Word Of Mouth Grill Introduce
Word Of Mouth Grill, located in the vibrant community of South Tempe, Arizona, is more than just a barbecue restaurant—it’s a true local culinary gem built on the principles of family, hospitality, and, most importantly, incredible flavor. This establishment began as a dream and a successful catering operation before establishing its brick-and-mortar home, a testament to the quality of its slow-smoked meats that truly speak for themselves. Identifying proudly as a Black-owned business, Word Of Mouth Grill offers a casual, modern dining experience where every guest is treated like family.
The cornerstone of the Word Of Mouth Grill experience is authentic, pit-smoked barbecue. The meats are lovingly prepared in a custom-built, double-chamber smoker using hand-cut mesquite wood, which imparts a bold, signature flavor that distinguishes their offerings from the rest. The menu is a celebration of barbecue traditions, featuring a variety of classic plates and sandwiches, all served with a warm, inviting atmosphere that encourages lingering and conversation.
Diners in the Arizona area are drawn to the restaurant's signature offerings, particularly the brisket. It is mesquite-smoked slow for hours until it reaches a succulent, supple tenderness, making it a genuine fan favorite. The pulled pork is equally celebrated—slow-smoked pork shoulder seasoned with a unique house rub before being hand-pulled to perfection. Other must-try meats include Hot Links, Pulled Chicken, St. Louis style Ribs (when available), and the meaty Rib Tips. The ability to choose from various house-made sauces, ranging from classic Honey BBQ to Carolina Gold and Alabama White, allows every customer to customize their perfect BBQ plate.
The commitment to classic comfort food extends to their sides, which are prepared from scratch to complement the smoky meats. Popular choices include the rich and creamy Mac-n-Cheese, the highly praised BBQ Beans simmered in a rich Honey BBQ sauce with ground meat, and the delicious sweet and fluffy cornbread muffins. For those seeking a regional Arizona twist, the Green Chili Corn, which blends sweet corn with the mild heat of green chili peppers in a creamy sauce, stands out as a unique local specialty that is worth trying. Appetizer highlights, such as the Gouda Mac Bites—mellow, smoky, and fried to creamy perfection—provide a delicious start to any meal.
Word Of Mouth Grill is also designed to be a comfortable and accessible social hub for the entire community. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, offers a full bar with alcohol, beer, cocktails, and wine, and is known for its fast, friendly, and attentive service. The welcoming environment is suitable for family-friendly outings, large groups, and solo dining, fostering a sense of community that lives up to the restaurant’s name.
Location and Accessibility
Word Of Mouth Grill is conveniently located in South Tempe, making it an easily accessible destination for residents across the Valley and local students.
The restaurant's specific address is:
7660 S McClintock Dr #103, Tempe, AZ 85284, USA
The location offers excellent convenience for dining, takeout, and delivery. Guests will find ample parking available, which is a significant amenity for a popular Tempe spot. This includes:
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
The business prides itself on being fully accessible to all members of the community, ensuring a comfortable visit for every patron. Accessibility features include:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Designated as a Transgender safespace
Its casual, family-friendly atmosphere welcomes all crowds, from local groups to tourists, and is widely regarded as an LGBTQ+ friendly establishment. The restaurant is a pillar in the local community, serving as a comfortable and safe space for everyone to gather over fantastic barbecue.
Services Offered
Word Of Mouth Grill provides a comprehensive range of services tailored to modern Arizona dining habits:
- Dine-in: Full seating available in a casual, family-friendly environment.
- Outdoor Seating: Offers a pleasant outdoor seating area for enjoying the Arizona weather.
- Takeout: Quick and convenient takeout service for meals on the go.
- Delivery: Provides reliable delivery services, including a no-contact option.
- Catering: A primary focus of the business, offering full-service catering for events and large groups, building on their foundational service.
- Full Bar Service: Serves Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, and Wine, with both Happy Hour drinks and food specials available.
- Family Services: Provides a dedicated Kids’ menu and high chairs, making it an excellent choice for families.
- Payment Options: Accepts Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC mobile payments for hassle-free transactions.
