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    Animales Barbeque

    4.5 (45 reviews)
    Open • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Animales Barbeque Photos

    ANIMALES BARBEQUE ATMOSPHERE

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    Lisa S.

    Love the bright colors and high energy vibe here. With the threat of rain, we got a table inside but the patio looked lovely. Maybe a future visit. Seeing the size of the portions, we decided to split the Piri Piri Chopped Pork sandwich with Mac n cheese and beans as our sides. It was more than enough food. The sandwich was delicious. Tender pulled pork with a bit of spice on a fresh sesame seed bun. Loved the beans. A little bit of pork fat gave them a great flavor. Husband is the Mac n cheese fan and he loved that as well. My bite was super cheesy. Lots of local beers to choose from. I found a nice hoppy one to try. Love the names but I always forget them. Service was great. You order with a QR code. Food came out quickly. We did have a server visit our table to answer questions and bring us anything needed after our initial order. He was great with giving us some recommendations. The restaurant charges a flat 20% service fee (so no tipping). Parking was a bit of an adventure as there seemed to be a lot of apartment parking on the streets and the lot was pretty small but we found a spot a block-ish away. Great stop!

    Emily A.

    Visited 5/14. Okay this place is vibes! Was so impressed with the space, the live music, and the menu. They have the most adorable children's area also which is so cool. It smells divine inside due to all the meats (but not too overpowering for my sister a vegetarian who LOVED animales). I got lemonade which was so sweet and would pair very well with bbq. We got the chips and queso-solid; not your traditional queso as it has a bit of a kick to it. I think I had a bit of user error in what I ordered and should've ordered bbq. I would love to go back and try this. I got the smash burger which was delicious and greasy but very rich at the same time! My sister got the green spaghetti which was very unique and had a poblano kick to it. Overall with Animales you are getting a fun twist to food instead of your standard food and that's what makes it stand out!

    Quesabirria tacos
    William L.

    I definitely recommend Animales for barbecue. But, I didn't care for the weekend brunch menu that lacks barbecue. There were four os us. My friend and I found nearby on-street parking. I must mention the large deck. There is also an area for a live band but my review is on brunch. I was the only one with prior (food truck) patronage. Admittedly I didn't read the menu to know brunch is served from 11-2pm on weekends. No barbecue until 4pm. Our orders included pancakes, baked eggs, birria tacos, smash burger, French toast and the breakfast sandwich. Only the one who ordered the burger was wowed as we wanted that great barbecue. Plenty of food in each order. It appears brunch is popular with families. Service was friendly. Do grab some 'cue--after 4pm. I will; on a return trip.

    Sampler plate
    Melya O.

    What a great experience! I went with a friend and we split the sampler plate, which included pulled pork, ribs, pork belly, and sausage--everything was absolutely delicious. I honestly can't say a single bad thing about the food and I'm already looking forward to my next visit. From the moment we arrived, the customer service was excellent. They don't take reservations, so coming during off-peak times may be a good idea. We were promptly taken to our seats, and once settled, our server explained how to use the QR code for ordering and filled our water glasses right away. There were lots of fun drink options to choose from, and the food truly exceeded expectations. Such a great overall experience!

    Yotes A.

    Stopped by Animales BBQ today twice. Once for their weekend brunch menu and right now for the full bbq menu. A Midwest bbq joint that is serving up some fun delicious meats. The pastrami beef rib fully pink like their smoker in the back. The brine penetrating deep into every bite. I love the way it is served, sliced on the bone. This makes it so much easier to share if I actually ever shared my meals. The wonderful bread that came with it was very buttery soft and moist. Just what one slice of bread makes me want to try the rest of the menus sandwiches if I had more space in my belly. The creole mustard (that came with the andouille sausage), the bread, a pickle and a slice of pastrami beef rib was the perfect bite. On the pork platter side the pork belly slices. The way the fat just melted as it hit the warmth of my tongue sent it down the slip and slide into my belly. A slightly sweet glaze on top. The ribs looked wonderful. The way the sun hit the glaze. I took a bite and it was slightly dry but still flavorful. From the brunch menu I got the pork belly pancakes and Thai sticky ribs. These ribs were absolutely perfect. Fried ribs covered in a fish sauce glaze topped with basil, cilantro and fried onions. A squeeze of lime on top. The funk the zest the herb mixed with the fried pork ribs that added a crunchy layer on the outside but a soft moist inside. Then the pancakes that were cooked with the pork belly in the batter. The batter was really eggy and with the egg on top. One of my favorite pancakes I've had. If felt like a Midwest okonomiyaki that I even preferred the bbq sauce on it over the syrup. (Mentally the combo of ribs and pancakes brought me back to Millers Smokehouse). Finishing it all off the berry tiramisu with ear gray dipped lady fingers. I might not have space for more meat but I can eat an infinite amount of dessert. The sweet berries and the layer of rhubarb in the middle brought an extra tartness that stood out despite the already tart raspberries. I wish I had more time to explore more of the menu.

