Solid, but not overwhelming. Great spot if you are staying at the Drury next door, but I would not make a special trip. I do love mustard sauce and found Bono's to be excellent. The meats were just ok, a little dry for me. I was in town for a week and they were mostly empty. Not sure why they are not getting any kind of crowd.
(3)
Angela B.
I can tell this place used to be awesome from the delicious sauces on my table. The mustard one was my favorite. The service was fine - my waitress was friendly and attentive. The food - I got the rack of ribs, and while the flavor was good I found the meat extremely dry. The mac n cheese was obviously frozen, but my sweet potato was perfect. I think that this place just needs a little energy and enthusiasm by the owners, and it would get back to the amazing that it once was.
(3)
Stan B.
Colorado is not known for good Barbecue. This place has good barbecue. I like their beef brisket and sausage.
(4)
Steve P.
If nothing else, get the banana pudding! It's a cold, snowy night and I decided to stay close to the hotel. Bono's hit the bill, since they're next door. When you walk in, you're hit with the lovely bouquet of wood smoke from the bbq pit. I took a seat at the bar so I could watch the cooks do their thing. The bbq pit is full of meats warming. I can't tell if they use the pit to actually smoke the meat though. I saw one of the cooks bring out a brisket wrapped in parchment paper and started trimming it. It looked beautiful, I kept on thinking that my dogs would love the trimmings. But, you can buy fully cooked, smoked briskets, etc. and just place them in a warmer. If I was here longer, I would investigate further (although it could have come from the Bono's commissary in Florida). I ordered the three meat plate, and got the spicy sausage, brisket, and turkey, and fries and mac and cheese for sides. I also ordered the corn nuggets from a recommendation from the hotel. The sides (fries, onion rings, fried okra, corn nuggets, etc.) come from large food service bags and deep fried. The meats came out quickly, with a dab of bbq sauce on the brisket. About half the brisket was burnt ends. In Texas, bbq joints keep the burnt ends separate, as they tend to be dry. Some people like burnt ends and order just those. The brisket that wasn't burnt ends was moist and smoky. The sauce they dab on them is tangy with a slight sweet taste. The sausage link was moist but not very spicy. It did much better with the house 1949 sauce, which looks to be mustard based. The turkey was moist and tender, with a very slight smoke taste. It too did much better with the house 1949 sauce. The fries and mac and cheese were average. The cheese on the mac and cheese was thick but didn't have much taste. The Happy Ending was the banana pudding. I asked the server if they made it in-house, and she said yes. It came out in a small bowl with several fresh vanilla wafers out of the box garnishing the pudding. A healthy dollop of fresh whipped cream (not Reddiwhip) topped it. While swirling my spoon in the pudding, I noticed slices of banana. Yes! I hate banana pudding that pretends to be banana pudding. This is a simpler version of what I make, but it's just as good. The servers are friendly, and talkative if you want. Bono's does a healthy take-out business. Although the dining room was pretty empty, phone orders and people coming in for take-out kept the crew busy.
(3)
David C.
Fast and friendly service, (take out), and large portions. The food was good, but not remarkable. Worth a try.
(4)
Lorry M.
I have eaten at Bono's a number of times and enjoyed the food, and usually order the Ribs. I ate there on Friday August 14, and had some of the best ribs that I have had in the Denver area. My ribs were perfect! They were slightly crunchy on the outside and pink with a smoke ring and tender and juicy on the inside. They had a nice hickory flavor and tasted fresh like they just came out of the smoker. I look forward to eating these ribs again and hope they are just as good. Keep up the great BBQ!
(5)
Desiree K.
Just ordered here for our office, the meat is okay. But they didnt bring any utencils, and no salad dressed, or hotsauce like we requested. So, I had to leave and get stuff to even eat- having said that- the salad was extremely dry, and by the time we could actually eat its cold. Beware when ordering delivery
(2)
Tim E.
Have been to Bono's twice and it's Okay. Food is okay, price is okay, service is okay. 3 stars is a perfect rating as I was not impressed--I got the brisket and hot links. The House BBQ Sauces are good and they offer a variety of flavors at your table. Bono's is a safe choice for catering or lunch but will unlikely be the best BBQ you've ever had.
(3)
Phil H.
Been here a couple times now, and have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food. Their sauces are very good, and the service was quick and friendly. Parking is a bit limited, but there are adjacent lots that don't seem to mind the overflow. The location is also a bit out of the way, but all in all I would say Bono's is a fine choice for BBQ in the Denver area. Pro tip: try the corn nuggets. YUM!
(4)
Corey H.
Good service. Nice atmosphere. I like that it's the only barbecue restaurant that I can think of that doesn't play country music. Mostly classic rock. The fried corn is excellent and they have sweet tea. That's all the good stuff, now on to the bad: the bbq is terrible. I got the pork and it was dry and flavorless. There's no outside bark served with it and neither my wife nor I could taste any smoke flavor. It was so dry, we thought it was chicken at first. We're from the south and may be a little spoiled for good bbq, but this definitely isn't it.
(2)
Ling L.
The beef brisket platter was mouth-wateringly delicious, even now days later as I recall that lunch. I had the mac and cheese and side salad alongside the brisket; they were OK. The staff was friendly, the meal arrived shortly after we ordered - an important consideration for a work lunch!
(4)
David E.
I got introduced to their food when they catered a colleague's work event and it struck me because it was as good as BBQ I get in Texas. Since the I have been coming here for many years. I love this place. The food is fantastic - best BBQ I've eaten in Colorado hands down! The pulled pork platter and beans are what I order the most. The service is friendly and efficient and the prices for the value are better than fair. Go for it.
(5)
Ben F.
Got the pork sandwich and coleslaw: Pork: dry and flavorless (tasted dusty as if it had been sitting out all day). Coleslaw: standard and unimpressive. BBQ sauces: all you could taste was vinegar. The positive: Service was good Food was delivered quickly It's a cheap lunch Definitely wouldn't recommend this spot - many other good places in the area for lunch
(2)
Matthew F.
Delicious food! I can't believe I've lived here this long and never tried it until now. Keep up the good work guys!
(4)
Maz M.
You might think its a Hooters if you drive by too fast! This place is choice. Good BBQ and even tasty yet plain salads. Their BBQ sauces are great and The fries corn ball things are irresistible. Great place for a quick lunch and very friendly service.
(4)
Thea M.
The baby back ribs were on point! They melted off the bone and are a great mixture of smokey and bbq flavors. Plus they have Dale's Pale Ale. Mac n cheese wasn't very good and the bread was bland. Stick with the bbq foods.
(4)
O'Shay B.
This place rocks. Love all the food. The service is great at lunch time. Fast and hot. The three meat combo is the best deal and filling.
(5)
Heimlich M.
Got it delivered for an event at the Cisco office. Great beans. Will definitely visit the restaurant.
(4)
Josh K.
My wife and I went here on a whim one saturday evening. I was inthe mood for BBQ and it was too late in the evening to start my own. I jumped on yep to find reviews. I wasnt surprised to see there werent any highly rated BBQ places anywhere near me. We trekked to Bonos with an open mind and an empty stomach. Sadly we left with an empty one as well. Bonos wasnt very busy for a saturday night which is never a good sign. Half the restaurant was full. My wife and I ordered the most expensive meal on the menu, the combo plate. It included the following: Pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, (dark meat only), turkey breast, brisket and sausage. It also came with garlic toast, baked beans and potato salad. I have to say that my wife and I were very unimpressed. Now, dont get me wrong, I am hard to please when it comes to BBQ. I consider myself an above average BBQ smoker. BUT I am not so picky I wont smash some ehh BBQ when I am hungry. This food didnt even meat the "ehhh" standard. The pulled pork was flavorless and chewy. The ribs where overcooked, dry and hard to bite. The turkey breast was dry and had little flavor. The brisket was overcooked and also lacked any flavor. The sausage was flavorful, but anyone with a grill and some johnsonvilles could have done better. The best of the meats was the chicken thighs, and that was only cause the skin was well seasoned and crispy. On to the sides that we had. The texas "toast" was untoasted white bread with a dab of butter only in the middle. The baked beans must have been straight from the can, and by straight from the can, I mean forgot to hit the stove as well. The potato salad was a mushy mess and had no flavor. MY wife and I couldnt even stomach it enough to make it through the meal. I asked for the manager and told her what I felt about the meal. She did not look surprised and promptly credited our whole meal including beverages which was more than I expected. I wont be returning and advise you to go here with very low expectations.
(1)
Maestro L.
Service friendly and quick food but.... foods been sitting around all day. I tried the brisket, ribs and pulled pork. Everything was dry and over cooked. Wish they would spray the food sitting on the warmer just drying out...Not worth the money. Nice atmosphere though.
(1)
Steve H.
I was there twice. The meat was very dry both times. Won't go back again. The staff was very cordial and the service was great but I came for some good ribs. I am sorry but I have to say that I won't return. I will head to FAMOUS DAVE'S
(1)
Alicia P.
These guys are stellar for the price. They catered my wedding and everyone raved about the flavor of the meat. The BBQ beans are quite tasty (though my own tend to be spicier) and the potato salad is decent. I'm not a big bread eater so I cannot weigh in on that, but heard no complaints. The staff is amazingly friendly and helpful and will go out of their way to make you happy. For the price Bonos can't be beat!
(4)
Valerie U.
Good food. Sides are very good. You can taste the smoke in all the meat. Prices are worth the plate.
(3)
Dan H.
We where traveling to DIA and stopped by for some togo sandwiches. Quick was an understatement, about the time I got my change the sandwiches where ready. The brisket was perfect and tasted very good, and when you add the delicious sauce, it made it a great experience. The sides where fair, but the sandwich was the star!
(4)
Josh P.
It was good, but not great. Got the pork platter, with a slice of garlic bread, baked beans and coleslaw. The coleslaw was great, and the pork was fine, but the food didn't stack up against Brother's Barbecue!
(3)
Caleb A.
If I grew up here and only had Colorado BBQ, this review would be five stars. But I know better, trust me. Food was a bit dry, smoked sausage and brisket needs moisture which is the primary component of its taste, but not terrible once drenched in their sauces. Here again, not one sauce really stood out but they were all okay. Portion sizes were small on the meats and sides. On the positive side, they have great sweet potato fries, service is more than adequate, and the price isn't terrible. Will probably give this place another shot.
(3)
Joe D.
Haters Gonna Hate. I am disappointed by some of the less-than-positive reviews about Bono's. While I suppose it's from people that don't know that Bono's is what Florida BBQ is supposed to taste like. It's not TX BBQ, it's not Carolina BBQ, it's not KS BBQ, it's FL BBQ. In case you haven't discerned, I like, and know, my BBQ. Bono's hails from North Florida, where I grew up and actually the two locations in Denver metro are the only two outside of Florida. When I want to feel home and think of my childhood, Bono's is one of the joints I think of. They have the standard BBQ fare, however I'm partial to the BBQ Pork and Hot Links. I also ask for no sauce, so I can choose which sauce or combination of sauces that I want for my plate. I personally enjoy the mustard-based sauce and the sweet-and-tangy sauce. And I don't know where they find these people, but every time I've been in the DTC location, they have folks with true southern hospitality, who will sit and talk your ear off when they're not busy.
