or a burger barn replacing another burger barn, these new restaurants are betting big that the restaurant completely failed based on the quality of the old location’s food, and not on the location. This is exactly what has happened with one address in greater Phoenix, as a popular BBQ restaurant is moving in following the closure of a different BBQ restaurant.
One of the biggest things going for the new BBQ restaurant is its pedigree. JL Smokehouse first opened its Phoenix location touting its assortment of southern BBQ flavors. With everything from brisket to pulled pork, patrons quickly discovered the JL Smokehouse difference, making it one of the most sought-after BBQ destinations in the entire region. Now, it has opened a second location, this time in Mesa at 2650 East University Drive. This takes over the failed address formerly occupied by Can’t Stop Smokin’ BBQ.
One of the major benefits of moving into this location is it is already set up for most of what JL Smokehouse already does, so it didn’t have to put in as much legwork in prepping the kitchen space. The menu is all about serving guests up with what owner and pit master James Lews (the JL in JL Smokehouse), is familiar with. Born and raised in Arkansas, he knows his way around the BBQ pit, and he also knows how to bring the flavor to his meats.
If you have never been to the original location, one of the most popular menu items is the Straddling The Fence. This includes three types of meat (wich choices of bologna, smoked sausage, ribs, rib tips, pork, pork belly, chicken, brisket, or hot links), and two sides (choices including mac n cheese, collard greens, potato salad, coleslaw, cabbage, BBQ beans, BBQ spaghetti, roasted potatoes, and green beans). Of course, this can always be upgraded to the Heavy Hitter, which boosts choices to five types of meat and three sides.
Guests can also order meat by the pound, and there are all kinds of sandwiches to choose from. Some of the most popular sandwiches include the smoke sausage, hot links, pulled pork, rib sandwich, catfish po-boy, cajun grilled shrimp po-boy, and the JL collard green burger.
The new restaurant is currently up and running from Wednesday through Saturday, from 11 AM until 7 PM.
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