Colorado Has A Secret BBQ Scene And These 9 Spots Are Absolutely Smoked
When people think about Colorado, they usually picture snow-capped mountains, world-class skiing, and craft breweries lining every street corner.
But hidden beneath all that Rocky Mountain glory is a barbecue scene that rivals some of the most famous spots in Texas and Kansas City.
From slow-smoked brisket that falls apart at the first touch to ribs with bark so perfect it cracks like candy, Colorado’s pitmasters have been quietly perfecting their craft while the rest of the country wasn’t paying attention.
Whether you’re a local looking for your next favorite spot or a traveler passing through with a serious craving for real deal barbecue, these nine restaurants prove that Colorado’s smoke game is no joke.
1. GQue BBQ
Tucked into a Westminster strip mall where you’d least expect to find championship-level barbecue, GQue has been turning heads and winning competitions since day one. The husband-and-wife team behind this operation didn’t stumble into the barbecue business by accident.
They spent years competing on the national circuit, racking up awards and perfecting techniques that most backyard grillers only dream about.
Walking into GQue feels less like entering a restaurant and more like being welcomed into someone’s well-equipped backyard party. The smell hits you first, that unmistakable aroma of wood smoke and rendered fat that makes your stomach growl on command.
Their brisket gets most of the attention, and for good reason. Each slice showcases a deep smoke ring and that perfect balance between crusty bark and tender, juicy meat that practically melts on your tongue.
But don’t sleep on their burnt ends, which come out sticky, caramelized, and packed with enough flavor to make you forget you ever ordered anything else. The pulled pork holds its own too, with just enough vinegar tang to cut through the richness without overwhelming the smoke.
GQue proves that great barbecue doesn’t need a fancy location when the food speaks this loudly. Address: 5160 West 120th Ave Unit K, Westminster, CO 80020.
2. Smōk Barbecue (RiNo Denver)
Right in the heart of Denver’s artsy RiNo neighborhood, where street murals cover nearly every surface and craft breweries share walls with art galleries, Smōk Barbecue fits perfectly into the creative chaos. This isn’t your grandfather’s barbecue joint with checkered tablecloths and country music playing on repeat.
Instead, Smōk brings a modern, urban edge to traditional low-and-slow cooking methods that honor the craft while appealing to a younger, adventurous crowd.
The space itself reflects RiNo’s industrial vibe, with high ceilings, exposed ductwork, and an open kitchen where you can watch the pitmasters work their magic. Their menu reads like a greatest hits album of American barbecue styles, pulling inspiration from Texas, Carolina, and Kansas City traditions while adding their own Colorado twist.
The pork belly burnt ends deserve special mention, offering a fattier, richer alternative to the traditional beef version that somehow manages to be even more addictive.
Their sausages get made in-house, and the spice blends change with the seasons, keeping regulars coming back to see what’s new. The sides go beyond basic coleslaw and beans, incorporating local ingredients and unexpected flavor combinations that elevate the whole experience.
Address: 3330 Brighton Blvd #202, Denver, CO 80216.
3. Pit Fiend Barbecue
Named after a creature from Dungeons and Dragons lore, Pit Fiend brings a playful, almost nerdy enthusiasm to the serious business of smoking meat. Located in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood, this spot has cultivated a loyal following among locals who appreciate both the quality of the food and the genuine passion of the people behind the counter.
The owners aren’t trying to recreate some idealized version of Texas or Memphis barbecue. Instead, they’re cooking the food they want to eat, which happens to be incredibly delicious.
The menu stays focused and tight, which usually signals that a kitchen knows exactly what it’s doing. Their ribs come out tender enough to pull clean off the bone but with enough chew to remind you you’re eating real food, not some overcooked mush.
The dry rub they use builds layers of flavor without relying on sweetness, letting the quality of the meat and the smoke do most of the talking.
What really sets Pit Fiend apart is their commitment to using Colorado-raised meat whenever possible, supporting local ranchers and ensuring the highest quality product before it even hits the smoker. The casual atmosphere encourages lingering, especially on their patio during Colorado’s famously sunny days.
Address: 2826 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205.
4. Wayne’s Smoke Shack
Sitting in Superior, a small town that straddles the line between Boulder and the western suburbs, Wayne’s Smoke Shack operates with the kind of unpretentious confidence that comes from knowing your food is good enough to speak for itself. There’s no fancy marketing campaign or Instagram-perfect plating here.
Wayne’s is all about the fundamentals done exceptionally well, the kind of place where the line out the door on weekends tells you everything you need to know.
The brisket at Wayne’s achieves that holy grail texture where it’s simultaneously firm enough to slice cleanly and tender enough to pull apart with a fork. Each bite delivers a perfect ratio of bark to meat, with smoke flavor that penetrates deep without overwhelming the natural beef taste.
Their turkey, often an afterthought at barbecue joints, gets the same careful attention as everything else, emerging from the smoker juicy and flavorful instead of the dry disappointment you find at lesser establishments.
The sides rotate based on what’s fresh and available, showing a level of care that extends beyond just the smoked meats. On a warm day, grabbing a tray of Wayne’s barbecue and eating it at one of their outdoor picnic tables while the Front Range mountains loom in the distance might be the most Colorado experience you can have.
Address: 406 Center Dr, Superior, CO 80027.
5. Georgia Boys BBQ (The Shack)
Transplants from the South opened Georgia Boys BBQ in Longmont, bringing authentic Georgia-style barbecue to Colorado and refusing to compromise on tradition just because they’re a thousand miles from home. The restaurant, affectionately known as The Shack, channels the spirit of roadside barbecue stands scattered throughout the rural South, where the building might look questionable but the food inside is absolutely worth the stop.
