Post Oak – Round 2 & 3

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 9.25/10 and absolutely yes. Always worth visiting, whether you are a local looking for top-notch barbecue or a visitor coming from out of town on your own BBQ journey. I had gone a couple of years without visiting Post Oak after my initial review, as I was spending my time trying other establishments throughout the state to see if any could rival or dethrone them from the top spot. While I had a lot of solid BBQ at other pits, none were truly able to beat the brisket or overall BBQ offering that Post Oak provides. As soon as you walk in, you’re smacked in the face with a pleasant aroma of smoke and delicious meats and greeted by an extremely friendly and attentive staff, who are always willing to answer any questions you may have and will help guide you towards your best option. The owner is typically on-site, bouncing around and helping both front and back of house, always looking to make the experience an enjoyable one for his customers. In true Central Texas-style, you have pickles, pickled onions, and white bread available at no extra cost, with soft drinks and sweet tea to go along with a full bar and tap list. While I’m not a whiskey guy, they have a large-scale collection and have some daily specials on these for any enthusiasts. For the Texas traditionalists, they also have Shiner Bock available, along with several other beer and N/A options. Overall, you can’t go wrong with making a stop here, as they have consistently been producing some of the best barbecue in the state for years and somehow only seem to keep improving. Whether it be for the brisket, beef, and pork ribs, or just the enjoyable and energetic atmosphere, this is a needed first stop for anyone curious about Colorado BBQ. We who are about to dine, salute you!

Date Visited: 11/2/2024 & 1/3/2025

Address: 4000 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212

Day of the Week: Saturday

Time of Day: 10:55 AM for the second visit and 11:05 AM for the third. Open at 11:00 AM

Owner: Nick Prince

Website: https://www.postoakdenver.com/

Number of Years in Business: June 26th, 2019

Number of People in Line: 0, but over 45 filled in while we ate

Regional Style of BBQ: Central Texas-Style

Total Cost: $103 with tip. 1 lb of brisket (half fatty, half lean), 1/2 lb of turkey, full rack of ribs, 1 taco, 1 order Fried Okra, 1 order Jalapeno Coleslaw

Type of Wood: Post Oak

Type of Smoker: Multiple versions, but all wood fired

Type of Seasoning: Salt, pepper, multiple others for ribs

Best Dish: Brisket

Best Sauce: Need Review

Best Side: Fried Okra

Interior Description: Modern upscale interior meets Texas BBQ joint with classic tin tiled ceilings, reclaimed wood walls, and refurbished wood floors, that has an elevated design with a high-end bar and whiskey wall directly across from the chopping boards. Fun and classic old-school BBQ vibes with a warm and pleasant staff who always seem to be having a good time

Pro Tip: Go on Fridays for the burnt ends and Saturdays for the beef ribs, as they are one of the few places in Colorado that does them. Never skip getting the brisket or the turkey either

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 9.25/10

Seasoning: Salt and pepper, maybe garlic

Description: Still the best brisket being smoked in Denver, or the state for that matter. Each time I visit and order the brisket, it always has a nice peppery finish to it, with tender and perfectly cooked pieces, whether they be fatty or lean cut. The consistency of quality over the years has been impressive to say the least, and they can go toe-to-toe with many of the top Texas establishments. For them to rival that of Franklin’s, Terry Black’s, etc. I would like them to have a little bit more seasoning and smoke flavor come through, but until I taste otherwise, this is the King of Colorado Brisket. A must-order when visiting

Beef Rib

0/10 Ranking: 9.25/10

Seasoning: Salt and pepper

Description: Available on Saturdays and one of the few places to offer them, it’s best to order with multiple people, as each rib could range from 1.5 to 2.5 lbs. It’s sold per pound, so be mindful of the price when ordering. The rib itself was cooked extremely well, as it had a nice bark and seasoning to the exterior while having a tender and juicy interior with a nice smoke ring. There were a couple of edges that got a little tough, and I would have liked a little more smokiness to have come through, but beyond that, a pretty perfect beef rib and the best I’ve had in Colorado. 3 out of 3 times that I’ve ordered these, they haven’t disappointed, so order with confidence and a full wallet if visiting on a weekend

St Louis Style Heritage Pork Spare Ribs 

0/10 Ranking: 8.75/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, maybe others, and lightly sauced I believe

