Ted Cook’s 19th Hole BBQ

Perfect pulled pork! Awesome coleslaw, potato salad, pecan pie and cornbread muffins!

This has always been my favorite food place (and since my parents have been going here since the ’70’s, I was pretty much born loving it). The best part about Ted’s is that it always tastes the same every time you order, and the menu really doesn’t change. They know what they’re good at, and they execute it perfectly and consistently. My only criticism is that they give you such huge portions, and sometimes there’s not enough sauce to cover it. That can easily be solved by ordering an extra sauce. Plus, they’ve recently made beans an option instead of coleslaw with their dinners, so I’m actually saving money now that I don’t have to order beans as a separate side. Love this place, and if you don’t like it, please feel free not to come back ever again so I don’t have to wait in line.

Not much of a sit down dine in BBQ restaurant, simple and plain with the menu and pictures on the wall like a Chinese take out. The food will do the talking. Very delicious and will definitely coming back here again!

Okay where to start… My first time here was a couple days ago. I was excited to try some BBQ from Ted’s because I’ve been craving it for some time now and I’ve never tried this place. we live on 38^th so it was a convenient place for pick up. Me and my boyfriend spent about $ 40 here, for what I thought was going to be some good southern BBQ comfort food. We ordered the ribs w/​Jojo potatoes & baked beans. And for some reason only 1 corn bread muffin came with both our meals. I ordered a side of greens. The collard greens, tasted nothing like collard greens are supposed to. At all. Gross. I ended up throwing the small little container away without finishing it. It costs $ 3.40 something also be the way. Mr. BBQ has better greens then what I got from here. The ribs, barely had any meat on them but the sauce was soooo good. Only reason they get 3 stars. Which I understand, ribs don’t really have lots of meat anyways so I would definitely suggest getting the rib tips if you want to get your money’s worth. The Jojo potatoes were alright, pretty soggy but they were good with the sauce. I don’t know what I was expecting but Ted’s didn’t get me there. Probably won’t be spending $ 40 here again.

Best barbecue in Minneapolis. Can’t eat there though. Get the JoJos extra crispy and the hot sauce. Chicken is very juicy

Spectacular BBQ. If there is better BBQ in the country I would like to know where. I’ve eaten BBQ all over the south and nothing comes remotely close to the flavor of Ted Cook’s. The meat is tender, practically falls off the bone. The sauce. Oh. My. God. The SAUCE! Do I need to say anything else? Greens, Peach Cobbler, Black Eyed Peas, it’s all good.

This is good barbecue. I had the rib tips dinner with baked beans and coleslaw to go and ate it at a picnic table in Minnehaha Park near the next Blue Line station south. It took a while to finish and though it started out hot, by the time I finished was starting to get cold (better timed trains or a warmer day might have helped, I guess).
There is better BBQ to the west, maybe the best, in the block north on Chicago Avenue at Smoke in the Pit, which I plan to order to go again and eat in Powderhorn Park at some point, but this place is very good and conveniently located.

My only regret regarding Ted Cook’s is that I’m not 22 years old anymore, when I could eat a full rack with ease. Of course that’s kind of silly. So I can’t eat as much in one sitting but now a full rack can last me for four or five meals. I’ve been coming here since around 1972. There have been many times over the years when my mouth was watering almost uncontrollably, when my excitement level made my legs a bit wobbly as I got close enough to smell the smoke, ’cause that’s how I roll (or fall); and then, getting the ribs, sitting in the car with them driving home, that wonderful hickory smoke smell, fighting the temptation to pull over and start eating, which I have done without pulling over.
This is still the best in Minnesota and certainly the best in Minneapolis, at a minimum, and it still ranks in my top ten national. It puts the shame on others like Famous Davey or Scott Yo Mama’s, which isn’t even BBQ.
It’s true that nowadays they have been a wee bit more inconsistent on occasion but still, the ribs, chicken and pulled pork are great and the sauce really tops it off well. Man, that sauce is BOOM, for real. I always get medium. That has plenty of bite for me. I got a side of hot on this last visit and it’s very hot, more than I need, but it’s fine mixed with some medium. It does seem to have a bit more vinegar in it though, which I don’t care for as much, but that’s not a big deal.
The sides could be improved a bit but they’re adequate. Plus, at this time of year, through to October, you can go eat down on River Road or at Minnehaha Park, Lake Nokomis, all are within ten minutes or less.
I have never experienced any rudeness on the part of the staff. Sure, occasionally someone might have a bad day, but for those of you complaining, maybe it had something to do with how you sounded or behaved.

