Finally — really good BBQ in Boulder. Moving here from the south some time ago, I have found my surroundings to be mostly devoid of BBQ(for at least as much as I know). All too often a long drive out into the back country is a small price to pay for securing adequate BBQ. So I couldn’t have been more excited to hear about The Ghost. Living in very close proximity to this location, I had the combined pleasure and anticipation of watching this place go up. Located adjacent to the Boulder Theater, this joint is one of the newer additions to the area. For anyone who knows BBQ, the quintessential secret to virtually every family’s recipe is slow, long, and patient cooking. Unfortunately, a lot of the«BBQ» places one comes across forsake this noble cause for more production and unrefined taste buds. Sacrilege, I say. So when I came to The Ghost, I was instantly intrigued by their«Low & Slow» pulled pork. More than happy — I was entranced. Tastes like home. For me, the Boulder restaurant scene is mostly prime within the Happy Hour time — as it’s usually a bit more affordable than the above average standard intrinsic to the city, and so I’m always on the hunt for the bang for my buck. The Ghost has pleasantly carved its way into my mind with their Happy Hour menu. With $ 4 Brisket Sliders, $ 3 Deviled Eggs, and $ 5 nachos, I’ve left this place happy and full every time. Draft Beer is also $ 4, which isn’t necessarily mind-blowingly good — but it’ll do.
Jay B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Englewood, CO
This is the best BBQ I’ve had in the Denver metro area. 5 great sauces and even though there’s a ghost pepper sauce has flavor before the heat. The brisket melts in your mouth I’ve got to come back to sample more! Props to the chef!
Tim S.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Green Bay, WI
Not recommended, at least on Sundays. Staff is slow unless you have a dog with you. If that is the case they come out to pet the dog, then go back in to grab your plate without washing hands. Outdoor tables and chairs leave black stain on your cloths and skin. Advertised happy hour specials not available on Sundays as well. Here 25 min and still waiting for someone to take our order. I’d understand that if it were busy but wait staff outnumbers patrons right now. Also, staff seems to feel it is acceptable to smoke a cigarette on break next to the outside seating.
Alysia C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Madison, WI
I love BBQ. Everyone who knows me knows I eat a lot of meat(especially for my 5’2 frame). This place just hit the spot! We went there on a Tuesday, around noon, and were seated immediately. We ordered the brisket, and the ribs(both with sides of mac n cheese) and bbq beans. Service was very friendly, and the food arrived quickly too. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender. I didn’t even need to use my hands at all, it was that tender! The brisket was very flavorful, and tender as well. The sauces were really good too(my favorite was the sweet kansas city).
Tracy A.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Englewood, CO
We went to The Ghost BBQ for the first time. They have just started serving brunch and never should have started. The food came out and 5 out of 7 meals had to be sent back because they were cold and the bacon and sausage were practically raw. I had a Belgium waffle and I don’t know how they could have messed that up but it tasted awful. Maybe their BBQ is better but stay away from brunch.
Donna T.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Louisville, CO
Absolutely the best smoked wings I have eaten. Not wet and sloppy — just delicious. The menu is not written well though. It says«with glaze» but dry rub is not a glaze. Needs to say dry rub smoked wings… Also, their bar b que sauces are excellent. The Texas one has just the right punch and the peach, apricot curry is amazing! I would have given this place a 5 Star but the waitresses are not trained and they do not know what the food items are — so sad — they need to try the food and be able to describe it because it is great bar b que with unique smokey flavor like you find in the south!
James D.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Jacksonville, FL
The Ghost was the only part of Boulder that I enjoyed. After walking through the Pearl District downtown and being creeped out by types of people I never knew existed, I had worked up an appetite. Luckily The Ghost BBQ hit the spot. I sat down and was surprised I was literally the only customer in the restaurant. The bartender was on point and recommended the brisket. She didn’t disappoint either. The drinks were also on point. The food and drink were superb.
