Smoking With Stacy

Now that the 4th is over, it's time to put down the tongs and turn the BBQ over to a true expert

Why would we feature a BBQ joint after a long holiday weekend filled with too much eating and backyard grilling? Because, if you’re anything like us, you spent the weekend with friends and family, forcing down store bought hot dogs and so-called burgers grilled to the consistency of hockey pucks. So today, we’re going to get our real-deal BBQ fix from the experts at Stacy’s Smokehouse BBQ.

Housed inside a bare-bones, purple-painted and graffiti-decorated space just west of the 51 freeway on Indian School Rd., Stacy Phipps’ little smokehouse has developed on oversized reputation. In fact, everybody from the New Times to the gourmands at Bon Appetit magazine have raved about his rib-stickin’ menu of slow-and-low classics.

Phipps first made a splash on the local dining scene with a popular BBQ joint in downtown Phoenix. However, after the landlord pulled the rug out from under him, Phipps took his smoker on the road, literally, cooking at local BBQ fests and catering private events. In early 2008, he finally parked his wood-fired smoker outside a funky space that previously housed everything from a ‘fish and chipery’ to a Southwestern soulfood spot.

Written on a chalkboard behind the counter, Stacy’s extensive menu abounds with can’t miss items such as fork-tender brisket, flavorful fried fish and thick-cut pork ribs so smoky you might want to try ‘em with the sauce on the side. That said, our fav is the hearty pulled pork sandwich, which is like a roundtrip ticket to Memphis, expecially when you top it with coleslaw. As for the sides, they are hit or miss (skip the bland mac n’ cheese and the overcooked corn, and go for the diet-be-damned fried pickles and okra). But be sure to save room for the buttery, crumb-tastic peach cobbler. Bon appetit, indeed!

Smoky Smorgasbord: 1650 E. Indian School Rd., 602-230-6724 (Cash only!)