Owlbear Barbecue

The BBQ here is fantastic! I highly recommend the brisket and pulled pork. Don’t be afraid to checkout the specials too! I’m not the biggest fan of the sides. If you’re a fan of gorgonzola though, you’ll probably love the mac and cheese. But I grade BBQ spots on the meat only and this place is legit. On the sauce side, go with tangy. This place in normal times can require quite the wait in line but the online ordering process during COVID is super easy and makes this place more accessible than ever!

Owlbear is the best bbq in the Denver area. Get there early before they run out! Truly one of the very best Denver has to offer. I recently bought a whole brisket - 5.5lbs of pure heaven. Awesome swag too. Thank you to the whole Owlbear crew for working 24/7 to put Denver on the barbecue map.

I'm a smoked meat/BBQ junkie. I've tried BBQ and smoked meat all over Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado, and this is the best BBQ I've ever had. The beef ribs are freaking monsters, and they fall off the bone when they toss them on your plate. Their pit is right out front and everything is just amazing, including the sides. FD - I have not tried Snows down by Austin which I suspect will be a strong competitor but much different style. Update: 8/26/21. This place is in a league of its own. Best BBQ I’ve ever had and it’s not even close. Brisket blows my mind.

I had the macaroni and cheese and a brisket sandwich. The brisket is good but nothing to write home about. The macaroni and cheese is absolutely fantastic. As of this review, they're still not doing inside dining but there are a few outside seats or you can eat at Our Mutual Friend.

In town for business. Asked about the best BBQ in town and this was the place I was directed to. Food was excellent. I had the brisket and mac&chz. Top notch! Great service. Fast. One worker finished his shift and walked out to check on me as he was headed to his car. Thanked me for coming to their restaurant. He didn't have to do that. He went out of his way to thank me for ordering a $15 meal. That was impressive. Try Owlbear! You won't be disappointed

Wow! Not sure where to begin. Get there early if you want seating. And be prepared for amazing BBQ! I tried the lean brisket, lamb, sausage, Mac n cheese and some iced tea with the brown sugar lemonade...All of them were YES! They have BBQ sauce, but you won't need it. Melt in your mouth goodness is waiting. Stop reading and start eating! But check the hours first to make sure they are open when you're hungry.

Owlbear is a solid spot for BBQ. We ate the brisket and short ribs. The pickles and onions were very good along with the tangy sauce. I only wish they had sausage.

While standing on the fence line at OMF Brewery chatted with Pablo Pit Master in training, quite the science to master. He told me they also smoke Jackfruit & Mushrooms, had to order-which you can do online and walk over & pick up. Fortunately it was close to closing and they delivered to the fence line! Jackfruit does taste like pulled pork! Great op to learn and service!

I was walking down Larimer when this divine smell of smoked rib came tickling my tummy and o boy did I not get disappointed. Pit Fiend is a barbecue joint with excellent quality meat and service. As I got in, the waiter was serving someone else some delicious and juicy brisket. You could see the juice flowing as the knife was cutting the meat down like butter. We ordered the half rack spare ribs and it was delicious. The bark was so flavorful and the ribs were not overly greasy. The ribs do not come smothered in sauce but instead, an array of multiple sauces are available for dipping at a free serve station. I really appreciated that as I was able to experience the exquisite mouthgasm in multiple different ways and combinations. The theme is dungeons and dragons and the guys at Pit Fiend made me feel like I was hanging out with the homies from my childhood enjoying some D&D and excellent food. I am just absolutely dissapointed that this joint only has 49 reviews. Truly a hidden Gem in Denver. I was just visiting from LA California but will make a point to come here everytime I am in town. Thank you Pit Fiends for amazing food and the nostalgic cozy atmosphere.

I was thrilled to discover this barbecue gem in downtown Denver! The location was super convenient, and we were delighted that they still had all their meat options available. We indulged in the beef brisket and pulled pork, and both were absolutely amazing. The brisket had a gorgeous smoky ring, and both the moist and lean slices were incredibly tasty. The pulled pork, paired with their honey mustard sauce, was a flavor explosion. Being our first visit, we decided to sample four sides. The mac & cheese was a bit on the dry and thick side, but the flavor was still quite good. The coleslaw had a unique Asian twist that was quite intriguing. The potato salad stood out as my favorite side--simply delicious. We also tried the cornbread with hot honey, which was slightly dry but still enjoyable. The service was top-notch--friendly and attentive. The ambiance was charming, and we actually enjoyed our meal at the brewhouse next door. The outdoor seating under the trees was perfect. If you're on the hunt for fantastic barbecue in Denver, I highly recommend this place!