(4)
Damion W.
It is hard to mass produce BBQ and unfortunately I must say I don't feel like Bono's has perfected it. There are a hand full of BBQ joints in SE Aurora and DTC that put this place to shame. The only reason I went here is because I had a coupon out of the Entertainment Book and made our meal 2-4-1. With all respect to the people that work hard in this place to make the food and try to give the customers the best experience possible, I have to say that I am not a huge fan. Is the food edible, absolutely. Would I go back to Bono's without a coupon, absolutely not. That being said, I will see you the next time I am in the area AND have a coupon!
(2)
Dave R.
I've eaten here twice for lunch and both times have been impressed with their Q. Its in an odd location next to a 7-11, but is well worth pulling off of I-25 onto Dry Creek. The Pulled pork Sandwich comes out tasty and you sauce it up with your choice at the table. The Slaw is tasty- though nothing outrageous, and their Fries are thick enough and nice and crispy. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Dan S.
Great service! Very quick at lunch. Decent pit Barbeque with a variety of sauces. Beef brisket was dryer than I'd like. Cole slaw was not very tangy as I would like. Side salad was OK.
(3)
Dave F.
This is my favorite barbecue place in Denver. The first time I went, I thought that might be the case. Today confirmed it. I got the 3-meat combo: pork, brisket, ribs with fries and beans. I'll start with the negative. The pork was dried out. That's why I can't give it five stars. But the brisket is great. The ribs are great. The sauces are great. The beans are great. The fries are great. Jabo's and Yazoo are good in their own ways, but Bono's offers a complete experience.
(4)
Nic Z.
I was at an event catered by Bono's, so I can't vouch for how much better (or worse) it might be at the actual restaurant. I will say this -- the turkey was aaaaah-mazing. I would eat that every day. Pork was a bit dry on its own but still good (and probably excellent with BBQ sauce).
(4)
Magneto L.
Yeah, I guess I am not sure what some people are saying about "re-heated" meat etc or problems with the sauce. I have been there many many times, and if you have questions as to how it is cooked, IT IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU ON THE GRILL MORON.....it's not like they are microwaving it in the back and creating this huge elaborate scheme like the wizard of oz with all sorts of chicken, brisket, turkey, sausage, etc in front of you for show. Want more sauce? Grab it. Not that difficult. If I ever had a problem with them I would just mention it, cause Lord knows they seem to be more than happy to accommodate....
(5)
Mike L.
You know how with certain foods like BBQ and pizza, even when it's bad- it's still pretty good? Well not Bono's. I can honestly say this was the worst BBQ I've ever had. We got one of their to-go packages, and while a few items were decent, I can't even bump them up to two stars, as the majority of it was basically inedible. Brisket: dry and a bit chewy, but the flavor was't terrible. This was the highlight of the meal. Turkey: This is usually my favorite BBQ meat, but for some reason they use those processed breasts that I think are already cooked. Rubbery and disgusting. We threw away most of it. Hot links: Hard to explain, but the texture/taste was just wrong- almost like they cooked them the day before and reheated them. The sauce: The original is a mustard sauce that's just ok, and the hickory is overwhelmingly smoky. Green Beans: The best of the sides. Some pork and potatoes added for flavor- not bad. Baked Beans: BBQ sauced with pork- The first couple bites are pretty tasty, but goes downhill as the smoke is just overwhelming. Potato salad: Typical grocery store deli style mustard potato salad. I'm not a fan, but it wasn't anything different that your typical BBQ joint. Mac and Cheese: plain cheese sauce mixed with macaroni and a chemical/soapy aftertaste. Almost like they forgot to rinse the pot out? Again, inedible. The place was empty on a Saturday night, so maybe they've been trying to cut food costs? But there's no chance I'll ever give them another try.
(1)
Abiah L.
Both the St. Louis and the baby back ribs were so dried out they were practically dessicated. The macaroni and cheese side that my son ordered was so overcooked that it was a paste of gluey pasta mush with unsalted cheese. Service was forgetful - had to be reminded to bring sides, and improperly double billed. Will not return.
(1)
Lydia H.
No no no no no. I've ordered delivery from here a couple times. You can only order delivery online which fine with me. The BBQ is so bland!!!!!! And every time they forgot something or didn't make it as specified. EVERY TIME! Even after we call to confirm our order went in right. The food is not good. Oh and one time they got something wrong when we called the person answering the phones couldn't help so we had to talk to a manger about it and still they were not willing to just take our name and next time give us something equal to what we paid for bit did not get. We had to call the site we ordered from and ask for a refund which they gave us. Not worth it. Won't eat here again. I don't recommend you do. Bad food, bad customer service.
(1)
Erin H.
I'm definitely a fan. It's hard to find truly good BBQ in Denver, but this place does it. Often I am so indecisive on what meat to get that I have to go with the 3-meat combo. The turkey is moist and delicious. The sausage (I like the hot) is pretty darn tasty. And the pulled pork and beef are also good. (Disclaimer - I have not tried the ribs or chicken, simply because they are too messy for me, at any restaurant.) You also get to pick your sides. I'm partial to the green beans and the sweet potato fries. And, for dessert I LOVE the banana pudding! You can even get somewhat healthy dishes here that are good. When I was on my diet I'd get the turkey plate with fresh fruit and didn't have to feel super guilty. Services is super fast and friendly. I've also seen a number of my friends from a local fire department eating here - and you know what they say, firefighters know good food! This used to be a more regular lunch place when my office was closer. Finally made it back today and was thrilled that nothing has changed and it's just as good as it ever was. YUM.
(4)
Winter M.
service was great, got our order fast BUT well I've had bigger ball park franks. we had ordered a Large Sausage and got a kids meal and not worth the 9 bucks. maybe they should go to sweet mama's on 56th and Broadway and see what REAL Barbeque is.
(2)
Ry S.
Excellent brisket. Ribs fall off the bone. Sweet BBQ is phenomenal! Sides r kind of lacking , Mac and cheese was blah. Oh the banana pudding is tasty and only $2. Order at the bar for take out and u only wait maybe 5-7 minutes.
(4)
Lisa V.
I'm generally not a huge fan of BBQ, but my highly carnivorous husband rates this place near the top of his list for Denver. I would have given 3 stars and he rates it a 5, so sticking with 4 stars... From my perspective, the turkey was pretty good, the cole slaw seemed a bit bland, and the poor sweet potato was comically small. However, the sweet potato wasn't dried out or anything and was quite yummy. I wasn't completely sold on any of the BBQ sauces...I like sweeter BBQ's without the kick of their "sweet and tangy" sauce. Good quality and very reasonable prices, so I'd be happy to return when in the mood for BBQ.
(4)
Savanna F.
First time here after eyeballing it for over a year. Pretty pathetic. I ordered mac and cheese and beans as sides, got two sides of beans. I got a combo meal with chicken, beef and pork. Pretty forgettable. And the pork is processed meat. It was the meat that is pulled from the bone and put back together. Anyone that considers themselves true bbq people would NEVER use processed product. Really wish Yelp would allow no stars. And for the person that thinks if we don't like this place we don't know BBQ- A. I am from KC, enough said but I will add B. I know FL BBQ, Sonny's is AWESOME for FL BBQ.
(1)
Poornima B.
Not sure if I'd go back. The pulled chicken sandwich was ok. The ambience is interesting. Neat and clean but I think I paid a lot for what I ate. Plus the Mac and cheese was the one you heat up in the microwave.
(2)
T K.
The food is good. The manager Matt was exceptional!
(5)
P S.
Florida Bar BQ... I was disappointed. I placed my order over the phone and then drove 20 minutes to pick it up. The food was utterly unremarkable. The pork was served dry, without sauce. They gave us some envelopes of sauces, but they didn't go far. The pork and beef were adequate. But don't order the chicken! why they serve pulled pork but not pulled chicken is beyond me. Maybe because there are so few places in the world to get a piece of grilled chicken. It's not like you can get that on every corner, right? I could have overlooked all that, but after paying $30 and driving 40 minutes, I was served STORE-BOUGHT potato salad. In the world of BBQ, that is an abomination. I was so disappointed in the whole experience, after driving past so many times wishing they were open.
(1)
Jennifer C.
Probably the worst bbq I've ever had. I got the chicken. When I pulled the meat off the bone it was so dry it was inedible. The green beans were so over cooked they turned to mush when you tried to pick them up with your fork. Will definitely never return to this place.
(1)
Kat K.
Attention Texans...Good Texas style BBQ! We have been in search of a good BBQ place here in Denver, and hadn't found it until we went to Bono's. One thing we've realized is that Denver folks want SAUCY BBQ. Texans prefer a brisket with a dry rub and sauce on the side. For Texans, it's all about the meat. The brisket was really good, and lean. Perhaps because we asked for super lean. But the flavor was good, and it had those beautiful pink smoke rings and crust...YUM. We don't rush BBQ in Texas...the longer it cooks, the more tender it is. The sausage was good as well. (Although I hear Serious Texas BBQ has Elgin Sausage on the menu...if you're from Central Texas, you know what that means!) Another reviewer complained about Bono's not being upscale. There's only one "upscale" BBQ joint in Austin...The County Line...and I would give my first born child to have one built in Denver. What is "upscale" in a BBQ joint? Plates and real silverware. But the best BBQ you find is in places with butcher paper and plastic silverware. Cooper's in Llano or New Braunfels, Kreuz Market in Lockhart, Rudy's BBQ in Austin. But if you're looking for "upscale," you're probably going to get someone from Massachusetts cooking "beef tips" and not true BBQ. I'll take the butcher paper any day. I think the other reviewer would probably be ill if he ever went into some of the REALLY good BBQ joints in Texas...I don't think there's a health department in those little towns, and you just can't pay attention the smoke crust on the ceiling and walls or you'd probably not eat there. And the decor leaves something to be desired. I think they put all of their decorating money into big pits! Oh, but the smell of the smoke and the meat...this is making me really hungry. But I would definitely recommend Bono's as a proper Texas BBQ joint. Give it a shot!
(5)
John K.
Good, but I've had better. I gave my coworkers the choice between here or Brother's. They chose here. Poor choice. Don't get me wrong, the meat is good, but it's just "good", not "great". Nuttin' to write home about. The brisket was tougher than what I can make, the pork was decent. One bright spot was their ribs. The were fall off the bone good. Dry rubbed to perfection. I would probably pick their ribs 2nd after Brother's. I recommend giving them a try so you can form your own opinion.
(2)
Mere H.
So sad - this was a great place but our most recent order was less than good. The sides are clearly not homemade. The once yummy Mac and cheese tastes like store bought Country Crock. The brisket is fatty and tasteless and my husband says the turkey is "weird." Bummer! Not sure we'll be going back anytime soon.
