Pulled Pork

Busey Brews Smokehouse & Brewery

/ Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 8 to 8.25/10 and Yes. Situated right in the heart of downtown Nederland, this is a unique spot that was a brewery first and has added a smokehouse option to it. While the beers may have been the original focus, the barbecue also delivers and making it a great spot to stop after a day hike in the mountains or a winter skiing session at Eldora. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and the entire place has a nice laid-back atmosphere, accentuated by being perched right along a river that trickles by as you dine or drink. Solid small town mountain vibes, with steel features, custom wood ledges, and historic skis and split boards adorning the walls. While it might not be the best barbecue in the state, its atmosphere, ambience, and overall experience make it a worthwhile stop if you’re in the area and craving a bite and a beer. Would absolutely come back if in the area, both for the BBQ and the in-house pours. Reasonably priced as well with the combo plates, so while you do have the option to order meats individually, I would recommend ordering one of the combination platters for the better value. And even though the beer is certainly the focus here, this is a solid mountain BBQ option to stop at as well

Date Visited: 7/2/25

Address: 70 E 1st St, Nederland, CO 80466

Day of the Week: Wednesday

Time of Day: 11:48 AM. Open at 11:00 AM during the week and 10:30 on weekends

Owner: Kyle and Janice Busey

Website: https://buseybrews.com/

Number of Years in Business: Opened October 19th, 2019

Number of People in Line: 22 sitting down, with another 10-15 that came in after me

Regional Style of BBQ: Multiple styles, although the owner is from Virginia, so leans Carolina style

Total Cost: $68.06 with tip – Ordered the platter and a half rack of ribs on the side, plus a beer. Came with brisket and pulled pork for the mains, and then coleslaw for the side

Type of Wood: Honey locust, sugar maple, and peach. Will change up what they use depending on availability

Type of Smoker: Unsure

Type of Seasoning: Multiple different blends

Best Dish: Ribs

Best Sauce: Didn’t review, but three different options were available

Best Side: Mac & Cheese

Interior Description: Rustic mountain is probably the best way to describe Busey’s interior. With corrugated walls, concrete floors, and custom wooden countertop seating surrounding a unique fire pit seating option, it creates an industrial, but inviting environment. Indoor seating options with a full bar for probably 30-40 people, with additional exterior seating that I believe is dog-friendly. It’s the perfect place to stop, be it after a long day of skiing and needing a rest before starting the drive back, or just stopping in for a quick pint or bite of BBQ after a well-earned day in the mountains

Pro Tip: Go for the ribs, enjoy the beer, and sit in the back patio area to take in the views with the river slowly flowing by

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 7.75 to 8/10

Seasoning: Salt & pepper

Description: Thickly cut fatty piece that came with the platter. It was a juicy brisket with a light smokiness to it and mild seasoning. While tender and juicy, it wasn’t anything special or over the top, but was a decent brisket. 50/50 on ordering again 

Pork Spare Ribs 

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, sugar, maybe others

Description: Half rack as an add-on, the ribs were tender but not quite fall off the bone. Still had a little tooth to each bite. They sauce them on top of a pre-rub, which creates a nice peppery finish, probably one of the most pepper-heavy options in the state, and this was the best meat dish I had today. While I typically don’t like sauce, these were well done, and the sauce had a nice snap to it, vs being too sweet. Would get these again. Well-balanced flavors and an enjoyable rib overall  

Pulled Pork

0/10 Ranking: 8.25 to 8.5/10

Seasoning: In-house blend, season before and after pulling

Description: The pulled pork had some nice bark to it, with it being juicy and tender in each bite as well. Nicely seasoned, albeit a little salty, and a really solid overall option to get. Would order again 

Sauces – 3 Options House BBQ, Hot BBQ, Virginia BBQ

Description: Didn’t review

Sides – Coleslaw

0/10 Ranking: 7/10

Description: Green and red cabbage, mixed with carrots. Very dill heavy, so much so it overpowered everything else. Unless you love dill, skip it. Outside of the flavor, it did have a nice refreshing crunch and acidity, but dill was too much 

