Pork Spare Ribs – 11/13/2022
Smoking
Smoked Chicken Wings – 8/13/2022
Pork Spare Ribs – 7/31/2022
The starting point of my own barbecue and smoking journey – 6/3/2022
Type of Smoker: Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker
KT’s BBQ
Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 7.5 to 8/10, and maybe. We decided the try out one of the Front Range’s running barbecue joints in KT’s BBQ after an early morning hike with the dogs. Upon walking up to the old house turned barbecue restaurant, we were pleasantly greeted with the smell of hickory smoke all around us, which only intensified once we went inside. The staff were friendly and provided great service, even being so kind as to come out with some chicken in a cup for our dogs. As far as the barbecue itself, we weren’t overly blown away by any dish outside of the hot links, but the ribs and the brisket were decent overall. Would give them another try down the line, but could easily skip the pulled pork the next time around
Date Visited: 6/22/2024
Address: 7464 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, CO 80303
Day of the Week: Saturday
Time of Day: 1:05 PM. Open at 11 AM
Owner: Kirk & Tricia Jamison (aka KT)
Website: https://www.ktsbbq.com/
Number of Years in Business: Opened this original location on January 3rd, 1992. Opened second downtown Boulder location in 1995
Number of People in Line: 0, but 4 people came in after us
Regional Style of BBQ: Memphis
Total Cost: $65 with Tip for two people. Ordered full rack of ribs for Saturday $24 special, 1/2 lb of brisket, 1/4 lb pulled pork, hot link, coleslaw, red skinned mashers, and 2 soft drinks
Type of Wood: Hickory
Type of Smoker: Vertical
Type of Seasoning: Varies
Best Dish: Hot Link
Best Sauce: Didn’t review
Best Side: Coleslaw
Interior Description: Small interior section with seating for maybe 10-15, but has additional seating outside that is dog-friendly. The restaurant is a converted old house, so it has a small, cozy feel to it, with wood-lined walls and hickory smoke lingering in the air
Pro Tip: Go for the hot link and coleslaw, maybe the ribs
Brisket
0/10 Ranking: 7.5/10
Seasoning: Unsure beyond salt and pepper
Description: They chop the brisket which I’m not a fan of typically, but the brisket was still good overall. Tender, but on the tougher side, it had a nice hickory smokiness coming through, but not much else for flavor or seasoning. 50/50 on if I would order again
Pork Spare Ribs
0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10
Seasoning: Unsure
Description: Tender and almost fall off the bone, but were a little dried out and slightly overcooked. I think they add a little bit of BBQ sauce to them during the smoking process, as they did have a creamy texture to the top, but they do have some seasoning on the outside, and the hickory comes through nicely. Similarly, unsure on if I would order again
Pulled Pork
0/10 Ranking: 6.5 to 7/10
Seasoning: Unsure
Description: The pulled pork was very dried out with little seasoning or smoke flavor coming through at all, and no bark to speak of. Skip it
Hot Link Sausage
0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10
Description: Reminds me of a smoked summer sausage with a really good smokiness and flavor overall. One of the staff said they get it from a producer in town, so not in-house. It was slightly dried out, but still a really good sausage that had a nice little kick of spice to it. Would order these again
Sauces – No reviews given
Sides – Coleslaw
0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10
Description: Light and crisp with minimal mayo to it. Not overly seasoned, but it cuts all of the meat fattiness really well. Would order this again, no question
Sides – Red Skinned Mashers
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Description: Creamy and well blended, it had a good taste but was also pretty mild in flavor. Would get it again, but it needs some slat or something else added to it to take it over the top
Interior & Menu Photos:
Smokin’ Outlaw Kitchen
Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 7.5 to 8/10 and maybe worth a stop. Upon arrival, they had Eric Clapton and blues music playing, but no smoke smell to really speak of. Overall, the barbecue didn’t really blow me away, but he makes a great hot sauce, and the service was top-notch. The staff and the owner were super friendly and welcoming, so I would stop by and try them out again, as I may have just caught them on an off day
Date Visited: 6/19/2024
Address: 4211 S Natches Ct a, Englewood, CO 80110
Day of the Week: Wednesday
Time of Day: 10:55 AM. Opens at 10:30 AM