(1)
Jimmy J.
This is a great lunch spot for the meat centric. One of the methods I use to evaluate a business is its employee turnover. This place has a very low turnover, especially for a food establishment. Most of the servers have been there for five years or longer! All but the newest waiter have been there for at least two years. Portions aren't especially generous, but it's bar-b-q; that makes it expensive by nature. A large lunch with a drink and tip will run about $16 or so. But there are lower priced options for the less hungry. Open seating at the counter if you're in a hurry. Oh, and smoked turkeys and hams are available for takeout during the holidays. MMM-MMM.
(4)
Carter W.
Bonos does not look that great from the outside, I avoided going there for a long time, but once I tried it I was plesently surprised! The Inside is very inviting and has a traditional authentic bbq vibe. The food was great and they have a nice little bar. Liked the spicy tangy bbq sauce.
(5)
Gary V.
I gave this place 2 stars because the service was excellent, And I do have to say the barbecue turkey was spot on. I also had green beans which came in a cup a plastic cup which I thought was kind of weird, The Texas toast was nice and crunchy but hardly any butter at all on it. Had a side salad As a starter but whatever you do do not order the blue cheese dressing it comes in a package. So three stars for the excellent service and great smoked turkey but I will not be returning. I think they cater more to the lunch crowd of the businesses around there we were there on a Friday night at about 7pm completely dead I say about 20 people in the whole restaurant.
(2)
Adrian H.
Headline: Good ribs, dry otherwise. Average BBQ is a pity. Just once, I want to see an upscale BBQ joint. One that doesn't conform to the stereotype of a low-class place slapped together. This isn't upscale. You get paper napkins, plastic squeeze bottles, tin roof siding on the walls and wooden benches. Seriously - it could be better. The service was stellar - big gulp plastic drink glasses full of soda were brought by Andy, our server, soon after sitting, and he suggested extra plates when it was obvious we were going to get a little bit of everything. Which we did - a 3-meat platter with pork, beef and mild sausage, and a half-rack of St. Louis style ribs. Each one came with garlic toast (more on that later) and 2 sides, which we also shared - baked beans, sweet potato fries, cole slaw and potato salad. Let's start with the toast - a thick slice of white bread, partly toasted and then dolloped with garlic butter. It didn't taste of garlic. The toasting was uneven - it was really a waste of an opportunity to be special. Oh well. Meats - the pork was dry - it needed the sauce. The beef brisket was also dry, but it already had their regular sauce on it. I guess they feel it needs it. Both were flavorful enough, but not really smoky - it's a bbq joint - there is meant to be smoke flavor here. The saving grace was the sausage, which was moist and tasted like it had been slow cooked, and the ribs, which had a nice bark on it, a nice smoke ring. Unfortunately, they forgot to take the membrane off the ribs, which detracted somewhat. The sides were average - not particularly bad, but not particular memorable either. The tables come with four bbq sauces - we liked the original 1949, which was mustard based, and the sweet and tangy - floral honey based. The beef brisket came with the house bbq sauce already on it. The hot sauce was - well - hot. It didn't have a strong background flavor to help it along though. All in all, this was disappointing. If you are looking for good BBQ, there is good BBQ in the area (Hickory House in Parker comes to mind). I'd avoid this place and go looking elsewhere for your BBQ fix.
(3)
Jeffrey J.
The decor inside made me feel like I was back in TX, though the BBQ wasnt quite Texas-style, but all around rather good, from the ribs to the brisket to the sides. So far, this is one the better BBQ experiences Ive had in Denver, and would recommend.
(4)
Andy S.
I lived in Fla and GA for 25 years and ladies and gentleman, a BBQ place in CO almost knows what they're doing! Smoke, plastic baskets, garlic toast, sauces on the table, Brunswick Stew! The problems are 1) The pork was chopped or cubed or something, not pulled. Pulled pork should melt in your mouth. 2) It's so far away from the city! They should require a passport to get down there.
(4)
Jason C.
Great BBQ place with a smoker right in the dinning area behind the counter. They serve sweet tea (which is a must if you even have the balls to call yourself a BBQ restaurant), sweet potato fries, and garlic-butter texas toast as well as your standard BBQ options. If you have a healthy appetite, i recommend the feast for one. Their sauce options are the best in town. It's not quite as good as the ones back in Florida, but then you don't have to deal with the oppressive humidity either.
(4)
Frank K.
Have eaten at Bono's BBQ for many years and was really surprised to recently learn that they are a franchise operation based in Jacksonville, Florida. Seriously, Bono's just feels like a locally operated family run establishment. The food is great and the service is friendly. I have visited ton's of BBQ joints in Colorado because I'm always trying to find BBQ similar to what I was accustomed to in Texas. Bono's slow cooks meats in an open pit over hardwood to achieve excellent flavor. The turkey at Bono's is exceptional. They also do great St. Louis style pork ribs, mouth watering pulled pork and tasty sausage. In addition, I believe Bono's serves the best Iced Sweet Tea in Denver. The side items are authentic southern recipes. The black-eyed-peas and green beans are fantastic. My favorite is the baked sweet potato served with Churn Style butter whipped with cinnamon yum! The two meat plate comes with choice of two meats, a piece of Texas toast, & choice of two side items for $11.99. Save a little room to treat yourself to Banana Pudding for dessert. It is made with fresh banana pieces, whipped cream, & Vanilla Wafers! Here's the link to the menu for Bono's Centennial location at I-25 & Dry Creek bonosbarbq.com/media/cat…
(4)
Meg H.
This place is absolutely delicious, I love it a ton. It's really close to our apartment so we usually drive by it once or twice a day, and when we stopped in for a quick lunch I was super pleased. It's more pricey that most bbq places, but it was worth it.
(4)
Lee S.
I've been here a couple of times, but am just now writing the review. I like this place, but I don't love it. The food is good, but not great. Why 4 stars and not 3? Some of my in-laws are from the South and they love the Southern Fried Okra (just ask for Thousand Island, not ranch.) My kids like the food and I always leave satisfied. The service is fast and we always can get a seat. We'll go back.
(4)
Marty S.
Great BBQ, Florida type I guess? but it is good! Get the 2 meat plate, All meats are solid but the hot links are very good as well as the turkey. Sweet tea! Quick service for lunch especially at the counter! One of my Top 10
(4)
Scott L.
The wait staff was friendly and the food was good. I was a little disappointed as I had checked the menu online before we headed over and saw they had beef brisket. Unfortunately, they did not have beef brisket, they had a different, leaner cut. The waitress informed me that they had new menus and the brisket would be available soon. I'd call ahead if this is what you are looking for.
(3)
Kevin L.
Confusing menu designed to steer you towards an oversize platter of mediocre meats. Beans were ok.
(2)
Constant C.
I've experienced much better. The catfish was funky. The sauces were so sweet it was like putting syrup on the meat. The meats were underwhelming. Smoke was so thick in the building it burned my eyes. The decor was nice, tea good and service acceptable. Would never go back or recommend.
(1)
Michael I.
Edit: I originally gave Bono's four stars, but I'm taking them down to three after a repeat visit. We actually went and ate in the restaurant today, and the meat and sauce were still very good. However, some of the sides we tried today (specifically the baked beans and the green beans) were WAY too peppery. The cole slaw was just okay. Also, after a repeat visit, it seems that Bono's is kind of overpriced. I'm spoiled by Sonny's in Florida, which has very similar barbecue for much better prices. The food is still generally good here, and if you want some barbecue there's nothing wrong with Bono's. But I don't think it's quite four-star good. Original review: I've only eaten here once so far, but I like what I've experienced. For anyone who's lived in Florida, Bono's reminds me of Sonny's (a Florida barbecue chain) - and I like Sonny's. Bono's has good, tasty barbecue. I love the sweet barbecue sauce. The ribs are good, as is the pulled pork. I'd suggest passing on the corn on the cob, but the other sides were delicious. It's not a fancy place, but if you need to get you some barbecue, Bono's is a fine choice.
(3)
Dan S.
So they tell you that REAL Bar B Q has nothing to do with the sauce. Bono's turkey ends the argument. You get it. You wonder if it's made with pork fat, or butter, or worse, but you don't ask, because you're gonna eat it no matter what. It's a chain *sigh* but it's good. I almost always get the 3 meat combo at BBQ places (if 1 is good, 3 is more), but I'm not sure anything really stacks up to the turkey, though other meats are just fine. The hot sausage is tasty, and not particularly hot. Their sauces are also good, but I can't really tell the difference between the hot and regular. Must be American hot... The vat of sweet tea is worth getting (endless, in case the first gallon isn't enough) and I usually get the beans and sweet potato fries. The beans are great, lots of bacon, and although I keep ordering them, the fries for some reason strike me as just short of greatness every time. I'll be back. There are very few places where I get the same thing every time because I'm more of a food explorer, but the turkey will be on the list always.
(4)
Jafey A.
This is a pretty good place. The building seems old and run down but the food is pretty good so the ambiance isn't a huge concern. The service is okay, could be a little faster, but not that big of a deal. One thing they need to add for their chicken and some sandwiches is BACON!!! It would have made my BBQ chicken sandwich so much better.
(3)
LeAnn F.
I read the reviews posted on yelp for this resteraunt and because they were mixed reviews we decided to give it a try for dinner last night. They are way over priced for the size of servings you receive. Some food was really good like the ribs (either style), the chicken, and the baked sweet potatoe. The baked beans were average so was the cole slaw. The garlic bread that comes with the platter meals was a joke, a piece of texas toast barely toasted slapped with a little butter and that was it. The french fries were awful, tasted frozen and had no seasoning on them. The beef is not brisket, it is bottom round cut to look like brisket and it was way over cooked, dry, and chewy. One of the orders was wrong and the hamburger ordered at our table was over cooked and really dry. The different bbq sauces on the table were average, nothing to really get excited about. The seating is very uncomfortable, hard wood booths and chairs. If you have back problems or trouble sitting on really hard surfaces for long periods you might want to bring a pillow to sit on or use their take out window. They are slow serving the food. Overall, I would say this is barely a fair place to eat. It is not a place I would go out of my way to eat at especially with how over priced they are.
(2)
Max S.
So damn good. I had the ribs and spicy sausage and the hot bbq sauce. You get your food fast and it is delicious.
(4)
vicki c.
First of all, never make the mistake that I did and take a shower before you go here..smoky as he.., service was so so, he came right away to get order, but after my salad came, it took forever to get ribs, that were neither hot or tasty!! The sweet potato was so overcooked and tiny , not really edible with the imitation butter blend in package with brown super. Of course they blamed the long wait to get food that would have been prepared was that the computers were down. Run over to south broadway to get really good BBQ baby back ribs!!! I've got to go reshower now, as I stink of BBQ smoke. Along with some good eye drops for smoke irritation .
(1)
Jennifer P.