Great BBQ joint. Got a dinner order of beef ribs, which comes with a heaping helping of jo-​jos, thinly sliced fried potatoes. The ribs were great, the sauce wasn’t too sweet. You have a choice of mild-​medium-​hot. I had medium and it had just a bit of kick to it. The only thing that was so-​so for my palette was the coleslaw. Not bad, just not much to it. I’ll get beans instead next time.

Best barbecue in Minneapolis but when ordering sauce only order hot if you can really handle spicy it’s no joke.

Stopped in yesterday to pick-​up BBQ chicken, pulled pork, red beans and rice, greens and sweet potato pie. Easily the best walk up barbeque joint in the city hands down. The meat was moist under a blanket of sauce and the accompanying jo-jo’s were the bomb. Thinly sliced potato goodness great for sopping up sauce. Beans and greens true Southern soul food as well. Sweet potato pie was a bit dry but still flavorful with hint of molasses.
Don’t go here expecting a swanky place. This place is a Powderhorn fixture that pumps out exceptional food year after year.

This is a PERFECT BBQ to-​go-​place. They have no seating but this is by far the best BBQ in town — I would highly recommend the sliced beef with medium sauce and extra on the side — you cannot get a better meal — we get this for my brother in laws birthday every year and you take the most talkative family and make them silent — because they cannot stop eating — don’t forget the Jo-​Jo potatos!

This is the best BBQ, hands down, I’ve had in Minnesota. I’ve gone here three times now and each time the food I’ve gotten has been great. It, as all bbq joints should be, is a hole in the wall that looks a little sketchy. The service isn’t great, but that is a trade off I am willing to make for actual honest-​to-​god good bbq. Also, pretty cheap for a ton of food.

Get the rib tips and collard greens. You won’t regret it. This isn’t the type of place where you go and expect amazing customer service, OR the place to go if you want to ask a ton of questions about the food – but if you know what you want, it’s amazing.

Went there yesterday to grab food for my daughter’s birthday. I asked the man in the window what he recommended for 12 adults and some kids. He seemed mildly amused/​frustrated that I didn’t know exactly how much to order, but was never rude and suggested an assortment of smoked meats and sides. Given some reviews I was fully prepared to wait a half hour while they assembled the order. They had a huge box full of bags of smoky goodness ready for me to walk out with in under five minutes.
It was very well received at the party and the amount ended up almost exactly right. Enough left for one more small family BBQ dinner. Ribs, chicken and pulled pork were all great. Sauce is not much on its own but combined with the smokiness of the meat it is a perfect compliment. We had beans, potato salad and coleslaw with some corn muffins. All were adequate, not mind blowing, but solid enough.
Overall, for convenience, value, and the better than average BBQ, I wouldn’t hesitate to return.

This is 3 star BBQ and 2 star service… I ordered ½ slab pork ribs, small rib tips, large potato salad and corn muffins. I called in and was not met with a friendly greeting, actually my first call just rang until it eventually hung up. I called back and the gentleman was less than courteous, borderline rude. If you do plan on eating Ted Cooks, definitely call it in advance, save some time but make sure you know what you want.
The pork ribs were decent but did not knock my socks off. With all the other BBQ choices in S Mpls they are going to have to do better than what they did for repeat customers. C&G, Smoke in the Pit, and Scott Ja Mamas all do just as good if not better, and the price is lower. Rib tips lacked meat, it was a lot of chewing and spitting out. We ordered everything with medium spice, again the sauce not all that memorable, C&G does way better sauce. I would agree with the other reviewer, get it A La Carte and skip the sides. I’ll give them a chance to redeem themselves one day but might not be for a while.

