Sara Crocker
Audio By Carbonatix
Caldwell County BBQ’s smokers are ready for the West Valley. The Gilbert-born, Texas-style smokehouse will open its doors in downtown Peoria on Thursday.
The barbecue restaurant has been a staple for succulent smoked brisket, cozy southwestern-infused sides and cold drinks since opening in 2018. Since then, they’ve added a location in Queen Creek and have been named among Phoenix New Times’ Best Barbecue in the Valley and our Top 100 Restaurants. The barbecue restaurateurs announced plans to expand in both Peoria and Scottsdale last summer.
The Peoria smokehouse, located on Washington Street near 83rd Drive, will host a grand opening at 11 a.m. on Thursday. The first 15 people at the restaurant will receive a $50 gift card.
The 4,800 square foot smokehouse was inspired by the historic brick buildings of Lockhart, Texas, a barbecue mecca that is, incidentally, located in the titular county that inspired these Valley smokehouse owners.
“We’re not a cookie-cutter restaurant,” Travis Taylor, Caldwell County’s CEO, says. “Every building’s different.”
Taylor gave New Times a preview of the new location:
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Caldwell County BBQ will open in Peoria on Feb. 5. -
At Caldwell County BBQ, diners order sides first then step up to the meat counter. -
Caldwell County BBQ’s Peoria menu. -
The dining room includes a private space that can host up to 32 guests. -
Caldwell County BBQ’s merch includes aprons, shirts and stickers. -
Caldwell County BBQ CEO Travis Taylor points out the details in the building’s trussed roof. -
Roll-up windows bring the bar to the patio. -
Caldwell County BBQ’s pit masters use local mesquite. It doubles at the fence around its Peoria patio. -
Diners will have a view of Caldwell County’s smokers.
What to expect in Peoria
One thing that remains consistent in the new location: Caldwell’s pitmasters like to show their work. Customers can see the long, horizontal drum smokers, fueled by local mesquite, at each location. The team has brought two smokers — named “Mr. Big” and “Max Woodruff” — from other locations. They’ve sourced three other smokers from central Texas.
Those smokers will infuse flavor and tenderness into the restaurant’s signature brisket, turkey, ribs and house-made sausage. Caldwell also serves scratch-made sides like Aunt Susan’s Corn Casserole, Lala’s Pinto Beans and Julio’s Mac and Cheese. Don’t skip the pecan pie or banana pudding for dessert.
Caldwell’s arrival in Peoria “kicks off the long-awaited revitalization of our Downtown area,” Mayor Jason Beck said in a statement. Just a block away from the smokehouse, the city is working on its next dining destination, The Jefferson House, a project modeled after The Churchill in Downtown Phoenix and slated to open this summer. Peoria has partnered with its team as well as Lance and Gavin Linderman, who own the West Valley cafe Driftwood Coffee Co.
“We’re really honored and privileged that they invited us to be a first mover in this area,” Taylor says. “We really do think it’s going to blow up and be a really fun spot for everybody to come.”
Caldwell County BBQ
Opens at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 5
8315 W. Washington St., Peoria
Now open:
18324 E. Nunneley Road, Gilbert
25000 S. 206th St., Queen Creek
