Tried Firebox Deli for the first time at their new location. Was excited about a Hmong-owned business and had high expectations but below is my honest review. They have a small parking lot for maybe 3-4 cars. One accessible parking spot but it didn't seem like it was van-accessible. Street parking is available but it's located on a pretty busy street. Arrived around 2pm on a Tuesday for a late lunch. Very spacious and plenty of seating. Only about 4-5 people dining in since it was in the afternoon. I was surprised that it was counter service. We ordered and sat down with our number. Food came out really fast. Drinks were also self-serve at the pop machine. Ordered two combos - Ribs with mac and cheese & fries and brisket with sweet potatoes & sticky rice. Also got the pepper- $2 is kind of a high price to pay for 2oz container of pepper, but I wanted to try it anyways. Ribs and brisket- both very good Mac and cheese- mediocre, kind of disappointing Fries- good fries Sweet potatoes- undercooked Sticky rice- so glad I can order this with my BBQ!! Would definitely recommend this place to family and friends to try but not sure if I'd go out of my way to come back for a while. read more

Firebox Deli - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Incredible. Ordered pickup online for two meat combo - pulled pork and rip tips. So delicious. Best BBQ (or tied for the best) I've had in TC. The coleslaw was surprising tangy. I prefer vinegar coleslaw but this was the creamy kind and yet had that vinegar taste. Very good. I ordered that special hot sauce on the side bc people were mentioning it. It's really great! A unique taste when most hot sauces are the same imho. And very hot!! It's $2.50 for a small side, like 2 Tbs, so know that before ordering so you're not crabby about it. I think it's worth it. It's very paste-y. The staff was so kind when I picked up. It appears to be a familiar affair and I love that. Note: I read on a picture of an in-house menu that Texas toast comes with the 2-meat combo order, but the website wasn't clear so I ordered it on the side. It *does* come with one slice of Texas toast. Which was really good btw My only suggestion would be some sort of dessert bc we would have added it. Maybe a traditional southern BBQ dessert would be hard to make and have on hand; you could sell pints of or serve ice cream! Would have loved that, our mouths are on fire. (In a good way.) read more

Very disappointed. This is our local go to for bbq. Tonight we order two sandwiches, extra meat with a few sides. First my husband had to wait for 1/2 hour past the order time to get the food, and as always bbq sauce on the side. Well the sauce was on the food, which made the side meat not usable for what I needed it for. By pulled pork was way fattier than usual, the bun was not grilled so it was soggy and greasy. My husbands sandwich was cold. The Texas toast was nearly toasted cold and greasy. I called to give them feedback in a friendly way and was totally blown off. Guess they just don't need our business. So bummed I'm read more

Their brisket is amazing! Quickly, friendly interactions with staff and a very clean establishment.

Best BBQ around! The dining room could use a little work (feels a bit like a wide open, noisy cafeteria, which is probably why most people don't use it - it needs to be split up with some partitions and booths, something to make it feel cozier and minimize the noise) That said, for takeout BBQ, there's nothing better for miles in any direction. Fantastic brisket, pulled pork and ribs. Good fries, too. Service is minimal, but they're friendly people. Happy to have this gem in the neighborhood for takeout. Hope the dining room improves someday. read more

Delicious ribs, fantastic brisket, satisfying fries. Saint Paul has needed a down-to-earth comfortable eat-in BBQ place for a long time. Highly recommend! My grandparents love it when we bring over their takeout family meal. read more

Road tripping and stoped in St. Paul to get gas and noticed this place on the way. Circled back and grabbed dinner here. Indoor dining was closed due to COVID-19 but the atmosphere seemed enjoyable. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with fries. The meat was incredibly tender, not too dry but not sloppy wet either. The bun was soft and buttery which I quite enjoyed. The fries were solid as well but I would try the Mac and Cheese if I came back. Overall the food was hot, service was great, reasonably priced and the pulled pork was fantastic. Would definitely recommend. Didn't examine the menu too intensely but a spicy BBQ sauce would have been appreciated with the sandwich as well. read more

