Animales Barbeque Co., helmed by chef and pitmaster Jon Wipfli, is opening its first permanent restaurant and live Americana music venue in Minneapolis’ Harrison neighborhood this month. Located at 241 Fremont Ave. N., right next to La Doña Cervecería and exactly 1 mile from Target Field, the massive 12,000-plus-square-foot space promises to be equal parts smokehouse, stage, and community hub.
Courtesy of Animales Barbeque Co.
Bigger, Bolder, and Built for Year-Round Flavor
After years of serving up brisket, ribs, and burgers out of food trucks and trailers parked at breweries around town, Wipfli’s new setup is a total game-changer. The restaurant will feature a 300-seat dining area, full bar, family-friendly patio, and a dedicated live music stage designed with a top-tier L-Acoustics sound system.
The kitchen’s expanded footprint also means more room for creativity. Fans can expect their Animales favorites alongside new smoked specialties and dishes that weren’t possible on the truck’s limited setup. “The size of this kitchen is a game-changer for us,” Wipfli said in a recent press release. “Not only does it allow us to stay open all year, but it gives us more opportunity to play around with the menu.”
Courtesy of Animales Barbeque Co.
Grand Opening Weekend: Barbecue Meets Americana
To celebrate, Animales is kicking things off with a four-day grand opening celebration from Oct. 23-26, featuring a lineup of local and national Americana artists (and no cover charge). Highlights include:
- Thursday, Oct. 23: Al Church brings his warm, witty songwriting to the stage.
- Friday, Oct. 24: David Huckfelt’s “Mystery Lights” debut, anchoring his upcoming residency.
- Saturday, Oct. 25: A doubleheader with Al Church & State in the afternoon, followed by blues legend Cornbread Harris and indie rock favorites Solid Gold in the evening.
- Sunday, Oct. 26: Diné singer-songwriter Laura Hugo closes out the weekend with her powerful, soul-stirring performance.
A New Chapter for Minneapolis ‘Cue
In Minnesota Monthly’s May/June 2025 issue, Jason DeRusha named Animales Barbeque Co. one of his top picks (and the magazine cover), praising chef Wipfli’s expert balance of finesse and patience—and declaring that no one does pork better.
The new Animales space—complete with family play area, ample parking, and craft cocktail program—feels like the natural next step for a brand that’s helped redefine Minnesota barbecue. What started as a food truck parked at Bauhaus Brew Labs has evolved into a destination designed to bring people together over ribs, rhythm, and genuine hospitality. “This is the dream we’ve been working towards for years—a place where the community can gather over great food and great music,” says Wipfli.
Animales will initially be open four days a week for dinner, with lunch service added on weekends. And with Wipfli’s long-standing reputation for both smoke and substance, one thing’s certain: This fire’s just getting started.
