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Phoenix Isn't Really Known For Barbecue Scene — But That Could Be Changing

By Lauren Gilger
Published: Friday, August 31, 2018 - 12:38pm
Updated: Wednesday, November 21, 2018 - 8:51am

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food editor Chris Malloy and James Lewis at JL Smokehouse
Lauren Gilger/KJZZ
Phoenix New Times food editor Chris Malloy and James Lewis at JL Smokehouse in South Phoenix.

It’s Labor Day weekend, and there’s nothing more synonymous with Labor Day than barbecue.

For most people, Phoenix isn't really known as a barbecue town — but, that might be changing.

Chris Malloy, food editor for Phoenix New Times has spent the last year taking a deep dive into the Phoenix barbecue scene. And he really gets into the nitty-gritty here — we’re talking illegal pit lamb barbecue and why different woods and smokers matter. Right now, he's working on a list of his top 10 barbecue joints in the Valley.

Obviously, we at The Show had to go out and eat some barbecue to bring you this story, so we visited one of the restaurants on his list: JL Smokehouse in South Phoenix. It's the kind of place where, when you get out of your car in the parking lot, you can smell the barbecue.

Chris Malloy and James Lewis of JL Smokehouse talked with us about the Phoenix barbecue scene.

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