Firebox Deli - Pulled Pork Sandwich and French Fries - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

brisket a little hard. the brisket sauce is so liquidy not thick enough. over price for sticky rice. and that special sauce they have i bought four taste once and threw all away. read more

The food was SO DAMN GOOD. Came here because I was craving mac and cheese and this place did not disappoint. Also got the brisket and rib tips. Doesn't need the sauce, the meat is freaking delicious on its own. Def coming back for more. read more

Firebox Deli - Mac & Cheese, Sticky Rice, brisket, rib tips - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

We went here during the pandemic on our bikes. We were biking from St Paul to Minneapolis and Firbix was on our route. We stopped and placed an order for a meat combination plate at the door. The person helping us was very nice. They don't really have any sides without dairy. I decided on the sticky rice-not the best decision, should have went with the French fries! However, the Mac n cheese looked amazing and I would have been all over that if I could eat some dairy! I loved the brisket and the pork. I also liked the sauce, my partner not as much. The place was hopping so we had to wait a little bit for our food but nothing crazy. They also gave us silverware which was much appreciated because we were on our bikes. There wasn't a ton of food but enough to fill us up so we could then continue biking. I would go back! read more

Firebox Deli - Any 2 Meats Combo - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Firebox exceeded all expectations. The ribs were some of the best I've ever had. The meat came right off the bone with every bite. Very tender with no fatty pieces. The beef brisket was also very brag worthy. We ordered the two meat platter with two sides (second order of Mac and cheese not pictured - can't get enough!). Just the right amount of food for two people, under $20! Take out was easy and quick from their St. Paul location. We'll be ordering from here again very soon! read more

Firebox Deli - Two Any 2 Meats Combo - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

We loved the ribs, pulled pork sandwich, brisket and the mac and cheese. The sauce was great too! The coleslaw didn't have enough dressing and didn't sit long enough to absorb the flavor. The sweet potatoes needed more butter and brown sugar. The only side I would pick again is the mac n cheese. Parking was a little limited but will go back again! read more

This place is well run and delicious. Always good customer service, always clean inside, always well staffed. Always great BBQ. My GF and her daughters love the sticky rice. This restaurant and the family that run it are an asset to the city of St.P. read more

I have been waiting for Firebox Deli to expand into Saint Paul ever since they opened in North Minneapolis many years back. And... it's finally here! Firebox Deli offers all the BBQ staples: brisket, ribs, rib tips, chicken wings, and pulled pork - all smoked to perfection! They also offer a nice selection of sides: mac-n-cheese (that is real cheese cheesy), collard greens, fries, cole slaw, potato salad, sweet potatoes and texas toast, AND STICKY RICE! Which, just makes my Hmong heart dance and sing out loud. To top it all off, they also offer their "mama's pepper paste", which means I don't have to bring my own hot sauce. And, mixing this pepper paste with their house BBQ sauce is exactly what any well qualified doctor will order to heal any BBQ-seeking midwesterner's hungry soul. I don't know if you can call this fusion, and quite frankly "fusion food" makes me really nervous. But, Firebox Deli really brings together everything my bi-cultural complex tastebuds needs. I am just SO HAPPY we have this place in Saint Paul now! read more

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Brisket is excellent! Great bark and smokey flavor. Nice amount of fat as well. Being a Texan, this is great BBQ away from home.

