Great American Barbecue & Beer Festival returns to Chandler

Good times return to downtown Chandler on Saturday March 24th as the 9th annual Great American Barbecue & Beer Festival opens its gates at noon.  The festival will be serving up slow cooked foods, cold adult beverages, live entertainment and more til 10 p.m.

Barbecue, Beer and more.

Over 20 BBQ aficionados will be smoking and cooking up finger licking ribs, chicken, pulled pork and many more not BBQ dishes. Local craft beer brewers including SanTan Brewing Company along with national beers and spirits will be poured to cool you and your palate down as a lot of the foods will be bringing the heat. Below is a list of a few of those slow cooking your favorites.

Farmboy Smokehaus – brisket, pulled pork, who hog spit, andoullie sausage, baby back ribs, chicken, chili and Johnny cakes

Harris’ Smokehouse – BBQ pork, beef, chicken, ribs, hot dogs, beans, coleslaw, & corn

Jamburritos – pulled pork, brisket, hot links, jambalaya

JJ’s Louisiana BBQ – ribs, chicken, pulled pork, brisket, rib tips, hot links, turkey legs, beans & potato salad

Mr. Wonderful’s Chicken & Waffles – waffle and chicken wings, po boys, chicken dirty fries, banana pudding, & cheesecake

Pearson’s Catering – catfish, bayou chicken, gator bites, frog legs, jambalaya & po boys

Sally’s BBQ – loaded ribbon fries with pulled pork, sausage, & corn

SanTan Brewing – chopped brisket or pulled pork sandwich & mac & cheese

BBQ festival
All photos courtesy of Jen Pruett of HDE Agency

Live music, tickets and more.

Country music superstar Rodney Atkins headlines the music for the festival  along with food cooking demos, a mechanical bull riding competition. There’s plenty of fun for the whole family with a kids zone.

Tickets and more information can be found at https://www.chandlerbbq.com/

General Admission

$20 Online Presale                                                                      $25 Day of Walk Up Pricing                                                         $10 Veterans & Military Discount Online Presale & Walk Up Pricing $10 Presale at any valley Bashas’ Locations                            *Kids 12 and under receive free general admission                          *General admission includes entry into the festival, access to all entertainment, zones, vendors, interactive experience and activities. Food and beverages are not included with admission.

VIP Pass (21+ over only)

$175 Online Presale Only – now through 3/23/18 OR when tickets are sold out                                                                                        Includes: six beers, unlimited soft drinks and water, catered food throughout the day, front stage access/view, private air-conditioned restrooms, private seating, shaded area, entry into the festival and access to all entertainment, zones, vendors, interactive experience and activities.

 Corral Pass (21+ over only)

 $75 Online Presale Only – SOLD OUT

 

Award winning pitmaster bringing BBQ Trapp Haus to downtown Phoenix

Update: Grand opening is planned for Friday March 2nd during First Friday. DJ Belal of Groove B. Chill will be spinning tunes and there will be raffles, giveaways and more.

Phoenix has its reputation in the national food circles for pizza, tacos and Mexican food offerings, it won’t be long before we can add BBQ to the list. Already the home of Little Miss BBQ, Porkopolis, Honey Bear’s and the soon to be opened Starlite BBQ  comes BBQ Trapp Haus bringing their BBQ and urban Southern cooking to downtown Phoenix.

Great news if you’re a BBQ fan like me(I’m a rib man) but the rub is we have to wait a few months for the anticipated December opening from owner and pitmaster Phil “The Grill” Johnson.

BBQ Trapp Haus eats

BBQ Trapp Haus isn’t your typical BBQ joint with its urban decor from owner Johnson’s New York City upbringing and it southern inspired menu which goes beyond pulled pork, smoked brisket and ribs. Fear not all the staples will be had for the masses to get sloppy with but we will also be available to grab BBQ nachos, Empanadas stuffed with pulled pork, “No Bun Bowls” such as the Mac Bowl with smoked mac & cheese and more.

“It has always been a dream of mine to open my own BBQ joint,” Phil says. “BBQ Trapp Haus is the combination of my Bronx background, my skill in competition-style BBQ and my desire to give people good food that is made with my heart and soul.”

Traditional BBQ fans will be ordering the classics of Applewood Smoked Pork, St. Louis style ribs and Hickory Smoked Brisket along with PTG’s (Phil the Grill to his friends) sides of “Mean Greens” , PTG Baked Beans, Jalapeno Honey slaw and crispy waffle fries.

PTG is known for his “Philly Crack Wings” from his popular food truck “Sammitch” which will be on the menu along with Sammitches including New York style Pastrami Reuben, Philly Cheese Fix and Pork Heaven.

Craft beers and smoked infused bourbon will be poured to wash down you flavorful eats and should you still have room for strawberry shortcake and banana pudding will be on the dessert list.

Pitmaster accolades

In the world of food competition pitmaster Phil is known from his earning several awards from the Kansas City Barbecue Society including the Grand Championship on the Sam’s Club National BBQ Tour(didn’t even know they had one) and 2nd place at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue Invitational.

His food truck Sammitch has been named one of the Top 10 food trucks around the valley  and has built a loyal following that should follow him right to 511 E. Roosevelt when he opens.

 

 

 

Chompie’s on the Food Network’s “Ginormous Food” Fri. June 2nd.

Any national attention a local restaurant can get is always good for the Phoenix food community. Friday June 2nd, is when the family owned, N.Y. style deli Chompie’s will be seen by a national TV audience on Food Network’s “Ginormous Food” show.

The episode will feature Chompie’s “Bubbie’s Belly Buster” slider which weighs in at a GINORMOUS 10 pounds. Taking 48 hours to prepare, the slider is made with 4 lbs. of sliced brisket, 12 oz. of brown gravy, 12 slices of Monterrey Jack cheese and a 24 oz. potato pancake, all served on a 36 oz. Challah roll.

Getting hungry yet? Up for a challenge? If so you’re in luck as Chompie’s is preparing this meal that serves 8-10 people available for only $129.99 & 48 hour notice.

Too much food for you, say what! Then stop in to one of the 5 Phoenix area Chompie’s from June 2nd -18th and you can “Ginormous size” your order of Jewish sliders by doubling the size. The platter will include 3 sliders that will now be 6 in. wide for $29.99(regularly $44.97) twice the size of the usual 3 in. wide sliders.

This is not the first time Chompie’s and their sliders have made a nationwide TV appearance as the Tempe location was featured on the Travel Channel’s “Man vs Food” in 2010. On that episode show host Adam Richman tried to complete the “Ultimate Slider Challenge” in less than 30 minutes. Unfortunately the slider platter got the best of him and he failed the challenge.

The episode “Phoenix Finest Imports” will also feature El Palacio & Porkopolis, both in Chandler.

The episode premiers on Fri. June 2nd at 8 p.m. CST and will be repeated several times. To take the challenge or Ginormous Up find a Chompie’s near you at https://chompies.com/