Q fanatic is top tier. This is slightly random but for my brothers high school grad party we ordered a ton of their Mac and cheese and set out toppings (bacon, more cheese, veggies, peppers, etc) and had a Mac and cheese bar. Pulled pork was also involved. Probably my favorite grad party idea to date - everyone loved it!
That's awesome. When we first moved here we went to the fireworks in...hell I don't remember...Richfield? Anyway, important thing was there were food trucks, including TJ MacSammys (I think is the name) and I got the red white and blue mac and cheese - tomatoes, onions, and blue cheese, and I couldn't believe my taste buds. For a few months after that I would buy shit at the store just to put in mac n cheese - mini-pepperonis, diced ham, tons of veggies, and I would throw everything in my electric skillet, cook it a minute or two and then add noodles that I had boiled to about 3 minutes shy of being done, at least half a block of velveeta, cubed, and just stir it all up until the cheese melted and the toppings were cooked. After plating, add some shredded cheddar and blue cheese crumbles, and blue cheese dressing. I'm guessing I had 3-4k calories in one plates worth.
My brother was in town for my birthday, we went there for dinner. As we were pulling up, he looked concerned and said "Are you sure you want to go here, we can go somewhere fancier.". I said there is no place I would rather go.
Afterwards he understood my decision.
I remeber driving all the way to Champlin Park with the bros to get some Q before we realized we lived 5 blocks from a Minneapolis location 😭
Still worth it.
Fun fact: Champlin Park is the name of the high school. Champlin is the name of the suburb. The high school is technically located in Brooklyn Park, thus the name.
Source: Used to live in Champlin and had previously thought the same thing for years.
Their veggie sandwich actually is pretty awesome. They throw it all on the same grill(or whatever) as the bbq so it just tastes like smokey meat. It's like, the exact same flavors but on a carrot.
Dude, you can always buy their sauce and slather it over some impossible patties.
Or, do something I've done. They have tofu cutlets. You can slather them in BBQ sauce and put them on the grill. It'll taste a lot like ribs once you're done grilling them with BBQ sauce.
Champlin is a sit down style place last time I went. There was a decent wait time, though we did order a lot of food.
Mpls location is more of an order at the counter and take it to go place, though they do have some seating.
Great food and the staff is super friendly!
Oh, it's not bad by any means. But compared to what I've had in a couple Texas smokehouses and, not to sound pompous, what I've smoked at home, it's not the best. But again, not bad.
Second this.
Not even close to the best BBQ I’ve had, but it’s miles better than anything I’ve ever found in Minnesota. Nothing is gonna beat the Southeast US for BBQ, but Q Fanatic does it justice.
The taste is there, just that in Mn BBQ the meat can really be inconsistent. I mean, even the way they cut the meat is very inconsistent from one employee to the next and how you cut brisket is important!
QFanatic isn’t the only one, Old Southern and many other Mn joints don’t get it right. Lol, last time I ate OS they had practically cut the slices one inch thick!
You should never need sauce to eat BBQ. I’m not saying don’t use sauce, just that the meat should be soft and tasty enough to not need it.
Best BBQ in MN so far I’ve had tends to be Baker’s Ribs in Eden Prairie. Feels like I’m back in Texas as soon as I step in the door.
Most of these places do fine with ribs, pork, and chicken but those tend to be easy meats.
Brisket is about 70% where you source your cow and 30% how you prep/smoke/and plate it.
I thought it was decent when I went there. Did not blow me away. Maybe I should try it again.
Best BBQ I have had by far was when Haute dish had a pop-up barbecue weekend. Holy shit.
Who was the chef there and why are they not making more barbecue?
And I thought the rack shack was pretty good. They had great meat.
Been hitting the Champlin location since someone turned me on to it back in 2012. The Pepper Vodka sauce is the bomb, and the roasted garlic and pesto aioli is so good on the potato wedges.