Features / Highlights
The key features that make Word Of Mouth Grill a standout choice for barbecue enthusiasts in Arizona are:
- Authentic Pit BBQ: Meats are slow-smoked using mesquite wood in a custom double-chamber smoker, ensuring deep, smoky flavor.
- Black-Owned Business: A family-owned establishment that actively serves and supports the local community.
- Succulent Brisket: Widely celebrated by customers for its tenderness and favorable fat-to-meat ratio.
- Local Specialty/Comfort Food: Serves the local favorite Green Chili Corn and other comforting staples like Gouda Mac Bites and house-made BBQ Beans.
- Full Bar & Happy Hour: Features a bar onsite with a good selection of beer, wine, and cocktails, including special happy hour offerings.
- Fast Service: Known for its efficient and friendly service, perfect for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner.
- Community Atmosphere: A welcoming, casual setting that is family-friendly, LGBTQ+ friendly, and a designated Transgender safespace.
- Flexible Dining: Popular for lunch, dinner, solo dining, and accommodates large groups.
Contact Information
For all inquiries, including placing orders, catering requests, or checking current hours, please use the following contact details for the Tempe location:
Address: 7660 S McClintock Dr #103, Tempe, AZ 85284, USA
Phone: (480) 621-6247
Mobile Phone: +1 480-621-6247
Current operational hours typically run from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday, but it is always recommended to verify with the restaurant directly, especially for potential holiday or special event hours.
What is Worth Choosing Word Of Mouth Grill
Choosing Word Of Mouth Grill is an opportunity to experience some of the finest, most authentic slow-smoked barbecue in the Arizona Valley while simultaneously supporting a respected, family-owned, and Black-owned local business. The absolute commitment to quality is evident in every bite, from the tender, melt-in-your-mouth brisket—which numerous patrons praise as a standout—to the depth of flavor in their signature sides like the smoky, savory BBQ Baked Beans. This is barbecue that is crafted with passion and precision, not just mass-produced.
What truly elevates the experience beyond the delicious food is the restaurant's palpable sense of community and genuine hospitality. The staff is known for being friendly, and the environment is one of the most consciously inclusive in the region, providing a comfortable, casual space for all—whether you're a local regular, a family with children, a group of friends, or a solo diner. The ability to grab a quick, high-quality bite during lunch, enjoy happy hour drinks and small plates in the evening, or have them cater your next major event makes Word Of Mouth Grill highly versatile.
If you live in or are visiting the Arizona region and are searching for comfort food that is deeply flavorful, authentically smoked, and served with a heartfelt welcome, Word Of Mouth Grill is an essential Tempe destination. Go for the brisket, stay for the welcoming atmosphere, and enjoy an authentic taste of slow-smoked goodness that truly earns its name.
Word Of Mouth Grill Details
From the business
- Identifies as Black-owned
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Serves local specialty
- Sports
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Parking
Word Of Mouth Grill Photos










Word Of Mouth Grill Location
Word Of Mouth Grill
7660 S McClintock Dr #103, Tempe, AZ 85284, USA
Word Of Mouth Grill Reviews
brisketmac and cheesepulled porkwingsbbq saucehot linkstartberrymashed potatoesjackfruit
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I had the pulled pork bowl with their BBQ sauce. The food was excellent! Good mash potatoes with corn, topped with pulled pork. The employees were very friendly. They let me sample a few of the sauces before I picked one. The pork was very tender. I'll be going back for more soon!!
