Great outdoor seating and patio. Love the yuca fries and the flavor on the rotisserie chicken is great! The chicken is tender, but not as tender as Cub foods/Sam Club's rotisserie chicken, not sure what that means...but, either way, it's pretty solid. The yuca fries alone will have me back. Yummy yuca fries in my tummy! Side note: My fiance is on the paleo diet and there were some good food options for him here.
(4)
Joe C.
Tried Brasa for the first time and the place lives up to the high ratings! Great food and great service. I love the way they setup the menu for different ordering sizes to easily accommodate sharing many different dishes without overloading. The prices are a bargain for the high quality of these dishes.
(5)
Ella G.
The food was all excellent! For having a fairly small menu, there seemed to be something for everyone. Their sides are absolutely delicious! I would definitely recommend going on a nice summer night because they open it up to the night air and there is a lovely little patio with overhead strung lighting. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time, even on a Wednesday night, there was a little bit of a wait to be seated
(5)
Mike D.
Probably my wife's and my favorite restaurant....in the world. :-) Great gluten-free choices which matter to my wife. The menu contains nothing that you have not heard of, the server does not need to interpret the menu for you. It is amazing what comfort food becomes when genius chef people prepare it. I could go on and on, but, just go. Order anything, it doesn't matter.
(5)
Mary L.
Hands down one of my favorite restaurants. I love that you can share everything and choose your sides. You're able to try so many different menu items without spending a ton. My personal favorites are the pulled chicken, cheesy grits and yucca fries. Yummm.
(5)
Janeice D.
I went here the other day with the boyf and got the lunch special - pulled pork sandwich and the creamed spinach. I died, they were so beautiful and delicious. Seriously, I would love to jump into a pool of the creamed spinach and eat my way out. I will definitely be swinging in again (and soon) and probably get...the same thing. No regrets. Also that man on Man VS Food says that out of all America...his top five restaurants include Brasa and recommended that pulled pork and creamed spinach. Thanks, Bro. I owe you one.
(5)
Sabra B.
Brasa's menu is awesome... Anywhere that serves collard greens has my vote- I tried making them once-they were terrible. So I happily let the folks at Brasa make them for me. I've had the chicken and the braised beef-both were very tasty and not overcooked. Brasa is great for a group that wants to try a little of everything. They do small and large portions of their sides so everyone can get a taste. I highly recommend the grits and the plantain (both the sweet and plain variety). They're always a great way to start your meal!
(4)
Scott H.
Brasa is one of those places that focuses on what is important: Food. They simply just do food right. I'm not sure if it's due to their premium ingredients, or just the care that they take in their dishes. It's probably both! This place specializes in their meat dishes. I absolutely love their pulled pork! It's garlic-y, but not overpowering and has hints of citrus. It's also very tender and just falls apart. Their sides are also fantastic. They take just as much time and care in their sides as they do with their hallmark meats. My personal favorite is their Yuca that's served with this creamy sauce made of 100% delicious. The only downside about this place is that it can be a little spendy for how much you get. However, it's on par and similar to something like a Tapas or Small Plate restaurant. So while this is not a place that you'd go to every day for lunch, it is certainly worth the occasional indulgence.
(4)
Jacqueline S.
Every item we ordered was delicious, and well worth a 45 minute wait for a table. Service was good, and we took home some housemade hot pepper vinegar (for just $2.50!). The spicy masa cake was great, and the beef and grits stood out as well. The yams and andouille were good but I wish it came with more andouille. The collard greens were nice and that yuca fries come with a tasty sauce.
(5)
Douglas W.
I can't wait to return so I can try some more sides! This is some of the best rotisserie chicken I have had. I loved the rub, the chicken was moist and the skin was wonderful. I had the yams with andouille and greens for sides and added a piece of their terrific cornbread. It was all perfection. The place was rocking busy on a Tuesday night and the air wasn't working. They were on a wait for the patio and it was over 90 outside. I didn't mind, the ceiling fans were cranking and the place is so much fun I couldn't have cared less. It's really fairly priced although I would get more than the 2 pc chicken next time as the quarter dark might not be enough food for the heartier diners out there. This place is a must cheap eat in the Minneapolis area and you absolutely should check it out.
(5)
Kimberly C.
As many times as I've been here I just realized that the green sauce they give on the side when you order chicken, that sauce that Ive always thrown out. . .it's actually really good on the rice with red beans. Also, forget what I wrote in 2011 review about the red beans and rice needing more salt. It was delicious this time around :-)
(5)
Kate M.
Worth the wait! Always a line every time we go, great food with perfect portions, relaxed atmosphere.
(5)
Ryan W.
After trying to go for German food and finding it closed on a Monday, we grabbed the next best thing we could find, hit the GPS and were off! After a short wait for a table we were seated outside to enjoy the beautiful night paired with outstanding fare! The guide to our food adventure quickly came to help us begin our quest to amazing tastes! Since it was our first time here, we asked for a few pointers and jumped right in. We ordered a medley of amazing tastes that all complimented one another. The meats were all cooked to perfection and the sauces they came with seems like they were created before the world was! Yep that good. We ordered 6 side small side dishes so that we could get a good taste of each. The yellow rice and beans were on par with Manna from heaven! The creamed spinach and jalapeño made my whole mouth smile and the corn bread was so moist and delicious I couldn't help but want more. I seem to continue to have a bad habit of needing to finish everything that is ordered, I have got to stop doing that! But in this instance, I couldn't help myself! I just had to eat until there was no more! I will be back, and if you are wondering if you should eat here too, you should!
(5)
Tyler C.
Brasa is one of those restaurants that distinguish themselves on locally sourced ingredients. The food is amongst the best the in the neighborhood, but parking can be difficult to find, the restaurant is kinda small with smallish tables, and it's not especially climate controlled. It's a good place to go when the weather is nice, but many folks share the same idea and I've intended to visit it more than once only to leave because of the wait or I couldn't find a good enough parking spot. The portions are on the low side, and the prices are relatively high. It's not an excellent value, but it is tasty so one can't be that upset. I'd visit it more if it were a more pleasant experience, but it's unlikely to change and it seems to be working for them.
(4)
Leslie M.
I'm adding my two cents to the long list of reviews in order to rave about the collard greens and black eyed peas! I can't be the only one who has a major craving for these delicious side dishes. Brasa opened my eyes to the deliciousness of collard greens. They are just too good. The pulled pork and chicken have always been exceptional. I love that I can bring meat eater and vegetarian guests alike and they will find something they love. When a friend came to visit from north Florida, he enjoyed the entire meal and their take on grits. Absolute authenticity - maybe not, but it tastes good. It can add up to a pricey bill but since everything is ala carte, you have control over your tab.
(4)
Michelle F.
Absolutely delicious, shockingly cost effective (think 4 people happily stuffed with deliciousness for around $60), and delightfully easy to share and try new things. We went on a slightly chilly evening and it was completely worth staying in coats and hats to sit out on the patio. Takeout is a surefire win too.
(5)
Cacey D.
I have to admit-- I have been freeloading on Yelp for years now. I rely on ratings and reviews to sift through my culinary options, but I haven't contributed. I decided it's about time I pitch in. Go to Brasa for brunch. They'll take care of you. First of all, the coffee here is great (& I think fairtrade). They have a waffle with bacon in it; if that's not comfort food, I don't know what is. Their sweet potatoes with sausage are excellent & every bite I've stolen from my husband's plate has been amazing. Interesting & intense savory flavor combinations... you really can't go wrong here. Great open air space in the summer and warmer months! It's a pretty small dining area, so the extra patio seating helps out with the wait time. Their parking lot is really small, so plan on street parking. I love trying out restaurants, so it takes a special kind of place to keep me coming back. Brasa is one of those places. I order something different every time I go, but I've never been disappointed. They don't open until 11am, so make sure you plan around that.
(5)
Neal C.
Came in with high hopes, and they were exceeded by a long ways. We sampled basically everything on the menu except the collards and the creamed chicken-- and loved everything outside the pulled pork (which lacked flavor). The pulled beef was outstanding. The best beef I've had. The rotisserie chicken was cooked perfectly-- crispy skin, tender tasty meat. For the sides, of course the plantains were excellent; slightly crisp on the outside with a very moist interior. The creamed spinach was great-- they did not just dump tons of butter and cream, instead they made it with balance. Try the cornbread or the masa as well, it really pairs well if you like to put some beef or chicken on it and add flavor combinations. Yucca fries were a slight letdown... somewhat bland but still crispy. The candied yams were great though... not too sugary but rather a blend of sweet/savory (which, IMO is what you want). Great vibe, service, and reasonable prices-- go here for sure (though be prepared to wait).
(5)
Jesselyn T.
Sat outside and got: - Creamed spinach with jalapeno: really good. Not a smack in your mouth spicy but enough for a tickle in the back of your throat after taste. - Slow roasted pork: Also amazing. - Rotisserie chicken: It was ok. Good but not like knock out of the park awesome like the pork and the spinach. - The corn bread is good and sweet. I will come back and get the fried plantains and dessert not enough stomach for everything! Dang.
(5)
Ashleigh A.
Really there's not much to say about Brasa except, GO THERE! The menu is a la carte and flexible for individual meals or group meals depending on how you like to eat. You can keep it light or chow down if you're starving. Parking can be a bit frustrating, but I have always found a free place on the street (no meters.) No matter what you order, you can't go wrong. I recommend it especially for groups that have a price point difference between the people. You can eat here for a relatively low cost, but I know from experience, you can rack up that bill if your taste buds can't say no. Can't eat everything you order? No worries! They make GREAT leftovers.
(5)
K H.
Brasa is a mainstay for me. So much so that I've continually forgotten to give it it's proper due. Well here goes... If I'm cereal; Brasa is milk - I make more sense when coupled with it (it makes sense if you don't think about it). Seriously though - Brasa is soul food. It's flavors are as deep and satisfying as any food I've tasted, yet the place completely lacks pretension. Brasa is one of those rare restaurants that I actually miss when I leave town for long amounts of time. Simply put, there are very few places that prepare food so well. You really can't go wrong here. But, my favorites in the meat category are the rotisserie chicken and the pulled chicken. My fave sides are the creamed spinach, the crispy yuca and the black beans and rice. The cornbread is great, however, don't sleep on the masa corn cakes. It took me awhile to get to them but I haven't looked back since. And that green aioli sauce... I put it on everything (in fact, I'm one impulse away from integrating it into my love life). The stuff is simply awesome. The St. Paul location is a bit spacier and has a couple of added menu items due to having a larger kitchen. However, you can't go wrong in either case. Just eat it.
(5)
Sealu222 2.
I have to admit I was skeptical about Brasa. On our visit 12/26 we found ourselves waiting in a small open area, standing around right in the middle of folks who were trying to eat without anyone's posterior in their face. It was amazing that the wait staff could move around so many people who had no choice but to block their path to the bar and computer. Kudos to them for keeping their cool! After tasting the food though it became abundantly clear why it was so crowded. Loved the yucca, loved the pulled pork, loved the creamed spinach (spicy!) and loved the corn bread (like a dense cake!) Our group ordered many other dishes that were great as well, but those stood out as exceptional. I will be back....but earlier next time!
(4)
Timothy E.
One of my favorite places in Minneapolis. Favorites include: pork, bbq beef, creamed spinach, yellow rice and red beans, coleslaw, and grits. The possibilities are endless, especially when getting take out! An added bonus, virtually everything is gluten free.
(5)
Coleman D.
Tried the chicken. Tasted fine, but not sure what the rave is about.
(3)
Tenzin G.
Rachel individual dish was very very good. The meat, the beans all spectacular. The prices were great and they had some good beers on draft as well. I recommend. I might even go 4 and a half but I don't want to dish around too many 5 stars;)
(4)
Callan F.
This place is great! Service was quick, food was delicious. I ordered the pulled pork with a side of guac...SO GOOD! My co-worker ordered the pulled chicken with a side of mac n cheese and the black beans which was also amazing. I will definitely be back soon!!
(4)
Dan S.
I was somewhat let down by a place that I have been wanting to go to for years, but tried it for the first time last week. The food was actually great, but in the back of my mind, I kept thinking I could be at Pastor Hamilton's, Big Daddy's or Lee & Dee's getting roughly the same quality BBQ for half the price. But for someone who wouldn't necessarily want to hang out in a tiny BBQ shack, this place would be a great option. I thought the candied yams were phenomenal as was the beef sandwich. I feel weird giving it an A-Ok review, because the food was all great. I guess I'm just spoiled by the dirt cheap prices of the hole-in-the-wall BBQ places that I am accustomed to visiting. With that said though, this place isn't even expensive. Most meat items are around $10 and the sides are around $4 a piece.
(3)
Sarah S.
We didn't have a particularly bad or good experience here. I was so excited to try Brasa, but unfortunately maybe the high expectations/anticipation killed the experience? Maybe this place just isn't my style? I'll confess I'm not great at sharing food. I want to eat what I want to eat, and I want to eat all of it without feeling that I'm being rude taking the last bite. Our group opted to do a family-style meal, and maybe that's where the experience went bad for me. I should note part of the reason we tried this restaurant with this group was because it's gluten-free friendly. Our wait for a table was long, as it was a busy night. It was significantly longer than the hostess told us it would be, and we were emergency-level hungry by the time we got a table. The booth where we were seated barely squished in our group and we had elbow wars the entire meal. Maybe the lesson here is that this isn't the place to come with a group of 8 on a weekend. (No one in our group had been here before, so we had no idea how small the place was...) We ordered amounts based on recommendations from the waitress. Both my husband and I left hungry and ended up making a second dinner at home. None of the dishes stood out to me. They were all things I could successfully and reasonably make at home. When I eat out, I like it to be either something I'd feel guilty about making at home (ie filled with sugar, fat and/or salt) or something I couldn't make myself (time consuming/difficult to prepare). The fried plantains were good, but not enough to convince me to make a second trip here. The beer selections were somewhat limited. The waitress was rather absent, although it was a very, very busy night so that can be forgiven. Somehow, my husband and I ended up paying more than what we'd usually spend to eat out and leave with full, happy bellies. Generally speaking, we weren't particularly thrilled. Maybe we just visited on an off night? Maybe the wait made us too hangry to enjoy the meal. Maybe this style of restaurant just isn't for me - and not every restaurant can please every person, which is totally fine. Based on how much others love this place, you should try it. I feel like we should probably give it another shot (without the family-style dining...), but I'm having a hard time prioritizing giving this place a second chance over trying all the other places on my "to try" list...
(3)
Martha H.
Love it, especially all the sides.
(5)
Chelsea J.
My favorite meal on my trip to Minneapolis was dinner at Brasa. I will long for this food when I am home in Washington. The two of us shared: medium pulled pork entree, medium rice and black beans, and medium yucca with dipping sauce. Everything was excellent and the portions were perfect to fill two people without being stuffed and leaving no left overs. You can choose small, medium, or large for each entree and side. The pulled pork is different than I am used to served without bbq sauce. Sprinkled with the vinegar-hot pepper condiment that sits at the table the meat is perfect. So fresh tasting and not heavy at all. Excellent side dishes, the yucca was so good and added sweetness to the savory meal. They were very busy and there was a line to get in the whole time we were there. Service was friendly if not a bit distracted but one can't expect more than that in a very packed casual bbq place. No complaints here. I can't wait to go back! This is on the top of my list for my next trip to Minneapolis. We left feeling full and satisfied with none of the heaviness or guilt that often follows eating bbq. Until we meet again!
(5)
Mark D.
Every time I've been to this restruant I've had amazing food. From the braised beef to the chicken to the sweet sweet pork. Great ambiance, wonderful staff, and very good beer available. I would highly reccomend eating here!
(5)
Erica C.
Wow, Brasa is drop-your-fork-and-smack-yo-mama good. After reading the reviews, I decided that we needed at least more than 2 people to go. I invited another couple to go with and I'm so glad I did!! The menu is designed for sharing and sampling a variety of food. The atmosphere was interesting, it looked like it was an old car garage. There's a very casual feel to the restaurant. We ordered 4 peices of the chicken, a half rack of st. louis ribs, small plates of pulled pork and brisket. For our sides we ordered guacamole, collard greens with smoked turkey, and candied yams. We also ordered cornbread... oh the cornbread... I just want to crumble it up and swim in it. The food is flippin amazing. Every bite was to die for. The chicken was seasoned so well and it came with a tasty herb sauce. It's probably the best rotisserie I've ever had. The ribs were smoky and delicious. The pulled pork was soft and so flavorful. I would have loved it in a taco or if you were my friend, a bowl of rice. I'm in love with this place. And yes, I think I will marry it!
(5)
Anne B.
Went for lunch with a group from work 10 in all and every single item was wonderful! The mac and cheese was reminiscent of what Mom made growing up, the yucca was a very tasty new experience for me, the creole chicken was not as spicy as anticipated but tender and delectable nonetheless. Was disappointed that there were no grits on the menu...guess I'll have to go to the Mnpls location - I heard they are fabulous. Service was attentive and friendly. I love that they locally source their food ingredients!
(5)
Allan R.
Loved it. This is the sort of restaurant I can get in big trouble at. Everything I tried was fantastic.
(5)
krissy l.
Amazing chicken.. Great date night!
(4)
K D.
For about $12, you get 8 ounces of beef. GOOD BEEF. Slow roasted, bbq, tender, juicy beef. I ordered 3 sides: fried plantains, fried Yuca (Cassava) , and Sweet Potato + Andouille. Each small side cost about $3 each and came in tiny bowls and I began to fear that my 200+ pound dad and fatass me will leave hungry. WRONG! We left pleasantly full and each bite was d e l i c i o u s! Very high quality food, but Brasa's use of corn oil to accommodate those vegans makes fat change impossible...butter is unheard of! (Little peeved cause why would vegans and vegetarians step into a rotisserie?? To give me misery?? I guess) We went there on a Tuesday afternoon and it was PACKED! We got the last seats near the exit door but we were grateful to have gotten seats. It was loud too; Was hard to have a conversation without borderline yelling.
(4)
Caitlin M.
Best food ever. Yuca potatoes and that sauce they come with our heavenly. Making myself hungry just thinking about it.
(5)
TwinCities S.
Good food. Not spicy...if you ask for spicy you will get spicy but its not Mexican food. If you feel like trying a newer taste other than your Minnesota palate is accustomed to..go here for an evening..it does get crowded making you think that it must be great if you are willing to wait to eat there. :) check it out..You may feel pretty hipster too!
(3)
John B.
Eggs were one of the last foods I learned to love, but when I understood what 'killed' meant, I figured out the way I would only ever order them again. Which brings me to Brasa, the place that allows me to order them like that on a dish that is supposed to have them prepped another way, and the place I learned how to play with my food. When it comes to the Over Easy and Pulled Pork, the best breakfast meal I could possibly create, it has never been a problem to order the eggs Over Hard, the technical term for what my family has often called Killed. But the best part of the meal is before, when I get the Guac and Chips, and I get to play my favorite restaurant-specific game. It should say something about how important this ritual is to me that I'm willing to forgo guacamole for a few minutes longer to carry it out. The game is Sailboats. I had noticed pretty soon after I started to eat there on a regular basis, that a lot of the chips are able to stand up on one of their sides on the table or a plate or any hard, flat, level surface. When I put enough down, they did look like sailboats from far off, a vessel that I have probably boarded about as many times as I've played this game. It isn't an important thing for me to do, but I think that's why I enjoy it. It's not something I'm keeping score in, despite the fact that I'm hypercompetitive and rarely don't keep score in my life. It's something that requires patience, which I've never been accused of having. And it's something that takes up a lot of space, which... no, never mind- that's exactly like me. But probably the main reason I do it is that I invented it, and given that I like me, it's as much a tribute to myself as much as anything, regardless of what it means or doesn't mean. The other really good thing about Brasa is the coffee.
(5)
Roland G.
Not impressed. Surprised because I usually see lines out the door. Guac was runny and bland. Chips were good. Mac and cheese was ok, nothing special. Chicken in cream had an off taste to it. Garlic toast- ho hum. Cornbread was good. But the worst part was dessert. Ordered butterscotch pudding to go. Comes with a cookie. They put the cookie in the pudding instead of separately packing it. 45 min later, the cookie has turned into a gummy, mushy mess. They either don't care or are clueless. To top it off our server treated us like we were panhandlers. I assure you, we are not. Won't bother returning.
(2)
Sara G.
I have been here twice now and both times were great. I enjoy it in the warmer months when they can open up the garage door walls. The food was great, smaller portions so you can try a few dishes. This is fun for sharing also so you can try multiple things as everything on the menu that I have tried has been great! I will definitely be visiting more in the future.
(5)
Sara M.
Today, Brasa catered our lunch at work. As per the usual, I absolutely adored the pulled pork (no sauce needed for me), the corn bread muffins (served in mini size for catering), the mashed potatoes, the brownies (O. M. G. delicious), and the delivery guy (laid back, thorough, and friendly). When I've gone to the restaurant, I love the yams and andouille and the chicken. The space inside the restaurant is small, but if you can get a spot on the patio, I would highly recommend sitting outside, especially with a cold beverage. YUM.
(5)
Nora M.
I love this place. Everything is made with real ingredients and tastes great. Super kid friendly too, with lots of options other than the typical chicken nugget!
(4)
Sarah B.
Our group of 11 people stopped in for lunch today and were understanding about the 25 minute wait for the table. We then waited another 45 minutes to get our food, much of which was cold when it got to us. Several tables which came after us were served before us. There were flies and wasps over the table and the service was just generally poor - the waitress hardly checked in with us and it was difficult to get her attention. When our bill came the gratuity was already added in, which would have been fine had our service been anywhere near adequate.
(2)
Rene G.
Oh, my God, Oh, my God, Oh my God! This place is Ahhhhwwsome! We ate family style and ordered almost every side on the menu. Everything was DELICIOUS! I wish I could eat there every day. Greens, black-eyed peas, potatoe salad, dirty rice, pulled chicken, plantains....I'm drooling now.
(5)
Andrea R.
I love Brasa! I have been here numerous times and always been very satisfied with the food. It is usually very cozy and chaotic so I like to get mine to go and go have a picnic or just bring it home. You can't go wrong with any of the options we've tried it all.
(5)
Shatona G.
Great "soul food!" and a nice date atmosphere! There are not too many places to get greens, catfish, and cornbread. The restaurant is clean and the service is great!
(4)
Anna F.
So I understand that this place is busy on fridays/saturdays and my friends and I came prepared for a wait, so the wait is not what I'm complaining about. After waiting for 2 hours in front, my friends and I were finally seated and told by the hostess that we'd be getting some free chips/guac for waiting so long. Seemed pretty nice of them, so when the waitress came around we mentioned this. She just brushed it off "oh no, we don't actually do that", which was a little annoying but I mean whatever, we were ready to leave it at that. But then, the manager comes and says "I heard you were asking for free apps for waiting so long, you know people wait a long time here blahblah it wouldn't be fair" and basically gave us a lecture about how we don't deserve free apps because people wait for hours all the time for their "wonderful" food. Buddy, we didn't ask for free apps, the hostess told us and we were just following up. Honestly, he just turned a non-situation into something that made us feel like we were being entitled cheapskates. And the okayish food did not counterbalance this. I will not be back.
(2)
Emily P.
My boyfriend & I have eyed this place for awhile, but we've always been scared away by the large crowds waiting at the door on weekend nights. Finally we decided to step in while walking around NE in last night's unusually balmy weather just to check out the wait time. The hostess (?) was rather flustered, every table in this tiny garage was packed. Very noisy for a small place with loud & brash customers and a tiny but busy looking kitchen. Eventually we were told it'd be a 15 minute wait for the two of us, we decided to stick it out. Two more pairs of couples & one larger group were seated before us, I was pleasantly surprised when we were indeed seated within 20 minutes. The menu suggested 1 meat portion & 2 sides per person, so that is what we did, everything in a size small. We ordered 1 each of the pulled pork, pulled chicken, collard greens, fried yucca, rice & pigeon peas, and black-eyed peas with cornbread, the house special side of the night. The portion sizes looked small when brought to the table but our large plates were overflowing once we dished them out. We finished every last bite with no leftovers, and we both agreed it was the perfect amount of food. We were full, borderline stuffed, on the starving-to-so-stuffed-I-could-puke scale. The flavors were all delicious, I was impressed with the yucca and collards, though my favorite side was the rice with pigeon peas. My boyfriend loved the yucca, they were like crispy-but-meaty french fries served with a delicious creamy dip. I was thinking of rating this place 4 stars, mostly because the atmosphere of the place turned me off and it was noisy enough I couldn't carry on a conversation with my boyfriend across our tiny table, but then I saw our bill. $23.70 to feed two people on food that is locally sourced and sustainably raised?? Bonus star for that!
(5)
Chloe B.
Brasa has become one of my new favorite local dinner spots. Great food (from local producers!). great atmosphere and great location in NE. For sides, the Yuca and Guacamole are to die for. We always get a couple of small meat dishes for the table and we leave full, happy and our wallets aren't that much lighter!
(4)
Brooke O.
This place rocks, everything on the menu is amazing. I love the pulled pork and all the sides are great. The whole menu is pretty much gluten free which is awesome, get the GF cookies!
(5)
Annie D.
If you're the carnivorous sort, welcome to paradise. I hate committing to a "favorite" restaurant, but if pressed, Brasa might be it. Quality and simplicity are big here, which is how I like my food most of the time. I could live with just garlic, salt and pepper if they always ended up on free-range organic chicken, local pork and fried plantains. Oh, and the CORNBREAD! The buttery, honey-sweetened corn cakes make me want to sneak into their kitchen and steal the recipe. My friends and I eat a lot of family style meals and we loved that the menu was set up for sharing at Brasa (we did not share cornbread---for the record, that would be impossible). Prices are a little steeper than I wish they were, but the quality is up there. Even though we had to wait for a table, we had a round of beers and hung out in the (very) small waiting space, tortured by the smells coming out of the open kitchen. It's worth the wait, but if you get murderously jealous of the people eating, takeout is an option. Wow, I guess I am willing to commit, in a way. I seem to be willing to commit a lot of crimes for Brasa, and that's true love (so says a complete psychopath... or someone who just really likes rotisserie chicken). Tip: Brasa puts on a lot of Twitter deals, especially at their St. Paul location. They'll have free chicken wings with a pitcher of beer or 2-4-1s... all kinds of good stuff!
(5)
Zoey Z.
Deets you need to know: 1. Quick 2. Efficient 3. Always local, fresh and flavorful 4. Get the pork over the chicken 5. Creamed Spinach a MUST! Even for spinach haters. Add Corn bread with honey glaze to your order--you won't be sorry. Going with a big group? Head over to St. Paul location. Looking for cozy? NE location
(5)
Johanna C.
i'm from texas and there's nothing like some good, southern cooking that satisfies your stomach and warms your soul! if you're looking for some good comfort food in the minneapolis area, def check this place out! i had the slow roasted pork sandwich which was delicious and probably my fav item from all the stuff we ordered (and boy did we order A LOT!). you can also get the meats separately but i think the sandwich combo is a winner. Sides in ranking order of best to worst: Homemade chips & guac, Crispy yucca, candied yams, romaine & mozzarella salad, creamed spinach
(4)
Gillian M.
Loved this place - I'm only sad we don't have anything like it in San Francisco where I live. My brother took me here when I came to visit Minneapolis for the weekend. There was quite a long wait so we grabbed a pitcher of beer and headed out front to the patio, which had ample seating. We also ordered some guacamole to tame our hunger, and it was delicious. Service was great, friendly, helpful in figuring out how much food to order for our 4-person group. ALL of the food was awesome. We had the chicken and BBQ beef for our meats, collard greens, yuca fries and cornbread & masa cake to share for the table. Straightforward, excellent food and it didn't sit too heavy in our stomachs afterwards. I highly recommend going here - but bring several friends so you can try several different menu items!
(5)
Dylan G.
Second time eating at Brasa tonight, I will definitely be back to eat there again Service: I thought the service was good. My cup was never empty and the waitress was very informed in regards to my questions. Everyone working appeared to be happy to work there which makes a big difference in the service you get. Atmosphere: I thought the atmosphere was awesome. The building was very clean and the industrial garage doors they have that open up make the restaurant seem very open and comforting. Food: I had the rotisserie chicken for my meat, The skin was crispy and the meat was perfectly cooked and moist. The two sides I had were the: crispy yuca with citrus & garlic and roasted yam & andouille. The crispy yuca with citrus & garlic was delicious, the yuca was cut and fried like french fries and came with a citrus and garlic sauce. The sauce had a strong lime flavor that complimented the yuca. The sauce also came with the rotisserie chicken but I thought the chicken was fine on its own. The roasted yam & andouille was not something I'd get again, the andouille was perfectly spicy and delicious, however the yams were not as good. I felt the need to get a cornbread muffin and I have to say it was one of the best I've ever had. The friend I ate with got the slow pulled pork, coleslaw, and the black beans & rice. I tried all of her food and felt it was decent. The pulled pork and coleslaw were both delicious but I felt the rice was lacking some kind of flavor. I definitely recommend Brasa to anyone. Took my son and it was just fine for him. The best part is that for all of our food it was under $30
(5)
Cory O.
I was disappointed with last night's experience. My wife and I have picked up takeout from there numerous times and the food is always very good. With last night's excellent weather, we decided to eat in so we could enjoy their patio. After we ordered, we waited at least 30 minutes for the food. During that time, nobody came by to explain what was taking so long. When the food finally did arrive, they brought it for my wife and me, leaving our 2-year-old sitting there without anything. Her food didn't arrive for another minute or two. When it did arrive, I asked for another glass of tea (which didn't arrive for about 5-10 minutes). The food was okay, not the excellence we've had before. The pork was cold. My sandwich was pedestrian. The homemade chips were bland. The cornbread was missing that honey-buttery flavor. Having eaten Brasa's food before, I was just disappointed--and the absence of a server didn't help matters any. Next time we order (as I'm sure we'll give them another shot because of their prior success), we'll just order take out..
(2)
Lindsay H.
collard greens!
(5)
Soly Z.
We waited about 30 minutes for our table (we were quoted a 40 min wait but it went a little faster than expected ). The smoked beef was delicious, as were the variety of side dishes we tried. The roasted chicken was good, but nothing extraordinary. The four piece order was actually three pieces, with a breast cut into two chunks. I liked the collard greens and creamed spinach with jalapenos best. My husband loved the yellow rice and beans. The restaurant was busy and the wait staff was very friendly and able to keep up with the crowd while making sure diners didn't feel rushed.
(4)
William C.
This place is amazing. I've only been in the Twin Cities for a few months, but Brasa is by far the best place I've eaten at so far. We got there around 7:30 on a Friday night and we were worried that we'd have to wait awhile for a table. Luckily, since it was just the two of us we were seated right away. There were larger parties that were there before us, but didn't get seated until we were almost done with our meal. So larger parties be aware of the longer wait times, however I must say it is worth the wait. The girlfriend and I ate our meal family style, which was a good choice because everything we ate was fantastic. We decided to try both the masa and cornbread. The masa was one of my favorite parts of the meal. It had a good chewy, but also firm texture. The saltiness of the onion and cheese on top served as a perfect compliment to the sweetness of the masa bread. The cornbread was also very good, though I would pick the masa over the cornbread any day. We also ordered two sides to share. The yams and andouille, and the fried plantains. Both were pretty good, i mean it's fried plantains and mashed yams with sausage so it's kind of hard to mess up. For the meats we shared the braised beef, pulled pork, and the special of the night, miso glazed prawns. It's really too bad that the prawns were a special and not part of the regular menu. The fookin' prawns were the best thing I put in my mouth that night. The miso sauce was perfectly sweet and salty and the prawns were big and meaty. The best part? Prawns came shelled, but with the head intact. I do love me some delicious prawn brains. The braised beef was also fantastic, it was so tender and the bbq sauce it comes with was really good. I would definitely go with the beef over the pork. I felt the pulled-pork was a bit too dry for my tastes, but still pretty good. I'm already looking forward to the next time I dine here.
(5)
Angela A.
I love this place! My mom and I have been in several times for dinner before events, fun to share a few dishes - especially love the andouille and sweet potatoes! Good to get here at off-times, if possible because it fills up quickly during peak hours.
(5)
Jon M.
Ok is it just me or are the portions somehow getting smaller? Even my pork sandwich amazing flavor was light on pork. Hmmmmmm going cheap? I hope not as I would give them 5 every time but the portions are poorly sized. Ps chips and guac might be the best ever.
(4)
Jane D.
Great place for my dad's birthday lunch! Well done sides served family style so we could all try the chicken, rice and beans, pulled pork sandwich, and plantains.
(4)
Sarah C.
The pork. The crispy yuca. Even the rice and beans. Everything was delectable. Our server rocked it. She was polite and friendly but not overly so, and she was incredibly helpful as I asked questions about what foods would work with my restricted diet. The atmosphere is relaxing. We finished our drinks as the conversation rolled, and nobody hurried us out the door. We love. We'll be back. Many, many a time.
(5)
Jillian F.
My aunt and uncle were in town so I wanted to take them somewhere yummy, I was recommended this. My uncle being jewish and my aunt being a picky eater this was a perfect place. I loved the sharing plates idea, and we got a large beef and about 4 sides. This was fantastic flavor, the potatos sides were amazing. And the cornbread melted in my mouth. And the sauce that is served with the potatoes and plantains are to dye for. The drink menu is small, but has some decent choices. Waiting did take a while for a table, but the waitress was fast once seated. The atmosphere was super nice on a summer day but I think it might feel more crowded during the winter. I think you might want to call ahead for larger groups and it seemed like a kid friendly atmosphere. Overall the food wowed me every bite and that would be the main reason to keep going back.
(5)
Olivia H.
I have mixed feelings about Brasa. First just let me say I LOVE THE FOOD. But, I don't always like the service, and the wait is ridiculous. My recommendation? CALL AHEAD and do TAKE OUT. Then you get the food without the hassle. (lunch menu is excellent as well)
(4)
Theresa D.
I have nothing but great things to say about this restaurant! We have always received awesome service and the food is wonderful.
(5)
Jon S.
If I had a week to eat at the best restaurants in Minneapolis, where would I go? Aside from the obvious, (112, Alma, Bar la Grassa, Belle Vie, D'amica Kitchen, Lucia's, and Vincents), you just have to go to Brasa!! They now have two locations and I prefer the Minneapolis one because it is more intimate and the servers seem more informed. Yes, there is sometimes a wait, but it is all worth it in this pulled-meat heaven. Their "cheesey grits" (yes, I said it y'all) is great and if you over-order, as most do, they have cute little take home boxes. Tip: in the spring and summer months they have an outside seating area that is lively and cuts down on wait time.
(4)
S A.
delicious food. tiny portions, jumbo prices
(4)
Jarryd R.
Amazing! Small so be prepared to wait for a table, but it's 100% worth the wait! Highly recommend the pork sandwich!
(5)
Michael P.
Very nice food and atmosphere. The staff was very helpful.
(4)
B. C.
Absolutely love Brasa and try to make a point to come for lunch every time I'm in town, especially if the weather's nice enough to sit outside. I always recommend to get orders for the table to share. My favorites are the rotisserie chicken, slow roasted pork and surprisingly the smoked beef. For sides I stick to the beans, yuca and grits. My only qualm is the cornbread is inconsistent. Other then that there's nothing to not love.
(4)
Summer L.
What is there to say about Brasa that hasn't been said before? Their rotisserie meats are divine, their sides are southernly sinful (read: cream and butter ahoy), and the options for a one-person sandwich are perfect when your group isn't large or full of picky people. I nearly always gravitate towards the chicken; the pork is rather fabulous as well. My favorite sides: the romaine & mozzarella salad, collard greens with smoked turkey, creamed spinach with jalapeno, and the never-endingly awesome corn cake. What's funny is that these have been my favorites for the last four years or however long it's been since they have been open; there haven't been many menu changes in that time. Not complaining. The only brutal part is eating in at Brasa. It's not bad service, it's simply lack of space. The place is friggin' tiny. There's not really anywhere for people to stand and wait for tables except to crowd around the bathrooms, and that's not fun for anyone. And if it's raining or cold outside and the patio is useless, the problem is doubly compounded. It's for this reason that I try to go off-hours whenever possible. I really hate standing around, smelling good food. Brasa is one of those places that is forever notable. And if I were smart, I'd start ordering massive piles of take-out so that I could enjoy it more than once every blue moon when the timing is right.
(4)
Jordan S.
As a vegetarian, the giant chicken and "rotisserie" has always scared me away from Brasa. Biking by, it always smelled delicious and made me envious of those carnivores who don't have to bite and grin into a tempeh concoction and pretend it's just as good. So, I instantly when into "ah shucks" mode when my friends mentioned they were going to Brasa after a casual 40 mile bike ride we took one beautiful Saturday. But wait, Jordan, they have a vegetarian menu. I kicked it into high gear, knowing I'd get to enjoy all the fragrant smells of an atmosphere like Brasa without having to give up my non-meat-eating snootiness. I showered, dressed and walked dogs in record time and hurried back into Nordeast, where my friends were already sitting on the patio, drinking pitchers of sangria without me!! I arrived 15 minutes after they did and no worries, I didn't miss any sangria tasting... there was a wait. Woah, what a wait. Crowds of people in Twins paraphernalia stood in our way. Alright, we were a group of 8, so there wasn't much complaining on our part, but damn. I wish they took reservations. After about 35 minutes, we were seated. I was a little cranky. Forty miles plus forty minutes of standing idly in the sun does not make Jordan a happy girl. But whatever, I was ready to read this legendary vegetarian menu... Um. It's just the regular menu with the meat items taken out. That's fair. I was hoping for a little more variety than two items, but I'll get the Vegetarian Bean Fritter without guac and the Cornbread with Honey Glaze. The cornbread came quickly with everyone else's appetizers. It was sweet and broke apart easily. Qualities I love in cornbread. Soon after the Vegetarian Bean Fritter came and blew me away. It was miles above my expectation of a meat house's interpretation of bean cuisine. The mozzarella was thick and melty. The fritter part did not fall apart into a million different crumbles like the usual meatless burger. Everything surpassed my already high expectations. Brasa's Vegetarian Bean Fritter is excellent and makes up for the fact that it's one of two meals they have for us non-meat eaters. Careful about the hour you choose to go because they are popular and get a couple of orders of cornbread.
(5)
Larry P.
Terrific rotisserie grilled meats. Chicken pork tender and juicy. Wonderful cornbread and some tasty sides, like collard greens, fried plantains, yams with andouille sausage and fried yucca. Wash it down with a tasty local draft beer. Casual atmosphere with outdoor seating in the summer.
(4)
Colleen E.
Brasa is one of my favorite places to go if I'm in the mood for some good southwest style cooking. This location has a great atmosphere, but go a little earlier than you think because it's usually packed for dinner and I don't think they take reservations.
(4)
Angela S.
There isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said. This place is soooo good! I could eat Brasa's pork sandwich every single day. Their chicken and beef sandwiches are good too, but the pork is definitely my favorite. As far as sides go, I've found the rice and beans and crispy yuca to be the best. Oh, and the cornbread with honey glaze. The cornbread is nothing short of amazing.
(5)
Christian F.
The food here is fantastic. I've never had a bad dish yet--I've gone multiple times, alone and with friends, and we've ordered all over the menu. Not one bad dish. It's popular, so there's usually a wait to be seated, but I won't knock a point off for that. You can still order a beer and hang out while you wait, and in the summer the outdoor seating is truly refreshing. Not only is everything delicious, but the portions are quite suitable. Most places try to make up for crappy food by giving you too much of it, and that's what Americans have come to expect (and it shows, in Minnesota's ever-expanding waistlines), but Brasa knows what a meal is supposed to look like. They have enough confidence in their food, perhaps, to let the quantity rest on the quality. I respect a restaurant that doesn't try to force too much waste on the customer.
(5)
P D.
I had been meaning to stop in for quite some time and finally had the chance today. One of the few restaurants in Minneapolis that is gluten-free with the exception of some bread items. Family-friendly very busy -service could've been a little quicker but it was well worth the wait. Sampled little bit of everything - some chicken, some pork, some beef -as well as numerous sides. Yuca, plantains, red beans and rice were all top notch. The green sauce that they give for dipping was amazing (and available to take home for $5 a pint). If you are at all hungry ignore the small and medium and go straight for the large sides - they were the highlight of the meal! Next time I will pass on the meat, but my wife enjoyed the pork. Since she is stuck with a gluten-free diet, the real treat was that the bulk of the menu was okay for her to eat - save the sandwiches and corn breads. Great meat, fantastic sides - we will be quite happy to keep coming back.
(4)
Justine L.
After going to three other restaurants with an hour long wait each, we (luckily!) ended up at Brasa. The casual and simple, yet cozy, atmosphere of the restaurant contributes to its comfort food concept. Among three people, we ordered the medium rotisserie chicken, small pulled pork, and small beef. For sides, they were, unfortunately, out of plantains (our fav!) so, we got the yucca fries and cole slaw. It was surprisingly the perfect amount of food! Everything was great, but here were our favorites and why: - Rotisserie chicken: crispy but not greasy skin, moist meat, amazing green onion infused sauce - Beef (I can't remember what they called this beef): the sauce was bbq meets meat loaf. Definitely hit the spot and brought you back to childhood. - Cole slaw: great sized veggies, lightly coated in sauce.
(4)
Rachel C.
What can I say about Brasa aside from, "GO!!!" The food here is amazing. It's essentially a rotisserie and southern cooking place with family-style eating. They do have a few options to order individual plates, but the heart and taste buds of Brasa comes out in having a wide variety of options to taste and share. Order your meat by the weight (juicy and scrumptious plates full of chicken, pork, and beef), scatter in a healthy number of sides, and end your meal with a cornbread or two. The NE Minneapolis location is smaller than it's newer companion on Grand in St. Paul. The location is fun as the old garage doors are opened and outdoor seating is plentiful. It has a nice vibe to it, but I'm sure it's my favorite over St. Paul simply because this is where I discovered it. I don't think this place would ever be accused of being a healthy eating joint (creamed spinach and yams with andouille sausage are just two of the sides), but with sharing a variety of plates let's you try a variety of foods without having a heaping plate; trust me, you don't want to limit yourself here. My absolute favorite side is the crispy yuca with a green citrus and garlic dip that I would eat as a smoothie every morning if they let me. The dip is always the bowl that gets passed around the table constantly as we delight in our meal. Every time I bring newbies here, the moans of culinary delight far drown out the conversation at the table and I know I've made converts with each trip.
(5)
Etienne C.
Four stars because five is reserved for transcendent experiences. Four, in my opinion, is an achievement in itself. Brasa deserves its reputation. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I tried almost everything and wouldn't turn down seconds of any of it. The pulled chicken might be too good, deal-with-the-devil good. The rotisserie is almost as good but bones are annoying. We got all the sides but the kale, and the only one I thought just mediocre was the andouille and yams. The beans were just so so, but the cornbread was fine. Had dessert, too. Mousse cake! Oh, dear. Each dish come in various sizes. We got everything for one person, small I think, and just ordered more if we wanted. We did. Four drinks, many sides, two mains and dessert later we escaped at under $55. The wait staff is attentive but brusque. They're mainly very young; an older staff might set a better example. My beer was served warm. That could happen to anyone, but it shouldn't happen at a restaurant.
(4)
Minh T.
Brasa has the kind of food that I really love: slow roasted meats, seasoned perfectly, with so much flavor in every bite. I looked at their sandwich list and was so tempted by the slow roasted pork. As it turned out, the list of side dishes sounded too delicious to turn down, so instead, I ordered the slow roasted pork and smoked beef meat plates along with the cabbage and apple coleslaw, roasted yams and andouille, grits with cheddar, and the cornbread. Don't worry, I split everything with a friend or else they'd have to wheel me out of there. Both meats were tender and delicious, but my friend and I agreed that we'd willingly give up our firstborn child for an unlimited supply of the pork, which had the perfect amount of fat to make it juicy and rich. Of the sides, the roasted yam and andouille were the trifecta of sweet, savory, and spicy. The cornbread also really impressed us. The grits were good, but didn't wow us, so next time, I think I'll give the creamed spinach with jalapeno a try. To end the meal, we ordered the butterscotch pudding and the pineapple upside down cake. Both were wonderful. The pineapple cake had a great rum anglaise sauce, which I could just drink -- it was so good. Brasa's has a fairly small internal space, but from what I could tell, they have a good amount of outside seating. I can't wait to go back again when the weather's warm.
(4)
Mandarin Y.
This place was awesome. Good service and yummy food. Ordered the rotisserie chicken and it was so juicy, tender, and flavorful it was one of the best rotisserie chicken I ever had. They also offer a good variety of sides to choose from so I ordered their collard greens made with smoked chicken and their featured side of that night, black eyed peas served with yellow rice, and both sides were very tasty. It's a pretty small establishment so you might want to arrive earlier because this place fills up fast and their parking is tiny so you very well may end up finding street parking.
(4)
Nate J.
I sought this eatery out because of it's reviews on Yelp. I located it easily and was very excited to eat here, and I was very hungry. I parked in their lot and walked in through the roll up garage door, giving a really fun and open atmosphere. The ordering area is clean and simple, I asked a server if I could sit outside, she responded nicely, and seemed really friendly, and said yes. I sat outside where they have a designated eating area, and it was a nice day, had shade and sunshine, a good place to enjoy life, and to eat I I grabbed a menu from another table, because the table I had schosen was without a menu upon it. I sat and began browsing the menu, and out of nowhere, a server appeared. She seemed pleasant, I asked what I should order, being my first time. What I decided upon was Pork and two sides collard greens and a delicious rice mixture , I 4 stars for delicious and comforting food, mixed in with some good soul food. Terrific service, very good and casual, definite recommend. $20 after tipping for a meal, tea, and cornbread. Minneapolis needs more restaurants like this, keep it local.
(4)
Bryan E.
fun place. portions seemed small. Very busy place
(4)
Brad O.
I get butterflies in my stomach whenever I think of Brasa. My first time eating at the restaurant rivals my first time ever being kissed. Aside from family and friends, Brasa is one of the few things that I truly miss about Minneapolis. *teardrop* I'm not a big-time carnivore or anything, but Brasa prepares their meat so that it is flavorful every time. How many meat-centric restaurants actually offer an all-vegetarian menu and a solid one at that? I could write a haiku about this place If I actually knew how to write a haiku. So instead I will just leave you with a few recommendations: The Black Bean Fritter is to cry for. The Smoked Beef and Pulled Chicken sandwiches are so good that you could literally save your failing marriage, beat depression, or cure personal hunger. It's as if all of the recipes came straight from GOD's cookbook, and Jesus is in the kitchen making it himself. If you don't believe in GOD, you probably will after eating at Brasa or at least magic...
(5)
Glen S.
I was simply impressed with the food (and just about only the food) as I ate at Brasa. I hate judging a restaurant simply on crappy service, but I have to say, I felt like the service could have been a little better. It took a while to get any refills of anything and at times, seemed like the guys who worked there were "too cool" to be a server. Now, on to the food. The spices used to make the chicken I ate were amazing. How they mix and match them together until they get it just right is impressive. The meat falls right off the bone and the side dishes are just as wonderful. If it wasn't for the food, I think this place would have been 1 or 2 stars only, but the food really holds the place together. I would highly suggest to anyone who is craving that southern taste or just want a hunk of meat in their mouth.
(4)
David P.
As others have noted pretty great place for carnivores. The have a few vegetarian selections so your friends who lean this way won't go completely hungry. The success of this restaurant really comes from their focus on keeping it simple and doing what they do well. All of it is quite good. But if pressed - I've had the pork, chicken and beef and I have to say I lean towards the beef when served alone. For the sandwiches I lean toward the pork but that is probably because I am a sucker for anything cilantro. The cornbread is pretty great and is probably a must order for those of you who enjoy cornbread. Finally, you have to appreciate that Brasa is one of the few restaurants in the city that serve Mexican Coca-Cola (with real sugar) AND the Original Dr. Pepper with real sugar (which I believe is the ONLY place in town that has it). The latter is a big deal, well, because it is made in one town in Texas and costs a mint to have shipped. Go ahead and look it up!
(4)
Heidi B.
Food is great, service is not so great. Since there are too many other places close by, not my favorite.
(3)
Kimberly T.
I'm so glad I finally made it to Brasa! This place is amazing and the menu allows you to try a lot of plates, which I love - the more I get to eat, the better. We had a 1/4 lb of the rotisserie chicken, roasted pork & braised beef. The chicken was my favorite - the sauce that came with it was incredible. For sides, we got chips & guac, creamed spinach w/ jalapeño & cornbread. Everything was SO good. The cornbread was perfection! The guac was also really good, very smooth & creamy. The salsa that came on the side was also delicious! We got the devil's food cake for dessert, which was unnecessary, but really good nonetheless. We got ALL of this food & a couple beers each for $45. This place is awesome & I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Amanda S.
Holy Sh*t This is good food. I don't ever eat pork, but tried theirs after being convinced of the integrity of the ingredients they use - namely the meat, which is all free-range/local. That pulled pork is just faaaantastic, it's worth going there just to get that. I was with a date and we shared quite a few sides. I usually am not a yam fan but I genuinely enjoyed the andouille & yam side. I also loved the creamed spinach and of course the cornbread is to die for, as many other yelpers have raved. Good atmosphere, very friendly and warm staff, busy, but not a long wait for 2. Go get your grub on kids, this is the spot.
(5)
Scott N.
this place is fanTASTIC! we stopped in on the way to stillwater and had lunch. i had the egg and sausage sandwich, fried plantains, and greens. they got original dr. pepper and mexican cokes. real cornbread - i mean this place is a southern boy's dream in the mid-west. we stopped back in on the way to the airport and i had the special fried egg sandwich, with avocado and bacon (i like egg sammiches). everything we ordered was phenomenal and right on time. i will rave about brasa for a long time. love the fact that it's on hennepin ave. too (primus sucks!).
(5)
Kristen D.
Still a favorite in Mlps. i am never disappointed when I dine here. If you have the chance to have the pineapple upside down cake with creme anglaise, DO IT. You will not be disappointed. It tastes like summer feels. I can't wait to be able to sit outside when the weather gets warmer.
(5)
Chelsey L.
Nom nom nom. Thank you thank you Alex Roberts for taking me to brisket heaven. I was in Minneapolis for a week-long training and really had no clue where to go or what to eat. A friend said this was one of the 5 must-eat meals in America. I was extremely skeptically (leggit Southern food where it's below freezing for months on end?), but after reading some reviews, I trusted you fellow yelpers would not lead me astray. Our party of of 4 had quite a wait (about an hour) on a weeknight, but the meat and fixins were well worth it. We had the beef and pork (both were great, but the pork pulled ahead a little bit) with sides of cornbread, greens, and grits. I had no idea it was possible to get so much cheese in grits. Good good eats. Throughout the wait and once we were seated, service was just right. Friendly and helpful when needed. Bottom line, get yer belly here.
(5)
Carrie W.
Summery: Great food, horrible service. I am in love with their food. My choice: raised beef, grits, rice & beans. Yum and yum. It tastes just right every time. No bad surprises here, just good food. My family has gone to Brasa twice or three times together cause we all enjoy the food. The problem is, every time we go we get horrible service. They don't communicate when the table will be ready, they don't offer drinks while we're waiting, and when we sit down they usually just look pissed we're there. Our waitress didn't even split our check at the end and we had 9 people. Isn't it just a given that 9 people will want their check split? When I've gone w/ one other person they were a little more attentive but lacked friendliness. Lesson learned: DO NOT go in a large group. Keep it small, 2-3 peeps. They can't handle much else.
(3)
Terry B.
Straight up, some of the best tasting food I've ever had. If you know anything about fried plantains, Brasa's will leave you in awe! The pull pork was very flavorful and just melts in your mouth. And with reasonable prices and friendly staff, I will be back!
(5)
S M.
Excellent - starting with the wonderful customer service to the food which was a perfect blend of flavors. I had the slow roasted pork, it was shredded, very flavorful, tender, and even though I ordered the small size, it was a good portion. The sides have to be ordered separately from the meat, I had the fried plantains and the homemade chips and guacamole. The guacamole was probably the best I have ever had. Chips were good, a little greasy looking, but they didn't taste greasy. The plantains were caramelized and could have been served as dessert. There was an interesting sauce with the plantains that was fresh and citrusy tasting (maybe some cilantro, don't know for sure what it was, but it was good.) A weird combination that really worked. My friend had the crispy yuca w/citrus and garlic. That was a superstar, probably my favorite of the sides. All tolled, with my meat and two sides, my friend's sandwich and side of yuca, a glass of wine, a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, and a complementary spicy masa dish, our bill was just over $35. Well worth it. The waitress was really nice, attentive, and was helpful with recommendations. This is now one of my go-to places when I visit Minneapolis!
(5)
Rebecca Y.
I went with a friend for lunch. Maybe I was expecting the best because I have to admit that I was disappointed. Now, I'm not saying this place is horrible by any means. But....I guess I was expecting the best. I ordered the pull pork which was somewhat dry with very little flavor. And no bbq sauce to make it taste better either. The waiter recommended the salad which was mediocre. The best part was the cornbread and honey butter. I probably will try it again as everyone has a bad day. It just won't be at the top of my list.
(2)
John A.
I love the dining experience at Brasa. Small plates to share make it easy to order everything on the menu to find your favorite flavor.
(5)
Marsha L.
Melt in your mouth goodness! Worth the wait! Love the ambiance. Romantic and cozy, yet still hip enough to hang out and get a meal with friends or family. The servers here are all very friendly too. great place. The pictures don't
(5)
Mariel L.
I'm so happy I finally hauled ass to a Super Duper Supper Club outing, and ended up at another gem of a restaurant in Northeast; seriously, this section of the city is slowly becoming my gastronomic nirvana. At first, Brasa sounded like a churrascaria to me, just 'coz of the name and all. Turns out, it's more Peruvian-style rotisserie with classic (and twisted classic) Southern sides and desserts. Everything's meant to be shared, but I doubt you'd be willing to share some of the sides once you figure out how much they're worth fighting for. Yes, that means fighting your loved one to the death over the last piece of honey-glazed cornbread. Because the entire menu has different portions (from single-serve to family-size), it was tempting to try a couple of things -- and I easily succumbed: 1) Pulled pork and pulled chicken - both were very succulent and juicy. The chicken was bathed in a cream gravy, while the pork was seasoned with mojo. Both were crazy-fork tender (have you ever seen a crazy fork? That's gotta be one threatening utensil) and you have to eat it with one of the many sides. By the way, the sides options can get pretty overwhelming, so take as many return trips as needed to try all of them. 2) Creamed spinach with jalapeno - not so sure about the jalapeno (didn't come through), but the spinach was perfectly seasoned and tenderized. 3) Grits with Cheddar - I'm no expert on grits, but I imagine they would be, well, gritty (no sh*t?!), in which case this dish is perfect. The cheddar is sharp and mixes sooooo well with the piping hot grits, and it's an utter taste pleasure, especially when you mix it with the salty pulled pork. 4) Butterscotch pudding with cream - not as fantastic as the budino from 112, but definitely a close second. It's delicate but firm, and there's also a little bit of salt to cut back on the sweetness. Gotta love it. I ordered two cornbread pcs on the way out, and it was still warm when they gave it to me. Sadly, it was so warm and buttery that it tore through the cellophane; thankfully, I caught it. I think it was just fate telling me to eat the first cornbread instead of saving it for the next day. I'm so glad I did, because oh my Dios, it was so DELICIOUS. This cornbread is sooooo pornbread. Sorry grandma, I just couldn't think of a better way to describe these ecstatically awesome baked goods. And, no, the other piece didn't make it to the next day.
(5)
Jon H.
I have been to Brasa twice now, and I will definitely coming back. The food is amazing and filling. The meats are delicious, the sides (especially cornbread) are delicious, and the price tag is, well, delicious? Great value, but that doesn't mean you compromise taste by going here over a fancy restaurant. If you can go here on a non-Friday or Saturday night, it will help because they don't take reservations and the restaurant is small.
(5)
Virginie N.
Best pork sandwich you'll have in your life. The black bean burger is really good too- it has the perfect amount of spice and heat! I highly suggest ordering a side of yukka because they are amazing: it's like french fries but a million times better. go here!
(5)
Dan B.
This is another restaurant that is slipping in my opinion. We used to love this place, the food was great, portions were awesome, and the service was fun. The last time we went in we realized that they had redone their menu. Kiss of death for me, I'm really tired of these places around the city that try to reinvent themselves every two weeks. The big problem was that their prices went up, their portion sizes went down, and there were no "package" meals: A meat and a couple sides for $XX. Now you pay per item, the sides are small, and you have to pay $2 for each corn muffin. Really? The plantains were off, the grits didn't have a good consistency, and the meat was just average. On top of that, all of the tables were sticky because someone had cleaned them with bleach which destroyed the finish, and the server went MIA for a long time. When we finally got a check, it took another 15 min to track down a server and tell them that it was not our check. All in all, I think this will be my last visit here for quite a while. Oh, and unlike every other 1 or 2 star rating on yelp in recent months, I didn't go here with a groupon.
(2)
Rubun D.
I don't eat beef or pork, but this place is delicious. Both the Rotisserie and Pulled Chicken are light and delicious, though I am partial to the cream of the Pulled Chicken. The portions are not huuuge, given what you can end up with throughout BBQ joints in Texas, but the way it tears away easily makes every bite worth it. The cornbread is decent, with actual corn bits in it. The crispy yucca is quite nummy. The fried plantains should be a staple of every visit.
(5)
Jason K.
My wife and I eeked over the Hennepin Avenue Grain Belt Bridge awaiting what a friend of ours said was the best restaurant in the Twin Cities. This guy usually knows his stuff, and this was another win by A.M. We peeked and pawed past many small establishments and ended up at what looked like an old Garage/Gas Station with the bay doors and everything. Very cool! We parked and entered the small establishment that screamed coolness. We sat by one of the bay doors and our waiter was super cool and they had the best beer in the cities, Surly Furious on tap for $4.50 a pint. What was real cool was watching the open kitchen and staff stirring goodies in huge stainless steel vats and the staff seemed to enjoy making quality food. My friend said I must order the Beef and Pork combo platter with the fried plantains. The beef had a sweet, yet smokey flavor to it, but the pork was a heaven sent chunk of pig. I have heard people say real good stuff melts in your mouth. This pulled pork actually does melt like meaty butter in your mouth. My wife took the black beans from the combo and ordered a separate corn bread, she said Famous Dave's was better for corn bread, but I had a bite and it was pretty good. The fried plantains were sometimes sweet and sometimes like potatoes. They had the best hot sauce ever, the stuff they make Buffalo Wings with on the table and I added some drops. Fantastic. So two Surly Furious later, the awesome pulled pork, the pretty good beef, the good plantains, and some good corn bread, I thought it was a solid restaurant. For $15 bucks I would have liked to have seen more pork and beef, but I was reminded everything is local and organic. I don't know about the best restaurant in the Cities, but it was a great atmosphere, solid southern/Caribbean food, amazing service and an overall great lunch. A.M. again is the king of recommendations.
(5)
Samantha L.
Such a fan of this place, been here at least five times. Although they have regular entrees that can be ordered, I've never done it, sharing is the better deal in my opinion. The shreded chicken and salad are my go-to picks. The service can be a little hit or miss, but things get really busy on the weekends so I can't fault them too much. I really dig the family style. Its a throw-back to years past....."could you pass the salad please"?
(4)
Gen W.
I grew up in the Caribbean and the flavor of the food definitely reminded me of home. Great place to grab a bite to eat. Unfortunately when I visited they were out of the dishes that I wanted. I ended up ordering their chicken, cornbread and yucca also called cassava in the Caribbean. Everything was tasy but I would like to try more things hopefully next time they will be more stocked and ready for business.
(3)
Lea S.
I love comfort food. So thank you either Jesus, Allah, Buddha, or whatever other force came down and created Brasa Rotisserie. Unlike most people in life I don't like to share, especially good food! Brasa helps me circumvent that whole situation by creating individual side dish portions. I think I am officially addicted to there Cheddar Cheese Grits. The fried Yuca was also a pleasant treat. It is paired with this tasty sauce that I wanted to bottle and take home. The decor and service are also fantastic. The staff is very attentive and friendly. The servers are very well versed on the menu and are helpful with suggestions (or in my case tie-breakers on which side dishes to order). I cannot wait until the outside seating is available again. I can already feel the breeze in my hair and smell the rotisserie on my cheeks.
(5)
Tan N.
I came here with 3 other people, and with our combined hunger we devoured a pound of Brasa's meat and sampled about 75% of their sides/appetizers. Trust me, it wasn't just hunger that drove us to eat. We had 1/2 lb braised beef and 1/2 lb slow roasted pork. the pork is much juicier and flavorful, but that doesn't mean that the beef tasted like parched beef jerky. i would have been very content with 2 lbs of the braised beef, but if you are forced only to have one, choose the pork. The sides were all excellent, and your choice should really be driven by your own internal cravings and/or your sense of culinary adventure. the sangria- sweet and strong. well worth trying. service was excellent.
(4)
Abby M.
We went here this past Sunday while in town and loved everything that we ate. It's best to order everything family style and try a little bit of each dish. We had the guacamole with homemade chips, rotisserie chicken, pork, beef, yuka with mojo, yellow rice with black eyed peas, veggie bean fritter, and pulled pork sandwich. We ordered smaller portions of the meat and the small sides and it was more than enough to fill us up and give us left overs. The guacamole and beef were the table favorites. It was busy when we got there and we had about a 10 minute wait, by the time we left it was even more busy and the line of people waiting was really long. Our waitress was friendly and gave great advice on portion sizes when ordering the meats and sides. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town and wouldn't mind ordering some catering from here for a party. I know it would be a hit!
(5)
Nathan H.
Vegetarian menu available upon request, well presented comfort food at a very reasonable price, staff were open to and thankful for my recommendation to update a menu item, fried yucca, labeled vegan that came with a non-vegan aioli dipping sauce. Had the three dish sampler of yucca, guacamole and rice and beans. All-in-all a dinning success.
(4)
Clayton K.
Really good stuff here. Their beef is what you need to get, and if you come with an empty stomach make sure you get the dinner for two because i felt that the single portion, while very good, was to small. Also the Chips their are super good seriously get them for an app. The Mexican coke is delish with all the food as well. Eat outside on sunset day inside was a little to warm for me personally, but this was during the summer time.
(4)
Kristine F.
Absolutely delicious! Living nearby, I've kind of gotten into the groove of ordering take-out, rather than navigating their usual packed parking lot and indoor, olde garage-style seating space. My favorite picks from their menu are the yucca fries (big, hefty slices with a tangy green dipping sauce) and rotisserie chicken (perfect crispy skin and marinaded flavor right down to the bone).
(4)
Thomas J.
I've been there three times and have enjoyed it as a place where you can have a good meal with friends, but I must admit that I generally leave a bit dissatisfied. Perhaps its my inability to put together the best combination or my feeling that pulled pork should be a bit spicier. In any case, I realize that it is not one of those places in MPLS where I feel I should bring guests to the city. It's just okay, but this city now has a lot of places that are much better than okay.
(3)
John C.
The understated atmosphere cant hide the amazing flavors found within. By far the best carribean food you will find. Delicious pulled chicken dressed with a citrus marinade, fried yuca and amazing black beans and rice. This place is popular so it is tough to find a table on busy friday or saturday nights. Your best bet is to sneak by the lines and pick up your take out order to enjoy at home. From the first time i discovered it, it became a weekly stop.
(5)
Lida K.
Delicious. Where all my meat dreams come true. The food here is ordered a la carte from the main protein to the side dishes and all in all it's worth for the price. Main Entree - best braised beef I've ever had. But the pulled pork and chicken are also definitely above average, fresh, and mouth watering. The seasoning is perfect -- not too much and not too little. It enhances the food not overpower it. Side Dishes - I adore the cheese grits and the corn bread. But overall everything seems wonderful. Get a veggie and a starch and you're meal will be perfection. Service - The waitress was nice enough and the people at the counter were really fast and friendly. This place is great to eat with friends or family. But the lack of AC and the humid as fuck weather made it a bit uncomfortable. Get in and get out. But next time I'm going to get it to go instead.
(4)
Steinar S.
Delivering great in their league! Good job!
(5)
Char L.
Best part of the meal was the cornbread. I repeat, get the cornbread. It's all crumbly and got a hint of sweetness. Delicous!!! Pulled pork was juicy and falling apart. Very good. Red Velvet cake was more of a brown color. It wasn't overly sweet and the cream cheese frosting was more liquidy than thick. I prefer my red velvet cakes to be more sweet with thick frosting, so I probably won't get this again. Homemade lemonade tasted very watery.
(4)
Katie L.
This place is baller. It's the kind of joint where you order lots of plates and just share everything. The atmosphere is casual, and the restaurant is nice and open in the summer. It is small, however! Luckily we got there at 8:30 on a Sunday night, so we got a table inside right away. The waiter was a great guy with a cool mustache. He had no problem taking a few minutes to explain the menu to us and tell us about a few of his favorites. For our meats we got the pulled pork, barbeque beef, and braised beef. The pulled pork was my favorite-- tender and served with a few lime wedges. The barbeque beef was a big slab of meat served with coleslaw and hot sauce for you to eat with it. The braised beef was shredded up and topped with a great sauce. They were all excellent-- depending on what you like. For our sides we got the creamed spinach with jalapenos, rice and black beans. Loved the rice and black beans. I can't wait to try the cornbread. Next time I'll try one of their sandwiches.
(5)
Abby L.
I have nothing bad to say about Brasa's food, ill eat all of it. Ive been to parties with their food and also on location. Ill continue to come back because of the food. As I've noticed other people have been saying, yes their service isnt the best. Sometimes its downright horrible. NEVER go with a big group. I went there for mother's day, and it took about 45 mins to get seated and 30 mins to get out. With the long lines outside in the rain, we really did want them to eat too, but Brasa wouldnt let us pay! Besides all that, I'm still going back to eat their food. Good service or not.
(4)
Melissa C.
True Story: I once ordered cornbread as a side, got done with my meal, and ordered the cornbread again as dessert. That is some delicious cornbread. I bet that they'd oblige you if you wanted a whole meal of cornbread. Delicious, moist (oooh...point of controversy with cornbread aficionados!) and smothered in blissful honey butter. It'd be worth it. As for the rest of the food, I've only ever had the quarter chicken as a main dish. It's simple, moist and you just have to eat it with your fingers. The food here isn't fancy. It's simple and good. Consistent and homey. And sometimes that's just what you need. Could use: a broader selection of drink options (I'm talking getting a Diet Coke up in there, not necessarily alcoholic... although the chicken would taste mighty good with a Big Ginger. . . ) and bigger napkins. :)
(4)
John B.
This is the ultimate comfort food. Excellent. We shared the slow roasted pork, spinach beans and rice. It was awesome. Great value. Great service. Great neighborhood joint.
(4)
Dainty P.
I thought this was a good (but not spectacular) place! My husband thought it was awesome (he's never had southern food before)! I did enjoy the slow roast pork sandwich and the yucca. But the corn bread was kinda sad, it was slightly better than the jiffy cornbread mix that I could buy at the store (I guess, I had high expectations). Tiny and crowded place. So it is a Friday night, you're gonna have to wait outside (possibly in the cold...).
(3)
Dennis L.
Hoo boy, I can't believe I've gone this long without eating here. I've heard so much about this place over the years from so many people and the praise is well deserved. The food is just amazing! I just did take out so I didn't really get to "experience" the restaurant, but I'd definitely go back. The menu is short and sweet; basically you get your choice of meats (purchasable by weight) or the sandwiches, sides, and deserts. For this go around, I had only tried the sandwiches, the pulled pork, the braised beef, the egg and chorizo, and the roasted chicken. All of them were phenomenal. My favorites were probably the pork and chicken, though the chorizo is really close up there too. Beef was tasty too, but wasn't as spectacular as the others. The meat is tender and the flavor just explodes in your mouth with every bite. And it's not just the meat; it's also the pickled veggies, the cilantro, the garlic mayo, and whatever else that's in there that's fantastic. The sandwiches also come with their homemade tortilla chips, very crispy and tasty, a good compliment to their scrumptious sandwiches. All this praise and I haven't even tried the sides or desserts yet! Without a doubt, I'm thinking this is a place I will frequent quite often from now on.
(5)
Lauren B.
Now, I'm from the Midwest. I don't pretend to be an expert on Southern or Caribbean cuisine, and barbecue wouldn't even crack my list of top ten favorite types of food. That being said, Brasa is one of my favorite restaurants in the twin cities, and I can't say enough good things about the food. The cornbread is the best I've ever had. So are the cheese grits. The pulled chicken and pulled pork are fantastic. Really, there's not a thing on the menu I wouldn't recommend. I would, however, recommend calling ahead and placing a take out order during the winter. Without the outdoor seating, the space is quite small and gets crowded quickly. While this would not be a problem in most places, there's no good place to wait - no bar or entryway set aside for hungry, waiting customers. Just try not to feel too smug as you whisk away your bag of food while the crowd gives you envious glares...
(5)
Jenny Y.
Yum! Just had this about 2 hours ago so it's still fresh in my mind.. I had the slow roasted pork and a side of corn bread and beans.. everything was delicious Roasted pork was tender and delicious.. no grease at all.. the creamy cilantro sauce just made it amazing Corn bread was really good..light, soft and delicious Beans were good too.. they are more a soupy type.. kinda a feel good soup I wish i knew that the portions are small though.. could have ordered more to try! for 1 person.. a small meat dish, and a small side dish is a good size.. not overly stuffed but i would say just right.. only thing is that it's good that i wanna try more!
(4)
Paul H.
Ok for starters...way to turn a midas into a kick ass restaurant. I admit I came in for lunch at 330 pm so it was a bit slow but before j even self seated myself the server was asking what beer I wanted. Just getting done with fixing a customer machine, I was tired hungry and in desperate need of a brew. Food is top notch I had the chicken lunch special. All I have to say is wow. Food good service good...four stars until they surprise me for the fifth next time I'm around.
(4)
Tishawna T.
MEAT, MEAT, & MORE MEAT!!! nom nom nom. This place knows what's up! The group I was with decided to just get the big plates of 4 different meats. You can't miss though... It's all awesome! One person in our group ordered the blackbean burger & said it was good (if you're not into meat). For my side I chose the cheesy grits (honestly had better) but still ok. No worries though, I just focused on my MEAT! There's limited seating, so be prepared for a possible wait if it's a busy time.
(4)
S V.
There is something so satisfying about the simple (but delicious!) food you get at Brasa. There aren't a wide array of menu options, but every single thing just hits the spot, and the prices are so reasonable (we ordered rice and beans, 1/2 lb of braised beef, 2 pieces of cornbread, yucca fries, and drinks for less than $30 - amazing! And we had leftovers!). I'm particularly a fan of the braised beef, yucca, and cornbread (man, that cornbread). As a southerner myself, and a fan of Caribbean fare, I appreciate and love the authenticity of this food. Just as good when you get take-out, too.
(5)
Don H.
After you find parking in the awkward lot or on the crowded street, you'll walk in the front door which is small compared to the space. When you first walk in here, you are assaulted with the sweet sweet smell of meats and BBQ. That's a good start. The decor is really cool, too, with big, chunky wood tables and open ceilings. This is definitely what I would expect. The four of us brought our own bottle of wine and patiently waited for service. Everything initially was quick, then it sorta slowed down. We got our order in, then waited. Then the food came. Between the prices and atmosphere, I expected heaps of food. But there just didn't seem enough to go around. In all, the bill was $90 even for BYO, which seems like a lot considering the food. Everything did taste great.
(3)
Tony K.
My favorite bbq place outside of the South. With the exception of the pulled chicken, which is rather average for my taste, the meats all deliver what you'd expect. The sides are a little more hit or miss. The plantains, andouille with yams, and yuca are the standouts, the bean dishes and grits fall short, especially after experiencing the real thing. The patio is the perfect place to eat during the summer, but the inside gets crowded fast, so consider carryout if you're in any kind of hurry. With a few tweaks to the appetizers and a slightly improved beer list, this place picks up a 5th star.
(4)
KatieRae A.
This places has hundreds of great reviews for a reason...I liked everything I ate. Loved the cornbread with honey butter, and the creamed chicken. Yuca sticks are really good too. I don't know if it's always like that but the iced tea was amazing. :)
(4)
Josiah O.
Better late than never I guess. I had my first Brasa lunch yesterday after church and I wasn't quite blown away, but my menu napkin and even water cup were. It was a very windy day on their patio. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and a side of cornbread with honey glaze. The pickled veggies that come on sandwich could use a little more tang. But, the sauce it came with was perfect, the chips simple but they were a good contradiction in texture to the soft, fall-apart, juicy and flavorful piggy meat that I was savoring. Our server was M.I.A. for a good part of the visit but we did finally get out of there and now I can't wait to go back. Beef next time! Order the iced tea or the lemonade with your pork sandiwich. A nearly unbeatable pairing. This is my first 5 star rating I think, and the only thing I'd take off stars for was our waitress. She was nice enough, just took to long getting back to us. She was standing at her screen ringing us all up when her printers roll of tape ran out. A mistake, it happens, but it still took too long. 5 stars for the food which I want to go get some of right now. I say 'not sure' when it comes to beer and wine or full bar. Pretty certain they do not have a full bar and I didn't even go for the 3.50 Grain Belt. The iced tea was the right choice anyway. So to all of you lushes out there, I suggest you try the tea before you spend over a dollar more for just one drink. The tea gets refills homey.
(5)
Hale L.
There's nothing like a good piece of tender, juicy slow cooked meat! This restaurants prepares them just right and serves them with multitude of delicious sides. We ate the pulled pork shoulders with cheese grits, black beans, cornbread and potato salad. The meat almost melts in your mouth. If I was stuck in an island with only one dish, it would be the cornbread with honey butter. I washed my meal down with a Mexican Coke. My wife ordered the sweet tea, and that was good. Service is excellent at this location. It was formerly a Valvoline Oil Change. They even kept the glass garage doors! If you like simple, unpretentious food, prepared well, then you'll love this restaurant. Make reservations, seating is limited in this location or prepare to wait about 15-20 minutes.
(4)
Cheryl T.
Went again, stuffed my face, wish I could fit more into it, was completely worthless for the rest of the night fighting the -itis from an amazing meal. I don't think I could ever go eat here TOO often!
(5)
Michael M.
Went while not even that busy, all the food was cold. Tasted good though, corn muffins are nothing special at all, even if they were hot. Lots of flys with the open walls. Will return in the winter for another try.
(2)
Shen L.
These simple dishes (which can be ordered a la carte) are surprisingly delicious, and just the right portion size. I ordered the Braised Beef and Crispy Yuca w/ Mojo, which were pretty good. The service on that one particular day wasn't so good, so they actually forgot the Mojo, but the Yuca was good nonetheless. I would also recommend the Slow Roasted Pork and Sweet Plantains. I found the 1/4 lb serving of meat, along with an individual serving of side dish, to be sufficient for me, but the larger dishes would surely be appropriate for hungrier audiences or family-style sharing. I only wish it were open past 9pm!
(3)
Anna P.
I love this place... The Pork is amazing. The service is really good, employees are very friendly and authentic plates are available!! A++...I will become a regular for sure!
(5)
Liz M.
i lived around the corner so i went here a number of times right when it opened...the owners are very nice and have a young baby as i do so we chatted about baby stuff... very nice and welcoming... the food is good, decent food...i like the plaintains and the sampler plate is nice for variety..i like trying a bit of everything so that is cool.... it's small and busy often so go at odd times and you will be promptly served and well taken care of... i miss betty's bike and buns that used to be there but i am glad brasa is in the hood...definitely a welcome addition!!
(4)
Nicole D.
Close your eyes and imagine the aroma of your favorite comfort food wafting around you. Okay, open them. If you're lucky, you will be in Brasa, a gem in Nordeast Minneapolis. Brasa announces itself to the world with bright yellow and black signage and you may be excused from confusing it with an upscale garage inside; that's the look it's grooving. You come for the food. The food: warm, roasted, savory food. You'll eat locally and regionally sourced beef, pork, and chicken cooked on a rotisserie or BBQ style. The sides are deceptively simple: greens, grits, corn bread, cabbage salad, etc. Just order up a plate of meat plus two sides and you'll find yourself projecting Oliver Twist: "please, sir. may i have some more?" It's just that good. It's hard to do simple food this well but Brasa pulls it off. It's reasonably priced, casual, comfortable, and can easily become an addiction. Take out or eat in. I like to go to Brasa for business lunches or dinner with friends.
(5)
Tabinda H.
Super close to college and downtown neighborhoods; extremely cost-efficient and TASTY like manna! I'm a die-hard fan of "Nando's Peri-Peri Portoguese-style" but sadly there isn't any in the twin cities vicinity. This comes as close to it as possible and my roommates absolutely LOVE this place !
(5)
Mr T.
I really liked Brasa. My food was excellent - the chicken, yuca and a salad. The only negative was the service was a little slow at times, but not terribly slow.
(4)
Benjamin C.
a great place if you can get a table. pulled chicken sandwich + side of yucca is my favorite go-to lunch dish.
(5)
Chris H.
Like Josh V, I love meat. It's so delicious and swallowing it makes me happy and satisfied. Ok, that's a little sick but I really enjoy Brasa. I'm usually a red meat-type guy but I'd rate both the pork and chicken above the beef here. Sure the beef is still fantastic but I really enjoy the pork and chicken, with their sauces. I also really, really like the cornbread and fried yuca. The place is super busy and can be quite obnoxious but I'll often order takeout. If you do this also, make sure to open the bag and/or ask if they included the sauces. The sauces are fantastic but I've found can be easily forgotten. Add in a bottle of Mexican Coke and it's a meal really worth the cost. (Last night, I ordered the pork and chicken sandwiches, medium yuca and cheddar grits, and one of each of the cornbreads = $36.) Cons, other than being loud/busy, I cannot think of much. I do wish they'd do some sort of unique buffalo sauce wings...
(5)
Heidi K.
Love this place. Huge portions, good prices. Simple menu with decent variety. Pulled pork, potato salad, and rice and beans are awesome. Nice patio.
(5)
Jessica G.
I was tempted to rate this restaurant a 1 star, so it would be less busy. My husband and I love this restaurant. The food is reasonably priced and solidly, mouth-wateringly delicious. We've been there a few times, and the highlights have been the 12-hour roasted pork, the braised beef, the pork sandwich (which I literally did not put down on my plate between bites, it was so good), the cornbread (so simple, but so buttery-honey delicious), and the crispy yucca (is anything deep-friend bad?). Be prepared for a wait, especially for more than two people, but we've always had good service.
(5)
Dean D.
excellent!
(5)
Michele G.
I was born and raised on BBQ. My boyfriend and I love the stuff. As first time travelers to MN we were curious what BBQ would be like. Yelppers, I can't agree with you guys on this place. We thought it was a mismatched, salty mess. The chicken was fine, not extraordinary but the pork tasted like it had been in a made in crock pot. We sampled a few sides and weren't overly impressed there either. Even the cornbread was just OK. I like the interior and the staff seemed cool but I think this currently trendy new hot spot is a disappointment. I give the concept credit and thought the sangria was nice. We both tried the meat with two sides hoping for something amazing...it was NOT there for us. The creamed spinach was the best side of everything we tried and definitely the most creative. Overall, we thought it was very weak BBQ. BTW, we are from Atlanta and I never once got the feel of the south from this restaurant perhaps Minneapolis yelpers meant south like Puerto Rico?
(2)
Cristin M.
Yum, yum, yum! A friend of mine has been wanting to try Brasa for quite some time, so on my last visit to Minneapolis, I agreed to join her. I am SO glad that we went! This might be one of my new favorite places to eat in the Twin Cities. I ordered the roasted pork platter with red beans, corn muffin, and fried sweet plantains. I finished every last bit on my plate, it was all divine! The pork was perfectly seasoned, smokey, and still juicy. The green sauce (cilantro whatever) makes what is already tasty, uber tasty. The red beans had a nice smokey flavor with a hint of bacon, the corn muffin was big and perfect, and the plantains were just what they should be - sweet and a little crispy on the edges. I also ordered the sweet tea, which is a hard thing to find in Northern states. Theirs is pretty good, but could be a little sweeter. I won't complain though, I still went through three or four glasses with ease and pleasure. My friend ordered the combo plate with chicken, pork, cheese grits, and yams. The cheese grits were fantastic and the sausage on the yams really added to them. The serving was so large, that she brought about half of it home for dinner the next day. Oh, I can't wait to go back to Minneapolis so I can go back for more at Brasa!
(5)
Kevin N.
I was lucky enough to come here with friends when they had the pork belly special. The pork belly was the best thing ive eaten in the past year hands down, we ordered another plate after which they were kind enough to do even though it was past closing time. The sides are great, the collard greens and corn bread are my favorites but the fried plantains the the best bang for the buck. The pulled beef was good but was blown away by the pork belly. The other times ive come here the pulled pork was great as well. Great place for dinner, great service, good beer choices and i like sharing all of the food.
(5)
Jess R.
This food is absolutely fantastic, not a bad item on the menu. Also amazing as takeout. The restaurant itself was a converted garage so it's pretty slick looking.
(5)
Audrey M.
Just moved here from the South. I'm guessing my expectations were really high based off of the reviews. I will say this place is great for someone who was not raised on or has never actually had Southern food but as for me ehhh :-/ Tad bit on the expensive side and bland
(2)
Ronnie G.
So here's the thing. I enjoy Brasa. I do. I swear I do. But...it's not magical. By what everyone says, this place must give you wings. I've come here numerous times and no doubt the food is good. Here's the problem. I don't think Thanksgiving dinner. And that's what Brasa is. Sweet potatos, meat, collared greens. The only thing it's missing is Cranberry sauce (blech). The wait is usually atrocious and I always get a beer, which I'm not fond of most of them (Surly's good but give me some liquor). In addition to being far, I only end up here once a year and that may be enough for me. One tip: Consider getting your food to go and eating at the picnic tables. Shorter wait and you don't have to tip.
(3)
Trin N.
Grits n fried plantains a must.
(5)
Anne M.
Amazing, delicious, melt-in-your mouth goodness. We got take-out last week and I'm still talking about how great it was. Only downside-parking is awful and it's crazy busy. Bring a friend who can circle the block while you wait in line for the best food you'll ever get in a to-go container. And call ahead to order.
(4)
Dan P.
Ok. I've come to grips with the Brasa value equation. You get what you pay for-only not too much of it, but the food tastes very good. Rotisserie chicken (whole) $19.95 vs. Costco $5.00. That's some free range chicken, but it does taste good. Masa cake-excellent. Guacamole with chips- excellent. Beans and rice- very good. New (?) Pork Bowl- nice meal in a bowl for $9. Only issue was creamed spinach light on the crème and flavor-no problem, the friendly server fixed it for me. In cold weather, the dining area is a noisy little box. Better to go after the patio opens- could be June this year. Lunch for 4 including 3 beers = $66. A couple at our table ordered a couple appetizers and skipped the expensive proteins. Not a bad idea.
(4)
Naomi T.
Few vegetarian options, but what I had was very good. Black bean patties or something.
(3)
whistle m.
Came here for lunch and was so disappointed after all of the positive reviews. The portions of the meat were surprisingly small, the pork was dry and lacked flavor (had to ask for salt), and got a side of attitude with the service. We had a problem with our table and the server who brought our food treated us like we were unreasonable and causing her a lot of extra work when we wanted to move to another table. After that, we couldn't have left the restaurant fast enough. The whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth, literally and figuratively. Needless to say, we won't be back.
(1)
Laura M.
The food is delicious. Absolutely delicious. The place is a tad small and the service was a bit delayed (hence the four stars) but the food is worth the trip. I had the pork belly, corn bread, and fried plantains. SO GOOD!! The pork was perfect, cut a piece of that, the corn bread and the fried plantain all on your fork and you are in heaven. They actually did the plantains just right (I should know, I'm Cuban). The children's menu was great and included a drink and dessert. Definitely, you must make this a stop when you are in the city.
(4)
Keer M.
easy and comforting like all the soul food you eat down South made with quality ingredients. plan on waiting for a seat, but you can have a drinky while standing around.
(5)
Liz W.
One of those restaurants where I live in fear of tasting anything but what I ordered the first time and every time after that because it was SO. DANG. GOOD. The pulled chicken in pepper gravy. Oh. BABYYYY. I'm usually a sharer when it comes to letting people I dine with sample my food. And I will gladly let you try a bite of my Pulled Chicken but in my head I'm like, "Please take a small bite." All good restaurants make you selfish. My one tip for Brasa in NE: If you're going to go with more than two people, be prepared to wait a little. Great two-person restaurant.
(5)
Eddie C.
This review should have been written in June, but better late than never! Throwing up my virtual hand sign representing "MAN V. FOOD" and Adam Richman, need I say anymore!! Genius to the owners who converted an old gas station into a fine dining establishment but keeping with the casual and comfortable atmosphere of a blend of Creole and American. I appreciate slow cooked pork and rotisserie chicken and this place ranks as one of my best all-time. We started with Cornbread w/Beans, Crispy Yucca w/Citrus & Garlic (YUM!). Main dishes were the Slow Roasted Pork and Pulled Chicken and washed it down with a cold Stella Artois. I wish I had the culinary critics book for exceptional verbs because I can't describe in words how delicious our dishes were. Enjoyed our conversation with our waiter who smiled when he heard we were from California and learned about the restaurant through the Travel Channel. I'm so glad Brasa represented themselves confidently and whenever I'm back in MN which hopefully will be soon, I will make this place a must eat each time.
(5)
Holly F.
The best in town! The pork is to die for and we can't get enough of the corn bread. The salad is so good you want to lick the bowl when it's done. This is especially a great kid place, which is hard to find!
(5)
Katie W.
Amazing food; enough praise cannot be heaped upon it. Great for those of us with smaller appetites, too, as the family-style portions lend themselves very well to sharing and oftentimes a smaller appetite means a very reasonable bill. Especially during summer months, beware of the dinner rush. Brasa doesn't take reservations, so be prepared to wait, ESPECIALLY if you're coming on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night. I prefer to just eat earlier in the afternoon on weekdays to try and avoid the rush. Luckily service is quite fast, so once you get seated you will be fed very quickly. Brasa is my favorite restaurant. It's the place I always take people if I want to impress them. There really is something for everyone here!
(5)
Kristie O.
Brasa! This place is the total package: amazing food & a casual chic atmosphere with a fresh air, open walls concept & fun patio! My favs: pulled pork; collard greens; rice & pigeon peas (A.K.A. arroz con gandules!). Choose the "Nordeast," Minneapolis location if you prefer chill folk and friendly service to pretentious folk and snotty service. Sorry St. Paul, but so true, time and time again.
(5)
Zach F.
Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I prefer going with a group of about 4 people so you don't need to wait too long for a table but you are able to try a lot of different dishes. They don't take reservations but if you call ahead they can usually tell you about how long the wait will be. GREAT FOOD, seriously I have never had anything I did not like.
(5)
May T.
One of the best take away dinners I have eaten in a long time. Everything people have said about the food is utterly and completely true. We got here before the dinner rush on a warm, late spring day in Minneapolis, placed our order and rushed back to enjoy our meal of tender pulled pork, rotisserie chicken, mozzarella and romaine salad, yellow rice and black beans and collard greens on my friends' backyard deck. It was a beautiful meal.
(5)
Bob T.
Phenomenal food. Great service. Nice atmosphere. What ore could you ask for? Candied yams, yucca fries, and corn bread are musts.
(5)
Mark L.
Well, I think this place gets 5 stars just because I don't know many other places where you can just order plates of pulled and roasted meats. Unfortunately, we came in with a party of six people and had to wait 45 minutes to get a table as the restaurant is very small (used to be some kind of garage/shop), but very popular. In the meantime, we were able to grab some drinks, and talk with the wait staff about what dishes were available. Once we were able to order, our waiter was very helpful in explaining how many people the portions are actually meant for (they come in small, medium, and large denominations) when we had already ordered about double the amount for our party. Thanks to him, we saved some money and still left with stuffed stomachs. Our waiter deserved a solid tip as he brought new dishes on the fly as we ordered them and kept our glasses full (you'll need a lot of water/wine, your choice). Overall, it was a unique eating experience, despite being some distance from downtown (make sure to call a cab).
(5)
Kate L.
2 stars for First Impressions. I didn't even eat dinner here because of it. We arrived with plenty of time for waiting and eating prior to our evening engagement and were pleased to hear the wait for 4 ppl would be about 35 minutes.So beers in hand, we headed outside to hang out and wait. And wait. And wait some more. An hour had gone past and we were starting to wonder - no one else had been seated either based on the group around the fire. When we asked about the status, we were told it would be another 35 minutes or so because we were bumped out of line. WHY? Apparently, a Food Network celebrity had stopped by for dinner (not a show, just dinner) and that took priority over everyone else. He was seated immediately and the rest of us had to wait. If there has been a show filming or some event around this - or maybe a first time surprise visit, I could understand. But knowing full well that Brasa has been featured already on this show - a couple of times, this seemed completely unreasonable. Unable to wait the additional estimated 35 minutes, we left. I don't know that anything is worth over 1 hour of a wait, and considering they have no respect for people's time or money was a bit of a let down. It is the patrons like us that will drive the business - and continue to come back. Since the reviews are so good on this place, I might consider coming - I just hope I don't have the same unfortunate timing.
(2)
Jess L.
Everything is amazing. It's my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities. Things to get: rotisserie chicken, chicken in gravy, beef, chips n guacamole, sangria, yuca*, rice and beans, cornbread* with honey butter, collared greens, jalapeño spinach. Be sure to get lots of extra green sauce and dip everything in it! It might be the best cornbread I've ever had and the yuca is amazing. Also some of the best chips and guacamole and sangria I've ever had....unfortunately the prices have increased over the last couple years but still worth it.
(5)
Crysta M.
Good southern family style meal that won't scare off us northerners. The three different sizes for each option helps in planning out food for a variety of people, and it's definitely designed to share. Ordering sides are a must if you're also ordering meat, because the meat options are just that. You'll get a plate full of meat and nothing else. But add in some collared greens and cornbread and you've got yourself a nice meal. The homemade chips and guacamole are fantastic and work great as an appetizer. Once you know your way around the menu it's a pretty nice place, but the different way of advertising and presenting the food can lead to some misunderstandings. And with summer days finally upon us, their patio is a huge plus for going there.
(4)
Chaleen A.
Came with my husband on a Wednesday night - he's been wanting to go as he is a foodie and heard really good things. The food easily met his expectations (and mine). We ordered the pulled pork and 2 piece chicken - so yum! The chicken was smaller than expected, but with the sides, I am full and pleased! Sides- creamed spinach, rice and peas (beans) and the yuca sticks -- all amazing!! We are looking forward to coming back and getting takeout. :). Our server was great too! HH drinks would be nice, but get it. :).
I love this place. My favorite item is the sweet plantains with a cilantro sauce. Sooo good! Everything I have had has been delicious. I usually go for the pork for two. The cornbread is nice and sweet and the masa cakes are delicious also. I'm just sad I don't get to go there more often.
(5)
Ella Q.
Really delicious. They know what they're doing with food here. Just tried one of the Saffron Rice Bowls with pork for the first time -- delicious. I love the ginger/cilantro dressing and have bought it by the pint. It's good on the plantains, on the pulled pork, on greens, just about anything.
(4)
Irina R.
OK, so for the longest time I thought that this place was a chicken distributing or packaging factory. I blame the logo. It seriously looks like the logo you find on the packaging of a whole frozen chicken in Cub Foods. I'm glad that a friend finally informed me that this in fact is a restaurant. I tried it and it was YUMMY. Pulled Chicken, Fried Sweet Plantains, Guacamole, Corn Bread, Yellow Rice... Any combination of the above will make sure to leave you satisfied. The simplicity (but quality) of the menu, combined with casual atmosphere makes this a great place for lunch either in the middle of the week or a weekend. The floor-to-ceiling windows are also wide open during the summer and combine inside of the restaurant with the outdoor patio.
(4)
Lindsey W.
I truly love the meats here, all of them are delicious. I think this time my favorite was the pulled pork. I also tried the braised collard greens, so yummy! They had fantastic flavor. My hubs loved the corn bread and the crispy yucca. I tried the coleslaw and it was some what forgettable...I would go with a different veggie.
(4)
Alycia M.
When going to Brasa expect to wait. Great things come to those who wait and that is so true when it come to Brasa. They have limited seating both indoors and out. I went on a Thursday night at about 7:30pm, with a group of 7 people and we were told it would be a 45 minute wait and we really did wait 45 minutes. We were lucky enough to sit outside and it was a perfect evening for it (I highly recommend asking to be seated out on the patio) . The service is good and while they have limited seating they do not rush you to get in and out, they let you enjoy your experience. The food is DELICIOUS, seriously. I ordered the black bean fritter and tried some of the yuca. This is was by far the best black bean sandwich that I have ever had and I would order it over and over again. I also ordered their sangria, which is a red sangria and it was very good. A lot of restaurants make their sangria to be very sweet, but Brasa does not. I will definitely be going back, there are too many items on the menu that I still need to try. As for parking, I believe they have ten parking spots in their lot, but there is plenty of on the street parking.
(5)
Kerry W.
Love everything about it. Hard to imagine how it could be any better.
(5)
Shannon L.
Delicious organic Creole cuisine. Haven't had anything I don't like. Could use more indoor seating
(5)
Sheng Y.
Brasa is good, for its portion sizes and prices and for the outdoor seating and feeling of the atmosphere! I love the yuca!! It's the only place where I can rely on crispy yuca!
(5)
Rachel E.
Living near Northeast I had driven past Brasa a few times but honestly thought it was an auto body shop. A few weeks ago, my brother surprised me with a phone call saying he and a friend were in the Cities for the day and wanted to take me out to lunch. His friend had heard of this place because it was featured on a food show so we stopped in. I had a chicken sandwich and it was delicious. The interior is industrial-style and gives a no-frills vibe; still very cool decor though. The only downfall of the visit was our service. It was not even remotely busy when we went but it still took 15 minutes for our server to come by our table. If it hadn't been so snowy and difficult to get there in the first place, I think we would've left. I'm glad we stayed because the service did get better and the food was worth the wait.
(4)
Ellie C.
They have a specific vegetarian menu and you can't go wrong with rice and beans and sweet plantains - and theirs are fantastic! Good service and baby friendly.
(5)
Colleen C.
Well, I see what all the fuss is about. The food is rockin' like nobody's business and I dig converted gas stations and other formerly ugly spaces made cool and awesome by good design and artful tendencies. The order: 2 fresh lemonades (sucked down swiftly) 1 order of hot cornbread + honey butter (it kills me, its so good) Braised beef (1/4lb) (meat winner) Pulled pork (1/4lb) Chips + Guac Chocolate pudding w/ huckleberry drizzle and fresh cream (drool) BE STILL, friends. It gets BETTER. The entire check was approximately $25 + tip for an overwhelmingly excellent meal. Locally sourced, carefully prepared, ferociously executed and extremely filling. Icing on the meat cakes? Service was great despite a full patio on a beautiful 75 degree, sunny day. The garage doors flung open...ahhhhh, it's a beautiful thing. YES, like....$15 per person! What!? Yes. Brasa, bravo! Best meal I've had in Minneapolis...
(5)
Philip S.
Here's another 5 star review for Brasa Rotisserie. It is sincerely good food, and you can probably tell just by it's reputation and Yelp rating and so I will keep it brief: 1. Come early! 2. Order the Pork Sandwich - with the ginger mayo and cilantro. I AM categorically opposed to eating pork, but this is the shining exception 3. Have the Crispy Yucca as a side. Delicious and healthy alternative to fries and a completely unforgettable side dish. I could write a review just about these. That's all Yelp-a-saurs! Come to Brasa, you will NOT be disappointed :)
(5)
Jennifer R.
Yesterday was a beautiful day, which means it was perfect for dinner at Brasa. Since it used to be an oil change place, and they kept the glass garage doors, they'll open them up when the weather's nice, and you get to enjoy open-air eating even without sitting on the patio. The food here is just as good as everyone keeps saying. We had the pulled pork, the rotisserie chicken, cheese grits, and cornbread. Everything was wonderful. I love the flavorful, spicy skin on that chicken, and especially the aioli that comes with it. But the cheese grits! Those rocked my world. I could have eaten those all day. Of course grits are made of corn, but they don't usually TASTE like corn. These had a great corn-y flavor, and combined with the cheese, it was incredible. From now on, when I think of comfort food, I will only picture Brasa's cheese grits. I loved that the food is served family style; it's great if you want to try a little bit of everything. And the soda selections! They've got Mexican Coke and five or six flavors of Jarritos. That definitely puts them over the top in my book.
(5)
Veruca R.
I have eaten at the Brasa in Northeast and in St Paul. I've had pleasant experiences at both locations. We order lunch from Brasa about one a month for our office. They have a little bit of everything for everyone. I'm always impressed that they can take our order for 20+ people and have it ready in a half hour.
(5)
Terence A.
Great tasting food. Plenty of sides for vegetarians. Get the plantains as long as they are sweet/ripe. Takeout service is fast too.
(4)
Krissy W.
I'm obsessed. Whenever I read hundreds of amazing reviews about somewhere, I always mentally prepare myself to be let down. That did not happen. Not one bit. I'm not even sure where to start. But I'll try. They serve beer & wine. They have small yet decent bottle & tap beer list. I haven't perused the wine list, but with only a $10 corkage fee, I'll stick with that. The menu can be a bit overwhelming if you're with a lot of people, but if one person is put in charge of the portions & preferences, it's manageable. For meats, I've tried to pulled pork, bbq beef, & chicken with gravy. All of them are heavenly. But in my opinion, Brasa is all about the sides. I've had the candied yams, creamed spinach, grits, mozzarella salad, plantains, crispy yucca, & cornbread. OMG. I'm drooling just thinking about all this deliciousness. The creamed spinach & crispy yucca are my favorite. I have no idea how they can make spinach taste so heavenly, but they do. Order an extra side of the yucca dipping sauce, it's unbelievable. The cornbread is unreal. I order one for both an appetizer & dessert. It's that good. Not only do my friends & I love this place, I was also able to bring my parents here. I was a little worried that they would be weirded out by the small size & family-style ordering, but they loved it. My dad said, "We felt like we were eating with all the hipsters!" (he meant that in a good way) The ONLY negative about this place is its size (& they don't take reservations). You do have to wait quite awhile to get a table. When my bf & I brought my parents here, we arrived an hour early so my parents wouldn't have to wait when they arrived. Just remember, the waiting is totally worth it.
(5)
Pascal M.
"DOWN GOES FRAZIER! DOWN GOES FRAZIER!" That's what the announcers said after he ate everything on the menu from Brasa Rotisserie. How could one not have tried this place if you lived within the area? I mean, the building is former oil change shop. They even still have the garage, so cool. I ate here while I was in town on business. So good we even ordered leftovers to take to the room. We had tried their pulled chicken in gravy, slow roasted pork with garlic and lime, and smoked beef with sweet-spicy BBQ sauce. For sides, we had their Cabbage and Apple Coleslaw, Yellow Rice and Beans, Collard Greens, & Corn Bread with Honey Glaze. DAMN THAT WAS GOOD! That's about all I remember. If you live in the area, and you ain't been...smack yo self. Go get some of the most soulful creole/carribean cooking you can sink your teeth into.
(5)
Cou P.
Great food which I have picture to prove it that we enjoyed them. Usually people have to wait long for a table but we just lucky to have table right after we walk in. We enjoy every dish on the table, even order more to go, to take home to share with kid's roommates. Even though it's pricy but tasty, will come back and try more dishes soon. (upon daughter's request)
(4)
Susie A.
Amazing pulled chicken sandwich! Just the right amount of sauce and flavorings that you could still taste the juicy large chunks of chicken. Big, square, soft yet chewy bun that melted in my mouth... Chips unlike any I've had before. They were sweet, with just the right amount of coarse salt on them... adicting! and I'm not a chip person. My husband had the braised beef sandwich, which he loved, and my son had the shredded pork from the kids menu. He's not easy to please, but he said it was the best thing he's had! We all loved every bite we put in our mouths! They serve "happy animals" at Brasa (free range chicken, grass fed beef, organic eggs...). So you can be happy eating here too! We'll definately go back!
(4)
Leah H.
We came here on a recommendation from a friend, and ordered the following based on previous Yelp reviews: Chicken & shrimp etouffee .25 lbs Rotisserie chicken .25 lbs Slow roasted pork .25 lbs Braised beef Large side of cornbread & black beans Regular side of creamed spinach & jalapeño I really wanted to try the sweet cafe con leche, but I was afraid that I would be able to finish all that we previously ordered. THANK YOU Yelp reviewers! It was great eats and we wished were had a few more meals in there to try out everything. Great tasting meat and favor in the sides. The black beans were yummy! (Big fan of Cuban food, and the black beans were on that yum-factor comparable.)
(4)
Elizabeth S.
Even when it was nearly freezing and rain poured from the sky, I made the trek to Brasa to get an order of pulled pork with mojo sauce. (I wish they'd give more sauce based on amount of pork ordered; I'm sure they'd give more if I asked, but should I really have to?) The selection of beer, wine, and other beverages is also above average. The service is consistently the worst I've ever gotten. Not that there's much for servers to do, but they have the worst attitudes and can't wait to get you out of the restaurant. Unless it's warm and the outdoor seating is set up, it's not worth it to dine in.
(4)
Noah F.
The best meal I have had in the Twin Cities. Everything about this place is great from the flavorful and reasonably priced food to the warm and friendly atmosphere. Do yourself a favor and go!
(5)
Rachelle T.
I made my very first visit to Brasa last weekend! Most definitely a great spot for the meat loving types. The space is tiny, very tiny and you'll find yourself waiting for a bit while the restaurant smells divine. I ordered the rotisserie chicken and it was amazing! The portion was rather generous as well, I was able to save a bit for a snack later. The corn cake was really tasty as well, I would love the recipe. But, I got to be honest, the sides really didn't do much for me. I got to sample the collard greens, the yams and the chips and they all seemed a bit on the oily side. Overall, Brasa is truly a unique spot for a casual meal.
(4)
Adam B.
This place isn't as good as I expected. Alex Roberts achieves damn near perfection with Alma but bbq at Brasa falls pretty short in comparison. Some of the sides were outstanding and the service was good but the meat wasn't anything special. As a bbq enthusiast myself I wasn't amazed but it wasn't gross. I'd recommend Ted Cook's 19th Hole over Brasa.
(3)
Jennifer J.
Waited 20 minutes for service. Finally flagged a server down who said it wasn't her section, but when she had a free minute she'd take us. Really? After all of that, food was just ok. Won't be back.
(2)
Mo M.
It took me a few visits to really appreciate this place. That's primarily because I never would have guessed that my favorite meat here would be the chicken. And, similarly, that the close second would be the catfish! But for this type of establishment, you would think that the pork and beef would be better. And they aren't truly bad, but there's room for improvement. The pork has been quite dry when I've tried it, and the beef hasn't had much flavor to it. Which, for beef, is weird. If you don't plan out how you order things, it can get really expensive. That's the other reason for losing a star - I understand how ordering family-style works, but for some of the side dishes in particular, you really don't get much for your money. But some - the mashed potatoes and the creamed spinach - are plentiful and taste great. It's all very hit and miss. Best of luck ordering!
(3)
Jeeya A.
Great food. Great Sangria. So happy to have found it.
(5)
Clare S.
You have to get the pork...
(5)
Mazie J.
An absolute staple in any MPLS trip we take. In fact, it's sometimes a deciding factor in trekking to the cities from DSM in the first place. We'll be in for a visit next week on our honeymoon and are quite excited to be reunited with the yuca fries and collard greens.
(5)
Bill S.
Great food. We had them cater an event for us as well ant it was a huge hit!
(4)
Andy L.
Rica and I went here months ago and we liked it. It was really packed, and the car park can fit approximately 1.5 cars. Luckily, someone was leaving as we pulled in. There was a long wait, but that was okay because there are good beers on tap, and I don't mind awkwardly standing in the way of people trying to get to the bathroom or servers trying to reach tables. We got lots of little dishes, which included pulled pork, pulled chicken, yuca, and plantains. They were all REAL GOOD. Today, Rica and I got take out, which involved smoked beef, pulled chicken, yuca, cornbread, and coleslaw. Again, everything was REAL GOOD. Also, they prepared the take out order REAL FAST. We took it home and ate while watching TV. Margot wanted us to give her some so bad, but we did not because she is a dog.
(5)
Yuriy G.
Everything was delicious, food was good, everything was well prepared. The food was fresh and the seasonal apple coleslaw was delicious. The only drawback is she never refilled our water.
(5)
Myly F.
Whether I am at the NE Mpls or the Grand Ave St. Paul location Brasa delivers! Thumbs up: Delicious food and fills you up Decent customer service Good atmosphere Veggie options are good You get what you pay for Thumbs down: Parking (both locations aren't too convenient, small lots and street parking) Go during lunch and get their sandwich, meat, or side plates, bang for your buck and scrumptious!
(4)
Gundy A.
Pulled pork was amazing and shrimp gumbo left me asking for more. Little disappointed in the portion size for the price. 2 beers, 2 meals, and plantains was over $50 including tip and not worth the portion size. I'll recommend Brasa to anyone because food is fresh and full of flavor but warn them about the price versus portion size.
(4)
Adam G.
Probably our favorite restaurant in the cities. Plus we are gluten free and only the cornbread, I believe, has gluten. We'll miss this place more than any other when we move away next month
(5)
Alex S.
Family style deliciousness. The flavors at Brasa are sooooo good. Good for all occasions.