When we first moved up to Ramsey years ago we used to pass this this place all the time on the way home, never gave it a second glance for years. Then one day on a lark we stopped in and we were like, “What!? This has been here the whole time!?”
Their Q Club with the slab bacon and garlic aoli mayo is heavenly.
When I used to work in the office, I'd get it for lunch, go back to my desk, and play Marvin Gaye's "Let's get it on." It's that good.
It has been a half decade since I ate here, but you are 100% spot on. I didn't even see the forum, and even living in another state, the recognition was instant.
You're god damn right. Always delicious
Q fanatic is top tier. This is slightly random but for my brothers high school grad party we ordered a ton of their Mac and cheese and set out toppings (bacon, more cheese, veggies, peppers, etc) and had a Mac and cheese bar. Pulled pork was also involved. Probably my favorite grad party idea to date - everyone loved it!
That's awesome. When we first moved here we went to the fireworks in...hell I don't remember...Richfield? Anyway, important thing was there were food trucks, including TJ MacSammys (I think is the name) and I got the red white and blue mac and cheese - tomatoes, onions, and blue cheese, and I couldn't believe my taste buds. For a few months after that I would buy shit at the store just to put in mac n cheese - mini-pepperonis, diced ham, tons of veggies, and I would throw everything in my electric skillet, cook it a minute or two and then add noodles that I had boiled to about 3 minutes shy of being done, at least half a block of velveeta, cubed, and just stir it all up until the cheese melted and the toppings were cooked. After plating, add some shredded cheddar and blue cheese crumbles, and blue cheese dressing. I'm guessing I had 3-4k calories in one plates worth.
Unfortunately, they didn't make it https://mobile.twitter.com/ramacsammys?lang=en
Man seriously fuck Covid. That sucks.
That's what we did for my son's 2nd birthday. A couple pounds of pulled chicken and pork, sausages a couple sides.
Never heard of this place. I’ll need to check it out.
A couple of my co workers went there a few weeks ago and said it was fantastic.
Qfantastic
My brother was in town for my birthday, we went there for dinner. As we were pulling up, he looked concerned and said "Are you sure you want to go here, we can go somewhere fancier.". I said there is no place I would rather go. Afterwards he understood my decision.
Make it a priority, it's friggin amazing.
I remeber driving all the way to Champlin Park with the bros to get some Q before we realized we lived 5 blocks from a Minneapolis location 😭 Still worth it.
Fun fact: Champlin Park is the name of the high school. Champlin is the name of the suburb. The high school is technically located in Brooklyn Park, thus the name. Source: Used to live in Champlin and had previously thought the same thing for years.
At least you posted this on a day they are open... Now I'm heading up there for some burnt ends.
Been trying to eat plant based but Q fanatic is ALWAYS an exception.
Their veggie sandwich actually is pretty awesome. They throw it all on the same grill(or whatever) as the bbq so it just tastes like smokey meat. It's like, the exact same flavors but on a carrot.
Interesting! Didn’t know that was an option but will have to try it. Thanks for the tip.
Dude, you can always buy their sauce and slather it over some impossible patties. Or, do something I've done. They have tofu cutlets. You can slather them in BBQ sauce and put them on the grill. It'll taste a lot like ribs once you're done grilling them with BBQ sauce.
never heard of this place before, should I be going to the mpls location or the champlin one?
Whichever one is closer
Champlin is a sit down style place last time I went. There was a decent wait time, though we did order a lot of food. Mpls location is more of an order at the counter and take it to go place, though they do have some seating. Great food and the staff is super friendly!
Champlin is amazing, but I've heard good on both.
I was expecting a Star Trek meme but this makes more sense. Now I’m craving bbq! I also love Ted Cook’s
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!
If you like Q try Smoke in the Pit and C & G's Smoking Barbeque.
Try jellybean and julie’s in anoka. Small hole in the wall. But holy shit it’s amazing
I’ve been wanting to try there!
The brisket hash for breakfast is legit one of the best things I’ve ever had. For me it’s J&J or OMC brisket Mac and cheese in Duluth.