This is not real southern BBQ but it is close. The turkey sucked it was unnatural and soggy not juicy.... The brisket was nothing extraordinary and the sauces are decent. The other meats meet the same criteria. We went here because I wanted BBQ and we decided to get the dinner for "4" and try all meats. The sweet potato fries and beans were the two sides we picked they were just mediocre. If you are just a once in awhile BBQ fan then this is your place. However, if you love BBQ and you can make it great at home and think that you deserve something outstanding at a "BBQ" establishment, then you will be sadly disappointed in this place. Sorry Bono you know little about real BBQ.
(3)
Dan N.
Bad BBQ, but service is OK. Not much else to say. Sit-down style, fake western decor. Just another link in a chain, I think.
(2)
Dean B.
I find it amusing (though not offensive) that a New Yorker is critiquing "Southern BBQ" but this Texan has eaten there 5 times and been well-fed each time. I am not a regional BBQ snob. I like tomato-based AND Carolina vinegar-based BBQ sauces. Good BBQ knows no boundaries. I learned about the BBQ Turkey one night when I was starved and ordered the three-meat combo (good gravy that's a big portion). I picked the Turkey as my third meat along with hot links and brisket. The brisket is passable, the hot links are tasty, but the Turkey takes best of show. The only reason I don't deliver a 5 star rating for a BBQ joint in Denver is that all the sides except the Texas toast are pretty forgettable. This is good eating and not very expensive. Service is usually very prompt. I have never waited more than 10 minutes for dinner.
(4)
Char F.
Love the place. The turkey is sooooo tender and tasty give it a try.. It's the best!! Give it a try!
(5)
Karli F.
If you're down south (Denver not US) and you find yourself craving something BBQed and fast, drive yourself to Bono's. It's easy to find right at Dry Creek and I25. The service is always fast and friendly and the food comes out quickly. The baked beans are some of the very best I've ever eaten (at a restaurant). I always get the turkey sandwich and then I switch up the sauces on each bite--I can't pick just one! The green beans are good and meaty--yes, meaty. The sweet potato fries are fresh and delicious. The baked sweet potato is hit or miss. I had a great one that didn't even need butter and then I had one that was bitter. My boyfriend is a huge fan of sweet tea and this place doesn't disappoint.
(4)
Amy W.
I am convinced there is no good BBQ in Colorado. We are steak and potatoes folk. For some reason any good BBQ restaurant is either too tiny and gets swallowed up and forgotten by locals or, we get a lousy chain restaurant that is a crap shoot every time you go. I have eaten at this same restaurant 4 times. Twice were excellent and twice were horrid. The service was bad all 4 times. The two times that the food was excellent we had fried okra, and an assortment of Beef Ribs, Short Ribs, and pulled pork. Bono's has a nice variety of in-house sauces from hot and spicy to Mustard based. It was fun to mix and match the sauces. However, as the lack of prompt service for a veritably empty place and the 50/50 chance of getting good food I would not recommend this place to anyone.
(1)
Matthew O.
Very good BBQ, only downside is, Pepsi
(4)
Mindy K.
Bono's has the best BBQ I have found in the Englewood (or Littleton area). The service is always friendly and they have a really fast take out window. No need to call ahead because they will have most orders out in just a few minutes. Plus they have the best sweet potato fries!!! ^_^
(5)
Mike X.
I love this place! We have been here about a half dozen times since we moved here from the South. It is really good BBQ. I have had alot of options on the menu and my fav is still the pulled pork. The beans are delicious and the sauces are great. I have been to a number of other BBQ restaurants since I have moved here but keep returning here. Service is ridiculously prompt and friendly.
(5)
Bizzy M.
Depending on the day, Bono's is either the best or 2nd best BBQ in Colorado (sharing BBQ dominance with Jim-n-Nicks). As you pull into the lot, you can smell the smoke. That is the smell of black jack oak burning, folks, and that fine wood is what will be creating that nice pink smoke ring and flavor in the meat. The sweet tea is a good place to start. Sometimes it is too sugary sweet so I like to dilute with a little water if necessary. My favorite thing to get is the BBQ Hawg double decker sandwich. A little tip here, get it with 2 different meats so you can find the one(s) to your liking. I like to get the pork and hot sausage. I prefer the smokey pink meat so I usually request some 'outside' meat for the pork. I am down with Mr. Brown (bbq people will know what I am talking about). They have all of the typical bbq sides (baked beans, corn on the cob, slaw, fries, etc). The real treat is the green beans; best I have ever tasted (they have pork and potatoes in them! also a good bit of pepper; and it works). The 4 sauces they have are all very different and all very good. Try them all with the different kinds of meats. My favorites are the Original (goes nicely with the pork) and the Smoking Hot (pairs nicely with the sausage). They also have a Hickory Red and Sweet and Tangy (for those who like a sweeter sauce with some honey in it). Although sauces are incidental to many true bbq aficionados, this is an area that I see Bono's outmatching Jim-n-Nicks (and their 2 sauces, neither of which I like all that much). I have had some dining companions mix some of the sauces and some of them do combine nicely for a unique flavor. They have been running a 'kids eat free' deal on Saturdays and Sundays for the past few years at both this location and the one in Aurora. The family always loves going to Bono's. I have taken many new people to this place and they all love it. Most rave about it, too. For a bigger group, try the family feast. That way you get to try a lot of different things. I do have to admit that the ribs aren't always the best choice for me. Sometimes they are excellent and other times they are merely just above average. They are good to try as part of a family feast or a 2 or 3 meat combo, that way you can see if you like them to order a 1/2 of full slab at a future visit (and if you know anything about bbq, you will be back). Also, if you don't want to commit to a 1/2 or full slab, you can try a few bones a la carte. One of the things that I like about Bono's is the consistency. I find that some bbq places are very inconsistent (Bennett's in Arvada being the most inconsistent in the Denver area; sometimes the pork at Bennetts is an A, sometimes it is a flat out F). Certain BBQ meats can easily be ruined so having a pitmaster who knows what he is doing and employing quality control measures is essential to good BBQ. I would say that 8 out of 10 visits to Bono's is an A to A+. On a 'bad' day for them, you are not going to get worse than B+ quality. An 'off' day at Bono's is still better than 95 out of 100 other places. The service is always top notch. The atmosphere is good. Be sure to check out the open pit (Dry Creek location) where you can see the meats being smoked. They are back to playing country music, which is appropriate for this type of restaurant. For awhile, the Aurora store was playing 80's (and other popular) music. The location is convenient. Very close access to I-25. Not far from the new IKEA store. I have lived all over and traveled throughout the southeast and have experienced bbq from the best joints in USA. I also have my own smoker and like to smoke bbq myself, so good bbq is a passion for me. This stacks up with the best places in the US. Jim-n-Nicks is the only place that might be able to rival Bono's for best BBQ in Colorado.
(5)
Caroline C.
This place gets my vote for Best Smelling Restaurant Evarrr! I'm not even going to try to describe it. You'd have to check it out yourself. So the first thing you see when you walk in is the huge wood-fired barbecue, and the various hunks of meats gently roasting on it. And then there's the smell... Sooo good... The menu has everything you would expect from a barbecue joint, and we decided on the "Feast for 2 1/2" ($26). Holy crap, a feast indeed. The platter consisted of ribs (not bad. A little fatty), pulled pork (same), beef brisket (delicious), bbq chicken (awesome), turkey (really weird texture) and, the star of the show, smoked sausage (absolutely fantastic. This alone is what prompts me to give Bono's 4 stars and not 3!). While the meats were all tender and pretty juicy, I was kinda expecting a lot more flavor. I've never had to use the sauces they have on the table before, but I definitely did here. Oh, and for sides we chose fries (meh) and fried okra (good except for the pieces that had the tough stem part still attached). I'd definitely go back for the sausage and brisket.
(3)
Kyle O.
Pricey for BBQ. I've had better quality for the same price.
(2)
Matt K.
It over price and the food was cold and service took 45 minute to help us. They ignored me at the counter keep talking on phone or each other. So I'm surprised that this place has gotten such good reviews. I can't see how.
(1)
Matt K.
I give it 2 stars only because it was edible after a long drive. If you want good BBQ avoid. If you want fake BBQ that tastes OK and will fill you up then well... There you go. Service was extremely friendly I'll give them that.
(2)
Janet R.
I live across the street from Bonos. My husband and I go there quite often because it is so close. My husband loves BBQ and I can take it or leave it. The food it pretty good, although they seriously need new sides on the menu. The service is getting progressively worse. We went there tonight and the service was pretty slow. We never got the drink refills we were promised. We gave the server our BOGO coupon. When we had to wait forever to get the check, we told the server he could forget about the drink refills (that he already had forgotten about), but we would like the check. He came back and said that he was sorry that the service was slow and to compensate me, he comped one of our meals. I said "so you used the coupon I gave you, awesome." After he realized that I caught him in a lie, he was a little embarrassed. We left a little discouraged, but since the food is pretty decent, and it is across the street, we will more than likely go back.
(3)
Sho G.
I ate here last week and it was great. Its a great low key place with a simple interior. When you first walk in you can see the guy behind the bar smoking the meats so you know this place is all business. The food was excellent and came out surprisingly quick. We got the meal for 2.5 people which came with a bunch of different meats and 2 sides. It was more like feeds 3-4 but I'm definitely not complaining. Also went on a saturday night and it had quite a few people but we didn't have to wait which was great. If your in the area looking for bbq then check this place out.
(5)
Abbe H.
After a 3 day hike and camping excursion in the Great National Sand Dunes we were in for some good BBQ pulled pork and corn on the cob! Since I screwed up a pizza pit stop in Manitou Springs (DUMB) we ended up at Bono's on Drycreek! Why??? Who knows? This is checked off of our BBQ cravings list for life...our server warned us about the "suspicious" sweet potatoes and extended our drink wait an extra 5 min. with 6 people in the entire place..granted it was Sunday night prior to the Memorial Holiday (we should have barged in on a home-style BBQ at someone's house - a lot better I assume)! The screeching sound of the broken toaster as background noise was soooo incredibly soothing to my unclogged mountain ears and clearly it was broken as my white bread wasn't even toasted...isn't pulled pork supposed to come on a nice round toasted, warm bun? I thought so....and the side of baked beans, decent came in a container the size of a container you pee in at the doctor's office...um yeah that's the analogy! The cold fatty pork made my tummy hurt and I couldn't even look at what was under the aluminum foil...my suspicious sweet potato! Gross....at any rate, not our server's fault - poor Brittany! She got a tip but paying for the food was a NO thanks...Brittany tell your manager to suck it up because this BBQ Pit is a Pit...a Pit of Shit!
(1)
Tamara H.
My friend own's this place so maybe I'm a little biased, but I think it is a really great place (if you're not a vegetarian like me) and the set-up is nice. There is a big spit behind the bar in which all the meats are slow roasted all day long and the side dishes are great (especially the fried okra). It is convenient for a quick lunch if you work in the DTC area (and soon there will be two more in Aurora and Lakewood), you can do takeout and catering as well.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Scott A.