    Barbecue pork sandwich. Superb
    Raj D.

    So have you been here? It's worth a go. The food is magnificent and so is the location and decor. It's a bit pricey but you need to check it out. Because you my have a Cadillac budget and I drive a corolla.

    Band/stage
    Laura S.

    We went at 430 on a Sunday. It was a Viking gameday and was absolutely packed, but we were still able to get in within 10 minutes. Food 5/5: We are big BBQ fans, and I believe this is the best BBQ in the twin cities. We had the chips and queso, St. Louis style ribs, pork belly, mac and cheese, dilly beans, beans, apple pizza, peanut butter pie, and both old fashions. The chips are homemade and so good! Lightly salted and the perfect amount. Of crunchy. The ribs and pork belly were warm, tender, and spiced perfectly. Everything we had was well spiced, and overall high quality with exception to the Mac and cheese, not much flavor but would be perfect for a kids meal but didn't match their overall level of the other food. Service 5/5: they use a QR code ordering system. Everything we ordered came within 10 -20 minutes of ordering. Silverware and all other essentials are located at your table, but there were people around to ask if you needed anything. Ambiance 4/5: when this space is full it is very loud. If there is a band playing you won't be able to hear table conversation. Something else to note, you may share a table with another group, so if that's a deal breaker to you know that is their style. They have a kid space which was packed, but overall an amazing thing to offer. Overall if you're ok with a loud and crowded space, this place is great. Overall we loved this new location. The food was great, the service was fast, and the ambiance was inviting but loud.

    Julie T.

    So sad that they are leaving Bauhaus this week but it's for good reasons. They are moving into their own brick and mortar. I am looking forward to see what other food trucks will find their residency at the brewery. The bbq combo meal was amazing. The pork belly was to die for. Tender and perfectly seasoned. I didn't get to try the ribs but it's telling when everything on their menu is nearly sold out on a weeknight. The price is reasonable and I love that their entree comes with sides. Delicious night out!

    Small Bbq Sampler
    Dennis K.

    I spent a good chunk of my adult life living in Texas. I wouldn't call this the most authentic Texas BBQ experience in Minnesota. That's probably Jellybean and Julia's. But I'm also not sure that's the goal at Animales, even though they did get a review and recommendation from Texas MonthlY. What I am sure of is that the pork belly is the best smoked meat I've had in Minnesota. And they also have the best smoked sausage I've had. I wish they had a brick and mortar establishment. I wish they didn't have such limited hours. But it doesn't matter, I'd still go well out of my way just to have that pork belly, again.

    birria tacos
    Chara B.

    Always amazing!! I have never met any dish or BBQ from here that I did not like. The ribs are perfect, the best amount of pull, flavor and texture every single time. We also got the birria tacos and they did not disappoint! The meat was perfect, was not too much cheese and all in all just so good! I love the mac and cheese.. it is so cheesy and creamy. Also the pork belly... just perfect. Good meat and fat combined along with a nice zesty asian sauce. I will be here again time and time again!

    Burger
    Mikhala F.

    *Bauhaus location* We've been on the hunt for the best smash burger in the Twin Cities, and whoa, this is a top contender for sure. So good we had to get a second one to split in the same sitting!! I love that they're at Bauhaus - makes for the perfect drink and burger pairing. Their window service in the winter is great because you don't have to go outside - and they don't have to, either. Cashier service is very efficient and they call out your name when it's ready. Prices are steep but I have to say the burger is worth the price. We got the main smash burger and holy cow, it's perfection. Crispy, salty, every bite is perfection! Chowing down on it at the brewery is lovely vibes all around. We also liked the loaded potatoes, and the cobb salad! My brother tried the pork belly burger with onion jam, and he loved it too. Can't go wrong with anything on their menu.

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    20 days ago

    The food was absolutely incredible, we especially enjoyed the Memphis Fries. The service was super quick and it had a great atmosphere.

