The team behind Minneapolis cult favorite Saturday Dumpling Co. is taking a major next step. Owners Peter Bian and Linda Cao announced plans to open Jujube, a full-service restaurant and bar set to debut later this year in the former Izzy’s Ice Cream space overlooking Gold Medal Park in downtown Minneapolis.
Photo by Eliesa Johnson
Known for their wildly popular dumpling concepts, Bian and Cao are now venturing into a more expansive dining experience—one that blends Asian flavors with the smoky traditions of Texas barbecue. Leading the kitchen is Chef Jake Johnson, better known in local food circles as “Texas Jake,” whose resume includes Animales BBQ Co., The Bachelor Farmer, Estelle, Kim’s, and more.
The concept aims to carve out a new lane in the Twin Cities dining scene, pairing Central Texas-style brisket and live-fire cooking with Asian-inspired flavors and techniques. “We think there’s some magic to be found by bringing the deep traditions of Texas barbecue and smoke into the world of Asian flavors,” Bian said in a release.
Courtesy of Saturday Dumpling Co.
The former Izzy’s building, long considered one of the Mill District’s most recognizable restaurant spaces, will be transformed into a full-service dining room and bar designed to feel polished but approachable. Cao says the team hopes Jujube becomes both a neighborhood spot for locals and a destination for visitors heading to nearby landmarks like Gold Medal Park, the Guthrie Theater, Mill City Farmers Market, and U.S. Bank Stadium.
More details on the menu, cocktails, and design are expected in the coming months.
Jujube, 1100 Second St. S., Minneapolis, jujubempls.com
