Some of the best brisket in Colorado is gone long before anyone starts thinking about supper. The smokehouses on this list keep short hours, cook in limited batches, and close the doors when the meat runs out.
That means timing matters as much as appetite, and a late lunch can turn into an empty tray. From a Colorado Springs pop-up to a creekside smokehouse in the foothills, here are seven spots worth planning your day around.
Set an alarm, bring a friend, and get there early.
1. The Chuckwagon, Colorado Springs, CO
Sliced brisket at this Colorado Springs stop has been known to vanish about an hour and a half after opening. That is not a typo.
If brisket is the goal, the smartest plan is to show up right at noon.
The Chuckwagon serves Texas style barbecue in front of Sourdough Boulangerie at 6453 Omaha Blvd. Hours are short, running 12 to 5 PM on Thursday and 12 to 4 PM Friday through Sunday, with Monday through Wednesday off.
The brisket is tender with a well-seasoned crust, and the ribs get the same careful treatment. The homemade jalapeño cheddar sausage rounds out the classic trio.
For something a little different, the beef cheeks are a standout.
The menu also has fun extras like Texas Twinkies, Brisket Elote, and the Texas Trinity. Vegan beans and potato salad cover the sides.
Expect about $20 to $30 per person.
Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds, and reservations are not taken. Parking is free and usually easy, which helps when you are racing the brisket clock.
2. Wayne’s Smoke Shack, Superior, CO
Two days a week. Four hours a day.
That is the entire window for Wayne’s Smoke Shack, which opens Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM and stays closed the rest of the week.
The daytime smokehouse in Superior sells meat by the pound, Texas style. The fire comes from real white oak, not pellets, and the brisket is trimmed carefully before the cook so the fat renders slowly into the meat.
Brisket and pork ribs lead the menu, often ordered together with sides. Smoked salmon is another option worth a look if your group wants variety.
The space is clean and casual, with counter service and outdoor tables. High chairs are available, so bringing the kids is easy.
Plan on about $30 to $40 per person. Since there are no reservations and the clock stops at 3 PM, an early lunch is the safe bet.
3. Roaming Buffalo Bar-B-Que, Denver, CO
Bison ribs, lamb shoulder, and venison sausage are not your typical barbecue lineup. Roaming Buffalo leans into cowboy-style cooking with a distinctly Colorado twist.
Hours are the tightest in Denver on this list. The doors open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM, so this is strictly a lunch mission.
The chopped brisket is smoky, juicy, and rich, and it shows up in the Beef Brisket Sandwich or by itself. Burnt ends have a strong following too.
Then come the Colorado Bison Back Ribs and Pulled Colorado Lamb Shoulder, which set this place apart from nearly everyone else.
The Redneck Reuben is a fun pick, and the Caramelized Banana Pudding makes a sweet finish. Most meals land around $10 to $20 per person.
The dining room has bright walls, a copper bar, and an open kitchen, plus a small patio where dogs are welcome. Parking near South Downing Street can be tricky, so give yourself extra minutes.
4. Georgia Boys BBQ – Longmont, Longmont, CO
“From 11 AM till sold out” is how this downtown Longmont spot describes its own schedule. The posted hours stretch into the evening, but the meat decides when the day really ends.
Georgia Boys brings Southern-style barbecue to 250 3rd Ave. The setting is rustic and simple, and service moves fast.
I would start with the Pitmaster’s Tasting Plate, which lets you sample several smoked meats at once. The pulled pork is a crowd favorite, and the ribs pull cleanly off the bone.
The Tennessee Sticky Pig is another signature.
Sauces are a big part of the fun here, including a hot ghost pepper option for brave eaters. Cornbread comes on the side, and dessert includes Banana Puddin’ and Bread Pudding.
Kids get their own menu, and dogs are allowed. Saturday evenings are the busiest, while weekday late mornings are much calmer and give you the best shot at a full menu.
5. Smokin’ Outlaw Kitchen, Englewood, CO
Plenty of barbecue joints start on wheels, but few say it as proudly as this one. Smokin’ Outlaw Kitchen began as a BBQ food bus and truck before settling into a neighborhood cafe in Englewood.
The brisket is the headliner, tender and juicy with a spicy barbecue sauce alongside. On busy days it can run out, so do not assume a dinner visit will still include it.
The smoked macaroni and cheese deserves a spot on your tray. It is one of the most talked-about sides on the menu.
The cafe is locally owned and keeps things relaxed and friendly. Most meals run about $10 to $20 per person, which makes it an easy weekday lunch.
Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 AM to 8 PM. Saturdays stay busy from morning on, while Tuesday evenings are the quietest.
Free parking and dog-friendly seating make the stop simple.
6. Switchback Smokehouse, Evergreen, CO
A drive up Colorado 74 into the foothills ends at one of the most scenic barbecue patios in the state. Switchback Smokehouse sits along the canyon road in the Kittredge area, with outdoor seating right by a creek.
The building is an unassuming roadside spot, and a row of smokers sits outside. Meats are cured and smoked on site, which explains the house-smoked bacon and pastrami on the menu.
The Brisket Sandwich is a popular order. Smoked Salmon and Fried Pickles are also worth a look, and portions run generous.
The menu stays simple, with a list of meats, a list of sides, and a few sandwich specialties. That keeps decisions quick when you are hungry after a mountain drive.
Hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM to 6 PM. Saturday afternoon is the peak, so a Thursday or Friday lunch is a smart road trip plan.
7. Pit Fiend Barbecue, Denver, CO
Brisket burnt ends are the item to ask about first at Pit Fiend, and the honest answer is sometimes no. When they are on the counter, they tend to go quickly.
This counter-service joint on Larimer Street in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood turns out high-altitude, wood-smoked barbecue. The brisket follows a Texas style approach, and the spare ribs are cooked to a tender finish.
Rice bowls give the menu a twist, with a Brisket Rice Bowl and a Pulled Pork Rice Bowl. A Rib Plate covers traditional tastes.
For sides, the Mac and Cheese gets a lot of love, and Pit Beans and Cole Slaw are also available. Cornbread muffins come plain or with jalapeño.
Hours run Wednesday through Sunday, 12 to 8 PM, with Saturday afternoons the busiest. Street parking is free, and dogs are welcome outside.
Arrive early if burnt ends are the plan.
Across all seven stops, the rule stays the same. Good brisket waits for no one, so lunch is the new dinner.
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