AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q: Denver's Premier Destination for Authentic Barbecue

Getting out of our vehicle we could smell the BBQ Smokey goodness! We ordered the brisket, tri tip, chicken, mac & cheese, custard filled cornbread and banana pudding. All three meat choices were mouth watering delicious. The sauces available were are good but the meat was fantastic by itself. The Mac and cheese was really good. We were impressed. It is hard to find a good Mac & cheese. The custard filled cornbread a new thing for us to try. I am not a fan of cornbread but the middle part was good to me :) We were there for the meat anyway. The staff was friendly and patient. The restaurant was clean. There is also a mostly covered outdoor patio. We were craving BBQ and this definitely made us happy!

I went in after the lunch rush and had to place almost to myself. Incredibly friendly guy working the counter. Got a bunch of different meats and of course the famous pastrami which was the best of all of them. Try tip was juicy and very tender. My least favorite was the brisket that I felt was on the dry side. Sauces were all good but not mine blowing and the real star of the show was the pastrami, followed by the banana pudding. Coleslaw was also different with a mayo-based but the tang of a good vinegar sauce. Definitely recommend coming here for pastrami, burnt ends, banana pudding and coleslaw. Thank you so much to the staff for such a great hospitality. Sat on the outside patio which is really nice and large. Can’t wait to go back.

Simple and delicious. Unassuming from the outside by sight, but not by smell. No frills, just perfectly tender meats and rich sides. We went with the pastrami and sausage, both of which could be enjoyed without adding their mouthwatering sauces - yes, that juicy. Mac and cheese is solid, and the cornbread is unlike any other I’ve had before. There are no size options, and one meat plus one side per person was sufficient for us. Plenty of seating inside & outside, and plenty of parking across the way. Good variety of drinks and overall pleasant staff.

Burnt ends were amazing. Pulled pork the best quality I’ve had in a hot minute. My only quarrel was the slaw. Other sides are good like the truffle Mac but the meat may be tied for the best in Denver. Upgraded to a 5 star after there pastrami. Also some of the best banana pudding.

We decided to hit up AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q today. This is a rare place in that it's a Michelin star restaurant. Atmosphere is everything here, they have long wooden picnic tables to sit at. You stand in line to order your food and take to your table. We ordered the Smoked Sausage, Brisket, Spare Ribs and Burnt Ends. Sides were Coleslaw, Mac N Cheese, Corn Pudding and Baked Beans. Let's get the bad out of the way. For me the Mac N Cheese and Corn Pudding were lacking flavor and just barely warm. The coleslaw had a nice mild flavor to it. The baked beans had a mild flavor to them but again just barely warm. On to some of the stars of the show the meats. All the meats had a nice smooth hickory flavor to them. The ribs had a nice pull from the bone texture. The brisket was phenomenal, nice and moist. The Texas sausage had cheese in it and was super tasty And the star of the show was the Burnt Ends OMG, they had such a great flavor to them and moist. Doesn't get any better. So if you're in the Denver area don't hesitate to check AJ's out, you won't be sorry.

Diamond in the rough!! Outstanding for the barbecue lover. The atmosphere is dark but who cares with the great meat and sides choices available. Meat is tender and smoked to absolute perfection. I’m from MI and AJ’s is by far the best I’ve had. Ribs, brisket and rib tips. I tried them all the smoked beans and red potato, potato salad outstanding.

First time here. Ordered ribs, Texas sausage, pull pork, smoked brisket. Mouthfuls of fine bbq flavors just made for a super tasty grub. We had cole slaw, beans and mac and cheese too. Open seating. Didn’t care much for the line of people standing over everyone eating, waiting to order their food. Lol. Had to get up 3 times to let people sit at table or leave. Lol

They are listed as a Michelin Guide Star winner for taste and value. Driving up, I couldn't tell I was at the loading door or front door. Well it is a hole in the wall. Oh how looks can be deceiving. AJ had a smirk on his face as I said in my best southern drawl, "what's good?" I couldn't hear him too well but sometimes you can tell they know they are good. I conceded to a 1/2 # of smoked turkey and pulled pork accompanied by a big tub of baked beans. I smothered them with smoky sweet BBQ sauce and started devouring. Wow, wow wow! No wonder they got the 5 stars review. 6 Stars from me. You haven't eaten good BBQ until you have a visited AJ's. My only regret is that I didn't grab some ribs.