5 Places to Find the Best BBQ in Estes Park, CO

Good day to you dear internet traveler and welcome to my article on the best BBQ places you can find around Estes Park Colorado. In this list I will list every restaurant with their Yelp page and webpage listed in easy to access links. So that way you can check out what other people have had to say about them, as well as check out their menu pricing options and their hours. And when you find a barbeque place that looks good to you, I will also feature their address so you can find your way right to their front door. And I’ll also let you know if they accept our convenient GiftYa gift cards.

What makes GiftYa gift cards so convenient is that they have an all digital format. Which means they can be purchased wirelessly in seconds. And they can also be sent and received entirely wirelessly. So if you are looking to give a gift card as a gift, you never have to worry about it showing up late. And on top of all of that, their all digital format means that the recipient will always have them with them because they are right on their phone. And since they are on your phone, and your phone is basically a computer, GiftYa even takes all the math out of the equation for you. (Pun entirely intended) But since they handle the math for you, you always know how much is left on the card, and don’t have to write it on there in marker so you can remember next time.

But enough about GiftYa, let's get to that list of great barbeque places in Estes Park that you were looking for!

1. Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ & Brew

Hands Down The Best Barbeque Place In The City

820 Moraine Ave | Estes Park | smokindavesbbq.com

Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ & Brew is the only BBQ joint on the list today that has more than one successful location to brag about. And not only that, they are the only BBQ place on the list today that also made it onto my list of best restaurants in Estes Park, as well as onto my list of things to do in the area. It’s not just that they have the best BBQ in the city, they do, it is also that they have a very full menu of options that aren’t barbeque. And I think that makes them by far the most accessible place on the list to eat for a larger party, or for anyone who has a picky eater in their party. On top of the great BBQ, they also have plenty of other staples of classic American cuisine.

Although they are most well known for their food, as the name might suggest, they also have plenty of ice cold beer to wash everything down. However, it’s not like they are just a bar. You can expect much more of a family friendly environment here then you might find at other places that serve alcohol. 

And it’s all these things together that make sure Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ & Brew has the top spot on the list today. They have something to offer for everybody, and what they do offer is widely beloved in the area. Well enough loved that they are the only BBQ place that’s local to the area with two locations. And it’s easy to see how they are running such a successful business when you take a look at the countless positive reviews left behind by locals and travelers alike!

“We loved this place! Even the music they were playing was great. Large beer selection and food menu! The nachos app was just okay, but the bbq was great! My sister got a burger and said it was one of the best shes had. We had a large group and our service was great!” - Yelp Review  

2. Lazy B Chuckwagon and Show

Full On Event That Features Delicious BBQ

6120 CO-7 | Estes Park | lazybchuckwagon.com

Lazy B Chuckwagon and Show is a full on authentic, family-friendly event that includes a Chuck Wagon supper. And that supper just so happens to feature some of the best BBQ in the city. To be honest, the thing that keeps them out of the number one spot is that it is a whole on feature show. And I know not everybody is looking for dinner and a show, and they just want some excellent barbeque and a cold beer. Which is why Smokin’ Dave’s was number one. 

But for those of you who are interested in dinner and a show, you can’t beat Lazy B in Estes Park. Not only do you get the full meal, you also get Western Musical Entertainment that will keep you entertained the entire meal long.

I think Lazy B Chuckwagon and Show would be my number one choice for any dining party with seniors in it. I think it’s a safe and comfortable performance with just enough entertainment to keep anybody engaged, but not so over the top it will overstimulate anybody either.

“Fun evening of good food, meeting others, and an excellent musical comedy show.   While we are empty nesters, we saw youngsters enjoying the show as much as we did.  A great way to spend an evening in Estes Park....the views are gorgeous from the deck.” - Yelp Review 

3. Sagebrush BBQ & Grill

A Part of The Estes Park Community for Over 20 Years

1101 Grand Ave | Grand Lake  | sagebrushbbq.com

Sagebrush BBQ & Grill rounds out the top three on my list of great barbeque places around Estes Park. And they get the number three spot for a few reasons. First of all, they have a very positive rating with previous customers with hundreds of reviews in. Which means that more than anything, they are providing a consistent experience for their customers. Which is exactly what I like to see. It’s hard to recommend a place that seems to be five stars some nights, but only a two star experience on other nights of the week. But you don’t have to worry about that at Sagebrush, they are offering an optimal experience for every customer who walks through the door.

