I usually like my own better than most restaurants around here but Q Fanatic is tops in MN for me. Next comes Rack Shack and then Bayport BBQ. Bayport could be #1 but the buffet has it’s pluses and minuses. Plus being that it’s a BBQ buffet, the minus being sometimes the meat is overcooked while it sits in the buffet. If it’s fresh though…….
We might need to start a BBQ porn thread now……
Black Market BBQ is solid. Rob and Jill are about as pleasant as they come. If you are anywhere near St Paul on Fridays pick some up.
J&J BBQ Nelson WI with a Kentucky Bourbon Ale to wash it down
Smokeys bbq on coon lake makes some pretty good stuff.
Like you I usually do all my own smoking but it’s nice to grab a beer and food with no dishes to do at home. Ps. They have a good beer selection
Agreed, we go there fairly often!
If you travel to Walker Mn, put this BBQ on your list to eat at. You won’t be disappointed The Piggy Main street in Walker next to the Subway. Great ribs pulled pork Brisket. Fri they serve Prime Rib.
If you travel to Walker Mn, put this BBQ on your list to eat at. You won’t be disappointed The Piggy Main street in Walker next to the Subway. Great ribs pulled pork Brisket. Fri they serve Prime Rib.
The Iron Horse Saloon in Nevis is excellent as well. Brisket, Ribs, smoked prime rib, pulled pork, etc. It’s all really good.
As a part owner and operations guy at Rack Shack I thank you all for the comments. BBQ is a great thing like fishing, that brings us together.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishnutbob wrote:</div>
If you travel to Walker Mn, put this BBQ on your list to eat at. You won’t be disappointed The Piggy Main street in Walker next to the Subway. Great ribs pulled pork Brisket. Fri they serve Prime Rib.The Iron Horse Saloon in Nevis is excellent as well. Brisket, Ribs, smoked prime rib, pulled pork, etc. It’s all really good.
Both of those are VERY good too! Iron Horse has a Brisket BLT that is one of my favorite sammiches. Bullwinkle’s in Nevis has smoker specials most nights that are good too, but you have to get there early or register in advance.
As a part owner and operations guy at Rack Shack I thank you all for the comments. BBQ is a great thing like fishing, that brings us together.
Now if you would just bring some Rack Shack to the SW Metro!
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>to_setter wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishnutbob wrote:</div>
If you travel to Walker Mn, put this BBQ on your list to eat at. You won’t be disappointed The Piggy Main street in Walker next to the Subway. Great ribs pulled pork Brisket. Fri they serve Prime Rib.The Iron Horse Saloon in Nevis is excellent as well. Brisket, Ribs, smoked prime rib, pulled pork, etc. It’s all really good.
Both of those are VERY good too! Iron Horse has a Brisket BLT that is one of my favorite sammiches. Bullwinkle’s in Nevis has smoker specials most nights that are good too, but you have to get there early or register in advance.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>E Ashwell wrote:</div>
As a part owner and operations guy at Rack Shack I thank you all for the comments. BBQ is a great thing like fishing, that brings us together.Now if you would just bring some Rack Shack to the SW Metro!
Check out Baker’s in Eden Praire
where is the handsome hog located?
Lowertown St Paul.
Check out Baker’s in Eden Praire
I’ve had it a couple times and wasn’t overly impressed, not bad just not great imo. Mr Pig in Shakopee was mentioned earlier, and I’ve heard good things so need to check that one out. Problem in Shakopee is there are a bunch of great Mexican places that are hard to pass by, but that’s another topic! 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Ralph Wiggum wrote:</div>
I don’t remember what this place in Dallas was called, but it was good. Off-topic, I know, but this BBQ talk made me hungry!Angelo’s?
I still have days that I want to drive from mn to Texas just to eat there again..
Just had angelos 2 day’s ago. their brisket was very mediocre compared to other texas joints i’ve been to, their sausage was also not as good as i’ve had. their smoked salami though. pretty amazing.
Rib Cage Osseo
Always bummed if I drive by and he’s not open.
Pete
The Q is awesome!
Riversend Bar and Grill in Ontario WI. Saturday nights during the summer they smoke their ribs. BY FAR THE BEST steak and ribs I’ve eaten outside of making them at home. Well worth the trip. Can’t wait to get back down there this summer. I can taste it now. Looking forward to trying their prime rib also.
JJ bbq in Nelson Wisconsin is life changing
If your in Rochester, MN give John Hardy’s a try. They’ve stood the test of time & the ambiance is firmly not why you are there….
