Nothing ruins a barbecue craving like a disappointing plate. It changes everything. Anticipated smoky bliss becomes the grimace of dry brisket. Free-flowing sauce turns into cautious dipping. Love for that perfect rib is transformed into quiet resentment (because they charged extra for coleslaw). This list saves you from that fate.
Franks Bar-B-Que
$ | (303) 893-9181 | WEBSITE
A brisket to start. A two-meat special for main. And a side of coleslaw for dessert. Plus a palate-cleansing course of potato salad. That’s how most barbecue meals tend to go, but that isn’t the case at Franks Bar-B-Que. This small Westminster restaurant is home to exceptional and consistently delicious barbecue.
Currently, it’s the family-owned spot, with a simple menu of classic dishes like tender brisket needing no additional sauce to shine and generous portions of well-kept, clean barbecue served fast and friendly.
Blessed BBQ
$$ | (303) 882-4714 | WEBSITE
Blessed BBQ is one of Westminster’s most beloved barbecue spots. Not just because brisket is a classic barbecue staple, or because of the famous thick-cut brisket sandwiches, or even because of the Holy Heat sauce. The reason this barbecue powerhouse in the Target parking lot is so loved, is because you always have a satisfying meal. As far as small-stand, always flavorful, legendary barbecue joints go, Blessed BBQ is a true part of Westminster’s food scene.
Yazoo BBQ Company
$ | (303) 296-3334 | WEBSITE
Yazoo BBQ Company is the kind of place where sharing is essential. The Memphis-style BBQ spot in Denver has it all (and by all, we mean that’s the kind of approach you should adopt when ordering). Tender rib tips with the smokiest of sauces, sweet and savory baked beans, crispy wings that will have your crew crying out for more. Considering plates are around fifteen bucks each and extra sauce—which is essential—is a couple of dollars, more is exactly what you’ll be getting.
Boney’s BBQ (Catering Only)
$$ | (303) 825-9900 | WEBSITE
You always want to order Boney’s BBQ for a crowd. That way you can get the full catering spread—which means more opportunity for savoring that mouthwatering brisket with their flavorful cornbread—as well as some refreshing beverages for the table. We’d recommend requesting Trina’s team because, well, they’re just that good.
While delivery might take a little longer when this catering-only spot in Westminster is busy, one thing you never have to worry about when hiring Boney’s is whether all guests at your event will leave satisfied.
Smok Barbecue – RiNo, Denver
$$ | (720) 452-2487 | WEBSITE
Much like a perfect smoke ring and a cold beer, Smok Barbecue – RiNo is pretty much universally loved. This all-day barbecue spot in Denver has been serving up amazing food for years. It has the kind of tender brisket that will keep you coming back, and a price tag that means you’ll be able to afford to. Ordering a big meal here is easy and, as well as their legendary pulled pork sandwich, a lot of the best dishes like the spicy chicken wings and burnt ends are perfect for sharing with friends.
Ragin’ Hog BBQ
$ | (303) 859-6003 | WEBSITE
Pull into Ragin’ Hog BBQ on a weekend afternoon, or honestly, any day they’re open, and you’ll notice that half of Westminster seems to have beaten you to it. The reason is simple: this beloved barbecue joint serves the most exceptional down-home food in town, and it’s also perfect when you need to feed a hungry crowd. Don’t be overwhelmed by the generous portions. Just know that the melt-in-your-mouth tender pork is non-negotiable, alongside some homemade coleslaw and collard greens to share.
Add a couple of sweet teas in and you’re set.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
$ | (303) 731-4549 | WEBSITE
No other barbecue joint in Westminster brings groups of friends and family together in quite the same way as this family-run spot. Beef brisket will be devoured, sauce will be dripped, and vegetables will be ignored in favor of more perfectly smoked chicken. That’s just the kind of place Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is, and that’s why everyone loves it.
Post Oak Barbecue
$$ | (303) 458-1555 | WEBSITE
The first thing you’ll notice when you walk into Post Oak Barbecue in Westminster is how diverse the crowd is. There are couples doing their best to share a platter of melt-in-your-mouth brisket with a side of jalapeño bacon mac. There are families with kids diving into enormous platters (around $25 for one very hungry person or $45 for two) topped with tender St. Louis ribs.
And then there are groups of friends doing a mixture of the two, making a little mess with cowboy beans, and having a brilliant time.
Rib City – Arvada
$ | (303) 422-6400 | WEBSITE
Rib City has rows of long, family-style tables where groups settle in as plates of tender baby back ribs are delivered with a smile. Booths tucked along walls with fun signage feel like somewhere you could linger over a meal, as polite servers check in regularly. The atmosphere might be straightforward, but this BBQ spot in Arvada is perfect for a relaxed feast over smoky and flavorful pulled pork.
Order a combo platter to share and make sure the crisp buffalo chicken tenders with that mild, tangy sauce are part of it.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
$$$ | (720) 726-4068 | WEBSITE
The Japanese BBQ spot in Westminster always has two big sizzling grills on the go. The secret pot harami skirt steak is fantastic—it glistens with that delectable seasoning with the garlic fried rice cooked alongside absorbing all the juices and flavours to evolve into an entirely new kind of side dish. But it’s the yuzu salad we think about most. The perfect palate cleanser, it’s got crisp and refreshing greens, tangy yuzu dressing, and zucchini (grilled to tender perfection).
Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que
$$ | (303) 399-3100 | WEBSITE
At this polished chain location in Westminster, there are comfortable booths and big family tables for groups, all of which belie the potential mess you might make pulling apart a rack of Texas-style ribs last seen on your platter 10 minutes ago. You need a couple of sauces—one tangy and sweet is a must—and from there it’s a case of how much meat you want to pile onto your plate alongside classic sides.
The tender brisket and pulled pork go down a treat, as do the cornbread muffins, coleslaw, and baked beans.
Paborito (Filipino BBQ)
$$ | (720) 900-7112 | WEBSITE
We could go on about Paborito’s crispy lechon or tender pork BBQ skewers for hours. Or their sisig, a spicy chili-laden masterpiece. But it’s not just the food. It’s the dream-like lobby, the steady hum of delivery drivers, and the satisfying crunch of lumpia as you share with your nearest and dearest.
Rock Rest Lodge
$ | (303) 216-2895 | WEBSITE
“If in doubt, go for the value,” is not usually advice we give out or heed, apart from when it comes to Rock Rest Lodge in Westminster. That’s because the surprisingly affordable prices at this lively restaurant and bar are easily one of the area’s most intelligent and fun night-out decisions. It begins with a decent variety of food and drinks, before a couple of activities like pool tables and arcade games, and ends with a DJ turning the place into a dance club on weekends.
It’s all lively and rowdy and, even better, it’s great for groups and events.