My girlfriend and I ordered from here based on a referral. We got rib tips and a small rib order. Sides of greens and sliced potatoes. The meat was covered in the medium sauce which was great. The sides were not to par unfortunately. The potatoes were bland and unseasoned. The greens were bland also. For the prices I would stick to the meats and pass on the sides.

The smell just walking up to Ted’s is glorious. When you open the door, it just keeps getting better. I stopped in for lunch and had their special which is a pulled pork sandwich, Jo Jo’s, and coleslaw. The pork had some nice burnt ends, very tender, and excellent smoke. You could very clearly see the smoke ring. I chose the hot sauce which had good bite, and a definite vinegar tinge.
My criticism would be the Jo Jo’s. Limp, totally unseasoned and flavorless. A bit of a disappointment.
Yes, I realize I’ve only tried the pork sandwich, but it was really good and I will definitely be back for some ribs and anything else they have smokin’ back there.

Ted Cook’s is good BBQ. I had the pork ribs. They looked great, nice bark and perfect pink smoke ring on the inside. They tasted just as good. The meal came with a healthy portion of JoJo’s, coleslaw and bread. I wasn’t hungry after. Ted Cook’s has a great BBQ sauce too. It’s thinner than the sauces you’ll find at Famous Dave’s and Rudolph’s and has a nice tangy flavor. I got the hot version, which isn’t «MN» hot, it has some kick. Speaking of the sauce, some leaked out of the bag and got on my shirt. They compensated me with a free dinner, that’s great customer service. The only thing lacking at Ted Cook’s is the amount of side options, no mac and cheese is the one that stood out to me. But, better to do a few things really well than a lot of things just average. I’ll definitely be back!

Best barbeque north of Missouri, hands down. We’ve been eating Ted Cooks since I was a kid and all I can say is that they truly know how it’s done.

Ok… I finally made it too this place. It did not disappoint.
The ribs were really good-​good smoke, seasoning and tenderness. The beef ribs also were great. I still think Big Daddy’s has a slight lead here though but I would go here in a heartbeat.
The sides you can skip including their Jojos… not that good.
Don’t order the dinners… just get everything ala carte.
I also ordered the brisket and it was ok but I don’t get why you slice it so thin. At least have the option for a traditional cut. Hard to get a feel for it and it dries out too quick that thin.
Overall though this place has great ribs and I will be back.

A hole in the wall barbecue spot that I highly recommend. Personally I like the BBQ chicken, you can’t go wrong with any of the menu items. Take out only — don’t plan on cheerful service. Get your food and get out.

By far the best BBQ in the Twin Cities. Their signature sauces are sweet and even mild has a bit of a kick. Takeout only. Worth a drive of 30+ minutes. Hasn’t changed a bit in 30 years of going there, even through 2 ownership changes. If it’s your first time — try the chicken. I’d start with medium sauce if you like spice. Hot might be too much for you.

Ted Cook’s is pretty good for BBQ in Minneapolis. I’ve had BBQ from the South that was very delicious, like meat-​falling-​off-​the-​bones delicious, and while Ted Cook’s isn’t exactly the same experience, it is one of the better BBQ spots you’ll find in Minneapolis.
We ordered the rib tips (w/​medium sauce) and a full rack of ribs (w/​mild sauce). We liked the meat on the full rack and the medium sauce on the rib tips. The only downside to the place is that its not a dine-​in restaurant. I was fine with that but my partner didn’t like the idea of waiting until we got home to devour the meat!