(5)
H B.
the food is horrible yuk!! no taste bland, not real southern carrib food I was looking for the catfish and macaro and cheese they don't serve it at this location the brasa on grand is much better. my guest was not happy about the food, New cook!! C- rating ;( they really need help wit the greens , they were not washed enough. terrible
(1)
Aimee N.
Great home style cooking with great atmosphere. The location in Northeast opens up when it is warm out and the food is amazing and if you are there during great weather, it is a great atmosphere to enjoy a meal with friends and/or family. I prefer to come here with a group, we were able to order a number of items to share. Pick a few proteins and many sides! Some of my favorites are the collard greens with chicken. So good! If you walk towards the bathroom you will see Andrew Zimmerman's photo and endorsement if Brasa. That guy knows his food for sure
(4)
Jennifer S.
A 45 min. wait on a Friday eve. standing in a crowd of people all waiting to have dinner. Atmosphere was friendly and bustling, and the staff behind the beverage counter were helpful and polite, neither rushed nor annoyed by questions. After our standing-around-in-a-crowd-visit with a glass of house red wine in my hand, and one of sangria in my friend's, we were seated across from one another at a small table right where all the staff were going into and coming out of the kitchen. She and I had to do a LOT of leaning into each other to hear one another speak. Our server was really pleasant, cheerful and helpful, and even recommended we try one of the night's specials, given that it's not usually offered. Thus, we both ordered their "catfish special", and also several single-serving sides: collard greens, coleslaw, yams with Andouille, and creamed spinach. Our plates were delivered with three large fingers/strips of crisply coated (with cornmeal) and fried catfish, a few slices of house-made bread-and-butter pickles, and individual cups of a tartar-type sauce as well as a buffalo-type sauce. There was no doubt that those pieces of fish were fresh out of the fryer! They were so tasty - hot, crunchy-crisp on the outside and delicate and moist on the inside. Each of the sauces was good on the fish. I first tried the collard greens. They had some smallish-pieces of ham or smoked chicken mixed in with them. They were tasty and well cooked. Next, I tried the creamed spinach. Oh, yum. I'm unsure whether I've ever eaten creamed spinach, although I imagine this was the style of spinach I loved as a child. My parents have told me that as a wee one, I loved eating (canned) cooked spinach because "Popeye" ate it. I loved watching that cartoon. Then I tried the yams with Andouille sausage. I liked it because I love cooked yams and sweet potatoes; however, the chunks of Andouille added nothing for my tastes. Lastly, I tried the coleslaw. All components were finely sliced and well combined. It had a dressing so light its taste was barely detectable. I thought it was great! As we grazed through our dishes, we talked and caught up with each other's lives and noted how the restaurant emptied out as time carried on. Maybe next time, we'll just come in later in the evening rather that standing around waiting in a crowd. But no matter what, I will be back to try some of that awesome-looking rotisserie chicken!
(4)
Anya C.
Chicken is the best. Pork was great. Beef was ok. Corn bread was great. Coleslaw was different/fresh. Guacamole was good. Collard Greens was great.Tortillas was great. I would prefer the fresh lemonade to be more sour and less sugar. Service can be better(constantly can't find server - but I guess it's a sort of self service store)
(4)
Melissa S.
I grew up in North Carolina and now living in Minneapolis, I greatly miss my Southern food. For authenticity, I was not impressed. The way the grits were prepared I have never seen before and it was inedible. The "sweet" tea - Nope! You have to add a mountain of sugar for it to be Southern sweet tea. The rest of the meal (rotisserie chicken, plantains, cornbread) were fine but not Southern. I would go back for the chicken as it was flavorful and moist, but not when I'm wanting Southern food. I liked the atmosphere at this Minneapolis location; trendy, bright, but could get loud on a popular night.
(2)
Doug M.
Well this was an interesting, but fun, adventure. I was looking for someplace local to grab dinner, and Brassa Rotisserie came up on Yelp as well-recommended. So I hoofed on over about a dozen blocks. As I came around the corner, I saw this kinda sketchy-looking converted auto garage. But once I got inside, I was greeted by friendly staff, and saw that Brassa had been set up pretty well inside - making good use of the glass roll-up garage doors to allow a bright, airy feeling. Yet they still kept the "semi-converted" repurposed bldg feel that is oh-so-popular nowadays. The clientele was very diverse, ranging from blond dreadlocked moms with two small kids to elderly conservative couples. Good people watching. My server was very helpful. I told him this was my first time at Brassa, so he immediately walked me through the menu and format, suggesting amounts that were good for one or two people (e.g. meats come in small, medium, or large), and which meats and sides he liked best, what paired together well (e.g. which bread to pick), etc. All of this was done in a friendly, sincere manner. I was looking for something non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated to drink, which led to the hot teas, and the rooibos tea was suggested. It is a red herbal tea from Africa. Honey was suggested to go with it, which was a good choice. While rooibos was actually somewhat sweet by itself, the honey gave it more fullness. I know it was just from a tea bag, but it was nice to have a different type of option. I wound up ordering the recommended slow roasted pork for the meat - It was tender, juicy, and flavorful. My first side was roasted yams & andouille - This was an interesting mix; yams were smooth but not bland, with the andouille chunks giving it just enough zest. My other side was crispy yuca w/citrus & garlic - These were essentially cassava fries with a creamy citrus/garlic dipping sauce; but good in that they were sized more like steak fries and were not so dense and greasy like potato fries can be. Finally, my bread was cornbread w/honey glaze - A good firm single-serve cup/loaf of cornbread with a generous topping of sweet and butter; yum. The food items are all brought in their own small bowls or plates, which you can then add to a large plate that is already at your table setting. Whenever my water glass or tea cup was empty, it was promptly refilled (or I was offered more hot water). Always nice for a big water drinker like me. Not much more to say about the dinner. It was relaxed, staff members were top notch, and food was flavorful. It met my expectations based on other reviews, and I recommend it too.
(4)
Travis R.
Everything here is phenomenal! My favorite restaurant in the twin cities! Try the beef or chicken, and the corn bread is better than cake.
(5)
K M.
Walked in and it didn't look like much, had the side door was a garage door, kind of cool feel to the place.......but the bbq is amazing. Had the chicken, ribs, brisket and pulled pork. The stand out was the brisket. 14 hours of smoked awesomeness! My friend liked it so much that he got a whole one to go and ate it in the hotel room. The sides are good, liked the red beans. It is a bit pricey , but the quality is top notch.
(5)
Lindsey R.
Delicious. I've never been disappointed by any of the food. Service is great, even when you show up for takeout and there's a line, they find a way to make you feel like you matter as a customer. I wish it didn't cost so much, or we'd eat there more but at the same time it's a fair price for great tasting, high quality food in a high demand area so I totally get it. LOVE: Rotisserie chicken, pulled pork. LOVE THE MASA CORN CAKES, brussels sprouts, the greens, all sooo good. All the other meats and sides have been good, just not the super craveworthy ones listed above. I have never, ever tried anything at Brasa that I didn't like. So good. Great environment. So fun. Yum!
(4)
Scott E.
It is not the fault of Brasa (or is it) that on the two occassions we have been here our conversations have evolved into an argument. We are a couple that rarely has tension in our relationship, but the moments here have been award winning emotional hell. We don't shout, rather the quiet smoldeing anger...sound fun? LOL. Anyway this has clouded the experience here. The first time it was raining hard and the second time was a very cold night. The old garage is well designed. The staff is professional and always working hard. Parking can be difficult. The food was good.The chicken is worth the visit and is served fast at a fair price. Next time we need some tension in our relationship we will be back...lol, just kidding.
(4)
Joe S.
Everyone at my office loves this place and it was on the top of my list of restaurants to sample as a new Minnesotan. This food was amazing. Chips and guacamole were quickly consumed by my fam. My kids especially like the corn bread. We samples all the proteins and sides. Everything is great, but I enjoyed the pulled chicken and collard greens. Super busy on a Friday night, we came early and still waited nearly 45 mins for a table (4 in the party). Highly recommend.
(5)
Reid S.
Great prices Great quality. Great service. Awkward waiting area. Hard to find parking. We had a fantastic server that helped our table of four adults select both the right amount of food, and dishes that would compliment our tastes. I will definitely return.
(4)
Tracy G.
VERY good pulled chicken, but the price was quite high for the amount I got for take out. Not sure I would do that again. I will be back to try some sides and sandwiches though, I heard thats where it's at!
(4)
Johanna V.
Brasa will always hold a special spot place in my heart. Not only was it the location of the first date with the boo, it is also the only restaurant I have been to in the twin cities with collard greens, grits, and cornbread on the menu. This place is like a big hug for my inner Southerner. They serve downright scrumptious food. The pulled pork is sweet and tender. Their chicken is juicy and well-seasoned. The fried yucca is to die for. We recently tried the masa torillas n' fixins with pork as well as their chips and guacamole. Everything was fresh and flavorful. I like that the structure of their menu allows you to play with the theme of your meal.
(5)
Stephen M.
It seems unorthodox to give Brasa fewer than four stars based on others' reviews, but on my visit, two is generous. We arrived early on a Monday. It was crowded already at 6pm. The wait wasn't bad, but they could really do with a waiting area. There were lots of people trying to get to and from the tiny counter where beer was being sold, and no places for them to sit or stand without being in the servers' way or practically sitting on the tables of those already seated. Okay, it's a small and popular restaurant. I get it. But a little organization and/or guidance as to where you're supposed to wait would help everybody. The wait wasn't long, maybe 15 minutes. But once seated, the service was slow. Our order was taken quickly and the server had good recommendations, but then I watched my beer sit on the bar for a full 10 minutes getting warm while no one brought it to me, and we waited a pretty darn long time for our food. We ordered a good variety of things: pulled chicken, rotisserie chicken, and smoked beef, along with yams, yuca fries, and cole slaw. I'll start with the good: the yuca fries were absolutely outstanding. Perfectly crisp fried outside, full of flaky yuca flesh, flavorful, and accompanied by a delicious sauce for dipping. This was the highlight of the meal for me. The yams and slaw were pretty good, too. The spiciness of the sausage in the yams complimented the candied sweetness of the starch, but the whole thing was pretty soupy and sloppy. It seemed like it had been made with too much liquid, butter, cream, or whatever they use to mix it all together. The slaw was nice - crispy, flavorful, and a nice foil to the meat (which is all slaw should really be, in my opinion). The meats, then. My expectations were high and they were most decidedly not met. The pulled chicken tasted like a can of Campbell's cream of mushroom soup. I'm not exaggerating; it tasted more like salty, creamy mushrooms than like chicken. The flavor of the meat was completely overwhelmed by the gravy. This would be okay if the gravy tasted homemade rather than like something out of a can, but with every bite I just thought about Campbell's being force fed to me as a kid when I was sick or my mom was lazy. The menu description promised peppery flavor, but it was completely absent. I don't know if I've ever had a dish with such a big discrepancy between the Yelp consensus (amazing! incredible!) and the actual thing (completely underwhelming). The rotisserie chicken was flavored well but was just plain overcooked. The meat was flaky and dry, not moist and soft like roasted chicken should be. I can roast a better chicken than this at home. This is another thing that makes me think they just don't have enough people working in the kitchen. If it had been taken off the heat 5-10 minutes earlier, it would have been great. But we got an overcooked bird, like your Grandma's dry Thanksgiving turkey. The smoked beef was better than the chicken dishes. It was nicely spiced and the browning from the braise was evident. A good combination of textures. It was a little dry, though, like it had been left without enough liquid in the braise for a little too long. A decent meat dish, but not a great one. Based on how positively people have rated this place, I'm willing to give it another try. It seemed like they must have been understaffed in the kitchen and on the floor, hence the chicken roasting for too long and the food and drinks taking forever to reach us. I really hope we just caught them on a bad night and that if we return we'll be satisfied.
(2)
Elena P.
The menu is very well-constructed in terms of what's on offer, and the pulled pork I got was well-cooked and tasted good. Unfortunately, that's where my praise ends. The lime I got with the pork wasn't ripe at all and yielded none of the juice the menu indicated I'd be getting. I get it, it's April in Minnesota - but if you can't source juicy limes, you should be just using lime juice. I'd rather bottled lime juice than no lime taste at all. On top of that, the sides were very bland. The guacamole didn't taste like much of anything - no hints of onion, lime, or anything like that - and the salsa was sort of blandly hot. (This on top of the fact that I didn't want chips and guac, I'd ordered one of the rice sides). The cornbread was fine, but relied heavily on sugar and didn't balance that out with any savory notes. I get the feeling that they have modified the menu so that people who like more spice could toss on condiments, but since the foods they're deriving from rely on seasoning as they cook, that sort of model really doesn't work. Service-wise...eh. We apparently came during a shift change. It was chaotic and we had to wait a long time for our food, and again, my order was wrong. I didn't regret my meal, but I wouldn't come here again.
(3)
kyle t.
Birthday dinner score! I have wanted to come here for such a long time and what a better event than a birthday dinner! I loved it from the minute we walked in the door! The place is much smaller than I thought it was going to be but I see now why there is always a wait. I must say I am planning already to come back in the summer when the bay doors are open and the patio is in full swing. That said the wait wasn't long and the service from beginning to end was fantastic! We shared a couple of meat dishes, the pulled pork and the pulled chicken and as much as I love pork the chicken rocked! For sides we shared the rice and beans (very good), the fried Yucca (amazing with a great dipping sauce), sweet potatoes with chorizo sausage (both our favorites) and the mozzarella salad which was one of the best salads I think I've ever had! The food was so good, fresh, flavorful and add to it great service and a very reasonable tab, hell of a night! Can't wait for summer and a table on the patio at night! KT
(4)
Sagar P.
The wait can be long...but well worth it for amazing food that will leave you having dreams about it in the days to come.
(5)
Jaris J.
Very good meal, we got the chicken and some vegetarian sides. Everything hit the spot; the sauce that comes with the chicken was outstanding.
(4)
Brian S.
There's something to be said about natural, locally produced ingredients in food... and it's almost always good. Brasa Rotisserie is case in point. That roasted whole rotisserie chicken was legit. Perfect crispy skin and moist meat. Also had the homemade chips and guacamole, crispy yuca, collard greens, and corn bread with honey glaze. Wasn't a big fan of the collard greens but the corn bread was rich and delicious.
(5)
Sarah S.
I am from the south and when I moved here to Minneapolis, one of the downfalls was that people looked at me like I was crazy when I wanted grits, gravy on my biscuits or offered to cook Brussels with bacon. Scandinavian food is delicious but it's no soul food. When I heard about the reputation (all good) of the amazing chef behind Brasa and then realized it was just a mile walk from home, we decided to take family in town to the location to all try it. The location is small, there were food on the floor and the service was confused as to what waitress was ours but we found a small table by the collapsible garage doors and ordered some sweet tea (ahhh Lipton sweet tea). The menu was awesome - roasted chicken, cheesy grits, okra and the table was even adorned with the appropriate southern pepper vinegar!! I was tickled that it all looked so delicious. We all got pretty much everything on the menu and picked off each plate and all of the food was delicious. The sweet yams were amazing and buttery, the chicken was covered in a tasty salty gravy and the grits were perfect! We declined to order dessert because we were all super stuffed but we cannot wait to head back to Brasa sometime soon! The prices reflect the gourmet southern soul food and a check for four people who all had some kind of an alcoholic drink on top of sweet tea was about $72 bucks before tip.
(4)
Angelina B.
Great food, good price.
(4)
Jessica Z.
LOVE this place! It's our "go-to" for a quick, inexpensive, but really delicious meal!
(5)
Drew P.
Excellent Cuban/Caribbean food. The atmosphere is nice and modern, and everyone we spoke to was helpful and friendly. Gluten Free was easy, lots of menu options and the staff was knowledgeable. The roasted pork and pulled chicken were very good. Really everything we tried was great. Their homemade pineapple ginger soda was great. They're spicy vinegar is a nice addition to the collard greens and roasted pork.
(5)
Mai Y.
Amazing. Just amazing. I ate here yesterday and my mind is still blown. We went in and got their special, the pork belly. It's basically a thickened and jucier version of bacon...this place sure knows how to do barbecue. I am impressed. I recommend doing their pulled pork for meat. It literally melts in your mouth and is heavenly goodness. Don't forget to add the cornbread. Highly recommended. It is perfection. The taste and texture is just right. It's not one of those cornbread sides that taste dry or like it's been sitting around forever. I think all the sides tasted fine, but these were the standouts: -Collard Greens -Spinach and Jalapeno -Grits We also ordered the plantanes (they give you a huge portion!) and rice with olives - both good, but not a standout. This place is so much for fun if you share the plates! It does run a little on the expensive side, but it's worth it every once in a while.
(5)
Brian S.
The meat is tender and the sides are tasty, I'll be here again.
(4)
Nikki S.
Food is always amazing. Staff is nice. Great part of town, easy to find parking and on bus line.
(4)
Neil K.
My favorite restaurant in the Minneapolis area. I come here about every week or two, with the pulled chicken in gravy accompanied with spinach and greens being the go-to meal. Seeing complaints about the price makes me scratch my head. I'm a big guy and have never left here hungry. In fact, I usually have enough leftovers for lunch the next day. As long as you don't go nuts on drinks, dinner should run about $20 per person, with a meat portion and two sides - which is good value in my book, especially considering the quality of the food. If you don't want to eat "family style", they do offer sandwiches and bowls which are pretty tasty. If you go during lunch/brunch, they also have plates that have a meat with your choice of bread and side. Waitstaff here is always very nice; they quickly get to remember you and what you order, as well as giving suggestions about new menu items. I've never gotten that pretentious hipster vibe you get at some wannabe foodie NE places. Some suggestions: Parking outside is limited, probably about 5 or 6 spots. You probably will have to find a space on the street. There is usually something available within a block or two, but if you don't like parallel parking, you can take the bus - the number 2 stops right outside and it is also accessible by the 4. This is a small restaurant. There is usually a wait most nights, especially Friday through Sunday. If you're in a rush, this is not the place for you. But you can get a drink at the bar to help pass the time. Things are better during the warmer months when they can open up the patio seating, which is very nice on warm summer nights.
(5)
Katie B.
The beef. Wow. This place is my happy comfort go-to spot!
(5)
Anne D.
Brasa catered my recent wedding and it could have not been any better. Ash was awesome at ensuring everything went smoothly and coordinating with the other vendors. The food was amazing (notably the Mac and Cheese). I would definitely recommend their catering services.
(5)
Michael L.
Still love this place. Very affordable, very good. All the sandwiches are great, all the sides are great, what can I say, it's all good. Even the desserts are very good and a steal at only $3.50, at least the pear honey cake with mascarpone cream I had last night was fantastic. The only thing that could be improved is the beer list, only 3 taps (Surly Furious, Hell, and Bell's Brown recently). But it is usually so crowded I guess they don't want people hanging out here just drinking. They also have Sangria.
(5)
sam a.
Some of the best food in Minneapolis; maybe a bit on the pricey side and atmosphere a little cramped during the winter (with outdoor seating closed.) Every meal I've had here has been terrific.
(4)
Incalc U.
mmmm....Brasaaaaaa...The staff are knowledgeable, the atmosphere (plus the outside dining during warm months), is nice, and the food is amazing! Plus, it's a fun way to eat because you can order "family style", i.e., try a bunch of different sides and mains in smaller portions and share with the others at your table. I This is a great place to go with friends or a partner....it's also a great place to bring out of towners!
Pulled chicken in cream gravy with cilantro mayo sauce is ridiculous. Pair that with black eyed peas/rice and some creamed spinach w/jalapeño and your taste buds will punch you for not introducing these foods to them sooner. Love this place but always have to request the cilantro mayo sauce multiple times before it finds its way to my plate. NBD, really, just means my mouth has to do without the ck for a couple minutes - MUST have that sauce on it. MUST!! Really can't go wrong with the a la carte menu, IMO.
(4)
Ben W.
The food at Brasa is really good. Food portions are not large, but the quality is good. I really recommend the fried yucca, the romaine mozzarella salad, and the pork.
(4)
Gerard T.
I went to this place about 8 months ago, but remembered how great the food and staff were. I'll be in the area this weekend and will definitely be going again. It was a little bit of a wait time, maybe 30 to 40 mins so make sure you call ahead if you are going on the weekend. Everything on the menu was scrumptious!!!! Moderate prices and somewhat of tight or intimate ambiance. All in all, great food, great experience, etc. I've recommended it to a few people. Not from Minneapolis but love this place!!
(5)
Beth A.
Oh Brasa, how I love you. I love your shareable portions, your lovely patio and your delightful soul food. But damn, you are busy. I discovered that the secret is to call in an order To-Go and within the time it takes for me to drive there, it's ready. This way I can order a bunch of food and save $$ by drinking at home! Mama hates lines but loves the black bean fritter sandwich and Yuca fries. The food is 5/5, but Brasa scores a 4 due to lack of seating... I still love you!
(4)
Dan C.
This was our 1st visit. The atmosphere was inviting and the food was good. We will be back.
(4)
Dawn S.
I couldn't believe how busy they were at 8pm on a Sunday night. We didn't wait long, but every table was full. The service was good. I love it that they have a separate Vegetarian menu. I've eaten at both the Minneapolis and St. Paul locations and each has different items on their menu - like St. Paul has macaroni & cheese and potato salad, but Minneapolis does not. The small sides do serve one, but two or three people could share a small if ordering separate proteins and ordering more than one small side. We tried: rice and pigeon peas w/ham sofrito cornbread and black beans crispy yuca with citrus garlic sauce homemade chips and Guacamole coleslaw smoked beef chocolate cake chocolate pudding Everything was really good. I'd definitely go back for more!
(4)
Cassie M.
This is my favorite summer dinner spot in the twin cities. Their pulled chicken is to die for and I've never had better creamed spinach. The jalapeño gives it a really nice kick. I've yet to try their dessert because I'm always to full from the great sides.
(5)
Adela J.
Tried some different items on the menu today: Rotisserie Chicken: Well seasoned tender pieces of meat. It didn't really have specific taste or any pop in flavor. I personally think that the grilled chicken at the Cub Foods Deli and Pollo Campero is the best. Having tasted all the meats at Brasa now, I'd say the gravy pepper chicken is still the best and this is the next best thing. Romaine & Mozzarella Salad: It was okay. It had tortilla shreds in it. I couldn't make out the mozzarella or dressing. Collard Greens: Pretty much like cooked Spinach. It was well seasoned but I couldn't make out the smoked chicken that was supposedly in it. Roasted Yams: Your standard mashed yams. I liked them. The sausage (with a kick) on the top was a nice salty touch.
(4)
Jay E.
My grandmother was from the deep South; my family - all 100 + of the wonderful weirdos - are from Harlem and Brooklyn. I ate oxtails, pigs' feet, grits, cornbread, rice & peas... all-a-dat growing up. My Grandma had a chitlin recipe that called for a 40 of Ballantine Ale - black enough for ya? All of which is to say, I will turn my nose up at some stank, doodoo, imitation soul food. Brasa ain't that. Brasa is its own thang: a Northeast Minneapolis take on Southern cuisine that hits the right notes, consistently. DAT CREAMED JALAPENO SPINACH, SON! IT'S GOOD! Let me, uh, curb my enthusiasm. Much of the menu is good. The grits pass the authenticity test; the pulled pork does indeed melt on the tongue; the chicken is top notch; dem grits... THEY GOOD! I'm heading back this weekend, for the 5th time. Love that outdoor seating too. *milli vanilli joyous kickstep*
(5)
Christi H.
I love Brasa! My boyfriend took me here on our first date, and it was a great experience. Its kind of a order in portions and share type of place. They have unique choices, and the food is great quality at a very reasonable price. I would highly recommend this place, you can spend $20 for two and walk out plenty full and happy. The atmosphere is different and cozy. If you're looking for something different and super yummy, this is the place to go. My boyfriend and I have since returned and were just as satisfied as the first time. Brasa rocks!
(5)
Sara W.
Brasa, why has it taken so long to proclaim my love to you? I hate picking favorites... but you might in the running for my fave restaurant (don't tell the others). Hello southern deliciousness! I love eating here, because it's a place you come to share (or not share if you're greedy) & eat multiple, delicious things. Most all of their items are organic, and sourced from the Midwest. Now onto a few menu items I enjoy over and over again: CRISPY YUCA, cornbread with honey glaze, pulled chicken, & candied yams. Seriously, I could eat that yuca everyday. Keep in mind that the space at their NE location is limited, so not great for a large group. Their St. Paul location is bigger, but I find the NE space to be a little more cozy.
(5)
Jill P.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul. I love sharing dishes and I usually order more than I need so I can have leftovers. Also Brasa catered our wedding and everyone loved it. We also got two kegs of the homemade soda and that was a big hit too. It was very reasonably priced for catered food and the service was wonderful. I recommend Brasa for any catered event.
(5)
Justin O.
Even though I have always been a fan of Brasa, I moved in across the street recently and it has now become my standby for a quality takeout meal. Their slow cooked beef is very satisfying, and their fried yucas with the green sauce is one of my favorite things to eat period. I would also recommend their collard greens, which are very flavorful but at times can be a little too salty. The only two things I can gripe about would be that it seems like their portions of meat are a little over priced for the amount you are given. Also, one of the last times I was in there I ordered a catfish sandwich, which is normally delightful. I understand that the place was jumping on a Saturday night and cooks can lose track of quality at times, however my catfish was raw in the middle and that was a huge bummer considering how much I loved it previously. I would still recommend going to Brasa, there just might be a couple hiccups along the way.
(4)
Reggie F.
Pulled chicken sandwich is delicious! I think they've recently improved the recipe. I'm a huge fan.
(4)
Kayla K.
Love Brasa! one of my favorite restaurants in the Twin Cities! The wait can be long sometimes, but it's totally worth it! I love the corn bread & the Yuca!
(5)
E H.
Brasa is one of the few truly original and creative restaurants in Minneapolis. Everything on the menu is thought through and tasty, but I really like the seemingly simple sandwiches. The flavors are actually really complex. Get the hot peppers.
(4)
Mark R.
Food here is great, but gets crowded quickly. Attentive, informed, and helpful staff, the menu is always excellent. Unfortunately restrooms, while clean, don't seem large enough for the seating capacity of a frequently packed restaurant!
(4)
Joelle P.
This was my first time at Brasa Minneapolis. I have been to their STP Grand Ave location a few times and have always really enjoyed it. The Minneapolis location is smaller, but still homey and bright. My boyfriend and I opted for the lunch special "meat plate", it's a good deal, I highly suggest it. We both ended up getting beef as our meat, I got chips and guac as a side while he got fried plantains and we both went for the cornbread. We also got a side of candied yams to share. the beef is truly excellent. Nice and tender and flavorful. The lunch special is a pretty big portion too, I couldn't finish all of mine! The cornbread was my favorite part. The honey glaze is so flippin' good! My boyfriend is a huge fan of plantains and loved his, he said they were cooked exactly how he likes them: fried but still tender on the inside. My chips and guac were excellent as well. The candied yams were the only thing we weren't huge fans of...they were good, but just not exactly what we were expecting, probably would go for something else next time. The service was great, the food came fast, it wasn't very busy around lunch time and we found street parking really close. I love the concept of Brasa's food and I will continue to go back, both here and the Grand Ave location!
(5)
Scott M.
This remains one of my favorite places to eat in Minneapolis. Family style soul-food can't get any better. Favorite things on the menu are the rotisserie chicken and pork with the ginger-cilantro aioli. We usually stick to a couple of our favorite sides but have tried most of them and you can't go wrong. Our Favorites are the red beans and rice, sweet plantains, yams with andouille and the guacamole. Oh and masa cakes!!! I'm already planning my next visit!
(5)
David C.
Love this spot. It's not the best food I've ever had, but it's exceptional, tasty food at a very reasonable price. It's a winner in its weight class. The pulled pork is the super star, but the rest of the meat dishes are quite tasty. Just a dash of lime and you're good to go. I'm a huge fan of the masa cakes and the corn bread. Comfort food done right.
(5)
Kate M.
Tonight was probably my 7th or 8th visit to Brasa. It's almost always been an excellent experience minus a few flakey servers. Food is usually solid. Why the 3 stars? -If you don't have a bar, take reservations. I have no fuss with places that don't take reservations but there is a decent waiting area. You can usually order a glass of wine and stand, but in the winter, it starts to feel like you're hovering over some poor diner just trying to enjoy delicious, delicious corn bread. In the summer, it's cool standing the parking lot. But, reservations would be better. -The cornbread is usually my highlight. Tonight 2 of us ordered the cornbread and we got one lovely looking muffin and one that looked like an ugly stepsister. It was squashed and sad looking and was way too dense. -The tortilla chip to gauc ratio is always off. There's always a ton of guac left and people at the table trying to scoop it up with shards of chips. --Tostones. We went once this summer and the NE location had savory plantains/tostones. They were divine. I love me some tostones. Tonight, just the sweet ones. TEASE. Brasa's meats are delicious and their yucca fries are a must have. But I'm feeling scowly at my ugly cornbread and lack of tostones. Oh, and the slow beverages tonight. Too long for my sangria.
(3)
Tara D.
I went a little out of my way to find this one, and it turned out to be quite worth it. Minneapolis' Nice Ride (see separate review) really helped me get a taste of all DT Minneapolis neighborhoods in just four days. FOOD: I had the pulled chicken and the slow roasted pork + the spicy corn cake and the plantains. Wow. Everything was so good it was sick. They use fresh ingredients, cage-free eggs, a lot of organic products, hormone-free meats, and most items are gluten-free. DRINK: I had some small-batch brew they were serving on tap. A nice light beer for a hot day. SERVICE: Service (order at counter, they bring it to you) was excellent; very friendly and helpful. AMBIANCE: Open and light and airy and bright yet kind of modern/industrial in feel. Both the inside area and the patio are lovely. VERDICT: I'm going back to Minneapolis next month for a conference, and this is on my must-hit list. At least once. Maybe twice!
(5)
Randall N.
The fact that I've driven by this place 50 times and didn't stop until a few weeks ago makes me angry. Seriously this food is good. A mix of carribean and southern BBQ practices....could be the best combo ever. I've been here several times and why I will say the portion sizes are kind of irritatingly small for the price tags, everything I've had has been fab. Yucca fries, cheddar grits, cornbread, masa cake, pulled pork and pulled chicken they've all been fan-friggin-tastic. The chicken with cream gravy is my favorite though. I could order 3 pounds of that stuff and sit and eat it for days. The gravy is divine. Again the price to size ratio is a little off if you ask me. I can't seem to get out of there for less than $12 and don't stay full all that long. However, the quality of ingredients is high, the flavors are excellent and I'm not sure anybody else in the area does what they do or do anything similar nearly as well. I don't eat here every week but when I do I enjoy every bite.
(5)
Jennifer H.
Went here over a year ago and got the small portions of meat and rice beans but ended up not liking it and thinking I'd never come back. My friend recently convinced me that I had the wrong impression and I should come back- this time ordering the pork sandwich. He was right. It was moist and the slight sour pickle was the perfect complement. I highly recommend the cornbread to go with it. It is amazing. Best. Cornbread. ever The sangria was also divine and complemented the sandwich well. Overall, our group of friend agreed that the beef was rather dry and the sides can be bland. Pork sandwich all the way!
(4)
Darrell G.
The pork melts in your mouth. The creamed spinach is heaven. Great place to also get sweat plantains but you have to ask to see if they have them.
(4)
Kelli F.
Great food and great service. Really glad we followed others suggestions and had dinner. We are a family of four and we tried a lot of the options. Rotisserie chicken was great. Grits, creamed spinach, and plantains were also really good. Definitely will come again!!
(4)
Ellie S.
I'm a FAN of this place. I never thought I'd be so happy to eat pulled meat just sitting on my plate, but the seasonings they use are perfect and it is so juicy and prime. Highly recommend to go to with friends on a casual weekend day.
(5)
Terry Scott N.
Brasa Rotisserie is simply unique. I have been twice, and twice I have been impressed with my local fare. If you haven't been yet, you deserve to try Brasa at least once before you die. For date night my significant other and I decided to walk down the street to Brasa. She had never been before, and I had gone once in the summer. The autumn experience was a bit different, the adjunct was that we had to wait for a seat, and-in a good way, they have great beer and an outdoor patio where patrons can take in the fire, the night sky, and have conversation while they wait for seating inside. We just walked-in without reservations, so we had a bit of a wait, but the host was cordial and complimentary. After about 45 minutes we were taken inside (be weary, the seating can be tight, but it is worth claustrophobia for the food), and seated near the window with a view of the street. Promptly our server was assisting us with drink selections and menu specials. Brasa's menu is short and sweet. I personally feel there is no need for excessive menu selection when you do the things on your menu right. We ordered more beverages; I had another Victory, and Babe had a glass of wine. The beer selection (for Taps) is limited, but impressive. Our drinks came and we were ready to order. We ordered a medium pulled pork, a medium coleslaw, a small of the yucca, and Gritz in cheddar, with an order of cornbread. This selection of meal is sharable, which, to me, adds so much to the dining experience. It means one must actually eat with another, converse and work together. The pork was insane; tender, full of flavor, and portioned well. The coleslaw, one of my favorite things to eat in general, was incredible, and the yucca seemed interesting and well done. All of the items we ordered were gone in less than 10 minutes-we scraped the plate. The best part was our order was out within the same amount of time it took us to finish-impressive for a busy weekend evening. Everything we had was simple, not overdone with fancy added extras, and delicious. Like the K.I.S.S. technique: Keep It Simple, Stupid. They did this and capitalized. We will be back. Brasa is definitely worth a try if you enjoy new and different ways to enjoy classic Rotisserie. Well done!
(5)
Dunn Y.
Realizing Brasa has been reviewed a lot, I do love their food. Great casual spots in NE Mpls and Grand Ave. Good quality...natural, organic, local. So I do encourage everyone to at least try. One criticism...I never go to either location in the Summer. Too often they have the garage doors open in the dead heat and humidity, and it makes for a pretty uncomfortable eating experience (especially if you add the preponderance of flies buzzing around). But they seem to do well anyway, so I imagine they won't change. Fall, Winter, Spring...four stars. Summer...one star.
(4)
Breanne K.
3 years later I can finally remove this bookmark. I wasn't blown away like I expected to be, but I did enjoy some good food. I got the slow roasted pork sandwich with a side of corn bread with honey glaze. The pork was spectacular, but what really drew me to that sandwich was the ginger mayo and pickled vegetables. Upon tasting, not as flavorful as I expected. The ginger was practically non-existent and the vegetables didn't add the tang that I was looking for. The corn bread was delicious though. Honey glaze on corn bread is necessary. Minnesota should make it a law that corn bread be smothered in honey glaze... . Brasa is fairly small, so I wish I'd made an effort to come in the summer to enjoy their beautiful patio. It always looks so packed there though.
(3)
Trevor W.
A favorite spot for dates, nice lunch or even to go! A fast casual restaurant with amazing southern/latin food. If weather is permitting, I recommend sitting at a table on the patio or by the walkway. The food is very good and a huge value. You pretty much can't go wrong with anything on the menu which is the sign of a great place. No surprise the owners of this place also own restaurant Alma. I swear by the pulled chicken because the light cream and & pepper gravy is spectacular, crispy yuca with citrus & garlic hearkens to steak fries with a twist, cream spinach with jalapeno (I don't even like spinach normally), and best yet, they always seem to have a special with black eyed which are delicious. As if it couldn't get better, the serving sizes can be small, medium and large plus they serve Mexican coke!
(5)
Daniel C.
I absolutely love this place and have never left disappointed. Very laid back and a great spot to go when the weather is nice and all the doors are open. I highly recommend the pork with black beans, jalapeño spinach and corn bread. Order it family style and then go to town.
(4)
Stef H.
A co-worker recommended take-out from Brasa one particularly stressful day at work. I was skeptical as this genre of food really isn't really my favorite. But, being a team player, I went along. Lesson of the Day: Trust your friends and expand your horizons. The food is awesome! If the take-out boxes weren't so awkwardly shaped, I would have licked them clean. I ordered the beef, which is cooked to tenderness with enough sauce to have a bit of spice and flavor. The candied yams are sweet but not overly so, and the cornbread is moist and never gritty. I got adventurous and tried fried plantains and now I crave them. Butterscotch pudding, yes! We've also dined in. That can be a little tough. You usually have to park a couple blocks away (oh well) and there is usually a half-hour wait during dinner service. The restaurant itself is small so it can get quite noisy, so the patio is preferable. The service, however, is great. If your server isn't available to bring you your food/drink, someone else is bringing it. Last time we went, our waiter visited us at least six times, and two other people came by. We like Brasa so much we bring out-of-town visitors and are never disappointed.
(5)
Jenny H.
I LOVEEEE this place....love love!!!! Their pulled pork sandwich is SO delectable and their rice and beans are always good! I love their sides too, their yucca with sauce and their plantains are so good!!! Cornbread is really good, with real pieces of corn in it, that's how I like it!!! :)
(5)
Melissa H.
Every single thing we've ever ordered here has been awesome, you should definitely give it a try! I could eat here almost every night. The peppered chicken and cornbread is especially good- you won't regret coming here
(5)
Jessie W.
All the food here is delicious. I've never gotten a sandwich or an individual meal. I always get plates to share with whoever I'm dining with. If we're lucky we'll have leftovers. But it's so good we usually eat past the point of feeling full and straight on into miserably uncomfortable territory. I like their patio but it's so small inside that it fills up quickly and then you have to wait.
(4)
Kristin H.
If you've lived in the Twin Cities within the past five years you have probably heard of Brasa Rotisserie. Alexander Roberts, also known for his work at Restaurant Alma and oh yeah, his JAMES BEARD AWARD(!), opened Brasa in 2007 and it has been wooing patrons every since. Brasa is a home-style restaurant that tastes ten times better than anything you're used to at home. It's been a Minneapolites favorite for years, so a blog post is long overdue. A few tips for first-time Brasa diners: 1. Short on time? Both the St. Paul and Minneapolis locations offer takeout. Call in your order and pick it up (usually) about 20 minutes later. But be prepared, if the restaurant it busy, it might take a a few minutes to work your way up in line; the takeout pickup line and the beer/wine line are one-in-the-same. 2. Do you have a special event coming up? Brasa offers catering and it's just as good as in the restaurant. A friend had Brasa cater her wedding. They were easy to work with as she developed the menu, reliable the day of, and offered an affordable menu that the guests devoured! 3. Everything tastes better with the Signature Hot Pepper Vinegar. You'll see a bottle on each table when you dine in. I like it best on the yuca, but it really is good on everything. If you love it as much as we do, you can buy a bottle to enjoy at home, too! Atmosphere An industrial space with a unique southern charm. Service The knowledgable staff have always provided exceptional service, even when the restaurant is packed. They're happy to make suggestions and answer questions without passing judgement. Presentation Traditional, simple presentation in single or sharable proportions. Taste Brasa continually knocks my socks off. Classic dishes with killer flavor. So good, I've never left with a doggy bag! Value for Dollars Brasa doesn't offer any happy hours or date night specials, but the prices are reasonable for eating out. My husband and I usually get one beer each, two servings of meat, and 2-3 sides for around $30-$35. And let me tell you, that $30 will leave you more satisfied than ever before.
(5)
Jacky W.
Cornbread. BBQ. Plantains (which I usually abhor, but when done by Brasa, they are the fruit of the gods). You will thank me over and over again if you go to Brasa. It is impossible to have anything that is less than perfection here. I came here for dinner and have been salivating ever since.
(5)
Kurt M.
First off, seating is limited and even more so when the outdoor patio isn't available. Wait times may exceed your tolerance on busy nights. Parking can be an issue. Tables are crammed together to the point where some crowd aversive Midwesterners may find their personal space uncomfortably violated. Plates of food can rapidly begin to push the limits of your tabletop real estate making for awkward juggling. The noise level can make conversation a challenge. OK, so why go here? The food! This is an extraordinary place. A BBQ joint that serves very high quality, locally sourced, organic meats. The pulled pork, chicken and beef all have an amazing depth of flavor and texture. Add a dash of spiced vinegar or ask for more sauce if you wish. The sides are meant to be shared. The homemade Chips with fresh, chunky Guacamole are an outstanding combination. The candied yams, a dish I usually find offensive is a spicy, rich, much less saccharine dish than the customary glop served on many a Thanksgiving table. The Crispy Yuca w/ Citrus & Garlic is a light and grease free alternative to fried zucchini. The Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapeno is not to be missed. The Cornbread w/ Honey Glaze is dense and moist. The Spicy Masa Corn Cake w/ Cheese is satisfyingly savory. The lemonade is tart and the Mexican Coca-Cola is made with cane sugar. Coffee is robust and fair trade. For dessert, try the smooth, subtle Butterscotch Pudding. It bears no resemblance to the burnt umber colored stuff made out of a box. Service was personable, professional and very attentive despite the general hubbub. Avoid the crowds and try off-peak hours or brave the occasional hassle. Either way, highly recommended.
(5)
Joe S.
*Rustic grits, the reason I come here *pull chicken and gravy, simple but delicious *cornbread and black beans, I like the texture of the bread. Taste just like grandma made them *collared greens and smoked chicken, I'm a fan but only for those who like that interesting collared green taste. I've dined in many of times, love the food service can be slow but worth the wait. I always bring people here to try the food. I really enjoy coming for lunch. It's defiantly on my list of favorite place in Minneapolis
(5)
Kevin V.
This place is my favorite go-to restaurant for a night when I don't feel like cooking or when I have guests in from out of town. There's no other place like it. Family style soul food, great atmosphere for groups or a date, and within walking distance of my house. Always great service. Favorites: Any of the meats. Occasionally they have some ginger brussels sprouts that are spectacular. GREEN SAUCE- it can be slathered on anything on the menu.
(5)
Richard Y.
Have you ever ordered something and not realized what it was when it was delivered to your table? That happened to my companion and I at Brasa Rotisserie. When the "grits" arrived at the table, we couldn't figure out what they were supposed to be. We've eaten a lot of grits (my companion grew up in North Carolina) and we were pretty disappointed at their interpretation of such a classic southern food. Moving past the "grits," the rest of the meal was meh. It vaguely resembles many of the pollo places I've been, but more expensive and not as good. I was amused to experience a trendy place serving soul food; in my experience, the best southern food is served on styrofoam.
(2)
Amir S.
It has happened several times that I felt ashamed of being a meat lover. At many restaurants, I simply envy vegetarians who could with no hesitation order relatively healthy food out of the menu. However, Brasa is one of the few restaurants where I feel proud of my meat preference and feel sorry for my vegetarian friends who can't eat meat. So let it be the first moral of this review: although the vegetable sides are super delicious, if you're a vegetarian you won't enjoy Brasa as much as meat-eaters do. I think Brasa's chef (Alex Roberts) inherited a detailed instruction for the art of braising and rotisserie roasting written by an old, sage Minnesotan farmer. I also believe he has burned it as soon as he mastered the art of slow cooking so nobody else could cook meat like he does. I thought for hours and hours and was finally convinced that nothing else could explain the unique taste of their yummy food. Brasa's food is peerless and you couldn't find any food comparable to it anywhere else. So let it be the second moral: like any other unique things in the world, try it as many times as you could. If you miss it, nothing else can take its place. The fact that it's a converted gas station is a part of the restaurant's history. But I don't know why people overread it (why don't they instead give credit to its beautifully designed logo?) I tried hard to understand why it's interesting for customers that the restaurant's location used to be a gas station. Maybe if it was a converted public bath or a brothel, it would sound captivating to me. But seriously, what's interesting about a gas station? So, let it be the third moral: don't try to justify it. It has nothing to do with the building's past function as a gas station. But for whatever reason, it has a cool feeling. If the ambiance is important to you, you should try Brasa. What's the rational conclusion I can offer based on my three morals? I'll tell you: since the food is organic, sustainably produced and healthy (moral#1's implication) and with no doubt peerless (moral#2) and since there is nothing exciting about an ex-gas station (moral#3's implication), why don't you think of Brasa as your regular take-out restaurant? Since the food is mostly prepared in advance, they're fast. Moreover, their healthy food is affordable. What else do you expect from a take-out restaurant?
(5)
Yvette C.
We found the Brasa because we were looking for gluten-free, then saw all the awesome reviews. We ate at both locations this week, the Brasa in St. Paul and now this one. This location in Minneapolis is a little smaller and they have a slightly different menu from the Brasa in St. Paul. Both locations have AWESOME YUCA Fries now our most desired new food find! Where have I been that I have never heard of this staple food from South America? BTW YUCA is not YUCCA--it is a root vegetable not a decorative landscape plant... The house-made bottled Hot Pepper Vinegar is delicious on the pulled pork and the greens, and isn't too hot. So good I bought a bottle of Hot Pepper Vinegar to bring home. Now the search for Yuca fries in Kansas City area commences...If you know of a good place please share!!
(5)
Lauren K.
Fresh ingredients. The smoked pepper sauce on the chicken sandwich is outta this world, the fried plantains are outstanding, and the cornbread. One of my favorite restaurants.
(5)
Michael N.
This is probably the single best restaurant that I've found so far since moving to Minneapolis 3 months ago. It's gotten to the point that every time the weather is nice, I start to think "we should go to Brasa today" I love the small plates. It lets you order things you know your'e going to love and also get risky trying new dishes. Here are some of my favorites -Slow Roasted pork. So good! It's so juicy and well seasoned it I have to order it every time I'm there. -Roasted Yams & Andouille. I don't know if I ever had this combination before trying it at Brasa but it's incredibly tasty. Definitely recommend it! -Crispy Yuca. I've noticed a lot of places having yuca dishes lately (which is awesome), but the ones at Brasa are by far the tastiest. The texutre/amount they're cooked is perfect and the green sauce they bring out with it is one of those dangerous sides that you can become addicted to and lose your mind trying to replicate at home. -Rustic Style Grits. These might be the only grits that I've ever had so I can't say with any authority how they compare to others. I just know I've wanted to try them for a long time after seeing people eat them in movies and I found them to be exceptional at Brasa. The servers & atmosphere are all amazing too. This restaurant is truly a gem and if you live in or are visiting Minneapolis, you need to make time to eat there at least once. It's fantastic!
(5)
Santiago G.
Everything was excellent from start to finish. Very friendly staff. The food was to over the top. The pulled pork was super flavorful and tender. The rice and pigeon peas was very interesting and left me craving more and the chocolate tres leches cake was rich and creamy and the perfect end to a meal.
(4)
Matt O.
Pork, yucca, chicken - it's all better than the last. Sweet space, too. Especially if you can get a table.
(5)
Aimee S.
Thought it was a little over rated. The chips and guacamole were AMAZING, the staff friendly and helpful, but the main meal was a miss for both my husband and I. Mac and cheese was way way too rich, beef bowl too oily, and pulled chicken sandwich very bland. HOWEVER I'm told that we just happened to pick the worst things on the menu, so hopefully next time it will be better!
(3)
Amanda C.
This is my go-to place to bring ANY out-of-towner for a meal. The meat is always top-notch, and ordering up a ton of sides so everyone can sample is a blast. Why aren't you here right now? The only acceptable answer is "because it's not in Brasa business hours when I am reading this review, Amanda." Fine. That'll get you off the hook... for now.
(5)
Matt A.
I would highly recommend Brasa. I went here for lunch with a few coworkers and sat in their outdoor section in the sun. Beautiful day, good people, delicious food. I ordered the "meat plate," I believe, which was essentially seasoned grilled chicken and two sides. It's a good deal for lunch, and was more than enough to fill me up. Plantains were good, as was the sweet bread.
(5)
Katarina A.
Oh, Brasa. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1. Your charming decor, industrial and modern, utterly perfect for the food. 2. Your friendly servers, who never hovered or let us feel lonely. 3. Your fair prices, that never leave us feeling cheated. 4. Most importantly, your incredible food. I have now tried every dish on the menu, and I wish I could get into them all, but I shall settle for personal favorites. Get the red beans and rice. It is hands down the best you'll find north of Kentucky. Also, the masa cakes. Tangy, corny, crispy, and utterly amazing. I had food wet dreams about this one for months. The pulled chicken. Bizarrely, I know some people who weren't so fond of this one, but I'm firmly of the opinion that they're wrong. It is creamy, peppery, and fall apart delicious. Hm... for a final favorite, I'd have to go with the cheddar grits (only available at Mpls. location). Believe me, though, there is no way to go wrong. This place needs no more positive press, but it truly is delicious, and my favorite restaurant I've ever visited. Love at first bite is possible, people.
(5)
Victoria T.
Loved, loved, loved this place! The sides are incredible. My collard greens with smoked chicken were beyond luscious and the grits with cheddar: divine. My pork was wonderful but my partner's chicken was tender but boring ( thus, the 4 star rating versus 5). The beer selection, though quite minimal, was good beer! Loved this place so much that if I lived closer, I would go every week.
(4)
Jimmy V.
After reading all the ravishing reviews all over yelp we walked in on a perfect Sunday afternoon. Ordered Pulled pork with rice & pigeon peas with ham sofrito. Pulled pork was average. it never melted in my mouth like lot of reviews i read. Found a big piece of cooked melted plastic in the rice :) the staff was kind enough to replace the dish with a fresh one but pulled pork remained on the table cold and dry till my next sofrito rice came to the table. Ordered flan which matched our expectation, but then was already bored and lost the charm of the brunch experience. Reading all the reviews (if they are for real :) ) i might give it a second chance, Because so far yelp reviews has never gone wrong for me.
(2)
Stephanie F.
This place is tiny, but their food is packed with flavor. I'm moving to California and wish i knew a place is equivalent to this. I like to try small sizes of a few meats and a bunch of small sides.
(5)
Colin C.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in the Twin Cities. Definitely try the pulled chicken, grits (!!!), cornbread, and yuka. The grits are only at the Minneapolis location. In summer sit on the patio - it's a better/quieter experience. I've never met anyone who didn't love it. Small parking lot, but we've always had a spot on the street. Carry out is an excellent option too!
(5)
Jill S.
Love this place! Food is fabulous and it's a great place to share some delicious family style food- try a little bit of everything. Don't miss the yuca with citrus lime. Their sangria is delicious (too delicious!) great city dining.
(4)
DeAnna E.
First, let me thank my brilliant coworker for suggesting this restaurant. I ordered the beef, spinach, masa, and plantains. The plantains were ok, but everything else (including the service) was wonderful. The beef, particularly, was so tender it cut with a fork. I highly recommend dining on the patio, if possible. You'll almost forget that you're in the middle of a metro area.
(5)
Emily V.
My husband and I used to live across the street from this location. On the days they have their smoker going, the whole neighborhood smells like smoked meats. Awesome! I've had the chance to try just about everything on Brasa's menu. I also had them cater for 50 people for my company's picnic last August. It was excellent! See if you can get a group of 4 or 6 people to go! Everything is served to be shared, and the more people in your group, the more items you can try. One of my favorites is the rotisserie chicken. It's delicious on its own, but the cilantro cream sauce that comes on the side really sends it over the top. All of the sides are just fantastic, but I especially love the yams and andouille, collard greens w/ smoked chicken, and the rice and pigeon peas w/ ham sofrito (has green olives in it, which I love). If you're in the mood for a sandwich, get the slow roasted pork. It has ginger mayo, pickled veggies, and cilantro. I've heard some people complain about the portion sizes for the price. I guess since it's all a'la carte, it can add up quickly, but remember that Chef Alex Roberts is one of the most highly acclaimed chefs in the Midwest. The food is truly top notch and well worth $15-$20 per person.
(5)
David C.
Hands down the best rotisserie in the area!!!!! The menu is so extensive, but everything I've tried on here has really blown me away! Rotisserie Chicken: A Not overdone at all; skin was just a golden brown and the meat was nice and juicy. Definitely tasted great. Seasoning was light, but the chicken itself was cooked so well that it barely needed seasoning. Slow Roasted Pork: A+ Incredibly tender and well seasoned. Portions were huge and taste was unrivaled. Cabbage & Apple Slaw: B Interesting take on the traditional slaw. Nonetheless, it did not disappoint. Chips & Guac: B Homemade everythign! Both the chips and guac were home-made. Very tasty. Guac portion was generous and was incredibly fresh. Spicy Masa Corn Cake w/ Cheese: A A very unique item on the menu, A cake made of ground corn topped with hot sauce and melted cheese. The flavor and texture was fantastic. The cheese was melted and helped congeal the cornmeal. So good! I would definitely recommend this place for a fast casual meal with friends. The food really blew me away. The service was prompt and friendly. Best of all, it was rather affordable and the portions were great.
(5)
Addyson B.
Meats are delicious alone or on a sandwich. Well cooked and perfectly seasoned! Side dishes (we ordered the creamed spinach, masa cake and the cornbread) were all divine; I especially liked the cornbread muffin- best one I've ever had!
(4)
Kele M.
I always eat way too much at Brasa because literally every menu item is delicious. I only wish they were a little less pricey... although I suppose it keeps me from eating here as frequently as I would if they were cheap and gaining a million pounds!
(4)
Zoe L.
I had Rotisserie chicken and roasted yam with andouille. Very delicious. Chicken was a little dry and plain inside though. But the skin was crispy.
(5)
Joshua N.
Something about this place that makes me love it in the winter but avoid it in the summer. Go with a group and get as much stuff as possible. It's awesome!
(4)
Geoffrey D.
I always eat way too much here. The pulled pork is my favorite along with collard greens and yams with andouille. My friends all love the food. Unfortunately not much my wife (who is a vegetarian) can eat though.
(4)
Tricia C.
You have to love a restaurant where you can order a plate of shredded meat. It's a little weird the first time but if you just go with it, you'll have a fantastic dining experience. Everything was delicious.
(4)
Adam L.
I have been to Brasa several times for breakfast / brunch, but this was my first time going for dinner. The food is amazing. We had a table of 4 and tried almost everything on the menu. The service is fast, and the servers are very friendly and are able to answer any questions you have about the menu items. I would recommend getting several of the sides to share if you're going with a group. The small size side seemed too small to share with 4 people, unless you just wanted a spoonful or two. I would suggest several medium size options and a couple different meat options. The chicken is incredible. I would also strongly recommend the cornbread. It is moist and very flavorful. No matter what meal you eat here you will not have a bad experience.
(5)
Melissa N.
Yum! Yum! yum! This place is so fantastic! I have never had a bad bite of food here. Super casual and a great place to go with friends (as you'll want to share and try everything). Better in the summer because there's extra seating. Lunch combos are outstanding and the perfect portion size. Go now!
(5)
Sam M.
What can I say that has not already been said in 320 reviews? Jumbalaya? Hopslam? How 'bout just mmm mmm mmm. My wife and I used to eat here more frequently, but have kind of been on hiatus as we yelped about the town. I am glad to see that the things I liked about the place have not changed for the worse. Fat Tuesday brought Jumbalaya to the table. I liked it. Is it authentic? I have no idea, but it is good. We also had staples of pulled pork, creamed spinach (w/jalapenos) and guacamole & chips. All were great. I had a Bell's Hopslam. A seasonal IPA that is "out of this world" (in both taste and price).
(5)
Julie D.
What a great find! We were looking to try someone different, Brasa fits the bill. We had lunch on the patio and was greeted right away by our server. We decided to order from the lunch specials menu. I ordered a pork sandwich on ciabatta served with tortilla chips and my choice of side. I got the potato salad. BJ got a smoked beef sandwich with beans and cornbread. Fantastic! I also enjoyed a Mexican coke. For dessert, we shared the butterscotch pudding. Here's a very important tip. DO NOT SHARE THE PUDDING. You deserve a pudding all your own. It is awesome! We really enjoyed everything about this place, the relaxing patio, the great service and the wonderful food!
(5)
Beth W.
Home cooking, from scratch, local, and thoroughly delicious. I had the bean fritters and the carnivores in my group shared the chicken and pork. The flavors were declared perfect all around. I wondered how they'd rate, but my kids couldn't get enough of the yucca chips. The aioli dip was amazing, and I'm inspired to add cilantro to my own cole slaw. The corn muffins were good and my party seemed to enjoy the sweet potatoes with the sausage on top. This is soul food gone gourmet, and it's very, very right. I'll be back!
(5)
Camie T.
My real rating for Brasa is 4.5 stars I met three friends at Brasa for dinner on a Friday night at 7pm. The place was busy but we only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table inside (the wait for an outside table was much longer). I had read that Brasa will open the garage doors on nice days to give it that open feel. They had the doors open the night we ate there but that was a mistake. The temperatures had reached 90+ degrees during the day and that, along with the hot kitchen and humidity made the interior of the restaurant almost unbearable. After entering the restaurant to get our drinks (while we were waiting to be seated), we quickly learned why the wait for inside the restaurant was so much shorter than the wait for a table outside. Its because it was bloody hot inside. It was easily 15 degrees warmer in the restaurant than it was on the patio. I feel that Brasa should have made a judgement call and closed the doors and turned on the air conditioning. We ordered the pulled chicken, pulled pork, beef, yellow rice with red beans and ham, cornbread, mozzarella salad, sweet potatoes with andouille sausage, and chips and guacamole. The favorites at the table were the pork (followed by the chicken) and the sweet potatoes with sausage (followed by the beans). The beans had a nice spice to them which was a nice twist. The beef was a bit over done and dry. I wouldn't order the beef again. Instead I'd go for a larger portion of the pork. We also ordered a pitcher of sangria ($28) and it was ok. It actually got worse the more I drank which isn't a good sign. Perhaps that was because it was so crazy hot in the restaurant. Overall, a good little find. The dress code is casual - we saw a little of everything. There are 4 parking spaces in front of the restaurant and there is ample parking on the street in the residential neighborhood surrounding the restaurant. They do not take reservations at the Minneapolis location but they do take reservations for 8+ at the St. Paul location.
(4)
Candace R.
My bf and I saw this place on the Travel Channel, and decided it was one of our must visits on our trip to MN. We walked from our hotel downtown and got here on a Saturday afternoon and the place was pretty full. We were meeting up with some family and they luckily had grabbed a table on the patio, and got started with some chips and salsa. I had the pulled chicken sandwich which was very good. The service was a little lacking, as I had to wait quite a bit to get a refill on my drink, but the company was great so I didn't mind. I'd definitely come back to try some of the other items on their menu.
(4)
Taylor K.
I went for dinner with a few coworkers earlier this week. OH MY GOD, it was good. The place was packed - always a good sign - but the service was still speedy and attentive and the atmosphere still felt breezy thanks to the large, open doors. I ordered a small serving of the rotisserie chicken. The serving size was delightfully generous and the chicken itself was hands-down the best I've ever had in my life. Moist, tender, perfectly white-meat throughout, and served with this incredible citrus aioli. I ordered a side of chips and guac, which I highly recommend - the guac was excellent but the chips were surprisingly special, too (handmade and at once perfectly crispy, oily, and salty). I will be back again. And again. And again.
(5)
Matthew M.
Amazing Southern-style cuisine. Good comfort and soul food, not so pricey, good portions, amazing atmosphere, excellent service. The best!
(5)
Kate T.
The ambiance was lacking and the sides aren't quite as delicious as the meat is but it's a definite must at least once.
(4)
Jill S.
This is a place to get really good southern-style cooking in Minnesota. I love their smoked beef, but it is some of the SIDES that steal the show! Greens, beans, cornbread... all amazing! Pricing is a little steep for what it is, but it seems to be a fair value.
(4)
Kathy S.
On my list of things to do once I got back in Minneapolis: eat at Brasa AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I've heard people raving about this place, and being an eternal meat-lover, I was bound to end up there at one point or another. It was inevitable. My friends and I love eating family-style, so Brasa was perfect when we were looking for a good dinner place to quell our cravings for meat. Our group of 8 ended up putting together two tables outside (I went a few weeks ago, when it was still warm) and stuffed our faces with tender chicken, pulled pork, ribs, yucca, veggie fritter sandwiches, and of course - huuuuge cornbread. :) Food. heaven. The service was decent and I loved the outdoor atmosphere (minus the Metro Transit bus loudly being fixed across the street). I'll be back!
(5)
Rosemary T.
Juicy chicken, tender beef, buttery cornbread, and delicious collar greens! This is definitely a place to come to have some great lunch or dinner. The food was simply super!
(5)
John W.
I have never been anything short of amazed by the quality of chicken and sides. I usually order take out to avoid waiting for a table, and also to decrease the amount of time separating myself from my favorite meal in Minneapolis. Im pretty sure they sprinkle something addictive in the green chicken dipping sauce because i cant stop thinking about it. If you know of better chicken anywhere, show me, because i don't believe you.
(5)
Shelly E.
Brasa used to have one of my favorite black bean burgers in town. I've had it a handful of times in the past and it was everything you could ask for in a vegetarian-friendly burger. After last night - I've learned that these days are gone. What happened? What I remember as a flavorful, dense burger with a good portion of fresh guac and a big chunk of mozzarella on top has turned into a salty, flavorless 'crumbles-apart-the-second-you pick-it-up' burger with hardly any guac and small chunks of mozzarella on top. The bread also used to be what one would expect from a ciabatta bun but now seems like an imitation - a flaky, dry bun only shaped like ciabatta. Obviously, as a vegetarian, Brasa isn't a regular go-to place for me. But, my friends like it and often suggest it - so I'm usually outnumbered and rely on the one vegetarian entree they offer. I think it's just cruel that my one option has now turned into zero options. Next time, I'll stay home and make my own.
(2)
Paola M.
Been here several times and have tried pretty much everything.... The roasted chicken is what gets this place the 5th star! Everything is good but the chicken is superb. I don't know what it is but every time I go back I am surprised by how good the chicken is. All the rest is very good too but if you have to pick just one thing, go for the chicken!
(5)
Christina P.
Truth be told, I'm not a BBQ type of lady. Gnawing meat off bones and being slathered in sauce just isn't my scene. However, Brasa has managed to make BBQ feel upscale and be absolutely delicious. It's a laidback scene - very southern feel - but super cute. Lots of natural lighting and seating galore. Bonus for the wine, beer and authentic soda offerings. The food is seriously TDF (to die for) ... the cheesy grits, cornbread, the perfectly cooked chicken and beef... days later, I find myself still thinking about it. Add the bonus of a very inexpensive meal, and you have yourself a very loyal follower. Can't wait to get down & dirty again soon!
(5)
Izabela R.
Amazing!! One of my favorite places to eat!!! I"ve had just about everything on the menu and LOVE it all!! My sister came to visit from Chicago and we ordered pretty much one of each, she was lovin' it as much as I do!! Great atmosphere, great service, delicious food!!!!
(5)
Bee K.
Brasa is tiny and I live within convenient driving distance so I almost always opt for takeout when I do get to indulge in the bombass pulled chicken with gravy and honey-butter drenched corn bread. Each trip back to the takeout counter, however, the service has increasingly gotten worse. On my most recent trip, I waited in line for 10 minutes just to tell the cashier I had a takeout order. I arrived exactly within 25 minutes as instructed, so I anticipated my food would definitely be ready after the long wait in line to pick-up. The line took forever because the cashier line for takeout orders is also the beer/wine line for the 2405730824723 people who are waiting around for a seat. So poor dude behind the cashier is also the takeout order phone answerer and bartender in addition to cashier. Dude was seriously flustered, and when I finally told him my name for the order, he looked like he had no idea what I was talking about. Finally, he says, "I think I sold your order to someone else. What did you have again?" He re-ran my order through the cash register and said it would be ready in 5-10 minutes. Luckily, it was ready really fast, and he did apologize more than once, but I was disappointed. The whole point of getting takeout is to completely AVOID having to wait in the parking lot with the other 23073087082352 guests waiting to be seated.
(2)
Thomas D.
I went there last night with my wife and another couple, and it was great. Arrived at 6:15 on a Friday night and was able to sit down right away. The place appears to be a converted gas station so they still have the huge garage doors, and they had them open on this warm spring evening (nice). Also there was quite a bit of outdoor seating. The food was very good, is done in family style and has a very southern influence (I am referring the true South). I lived in South Carolina & Southern GA ,and I have to say it really brought me back there. Like good home-cooked soul food. The four of us ordered our food together as a group which I recommend. We had the pork shoulder, and the beef which were both excellent. For sides we had the black-eyed peas, jalapeno spinach, yucca, and yams. Just like down South. The server did a really good job even though the place was maxed. We were going to order large sides, and he deterred us to the smalls which turned out to be a good decision. We ended the night with the butterscotch pudding which was delicious, and made me realize that this is what pudding tastes like when it is made with good ingredients. They are very conscientious about using organics and locally grown, which instantly makes me want to give them my money, and they didn't need a whole lot of my money for what we got. The bill was VERY reasonable - $55.00 for 2 which included beers, food, dessert, and tip. We will be going back! :)
(5)
Asma A.
Reasonable portions. Their house hot vinegar was delicious! Good corn bread. Ridiculously long wait. Cool ambiance- set up in an old garage. Food was great.
(4)
Dena S.
Sexy name, sexy food, sexy drinks, sexy patrons. This place is like the fever dream of an obese Texan. Two words for you, friends and neighbors: YAMS. And yams again. Villains will attempt to convince you to grow out of gooey foods and to start eating. . . i don't know. . . farfalle. DO NOT BE DECEIVED. Everything at Brasa is gooey for a reason. This is the straight path. We arrived at about 8:20, which was a bit tight as doors close at 9pm. They ended up fresh out of both my first choice for meat and my first two choices for sides-- a wee disappointing. Since I would shove everything on the menu down my pants I was perfectly happy with my runners up and the staff was great about letting us hang out on the patio after close, finishing our bottle of wine and watching the buses parked across the street turn their lights off and on for no reason. Brasa, you are a rock star.
(4)
Joel P.
What a unique menu! If you haven't been, you gotta try it! Very unique menu with great flavor. The pork and chicken are amazing! Coke from Mexico? Yup! Original Dr. Pepper? Still exists and Brasa is where you get it! They also have a great line-up of beers as well. The place has a southern feel, champagne flavors, and beer budget pricing. See you guys again soon!
(4)
Kelly S.
Could I love this place anymore than I do? I think not. The mere fact that I live within walking distance of Brasa might make me want to live in my apartment for a few more years. This is not a great place for a vegetarian, nor is it a great place to come with a big group (more than 6) as they don't take reservations. But, if you're a meat-eater and you're in a group of less than 6, GO TO BRASA NOW. I have never been disappointed with anything I've ordered at Brasa. The shredded chicken, beef, and pork are all superb (although the pork is my absolute favorite); the cornbread is fantastic; and there are days I find myself craving the sweet plaintains and the yucca with green sauce. Beyond that, the service is always friendly and helpful. (Like the time when I failed to follow my "don't go with a big group" rule and went with a group of 9 on Saturday night... bad idea on our part. We waited for over an hour and a half to get a space big enough for us. But, although the wait was painful, the staff got us seated as quickly as they could, checked-in with us frequently, obliged us in a game of "Can we guess what your name is?", and gave us free chips and guac when we finally got seated.)
(5)
Hilary J.
Quality, local and sustainable ingredients made into soul-nourishing, affordable food. And I've never had bad service there. (It's hard to get good service for big groups anywhere, because it's hard to GIVE good service to big groups. Brasa, at least, has really good options for feeding groups, including meat by the pound and sides in three sizes.)
(5)
Amy C.
This is my new favorite restaurant. Lucky me that I can walk there! Here's what I love about Brasa: -It's in an old gas station -They get their food from local farmers and vendors -They serve Mexican Coke in the bottle -They give you lots of sides to choose from (like warm cornbread with honey butter ... yum!) -The meats are out of this world good and I'm not even a big meat eater -It has a friendly, distinct community vibe I could just keep on raving about it. If you want to experience Northeast Minneapolis at its best, Brasa is a MUST!
(5)
Audrey M.
I'm really impressed by how close most of the dishes were to authentic southern comfort food. The ettouffe was delicious and super filling. There was only one thing that disappointed: the rice. I've never had yellow rice that tasted so much like plain white rice. Confusing. However, the flourless chocolate torte completely made up for it. Oh my gosh....so good. I'm glad I brought the bf to help with it though- definitely too rich to tackle on my own. Best of all, the prices are completely reasonable, especially given the quality. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Rachel W.
Parking: There is some parking in the lot. There is lots of parking on the street. Food: Ordered: cornbread, cornbread and beans, collard greens, spinach, cole slaw, chicken, black bean fritter sandwich and pulled pork. We ordered smalls of everything except for the chicken (6 piece chicken). We had 4 people. The blackbean fritter sandwich was HUGE. I shared with a friend. It was also very food, except kept falling out of the bread. I ended up eating it with a fork. The cornbread was amazing! The coleslaw was ok. It needed a bit more acidity. The beans were ok with the cornbread. Atmosphere: It's summertime and it's hot and humid. There wasn't any circulating air and it was really hot, even with the garage open. The person that came to serve us was very very sweaty which was a real turn off. I think this was why I gave it more of a 4 star rating. Overall: The food was good and I'd eat there again. I'd hope that the servers would be more mindful of the sweat on the face though...at least wipe it off first.
(4)
John R.
A great place for protein. Good service too. Parking is a little tough.
(4)
Britt B.
Northeast Minneapolis is where it's AT. There are so many cool shops and restaurants sprouting up in this area. Including Brasa. I stopped in on my bosses recommendation and it lived up to his hype. I had the pulled chicken sandwich. The meat was delicious, and I very much enjoyed the bun. Soft and not so large as large as to detract from the MEAT. Sadly, I didn't have room for the cornbread I've been reading so much about. I will be returning to try that and about 20 other things on the menu. Service was friendly and prompt, patio was comfortable, and I like that they are doing the local and organic thing. Great place! I totally recommend it!
(4)
Marie D.
Delicious beef, collard greens, yuca and candied yams. Very crowded but casual atmosphere. Worth the wait!!
(5)
Damali R.
I read about this place in an issue of Travel & Leisure and it sounded right up my alley. It's a great place to go by yourself. The portion sizes are actually a great size allowing you to try several things. The waitress was very friendly and the whole staff seemed to be having a good time. It was worth the trip and taxi ride over. It was extremely reasonable as well.
(4)
Jeff M.
After my second visit to Brasa I still think the place is slightly over-hyped, but comforting enough to still make future visits. Finding a table for more than 2 people can be a challenge. My favorite thing about Brasa is the value you get for the quality of delicious food. My wife and I shared a small pulled pork, creamed chicken, spinach w/ jalapeno, yams w/ andouille sausage, corn bread, and two bottled sodas and the tab (with tax) came to under $25.
(4)
Yoni R.
Adventurous comfort food? A tasty contradiction indeed. Fresh ingredients, ALL local meat and dairy, they even double filter their cooking water. The pork is incredible, the chicken is good but forgettable, the beef is in a sweet home-style BBQ sauce, it's tender and perfect, but a little fatty for my taste Brasa is all about the sides, here is my essential Side Guide (1-5 Stars): Yams & Andouille Sausage -- 2 Stars -- The sausage is good but the yams are not very flavorful. Collards w/ Smoked Turkey -- 5 Stars -- Pungent, rich, and surprisingly pork-like for being made with turkey. Some find them too be to bitter, but they continue to be the best greens I've ever had. Romaine & Mozzarella Salad -- 1 star -- Boring... too much goodness to waste time on mere roughage. Rustic Style Cheese Grits -- 5 Stars -- The best and worst thing on the menu. Creamy, riddled with enough cheese and butter to make ones arteries clench with glee. At least it's from local pasture based dairies and the butter is unsalted. Crispy Yuca with Mojo -- 4 Stars -- It won't be replacing the Frenched Fry as America's favorite contributor to heart disease anytime soon, but it will certainly quench your need for something starchy and deep fried. Surprisingly good, and the green Mojo sauce is amazing, it goes with almost everything on the menu, pairs particularly with the pork shoulder. Yellow Rice & Beans (Red or Black) -- 3 Stars -- Honestly, the beans and rice are a bit bland, but everything else is so heavily spiced and flavorful that it's kind of refreshing. Cornbread & Beans (Red or Black) -- 3 Stars -- The cornbread is excellent but the regular cornbread side comes with maple butter. I say skip the beans and go straight for the sweetness. Fried Sweet or Green Plantains -- 1 Star -- Don't bother. Homemade Chips & Guacamole -- 3 Stars -- Tasty, fresh, and light but I suggest moving right past the guac and get a spicy masa corn cake. Desserts are sub par compared to the rest of Brasa's offerings. The sweet tea is some of the best this side of the Mason-Dixon and they have Mexican Coke in the big glass bottles, made with real sugar, no corn syrup. Simply put, Brasa is the bomb, yo.
(5)
Seamus H.
This really is as good as it gets. The meats are perfectly cooked, bursting with flavor and nearly melt in your mouth tender. I recommend the pork but if it's your first time you should really try all you can. Supplement your main dish with sides inspired by the South. The yams & andouille is the highlight, with the generous sausage chunks balancing the sweetness of the yams with spice and smokiness. I've only been to the Northeast location which is in a small, renovated garage space which opens up for nice outdoor dining in the summertime. I lived in Minneapolis for two years, ate at over 100 restaurants, and Brasa remains my favorite!
(5)
Mike D.
I think that not much needs to be said about the food at this place. Beef, Chicken, and Pork were all well spiced and full of flavor. The cornbread was alright, spicy masa cake was not great but that may have been due to not eating it right away, the crispy yucca is pretty great, and the plaintains were awful. They did not have sweet plaintains, only savory tostones which I would rename Flavorless Bricks. However, forget that, the food is awesome and you should come here.
(5)
Sarah L.
Good food, horrible service. I'm not sure what the server's deal was... he was definitely way over-extended, but he didn't communicate that to us once. I would have been much more forgiving if he at least clued us in to the fact that we'd have to wait 30 minutes to get our iced tea and 60 minutes to get our food. Oh well. Both my friend and I did like our food. I think her rotisserie chicken was better than my pork sandwich special. I also liked/loved her chips and guac where as my cabbage salad was just ok. I'll go back because I like the philosophy and the food, but will try to avoid any lunch/dinner rush times because they're obviously understaffed.
(3)
Becky B.
Checked this place out while in Minneapolis on vacation and was so impressed! Loved the rotisserie chicken and pulled pork. Did the fried plantains, HIGHLY recommend those! Creamed spinach, cheesy grits and yams with sausage were our sides. Loved the entire meal, I would eat it again any day! Will absolutely return when I am back in the area. Hopefully I'll get to try them for dinner next time! Parking is a challenge though and they got pretty busy during the lunch hour.
(5)
josh j.
Amazing food! If you took a champion BBQ'er who knows Latino cuisine and grew up with a grandma who taught them how to use white distilled vinegar, then dilute that amount of vinegar in half; you'd get some of the awesome flavors Brasa produces. Chicken sandwich with cabbage is off the charts. If the bill was a few bucks cheaper, we'd be there weekly.
(4)
Yelp L.
YUMMY!!! That says it all!
(5)
Berton T.
The restaurant had a great vibe and it was great that the whole restaurant turns alfresco when the doors are opened on a warm spring day. The food was awesome, I had the rotisserie chicken with cheese grits and spicy bread and it was simply divine. My partner ordered the pulled chicken with the friend yuca and they were delicious as well. The best part of the whole experience is that it didn't burn a whole in the pocket - lunch only cost $11 without gratifying. I'll definitely come back if I have the chance to.
(4)
Ben K.
Time: Ate here with the fiance on Friday, July 6th 2012 at about 5:30p.m. It was 100 degrees outside with a dewpoint in the mid-70s and a heat index north of 115. Miserably hot. This will factor in prominently in this review. Place: It wasn't that busy when we went. I'm guessing it was because it's the Friday on a weekend where a lot of people leave town for a vacation. The first thing I noticed when we walked in the place is that it wasn't air conditioned, and the staff looked and behaved like they were miserable from the heat. I get it. It's stupid-hot outside, and it's stupid-hotter inside where you're roasting all the meat. I had read a lot of the Yelp reviews about this place and was expecting a level of helpfulness and friendliness from the servers. The staff was very attentive, but they weren't friendly at all. Again, I get it - it's hot out. Totally understandable that you, as a server, are not all bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed when you're going to go home after work and have to immediately shower and start replenishing the 20 lbs of water/fluid missing from your body. But it still threw me off. Maybe we can work on getting some air conditioning in there? Kinda suprises me that such a well-known and well-reviewed business wouldn't have AC, if at the very least for their workers. Beer/alcohol: they have Surly Furious on tap. Woohoo! 2 pints please, at $5/each not a bad price. Other than that, the beer list looked about average. A seasonal brew or two, some staples, etc. Nothing outstanding, but if you have Furious, what else do you need? Didn't see if they had booze/cocktails/wine. Don't think so. Food: started with the chips and guac. The chips were awesome (clearly made by hand) but the guac was nothing more than pureed avocado and a little cilantro. When I come back, I'm skipping the C&G. It did come with a roasted tomatillo and chipotle salsa, which was great. That was also on my spicy masa corn cake later in the meal. Since this was our first time there, we ordered small portions of a ton of stuff. The pulled chicken was awesome; the meat itself was very flavorful if a touch on the dry side. Might have been a small issue had it not been smothered in sauce. The smoked beef was good, if you're a beef fan. I enjoyed it; it was the fiance's least favorite of the three meats we tried. The pork was the star of the show. Give it a squeeze of lime and a dash of the pepper vinegar on you're table, and you're in pork heaven. I could eat a few pounds of this in one sitting. Absolutely incredible. Yellow rice and red beans were great. I literally licked the bowl the beans came in. I didn't (and still don't really) know what the hell yuca is, but when you fry it and serve it with some kind of garlic lime sauce, I'm in. They were outstanding. Grits were wonderful and creamy. Cornbread was some of the best I've ever had. Crispy masa cake was also great. Overall, the food was excellent. My only overall comment in the negative is that most of the dishes could have used a little more salt. The flavors on everything were really good but could all have used a little bit of salt to make them stand out just a hair more. By the end of the meal, I was drenched in sweat. It was sweltering hot in there and I was seated so that for the first part of the meal the sun was shining on my back. WARM! That level of discomfort is what gives this place 4 stars instead of 5 - for now. We'll be back, and sooner rather than later.
(4)
Greg N.
It's so nice when a place lives up to the hype. 90+ reviews, what is left to say? I'll just tell you what I had: Pork sandwich - wonderful. I basically never eat pickles, and even the goddam pickles were good on this sandwich. Andouille (sp?) and yams were also great, though I could have had a higher ratio of andouille. The yuca and aioli were also great. Wife had beans and rice, a salad, fried plantains (these were cooked absolutely perfectly and tasted delicious) and cornbread. This is one of those places where I'll want to branch out next time and explore the menu a bit, but will have a difficult time not re-ordering what hooked me the first time - in this case the pork sandwich.
(5)
Carolyn A.
Dinner at Brasa is consistently phenomenal. The service is always good and the food is delicious. I would definitely get a few plates and share with your dining companions. Some highlights include the creamed spinach w/ jalapeno, corn bread (OMG), rotisserie chicken (it's spiced perfectly) and yams and andouille. Another plus is that most of the food is grown/raised in Minnesota. Not only does it taste better, but I can net out the many calories I consumed by saying I was eating local. My only gripe (which is sadly worth a star in my book) is that they don't take reservations at this location. I would go there more often if I knew I could plan ahead and not have to wait too long to be seated.
(4)
Don B.
My wife and I went to Brasa (visit #2) for dinner before the Aquatennial thunderworks. We ordered pulled pork, brisket, greens, corn cake, corn muffin and a couple of beers. I don't know what it was. The food? The warm, humid air? The company? Whatever, it was one of those meals I didn't want to end. The brisket was moist and smokey. The pulled pork was flavorful with just enough fat. Is "unctuous" the right word? The corn cake was sweet and corny. The service was pleasantly professional. The prices, fair. But the meal was greater than the sum of its parts. Doesn't happen often, but when it does, you just need to smile and be grateful. Thanks, Brasa.
(5)
Van L.
i love this place!! love it in the summer with the open air seating, or in the winter where it feels cozy. i've been for events (surly brewing), for fun with friends, for picking up a quick meal. everything is delicious. everything. cornbread. pulled pork. bbq. creamed spinach. my mouth waters just thinking about it. seriously one of the best in minneapolis.
(5)
Lissa M.
Holy cow. I know the meat is the point, and the meat is dang near perfect. But you don't even need it, not at all. I could have eaten the jalapeno creamed spinach all day. Or the corn and mushroom chowder. Or the corn bread. Or ... Not to mention dessert. Add a generous gluten-free menu for those who are so inclined, and I'm sorry to live 2,000 miles away. The only down side is the green stain my sweater now has from my spinach gluttony--and I can live with that.
(5)
Steph P.
So this afternoon, I was on my way home in the pouring rain. I get on the 2 bus (which, BTW, is not my usual bus) because it seems that the 6 just came by. I'm chillin on the bus and see Brasa and remember how one of my classmates said that she really liked their rotisserie chicken. Suddenly, the bus stops and the driver says to me, "Hey, this is the end of the line." Oh crap, I took the bus the wrong direction! If you know me and my sense of direction, you shouldn't be surprised. Well, instead of cursing myself, I took it as a sort of serendipitous event...I guess I was meant to check out Brasa today! And I'm glad I did! This is some tasty, comforting food! The menu points out that this is a sort of amalgam of North American, Caribbean, and South American home cooking. They practice the whole local, naturally raised, sustainable, fair trade, organic thing - which, as you can guess, means that it is both higher quality and more expensive than Boston Market. They serve two kinds of meat: marinated and spice rubbed rotisserie chicken and slow-roasted berkshire pork shoulder. I decided to get the Combination Plate ($14.50) which was 1/4 chicken and a small roast pork, which comes with choice of two small sides and cabbage salad. For the price, it's really a great deal b/c it is HELLA food! I enjoyed it for both lunch and dinner! Both the chicken and the pork were tender and relatively moist, with very subtle flavor. I was a tad underwhelmed by the chicken's flavors (especially compared to the Peruvian rotisserie chicken I've had at NYC's Flor de Mayo), which tasted jerk seasoned. I think that the roasted pork's flavor had a lot of integrity, a very pure "pork" flavor that wasn't at all greasy or overshadowed by sauce. There are also two condiments that came w/ the meats - a tomatillo chipotle salsa and a cilantro ginger mayo. The mayo was AWESOME! The spice and refreshing taste of the grated ginger went so well w/ the rotisserie chicken. The sides I picked (through the server's recommendation) were great! The tastiest collard greens I've ever had! Not prepared like a traditional Southern style, they are slow-cooked and have this very deep and creamy flavor. I asked what it was, and the server told me that they have a touch of creme fraiche...what a delight! The marinated chick peas w/ barley side is a refreshing cold salad, with perfectly cooked barley and chick peas (undercooked either of these is awful). I loved the light dressing that had orange zest...so good! There are a number of other sides that I'd love to try like sweet plantains, fried yuca, yams w/ andouille sausage, black eyed peas w/ berkshire bacon, corn grits w/ cheddar, rice and pigeon peas w/ smoked ham...oh man, yum. When you step in, you can tell that you're in a converted "something" (Beth B's review says it's an old auto shop)...with a very airy, casual feel. The menus are regular, printed on white paper and can be taken home. There's a white board that notes the selection of bottled beers and wines...hey, they have Mexican Coca-Cola here! and their Coca-Cola comes in glass bottles! And sweet tea! How neat. Overall, some delicious food that tastes like it is high quality. I think that it is actually a pretty good deal, and even more so if you come with a friend and split some a la carte items. I think that there are going to be more occasions of "getting lost" in the future. And in case you were wondering, on the way back I got on the wrong bus again. I think I need to get myself some dog tags.
(4)
Meghan F.
The Pulled Pork blew my hair back. I the food is incredible. Sure space is limited, we waited 30 minutes for a seat, the drinks are spendy, it's crowded, but you will leave knowing you just ate sumthin' real special!
(5)
Mike C.
For clarification, these three stars were given due to the apparent digression in quality that has happened over the years. If I were to never have gone here prior, they would possibly have earned 4 stars, but hey, that's life. My first Brasa experience was actually at the Minneapolis location. Nonetheless, prior to arriving at Brasa, we ate dinner at another bar and stayed for a few rounds of drinks. After, it was suggested that we go to Brasa and have some Cava (Spanish Champagne) possibly paired with a dessert. When we entered into, the apparent Midas Brake repair garage converted restaurant, Brasa we were pleasantly greeted by the aromatic smells of rotisserie chicken and pulled pork. After we were seated, we sipped Cava as we perused the menu. Keeping in mind that we had just finished dinner and had drinks at another establishment, the delicious aroma of chicken and pork wafting about the small room made me hungry yet again. I ordered a two meat sampler which allowed me to try the pulled pork, rotisserie chicken, collard greens, and Andoullie sausage yams. The pulled pork was tender and flavorful and paired with either the collards or yams offered a beautiful combination of flavors. The rotisserie chicken was served with a green sauce that I can only describe as some sort of upscale, herb infused variety of ranch dressing. The chicken was moist and seasoned wonderfully and accompanied with the green mystery sauce brought the flavors somewhere unimaginably magnificent. Needless to say, by the time we were done the bones were picked clean and the plate was gleaming. After, we ordered a small slice of birthday cake (on their menu everyday) along with another round of Cava and slowly nibbled away while sipping the bubbly drink. Happy and content we caught a cab and went home, ending a glorious night of eating and drinking (my favorite combination of, mentionable, night time activities). Since then I have eaten here a multitude of times and I am not sure if there has been a change of management, chef, or recipes, however, each time I go back the food just isn't as good as the last. This greatly saddens me as this was once a staple place for my family and friends to go as they serve everything family style making it a very ideal place for large parties. At any rate, I hope that Brasa figures things out and one day return to their glorious days of old. Till then, this customer might stop on by for sip of Cava and birthday cake, but will be bit more reserved regarding other menu items.
(3)
T A.
Ate here twice while visiting the great state of MN. pulled pork was very good, the brisket had a nice sauce which could have used a few more degrees of spiciness, and the catfish was a hit with a very selective eater. I truly enjoyed the guava lime soda and the guacamole was spot on. A good casual restaurant. As an added bonus a great tasting gluten free beer!
(4)
Ashley F.
My ladies and I opted to do the family style dinner at Brasa, and it was delicious. We had the pulled chicken, the braised beef, cheesy grits, cornbread, creamed spinach and butterscotch pudding. The chicken was probably my favorite dish. The pudding wasn't too shabby either. It was just not as good as I had hoped. I feel like the cornbread was lackluster, and the grits were just a little weird. But it was still good, and I feel like it's a decent value for your money.
(4)
McLain C.
I'm a southern transplant, and finding good Southern food in the Twin Cities has been a challenge. I tried Dixie's on Grand (eh, NO), Shorty and Wag's (a FEW good sides and decent wings, but so NASTY and unsanitary), numerous barbecue joints (a few actually GOOD too!), and then I found Brasa. Well, well, well... This place does Latin/Southern/Creole cuisine, and they do it right. The roasted chicken is the best I've had in the cities, beating out the succulent rotisserie chicken at Redstone by a large margin. The skin is crackly and delicious and the meat is tender, juicy, and delicious. The pork is very good, but you can get better pork at some of the local BBQ joints. As far as sides go, the yams with andouille, the COLLARDS, and omigod the CHEESE GRITS are all delectable. If I could bring the Mexican cornbread from Whitey's Saloon up the street it would be damn near a perfect meal. One last note, I really like the emphasis on local product at this restaurant. Brasa proves you can eat at least somewhat locally and sustainably with no compromise in flavor, without breaking the bank.
(5)
Seth M.
I got there right away at 11:00 on a Monday afternoon to meet with a colleague. I got a hot coffee, black to start with. Fantastic! I meant to ask about it, but I was in a hurry. I wish I would have had another cup. I had the lunch plate with braised beef, plantains and chips and guac. The meal was excellent, although I wish I would have eaten a little faster. My food got cold relatively quickly. I had a hard time picking which sides to try since they all looked so good. I wasn't sure if the two sauces were for the beef or the plantains, but I dipped the plantains in the white/green sauce and it was delicious. I would have tried the beef with the sauce had I thought of it. The place filled up fairly quickly and it became very difficult to talk to the person I was there with. Since the place is fairly small and a garage, sound just echoes and by the time we finished we were yelling to each other. There are so many things on that menu that I want to try, I will definitely be back.
(4)
Eric T.
I had just gotten into Minneapolis, and my friends and I were trying to figure out what to do for dinner. Luckily, one of them suggested Brasa, which didn't have a tremendously long wait on a Wednesday night. She billed it as a bbq/rotisserie, but that doesn't really do it justice. It definitely does have rotisserie foods and some BBQ meats, but it's an interesting fusion of Southern, Northern, and Central American tastes that makes it unique. Not to mention, they seem to have locally sourced meats. They have a wide variety of side dishes, from cheesy grits to collard greens to fried plantains. They also have a pretty short menu, but even so, it was hard to decide what to pick. The pulled pork was pretty good, as was the rotisserie chicken. I wound up getting the pork and it was packed with pretty good flavor -- olive oil, garlic, and citrus. Not your average BBQ pulled pork. My friends and I each wound up getting the combo plates for one because we wanted a variety of different sides and the meats. Probably not a great place for vegetarians. I'd definitely come back here if I was in Minneapolis again.
(4)
Nicholas L.
is this food love? i think so. This is my idea of classed up soul food. good ingredients, well prepared with the benefit of time. I'd say it is the prototypical classic bistro (with a few qualifications). They cook almost all their food slow, and well. So, when they are out of a dish - they are out. never been disappointed, and everything tastes just as good as it sounds. AND they have a fantastic beer menu as well.
(5)
Flummerie Junket L.
This place makes me smile.... Like this :) The food is SO good. I crave it. They make awesome chips and guacamole. They make a whole lot of awesome everything. They purchase their meat from Thousand Hills thousandhillscattleco.com so you don't have to feel dodgy about eating it. You have to be a fast runner though... You will be one of MANY people parking your car in that little neighborhood and rushing in for one of the few tables they have. It's worth it.
(5)
Robin R.
My boyfriend and I have been known to eat at Brasa more than once a week. It's our "fast food". We don't just eat there a lot because it's fast, that's just a perk. We eat at Brasa because the food has never let us down. It's always made with fresh ingredients and it warms me from the inside. Chicken, greens and sweet tea...yumm! Read more of my review at TastyStuffsMN
(5)
Nick M.
Nothing really special to me. The restaurant is a converted gas station with rotisserie ovens inside. It gets pretty toasty in the summer, even with the doors open. Tip: grab patio seating. I had the chicken with the pork. Pork was decent, chicken was a bit dry to me, a bit underseasoned. I ordered the yuca fries, which were good. Corn bread muffin was good. Creamed spinach was below average. Kudos for the Oberon ale from MI. And the Mexican Coca Cola. Average. Prices were reasonable but wouldn't go again. I'm also from out-of-town, so if I were local I maybe would frequent a few times a year. But there is way better food in MN, IMHO.
(3)
barry k.
This was one of the first restaurants we went to after moving to Minneapolis. My girlfriend and I love BBQ and so we had to try Brasa after several people recommended it. What I loved most was that we could order tiny portions of everything on the menu so we could try anything that sounded good. The rotisserie chicken and pulled pork were awesome. The GF preferred the cornbread. I liked the spinach. When our check came we thought it was an error because it was so low. It feels a bit like a fast food restaurant in the atmosphere, but if you don't mind that, it is totally worth checking out. I wish they had more hot sauce options.
(4)
Vanilla Nugget X.
Yum. The chicken is great...we had the rotisserie chicken and pulled chicken - both delicious. I think you can really tell that this is high quality chicken - plump, tasty, and almost fresh tasting. Then, the added layer of cooking does it wonders. We went for brunch, so I also had the huevos rancheros special, which was a simple meal, but very satisfying. Homemade salsa, some black beans, and the eggs over a fried corn cake. Simple, clean, and I really enjoyed it. The fresh oj was awesome as well. I couldn't give it five because I am addicted to the awesome chicken at a place closer to home, but if I ever make Minneapolis my home, this would be my joint.
(4)
Becky L.
Pulled pork, pulled pork, pulled pork...
(4)
Andi B.
Since I started to YELP, I have had this review in the back of my head because Brasa Rotisserie definitely meets my criteria....Remember my criteria? (see About Me) After eating there this week and seeing that it has been reviewed over 250 times already, I guess I am not letting out a big secret! Brasa ROCKS! Each time I go there (mostly for lunch) I am blown away merely by the aroma when I walk in! I start salivating at that minute and then my poor dining partner(s) are forced by me to decide quickly and order so we don't have to wait too long for food to come! Well, enough about me, let's dive into the Black Bean Fritter sandwich...WOW! Thick, crispy and bean-y, great flavor, served on a heavenly bun with tomatoes, mozzarella slices, lettuce and creamy guacamole! My side option was Creamed Spinach with Jalapeno which reminded me of my weekend in Atlanta, GA, eating as much southern comfort food as I could! It was perfect this week because my dining partner ordered the lunch special which is a meat sandwich with one side. He got the pulled pork with Black Eye Pea Soup. Immediately we traded sandwich halves, so I also enjoyed the juicy, flavorful pork sandwich. He said the soup was delicious, but I didn't try. I trust his opinion, though. And for fun, we ordered a Masa Corn Cake to split....well, I tried to split it evenly, but after tasting, I had to sneak a bit of my partner's half! Brasa definitely cares about their treatment of food and their use of local food sources is a big plus for me! Hmmmm, now that I think about it, maybe I'll go tomorrow for brunch!
(5)
Lia B.
First, when you move somewhere new, it's inevitable that someone will come to visit in the first month or so and ask you to take them to your FAVORITE restaurant. As if in a month you've tasted all the local flavor and can make this distinction. SO, when posed with this issue, I called on yelp. And might I say thank you. My boyfriend wanted meat, and meat we did receive. For an affordable price of around $40 we got an entire roasted chicken w/ a creamy cilantro sauce that we both loved (and of course I took home subsequent delicious leftovers... mmm southern chicken salad), 2 beers, 2 corn bread muffins (SO good) and some jalapeno tinted creamed spinach that I thought was alright and the boy devoured. Although I usually stick to more veggie-friendly eats and I wasn't totally blown away, I will definitely be returning. The service was a bit slow (it was busy though), but VERY nice and accommodating. And sitting 'outside' aka inside with all the garage door style walls up was lovely. I will say I wouldn't go with a group - couples are the easiest. Even groups of 4 had to wait because of the 'seat yourself' style where every couple sat with a table in between them and the next duo... human nature. Not the best logistics, but just fine for a party of 2. All in all, thanks Brasa for a very satisfying dinner - next time I'll put my ATL taste buds to the work of judging your sweet tea... watch out. If you ace that, I'll up you to the 5 star club.
(4)
Corey C.
This place is great, but I'm giving it three stars for a few different reasons I will state throughout this review. First off I didn't read anything about this place before I went so there was no hype on my part, so there wasn't any let downs. This is what I expected from just driving past the place during my day to day life. It was going to be a little fast food style place with some okay food. Those expectations were a lot lower then what Brasa has to offer. When we got there the waitress informed us that they didn't open for another 10 minutes but we were welcome to sit down, it just might be a few minutes before we are attended to. Which was nice they let us sit down. First off the menu isn't hard to figure out (well depending on the person reading it) but its not a straight forward menu like 99.9% of all other menus are. So that was a negative. Its more of a soul or southern style cooking yet the food isn't spicy and when I asked about spicy food our waitress told me they had a good selection of hot sauces I could put on my food. The home made hot sauce was pretty tasty, but unless your from northen europe your not going to think its that spicy, then she brought out the other "good selection" of hot sauces which consisted of "Red Hot" and some other hot sauce you can buy at cub foods. That was another negative. They only offer sugar cane sodas in a bottle, no fountain, which isn't really a bad thing, but the only thing main stream is the mexican coca cola, and the only things that are free refills are the sweet tea (Which was great) and the lemon aid. Sort of a negative seeing that its almost like a Chipotle with waiter service. onto the food The food was pretty darn good, just not spicy like it should have been. I ordered the 12 hour roasted pork with the rustic cheesy grits and the black beens with rice. It was awesome! My dads from the south so it reminds me of home cookin except it wasn't anything near spicy. Other reviews have stated the grits were bland, that goes with out saying, all grits are bland. These were the best grits I've had!!! I mixed the pork, beens, and rice together then covered it all in the home made hot sauce it was great!!! My girlfriend bought the pork sandwich which was bland, it was missing a sauce or a cheese, with a good sauce or cheese this sandwich could possibly win a award, but with out it, the sandwich was pretty bland!!! She also had the side of corn bread which was AWESOME!!! Best corn bread other then my dads home made. I would have gave this place a 5 stars if they offered spicier food, a wide variety of hot sauces, offered sauce or cheese on the pork sandwich, and had fountain soda enjoy
(3)
Tiffiny C.
I was here recently and ordered: Roast chicken, pulled pork, corn bread with honey butter, fried plantain, yellow rice with red beans, and squash with chorizo sausage. Also has a glass of sangria. It COULD have been stronger, but it was refreshing. All the meat here is blissful. The pork tastes like it came straight from a small town pig roast. My only complaint is the lack of sufficient AC. The walls are open in the summer and it was stifling there last week, despite the AC supposedly being on. Tiny place too, but the patio is nearly as big in sq footage of the restaurant.
(4)
Jennifer K.
I went back to Brasa last week and had another great meal! I'm a huge fan of their creamed spinach, but those plantains and the dipping sauce they come with are really out of this world ;-)
(4)
Kelsey K.
Have always had this as take out at this location. The park down the way is kinda nice to chill out and eat at if the place is busy. Best Choices: The beef (just do it and get lots-you will want more) Cheesy Grits (even if you don't like grits you will like these grits) Sweet Potatoes with Anduoui Sausage (more sausage would make it better but still pretty darn good) Corn Cakes (get a pile....cause 1 or 2 is just not enough especially if you have to share-could lead to fights over corn cakes)
(4)
Carla J.
I've been waiting to go to Brasa. My partner is a vegetarian so rotisseries rate low on the great-date scale. So, this week she was out of town and I grabbed a meat-eating friend and headed NE. I really liked everything about Brasa. It was a beautiful night, so all the garage doors were open and the open air had that fabulous-weekend-in-the-city vibe. We had the worst table in the place and I looked directly into the men's room every time some guy went in or out. However, I did not let that deter me from focusing on enjoying myself and the food. It was our first time there and I already knew I was ordering chicken. I adore rotisserie chicken and was looking forward to trying Brasa's creole style. That meant I had big decisions on side dishes. There are 12 to choose from and I deeply desired most of them. When done with honor, side dishes are one of God's gifts to humanity. Luckily, there was a table of 10 next to us and they ordered l lot of sides and I eavesdropped during the service to spy which was which. Brasa wins the side dish award in my opinion. I ordered the Slow Cooked Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey and the Rustic Style Cheese Grits. (I got the last one!) My friend ordered the salad and the Fried Sweet Plantains. The greens were my favorite--deep flavor, not too salty, perfect tenderness. Yum. The grits were smooth and creamy. My friend was crazy about the plantains. The salad way OK, nothing special compared to other choices. Oh, the chicken?! Really great. Juicy. Delicious herbs, Fell off the bone. I loved it. I got a quarter chicken and it was a bit of a skimpy portion (could be gluttony talking here). Next time I'll get a half and take some home. My friend got the pork/chicken combo and she liked the pork better. Go figure. I took a star away because our waiter sucked. We had to ask for him to take our order, ask for refills, ask for sweetener, ask for ice for our ice tea, often ask twice and then often another waitress would end up helping us out. Plus, it bugs me when I ask what's best, what's recommended or if something is good and the only response I get is, "Yeah, it's good" to everything. Have an opinion. Not everything is excellent. What if I order wrong? My Yelp might lead someone astray!
(4)
Mona R.
We went there on a nice summer day which made the whole experience wonderful. They sat us next to the open patio doors. I had the sangria which was good enough and a chicken sandwich which was really delicious. my husband had platter that included beef and pork and sides. All really good. we both enjoyed the food very much and the service was really friendly as well.
(4)
D. L.
Oh Brasa, your meat is heavenly, your sides are amazing, your prices are right but really, please please please do something about the climate control during the warm months. I want to eat here way more often than I do but I mostly think about it when it's too hot to cook and I don't have AC so takeout isn't always ideal either. (It's fine in the winter, just as crowded but nice and toasty.) I still go for the shredded pork though (but the chicken and the beef are occasionally underwhelming -- when the former is dry and the latter is overly salty). While all the sides are great, it's the fried yuca that has stolen my heart and I always have to order the large. And the green sauce...slather that stuff over cardboard and I'd want to eat it. I wish the desserts followed through better on their Latin/Carribean/Southern flavors. They're a little uninspired and I always love to end a meal with dessert if the menu is enticing or special enough. Wouldn't a fried fruit hand-pie/sweet empanada of the day just be awesome? I'd totally go for something like that!
(4)
jenny A.
My husband took me here for lunch on parental freedom day (i.e. MLK Day) and I pretty much dragged him back the next night for dinner. It was that good. The place was first recommended to us by Grina at Al's who is very picky about food to say the least. The meats are perfection itself. The pulled chicken in a light cream sauce is probably the best thing I've ever eaten that came from a chicken. Sincerely, it tops fried chicken and I'm quite devoted to that dish. The pork shoulder was great and so was the beef brisket. And unlike so many meat-centric restaurants the sides are what make Brasa so memorable. Andoille and yams are to die for. I love yams and these were the best I've ever, ever had. Black eyed peas with smoked ham, were tender and tasted delicately of smoke. Cornbread was awesome. Even the rice which is pretty much filler at most places like this was good, subtly spiced and not greasy or dry. I think what I appreciate about Brasa was that it was big flavors, but also small ones. Sometimes restaurants just dump sugar or spice on things to cover up for lack of quality in the food. At Brasa the food stands on its own. It's all local fresh and good for you, so eat it, already! Also extra points for the sangria which was awesome and washed the whole thing down well. We had the apple cake for dessert and it was also excellent. The bill for three people for dinner with drinks and dessert was $50. We were absolutely stuffed and had a little container of leftovers. Service was friendly and helpful and they are kid friendly to boot. Oh Brasa I love you. Is it too soon to go back? I'm including this on my U of M restaurant list, even though it is a bit off campus. It's a very cheap cab ride away and well worth the journey. Be warned though, Brasa is packed on week-end evenings and you may have to wait up to a half an hour for a table.
(5)
Jess L.
I had fab takeout from Brasa the other night. The wait for a table was long, so I opted to take it less than a mile to my place of residence. The chicken was perfect, the black beans and rice were superb. I had leftovers for a few days of lunch at work. Love it!
(5)
amy n.
Brasa was one of the best meals I've had in a looong time! I took my out-of-town boyfriend here on a date, and he is definitely one of those carnivorous guys who bypass anything green. This is only a place to go if you have that hankering for meat. No veggie options really. The building is very cool, essentially it is a garage with a kitchen. It got crowded very quickly, but I've never minded that. We each got a plate with the single meat option, which comes with two sides, and it was a perfect amount of food. I had the pulled pork; he had the beef. I kept stealing bits of his -- it was simmered in a realllly delicious barbeque-like sauce. For sides, I loved the yuca potatoes with andouille, and definitely the greens. I'll have to try the other ones next time. They even have mexican cokes!
(5)
Mark C.
We waited 40 minutes to be seated, only to be informed that they were totally out of beef (it was only 6:45pm). Lame-lame-lame. That's 25% of their menu. We have frequented Brasa on & off for several years & we're finding more reasons not to go back every time we eat there. It seems that the primary focus is on turning over tables, getting further away from what originally made them a good restaurant. Too many good restaurants to go back there-too bad.
(1)
Emily A.
Delicious! Just the right amount of food (I had chx sandwich w/ yuca) - I was a touch overstuffed, but didn't want to die. Good feel to the place (patio and open front in good weather) nice chill waiter, tasty food, and very reasonably priced. The Mexican Coke puts it over the top to a 5. Didn't have trouble parking, tho the closest street was starting to fill up once there were ppl waiting for tables -- about 7pm on a nice Sat evening. Only minor food suggestion is a little less heavy on the sides/sauces on the sandwich. The pulled chicken had great flavor but was a bit overwhelmed by the accouterments (which were also good tho).
(5)
J M.
The pulled pork melts in your mouth and the creamed spinach is addicting. Great for take out or eating in in the summer. Up size your portions, you'll want the extra food!
(4)
Jenna G.
I think Brasa has great food, and it reminds me a lot of homecooked food in Georgia, where I grew up. Brasa has recently made 2 major changes to their menu and foodservice, which prompted to me to review. First, there has been a noticeable price increase, especially if you've eaten there within the last 6 weeks. The sandwiches went up $2-3 a piece, but now include one side item, where previously they included chips. They no longer serve the chips with the sandwich. Prices on sides have gone up noticeably, sometimes as much as $3 for certain items. Second, the thing that really bugged me was that the portion sizes were OBVIOUSLY smaller. Very recognizably smaller - they upped the price of some side dishes by as much as $2 or $3, and then reduced the portion size by as much as half. I'm really disappointed - did their costs go up? Are the local farms charging more for their meat and dairy? I know the cost of collard greens hasn't gone up that much - I buy and cook them regularly. Very disappointed.
(3)
Rona Y.
This place has amazing food! I have seriously never had a bad meal! The meats are all really good - I normally don't like to get chicken at a restaurant bc its just boring to me, but this chicken is so amazing, so try it! The only reason I am giving it a 4/5 stars is because on a warmer day it really sucks to have to sit inside. It is a small space and bc they are roasting meats all day it gets super hot and stuffy and does not make the dinning experience very pleasant.
(4)
Maija M.
YUM! Husband & I each got the lunch plate (a meat, side & bread). I had the pulled chicken in a light pepper gravy (not a big gravy person, but this was light & flavorful), cornbread, & cabbage and apple coleslaw. All 3 were totally yummy. He had the pork, plantains & the other bread choice, a sort of corn flatbread. Also delicious. Service was very friendly & attentive. Definitely plan to go back!
