Type of Meat: Pork Spare Ribs
Type of Wood: Post oak and cherry
Type of Seasoning: Richard Pergola All Purpose Seasoning
Type of Sauce (if used): Recteq Original BBQ Sauce
Pork Spare Ribs – 10/12/2024
Colorado BBQ
Pork Spare Ribs – 7/5/2024
Type of Meat: Pork Spare Ribs
Type of Wood: Post Oak
Type of Seasoning: Salt and pepper
Brisket – 8/31/2025
Type of Meat: Brisket
Type of Wood: Post Oak
Type of Seasoning: Salt & pepper, no binder
Type of Sauce (if used): None
Smoking Method: Smoked at 250 degrees until reaching an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Pumped up the heat in the smoker to 260-270 degrees until the internal temperature of the brisket hit 180 degrees, then pulled from the smoker and wrapped in butcher paper, which was rubbed with beef tallow beforehand to prevent sticking to the bark. Transferred over to my oven at 270 degrees for about another 2 hours, when the brisket hit an internal temp of 203 degrees. Pulled from the oven to let it rest at that point for about 2 Hours and the internal temperature of the brisket had cooled down
Time To Prep: 40 Minutes with trimming
Time to Cook: 9.5 Hours – 2 Hours Resting. Brisket went on at 6:45 AM and was sliced at 6:08 PM
lbs of Meat: 15.41 lbs minus about 3.5 lbs of fat
Rating 0-10: 8.5/10
Notes for Next Time: Try using a binder, but also keep rubbing the beef tallow on the butcher paper before wrapping, as none of it stuck. Add heavier portions of salt and pepper next time as well, as it still needs more overall seasoning to it. Also, trimmed the night before, which I would 100% recommend, so I don’t have to wake up as early and can get things started more quickly in the morning
Boudreauxs BBQ
Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 8.75/10 and Yes. Located along Main Street in downtown Canon City, Colorado, Boudreauxs has a nice, inviting look and feel from the street, with a cool mural on the side of the building, and with the light smell of smoke enticing you to step inside as you stroll along. Once you open the doors, you are greeted by a friendly staff and traditional BBQ joint settings, with seating at the bar, on the main floor, or on the outside patio, which is dog-friendly and shaded. This all comes together to create a laid-back vibe and environment, perfect for enjoying some barbecue. I ended up meeting with the owner, Drew, who was extremely welcoming and happy to chat all things BBQ with me. Learned he likes to use Pecan wood for his smoking activities and typically gets their wood from Los Cruces or Galveston, Texas, when he makes his regular trips to visit his dad. He will use local wood too, as needed, but definitely prefers his Texas logs. In terms of the food, Boudreauxs might be the best BBQ south of Denver for those venturing near the Colorado Springs area. With solid brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and some of the best coleslaw in the state, it’s 100% worth a visit if you’re in the area and craving some BBQ. Not sure if it’s completed as of this posting, but he’s also planning on opening up a Cajun specialty food store section in the restaurant, which I will absolutely be coming back to visit and buy from
Date Visited: 6/8/25
Address: 224 Main St. Canon City, CO 81212
Day of the Week: Sunday
Time of Day: 11:30 AM. Opens at 11:00 AM
Owner: Drew
Website: https://www.boudreauxsofcanoncity.com/
Number of Years in Business: Opened in 2023
Number of People in Line: 0 in front of me, but 5 came in afterwards
Regional Style of BBQ: Texas/Louisiana
Total Cost: $60.40 with tip. Brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausage, mac & cheese, coleslaw, and a beer
Type of Wood: Pecan
Type of Smoker: Southern Pride Rotisserie Smoker
Type of Seasoning: Salt, Pepper, and Cajun Blends
Best Dish: Brisket
Best Sauce: Original & Hot are a tie depending on personal preference
Best Side: Coleslaw
Interior Description: Nice, clean atmosphere with wooden beams and awnings, with corrugated steel in the bar and in the ceilings. Sports teams, beer signs, and mounted animals adorn the walls, with the Wisconsin/Packer and Leinenkugel’s influence present from the previous owner, so Midwesterners will feel right at home. Light classic rock playing with three TVs playing as well. Plans to expand with a small interior southern Louisiana a speciality shop and to expand the kitchen and outdoor area. Both areas are great to eat at, but the patio is also dog-friendly
Pro Tip: If you’re in this part of town, make sure to stop for the brisket and coleslaw, which are both in the top 10 for Colorado for their respective categories. Make sure to get some of the pickles too, as they were perfectly balanced, and nice and crisp, especially on a hot summer day
