coleslaw

Big’s BBQ & Brew Q

/ Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 7/10 and no it’s not. The BBQ Brewpub sits on a quaint little main street in the small town of Mount Vernon. A pleasant smell of smoke hits your nose when you walk into the restaurant, which is a small little area with seating for maybe 30-40 max. One of the rare spots that brew their own beers, as well as smoke their own barbecue, it does have nice homey vibes, with the owners actively working the front and back of house. That said, the barbecue was really nothing special and the Oktoberfest was pretty average as well. The customer service was good and its a nice chill vibe when you roll in, but overall not really worth a stop in regards to the barbecue itself, especially if it’s even remotely out of your way. Skip it and continue on to you destination where hopefully better bbq options await

Date Visited: 11/16/2024

Address: 106 1st St W, Mt Vernon, IA 52314

Day of the Week: Saturday

Time of Day: 1:00 PM. Open at 12:00 PM

Owner: Nanette Rambo and husband Jimmie Daugherty

Website: https://bigsbbqbrewpub.com/

Number of Years in Business: Originally opened in 2017, moved to new location in 2021

Number of People in Line: 0, but 16 people sitting down and 4 came in after me

Regional Style of BBQ: “Iowa-style” Barbecue

Total Cost: $34 with tip. Ordered 3 meat platter with two sides and an Oktoberfest beer (7.75/10). Came with brisket, ribs, and burnt ends, with coleslaw and honey cornbread for sides

Type of Wood: Cherry and hickory

Type of Smoker: Southern Pride Rotisserie Smoker (Commercial electric or gas)

Type of Seasoning: Multiple influences and blends

Best Dish: Burnt Ends

Best Sauce: Original

Best Side: Honey cornbread

Interior Description: A small little spot, with a walk-up bar and tap list of their own in-houser brewed beers. Bench and table seating for about 30-40 people with minimal decoration, theme, or BBQ ambiance being created

Pro Tip: Honestly, just skip this place and find an alternative option. If stopping though, the cornbread was the best thing to get

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 7.25/10

Seasoning: Unsure, but minimal

Description: Slightly overcooked, with no bark to it, and trimmed in a very odd way where it had almost zero fat on it. No smoke ring to speak of and its only saving grace was that it was juicy, but the flavor came across more similar to smoked venison than brisket. A little tough to the bite as well. Skip it if ordering

Burnt Ends

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 7.75/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Lathered in a sweeter sauce and slightly tough to the bite. The sauce is the only flavor really coming through, with minimal smokiness and a hard-to-distinguish seasoning blend. Would skip this one as well, but it is slightly better than the brisket

Pork Spare Ribs 

0/10 Ranking: 7.25/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: These were overcooked and under-seasoned. Minimal smoke flavor coming through, if any at all. Tough and slightly dry ribs that don’t have much going for it outside of the pork flavor. Can pass on ordering these too

Sauces – Classic

0/10 Ranking: 7.75/10

Description: Sweet with a little hit of heat to it at the end. Seems like a slightly enhanced version of Sweet Baby Rays

Sides – Coleslaw

0/10 Ranking: 7.75 to 8/10

Description: Mayo-based, with it being mostly cabbage, with some carrots and sesame seeds mixed in as well. Okay overall, but too heavy on the mayo for my liking, which is typical for a mid-western bbq spot. Could skip ordering next time, but a decent slaw if needed

Sides – Honey Cornbread

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Description: Sadly, this was the best thing I had on the menu. The cornbread was moist with a really good flavor, but it was also slightly undercooked, leading to the interior being a little dense, but it was great beyond that. Only thing I can say I would order again

Interior & Menu Photos:

