Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    J. Selby's

    4.3 (464 reviews)
    ModerateVegan, American
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order J. Selby's Takeout or Delivery

    J. Selby's Photos

    J. SELBY'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

    Recommended Reviews - J. Selby's

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Breakfast burger with fries! Delicious!
    Stephanie C.

    Simply stupendous! My husband and I came here for lunch on a Friday and found a very busy restaurant. I got the breakfast burger with fries and my husband got the chicken sandwich with a side of salad with vinaigrette, and we shared a chocolate shake. We also grabbed one of their coffee cakes to go for later. I had really wanted to try the chicken fried oyster mushrooms, but they were out by the time we arrived, sadly. The burger and sandwich were both very satisfying, and the fries were wonderfully seasoned (I think it might be Old Bay seasoning or something similar, it was definitely a familiar flavor) with a good crispy outside and a fluffy interior. Even my husband, who is not a potato fan, was stealing some fries! (Stealing a bit of his salad is not the same level of excitement, let me tell you, but it was a good vinaigrette and it was really fresh.) I didn't get a bite of husband's sandwich, but my burger was flavorful and filling. The chocolate shake was thick and delicious, as well. We had the coffee cake later (with coffee, naturally), and it was excellent and cinnamon-y, and even had some apple bits in it, which was a pleasant surprise. The location itself is pretty modern and clean. You order up front and then get your number and sit down somewhere. The service in general was pretty good, although it did take a little time for someone to come over to the cash register to take our order and he seemed a little annoyed, so I am not sure if we broke some unspoken rule or something known to the regulars with the way we approached. We do try to do a day in the twin cities each time we make a trip to Minnesota to see my husband's family, so we're almost certain to be back again on the next trip! Hopefully next time we manage to catch those fried mushrooms before they sell out!

    Chicken soup with matza balls
    Sarah V.

    Service was great and so was the food. Got there for a late lunch and there was no wait for a table. Wanted to get something from the Deli, but was to full to even care on the way out.

    Steak sandwich + salad
    Shell J.

    I heard J. Shelby's is usually very crowded, but we hit a storm and it was orderly quiet and pleasant on a Saturday early afternoon, which could be very rare. Anyway, I can always choose a rainy day to come here to avoid crowd as all plant-based choices will always put my mind at ease. Although we went for the party food, the salad and bowls looked very enticing on other tables and will be on the bucket list for next time. We had steak sandwich and gyro, both made with savory soy curls, a bit on greasy side, but delicious. Love the minimalist ambiance. Will come back for more.

    Shaun J.

    Fast service and good food. Three of us all got good food. The fries were especially good. I had the Solo. It was good but too much bun. I've been told it's officially in our rotation.

    Harvest Bowl with Tofu
    Sydney N.

    My vegan friend brought me to J. Selby's for a quick bite to eat for lunch after a busy day of errands, and I loved it! This is such a cute gem, very vintage diner feel with revamped food. We definitely came in right after the Saturday lunch rush. I ordered the Harvest Bowl with Tofu and shared a chocolate chip cookie. The cookie was delicious, a little more on the doughy side but I like it that way. The harvest bowl was delicious - I think about it constantly. All the flavors were so balanced and comforting, plus the tempura batter on the tofu was delicious! Service was pretty fast for a lunch rush, I would definitely come back and dine in or carry out!

    Special: milkshake egg nog flavor
    Khadijah H.

    Came here for lunch and tried the milkshake egg nog flavor as well as the Cesar salad with mushroom locally picked. I paid about $27 for two items which is incredibly steep for vegan dishes. I know it's plant based but that's still pricey. The establishment is large and can be used to study or hangout at. Big enough to have a friend gathering. The Caesar salad with mushroom was alright but the dressing used gave me a headache after 4 bites. Maybe too much soy in it - not certain but it didn't agree with me. It was a very large salad to say the least. The egg nog was the best out of the two items. Not too sweet - it was the perfect amount. I'd be inclined to return and try another dish on the menu should I visit Minneapolis again.

    Anna H.

    The ambiance was pretty nice, lots of seating for smaller and large groups. The menu is pretty intensive from sandwiches to burgers to desserts, love how everything is vegan. I'm not personally vegan and thought the brunch wrap was okay, the fries were the best part. However, the bathroom floors were quite sticky.

    Lemon Lavender Spritz
    Alexandra Y.

