Colorado BBQ Rankings

Top Colorado Barbecue Rankings & What To Order From Every BBQ Location in Colorado

  1. Post Oak Barbecue – Brisket, Burnt Ends, Ribs, Beef Rib, Sausage, Turkey
  2. Pit Fiend Barbecue – Brisket, Burnt Ends, Sausage, Jackfruit, Ribs
  3. Rollin’ Bones BBQ (Food Truck) – Ribs, Jerk Chicken, Sausage
  4. Boudreaux’s BBQ – Brisket, Pulled Pork, Ribs
  5. Seasoned Swine BBQ – Ribs, Pulled Pork, Burnt Ends
  6. Smok Barbecue – Burnt Ends, Brisket, Turkey, Sausage
  7. Scooter’s Smokehouse – Turkey, Pulled Pork, Brisket
  8. Switchback BBQ – Duck, Ribs, Brisket, Elk Sausage
  9. Turner’s Pit Barbecue – Brisket, Ribs
  10. Hogback BBQ & Grill – Brisket, Chicken
  11. Georgia Boys BBQ – Burnt Ends, Ribs, Pulled Pork
  12. Wayne’s Smoke Shack – Burnt End Sausage, Brisket, Pulled Pork
  13. Sundance Pit BBQ – Brisket, German Sausage
  14. Smokin’ Yards BBQ – Burnt Ends, Sausage
  15. GQue BBQ – Pulled Pork, Ribs, Maybe Burnt Ends
  16. Eagle BBQ – Ribs, Brisket, maybe Pulled Pork
  17. Roaming Buffalo Bar-B-Q – Bison Ribs & Lamb
  18. Brad’s Pitt BBQ – Pulled Pork, Brisket, Maybe Ribs
  19. Smokin’ Bros Barbecue – Pulled Pork, Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage, Maybe Brisket or Ribs
  20. Genesee Pub & BBQ – Turkey, Kielbasa, Maybe Brisket
  21. B-Man’s BBQ – Brisket, Pulled Pork
  22. A Bit Twisted Brewpub & BBQ – Pulled Pork, Brisket
  23. Burnt End BBQ – Burnt Ends, Pulled Pork
  24. Busey Brews Smokehouse & Brewery – Ribs, Pulled Pork
  25. Serious Texas BAR-B-Q (Loveland Location) – Pulled Pork, Sausage, Maybe Brisket
  26. Ragin’ Hog BBQ – Ribs, Brisket
  27. Saucy’s Southern BBQ & Cuisine – Shrimp, Hot Links, Maybe Chicken Wings
  28. LuLu’s BBQ – Brisket
  29. Sugarfire Smoke House – Brisket, Maybe Turkey
  30. Rolling Smoke BBQ – Brisket, Burnt Ends
  31. Elevated Q – Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage
  32. Piggin’ Out Smokehouse – Pulled Pork
  33. Franks Bar-B-Que – Sausage, Maybe Pulled Pork
  34. Smokin’ Outlaw Kitchen – Hot Links, Pulled Pork
  35. Southern Pit Memphis Style BBQ – Pulled Pork
  36. KT’s BBQ – Hot Links, Ribs
  37. Nordy’s Bar-B-Que & Grill – Pulled Pork
  38. Jabo’s Bar-Be-Q, Greenwood Village – Pulled Pork
  39. Yazoo BBQ Company

