Nelson's — Restaurant in Saint Louis Park

I've debated whether to leave this review, I don't like knocking places, especially local shops. I want to love this place and it's bbq counterpart but just can't.

First, my only experience with the bbq part of the shop was last summer. Got a coupon in the mail and decided to give it a shot, was really excited to have a bbq spot so close to home.

Never have I ever been asked if I want a bbq sandwich heated up. They literally took the pulled chicken and pulled pork from the counter, put it in a plastic container, walked it to the back and microwaved it then made my our sandwiches. Not only was this shocking, but the meat tasted old and I didn't feel well afterwards.

To top it off this was before the mask mandate but months after we knew the importance of masks and the shop owner and other employees were not wearing masks. I want to support businesses that support their community, which means wearing a mask to keep others safe during a PANDEMIC!

I do not recommend anybody shop here, and that's painful to say.

Update: since I can't respond to the comment left by the establishment, I'll do so here.

I'm well acquainted with a variety of BBQ, have eaten BBQ across the country of all styles and flavors, this was not a style issue, this was a quality issue. Not once have I seen BBQ meat chilled, reheated in the microwave in a plastic cup then served. You can't claim something is fresh when it's been chilled and reheated. Again, it wasn't a flavor issue, it tasted like old meat and made me I'll and my brother who had a different meat had the same experience.

Congrats on winning BBQ awards, do you heat that meat up in the microwave after it's been sitting chilled for hours?

As for health and safety, glad you've all remained healthy. However we knew wearing a mask was important before the mask mandate, you chose your comfort over customer and employee...

I visited yesterday looking for some good cuts of meat to throw in my pressure cooker. The staff were EXTREMELY helpful (and downright funny). Walking into Nelson's felt more like walking into my family's kitchen than the local butcher shop. The people were warm, the food was abundant, and most importantly, the food was DELICIOUS!! I bought donuts, short ribs, and two kinds of pickled herring. They threw in some garlic dip, too, which was garlicky and amazing. The pickled herring knocked our socks off, we ate two containers in one night!

The prices are great, the ribeye was cheaper than Cub and the marbling was much better. The employees told me they get their meat from a place in Saint Michael, and I love that I can buy Minnesota products from a Minnesotan family.

Keep it up Nelson's, I'll be back for more herring and...

Nelson's just opened up a block from my house. First time I went in I ordered some bacon wrapped fillets (which are at a decent price) and a one of their hot lunch specials. Tons of food for the price in that lunch (it actually made two lunches for me). I've been back a few other times now that they have been open at their new location on Minnetonka. The staff is super friendly and for me the location is about as convenient as it gets. Today's visit prompted the review. Apparently there was an issue with a customers order. The manager or owner told the customer he could give him some money off his order and then threw out the option of making a special trip to his supplier to get the item the customer was originally looking for. It's been great customer service for me and apparently to...