(5)
Elissa L.
Why did the vegetarian go the a rotisserie? Sounds like a bad joke. To be honest, I was forced to go. My boyfriend loves meat, so sometimes I give in and go to places like this. Joke's on me. It was frickin' awesome. They have an entire menu dedicated to those of us that are not flesh-eaters. And it's legit. I got the vegetarian bean fritter and begrudgingly bit into it, expecting a lackluster performance. To my surprise, it was delish. And of course, my bf's food was awe-inspring, according to him. My only complaint is that the whole joint smells like meat. Go figure.
(4)
Joanna C.
Even good for vegetarians! I have to admit, I only went here because I received a gift card for Brasa, which I thought was odd since I'm a vegetarian. But I was pleasantly surprised when I reviewed the menu that most of the long list of side dishes are vegetarian, and I was blown away by how great they are! Do not miss the fried plantain, it's the best! Be careful of going here on a very hot day as we did, because it will get very hot indoors. We sat out on the patio, which was lovely, but you are in the sun so no cover from heat. Fortunately the sun was going down then, so later in the evening is great too.
(5)
Aaron M.
I continually come back to Brasa for what I think is the best reason to re-visit a restaurant: The food is great. The meat has wonderful taste, the sides are varied and delicious, the beer is cold and in the summer you can't beat the patio. I think there is some psychological magicness about their menu, too. I think it's the same magic Chipotle has exploited: Keep the menu limited but allow for lots of customization. Our brains can only handle so many choices. (Have you gone to Cheesecake Factory lately? Is that menu not overwhelming???) Giving us one page of options is a relief for our over-worked decision-makers -- especially when every single option is so delicious. See you there.
(5)
Brook C.
Brasa Rotisserie a northern take on a southern meat and three... I had been hearing a bit of hype over Brasa for the past few months, so the other day my boyfriend and I hopped on our bikes to go check it out. My partner in crime figured the best value to try the most food for two would be to get the plates and share. We choose the Pork Plate (because everyone raves about the pork), and Chicken Plate. Each plate comes with the choice of two sides. We ended up choosing the cheese grits, yams with andouille, the greens, and their daily special side which was black eye peas with bacon served with a half moon of honey corn bread. We got a nice sample of the menu, but over all I felt the food was lacking in seasoning for the southern concept foods. I also felt that my chicken had been hot held too long and had become dry. The pork was good but I can think of a few places who have better pork at around the same price point.... Bewitched. Over all I had to give Brasa A-Ok... but I will be going again to see if it was just an odd day.
(3)
Joe P.
Great lunch spot, fast service and pleasant staff.
(4)
Amy C.
I really liked this place. The building was so unique and unexpected - an old car garage with the 3 garage doors used as windows and a portal onto the patio! Fun on a nice night. We had a 30 minute wait so started with a bottle of red zinfandel and have to admit I was a little shocked at the $35 price tag since the rest of the menu was so reasonable. Next time I'll stick to the Surly. Service is average - a bit slow at times but there were only 3 waitresses. I had the combo plate (chicken and pork) because I couldn't decide. For sides I had the cheese grits and chop salad. The grits were salty (and I LOVE salt) but the SALAD was something to write home about. Crunchy romaine, pine nuts, parmesan and a dressing that was perfectly balanced. Hubby had the beef with chips/gauc and the chop salad. Same reviews around. The biggest bonus is all the meat is organic and local.
(4)
Jim R.
Pulled pork. yum. We've been here twice, once in the dead of winter when the drafts from the garage doors chilled us between warming bites of pulled pork and cornbread, and again, this past week when unseasonably warm breezes at the outside tables made us smile as we gorged on family-sized piles of pork, beans and rice. Skip the chicken, which tends toward dry. Don't be seduced by the brisket, which promises more delights than it delivers. Concentrate on pulled pork, red beans and rice and cornbread, served up family-style. And don't forget the plantains with cilantro aioli and be sure to ask for the homemade salsa.
(4)
Jordan S.
There is not going to be too much to this review. Everything was awesome. The food was fantastic. The service was phenomenal. The ambiance was unique and fun. I was hesitant to eat there. Now I can't stop telling people to go there. I can't wait until I can eat there again. This place is absolutely fantastic!
(5)
Becca H.
You know, I'm originally from a southern part of the world and I grew up eating food like this 700+ miles from Minneapolis, so I have to admit I was skeptical about going out for greens & black eyed peas so far from home-- but I was pleasantly surprised by the excellence of the food at Brasa. We tried all three meat options, and I honestly can't choose a favorite-- i enjoyed them all immensely! Chicken, beef, and pork were all very tender and flavorful, and all of the side dishes were glorious. I felt like I was eating my Kentucky grannie's cooking again. The service was lackluster, frankly, but the food was sooooo great I'm giving it 5 stars anyway.
(5)
Wanda M.
After watching Food INC, it is so nice to know where the food we are eating comes from. We ordered 1/4 Rotisserie Chicken from Kadejan Farms in MN. Warm Cornbread w/ honey butter. Yellow Rice w/ black beans. Fried Plantains. All were super good and have me wanting more. Fantastic decor; old mechanic shop. Looks like this place may have a nice patio in the warmer months.
(3)
Elizabeth B.
Just returned from eating at this places after reading about 40 raving reviews. And, it's great. I went with my fiance and we decided to go early so we wouldn't have to wait. Got seated at 4:45 pm; it was almost empty. Here's what we got: Rotisserie chicken- amazing, juicy, the seasoning on the skin was delicious. Also, the sauce was addicting. Pulled pork- Soft, flavorful, yummy. Cornbread- Good but somehow not the best cornbread I've ever had. It definitely was soft and fluffy though. Chips with Guac- The guacamole was SO GOOD. Creamy, fresh, and omgYUM. The chips were overly salted though. Creamed spinach with jalapenos- I thought it was really good, especially considering I don't usually like creamed spinach. Fiance didn't really like it; said it wasn't spicy enough. Yams with andouille- Yummy, the flavors blended well. Cheddar grits- YUM!! these were awesome. Pineapple upside down cake- the sauce was really runny and it made it hard to eat it with a fork, but the cake was moist and flavorful. Also, the iced tea is amazing. Its kind of flowery tasting but a great compliment to the meat and sides. For portions, we got the 2 small meats, 4 small sides, 2 cornbreads, and 1 dessert. We are totally, absolutely stuffed, and it was only 44$ (including tip and drinks) I would definitely encourage everyone to try this restaurant at least once.
(4)
Steve U.
I was finally able to make it over to brasa fit lunch the other day. wow! tasty and fast and not at all endorsed by the American Heart Association. the creamed spinach and jalapeno is amazing. a hint of warmth and smooth popeye song inducing spinach goodness. for really, i yam what i yam... the rotisserie chicken simply falls apart driving you to chase it around your plate and you really shouldn't get me going in the red beans and corn muffin. highly recommended.
(5)
Kat W.
When I got dragged here, I wasn't really sure what to expect. But Brasa, you are black magic. Brasa serves a kind of southern/tropical plate lunch. You pick your meat, and get some sides. Voila. For my Brasa experience, I had the chicken with black beans + rice a salad, and the ever-beloved sweet tea. Tablemates had the pork and fried plantains. Everyone was on cloud nine with their meal. We had the delightful molten chocolate cake for dessert which was, like the rest of the food, really good. However, being more of a savory person myself, next time I would probably just eat another side instead. Besides the amazingness of the food I ate, their open kitchen was a fun addition to the atmosphere and they have a garage door on one of the walls that lets in great light in the winter, which is nice because it really warmed the place up.
(5)
Michelle K.
Love it - especially the pork and the cabbage salad. Bring your sunglasses - for some reason I consistently end up staring into the sun, whether I'm indoors or out.
(5)
S O.
If there were such a thing as 2.5 stars, I would give it that. I get it, it's a rotisserie, but the already limited menu totally lacks vegetarian options. While my carnivorous co-worker ate from a delicious and meaty selection, I opted for the items I was absolutely sure would not have meat: black beans! Corn bread! I can only rate this from my vegetarian perspective. I have no doubt others enjoy this place. The place is really TEENY though, so keep that in mind. In the summer, it's totally hoppin!
(2)
Nick S.
I think people have already covered pretty much all that needs to be said about Brasa. From such a simple formula (three meats, a dozen sides, a few desserts) and such simple dishes, Brasa really does make magical things happen. All three meats are so deliciously tender and flavorful that it's always an internal struggle to pick which ones to get. Their sides are wonderfully complimentary -- especially the collard greens and cheesy grits. My gluttony has heretofore forbidden me from ordering a dessert, but when that day finally comes I anticipate it will be marvelous. For someone who lives in the neighborhood, the realization that Brasa does takeout was nothing short of a religious awakening. Call them up and about fifteen minutes later you can show up and have a dinner packed and waiting for you. Given how busy the place usually is, it's a nice way to avoid waiting for a table. Brasa is one of those restaurants that I have to laud just for having such broad appeal. I know I could bring anyone from my grandfather to my gourmand mouther-in-law to my teenaged sister there and they'd proclaim it delicious. Not every restaurant can say that, and those that can are golden in my book.
(5)
Vivek N.
Third time is a charm. Went back to check out Brassa one more time, the high was the same as the initial high so the final rating for Brasa is 5 stars!! Just be sure to ask for the green sauce with the pork...it makes all the difference.
(5)
Alex Z.
The food can be pretty good most of the time. After going there on a regular basis over a couple of weeks I quickly learned they have their good days and bad days. They have consistency problems. Sometime the chicken would clearly be overcooked. The cornbread along with the chicken were the items I ordered most often. The sandwiches were ok. They could be much better if they got better bread. Overall, based on its high rating on Yelp I expected better. It can be really good but also can often be mediocre.
(3)
Josh V.
I love meat. There, I said it. And as a proud carnivore, I took it upon myself to finally check out this Brasa place after all this time. And lo and behold, it did not disappoint. I went there during the Red Stag Block Party, as I didn't want to eat a burger that would just disappoint me, and Brasa was right across the street. As soon as I walked in, the aroma of fresh spices and meats hit me hard. It was intoxicating and a smell that I shall certainly be back for. Their menu is compact, meaning that they know what they do well and do a lot of it, and all of their meats and side veggies and dishes are 100 % natural, locally produced and organic. For my first visit, I went solo, so I didn't get the sharing portions of all the meats or sides, but I went with a very delicious sandwich all the same. The slow roasted pork sandwich ($9) comes with homemade tortilla chips and is covered in pickled vegetables and a nice (if thin) coating of ginger mayo. The pork has also been seasoned with lime and garlic so has an out-of-this-world flavor to it. The server was very attentive and nice and recommended that I use the spicy, jalapeno-infused vinegar to really bring out the flavor of the pork. Now, normally I'm not a big vinegar guy, but this stuff didn't taste like regular vinegar at all and had a much more spicy bite than anything vinegary. I highly recommend this stuff on pretty much anything ever. Also, the chips came with a side of dipping sauce that was sort of like a spicy mustard/salsa. It was also so awesome that I really wanted to just lick out the entire cup it was served in (but I refrained... this time). Suffice it to say, Brasa is a restaurant that I will certainly be traveling back to very soon. Next time though, I'm bringing a few hungry friends along and we are going to get different meats and sides to share and do the family style sharing thing. It's going to be awesome!
(5)
Ed P.
Is it me, or does this restaurant look like a re-decorated gas station? That was the first impression I had of Brasa Rotisserie when we pulled into the its exceptionally tiny parking lot . But as soon as you step inside.. The D(el)ISH: What wasn't good!?! If you are going to order and its your first time dining at Brasa, for the meat-lover I recommend the Combination plate. Because if if you are going to do rotisserie, you gotta do rotisserie right! The food specs: Pulled pork. Rotisserie Chicken. Cheese Grits. And of course, the Corn Bread! Ordered a side of Collard Greens w/ an Arnie Palmer - and I'm good! The DIRT: For the price, I thought portions would be bigger! Despite my only gripe, the restaurant serves really good food and appears to be a big hit. I mean, there was a line when we got in, and there was a line waiting when we left. If that isn't an indication of a restaurants' popularity and success, then please let me know! I recommend this place for its unique atmosphere and friendly staff. And the food, if you like it soulful, is OHSOGOOD!
(4)
Abbey N.
Went at 6:30pm on a Friday night in Feb with our 2.5 year old son. Place was packed and bustling with that good restaurant vibe. We were told it would be a 25 minute wait but it ended up being 15. Super friendly service all around. The food was delicious; we ordered rotisserie chicken (delicious and the green sauce that comes with it was also really good), the pulled pork and the beef stole the show. Sides were a little hit or miss; guacamole was good, the corn cake good too, the black eyed pea special was just so-so. However, the over meal was a complete success -- loved our Mexican cokes! Really kid friendly without being obnoxious. Also, they have an awesome fire pit out back! Total for our meal was $45 w tip and I had dessert.
(5)
M M.
The pulled pork was delicious and moist. The fried yuca was also good - crispy and seasoned well. The cilantro sauce was also very good. However, the rotisserie chicken was underwhelming - the white meat was dry and overall not flavorful. The pulled chicken tasted like meat smothered with Campbell cream of chicken. Will probably go back only for their pulled pork.
(3)
Andrew T.
Minneapolis is a hidden gem for some amazing restaurants. Brasa, Salut, Chino and Quangs all come to mind immediately and that only scratches the surface. Today we will examine, at a very nigh-level, Brasa in Northeast Minneapolis. First, Brasa takes care in selecting the best ingredients available: 100% natural, locally-sourced and organic product selections. Of course, they cannot be 100% organic and local all the time, but they strive to be. Brasa cooks the way I was taught and the way I love: slow. The pulled pork melts in your mouth. Give it a little of either their chipotle or garlic-cilantro (I think but I don't remember) sauce and you are in heaven. The menu doesn't stop there: The rotisserie chicken is simple, but amazing and well-seasoned with a dry rub. They also have a slow-cooked beef and pulled chicken selections. For those of you not down with the meat, Brasa serves up some delicious vegetarian options and several side options, including my favorite cabbage and mozzarella salad. The Mozzarella is a new addition to the salad and compliments it well. If I could add any options to the menu, I would say try doing a "wild card" side each week, if you don't already. I now live in Chicago, so I don't get back often. I would start with a nice risotto cake (pan-fried) or something and see how it goes. Keep up the good work. See you soon
(5)
Ramin R.
Absolutely delicious. The pulled pork melts in your mouth like sweet goodness. The white, limey sauce that comes with the Yuca fries and plantains is also very yummy. The fried sweet plantains could be much softer and sweeter (like at Puerto Rican places). But, all the meats and sides are really good and make for full bellies. They have these combo plates that are a good deal, but they don't let you order them individually if your party has more than 4 people. Kind of annoying.
(4)
David S.
All the food here is great. It's definitely a very Poultry oriented menu, but there is some beef in there as well.
(4)
Jennifer H.
They have a pretty decent selection of stuff for us non-omnivores. I think the best bang for your buck thing on the menu is actually the plate of 3 sides. I got the cheese grits, which were delightful; the creamed spinach, which was chock full of jalapeno (I added some sour cream at home to be able to eat them); the fried sweet plantains, which are amazing; and I went with the masa corn and cheese cake, which was puzzling but good. I'm still not sure what the spicy stuff on top of it was. Husband got the pulled pork. He said it was good, but he was confused by the fact that when you order the meat, all you get is meat. Just a pile of meat. It's an a la carte menu, yes, but it's still a bit strange. Also, it seems a bit excessive to charge $4.25 for a little cup of grits with some shredded cheese on top. Brasa is actually surprisingly kid-friendly, as evidenced by the big stack of high chairs. It was a little interesting wedging the high chair in the tiny open space by our table. The place is tiny. Not Colossal Cafe tiny, but it's tight in there. The staff was almost supernaturally nice. All in all I would go back but maybe do everything family style.
(4)
Steve S.
Just an update to reccomend the Plantains. They are amazing!
(5)
Jess R.
All I have to say is if Andy ever gets the recipe for the pulled pork I want it We did take out, although once we got there we both wish we could have stayed and ate - but the dog was with us. We decided to get a sampling of stuff - 1/4 chicken - huge thumbs up from the man 1/4lb Pork - My favorite - love it 1/4lb Beef - Not a huge hit, we do a spicy beef at home that tops it Grits - was good Spinach - was tasteful, but not a huge hit Cornbread - AWESOME, I had put the honey butter on it, but ended up scraping it off cause the bread is sweet enough without it and so dense and tasteful. We will definitely go again and give all the other sides an equal chance to impressing us :) But of course we will not leave without the corn bread and pork
(5)
Tim P.
I've enjoyed a meal at Brasa about eight times and enjoyed it all eight. Though it was not perfect every time...the pork and beef have been dry from time to time, and the service was severly lacking once, but how much bad can you really say about a place that I am always in the mood for. Recommedations: The Beef is very good, followed by the chicken... The Yucca, Plantains, grits and cornbread all great! Also mexican soda. Combo beef plate with Plantains, and rice and beans and yucca for the app. Take a little of each with every bite . You will not be dissapointed. Unless you are lame.
(5)
Oskar C.
Awesome place. My wife and I eat here often. Everything we have ever had here has been really good. Their pudding dessert is our favorite. Will keep coming back for the reasonably priced and excellent food.
(5)
Donna B.
Mary-mother-of-cupcakes, does this place rock. Intrigued by the promise of entrees made with locally sourced ingredients, dear hubby and I trotted over to Brasa in NE Minneapolis for takeout on a recent summer's night... Our take? Bravo, Brasa! From the melt-in-your mouth rotisserie-fired meats and citrus-and-cilantro studded cabbage salad, to the fast, cheerful service -- we were decidedly dazzled. Pick a Protein Think pork, chicken and beef mambo-ing alongside sassy sauces and complex spices ... Smoky Spanish paprika ... Richly flavored ancho chiles. Oh happy happy joy joy -- heaven. Savor a Side Not to be outdone, imagine comforting beans-and-rice concoctions cha-cha-cha-ing into peaceful coexistence with crispy plantain perfection. Dabble in Dessert And speaking of cupcakes ... Did I mention the birthday-cake love ball that landed in our to-go bag -- all buttery and dense and proud of its non-crumbly-ness? Pish-posh nasty, dry cupcakes! Lard-icing laden wannabes take note: This is what a *real* cupcake should taste like. Tick-Tock Takeout Our order took only 10 minutes; exactly enough time to linger briefly on the patio over a couple of glasses of sangria. And our food wasn't all funky by the time we got home; in fact, it was still warm-ish -- even though we had a 20-minute drive. Babaloo, Brasa! We'll be back soon!
(5)
Keshar N.
Roasted. Meat. BOOM! Do I really need to write anything else?! I have been dying to come here ever since I ate at Restaurant Alma. My favorite dish that was at Restaurant Alma, had the meat supplied by this glorious establishment. We ate here on a Friday night and we braced for the crazy crowd... but, it was not bad at all. We were able to get seated right away and began our meat-fest! We had the BBQ beef sandwich and the pulled pork. We also got the sides of mac and cheese, yams and cornbread... just a small meal, you know? The sandwich was SO good. The sauce was tangy and smokey/sweet and the pork was succulent... I have been waiting so long to write a review with succulent in it! Just so SO good. The food is prepared simply with high quality ingredients. The mac and cheese is life-changing... and heart-stopping, while the yams did not do anything for me. I just don't think they were for me. The cornbread is fantastic too. We ended the meal with their butterscotch pudding. Oh. My. God. Forget the stuff in the box, this is what pudding is supposed to be! Sweet and rich and with a little bit of a salty taste... YUM! Not only that, the meal is well-priced, the ambiance is great and the whole place smells like roasting meat! If you are looking for some BBQ not along the lines of Famous Daves, check this place out! Like I said... roasted. meat. BOOM!
(5)
M L.
Personally, I think this place is a bit closer to fast food joint than restaurant. The food quality is good, definitely above fast food level. But the menu is pretty simple and standard, nothing fancy or unique about its selection. The atmosphere is definitely fast food-ish, however there is a waiter. I think if you called this place a restuarant you would almost have to consider chipotle one too.
(3)
Chris K.
Alex Roberts is a genius. The chef behind Restaurant Alma, Alex opened Brasa in a converted gas station in NE Minneapolis 3 years ago. My life has not been the same since. Brasa specializes in slow cooked and rotisserie meats. Their chicken is succulent, tender and salty. Perfection. Their pork is tender, fatty and meticulously spiced. And the beef. Wow. The sides though make the meal at Brasa. The fried Yuca - a root vegetable that tastes like a light potato and has a texture somewhere between yams and potatoes - is out-of-this-world. You have to get it. The collard greens and turkey is salty, creamy and delicious. A great, slightly spicy salute to greens. Chips and guacamole are also spectacular, as is the creamed spinach and rice and beans... Ok, so the whole menu is unbelievable. Really. It is. South American soul food. That's the most succinct way I can describe Brasa. Delicious and addictive, your life will not be the same after your first meal at Brasa.
(5)
Steve B.
I"ve had this on my top 10 list to check out for quite some time. Finally, I was able to eat here last night and wasn't let down at all. The food really is delicious. I was able to have a wide sampling of food, all of which was great!. I had a chance to eat the pulled chicken, roasted pork, and braised beef. My favorite was the braised beef as it was so tender and filled with just the right amount of spices. I also really like that the meat is local and hormone free The sides were just as delicious as I had yuca, cabbage and mozzarella salad, creamed spinach and collards. Can't wait to go back for more.
(5)
Nina H.
Oh Brasa, How do I love thee? Please don't make me get on a scale within a week of coming here though. Brasa has consistently great food - and yes, mixing the grits with the collard greens or spinich is a sublime experience. The only argument I have with it is that the food doesn't reheat well probably due to the high fat content of all that yummy chicken and beans, (but who wouldn't want to eat it all when there!) I sorely miss Betty's coffee shop, which used to occupy the space, but can't think of another establishment I forgive more for being there now.
(5)
Andres C.
Too small portions and we couldn't tell the difference between some of their breads. Good for someone wanting to experience Something different e.g Latin, without having to go to the sometimes unpleasant lake St. It has an average taste and go without expecting to have your mind blown away with something spectacular.
(2)
Amy C.
If you want a good southern/ carribean meal, this is the place to go to. With Sweet plaintain and yuka roots fried to perfection that goes with the mojo sauce is just the beginning. Entree consists of a variety of meat selection: from pulled pork, beef, to rotisserie chicken. Also don't forget their amazing side dishes (besides the fried stuff). My favorite is their collard greens that is great for the soul. Overall I give it a 5 stars for food. However, I had a bad experience with one of the waitresses who was rude to us the entire night. We had to put up with her poo face the entire night (which was unfortunate). They need to improve their customer service during busy nights. Make sure you get there early during weekends because they don't take reservations.
(5)
Joyce L.
People. this place rocks! Comfort food perfection. We went on a Tuesday evening at 7pm--packed. Wow. We had: the pulled chicken plate, pulled pork/beef combo plate, and the pulled pork plate. For our sides: Etoufee (one of the daily specials), creamed spinach, sweet potatoes with andouille sausage, corn bread, collard greens, and black beans. Everything was so yummy! Not much space to park in their lot but street parking is not a problem. No reservations taken. A little cramped if you have little ones (under 12 mo). but very accommodating staff.
(5)
Melissa M.
One of my default restaurants: * Food: Family style with choice of combination platters - Moist Rotisserie Chicken, slow cooked beef and pork - Sides include cornbread, red beans and rice, grits, fried yuca + *Atmosphere: Old gas station with casual industrial feel *Value: Brasa makes good quality food at a decent price. *Extras: Great place for summer with patio seating and good comfort food in the winter.
(4)
Lara B.
This is a relatively small space in northeast Minneapolis that opens up it's glass garage doors (cool) to an awesome patio when weather permits. The quality of the food and wines offered on the menu are more sophisticated than the environment might indicate. The menu is a bit confusing/overwhelming at first. The idea is that there are slow cooked meats that you can enjoy various ways; sandwich, salad or entree. And then there are the sides. Basically everything looks good and it's difficult to choose. On the up-side it's very hard to go wrong with your selection. Recommended: The Big Salad topped with Pork Shoulder OR The Pulled Chicken Plate with sides of Warm Cornbread & Honey Butter and Yellow Rice & Red Beans
It's okay. Not great, but I also don't LOVE bbq. Had the pulled pork sandwich.. average.
(3)
Briana M.
creamed spinach with jalepenos. cheesy delicious cheesy grits. yams with andouille sausage. roasted turkey and collard greens. cornbread. masa corn cakes. fresh guac. locally sourced food when possible. delicious.
(5)
D J.
Everything about Brasa is Ah-may-zing! Great service & more importantly great food! Best place in Minneapolis that I've been to thus far.
(5)
Michelle Y.
Great food, good atmosphere, great place and not on a busy street. Five star!
(5)
Emily B.
We went last night and it was SO GOOD. we ordered about six things, some standing out more than the others. I already know what i'm going to get next time I go :). we got the pulled pork: it was good, nothing too special though, could have used more spices, I make a really good pulled pork though so maybe that's why I wasn't super impressed. The rotisserie chicken: awesome. so good. highly recommend. flavorful and tender. The crispy yuca: wonderful, never had yuca before but with the cilantro/ginger mayo sauce they give you it's the bomb. fried plaintains: again great dish. spicy corn cake: not spicy but very good, next time i'd try the cornbread. collard greens with smoked chicken: i've never had collard greens before so we tried them. good if you like collard greens, but I found out I don't. next time i'd try the creamed spinach. butterscotch pudding: superb. we shared but I wish I would have gotten my own! it's a small portion so get it even if you are full, wish you will be. get lots of small plates so you can try everything and enjoy!
(5)
Heidi P.
I could lie and rate it 3-4 in order to keep people away, but the only reason to stay away would be because it's getting too crowded and I can't find parking and have to wait to be seated now. My fav is the pulled pork and spinach side. Oh, and the coleslaw is exquisite, with very little fatty mayo type dressing.
(5)
Scott M.
The food tastes as if was prepared in huge batches - it's kind of like Boston Market, only more expensive.
(2)
Emily U.
All I can say is their chicken is delicious. Sooo good! Sides are great. Southern-style. Try the grits and the collard greens. Located in an old gas station, they open up the front and the patrons spill out onto the patio. Great outdoor seating, especially in the summer months. A decent drink selection. Went a couple times, service was OK.
(4)
Megs B.
Great place. However, make sure if you get the pulled pork to get sides that balance out its extreme saltiness. Something sweet like the sweet potatoes and andoulie sausage side and something spicy like the collard greens with jalapenos. The chicken is nothing to rave about me thinks. You could get something comparable at Lunds down the street. Do try the Yuca. --pros: cute young chefs named Andrew, Yuca and pure cane sugar soda, GRITS! cons: gets freaking hot in the summer, long waits sometimes, it gets really loud
(4)
Mike B.
Really good roasted meats. The sides are really interesting too. The only kick I have is that they're very small and very popular, so you frequently have to wait.
(4)
David G.
Sure great for meat but the sides make the experience complete. This was my fourth time there and I went with Yams and Andouille along with the sweet plantains. Our waitress helped us out pronouncing Yuca different than Yucca. One is delish and the other is a cactus. Go figure. The meat is great too but the bun surrounding the meat is really fabulous too. Local and tasty. I am going back next week.
(5)
Mitzi D.
Delicious but skip the dessert! This restaurant was recommended to me by a friend of mine so we headed over there for my 30th Birthday celebration dinner since it is walking distance to the NE bars. Its a small venue with limited parking so I don't recommend it for very large parties. There were 6 of us for dinner and its family style only for groups 6 or more. Since it was a larger party we had to wait a hot second so we decided to get drinks while we waited. The Sangria with a hint of bubbles was delicious and refreshing! Once seated we decided on a whole rotisserie chicken which they bring to the table cut up and I love my friend who exclaimed "I never ordered a whole chicken before!!", Braised Beef, Creamed Spinach, Yams with Andouille Sausage, Plantains and cornbread for each person at the table. The meat was all very tender, juicy, well seasoned and delicious. The cornbread is served with honey butter and the sides were all equally as rich. They offered up a free birthday cake slice and we also added the soon to be off the menu red velvet cake. Don't do it. We decided the cake slice tasted like garlic and the red velvet cake was hard and dry. A disappointment but dinner was so good we didn't really care too much. I'd come back here again but this time I think I'll try the pork...
(4)
Grey S.
Awesome food and very affordable.
(4)
L. T.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. I'm always impressed by this restaurant every time I visit. A big reason why I give this restaurant 5 stars is for their consistency. From the quality of the food, the taste, the ambience, and the service--it's all good. Sure, I order the same things every time I visit Brasa, but I am never disappointed nor do I ever think, "This doesn't taste like it did last time I was here." I don't live in Minneapolis, so when I go to Brasa it's very sporadic, but I'm never dissatisfied--again, consistency is the key and this place has it!
(5)
Tiffany F.
If my review were based on the food alone, Brasa would definitely rate a 5+. The food is amazing...love, love, love it! The yams were terrific and the red beans were perfectly seasoned. The service however, was extremely frustrating...our server was seemingly not in a rush to do anything at all and didn't realize that our food hadn't arrived yet (we ordered over 30 minutes prior). Excuse me ma'am, it's my lunch hour...not my lunch 2 1/2 hours! Resultantly, I now order carryout...which is much faster.
(4)
K G.
Several of us have wanted to try La Brasa for some time. Some in our group said that they enjoyed it and would be back, but I definitely won't be back. It was suggested to us to try the family style, as it would be faster service and enable us to try more variety of sides. We ordered 2 mediums, 1 large- which was supposed to cover the 8 of us. We also ordered 5 sides as recommended- which we found out was supposed to be 20 servings, plus cornbread. The food overall wasn't that great. We enjoyed the rice and pigeon peas, but it was nothing special. The grits were pretty good. The pulled meats(pork/beef) weren't that great, but then again we each only got literally 1 bite of them, so it was hard to tell. Overall, we were glad to have been able to try 5 sides rather than just 1 each (which would have been the case had we ordered the 1 meat/cornbread/1side option each), but I'm not sure that it was enough food for all of us; not a great value for the $ either. It was a nice day in October to sit outside with a group of people for lunch, but I definitely wouldn't give this place a "Pick" rating as Minnesota Monthly did- I just don't see what they found exceptional about the place.
(3)
Ramona H.
Just visited this for the second time and everything about it was just as good at the first time around! Delicious local, organic ingredients, basic (but great) wine and beer selection, and friendly staff. Menu is pretty minimum, but that seems to be the whole style of the place. Plus, the variety and quality of the sides makes up for it. Love it during the summer when they open the garage doors. Finding seating can be a little hard, but its well worth the wait. Really as good as everyone says it is!
(5)
Dana S.
Delightful in every way. Tender, expertly seasoned meats; nice array of delicious sides; value-oriented combination plates available; cool decor that doesn't take itself too seriously , lovely indoor/outdoor setting, fantastic desserts. My favorites: Pulled pork Collards Potato salad Sweet potatoes Corn cakes Pineapple upside down cake a la mode Thank you!
(5)
Nicole P.
Delish! I scored the two meats plate (rotisserie chicken and pork shoulder) with sides of collard greens, Brasa slaw, and corn bread muffin. Everyone was right, the corn bread was Amazing, i could go, order a whole plate full and some beers and be happy. But then again the Chicken an Pork were terrific, as was the Brasa slaw. I've never had collard greens before and they weren't bad, but not my cup of tea either. All products are locally sourced when possible and you can taste it! p.s. the cilantro aoili was so good it would make even bad meat fun to eat! though that isnt a problem here.
(4)
Oliver M.
This is my favorite place to eat in Minneapolis. There are very few healthy options, but the food is delicious. The yucca and the beef are TDF. The beer selection is local and tasty (hoppy). The service is hipster, but friendly. The modern decor feels a little nouveau riche, but you won't notice it as soon as your food comes. Also, expect to wait for a table if you go at a normal eating hour.
(5)
Darlene R.
Discovering Brasa is like discovering a treasured relative that you were separated from at birth. You cannot help but exclaim, "Where have you been my whole life?!" The food and service is as authentic, inviting and unpretentious as the city in which Brasa resides. Located in a converted garage with a blend of indoor and outdoor seating, they use organic and locally grown products that are paired in simple yet absolutely mouth-watering ways. I recommend the slow roasted pork and smoked beef (meat so tender it melts in your mouth); yellow rice with black beans; crispy yuca; creamed spinach; and, rustic style cheddar grits. I look forward to the next time I am in town so I can try the other items on the menu.
(4)
Nadine Y.
Thank goodness I'm not a chicken, or a cow, or a pig. I couldn't imagine eating myself, especially in shredded form. But boy, I would be DEE-licious if I were served at Brasa.
(5)
leslie s.
After much anticipation of eating at Brasa, tonight's dining experience was nothing less than disappointing. The service was deplorable as was evidenced by a non-existant waitress who coped an attitude when questioned about the wear-abouts of our food. The total meal time exceeded two hours with the kitchen being "backed up". Understanding that this can happen, there is no excuse that the sides will follow the main course by no less than thirty minutes. Even though the waitress tried to make apologies by "comping" dessert, the damage had already been done. I grew up ih the restaurant business and am loyal to non-franchise establishments, but the experience at Brasa was inexcusable, especially for a place that's been open for nearly four years. Simply too long of a wait for overly-hyped mediorce food with service that shouldn't even be called that.
(1)
Lauren W.
Cannot get enough of this place. One of the best restaurants in the city in my opinion. Great food, fun atmosphere and treat yourself to Brasa when it's warm out and they open up the big garage door walls. Makes a perfect meals even more delightful.
(5)
Julie R.
Their pulled pork sandwich is incredibly tasty, and in a great way, totally unexpected! I assumed it'd be something traditionally bbq style, and instead it was so light, tangy, and refreshing, which might sound weird for a pulled pork sandwich, but it's true! Their cornbread is also spectacular, and their cheesy grits are the best I've ever had, and I just moved back to mpls after a year in the deep south, So that says something!
(5)
P X.
Since I work in NE Minneapolis, I have made a pledge to myself to discover every restaurant within a five mile radius of the office. But, I would be really stupid to even try to claim discovery of this long-time favorite of thousands. For me, lunch this past Thursday was the official "first" for me at Brasa and it won't be my last. The start of the meal was a bit difficult-parking and one-ways nearly killed the opportunity. I persevered and eventually scored a side-street parking spot. I was able to smoothly order a take-our meal of a quarter of rotisserie chicken and the cabbage mozzarella salad. The meal was ready within 10 minutes and I headed back to the office to sample. Fortunately for me, I found a spare fork at the office (they never put one in the bag). The salad was really good. I think it needed a bit more flavor, but over all it was a solid choice. The cabbage was finely shredded and there were crunchy tortilla strips tossed with the cheese and veggies. The chicken was great and came with a green creamy sauce (I actually am not sure what that was, but it was delish). The chicken was a tad undercooked, but that sort of stuff doesn't scare me and I gobbled it right up. Overall, I can see why this place is loved. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Mike T.
Absolutely amazing food! The slow roasted beef brisket was particularlly amazing! I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Michael C.
Fine addition to the casual dining scene in Minneapolis. A few years back, when I lived in Queens, I noticed the high density of South American rotisserie chicken restaurants. Now Minneapolis can claim to have one of their own. While Brasa takes the concept to the new level, adding in elements of the American South and Southwest to their offerings, Brasa is essentially an American version of a South American staple. You can basically order three main things, chicken, pork, or beef. Given the chicken is their logo, I recommend the chicken. But honestly, that's all I have had there so I cannot compare. Anyways, you top off the meat with some sort of side. I had the creamed spinach (not really like steakhouse creamed spinach because it is a lot less creamy) and black beans. Both of these sides were tasty. My only complaint was that the size of the sides was a bit small. On top of that, they have Mexican coke! I imagine that I will be back at this place at some point.
(4)
Kore P.
We stopped by for dinner on a Tuesday night and were surprised to find the place full. Seating is pretty tight and space is at a premium. Not being familiar with the menu we chose Rotisserie Chicken, Prawn, Corn bread, Masa Corn & Cheese Cake and Crispy Yuca with Mojo. I tried to order a diet cola but they have no such thing. If you do not want something to drink that is not sweet or contains alcohol you are pretty limited. I went with water. The prawn was a little tough but we are in Minnesota a long way form the ocean so that is not a surprise. The food was prepared well but pretty simple in taste. The Mexican hot sauce on the table was much appreciated. The service was okay but not great.
(3)
mike g.
This place is consistantly tremendous. The food is always great, especially the meats and unique side dishes. The brisket was a special and came with a very tasty sauce. I like the creamed spinach and jalapenos, as well as the bacon beans. The only problem with Brasa is that I wish that it had more seating. We've always had a great meal there.
(5)
Steve G.
Very fun concept with the sharing of various meats and numerous sides. 3 of us had 3 meats and shared 5 sides and every item was excellent! Great island-like flavors and with so many sides there is something for every taste. Very easy to over order but it all tastes so good it's ok!
(4)
Michelle C.
I love this place! It's a once a week stop for me! Food is consistently wonderful and service is awesome! Love love love!
(5)
Josh P.
It was good tasting but way way way over priced. I came for lunch, spent $20 on the largest portion of meat thinking I would be full from it.... nope. They said it was enough for 4 people, it was about as much meat comes on a good sized pulled pork sandwich. Waste of money. Wasn't THAT good.
(1)
Jim P.
I went to Brasa for lunch and it was fantastic. I had read a review and been referred there by some colleagues several times and figured it was time to make my maiden voyage. It's a very low-key, small restaurant in what appears to be a former quick lube store. I ordered a "2 meat plate" with pulled chicken, pork shoulder, collard greens and creamed spinach. Wow! The mix of flavors were outstanding and the meat properly cooked. I also ordered the smoked corn and mushroom chowder which was unbelievably flavorful and capped off with a small piece of their amazing cornbread. My biggest disappointment is that I waited so long to go to this most excellent establishment!
(5)
Stephanie H.
Amazing place that made this Southern girl feel a little more at home. The pork was delish but my favorite things were the pulled chicken and cornbread. But really, it's hard to go wrong with any of the dishes here. My favorite thing to do is take a few friends, order one of everything and wash it down with a glass of sangria. Nothing beats Brasa on a summer night. I'm counting the days until I can eat on their patio again!
(5)
Marcel D.
BooYah, best corn bread ever!
(5)
Andrew L.
Great food, perfectly prepared proteins and delicious side dishes. Everything here is great including the hommade lemonade which was perfect. Very cool place, makes you feel like you're in somebody's back yard BBQ having amazing food.
(5)
D A.
A great meal at a great price, I ate LOTS of food here for only $20 and the pulled chicken and the pulled beef sandwiches were unreal! The guac and chips and cornbread were well above average as well! Cool chinese food takeout containers too haha Ill eat here everytime Im in MN I can promise that!
(4)
Kaye M.
Well I LOVE Brasa the food is always yumtastic! I'm usually a patron in St. Paul, but tonight, for logistical purposes, I met my friends at the location in Minneapolis. I was totally stoked and ready to take down a couple glasses of their home made ginger ale, but NOT at this location! This caused the drop in a star. A HUGE negatory for me! They don't serve the home made ginger ale in Minneapolis! I was totally bummed. We got their early with the blue hairs, so we didn't have to wait, but by the time we were done eating we could barely get out of the place there were so many people waiting. So make sure you get their early so you don't have to wait. The wait staff is always a little strange, forgot my drink, but that's ok, I still really just wanted my some ginger ale! Don't get me wrong, I'd still recommend this place, with the warning that they don't serve ginger ale and always expect awkward service.
(3)
Matt M.
We went back again on Saturday . . . great! I will say that we still like the Minneapolis location better. Not sure why - The chicken and pork seem to be better.
(5)
Zachary S.
Great pulled pork, great sides. Two people can eat for cheap here, or go (forgive me) whole hog and get your own plates. To share or not to share? Depending on the vibe and your mood, this place can be either Caribbean or Southern. Atmosphere is open and clean mod with the garage doors opened to the sun and breeze. The night we ate here, Lynn Rosetto Casper showed up and sat next to us. Listening to her decide on what to eat was almost as pleasurable as eating.
(4)
Sara S.
Everything is simple-home-cookin', yet so special - The braised beef with plantains, greens, and cornbread are worth a visit to this gem.
(5)
Nicholas P.
This place may just be my favorite place to eat in Northeast, or in Minneapolis, or in Minnesota for that matter. Sometimes I find my mouth watering for that savory Pork Sandwich from Brasa and luckily it is on my way home from work. The pork sandwich is amazing, but it's not your typical pulled pork sandwich with a barbaquey type sauce, no my friend, they use a white sauce that is absolutely amazing. There pulled chicken is pretty good, but I think it's the same sauce as the pork and not quite as good. The Beef sandwich is a spicy redish sauce that is amazing in it's own right. Depends on your mood. The sandwich's are all I've had, as well as some of their sides. Everything has been really good. A bonus is that they also serve Surly and Flat Earth on tap as well as a few other tasty beverages. Great atmosphere, A+ on the food. Oh yeah, not that you all care, but they use sustainable meat and sh*t like that.
(5)
Tea B.
Holy God, the Twelve Hour Slow Roasted Pork is amazing. I don't usually like pork all that much, to be honest; I've had the occasional really-well-prepared pork chop that I've liked well enough, but that's about it. This, though, was something else entirely. Delicious, melt-in-your-mouth tender, perfectly seasoned--just amazing. The menu has meats (the pork, rotisserie chicken, pulled chicken, and braised beef), a number of different side dishes in either small or large sizes, a few sandwiches with the aforementioned meats, and various plate combos one can choose as an alternative to ordering items a la carte (e.g., a plate of 2 meats and 2 sides; 3 sides; 2 fried eggs and 2 sides; etc.). There were four of us today, and we went family style with a pound of the pork and the small-sized creamed spinach, cheesy grits, black-eyed peas with bacon, and cornbread. That was enough food for the four of us; I could have eaten more, mostly because it was all delicious, but I certainly didn't leave hungry. So, yes: my highest recommendations. The menu focuses on authentic, high-quality, locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients, and they're used to fantastic effect. I'll absolutely be back the next time I'm in town.
(5)
Erin C.
After only one visit, Brasa is now a favorite Twin Cities food destination of mine. The atmosphere is very laid back--it is almost as though you are eating in a converted garage, except it's hip and smells like delicious roasting meats, not motor oil. My friend and I split the pulled chicken (yum), roasted beef (even yummier--you must order this), rice and beans (you must order this too), winter squash (just OK), fried yuca (delicious--came with a divine sauce), and corn bread t(accurately described as a buttery slice of heaven). Our bill was less than $23. I loved it all, and would eat it all again in the heart beat. If you haven't gone yet, make it tonight.
(5)
justthenuts a.
simple menu, simple food done very well and for a reasonable price. there are no gimmicks here, just great food. i love this place, and they just opened a new location in st. paul. i wish this place was right across the street because i'd be ordering the meat by the pound just for myself. i've tried everything on the menu with the exception of the desserts, so i'm not going to write much. everything is great. the beer selection is small, but you don't go there to drink. the taps they have are solid.
(5)
Dee T.
I'm glad we finally got a chance to head over to the original! Same great food, same great vibe...I have to try to restrain myself a bit better so that I can sample dessert sometime, but I can't stop polishing off the pulled chicken and the herb sauce. The yucca fries were a new side order for me this time...and all I can say is nom nom nom.
(5)
Judd H.
This is another place I feel has WAY too much hype. Based off the other reviews it seemed as though this was the crack/cocaine of all restaurants in the metro. I split the combo so I could try the different meats and had several sides. I thought it was good although the cheese grits someone had raved about seemed a little bland. I'm not sure this place really needs a wait staff. The place honestly has a chain feel kind of like Chipotle. The service was just ok. I'll come back again but with realistic expectations.
(3)
Jim A.
We tried a few different things and everything was great. Do you yourself a favor and get the banana pudding for dessert. You're worth it.
(4)
Aki S.
Tasty chicken and beef rotisserie. The Creamed Spinich is tops and don't forget to request the Mexican Coke. Easy prices, something for all (partic family). Outdoor dining is great on a spring or summer nite.
(4)
Lindsay L.
Brasa's food never disappoints, but unfortunately their service has on more than one occasion while dining here. I was shocked at how poor the service was here when I recently brought in a group of family members in from out of town to eat. We were there around 2pm on a Sunday afternoon and had to wait ridiculously long periods for our drinks and dessert. The place had tons of empty tables at the time so there was no good reason for us to have to wait 25 minutes to get our desert. We didn't get drink refills for over 15 minutes either. It seems like the servers just don't give a crap if people have to wait or not. We get that you are known for having fab food and people will probably come in regardless or their dining experience, but I'm not in any hurry to come back after the last encounter I had in Minneapolis. The last time I ate in St. Paul it was the same ordeal. All a server needs to do is say......sorry for the wait and I'm cool with it. I was a server for years so I get it. We weren't in a hurry or anything, we were just annoyed that the servers were much less than attentive.
(3)
RICK L.
Very much enjoyed my meal both times I've been to the Mpls Brasa. Better meals each time compared to Grand Ave., IMHO, but I've only been to twice to each.
(4)
Andy B.
Everytime I go I try and con the recipe for the pulled pork from the waitress, and she's always cagey about it. It's insanely good. Also their sides are crazy good too. The cheese grits are just crazy.
(5)
Corey H.
Took six friends there a while back. We had to order meat by the pound, which sounded intimidating but it was phenomenal. Everybody ordered a dish to share (outside the chicken, beef, and pork). The beef was the winner for me. As for the sides, there was no clear favorite other than the cornbread.
(5)
Matt M.
We gave it all a taste and found it all to be fantastic the pulled pork was so tender and full of flavor I'm already thinking of my next visit the braised beef had such a good flavor smothered in a tangy sauce that I wouldn't cal BBQ all the sides were awesome too collard greens full of flavor and reminded me of Granny's how she would cook them and sop up all those juices from the greens with corn muffins mmmmmmmmmmmmmm! So good! The sweet tea rounds out the whole experience nicely I hope to try desert next time!
orgasm in my mouth y'all. The cheese grits kind of slow your heart down when you eat them, but it's worth it. I've tried all the meat because I'm a beast and hands down my favorite is still the pulled pork. The mozarella salad (ordered so I don't feel like a fat fuck) is pretty delicious too. It can get pretty busy but if you live close enough, the take out is a good option. Though it is torturous to have the food in the car while driving home and not ravage it.
(5)
Jacob y.
alex robert is the smartest person ever. He decided to open a restaurant that sells OK BBQ to some pretty rich people. This food is highly overrated. PEOPLE pls go somewhere else if you want aunthetic grilled food. nothing on the menu is wonderful. INSTEAD if you are going to pay this kind of price..get a reservation over at ALMA, robert's "REAL" restaurant
(2)
Matt F.
Wow, great food! I thought my chicken was to die for and all the sides are creative and yummy. I ended up making everyone try the pulled pork when I tried it and had to fight off my friends from taking the rest of my mealThe prices are uber reasonable!
(5)
Michael N.
i was watching man vs food and they made a stop here. looked so good i had to try it myself. i only grabbed a slow roasted pork sandwich to go so i'll have to review again after i sit down for a full meal here. the meat to bread ratio was spot on, so the outside of the bread was dry but the inside moist with buttery pork juiciness. i can't wait to come back and try the braised beef or chicken. the restaurant itself could get crowded but it looks like they have some outdoor seating when weather permits. for sure will be back for more meat and maybe a few sides.
(5)
Andy P.
holy crap, this was good. Our foursome showed up, and there was a wait. We got beers, and then stood by the firepit (!!!!) Awesome! Once we were seated, we chose a bunch of stuff. I'm not being specific, because I managed to drink 3 Surlys before we sat down, so things are a bit foggy. I think the hoppy lubrication made me a bit more adventurous as far as food goes. I chose some pulled pork, and the spinach/jalapeno thing. There was also cornbread served, as well as some chicken. I hate spinach. I ate all the spinach, along with everything else that was placed on the table. All the meat was gone too. It was cooked to perfection, and was like meaty butter. I just loved it. I can't really say anymore than that it was wonderful, and the price was right. Share and enjoy.
(5)
Bo T.
We had seen coverage of Brasa on Food TV and they did not disappoint. The pork was tender and worth the wait. Atmosphere is relaxed and the host was very friendly.
(4)
Maureen F.
Delicious! I had the chicken sandwich with the smoked pepper sauce and cabbage. I savored every bite. I was very tempted to order some plantains, but am glad I did not as the sandwich was filling and just perfect. To finish off the meal we had a yummy chocolate lava cake with some creamy icing. I will definitely be coming back here and on my next visit I will have to try the pulled pork.
(4)
Lauren H.
Not that Brasa really needs another 5 star review, but I can't say enough good things about this place! Everything I've tried has been delicious. I'd go for a combo plate and do the chicken and pork if I were you, both are awesome. The cornbread is not to be missed either, especially when it comes with honey butter on top! I always come back to this place when I am in the mood for comfort food, but unfortunately, I am always too full for dessert! For all you St. Paulites, there is a Brasa opening on Grand Ave this summer in the old Italian Pie Shoppe location! Enjoy!
(5)
Lisa W.
The best restaurant we went to in MN. Has a very SF Bay Area vibe, but the difference is the waitstaff is actually friendly! Great food, loved the rotisserie chicken and the yams. The cheese grits were a little on the rich side for us! Kid friendly and economical. A must visit in the twin cities!
(4)
Todd C.
What a great spot. Feels like the Punch Pizza of organic/locally souced BBQ. Limited options, limited beverages, but all top notch. The flavors are complex and varied, with the side dishes providing refreshing detours away from the standard BBQ flavors. Reasonably priced for the quality, this is one to check out, dining in on the patio or taking out to gorge in the comfort of your own home (as it can get crowded). Great vibe, too. Very casual.
(5)
Benjamin V.
always a great stop when you're in the mood for some soul-warming food. it's a great cross of Caribbean and southern-style cuisines. the service can be a bit slow sometimes, but it's never been so bad as to deter me from coming back here time and again.
(5)
Jen S.
I was asked recently if I moved away from Minneapolis what place would I miss the most...and I said Brasa! I eat here once a week (mostly take out) so I consider myself a semi Brasa expert. The yuca is the BEST thing on the menu (except for their brussel sprouts now - that might rival the yuca). But the pulled pork and meats are fantastic. The corn bread is eeeevil it's so good - evil because you just want to keep eating it. The rice and beans and the rice and pigeon peas are also homemade and amazingly tasty. Just the whole darn menu is tasty, okay? Go try it. Seriously!
(5)
katia H.
Good stuff. Great corn bread and plantains. The chicken was a little dry but otherwise all was good. Great atmosphere, so relaxed I could stay there all day!
(4)
Mel G.
My bf and I took his parents here when they came into town recently. Although we had to wait 30minutes to be seated, the fire pit outside kept us warm and off our feet. Once inside we got down to dinner, trying all 3 types of meat and ordering numerous sides. Everything was really tasty. Nonetheless, I don't think I'll be back anytime soon - just b/c there are so many other restaurants to try. One cool thing though, Brasa was featured on the Food Network Channel in March '09.
(4)
Sarah J.
Delicious chickens and porks. Except the second time I went they'd run out of pork. Because they let people do take-out, which is apparently popular enough that they run out of the pork. Sad - and something to consider. Go early! The sides are good enough that I always want more than the two I get for the "plate" option, but unless you go with more than two people (which I recommend), it's not so cheap. The place itself is certainly cute. I have to wonder how it'll feel in the winter since several of the walls are actually garage doors. If you sit inside you can see the little chickens roasting away. The kitchen is about the tiniest one I've ever seen - I don't know how they make all that food. That said, it's a little crowded and I think I'm going to start calling up for take-out and eating in the park or at home. It's comfort food after all, and I want to eat it on my couch.
(4)
Jen B.
Contender for best takeout in the Cities. The restaurant inside isn't too shabby either, although it looks pretty sketch from the exterior. You can tell this place has a buzz, since it hasn't been open for that long and already has a bunch of reviews. I'll try not to repeat what others have said, but I will say this: The chicken is so tasty and tender that it falls right off the bone. The yuca ain't bad either. I want to try everything on the menu, especially the much raved about cornbread.
(4)
Dima M.
If I can sum up this place in one word it would be: YUM! Now go away and let me eat my delicious food. You can easily pass by this place and keep on going. It's very inconspicuous and naturally blends into the background, but don't let appearances fool you. The hardest thing is going to be making a decision on what to eat. I like to go there and get one of the bigger dishes and take the leftovers home. Also, at one point or another, try all the sides, because I can't decide which one is my favorite. Well, maybe the roasted yams with sausage are slightly more my favorite than other side dishes, but I'm a yam gal. As for the meats, well, you can't go wrong with any of them, but my personal favorite is the Creole style Rotisserie chicken. Oh yeah, vegetarians may not have an easy time finding something to eat here, but I'm sure you can try, or you can just sit and watch your friends eating all the delicious meat.
(4)
Bill W.
Real chef food in a converted gas station. It's excellent. Go there, soon. Elder and younger males of the family dined there Saturday for lunch. It was still crowded at 3PM, which is good because they'll probably stay in business. We've had most of the sides and they are all great. This time it was the fried plantains as a shared side. I had a daily special side of yellow rice with pigeon peas with my pulled pork sandwich, bursting with flavor and excellent mouthfeel on all of it. We enjoyed the sweet tea also, but they could be a little better on refills. Really, go to Brasa, you'll enjoy it and become at least a semi-regular like me. Only downsides: Parking could be a little better. The MTC buses idle outside, so sometimes you get a low frequency vibration.
(5)
Adam N.
Very good food. Extremely reliable for a good price. I go to the Brasa often, and have had nothing but good experiences. My go-to meal is the pulled chicken sandwich with a side of yucca. The yucca side comes with a very good aioli. The corn bread and sweet tea are also great.
(4)
Prescott B.
Wow! Fantastic, locally grown, seasonal food from the America's! Some of the best grass-fed beef, free-range chicken and Berkshire pork that ever was. The ingredients are so good, that the simple cooking style accentuates and brings out their flavors. Fast service, friendly, a bit noisy on a Friday evening. Everything we had, the combination plate of beef and pork, sides of sweet potatoes with chorizo sausage and spinach in a sauce and thick corn and cheese tortas were fabulous! And they are opening a new location in St. Paul in May '09!
(5)
Dan S.
Because of all the good reviews, which i agree with completely, I'm going to talk about what i ate and why it was amazing. We split two combination plates, one with chicken and beef, and one with chicken and pulled pork. For sides we had the sweet potatoes and sausage, corn bread w/honey butter, and chips and guacamole. The potatoes and sausage, amazing, the sausage is actually pretty spicy, matches perfectly with the sweet potatoes. Pretty sure the honey butter MAKES the corn bread, so good. The chicken and pulled pork were good, not amazing, but the beef was super good. All this plus three tap beers for about 47, love it.
(5)
Justin G.
Three hungry Minnesotans and my pregnant wife were all well fed for less than fifty bucks. Amazing. I'm really starting to dig Minneapolis. We ordered: pulled chicken, pork shoulder, sweet potato & sausage, black beans & cornbread, and a salad, plus lemonades. The drinks came quickly but the food took another half an hour, I'd say. The chicken was fork-tender and succulent - my favorite. I was hoping to like the pork more but it was kinda dry. That was easy to rectify by swirling it into the sweet potatoes , which were killer. The butter and cornbread combination was heavenly. Bottom line: points off for disappointing pork and a long wait, but if I could I'd eat like this every day.
(4)
Brian H.
Be adventurous with the sides. But for a main course, it's chicken all the way.
(4)
Jennifer T.
I keep coming back. My favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities. The pulled pork is #1. The chicken is also mouth-watering. Try the red beans and rice. The cornbread is an excellent dessert. The ambiance is unique and the servers friendly.
(5)
Beth M.
The pulled chicken was amazing and I will be making a second trip to Brasa for sure. So far I was not extremely impressed with dessert but there are plenty of places in town to get a dessert so this a minor point for me. The creamed spinach with jalapenos was not spicy and could have used a little salt but was still tasty. I cannot wait to try the pork next.
(4)
John M.
If you haven't been here go tomorrow. If you are a vegetarian, stay away; there's nothing here for you anyways. While eating there in is dandy, I generally opt for take out. All the glorious pulled pork with none of the waiting. Does it get any better than that? That way I can stuff myself with abandon!
(5)
Tim N.
Family was in town for one night and based on reviews, we decided on Brasa. WOWOWOW. What a great choice. With 2 in the family gluten-free, the food was amazing and the service out of this world. Anyone considering opening a restaurant needs to go here!
(5)
Ivan L.
We heard a lot about this place, so Sherri and I headed down there on a Sunday night. We got there around 8pm and the place was full, but we only waited 5 minutes and were seated. It was our first time, so we asked the server for suggestions and he gave us great recommendations. We ended up with 1/4 lb of chicken, 1/4 lb of pork, and the side sampler plate (3 sides plus masa cake or corn bread). We were disappointed they ran out of fried plantains, but we tried the yams, the rice and beans, the chopped salad, and the masa cake. If you eat a lot, the individual platters might be better worth your money (you get 2 sides with one meat), but for us two, this was good. We finished everything, but we probably could have ordered one less meat. I liked the chicken better, but the pork was tasty as well. Would have loved to have tried the plantains or the yuca (or pretty much any of the other sides), but maybe for next time. The sides we did order were good. Cubed mozzarella in the salad was weird (the cubed part) and not enough. Sausage in the mashed yams are spicy, which gives it a nice kick. Maza cake was like flat bread. Yummy. Rice and beans were like...rice and beans. Not my favorite, but kind of a staple for this kind of meal, right? The only weird thing was the hostess who brought by the utensils wrapped in napkins and slammed it down on our table (and other ones as well) without a word as she walked by. Probably just a bad day. It's nice that the meats are raised locally. Seems like it gets busy a lot, so be prepared to wait for seating and for your food. Overall, a great tasting meal that's not the normal fare.
(4)
Jodi E.
Totally fun, great ingredients, character with some grit --perfect!
(5)
Austin W.
Wow! A treat to my senses! We had the pork, pulled chicken, and the beef and all were excellent. Also tried the spinach (our favorite thing here) and the candied yams and both are recommended. Great, great food.
(5)
Debbie K.
My niece & I had dinner there tonight. The food was excellent! Portion sizes are good. You order ala carte, so no sides you don't want just to get a main item you want. The prices are reasonable. I am definitely going there again.
(4)
Paul B.
Casual but elegant. Meat lovers delight.
(5)
J. R.
I LOVE this place. I am usually so hungry that the thought of an hour wait would kill me, but for this place it is worth it every time! Their yuca is to die for and the sweet potatoes with sausage haunt my dreams. Whenever someone comes into town, this is one of the places I bring them. Loves!!
(5)
S And B D.
just like everyone says, a great place, good food and a lot of fun. be prepared for a wait, but you can drink while you wait.
(4)
Liz G.
Really great food, and a fun, casual atmosphere with friendly staff. Watching (and smelling) the chicken roasting behind the counter was a treat and it tasted as good as it looked, though the cilantro sauce on top was key. Candied yams, pulled pork and cornbread were excellent; beans & rice were take-it-or-leave-it, and the drink menu is well-rounded. They even brought out a cupcake with a candle for the birthday guy. Outdoor seating is always a bonus (and some picnic tables in back where you can have a drink while waiting for your table.) Good for groups, too.
(4)
Andy G.
I went there last night after reading a few reviews on the place yesterday. Loved the place and it's so close to home. Turns out however, that I don't like grits or collard greens. Oh well. The chicken was amazingly juicy. I'll definitely be frequenting this place and playing roulette with the side dishes.
(4)
rick e.
Drive in from Minnetonka area for this very good, unpretentious restaurant. Terrific choice! Pork was spectacular, chicken moist and juicy, and beef tender. Great grits and I'm from the South so know grits. Corn bread was awesome! Let's face it, I'm sure everything here is good! Never had bad experience which in the restaurant business is tough. Can't wait to go in summer and sit outside. It looks like an old gas station which adds to the "cool" ambiance!
(4)
Aaks L.
Our first few hours in city moving my sister in at UMN twin cities and we landed at Brass for lunch on a Sunday late afternoon. And I'm so glad we did! I've lived in NC for 6 years+ and traveled all across country and I'm happy that Brasa's food makes it on my top 5 Rotisserie chickens across nation list. They do have few in site parking spots and street parking. We sat outdoors and quickly ordered our food (because the menu is not extensive): one rotisserie chicken plate 3 pieces with black beans and rice, pulled chicken sandwich adding side of guacamole and side of coleslaw. The food was great and so was the service. The ambience is very casual and fun. We will be back soon to try more!
(5)
Jen R.
The last time we tried to eat at Brasa, it was closed for 4th of July. The next time we visited, it was a few days before Labor Day and I was nervous we'd miss out again. NOT THE CASE! They welcomed us with open arms and a menu full of delicious food. We sat on the patio (it was so quaint: surrounded by trees, which provided a good bit of shade on a muggy, hot day). We sat down and ordered a large crispy yuca (which said it could feed up to 4 people... nope, the two of us demolished that shit like Godzilla on Tokyo). We also split a chorizo chilaquiles and a spicy masa corn cake. Everything was sufficiently spicy! Which is HUGE for me, since I have been known to battle a ghost pepper or two from time to time. We also tried their cafe con leche, which was also very good. Bonus points for bringing out a bowl of water for our pooch, who enjoyed the shade as much as we did.
(4)
Rikki L.
I would have never thought that I could get amazing creole cuisine in Minnesota, but Brasa delivers. We were at Brasa on a warm summer night and sat on their comfortably casual patio. The whole restaurant has a great ambience that fits their menu perfectly. I ordered the rotisserie chicken which was well seasoned, juicy, and just straight-up delicious. For sides, I ordered grits which were good albeit I prefer them a bit thicker and some cornbread which was good as well. I also ordered the fried sweet plantains, they were so very very good, I think they were even better than the plantains I had during my last trip to the Caribbean. I would 100% return to Brasa. Every server was super friendly, the environment is relaxing, and, most importantly, the food was fantastic.
(4)
Kara D.
Brasa Rotisserie has been teasing me almost every day, as I always see it on the "Best of Yelp: Twin Cities" Yelp home page, waving it's big ol' plantains in my face. But I get easily annoyed with little parking and lots of waiting, so I didn't come here until I found a late and rainy weekday lunch date. The menu is not the most extensive one I've seen, but damn is it one of the hardest to choose from! Gahhh, everything on it sounds so good and flavorful. I was fickle as a mofo going back and forth between which protein (pulled chicken, roasted pork, smoked beef??) and sides (grits, red beans and yellow rice, plantains??). I finally settled on the roasted pork plate with red beans and rice, and a side of plantains. My friend ordered the pulled chicken plate, yet I forget which side she got since I was too busy slobbering all over mine. As we waited for our food, we were thoroughly entertained by so many toddlers. It was just one of those days where we were surrounded by them, and they were actually being hilarious and tolerable. Our food came out very fast, THANK GOD. My pork was so tender and flavorful, and the portion was generous. I hit gold ordering the red beans, because they had brisket in them too. My friend's chicken had this unique and delicious gravy on it that was zesty and creamy. We were enticed by the housemade hot pepper vinegar on the table, and we hesitantly tried a little drop of it. Well, we then giggled because this is a sauce you really "have to commit to", so don't be afraid to smother yo meats with it. We loved it. As you may know, parking, lack of resos, and the size of the place can be inconvenient, but worth it if you plan accordingly.
(4)
Leah G.
This restaurant just jumped to the top of my books! Came here with a big group and loved the atmosphere, could not get over how good the food was, and had very friendly service! We came with a big group and got seated inside but they had the garage doors open so it felt like we were outside yet shaded from the sun. The inside is very fun and colorful as well. Only three beers on tap but all excellent choices! In the past we heard it was more family style dining but the waitress informed us that the menu changed to cater to smaller parties/individual meals. She recommended purchasing the specials and choosing our own sides so 3 others and I ordered the 4-piece Rotisserie Chicken and 1-pound Slow Roasted Pork as our main meats and fried yucca, collard greens, rice and peas, and cole slaw as our sides. I am so glad we did it this way because we got a try a lot of their food! Both the chicken and pork were so tender and juicy and all the sides were great but I especially loved that their yucca was fried! I would definitely recommend this to others especially bigger groups! They have a great outdoor patio with a good amount of seating as well. We loved sharing the dishes so we could try multiple things plus that ended up being very cheap! I was very happy with the prices and the service.
(5)
Jerice A.
Absolutely love this place! Shredded chicken, yuca fries, cornbread are my favorite. Limited parking but street parking options. Brought my dog with me, they brought out a water bowl and let her hang outside with me. They have free wifi, so great place to do work. The servers are all so nice and gracious and the food is just delicious!!
(5)
Julie M.
Atmosphere is a 5 (at least when the weather is nice). The food was great--love the yucca fries! We did find it a little odd that no BBQ sauce is offered with the pulled pork and it took a while for us to get any once requested, but then again we are a sauce kind of group. The black beans and red beans/brisket for sides were a hit (dipped them up with the tortilla chips served with my husbands pork sandwich). The corn cake is a great option for the vegetarians in the crowd. We enjoyed a few bean bag tosses while we waited for a table and then took a brief walk outside after our meal. Portion sizes are offered regular or large. We all had regular which was a perfect size. Don't forget to add the honeyed cornbread muffins to your meal, mmmmm. Sweet and buttery! Saw a couple of kids with a meal that would have made my kids happy--rotisserie chicken legs or grilled cheese served with chips and guacamole. I didn't see what other options there were for kids, but it looked good to me! Not sure what it's like during bad weather with the garage doors down, but it was a perfect night for us and we will be back!
(4)
Mabel B.
What do you get when you have gumbo and rice? GUMBO FRIED RICE. Brasa is a lively restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Came here with the beau on a hot day but fortunately there was the delicious Sweet Cafe Con Leche to wet our whistles. A tasty coffee drink if you like something less sweet. I ordered the gumbo fried rice of course and the beau ordered a rotisserie item that i forget the name of. We also got a plate of plantains with the aioli. The aioli was da oneee, definitely a must try. Tried pretty hard to decipher each ingredient that was in it to try and duplicate it at home. Definitely recommend Brasa if you're looking for some quality creole food.
(5)
Jim R.
Stopped in here for lunch to meet a friend on a warm and sunny spring day. It's a pretty small place with about 4 parking spaces so you might have to scour around the neighborhood (like I did) to find a place to park. Arriving slightly before noon, there was a wait for a table, around 10 minutes, but the staff is very efficient and things move along quickly. The menu features mostly meat and proudly announces that it gets its meat from local, sustainable farms. I enjoyed the shaved slow roasted beef sandwich with cheddar cheese and onion straws served on a square focaccia bun and I opted for the salad (romaine with mozzarella chunks) instead of the chips. While the menu isn't huge, unless you aren't a meat eater, its not hard to find something yummy. Lunch for two was about $30.
(4)
Crystal L.
I cannot say enough great things about this place. Brasa is the first place I suggest to anyone if they're coming to visit or need a place to go eat. Everything is just so perfect! Not too salty. Not too bland. Very homey, comforting food, and so simple! That's what I love about it. You don't have fancy garnish or weird spices or plants you've never heard of before. It's simple. It's familiar. For must haves, order the Pulled Chicken and Spicy Cornbread. :)
(5)
D J.
BRASA BRASA BRASA's!!!! I can't say enough about Brasa's. I've been to this restaurant several times because it's one of my favorite restaurants in Minneapolis. The food is AH-mazing! The service has always been great! The chicken, the greens, the cornbread, the spinach...honestly everything I've had at Brasa's has been delicious.
(5)
Jessica M.
The shredded beef at Brasa is a must. I haven't tried their single portion selections, and appreciate the family style dining which makes is easier to try it all. The sweet potatoes are another favorite. This location is smaller than the spot in St. Paul on Grand & offers a smaller menu (no cat fish or Mac n cheese?!), which was a disappointment. Great patio
(4)
Sophia S.
SWEET JESUS I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT!!!!!! The meat here is so delicious that I could eat it on it's own with no sides or even water! I wish all things to eat in this world came from Brasa. Too bad! Things I tried and I loved: GRITS (get them!!), PULLED CHICKEN (Yes!), PULLED PORK (Who doesn't love pulled pork?!), PLANTAINS (HOLY GOD!!!!) The plantains are great, BUT the sauce didn't really work with the plantains (in my opinion). Wish they had a choice of a savory or sweet dip for the plantains. Maybe a mango sauce? Whatevs! I also got lunch here one time and had a pulled chicken sandwich which was great. I subbed the cole slaw for tomato and mozzarella salad (which I didn't like). Also if you come here for lunch, get the bowl because they serve chips with your sandwich and it just gets to be too much bread. Anyway, go eat here!!!!!
(5)
Gretchen B.
This review isn't for you, it's for me, so that I remember! Obviously, the people have spoken and they've said that Brasa is dope. Been for brunch lunch and dinner. Everything tastes good (except for the liquid-y hash), but I always leave feeling like I spent more than it was worth. I'd never suggest it but will always go if suggested. I wish they had a full liquor license because I think they could do something cool with cocktails. I also wish they had a happy hour. Just one happy hour. That's all I ask.
(3)
David K.
The way my friend described it, if you're looking for great southern comfort food, this is the place to come. We had about a 30-40 min wait when we got there, but it was worth it. We started off with some beers, they've got several Minnesota beers on tap. Surly is pretty hoppy, while Bauhaus, as the waitress described it, has a cracker-like taste. We each had two beers each, I preferred the Surly. For food we got the medium size of the chicken, pork, and beef, and all three of them are great. The pork is more tender than the beef I think. The honey-glaze coated cornbread is amazing. And the beans and rice are the perfect complement to round out the meal.
(4)
Ruth E.
I love the food at this place. It is so delicious. Last night I made a repeat appearance because I can't get enough of their food. Specifically, the pulled chicken, crispy yuca and corn bread make me drool every time I think about them!! Thankfully, I took the food home because the only complaint I have about this place is a lack of space. There's not enough parking (~6 spaces in the lot) and too few tables for how amazing the food is (there's always a wait during peak times and no reservations, even with the outdoor seating). I will say the lack of space is for a good reason. The food is seriously amazing and there are even some lawn games in the outdoor area. But the bathrooms aren't my fave (clean and cute, but SUPER HOT all the time) and I really don't like having to wait a long time. But the service is friendly and none of the issues are enough to stop me from going back.
(4)
Jessica D.
I had been wanting to try this restaurant for basically our entire stay in Minneapolis (3 years). Unfortunately the day I finally tried it was the day before we moved out of state. The food here was melt in your mouth delicious. I don't remember everything we had but I do remember that it was all absolutely delicious. I think he had a 6 piece of chicken and I had done type of chicken in a cream sauce served with rice, it was all phenomenal. The day we were there they had a potato salad in place of the coleslaw which was also lovely.
(5)
J.C. L.
Ridiculously good chicken. As in... maybe the best chicken you'll ever have in your life. The sauces are off the charts good, too. Make it a point to eat here at least once in your life... if not once a week.
(5)
Sistha D.
I've always loved this restaurant! Frequent diner when I was a student at U of M and always come here whenever I'm in town. Took my boyfriend from Ohio end of July to enjoy this tasty place. Needless to say, he loved it, as expected. We shared: - Guacamole and chips- 6/10. I've eaten a lot of different variety of guacamole and this one is just OK. Nothing special. - 2 piece rotisserie chicken- 8/10 mostly for the AMAZING sauce. The waiter gave us extra sauce and I had to ask for another one, it's THAT good. I always order chicken. Parts of the chicken are under cooked and still bloody (This has happened to me a few times, sometimes I asked the waiter to cook it more sometimes I just avoid that part if I'm in a hurry). - 1/4 lbs smoked beef-8/10. Delicious. I'm not a big fan of this kind of beef but dang this was good. - Crispy Yuca w/ Citrus & Garlic- 10/10. First of all I already LOVE yuca and their yuca is just amazing especially dipping it in the green cilantro mayo sauce (I love cilantro too so this is just heavenly). - Gumbo Fried Rice- 9/10. I love gumbo. And I love fried rice. So this gumbo fried rice is just awesome. You can taste the okra, sausage, seafood. It tastes like you are eating gumbo. We finished this very quickly. Pretty sure licked the bowl too, delicious. If you like gumbo, get this. In the past I've tried a lot of different sides and plates. This restaurant is just DELICIOUS. If you are in town, go here. Worth it.
(5)
Risa S.
the bbq beef was tender and juicy. guacamole was fresh and not overly seasoned. Sangria was very tasty! Staff was super friendly and accommodating. Extremely kid friendly. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Maddy D.
We love this place! Great food! Potato salad is to die for but they rarely have it! It is usually a side dish they have occasionally. Pulled chicken is amazing.
(5)
Alice M.
Brasa is my go to spot-- I am so lucky to have them in my neighborhood!! It is perfect fit for medium sized gatherings to eat some southern food family style. Be prepared to wait if you come at peak hours, especially in the winter when seating is limited. Make sure you get LOTS of green sauce and I recommend ordering a masa cake to build on. I love to smother mine with meat and sides like a tostada! You really can't go wrong with anything here, but my favorite meats are the pulled chicken and the smoked beef. I would get the beef more if the price didn't keep going up but so it goes. I love the candied yams with that caramel sauce, guac is a solid bet, fried yuca and sweet plantains are delicious with the almighty green sauce. I also like the cheesy grits, creamed spinach, and coleslaw. I'm telling ya... You can't go wrong with brasa!!
(5)
Dorothy C.
Came here for lunch and it was an amazing experience. I had the 'pulled pork with an egg' bowl, and I couldn't stop after the first bite. The spinach, the pulled pork, the sauce etc all blended together really well. The person next to me was trying the gumbo bowl - that would be my next to-try. Service was efficient. Will definitely be back next time when I'm in town!
(5)
Gabrielle A.
I love Brasa! I used to have lunch there all the time and I enjoy going to dinner there a lot. ALL of their meats are absolutely delicious to the point where it is pretty tough to choose a favorite. The creamy chicken they make is delicious and so is the smoked beef. They have great guacamole with delicious tortilla chips and their coleslaw has a great tangy taste to it. The food is a great conversation starter and even more fun to eat. Watch out, it can be REALLY steamy here on a hot day.
(5)
Nick K.
Was looking for a lunch place while in Minneapolis for work, saw Brasa and thought we would give it a shot. WOW, what a delicious place! I had the smoked beef, with bbq sauce, cheesy grits, and fried plantains (special on the day). It was all superb, and quick. If ever in the area, and need a super high quality lunch, this is the place. My coworker was really satisfied with his lunch as well.
(5)
Julianne Z.
Any restaurant recommended by Andrew ZImmern is a must visit for me. Expect to wait 20-30 minutes if you don't arrive at a peak hour, but it is so worth it and the food comes out super fast. I have never goten any of their bowls or sandwiches because I always go a la carte and order a bunch of things for their entire table to share. My favorites: Slow Roasted Pork: Succulent and punched with flavor. THeir best meat! Rottiserie CHicken: SOme people really like the beef but I think the chicken is a great bang for the buck and who doesn't love a drumstick? Sides: You cannot go wrong with cheddar grits, the jalapeno creamed spinach and the yams with sausage. I get the same 3 every time and then i get a side of corn bread. For 2 people, we got a 2 medium sides, 1 small and 1 corn bread and were filled to the brim! If you are in a mood for a drink, get their sangria. Sweet and very strong!
(5)
Kev H.
Pulled chicken. Rice and red beans. Enough said. Alright, fine I'll continue. I came here with a large group of people for a Sunday brunch. I arrived super early and managed to snag a table for all of us, but nobody else arrived yet. I must say, I did not receive any evil stinkeye or anything like that, so that's a plus. Their menu consists of a large rectangular piece of paper (I forget if its laminated or not; my time spent waiting at my table for people to arrive was not productive at all) with a list of all the different Southern style dishes available. You can order things in different sizes, so I opted to shared with my friend. We went for the pulled chicken, and the rice and red beans. The rice and read beans were simple, but tasty, and went down super easy. The pulled chicken was flavorful, but I they were the teensiest bit dry to me. All in all, accommodating service, many different food combinations and variations you can order, and quite satisfactory food.
Brassa has been a go-to meal for many years, but recently I've been let down. Inconsistency is the word that comes to mind. Meats have been dried out (chicken), inconsistent flavor/ seasoning (beef and pork) and/ or inconsistent portions (chicken in particular - we once got a leg and wing in our 2 piece meal). Sides have been under seasoned at times, over seasoned other times and even perfect, sometimes all in the same order! What pushed me over the edge is on multiple occasions, items had been left out of my take out bag. Brassa is close to my gym and a great post workout meal, but not close to my home, so I'm not going back to picked up the missed items. It got so bad, I started checking my bag before leaving. Sometimes the missed items were silly - like they gave us the guacamole, but forgot to give us the chips. I can't even begin to count the number of times I have had to call to ask for a refund! Every few months we go back to see if things have changed and sometimes would get a great meal, to be let down on the next visit or two. I love the concept of what these guys are doing, just wish they could get it consistency right.
(2)
Amy H.
My favorite is their chicken pepper gravy plate. Rich and delicious. Also love their salad. Butterscotch pudding is a perfect finish!
(4)
Kim N.
I gotta buck trend here. Maybe it was because i had a to go order. But my chicken was unfortunately dry! Without the cilantro dipping sauce it would be hard to eat in some parts. Love the space and the ambiance but the chicken didnt hold up to all the good reviews ive read
(3)
Alex C.
Brasa is my #1 choice for some good ol' comfort food and one of my top 5 restaurants in the twin cities. The menu is simple and short, but every item hits the mark. Don't expect any crazy, overpowering flavors. You're not getting any spicy mayo here! (although I love spicy mayos). This place is stacked with warm, really well cooked food where you'll get hints of different flavors but mostly taste the center ingredient of the dish. From all the meats (pulled pork is my fav) to the delicious fried yuca, spinach, and grits - You're not going to be disappointed with what you get. I've never had anything bad here yet but if I was forced to choose a favorite... Favorite dish: Pork & Over Easy Egg. This dish is perfect for me. Melt in your mouth pork with creamy, jalepeno spinach and some yellow rice. I get my protein, my vegetables, my carbs and I can mix it all together to get something that just works. Favorite Side: Spicy Masa Cake Definitely give Brasa a chance!
(5)
Nahila A.
As I write this review, my mouth is watering for the meal I got a couple of days ago: the black bean fritter sandwich with a side of crispy yucca. It was so good, I didn't offer any to my colleagues, which is not normal for me. That's how good it was! We went on a Friday around noon, and it was busy. However, our wait wasn't long, and the four of us were seated in about 10 minutes. Our food also came out not too long after we ordered it. The place is big and open and also has outdoor seating for warmer days. It's a casual place with tables and booths and good for small groups. I saw all kinds of people there: students, couples, families, and individuals grabbing lunch on the go. When you walk in, wonderful smells slap you in the face. There's something wonderful about the ambiance, it was busy yet relaxing. I've had food catered from here once, and everything that I've had here has been good. I am looking forward to going back to try more sides and getting a large basket of crispy yucca #nomnomnom Other notes: There is a specific vegetarian menu. This place is also public transit friendly (2, 10, and 17) and there's a small parking lot along with street parking. I subtracted one star because my colleague found a small rock in her beans, which is scary and painful, so be careful. At least we know now that they don't use canned beans :)
(4)
Matt H.
I decided there was nothing like some creole cuisine to warm me up on this frigid day so I went to Brasa for lunch. Ordered the black bean fritter sandwich (amazing) with an exceptional bun and the addition of guacamole was delightful. On the side: yuca fries and creamed spinach with jalapeno. The sides were phenomenal and as another reviewer pointed out you can tell the menu was really well thought out. It was not very busy at the lunch hour do to the weather but just about every person who arrived noted that -- which is to say, it was an odd occurrence. If you want a quick lunch, call ahead. This would be an excellent place to visit with a few friends and share multple dishes -- much like the courses at Alma (their other, more upscale restauraunt).
(4)
Kristina G.
What a great place to share an incredible meal with friends or family! With family style sharing encouraged myself and two friends ate our way through a ridiculously delectable feast. The yucca, chips and guacamole, and pulled pork were my personal favorites. However, it would be difficult to find something that was not good. I adored the opportunity to introduce sweet plantains to my friends and we all recommend the Sangria if you are looking for something to drink!
(5)
Natalia C.
Very nice place . Good food and customer service . Since I have a lots of food allergy and I am gluten free person I go there a lot . And they are also close to my neiborhood . They are not cheap but you have what you pay for .
(5)
Sarah B.
Both the bf and I got off work early today (Monday), took a nap, and woke up not feeling like cooking. We had to run an errand and decided to check out Brasa, since it was super close to the other store. Best decision ever. It was decently crowded, but we were able to get a table right away, which was lucky, because from 5:30 on there was a wait. Our waiter was really helpful, recommending what and how much to order. We went with: Pulled Chicken Slow Roasted Pork Rice & Pigeon Peas Yuca Fries Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapeno Spicy Masa Cake The food was awesome! Both meats were delicious, the bf preferred the pork and I liked the chicken better. The sides were all great. The Yuca fries were a favorite, especially with the dipping sauce. The spinach was super yummy and spicy. The rice & peas was solid and the masa cake was fantastic. We got smalls of everything and that worked out really well for two. We even had a little bit to take home for a snack later. I can't wait to come back with a group and try all the things.
(5)
Kelli H.
Sometimes, when I'm really hungry, I wish there was a worm hole in my house that I could walk through and appear in Brasa. Brasa has some of the most delicious food I've ever put in my mouth. Even thinking about it right now makes my mouth water. The smoked beef is pull apart and tender with incredible sweet and spicy BBQ over it. Some of my favorite sides are the yams and andouille sausage, the yuca with citrus and garlic sauce, and the fried plantains. It's Latin food with a Creole twist.
(5)
Kandace M.
If I needed to request a last meal. The menu from Brasa Rotisserie would be the only thing that I would request. Simple ingredients, bold flavor, always consistent greatness. Dine in or carry out - I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(5)
Theresa M.
Very reliably delicious food! Great for sharing and easy to control how much money you went to spend with the menu.
(5)
Andrea R.
Regardless of the type of protein you choose, this place will have the perfect side (s) and with kick. I have never tried anything here that doesn't taste delicious. Even if you don't drink alcohol try the sangria, it's made with fresh fruit and they let it sit for a while before serving. I find the individual portions the ideal size for one. If you're not into waiting a lot to be seated, come in a boring week day or night, or go to the Saint Paul location that's bigger.
(5)
K E.
Seems like the food here is delicious, but unfortunately the staff and management have some catching up to do. We tried to go around 7 pm on a Saturday, and had called twice to ask about wait times and food options for gluten free. Neither of those two times we called OR when we arrived and talked with the hostess did anyone mention that Brasa had SOLD OUT of practically everything on their menu. To their credit, they did write that they were out of nearly everything in tiny handwriting on a chalkboard that was mostly obscured so as to not deter people from waiting 45+ minutes for a table so that they could remain hungry. After happening by the chalk board, we talked with the hostess again who sheepishly said that she guessed we could order chicken but that the kitchen was nearly cleaned out. We were pretty upset because a decent restaurant would have informed us of this at any of the three previous opportunities and/or at least been vaguely apologetic about it. This restaurant did none of these things. We asked to speak to a manager, who to his credit was really nice but then lied and said they had just run out of the food less than a minute ago, which wasn't true since they'd written it on the chalkboard at least 10 minutes prior. Hopefully this was just an off night, but we were really, really disappointed in Brasa.
(1)
Erin K.
If I could, I would give 6 stars. Brasa catered my sister's wedding this past weekend. The food was beyond amazing and the service was top notch. There were options for all types of food meeting various dietary needs of the guests. We had vegetarians, vegans, lactose intolerance, even one guest recovering from surgery with limited options was able to have an amazing meal. The guests raved about the food. The menu spelled out each dish clearly. The food was served family style and options included rice, beans, vegetable curry, cucumber salad, roasted chicken, and more. AND IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! The staff had a smile on their faces the entire time. It could not have been a smoother process. Thank you, Brasa, I'm so impressed.
(5)
John W.
First off, great atmosphere and appealing menu, it was easy to read and I wasn't over or underwhelmed. I went with the pulled chicken plate with the red beans and brisket with yellow rice. The chicken in gravy was 10 outta 10, the yellow rice was tasty, but the red beans and brisket were a little bland and disappointing. I also got some fried plantains and cornbread. Both were amazzzzzing. I left satisfied and definitely looking forward to trying different things on the menu.
(4)
Seth P.
I was in town this past weekend and off restaurants I went to this stood out as the best. The chicken was incredible! This will be my first stop next time I'm in town.
(5)
Jason D.
Brasa is the perfect combination of comfort food and flawless execution. I had the Pork and Egg Bowl along with the seasonal Sweet Potato and Spice beer. The pork was tender, moist, and flavorful. The jalapeño spinach and yellow rice were divine, and egg yolk dripping over the top was the perfect comforting tie in.If I lived in Minneapolis, this would become our regular place for casual meals. I am going to have to stop by again before I leave and try something else. My waiter was kind, thoughtful, and very knowledgeable.
(5)
Mike B.
EAT ALL OF THE FOOD. Honestly, this should be Brasa's slogan. I'd buy merch with that plastered all over it. But for serious, this should also be your motto as you look at the menu upon being seated after your half an hour wait (and you will wait, this place is tiny...and always packed, for good reason). I don't care how many people you have in your party. Two, three, twelve, doesn't matter. Order as much as you think you can handle and then order a little bit more. You won't regret it, especially if you're someone like me who doesn't like coming back to the same place twice due to the incalculable amount of places to eat in Minneapolis. Everything is delicious here. I don't think you could possibly go wrong with anything on the menu. Every plate is cooked with such precision and tender, loving care. You can practically taste the affection the chefs put into each dish. Of the full menu, here are my favorites: Meats -Slow roasted pulled pork with garlic and lime -Pulled chicken simmered in light cream and pepper gravy You will not find more tender meat than this outside of the best of the best BBQ joints. It just falls apart as you're cutting it, and then just melts into your mouth. Perfect seasoning, and the cream on the chicken is to die for. Sides -Creamed spinach with jalapeno -Roasted yams and andouille -Crispy yuca with citrus and garlic -Red beans and yellow rice -Cornbread with honey The cornbread here is some of the best cornbread on the planet, beating out many of the top restaurants I've been to in the South. I could literally just eat plates and plates of the yuca "fries," too. That dipping sauce that comes along with them is drinkable. It's that good. Southern food is hard to find here in the Great White North, and Brasa valiantly brings some much-needed heat to the Minneapolis food scene. Order everything. Clear plates, full stomach, can't lose.
(5)
Whitney F.
Just plain good. After hearing raves about Brasa, with a weakness for real (real) southern food, I was obviously a little skeptical. Brasa was overwhelmingly genuine and just plain good. We arrived early on a Thursday for dinner. Meaning beating the 5 o'clock bell with six hungry folks. I was surprised that by 5:30pm every table in the small cozy location was full. We ordered some sangria and wine and split the large guac. We enjoyed that we could do family style, but opted to each get meats and side items. I chose the rotisserie chicken, mozz salad and yucca fries. Oh the yucca fries, in that heavenly green garlic citrus sauce. As juicy and perfect as the rotisserie chicken was, "sangria and yucca fries" has officially made the 2014 bucket list. With the reasonable prices, atmosphere both cozy and busy, and that green sauce, Brasa easily made this southerners top 5.
(5)
Hannah F.
Where to begin.... I. Love. Brasa. This is my go-to place for comfort food and it just never gets old. My significant other and I often come here after church on Sundays, and my anticipation for this place never, ever fades. I can't say I have ever been disappointed by a dish. Favorite meats are tied with the pulled pork and pulled chicken with gravy. Favorite side dishes include, but are not limited to: crispy yucca, guac and chips (my guy's favorite), creamed spinach, collard greens, rice and beans, and fried plantains. YUM. Do yourself a favor and order lots of plates to share so that you get some of everything. Now, please excuse me... I need to wipe all of this drool off my keyboard.
(5)
BK J.
I'm not sure why I waited so long to get in to Brasa. I know the reviews have been consistantly good and people rave about the food. Anyway, we were out shopping on a Saturday morning and the birthday girl said she wanted BBQ so we motored over to Brasa in NE. They were still in the process of opening so service was a bit slow but not horrid. We ordered beef and pork, guac, creamed spinach and yucca fries. The low point would be the guac - it was good but bland. On my final bit I splashed a bit of the hot pepper vinegar on it and that improved it a ton. The pork was great but the real winner was the beef - tons of wonderful beefy flavor in fork tender meat. The red sauce served with the beef was a perfect match. The spinach was also a winner and I might have to figure out how to make it myself. While you can go in and order a sandwich with a side Brasa is best experienced as a group so you can order multiple meats and sides and share. I would put Brasa in the category of one of those places that people must hit when visiting MSP.
(4)
Maxx M.
Everything was excellent! It took me a minute to figure out the menu and the serving sizes. The food was fantastic and the service was great. I really like the fact that they source local ingredients whenever possible...and they list some of the sources on the menu. I also like the casual atmosphere. I felt completely comfortable hanging out in my Carhartt shorts. Now Yelp can stop pimping this place on my account and stop telling me to go to Brasa because: "Your next review awaits!". -Daddy Maxx Retro
(5)
Vy B.
Brasa has quality meats and the menu is decently priced. There's nothing better than sitting at their outside patio on a hot summer day. The service is great and the atmosphere is calm and cool. The portions are pretty big and this place is great for groups or one on one with a friend. Love: pulled pork sandwich with cilantro sauce (tastes like a modern banh mi sandwich), guacamole, potato salad, creamed spinach Loathe: the plantains -- they are always dry and the cassava fries - no taste whatsoever. Parking is free but not readily available - perhaps 5-6 spots in their lot? There's a lot of free parking in the residential area next to the restaurant though.
(5)
Alexander M.
Such a great restaurant, the collard greens, yuca, green plantains and cheesy grits are 100% great every time! They don't have the guava lime soda at this one and it's actually worth a trip to St Paul just for that! The food and atmosphere make for a great dining experience!
(5)
Immaculate I.
Oh how I love plantains!! I went to this spot at 7pm on a Wednesday and it was PACKED!! There was a 45 minute wait. We got some drinks and stood outside waiting for our name to be called. The noise level is a little over normal conversation volume so if you're looking for a quiet, intimate place, this would not be my first choice. I had the pork sandwich and my companion had the fritter. I thought that the pork sandwich was a bit underwhelming. I may have had high expectations from some of these reviews. The plantains were amazing! I didn't end up eating the yellow rice or red beans because I was full from half of my sandwich. The service (Patrick) was great. He checked in on us, wasn't overbearing, just right. I would go back to try the fritter. I heard it was spicy and I feel as though my middle name really should've been caliente.
(3)
Erin F.
Great and relatively inexpensive food! When I went here a few years ago with my Dad, the food wasn't nearly as good as what I experienced when I went a few days ago with my Dad and Fiance. There were a few faults here and there, but overall, especially given the fact that we got enough food for 3 for $60 that we still had some left to take over, it was a great experience. We ordered medium of the beef, medium of the pulled pork, 6 pieces of the chicken, sides of plantains, guacamole and creamed spinach. The beef was good. It was a bit less tender than I would have preferred, but definitely nothing to turn your nose up at. The pork was incredible. Some of the best pork I've had in a long time. It was moist and flavorful (and I don't even like lime) and had just the right amount of salt. The chicken was cooked perfectly. It reminded me of the peruvian chicken that we get in DC. The skin was perfect, the meat was juicy, not dry, and the sauce they give you to dip it in was great. The creamed spinach wasn't the best preparation I've ever had, but it was still good. The jalapenos added a bit of a kick. The plaintains were amazing. They were still soft and seared on the outside, so delicious. The guacamole was good, again not the most amazing thing we had there, but very good, just the same. The one thing that was slightly strange was the service. They seemed about one waiter short. The woman who was seating people was also handling tables, and they all appeared slightly out of sync. This resulted in us having to get our own water once or twice, but at least they had a big water pitcher we could use!
(5)
Soumyadeep C.
It is overpriced and crowded, and not in a good way. I have heard about it from so many people that I finally decided to give it a try for lunch. Now, I understand the crowd for Sunday brunch, but $15 plates of pulled pork is frankly the size of kids' fare. The ambience of the place is like the nearby university campus restaurants, so I could not fathom the price. As for the rice and beans that came as a side, I've had better. Not going back to Brasa.
(2)
Ahmad R.
Delicious. I've been here for takeout several times and have enjoyed everything. Chicken, beef, and pork mains were all good and the sides of beans, cornbread, yucca, and a couple others were also tasty. Brasa leans a bit pricey but it has an upscale quality to the food so we don't feel too put out by it.
(4)
Yash K.
Yucca fries were amazing. Rotisserie Chicken was slightly bland but overall good food and ambience.
(4)
Kate R.
Meat was GREAT, all the sides I had were bland as hell. I know, adapting spicy food to the Minnesotan tongue, whatever, but this was ridiculous. I like the small plate conceit- you can get a couple different meat plates, some small sides, and feed a large group family style, it works well. But seriously, so bland, and even the meat, while flavorful, wasn't what I was expecting spice-wise. Also we had terribly slow service, to the point where the diabetic member of our party was starting to get a bit floaty when we finally got our *drinks*. Perhaps that was a time of day thing, but quite disappointing. On the plus side, it was easy to find gluten-free and dairy-free food on the menu.
(2)
Daisy L.
This was not what I was expecting. The plates are TINY. And they were out of yucca. What. Yeah, the food tasted all right - a little bit blander than I would've liked though.
(2)
Troy P.
I straight up love Brasa! This is my kind of food served the way I like it, family style. I have never had a bad experience or disliked anything I've ordered. My favorite is probably the Pulled Chicken and Yuca Fries, they are basically a staple of my ordering selection every visit. The space is fairly small, tables are relatively close together and it can get kind of noisy. In the Summer it's pretty great, there is a nice size patio and 2 large garage doors that open the entire restaurant to the outside. Peak hours have always been busy, but they get the food out quick and the wait has never been unbearable. One thing to note is this location barely has a parking lot and it can be difficult to find street parking so plan on driving around. If you like good ol fashioned comfort food then this is your place.
(5)
Jeff P.
Went to Brasa the other day for the first time and it was great. My friends and I pretty much ordered everything off the menu and shared it with each other and everything sure tasted great, especially the rotisserie chicken my absolute favorite. I am definitely gonna go back back again soon 5 stars from me.
(5)
Monica S.
Visited with my sister who had already been there. She had chicken, I had pulled pork, and we shared greens, sweet potatoes and corn bread. She had mimosas and I had a sangria. Sangria was just ok. We both enjoyed our food.
(4)
Sujan P.
Pulled pork heaven. You just got to try this place. See all the other reviews. Avoid going during peak hours Take out as good as dining in.
(5)
Tetiana I.
Brasa is getting five stars for sure. Simple menu which allows you to build your own plate based on desires and today's mood. Chicken, beef or pork with yuca and plantains sides were my favorite so far. Also they are sized correctly starting from small which would feed one person and going to the bigger portions. They are sourced locally which adds up the points to the ratings as well. Without doubt if you are in the mood for pulled pork and plantains like me any other day you won't be disappointed with this restaurant.
(5)
Heather T.
I went to the location in St. Paul in May of 2013 and never stopped thinking about it. Naturally, when I returned to Minneapolis last weekend, I had one goal: go to Brasa and eat all the food. And I did. Their slow roasted pork is EVERYTHING. If possible, it was even more delicious the second time. The pork, it is magical. Divine. The crispy yuca fries are great and all, but if I had the recipe for the citrus & garlic dip that accompanies the fries, I would pour it over everything. I would take shots of that dip. That the masa corncakes come with pickled vegetables on top is perfection. Creamed spinach with jalapeno? Yes, please. Anything? All of it? Yes and yes. I can't imagine that anything at Brasa is not completely delicious.
(5)
Cassandra B.
You will wait when you get here, and it will be worth it. You might stand awkwardly on the asphalt with a drink in hand, looking longingly at those seated with delicious plates enjoying themselves on the patio. If you're lucky, you might score a seat at the picnic table with the other hungry folk. If you're smart, you'll come before the evening rush with no more than three friends and you should be good. When you're seated, you'll enjoy the warm, open-air vibe (weather permitting). You will order multiple plates to share in order to sample as much as possible. You will order more if it's not enough and your server will bring it happily. The meats are tender and perfectly seasoned. My favorites: smoked beef and pulled chicken with creamy, peppered sauce (droooool. And I don't even normally like pulled chicken). For sides, you may notice sizing is a little unpredictable. Fried yucca, for instance, runs large; start with a medium for your table. Do not miss the yams and andouille, cheesy grits, fried plantains, and fried yucca to share. While the yucca by itself is bland, the green dipping sauce is epic. The green sauce is served with the plantains too. You will eat the green sauce: Doctor's orders. (Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and take no responsibility for the relative health benefits of the green sauce.) Oh. and you'll eat the cornbread with honey glaze. It's moist with the perfect amount of sweetness. And I don't even normally like cornbread. You will be surprised at how reasonable the bill is considering the deliciousness of your experience. This place will rock your face off. You will return.
(5)
Nicole G.
The best pulled chicken, cheesy grits, collard greens, coleslaw, candied yams and cornbread ever! Also, you can't beat the price! I highly recommend coming here if you are in the area!
(5)
Nicolette Z.
It's hard to find really spectacular places to eat gluten free but Brasa is definitely at the top of that short list ! I have never once been disappointed. The atmosphere is great & love being able to sit outside during nice weather. It's small, so often times you have to wait a bit - but honestly this is a place I'd be willing to wait quite a long time for.
I went this place so many times. My fav is the jalapeno spanich and candid Yam. Sandwich is just okay. Price is friendly.
(4)
Landy G.
Very good food. Smaller than I thought. It was comfortable and clean. I would go back.
(4)
Steven D.
I've been here on a couple occasions for take out and I haven't been disappointed yet. I would've never guessed what the neighborhood would look like, but it's kind of at the edge of a residential neighborhood. The parking lot probably only holds about 6 spots, so be prepared to park in the streets if you go late. So far on my visits, I've gotten the: - Slow Roasted Pork: super moist pork that melts in your mouth - Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapenos: exactly what it sounds like with just the right hint of jalapeno flavor. It's not spicy if that's what you're debating! - Crispy Yucca w/ Citrus Garlic sauce: they were surprisingly crispy still even after taking it home as take out. I could only imagine how crispy and hot it is if eaten there! I usually ask for extra of the sauce because it's like crack! Can't wait to go back to try more things off the menu!
(5)
Alyska B.
I love slow food establishments, and after being introduced to Brasa by a friend a few years ago, I'm so happy I was able to go back again last weekend. Their indoor/outdoor space is lovely for a meal and cold drinks in the warm June weather. While the main meat dishes are fantastic for all palates (from mild but flavorful to downright spicy) their side dishes also really shine. Almost everything on the menu is (or can be made) gluten-free except for the cornbread, which adds even more points in my book. Parking can be a bit tricky if it's busy, but not impossible. I'll definitely be going back next time I'm up in the cities.
(5)
Joshua C.
One of the best meals of my life. Pulled Pork, Rotisserie Chicken, Sweet Tea, and Cheese Grits. I'm going to try to make there every time I'm in MNPLS from now on. Pulled Pork - 5/5 Rotisserie Chicken - 4/5 Sweet Tea - 2/5 Cheese Grits - 2/5
(5)
Jonathan T.
As I'm writing this review, I have to resist from slobbering all over my keyboard while I think about Brasa's savory and decadent Southern dishes. If it's your first time there, don't order the eggs and sandwiches. Order a couple of meats and sides that are either small portions (if by yourself) or medium portions (if you are with someone else). There's absolutely too much deliciousness at Brasa to eat in one sitting. My favorites are below: Meats -Slow Roasted Pork -Pulled Chicken Sides -Cornbread and Beans -Collard Greens w/ Smoked Chicken -Creamed Spniach w/ Jalapeno -Fried Plantains My goodness, I want to be back right now stuffing my face. I have never been so stressed out that I have had to resort to thinking about a happy place, but if I did, I would imagine it being me sitting at a table eating the slow roasted pork with the corn bread... guzzling it down with a dark beer. The best word to describe the food, in my humble opinion, is thoughtful. Everything is locally grown, cooked to perfection, and served by friendly and knowledgeable staff. My stomach is growling. Brasa, I will see you soon.
(4)
Ryan F.
Somehow the girlfriend and I made it though another year together. I must be doing something right. As is our custom, we celebrate our year together by gorging on delicious meat. We have done Fogo, Butcher and the Boar, and a few others, but this year, our meat quest brought us to Brasa Rotisserie on Hennepin Ave in NE Mpls. This place has been on my radar for quite a while, so I was excited to finally get to check it out. First off, the bad- parking can be tough. They do not take reservations. The place is loud. And none of this is a problem once you get your food. I really like the counter service to get a beer when you wait. Even on a Tuesday evening in the middle of our Polar vortex of a winter the were on a wait. Nothing about 20 minutes and a Fulton can't fix, however. We had the 4 Pc. Rotisserie chicken, pulled pork, pulled beef, cornbread, creamed spinach with jalapeno and yellow rice/beans. Had a nice Malbec to wash it down. I make food like this sometimes, pulled pork, chicken, etc, and I have no chance to make it as good as they do here. Nothing was dried out at all. The only issue I had with the food at all was it needed a little salt. That is just my personal preference as a salt addict though so don't take my word for it. My baby and I don't need quiet restaurants with dark lighting and white tablecloths to celebrate being together. We need meat and booze. And this place delivered in spades! PS-it is not too bad on the wallet as well!
(5)
Susan H.
This is my go-to restaurant in the Twin Cities when I want a really satisfying meal. Their yuca fries are amazing, especially with a little lime and some mojo sauce. I'd go for the pulled chicken over the other meats. (I do wish this location served fish like the St. Paul location.) And this is where I discovered the wonders of collard greens... with smoked turkey... always perfect. The platanos fritos are much better than the sweet plantains, but either works for me. Top it all off with some of their sangria (they have a small but local beer selection as well). If you're dining out for two, I'd recommend getting small servings of a bunch of the menu items to split. If you're in a group, go big!
(5)
Teresa E.
One of my go-to places for comfort food, family/kid-friendly, date nights and meeting a friend. Yucca is great. Plantains are great. Pulled pork is great. CORNBREAD is awesome! It's a sharing menu so order up (portions are bigger than your stomach though) and try many things on the menu. Staff is fairly attentive and the prices are so legit. PLUS, Brasa supports local farms and sustainably grown foods. They brag about it on their menus. Both the Northeast and the StPaul location are similar in architecture. This includes a windowed overhead door that is opened on nice, warm days to expand seating into a makeshift patio/open air restaurant. So nice.
(5)
Candice B.
Let me start by saying, the food is phenomenal! And typically the service is very quick and everyone is delightful. However, I am currently towards the end of my two+ hour meal here because our waitress is slower than molasses. It took at least 15 minutes for her to come grab our order, a half hour+ for our food to get to the table, she never checked on us until the very end to grab our plates, and now we're still waiting for the bill, it's been 30 minutes (although we asked for it when she cleared the table). I've never experienced anything like this here (and have been to both locations). I would have given 5 stars if it wasn't for this disappointing service. But just know the food is outstanding.
(3)
Gabriel S.
Great food every time. They do a superb chicken and beans. I have had them at a couple of weddings and they rock at catering. I always get excited when I think of eating Brasa! I would try everything on the menu.
(5)
Susan L.
My family came to town and I suggested that they try this joint out. They did change the plantains to say SAVORY plantains now, rather than sweet, which is a good change. They also described them a bit more and I like the change. Bravo Brasa - finger lickin' good!
(5)
Leah S.
Brasa is the real deal! Great food, great service and unbelievable prices! I have eaten at both the Northeast and St Paul locations and love them both. We also get take-out often from Brasa when we are looking for something to make our belly smile. They are known for their slow cooked meats, and all of them are good. They serve them in small portions so you can try all of them. Then they have the most decadent sides. Try the spinach and jalapeno - you won't be dissapointed. Recently I tried one of their bowls- the Pork with an over easy egg was amazing, the only problem is you don't want to share this dish. This place is busy though so get their early or go at off times. We are using them to cater our wedding reception in May so stay tuned.
(5)
Richard H.
Celebrating 2 birthdays this evening. Read good reviews. Nothing prepared us for what an amazing experience we had.
(5)
Wil G.
Delicious! We did take out because it was packed and everyone was extremely happy with the food.
(5)
Ben D.
Homey comfort food. Nothing really struck out as awesome to me. For what i paid, i wish the portions sizes were bigger. When I think of homey comfort food I think of larger portions. Parking can be a pain.
(3)
Mike R.
We've been to Brasa a number of times for dinner, and I've recently started going for lunch as well. The cost can add up pretty quickly if you're really hungry, but the food is consistently great. We have tried and love virtually all the meats. My favorites are the pulled chicken, pulled pork, and catfish - in that order. I also love the sides. The black beans with cornbread are great (and beans are filling and healthy). My personal favorite is the spinach, though my wife prefers the collards. Hard to go wrong though. My most recent discovery is the Pork & Over Easy Egg bowl. I could eat it for lunch... every day. Can't wait to go back! Update 8/20: Writing this review made me crave the Pork & Over Easy Egg bowl so much, we went there for dinner. The food was as good as ever, but the service staff seemed really overwhelmed and they didn't quite have it together. We waited 15-20 minutes to be seated while there were several open tables and a full staff. One server would go pick up the water pitcher, fill up a single table, then walk by two other tables needing water... then another would do the same for a different table... repeat. At the end of our meal, I had to go find the server in order to pay. For a Tuesday night that wasn't that busy, they really didn't have it together very well.