Sides Mac & Cheese

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 7.75/10

Description: Italian bread crumbs sprinkled on top with some Parmesan cheese, and a creamy sauce within the noodles. Noodles were Al dente, and the breading added a nice crunchy texture. Sadly, though, the Mac itself was somewhat flavorless. Would try something else next time 

Interior & Menu Photos:

Boudreauxs BBQ

/ Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

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 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 so 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 Midwesterns 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:

Sugarfire Smoke House

/ Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 7.75 to 8/10. Maybe. Rolling in, I had my hesitations about the place, based on its location in a suburban planned strip mall development, but also with it being a chain from out of state, as this is 1 of 12. That said, when I walked in the door I was pleasantly surprised, as I was instantly hit with a nice waft of oak floating through the air. In traditional bbq or fast casual fashion, you order cafeteria line style, choosing between individual meats, combo platters, sandwiches, burgers, and even salads. Opted for the Meat Daddy platter as it was a taste of pretty much everything and was a pretty affordable price for how much food you get. Started with the brisket, which shocked me at how good it was, but after that, all of the meats mostly let me down, with a small upswing at the end with the cheesy garlic mashed potatoes. Service was on point, and the place had a laidback chill environment/vibe to it, with 90’s-2000’s rock and alternative playing at a low volume, while the staff cracks jokes with each other. Not the best place to get bbq in Colorado, but certainly not the worst either. Without a ton of close other options in Westminster/Thornton, it’s a okay spot to stop at, but isn’t worth a special trip on its own either. Would come back if people invited me, but also not making a stop unless it’s directly on my way

Date Visited: 5/4/2025

Address: 14375 Orchard Pkwy #100, Westminster, CO 80023

Day of the Week: Sunday

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

Owner: Mike Johnson and Chad & Jamie Green

Website: https://sugarfiresmokehouse.com

Number of Years in Business: Opened June 2018

Number of People in Line: 2 people were already sitting down before I walked in and 23 came in after me over about 45 minutes

Regional Style of BBQ: Blend St Louis/KC/Memphis/Texas

Total Cost: $44.99 with tip. Ordered the Meat Daddy Platter. Came with 1/4 lb brisket, 1/4 lb of pulled pork, 1/4 lb of turkey, 4 ribs, 1 sausage, and two sides. Choose the brisket mac & cheese and the cheesy garlic mashed potatoes. Also came with a fountain drink, so I got sweet tea and ordered a Gravity Amber on the side (separate charge at the bar)

Type of Wood: Oak & cherry

Type of Smoker: Electric or gas? (Unsure, as I didn’t see a trailer or pit out back and couldn’t see into the kitchen)

Type of Seasoning: Salt, pepper, in-house blend

Best Dish: Brisket

Best Sauce: Texas Hot

Best Side: Cheesy garlic mashed potatoes

Interior Description: Sitting inside a newer built strip mall, in a planned suburban shopping district, there is seating for probably close to 100 between the indoor and outdoor options. Inside has concrete polished floors running throughout, with a combination of black corrugated steel, brick, and stained/reclaimed wood aligning the walls and the ceiling. It has a new age bbq vibe to it, without being overly corporate or cookie-cutter about it. You order traditional cafeteria line style, leading you into the fountain drinks, sweet tea and bbq sauce station, before flowing past a fully stocked bar into indoor and outdoor seating options. BBQ sauces and paper towels adorn every table, with mostly metal chairs, stools, and wooden benches available for seating

Pro Tip: Stick to the brisket and cheesy garlic mashed potatoes and avoid the pork options

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 8.75/10

Seasoning: Salt & pepper

Description: Served as lean slices for the platter, the brisket has a nice smoke flavor that comes through with each bite, and was well seasoned, but could have used a little bit more. That said, they did have a nice peppery finish to them.  Even though the lean slices were from the end, they were all juicy and well trimmed, with just enough fat to them. Minimal smoke ring to each piece, but a really solid brisket overall and would get again. For being a St. Louis style bbq spot, I had slightly lower than average expectations for the brisket, so was pleasantly surprised when it was as good as it was

Baby Back Ribs 

0/10 Ranking: 7.25 to 7.5/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, others (maybe paprika or the house rub)

