Stacy Phipps may have taken a few hits in his restaurant career, but the Phoenix barbecue man hasn't been knocked out yet.
After his second Scottsdale location of Stacy's Smokehouse shuttered at the start of last year (after being open just six months and setting Phipps back about $120,000), Phipps also lost the original location of his barbecue joint on Indian School Road just west of State Route 51, to his wife. The two are now divorced.
And that was just round one.
See also: La Grande Orange's New Burger Shop in Arcadia Is Called Ingo's Tasty Food
In June of 2012, Phipps started over via a tiny barbecue stand in Sunnyslope (with outdoor seating only) called Stacy's Pit Stop BBQ. On the lookout for a new restaurant home, Phipps made a grab in December to purchase the defunct Circle H Barbecue from Bill Sandweg, who also owns Copper Star Coffee just a few blocks south of the building on the northwest corner of Camelback and Seventh Avenue. The deal, which would have involved turning the space into a Stacy's Smokehouse, Phipps tells me, fell through.
After shuttering his barbecue stand in Sunnyslope a few weeks ago, Phipps is officially starting over yet again. This time, he's back at his former Central Phoenix restaurant with a new name, updated digs, and a partner.
"After over a year, it feels good to be back," Phipps tells me. "I'm excited to be doing barbecue here again. I loved being in Sunnyslope, but it just wasn't working out."
Called Stacy's Smoke Dem Bones Pit Stop, Phipps' newest 'cue joint opened this weekend at 1650 East Indian School Road. Phipps says his former wife is no longer involved with the business and that he and his partner have updated the interior and exterior and have worked things out with the landlord.
"The purple's gone," Phipps says of his favorite color. "But we'll have it on our uniforms."
Phipps goes on to tell me the menu will be the same as Stacy's Smokehouse -- think ribs, brisket, and pulled pork covered in his signature sweet sauce, plus sandwiches and sides. He adds that he'll be doing fried chicken and catfish on a nightly basis. In December, Phipps plans to add his signature gumbo to the mix.
Here's the menu:
Stacy's Smoke Dem Bones Pit Stop 1650 East Indian School Road
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Follow Chow Bella on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest.
Want access to our Best Of picks from your smartphone? Download our free Best Of app for the iPhone or Android phone from the App Store or Google Play. Don't forget to check out the full Best of Phoenix® online at bestof.voiceplaces.com.
