I'll make my review short and to the point. If you have ever eaten real BBQ in a place like Kansas City or Memphis, then make no mistake, Big Earl's is nothing of the sort. It is a dainty pretender with Scottsdale prices and pretense and the authenticity of a lawyer at a dude ranch.
Here are my grades:
Sauce: F BBQ Sauce is somewhat of a misnomer, as the actual product tastes like an apricot glaze that one might find at Whole Foods. No spice. No depth. No punch. Not even BBQ sauce in my book.
Ribs: C- As the other poster noted, the ribs are Big Earl's best meat. The quality was good and the meat was tender and well-cooked. However, the flavor was overly sweet, somewhat like the ribs at Lucille's. No hearty BBQ flavor. Simply a soaked in Karo syrup taste that is decent for the first few bites but rapidly becomes bland and boring.
Brisket: F As the other poster eluded, the brisket has a spongy, chewing on fat texture and I simply couldn't eat it.
Pulled Pork: D Tender and juicy, but with a boiled in water flavor.
Chicken: C- (limited review) One bite revealed a tender bird that was well cooked but had little flavor.
Potato Salad: D Much like cubed potatoes with creamy salad dressing poured on top.
Beans: F Severely lacking in flavor and heartiness.
Other thoughts: Though not true BBQ for the aficionado, Big Earl's will probably outlast Scottsdale's other big pretender, Big Daddy's, as its decor is inviting and it is located in a very touristy location in Old Town, so it can survive without repeat customers. Moreover, it has a bar where a fair number of people were enjoying a glass of Chardonnay, so it may be catching a few patrons from the bar crowd.
I briefly met the owner. Maybe an off night, but not the friendliest dude. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. He looks a lot more like a businessman-restauranteur type than a pit master. I doubt he'd last five minutes at Arthur Bryant's!
Conclusion: Wimpy, wussy, made-in-France BBQ. I won't be back.
