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Riot BBQ

4.6 (147 reviews)
ModerateBarbeque
Closed • Closed

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RIOT BBQ ATMOSPHERE

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Casual
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Moderate noise
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Riot BBQ

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Lookit the pink smoke ring on that rib!
Peg P.

Riot is a real contender for the best barbecue in the U.S. Backstory: We loved Rubs barbecue in Chicago. Easily the best barbecue in Chicago. When they moved to Denver and became AJ's, we made a point of going there, found all of our old favorite menu items and discovered the gifts of pitmaster Patrick Klaiber. Now the place belongs to him and Manny Barella, and it is even better. Between them they have Michelin ratings and James Beard nominations. Now they're producing Texas barbecue with northern Mexican flair. This works so well, it's staggering. Literally the best brisket of my life, which has included, I assure you, plenty of brisket to choose from. The pork ribs al pastor was also fantastic, with the smoke and heat from the chiles melding together perfectly. The favorite among our party may have been the pork belly burnt ends (a special available on Mondays and Wednesdays.) Incredibly tender and juicy. But whenever I go back, I am devoting myself to that brisket. Don't miss the sides either. Especially the pit beans and the esquites cornbread. Plan on ordering at the counter and carrying trays to your table. I'm usually not a fan of that, but it keeps costs down, and the cost of meat is pretty considerable these days to begin with. We paid about $85 for a modest lunch among four adults with no drinks. And honestly, ordering at the counter is just a lot faster and simpler for everyone. When we were there in the previous iteration, the neighborhood was pretty desolate. Now it's being developed and gentrified. I'm sure the local growth will boost business even more. You should get there now while you can still find street parking nearby and get a table.

Joel Jr. M.

I came later in the day and noticed a lot of items were already sold out. That really shows how good this place is, and it's worth stopping by early if you want to experience everything Riot has to offer. Even with the choices they had left, I really enjoyed the BBQ. The staff was also so nice and helpful. They have a great selection of sauces and sides too, and I had to try them all. I wasn't disappointed with a single one.

Suchot K.

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Gave great recommendations. Pretty good bar-b-que in the Denver area. Ordered Dino Bone, Chicken, Pastrami with pit beans and corn bread. Corn bread is an absolute must. The addition of corn and cojita cheese is delicious. This was honestly the best item! Chicken was seasoned well and juicy. Brisket was a little salty on its own but when dipped in the Chipotle BBQ sauce, it balanced that out really well. The Dino bone was truly fall off the bone. Meat is juicy and tender! However the seasoning was too salty for my preference...which is a shame. Even dipping it in the sauce didn't help. Honestly in general their chipotle BBQ and the Sweet and Spicy BBQ sauces were delicious and goes so well with the meat. It elevates the flavors.

Amanda J.

Great BBQ!! Lot of yummy options and it seems to change seasonally as I heard talk of new meats coming soon. We got the brisket, smoked turkey and ribs, all were really good. And a few sides, mac n cheese was my favorite. They have pickled veggies on the side, just watch out because they're spicy! Love the variety of sauces and the patio is great for this time of year, perfect for kids too!

Sauces
Melissa G.

Riot BBQ is a very un-assuming facade that does not betray the size of the venue itself. Once you enter and place your order, you can find a variety of tables and sections to hang out including a very inviting patio. They have a sauce and picked vegetable bar where you can serve yourself and try different options of heat. I ordered the brisket quesadilla, and it came fairly quickly to my table. The tortillas themselves were very good as well as the cheese, but I found the brisket itself to be a little on the dry side. For my side I tried the elote / corn bread and that one hit the spot phenomenally. Very creative and very tasty Great and continent location right outside the Evan's light rail station.

Pork Ribs, Brisket, Smoked Turkey, Pit Beans, Mac and Cheese, elote Esquites Cornbread, and all the desserts
Jasmyne R.