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    28 days ago

    Good ribs and pulled pork. Didn't like the coleslaw, but others did. Cool building designed for family entertainment. I'll go back

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    Smoke In The Pit - Ribs, Fries, Mac & Cheese

    Smoke In The Pit

    4.3(263 reviews)
    3.5 mi•Powderhorn
    •$

    Don't know what magic the pulled on the fry's but they were some of the crispiest I've had in my…read morelife. The half rack of ribs was fantastic, juicy and tender. Also had the collard greens which were great. Good stuff.

    What I support for this establishment is less about its food but more about its message and the way…read moreit serves communities. Ever since 2020, the climate surrounding the George Floyd Square has changed dramatically, and this establishment has become an even stronger integral part of the community as the square itself had represented how the community thrives with its people. A lot of respect for the establishment from that perspective. In terms of food, I would say the soul food, which contained mostly sides, were the main highlight for me. The mac & cheese was salty enough. The fries were solid in a "you can't really go wrong with it" type of way. The candied yams had enough sweetness. The collard greens could taste better but standards must be lower when they're not homemade. I also enjoyed the catfish fillets as they were fried to preserve enough hotness and softness. A lot of what they served, they made on the spot, which was what may be causing longer wait for some. Meat-wise, a lot of items could use further improvement because they were too dry, such as the smoked wings and the beef brisket. The wings were dry to the point that they condensed and got extremely salty. The brisket relied a lot on the sauce and the existing fat on the meat for juiciness while the meat itself didn't have a lot of flavor or juice. As for the ribs, they had some seasoning, and tasted just fine, and weren't as dry. But I have had ribs in Texan barbeque places before and knew what "seasoned" ribs were like and therefore concluded that the ribs here were not spectacular. With all that said, however, I still will return here as often as I can because I love supporting this business. The person serving me was very hospitable and patient. I still got some pretty solid barbeque even if it's not Texas. Besides, outside just the barbeque food, the soul food was solid, like I had mentioned above.

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    Smoke In The Pit - Kitchen

    Kitchen

    Smoke In The Pit - Smoked Wings, Collard Greens, Mac & Cheese

    Smoked Wings, Collard Greens, Mac & Cheese

    Smoke In The Pit

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    StormKing Brewpub

    StormKing Brewpub

    4.1(83 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    This might be a unique need but I am often in need of a small bite in MLPS before I have to make a…read morelong commute home and this is becoming my top choice for that! Their happy hour prices are perfect, portion size is just what I am looking for, service is quick, friendly, there's lots of seating, and mostly importantly, the food is delicious!! Today I just got a HH slider ($5) and fries ($4) and it was delightful. The pulled pork is super well marinated, has just enough coleslaw on top to not overpower the meat, and the crispy fried onions add a nice crunch. Equally I was shocked by how much I liked the fries- shoestring with a perfect amount of salt and crunch to my likeness!! I'm sure the full size portions are good as well, but the happy hour prices can't be beat.

    Hundreds of Hops - US Hop Passport Amazing Brewery Race Stop ??/??? for MN…read more Stopped in before an event to get a little something in our bellies and try this new to the Hop Passport stop. While MN has already been won, (thus the lazy count) we still love trying new spots & looking for our next new favorite! We opted for the sliders to split and all 3 varieties were good. I love that the chicken was schnitzel style. We also added the slaw for $5 cuz i needed some roughage & it was pretty good. The first beer chosen, in the usual for my hubby, ran out mid-pour. It was his favorite of the 3. I was partial to my hefe & he liked his IPA 2nd best. All 3 beers were good or better. The space large, likely to accommodate the Target Field crowds but it was mighty quiet when we got there, between lunch & dinner and service was very attentive. All in all, a very solid stop.

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    StormKing Brewpub - Atmosphere

    Atmosphere

    StormKing Brewpub
    StormKing Brewpub - Seating area

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    Seating area

    Old Southern BBQ Smokehouse

    Old Southern BBQ Smokehouse

    3.8(280 reviews)
    4.3 mi•Linden Hills
    •$$

    Ordered the party pack through Uber Eats. The ribs were a bit tough and had no seasoning. The…read morechicken and pulled pork, as well as the mac and cheese, were somewhat dried out like they'd been sitting on a buffet table for too long. Will definitely not be ordering from here again

    I live 2 blocks away and had never made the trip. At first glance it's a neighborhood Famous Daves…read moreand...that's pretty much right. The vibe is as generic "America! BBQ!" as you can get. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, though. It's counter service so you order, grab your drink, take a seat, and wait for your food. We got the "Chopped Chick'n" platter and a brisket platter. The chicken was extremely tender and well seasoned. By far the best thing on the table. The tangy slaw was really good, too. Not too saucy, good texture, and light. The cornbread was not my favorite. Very northern; overly sweet and pretty dry. The crispy edges were great. The brisket was really disappointing. It was over-rendered and really dry. If fell apart (good) because every bit of the intramuscular fat had cooked out (bad). I think they just don't get enough traffic to cook them fresh so the ones from the morning dry out in the warmer all day. I think this is a better option than Famous Daves for larger groups r corporate events but would probably just go somewhere else or smoke something at home instead.

