The biggest news in Minnesota today is not that Gov. Tim Walz has been selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. It’s that Jon Wipfli (co-owner and operator of Animales Barbecue Co.) officially has a spot to make his award-winning barbecue year-round!
Photo by Darin Kamnetz
And if you’re in the market for a barbecue trailer or a burger food truck, Wipfli’s got two to sell. Animales Barbecue Co. and Animales Burger Co. will combine and be located next to La Doña Cervecería in the former Royal Foundry Distilling. It’s right by Target Field, near downtown Minneapolis. If the Timberwolves end up building a stadium in the Farmer’s Market location, Wipfli looks like an absolute genius.
It’s huge: 13,000 square feet of space at 241 Fremont Ave. N. Why here? The Animales ownership group, which includes business partner Billy Tserenbat of Billy
Sushi, likes that it’s close to the downtowns, the neighborhood is growing, and access via Interstate 394 through the Van White Memorial Blvd couldn’t be easier. “We are directly linked to the Sculpture Garden area by that street, it’s a quick link to that side of town,” says Wipfli.
He told me that new Animales will be enormous, with 300 seats. Family-friendly is a focus, perhaps turning the lawn bowling space into a play area for kids. “You’ll find your favorite ribs and burgers, plus many of the creative dishes we’ve been testing at the trucks, and other things we haven’t been able to make yet,” says Wipfli. “The size of this kitchen is a game-changer for us. Not only does it allow us to stay open all year, but it gives us more opportunity to play around with the menu.”
They’ll have cocktails on tap, counter service, and the food will be brought to your table. Construction will start this fall, with an expected opening in 2025. The business will move fully to this new location, and the last service at Bauhaus Brew Labs will be sometime this fall.
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