La Fama Barbecue

La Fama Barbecue is a smokehouse on Calle 65 Bis in Chapinero, Bogotá, Colombia, cooking Texas and St. Louis-style barbecue over charcoal and wood. The restaurant brought American-style smoked meat to a city better known for grilled beef and stews, and it has become a reference point for barbecue fans in the capital. A second branch trades on Calle 85, which gives visitors staying in the north an alternative. The menu is built on slow-smoked meats sold by weight or in sandwiches, including beef ribs, pork ribs, brisket and smoked chicken. Smoked beef ribs are the signature order, and brisket plates and sandwiches and pork ribs with house sauces are also popular. Sides, sauces and pickles follow American barbecue tradition, and the kitchen adapts them with Colombian touches. The drinks list is centred on craft beer, which suits the food, along with soft drinks and simple cocktails. The room is informal and loud, built around long shared tables, with a casual dress code and a relaxed, social mood that suits groups. The smoke and the busy service give the dining room a lively feel, and the noise level rises at weekends. Prices are mid-range at roughly COP 40,000-95,000 per person (about USD 13-30), with the cost driven by how much meat is ordered by weight. The restaurant opens Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner and is closed on Monday. Reservations are recommended at weekends, while weekday visits are usually easier. Because meat is cooked in batches and can sell out, arriving earlier in service gives the widest choice, especially for beef ribs. Sharing a mixed platter is a good way to sample several cuts and suits groups of two to four people. Sides, pickles and sauces are worth adding to balance the richness of the meat, and craft beer pairs well with the smoke, so visitors often order a round for the table.