Papa Bears Texas Barbeque — Restaurant in Apache Junction

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Papa Bear’s BBQ in Arizona, and it was a phenomenal experience from start to finish. From the moment I walked in, I was enveloped in the mouthwatering aroma of smoked meats and greeted by a friendly staff who made me feel right at home. The rustic, down-to-earth atmosphere perfectly complements the hearty, soul-satisfying food they serve.

I opted for the three meat combo, choosing brisket, pulled pork, and sausage. Each selection was nothing short of spectacular. The brisket was incredibly tender, with a perfect smoky flavor that was both rich and savory. The bark on the brisket was flavorful and added a delightful texture, while the meat itself was juicy and melted in my mouth.

The pulled pork was another standout. It was perfectly cooked, with a great balance of smokiness and sweetness. The meat was tender and shredded effortlessly, making it an absolute delight to eat. The addition of their tangy and slightly sweet barbecue sauce elevated the pulled pork to another level, adding depth and complexity to the flavor.

The sausage was equally impressive. It had a perfect snap with each bite, and the seasoning was spot on. The combination of spices used in the sausage gave it a robust flavor that paired wonderfully with the smokiness from the grill. Each bite was a burst of deliciousness, and it was evident that a lot of care went into preparing these meats.

The sides were just as good as the meats. The coleslaw was fresh and had a nice tangy kick, while the cornbread was moist and slightly sweet, providing the perfect accompaniment to the savory meats.

Service at Papa Bear’s BBQ was exceptional. The staff was attentive, friendly, and ensured that our dining experience was top-notch. They were quick to offer recommendations and checked in frequently to make sure we had everything we needed.

Overall, my experience at Papa Bear’s BBQ was outstanding. The three meat combo with brisket, pulled pork, and sausage is a must-try for any barbecue lover. The combination of expertly smoked meats, flavorful sides, and exceptional service makes this a dining destination I highly recommend. Five stars...

Myself and my wife have been to Papa Bears Barbecue twice now. I wanted to go the second time before I left a review so here goes…

First off the place is very small and most likely you’ll have to either get it to go or wait for a table and they are limited. Secondly, I’m from the southeast part of the country and have also lived in Texas. They claim this to be Texas barbecue and I can definitely tell you it doesn’t even come close. If you’re from NC as I am then it’s wayyyy way off point for barbecue! I ordered the first time a half rack of ribs and they were just “ ok” and really overpriced! The second time I ordered a pulled pork sandwich with fries. The fries were okay but the sandwich was mushy barbecue and way over salted. Barbecue should have a sweet taste not a salty taste IMO. Again being spoiled from the state of NC the barbecue there is the best in the entire country! If you’ve been to NC and had barbecue anywhere you will attest to that. My wife ordered a turkey sandwich. What a joke! Potato salad was bland no flavor… not very good and the Cole slaw. My goodness they can’t even get that right! Geez

Papa Bears is way overpriced and not very good. They don’t exactly greet you with a smile much less open arm besides the fact. If you’re looking for good barbecue do yourself a favor and pass on this place. Joes barbecue is better in Gilbert but still not that southeastern delicious barbecue . Texas barbecue this place is not. In Texas they do brisket for the most part and finding pulled pork in Texas is a hard find. Don’t use Texas as your style of barbecue Papa Bears, it’s not true. Quit adding so much salt on your sandwiches too! Never...

First time visit today, and I thought it was called Texas BBQ. That's the large yellow marquis on the front, facing the street. The sign on the pole for Papa Bear's is more subdued.

There is a small, but not cramped, clean dining room with just chairs and tables. Two house sauces are at each table, along w/S&P, and hand-wipes. One is a honey-mustard style sauce, and the other a tasty red sauce with a little zip. Thankfully, the meats needed NO sauce and stood just fine on their own. I got a baby-back platter with two sides, and a two-meat plate with brisket, sausage and two sides.

Usually, my problem with any BBQ place are the quality of the sides( been to Lil' Miss?). Well, no worries here. The Mac-n-cheese tasted excellent and was clearly home-made. The beans were sort-of charro-style, and only needed salt to be very good. The cole slaw was plain cabbage/carrrot traditional, no frills but was tasty. The tater-salad seemed to be a mayo-base, chunky, and subtle. Lots of paprika on top. One dollop of the mustard sauce took it to a whole 'nuther level.

Each plate had two slices of a quality white-bread, and pickles, though I never touch either of them. I guess you can easily make a sandwhich and take home the remainder.

The brisket was quite moist, or fatty, however you prefer to call it. Delicious. The sausage was a surprise because of how moist it remained even though it was clearly on the grill. Ditto. Ribs were also quite good. Not 'fall-off-the-bone', but still effortless to eat and enjoy. I could only eat about a third of what I ordered and took home the...