Incredible bbq, amazing service. The guy behind the counter was so nice, so friendly, and so real. We love this place and have eaten here a dozen times and hopefully a dozen more in the future. The brisket is great, the ribs are phenomenal, and the sauces are so good! We love the kobold. Eat here if you're around the area!!!

Conveniently located in the heart of Rino and next to a very busy brewery, this is the perfect spot to walk up and grab some lunch. Service was fast and friendly. Food was delicious! They were out of mac & cheese and potato salad but the sides we got where delicious. Plenty of seating inside and lots of folks where taking their platters to the brewery and enjoying a beer on a hot day. Will definitely be back.

Stopped by on a Sunday evening and got a brisket sandwich and a pork tenderloin with cucumber salad to eat at a nearby brewery. At the time, they were sold out of several of the sides, so come earlier if you have some specific menu items in mind! Both meats were nice and tender and I loved how they had descriptions for all of the sauces and which meats they paired well with -- we liked all of the sauces we tried! The cucumber salad had a nice sesame flare and was enjoyable. Maybe not the absolute best bbq I've ever had, but still tasty and I'd definitely come back!

Wow, I just discovered an amazing BBQ spot that offers vegetarian options! Even though they were out of jackfruit, I ended up trying the mushrooms and they were absolutely delicious. The lion's mane mushroom dish was so mouthwatering that I regret not trying it sooner. The potato salad ran out quickly, which isn't surprising considering how tasty everything was. I love the D&D theme of the place, it really adds to the fun vibe. The small indoor dining area is cozy and inviting. Despite being really busy, the staff were incredibly nice and helpful. Can't wait to visit again!

This place has absolute phenomenal bbq. We came here twice we loved it so much. Our favorite was the pork belly. Typically bbq places don't do pork belly, but honestly they should. The sweetness of the pork belly combined with the herby spice rub were just fantastic. I also loved their sauces! My favorites were the halfling and the golden dragon. Also, how cute is it that their whole place is dungeons and dragons themed?! It really added to the whole experience. Highly highly recommend.

The mushrooms are a great vegan option lacking from most BBQ spots. I also enjoyed the cucumber salad side, and all the sauce choices.

This place is a bit hidden, behind Our Mutual Friend Brewing, so be sure to walk around. Absolutely delicious. Our party of 4 ordered quite a few items to share. Beef brisket, chicken, pork tenderloin, cole slaw, potato salad, cornbread... everything was amazing. We also tried the Thai style (?) meatballs which was probably our least favorite. It was a too dense and difficult to eat. Everything else, absolutely delicious. The brisket was so so tender, it was falling apart. Best bbq brisket I ever had. Chicken was seasoned well and not dry. Tenderloin was delicious. They have a bunch of sauces you can try too, it all had a kind of dungeons and dragons theme to it. Every sauce was amazing. Just an overall amazing meal, and the staff were so kind to give us recommendations. If you just wanna try one thing, GET THE BRISKET.

I'm very fussy about barbecue and it's been hard to find good barbecue in Denver. I've finally found a couple of places that I think are pretty good, but Pit Fiend blows them away. This is the best barbecue I've ever tasted. These guys are fantastic. Karl Fallenius started Owlbear Barbecue in this space several years ago and produced an excellent product, using live-fire, all-wood cooking with two custom smokers made, I believe, from industrial propane tanks. Unfortunately, between the pandemic and rising costs, he ended up exhausted by the food industry and Owlbear closed in January 2022. Fortunately, several of Karl's staffers took over the property and the custom smokers, reopening as Pit Fiend on May 20, 2022, maintaining and improving the product, and doubling down on the Dungeons and Dragons theme. Thank you, guys! I ordered a variety of items. The beef brisket and pork belly were the best I have ever tasted: melt-in-your-mouth tender and extremely flavorful. The mac & cheese was also very creamy with a nicely crunchy topping and a rich flavor. Those were my favorites. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and again, had a deep flavor. The pit beans were also very good, nicely-cooked and tasty. The cole slaw was refreshing. The pulled lamb was very rich and satisfying. The pulled pork was good, but it was a bit dry for my taste. The cornbread muffins were tasty, but a little overbaked. Sauce is really not necessary with a product this special, but six sauces are provided and they all compliment the meats well. This is a very tiny space with very limited seating. A lot of the business is takeout, but Our Mutual Friend brewery has a large facility right next door and is happy to seat BBQ lovers if you buy a beer. Pit Fiend sits at the back of a large parking lot, but none of the assigned parking spots seems to be for their business, so street parking is required. This is a busy neighborhood and that can be challenging, but if you have to walk a bit, the results are definitely worth it.

