This place has the makings of a great BBQ joint and it's shockingly flying under the radar despite a lot of great promotion on social media. I'll say I don't love the side options (except the sticky rice). I'd love to see them give their take on classic southern sides like some sort of greens or Texas sides like elotes or brisket beans. Or more Asian sides. What they have currently is just fine. But they DO have the most important part down, and that's the meat. The ribs are as good as the best places in the area (Firebox, Jellybean and Julia's) but they're still unique. They have a few sauce options--the green one is amazing. Their Asian pulled pork is great. And their brisket is above average. I've yet to try their beef rib but it's a goal in the future since I'll definitely keep going back. read more

Brand new bbq spot owned by a Hmong family. I love the Hmong influence they bring. I ordered the sampler platter for $25. It came with pulled pork, ribs, and brisket. You can tell it was high quality meat. The meats all had a sightly sweet taste to them. I almost didn't need any sauce. I did use a lot of Hmong pepper sauce though because it was so good. For my sides, I ordered the sticky rice, apple coleslaw, bbq sauce, and hmong pepper. The sticky rice was made just how I like it - hot, sticky, and just the right amount of chewiness. The apple coleslaw was good but not memorable. The Hmong pepper sauce was fresh and spicy-- but not too spicy. It gave a good balance to the sweetness of the meat. I docked one star for the following... They provided some tables that look like the ones K12 children sit in at lunch. You can tell they didn't put much thought into designing their outdoor seating (which is currently the only seating available). Additionally, there was nowhere to wash your hands or even hand sanitizer. read more

Smok’ N Outdoors BBQ - Sampler platter - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Ordered in (via Door Dash) the Brisket with Sticky Rice and Yum Yum Mac. Surprised at the quality of meat, great flavor, really didn't even need much sauce other than to add spice. Was a delish meal to fill me up for a busy day at work. Highly recommended. read more

Smok’ N Outdoors BBQ - Brisket (spicy) with sticky rice and Yum Yum Mac! - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

I've gotten food from them from their food truck and several times takeout at the new brick and mortar location. They are consistently wonderful. The brisket is always juicy and flavorful. The ribs are always tender and have a good rub. They have a variety of options and sides. The Hmong pepper sauce is flavorful. The spicy bbq is MN spicy, but it's a heat that builds and has a good flavor. The staff there are friendly and knowledgeable to answer questions. It's a great addition to the Payne/Phalen neighborhood. They also have tables in the back under an awning. That seems like it will be a great place to eat when the weather is warm. There is also plenty of parking around the back of the building. read more

Smok’ N Outdoors BBQ - Ribs plate with double Mac and cheese, onions, and spicy bbq. - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Great food great people. Awesome place to grab some bar b que, and not to costly either!

I really thought it would be better than it was,my food was cold, BBQ sauce was way too sweet and mashed potatoes on top of being cold as ice there was no flavor to it. It tastes like the put cinnamon on the ribs and sticky rice and slaw absolutely no flavor.the reason I gave them a 3star cuz the ppl working there are very nice and polite. read more

Smok’ N Outdoors BBQ - Ribs, mashed potatoes,sticky rice and onions. - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

This brisket is the epitome of culinary craftsmanship, a labor of love that reflects patience, precision, and a deep respect for the art of barbecue. The moment you lay eyes on it, you know you're in for something extraordinary. The exterior is a perfectly formed bark, dark and caramelized, almost crackling with layers of complex flavor developed over hours of meticulous smoking. It's the kind of crust that signifies time well spent, guarding the treasure within. As your knife glides effortlessly through the meat, it reveals a beautifully smoked pink ring, a hallmark of expert smoking techniques. The aroma that escapes is intoxicating--a blend of hardwood smoke, seasoned beef, and just a hint of sweetness. The first bite is nothing short of revelatory. The meat is incredibly tender, each strand of beef holding just enough structure to make every chew an experience. It's not just the texture, though; it's the way the flavors unfold on your palate. The initial hit is a smoky richness, followed by a wave of savory beef, punctuated by the subtle heat and spice from the seasoning. There's a perfect balance between the salt, pepper, and whatever secret spices were used, creating a flavor profile that's both bold and nuanced. The fat is rendered to perfection, melting into the meat and infusing it with a buttery richness that coats your mouth in the most delightful way. This is not a brisket that requires sauce--though a good one could certainly complement it--because it stands so strongly on its own. Each bite is a testament to the care taken in its preparation, from selecting the right cut of meat to controlling the temperature and smoke for that long, slow cook. What's truly remarkable about this brisket is its versatility. It's robust enough to be the star of the plate, commanding attention with its deep flavors, yet it's also incredibly adaptable. You can enjoy it piled high on a soft roll, where the juices soak into the bread, or alongside classic sides like creamy coleslaw and baked beans, where it still shines. Even reheated the next day, it loses none of its luster, remaining tender and flavorful, a rarity in the world of smoked meats. In a world where shortcuts and compromises are often the norm, this brisket is a refreshing reminder of what true dedication to quality can produce. It's the kind of meal that brings joy and happiness so I recommend this. read more

