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Riot BBQ is Denver’s best Texas-style barbecue restaurant located at 2180 S. Delaware Street in Denver, Colorado. Specializing in slow-cooked meats smoked to perfection over hardwood, Riot BBQ honors time-honored smoking traditions to create rich, bold flavors. The restaurant offers a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere where guests can enjoy the craft of true barbecue. Whether you’re a longtime BBQ enthusiast or new to the scene, Riot BBQ delivers a memorable smokehouse experience rooted in tradition and passion—all served up in the heart of Denver.
Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Monday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–8 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 2180 S Delaware St, Denver, CO 80223
Phone: (303) 872-6862
Website: https://riotbbqcompany.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
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Reviews
Jennie Ator
First time here. I wanted some tender, flavorful BBQ. I was pleasantly surprised. What a hidden gem. I had a hard time deciding on what to get because everyone’s plate looked so delicious. So I got the pork ribs pastor, Texas sausage, brisket, and pork belly with a side of pit beans & black cherry cola. Everything was so tender that all I needed was a fork.
My timing was good because there was a minimal line to order however when I left people were lining up; this was on a Sunday at 2:30 pm. So you may have to be a little patient.
Cool little rooms to hang out and eat in or just eat in the main area.
Friendly staff. Check it out! I’ll be back. I wanted to try one of their deserts next time.
… moreMy timing was good because there was a minimal line to order however when I left people were lining up; this was on a Sunday at 2:30 pm. So you may have to be a little patient.
Cool little rooms to hang out and eat in or just eat in the main area.
Friendly staff. Check it out! I’ll be back. I wanted to try one of their deserts next time.
Patrick Buggy
I’ve had great BBQ in St. Louis, Kansas City, Oklahoma, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Texas, and Riot BBQ ranks in the very top tier of all of those.
I think I shook my head in disbelief more times during this meal than any meal in recent memory. It was just that good.
I loved the unique Mexican inspired flavors. For me it elevated the experience of the barbecue from a classic style to something more complex.
We had the esquites cornbread, slaw, and quarter pounds of brisket, tri-tip (a Thursday special), chicken (I forgot the name, but it was stellar with the Alabama white sauce), and pulled pork.
Pulled pork was insanely juicy, brisket was great, chicken really surprised me, and man, that esquites cornbread is SO good.
Highly recommend all of it. I’ll be coming back again soon.
… moreI think I shook my head in disbelief more times during this meal than any meal in recent memory. It was just that good.
I loved the unique Mexican inspired flavors. For me it elevated the experience of the barbecue from a classic style to something more complex.
We had the esquites cornbread, slaw, and quarter pounds of brisket, tri-tip (a Thursday special), chicken (I forgot the name, but it was stellar with the Alabama white sauce), and pulled pork.
Pulled pork was insanely juicy, brisket was great, chicken really surprised me, and man, that esquites cornbread is SO good.
Highly recommend all of it. I’ll be coming back again soon.
Khaled Matar
I’m happy that this restaurant took over AJ’s. What I liked the most is the variety of dishes on the menu. There are a lot of unique items that I think works very well for a BBQ restaurant.
Lets start with what I liked the most, the Brisket Cheesesteak and the mexican key lime pie (or Dulce De Leche Carlota). The cheesesteak is packed with flavors and has a decent amount of brisket, add their GOLD sauce to it and enjoy. Leave the banana pudding and get the Mexican key lime pie, its so good.
Other great dishes would be the Brisket tacos and the cornbread which was probably my favorite side in a BBQ restaurant. Their fatty brisket is also good but its tough when you taste the briskets in Austin Texas, almost nothing comes close to them.
The beef ribs, chicken taco, brisket quesadilla were OK but I probably would not order them again. I dont recall getting a beef short rib from a Texas BBQ spot that was not fall-off-the-bone type. This one needed a fork and knife but the flavors were OK.
Overall if you enjoy BBQ food here in Denver, give this a try.
… moreLets start with what I liked the most, the Brisket Cheesesteak and the mexican key lime pie (or Dulce De Leche Carlota). The cheesesteak is packed with flavors and has a decent amount of brisket, add their GOLD sauce to it and enjoy. Leave the banana pudding and get the Mexican key lime pie, its so good.