(4)
Brittany A.
Love this place. Such great food.. Great for sharing small plates. The food is fun southern dishes. You must get the sweet cornbread as one of the dishes! You won't regret it. Has a cozy atmosphere, tables are a tiny bit cramped, but overall good vibe. It's a great place of you are in the mood for something different and fun.
(5)
Barath K.
Ate Rotisserie Chicken 8 Pc/whole with my family!.. Loved it.
(4)
Moody S.
PROS: The food is simply incredible in terms of quality and price. Great place for lunch and dinner. The quality of their chicken is exceptional. You can definitely tell that it's indeed organic and naturally raised chicken. Best of all its healthy, light you'll find plenty of options. CONS: Seating is limited and somewhat inconsistent with the sauces they offer on the sides. They have an amazing sauce that works with everything but I don't always get it with my meals. PARKING: Parking is a bit of a challenge given the size of the lot and availability of street parking. All-in-all, If you're not in the mood for a sit down restaurant and you're looking for something that is good quality, healthy, relaxed and fast, give Brasa a shot and you'll not regret it! Trust me.
(5)
Carly S.
This place is so awesome! The food is fabulous, one of my favorite restaurants in Northeast. I highly recommend the slow roasted pork sandwich, it is melt in your mouth delicious. Sometimes the wait can be a little long but it is well worth it. I take all of my out of town friends here when they come to visit.
(5)
Jenni B.
Open air and amazing, affordable food puts Brasa way way at the top of my list. It's small, but wait it out for a table, it is worth it and then some. My strategy when coming here is to try as many things as possible, so my boyfriend and I will split two small entrees and have 3 or 4 sides (with days of wonderful leftovers). If I could reasonably fit more sides and entrees on the table, I would do it. I go into a happy eating frenzy when I'm here. Perhaps it's because I've never really has comfort food before and I'm making up for some serious lost time. The things I love here tremendously: - Curry Chicken Bowl: It's hearty with rice but has a light, uplifting curry flavor. The accompanying carrots and pineapple make this one so filling but not weighty (which is good because there's too much to gobble down, you simply can't stop at dish one) - Green Chili Bowl: This is probably the right amount of spice for the typical Minnesotan, but for me it's not a lot of heat. It does really impress me, however, with how it brings forth a bright green chili flavor. It's served with corn tortillas that aren't overly grainy, I don't typically like the texture but these ones were very mild in that department. - Sweet and Spicy BBQ Beef: I prefer the entree to the sandwich because it is just so darn tender. This is melt in your mouth beef like you can only get after a long, slow cook. - Crispy Yuca: This starchy, crunchy fried treat will free you from the desire for French fries indefinitely. The citrusy garlic sauce is cool and gives this side so much flavor. Every entree needs a side of yuca, there's no two ways around it. - Cheddar Grits: These are grainy, cheesy and very hearty. Heavy as they are, a small side will do, and unless you are immensely starving you probably won't need beans or rice with this tasty side. - Collard greens: A soft and tasty accompaniment that blends so well with any of our entrees when you get a bite with both. I was pleasantly surprised at my first taste of greens and encourage everyone to give it a go. - Corn Bread: Their corn bread is so sweet, everyone needs at least one. They come out about the size of a cupcake and they will make you feel warm inside they hit the spot so good. - Berry Shortcake: Light, crisp, and dusted with sugar for the perfect pair with fresh summer berries. Another awesome shout-out for brasa is that almost everything on the menu is gluten free, just as it is.
(5)
Sue S.
I love the location, he patio and the wait staff. The meat selections are bland and unappealing. I would love it if they would add ribs to the menu...especially beef - Korean barbecue. Something with more flavor. The salads are wonderful as is the spicy masa corn cake.
(4)
BenjamÃn S.
Wow. Brasa has the most innovative and well-executed take on a simple barbecue sandwich that I've encountered anywhere. It's not typical, but it is fantastic. The slow roasted pork sandwich with ginger mayo and cilantro was incredible; the flavors, while not traditional, were perfectly complementary. Even ignoring the final product, the ingredients themselves were savory; the pulled pork was as about as good as it gets, and the bread it was served on was fresh and flavorful. I look forward to having a longer sit-down meal here one day!
(5)
Sarah U.
love this place! everything is good, even the different sides. It's basically the size of a garage, so not good for groups. But the food is good and rich
(4)
Brett N.
Why 5 stars? Because... well, I'll explain. --- --- --- This was definitely my favorite meal in Minneapolis, and lands itself as my 600th review. I thought it would be easiest to just go through each item and rate it 1-5 Yelp stars: MEAT Rotisserie Chicken - 5 Pulled Chicken - 5 Beef - 3 Pork - 1 The review highlights led me astray here, citing the pork as the most mentioned item on the menu. It was catastrophically bad. I don't give 1-stars out very often, but the pork fully deserved it. That being said... the chicken was phenomenal. Chicken is usually the last protein I go for, but on a return visit, it would definitely be my choice. SIDES Grits - 4 Creamed Spinach - 4 Yuca - 5 Yams - 4 I liked all of them, but really loved the yuca. BREAD Cornbread - 5 Masa - 5 Both were top notch. DESSERT Peach Shortcake - 5 Just a dream of a dish. Total euphoria. I debated a lot about whether this was a 4-star or 5-star experience. What led to my decision was that I tried a ton of items. Of course I didn't love them all... that would be pretty tough to pull off. Now that I've visited once, however, I would know exactly what to order a second time around... and that would be nothing but items I rated 5-stars. So skip the beef and pork. Go crazy with chicken... even if you're not typically a chicken-eater. Trust me, I love red meat, but white's what they do best here. And don't just save room for dessert... it's a requirement.
(5)
Rich T.
Happy to add another positive review to this spot. Great eats! The beef and rotisserie chicken are their best entrees. The sweet potato and andouille sausage is excellent as well as the yuca fries. Killer sauce. Great spot but always a little crowded
(5)
Jeannie V.
I just love this place. The portions are perfect, they have a great variety and everything is SO GOOD. Never had a bad dish. My favorites are everything - creamed spinach, pork, chicken, rice and beans, yams, mac and cheese, cornbread, catfish. I've made it my mission to reproduce their entire menu in my own kitchen, but as it takes me 3 days to make 9 of their dishes (I've done it, seriously. Twice, in fact), I usually just go to the restaurant.
(5)
Qaiser B.
What a nice place to go and eat. No frills and pretenses and yet very very posh place to eat. The food is really good and the service even better. The main Meat section can be made even more delicious by the nice side selections that they offer. There is also a separate vegetarian menu if you need one.
(5)
Ash M.
Brasa catered a wedding I went to this past weekend....and it was AMAZEBALLS. I love love love that so much of the food here is gluten free :) The pulled BBQ beef was delicious/ juicy/ tender/ perfection. The "green sauce" is orgasmic (creamy yet refreshing), the creamed spinach was lip-smacking good, the mini corn muffins were light and fluffy, chips & guac & salsa was incredibly fresh, rice had just the right amount of seasoning, and any restaurant that serves fried plantains deserves 5 stars :) I'm drooling just thinking about the food again..... This restaurant almost makes me want to move to Minneapolis :P
(5)
Dawn G.
Perfectly seasoned and tender pulled pork with magically delicious rice, a soft-cooked egg, and spinach. So incredibly good! You seriously have to taste this. The only complaint about the dish is that the spinach was so overcooked that it was pretty much grey. I kinda wish they had added it at the end instead of cooking it that long. However, it did not detract from the spectacular foodgasm. Generous portions meant I was able to make two meals out of it! I also stuffed myself full of the incredibly awesome fried plantains during my dining experience. Alone they're so yum but the flavor is enhanced by the delicious (cilantro?) aioli that came with it. My friends had the black eyed peas (wow!), the corn bread (um, yeah!), the chicken, and the cole slaw. All were very tasty and all worthy of another visit very soon. Perhaps on the outdoor patio next time. There were two open tables outside but we weren't allowed to sit there for some reason. It was one of the few nice days so that was disappointing. But the interior was cozy and smelled like the rotisserie, which was like a meat-lover's perfume. Brasa is a true gem in this neighborhood. They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait a little while. Don't worry, it's well worth it!
(4)
Lisa P.
As anyone can see, Yelpers love Brasa and I don't disagree. Stopped in on a Saturday night around 6:30pm and the wait was an hour for 4 people, but we were able to order drinks while we waited. Unfortunately the restaurant doesn't take cell numbers, so you have to stay in the restaurant in a relatively small space to avoid missing your name being called. Everyone at my table ordered their own protein, and then we shared a bunch of different sides. My favorites were the yuca (other Yelpers were right - the green sauce is delicious!) and guacamole. The spinach was also good. I thought my rotisserie chicken was very good - moist and flavorful - and I would order it again. It also came with a side of that yummy green sauce. Prices were mediocre, but worth it in my opinion.
(4)
Kalinn R.
Just hearing the name makes my mouth water! Brasa was one of the first restaurants I tried out when I first moved to the twin cities area less than a year ago, and I will never forget it. I live just a few blocks down, and I have to stop myself from eating here everyday. You can't go wrong with anything you order here! I for one can never leave without having a glass (carafe) ;) of sangria, and a side of yucca! I've tried all of the delicious meats, and I can honesty say I've never been disappointed. You will most likely encounter a wait to sit down and eat, but just grab a quick drink at the bar because I promise it will be worth it.
(5)
Mark G.
5 stars hands down, this place makes everything delicious. We tried almost all the dishes and they were all spot on, the flavor is awesome in every bite. Please if you do go, try several items to get the full Brasa experience Their items will win you over and you may want more. Best to share everything, sharing is caring. Very tight quarters inside, they do have outside seating as well. Most times there is a wait, but it is worth it. This is my official go to spot when I visit the Twin cities. One of the best around.
(5)
Mark S.
Brasa is by far my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities area! I have been here many times on dates, with groups of friends, and I always ask my parents take me here on my birthday. It's especially great to sit outside on a warm summer day in their patio area. Now to the best part: the food! My favorite items on the menu (in no particular order) are: 1. Fried Yucca - I'll admit, I'm still not sure what exactly Yucca is, but it's delicious and starchy (almost like a potato) and they serve it with a green garlic sauce 2. Cornbread - incredibly rich; I usually share one piece with someone that I'm with 3. Slow roasted pork 4. Pulled chicken - served in a pepper gravy sauce While I've only listed my favorite four items above, I've never been dissatisfied with anything that I've tried here. My favorite thing to do in a group is to order many different dishes and share them family style. I've found it best to order one (meat) entree and 2 small side dishes per person (which is the amount they recommend), which puts me the right amount of "full" after a meal. If you are reading this and wondering if you should try Brasa, do it! You won't have any regrets.
(5)
Zachary C.
HOLY GOODNESS! Love the food. I crave it! Small place, so be prepared to wait, but it's worth it.
(5)
Amy J.
I love the vibe and the openness of the restaurant. Brassa serves really good family style dishes. I found every dish I ordered to be on point! The food was timely despite being busy and the service was good.
(5)
Laura H.
They have nightly specials that are really affordable ($7-10) and everything is to die for! For some reason I'm really into sauces....and they have a green sauce with the yuka that is some sort of heaven. Cilantro, creamy ranch, little kick -- its everything. Favorite dishes: (in order of must-haves every time I go) - Yuka fries w/ extra green sauce ! (very filling, small order will do for two!) - Braised Short Ribs FOR LIFE - Fried Catfish (with great toppings and not greasy at all!) - Rotisserie Chicken - Mac & cheese (when you are feeling naughty) One of my favorite go-tos when I lived on Grand Ave in St.Paul. My girlfriends and I went there almost weekly. The atmosphere is great for dinner after work, I feel like I can relax there. You order by the pound, like family-style sharing. But they also have plates if you are worried about splitting the bill. The owners are around often and very passionate about their food. You feel good supporting this business, is what I'm trying to say in all my blabbing about awesomesauce Brasa.
(5)
Joe B.
Brasa was simply amazing! We started out with some chips and guacamole and oh my, were the chips good! They were crunchy and tasty and perfectly complemented the guac. Next we moved on and had the chicken with gravy, pork, yucca fries(favorite), plantains, rice and beans, and all were amazing. We also had the chocolate bundt cake which was oozing with fresh chocolate and the butterscotch pudding was fantastic. Prices were really reasonable for the food quality too! A must stop in Minneapolis and we don't know why we waited so long to try it!
(4)
Nnenna F.
Chicken was the juiciest I've ever had, sides are well prepared,friendly service. The andouille and sweet potatoes could have been a little sweeter, collard greens were excellent. Finished our meal with a tasty cup of coffee and surprisingly complex chocolate pudding.
(4)
Sean G.
This place is a solid 4 stars. Original, fresh mix-and-match lunches bring me back whenever I'm in the area. The wait can be a pain, especially since there's almost no room to wait in. It's awkward to stand right next to a table of people eating food. The seating is cramped and laid out a little weird, as well. Overall, though, I'm sure I'll keep going back. I'm thinking about those yuca "fries" right now....
(4)
Conor O.
Brasa is a great restaurant. People love it. For me, it's more of a safe bet. The food is consistent, relatively straight-forward, and pretty cheap. In this sense, it's perfect for lazy nights when you're debating whether or not to go to Chipotle, or if you're taking a parent out, (especially if that parent is of the type that thinks that ketchup is, "too spicy.") The service is excellent and I hear the owner treats his staff well. A super tall guy named Ryan went above and beyond for our table.
(4)
Laura B.
I love Brasa! Such a fantastic, affordable lunch spot. Even though the dining room is small, there's rarely a long wait, their staff are efficient and have always been friendly in my experience. The best thing about Brasa, by far, is the food. I haven't had anything that's not delicious here, meat, sides and sangria included !! Always a lunch spot I take out of town guests and it hasn't failed me yet.
(4)
Todd M.
Introduced to Brasa by two very devoted regulars (Theresa & Corbett), I've been back, bringing 1st-timers a few more times myself. Both indoors/winter and outdoors/summer. Terrific food, good service and reasonable prices. So much flavor in simple, fresh tasting food. Cheers !
(4)
Nichole K.
Brasa. Brasa, Brasa, Brasa. Where have you been all of my life? I work a mere 3 blocks away and it took me this long to finally bask in your glory. We arrived shortly after 5pm on a Monday and while we did snag the last parking spot in their small lot we got a table in a snap right next to the closed garage door with the sun leaking in; it is heavenly having the sun bathe your neck on such a brisk pre-fall afternoon. Though I didn't catch our server's name he was super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and didn't awkwardly flinch when I told him I needed a sangria as soon as possible. Prior to coming I had been yelping this place to get a good feel for what I wanted to order and with the ala cart family style menu I knew I needed a game plan so I wasn't totally clueless when I got there (I am one of those people that creates an itinerary for just about EVERYTHING, lol, it drives my bf nuts)...after slyly convincing my boyfriend that he wanted to share everything that I had on my list, we ordered: (s) Pulled Chicken (s) Pulled Pork w/lime (drizzle some hot pepper vinegar on this, you won't regret it) (s) Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapeno (s) Coleslaw (s) Fried Sweet Plantains w/ aioli (2) Pieces of Cornbread (1) Spicy corn masa cake Holy lord baby jesus. Everything was incredible. I would give each item at least an A with the exception of the Coleslaw which I will give a B; It was good and refreshing but I would have preferred a home-style slaw; just my opinion. It's really hard to choose a favorite because it was all mouth wateringly good but I found myself NEEDING to finish every little crumb of the spicy corn masa cake and the fried plantains. (I would recommend getting the plantains as your dessert as they are sweet and hit the spot perfectly.) The fried plantains also come with the brilliant little ramekin of Cilanto Ginger Aioli that was to die for; it sounds weird to dip something sweet and creamy like a plantain in there but listen to me now: DO IT. I want to drink this stuff by the jug. I should also note that my boyfriend who is a transplant here from Alabama has stated that it is the most authentic tasting Southern food he has encountered thus far; which is saying a lot. I know this was a wordy review but trust me when I say that you need to run, not walk, to Brasa RIGHT NOW. (Well, as long as they are open) :) I have homemade meatloaf in the fridge that is getting jealous right now because I want to put it aside for the second night in a row just to indulge in Brasa once more.
(5)
Twincities G.
We do more pick up out of here than eating in, so I can only speak to the food, not the service. But the food is amazing. I tend to rotate between the chicken, beef and pork sandwiches, rice and chips and guacamole. It's pure, simple, comfort food at it's best.
(5)
Monica L.
I love this place! First timers go during lunch time, where you can get a protein with a side so you can try different things here. I always get the pulled chicken, plantains, and yucca fries. Beware though there is limited seating inside and they don't take reservations.
(5)
John M.
Brasa is probably the closest you're going to get to real Cajun food in Minneapolis. Every item on the menu is very delicious and I love sitting on their patio outside in the summertime. It's the perfect summer place.
(5)
Katie M.
Why hello, favorite restaurant in Minneapolis/St. Paul. You made my transition away from 8 years as a vegetarian an easy one. My meat-loving friends took me here to re-wet my carnivorous palate and I've never looked back. All dishes on the menu are gluten-free, save the sliced bread, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, and sandwich rolls. Foods are locally and sustainably sourced. Their dishes feature cage free and non-confinement produced eggs and meat that is 100% naturally raised without hormones or antibiotics. Everything about Brasa's food screams superb homestyle cooking, including the family style portions. You will not be disappointed in any of the meats, I have nothing but praises to sing about all of the selections. Let me take a special moment to call out the Crispy Yuca with Citrus & Garlic. I may not be able to correctly pronounce this root vegetable, but I do know that I would bathe in the accompanying aioli. Think "jo-jos" but better. Order this or forever live in regret. Other personal favorites include: Roasted Yams & Andouille Homemade Chips & Guacamole (generous serving of guac) Collard Greens with Smoked Chicken With locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul, you have few reasons to not make your way over to this restaurant. St. Paul's location is slightly larger and features happy hour specials, and both restaurants have patios and garage doors that open (weather permitting). I will say that seats fill up fast and they do not take reservations. Be prepared for a wait if it is a weekend evening. Whatever you're doing Brasa, please don't stop. Ever.
(5)
n. c.
Eh. I was underwhelmed. I got the pork which was bland. I drenched it in their spicy vinegar which made it ok. I also got collard greens. Not bad, not great either though. I've had much better. And the grits were bland and had hard bits in it (like the skin in popcorn). I'm not a grits connoisseur but I'm pretty sure that's not normal. Or if it is, I don't like it that way. Anyway, ok meal, overpriced, but very cute ambience. I'd come back just to have a few beers and hang out, but not for the food.
(2)
Jennifer K.
This is good southern cooking. They have great chicken that isn't dry at all and very flavorful. My big turnoff though is that the tables are very close together so it feels like you are sitting on top of one another. It is also often a long wait to actaully get a table.
(3)
William C.
I've been to Brasa quite a few times, but I'm finally writing a review!!! When it comes to roasted meats in the Twin Cities, there is little to no competition when compared to Brasa. It's located in a former automotive shop and the garage doors open during the summer months. I made a recent (and random) stop, because I had a craving for rotisserie chicken. The menu is quite simple. Select your choice of meat(s), sides and NEVER forget the honey glazed corn bread, NEVER. We ordered half a chicken (4 pieces), cheesy grits, yellow rice with beans and corn bread. As always the chicken was juicy, filled with flavor and AMAZING. Amazing is the only word needed for their legendary rotisserie chicken. The grits are creamy, cheesy, yet still has great texture. Don't forget the corn bread!!! Great food, wonderful service and amazing staff. *make a reservation, arrive early and prepare to parallel park on the street*
(5)
Tino K.
I love everything about this place - the atmosphere, the decor, the service, and especially the food. I love how versatile the portion sizes are (small, medium, large); it makes it a great place to go solo, on a date or with a group of your besties. I've tried most of the meats and loved them all, so savory and juicy. The pulled chicken is succulent, and the pepper gravy it comes smothered in is amazing. The pulled pork is tender and delicious; try it with a few dashes of Brasa's vinegar concoction. And the smoked beef has a great, smoky, subtle BBQ flavor. You really can't go wrong with any of the meats. I loved the cheesy grits and collard greens. I had no clue what a spicy masa corn cake was, but what I do know is that I want to eat more of them. Trust me, there's a reason this place has over 300 Yelp reviews. If you haven't eaten here yet, go today. Or, better yet, right after reading this review.
(5)
Jonathan H.
Yes a million times! Yes!!!!
(5)
Paul C.
I love Brasa! This place is a great spot for a casual meal with friends. Simple decor (it's an old service station, and you can tell), excellent meats (especially the pulled pork) to build your dinner around, but the sides steal the show. Must have's include the Cornbread & Beans, Roasted Yams & Andouille, and the Fried Plantains. The same ownership as Restaurant Alma - how can you go wrong.
(5)
Jessica K.
I feel like I was at a completely different place than what all the other reviews are saying.. I went here with my dad for a lunch. The parking lot is small so we had to find street parking which is a little daunting, but that is northeast for you so I won't hold that against them to much. We each ordered the lunch special which comes with a meat, bread and a side. I ordered the pulled chicken for my meat, I found it good but seemed like the gravy from biscuits and gravy with that heavy pepper flavor. It was good, but nothing outstanding. My dad ordered the pork which was a little dry. I am not sure if the lunch meats are leftover from dinners the night before and that is why they are a little sub par compared to what the reviews are saying? All the problems with the meat seem to be around the lunch hour. For the side we both ordered the Romaine and Mozzarella Salad. I found this to be very refreshing and delicious! For the bread, my dad ordered the cornbread and I ordered the spicy masa. The winner was definitely the Masa! It was a really nice balance! Not too heavy and not to light! For beverages we both had waters, I ordered the iced coffee and I loved that it was free refills! My dad ordered iced tea and to his displeasure, it was peach...it didn't call it out on any menus and that was bit of a fail. I think i need to make one more stop at this place and give it a shot and I would definitely do so. I feel like my experience just didn't live up to the reviews.
(3)
Andrea B.
Love BRASA! Friendly staff ;) food = delicious. Tried the roasted chicken, collard greens with chicken, coleslaw, yams and andouille, and pulled pork sandwich! A lot of my friends loved the yuca fries too! All in all this place was a big hit and fairly priced. If you're coming for dinner at a popular time, allow a few extra minutes for street parking.
(5)
Michael L.
Still love this place. Very affordable, very good. All the sandwiches are great, all the sides are great, what can I say, it's all good. Even the desserts are very good and a steal at only $3.50, at least the pear honey cake with mascarpone cream I had last night was fantastic. The only thing that could be improved is the beer list, only 3 taps (Surly Furious, Hell, and Bell's Brown recently). But it is usually so crowded I guess they don't want people hanging out here just drinking. They also have Sangria.
(5)
Lindsey R.
Delicious. I've never been disappointed by any of the food. Service is great, even when you show up for takeout and there's a line, they find a way to make you feel like you matter as a customer. I wish it didn't cost so much, or we'd eat there more but at the same time it's a fair price for great tasting, high quality food in a high demand area so I totally get it. LOVE: Rotisserie chicken, pulled pork. LOVE THE MASA CORN CAKES, brussels sprouts, the greens, all sooo good. All the other meats and sides have been good, just not the super craveworthy ones listed above. I have never, ever tried anything at Brasa that I didn't like. So good. Great environment. So fun. Yum!
(4)
Scott E.
It is not the fault of Brasa (or is it) that on the two occassions we have been here our conversations have evolved into an argument. We are a couple that rarely has tension in our relationship, but the moments here have been award winning emotional hell. We don't shout, rather the quiet smoldeing anger...sound fun? LOL. Anyway this has clouded the experience here. The first time it was raining hard and the second time was a very cold night. The old garage is well designed. The staff is professional and always working hard. Parking can be difficult. The food was good.The chicken is worth the visit and is served fast at a fair price. Next time we need some tension in our relationship we will be back...lol, just kidding.
(4)
Joe S.
Everyone at my office loves this place and it was on the top of my list of restaurants to sample as a new Minnesotan. This food was amazing. Chips and guacamole were quickly consumed by my fam. My kids especially like the corn bread. We samples all the proteins and sides. Everything is great, but I enjoyed the pulled chicken and collard greens. Super busy on a Friday night, we came early and still waited nearly 45 mins for a table (4 in the party). Highly recommend.
(5)
Reid S.
Great prices Great quality. Great service. Awkward waiting area. Hard to find parking. We had a fantastic server that helped our table of four adults select both the right amount of food, and dishes that would compliment our tastes. I will definitely return.
(4)
Tracy G.
VERY good pulled chicken, but the price was quite high for the amount I got for take out. Not sure I would do that again. I will be back to try some sides and sandwiches though, I heard thats where it's at!
(4)
Johanna V.
Brasa will always hold a special spot place in my heart. Not only was it the location of the first date with the boo, it is also the only restaurant I have been to in the twin cities with collard greens, grits, and cornbread on the menu. This place is like a big hug for my inner Southerner. They serve downright scrumptious food. The pulled pork is sweet and tender. Their chicken is juicy and well-seasoned. The fried yucca is to die for. We recently tried the masa torillas n' fixins with pork as well as their chips and guacamole. Everything was fresh and flavorful. I like that the structure of their menu allows you to play with the theme of your meal.
(5)
Stephen M.
It seems unorthodox to give Brasa fewer than four stars based on others' reviews, but on my visit, two is generous. We arrived early on a Monday. It was crowded already at 6pm. The wait wasn't bad, but they could really do with a waiting area. There were lots of people trying to get to and from the tiny counter where beer was being sold, and no places for them to sit or stand without being in the servers' way or practically sitting on the tables of those already seated. Okay, it's a small and popular restaurant. I get it. But a little organization and/or guidance as to where you're supposed to wait would help everybody. The wait wasn't long, maybe 15 minutes. But once seated, the service was slow. Our order was taken quickly and the server had good recommendations, but then I watched my beer sit on the bar for a full 10 minutes getting warm while no one brought it to me, and we waited a pretty darn long time for our food. We ordered a good variety of things: pulled chicken, rotisserie chicken, and smoked beef, along with yams, yuca fries, and cole slaw. I'll start with the good: the yuca fries were absolutely outstanding. Perfectly crisp fried outside, full of flaky yuca flesh, flavorful, and accompanied by a delicious sauce for dipping. This was the highlight of the meal for me. The yams and slaw were pretty good, too. The spiciness of the sausage in the yams complimented the candied sweetness of the starch, but the whole thing was pretty soupy and sloppy. It seemed like it had been made with too much liquid, butter, cream, or whatever they use to mix it all together. The slaw was nice - crispy, flavorful, and a nice foil to the meat (which is all slaw should really be, in my opinion). The meats, then. My expectations were high and they were most decidedly not met. The pulled chicken tasted like a can of Campbell's cream of mushroom soup. I'm not exaggerating; it tasted more like salty, creamy mushrooms than like chicken. The flavor of the meat was completely overwhelmed by the gravy. This would be okay if the gravy tasted homemade rather than like something out of a can, but with every bite I just thought about Campbell's being force fed to me as a kid when I was sick or my mom was lazy. The menu description promised peppery flavor, but it was completely absent. I don't know if I've ever had a dish with such a big discrepancy between the Yelp consensus (amazing! incredible!) and the actual thing (completely underwhelming). The rotisserie chicken was flavored well but was just plain overcooked. The meat was flaky and dry, not moist and soft like roasted chicken should be. I can roast a better chicken than this at home. This is another thing that makes me think they just don't have enough people working in the kitchen. If it had been taken off the heat 5-10 minutes earlier, it would have been great. But we got an overcooked bird, like your Grandma's dry Thanksgiving turkey. The smoked beef was better than the chicken dishes. It was nicely spiced and the browning from the braise was evident. A good combination of textures. It was a little dry, though, like it had been left without enough liquid in the braise for a little too long. A decent meat dish, but not a great one. Based on how positively people have rated this place, I'm willing to give it another try. It seemed like they must have been understaffed in the kitchen and on the floor, hence the chicken roasting for too long and the food and drinks taking forever to reach us. I really hope we just caught them on a bad night and that if we return we'll be satisfied.
(2)
Mo M.
It took me a few visits to really appreciate this place. That's primarily because I never would have guessed that my favorite meat here would be the chicken. And, similarly, that the close second would be the catfish! But for this type of establishment, you would think that the pork and beef would be better. And they aren't truly bad, but there's room for improvement. The pork has been quite dry when I've tried it, and the beef hasn't had much flavor to it. Which, for beef, is weird. If you don't plan out how you order things, it can get really expensive. That's the other reason for losing a star - I understand how ordering family-style works, but for some of the side dishes in particular, you really don't get much for your money. But some - the mashed potatoes and the creamed spinach - are plentiful and taste great. It's all very hit and miss. Best of luck ordering!
(3)
Jeeya A.
Great food. Great Sangria. So happy to have found it.
(5)
Clare S.
You have to get the pork...
(5)
Mazie J.
An absolute staple in any MPLS trip we take. In fact, it's sometimes a deciding factor in trekking to the cities from DSM in the first place. We'll be in for a visit next week on our honeymoon and are quite excited to be reunited with the yuca fries and collard greens.
(5)
Bill S.
Great food. We had them cater an event for us as well ant it was a huge hit!
(4)
Elena P.
The menu is very well-constructed in terms of what's on offer, and the pulled pork I got was well-cooked and tasted good. Unfortunately, that's where my praise ends. The lime I got with the pork wasn't ripe at all and yielded none of the juice the menu indicated I'd be getting. I get it, it's April in Minnesota - but if you can't source juicy limes, you should be just using lime juice. I'd rather bottled lime juice than no lime taste at all. On top of that, the sides were very bland. The guacamole didn't taste like much of anything - no hints of onion, lime, or anything like that - and the salsa was sort of blandly hot. (This on top of the fact that I didn't want chips and guac, I'd ordered one of the rice sides). The cornbread was fine, but relied heavily on sugar and didn't balance that out with any savory notes. I get the feeling that they have modified the menu so that people who like more spice could toss on condiments, but since the foods they're deriving from rely on seasoning as they cook, that sort of model really doesn't work. Service-wise...eh. We apparently came during a shift change. It was chaotic and we had to wait a long time for our food, and again, my order was wrong. I didn't regret my meal, but I wouldn't come here again.
(3)
kyle t.
Birthday dinner score! I have wanted to come here for such a long time and what a better event than a birthday dinner! I loved it from the minute we walked in the door! The place is much smaller than I thought it was going to be but I see now why there is always a wait. I must say I am planning already to come back in the summer when the bay doors are open and the patio is in full swing. That said the wait wasn't long and the service from beginning to end was fantastic! We shared a couple of meat dishes, the pulled pork and the pulled chicken and as much as I love pork the chicken rocked! For sides we shared the rice and beans (very good), the fried Yucca (amazing with a great dipping sauce), sweet potatoes with chorizo sausage (both our favorites) and the mozzarella salad which was one of the best salads I think I've ever had! The food was so good, fresh, flavorful and add to it great service and a very reasonable tab, hell of a night! Can't wait for summer and a table on the patio at night! KT
(4)
Sagar P.
The wait can be long...but well worth it for amazing food that will leave you having dreams about it in the days to come.
(5)
Jaris J.
Very good meal, we got the chicken and some vegetarian sides. Everything hit the spot; the sauce that comes with the chicken was outstanding.
(4)
Brian S.
There's something to be said about natural, locally produced ingredients in food... and it's almost always good. Brasa Rotisserie is case in point. That roasted whole rotisserie chicken was legit. Perfect crispy skin and moist meat. Also had the homemade chips and guacamole, crispy yuca, collard greens, and corn bread with honey glaze. Wasn't a big fan of the collard greens but the corn bread was rich and delicious.
(5)
Sarah S.
I am from the south and when I moved here to Minneapolis, one of the downfalls was that people looked at me like I was crazy when I wanted grits, gravy on my biscuits or offered to cook Brussels with bacon. Scandinavian food is delicious but it's no soul food. When I heard about the reputation (all good) of the amazing chef behind Brasa and then realized it was just a mile walk from home, we decided to take family in town to the location to all try it. The location is small, there were food on the floor and the service was confused as to what waitress was ours but we found a small table by the collapsible garage doors and ordered some sweet tea (ahhh Lipton sweet tea). The menu was awesome - roasted chicken, cheesy grits, okra and the table was even adorned with the appropriate southern pepper vinegar!! I was tickled that it all looked so delicious. We all got pretty much everything on the menu and picked off each plate and all of the food was delicious. The sweet yams were amazing and buttery, the chicken was covered in a tasty salty gravy and the grits were perfect! We declined to order dessert because we were all super stuffed but we cannot wait to head back to Brasa sometime soon! The prices reflect the gourmet southern soul food and a check for four people who all had some kind of an alcoholic drink on top of sweet tea was about $72 bucks before tip.
(4)
Angelina B.
Great food, good price.
(4)
Mai Y.
Amazing. Just amazing. I ate here yesterday and my mind is still blown. We went in and got their special, the pork belly. It's basically a thickened and jucier version of bacon...this place sure knows how to do barbecue. I am impressed. I recommend doing their pulled pork for meat. It literally melts in your mouth and is heavenly goodness. Don't forget to add the cornbread. Highly recommended. It is perfection. The taste and texture is just right. It's not one of those cornbread sides that taste dry or like it's been sitting around forever. I think all the sides tasted fine, but these were the standouts: -Collard Greens -Spinach and Jalapeno -Grits We also ordered the plantanes (they give you a huge portion!) and rice with olives - both good, but not a standout. This place is so much for fun if you share the plates! It does run a little on the expensive side, but it's worth it every once in a while.
(5)
Brian S.
The meat is tender and the sides are tasty, I'll be here again.
(4)
Nikki S.
Food is always amazing. Staff is nice. Great part of town, easy to find parking and on bus line.
(4)
Neil K.
My favorite restaurant in the Minneapolis area. I come here about every week or two, with the pulled chicken in gravy accompanied with spinach and greens being the go-to meal. Seeing complaints about the price makes me scratch my head. I'm a big guy and have never left here hungry. In fact, I usually have enough leftovers for lunch the next day. As long as you don't go nuts on drinks, dinner should run about $20 per person, with a meat portion and two sides - which is good value in my book, especially considering the quality of the food. If you don't want to eat "family style", they do offer sandwiches and bowls which are pretty tasty. If you go during lunch/brunch, they also have plates that have a meat with your choice of bread and side. Waitstaff here is always very nice; they quickly get to remember you and what you order, as well as giving suggestions about new menu items. I've never gotten that pretentious hipster vibe you get at some wannabe foodie NE places. Some suggestions: Parking outside is limited, probably about 5 or 6 spots. You probably will have to find a space on the street. There is usually something available within a block or two, but if you don't like parallel parking, you can take the bus - the number 2 stops right outside and it is also accessible by the 4. This is a small restaurant. There is usually a wait most nights, especially Friday through Sunday. If you're in a rush, this is not the place for you. But you can get a drink at the bar to help pass the time. Things are better during the warmer months when they can open up the patio seating, which is very nice on warm summer nights.
(5)
Katie B.
The beef. Wow. This place is my happy comfort go-to spot!
(5)
Anne D.
Brasa catered my recent wedding and it could have not been any better. Ash was awesome at ensuring everything went smoothly and coordinating with the other vendors. The food was amazing (notably the Mac and Cheese). I would definitely recommend their catering services.
Pulled chicken in cream gravy with cilantro mayo sauce is ridiculous. Pair that with black eyed peas/rice and some creamed spinach w/jalapeño and your taste buds will punch you for not introducing these foods to them sooner. Love this place but always have to request the cilantro mayo sauce multiple times before it finds its way to my plate. NBD, really, just means my mouth has to do without the ck for a couple minutes - MUST have that sauce on it. MUST!! Really can't go wrong with the a la carte menu, IMO.
(4)
Ben W.
The food at Brasa is really good. Food portions are not large, but the quality is good. I really recommend the fried yucca, the romaine mozzarella salad, and the pork.
(4)
Gerard T.
I went to this place about 8 months ago, but remembered how great the food and staff were. I'll be in the area this weekend and will definitely be going again. It was a little bit of a wait time, maybe 30 to 40 mins so make sure you call ahead if you are going on the weekend. Everything on the menu was scrumptious!!!! Moderate prices and somewhat of tight or intimate ambiance. All in all, great food, great experience, etc. I've recommended it to a few people. Not from Minneapolis but love this place!!
(5)
Beth A.
Oh Brasa, how I love you. I love your shareable portions, your lovely patio and your delightful soul food. But damn, you are busy. I discovered that the secret is to call in an order To-Go and within the time it takes for me to drive there, it's ready. This way I can order a bunch of food and save $$ by drinking at home! Mama hates lines but loves the black bean fritter sandwich and Yuca fries. The food is 5/5, but Brasa scores a 4 due to lack of seating... I still love you!
(4)
Dan C.
This was our 1st visit. The atmosphere was inviting and the food was good. We will be back.
(4)
Dawn S.
I couldn't believe how busy they were at 8pm on a Sunday night. We didn't wait long, but every table was full. The service was good. I love it that they have a separate Vegetarian menu. I've eaten at both the Minneapolis and St. Paul locations and each has different items on their menu - like St. Paul has macaroni & cheese and potato salad, but Minneapolis does not. The small sides do serve one, but two or three people could share a small if ordering separate proteins and ordering more than one small side. We tried: rice and pigeon peas w/ham sofrito cornbread and black beans crispy yuca with citrus garlic sauce homemade chips and Guacamole coleslaw smoked beef chocolate cake chocolate pudding Everything was really good. I'd definitely go back for more!
(4)
Cassie M.
This is my favorite summer dinner spot in the twin cities. Their pulled chicken is to die for and I've never had better creamed spinach. The jalapeño gives it a really nice kick. I've yet to try their dessert because I'm always to full from the great sides.
(5)
Adela J.
Tried some different items on the menu today: Rotisserie Chicken: Well seasoned tender pieces of meat. It didn't really have specific taste or any pop in flavor. I personally think that the grilled chicken at the Cub Foods Deli and Pollo Campero is the best. Having tasted all the meats at Brasa now, I'd say the gravy pepper chicken is still the best and this is the next best thing. Romaine & Mozzarella Salad: It was okay. It had tortilla shreds in it. I couldn't make out the mozzarella or dressing. Collard Greens: Pretty much like cooked Spinach. It was well seasoned but I couldn't make out the smoked chicken that was supposedly in it. Roasted Yams: Your standard mashed yams. I liked them. The sausage (with a kick) on the top was a nice salty touch.
(4)
Jay E.
My grandmother was from the deep South; my family - all 100 + of the wonderful weirdos - are from Harlem and Brooklyn. I ate oxtails, pigs' feet, grits, cornbread, rice & peas... all-a-dat growing up. My Grandma had a chitlin recipe that called for a 40 of Ballantine Ale - black enough for ya? All of which is to say, I will turn my nose up at some stank, doodoo, imitation soul food. Brasa ain't that. Brasa is its own thang: a Northeast Minneapolis take on Southern cuisine that hits the right notes, consistently. DAT CREAMED JALAPENO SPINACH, SON! IT'S GOOD! Let me, uh, curb my enthusiasm. Much of the menu is good. The grits pass the authenticity test; the pulled pork does indeed melt on the tongue; the chicken is top notch; dem grits... THEY GOOD! I'm heading back this weekend, for the 5th time. Love that outdoor seating too. *milli vanilli joyous kickstep*
(5)
Christi H.
I love Brasa! My boyfriend took me here on our first date, and it was a great experience. Its kind of a order in portions and share type of place. They have unique choices, and the food is great quality at a very reasonable price. I would highly recommend this place, you can spend $20 for two and walk out plenty full and happy. The atmosphere is different and cozy. If you're looking for something different and super yummy, this is the place to go. My boyfriend and I have since returned and were just as satisfied as the first time. Brasa rocks!
(5)
Joe C.
Tried Brasa for the first time and the place lives up to the high ratings! Great food and great service. I love the way they setup the menu for different ordering sizes to easily accommodate sharing many different dishes without overloading. The prices are a bargain for the high quality of these dishes.
(5)
Ella G.
The food was all excellent! For having a fairly small menu, there seemed to be something for everyone. Their sides are absolutely delicious! I would definitely recommend going on a nice summer night because they open it up to the night air and there is a lovely little patio with overhead strung lighting. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time, even on a Wednesday night, there was a little bit of a wait to be seated
(5)
Sara W.
Brasa, why has it taken so long to proclaim my love to you? I hate picking favorites... but you might in the running for my fave restaurant (don't tell the others). Hello southern deliciousness! I love eating here, because it's a place you come to share (or not share if you're greedy) & eat multiple, delicious things. Most all of their items are organic, and sourced from the Midwest. Now onto a few menu items I enjoy over and over again: CRISPY YUCA, cornbread with honey glaze, pulled chicken, & candied yams. Seriously, I could eat that yuca everyday. Keep in mind that the space at their NE location is limited, so not great for a large group. Their St. Paul location is bigger, but I find the NE space to be a little more cozy.
(5)
Jill P.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul. I love sharing dishes and I usually order more than I need so I can have leftovers. Also Brasa catered our wedding and everyone loved it. We also got two kegs of the homemade soda and that was a big hit too. It was very reasonably priced for catered food and the service was wonderful. I recommend Brasa for any catered event.
(5)
Justin O.
Even though I have always been a fan of Brasa, I moved in across the street recently and it has now become my standby for a quality takeout meal. Their slow cooked beef is very satisfying, and their fried yucas with the green sauce is one of my favorite things to eat period. I would also recommend their collard greens, which are very flavorful but at times can be a little too salty. The only two things I can gripe about would be that it seems like their portions of meat are a little over priced for the amount you are given. Also, one of the last times I was in there I ordered a catfish sandwich, which is normally delightful. I understand that the place was jumping on a Saturday night and cooks can lose track of quality at times, however my catfish was raw in the middle and that was a huge bummer considering how much I loved it previously. I would still recommend going to Brasa, there just might be a couple hiccups along the way.
(4)
Reggie F.
Pulled chicken sandwich is delicious! I think they've recently improved the recipe. I'm a huge fan.
(4)
Kayla K.
Love Brasa! one of my favorite restaurants in the Twin Cities! The wait can be long sometimes, but it's totally worth it! I love the corn bread & the Yuca!
(5)
E H.
Brasa is one of the few truly original and creative restaurants in Minneapolis. Everything on the menu is thought through and tasty, but I really like the seemingly simple sandwiches. The flavors are actually really complex. Get the hot peppers.
(4)
Mark R.
Food here is great, but gets crowded quickly. Attentive, informed, and helpful staff, the menu is always excellent. Unfortunately restrooms, while clean, don't seem large enough for the seating capacity of a frequently packed restaurant!
(4)
Joelle P.
This was my first time at Brasa Minneapolis. I have been to their STP Grand Ave location a few times and have always really enjoyed it. The Minneapolis location is smaller, but still homey and bright. My boyfriend and I opted for the lunch special "meat plate", it's a good deal, I highly suggest it. We both ended up getting beef as our meat, I got chips and guac as a side while he got fried plantains and we both went for the cornbread. We also got a side of candied yams to share. the beef is truly excellent. Nice and tender and flavorful. The lunch special is a pretty big portion too, I couldn't finish all of mine! The cornbread was my favorite part. The honey glaze is so flippin' good! My boyfriend is a huge fan of plantains and loved his, he said they were cooked exactly how he likes them: fried but still tender on the inside. My chips and guac were excellent as well. The candied yams were the only thing we weren't huge fans of...they were good, but just not exactly what we were expecting, probably would go for something else next time. The service was great, the food came fast, it wasn't very busy around lunch time and we found street parking really close. I love the concept of Brasa's food and I will continue to go back, both here and the Grand Ave location!
(5)
Scott M.
This remains one of my favorite places to eat in Minneapolis. Family style soul-food can't get any better. Favorite things on the menu are the rotisserie chicken and pork with the ginger-cilantro aioli. We usually stick to a couple of our favorite sides but have tried most of them and you can't go wrong. Our Favorites are the red beans and rice, sweet plantains, yams with andouille and the guacamole. Oh and masa cakes!!! I'm already planning my next visit!
(5)
David C.
Love this spot. It's not the best food I've ever had, but it's exceptional, tasty food at a very reasonable price. It's a winner in its weight class. The pulled pork is the super star, but the rest of the meat dishes are quite tasty. Just a dash of lime and you're good to go. I'm a huge fan of the masa cakes and the corn bread. Comfort food done right.
(5)
Kate M.
Tonight was probably my 7th or 8th visit to Brasa. It's almost always been an excellent experience minus a few flakey servers. Food is usually solid. Why the 3 stars? -If you don't have a bar, take reservations. I have no fuss with places that don't take reservations but there is a decent waiting area. You can usually order a glass of wine and stand, but in the winter, it starts to feel like you're hovering over some poor diner just trying to enjoy delicious, delicious corn bread. In the summer, it's cool standing the parking lot. But, reservations would be better. -The cornbread is usually my highlight. Tonight 2 of us ordered the cornbread and we got one lovely looking muffin and one that looked like an ugly stepsister. It was squashed and sad looking and was way too dense. -The tortilla chip to gauc ratio is always off. There's always a ton of guac left and people at the table trying to scoop it up with shards of chips. --Tostones. We went once this summer and the NE location had savory plantains/tostones. They were divine. I love me some tostones. Tonight, just the sweet ones. TEASE. Brasa's meats are delicious and their yucca fries are a must have. But I'm feeling scowly at my ugly cornbread and lack of tostones. Oh, and the slow beverages tonight. Too long for my sangria.
(3)
Adam B.
This place isn't as good as I expected. Alex Roberts achieves damn near perfection with Alma but bbq at Brasa falls pretty short in comparison. Some of the sides were outstanding and the service was good but the meat wasn't anything special. As a bbq enthusiast myself I wasn't amazed but it wasn't gross. I'd recommend Ted Cook's 19th Hole over Brasa.
(3)
Jennifer J.
Waited 20 minutes for service. Finally flagged a server down who said it wasn't her section, but when she had a free minute she'd take us. Really? After all of that, food was just ok. Won't be back.
(2)
sam a.
Some of the best food in Minneapolis; maybe a bit on the pricey side and atmosphere a little cramped during the winter (with outdoor seating closed.) Every meal I've had here has been terrific.
(4)
Incalc U.
mmmm....Brasaaaaaa...The staff are knowledgeable, the atmosphere (plus the outside dining during warm months), is nice, and the food is amazing! Plus, it's a fun way to eat because you can order "family style", i.e., try a bunch of different sides and mains in smaller portions and share with the others at your table. I This is a great place to go with friends or a partner....it's also a great place to bring out of towners!
(5)
Mike D.
Probably my wife's and my favorite restaurant....in the world. :-) Great gluten-free choices which matter to my wife. The menu contains nothing that you have not heard of, the server does not need to interpret the menu for you. It is amazing what comfort food becomes when genius chef people prepare it. I could go on and on, but, just go. Order anything, it doesn't matter.
(5)
Tara D.
I went a little out of my way to find this one, and it turned out to be quite worth it. Minneapolis' Nice Ride (see separate review) really helped me get a taste of all DT Minneapolis neighborhoods in just four days. FOOD: I had the pulled chicken and the slow roasted pork + the spicy corn cake and the plantains. Wow. Everything was so good it was sick. They use fresh ingredients, cage-free eggs, a lot of organic products, hormone-free meats, and most items are gluten-free. DRINK: I had some small-batch brew they were serving on tap. A nice light beer for a hot day. SERVICE: Service (order at counter, they bring it to you) was excellent; very friendly and helpful. AMBIANCE: Open and light and airy and bright yet kind of modern/industrial in feel. Both the inside area and the patio are lovely. VERDICT: I'm going back to Minneapolis next month for a conference, and this is on my must-hit list. At least once. Maybe twice!
(5)
Randall N.
The fact that I've driven by this place 50 times and didn't stop until a few weeks ago makes me angry. Seriously this food is good. A mix of carribean and southern BBQ practices....could be the best combo ever. I've been here several times and why I will say the portion sizes are kind of irritatingly small for the price tags, everything I've had has been fab. Yucca fries, cheddar grits, cornbread, masa cake, pulled pork and pulled chicken they've all been fan-friggin-tastic. The chicken with cream gravy is my favorite though. I could order 3 pounds of that stuff and sit and eat it for days. The gravy is divine. Again the price to size ratio is a little off if you ask me. I can't seem to get out of there for less than $12 and don't stay full all that long. However, the quality of ingredients is high, the flavors are excellent and I'm not sure anybody else in the area does what they do or do anything similar nearly as well. I don't eat here every week but when I do I enjoy every bite.
(5)
Jennifer H.
Went here over a year ago and got the small portions of meat and rice beans but ended up not liking it and thinking I'd never come back. My friend recently convinced me that I had the wrong impression and I should come back- this time ordering the pork sandwich. He was right. It was moist and the slight sour pickle was the perfect complement. I highly recommend the cornbread to go with it. It is amazing. Best. Cornbread. ever The sangria was also divine and complemented the sandwich well. Overall, our group of friend agreed that the beef was rather dry and the sides can be bland. Pork sandwich all the way!
(4)
Darrell G.
The pork melts in your mouth. The creamed spinach is heaven. Great place to also get sweat plantains but you have to ask to see if they have them.
(4)
Ben K.
Time: Ate here with the fiance on Friday, July 6th 2012 at about 5:30p.m. It was 100 degrees outside with a dewpoint in the mid-70s and a heat index north of 115. Miserably hot. This will factor in prominently in this review. Place: It wasn't that busy when we went. I'm guessing it was because it's the Friday on a weekend where a lot of people leave town for a vacation. The first thing I noticed when we walked in the place is that it wasn't air conditioned, and the staff looked and behaved like they were miserable from the heat. I get it. It's stupid-hot outside, and it's stupid-hotter inside where you're roasting all the meat. I had read a lot of the Yelp reviews about this place and was expecting a level of helpfulness and friendliness from the servers. The staff was very attentive, but they weren't friendly at all. Again, I get it - it's hot out. Totally understandable that you, as a server, are not all bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed when you're going to go home after work and have to immediately shower and start replenishing the 20 lbs of water/fluid missing from your body. But it still threw me off. Maybe we can work on getting some air conditioning in there? Kinda suprises me that such a well-known and well-reviewed business wouldn't have AC, if at the very least for their workers. Beer/alcohol: they have Surly Furious on tap. Woohoo! 2 pints please, at $5/each not a bad price. Other than that, the beer list looked about average. A seasonal brew or two, some staples, etc. Nothing outstanding, but if you have Furious, what else do you need? Didn't see if they had booze/cocktails/wine. Don't think so. Food: started with the chips and guac. The chips were awesome (clearly made by hand) but the guac was nothing more than pureed avocado and a little cilantro. When I come back, I'm skipping the C&G. It did come with a roasted tomatillo and chipotle salsa, which was great. That was also on my spicy masa corn cake later in the meal. Since this was our first time there, we ordered small portions of a ton of stuff. The pulled chicken was awesome; the meat itself was very flavorful if a touch on the dry side. Might have been a small issue had it not been smothered in sauce. The smoked beef was good, if you're a beef fan. I enjoyed it; it was the fiance's least favorite of the three meats we tried. The pork was the star of the show. Give it a squeeze of lime and a dash of the pepper vinegar on you're table, and you're in pork heaven. I could eat a few pounds of this in one sitting. Absolutely incredible. Yellow rice and red beans were great. I literally licked the bowl the beans came in. I didn't (and still don't really) know what the hell yuca is, but when you fry it and serve it with some kind of garlic lime sauce, I'm in. They were outstanding. Grits were wonderful and creamy. Cornbread was some of the best I've ever had. Crispy masa cake was also great. Overall, the food was excellent. My only overall comment in the negative is that most of the dishes could have used a little more salt. The flavors on everything were really good but could all have used a little bit of salt to make them stand out just a hair more. By the end of the meal, I was drenched in sweat. It was sweltering hot in there and I was seated so that for the first part of the meal the sun was shining on my back. WARM! That level of discomfort is what gives this place 4 stars instead of 5 - for now. We'll be back, and sooner rather than later.
(4)
Greg N.
It's so nice when a place lives up to the hype. 90+ reviews, what is left to say? I'll just tell you what I had: Pork sandwich - wonderful. I basically never eat pickles, and even the goddam pickles were good on this sandwich. Andouille (sp?) and yams were also great, though I could have had a higher ratio of andouille. The yuca and aioli were also great. Wife had beans and rice, a salad, fried plantains (these were cooked absolutely perfectly and tasted delicious) and cornbread. This is one of those places where I'll want to branch out next time and explore the menu a bit, but will have a difficult time not re-ordering what hooked me the first time - in this case the pork sandwich.
(5)
Carolyn A.
Dinner at Brasa is consistently phenomenal. The service is always good and the food is delicious. I would definitely get a few plates and share with your dining companions. Some highlights include the creamed spinach w/ jalapeno, corn bread (OMG), rotisserie chicken (it's spiced perfectly) and yams and andouille. Another plus is that most of the food is grown/raised in Minnesota. Not only does it taste better, but I can net out the many calories I consumed by saying I was eating local. My only gripe (which is sadly worth a star in my book) is that they don't take reservations at this location. I would go there more often if I knew I could plan ahead and not have to wait too long to be seated.
(4)
Don B.
My wife and I went to Brasa (visit #2) for dinner before the Aquatennial thunderworks. We ordered pulled pork, brisket, greens, corn cake, corn muffin and a couple of beers. I don't know what it was. The food? The warm, humid air? The company? Whatever, it was one of those meals I didn't want to end. The brisket was moist and smokey. The pulled pork was flavorful with just enough fat. Is "unctuous" the right word? The corn cake was sweet and corny. The service was pleasantly professional. The prices, fair. But the meal was greater than the sum of its parts. Doesn't happen often, but when it does, you just need to smile and be grateful. Thanks, Brasa.
(5)
Van L.
i love this place!! love it in the summer with the open air seating, or in the winter where it feels cozy. i've been for events (surly brewing), for fun with friends, for picking up a quick meal. everything is delicious. everything. cornbread. pulled pork. bbq. creamed spinach. my mouth waters just thinking about it. seriously one of the best in minneapolis.
(5)
Lissa M.
Holy cow. I know the meat is the point, and the meat is dang near perfect. But you don't even need it, not at all. I could have eaten the jalapeno creamed spinach all day. Or the corn and mushroom chowder. Or the corn bread. Or ... Not to mention dessert. Add a generous gluten-free menu for those who are so inclined, and I'm sorry to live 2,000 miles away. The only down side is the green stain my sweater now has from my spinach gluttony--and I can live with that.
(5)
Steph P.
So this afternoon, I was on my way home in the pouring rain. I get on the 2 bus (which, BTW, is not my usual bus) because it seems that the 6 just came by. I'm chillin on the bus and see Brasa and remember how one of my classmates said that she really liked their rotisserie chicken. Suddenly, the bus stops and the driver says to me, "Hey, this is the end of the line." Oh crap, I took the bus the wrong direction! If you know me and my sense of direction, you shouldn't be surprised. Well, instead of cursing myself, I took it as a sort of serendipitous event...I guess I was meant to check out Brasa today! And I'm glad I did! This is some tasty, comforting food! The menu points out that this is a sort of amalgam of North American, Caribbean, and South American home cooking. They practice the whole local, naturally raised, sustainable, fair trade, organic thing - which, as you can guess, means that it is both higher quality and more expensive than Boston Market. They serve two kinds of meat: marinated and spice rubbed rotisserie chicken and slow-roasted berkshire pork shoulder. I decided to get the Combination Plate ($14.50) which was 1/4 chicken and a small roast pork, which comes with choice of two small sides and cabbage salad. For the price, it's really a great deal b/c it is HELLA food! I enjoyed it for both lunch and dinner! Both the chicken and the pork were tender and relatively moist, with very subtle flavor. I was a tad underwhelmed by the chicken's flavors (especially compared to the Peruvian rotisserie chicken I've had at NYC's Flor de Mayo), which tasted jerk seasoned. I think that the roasted pork's flavor had a lot of integrity, a very pure "pork" flavor that wasn't at all greasy or overshadowed by sauce. There are also two condiments that came w/ the meats - a tomatillo chipotle salsa and a cilantro ginger mayo. The mayo was AWESOME! The spice and refreshing taste of the grated ginger went so well w/ the rotisserie chicken. The sides I picked (through the server's recommendation) were great! The tastiest collard greens I've ever had! Not prepared like a traditional Southern style, they are slow-cooked and have this very deep and creamy flavor. I asked what it was, and the server told me that they have a touch of creme fraiche...what a delight! The marinated chick peas w/ barley side is a refreshing cold salad, with perfectly cooked barley and chick peas (undercooked either of these is awful). I loved the light dressing that had orange zest...so good! There are a number of other sides that I'd love to try like sweet plantains, fried yuca, yams w/ andouille sausage, black eyed peas w/ berkshire bacon, corn grits w/ cheddar, rice and pigeon peas w/ smoked ham...oh man, yum. When you step in, you can tell that you're in a converted "something" (Beth B's review says it's an old auto shop)...with a very airy, casual feel. The menus are regular, printed on white paper and can be taken home. There's a white board that notes the selection of bottled beers and wines...hey, they have Mexican Coca-Cola here! and their Coca-Cola comes in glass bottles! And sweet tea! How neat. Overall, some delicious food that tastes like it is high quality. I think that it is actually a pretty good deal, and even more so if you come with a friend and split some a la carte items. I think that there are going to be more occasions of "getting lost" in the future. And in case you were wondering, on the way back I got on the wrong bus again. I think I need to get myself some dog tags.
(4)
Meghan F.
The Pulled Pork blew my hair back. I the food is incredible. Sure space is limited, we waited 30 minutes for a seat, the drinks are spendy, it's crowded, but you will leave knowing you just ate sumthin' real special!
(5)
Mike C.
For clarification, these three stars were given due to the apparent digression in quality that has happened over the years. If I were to never have gone here prior, they would possibly have earned 4 stars, but hey, that's life. My first Brasa experience was actually at the Minneapolis location. Nonetheless, prior to arriving at Brasa, we ate dinner at another bar and stayed for a few rounds of drinks. After, it was suggested that we go to Brasa and have some Cava (Spanish Champagne) possibly paired with a dessert. When we entered into, the apparent Midas Brake repair garage converted restaurant, Brasa we were pleasantly greeted by the aromatic smells of rotisserie chicken and pulled pork. After we were seated, we sipped Cava as we perused the menu. Keeping in mind that we had just finished dinner and had drinks at another establishment, the delicious aroma of chicken and pork wafting about the small room made me hungry yet again. I ordered a two meat sampler which allowed me to try the pulled pork, rotisserie chicken, collard greens, and Andoullie sausage yams. The pulled pork was tender and flavorful and paired with either the collards or yams offered a beautiful combination of flavors. The rotisserie chicken was served with a green sauce that I can only describe as some sort of upscale, herb infused variety of ranch dressing. The chicken was moist and seasoned wonderfully and accompanied with the green mystery sauce brought the flavors somewhere unimaginably magnificent. Needless to say, by the time we were done the bones were picked clean and the plate was gleaming. After, we ordered a small slice of birthday cake (on their menu everyday) along with another round of Cava and slowly nibbled away while sipping the bubbly drink. Happy and content we caught a cab and went home, ending a glorious night of eating and drinking (my favorite combination of, mentionable, night time activities). Since then I have eaten here a multitude of times and I am not sure if there has been a change of management, chef, or recipes, however, each time I go back the food just isn't as good as the last. This greatly saddens me as this was once a staple place for my family and friends to go as they serve everything family style making it a very ideal place for large parties. At any rate, I hope that Brasa figures things out and one day return to their glorious days of old. Till then, this customer might stop on by for sip of Cava and birthday cake, but will be bit more reserved regarding other menu items.
(3)
T A.
Ate here twice while visiting the great state of MN. pulled pork was very good, the brisket had a nice sauce which could have used a few more degrees of spiciness, and the catfish was a hit with a very selective eater. I truly enjoyed the guava lime soda and the guacamole was spot on. A good casual restaurant. As an added bonus a great tasting gluten free beer!
(4)
Ashley F.
My ladies and I opted to do the family style dinner at Brasa, and it was delicious. We had the pulled chicken, the braised beef, cheesy grits, cornbread, creamed spinach and butterscotch pudding. The chicken was probably my favorite dish. The pudding wasn't too shabby either. It was just not as good as I had hoped. I feel like the cornbread was lackluster, and the grits were just a little weird. But it was still good, and I feel like it's a decent value for your money.
(4)
McLain C.
I'm a southern transplant, and finding good Southern food in the Twin Cities has been a challenge. I tried Dixie's on Grand (eh, NO), Shorty and Wag's (a FEW good sides and decent wings, but so NASTY and unsanitary), numerous barbecue joints (a few actually GOOD too!), and then I found Brasa. Well, well, well... This place does Latin/Southern/Creole cuisine, and they do it right. The roasted chicken is the best I've had in the cities, beating out the succulent rotisserie chicken at Redstone by a large margin. The skin is crackly and delicious and the meat is tender, juicy, and delicious. The pork is very good, but you can get better pork at some of the local BBQ joints. As far as sides go, the yams with andouille, the COLLARDS, and omigod the CHEESE GRITS are all delectable. If I could bring the Mexican cornbread from Whitey's Saloon up the street it would be damn near a perfect meal. One last note, I really like the emphasis on local product at this restaurant. Brasa proves you can eat at least somewhat locally and sustainably with no compromise in flavor, without breaking the bank.
(5)
Seth M.
I got there right away at 11:00 on a Monday afternoon to meet with a colleague. I got a hot coffee, black to start with. Fantastic! I meant to ask about it, but I was in a hurry. I wish I would have had another cup. I had the lunch plate with braised beef, plantains and chips and guac. The meal was excellent, although I wish I would have eaten a little faster. My food got cold relatively quickly. I had a hard time picking which sides to try since they all looked so good. I wasn't sure if the two sauces were for the beef or the plantains, but I dipped the plantains in the white/green sauce and it was delicious. I would have tried the beef with the sauce had I thought of it. The place filled up fairly quickly and it became very difficult to talk to the person I was there with. Since the place is fairly small and a garage, sound just echoes and by the time we finished we were yelling to each other. There are so many things on that menu that I want to try, I will definitely be back.
(4)
Eric T.
I had just gotten into Minneapolis, and my friends and I were trying to figure out what to do for dinner. Luckily, one of them suggested Brasa, which didn't have a tremendously long wait on a Wednesday night. She billed it as a bbq/rotisserie, but that doesn't really do it justice. It definitely does have rotisserie foods and some BBQ meats, but it's an interesting fusion of Southern, Northern, and Central American tastes that makes it unique. Not to mention, they seem to have locally sourced meats. They have a wide variety of side dishes, from cheesy grits to collard greens to fried plantains. They also have a pretty short menu, but even so, it was hard to decide what to pick. The pulled pork was pretty good, as was the rotisserie chicken. I wound up getting the pork and it was packed with pretty good flavor -- olive oil, garlic, and citrus. Not your average BBQ pulled pork. My friends and I each wound up getting the combo plates for one because we wanted a variety of different sides and the meats. Probably not a great place for vegetarians. I'd definitely come back here if I was in Minneapolis again.
(4)
Nicholas L.
is this food love? i think so. This is my idea of classed up soul food. good ingredients, well prepared with the benefit of time. I'd say it is the prototypical classic bistro (with a few qualifications). They cook almost all their food slow, and well. So, when they are out of a dish - they are out. never been disappointed, and everything tastes just as good as it sounds. AND they have a fantastic beer menu as well.
(5)
Flummerie Junket L.
This place makes me smile.... Like this :) The food is SO good. I crave it. They make awesome chips and guacamole. They make a whole lot of awesome everything. They purchase their meat from Thousand Hills thousandhillscattleco.com so you don't have to feel dodgy about eating it. You have to be a fast runner though... You will be one of MANY people parking your car in that little neighborhood and rushing in for one of the few tables they have. It's worth it.
(5)
Robin R.
My boyfriend and I have been known to eat at Brasa more than once a week. It's our "fast food". We don't just eat there a lot because it's fast, that's just a perk. We eat at Brasa because the food has never let us down. It's always made with fresh ingredients and it warms me from the inside. Chicken, greens and sweet tea...yumm! Read more of my review at TastyStuffsMN
(5)
Nick M.
Nothing really special to me. The restaurant is a converted gas station with rotisserie ovens inside. It gets pretty toasty in the summer, even with the doors open. Tip: grab patio seating. I had the chicken with the pork. Pork was decent, chicken was a bit dry to me, a bit underseasoned. I ordered the yuca fries, which were good. Corn bread muffin was good. Creamed spinach was below average. Kudos for the Oberon ale from MI. And the Mexican Coca Cola. Average. Prices were reasonable but wouldn't go again. I'm also from out-of-town, so if I were local I maybe would frequent a few times a year. But there is way better food in MN, IMHO.
(3)
barry k.
This was one of the first restaurants we went to after moving to Minneapolis. My girlfriend and I love BBQ and so we had to try Brasa after several people recommended it. What I loved most was that we could order tiny portions of everything on the menu so we could try anything that sounded good. The rotisserie chicken and pulled pork were awesome. The GF preferred the cornbread. I liked the spinach. When our check came we thought it was an error because it was so low. It feels a bit like a fast food restaurant in the atmosphere, but if you don't mind that, it is totally worth checking out. I wish they had more hot sauce options.
(4)
Vanilla Nugget X.
Yum. The chicken is great...we had the rotisserie chicken and pulled chicken - both delicious. I think you can really tell that this is high quality chicken - plump, tasty, and almost fresh tasting. Then, the added layer of cooking does it wonders. We went for brunch, so I also had the huevos rancheros special, which was a simple meal, but very satisfying. Homemade salsa, some black beans, and the eggs over a fried corn cake. Simple, clean, and I really enjoyed it. The fresh oj was awesome as well. I couldn't give it five because I am addicted to the awesome chicken at a place closer to home, but if I ever make Minneapolis my home, this would be my joint.
(4)
Becky L.
Pulled pork, pulled pork, pulled pork...
(4)
Andi B.
Since I started to YELP, I have had this review in the back of my head because Brasa Rotisserie definitely meets my criteria....Remember my criteria? (see About Me) After eating there this week and seeing that it has been reviewed over 250 times already, I guess I am not letting out a big secret! Brasa ROCKS! Each time I go there (mostly for lunch) I am blown away merely by the aroma when I walk in! I start salivating at that minute and then my poor dining partner(s) are forced by me to decide quickly and order so we don't have to wait too long for food to come! Well, enough about me, let's dive into the Black Bean Fritter sandwich...WOW! Thick, crispy and bean-y, great flavor, served on a heavenly bun with tomatoes, mozzarella slices, lettuce and creamy guacamole! My side option was Creamed Spinach with Jalapeno which reminded me of my weekend in Atlanta, GA, eating as much southern comfort food as I could! It was perfect this week because my dining partner ordered the lunch special which is a meat sandwich with one side. He got the pulled pork with Black Eye Pea Soup. Immediately we traded sandwich halves, so I also enjoyed the juicy, flavorful pork sandwich. He said the soup was delicious, but I didn't try. I trust his opinion, though. And for fun, we ordered a Masa Corn Cake to split....well, I tried to split it evenly, but after tasting, I had to sneak a bit of my partner's half! Brasa definitely cares about their treatment of food and their use of local food sources is a big plus for me! Hmmmm, now that I think about it, maybe I'll go tomorrow for brunch!
(5)
Jordan S.
There is not going to be too much to this review. Everything was awesome. The food was fantastic. The service was phenomenal. The ambiance was unique and fun. I was hesitant to eat there. Now I can't stop telling people to go there. I can't wait until I can eat there again. This place is absolutely fantastic!
(5)
Becca H.
You know, I'm originally from a southern part of the world and I grew up eating food like this 700+ miles from Minneapolis, so I have to admit I was skeptical about going out for greens & black eyed peas so far from home-- but I was pleasantly surprised by the excellence of the food at Brasa. We tried all three meat options, and I honestly can't choose a favorite-- i enjoyed them all immensely! Chicken, beef, and pork were all very tender and flavorful, and all of the side dishes were glorious. I felt like I was eating my Kentucky grannie's cooking again. The service was lackluster, frankly, but the food was sooooo great I'm giving it 5 stars anyway.
(5)
Lia B.
First, when you move somewhere new, it's inevitable that someone will come to visit in the first month or so and ask you to take them to your FAVORITE restaurant. As if in a month you've tasted all the local flavor and can make this distinction. SO, when posed with this issue, I called on yelp. And might I say thank you. My boyfriend wanted meat, and meat we did receive. For an affordable price of around $40 we got an entire roasted chicken w/ a creamy cilantro sauce that we both loved (and of course I took home subsequent delicious leftovers... mmm southern chicken salad), 2 beers, 2 corn bread muffins (SO good) and some jalapeno tinted creamed spinach that I thought was alright and the boy devoured. Although I usually stick to more veggie-friendly eats and I wasn't totally blown away, I will definitely be returning. The service was a bit slow (it was busy though), but VERY nice and accommodating. And sitting 'outside' aka inside with all the garage door style walls up was lovely. I will say I wouldn't go with a group - couples are the easiest. Even groups of 4 had to wait because of the 'seat yourself' style where every couple sat with a table in between them and the next duo... human nature. Not the best logistics, but just fine for a party of 2. All in all, thanks Brasa for a very satisfying dinner - next time I'll put my ATL taste buds to the work of judging your sweet tea... watch out. If you ace that, I'll up you to the 5 star club.
(4)
Kelsey K.
Have always had this as take out at this location. The park down the way is kinda nice to chill out and eat at if the place is busy. Best Choices: The beef (just do it and get lots-you will want more) Cheesy Grits (even if you don't like grits you will like these grits) Sweet Potatoes with Anduoui Sausage (more sausage would make it better but still pretty darn good) Corn Cakes (get a pile....cause 1 or 2 is just not enough especially if you have to share-could lead to fights over corn cakes)
(4)
Mark C.
We waited 40 minutes to be seated, only to be informed that they were totally out of beef (it was only 6:45pm). Lame-lame-lame. That's 25% of their menu. We have frequented Brasa on & off for several years & we're finding more reasons not to go back every time we eat there. It seems that the primary focus is on turning over tables, getting further away from what originally made them a good restaurant. Too many good restaurants to go back there-too bad.
(1)
Emily A.
Delicious! Just the right amount of food (I had chx sandwich w/ yuca) - I was a touch overstuffed, but didn't want to die. Good feel to the place (patio and open front in good weather) nice chill waiter, tasty food, and very reasonably priced. The Mexican Coke puts it over the top to a 5. Didn't have trouble parking, tho the closest street was starting to fill up once there were ppl waiting for tables -- about 7pm on a nice Sat evening. Only minor food suggestion is a little less heavy on the sides/sauces on the sandwich. The pulled chicken had great flavor but was a bit overwhelmed by the accouterments (which were also good tho).
(5)
J M.
The pulled pork melts in your mouth and the creamed spinach is addicting. Great for take out or eating in in the summer. Up size your portions, you'll want the extra food!
(4)
Corey C.
This place is great, but I'm giving it three stars for a few different reasons I will state throughout this review. First off I didn't read anything about this place before I went so there was no hype on my part, so there wasn't any let downs. This is what I expected from just driving past the place during my day to day life. It was going to be a little fast food style place with some okay food. Those expectations were a lot lower then what Brasa has to offer. When we got there the waitress informed us that they didn't open for another 10 minutes but we were welcome to sit down, it just might be a few minutes before we are attended to. Which was nice they let us sit down. First off the menu isn't hard to figure out (well depending on the person reading it) but its not a straight forward menu like 99.9% of all other menus are. So that was a negative. Its more of a soul or southern style cooking yet the food isn't spicy and when I asked about spicy food our waitress told me they had a good selection of hot sauces I could put on my food. The home made hot sauce was pretty tasty, but unless your from northen europe your not going to think its that spicy, then she brought out the other "good selection" of hot sauces which consisted of "Red Hot" and some other hot sauce you can buy at cub foods. That was another negative. They only offer sugar cane sodas in a bottle, no fountain, which isn't really a bad thing, but the only thing main stream is the mexican coca cola, and the only things that are free refills are the sweet tea (Which was great) and the lemon aid. Sort of a negative seeing that its almost like a Chipotle with waiter service. onto the food The food was pretty darn good, just not spicy like it should have been. I ordered the 12 hour roasted pork with the rustic cheesy grits and the black beens with rice. It was awesome! My dads from the south so it reminds me of home cookin except it wasn't anything near spicy. Other reviews have stated the grits were bland, that goes with out saying, all grits are bland. These were the best grits I've had!!! I mixed the pork, beens, and rice together then covered it all in the home made hot sauce it was great!!! My girlfriend bought the pork sandwich which was bland, it was missing a sauce or a cheese, with a good sauce or cheese this sandwich could possibly win a award, but with out it, the sandwich was pretty bland!!! She also had the side of corn bread which was AWESOME!!! Best corn bread other then my dads home made. I would have gave this place a 5 stars if they offered spicier food, a wide variety of hot sauces, offered sauce or cheese on the pork sandwich, and had fountain soda enjoy
(3)
Tiffiny C.
I was here recently and ordered: Roast chicken, pulled pork, corn bread with honey butter, fried plantain, yellow rice with red beans, and squash with chorizo sausage. Also has a glass of sangria. It COULD have been stronger, but it was refreshing. All the meat here is blissful. The pork tastes like it came straight from a small town pig roast. My only complaint is the lack of sufficient AC. The walls are open in the summer and it was stifling there last week, despite the AC supposedly being on. Tiny place too, but the patio is nearly as big in sq footage of the restaurant.
(4)
Jennifer K.
I went back to Brasa last week and had another great meal! I'm a huge fan of their creamed spinach, but those plantains and the dipping sauce they come with are really out of this world ;-)
(4)
Carla J.
I've been waiting to go to Brasa. My partner is a vegetarian so rotisseries rate low on the great-date scale. So, this week she was out of town and I grabbed a meat-eating friend and headed NE. I really liked everything about Brasa. It was a beautiful night, so all the garage doors were open and the open air had that fabulous-weekend-in-the-city vibe. We had the worst table in the place and I looked directly into the men's room every time some guy went in or out. However, I did not let that deter me from focusing on enjoying myself and the food. It was our first time there and I already knew I was ordering chicken. I adore rotisserie chicken and was looking forward to trying Brasa's creole style. That meant I had big decisions on side dishes. There are 12 to choose from and I deeply desired most of them. When done with honor, side dishes are one of God's gifts to humanity. Luckily, there was a table of 10 next to us and they ordered l lot of sides and I eavesdropped during the service to spy which was which. Brasa wins the side dish award in my opinion. I ordered the Slow Cooked Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey and the Rustic Style Cheese Grits. (I got the last one!) My friend ordered the salad and the Fried Sweet Plantains. The greens were my favorite--deep flavor, not too salty, perfect tenderness. Yum. The grits were smooth and creamy. My friend was crazy about the plantains. The salad way OK, nothing special compared to other choices. Oh, the chicken?! Really great. Juicy. Delicious herbs, Fell off the bone. I loved it. I got a quarter chicken and it was a bit of a skimpy portion (could be gluttony talking here). Next time I'll get a half and take some home. My friend got the pork/chicken combo and she liked the pork better. Go figure. I took a star away because our waiter sucked. We had to ask for him to take our order, ask for refills, ask for sweetener, ask for ice for our ice tea, often ask twice and then often another waitress would end up helping us out. Plus, it bugs me when I ask what's best, what's recommended or if something is good and the only response I get is, "Yeah, it's good" to everything. Have an opinion. Not everything is excellent. What if I order wrong? My Yelp might lead someone astray!
(4)
D. L.
Oh Brasa, your meat is heavenly, your sides are amazing, your prices are right but really, please please please do something about the climate control during the warm months. I want to eat here way more often than I do but I mostly think about it when it's too hot to cook and I don't have AC so takeout isn't always ideal either. (It's fine in the winter, just as crowded but nice and toasty.) I still go for the shredded pork though (but the chicken and the beef are occasionally underwhelming -- when the former is dry and the latter is overly salty). While all the sides are great, it's the fried yuca that has stolen my heart and I always have to order the large. And the green sauce...slather that stuff over cardboard and I'd want to eat it. I wish the desserts followed through better on their Latin/Carribean/Southern flavors. They're a little uninspired and I always love to end a meal with dessert if the menu is enticing or special enough. Wouldn't a fried fruit hand-pie/sweet empanada of the day just be awesome? I'd totally go for something like that!
(4)
jenny A.
My husband took me here for lunch on parental freedom day (i.e. MLK Day) and I pretty much dragged him back the next night for dinner. It was that good. The place was first recommended to us by Grina at Al's who is very picky about food to say the least. The meats are perfection itself. The pulled chicken in a light cream sauce is probably the best thing I've ever eaten that came from a chicken. Sincerely, it tops fried chicken and I'm quite devoted to that dish. The pork shoulder was great and so was the beef brisket. And unlike so many meat-centric restaurants the sides are what make Brasa so memorable. Andoille and yams are to die for. I love yams and these were the best I've ever, ever had. Black eyed peas with smoked ham, were tender and tasted delicately of smoke. Cornbread was awesome. Even the rice which is pretty much filler at most places like this was good, subtly spiced and not greasy or dry. I think what I appreciate about Brasa was that it was big flavors, but also small ones. Sometimes restaurants just dump sugar or spice on things to cover up for lack of quality in the food. At Brasa the food stands on its own. It's all local fresh and good for you, so eat it, already! Also extra points for the sangria which was awesome and washed the whole thing down well. We had the apple cake for dessert and it was also excellent. The bill for three people for dinner with drinks and dessert was $50. We were absolutely stuffed and had a little container of leftovers. Service was friendly and helpful and they are kid friendly to boot. Oh Brasa I love you. Is it too soon to go back? I'm including this on my U of M restaurant list, even though it is a bit off campus. It's a very cheap cab ride away and well worth the journey. Be warned though, Brasa is packed on week-end evenings and you may have to wait up to a half an hour for a table.
(5)
Jess L.
I had fab takeout from Brasa the other night. The wait for a table was long, so I opted to take it less than a mile to my place of residence. The chicken was perfect, the black beans and rice were superb. I had leftovers for a few days of lunch at work. Love it!
(5)
Mona R.
We went there on a nice summer day which made the whole experience wonderful. They sat us next to the open patio doors. I had the sangria which was good enough and a chicken sandwich which was really delicious. my husband had platter that included beef and pork and sides. All really good. we both enjoyed the food very much and the service was really friendly as well.
(4)
amy n.
Brasa was one of the best meals I've had in a looong time! I took my out-of-town boyfriend here on a date, and he is definitely one of those carnivorous guys who bypass anything green. This is only a place to go if you have that hankering for meat. No veggie options really. The building is very cool, essentially it is a garage with a kitchen. It got crowded very quickly, but I've never minded that. We each got a plate with the single meat option, which comes with two sides, and it was a perfect amount of food. I had the pulled pork; he had the beef. I kept stealing bits of his -- it was simmered in a realllly delicious barbeque-like sauce. For sides, I loved the yuca potatoes with andouille, and definitely the greens. I'll have to try the other ones next time. They even have mexican cokes!
(5)
Jenna G.
I think Brasa has great food, and it reminds me a lot of homecooked food in Georgia, where I grew up. Brasa has recently made 2 major changes to their menu and foodservice, which prompted to me to review. First, there has been a noticeable price increase, especially if you've eaten there within the last 6 weeks. The sandwiches went up $2-3 a piece, but now include one side item, where previously they included chips. They no longer serve the chips with the sandwich. Prices on sides have gone up noticeably, sometimes as much as $3 for certain items. Second, the thing that really bugged me was that the portion sizes were OBVIOUSLY smaller. Very recognizably smaller - they upped the price of some side dishes by as much as $2 or $3, and then reduced the portion size by as much as half. I'm really disappointed - did their costs go up? Are the local farms charging more for their meat and dairy? I know the cost of collard greens hasn't gone up that much - I buy and cook them regularly. Very disappointed.
(3)
Rona Y.
This place has amazing food! I have seriously never had a bad meal! The meats are all really good - I normally don't like to get chicken at a restaurant bc its just boring to me, but this chicken is so amazing, so try it! The only reason I am giving it a 4/5 stars is because on a warmer day it really sucks to have to sit inside. It is a small space and bc they are roasting meats all day it gets super hot and stuffy and does not make the dinning experience very pleasant.
(4)
Maija M.
YUM! Husband & I each got the lunch plate (a meat, side & bread). I had the pulled chicken in a light pepper gravy (not a big gravy person, but this was light & flavorful), cornbread, & cabbage and apple coleslaw. All 3 were totally yummy. He had the pork, plantains & the other bread choice, a sort of corn flatbread. Also delicious. Service was very friendly & attentive. Definitely plan to go back!
(5)
Elissa L.
Why did the vegetarian go the a rotisserie? Sounds like a bad joke. To be honest, I was forced to go. My boyfriend loves meat, so sometimes I give in and go to places like this. Joke's on me. It was frickin' awesome. They have an entire menu dedicated to those of us that are not flesh-eaters. And it's legit. I got the vegetarian bean fritter and begrudgingly bit into it, expecting a lackluster performance. To my surprise, it was delish. And of course, my bf's food was awe-inspring, according to him. My only complaint is that the whole joint smells like meat. Go figure.
(4)
Joanna C.
Even good for vegetarians! I have to admit, I only went here because I received a gift card for Brasa, which I thought was odd since I'm a vegetarian. But I was pleasantly surprised when I reviewed the menu that most of the long list of side dishes are vegetarian, and I was blown away by how great they are! Do not miss the fried plantain, it's the best! Be careful of going here on a very hot day as we did, because it will get very hot indoors. We sat out on the patio, which was lovely, but you are in the sun so no cover from heat. Fortunately the sun was going down then, so later in the evening is great too.
(5)
Aaron M.
I continually come back to Brasa for what I think is the best reason to re-visit a restaurant: The food is great. The meat has wonderful taste, the sides are varied and delicious, the beer is cold and in the summer you can't beat the patio. I think there is some psychological magicness about their menu, too. I think it's the same magic Chipotle has exploited: Keep the menu limited but allow for lots of customization. Our brains can only handle so many choices. (Have you gone to Cheesecake Factory lately? Is that menu not overwhelming???) Giving us one page of options is a relief for our over-worked decision-makers -- especially when every single option is so delicious. See you there.
(5)
Brook C.
Brasa Rotisserie a northern take on a southern meat and three... I had been hearing a bit of hype over Brasa for the past few months, so the other day my boyfriend and I hopped on our bikes to go check it out. My partner in crime figured the best value to try the most food for two would be to get the plates and share. We choose the Pork Plate (because everyone raves about the pork), and Chicken Plate. Each plate comes with the choice of two sides. We ended up choosing the cheese grits, yams with andouille, the greens, and their daily special side which was black eye peas with bacon served with a half moon of honey corn bread. We got a nice sample of the menu, but over all I felt the food was lacking in seasoning for the southern concept foods. I also felt that my chicken had been hot held too long and had become dry. The pork was good but I can think of a few places who have better pork at around the same price point.... Bewitched. Over all I had to give Brasa A-Ok... but I will be going again to see if it was just an odd day.
(3)
Joe P.
Great lunch spot, fast service and pleasant staff.
(4)
Amy C.
I really liked this place. The building was so unique and unexpected - an old car garage with the 3 garage doors used as windows and a portal onto the patio! Fun on a nice night. We had a 30 minute wait so started with a bottle of red zinfandel and have to admit I was a little shocked at the $35 price tag since the rest of the menu was so reasonable. Next time I'll stick to the Surly. Service is average - a bit slow at times but there were only 3 waitresses. I had the combo plate (chicken and pork) because I couldn't decide. For sides I had the cheese grits and chop salad. The grits were salty (and I LOVE salt) but the SALAD was something to write home about. Crunchy romaine, pine nuts, parmesan and a dressing that was perfectly balanced. Hubby had the beef with chips/gauc and the chop salad. Same reviews around. The biggest bonus is all the meat is organic and local.
(4)
Jim R.
Pulled pork. yum. We've been here twice, once in the dead of winter when the drafts from the garage doors chilled us between warming bites of pulled pork and cornbread, and again, this past week when unseasonably warm breezes at the outside tables made us smile as we gorged on family-sized piles of pork, beans and rice. Skip the chicken, which tends toward dry. Don't be seduced by the brisket, which promises more delights than it delivers. Concentrate on pulled pork, red beans and rice and cornbread, served up family-style. And don't forget the plantains with cilantro aioli and be sure to ask for the homemade salsa.
(4)
Wanda M.
After watching Food INC, it is so nice to know where the food we are eating comes from. We ordered 1/4 Rotisserie Chicken from Kadejan Farms in MN. Warm Cornbread w/ honey butter. Yellow Rice w/ black beans. Fried Plantains. All were super good and have me wanting more. Fantastic decor; old mechanic shop. Looks like this place may have a nice patio in the warmer months.
(3)
Elizabeth B.
Just returned from eating at this places after reading about 40 raving reviews. And, it's great. I went with my fiance and we decided to go early so we wouldn't have to wait. Got seated at 4:45 pm; it was almost empty. Here's what we got: Rotisserie chicken- amazing, juicy, the seasoning on the skin was delicious. Also, the sauce was addicting. Pulled pork- Soft, flavorful, yummy. Cornbread- Good but somehow not the best cornbread I've ever had. It definitely was soft and fluffy though. Chips with Guac- The guacamole was SO GOOD. Creamy, fresh, and omgYUM. The chips were overly salted though. Creamed spinach with jalapenos- I thought it was really good, especially considering I don't usually like creamed spinach. Fiance didn't really like it; said it wasn't spicy enough. Yams with andouille- Yummy, the flavors blended well. Cheddar grits- YUM!! these were awesome. Pineapple upside down cake- the sauce was really runny and it made it hard to eat it with a fork, but the cake was moist and flavorful. Also, the iced tea is amazing. Its kind of flowery tasting but a great compliment to the meat and sides. For portions, we got the 2 small meats, 4 small sides, 2 cornbreads, and 1 dessert. We are totally, absolutely stuffed, and it was only 44$ (including tip and drinks) I would definitely encourage everyone to try this restaurant at least once.
(4)
Steve U.
I was finally able to make it over to brasa fit lunch the other day. wow! tasty and fast and not at all endorsed by the American Heart Association. the creamed spinach and jalapeno is amazing. a hint of warmth and smooth popeye song inducing spinach goodness. for really, i yam what i yam... the rotisserie chicken simply falls apart driving you to chase it around your plate and you really shouldn't get me going in the red beans and corn muffin. highly recommended.
(5)
Kat W.
When I got dragged here, I wasn't really sure what to expect. But Brasa, you are black magic. Brasa serves a kind of southern/tropical plate lunch. You pick your meat, and get some sides. Voila. For my Brasa experience, I had the chicken with black beans + rice a salad, and the ever-beloved sweet tea. Tablemates had the pork and fried plantains. Everyone was on cloud nine with their meal. We had the delightful molten chocolate cake for dessert which was, like the rest of the food, really good. However, being more of a savory person myself, next time I would probably just eat another side instead. Besides the amazingness of the food I ate, their open kitchen was a fun addition to the atmosphere and they have a garage door on one of the walls that lets in great light in the winter, which is nice because it really warmed the place up.
(5)
Michelle K.
Love it - especially the pork and the cabbage salad. Bring your sunglasses - for some reason I consistently end up staring into the sun, whether I'm indoors or out.
(5)
S O.
If there were such a thing as 2.5 stars, I would give it that. I get it, it's a rotisserie, but the already limited menu totally lacks vegetarian options. While my carnivorous co-worker ate from a delicious and meaty selection, I opted for the items I was absolutely sure would not have meat: black beans! Corn bread! I can only rate this from my vegetarian perspective. I have no doubt others enjoy this place. The place is really TEENY though, so keep that in mind. In the summer, it's totally hoppin!
(2)
Nick S.
I think people have already covered pretty much all that needs to be said about Brasa. From such a simple formula (three meats, a dozen sides, a few desserts) and such simple dishes, Brasa really does make magical things happen. All three meats are so deliciously tender and flavorful that it's always an internal struggle to pick which ones to get. Their sides are wonderfully complimentary -- especially the collard greens and cheesy grits. My gluttony has heretofore forbidden me from ordering a dessert, but when that day finally comes I anticipate it will be marvelous. For someone who lives in the neighborhood, the realization that Brasa does takeout was nothing short of a religious awakening. Call them up and about fifteen minutes later you can show up and have a dinner packed and waiting for you. Given how busy the place usually is, it's a nice way to avoid waiting for a table. Brasa is one of those restaurants that I have to laud just for having such broad appeal. I know I could bring anyone from my grandfather to my gourmand mouther-in-law to my teenaged sister there and they'd proclaim it delicious. Not every restaurant can say that, and those that can are golden in my book.
(5)
Vivek N.
Third time is a charm. Went back to check out Brassa one more time, the high was the same as the initial high so the final rating for Brasa is 5 stars!! Just be sure to ask for the green sauce with the pork...it makes all the difference.
(5)
Alex Z.
The food can be pretty good most of the time. After going there on a regular basis over a couple of weeks I quickly learned they have their good days and bad days. They have consistency problems. Sometime the chicken would clearly be overcooked. The cornbread along with the chicken were the items I ordered most often. The sandwiches were ok. They could be much better if they got better bread. Overall, based on its high rating on Yelp I expected better. It can be really good but also can often be mediocre.
(3)
Ramin R.
Absolutely delicious. The pulled pork melts in your mouth like sweet goodness. The white, limey sauce that comes with the Yuca fries and plantains is also very yummy. The fried sweet plantains could be much softer and sweeter (like at Puerto Rican places). But, all the meats and sides are really good and make for full bellies. They have these combo plates that are a good deal, but they don't let you order them individually if your party has more than 4 people. Kind of annoying.
(4)
David S.
All the food here is great. It's definitely a very Poultry oriented menu, but there is some beef in there as well.
(4)
Josh V.
I love meat. There, I said it. And as a proud carnivore, I took it upon myself to finally check out this Brasa place after all this time. And lo and behold, it did not disappoint. I went there during the Red Stag Block Party, as I didn't want to eat a burger that would just disappoint me, and Brasa was right across the street. As soon as I walked in, the aroma of fresh spices and meats hit me hard. It was intoxicating and a smell that I shall certainly be back for. Their menu is compact, meaning that they know what they do well and do a lot of it, and all of their meats and side veggies and dishes are 100 % natural, locally produced and organic. For my first visit, I went solo, so I didn't get the sharing portions of all the meats or sides, but I went with a very delicious sandwich all the same. The slow roasted pork sandwich ($9) comes with homemade tortilla chips and is covered in pickled vegetables and a nice (if thin) coating of ginger mayo. The pork has also been seasoned with lime and garlic so has an out-of-this-world flavor to it. The server was very attentive and nice and recommended that I use the spicy, jalapeno-infused vinegar to really bring out the flavor of the pork. Now, normally I'm not a big vinegar guy, but this stuff didn't taste like regular vinegar at all and had a much more spicy bite than anything vinegary. I highly recommend this stuff on pretty much anything ever. Also, the chips came with a side of dipping sauce that was sort of like a spicy mustard/salsa. It was also so awesome that I really wanted to just lick out the entire cup it was served in (but I refrained... this time). Suffice it to say, Brasa is a restaurant that I will certainly be traveling back to very soon. Next time though, I'm bringing a few hungry friends along and we are going to get different meats and sides to share and do the family style sharing thing. It's going to be awesome!
(5)
Ed P.
Is it me, or does this restaurant look like a re-decorated gas station? That was the first impression I had of Brasa Rotisserie when we pulled into the its exceptionally tiny parking lot . But as soon as you step inside.. The D(el)ISH: What wasn't good!?! If you are going to order and its your first time dining at Brasa, for the meat-lover I recommend the Combination plate. Because if if you are going to do rotisserie, you gotta do rotisserie right! The food specs: Pulled pork. Rotisserie Chicken. Cheese Grits. And of course, the Corn Bread! Ordered a side of Collard Greens w/ an Arnie Palmer - and I'm good! The DIRT: For the price, I thought portions would be bigger! Despite my only gripe, the restaurant serves really good food and appears to be a big hit. I mean, there was a line when we got in, and there was a line waiting when we left. If that isn't an indication of a restaurants' popularity and success, then please let me know! I recommend this place for its unique atmosphere and friendly staff. And the food, if you like it soulful, is OHSOGOOD!
(4)
Abbey N.
Went at 6:30pm on a Friday night in Feb with our 2.5 year old son. Place was packed and bustling with that good restaurant vibe. We were told it would be a 25 minute wait but it ended up being 15. Super friendly service all around. The food was delicious; we ordered rotisserie chicken (delicious and the green sauce that comes with it was also really good), the pulled pork and the beef stole the show. Sides were a little hit or miss; guacamole was good, the corn cake good too, the black eyed pea special was just so-so. However, the over meal was a complete success -- loved our Mexican cokes! Really kid friendly without being obnoxious. Also, they have an awesome fire pit out back! Total for our meal was $45 w tip and I had dessert.
(5)
M M.
The pulled pork was delicious and moist. The fried yuca was also good - crispy and seasoned well. The cilantro sauce was also very good. However, the rotisserie chicken was underwhelming - the white meat was dry and overall not flavorful. The pulled chicken tasted like meat smothered with Campbell cream of chicken. Will probably go back only for their pulled pork.
(3)
Andrew T.
Minneapolis is a hidden gem for some amazing restaurants. Brasa, Salut, Chino and Quangs all come to mind immediately and that only scratches the surface. Today we will examine, at a very nigh-level, Brasa in Northeast Minneapolis. First, Brasa takes care in selecting the best ingredients available: 100% natural, locally-sourced and organic product selections. Of course, they cannot be 100% organic and local all the time, but they strive to be. Brasa cooks the way I was taught and the way I love: slow. The pulled pork melts in your mouth. Give it a little of either their chipotle or garlic-cilantro (I think but I don't remember) sauce and you are in heaven. The menu doesn't stop there: The rotisserie chicken is simple, but amazing and well-seasoned with a dry rub. They also have a slow-cooked beef and pulled chicken selections. For those of you not down with the meat, Brasa serves up some delicious vegetarian options and several side options, including my favorite cabbage and mozzarella salad. The Mozzarella is a new addition to the salad and compliments it well. If I could add any options to the menu, I would say try doing a "wild card" side each week, if you don't already. I now live in Chicago, so I don't get back often. I would start with a nice risotto cake (pan-fried) or something and see how it goes. Keep up the good work. See you soon
(5)
Joyce L.
People. this place rocks! Comfort food perfection. We went on a Tuesday evening at 7pm--packed. Wow. We had: the pulled chicken plate, pulled pork/beef combo plate, and the pulled pork plate. For our sides: Etoufee (one of the daily specials), creamed spinach, sweet potatoes with andouille sausage, corn bread, collard greens, and black beans. Everything was so yummy! Not much space to park in their lot but street parking is not a problem. No reservations taken. A little cramped if you have little ones (under 12 mo). but very accommodating staff.
(5)
Jennifer H.
They have a pretty decent selection of stuff for us non-omnivores. I think the best bang for your buck thing on the menu is actually the plate of 3 sides. I got the cheese grits, which were delightful; the creamed spinach, which was chock full of jalapeno (I added some sour cream at home to be able to eat them); the fried sweet plantains, which are amazing; and I went with the masa corn and cheese cake, which was puzzling but good. I'm still not sure what the spicy stuff on top of it was. Husband got the pulled pork. He said it was good, but he was confused by the fact that when you order the meat, all you get is meat. Just a pile of meat. It's an a la carte menu, yes, but it's still a bit strange. Also, it seems a bit excessive to charge $4.25 for a little cup of grits with some shredded cheese on top. Brasa is actually surprisingly kid-friendly, as evidenced by the big stack of high chairs. It was a little interesting wedging the high chair in the tiny open space by our table. The place is tiny. Not Colossal Cafe tiny, but it's tight in there. The staff was almost supernaturally nice. All in all I would go back but maybe do everything family style.
(4)
Steve S.
Just an update to reccomend the Plantains. They are amazing!
(5)
Jess R.
All I have to say is if Andy ever gets the recipe for the pulled pork I want it We did take out, although once we got there we both wish we could have stayed and ate - but the dog was with us. We decided to get a sampling of stuff - 1/4 chicken - huge thumbs up from the man 1/4lb Pork - My favorite - love it 1/4lb Beef - Not a huge hit, we do a spicy beef at home that tops it Grits - was good Spinach - was tasteful, but not a huge hit Cornbread - AWESOME, I had put the honey butter on it, but ended up scraping it off cause the bread is sweet enough without it and so dense and tasteful. We will definitely go again and give all the other sides an equal chance to impressing us :) But of course we will not leave without the corn bread and pork
(5)
Tim P.
I've enjoyed a meal at Brasa about eight times and enjoyed it all eight. Though it was not perfect every time...the pork and beef have been dry from time to time, and the service was severly lacking once, but how much bad can you really say about a place that I am always in the mood for. Recommedations: The Beef is very good, followed by the chicken... The Yucca, Plantains, grits and cornbread all great! Also mexican soda. Combo beef plate with Plantains, and rice and beans and yucca for the app. Take a little of each with every bite . You will not be dissapointed. Unless you are lame.
(5)
Oskar C.
Awesome place. My wife and I eat here often. Everything we have ever had here has been really good. Their pudding dessert is our favorite. Will keep coming back for the reasonably priced and excellent food.
(5)
Donna B.
Mary-mother-of-cupcakes, does this place rock. Intrigued by the promise of entrees made with locally sourced ingredients, dear hubby and I trotted over to Brasa in NE Minneapolis for takeout on a recent summer's night... Our take? Bravo, Brasa! From the melt-in-your mouth rotisserie-fired meats and citrus-and-cilantro studded cabbage salad, to the fast, cheerful service -- we were decidedly dazzled. Pick a Protein Think pork, chicken and beef mambo-ing alongside sassy sauces and complex spices ... Smoky Spanish paprika ... Richly flavored ancho chiles. Oh happy happy joy joy -- heaven. Savor a Side Not to be outdone, imagine comforting beans-and-rice concoctions cha-cha-cha-ing into peaceful coexistence with crispy plantain perfection. Dabble in Dessert And speaking of cupcakes ... Did I mention the birthday-cake love ball that landed in our to-go bag -- all buttery and dense and proud of its non-crumbly-ness? Pish-posh nasty, dry cupcakes! Lard-icing laden wannabes take note: This is what a *real* cupcake should taste like. Tick-Tock Takeout Our order took only 10 minutes; exactly enough time to linger briefly on the patio over a couple of glasses of sangria. And our food wasn't all funky by the time we got home; in fact, it was still warm-ish -- even though we had a 20-minute drive. Babaloo, Brasa! We'll be back soon!
(5)
Keshar N.
Roasted. Meat. BOOM! Do I really need to write anything else?! I have been dying to come here ever since I ate at Restaurant Alma. My favorite dish that was at Restaurant Alma, had the meat supplied by this glorious establishment. We ate here on a Friday night and we braced for the crazy crowd... but, it was not bad at all. We were able to get seated right away and began our meat-fest! We had the BBQ beef sandwich and the pulled pork. We also got the sides of mac and cheese, yams and cornbread... just a small meal, you know? The sandwich was SO good. The sauce was tangy and smokey/sweet and the pork was succulent... I have been waiting so long to write a review with succulent in it! Just so SO good. The food is prepared simply with high quality ingredients. The mac and cheese is life-changing... and heart-stopping, while the yams did not do anything for me. I just don't think they were for me. The cornbread is fantastic too. We ended the meal with their butterscotch pudding. Oh. My. God. Forget the stuff in the box, this is what pudding is supposed to be! Sweet and rich and with a little bit of a salty taste... YUM! Not only that, the meal is well-priced, the ambiance is great and the whole place smells like roasting meat! If you are looking for some BBQ not along the lines of Famous Daves, check this place out! Like I said... roasted. meat. BOOM!
(5)
M L.
Personally, I think this place is a bit closer to fast food joint than restaurant. The food quality is good, definitely above fast food level. But the menu is pretty simple and standard, nothing fancy or unique about its selection. The atmosphere is definitely fast food-ish, however there is a waiter. I think if you called this place a restuarant you would almost have to consider chipotle one too.
(3)
Chris K.
Alex Roberts is a genius. The chef behind Restaurant Alma, Alex opened Brasa in a converted gas station in NE Minneapolis 3 years ago. My life has not been the same since. Brasa specializes in slow cooked and rotisserie meats. Their chicken is succulent, tender and salty. Perfection. Their pork is tender, fatty and meticulously spiced. And the beef. Wow. The sides though make the meal at Brasa. The fried Yuca - a root vegetable that tastes like a light potato and has a texture somewhere between yams and potatoes - is out-of-this-world. You have to get it. The collard greens and turkey is salty, creamy and delicious. A great, slightly spicy salute to greens. Chips and guacamole are also spectacular, as is the creamed spinach and rice and beans... Ok, so the whole menu is unbelievable. Really. It is. South American soul food. That's the most succinct way I can describe Brasa. Delicious and addictive, your life will not be the same after your first meal at Brasa.
(5)
Steve B.
I"ve had this on my top 10 list to check out for quite some time. Finally, I was able to eat here last night and wasn't let down at all. The food really is delicious. I was able to have a wide sampling of food, all of which was great!. I had a chance to eat the pulled chicken, roasted pork, and braised beef. My favorite was the braised beef as it was so tender and filled with just the right amount of spices. I also really like that the meat is local and hormone free The sides were just as delicious as I had yuca, cabbage and mozzarella salad, creamed spinach and collards. Can't wait to go back for more.
(5)
Nina H.
Oh Brasa, How do I love thee? Please don't make me get on a scale within a week of coming here though. Brasa has consistently great food - and yes, mixing the grits with the collard greens or spinich is a sublime experience. The only argument I have with it is that the food doesn't reheat well probably due to the high fat content of all that yummy chicken and beans, (but who wouldn't want to eat it all when there!) I sorely miss Betty's coffee shop, which used to occupy the space, but can't think of another establishment I forgive more for being there now.
(5)
Andres C.
Too small portions and we couldn't tell the difference between some of their breads. Good for someone wanting to experience Something different e.g Latin, without having to go to the sometimes unpleasant lake St. It has an average taste and go without expecting to have your mind blown away with something spectacular.
(2)
Amy C.
If you want a good southern/ carribean meal, this is the place to go to. With Sweet plaintain and yuka roots fried to perfection that goes with the mojo sauce is just the beginning. Entree consists of a variety of meat selection: from pulled pork, beef, to rotisserie chicken. Also don't forget their amazing side dishes (besides the fried stuff). My favorite is their collard greens that is great for the soul. Overall I give it a 5 stars for food. However, I had a bad experience with one of the waitresses who was rude to us the entire night. We had to put up with her poo face the entire night (which was unfortunate). They need to improve their customer service during busy nights. Make sure you get there early during weekends because they don't take reservations.
(5)
Melissa M.
One of my default restaurants: * Food: Family style with choice of combination platters - Moist Rotisserie Chicken, slow cooked beef and pork - Sides include cornbread, red beans and rice, grits, fried yuca + *Atmosphere: Old gas station with casual industrial feel *Value: Brasa makes good quality food at a decent price. *Extras: Great place for summer with patio seating and good comfort food in the winter.
(4)
Lara B.
This is a relatively small space in northeast Minneapolis that opens up it's glass garage doors (cool) to an awesome patio when weather permits. The quality of the food and wines offered on the menu are more sophisticated than the environment might indicate. The menu is a bit confusing/overwhelming at first. The idea is that there are slow cooked meats that you can enjoy various ways; sandwich, salad or entree. And then there are the sides. Basically everything looks good and it's difficult to choose. On the up-side it's very hard to go wrong with your selection. Recommended: The Big Salad topped with Pork Shoulder OR The Pulled Chicken Plate with sides of Warm Cornbread & Honey Butter and Yellow Rice & Red Beans
It's okay. Not great, but I also don't LOVE bbq. Had the pulled pork sandwich.. average.
(3)
Briana M.
creamed spinach with jalepenos. cheesy delicious cheesy grits. yams with andouille sausage. roasted turkey and collard greens. cornbread. masa corn cakes. fresh guac. locally sourced food when possible. delicious.
(5)
D J.
Everything about Brasa is Ah-may-zing! Great service & more importantly great food! Best place in Minneapolis that I've been to thus far.
(5)
Michelle Y.
Great food, good atmosphere, great place and not on a busy street. Five star!
(5)
Emily B.
We went last night and it was SO GOOD. we ordered about six things, some standing out more than the others. I already know what i'm going to get next time I go :). we got the pulled pork: it was good, nothing too special though, could have used more spices, I make a really good pulled pork though so maybe that's why I wasn't super impressed. The rotisserie chicken: awesome. so good. highly recommend. flavorful and tender. The crispy yuca: wonderful, never had yuca before but with the cilantro/ginger mayo sauce they give you it's the bomb. fried plaintains: again great dish. spicy corn cake: not spicy but very good, next time i'd try the cornbread. collard greens with smoked chicken: i've never had collard greens before so we tried them. good if you like collard greens, but I found out I don't. next time i'd try the creamed spinach. butterscotch pudding: superb. we shared but I wish I would have gotten my own! it's a small portion so get it even if you are full, wish you will be. get lots of small plates so you can try everything and enjoy!
(5)
Heidi P.
I could lie and rate it 3-4 in order to keep people away, but the only reason to stay away would be because it's getting too crowded and I can't find parking and have to wait to be seated now. My fav is the pulled pork and spinach side. Oh, and the coleslaw is exquisite, with very little fatty mayo type dressing.
