10 Colorado Barbecue Spots Locals Say Are Worth Every Bite
A jalapeño stuffed with cream cheese and brisket, then wrapped in bacon, goes by the name Texas Twinkie. I learned that and immediately needed a napkin. Colorado barbecue clearly has a playful side.
The surprises keep stacking up. One kitchen tucks sauced brisket between two grilled cheese sandwiches. Another pours Alabama white sauce and Georgia honey mustard right next to the river.
I love that this state’s smoke scene borrows from Texas, Georgia, and the Deep South without copying any of them. Mountain towns, college towns, and quiet suburbs each put their own spin on brisket and ribs. Some kitchens sell out by late afternoon, which tells you plenty.
So I went hunting for the spots people keep bragging about. Fair warning, my stomach started growling around the second sauce. Yours might too. Which one would you drive to first?
1. Post Oak Barbecue
A barbecue joint named after a Texas tree had better know its brisket, and this Denver spot leans right into that promise. The menu sticks to classic Texan barbecue, served in a laid-back room of wood and brick.
Ordering works on a serve-yourself concept, so you stay in control of your tray. That’s a dangerous amount of freedom when brisket and beef ribs are on the line.
The brisket is the headliner, known for being tender and juicy. Beef ribs bring the big, show-stopping drama that Texas barbecue fans chase.
Don’t skip the dry rub wings, either. They make a fun change of pace from the heavier cuts.
My favorite move on the menu is a little sneaky. Burnt ends and other smoked meats can land on a loaded baked potato, which feels like dinner and a dare at once.
A lineup of barbecue sauces lets you play mad scientist at the table. Try a few before you commit to a favorite.
Save room for the gooey butter cake. It’s a sweet, sticky finish that earns its spot next to the brisket.
Families get an easy win too, with a kids’ menu and high chairs on hand. Reservations aren’t accepted, so plan around the rush.
Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons run busiest, while Wednesdays tend to be calmer. Street parking can be tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
The kitchen closes on Mondays and opens at 11 AM the rest of the week. Pick a weekday lunch and you’ll likely enjoy more elbow room at this Colorado favorite.
Address: 4000 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212
2. The Chuckwagon
Six generations of Texas roots show up on a single butcher paper tray in Colorado Springs. The owners bring Central Texas barbecue north, and the results tend to vanish fast.
The story started small, with a food truck in spring 2023. A full restaurant followed in May 2024, and the lines followed right behind it.
Brisket is the signature, praised for being super tender with bold seasoning. The ribs get the same careful smoke and seasoning, so you won’t need to pick a loser.
Feeling brave? The Dino Bone beef rib is exactly as large as it sounds.
Then there are the Texas Twinkies, a fun spin on snack food. Each one is a bacon-wrapped jalapeño stuffed with cream cheese and brisket.
Homemade jalapeño cheddar sausage adds a little kick to the lineup. A smoked brisket double cheeseburger covers anyone craving something stacked and messy.
Peach cobbler waits at the end for a sweet landing. Dessert here gets as much love as the meat.
Timing matters more than usual at this spot. It opens at noon Thursday through Sunday, and meats often sell out within hours.
Showing up early is your best strategy. Reservations aren’t taken, so the early bird really does get the brisket.
Outdoor seating and plenty of free parking make the visit easy. Just don’t stroll in at closing and expect a full menu waiting for you.
Address: 6453 Omaha Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80915
3. Smokin Yard’s BBQ
Mountain air and hickory-style smoke make a pretty great team in Idaho Springs. This casual barbecue joint serves Southern classics in down-to-earth surroundings, with views to match.
Burnt ends are the star of the show. They’re known for bold smoke flavor, and the ribs bring the same punch.
The brisket holds its own too, earning a reputation as some of the best around. You might have trouble choosing just one meat.
Good news on that front. The 2 Meats 2 Sides plate solves your indecision without any guilt.
Sides deserve real attention here. The onion rings come out perfectly cooked, and the fried pickles have serious fans.
Got little ones in the back seat? A kids’ mac and cheese, a kids’ menu, and high chairs keep younger diners happy.
Dogs are welcome outside, which is handy after a hike in the hills. Your pup gets fresh air while you get burnt ends.
The doors open at 11 AM daily, so weekday lunch is always an option. Friday and Saturday afternoons into evening are the busiest stretches.