Robert M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Oswego, NY
First time to Boulder and sought out different breakfast place and found out about this by walking around. Well breakfast was excellent with the brisket Benedict. Service was good, quick and all smiles. Would recommend highly for a bbq twist to start your day.
Sam C.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Charlestown, MA
We were passing by Boulder on our trip back from the Rocky Mountains to Denver and wanted to check out Pearl Street. We found Ghost on Unilocal! Super cute area with a lot of restaurants and stores to eat at — reminds me of a small, Midwestern version of Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, CA. Parking was easy to find but we also got lucky again since we saw someone leaving. It’s a busy area but plenty of meters around. Also make sure you note that the meter hours(ends at 7pm, which I thought seemed a little random). The actual restaurant is easy to find and right off Pearl Street. It splits into two sections with the left side holding the bar. It seemed like there was happy hour going on since a lot of people were mingling in the bar area. It’s also trivia night on Tuesdays! There was no wait for us. We ordered the smoked BBQ wings and a choose your own combo plate with brisket, pulled pork, mac & cheese, smoky BBQ beans and corn bread. It was very gooood(we were also starving). The brisket was actually ah-mazing. The pull pork was well made but I’ve also had pulled pork in the south so my taste buds might be bias — still very good. Mac & cheese was delicious(simple with four cheeses), but I think I still like buff chicken mac and cheese the most. I don’t eat beans or cornbread, but my other half said it was the best beans he’s had! Unfortunately, the cornbread was not his favorite. They have a variety of sauces — try all the sauces! It was a little confusing because the sauces on the menu were not the same or not the same names as those on the labeled bottles, but still good to try. Service was great. They were very helpful. Overall good atmosphere and very filling meal. Definitely come here if you want some good BBQ!
Aj Y.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Boulder, CO
Right next to boulder theatre. Was a fun day filled withbcitizen cope and some very legitimate barbecue. I had the barbecue Rueben and wings. Both of which were reasonably priced and tasty! Good location and good atmosphere.
Dan S.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Broomfield, CO
Went here before a show at the Boulder Theatre. We were running late and thought that since this place is connected to the theatre it would be a perfect last minute meet up place, we were right! For some reason we seemed to have nailed a sweet spot in the night, there was no wait, the food was great, the drinks were good and the server was quick and attentive. Prices were pretty reasonable and the atmosphere was good. I can see how this place might get swamped from time to time, not very big, and maybe then it might not be a great pregame place but for us, last night, it went great. Would try it again.
Matt F.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Phoenix, AZ
Such good BBQ, really really great pulled pork sandwich. The place is clean and service was great. make sure to try it out.
Giacomo M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Diego, CA
The windows so clean, one can see into this gallery of bbq and oil, lubricated by Avery brewery and spiced with tangy Tony Vincent service and film buff patrons hungry for someplace with rockin music, and cornbread, Mac n cheese and baked beans to discuss the nuance of a foreign film
Karen S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Boulder, CO
Somehow there’s a shortage of quick and decent lunch food options in downtown Boulder. Well, this place is really, really good, and I work in the area so I eat here more often than I care to admit! Favorites are the pulled pork sandwich and the brisket Reuben. I always get a salad for my side which isn’t listed on the menu as one of the«sides» options but you can ask for it. Really reasonably priced, great(and incredibly fast) service and tasty food, what more could you ask for? Oh wait, really good beers on tap and cocktails too!