(5)
Scott M.
The food tastes as if was prepared in huge batches - it's kind of like Boston Market, only more expensive.
(2)
Emily U.
All I can say is their chicken is delicious. Sooo good! Sides are great. Southern-style. Try the grits and the collard greens. Located in an old gas station, they open up the front and the patrons spill out onto the patio. Great outdoor seating, especially in the summer months. A decent drink selection. Went a couple times, service was OK.
(4)
Megs B.
Great place. However, make sure if you get the pulled pork to get sides that balance out its extreme saltiness. Something sweet like the sweet potatoes and andoulie sausage side and something spicy like the collard greens with jalapenos. The chicken is nothing to rave about me thinks. You could get something comparable at Lunds down the street. Do try the Yuca. --pros: cute young chefs named Andrew, Yuca and pure cane sugar soda, GRITS! cons: gets freaking hot in the summer, long waits sometimes, it gets really loud
(4)
Mike B.
Really good roasted meats. The sides are really interesting too. The only kick I have is that they're very small and very popular, so you frequently have to wait.
(4)
David G.
Sure great for meat but the sides make the experience complete. This was my fourth time there and I went with Yams and Andouille along with the sweet plantains. Our waitress helped us out pronouncing Yuca different than Yucca. One is delish and the other is a cactus. Go figure. The meat is great too but the bun surrounding the meat is really fabulous too. Local and tasty. I am going back next week.
(5)
Mitzi D.
Delicious but skip the dessert! This restaurant was recommended to me by a friend of mine so we headed over there for my 30th Birthday celebration dinner since it is walking distance to the NE bars. Its a small venue with limited parking so I don't recommend it for very large parties. There were 6 of us for dinner and its family style only for groups 6 or more. Since it was a larger party we had to wait a hot second so we decided to get drinks while we waited. The Sangria with a hint of bubbles was delicious and refreshing! Once seated we decided on a whole rotisserie chicken which they bring to the table cut up and I love my friend who exclaimed "I never ordered a whole chicken before!!", Braised Beef, Creamed Spinach, Yams with Andouille Sausage, Plantains and cornbread for each person at the table. The meat was all very tender, juicy, well seasoned and delicious. The cornbread is served with honey butter and the sides were all equally as rich. They offered up a free birthday cake slice and we also added the soon to be off the menu red velvet cake. Don't do it. We decided the cake slice tasted like garlic and the red velvet cake was hard and dry. A disappointment but dinner was so good we didn't really care too much. I'd come back here again but this time I think I'll try the pork...
(4)
Grey S.
Awesome food and very affordable.
(4)
L. T.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. I'm always impressed by this restaurant every time I visit. A big reason why I give this restaurant 5 stars is for their consistency. From the quality of the food, the taste, the ambience, and the service--it's all good. Sure, I order the same things every time I visit Brasa, but I am never disappointed nor do I ever think, "This doesn't taste like it did last time I was here." I don't live in Minneapolis, so when I go to Brasa it's very sporadic, but I'm never dissatisfied--again, consistency is the key and this place has it!
(5)
K G.
Several of us have wanted to try La Brasa for some time. Some in our group said that they enjoyed it and would be back, but I definitely won't be back. It was suggested to us to try the family style, as it would be faster service and enable us to try more variety of sides. We ordered 2 mediums, 1 large- which was supposed to cover the 8 of us. We also ordered 5 sides as recommended- which we found out was supposed to be 20 servings, plus cornbread. The food overall wasn't that great. We enjoyed the rice and pigeon peas, but it was nothing special. The grits were pretty good. The pulled meats(pork/beef) weren't that great, but then again we each only got literally 1 bite of them, so it was hard to tell. Overall, we were glad to have been able to try 5 sides rather than just 1 each (which would have been the case had we ordered the 1 meat/cornbread/1side option each), but I'm not sure that it was enough food for all of us; not a great value for the $ either. It was a nice day in October to sit outside with a group of people for lunch, but I definitely wouldn't give this place a "Pick" rating as Minnesota Monthly did- I just don't see what they found exceptional about the place.
(3)
Ramona H.
Just visited this for the second time and everything about it was just as good at the first time around! Delicious local, organic ingredients, basic (but great) wine and beer selection, and friendly staff. Menu is pretty minimum, but that seems to be the whole style of the place. Plus, the variety and quality of the sides makes up for it. Love it during the summer when they open the garage doors. Finding seating can be a little hard, but its well worth the wait. Really as good as everyone says it is!
(5)
Dana S.
Delightful in every way. Tender, expertly seasoned meats; nice array of delicious sides; value-oriented combination plates available; cool decor that doesn't take itself too seriously , lovely indoor/outdoor setting, fantastic desserts. My favorites: Pulled pork Collards Potato salad Sweet potatoes Corn cakes Pineapple upside down cake a la mode Thank you!
(5)
Nicole P.
Delish! I scored the two meats plate (rotisserie chicken and pork shoulder) with sides of collard greens, Brasa slaw, and corn bread muffin. Everyone was right, the corn bread was Amazing, i could go, order a whole plate full and some beers and be happy. But then again the Chicken an Pork were terrific, as was the Brasa slaw. I've never had collard greens before and they weren't bad, but not my cup of tea either. All products are locally sourced when possible and you can taste it! p.s. the cilantro aoili was so good it would make even bad meat fun to eat! though that isnt a problem here.
(4)
Oliver M.
This is my favorite place to eat in Minneapolis. There are very few healthy options, but the food is delicious. The yucca and the beef are TDF. The beer selection is local and tasty (hoppy). The service is hipster, but friendly. The modern decor feels a little nouveau riche, but you won't notice it as soon as your food comes. Also, expect to wait for a table if you go at a normal eating hour.
(5)
Tiffany F.
If my review were based on the food alone, Brasa would definitely rate a 5+. The food is amazing...love, love, love it! The yams were terrific and the red beans were perfectly seasoned. The service however, was extremely frustrating...our server was seemingly not in a rush to do anything at all and didn't realize that our food hadn't arrived yet (we ordered over 30 minutes prior). Excuse me ma'am, it's my lunch hour...not my lunch 2 1/2 hours! Resultantly, I now order carryout...which is much faster.
(4)
Darlene R.
Discovering Brasa is like discovering a treasured relative that you were separated from at birth. You cannot help but exclaim, "Where have you been my whole life?!" The food and service is as authentic, inviting and unpretentious as the city in which Brasa resides. Located in a converted garage with a blend of indoor and outdoor seating, they use organic and locally grown products that are paired in simple yet absolutely mouth-watering ways. I recommend the slow roasted pork and smoked beef (meat so tender it melts in your mouth); yellow rice with black beans; crispy yuca; creamed spinach; and, rustic style cheddar grits. I look forward to the next time I am in town so I can try the other items on the menu.
(4)
Nadine Y.
Thank goodness I'm not a chicken, or a cow, or a pig. I couldn't imagine eating myself, especially in shredded form. But boy, I would be DEE-licious if I were served at Brasa.
(5)
leslie s.
After much anticipation of eating at Brasa, tonight's dining experience was nothing less than disappointing. The service was deplorable as was evidenced by a non-existant waitress who coped an attitude when questioned about the wear-abouts of our food. The total meal time exceeded two hours with the kitchen being "backed up". Understanding that this can happen, there is no excuse that the sides will follow the main course by no less than thirty minutes. Even though the waitress tried to make apologies by "comping" dessert, the damage had already been done. I grew up ih the restaurant business and am loyal to non-franchise establishments, but the experience at Brasa was inexcusable, especially for a place that's been open for nearly four years. Simply too long of a wait for overly-hyped mediorce food with service that shouldn't even be called that.
(1)
Lauren W.
Cannot get enough of this place. One of the best restaurants in the city in my opinion. Great food, fun atmosphere and treat yourself to Brasa when it's warm out and they open up the big garage door walls. Makes a perfect meals even more delightful.
(5)
Julie R.
Their pulled pork sandwich is incredibly tasty, and in a great way, totally unexpected! I assumed it'd be something traditionally bbq style, and instead it was so light, tangy, and refreshing, which might sound weird for a pulled pork sandwich, but it's true! Their cornbread is also spectacular, and their cheesy grits are the best I've ever had, and I just moved back to mpls after a year in the deep south, So that says something!
(5)
P X.
Since I work in NE Minneapolis, I have made a pledge to myself to discover every restaurant within a five mile radius of the office. But, I would be really stupid to even try to claim discovery of this long-time favorite of thousands. For me, lunch this past Thursday was the official "first" for me at Brasa and it won't be my last. The start of the meal was a bit difficult-parking and one-ways nearly killed the opportunity. I persevered and eventually scored a side-street parking spot. I was able to smoothly order a take-our meal of a quarter of rotisserie chicken and the cabbage mozzarella salad. The meal was ready within 10 minutes and I headed back to the office to sample. Fortunately for me, I found a spare fork at the office (they never put one in the bag). The salad was really good. I think it needed a bit more flavor, but over all it was a solid choice. The cabbage was finely shredded and there were crunchy tortilla strips tossed with the cheese and veggies. The chicken was great and came with a green creamy sauce (I actually am not sure what that was, but it was delish). The chicken was a tad undercooked, but that sort of stuff doesn't scare me and I gobbled it right up. Overall, I can see why this place is loved. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Mike T.
Absolutely amazing food! The slow roasted beef brisket was particularlly amazing! I highly recommend this place.
(5)
David K.
The way my friend described it, if you're looking for great southern comfort food, this is the place to come. We had about a 30-40 min wait when we got there, but it was worth it. We started off with some beers, they've got several Minnesota beers on tap. Surly is pretty hoppy, while Bauhaus, as the waitress described it, has a cracker-like taste. We each had two beers each, I preferred the Surly. For food we got the medium size of the chicken, pork, and beef, and all three of them are great. The pork is more tender than the beef I think. The honey-glaze coated cornbread is amazing. And the beans and rice are the perfect complement to round out the meal.
(4)
Ruth E.
I love the food at this place. It is so delicious. Last night I made a repeat appearance because I can't get enough of their food. Specifically, the pulled chicken, crispy yuca and corn bread make me drool every time I think about them!! Thankfully, I took the food home because the only complaint I have about this place is a lack of space. There's not enough parking (~6 spaces in the lot) and too few tables for how amazing the food is (there's always a wait during peak times and no reservations, even with the outdoor seating). I will say the lack of space is for a good reason. The food is seriously amazing and there are even some lawn games in the outdoor area. But the bathrooms aren't my fave (clean and cute, but SUPER HOT all the time) and I really don't like having to wait a long time. But the service is friendly and none of the issues are enough to stop me from going back.
(4)
Sistha D.
I've always loved this restaurant! Frequent diner when I was a student at U of M and always come here whenever I'm in town. Took my boyfriend from Ohio end of July to enjoy this tasty place. Needless to say, he loved it, as expected. We shared: - Guacamole and chips- 6/10. I've eaten a lot of different variety of guacamole and this one is just OK. Nothing special. - 2 piece rotisserie chicken- 8/10 mostly for the AMAZING sauce. The waiter gave us extra sauce and I had to ask for another one, it's THAT good. I always order chicken. Parts of the chicken are under cooked and still bloody (This has happened to me a few times, sometimes I asked the waiter to cook it more sometimes I just avoid that part if I'm in a hurry). - 1/4 lbs smoked beef-8/10. Delicious. I'm not a big fan of this kind of beef but dang this was good. - Crispy Yuca w/ Citrus & Garlic- 10/10. First of all I already LOVE yuca and their yuca is just amazing especially dipping it in the green cilantro mayo sauce (I love cilantro too so this is just heavenly). - Gumbo Fried Rice- 9/10. I love gumbo. And I love fried rice. So this gumbo fried rice is just awesome. You can taste the okra, sausage, seafood. It tastes like you are eating gumbo. We finished this very quickly. Pretty sure licked the bowl too, delicious. If you like gumbo, get this. In the past I've tried a lot of different sides and plates. This restaurant is just DELICIOUS. If you are in town, go here. Worth it.
(5)
Risa S.
the bbq beef was tender and juicy. guacamole was fresh and not overly seasoned. Sangria was very tasty! Staff was super friendly and accommodating. Extremely kid friendly. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Maddy D.
We love this place! Great food! Potato salad is to die for but they rarely have it! It is usually a side dish they have occasionally. Pulled chicken is amazing.
(5)
Alice M.
Brasa is my go to spot-- I am so lucky to have them in my neighborhood!! It is perfect fit for medium sized gatherings to eat some southern food family style. Be prepared to wait if you come at peak hours, especially in the winter when seating is limited. Make sure you get LOTS of green sauce and I recommend ordering a masa cake to build on. I love to smother mine with meat and sides like a tostada! You really can't go wrong with anything here, but my favorite meats are the pulled chicken and the smoked beef. I would get the beef more if the price didn't keep going up but so it goes. I love the candied yams with that caramel sauce, guac is a solid bet, fried yuca and sweet plantains are delicious with the almighty green sauce. I also like the cheesy grits, creamed spinach, and coleslaw. I'm telling ya... You can't go wrong with brasa!!
(5)
Dorothy C.
Came here for lunch and it was an amazing experience. I had the 'pulled pork with an egg' bowl, and I couldn't stop after the first bite. The spinach, the pulled pork, the sauce etc all blended together really well. The person next to me was trying the gumbo bowl - that would be my next to-try. Service was efficient. Will definitely be back next time when I'm in town!
(5)
Jessica D.
I had been wanting to try this restaurant for basically our entire stay in Minneapolis (3 years). Unfortunately the day I finally tried it was the day before we moved out of state. The food here was melt in your mouth delicious. I don't remember everything we had but I do remember that it was all absolutely delicious. I think he had a 6 piece of chicken and I had done type of chicken in a cream sauce served with rice, it was all phenomenal. The day we were there they had a potato salad in place of the coleslaw which was also lovely.
(5)
J.C. L.
Ridiculously good chicken. As in... maybe the best chicken you'll ever have in your life. The sauces are off the charts good, too. Make it a point to eat here at least once in your life... if not once a week.
(5)
Gabrielle A.
I love Brasa! I used to have lunch there all the time and I enjoy going to dinner there a lot. ALL of their meats are absolutely delicious to the point where it is pretty tough to choose a favorite. The creamy chicken they make is delicious and so is the smoked beef. They have great guacamole with delicious tortilla chips and their coleslaw has a great tangy taste to it. The food is a great conversation starter and even more fun to eat. Watch out, it can be REALLY steamy here on a hot day.
(5)
Nick K.
Was looking for a lunch place while in Minneapolis for work, saw Brasa and thought we would give it a shot. WOW, what a delicious place! I had the smoked beef, with bbq sauce, cheesy grits, and fried plantains (special on the day). It was all superb, and quick. If ever in the area, and need a super high quality lunch, this is the place. My coworker was really satisfied with his lunch as well.
(5)
Julianne Z.
Any restaurant recommended by Andrew ZImmern is a must visit for me. Expect to wait 20-30 minutes if you don't arrive at a peak hour, but it is so worth it and the food comes out super fast. I have never goten any of their bowls or sandwiches because I always go a la carte and order a bunch of things for their entire table to share. My favorites: Slow Roasted Pork: Succulent and punched with flavor. THeir best meat! Rottiserie CHicken: SOme people really like the beef but I think the chicken is a great bang for the buck and who doesn't love a drumstick? Sides: You cannot go wrong with cheddar grits, the jalapeno creamed spinach and the yams with sausage. I get the same 3 every time and then i get a side of corn bread. For 2 people, we got a 2 medium sides, 1 small and 1 corn bread and were filled to the brim! If you are in a mood for a drink, get their sangria. Sweet and very strong!
(5)
Kev H.
Pulled chicken. Rice and red beans. Enough said. Alright, fine I'll continue. I came here with a large group of people for a Sunday brunch. I arrived super early and managed to snag a table for all of us, but nobody else arrived yet. I must say, I did not receive any evil stinkeye or anything like that, so that's a plus. Their menu consists of a large rectangular piece of paper (I forget if its laminated or not; my time spent waiting at my table for people to arrive was not productive at all) with a list of all the different Southern style dishes available. You can order things in different sizes, so I opted to shared with my friend. We went for the pulled chicken, and the rice and red beans. The rice and read beans were simple, but tasty, and went down super easy. The pulled chicken was flavorful, but I they were the teensiest bit dry to me. All in all, accommodating service, many different food combinations and variations you can order, and quite satisfactory food.
(4)
Kim N.
I gotta buck trend here. Maybe it was because i had a to go order. But my chicken was unfortunately dry! Without the cilantro dipping sauce it would be hard to eat in some parts. Love the space and the ambiance but the chicken didnt hold up to all the good reviews ive read
(3)
Alex C.
Brasa is my #1 choice for some good ol' comfort food and one of my top 5 restaurants in the twin cities. The menu is simple and short, but every item hits the mark. Don't expect any crazy, overpowering flavors. You're not getting any spicy mayo here! (although I love spicy mayos). This place is stacked with warm, really well cooked food where you'll get hints of different flavors but mostly taste the center ingredient of the dish. From all the meats (pulled pork is my fav) to the delicious fried yuca, spinach, and grits - You're not going to be disappointed with what you get. I've never had anything bad here yet but if I was forced to choose a favorite... Favorite dish: Pork & Over Easy Egg. This dish is perfect for me. Melt in your mouth pork with creamy, jalepeno spinach and some yellow rice. I get my protein, my vegetables, my carbs and I can mix it all together to get something that just works. Favorite Side: Spicy Masa Cake Definitely give Brasa a chance!
Brassa has been a go-to meal for many years, but recently I've been let down. Inconsistency is the word that comes to mind. Meats have been dried out (chicken), inconsistent flavor/ seasoning (beef and pork) and/ or inconsistent portions (chicken in particular - we once got a leg and wing in our 2 piece meal). Sides have been under seasoned at times, over seasoned other times and even perfect, sometimes all in the same order! What pushed me over the edge is on multiple occasions, items had been left out of my take out bag. Brassa is close to my gym and a great post workout meal, but not close to my home, so I'm not going back to picked up the missed items. It got so bad, I started checking my bag before leaving. Sometimes the missed items were silly - like they gave us the guacamole, but forgot to give us the chips. I can't even begin to count the number of times I have had to call to ask for a refund! Every few months we go back to see if things have changed and sometimes would get a great meal, to be let down on the next visit or two. I love the concept of what these guys are doing, just wish they could get it consistency right.
(2)
Amy H.
My favorite is their chicken pepper gravy plate. Rich and delicious. Also love their salad. Butterscotch pudding is a perfect finish!
(4)
Nahila A.
As I write this review, my mouth is watering for the meal I got a couple of days ago: the black bean fritter sandwich with a side of crispy yucca. It was so good, I didn't offer any to my colleagues, which is not normal for me. That's how good it was! We went on a Friday around noon, and it was busy. However, our wait wasn't long, and the four of us were seated in about 10 minutes. Our food also came out not too long after we ordered it. The place is big and open and also has outdoor seating for warmer days. It's a casual place with tables and booths and good for small groups. I saw all kinds of people there: students, couples, families, and individuals grabbing lunch on the go. When you walk in, wonderful smells slap you in the face. There's something wonderful about the ambiance, it was busy yet relaxing. I've had food catered from here once, and everything that I've had here has been good. I am looking forward to going back to try more sides and getting a large basket of crispy yucca #nomnomnom Other notes: There is a specific vegetarian menu. This place is also public transit friendly (2, 10, and 17) and there's a small parking lot along with street parking. I subtracted one star because my colleague found a small rock in her beans, which is scary and painful, so be careful. At least we know now that they don't use canned beans :)
(4)
Matt H.
I decided there was nothing like some creole cuisine to warm me up on this frigid day so I went to Brasa for lunch. Ordered the black bean fritter sandwich (amazing) with an exceptional bun and the addition of guacamole was delightful. On the side: yuca fries and creamed spinach with jalapeno. The sides were phenomenal and as another reviewer pointed out you can tell the menu was really well thought out. It was not very busy at the lunch hour do to the weather but just about every person who arrived noted that -- which is to say, it was an odd occurrence. If you want a quick lunch, call ahead. This would be an excellent place to visit with a few friends and share multple dishes -- much like the courses at Alma (their other, more upscale restauraunt).
(4)
Kristina G.
What a great place to share an incredible meal with friends or family! With family style sharing encouraged myself and two friends ate our way through a ridiculously delectable feast. The yucca, chips and guacamole, and pulled pork were my personal favorites. However, it would be difficult to find something that was not good. I adored the opportunity to introduce sweet plantains to my friends and we all recommend the Sangria if you are looking for something to drink!
(5)
Natalia C.
Very nice place . Good food and customer service . Since I have a lots of food allergy and I am gluten free person I go there a lot . And they are also close to my neiborhood . They are not cheap but you have what you pay for .
(5)
Sarah B.
Both the bf and I got off work early today (Monday), took a nap, and woke up not feeling like cooking. We had to run an errand and decided to check out Brasa, since it was super close to the other store. Best decision ever. It was decently crowded, but we were able to get a table right away, which was lucky, because from 5:30 on there was a wait. Our waiter was really helpful, recommending what and how much to order. We went with: Pulled Chicken Slow Roasted Pork Rice & Pigeon Peas Yuca Fries Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapeno Spicy Masa Cake The food was awesome! Both meats were delicious, the bf preferred the pork and I liked the chicken better. The sides were all great. The Yuca fries were a favorite, especially with the dipping sauce. The spinach was super yummy and spicy. The rice & peas was solid and the masa cake was fantastic. We got smalls of everything and that worked out really well for two. We even had a little bit to take home for a snack later. I can't wait to come back with a group and try all the things.
(5)
Kelli H.
Sometimes, when I'm really hungry, I wish there was a worm hole in my house that I could walk through and appear in Brasa. Brasa has some of the most delicious food I've ever put in my mouth. Even thinking about it right now makes my mouth water. The smoked beef is pull apart and tender with incredible sweet and spicy BBQ over it. Some of my favorite sides are the yams and andouille sausage, the yuca with citrus and garlic sauce, and the fried plantains. It's Latin food with a Creole twist.
(5)
Kandace M.
If I needed to request a last meal. The menu from Brasa Rotisserie would be the only thing that I would request. Simple ingredients, bold flavor, always consistent greatness. Dine in or carry out - I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(5)
K E.
Seems like the food here is delicious, but unfortunately the staff and management have some catching up to do. We tried to go around 7 pm on a Saturday, and had called twice to ask about wait times and food options for gluten free. Neither of those two times we called OR when we arrived and talked with the hostess did anyone mention that Brasa had SOLD OUT of practically everything on their menu. To their credit, they did write that they were out of nearly everything in tiny handwriting on a chalkboard that was mostly obscured so as to not deter people from waiting 45+ minutes for a table so that they could remain hungry. After happening by the chalk board, we talked with the hostess again who sheepishly said that she guessed we could order chicken but that the kitchen was nearly cleaned out. We were pretty upset because a decent restaurant would have informed us of this at any of the three previous opportunities and/or at least been vaguely apologetic about it. This restaurant did none of these things. We asked to speak to a manager, who to his credit was really nice but then lied and said they had just run out of the food less than a minute ago, which wasn't true since they'd written it on the chalkboard at least 10 minutes prior. Hopefully this was just an off night, but we were really, really disappointed in Brasa.
(1)
Erin K.
If I could, I would give 6 stars. Brasa catered my sister's wedding this past weekend. The food was beyond amazing and the service was top notch. There were options for all types of food meeting various dietary needs of the guests. We had vegetarians, vegans, lactose intolerance, even one guest recovering from surgery with limited options was able to have an amazing meal. The guests raved about the food. The menu spelled out each dish clearly. The food was served family style and options included rice, beans, vegetable curry, cucumber salad, roasted chicken, and more. AND IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! The staff had a smile on their faces the entire time. It could not have been a smoother process. Thank you, Brasa, I'm so impressed.
(5)
John W.
First off, great atmosphere and appealing menu, it was easy to read and I wasn't over or underwhelmed. I went with the pulled chicken plate with the red beans and brisket with yellow rice. The chicken in gravy was 10 outta 10, the yellow rice was tasty, but the red beans and brisket were a little bland and disappointing. I also got some fried plantains and cornbread. Both were amazzzzzing. I left satisfied and definitely looking forward to trying different things on the menu.
(4)
Seth P.
I was in town this past weekend and off restaurants I went to this stood out as the best. The chicken was incredible! This will be my first stop next time I'm in town.
(5)
Jason D.
Brasa is the perfect combination of comfort food and flawless execution. I had the Pork and Egg Bowl along with the seasonal Sweet Potato and Spice beer. The pork was tender, moist, and flavorful. The jalapeño spinach and yellow rice were divine, and egg yolk dripping over the top was the perfect comforting tie in.If I lived in Minneapolis, this would become our regular place for casual meals. I am going to have to stop by again before I leave and try something else. My waiter was kind, thoughtful, and very knowledgeable.
(5)
Theresa M.
Very reliably delicious food! Great for sharing and easy to control how much money you went to spend with the menu.
(5)
Andrea R.
Regardless of the type of protein you choose, this place will have the perfect side (s) and with kick. I have never tried anything here that doesn't taste delicious. Even if you don't drink alcohol try the sangria, it's made with fresh fruit and they let it sit for a while before serving. I find the individual portions the ideal size for one. If you're not into waiting a lot to be seated, come in a boring week day or night, or go to the Saint Paul location that's bigger.
(5)
Mike B.
EAT ALL OF THE FOOD. Honestly, this should be Brasa's slogan. I'd buy merch with that plastered all over it. But for serious, this should also be your motto as you look at the menu upon being seated after your half an hour wait (and you will wait, this place is tiny...and always packed, for good reason). I don't care how many people you have in your party. Two, three, twelve, doesn't matter. Order as much as you think you can handle and then order a little bit more. You won't regret it, especially if you're someone like me who doesn't like coming back to the same place twice due to the incalculable amount of places to eat in Minneapolis. Everything is delicious here. I don't think you could possibly go wrong with anything on the menu. Every plate is cooked with such precision and tender, loving care. You can practically taste the affection the chefs put into each dish. Of the full menu, here are my favorites: Meats -Slow roasted pulled pork with garlic and lime -Pulled chicken simmered in light cream and pepper gravy You will not find more tender meat than this outside of the best of the best BBQ joints. It just falls apart as you're cutting it, and then just melts into your mouth. Perfect seasoning, and the cream on the chicken is to die for. Sides -Creamed spinach with jalapeno -Roasted yams and andouille -Crispy yuca with citrus and garlic -Red beans and yellow rice -Cornbread with honey The cornbread here is some of the best cornbread on the planet, beating out many of the top restaurants I've been to in the South. I could literally just eat plates and plates of the yuca "fries," too. That dipping sauce that comes along with them is drinkable. It's that good. Southern food is hard to find here in the Great White North, and Brasa valiantly brings some much-needed heat to the Minneapolis food scene. Order everything. Clear plates, full stomach, can't lose.
(5)
Whitney F.
Just plain good. After hearing raves about Brasa, with a weakness for real (real) southern food, I was obviously a little skeptical. Brasa was overwhelmingly genuine and just plain good. We arrived early on a Thursday for dinner. Meaning beating the 5 o'clock bell with six hungry folks. I was surprised that by 5:30pm every table in the small cozy location was full. We ordered some sangria and wine and split the large guac. We enjoyed that we could do family style, but opted to each get meats and side items. I chose the rotisserie chicken, mozz salad and yucca fries. Oh the yucca fries, in that heavenly green garlic citrus sauce. As juicy and perfect as the rotisserie chicken was, "sangria and yucca fries" has officially made the 2014 bucket list. With the reasonable prices, atmosphere both cozy and busy, and that green sauce, Brasa easily made this southerners top 5.
(5)
Hannah F.
Where to begin.... I. Love. Brasa. This is my go-to place for comfort food and it just never gets old. My significant other and I often come here after church on Sundays, and my anticipation for this place never, ever fades. I can't say I have ever been disappointed by a dish. Favorite meats are tied with the pulled pork and pulled chicken with gravy. Favorite side dishes include, but are not limited to: crispy yucca, guac and chips (my guy's favorite), creamed spinach, collard greens, rice and beans, and fried plantains. YUM. Do yourself a favor and order lots of plates to share so that you get some of everything. Now, please excuse me... I need to wipe all of this drool off my keyboard.
(5)
BK J.
I'm not sure why I waited so long to get in to Brasa. I know the reviews have been consistantly good and people rave about the food. Anyway, we were out shopping on a Saturday morning and the birthday girl said she wanted BBQ so we motored over to Brasa in NE. They were still in the process of opening so service was a bit slow but not horrid. We ordered beef and pork, guac, creamed spinach and yucca fries. The low point would be the guac - it was good but bland. On my final bit I splashed a bit of the hot pepper vinegar on it and that improved it a ton. The pork was great but the real winner was the beef - tons of wonderful beefy flavor in fork tender meat. The red sauce served with the beef was a perfect match. The spinach was also a winner and I might have to figure out how to make it myself. While you can go in and order a sandwich with a side Brasa is best experienced as a group so you can order multiple meats and sides and share. I would put Brasa in the category of one of those places that people must hit when visiting MSP.
(4)
Maxx M.
Everything was excellent! It took me a minute to figure out the menu and the serving sizes. The food was fantastic and the service was great. I really like the fact that they source local ingredients whenever possible...and they list some of the sources on the menu. I also like the casual atmosphere. I felt completely comfortable hanging out in my Carhartt shorts. Now Yelp can stop pimping this place on my account and stop telling me to go to Brasa because: "Your next review awaits!". -Daddy Maxx Retro
(5)
Vy B.
Brasa has quality meats and the menu is decently priced. There's nothing better than sitting at their outside patio on a hot summer day. The service is great and the atmosphere is calm and cool. The portions are pretty big and this place is great for groups or one on one with a friend. Love: pulled pork sandwich with cilantro sauce (tastes like a modern banh mi sandwich), guacamole, potato salad, creamed spinach Loathe: the plantains -- they are always dry and the cassava fries - no taste whatsoever. Parking is free but not readily available - perhaps 5-6 spots in their lot? There's a lot of free parking in the residential area next to the restaurant though.
(5)
Alexander M.
Such a great restaurant, the collard greens, yuca, green plantains and cheesy grits are 100% great every time! They don't have the guava lime soda at this one and it's actually worth a trip to St Paul just for that! The food and atmosphere make for a great dining experience!
(5)
Immaculate I.
Oh how I love plantains!! I went to this spot at 7pm on a Wednesday and it was PACKED!! There was a 45 minute wait. We got some drinks and stood outside waiting for our name to be called. The noise level is a little over normal conversation volume so if you're looking for a quiet, intimate place, this would not be my first choice. I had the pork sandwich and my companion had the fritter. I thought that the pork sandwich was a bit underwhelming. I may have had high expectations from some of these reviews. The plantains were amazing! I didn't end up eating the yellow rice or red beans because I was full from half of my sandwich. The service (Patrick) was great. He checked in on us, wasn't overbearing, just right. I would go back to try the fritter. I heard it was spicy and I feel as though my middle name really should've been caliente.
(3)
Erin F.
Great and relatively inexpensive food! When I went here a few years ago with my Dad, the food wasn't nearly as good as what I experienced when I went a few days ago with my Dad and Fiance. There were a few faults here and there, but overall, especially given the fact that we got enough food for 3 for $60 that we still had some left to take over, it was a great experience. We ordered medium of the beef, medium of the pulled pork, 6 pieces of the chicken, sides of plantains, guacamole and creamed spinach. The beef was good. It was a bit less tender than I would have preferred, but definitely nothing to turn your nose up at. The pork was incredible. Some of the best pork I've had in a long time. It was moist and flavorful (and I don't even like lime) and had just the right amount of salt. The chicken was cooked perfectly. It reminded me of the peruvian chicken that we get in DC. The skin was perfect, the meat was juicy, not dry, and the sauce they give you to dip it in was great. The creamed spinach wasn't the best preparation I've ever had, but it was still good. The jalapenos added a bit of a kick. The plaintains were amazing. They were still soft and seared on the outside, so delicious. The guacamole was good, again not the most amazing thing we had there, but very good, just the same. The one thing that was slightly strange was the service. They seemed about one waiter short. The woman who was seating people was also handling tables, and they all appeared slightly out of sync. This resulted in us having to get our own water once or twice, but at least they had a big water pitcher we could use!
(5)
Soumyadeep C.
It is overpriced and crowded, and not in a good way. I have heard about it from so many people that I finally decided to give it a try for lunch. Now, I understand the crowd for Sunday brunch, but $15 plates of pulled pork is frankly the size of kids' fare. The ambience of the place is like the nearby university campus restaurants, so I could not fathom the price. As for the rice and beans that came as a side, I've had better. Not going back to Brasa.
(2)
Ahmad R.
Delicious. I've been here for takeout several times and have enjoyed everything. Chicken, beef, and pork mains were all good and the sides of beans, cornbread, yucca, and a couple others were also tasty. Brasa leans a bit pricey but it has an upscale quality to the food so we don't feel too put out by it.
(4)
Yash K.
Yucca fries were amazing. Rotisserie Chicken was slightly bland but overall good food and ambience.
(4)
Kate R.
Meat was GREAT, all the sides I had were bland as hell. I know, adapting spicy food to the Minnesotan tongue, whatever, but this was ridiculous. I like the small plate conceit- you can get a couple different meat plates, some small sides, and feed a large group family style, it works well. But seriously, so bland, and even the meat, while flavorful, wasn't what I was expecting spice-wise. Also we had terribly slow service, to the point where the diabetic member of our party was starting to get a bit floaty when we finally got our *drinks*. Perhaps that was a time of day thing, but quite disappointing. On the plus side, it was easy to find gluten-free and dairy-free food on the menu.
(2)
Daisy L.
This was not what I was expecting. The plates are TINY. And they were out of yucca. What. Yeah, the food tasted all right - a little bit blander than I would've liked though.
(2)
Troy P.
I straight up love Brasa! This is my kind of food served the way I like it, family style. I have never had a bad experience or disliked anything I've ordered. My favorite is probably the Pulled Chicken and Yuca Fries, they are basically a staple of my ordering selection every visit. The space is fairly small, tables are relatively close together and it can get kind of noisy. In the Summer it's pretty great, there is a nice size patio and 2 large garage doors that open the entire restaurant to the outside. Peak hours have always been busy, but they get the food out quick and the wait has never been unbearable. One thing to note is this location barely has a parking lot and it can be difficult to find street parking so plan on driving around. If you like good ol fashioned comfort food then this is your place.
(5)
Jeff P.
Went to Brasa the other day for the first time and it was great. My friends and I pretty much ordered everything off the menu and shared it with each other and everything sure tasted great, especially the rotisserie chicken my absolute favorite. I am definitely gonna go back back again soon 5 stars from me.
(5)
Monica S.
Visited with my sister who had already been there. She had chicken, I had pulled pork, and we shared greens, sweet potatoes and corn bread. She had mimosas and I had a sangria. Sangria was just ok. We both enjoyed our food.
(4)
Sujan P.
Pulled pork heaven. You just got to try this place. See all the other reviews. Avoid going during peak hours Take out as good as dining in.
(5)
Tetiana I.
Brasa is getting five stars for sure. Simple menu which allows you to build your own plate based on desires and today's mood. Chicken, beef or pork with yuca and plantains sides were my favorite so far. Also they are sized correctly starting from small which would feed one person and going to the bigger portions. They are sourced locally which adds up the points to the ratings as well. Without doubt if you are in the mood for pulled pork and plantains like me any other day you won't be disappointed with this restaurant.
(5)
Heather T.
I went to the location in St. Paul in May of 2013 and never stopped thinking about it. Naturally, when I returned to Minneapolis last weekend, I had one goal: go to Brasa and eat all the food. And I did. Their slow roasted pork is EVERYTHING. If possible, it was even more delicious the second time. The pork, it is magical. Divine. The crispy yuca fries are great and all, but if I had the recipe for the citrus & garlic dip that accompanies the fries, I would pour it over everything. I would take shots of that dip. That the masa corncakes come with pickled vegetables on top is perfection. Creamed spinach with jalapeno? Yes, please. Anything? All of it? Yes and yes. I can't imagine that anything at Brasa is not completely delicious.
(5)
Cassandra B.
You will wait when you get here, and it will be worth it. You might stand awkwardly on the asphalt with a drink in hand, looking longingly at those seated with delicious plates enjoying themselves on the patio. If you're lucky, you might score a seat at the picnic table with the other hungry folk. If you're smart, you'll come before the evening rush with no more than three friends and you should be good. When you're seated, you'll enjoy the warm, open-air vibe (weather permitting). You will order multiple plates to share in order to sample as much as possible. You will order more if it's not enough and your server will bring it happily. The meats are tender and perfectly seasoned. My favorites: smoked beef and pulled chicken with creamy, peppered sauce (droooool. And I don't even normally like pulled chicken). For sides, you may notice sizing is a little unpredictable. Fried yucca, for instance, runs large; start with a medium for your table. Do not miss the yams and andouille, cheesy grits, fried plantains, and fried yucca to share. While the yucca by itself is bland, the green dipping sauce is epic. The green sauce is served with the plantains too. You will eat the green sauce: Doctor's orders. (Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and take no responsibility for the relative health benefits of the green sauce.) Oh. and you'll eat the cornbread with honey glaze. It's moist with the perfect amount of sweetness. And I don't even normally like cornbread. You will be surprised at how reasonable the bill is considering the deliciousness of your experience. This place will rock your face off. You will return.
(5)
Nicole G.
The best pulled chicken, cheesy grits, collard greens, coleslaw, candied yams and cornbread ever! Also, you can't beat the price! I highly recommend coming here if you are in the area!
(5)
Nicolette Z.
It's hard to find really spectacular places to eat gluten free but Brasa is definitely at the top of that short list ! I have never once been disappointed. The atmosphere is great & love being able to sit outside during nice weather. It's small, so often times you have to wait a bit - but honestly this is a place I'd be willing to wait quite a long time for.
Chicken is the best. Pork was great. Beef was ok. Corn bread was great. Coleslaw was different/fresh. Guacamole was good. Collard Greens was great.Tortillas was great. I would prefer the fresh lemonade to be more sour and less sugar. Service can be better(constantly can't find server - but I guess it's a sort of self service store)
(4)
Steven D.
I've been here on a couple occasions for take out and I haven't been disappointed yet. I would've never guessed what the neighborhood would look like, but it's kind of at the edge of a residential neighborhood. The parking lot probably only holds about 6 spots, so be prepared to park in the streets if you go late. So far on my visits, I've gotten the: - Slow Roasted Pork: super moist pork that melts in your mouth - Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapenos: exactly what it sounds like with just the right hint of jalapeno flavor. It's not spicy if that's what you're debating! - Crispy Yucca w/ Citrus Garlic sauce: they were surprisingly crispy still even after taking it home as take out. I could only imagine how crispy and hot it is if eaten there! I usually ask for extra of the sauce because it's like crack! Can't wait to go back to try more things off the menu!
(5)
Alyska B.
I love slow food establishments, and after being introduced to Brasa by a friend a few years ago, I'm so happy I was able to go back again last weekend. Their indoor/outdoor space is lovely for a meal and cold drinks in the warm June weather. While the main meat dishes are fantastic for all palates (from mild but flavorful to downright spicy) their side dishes also really shine. Almost everything on the menu is (or can be made) gluten-free except for the cornbread, which adds even more points in my book. Parking can be a bit tricky if it's busy, but not impossible. I'll definitely be going back next time I'm up in the cities.
(5)
Joshua C.
One of the best meals of my life. Pulled Pork, Rotisserie Chicken, Sweet Tea, and Cheese Grits. I'm going to try to make there every time I'm in MNPLS from now on. Pulled Pork - 5/5 Rotisserie Chicken - 4/5 Sweet Tea - 2/5 Cheese Grits - 2/5
(5)
Jonathan T.
As I'm writing this review, I have to resist from slobbering all over my keyboard while I think about Brasa's savory and decadent Southern dishes. If it's your first time there, don't order the eggs and sandwiches. Order a couple of meats and sides that are either small portions (if by yourself) or medium portions (if you are with someone else). There's absolutely too much deliciousness at Brasa to eat in one sitting. My favorites are below: Meats -Slow Roasted Pork -Pulled Chicken Sides -Cornbread and Beans -Collard Greens w/ Smoked Chicken -Creamed Spniach w/ Jalapeno -Fried Plantains My goodness, I want to be back right now stuffing my face. I have never been so stressed out that I have had to resort to thinking about a happy place, but if I did, I would imagine it being me sitting at a table eating the slow roasted pork with the corn bread... guzzling it down with a dark beer. The best word to describe the food, in my humble opinion, is thoughtful. Everything is locally grown, cooked to perfection, and served by friendly and knowledgeable staff. My stomach is growling. Brasa, I will see you soon.
(4)
Andy L.
Rica and I went here months ago and we liked it. It was really packed, and the car park can fit approximately 1.5 cars. Luckily, someone was leaving as we pulled in. There was a long wait, but that was okay because there are good beers on tap, and I don't mind awkwardly standing in the way of people trying to get to the bathroom or servers trying to reach tables. We got lots of little dishes, which included pulled pork, pulled chicken, yuca, and plantains. They were all REAL GOOD. Today, Rica and I got take out, which involved smoked beef, pulled chicken, yuca, cornbread, and coleslaw. Again, everything was REAL GOOD. Also, they prepared the take out order REAL FAST. We took it home and ate while watching TV. Margot wanted us to give her some so bad, but we did not because she is a dog.
(5)
Yuriy G.
Everything was delicious, food was good, everything was well prepared. The food was fresh and the seasonal apple coleslaw was delicious. The only drawback is she never refilled our water.
(5)
Myly F.
Whether I am at the NE Mpls or the Grand Ave St. Paul location Brasa delivers! Thumbs up: Delicious food and fills you up Decent customer service Good atmosphere Veggie options are good You get what you pay for Thumbs down: Parking (both locations aren't too convenient, small lots and street parking) Go during lunch and get their sandwich, meat, or side plates, bang for your buck and scrumptious!
(4)
Gundy A.
Pulled pork was amazing and shrimp gumbo left me asking for more. Little disappointed in the portion size for the price. 2 beers, 2 meals, and plantains was over $50 including tip and not worth the portion size. I'll recommend Brasa to anyone because food is fresh and full of flavor but warn them about the price versus portion size.
(4)
Adam G.
Probably our favorite restaurant in the cities. Plus we are gluten free and only the cornbread, I believe, has gluten. We'll miss this place more than any other when we move away next month
(5)
Alex S.
Family style deliciousness. The flavors at Brasa are sooooo good. Good for all occasions.
(5)
H B.
the food is horrible yuk!! no taste bland, not real southern carrib food I was looking for the catfish and macaro and cheese they don't serve it at this location the brasa on grand is much better. my guest was not happy about the food, New cook!! C- rating ;( they really need help wit the greens , they were not washed enough. terrible
(1)
Aimee N.
Great home style cooking with great atmosphere. The location in Northeast opens up when it is warm out and the food is amazing and if you are there during great weather, it is a great atmosphere to enjoy a meal with friends and/or family. I prefer to come here with a group, we were able to order a number of items to share. Pick a few proteins and many sides! Some of my favorites are the collard greens with chicken. So good! If you walk towards the bathroom you will see Andrew Zimmerman's photo and endorsement if Brasa. That guy knows his food for sure
(4)
Jennifer S.
A 45 min. wait on a Friday eve. standing in a crowd of people all waiting to have dinner. Atmosphere was friendly and bustling, and the staff behind the beverage counter were helpful and polite, neither rushed nor annoyed by questions. After our standing-around-in-a-crowd-visit with a glass of house red wine in my hand, and one of sangria in my friend's, we were seated across from one another at a small table right where all the staff were going into and coming out of the kitchen. She and I had to do a LOT of leaning into each other to hear one another speak. Our server was really pleasant, cheerful and helpful, and even recommended we try one of the night's specials, given that it's not usually offered. Thus, we both ordered their "catfish special", and also several single-serving sides: collard greens, coleslaw, yams with Andouille, and creamed spinach. Our plates were delivered with three large fingers/strips of crisply coated (with cornmeal) and fried catfish, a few slices of house-made bread-and-butter pickles, and individual cups of a tartar-type sauce as well as a buffalo-type sauce. There was no doubt that those pieces of fish were fresh out of the fryer! They were so tasty - hot, crunchy-crisp on the outside and delicate and moist on the inside. Each of the sauces was good on the fish. I first tried the collard greens. They had some smallish-pieces of ham or smoked chicken mixed in with them. They were tasty and well cooked. Next, I tried the creamed spinach. Oh, yum. I'm unsure whether I've ever eaten creamed spinach, although I imagine this was the style of spinach I loved as a child. My parents have told me that as a wee one, I loved eating (canned) cooked spinach because "Popeye" ate it. I loved watching that cartoon. Then I tried the yams with Andouille sausage. I liked it because I love cooked yams and sweet potatoes; however, the chunks of Andouille added nothing for my tastes. Lastly, I tried the coleslaw. All components were finely sliced and well combined. It had a dressing so light its taste was barely detectable. I thought it was great! As we grazed through our dishes, we talked and caught up with each other's lives and noted how the restaurant emptied out as time carried on. Maybe next time, we'll just come in later in the evening rather that standing around waiting in a crowd. But no matter what, I will be back to try some of that awesome-looking rotisserie chicken!
(4)
Travis R.
Everything here is phenomenal! My favorite restaurant in the twin cities! Try the beef or chicken, and the corn bread is better than cake.
(5)
K M.
Walked in and it didn't look like much, had the side door was a garage door, kind of cool feel to the place.......but the bbq is amazing. Had the chicken, ribs, brisket and pulled pork. The stand out was the brisket. 14 hours of smoked awesomeness! My friend liked it so much that he got a whole one to go and ate it in the hotel room. The sides are good, liked the red beans. It is a bit pricey , but the quality is top notch.
(5)
Doug M.
Well this was an interesting, but fun, adventure. I was looking for someplace local to grab dinner, and Brassa Rotisserie came up on Yelp as well-recommended. So I hoofed on over about a dozen blocks. As I came around the corner, I saw this kinda sketchy-looking converted auto garage. But once I got inside, I was greeted by friendly staff, and saw that Brassa had been set up pretty well inside - making good use of the glass roll-up garage doors to allow a bright, airy feeling. Yet they still kept the "semi-converted" repurposed bldg feel that is oh-so-popular nowadays. The clientele was very diverse, ranging from blond dreadlocked moms with two small kids to elderly conservative couples. Good people watching. My server was very helpful. I told him this was my first time at Brassa, so he immediately walked me through the menu and format, suggesting amounts that were good for one or two people (e.g. meats come in small, medium, or large), and which meats and sides he liked best, what paired together well (e.g. which bread to pick), etc. All of this was done in a friendly, sincere manner. I was looking for something non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated to drink, which led to the hot teas, and the rooibos tea was suggested. It is a red herbal tea from Africa. Honey was suggested to go with it, which was a good choice. While rooibos was actually somewhat sweet by itself, the honey gave it more fullness. I know it was just from a tea bag, but it was nice to have a different type of option. I wound up ordering the recommended slow roasted pork for the meat - It was tender, juicy, and flavorful. My first side was roasted yams & andouille - This was an interesting mix; yams were smooth but not bland, with the andouille chunks giving it just enough zest. My other side was crispy yuca w/citrus & garlic - These were essentially cassava fries with a creamy citrus/garlic dipping sauce; but good in that they were sized more like steak fries and were not so dense and greasy like potato fries can be. Finally, my bread was cornbread w/honey glaze - A good firm single-serve cup/loaf of cornbread with a generous topping of sweet and butter; yum. The food items are all brought in their own small bowls or plates, which you can then add to a large plate that is already at your table setting. Whenever my water glass or tea cup was empty, it was promptly refilled (or I was offered more hot water). Always nice for a big water drinker like me. Not much more to say about the dinner. It was relaxed, staff members were top notch, and food was flavorful. It met my expectations based on other reviews, and I recommend it too.
(4)
Sijia L.
I went this place so many times. My fav is the jalapeno spanich and candid Yam. Sandwich is just okay. Price is friendly.
(4)
Landy G.
Very good food. Smaller than I thought. It was comfortable and clean. I would go back.
(4)
Ryan F.
Somehow the girlfriend and I made it though another year together. I must be doing something right. As is our custom, we celebrate our year together by gorging on delicious meat. We have done Fogo, Butcher and the Boar, and a few others, but this year, our meat quest brought us to Brasa Rotisserie on Hennepin Ave in NE Mpls. This place has been on my radar for quite a while, so I was excited to finally get to check it out. First off, the bad- parking can be tough. They do not take reservations. The place is loud. And none of this is a problem once you get your food. I really like the counter service to get a beer when you wait. Even on a Tuesday evening in the middle of our Polar vortex of a winter the were on a wait. Nothing about 20 minutes and a Fulton can't fix, however. We had the 4 Pc. Rotisserie chicken, pulled pork, pulled beef, cornbread, creamed spinach with jalapeno and yellow rice/beans. Had a nice Malbec to wash it down. I make food like this sometimes, pulled pork, chicken, etc, and I have no chance to make it as good as they do here. Nothing was dried out at all. The only issue I had with the food at all was it needed a little salt. That is just my personal preference as a salt addict though so don't take my word for it. My baby and I don't need quiet restaurants with dark lighting and white tablecloths to celebrate being together. We need meat and booze. And this place delivered in spades! PS-it is not too bad on the wallet as well!
(5)
Susan H.
This is my go-to restaurant in the Twin Cities when I want a really satisfying meal. Their yuca fries are amazing, especially with a little lime and some mojo sauce. I'd go for the pulled chicken over the other meats. (I do wish this location served fish like the St. Paul location.) And this is where I discovered the wonders of collard greens... with smoked turkey... always perfect. The platanos fritos are much better than the sweet plantains, but either works for me. Top it all off with some of their sangria (they have a small but local beer selection as well). If you're dining out for two, I'd recommend getting small servings of a bunch of the menu items to split. If you're in a group, go big!
(5)
Teresa E.
One of my go-to places for comfort food, family/kid-friendly, date nights and meeting a friend. Yucca is great. Plantains are great. Pulled pork is great. CORNBREAD is awesome! It's a sharing menu so order up (portions are bigger than your stomach though) and try many things on the menu. Staff is fairly attentive and the prices are so legit. PLUS, Brasa supports local farms and sustainably grown foods. They brag about it on their menus. Both the Northeast and the StPaul location are similar in architecture. This includes a windowed overhead door that is opened on nice, warm days to expand seating into a makeshift patio/open air restaurant. So nice.
(5)
Candice B.
Let me start by saying, the food is phenomenal! And typically the service is very quick and everyone is delightful. However, I am currently towards the end of my two+ hour meal here because our waitress is slower than molasses. It took at least 15 minutes for her to come grab our order, a half hour+ for our food to get to the table, she never checked on us until the very end to grab our plates, and now we're still waiting for the bill, it's been 30 minutes (although we asked for it when she cleared the table). I've never experienced anything like this here (and have been to both locations). I would have given 5 stars if it wasn't for this disappointing service. But just know the food is outstanding.
(3)
Gabriel S.
Great food every time. They do a superb chicken and beans. I have had them at a couple of weddings and they rock at catering. I always get excited when I think of eating Brasa! I would try everything on the menu.
(5)
Susan L.
My family came to town and I suggested that they try this joint out. They did change the plantains to say SAVORY plantains now, rather than sweet, which is a good change. They also described them a bit more and I like the change. Bravo Brasa - finger lickin' good!
(5)
Leah S.
Brasa is the real deal! Great food, great service and unbelievable prices! I have eaten at both the Northeast and St Paul locations and love them both. We also get take-out often from Brasa when we are looking for something to make our belly smile. They are known for their slow cooked meats, and all of them are good. They serve them in small portions so you can try all of them. Then they have the most decadent sides. Try the spinach and jalapeno - you won't be dissapointed. Recently I tried one of their bowls- the Pork with an over easy egg was amazing, the only problem is you don't want to share this dish. This place is busy though so get their early or go at off times. We are using them to cater our wedding reception in May so stay tuned.
(5)
Richard H.
Celebrating 2 birthdays this evening. Read good reviews. Nothing prepared us for what an amazing experience we had.
(5)
Wil G.
Delicious! We did take out because it was packed and everyone was extremely happy with the food.
(5)
Ben D.
Homey comfort food. Nothing really struck out as awesome to me. For what i paid, i wish the portions sizes were bigger. When I think of homey comfort food I think of larger portions. Parking can be a pain.
(3)
Mike R.
We've been to Brasa a number of times for dinner, and I've recently started going for lunch as well. The cost can add up pretty quickly if you're really hungry, but the food is consistently great. We have tried and love virtually all the meats. My favorites are the pulled chicken, pulled pork, and catfish - in that order. I also love the sides. The black beans with cornbread are great (and beans are filling and healthy). My personal favorite is the spinach, though my wife prefers the collards. Hard to go wrong though. My most recent discovery is the Pork & Over Easy Egg bowl. I could eat it for lunch... every day. Can't wait to go back! Update 8/20: Writing this review made me crave the Pork & Over Easy Egg bowl so much, we went there for dinner. The food was as good as ever, but the service staff seemed really overwhelmed and they didn't quite have it together. We waited 15-20 minutes to be seated while there were several open tables and a full staff. One server would go pick up the water pitcher, fill up a single table, then walk by two other tables needing water... then another would do the same for a different table... repeat. At the end of our meal, I had to go find the server in order to pay. For a Tuesday night that wasn't that busy, they really didn't have it together very well.
(4)
Brittany A.
Love this place. Such great food.. Great for sharing small plates. The food is fun southern dishes. You must get the sweet cornbread as one of the dishes! You won't regret it. Has a cozy atmosphere, tables are a tiny bit cramped, but overall good vibe. It's a great place of you are in the mood for something different and fun.
(5)
Barath K.
Ate Rotisserie Chicken 8 Pc/whole with my family!.. Loved it.
(4)
Moody S.
PROS: The food is simply incredible in terms of quality and price. Great place for lunch and dinner. The quality of their chicken is exceptional. You can definitely tell that it's indeed organic and naturally raised chicken. Best of all its healthy, light you'll find plenty of options. CONS: Seating is limited and somewhat inconsistent with the sauces they offer on the sides. They have an amazing sauce that works with everything but I don't always get it with my meals. PARKING: Parking is a bit of a challenge given the size of the lot and availability of street parking. All-in-all, If you're not in the mood for a sit down restaurant and you're looking for something that is good quality, healthy, relaxed and fast, give Brasa a shot and you'll not regret it! Trust me.
(5)
Carly S.
This place is so awesome! The food is fabulous, one of my favorite restaurants in Northeast. I highly recommend the slow roasted pork sandwich, it is melt in your mouth delicious. Sometimes the wait can be a little long but it is well worth it. I take all of my out of town friends here when they come to visit.
(5)
Jenni B.
Open air and amazing, affordable food puts Brasa way way at the top of my list. It's small, but wait it out for a table, it is worth it and then some. My strategy when coming here is to try as many things as possible, so my boyfriend and I will split two small entrees and have 3 or 4 sides (with days of wonderful leftovers). If I could reasonably fit more sides and entrees on the table, I would do it. I go into a happy eating frenzy when I'm here. Perhaps it's because I've never really has comfort food before and I'm making up for some serious lost time. The things I love here tremendously: - Curry Chicken Bowl: It's hearty with rice but has a light, uplifting curry flavor. The accompanying carrots and pineapple make this one so filling but not weighty (which is good because there's too much to gobble down, you simply can't stop at dish one) - Green Chili Bowl: This is probably the right amount of spice for the typical Minnesotan, but for me it's not a lot of heat. It does really impress me, however, with how it brings forth a bright green chili flavor. It's served with corn tortillas that aren't overly grainy, I don't typically like the texture but these ones were very mild in that department. - Sweet and Spicy BBQ Beef: I prefer the entree to the sandwich because it is just so darn tender. This is melt in your mouth beef like you can only get after a long, slow cook. - Crispy Yuca: This starchy, crunchy fried treat will free you from the desire for French fries indefinitely. The citrusy garlic sauce is cool and gives this side so much flavor. Every entree needs a side of yuca, there's no two ways around it. - Cheddar Grits: These are grainy, cheesy and very hearty. Heavy as they are, a small side will do, and unless you are immensely starving you probably won't need beans or rice with this tasty side. - Collard greens: A soft and tasty accompaniment that blends so well with any of our entrees when you get a bite with both. I was pleasantly surprised at my first taste of greens and encourage everyone to give it a go. - Corn Bread: Their corn bread is so sweet, everyone needs at least one. They come out about the size of a cupcake and they will make you feel warm inside they hit the spot so good. - Berry Shortcake: Light, crisp, and dusted with sugar for the perfect pair with fresh summer berries. Another awesome shout-out for brasa is that almost everything on the menu is gluten free, just as it is.
(5)
Sue S.
I love the location, he patio and the wait staff. The meat selections are bland and unappealing. I would love it if they would add ribs to the menu...especially beef - Korean barbecue. Something with more flavor. The salads are wonderful as is the spicy masa corn cake.
(4)
BenjamÃn S.
Wow. Brasa has the most innovative and well-executed take on a simple barbecue sandwich that I've encountered anywhere. It's not typical, but it is fantastic. The slow roasted pork sandwich with ginger mayo and cilantro was incredible; the flavors, while not traditional, were perfectly complementary. Even ignoring the final product, the ingredients themselves were savory; the pulled pork was as about as good as it gets, and the bread it was served on was fresh and flavorful. I look forward to having a longer sit-down meal here one day!
(5)
Sarah U.
love this place! everything is good, even the different sides. It's basically the size of a garage, so not good for groups. But the food is good and rich
(4)
Brett N.
Why 5 stars? Because... well, I'll explain. --- --- --- This was definitely my favorite meal in Minneapolis, and lands itself as my 600th review. I thought it would be easiest to just go through each item and rate it 1-5 Yelp stars: MEAT Rotisserie Chicken - 5 Pulled Chicken - 5 Beef - 3 Pork - 1 The review highlights led me astray here, citing the pork as the most mentioned item on the menu. It was catastrophically bad. I don't give 1-stars out very often, but the pork fully deserved it. That being said... the chicken was phenomenal. Chicken is usually the last protein I go for, but on a return visit, it would definitely be my choice. SIDES Grits - 4 Creamed Spinach - 4 Yuca - 5 Yams - 4 I liked all of them, but really loved the yuca. BREAD Cornbread - 5 Masa - 5 Both were top notch. DESSERT Peach Shortcake - 5 Just a dream of a dish. Total euphoria. I debated a lot about whether this was a 4-star or 5-star experience. What led to my decision was that I tried a ton of items. Of course I didn't love them all... that would be pretty tough to pull off. Now that I've visited once, however, I would know exactly what to order a second time around... and that would be nothing but items I rated 5-stars. So skip the beef and pork. Go crazy with chicken... even if you're not typically a chicken-eater. Trust me, I love red meat, but white's what they do best here. And don't just save room for dessert... it's a requirement.
(5)
Rich T.
Happy to add another positive review to this spot. Great eats! The beef and rotisserie chicken are their best entrees. The sweet potato and andouille sausage is excellent as well as the yuca fries. Killer sauce. Great spot but always a little crowded
(5)
Jeannie V.
I just love this place. The portions are perfect, they have a great variety and everything is SO GOOD. Never had a bad dish. My favorites are everything - creamed spinach, pork, chicken, rice and beans, yams, mac and cheese, cornbread, catfish. I've made it my mission to reproduce their entire menu in my own kitchen, but as it takes me 3 days to make 9 of their dishes (I've done it, seriously. Twice, in fact), I usually just go to the restaurant.
(5)
Qaiser B.
What a nice place to go and eat. No frills and pretenses and yet very very posh place to eat. The food is really good and the service even better. The main Meat section can be made even more delicious by the nice side selections that they offer. There is also a separate vegetarian menu if you need one.
(5)
Ash M.
Brasa catered a wedding I went to this past weekend....and it was AMAZEBALLS. I love love love that so much of the food here is gluten free :) The pulled BBQ beef was delicious/ juicy/ tender/ perfection. The "green sauce" is orgasmic (creamy yet refreshing), the creamed spinach was lip-smacking good, the mini corn muffins were light and fluffy, chips & guac & salsa was incredibly fresh, rice had just the right amount of seasoning, and any restaurant that serves fried plantains deserves 5 stars :) I'm drooling just thinking about the food again..... This restaurant almost makes me want to move to Minneapolis :P
(5)
Melissa S.
I grew up in North Carolina and now living in Minneapolis, I greatly miss my Southern food. For authenticity, I was not impressed. The way the grits were prepared I have never seen before and it was inedible. The "sweet" tea - Nope! You have to add a mountain of sugar for it to be Southern sweet tea. The rest of the meal (rotisserie chicken, plantains, cornbread) were fine but not Southern. I would go back for the chicken as it was flavorful and moist, but not when I'm wanting Southern food. I liked the atmosphere at this Minneapolis location; trendy, bright, but could get loud on a popular night.
(2)
Dawn G.
Perfectly seasoned and tender pulled pork with magically delicious rice, a soft-cooked egg, and spinach. So incredibly good! You seriously have to taste this. The only complaint about the dish is that the spinach was so overcooked that it was pretty much grey. I kinda wish they had added it at the end instead of cooking it that long. However, it did not detract from the spectacular foodgasm. Generous portions meant I was able to make two meals out of it! I also stuffed myself full of the incredibly awesome fried plantains during my dining experience. Alone they're so yum but the flavor is enhanced by the delicious (cilantro?) aioli that came with it. My friends had the black eyed peas (wow!), the corn bread (um, yeah!), the chicken, and the cole slaw. All were very tasty and all worthy of another visit very soon. Perhaps on the outdoor patio next time. There were two open tables outside but we weren't allowed to sit there for some reason. It was one of the few nice days so that was disappointing. But the interior was cozy and smelled like the rotisserie, which was like a meat-lover's perfume. Brasa is a true gem in this neighborhood. They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait a little while. Don't worry, it's well worth it!
(4)
Lisa P.
As anyone can see, Yelpers love Brasa and I don't disagree. Stopped in on a Saturday night around 6:30pm and the wait was an hour for 4 people, but we were able to order drinks while we waited. Unfortunately the restaurant doesn't take cell numbers, so you have to stay in the restaurant in a relatively small space to avoid missing your name being called. Everyone at my table ordered their own protein, and then we shared a bunch of different sides. My favorites were the yuca (other Yelpers were right - the green sauce is delicious!) and guacamole. The spinach was also good. I thought my rotisserie chicken was very good - moist and flavorful - and I would order it again. It also came with a side of that yummy green sauce. Prices were mediocre, but worth it in my opinion.
(4)
Kalinn R.
Just hearing the name makes my mouth water! Brasa was one of the first restaurants I tried out when I first moved to the twin cities area less than a year ago, and I will never forget it. I live just a few blocks down, and I have to stop myself from eating here everyday. You can't go wrong with anything you order here! I for one can never leave without having a glass (carafe) ;) of sangria, and a side of yucca! I've tried all of the delicious meats, and I can honesty say I've never been disappointed. You will most likely encounter a wait to sit down and eat, but just grab a quick drink at the bar because I promise it will be worth it.
(5)
Mark S.
Brasa is by far my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities area! I have been here many times on dates, with groups of friends, and I always ask my parents take me here on my birthday. It's especially great to sit outside on a warm summer day in their patio area. Now to the best part: the food! My favorite items on the menu (in no particular order) are: 1. Fried Yucca - I'll admit, I'm still not sure what exactly Yucca is, but it's delicious and starchy (almost like a potato) and they serve it with a green garlic sauce 2. Cornbread - incredibly rich; I usually share one piece with someone that I'm with 3. Slow roasted pork 4. Pulled chicken - served in a pepper gravy sauce While I've only listed my favorite four items above, I've never been dissatisfied with anything that I've tried here. My favorite thing to do in a group is to order many different dishes and share them family style. I've found it best to order one (meat) entree and 2 small side dishes per person (which is the amount they recommend), which puts me the right amount of "full" after a meal. If you are reading this and wondering if you should try Brasa, do it! You won't have any regrets.
(5)
Zachary C.
HOLY GOODNESS! Love the food. I crave it! Small place, so be prepared to wait, but it's worth it.
(5)
Amy J.
I love the vibe and the openness of the restaurant. Brassa serves really good family style dishes. I found every dish I ordered to be on point! The food was timely despite being busy and the service was good.
(5)
Laura H.
They have nightly specials that are really affordable ($7-10) and everything is to die for! For some reason I'm really into sauces....and they have a green sauce with the yuka that is some sort of heaven. Cilantro, creamy ranch, little kick -- its everything. Favorite dishes: (in order of must-haves every time I go) - Yuka fries w/ extra green sauce ! (very filling, small order will do for two!) - Braised Short Ribs FOR LIFE - Fried Catfish (with great toppings and not greasy at all!) - Rotisserie Chicken - Mac & cheese (when you are feeling naughty) One of my favorite go-tos when I lived on Grand Ave in St.Paul. My girlfriends and I went there almost weekly. The atmosphere is great for dinner after work, I feel like I can relax there. You order by the pound, like family-style sharing. But they also have plates if you are worried about splitting the bill. The owners are around often and very passionate about their food. You feel good supporting this business, is what I'm trying to say in all my blabbing about awesomesauce Brasa.
(5)
Joe B.
Brasa was simply amazing! We started out with some chips and guacamole and oh my, were the chips good! They were crunchy and tasty and perfectly complemented the guac. Next we moved on and had the chicken with gravy, pork, yucca fries(favorite), plantains, rice and beans, and all were amazing. We also had the chocolate bundt cake which was oozing with fresh chocolate and the butterscotch pudding was fantastic. Prices were really reasonable for the food quality too! A must stop in Minneapolis and we don't know why we waited so long to try it!
(4)
Mark G.
5 stars hands down, this place makes everything delicious. We tried almost all the dishes and they were all spot on, the flavor is awesome in every bite. Please if you do go, try several items to get the full Brasa experience Their items will win you over and you may want more. Best to share everything, sharing is caring. Very tight quarters inside, they do have outside seating as well. Most times there is a wait, but it is worth it. This is my official go to spot when I visit the Twin cities. One of the best around.
(5)
Nnenna F.
Chicken was the juiciest I've ever had, sides are well prepared,friendly service. The andouille and sweet potatoes could have been a little sweeter, collard greens were excellent. Finished our meal with a tasty cup of coffee and surprisingly complex chocolate pudding.
(4)
Sean G.
This place is a solid 4 stars. Original, fresh mix-and-match lunches bring me back whenever I'm in the area. The wait can be a pain, especially since there's almost no room to wait in. It's awkward to stand right next to a table of people eating food. The seating is cramped and laid out a little weird, as well. Overall, though, I'm sure I'll keep going back. I'm thinking about those yuca "fries" right now....
(4)
Conor O.
Brasa is a great restaurant. People love it. For me, it's more of a safe bet. The food is consistent, relatively straight-forward, and pretty cheap. In this sense, it's perfect for lazy nights when you're debating whether or not to go to Chipotle, or if you're taking a parent out, (especially if that parent is of the type that thinks that ketchup is, "too spicy.") The service is excellent and I hear the owner treats his staff well. A super tall guy named Ryan went above and beyond for our table.
(4)
Laura B.
I love Brasa! Such a fantastic, affordable lunch spot. Even though the dining room is small, there's rarely a long wait, their staff are efficient and have always been friendly in my experience. The best thing about Brasa, by far, is the food. I haven't had anything that's not delicious here, meat, sides and sangria included !! Always a lunch spot I take out of town guests and it hasn't failed me yet.
(4)
Todd M.
Introduced to Brasa by two very devoted regulars (Theresa & Corbett), I've been back, bringing 1st-timers a few more times myself. Both indoors/winter and outdoors/summer. Terrific food, good service and reasonable prices. So much flavor in simple, fresh tasting food. Cheers !
(4)
Sabra B.
Brasa's menu is awesome... Anywhere that serves collard greens has my vote- I tried making them once-they were terrible. So I happily let the folks at Brasa make them for me. I've had the chicken and the braised beef-both were very tasty and not overcooked. Brasa is great for a group that wants to try a little of everything. They do small and large portions of their sides so everyone can get a taste. I highly recommend the grits and the plantain (both the sweet and plain variety). They're always a great way to start your meal!
(4)
Nichole K.
Brasa. Brasa, Brasa, Brasa. Where have you been all of my life? I work a mere 3 blocks away and it took me this long to finally bask in your glory. We arrived shortly after 5pm on a Monday and while we did snag the last parking spot in their small lot we got a table in a snap right next to the closed garage door with the sun leaking in; it is heavenly having the sun bathe your neck on such a brisk pre-fall afternoon. Though I didn't catch our server's name he was super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and didn't awkwardly flinch when I told him I needed a sangria as soon as possible. Prior to coming I had been yelping this place to get a good feel for what I wanted to order and with the ala cart family style menu I knew I needed a game plan so I wasn't totally clueless when I got there (I am one of those people that creates an itinerary for just about EVERYTHING, lol, it drives my bf nuts)...after slyly convincing my boyfriend that he wanted to share everything that I had on my list, we ordered: (s) Pulled Chicken (s) Pulled Pork w/lime (drizzle some hot pepper vinegar on this, you won't regret it) (s) Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapeno (s) Coleslaw (s) Fried Sweet Plantains w/ aioli (2) Pieces of Cornbread (1) Spicy corn masa cake Holy lord baby jesus. Everything was incredible. I would give each item at least an A with the exception of the Coleslaw which I will give a B; It was good and refreshing but I would have preferred a home-style slaw; just my opinion. It's really hard to choose a favorite because it was all mouth wateringly good but I found myself NEEDING to finish every little crumb of the spicy corn masa cake and the fried plantains. (I would recommend getting the plantains as your dessert as they are sweet and hit the spot perfectly.) The fried plantains also come with the brilliant little ramekin of Cilanto Ginger Aioli that was to die for; it sounds weird to dip something sweet and creamy like a plantain in there but listen to me now: DO IT. I want to drink this stuff by the jug. I should also note that my boyfriend who is a transplant here from Alabama has stated that it is the most authentic tasting Southern food he has encountered thus far; which is saying a lot. I know this was a wordy review but trust me when I say that you need to run, not walk, to Brasa RIGHT NOW. (Well, as long as they are open) :) I have homemade meatloaf in the fridge that is getting jealous right now because I want to put it aside for the second night in a row just to indulge in Brasa once more.
(5)
Twincities G.
We do more pick up out of here than eating in, so I can only speak to the food, not the service. But the food is amazing. I tend to rotate between the chicken, beef and pork sandwiches, rice and chips and guacamole. It's pure, simple, comfort food at it's best.
(5)
Monica L.
I love this place! First timers go during lunch time, where you can get a protein with a side so you can try different things here. I always get the pulled chicken, plantains, and yucca fries. Beware though there is limited seating inside and they don't take reservations.
(5)
John M.
Brasa is probably the closest you're going to get to real Cajun food in Minneapolis. Every item on the menu is very delicious and I love sitting on their patio outside in the summertime. It's the perfect summer place.
(5)
Katie M.
Why hello, favorite restaurant in Minneapolis/St. Paul. You made my transition away from 8 years as a vegetarian an easy one. My meat-loving friends took me here to re-wet my carnivorous palate and I've never looked back. All dishes on the menu are gluten-free, save the sliced bread, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, and sandwich rolls. Foods are locally and sustainably sourced. Their dishes feature cage free and non-confinement produced eggs and meat that is 100% naturally raised without hormones or antibiotics. Everything about Brasa's food screams superb homestyle cooking, including the family style portions. You will not be disappointed in any of the meats, I have nothing but praises to sing about all of the selections. Let me take a special moment to call out the Crispy Yuca with Citrus & Garlic. I may not be able to correctly pronounce this root vegetable, but I do know that I would bathe in the accompanying aioli. Think "jo-jos" but better. Order this or forever live in regret. Other personal favorites include: Roasted Yams & Andouille Homemade Chips & Guacamole (generous serving of guac) Collard Greens with Smoked Chicken With locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul, you have few reasons to not make your way over to this restaurant. St. Paul's location is slightly larger and features happy hour specials, and both restaurants have patios and garage doors that open (weather permitting). I will say that seats fill up fast and they do not take reservations. Be prepared for a wait if it is a weekend evening. Whatever you're doing Brasa, please don't stop. Ever.
(5)
n. c.
Eh. I was underwhelmed. I got the pork which was bland. I drenched it in their spicy vinegar which made it ok. I also got collard greens. Not bad, not great either though. I've had much better. And the grits were bland and had hard bits in it (like the skin in popcorn). I'm not a grits connoisseur but I'm pretty sure that's not normal. Or if it is, I don't like it that way. Anyway, ok meal, overpriced, but very cute ambience. I'd come back just to have a few beers and hang out, but not for the food.
(2)
Jennifer K.
This is good southern cooking. They have great chicken that isn't dry at all and very flavorful. My big turnoff though is that the tables are very close together so it feels like you are sitting on top of one another. It is also often a long wait to actaully get a table.
(3)
William C.
I've been to Brasa quite a few times, but I'm finally writing a review!!! When it comes to roasted meats in the Twin Cities, there is little to no competition when compared to Brasa. It's located in a former automotive shop and the garage doors open during the summer months. I made a recent (and random) stop, because I had a craving for rotisserie chicken. The menu is quite simple. Select your choice of meat(s), sides and NEVER forget the honey glazed corn bread, NEVER. We ordered half a chicken (4 pieces), cheesy grits, yellow rice with beans and corn bread. As always the chicken was juicy, filled with flavor and AMAZING. Amazing is the only word needed for their legendary rotisserie chicken. The grits are creamy, cheesy, yet still has great texture. Don't forget the corn bread!!! Great food, wonderful service and amazing staff. *make a reservation, arrive early and prepare to parallel park on the street*
(5)
Martha H.
Love it, especially all the sides.
(5)
Tino K.
I love everything about this place - the atmosphere, the decor, the service, and especially the food. I love how versatile the portion sizes are (small, medium, large); it makes it a great place to go solo, on a date or with a group of your besties. I've tried most of the meats and loved them all, so savory and juicy. The pulled chicken is succulent, and the pepper gravy it comes smothered in is amazing. The pulled pork is tender and delicious; try it with a few dashes of Brasa's vinegar concoction. And the smoked beef has a great, smoky, subtle BBQ flavor. You really can't go wrong with any of the meats. I loved the cheesy grits and collard greens. I had no clue what a spicy masa corn cake was, but what I do know is that I want to eat more of them. Trust me, there's a reason this place has over 300 Yelp reviews. If you haven't eaten here yet, go today. Or, better yet, right after reading this review.
(5)
Jonathan H.
Yes a million times! Yes!!!!
(5)
Paul C.
I love Brasa! This place is a great spot for a casual meal with friends. Simple decor (it's an old service station, and you can tell), excellent meats (especially the pulled pork) to build your dinner around, but the sides steal the show. Must have's include the Cornbread & Beans, Roasted Yams & Andouille, and the Fried Plantains. The same ownership as Restaurant Alma - how can you go wrong.
(5)
Jessica K.
I feel like I was at a completely different place than what all the other reviews are saying.. I went here with my dad for a lunch. The parking lot is small so we had to find street parking which is a little daunting, but that is northeast for you so I won't hold that against them to much. We each ordered the lunch special which comes with a meat, bread and a side. I ordered the pulled chicken for my meat, I found it good but seemed like the gravy from biscuits and gravy with that heavy pepper flavor. It was good, but nothing outstanding. My dad ordered the pork which was a little dry. I am not sure if the lunch meats are leftover from dinners the night before and that is why they are a little sub par compared to what the reviews are saying? All the problems with the meat seem to be around the lunch hour. For the side we both ordered the Romaine and Mozzarella Salad. I found this to be very refreshing and delicious! For the bread, my dad ordered the cornbread and I ordered the spicy masa. The winner was definitely the Masa! It was a really nice balance! Not too heavy and not to light! For beverages we both had waters, I ordered the iced coffee and I loved that it was free refills! My dad ordered iced tea and to his displeasure, it was peach...it didn't call it out on any menus and that was bit of a fail. I think i need to make one more stop at this place and give it a shot and I would definitely do so. I feel like my experience just didn't live up to the reviews.
(3)
Andrea B.
Love BRASA! Friendly staff ;) food = delicious. Tried the roasted chicken, collard greens with chicken, coleslaw, yams and andouille, and pulled pork sandwich! A lot of my friends loved the yuca fries too! All in all this place was a big hit and fairly priced. If you're coming for dinner at a popular time, allow a few extra minutes for street parking.
(5)
Scott H.
Brasa is one of those places that focuses on what is important: Food. They simply just do food right. I'm not sure if it's due to their premium ingredients, or just the care that they take in their dishes. It's probably both! This place specializes in their meat dishes. I absolutely love their pulled pork! It's garlic-y, but not overpowering and has hints of citrus. It's also very tender and just falls apart. Their sides are also fantastic. They take just as much time and care in their sides as they do with their hallmark meats. My personal favorite is their Yuca that's served with this creamy sauce made of 100% delicious. The only downside about this place is that it can be a little spendy for how much you get. However, it's on par and similar to something like a Tapas or Small Plate restaurant. So while this is not a place that you'd go to every day for lunch, it is certainly worth the occasional indulgence.
(4)
Jacqueline S.
Every item we ordered was delicious, and well worth a 45 minute wait for a table. Service was good, and we took home some housemade hot pepper vinegar (for just $2.50!). The spicy masa cake was great, and the beef and grits stood out as well. The yams and andouille were good but I wish it came with more andouille. The collard greens were nice and that yuca fries come with a tasty sauce.
(5)
Douglas W.
I can't wait to return so I can try some more sides! This is some of the best rotisserie chicken I have had. I loved the rub, the chicken was moist and the skin was wonderful. I had the yams with andouille and greens for sides and added a piece of their terrific cornbread. It was all perfection. The place was rocking busy on a Tuesday night and the air wasn't working. They were on a wait for the patio and it was over 90 outside. I didn't mind, the ceiling fans were cranking and the place is so much fun I couldn't have cared less. It's really fairly priced although I would get more than the 2 pc chicken next time as the quarter dark might not be enough food for the heartier diners out there. This place is a must cheap eat in the Minneapolis area and you absolutely should check it out.
(5)
Kimberly C.
As many times as I've been here I just realized that the green sauce they give on the side when you order chicken, that sauce that Ive always thrown out. . .it's actually really good on the rice with red beans. Also, forget what I wrote in 2011 review about the red beans and rice needing more salt. It was delicious this time around :-)
(5)
Kate M.
Worth the wait! Always a line every time we go, great food with perfect portions, relaxed atmosphere.
(5)
Ryan W.
After trying to go for German food and finding it closed on a Monday, we grabbed the next best thing we could find, hit the GPS and were off! After a short wait for a table we were seated outside to enjoy the beautiful night paired with outstanding fare! The guide to our food adventure quickly came to help us begin our quest to amazing tastes! Since it was our first time here, we asked for a few pointers and jumped right in. We ordered a medley of amazing tastes that all complimented one another. The meats were all cooked to perfection and the sauces they came with seems like they were created before the world was! Yep that good. We ordered 6 side small side dishes so that we could get a good taste of each. The yellow rice and beans were on par with Manna from heaven! The creamed spinach and jalapeño made my whole mouth smile and the corn bread was so moist and delicious I couldn't help but want more. I seem to continue to have a bad habit of needing to finish everything that is ordered, I have got to stop doing that! But in this instance, I couldn't help myself! I just had to eat until there was no more! I will be back, and if you are wondering if you should eat here too, you should!
(5)
Tyler C.
Brasa is one of those restaurants that distinguish themselves on locally sourced ingredients. The food is amongst the best the in the neighborhood, but parking can be difficult to find, the restaurant is kinda small with smallish tables, and it's not especially climate controlled. It's a good place to go when the weather is nice, but many folks share the same idea and I've intended to visit it more than once only to leave because of the wait or I couldn't find a good enough parking spot. The portions are on the low side, and the prices are relatively high. It's not an excellent value, but it is tasty so one can't be that upset. I'd visit it more if it were a more pleasant experience, but it's unlikely to change and it seems to be working for them.
(4)
Leslie M.
I'm adding my two cents to the long list of reviews in order to rave about the collard greens and black eyed peas! I can't be the only one who has a major craving for these delicious side dishes. Brasa opened my eyes to the deliciousness of collard greens. They are just too good. The pulled pork and chicken have always been exceptional. I love that I can bring meat eater and vegetarian guests alike and they will find something they love. When a friend came to visit from north Florida, he enjoyed the entire meal and their take on grits. Absolute authenticity - maybe not, but it tastes good. It can add up to a pricey bill but since everything is ala carte, you have control over your tab.
(4)
Michelle F.
Absolutely delicious, shockingly cost effective (think 4 people happily stuffed with deliciousness for around $60), and delightfully easy to share and try new things. We went on a slightly chilly evening and it was completely worth staying in coats and hats to sit out on the patio. Takeout is a surefire win too.
(5)
Cacey D.
I have to admit-- I have been freeloading on Yelp for years now. I rely on ratings and reviews to sift through my culinary options, but I haven't contributed. I decided it's about time I pitch in. Go to Brasa for brunch. They'll take care of you. First of all, the coffee here is great (& I think fairtrade). They have a waffle with bacon in it; if that's not comfort food, I don't know what is. Their sweet potatoes with sausage are excellent & every bite I've stolen from my husband's plate has been amazing. Interesting & intense savory flavor combinations... you really can't go wrong here. Great open air space in the summer and warmer months! It's a pretty small dining area, so the extra patio seating helps out with the wait time. Their parking lot is really small, so plan on street parking. I love trying out restaurants, so it takes a special kind of place to keep me coming back. Brasa is one of those places. I order something different every time I go, but I've never been disappointed. They don't open until 11am, so make sure you plan around that.
(5)
Neal C.
Came in with high hopes, and they were exceeded by a long ways. We sampled basically everything on the menu except the collards and the creamed chicken-- and loved everything outside the pulled pork (which lacked flavor). The pulled beef was outstanding. The best beef I've had. The rotisserie chicken was cooked perfectly-- crispy skin, tender tasty meat. For the sides, of course the plantains were excellent; slightly crisp on the outside with a very moist interior. The creamed spinach was great-- they did not just dump tons of butter and cream, instead they made it with balance. Try the cornbread or the masa as well, it really pairs well if you like to put some beef or chicken on it and add flavor combinations. Yucca fries were a slight letdown... somewhat bland but still crispy. The candied yams were great though... not too sugary but rather a blend of sweet/savory (which, IMO is what you want). Great vibe, service, and reasonable prices-- go here for sure (though be prepared to wait).
(5)
Jesselyn T.
Sat outside and got: - Creamed spinach with jalapeno: really good. Not a smack in your mouth spicy but enough for a tickle in the back of your throat after taste. - Slow roasted pork: Also amazing. - Rotisserie chicken: It was ok. Good but not like knock out of the park awesome like the pork and the spinach. - The corn bread is good and sweet. I will come back and get the fried plantains and dessert not enough stomach for everything! Dang.
(5)
Ashleigh A.
Really there's not much to say about Brasa except, GO THERE! The menu is a la carte and flexible for individual meals or group meals depending on how you like to eat. You can keep it light or chow down if you're starving. Parking can be a bit frustrating, but I have always found a free place on the street (no meters.) No matter what you order, you can't go wrong. I recommend it especially for groups that have a price point difference between the people. You can eat here for a relatively low cost, but I know from experience, you can rack up that bill if your taste buds can't say no. Can't eat everything you order? No worries! They make GREAT leftovers.
(5)
Amy T.
Great outdoor seating and patio. Love the yuca fries and the flavor on the rotisserie chicken is great! The chicken is tender, but not as tender as Cub foods/Sam Club's rotisserie chicken, not sure what that means...but, either way, it's pretty solid. The yuca fries alone will have me back. Yummy yuca fries in my tummy! Side note: My fiance is on the paleo diet and there were some good food options for him here.
(4)
Jessica Z.
LOVE this place! It's our "go-to" for a quick, inexpensive, but really delicious meal!
(5)
Drew P.
Excellent Cuban/Caribbean food. The atmosphere is nice and modern, and everyone we spoke to was helpful and friendly. Gluten Free was easy, lots of menu options and the staff was knowledgeable. The roasted pork and pulled chicken were very good. Really everything we tried was great. Their homemade pineapple ginger soda was great. They're spicy vinegar is a nice addition to the collard greens and roasted pork.
(5)
Kelli F.
Great food and great service. Really glad we followed others suggestions and had dinner. We are a family of four and we tried a lot of the options. Rotisserie chicken was great. Grits, creamed spinach, and plantains were also really good. Definitely will come again!!
(4)
Ellie S.
I'm a FAN of this place. I never thought I'd be so happy to eat pulled meat just sitting on my plate, but the seasonings they use are perfect and it is so juicy and prime. Highly recommend to go to with friends on a casual weekend day.
(5)
Terry Scott N.
Brasa Rotisserie is simply unique. I have been twice, and twice I have been impressed with my local fare. If you haven't been yet, you deserve to try Brasa at least once before you die. For date night my significant other and I decided to walk down the street to Brasa. She had never been before, and I had gone once in the summer. The autumn experience was a bit different, the adjunct was that we had to wait for a seat, and-in a good way, they have great beer and an outdoor patio where patrons can take in the fire, the night sky, and have conversation while they wait for seating inside. We just walked-in without reservations, so we had a bit of a wait, but the host was cordial and complimentary. After about 45 minutes we were taken inside (be weary, the seating can be tight, but it is worth claustrophobia for the food), and seated near the window with a view of the street. Promptly our server was assisting us with drink selections and menu specials. Brasa's menu is short and sweet. I personally feel there is no need for excessive menu selection when you do the things on your menu right. We ordered more beverages; I had another Victory, and Babe had a glass of wine. The beer selection (for Taps) is limited, but impressive. Our drinks came and we were ready to order. We ordered a medium pulled pork, a medium coleslaw, a small of the yucca, and Gritz in cheddar, with an order of cornbread. This selection of meal is sharable, which, to me, adds so much to the dining experience. It means one must actually eat with another, converse and work together. The pork was insane; tender, full of flavor, and portioned well. The coleslaw, one of my favorite things to eat in general, was incredible, and the yucca seemed interesting and well done. All of the items we ordered were gone in less than 10 minutes-we scraped the plate. The best part was our order was out within the same amount of time it took us to finish-impressive for a busy weekend evening. Everything we had was simple, not overdone with fancy added extras, and delicious. Like the K.I.S.S. technique: Keep It Simple, Stupid. They did this and capitalized. We will be back. Brasa is definitely worth a try if you enjoy new and different ways to enjoy classic Rotisserie. Well done!
(5)
Dunn Y.
Realizing Brasa has been reviewed a lot, I do love their food. Great casual spots in NE Mpls and Grand Ave. Good quality...natural, organic, local. So I do encourage everyone to at least try. One criticism...I never go to either location in the Summer. Too often they have the garage doors open in the dead heat and humidity, and it makes for a pretty uncomfortable eating experience (especially if you add the preponderance of flies buzzing around). But they seem to do well anyway, so I imagine they won't change. Fall, Winter, Spring...four stars. Summer...one star.
(4)
Breanne K.
3 years later I can finally remove this bookmark. I wasn't blown away like I expected to be, but I did enjoy some good food. I got the slow roasted pork sandwich with a side of corn bread with honey glaze. The pork was spectacular, but what really drew me to that sandwich was the ginger mayo and pickled vegetables. Upon tasting, not as flavorful as I expected. The ginger was practically non-existent and the vegetables didn't add the tang that I was looking for. The corn bread was delicious though. Honey glaze on corn bread is necessary. Minnesota should make it a law that corn bread be smothered in honey glaze... . Brasa is fairly small, so I wish I'd made an effort to come in the summer to enjoy their beautiful patio. It always looks so packed there though.
(3)
Trevor W.
A favorite spot for dates, nice lunch or even to go! A fast casual restaurant with amazing southern/latin food. If weather is permitting, I recommend sitting at a table on the patio or by the walkway. The food is very good and a huge value. You pretty much can't go wrong with anything on the menu which is the sign of a great place. No surprise the owners of this place also own restaurant Alma. I swear by the pulled chicken because the light cream and & pepper gravy is spectacular, crispy yuca with citrus & garlic hearkens to steak fries with a twist, cream spinach with jalapeno (I don't even like spinach normally), and best yet, they always seem to have a special with black eyed which are delicious. As if it couldn't get better, the serving sizes can be small, medium and large plus they serve Mexican coke!
(5)
Daniel C.
I absolutely love this place and have never left disappointed. Very laid back and a great spot to go when the weather is nice and all the doors are open. I highly recommend the pork with black beans, jalapeño spinach and corn bread. Order it family style and then go to town.
(4)
Stef H.
A co-worker recommended take-out from Brasa one particularly stressful day at work. I was skeptical as this genre of food really isn't really my favorite. But, being a team player, I went along. Lesson of the Day: Trust your friends and expand your horizons. The food is awesome! If the take-out boxes weren't so awkwardly shaped, I would have licked them clean. I ordered the beef, which is cooked to tenderness with enough sauce to have a bit of spice and flavor. The candied yams are sweet but not overly so, and the cornbread is moist and never gritty. I got adventurous and tried fried plantains and now I crave them. Butterscotch pudding, yes! We've also dined in. That can be a little tough. You usually have to park a couple blocks away (oh well) and there is usually a half-hour wait during dinner service. The restaurant itself is small so it can get quite noisy, so the patio is preferable. The service, however, is great. If your server isn't available to bring you your food/drink, someone else is bringing it. Last time we went, our waiter visited us at least six times, and two other people came by. We like Brasa so much we bring out-of-town visitors and are never disappointed.
(5)
Mary L.
Hands down one of my favorite restaurants. I love that you can share everything and choose your sides. You're able to try so many different menu items without spending a ton. My personal favorites are the pulled chicken, cheesy grits and yucca fries. Yummm.
(5)
Janeice D.
I went here the other day with the boyf and got the lunch special - pulled pork sandwich and the creamed spinach. I died, they were so beautiful and delicious. Seriously, I would love to jump into a pool of the creamed spinach and eat my way out. I will definitely be swinging in again (and soon) and probably get...the same thing. No regrets. Also that man on Man VS Food says that out of all America...his top five restaurants include Brasa and recommended that pulled pork and creamed spinach. Thanks, Bro. I owe you one.
(5)
Kristin H.
If you've lived in the Twin Cities within the past five years you have probably heard of Brasa Rotisserie. Alexander Roberts, also known for his work at Restaurant Alma and oh yeah, his JAMES BEARD AWARD(!), opened Brasa in 2007 and it has been wooing patrons every since. Brasa is a home-style restaurant that tastes ten times better than anything you're used to at home. It's been a Minneapolites favorite for years, so a blog post is long overdue. A few tips for first-time Brasa diners: 1. Short on time? Both the St. Paul and Minneapolis locations offer takeout. Call in your order and pick it up (usually) about 20 minutes later. But be prepared, if the restaurant it busy, it might take a a few minutes to work your way up in line; the takeout pickup line and the beer/wine line are one-in-the-same. 2. Do you have a special event coming up? Brasa offers catering and it's just as good as in the restaurant. A friend had Brasa cater her wedding. They were easy to work with as she developed the menu, reliable the day of, and offered an affordable menu that the guests devoured! 3. Everything tastes better with the Signature Hot Pepper Vinegar. You'll see a bottle on each table when you dine in. I like it best on the yuca, but it really is good on everything. If you love it as much as we do, you can buy a bottle to enjoy at home, too! Atmosphere An industrial space with a unique southern charm. Service The knowledgable staff have always provided exceptional service, even when the restaurant is packed. They're happy to make suggestions and answer questions without passing judgement. Presentation Traditional, simple presentation in single or sharable proportions. Taste Brasa continually knocks my socks off. Classic dishes with killer flavor. So good, I've never left with a doggy bag! Value for Dollars Brasa doesn't offer any happy hours or date night specials, but the prices are reasonable for eating out. My husband and I usually get one beer each, two servings of meat, and 2-3 sides for around $30-$35. And let me tell you, that $30 will leave you more satisfied than ever before.
(5)
Jacky W.
Cornbread. BBQ. Plantains (which I usually abhor, but when done by Brasa, they are the fruit of the gods). You will thank me over and over again if you go to Brasa. It is impossible to have anything that is less than perfection here. I came here for dinner and have been salivating ever since.
(5)
Jenny H.
I LOVEEEE this place....love love!!!! Their pulled pork sandwich is SO delectable and their rice and beans are always good! I love their sides too, their yucca with sauce and their plantains are so good!!! Cornbread is really good, with real pieces of corn in it, that's how I like it!!! :)
(5)
Melissa H.
Every single thing we've ever ordered here has been awesome, you should definitely give it a try! I could eat here almost every night. The peppered chicken and cornbread is especially good- you won't regret coming here
(5)
Jessie W.
All the food here is delicious. I've never gotten a sandwich or an individual meal. I always get plates to share with whoever I'm dining with. If we're lucky we'll have leftovers. But it's so good we usually eat past the point of feeling full and straight on into miserably uncomfortable territory. I like their patio but it's so small inside that it fills up quickly and then you have to wait.
(4)
Kurt M.
First off, seating is limited and even more so when the outdoor patio isn't available. Wait times may exceed your tolerance on busy nights. Parking can be an issue. Tables are crammed together to the point where some crowd aversive Midwesterners may find their personal space uncomfortably violated. Plates of food can rapidly begin to push the limits of your tabletop real estate making for awkward juggling. The noise level can make conversation a challenge. OK, so why go here? The food! This is an extraordinary place. A BBQ joint that serves very high quality, locally sourced, organic meats. The pulled pork, chicken and beef all have an amazing depth of flavor and texture. Add a dash of spiced vinegar or ask for more sauce if you wish. The sides are meant to be shared. The homemade Chips with fresh, chunky Guacamole are an outstanding combination. The candied yams, a dish I usually find offensive is a spicy, rich, much less saccharine dish than the customary glop served on many a Thanksgiving table. The Crispy Yuca w/ Citrus & Garlic is a light and grease free alternative to fried zucchini. The Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapeno is not to be missed. The Cornbread w/ Honey Glaze is dense and moist. The Spicy Masa Corn Cake w/ Cheese is satisfyingly savory. The lemonade is tart and the Mexican Coca-Cola is made with cane sugar. Coffee is robust and fair trade. For dessert, try the smooth, subtle Butterscotch Pudding. It bears no resemblance to the burnt umber colored stuff made out of a box. Service was personable, professional and very attentive despite the general hubbub. Avoid the crowds and try off-peak hours or brave the occasional hassle. Either way, highly recommended.
(5)
Joe S.
*Rustic grits, the reason I come here *pull chicken and gravy, simple but delicious *cornbread and black beans, I like the texture of the bread. Taste just like grandma made them *collared greens and smoked chicken, I'm a fan but only for those who like that interesting collared green taste. I've dined in many of times, love the food service can be slow but worth the wait. I always bring people here to try the food. I really enjoy coming for lunch. It's defiantly on my list of favorite place in Minneapolis
(5)
Kevin V.
This place is my favorite go-to restaurant for a night when I don't feel like cooking or when I have guests in from out of town. There's no other place like it. Family style soul food, great atmosphere for groups or a date, and within walking distance of my house. Always great service. Favorites: Any of the meats. Occasionally they have some ginger brussels sprouts that are spectacular. GREEN SAUCE- it can be slathered on anything on the menu.
(5)
Richard Y.
Have you ever ordered something and not realized what it was when it was delivered to your table? That happened to my companion and I at Brasa Rotisserie. When the "grits" arrived at the table, we couldn't figure out what they were supposed to be. We've eaten a lot of grits (my companion grew up in North Carolina) and we were pretty disappointed at their interpretation of such a classic southern food. Moving past the "grits," the rest of the meal was meh. It vaguely resembles many of the pollo places I've been, but more expensive and not as good. I was amused to experience a trendy place serving soul food; in my experience, the best southern food is served on styrofoam.
(2)
Amir S.
It has happened several times that I felt ashamed of being a meat lover. At many restaurants, I simply envy vegetarians who could with no hesitation order relatively healthy food out of the menu. However, Brasa is one of the few restaurants where I feel proud of my meat preference and feel sorry for my vegetarian friends who can't eat meat. So let it be the first moral of this review: although the vegetable sides are super delicious, if you're a vegetarian you won't enjoy Brasa as much as meat-eaters do. I think Brasa's chef (Alex Roberts) inherited a detailed instruction for the art of braising and rotisserie roasting written by an old, sage Minnesotan farmer. I also believe he has burned it as soon as he mastered the art of slow cooking so nobody else could cook meat like he does. I thought for hours and hours and was finally convinced that nothing else could explain the unique taste of their yummy food. Brasa's food is peerless and you couldn't find any food comparable to it anywhere else. So let it be the second moral: like any other unique things in the world, try it as many times as you could. If you miss it, nothing else can take its place. The fact that it's a converted gas station is a part of the restaurant's history. But I don't know why people overread it (why don't they instead give credit to its beautifully designed logo?) I tried hard to understand why it's interesting for customers that the restaurant's location used to be a gas station. Maybe if it was a converted public bath or a brothel, it would sound captivating to me. But seriously, what's interesting about a gas station? So, let it be the third moral: don't try to justify it. It has nothing to do with the building's past function as a gas station. But for whatever reason, it has a cool feeling. If the ambiance is important to you, you should try Brasa. What's the rational conclusion I can offer based on my three morals? I'll tell you: since the food is organic, sustainably produced and healthy (moral#1's implication) and with no doubt peerless (moral#2) and since there is nothing exciting about an ex-gas station (moral#3's implication), why don't you think of Brasa as your regular take-out restaurant? Since the food is mostly prepared in advance, they're fast. Moreover, their healthy food is affordable. What else do you expect from a take-out restaurant?
(5)
Yvette C.
We found the Brasa because we were looking for gluten-free, then saw all the awesome reviews. We ate at both locations this week, the Brasa in St. Paul and now this one. This location in Minneapolis is a little smaller and they have a slightly different menu from the Brasa in St. Paul. Both locations have AWESOME YUCA Fries now our most desired new food find! Where have I been that I have never heard of this staple food from South America? BTW YUCA is not YUCCA--it is a root vegetable not a decorative landscape plant... The house-made bottled Hot Pepper Vinegar is delicious on the pulled pork and the greens, and isn't too hot. So good I bought a bottle of Hot Pepper Vinegar to bring home. Now the search for Yuca fries in Kansas City area commences...If you know of a good place please share!!
(5)
Lauren K.
Fresh ingredients. The smoked pepper sauce on the chicken sandwich is outta this world, the fried plantains are outstanding, and the cornbread. One of my favorite restaurants.
(5)
Michael N.
This is probably the single best restaurant that I've found so far since moving to Minneapolis 3 months ago. It's gotten to the point that every time the weather is nice, I start to think "we should go to Brasa today" I love the small plates. It lets you order things you know your'e going to love and also get risky trying new dishes. Here are some of my favorites -Slow Roasted pork. So good! It's so juicy and well seasoned it I have to order it every time I'm there. -Roasted Yams & Andouille. I don't know if I ever had this combination before trying it at Brasa but it's incredibly tasty. Definitely recommend it! -Crispy Yuca. I've noticed a lot of places having yuca dishes lately (which is awesome), but the ones at Brasa are by far the tastiest. The texutre/amount they're cooked is perfect and the green sauce they bring out with it is one of those dangerous sides that you can become addicted to and lose your mind trying to replicate at home. -Rustic Style Grits. These might be the only grits that I've ever had so I can't say with any authority how they compare to others. I just know I've wanted to try them for a long time after seeing people eat them in movies and I found them to be exceptional at Brasa. The servers & atmosphere are all amazing too. This restaurant is truly a gem and if you live in or are visiting Minneapolis, you need to make time to eat there at least once. It's fantastic!
(5)
Santiago G.
Everything was excellent from start to finish. Very friendly staff. The food was to over the top. The pulled pork was super flavorful and tender. The rice and pigeon peas was very interesting and left me craving more and the chocolate tres leches cake was rich and creamy and the perfect end to a meal.
(4)
Matt O.
Pork, yucca, chicken - it's all better than the last. Sweet space, too. Especially if you can get a table.
(5)
Aimee S.
Thought it was a little over rated. The chips and guacamole were AMAZING, the staff friendly and helpful, but the main meal was a miss for both my husband and I. Mac and cheese was way way too rich, beef bowl too oily, and pulled chicken sandwich very bland. HOWEVER I'm told that we just happened to pick the worst things on the menu, so hopefully next time it will be better!
(3)
Amanda C.
This is my go-to place to bring ANY out-of-towner for a meal. The meat is always top-notch, and ordering up a ton of sides so everyone can sample is a blast. Why aren't you here right now? The only acceptable answer is "because it's not in Brasa business hours when I am reading this review, Amanda." Fine. That'll get you off the hook... for now.
(5)
Matt A.
I would highly recommend Brasa. I went here for lunch with a few coworkers and sat in their outdoor section in the sun. Beautiful day, good people, delicious food. I ordered the "meat plate," I believe, which was essentially seasoned grilled chicken and two sides. It's a good deal for lunch, and was more than enough to fill me up. Plantains were good, as was the sweet bread.
(5)
Katarina A.
Oh, Brasa. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1. Your charming decor, industrial and modern, utterly perfect for the food. 2. Your friendly servers, who never hovered or let us feel lonely. 3. Your fair prices, that never leave us feeling cheated. 4. Most importantly, your incredible food. I have now tried every dish on the menu, and I wish I could get into them all, but I shall settle for personal favorites. Get the red beans and rice. It is hands down the best you'll find north of Kentucky. Also, the masa cakes. Tangy, corny, crispy, and utterly amazing. I had food wet dreams about this one for months. The pulled chicken. Bizarrely, I know some people who weren't so fond of this one, but I'm firmly of the opinion that they're wrong. It is creamy, peppery, and fall apart delicious. Hm... for a final favorite, I'd have to go with the cheddar grits (only available at Mpls. location). Believe me, though, there is no way to go wrong. This place needs no more positive press, but it truly is delicious, and my favorite restaurant I've ever visited. Love at first bite is possible, people.
(5)
Victoria T.
Loved, loved, loved this place! The sides are incredible. My collard greens with smoked chicken were beyond luscious and the grits with cheddar: divine. My pork was wonderful but my partner's chicken was tender but boring ( thus, the 4 star rating versus 5). The beer selection, though quite minimal, was good beer! Loved this place so much that if I lived closer, I would go every week.
(4)
Jimmy V.
After reading all the ravishing reviews all over yelp we walked in on a perfect Sunday afternoon. Ordered Pulled pork with rice & pigeon peas with ham sofrito. Pulled pork was average. it never melted in my mouth like lot of reviews i read. Found a big piece of cooked melted plastic in the rice :) the staff was kind enough to replace the dish with a fresh one but pulled pork remained on the table cold and dry till my next sofrito rice came to the table. Ordered flan which matched our expectation, but then was already bored and lost the charm of the brunch experience. Reading all the reviews (if they are for real :) ) i might give it a second chance, Because so far yelp reviews has never gone wrong for me.
(2)
Stephanie F.
This place is tiny, but their food is packed with flavor. I'm moving to California and wish i knew a place is equivalent to this. I like to try small sizes of a few meats and a bunch of small sides.
(5)
Colin C.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in the Twin Cities. Definitely try the pulled chicken, grits (!!!), cornbread, and yuka. The grits are only at the Minneapolis location. In summer sit on the patio - it's a better/quieter experience. I've never met anyone who didn't love it. Small parking lot, but we've always had a spot on the street. Carry out is an excellent option too!
(5)
Jill S.
Love this place! Food is fabulous and it's a great place to share some delicious family style food- try a little bit of everything. Don't miss the yuca with citrus lime. Their sangria is delicious (too delicious!) great city dining.
(4)
DeAnna E.
First, let me thank my brilliant coworker for suggesting this restaurant. I ordered the beef, spinach, masa, and plantains. The plantains were ok, but everything else (including the service) was wonderful. The beef, particularly, was so tender it cut with a fork. I highly recommend dining on the patio, if possible. You'll almost forget that you're in the middle of a metro area.
(5)
Emily V.
My husband and I used to live across the street from this location. On the days they have their smoker going, the whole neighborhood smells like smoked meats. Awesome! I've had the chance to try just about everything on Brasa's menu. I also had them cater for 50 people for my company's picnic last August. It was excellent! See if you can get a group of 4 or 6 people to go! Everything is served to be shared, and the more people in your group, the more items you can try. One of my favorites is the rotisserie chicken. It's delicious on its own, but the cilantro cream sauce that comes on the side really sends it over the top. All of the sides are just fantastic, but I especially love the yams and andouille, collard greens w/ smoked chicken, and the rice and pigeon peas w/ ham sofrito (has green olives in it, which I love). If you're in the mood for a sandwich, get the slow roasted pork. It has ginger mayo, pickled veggies, and cilantro. I've heard some people complain about the portion sizes for the price. I guess since it's all a'la carte, it can add up quickly, but remember that Chef Alex Roberts is one of the most highly acclaimed chefs in the Midwest. The food is truly top notch and well worth $15-$20 per person.
(5)
David C.
