Riverhouse BBQ & Events

A true Montana experience. Friendly, helpful team members set alongside a beautiful atmosphere and delicious food. The brisket plate was excellent and came out quickly. Great to visit after skiing from Big Sky or just passing through. Thanks Riverhouse

From other online reviews to even the locals singing it's praises, I was very excited to try out this BBQ joint. This place has that perfect outdoor country feel that you love to see from any good barbecue joint, from rusty license plates, plenty of wood paneling, old beer signs, and bison skulls adorning the walls. On top of the spacious indoors they have a great outdoor space in the side and back that gets you a great view of the mountains too. Staff was very friendly and offered all kinds of recommendations for us. Although they don't take reservations, we didn't have an issue of waiting very long even for a party of 9 on a Friday night. Now for what you're really here for, the food and drinks. Cocktails were decent, but nothing out of the ordinary (except for maybe a heavy pour!), I got their version of an old fashioned, but it was nothing to write home to mom about. For starters we split the corn nuggets and cheese curds, both of which were perfectly fried and delicious, but if I'm picking one it's gonna be the curds every time. For a main course we split the family platter for two with ribs, but let me tell you, you can feed a lot more than two with this thing! My favorites on the plate were fried chicken, ribs, and pulled pork. The brisket was okay, but a little dry and a little thick cut for my liking, sausage was good and snappy, but unexciting. One thing to note about the fried chicken though, they only sell so much in the day, and when they run out, that's it! Even by the time we got there, they were only giving it out on the platters and you couldn't get the separate meal (which is what I originally had my eyes on), and I get why, the chicken is just that succulent and delicious. So come early! Lastly for dessert we split a cinnamon bread pudding with Huckleberry ice cream, and although I only had enough room in me for one bite, it was a bite that was every last bit worth it. Parking is deceptively large actually, from the street it looks small but there is a lower lot you can park in too.

Went there with 6 friends on a recommendation from a ski guide at Big Sky, and we all left very satisfied with the great food and service. Despite being very crowded, we secured seats at the bar and were served dinner there. Kylie was especially super nice!

Delicious selection of brisket, ribs and meats in general. Great menu for post full active day. Great beer list too. Sides were also delicious. Would highly recommend as it was one of our favorites the entire week we were visiting. Would highly recommend. And the server was great - she had great recommendations and was very very patient.

Tried both the beef brisket and smoked tri-tip plates. Absolutely delicious! The meat was tender and flavorful, and I really appreciated the variety of sauces available at each table. They added some fun twists without overpowering the original flavor of the meat. On top of that, the prices are refreshingly reasonable, especially compared to what you’d find in Bozeman. But the most unique experience this place offers is the breathtaking view from the balcony. Especially the breeze around sunset feels AMAZING

I like big ribs and I cannot lie, You other diners can't deny, That when a plate walks in with a smoky waist And a rack of bones in your face, You get hungry! ​I’m hooked and I can’t stop staring, Those baby backs got me wearing A bib to catch the juice so sweet, The finest piece of Big Sky meat. My homeboys tried to warn me, But that bark on the bone is so thorny— With flavor! Deep and rich and red, Best ribs I’ve had before I’m dead. ​Oh Pitmaster, you threw down for real, Crafting the ultimate mountain meal. No skinny portions, no dry-rub fails, You’re the king of the smoking trails. So if you want a rack that’s thick and stacked, The River House is where it’s at. ​Baby back ribs!

This place has some incredible barbecue at supremely fair prices. Of all our meals in Big Sky, this was the best and yet also the cheapest. The family style platters are a great value and every meat is juicy and delicious. The beans were forgettable, but the cornbread is superb and the mac and cheese is worth a side order. Fantastic spot, and trust me - it's worth the wait! Walk ins only.

Came 2/2 days that we were in the area, worth the hour drive from Yellowstone. All of the food was amazing, service was amazing, and quick! It was so well priced for the quality we received. Not to even mention the view from the barstool. I would recommend this place to anyone in town.

Best Bar! The owners are amazing, management is great and the staff is elite. The food is absolutely delicious and the fried chicken is to die for! 10/10 recommend. The view is great as well.