Parking is usually plentiful, with a free lot and street spots. That’s a small miracle in a busy Colorado mountain town.
Plan for a quieter morning visit if crowds bug you. Either way, leave with sauce on your fingers and a smile on your face.
Address: 2736 Colorado Blvd, Idaho Springs, CO 80452
4. Snooks Bottom Barbecue
With a name this fun, the brisket had better back it up. Luckily, this Grand Junction counter-service spot takes Texas-style barbecue very seriously.
The menu keeps things focused on three heavy hitters. Smoked brisket, ribs, and burnt ends do most of the talking here.
Brisket lands tender, while the ribs are known for being cooked just right. Burnt ends have a habit of disappearing first when you bring a tray to a party.
That makes catering a smart call for your next family gathering. Nobody complains when burnt ends show up.
Customer service gets plenty of praise at this stop. Friendly faces behind the counter make a quick lunch feel personal.
You’ll order at the counter and grab a seat, since there’s no table service. Outdoor seating gives you a sunny option on nice Western Slope days.
Families fit right in, and groups are easy to handle. Kids are welcome, so bring the whole crew.
Watch the calendar before you drive over. The kitchen runs Wednesday through Saturday, opening at 11 AM most days and 11:30 AM on Saturday.
Doors close at 7 PM, so dinner here means an early supper. Sunday through Tuesday, the smokers take a break.
Parking is easy, with a free lot and plenty of space. Pull in hungry, and you’ll leave planning your return trip.
Address: 555 1/2 US-50, Grand Junction, CO 81503
5. Nordy’s BBQ & Grill
Four sauces sit waiting for you in Loveland, and picking a favorite might be the hardest job of your day. Hickory smoke does the heavy lifting on the meats.
Ribs, brisket, and pork form the backbone of the menu. The ribs are known for falling right off the bone.
Meats like brisket, pork, and sausage get carved right there for you. Watching your order come off the knife builds the suspense nicely.
On weekdays, a lunch buffet changes the game. You can sample freely without committing to one meat.
Homemade sauces balance the smoky flavors. Try a little of each before you declare a winner.
Plant-based eaters get a surprise too. The onion rings are vegan, which is a fun twist at a meat lover’s paradise.
Planning for a crowd? Reservations are accepted, and a private dining room works well for bigger gatherings.
Families will appreciate the high chairs, changing tables, and kids’ menu. Curbside pickup helps when you’d rather eat at home in sweatpants.
Expect a wait during busy stretches, especially Friday and Sunday evenings. Weekday afternoons tend to be calmer.
The restaurant closes Monday and Tuesday, then opens at 11 AM the rest of the week. Northern Colorado gets a solid barbecue stop that’s easy to love.
Address: 4360 St Cloud Dr, Loveland, CO 80538
6. Roys Crew BBQ
Chicken fried steak on a barbecue menu? Woodland Park’s family-friendly smokehouse makes room for it right next to the brisket.
The drive up from Colorado Springs climbs into pine-covered mountain country. Plenty of diners consider the trip worth it for barbecue done right.
Portions run generous, so arrive with an empty stomach. Brisket and pulled pork come tender and juicy, the kind that melts as you chew.
Homemade food is a big part of the appeal. That handmade touch shows up from the meats to the sides.
Speaking of sides, the mac and cheese is a natural pick. Fried green beans add a crunchy, slightly sneaky way to eat your veggies.
Desserts get high marks, so plan ahead. Leaving room is easier said than done with portions this big.
A fireplace adds charm on chilly mountain days. You’ll appreciate it when snow shows up early.
Families have it easy with a kids’ menu and high chairs. Dogs are welcome outside, so your furry hiking buddy can tag along.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM. Sundays are a day off for the crew.
Parking is plentiful, with an on-site lot and free street spots. Friday and Saturday evenings get busiest, so lunch might be your sweet spot.
Address: 720 Browning Ave, Woodland Park, CO 80863
7. Buckhead West BBQ
Southern barbecue found a home on Main Avenue in Durango, far from Georgia peach country. This welcoming lunch spot brings a taste of the Deep South to the Four Corners.
Pulled pork is the dish people keep talking about. It’s Southern-style, smoky, and made for piling high.
Brisket shows up full of flavor too. Homemade sauces tie the plate together nicely.
Take your time testing those sauces. Each one changes the bite a little, and that’s half the fun.
Traveling with a vegetarian friend? A full vegetarian menu means nobody has to settle for a sad side salad.
Desserts are available, so plan accordingly. A sweet finish fits right in after a smoky lunch.
Timing is the big thing to know here. Hours stick to lunch, from Wednesday through Sunday only.
Wednesday through Friday runs 11 AM to 3 PM. Saturday stretches to 4 PM, and Sunday goes from noon to 4 PM.
Downtown parking can be a challenge, so give yourself extra time. A short stroll along Main Avenue is never a bad warm-up anyway.
Outdoor seating lets you enjoy the mountain air while you eat. Groups and kids fit right in, which makes this an easy stop on a Durango day trip.
Address: 600 Main Ave #103, Durango, CO 81301
8. Yampa River Icehouse
Brisket tastes even better with a river rolling by. In Steamboat Springs, this barbecue spot sits right along the Yampa.
Smoked brisket and wings are the signature items. The dry rub wings in particular have built a loyal following.
Platters bring generous portions of brisket, pulled pork, and chicken. It’s a great way to sample without picking just one meat.
Now for the sauce situation. Georgia honey mustard and Alabama white sauce join the lineup, giving you a mini road trip across the South.
Alabama white is a tangy, mayo-based sauce often served with chicken. Try it with the pulled pork too, just for fun.
Rooftop seating gives you a bird’s-eye view of town. Live music adds another reason to linger after the plates are clean.
Vegetarians aren’t left out, thanks to a full vegetarian menu. Kids get their own menu and high chairs as well.
Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy weekends. Friday and Saturday evenings draw the biggest crowds.
Saturday opens early at 10 AM, while other days start late morning. The kitchen stays open into the evening seven days a week.
Free parking makes a downtown visit easier. After a day on the slopes or the river, this Colorado stop hits the spot.
Address: 751 Yampa St, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
9. Georgia Boys BBQ – Longmont
Cornbread fans, your moment has arrived in Longmont. This Southern-style joint serves its barbecue from 11 AM until the meat runs out.
The room keeps things simple with rustic, bare-bones decor. Nobody’s here for fancy chandeliers anyway.
Ribs get the loudest applause, falling right off the bone. Pulled pork comes juicy and ready for sauce.
And the sauces? They earn real praise, so grab a few napkins before you start experimenting.
Sides read like a Georgia family reunion. Cornbread, sweet potato casserole, mac and cheese, and beans all make strong cases for a spot on your tray.
Craving something handheld? The smoked pulled pork sandwich is a menu highlight, and loaded fries make a fun shareable pick.
Service moves fast, which helps on a lunch break. Quality meats keep the focus where it belongs.
Dogs are welcome, a nice perk for pet owners. Families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu ready to go.
The restaurant closes Mondays and opens at 11 AM the other six days. Friday and Saturday evenings get busiest, so earlier visits mean better odds before a sellout.
Free Wi-Fi and outdoor seating round things out. It’s an easy, tasty stop for anyone exploring this corner of Colorado.
Address: 250 3rd Ave, Longmont, CO 80501
10. Smokin’ Outlaw Kitchen
Outlaws usually run from the law, but this Englewood cafe would rather you run toward the brisket. A western-influenced vibe gives the place a playful frontier feel.
Think of it as a neighborhood barbecue cafe with big flavor. Brisket and pulled pork lead the charge.
Bacon mac and cheese might steal the spotlight, though. Combining two comfort foods feels like a smart move.
The ribs fall off the bone, with a nice balance of sauce. A great smoke ring shows the pit work behind them.
Chicken comes tender and well seasoned. It’s a solid pick when you want something a little lighter.
Here’s a side with a twist. The coleslaw includes chopped fruit, adding a sweet crunch to the plate.
Portions run generous, and the flavors stay meat-forward. You’ll probably leave with a to-go box.
Pet owners can relax, since dogs are allowed inside and out. That’s a rare treat for a barbecue joint.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:30 AM to 8 PM. Sundays and Mondays are off, so plan your craving accordingly.
A private dining room handles bigger celebrations, and parking is usually easy. Grab your posse and ride on over.
Address: 4211 S Natches Ct a, Englewood, CO 80110