I’ve Been Eating BBQ in the Springs for 20 Years. Here’s What’s Actually Worth Your Money.
If you’re searching for the best BBQ in Colorado Springs, you’re going to get a lot of different opinions. Everyone’s got their spot. I get it. But I’ve been living on the west side of the Springs for over two decades, and I’ve eaten at just about every BBQ joint in town — the good ones, the bad ones, and the ones that closed before anyone noticed. I’m Italian, grew up in New Mexico, so I know what real flavor is supposed to taste like. I’m not a food critic. I’m just a guy who wants good meat, fair prices, and a place where I don’t have to pretend I’m at a fancy dinner.
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Here’s my honest rundown of where to eat BBQ in Colorado Springs — and a couple places I’d skip.
Front Range Barbeque — My Number One Pick
I’ll just come right out and say it: Front Range BBQ is the best barbecue restaurant in Colorado Springs, and it’s not particularly close. This place has been a west-side staple for years, originally tucked into Old Colorado City on West Colorado Avenue. The vibe was always funky, casual, and welcoming — live music some nights, cold beer, and food that made you want to come back the next weekend.
Their burnt ends are the thing to order. They cut them from smoked briskets, grill them up, and hit them with their sweet and spicy sauce. They’re limited availability, so if you see them on the board, don’t hesitate. The St. Louis style ribs are rotisserie-smoked with a dry rub and served naked with sauce on the side — exactly how it should be done. The ribs are so good they genuinely don’t need sauce, which is the real test of any BBQ place.
The combo platters are a solid move if you’re hungry. The Frontier Combo gets you a half slab plus two meats for around $38 — not cheap, but the portions are legit. Individual plates run $20-26 depending on the meat. Their cheddar cornbread muffins are a nice touch, and the sides are all homemade.
Important note for 2026: Their original Old Colorado City location is closed for renovations. They’ve moved to a temporary spot on Academy Boulevard — currently doing catering and takeout, with plans for a small dine-in space by May or June. It’s worth the drive even for takeout. Trust me.
Bird Dog BBQ — The People’s Champion
Bird Dog has been voted best BBQ in Colorado Springs basically every year since 2007, and there’s a reason for that. They do Oklahoma-style, oak-smoked meats, and they do it well. The place looks like nothing special from the outside — strip mall vibes — but the food speaks for itself.
Their pulled pork is consistently good, and the meat sampler plate is the way to go if it’s your first time. Get a little of everything and figure out what you like. The fried okra is legit, the slaw is creamy and tangy, and the baked beans have some depth to them. They make their own gluten-free sauces in-house, which is a nice touch if that matters to you.
They’ve got multiple locations now — the original on Stetson Hills, one on Centennial Blvd on the west side, and a newer spot in Fountain. The Centennial location is the most convenient for me. One thing to know: they don’t take phone orders. You have to walk in and order. It keeps the line moving, and honestly, it’s part of the experience.
Price-wise, Bird Dog is reasonable. You can eat well for $15-20 per person. Not the cheapest BBQ in town, but the quality is there every single time, which is more than I can say for a lot of places.
Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q — Texas-Style Done Right
Rudy’s is technically a chain out of Texas, but I don’t hold that against them. The Colorado Springs location on South 31st Street — right off the highway near Old Colorado City — puts out solid, no-frills Texas barbecue. Indoor picnic tables, paper-lined trays, meat by the pound. No pretense at all.
The moist brisket is what you want here. It’s tender, smoky, and you can cut it with a fork. Their jalapeno cheddar sausage is another winner — it’s got a good snap to it and real flavor. The creamed corn is one of the better sides in the Springs BBQ scene, period.
I’ll be honest — the regular brisket can be hit or miss. Sometimes it’s great, sometimes it’s a little dry. Always go moist. And some of their other sides are just okay. But for the price point and the quantity you get, Rudy’s is a reliable option. They’re open early too — 7 AM — which is unusual for a BBQ place. Great if you want to grab some meat for a weekend cookout.
The Chuckwagon 719 — The New Kid Worth Watching
This one is newer on the scene. The Chuckwagon started as a food truck in 2023 and opened a brick-and-mortar spot on Omaha Blvd in 2024. They’re bringing authentic Texas-style BBQ to the Springs, and they’re doing it the right way — smoking everything fresh and selling until they run out.
That last part is important. They’re open Thursday through Sunday, noon until sold out — which usually means 3 or 4 PM. If you show up at 5 on a Saturday expecting dinner, you’re out of luck. But that’s actually a good sign. It means they’re not reheating yesterday’s brisket and calling it fresh. They make what they make, and when it’s gone, it’s gone.
If you’re the type who appreciates a pitmaster who takes the craft seriously, Chuckwagon is worth your time. Get there early.