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    Old Southern BBQ Smokehouse
    Old Southern BBQ Smokehouse
    Old Southern BBQ Smokehouse

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    Firebox Deli

    Firebox Deli

    4.3(93 reviews)
    6.6 mi•Merriam Park

    Yum-o! I've been wanting to go here for years and saddened I've missed out on this deliciousness…read morethe whole time - the whole time! I tried the Firebox Fries with extra meat. Somehow the fries weren't mushy. This isn't something I'd normally get, but I was surprised at how good it was. I went with a group and was also able to try the coleslaw, sticky rice, and pulled pork. The meat was juicy and amazing. I love the coleslaw and even compared it to other coveted coleslaw - this is my favorite. I'm picky with bbq sauce, but their bbq sauce hit hard. They have a small parking lot - maybe 3 or 4 spots, but there is plenty of street parking. Also worth mentioning you order up front and get a number. They will bring out your food, but you will need to grab your beverage, plates/napkins, and utensils. Hands down better than any other famous and/or Dave you may know.

    Sensational ribs! We…read morehave been customers of St. Paul's location of Firebox BBQ for several years. Last night we placed a take out order as usual. I love walking into the restaurant as the bbq aromas just waft over you in the entrance and get the taste buds and salivary glands woken up and raring to get to work. We both ordered Rib plates. The menu list that as 4-5 ribs, Texas toast and 2 sides of your choice. We both received 5 ribs. I went with Mac n Cheese and Collard Greens. Let me focus on the star of the show - the RIBS! We've always enjoyed them but these were truly outstanding! Tender, meaty and a perfect kiss of smoke. Everything you hope a rib would deliver! The FireBox sauce was perfect as always and only boosted the experience. The sides were great as always. I ended up calling back to the restaurant and spoke to a staff member and share our feedback on how fantastic the ribs were tonight! I encourage everyone to give Firebox a first try and or a revisit.

    Photos
    Firebox Deli - Working hard - smoking meats

    Working hard - smoking meats

    Firebox Deli - Pork Ribs Plate with Mac n Cheese, Collard Greens and Texas Toast.

    Pork Ribs Plate with Mac n Cheese, Collard Greens and Texas Toast.

    Firebox Deli

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    Brasa Rotisserie - Smothered chicken with side salad

    Brasa Rotisserie

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    2.3 mi•Marcy-Holmes, Northeast
    •$$

    Loved our lunch at Brasa! Not only is this place pretty healthy and does great with dietary…read morerestrictions, but the food does taste really, really good. I split a chicken plate and the vegan bowl (plus a side of yuca) with my partner. I can't eat dairy, and it was easy finding items that fit my needs. The vegan bowl was to die for, I loved the mix of curry and pineapple (the best fruit, BTW), it all came together so well. The chicken plate as good too, especially the plantains, the rice and beans, and the sauce. The fried yuca was great too! Our server was great, super attentive. Prices are mid-range, it's not cheap, but the food is worth it. They have a small patio and a larger indoor dining room. All in all, a great spot in NE Minneapolis!

    Amazing food and experience!! I took my dad here for dinner Tuesday night and we were both so…read moreimpressed. We are already planning the next dinner here. We sat outside on the patio and it had great ambiance with multi-colored string lights overhead. I had the chicken in gravy and he had the catfish sandwich and they were both phenomenal. We also had a side of grits which were great too. The server was very friendly and answered all of our questions. You are supposed to order on the QR code outside which is the only thing I would change because I think it's much quicker and easier to just order with your server. It took more of his time for me to order using the QR code because I had to ask him several questions about how to do it. But aside from that I loved this restaurant and will definitely be back soon!

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    Brasa Rotisserie - Kitchen Area

    Kitchen Area

    Brasa Rotisserie
    Brasa Rotisserie - Outside Entrance

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    Outside Entrance

    Beast Barbecue - Drink menu

    Beast Barbecue

    3.6(141 reviews)
    2.5 mi•Northeast
    •$$

    Such an awesome neighborhood BBQ spot! The food is great, I had a pulled pork Sammie and some…read morebaked beans and both were great! The Sammie was juicy and their sauces were great to add onto it. The big winner was the baked beans, probably some of the best baked beans I've had in a while. I also had some of their house sweet tea which was delicious to go with the meal. They also have a live Jazz Orchestra that plays once in a while in the massive basement venue that I need to come back for. The servers were all wonderful, kind and attentive as well, the food does take a little while to come out so just sit back and relax but you will not be disappointed!