    My husband thought we would try this place because our daughter was going to take him there for his birthday, but they weren't open on Mondays. I'm not whole grain/plant based, they are. So I was like ugh...no flavor. We went in and while we waited, we ordered the lemon lavender spritz and the peach green tea spritz. The lemon was great. Nice fizz, loved the tart and right amount of sweet! The peach was fizz "less". They say it had a touch of fizz, but...we tasted zero. We got our food to go, so he came home and added some Perrier water to his. Didn't help. Anyhoo... The cheese sauce was impressive! The sauce made the smothered burrito delicious. He wanted me to try it first and I didn't read the ingredients. I just knew the more trees and berries, he would get it(eye roll). He said he wanted to share it with me. So I took my bite and I was very surprised! Lots of texture in my mouth which I usually don't like. But it was good. He pointed out the seitan and I told him I thought it was meat. I had no clue! He said that's not meat. I thought when he was reading the menu to me and he was saying burgers and chicken, it was burgers and chicken. I didn't realize it was a vegan restaurant. Fooled me. I would definitely go and eat there again!!!

    Dani G.

    THE BEST VEGAN FOOD IN THE CITIES!! Only ate in once (usually get takeout) and the service was fast! Whether eating in our out the food is amazing! I've tried a few items off the menu and my favs is this "chicken" sandwich + the crunchwrap. The shakes are one of the BEST shakes I've had! The parking could be a little tricky + they have some cute merch available.

    Cookies and creme milkshake

    This time around we dined in. We tried the nachos, steak sandwich, dirty double burger, chili, and the cookies & creme shake. Was expecting the restaurant to be noisier when dining in, but was pleasantly surprised that even during the dinner hour on a Wednesday around 6pm it wasn't bad at all. We could hear each other just fine, despite looking up to see it was a pretty full front of house. Nachos ($14) - 10/10 (maybe 11/10?!?) These were SO SO good. It's what regular, meat eater nachos WISH they were (and so rarely are.) These absolutely hit the spot. Were they a bit of a mess to eat? Yes, but absolutely worth it. They were so delicious we couldn't stop eating them and would definitely go here JUST for nachos. Plus between two people they were very filling (could be an entree unto itself) and we agreed that in future we cannot split nachos and also each get entrees because we were so full! (But it tasted so good along the way lol) Steak sandwich ($14) - 9/10 Partner had the steak sandwich and he said the only thing that would have made it better was more of the aioli, because when he got a lot of the horseradish aioli in a bite it was amazing. He said he would absolutely get this again, but ask for extra aioli next time. Dirty double burger ($17) - 10/10 Honestly, at this point I had heard about this burger from other people and despite my efforts to resist, my expectations were already set high. That said, the burger knocked it out of the park, even beyond my expectations. The secret sauce, the sweet pickles (which I usually disdain), the melty "cheddar cheese" - it all worked. It was everything you want in a juicy, messy, mouthwatering burger. Incredibly satisfying, every bite. $17 may sound steep compared to a faster burger option, but for a sit down restaurant I find that a beef burger runs between $14-20 anyway and doesn't even include a side sometimes. Chili (side) - 6/10 We're Midwesterners, we understand that there's chili competitions for a reason. There's so many options and so many spices, making every chili recipe unique. That said, we both agreed that the chili was a bit too cumin heavy for us. Upon bringing it home, my partner heated it up the next day with some added garlic salt and mango habanero hot sauce to a marked improvement. "Delicious" was the new description of choice. However, we likely won't order it as a side dish again. Cookies and creme milkshake ($8) - 10/10 Frankly, it is absurd how great this dairy free milkshake (oat based) is. I kid you not, we always try cookies and creme shakes. Everywhere we can. We try them at burger joints, ice cream stands, and now at a vegan restaurant. Something that My Burger and Shake Shack and all the others haven't mastered yet, has been honed to perfection at this vegan restaurant. A nice thick milkshake with actual cookie chunks in it that won't fit into the straw, the best problem to have. Why do these other places get away with using just cookie dust?! It's a shame they serve it with a (compostable) straw, because it's so thick you need a spoon (unless you want to wait for it to melt.) And it's not even the thickest option on the menu! They have something called frostbites which is supposed to be even thicker. Perhaps we'll try it next time. There will *definitely* be a next time (even if only to get the nachos)

    Tofu Stir Fry

    See all

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Casey M.

    Casey M.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marla K.
    94
    95
    34

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    The food was great. Love that it was all vegan food. I had the gyros and battered mushrooms. Delicious. Highly recommend!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Great food and atmosphere, good seating area and it doesn't take long for to go orders.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Terrific plant-based food restaurant! Cheery neighborhood vibe. Very friendly staff. Yummy food and great desserts!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Casey M.