Best BBQ I have ever had, been going there since the late 1980’s…
And I love BBQ

Want to make your friend’s envious? Go here for a pickup order and take it to the dance night. Boom!
I enjoyed my barbecue pork and jojo potatoes. It was good stuff and easily a meal for 2 maybe 3 people.

Not a dining in place. I walked in, the grill master man peeked out from the kitchen to get my order. Got an order of ribs and chicken, plus red beans and rice and a peach cobbler. Chicken was very tasty, moist and smoky. Beans and rice were fine, not exceptional. Peach cobbler was incredible. The ribs I got, pork, were fine, but a bit dry. Was sure a place like this would have some good mac and cheese. Wasn’t on the menu. I think this place is a repeat, but not if exceptionally good ribs are what you’re looking for.

Despite the «give-​a-​shit» attitude of the guys behind the counter the food is nothing short of BBQ royalty. Never been a huge fan of baked beans — UNTIL NOW! Seriously amazing.
And the ribs. Oh the ribs. It is a religious experience. Pork ribs, full slab…

Styrofoam, as I’m told, can outlast dinosaurs. Non-​degradable due to ridiculously strong carbon-​carbon bonds, no known organisms exist that can produce strong enough enzymes to break them.
But even that, coupled with the thickest paper bag I’ve ever seen constructed, could not hold in the soul this food emanated. Both our beef and chicken BBQ burned right through the Styrofoam, breaching the burlap-​ish paper, and onto my car seat.
To honor such strong-​food, we ate on the side of the road – I waived use of any utensils, and only used my hands, even with beef brisket and BBQ sauce. After 10 napkins we stole from a nearby grocery store, I finally had to use my soda – powered with its acidic and carbonated properties – to pour and wash the BBQ sauce off my hands. The over-​sized bag, although defeated by the soul food, was even too big to fit through the public garbage bin door, requiring me to pull it off.
That, is damn good soul food.
I regret nothing.

I finally made it to the Powderhorn neighborhood. The quiet area is primarily a residential area with businesses every other block. So quiet you can here a mouse fart. There isn’t much in the area with a few local businesses.
But this bright light BBQ joint is one of the few jumpin’ businesses in the area. Especially during dinnertime, in which, I had to wait a bit to order because of the long line. The long line is not as long as Phil’s BBQ, Saigon Sandwich, or Blue Bottle though.
When it was my turn to order, I chose the half slab pork rib dinner. For $ 14.00 the dinner comes with a slab of pork rib that is cooked for 12 hours and covered in a spicy BBQ sauce. I also get side of homemade Jo-​Jo potato chips with my meal.
As I was waiting for my meal, I was staring at the lunch special posted on the wall: Beef Brisket sandwich with the Jo-​Jo potato Chips for $ 8.99. I might try that on a hopeful visit. I was admiring all the awards and recognition given to this place. So the food must be good.
There is no dining area here. Therefore all meals are take-​outs. So I took my meal back to my hotel room. «I’m not back home and eating my meal in a train station is unethical!»
When I got to my room and sipping on my remaining beers purchased at Lunds, I opened the styrofoam container and still see a fat steam still coming out from my meal. The train-​ride to and from and Government Plaza (my hotel) to the BBQ place (Lake Street/​Midtown Station) took only 15 minutes. One bite of the rib, the meat was very tender and spiced very well. The second piece of rib was a different story and too tough to chew. My meal was good on the tender pieces, but not okay on the tough part. The meal was just okay. My meal:
However, I did come back the following day for lunch and indeed try that BBQ Beef Brisket sandwich meal for $ 8.99. The beef was very tender with the combine mixture of the homemade BBQ sauce. This was a much better deal and meal (Sorry, I forgot to take pictures on my lunch).
But the lunch is better than my dinner.
This place does accept my Visa. I am sure the state of Minnesota has some better barbecue places.