One of my favorite things to do when I travel is ask locals where they like to eat. Sure, online reviews are helpful and social media has introduced me to incredible restaurants, but there’s something different about hearing someone who actually lives there say, “That’s where I’d go.”
Landing in Denver was easy since I didn’t have to fly the plane, and I think everyone is thankful for that. Finding dinner turned out to be just as easy. I had a craving for barbecue and had already picked out a restaurant before leaving the airport. While riding in my Lyft, I decided to ask the driver if she had a favorite barbecue spot. I purposely didn’t mention the place I was considering because I wanted to hear her honest answer.
To my surprise, she named the exact restaurant I had already saved and that was all the confirmation I needed.
A short while later I was standing in line at Big Belly Brothers BBQ, ready to find out if the recommendation lived up to the hype.
I ordered the Sampler for Two ($35), which came with three meats and two sides. It felt like the perfect way to experience as much of the menu as possible and get a solid reflection of the restaurant.
For the meats, I chose sliced brisket, pulled pork, and burnt ends.
The brisket was wonderfully tender with just the right amount of smoke, while the pulled pork was juicy enough that it hardly needed sauce. But if I had to choose a favorite, it would easily be the burnt ends. Rich, flavorful, and caramelized around the edges. They were the first thing I reached for and the last thing left on the tray.
For the sides, I went with the mac and cheese and Big Belly Beans.
The mac and cheese was creamy and cheesy making it exactly what I want next to a tray of barbecue. The beans carried a deep, smoky flavor that complemented the meats beautifully and rounded out the meal.
What I appreciated most about Big Belly Brothers BBQ wasn’t just that the food was good. It was that it felt honest. So honest, that the door kept opening with customers coming in which let me know how much people in the area love the food. There’s nothing unnecessary about them and they’re not trying to innovate barbecue. They’re just smoking meats and serving it to people who enjoy great barbecue.
And after my first meal there, I completely understood why locals suggest this place and why I liked it so much. And that’s where the reality comes into play, because sometimes the internet points you in the right direction and sometimes a local confirms what you’re already craving. When both agree, it’s usually a pretty safe bet that dinner is going to be good. And it was good at Big Belly Brothers BBQ.
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Address: 11601 East Montview Blvd, Aurora, CO 80010
Phone: (983) 214-9478
Hours: Sunday through Thursday – 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Friday & Saturday – 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Social: Website, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Facebook.
