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:
The House of Salt & Smoke 