This place makes me miss living in Rino... located behind OMF brewery pit fiend is probably one of my favorite let's get a beer and a snack place to go. Former employees of owl bear reopened this place as pit fiend and they have the BEST brisket I have ever had. Go here and just get the brisket honestly. They also have several different barbecue sauces you can play around with and select, with recommendations as well! You gotta try the Wight sauce, it's a garlic and cilantro sauce!

Best bbq in Denver? We had been putting off going to Pit Fiend because all of the highly recommended places have mostly been flops. We went in at a random time and the place is strangely laid out. There is an entrance door and exit door that make a tight seating space. Even thought there weren't many people there, the couple of groups took up most of the seating. The food was pretty spot on delicious! We got some of the brisket, it was delicious 4.6/5. We also got a lamb sandwich, it was something different and good as well, 4.4/5. The Mac and cheese was amazing! 6/5. We got corn bread and the chili honey, usually find corn bread way too dry but this was good and full of flavor 5/5.

Former Owl Bear BBQ location. Same layout with minimum indoor seating. Most people order and sit outside tables at the nearby Our Mutual friend Brewing. Brisket - they do ask if you prefer lean or fatty (flat or point). I did not see butcher wrap or tinfoil Texas style, that's ok it had the moist texture with plenty of bark and rest time. Looks like they do lamb on the regular and the special was pulled duck which was interesting. Plenty of sauces for the 'Mind Flayer' being the spiciest. Eat fat, burn fat, repeat.

Awesome, tasty, and tender BBQ! Probably some of the best in Denver! Place is somewhat no-frills on the inside, but they pack a lot of flavor into their food! You can also get a tray and take it over to Our Mutual Friend which is a great option. I will say their sides are a little expensive...$16 for a 16oz mac and cheese seems a bit high. Mac and cheese was some of the best around tho!

From Texas, and this is genuinely the best barbecue I have had in Colorado. Granted, I rarely try barbecue because I am from Texas, lol. But their variety of sauces are awesome, potato salad, pulled pork! Have to get there early because good stuff runs out quick. Although, I did go there recently, and was served moldy Mac n cheese. Not sure if this is because they cook it before the weekend then have it last through or what, but I will not order on a Sunday again. Will def go back on a Thursday! Also a little frustrating you can't bring alcohol in, so it's hard if OMF is packed.

Pit Fiend has a rustic laid back hole in the wall vibe that is welcoming. However, I do wish there was more seating. We went at a slower hour and there wasn't much room inside or any seating outdoors. The counter staff were super friendly and helpful! Unfortunately, they were out of ribs, but we got pork tenderloin, beef brisket, and a hot link for our protein. All the meat was really good but the beef brisket was outstanding! Pit Fiend is a must go if you are looking for some smoked meats around RiNo!

PROS: their sauce and their meat was good and their staff was very friendly. The ambiance is very bbq style CONS: there's hardly parking and they don't have the usual sides (fries, veggies, mash potatos) just beans and salad. Their Mac and cheese runs out consistently and it's overpriced. $18 for 5 ribs. There sauces also have unique names and you can't tell what each one is. They also don't clean the tables often OVERALL: if you don't mind the limited selection and the prices because you're a quality only type of person than yeah come here. If you're looking for an all around good place to eat there are other places to go to