And while you can certainly get some of the best barbeque in the city at Sagebrush, you can also get a whole lot else. Not only are they open at 7:00 AM everyday to serve breakfast and brunch, they stay open to 9:00 PM serving out of this world BBQ, as well as a full dinner menu of classic American dishes. So if BBQ doesn’t sound good to somebody in your dining party, not to worry. You can also get classics like grilled chicken sandwiches and cheeseburgers here. So they should have something on the menu that appeals to everybody in your group.

And on top of all of that, when they were founded over 20 years ago in 1999, the founder believed that a restaurant should do more than serve great food. He believed it must become an integral part of the social life of the community it is in. And now that they have been successfully in business for close to 25 years, I would say it is safe to assume they have achieved their goal. Especially when you consider all the great reviews left behind by locals and travelers alike!

“On a recent visit to Grand Lake following a day in RMNP, we opted for an evening meal at Sagebrush BBQ and Grill. The food, service, and atmosphere did not disappoint.” - Yelp Review 

4. Avery Brewing

Amazing Brewery, With Amazing BBQ In Boulder Colorado

4910 Nautilus Ct N | Boulder | averybrewing.com

If you are willing to drive a little out of your way for some great barbeque then I would highly recommend giving Avery Brewing a try. You’ll have to drive from Estes Park over to Boulder, but it will be well worth the trip. Avery Brewing serves fantastic barbeque, probably the best in Boulder. But on top of the amazing barbeque, you can also get plenty of hand crafted beer that is brewed right on site. 

You can get out of this world barbecue on top of all kinds of other classics like fried chicken or pulled pork sandwiches. But really when you go to a brewery, the thing you are there for is the locally crafted beer. They have over thirty options to choose from. And they have been brewing beer successfully in the area since 1993. Way before the whole micro-brewing trend took off. So I am positive they know what they are doing better than most in the same industry.

“I was in Boulder and decided to swing by. At first I was like "Cool, hipsters with EV chargers and outdoor tables and great beer." Guess what? No lies detected. Ordered some various beer, all were great. The brisket nachos were some of the best nachos I've ever had. Come here.” - Yelp Review 

5. White Paper BBQ

A Modern Take On Classic BBQ Flavors

1480 Cascade Ave | Loveland | whitepaperbbq.com

White Paper BBQ was born out of the idea that history is meant to be changed. At least the history of how great barbeque has been made. At White Paper they have taken all the traditional means and methods of creating excellent barbeque and updated them with some modern twists.

Excellence in their food is what they strive for, and in their strive for excellence, they have created their own process on how to create the best bbq. They use reverse flow pits, use only oak firewood and bathe the meat in the smoke. Their goal is to create a BBQ so good that you don’t need any sauce on it to enjoy. But don’t worry! They still have plenty of sauce as they believe our society has deemed it necessary.

All in all, White Paper BBQ makes a great choice if you are looking for some fantastic barbeque, but are a little tired of the same old same old things you get everywhere else. Why not give a dry BBQ a try? What’s the worst that happens? You have to put some sauce on it. What’s the best that happens? You have a brand new way to enjoy one of your favorite meals, adding more spice and variety to every one of your forthcoming days! And I mean how can you beat that deal?

“Delicious BBQ

Succulent ribs love the brisket. Had potato salad & mac & cheese very good. Probably best BBQ had in a while in Colorado. Service is solid and the crew really cares about what they do.” - Yelp Review 

And there you go dear barbeque connoisseur. That is my list of all the best barbeque places you can find around the Estes Park Colorado area. To be honest there weren’t as many great barbeque places as I was expecting. But the ones that were here were absolutely fantastic! But if you didn’t find exactly what you were looking for here be sure to check out one of GiftYas other great articles on things to eat in Estes Park. Like this one featuring the best pizza in the city. Or this one featuring the best restaurants in all of Estes Park!