Solid, but not overwhelming. Great spot if you are staying at the Drury next door, but I would not make a special trip. I do love mustard sauce and found Bono's to be excellent. The meats were just ok, a little dry for me. I was in town for a week and they were mostly empty. Not sure why they are not getting any kind of crowd.
(3)Angela B.
I can tell this place used to be awesome from the delicious sauces on my table. The mustard one was my favorite. The service was fine - my waitress was friendly and attentive. The food - I got the rack of ribs, and while the flavor was good I found the meat extremely dry. The mac n cheese was obviously frozen, but my sweet potato was perfect. I think that this place just needs a little energy and enthusiasm by the owners, and it would get back to the amazing that it once was.
(3)Stan B.
Colorado is not known for good Barbecue. This place has good barbecue. I like their beef brisket and sausage.
(4)Steve P.
If nothing else, get the banana pudding! It's a cold, snowy night and I decided to stay close to the hotel. Bono's hit the bill, since they're next door. When you walk in, you're hit with the lovely bouquet of wood smoke from the bbq pit. I took a seat at the bar so I could watch the cooks do their thing. The bbq pit is full of meats warming. I can't tell if they use the pit to actually smoke the meat though. I saw one of the cooks bring out a brisket wrapped in parchment paper and started trimming it. It looked beautiful, I kept on thinking that my dogs would love the trimmings. But, you can buy fully cooked, smoked briskets, etc. and just place them in a warmer. If I was here longer, I would investigate further (although it could have come from the Bono's commissary in Florida). I ordered the three meat plate, and got the spicy sausage, brisket, and turkey, and fries and mac and cheese for sides. I also ordered the corn nuggets from a recommendation from the hotel. The sides (fries, onion rings, fried okra, corn nuggets, etc.) come from large food service bags and deep fried. The meats came out quickly, with a dab of bbq sauce on the brisket. About half the brisket was burnt ends. In Texas, bbq joints keep the burnt ends separate, as they tend to be dry. Some people like burnt ends and order just those. The brisket that wasn't burnt ends was moist and smoky. The sauce they dab on them is tangy with a slight sweet taste. The sausage link was moist but not very spicy. It did much better with the house 1949 sauce, which looks to be mustard based. The turkey was moist and tender, with a very slight smoke taste. It too did much better with the house 1949 sauce. The fries and mac and cheese were average. The cheese on the mac and cheese was thick but didn't have much taste. The Happy Ending was the banana pudding. I asked the server if they made it in-house, and she said yes. It came out in a small bowl with several fresh vanilla wafers out of the box garnishing the pudding. A healthy dollop of fresh whipped cream (not Reddiwhip) topped it. While swirling my spoon in the pudding, I noticed slices of banana. Yes! I hate banana pudding that pretends to be banana pudding. This is a simpler version of what I make, but it's just as good. The servers are friendly, and talkative if you want. Bono's does a healthy take-out business. Although the dining room was pretty empty, phone orders and people coming in for take-out kept the crew busy.
(3)David C.
Fast and friendly service, (take out), and large portions. The food was good, but not remarkable. Worth a try.
(4)Lorry M.
I have eaten at Bono's a number of times and enjoyed the food, and usually order the Ribs. I ate there on Friday August 14, and had some of the best ribs that I have had in the Denver area. My ribs were perfect! They were slightly crunchy on the outside and pink with a smoke ring and tender and juicy on the inside. They had a nice hickory flavor and tasted fresh like they just came out of the smoker. I look forward to eating these ribs again and hope they are just as good. Keep up the great BBQ!
(5)Desiree K.
Just ordered here for our office, the meat is okay. But they didnt bring any utencils, and no salad dressed, or hotsauce like we requested. So, I had to leave and get stuff to even eat- having said that- the salad was extremely dry, and by the time we could actually eat its cold. Beware when ordering delivery
(2)Tim E.
Have been to Bono's twice and it's Okay. Food is okay, price is okay, service is okay. 3 stars is a perfect rating as I was not impressed--I got the brisket and hot links. The House BBQ Sauces are good and they offer a variety of flavors at your table. Bono's is a safe choice for catering or lunch but will unlikely be the best BBQ you've ever had.
(3)Phil H.
Been here a couple times now, and have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food. Their sauces are very good, and the service was quick and friendly. Parking is a bit limited, but there are adjacent lots that don't seem to mind the overflow. The location is also a bit out of the way, but all in all I would say Bono's is a fine choice for BBQ in the Denver area. Pro tip: try the corn nuggets. YUM!
(4)Corey H.
Good service. Nice atmosphere. I like that it's the only barbecue restaurant that I can think of that doesn't play country music. Mostly classic rock. The fried corn is excellent and they have sweet tea. That's all the good stuff, now on to the bad: the bbq is terrible. I got the pork and it was dry and flavorless. There's no outside bark served with it and neither my wife nor I could taste any smoke flavor. It was so dry, we thought it was chicken at first. We're from the south and may be a little spoiled for good bbq, but this definitely isn't it.
(2)Ling L.
The beef brisket platter was mouth-wateringly delicious, even now days later as I recall that lunch. I had the mac and cheese and side salad alongside the brisket; they were OK. The staff was friendly, the meal arrived shortly after we ordered - an important consideration for a work lunch!
(4)David E.
I got introduced to their food when they catered a colleague's work event and it struck me because it was as good as BBQ I get in Texas. Since the I have been coming here for many years. I love this place. The food is fantastic - best BBQ I've eaten in Colorado hands down! The pulled pork platter and beans are what I order the most. The service is friendly and efficient and the prices for the value are better than fair. Go for it.
(5)Ben F.
Got the pork sandwich and coleslaw: Pork: dry and flavorless (tasted dusty as if it had been sitting out all day). Coleslaw: standard and unimpressive. BBQ sauces: all you could taste was vinegar. The positive: Service was good Food was delivered quickly It's a cheap lunch Definitely wouldn't recommend this spot - many other good places in the area for lunch
(2)Matthew F.
Delicious food! I can't believe I've lived here this long and never tried it until now. Keep up the good work guys!
(4)Maz M.
You might think its a Hooters if you drive by too fast! This place is choice. Good BBQ and even tasty yet plain salads. Their BBQ sauces are great and The fries corn ball things are irresistible. Great place for a quick lunch and very friendly service.
(4)Thea M.
The baby back ribs were on point! They melted off the bone and are a great mixture of smokey and bbq flavors. Plus they have Dale's Pale Ale. Mac n cheese wasn't very good and the bread was bland. Stick with the bbq foods.
(4)O'Shay B.
This place rocks. Love all the food. The service is great at lunch time. Fast and hot. The three meat combo is the best deal and filling.
(5)Heimlich M.
Got it delivered for an event at the Cisco office. Great beans. Will definitely visit the restaurant.
(4)Josh K.
My wife and I went here on a whim one saturday evening. I was inthe mood for BBQ and it was too late in the evening to start my own. I jumped on yep to find reviews. I wasnt surprised to see there werent any highly rated BBQ places anywhere near me. We trekked to Bonos with an open mind and an empty stomach. Sadly we left with an empty one as well. Bonos wasnt very busy for a saturday night which is never a good sign. Half the restaurant was full. My wife and I ordered the most expensive meal on the menu, the combo plate. It included the following: Pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, (dark meat only), turkey breast, brisket and sausage. It also came with garlic toast, baked beans and potato salad. I have to say that my wife and I were very unimpressed. Now, dont get me wrong, I am hard to please when it comes to BBQ. I consider myself an above average BBQ smoker. BUT I am not so picky I wont smash some ehh BBQ when I am hungry. This food didnt even meat the "ehhh" standard. The pulled pork was flavorless and chewy. The ribs where overcooked, dry and hard to bite. The turkey breast was dry and had little flavor. The brisket was overcooked and also lacked any flavor. The sausage was flavorful, but anyone with a grill and some johnsonvilles could have done better. The best of the meats was the chicken thighs, and that was only cause the skin was well seasoned and crispy. On to the sides that we had. The texas "toast" was untoasted white bread with a dab of butter only in the middle. The baked beans must have been straight from the can, and by straight from the can, I mean forgot to hit the stove as well. The potato salad was a mushy mess and had no flavor. MY wife and I couldnt even stomach it enough to make it through the meal. I asked for the manager and told her what I felt about the meal. She did not look surprised and promptly credited our whole meal including beverages which was more than I expected. I wont be returning and advise you to go here with very low expectations.
(1)Maestro L.
Service friendly and quick food but.... foods been sitting around all day. I tried the brisket, ribs and pulled pork. Everything was dry and over cooked. Wish they would spray the food sitting on the warmer just drying out...Not worth the money. Nice atmosphere though.
(1)Steve H.
I was there twice. The meat was very dry both times. Won't go back again. The staff was very cordial and the service was great but I came for some good ribs. I am sorry but I have to say that I won't return. I will head to FAMOUS DAVE'S
(1)Alicia P.
These guys are stellar for the price. They catered my wedding and everyone raved about the flavor of the meat. The BBQ beans are quite tasty (though my own tend to be spicier) and the potato salad is decent. I'm not a big bread eater so I cannot weigh in on that, but heard no complaints. The staff is amazingly friendly and helpful and will go out of their way to make you happy. For the price Bonos can't be beat!
(4)Valerie U.
Good food. Sides are very good. You can taste the smoke in all the meat. Prices are worth the plate.
(3)Dan H.
We where traveling to DIA and stopped by for some togo sandwiches. Quick was an understatement, about the time I got my change the sandwiches where ready. The brisket was perfect and tasted very good, and when you add the delicious sauce, it made it a great experience. The sides where fair, but the sandwich was the star!
(4)Josh P.
It was good, but not great. Got the pork platter, with a slice of garlic bread, baked beans and coleslaw. The coleslaw was great, and the pork was fine, but the food didn't stack up against Brother's Barbecue!
(3)Caleb A.
If I grew up here and only had Colorado BBQ, this review would be five stars. But I know better, trust me. Food was a bit dry, smoked sausage and brisket needs moisture which is the primary component of its taste, but not terrible once drenched in their sauces. Here again, not one sauce really stood out but they were all okay. Portion sizes were small on the meats and sides. On the positive side, they have great sweet potato fries, service is more than adequate, and the price isn't terrible. Will probably give this place another shot.
(3)Joe D.
Haters Gonna Hate. I am disappointed by some of the less-than-positive reviews about Bono's. While I suppose it's from people that don't know that Bono's is what Florida BBQ is supposed to taste like. It's not TX BBQ, it's not Carolina BBQ, it's not KS BBQ, it's FL BBQ. In case you haven't discerned, I like, and know, my BBQ. Bono's hails from North Florida, where I grew up and actually the two locations in Denver metro are the only two outside of Florida. When I want to feel home and think of my childhood, Bono's is one of the joints I think of. They have the standard BBQ fare, however I'm partial to the BBQ Pork and Hot Links. I also ask for no sauce, so I can choose which sauce or combination of sauces that I want for my plate. I personally enjoy the mustard-based sauce and the sweet-and-tangy sauce. And I don't know where they find these people, but every time I've been in the DTC location, they have folks with true southern hospitality, who will sit and talk your ear off when they're not busy.
