Colorado is famous for its mountains, but drive a little off the main highways and you will find something else worth chasing: seriously good brisket. All across the state, small-town smokehouses are turning out slow-cooked beef that pulls people in from hours away.
Some of these spots sit in old buildings on quiet main streets, and others are family-run places where the smoker starts working before sunrise. If you love barbecue and enjoy a good road trip, this list gives you nine reasons to point your car toward a smaller Colorado town.
Here are the small-town brisket joints Colorado barbecue fans keep talking about.
1. Moe’s Original BBQ, Englewood, Colorado
Alabama-style barbecue found a home in Colorado through Moe’s Original BBQ, a Southern-rooted chain that grew out of a small operation and now feels right at home along the Front Range.
The brisket here is slow-smoked and served by the plate or piled into sandwiches, with classic Southern sides rounding out the menu. Pulled pork, ribs, and smoked wings share the spotlight, so a group with mixed tastes can all find something.
What makes this stop easy is the laid-back, come-as-you-are style. It works well for a casual lunch after a day exploring the south metro area.
I like this one because it delivers real smoked-meat flavor without any fuss, and the sides feel homemade rather than an afterthought.
2. GQue BBQ, Westminster, Colorado
Competition roots run deep at GQue BBQ, a spot built by a pitmaster who cut his teeth on the barbecue contest circuit before opening the doors to the public.
That contest background shows up in the brisket, which is sliced to show off a proper smoke ring. The menu covers all the barbecue staples, from ribs to pulled pork, with sides that lean classic and hearty.
The setting is roomy and family-friendly, making it a comfortable place to bring a hungry crew. Parking is straightforward, which is a small but real bonus when you are traveling with kids.
For barbecue fans who care about technique, this is a place where the smoking style is taken seriously. It rewards anyone willing to drive a bit for beef done right.
3. Owlbear Barbecue, Denver, Colorado
Texas-style barbecue with a strong following put Owlbear Barbecue on the map for people who care about brisket above all else.
The approach here leans central-Texas, meaning the beef is the main event and the seasoning is kept simple so the smoke can do the work. Portions are sold by weight, and popular days can sell out, so arriving early matters.
The vibe is no-frills and focused, the kind of place that would rather perfect a few things than stretch a giant menu. That focus is part of the appeal.
I would save this one for a day when you can show up hungry and early, because when the brisket runs out, it is gone until the next round.
4. Roaming Buffalo Bar-B-Que, Denver, Colorado
Colorado-style barbecue is a phrase you do not hear often, and Roaming Buffalo Bar-B-Que leans right into it with a menu that celebrates local flavors.
Alongside the smoked brisket, the kitchen has become known for options like smoked lamb, giving it a personality distinct from the typical Texas or Carolina setups. That regional twist is exactly why it stands out on a state-wide list.
The neighborhood setting keeps things relaxed and unpretentious. It is an easy stop when you want barbecue with a local accent rather than a copy of somewhere else.
For travelers building a Colorado barbecue tour, this one adds variety instead of repeating what you have already tasted down the road.
5. Post Oak Barbecue, Denver, Colorado
Wood choice matters in barbecue, and Post Oak Barbecue puts its favorite fuel right in the name.
Post oak is the classic wood behind central-Texas brisket, and the kitchen uses that tradition to build beef with a deep, well-developed bark. The menu keeps the greatest hits in rotation, from brisket to ribs and sausage.
The space is comfortable and modern, so it works whether you are grabbing a quick tray or settling in with friends. It is the kind of place that respects the craft without turning stuffy.
If you appreciate barbecue where the smoking wood is treated as an ingredient, this stop earns its spot. The results speak for themselves on the plate.
6. Wayne’s Smoke Shack, Superior, Colorado
A friendly, family-run feel sets Wayne’s Smoke Shack apart in the town of Superior, just off the busy Boulder-Denver corridor.
The brisket anchors a straightforward barbecue menu that also features ribs, pulled pork, and comforting sides. Everything leans toward classic comfort rather than trendy experiments.
The smaller-shack setup keeps the focus on the food and quick, easy service. It is a solid choice when you are passing through and want dependable smoked meat without a long wait for a table.
I like this stop because it feels like a neighborhood favorite that happens to draw people from farther out. Good brisket has a way of spreading the word on its own.
7. Brues Alehouse, Pueblo, Colorado
History and barbecue meet in Pueblo at Brues Alehouse, set in a repurposed building near the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk.
The kitchen smokes its own brisket and serves it as part of a broader menu built for casual meals with a view of the water. The riverwalk location gives the visit a bit of extra reason to linger and walk around.
Pueblo has its own strong food identity, and having a smokehouse tied into the downtown scene fits right in. It makes a natural stop on a southern Colorado road trip.
For travelers heading through Pueblo, this pairs good smoked beef with a walkable stretch of town that is worth exploring on foot.
8. Smokin Yard’s BBQ, Idaho Springs, Colorado
Mountain travelers along Interstate 70 have a reliable brisket break in Idaho Springs thanks to Smokin Yard’s BBQ.
The location alone makes it valuable, sitting in a historic mining town that sees plenty of ski and hiking traffic. Brisket, ribs, and other smoked staples give road-trippers a hearty stop between Denver and the high country.
The setting matches the town’s rugged, historic feel, giving the meal some mountain character. It is a smart place to refuel before or after a day in the hills.
I would save this one for a mountain drive, when a plate of smoked brisket hits differently after a long day at altitude.
9. Kelly’s Real Pit BBQ, Cedaredge, Colorado
Way out on the Western Slope, near the base of the Grand Mesa, Kelly’s Real Pit BBQ brings serious brisket to a genuinely small Colorado town.
Cedaredge is far from the Front Range crowds, which makes finding true pit barbecue here feel like a real reward for the drive. The brisket and other smoked meats fit the classic pit-style approach that barbecue fans travel for.
The rural setting adds to the appeal, giving the whole visit a country road-trip feel. It is the kind of stop that pairs naturally with exploring the mesa and orchard country nearby.
For anyone touring the Western Slope, this one proves great barbecue is not limited to the big cities. Small towns can smoke with the best of them.
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