The room thrums with old city energy—brick walls, laughter under high ceilings, and daylight slipping across sidewalk tables in good weather. Bar talk drift blends with clinking glasses, and a basket of warm breadsticks always hits the table first.
What to Expect:
🍝 Classic Italian-American crowd-pleasers (think chicken parm, lasagna, rigatoni, seafood risotto)
🍸 Well-made cocktails, a tight beer list, good wine pours, and house sangria
🥖 Complimentary, garlic-glazed breadsticks with basil pesto
☀️ Sidewalk seating on bustling Broadway in the Stockade District
🎉 Lively, high-energy room full of families, couples, regulars, and visiting groups
Important Information:
✔ Full-service dining and bar, both inside and outside (weather permitting)
✔ Wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom
✔ Reservations recommended for dinner and groups, especially on weekends
✔ Gluten-free, vegan, and kid-friendly menu options available upon request
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
🍝 Breadstick Ritual: The basil-glazed garlic breadsticks come free—locals dip them in their marinara or finish them plain for extra sauce mopping.
🍷 Gin Hour: Late afternoons are best for trying a house gin cocktail or a Negroni before the dinner wave arrives.
🌇 Sidewalk Secret: Outdoor tables catch the last sun and make for fine people-watching; ask if they’re available when you arrive.
⏰ Weekday Window: Tuesdays and Wednesdays see lighter crowds and swifter service—walk in for lunch or an early dinner and settle in with little wait.
What folks are saying
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Based on the 50 most recent Google reviews
Guests rave about the reliable Italian standards, garlic breadsticks, and crowd-pleasing pastas. Regulars and out-of-towners alike mention attentive, playful service, though busy nights sometimes see delays or green staff. Cocktails and a small-but-solid wine and beer menu round out the meal. Occasional complaints surface about noise during peak hours, and a handful of reviews note bland or inconsistent dishes when the house gets slammed, but most find value and leave full.
Last updated on
October 9th, 2025
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance with a ramp, low indoor and outdoor tables, and a spacious accessible restroom. Some bar seating may have steps.
Reservation Policy
Reservations strongly recommended for dinner and groups, especially weekends; walk-ins welcome for smaller parties; sidewalk tables are first come, first served.
