"Chef Bill Espiricueta brings Nobu-trained precision to Texas-KC barbecue in Midtown Fort Collins — bring the team and order the burnt ends early."
About Smōk
Bill Espiricueta cooked at Nobu in Dallas and Bluestem in Kansas City before he gave in to brisket. He opened the first Smōk inside Denver's Source Hotel in 2018, then brought it to Fort Collins in October 2021 as the first location outside Denver. The result is a barbecue room run with fine-dining discipline: smoke and Southern sides, but with the technique of a chef who came up in serious kitchens.
It sits in Midtown near the Foothills Mall, an easy, loud, generous room built for sharing. For more smoke worth travelling for, see our best barbecue restaurants worldwide guide.
The Kitchen
Chef Bill Espiricueta works a Texas-meets-Kansas-City line. The prime brisket is the benchmark — smoked low and long, sold lean or fatty — and the burnt ends are the cut to order if they have them. Nashville hot chicken, pork spareribs, smoked turkey and house sausages fill out the board, served with Southern-influenced sides, house-made pickles and cornbread.
The fine-dining background shows in the seasoning and the consistency rather than in fuss; this is comforting food cooked with precision. Sandwiches run $16 for pulled pork up to $23 for brisket and $24 for burnt ends, with plates and shareable boards above that, plus a full craft-cocktail list. The address is 327 East Foothills Parkway in Fort Collins. Smoked meats sell out once the day's cook is gone, so come early for the burnt ends. For the city's other tables, see our Fort Collins dining guide.
The Room
The room is casual and lively, built for groups and craft cocktails rather than hushed dining. Sound runs loud when it is busy, the light is bright, and the spacing is generous enough for big shared boards and a crowd. Dress is whatever you like. There is a full bar pouring craft cocktails alongside the smoke, and the seating handles teams and families as easily as a couple at the bar.
Best for Team Dinner
Smōk is built for a team dinner, because the shared boards, the loud and easy room and the craft-cocktail bar make it simple to feed a crowd without standing on ceremony. Order brisket, burnt ends and a few sides for the table and let everyone build a plate. It also works for a business lunch when you want something relaxed and generous, and it sits in our Fort Collins dining guide as the city's barbecue benchmark.
Not for
Not for a quiet or formal dinner — the room is loud and bright, the food is shared off boards, and the smoked meats can sell out late, so it is no place for a hushed, late-night occasion.
Frequently Asked
Is Smōk worth it?
Yes, it is widely rated among the best barbecue in northern Colorado. Chef Bill Espiricueta trained at Nobu in Dallas and Bluestem in Kansas City before opening Smōk, and that fine-dining background shows in the seasoning and consistency. The prime brisket and burnt ends are the cuts to judge it by. Come early in the day, because the best smoked meats sell out once the cook is gone.
What should I order at Smōk?
Order the prime brisket, lean or fatty, and the burnt ends if they are still available, since both sell out. Add Nashville hot chicken, pork spareribs and a couple of Southern sides for the table, and finish with a craft cocktail from the bar. The shareable boards are the easiest way to feed a group and try more of the smoker in one sitting.
How much does Smōk cost?
Sandwiches run from $16 for pulled pork to $23 for brisket and $24 for burnt ends, with plates and shareable boards priced above that. A full meal with a craft cocktail lands in the mid-range for Fort Collins. Sharing boards across a table is the best-value way to eat here, and it lets a group try several cuts at once.
Does Smōk sell out of brisket?
Yes, it can. Smōk smokes a finite amount each day, so the most popular cuts — brisket and burnt ends especially — can run out later in the service. Arriving earlier in the day is the surest way to get them. If you have your heart set on a particular cut, it is worth calling ahead or coming at the start of the evening.
Is Smōk good for a team dinner?
Yes, it is one of Fort Collins' best rooms for a team dinner. The shared boards, the loud and casual setting and the full craft-cocktail bar make it easy to feed a crowd and keep the mood relaxed. Order a mix of brisket, burnt ends and sides for the table. It works for a casual business lunch for the same reasons.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Smōk
Walk-in and online order; come early, as the best smoked meats sell out once the day's cook is gone.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address327 E Foothills Pkwy #110, Midtown, Fort Collins, CO
NeighbourhoodMidtown
CuisineTexas-KC Barbecue
PriceSandwiches $16–24; plates and shareable boards above
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingCasual room with full bar
ReservationWalk-in / online order
