Best BBQ
Jack's Original Barbeque
3643 N. Campbell Ave.
5250 E. 22nd St.
READERS' PICK: Although Jack's has been Tucson's
treasure since the 1970s, thanks to a listing in a national travel
guide it has put us on the BBQ map with the big guys--Kansas City
and Memphis. Who'd have guessed? Owned and operated by Steven
Boccardio, who claims that Jack's BBQ was his first solid food
(his parents took him to Jack's as soon as he could sit in a high
chair), Jack's Original BBQ is barbecue nirvana. The ambiance
at both locations is clean and casual, an indoor picnic complete
with checked vinyl table cloths. But the food is what will keep
your car swinging into Jack's parking lot. The sauce is a perfect
complement to these high-quality meats. An extensive menu includes
beef, pork, chicken, sloppy Joe, hot links, ribs and ham. There
are fried seafood platters and even tacos. The ranch beans are
tender and flavorful, but not sweet. The coleslaw is fresh, crisp
and spicy, without leaving a pool of dressing in its wake. And
if you're in the mood for a complete lard-overload, order a side
of onion rings, French fries, fried okra, or jalapeño poppers.
Top it off with a fabulous piece of pecan or sweet potato pie
à la mode. You may add a few pounds, but what a way to
get there!
READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: Rod's KC BBQ, 601 N. Fourth Ave.
(See Best Hot Links, this page.)
CLUE IN: Located just a stone's throw from Jack's 22nd
Street location, Tom's BBQ (5443 E. 22nd St.) boasts
Chicago-style barbecue in a clean, well-lighted place. Tom's is
an Arizona chain that began in Chandler and now has 11 locations
in that valley northwest of us, in addition to its sole Tucson
outpost. The meats are predominantly Midwestern beef and pork,
smoked and served with your choice of mild or spicy sauce. Both
sauces are balanced combinations of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors.
The salads are made on the premises, the star being an excellent
cole slaw which is crisp and flavorful and not overdressed. Although
prices are higher than the standard drive-thru fare at the burger
chains, Tom's is a bargain compared to the cost of taking the
family out for pizza. Family meals start at $10.99 for an 8-piece
chicken dinner with cole slaw, beans, and rolls.
