# Best BBQ in Scottsdale: 8 Smokehouses Worth the Drive > The best BBQ in Scottsdale: Texas-style brisket, a gas station legend, a honky-tonk with ribs and Old Town's modern smokehouse. Addresses and hours. Source: https://guides.thescottsdalescoop.com/best-bbq-scottsdale --- [Food and Drink](/hubs/food-and-drink) # Best BBQ in Scottsdale Brisket, ribs and one legendary gas station - No. 1 Gas station BBQ - No. 4 Closes 7 PM most nights - No. 8 Opens 6 AM daily ![Best BBQ in Scottsdale](/images/derived/guides-best-bbq-scottsdale-bootleggers-smokehouse-fc46f2a5-960.webp) ![Portrait of John Apolinar](/john.webp) By **John Apolinar** · Updated Nov 1, 2026 · 8 spots The best BBQ in Scottsdale is spread out, but it's there if you know where to look. There's a gas station that people drive across town for, a honky-tonk with live country music and ribs, a Texas chain that opens at 6 AM and a modern smokehouse in Old Town. These are my eight. Want the full list? Browse the [Scottsdale restaurants directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/category/restaurants?utm_source=guides&utm_medium=category_link). In this guide 8 spots The map Where these spots are Filter by area Showing all 8 spots. ## Scottsdale, by area Nothing in this guide is in that area. 1. 1 North Scottsdale ### [The Thumb](https://www.thethumb.com/) ![The Thumb in Scottsdale](/images/derived/guides-best-bbq-scottsdale-the-thumb-e711c5c9-1200.webp) Gas station BBQ legend Yes, it's a gas station. The Thumb on Bell Road is also a car wash and one of the most talked-about BBQ spots in town. The restaurant is open daily from 6 AM to 7 PM. **The short list:** Gas station BBQ6 AM-7 PM daily. [Visit Website](https://www.thethumb.com/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/the-thumb) 2. 2 North Central Scottsdale ### [Handlebar J](https://www.handlebarj.com/) ![Handlebar J in Scottsdale](/images/derived/guides-best-bbq-scottsdale-handlebar-j-80b584dc-1200.webp) BBQ and two-stepping Handlebar J serves BBQ ribs with live country music and dancing. There are free dance lessons on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. It's closed Mondays. **The short list:** Live country musicFree dance lessons Wed. [Visit Website](https://www.handlebarj.com/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/handlebar-j) 3. 3 Old Town Scottsdale ### [Bootleggers Modern American Smokehouse](https://bootleggerssmokehouse.com/) ![Bootleggers Modern American Smokehouse in Scottsdale](/images/derived/guides-best-bbq-scottsdale-bootleggers-smokehouse-fc46f2a5-960.webp) Modern smokehouse in Old Town Bootleggers is the BBQ pick in Old Town, on 1st Street. Its Phoenix location on Shea closed in April, but the Scottsdale spot is still going. Closed Mondays. **The short list:** Old TownClosed Mondays. [Visit Website](https://bootleggerssmokehouse.com/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/bootleggers-smokehouse) 4. 4 Shea Corridor ### [NakedQ BBQ](https://www.nakedq.com/scottsdale) NakedQ is a local BBQ spot off 90th Street near Shea. It closes at 7 PM most nights and 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, so don't wait too long. **The short list:** Closes 7 PM most nights. [Visit Website](https://www.nakedq.com/scottsdale)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/nakedq-bbq-scottsdale) 5. 5 North Scottsdale (Pima Rd) ### [Copper State Barbecue Co.](https://www.copperstatebarbecueco.com/) Copper State is on Pima Road and serves sandwich plates and meat plates. Small spot, big flavor. **The short list:** Meat platesSandwiches. [Visit Website](https://www.copperstatebarbecueco.com/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/copper-state-barbecue-co) 6. 6 North Scottsdale ### [Boo and Henry's BBQ](https://booandhenrysbbq.com/) Boo and Henry's calls itself award-winning, and it's on Scottsdale Road up north. Check their site for current hours before you go. **The short list:** North Scottsdale Rd. [Visit Website](https://booandhenrysbbq.com/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/boo-and-henrys-bbq) 7. 7 South Scottsdale ### [Arizona BBQ Shack](https://azbbqshackscottsdale.com/) Arizona BBQ Shack is a neighborhood spot on McDonald Drive. It's open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 AM to 9 PM. **The short list:** Tue-Sat 11:30 AM-9 PM. [Visit Website](https://azbbqshackscottsdale.com/)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/arizona-bbq-shack) 8. ### Get the weekly picks Join 15,000 local subscribers You're in. Check your inbox to confirm. 9. 8 Northsight ### [Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q](https://rudysbbq.com/location/detail/scottsdale-az) Rudy's is the Texas BBQ chain on Northsight. It opens at 6 AM, so you can get breakfast tacos in the morning and brisket at night. **The short list:** Opens 6 AM daily. [Visit Website](https://rudysbbq.com/location/detail/scottsdale-az)[View in Directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/business/rudys-bbq-scottsdale) The method ## How I picked these I only picked BBQ spots with a Scottsdale address that are open now. I checked each one on its own site plus Yelp, OpenTable or Restaurantji in November 2026. BBQ joints sell out and close early, so check hours before you go. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Where's the best BBQ in Old Town Scottsdale? Bootleggers Modern American Smokehouse on 1st Street. ### Is The Thumb really a gas station? Yes. The Thumb on Bell Road is a gas station, car wash and BBQ spot. The restaurant is open 6 AM to 7 PM daily. ### Where can I get BBQ with live music in Scottsdale? Handlebar J on Becker Lane has BBQ plus live country music most nights and free dance lessons on Wednesdays. ### Which Scottsdale BBQ spots close early? NakedQ closes at 7 PM most nights and The Thumb's restaurant closes at 7 PM. ## Find more in the directory [Scottsdale restaurants directory](https://directory.thescottsdalescoop.com/category/restaurants?utm_source=guides&utm_medium=category_link) - The Thumb - Handlebar J - Bootleggers Modern American Smokehouse - NakedQ BBQ - Copper State Barbecue Co. - Best Cheap Eats in Scottsdale Dining & Drinks - Best Sports Bars in Scottsdale Dining & Drinks - Best Live Music & Concert Venues in Scottsdale Events & Entertainment - Best Patios in Scottsdale Dining & Drinks - Best Date Night Spots in Scottsdale Dining & Drinks - Best Restaurants in Scottsdale Dining & Drinks ## Get the weekly picks Join 15,000 local subscribers You're in. 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