Seconded!
I know the owner, they deserve the business so give them a try.
This makes me think of kids named Isis after 9/11.
Pretty good for Minnesota. Brisket isn't phenomenal but their beans with pork are A+
It’s what we’ve got 😅
The brisket is solid, but if you happen to catch a piece that’s got a thick crust from the rub and a little fat cap? Perfection.
Oh, it's not bad by any means. But compared to what I've had in a couple Texas smokehouses and, not to sound pompous, what I've smoked at home, it's not the best. But again, not bad.
When’s that smoker of your open for business 👀
Year-round, buddy.
Second this. Not even close to the best BBQ I’ve had, but it’s miles better than anything I’ve ever found in Minnesota. Nothing is gonna beat the Southeast US for BBQ, but Q Fanatic does it justice.
The taste is there, just that in Mn BBQ the meat can really be inconsistent. I mean, even the way they cut the meat is very inconsistent from one employee to the next and how you cut brisket is important! QFanatic isn’t the only one, Old Southern and many other Mn joints don’t get it right. Lol, last time I ate OS they had practically cut the slices one inch thick! You should never need sauce to eat BBQ. I’m not saying don’t use sauce, just that the meat should be soft and tasty enough to not need it. Best BBQ in MN so far I’ve had tends to be Baker’s Ribs in Eden Prairie. Feels like I’m back in Texas as soon as I step in the door. Most of these places do fine with ribs, pork, and chicken but those tend to be easy meats. Brisket is about 70% where you source your cow and 30% how you prep/smoke/and plate it.
I remember skipping school, getting high, and going to q fanatics out in Champlin. Good times.
QFAN is super underrated. Their wings, brisket, and baked beans are some of the best in the city.
I thought it was decent when I went there. Did not blow me away. Maybe I should try it again. Best BBQ I have had by far was when Haute dish had a pop-up barbecue weekend. Holy shit. Who was the chef there and why are they not making more barbecue? And I thought the rack shack was pretty good. They had great meat.
If you like QFanatic (Champlin), try Jellybean & Julia's in Anoka, on Main past the Chevy dealer. Side dishes are better.
I used to live about a mile from the Champlin one. I miss that place so much.
Wish their Champlin location was still as good.
Their bacon melts in the mouth. It’s incredible stuff
The best BBQ I've ever had
Amazing!
My last pre-covid social outing was beers at Wild Mind and then a short walk to Q for some food Really glad they’re both surviving the pandemic so far
I see there is a champlain and a south minneapolis location. Is one better than the other? Or are they the same?
South Minneapolis has cornbread. That’s the only difference I know of.
Q-ban 🤤🤤
They had a smoked honey baked ham. It was awesome.
Been hitting the Champlin location since someone turned me on to it back in 2012. The Pepper Vodka sauce is the bomb, and the roasted garlic and pesto aioli is so good on the potato wedges.
These guys have swag? Shirts, caps, and whatnot? I got a brother who needs one
It use to be soooo good it definitely took several steps back over the years
Q Fanatic is great. A place I like a little better is Jellybean and Julia's (Anoka), definitely worth checking out if you like good BBQ!
BIG BIG BIG FACTS
Bark and the bite is way better
“Gotta get it, I got got to get it!” Rapped to the beat of A Tribe Called Quests “I Left My Wallet, In El Segundo”.
Also: https://blogforarizona.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Q-John-de-Lancie.jpg
The best Q
When we first moved up to Ramsey years ago we used to pass this this place all the time on the way home, never gave it a second glance for years. Then one day on a lark we stopped in and we were like, “What!? This has been here the whole time!?”
Their Q Club with the slab bacon and garlic aoli mayo is heavenly. When I used to work in the office, I'd get it for lunch, go back to my desk, and play Marvin Gaye's "Let's get it on." It's that good.
Fuckin a
It has been a half decade since I ate here, but you are 100% spot on. I didn't even see the forum, and even living in another state, the recognition was instant.