I'll never forget my experience at Pit Fiend. Met up with a friend to try a relatively new eatery in town (and made a mental note to check out the brewery next door) and only realized it was D&D themed when I commented on the dice tray at the cash register that held sticker swag. DUH, Stefanie. Bummer that I never got to try Owl Bear BBQ before it closed. Ordered brisket, corn bread muffin, and mac & cheese from the counter. The food took quite some time to prepare. Loved passing time by looking at all the old school D&D cards and posters displayed as décor. Meat itself was tasty. Needed sauce, of course. Corn bread was from a different Denver bakery. Mac & cheese was an Owl Bear recipe. Cool themed hot sauces. Minotaur was my favorite (slightly spicy) though there was only one bottle of each, and the other table was using half the options. Will need to try more next time. I'm such a sucker for BBQ and want to come here again. Happy that my vegetarian friends can even eat here with the jackfruit. I'd want to try that myself, too.

When owl bear bbq said they were shutting down, me and my friends were super upset. We actually took a trip to texas just to get bbq because there was no good bbq in town that can compare to owl bear. Last week a Yelp elite friend told me the old owl bear had re opened under a new name with the staff from owl bear buying it from the previous owner. Sick!!!!!! Yes! Went there yesterday. Looking at the counter it was the same "man on the knife" (bbq lingo for the guy that cuts the brisket). Then the same guy that ran the smoker walks past. The food was identical, but with additions that you might want to try. For me it was brisket. It was dead in Texas style exactly as before. LOVE IT One addition that I love is the assortment of sauces! You have so many choises, and unlike most places that have a lot of sauces, every one is good. Really unusual to find this, I'm a sauce guy and this never happens. For BBQ no where in denver will beat this. Anyone that goes there has said the same. I challenge you to find better bbq here, shoot me a msg if you do....but you won't. This is the spot end of story!

Solid bbq in the old Owlbear BBQ spot. My husband and I shared some brisket and a side of Mac n cheese. The Mac n cheese wasn't anything special but the brisket was pretty good. I liked that you could get the owlbear sauce! Quick service but the gentleman waiting on me wasn't the most pleasant... I felt like I was bugging him by coming in and ordering. Easy to get in and out and take over to Our Mutual friend to enjoy!

I've never had a vegetarian bbq option that lived up to my meat experience until eating the mushroom bbq sandwich at Pit Fiend. I am blown away by how much flavor those mushrooms held on their own and then being able to add any barbecue sauces I wanted on top of the slaw and pickles just blew me away. I had my expectations set high and I was not disappointed! Also if you're ordering sides , don't be like me and get 4 oz. Once I realized my Mac n cheese was almost TSA sized I knew I'd want a ton more and I was not incorrect - it was delicious. Go big!

Pit Fiend never disappoints. Brisket is truly something special. The team is also very nice

Honestly it might be the best Texas brisket I've had since moving back home to Colorado from Austin! Their ribs are unbelievable as well! One of the only open flame/fire BBQ's in Colorado and let me tell you, that makes a huge difference! Another thing that makes them unique, they have a ton of vegetarian and vegan options! Including barbecue jackfruit, mushrooms, cauliflower, mac & cheese, and their beans are even veg friendly!! Do not sleep on Pit Fiends!!!

Great foot! Great service! They really took care of us! Would absolutely recommend. Don't miss this place while in Rino!