Matt’s BBQ

/ Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 9/10 and absolutely it is. Admittedly, when I think of Portland, I don’t think of BBQ, but Matt’s has completely flipped my perception of what the Pacific Northwest is capable off when it comes to smoking meats. I had this place marked to visit for a couple years ever since I read Aaron Franklin’s recommendation in his Masterclass guide. Needless to say, Franklin was as much right on the money with Matt’s as he is with his own barbecue. Walking up to the food truck (and yes it is in a food truck, but they smoke everything off-site), you’re a little unsure of what you’re about to have, but are quickly rewarded as soon as you receive your order. This was easily the best brisket I have had outside of Texas and sits in my Top 5 of all time. The ribs are also a Top 10 contender of all time for me, so suffice to say, I left full and happy when I stopped by with my wife this past October. You can grab beers next door or in typical Portland fashion, there are several coffee and alternative drink options among the multiple other food trucks that lie in this little conclave in north Portland. Great atmosphere and even better bbq, make this a must for any enthusiast looking for change up to the more traditional PNW options. I will 100% be back the next time I visit the city and would recommend anyone making the trip to plan a stop

Date Visited: 10/23/2024

Address: 4233 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217

Day of the Week: Wednesday

Time of Day: 12:19 PM. Open at 11:00 AM and same day call ahead ordering

Owner: Matt Vicedomini

Website: https://mattsbbqpdx.com/

Number of Years in Business: Opened in 2015

Number of People in Line: 4 people in front of us and 10-12 already seating with plates

Regional Style of BBQ: Texas Style

Total Cost: $60.95 with tip. 1/2 lb brisket, 1/2 rack of ribs, 1 original sausage, 1 cheddar jalapeno sausage, a side order of queso mac and coleslaw

Type of Wood: White Oak

Type of Smoker: Off-set smokers in a covered open-air off-site location

Type of Seasoning: Salt, pepper, maybe others for select dishes

Best Dish: Brisket

Best Sauce: No review

Best Side: Coleslaw

Interior Description: No interior as they operate out of a food truck and sits in a grouping of about 8-10 food trucks, tucked in under a covered decking area and next to a German Beer tap house and restaurant where you can order beers from. Comfortable and fun atmosphere and very traditional Portland vibes

Pro Tip: Make sure you visit when coming to Portland, and you must order the brisket and ribs, but especially the brisket. They apparently make delicious tacos as well, but we didn’t try any this time around

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 9.5/10

Seasoning: Salt and pepper

Description: Thickly cut but perfectly tender. Had great bark with heavy seasoning and a nice level of smokiness. It had a 1/4 smoke ring to it and was really well-trimmed overall, with a great meat-to-fat ratio in each bite. This is easily a Top 5 brisket I’ve ever had and certainly lives up to the recommendation that Aaron Franklin gives it in his book. Each bite left me smiling and wanting to come back for another. Will for sure be making a second visit the next time I visit Portland

Pork Spare Ribs 

0/10 Ranking: 9/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and sauce

Description: Really great rib overall. Well trimmed and cooked perfectly. Fall off the bone tender but with a slight bite to it as well. Could use a little more smoke, but the seasoning and sauce combine for a deliciously sweet and peppery finish making it a Top 10 rib I’ve ever had. Will also be getting again the next time around

Sausage – Original 

0/10 Ranking: 8.25/10

Description: Good casing but a little too fatty for the meat-to-fat ratio. Tastes similar to a kielbasa sausage, which is fine if that’s your thing, but not typically my favorite. Could skip or get one to share next time

Sausage – Cheddar Jalapeno 

0/10 Ranking: 8.75 to 9/10

Description: Taut casing and creamy interior texture with a nice mixture blend to it. Not overly spicy or smoky, but certainly has the jalapeno and cheddar flavors present. Would order again

Sauces – No Review

Sides – Queso Mac

0/10 Ranking: 8.25/10

Description: Al dente noodles and a unique menu item that I haven’t come across before. Has a mild heat from the queso and a nice overall flavor, but could use some more salt or a bread crumble for some texture to it. Would get to share with the table

Sides – Coleslaw

0/10 Ranking: 8.25 to 8.5/10

Description: Really good for cutting the fattiness from the meats, seems to be more of an oil and vinegar base with maybe some slight mayo. Cabbage only with sesame seeds. Could use a little more flavor but would get again

Interior & Menu Photos:

Serious Texas B-B-Q

/ Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 8/10 and Yes. Sitting almost directly in the middle between Loveland & Fort Collins, Serious Texas B-B-Q sits on a large property and building, with great views of the surrounding Front Range Mountains, and a great outdoor patio area with a mini waterfall and space for your furry friends. Very much a Texas style interior, with corrugated steel along the walls and large wooden tables for dining, with red metal fold-up chairs. While the BBQ is okay overall, the setting and views give them some extra points towards being worth a recommendation. A cool place for Colorado BBQ where you can have a great view of the Front Range, enjoy some good food next to a running hardscape waterfall, and can bring along your dog for the patio seating. Would stop by again if in the area