(4)Damion W.
It is hard to mass produce BBQ and unfortunately I must say I don't feel like Bono's has perfected it. There are a hand full of BBQ joints in SE Aurora and DTC that put this place to shame. The only reason I went here is because I had a coupon out of the Entertainment Book and made our meal 2-4-1. With all respect to the people that work hard in this place to make the food and try to give the customers the best experience possible, I have to say that I am not a huge fan. Is the food edible, absolutely. Would I go back to Bono's without a coupon, absolutely not. That being said, I will see you the next time I am in the area AND have a coupon!
(2)Dave R.
I've eaten here twice for lunch and both times have been impressed with their Q. Its in an odd location next to a 7-11, but is well worth pulling off of I-25 onto Dry Creek. The Pulled pork Sandwich comes out tasty and you sauce it up with your choice at the table. The Slaw is tasty- though nothing outrageous, and their Fries are thick enough and nice and crispy. I will definitely be back.
(4)Dan S.
Great service! Very quick at lunch. Decent pit Barbeque with a variety of sauces. Beef brisket was dryer than I'd like. Cole slaw was not very tangy as I would like. Side salad was OK.
(3)Dave F.
This is my favorite barbecue place in Denver. The first time I went, I thought that might be the case. Today confirmed it. I got the 3-meat combo: pork, brisket, ribs with fries and beans. I'll start with the negative. The pork was dried out. That's why I can't give it five stars. But the brisket is great. The ribs are great. The sauces are great. The beans are great. The fries are great. Jabo's and Yazoo are good in their own ways, but Bono's offers a complete experience.
(4)Nic Z.
I was at an event catered by Bono's, so I can't vouch for how much better (or worse) it might be at the actual restaurant. I will say this -- the turkey was aaaaah-mazing. I would eat that every day. Pork was a bit dry on its own but still good (and probably excellent with BBQ sauce).
(4)Magneto L.
Yeah, I guess I am not sure what some people are saying about "re-heated" meat etc or problems with the sauce. I have been there many many times, and if you have questions as to how it is cooked, IT IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU ON THE GRILL MORON.....it's not like they are microwaving it in the back and creating this huge elaborate scheme like the wizard of oz with all sorts of chicken, brisket, turkey, sausage, etc in front of you for show. Want more sauce? Grab it. Not that difficult. If I ever had a problem with them I would just mention it, cause Lord knows they seem to be more than happy to accommodate....
(5)Mike L.
You know how with certain foods like BBQ and pizza, even when it's bad- it's still pretty good? Well not Bono's. I can honestly say this was the worst BBQ I've ever had. We got one of their to-go packages, and while a few items were decent, I can't even bump them up to two stars, as the majority of it was basically inedible. Brisket: dry and a bit chewy, but the flavor was't terrible. This was the highlight of the meal. Turkey: This is usually my favorite BBQ meat, but for some reason they use those processed breasts that I think are already cooked. Rubbery and disgusting. We threw away most of it. Hot links: Hard to explain, but the texture/taste was just wrong- almost like they cooked them the day before and reheated them. The sauce: The original is a mustard sauce that's just ok, and the hickory is overwhelmingly smoky. Green Beans: The best of the sides. Some pork and potatoes added for flavor- not bad. Baked Beans: BBQ sauced with pork- The first couple bites are pretty tasty, but goes downhill as the smoke is just overwhelming. Potato salad: Typical grocery store deli style mustard potato salad. I'm not a fan, but it wasn't anything different that your typical BBQ joint. Mac and Cheese: plain cheese sauce mixed with macaroni and a chemical/soapy aftertaste. Almost like they forgot to rinse the pot out? Again, inedible. The place was empty on a Saturday night, so maybe they've been trying to cut food costs? But there's no chance I'll ever give them another try.
(1)Abiah L.
Both the St. Louis and the baby back ribs were so dried out they were practically dessicated. The macaroni and cheese side that my son ordered was so overcooked that it was a paste of gluey pasta mush with unsalted cheese. Service was forgetful - had to be reminded to bring sides, and improperly double billed. Will not return.
(1)Lydia H.
No no no no no. I've ordered delivery from here a couple times. You can only order delivery online which fine with me. The BBQ is so bland!!!!!! And every time they forgot something or didn't make it as specified. EVERY TIME! Even after we call to confirm our order went in right. The food is not good. Oh and one time they got something wrong when we called the person answering the phones couldn't help so we had to talk to a manger about it and still they were not willing to just take our name and next time give us something equal to what we paid for bit did not get. We had to call the site we ordered from and ask for a refund which they gave us. Not worth it. Won't eat here again. I don't recommend you do. Bad food, bad customer service.
(1)Erin H.
I'm definitely a fan. It's hard to find truly good BBQ in Denver, but this place does it. Often I am so indecisive on what meat to get that I have to go with the 3-meat combo. The turkey is moist and delicious. The sausage (I like the hot) is pretty darn tasty. And the pulled pork and beef are also good. (Disclaimer - I have not tried the ribs or chicken, simply because they are too messy for me, at any restaurant.) You also get to pick your sides. I'm partial to the green beans and the sweet potato fries. And, for dessert I LOVE the banana pudding! You can even get somewhat healthy dishes here that are good. When I was on my diet I'd get the turkey plate with fresh fruit and didn't have to feel super guilty. Services is super fast and friendly. I've also seen a number of my friends from a local fire department eating here - and you know what they say, firefighters know good food! This used to be a more regular lunch place when my office was closer. Finally made it back today and was thrilled that nothing has changed and it's just as good as it ever was. YUM.
(4)Winter M.
service was great, got our order fast BUT well I've had bigger ball park franks. we had ordered a Large Sausage and got a kids meal and not worth the 9 bucks. maybe they should go to sweet mama's on 56th and Broadway and see what REAL Barbeque is.
(2)Ry S.
Excellent brisket. Ribs fall off the bone. Sweet BBQ is phenomenal! Sides r kind of lacking , Mac and cheese was blah. Oh the banana pudding is tasty and only $2. Order at the bar for take out and u only wait maybe 5-7 minutes.
(4)Lisa V.
I'm generally not a huge fan of BBQ, but my highly carnivorous husband rates this place near the top of his list for Denver. I would have given 3 stars and he rates it a 5, so sticking with 4 stars... From my perspective, the turkey was pretty good, the cole slaw seemed a bit bland, and the poor sweet potato was comically small. However, the sweet potato wasn't dried out or anything and was quite yummy. I wasn't completely sold on any of the BBQ sauces...I like sweeter BBQ's without the kick of their "sweet and tangy" sauce. Good quality and very reasonable prices, so I'd be happy to return when in the mood for BBQ.
(4)Savanna F.
First time here after eyeballing it for over a year. Pretty pathetic. I ordered mac and cheese and beans as sides, got two sides of beans. I got a combo meal with chicken, beef and pork. Pretty forgettable. And the pork is processed meat. It was the meat that is pulled from the bone and put back together. Anyone that considers themselves true bbq people would NEVER use processed product. Really wish Yelp would allow no stars. And for the person that thinks if we don't like this place we don't know BBQ- A. I am from KC, enough said but I will add B. I know FL BBQ, Sonny's is AWESOME for FL BBQ.
(1)Poornima B.
Not sure if I'd go back. The pulled chicken sandwich was ok. The ambience is interesting. Neat and clean but I think I paid a lot for what I ate. Plus the Mac and cheese was the one you heat up in the microwave.
(2)T K.
The food is good. The manager Matt was exceptional!
(5)P S.
Florida Bar BQ... I was disappointed. I placed my order over the phone and then drove 20 minutes to pick it up. The food was utterly unremarkable. The pork was served dry, without sauce. They gave us some envelopes of sauces, but they didn't go far. The pork and beef were adequate. But don't order the chicken! why they serve pulled pork but not pulled chicken is beyond me. Maybe because there are so few places in the world to get a piece of grilled chicken. It's not like you can get that on every corner, right? I could have overlooked all that, but after paying $30 and driving 40 minutes, I was served STORE-BOUGHT potato salad. In the world of BBQ, that is an abomination. I was so disappointed in the whole experience, after driving past so many times wishing they were open.
(1)Jennifer C.
Probably the worst bbq I've ever had. I got the chicken. When I pulled the meat off the bone it was so dry it was inedible. The green beans were so over cooked they turned to mush when you tried to pick them up with your fork. Will definitely never return to this place.
(1)Kat K.
Attention Texans...Good Texas style BBQ! We have been in search of a good BBQ place here in Denver, and hadn't found it until we went to Bono's. One thing we've realized is that Denver folks want SAUCY BBQ. Texans prefer a brisket with a dry rub and sauce on the side. For Texans, it's all about the meat. The brisket was really good, and lean. Perhaps because we asked for super lean. But the flavor was good, and it had those beautiful pink smoke rings and crust...YUM. We don't rush BBQ in Texas...the longer it cooks, the more tender it is. The sausage was good as well. (Although I hear Serious Texas BBQ has Elgin Sausage on the menu...if you're from Central Texas, you know what that means!) Another reviewer complained about Bono's not being upscale. There's only one "upscale" BBQ joint in Austin...The County Line...and I would give my first born child to have one built in Denver. What is "upscale" in a BBQ joint? Plates and real silverware. But the best BBQ you find is in places with butcher paper and plastic silverware. Cooper's in Llano or New Braunfels, Kreuz Market in Lockhart, Rudy's BBQ in Austin. But if you're looking for "upscale," you're probably going to get someone from Massachusetts cooking "beef tips" and not true BBQ. I'll take the butcher paper any day. I think the other reviewer would probably be ill if he ever went into some of the REALLY good BBQ joints in Texas...I don't think there's a health department in those little towns, and you just can't pay attention the smoke crust on the ceiling and walls or you'd probably not eat there. And the decor leaves something to be desired. I think they put all of their decorating money into big pits! Oh, but the smell of the smoke and the meat...this is making me really hungry. But I would definitely recommend Bono's as a proper Texas BBQ joint. Give it a shot!
(5)John K.
Good, but I've had better. I gave my coworkers the choice between here or Brother's. They chose here. Poor choice. Don't get me wrong, the meat is good, but it's just "good", not "great". Nuttin' to write home about. The brisket was tougher than what I can make, the pork was decent. One bright spot was their ribs. The were fall off the bone good. Dry rubbed to perfection. I would probably pick their ribs 2nd after Brother's. I recommend giving them a try so you can form your own opinion.
(2)Mere H.
So sad - this was a great place but our most recent order was less than good. The sides are clearly not homemade. The once yummy Mac and cheese tastes like store bought Country Crock. The brisket is fatty and tasteless and my husband says the turkey is "weird." Bummer! Not sure we'll be going back anytime soon.
