Service was amazing. Above and beyond from the start to the end . To be able to sit outside or inside and the food comes out instantly is pretty cool. Food taste good and for bbq i feel like it was pretty well priced. I highly recommend this place to at least give it a try. read more

Arrived here at 6:00pm on a Sunday evening. I had high expectations considering all the good reviews. Before we got up to the counter to order, they announced that they were out of ribs and smoked chicken. We waited another 10 min and then they announced they were also out of jackfruit so all they had left was brisket, sausage and eventually pulled pork. We should have left but I really wanted to at least try out whatever smoked meat was left. We had 6 in our party so we ordered two 2-meat plates and some meat by the pound (1lb brisket, 1/4 pulled pork, chile relleno sausage, hot link). Somewhere along the way as they were tallying up the orders, we ended up paying for an extra double brisket plate on top of the 2-meat plate we had ordered. Honestly, it was a bit of a mess at the ordering counter and I'd recommend they come up with a better ordering system. Overall, food was decent. It was on par with Brother John's but not as good as Mr K's. Service could be better. If you want the best selection, get here early. I don't plan on returning because how quickly the food ran out and the issues we had with ordering and paying. read more

This was incredible. The sides are all as delicious as the main meats, and don't get me started on the Crack pie. WOW! There are a variety of house made sauces, and the service was great. There was someone working the grill outisde, and made sure to greet us and wish us goodbye! The ambience is a very chill, dive bar vibe, I believe it used to be a motorcycle bar! read more

You enter the establishment with a preview of the action; showing exactly where their meat is being smoked I think that's an awesome thing to see. When I entered the staff was extremely nice and helpful giving me their recommendations. I got the sliced brisket plate with Mac and cheese and the dill potato salad. It was absolutely amazing the Mac very creamy and the potato salad was very crisp and fresh but man oh man that brisket... I am unworthy of tasting something that good. Extremely tender with amazing flavor. They have a very nice and clean patio overviewing the smokers. Looks like they have the OG bar top from the OG bashful bandit. Plenty of seating inside and a killer sauce bar. If you're looking for great BBQ for a great price provided by some great people you gotta give this place a shot! Genuine Tucson staple read more

Bashful Bandit Barbecue - Sliced Brisket Plate - Barbeque Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

We headed here a couple of hours before the main dinner hour, to enjoy a beer on a sunny Sunday, but couldn't resist digging in for a big meal. Creating a flight of bbq sauce really made my day, and it was nice to be asked about what chicken parts I preferred. Such a fun place to watch the bbq pit in action, nosh the delicious goods (including that famous crack pie), and enjoy live music on the spacious, comfy patio -- a relaxing vibe all the way, with friendly service and great food. read more

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Stopped by the Bandit for the pop up market and live music on Sunday afternoon. It was a great time. I got to eat to amazing sausage, ribs and sides. While listening to some great local bands and supporting local businesses. Win, win, win!!! The food and service at the Bandit is always top notch! read more

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We ordered the Bashful Bandit Tray, which came with Brisket and a meat of your choice which we had the Green Chili pulled pork. We traveled 30 miles for it the reviews were great so the food had better live up to the hype. It did, both meats were great. We also had the beans, mac-n-cheese and the slaw (which they call a sunflower salad ), you guessed it, lots of sunflower seeds in it. It came with a piece of pie which i didn't care for, so go somewhere else for dessert. Overall one of the best BBQ places around. read more

The bbq was just ok- our food was pretty cold and the meats were seasoned fine. Maybe the food would have been better if it was hot. The sides were also just ok. The one thing I really liked was the crack pie- but I also wish it came warm and with some ice cream. The ambiance of the restaurant is cool. Their outdoor space is shaded with twinkle lights. It seems like you can reserve the big tables for parties as well. read more

Have been into bbq, specifically Texas style for over 25 years. Have taken classes, own 3 smokers and 'Que is one of my favorite foods to cook and share, with a specialty in brisket... So, when I walked in the door at BB, greeted by Jesse who pronounced that he would put the brisket up against anyone's in Tucson, it was a bold statement. NOT...Even..Close. I wanted to fall in love with the food here, please know that was my hope going in. Ambiance/Cleanliness-The smokers by the patio look and smell inviting. Inside is clean and welcoming. Its got a great vibe, from the counter to the music being played. Parking lot is on the small side. 4 stars Service-Jesse was great.. He listened and stood his ground..admirable. 5 stars. Food..damn. 1st thing...the "fatty" brisket is close to inedible...its soupy...and only people with dental problems who can't chew should order it. Devoid of bark and smoke flavor. The chicken leg was also devoid of smoke flavor and pretty small. I had 3 bites. Mac n cheese was good, excellent pasta texture, good flavor. Sunflower crunch was tasty, but inderseasoned. Approached Jesse and let him know that food was not to my liking, showing him how little I had eaten...he offered a refund, which I did not accept...but DID accept three thick slices of brisket that he offered off of a new brisket, from the flat cut. MUCH better, but still quite soft. Doubt that id make the effort to go back. 2 stars. read more

