Menu & Pricing
🍖 Ribs ($18-$36)
• Small St. Louis (~4 ribs) - $18
• Medium St. Louis (~6 ribs) - $23
• Full Slab St. Louis (~12 ribs) - $36
• Smokin' Bison Ribs (2 lb, 3-4 bones) - $29 ⭐ Signature
🥩 Smoked Meats (per pound)
• Pulled Pork - $20/lb
• Black Angus Brisket - $32/lb
• Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage - $18/lb
🍽️ Entrées ($13.95-$19.95)
• Southern Catfish (1 fillet) - $13.95
• Chicken Fried Steak - $17.95
• Fish & Chips - $19.95
• The Heart Attack (biscuits, pork, eggs, gravy) - $14.95
What Makes Smokin' Dave's Special
Smokin' Dave's earns its 4.6-star rating across 4,800+ reviews by delivering consistent, quality BBQ just minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park. The bison ribs - smoked low and slow, basted with blackberry BBQ sauce - are the signature dish that keeps locals and tourists coming back.
The location matters. Sitting on Moraine Avenue, it's the perfect post-hike refuel spot with free parking and enough space to handle large groups. For pure BBQ volume and value, Wapiti Pub has good ribs too, but Smokin' Dave's owns the dedicated BBQ category in Estes Park.
Service runs fast and friendly. The bar atmosphere gets loud during peak hours, but the staff handles crowds well and keeps the food coming hot.
What to Order (Signature Dishes)
Smokin' Bison Ribs ($29) - The signature dish. Two pounds of slow-smoked bison with blackberry BBQ sauce. Fall-off-the-bone tender. I'd order this every time for the true Smokin' Dave's experience.
St. Louis Pork Ribs ($18-$36) - The crowd favorite. Smoked and brushed with sweet BBQ sauce. The full slab feeds two easily. Fall-off-the-bone tender every time.
Dave's Smokin' Red Chili ($5/$10) - Ground beef, stout beer, tomatoes, chiles, beans. Topped with cornbread. One of the best chilis in the region.
Big Kahuna Belly Buster ($95) - The ultimate group order. Full rack of ribs, whole chicken, half pound each of pulled pork and brisket, 4 large sides, 6 cornbread. Feeds up to 6 hungry hikers.
Chicken Fried Steak ($17.95) - Golden and crisp with house sausage gravy. Comfort food done right after a long day on the trails.
💡 Pro Tip: The sweet potato fries get mentioned in 62+ reviews for a reason - crispy outside, fluffy inside. Get them as your side. The BBQ sauces (sweet, spicy, tangy) are all house-made and excellent.
Who It's For (And Who It's Not For)
Best for: Post-RMNP refueling (5 minutes from entrance), large groups and families (kids menu $6-12, handled 20 people easily), BBQ lovers wanting authentic slow-smoked meats, and value seekers getting generous portions at $10-20/person.
Skip if: You want quiet fine dining atmosphere (this is a loud, boisterous bar setting), or you're vegetarian - the menu is almost entirely meat-focused with limited non-meat options.
For a quieter atmosphere with similar hearty portions, check Hunters Chop House for steaks or Wapiti Pub for prime rib.
Practical Information
- 📍Location: 820 Moraine Ave, 5 minutes from RMNP main entrance
- ⏰Hours: Daily 11am-8pm (open 7 days)
- 🚗Parking: Free lot with plenty of spaces
- 📅Reservations: Walk-ins welcome; bar seating often available during waits
- 🚗Drive-through: Available for takeout
- 👶Families: Very kid-friendly with $6-12 kids menu
- 🔊Atmosphere: Loud, bar-style - great energy but hard to have quiet conversations
💡 Money Hack: The Not So Teeny Wahine ($48) feeds two people with half rack ribs, half chicken, quarter pound each of pulled pork and brisket, plus 4 sides. Way better value than ordering individually. Leftovers make great hotel room breakfast.