Date Visited: 9/8/2024

Address: 201 W 71st St, Loveland, CO 80538

Day of the Week: Saturday

Time of Day: 1:30 PM. Open at 11:00 AM

Owner: Hunter Swanson. Took over for his parents that started it, Joe & Cookie

Website: https://www.serioustexasbbq.com/

Number of Years in Business: Founded in 1998 in Durango, CO. This is one of their 4 locations, with one 2 in Durango, 1 in Fort Collins, and 1 in Loveland

Number of People in Line: 4 in front of us and about 20-30 sitting down already

Regional Style of BBQ: Texas Style

Total Cost: $48 with Tip. Got brisket, ribs, pulled pork, turkey, chicken wings, chipotle coleslaw, mac & cheese, and apple crumble

Type of Wood: Unsure, but I believe it was either Oak or Hickory

Type of Smoker: Electric smoker in the back it appears

Type of Seasoning: Salt, pepper, maybe others

Best Dish: Pulled Pork

Best Sauce: Original

Best Side: Apple Cobbler

Interior Description: It has a nice smell of smoke when you walk in with a pleasant staff and comfortable seating for probably over 100 people. Switch back lines for ordering your food at the counter and then you can take it back to your seat, either inside or out. Rustic setting with exposed ceilings and several bar signs, vintage gas station apparel, and stickers lining the walls with 90s rock music playing when we came in. Had an electric smoker in the back with sweet and unsweetened tea, and grab-and-go cooler beers as you’re waiting in line, which definitely lives up to the Texas influence

Pro Tip: Visit this location for the views if nothing else, but the BBQ is pretty good too. Sit outside on the patio if possible, and go with the pulled pork, ribs, and the apple cobbler

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 8 to 8.25/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, maybe some others

Description: The brisket had a good smoke flavor to it with minimal seasoning and bark. Had about a 1/4-inch smoke ring, but was slightly tough to the bite and was slightly chewy with more thick-cut pieces. Would get it again though, especially if visiting earlier in the day, but it does need more seasoning to it overall and was oddly cut

Pork Spare Ribs 

0/10 Ranking: 8.25/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, maybe others

Description: Fall off the bone tender with a nice smoke flavor and level of seasoning, but could use a bit more of both to take it to the next tier. Would get it again though

Pulled Pork

0/10 Ranking: 8.25 to 8.5/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: It had some bark to it, with moderate smoke flavor coming through in each bite. Slightly dry, but also good on its own. Would recommend the original sauce with it among all the options available

Sausage 

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Description: Creamy interior texture with a slight snap in the casing. It had a little bit of spice and heat to it, which was enjoyable and tasty. Had a nice meat-to-fat ratio but could use a little more smokiness to them. Would get again

Turkey

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Peppery with mild to moderate smokiness. The bird was tender and juicy, but not the best of the best for Colorado. Would get again through if in the mood for smoked turkey

Chicken Wings

0/10 Ranking: 8.25 to 8.5/10

Seasoning: Unsure, multiple spices

Description: They were crisp to each bite, with a light smokiness and a juicy wing overall. They had a dry rub on them as well, with crispy, but not rubbery skin. Good on its own or with ranch, would get these again, and they are one of the rare spots that does chicken wings, so grab them if you’re craving a smoked wing option

Sauces – Didn’t review them, but the Original was good for the pulled pork

Sides – Chipotle Coleslaw

0/10 Ranking: 7.5/10

Description: It was okay, but nothing special at all, with pretty mild flavor in general. Light mayo and acidity to it, needs more seasoning/flavoring to everything overall. Free tree to skip this one as a side

Sides – Mac & Cheese

0/10 Ranking: 7.75/10

Description: Thin and runny sauce, but good overall flavor and cooked al dente. Could skip for the next time as this also needs extra seasoning or thicker base sauce for it to be worth a reorder