Decent BBQ - Nice Mountain Atmosphere. No reservations, Walk in Only. We arrived at 5:30 on a Friday and had a 30 minute wait for a table. After being seated, the service was fast. Surprisingly, they still had fried chicken at 6:15pm - They offer a $7 chicken meal, which is a fantastic deal since you can't even get a fast food meal at that price. The server said they are often out by 5:30pm. The BBQ Pork plate was a large portion The food was good, but nothing spectacular.

The Riverhouse BBQ Grill is great. I had fabulous ribs here. My only recommendation is for them to serve larger slices of their cornbread. I don't mind their price for cornbread, but the slice was extremely tiny but delicious. I recommend the Riverhouse BBQ Grill.

We flew into Bozeman and drove to West Yellowstone, and several people said we must eat here on our drive. Let me save you some time...GET THE FRIED CHICKEN hands down! It was yummy, they are known for it, and it's $8.00. The Tri-Tip was also good, and the corn was too. Definitely worth a stop!

Busy place always, cars down the road, but turn tables quick. Our 30 min wait was shortened because we sat on the outer deck. Breezy as the sun sets. They run out of fried chicken but save it for family meals. 3 of us wanted chicken and one was going to just get a rack so only option was the family meal for 4.... So ended up trying everything. Bottom line, 5 star on location & view, and inside vibe. 3 star on food. The ribs had some good meat and a crispy honey crust. The chicken had a great crust & flavor. The pulled pork was dry. The brisket good flavor. Slaw was average. Beans better then average. Cornbread moist. Corn like store bought. Coming from a place that offers bbq every half mile, 8 would not go out if my way to get this bbq. It is a place that mountain locked outdoor adventurers go after a long day to get hearty food, and they offer plenty of that

We may not live here but we come to Big Sky 2-3 times a year. This is a restaurant that we ALWAYS have a dinner at the Riverhouse. We have been coming to the area for years and this is a family favorite. It is usual not to snap any pictures because the family or our group starts eating right away. I did my best to snap food pictures but only captured a few. You can usually find a parking spot, though busy times are summer weekends. It has a casual atmosphere and friendly greeters. Indoor and outdoor seating. Love the outdoor area during the summer months as there is an outdoor bar area (both nonalcoholic and alcohol drinks), large Jenga set, fire pits, corn hole, & sometimes live music. Service is pretty fast & friendly. Casual vibes. Everyone laughing & having fun. Good for your family but we have also taken large groups. We have even taken our vegan friends & they love it. Try the vegan tacos. Our family favorites are the onion rings to start, fried chicken, & brisket. Ribs are good to order to share as a bite is good enough for a taste. The fried chicken is what keeps me coming back and one of my top 5 friend chicken places. It does sell out, so once it is gone for the day...it is gone. I would like to review a dessert but by the time we are done with our meals, we often do not have room for dessert. My kids said the huckleberry ice cream is pretty good and worth a try.

Found this place on our way back from Yellowstone. I didn't expect much but I was pleased with the food and service. The views from the patio were stunning. We ordered the Family style for 2 which is $45. You definitely get a bang for your buck. The meal was served with generous portions of pulled pork, brisket, sausage and fried chicken. You also get small sides of beans, corn, coleslaw and cornbread. The beans and corn were kind of bland but everything else was delicious. The meats were tender and flavorful but we could not eat everything. I ordered the Peach Daly cocktail. It was just what I needed after being under the sun all day. It was a refreshing mix of Wild Roots Peach Vodka, iced tea and lemonade.

Classic tavern spot off the mountain. Beers on tap were a little lacking and the bar food could be improved, but not dealbreakers after a long day chasing powder.

I was told by a local this restaurant was A MUST, if you're visiting Big Sky, MT. She said they had the best fried chicken she had ever had. Well, she was right! It was the best. Crunchy and well seasoned! It was a fun, western type of BBQ and smoked meat restaurant, and decorated that way too. Service was excellent. The Huckleberry Lemonade (made with vodka) was delicious. I wish we were closer, I would definitely go a lot.