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Bashful Bandit is in my opinion the best BBQ in town. The staff is great, always very helpful. This is a legit BBQ spot!! This building has some stories from when it was a biker bar and sounds like even before that too. They did a nice job remodeling the place and by keeping one wall original, even with the bullet holes read more

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Finally we have a chance to try this restaurant. Easy to spot and spaces parking area. Very nice, clean, and good place. Inside is not that big, but they have patio. Nice and friendly host. Not many varieties of food but enough. Tender, juicy, and delicious pork ribs (my son loves it) Tender and moist prime brisket. They have several different sauces, but none of them spicy . read more

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Without a doubt, The Bashful Bandit stands out as one of the top BBQ joints in the Tucson region at the moment. Their unique style, called Arizona BBQ, resonates heavily with Texas BBQ but puts great importance on highlighting the quality of the meats. The seasoning rubs are uncomplicated and applied with precision, while their sausages and pulled pork are seasoned with Arizona chile peppers. For customization, they provide various sauces in squeeze bottles. Whether you choose indoor or outdoor seating, the ambiance is laid-back and inviting. If you're a fan of BBQ, a visit to The Bashful Bandit is a must. read more

I'm not a big bbq eater, but I enjoyed a meal here. I generally like a white coleslaw, but the sunflower salad slaw was good and interesting. We ordered some brisket and they offer both sliced and chopped, but didn't ask and they immediately chopped it - if you prefer sliced, make sure to say that first thing. I really like the space though with loads of covered outside seating, plenty of inside space, a drink station and a sauce bar. I would love to come again with a group to munch and play cards. read more

Ok first is I'm so impressed with the change and the BBQ was off the hook! We were met right when we walked in and asked if we wanted drinks. Amazing! You order meat first and then get your sides. We did family style and shared so we could try all the meats. Granddaughter loves Mac n cheese and she ate her whole side portion plus half of the other. Definitely will go back! read more

Bashful Bandit Barbecue - BBQ Pit - Barbeque Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I have always loved BBQ. As a little boy in Alabama I loved when we would go to the Old Plantation. I particularly loved the crackling corn bread. Since then I have eaten at hundreds of BBQ places. Every where I go I'm on the hunt for BBQ. One of my last trips to Birmingham Ala my brother, his wife and my nephew took me to several BBQ places in one day, one after the other owhere we would get an order and split it to taste it. Maybe we went to 6 places that day. There were many more, there has been a proliferation of BBQ places there. Almost as many BBQ places there as there are marijuana dispensaries in Ann Arbor. The winner that day was Nikki. Simply the best all around. All forms of BBQ and sides. So when I went to Bashful Bandit Barbecue or for that matter any BBQ place it has to compete against a lot of BBQ places. How did it stack up? In Tucson pretty well, but more dispensaries here than BBQ places as well.Seems to be a trend. People would rather get a buzz from pot than BBQ. Compared to the world of BBQ average. The ambiance was nice. Newest place. Interior or out door seating was 1960-70s. As you go from the parking lot into the restaurant you are greeted by several massive smokers. I have attached pictures. They are hugh and there are several. I think 3. They are really ready for an incredible demand to come their way You go in they have a list on the wall what is available. You tell the butcher server what you want and he cuts the cooked meat there. I liked Max but the configuration of the serving area seemed to not get BBQ. I thought it detracted from the presentation of the meal. You go to a BBQ place to eat the meat. It seemed diminished in importance here. I thought the servings were ample and they looked good, I thought the sides were sloppy and dreary. I had the potato salad that was supposedly a mustard based potato salad. It was bland and had no place on my tray. The macaroni and cheese was a sea of yellow goop poured on overly cooked noodles. Really yuck! The meats were at least average. The brisket was flavorful and cooked to perfection. The ribs seemed overly cooked and dry and lacked either the flavors I have come to expect or the texture. Surpriding? read more