Hands down the best rotisserie in the area!!!!! The menu is so extensive, but everything I've tried on here has really blown me away! Rotisserie Chicken: A Not overdone at all; skin was just a golden brown and the meat was nice and juicy. Definitely tasted great. Seasoning was light, but the chicken itself was cooked so well that it barely needed seasoning. Slow Roasted Pork: A+ Incredibly tender and well seasoned. Portions were huge and taste was unrivaled. Cabbage & Apple Slaw: B Interesting take on the traditional slaw. Nonetheless, it did not disappoint. Chips & Guac: B Homemade everythign! Both the chips and guac were home-made. Very tasty. Guac portion was generous and was incredibly fresh. Spicy Masa Corn Cake w/ Cheese: A A very unique item on the menu, A cake made of ground corn topped with hot sauce and melted cheese. The flavor and texture was fantastic. The cheese was melted and helped congeal the cornmeal. So good! I would definitely recommend this place for a fast casual meal with friends. The food really blew me away. The service was prompt and friendly. Best of all, it was rather affordable and the portions were great.
(5)
Addyson B.
Meats are delicious alone or on a sandwich. Well cooked and perfectly seasoned! Side dishes (we ordered the creamed spinach, masa cake and the cornbread) were all divine; I especially liked the cornbread muffin- best one I've ever had!
(4)
Kele M.
I always eat way too much at Brasa because literally every menu item is delicious. I only wish they were a little less pricey... although I suppose it keeps me from eating here as frequently as I would if they were cheap and gaining a million pounds!
(4)
Zoe L.
I had Rotisserie chicken and roasted yam with andouille. Very delicious. Chicken was a little dry and plain inside though. But the skin was crispy.
(5)
Joshua N.
Something about this place that makes me love it in the winter but avoid it in the summer. Go with a group and get as much stuff as possible. It's awesome!
(4)
Geoffrey D.
I always eat way too much here. The pulled pork is my favorite along with collard greens and yams with andouille. My friends all love the food. Unfortunately not much my wife (who is a vegetarian) can eat though.
(4)
Tricia C.
You have to love a restaurant where you can order a plate of shredded meat. It's a little weird the first time but if you just go with it, you'll have a fantastic dining experience. Everything was delicious.
(4)
Adam L.
I have been to Brasa several times for breakfast / brunch, but this was my first time going for dinner. The food is amazing. We had a table of 4 and tried almost everything on the menu. The service is fast, and the servers are very friendly and are able to answer any questions you have about the menu items. I would recommend getting several of the sides to share if you're going with a group. The small size side seemed too small to share with 4 people, unless you just wanted a spoonful or two. I would suggest several medium size options and a couple different meat options. The chicken is incredible. I would also strongly recommend the cornbread. It is moist and very flavorful. No matter what meal you eat here you will not have a bad experience.
(5)
Melissa N.
Yum! Yum! yum! This place is so fantastic! I have never had a bad bite of food here. Super casual and a great place to go with friends (as you'll want to share and try everything). Better in the summer because there's extra seating. Lunch combos are outstanding and the perfect portion size. Go now!
(5)
Sam M.
What can I say that has not already been said in 320 reviews? Jumbalaya? Hopslam? How 'bout just mmm mmm mmm. My wife and I used to eat here more frequently, but have kind of been on hiatus as we yelped about the town. I am glad to see that the things I liked about the place have not changed for the worse. Fat Tuesday brought Jumbalaya to the table. I liked it. Is it authentic? I have no idea, but it is good. We also had staples of pulled pork, creamed spinach (w/jalapenos) and guacamole & chips. All were great. I had a Bell's Hopslam. A seasonal IPA that is "out of this world" (in both taste and price).
(5)
Julie D.
What a great find! We were looking to try someone different, Brasa fits the bill. We had lunch on the patio and was greeted right away by our server. We decided to order from the lunch specials menu. I ordered a pork sandwich on ciabatta served with tortilla chips and my choice of side. I got the potato salad. BJ got a smoked beef sandwich with beans and cornbread. Fantastic! I also enjoyed a Mexican coke. For dessert, we shared the butterscotch pudding. Here's a very important tip. DO NOT SHARE THE PUDDING. You deserve a pudding all your own. It is awesome! We really enjoyed everything about this place, the relaxing patio, the great service and the wonderful food!
(5)
Beth W.
Home cooking, from scratch, local, and thoroughly delicious. I had the bean fritters and the carnivores in my group shared the chicken and pork. The flavors were declared perfect all around. I wondered how they'd rate, but my kids couldn't get enough of the yucca chips. The aioli dip was amazing, and I'm inspired to add cilantro to my own cole slaw. The corn muffins were good and my party seemed to enjoy the sweet potatoes with the sausage on top. This is soul food gone gourmet, and it's very, very right. I'll be back!
(5)
Camie T.
My real rating for Brasa is 4.5 stars I met three friends at Brasa for dinner on a Friday night at 7pm. The place was busy but we only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table inside (the wait for an outside table was much longer). I had read that Brasa will open the garage doors on nice days to give it that open feel. They had the doors open the night we ate there but that was a mistake. The temperatures had reached 90+ degrees during the day and that, along with the hot kitchen and humidity made the interior of the restaurant almost unbearable. After entering the restaurant to get our drinks (while we were waiting to be seated), we quickly learned why the wait for inside the restaurant was so much shorter than the wait for a table outside. Its because it was bloody hot inside. It was easily 15 degrees warmer in the restaurant than it was on the patio. I feel that Brasa should have made a judgement call and closed the doors and turned on the air conditioning. We ordered the pulled chicken, pulled pork, beef, yellow rice with red beans and ham, cornbread, mozzarella salad, sweet potatoes with andouille sausage, and chips and guacamole. The favorites at the table were the pork (followed by the chicken) and the sweet potatoes with sausage (followed by the beans). The beans had a nice spice to them which was a nice twist. The beef was a bit over done and dry. I wouldn't order the beef again. Instead I'd go for a larger portion of the pork. We also ordered a pitcher of sangria ($28) and it was ok. It actually got worse the more I drank which isn't a good sign. Perhaps that was because it was so crazy hot in the restaurant. Overall, a good little find. The dress code is casual - we saw a little of everything. There are 4 parking spaces in front of the restaurant and there is ample parking on the street in the residential neighborhood surrounding the restaurant. They do not take reservations at the Minneapolis location but they do take reservations for 8+ at the St. Paul location.
(4)
Candace R.
My bf and I saw this place on the Travel Channel, and decided it was one of our must visits on our trip to MN. We walked from our hotel downtown and got here on a Saturday afternoon and the place was pretty full. We were meeting up with some family and they luckily had grabbed a table on the patio, and got started with some chips and salsa. I had the pulled chicken sandwich which was very good. The service was a little lacking, as I had to wait quite a bit to get a refill on my drink, but the company was great so I didn't mind. I'd definitely come back to try some of the other items on their menu.
(4)
Taylor K.
I went for dinner with a few coworkers earlier this week. OH MY GOD, it was good. The place was packed - always a good sign - but the service was still speedy and attentive and the atmosphere still felt breezy thanks to the large, open doors. I ordered a small serving of the rotisserie chicken. The serving size was delightfully generous and the chicken itself was hands-down the best I've ever had in my life. Moist, tender, perfectly white-meat throughout, and served with this incredible citrus aioli. I ordered a side of chips and guac, which I highly recommend - the guac was excellent but the chips were surprisingly special, too (handmade and at once perfectly crispy, oily, and salty). I will be back again. And again. And again.
(5)
Matthew M.
Amazing Southern-style cuisine. Good comfort and soul food, not so pricey, good portions, amazing atmosphere, excellent service. The best!
(5)
Kate T.
The ambiance was lacking and the sides aren't quite as delicious as the meat is but it's a definite must at least once.
(4)
Jill S.
This is a place to get really good southern-style cooking in Minnesota. I love their smoked beef, but it is some of the SIDES that steal the show! Greens, beans, cornbread... all amazing! Pricing is a little steep for what it is, but it seems to be a fair value.
(4)
Kathy S.
On my list of things to do once I got back in Minneapolis: eat at Brasa AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I've heard people raving about this place, and being an eternal meat-lover, I was bound to end up there at one point or another. It was inevitable. My friends and I love eating family-style, so Brasa was perfect when we were looking for a good dinner place to quell our cravings for meat. Our group of 8 ended up putting together two tables outside (I went a few weeks ago, when it was still warm) and stuffed our faces with tender chicken, pulled pork, ribs, yucca, veggie fritter sandwiches, and of course - huuuuge cornbread. :) Food. heaven. The service was decent and I loved the outdoor atmosphere (minus the Metro Transit bus loudly being fixed across the street). I'll be back!
(5)
Rosemary T.
Juicy chicken, tender beef, buttery cornbread, and delicious collar greens! This is definitely a place to come to have some great lunch or dinner. The food was simply super!
(5)
John W.
I have never been anything short of amazed by the quality of chicken and sides. I usually order take out to avoid waiting for a table, and also to decrease the amount of time separating myself from my favorite meal in Minneapolis. Im pretty sure they sprinkle something addictive in the green chicken dipping sauce because i cant stop thinking about it. If you know of better chicken anywhere, show me, because i don't believe you.
(5)
Shelly E.
Brasa used to have one of my favorite black bean burgers in town. I've had it a handful of times in the past and it was everything you could ask for in a vegetarian-friendly burger. After last night - I've learned that these days are gone. What happened? What I remember as a flavorful, dense burger with a good portion of fresh guac and a big chunk of mozzarella on top has turned into a salty, flavorless 'crumbles-apart-the-second-you pick-it-up' burger with hardly any guac and small chunks of mozzarella on top. The bread also used to be what one would expect from a ciabatta bun but now seems like an imitation - a flaky, dry bun only shaped like ciabatta. Obviously, as a vegetarian, Brasa isn't a regular go-to place for me. But, my friends like it and often suggest it - so I'm usually outnumbered and rely on the one vegetarian entree they offer. I think it's just cruel that my one option has now turned into zero options. Next time, I'll stay home and make my own.
(2)
Paola M.
Been here several times and have tried pretty much everything.... The roasted chicken is what gets this place the 5th star! Everything is good but the chicken is superb. I don't know what it is but every time I go back I am surprised by how good the chicken is. All the rest is very good too but if you have to pick just one thing, go for the chicken!
(5)
Christina P.
Truth be told, I'm not a BBQ type of lady. Gnawing meat off bones and being slathered in sauce just isn't my scene. However, Brasa has managed to make BBQ feel upscale and be absolutely delicious. It's a laidback scene - very southern feel - but super cute. Lots of natural lighting and seating galore. Bonus for the wine, beer and authentic soda offerings. The food is seriously TDF (to die for) ... the cheesy grits, cornbread, the perfectly cooked chicken and beef... days later, I find myself still thinking about it. Add the bonus of a very inexpensive meal, and you have yourself a very loyal follower. Can't wait to get down & dirty again soon!
(5)
Izabela R.
Amazing!! One of my favorite places to eat!!! I"ve had just about everything on the menu and LOVE it all!! My sister came to visit from Chicago and we ordered pretty much one of each, she was lovin' it as much as I do!! Great atmosphere, great service, delicious food!!!!
(5)
Bee K.
Brasa is tiny and I live within convenient driving distance so I almost always opt for takeout when I do get to indulge in the bombass pulled chicken with gravy and honey-butter drenched corn bread. Each trip back to the takeout counter, however, the service has increasingly gotten worse. On my most recent trip, I waited in line for 10 minutes just to tell the cashier I had a takeout order. I arrived exactly within 25 minutes as instructed, so I anticipated my food would definitely be ready after the long wait in line to pick-up. The line took forever because the cashier line for takeout orders is also the beer/wine line for the 2405730824723 people who are waiting around for a seat. So poor dude behind the cashier is also the takeout order phone answerer and bartender in addition to cashier. Dude was seriously flustered, and when I finally told him my name for the order, he looked like he had no idea what I was talking about. Finally, he says, "I think I sold your order to someone else. What did you have again?" He re-ran my order through the cash register and said it would be ready in 5-10 minutes. Luckily, it was ready really fast, and he did apologize more than once, but I was disappointed. The whole point of getting takeout is to completely AVOID having to wait in the parking lot with the other 23073087082352 guests waiting to be seated.
(2)
Thomas D.
I went there last night with my wife and another couple, and it was great. Arrived at 6:15 on a Friday night and was able to sit down right away. The place appears to be a converted gas station so they still have the huge garage doors, and they had them open on this warm spring evening (nice). Also there was quite a bit of outdoor seating. The food was very good, is done in family style and has a very southern influence (I am referring the true South). I lived in South Carolina & Southern GA ,and I have to say it really brought me back there. Like good home-cooked soul food. The four of us ordered our food together as a group which I recommend. We had the pork shoulder, and the beef which were both excellent. For sides we had the black-eyed peas, jalapeno spinach, yucca, and yams. Just like down South. The server did a really good job even though the place was maxed. We were going to order large sides, and he deterred us to the smalls which turned out to be a good decision. We ended the night with the butterscotch pudding which was delicious, and made me realize that this is what pudding tastes like when it is made with good ingredients. They are very conscientious about using organics and locally grown, which instantly makes me want to give them my money, and they didn't need a whole lot of my money for what we got. The bill was VERY reasonable - $55.00 for 2 which included beers, food, dessert, and tip. We will be going back! :)
(5)
Asma A.
Reasonable portions. Their house hot vinegar was delicious! Good corn bread. Ridiculously long wait. Cool ambiance- set up in an old garage. Food was great.
(4)
Dena S.
Sexy name, sexy food, sexy drinks, sexy patrons. This place is like the fever dream of an obese Texan. Two words for you, friends and neighbors: YAMS. And yams again. Villains will attempt to convince you to grow out of gooey foods and to start eating. . . i don't know. . . farfalle. DO NOT BE DECEIVED. Everything at Brasa is gooey for a reason. This is the straight path. We arrived at about 8:20, which was a bit tight as doors close at 9pm. They ended up fresh out of both my first choice for meat and my first two choices for sides-- a wee disappointing. Since I would shove everything on the menu down my pants I was perfectly happy with my runners up and the staff was great about letting us hang out on the patio after close, finishing our bottle of wine and watching the buses parked across the street turn their lights off and on for no reason. Brasa, you are a rock star.
(4)
Joel P.
What a unique menu! If you haven't been, you gotta try it! Very unique menu with great flavor. The pork and chicken are amazing! Coke from Mexico? Yup! Original Dr. Pepper? Still exists and Brasa is where you get it! They also have a great line-up of beers as well. The place has a southern feel, champagne flavors, and beer budget pricing. See you guys again soon!
(4)
Kelly S.
Could I love this place anymore than I do? I think not. The mere fact that I live within walking distance of Brasa might make me want to live in my apartment for a few more years. This is not a great place for a vegetarian, nor is it a great place to come with a big group (more than 6) as they don't take reservations. But, if you're a meat-eater and you're in a group of less than 6, GO TO BRASA NOW. I have never been disappointed with anything I've ordered at Brasa. The shredded chicken, beef, and pork are all superb (although the pork is my absolute favorite); the cornbread is fantastic; and there are days I find myself craving the sweet plaintains and the yucca with green sauce. Beyond that, the service is always friendly and helpful. (Like the time when I failed to follow my "don't go with a big group" rule and went with a group of 9 on Saturday night... bad idea on our part. We waited for over an hour and a half to get a space big enough for us. But, although the wait was painful, the staff got us seated as quickly as they could, checked-in with us frequently, obliged us in a game of "Can we guess what your name is?", and gave us free chips and guac when we finally got seated.)
(5)
Hilary J.
Quality, local and sustainable ingredients made into soul-nourishing, affordable food. And I've never had bad service there. (It's hard to get good service for big groups anywhere, because it's hard to GIVE good service to big groups. Brasa, at least, has really good options for feeding groups, including meat by the pound and sides in three sizes.)
(5)
Amy C.
This is my new favorite restaurant. Lucky me that I can walk there! Here's what I love about Brasa: -It's in an old gas station -They get their food from local farmers and vendors -They serve Mexican Coke in the bottle -They give you lots of sides to choose from (like warm cornbread with honey butter ... yum!) -The meats are out of this world good and I'm not even a big meat eater -It has a friendly, distinct community vibe I could just keep on raving about it. If you want to experience Northeast Minneapolis at its best, Brasa is a MUST!
(5)
Audrey M.
I'm really impressed by how close most of the dishes were to authentic southern comfort food. The ettouffe was delicious and super filling. There was only one thing that disappointed: the rice. I've never had yellow rice that tasted so much like plain white rice. Confusing. However, the flourless chocolate torte completely made up for it. Oh my gosh....so good. I'm glad I brought the bf to help with it though- definitely too rich to tackle on my own. Best of all, the prices are completely reasonable, especially given the quality. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Rachel W.
Parking: There is some parking in the lot. There is lots of parking on the street. Food: Ordered: cornbread, cornbread and beans, collard greens, spinach, cole slaw, chicken, black bean fritter sandwich and pulled pork. We ordered smalls of everything except for the chicken (6 piece chicken). We had 4 people. The blackbean fritter sandwich was HUGE. I shared with a friend. It was also very food, except kept falling out of the bread. I ended up eating it with a fork. The cornbread was amazing! The coleslaw was ok. It needed a bit more acidity. The beans were ok with the cornbread. Atmosphere: It's summertime and it's hot and humid. There wasn't any circulating air and it was really hot, even with the garage open. The person that came to serve us was very very sweaty which was a real turn off. I think this was why I gave it more of a 4 star rating. Overall: The food was good and I'd eat there again. I'd hope that the servers would be more mindful of the sweat on the face though...at least wipe it off first.
(4)
John R.
A great place for protein. Good service too. Parking is a little tough.
(4)
Britt B.
Northeast Minneapolis is where it's AT. There are so many cool shops and restaurants sprouting up in this area. Including Brasa. I stopped in on my bosses recommendation and it lived up to his hype. I had the pulled chicken sandwich. The meat was delicious, and I very much enjoyed the bun. Soft and not so large as large as to detract from the MEAT. Sadly, I didn't have room for the cornbread I've been reading so much about. I will be returning to try that and about 20 other things on the menu. Service was friendly and prompt, patio was comfortable, and I like that they are doing the local and organic thing. Great place! I totally recommend it!
(4)
Marie D.
Delicious beef, collard greens, yuca and candied yams. Very crowded but casual atmosphere. Worth the wait!!
(5)
Damali R.
I read about this place in an issue of Travel & Leisure and it sounded right up my alley. It's a great place to go by yourself. The portion sizes are actually a great size allowing you to try several things. The waitress was very friendly and the whole staff seemed to be having a good time. It was worth the trip and taxi ride over. It was extremely reasonable as well.
(4)
Jeff M.
After my second visit to Brasa I still think the place is slightly over-hyped, but comforting enough to still make future visits. Finding a table for more than 2 people can be a challenge. My favorite thing about Brasa is the value you get for the quality of delicious food. My wife and I shared a small pulled pork, creamed chicken, spinach w/ jalapeno, yams w/ andouille sausage, corn bread, and two bottled sodas and the tab (with tax) came to under $25.
(4)
Yoni R.
Adventurous comfort food? A tasty contradiction indeed. Fresh ingredients, ALL local meat and dairy, they even double filter their cooking water. The pork is incredible, the chicken is good but forgettable, the beef is in a sweet home-style BBQ sauce, it's tender and perfect, but a little fatty for my taste Brasa is all about the sides, here is my essential Side Guide (1-5 Stars): Yams & Andouille Sausage -- 2 Stars -- The sausage is good but the yams are not very flavorful. Collards w/ Smoked Turkey -- 5 Stars -- Pungent, rich, and surprisingly pork-like for being made with turkey. Some find them too be to bitter, but they continue to be the best greens I've ever had. Romaine & Mozzarella Salad -- 1 star -- Boring... too much goodness to waste time on mere roughage. Rustic Style Cheese Grits -- 5 Stars -- The best and worst thing on the menu. Creamy, riddled with enough cheese and butter to make ones arteries clench with glee. At least it's from local pasture based dairies and the butter is unsalted. Crispy Yuca with Mojo -- 4 Stars -- It won't be replacing the Frenched Fry as America's favorite contributor to heart disease anytime soon, but it will certainly quench your need for something starchy and deep fried. Surprisingly good, and the green Mojo sauce is amazing, it goes with almost everything on the menu, pairs particularly with the pork shoulder. Yellow Rice & Beans (Red or Black) -- 3 Stars -- Honestly, the beans and rice are a bit bland, but everything else is so heavily spiced and flavorful that it's kind of refreshing. Cornbread & Beans (Red or Black) -- 3 Stars -- The cornbread is excellent but the regular cornbread side comes with maple butter. I say skip the beans and go straight for the sweetness. Fried Sweet or Green Plantains -- 1 Star -- Don't bother. Homemade Chips & Guacamole -- 3 Stars -- Tasty, fresh, and light but I suggest moving right past the guac and get a spicy masa corn cake. Desserts are sub par compared to the rest of Brasa's offerings. The sweet tea is some of the best this side of the Mason-Dixon and they have Mexican Coke in the big glass bottles, made with real sugar, no corn syrup. Simply put, Brasa is the bomb, yo.
(5)
Seamus H.
This really is as good as it gets. The meats are perfectly cooked, bursting with flavor and nearly melt in your mouth tender. I recommend the pork but if it's your first time you should really try all you can. Supplement your main dish with sides inspired by the South. The yams & andouille is the highlight, with the generous sausage chunks balancing the sweetness of the yams with spice and smokiness. I've only been to the Northeast location which is in a small, renovated garage space which opens up for nice outdoor dining in the summertime. I lived in Minneapolis for two years, ate at over 100 restaurants, and Brasa remains my favorite!
(5)
Mike D.
I think that not much needs to be said about the food at this place. Beef, Chicken, and Pork were all well spiced and full of flavor. The cornbread was alright, spicy masa cake was not great but that may have been due to not eating it right away, the crispy yucca is pretty great, and the plaintains were awful. They did not have sweet plaintains, only savory tostones which I would rename Flavorless Bricks. However, forget that, the food is awesome and you should come here.
(5)
Sarah L.
Good food, horrible service. I'm not sure what the server's deal was... he was definitely way over-extended, but he didn't communicate that to us once. I would have been much more forgiving if he at least clued us in to the fact that we'd have to wait 30 minutes to get our iced tea and 60 minutes to get our food. Oh well. Both my friend and I did like our food. I think her rotisserie chicken was better than my pork sandwich special. I also liked/loved her chips and guac where as my cabbage salad was just ok. I'll go back because I like the philosophy and the food, but will try to avoid any lunch/dinner rush times because they're obviously understaffed.
(3)
Becky B.
Checked this place out while in Minneapolis on vacation and was so impressed! Loved the rotisserie chicken and pulled pork. Did the fried plantains, HIGHLY recommend those! Creamed spinach, cheesy grits and yams with sausage were our sides. Loved the entire meal, I would eat it again any day! Will absolutely return when I am back in the area. Hopefully I'll get to try them for dinner next time! Parking is a challenge though and they got pretty busy during the lunch hour.
(5)
josh j.
Amazing food! If you took a champion BBQ'er who knows Latino cuisine and grew up with a grandma who taught them how to use white distilled vinegar, then dilute that amount of vinegar in half; you'd get some of the awesome flavors Brasa produces. Chicken sandwich with cabbage is off the charts. If the bill was a few bucks cheaper, we'd be there weekly.
(4)
Yelp L.
YUMMY!!! That says it all!
(5)
Berton T.
The restaurant had a great vibe and it was great that the whole restaurant turns alfresco when the doors are opened on a warm spring day. The food was awesome, I had the rotisserie chicken with cheese grits and spicy bread and it was simply divine. My partner ordered the pulled chicken with the friend yuca and they were delicious as well. The best part of the whole experience is that it didn't burn a whole in the pocket - lunch only cost $11 without gratifying. I'll definitely come back if I have the chance to.
(4)
K H.
Brasa is a mainstay for me. So much so that I've continually forgotten to give it it's proper due. Well here goes... If I'm cereal; Brasa is milk - I make more sense when coupled with it (it makes sense if you don't think about it). Seriously though - Brasa is soul food. It's flavors are as deep and satisfying as any food I've tasted, yet the place completely lacks pretension. Brasa is one of those rare restaurants that I actually miss when I leave town for long amounts of time. Simply put, there are very few places that prepare food so well. You really can't go wrong here. But, my favorites in the meat category are the rotisserie chicken and the pulled chicken. My fave sides are the creamed spinach, the crispy yuca and the black beans and rice. The cornbread is great, however, don't sleep on the masa corn cakes. It took me awhile to get to them but I haven't looked back since. And that green aioli sauce... I put it on everything (in fact, I'm one impulse away from integrating it into my love life). The stuff is simply awesome. The St. Paul location is a bit spacier and has a couple of added menu items due to having a larger kitchen. However, you can't go wrong in either case. Just eat it.
(5)
Sealu222 2.
I have to admit I was skeptical about Brasa. On our visit 12/26 we found ourselves waiting in a small open area, standing around right in the middle of folks who were trying to eat without anyone's posterior in their face. It was amazing that the wait staff could move around so many people who had no choice but to block their path to the bar and computer. Kudos to them for keeping their cool! After tasting the food though it became abundantly clear why it was so crowded. Loved the yucca, loved the pulled pork, loved the creamed spinach (spicy!) and loved the corn bread (like a dense cake!) Our group ordered many other dishes that were great as well, but those stood out as exceptional. I will be back....but earlier next time!
(4)
Timothy E.
One of my favorite places in Minneapolis. Favorites include: pork, bbq beef, creamed spinach, yellow rice and red beans, coleslaw, and grits. The possibilities are endless, especially when getting take out! An added bonus, virtually everything is gluten free.
(5)
Coleman D.
Tried the chicken. Tasted fine, but not sure what the rave is about.
(3)
Tenzin G.
Rachel individual dish was very very good. The meat, the beans all spectacular. The prices were great and they had some good beers on draft as well. I recommend. I might even go 4 and a half but I don't want to dish around too many 5 stars;)
(4)
Callan F.
This place is great! Service was quick, food was delicious. I ordered the pulled pork with a side of guac...SO GOOD! My co-worker ordered the pulled chicken with a side of mac n cheese and the black beans which was also amazing. I will definitely be back soon!!
(4)
Dan S.
I was somewhat let down by a place that I have been wanting to go to for years, but tried it for the first time last week. The food was actually great, but in the back of my mind, I kept thinking I could be at Pastor Hamilton's, Big Daddy's or Lee & Dee's getting roughly the same quality BBQ for half the price. But for someone who wouldn't necessarily want to hang out in a tiny BBQ shack, this place would be a great option. I thought the candied yams were phenomenal as was the beef sandwich. I feel weird giving it an A-Ok review, because the food was all great. I guess I'm just spoiled by the dirt cheap prices of the hole-in-the-wall BBQ places that I am accustomed to visiting. With that said though, this place isn't even expensive. Most meat items are around $10 and the sides are around $4 a piece.
(3)
Sarah S.
We didn't have a particularly bad or good experience here. I was so excited to try Brasa, but unfortunately maybe the high expectations/anticipation killed the experience? Maybe this place just isn't my style? I'll confess I'm not great at sharing food. I want to eat what I want to eat, and I want to eat all of it without feeling that I'm being rude taking the last bite. Our group opted to do a family-style meal, and maybe that's where the experience went bad for me. I should note part of the reason we tried this restaurant with this group was because it's gluten-free friendly. Our wait for a table was long, as it was a busy night. It was significantly longer than the hostess told us it would be, and we were emergency-level hungry by the time we got a table. The booth where we were seated barely squished in our group and we had elbow wars the entire meal. Maybe the lesson here is that this isn't the place to come with a group of 8 on a weekend. (No one in our group had been here before, so we had no idea how small the place was...) We ordered amounts based on recommendations from the waitress. Both my husband and I left hungry and ended up making a second dinner at home. None of the dishes stood out to me. They were all things I could successfully and reasonably make at home. When I eat out, I like it to be either something I'd feel guilty about making at home (ie filled with sugar, fat and/or salt) or something I couldn't make myself (time consuming/difficult to prepare). The fried plantains were good, but not enough to convince me to make a second trip here. The beer selections were somewhat limited. The waitress was rather absent, although it was a very, very busy night so that can be forgiven. Somehow, my husband and I ended up paying more than what we'd usually spend to eat out and leave with full, happy bellies. Generally speaking, we weren't particularly thrilled. Maybe we just visited on an off night? Maybe the wait made us too hangry to enjoy the meal. Maybe this style of restaurant just isn't for me - and not every restaurant can please every person, which is totally fine. Based on how much others love this place, you should try it. I feel like we should probably give it another shot (without the family-style dining...), but I'm having a hard time prioritizing giving this place a second chance over trying all the other places on my "to try" list...
(3)
Chelsea J.
My favorite meal on my trip to Minneapolis was dinner at Brasa. I will long for this food when I am home in Washington. The two of us shared: medium pulled pork entree, medium rice and black beans, and medium yucca with dipping sauce. Everything was excellent and the portions were perfect to fill two people without being stuffed and leaving no left overs. You can choose small, medium, or large for each entree and side. The pulled pork is different than I am used to served without bbq sauce. Sprinkled with the vinegar-hot pepper condiment that sits at the table the meat is perfect. So fresh tasting and not heavy at all. Excellent side dishes, the yucca was so good and added sweetness to the savory meal. They were very busy and there was a line to get in the whole time we were there. Service was friendly if not a bit distracted but one can't expect more than that in a very packed casual bbq place. No complaints here. I can't wait to go back! This is on the top of my list for my next trip to Minneapolis. We left feeling full and satisfied with none of the heaviness or guilt that often follows eating bbq. Until we meet again!
(5)
Mark D.
Every time I've been to this restruant I've had amazing food. From the braised beef to the chicken to the sweet sweet pork. Great ambiance, wonderful staff, and very good beer available. I would highly reccomend eating here!
(5)
Erica C.
Wow, Brasa is drop-your-fork-and-smack-yo-mama good. After reading the reviews, I decided that we needed at least more than 2 people to go. I invited another couple to go with and I'm so glad I did!! The menu is designed for sharing and sampling a variety of food. The atmosphere was interesting, it looked like it was an old car garage. There's a very casual feel to the restaurant. We ordered 4 peices of the chicken, a half rack of st. louis ribs, small plates of pulled pork and brisket. For our sides we ordered guacamole, collard greens with smoked turkey, and candied yams. We also ordered cornbread... oh the cornbread... I just want to crumble it up and swim in it. The food is flippin amazing. Every bite was to die for. The chicken was seasoned so well and it came with a tasty herb sauce. It's probably the best rotisserie I've ever had. The ribs were smoky and delicious. The pulled pork was soft and so flavorful. I would have loved it in a taco or if you were my friend, a bowl of rice. I'm in love with this place. And yes, I think I will marry it!
(5)
Anne B.
Went for lunch with a group from work 10 in all and every single item was wonderful! The mac and cheese was reminiscent of what Mom made growing up, the yucca was a very tasty new experience for me, the creole chicken was not as spicy as anticipated but tender and delectable nonetheless. Was disappointed that there were no grits on the menu...guess I'll have to go to the Mnpls location - I heard they are fabulous. Service was attentive and friendly. I love that they locally source their food ingredients!
(5)
Allan R.
Loved it. This is the sort of restaurant I can get in big trouble at. Everything I tried was fantastic.
(5)
krissy l.
Amazing chicken.. Great date night!
(4)
K D.
For about $12, you get 8 ounces of beef. GOOD BEEF. Slow roasted, bbq, tender, juicy beef. I ordered 3 sides: fried plantains, fried Yuca (Cassava) , and Sweet Potato + Andouille. Each small side cost about $3 each and came in tiny bowls and I began to fear that my 200+ pound dad and fatass me will leave hungry. WRONG! We left pleasantly full and each bite was d e l i c i o u s! Very high quality food, but Brasa's use of corn oil to accommodate those vegans makes fat change impossible...butter is unheard of! (Little peeved cause why would vegans and vegetarians step into a rotisserie?? To give me misery?? I guess) We went there on a Tuesday afternoon and it was PACKED! We got the last seats near the exit door but we were grateful to have gotten seats. It was loud too; Was hard to have a conversation without borderline yelling.
(4)
Caitlin M.
Best food ever. Yuca potatoes and that sauce they come with our heavenly. Making myself hungry just thinking about it.
(5)
TwinCities S.
Good food. Not spicy...if you ask for spicy you will get spicy but its not Mexican food. If you feel like trying a newer taste other than your Minnesota palate is accustomed to..go here for an evening..it does get crowded making you think that it must be great if you are willing to wait to eat there. :) check it out..You may feel pretty hipster too!
(3)
John B.
Eggs were one of the last foods I learned to love, but when I understood what 'killed' meant, I figured out the way I would only ever order them again. Which brings me to Brasa, the place that allows me to order them like that on a dish that is supposed to have them prepped another way, and the place I learned how to play with my food. When it comes to the Over Easy and Pulled Pork, the best breakfast meal I could possibly create, it has never been a problem to order the eggs Over Hard, the technical term for what my family has often called Killed. But the best part of the meal is before, when I get the Guac and Chips, and I get to play my favorite restaurant-specific game. It should say something about how important this ritual is to me that I'm willing to forgo guacamole for a few minutes longer to carry it out. The game is Sailboats. I had noticed pretty soon after I started to eat there on a regular basis, that a lot of the chips are able to stand up on one of their sides on the table or a plate or any hard, flat, level surface. When I put enough down, they did look like sailboats from far off, a vessel that I have probably boarded about as many times as I've played this game. It isn't an important thing for me to do, but I think that's why I enjoy it. It's not something I'm keeping score in, despite the fact that I'm hypercompetitive and rarely don't keep score in my life. It's something that requires patience, which I've never been accused of having. And it's something that takes up a lot of space, which... no, never mind- that's exactly like me. But probably the main reason I do it is that I invented it, and given that I like me, it's as much a tribute to myself as much as anything, regardless of what it means or doesn't mean. The other really good thing about Brasa is the coffee.
(5)
Roland G.
Not impressed. Surprised because I usually see lines out the door. Guac was runny and bland. Chips were good. Mac and cheese was ok, nothing special. Chicken in cream had an off taste to it. Garlic toast- ho hum. Cornbread was good. But the worst part was dessert. Ordered butterscotch pudding to go. Comes with a cookie. They put the cookie in the pudding instead of separately packing it. 45 min later, the cookie has turned into a gummy, mushy mess. They either don't care or are clueless. To top it off our server treated us like we were panhandlers. I assure you, we are not. Won't bother returning.
(2)
Sara G.
I have been here twice now and both times were great. I enjoy it in the warmer months when they can open up the garage door walls. The food was great, smaller portions so you can try a few dishes. This is fun for sharing also so you can try multiple things as everything on the menu that I have tried has been great! I will definitely be visiting more in the future.
(5)
Sara M.
Today, Brasa catered our lunch at work. As per the usual, I absolutely adored the pulled pork (no sauce needed for me), the corn bread muffins (served in mini size for catering), the mashed potatoes, the brownies (O. M. G. delicious), and the delivery guy (laid back, thorough, and friendly). When I've gone to the restaurant, I love the yams and andouille and the chicken. The space inside the restaurant is small, but if you can get a spot on the patio, I would highly recommend sitting outside, especially with a cold beverage. YUM.
(5)
Nora M.
I love this place. Everything is made with real ingredients and tastes great. Super kid friendly too, with lots of options other than the typical chicken nugget!
(4)
Sarah B.
Our group of 11 people stopped in for lunch today and were understanding about the 25 minute wait for the table. We then waited another 45 minutes to get our food, much of which was cold when it got to us. Several tables which came after us were served before us. There were flies and wasps over the table and the service was just generally poor - the waitress hardly checked in with us and it was difficult to get her attention. When our bill came the gratuity was already added in, which would have been fine had our service been anywhere near adequate.
(2)
Rene G.
Oh, my God, Oh, my God, Oh my God! This place is Ahhhhwwsome! We ate family style and ordered almost every side on the menu. Everything was DELICIOUS! I wish I could eat there every day. Greens, black-eyed peas, potatoe salad, dirty rice, pulled chicken, plantains....I'm drooling now.
(5)
Andrea R.
I love Brasa! I have been here numerous times and always been very satisfied with the food. It is usually very cozy and chaotic so I like to get mine to go and go have a picnic or just bring it home. You can't go wrong with any of the options we've tried it all.
(5)
Shatona G.
Great "soul food!" and a nice date atmosphere! There are not too many places to get greens, catfish, and cornbread. The restaurant is clean and the service is great!
(4)
Anna F.
So I understand that this place is busy on fridays/saturdays and my friends and I came prepared for a wait, so the wait is not what I'm complaining about. After waiting for 2 hours in front, my friends and I were finally seated and told by the hostess that we'd be getting some free chips/guac for waiting so long. Seemed pretty nice of them, so when the waitress came around we mentioned this. She just brushed it off "oh no, we don't actually do that", which was a little annoying but I mean whatever, we were ready to leave it at that. But then, the manager comes and says "I heard you were asking for free apps for waiting so long, you know people wait a long time here blahblah it wouldn't be fair" and basically gave us a lecture about how we don't deserve free apps because people wait for hours all the time for their "wonderful" food. Buddy, we didn't ask for free apps, the hostess told us and we were just following up. Honestly, he just turned a non-situation into something that made us feel like we were being entitled cheapskates. And the okayish food did not counterbalance this. I will not be back.
(2)
Emily P.
My boyfriend & I have eyed this place for awhile, but we've always been scared away by the large crowds waiting at the door on weekend nights. Finally we decided to step in while walking around NE in last night's unusually balmy weather just to check out the wait time. The hostess (?) was rather flustered, every table in this tiny garage was packed. Very noisy for a small place with loud & brash customers and a tiny but busy looking kitchen. Eventually we were told it'd be a 15 minute wait for the two of us, we decided to stick it out. Two more pairs of couples & one larger group were seated before us, I was pleasantly surprised when we were indeed seated within 20 minutes. The menu suggested 1 meat portion & 2 sides per person, so that is what we did, everything in a size small. We ordered 1 each of the pulled pork, pulled chicken, collard greens, fried yucca, rice & pigeon peas, and black-eyed peas with cornbread, the house special side of the night. The portion sizes looked small when brought to the table but our large plates were overflowing once we dished them out. We finished every last bite with no leftovers, and we both agreed it was the perfect amount of food. We were full, borderline stuffed, on the starving-to-so-stuffed-I-could-puke scale. The flavors were all delicious, I was impressed with the yucca and collards, though my favorite side was the rice with pigeon peas. My boyfriend loved the yucca, they were like crispy-but-meaty french fries served with a delicious creamy dip. I was thinking of rating this place 4 stars, mostly because the atmosphere of the place turned me off and it was noisy enough I couldn't carry on a conversation with my boyfriend across our tiny table, but then I saw our bill. $23.70 to feed two people on food that is locally sourced and sustainably raised?? Bonus star for that!
(5)
Chloe B.
Brasa has become one of my new favorite local dinner spots. Great food (from local producers!). great atmosphere and great location in NE. For sides, the Yuca and Guacamole are to die for. We always get a couple of small meat dishes for the table and we leave full, happy and our wallets aren't that much lighter!
(4)
Brooke O.
This place rocks, everything on the menu is amazing. I love the pulled pork and all the sides are great. The whole menu is pretty much gluten free which is awesome, get the GF cookies!
(5)
Kevin N.
I was lucky enough to come here with friends when they had the pork belly special. The pork belly was the best thing ive eaten in the past year hands down, we ordered another plate after which they were kind enough to do even though it was past closing time. The sides are great, the collard greens and corn bread are my favorites but the fried plantains the the best bang for the buck. The pulled beef was good but was blown away by the pork belly. The other times ive come here the pulled pork was great as well. Great place for dinner, great service, good beer choices and i like sharing all of the food.
(5)
Jess R.
This food is absolutely fantastic, not a bad item on the menu. Also amazing as takeout. The restaurant itself was a converted garage so it's pretty slick looking.
(5)
Audrey M.
Just moved here from the South. I'm guessing my expectations were really high based off of the reviews. I will say this place is great for someone who was not raised on or has never actually had Southern food but as for me ehhh :-/ Tad bit on the expensive side and bland
(2)
Ronnie G.
So here's the thing. I enjoy Brasa. I do. I swear I do. But...it's not magical. By what everyone says, this place must give you wings. I've come here numerous times and no doubt the food is good. Here's the problem. I don't think Thanksgiving dinner. And that's what Brasa is. Sweet potatos, meat, collared greens. The only thing it's missing is Cranberry sauce (blech). The wait is usually atrocious and I always get a beer, which I'm not fond of most of them (Surly's good but give me some liquor). In addition to being far, I only end up here once a year and that may be enough for me. One tip: Consider getting your food to go and eating at the picnic tables. Shorter wait and you don't have to tip.
(3)
Trin N.
Grits n fried plantains a must.
(5)
Anne M.
Amazing, delicious, melt-in-your mouth goodness. We got take-out last week and I'm still talking about how great it was. Only downside-parking is awful and it's crazy busy. Bring a friend who can circle the block while you wait in line for the best food you'll ever get in a to-go container. And call ahead to order.
(4)
Dan P.
Ok. I've come to grips with the Brasa value equation. You get what you pay for-only not too much of it, but the food tastes very good. Rotisserie chicken (whole) $19.95 vs. Costco $5.00. That's some free range chicken, but it does taste good. Masa cake-excellent. Guacamole with chips- excellent. Beans and rice- very good. New (?) Pork Bowl- nice meal in a bowl for $9. Only issue was creamed spinach light on the crème and flavor-no problem, the friendly server fixed it for me. In cold weather, the dining area is a noisy little box. Better to go after the patio opens- could be June this year. Lunch for 4 including 3 beers = $66. A couple at our table ordered a couple appetizers and skipped the expensive proteins. Not a bad idea.
(4)
Naomi T.
Few vegetarian options, but what I had was very good. Black bean patties or something.
(3)
whistle m.
Came here for lunch and was so disappointed after all of the positive reviews. The portions of the meat were surprisingly small, the pork was dry and lacked flavor (had to ask for salt), and got a side of attitude with the service. We had a problem with our table and the server who brought our food treated us like we were unreasonable and causing her a lot of extra work when we wanted to move to another table. After that, we couldn't have left the restaurant fast enough. The whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth, literally and figuratively. Needless to say, we won't be back.
(1)
Laura M.
The food is delicious. Absolutely delicious. The place is a tad small and the service was a bit delayed (hence the four stars) but the food is worth the trip. I had the pork belly, corn bread, and fried plantains. SO GOOD!! The pork was perfect, cut a piece of that, the corn bread and the fried plantain all on your fork and you are in heaven. They actually did the plantains just right (I should know, I'm Cuban). The children's menu was great and included a drink and dessert. Definitely, you must make this a stop when you are in the city.
(4)
Keer M.
easy and comforting like all the soul food you eat down South made with quality ingredients. plan on waiting for a seat, but you can have a drinky while standing around.
(5)
Liz W.
One of those restaurants where I live in fear of tasting anything but what I ordered the first time and every time after that because it was SO. DANG. GOOD. The pulled chicken in pepper gravy. Oh. BABYYYY. I'm usually a sharer when it comes to letting people I dine with sample my food. And I will gladly let you try a bite of my Pulled Chicken but in my head I'm like, "Please take a small bite." All good restaurants make you selfish. My one tip for Brasa in NE: If you're going to go with more than two people, be prepared to wait a little. Great two-person restaurant.
(5)
Eddie C.
This review should have been written in June, but better late than never! Throwing up my virtual hand sign representing "MAN V. FOOD" and Adam Richman, need I say anymore!! Genius to the owners who converted an old gas station into a fine dining establishment but keeping with the casual and comfortable atmosphere of a blend of Creole and American. I appreciate slow cooked pork and rotisserie chicken and this place ranks as one of my best all-time. We started with Cornbread w/Beans, Crispy Yucca w/Citrus & Garlic (YUM!). Main dishes were the Slow Roasted Pork and Pulled Chicken and washed it down with a cold Stella Artois. I wish I had the culinary critics book for exceptional verbs because I can't describe in words how delicious our dishes were. Enjoyed our conversation with our waiter who smiled when he heard we were from California and learned about the restaurant through the Travel Channel. I'm so glad Brasa represented themselves confidently and whenever I'm back in MN which hopefully will be soon, I will make this place a must eat each time.
(5)
Holly F.
The best in town! The pork is to die for and we can't get enough of the corn bread. The salad is so good you want to lick the bowl when it's done. This is especially a great kid place, which is hard to find!
(5)
Katie W.
Amazing food; enough praise cannot be heaped upon it. Great for those of us with smaller appetites, too, as the family-style portions lend themselves very well to sharing and oftentimes a smaller appetite means a very reasonable bill. Especially during summer months, beware of the dinner rush. Brasa doesn't take reservations, so be prepared to wait, ESPECIALLY if you're coming on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night. I prefer to just eat earlier in the afternoon on weekdays to try and avoid the rush. Luckily service is quite fast, so once you get seated you will be fed very quickly. Brasa is my favorite restaurant. It's the place I always take people if I want to impress them. There really is something for everyone here!
(5)
Kristie O.
Brasa! This place is the total package: amazing food & a casual chic atmosphere with a fresh air, open walls concept & fun patio! My favs: pulled pork; collard greens; rice & pigeon peas (A.K.A. arroz con gandules!). Choose the "Nordeast," Minneapolis location if you prefer chill folk and friendly service to pretentious folk and snotty service. Sorry St. Paul, but so true, time and time again.
(5)
Zach F.
Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I prefer going with a group of about 4 people so you don't need to wait too long for a table but you are able to try a lot of different dishes. They don't take reservations but if you call ahead they can usually tell you about how long the wait will be. GREAT FOOD, seriously I have never had anything I did not like.
(5)
May T.
One of the best take away dinners I have eaten in a long time. Everything people have said about the food is utterly and completely true. We got here before the dinner rush on a warm, late spring day in Minneapolis, placed our order and rushed back to enjoy our meal of tender pulled pork, rotisserie chicken, mozzarella and romaine salad, yellow rice and black beans and collard greens on my friends' backyard deck. It was a beautiful meal.
(5)
Bob T.
Phenomenal food. Great service. Nice atmosphere. What ore could you ask for? Candied yams, yucca fries, and corn bread are musts.
(5)
Mark L.
Well, I think this place gets 5 stars just because I don't know many other places where you can just order plates of pulled and roasted meats. Unfortunately, we came in with a party of six people and had to wait 45 minutes to get a table as the restaurant is very small (used to be some kind of garage/shop), but very popular. In the meantime, we were able to grab some drinks, and talk with the wait staff about what dishes were available. Once we were able to order, our waiter was very helpful in explaining how many people the portions are actually meant for (they come in small, medium, and large denominations) when we had already ordered about double the amount for our party. Thanks to him, we saved some money and still left with stuffed stomachs. Our waiter deserved a solid tip as he brought new dishes on the fly as we ordered them and kept our glasses full (you'll need a lot of water/wine, your choice). Overall, it was a unique eating experience, despite being some distance from downtown (make sure to call a cab).
(5)
Kate L.
2 stars for First Impressions. I didn't even eat dinner here because of it. We arrived with plenty of time for waiting and eating prior to our evening engagement and were pleased to hear the wait for 4 ppl would be about 35 minutes.So beers in hand, we headed outside to hang out and wait. And wait. And wait some more. An hour had gone past and we were starting to wonder - no one else had been seated either based on the group around the fire. When we asked about the status, we were told it would be another 35 minutes or so because we were bumped out of line. WHY? Apparently, a Food Network celebrity had stopped by for dinner (not a show, just dinner) and that took priority over everyone else. He was seated immediately and the rest of us had to wait. If there has been a show filming or some event around this - or maybe a first time surprise visit, I could understand. But knowing full well that Brasa has been featured already on this show - a couple of times, this seemed completely unreasonable. Unable to wait the additional estimated 35 minutes, we left. I don't know that anything is worth over 1 hour of a wait, and considering they have no respect for people's time or money was a bit of a let down. It is the patrons like us that will drive the business - and continue to come back. Since the reviews are so good on this place, I might consider coming - I just hope I don't have the same unfortunate timing.
(2)
Jess L.
Everything is amazing. It's my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities. Things to get: rotisserie chicken, chicken in gravy, beef, chips n guacamole, sangria, yuca*, rice and beans, cornbread* with honey butter, collared greens, jalapeño spinach. Be sure to get lots of extra green sauce and dip everything in it! It might be the best cornbread I've ever had and the yuca is amazing. Also some of the best chips and guacamole and sangria I've ever had....unfortunately the prices have increased over the last couple years but still worth it.
(5)
Crysta M.
Good southern family style meal that won't scare off us northerners. The three different sizes for each option helps in planning out food for a variety of people, and it's definitely designed to share. Ordering sides are a must if you're also ordering meat, because the meat options are just that. You'll get a plate full of meat and nothing else. But add in some collared greens and cornbread and you've got yourself a nice meal. The homemade chips and guacamole are fantastic and work great as an appetizer. Once you know your way around the menu it's a pretty nice place, but the different way of advertising and presenting the food can lead to some misunderstandings. And with summer days finally upon us, their patio is a huge plus for going there.
(4)
Chaleen A.
Came with my husband on a Wednesday night - he's been wanting to go as he is a foodie and heard really good things. The food easily met his expectations (and mine). We ordered the pulled pork and 2 piece chicken - so yum! The chicken was smaller than expected, but with the sides, I am full and pleased! Sides- creamed spinach, rice and peas (beans) and the yuca sticks -- all amazing!! We are looking forward to coming back and getting takeout. :). Our server was great too! HH drinks would be nice, but get it. :).
I love this place. My favorite item is the sweet plantains with a cilantro sauce. Sooo good! Everything I have had has been delicious. I usually go for the pork for two. The cornbread is nice and sweet and the masa cakes are delicious also. I'm just sad I don't get to go there more often.
(5)
Ella Q.
Really delicious. They know what they're doing with food here. Just tried one of the Saffron Rice Bowls with pork for the first time -- delicious. I love the ginger/cilantro dressing and have bought it by the pint. It's good on the plantains, on the pulled pork, on greens, just about anything.
(4)
Irina R.
OK, so for the longest time I thought that this place was a chicken distributing or packaging factory. I blame the logo. It seriously looks like the logo you find on the packaging of a whole frozen chicken in Cub Foods. I'm glad that a friend finally informed me that this in fact is a restaurant. I tried it and it was YUMMY. Pulled Chicken, Fried Sweet Plantains, Guacamole, Corn Bread, Yellow Rice... Any combination of the above will make sure to leave you satisfied. The simplicity (but quality) of the menu, combined with casual atmosphere makes this a great place for lunch either in the middle of the week or a weekend. The floor-to-ceiling windows are also wide open during the summer and combine inside of the restaurant with the outdoor patio.
(4)
Lindsey W.
I truly love the meats here, all of them are delicious. I think this time my favorite was the pulled pork. I also tried the braised collard greens, so yummy! They had fantastic flavor. My hubs loved the corn bread and the crispy yucca. I tried the coleslaw and it was some what forgettable...I would go with a different veggie.
(4)
Alycia M.
When going to Brasa expect to wait. Great things come to those who wait and that is so true when it come to Brasa. They have limited seating both indoors and out. I went on a Thursday night at about 7:30pm, with a group of 7 people and we were told it would be a 45 minute wait and we really did wait 45 minutes. We were lucky enough to sit outside and it was a perfect evening for it (I highly recommend asking to be seated out on the patio) . The service is good and while they have limited seating they do not rush you to get in and out, they let you enjoy your experience. The food is DELICIOUS, seriously. I ordered the black bean fritter and tried some of the yuca. This is was by far the best black bean sandwich that I have ever had and I would order it over and over again. I also ordered their sangria, which is a red sangria and it was very good. A lot of restaurants make their sangria to be very sweet, but Brasa does not. I will definitely be going back, there are too many items on the menu that I still need to try. As for parking, I believe they have ten parking spots in their lot, but there is plenty of on the street parking.
(5)
Kerry W.
Love everything about it. Hard to imagine how it could be any better.
(5)
Shannon L.
Delicious organic Creole cuisine. Haven't had anything I don't like. Could use more indoor seating
(5)
Sheng Y.
Brasa is good, for its portion sizes and prices and for the outdoor seating and feeling of the atmosphere! I love the yuca!! It's the only place where I can rely on crispy yuca!
(5)
Rachel E.
Living near Northeast I had driven past Brasa a few times but honestly thought it was an auto body shop. A few weeks ago, my brother surprised me with a phone call saying he and a friend were in the Cities for the day and wanted to take me out to lunch. His friend had heard of this place because it was featured on a food show so we stopped in. I had a chicken sandwich and it was delicious. The interior is industrial-style and gives a no-frills vibe; still very cool decor though. The only downfall of the visit was our service. It was not even remotely busy when we went but it still took 15 minutes for our server to come by our table. If it hadn't been so snowy and difficult to get there in the first place, I think we would've left. I'm glad we stayed because the service did get better and the food was worth the wait.
(4)
Ellie C.
They have a specific vegetarian menu and you can't go wrong with rice and beans and sweet plantains - and theirs are fantastic! Good service and baby friendly.
(5)
Colleen C.
Well, I see what all the fuss is about. The food is rockin' like nobody's business and I dig converted gas stations and other formerly ugly spaces made cool and awesome by good design and artful tendencies. The order: 2 fresh lemonades (sucked down swiftly) 1 order of hot cornbread + honey butter (it kills me, its so good) Braised beef (1/4lb) (meat winner) Pulled pork (1/4lb) Chips + Guac Chocolate pudding w/ huckleberry drizzle and fresh cream (drool) BE STILL, friends. It gets BETTER. The entire check was approximately $25 + tip for an overwhelmingly excellent meal. Locally sourced, carefully prepared, ferociously executed and extremely filling. Icing on the meat cakes? Service was great despite a full patio on a beautiful 75 degree, sunny day. The garage doors flung open...ahhhhh, it's a beautiful thing. YES, like....$15 per person! What!? Yes. Brasa, bravo! Best meal I've had in Minneapolis...
(5)
Philip S.
Here's another 5 star review for Brasa Rotisserie. It is sincerely good food, and you can probably tell just by it's reputation and Yelp rating and so I will keep it brief: 1. Come early! 2. Order the Pork Sandwich - with the ginger mayo and cilantro. I AM categorically opposed to eating pork, but this is the shining exception 3. Have the Crispy Yucca as a side. Delicious and healthy alternative to fries and a completely unforgettable side dish. I could write a review just about these. That's all Yelp-a-saurs! Come to Brasa, you will NOT be disappointed :)
(5)
Jennifer R.
Yesterday was a beautiful day, which means it was perfect for dinner at Brasa. Since it used to be an oil change place, and they kept the glass garage doors, they'll open them up when the weather's nice, and you get to enjoy open-air eating even without sitting on the patio. The food here is just as good as everyone keeps saying. We had the pulled pork, the rotisserie chicken, cheese grits, and cornbread. Everything was wonderful. I love the flavorful, spicy skin on that chicken, and especially the aioli that comes with it. But the cheese grits! Those rocked my world. I could have eaten those all day. Of course grits are made of corn, but they don't usually TASTE like corn. These had a great corn-y flavor, and combined with the cheese, it was incredible. From now on, when I think of comfort food, I will only picture Brasa's cheese grits. I loved that the food is served family style; it's great if you want to try a little bit of everything. And the soda selections! They've got Mexican Coke and five or six flavors of Jarritos. That definitely puts them over the top in my book.
(5)
Rachelle T.
I made my very first visit to Brasa last weekend! Most definitely a great spot for the meat loving types. The space is tiny, very tiny and you'll find yourself waiting for a bit while the restaurant smells divine. I ordered the rotisserie chicken and it was amazing! The portion was rather generous as well, I was able to save a bit for a snack later. The corn cake was really tasty as well, I would love the recipe. But, I got to be honest, the sides really didn't do much for me. I got to sample the collard greens, the yams and the chips and they all seemed a bit on the oily side. Overall, Brasa is truly a unique spot for a casual meal.
(4)
Krissy W.
I'm obsessed. Whenever I read hundreds of amazing reviews about somewhere, I always mentally prepare myself to be let down. That did not happen. Not one bit. I'm not even sure where to start. But I'll try. They serve beer & wine. They have small yet decent bottle & tap beer list. I haven't perused the wine list, but with only a $10 corkage fee, I'll stick with that. The menu can be a bit overwhelming if you're with a lot of people, but if one person is put in charge of the portions & preferences, it's manageable. For meats, I've tried to pulled pork, bbq beef, & chicken with gravy. All of them are heavenly. But in my opinion, Brasa is all about the sides. I've had the candied yams, creamed spinach, grits, mozzarella salad, plantains, crispy yucca, & cornbread. OMG. I'm drooling just thinking about all this deliciousness. The creamed spinach & crispy yucca are my favorite. I have no idea how they can make spinach taste so heavenly, but they do. Order an extra side of the yucca dipping sauce, it's unbelievable. The cornbread is unreal. I order one for both an appetizer & dessert. It's that good. Not only do my friends & I love this place, I was also able to bring my parents here. I was a little worried that they would be weirded out by the small size & family-style ordering, but they loved it. My dad said, "We felt like we were eating with all the hipsters!" (he meant that in a good way) The ONLY negative about this place is its size (& they don't take reservations). You do have to wait quite awhile to get a table. When my bf & I brought my parents here, we arrived an hour early so my parents wouldn't have to wait when they arrived. Just remember, the waiting is totally worth it.
(5)
Pascal M.
"DOWN GOES FRAZIER! DOWN GOES FRAZIER!" That's what the announcers said after he ate everything on the menu from Brasa Rotisserie. How could one not have tried this place if you lived within the area? I mean, the building is former oil change shop. They even still have the garage, so cool. I ate here while I was in town on business. So good we even ordered leftovers to take to the room. We had tried their pulled chicken in gravy, slow roasted pork with garlic and lime, and smoked beef with sweet-spicy BBQ sauce. For sides, we had their Cabbage and Apple Coleslaw, Yellow Rice and Beans, Collard Greens, & Corn Bread with Honey Glaze. DAMN THAT WAS GOOD! That's about all I remember. If you live in the area, and you ain't been...smack yo self. Go get some of the most soulful creole/carribean cooking you can sink your teeth into.
(5)
Cou P.
Great food which I have picture to prove it that we enjoyed them. Usually people have to wait long for a table but we just lucky to have table right after we walk in. We enjoy every dish on the table, even order more to go, to take home to share with kid's roommates. Even though it's pricy but tasty, will come back and try more dishes soon. (upon daughter's request)
(4)
Susie A.
Amazing pulled chicken sandwich! Just the right amount of sauce and flavorings that you could still taste the juicy large chunks of chicken. Big, square, soft yet chewy bun that melted in my mouth... Chips unlike any I've had before. They were sweet, with just the right amount of coarse salt on them... adicting! and I'm not a chip person. My husband had the braised beef sandwich, which he loved, and my son had the shredded pork from the kids menu. He's not easy to please, but he said it was the best thing he's had! We all loved every bite we put in our mouths! They serve "happy animals" at Brasa (free range chicken, grass fed beef, organic eggs...). So you can be happy eating here too! We'll definately go back!
(4)
Leah H.
We came here on a recommendation from a friend, and ordered the following based on previous Yelp reviews: Chicken & shrimp etouffee .25 lbs Rotisserie chicken .25 lbs Slow roasted pork .25 lbs Braised beef Large side of cornbread & black beans Regular side of creamed spinach & jalapeño I really wanted to try the sweet cafe con leche, but I was afraid that I would be able to finish all that we previously ordered. THANK YOU Yelp reviewers! It was great eats and we wished were had a few more meals in there to try out everything. Great tasting meat and favor in the sides. The black beans were yummy! (Big fan of Cuban food, and the black beans were on that yum-factor comparable.)
(4)
Elizabeth S.
Even when it was nearly freezing and rain poured from the sky, I made the trek to Brasa to get an order of pulled pork with mojo sauce. (I wish they'd give more sauce based on amount of pork ordered; I'm sure they'd give more if I asked, but should I really have to?) The selection of beer, wine, and other beverages is also above average. The service is consistently the worst I've ever gotten. Not that there's much for servers to do, but they have the worst attitudes and can't wait to get you out of the restaurant. Unless it's warm and the outdoor seating is set up, it's not worth it to dine in.
(4)
Noah F.
The best meal I have had in the Twin Cities. Everything about this place is great from the flavorful and reasonably priced food to the warm and friendly atmosphere. Do yourself a favor and go!
(5)
Veruca R.
I have eaten at the Brasa in Northeast and in St Paul. I've had pleasant experiences at both locations. We order lunch from Brasa about one a month for our office. They have a little bit of everything for everyone. I'm always impressed that they can take our order for 20+ people and have it ready in a half hour.
(5)
Terence A.
Great tasting food. Plenty of sides for vegetarians. Get the plantains as long as they are sweet/ripe. Takeout service is fast too.
(4)
Larry P.
Terrific rotisserie grilled meats. Chicken pork tender and juicy. Wonderful cornbread and some tasty sides, like collard greens, fried plantains, yams with andouille sausage and fried yucca. Wash it down with a tasty local draft beer. Casual atmosphere with outdoor seating in the summer.
(4)
Annie D.
If you're the carnivorous sort, welcome to paradise. I hate committing to a "favorite" restaurant, but if pressed, Brasa might be it. Quality and simplicity are big here, which is how I like my food most of the time. I could live with just garlic, salt and pepper if they always ended up on free-range organic chicken, local pork and fried plantains. Oh, and the CORNBREAD! The buttery, honey-sweetened corn cakes make me want to sneak into their kitchen and steal the recipe. My friends and I eat a lot of family style meals and we loved that the menu was set up for sharing at Brasa (we did not share cornbread---for the record, that would be impossible). Prices are a little steeper than I wish they were, but the quality is up there. Even though we had to wait for a table, we had a round of beers and hung out in the (very) small waiting space, tortured by the smells coming out of the open kitchen. It's worth the wait, but if you get murderously jealous of the people eating, takeout is an option. Wow, I guess I am willing to commit, in a way. I seem to be willing to commit a lot of crimes for Brasa, and that's true love (so says a complete psychopath... or someone who just really likes rotisserie chicken). Tip: Brasa puts on a lot of Twitter deals, especially at their St. Paul location. They'll have free chicken wings with a pitcher of beer or 2-4-1s... all kinds of good stuff!
(5)
Zoey Z.
Deets you need to know: 1. Quick 2. Efficient 3. Always local, fresh and flavorful 4. Get the pork over the chicken 5. Creamed Spinach a MUST! Even for spinach haters. Add Corn bread with honey glaze to your order--you won't be sorry. Going with a big group? Head over to St. Paul location. Looking for cozy? NE location
(5)
Johanna C.
i'm from texas and there's nothing like some good, southern cooking that satisfies your stomach and warms your soul! if you're looking for some good comfort food in the minneapolis area, def check this place out! i had the slow roasted pork sandwich which was delicious and probably my fav item from all the stuff we ordered (and boy did we order A LOT!). you can also get the meats separately but i think the sandwich combo is a winner. Sides in ranking order of best to worst: Homemade chips & guac, Crispy yucca, candied yams, romaine & mozzarella salad, creamed spinach
(4)
Gillian M.
Loved this place - I'm only sad we don't have anything like it in San Francisco where I live. My brother took me here when I came to visit Minneapolis for the weekend. There was quite a long wait so we grabbed a pitcher of beer and headed out front to the patio, which had ample seating. We also ordered some guacamole to tame our hunger, and it was delicious. Service was great, friendly, helpful in figuring out how much food to order for our 4-person group. ALL of the food was awesome. We had the chicken and BBQ beef for our meats, collard greens, yuca fries and cornbread & masa cake to share for the table. Straightforward, excellent food and it didn't sit too heavy in our stomachs afterwards. I highly recommend going here - but bring several friends so you can try several different menu items!
(5)
Dylan G.
Second time eating at Brasa tonight, I will definitely be back to eat there again Service: I thought the service was good. My cup was never empty and the waitress was very informed in regards to my questions. Everyone working appeared to be happy to work there which makes a big difference in the service you get. Atmosphere: I thought the atmosphere was awesome. The building was very clean and the industrial garage doors they have that open up make the restaurant seem very open and comforting. Food: I had the rotisserie chicken for my meat, The skin was crispy and the meat was perfectly cooked and moist. The two sides I had were the: crispy yuca with citrus & garlic and roasted yam & andouille. The crispy yuca with citrus & garlic was delicious, the yuca was cut and fried like french fries and came with a citrus and garlic sauce. The sauce had a strong lime flavor that complimented the yuca. The sauce also came with the rotisserie chicken but I thought the chicken was fine on its own. The roasted yam & andouille was not something I'd get again, the andouille was perfectly spicy and delicious, however the yams were not as good. I felt the need to get a cornbread muffin and I have to say it was one of the best I've ever had. The friend I ate with got the slow pulled pork, coleslaw, and the black beans & rice. I tried all of her food and felt it was decent. The pulled pork and coleslaw were both delicious but I felt the rice was lacking some kind of flavor. I definitely recommend Brasa to anyone. Took my son and it was just fine for him. The best part is that for all of our food it was under $30
(5)
Cory O.
I was disappointed with last night's experience. My wife and I have picked up takeout from there numerous times and the food is always very good. With last night's excellent weather, we decided to eat in so we could enjoy their patio. After we ordered, we waited at least 30 minutes for the food. During that time, nobody came by to explain what was taking so long. When the food finally did arrive, they brought it for my wife and me, leaving our 2-year-old sitting there without anything. Her food didn't arrive for another minute or two. When it did arrive, I asked for another glass of tea (which didn't arrive for about 5-10 minutes). The food was okay, not the excellence we've had before. The pork was cold. My sandwich was pedestrian. The homemade chips were bland. The cornbread was missing that honey-buttery flavor. Having eaten Brasa's food before, I was just disappointed--and the absence of a server didn't help matters any. Next time we order (as I'm sure we'll give them another shot because of their prior success), we'll just order take out..
(2)
Lindsay H.
collard greens!
(5)
Soly Z.
We waited about 30 minutes for our table (we were quoted a 40 min wait but it went a little faster than expected ). The smoked beef was delicious, as were the variety of side dishes we tried. The roasted chicken was good, but nothing extraordinary. The four piece order was actually three pieces, with a breast cut into two chunks. I liked the collard greens and creamed spinach with jalapenos best. My husband loved the yellow rice and beans. The restaurant was busy and the wait staff was very friendly and able to keep up with the crowd while making sure diners didn't feel rushed.
(4)
William C.
This place is amazing. I've only been in the Twin Cities for a few months, but Brasa is by far the best place I've eaten at so far. We got there around 7:30 on a Friday night and we were worried that we'd have to wait awhile for a table. Luckily, since it was just the two of us we were seated right away. There were larger parties that were there before us, but didn't get seated until we were almost done with our meal. So larger parties be aware of the longer wait times, however I must say it is worth the wait. The girlfriend and I ate our meal family style, which was a good choice because everything we ate was fantastic. We decided to try both the masa and cornbread. The masa was one of my favorite parts of the meal. It had a good chewy, but also firm texture. The saltiness of the onion and cheese on top served as a perfect compliment to the sweetness of the masa bread. The cornbread was also very good, though I would pick the masa over the cornbread any day. We also ordered two sides to share. The yams and andouille, and the fried plantains. Both were pretty good, i mean it's fried plantains and mashed yams with sausage so it's kind of hard to mess up. For the meats we shared the braised beef, pulled pork, and the special of the night, miso glazed prawns. It's really too bad that the prawns were a special and not part of the regular menu. The fookin' prawns were the best thing I put in my mouth that night. The miso sauce was perfectly sweet and salty and the prawns were big and meaty. The best part? Prawns came shelled, but with the head intact. I do love me some delicious prawn brains. The braised beef was also fantastic, it was so tender and the bbq sauce it comes with was really good. I would definitely go with the beef over the pork. I felt the pulled-pork was a bit too dry for my tastes, but still pretty good. I'm already looking forward to the next time I dine here.
(5)
Angela A.
I love this place! My mom and I have been in several times for dinner before events, fun to share a few dishes - especially love the andouille and sweet potatoes! Good to get here at off-times, if possible because it fills up quickly during peak hours.
(5)
Jon M.
Ok is it just me or are the portions somehow getting smaller? Even my pork sandwich amazing flavor was light on pork. Hmmmmmm going cheap? I hope not as I would give them 5 every time but the portions are poorly sized. Ps chips and guac might be the best ever.
(4)
Jane D.
Great place for my dad's birthday lunch! Well done sides served family style so we could all try the chicken, rice and beans, pulled pork sandwich, and plantains.
(4)
Sarah C.
The pork. The crispy yuca. Even the rice and beans. Everything was delectable. Our server rocked it. She was polite and friendly but not overly so, and she was incredibly helpful as I asked questions about what foods would work with my restricted diet. The atmosphere is relaxing. We finished our drinks as the conversation rolled, and nobody hurried us out the door. We love. We'll be back. Many, many a time.
(5)
Jillian F.
My aunt and uncle were in town so I wanted to take them somewhere yummy, I was recommended this. My uncle being jewish and my aunt being a picky eater this was a perfect place. I loved the sharing plates idea, and we got a large beef and about 4 sides. This was fantastic flavor, the potatos sides were amazing. And the cornbread melted in my mouth. And the sauce that is served with the potatoes and plantains are to dye for. The drink menu is small, but has some decent choices. Waiting did take a while for a table, but the waitress was fast once seated. The atmosphere was super nice on a summer day but I think it might feel more crowded during the winter. I think you might want to call ahead for larger groups and it seemed like a kid friendly atmosphere. Overall the food wowed me every bite and that would be the main reason to keep going back.
(5)
Olivia H.
I have mixed feelings about Brasa. First just let me say I LOVE THE FOOD. But, I don't always like the service, and the wait is ridiculous. My recommendation? CALL AHEAD and do TAKE OUT. Then you get the food without the hassle. (lunch menu is excellent as well)
(4)
Theresa D.
I have nothing but great things to say about this restaurant! We have always received awesome service and the food is wonderful.
(5)
Jon S.
If I had a week to eat at the best restaurants in Minneapolis, where would I go? Aside from the obvious, (112, Alma, Bar la Grassa, Belle Vie, D'amica Kitchen, Lucia's, and Vincents), you just have to go to Brasa!! They now have two locations and I prefer the Minneapolis one because it is more intimate and the servers seem more informed. Yes, there is sometimes a wait, but it is all worth it in this pulled-meat heaven. Their "cheesey grits" (yes, I said it y'all) is great and if you over-order, as most do, they have cute little take home boxes. Tip: in the spring and summer months they have an outside seating area that is lively and cuts down on wait time.
(4)
S A.
delicious food. tiny portions, jumbo prices
(4)
Jarryd R.
Amazing! Small so be prepared to wait for a table, but it's 100% worth the wait! Highly recommend the pork sandwich!
(5)
Michael P.
Very nice food and atmosphere. The staff was very helpful.
(4)
B. C.
Absolutely love Brasa and try to make a point to come for lunch every time I'm in town, especially if the weather's nice enough to sit outside. I always recommend to get orders for the table to share. My favorites are the rotisserie chicken, slow roasted pork and surprisingly the smoked beef. For sides I stick to the beans, yuca and grits. My only qualm is the cornbread is inconsistent. Other then that there's nothing to not love.
(4)
Summer L.
What is there to say about Brasa that hasn't been said before? Their rotisserie meats are divine, their sides are southernly sinful (read: cream and butter ahoy), and the options for a one-person sandwich are perfect when your group isn't large or full of picky people. I nearly always gravitate towards the chicken; the pork is rather fabulous as well. My favorite sides: the romaine & mozzarella salad, collard greens with smoked turkey, creamed spinach with jalapeno, and the never-endingly awesome corn cake. What's funny is that these have been my favorites for the last four years or however long it's been since they have been open; there haven't been many menu changes in that time. Not complaining. The only brutal part is eating in at Brasa. It's not bad service, it's simply lack of space. The place is friggin' tiny. There's not really anywhere for people to stand and wait for tables except to crowd around the bathrooms, and that's not fun for anyone. And if it's raining or cold outside and the patio is useless, the problem is doubly compounded. It's for this reason that I try to go off-hours whenever possible. I really hate standing around, smelling good food. Brasa is one of those places that is forever notable. And if I were smart, I'd start ordering massive piles of take-out so that I could enjoy it more than once every blue moon when the timing is right.
(4)
Jordan S.
As a vegetarian, the giant chicken and "rotisserie" has always scared me away from Brasa. Biking by, it always smelled delicious and made me envious of those carnivores who don't have to bite and grin into a tempeh concoction and pretend it's just as good. So, I instantly when into "ah shucks" mode when my friends mentioned they were going to Brasa after a casual 40 mile bike ride we took one beautiful Saturday. But wait, Jordan, they have a vegetarian menu. I kicked it into high gear, knowing I'd get to enjoy all the fragrant smells of an atmosphere like Brasa without having to give up my non-meat-eating snootiness. I showered, dressed and walked dogs in record time and hurried back into Nordeast, where my friends were already sitting on the patio, drinking pitchers of sangria without me!! I arrived 15 minutes after they did and no worries, I didn't miss any sangria tasting... there was a wait. Woah, what a wait. Crowds of people in Twins paraphernalia stood in our way. Alright, we were a group of 8, so there wasn't much complaining on our part, but damn. I wish they took reservations. After about 35 minutes, we were seated. I was a little cranky. Forty miles plus forty minutes of standing idly in the sun does not make Jordan a happy girl. But whatever, I was ready to read this legendary vegetarian menu... Um. It's just the regular menu with the meat items taken out. That's fair. I was hoping for a little more variety than two items, but I'll get the Vegetarian Bean Fritter without guac and the Cornbread with Honey Glaze. The cornbread came quickly with everyone else's appetizers. It was sweet and broke apart easily. Qualities I love in cornbread. Soon after the Vegetarian Bean Fritter came and blew me away. It was miles above my expectation of a meat house's interpretation of bean cuisine. The mozzarella was thick and melty. The fritter part did not fall apart into a million different crumbles like the usual meatless burger. Everything surpassed my already high expectations. Brasa's Vegetarian Bean Fritter is excellent and makes up for the fact that it's one of two meals they have for us non-meat eaters. Careful about the hour you choose to go because they are popular and get a couple of orders of cornbread.
(5)
Colleen E.
Brasa is one of my favorite places to go if I'm in the mood for some good southwest style cooking. This location has a great atmosphere, but go a little earlier than you think because it's usually packed for dinner and I don't think they take reservations.
(4)
Angela S.
There isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said. This place is soooo good! I could eat Brasa's pork sandwich every single day. Their chicken and beef sandwiches are good too, but the pork is definitely my favorite. As far as sides go, I've found the rice and beans and crispy yuca to be the best. Oh, and the cornbread with honey glaze. The cornbread is nothing short of amazing.
(5)
Christian F.
The food here is fantastic. I've never had a bad dish yet--I've gone multiple times, alone and with friends, and we've ordered all over the menu. Not one bad dish. It's popular, so there's usually a wait to be seated, but I won't knock a point off for that. You can still order a beer and hang out while you wait, and in the summer the outdoor seating is truly refreshing. Not only is everything delicious, but the portions are quite suitable. Most places try to make up for crappy food by giving you too much of it, and that's what Americans have come to expect (and it shows, in Minnesota's ever-expanding waistlines), but Brasa knows what a meal is supposed to look like. They have enough confidence in their food, perhaps, to let the quantity rest on the quality. I respect a restaurant that doesn't try to force too much waste on the customer.
(5)
P D.
I had been meaning to stop in for quite some time and finally had the chance today. One of the few restaurants in Minneapolis that is gluten-free with the exception of some bread items. Family-friendly very busy -service could've been a little quicker but it was well worth the wait. Sampled little bit of everything - some chicken, some pork, some beef -as well as numerous sides. Yuca, plantains, red beans and rice were all top notch. The green sauce that they give for dipping was amazing (and available to take home for $5 a pint). If you are at all hungry ignore the small and medium and go straight for the large sides - they were the highlight of the meal! Next time I will pass on the meat, but my wife enjoyed the pork. Since she is stuck with a gluten-free diet, the real treat was that the bulk of the menu was okay for her to eat - save the sandwiches and corn breads. Great meat, fantastic sides - we will be quite happy to keep coming back.
(4)
Justine L.
After going to three other restaurants with an hour long wait each, we (luckily!) ended up at Brasa. The casual and simple, yet cozy, atmosphere of the restaurant contributes to its comfort food concept. Among three people, we ordered the medium rotisserie chicken, small pulled pork, and small beef. For sides, they were, unfortunately, out of plantains (our fav!) so, we got the yucca fries and cole slaw. It was surprisingly the perfect amount of food! Everything was great, but here were our favorites and why: - Rotisserie chicken: crispy but not greasy skin, moist meat, amazing green onion infused sauce - Beef (I can't remember what they called this beef): the sauce was bbq meets meat loaf. Definitely hit the spot and brought you back to childhood. - Cole slaw: great sized veggies, lightly coated in sauce.
(4)
Rachel C.
What can I say about Brasa aside from, "GO!!!" The food here is amazing. It's essentially a rotisserie and southern cooking place with family-style eating. They do have a few options to order individual plates, but the heart and taste buds of Brasa comes out in having a wide variety of options to taste and share. Order your meat by the weight (juicy and scrumptious plates full of chicken, pork, and beef), scatter in a healthy number of sides, and end your meal with a cornbread or two. The NE Minneapolis location is smaller than it's newer companion on Grand in St. Paul. The location is fun as the old garage doors are opened and outdoor seating is plentiful. It has a nice vibe to it, but I'm sure it's my favorite over St. Paul simply because this is where I discovered it. I don't think this place would ever be accused of being a healthy eating joint (creamed spinach and yams with andouille sausage are just two of the sides), but with sharing a variety of plates let's you try a variety of foods without having a heaping plate; trust me, you don't want to limit yourself here. My absolute favorite side is the crispy yuca with a green citrus and garlic dip that I would eat as a smoothie every morning if they let me. The dip is always the bowl that gets passed around the table constantly as we delight in our meal. Every time I bring newbies here, the moans of culinary delight far drown out the conversation at the table and I know I've made converts with each trip.
(5)
Etienne C.
Four stars because five is reserved for transcendent experiences. Four, in my opinion, is an achievement in itself. Brasa deserves its reputation. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I tried almost everything and wouldn't turn down seconds of any of it. The pulled chicken might be too good, deal-with-the-devil good. The rotisserie is almost as good but bones are annoying. We got all the sides but the kale, and the only one I thought just mediocre was the andouille and yams. The beans were just so so, but the cornbread was fine. Had dessert, too. Mousse cake! Oh, dear. Each dish come in various sizes. We got everything for one person, small I think, and just ordered more if we wanted. We did. Four drinks, many sides, two mains and dessert later we escaped at under $55. The wait staff is attentive but brusque. They're mainly very young; an older staff might set a better example. My beer was served warm. That could happen to anyone, but it shouldn't happen at a restaurant.
(4)
Samantha L.
Such a fan of this place, been here at least five times. Although they have regular entrees that can be ordered, I've never done it, sharing is the better deal in my opinion. The shreded chicken and salad are my go-to picks. The service can be a little hit or miss, but things get really busy on the weekends so I can't fault them too much. I really dig the family style. Its a throw-back to years past....."could you pass the salad please"?
(4)
Gen W.
I grew up in the Caribbean and the flavor of the food definitely reminded me of home. Great place to grab a bite to eat. Unfortunately when I visited they were out of the dishes that I wanted. I ended up ordering their chicken, cornbread and yucca also called cassava in the Caribbean. Everything was tasy but I would like to try more things hopefully next time they will be more stocked and ready for business.
(3)
Minh T.
Brasa has the kind of food that I really love: slow roasted meats, seasoned perfectly, with so much flavor in every bite. I looked at their sandwich list and was so tempted by the slow roasted pork. As it turned out, the list of side dishes sounded too delicious to turn down, so instead, I ordered the slow roasted pork and smoked beef meat plates along with the cabbage and apple coleslaw, roasted yams and andouille, grits with cheddar, and the cornbread. Don't worry, I split everything with a friend or else they'd have to wheel me out of there. Both meats were tender and delicious, but my friend and I agreed that we'd willingly give up our firstborn child for an unlimited supply of the pork, which had the perfect amount of fat to make it juicy and rich. Of the sides, the roasted yam and andouille were the trifecta of sweet, savory, and spicy. The cornbread also really impressed us. The grits were good, but didn't wow us, so next time, I think I'll give the creamed spinach with jalapeno a try. To end the meal, we ordered the butterscotch pudding and the pineapple upside down cake. Both were wonderful. The pineapple cake had a great rum anglaise sauce, which I could just drink -- it was so good. Brasa's has a fairly small internal space, but from what I could tell, they have a good amount of outside seating. I can't wait to go back again when the weather's warm.
(4)
Mandarin Y.
This place was awesome. Good service and yummy food. Ordered the rotisserie chicken and it was so juicy, tender, and flavorful it was one of the best rotisserie chicken I ever had. They also offer a good variety of sides to choose from so I ordered their collard greens made with smoked chicken and their featured side of that night, black eyed peas served with yellow rice, and both sides were very tasty. It's a pretty small establishment so you might want to arrive earlier because this place fills up fast and their parking is tiny so you very well may end up finding street parking.
(4)
Nate J.
I sought this eatery out because of it's reviews on Yelp. I located it easily and was very excited to eat here, and I was very hungry. I parked in their lot and walked in through the roll up garage door, giving a really fun and open atmosphere. The ordering area is clean and simple, I asked a server if I could sit outside, she responded nicely, and seemed really friendly, and said yes. I sat outside where they have a designated eating area, and it was a nice day, had shade and sunshine, a good place to enjoy life, and to eat I I grabbed a menu from another table, because the table I had schosen was without a menu upon it. I sat and began browsing the menu, and out of nowhere, a server appeared. She seemed pleasant, I asked what I should order, being my first time. What I decided upon was Pork and two sides collard greens and a delicious rice mixture , I 4 stars for delicious and comforting food, mixed in with some good soul food. Terrific service, very good and casual, definite recommend. $20 after tipping for a meal, tea, and cornbread. Minneapolis needs more restaurants like this, keep it local.
(4)
Bryan E.
fun place. portions seemed small. Very busy place
(4)
Brad O.
I get butterflies in my stomach whenever I think of Brasa. My first time eating at the restaurant rivals my first time ever being kissed. Aside from family and friends, Brasa is one of the few things that I truly miss about Minneapolis. *teardrop* I'm not a big-time carnivore or anything, but Brasa prepares their meat so that it is flavorful every time. How many meat-centric restaurants actually offer an all-vegetarian menu and a solid one at that? I could write a haiku about this place If I actually knew how to write a haiku. So instead I will just leave you with a few recommendations: The Black Bean Fritter is to cry for. The Smoked Beef and Pulled Chicken sandwiches are so good that you could literally save your failing marriage, beat depression, or cure personal hunger. It's as if all of the recipes came straight from GOD's cookbook, and Jesus is in the kitchen making it himself. If you don't believe in GOD, you probably will after eating at Brasa or at least magic...
(5)
Glen S.
I was simply impressed with the food (and just about only the food) as I ate at Brasa. I hate judging a restaurant simply on crappy service, but I have to say, I felt like the service could have been a little better. It took a while to get any refills of anything and at times, seemed like the guys who worked there were "too cool" to be a server. Now, on to the food. The spices used to make the chicken I ate were amazing. How they mix and match them together until they get it just right is impressive. The meat falls right off the bone and the side dishes are just as wonderful. If it wasn't for the food, I think this place would have been 1 or 2 stars only, but the food really holds the place together. I would highly suggest to anyone who is craving that southern taste or just want a hunk of meat in their mouth.
(4)
David P.
As others have noted pretty great place for carnivores. The have a few vegetarian selections so your friends who lean this way won't go completely hungry. The success of this restaurant really comes from their focus on keeping it simple and doing what they do well. All of it is quite good. But if pressed - I've had the pork, chicken and beef and I have to say I lean towards the beef when served alone. For the sandwiches I lean toward the pork but that is probably because I am a sucker for anything cilantro. The cornbread is pretty great and is probably a must order for those of you who enjoy cornbread. Finally, you have to appreciate that Brasa is one of the few restaurants in the city that serve Mexican Coca-Cola (with real sugar) AND the Original Dr. Pepper with real sugar (which I believe is the ONLY place in town that has it). The latter is a big deal, well, because it is made in one town in Texas and costs a mint to have shipped. Go ahead and look it up!
(4)
Rebecca Y.
I went with a friend for lunch. Maybe I was expecting the best because I have to admit that I was disappointed. Now, I'm not saying this place is horrible by any means. But....I guess I was expecting the best. I ordered the pull pork which was somewhat dry with very little flavor. And no bbq sauce to make it taste better either. The waiter recommended the salad which was mediocre. The best part was the cornbread and honey butter. I probably will try it again as everyone has a bad day. It just won't be at the top of my list.
(2)
Kimberly T.
I'm so glad I finally made it to Brasa! This place is amazing and the menu allows you to try a lot of plates, which I love - the more I get to eat, the better. We had a 1/4 lb of the rotisserie chicken, roasted pork & braised beef. The chicken was my favorite - the sauce that came with it was incredible. For sides, we got chips & guac, creamed spinach w/ jalapeño & cornbread. Everything was SO good. The cornbread was perfection! The guac was also really good, very smooth & creamy. The salsa that came on the side was also delicious! We got the devil's food cake for dessert, which was unnecessary, but really good nonetheless. We got ALL of this food & a couple beers each for $45. This place is awesome & I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Amanda S.
Holy Sh*t This is good food. I don't ever eat pork, but tried theirs after being convinced of the integrity of the ingredients they use - namely the meat, which is all free-range/local. That pulled pork is just faaaantastic, it's worth going there just to get that. I was with a date and we shared quite a few sides. I usually am not a yam fan but I genuinely enjoyed the andouille & yam side. I also loved the creamed spinach and of course the cornbread is to die for, as many other yelpers have raved. Good atmosphere, very friendly and warm staff, busy, but not a long wait for 2. Go get your grub on kids, this is the spot.
(5)
Scott N.
this place is fanTASTIC! we stopped in on the way to stillwater and had lunch. i had the egg and sausage sandwich, fried plantains, and greens. they got original dr. pepper and mexican cokes. real cornbread - i mean this place is a southern boy's dream in the mid-west. we stopped back in on the way to the airport and i had the special fried egg sandwich, with avocado and bacon (i like egg sammiches). everything we ordered was phenomenal and right on time. i will rave about brasa for a long time. love the fact that it's on hennepin ave. too (primus sucks!).
(5)
Kristen D.
Still a favorite in Mlps. i am never disappointed when I dine here. If you have the chance to have the pineapple upside down cake with creme anglaise, DO IT. You will not be disappointed. It tastes like summer feels. I can't wait to be able to sit outside when the weather gets warmer.
(5)
Chelsey L.
Nom nom nom. Thank you thank you Alex Roberts for taking me to brisket heaven. I was in Minneapolis for a week-long training and really had no clue where to go or what to eat. A friend said this was one of the 5 must-eat meals in America. I was extremely skeptically (leggit Southern food where it's below freezing for months on end?), but after reading some reviews, I trusted you fellow yelpers would not lead me astray. Our party of of 4 had quite a wait (about an hour) on a weeknight, but the meat and fixins were well worth it. We had the beef and pork (both were great, but the pork pulled ahead a little bit) with sides of cornbread, greens, and grits. I had no idea it was possible to get so much cheese in grits. Good good eats. Throughout the wait and once we were seated, service was just right. Friendly and helpful when needed. Bottom line, get yer belly here.
(5)
Carrie W.
Summery: Great food, horrible service. I am in love with their food. My choice: raised beef, grits, rice & beans. Yum and yum. It tastes just right every time. No bad surprises here, just good food. My family has gone to Brasa twice or three times together cause we all enjoy the food. The problem is, every time we go we get horrible service. They don't communicate when the table will be ready, they don't offer drinks while we're waiting, and when we sit down they usually just look pissed we're there. Our waitress didn't even split our check at the end and we had 9 people. Isn't it just a given that 9 people will want their check split? When I've gone w/ one other person they were a little more attentive but lacked friendliness. Lesson learned: DO NOT go in a large group. Keep it small, 2-3 peeps. They can't handle much else.
(3)
Terry B.
Straight up, some of the best tasting food I've ever had. If you know anything about fried plantains, Brasa's will leave you in awe! The pull pork was very flavorful and just melts in your mouth. And with reasonable prices and friendly staff, I will be back!
(5)
S M.
Excellent - starting with the wonderful customer service to the food which was a perfect blend of flavors. I had the slow roasted pork, it was shredded, very flavorful, tender, and even though I ordered the small size, it was a good portion. The sides have to be ordered separately from the meat, I had the fried plantains and the homemade chips and guacamole. The guacamole was probably the best I have ever had. Chips were good, a little greasy looking, but they didn't taste greasy. The plantains were caramelized and could have been served as dessert. There was an interesting sauce with the plantains that was fresh and citrusy tasting (maybe some cilantro, don't know for sure what it was, but it was good.) A weird combination that really worked. My friend had the crispy yuca w/citrus and garlic. That was a superstar, probably my favorite of the sides. All tolled, with my meat and two sides, my friend's sandwich and side of yuca, a glass of wine, a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, and a complementary spicy masa dish, our bill was just over $35. Well worth it. The waitress was really nice, attentive, and was helpful with recommendations. This is now one of my go-to places when I visit Minneapolis!
(5)
John A.
I love the dining experience at Brasa. Small plates to share make it easy to order everything on the menu to find your favorite flavor.
(5)
Marsha L.
Melt in your mouth goodness! Worth the wait! Love the ambiance. Romantic and cozy, yet still hip enough to hang out and get a meal with friends or family. The servers here are all very friendly too. great place. The pictures don't
(5)
Heidi B.
Food is great, service is not so great. Since there are too many other places close by, not my favorite.
(3)
Mariel L.
I'm so happy I finally hauled ass to a Super Duper Supper Club outing, and ended up at another gem of a restaurant in Northeast; seriously, this section of the city is slowly becoming my gastronomic nirvana. At first, Brasa sounded like a churrascaria to me, just 'coz of the name and all. Turns out, it's more Peruvian-style rotisserie with classic (and twisted classic) Southern sides and desserts. Everything's meant to be shared, but I doubt you'd be willing to share some of the sides once you figure out how much they're worth fighting for. Yes, that means fighting your loved one to the death over the last piece of honey-glazed cornbread. Because the entire menu has different portions (from single-serve to family-size), it was tempting to try a couple of things -- and I easily succumbed: 1) Pulled pork and pulled chicken - both were very succulent and juicy. The chicken was bathed in a cream gravy, while the pork was seasoned with mojo. Both were crazy-fork tender (have you ever seen a crazy fork? That's gotta be one threatening utensil) and you have to eat it with one of the many sides. By the way, the sides options can get pretty overwhelming, so take as many return trips as needed to try all of them. 2) Creamed spinach with jalapeno - not so sure about the jalapeno (didn't come through), but the spinach was perfectly seasoned and tenderized. 3) Grits with Cheddar - I'm no expert on grits, but I imagine they would be, well, gritty (no sh*t?!), in which case this dish is perfect. The cheddar is sharp and mixes sooooo well with the piping hot grits, and it's an utter taste pleasure, especially when you mix it with the salty pulled pork. 4) Butterscotch pudding with cream - not as fantastic as the budino from 112, but definitely a close second. It's delicate but firm, and there's also a little bit of salt to cut back on the sweetness. Gotta love it. I ordered two cornbread pcs on the way out, and it was still warm when they gave it to me. Sadly, it was so warm and buttery that it tore through the cellophane; thankfully, I caught it. I think it was just fate telling me to eat the first cornbread instead of saving it for the next day. I'm so glad I did, because oh my Dios, it was so DELICIOUS. This cornbread is sooooo pornbread. Sorry grandma, I just couldn't think of a better way to describe these ecstatically awesome baked goods. And, no, the other piece didn't make it to the next day.
(5)
Jon H.
I have been to Brasa twice now, and I will definitely coming back. The food is amazing and filling. The meats are delicious, the sides (especially cornbread) are delicious, and the price tag is, well, delicious? Great value, but that doesn't mean you compromise taste by going here over a fancy restaurant. If you can go here on a non-Friday or Saturday night, it will help because they don't take reservations and the restaurant is small.
(5)
Virginie N.
Best pork sandwich you'll have in your life. The black bean burger is really good too- it has the perfect amount of spice and heat! I highly suggest ordering a side of yukka because they are amazing: it's like french fries but a million times better. go here!
(5)
Dan B.
This is another restaurant that is slipping in my opinion. We used to love this place, the food was great, portions were awesome, and the service was fun. The last time we went in we realized that they had redone their menu. Kiss of death for me, I'm really tired of these places around the city that try to reinvent themselves every two weeks. The big problem was that their prices went up, their portion sizes went down, and there were no "package" meals: A meat and a couple sides for $XX. Now you pay per item, the sides are small, and you have to pay $2 for each corn muffin. Really? The plantains were off, the grits didn't have a good consistency, and the meat was just average. On top of that, all of the tables were sticky because someone had cleaned them with bleach which destroyed the finish, and the server went MIA for a long time. When we finally got a check, it took another 15 min to track down a server and tell them that it was not our check. All in all, I think this will be my last visit here for quite a while. Oh, and unlike every other 1 or 2 star rating on yelp in recent months, I didn't go here with a groupon.
(2)
Rubun D.
I don't eat beef or pork, but this place is delicious. Both the Rotisserie and Pulled Chicken are light and delicious, though I am partial to the cream of the Pulled Chicken. The portions are not huuuge, given what you can end up with throughout BBQ joints in Texas, but the way it tears away easily makes every bite worth it. The cornbread is decent, with actual corn bits in it. The crispy yucca is quite nummy. The fried plantains should be a staple of every visit.
(5)
Jason K.
My wife and I eeked over the Hennepin Avenue Grain Belt Bridge awaiting what a friend of ours said was the best restaurant in the Twin Cities. This guy usually knows his stuff, and this was another win by A.M. We peeked and pawed past many small establishments and ended up at what looked like an old Garage/Gas Station with the bay doors and everything. Very cool! We parked and entered the small establishment that screamed coolness. We sat by one of the bay doors and our waiter was super cool and they had the best beer in the cities, Surly Furious on tap for $4.50 a pint. What was real cool was watching the open kitchen and staff stirring goodies in huge stainless steel vats and the staff seemed to enjoy making quality food. My friend said I must order the Beef and Pork combo platter with the fried plantains. The beef had a sweet, yet smokey flavor to it, but the pork was a heaven sent chunk of pig. I have heard people say real good stuff melts in your mouth. This pulled pork actually does melt like meaty butter in your mouth. My wife took the black beans from the combo and ordered a separate corn bread, she said Famous Dave's was better for corn bread, but I had a bite and it was pretty good. The fried plantains were sometimes sweet and sometimes like potatoes. They had the best hot sauce ever, the stuff they make Buffalo Wings with on the table and I added some drops. Fantastic. So two Surly Furious later, the awesome pulled pork, the pretty good beef, the good plantains, and some good corn bread, I thought it was a solid restaurant. For $15 bucks I would have liked to have seen more pork and beef, but I was reminded everything is local and organic. I don't know about the best restaurant in the Cities, but it was a great atmosphere, solid southern/Caribbean food, amazing service and an overall great lunch. A.M. again is the king of recommendations.
(5)
Lea S.
I love comfort food. So thank you either Jesus, Allah, Buddha, or whatever other force came down and created Brasa Rotisserie. Unlike most people in life I don't like to share, especially good food! Brasa helps me circumvent that whole situation by creating individual side dish portions. I think I am officially addicted to there Cheddar Cheese Grits. The fried Yuca was also a pleasant treat. It is paired with this tasty sauce that I wanted to bottle and take home. The decor and service are also fantastic. The staff is very attentive and friendly. The servers are very well versed on the menu and are helpful with suggestions (or in my case tie-breakers on which side dishes to order). I cannot wait until the outside seating is available again. I can already feel the breeze in my hair and smell the rotisserie on my cheeks.
(5)
Tan N.
I came here with 3 other people, and with our combined hunger we devoured a pound of Brasa's meat and sampled about 75% of their sides/appetizers. Trust me, it wasn't just hunger that drove us to eat. We had 1/2 lb braised beef and 1/2 lb slow roasted pork. the pork is much juicier and flavorful, but that doesn't mean that the beef tasted like parched beef jerky. i would have been very content with 2 lbs of the braised beef, but if you are forced only to have one, choose the pork. The sides were all excellent, and your choice should really be driven by your own internal cravings and/or your sense of culinary adventure. the sangria- sweet and strong. well worth trying. service was excellent.
(4)
Abby M.
We went here this past Sunday while in town and loved everything that we ate. It's best to order everything family style and try a little bit of each dish. We had the guacamole with homemade chips, rotisserie chicken, pork, beef, yuka with mojo, yellow rice with black eyed peas, veggie bean fritter, and pulled pork sandwich. We ordered smaller portions of the meat and the small sides and it was more than enough to fill us up and give us left overs. The guacamole and beef were the table favorites. It was busy when we got there and we had about a 10 minute wait, by the time we left it was even more busy and the line of people waiting was really long. Our waitress was friendly and gave great advice on portion sizes when ordering the meats and sides. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town and wouldn't mind ordering some catering from here for a party. I know it would be a hit!
(5)
Nathan H.
Vegetarian menu available upon request, well presented comfort food at a very reasonable price, staff were open to and thankful for my recommendation to update a menu item, fried yucca, labeled vegan that came with a non-vegan aioli dipping sauce. Had the three dish sampler of yucca, guacamole and rice and beans. All-in-all a dinning success.
(4)
Clayton K.
Really good stuff here. Their beef is what you need to get, and if you come with an empty stomach make sure you get the dinner for two because i felt that the single portion, while very good, was to small. Also the Chips their are super good seriously get them for an app. The Mexican coke is delish with all the food as well. Eat outside on sunset day inside was a little to warm for me personally, but this was during the summer time.
(4)
Kristine F.
Absolutely delicious! Living nearby, I've kind of gotten into the groove of ordering take-out, rather than navigating their usual packed parking lot and indoor, olde garage-style seating space. My favorite picks from their menu are the yucca fries (big, hefty slices with a tangy green dipping sauce) and rotisserie chicken (perfect crispy skin and marinaded flavor right down to the bone).
(4)
Thomas J.
I've been there three times and have enjoyed it as a place where you can have a good meal with friends, but I must admit that I generally leave a bit dissatisfied. Perhaps its my inability to put together the best combination or my feeling that pulled pork should be a bit spicier. In any case, I realize that it is not one of those places in MPLS where I feel I should bring guests to the city. It's just okay, but this city now has a lot of places that are much better than okay.
(3)
John C.
The understated atmosphere cant hide the amazing flavors found within. By far the best carribean food you will find. Delicious pulled chicken dressed with a citrus marinade, fried yuca and amazing black beans and rice. This place is popular so it is tough to find a table on busy friday or saturday nights. Your best bet is to sneak by the lines and pick up your take out order to enjoy at home. From the first time i discovered it, it became a weekly stop.
(5)
Lida K.
Delicious. Where all my meat dreams come true. The food here is ordered a la carte from the main protein to the side dishes and all in all it's worth for the price. Main Entree - best braised beef I've ever had. But the pulled pork and chicken are also definitely above average, fresh, and mouth watering. The seasoning is perfect -- not too much and not too little. It enhances the food not overpower it. Side Dishes - I adore the cheese grits and the corn bread. But overall everything seems wonderful. Get a veggie and a starch and you're meal will be perfection. Service - The waitress was nice enough and the people at the counter were really fast and friendly. This place is great to eat with friends or family. But the lack of AC and the humid as fuck weather made it a bit uncomfortable. Get in and get out. But next time I'm going to get it to go instead.
(4)
Char L.
Best part of the meal was the cornbread. I repeat, get the cornbread. It's all crumbly and got a hint of sweetness. Delicous!!! Pulled pork was juicy and falling apart. Very good. Red Velvet cake was more of a brown color. It wasn't overly sweet and the cream cheese frosting was more liquidy than thick. I prefer my red velvet cakes to be more sweet with thick frosting, so I probably won't get this again. Homemade lemonade tasted very watery.
(4)
Katie L.
This place is baller. It's the kind of joint where you order lots of plates and just share everything. The atmosphere is casual, and the restaurant is nice and open in the summer. It is small, however! Luckily we got there at 8:30 on a Sunday night, so we got a table inside right away. The waiter was a great guy with a cool mustache. He had no problem taking a few minutes to explain the menu to us and tell us about a few of his favorites. For our meats we got the pulled pork, barbeque beef, and braised beef. The pulled pork was my favorite-- tender and served with a few lime wedges. The barbeque beef was a big slab of meat served with coleslaw and hot sauce for you to eat with it. The braised beef was shredded up and topped with a great sauce. They were all excellent-- depending on what you like. For our sides we got the creamed spinach with jalapenos, rice and black beans. Loved the rice and black beans. I can't wait to try the cornbread. Next time I'll try one of their sandwiches.
(5)
Abby L.
I have nothing bad to say about Brasa's food, ill eat all of it. Ive been to parties with their food and also on location. Ill continue to come back because of the food. As I've noticed other people have been saying, yes their service isnt the best. Sometimes its downright horrible. NEVER go with a big group. I went there for mother's day, and it took about 45 mins to get seated and 30 mins to get out. With the long lines outside in the rain, we really did want them to eat too, but Brasa wouldnt let us pay! Besides all that, I'm still going back to eat their food. Good service or not.
(4)
Melissa C.
True Story: I once ordered cornbread as a side, got done with my meal, and ordered the cornbread again as dessert. That is some delicious cornbread. I bet that they'd oblige you if you wanted a whole meal of cornbread. Delicious, moist (oooh...point of controversy with cornbread aficionados!) and smothered in blissful honey butter. It'd be worth it. As for the rest of the food, I've only ever had the quarter chicken as a main dish. It's simple, moist and you just have to eat it with your fingers. The food here isn't fancy. It's simple and good. Consistent and homey. And sometimes that's just what you need. Could use: a broader selection of drink options (I'm talking getting a Diet Coke up in there, not necessarily alcoholic... although the chicken would taste mighty good with a Big Ginger. . . ) and bigger napkins. :)
(4)
John B.
This is the ultimate comfort food. Excellent. We shared the slow roasted pork, spinach beans and rice. It was awesome. Great value. Great service. Great neighborhood joint.
(4)
Dainty P.
I thought this was a good (but not spectacular) place! My husband thought it was awesome (he's never had southern food before)! I did enjoy the slow roast pork sandwich and the yucca. But the corn bread was kinda sad, it was slightly better than the jiffy cornbread mix that I could buy at the store (I guess, I had high expectations). Tiny and crowded place. So it is a Friday night, you're gonna have to wait outside (possibly in the cold...).
(3)
Dennis L.
Hoo boy, I can't believe I've gone this long without eating here. I've heard so much about this place over the years from so many people and the praise is well deserved. The food is just amazing! I just did take out so I didn't really get to "experience" the restaurant, but I'd definitely go back. The menu is short and sweet; basically you get your choice of meats (purchasable by weight) or the sandwiches, sides, and deserts. For this go around, I had only tried the sandwiches, the pulled pork, the braised beef, the egg and chorizo, and the roasted chicken. All of them were phenomenal. My favorites were probably the pork and chicken, though the chorizo is really close up there too. Beef was tasty too, but wasn't as spectacular as the others. The meat is tender and the flavor just explodes in your mouth with every bite. And it's not just the meat; it's also the pickled veggies, the cilantro, the garlic mayo, and whatever else that's in there that's fantastic. The sandwiches also come with their homemade tortilla chips, very crispy and tasty, a good compliment to their scrumptious sandwiches. All this praise and I haven't even tried the sides or desserts yet! Without a doubt, I'm thinking this is a place I will frequent quite often from now on.
(5)
Lauren B.
Now, I'm from the Midwest. I don't pretend to be an expert on Southern or Caribbean cuisine, and barbecue wouldn't even crack my list of top ten favorite types of food. That being said, Brasa is one of my favorite restaurants in the twin cities, and I can't say enough good things about the food. The cornbread is the best I've ever had. So are the cheese grits. The pulled chicken and pulled pork are fantastic. Really, there's not a thing on the menu I wouldn't recommend. I would, however, recommend calling ahead and placing a take out order during the winter. Without the outdoor seating, the space is quite small and gets crowded quickly. While this would not be a problem in most places, there's no good place to wait - no bar or entryway set aside for hungry, waiting customers. Just try not to feel too smug as you whisk away your bag of food while the crowd gives you envious glares...
(5)
Jenny Y.
Yum! Just had this about 2 hours ago so it's still fresh in my mind.. I had the slow roasted pork and a side of corn bread and beans.. everything was delicious Roasted pork was tender and delicious.. no grease at all.. the creamy cilantro sauce just made it amazing Corn bread was really good..light, soft and delicious Beans were good too.. they are more a soupy type.. kinda a feel good soup I wish i knew that the portions are small though.. could have ordered more to try! for 1 person.. a small meat dish, and a small side dish is a good size.. not overly stuffed but i would say just right.. only thing is that it's good that i wanna try more!
(4)
Paul H.
Ok for starters...way to turn a midas into a kick ass restaurant. I admit I came in for lunch at 330 pm so it was a bit slow but before j even self seated myself the server was asking what beer I wanted. Just getting done with fixing a customer machine, I was tired hungry and in desperate need of a brew. Food is top notch I had the chicken lunch special. All I have to say is wow. Food good service good...four stars until they surprise me for the fifth next time I'm around.
(4)
Tishawna T.
MEAT, MEAT, & MORE MEAT!!! nom nom nom. This place knows what's up! The group I was with decided to just get the big plates of 4 different meats. You can't miss though... It's all awesome! One person in our group ordered the blackbean burger & said it was good (if you're not into meat). For my side I chose the cheesy grits (honestly had better) but still ok. No worries though, I just focused on my MEAT! There's limited seating, so be prepared for a possible wait if it's a busy time.