Other great dishes would be the Brisket tacos and the cornbread which was probably my favorite side in a BBQ restaurant. Their fatty brisket is also good but its tough when you taste the briskets in Austin Texas, almost nothing comes close to them.
The beef ribs, chicken taco, brisket quesadilla were OK but I probably would not order them again. I dont recall getting a beef short rib from a Texas BBQ spot that was not fall-off-the-bone type. This one needed a fork and knife but the flavors were OK.
Overall if you enjoy BBQ food here in Denver, give this a try.
Joni Jondle
Before you even find the building you can smell the smoke in the air! What a lovely BBQ spot. Everyone was very friendly and happy to make suggestions. And the decor is rustic and fits the bbq vibe with plenty of seating. We got the brisket, pulled chicken, and Sausage, With mac & cheese, and esquites cornbread. Most BBQ places either do the meat right and lack on the sides or visa versa, that’s not the case here, BOTH meats and sides are incredible. One of the best Mac and cheeses I’ve found, but the star of the show was the Esquites Cornbread!! This side is truly special and unlike any cornbread I’ve had before (and I grew up in Iowa lol). Move this place to the top of your list. 10/10
… moreAlexz Wilson
Sweet tea was sour like it was sitting out a while or made wrong (I am southern so I can tell you that was not good sweet tea). I mixed it with the house lemonade which helped, the lemonade is pretty good as is the hibiscus agua fresca.
I loved the atmosphere and the owner is nice.
My one complaint is there are no meal deals like 1/4meat and one side or something. The prices are a little steep on some items but some items are definitely well flavored.
The pulled pork is moist and juicy which you want in a pork. The flavor is also so full, it is well done. If you follow my other bbq joint reviews you know that is a big deal for me especially if I don’t need bbq sauce on it for flavor or moisture.
I did try the sweet and smoky sauce, it tasted very ketchup/tomato based so fair warning if you don’t like that, it also has a subtle flavor profile behind it.
The more I ate the pork the more overwhelming the flavor got though, I wasn’t able to really finish the entire part of it as the flavor and oil were not sitting well by the last bit of my 1/4lb. I am very interested in trying the chicken next time though.
The esquites cornbread is also great. I do wish there was a plain cornbread option but it has a nice Hispanic twist which plays into the owners culture. For me the mayo compote on top of the cornbread was nice for a few bites but also got overwhelming quickly, I scrapped it off my last bit.
I really wanted to try the pit beans but the meat inside is beef which I cannot have. I also wish they had fried okra but I know that is tricky to cook and doesn’t really edit into the Texan-Hispanic brand.
I will say I love the inside and the food was decent but I can’t see myself jumping to come back soon, but that also doesn’t mean I won’t visit again!
Also in the back by the drinks they do have to go containers and cups! They also offer a military discount. It was $17 for what I got and then whatever you tip.
… moreI loved the atmosphere and the owner is nice.
My one complaint is there are no meal deals like 1/4meat and one side or something. The prices are a little steep on some items but some items are definitely well flavored.
The pulled pork is moist and juicy which you want in a pork. The flavor is also so full, it is well done. If you follow my other bbq joint reviews you know that is a big deal for me especially if I don’t need bbq sauce on it for flavor or moisture.
I did try the sweet and smoky sauce, it tasted very ketchup/tomato based so fair warning if you don’t like that, it also has a subtle flavor profile behind it.
The more I ate the pork the more overwhelming the flavor got though, I wasn’t able to really finish the entire part of it as the flavor and oil were not sitting well by the last bit of my 1/4lb. I am very interested in trying the chicken next time though.
The esquites cornbread is also great. I do wish there was a plain cornbread option but it has a nice Hispanic twist which plays into the owners culture. For me the mayo compote on top of the cornbread was nice for a few bites but also got overwhelming quickly, I scrapped it off my last bit.
I really wanted to try the pit beans but the meat inside is beef which I cannot have. I also wish they had fried okra but I know that is tricky to cook and doesn’t really edit into the Texan-Hispanic brand.
I will say I love the inside and the food was decent but I can’t see myself jumping to come back soon, but that also doesn’t mean I won’t visit again!