    Obligatory - I'm from tx, so I feel like im a good judge of bbq. This place is very decent, and I'd…read moredefinitely be back when I get a craving! A few things I don't love before I move on to the things I did like - everything was so sweet! All of their rubs, on the chicken, the brisket, and ribs, were so sugary. And the baked beans were like half sugar I swear, which I was very disappointed by. Their baked beans were especially sweet, and just not very good, which is so disappointing as they can easily be way better! (Like who uses kidney beans in baked beans)??? And the smoked salmon was definitely not smoked, at all. I did really like the ribs, they had a nice flavor. And the pork candy was good but had some incredibly chewy pieces. The brisket was good, no choice of lean or fatty but what can you except in minnesota lol. I will say the mac and cheese was really awesome, and the overall food was great. Also thought the wings were very yummy. I'd definitely be back, but would pick some different things next time.

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    Beast Barbecue - Food menu

    Food menu

    Beast Barbecue - Loving this place! It's right across from Eli's East...so a groovy location.

    Loving this place! It's right across from Eli's East...so a groovy location.

    Beast Barbecue - Pork candy aka rib tips. A little sweet and tangy 4/5!

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    Pork candy aka rib tips. A little sweet and tangy 4/5!

    Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub

    Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub

    4.0(526 reviews)
    4.4 mi•Standish, Powderhorn
    •$$

    Had the smoked jumbo wings here today for lunch. This is one of the things they they are known for…read moreand I can see why. They were extremely tasted. I opted for the standard buffalo toss and did not regret it. It's not cheap, but for the quality and quantity I think it's worth it. For me it was plenty for a lunch without any sort of side. I got a house ipa to wash it down and it was decent but not my fav. My friend had the smoked Rueben sandwhich and enjoyed it. Service was good, ambiance on the outdoor patio was nice, and overall had a very positive experience here.

    We decided to eat at Northbound for dinner on a bustling Independence Day Eve at 7PM. Walking up to…read morethe restaurant, it seemed like there would be a small wait, but luckily for us, a table just opened up as we walked through the doors. Even with how busy the place was, I didn't find the service to be too slow. The food took about 10 minutes to come out. Cheese Curds ($12.50) - Interesting curds. They're covered and fried in a leavened waffle batter, which gives a more airy type of crisp on the outside. It's more robust than normal cheese curd batter, but has that lighter and softer waffle crunch. The texture inside is right in between being soft and gooey but has enough firmness for a slight squeaky behavior. I actually don't prefer this texture - I massively prefer one extreme or the other, either completely squeaky, or completely softened and melted. The curds are all separated with some mini batter nubs spread around for extra crunch. The curds comes with a ranch dip that has fresh herbs in buttermilk and for some reason reminds me of thousand island in taste. (4/5) 18-hr Porketta ($17.50) + Fries Upgrade (+$2.50) - This is a very simple sandwich with Northbound's famous 18 hour porketta, some Swiss cheese melted on top, and finally some softened sliced onion in a brioche bun. The porketta is essentially pulled pork and is lean with basically no fat. It's seasoned well with a good fennel and spiced aroma The flavors are quite pronounced and while the pork is relatively tender for the cut, some fat would do some major justice. The fries are mediocre. They are clearly hand cut and fried in house, but they are a little underfried since the interiors are firm rather than fluffy and they are floppy in texture. Meh. The porketta comes with a sauce that's fruity, tangy, and acidic. It's surprisingly great for the cheese curds since the curds are so heavy and fatty. (4/5) Overall I found the food at Northbound to be good enough but nothing particularly outstanding. I certainly don't think it was worth the 45 minute round trip drive. but I wouldn't mind eating there again if I happened to be in the area in the future. Food: [4/5] Service: [ ] Other: [ ] Final Rating: 4/5 Bathrooms - Two unisex rooms

    Photos
    Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub - Who's your Dictator?

    Who's your Dictator?

    Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub - Northern Fried Chicken Sandwich

    Northern Fried Chicken Sandwich

    Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub - Oktoberfest on the patio.

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    Oktoberfest on the patio.

    Animales Barbeque - burgers - Updated September 2026

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