We had ribs and brisket, and both were bland. Seems they didn't use any rub; the only flavor was from sauces you add yourself (and those weren't exciting either). While the ribs were nicely fall-off-the-bone, they mysteriously had very little flavor. It's bizarre, because on the way in you walk past all these meat smokers and piles of wood, giving you the impression it will be great, and then pffft, no flavor. Husband had a margarita that was great - tasted fresh and not overly sweet - and it was very reasonably priced. Staff was very friendly. They forgot the margarita, apologized and delivered it midway through our meal. The drink was the only winner here. read more

Excellent BBQ. Enjoyed everything about it. Price is on par with every other BBQ joint in town. Good, quick service.

Yummy food! The BBQ was so good and big servings. My little one enjoyed the chicken. I loved that there was both indoor and outdoor seating. Friendly staff and no wait, which is always a plus. So many options for sauces and family friendly. read more

What a cool spot that I did not realize was right on a corner street on Speedway. Apparently it was previously a bar but closed down before reopening as a barbecue restaurant. I love that they have the smokehouse grills outside as you walk in with someone tending to them. They smell so good and is a nice touch.. you just know they're serving real barbecue.. which I can sometimes be skeptical about. My husband and I went in on a Friday evening and were able to order at the bar before picking our own table inside or out with a number. There is ample seating outside with music and lighting that sets a nice ambience and there's also some seating and inside at tables and benches.. They have fountain drinks, alcohol, and a few sodas and cans, and they have I believe it was six and house barbecue sauces to eat along with your food. My husband and I ordered the bashful tray for two with pork ribs, macaroni and cheese, and the sunflower crunch salad. The food was good, though I do wish they allowed you to pick your own two meats as opposed to having to have brisket as one. The crack pie dessert came with our meal and it was unique and pretty good! read more

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Best ribs I've ever had. My friends had the brisket and they said the same thing. I'll be going back again.

Good barbecue! I had the Bashful Tray with 1/2 lb brisket and ribs, added a sausage, and had sides. The sides were The crack pie I liked the sauce options. Seating plentiful inside and outside with some neat decor leftover from the previous place. read more

The brisket is probably the best in Tucson, juicy with a solid bark and just enough mesquite smoke. The staff was friendly and the Bandit is not as dangerous as its reputation once was. read more

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It was a nice surprise coming here as it just reopened late last year to include delicious BBQ. We were greeted at the front by the friendly meat server guy who was super nice and friendly. He even asked for my name which makes the interaction more friendly. Then you move on to the sides serving guy then pay. There is plenty of seating here with a large outdoor covered area and some uncovered along with air conditioned inside seating. We chose to eat inside to avoid and pesky flies or bees outside and to enjoy the AC. We met the owner Toby who was walking around checking on customers. We chatted with him as he shared the history of this former biker bar and currently BBQ restaurant with a bar. Toby was a very nice guy who really cares about his business and he's done a good job here. My daughter and I had a chopped brisket sandwich along with pork ribs and some sides that included beans and mac n cheese. All were very tasty and the meat on the ribs practically fell off the bones. The meals were filling for us and we even brought a bit home. There was a longer line forming at the front as we ate so this place seems very popular. I like the food and service so we will return one day. read more

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Straight up 5 Stars. This place rocks and is clearly the best pit it Tucson. This was my first time at The Bandit on a Thursday about lunchtime. My order was the two meat special with sides and a ice tea. I went with the standard Brisket, sausage, potato salad, coleslaw, and the pickled vegetables. Thinking if they got Brisket right everything else should fall in line. The pitmaster is solid. The Brisket was a 9 out of 10 and the jalapeno sausage was 8 out of 10. Nice bark and smoke ring on the brisket and I am sure it was the morning smoke as it was juicy. BBQ sauces were ok, could be better but I really don't use this on brisket. I did question why they don't have a thick slice of bread to go with the plate. read more

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You can be go to a bar after work to get a couple drinks just start your weekend and they serve such great food at the same time you know you're at the right place. Bashful Ben's barbecue so awesome. Their ribs melt in your mouth read more

Great space and this place has a lot of potential if they fix their food. The sausage had a very coarse and weird texture. Both the sausage and brisket lacked a Smokey flavor although the brisket was cooked well. The sides and the barbecue sauces were bland. read more

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Pretty solid BBQ, though maybe a little under seasoned. The sides, especially, are excellent. It's a cool spot and we got to try most of the meats between the group. The sausage was probably my favorite. read more