BC L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Denver, CO
Legit BBQ in Boulder, Colorado! Went in the other day after the lunch rush(1:30pm) and was able to sit at the bar with no wait as the nooners were back to work by that time. For lunch I ordered the combo plate(2 meats and two sides) which consisted of brisket, pulled pork, slaw, potato salad, and I added a side of the BBQ beans. First thing I noticed when my plate arrived was the smoke ring on the brisket, it was in the neighborhood of a ¼″ to 3/8″, that alone was a good sign that this place knows what it’s doing. The brisket was tender, moist, and had enough smoke flavor that it didn’t need a boost from any sauce; it was great on its own. The pulled pork was just as good and I was appreciative that they don’t drown it in sauce to cover up all the hard work and time it takes to make good BBQ. The sides I ordered did not disappoint either; my slaw was creamy, crisp, and refreshing. My potato salad had great rich flavor thanks to the addition of eggs and a mustard scallion dressing. Now the beans… nice smoke flavor, great texture, and a great addition to the smoked meats on my plate. As I said earlier, I was a fan that everything didn’t come out swimming in sauce, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have the option to add it once you have your plate of que. Ghost BBQ offers five sauces to play with: Carolina Mustard, Sweet KC, Peach Apricot Curry, Spicy Texas, and Ghost Pepper Death. Each label on the sauce speaks to what you are getting with the exception on the Ghost Pepper Death sauce… TREADLIGHTLYMYFRIENDS… a little bit goes a long way and it builds over time. Give it a few to reach maximum burn and add more if you dare.
Amy P.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Castle Rock, CO
Came in for a bite to eat at a show, and couldn’t have been treated better, or taken care of more quickly. Great staff, great food. Thank you!
Alisha K.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Denver, CO
The BBQ is awesome, they have delicious beans, potato salad and cornbread. Service is super friendly and the place has a chill vibe. We’ll be back.
Holden L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Zürich, Switzerland
I love this place, I love their food, I love the staff, I love their BBQ sauces. And I LOVE that when they forgot my Carolina Mustard sauce in my delivery, they surpassed my hopes and dreams by running it over to me-without me asking for anything– so I might enjoy their existentially reaffirming smoked brisket the same way I always do. The only thing scary about this Ghost is how great they are!
Rachel C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Boulder, CO
Finally! Good,(no, awesome) BBQ in Boulder! I’m a BBQ snob from Kansas City and the ghost kills it. Try the brisket and Mac n’ cheese!
Heather S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Boulder, CO
This place is the dopest. Puts BBQ in Texas to shame. #ghostforever ask for nicks creamy special
Kendra L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Boulder, CO
This place is a gem hidden in the rough! This location next to the Boulder Theater is finally open to the public! You can come in any time now that it is «The Ghost,» and believe me, it is worth it. The bar is always friendly and fast, table service is professional. The vegetarian jack fruit sandwich is the best vegetarian bbq in Boulder! Every person I have been in with has said that the food is superb. All in all, a great addition to downtown Boulder! I hope it sticks around.
Troy B.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Winter Park, FL
I was the only customer at around 1−2pm, service was great. The food was good, but not wow. Beans and the peach curry sauce offered the most flavor. Mac n cheese was pretty tight, but pulled pork lacked flavor. No smoke, no spice? And the meat was very juicy and runny, bottom bun was too wet too eat let alone pick up.
Madeleine L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Erie, CO
Some of the best BBQ I have had in a while. You can tell all the meat is freshly smoked and the homemade sauces perfectly top it off. The atmosphere is great with good music, original art, and super friendly staff. I went here with a particular demanding relative and the staff was not only courteous but helpful! I have now been here 3 times and have had a great experience every single time.
Rick V.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Mesa, AZ
I could smell the aroma of bbq before we arrived at the Ghost. We arrived to an empty restaurant and took a seat near the window. Everything our table ordered was delicious, right down to the sides. Pulled pork, good. Philly cheesesteak, good. Cole slaw, good(and I don’t care for cole slaw). Mac and cheese, good. Worth a return visit.
Sue B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Marshall, VA
Great BBQ! Dropped in for lunch and had to get it to go. They packed it up with sauces of our choice and we were in our way. It was wonderful!
Amanda C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Broomfield, CO
Very friendly staff. The turkey and Munster with the soup was absolutely amazing. Great to have another great lunch spot down town.