October 10 · Zrai HuskyI decided that on Juneteenth, I wanted to support a black-owned business. I found word of mouth by a simple Google search of black owned businesses near me.I was super excited to try it as there aren't too many black barbecue joints in Arizona and with this one being right around the corner from me with decent reviews, I was pretty excited to go in and try it.I would like to preface my review by saying that when we got there the air conditioning was out. We knew that the experience would be a little warm in the building considering it was supposed to be 113 that day, but we decided to make the best of the time and the effort and make sure to show our support for the community.When we get there we were told that we are more than welcome to sit down and that they would come by with menus. But after you saw what you wanted on the menu you would then have to get back up in order from the from the cash register in the front sales person.We did just that about 5 minutes after we ordered our drinks got there which we both ordered the Mai Thais that were on the menu. Our drinks were okay but it tasted like that. Typical non-refrigerated juice option with a little bit of grenadine and some decent liquor in it. It wasn't anything to write home about but it wasn't bad either. It could have used more ice, especially with the fact that the room was so hot and humid.About 15 to 20 minutes after that our food came out. I will say that we did order sides but some of those sides probably could have been used as appetizers and gotten our food out to us a little bit earlier. The gouda mac and cheese bites were delicious. They were so delicious. In fact, I didn't even start tapping into my macaroni and cheese because we were so busy consuming the good creamy fried goodness that was those mac and cheese bites.The problem was we both had the expectation that the gouda bites were using the same mac and cheese sauce that I was going to be getting with the noodles and mac and cheese that I ordered for my side. It became very apparent that they were not. I was so disappointed that my mac and cheese was so thick and claggy and inedible.On the flip side, I do want to give this place credit where it's due. The brisket that I got was absolutely supple and succulent. It had a good fat to meat ratio. I do think that the servers could use a little bit more help with carving just because my cuts were a little inconsistent.Some of the cuts were all fat. Some of my cuts were all meat, but at the end of the day they were all a little bit inconsistent.My partner got the rib tips and we both agree that as delicious as they were with the sauce on the outside that they were, in fact overcooked a little bit and just didn't have that fall apart in your mouth, luxurious feel that we're used to.He also got the barbecue baked beans for the side and they were absolutely delicious. My partner says they're a bit sweet for him, but for me they reminded me of the old school beans that my grandma used to make that had tons of ground meat in them and were a little bit sweet. I enjoyed them very much. I do think that they could be a bit thicker but that's splitting hairs cuz they were just amazing.We both had cornbread muffins and they were absolutely delicious. I wish they weren't $3 a muffin but they were really good.The place offered a clean atmosphere and attentive service. You can tell the spot is extremely popular with the older folks that live in the area that are regulars. People were very comfortable just sitting at their table for a long periods of time and having open conversations. It didn't feel like we were rushed.As much as I really wanted to give this place a higher rating, I have to be fair. Based on my experience.If you want to go to this place, go for the brisket and go to support a black owned business. It'll be worth it.
June 20 · Triniti HesterWe got the brisket, tri-tip and pulled pork. All were very good! Ribs were sold out but apparently that's an anomaly. Chili and corn bread muffins were delicious. Lots of tasty bbq sauces to sample. Looking forward to returning for some ribs!
April 05 · Dan Fields (The Ride Abides)🚨ATTENTION🚨 as an employee I normally don’t leave reviews, but I feel it’s important to be honest about my experience at Word of Mouth Grill. During my time there, we never received our card tips and were told not to tell customers about it. The owners were verbally abusive toward staff and created a toxic work environment. After I quit (for multiple valid reasons), they chose to withhold my final paycheck out of pettiness. I waited two full weeks after my last day before filing a complaint with the Arizona Labor Department, hoping they would do the right thing — but they never did.Despite everything, I was a reliable and honest employee. Many guests came in specifically looking for me at the register. Unfortunately, hard work wasn’t respected here. The owners often spoke negatively about their own guests and friends, fired new hires after just a couple of days instead of properly training them, and ignored basic labor laws. I regularly worked 40+ hours per week with no benefits and no overtime pay.When I got sick, I was denied any time off because the owner refused to schedule another employee she personally didn’t like. I was left to keep working while unwell because there was no one else on staff — I was the only employee at the Ahwatukee location.I originally joined the company believing in their “minority-owned” values, but sadly, it was just a façade. I hope this review helps anyone considering a position there make an informed decision.
October 16 · Ray AlieceI really like this spot …service is great family owned.. really kind. food is solid. I don’t think it’s the best barbecue” in Phoenix, but this is a really great spot overall. The wings were definitely a highlight. They also listed very clearly the gluten-free items on the menu which my daughter has celiac and they were very accommodating.
September 20 · Jordan M
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