Denver, CO | Moe’s Original Bar B Que
530 Broadway and 3295 South Broadway
Denver, CO / Englewood, CO
{Google Maps | Website}
BBQ, Bowling, and Tunes at Moe’s Original Bar B Que
In honor of Eating Everywhere’s BBQ issue, I searched our city for Denver’s best BBQ. While the majority of locals raved over Wolfe’s (a review to come), declaring it a classic “Denver tradition,” there was a lot of talk about Moe’s, an Englewood joint combining Southern comfort food, bowling, and live music. I decided to investigate further and discovered Moe’s has two locations—the Englewood locale (where the bowling and live music takes place) and a newer spot on 6th and Broadway. Both locations are owned by Steve Shaw who is also the owner of the beloved Gothic Theater.
I checked out the site on 6thfirst, meeting Moe’s manager Jeremy Alston. The venue is a recently renovated service station with a clean and crisp yet casual décor; the perfect mix of city, mountains (Moe’s was started 8 years ago in Vail by owner Mike Fernandez), and the Deep South. The full bar is lined with Maker’s Mark stools—a beverage very dear to Moe’s—and framed Umphrey’s McGee, Blazzing Saddles, and Widespread Panic posters span the walls. A “Good Karma” tip jar is placed next to the register and a huge patio, assembled with umbrella covered tables and a bean bag toss, wraps half way around the building.
A little back-story on Moe’s: Mike Fernandez was first introduced to the art of Barbecuing in the 80’s when he met Moses Day in Tuscaloosa, AL. Fernandez adopted Day’s successful BBQ technique—using fruitwood and “hitting the meat with two different sauces.” It was not until Fernandez, along with partners Ben Gilbert and Jeff Kennedy, landed in Vail, CO that their signature style was established. The trio opened a carry-out joint in Lionshead Village. Their quest to offer “whiskey by the barrel” led to an Eagle, CO location. Gradually, what began as a group of friends selling BBQ from a fire pit, morphed into a successful BBQ chain that has remained true to its humble, flavorful, Southern beginnings. Locations also exist in Orange Beach and Birmingham, AL. Enter current Colorado managers Jeremy and Josh Alston.
These Southern boys are dedicated to serving the Denver food scene. A menu that once catered exclusively to the carnivorous (pork, turkey, and ribs) has been revamped to include a Smoked Tofu Sandwich for vegetarians. Denverites also requested a beef dish, so Jeremy created the very popular Brisket, though Moe’s has never before done beef. This is one of my favorite things about Moe’s—they have developed a sort of call-and-response system with Denver locals. When Denver beckons, Moe’s answers; Southern hospitality at its best.
The Moe’s menu is a showcase of classic Southern comfort staples. Jeremy informed me that the South takes a lot of pride in their cuisine and Moe’s wants to offer food we all enjoyed growing up. It consists of Pulled Pork, Smoked Chicken, Smoked Turkey, Fried Shrimp, Fried Catfish, Blackened Mahi Mahi, Smoked Tofu, St. Louis Cut Spare Ribs, and the Brisket. The sides include Baked Beans, Marinated Slaw, Potato Salad, Banana Puddin’, Cornbread, Bag O’Chips, and Mac N Cheese. Various specials are available daily; I had a delicious squash casserole on the side of my meal. Fried green tomatoes, key lime pie, and sweet potato casserole are other specials. Lunch is very popular at the 6th and Broadway location and they do run out of some items—a trade hazard when your pork butt takes a full 18 hours to cook. To this the friendly crew offers their apologies. Jeremy commented, “If we run out don’t get too mad at us, we’re trying.”
A full eight lane bowling alley ($5 per game) and a music venue, highlighting acts from the Westwood Underground Music Showcase while also incorporating a wide variety of bands for everyone to enjoy, can be found at the Englewood location. Last Friday night, Moe’s hosted an eclectic crowd of Denverites and everyone seemed more than comfortable. A rowdy group of thirty-somethings bowled to my left, we shared a lane with a family from Jackson Hole, WY, and a younger crowd there exclusively for the concert hung on the patio and at the bar. Music has consistently been an influential force in directing Moe’s overall vibe.
The food we ate, as we bowled, was awesome. The flavors were rich, the meat was tender, and the sauces were sweet and tangy. We chose the ribs, fried catfish, smoked turkey and a variety of sides. The cornbread was a homerun; crispy on the outside, while maintaining a moist inside, it was buttered up and contained jalapeños for an extra kick. Each meat was cooked to perfection and the sides—baked beans, squash casserole, and banana pudding, added texture and robust flavor. Any cravings you have are likely to be satisfied and you have the opportunity to leave fully satiated. The dining gets good and messy—wet naps are provided.
Moe’s offers a ton of extra services; you can rent out the venue for larger parties, they cater, participate in Civic Center Eats every Tuesday, test their skills with BBQ competitions, and are planning a Crawfish Bowl fundraiser for the oil spill. As far as escaping the typical weekend activity of bar hopping Moe’s is a one stop venue for food, drinks (Maker’s Mark, anyone?) and entertainment at the right price. If you are searching for a phenomenal, laid-back, night out in Denver at the right price, Moe’s is your spot.
Written By: Nicky Johnson
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Okay, so I expected a description of food and maybe a few additional comments. A few paragraphs into the article I decided I was reading the wrong thing. However, I was at that point interested enough in the history and circumstances of the establishment I kept reading. And when the menu items finally appeared it was all the more rewarding and even insightful or something. And the point of all this is that I was going to post a comment suggesting a vegetarian bbq option because my girlfriend happens to be one, and actually there are quite a few and maybe the market calls for it. Naturally I was very happy to see the tofu sandwich. I have to try this place, just reading about it was actually very satisfying.