Sides – Apple Cobbler

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Description: Sweet, but not overly so, with a nice crunch to the crumble and good crispness to the apples. Would get again, but a small order is all you need

Interior & Menu Photos:

Sundance Pit BBQ

/ Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 8.5/10 and Yes. Decided to stop here on my way back from Colorado Springs, as the reviews were outstanding on Google and I am rarely down this far south. Stopped in almost right when they opened, with the restaurant sitting right along the main street in Palmer Lake. Had nice views looking out into the mountains, with counter service ordering right when you walk in the door. Ended up getting to chat with JT, his fiance, and staff member, all of who were super welcoming and provided great customer service and conversation. Learned that JT has been the service industry for years and was finally able to open his own spot with Sundance. Originally from Palmer Lake, he grew up in Central Texas as well as attended Culinary school in Austin, which is where his passion for brisket and post oak comes from, and when he moved back he decided he wanted to bring some of Texas back with him. That passion for Central Texas style bbq definitely comes through, especially with the brisket, Texas Twinkie, and even the Tex-Mex influenced elote. With them starting out less than a year ago, will absolutely be back to see the evolution of the bbq and the restaurant and would recommend for anyone swinging through the area or on your way in between Denver and Colorado Springs. Would recommend for a visit and worth a stop for sure

Date Visited: 9/14/2024

Address: 25 CO-105, Palmer Lake, CO 80133

Day of the Week: Saturday

Time of Day: 11:25 AM. Open at 11:00 AM

Owner: JT Cline

Website: https://sundancepitbbq.com/

Number of Years in Business: Opened December 16th, 2023

Number of People in Line: 0, but 3 came after me and two to-go orders

Regional Style of BBQ: Central Texas

Total Cost: $54 with tip. Ordered 1/2 lb Brisket, Pulled Pork (no 1/4 lb options), 1 Sausage, 1 Texas Twinkie, Coleslaw, 1 Shiner Bock

Type of Wood: Red, white, and post oak depending on availability

Type of Smoker: Off-set smoker, from BBQ Pits by Klose in Houston, Texas

Type of Seasoning: Salt & Pepper

Best Dish: Brisket or Sausge

Best Sauce: Didn’t review

Best Side: Texas Twinkie

Interior Description: Cozy and unique layout, with seating right in front when you walk in, as well as several rooms in back with larger tables for bigger groups. Could probably fit about 30-40 people if needed. Full drink menu including beer, wine, and spirits

Pro Tip: Texas Twinkie is a rare item in Colorado, be sure to grab one or several while you’re here

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Seasoning: Salt & pepper

Description: 1/2 lb order ended up being one very thickly cut fatty slice, with some nice bark to it. It had a nice 3/4 inch smoke ring to it and was super tender and juicy and cooked almost perfectly. While the salt and pepper come through each bite, the brisket needs more of both overall. Had a good level of smokiness to it, but could use more intensity there as well. Solid brisket and probably a top 10-15 in the state. Would order again

Pulled Pork

0/10 Ranking: 7/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: The pulled pork was dry and didn’t have much for seasoning or smokiness coming through. Chopped up vs pulled, while some pieces had some bark, not much overall. BBQ sauce helps a little, but not the best overall. Could skip this next time to try something else

German Sausage 

0/10 Ranking: 8.75/10

Description: Gets these from Sarah’s sausages right now, but is planning on making these in-house down the road. The sausages had a great fat to meat ratio, with a taut snap to the casing and a nice smoke flavor to it. Will absolutely order the next time I’m there

Sides – Coleslaw

0/10 Ranking: 8.25/10

Description: Cream texture with crisp cabbage. Leans more mayo than vinegar, but balanced overall and a nice side to break up the bbq with. Worth ordering for the table

Sides – Texas Twinkie

0/10 Ranking: 8.75/10

Description: A unique item not found in the Denver area, so this was a nice surprise to see. It’s essentially a smoked jalapeno, wrapped with bacon, and stuffed with a cream cheese brisket filling. The bacon was crisp on the outside and the internal filling was very tasty as well. Good spice level to it and would recommend you grab them if they are available

Sides – Pickles

0/10 Ranking: 9/10

Description: Crisp with almost a perfect level of acidity. Finishes clean for each bite, with a slight saltiness perfect for cutting some of the meat’s fattiness. Comes included with all the meats, but don’t skip them

