Lots of great BBQ ~ Low and slow

Talking about some BBQ, I feel like Minnesota is a sneak good state for BBQ. We might not be known like some other regions for a specific type of BBQ, but there are amazing options in Minnesota. I have not travelled the entire state to sample everything, but even in the Twin Cities area we are so fortunate.

Here are some of my favorite places to get BBQ nearby. Animales Barbecue Co. is a great place to get smoked beef cheesesteak, pastrami beef ribs, and pork ribs. Smoke In The Pit has delicious turkey legs, beef brisket, and catfish. Northbound Smokehouse has amazing smoked wings, a smoked fish platter, and 18 hour smoked porketta. Ted Cook’s 19th Hole has excellent pork ribs and hot links.

Many of these places borrow techniques from the rich tapestry of BBQ in this country, and those places have a deep history from centuries of smoking and preserving food. I am extremely excited to try ŠHOTÁ Indigenous BBQ when it opens later this year. Side note, I even tried some BBQ in Mexico recently at a farmer’s market from a BBQ company called La Patagonia Cocina Argentina. They had some delicious ribs that were cooked in a shopping cart, as well as phenomenal empenadas.

2026 is off to the races for BBQ. I am not even getting into all the other delicious items these places have to offer. I would love to try out some different things out at home this year too. More to come on that.