(4)
S V.
There is something so satisfying about the simple (but delicious!) food you get at Brasa. There aren't a wide array of menu options, but every single thing just hits the spot, and the prices are so reasonable (we ordered rice and beans, 1/2 lb of braised beef, 2 pieces of cornbread, yucca fries, and drinks for less than $30 - amazing! And we had leftovers!). I'm particularly a fan of the braised beef, yucca, and cornbread (man, that cornbread). As a southerner myself, and a fan of Caribbean fare, I appreciate and love the authenticity of this food. Just as good when you get take-out, too.
(5)
Don H.
After you find parking in the awkward lot or on the crowded street, you'll walk in the front door which is small compared to the space. When you first walk in here, you are assaulted with the sweet sweet smell of meats and BBQ. That's a good start. The decor is really cool, too, with big, chunky wood tables and open ceilings. This is definitely what I would expect. The four of us brought our own bottle of wine and patiently waited for service. Everything initially was quick, then it sorta slowed down. We got our order in, then waited. Then the food came. Between the prices and atmosphere, I expected heaps of food. But there just didn't seem enough to go around. In all, the bill was $90 even for BYO, which seems like a lot considering the food. Everything did taste great.
(3)
Tony K.
My favorite bbq place outside of the South. With the exception of the pulled chicken, which is rather average for my taste, the meats all deliver what you'd expect. The sides are a little more hit or miss. The plantains, andouille with yams, and yuca are the standouts, the bean dishes and grits fall short, especially after experiencing the real thing. The patio is the perfect place to eat during the summer, but the inside gets crowded fast, so consider carryout if you're in any kind of hurry. With a few tweaks to the appetizers and a slightly improved beer list, this place picks up a 5th star.
(4)
KatieRae A.
This places has hundreds of great reviews for a reason...I liked everything I ate. Loved the cornbread with honey butter, and the creamed chicken. Yuca sticks are really good too. I don't know if it's always like that but the iced tea was amazing. :)
(4)
Steinar S.
Delivering great in their league! Good job!
(5)
Josiah O.
Better late than never I guess. I had my first Brasa lunch yesterday after church and I wasn't quite blown away, but my menu napkin and even water cup were. It was a very windy day on their patio. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and a side of cornbread with honey glaze. The pickled veggies that come on sandwich could use a little more tang. But, the sauce it came with was perfect, the chips simple but they were a good contradiction in texture to the soft, fall-apart, juicy and flavorful piggy meat that I was savoring. Our server was M.I.A. for a good part of the visit but we did finally get out of there and now I can't wait to go back. Beef next time! Order the iced tea or the lemonade with your pork sandiwich. A nearly unbeatable pairing. This is my first 5 star rating I think, and the only thing I'd take off stars for was our waitress. She was nice enough, just took to long getting back to us. She was standing at her screen ringing us all up when her printers roll of tape ran out. A mistake, it happens, but it still took too long. 5 stars for the food which I want to go get some of right now. I say 'not sure' when it comes to beer and wine or full bar. Pretty certain they do not have a full bar and I didn't even go for the 3.50 Grain Belt. The iced tea was the right choice anyway. So to all of you lushes out there, I suggest you try the tea before you spend over a dollar more for just one drink. The tea gets refills homey.
(5)
Hale L.
There's nothing like a good piece of tender, juicy slow cooked meat! This restaurants prepares them just right and serves them with multitude of delicious sides. We ate the pulled pork shoulders with cheese grits, black beans, cornbread and potato salad. The meat almost melts in your mouth. If I was stuck in an island with only one dish, it would be the cornbread with honey butter. I washed my meal down with a Mexican Coke. My wife ordered the sweet tea, and that was good. Service is excellent at this location. It was formerly a Valvoline Oil Change. They even kept the glass garage doors! If you like simple, unpretentious food, prepared well, then you'll love this restaurant. Make reservations, seating is limited in this location or prepare to wait about 15-20 minutes.
(4)
Cheryl T.
Went again, stuffed my face, wish I could fit more into it, was completely worthless for the rest of the night fighting the -itis from an amazing meal. I don't think I could ever go eat here TOO often!
(5)
Michael M.
Went while not even that busy, all the food was cold. Tasted good though, corn muffins are nothing special at all, even if they were hot. Lots of flys with the open walls. Will return in the winter for another try.
(2)
Shen L.
These simple dishes (which can be ordered a la carte) are surprisingly delicious, and just the right portion size. I ordered the Braised Beef and Crispy Yuca w/ Mojo, which were pretty good. The service on that one particular day wasn't so good, so they actually forgot the Mojo, but the Yuca was good nonetheless. I would also recommend the Slow Roasted Pork and Sweet Plantains. I found the 1/4 lb serving of meat, along with an individual serving of side dish, to be sufficient for me, but the larger dishes would surely be appropriate for hungrier audiences or family-style sharing. I only wish it were open past 9pm!
(3)
Anna P.
I love this place... The Pork is amazing. The service is really good, employees are very friendly and authentic plates are available!! A++...I will become a regular for sure!
(5)
Liz M.
i lived around the corner so i went here a number of times right when it opened...the owners are very nice and have a young baby as i do so we chatted about baby stuff... very nice and welcoming... the food is good, decent food...i like the plaintains and the sampler plate is nice for variety..i like trying a bit of everything so that is cool.... it's small and busy often so go at odd times and you will be promptly served and well taken care of... i miss betty's bike and buns that used to be there but i am glad brasa is in the hood...definitely a welcome addition!!
(4)
Nicole D.
Close your eyes and imagine the aroma of your favorite comfort food wafting around you. Okay, open them. If you're lucky, you will be in Brasa, a gem in Nordeast Minneapolis. Brasa announces itself to the world with bright yellow and black signage and you may be excused from confusing it with an upscale garage inside; that's the look it's grooving. You come for the food. The food: warm, roasted, savory food. You'll eat locally and regionally sourced beef, pork, and chicken cooked on a rotisserie or BBQ style. The sides are deceptively simple: greens, grits, corn bread, cabbage salad, etc. Just order up a plate of meat plus two sides and you'll find yourself projecting Oliver Twist: "please, sir. may i have some more?" It's just that good. It's hard to do simple food this well but Brasa pulls it off. It's reasonably priced, casual, comfortable, and can easily become an addiction. Take out or eat in. I like to go to Brasa for business lunches or dinner with friends.
(5)
Tabinda H.
Super close to college and downtown neighborhoods; extremely cost-efficient and TASTY like manna! I'm a die-hard fan of "Nando's Peri-Peri Portoguese-style" but sadly there isn't any in the twin cities vicinity. This comes as close to it as possible and my roommates absolutely LOVE this place !
(5)
Mr T.
I really liked Brasa. My food was excellent - the chicken, yuca and a salad. The only negative was the service was a little slow at times, but not terribly slow.
(4)
Benjamin C.
a great place if you can get a table. pulled chicken sandwich + side of yucca is my favorite go-to lunch dish.
(5)
Chris H.
Like Josh V, I love meat. It's so delicious and swallowing it makes me happy and satisfied. Ok, that's a little sick but I really enjoy Brasa. I'm usually a red meat-type guy but I'd rate both the pork and chicken above the beef here. Sure the beef is still fantastic but I really enjoy the pork and chicken, with their sauces. I also really, really like the cornbread and fried yuca. The place is super busy and can be quite obnoxious but I'll often order takeout. If you do this also, make sure to open the bag and/or ask if they included the sauces. The sauces are fantastic but I've found can be easily forgotten. Add in a bottle of Mexican Coke and it's a meal really worth the cost. (Last night, I ordered the pork and chicken sandwiches, medium yuca and cheddar grits, and one of each of the cornbreads = $36.) Cons, other than being loud/busy, I cannot think of much. I do wish they'd do some sort of unique buffalo sauce wings...
(5)
Heidi K.
Love this place. Huge portions, good prices. Simple menu with decent variety. Pulled pork, potato salad, and rice and beans are awesome. Nice patio.
(5)
Jessica G.
I was tempted to rate this restaurant a 1 star, so it would be less busy. My husband and I love this restaurant. The food is reasonably priced and solidly, mouth-wateringly delicious. We've been there a few times, and the highlights have been the 12-hour roasted pork, the braised beef, the pork sandwich (which I literally did not put down on my plate between bites, it was so good), the cornbread (so simple, but so buttery-honey delicious), and the crispy yucca (is anything deep-friend bad?). Be prepared for a wait, especially for more than two people, but we've always had good service.
(5)
Dean D.
excellent!
(5)
Michele G.
I was born and raised on BBQ. My boyfriend and I love the stuff. As first time travelers to MN we were curious what BBQ would be like. Yelppers, I can't agree with you guys on this place. We thought it was a mismatched, salty mess. The chicken was fine, not extraordinary but the pork tasted like it had been in a made in crock pot. We sampled a few sides and weren't overly impressed there either. Even the cornbread was just OK. I like the interior and the staff seemed cool but I think this currently trendy new hot spot is a disappointment. I give the concept credit and thought the sangria was nice. We both tried the meat with two sides hoping for something amazing...it was NOT there for us. The creamed spinach was the best side of everything we tried and definitely the most creative. Overall, we thought it was very weak BBQ. BTW, we are from Atlanta and I never once got the feel of the south from this restaurant perhaps Minneapolis yelpers meant south like Puerto Rico?
(2)
Cristin M.
Yum, yum, yum! A friend of mine has been wanting to try Brasa for quite some time, so on my last visit to Minneapolis, I agreed to join her. I am SO glad that we went! This might be one of my new favorite places to eat in the Twin Cities. I ordered the roasted pork platter with red beans, corn muffin, and fried sweet plantains. I finished every last bit on my plate, it was all divine! The pork was perfectly seasoned, smokey, and still juicy. The green sauce (cilantro whatever) makes what is already tasty, uber tasty. The red beans had a nice smokey flavor with a hint of bacon, the corn muffin was big and perfect, and the plantains were just what they should be - sweet and a little crispy on the edges. I also ordered the sweet tea, which is a hard thing to find in Northern states. Theirs is pretty good, but could be a little sweeter. I won't complain though, I still went through three or four glasses with ease and pleasure. My friend ordered the combo plate with chicken, pork, cheese grits, and yams. The cheese grits were fantastic and the sausage on the yams really added to them. The serving was so large, that she brought about half of it home for dinner the next day. Oh, I can't wait to go back to Minneapolis so I can go back for more at Brasa!
(5)
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Address :600 E Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN, 55414
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Amy T.
Great outdoor seating and patio. Love the yuca fries and the flavor on the rotisserie chicken is great! The chicken is tender, but not as tender as Cub foods/Sam Club's rotisserie chicken, not sure what that means...but, either way, it's pretty solid. The yuca fries alone will have me back. Yummy yuca fries in my tummy! Side note: My fiance is on the paleo diet and there were some good food options for him here.
(4)Joe C.
Tried Brasa for the first time and the place lives up to the high ratings! Great food and great service. I love the way they setup the menu for different ordering sizes to easily accommodate sharing many different dishes without overloading. The prices are a bargain for the high quality of these dishes.
(5)Ella G.
The food was all excellent! For having a fairly small menu, there seemed to be something for everyone. Their sides are absolutely delicious! I would definitely recommend going on a nice summer night because they open it up to the night air and there is a lovely little patio with overhead strung lighting. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time, even on a Wednesday night, there was a little bit of a wait to be seated
(5)Mike D.
Probably my wife's and my favorite restaurant....in the world. :-) Great gluten-free choices which matter to my wife. The menu contains nothing that you have not heard of, the server does not need to interpret the menu for you. It is amazing what comfort food becomes when genius chef people prepare it. I could go on and on, but, just go. Order anything, it doesn't matter.
(5)Mary L.
Hands down one of my favorite restaurants. I love that you can share everything and choose your sides. You're able to try so many different menu items without spending a ton. My personal favorites are the pulled chicken, cheesy grits and yucca fries. Yummm.
(5)Janeice D.
I went here the other day with the boyf and got the lunch special - pulled pork sandwich and the creamed spinach. I died, they were so beautiful and delicious. Seriously, I would love to jump into a pool of the creamed spinach and eat my way out. I will definitely be swinging in again (and soon) and probably get...the same thing. No regrets. Also that man on Man VS Food says that out of all America...his top five restaurants include Brasa and recommended that pulled pork and creamed spinach. Thanks, Bro. I owe you one.
(5)Sabra B.
Brasa's menu is awesome... Anywhere that serves collard greens has my vote- I tried making them once-they were terrible. So I happily let the folks at Brasa make them for me. I've had the chicken and the braised beef-both were very tasty and not overcooked. Brasa is great for a group that wants to try a little of everything. They do small and large portions of their sides so everyone can get a taste. I highly recommend the grits and the plantain (both the sweet and plain variety). They're always a great way to start your meal!
(4)Scott H.
Brasa is one of those places that focuses on what is important: Food. They simply just do food right. I'm not sure if it's due to their premium ingredients, or just the care that they take in their dishes. It's probably both! This place specializes in their meat dishes. I absolutely love their pulled pork! It's garlic-y, but not overpowering and has hints of citrus. It's also very tender and just falls apart. Their sides are also fantastic. They take just as much time and care in their sides as they do with their hallmark meats. My personal favorite is their Yuca that's served with this creamy sauce made of 100% delicious. The only downside about this place is that it can be a little spendy for how much you get. However, it's on par and similar to something like a Tapas or Small Plate restaurant. So while this is not a place that you'd go to every day for lunch, it is certainly worth the occasional indulgence.
(4)Jacqueline S.
Every item we ordered was delicious, and well worth a 45 minute wait for a table. Service was good, and we took home some housemade hot pepper vinegar (for just $2.50!). The spicy masa cake was great, and the beef and grits stood out as well. The yams and andouille were good but I wish it came with more andouille. The collard greens were nice and that yuca fries come with a tasty sauce.
(5)Douglas W.
I can't wait to return so I can try some more sides! This is some of the best rotisserie chicken I have had. I loved the rub, the chicken was moist and the skin was wonderful. I had the yams with andouille and greens for sides and added a piece of their terrific cornbread. It was all perfection. The place was rocking busy on a Tuesday night and the air wasn't working. They were on a wait for the patio and it was over 90 outside. I didn't mind, the ceiling fans were cranking and the place is so much fun I couldn't have cared less. It's really fairly priced although I would get more than the 2 pc chicken next time as the quarter dark might not be enough food for the heartier diners out there. This place is a must cheap eat in the Minneapolis area and you absolutely should check it out.
(5)Kimberly C.
As many times as I've been here I just realized that the green sauce they give on the side when you order chicken, that sauce that Ive always thrown out. . .it's actually really good on the rice with red beans. Also, forget what I wrote in 2011 review about the red beans and rice needing more salt. It was delicious this time around :-)
(5)Kate M.
Worth the wait! Always a line every time we go, great food with perfect portions, relaxed atmosphere.
(5)Ryan W.
After trying to go for German food and finding it closed on a Monday, we grabbed the next best thing we could find, hit the GPS and were off! After a short wait for a table we were seated outside to enjoy the beautiful night paired with outstanding fare! The guide to our food adventure quickly came to help us begin our quest to amazing tastes! Since it was our first time here, we asked for a few pointers and jumped right in. We ordered a medley of amazing tastes that all complimented one another. The meats were all cooked to perfection and the sauces they came with seems like they were created before the world was! Yep that good. We ordered 6 side small side dishes so that we could get a good taste of each. The yellow rice and beans were on par with Manna from heaven! The creamed spinach and jalapeño made my whole mouth smile and the corn bread was so moist and delicious I couldn't help but want more. I seem to continue to have a bad habit of needing to finish everything that is ordered, I have got to stop doing that! But in this instance, I couldn't help myself! I just had to eat until there was no more! I will be back, and if you are wondering if you should eat here too, you should!
(5)Tyler C.
Brasa is one of those restaurants that distinguish themselves on locally sourced ingredients. The food is amongst the best the in the neighborhood, but parking can be difficult to find, the restaurant is kinda small with smallish tables, and it's not especially climate controlled. It's a good place to go when the weather is nice, but many folks share the same idea and I've intended to visit it more than once only to leave because of the wait or I couldn't find a good enough parking spot. The portions are on the low side, and the prices are relatively high. It's not an excellent value, but it is tasty so one can't be that upset. I'd visit it more if it were a more pleasant experience, but it's unlikely to change and it seems to be working for them.
(4)Leslie M.
I'm adding my two cents to the long list of reviews in order to rave about the collard greens and black eyed peas! I can't be the only one who has a major craving for these delicious side dishes. Brasa opened my eyes to the deliciousness of collard greens. They are just too good. The pulled pork and chicken have always been exceptional. I love that I can bring meat eater and vegetarian guests alike and they will find something they love. When a friend came to visit from north Florida, he enjoyed the entire meal and their take on grits. Absolute authenticity - maybe not, but it tastes good. It can add up to a pricey bill but since everything is ala carte, you have control over your tab.
(4)Michelle F.
Absolutely delicious, shockingly cost effective (think 4 people happily stuffed with deliciousness for around $60), and delightfully easy to share and try new things. We went on a slightly chilly evening and it was completely worth staying in coats and hats to sit out on the patio. Takeout is a surefire win too.
(5)Cacey D.
I have to admit-- I have been freeloading on Yelp for years now. I rely on ratings and reviews to sift through my culinary options, but I haven't contributed. I decided it's about time I pitch in. Go to Brasa for brunch. They'll take care of you. First of all, the coffee here is great (& I think fairtrade). They have a waffle with bacon in it; if that's not comfort food, I don't know what is. Their sweet potatoes with sausage are excellent & every bite I've stolen from my husband's plate has been amazing. Interesting & intense savory flavor combinations... you really can't go wrong here. Great open air space in the summer and warmer months! It's a pretty small dining area, so the extra patio seating helps out with the wait time. Their parking lot is really small, so plan on street parking. I love trying out restaurants, so it takes a special kind of place to keep me coming back. Brasa is one of those places. I order something different every time I go, but I've never been disappointed. They don't open until 11am, so make sure you plan around that.
(5)Neal C.
Came in with high hopes, and they were exceeded by a long ways. We sampled basically everything on the menu except the collards and the creamed chicken-- and loved everything outside the pulled pork (which lacked flavor). The pulled beef was outstanding. The best beef I've had. The rotisserie chicken was cooked perfectly-- crispy skin, tender tasty meat. For the sides, of course the plantains were excellent; slightly crisp on the outside with a very moist interior. The creamed spinach was great-- they did not just dump tons of butter and cream, instead they made it with balance. Try the cornbread or the masa as well, it really pairs well if you like to put some beef or chicken on it and add flavor combinations. Yucca fries were a slight letdown... somewhat bland but still crispy. The candied yams were great though... not too sugary but rather a blend of sweet/savory (which, IMO is what you want). Great vibe, service, and reasonable prices-- go here for sure (though be prepared to wait).
(5)Jesselyn T.
Sat outside and got: - Creamed spinach with jalapeno: really good. Not a smack in your mouth spicy but enough for a tickle in the back of your throat after taste. - Slow roasted pork: Also amazing. - Rotisserie chicken: It was ok. Good but not like knock out of the park awesome like the pork and the spinach. - The corn bread is good and sweet. I will come back and get the fried plantains and dessert not enough stomach for everything! Dang.
(5)Ashleigh A.
Really there's not much to say about Brasa except, GO THERE! The menu is a la carte and flexible for individual meals or group meals depending on how you like to eat. You can keep it light or chow down if you're starving. Parking can be a bit frustrating, but I have always found a free place on the street (no meters.) No matter what you order, you can't go wrong. I recommend it especially for groups that have a price point difference between the people. You can eat here for a relatively low cost, but I know from experience, you can rack up that bill if your taste buds can't say no. Can't eat everything you order? No worries! They make GREAT leftovers.
(5)K H.
Brasa is a mainstay for me. So much so that I've continually forgotten to give it it's proper due. Well here goes... If I'm cereal; Brasa is milk - I make more sense when coupled with it (it makes sense if you don't think about it). Seriously though - Brasa is soul food. It's flavors are as deep and satisfying as any food I've tasted, yet the place completely lacks pretension. Brasa is one of those rare restaurants that I actually miss when I leave town for long amounts of time. Simply put, there are very few places that prepare food so well. You really can't go wrong here. But, my favorites in the meat category are the rotisserie chicken and the pulled chicken. My fave sides are the creamed spinach, the crispy yuca and the black beans and rice. The cornbread is great, however, don't sleep on the masa corn cakes. It took me awhile to get to them but I haven't looked back since. And that green aioli sauce... I put it on everything (in fact, I'm one impulse away from integrating it into my love life). The stuff is simply awesome. The St. Paul location is a bit spacier and has a couple of added menu items due to having a larger kitchen. However, you can't go wrong in either case. Just eat it.
(5)Sealu222 2.
I have to admit I was skeptical about Brasa. On our visit 12/26 we found ourselves waiting in a small open area, standing around right in the middle of folks who were trying to eat without anyone's posterior in their face. It was amazing that the wait staff could move around so many people who had no choice but to block their path to the bar and computer. Kudos to them for keeping their cool! After tasting the food though it became abundantly clear why it was so crowded. Loved the yucca, loved the pulled pork, loved the creamed spinach (spicy!) and loved the corn bread (like a dense cake!) Our group ordered many other dishes that were great as well, but those stood out as exceptional. I will be back....but earlier next time!
(4)Timothy E.
One of my favorite places in Minneapolis. Favorites include: pork, bbq beef, creamed spinach, yellow rice and red beans, coleslaw, and grits. The possibilities are endless, especially when getting take out! An added bonus, virtually everything is gluten free.
(5)Coleman D.
Tried the chicken. Tasted fine, but not sure what the rave is about.
(3)Tenzin G.
Rachel individual dish was very very good. The meat, the beans all spectacular. The prices were great and they had some good beers on draft as well. I recommend. I might even go 4 and a half but I don't want to dish around too many 5 stars;)
(4)Callan F.
This place is great! Service was quick, food was delicious. I ordered the pulled pork with a side of guac...SO GOOD! My co-worker ordered the pulled chicken with a side of mac n cheese and the black beans which was also amazing. I will definitely be back soon!!
(4)Dan S.
I was somewhat let down by a place that I have been wanting to go to for years, but tried it for the first time last week. The food was actually great, but in the back of my mind, I kept thinking I could be at Pastor Hamilton's, Big Daddy's or Lee & Dee's getting roughly the same quality BBQ for half the price. But for someone who wouldn't necessarily want to hang out in a tiny BBQ shack, this place would be a great option. I thought the candied yams were phenomenal as was the beef sandwich. I feel weird giving it an A-Ok review, because the food was all great. I guess I'm just spoiled by the dirt cheap prices of the hole-in-the-wall BBQ places that I am accustomed to visiting. With that said though, this place isn't even expensive. Most meat items are around $10 and the sides are around $4 a piece.
(3)Sarah S.
We didn't have a particularly bad or good experience here. I was so excited to try Brasa, but unfortunately maybe the high expectations/anticipation killed the experience? Maybe this place just isn't my style? I'll confess I'm not great at sharing food. I want to eat what I want to eat, and I want to eat all of it without feeling that I'm being rude taking the last bite. Our group opted to do a family-style meal, and maybe that's where the experience went bad for me. I should note part of the reason we tried this restaurant with this group was because it's gluten-free friendly. Our wait for a table was long, as it was a busy night. It was significantly longer than the hostess told us it would be, and we were emergency-level hungry by the time we got a table. The booth where we were seated barely squished in our group and we had elbow wars the entire meal. Maybe the lesson here is that this isn't the place to come with a group of 8 on a weekend. (No one in our group had been here before, so we had no idea how small the place was...) We ordered amounts based on recommendations from the waitress. Both my husband and I left hungry and ended up making a second dinner at home. None of the dishes stood out to me. They were all things I could successfully and reasonably make at home. When I eat out, I like it to be either something I'd feel guilty about making at home (ie filled with sugar, fat and/or salt) or something I couldn't make myself (time consuming/difficult to prepare). The fried plantains were good, but not enough to convince me to make a second trip here. The beer selections were somewhat limited. The waitress was rather absent, although it was a very, very busy night so that can be forgiven. Somehow, my husband and I ended up paying more than what we'd usually spend to eat out and leave with full, happy bellies. Generally speaking, we weren't particularly thrilled. Maybe we just visited on an off night? Maybe the wait made us too hangry to enjoy the meal. Maybe this style of restaurant just isn't for me - and not every restaurant can please every person, which is totally fine. Based on how much others love this place, you should try it. I feel like we should probably give it another shot (without the family-style dining...), but I'm having a hard time prioritizing giving this place a second chance over trying all the other places on my "to try" list...
(3)Martha H.
Love it, especially all the sides.
(5)Chelsea J.
My favorite meal on my trip to Minneapolis was dinner at Brasa. I will long for this food when I am home in Washington. The two of us shared: medium pulled pork entree, medium rice and black beans, and medium yucca with dipping sauce. Everything was excellent and the portions were perfect to fill two people without being stuffed and leaving no left overs. You can choose small, medium, or large for each entree and side. The pulled pork is different than I am used to served without bbq sauce. Sprinkled with the vinegar-hot pepper condiment that sits at the table the meat is perfect. So fresh tasting and not heavy at all. Excellent side dishes, the yucca was so good and added sweetness to the savory meal. They were very busy and there was a line to get in the whole time we were there. Service was friendly if not a bit distracted but one can't expect more than that in a very packed casual bbq place. No complaints here. I can't wait to go back! This is on the top of my list for my next trip to Minneapolis. We left feeling full and satisfied with none of the heaviness or guilt that often follows eating bbq. Until we meet again!
(5)Mark D.
Every time I've been to this restruant I've had amazing food. From the braised beef to the chicken to the sweet sweet pork. Great ambiance, wonderful staff, and very good beer available. I would highly reccomend eating here!
(5)Erica C.
Wow, Brasa is drop-your-fork-and-smack-yo-mama good. After reading the reviews, I decided that we needed at least more than 2 people to go. I invited another couple to go with and I'm so glad I did!! The menu is designed for sharing and sampling a variety of food. The atmosphere was interesting, it looked like it was an old car garage. There's a very casual feel to the restaurant. We ordered 4 peices of the chicken, a half rack of st. louis ribs, small plates of pulled pork and brisket. For our sides we ordered guacamole, collard greens with smoked turkey, and candied yams. We also ordered cornbread... oh the cornbread... I just want to crumble it up and swim in it. The food is flippin amazing. Every bite was to die for. The chicken was seasoned so well and it came with a tasty herb sauce. It's probably the best rotisserie I've ever had. The ribs were smoky and delicious. The pulled pork was soft and so flavorful. I would have loved it in a taco or if you were my friend, a bowl of rice. I'm in love with this place. And yes, I think I will marry it!
(5)Anne B.
Went for lunch with a group from work 10 in all and every single item was wonderful! The mac and cheese was reminiscent of what Mom made growing up, the yucca was a very tasty new experience for me, the creole chicken was not as spicy as anticipated but tender and delectable nonetheless. Was disappointed that there were no grits on the menu...guess I'll have to go to the Mnpls location - I heard they are fabulous. Service was attentive and friendly. I love that they locally source their food ingredients!
(5)Allan R.
Loved it. This is the sort of restaurant I can get in big trouble at. Everything I tried was fantastic.
(5)krissy l.
Amazing chicken.. Great date night!
(4)K D.
For about $12, you get 8 ounces of beef. GOOD BEEF. Slow roasted, bbq, tender, juicy beef. I ordered 3 sides: fried plantains, fried Yuca (Cassava) , and Sweet Potato + Andouille. Each small side cost about $3 each and came in tiny bowls and I began to fear that my 200+ pound dad and fatass me will leave hungry. WRONG! We left pleasantly full and each bite was d e l i c i o u s! Very high quality food, but Brasa's use of corn oil to accommodate those vegans makes fat change impossible...butter is unheard of! (Little peeved cause why would vegans and vegetarians step into a rotisserie?? To give me misery?? I guess) We went there on a Tuesday afternoon and it was PACKED! We got the last seats near the exit door but we were grateful to have gotten seats. It was loud too; Was hard to have a conversation without borderline yelling.
(4)Caitlin M.
Best food ever. Yuca potatoes and that sauce they come with our heavenly. Making myself hungry just thinking about it.
(5)TwinCities S.
Good food. Not spicy...if you ask for spicy you will get spicy but its not Mexican food. If you feel like trying a newer taste other than your Minnesota palate is accustomed to..go here for an evening..it does get crowded making you think that it must be great if you are willing to wait to eat there. :) check it out..You may feel pretty hipster too!
(3)John B.
Eggs were one of the last foods I learned to love, but when I understood what 'killed' meant, I figured out the way I would only ever order them again. Which brings me to Brasa, the place that allows me to order them like that on a dish that is supposed to have them prepped another way, and the place I learned how to play with my food. When it comes to the Over Easy and Pulled Pork, the best breakfast meal I could possibly create, it has never been a problem to order the eggs Over Hard, the technical term for what my family has often called Killed. But the best part of the meal is before, when I get the Guac and Chips, and I get to play my favorite restaurant-specific game. It should say something about how important this ritual is to me that I'm willing to forgo guacamole for a few minutes longer to carry it out. The game is Sailboats. I had noticed pretty soon after I started to eat there on a regular basis, that a lot of the chips are able to stand up on one of their sides on the table or a plate or any hard, flat, level surface. When I put enough down, they did look like sailboats from far off, a vessel that I have probably boarded about as many times as I've played this game. It isn't an important thing for me to do, but I think that's why I enjoy it. It's not something I'm keeping score in, despite the fact that I'm hypercompetitive and rarely don't keep score in my life. It's something that requires patience, which I've never been accused of having. And it's something that takes up a lot of space, which... no, never mind- that's exactly like me. But probably the main reason I do it is that I invented it, and given that I like me, it's as much a tribute to myself as much as anything, regardless of what it means or doesn't mean. The other really good thing about Brasa is the coffee.
(5)Roland G.
Not impressed. Surprised because I usually see lines out the door. Guac was runny and bland. Chips were good. Mac and cheese was ok, nothing special. Chicken in cream had an off taste to it. Garlic toast- ho hum. Cornbread was good. But the worst part was dessert. Ordered butterscotch pudding to go. Comes with a cookie. They put the cookie in the pudding instead of separately packing it. 45 min later, the cookie has turned into a gummy, mushy mess. They either don't care or are clueless. To top it off our server treated us like we were panhandlers. I assure you, we are not. Won't bother returning.
(2)Sara G.
I have been here twice now and both times were great. I enjoy it in the warmer months when they can open up the garage door walls. The food was great, smaller portions so you can try a few dishes. This is fun for sharing also so you can try multiple things as everything on the menu that I have tried has been great! I will definitely be visiting more in the future.
(5)Sara M.
Today, Brasa catered our lunch at work. As per the usual, I absolutely adored the pulled pork (no sauce needed for me), the corn bread muffins (served in mini size for catering), the mashed potatoes, the brownies (O. M. G. delicious), and the delivery guy (laid back, thorough, and friendly). When I've gone to the restaurant, I love the yams and andouille and the chicken. The space inside the restaurant is small, but if you can get a spot on the patio, I would highly recommend sitting outside, especially with a cold beverage. YUM.
(5)Nora M.
I love this place. Everything is made with real ingredients and tastes great. Super kid friendly too, with lots of options other than the typical chicken nugget!
(4)Sarah B.
Our group of 11 people stopped in for lunch today and were understanding about the 25 minute wait for the table. We then waited another 45 minutes to get our food, much of which was cold when it got to us. Several tables which came after us were served before us. There were flies and wasps over the table and the service was just generally poor - the waitress hardly checked in with us and it was difficult to get her attention. When our bill came the gratuity was already added in, which would have been fine had our service been anywhere near adequate.
(2)Rene G.
Oh, my God, Oh, my God, Oh my God! This place is Ahhhhwwsome! We ate family style and ordered almost every side on the menu. Everything was DELICIOUS! I wish I could eat there every day. Greens, black-eyed peas, potatoe salad, dirty rice, pulled chicken, plantains....I'm drooling now.
(5)Andrea R.
I love Brasa! I have been here numerous times and always been very satisfied with the food. It is usually very cozy and chaotic so I like to get mine to go and go have a picnic or just bring it home. You can't go wrong with any of the options we've tried it all.
(5)Shatona G.
Great "soul food!" and a nice date atmosphere! There are not too many places to get greens, catfish, and cornbread. The restaurant is clean and the service is great!
(4)Anna F.
So I understand that this place is busy on fridays/saturdays and my friends and I came prepared for a wait, so the wait is not what I'm complaining about. After waiting for 2 hours in front, my friends and I were finally seated and told by the hostess that we'd be getting some free chips/guac for waiting so long. Seemed pretty nice of them, so when the waitress came around we mentioned this. She just brushed it off "oh no, we don't actually do that", which was a little annoying but I mean whatever, we were ready to leave it at that. But then, the manager comes and says "I heard you were asking for free apps for waiting so long, you know people wait a long time here blahblah it wouldn't be fair" and basically gave us a lecture about how we don't deserve free apps because people wait for hours all the time for their "wonderful" food. Buddy, we didn't ask for free apps, the hostess told us and we were just following up. Honestly, he just turned a non-situation into something that made us feel like we were being entitled cheapskates. And the okayish food did not counterbalance this. I will not be back.
(2)Emily P.
My boyfriend & I have eyed this place for awhile, but we've always been scared away by the large crowds waiting at the door on weekend nights. Finally we decided to step in while walking around NE in last night's unusually balmy weather just to check out the wait time. The hostess (?) was rather flustered, every table in this tiny garage was packed. Very noisy for a small place with loud & brash customers and a tiny but busy looking kitchen. Eventually we were told it'd be a 15 minute wait for the two of us, we decided to stick it out. Two more pairs of couples & one larger group were seated before us, I was pleasantly surprised when we were indeed seated within 20 minutes. The menu suggested 1 meat portion & 2 sides per person, so that is what we did, everything in a size small. We ordered 1 each of the pulled pork, pulled chicken, collard greens, fried yucca, rice & pigeon peas, and black-eyed peas with cornbread, the house special side of the night. The portion sizes looked small when brought to the table but our large plates were overflowing once we dished them out. We finished every last bite with no leftovers, and we both agreed it was the perfect amount of food. We were full, borderline stuffed, on the starving-to-so-stuffed-I-could-puke scale. The flavors were all delicious, I was impressed with the yucca and collards, though my favorite side was the rice with pigeon peas. My boyfriend loved the yucca, they were like crispy-but-meaty french fries served with a delicious creamy dip. I was thinking of rating this place 4 stars, mostly because the atmosphere of the place turned me off and it was noisy enough I couldn't carry on a conversation with my boyfriend across our tiny table, but then I saw our bill. $23.70 to feed two people on food that is locally sourced and sustainably raised?? Bonus star for that!
(5)Chloe B.
Brasa has become one of my new favorite local dinner spots. Great food (from local producers!). great atmosphere and great location in NE. For sides, the Yuca and Guacamole are to die for. We always get a couple of small meat dishes for the table and we leave full, happy and our wallets aren't that much lighter!
(4)Brooke O.
This place rocks, everything on the menu is amazing. I love the pulled pork and all the sides are great. The whole menu is pretty much gluten free which is awesome, get the GF cookies!
(5)Annie D.
If you're the carnivorous sort, welcome to paradise. I hate committing to a "favorite" restaurant, but if pressed, Brasa might be it. Quality and simplicity are big here, which is how I like my food most of the time. I could live with just garlic, salt and pepper if they always ended up on free-range organic chicken, local pork and fried plantains. Oh, and the CORNBREAD! The buttery, honey-sweetened corn cakes make me want to sneak into their kitchen and steal the recipe. My friends and I eat a lot of family style meals and we loved that the menu was set up for sharing at Brasa (we did not share cornbread---for the record, that would be impossible). Prices are a little steeper than I wish they were, but the quality is up there. Even though we had to wait for a table, we had a round of beers and hung out in the (very) small waiting space, tortured by the smells coming out of the open kitchen. It's worth the wait, but if you get murderously jealous of the people eating, takeout is an option. Wow, I guess I am willing to commit, in a way. I seem to be willing to commit a lot of crimes for Brasa, and that's true love (so says a complete psychopath... or someone who just really likes rotisserie chicken). Tip: Brasa puts on a lot of Twitter deals, especially at their St. Paul location. They'll have free chicken wings with a pitcher of beer or 2-4-1s... all kinds of good stuff!
(5)Zoey Z.
Deets you need to know: 1. Quick 2. Efficient 3. Always local, fresh and flavorful 4. Get the pork over the chicken 5. Creamed Spinach a MUST! Even for spinach haters. Add Corn bread with honey glaze to your order--you won't be sorry. Going with a big group? Head over to St. Paul location. Looking for cozy? NE location
(5)Johanna C.
i'm from texas and there's nothing like some good, southern cooking that satisfies your stomach and warms your soul! if you're looking for some good comfort food in the minneapolis area, def check this place out! i had the slow roasted pork sandwich which was delicious and probably my fav item from all the stuff we ordered (and boy did we order A LOT!). you can also get the meats separately but i think the sandwich combo is a winner. Sides in ranking order of best to worst: Homemade chips & guac, Crispy yucca, candied yams, romaine & mozzarella salad, creamed spinach
(4)Gillian M.
Loved this place - I'm only sad we don't have anything like it in San Francisco where I live. My brother took me here when I came to visit Minneapolis for the weekend. There was quite a long wait so we grabbed a pitcher of beer and headed out front to the patio, which had ample seating. We also ordered some guacamole to tame our hunger, and it was delicious. Service was great, friendly, helpful in figuring out how much food to order for our 4-person group. ALL of the food was awesome. We had the chicken and BBQ beef for our meats, collard greens, yuca fries and cornbread & masa cake to share for the table. Straightforward, excellent food and it didn't sit too heavy in our stomachs afterwards. I highly recommend going here - but bring several friends so you can try several different menu items!
(5)Dylan G.
Second time eating at Brasa tonight, I will definitely be back to eat there again Service: I thought the service was good. My cup was never empty and the waitress was very informed in regards to my questions. Everyone working appeared to be happy to work there which makes a big difference in the service you get. Atmosphere: I thought the atmosphere was awesome. The building was very clean and the industrial garage doors they have that open up make the restaurant seem very open and comforting. Food: I had the rotisserie chicken for my meat, The skin was crispy and the meat was perfectly cooked and moist. The two sides I had were the: crispy yuca with citrus & garlic and roasted yam & andouille. The crispy yuca with citrus & garlic was delicious, the yuca was cut and fried like french fries and came with a citrus and garlic sauce. The sauce had a strong lime flavor that complimented the yuca. The sauce also came with the rotisserie chicken but I thought the chicken was fine on its own. The roasted yam & andouille was not something I'd get again, the andouille was perfectly spicy and delicious, however the yams were not as good. I felt the need to get a cornbread muffin and I have to say it was one of the best I've ever had. The friend I ate with got the slow pulled pork, coleslaw, and the black beans & rice. I tried all of her food and felt it was decent. The pulled pork and coleslaw were both delicious but I felt the rice was lacking some kind of flavor. I definitely recommend Brasa to anyone. Took my son and it was just fine for him. The best part is that for all of our food it was under $30
(5)Cory O.
I was disappointed with last night's experience. My wife and I have picked up takeout from there numerous times and the food is always very good. With last night's excellent weather, we decided to eat in so we could enjoy their patio. After we ordered, we waited at least 30 minutes for the food. During that time, nobody came by to explain what was taking so long. When the food finally did arrive, they brought it for my wife and me, leaving our 2-year-old sitting there without anything. Her food didn't arrive for another minute or two. When it did arrive, I asked for another glass of tea (which didn't arrive for about 5-10 minutes). The food was okay, not the excellence we've had before. The pork was cold. My sandwich was pedestrian. The homemade chips were bland. The cornbread was missing that honey-buttery flavor. Having eaten Brasa's food before, I was just disappointed--and the absence of a server didn't help matters any. Next time we order (as I'm sure we'll give them another shot because of their prior success), we'll just order take out..
(2)Lindsay H.
collard greens!
(5)Soly Z.
We waited about 30 minutes for our table (we were quoted a 40 min wait but it went a little faster than expected ). The smoked beef was delicious, as were the variety of side dishes we tried. The roasted chicken was good, but nothing extraordinary. The four piece order was actually three pieces, with a breast cut into two chunks. I liked the collard greens and creamed spinach with jalapenos best. My husband loved the yellow rice and beans. The restaurant was busy and the wait staff was very friendly and able to keep up with the crowd while making sure diners didn't feel rushed.
(4)William C.
This place is amazing. I've only been in the Twin Cities for a few months, but Brasa is by far the best place I've eaten at so far. We got there around 7:30 on a Friday night and we were worried that we'd have to wait awhile for a table. Luckily, since it was just the two of us we were seated right away. There were larger parties that were there before us, but didn't get seated until we were almost done with our meal. So larger parties be aware of the longer wait times, however I must say it is worth the wait. The girlfriend and I ate our meal family style, which was a good choice because everything we ate was fantastic. We decided to try both the masa and cornbread. The masa was one of my favorite parts of the meal. It had a good chewy, but also firm texture. The saltiness of the onion and cheese on top served as a perfect compliment to the sweetness of the masa bread. The cornbread was also very good, though I would pick the masa over the cornbread any day. We also ordered two sides to share. The yams and andouille, and the fried plantains. Both were pretty good, i mean it's fried plantains and mashed yams with sausage so it's kind of hard to mess up. For the meats we shared the braised beef, pulled pork, and the special of the night, miso glazed prawns. It's really too bad that the prawns were a special and not part of the regular menu. The fookin' prawns were the best thing I put in my mouth that night. The miso sauce was perfectly sweet and salty and the prawns were big and meaty. The best part? Prawns came shelled, but with the head intact. I do love me some delicious prawn brains. The braised beef was also fantastic, it was so tender and the bbq sauce it comes with was really good. I would definitely go with the beef over the pork. I felt the pulled-pork was a bit too dry for my tastes, but still pretty good. I'm already looking forward to the next time I dine here.
(5)Angela A.
I love this place! My mom and I have been in several times for dinner before events, fun to share a few dishes - especially love the andouille and sweet potatoes! Good to get here at off-times, if possible because it fills up quickly during peak hours.
(5)Jon M.
Ok is it just me or are the portions somehow getting smaller? Even my pork sandwich amazing flavor was light on pork. Hmmmmmm going cheap? I hope not as I would give them 5 every time but the portions are poorly sized. Ps chips and guac might be the best ever.
(4)Jane D.
Great place for my dad's birthday lunch! Well done sides served family style so we could all try the chicken, rice and beans, pulled pork sandwich, and plantains.
(4)Sarah C.
The pork. The crispy yuca. Even the rice and beans. Everything was delectable. Our server rocked it. She was polite and friendly but not overly so, and she was incredibly helpful as I asked questions about what foods would work with my restricted diet. The atmosphere is relaxing. We finished our drinks as the conversation rolled, and nobody hurried us out the door. We love. We'll be back. Many, many a time.
(5)Jillian F.
My aunt and uncle were in town so I wanted to take them somewhere yummy, I was recommended this. My uncle being jewish and my aunt being a picky eater this was a perfect place. I loved the sharing plates idea, and we got a large beef and about 4 sides. This was fantastic flavor, the potatos sides were amazing. And the cornbread melted in my mouth. And the sauce that is served with the potatoes and plantains are to dye for. The drink menu is small, but has some decent choices. Waiting did take a while for a table, but the waitress was fast once seated. The atmosphere was super nice on a summer day but I think it might feel more crowded during the winter. I think you might want to call ahead for larger groups and it seemed like a kid friendly atmosphere. Overall the food wowed me every bite and that would be the main reason to keep going back.
(5)Olivia H.
I have mixed feelings about Brasa. First just let me say I LOVE THE FOOD. But, I don't always like the service, and the wait is ridiculous. My recommendation? CALL AHEAD and do TAKE OUT. Then you get the food without the hassle. (lunch menu is excellent as well)
(4)Theresa D.
I have nothing but great things to say about this restaurant! We have always received awesome service and the food is wonderful.
(5)Jon S.
If I had a week to eat at the best restaurants in Minneapolis, where would I go? Aside from the obvious, (112, Alma, Bar la Grassa, Belle Vie, D'amica Kitchen, Lucia's, and Vincents), you just have to go to Brasa!! They now have two locations and I prefer the Minneapolis one because it is more intimate and the servers seem more informed. Yes, there is sometimes a wait, but it is all worth it in this pulled-meat heaven. Their "cheesey grits" (yes, I said it y'all) is great and if you over-order, as most do, they have cute little take home boxes. Tip: in the spring and summer months they have an outside seating area that is lively and cuts down on wait time.
(4)S A.
delicious food. tiny portions, jumbo prices
(4)Jarryd R.
Amazing! Small so be prepared to wait for a table, but it's 100% worth the wait! Highly recommend the pork sandwich!
(5)Michael P.
Very nice food and atmosphere. The staff was very helpful.
(4)B. C.
Absolutely love Brasa and try to make a point to come for lunch every time I'm in town, especially if the weather's nice enough to sit outside. I always recommend to get orders for the table to share. My favorites are the rotisserie chicken, slow roasted pork and surprisingly the smoked beef. For sides I stick to the beans, yuca and grits. My only qualm is the cornbread is inconsistent. Other then that there's nothing to not love.
(4)Summer L.
What is there to say about Brasa that hasn't been said before? Their rotisserie meats are divine, their sides are southernly sinful (read: cream and butter ahoy), and the options for a one-person sandwich are perfect when your group isn't large or full of picky people. I nearly always gravitate towards the chicken; the pork is rather fabulous as well. My favorite sides: the romaine & mozzarella salad, collard greens with smoked turkey, creamed spinach with jalapeno, and the never-endingly awesome corn cake. What's funny is that these have been my favorites for the last four years or however long it's been since they have been open; there haven't been many menu changes in that time. Not complaining. The only brutal part is eating in at Brasa. It's not bad service, it's simply lack of space. The place is friggin' tiny. There's not really anywhere for people to stand and wait for tables except to crowd around the bathrooms, and that's not fun for anyone. And if it's raining or cold outside and the patio is useless, the problem is doubly compounded. It's for this reason that I try to go off-hours whenever possible. I really hate standing around, smelling good food. Brasa is one of those places that is forever notable. And if I were smart, I'd start ordering massive piles of take-out so that I could enjoy it more than once every blue moon when the timing is right.
(4)Jordan S.
As a vegetarian, the giant chicken and "rotisserie" has always scared me away from Brasa. Biking by, it always smelled delicious and made me envious of those carnivores who don't have to bite and grin into a tempeh concoction and pretend it's just as good. So, I instantly when into "ah shucks" mode when my friends mentioned they were going to Brasa after a casual 40 mile bike ride we took one beautiful Saturday. But wait, Jordan, they have a vegetarian menu. I kicked it into high gear, knowing I'd get to enjoy all the fragrant smells of an atmosphere like Brasa without having to give up my non-meat-eating snootiness. I showered, dressed and walked dogs in record time and hurried back into Nordeast, where my friends were already sitting on the patio, drinking pitchers of sangria without me!! I arrived 15 minutes after they did and no worries, I didn't miss any sangria tasting... there was a wait. Woah, what a wait. Crowds of people in Twins paraphernalia stood in our way. Alright, we were a group of 8, so there wasn't much complaining on our part, but damn. I wish they took reservations. After about 35 minutes, we were seated. I was a little cranky. Forty miles plus forty minutes of standing idly in the sun does not make Jordan a happy girl. But whatever, I was ready to read this legendary vegetarian menu... Um. It's just the regular menu with the meat items taken out. That's fair. I was hoping for a little more variety than two items, but I'll get the Vegetarian Bean Fritter without guac and the Cornbread with Honey Glaze. The cornbread came quickly with everyone else's appetizers. It was sweet and broke apart easily. Qualities I love in cornbread. Soon after the Vegetarian Bean Fritter came and blew me away. It was miles above my expectation of a meat house's interpretation of bean cuisine. The mozzarella was thick and melty. The fritter part did not fall apart into a million different crumbles like the usual meatless burger. Everything surpassed my already high expectations. Brasa's Vegetarian Bean Fritter is excellent and makes up for the fact that it's one of two meals they have for us non-meat eaters. Careful about the hour you choose to go because they are popular and get a couple of orders of cornbread.
(5)Larry P.
Terrific rotisserie grilled meats. Chicken pork tender and juicy. Wonderful cornbread and some tasty sides, like collard greens, fried plantains, yams with andouille sausage and fried yucca. Wash it down with a tasty local draft beer. Casual atmosphere with outdoor seating in the summer.
(4)Colleen E.
Brasa is one of my favorite places to go if I'm in the mood for some good southwest style cooking. This location has a great atmosphere, but go a little earlier than you think because it's usually packed for dinner and I don't think they take reservations.
(4)Angela S.
There isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said. This place is soooo good! I could eat Brasa's pork sandwich every single day. Their chicken and beef sandwiches are good too, but the pork is definitely my favorite. As far as sides go, I've found the rice and beans and crispy yuca to be the best. Oh, and the cornbread with honey glaze. The cornbread is nothing short of amazing.
(5)Christian F.
The food here is fantastic. I've never had a bad dish yet--I've gone multiple times, alone and with friends, and we've ordered all over the menu. Not one bad dish. It's popular, so there's usually a wait to be seated, but I won't knock a point off for that. You can still order a beer and hang out while you wait, and in the summer the outdoor seating is truly refreshing. Not only is everything delicious, but the portions are quite suitable. Most places try to make up for crappy food by giving you too much of it, and that's what Americans have come to expect (and it shows, in Minnesota's ever-expanding waistlines), but Brasa knows what a meal is supposed to look like. They have enough confidence in their food, perhaps, to let the quantity rest on the quality. I respect a restaurant that doesn't try to force too much waste on the customer.
(5)P D.
I had been meaning to stop in for quite some time and finally had the chance today. One of the few restaurants in Minneapolis that is gluten-free with the exception of some bread items. Family-friendly very busy -service could've been a little quicker but it was well worth the wait. Sampled little bit of everything - some chicken, some pork, some beef -as well as numerous sides. Yuca, plantains, red beans and rice were all top notch. The green sauce that they give for dipping was amazing (and available to take home for $5 a pint). If you are at all hungry ignore the small and medium and go straight for the large sides - they were the highlight of the meal! Next time I will pass on the meat, but my wife enjoyed the pork. Since she is stuck with a gluten-free diet, the real treat was that the bulk of the menu was okay for her to eat - save the sandwiches and corn breads. Great meat, fantastic sides - we will be quite happy to keep coming back.
(4)Justine L.
After going to three other restaurants with an hour long wait each, we (luckily!) ended up at Brasa. The casual and simple, yet cozy, atmosphere of the restaurant contributes to its comfort food concept. Among three people, we ordered the medium rotisserie chicken, small pulled pork, and small beef. For sides, they were, unfortunately, out of plantains (our fav!) so, we got the yucca fries and cole slaw. It was surprisingly the perfect amount of food! Everything was great, but here were our favorites and why: - Rotisserie chicken: crispy but not greasy skin, moist meat, amazing green onion infused sauce - Beef (I can't remember what they called this beef): the sauce was bbq meets meat loaf. Definitely hit the spot and brought you back to childhood. - Cole slaw: great sized veggies, lightly coated in sauce.
(4)Rachel C.
What can I say about Brasa aside from, "GO!!!" The food here is amazing. It's essentially a rotisserie and southern cooking place with family-style eating. They do have a few options to order individual plates, but the heart and taste buds of Brasa comes out in having a wide variety of options to taste and share. Order your meat by the weight (juicy and scrumptious plates full of chicken, pork, and beef), scatter in a healthy number of sides, and end your meal with a cornbread or two. The NE Minneapolis location is smaller than it's newer companion on Grand in St. Paul. The location is fun as the old garage doors are opened and outdoor seating is plentiful. It has a nice vibe to it, but I'm sure it's my favorite over St. Paul simply because this is where I discovered it. I don't think this place would ever be accused of being a healthy eating joint (creamed spinach and yams with andouille sausage are just two of the sides), but with sharing a variety of plates let's you try a variety of foods without having a heaping plate; trust me, you don't want to limit yourself here. My absolute favorite side is the crispy yuca with a green citrus and garlic dip that I would eat as a smoothie every morning if they let me. The dip is always the bowl that gets passed around the table constantly as we delight in our meal. Every time I bring newbies here, the moans of culinary delight far drown out the conversation at the table and I know I've made converts with each trip.
(5)Etienne C.
Four stars because five is reserved for transcendent experiences. Four, in my opinion, is an achievement in itself. Brasa deserves its reputation. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I tried almost everything and wouldn't turn down seconds of any of it. The pulled chicken might be too good, deal-with-the-devil good. The rotisserie is almost as good but bones are annoying. We got all the sides but the kale, and the only one I thought just mediocre was the andouille and yams. The beans were just so so, but the cornbread was fine. Had dessert, too. Mousse cake! Oh, dear. Each dish come in various sizes. We got everything for one person, small I think, and just ordered more if we wanted. We did. Four drinks, many sides, two mains and dessert later we escaped at under $55. The wait staff is attentive but brusque. They're mainly very young; an older staff might set a better example. My beer was served warm. That could happen to anyone, but it shouldn't happen at a restaurant.
(4)Minh T.
Brasa has the kind of food that I really love: slow roasted meats, seasoned perfectly, with so much flavor in every bite. I looked at their sandwich list and was so tempted by the slow roasted pork. As it turned out, the list of side dishes sounded too delicious to turn down, so instead, I ordered the slow roasted pork and smoked beef meat plates along with the cabbage and apple coleslaw, roasted yams and andouille, grits with cheddar, and the cornbread. Don't worry, I split everything with a friend or else they'd have to wheel me out of there. Both meats were tender and delicious, but my friend and I agreed that we'd willingly give up our firstborn child for an unlimited supply of the pork, which had the perfect amount of fat to make it juicy and rich. Of the sides, the roasted yam and andouille were the trifecta of sweet, savory, and spicy. The cornbread also really impressed us. The grits were good, but didn't wow us, so next time, I think I'll give the creamed spinach with jalapeno a try. To end the meal, we ordered the butterscotch pudding and the pineapple upside down cake. Both were wonderful. The pineapple cake had a great rum anglaise sauce, which I could just drink -- it was so good. Brasa's has a fairly small internal space, but from what I could tell, they have a good amount of outside seating. I can't wait to go back again when the weather's warm.
(4)Mandarin Y.
This place was awesome. Good service and yummy food. Ordered the rotisserie chicken and it was so juicy, tender, and flavorful it was one of the best rotisserie chicken I ever had. They also offer a good variety of sides to choose from so I ordered their collard greens made with smoked chicken and their featured side of that night, black eyed peas served with yellow rice, and both sides were very tasty. It's a pretty small establishment so you might want to arrive earlier because this place fills up fast and their parking is tiny so you very well may end up finding street parking.
(4)Nate J.
I sought this eatery out because of it's reviews on Yelp. I located it easily and was very excited to eat here, and I was very hungry. I parked in their lot and walked in through the roll up garage door, giving a really fun and open atmosphere. The ordering area is clean and simple, I asked a server if I could sit outside, she responded nicely, and seemed really friendly, and said yes. I sat outside where they have a designated eating area, and it was a nice day, had shade and sunshine, a good place to enjoy life, and to eat I I grabbed a menu from another table, because the table I had schosen was without a menu upon it. I sat and began browsing the menu, and out of nowhere, a server appeared. She seemed pleasant, I asked what I should order, being my first time. What I decided upon was Pork and two sides collard greens and a delicious rice mixture , I 4 stars for delicious and comforting food, mixed in with some good soul food. Terrific service, very good and casual, definite recommend. $20 after tipping for a meal, tea, and cornbread. Minneapolis needs more restaurants like this, keep it local.
(4)Bryan E.
fun place. portions seemed small. Very busy place
(4)Brad O.
I get butterflies in my stomach whenever I think of Brasa. My first time eating at the restaurant rivals my first time ever being kissed. Aside from family and friends, Brasa is one of the few things that I truly miss about Minneapolis. *teardrop* I'm not a big-time carnivore or anything, but Brasa prepares their meat so that it is flavorful every time. How many meat-centric restaurants actually offer an all-vegetarian menu and a solid one at that? I could write a haiku about this place If I actually knew how to write a haiku. So instead I will just leave you with a few recommendations: The Black Bean Fritter is to cry for. The Smoked Beef and Pulled Chicken sandwiches are so good that you could literally save your failing marriage, beat depression, or cure personal hunger. It's as if all of the recipes came straight from GOD's cookbook, and Jesus is in the kitchen making it himself. If you don't believe in GOD, you probably will after eating at Brasa or at least magic...
(5)Glen S.
I was simply impressed with the food (and just about only the food) as I ate at Brasa. I hate judging a restaurant simply on crappy service, but I have to say, I felt like the service could have been a little better. It took a while to get any refills of anything and at times, seemed like the guys who worked there were "too cool" to be a server. Now, on to the food. The spices used to make the chicken I ate were amazing. How they mix and match them together until they get it just right is impressive. The meat falls right off the bone and the side dishes are just as wonderful. If it wasn't for the food, I think this place would have been 1 or 2 stars only, but the food really holds the place together. I would highly suggest to anyone who is craving that southern taste or just want a hunk of meat in their mouth.
(4)David P.
As others have noted pretty great place for carnivores. The have a few vegetarian selections so your friends who lean this way won't go completely hungry. The success of this restaurant really comes from their focus on keeping it simple and doing what they do well. All of it is quite good. But if pressed - I've had the pork, chicken and beef and I have to say I lean towards the beef when served alone. For the sandwiches I lean toward the pork but that is probably because I am a sucker for anything cilantro. The cornbread is pretty great and is probably a must order for those of you who enjoy cornbread. Finally, you have to appreciate that Brasa is one of the few restaurants in the city that serve Mexican Coca-Cola (with real sugar) AND the Original Dr. Pepper with real sugar (which I believe is the ONLY place in town that has it). The latter is a big deal, well, because it is made in one town in Texas and costs a mint to have shipped. Go ahead and look it up!
(4)Heidi B.
Food is great, service is not so great. Since there are too many other places close by, not my favorite.
(3)Kimberly T.
I'm so glad I finally made it to Brasa! This place is amazing and the menu allows you to try a lot of plates, which I love - the more I get to eat, the better. We had a 1/4 lb of the rotisserie chicken, roasted pork & braised beef. The chicken was my favorite - the sauce that came with it was incredible. For sides, we got chips & guac, creamed spinach w/ jalapeño & cornbread. Everything was SO good. The cornbread was perfection! The guac was also really good, very smooth & creamy. The salsa that came on the side was also delicious! We got the devil's food cake for dessert, which was unnecessary, but really good nonetheless. We got ALL of this food & a couple beers each for $45. This place is awesome & I can't wait to come back!
(5)Amanda S.
Holy Sh*t This is good food. I don't ever eat pork, but tried theirs after being convinced of the integrity of the ingredients they use - namely the meat, which is all free-range/local. That pulled pork is just faaaantastic, it's worth going there just to get that. I was with a date and we shared quite a few sides. I usually am not a yam fan but I genuinely enjoyed the andouille & yam side. I also loved the creamed spinach and of course the cornbread is to die for, as many other yelpers have raved. Good atmosphere, very friendly and warm staff, busy, but not a long wait for 2. Go get your grub on kids, this is the spot.
(5)Scott N.
this place is fanTASTIC! we stopped in on the way to stillwater and had lunch. i had the egg and sausage sandwich, fried plantains, and greens. they got original dr. pepper and mexican cokes. real cornbread - i mean this place is a southern boy's dream in the mid-west. we stopped back in on the way to the airport and i had the special fried egg sandwich, with avocado and bacon (i like egg sammiches). everything we ordered was phenomenal and right on time. i will rave about brasa for a long time. love the fact that it's on hennepin ave. too (primus sucks!).
(5)Kristen D.
Still a favorite in Mlps. i am never disappointed when I dine here. If you have the chance to have the pineapple upside down cake with creme anglaise, DO IT. You will not be disappointed. It tastes like summer feels. I can't wait to be able to sit outside when the weather gets warmer.
(5)Chelsey L.
Nom nom nom. Thank you thank you Alex Roberts for taking me to brisket heaven. I was in Minneapolis for a week-long training and really had no clue where to go or what to eat. A friend said this was one of the 5 must-eat meals in America. I was extremely skeptically (leggit Southern food where it's below freezing for months on end?), but after reading some reviews, I trusted you fellow yelpers would not lead me astray. Our party of of 4 had quite a wait (about an hour) on a weeknight, but the meat and fixins were well worth it. We had the beef and pork (both were great, but the pork pulled ahead a little bit) with sides of cornbread, greens, and grits. I had no idea it was possible to get so much cheese in grits. Good good eats. Throughout the wait and once we were seated, service was just right. Friendly and helpful when needed. Bottom line, get yer belly here.
(5)Carrie W.
Summery: Great food, horrible service. I am in love with their food. My choice: raised beef, grits, rice & beans. Yum and yum. It tastes just right every time. No bad surprises here, just good food. My family has gone to Brasa twice or three times together cause we all enjoy the food. The problem is, every time we go we get horrible service. They don't communicate when the table will be ready, they don't offer drinks while we're waiting, and when we sit down they usually just look pissed we're there. Our waitress didn't even split our check at the end and we had 9 people. Isn't it just a given that 9 people will want their check split? When I've gone w/ one other person they were a little more attentive but lacked friendliness. Lesson learned: DO NOT go in a large group. Keep it small, 2-3 peeps. They can't handle much else.
(3)Terry B.
Straight up, some of the best tasting food I've ever had. If you know anything about fried plantains, Brasa's will leave you in awe! The pull pork was very flavorful and just melts in your mouth. And with reasonable prices and friendly staff, I will be back!
(5)S M.
Excellent - starting with the wonderful customer service to the food which was a perfect blend of flavors. I had the slow roasted pork, it was shredded, very flavorful, tender, and even though I ordered the small size, it was a good portion. The sides have to be ordered separately from the meat, I had the fried plantains and the homemade chips and guacamole. The guacamole was probably the best I have ever had. Chips were good, a little greasy looking, but they didn't taste greasy. The plantains were caramelized and could have been served as dessert. There was an interesting sauce with the plantains that was fresh and citrusy tasting (maybe some cilantro, don't know for sure what it was, but it was good.) A weird combination that really worked. My friend had the crispy yuca w/citrus and garlic. That was a superstar, probably my favorite of the sides. All tolled, with my meat and two sides, my friend's sandwich and side of yuca, a glass of wine, a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, and a complementary spicy masa dish, our bill was just over $35. Well worth it. The waitress was really nice, attentive, and was helpful with recommendations. This is now one of my go-to places when I visit Minneapolis!
(5)Rebecca Y.
I went with a friend for lunch. Maybe I was expecting the best because I have to admit that I was disappointed. Now, I'm not saying this place is horrible by any means. But....I guess I was expecting the best. I ordered the pull pork which was somewhat dry with very little flavor. And no bbq sauce to make it taste better either. The waiter recommended the salad which was mediocre. The best part was the cornbread and honey butter. I probably will try it again as everyone has a bad day. It just won't be at the top of my list.
(2)John A.
I love the dining experience at Brasa. Small plates to share make it easy to order everything on the menu to find your favorite flavor.
(5)Marsha L.
Melt in your mouth goodness! Worth the wait! Love the ambiance. Romantic and cozy, yet still hip enough to hang out and get a meal with friends or family. The servers here are all very friendly too. great place. The pictures don't
(5)Mariel L.
I'm so happy I finally hauled ass to a Super Duper Supper Club outing, and ended up at another gem of a restaurant in Northeast; seriously, this section of the city is slowly becoming my gastronomic nirvana. At first, Brasa sounded like a churrascaria to me, just 'coz of the name and all. Turns out, it's more Peruvian-style rotisserie with classic (and twisted classic) Southern sides and desserts. Everything's meant to be shared, but I doubt you'd be willing to share some of the sides once you figure out how much they're worth fighting for. Yes, that means fighting your loved one to the death over the last piece of honey-glazed cornbread. Because the entire menu has different portions (from single-serve to family-size), it was tempting to try a couple of things -- and I easily succumbed: 1) Pulled pork and pulled chicken - both were very succulent and juicy. The chicken was bathed in a cream gravy, while the pork was seasoned with mojo. Both were crazy-fork tender (have you ever seen a crazy fork? That's gotta be one threatening utensil) and you have to eat it with one of the many sides. By the way, the sides options can get pretty overwhelming, so take as many return trips as needed to try all of them. 2) Creamed spinach with jalapeno - not so sure about the jalapeno (didn't come through), but the spinach was perfectly seasoned and tenderized. 3) Grits with Cheddar - I'm no expert on grits, but I imagine they would be, well, gritty (no sh*t?!), in which case this dish is perfect. The cheddar is sharp and mixes sooooo well with the piping hot grits, and it's an utter taste pleasure, especially when you mix it with the salty pulled pork. 4) Butterscotch pudding with cream - not as fantastic as the budino from 112, but definitely a close second. It's delicate but firm, and there's also a little bit of salt to cut back on the sweetness. Gotta love it. I ordered two cornbread pcs on the way out, and it was still warm when they gave it to me. Sadly, it was so warm and buttery that it tore through the cellophane; thankfully, I caught it. I think it was just fate telling me to eat the first cornbread instead of saving it for the next day. I'm so glad I did, because oh my Dios, it was so DELICIOUS. This cornbread is sooooo pornbread. Sorry grandma, I just couldn't think of a better way to describe these ecstatically awesome baked goods. And, no, the other piece didn't make it to the next day.
(5)Jon H.
I have been to Brasa twice now, and I will definitely coming back. The food is amazing and filling. The meats are delicious, the sides (especially cornbread) are delicious, and the price tag is, well, delicious? Great value, but that doesn't mean you compromise taste by going here over a fancy restaurant. If you can go here on a non-Friday or Saturday night, it will help because they don't take reservations and the restaurant is small.
(5)Virginie N.
Best pork sandwich you'll have in your life. The black bean burger is really good too- it has the perfect amount of spice and heat! I highly suggest ordering a side of yukka because they are amazing: it's like french fries but a million times better. go here!
(5)Dan B.
This is another restaurant that is slipping in my opinion. We used to love this place, the food was great, portions were awesome, and the service was fun. The last time we went in we realized that they had redone their menu. Kiss of death for me, I'm really tired of these places around the city that try to reinvent themselves every two weeks. The big problem was that their prices went up, their portion sizes went down, and there were no "package" meals: A meat and a couple sides for $XX. Now you pay per item, the sides are small, and you have to pay $2 for each corn muffin. Really? The plantains were off, the grits didn't have a good consistency, and the meat was just average. On top of that, all of the tables were sticky because someone had cleaned them with bleach which destroyed the finish, and the server went MIA for a long time. When we finally got a check, it took another 15 min to track down a server and tell them that it was not our check. All in all, I think this will be my last visit here for quite a while. Oh, and unlike every other 1 or 2 star rating on yelp in recent months, I didn't go here with a groupon.
(2)Rubun D.
I don't eat beef or pork, but this place is delicious. Both the Rotisserie and Pulled Chicken are light and delicious, though I am partial to the cream of the Pulled Chicken. The portions are not huuuge, given what you can end up with throughout BBQ joints in Texas, but the way it tears away easily makes every bite worth it. The cornbread is decent, with actual corn bits in it. The crispy yucca is quite nummy. The fried plantains should be a staple of every visit.
(5)Jason K.
My wife and I eeked over the Hennepin Avenue Grain Belt Bridge awaiting what a friend of ours said was the best restaurant in the Twin Cities. This guy usually knows his stuff, and this was another win by A.M. We peeked and pawed past many small establishments and ended up at what looked like an old Garage/Gas Station with the bay doors and everything. Very cool! We parked and entered the small establishment that screamed coolness. We sat by one of the bay doors and our waiter was super cool and they had the best beer in the cities, Surly Furious on tap for $4.50 a pint. What was real cool was watching the open kitchen and staff stirring goodies in huge stainless steel vats and the staff seemed to enjoy making quality food. My friend said I must order the Beef and Pork combo platter with the fried plantains. The beef had a sweet, yet smokey flavor to it, but the pork was a heaven sent chunk of pig. I have heard people say real good stuff melts in your mouth. This pulled pork actually does melt like meaty butter in your mouth. My wife took the black beans from the combo and ordered a separate corn bread, she said Famous Dave's was better for corn bread, but I had a bite and it was pretty good. The fried plantains were sometimes sweet and sometimes like potatoes. They had the best hot sauce ever, the stuff they make Buffalo Wings with on the table and I added some drops. Fantastic. So two Surly Furious later, the awesome pulled pork, the pretty good beef, the good plantains, and some good corn bread, I thought it was a solid restaurant. For $15 bucks I would have liked to have seen more pork and beef, but I was reminded everything is local and organic. I don't know about the best restaurant in the Cities, but it was a great atmosphere, solid southern/Caribbean food, amazing service and an overall great lunch. A.M. again is the king of recommendations.
(5)Samantha L.
Such a fan of this place, been here at least five times. Although they have regular entrees that can be ordered, I've never done it, sharing is the better deal in my opinion. The shreded chicken and salad are my go-to picks. The service can be a little hit or miss, but things get really busy on the weekends so I can't fault them too much. I really dig the family style. Its a throw-back to years past....."could you pass the salad please"?
(4)Gen W.
I grew up in the Caribbean and the flavor of the food definitely reminded me of home. Great place to grab a bite to eat. Unfortunately when I visited they were out of the dishes that I wanted. I ended up ordering their chicken, cornbread and yucca also called cassava in the Caribbean. Everything was tasy but I would like to try more things hopefully next time they will be more stocked and ready for business.
(3)Lea S.
I love comfort food. So thank you either Jesus, Allah, Buddha, or whatever other force came down and created Brasa Rotisserie. Unlike most people in life I don't like to share, especially good food! Brasa helps me circumvent that whole situation by creating individual side dish portions. I think I am officially addicted to there Cheddar Cheese Grits. The fried Yuca was also a pleasant treat. It is paired with this tasty sauce that I wanted to bottle and take home. The decor and service are also fantastic. The staff is very attentive and friendly. The servers are very well versed on the menu and are helpful with suggestions (or in my case tie-breakers on which side dishes to order). I cannot wait until the outside seating is available again. I can already feel the breeze in my hair and smell the rotisserie on my cheeks.
(5)Tan N.
I came here with 3 other people, and with our combined hunger we devoured a pound of Brasa's meat and sampled about 75% of their sides/appetizers. Trust me, it wasn't just hunger that drove us to eat. We had 1/2 lb braised beef and 1/2 lb slow roasted pork. the pork is much juicier and flavorful, but that doesn't mean that the beef tasted like parched beef jerky. i would have been very content with 2 lbs of the braised beef, but if you are forced only to have one, choose the pork. The sides were all excellent, and your choice should really be driven by your own internal cravings and/or your sense of culinary adventure. the sangria- sweet and strong. well worth trying. service was excellent.
(4)Abby M.
We went here this past Sunday while in town and loved everything that we ate. It's best to order everything family style and try a little bit of each dish. We had the guacamole with homemade chips, rotisserie chicken, pork, beef, yuka with mojo, yellow rice with black eyed peas, veggie bean fritter, and pulled pork sandwich. We ordered smaller portions of the meat and the small sides and it was more than enough to fill us up and give us left overs. The guacamole and beef were the table favorites. It was busy when we got there and we had about a 10 minute wait, by the time we left it was even more busy and the line of people waiting was really long. Our waitress was friendly and gave great advice on portion sizes when ordering the meats and sides. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town and wouldn't mind ordering some catering from here for a party. I know it would be a hit!
(5)Nathan H.
Vegetarian menu available upon request, well presented comfort food at a very reasonable price, staff were open to and thankful for my recommendation to update a menu item, fried yucca, labeled vegan that came with a non-vegan aioli dipping sauce. Had the three dish sampler of yucca, guacamole and rice and beans. All-in-all a dinning success.
(4)Clayton K.
Really good stuff here. Their beef is what you need to get, and if you come with an empty stomach make sure you get the dinner for two because i felt that the single portion, while very good, was to small. Also the Chips their are super good seriously get them for an app. The Mexican coke is delish with all the food as well. Eat outside on sunset day inside was a little to warm for me personally, but this was during the summer time.
(4)Kristine F.
Absolutely delicious! Living nearby, I've kind of gotten into the groove of ordering take-out, rather than navigating their usual packed parking lot and indoor, olde garage-style seating space. My favorite picks from their menu are the yucca fries (big, hefty slices with a tangy green dipping sauce) and rotisserie chicken (perfect crispy skin and marinaded flavor right down to the bone).
(4)Thomas J.
I've been there three times and have enjoyed it as a place where you can have a good meal with friends, but I must admit that I generally leave a bit dissatisfied. Perhaps its my inability to put together the best combination or my feeling that pulled pork should be a bit spicier. In any case, I realize that it is not one of those places in MPLS where I feel I should bring guests to the city. It's just okay, but this city now has a lot of places that are much better than okay.
(3)John C.
The understated atmosphere cant hide the amazing flavors found within. By far the best carribean food you will find. Delicious pulled chicken dressed with a citrus marinade, fried yuca and amazing black beans and rice. This place is popular so it is tough to find a table on busy friday or saturday nights. Your best bet is to sneak by the lines and pick up your take out order to enjoy at home. From the first time i discovered it, it became a weekly stop.
(5)Lida K.
Delicious. Where all my meat dreams come true. The food here is ordered a la carte from the main protein to the side dishes and all in all it's worth for the price. Main Entree - best braised beef I've ever had. But the pulled pork and chicken are also definitely above average, fresh, and mouth watering. The seasoning is perfect -- not too much and not too little. It enhances the food not overpower it. Side Dishes - I adore the cheese grits and the corn bread. But overall everything seems wonderful. Get a veggie and a starch and you're meal will be perfection. Service - The waitress was nice enough and the people at the counter were really fast and friendly. This place is great to eat with friends or family. But the lack of AC and the humid as fuck weather made it a bit uncomfortable. Get in and get out. But next time I'm going to get it to go instead.
(4)Steinar S.
Delivering great in their league! Good job!
(5)Char L.
Best part of the meal was the cornbread. I repeat, get the cornbread. It's all crumbly and got a hint of sweetness. Delicous!!! Pulled pork was juicy and falling apart. Very good. Red Velvet cake was more of a brown color. It wasn't overly sweet and the cream cheese frosting was more liquidy than thick. I prefer my red velvet cakes to be more sweet with thick frosting, so I probably won't get this again. Homemade lemonade tasted very watery.
(4)Katie L.
This place is baller. It's the kind of joint where you order lots of plates and just share everything. The atmosphere is casual, and the restaurant is nice and open in the summer. It is small, however! Luckily we got there at 8:30 on a Sunday night, so we got a table inside right away. The waiter was a great guy with a cool mustache. He had no problem taking a few minutes to explain the menu to us and tell us about a few of his favorites. For our meats we got the pulled pork, barbeque beef, and braised beef. The pulled pork was my favorite-- tender and served with a few lime wedges. The barbeque beef was a big slab of meat served with coleslaw and hot sauce for you to eat with it. The braised beef was shredded up and topped with a great sauce. They were all excellent-- depending on what you like. For our sides we got the creamed spinach with jalapenos, rice and black beans. Loved the rice and black beans. I can't wait to try the cornbread. Next time I'll try one of their sandwiches.
(5)Abby L.
I have nothing bad to say about Brasa's food, ill eat all of it. Ive been to parties with their food and also on location. Ill continue to come back because of the food. As I've noticed other people have been saying, yes their service isnt the best. Sometimes its downright horrible. NEVER go with a big group. I went there for mother's day, and it took about 45 mins to get seated and 30 mins to get out. With the long lines outside in the rain, we really did want them to eat too, but Brasa wouldnt let us pay! Besides all that, I'm still going back to eat their food. Good service or not.
(4)Melissa C.
True Story: I once ordered cornbread as a side, got done with my meal, and ordered the cornbread again as dessert. That is some delicious cornbread. I bet that they'd oblige you if you wanted a whole meal of cornbread. Delicious, moist (oooh...point of controversy with cornbread aficionados!) and smothered in blissful honey butter. It'd be worth it. As for the rest of the food, I've only ever had the quarter chicken as a main dish. It's simple, moist and you just have to eat it with your fingers. The food here isn't fancy. It's simple and good. Consistent and homey. And sometimes that's just what you need. Could use: a broader selection of drink options (I'm talking getting a Diet Coke up in there, not necessarily alcoholic... although the chicken would taste mighty good with a Big Ginger. . . ) and bigger napkins. :)
(4)John B.
This is the ultimate comfort food. Excellent. We shared the slow roasted pork, spinach beans and rice. It was awesome. Great value. Great service. Great neighborhood joint.
(4)Dainty P.
I thought this was a good (but not spectacular) place! My husband thought it was awesome (he's never had southern food before)! I did enjoy the slow roast pork sandwich and the yucca. But the corn bread was kinda sad, it was slightly better than the jiffy cornbread mix that I could buy at the store (I guess, I had high expectations). Tiny and crowded place. So it is a Friday night, you're gonna have to wait outside (possibly in the cold...).
(3)Dennis L.
Hoo boy, I can't believe I've gone this long without eating here. I've heard so much about this place over the years from so many people and the praise is well deserved. The food is just amazing! I just did take out so I didn't really get to "experience" the restaurant, but I'd definitely go back. The menu is short and sweet; basically you get your choice of meats (purchasable by weight) or the sandwiches, sides, and deserts. For this go around, I had only tried the sandwiches, the pulled pork, the braised beef, the egg and chorizo, and the roasted chicken. All of them were phenomenal. My favorites were probably the pork and chicken, though the chorizo is really close up there too. Beef was tasty too, but wasn't as spectacular as the others. The meat is tender and the flavor just explodes in your mouth with every bite. And it's not just the meat; it's also the pickled veggies, the cilantro, the garlic mayo, and whatever else that's in there that's fantastic. The sandwiches also come with their homemade tortilla chips, very crispy and tasty, a good compliment to their scrumptious sandwiches. All this praise and I haven't even tried the sides or desserts yet! Without a doubt, I'm thinking this is a place I will frequent quite often from now on.
(5)Lauren B.
Now, I'm from the Midwest. I don't pretend to be an expert on Southern or Caribbean cuisine, and barbecue wouldn't even crack my list of top ten favorite types of food. That being said, Brasa is one of my favorite restaurants in the twin cities, and I can't say enough good things about the food. The cornbread is the best I've ever had. So are the cheese grits. The pulled chicken and pulled pork are fantastic. Really, there's not a thing on the menu I wouldn't recommend. I would, however, recommend calling ahead and placing a take out order during the winter. Without the outdoor seating, the space is quite small and gets crowded quickly. While this would not be a problem in most places, there's no good place to wait - no bar or entryway set aside for hungry, waiting customers. Just try not to feel too smug as you whisk away your bag of food while the crowd gives you envious glares...
(5)Jenny Y.
Yum! Just had this about 2 hours ago so it's still fresh in my mind.. I had the slow roasted pork and a side of corn bread and beans.. everything was delicious Roasted pork was tender and delicious.. no grease at all.. the creamy cilantro sauce just made it amazing Corn bread was really good..light, soft and delicious Beans were good too.. they are more a soupy type.. kinda a feel good soup I wish i knew that the portions are small though.. could have ordered more to try! for 1 person.. a small meat dish, and a small side dish is a good size.. not overly stuffed but i would say just right.. only thing is that it's good that i wanna try more!
(4)Paul H.
Ok for starters...way to turn a midas into a kick ass restaurant. I admit I came in for lunch at 330 pm so it was a bit slow but before j even self seated myself the server was asking what beer I wanted. Just getting done with fixing a customer machine, I was tired hungry and in desperate need of a brew. Food is top notch I had the chicken lunch special. All I have to say is wow. Food good service good...four stars until they surprise me for the fifth next time I'm around.
(4)Tishawna T.
MEAT, MEAT, & MORE MEAT!!! nom nom nom. This place knows what's up! The group I was with decided to just get the big plates of 4 different meats. You can't miss though... It's all awesome! One person in our group ordered the blackbean burger & said it was good (if you're not into meat). For my side I chose the cheesy grits (honestly had better) but still ok. No worries though, I just focused on my MEAT! There's limited seating, so be prepared for a possible wait if it's a busy time.
(4)S V.
There is something so satisfying about the simple (but delicious!) food you get at Brasa. There aren't a wide array of menu options, but every single thing just hits the spot, and the prices are so reasonable (we ordered rice and beans, 1/2 lb of braised beef, 2 pieces of cornbread, yucca fries, and drinks for less than $30 - amazing! And we had leftovers!). I'm particularly a fan of the braised beef, yucca, and cornbread (man, that cornbread). As a southerner myself, and a fan of Caribbean fare, I appreciate and love the authenticity of this food. Just as good when you get take-out, too.
(5)Don H.
After you find parking in the awkward lot or on the crowded street, you'll walk in the front door which is small compared to the space. When you first walk in here, you are assaulted with the sweet sweet smell of meats and BBQ. That's a good start. The decor is really cool, too, with big, chunky wood tables and open ceilings. This is definitely what I would expect. The four of us brought our own bottle of wine and patiently waited for service. Everything initially was quick, then it sorta slowed down. We got our order in, then waited. Then the food came. Between the prices and atmosphere, I expected heaps of food. But there just didn't seem enough to go around. In all, the bill was $90 even for BYO, which seems like a lot considering the food. Everything did taste great.
(3)Tony K.
My favorite bbq place outside of the South. With the exception of the pulled chicken, which is rather average for my taste, the meats all deliver what you'd expect. The sides are a little more hit or miss. The plantains, andouille with yams, and yuca are the standouts, the bean dishes and grits fall short, especially after experiencing the real thing. The patio is the perfect place to eat during the summer, but the inside gets crowded fast, so consider carryout if you're in any kind of hurry. With a few tweaks to the appetizers and a slightly improved beer list, this place picks up a 5th star.
(4)KatieRae A.
This places has hundreds of great reviews for a reason...I liked everything I ate. Loved the cornbread with honey butter, and the creamed chicken. Yuca sticks are really good too. I don't know if it's always like that but the iced tea was amazing. :)
(4)Josiah O.
Better late than never I guess. I had my first Brasa lunch yesterday after church and I wasn't quite blown away, but my menu napkin and even water cup were. It was a very windy day on their patio. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and a side of cornbread with honey glaze. The pickled veggies that come on sandwich could use a little more tang. But, the sauce it came with was perfect, the chips simple but they were a good contradiction in texture to the soft, fall-apart, juicy and flavorful piggy meat that I was savoring. Our server was M.I.A. for a good part of the visit but we did finally get out of there and now I can't wait to go back. Beef next time! Order the iced tea or the lemonade with your pork sandiwich. A nearly unbeatable pairing. This is my first 5 star rating I think, and the only thing I'd take off stars for was our waitress. She was nice enough, just took to long getting back to us. She was standing at her screen ringing us all up when her printers roll of tape ran out. A mistake, it happens, but it still took too long. 5 stars for the food which I want to go get some of right now. I say 'not sure' when it comes to beer and wine or full bar. Pretty certain they do not have a full bar and I didn't even go for the 3.50 Grain Belt. The iced tea was the right choice anyway. So to all of you lushes out there, I suggest you try the tea before you spend over a dollar more for just one drink. The tea gets refills homey.
(5)Hale L.
There's nothing like a good piece of tender, juicy slow cooked meat! This restaurants prepares them just right and serves them with multitude of delicious sides. We ate the pulled pork shoulders with cheese grits, black beans, cornbread and potato salad. The meat almost melts in your mouth. If I was stuck in an island with only one dish, it would be the cornbread with honey butter. I washed my meal down with a Mexican Coke. My wife ordered the sweet tea, and that was good. Service is excellent at this location. It was formerly a Valvoline Oil Change. They even kept the glass garage doors! If you like simple, unpretentious food, prepared well, then you'll love this restaurant. Make reservations, seating is limited in this location or prepare to wait about 15-20 minutes.
(4)Cheryl T.
Went again, stuffed my face, wish I could fit more into it, was completely worthless for the rest of the night fighting the -itis from an amazing meal. I don't think I could ever go eat here TOO often!
(5)Michael M.
Went while not even that busy, all the food was cold. Tasted good though, corn muffins are nothing special at all, even if they were hot. Lots of flys with the open walls. Will return in the winter for another try.
(2)Shen L.
These simple dishes (which can be ordered a la carte) are surprisingly delicious, and just the right portion size. I ordered the Braised Beef and Crispy Yuca w/ Mojo, which were pretty good. The service on that one particular day wasn't so good, so they actually forgot the Mojo, but the Yuca was good nonetheless. I would also recommend the Slow Roasted Pork and Sweet Plantains. I found the 1/4 lb serving of meat, along with an individual serving of side dish, to be sufficient for me, but the larger dishes would surely be appropriate for hungrier audiences or family-style sharing. I only wish it were open past 9pm!
(3)Anna P.
I love this place... The Pork is amazing. The service is really good, employees are very friendly and authentic plates are available!! A++...I will become a regular for sure!
(5)Liz M.
i lived around the corner so i went here a number of times right when it opened...the owners are very nice and have a young baby as i do so we chatted about baby stuff... very nice and welcoming... the food is good, decent food...i like the plaintains and the sampler plate is nice for variety..i like trying a bit of everything so that is cool.... it's small and busy often so go at odd times and you will be promptly served and well taken care of... i miss betty's bike and buns that used to be there but i am glad brasa is in the hood...definitely a welcome addition!!
(4)Nicole D.
Close your eyes and imagine the aroma of your favorite comfort food wafting around you. Okay, open them. If you're lucky, you will be in Brasa, a gem in Nordeast Minneapolis. Brasa announces itself to the world with bright yellow and black signage and you may be excused from confusing it with an upscale garage inside; that's the look it's grooving. You come for the food. The food: warm, roasted, savory food. You'll eat locally and regionally sourced beef, pork, and chicken cooked on a rotisserie or BBQ style. The sides are deceptively simple: greens, grits, corn bread, cabbage salad, etc. Just order up a plate of meat plus two sides and you'll find yourself projecting Oliver Twist: "please, sir. may i have some more?" It's just that good. It's hard to do simple food this well but Brasa pulls it off. It's reasonably priced, casual, comfortable, and can easily become an addiction. Take out or eat in. I like to go to Brasa for business lunches or dinner with friends.
(5)Tabinda H.
Super close to college and downtown neighborhoods; extremely cost-efficient and TASTY like manna! I'm a die-hard fan of "Nando's Peri-Peri Portoguese-style" but sadly there isn't any in the twin cities vicinity. This comes as close to it as possible and my roommates absolutely LOVE this place !
(5)Mr T.
I really liked Brasa. My food was excellent - the chicken, yuca and a salad. The only negative was the service was a little slow at times, but not terribly slow.
(4)Benjamin C.
a great place if you can get a table. pulled chicken sandwich + side of yucca is my favorite go-to lunch dish.
(5)Chris H.
Like Josh V, I love meat. It's so delicious and swallowing it makes me happy and satisfied. Ok, that's a little sick but I really enjoy Brasa. I'm usually a red meat-type guy but I'd rate both the pork and chicken above the beef here. Sure the beef is still fantastic but I really enjoy the pork and chicken, with their sauces. I also really, really like the cornbread and fried yuca. The place is super busy and can be quite obnoxious but I'll often order takeout. If you do this also, make sure to open the bag and/or ask if they included the sauces. The sauces are fantastic but I've found can be easily forgotten. Add in a bottle of Mexican Coke and it's a meal really worth the cost. (Last night, I ordered the pork and chicken sandwiches, medium yuca and cheddar grits, and one of each of the cornbreads = $36.) Cons, other than being loud/busy, I cannot think of much. I do wish they'd do some sort of unique buffalo sauce wings...
(5)Heidi K.
Love this place. Huge portions, good prices. Simple menu with decent variety. Pulled pork, potato salad, and rice and beans are awesome. Nice patio.
(5)Jessica G.
I was tempted to rate this restaurant a 1 star, so it would be less busy. My husband and I love this restaurant. The food is reasonably priced and solidly, mouth-wateringly delicious. We've been there a few times, and the highlights have been the 12-hour roasted pork, the braised beef, the pork sandwich (which I literally did not put down on my plate between bites, it was so good), the cornbread (so simple, but so buttery-honey delicious), and the crispy yucca (is anything deep-friend bad?). Be prepared for a wait, especially for more than two people, but we've always had good service.
(5)Dean D.
excellent!
(5)Michele G.
I was born and raised on BBQ. My boyfriend and I love the stuff. As first time travelers to MN we were curious what BBQ would be like. Yelppers, I can't agree with you guys on this place. We thought it was a mismatched, salty mess. The chicken was fine, not extraordinary but the pork tasted like it had been in a made in crock pot. We sampled a few sides and weren't overly impressed there either. Even the cornbread was just OK. I like the interior and the staff seemed cool but I think this currently trendy new hot spot is a disappointment. I give the concept credit and thought the sangria was nice. We both tried the meat with two sides hoping for something amazing...it was NOT there for us. The creamed spinach was the best side of everything we tried and definitely the most creative. Overall, we thought it was very weak BBQ. BTW, we are from Atlanta and I never once got the feel of the south from this restaurant perhaps Minneapolis yelpers meant south like Puerto Rico?
(2)Cristin M.
Yum, yum, yum! A friend of mine has been wanting to try Brasa for quite some time, so on my last visit to Minneapolis, I agreed to join her. I am SO glad that we went! This might be one of my new favorite places to eat in the Twin Cities. I ordered the roasted pork platter with red beans, corn muffin, and fried sweet plantains. I finished every last bit on my plate, it was all divine! The pork was perfectly seasoned, smokey, and still juicy. The green sauce (cilantro whatever) makes what is already tasty, uber tasty. The red beans had a nice smokey flavor with a hint of bacon, the corn muffin was big and perfect, and the plantains were just what they should be - sweet and a little crispy on the edges. I also ordered the sweet tea, which is a hard thing to find in Northern states. Theirs is pretty good, but could be a little sweeter. I won't complain though, I still went through three or four glasses with ease and pleasure. My friend ordered the combo plate with chicken, pork, cheese grits, and yams. The cheese grits were fantastic and the sausage on the yams really added to them. The serving was so large, that she brought about half of it home for dinner the next day. Oh, I can't wait to go back to Minneapolis so I can go back for more at Brasa!
(5)Kevin N.
I was lucky enough to come here with friends when they had the pork belly special. The pork belly was the best thing ive eaten in the past year hands down, we ordered another plate after which they were kind enough to do even though it was past closing time. The sides are great, the collard greens and corn bread are my favorites but the fried plantains the the best bang for the buck. The pulled beef was good but was blown away by the pork belly. The other times ive come here the pulled pork was great as well. Great place for dinner, great service, good beer choices and i like sharing all of the food.
(5)Jess R.
This food is absolutely fantastic, not a bad item on the menu. Also amazing as takeout. The restaurant itself was a converted garage so it's pretty slick looking.
(5)Audrey M.
Just moved here from the South. I'm guessing my expectations were really high based off of the reviews. I will say this place is great for someone who was not raised on or has never actually had Southern food but as for me ehhh :-/ Tad bit on the expensive side and bland
(2)Ronnie G.
So here's the thing. I enjoy Brasa. I do. I swear I do. But...it's not magical. By what everyone says, this place must give you wings. I've come here numerous times and no doubt the food is good. Here's the problem. I don't think Thanksgiving dinner. And that's what Brasa is. Sweet potatos, meat, collared greens. The only thing it's missing is Cranberry sauce (blech). The wait is usually atrocious and I always get a beer, which I'm not fond of most of them (Surly's good but give me some liquor). In addition to being far, I only end up here once a year and that may be enough for me. One tip: Consider getting your food to go and eating at the picnic tables. Shorter wait and you don't have to tip.
(3)Trin N.
Grits n fried plantains a must.
(5)Anne M.
Amazing, delicious, melt-in-your mouth goodness. We got take-out last week and I'm still talking about how great it was. Only downside-parking is awful and it's crazy busy. Bring a friend who can circle the block while you wait in line for the best food you'll ever get in a to-go container. And call ahead to order.
(4)Dan P.
Ok. I've come to grips with the Brasa value equation. You get what you pay for-only not too much of it, but the food tastes very good. Rotisserie chicken (whole) $19.95 vs. Costco $5.00. That's some free range chicken, but it does taste good. Masa cake-excellent. Guacamole with chips- excellent. Beans and rice- very good. New (?) Pork Bowl- nice meal in a bowl for $9. Only issue was creamed spinach light on the crème and flavor-no problem, the friendly server fixed it for me. In cold weather, the dining area is a noisy little box. Better to go after the patio opens- could be June this year. Lunch for 4 including 3 beers = $66. A couple at our table ordered a couple appetizers and skipped the expensive proteins. Not a bad idea.
(4)Naomi T.
Few vegetarian options, but what I had was very good. Black bean patties or something.
(3)whistle m.
Came here for lunch and was so disappointed after all of the positive reviews. The portions of the meat were surprisingly small, the pork was dry and lacked flavor (had to ask for salt), and got a side of attitude with the service. We had a problem with our table and the server who brought our food treated us like we were unreasonable and causing her a lot of extra work when we wanted to move to another table. After that, we couldn't have left the restaurant fast enough. The whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth, literally and figuratively. Needless to say, we won't be back.
(1)Laura M.
The food is delicious. Absolutely delicious. The place is a tad small and the service was a bit delayed (hence the four stars) but the food is worth the trip. I had the pork belly, corn bread, and fried plantains. SO GOOD!! The pork was perfect, cut a piece of that, the corn bread and the fried plantain all on your fork and you are in heaven. They actually did the plantains just right (I should know, I'm Cuban). The children's menu was great and included a drink and dessert. Definitely, you must make this a stop when you are in the city.
(4)Keer M.
easy and comforting like all the soul food you eat down South made with quality ingredients. plan on waiting for a seat, but you can have a drinky while standing around.
(5)Liz W.
One of those restaurants where I live in fear of tasting anything but what I ordered the first time and every time after that because it was SO. DANG. GOOD. The pulled chicken in pepper gravy. Oh. BABYYYY. I'm usually a sharer when it comes to letting people I dine with sample my food. And I will gladly let you try a bite of my Pulled Chicken but in my head I'm like, "Please take a small bite." All good restaurants make you selfish. My one tip for Brasa in NE: If you're going to go with more than two people, be prepared to wait a little. Great two-person restaurant.
(5)Eddie C.
This review should have been written in June, but better late than never! Throwing up my virtual hand sign representing "MAN V. FOOD" and Adam Richman, need I say anymore!! Genius to the owners who converted an old gas station into a fine dining establishment but keeping with the casual and comfortable atmosphere of a blend of Creole and American. I appreciate slow cooked pork and rotisserie chicken and this place ranks as one of my best all-time. We started with Cornbread w/Beans, Crispy Yucca w/Citrus & Garlic (YUM!). Main dishes were the Slow Roasted Pork and Pulled Chicken and washed it down with a cold Stella Artois. I wish I had the culinary critics book for exceptional verbs because I can't describe in words how delicious our dishes were. Enjoyed our conversation with our waiter who smiled when he heard we were from California and learned about the restaurant through the Travel Channel. I'm so glad Brasa represented themselves confidently and whenever I'm back in MN which hopefully will be soon, I will make this place a must eat each time.
(5)Holly F.
The best in town! The pork is to die for and we can't get enough of the corn bread. The salad is so good you want to lick the bowl when it's done. This is especially a great kid place, which is hard to find!
(5)Katie W.
Amazing food; enough praise cannot be heaped upon it. Great for those of us with smaller appetites, too, as the family-style portions lend themselves very well to sharing and oftentimes a smaller appetite means a very reasonable bill. Especially during summer months, beware of the dinner rush. Brasa doesn't take reservations, so be prepared to wait, ESPECIALLY if you're coming on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night. I prefer to just eat earlier in the afternoon on weekdays to try and avoid the rush. Luckily service is quite fast, so once you get seated you will be fed very quickly. Brasa is my favorite restaurant. It's the place I always take people if I want to impress them. There really is something for everyone here!
(5)Kristie O.
Brasa! This place is the total package: amazing food & a casual chic atmosphere with a fresh air, open walls concept & fun patio! My favs: pulled pork; collard greens; rice & pigeon peas (A.K.A. arroz con gandules!). Choose the "Nordeast," Minneapolis location if you prefer chill folk and friendly service to pretentious folk and snotty service. Sorry St. Paul, but so true, time and time again.
(5)Zach F.
Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I prefer going with a group of about 4 people so you don't need to wait too long for a table but you are able to try a lot of different dishes. They don't take reservations but if you call ahead they can usually tell you about how long the wait will be. GREAT FOOD, seriously I have never had anything I did not like.
(5)May T.
One of the best take away dinners I have eaten in a long time. Everything people have said about the food is utterly and completely true. We got here before the dinner rush on a warm, late spring day in Minneapolis, placed our order and rushed back to enjoy our meal of tender pulled pork, rotisserie chicken, mozzarella and romaine salad, yellow rice and black beans and collard greens on my friends' backyard deck. It was a beautiful meal.
(5)Bob T.
Phenomenal food. Great service. Nice atmosphere. What ore could you ask for? Candied yams, yucca fries, and corn bread are musts.
(5)Mark L.
Well, I think this place gets 5 stars just because I don't know many other places where you can just order plates of pulled and roasted meats. Unfortunately, we came in with a party of six people and had to wait 45 minutes to get a table as the restaurant is very small (used to be some kind of garage/shop), but very popular. In the meantime, we were able to grab some drinks, and talk with the wait staff about what dishes were available. Once we were able to order, our waiter was very helpful in explaining how many people the portions are actually meant for (they come in small, medium, and large denominations) when we had already ordered about double the amount for our party. Thanks to him, we saved some money and still left with stuffed stomachs. Our waiter deserved a solid tip as he brought new dishes on the fly as we ordered them and kept our glasses full (you'll need a lot of water/wine, your choice). Overall, it was a unique eating experience, despite being some distance from downtown (make sure to call a cab).
(5)Kate L.
2 stars for First Impressions. I didn't even eat dinner here because of it. We arrived with plenty of time for waiting and eating prior to our evening engagement and were pleased to hear the wait for 4 ppl would be about 35 minutes.So beers in hand, we headed outside to hang out and wait. And wait. And wait some more. An hour had gone past and we were starting to wonder - no one else had been seated either based on the group around the fire. When we asked about the status, we were told it would be another 35 minutes or so because we were bumped out of line. WHY? Apparently, a Food Network celebrity had stopped by for dinner (not a show, just dinner) and that took priority over everyone else. He was seated immediately and the rest of us had to wait. If there has been a show filming or some event around this - or maybe a first time surprise visit, I could understand. But knowing full well that Brasa has been featured already on this show - a couple of times, this seemed completely unreasonable. Unable to wait the additional estimated 35 minutes, we left. I don't know that anything is worth over 1 hour of a wait, and considering they have no respect for people's time or money was a bit of a let down. It is the patrons like us that will drive the business - and continue to come back. Since the reviews are so good on this place, I might consider coming - I just hope I don't have the same unfortunate timing.
(2)Jess L.
Everything is amazing. It's my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities. Things to get: rotisserie chicken, chicken in gravy, beef, chips n guacamole, sangria, yuca*, rice and beans, cornbread* with honey butter, collared greens, jalapeño spinach. Be sure to get lots of extra green sauce and dip everything in it! It might be the best cornbread I've ever had and the yuca is amazing. Also some of the best chips and guacamole and sangria I've ever had....unfortunately the prices have increased over the last couple years but still worth it.
(5)Crysta M.
Good southern family style meal that won't scare off us northerners. The three different sizes for each option helps in planning out food for a variety of people, and it's definitely designed to share. Ordering sides are a must if you're also ordering meat, because the meat options are just that. You'll get a plate full of meat and nothing else. But add in some collared greens and cornbread and you've got yourself a nice meal. The homemade chips and guacamole are fantastic and work great as an appetizer. Once you know your way around the menu it's a pretty nice place, but the different way of advertising and presenting the food can lead to some misunderstandings. And with summer days finally upon us, their patio is a huge plus for going there.
(4)Chaleen A.
Came with my husband on a Wednesday night - he's been wanting to go as he is a foodie and heard really good things. The food easily met his expectations (and mine). We ordered the pulled pork and 2 piece chicken - so yum! The chicken was smaller than expected, but with the sides, I am full and pleased! Sides- creamed spinach, rice and peas (beans) and the yuca sticks -- all amazing!! We are looking forward to coming back and getting takeout. :). Our server was great too! HH drinks would be nice, but get it. :).
(5)Jessica L.
Yum, yum yum! Good dinner, good vibes and good eats! Décor: This place is actually a bit larger than expected. We went in the summertime, and it was a nice warm evening so we opted for the outdoor patio. To the side of the patio is even a little bonfire where people were gathered- how cool! Vibe: I don't usually have these in my reviews, but I have to make an exception for here. It's so laidback, comfortable and welcoming that you practically want to live there! Service: Very hospitable, friendly and accommodating. We were there for almost 2 hours maybe and we were never rushed with the check or anything. Thanks! Food: I went with a pretty large group so we ordered basically the entire menu. - Sweet cornbread- yummm, I finished this up, haha. I also like to mix things up in my mouth, so I liked mixing this and the sweet yams together :P Don't judge! lol - Fried plantains: not my favorite. I've had better. I thought they did it a bid soggy/overfried here. - Rice & beans: didn't try this as it's not my thing, but my friends liked it - Pulled pork: mmm, this stuff is supposed to come out nice and tender, and it is done really well here!! - Roast chicken: it wasn't my favorite, but it was still tender and juicy enough (it had the least flavor, so it just got overpowered by the others) - Chicken with sauce: yummmm! Totally not good for you, but definitely good for your tastebuds Overall: Great food, pretty good prices (it came up to be around $15-$20 for the 5 of us) and EXCELLENT atmosphere. Go for good eats and catching up!
(4)Christina W.
I love this place. My favorite item is the sweet plantains with a cilantro sauce. Sooo good! Everything I have had has been delicious. I usually go for the pork for two. The cornbread is nice and sweet and the masa cakes are delicious also. I'm just sad I don't get to go there more often.
(5)Ella Q.
Really delicious. They know what they're doing with food here. Just tried one of the Saffron Rice Bowls with pork for the first time -- delicious. I love the ginger/cilantro dressing and have bought it by the pint. It's good on the plantains, on the pulled pork, on greens, just about anything.
(4)Irina R.
OK, so for the longest time I thought that this place was a chicken distributing or packaging factory. I blame the logo. It seriously looks like the logo you find on the packaging of a whole frozen chicken in Cub Foods. I'm glad that a friend finally informed me that this in fact is a restaurant. I tried it and it was YUMMY. Pulled Chicken, Fried Sweet Plantains, Guacamole, Corn Bread, Yellow Rice... Any combination of the above will make sure to leave you satisfied. The simplicity (but quality) of the menu, combined with casual atmosphere makes this a great place for lunch either in the middle of the week or a weekend. The floor-to-ceiling windows are also wide open during the summer and combine inside of the restaurant with the outdoor patio.
(4)Lindsey W.
I truly love the meats here, all of them are delicious. I think this time my favorite was the pulled pork. I also tried the braised collard greens, so yummy! They had fantastic flavor. My hubs loved the corn bread and the crispy yucca. I tried the coleslaw and it was some what forgettable...I would go with a different veggie.
(4)Alycia M.
When going to Brasa expect to wait. Great things come to those who wait and that is so true when it come to Brasa. They have limited seating both indoors and out. I went on a Thursday night at about 7:30pm, with a group of 7 people and we were told it would be a 45 minute wait and we really did wait 45 minutes. We were lucky enough to sit outside and it was a perfect evening for it (I highly recommend asking to be seated out on the patio) . The service is good and while they have limited seating they do not rush you to get in and out, they let you enjoy your experience. The food is DELICIOUS, seriously. I ordered the black bean fritter and tried some of the yuca. This is was by far the best black bean sandwich that I have ever had and I would order it over and over again. I also ordered their sangria, which is a red sangria and it was very good. A lot of restaurants make their sangria to be very sweet, but Brasa does not. I will definitely be going back, there are too many items on the menu that I still need to try. As for parking, I believe they have ten parking spots in their lot, but there is plenty of on the street parking.
(5)Kerry W.
Love everything about it. Hard to imagine how it could be any better.
(5)Shannon L.
Delicious organic Creole cuisine. Haven't had anything I don't like. Could use more indoor seating
(5)Sheng Y.
Brasa is good, for its portion sizes and prices and for the outdoor seating and feeling of the atmosphere! I love the yuca!! It's the only place where I can rely on crispy yuca!
(5)Rachel E.
Living near Northeast I had driven past Brasa a few times but honestly thought it was an auto body shop. A few weeks ago, my brother surprised me with a phone call saying he and a friend were in the Cities for the day and wanted to take me out to lunch. His friend had heard of this place because it was featured on a food show so we stopped in. I had a chicken sandwich and it was delicious. The interior is industrial-style and gives a no-frills vibe; still very cool decor though. The only downfall of the visit was our service. It was not even remotely busy when we went but it still took 15 minutes for our server to come by our table. If it hadn't been so snowy and difficult to get there in the first place, I think we would've left. I'm glad we stayed because the service did get better and the food was worth the wait.
(4)Ellie C.
They have a specific vegetarian menu and you can't go wrong with rice and beans and sweet plantains - and theirs are fantastic! Good service and baby friendly.
(5)Colleen C.