Interior & Menu Photos:

Burnt End BBQ

/ Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 8/10 and Yes. For being down in the corporate wasteland that is DTC, admittedly my expectations were tempered with this visit. When I rolled up at 11:40 AM, the sign still said closed and I wasn’t sure if they were still operating, but when I peeked inside, some staff saw me and came out to confirm that they were open, but they had forgotten to unlock the door that morning. Upon walking in, there wasn’t any smoke smell to speak of, but the place had chill and comfortable vibes to it, with reclaimed wood along the walls, concrete floors, and seating for about 100, with some outdoor options as well. While nothing really blew me away with the barbecue, I have to give them credit that everything was pretty solid and had a good floor to its flavors across the board. With burnt ends being less common to find in Colorado, it was nice to see them a staple on the menu and the they were also the only place I’ve seen offering a pork burnt end option and only the second place in Colorado behind Pit Fiend, that I’ve seen offer smoked jackfruit. For being corporate owned, I’m pleasantly surprised at the quality and would recommend it if you’re in town for a conference and craving some bbq

Date Visited: 7/7/2024

Address: 5332 DTC Blvd #100, Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Day of the Week: Sunday

Time of Day: 11:40 AM. Open at 11:00 AM

Owner: PB&J Restaurants Group aka Paul Khoury. Paul partnered with Pit Master, Stephen “Smokey” Schwartz (Who worked at Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, Jack Stack BBQ, & The Golden Ox, all Kansas City meat legends)

Website: https://www.burntendbbqdenver.com/

Number of Years in Business: Unsure, but I somewhere between 2010 and 2015

Number of People in Line: 0 in front of me and no one had been there yet before me, since the doors were locked. Did have 8 people come in after

Regional Style of BBQ: Kansas City Style

Total Cost: $86.76 with tip. Ordered 1/4 lb of brisket, burnt ends, sausage, turkey, pulled pork, and 1/4 rack of ribs. For sides, added in mac & cheese and coleslaw. Came with 6 pieces of Texas Toast and a Kona beer

Type of Wood: Hickory

Type of Smoker: Vertical Electric (I believe)

Type of Seasoning: Several blends

Best Dish: Pulled Pork or Burnt Ends

Best Sauce: Southwest

Best Side: Pickles

Interior Description: Sitting in a DTC business park area inside an upscale strip mall. Cafeteria style ordering with meats broken out down to the quarter pound. They also have bowls, platters, salads, wings, and even some taco options. Seating for about 100 and a familiar layout and feel to a Qdoba or Chipotle. Music was 70s and 80s pop and soft rock hits, which wasn’t exactly the type of bbq vibe I’m usually looking for

Pro Tip: Go for the burnt ends, pulled pork, and grab the pickles for a nice crisp and balanced acidity hit

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10

Seasoning: Salt and pepper, possibly others

Description: Thinly cut with a light smoke ring to each piece. Was juicy for both the fatty and lean sections, but was a little tough to chew. Not much for smoke or seasoning coming through either. Serviceable but nothing special either, I’m 50/50 on needing to order this again

Burnt Ends

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Seasoning: Salt and pepper, possibly others

Description: More tender than the brisket and with better smoke and seasoning coming through each bite, but still pretty light on both. For a place called Burnt Ends, this was the better of the two brisket options and I would get again. 1/4lb is plenty for ordering next time

Pork Spare Ribs 

0/10 Ranking: 8 to 8.5/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, possibly others, and bbq sauce

Description: Fall off the bone tender, but not overcooked and still had a good bite to it. Not a ton of seasoning coming through and a light amount of smoke to them, most of the flavor seems to be coming from the sauce. Cooked really well, but needs more smoke and seasoning to them. Would get the again though, with 1/4 lb being enough with 3 ribs

Pulled Pork

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Super juicy and smoky flavor coming through in each and every bite. Not much for seasoning, but cooked perfectly and one of the smokier pulled porks in Colorado and definitely a top 3 for juiciest. Would order again

Sausage 

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10

Description: Chopped into bite sized pieces, the sausage was a little mushy and leaning a little fatty for its internal blend. Had good flavor and seasoning to it though, with a nice bit of heat as well. Would get again to share with the table, but also not one that I would probably order again for just myself