Description: Bland is the first word needed to describe these ribs. Was surprised they weren’t sauced, especially with being St. Louis style for bbq, but that unfortunately didn’t help its cause. While they looked appealing and well seasoning from the outside, they were unfortunately pretty flavorless, with minimal smoke or seasoning coming through. That said, they were mostly well cooked, as they were tender and had a nice meat to fat ratio, but just didn’t have enough pulled together to make it one to get again. Skip it 

Pulled Pork

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 7.75/10

Seasoning: Unsure, but minimal

Description:  While it was a juicy pulled pork, it was slightly overcooked and was, similarly to the ribs, rather bland. Low level of smoke coming through and have to search a bit for seasoned pieces. No bark to speak of, leaves this one on the not to order again list

Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage 

0/10 Ranking: 7.75 to 8/10

Description:  Whole sausage link, sliced up. Had a little bit of snap to the casing, but was mostly limp. Creamy interior, especially with the melted cheddar cheese, that has a nice spice kick with the jalapeño coming through on the backend. No real smoke flavor to speak or to be found, but still an enjoyable cheddar sausage for yourself or to share, but nothing special overall either 

Turkey

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Seasoning: Looks like the house-blend

Description: Really juicy turkey that’s thinly sliced. Not a ton of seasoning or smoke coming through, but it was cooked perfectly, with it being tender and moist to each bite, but I would have liked some more smokiness to come through. Not a must order, but would get again to split with the table 

Sauces

Description: Didn’t officially review any, but tried them all with Texas Hot being the best, but they were all pretty average

Sides – Brisket Mac & Cheese

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Description: Sauced and chopped brisket on top of the mac. Not the biggest fan of the sauce they used, but the mac was super creamy with the noodles being just slightly past al dente. Good dish, but also needs more seasoning to it. Would get again though but not a must order 

Sides – Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

0/10 Ranking: 8.75 to 9/10

Description: Heavy on the garlic in all the best ways. This one may stick with you for a while, so fair warning. That said, they are worth the potent breath, as they are velvety smooth, with some very small but enjoyable mashed pieces still finding their way through in each bite. One of the most flavorful mashed potatoes I’ve had at bbq spots in Colorado, would absolutely order these again

Interior & Menu Photos:

Brad’s Pit BBQ

/ Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 8.25/10 and Yes. Located in a small strip mall in Littleton, right next door to Locavore Beer Works, Brad’s started as a food truck and has since turned into a small Brick & Mortar, while still operating his catering and food truck options as well. Also, when I say a small B&M, I mean there’s no indoor seating options available, like at all. You walk in, place an order at the register and then can either sit outside on one of the 6-10 picnic tables they share with Locavore or you can head inside to Locavore (as long as you’re also buying a beer from them of course, but they have a nice tap list to choose from) to wait for and then eat your meal, which Brad’s team will walk over once it’s ready. As far as the meat goes, while I typically prefer oak over hickory smoked, Brad does a nice job staying true to his hickory style and delivers some of the smokier meats in the greater Denver area. Where they do get a knock is for not having a current indoor seating option of their own, to truly create their own atmosphere and experience. While the staff is extremely friendly, there’s no real ambiance to speak of with its limited interior and without even a whiff of hickory smoke in the air, they are unfortunately more dependent on being good at the bbq and letting Locavore handle the vibes/environment, especially come cold weather time. That said, they are a top option for Littleton BBQ and with its alliance to Locavore, it still checks all the normal boxes for what you’d expect for a bbq joint. Would come back again

Date Visited: 4/6/2025

Address: 5950 S Platte Canyon Rd Suite D 18, Littleton, CO 80123

Day of the Week: Sunday

Time of Day: 1:15 PM. Open at 12

Owner: Brad Hayes

Website: https://bradsbbq.com/

Number of Years in Business: Unsure, but I think 2021 or 2022

Number of People in Line: 0, but 6 had already ordered and 2 ordered after me

Regional Style of BBQ: Texas Style

Total Cost: $43.45 with tip. Ordered the 3 meats, two sides platter with 1/2 rack of ribs. Came with 1/4 lb brisket, 1/4 lb of pulled pork, 1/4 lb sausage, a side of fried okra, coleslaw, and included a slice of Texas Toast and pickles

