Some people ask me, “Hey Jason, where’s the best barbecue around here?” To which I respond, “Just get on I-35 South for about 400 miles, and you’ll find it in Kansas City.” I’m sure you’ve heard some variation of that rip on the Minnesota barbecue scene from friends or on Reddit. But it’s time to face reality: We have good ’cue! Really good! It’s all over the state—with variations inspired by everywhere from Texas and Tennessee to the Carolinas. Around here, though, those distinctions don’t really matter, as pitmasters are creating distinctly Midwestern sauces and proteins. In food trucks, in breweries, in legion halls, and in small towns, they’re cooking slow and cooking low—and we’re the beneficiaries.
Courtesy of Rail Werks Brewing Depot
New Kids on the Pit
THE BUSTED KNUCKLE BBQ
Located inside Lift Bridge Brewing Co., 1280 Madison Ave., New Richmond, Wisconsin
PITTIE Q BBQ
Located inside B-Dale Club, 2100 Dale St. N., Roseville
RAIL WERKS BREWING DEPOT
4055 Central Ave. NE, Columbia Heights
WHISKEY CREEK BBQ
Food truck based in Cottage Grove
Jason’s Pick:
Petey’s BBQ
Located inside Alary’s Bar, 139 Seventh St. E., St. Paul
Petey’s BBQ has the best smoked chicken wings I’ve ever had. Juicy with enough smoke to let you know you’re having barbecue, but not so much smoke that you feel like you’re eating a campfire. Fabulous brisket from Michael Peterson, a former border patrol agent and St. Paul police officer who has mastered the art of Texas barbecue.
Photo by Terry Brennan
Barbecue in the Cities
THE FABLED ROOSTER
Located inside Graze Food Hall by Travail, 520 N. Fourth St., Minneapolis
FIREBOX BBQ
1585 Marshall Ave., St. Paul
OLD SOUTHERN BBQ
Locations in Arden Hills, Minneapolis, and Shakopee, Minnesota, and Hudson, Wisconsin
SMOKE SESSION BBQ
Food truck based in St. Paul
STORM KING BREWPUB AND BARBECUE
618 N. Fifth St., Minneapolis
Jason’s Pick:
Animales Barbeque Co.
Located in Bauhaus Brew Labs, 1315 Tyler St. NE, Minneapolis
Jon Wipfli’s Animales is without peer in my book. The delicate touch of a chef combined with the practiced patience of a barbecue master. No one does pork better than Animales, from the ribs to the shoulder and the belly. Still operating out of a truck at Bauhaus Brew Labs in Northeast Minneapolis, Animales is on track to open a brick-and-mortar location near International Market Square later this fall.
Photo by Terry Brennan
Greater Minnesota-Style
BUDDY BOY FINE BARBEQUE
8175 Highway 7, Minnetrista
JELLYBEAN AND JULIA’S BBQ
2501 Coon Rapids Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids
OMC SMOKEHOUSE
1909 W. Superior St., Duluth
SMOKEY’S PUB N’ GRILL
552 Lincoln Drive, East Bethel
Jason’s Pick:
Big Bore Barbecue
10940 Fourth St. NE, Hanover
Chad Brink is exactly what you want in a pitmaster: He is an obsessive, crazy man, in the best way possible. The kind who builds his own smokers in his spare time and has been perfecting his dry rub for the past 15 years. The burnt ends are legendary—brisket or
pork belly. A rack of ribs for $33 qualifies as a bargain in this economy. Make the drive out to Wright County, only about 20 minutes from Maple Grove—and thank me later.
Courtesy of Big Bore Barbecue
Barbecue Icons
MARKET BAR-B-QUE
220 NE Lowry Ave., Minneapolis
PIGGY BLUE’S BAR-B-QUE
323 Main St. N., Austin
Q FANATIC BBQ & GRILL
180 Miller Road, Champlin
TED COOK’S 19TH HOLE BARBECUE
2814 E. 38th St., Minneapolis
Jason’s Pick:
John Hardy’s BBQ
Two locations in Rochester
John Hardy’s has been smoking meats in Rochester since the early 1970s. The sauce is so good, you can find it at Hy-Vees all over southern Minnesota. The restaurant smokes over cherry and apple wood, just like Hardy Jr. did originally, although new owners continue to innovate. There are barbecue meat salads and a sauce called “sissy boy” for people who can’t handle the legendary mild sauce.
Courtesy of John Hardy’s BBQ
Asian Barbecue
DONG HAE KOREAN GRILL & SUSHI
903 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis
GYU-KAKU JAPANESE BBQ
3025 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis
HOBAN KOREAN RESTAURANT
1989 Silver Bell Road, Eagan
SŌKE BBQ AND HOTPOT
8586 Edinburgh Centre Drive, Brooklyn Park
Jason’s Pick:
GoGi Korean BBQ
4207 Highway 13 W., Savage
Korean barbecue is showing up in so many suburban strip malls, and GoGi in Savage is part of that wave. Only open since February, the vibes are good, and the selection is intense—plenty of Korean classics here, but we’re here for the KBBQ. For the first timer, get the large combo with Wang Galbi (Korean King Ribs), beef and pork bulgogi, and black pork belly. If you’re going a la carte, I love the Hangjungsal (Pork Jowl).
Courtesy of Dong Hae Korean Grill & Sushi
In the mood for more ‘cue? Head to Minnesota Monthly‘s GrillFest, taking place May 31 and June 1 at CHS Field. Treat your tastebuds to unlimited samples of grilled foods, craft beer, specialty cocktails, and more, and don’t mist the brand-new BBQ Battle for some mouthwatering bites. Grab your tickets here.