Description: Really tasty ribs and Top 3-5 in Colorado easily. Fall-off-the-bone tender, with a nice seasoning and smokiness running through. Really nice meat-to-fat ratio and trimmed perfectly.
Using higher-end heritage pork, the meat is flavorful and has been consistently delicious through each order. Always worth getting a few if stopping in

Sausage – Black Pepper

0/10 Ranking: 8.75/10

Description: Good snap to casing and a nice internal blend of meat-to-fat ratio. Slightly sweet, with good spice in it, and the cheddar adds a creamy texture and nice balance. Was the preferred option from the table

Sausage – Guiness Bison Bratwurst

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Description: Similar to the black pepper sausage, but with more gaminess to the flavor and a little spicier than the other. Would get again, but would take the other option over this if having to choose

Turkey

0/10 Ranking: 9/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, maybe others?

Description: Succulent and juicy to each bite, with a nice peppery and smoky finish. One of the best turkey options in all of the state, potentially the best overall, this is always an unexpected table favorite. Don’t skip on ordering this during your visit, and grab at least a 1/4lb if possible

Sauces – Didn’t Review

Sides – Fried Okra

0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 8.75/10

Description: These were fried well and had a nice light seasoning and breading to them, but could use a bit more flavor overall. However, this can be accomplished by dipping them in the accompanying sauce they provide. They were perfectly cooked with a nice bite and firmness to each piece, making for one of the better fried okra options in Colorado. Will continue to order again

Sides – Jalapeno Coleslaw

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Description: Light and crispy with a little bit of heat to it. Green and red cabbage blended together, with carrots and sesame seeds mixed in with a vinegar base, I believe. I would like it to be just a dash sweeter but good overall, as it helps cut the fattiness of the meats well as a side dish. Would get it to share with the table, but not my personal favorite

Interior & Menu Photos:

Louie Mueller Barbecue

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 9/10. Yes, absolutely worth the drive. Sitting on Main Street of Taylor, right from the start, it gives off a small-town Texas vibe. As soon as you step inside, you’re hit with the strong smell of smoke, and your eyes swallow in the impossibly blackened walls that have been naturally created after decades of barbecue having flowed through it. As you roll up to the counter to order, you can see Wayne in the back working diligently and moving around like a man 20 years his junior, still perfecting his art of barbecue and maintaining quality control all the way down to slicing the brisket. It was a true pleasure to see a 4th-generation pit master continuing on with his family’s traditions and legacy, and after sampling the beef rib, I have a feeling they would be proud of the way he is carrying the torch. Do yourself a favor and make your way over here to find one of the best beef ribs in Texas and one of the few Texas barbecue institutions still being served up by the owners

Date Visited: 1/29/2021

Address: 206 W 2nd St, Taylor, TX 76574

Day of the Week: Friday

Time of Day: 1:15PM. Open at 11:00 AM

Owner: Wayne Mueller (4th generation, still working the pits himself)

Website: https://www.louiemuellerbarbecue.com/

Number of Years in Business: Opened in 1949 (72 years)

Number of People in Line: 6 people ahead of us

Regional Style of BBQ: Central Texas

Total Cost: $62 with tip for one large beef rib and two drinks

Type of Wood: Post Oak

Type of Smoker: Indirect-heat pit

Type of Seasoning: Salt & pepper

Best Dish: Beef Rib

Best Sauce: Original

Best Side: Didn’t order any, need review

Interior Description: Main area has what appear to be original wood floor boards that are slightly uneven, giving off the vibe that this place has been around as long as the town itself, with no major upgrades needed. In addition to the interior seating section, there is plenty of great outdoor seating on the patio as well

Pro Tip: Famous for their beef ribs for a reason

Beef Ribs 

0/10 Ranking: 9/10

Seasoning: Salt & pepper

Description: Melt in your mouth and fall off the bone tenderness. 1 rib was about 3lbs and was enough for 3 of us to eat. Had a solid seasoning and smoke flavor running throughout the rib, letting you know it’s there, without being too over the top. Adding a little bit of the original sauce makes for an interesting and tasty flavor combo, but I would say this rib is best eaten on its own, unadulterated by sauce

Sauces

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Description: Soupy consistency with some onions in there as well. Had a strong tomato taste with a nice acidity to it, with good flavor overall. Not your typical barbecue sauce given how thin it is, but worth a try for its uniqueness

Interior & Menu Photos