Type of Wood: Hickory

Type of Smoker: Electric or gas? Unsure

Type of Seasoning: Salt, pepper, other ingredients, depending on the meat

Best Dish: Pulled Pork

Best Sauce: Didn’t try any

Best Side: Fried Okra

Interior Description: There is no interior. You walk inside to an order window, and that’s it, not a place to sit inside, but they do have seating with 6-10 picnic tables outside that they share with Locavore Beer Works. As a heads up, they also, as of this date, don’t have a liquor license, so no alcoholic or N/A options are available, only sodas. However, you can wait and order beers inside Locavore, which has plenty of seating, and they can bring you your food when it’s ready

Pro Tip: Go for the brisket and fried okra, then go grab a pint or flight of beers from Locavore next door. As a heads up, that’s also where the only bathrooms are available

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and others

Description: All lean cut pieces, but each one was still very juicy and had a nice flavor in each bite. The hickory smokiness is noticeable without being too much or overpowering, with a nice pepper and salt blend for the seasoning. Not much of a smoke ring or bark to it, but one of the better briskets in Denver that I’ve had recently. Would order again

Pork Spare Ribs 

0/10 Ranking: 8.25 to 8.5/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and others

Description: The hickory smoke comes through right away in each bite with these. Thick ribs that were served without sauce, and were tender but not quite fall-off-the-bone. They had a nice meat-to-fat ratio, but were slightly under-seasoned and just a little dry. That said, I would order them again

Pulled Pork

0/10 Ranking: 8.75 to 9/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Chopped vs pulled pork for the meat prep, this one has some great overall flavor. Really moist with a nice smokiness and seasoning to it. It had some nice bark mixed in as well. One of the better pulled porks I’ve had in Colorado and probably a top 10 pulled pork for the state. Would for sure order this one again

Sausage 

0/10 Ranking: 7.75/10

Description: Sliced up when served, with not much of a snap to the casing. It had a lightly spicy seasoning to its sausage mix, with a nice creamy texture, but also nothing of note or that was unique for the flavor of the sausage itself. Can skip this one

Chicken

Description: Didn’t order this one, but have been since told by several people that I need to try this the next time I’m there

Sauces

Description: None reviewed

Sides – Fried Okra

0/10 Ranking: 8.25 to 8.5/10

Description: Well-cooked, where they still had a little crunch to them. A nice breading as well, with a light seasoning mixed in, but needs some more to it and a little more salt. Would order again, though

Sides – Coleslaw

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Description: Mayo-based, but lightly dressed. Mix of carrot, green, and red cabbage. Light and crunchy, and decent overall, but also nothing too special. Would get some to share with the table, but 50/50 on an order just for myself

Interior & Menu Photos:

Nordy’s Bar-B-Que & Grill

/ Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 7.5/10. Maybe, especially with a younger family looking for affordable bbq and a chill setting, but nothing special overall. They have an average floor for the quality across its smoked meats, but also a lower ceiling than the majority of its Colorado counterparts across all its offerings as well. That said, it was packed when I walked in mid-afternoon, leaving me to find a spot in the bar seating area. As soon as when you walk in, there is a light, enjoyable smell of hickory smoke that is not too overpowering and lingers lightly and pleasantly in the air. Functioning more grill/restaurant than traditional bbq joint, they have a wide menu with plenty of alternative dishes such as burgers, sandwiches, and even some salad options for your meat wary friends or family members. Service was solid and it has a laid back, local hang out vibe to it, which makes for a chill and casual spot to visit. While the bbq isn’t winning any awards from me, they make up for it with a welcoming and warm environment at an affordable price

Date Visited: 4/5/2025

Address: 4360 St Cloud Dr, Loveland, CO 80538

Day of the Week: Saturday

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

Owner: Eric & Shannon Nordhagen

Website: https://nordysbbq.com/

Number of Years in Business: Opened in 2008

Number of People in Line: The Place was to capacity, with a 20-minute wait for tables, but open seating at the bar. Easily over 125+

Regional Style of BBQ: Texas Style

Total Cost: $59.55 with tip. Ordered “The Feast for 1” + 1/4lb of brisket and 1 Hazer Tag IPA. The feast came with St Louis Style Spare Ribs, 1/2 a roasted chicken, Carolina pulled pork, and smoked sausage. Came with three sides of Mac & Cheese, Pasta Slaw, and Fried Okra, plus cornbread tossed in