I grew up in Memphis and I love smoked and barbecued meats, so I was excited to see this new restaurant open up in the neighborhood. Unfortunately it is a major disappointment. First, I think I will scream if one more essentially counter service restaurant presents me with a rather strong expectation that I tip, especially at the time I place my order. If you want me to order at a counter, then please pay your staff well enough rather than asking me to tip them. Yes, I get that you have someone carry the food out to the table and that is just not sufficient to tip. Second, smoked pork should a) have a smokey flavor - with the aroma in your restaurant, I truly expected it. Unfortunately not hint of smoke permeated the meat. b) should have a wonderful bark and ring that goes down into the meat - nada, a little on the surface but barely there. c) should be smoked long enough to render most of the fat out of the meat - here can you say flubber? Ick, my stomach just feels gross. Third, it would help if you offered something other than one very sugary, very catsupy sauce. Especially if your meat is intended to have this level of vinegar, you need some vinegar. Finally, your greens need some help. They were beautifully cooked so that's a start. Unfortunately they tasted like seawater. Seriously bring some vinegar and heat to those greens and use about 1/3 of the salt. You just recently opened, so, I'll give the benefit of the doubt and try you again in a few months. Hope you have it figured out by then. Oh also by the way, please add hooks to your bathroom doors. Seriously need a place to hang coats and purses, especially if you are going to have one of those electric eye sinks that turns on as soon as you set something down. I neither want soaking wet nor to have to place items on the bathroom floor. read more

: GRRREAT food! I had the pork ribs (sauce on, 6 ribs), Mac & cheese (served in its own tin), and collards. Plus I ordered a half order of wings for lunch today. The ribs were meaty and filling. The mac & cheese was juicy enough, not too dry, and cheesy. The collards were pretty standard for collards. (I prefer my collards with lemon and lime juices added for flavor texture -- like plain grits vs cheesy grits.) : I had to order online for curbside, even though I had called in. I was driving, so online wasn't possible immediately. When I was able to pull over safely, locate the correct website, correct location, and figure out how to order, I discovered it was a 30 minute wait. Sigh. Would've been convenient to pick up on the way home, rather than go home and then out again, or drive around for 30 minutes. But: THE FOOD IS WORTH IT!! read more

For BBQ in the Twin Cities, this is a pretty decent and interesting pick, though you have to keep in mind that it's in the Twin Cities and you're not going to get what you'd get somewhere in the South. There's a slight Asian lean in the menu with some of the sauces and sides, and based on the two times my partner and I have been here, I think the move is really to embrace that in your order rather than trying to go conventional BBQ. The rib tips were easily my favorite meat, and they go great over the sticky rice side and with the pepper sauce you can add to the order for $2 (and if you can handle a pepper sauce, order it--it's spicy and tangy and acidic and bright and has just a touch of umami funk from what I assume is fish sauce). Fries, pulled pork, and mac were all fine but unremarkable. Collards are a good side order. Good enough that I imagine we'll probably be back at some point. read more

The pulled pork is so so so tender. The bbq sauce is balanced. I got the baked Mac and cheese. It was cooked well and not overdone. It was a little more liquid than I anticipated but the top is baked not so much the inside. The Texas toast is true Texas toast. I was expecting more of a garlic bread but this is made fresh at the store and not a prepackaged finished good by taste. The door dash delivery was excellent. They packed it and sent it. Most restaurants fill your order as soon as they receive then let it sit out and get to an unsafe temp. There was still a little steam. The price is comparable for a small bbq business. It's a bit higher than you want but way higher quality than a big cooperation. Good meat is worth it. Friendly staff. I will be back. read more

Didn't have high expectations when the bf and I went in to give them a try for the first time a few weeks ago but we were pleasantly surprised. Their brisket is pretty good but their ribs - oh the ribs were so good! Tasty on their own but if you want spicy or sweet, eat it with their mama's pepper or bbq sauce. They also had brisket wontons on special and we got that too - again, surprisingly flavorful and delicious. There is room for improvement when it comes to their sides though. Got the mac n cheese (was just okay at best), coleslaw (so sour we had to throw it away) and white sticky rice (was fine but we prefer purple sticky rice). read more