(1)Jimmy J.
This is a great lunch spot for the meat centric. One of the methods I use to evaluate a business is its employee turnover. This place has a very low turnover, especially for a food establishment. Most of the servers have been there for five years or longer! All but the newest waiter have been there for at least two years. Portions aren't especially generous, but it's bar-b-q; that makes it expensive by nature. A large lunch with a drink and tip will run about $16 or so. But there are lower priced options for the less hungry. Open seating at the counter if you're in a hurry. Oh, and smoked turkeys and hams are available for takeout during the holidays. MMM-MMM.
(4)Carter W.
Bonos does not look that great from the outside, I avoided going there for a long time, but once I tried it I was plesently surprised! The Inside is very inviting and has a traditional authentic bbq vibe. The food was great and they have a nice little bar. Liked the spicy tangy bbq sauce.
(5)Gary V.
I gave this place 2 stars because the service was excellent, And I do have to say the barbecue turkey was spot on. I also had green beans which came in a cup a plastic cup which I thought was kind of weird, The Texas toast was nice and crunchy but hardly any butter at all on it. Had a side salad As a starter but whatever you do do not order the blue cheese dressing it comes in a package. So three stars for the excellent service and great smoked turkey but I will not be returning. I think they cater more to the lunch crowd of the businesses around there we were there on a Friday night at about 7pm completely dead I say about 20 people in the whole restaurant.
(2)Adrian H.
Headline: Good ribs, dry otherwise. Average BBQ is a pity. Just once, I want to see an upscale BBQ joint. One that doesn't conform to the stereotype of a low-class place slapped together. This isn't upscale. You get paper napkins, plastic squeeze bottles, tin roof siding on the walls and wooden benches. Seriously - it could be better. The service was stellar - big gulp plastic drink glasses full of soda were brought by Andy, our server, soon after sitting, and he suggested extra plates when it was obvious we were going to get a little bit of everything. Which we did - a 3-meat platter with pork, beef and mild sausage, and a half-rack of St. Louis style ribs. Each one came with garlic toast (more on that later) and 2 sides, which we also shared - baked beans, sweet potato fries, cole slaw and potato salad. Let's start with the toast - a thick slice of white bread, partly toasted and then dolloped with garlic butter. It didn't taste of garlic. The toasting was uneven - it was really a waste of an opportunity to be special. Oh well. Meats - the pork was dry - it needed the sauce. The beef brisket was also dry, but it already had their regular sauce on it. I guess they feel it needs it. Both were flavorful enough, but not really smoky - it's a bbq joint - there is meant to be smoke flavor here. The saving grace was the sausage, which was moist and tasted like it had been slow cooked, and the ribs, which had a nice bark on it, a nice smoke ring. Unfortunately, they forgot to take the membrane off the ribs, which detracted somewhat. The sides were average - not particularly bad, but not particular memorable either. The tables come with four bbq sauces - we liked the original 1949, which was mustard based, and the sweet and tangy - floral honey based. The beef brisket came with the house bbq sauce already on it. The hot sauce was - well - hot. It didn't have a strong background flavor to help it along though. All in all, this was disappointing. If you are looking for good BBQ, there is good BBQ in the area (Hickory House in Parker comes to mind). I'd avoid this place and go looking elsewhere for your BBQ fix.
(3)Jeffrey J.
The decor inside made me feel like I was back in TX, though the BBQ wasnt quite Texas-style, but all around rather good, from the ribs to the brisket to the sides. So far, this is one the better BBQ experiences Ive had in Denver, and would recommend.
(4)Andy S.
I lived in Fla and GA for 25 years and ladies and gentleman, a BBQ place in CO almost knows what they're doing! Smoke, plastic baskets, garlic toast, sauces on the table, Brunswick Stew! The problems are 1) The pork was chopped or cubed or something, not pulled. Pulled pork should melt in your mouth. 2) It's so far away from the city! They should require a passport to get down there.
(4)Jason C.
Great BBQ place with a smoker right in the dinning area behind the counter. They serve sweet tea (which is a must if you even have the balls to call yourself a BBQ restaurant), sweet potato fries, and garlic-butter texas toast as well as your standard BBQ options. If you have a healthy appetite, i recommend the feast for one. Their sauce options are the best in town. It's not quite as good as the ones back in Florida, but then you don't have to deal with the oppressive humidity either.
(4)Frank K.
Have eaten at Bono's BBQ for many years and was really surprised to recently learn that they are a franchise operation based in Jacksonville, Florida. Seriously, Bono's just feels like a locally operated family run establishment. The food is great and the service is friendly. I have visited ton's of BBQ joints in Colorado because I'm always trying to find BBQ similar to what I was accustomed to in Texas. Bono's slow cooks meats in an open pit over hardwood to achieve excellent flavor. The turkey at Bono's is exceptional. They also do great St. Louis style pork ribs, mouth watering pulled pork and tasty sausage. In addition, I believe Bono's serves the best Iced Sweet Tea in Denver. The side items are authentic southern recipes. The black-eyed-peas and green beans are fantastic. My favorite is the baked sweet potato served with Churn Style butter whipped with cinnamon yum! The two meat plate comes with choice of two meats, a piece of Texas toast, & choice of two side items for $11.99. Save a little room to treat yourself to Banana Pudding for dessert. It is made with fresh banana pieces, whipped cream, & Vanilla Wafers! Here's the link to the menu for Bono's Centennial location at I-25 & Dry Creek bonosbarbq.com/media/cat…
(4)Meg H.
This place is absolutely delicious, I love it a ton. It's really close to our apartment so we usually drive by it once or twice a day, and when we stopped in for a quick lunch I was super pleased. It's more pricey that most bbq places, but it was worth it.
(4)Lee S.
I've been here a couple of times, but am just now writing the review. I like this place, but I don't love it. The food is good, but not great. Why 4 stars and not 3? Some of my in-laws are from the South and they love the Southern Fried Okra (just ask for Thousand Island, not ranch.) My kids like the food and I always leave satisfied. The service is fast and we always can get a seat. We'll go back.
(4)Marty S.
Great BBQ, Florida type I guess? but it is good! Get the 2 meat plate, All meats are solid but the hot links are very good as well as the turkey. Sweet tea! Quick service for lunch especially at the counter! One of my Top 10
(4)Scott L.
The wait staff was friendly and the food was good. I was a little disappointed as I had checked the menu online before we headed over and saw they had beef brisket. Unfortunately, they did not have beef brisket, they had a different, leaner cut. The waitress informed me that they had new menus and the brisket would be available soon. I'd call ahead if this is what you are looking for.
(3)Kevin L.
Confusing menu designed to steer you towards an oversize platter of mediocre meats. Beans were ok.
(2)Constant C.
I've experienced much better. The catfish was funky. The sauces were so sweet it was like putting syrup on the meat. The meats were underwhelming. Smoke was so thick in the building it burned my eyes. The decor was nice, tea good and service acceptable. Would never go back or recommend.
(1)Michael I.
Edit: I originally gave Bono's four stars, but I'm taking them down to three after a repeat visit. We actually went and ate in the restaurant today, and the meat and sauce were still very good. However, some of the sides we tried today (specifically the baked beans and the green beans) were WAY too peppery. The cole slaw was just okay. Also, after a repeat visit, it seems that Bono's is kind of overpriced. I'm spoiled by Sonny's in Florida, which has very similar barbecue for much better prices. The food is still generally good here, and if you want some barbecue there's nothing wrong with Bono's. But I don't think it's quite four-star good. Original review: I've only eaten here once so far, but I like what I've experienced. For anyone who's lived in Florida, Bono's reminds me of Sonny's (a Florida barbecue chain) - and I like Sonny's. Bono's has good, tasty barbecue. I love the sweet barbecue sauce. The ribs are good, as is the pulled pork. I'd suggest passing on the corn on the cob, but the other sides were delicious. It's not a fancy place, but if you need to get you some barbecue, Bono's is a fine choice.
(3)Dan S.
So they tell you that REAL Bar B Q has nothing to do with the sauce. Bono's turkey ends the argument. You get it. You wonder if it's made with pork fat, or butter, or worse, but you don't ask, because you're gonna eat it no matter what. It's a chain *sigh* but it's good. I almost always get the 3 meat combo at BBQ places (if 1 is good, 3 is more), but I'm not sure anything really stacks up to the turkey, though other meats are just fine. The hot sausage is tasty, and not particularly hot. Their sauces are also good, but I can't really tell the difference between the hot and regular. Must be American hot... The vat of sweet tea is worth getting (endless, in case the first gallon isn't enough) and I usually get the beans and sweet potato fries. The beans are great, lots of bacon, and although I keep ordering them, the fries for some reason strike me as just short of greatness every time. I'll be back. There are very few places where I get the same thing every time because I'm more of a food explorer, but the turkey will be on the list always.
(4)Jafey A.
This is a pretty good place. The building seems old and run down but the food is pretty good so the ambiance isn't a huge concern. The service is okay, could be a little faster, but not that big of a deal. One thing they need to add for their chicken and some sandwiches is BACON!!! It would have made my BBQ chicken sandwich so much better.
(3)LeAnn F.
I read the reviews posted on yelp for this resteraunt and because they were mixed reviews we decided to give it a try for dinner last night. They are way over priced for the size of servings you receive. Some food was really good like the ribs (either style), the chicken, and the baked sweet potatoe. The baked beans were average so was the cole slaw. The garlic bread that comes with the platter meals was a joke, a piece of texas toast barely toasted slapped with a little butter and that was it. The french fries were awful, tasted frozen and had no seasoning on them. The beef is not brisket, it is bottom round cut to look like brisket and it was way over cooked, dry, and chewy. One of the orders was wrong and the hamburger ordered at our table was over cooked and really dry. The different bbq sauces on the table were average, nothing to really get excited about. The seating is very uncomfortable, hard wood booths and chairs. If you have back problems or trouble sitting on really hard surfaces for long periods you might want to bring a pillow to sit on or use their take out window. They are slow serving the food. Overall, I would say this is barely a fair place to eat. It is not a place I would go out of my way to eat at especially with how over priced they are.
(2)Max S.
So damn good. I had the ribs and spicy sausage and the hot bbq sauce. You get your food fast and it is delicious.
(4)vicki c.
First of all, never make the mistake that I did and take a shower before you go here..smoky as he.., service was so so, he came right away to get order, but after my salad came, it took forever to get ribs, that were neither hot or tasty!! The sweet potato was so overcooked and tiny , not really edible with the imitation butter blend in package with brown super. Of course they blamed the long wait to get food that would have been prepared was that the computers were down. Run over to south broadway to get really good BBQ baby back ribs!!! I've got to go reshower now, as I stink of BBQ smoke. Along with some good eye drops for smoke irritation .
(1)Jennifer P.