Craving BBQ and BBQ is what I received. Family owned spot, great customer service!!! Big portions with good seasoning no need for sauces. Definitely had to grab their sticky rice and Hmong pepper sauce an a side of their Mac a Cheese. Mac and cheese didn't have much flavor but if you add some salt to it, you good. Definitely will be back to try other items. read more

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The food is good here. Comparable to the Southern joints and even to Kansas City's best BBQ joint to Texas. I've had great BBQ to one of the best from the east to west coast. The beef ribs are to die for here. A twist in traditional Hmong food and fused among some dishes make this a place a spot for me to go as often as I can go. I would give this place a 5 star rating but I'll say, I'm going to give joint some room to grow until it is formidable enough. read more

This place is incredible. The ribs have a delicious special flavor something like Chinese 5-spice, the brisket is superb and is heaven on earth combined with the Hmong pepper sauce, and the mama's pulled pork is a delightful flavor surprise, again best with the Hmong pepper. The fries are battered, hot, and tasty, and the coleslaw is sweet and refreshing. The smoky Mac and cheese was really good initially but couldn't hold up against the striking flavors of the meats. We are from Texas and Kansas City and have had and made a lot of barbecue in our time, and this stands with the best of it, especially given the unique new flavors. Family-owned and run, and they are lovely people. We will be back! A must try, and definitely get plenty of Hmong pepper. read more

This place has god food, they are closed too often for family gatherings to suit me. In my last8 trips there, they have been closed at least 4 times. I told them I'm done and won't be back. It doesn't matter if the food is good or not if I can't get it when I want it during advertised normal business hours. They are already closed 3 days a week and for some reason they schedule their family gatherings during the days they are supposed to be open. I wish you all the luck, I won't be back. read more

Ordered the brisket plate with Mac & cheese and mashed potatoes with gravy. Everything looked great but that's as good as it got. The Mac and cheese was absent any flavor. I mixed the onions with it and it made it somewhat better but this "side" needs improvement. The mashed potatoes and gravy were good and I was surprised to see this offered as a "side" at a bbq joint. The brisket was a let down. Although it was tender and juicy it lacked any smoke flavor at all. It tasted like something cooked in a pressure cooker or oven. The spicy bbq sauce did have a nice heat on it. For $15 the quantity was good but the flavors are missed. I do want to return and try the pork ribs but not sure if I will knowing the smoke flavor is amiss. read more

Smok’ N Outdoors BBQ - Brisket plate $15 - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Probably one of few smoked bbq spots in Saint Paul. Honestly, it comes down to personal preferences on taste, but I enjoy their food. Ribs are great. Brisket is good and juicy when fresh. Both style of pulled pork is okay, I'm not a big fan on pull pork in general. As for the sides, I've only ever gotten sticky rice and Mac salad, it's good :thumbs up: my only star deduction is that the sauces are mehhhh; sweet bbq is too sweet for me, hot bbq is like too much peppercorn for me, Hmong pepper is mediocre. Again this is a imo and taste preference. I definitely recommend 100% read more

It's a hit and miss for me but it's good bbq. Been here a few time so basing this review off those visits. The beef ribs (only on Fridays) are good. Not as moist and juicy as other bbq trucks but good. The brisket is OK as well. The burnt ends are super juciy. Mama's pulled pork could be overly salty but great if you're accustomed to them with the collard green. The American pull pork is so so that you'll need the bbq sauce lively them up. read more

I've been following this business on FB for a while and have been wanting to try it but I never get over to that side of St. Paul anymore. It's just off Wheelock Pkwy at Arcade, a stone's throw from Phalen Golf Course. Anyway, I was out biking along the Bruce Vento Trail and decided to head north and check them out. Glad I did. I tried only one entree, the pork ribs, but they were top notch: meaty and juicy with a nice spice rub, and I got the Hmong sauce - a delightful spicy green sauce, textured like a chimichurri. The order included three of them and they were big, so that order could satisfy two people no problem. For my sides I tried the cabbage apple slaw and some sticky rice. Both were good, what you'd expect. They also tossed in the pickled onion relish. Interesting! Service was friendly and the food popped up fast, so I didn't wait more than a few minutes. I'd like to give them a fifth star, but to my chagrin coleslaw was the only non-starchy veg option on the sides list. I'd hoped for greens or something else besides potatoes or mac-n-cheese. I'm a foodie who wants my choice list to be a mile long! Oops - my bad. :o) read more