Owner: Brandon Hawk
Website: https://smokinoutlawkitchen.us/
Number of Years in Business: Opened as a food tuck in 2019 and brick and mortar in 2021
Number of People in Line: 0, but 3 came in after for to-go orders and 4 came in to sit while I was finishing up
Regional Style of BBQ: Oklahoma/Texas
Total Cost: $33.22 before tip. Ordered 3 meat 2 side combo platter with a hot link, jalapeno cornbread, and soda added on. Got the brisket, two ribs, & pulled pork with bacon mac and cheese and the chili corn
Type of Wood: Oak
Type of Smoker: Split offset
Type of Seasoning: Mostly just salt and pepper
Best Dish: Hot Link
Best Sauce: Hot
Best Side: Bacon mac & cheese
Interior Description: Had 5 picnic tables for seating, but are expanding into the back for probably double the seating space. Wanted Outlaw Reward signs hang next to old western rifles and pistols, as they line the walls along with a few barbecue-themed ones. Small and cozy little BBQ spot to pop into off of Santa Fe
Pro Tip: Go with the hot links, and pulled pork with the hot sauce
Brisket
0/10 Ranking: 7/10
Seasoning: Salt & pepper
Description: Didn’t ask if I wanted it fatty or lean, just served as is. Ended up being a fatty and thick cut, which had minimal bark and seasoning to it. It was tough and a little dried out, as it looks like it may have been cut the day before and simply reheated on the grill. I’d skip this the next time around unless I was for sure getting a freshly cut piece
Pork Spare Ribs
0/10 Ranking: 7.5/10
Seasoning: Unsure, but light seasoning
Description: Minimal seasoning on these, and they also appear to have been precut from a former batch and then placed on a grill to heat back up, as the grill marks were clearly visible. Sadly, this left the ribs a little tough and chewy, but their saving grace was that they did have a nice smokiness to them. Would try them again in a half-rack to see if it improves
Pulled Pork
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Seasoning: Unsure
Description: Really juicy overall, but needs some seasoning added to it, as it was pretty light with the flavoring that comes through. That said, adding the hot sauce gives it a nice pop of flavor to enhance it. Would order again
Louisiana Hotlink Sausage
0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10
Description: They don’t make them in-house, but they had a great flavor and blend of meat to fat ratio. Splits them for a quick turn on the grill, and the casings had a nice snap to them, with a dash of heat to each bite. Best thing they had and would get again
Sauces – Original
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Description: Thicker and sweeter than the hot sauce, it had a good smokiness to it and wasn’t overly sweet. Vaguely reminds me of KC Masterclass BBQ Sauce
Sauces – Hot
0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10
Description: One of the better hot BBQ sauces I have had in a while. It’s thin in its consistency, but never approaches being watery. Has a good flavor and a perfect heat level to it. Would order and use again, especially with the pulled pork
Sauces – Carolina Mustard
0/10 Ranking: 8 to 8.5/10
Description: A thin sauce as well, that has a good vinegar pop to it. Finished light and doesn’t lean too heavily into the mustard flavoring. Would use again as well
Sides – Bacon Mac & Cheese
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Description: Noodles were al dente with a nice smokiness coming through each bite. Creamy consistency and nice bacon bits throughout the dish. Good portion size and flavoring make this a yes for ordering again
Sides – Chili Corn
0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10
Description: Corn was crisp, with what looked like marinated bell pepper strips and green chili added in. It was okay overall, but not a dish I would normally have gotten. Definitely a unique option that I haven’t seen anywhere else, but I would probably skip it next time
Sides – Jalapeno Cornbread
0/10 Ranking: 8/10
Description: Moist with a nice jalapeno flavor and heat coming through each bite. Hits the spot if craving some southern cornbread and would order again
Interior & Menu Photos:
Peg Leg Porker
Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 9/10 and Yes. Even though we had to park two blocks away, as soon as we opened the car doors, we could already smell the delicious BBQ that awaited us. When walking up, you’re greeted by pig-themed artwork and neon lights, guiding you into your pork haven. A heads up for any brisket fans, that they will need to scratch their itch elsewhere, as Peg Leg exclusively deals in hog, with a little chicken added on the side. That said, they certainly know what they are doing when it comes to crafting delicious pork barbecue, and anyone in the area should certainly make a stop, especially for the pulled pork. Laid back vibes, fantastic smells & tastes, with affordable pricing make this an easy recommendation to add as a pit stop on your next adventure in Nashville