    Casey M.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ari S.
    0
    238
    711

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Casey M.

    Casey M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Casey M.

    Casey M.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 17
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kara D.
    4973
    931
    9937

    9 years ago

    Helpful 28
    Thanks 0
    Love this 20
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    I'm not a vegan but OMG the food here is amazing! Cauliflower wings and the fries are my favorite.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Felix W.
    48
    18
    10

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Chicken sandwich was amazing. The seitan bacon was also next level, closest to actual bacon I can remember having.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of B D.
    88
    163
    520

    9 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Aubry W.

    Aubry W.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 3 of 12

    Ask the Community - J. Selby's

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Vegan 6,025 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    The Lexington - Famous Smoked Chicken Pot Pie

    The Lexington

    3.7(399 reviews)
    0.7 miSummit Hill
    $$$

    Aesthetically speaking, the restaurant is absolutely amazing. I had to walk around for a bit just…read moreto take in how cool the place looked. One of the staff members noticed and kindly offered to show me around. Halfway through my mini tour, he told me that he was the one who did all the Christmas décor--and that he's been collecting these pieces over the last 15 years. I was really grateful for that experience. Honestly, the entire visit--from the moment I walked in to the moment I walked out--was top-notch. For food and drinks, I ordered a Moscow Mule, the Meatloaf Wellington, and the lobster with cauliflower cheese. It was my first time trying a Wellington, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but unfortunately it just wasn't for me. The lobster, however, was a definite hit--I ate every bit of it! The drink was very good as well. For sure each items is on the pricier end but given the service your definitely getting your money worth. I also noticed they play live jazz music too, so I'm definitely interested in coming back for some good quality music.

    Enjoyed a warm spring evening on the rooftop of the Lexington (recently named in the top three…read morerooftops of the Twin Cities in Msp Magazine!). We were warmly greeted by the host who sat us right away in a sunny spot. Our server was wonderful. I ordered a drink that ended up not being up to par, and he kindly offered to switch it to something else with grace and class, without making me feel badly for asking this. This goes to show the caliber of this long standing institution. Customers are treated well and are respected here. Our snacks from the menu were delicious and perfectly sized. The shrimp cocktail was made well. The lamb meatballs were flavorful and hearty. My Hemingway Daquiri was refreshing without being too liquor forward. Love all the Luxardo drinks on the menu! We will definitely be back!

    Photos
    The Lexington - Love the old photos of years gone by . .

    Love the old photos of years gone by . .

    The Lexington - Lobster & Cauliflower Cheese

    Lobster & Cauliflower Cheese

    The Lexington - Live music

    See all

    Live music

    Russell’s - Menu 12/3

    Russell’s

    4.1(32 reviews)
    0.6 miSummit Hill

    Love the vibe of this place. It's warm and welcoming and feels like a local upscale neighborhood…read morejoint. Service is great from the host stand to the servers; really well done. We started with the Swedish meatballs which we didn't love. They're made with chicken which made them a bit to dry. The hubs had the lobster pappardelle which was delicious. (Very rich and filling) I had the butternut squash bisque which was so creamy and yummy! Friends of ours had the walleye nachos which they were really impressed with! If you're lucky, you'll find street parking out front, otherwise head the small lot behind the restaurant where you can enter through a rear door.

    First time visiting this restaurant tonight after hearing good things. It did not disappoint. The…read morerestaurant is beautiful...beautifully decorated, with a cozy vibe and pleasant lighting. And no music so you can hear each other. Lovely! The service was efficient and friendly and helpful. Our server (Christina I believe) was on point with timing and recommendations and checking in appropriately. She was great. My friend and I each started with a cocktail while we were catching up. The espresso martini and the Pinot were both delightful. I had the Swedish meatballs and they were very good. It's listed as an appetizer but plenty for one person as an entrée. My friend had the salmon and she said it was delightful. We shared an apple pie dessert which was equally tasty. Parking can be a little tricky, but there is a lot behind the restaurant where you may find a spot. Highly recommend!

    Photos
    Russell’s - Walleye nachos

    Walleye nachos

    Russell’s - Burger

    Burger

    Russell’s - Cacio e pepe fries, topped with pecorino.

    See all

    Cacio e pepe fries, topped with pecorino.