That same philosophy applies here, where the focus remains squarely on the quality of what comes off the smoker rather than fancy ambiance or trendy decor.
Georgia-style barbecue differs from its Texas and Carolina cousins in subtle but important ways, and Georgia Boys stays true to those regional distinctions. Their sauce leans slightly sweeter and thicker, with a tomato base that complements rather than masks the smoke and meat flavors.
The pulled pork gets chopped rather than pulled into long strands, creating a texture that soaks up sauce while maintaining its own identity.
What makes Georgia Boys special is how it manages to transport diners to the South without leaving Colorado. The hospitality feels genuine, the portions are generous, and the food tastes like it came from a pitmaster who learned the craft from family rather than a cooking school.
Address: 250 3rd Ave, Longmont, CO 80501.
6. Post Oak Denver
Post Oak takes Colorado barbecue in a slightly more refined direction without losing sight of what makes great barbecue great in the first place. Located on Tennyson Street in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood, this restaurant proves that you can elevate the barbecue experience with thoughtful touches and higher-end ingredients while still honoring the blue-collar roots of the cuisine.
The dining room strikes a balance between casual and sophisticated, making it equally appropriate for a family dinner or a date night.
Named after the type of wood traditionally used in Texas barbecue, Post Oak commits to authentic smoking techniques while incorporating Colorado’s abundant local ingredients into their sides and specials. Their brisket meets the high standards set by Texas purists, with that telltale pink smoke ring and bark that provides textural contrast to the tender meat inside.
But they also aren’t afraid to experiment, offering seasonal specials that might incorporate elk, buffalo, or other game meats that reflect Colorado’s hunting heritage.
The cocktail program deserves mention too, featuring drinks that pair surprisingly well with smoked meats and show the same attention to detail as the food. Post Oak represents where Colorado barbecue is heading, respecting tradition while confidently creating something new.
Address: 4000 Tennyson Street, Denver, CO.
7. Smokin’ Yards BBQ (Idaho Springs)
Nestled in Idaho Springs, a historic mining town about 30 miles west of Denver that serves as a gateway to the high country, Smokin’ Yards BBQ feeds hungry skiers, hikers, and travelers who need serious fuel after mountain adventures. The location alone makes this spot special, sitting at over 7,500 feet elevation where the air is thinner and the views are spectacular.
After a morning on the slopes or an afternoon hiking mountain trails, walking into Smokin’ Yards and smelling that wood smoke feels like exactly what your body has been craving.
The altitude actually affects how barbecue cooks, requiring adjustments to temperature and timing that the pitmasters at Smokin’ Yards have mastered through trial and error. Their ribs come out fall-off-the-bone tender, glazed with a sauce that balances sweet and heat in equal measure.
The portions are sized for people who’ve been burning serious calories in the mountains, generous enough to satisfy even the hungriest outdoor enthusiast.
Idaho Springs itself is worth exploring, with its historic downtown and natural hot springs nearby providing the perfect complement to a barbecue feast. Smokin’ Yards has become a beloved stop for both locals and visitors, the kind of place where you plan your mountain day around.
Address: 2736 Colorado Blvd, Idaho Springs, CO 80452.
8. Serious Texas BBQ
Way down in Durango, tucked into the southwestern corner of Colorado where the desert meets the mountains and the culture blends Anglo, Hispanic, and Native American influences, Serious Texas BBQ brings authentic Central Texas barbecue to one of the state’s most beautiful regions. The owners aren’t joking around with that name.
They’re dead serious about replicating the barbecue you’d find in Lockhart or Luling, using the same woods, the same techniques, and the same no-frills approach that made those Texas towns legendary among barbecue fanatics.
The brisket here is the real deal, cooked low and slow over post oak until it achieves that perfect tenderness where the meat pulls apart with barely any resistance. They serve it by the pound, sliced to order, with the fatty end available for those who know to ask for it.
The simplicity of the presentation lets the quality shine through, with butcher paper serving as plates and white bread on the side to soak up the juices.
Durango’s location makes Serious Texas BBQ a destination worth planning a trip around, especially if you’re exploring Mesa Verde, the San Juan Mountains, or the countless other natural wonders in the area. Address: 650 S.
Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO 81301.
9. Piggin’ Out Smokehouse
Over in Lakewood, just west of Denver proper, Piggin’ Out Smokehouse has been serving up consistently excellent barbecue to west metro families and barbecue lovers for years. The name might sound playful, but the approach to smoking meat is anything but casual.
This is a family-run operation where recipes get passed down and improved upon, where the smokers run nearly 24 hours a day to keep up with demand, and where regulars have their favorite orders memorized by the staff before they even reach the counter.
Their pulled pork stands out in a state where brisket often steals the spotlight, offering the kind of texture and flavor that makes you understand why Carolina pitmasters built entire traditions around this particular cut. Slow-smoked until it practically shreds itself, the pork gets kissed with just enough smoke to complement rather than overpower.
They offer multiple sauce options, from vinegar-based to sweet and sticky, letting diners customize their experience.
The ribs at Piggin’ Out achieve that perfect balance where the meat pulls cleanly from the bone but still has some structure and chew. Their homemade sides, particularly the mac and cheese and baked beans, show the same attention to quality as the main attractions.
This is neighborhood barbecue at its finest, the kind of place that becomes part of your regular rotation once you discover it. Address: 9987 Morrison Road, Lakewood, CO 80227.