JL Smokehouse, regarded as one of Phoenix’s top barbecue joints, has opened a second location in the former Can’t Stop Smokin’ BBQ space on the northwest corner of Lindsay and University in east Mesa.
The background: Pit master James ‘‘JL’’ Lewis, who was raised a sharecropper in Arkansas, launched his rustic 16-seat restaurant on the northeast corner of Broadway and 20th Street in 2017 with a promise to “Put Some South in Your Mouth.”
The food: JL’s doesn’t favor any particular regional style, preferring to borrow from all. In addition to noteworthy brisket and pulled pork, highlights include unusual items like a smoked bologna sandwich, BBQ tacos, BBQ nachos, and even BBQ spaghetti.
The drinks: Ice tea, lemonade, and sodas.
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.
Subscribe to the free MXSW Daily Email here for the latest news about food & drink in the Phoenix metro area.
