Word Of Mouth Grill — Restaurant in Tempe

I 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...

Seriously, now I need a Google rating option to give a 7 star review. Not kidding. How has this place been here for 6 years, owned by neighbors and I didn't know about it? This trip was life changing, no joke, here's why.

The owners, Jacque and Demetrious ("D") are about the nicest, most warm, welcoming people you could meet. Their genuine passion for their restaurant shows in the extraordinary cleanliness of the entire place, the comfortable, chill, modern, light, homey atmosphere they created, the absolutely shocking, mind bending, high quality, taste, flavor, and love in every bite of their amazing food. For. Real. Read on!

We tried some of everything on the menu, seriously, this review covers it all! Smoked chicken was moist, white meat, steaming, soft, flavorful, smoked perfectly and was awesome. Now, dip it in the Alabama White sauce, and it's over the top! Alabama White sauce you say? Ya, never heard of it either. It's insanely good, incredible. That's just one of the 8 home made sauces they offer! Ya, 8! Now I've been to dozens, maybe hundreds of bbq restaurants. Nearly all have a good sauce, or two, maybe even three, but that's rare. They are usually a spicier version of the first or an attempt at a different regional style. I swear, every single sauce here is fantastic, homemade, delicious, totally unique from the rest (how is that possible??) and amazing on virtually everything. A palette of sauce flavors I've never experienced. Could not be more sauce-impressed.

Okay, more food. The pork belly and rib tips are insane! They glisten in the meaty, sweet, light sauce but the smoky flavor of the meet and fat steal the show in the best way. They are the best I've ever had anywhere. The brisket, oh man, the brisket! Bark? Who needs it when this brisket is sooo moist, tender, soft, smoky, absolutely perfect! Smoked in mesquite to absolute perfection and hand carved for each order. It's H.E.A.V.E.N! The pulled pork is ridiculously great! I've never had it like this. And I make it, in my own smoker, for 40, 50, 70 people at a time. The pulled pork here is better! It has light Caribbean jerk seasoning and with the smokiness of the meat and it being the juiciest I've ever had, it's the absolute best. I feel like I've been reborn and tasting all this bbq for the first time, it's ALL soo good!

Sides. The Mac N Cheese, each twist is chewy, cheesy, gooey and insanely delicious, I liked the bowl! The beans, oh man, the beans! Check out all the pics I posted. See the glossy, bourbon color on those beans! They are gently smokey, meaty, fantastic. The sweet potato fries, mmmmm, lightly crispy, warm, soft on the inside, fried to perfection and delicious in every sauce, or by themself!!

Ok, wing time. I'm ruined. I've had the same favorite wings for 15 years. All that changed today. Got the Arizona Spicy wings and the Tiger Stripe wings. Insane! Nuts! Both of them! Know why? Because the wings themselves are cooked 3 different ways before being sauced! Smoked, fried, finished on the grill! What??? Big, meaty, juicy, flavorful, crispy, saucy, oh man! Best. Wings. Ever!

This is the best bbq in Arizona, seriously. I've had them all, I've done competition bbq, every dish here is mind blowing! I don't know how, but it's true. And no, I wasn't drinking! :-)

How is it possible that every dish here, and no joke, we tried them all, are awesome?!?!?! How is it possible the owners are so friendly, kind, fun and cool? How is this place so comfortable with cool events like whiskey and cigar nights, Mexi-Que nights, jazz & R&B music nights,.... it's been here 6 years and I'm just hearing of it?

I'm just glad I haven't spent another day not knowing of Word of Mouth Grill. My plan is to go often! I honestly can't recommend this place...

I had been hearing about this place for the last month or so on Facebook. This was my first time here, and I have to say it was AMAZING!! We ordered a lot and ended up taking half of it home. We had 1/2 rack of the pork ribs, Tri-tip, pulled pork, pulled chicken, BBQ beans, mac-n-cheese, and the green chili corn. Tried the Alabama white sauce, the Carolina BBQ, and the Carolina Classic (mustard), all on the side. Everything we had was flavorful and delicious. The pulled chicken was really good even without the sauce, which, to me, says a lot. All of the meats were very moist, not dry at all, and not an overpowering amount of smokiness. It was the perfect amount. The sides, well, they also did not disappoint. I am very picky when it comes to mac-n-cheese, but this was so good. I am not a huge fan of BBQ beans, I would eat these every day if I could. I wasn't sure what to expect with the green chili corn or if it would be too spicy for me, but it was also delicious and not too spicy for me. I wish I could have tried more, but I will definitely do that the next time I go. YES, I will definitely be going again. So far, this is the best BBQ I've had here in AZ. The owners and staff were amazing too. So patient with all of our questions and sampling of some of the sauces, which helped us decide on what to order. I would say the prices are very reasonable compared to other BBQ places I've been. Thank you Word of Mouth Grill for a truly wonderful experience. Totally...