About
4.5
(
120
)
Mama Jo's Chicken, Biscuits, BBQ offers a genuine Southern comfort food experience with standout dishes like Nashville hot chicken, smoked ribs, and fluffy biscuits the size of a baby's head. The friendly atmosphere and homemade sauces make it a local favorite for lunch and dinner in Denver's Central neighborhood.
What's Included:
🍗 Nashville hot chicken and fried chicken biscuit sandwiches
🍖 Smoked ribs, pulled pork, brisket on weekends
🥘 Classic Southern sides including collard greens, hush puppies, and pimento mac and cheese
🍌 Unique desserts like fried banana pie and banana pudding hand pie
Important Information:
Closed Mondays Operating hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 AM to 8 PM, Sunday 12 PM to 6 PM Dine-in, takeout, delivery, and curbside pickup available No reservations accepted; counter-service only
Haley's Pick 🍽️
You probably know her as @milehighandhungry. Each week, Haley shares the one place she’s obsessed with right now. From hidden gems to hot new openings, if she picks it, it’s worth the hype.
Haley's Review of Riot BBQ
Riot BBQ on South Delaware feels like a backyard cookout run by a Top Chef, because it is. Chef Manny Barella and pitmaster Patrick Klaiber have teamed up to blend Monterrey flavors with Texas-style smoke, and the results are seriously craveable.
The brisket steals the show: tender, deeply smoky, and finished with Barella’s bold spice rub. Get it solo or wrapped in buttery Raquelita tortillas. The pulled pork brings heat with ancho, guajillo, and morita chiles, and the al pastor ribs are sticky, sweet, and slightly charred in all the right ways.
Even the sides are insanely good! Think crunchy pepita-macha slaw and banana pudding served in a jar that tastes just like childhood (but better). Every bite feels intentional.
It’s barbecue with heart, history, and just the right amount of heat. Riot BBQ isn’t just a meal, it’s a moment worth lining up for.
– Haley @milehighandhungry
📍 Local Insights
🥪 Biscuit Size Matters: The biscuits here are famously large—expect a biscuit sandwich sized like a baby's head, perfect for a hearty meal.
🍌 Try the Unique Desserts: Fried banana pie and banana pudding hand pie are local favorites that add a sweet Southern twist to your meal.
🌱 Vegetarian BBQ Option: Their smoked jackfruit sandwich offers a delicious vegetarian alternative rarely found at barbecue joints in Denver.
🍖 Weekend Brisket Special: The brisket is available only on weekends and can sell out quickly, so plan ahead if you want to try it.
⏰ Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11 AM to 8 PM
Wednesday: 11 AM to 8 PM
Thursday: 11 AM to 8 PM
Friday: 11 AM to 8 PM
Saturday: 11 AM to 8 PM
Sunday: 12 PM to 6 PM
👉 Best For
Families, locals, solo diners, casual lunch and dinner
📍
Mama Jo's Chicken, Biscuits, BBQ
3525 E Colfax Ave
,
Denver
,
CO
80206
Public Review Sentiment
.svg)
Based on the 50 most recent Google reviews
Mama Jo's is celebrated for its authentic Southern barbecue flavors, generous portions, and standout fried chicken biscuits. Guests consistently praise the quality, fast service, and friendly staff. Some note the fried chicken breading can be thick, but overall, the food and atmosphere receive high marks with no major consistent negatives.
Last updated on
November 4, 2025
🍽️ Standout Dishes
Nashville Hot Chicken, Chicken Biscuit Sandwich, Pulled Pork, Smoked Ribs, Brisket (weekends), Collard Greens, Pimento Mac and Cheese, Hush Puppies, Coleslaw, Fried Green Tomatoes, Sausage Links, Banana Pudding Hand Pie, Fried Banana Pie, BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich (vegetarian)
📆 Best Times to Visit
Visit Tuesday to Saturday between 11 AM and 1 PM to beat the lunch rush; weekend brisket is a must-try but can sell out early.
♿️ Accessibility
Mama Jo's features wheelchair accessible entrances, restrooms, and seating, ensuring comfortable access for all guests.
🧑🍳 Reservation Policy
None
Similar Restaurants
Del Frisco's Grille
$
$$$$
•
🥩 Steakhouse
–
•
Heading
4.3
Del Frisco's Grille serves upscale steak, seafood, and cocktails in a trendy Cherry Creek setting with a rooftop patio.
SliceWorks
$
$$
•
🍕 Pizza
–
•
Heading
4.5
SliceWorks serves New York-style pizzas by the slice or pie, with a casual vibe and an extensive selection of pastas and subs.
Cart-Driver RiNo
$
$$
•
🍝 Italian
–
•
Heading
4.7
Intimate spot in Denver’s RiNo offering Southern Italian wood-fired pizzas, fresh oysters, and craft cocktails in a cozy, trendy setting.
BRUTØ
$
$$$$
•
🥂 Fine Dining
–
•
Heading
4.7
BRUTO offers an intimate, Michelin-starred dining experience in Denver with an innovative 11-course tasting menu focused on local and regional sustainable cuisine.
Green Collective Eatery
$
$$
•
🥗 Health
–
•
Heading
4.5
Green Collective Eatery Wash Park offers fresh, healthy, and flavorful breakfast and lunch in a casual, trendy atmosphere with great coffee and tea.
Kike's Red Tacos
$
$$
•
🌮 Mexican
–
•
Heading
4.6
Kike's Red Tacos is a lively food truck serving authentic Mexican tacos and quesadillas with fast service and a casual outdoor seating area.
Fluid Coffee Bar
$
$
•
☕ Coffee Shop
–
•
Heading
4.6
Fluid Coffee Bar serves exceptional coffee and breakfast burritos in a cozy, trendy spot inside the Central Business District's Magnolia Hotel.
Margot
$
$$$$
•
🥂 Fine Dining
–
•
Heading
5
Margot invites diners to an intimate setting for refined multi-course meals crafted with global inspirations and top-tier ingredients.
Procession Coffee
$
$
•
☕ Coffee Shop
–
•
Heading
4.9
Procession Coffee crafts expertly roasted coffee with a cozy, trendy vibe and impeccable service in RiNo.
Little Owl Coffee
$
$
•
☕ Coffee Shop
–
•
Heading
4.7
Little Owl Coffee offers craft espresso drinks with carefully sourced beans and fresh pastries in a cozy, casual atmosphere near Central neighborhood.
Corsica Wine Bar
$
$$$
•
🍷 Wine Bar
–
•
Heading
4.4
Corsica Wine Bar offers upscale small plates and curated wines in a cozy, romantic RiNo setting with attentive service and a trendy vibe.
Gusto
$
$$
•
🍝 Italian
–
•
Heading
4.5
Gusto serves fresh Italian dishes with great cocktails and a cozy vibe near Sloan’s Lake, perfect for lunch, dinner, and happy hour.
Back to Restaurants
✅ Cancellation Policy
None
