Photo from R&R BBQ
From R&R BBQ (5495 W. 20th Avenue at the Edgewater Public Market):
Americans know well that barbecue is rooted in history, steeped in tradition, and committed to regional flavors and styles. For hundreds of years, that’s honored the flavors of the Midwest and Southeast, while the Western U.S. has lacked its own distinct offering in the barbecue wars.
But not anymore. R&R BBQ, an upscale fast casual that debuted in Salt Lake City in 2013, is the first multi-unit restaurant concept to stake a claim in Rocky Mountain BBQ. The brand melds techniques and styles to create a modern, delicious, and unparalleled barbecue experience.
R&R will open its first Colorado outpost in Edgewater on July 10, 2021.
“I’m so happy to bring R&R BBQ ‘home’ to Colorado,” said Neil Harfert, president of R&R BBQ. “I’ve lived in Boulder, Arvada, downtown Denver, and my youngest child was born in Thornton. My parents and brother are in Colorado Springs and will be able to attend their first R&R BBQ opening. It will be so fun to introduce award-winning, Rocky Mountain barbecue served in a premium fast-casual environment to Edgewater and the greater Denver area as we expand. We’re looking forward to being a great community partner for years to come.”
Barbecue is of course the showstopper at R&R, featuring smoked pulled pork, Certified Angus beef brisket, ribs, spicy Andouille sausage, and boneless chicken thighs. The brand offers some regional influences, including Texas-style brisket and a Carolina-style sauce, but it gives its own Rocky Mountain stamp on the flavor by smoking meats using white oak instead of hickory or mesquite.
R&R also provides a modern fast-casual dining experience by offering a wide range of non-barbecue items, with burgers, salads, wings, tacos, a loaded baked potato, and spicy hot dog rounding out the menu. All of it is served in an upscale environment with friendly service, inviting guests to stay awhile as they enjoy their Rocky Mountain BBQ experience.
R&R BBQ was founded by brothers Rod and Roger Livingston as a competitive BBQ team before transitioning to brick-and-mortar restaurants and expanding to 10 Utah locations and one in Idaho. The brand has plans to expand across the Western U.S. in the coming months and years, filling out underserved markets eager for their own distinct barbecue identity.
R&R BBQ is a part of Savory Fund, a Salt Lake City–based management group focused on growing businesses within the food and beverage industry. Savory infuses exciting startup brands with capital and pairs them with its team of industry veterans, who have experience in everything from development and construction to supply chain and facilities management.
Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.
Let’s see what Utah BBQ is all about. Not a whole lot of competition around, so will give it a shot.
Be nice if you had a menu that was convenient to look at