Wild Barbecue is set to bring Texas-style barbecue with a touch of Middle Eastern flavor to Tempe.
The restaurant, with a target opening date of November 2025, is the dream of owner Mo Abu Ghazal, who started Wild Barbecue as a trailer in 2023 and has been looking for a permanent spot for two years. The restaurateur finally found the perfect location at 601 W. University Drive — close to Arizona State University’s Tempe campus.
Abu Ghazal plans on welcoming Arizona State students and faculty with open arms. “There aren’t many barbecue places around this area, and students need to eat,” says Abu Ghazal, who promises a well-priced meal made with quality ingredients. “Prices need to be reasonable,” says the restaurateur.
Abu Ghazal says that barbecue runs in his veins. Growing up in the countryside of Jordan, his family would barbecue often. “My dad used to grill often,” he says, adding that his family would use a lot of spices and seasonings in the meat before grilling the meat quickly over high heat. “30 minutes and it’s done,” says Abu Ghazal.
When he moved to the U.S., he found himself in Texas. There, he discovered Texas-style low-and-slow barbecue. “I lived in Dallas, and got interested in the process,” says Abu Ghazal, who then made it a mission to visit as many barbecue places as he could. “I drove 18 hours to Austin to get barbecue. I visited the most famous places.”
Abu Ghazal decided to take his barbecue obsession further. He purchased a smoker. Little by little, he improved. He visited different pitmasters throughout Texas and learned the trade before opening his mobile barbecue business.
Now, Abu Ghazal’s dream is coming full circle at Wild Barbecue, where he rubs meats with the fragrant spices that his father used before smoking them with wild oak.
Menu offerings include lamb, tandoori turkey, beef ribs, brisket, and beef cheeks. Both traditional barbecue sides, such as mac and cheese and coleslaw, will be available alongside Mediterranean rice and salads.