WOW, just WOW!! Pit Fiend Barbecue was one of the BEST BBQ spots I've been to so far in the Denver area, and would hold their own against some of the best BBQ I've had in Texas (I've had a good amount of BBQ from Dallas and Austin). Pit Fiend Barbecue takes over the same location from Owlbear Barbecue, and some of the staff from Owlbear are now running Pit Fiend. I had Owlbear before they closed, and thought their BBQ was solid, but Pit Fiend brings BBQ to another level. Currently, Pit Fiend is only open Friday's - Sunday's, from 11am until sold out. It was busy at 12:30pm on a Sunday, but there was no line at the time, and they still had all items available. I tried: -Pork Belly (Half Pound/$18, https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=tOwS9ApIy8yRIsaAOO5ZcA&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg): DELICIOUS, and a MUST ORDER for any pork lover! I would highly recommend eating this fresh, since the fat was rendered perfectly, and this melted in my mouth. It was a little on the salty side when eaten on it's own, but would've been perfect with one of their sides and/or with a slightly tangy BBQ sauce. -Beef Brisket (Half Pound/$18) & Pastrami (Half Pound/$20) [https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=G-8hLtCO0SJfY_LNoCalfQ&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg]: For those who enjoy the fattier cuts of meat, make sure to specify your preference when ordering brisket and pastrami (they also very nicely asked us our preference). The moist brisket was super tender and super flavorful, and was up there with the pork belly- another must order! The moist pastrami was solid, but also very salty- I would've preferred this in a sandwich with coleslaw. I loved that they had a whole menu of different BBQ sauces to choose from; unfortunately, I couldn't remember which one I tried but it was slightly tangy and had a great consistency. I'll be back to try their ribs and sandwiches! My only feedback is around their customer service- One of their staff was super nice and friendly, but the cashier seemed a bit grumpy and curt that day. Customer service makes a big difference, and I hope the negative interaction was a one off. Both indoor and outdoor seating options were available. As a bonus, Pit Fiend is located next to a brewery, and you can bring food into the brewery if you want to grab a beer with your BBQ. Parking is the most difficult part about coming here; however, street parking spots should be available only a block or two away.

Great little spot for bbq! Loved the dnd theme. We had the 8oz Mac and cheese, which was super tasty and my favorite part of the meal! 8 oz was good to share and not be too full. We also had the pulled pork sandwich and the brisket sandwich. The meat was flavorful, and we loved the variety of sauces to go with. The golden dragon was a mustard based Carolina sauce, which was interesting, and we also really like the owl bear original, which had a ton of seasoning in it. The coleslaw was vinegar based with some Asian flavors- black sesame seeds and I think I tasted some black sesame oil as well. It added some nice fresh crunch to my pulled pork sandwich. The sandwich was served on a floured bun, which was tasty but got flour everywhere (including on me). They got busy pretty quick around 1:30, but the two guys handled the line with a quickness. If you're in the area, I would recommend stopping by!

This is best BBQ I've ever had BY FARRRR!!!! Do yourself a favor and let these culinary artists change your life with their incredible meats! We had the brisket (bomb), pork loin (SUPER bomb), the pork belly (SUPER DUPER BOMB) and the chicken (can you guess?... BOMB) Plus the green chili corn bread was impeccable. Great job, pit fiend. Now it's time for a food coma nap.

WOW the BEST bbq I've ever had. Seriously. Even the brisket was melt in your mouth tender. Sooo good. Highly recommend the tenderloin.

Pit Fiend is the real deal! I had some very moist and tender brisket, perfectly charred pork tenderloin medallions, creamy mac and cheese, and spare ribs. The place is very casual with only one large table and some counter seating. You order at the counter. The guys working there were also very friendly and funny. Great experience. The only downsides are that they do not serve beer (although you can take your food next door to OMF brewery) and that the space is small, so you may not always be able to sit down and eat there (again you can go to OMF if they are not too crowded). That said, Pit Fiend will definitely be my top food choice when I find myself in RiNo in the future. It's not pretentious at all. Just a simple place with great food.

Amazing good, amazing service. Had the lions mane mushroom which were absolutely amazing. Also had the brisket and pork belly, definitely a must try. Had the Mac and cheese, beans and cucumber salad. Went there 3x over the course of 2 days.

Walked in unlocked door 4 minutes before opening. Told rudely to go outside (no please or thank you) and wait in the 100 degree sun 5 minutes until opening. Waited outside 5 minutes baking in sun, almost passed out. So just left and went to a BBQ that cares about its customers and let's them sit inside an empty air conditioned restaurant for 4 minutes. Thanks for wasting my gas and an hour of my day driving to you.

These people aint playing around... that beef brisket is something special. The only way to produce such high quality on a consistent basis is dedication and to either master your craft or work with those who have. The people at Pit Fiend have most CERTAINLY mastered their art.

Best bbq I've ever had. That staff was beyond awesome and the food is even better. It's really hard to perfect bbq, but these guys somehow perfected it. Anytime I visit Denver, I'll be visiting this place!

Pit fiend, formally Owl Bear is 10/10 Their brisket is incredible, as well as their Mac and cheese The pulled pork is good, pork bellly is more flavorful but of course more fatty. They had a cornbread with warm honey that was on special and that was incredible. Would love to see it as a regular menu item. The brown sugar lemonade is delicious. The service is always great, making good recommendations. They have some seating indoors, but also an option to take it to go and eat outside at the brewery, OMF, next door.

