Riot BBQ co-owners chef Manny Barella and pitmaster Patrick Klaiber were among our people to watch in the food scene in 2026, and three months into the year, they’re already making a big move. The duo is doubling down on their successful partnership with a new eatery, Chicken Riot, set to open in the former Truffle Cheese Shop space at 2906 East Sixth Avenue on Thursday, March 26.
“With Chicken Riot, I’m excited to bring my own version of pollo asado culture to Denver and honor the recipes of my childhood,” says Barella. “Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or you’re a parent taking the night off from cooking, we designed Chicken Riot around that neighborhood pollo asado spirit, to be a place where people come together and leave feeling nourished and cared for.”
Barella’s career took off when he was in the fine-dining world; in 2022, he earned a James Beard nomination in the emerging chef category, and in 2024, he finished in the top five on season 21 of Top Chef. Klaiber has been focused on barbecue since he was a teenager. He was the pitmaster at AJ’s Pit-Bar-B-Q when it earned Michelin Bib Gourmand status, as well as when the business closed abruptly a year ago. By then, he and Barella had formed a friendship and, with the help of co-owner Caleb Benton, Riot BBQ was born in the former AJ’s space. It proved to be one of the hottest openings of 2025…