This is not real southern BBQ but it is close. The turkey sucked it was unnatural and soggy not juicy.... The brisket was nothing extraordinary and the sauces are decent. The other meats meet the same criteria. We went here because I wanted BBQ and we decided to get the dinner for "4" and try all meats. The sweet potato fries and beans were the two sides we picked they were just mediocre. If you are just a once in awhile BBQ fan then this is your place. However, if you love BBQ and you can make it great at home and think that you deserve something outstanding at a "BBQ" establishment, then you will be sadly disappointed in this place. Sorry Bono you know little about real BBQ.
(3)Dan N.
Bad BBQ, but service is OK. Not much else to say. Sit-down style, fake western decor. Just another link in a chain, I think.
(2)Dean B.
I find it amusing (though not offensive) that a New Yorker is critiquing "Southern BBQ" but this Texan has eaten there 5 times and been well-fed each time. I am not a regional BBQ snob. I like tomato-based AND Carolina vinegar-based BBQ sauces. Good BBQ knows no boundaries. I learned about the BBQ Turkey one night when I was starved and ordered the three-meat combo (good gravy that's a big portion). I picked the Turkey as my third meat along with hot links and brisket. The brisket is passable, the hot links are tasty, but the Turkey takes best of show. The only reason I don't deliver a 5 star rating for a BBQ joint in Denver is that all the sides except the Texas toast are pretty forgettable. This is good eating and not very expensive. Service is usually very prompt. I have never waited more than 10 minutes for dinner.
(4)Char F.
Love the place. The turkey is sooooo tender and tasty give it a try.. It's the best!! Give it a try!
(5)Karli F.
If you're down south (Denver not US) and you find yourself craving something BBQed and fast, drive yourself to Bono's. It's easy to find right at Dry Creek and I25. The service is always fast and friendly and the food comes out quickly. The baked beans are some of the very best I've ever eaten (at a restaurant). I always get the turkey sandwich and then I switch up the sauces on each bite--I can't pick just one! The green beans are good and meaty--yes, meaty. The sweet potato fries are fresh and delicious. The baked sweet potato is hit or miss. I had a great one that didn't even need butter and then I had one that was bitter. My boyfriend is a huge fan of sweet tea and this place doesn't disappoint.
(4)Amy W.
I am convinced there is no good BBQ in Colorado. We are steak and potatoes folk. For some reason any good BBQ restaurant is either too tiny and gets swallowed up and forgotten by locals or, we get a lousy chain restaurant that is a crap shoot every time you go. I have eaten at this same restaurant 4 times. Twice were excellent and twice were horrid. The service was bad all 4 times. The two times that the food was excellent we had fried okra, and an assortment of Beef Ribs, Short Ribs, and pulled pork. Bono's has a nice variety of in-house sauces from hot and spicy to Mustard based. It was fun to mix and match the sauces. However, as the lack of prompt service for a veritably empty place and the 50/50 chance of getting good food I would not recommend this place to anyone.
(1)Matthew O.
Very good BBQ, only downside is, Pepsi
(4)Mindy K.
Bono's has the best BBQ I have found in the Englewood (or Littleton area). The service is always friendly and they have a really fast take out window. No need to call ahead because they will have most orders out in just a few minutes. Plus they have the best sweet potato fries!!! ^_^
(5)Mike X.
I love this place! We have been here about a half dozen times since we moved here from the South. It is really good BBQ. I have had alot of options on the menu and my fav is still the pulled pork. The beans are delicious and the sauces are great. I have been to a number of other BBQ restaurants since I have moved here but keep returning here. Service is ridiculously prompt and friendly.
(5)Bizzy M.
Depending on the day, Bono's is either the best or 2nd best BBQ in Colorado (sharing BBQ dominance with Jim-n-Nicks). As you pull into the lot, you can smell the smoke. That is the smell of black jack oak burning, folks, and that fine wood is what will be creating that nice pink smoke ring and flavor in the meat. The sweet tea is a good place to start. Sometimes it is too sugary sweet so I like to dilute with a little water if necessary. My favorite thing to get is the BBQ Hawg double decker sandwich. A little tip here, get it with 2 different meats so you can find the one(s) to your liking. I like to get the pork and hot sausage. I prefer the smokey pink meat so I usually request some 'outside' meat for the pork. I am down with Mr. Brown (bbq people will know what I am talking about). They have all of the typical bbq sides (baked beans, corn on the cob, slaw, fries, etc). The real treat is the green beans; best I have ever tasted (they have pork and potatoes in them! also a good bit of pepper; and it works). The 4 sauces they have are all very different and all very good. Try them all with the different kinds of meats. My favorites are the Original (goes nicely with the pork) and the Smoking Hot (pairs nicely with the sausage). They also have a Hickory Red and Sweet and Tangy (for those who like a sweeter sauce with some honey in it). Although sauces are incidental to many true bbq aficionados, this is an area that I see Bono's outmatching Jim-n-Nicks (and their 2 sauces, neither of which I like all that much). I have had some dining companions mix some of the sauces and some of them do combine nicely for a unique flavor. They have been running a 'kids eat free' deal on Saturdays and Sundays for the past few years at both this location and the one in Aurora. The family always loves going to Bono's. I have taken many new people to this place and they all love it. Most rave about it, too. For a bigger group, try the family feast. That way you get to try a lot of different things. I do have to admit that the ribs aren't always the best choice for me. Sometimes they are excellent and other times they are merely just above average. They are good to try as part of a family feast or a 2 or 3 meat combo, that way you can see if you like them to order a 1/2 of full slab at a future visit (and if you know anything about bbq, you will be back). Also, if you don't want to commit to a 1/2 or full slab, you can try a few bones a la carte. One of the things that I like about Bono's is the consistency. I find that some bbq places are very inconsistent (Bennett's in Arvada being the most inconsistent in the Denver area; sometimes the pork at Bennetts is an A, sometimes it is a flat out F). Certain BBQ meats can easily be ruined so having a pitmaster who knows what he is doing and employing quality control measures is essential to good BBQ. I would say that 8 out of 10 visits to Bono's is an A to A+. On a 'bad' day for them, you are not going to get worse than B+ quality. An 'off' day at Bono's is still better than 95 out of 100 other places. The service is always top notch. The atmosphere is good. Be sure to check out the open pit (Dry Creek location) where you can see the meats being smoked. They are back to playing country music, which is appropriate for this type of restaurant. For awhile, the Aurora store was playing 80's (and other popular) music. The location is convenient. Very close access to I-25. Not far from the new IKEA store. I have lived all over and traveled throughout the southeast and have experienced bbq from the best joints in USA. I also have my own smoker and like to smoke bbq myself, so good bbq is a passion for me. This stacks up with the best places in the US. Jim-n-Nicks is the only place that might be able to rival Bono's for best BBQ in Colorado.
(5)Caroline C.
This place gets my vote for Best Smelling Restaurant Evarrr! I'm not even going to try to describe it. You'd have to check it out yourself. So the first thing you see when you walk in is the huge wood-fired barbecue, and the various hunks of meats gently roasting on it. And then there's the smell... Sooo good... The menu has everything you would expect from a barbecue joint, and we decided on the "Feast for 2 1/2" ($26). Holy crap, a feast indeed. The platter consisted of ribs (not bad. A little fatty), pulled pork (same), beef brisket (delicious), bbq chicken (awesome), turkey (really weird texture) and, the star of the show, smoked sausage (absolutely fantastic. This alone is what prompts me to give Bono's 4 stars and not 3!). While the meats were all tender and pretty juicy, I was kinda expecting a lot more flavor. I've never had to use the sauces they have on the table before, but I definitely did here. Oh, and for sides we chose fries (meh) and fried okra (good except for the pieces that had the tough stem part still attached). I'd definitely go back for the sausage and brisket.
(3)Kyle O.
Pricey for BBQ. I've had better quality for the same price.
(2)Matt K.
It over price and the food was cold and service took 45 minute to help us. They ignored me at the counter keep talking on phone or each other. So I'm surprised that this place has gotten such good reviews. I can't see how.
(1)Matt K.
I give it 2 stars only because it was edible after a long drive. If you want good BBQ avoid. If you want fake BBQ that tastes OK and will fill you up then well... There you go. Service was extremely friendly I'll give them that.
(2)Janet R.
I live across the street from Bonos. My husband and I go there quite often because it is so close. My husband loves BBQ and I can take it or leave it. The food it pretty good, although they seriously need new sides on the menu. The service is getting progressively worse. We went there tonight and the service was pretty slow. We never got the drink refills we were promised. We gave the server our BOGO coupon. When we had to wait forever to get the check, we told the server he could forget about the drink refills (that he already had forgotten about), but we would like the check. He came back and said that he was sorry that the service was slow and to compensate me, he comped one of our meals. I said "so you used the coupon I gave you, awesome." After he realized that I caught him in a lie, he was a little embarrassed. We left a little discouraged, but since the food is pretty decent, and it is across the street, we will more than likely go back.
(3)Sho G.
I ate here last week and it was great. Its a great low key place with a simple interior. When you first walk in you can see the guy behind the bar smoking the meats so you know this place is all business. The food was excellent and came out surprisingly quick. We got the meal for 2.5 people which came with a bunch of different meats and 2 sides. It was more like feeds 3-4 but I'm definitely not complaining. Also went on a saturday night and it had quite a few people but we didn't have to wait which was great. If your in the area looking for bbq then check this place out.
(5)Abbe H.
After a 3 day hike and camping excursion in the Great National Sand Dunes we were in for some good BBQ pulled pork and corn on the cob! Since I screwed up a pizza pit stop in Manitou Springs (DUMB) we ended up at Bono's on Drycreek! Why??? Who knows? This is checked off of our BBQ cravings list for life...our server warned us about the "suspicious" sweet potatoes and extended our drink wait an extra 5 min. with 6 people in the entire place..granted it was Sunday night prior to the Memorial Holiday (we should have barged in on a home-style BBQ at someone's house - a lot better I assume)! The screeching sound of the broken toaster as background noise was soooo incredibly soothing to my unclogged mountain ears and clearly it was broken as my white bread wasn't even toasted...isn't pulled pork supposed to come on a nice round toasted, warm bun? I thought so....and the side of baked beans, decent came in a container the size of a container you pee in at the doctor's office...um yeah that's the analogy! The cold fatty pork made my tummy hurt and I couldn't even look at what was under the aluminum foil...my suspicious sweet potato! Gross....at any rate, not our server's fault - poor Brittany! She got a tip but paying for the food was a NO thanks...Brittany tell your manager to suck it up because this BBQ Pit is a Pit...a Pit of Shit!
(1)Tamara H.
My friend own's this place so maybe I'm a little biased, but I think it is a really great place (if you're not a vegetarian like me) and the set-up is nice. There is a big spit behind the bar in which all the meats are slow roasted all day long and the side dishes are great (especially the fried okra). It is convenient for a quick lunch if you work in the DTC area (and soon there will be two more in Aurora and Lakewood), you can do takeout and catering as well.
(4)