Clearly the Rochester area is in desperate need of a BBQ joint if John Hardys gets a mentioning. Theres a new place, Bobs Smoke Stack Ribs, in Byron. Havent had it myself but that may change this weekend..
Someone mentioned Big Bore in another thread, so I thought I’d bump this one up. Found myself in Hanover last Friday, and picked up BBQ for the fam since I’ve been meaning to get out there for a while. REALLY, REALLY impressed! Super cool spot and setup. The food travelled 45 minutes back home, and was still REALLY good! We got a pound of brisket, pork belly burnt ends, sweet potato fries, and beans. It was all VERY good, the pork belly is an appetizer that comes on a bed of thin onion rings but is a meal in and of itself. Portions and cost were great, super fast service and I will be back soon….like Friday on the way to deer camp! I would say it’s easily the best BBQ I’ve had in MN and better than most of the KC places I’ve been too.
I hadnt heard of Big Bore until that other thread so had to look it up. The guy in charge spent 15 years learning TX BBQ and builds his own smokers. Those two in of themselves scream a BBQ Guru.
The images on their website are mouth watering. If I am in that area definitely going to try them out. We are void of anything worthwhile here in Central MN.
We had a nice little joint in Sauk Rapids that was like a Caribbean BBQ joint and it was awesome the times I went there. Unfortunately it was in a bad location and didnt take off and closed. I dont like coleslaw but he gave me a free sample of his style and it was amazing.
Absolutely can’t recommend Big Bore enough. Hands down best BBQ I’ve had and I’ve spent a significant amount of time in Texas and Tennessee. Ribs are great, awesome sauces, quick service and great portions for the $.
If it’s been a crap week and I don’t feel like cooking, their Fat Back Mac & Cheese is my go to. Support local and give it a shot.
x3 for the J&J Place in Nelson, WI.
I wouldn’t call it the BEST BBQ I’ve ever had (some down South are just different), but it’s probably the best in the surrounding area if we are staying fairly close to home. We do a lot of catering orders from them for big parties or family gatherings. Their sides are great too.
When the new house is finished and we have all the subs, neighbors, and family friends over…we will probably have them cater the shindig. It’s way easier, and then I can focus on the more important aspects of a party – like keg management
I don’t remember what this place in Dallas was called, but it was good. Off-topic, I know, but this BBQ talk made me hungry!
The Salt Lick?
We drive past the Big Bore all summer long on the way to our cabin. I’ve never stopped, but it is always busy.
Tried the big bore a few weeks ago. The brisket was great. The pulled pork was just ok. The apps were good. Atmosphere was very cool. Huge portions. Would definitely recommend it
Someone mentioned Big Bore in another thread, so I thought I’d bump this one up. Found myself in Hanover last Friday, and picked up BBQ for the fam since I’ve been meaning to get out there for a while. REALLY, REALLY impressed! Super cool spot and setup. The food travelled 45 minutes back home, and was still REALLY good! We got a pound of brisket, pork belly burnt ends, sweet potato fries, and beans. It was all VERY good, the pork belly is an appetizer that comes on a bed of thin onion rings but is a meal in and of itself. Portions and cost were great, super fast service and I will be back soon….like Friday on the way to deer camp! I would say it’s easily the best BBQ I’ve had in MN and better than most of the KC places I’ve been too.
We were there last Friday too! What a coincidence! 
There’s no doubt we were there at the same time too.
Agree. This took my top spot for BBQ in MN. OMC in Duluth got bumped to second. Big Bore has the best brisket I’ve had in MN by far. For me it’s the measure of good BBQ. If you can make great brisket, everything else is easy.
Smokey D’s BBQ in Des Moines.
Stopped on our way back from a concert this summer down there and was phenomenal.
Country Tavern, Kilgore TX.
The potato casserole is unexplainably delicious. Ribs and brisket the best I’ve ever had.
Just tried 19th hole-good stuff Matt, thanks.
Smokey D’s BBQ in Des Moines.
Stopped on our way back from a concert this summer down there and was phenomenal.
Please take no offence Mr. Beads but Smokey D’s is the most dry brisket in our area. Their ribs are tasty, chicken wings are reasonable.
Best over all in my area (Des Moines Metro) is Kue’d BBQ in Waukee. Monday through Thursday. Fri and Sat were less whelming.
I’ve got others.
1. Leo’s BBQ – Oklahoma City, OK
2. Rendezvous – Memphis, TN
3. Salt Lick – Austin, TX
OMC in Duluth is the best BBQ I have had in Minnesota. I used to really like Iron Horse in Nevis, I feel like its not as good as it used to be, but still solid.
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