From other online reviews to even the locals singing it's praises, I was very excited to try out this BBQ joint. This place has that perfect outdoor country feel that you love to see from any good barbecue joint, from rusty license plates, plenty of wood paneling, old beer signs, and bison skulls adorning the walls. On top of the spacious indoors they have a great outdoor space in the side and back that gets you a great view of the mountains too. Staff was very friendly and offered all kinds of recommendations for us. Although they don't take reservations, we didn't have an issue of waiting very long even for a party of 9 on a Friday night. Now for what you're really here for, the food and drinks. Cocktails were decent, but nothing out of the ordinary (except for maybe a heavy pour!), I got their version of an old fashioned, but it was nothing to write home to mom about. For starters we split the corn nuggets and cheese curds, both of which were perfectly fried and delicious, but if I'm picking one it's gonna be the curds every time. For a main course we split the family platter for two with ribs, but let me tell you, you can feed a lot more than two with this thing! My favorites on the plate were fried chicken, ribs, and pulled pork. The brisket was okay, but a little dry and a little thick cut for my liking, sausage was good and snappy, but unexciting. One thing to note about the fried chicken though, they only sell so much in the day, and when they run out, that's it! Even by the time we got there, they were only giving it out on the platters and you couldn't get the separate meal (which is what I originally had my eyes on), and I get why, the chicken is just that succulent and delicious. So come early! Lastly for dessert we split a cinnamon bread pudding with Huckleberry ice cream, and although I only had enough room in me for one bite, it was a bite that was every last bit worth it. Parking is deceptively large actually, from the street it looks small but there is a lower lot you can park in too.

Big sky, hot tub and apres ski barbecue at riverhouse is a fine winter day. Service and setting were great. Food was decent.

Use the overflow lot to park across the road. Get your name on the list and grab a beer. Worth the wait!! Ribs were amazing! Burgers good too. Pulled pork looked delish!

In town for work and went to Yellowstone National Park. Stopped by this BBQ joint and it was worth it. Food was delicious, ambiance was country and felt homey. Service was good as well!! Price was really within budget. My fav was their homemade Louisiana bbq sauce paired well with their meats. Thank you for having me!!!

Went with expectations and left disappointed. Locals suggested this place and now I suspect one of two things: There is only one BBQ place within 20 miles; or, this was an off-night. No one at our table finished their meals. In my case, I ordered some burnt ends as an appetizer and they were mostly fat and drenched in too much sugary sauce. Then I ordered a half-rack of ribs with brisket served up with a tiny cup of beans, cole slaw, and corn. The ribs were overcooked -almost as if they were boiled or steamed first with little flavor. The brisket was dry and even the addition of sauce could not add back the moisture. The beans had a sour taste, the corn was okay, and the cole slaw was - well I did not finish it and neither did anyone else. Ambiance was a typical BBQ western-flair and there are picnic tables on the outside. I suspect the attraction is the bar as it was packed. But we came for the food. Service was okay although no one checked back to see how we were doing, needed more water/drinks, dessert, etc. (So obviously we didn't get dessert!) Yes, portions are huge, but I'd prefer quality over quantity. Pictured is my unfinished plate - which is rare for me because it just wasn't that good. Like I said, a bad night, maybe? But I won't be back.

The restaurant is a fun tourist spot. Great views. Service was ok and food was ok. I think it's more of a summer spot. Glad we tried it, good after a day of boarding but food could be a bit better considering the pricing. Just my two cents. Fun vibe inside though.

This place is wonderful! Came in on a Monday night during ski season and sat at the bar. Was served super fast and everyone was super attentive and polite. The 3pc fried chicken was phenomenal and was a full meal for only $7! The decorations are super cool too, would definitely come here again!

Food was delicious, super fun/cute spot, amazing views, and our waitress was extremely friendly, helpful, and welcoming!! Definitely recommend!!

Loved the huge deck with the great views. The food was OK. We shared the fried chicken. The dessert was actually the best part of the meal. The bread pudding was amazing!!!

I've been to a lot of BBQ spots around the US. While in Big sky, I was consistently told by locals to give Riverhouse BBQ a try. While I won't put it anywhere near my top BBQ spots to visit, it was fine given the locale and the owner/management who were exceptionally nice people.. I got the Tri-Tip sandwich, Carnies way, with a side of fries and Mac n' Cheese. While the Tri-Tip was cooked to a perfect mid-rare .. it was served ice cold, almost similar to a cold deli sandwich. I did enjoy it "carnies way", but it was bland and really relied on being covered in BBQ sauce to be tasty. The fries were nicely fried and tasty, but the mac n' cheese was a different story. the Mac n' Cheese was nothing but Kraft mac n cheese with some shredded cheese sprinkled on top and thrown in a broiler. With there being so many excellent mac n' cheese recipes out there, it is baffling that this product would be thrown on a plate at a ridiculous price point for the product you get. The ambience is similar to that of a typical BBQ spot, some signs on the wall, a lot of exposed wood, and a bar area. The view from outdoor patio was very pretty. It was fine, average at best, but in a place with limited restaurants options... it'll do. It has the bones to be so much better though.

