There are so many things to love about barbecue: the fire, the smoke, the primal nature of eating smoked meat. The dish can stir up fierce loyalties about who and what region produces the best BBQ, due to its many styles across the country. But that is one of the things I love most about barbecue: getting to try the different expressions of BBQ, as well as the different sauces and sides.
Fortunately, there is enough barbecue in Colorado Springs to provide a wide range of options. Whether you like the burnt ends of Kansas City, beef brisket from Texas, the vinegar or mustard sauces of the Carolinas, or rib tips from the South Side of Chicago, you should be able to find something that satisfies your BBQ craving. To help you out, here are some of my favorites.
5 of the Best Spots for BBQ in Colorado Springs
Front Range Barbecue
Front Range Barbecue has been operating in Old Colorado City out of a historic old house since 2000, and the laid back vibes make you feel right at home as soon as you sit down. Front Range calls its style “handcrafted Southern barbecue.” The menu covers all of the classics, from pulled pork and chicken to ribs and brisket, and they have a catfish platter as well. They have all the sides you would hope to expect, from baked beans to slaw, but the green beans are a standout.
I have to say I love a place where you can order burnt ends as an appetizer. There’s nothing like ordering a meat snack before ordering more meat as a main dish. And if you want to make sure you have your meat intake covered, the Sloppy Pig is a sandwich that features pulled pork, kielbasa sausage and smoked pepper bacon.
Front Range is also a hot spot for live music, and the cozy patio stage is often rollicking with bluegrass. Watch the schedule for shows every Wednesday and most weekends.
Porkbutt BBQ
A relative new comer to the Springs, Porkbutt BBQ opened its brick-and-mortar doors in June 2024 after operating as a food truck for a little more than a year before that. Now the family-owned restaurants is serving up a good selection of meat, including fried chicken as well as smoked turkey. Porkbutt boasts an entirely gluten-free menu, making it a great option for those with gluten allergies and sensitvities.
The meat selection and sauces are inspired by Memphis, the Carolinas and Texas. You can really see this influence in the sauce selection, which includes a Carolina Gold sauce. The GF desserts are also very tasty, and the Bourbon Banana Pudding is not to be missed.
One of Porkbutt’s most unique offerings is a Sunday brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The menu features biscuits and gravy as well as breakfast burritos and scramble bowls ,which of course you can load up with some of their signature BBQ.
The Chuckwagon
Chuckwagon 719 has garnered a well deserved fan base since it started as a food truck in 2023 and moved into its permanent location just east of Powers Boulevard. The owners are from Houston and are focused on Texas-style BBQ, which of course means brisket. Chuckwagon’s brisket is nice and juicy with a great smoke on it. They also offer a Wagyu brisket and a Cowboy Cut Ribeye if you want something a little more elevated. Pork and beef ribs are both offered as well as pastrami for a little something different. The pickle bar is a nice touch, and the sauces are delicious, but not really needed as the meat shines on it’s own.
As a downtowner I rarely make the trek out east, but this well crafted BBQ is definitely worth it. If you are going to visit the Chuckwagon, check their somewhat limited hours — and make sure to get there early as they often sell out of product in about three to four hours.
Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q
Rudy’s was started in 1989 in a gas station in Leon Springs, Texas, when the owner decided to add BBQ to the food menu. There’s a long tradition of gas station barbecue in the Lone Star State, but Rudy’s was one of the first to expand the model to other states in the Southwest. Since 2010 our own Colorado Springs outpost on the Westside has been the only Rudy’s in Colorado.
Some argue that the Rudy’s in Texas are better than what we have here. Having never been to a Rudy’s in Texas, I can’t say for sure, but I’ve found their local BBQ always consistent and well executed. They provide a pretty classic experience of counter service that includes weighing the meat in from of you and offering white bread to your order as you pay. There’s a large variety of meats and sides, and the prime rib is a nice addition you don’t see other places. Rudy’s also provides a pickle bar with cherry peppers and spicy jalapeños and carrots. It’s always nice to have some pickled veggies to cut through the fat of smoked meats. And the smoked turkey is a must-try standout.
Bird Dog BBQ
Bird Dog proudly serves Oklahoma style BBQ which is a mix of styles from Texas, K.C., Memphis and other Southwestern regions. Probably most distinctive is that the meat is smoked with oak or pecan for a mellower smoke flavor that allows the meat to stand out instead of the smoke. Rudy’s has been in the Springs for 20 years, with a long run of local Best BBQ awards. They currently have three locations serving Stetson Hills, the Westside and Fountain.
Bird Dog’s meat selection has all of the standards with their pulled pork being the star of the show. Sauces come on the side. In addition to their tomato-based sauces, they offer a Wasabi-Q sauce that pairs surprisingly well with the pork and the brisket. And on a seasonal note, they offer smoked turkeys for Thanksgiving if you are trying to lighten your work load for the holidays.
BBQ and Beer
You know what goes great with barbecue in Colorado Springs? Local craft beer. Check out our Best Breweries in Colorado Springs. Cheers!
People’s Choice Vote for the Best BBQ in Colorado Springs
We know there are other great barbecue restaurants out there. So we asked: What’s your favorite? The people responded. The votes are in. And you can find the winners of our People’s Choice Best BBQ here.
