The 5 Best Places For Barbecue Around Vail Valley

The aroma of slow-smoked brisket, tender pulled pork and ribs cooked over hardwood smoke can turn a simple meal into a celebration of American barbecue traditions. Across the Vail Valley, restaurants and mountain destinations offer different approaches to smoked meats, from Southern-style pit barbecue and rotisserie cooking to hearty meals enjoyed beside an alpine lake. The Best of Vail Valley recognizes barbecue establishments serving distinctive flavors, time-honored cooking methods and satisfying comfort food.

Kirby Cosmo's BBQ Bar

Kirby Cosmo's BBQ Bar in Minturn traces its barbecue traditions to Asheville, North Carolina, and Greenville, South Carolina, where the original JB's BBQ restaurants began. Owners Mark and Emily Tamberino have expanded the concept with a full bar and a menu featuring pulled pork, Carolina-style pork topped with slaw, St. Louis-style ribs and hot links. Diners can choose platters with cornbread and two sides or order specialties such as the Cowboy Cup, which layers beans, pulled pork, slaw, macaroni and cheese and barbecue sauce. Fried green tomatoes, jalapeño poppers and wings with several sauce options round out the Southern-inspired menu.

Moe's Original BBQ

Moe's Original BBQ brings Alabama-style barbecue to Eagle, emphasizing meats smoked slowly over wood fires and traditional Southern side dishes. Its menu features pulled pork, smoked chicken, turkey, St. Louis-style ribs and smoked wings, accompanied by favorites such as baked beans, marinated slaw and cornbread. The restaurant's signature Alabama white sauce adds a tangy, creamy complement to the smoked meats. Housed in a converted gas station, Moe's features a full bar, communal seating, an outdoor lawn and catering options for larger gatherings.

Piney River Ranch

Piney River Ranch was a seasonal mountain destination beside Piney Lake, surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Gore Range north of Vail. Its former Lodge Restaurant & Bar served barbecue meats smoked on-site, accompanied by salads and side dishes that guests could enjoy while overlooking the lake. The ranch combined outdoor dining with opportunities for hiking, canoeing and paddleboarding in the surrounding alpine landscape. After years of welcoming visitors for meals, recreation and special events, Piney River Ranch permanently closed and no longer accepts bookings.

Ed'z

Ed'z in Edwards takes a different approach to hearty meat-focused dining, emphasizing rotisserie cooking rather than traditional pit-smoked barbecue. Its kitchen uses vertical rotisseries to prepare comfort food, allowing guests seated at the black marble bar to watch the cooking process. An 8-foot fireplace creates another focal point in the dining room, reinforcing the restaurant's emphasis on fireside meals and a relaxed atmosphere. Ed'z offers a distinctive option for diners who enjoy roasted meats and substantial home-style cooking.

The Full Belly BBQ

The Full Belly BBQ in Gypsum grew from a family's enthusiasm for smoking meat and preparing barbecue for friends and gatherings. After years of sharing their cooking with others, the owners turned that passion into a barbecue food truck serving the local community. The business embraces a playful family tradition through its slogan, inspired by the owners' son and his unusual way of describing a satisfyingly full stomach.

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