An outdoor kitchen keeps the cook outside with everyone else. Instead of running back and forth while the kids are in the pool, you grill, prep and serve a few steps from the deck. We build outdoor kitchens and BBQ islands across the Tucson area, often as part of a new pool or deck and sometimes as a project on their own.
What outdoor kitchen sizes do we build?
Not every yard needs a full kitchen. Here is how we usually talk through it with homeowners.
| Option | What it usually includes | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in grill island | Straight block island with a grill and a counter on one or both sides | Smaller yards and people who mostly grill |
| Grill island with storage | Grill plus access doors or drawers, more counter space | Families who cook out often |
| L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen | Grill, side burner, sink or fridge, longer prep space | Hosts who cook and serve outside |
| Kitchen with bar seating | Raised ledge so guests sit across from the cook | Entertaining near the pool |
We show each layout in 3D, and you can walk through it in VR to see where people stand, how far it is from the pool, and whether the bar ledge blocks a view.
What you get when we build your outdoor kitchen
A block-built island. Our in-house masonry crew lays the concrete block structure. That is the same crew that builds raised pool walls and block walls, so the work matches.
Cladding that fits the yard. Stacked stone, travertine, tile or stucco. Many clients match the island to the raised wall or spa so the backyard looks planned as one space.
A countertop and openings that fit. We build the cutouts to the grill and appliances you choose, using the manufacturer’s sizes. We do not sell appliances, so you buy them where you like, and we make sure they fit.
Utilities planned early. Gas for the grill, power for lights or a fridge, and water for a sink all need lines under the patio. We plan those runs during design so they go in before the deck is poured, not after.
A patio that ties it together. We build pool decks in travertine and pavers, so the kitchen pad and pool deck can be one continuous surface.
How do we design an outdoor kitchen for Tucson heat?
A kitchen that works in March can feel very different in July. We plan around a few desert realities:
- Sun angle. We look at where afternoon sun hits and where shade from the house falls during evening cookouts.
- Surface heat. Lighter countertops and cladding stay cooler to the touch than dark ones in direct sun.
- Smoke and wind. We place the grill so smoke does not drift into the main seating area or back into the house.
- Monsoon storms. We plan drainage on the patio so water moves away from the island and the pool.
- Shade. We build custom pergolas, ramadas and shade structures, and if you buy a shade somewhere else, we can install it for you on concrete footings set in the ground so it stays secure in monsoon winds. We lay out the kitchen and shade together so footings and utilities do not conflict.
For more ideas on cooking, fire and gathering spaces, read our post on outdoor living extensions in Tucson.
Our outdoor kitchen process
- Site visit. We measure, check the patio and access, and talk about how you cook and host.
- 3D design and VR walkthrough. We place the island next to your pool, patio and walls.
- Written, line-item quote. The island, cladding, countertop and utility runs each appear as their own line.
- Permits. When the work needs a permit, we handle it and the inspections.
- Build. Footing, block, utility stub-outs, cladding, countertop and appliance openings.
- Finish. We clean up and make sure your appliances fit as planned.
We are family-owned and the owners are on the job. As Sofia B. said in her Google review, “The final product was beyond our expectations.” That is the standard we hold every island to.
What drives outdoor kitchen cost?
We keep pricing off this page, because a small grill island and a full L-shaped kitchen are very different projects. The biggest factors are:
- Island length and shape
- Cladding (stacked stone, travertine, tile, stucco)
- Countertop material and bar ledges
- Number of appliance cutouts, doors and drawers
- Distance for gas, electrical and water runs
- Patio or deck work around the island
Our pool cost guide explains how backyard features add to a project, and our financing page covers options through Lyon Financial and Credit Union West.
Building a pool too?
Adding the kitchen during a pool build saves rework, since lines go in once and the deck is poured once. See our custom pool construction page, or pair the kitchen with a spa and fire features for a full backyard.
Where we work
We build outdoor kitchens in Tucson, the Catalina Foothills, Marana (Gladden Farms, Dove Mountain and Continental Ranch), Oro Valley, Vail and Rita Ranch, Sahuarita, Green Valley, SaddleBrooke and Rio Rico.
Get a quote on your outdoor kitchen
Tell us how you like to cook and host, and we will design an island that fits your yard. Contact us or call (520) 342-8335 for a free quote. We are licensed under AZ ROC #342505 and #352797.
