AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q

Such a great bbq place! Probably the best in Denver. We tried to much stuff here and we loved it all but definitely had favorites. We had the pastrami, brisket, sausage, tri top, burnt ends, and turkey. Our favorites were the pastrami and turkey. The crust they get on the meat is so flavorful and makes the meat taste so good. You don't even need any bbq sauce. The pastrami and turkey was Smokey and tender. The burnt ends were good but a bit fatty. Personally I'm not a huge fan of meat that is on the fattier side. The brisket was a bit drier in spots but was better than any other brisket I've had. The tri tip was basically steak and a bit chewy and was our least favorite. The sausage was actually beef with a pork casing on it. It was juicy and tasted good. We also had the Mac and cheese and cornbread. The cornbread had custard in it and was really interesting. It was really moist and the custard made it different from what I've had before. The Mac and cheese was kind of grainy, but maybe because it comes out of the container and it's not fresh. The cheesy crispy bits were really yummy. We brought home the banana pudding which was really good. The banana flavor wasn't very strong, but it was smooth and not too sweet. We went when they opened on Sunday and it wasn't crowded at all. Service was quick and friendly. The restaurant is really homey and has a nice outdoor dining area.

My review has to honestly reflect my experience, but there's no way my experience is the norm. I don't think they could stay in business or have people in the reviews claiming their brisket is Texas style quality if our experience was the norm. The brisket they served us on Aug 26 was probably the worst brisket we've ever had. They had to have had a new person working the smokers, or had something go wrong, like run out of wood or something. There is just no way they have Texas everywhere in and on their restaurant and serve their brisket like this on a daily basis. I couldn't eat it with my hands, and couldn't eat it with a fork. We would have had to have asked for a steak knife. I was too embarrassed to say something so we had to waste it, along with the money it cost to buy it. It was just so bad. Like taken off the smoker way early, like 170 degrees early. I've gotta give 1 star because brisket is expensive. You can't serve someone bad brisket. They also have Texas everywhere so brisket has to be what they do best. The ribs had a good smoke flavor but again were super tough, probably pulled around 180 degrees. My wife could barely get her meat off the bone. The sides and sausage we had were good. Their potato salad, beans, and corn bread were all 10/10 for us. The sweet tea was great as well.

The brisket was ok.everything else was not.for the high prices and hype, I was expecting more. Instead, I got average to less than average bbq.

Amazing BBQ in Denver. We got a half pound of the brisket, pastrami, a beef rib, sausages, burnt ends and sides. The service was counter service and they were friendly. I'm surprised the wood pile was on the ground and not on a rack. I guess you don't get too many critters on your wood piles in Denver? The place is quaint and had benches and picnic tables outside. They pay homage to the legendary BBQ joints of Texas with a mural.

Super duper awesome BBQ. Went for the burnt ends but they were sold out. So we gave their brisket, pork ribs and waygu pastrami a try. All 3 were outta this world moist and delicious. Their 4 sauces even made it more delicious. Tried their cornbread with custard. At first it seemed a bit odd, but then I really liked it (custard was not sweet but added more moistness to the cornbread). Order at the front and they weigh out what you order as you check out. Community type tables. Casual and comfortable seating and environment. We met a nice couple.First time here as a birthday celebration. Hope the next time we go, they will have burnt ends . Looking forward to going back again soon!

