Trapp Haus BBQ (511 East Roosevelt) brings the bold flavors of award-winning BBQ to downtown Phoenix. The official grand opening on March 2 is set to take place during Downtown Phoenix’s famed First Friday, and will feature DJ Belal of Groove B. Chill, giveaways, a raffle and more.
Trapp Haus BBQ fuses slow-smoked championship-style BBQ with urban Southern cooking in a restaurant with a decidedly New York vibe. Uniquely designed for the surrounding urban-style living, residents are welcome to sit down and enjoy a home-cooked meal in the relaxed environment, or the business crowd and busy families can choose to “grab and go.”
Owner Phil Johnson, aka “Phil the Grill,” has made a name for himself on the competition BBQ scene, earning numerous awards from the Kansas City Barbecue Society, including Grand Championship on the prestigious Sam’s Club National Pro BBQ Tour, and a 2nd place pork win at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue Invitational. Prior to opening Trapp Haus BBQ, Phil ran Sammitch, a successful food truck that earned a loyal following most notably for his “Philly Crack Wings,” which are set to appear on his new restaurant menu.
In addition to these addiction-forming wings ($8), sharable items include Empanadas ($7) with hickory smoked beef brisket, savory vegetables, herbs and spices baked into a puff pasty; the Mac Roll ($6) — juicy brisket folded into smoked mac and cheese, then deep fried and served with Phil’s own OMG dipping sauce; and Phil’Em Up Fries ($7), Phil’s BBQ version of nachos featuring guests’ choice of brisket or pulled pork with cheese sauce, pico de gallo, scallions, OMG BBQ sauce and cilantro sour cream piled atop a bed of seasoned waffle fries. Not your ordinary BBQ restaurant offerings, Trapp Haus BBQ’s “Bowls” include the Mac Bowl ($9) with smoked mac and cheese, OMG BBQ Sauce and choice of brisket or pulled pork; the Phat Bowl ($9) featuring choice of brisket or pulled pork with PTG baked beans and jalapeno coleslaw; and the Smoked Brisket Salad Bowl ($9), with crisp romaine lettuce, cherry tomato, pickled red onions and creamy BBQ ranch dressing.
The Sammitches, for which Phil has been recognized as one of the top 10 food trucks in the valley, are a mainstay on the menu. Defined by Phil himself as “a term reserved for only the mightiest of all sandwiches… a true work of culinary art; a feast on a bun,” these sammitches will certainly satiate the heartiest of appetites. Sammitch options include the New York Hot Pastrami “Rueben Style,” ($10) with thick-sliced pastrami, PTG slaw, and Russian dressing on toasted marble rye; Pork Heaven ($10) with BBQ pork, honey jalapeno coleslaw, crispy onion strings, and OMG BBQ sauce on a crispy hero; Boss Hog ($10) with hand-pulled pork, chopped brisket, OMG BBQ sauce, and honey jalapeno coleslaw on a crispy hero; Philly Cheese Fix ($10) with hickory smoked brisket, grilled peppers, caramelized onions and cheddar cheese sauce on a crispy hero; and the Classic ($9) featuring brisket or pulled pork Sweet Heat BBQ sauce on a Créme Ale bun.
Classic BBQ platters with a choice of two sides are also available with the following options:
· Applewood Smoked Pulled Pork, $11
· Hickory Smoked Brisket, $14
· Applewood Smoked St. Louis Ribs, $14
· 1Ž2 Chicken, $11
· Smoked Hot Links, $11 (sold separately, $4)
· Two Meat Choice, $16
Meat “by the pound” offerings include:
· Brisket, $10/half-pound
· Pulled Pork, $8/half-pound
· Chicken, $8/half chicken
· St. Louis Ribs, $8/half pound
Sides round out the menu and are priced at $3 for a small $5 for a large:
· Crispy Waffle Fries
· PTG Baked Beans
· Mean Greens
· Honey Jalapeno Coleslaw
· Cheesy Jalapeno Grits
“It has always been a dream of mine to open my own BBQ joint,” Phil says of his new concept. “Trapp Haus BBQ is the combination of my Bronx background, my skill in competition-style BBQ and my desire to give people good food that is made with my heart and soul.”
Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or until sold out, and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including “Soul Brunch” from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.