What an experience. We flew into Denver earlier that day and wanted to get some dinner. I was craving soul food and settled on Riot BBQ. It was close enough to where we were staying and I love some good BBQ. We get in there and there's one guy ahead of us and he has a huge order so we had to wait awhile. Not a problem at all. The aromas in there were making my mouth water. I was happy to wait. I seen a young guy slicing meats up and juice flowing out of them! I was excited. I asked for a taste of what was their smoked turkey and it melted in my mouth. I never had turkey like that! Wowowow! When we were next up they hooked it up! I felt like royalty only because we had to be patient. I wanted to order everything! I got brisket, the smoked turkey, the pork ribs, the man n cheese, the pit beans, the esquites cornbread, and all the desserts. They gave me a little extra turkey cause they seen my face light up like Christmas morning after trying it. They gave us a discount at that AND threw in a free dessert. It was outstanding. The meats were amazing, juicy and flavorful. The sides were just as delicious. The bbqs sauce on the table were delicious too. The Carolina Gold, the Chipotle, and the Mop sauce was my favorite. The service was impeccable. Larry and his crew got something amazing going on there at Riot BBQ. They made me feel like family and that they cared about my experience there. It's been a long time since I've had service that great. It will definitely be a must stop every time I come to Denver. Also who would have thought Denver to have such good BBQ?! But be sure to get there early because right after we got there around 6, everything was sold out by 7! Someone also suggested to go on a day they have burnt ends! Riot BBQ y'all have my whole heart!

Julie C.

Awesome bbq and friendly staff. Really liked the pastrami. Very salty by itself which is the nature of pastrami, so i wish they offered a sandwich version! The corn bread was also amazing

Casey D.

Beautiful building that feels more like a cabin than restaurant. It's a fun place for groups and has a great atmosphere. The BBQ leans more hipster than traditional. The pulled pork was my favorite. It's flavorful and something I'd definitely order again. The ribs were solid, the beans were terrific, and the cornbread was surprisingly good, but the topping looked a little like potato salad at first glance. The Chicken Loco wasn't a repeat order for me, and the sauce had a curry-like texture that just didn't work. The turkey was good but over-seasoned. Overall, there were some really good individual items, but I left disappointed with the meal as a whole.

Pastrami, brisket, Texas sausage
Chris C.

Still great but closer to a 4.5 this time. The meats were dryer than last time but still super flavourful. Pastrami is great but not like before. Brisket was good, dryer at times. Smoke levels are excellent. Service is cafeteria Style. One of my favorite bbq spots in Denver.

Cesar H.

If someone asks me where to get BBQ in Denver, my answer is usually Riot BBQ. I've eaten their food multiple times at this point and every visit reminds me why I like it so much. What stands out to me is that they're doing their own thing. You can tell there are Texas barbecue influences, but there are also flavors from Northern Mexico throughout the menu, which I personally love. The chicken loco is fantastic. The Texas sausage is always a good choice. And if the al pastor pork ribs are available, get them. The sides are great too. Don't skip the esquites cornbread, mac and cheese, or potato salad. More than anything, I appreciate the attention to detail. Nothing feels like it's there just to fill space on the menu. Every item feels intentional. I've recommended Riot BBQ to plenty of people and will continue to do so.

Brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken, Mac n cheese, and sauces
Lior G.

Entirely possible they had a bad day, but for a well recommended bbq place, I was disappointed. I can at least say the smoked chicken was pretty good. And I didn't really like anything else sadly. The brisket was dry, and the pulled pork was bland. Not so bad with the sauces, but it should stand on its own. The Mac was also very genetic. Good, but same as any mac-n-cheese from anywhere. Nothing made it stand out. I love bbq, but unfortunately this place not likely to be in my repeat list

Gino T.