Mission BBQ — Solid Food, Great Cause
Mission BBQ up on Interquest Parkway is a chain, and I normally don’t get too excited about chains. But I have to give credit where it’s due — the food is genuinely good, and the mission behind the restaurant is something I respect. They honor military, police, fire, and first responders. Being in a military town like the Springs, it fits.
The pulled pork is juicy and well-seasoned. The ribs are solid. Their coleslaw gets a lot of love, and honestly, it’s some of the best I’ve had in town. The fries are hot, crispy, and actually taste like they were made fresh.
The place is clean, family-friendly, and the staff is always on point. It’s not going to give you that hole-in-the-wall BBQ experience, but if you want consistent, quality BBQ in a comfortable setting, Mission BBQ delivers. Ratings across the board are 4.5+ stars, and they earn it.
Smokey D’s — Food Truck BBQ with Soul
If you want to try something a little different, Smokey D’s operates more on the food truck and catering side of things, with a spot on Beacon Street and another on North Academy. They’re not a sit-down restaurant in the traditional sense, but the food is worth tracking down.
Their pork belly burnt ends are a standout — rich, fatty, and full of smoke flavor. The pulled pork and chicken sandwiches are loaded, and the loaded nachos are a solid move if you want BBQ with a twist. They also do full-service catering if you’ve got a party or event coming up.
This is the kind of local spot that flies under the radar, but the people who know about it keep coming back. Check their hours before you go — food truck schedules can be unpredictable.
A Note on Chain BBQ
The Springs has a few chain BBQ places — Dickey’s, Famous Dave’s, and others. They’re fine. If you’re near one and you’re hungry, you’ll get a decent meal. Dickey’s has good fried okra and a solid sauce selection. Famous Dave’s has a huge menu and their potato soup gets a lot of love. I’ve had some good meals at both over the years.
But I’ll always steer people toward the local spots first. The quality is more consistent, the food is usually fresher, and you’re supporting people who live here and actually care about what they’re putting on your plate. That’s just my preference — I’d rather eat at a place where the pitmaster is in the building than a place where the menu was designed in a corporate office somewhere.
A Quick Tip on BBQ Delivery
One thing I’ve learned — be careful ordering BBQ through delivery apps. BBQ does not travel well. Ribs that sit in a container for 30 minutes are not going to taste like they did at the restaurant. If you can, always eat BBQ at the spot or pick it up yourself. It makes a real difference.
What I Look For in Good BBQ
After twenty-plus years of eating BBQ restaurants in Colorado Springs, here’s what I’ve come to value:
- Fresh-smoked meat, period. If it was smoked that morning, I can taste it. If it was smoked two days ago and reheated, I can taste that too. The best spots smoke fresh and sell until they’re out.
- The meat should stand on its own. Good BBQ shouldn’t need sauce to taste good. Sauce should be an enhancement, not a cover-up. If a place drowns everything in sauce before it hits your plate, that’s a red flag.
- Casual atmosphere. I don’t need linen napkins and a wine list with my pulled pork. Give me paper towels, a cold beer, and a table that’s easy to sit at. The best BBQ joints feel like someone’s backyard.
- Fair prices. I understand meat costs money. I’m not looking for a $5 plate. But I also don’t want to pay steakhouse prices for brisket. Somewhere in the $15-25 range for a plate with two sides is the sweet spot.
- Homemade sides. Mac and cheese from a Sysco bag is not going to cut it. The sides tell you a lot about how much a place actually cares.
Final Thoughts on Colorado Springs BBQ
The BBQ scene in Colorado Springs has gotten better over the years. When I first moved here, your options were pretty limited. Now there are legit local pitmasters putting out food that can hang with anything I’ve had in Texas or Kansas City. Front Range BBQ is still my top pick — even with the temporary relocation — and Bird Dog is a close second. If you haven’t tried The Chuckwagon 719 yet, put it on your list before it gets too crowded.
If you’re visiting the Springs for the first time, grab some BBQ, then go hit one of the hiking trails nearby. Nothing beats a full stomach of brisket and a walk through Garden of the Gods. That’s a perfect Colorado Springs day right there.
Got a favorite BBQ spot I missed? Think I’m wrong about any of these? I’m always looking for the next great plate of ribs, so let me know in the comments.
About the Author: Dominic Ferrara has lived in Colorado Springs for over 20 years. After working for Delta Airlines and visiting just about every major city in the United States, he chose Colorado Springs for its scenery, sunshine, and outdoor lifestyle. He lives on the west side near Ute Valley Park, where he e-bikes, camps, and explores the mountains regularly. His recommendations come from two decades of eating, hiking, and living here — not from a weekend visit.
