Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q
Audio By Carbonatix
The barbecue scene in Denver has grown a lot in recent years, with such notable additions as Riot BBQ, Catfish King and Iron Age BBQ in 2025 alone. But long before that, more than two decades ago, Alex and Jessie Liesegang brought a Florida chain to Colorado when they franchised a location of Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q at 9393 East Dry Creek Road in Centennial.
Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q was founded in 1949 in Jacksonville, Florida. Today, all of its eighteen locations are in the Sunshine State except the one in Centennial.
Now, the barbecue joint’s run in Colorado is coming to an end.
“After 21 wonderful years, we’re saying goodbye,” reads an announcement posted on the location’s Facebook page on October 26. “It’s hard to believe, but after serving this amazing community since 2004, Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q will be closing our doors on Saturday, November 1, 2025. We’ve loved every brisket, rib, and smile we’ve shared over the years — you’ve all become like family to us. Please come by this week between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. to enjoy one last meal, swap stories, and help us celebrate this next chapter in our lives.”
That next chapter includes transitioning from business owners to landlords, as the Liesegangs own the property. “A new tenant will begin development almost immediately after we close. They are excited to join the Centennial community,” the couple notes, though they cannot yet announce what will be moving in.
When the restaurant celebrated its twentieth anniversary in May, it shared this message: “For twenty years, we have been a restaurant leader in the Denver Metro for our delicious BBQ. We have catered countless weddings, graduations, holidays and office get-togethers. We have served up thousands of pulled pork sandwiches and refilled many of sweet teas over the past 20 years. We are beyond grateful to have been helping you put dinner on the table for two decades now. We also survived through two U.S. recessions; lasted through Covid when we saw many businesses shutter their doors; [and] navigated through the many unique challenges that small businesses have to endure during these current market conditions of rising cost of production, labor shortages, and increased competition.”
As the business prepares to say goodbye, its owners have one last message: “Thank you for 21 incredible years of support, laughter, and memories. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q is located at 9393 East Dry Creek Road in Centennial and will be open through November 1. For more information, visit bonosbarbq.com.