In town visiting family and they told us about this very good BBQ place they tried before and wanted to share the amazing food with us. Riot BBQ offers incredible meats and sides created by their staff. All friendly and ready to help you in every way when you order. This is a walk up and order menu and you take it back to a table of your choice. Loved the decor creating an atmosphere of someone's home when you walk in the front door, then you enter the kitchen area to order in an open dining area with industrial feel highlighting old signs and light fixtures. Then you have outdoor seating so there is plenty of room for all. Riot offers local beers and some mixed cocktails, daily specials on the meats and freshly made Iced Tea, lemonade and Hibiscus Fresca which was the best I have ever had! Our food was amazing, we tried the brisket, pastrami, burnt ends and ribs. All were cooked to perfection moist and seasoned Texas style. The sides of Mac n cheese, cornbread, bbq beans, dirty rice, loaded baked potato and house made pickles were an incredible side to the deliciousness of the meat. So many other options as well, but the S'mores Pot de Creme and banana pudding were a great finish to the lunch enjoyed by all. Bravissimo Riot BBQ you guys truly Rock, simplicity meets deliciousness. Bon Appetitto

Liv D.

This may be the best BBQ spot in Denver. You'll come hungry and leave stuffed and smelling like that sweet smoker if you sit on the back patio. There are a few things that stand out about Riot BBQ, however. The food is obviously the bomb dot com. The meats are cooked in a traditional American method, and have hints of Mexican influence that take their flavors and textures over the top. You wouldn't confuse this with Mexican food, however. It is American BBQ through and through. I am extremely picky about fat in my meat and the Riot team offers a delicate balance of lean and fatty. Five stars. Hands down. The drinks and sides have much more distinctly Mexican flavors, but still fit cleanly into American BBQ sides - potato salad, corn bread, beans, etc. Another 5 stars. Typical, casual BBQ spot decor. The patio is spacious and integrates the dining experience with the slow process of smoking and cooking the meats on your plate. I like that I was immersed in a way that made me think about the process of how the food I was eating is made. Five stars. The employees seem to like their jobs and genuinely care about their clientele and the business they are running. A rarity. Five stars. Make a trip. It's worth it.

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9 months ago

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8 months ago

Amazing! Great, smoked brisket and great smoked chicken. The guys taking orders were also amazing.

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9 months ago

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10 months ago

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9 months ago

Great food and service. Solid BBQ no frills except for the food. Laid back restaurant good for all types of groups

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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Caleb B.

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10 months ago

Great food-fun environment! I love the brisket and terrific baked beans. Very unique restaurant. Don't miss it!

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1 year ago

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11 months ago

First visit, great vibe, friendly service, and tasty bbq! We'll definitely come back and will spread the word.

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

This place is just AJ's back open with a new name. It's just as amazing as it ever was!

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1 year ago

A great BBQ joint. Kept the favorites from the old place, but added some wonderful new items as well. The chicken taco is amazing.

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1 year ago

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Page 4 of 4

Ask the Community - Riot BBQ

Liquor license? If so, any special Margaritas?

Yes they serve. They even walk up the line to serve you when you are waiting. Don't know of anything special.

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Post Oak Barbecue - Extra pickles. So tasty.

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4.4(723 reviews)
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I just realized that in all the times I've been here I've never left a review. This is unlike me,…read moreas I like to spread the good word when a place deserves it. The food here is amazing, and it's very hard to go wrong on anything you order. Fried okra is the best outside of my Arkansas grandmother's, God rest her soul. What is prompting my review today was a one star review I read from a guy named Mitch from 3 years ago. He complained of a busboy who wouldn't let them have a table before ordering. This is common in small quickserv restaurants as this prevents customers who are receiving their food from sitting and eating because all the tables are taken by people who ordered after they did but sent a person ahead to save a table. It's rude to complain about this - it's not bad service. His justification for trying to break the rules of the establishment was they had a baby in tow. Well I have an opposite story for you. I visited on Mother's Day 2026. The place was very busy. I knew we'd struggle to find a table that worked for my disabled mother's scooter. We ordered, got our number, and started looking for a table. After a short wait, a table on the far side of the bar (above and near the front door) opened. I grabbed that table then alerted the staff to my Mother's situation. They helped arrange things so she could come up the entrance ramp and make a sharp left turn to get to the table then pull her scooter right up to our table. When I went to the bar to order a few drinks, the bartender made it a point to ask if I had any mothers with me (yes I did, my wife and my mother). He gave me a good discount on their drinks. Want good service? Follow the simple rules of the establishment, and then ask politely for any special accommodations you need. Don't bring your Boulder smugness down to Denver and ruin the vibes in a great place like Post Oak! P.S. You can get wet or dry brisket here. I like fat so I get wet. You don't like fat? Order yours dry. They are both tender and juicy, but wet has a distinctly more umami, unctuous, buttery mouthfeel. Ask yourself what kind of steak you like. Ribeye or prime rib? Order wet. Any other steak, order dry. Since you read my entire review I'm going to reward you with THE best secret. It's called a dino rib. Hands down the best thing on the menu. It's expensive but worth every penny. If you like brisket, and you like a deep smoked flavor, with good bark, and plenty of meat and enough fat left in the meat to keep it perfect, then order the beef rib. They only have it on certain days, so call ahead and check inventory if this is the one thing you are coming in for. They sell out long before dinner.