Brisket
0/10 Ranking: 8.75 to 9 /10
Seasoning: Salt and pepper
Description: A well-trimmed and thickly cut fatty slice that had a mild smoke ring, but also really good smoke and flavor running through it. While it looked overcooked, the meat was tender and juicy, with a pleasant smoke and seasoning to each bite. It could use a little more pepper, though, to bump it up a rank. But beyond that, a really good brisket, especially for using Pecan wood, which I typically don’t like for beef smokes. Would get again and possibly top 10 in the state
Pork Spare Ribs
0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10
Seasoning: Salt, pepper, sugar, others
Description: Thinner ribs, but perfectly tender and fall off the bone, while still having a good bite to them. Less smoke flavor than the brisket, but still a nice amount of it. A slightly sweeter rib, and the meat could use a little more flavor to it, but a really good option, and I would get it again. Skip the sauces for this one though
Pulled Pork
0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 8.75/10
Seasoning: In-house blend, seasoned before and after smoking
Description: Really well balanced with a nice smokiness that’s probably one of the top 5 in the state. Could use a little more pepper or seasoning, but beyond that, it’s a damn good pulled pork with some sauce needed, but both the original and hot are tasty additions if you’re a sauce fan. Ordering again next time I’m there
Sausage
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Description: Cheddar cheese mixed in, so once again, any Midwesterners visiting will feel right at home. The casing had a good snap and nice smoke flavor, but inside was dried out and crumbled with each bite. Flavors were on point, just needs more fat and less cook time. Would get again to see if it was just a one-off with being drier
Sauces – Originial
0/10 Ranking: 8.25 to 8.5/10
Description: A thinner sauce that has a nice pepper and vinegar kick to it. It was a nice addition to the pulled pork
Sauces – Hot
0/10 Ranking: 8.25 to 8.5/10
Description: This one lives up to the name and is a more amped up version of the original. Nice sweet heat to it, that builds nicely. Solid Texas hot-style BBQ sauce option
Sides – Mac & Cheese
0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10
Description: Nice breading on top and mixed in with the pasta, looks like they bake it and then scoop it to size. Al dente noodles that were nice and creamy. Could use more seasoning and flavor, but solid side overall and would get again
Sides – Coleslaw
0/10 Ranking: 9/10
Description: Creamy, with nice crispy cabbage and slight acidity. One of the best I’ve had in a long time, would absolutely get again, even though it’s more mayo than vinegar-based, which I usually lean the opposite of. Could use a little pepper and more vinegar, but pretty much perfect beyond that
Interior & Menu Photos:
Serious Texas B-B-Q
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 it 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 you 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 a 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 a 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
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 fiancée, and a staff member, all of whom were super welcoming and provided great customer service and conversation. Learned that JT has been in 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, I will absolutely be back to see the evolution of the BBQ and the restaurant, and would recommend it for anyone swinging through the area or on your way 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 is 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:
AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q – Round 2
Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 8.75/10 and Yes. Walking up to the building, the smell of smoke hits you almost 10 feet before you even get to the front door, already a good sign of things to come. They had rock music casually playing on low volume as you enter and head towards the counter to order, with multiple picnic tables adorned by sauces and bbq books, with a full bar in the back as well. A thick smell of smoke lingered in the air the entire time I was there, strongly giving off that authentic BBQ vibe. Having won a Bib Gourmand award in 2023 from Michelin, which is given to restaurants offering “fine cuisine at a moderate price,” I was curious to try it again after not being blown away