Honey Bear's BBQ

- 5012 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008

For Arizona residents seeking authentic, deep-rooted Southern flavor, Honey Bear's BBQ stands out as a true culinary landmark in Phoenix. Established in 1986, this venue has been a steadfast champion of genuine Tennessee-style barbecue, earning a dedicated following that spans decades. The establishment’s commitment goes beyond merely grilling; it's a dedication to the old-fashioned way of cooking barbecue—with wood—to achieve that rich, smoky flavor that defines Southern slow-cooked meat. It is a vital part of the Phoenix food landscape, offering a taste of the South right here in the Valley of the Sun.

More than just a barbecue joint, Honey Bear's BBQ proudly identifies itself as a multi-faceted food destination, encompassing the best of an American restaurant, a family restaurant, a sandwich shop, and, most notably, a Soul Food and Southern restaurant. This blend of categories speaks to the diversity of their menu, which is built on comfort and tradition. From succulent Baby Back Ribs and tender Beef Brisket to Southern favorites like Fried Catfish and Sweet Potato Pie, the food is designed to be hearty, satisfying, and reminiscent of home-style cooking. The consistent quality, praised by long-time patrons, suggests that this is a place where every bite comes loaded with history and care, ensuring the food "falls apart effortlessly," as one customer noted.

As a deeply rooted local business, Honey Bear's BBQ carries an important cultural distinction as both a Black-owned and women-owned establishment. This adds a layer of community pride to the dining experience, encouraging Arizona locals to support a business that has contributed to the city's diversity and culinary richness for over three decades. Whether you're a long-time resident or a visitor looking for a taste of genuine Southern cooking, Honey Bear's offers a cozy, casual atmosphere where the focus remains squarely on "smokin' good times" and truly great barbecue.

Honey Bear's BBQ is conveniently located in the central Phoenix area, making it an accessible destination for many residents and workers in the Valley. The address is: 5012 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA. This placement near the confluence of major Phoenix roadways and its proximity to the city's eastern sector ensures easy access.

The restaurant offers ample parking options for patrons. Customers can take advantage of the free parking lot directly on-site, which is a major convenience in a busy metro area, as well as complimentary street parking in the vicinity. Furthermore, the establishment demonstrates a strong commitment to accessibility, ensuring that all Arizona residents can enjoy their Southern fare. This includes a wheelchair-accessible entrance, dedicated wheelchair-accessible parking spaces, a wheelchair-accessible restroom, and accommodating seating arrangements. The combination of easy road access, free on-site parking, and a fully accessible dining area makes Honey Bear's BBQ a welcoming choice for groups, families, and solo diners throughout the week.

Honey Bear's BBQ offers a comprehensive range of services designed to meet the needs of their diverse Arizona clientele, whether dining in or enjoying a meal at home or work:

• Dine-in: Experience the casual, cozy, and family-friendly atmosphere firsthand, complete with comfortable seating, a restroom, and Wi-Fi access. It is a perfect spot for lunch, dinner, or solo dining.
• Takeout: Ideal for residents on the go, allowing quick and easy collection of individual meals or bulk orders to enjoy at home or outdoors.
• Delivery & No-Contact Delivery: Offering the ultimate convenience, the restaurant provides both standard and no-contact delivery options, ensuring their smoky barbecue can be enjoyed anywhere in the service area without ever leaving your front door.
• Curbside Pickup: A fast and convenient option, especially appreciated during peak hours or hot Arizona weather, where staff bring the order directly to the customer's vehicle.
• Catering: Honey Bear’s is a major caterer in the Valley, offering an extensive bulk menu including Family Packs, Party Packs (with a 12-person minimum), and Meat by the Pound. They provide full-service catering, as well as bulk packaging for self-service events, making them a go-to for events of all sizes.
• Onsite Services: This indicates an ability to provide setup and service at event locations, extending the full restaurant experience to private gatherings and corporate functions across Arizona.

The unique draw of Honey Bear's BBQ lies in its blend of heritage, community focus, and creative menu options that go beyond basic barbecue fare.

• Tennessee-Style BBQ Tradition: The key highlight is the commitment to Tennessee-style barbecue, utilizing wood and low-and-slow cooking methods to produce incredibly tender, flavorful meat, often described as “fall-off-the-bone.”
• Signature Dishes and Specials: The menu features inventive specialty items like the Meaty Mac ($15.49), which tops their homemade Mac & Cheese with a customer's choice of smoked meat, and the BBQ Sundae ($17.49), a layered combination of Cowbro’ beans, BBQ meat, and creamy coleslaw.
• The Nash’s Hot Chicken Experience: Catering to the current trend for heat, the menu includes a dedicated section for Nash’s Hot Chicken, offering sandwiches ($13.99) and tenders ($8.99) with a special Nashville HOT sauce for those who can handle the spice.
• Diverse Comfort Food Offerings: Beyond barbecue meats (Pulled Pork $12.49, Beef Brisket $15.49), they offer genuine Southern specialties like Fried Catfish w/ Side(s) ($14.99) and classic desserts like Peach Cobbler and Sweet Potato Pie (both $4.99), ensuring a full Southern dining experience.
• Community and Heritage: As a recognized Black-owned and women-owned business operating for over 30 years, dining here means supporting a significant, long-standing piece of Phoenix's local heritage and business community.

For all orders, reservations, and catering inquiries, please utilize the following direct contact information:

Address: 5012 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
Phone: (602) 702-3060
Mobile Phone: +1 602-702-3060

What truly makes Honey Bear's BBQ worth choosing for any Arizona local is the combination of decades-long consistency, authentic Tennessee-style preparation, and a commitment to being a full-service comfort food experience. Customers consistently praise the extreme tenderness of the meat—be it the ribs, brisket, or pulled pork—a quality that proves their mastery of the slow-smoking process. The accompanying homemade sides, particularly the Mac & Cheese, Cowbro' Beans, and Potato Salad, are noted for complementing the rich meats perfectly, turning a simple dinner into a complete, deeply satisfying meal.

Whether you are planning a large event and need one of their convenient and generous Family or Party Packs, or you are simply looking for a quick, quality lunch option, Honey Bear's BBQ offers an experience built on tradition. The convenience of all service options—Dine-in, Curbside, Delivery, and Catering—paired with their status as a celebrated, local, Black-owned, and women-owned pillar of the Phoenix community, makes it a top-tier destination for anyone seeking real, smoky, and expertly prepared Southern food in Arizona. You are not just getting a meal; you are getting a piece of Phoenix's culinary history.

Honey Bear's BBQ

5012 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA