The fireplace throws real heat as boots clatter across flagstone floors, and history hangs in every timber. Voices echo by the bar and sunlight lands on a patio shaded by ancient stone walls
What to Expect:
🍖 American standards and hearty specials—think roast duckling, steak au poivre, and twice-baked potatoes
🍺 Well-stocked bar pouring regional beers, classic cocktails, and a deep wine list
🔥 Crackling fireplaces in winter, and a bustling covered patio in summer
🕰️ Timeless tavern atmosphere, packed with locals and curious travelers alike
🧑🍳 Service can run slow on busy nights, but never seems rushed
Important Information:
✔ Table service inside and out; takeout available
✔ Wheelchair accessible entrance and seating, but no accessible restroom
✔ Reservations are highly recommended weekends; walk-ins possible on quieter days
✔ Full classic bar with local beer, NA options, and private dining room for groups
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
🔥 Best Seat: When it’s cold, snag the two-top by the main fireplace for the most atmospheric meal in town.
🌳 Patio Ritual: On sunny days, claim an outside table—shade arrives after 4 PM and it's prime for people-watching in the Stockade.
🥃 Bar Crowd: Locals drift in after work from 5–6 PM for a drink and catch-up before the dinner crowd takes over.
🍽️ Menu Nod: First-timers should ask about the daily special—kitchen runs comfort classics and local vegetable sides every night.
What folks are saying
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Based on the 50 most recent Google reviews
Guests are drawn by the sense of history and the lure of a crackling fire or shady patio. The duck and steaks get regular praise, and service is usually friendly if sometimes slow on busy nights. Cocktails and beer are reliable, the wine list holds up, and regulars fill the bar. The biggest critiques are occasional long waits during weekend dinner rush or slower lunch hours, but most leave remembering the setting and a feeling of Kingston’s old soul.
Last updated on
October 9th, 2025
