Since the last time we wrote about the barbecue scene in the Twin Cities, a whole lot of new places have popped up.
Smoky meats and sides are where it’s at right now, and we’ve got a long list of places to pick up takeout for your holiday picnic, or to eat in when you are in the neighborhood.
Here’s what’s new (or in one case, relocated).
Animales at ABLE Brewing
Classically trained chef Jon Wipfli has turned his exacting eye to barbecue, and that was a really, really good call. His Animales trailer, parked outside ABLE Brewing in Northeast Minneapolis, is serving freshly smoked salt-and-pepper ribs, apparently a Texas thing, that we firmly believe should be an everywhere thing. Every bite we tried, from the crisp-smoky pork belly to the giant sausages (it should be noted they are unfortunately named “hot guts” on the menu), stuffed with cheese and herbs that oozed deliciousness upon cutting to the simple beet salad, was impeccable and craveable. They also serve barbecue bowls and tacos for single eaters and platters to help you feed a crowd. Meats sold by the pound and half-pound, $9-$23; sides, $4-$6; barbecue bowls, $13; 1121 Quincy St. N.E., Minneapolis (Behind Able Brewery); 347-661-5608; animalesbarbeque.com
Bark and the Bite
We’re ever-so-pleased that Noah Miller, the chef/owner of this operation, decided to relocate to St. Paul after a devastating fire in Minneapolis left them without a home base. The flavorful, tender ribs are our favorite here, but we also love that they have a smoked turkey and jackfruit for the pork and beef averse. Neighbors have really embraced the spot, which offers a lightning-fast lunch and is great for takeout as well as lingering with friends. Sandwiches, $6.99-$11.49; platters, $11.49-$13.99; ribs, $14.99 for a half rack, $24.99 for a whole; 2186 Marshall Ave., St. Paul; 651-528-7928; barkandthebite.com
BEAST Barbecue
This is for those diners who are fine with barbecue heavy on glazes and hefty seasoning. Most of the dishes had one or the other to the max, so those who like things on the caramelized or sweet side will find this right up their alley. We don’t care much for too much of either, but we found a menu item that fit that preference in the Wild Acres chicken, a half-pound, bone-in, quality piece that came with a lighter, less sweet brush of barbecue sauce. In addition to meat plates, the varied menu includes soups and salads as well as snacks, such as pork candy, wings and shrimp cocktail. Cocktails infusing local spirits are also available. Meat from quarter to full pound, $11-$28; platters $16-$80; sides $2-$8; 825 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-584-3657; beastbarbecue.com
Black Market StP
Perhaps the most unique set-up of all the barbecue spots on the list, Black Market sells its smoked meats out of a trailer parked on Isabel Street on St. Paul’s West Side. Be aware, though, you only can get this glistening brisket, smoky pork shoulder and meaty ribs once a week, and you have to pre-order on Thursday for pickup on Friday. It’s a neighborhood party, with people setting up tables and chairs on the boulevard to eat, and police directing traffic. Don’t sleep on the ridiculously delicious smoked beans studded with giant chunks of meat, either. And order extra, because those beans make superb lunch leftovers. Meats, $20-$25; beans $10; 220 W. Isabel St., St. Paul; 651-560-0227; blackmarketstp.com
Caribbean Smokehouse
Barbecue is back in the Brick Alley Building in downtown Stillwater now that Caribbean Smokehouse has moved into the former Smalley’s Caribbean Barbeque space. This time around, look for Caribbean-inspired dishes with Southern flair. In addition to smoked meat platters and small plates, such as smoked wings and spicy barbecue shrimp (both $12), the eclectic menu includes short rib hot dish and pulled pork tacos. Cocktails, such as caipirinhas, mojitos and margaritas, that are on the sweet side round out the Carribean theme. Smoked meat entrees and platters $14-$24; sandwiches $11-$12; sides $4-$6; 423 Main St. S., Stillwater; 651-342-2673; caribbeansmokehousemn.com
FireBox Deli
Great news for St. Paul barbecue lovers: This Minneapolis outfit is expanding and will have an address in the Saintly City later this summer. In the meantime, head to the original location and dine in or order takeout. Not to be missed is the brisket, with the ribs coming in a close second. What we love equally as much is that, in addition to traditional Southern-style meats that include pulled pork, rib tips and wings and sides, such as fries, potato salad, collard greens and mac and cheese, you can order Asian accompaniments, such as a side of sticky rice or pepper paste from this Hmong-owned establishment. Meats, sold by the half-pound and pound, range from $10-$25; meat plates $15-$17; sandwiches $8-$10; sides $2-$7; 4707 Lyndale Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-521-8206; fireboxdeli.com
