12 Best Barbecue Restaurants: Rolling Smoke BBQ

• Where: 2501 Dallas St., Aurora (Stanley Marketplace); 7470 S. University Blvd., Centennial; 7100 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge; 1012 Ford St., Golden (The Golden Mill)

• Style: Oklahoma

Oklahoman Terry Walsh hit the streets of Denver with his Rolling Smoke barbecue truck back in 2014 before settling into Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace when it opened in 2017. Since then, he’s added Centennial, Golden, and Wheat Ridge outposts, and you can even sample the goods at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

So, what makes Oklahoma-style barbecue unique? Think of smokehouse traditions more as a continuum, with Rolling Smoke’s self-described Southern style falling somewhere between Kansas City and Austin. There’s a hint of spice in the pulled pork and ribs, but they’re not served saucy. For brisket, the best bet is the burnt ends served in dark-crusted cubes with a visible layer of fat that melts in your mouth.