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    Tin Star Smokehouse

    3.8 (179 reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque, Smokehouse

    Tin Star Smokehouse Photos

    TIN STAR SMOKEHOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Tin Star Smokehouse

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    Great presentation. Truly horrible food.
    Trint L.

    Always start by saying something nice, right? Well, the lemonade is great. Full disclosure: I'm a Texas boy and BBQ snob. I have very rarely been happy with CO BBQ. I have often been disappointed. Today was the most disappointed I have ever been. The menu sounds good. The presentation is perfect. The meat is truly terrible. Gray, dry, and devoid of flavor. The pulled pork and the brisket are indistinguishable. There's some kind of dry rub sprinkled on top that does nothing to help. I ate most of the cole slaw. The weird, green chili beans and the destroyed meat went into the trash.

    Rib Tips with a side of hush puppies n sweet potatoesl
    Janet D.

    Rib Tips are similar to Burnt Ends. In my experience they come in fatty or dry. This wasn't a choice here with their Rib Tips. So it was dry. Saving grace was their cute sweet potatoes. It was in the form of little balls all fried and crunchy outside but it retained the sweetness and softness inside. The Hush Puppies were unfortunately dry as well. One little thing about Tin Can is they don't saturate their BBQ with sauces. So because of this I am going back to try their other dishes. The place is sparsely decorated and just have the basic. I like that. Located in what looks like a sketchy part of town. Although cops seem to like this place and stop there frequently. Bonus! Lovingly managed by the proud owner and son combo. Attentive service and quick with suggestions.

    Matt M.

    Very disappointing visit today as I was expecting better based on the Yelp rating. I ordered the 3 rib/1 meet combo with brisket, potato salad and fresh chips as the sides. The good news is that the chips were fresh and very good and the potato salad was good. The brisket didn't look or taste smoked - it seemed like the always unwanted crock pot barbecue that some places try to pass off as the real thing. That said, the brisket was okay, although they did sprinkle some seasoning on it after putting it on the plate. That's kind of strange. Worst was the ribs - so tough that i could barely pull them apart. They didn't taste terrible, and if they weren't so poorly cooked they may have even been good, but as they were, awful. I won't be going back.

    Marcus F.

    This place is absolutely amazing!!! By far the best BBQ around. Not only the best food but the service is amazing with only 2 dudes there. Maybe some of the other restaurants in and around town can come here and learn some hospitality! Anyone that didn't like the food just don't like real BBQ. BBQ is supposed to have smoke flavor and Tin Star packs it in perfectly, AND that guy that said "fake smoke"... at you blind there are 2 smokers (smoking) in the parking lot!!! Cmon Man!!!!!! Do yourself a favor and eat here it's sooooo good!!!!

    a tray of food
    Pat O.

    3 St. Louis Ribs and Brisket and Hot Link plate. Double order of Green Chili Mac and Cheese. Texas Toast and pickles. $19. Used a $10 Groupon though.

    Erik P.

    One of my biggest issues with BBQ is when it isn't flavorful. Bland sides and tame sauces, insufficient spices and meat that doesn't wow, these are the things that keep me up at night. Tin Star Smokehouse took this problem beat the sh*t out of it and then covered it in they own special pepper sauce. Paul, the owner of Tin Star took time out of his day to talk to us about our experience, tell us about the local area and even gave us some sauce to take back home. It's this attention to service and style that makes this little smokehouse a 5 star establishment. I ordered the St. Louis ribs and of course they were fall of the bone good. I also ordered the Hot Link sandwich because it got great reviews and it also did not disappoint. All the meats and sauces had such an interesting blend of spice and flavor that I had to take time and drink between alternating bites so as not to miss anything. Another great suggestion is their speciality side, the green chili mac and cheese. This is another exams of attention to detail and flavor delivered. You can get all this with a little heat to it, which I did, or if you have a more temperate palate you can get the standard sauce and not lose anything in regards to flavor. Prices are a little higher than the BBQ chain establishments, but the quality and experience more than makes up for those extra dollars well spent. It's a small and cozy environment, but very clean and extremely welcoming. They also have some homemade desserts, but if you can finish your food and still have room for dessert, you're a healthier eater than I am. This was the Colorado experience I was hoping for and I'm so happy Paul and Tin Star Smokehouse made it happen.

    stefanie j.

    Great food, and kid friendly. We stopped in here for lunch and are glad we did. Tried the pulled pork sandwich and the brisket sandwich. Both are good. Our kids got burgers, all came with homemade pickles! The homemade chips and hush puppies are both good options for sides, as is the green chile Mac and cheese. They have a selection of bottled beers along with 2 local Golden brews on tap.

    Pulled pork sandwich. Comes with slaw on top. Side of green chilie Mac and cheese!

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    4 years ago

    Their Groupon was a great deal and staff was friendly! It's a nice budget friendly stop in Golden

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    9 years ago

    very good! served fast and delicious! The mac and cheese is so good!

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    Ask the Community - Tin Star Smokehouse

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    Rolling Smoke BBQ

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    Tin Star Smokehouse - bbq - Updated June 2026

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