Amazing service and best bbq in CO. Everything has great quality I highly recommend if in Denver.

Owlbear is back as Pit Fiend!! Same space and setup. The have beef, pork, chicken for sandwiches and lamb shanks. You can get meat a la carte (1/4lb, 1/2lb, 1lb). They offer sides (cole slaw, mac&cheese, cucumber & potato salads, pit beans, curry cauliflower) + chips, smoked nuts, pickled jalapenos. They have fountain sodas & Jarritos bottles. They also have sausages and beef hot dogs. They have 8 sauces to compliment the meats.

I love more than anything how consistent their food is. I hate when places I really enjoy end up being a fluke. Every time I go it's always top notch and better than I remember. They also try out new and interesting combinations and recipes all the time. Outside of the food being amazing the staff is always so pleasant and polite. Even when they have a line out the door you feel like your the only person there.

My husband and I tried Pit Fiend for the first time today. The food was good, but the place is exceptionally small and it is quite pricey. We had ribs and brisket which were both excellent. There is only one table, which was occupied, so we had to squeeze in at a counter. As for the prices, I got 4 medium size ribs and they were $21. The brisket was $36.00/lb. Those prices are out of line with other equally good places. I wouldn't go back.

Nicest staff ever, but my meat was way overdone. The cornbread muffin was delicious. Overall, disappointing.

Great bbq in Denver. Funky neighborhood, but in a great way. Right next to a brewery. Tremendous food. Great beer

Absolutely,nobody can turn barbecue down. You got your choice of pork, chicken, and my best one Brisket.

BBQ is not my got to food but, boy, am I bglad I stepped outside of my box! The mushrooms were flavored so well. While I like my beans a little more on the sweeter side, these were pleasantly surprising. I liked the Mac and cheese. It does have meat in it but I did my best to eat a few bites just so I could sample it; yummy!!! Hopefully they offer a version without meat so I can have a bowl to myself

Wow!!! Amazing flavor and texture to the meat! Tried the sausage, pork loin, brisket and pulled pork along with the corn bread, put beans and jalapeño - so good... The hot sauces really stole the show however - the buffalo a like... OMG. Amazing

Absolutely delicious! The pork belly and brisket are *chef's kiss* ... but add in the cornbread muffin with hot honey... it's a wrap!! I had to shake hands with the smoke master after eating the delicious meal out of respect for his hard work!

Absolutely fantastic. Fatty brisket was perfect. Smoked jalapeños delicious. Corn bread tops. Slaw excellent. All the sauces mouth watering and each stands alone from the others. Dare I write it, on taste and food quality, possibly the best BBQ place I've visited in my travels across the USA.

Spent the afternoon at the stock show so it felt right to grab barbecue afterwards. Found this hole in the wall barbecue joint in RiNo that hit the spot. The place is a bit pricey but the meat quality was on point. Try the brisket and pork tenderloin for a good time.

Very happy to see this location rolling smoke again. Stopped in today and was pleasantly surprised to see and taste these flavors once again. I think these guys might even be doing it better. Will absolutely be returning again in the future and cannot wait to pickup Pit Fiend merch when it becomes available. Welcome back to the neighborhood! We are very happy to have you.

Some of the best BBQ in the Denver area. Brisket and Pork belly are 5 stars. Tender and juicy with great flavor. Sides are solid but some of them have a little too much going on with the seasoning. Corn bread was excellent and moist. Beans were great. Not too peppery or over seasoned. Mac and cheese had some good cheesiness/flavor but a little heavy on the seasoning. Ribs had good flavor and fairly tender but a little heavy on the seasoning. Not a fan of coffee being in the seasoning of ribs. Brisket and pork belly is some of the best I've had!

The food is amazing!!!!! The customer service is wonder the people running this are so friendly and nice!! And the shop is pretty cool to look around at!! Definitely recommend this place if you love BBQ!!!!

Great staff, AMAZING SHMEAT. Good variety and the staff is super friendly. I recommend this to anyone visiting Denver, especially if you love some good ol' BBQ!!!!!