Reader: The Denver BBQ scene is pretty lame

As a city that got its start as a true cowtown, Denver still has plenty of places where you can get great steaks and burgers. But good barbecue places are few and far between in the metro area. That's why Lori Midson hit the brakes when she saw Big Jim's,...

By Patricia Calhoun

June 18, 2014

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As a city that got its start as a true cowtown, Denver still has plenty of places where you can get great steaks and burgers. But good barbecue places are few and far between in the metro area. That's why Lori Midson hit the brakes when she saw Big Jim's, a parking lot operation in Parker run by a charming pit master who turned out some of the best 'que she'd had in Colorado. See also: Guess where I'm eating some smokin' hot barbecue

Says Denver Dave:

I have to say, as others have, that the Denver BBQ scene is pretty lame. Many years ago Daddy Bruce and M&Ds did a pretty good job. Now I don't waste the calories because I'm consistently disappointed.

And that brings up a meaty topic, one we can all sink our teeth into: Why doesn't Denver have more good barbecue joints? What spots around town do you consider worth the calories?

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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