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Welcome to Riot BBQ

Welcome to Riot BBQ, Denver's newest gem for barbecue enthusiasts. Located at 2180 S Delaware St, this vibrant eatery is quickly gaining acclaim for its mouthwatering offerings. Customers rave about the tender, flavorful meats—think smoked brisket and fall-off-the-bone ribs—accompanied by delightful sides like esquites cornbread and rich mac and cheese. The atmosphere is inviting, with ample seating and live music enhancing the dining experience. Despite being a recent arrival, Riot BBQ already feels like home, thanks to its friendly staff and commitment to excellent service. Don’t miss the banana pudding; it’s a showstopper!

LOCATIONS

Welcome to Riot BBQ, Denver's newest culinary gem that promises to redefine your barbecue experience. Nestled at 2180 S Delaware St, Denver, CO 80223, this establishment has quickly garnered an enthusiastic following, becoming a hotspot for both locals and visitors alike. From the very first bite, you'll understand why it’s creating such a stir – this place is not just about BBQ; it's about crafting flavorful memories.

The decor is a delightful blend of rustic charm and modern flair, creating an inviting atmosphere. With ample indoor and outdoor seating, you can enjoy your meal amidst the vibrant energy of live music that enhances the dining experience. Customers rave about the fast service, even during peak hours when the line often stretches out the door. As one enthusiastic patron remarked, “Come before you're hungry so you can wait—it’s worth it.” This sentiment rings true, as the excitement of anticipation only adds to the overall experience.

At Riot BBQ, the menu is a journey through smoky goodness, showcasing an impressive selection of meats such as the Smoked Brisket, Texas Sausage, and Pork Ribs Al Pastor. Each dish features expertly smoked flavors that transport your taste buds straight to BBQ heaven. The standout recommendations frequently mentioned in customer reviews are the Brisket Taco and the unforgettable Esquites Cornbread, which one reviewer described as “so delicious” it left a lingering impression. The addition of the Macha Slaw and sauces—particularly the Chipotle BBQ sauce—provides the perfect complement to the rich flavors of the meats.

In addition to the savory options, save room for dessert—the medleys of flavor in the banana pudding wrap up your meal on a high note. As one satisfied customer put it, “Holy shit—do NOT skip!” It’s these little flourishes that elevate Riot BBQ beyond the ordinary BBQ joint.

Moreover, what truly sets Riot BBQ apart is the passion of its staff and the sense of community they foster. Patrons applaud the friendly and attentive service, which, combined with the overwhelming sense of welcome, makes every visit feel like coming home. You can expect to leave not just with a full stomach but with the friendly warmth of a neighborhood spot that values its patrons.

As Riot BBQ continues to grow and make a name for itself, it’s clear that this restaurant is more than just a place to eat. It’s a celebration of flavors, community, and a passion for authentic barbecue. So, whether you’re a die-hard BBQ enthusiast or a casual diner looking for a great meal, make sure to put Riot BBQ on your list. You won’t be disappointed—just be prepared for an unforgettable dining adventure.

START YOUR REVIEW OF Riot BBQ
Abigail Schmitz
Abigail Schmitz

Hands down the best BBQ I have had in quite some time (if not my entire life). Every item we got was incredible! And then we got the banana pudding - holy shit - do NOT skip! It was sooooo good. Thank you to everyone who worked there for making us feel welcome and giving great recs. We will definitely be back.