BBQ restaurant options are slim in the area so this place rates high as it does a decent job of the food, but for me, who is originally from Texas, it is just decent, not great. The ribs were pretty good, although not very meaty and brisket was good, but had quite a bit of fat in it. Chicken was fine. Sides are small portions and just ok, not great. Texas sheet cake not my idea of a Texas sheet cake. It's good, but could be thicker with more chocolate flavor. Bread pudding was reasonable, but could use more of the caramel/cinnamon flavor. Overall nothing to be excited about, but better than some of the other local options.

This is hard to rate because the setting and vibe was great....the burger, fried chicken and onion rings BUT the Brisket and Smoked Trip-Tip were so dry! Our BIL who is from Texas was mortified. The burnt ends were also way too slathered in BBQ sauce and too big of pieces so it didn't have that caramelized feature that we usually love on them. Bottom line - get the fried chicken.

The house was packed, there was a line out the door, that was the first good sign. Food was amazing! Order meats a la carts to explore the menu. Order the ribs and Mac and cheese. Ole slaw was meh...

We were excited to stop in and eat BBQ on our way from Yellowstone back to Bozeman. The atmosphere and view was a solid 10/10. Absolutely gorgeous inside and outside. Our waitress was very friendly as well and even gave my husband a beer on the house for being a Veteran. I'm only able to give it a 4 because the food was good but not outstanding and the drinks were a solid 7/10. We got the meal for 2 and added ribs for an extra $25. The sauce on the ribs was sweet and I enjoyed it but the meat was tasteless. The brisket, sausage, and fries chicken were great. The pulled pork was decent. I did not care for the sides - beans, corn (no flavor), and coleslaw. The cornbread was okay. Would I go back? Yeah for the scenery alone but I'd try other places before going back here if I was not in the area.

The bar setting has a beautiful mountain back drop.The restaurant has wood burners inside to keep it warm in cozy in the winter. The food is great with filling portions sizes. Good choice of beer and other spirits. The service is great! We come here all the time when we're in Big Sky!!

The hostess, Ella in this place was so rude. We arrived and waited patiently for 45 minutes for a table. When our name was called, we were escorted to a table right under a cold ac unit and a door that constantly opened and closed in our face while the cold air kept blowing in. I asked the hostess if she could please move us to another table and she replied, "I have to move you to the bottom of my wait list. (Another hour). When I asked her, why would she move me to the bottom of the list? I've already waited 45 minutes. Her reply was." Because you already sat down". Are you kidding me? We sat down for less than three minutes. We didn't even order anything and nobody even served us. The rudest person I've met in Montana and I would never come back to this restaurant again and that was before we ordered. Our server took our order, $42 rack of ribs and brisket plate. We waited for silverware while the food sat in front of us. I asked the bus boy and he said he can't get us silverware. Then I had to wait for the Server to come to bring the silverware and I'm not even getting to the best part The ribs were so dry Brisket was awesome but we barely touched the ribs. When the Server came back, she said "Sorry everybody complains that they're dry. That's just the way they are". She asked me if I want a box for the dry rib ribs, and I looked at her and I asked, " Why would I take them with me". Her reply, "you're paying for them anyways you might as well take them". Honestly. What a rip off and the worst service I have ever had. Rude people. Never would recommend this place

We came in on a Sunday night and were seated right away. The service was great; the waiter was super friendly and accommodating. Menu is pretty extensive, lots of meats. Ambiance is dive bar ish and country bbq. - Family style for 2 (3.5/5): Brisket was a bit dry, my favorite was the fried chicken. Cornbread was average. - Fried chicken (4.5/5): Super crispy, the skin had great flavor. - Fried pickles (3/5): The breading was not my favorite but still tasty. - Tri tip sandwich (3/5): Not super flavorful. The fries were not the best either.