I've been here twice. Brisket is decent. The pulled pork very good…read more Service is efficient. Price is fair to expensive. The room doesn't have much vibe. Their sauces are the weak spot. Getting the meat right is a given, but the sauce should be addictive. I gave it two try's but prolly won't go again. On to the next.

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Post Oak Barbecue - Dining Room

Dining Room

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Post Oak Barbecue - Restaurant Front

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Restaurant Front

Pit Fiend Barbecue

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5.8 mi•Five Points, Ballpark, Northwest
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Staying close by and spotting Pit Fiend as well as a BBQ spot in general I knew we'd be checking it…read moreout. I'm a huge fan of BBQ in general and my wife loves brisket especially. While we enjoyed ours separately here then went to OMF Brewery you can get the BBQ to then enjoy at OMF which is great way to support two local businesses. Small amount of space inside to enjoy the food but well decorated for the theme they are going for. The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming by far! Pit Fiend is a DnD themed BBQ spot and with the smokers out front your nose is getting the smells before you step inside. So by the time you get inside, you're salivating ready for a feast! My wife got a brisket sandwich and I got a pork belly sandwich. We also got a side of mac n cheese to split. Both sandwiches were tasty and tender, and had great flavor without needing sauce. Despite that I did try their variety of sauces and all of them were fantastic with a variety of heat levels and they did have a good scale indicating that and what they think it goes well with. Always a plus when the bbq can hold up without the sauce. Definitely worth checking out if you are craving some delicious BBQ.

I was visiting Denver and had a friend recommend this spot, so I decided to check it out. I'm…read morereally glad I did! I got the brisket sandwich and it was seriously good. The brisket was tender, flavorful, and had that perfect smoky BBQ flavor without being overly heavy. The portion was generous too, and everything tasted fresh. Definitely one of the better meals I had while I was in Denver. If you're craving BBQ, especially brisket, this place is absolutely worth checking out. I'd happily come back next time I'm in town!

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Pit Fiend Barbecue - Overview of the dining area

Overview of the dining area

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4.1(161 reviews)
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Being born and raised southern, I have pretty high expectations when it comes to BBQ. However this…read moreplace was so yum! I got the 1 meat plate with bbq ribs, green beans and Mac & cheese. It included a Hawaiian roll as well. I also got a banana pudding for a sweet treat. The Bbq sauce was top tier on the ribs- absolutely delicious. The rib meat was tough... but overall had great flavor. The Mac & cheese was dry, but green beans were pretty good! Banana pudding was a custard base and was thick and creamy and so worth it. Will absolutely be back to try more of their sauces and for more of that banana pudding Love that they endorse local businesses, right when you walk in there is a table full of cards for cleaning, dispensary deals, stickers, barbers, etc etc. The young ladies working were very friendly!

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I forgot to take photo of my food, but this mural of the barbecue master's history is pretty cool.

Saucy’s Southern Barbecue & Cuisine - Ribs, teriyaki Parmesan wings, teriyaki Parmesan corn, and green beans.

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Ordering counter

Riot BBQ - bbq - Updated November 2026

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