the first time I had it back in 2020. As far as the menu and the BBQ itself, I was pleasantly surprised with what I found. They have several unique items, such as the tri-tip and wagyu pastrami, but also cover all of the standard options you would hope to find, such as brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and sausages. While the BBQ itself was good across the board, I wouldn’t say anything took home the best in Colorado for me. For beverage options, I noticed they had lemonade and sweet tea on tap, to go along with several canned and local draft beer choices and was very happy to see they kept true to their Texas influence by having Shiner Bock available as well. Once you have your order, there are several options for seating, both inside or out, depending on the vibe you’re feeling or the size of your group. The murals in back give a nice little tip of the hat to Texas BBQ and their respective pit masters, while also being the location where they host BBQ classes on the weekends, helping to potentially bring us the next generation of BBQ bosses here locally. Overall, it’s a great spot to go and grab some barbecue if you’re craving the Central Texas style vibe, with a fun, quirky, and inviting atmosphere and good menu selection all around. Certainly a spot worth checking out, especially for you Michelin chasers, but also not the best of the best when it comes to BBQ in Colorado. Would go back again
Date Visited: 7/20/2024
Address: 2180 S Delaware St, Denver, CO 80223
Day of the Week: Saturday
Time of Day: 11:23 AM. Open at 11:00 AM
Owner: Jared & Amanda Leonard
Website: https://www.pitbarbq.com/
Number of Years in Business: Started in 2010 in Chicago, opened in January 2019 in Denver
Number of People in Line: 15 sitting/in line ahead of me, with 25 who rolled in after me over about 60 minutes
Regional Style of BBQ: Texas Style
Total Cost: $65.15 with tip. Ordered 1/4 lb Brisket, Burnt Ends, Sausage, Turkey, Jerk Chicken, Banana Pudding, and Coleslaw with a Shiner Bock
Type of Wood: Post Oak
Type of Smoker: A.N. Bewley Upright Wood Burning Pit
Type of Seasoning: Salt, pepper, others
Best Dish: Brisket
Best Sauce: Carolina Gold
Best Side: Banana Pudding
Interior Description: An eclectic combination of seating options, gives this place a strong Austin weird vibe to it. With interior seating in the front that gives reclaimed and recycled Texas vibes, leading into a simple brick and mortar interior where you order and can grab a seat family style at the many picnic tables, heading to the outdoor seating section in back with open and covered options available. The back is lined with Austin murals, giving call-outs to some of the Central Texas BBQ’s biggest legends and institutions. Fun and relaxing BBQ vibes to be found no matter where you sit
Pro Tip: One of the only places doing pastrami in Colorado and they use Wagyu beef for it as well. Didn’t try this or the Tri-Tip, but both are pretty exclusive to AJ’s as an offering. Would go back to try their beef ribs too
Brisket
0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10
Seasoning: Salt and pepper
Description: Ordered fatty cut pieces and they were really juicy overall. They had a light but enjoyable smoke flavor with a minimal red ring to it. The slice was really well trimmed, being a nice blend of fat and meat to each bite. Would like more seasoning and smoke flavor to come through as my only critique. Would order again
Burnt Ends
0/10 Ranking: 8 to 8.5/10
Seasoning: Unsure, but looks like a BBQ sauce coating on top of the salt and pepper
Description: Much smokier than the brisket, but also tougher and more dried out. Appears they cut them off and then toss them in a sauce before smoking them again, but this batch might have been slightly overcooked. Could skip the next time and just get the brisket
Pork Spare Ribs
0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10
Seasoning: Salt, pepper, maybe others
Description: Good bark and smoke ring to them. The ribs were tasty, with a sweeter flavor than most found in Colorado. To the bite, they were tender with a nice consistency to them, but not quite fall off the bone. Had moderate smoke flavor and seasoning to it, and could have used more of each, similar to the brisket, but they were really juicy and solid rib overall. Would get again
Sausage – Texas Style
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Description: Cheddar cheese and jalapenos are the headlining flavors with this sausage, which they slice into thin-cut pieces for easy grabbing. The casing still had a nice snap to it, though, with a well-blended fat-to-meat ratio and mixture. Mild spiciness from the jalapeno being in it, and it could use a little more smokiness to it as well. 50/50 on if I’d order it again