Exactly what we were looking for. If you're in the area this is a must try! Some of the best ribs we've ever had, great prices & an amazing atmosphere. Such a great space.

First timer at the Riverhouse but I will become a regular! Fun, energetic atmosphere and outdoor area with the beautiful views and river right out back. Service was excellent and the fried chicken truly is wirth the hype.

In the world of sky rocketing restaurant prices , this has to be one of the best deals in the state of Montana . The chicken dinner ,3 pieces with homemade coleslaw, baked beans and delicious cornbread for 8 dollars has to rank the best in the state. Plus the beautiful setting and friendly excellent service is a plus. Compared to a 18 dollar average tasting hamburger in nearby West Yellowstone this is a steal. Thanks Riverhouse for reminding us that a good deal and great experience is still possible in this inflation crazy country. And to think this is in the high priced ski resort area is truly amazing.

Food, service, ambiance and whole experience, not ever a daily event but very cool. Went at 5:30 to avoid crowd which is recommended unless you can deal with long wait

Beautiful ambience both inside and out. Gorgeous views of the mountains and river. Live music outside. Great prompt service. Food comes out fast. Unfortunately the BBQ food was hit or miss. We got the family style dinner for 2 with ribs. The ribs were great. The chicken was excellent! The pulled pork was average and dry, as was the beef brisket. The beans were not that great and I even put a bit of tangy BBQ sauce in them to try to help them. The corn was average, as was the coleslaw. The cornbread was great and my wife even ordered extra of it. The cheese curds appetizer was phenomenal. They seemed to be beer battered. Nice ranch too. They have a huge beer selection. The local Haybag Hefeweizen was alright. They have some wines to choose from. The Californian Ferrari Sauvignon Blanc was not that great. I noticed in somebody's older review that they used to have a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, which would have been great.

This place is simply amazing. I could go on a rant for days about how awesome it is, but I don't want it getting so popular that I have to wait to be seated lol phenomenal bbq, amazing ambiance, friendly staff and the portions are gigantic! 9.2/10

Delicious BBQ ribs (ordered the 1/2 rack & split it), beans, coleslaw & cornbread (not a fan of the corn). Good selection of beers & cocktails. Even though they looked packed, we were seated right away. Waitstaff was friendly, helpful & efficient. We will definitely be back when coming through town.

Oh.. my... god....... You guys this is the best BBQ spot I've ever been at. We got so much food and had leftovers for days, at a great price too. Especially recommend the fried chicken and pulled pork, but it was all insanely good. The whole place had this unique Montana vibe, great for locals, even better for tourists. If you're in the area, you HAVE to come here.

This is a very popular place for BBQ in the Big Sky area. We ski once a year at Big Sky and have eaten at this place three times. The views of the Gallatin River from the restaurant deck are beautiful and there is a large, energetic bar which has been packed and fun. This year in March, we visited again and went to the restaurant on a Saturday night. Normally, there is a long wait but this time we waited about 10-15 minutes and then seated...we were thrilled we didn't have to wait long! Unfortunately, we did not have a great experience. The server took our appetizer order then our entree order and brought out the appetizer order at the same time as our entrees. We asked why he brought the entree and appetizers at the same time and he said he couldn't control the kitchen. What? 3 out of 4 BBQ meats were not enjoyed. The ribs and pulled pork were dry, the brisket was very tough but the fried chicken was good. The baked potatoes were great and the size of a football. It's too bad as we all love BBQ and have enjoyed our previous visits... it's seems they are getting popular/famous but the food/service is slipping.

Amazing view, great food, good price! Would absolutely go back if in the area again. Husband got the $7 chicken dinner which was delicious and a value! I got the Turkey BLT which was the best sandwich I've ever had! We both had leftovers. We also had the sweet corn nuggets and they were ok, wouldn't get again.

Phenomenal experience here. Food was delicious and came out fast. Our sever was very friendly too. Had the brisket sandwich with cornbread. Cool environment on the inside, felt like you were in a Texas restaurant. Would definitely come back, this was my favorite stop on our trip to Big Sky.

Everything was GREAT!!! The service was fast and friendly. The food was yum. There was only one non meat option. I was hoping for salmon. No salmon. So I got grilled chicken wings FAB one fried chicken that DELICIOUS!!!! The place itself is vibrant with good energy!!! If you're ever in Big Sky Montana, do yourself a favor and stop by!!

