The Twin Cities are better known for walleye and wild rice, but St. Paul has quietly developed a barbecue culture that’s as warm and welcoming as a Minnesota family reunion.
Here you’ll find classic American smoke joints, soulful southern plates, and inventive northern twists—always hearty, often surprising, and always generous.
Smoky, sweet, or spicy—St. Paul does BBQ with comfort and community at its core.
1. Rooster’s BBQ Deli
This neighborhood institution (open since 1987) shines with small-shop sincerity and big, big flavor.
Ribs are the signature—fall-off-the-bone and richly sauced.
The pulled pork and rib tips are also deeply smoked and satisfying.
Don’t skip the house-made hot link sausages or their “BBQ spaghetti,” a beloved local oddity. Everything comes with a side of old-fashioned warmth.
2. Handsome Hog
A chef-driven BBQ bistro, Handsome Hog is where southern tradition meets bistro flair.
Celebrity chef Justin Sutherland roasts whole hogs, slow-smokes ribs, and piles brisket on buttery biscuits.
The bourbon list is long and the patio scene is alive in summer.
House specialties include crispy pork belly, and creative takes like smoked chicken drizzled in Alabama white sauce.
Perfect for foodies looking for tradition with a wink.
3. Big Daddy’s Old Fashioned Barbeque
Big Daddy’s is a legendary, Black-owned spot where the line often stretches out the door.
Ribs (St. Louis style, meaty and tender) headline, but you won’t regret the brisket sandwiches or mustardy potato salad either.
It’s a real community gathering place, and the staff treat you like family.
Pro tip: Call ahead—when they sell out, that’s it until tomorrow.
4. Ted Cook’s 19th Hole Barbecue
Technically across the river in Minneapolis but a St. Paul BBQ essential, Ted Cook’s is a smoky shrine.
They’ve been slow-smoking over hickory and oak since 1968—order a full rib dinner or the legendary hot links with a side of tangy slaw and stick-to-your-ribs baked beans.
Expect big lines and righteous smoke, especially on weekends.
5. Hickory Hut Barbecue
A down-home spot since 1998, Hickory Hut is famous for its saucy wings and fried fish as much as its barbecue.
Their ribs and brisket come slathered in a sweet, sticky house sauce and the hush puppies would fit right in anywhere in the South.
Regulars swear by the “Soul Fries”—crispy fries topped with beef brisket, cheese, and BBQ sauce. This is cozy, wallet-friendly neighborhood barbecue.
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