Market Bar-B-Que (relocated)
This longtime haunt may have relocated to Northeast Minneapolis from Eat Street to make way for new construction, but its new digs have a familiar feel. Pretty much every single thing in the restaurant was transported from the original location, including every single piece of wood wall paneling and molding, archways, wallpaper, all exterior etched-glass windows, signage, light fixtures and even the original tin ceiling, said owner Anthony Polski. The kitchen has been laid out in the exact manner as the other location, integrating the original grates from the barbecue pit and interior bricks. Even the carpet will give you a sense of deja vu. It was overstock from when the carpet was redone at the old place and then dug out of storage for this new venture. Also transported were the autographed photos of celebrities who walked through the doors during the 70-plus years Market Bar-B-Que has been in existence. The giant menu of straightforward, classic barbecue along with salads, sandwiches, steaks, chops and seafood will also feel familiar. We highly recommend the Bar-B-Que Chicken, a hunk of nicely charred chicken with bone-in, tender meat. Better yet, order the chicken and ribs platter ($24) for a sampling of the two top barbecue dishes we’ve tried. In addition to the restaurant, a Market Bar-B-Que food truck can be spotted around town. Meats, sold by half or full sizes, $16-$28; barbecue combos $21-$24; soups and sandwiches, $9-$15; sides $2-$8. 220 Lowry Ave. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-872-1111; marketbbq.com
Minnesota Barbecue Company
A serious contender for top barbecue spots in the Twin Cities, this newbie and mainly takeout operation (with limited delivery that includes to Fair State Brewing) offers a menu that rotates regularly. You really can’t go wrong with any of the barbecue — at least based on the two times we’ve visited. If we had to pick our favorite, it would be the artfully smoked, tender brisket. If available, steak lovers should add the tri-tip, memorable and wonderfully cooked slices of sirloin, to their order. We also appreciated the careful execution of fall-off-the-bone ribs as well as tender smoked chicken and turkey. For sides, we hope the fluffy creamed sweet potatoes as well as the sunchoke salad are on the menu again next time we place an order. Meats, sold by individual pieces, ounces or half-pound, $6-$30; sandwiches $10; sides $4-$5. Takeout only. 816 Lowry Ave. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-315-4967; minnesotabbqco.com
Revival Keg and Case
When Selby Street’s Revival opened, it focused on the fried chicken the Minneapolis spot was known for, but also added some of the best barbecue in town. The third location of Revival, in Keg and Case West 7th Market, has eschewed chicken altogether in favor of an expanded menu of smoked meats (and mac and cheese!) that includes to-die-for house-smoked ham that is as good on its own as it is in sandwich form, smothered with cheese sauce from that mac and cheese. Other favorites include the butter ribs, smoked whitefish salad and house-smoked bacon. Don’t forget a side of buttery, cheesy grits — they’re probably our favorite barbecue side in the Twin Cities. Meats, sold by the pound and half-pound, range from $12-$32; sandwiches, $9-$19; sides, $4-$10 (for a whole pound of smoked mac and cheese); 928 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-321-2508; revivalrestaurants.com
Smoke Session BBQ
We love this food trailer that can be found parked, along with several other food mobiles, in a lot on the southeast corner of White Bear and Iowa avenues in St. Paul. We also love that the barbecue here comes with some ethnic flair. In addition to traditional barbecue, such as ribs and brisket, which was our top pick of the dishes we tried, items from this Hmong-owned establishment that rolled out last August includes smoked Hmong sausage and Asian-style pork belly. And we love that rice — one of our favorite ways to sop up the juices and flavors that come from smoked meats — is offered alongside quintessential sides such as slaw and fries. Make sure to add the pepper sauce — a fish sauce with sliced hot peppers — for 50 cents more. It may just be our favorite new dipping sauce. The barbecue trailer runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily or until items sell out. The status on the location, hours and items available are updated regularly on Smoke Session BBQ’s Facebook page. Most meats sold half-pound and 1 pound, $10-$24; sausages starting at $4; sides $2.50-$4; regularly parked in a parking lot at 1590 White Bear Ave., St. Paul; 651-769-7190; facebook.com/smokesessionbbqmn