Also in the back by the drinks they do have to go containers and cups! They also offer a military discount. It was $17 for what I got and then whatever you tip.
Timothy L. Smith
This isn’t just a BBQ joint—it’s a true BBQ flavor haven. The service was warm and kind, and the place itself is massive, with plenty of space inside and outside. The brisket was packed with flavor, the turkey was perfectly juicy, and the macaroni tasted just like mom used to make. Their homemade sauces were excellent—the mustard-based one, surprisingly, became my favorite. The layout adds to the experience, letting you smell and see the meats as they’re prepared. Definitely a bucket-list spot, and I’m so glad we went and enjoyed it. ♂️ Forgot to snag picture of the awesome cheese steak brisket.
… moreJeff Whitt
This was such a special event to attend the collaboration between Chef Manny and Chef Michelle. The food was AMAZING. How they combined their skills to create such a special dinner will be with me forever. Both chefs are so pleasant and talented. I have been to Riot 8 times since they opened in the early summer. Definitely enjoy how Chef Manny has put his Mexican influences into the business and am looking forward to many more visits.
… moreBrandon Gurr
One of the best BBQ spots this side of Texas. Brisket is done to perfection, and the sides are all delicious. Really happy they were able to reopen after everything that went down with the previous owner, and I’d say they are now better than ever.
I’d mention that the price points on some of the sides do seem a little high for what you ended up with (I’m looking at you pit beans and mexican rice), but they were all delicious. Service takes a minor ding due to how long it can sometimes take to process even a couple folks in front of you but overall it’s a fun hang and worth the wait.
Price as pictured below (including the beer) =
$38, before tip (it is counter service)
… moreI’d mention that the price points on some of the sides do seem a little high for what you ended up with (I’m looking at you pit beans and mexican rice), but they were all delicious. Service takes a minor ding due to how long it can sometimes take to process even a couple folks in front of you but overall it’s a fun hang and worth the wait.
Price as pictured below (including the beer) =
$38, before tip (it is counter service)
Jon Nealer
I feel like this has to be the best bbq in Denver. I lived in Austin for a decade, and this could easily hold it’s own there. Great sides, great atmosphere. Would be nice if you could order meats in 1/4 lb amounts, but that’s just a quibble. And don’t sleep on the smoked turkey – it’s awesome.
… moreAmanda Clapham
My husband loves BBQ and I’m kinda mid on it. I heard this place opened/reopened under new management, blending Texas style and Mexican style bbq, and for once, I was kind of excited for bbq!
After tasting the el pastor ribs and the pork belly, my husband exclaimed that this was the best bbq he’d had in years. It’s spicy and tangy and smoky but not overpoweringly so. Just really really good. The hybiscus mixed with lemonade was freaking amazing. Did I mention the house pickles? There are of course cucumber pickles but also the Mexican style jalepeno/carrot/onion.
As we were finishing up, on of the workers (all of whom were friendly and helpful and generally gave off the vibe that they liked being there) said we ordered really good “specialty items.” To prove his point he brought us a thick slab of their waygu pastrami and their brisket. And he was right. And you know what? They were both r freaking fantastic. More than worth the trip.
I forgot to mention the decor! Honestly this is a step up from most bbq joints while still being so authentically a bbq joint.
We will be back. If I had to guess, I’d say we’ll be ordering catering. It’s Amazing. Well done all around, guys.
… moreAfter tasting the el pastor ribs and the pork belly, my husband exclaimed that this was the best bbq he’d had in years. It’s spicy and tangy and smoky but not overpoweringly so. Just really really good. The hybiscus mixed with lemonade was freaking amazing. Did I mention the house pickles? There are of course cucumber pickles but also the Mexican style jalepeno/carrot/onion.
As we were finishing up, on of the workers (all of whom were friendly and helpful and generally gave off the vibe that they liked being there) said we ordered really good “specialty items.” To prove his point he brought us a thick slab of their waygu pastrami and their brisket. And he was right. And you know what? They were both r freaking fantastic. More than worth the trip.
I forgot to mention the decor! Honestly this is a step up from most bbq joints while still being so authentically a bbq joint.
We will be back. If I had to guess, I’d say we’ll be ordering catering. It’s Amazing. Well done all around, guys.