Date Visited: 2/10/2023
Address: 903 Gleaves St, Nashville, TN 37203
Day of the Week: Friday
Time of Day: 1:08 PM. Open at 11 AM
Owner: Carey and Delaniah Bringle
Website: https://peglegporker.com/
Number of Years in Business: Opened in 2013, but has been catering since 1998
Number of People in Line: 6 in line, with about 30 waiting for their order or already sitting down
Regional Style of BBQ: Nashville Style and Memphis Style dry rub ribs
Total Cost: N/A
Type of Wood: Hickory
Type of Smoker: Electric
Type of Seasoning: In-house blends and rubs
Best Dish: Pulled pork
Best Sauce: None reviewed, but several in-house made options available
Best Side: None reviewed, but the kool-aid pickles are a unique option to try out if you’ve never had them
Interior Description: Laid back sports bar themed vibes. Walk-up window for ordering your food, with several seating options inside and out, depending on your preference, with a full bar and the smell of hickory smoke hanging heavy in the air inside or out
Pro Tip: Arrive early if you can, as some locals I was talking to say it can run out on the weekends, with lines starting early. Order the pulled pork in whatever variation pleases you, as it is some of the best I’ve had
St Louis Style Spare Ribs
0/10 Ranking: 8 to 8.5/10
Seasoning: Coated with a in-house dry rub
Description: Very tasty rib overall. They had good smoke and seasoning in each bite, with the ratio being a pretty perfect blend so that you could taste both simultaneously. As far as texture, while they weren’t fall-off-the-bone tender, they also weren’t tough either. They could have been a little moister, but the ribs were trimmed well for a nice fat and meat balance. Would order again
Pulled Pork
0/10 Ranking: 9/10
Seasoning: Unsure
Description: Super juicy with a great smoke flavor coming through each bite. One of the best pulled porks I’ve had, with no sauce needed on this one. Great blend of meat and fat with a very tasty seasoned bark on the outside, with just a little bit of crunch to it. Would absolutely order this one again
Sauces – None reviewed, but had several available
Sides – None reviewed, but had kool aid pickles, mac & cheese, smoked green beans, and coleslaw
Interior & Menu Photos:
Genesee Pub and BBQ
Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 8/10 and Yes. Good BBQ overall and a quick, easy stop either on your way up 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 whether 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-to-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 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 whether I would order again. Creamy with al dente noodles, but unfortunately, it had low flavor and needed 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 tasted like Bush’s Baked Beans, and could skip for the next order
Interior & Menu Photos:
Rolling Smoke BBQ
Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 7/10 and maybe. Might be worth a stop for brisket or burnt ends if you’re popping in earlier in the day, but could also easily just skip it for some better overall options around Denver
Date Visited: 12/1/2020
Address: 7470 S University Blvd, Centennial, CO 80122. Other locations at the Golden Mill, Stanley Marketplace, and Wheat Ridge
Day of the Week: Tuesday
Time of Day: 11:10 AM. Open at 11:00 AM
Owner: Terry Walsh, originally from Oklahoma
Website: https://rollingsmokebbq.com/
Number of Years in Business: Opened March 2014 as a food truck, then 2017 at Stanley Marketplace and February 2018 for this location
Number of People in Line: 0
Regional Style of BBQ: Unsure
Total Cost: N/A
Type of Wood: N/A
Type of Smoker: N/A
Type of Seasoning: N/A
Best Dish: Brisket or burnt ends
Best Sauce: N/A
Best Side: N/A
Interior Description: At the end of a strip mall in the suburbs. Nothing special about the interior, but they do have a large offset smoker outside
Pro Tip: Stick to the brisket and burnt ends
Brisket
0/10 Ranking: 8.5/10
Seasoning: Salt, pepper, maybe others
Description: Some of the best-flavored brisket I’ve had in Denver for smokiness. Had about a quarter of an inch of a smoke ring going around it and had some good bark, but it was overcooked and a little dried out for my order. May have just gotten a bad piece, but definitely a little tougher and drier than some of the other briskets. Good flavor, though, and would try and order again