Type of Wood: Hickory

Type of Smoker: Unsure, maybe gas or electric, as the only smoker outside I saw was attached to a trailer and appeared propane-powered. Looked like electric smokers from what I could see into the kitchen

Type of Seasoning: No signature style I noticed, but sauced everything

Best Dish: Pulled Pork

Best Sauce: Didn’t try or review

Best Side: Corn Bread

Interior Description: More restaurant style than traditional bbq spot, in that you check in with the host and order at your table or you grab an open chair or table in the bar area and place it there. Large spot with plenty of seating, that has more of a sports bar meets bbq vibe, with professional sports jerseys, beer signs, and racing hoods lining the walls. Leaning more bbq on the flip side, there was an iced tea station, along with wooden luxury vinyl floors and a modern wooden ceiling and walls that were clearly from a custom design, it’s a clean, organized, and family-friendly spot

Pro Tip: Get here early, as I was shocked to see there was a wait when I rolled in and was lucky to find the one open seat at the bar

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 7.75/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, potentially more, but was sauced so couldn’t fully tell

Description: Minimal bark or smoke flavor coming through and had about a 1/4 inch of red ring to it, which they then unfortunately, poured bbq sauce over and sprinkled it with pepper on top (that was a new one and not in a good way, even as a pepper lover). That said, it was tender and juicy for each bite, but also nothing special overall. Skip for the next time, but if you do order it, ask for it without the sauce, as it takes over the entire flavor profile otherwise and drowns out the others

St Louis Style Spare Ribs 

0/10 Ranking: 7.5/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, potentially others

Description: These were some of the leanest and skinniest ribs I’ve ever had, so it admittedly didn’t start off great and didn’t get much better from there. In terms of tenderness, they were a little tough and slightly chewy and seemed to have more of a grilled than smoked taste to them. Similar to the brisket, these were lathered in sauce and really didn’t have anything special to them, as they tasted like someone grilled them on their home setup. Skip em

Pulled Pork

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Very juicy pulled pork, with a little smokiness to them, and also covered in sauce similar to the other meats and then served on garlic toast. One of the better meats here, but not typical Texas Style with the saucing and hickory, and leans more midwestern KC sweet over savory. May order this one again, but probably better as a sandwich option

Sausage 

0/10 Ranking: 7.5/10

Description: Almost tasted and looked like ring bologna vs a sausage. Had a light snap to the casing and a creamy interior texture. With basically no smoke flavor coming through, it’s not worth getting again unless you’re craving a taste of childhood with the ring bologna nostalgia

Chicken

0/10 Ranking: 7.75 to 8/10

Description: Tastes like roasted chicken vs smoked, so be prepared for that. The order came with 1/2 a chicken, and while the skin was crispy and had good flavor to it, the interior chicken was dry and pretty bland and tasteless. 50/50 on skipping for next time, especially with it not really being a true bbq/smoked chicken

Sides – Mac & Cheese

0/10 Ranking: 7.75 to 8/10

Description: Creamy and cooked a little past al dente, it did have good overall flavor, but also nothing noteworthy or unique about it. Could flip a coin on ordering again

Sides – Pasta Slaw

0/10 Ranking: 7.75 to 8/10

Description: This one was a new one that I hadn’t come across before, so I had to try it out of curiosity. To the name, it’s coleslaw mixed with pasta, with the cabbage staying crunchy and having a light sweetness and acidity balance to it, but might be a little too heavy on the mayo. The pasta was a slightly weird addition and partner to this dish, that my brain and taste buds couldn’t quite figure out what to do with and left me confused on if I enjoyed it or not, but I will probably try it again

Sides – Fried Okra

0/10 Ranking: 7.75 to 8/10

Description: Light breading to them in addition to being well fried, but had no real seasoning to each bite and desperately needed salt or a sauce to dip them into. That said, they were cooked really well, as they still had a light bite and structure to them without being mushy, but also not the best I’ve had in Colorado. I’m a sucker for okra, so would probably get them again and request some sauce