This place is a Denver 5 stars, but would be a Texas 3.5 stars. The flavors on all the food items were great. Texture, not quite there. Service was very friendly and efficient. And inside was very charming and clean, but a little tight. Price-wise, it is on the higher end.When approaching the restaurant, one can smell the beautiful bbq smoke from blocks away. The location lacks curb appeal and is not in a nice area, but streetside parking is plentiful within a block.We wanted to try almost everything, so we ordered brisket, pastrami, burnt ends, chicken, turkey, sausage, pulled pork, pork ribs, custard cornbread, truffle mac and cheese, bbq beans, and banana pudding. Complimentary are 4 kinds of bbq sauce (smokey sweet, smokey jalapeño, Carolina gold, and Chipotle citrus), diced onions, sliced raw jalapeños, and sliced bread and butter pickles.The brisket was dry, but not crazy dry. It had really good flavor though. I'd rate it 3/5. Pastrami was excellent in terms of flavor and texture, 5/5. The burnt ends were really good, and probably the best I ever had. I don't really like burnt ends, but these were good and a 4/5 for me. Chicken was very mid, 2/5. Turkey was amazing and a favorite for everyone at the table, 5/5. We might stop by every now and then to order a pound of turkey to-go. Sausage was pretty good and heavily flavored with fragrant spices, 4.5/5. Pulled pork was tasty with a great smoked flavor, but somewhat dry, 4/5. Pork ribs had great smokey and slightly tangy flavor with a wonderful salty and peppery rub. Unfortunately the ribs did not fall off the bone at all, quite dry, and a little tough. 3.5/5.Everyone loved the custard cornbread (5/5). The truffle mac and cheese was very well-executed (4.5/5). Bbq beans were average, but the hunks of brisket in there was nice (3.5/5). And banana pudding was nice, not too sweet, and with real bananas. It tasted fresh and natural, but creamy and luscious. Quite simple, and there's beauty in simplicity, but maybe too simple? I'd give it a 4.5/5.The sauces were nicely balanced, thick, and nothing too crazy. Onions are just onions. The jalapeños had zero heat, but were nice and crunchy. Bread and butter pickles were very nice, but only if you like that sweeter style of pickle.Overall a top bbq joint in Denver that I will be eagerly coming back to for pastrami, turkey, sausage, and custard cornbread.

Hidden place with good vibes. Came here to to compare bbq for a party we are having. 4 of us came. First set got the brisket and burnt ends with Cole slaw and pit beans. Second group had brisket with pit beans and Mac and cheese. First group didn't get the option to get leaner meat and as a result didn't like their burnt ends or brisket. Second group got the offer. The lean was good but dry the fatty was well too fatty. Beans are good Cole slaw is ok Mac and cheese was smoky and was pretty good. Not great. Oh the sauces they have 4 different ones after a while everything starts tasting the same haha.

I see why Michelin named this place one of the Bib Gourmand restaurants in Denver. I stumbled across this place to kill some time and also eat my feelings (who hasn't). To get to the point-- this is the best brisket I have ever had. I am not even a huge bbq girl but I can appreciate an incredible piece of meat that is WELL taken care of. I mean just look at the photos. GRAVITY was doing the work pulling the brisket apart-- not my fork. The ambiance gave a cozy family friendly no frills vibe, and you could see the work that was being done on the meat itself which was pretty cool. Only thing I will say is if you have the last serving of burnt ends, they will sound more like their title. Very tough, tasted like an end. But the brisket-- DAMN. Some facts and tips from the people who work there: 1) Burnt ends usually sell out by 1-ish but are the most popular2) smoke brisket usually has an inventory all day, but sometimes may sell out by 6 on busy days 3) they smoke their brisket for 14 hours and do a dry rub4) their wifi is fairly solid so you can work there if slow :) If you need to eat a feeling or two while sending an email-- come here. And get the brisket. Reminds you that there are things more important in life-- such as incredible bbq ;)

Let me first say that I know BBQ being from the south and the people that work there are pleasant and take the time to make sure you feel welcome and customer service is number one. When it comes to the food which I tried: beef ribs, pork spare ribs, ribs tips, custard cornbread and I can say they are the BEST in Colorado !!!! Find the time to visit and you will not be disappointed.

Wagyu Pastrami? What? Holy cow I was not prepared for the deliciousness that ensued my order. We went for a hodgepodge of a few meats - sausage, turkey, and pastrami. All were top notch, but the wagyu was completely out of this world!Decided to try the potato salad as well. It had a nice dilly flavor and somehow reminded me of pimento salad. To finish things off, the banana pudding was the last course and BAM! Let's call it banana mousse with bananas and vanilla wafers. The only thing that made me sad was I wanted more.It's counter service, like typical Southern BBQ, and they serve you right then.