Yet to Fully Review – Remaining BBQ Pitts in Colorado

  1. Mississippi Boy Catfish & Ribs, Denver
  2. Jordy’s BBQ (Food Truck & Catering), Denver
  3. Barbosa’s Barbecue (Food Truck & Catering), Denver
  4. BBQ on the Bayou (Food Truck & Catering), Denver
  5. Ragin Cajun BBQ (Food Truck), Denver
  6. Iron Age Barbecue (Food Truck), Denver
  7. Mama Jo’s Chicken, Biscuits, BBQ, Denver
  8. Riot BBQ, Denver
  9. Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ, Estes Park, Loveland, Denver, Lyons
  10. Lot Que, Arvada
  11. Rib City, Arvada
  12. The Rusty Tapp Colorado BBQ & Catering, Littleton
  13. Woodhill Small Batch BBQ (Food Truck), Littleton
  14. RxR’s Texas Tacos & BBQ (Food Truck & Catering), Littleton
  15. John Norths Barbecue, Brighton
  16. Big Belly Brothers BBQ (Food Truck & Catering), Aurora
  17. Hickory House, Parker
  18. Smokey Trail BBQ (Food Truck or Stand), Parker
  19. Hesher BBQ (Food Truck Parkway Food Hall & Catering), Longmont
  20. METALWORKS BBQ, Mead
  21. Les’s BBQ & Smokehouse (Food Truck), Fort Collins
  22. Hog Wild Barbeque, Fort Collins
  23. Mo Jeaux’s Bar & Grill, Fort Collins
  24. Rang Tang Craft Barbecue (Food Truck), Boulder
  25. JKQ BBQ, Central City
  26. Lazy Butcher – Burgers & BBQ – Cowboy Lounge, Evergreen
  27. Smokehouse BBQ, Winter Park
  28. Mission BBQ, Colorado Springs, Arvada
  29. BC’s Barbecue (Food Truck), Colorado Springs
  30. Bourbon Brother’s Smokehouse & Tavern, Colorado Springs
  31. Bird Dog BBQ, Colorado Springs
  32. Front Range Barbeque, Colorado Springs
  33. Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q, Colorado Springs
  34. B’z BBQ Co (Food Truck), Colorado Springs
  35. Mike’s High Country BBQ (Food truck & Catering), Colorado Springs
  36. Otis’s BBQ, Colorado Springs
  37. Peak View BBQ & Taproom, Woodland Park
  38. Roy’s Crew BBQ, Woodland Park
  39. GG’s BBQ, Pueblo
  40. Willies Barbque/Southern Classic Cuisine, Pueblo
  41. Troy’s Texas Style Barbecue, Pueblo
  42. Double D’s BBQ Shack (Food Truck), Pueblo West
  43. Lee’s BBQ, Trinidad
  44. Trinidad Smokehouse, Trinidad
  45. Exit 30 BBQ & Cafe, Aguilar
  46. High Octane BBQ, Rye
  47. Lake George Fat BBQ Shack, Lake George
  48. Woody’s Q Shack, Alamosa
  49. Lil’ Smokey’s Barbecue (Food Truck & Catering), Poncha Springs
  50. Sagebrush BBQ & Grill, Grand Lake
  51. Wildflower BBQ, Frisco
  52. Back to Texas BBQ, Frisco
  53. Highside Brewing & BBQ, Frisco, Breckenridge, & Fairplay
  54. Whiskey Star Smokehouse, Breckenridge
  55. Maverick Mountain BBQ (Food Truck), Fairplay
  56. Lil’ Smokey’s Barbecue Trailer (Food Truck & Catering), Poncha Springs
  57. Three Rivers Smokehouse, Almont/Gunnison
  58. 5 B’s BBQ, Gunnison
  59. Square Top Bar-B-Que, Pagosa Springs
  60. Porky’s Smokehouse, Bayfield
  61. SUP – Craft BBQ, Durango
  62. Buckhead West BBQ, Durango
  63. Serious Texas BBQ, Durango
  64. Oak, The New Fat Alley BBQ, Telluride
  65. Blue Ribbon Bar B Que (Food Truck), Montrose
  66. Jimmers BBQ, Burgers, & Beers, Montrose
  67. Rib City, Montrose
  68. Zack’s BBQ, Hotchkiss
  69. Snooks Bottom Barbeque, Grand Junction
  70. Rib City, Grand Junction
  71. Colorado Q, Grand Junction
  72. RoseBear’s BBQ (Food Truck), Grand Junction
  73. Rib City Grill, Fruita
  74. Rib City Grill, Rifle
  75. Slow Groovin BBQ, Marble
  76. Smoke Modern BBQ, Glenwood Springs
  77. Home Team BBQ, Aspen
  78. Aspen Hickory House, Aspen
  79. Kirby Cosmo’s BBQ Bar, Minturn
  80. Dueling D’s BBQ & Grill, Oak Creek
  81. Yampa River Icehouse, Steamboat Springs
  82. Richard’s Ribz (Food Truck), Rocky Ford
  83. All About The Smoke BBQ, Fort Morgan
  84. Snake Pit BBQ, Akron
  85. Forequarters BBQ, Sterling
  86. At Ease BBQ, Wray
  87. RFYP’s Smokehouse, Wray
  88. Happy Jack’s Barbeque, Holyoke

