Porkbutt BBQ — Restaurant in Colorado Springs

Porkbutt Barbecue was a food truck that evolved into a brick and mortar location on North Academy Boulevard. I thought I had reviewed them before, but that review seems to be lost so I'll do another write up.

I'm going to cut right to the chase here: There are not a lot of good restaurants in Colorado Springs. I sometimes feel like this town has low standards. In this landscape, Porkbutt stands out for being an absolutely EXCELLENT food experience. This is not just the only good barbecue in the Springs, it is absolutely one of the best restaurants we have.

I came to know this place because my wife has a gluten allergy, and Porkbutt is very accommodating to gluten-free dining, as many other reviewers have mentioned. I myself do not have a gluten allergy, so I can eat smoked meat anywhere. And I do smoke in my own back yard. But I come here because it's the best.

GOOD: Almost every meat item on the menu is excellent. Star of the show is the brisket; it's tender, moist, and just a bit fatty. (Some reviewers don't like this, as they may be accustomed to lean, overcooked brisket that is all too common around here. In my opinion folks that feel that way should eat elsewhere.) The pork is also quite delicious. I'm still working my way through the sandwiches. I really want to try the smoked burger.

Of special note are the refrigerated deserts. The vegan banana pudding is absolutely outstanding. You won't miss the milk if you eat it. (I don't have a dairy allergy, but I'm better off without it.)

I appreciate the different barbecue sauces you can choose with your meal. And the sodas are nice.

The service here is also very, very friendly. Josh is an excellent proprietor. Always patient and friendly with customers. We feel well taken care of even when things get busy.

MEH: Very few things to dislike here. The sausage I tried one time was served cut up and cold. They also run out of deserts that I like, but I admit Porkbutt can't be blamed for being so popular. I wish the dining room was a bit bigger, but again they can hardly be dinged for their success. Arrive early if you don't want to have to wrestle hungry families for a table.

There's probably so much more to say about this wonderful place. Porkbutt is one of only about ten restaurants in the Springs that I really like, and I hope...

My son is a very picky eater, so before we tried this place we brought him Fries from another fast food place and had him start to eat while we waited on our food. As the chef who I assume is the owner served our food, he whipped around and asked us do you want to tell me about the food on the table? After explaining to him about our son being a picky eater (which we didn't have to) he launches into some bit about priding themselves in being a gluten free restaurant and people come there solely for that and if there were to see those fries they would leave blah blah, he then offers a plastic bag to put the fries in and then asked his staff to wipe the table where the fries were, all the while we are still sitting there with our food!! Let me just say this could have been handled entirely different by him and he honestly should be lucky we decided to be the bigger person!! Treat folks like you want to be treated!! Now the food was average at best, ribs dry, pulled pork odd taste!! The only thing I would recommend would be the brussel sprouts. Do yourself a favor and go to The Chuckwagon!! And the chef dude from Porkbutt, learn how to deal with folks because you are lucky I didn't react a different way!!... Here is the more common sense you asked for, you are correct we missed the sign and do apologize for that!! My understanding is you need to consume the gluten to get sick, doesn't just absorb into your skin!! How about you just admit your food sucks dude.... individuals who are gluten-free can touch gluten without experiencing a direct reaction, as gluten is not absorbed through the skin. However, it is crucial to avoid ingesting gluten, even in small amounts, as it can trigger a reaction in individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Cross-contact, where gluten-free food comes into contact with gluten-containing items, is a primary concern. My common sense is you are lucky I didn't punch you...

Update: Unfortunately, due to 5 negative experiences in a row at Porkbutt, I feel inclined to alter my review. Because of constantly being out of items / deciding to opt for Gold Peak tea instead of the delicious fresh brew they had been using, I don’t think I will be visiting again any time soon. I’ve tried once or twice per week for a month to visit, and each time had to go elsewhere. But the tea thing really was a big blow for me. I LOVED their fresh house made iced tea. 😞

My boyfriend and I had been wanting to try Porkbutt BBQ for a while and finally had the opportunity yesterday. We pulled up at 11:52 and waited in the car since they don’t open till noon. They opened early at 11:55. The staff was 10/10. Knowledgeable, kind, and courteous. The food was INCREDIBLE. My boyfriend is a Rudy’s fan, but I’m not since they don’t have good sides in my opinion. But Porkbutt has amazing meat and sides. We got chicken nuggets, mac n cheese, sweet potato fries, iced tea, lemonade, and he got the brisket grenade. The cheese sauce on the mac n cheese and grenade was so unique, I asked a staff member what that unique flavor was that gave it just the tiniest kick, and she said hatch green chiles. It was really good. The nuggets aren’t frozen bagged nuggets, they are fresh cut chicken thighs breaded and fried to order. And everything in the restaurant is gluten free. They also have all sauces made from scratch, including the ranch which I dipped my nuggets and sweet potato fries in. And I’m an iced tea snob, and the tea was SO GOOD. The only thing that wasn’t perfect was the mac n cheese noodles were a little too soft for me, but still delicious. Even their business name and logo are adorable. Highly, highly recommend...