Burnt Ends
0/10 Ranking: 8 to 8.5/10
Seasoning: Salt, pepper, maybe some others
Description: Burnt ends were tasty, and they had a good combination of fat, meat, and seasoning in each one. They were slightly over-seasoned with salt and a little bit overdone, but don’t need any sauce and can stand on their own. I would order them again
St Louis Style Ribs
0/10 Ranking: 6.5 to 7/10
Seasoning: Unsure
Description: The ribs were tender, but had very little seasoning and smoke flavor that came through with each bite. Need the sauce to salvage them, which is OK, but nothing special. Wouldn’t come back for them again
Pulled Pork
0/10 Ranking: 6 to 6.5/10
Seasoning: Unsure
Description: Nothing special at all, as it was very bland, but it was at least moist for a saving grace. However, no smoke flavor or anything really coming through. Would not order again, very average
Sauces – Need review
Sides – None ordered, need review
Interior & Menu Photos: N/A
GQue BBQ
Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 8.25/10 and Yes. With multiple locations across the Front Range, GQue has certainly earned its ranking and success by producing some of the best pulled pork in the state. Decent little spot for grabbing some BBQ, stick with the pork options, and you can’t go wrong
Date Visited: 12/23/2020
Address: 5160 W 120th Ave, Westminster, CO 80020. Multiple locations in Lone Tree, Lakewood, Denver, Folsom Field
Day of the Week: Wednesday
Time of Day: 12:23 PM. Open at 11:00 AM
Owner: Jason Ganahl
Website: https://gquebbq.com/
Number of Years in Business: Opened in November 2015
Number of People in Line: 0, but a few sitting down
Regional Style of BBQ: Combination of several regions
Total Cost: N/A
Type of Wood: Hickory shipped in from eastern Kansas
Type of Smoker: N/A
Type of Seasoning: N/A
Best Dish: Pulled Pork, maybe their ribs
Best Sauce: Not reviewed
Best Side: None ordered
Interior Description: Low-key interior at the end of a strip mall, with awards, photos, and cut wood stacked along some of the walls, with walk-up ordering
Pro Tip: Go for the pulled pork, ribs, or burnt ends
Brisket
0/10 Ranking: 7.5 to 8/10
Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and others
Description: Use a blend of seasonings for their brisket. One of the juicier briskets in Denver, with good hickory smoke flavor running through it. That said, the seasoning was too light and needed more, with about a 1/4 inch smoke ring to it. Doesn’t need any sauce, but the house tangy is a nice addition and one of the few bbq sauces I’ve really really enjoyed. Said they smoke the brisket for 13-14 hours and use the same seasoning blend for the brisket as the ribs. Seasoning has a unique eastern asian flavor to it that doesn’t taste like your standard American barbecue, but is good overall. Was also some of the thickest cut brisket I’ve had. 50/50 on if I’d order again
Burnt Ends
0/10 Ranking: 8 to 8.5/10
Description: Good blend of fat and meat to each piece, with good smokiness and bark to them, and seasoned well overall. They were a little tough to chew on some of the cuts, however, I can’t say they are the best of the best, but they are pretty solid for the most part and are probably close to a top 10 burnt end in Colorado
Pork Spare Ribs
0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10
Seasoning: Same as brisket
Description: These are some sweet ribs with strong tastes of brown sugar running through them. Moist and juicy, but they were a little tough to the bite. A very unique sweetness running through them, giving me hints of eastern asian flavors. Had a light wisp of smoke to them, but pretty mild overall. A good rib with a unique flavor, would put them in the top 5 in Denver, but certainly not a traditional style seasoning. Would get again
Pulled Pork
0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 9/10
Description: One of the better pulled porks I’ve had in Denver. It was a little tough and chewy, but some of the best individual flavoring I’ve had in the state. Had a small amount of hickory coming through for the smoke flavor, but could have used more to it. They sprinkle a little bit of the seasoning over the top of the pulled pork as well. It was moist and had enough flavor that it didn’t require sauce, but the Tangy is a nice addition if adding some on. Would order again as this is one of the better pulled porks in the state
Sauces – Tangy – Needs review
Interior & Menu Photos: Didn’t take any
The House of Salt & Smoke 