This place did it for me! Everything was perfect, best brisket I've ever had. Personally I favor chicken so I had to try both. Chicken was juicy and flavor full. Potato salad was surprisingly good as well, most BBQ places fall short on their sides. Mac and cheese actually has that smoked flavor I love. Just talking about this place makes me want to go! I don't believe I will be trying any other BBQ in Tucson this is my go to BBQ place. read more

Bashful Bandit Barbecue - Brisket, chicken, potato salad, Mac and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I had the best experience at Bashful Bandit Barbecue. First of all, the service immediately knocked me off of my feet. I walked in for my first time and was a little reluctant to ask questions after reviewing the board. My biggest issue at restaurants is that I'm small and therefore I do not need piles and piles of food. Since Bashful Bandit's menu listed items by the pound, it was making me a little nervous. Thankfully, the individual behind the counter noticed my trepidation and immediately asked how he could be of help. I told him my conundrum and right away he offered several options. He mentioned I could get a smaller amount of meat than what was listed on the board, which I didn't realize was possible. He also said he'd allow me to get the children's menu option which I had assumed I wouldn't be able to order since I'm an adult. He also answered my questions about the sides and the different meat options. How incredibly helpful! Honestly it's been a while since I encountered someone this helpful upon entering a restaurant for the first time ever. Just on service alone I'd highly recommend this restaurant! Beyond the service, however, the food was tasty too! I tried the chicken with a side of macaroni and cheese. There were several sauce options and I can't remember the name of the one I tried, but I believe it was just the basic BBQ one (they have spicier options as well, I believe). I had leftovers and it was simple to just grab a lid for my container since I'd anticipated that this would happen and had asked them to just put it in a to-go container even though I was staying for a while. I was here meeting a group of people, and the environment made it easy to do this. There was plenty of seating for all of us on this particular Thursday evening, and there was the option to sit at the bar as well as at tables inside. All in all this was a great experience, so if you are looking for some delicious barbecue at a friendly spot, please check them out! read more

I was looking for some good BBQ to take to the airport to eat before my flight out of Tuscon. I was not disappointed with the Bashful Bandit. The excellent service started right as I walked up. The guy at the smoker welcomed me in. The staff was super friendly and helpful. I got it to go, but the restaurant had a very cool vibe inside and out. As it should be, the food was the star! I got the chili rellano sausage and green chili pork. Both had amazing southwest flavor that needed no sauce! (which was good since I forgot to get some) The crunch salad(slaw) was really good. The potato salad was fine but nothing special. Overall this was some really good BBQ in Tuscon. read more

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Best BBQ outside of that one state where everything is bigger. Just follow your nose hard to miss the smell of all those smokers they got going. Once you walk up and see the smoking set up they have you know the bashful bandit means business. The staff are friendly and service is fast. They got a good bar if you want to eat there but you can order buy the pound if you are having a party elsewhere. Loving this new bbq spot in town I'll be back whenever I need a brisket fix. read more

Yummmmmm! Tasty BBQ! My partner and I shared the Bashful Tray which came with 1/2lb brisket and 1/2lb our meat of choice. Plus 3 sides, a large homemade pickle, and crack pie $45. My husband added a locally made tortilla for $1. We didn't go in starving, but it was plenty for two of us to share. Our friends also shared a Bashful tray between the two of them. We really enjoyed the meats. The fatty brisket was tender and the flavor was great, with a great crust. The ribs was our second meat choice, they were good too, but brisket stole the show. Our friends added a sausage to their tray and shared a bite, also super good and flavorful..I think we'd add a sausage to our tray next time. Variety of sauces and each of us found something we enjoyed between the molé, sweet BBQ, original, vinegar, chiltepin, etc... As others have mentioned, the sides are missing something. The beans were oddly flavored to us, took a few bites and didn't finish them. The Sunflower salad was fine. The Mac and cheese was the best side in our opinion. The crack pie was also good, reminded me of a chess custard pie. The vibe of the place is great, beautiful smokers next to a large covered patio. Didn't notice if they have fans and misters for summer time. The inside is smaller, but still plenty of seat yourself tables and an indoor bar. Neat how they kept some of the old Bashful Bandit nostalgia in the decor. Staff was very friendly and eager to help! read more

Bashful Bandit Barbecue - Bashful tray with fatty brisket, pork ribs, beans, sunflower salad, Mac n cheese, crack pie and an added tortilla.. - Barbeque Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