Sides – Corn Bread

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Description: Best side I had and it was included at no cost, so even better. The cornbread was sweet and had a nice light crunch to the top of the muffin. The interior was warm and moist, but without being undercooked and doughy, making for an enjoyable bite each time. Overall, really tasty and one of the better cornbreads I’ve had in a while, 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:

B-Man ‘s BBQ

/ Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 8.25 to 8.5/10 and Yes. B-Man’s is tucked in a small little industrial neighborhood just off Hwy 85, surrounded by camper storage lots, some private businesses, and junk yards. That said, it gives it a nice low key vibe and also has great views of the front range mountains in the distance. Walking up to the building, you get a nice smell of smoke before you open the door, with a friendly staff and welcoming interior waiting for you inside. Outside, you have the primary smoker right front, along side some unique metal pig art. In terms of the food, the brisket was solid and the other meats were on par as well, so would certainly visit again if in the area, but nothing that was a must have. Worth stopping by, especially on a nice weather day to enjoy some good bbq and nice outside seating views, with or without your dogs and family

Date Visited: 9/7/2024

Address: 5500 N Plum Ave, Sedalia, CO 80135

Day of the Week: Saturday

Time of Day: 11:35 AM, Open at 11:00 AM

Owner: Brian Martinez & Will Johnson (Navy Friends)

Website: https://bmansbbq.com/

Number of Years in Business: N/A

Number of People in Line: 1 and then 4 came after me and two had large to-go orders

Regional Style of BBQ: N/A

Total Cost: $36.57 with tip. 3 Meat combo platter with fried pickles. Brisket, pulled pork, and sausage plus two rolls and a Fat Tire

Type of Wood: N/A

Type of Smoker: Multi-chamber off-set smoker. Looked custom built

Type of Seasoning: N/A

Best Dish: Brisket

Best Sauce: Mild

Best Side: Fried Pickles

Interior Description: Gave me small cottage vibes when I walked in, with seating for maybe 30 people. You order at the window and then get your food delivered to your table, either inside or out. Depending on the season, would recommend sitting outside for the views of the mountains and so you can bring your furry friends as well

Pro Tip: Get the brisket and fried pickles, as they are one of the few places that has them

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Seasoning: Unsure, but at least salt and pepper

Description: The combo portion came with three lean cut pieces with a nice 1/2″ smoke ring and a perfect fat trim at the bottom. Tender and juicy with a nice bite to the them, but were just a little bit firmer than I would have liked. Not really much for bark, but the seasoning and the smoke is well blended for a tasty and balanced bite each time. They could have used a little more smoke and pepper to it, but absolutely would get this one again and was their best meat overall

Pulled Pork

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Juicy with some nice seasoning to it. Tender and melt in your mouth texture, but not mushy and actually had some bark on some pieces as well, which is a feat to accomplish. Was slightly too salty though and could have used a little more smoke flavor to it, but a solid pulled pork overall and would get again. While no sauce is needed, if you did want to add some, I’d recommend the Mild as the best option. It’s the best one for preserving the pork’s flavor, while still bringing a nice sweetness to it that doesn’t over power the meat’s original taste. The Hot bbq sauce takes over the flavor of the pork and the palate. Even though the spice and taste of the Hot is enjoyable, it becomes the only flavor you taste very quickly

Sausage 

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Description: Smoked, cut up, and then sauced. Had a nice meat to fat ratio, while still having a taut casing to it. Could have used a little less sauce to it, but good overall. Would get again, but also not making a special stop for them either

Sauces – Mild

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Description: A thin sauce that is slightly sweet, but not over the top with it. Has a little bit of acidity to it, with a nice flavor overall. Good with the pulled pork

Sauces – Hot

0/10 Ranking: 7.75/10

Description: Thin sauce as well, that does live up to its name, but goes slightly too far with the heat. Unless you’re a hot sauce fanatic, go easy when applying to your bbq, as it will overpower almost all of the other flavors with its spice. One of the spiciest Hot BBQ sauces in Colorado, so would recommend it if that’s your thing, but if not, proceed with caution

Sides – Fried Pickles

0/10 Ranking: 8.25/10

Description: Pickle chips with a nice light breading and some mild seasoning to it as well. The pickles were crispy without being overcooked and had a nice salt and acidity balance to them. One order should be split between 2-3 people though, but is also a solid value at only $6. Would get again

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: