This really is a Denver jewel. Coming from the South with a strong appreciation for Carolina and Texas BBQ, they hit the mark every time. The ribs, tri tip and brisket are incredibly good and the sides (truffle Mac n’ cheese, slaw, cornbread, bbq beans) are excellent. Service with a smile? Always. Happy smiling customers? Yep. Best BBQ in Denver? Absolutely. Unconventional, rough and sparkly, we love this place.
Larry Merriweather
It was cozy inside and the servers were really attentive. Even better the food was WONDERFUL!! We'll be back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patrick Parreco
Hands down the best barbecue in Colorado! I don't know the names of the 2 women working the counter, but they are both very friendly and have a great sense of humor. Every menu item I have ever ordered from there has been beyond expectation. I live 40 minutes away and still make the drive once a month to eat at AJ's.Parking: Plenty of parking in the lot across the street.
Not bad not good…So we had a pound of brisket, half pound of smoked chicken, and a half pound of sausage. Side items were beans and potato salad.Let me start with the good:•the bark on the brisket was delicious•the quality of ingredients used were obviously up to par and better than your average bbq.•the flavor of the potato salad was different, in a good way.Ok the bad, and I’ll make it quick:• brisket was dry, point blank period. Very lukewarm too which is understandable.•beans were flavorless•no platter options, everything was charged a la carte however when I asked cashier for platter he said “yea you can just pick 2 meats and a side and make a platter.” I guess essentially he is right but it would be charged as full with no platter pricing. Between my wife and I it was $88, a bit hefty if you ask me.•smoked chicken didn’t have smoked taste and more of a “shredded rotisserie” flavor and consistency.All in all, this is really just the way I explained it. Not too bad, not too good.5/10
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Marcie Tobin
1st and last time. Walked in the door, and it being our first time in wasn't quite sure what the ordering process was. A woman comes from the kitchen and tells us very rudely to go up front to order. Once at the front the woman preparing the food was rude and very, very unfriendly. The cashier was friendly though. I had the pulled chicken which was dry and had no flavor. My boyfriend had the brisket which was decent. The pit beans were terrible. They were bland and had huge pieces of sausage (I don't have a problem with sausage being in them, but they were way too big). Bbq sauces were also just ok. The building and the atmosphere were kinda cool though, but the service is the main reason we won't be back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Kelly Bullington
It's spring they have the best meat and potatoessalad nailed the
We tried AJ’s for the first time today, coming in shortly after opening, and we were unfortunately very disappointed with the quality of the BBQ. We ordered a half pound of brisket, a half pound of pastrami brisket, a half pound of burnt ends, a half pound of pulled pork, and a side of the truffle mac and cheese.The brisket (slices from the flat) was bone dry to the point of being difficult to swallow, the pastrami brisket was equally as dry as the regular brisket, the pulled pork was average (needed more seasoning), and the “burnt ends” were not burnt ends at all. Rather than cutting the point into small cubes, basting those cubes, and then smoking them until they had a sticky, tender texture these “burnt ends” were just fist sized cubes of the point that didn’t even have the fat fully rendered which resulted in a chewy, unappealing bite.The truffle Mac and cheese, smoked jalapeno sauce, and the citrus chipotle sauce were all good. Unfortunately the BBQ itself was very underwhelming and not anywhere near being worth what it costs.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Macaroni and Cheese
David Neitenbach
Best BBQ I've ever had! Just don't eat too much or you'll throw
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Brisket - 1 2 lb
Katrina Beach
Absolutely killer barbecue, sides and dessert! I even took some home. I will absolutely be back when I’m back in town!!
This restaurant is a haven for cooked meat lovers, offering an array of mouthwatering options. However, a heads-up for rib enthusiasts: these are usually sold out by the early afternoon, around 2-3 pm, so plan your visit accordingly. The service here is commendable, adding to the overall positive dining experience. Be prepared for long lines on weekends, indicating the popularity and high demand for their delicious offerings. Overall, it's a spot well worth the wait for any meat lover.
This place hit the spot! It's definitely a hidden gem! What a wonderful atmosphere, from the savory smell right when you walk in, to the decor to the knowledgeable and friendly staff. The food was amazing. I highly recommend this spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anne Elizabeth
Food was amazing, service was fast. We enjoyed the cafeteria setting, which made the environment social and lighthearted!
This really is a Denver jewel. Coming from the South with a strong appreciation for Carolina and Texas BBQ, they hit the mark every time. The ribs, tri tip and brisket are incredibly good and the sides (truffle Mac n’ cheese, slaw, cornbread, bbq beans) are excellent. Service with a smile? Always. Happy smiling customers? Yep. Best BBQ in Denver? Absolutely. Unconventional, rough and sparkly, we love this place.
It was cozy inside and the servers were really attentive. Even better the food was WONDERFUL!! We'll be back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hands down the best barbecue in Colorado! I don't know the names of the 2 women working the counter, but they are both very friendly and have a great sense of humor. Every menu item I have ever ordered from there has been beyond expectation. I live 40 minutes away and still make the drive once a month to eat at AJ's.Parking: Plenty of parking in the lot across the street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Beef Ribs - Per Bone, Mac & Cheese, Burnt Ends, Smoked Pastrami, Pulled Chicken, Smoked Texas Sausage - 1 2 lb, Smoked Turkey, Smoked Brisket - 1 2 lb, House Smoked Pastrami - 1 2 lb, Spare Ribs, Custard Corn Bread, Pulled Pork - 1 2 lb, BBQ Sauce
Not bad not good…So we had a pound of brisket, half pound of smoked chicken, and a half pound of sausage. Side items were beans and potato salad.Let me start with the good:•the bark on the brisket was delicious•the quality of ingredients used were obviously up to par and better than your average bbq.•the flavor of the potato salad was different, in a good way.Ok the bad, and I’ll make it quick:• brisket was dry, point blank period. Very lukewarm too which is understandable.•beans were flavorless•no platter options, everything was charged a la carte however when I asked cashier for platter he said “yea you can just pick 2 meats and a side and make a platter.” I guess essentially he is right but it would be charged as full with no platter pricing. Between my wife and I it was $88, a bit hefty if you ask me.•smoked chicken didn’t have smoked taste and more of a “shredded rotisserie” flavor and consistency.All in all, this is really just the way I explained it. Not too bad, not too good.5/10
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
1st and last time. Walked in the door, and it being our first time in wasn't quite sure what the ordering process was. A woman comes from the kitchen and tells us very rudely to go up front to order. Once at the front the woman preparing the food was rude and very, very unfriendly. The cashier was friendly though. I had the pulled chicken which was dry and had no flavor. My boyfriend had the brisket which was decent. The pit beans were terrible. They were bland and had huge pieces of sausage (I don't have a problem with sausage being in them, but they were way too big). Bbq sauces were also just ok. The building and the atmosphere were kinda cool though, but the service is the main reason we won't be back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
It's spring they have the best meat and potatoessalad nailed the
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brisket & Smoked Pastrami, Burnt Ends, Macaroni and Cheese, Brisket Sandwich
We tried AJ’s for the first time today, coming in shortly after opening, and we were unfortunately very disappointed with the quality of the BBQ. We ordered a half pound of brisket, a half pound of pastrami brisket, a half pound of burnt ends, a half pound of pulled pork, and a side of the truffle mac and cheese.The brisket (slices from the flat) was bone dry to the point of being difficult to swallow, the pastrami brisket was equally as dry as the regular brisket, the pulled pork was average (needed more seasoning), and the “burnt ends” were not burnt ends at all. Rather than cutting the point into small cubes, basting those cubes, and then smoking them until they had a sticky, tender texture these “burnt ends” were just fist sized cubes of the point that didn’t even have the fat fully rendered which resulted in a chewy, unappealing bite.The truffle Mac and cheese, smoked jalapeno sauce, and the citrus chipotle sauce were all good. Unfortunately the BBQ itself was very underwhelming and not anywhere near being worth what it costs.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Macaroni and Cheese
Best BBQ I've ever had! Just don't eat too much or you'll throw
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Brisket - 1 2 lb
Absolutely killer barbecue, sides and dessert! I even took some home. I will absolutely be back when I’m back in town!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brisket & Smoked Pastrami, Mac & Cheese, BBQ Sauce
This restaurant is a haven for cooked meat lovers, offering an array of mouthwatering options. However, a heads-up for rib enthusiasts: these are usually sold out by the early afternoon, around 2-3 pm, so plan your visit accordingly. The service here is commendable, adding to the overall positive dining experience. Be prepared for long lines on weekends, indicating the popularity and high demand for their delicious offerings. Overall, it's a spot well worth the wait for any meat lover.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Didn't MEAT my expectations. Certainly not the worst, but leaves a lot to be desired.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
It was good I'm just not a fan of the menu style everything's a la carte
First time here and had one of my best meal ever sure to come back again
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Spare Ribs, Beef Ribs, BBQ Sauce
This place hit the spot! It's definitely a hidden gem! What a wonderful atmosphere, from the savory smell right when you walk in, to the decor to the knowledgeable and friendly staff. The food was amazing. I highly recommend this spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was amazing, service was fast. We enjoyed the cafeteria setting, which made the environment social and lighthearted!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5