Turkey

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Juicy through most, but not all of the pieces. This was the smokiest meat they served, but needs more seasoning and for it to be cooked just a little bit less. Would probably get again if in the mood for turkey, but not a necessity either

Sauces – Didn’t review, but tried all three with the Southwest being the best one

Sides – Mac & Cheese

0/10 Ranking: 7.5/10

Description: Noodles were cooked perfectly and the sauce was creamy without being thin. However, the mac & cheese was way under seasoned. Added some salt which made it better, but could skip the next time

Sides – Coleslaw

0/10 Ranking: 7 to 7.5/10

Description: Light and crisp, with more of a mayo base to it. More sweet than acidic, it was an okay slaw but nothing special either

Interior & Menu Photos:

KT’s BBQ

/ Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 7.5 to 8/10 and maybe. We decided the try out one of the Front Ranges longest running barbecue joints in KT’s BBQ after an early morning hike with the dogs. Upon walking up to the old house turned barbecue restaurant, we were pleasantly greeted with the smell of hickory smoke all around us, which only intensified once we went inside. The staff were friendly and provided great service, even being so kind as to come out with come chicken in a cup for our dogs. As far as the barbecue itself, we weren’t overly blown away by any dish outside of the hot links, but the ribs and the brisket were decent overall. Would give them another try down the line, but could easily skip the pulled pork the next time around

Date Visited: 6/22/2024

Address: 7464 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, CO 80303

Day of the Week: Saturday

Time of Day: 1:05 PM. Open at 11 AM

Owner: Kirk & Tricia Jamison (aka KT)

Website: https://www.ktsbbq.com/

Number of Years in Business: Opened this original location on January 3rd, 1992. Opened second downtown Boulder location in 1995

Number of People in Line: 0, but 4 people came in after us

Regional Style of BBQ: Memphis

Total Cost: $65 with Tip for two people. Ordered full rack of ribs for Saturday $24 special, 1/2 lb of brisket, 1/4 lb pulled pork, hot link, coleslaw, red skinned mashers, and 2 soft drinks

Type of Wood: Hickory

Type of Smoker: Vertical

Type of Seasoning: Varies

Best Dish: Hot Link

Best Sauce: Didn’t review

Best Side: Coleslaw

Interior Description: Small interior section with seating for maybe 10-15, but had additional seating outside that is dog friendly. The restaurant is a converted old house, so it has a small cozy feel to it, with wood lined walls and hickory smoke lingering in the air

Pro Tip: Go for the hot link and coleslaw, maybe the ribs

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 7.5/10

Seasoning: Unsure beyond salt and pepper

Description: They chop the brisket which I’m not a fan of typically, but the brisket was still good overall. Tender, but on the tougher side, it had a nice hickory smokiness coming through, but not much else for flavor or seasoning. 50/50 on if I would order again

Pork Spare Ribs 

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Tender and almost fall off the bone, but were a little dried out and slightly overcooked. I think they add a little bit of bbq sauce to them during the smoking process, as they did have a creamy texture to the top, but they do have some seasoning on the outside and the hickory comes through nicely. Similarly, unsure on if I would order again

Pulled Pork

0/10 Ranking: 6.5 to 7/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: The pulled pork was very dried out with little seasoning or smoke flavor coming through at all and no bark to speak of. Skip it

Hot Link Sausage 

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Description: Reminds me of a smoked summer sausage with a really good smokiness and flavor overall. One of the staff said they get it from a producer in town, so not in-house. Was slightly dried out, but still a really good sausage that had a nice little bit kick of spice to it. Would order these again

Sauces – No reviews given

Sides – Coleslaw

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Description: Light and crisp with minimal mayo to it. Not overly seasoned, but it cuts all of the meat fattiness really well. Would order this again no question

Sides – Red Skinned Mashers

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Description: Creamy and well blended, that had a good taste but was also pretty mild in flavor. Would get again, but it needs some slat or something else added to it to take it over the top

Interior & Menu Photos:

Genesee Pub and BBQ

/ Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 8/10 and Yes. Good bbq overall and a quick easy stop either on your way or coming back from the mountains via HWY 70. When we rolled in after a hike, they were prepping for a Lobster Boil later that evening, so they also have several events and live music events throughout the year. As far as the bbq, the Kielbasa was the group favorite, followed by the turkey and the brisket. The fried okra was definitely a highlight, to go along with a really tasty and light coleslaw as the best sides. Cool setting, solid service, and tasty bbq make it easily worth a stop, especially with being dog friendly!