Temporarily or Permanently Closed Locations – RIP

  1. Owlbear BBQ, Denver (Out of Business. Closed on 1/23/2022, now Pit Fiend Barbecue)
  2. AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q Denver (Out of Business. Closed on 2/28/2025, now Riot BBQ)
  3. Hank’s Texas BBQ Denver (Out of Business. Closed in 10/2021)
  4. BBQ Daddy’s, Denver (Out of Business. Closed on 1/24/2026)
  5. Tin Star Smokehouse, Golden (Out of Business. Closed on 9/30/2025)
  6. Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q, Centennial (Out of Business. Closed on 11/1/2025)
  7. Q’s Quisine, Aurora (Out of Business as of 8/3/2026)
  8. Big Jim’s Ribs (Food Truck), Parker (Out of Business as of 2/12/2026)
  9. White Paper BBQ, Loveland (Out of Business. Closed on 9/7/2024)
  10. Fire-n-Smoke BBQ, Brighton (Temporarily Closed as of 8/3/2026)
  11. Big Daddy’s Texas BBQ (Food Truck), Boulder (Temporarily Closed as of 8/3/2026)
  12. Fountain Barbecue, Evergreen (Out of Business as of 1/16/2026. Now Lazy Butcher – Burgers & BBQ – Cowboy Lounge)
  13. The Smiling Pig, Bailey (Out of Business. Closed near the end of 2024)
  14. Broken Bones BBQ, Monument (Out of Business as of 3/1/2026)
  15. Firehouse on the Run, Black Forest (Out of Business. Closed near the end of 2025)
  16. Ozzie’s Smokehouse BBQ, Colorado Springs (Out of Business. Closed near the end of 2025)
  17. Barney’s BBQ (Food Truck) (Out of Business. Closed sometime in 2023)
  18. Harris Boy’s Barbeque (Food Truck), Colorado Springs (Out of Business in Colorado. Moved back to Texas at the end of 2025)
  19. Porkbutt BBQ, Colorado Springs (Out of Business. Closed on 2/28/2026. Front Range BBQ bought it and took over as its 2nd location)
  20. Colorado Smokehouse, Fountain (Out of Business. Closed on 6/30/2024)
  21. Adams Ribs, Pueblo West (Out of Business. Closed on 7/31/2025)
  22. High Country BBQ (Food Truck), Buena Vista (Out of Business. Closed as of 1/2024)
  23. Smoken Moe’s Unreal BBQ, Pagosa Springs (Out of Business. Closed as of 2/12/2026)
  24. Robert BBQ (Food Truck), Pagosa Springs (Temporarily Closed as of 8/3/2026)
  25. Smokin’ Trees BBQ, Pagosa Springs (Temporarily Closed as of 8/3/2026)
  26. The Smoke N CEO (Food Truck), Grand Junction (Out of Business. Closed on 4/15/2024)
  27. B&C BBQ (Food Truck), Grand Junction (Out of Business as of 8/3/2026)
  28. Double Z Bar & BBQ, Steamboat Springs (Out of Business. Closed in mid 2022)
  29. Creekside Smokehouse, La Junta (Out of Business. Closed on 1/1/2022)
  30. Dented Face BBQ, Delta (Out of Business. Closed in 4/2024)
  31. Three Pitts Again, Silverton (Out of Business. Closed in 8/2025)
  32. Yampa Garage Biscuits & BBQ, Yampa (Out of Business. Closed in 12/2025)
  33. Drifter’s BBQ (Food Truck), Flagler (Out of Business as of 5/24/2026)
  34. K&S BBQ, Wray (Out of Business as of 2/12/2026)

Feel free to leave me any new spots that I’ve missed!

14 responses to “Colorado BBQ Rankings”

  1. Danthrax Avatar
    Danthrax

    Make sure to check out Jabo’s Bar Be Que as well down in Greenwood Village

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mitch Clark Avatar
      Mitch Clark

      Just added it to the list, as that was a miss on my end. Anything I should order specifically for the visit? Appreciate the rec!

