ZZQ Smokehouse — Restaurant in Eagan

I used to frequent this place at least 1-2x/month as they do hv very good bbq for southern suburbs. I like the new things they try like burnt end tacos. But after today will Def NOT be back. Same issue today happened to me 3-4 months ago when they say they were out of rib tips. I called back next day to see if they have any and happened to get Zach (owner) on phone. He said, "we are never out of tips and can always make them. Come by and I will have some for you." Sure enough, came by and brought them home. Yum! I would believe the reason why one can always have tips available is that the rib tip is a short section that comes off the spare ribs when a bbq'er is making a more squared off cut. The bottom portion that gets trimmed off is where the rib tips come from. Technically, once the rib tip has been removed from the spare rib, what is left is called the Saint Louis cut, or the Kansas City rib. Better than baby backs!! So yes, one can always get tips if they have ribs!

Well today, for noon on a weekend, the young lady, who did not seem to care about customer service as she looked bored out of her mind, said "no tips until Tuesday!" I explained what Zach said last time this happened and she argued with me. Another lady, who I think was cooking sides, said, "you mis-heard what he was saying last time." Nope. Got my order last time the very next day. Stop arguing with a frequent customer!

In my eyes a true bbq place has tips on their menu. This place has it but needs to train their staff on customer service and stop arguing with them. How about make a suggestion for something else on/off the menu!? I just left.

If you're in North metro, try Firebox bbq or Bark and the Bite. South Mpls try Q Fanatic. Try ZZQ in south suburbs, not Baldys! You will love it if they have your items available. I have other great options for bbq than to...

Yo so I gotta say I live in south Minneapolis, near midtown global market I don't have to go far to get my kick for any kind of food but I was feeling the buzz of ZZQ and had to venture down over the Minnesota river on 55 to the fine town of Eagan.

I don't really like to order drinks with meals but hotdog if beer is your bag you'll be impressed with what they have to offer. They have the ordering set up as a counter service so it's a pretty relaxed environment.

I had the ribs and brisket with fries and potato salad. As someone who enjoys smoking my own ribs I couldn't tell you if they actually have a real pit or smoker in the place. The ribs were cooked fine, but the rub was pretty bland and didn't really have much smoke flavor. Same goes with the brisket. It melted in my mouth but really isn't taste like much of anything. They make their own in house sauces, which I stocked up on one of each and added the spicy sauce to the smoky sauce variety. Unfortunately all I could really taste in either sauce was a tomato pepper vinegary mix, which would had complimented the meat fine if it had a real smoke flavor but it didn't. I didn't really noticed much difference between any of the varieties of sauces either. Maybe they could have used a bit more sugar in them to throw more zest in whatever it is they were going for but it falls short of wherever that is.

I really, really wanted to like this place. I had to drive past Smoke in The Pit and Ted Cooks in order to get to it and sadly that's not going to happen again. ZZQ stands closer to a home town dickeys in my eyes but not that much more. Maybe they can build their own stand alone shop with a real pit with all the hype...

We work just a couple minutes from ZZQ's barbecue so we thought we would plan a small company dine out here. You walk in and the bbq aroma is the first thing that you notice, very nice pleasing food smell. The place is very clean and seating is organized nicely and looks pleasant. I asked if they had a signature item and was assured that they believe that their each item as delicious as the next but recommend I start with the pulled pork. They have a menu that is grouped by number of items and sides that you would like. I tend to not eat a ton at lunch so i decided to start with the pulled pork sandwich with my chosen side of coleslaw. The man and woman were kind enough to recognize that it was our first time there so she offered to give me a sample of the chicken meat for their sandwich also. Sat down at a nice table in the sun and waited for my name to be called. The sandwich came with a heaping portion of very nicely done and stranded pulled pork on a glistening white bun. The coleslaw is a vinegar based slaw that has a very nice vinegar bit but not overwhelming if you are familiar and enjoy the taste. The shredded cabbage of the saw as cold and crunch as can be which made the coleslaw the perfect combination for me to go with my pulled pork sandwich. The flavor of the pulled pork was wonderful with a smokey flavor that was not overpowering or forced smoke. The texture of the meat was great and very well done. The service was exceptional and the people that waited on us were top notch with their service and hospitality. I will be back and get some pictures next time. Excellent barbecue experience and I will be back soon for the brisket sandwich....