Tom's BBQ - Tempe

Very friendly service as soon as you walk in. The staff are happy to answer any questions about the menu, which has a lot of midwest and southern favorites. This was my first time here, and I tried their catfish plate. It came with 4 filets of fried catfish, hush puppies, a tartar sauce I think was homemade, and two sides. It was a LOT of food for $15, I was able to get two whole meals out of it. The catfish was perfectly fried and tender inside. I really liked the tartar sauce and hush puppies too. The mac n cheese and red beans and rice had good flavor but could've used a little bit more salt, for my taste. I'm looking forward to going back to try their italian beef.

Our experience was great, the place is clean and smells amazing. There BBQ is really good. My son had the pulled pork sandwich and said it was one the best he’s had. Wouldn’t mind going back and trying a couple other things.

I used to come to Tom’s BBQ all the time when I lived in Tempe. They understood how to do burnt ends correctly which I could appreciate. I happened to be in Tempe today and thought I’d stop and pick up lunch for the family. Of course I got the burnt ends and while everything else I ordered- Italian beef combo with fries (I was told was fine) and the sides that came with my burnt ends- Mac and cheese and green beans were fine, the burnt ends were so very disappointing.

It seems they are mistaken about what these usually delicious nuggets of meat are as they should NOT be burned. What I received was a container of old, dried and in some cases burned meat (this is why I always ask for my sauce on the side so I can see the meat). It was so disappointing. Perhaps the new owners should take this off the menu as burnt ends are something not everyone can’t can do.

The food here is delicious! The Italian beef sandwich is just right and not as fatty like what they serve at portillos.

The chicken BBQ sandwich with the spicy BBQ sauce is a good choice as well or if your in the mood for just red meat you can't go wrong with the chopped beef!