      Like

      Reply
  2. Jared Avatar
    Jared

    Smoke in Glenwood springs!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mitch Clark Avatar
      Mitch Clark

      It’s been added to the list, appreciate it!

      Like

      Reply
  3. Brian Freeman Avatar
    Brian Freeman

    Hesher BBQ

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mitch Clark Avatar
      Mitch Clark

      Do you know if their Longmont address is a brick-and-mortar option you can go to as well, or is it just through their catering option? And do you know if they operate a food truck?

      Like

      Reply
      1. secretlyfan9c0af9e4df Avatar
        secretlyfan9c0af9e4df

        They are in the Parkway Food hall

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Mitch Clark Avatar
        Mitch Clark

        Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. They have been added to the list

        Like

  4. Sw913 Avatar
    Sw913

    Add these to the list as well….

    Rudys BBQ, 315 South 31st Street, Colorado Springs – https://rudysbbq.com/
    RxR’s Texas Tacos & BBQ (1400 W Littleton Blvd, Littleton, CO 80120) – https://www.rxrgrub.com/
    Tin Star Smokehouse – 16400 S Golden Rd A, Golden, CO 80401 – https://tinstarsmokehouse.com/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mitch Clark Avatar
      Mitch Clark

      All have been added in, thanks for the recs!

      Like

      Reply
  5. James Avatar
    James

    Barbosa’s Barbeque & Catering is the best craft BBQ in CO. Absolutely should be on this list.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mitch Clark Avatar
      Mitch Clark

      James, do you know if they operate mainly out of Denver or are they usually found in another city along the Front Range? From their website, it looks like they are mostly Denver, but any insight you have is appreciated!

      Like

      Reply
  6. Keith Seebeck Avatar
    Keith Seebeck

    Famous Dave’s in Monument, Co. Burnt ends, pulled pork, and BRISKET!! Mitch, people like me, from south Ga and other southern ‘parts unknown’, i.e. swamp cookers, two path trails that appear to be off the beaten path, that do their own smoking, greatly appreciate this. Keep up it up, Mitch, weekend trips on your recommendations now, semi retired, and smoked-meat traveler extraordinare now. Thank you, sir!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mitch Clark Avatar
      Mitch Clark

      Hi Keith,
      Thanks for the comment, and glad to hear you’re finding some value in my rankings and reviews! I’m actually from Wisconsin originally, which is where Famous Dave’s started, so while I am a fan, I try and focus on pit master owned vs chain options for my reviews, but will certainly keep it in mind once I finally knock out Colorado’s 130+ options for BBQ. As a fellow country boy who grew up on my more northern dirt roads and grill sessions, I’m happy to help spread the word for anyone visiting Denver or Colorado who doesn’t want to waste time at a mediocre BBQ joint on a limited visit

      Like

      Reply

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14 thoughts on “Colorado BBQ Rankings”

    • James, do you know if they operate mainly out of Denver or are they usually found in another city along the Front Range? From their website, it looks like they are mostly Denver, but any insight you have is appreciated!

      Like

      Reply

  6. Famous Dave’s in Monument, Co. Burnt ends, pulled pork, and BRISKET!! Mitch, people like me, from south Ga and other southern ‘parts unknown’, i.e. swamp cookers, two path trails that appear to be off the beaten path, that do their own smoking, greatly appreciate this. Keep up it up, Mitch, weekend trips on your recommendations now, semi retired, and smoked-meat traveler extraordinare now. Thank you, sir!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Hi Keith,
      Thanks for the comment, and glad to hear you’re finding some value in my rankings and reviews! I’m actually from Wisconsin originally, which is where Famous Dave’s started, so while I am a fan, I try and focus on pit master owned vs chain options for my reviews, but will certainly keep it in mind once I finally knock out Colorado’s 130+ options for BBQ. As a fellow country boy who grew up on my more northern dirt roads and grill sessions, I’m happy to help spread the word for anyone visiting Denver or Colorado who doesn’t want to waste time at a mediocre BBQ joint on a limited visit

      Like

      Reply

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