Perched along the banks of the Gallatin River in Big Sky, Montana, Riverhouse BBQ & Events has become the go-to spot for anyone craving authentic Texas barbecue in the middle of the Rockies. 🏔️
This isn’t your average mountain-town restaurant — it’s a full-blown BBQ operation, complete with a saloon and an event venue, all built around one thing: low-and-slow smoked meat.
The kind of place where the smell alone pulls hikers off the trail. Locals have made it their year-round hangout, and it’s easy to see why once the food hits the table. 🍽️
How Riverhouse BBQ won Big Sky’s hearts
Riverhouse BBQ earned its reputation the old-fashioned way — with hand-cut mesquite wood and patience.
Every cut of meat on the menu is dry-rubbed with a house-made blend of seasonings, then smoked low and slow for 12 to 18 hours, a process that turns simple cuts into something worth driving across the valley for. 🌲
That commitment to traditional Hill Country technique, paired with homemade sides like beans, corn, coleslaw, and cornbread, gives the whole menu a comforting, no-shortcuts feel that keeps regulars coming back through every Montana season.
Locals also love that the Big Sky barbecue experience here doesn’t stop at the plate.
The back porch offers views of the Spanish Peaks, making it a favorite spot to unwind with a smoked platter and a cold drink after a day on the mountain. 🏞️
Open seven nights a week, year-round, with a menu built for groups, families, and big appetites alike, Riverhouse has become the kind of neighborhood staple that anchors the Big Sky dining scene rather than just passing through it.
Food Highlights
- Smoked Tri-Tip: A house specialty cut, dry-rubbed and mesquite-smoked, topped simply with pickles and onions to let the meat shine.
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Beef Brisket: Slow-smoked over mesquite wood for up to 18 hours, sliced thick and served with pickles and onions.
- Flank Steak: Smoked flank steak dressed with chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato, and crispy fried onions.
- Baby Back Ribs: Dry-rubbed pork ribs smoked low and slow, available by the half or full rack, served with fries and slaw.
- BBQ Tacos: Smoked pork or brisket folded into flour or corn tortillas, topped with pickles and onions.
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Big Tex Burger: A half-pound burger loaded with BBQ sauce, pepperjack cheese, jalapeños, and bacon.
- Brisket Sandwich: Smoked beef brisket piled onto a soft bun with pickles and onions, served with fries and coleslaw on the side.
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Smoked Chicken: A mesquite-smoked chicken sandwich finished with spicy chipotle mayo, pickles, and onions.
Atmosphere
Riverhouse BBQ leans into a rustic, saloon-style setting, with riverside views and a laid-back energy that fits its Montana surroundings. 🌄
The back porch is a standout feature, giving diners a front-row seat to the Spanish Peaks while they eat.
It functions as both a casual supper spot and an event space, so the vibe shifts easily from a quiet family dinner to a lively group gathering.
Overall, it feels unmistakably like a Montana smokehouse — unpretentious, warm, and centered around good food.
Bottom Line
Come for the 18-hour smoked brisket, stay for the river views, hearty portions, laid-back saloon energy, and a menu built on real Hill Country tradition. It’s Big Sky comfort food at its finest. 🔥
Address:
45130 Gallatin Rd, Big Sky, MT 59730
📞 (406) 995-7427
🕔 Open Daily, 3 PM–10 PM (seasonal hours vary)