Here is what I can say: Food - great love it. I can tell a lot of heart went into it from the different meats, to the side dishes, and home made hot sauces. I like that they cater to Hmong people and bring out those flavors and spices. This place has the type of food anyone can eat and relate - who doesn't like bbq food? I'm a fan and will highly recommend the food to all friends and family. Service - I did NOT have a good experience specifically with this location (being it's my first at this location). No hungry customer waits 45 minutes to only learn they have to wait another 45 because the server messed up on the order. And was told they ran out of rice. We also had 3 kids with and a crying pissed 2 yo. It did not go down well for us. However after going back and forth with the server and manager they decide to make it up to us by giving us a $25 gift card. I appreciate the customer service and acknowledgment from the manager - hence the 4 stars but I have not since gone back to the restaurant. Parking - I can't speak for others because I had no trouble sliding into a spot when I got there. But be prepared because this place does not have the best parking and it is super limited. Lastly its a bbq place - if you dine in expect to stink ;) read more

Great food and great service! Cooked up a feast for 8 in quick time. Got the bundle and added a few extras. Got all the meats - super yummy. Added greens, Mac and cheese - both were big hits. Comes with fries and toast. We sat around nibbling for hours. I am gluten free and there were options for me which was nice! read more

Overall my partner and I are not impressed after hearing so many good things about their location in Mpls. We arrived around 7p and they were out of ribs. We ordered the Any Two Meat Combo (Beef Brisket and Rib Tips). For our sides, we got the Mac n' Cheese and Potato Salad. We also got an order of the firebox fries. This is what we thought: -Beef brisket was too dry (maybe bc it was close to closing time). -Mac n' Cheese should be called Mac n' Butter. All you taste is butter. Would not get again. -Potato Salad: mediocre -Firebox fries: fries are fries. The toppings is what makes it fire but we didn't enjoy the melted cheese on the fries (cheese became hard). Maybe would have been more enjoyable with nacho cheese. The best thing we had was the Rib Tips. The signature sauce isn't bad either. What I do like: -Decor inside -Clean bathrooms -Good customer service -Self-serve drink station If in the area would go again but not anytime soon. BUT...you'll never knew until you try it so go support POC businesses. read more

Firebox Deli - Top: Firebox Fires Bottom (left to right): potato salad, toast, mac n' cheese, rib tips, and beef brisket. - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

We have seen this on the corner for the last year or so and have been very curious about it. Today, we decided it was the day to try it. What a massive mistake! The ribs were cooked somewhat decently (edible), but the accompanying sauce is disgustingly strange -- seems to be soy-based. The same odd sauce came with the wings, which were also lacking meat on the bones and essentially flavorless. A bag of mushy fries and soupy, ultra-creamy coleslaw as sides. No one wanted to finish their food. Just yuck all-around.... read more

Take out. Half rack of pork ribs was okay. Not great, not terrible. French fries were overfried and mostly inedible. Anyone could see this coming out of the fryer. I only discovered after I got home with my meal. read more

We love Firebox Deli. We alway order the family meal when we have guest over! Service and food is on point.

Consistently the best brisket and ribs in the area. Very friendly staff. Clean place. Get out and support them

No pics we were too hungry but we ordered: 2 Meats Combo - Chicken wings & Ribs * chicken wings weren't meaty.. kinda disappointing * ribs were good but nothing special Sides (comes with combo) * mac & cheese was delicious .. although we picked up our food and it wasn't cold but the cheese needed a reheat to get that melted goodness * fries were fries Brisket Sandwich w/ Coleslaw * sandwich was the best part by far * recommend you add the coleslaw on top of your sandwich read more

They gave me the best service my meal didn't come with macaroni and I asked for it she said just for you I will this is a 10/10 high recommended read more

Beef brisket, sweet potatoes, and egg rolls were excellent! Excited to try the mac and potato salad next time. I can always count on their high quality takeout when I don't have time to cook dinner for my family. read more

Not good. Street food. Not sure what kind of sugary kid food glaze they put on those wings.

