
5

"On Friday at 5 p.m. I watched a line of barbecue fans stretch around the building and down the block as Minnesota BBQ Co. opened its Northeast take-out spot, the newest venture from the Travail collective overseen by barbecue fanatic Kale Thome. What began as a pop-up and Thome’s obsession—announced in fall 2017—now operates from a small stand with custom metalwork and a made‑for‑them smoker; the menu featured brisket, ribs, chicken, mac and cheese, creamed sweet potatoes, aged jalapeño vinegar sauce, and more. From the moment doors opened until the last piece was sold, fans waited patiently; inventory was wiped out at 7:16 p.m., just over two hours after opening. The second night had more meat and took a bit longer to sell out, and by Sunday they seemed to find the right supply‑and‑demand groove as the line finally died down. For now it’s take-out only and open Wednesday through Sunday, with plans to add electronic ordering and delivery to nearby Fair State Cooperative Brewing’s taproom." - Joy Summers