If you're at big sky, this is a must go to spot for dinner. Make a reservation if you can, if not you'll have a 30/45 minute wait. This spot is located on the highway that leads to big sky. So it's probably 30 minutes from the mountain base. Our waitress, Taylor, was amazing. She gave great recommendations and was extremely helpful and friendly. The atmosphere is a perfect ski lodge vibe. And has beautiful views. What we recommend: - the fried chicken: finger licking good! - the brisket plate: note it is on the fattier side - the tri tip plate: this is what I would recommend tri tip was amazing. - cornbread was delicious too! Go here if you're at big sky. But make sure you have a DD!

Service was excellent and fast. Shoot out to Derrick! The portions are HUGE! We got the burnt ends for an appetizer. It was a little too saucy for my taste but it was still good. We also ordered the combo plate for two so we could try their different meats. It had pulled pork, brisket, fried chicken, sausage, Cole slaw, corn bread and beans. I might be missing something but it was so much food! The sauce was on the side and we enjoyed it plain and with sauce. We had so much left over that we took it to go, ate it for lunch the next two days, and still ended up throwing some away. TBH, we ate so much of it that I don't want to eat BBQ for a while! We didn't go out there but they I had a nice outside and live music.

Great food, wonderful service. Just remember to say " Family platter" and thank me later.

Great food, setting and service. Prices were very reasonable. Would recommend if you're in Big Sky Montana

Huge, boisterous bar and restaurant venue. No reservations taken. Expect to wait for a table. However, the wait will be well worth it. Excellent tasting food and generous portions. Friendly crowd. Hard working wait staff. What's not to like?

Riverhouse is an ultra-casual food hall serving dry-rub Texas BBQ. It is comfortable and informal, with servers extraordinarily welcoming. A modest bar sits in the corner subtlety situated in the corner. This is what a BBQ joint needs to be - simple ambiance and food focused. I went with a large party and ordered a couple of family style BBQ platters, which gives you a healthy portion of everything. Simply put: you get a lot of great food. The sausage is made in-house and is some of the best I have ever had. The brisket has just the right texture - moist but not soupy. Ribs were delicious. But the big winner of the evening was the fried chicken - crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. If I go back, I may simply load up on the fried chicken. The homemade mac & cheese is the perfect side dish and comes in a variety of different options. The Jalapeno mac & cheese was fantastic.

This restaurant was awesome! So authentic and everything was delicious. I highly recommend the brisket, ribs and fried chicken. I'm sure you can't go wrong with anything. I will definitely be going back next time I'm in Montana.

Let's start with the obvious, they have the best location in Southern Montana and the ambiance goes from outdoors folk coming back from hiking, skiing, fishing or hunting. Service was great and our server did amazing given our party was large and had some picky folk with us. Food was tasty and budget friendly...we had BBQ - pork, chicken and beef...yummy!!

How this place has over 4 stars blows my mind. I don't know if it's because of the lack of other restaurant options in the area, but it's not THAT good. We ordered the family platter with the ribs, and it was underwhelming. The ribs were tiny. None of the sauces really stood out either. The sides were mediocre. The only thing that was actually worth writing about was the mac and cheese. We also ordered a side of the mac and cheese with jalapeno and that was probably the best thing we had out of everything else we ordered. I guess for Big Sky, this is probably the most decent BBQ in the area, but I wouldn't give it more than 3 stars. The service was pretty fast and staff was nice. The ambiance is exactly what you would expect of a BBQ place. There was plenty of parking in the front and in the back.

We got the sampler dinner for two. Meat fest dinner with good sides. Their bbq is delicious. The ribs were the highlight. We couldn't finish the dinner and took the pulled pork to go. Just as good the next day. Busy place, show up early.

Our favorite meal in Big Sky was at the river house. We are a family of 7 who was coming off a busy day rafting and hiking. We got seated quickly, which was a pleasant surprise given how hopping the place was when we walked in. We ordered so much (maybe over-ordered) but were thrilled because it allowed us to try so many wonderful tastes. The fried chicken was my absolute favorite - rivals any fried chicken I've had before. The sausages and pulled pork were also awesome. Next time, we'll order a wee bit less but I'm certain we'll enjoy it just as much!