Stephanie Ellis
Stephanie Ellis

Decided to check this place out on Saturday for lunch because we heard it was a new BBQ spot, and we were not disappointed! They've only been open for a few days and we stopped in around noon yesterday. The line was fairly long, but moved quickly. The inside of the restaurant looked pretty awesome, and I liked the decor! There was plenty of seating inside and outside. They also had a room towards the front entrance for kids with some toys and games. Outdoor seating is covered and they had a small live band playing. The BBQ food is amazing! Very tasty and they have a good selection of meats, sides, and drinks. They don't have any alcohol, but according to the owner, they are currently in the process of acquiring their liquor license (this process can take time, so don't let this deter you because they'll get it eventually). The drinks they do have are great though, good selection and I recommend their iced tea! We ordered the Smoked Brisket, Smoked Turkey, Texas Sausage, Brisket Taco, Pork Ribs Al Pastor, the Esquites Cornbread, and Macha Slaw. All of this was amazing, but I highly recommend ordering the Brisket Taco, Esquites Cornbread, and Macha Slaw! Be prepared though, BBQ food can get pricey, so you can order smaller portions of things to help, this way you're able to try more and not break the bank too much. They have some awesome sauces you can bring to your table, my favorite was the Chipotle BBQ sauce. We also added the Mop Sauce to the Macha Slaw which added some acidity and made it even better! All of the food, the service, the staff, and the new set up was amazing! The location is a bit weird so make sure you use GPS to find it if it's your first time coming here. There's a parking lot across the street if you can't park right out front. It was pretty busy the whole time we were there which was good to see! Overall, I'm happy we checked this place out and the food was very good! They're a new spot in old digs, so please check them out and help support a small local business so we can keep good food around!

Tyler McClung
Tyler McClung

Everything was fantastic. Great to see the staff happy again welcoming old friend back and enjoying what they do. Pulled pork was flavorful, tender and juicy. Finally a BBQ spot that has a southern BBQ vibe in Denver :) Round 2? Day 2? Yes please got there early today and there was already a line waiting to get in. Got to try items that they were solid out of last night (fantastic problem to have for BBQ) knowing what you’re getting is fresh from the pits. Brisket was melt in your mouth, ribs falling off the bones, and the corn bread omg so so good playful take on Mexican street corn.

P L
P L

Line out the back door when we arrived around 1:30 pm. Expect it to be this way as soon as they open. Come before you're hungry so you can wait--it's worth it. By the time we got to order, the beef rib, pork belly, burnt ends, and pastrami were already sold out. Favorite bites were pork ribs al pastor + CO gold sauce, esquites cornbread, and the pickles. Our brisket and TX sausage were both a bit tough, which was disappointing. The beans were very smoky and creamy, which I enjoyed, but my partner wanted them sweeter. Would recommend the key lime pie over the banana pudding. Saw several people walk by with beef ribs, would return to try them.

Nicole Lay
Nicole Lay

Excellent BBQ! Meats are tender and fall off the bone, full of flavor like a warm hug. We're still talking about the cornbread, because WOE, so delicious.

Phillip Salvador
Phillip Salvador

Perfection. We had the brisket and pork belly. Both cooked slowly and to perfection. So much flavor and juicy goodness. Also had the brisket and chicken tacos which were sooooo good. Sauces: amazing. Personally for me smoky sweet and the Carolina gold were perfect. Normally I don’t do the mustard based but this was entirely out of this world. Thanks Riot for letting us be a part of the family and bringing some amazing BBQ back in the neighborhood!

Donna Massiah
Donna Massiah

I just went there with family and the food was delicious, finger licking Good! We dined in and enjoyed their (burnt ends, falling off the bone ribs, perfectly smoked brisket and the delicious pork belly)! And you have to have the awesome sides mac and cheese and beans with brisket yum! The mgr Patrick is so great , friendly and hardworking and his amazing staff is awesome they all work hard to make sure everyone gets excellent customer service! They have the Best Bbq in Colorado you must go and see it for yourself!

Todd Thomas
Todd Thomas

This is probably one of my all-time favorite barbecue experiences that I’ve had in my 30+ years living in Colorado. The line was out the back door for Father’s Day. I decided to come back later Unfortunately, I did not get to try everything because they were sold out of some items when I came back later in the day. But I’m so glad I did. I tried the special for Father’s Day, a smoked ribeye that was grilled to perfection. The brisket was amazing - I highly recommend asking for the fatty part or the point. The chicken taco was a pleasant surprise. I really did not get to try the pork because I was too full. I will come back to try the ribs and some other items that were sold soon. Chef Manny is legit! Thank you!!!