    Groveland Tap - Cajun Lucy

    Groveland Tap

    3.9(360 reviews)
    2.2 miMac-Groveland
    $$

    Always hoppin @grovelandtap in St.Paul, for good reason. Great food. They have done some updates…read moreover the last year or so and have a year round patio out back. The menu has done some recent changes but classics are still there, just make sure to peep the daily specials to see what days some things are available if you're hankering for something specific. With some updates I asked the server their favorite item and went with the suggestion and wow... this burger was top notch. Tapped Burger (it was so tasty and a perfect mix of some sweet in with the salty. Bourbon bacon jam, truffle aioli, white cheddar and iceberg lettuce on a brioche bun big yum factor) Pickle Fries and Homemade Ranch (these are the good good ones. Cut the long way, crunchy batter and really good ranch yes please. NOTE: only there on Thursdays) Sweet Potato Fries and their Chipotle Peanut Aioli (I enjoy sweet potato fries but everyone does them differently so I usually let someone else get them and take a mental note. Went for it and so glad I did. These were PERFECT. Tasted like a real sweet potato was cut and lightly fried to make soft but solid fries, the dip is pretty awesome too, you just gotta get them) Also pictured is their cheeseburger with an extra patty - all of their burgers and sauces are delish. Seriously. not pictured but a classic here is their Chicken Tender Melt (available on Wednesdays) If you haven't been, you gotta. If it's been a while, check out the menu updates. If you already love Groveland, we can be friends. For more awesome food spots check out the account mallorymademetryitmn on Instagram!

    We stopped by Groveland Tap for lunch after a birthday sauna session at Awaken for Wellness. I'd…read morebeen here years ago, but this was the first visit for my husband and daughter. We went on a Monday around lunchtime. It was busy when we arrived and got even busier closer to 1 p.m., but we were seated immediately in one of their cozy high-walled booths. My kiddo especially appreciated how private the booth felt. We ordered queso and chips and boneless wings in lemon garlic and Creole dry rub as appetizers, then the patio burger, cheeseburger, and chicken bacon ranch wrap, all with fries. Drinks were root beer and fountain sodas. The boneless wings were our favorite. They tasted like they were fried twice, super crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Both the cheeseburger and patio burger were excellent and very flavorful. We were honestly relieved, since we've been to other places lately where the beef felt totally unseasoned, but that was not the case here. Our server was awesome, attentive, accommodating, and genuinely kind. My daughter has a peanut allergy, and our waitress made a point to notify the kitchen to prevent cross-contamination, which we really appreciated. The fries were just okay for us. They're crinkle-cut, which can be hard to get truly crispy without burning. The root beer also tasted a bit flat, which was a small disappointment. That said, overall we kept commenting on how good the food was, and my family is already talking about coming back for burgers and milkshakes next time. We were just too stuffed for dessert on this visit. We'll definitely be back.

    Photos
    Groveland Tap - Games up front by entry

    Games up front by entry

    Groveland Tap - Cheese Curds

    Cheese Curds

    Groveland Tap - The Brown Ale of Glory

    See all

    The Brown Ale of Glory

    Saint City Catering - Huevos Rancheros with handmade tortillas (photobombed by a delightful hazelnut latte).

    Saint City Catering

    5.0(2 reviews)
    2.4 miLowertown, Downtown St. Paul

    Excellent food, excellent coffee, excellent ambiance. Really kind of a picture-perfect urban cafe…read morefor hours of cozy relaxing and sipping. I've stopped in for coffee a couple of times, but this time I asked what they had for brunch, and they prepared an amazing bowl with really good eggs, really good hash browns, and REALLY good chorizo. I liked it at least as much as anything I've gotten at their brunch-y neighbors across the street. They've got other savory items including roast chicken and hanger steak, and I keep seeing that they have smoothies as well; I want to try it all. True to their name, they have a catering element. They apparently have rentable party rooms. I haven't seen them but if you're here because you want to know about that, all's I can say is I bet the food is good, and I bet they make it interesting in a good way. The space has gobs of personality, and there are musicians performing sporadically. There are daily specials and a calendar of events such as spoken-word open mic night. It is an artsy place. I like it.

    I've been here twice now and it's quickly becoming a favorite!! The coffee is great but just WAIT…read moreuntil you try the food. I was a little skeptical about the quality when I saw the massive menu, but I'm seriously impressed. Handmade tortillas in the huevos rancheros?! Sign me up. Occasionally you'll see the owner's young daughter (I assume) helping out and learning customer service skills, she's the sweetest thing. Because it's also part of an art collective, there's live music too.This place is very new but an instant must-visit in downtown!

    Photos
    Saint City Catering
    Saint City Catering
    Saint City Catering

    See all

    J. Selby's - vegan - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...