Date Visited: 6/1/2024

Address: 25948 Genesee Trail Rd, Golde, CO 801401

Day of the Week: Saturday

Time of Day: 12:36 PM. Opens at 10 AM on weekends and 11 on weekdays

Owner: Scott and Matthew Smith (Father & Son)

Website: https://www.geneseepubandbbq.com/

Number of Years in Business: Opened in May 2017

Number of People in Line: 0, but 12 were already sitting down. Table side service

Regional Style of BBQ: Texas

Total Cost: Had three of us, so order the 1/2 Sampler, which comes with 1/2 rack of ribs, 1/4 lb of brisket, pork, turkey, and chicken. Included 8oz baked beans, mac & cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad. Added on a kielbasa sausage, an order of fried okra, and 7 drinks, for $126.46 before tip

Type of Wood: Hickory

Type of Smoker: Electric

Type of Seasoning: Salt & pepper typically

Best Dish: Kielbasa Sausage

Best Sauce: Spicy

Best Side: Fried okra

Interior Description: Elevated interior, with a nice bar and several seating options. Best seat in the house though is outside on the back patio, as it has several tables and sitting areas to accommodate larger crowds when they have live music playing.

Pro Tip: Make sure to order the okra and coleslaw to go along with Kielbasa, turkey, and possibly the brisket

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Seasoning: Salt & pepper

Description: Good flavor overall, with light smoke and light seasoning coming across each bite. Could use more of both, but it had a good meat to fat ratio and every piece was moist. Would order again, but also not a necessity

Pork Spare Ribs 

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Fall off the bone tender, but not much for smoke flavor coming through. Seasoning is tasty, but pretty light again and needs more to it. Split on if I would order them again

Pulled Pork

0/10 Ranking: 7.5/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Not much seasoning or smokiness to it, but it was juicy. Add in the spicy sauce to make it a better blend, as it’s a little bland on its own. Could skip this one for the next time

Kielbasa Sausage 

0/10 Ranking: 8 to 8.5/10

Description: They split and then grill the links after smoking them. Good meat and fat ratio with a very tasty overall flavor. Would order again

Chicken

0/10 Ranking: 7/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Low seasoning and smoke coming through. A little dried out as well, not worth ordering again

Turkey

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Really tasty and juicy turkey. Nice seasoning, flavor and overall smokiness level. Would order again

Sauces – Original

0/10 Ranking: 7.5/10

Description: Sweet with a little bit of spiciness to it. Okay overall, but nothing special. Reminds me of KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce

Sauces – Spicy

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Description: Good heat and spice flavor to it. Not too thick or too watery, with good heat balance overall and would get again, especially for the pulled pork. Best sauce they have

Sauces – Carolina Mustard

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10

Description: Very mustard heavy in the flavor with a sweetness to it. Reminds me of Heinz mustard flavoring, which was okay overall, but also nothing that special

Sides – Fried Okra

0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10

Description: Lightly battered and cooked perfectly. Good seasoning and not overly cooked, with a good bit to the tooth on each piece. As a rare Colorado BBQ side option, would absolutely recommend ordering them if you stop by and I will be ordering again next time

Sides – Mac & Cheese

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10

Description: okay overall, but in-between on if I would order again. Creamy with al dente noodles, but unfortunately it had low flavor and needs more seasoning to make it better and worth ordering a second time around

Sides – Coleslaw

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Description: Super light coleslaw, with some apples mixed in for a nice crispy sweetness. Could have used just slightly more vinegar to take it over the top, but really good overall and would for sure order again

Sides – Baked Beans

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10

Description: Admittedly, I’m not a huge baked bean guy, but these came with the platter. They were okay overall, but almost taste like Bush’s Baked Beans and could skip for the next order

Interior & Menu Photos: