Post Oak – Round 2 & 3

January 20, 2025May 20, 2025 / Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

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

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

Address: 4000 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212

Day of the Week: Saturday

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

Owner: Nick Prince

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

Number of Years in Business: June 26th, 2019

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

Regional Style of BBQ: Central Texas-Style

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

Type of Wood: Post Oak

Type of Smoker: Multiple versions, but all wood fired

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

Best Dish: Brisket

Best Sauce: Need Review

Best Side: Fried Okra

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

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

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 9.25/10

Seasoning: Salt and pepper, maybe garlic

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

Beef Rib

0/10 Ranking: 9.25/10

Seasoning: Salt and pepper

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

St Louis Style Heritage Pork Spare Ribs

0/10 Ranking: 8.75/10

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

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

Sausage – Black Pepper

0/10 Ranking: 8.75/10

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

Sausage – Guiness Bison Bratwurst

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

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

Turkey

0/10 Ranking: 9/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, maybe others?

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

Sauces – Didn’t Review

Sides – Fried Okra

0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 8.75/10

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

Sides – Jalapeno Coleslaw

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

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

Interior & Menu Photos:

Serious Texas B-B-Q

January 19, 2025January 19, 2025 / 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:

AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q – Round 2

October 13, 2024October 13, 2024 / Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

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, 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 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 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 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 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 for the jalapeno being in it and 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 having a good snap to the casing. Medium level of spiciness for a jerk sausage where the spice hits quickly on the 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 smokey 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: Smokey 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 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. Wasn’t overly sweet either and was a really nice light dessert option. Would absolutely order again

Interior & Menu Photos:

Burnt End BBQ

July 13, 2024July 13, 2024 / 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:

Genesee Pub and BBQ

June 23, 2024June 24, 2024 / Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

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

Date Visited: 6/1/2024

Address: 25948 Genesee Trail Rd, Golde, CO 801401

Day of the Week: Saturday

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

Owner: Scott and Matthew Smith (Father & Son)

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

Number of Years in Business: Opened in May 2017

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

Regional Style of BBQ: Texas

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

Type of Wood: Hickory

Type of Smoker: Electric

Type of Seasoning: Salt & pepper typically

Best Dish: Kielbasa Sausage

Best Sauce: Spicy

Best Side: Fried okra

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

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

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Seasoning: Salt & pepper

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

Pork Spare Ribs

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10

Seasoning: Unsure

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

Pulled Pork

0/10 Ranking: 7.5/10

Seasoning: Unsure

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

Kielbasa Sausage

0/10 Ranking: 8 to 8.5/10

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

Chicken

0/10 Ranking: 7/10

Seasoning: Unsure

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

Turkey

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Seasoning: Unsure

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

Sauces – Original

0/10 Ranking: 7.5/10

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

Sauces – Spicy

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

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

Sauces – Carolina Mustard

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10

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

Sides – Fried Okra

0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10

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

Sides – Mac & Cheese

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10

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

Sides – Coleslaw

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

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

Sides – Baked Beans

0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10

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

Interior & Menu Photos:

Scooter’s Smokehouse & Grill

February 19, 2024January 22, 2025 / Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 8.5 to 9/10. Yes, definitely worth a stop, especially at their new location in Georgetown, which I’ll still need to visit, as this review was while they were still at their Conifer location. For high elevation barbecue, it’s hard to find better, as they do a solid job across the board with all of their meats, but the turkey and pulled pork were the clear winners from the order. Would recommend for anyone heading into the mountains for the weekend and especially for anyone coming back from an early morning 14er hike, as their menu is a perfect reward for guilt-free binge eating of BBQ

Date Visited: 6/4/2021

Address: This visit was at their original location in Conifer, but they have since moved to 1416 Argentine St, Georgetown, CO 80444

Day of the Week: Friday

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

Owner: Tyler, Kathy, & Mike Barnette

Website: Don’t have one listed, but do have an Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/scootersbbqcolorado/

Number of Years in Business: Since 2016 starting as a trailer, the moving to brick and mortar

Number of People in Line: 6 with 6 more seated

Regional Style of BBQ: Texas

Total Cost: $36 with tip. 1/4lb burnt ends, 1/4lb lean brisket, 1/4lb pulled pork, 2 ribs, 1/2lb turkey, 1 shiner bock

Type of Wood: Hickory

Type of Smoker: Commercial convection for the majority of smoking, but does have reverse offset smokers onsite too

Type of Seasoning: Salt and pepper for brisket, then additional for other meats

Best Dish: Turkey or Pulled Pork

Best Sauce: Didn’t try any

Best Side: Didn’t order any

Interior Description: They’ve since moved, but it was a simple mountain rustic interior, with maybe 5-8 tables and nice bar for ordering and grabbing a drink. Most people seemed to be grabbing to-go orders. Had some covered picnic tables for outdoor seating in the front as well

Pro Tip: Order the turkey and pulled pork for sure, with the brisket and ribs being optional, and could skip the burnt ends next time around

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Seasoning: Salt and pepper only

Description: Had the fatty cut for my order. Very juicy and good blend of fat and meat. Thickly cut pieces, but I would be willing and able to eat a few of them. Needs a little more seasoning as it’s still pretty light on the smoke flavor, but the hickory comes through nicely. Would order again

Burnt Ends

0/10 Ranking: 8/10

Seasoning: Salt and pepper

Description: Light sale and pepper covering, with hickory smoke being the main flavor coming through. More meaty than fatty, they were slightly dried out but tasty overall. Wouldn’t feel the need to order again over the fatty cut, but would eat a few for sharing at the table if available