More like 4.5 stars. My 3rd time in and I was finally able to get an order of brisket and sausage. The service and place were the same as the other times. Cool place and friendly staff. So th bend test is when you place a slice of brisket on your finger and it bends, but doesn't fall apart with it's own weight. The chile relleno sausage is great. Nice grind of pork and flavors. This place is great. read more

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We tried Bashful bandit for the first time today. We got the Bashful tray with ribs and brisket and added a chili Relleno smoked link. Our sides were macaroni and cheese and the beans. It was all so delicious. The meat was perfectly smoked and very tender and flavorful. It was more food than the two of us could finish. Our puppies will be very happy when we get home. The laid back atmosphere is so nice with old-school country playing in the background and self service drinks. Every staff member was friendly and smiling and greeted us genuinely. We very much enjoyed our experience. This will be our go-to BBQ from now on. Can't wait to bring the rest of the family. Our kids will appreciate the nice bar selection. read more

Bashful Bandit Barbecue - Bashful platter. Extra meat sausage link added. - Barbeque Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Had a great experience at Bashful Bandit BBQ! The manager came out to check on us and was genuinely so kind and welcoming--it really made the visit feel special. The sunflower coleslaw salad was absolutely amazing, a real standout. They also have a pet-friendly patio, which is such a big plus. You can tell they truly care about both their food and their guests. Definitely looking forward to coming back! read more

Bashful Bandit Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Tried this place on recommendation of our kids. Pulled in and guess what, they were there! I had the sausage plate with potato salad and beens. Both were a solid 4. The sausage however was a 5! Velvet had the brisket sandwich. She said biscuit was a 4 but there was nothing on the sandwich but brisket. Could have used coleslaw. I was disappointed that they didn't have Ribs. Counter service. Nice patio. read more

The staff were very friendly and helpful. Zero wait on a Monday night. The meat was smoked to perfection! In hindsight I should have stopped there. Tried the ribs and brisket and neither disappointed. Areas of improvement would be the beans and Mac n cheese (MNC). The beans had a Mexican vibe to them with tomatoes and some peppers mixed in. Wasn't expecting that and not my favorite style. The MNC was too heavy on the Velveeta. Felt melted and processed. Tried most of the sauces and wasn't too impressed. I appreciate a house made sauce but all seemed ketchup based and lacked kick. The vinegar sauces were the better, but none were worth writing home about. The pickle was a nice touch! Recommendation: Great BBQ with generous portions but recommend you get it to go and use your sauces at home. Might consider making your own sides as well. Decent value and fed 2 with drinks for a touch over $50 with some leftovers. read more

My dining group had dinner at Bashful Bandit's BBQ last night. It is a wonderfully rustic restaurant that envelopes you with its smoker aroma the minute you step out of your car. It is a great place for family get-togethers with large seating areas inside and outside. I worked with one of the managers, Jesse, to schedule the event. He was very kind and professional, and I appreciated his assistance. This is somewhat of a cafeteria style restaurant, where you order your food at the counter and they plate it while you wait - as everyone knows great barbecue needs to be made hours ahead of time, so it was ready to serve. The staff does a great job of getting people's orders prepared and getting everyone served and seated. We had a large group of 18 and they did it very efficiently. Many of my diners ordered ribs or brisket plates that included two sides. As well as many, including myself, ordered their great sandwiches. I had a chopped brisket sandwich. It was seriously full of delicious brisket. I was only able to eat half of the sandwich, but I had the other half this morning for breakfast. It was excellent.. Everyone loved their meals. There was not a complaint in the house. One of my diners made the comment that we are all meat eaters, and that was truly the case last night. It was a great night out for everyone. Don't miss this restaurant. Their barbecue is deliciously fantastic. read more

Bashful Bandit Barbecue - Dining group - Barbeque Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

This place was incredible. I had the bashful tray for 2 people and there was enough to take some home. The brisket (I chose fatty) was so tender and the crust was flavorful. The green chili pulled pork was so impressive, tender, flavorful and had a Tucson essence to it. The sides were Mac, potato salad and beans. All great. The service was amazing too. Everyone was super friendly. This place isn't just good for Tucson, this is destination BBQ and I will definitely be back. A lot. read more

Nice option for BBQ. Good food but pricey for what you get. A single meat (chicken) and two sides and a cookie dessert, $28.00 Need more focus on food and not being so trendy. The rent can't be that high... The best BBQ in Texas is not trendy, it's just straight forward from real people. I'd pass. read more