Delicious ribs, brisket, collards, and coleslaw from Firebox Deli. You can smell the woodsmoke when you walk in their St. Paul location - and it's so appetizing. Also had mac and cheese, and while the texture was great (even has been under a broiler for some crispy cheesy crust) it was lacking in sharpness/flavor. Great customer service at the counter as well. I will definitely return. read more

After reading the reviews I had to try this place, my only regret is that I didn't try it sooner as I am moving out of the area! The food was amazing I will absolutely be back soon! read more

I had the macaroni and cheese with he brisket and smoked chicken wings all in one order and I can say I was not disappointed in any of the items I just had the itis afterwards read more

Staff was really nice, service was fast, really good toast, perfectly crispy fries, good housemade sauce, and excellent fall apart juicy brisket and pulled pork. Could've used some music in their dining room, was kinda quiet. Great place though. read more

Wow spot on BBQ, hot fresh and great flavor. Collard greens are amazing!! Pick up or they run it out to your car, one of the best in St Paul!! read more

This place has legit meat. They cook it perfectly. Though it is lacking in flavor a little. That's what the bbq sauce is for. The only thing is they only have 1 kind. I think getting a few different kinds of bbq sauce would do them well. A spicier one and maybe an Asian-y sauce to play with the sticky rice? The sauce they have is solid, also kid friendly. Still, a little variety would be a home run for me. They were unfortunately out of their coleslaw when I was there. We got fries, sticky rice, and Mac and cheese. The fries were fine basic a little under salted. The server told us they were like Burger King fries a little thicker which was exactly what they were like. Great customer service. The sticky rice was just rice that's sticky which is cool because most places don't do that. The Mac and cheese I was told was good but not spectacular. Texas toast was solid. Overall I will come back. Hopefully sometime they'll expand their sauces. Either way, I'm very excited about this place! read more

Firebox Deli - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

This is such a wonderful place to get not only AMAZING barbeque, but it also has INCREDIBLE sides. Our favorites were the brisket, mac and cheese, and collard greens. Also, their hot sauce is lovely!! Will definitely go here again, and we've been telling everyone we know about this place. Must try!!! read more

Outstanding quick service with a genuine and hospitable staff. It's a sit down joint but you order up front, seat yourself and folks bring your order out to you. We love quality food and this place hits the mark. Fresh, fresh, fresh foods is all I can say. There's a misconception that this place is a southern BBQ joint... It's not... It's smoked meats with options of mac and cheese and greens... It's 2020, foods been around for a long time... If it's as simple as that, to each their own. The food is very good regardless if it's "Southern"... You can tell all the food from meats to sides are cooked same day within your serving time frame. Everything they serve here is time consuming prep work... It's not instant food you cook hours ahead and let sit... Meats, collard greens, sticky rice, this all takes time. We had BBQ ribs, pulled pork and beef brisket. The smokey flavor wasn't over powering and not heavily seasoned which is Great. All the meats we had were tender and juicy and not overly salted. Excellent BBQ doesn't require a sauce. It's all in the rub and slow roast. The pepper sauce is traditional Thai chili with a kick. The BBQ sauce is different in a good sense and kid friendly (not spicy) but we stuck with the chili dip. The collards were perfection, you can taste the spice, garlic, onion etc. Eveything we had was excellent and the taste and quality has been very consistent (been here three times monthly since they've opened) not to mention our daughter brings it home on weekends leaving campus. I find it laughable that certain one star raters of FireBox still continue to dine@ this establishment... If y'all know BBQ so well and this place missed the mark enough to rate it so low, honestly why come back? I suppose Famous Dave's is too far for y'all?! You can get the smoker out also. Try this place yourself and be honest about your experience. read more

Love their BBQ! Brisket melts in my mouth and ribs are yummy. The best part is the sticky rice and Hmong pepper! Bomb!