Pork Spare Ribs

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Tender, but not quite fall off the bone. Light seasoning but really good hickory smoke coming through. No sauce needed for these ribs. Would order them again, but also nothing too over the top. Might be the 5th or 6th best in Colorado, but need to order again at the new location

Pulled Pork

0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: Great texture with the crunchy pieces of skin mixed in with the meat and fat. Definitely a Top 5 maybe Top 3 pulled pork in Colorado. The meat stands on its own and it doesn’t require sauce. That said, the original sauce does give it a little bit of extra sweetness if that’s your thing

Turkey

0/10 Ranking: 9 to 9.5/10

Seasoning: Unsure

Description: The turkey was extremely juicy with good smoke and seasoning flavoring coming through. Thinly slices, it may be Top 3 if not Top 2 turkey in Colorado. Leave the sauce off this one, as it stands on its own no problem. Quarter pound was enough with everything else ordered, but would absolutely get this one again

Interior & Menu Photos

Smok Barbecue

July 25, 2021January 22, 2025 / Mitch Clark / Leave a comment

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 9/10. Yes it is worth the visit. Great barbecue, reasonable prices, and good cheap beer options make it so you can’t go wrong coming here. While it feels weird saying, due to Smok being located in The Source and the slightly bougie atmosphere of the area, this may be the best overall barbecue joint in all of Colorado, even if it is missing the classic bbq vibe. No matter what style of barbecue is your favorite, you’ll be able to find a solid option when you venture into Smok with your group or just by yourself

Date Visited: 3/1/2021 and 3/18/2021

Address: 3330 Brighton Blvd #202, Denver, CO 80216

Day of the Week: Monday and Thursday

Time of Day: 11:00 AM both times. Opens at 11:00AM

Owner: William “Bill” Espiricueta

Website: https://www.denversmok.com/

Number of Years in Business: Opened in August 2018

Number of People in Line: 0 both times, but people starting coming in within the first 5 minutes

Regional Style of BBQ: Owner is originally from Kansas City, but takes his inspiration from several bbq styles

Total Cost: $42 with tip. 1/4lb brisket, 1/4lb burnt ends, 1/4lb smoked turkey, 1/2lb pork spare ribs (2 of them), & mac & cheese. Also had 1 Shiner Bock and was given 1/4lb pulled pork for free as they originally forgot to bring it out to me

Type of Wood: White American Oak

Type of Smoker: Steel Box upright smoker with off-set smoke connector

Type of Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and a custom blend of seasonings for everything that isn’t the brisket or burnt ends

Best Dish: Brisket

Best Sauce: Original (It’s the only one they make)

Best Side: Mac & Cheese

Interior Description: Inside The Source, so it has an industrial concrete feel and vibe to it. With the upscale location and feeling to Smok, it’s a welcomed surprise to see the meat and beer prices not reflect the environment

Pro Tip: Don’t sleep on the turkey, but brisket is king here.

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 9/10

Seasoning: Salt and pepper

Description: Smoky with good pepper flavoring running through it. I choice the lean option and even still, it had a perfect fat ring enclosing almost the entire piece. With a great blend of meat and fat to each bite, this may be the top brisket in Colorado. Zero sauce needed for enjoyment, each piece had a solid smoke ring running through it

Burnt Ends

0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10

Seasoning: Salt and pepper

Description: Good smoke and pepper flavor coming through, but they were slightly overdone. That said, they were extremely tasty and might have the most complex and deep flavored burnt ends in Colorado. Would order them again no question. For my second visit ordering them, I would say they were just as good as the 1st round, but the pieces were too big overall, leading them to being a little under seasoned. While they are a top 5 burnt end in the state, they need some more consistency before they take the number 1 spot

Pork Spare Ribs

0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and bbq rub

Description: Juicy with a good blend of fat and meat in each rib. While they were slightly overcooked and not fall off the bone tender, they had great flavor and smokiness that carried through each bite. Would put them in the top 5 for ribs in the state

Pulled Pork

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and a bbq in-house blend

Description: Juicy with some smoke a mild taste of smoke coming through each bite. Seems to be sprinkled with some seasoning post smoke session, but could use some more to increase the taste. While the pulled pork can be enjoyed by itself, it’s best with a little bit of their bbq sauce. Was also delicious when I reheated it for lunch the following day

Cheddar Sausage

0/10 Ranking: 9/10

Description: Good blend of meat and fat, with the most cheese running through it of any sausage I’ve had. Good backend smoke flavor as well, with a slight kick of heat. Almost had an andouille sausage type flavoring to it

Turkey

0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and in-house blend of spices

Description: Solid flavor and smoke comes through the entire piece of turkey. The skin had an extra kick of flavor to it and the meat was juicy, but just ever so slightly over done. Would recommend though as a nice change up to the more traditional bbq items, especially as most places don’t have turkey on their menu

Sauces – Original

0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10

Description: Sweet and tangy with some slight smokiness to it. Had a thicker viscosity than most sauces and one of the better ones I’ve had anywhere

Sides – Mac & Cheese

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Description: White cheddar and black pepper style. Creamy texture with a spiral pasta that was cooked perfectly al dente and had a good coating of pepper. Would order again

Sides – Creamed Corn

0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10

Description: Creamy sauce with crisp corn kernels, with a nice sprinkling of seasoning on top. Very enjoyable and flavorful dish and would order again