There's something uniquely satisfying about a great backyard BBQ in Arizona. The warm evenings, the smell of smoke in the air, the sound of friends and family gathering around tables loaded with food — it's one of the most quintessentially Arizona experiences there is. And when you hire a professional caterer to handle the food, you get all of that without any of the stress.
The Local Caterer's Backyard BBQ Experience is one of our most popular catering options, and for good reason. We bring everything: the slow-smoked meats, the classic sides, the bread service, the setup, and the cleanup. You provide the backyard; we provide the feast.
What's Included in Our BBQ Catering Experience
Our Backyard BBQ Experience is built around the proteins that define great American BBQ. Our hickory-smoked beef brisket is the centerpiece — slow-smoked to perfection and sliced tableside, it's the kind of brisket that stops conversations. We also offer BBQ pulled pork, grilled BBQ chicken quarters, and smoked sausage, giving your guests plenty of options.
On the sides, we serve the classics that belong at every great BBQ: creamy baked mac and cheese, slow-cooked baked beans, traditional potato salad, classic macaroni salad, and Southern-style green beans. We also offer honey butter cornbread and buttermilk biscuits for bread service.
For salads, we offer a garden salad and our BBQ chopped salad — mixed greens with corn, black beans, tomatoes, cheese, and bold BBQ ranch dressing. It's a crowd-pleaser that balances out the richness of the smoked meats.
Planning Your Arizona Backyard BBQ
Arizona's climate creates some unique considerations for outdoor catering. In the summer months (June through September), evening events are essential — the desert heat during the day is simply too intense for comfortable outdoor dining. Plan your BBQ to start at 6pm or later, when temperatures begin to drop and the evening becomes genuinely pleasant.
In the fall and spring, Arizona outdoor events are spectacular. October through April is prime outdoor catering season in the East Valley, and our BBQ Experience is perfectly suited to these months. If you're planning a fall or spring BBQ, book early — these months fill up quickly.
Food safety is also important for outdoor events. Our team is trained in proper food handling and temperature management for outdoor service. We bring the right equipment to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, regardless of the ambient temperature.
How Many Guests Can We Serve?
Our BBQ catering experience scales from intimate gatherings of 20 guests to large outdoor events of 300 or more. The service style can be adapted based on your guest count and the layout of your space. For smaller gatherings, we often set up a single buffet line. For larger events, we may use multiple stations to manage flow and reduce wait times.
We'll work with you during the planning process to determine the right setup for your event. We'll also discuss the layout of your outdoor space to ensure we can set up efficiently and serve your guests comfortably.
Book Your Arizona BBQ Catering Today
Ready to take your backyard BBQ to the next level? Contact The Local Caterer at (480) 665-5577 or submit an inquiry online. We serve Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Queen Creek, and the entire East Valley. Our team will put together a custom BBQ catering plan that fits your guest count, your space, and your budget.
Don't settle for doing it all yourself. Let us handle the food so you can enjoy your own party.
Ready to Book Your Event?
Get a free, no-obligation quote for your next event in Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, or anywhere in the East Valley.