Sausage – Jerk Chicken
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Description: Creamier consistency than the Texas sausage, but also has a good snap to the casing. Medium level of spiciness for a jerk sausage where the spice hits quickly on the tongue, but leaves just as fast. Would try again, but not a must-order
Turkey
0/10 Ranking: 7.75 to 8/10
Seasoning: Salt and heavy pepper
Description: Juicy but a bit overcooked, making most of the pieces a little tough. Thickly cut, it had strong and enjoyable pepper flavoring, but could use more smoke, and was just a little too overcooked, which dropped it down into the 7’s for ratings. Would skip for the next time
Sauces – Smokey Sweet
0/10 Ranking: 7.5/10
Description: Certainly lives up to the name and description, with an acidic kick to it as well. Medium viscosity and thickness for the consistency. Was a little too heavy on the brown sugar, though, as it is the strongest flavor that comes through and lingers on. Would skip for next time
Sauces – Citrus Chipotle
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Description: This sauce had a nice little tang and sweetness to it. Had medium viscosity and thickness to its consistency, similar to the smoky sweet. Could see this one being good on pulled pork or with the turkey. Well balanced and with the slightest bit of heat from the chipotle, it was good overall, but I’m 50/50 on if I would want it again
Sauces – Smoke Jalapeno
0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10
Description: Smoky and a light acidity to it, definitely the spiciest option of the 4 available, but nothing too crazy or over the top with heat level. Similar to the other sauces, medium viscosity and thickness for its consistency. While the jalapeno flavor is there, it’s not really one I would need to get again, as this isn’t my typical type of BBQ sauce I go for
Sauces – Carolina Gold
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Description: Ringing true to being a Carolina-style BBQ sauce, the mustard flavor comes through right away, but with a nicely balanced level of acidity. Yellow mustard is the clear backbone of this sauce and has a nice overall flavor to it. Would recommend for anyone interested in this style of sauce. Slightly odd that a Texas-style place has a Carolina mustard as their best sauce, but would get again
Sides – Coleslaw
0/10 Ranking: 7.75 to 8/10
Description: Mayo based with mostly cabbage, followed by carrots, red onions, and some sesame seeds. Crisp and light with a moderate amount of mayo and mild acidity. Okay, overall, but not exactly my style of coleslaw. Would only get it again to share with the table for a few bites, but not worth ordering if just on my own
Sides – Banana Pudding
0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10
Description: Rare to find menu item for Colorado BBQ spots, so I had to try it even though I’m not usually a sweets person. Seemed to be a very fluffy whipped cream/tiramisu type of filling to it, with crunchy lady fingers and fresh chunks of banana mixed in. It wasn’t overly sweet either and was a really nice light dessert option. Would absolutely order again
Interior & Menu Photos:
Burnt End BBQ
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 as a staple on the menu, and 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 it 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 it 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, too. 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 it 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 too 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
Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 7.5 to 8/10, and maybe. We decided the try out one of the Front Range’s 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 some 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 has 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. It was slightly dried out, but still a really good sausage that had a nice little 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, it had a good taste but was also pretty mild in flavor. Would get it again, but it needs some slat or something else added to it to take it over the top
Interior & Menu Photos:
Smokin’ Outlaw Kitchen
Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 7.5 to 8/10 and maybe worth a stop. Upon arrival, they had Eric Clapton and blues music playing, but no smoke smell to really speak of. Overall, the barbecue didn’t really blow me away, but he makes a great hot sauce, and the service was top-notch. The staff and the owner were super friendly and welcoming, so I would stop by and try them out again, as I may have just caught them on an off day
Date Visited: 6/19/2024
Address: 4211 S Natches Ct a, Englewood, CO 80110
Day of the Week: Wednesday
Time of Day: 10:55 AM. Opens at 10:30 AM
Owner: Brandon Hawk
Website: https://smokinoutlawkitchen.us/
Number of Years in Business: Opened as a food tuck in 2019 and brick and mortar in 2021
Number of People in Line: 0, but 3 came in after for to-go orders and 4 came in to sit while I was finishing up
Regional Style of BBQ: Oklahoma/Texas
Total Cost: $33.22 before tip. Ordered 3 meat 2 side combo platter with a hot link, jalapeno cornbread, and soda added on. Got the brisket, two ribs, & pulled pork with bacon mac and cheese and the chili corn
Type of Wood: Oak
Type of Smoker: Split offset
Type of Seasoning: Mostly just salt and pepper
Best Dish: Hot Link
Best Sauce: Hot
Best Side: Bacon mac & cheese
Interior Description: Had 5 picnic tables for seating, but are expanding into the back for probably double the seating space. Wanted Outlaw Reward signs hang next to old western rifles and pistols, as they line the walls along with a few barbecue-themed ones. Small and cozy little BBQ spot to pop into off of Santa Fe
Pro Tip: Go with the hot links, and pulled pork with the hot sauce
Brisket
0/10 Ranking: 7/10
Seasoning: Salt & pepper
Description: Didn’t ask if I wanted it fatty or lean, just served as is. Ended up being a fatty and thick cut, which had minimal bark and seasoning to it. It was tough and a little dried out, as it looks like it may have been cut the day before and simply reheated on the grill. I’d skip this the next time around unless I was for sure getting a freshly cut piece
Pork Spare Ribs
0/10 Ranking: 7.5/10
Seasoning: Unsure, but light seasoning
Description: Minimal seasoning on these, and they also appear to have been precut from a former batch and then placed on a grill to heat back up, as the grill marks were clearly visible. Sadly, this left the ribs a little tough and chewy, but their saving grace was that they did have a nice smokiness to them. Would try them again in a half-rack to see if it improves
Pulled Pork
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Seasoning: Unsure
Description: Really juicy overall, but needs some seasoning added to it, as it was pretty light with the flavoring that comes through. That said, adding the hot sauce gives it a nice pop of flavor to enhance it. Would order again
Louisiana Hotlink Sausage
0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10
Description: They don’t make them in-house, but they had a great flavor and blend of meat to fat ratio. Splits them for a quick turn on the grill, and the casings had a nice snap to them, with a dash of heat to each bite. Best thing they had and would get again
Sauces – Original
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Description: Thicker and sweeter than the hot sauce, it had a good smokiness to it and wasn’t overly sweet. Vaguely reminds me of KC Masterclass BBQ Sauce
Sauces – Hot
0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10
Description: One of the better hot BBQ sauces I have had in a while. It’s thin in its consistency, but never approaches being watery. Has a good flavor and a perfect heat level to it. Would order and use again, especially with the pulled pork
Sauces – Carolina Mustard
0/10 Ranking: 8 to 8.5/10
Description: A thin sauce as well, that has a good vinegar pop to it. Finished light and doesn’t lean too heavily into the mustard flavoring. Would use again as well
Sides – Bacon Mac & Cheese
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Description: Noodles were al dente with a nice smokiness coming through each bite. Creamy consistency and nice bacon bits throughout the dish. Good portion size and flavoring make this a yes for ordering again
Sides – Chili Corn
0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10
Description: Corn was crisp, with what looked like marinated bell pepper strips and green chili added in. It was okay overall, but not a dish I would normally have gotten. Definitely a unique option that I haven’t seen anywhere else, but I would probably skip it next time
Sides – Jalapeno Cornbread
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Description: Moist with a nice jalapeno flavor and heat coming through each bite. Hits the spot if craving some southern cornbread and would order again
Interior & Menu Photos:
The House of Salt & Smoke 