Well, I see what all the fuss is about. The food is rockin' like nobody's business and I dig converted gas stations and other formerly ugly spaces made cool and awesome by good design and artful tendencies. The order: 2 fresh lemonades (sucked down swiftly) 1 order of hot cornbread + honey butter (it kills me, its so good) Braised beef (1/4lb) (meat winner) Pulled pork (1/4lb) Chips + Guac Chocolate pudding w/ huckleberry drizzle and fresh cream (drool) BE STILL, friends. It gets BETTER. The entire check was approximately $25 + tip for an overwhelmingly excellent meal. Locally sourced, carefully prepared, ferociously executed and extremely filling. Icing on the meat cakes? Service was great despite a full patio on a beautiful 75 degree, sunny day. The garage doors flung open...ahhhhh, it's a beautiful thing. YES, like....$15 per person! What!? Yes. Brasa, bravo! Best meal I've had in Minneapolis...
(5)Philip S.
Here's another 5 star review for Brasa Rotisserie. It is sincerely good food, and you can probably tell just by it's reputation and Yelp rating and so I will keep it brief: 1. Come early! 2. Order the Pork Sandwich - with the ginger mayo and cilantro. I AM categorically opposed to eating pork, but this is the shining exception 3. Have the Crispy Yucca as a side. Delicious and healthy alternative to fries and a completely unforgettable side dish. I could write a review just about these. That's all Yelp-a-saurs! Come to Brasa, you will NOT be disappointed :)
(5)Jennifer R.
Yesterday was a beautiful day, which means it was perfect for dinner at Brasa. Since it used to be an oil change place, and they kept the glass garage doors, they'll open them up when the weather's nice, and you get to enjoy open-air eating even without sitting on the patio. The food here is just as good as everyone keeps saying. We had the pulled pork, the rotisserie chicken, cheese grits, and cornbread. Everything was wonderful. I love the flavorful, spicy skin on that chicken, and especially the aioli that comes with it. But the cheese grits! Those rocked my world. I could have eaten those all day. Of course grits are made of corn, but they don't usually TASTE like corn. These had a great corn-y flavor, and combined with the cheese, it was incredible. From now on, when I think of comfort food, I will only picture Brasa's cheese grits. I loved that the food is served family style; it's great if you want to try a little bit of everything. And the soda selections! They've got Mexican Coke and five or six flavors of Jarritos. That definitely puts them over the top in my book.
(5)Veruca R.
I have eaten at the Brasa in Northeast and in St Paul. I've had pleasant experiences at both locations. We order lunch from Brasa about one a month for our office. They have a little bit of everything for everyone. I'm always impressed that they can take our order for 20+ people and have it ready in a half hour.
(5)Terence A.
Great tasting food. Plenty of sides for vegetarians. Get the plantains as long as they are sweet/ripe. Takeout service is fast too.
(4)Krissy W.
I'm obsessed. Whenever I read hundreds of amazing reviews about somewhere, I always mentally prepare myself to be let down. That did not happen. Not one bit. I'm not even sure where to start. But I'll try. They serve beer & wine. They have small yet decent bottle & tap beer list. I haven't perused the wine list, but with only a $10 corkage fee, I'll stick with that. The menu can be a bit overwhelming if you're with a lot of people, but if one person is put in charge of the portions & preferences, it's manageable. For meats, I've tried to pulled pork, bbq beef, & chicken with gravy. All of them are heavenly. But in my opinion, Brasa is all about the sides. I've had the candied yams, creamed spinach, grits, mozzarella salad, plantains, crispy yucca, & cornbread. OMG. I'm drooling just thinking about all this deliciousness. The creamed spinach & crispy yucca are my favorite. I have no idea how they can make spinach taste so heavenly, but they do. Order an extra side of the yucca dipping sauce, it's unbelievable. The cornbread is unreal. I order one for both an appetizer & dessert. It's that good. Not only do my friends & I love this place, I was also able to bring my parents here. I was a little worried that they would be weirded out by the small size & family-style ordering, but they loved it. My dad said, "We felt like we were eating with all the hipsters!" (he meant that in a good way) The ONLY negative about this place is its size (& they don't take reservations). You do have to wait quite awhile to get a table. When my bf & I brought my parents here, we arrived an hour early so my parents wouldn't have to wait when they arrived. Just remember, the waiting is totally worth it.
(5)Pascal M.
"DOWN GOES FRAZIER! DOWN GOES FRAZIER!" That's what the announcers said after he ate everything on the menu from Brasa Rotisserie. How could one not have tried this place if you lived within the area? I mean, the building is former oil change shop. They even still have the garage, so cool. I ate here while I was in town on business. So good we even ordered leftovers to take to the room. We had tried their pulled chicken in gravy, slow roasted pork with garlic and lime, and smoked beef with sweet-spicy BBQ sauce. For sides, we had their Cabbage and Apple Coleslaw, Yellow Rice and Beans, Collard Greens, & Corn Bread with Honey Glaze. DAMN THAT WAS GOOD! That's about all I remember. If you live in the area, and you ain't been...smack yo self. Go get some of the most soulful creole/carribean cooking you can sink your teeth into.
(5)Cou P.
Great food which I have picture to prove it that we enjoyed them. Usually people have to wait long for a table but we just lucky to have table right after we walk in. We enjoy every dish on the table, even order more to go, to take home to share with kid's roommates. Even though it's pricy but tasty, will come back and try more dishes soon. (upon daughter's request)
(4)Susie A.
Amazing pulled chicken sandwich! Just the right amount of sauce and flavorings that you could still taste the juicy large chunks of chicken. Big, square, soft yet chewy bun that melted in my mouth... Chips unlike any I've had before. They were sweet, with just the right amount of coarse salt on them... adicting! and I'm not a chip person. My husband had the braised beef sandwich, which he loved, and my son had the shredded pork from the kids menu. He's not easy to please, but he said it was the best thing he's had! We all loved every bite we put in our mouths! They serve "happy animals" at Brasa (free range chicken, grass fed beef, organic eggs...). So you can be happy eating here too! We'll definately go back!
(4)Leah H.
We came here on a recommendation from a friend, and ordered the following based on previous Yelp reviews: Chicken & shrimp etouffee .25 lbs Rotisserie chicken .25 lbs Slow roasted pork .25 lbs Braised beef Large side of cornbread & black beans Regular side of creamed spinach & jalapeño I really wanted to try the sweet cafe con leche, but I was afraid that I would be able to finish all that we previously ordered. THANK YOU Yelp reviewers! It was great eats and we wished were had a few more meals in there to try out everything. Great tasting meat and favor in the sides. The black beans were yummy! (Big fan of Cuban food, and the black beans were on that yum-factor comparable.)
(4)Elizabeth S.
Even when it was nearly freezing and rain poured from the sky, I made the trek to Brasa to get an order of pulled pork with mojo sauce. (I wish they'd give more sauce based on amount of pork ordered; I'm sure they'd give more if I asked, but should I really have to?) The selection of beer, wine, and other beverages is also above average. The service is consistently the worst I've ever gotten. Not that there's much for servers to do, but they have the worst attitudes and can't wait to get you out of the restaurant. Unless it's warm and the outdoor seating is set up, it's not worth it to dine in.
(4)Noah F.
The best meal I have had in the Twin Cities. Everything about this place is great from the flavorful and reasonably priced food to the warm and friendly atmosphere. Do yourself a favor and go!
(5)Rachelle T.
I made my very first visit to Brasa last weekend! Most definitely a great spot for the meat loving types. The space is tiny, very tiny and you'll find yourself waiting for a bit while the restaurant smells divine. I ordered the rotisserie chicken and it was amazing! The portion was rather generous as well, I was able to save a bit for a snack later. The corn cake was really tasty as well, I would love the recipe. But, I got to be honest, the sides really didn't do much for me. I got to sample the collard greens, the yams and the chips and they all seemed a bit on the oily side. Overall, Brasa is truly a unique spot for a casual meal.
(4)Adam B.
This place isn't as good as I expected. Alex Roberts achieves damn near perfection with Alma but bbq at Brasa falls pretty short in comparison. Some of the sides were outstanding and the service was good but the meat wasn't anything special. As a bbq enthusiast myself I wasn't amazed but it wasn't gross. I'd recommend Ted Cook's 19th Hole over Brasa.
(3)Jennifer J.
Waited 20 minutes for service. Finally flagged a server down who said it wasn't her section, but when she had a free minute she'd take us. Really? After all of that, food was just ok. Won't be back.
(2)Mo M.
It took me a few visits to really appreciate this place. That's primarily because I never would have guessed that my favorite meat here would be the chicken. And, similarly, that the close second would be the catfish! But for this type of establishment, you would think that the pork and beef would be better. And they aren't truly bad, but there's room for improvement. The pork has been quite dry when I've tried it, and the beef hasn't had much flavor to it. Which, for beef, is weird. If you don't plan out how you order things, it can get really expensive. That's the other reason for losing a star - I understand how ordering family-style works, but for some of the side dishes in particular, you really don't get much for your money. But some - the mashed potatoes and the creamed spinach - are plentiful and taste great. It's all very hit and miss. Best of luck ordering!
(3)Jeeya A.
Great food. Great Sangria. So happy to have found it.
(5)Clare S.
You have to get the pork...
(5)Mazie J.
An absolute staple in any MPLS trip we take. In fact, it's sometimes a deciding factor in trekking to the cities from DSM in the first place. We'll be in for a visit next week on our honeymoon and are quite excited to be reunited with the yuca fries and collard greens.
(5)Bill S.
Great food. We had them cater an event for us as well ant it was a huge hit!
(4)Andy L.
Rica and I went here months ago and we liked it. It was really packed, and the car park can fit approximately 1.5 cars. Luckily, someone was leaving as we pulled in. There was a long wait, but that was okay because there are good beers on tap, and I don't mind awkwardly standing in the way of people trying to get to the bathroom or servers trying to reach tables. We got lots of little dishes, which included pulled pork, pulled chicken, yuca, and plantains. They were all REAL GOOD. Today, Rica and I got take out, which involved smoked beef, pulled chicken, yuca, cornbread, and coleslaw. Again, everything was REAL GOOD. Also, they prepared the take out order REAL FAST. We took it home and ate while watching TV. Margot wanted us to give her some so bad, but we did not because she is a dog.
(5)Yuriy G.
Everything was delicious, food was good, everything was well prepared. The food was fresh and the seasonal apple coleslaw was delicious. The only drawback is she never refilled our water.
(5)Myly F.
Whether I am at the NE Mpls or the Grand Ave St. Paul location Brasa delivers! Thumbs up: Delicious food and fills you up Decent customer service Good atmosphere Veggie options are good You get what you pay for Thumbs down: Parking (both locations aren't too convenient, small lots and street parking) Go during lunch and get their sandwich, meat, or side plates, bang for your buck and scrumptious!
(4)Gundy A.
Pulled pork was amazing and shrimp gumbo left me asking for more. Little disappointed in the portion size for the price. 2 beers, 2 meals, and plantains was over $50 including tip and not worth the portion size. I'll recommend Brasa to anyone because food is fresh and full of flavor but warn them about the price versus portion size.
(4)Adam G.
Probably our favorite restaurant in the cities. Plus we are gluten free and only the cornbread, I believe, has gluten. We'll miss this place more than any other when we move away next month
(5)Alex S.
Family style deliciousness. The flavors at Brasa are sooooo good. Good for all occasions.
(5)H B.
the food is horrible yuk!! no taste bland, not real southern carrib food I was looking for the catfish and macaro and cheese they don't serve it at this location the brasa on grand is much better. my guest was not happy about the food, New cook!! C- rating ;( they really need help wit the greens , they were not washed enough. terrible
(1)Aimee N.
Great home style cooking with great atmosphere. The location in Northeast opens up when it is warm out and the food is amazing and if you are there during great weather, it is a great atmosphere to enjoy a meal with friends and/or family. I prefer to come here with a group, we were able to order a number of items to share. Pick a few proteins and many sides! Some of my favorites are the collard greens with chicken. So good! If you walk towards the bathroom you will see Andrew Zimmerman's photo and endorsement if Brasa. That guy knows his food for sure
(4)Jennifer S.
A 45 min. wait on a Friday eve. standing in a crowd of people all waiting to have dinner. Atmosphere was friendly and bustling, and the staff behind the beverage counter were helpful and polite, neither rushed nor annoyed by questions. After our standing-around-in-a-crowd-visit with a glass of house red wine in my hand, and one of sangria in my friend's, we were seated across from one another at a small table right where all the staff were going into and coming out of the kitchen. She and I had to do a LOT of leaning into each other to hear one another speak. Our server was really pleasant, cheerful and helpful, and even recommended we try one of the night's specials, given that it's not usually offered. Thus, we both ordered their "catfish special", and also several single-serving sides: collard greens, coleslaw, yams with Andouille, and creamed spinach. Our plates were delivered with three large fingers/strips of crisply coated (with cornmeal) and fried catfish, a few slices of house-made bread-and-butter pickles, and individual cups of a tartar-type sauce as well as a buffalo-type sauce. There was no doubt that those pieces of fish were fresh out of the fryer! They were so tasty - hot, crunchy-crisp on the outside and delicate and moist on the inside. Each of the sauces was good on the fish. I first tried the collard greens. They had some smallish-pieces of ham or smoked chicken mixed in with them. They were tasty and well cooked. Next, I tried the creamed spinach. Oh, yum. I'm unsure whether I've ever eaten creamed spinach, although I imagine this was the style of spinach I loved as a child. My parents have told me that as a wee one, I loved eating (canned) cooked spinach because "Popeye" ate it. I loved watching that cartoon. Then I tried the yams with Andouille sausage. I liked it because I love cooked yams and sweet potatoes; however, the chunks of Andouille added nothing for my tastes. Lastly, I tried the coleslaw. All components were finely sliced and well combined. It had a dressing so light its taste was barely detectable. I thought it was great! As we grazed through our dishes, we talked and caught up with each other's lives and noted how the restaurant emptied out as time carried on. Maybe next time, we'll just come in later in the evening rather that standing around waiting in a crowd. But no matter what, I will be back to try some of that awesome-looking rotisserie chicken!
(4)Anya C.
Chicken is the best. Pork was great. Beef was ok. Corn bread was great. Coleslaw was different/fresh. Guacamole was good. Collard Greens was great.Tortillas was great. I would prefer the fresh lemonade to be more sour and less sugar. Service can be better(constantly can't find server - but I guess it's a sort of self service store)
(4)Melissa S.
I grew up in North Carolina and now living in Minneapolis, I greatly miss my Southern food. For authenticity, I was not impressed. The way the grits were prepared I have never seen before and it was inedible. The "sweet" tea - Nope! You have to add a mountain of sugar for it to be Southern sweet tea. The rest of the meal (rotisserie chicken, plantains, cornbread) were fine but not Southern. I would go back for the chicken as it was flavorful and moist, but not when I'm wanting Southern food. I liked the atmosphere at this Minneapolis location; trendy, bright, but could get loud on a popular night.
(2)Doug M.
Well this was an interesting, but fun, adventure. I was looking for someplace local to grab dinner, and Brassa Rotisserie came up on Yelp as well-recommended. So I hoofed on over about a dozen blocks. As I came around the corner, I saw this kinda sketchy-looking converted auto garage. But once I got inside, I was greeted by friendly staff, and saw that Brassa had been set up pretty well inside - making good use of the glass roll-up garage doors to allow a bright, airy feeling. Yet they still kept the "semi-converted" repurposed bldg feel that is oh-so-popular nowadays. The clientele was very diverse, ranging from blond dreadlocked moms with two small kids to elderly conservative couples. Good people watching. My server was very helpful. I told him this was my first time at Brassa, so he immediately walked me through the menu and format, suggesting amounts that were good for one or two people (e.g. meats come in small, medium, or large), and which meats and sides he liked best, what paired together well (e.g. which bread to pick), etc. All of this was done in a friendly, sincere manner. I was looking for something non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated to drink, which led to the hot teas, and the rooibos tea was suggested. It is a red herbal tea from Africa. Honey was suggested to go with it, which was a good choice. While rooibos was actually somewhat sweet by itself, the honey gave it more fullness. I know it was just from a tea bag, but it was nice to have a different type of option. I wound up ordering the recommended slow roasted pork for the meat - It was tender, juicy, and flavorful. My first side was roasted yams & andouille - This was an interesting mix; yams were smooth but not bland, with the andouille chunks giving it just enough zest. My other side was crispy yuca w/citrus & garlic - These were essentially cassava fries with a creamy citrus/garlic dipping sauce; but good in that they were sized more like steak fries and were not so dense and greasy like potato fries can be. Finally, my bread was cornbread w/honey glaze - A good firm single-serve cup/loaf of cornbread with a generous topping of sweet and butter; yum. The food items are all brought in their own small bowls or plates, which you can then add to a large plate that is already at your table setting. Whenever my water glass or tea cup was empty, it was promptly refilled (or I was offered more hot water). Always nice for a big water drinker like me. Not much more to say about the dinner. It was relaxed, staff members were top notch, and food was flavorful. It met my expectations based on other reviews, and I recommend it too.
(4)Travis R.
Everything here is phenomenal! My favorite restaurant in the twin cities! Try the beef or chicken, and the corn bread is better than cake.
(5)K M.
Walked in and it didn't look like much, had the side door was a garage door, kind of cool feel to the place.......but the bbq is amazing. Had the chicken, ribs, brisket and pulled pork. The stand out was the brisket. 14 hours of smoked awesomeness! My friend liked it so much that he got a whole one to go and ate it in the hotel room. The sides are good, liked the red beans. It is a bit pricey , but the quality is top notch.
(5)Lindsey R.
Delicious. I've never been disappointed by any of the food. Service is great, even when you show up for takeout and there's a line, they find a way to make you feel like you matter as a customer. I wish it didn't cost so much, or we'd eat there more but at the same time it's a fair price for great tasting, high quality food in a high demand area so I totally get it. LOVE: Rotisserie chicken, pulled pork. LOVE THE MASA CORN CAKES, brussels sprouts, the greens, all sooo good. All the other meats and sides have been good, just not the super craveworthy ones listed above. I have never, ever tried anything at Brasa that I didn't like. So good. Great environment. So fun. Yum!
(4)Scott E.
It is not the fault of Brasa (or is it) that on the two occassions we have been here our conversations have evolved into an argument. We are a couple that rarely has tension in our relationship, but the moments here have been award winning emotional hell. We don't shout, rather the quiet smoldeing anger...sound fun? LOL. Anyway this has clouded the experience here. The first time it was raining hard and the second time was a very cold night. The old garage is well designed. The staff is professional and always working hard. Parking can be difficult. The food was good.The chicken is worth the visit and is served fast at a fair price. Next time we need some tension in our relationship we will be back...lol, just kidding.
(4)Joe S.
Everyone at my office loves this place and it was on the top of my list of restaurants to sample as a new Minnesotan. This food was amazing. Chips and guacamole were quickly consumed by my fam. My kids especially like the corn bread. We samples all the proteins and sides. Everything is great, but I enjoyed the pulled chicken and collard greens. Super busy on a Friday night, we came early and still waited nearly 45 mins for a table (4 in the party). Highly recommend.
(5)Reid S.
Great prices Great quality. Great service. Awkward waiting area. Hard to find parking. We had a fantastic server that helped our table of four adults select both the right amount of food, and dishes that would compliment our tastes. I will definitely return.
(4)Tracy G.
VERY good pulled chicken, but the price was quite high for the amount I got for take out. Not sure I would do that again. I will be back to try some sides and sandwiches though, I heard thats where it's at!
(4)Johanna V.
Brasa will always hold a special spot place in my heart. Not only was it the location of the first date with the boo, it is also the only restaurant I have been to in the twin cities with collard greens, grits, and cornbread on the menu. This place is like a big hug for my inner Southerner. They serve downright scrumptious food. The pulled pork is sweet and tender. Their chicken is juicy and well-seasoned. The fried yucca is to die for. We recently tried the masa torillas n' fixins with pork as well as their chips and guacamole. Everything was fresh and flavorful. I like that the structure of their menu allows you to play with the theme of your meal.
(5)Stephen M.
It seems unorthodox to give Brasa fewer than four stars based on others' reviews, but on my visit, two is generous. We arrived early on a Monday. It was crowded already at 6pm. The wait wasn't bad, but they could really do with a waiting area. There were lots of people trying to get to and from the tiny counter where beer was being sold, and no places for them to sit or stand without being in the servers' way or practically sitting on the tables of those already seated. Okay, it's a small and popular restaurant. I get it. But a little organization and/or guidance as to where you're supposed to wait would help everybody. The wait wasn't long, maybe 15 minutes. But once seated, the service was slow. Our order was taken quickly and the server had good recommendations, but then I watched my beer sit on the bar for a full 10 minutes getting warm while no one brought it to me, and we waited a pretty darn long time for our food. We ordered a good variety of things: pulled chicken, rotisserie chicken, and smoked beef, along with yams, yuca fries, and cole slaw. I'll start with the good: the yuca fries were absolutely outstanding. Perfectly crisp fried outside, full of flaky yuca flesh, flavorful, and accompanied by a delicious sauce for dipping. This was the highlight of the meal for me. The yams and slaw were pretty good, too. The spiciness of the sausage in the yams complimented the candied sweetness of the starch, but the whole thing was pretty soupy and sloppy. It seemed like it had been made with too much liquid, butter, cream, or whatever they use to mix it all together. The slaw was nice - crispy, flavorful, and a nice foil to the meat (which is all slaw should really be, in my opinion). The meats, then. My expectations were high and they were most decidedly not met. The pulled chicken tasted like a can of Campbell's cream of mushroom soup. I'm not exaggerating; it tasted more like salty, creamy mushrooms than like chicken. The flavor of the meat was completely overwhelmed by the gravy. This would be okay if the gravy tasted homemade rather than like something out of a can, but with every bite I just thought about Campbell's being force fed to me as a kid when I was sick or my mom was lazy. The menu description promised peppery flavor, but it was completely absent. I don't know if I've ever had a dish with such a big discrepancy between the Yelp consensus (amazing! incredible!) and the actual thing (completely underwhelming). The rotisserie chicken was flavored well but was just plain overcooked. The meat was flaky and dry, not moist and soft like roasted chicken should be. I can roast a better chicken than this at home. This is another thing that makes me think they just don't have enough people working in the kitchen. If it had been taken off the heat 5-10 minutes earlier, it would have been great. But we got an overcooked bird, like your Grandma's dry Thanksgiving turkey. The smoked beef was better than the chicken dishes. It was nicely spiced and the browning from the braise was evident. A good combination of textures. It was a little dry, though, like it had been left without enough liquid in the braise for a little too long. A decent meat dish, but not a great one. Based on how positively people have rated this place, I'm willing to give it another try. It seemed like they must have been understaffed in the kitchen and on the floor, hence the chicken roasting for too long and the food and drinks taking forever to reach us. I really hope we just caught them on a bad night and that if we return we'll be satisfied.
(2)Elena P.
The menu is very well-constructed in terms of what's on offer, and the pulled pork I got was well-cooked and tasted good. Unfortunately, that's where my praise ends. The lime I got with the pork wasn't ripe at all and yielded none of the juice the menu indicated I'd be getting. I get it, it's April in Minnesota - but if you can't source juicy limes, you should be just using lime juice. I'd rather bottled lime juice than no lime taste at all. On top of that, the sides were very bland. The guacamole didn't taste like much of anything - no hints of onion, lime, or anything like that - and the salsa was sort of blandly hot. (This on top of the fact that I didn't want chips and guac, I'd ordered one of the rice sides). The cornbread was fine, but relied heavily on sugar and didn't balance that out with any savory notes. I get the feeling that they have modified the menu so that people who like more spice could toss on condiments, but since the foods they're deriving from rely on seasoning as they cook, that sort of model really doesn't work. Service-wise...eh. We apparently came during a shift change. It was chaotic and we had to wait a long time for our food, and again, my order was wrong. I didn't regret my meal, but I wouldn't come here again.
(3)kyle t.
Birthday dinner score! I have wanted to come here for such a long time and what a better event than a birthday dinner! I loved it from the minute we walked in the door! The place is much smaller than I thought it was going to be but I see now why there is always a wait. I must say I am planning already to come back in the summer when the bay doors are open and the patio is in full swing. That said the wait wasn't long and the service from beginning to end was fantastic! We shared a couple of meat dishes, the pulled pork and the pulled chicken and as much as I love pork the chicken rocked! For sides we shared the rice and beans (very good), the fried Yucca (amazing with a great dipping sauce), sweet potatoes with chorizo sausage (both our favorites) and the mozzarella salad which was one of the best salads I think I've ever had! The food was so good, fresh, flavorful and add to it great service and a very reasonable tab, hell of a night! Can't wait for summer and a table on the patio at night! KT
(4)Sagar P.
The wait can be long...but well worth it for amazing food that will leave you having dreams about it in the days to come.
(5)Jaris J.
Very good meal, we got the chicken and some vegetarian sides. Everything hit the spot; the sauce that comes with the chicken was outstanding.
(4)Brian S.
There's something to be said about natural, locally produced ingredients in food... and it's almost always good. Brasa Rotisserie is case in point. That roasted whole rotisserie chicken was legit. Perfect crispy skin and moist meat. Also had the homemade chips and guacamole, crispy yuca, collard greens, and corn bread with honey glaze. Wasn't a big fan of the collard greens but the corn bread was rich and delicious.
(5)Sarah S.
I am from the south and when I moved here to Minneapolis, one of the downfalls was that people looked at me like I was crazy when I wanted grits, gravy on my biscuits or offered to cook Brussels with bacon. Scandinavian food is delicious but it's no soul food. When I heard about the reputation (all good) of the amazing chef behind Brasa and then realized it was just a mile walk from home, we decided to take family in town to the location to all try it. The location is small, there were food on the floor and the service was confused as to what waitress was ours but we found a small table by the collapsible garage doors and ordered some sweet tea (ahhh Lipton sweet tea). The menu was awesome - roasted chicken, cheesy grits, okra and the table was even adorned with the appropriate southern pepper vinegar!! I was tickled that it all looked so delicious. We all got pretty much everything on the menu and picked off each plate and all of the food was delicious. The sweet yams were amazing and buttery, the chicken was covered in a tasty salty gravy and the grits were perfect! We declined to order dessert because we were all super stuffed but we cannot wait to head back to Brasa sometime soon! The prices reflect the gourmet southern soul food and a check for four people who all had some kind of an alcoholic drink on top of sweet tea was about $72 bucks before tip.
(4)Angelina B.
Great food, good price.
(4)Jessica Z.
LOVE this place! It's our "go-to" for a quick, inexpensive, but really delicious meal!
(5)Drew P.
Excellent Cuban/Caribbean food. The atmosphere is nice and modern, and everyone we spoke to was helpful and friendly. Gluten Free was easy, lots of menu options and the staff was knowledgeable. The roasted pork and pulled chicken were very good. Really everything we tried was great. Their homemade pineapple ginger soda was great. They're spicy vinegar is a nice addition to the collard greens and roasted pork.
(5)Mai Y.
Amazing. Just amazing. I ate here yesterday and my mind is still blown. We went in and got their special, the pork belly. It's basically a thickened and jucier version of bacon...this place sure knows how to do barbecue. I am impressed. I recommend doing their pulled pork for meat. It literally melts in your mouth and is heavenly goodness. Don't forget to add the cornbread. Highly recommended. It is perfection. The taste and texture is just right. It's not one of those cornbread sides that taste dry or like it's been sitting around forever. I think all the sides tasted fine, but these were the standouts: -Collard Greens -Spinach and Jalapeno -Grits We also ordered the plantanes (they give you a huge portion!) and rice with olives - both good, but not a standout. This place is so much for fun if you share the plates! It does run a little on the expensive side, but it's worth it every once in a while.
(5)Brian S.
The meat is tender and the sides are tasty, I'll be here again.
(4)Nikki S.
Food is always amazing. Staff is nice. Great part of town, easy to find parking and on bus line.
(4)Neil K.
My favorite restaurant in the Minneapolis area. I come here about every week or two, with the pulled chicken in gravy accompanied with spinach and greens being the go-to meal. Seeing complaints about the price makes me scratch my head. I'm a big guy and have never left here hungry. In fact, I usually have enough leftovers for lunch the next day. As long as you don't go nuts on drinks, dinner should run about $20 per person, with a meat portion and two sides - which is good value in my book, especially considering the quality of the food. If you don't want to eat "family style", they do offer sandwiches and bowls which are pretty tasty. If you go during lunch/brunch, they also have plates that have a meat with your choice of bread and side. Waitstaff here is always very nice; they quickly get to remember you and what you order, as well as giving suggestions about new menu items. I've never gotten that pretentious hipster vibe you get at some wannabe foodie NE places. Some suggestions: Parking outside is limited, probably about 5 or 6 spots. You probably will have to find a space on the street. There is usually something available within a block or two, but if you don't like parallel parking, you can take the bus - the number 2 stops right outside and it is also accessible by the 4. This is a small restaurant. There is usually a wait most nights, especially Friday through Sunday. If you're in a rush, this is not the place for you. But you can get a drink at the bar to help pass the time. Things are better during the warmer months when they can open up the patio seating, which is very nice on warm summer nights.
(5)Katie B.
The beef. Wow. This place is my happy comfort go-to spot!
(5)Anne D.
Brasa catered my recent wedding and it could have not been any better. Ash was awesome at ensuring everything went smoothly and coordinating with the other vendors. The food was amazing (notably the Mac and Cheese). I would definitely recommend their catering services.
(5)Michael L.
Still love this place. Very affordable, very good. All the sandwiches are great, all the sides are great, what can I say, it's all good. Even the desserts are very good and a steal at only $3.50, at least the pear honey cake with mascarpone cream I had last night was fantastic. The only thing that could be improved is the beer list, only 3 taps (Surly Furious, Hell, and Bell's Brown recently). But it is usually so crowded I guess they don't want people hanging out here just drinking. They also have Sangria.
(5)sam a.
Some of the best food in Minneapolis; maybe a bit on the pricey side and atmosphere a little cramped during the winter (with outdoor seating closed.) Every meal I've had here has been terrific.
(4)Incalc U.
mmmm....Brasaaaaaa...The staff are knowledgeable, the atmosphere (plus the outside dining during warm months), is nice, and the food is amazing! Plus, it's a fun way to eat because you can order "family style", i.e., try a bunch of different sides and mains in smaller portions and share with the others at your table. I This is a great place to go with friends or a partner....it's also a great place to bring out of towners!
(5)Anna F.
Ok, honestly when I first heard of this place I really thought it was just a typical restaurant that served fried chicken and some mediocre sides. This is why you don't judge a book by its cover! Pardon my french, but DAMN THIS PLACE IS GOOD! I swear, their candied yam must be the freaking holy grail of candied yams. They use caramel to candy them. GENIUS! I got some Yuca as well, knowing nothing about it but tried it because it seemed be what everyone is raving about on yelp. It was good, so good that I had to order seconds with a bigger portion. If I had a bottomless pit of only one type of food, it would probably be the yuca. I didn't have any of the chicken, but my bf did. He said that the chicken was tender and juicy with the condiments given at the table to splash on top for move flavor. And the 'pièce de résistance' was the "green sauce" I don't know what's in it but its hella good (i know this by dipping my yuca in it). Food Verdict: Go,go, GO!!!....and be in rotisserie chicken heaven with a side of 'em god-sent candied yams.
(5)Amy K.
Pulled chicken in cream gravy with cilantro mayo sauce is ridiculous. Pair that with black eyed peas/rice and some creamed spinach w/jalapeño and your taste buds will punch you for not introducing these foods to them sooner. Love this place but always have to request the cilantro mayo sauce multiple times before it finds its way to my plate. NBD, really, just means my mouth has to do without the ck for a couple minutes - MUST have that sauce on it. MUST!! Really can't go wrong with the a la carte menu, IMO.
(4)Ben W.
The food at Brasa is really good. Food portions are not large, but the quality is good. I really recommend the fried yucca, the romaine mozzarella salad, and the pork.
(4)Gerard T.
I went to this place about 8 months ago, but remembered how great the food and staff were. I'll be in the area this weekend and will definitely be going again. It was a little bit of a wait time, maybe 30 to 40 mins so make sure you call ahead if you are going on the weekend. Everything on the menu was scrumptious!!!! Moderate prices and somewhat of tight or intimate ambiance. All in all, great food, great experience, etc. I've recommended it to a few people. Not from Minneapolis but love this place!!
(5)Beth A.
Oh Brasa, how I love you. I love your shareable portions, your lovely patio and your delightful soul food. But damn, you are busy. I discovered that the secret is to call in an order To-Go and within the time it takes for me to drive there, it's ready. This way I can order a bunch of food and save $$ by drinking at home! Mama hates lines but loves the black bean fritter sandwich and Yuca fries. The food is 5/5, but Brasa scores a 4 due to lack of seating... I still love you!
(4)Dan C.
This was our 1st visit. The atmosphere was inviting and the food was good. We will be back.
(4)Dawn S.
I couldn't believe how busy they were at 8pm on a Sunday night. We didn't wait long, but every table was full. The service was good. I love it that they have a separate Vegetarian menu. I've eaten at both the Minneapolis and St. Paul locations and each has different items on their menu - like St. Paul has macaroni & cheese and potato salad, but Minneapolis does not. The small sides do serve one, but two or three people could share a small if ordering separate proteins and ordering more than one small side. We tried: rice and pigeon peas w/ham sofrito cornbread and black beans crispy yuca with citrus garlic sauce homemade chips and Guacamole coleslaw smoked beef chocolate cake chocolate pudding Everything was really good. I'd definitely go back for more!
(4)Cassie M.
This is my favorite summer dinner spot in the twin cities. Their pulled chicken is to die for and I've never had better creamed spinach. The jalapeño gives it a really nice kick. I've yet to try their dessert because I'm always to full from the great sides.
(5)Adela J.
Tried some different items on the menu today: Rotisserie Chicken: Well seasoned tender pieces of meat. It didn't really have specific taste or any pop in flavor. I personally think that the grilled chicken at the Cub Foods Deli and Pollo Campero is the best. Having tasted all the meats at Brasa now, I'd say the gravy pepper chicken is still the best and this is the next best thing. Romaine & Mozzarella Salad: It was okay. It had tortilla shreds in it. I couldn't make out the mozzarella or dressing. Collard Greens: Pretty much like cooked Spinach. It was well seasoned but I couldn't make out the smoked chicken that was supposedly in it. Roasted Yams: Your standard mashed yams. I liked them. The sausage (with a kick) on the top was a nice salty touch.
(4)Jay E.
My grandmother was from the deep South; my family - all 100 + of the wonderful weirdos - are from Harlem and Brooklyn. I ate oxtails, pigs' feet, grits, cornbread, rice & peas... all-a-dat growing up. My Grandma had a chitlin recipe that called for a 40 of Ballantine Ale - black enough for ya? All of which is to say, I will turn my nose up at some stank, doodoo, imitation soul food. Brasa ain't that. Brasa is its own thang: a Northeast Minneapolis take on Southern cuisine that hits the right notes, consistently. DAT CREAMED JALAPENO SPINACH, SON! IT'S GOOD! Let me, uh, curb my enthusiasm. Much of the menu is good. The grits pass the authenticity test; the pulled pork does indeed melt on the tongue; the chicken is top notch; dem grits... THEY GOOD! I'm heading back this weekend, for the 5th time. Love that outdoor seating too. *milli vanilli joyous kickstep*
(5)Christi H.
I love Brasa! My boyfriend took me here on our first date, and it was a great experience. Its kind of a order in portions and share type of place. They have unique choices, and the food is great quality at a very reasonable price. I would highly recommend this place, you can spend $20 for two and walk out plenty full and happy. The atmosphere is different and cozy. If you're looking for something different and super yummy, this is the place to go. My boyfriend and I have since returned and were just as satisfied as the first time. Brasa rocks!
(5)Sara W.
Brasa, why has it taken so long to proclaim my love to you? I hate picking favorites... but you might in the running for my fave restaurant (don't tell the others). Hello southern deliciousness! I love eating here, because it's a place you come to share (or not share if you're greedy) & eat multiple, delicious things. Most all of their items are organic, and sourced from the Midwest. Now onto a few menu items I enjoy over and over again: CRISPY YUCA, cornbread with honey glaze, pulled chicken, & candied yams. Seriously, I could eat that yuca everyday. Keep in mind that the space at their NE location is limited, so not great for a large group. Their St. Paul location is bigger, but I find the NE space to be a little more cozy.
(5)Jill P.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul. I love sharing dishes and I usually order more than I need so I can have leftovers. Also Brasa catered our wedding and everyone loved it. We also got two kegs of the homemade soda and that was a big hit too. It was very reasonably priced for catered food and the service was wonderful. I recommend Brasa for any catered event.
(5)Justin O.
Even though I have always been a fan of Brasa, I moved in across the street recently and it has now become my standby for a quality takeout meal. Their slow cooked beef is very satisfying, and their fried yucas with the green sauce is one of my favorite things to eat period. I would also recommend their collard greens, which are very flavorful but at times can be a little too salty. The only two things I can gripe about would be that it seems like their portions of meat are a little over priced for the amount you are given. Also, one of the last times I was in there I ordered a catfish sandwich, which is normally delightful. I understand that the place was jumping on a Saturday night and cooks can lose track of quality at times, however my catfish was raw in the middle and that was a huge bummer considering how much I loved it previously. I would still recommend going to Brasa, there just might be a couple hiccups along the way.
(4)Reggie F.
Pulled chicken sandwich is delicious! I think they've recently improved the recipe. I'm a huge fan.
(4)Kayla K.
Love Brasa! one of my favorite restaurants in the Twin Cities! The wait can be long sometimes, but it's totally worth it! I love the corn bread & the Yuca!
(5)E H.
Brasa is one of the few truly original and creative restaurants in Minneapolis. Everything on the menu is thought through and tasty, but I really like the seemingly simple sandwiches. The flavors are actually really complex. Get the hot peppers.
(4)Mark R.
Food here is great, but gets crowded quickly. Attentive, informed, and helpful staff, the menu is always excellent. Unfortunately restrooms, while clean, don't seem large enough for the seating capacity of a frequently packed restaurant!
(4)Joelle P.
This was my first time at Brasa Minneapolis. I have been to their STP Grand Ave location a few times and have always really enjoyed it. The Minneapolis location is smaller, but still homey and bright. My boyfriend and I opted for the lunch special "meat plate", it's a good deal, I highly suggest it. We both ended up getting beef as our meat, I got chips and guac as a side while he got fried plantains and we both went for the cornbread. We also got a side of candied yams to share. the beef is truly excellent. Nice and tender and flavorful. The lunch special is a pretty big portion too, I couldn't finish all of mine! The cornbread was my favorite part. The honey glaze is so flippin' good! My boyfriend is a huge fan of plantains and loved his, he said they were cooked exactly how he likes them: fried but still tender on the inside. My chips and guac were excellent as well. The candied yams were the only thing we weren't huge fans of...they were good, but just not exactly what we were expecting, probably would go for something else next time. The service was great, the food came fast, it wasn't very busy around lunch time and we found street parking really close. I love the concept of Brasa's food and I will continue to go back, both here and the Grand Ave location!
(5)Scott M.
This remains one of my favorite places to eat in Minneapolis. Family style soul-food can't get any better. Favorite things on the menu are the rotisserie chicken and pork with the ginger-cilantro aioli. We usually stick to a couple of our favorite sides but have tried most of them and you can't go wrong. Our Favorites are the red beans and rice, sweet plantains, yams with andouille and the guacamole. Oh and masa cakes!!! I'm already planning my next visit!
(5)David C.
Love this spot. It's not the best food I've ever had, but it's exceptional, tasty food at a very reasonable price. It's a winner in its weight class. The pulled pork is the super star, but the rest of the meat dishes are quite tasty. Just a dash of lime and you're good to go. I'm a huge fan of the masa cakes and the corn bread. Comfort food done right.
(5)Kate M.
Tonight was probably my 7th or 8th visit to Brasa. It's almost always been an excellent experience minus a few flakey servers. Food is usually solid. Why the 3 stars? -If you don't have a bar, take reservations. I have no fuss with places that don't take reservations but there is a decent waiting area. You can usually order a glass of wine and stand, but in the winter, it starts to feel like you're hovering over some poor diner just trying to enjoy delicious, delicious corn bread. In the summer, it's cool standing the parking lot. But, reservations would be better. -The cornbread is usually my highlight. Tonight 2 of us ordered the cornbread and we got one lovely looking muffin and one that looked like an ugly stepsister. It was squashed and sad looking and was way too dense. -The tortilla chip to gauc ratio is always off. There's always a ton of guac left and people at the table trying to scoop it up with shards of chips. --Tostones. We went once this summer and the NE location had savory plantains/tostones. They were divine. I love me some tostones. Tonight, just the sweet ones. TEASE. Brasa's meats are delicious and their yucca fries are a must have. But I'm feeling scowly at my ugly cornbread and lack of tostones. Oh, and the slow beverages tonight. Too long for my sangria.
(3)Tara D.
I went a little out of my way to find this one, and it turned out to be quite worth it. Minneapolis' Nice Ride (see separate review) really helped me get a taste of all DT Minneapolis neighborhoods in just four days. FOOD: I had the pulled chicken and the slow roasted pork + the spicy corn cake and the plantains. Wow. Everything was so good it was sick. They use fresh ingredients, cage-free eggs, a lot of organic products, hormone-free meats, and most items are gluten-free. DRINK: I had some small-batch brew they were serving on tap. A nice light beer for a hot day. SERVICE: Service (order at counter, they bring it to you) was excellent; very friendly and helpful. AMBIANCE: Open and light and airy and bright yet kind of modern/industrial in feel. Both the inside area and the patio are lovely. VERDICT: I'm going back to Minneapolis next month for a conference, and this is on my must-hit list. At least once. Maybe twice!
(5)Randall N.
The fact that I've driven by this place 50 times and didn't stop until a few weeks ago makes me angry. Seriously this food is good. A mix of carribean and southern BBQ practices....could be the best combo ever. I've been here several times and why I will say the portion sizes are kind of irritatingly small for the price tags, everything I've had has been fab. Yucca fries, cheddar grits, cornbread, masa cake, pulled pork and pulled chicken they've all been fan-friggin-tastic. The chicken with cream gravy is my favorite though. I could order 3 pounds of that stuff and sit and eat it for days. The gravy is divine. Again the price to size ratio is a little off if you ask me. I can't seem to get out of there for less than $12 and don't stay full all that long. However, the quality of ingredients is high, the flavors are excellent and I'm not sure anybody else in the area does what they do or do anything similar nearly as well. I don't eat here every week but when I do I enjoy every bite.
(5)Jennifer H.
Went here over a year ago and got the small portions of meat and rice beans but ended up not liking it and thinking I'd never come back. My friend recently convinced me that I had the wrong impression and I should come back- this time ordering the pork sandwich. He was right. It was moist and the slight sour pickle was the perfect complement. I highly recommend the cornbread to go with it. It is amazing. Best. Cornbread. ever The sangria was also divine and complemented the sandwich well. Overall, our group of friend agreed that the beef was rather dry and the sides can be bland. Pork sandwich all the way!
(4)Darrell G.
The pork melts in your mouth. The creamed spinach is heaven. Great place to also get sweat plantains but you have to ask to see if they have them.
(4)Kelli F.
Great food and great service. Really glad we followed others suggestions and had dinner. We are a family of four and we tried a lot of the options. Rotisserie chicken was great. Grits, creamed spinach, and plantains were also really good. Definitely will come again!!
(4)Ellie S.
I'm a FAN of this place. I never thought I'd be so happy to eat pulled meat just sitting on my plate, but the seasonings they use are perfect and it is so juicy and prime. Highly recommend to go to with friends on a casual weekend day.
(5)Terry Scott N.
Brasa Rotisserie is simply unique. I have been twice, and twice I have been impressed with my local fare. If you haven't been yet, you deserve to try Brasa at least once before you die. For date night my significant other and I decided to walk down the street to Brasa. She had never been before, and I had gone once in the summer. The autumn experience was a bit different, the adjunct was that we had to wait for a seat, and-in a good way, they have great beer and an outdoor patio where patrons can take in the fire, the night sky, and have conversation while they wait for seating inside. We just walked-in without reservations, so we had a bit of a wait, but the host was cordial and complimentary. After about 45 minutes we were taken inside (be weary, the seating can be tight, but it is worth claustrophobia for the food), and seated near the window with a view of the street. Promptly our server was assisting us with drink selections and menu specials. Brasa's menu is short and sweet. I personally feel there is no need for excessive menu selection when you do the things on your menu right. We ordered more beverages; I had another Victory, and Babe had a glass of wine. The beer selection (for Taps) is limited, but impressive. Our drinks came and we were ready to order. We ordered a medium pulled pork, a medium coleslaw, a small of the yucca, and Gritz in cheddar, with an order of cornbread. This selection of meal is sharable, which, to me, adds so much to the dining experience. It means one must actually eat with another, converse and work together. The pork was insane; tender, full of flavor, and portioned well. The coleslaw, one of my favorite things to eat in general, was incredible, and the yucca seemed interesting and well done. All of the items we ordered were gone in less than 10 minutes-we scraped the plate. The best part was our order was out within the same amount of time it took us to finish-impressive for a busy weekend evening. Everything we had was simple, not overdone with fancy added extras, and delicious. Like the K.I.S.S. technique: Keep It Simple, Stupid. They did this and capitalized. We will be back. Brasa is definitely worth a try if you enjoy new and different ways to enjoy classic Rotisserie. Well done!
(5)Dunn Y.
Realizing Brasa has been reviewed a lot, I do love their food. Great casual spots in NE Mpls and Grand Ave. Good quality...natural, organic, local. So I do encourage everyone to at least try. One criticism...I never go to either location in the Summer. Too often they have the garage doors open in the dead heat and humidity, and it makes for a pretty uncomfortable eating experience (especially if you add the preponderance of flies buzzing around). But they seem to do well anyway, so I imagine they won't change. Fall, Winter, Spring...four stars. Summer...one star.
(4)Breanne K.
3 years later I can finally remove this bookmark. I wasn't blown away like I expected to be, but I did enjoy some good food. I got the slow roasted pork sandwich with a side of corn bread with honey glaze. The pork was spectacular, but what really drew me to that sandwich was the ginger mayo and pickled vegetables. Upon tasting, not as flavorful as I expected. The ginger was practically non-existent and the vegetables didn't add the tang that I was looking for. The corn bread was delicious though. Honey glaze on corn bread is necessary. Minnesota should make it a law that corn bread be smothered in honey glaze... . Brasa is fairly small, so I wish I'd made an effort to come in the summer to enjoy their beautiful patio. It always looks so packed there though.
(3)Trevor W.
A favorite spot for dates, nice lunch or even to go! A fast casual restaurant with amazing southern/latin food. If weather is permitting, I recommend sitting at a table on the patio or by the walkway. The food is very good and a huge value. You pretty much can't go wrong with anything on the menu which is the sign of a great place. No surprise the owners of this place also own restaurant Alma. I swear by the pulled chicken because the light cream and & pepper gravy is spectacular, crispy yuca with citrus & garlic hearkens to steak fries with a twist, cream spinach with jalapeno (I don't even like spinach normally), and best yet, they always seem to have a special with black eyed which are delicious. As if it couldn't get better, the serving sizes can be small, medium and large plus they serve Mexican coke!
(5)Daniel C.
I absolutely love this place and have never left disappointed. Very laid back and a great spot to go when the weather is nice and all the doors are open. I highly recommend the pork with black beans, jalapeño spinach and corn bread. Order it family style and then go to town.
(4)Stef H.
A co-worker recommended take-out from Brasa one particularly stressful day at work. I was skeptical as this genre of food really isn't really my favorite. But, being a team player, I went along. Lesson of the Day: Trust your friends and expand your horizons. The food is awesome! If the take-out boxes weren't so awkwardly shaped, I would have licked them clean. I ordered the beef, which is cooked to tenderness with enough sauce to have a bit of spice and flavor. The candied yams are sweet but not overly so, and the cornbread is moist and never gritty. I got adventurous and tried fried plantains and now I crave them. Butterscotch pudding, yes! We've also dined in. That can be a little tough. You usually have to park a couple blocks away (oh well) and there is usually a half-hour wait during dinner service. The restaurant itself is small so it can get quite noisy, so the patio is preferable. The service, however, is great. If your server isn't available to bring you your food/drink, someone else is bringing it. Last time we went, our waiter visited us at least six times, and two other people came by. We like Brasa so much we bring out-of-town visitors and are never disappointed.
(5)Jenny H.
I LOVEEEE this place....love love!!!! Their pulled pork sandwich is SO delectable and their rice and beans are always good! I love their sides too, their yucca with sauce and their plantains are so good!!! Cornbread is really good, with real pieces of corn in it, that's how I like it!!! :)
(5)Melissa H.
Every single thing we've ever ordered here has been awesome, you should definitely give it a try! I could eat here almost every night. The peppered chicken and cornbread is especially good- you won't regret coming here
(5)Jessie W.
All the food here is delicious. I've never gotten a sandwich or an individual meal. I always get plates to share with whoever I'm dining with. If we're lucky we'll have leftovers. But it's so good we usually eat past the point of feeling full and straight on into miserably uncomfortable territory. I like their patio but it's so small inside that it fills up quickly and then you have to wait.
(4)Kristin H.
If you've lived in the Twin Cities within the past five years you have probably heard of Brasa Rotisserie. Alexander Roberts, also known for his work at Restaurant Alma and oh yeah, his JAMES BEARD AWARD(!), opened Brasa in 2007 and it has been wooing patrons every since. Brasa is a home-style restaurant that tastes ten times better than anything you're used to at home. It's been a Minneapolites favorite for years, so a blog post is long overdue. A few tips for first-time Brasa diners: 1. Short on time? Both the St. Paul and Minneapolis locations offer takeout. Call in your order and pick it up (usually) about 20 minutes later. But be prepared, if the restaurant it busy, it might take a a few minutes to work your way up in line; the takeout pickup line and the beer/wine line are one-in-the-same. 2. Do you have a special event coming up? Brasa offers catering and it's just as good as in the restaurant. A friend had Brasa cater her wedding. They were easy to work with as she developed the menu, reliable the day of, and offered an affordable menu that the guests devoured! 3. Everything tastes better with the Signature Hot Pepper Vinegar. You'll see a bottle on each table when you dine in. I like it best on the yuca, but it really is good on everything. If you love it as much as we do, you can buy a bottle to enjoy at home, too! Atmosphere An industrial space with a unique southern charm. Service The knowledgable staff have always provided exceptional service, even when the restaurant is packed. They're happy to make suggestions and answer questions without passing judgement. Presentation Traditional, simple presentation in single or sharable proportions. Taste Brasa continually knocks my socks off. Classic dishes with killer flavor. So good, I've never left with a doggy bag! Value for Dollars Brasa doesn't offer any happy hours or date night specials, but the prices are reasonable for eating out. My husband and I usually get one beer each, two servings of meat, and 2-3 sides for around $30-$35. And let me tell you, that $30 will leave you more satisfied than ever before.
(5)Jacky W.
Cornbread. BBQ. Plantains (which I usually abhor, but when done by Brasa, they are the fruit of the gods). You will thank me over and over again if you go to Brasa. It is impossible to have anything that is less than perfection here. I came here for dinner and have been salivating ever since.
(5)Kurt M.
First off, seating is limited and even more so when the outdoor patio isn't available. Wait times may exceed your tolerance on busy nights. Parking can be an issue. Tables are crammed together to the point where some crowd aversive Midwesterners may find their personal space uncomfortably violated. Plates of food can rapidly begin to push the limits of your tabletop real estate making for awkward juggling. The noise level can make conversation a challenge. OK, so why go here? The food! This is an extraordinary place. A BBQ joint that serves very high quality, locally sourced, organic meats. The pulled pork, chicken and beef all have an amazing depth of flavor and texture. Add a dash of spiced vinegar or ask for more sauce if you wish. The sides are meant to be shared. The homemade Chips with fresh, chunky Guacamole are an outstanding combination. The candied yams, a dish I usually find offensive is a spicy, rich, much less saccharine dish than the customary glop served on many a Thanksgiving table. The Crispy Yuca w/ Citrus & Garlic is a light and grease free alternative to fried zucchini. The Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapeno is not to be missed. The Cornbread w/ Honey Glaze is dense and moist. The Spicy Masa Corn Cake w/ Cheese is satisfyingly savory. The lemonade is tart and the Mexican Coca-Cola is made with cane sugar. Coffee is robust and fair trade. For dessert, try the smooth, subtle Butterscotch Pudding. It bears no resemblance to the burnt umber colored stuff made out of a box. Service was personable, professional and very attentive despite the general hubbub. Avoid the crowds and try off-peak hours or brave the occasional hassle. Either way, highly recommended.
(5)Joe S.
*Rustic grits, the reason I come here *pull chicken and gravy, simple but delicious *cornbread and black beans, I like the texture of the bread. Taste just like grandma made them *collared greens and smoked chicken, I'm a fan but only for those who like that interesting collared green taste. I've dined in many of times, love the food service can be slow but worth the wait. I always bring people here to try the food. I really enjoy coming for lunch. It's defiantly on my list of favorite place in Minneapolis
(5)Kevin V.
This place is my favorite go-to restaurant for a night when I don't feel like cooking or when I have guests in from out of town. There's no other place like it. Family style soul food, great atmosphere for groups or a date, and within walking distance of my house. Always great service. Favorites: Any of the meats. Occasionally they have some ginger brussels sprouts that are spectacular. GREEN SAUCE- it can be slathered on anything on the menu.
(5)Richard Y.
Have you ever ordered something and not realized what it was when it was delivered to your table? That happened to my companion and I at Brasa Rotisserie. When the "grits" arrived at the table, we couldn't figure out what they were supposed to be. We've eaten a lot of grits (my companion grew up in North Carolina) and we were pretty disappointed at their interpretation of such a classic southern food. Moving past the "grits," the rest of the meal was meh. It vaguely resembles many of the pollo places I've been, but more expensive and not as good. I was amused to experience a trendy place serving soul food; in my experience, the best southern food is served on styrofoam.
(2)Amir S.
It has happened several times that I felt ashamed of being a meat lover. At many restaurants, I simply envy vegetarians who could with no hesitation order relatively healthy food out of the menu. However, Brasa is one of the few restaurants where I feel proud of my meat preference and feel sorry for my vegetarian friends who can't eat meat. So let it be the first moral of this review: although the vegetable sides are super delicious, if you're a vegetarian you won't enjoy Brasa as much as meat-eaters do. I think Brasa's chef (Alex Roberts) inherited a detailed instruction for the art of braising and rotisserie roasting written by an old, sage Minnesotan farmer. I also believe he has burned it as soon as he mastered the art of slow cooking so nobody else could cook meat like he does. I thought for hours and hours and was finally convinced that nothing else could explain the unique taste of their yummy food. Brasa's food is peerless and you couldn't find any food comparable to it anywhere else. So let it be the second moral: like any other unique things in the world, try it as many times as you could. If you miss it, nothing else can take its place. The fact that it's a converted gas station is a part of the restaurant's history. But I don't know why people overread it (why don't they instead give credit to its beautifully designed logo?) I tried hard to understand why it's interesting for customers that the restaurant's location used to be a gas station. Maybe if it was a converted public bath or a brothel, it would sound captivating to me. But seriously, what's interesting about a gas station? So, let it be the third moral: don't try to justify it. It has nothing to do with the building's past function as a gas station. But for whatever reason, it has a cool feeling. If the ambiance is important to you, you should try Brasa. What's the rational conclusion I can offer based on my three morals? I'll tell you: since the food is organic, sustainably produced and healthy (moral#1's implication) and with no doubt peerless (moral#2) and since there is nothing exciting about an ex-gas station (moral#3's implication), why don't you think of Brasa as your regular take-out restaurant? Since the food is mostly prepared in advance, they're fast. Moreover, their healthy food is affordable. What else do you expect from a take-out restaurant?
(5)Yvette C.
We found the Brasa because we were looking for gluten-free, then saw all the awesome reviews. We ate at both locations this week, the Brasa in St. Paul and now this one. This location in Minneapolis is a little smaller and they have a slightly different menu from the Brasa in St. Paul. Both locations have AWESOME YUCA Fries now our most desired new food find! Where have I been that I have never heard of this staple food from South America? BTW YUCA is not YUCCA--it is a root vegetable not a decorative landscape plant... The house-made bottled Hot Pepper Vinegar is delicious on the pulled pork and the greens, and isn't too hot. So good I bought a bottle of Hot Pepper Vinegar to bring home. Now the search for Yuca fries in Kansas City area commences...If you know of a good place please share!!
(5)Lauren K.
Fresh ingredients. The smoked pepper sauce on the chicken sandwich is outta this world, the fried plantains are outstanding, and the cornbread. One of my favorite restaurants.
(5)Michael N.
This is probably the single best restaurant that I've found so far since moving to Minneapolis 3 months ago. It's gotten to the point that every time the weather is nice, I start to think "we should go to Brasa today" I love the small plates. It lets you order things you know your'e going to love and also get risky trying new dishes. Here are some of my favorites -Slow Roasted pork. So good! It's so juicy and well seasoned it I have to order it every time I'm there. -Roasted Yams & Andouille. I don't know if I ever had this combination before trying it at Brasa but it's incredibly tasty. Definitely recommend it! -Crispy Yuca. I've noticed a lot of places having yuca dishes lately (which is awesome), but the ones at Brasa are by far the tastiest. The texutre/amount they're cooked is perfect and the green sauce they bring out with it is one of those dangerous sides that you can become addicted to and lose your mind trying to replicate at home. -Rustic Style Grits. These might be the only grits that I've ever had so I can't say with any authority how they compare to others. I just know I've wanted to try them for a long time after seeing people eat them in movies and I found them to be exceptional at Brasa. The servers & atmosphere are all amazing too. This restaurant is truly a gem and if you live in or are visiting Minneapolis, you need to make time to eat there at least once. It's fantastic!
(5)Santiago G.
Everything was excellent from start to finish. Very friendly staff. The food was to over the top. The pulled pork was super flavorful and tender. The rice and pigeon peas was very interesting and left me craving more and the chocolate tres leches cake was rich and creamy and the perfect end to a meal.
(4)Matt O.
Pork, yucca, chicken - it's all better than the last. Sweet space, too. Especially if you can get a table.
(5)Aimee S.
Thought it was a little over rated. The chips and guacamole were AMAZING, the staff friendly and helpful, but the main meal was a miss for both my husband and I. Mac and cheese was way way too rich, beef bowl too oily, and pulled chicken sandwich very bland. HOWEVER I'm told that we just happened to pick the worst things on the menu, so hopefully next time it will be better!
(3)Amanda C.
This is my go-to place to bring ANY out-of-towner for a meal. The meat is always top-notch, and ordering up a ton of sides so everyone can sample is a blast. Why aren't you here right now? The only acceptable answer is "because it's not in Brasa business hours when I am reading this review, Amanda." Fine. That'll get you off the hook... for now.
(5)Matt A.
I would highly recommend Brasa. I went here for lunch with a few coworkers and sat in their outdoor section in the sun. Beautiful day, good people, delicious food. I ordered the "meat plate," I believe, which was essentially seasoned grilled chicken and two sides. It's a good deal for lunch, and was more than enough to fill me up. Plantains were good, as was the sweet bread.
(5)Katarina A.
Oh, Brasa. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1. Your charming decor, industrial and modern, utterly perfect for the food. 2. Your friendly servers, who never hovered or let us feel lonely. 3. Your fair prices, that never leave us feeling cheated. 4. Most importantly, your incredible food. I have now tried every dish on the menu, and I wish I could get into them all, but I shall settle for personal favorites. Get the red beans and rice. It is hands down the best you'll find north of Kentucky. Also, the masa cakes. Tangy, corny, crispy, and utterly amazing. I had food wet dreams about this one for months. The pulled chicken. Bizarrely, I know some people who weren't so fond of this one, but I'm firmly of the opinion that they're wrong. It is creamy, peppery, and fall apart delicious. Hm... for a final favorite, I'd have to go with the cheddar grits (only available at Mpls. location). Believe me, though, there is no way to go wrong. This place needs no more positive press, but it truly is delicious, and my favorite restaurant I've ever visited. Love at first bite is possible, people.
(5)Victoria T.
Loved, loved, loved this place! The sides are incredible. My collard greens with smoked chicken were beyond luscious and the grits with cheddar: divine. My pork was wonderful but my partner's chicken was tender but boring ( thus, the 4 star rating versus 5). The beer selection, though quite minimal, was good beer! Loved this place so much that if I lived closer, I would go every week.
(4)Jimmy V.
After reading all the ravishing reviews all over yelp we walked in on a perfect Sunday afternoon. Ordered Pulled pork with rice & pigeon peas with ham sofrito. Pulled pork was average. it never melted in my mouth like lot of reviews i read. Found a big piece of cooked melted plastic in the rice :) the staff was kind enough to replace the dish with a fresh one but pulled pork remained on the table cold and dry till my next sofrito rice came to the table. Ordered flan which matched our expectation, but then was already bored and lost the charm of the brunch experience. Reading all the reviews (if they are for real :) ) i might give it a second chance, Because so far yelp reviews has never gone wrong for me.
(2)Stephanie F.
This place is tiny, but their food is packed with flavor. I'm moving to California and wish i knew a place is equivalent to this. I like to try small sizes of a few meats and a bunch of small sides.
(5)Colin C.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in the Twin Cities. Definitely try the pulled chicken, grits (!!!), cornbread, and yuka. The grits are only at the Minneapolis location. In summer sit on the patio - it's a better/quieter experience. I've never met anyone who didn't love it. Small parking lot, but we've always had a spot on the street. Carry out is an excellent option too!
(5)Jill S.
Love this place! Food is fabulous and it's a great place to share some delicious family style food- try a little bit of everything. Don't miss the yuca with citrus lime. Their sangria is delicious (too delicious!) great city dining.
(4)DeAnna E.
First, let me thank my brilliant coworker for suggesting this restaurant. I ordered the beef, spinach, masa, and plantains. The plantains were ok, but everything else (including the service) was wonderful. The beef, particularly, was so tender it cut with a fork. I highly recommend dining on the patio, if possible. You'll almost forget that you're in the middle of a metro area.
(5)Emily V.
My husband and I used to live across the street from this location. On the days they have their smoker going, the whole neighborhood smells like smoked meats. Awesome! I've had the chance to try just about everything on Brasa's menu. I also had them cater for 50 people for my company's picnic last August. It was excellent! See if you can get a group of 4 or 6 people to go! Everything is served to be shared, and the more people in your group, the more items you can try. One of my favorites is the rotisserie chicken. It's delicious on its own, but the cilantro cream sauce that comes on the side really sends it over the top. All of the sides are just fantastic, but I especially love the yams and andouille, collard greens w/ smoked chicken, and the rice and pigeon peas w/ ham sofrito (has green olives in it, which I love). If you're in the mood for a sandwich, get the slow roasted pork. It has ginger mayo, pickled veggies, and cilantro. I've heard some people complain about the portion sizes for the price. I guess since it's all a'la carte, it can add up quickly, but remember that Chef Alex Roberts is one of the most highly acclaimed chefs in the Midwest. The food is truly top notch and well worth $15-$20 per person.
(5)David C.
Hands down the best rotisserie in the area!!!!! The menu is so extensive, but everything I've tried on here has really blown me away! Rotisserie Chicken: A Not overdone at all; skin was just a golden brown and the meat was nice and juicy. Definitely tasted great. Seasoning was light, but the chicken itself was cooked so well that it barely needed seasoning. Slow Roasted Pork: A+ Incredibly tender and well seasoned. Portions were huge and taste was unrivaled. Cabbage & Apple Slaw: B Interesting take on the traditional slaw. Nonetheless, it did not disappoint. Chips & Guac: B Homemade everythign! Both the chips and guac were home-made. Very tasty. Guac portion was generous and was incredibly fresh. Spicy Masa Corn Cake w/ Cheese: A A very unique item on the menu, A cake made of ground corn topped with hot sauce and melted cheese. The flavor and texture was fantastic. The cheese was melted and helped congeal the cornmeal. So good! I would definitely recommend this place for a fast casual meal with friends. The food really blew me away. The service was prompt and friendly. Best of all, it was rather affordable and the portions were great.
(5)Addyson B.
Meats are delicious alone or on a sandwich. Well cooked and perfectly seasoned! Side dishes (we ordered the creamed spinach, masa cake and the cornbread) were all divine; I especially liked the cornbread muffin- best one I've ever had!
(4)Kele M.
I always eat way too much at Brasa because literally every menu item is delicious. I only wish they were a little less pricey... although I suppose it keeps me from eating here as frequently as I would if they were cheap and gaining a million pounds!
(4)Zoe L.
I had Rotisserie chicken and roasted yam with andouille. Very delicious. Chicken was a little dry and plain inside though. But the skin was crispy.
(5)Joshua N.
Something about this place that makes me love it in the winter but avoid it in the summer. Go with a group and get as much stuff as possible. It's awesome!
(4)Geoffrey D.
I always eat way too much here. The pulled pork is my favorite along with collard greens and yams with andouille. My friends all love the food. Unfortunately not much my wife (who is a vegetarian) can eat though.
(4)Tricia C.
You have to love a restaurant where you can order a plate of shredded meat. It's a little weird the first time but if you just go with it, you'll have a fantastic dining experience. Everything was delicious.
(4)Adam L.
I have been to Brasa several times for breakfast / brunch, but this was my first time going for dinner. The food is amazing. We had a table of 4 and tried almost everything on the menu. The service is fast, and the servers are very friendly and are able to answer any questions you have about the menu items. I would recommend getting several of the sides to share if you're going with a group. The small size side seemed too small to share with 4 people, unless you just wanted a spoonful or two. I would suggest several medium size options and a couple different meat options. The chicken is incredible. I would also strongly recommend the cornbread. It is moist and very flavorful. No matter what meal you eat here you will not have a bad experience.
(5)Melissa N.
Yum! Yum! yum! This place is so fantastic! I have never had a bad bite of food here. Super casual and a great place to go with friends (as you'll want to share and try everything). Better in the summer because there's extra seating. Lunch combos are outstanding and the perfect portion size. Go now!
(5)Sam M.
What can I say that has not already been said in 320 reviews? Jumbalaya? Hopslam? How 'bout just mmm mmm mmm. My wife and I used to eat here more frequently, but have kind of been on hiatus as we yelped about the town. I am glad to see that the things I liked about the place have not changed for the worse. Fat Tuesday brought Jumbalaya to the table. I liked it. Is it authentic? I have no idea, but it is good. We also had staples of pulled pork, creamed spinach (w/jalapenos) and guacamole & chips. All were great. I had a Bell's Hopslam. A seasonal IPA that is "out of this world" (in both taste and price).
(5)Julie D.
What a great find! We were looking to try someone different, Brasa fits the bill. We had lunch on the patio and was greeted right away by our server. We decided to order from the lunch specials menu. I ordered a pork sandwich on ciabatta served with tortilla chips and my choice of side. I got the potato salad. BJ got a smoked beef sandwich with beans and cornbread. Fantastic! I also enjoyed a Mexican coke. For dessert, we shared the butterscotch pudding. Here's a very important tip. DO NOT SHARE THE PUDDING. You deserve a pudding all your own. It is awesome! We really enjoyed everything about this place, the relaxing patio, the great service and the wonderful food!
(5)Beth W.
Home cooking, from scratch, local, and thoroughly delicious. I had the bean fritters and the carnivores in my group shared the chicken and pork. The flavors were declared perfect all around. I wondered how they'd rate, but my kids couldn't get enough of the yucca chips. The aioli dip was amazing, and I'm inspired to add cilantro to my own cole slaw. The corn muffins were good and my party seemed to enjoy the sweet potatoes with the sausage on top. This is soul food gone gourmet, and it's very, very right. I'll be back!
(5)Camie T.
My real rating for Brasa is 4.5 stars I met three friends at Brasa for dinner on a Friday night at 7pm. The place was busy but we only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table inside (the wait for an outside table was much longer). I had read that Brasa will open the garage doors on nice days to give it that open feel. They had the doors open the night we ate there but that was a mistake. The temperatures had reached 90+ degrees during the day and that, along with the hot kitchen and humidity made the interior of the restaurant almost unbearable. After entering the restaurant to get our drinks (while we were waiting to be seated), we quickly learned why the wait for inside the restaurant was so much shorter than the wait for a table outside. Its because it was bloody hot inside. It was easily 15 degrees warmer in the restaurant than it was on the patio. I feel that Brasa should have made a judgement call and closed the doors and turned on the air conditioning. We ordered the pulled chicken, pulled pork, beef, yellow rice with red beans and ham, cornbread, mozzarella salad, sweet potatoes with andouille sausage, and chips and guacamole. The favorites at the table were the pork (followed by the chicken) and the sweet potatoes with sausage (followed by the beans). The beans had a nice spice to them which was a nice twist. The beef was a bit over done and dry. I wouldn't order the beef again. Instead I'd go for a larger portion of the pork. We also ordered a pitcher of sangria ($28) and it was ok. It actually got worse the more I drank which isn't a good sign. Perhaps that was because it was so crazy hot in the restaurant. Overall, a good little find. The dress code is casual - we saw a little of everything. There are 4 parking spaces in front of the restaurant and there is ample parking on the street in the residential neighborhood surrounding the restaurant. They do not take reservations at the Minneapolis location but they do take reservations for 8+ at the St. Paul location.
(4)Candace R.
My bf and I saw this place on the Travel Channel, and decided it was one of our must visits on our trip to MN. We walked from our hotel downtown and got here on a Saturday afternoon and the place was pretty full. We were meeting up with some family and they luckily had grabbed a table on the patio, and got started with some chips and salsa. I had the pulled chicken sandwich which was very good. The service was a little lacking, as I had to wait quite a bit to get a refill on my drink, but the company was great so I didn't mind. I'd definitely come back to try some of the other items on their menu.
(4)Taylor K.
I went for dinner with a few coworkers earlier this week. OH MY GOD, it was good. The place was packed - always a good sign - but the service was still speedy and attentive and the atmosphere still felt breezy thanks to the large, open doors. I ordered a small serving of the rotisserie chicken. The serving size was delightfully generous and the chicken itself was hands-down the best I've ever had in my life. Moist, tender, perfectly white-meat throughout, and served with this incredible citrus aioli. I ordered a side of chips and guac, which I highly recommend - the guac was excellent but the chips were surprisingly special, too (handmade and at once perfectly crispy, oily, and salty). I will be back again. And again. And again.
(5)Matthew M.
Amazing Southern-style cuisine. Good comfort and soul food, not so pricey, good portions, amazing atmosphere, excellent service. The best!
(5)Kate T.
The ambiance was lacking and the sides aren't quite as delicious as the meat is but it's a definite must at least once.
(4)Jill S.
This is a place to get really good southern-style cooking in Minnesota. I love their smoked beef, but it is some of the SIDES that steal the show! Greens, beans, cornbread... all amazing! Pricing is a little steep for what it is, but it seems to be a fair value.
(4)Kathy S.
On my list of things to do once I got back in Minneapolis: eat at Brasa AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I've heard people raving about this place, and being an eternal meat-lover, I was bound to end up there at one point or another. It was inevitable. My friends and I love eating family-style, so Brasa was perfect when we were looking for a good dinner place to quell our cravings for meat. Our group of 8 ended up putting together two tables outside (I went a few weeks ago, when it was still warm) and stuffed our faces with tender chicken, pulled pork, ribs, yucca, veggie fritter sandwiches, and of course - huuuuge cornbread. :) Food. heaven. The service was decent and I loved the outdoor atmosphere (minus the Metro Transit bus loudly being fixed across the street). I'll be back!
(5)Rosemary T.
Juicy chicken, tender beef, buttery cornbread, and delicious collar greens! This is definitely a place to come to have some great lunch or dinner. The food was simply super!
(5)John W.
I have never been anything short of amazed by the quality of chicken and sides. I usually order take out to avoid waiting for a table, and also to decrease the amount of time separating myself from my favorite meal in Minneapolis. Im pretty sure they sprinkle something addictive in the green chicken dipping sauce because i cant stop thinking about it. If you know of better chicken anywhere, show me, because i don't believe you.
(5)Shelly E.
Brasa used to have one of my favorite black bean burgers in town. I've had it a handful of times in the past and it was everything you could ask for in a vegetarian-friendly burger. After last night - I've learned that these days are gone. What happened? What I remember as a flavorful, dense burger with a good portion of fresh guac and a big chunk of mozzarella on top has turned into a salty, flavorless 'crumbles-apart-the-second-you pick-it-up' burger with hardly any guac and small chunks of mozzarella on top. The bread also used to be what one would expect from a ciabatta bun but now seems like an imitation - a flaky, dry bun only shaped like ciabatta. Obviously, as a vegetarian, Brasa isn't a regular go-to place for me. But, my friends like it and often suggest it - so I'm usually outnumbered and rely on the one vegetarian entree they offer. I think it's just cruel that my one option has now turned into zero options. Next time, I'll stay home and make my own.
(2)Paola M.
Been here several times and have tried pretty much everything.... The roasted chicken is what gets this place the 5th star! Everything is good but the chicken is superb. I don't know what it is but every time I go back I am surprised by how good the chicken is. All the rest is very good too but if you have to pick just one thing, go for the chicken!
(5)Christina P.
Truth be told, I'm not a BBQ type of lady. Gnawing meat off bones and being slathered in sauce just isn't my scene. However, Brasa has managed to make BBQ feel upscale and be absolutely delicious. It's a laidback scene - very southern feel - but super cute. Lots of natural lighting and seating galore. Bonus for the wine, beer and authentic soda offerings. The food is seriously TDF (to die for) ... the cheesy grits, cornbread, the perfectly cooked chicken and beef... days later, I find myself still thinking about it. Add the bonus of a very inexpensive meal, and you have yourself a very loyal follower. Can't wait to get down & dirty again soon!
(5)Izabela R.
Amazing!! One of my favorite places to eat!!! I"ve had just about everything on the menu and LOVE it all!! My sister came to visit from Chicago and we ordered pretty much one of each, she was lovin' it as much as I do!! Great atmosphere, great service, delicious food!!!!
(5)Bee K.
Brasa is tiny and I live within convenient driving distance so I almost always opt for takeout when I do get to indulge in the bombass pulled chicken with gravy and honey-butter drenched corn bread. Each trip back to the takeout counter, however, the service has increasingly gotten worse. On my most recent trip, I waited in line for 10 minutes just to tell the cashier I had a takeout order. I arrived exactly within 25 minutes as instructed, so I anticipated my food would definitely be ready after the long wait in line to pick-up. The line took forever because the cashier line for takeout orders is also the beer/wine line for the 2405730824723 people who are waiting around for a seat. So poor dude behind the cashier is also the takeout order phone answerer and bartender in addition to cashier. Dude was seriously flustered, and when I finally told him my name for the order, he looked like he had no idea what I was talking about. Finally, he says, "I think I sold your order to someone else. What did you have again?" He re-ran my order through the cash register and said it would be ready in 5-10 minutes. Luckily, it was ready really fast, and he did apologize more than once, but I was disappointed. The whole point of getting takeout is to completely AVOID having to wait in the parking lot with the other 23073087082352 guests waiting to be seated.
(2)Thomas D.
I went there last night with my wife and another couple, and it was great. Arrived at 6:15 on a Friday night and was able to sit down right away. The place appears to be a converted gas station so they still have the huge garage doors, and they had them open on this warm spring evening (nice). Also there was quite a bit of outdoor seating. The food was very good, is done in family style and has a very southern influence (I am referring the true South). I lived in South Carolina & Southern GA ,and I have to say it really brought me back there. Like good home-cooked soul food. The four of us ordered our food together as a group which I recommend. We had the pork shoulder, and the beef which were both excellent. For sides we had the black-eyed peas, jalapeno spinach, yucca, and yams. Just like down South. The server did a really good job even though the place was maxed. We were going to order large sides, and he deterred us to the smalls which turned out to be a good decision. We ended the night with the butterscotch pudding which was delicious, and made me realize that this is what pudding tastes like when it is made with good ingredients. They are very conscientious about using organics and locally grown, which instantly makes me want to give them my money, and they didn't need a whole lot of my money for what we got. The bill was VERY reasonable - $55.00 for 2 which included beers, food, dessert, and tip. We will be going back! :)
(5)Asma A.
Reasonable portions. Their house hot vinegar was delicious! Good corn bread. Ridiculously long wait. Cool ambiance- set up in an old garage. Food was great.
(4)Dena S.
Sexy name, sexy food, sexy drinks, sexy patrons. This place is like the fever dream of an obese Texan. Two words for you, friends and neighbors: YAMS. And yams again. Villains will attempt to convince you to grow out of gooey foods and to start eating. . . i don't know. . . farfalle. DO NOT BE DECEIVED. Everything at Brasa is gooey for a reason. This is the straight path. We arrived at about 8:20, which was a bit tight as doors close at 9pm. They ended up fresh out of both my first choice for meat and my first two choices for sides-- a wee disappointing. Since I would shove everything on the menu down my pants I was perfectly happy with my runners up and the staff was great about letting us hang out on the patio after close, finishing our bottle of wine and watching the buses parked across the street turn their lights off and on for no reason. Brasa, you are a rock star.
(4)Joel P.
What a unique menu! If you haven't been, you gotta try it! Very unique menu with great flavor. The pork and chicken are amazing! Coke from Mexico? Yup! Original Dr. Pepper? Still exists and Brasa is where you get it! They also have a great line-up of beers as well. The place has a southern feel, champagne flavors, and beer budget pricing. See you guys again soon!
(4)Kelly S.
Could I love this place anymore than I do? I think not. The mere fact that I live within walking distance of Brasa might make me want to live in my apartment for a few more years. This is not a great place for a vegetarian, nor is it a great place to come with a big group (more than 6) as they don't take reservations. But, if you're a meat-eater and you're in a group of less than 6, GO TO BRASA NOW. I have never been disappointed with anything I've ordered at Brasa. The shredded chicken, beef, and pork are all superb (although the pork is my absolute favorite); the cornbread is fantastic; and there are days I find myself craving the sweet plaintains and the yucca with green sauce. Beyond that, the service is always friendly and helpful. (Like the time when I failed to follow my "don't go with a big group" rule and went with a group of 9 on Saturday night... bad idea on our part. We waited for over an hour and a half to get a space big enough for us. But, although the wait was painful, the staff got us seated as quickly as they could, checked-in with us frequently, obliged us in a game of "Can we guess what your name is?", and gave us free chips and guac when we finally got seated.)
(5)Hilary J.
Quality, local and sustainable ingredients made into soul-nourishing, affordable food. And I've never had bad service there. (It's hard to get good service for big groups anywhere, because it's hard to GIVE good service to big groups. Brasa, at least, has really good options for feeding groups, including meat by the pound and sides in three sizes.)
(5)Amy C.
This is my new favorite restaurant. Lucky me that I can walk there! Here's what I love about Brasa: -It's in an old gas station -They get their food from local farmers and vendors -They serve Mexican Coke in the bottle -They give you lots of sides to choose from (like warm cornbread with honey butter ... yum!) -The meats are out of this world good and I'm not even a big meat eater -It has a friendly, distinct community vibe I could just keep on raving about it. If you want to experience Northeast Minneapolis at its best, Brasa is a MUST!
(5)Audrey M.
I'm really impressed by how close most of the dishes were to authentic southern comfort food. The ettouffe was delicious and super filling. There was only one thing that disappointed: the rice. I've never had yellow rice that tasted so much like plain white rice. Confusing. However, the flourless chocolate torte completely made up for it. Oh my gosh....so good. I'm glad I brought the bf to help with it though- definitely too rich to tackle on my own. Best of all, the prices are completely reasonable, especially given the quality. We will definitely be back.
(4)Rachel W.
Parking: There is some parking in the lot. There is lots of parking on the street. Food: Ordered: cornbread, cornbread and beans, collard greens, spinach, cole slaw, chicken, black bean fritter sandwich and pulled pork. We ordered smalls of everything except for the chicken (6 piece chicken). We had 4 people. The blackbean fritter sandwich was HUGE. I shared with a friend. It was also very food, except kept falling out of the bread. I ended up eating it with a fork. The cornbread was amazing! The coleslaw was ok. It needed a bit more acidity. The beans were ok with the cornbread. Atmosphere: It's summertime and it's hot and humid. There wasn't any circulating air and it was really hot, even with the garage open. The person that came to serve us was very very sweaty which was a real turn off. I think this was why I gave it more of a 4 star rating. Overall: The food was good and I'd eat there again. I'd hope that the servers would be more mindful of the sweat on the face though...at least wipe it off first.
(4)John R.
A great place for protein. Good service too. Parking is a little tough.
(4)Britt B.
Northeast Minneapolis is where it's AT. There are so many cool shops and restaurants sprouting up in this area. Including Brasa. I stopped in on my bosses recommendation and it lived up to his hype. I had the pulled chicken sandwich. The meat was delicious, and I very much enjoyed the bun. Soft and not so large as large as to detract from the MEAT. Sadly, I didn't have room for the cornbread I've been reading so much about. I will be returning to try that and about 20 other things on the menu. Service was friendly and prompt, patio was comfortable, and I like that they are doing the local and organic thing. Great place! I totally recommend it!
(4)Marie D.
Delicious beef, collard greens, yuca and candied yams. Very crowded but casual atmosphere. Worth the wait!!
(5)Damali R.
I read about this place in an issue of Travel & Leisure and it sounded right up my alley. It's a great place to go by yourself. The portion sizes are actually a great size allowing you to try several things. The waitress was very friendly and the whole staff seemed to be having a good time. It was worth the trip and taxi ride over. It was extremely reasonable as well.
(4)Jeff M.
After my second visit to Brasa I still think the place is slightly over-hyped, but comforting enough to still make future visits. Finding a table for more than 2 people can be a challenge. My favorite thing about Brasa is the value you get for the quality of delicious food. My wife and I shared a small pulled pork, creamed chicken, spinach w/ jalapeno, yams w/ andouille sausage, corn bread, and two bottled sodas and the tab (with tax) came to under $25.
(4)Yoni R.
Adventurous comfort food? A tasty contradiction indeed. Fresh ingredients, ALL local meat and dairy, they even double filter their cooking water. The pork is incredible, the chicken is good but forgettable, the beef is in a sweet home-style BBQ sauce, it's tender and perfect, but a little fatty for my taste Brasa is all about the sides, here is my essential Side Guide (1-5 Stars): Yams & Andouille Sausage -- 2 Stars -- The sausage is good but the yams are not very flavorful. Collards w/ Smoked Turkey -- 5 Stars -- Pungent, rich, and surprisingly pork-like for being made with turkey. Some find them too be to bitter, but they continue to be the best greens I've ever had. Romaine & Mozzarella Salad -- 1 star -- Boring... too much goodness to waste time on mere roughage. Rustic Style Cheese Grits -- 5 Stars -- The best and worst thing on the menu. Creamy, riddled with enough cheese and butter to make ones arteries clench with glee. At least it's from local pasture based dairies and the butter is unsalted. Crispy Yuca with Mojo -- 4 Stars -- It won't be replacing the Frenched Fry as America's favorite contributor to heart disease anytime soon, but it will certainly quench your need for something starchy and deep fried. Surprisingly good, and the green Mojo sauce is amazing, it goes with almost everything on the menu, pairs particularly with the pork shoulder. Yellow Rice & Beans (Red or Black) -- 3 Stars -- Honestly, the beans and rice are a bit bland, but everything else is so heavily spiced and flavorful that it's kind of refreshing. Cornbread & Beans (Red or Black) -- 3 Stars -- The cornbread is excellent but the regular cornbread side comes with maple butter. I say skip the beans and go straight for the sweetness. Fried Sweet or Green Plantains -- 1 Star -- Don't bother. Homemade Chips & Guacamole -- 3 Stars -- Tasty, fresh, and light but I suggest moving right past the guac and get a spicy masa corn cake. Desserts are sub par compared to the rest of Brasa's offerings. The sweet tea is some of the best this side of the Mason-Dixon and they have Mexican Coke in the big glass bottles, made with real sugar, no corn syrup. Simply put, Brasa is the bomb, yo.
(5)Seamus H.
This really is as good as it gets. The meats are perfectly cooked, bursting with flavor and nearly melt in your mouth tender. I recommend the pork but if it's your first time you should really try all you can. Supplement your main dish with sides inspired by the South. The yams & andouille is the highlight, with the generous sausage chunks balancing the sweetness of the yams with spice and smokiness. I've only been to the Northeast location which is in a small, renovated garage space which opens up for nice outdoor dining in the summertime. I lived in Minneapolis for two years, ate at over 100 restaurants, and Brasa remains my favorite!
(5)Mike D.
I think that not much needs to be said about the food at this place. Beef, Chicken, and Pork were all well spiced and full of flavor. The cornbread was alright, spicy masa cake was not great but that may have been due to not eating it right away, the crispy yucca is pretty great, and the plaintains were awful. They did not have sweet plaintains, only savory tostones which I would rename Flavorless Bricks. However, forget that, the food is awesome and you should come here.
(5)Sarah L.
Good food, horrible service. I'm not sure what the server's deal was... he was definitely way over-extended, but he didn't communicate that to us once. I would have been much more forgiving if he at least clued us in to the fact that we'd have to wait 30 minutes to get our iced tea and 60 minutes to get our food. Oh well. Both my friend and I did like our food. I think her rotisserie chicken was better than my pork sandwich special. I also liked/loved her chips and guac where as my cabbage salad was just ok. I'll go back because I like the philosophy and the food, but will try to avoid any lunch/dinner rush times because they're obviously understaffed.
(3)Becky B.
Checked this place out while in Minneapolis on vacation and was so impressed! Loved the rotisserie chicken and pulled pork. Did the fried plantains, HIGHLY recommend those! Creamed spinach, cheesy grits and yams with sausage were our sides. Loved the entire meal, I would eat it again any day! Will absolutely return when I am back in the area. Hopefully I'll get to try them for dinner next time! Parking is a challenge though and they got pretty busy during the lunch hour.
(5)josh j.
Amazing food! If you took a champion BBQ'er who knows Latino cuisine and grew up with a grandma who taught them how to use white distilled vinegar, then dilute that amount of vinegar in half; you'd get some of the awesome flavors Brasa produces. Chicken sandwich with cabbage is off the charts. If the bill was a few bucks cheaper, we'd be there weekly.
(4)Yelp L.
YUMMY!!! That says it all!
(5)Berton T.
The restaurant had a great vibe and it was great that the whole restaurant turns alfresco when the doors are opened on a warm spring day. The food was awesome, I had the rotisserie chicken with cheese grits and spicy bread and it was simply divine. My partner ordered the pulled chicken with the friend yuca and they were delicious as well. The best part of the whole experience is that it didn't burn a whole in the pocket - lunch only cost $11 without gratifying. I'll definitely come back if I have the chance to.
(4)Ben K.
Time: Ate here with the fiance on Friday, July 6th 2012 at about 5:30p.m. It was 100 degrees outside with a dewpoint in the mid-70s and a heat index north of 115. Miserably hot. This will factor in prominently in this review. Place: It wasn't that busy when we went. I'm guessing it was because it's the Friday on a weekend where a lot of people leave town for a vacation. The first thing I noticed when we walked in the place is that it wasn't air conditioned, and the staff looked and behaved like they were miserable from the heat. I get it. It's stupid-hot outside, and it's stupid-hotter inside where you're roasting all the meat. I had read a lot of the Yelp reviews about this place and was expecting a level of helpfulness and friendliness from the servers. The staff was very attentive, but they weren't friendly at all. Again, I get it - it's hot out. Totally understandable that you, as a server, are not all bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed when you're going to go home after work and have to immediately shower and start replenishing the 20 lbs of water/fluid missing from your body. But it still threw me off. Maybe we can work on getting some air conditioning in there? Kinda suprises me that such a well-known and well-reviewed business wouldn't have AC, if at the very least for their workers. Beer/alcohol: they have Surly Furious on tap. Woohoo! 2 pints please, at $5/each not a bad price. Other than that, the beer list looked about average. A seasonal brew or two, some staples, etc. Nothing outstanding, but if you have Furious, what else do you need? Didn't see if they had booze/cocktails/wine. Don't think so. Food: started with the chips and guac. The chips were awesome (clearly made by hand) but the guac was nothing more than pureed avocado and a little cilantro. When I come back, I'm skipping the C&G. It did come with a roasted tomatillo and chipotle salsa, which was great. That was also on my spicy masa corn cake later in the meal. Since this was our first time there, we ordered small portions of a ton of stuff. The pulled chicken was awesome; the meat itself was very flavorful if a touch on the dry side. Might have been a small issue had it not been smothered in sauce. The smoked beef was good, if you're a beef fan. I enjoyed it; it was the fiance's least favorite of the three meats we tried. The pork was the star of the show. Give it a squeeze of lime and a dash of the pepper vinegar on you're table, and you're in pork heaven. I could eat a few pounds of this in one sitting. Absolutely incredible. Yellow rice and red beans were great. I literally licked the bowl the beans came in. I didn't (and still don't really) know what the hell yuca is, but when you fry it and serve it with some kind of garlic lime sauce, I'm in. They were outstanding. Grits were wonderful and creamy. Cornbread was some of the best I've ever had. Crispy masa cake was also great. Overall, the food was excellent. My only overall comment in the negative is that most of the dishes could have used a little more salt. The flavors on everything were really good but could all have used a little bit of salt to make them stand out just a hair more. By the end of the meal, I was drenched in sweat. It was sweltering hot in there and I was seated so that for the first part of the meal the sun was shining on my back. WARM! That level of discomfort is what gives this place 4 stars instead of 5 - for now. We'll be back, and sooner rather than later.
(4)Greg N.
It's so nice when a place lives up to the hype. 90+ reviews, what is left to say? I'll just tell you what I had: Pork sandwich - wonderful. I basically never eat pickles, and even the goddam pickles were good on this sandwich. Andouille (sp?) and yams were also great, though I could have had a higher ratio of andouille. The yuca and aioli were also great. Wife had beans and rice, a salad, fried plantains (these were cooked absolutely perfectly and tasted delicious) and cornbread. This is one of those places where I'll want to branch out next time and explore the menu a bit, but will have a difficult time not re-ordering what hooked me the first time - in this case the pork sandwich.
(5)Carolyn A.
Dinner at Brasa is consistently phenomenal. The service is always good and the food is delicious. I would definitely get a few plates and share with your dining companions. Some highlights include the creamed spinach w/ jalapeno, corn bread (OMG), rotisserie chicken (it's spiced perfectly) and yams and andouille. Another plus is that most of the food is grown/raised in Minnesota. Not only does it taste better, but I can net out the many calories I consumed by saying I was eating local. My only gripe (which is sadly worth a star in my book) is that they don't take reservations at this location. I would go there more often if I knew I could plan ahead and not have to wait too long to be seated.
(4)Don B.
My wife and I went to Brasa (visit #2) for dinner before the Aquatennial thunderworks. We ordered pulled pork, brisket, greens, corn cake, corn muffin and a couple of beers. I don't know what it was. The food? The warm, humid air? The company? Whatever, it was one of those meals I didn't want to end. The brisket was moist and smokey. The pulled pork was flavorful with just enough fat. Is "unctuous" the right word? The corn cake was sweet and corny. The service was pleasantly professional. The prices, fair. But the meal was greater than the sum of its parts. Doesn't happen often, but when it does, you just need to smile and be grateful. Thanks, Brasa.
(5)Van L.
i love this place!! love it in the summer with the open air seating, or in the winter where it feels cozy. i've been for events (surly brewing), for fun with friends, for picking up a quick meal. everything is delicious. everything. cornbread. pulled pork. bbq. creamed spinach. my mouth waters just thinking about it. seriously one of the best in minneapolis.
(5)Lissa M.
Holy cow. I know the meat is the point, and the meat is dang near perfect. But you don't even need it, not at all. I could have eaten the jalapeno creamed spinach all day. Or the corn and mushroom chowder. Or the corn bread. Or ... Not to mention dessert. Add a generous gluten-free menu for those who are so inclined, and I'm sorry to live 2,000 miles away. The only down side is the green stain my sweater now has from my spinach gluttony--and I can live with that.
(5)Steph P.
So this afternoon, I was on my way home in the pouring rain. I get on the 2 bus (which, BTW, is not my usual bus) because it seems that the 6 just came by. I'm chillin on the bus and see Brasa and remember how one of my classmates said that she really liked their rotisserie chicken. Suddenly, the bus stops and the driver says to me, "Hey, this is the end of the line." Oh crap, I took the bus the wrong direction! If you know me and my sense of direction, you shouldn't be surprised. Well, instead of cursing myself, I took it as a sort of serendipitous event...I guess I was meant to check out Brasa today! And I'm glad I did! This is some tasty, comforting food! The menu points out that this is a sort of amalgam of North American, Caribbean, and South American home cooking. They practice the whole local, naturally raised, sustainable, fair trade, organic thing - which, as you can guess, means that it is both higher quality and more expensive than Boston Market. They serve two kinds of meat: marinated and spice rubbed rotisserie chicken and slow-roasted berkshire pork shoulder. I decided to get the Combination Plate ($14.50) which was 1/4 chicken and a small roast pork, which comes with choice of two small sides and cabbage salad. For the price, it's really a great deal b/c it is HELLA food! I enjoyed it for both lunch and dinner! Both the chicken and the pork were tender and relatively moist, with very subtle flavor. I was a tad underwhelmed by the chicken's flavors (especially compared to the Peruvian rotisserie chicken I've had at NYC's Flor de Mayo), which tasted jerk seasoned. I think that the roasted pork's flavor had a lot of integrity, a very pure "pork" flavor that wasn't at all greasy or overshadowed by sauce. There are also two condiments that came w/ the meats - a tomatillo chipotle salsa and a cilantro ginger mayo. The mayo was AWESOME! The spice and refreshing taste of the grated ginger went so well w/ the rotisserie chicken. The sides I picked (through the server's recommendation) were great! The tastiest collard greens I've ever had! Not prepared like a traditional Southern style, they are slow-cooked and have this very deep and creamy flavor. I asked what it was, and the server told me that they have a touch of creme fraiche...what a delight! The marinated chick peas w/ barley side is a refreshing cold salad, with perfectly cooked barley and chick peas (undercooked either of these is awful). I loved the light dressing that had orange zest...so good! There are a number of other sides that I'd love to try like sweet plantains, fried yuca, yams w/ andouille sausage, black eyed peas w/ berkshire bacon, corn grits w/ cheddar, rice and pigeon peas w/ smoked ham...oh man, yum. When you step in, you can tell that you're in a converted "something" (Beth B's review says it's an old auto shop)...with a very airy, casual feel. The menus are regular, printed on white paper and can be taken home. There's a white board that notes the selection of bottled beers and wines...hey, they have Mexican Coca-Cola here! and their Coca-Cola comes in glass bottles! And sweet tea! How neat. Overall, some delicious food that tastes like it is high quality. I think that it is actually a pretty good deal, and even more so if you come with a friend and split some a la carte items. I think that there are going to be more occasions of "getting lost" in the future. And in case you were wondering, on the way back I got on the wrong bus again. I think I need to get myself some dog tags.
(4)Meghan F.
The Pulled Pork blew my hair back. I the food is incredible. Sure space is limited, we waited 30 minutes for a seat, the drinks are spendy, it's crowded, but you will leave knowing you just ate sumthin' real special!
(5)Mike C.
For clarification, these three stars were given due to the apparent digression in quality that has happened over the years. If I were to never have gone here prior, they would possibly have earned 4 stars, but hey, that's life. My first Brasa experience was actually at the Minneapolis location. Nonetheless, prior to arriving at Brasa, we ate dinner at another bar and stayed for a few rounds of drinks. After, it was suggested that we go to Brasa and have some Cava (Spanish Champagne) possibly paired with a dessert. When we entered into, the apparent Midas Brake repair garage converted restaurant, Brasa we were pleasantly greeted by the aromatic smells of rotisserie chicken and pulled pork. After we were seated, we sipped Cava as we perused the menu. Keeping in mind that we had just finished dinner and had drinks at another establishment, the delicious aroma of chicken and pork wafting about the small room made me hungry yet again. I ordered a two meat sampler which allowed me to try the pulled pork, rotisserie chicken, collard greens, and Andoullie sausage yams. The pulled pork was tender and flavorful and paired with either the collards or yams offered a beautiful combination of flavors. The rotisserie chicken was served with a green sauce that I can only describe as some sort of upscale, herb infused variety of ranch dressing. The chicken was moist and seasoned wonderfully and accompanied with the green mystery sauce brought the flavors somewhere unimaginably magnificent. Needless to say, by the time we were done the bones were picked clean and the plate was gleaming. After, we ordered a small slice of birthday cake (on their menu everyday) along with another round of Cava and slowly nibbled away while sipping the bubbly drink. Happy and content we caught a cab and went home, ending a glorious night of eating and drinking (my favorite combination of, mentionable, night time activities). Since then I have eaten here a multitude of times and I am not sure if there has been a change of management, chef, or recipes, however, each time I go back the food just isn't as good as the last. This greatly saddens me as this was once a staple place for my family and friends to go as they serve everything family style making it a very ideal place for large parties. At any rate, I hope that Brasa figures things out and one day return to their glorious days of old. Till then, this customer might stop on by for sip of Cava and birthday cake, but will be bit more reserved regarding other menu items.
(3)T A.
Ate here twice while visiting the great state of MN. pulled pork was very good, the brisket had a nice sauce which could have used a few more degrees of spiciness, and the catfish was a hit with a very selective eater. I truly enjoyed the guava lime soda and the guacamole was spot on. A good casual restaurant. As an added bonus a great tasting gluten free beer!
(4)Ashley F.
My ladies and I opted to do the family style dinner at Brasa, and it was delicious. We had the pulled chicken, the braised beef, cheesy grits, cornbread, creamed spinach and butterscotch pudding. The chicken was probably my favorite dish. The pudding wasn't too shabby either. It was just not as good as I had hoped. I feel like the cornbread was lackluster, and the grits were just a little weird. But it was still good, and I feel like it's a decent value for your money.
(4)McLain C.
I'm a southern transplant, and finding good Southern food in the Twin Cities has been a challenge. I tried Dixie's on Grand (eh, NO), Shorty and Wag's (a FEW good sides and decent wings, but so NASTY and unsanitary), numerous barbecue joints (a few actually GOOD too!), and then I found Brasa. Well, well, well... This place does Latin/Southern/Creole cuisine, and they do it right. The roasted chicken is the best I've had in the cities, beating out the succulent rotisserie chicken at Redstone by a large margin. The skin is crackly and delicious and the meat is tender, juicy, and delicious. The pork is very good, but you can get better pork at some of the local BBQ joints. As far as sides go, the yams with andouille, the COLLARDS, and omigod the CHEESE GRITS are all delectable. If I could bring the Mexican cornbread from Whitey's Saloon up the street it would be damn near a perfect meal. One last note, I really like the emphasis on local product at this restaurant. Brasa proves you can eat at least somewhat locally and sustainably with no compromise in flavor, without breaking the bank.
(5)Seth M.
I got there right away at 11:00 on a Monday afternoon to meet with a colleague. I got a hot coffee, black to start with. Fantastic! I meant to ask about it, but I was in a hurry. I wish I would have had another cup. I had the lunch plate with braised beef, plantains and chips and guac. The meal was excellent, although I wish I would have eaten a little faster. My food got cold relatively quickly. I had a hard time picking which sides to try since they all looked so good. I wasn't sure if the two sauces were for the beef or the plantains, but I dipped the plantains in the white/green sauce and it was delicious. I would have tried the beef with the sauce had I thought of it. The place filled up fairly quickly and it became very difficult to talk to the person I was there with. Since the place is fairly small and a garage, sound just echoes and by the time we finished we were yelling to each other. There are so many things on that menu that I want to try, I will definitely be back.
(4)Eric T.
I had just gotten into Minneapolis, and my friends and I were trying to figure out what to do for dinner. Luckily, one of them suggested Brasa, which didn't have a tremendously long wait on a Wednesday night. She billed it as a bbq/rotisserie, but that doesn't really do it justice. It definitely does have rotisserie foods and some BBQ meats, but it's an interesting fusion of Southern, Northern, and Central American tastes that makes it unique. Not to mention, they seem to have locally sourced meats. They have a wide variety of side dishes, from cheesy grits to collard greens to fried plantains. They also have a pretty short menu, but even so, it was hard to decide what to pick. The pulled pork was pretty good, as was the rotisserie chicken. I wound up getting the pork and it was packed with pretty good flavor -- olive oil, garlic, and citrus. Not your average BBQ pulled pork. My friends and I each wound up getting the combo plates for one because we wanted a variety of different sides and the meats. Probably not a great place for vegetarians. I'd definitely come back here if I was in Minneapolis again.
(4)Nicholas L.
is this food love? i think so. This is my idea of classed up soul food. good ingredients, well prepared with the benefit of time. I'd say it is the prototypical classic bistro (with a few qualifications). They cook almost all their food slow, and well. So, when they are out of a dish - they are out. never been disappointed, and everything tastes just as good as it sounds. AND they have a fantastic beer menu as well.
(5)Flummerie Junket L.
This place makes me smile.... Like this :) The food is SO good. I crave it. They make awesome chips and guacamole. They make a whole lot of awesome everything. They purchase their meat from Thousand Hills thousandhillscattleco.com so you don't have to feel dodgy about eating it. You have to be a fast runner though... You will be one of MANY people parking your car in that little neighborhood and rushing in for one of the few tables they have. It's worth it.
(5)Robin R.
My boyfriend and I have been known to eat at Brasa more than once a week. It's our "fast food". We don't just eat there a lot because it's fast, that's just a perk. We eat at Brasa because the food has never let us down. It's always made with fresh ingredients and it warms me from the inside. Chicken, greens and sweet tea...yumm! Read more of my review at TastyStuffsMN
(5)Nick M.
Nothing really special to me. The restaurant is a converted gas station with rotisserie ovens inside. It gets pretty toasty in the summer, even with the doors open. Tip: grab patio seating. I had the chicken with the pork. Pork was decent, chicken was a bit dry to me, a bit underseasoned. I ordered the yuca fries, which were good. Corn bread muffin was good. Creamed spinach was below average. Kudos for the Oberon ale from MI. And the Mexican Coca Cola. Average. Prices were reasonable but wouldn't go again. I'm also from out-of-town, so if I were local I maybe would frequent a few times a year. But there is way better food in MN, IMHO.
(3)barry k.
This was one of the first restaurants we went to after moving to Minneapolis. My girlfriend and I love BBQ and so we had to try Brasa after several people recommended it. What I loved most was that we could order tiny portions of everything on the menu so we could try anything that sounded good. The rotisserie chicken and pulled pork were awesome. The GF preferred the cornbread. I liked the spinach. When our check came we thought it was an error because it was so low. It feels a bit like a fast food restaurant in the atmosphere, but if you don't mind that, it is totally worth checking out. I wish they had more hot sauce options.
(4)Vanilla Nugget X.
Yum. The chicken is great...we had the rotisserie chicken and pulled chicken - both delicious. I think you can really tell that this is high quality chicken - plump, tasty, and almost fresh tasting. Then, the added layer of cooking does it wonders. We went for brunch, so I also had the huevos rancheros special, which was a simple meal, but very satisfying. Homemade salsa, some black beans, and the eggs over a fried corn cake. Simple, clean, and I really enjoyed it. The fresh oj was awesome as well. I couldn't give it five because I am addicted to the awesome chicken at a place closer to home, but if I ever make Minneapolis my home, this would be my joint.
(4)Becky L.
Pulled pork, pulled pork, pulled pork...
(4)Andi B.
Since I started to YELP, I have had this review in the back of my head because Brasa Rotisserie definitely meets my criteria....Remember my criteria? (see About Me) After eating there this week and seeing that it has been reviewed over 250 times already, I guess I am not letting out a big secret! Brasa ROCKS! Each time I go there (mostly for lunch) I am blown away merely by the aroma when I walk in! I start salivating at that minute and then my poor dining partner(s) are forced by me to decide quickly and order so we don't have to wait too long for food to come! Well, enough about me, let's dive into the Black Bean Fritter sandwich...WOW! Thick, crispy and bean-y, great flavor, served on a heavenly bun with tomatoes, mozzarella slices, lettuce and creamy guacamole! My side option was Creamed Spinach with Jalapeno which reminded me of my weekend in Atlanta, GA, eating as much southern comfort food as I could! It was perfect this week because my dining partner ordered the lunch special which is a meat sandwich with one side. He got the pulled pork with Black Eye Pea Soup. Immediately we traded sandwich halves, so I also enjoyed the juicy, flavorful pork sandwich. He said the soup was delicious, but I didn't try. I trust his opinion, though. And for fun, we ordered a Masa Corn Cake to split....well, I tried to split it evenly, but after tasting, I had to sneak a bit of my partner's half! Brasa definitely cares about their treatment of food and their use of local food sources is a big plus for me! Hmmmm, now that I think about it, maybe I'll go tomorrow for brunch!
(5)Lia B.
First, when you move somewhere new, it's inevitable that someone will come to visit in the first month or so and ask you to take them to your FAVORITE restaurant. As if in a month you've tasted all the local flavor and can make this distinction. SO, when posed with this issue, I called on yelp. And might I say thank you. My boyfriend wanted meat, and meat we did receive. For an affordable price of around $40 we got an entire roasted chicken w/ a creamy cilantro sauce that we both loved (and of course I took home subsequent delicious leftovers... mmm southern chicken salad), 2 beers, 2 corn bread muffins (SO good) and some jalapeno tinted creamed spinach that I thought was alright and the boy devoured. Although I usually stick to more veggie-friendly eats and I wasn't totally blown away, I will definitely be returning. The service was a bit slow (it was busy though), but VERY nice and accommodating. And sitting 'outside' aka inside with all the garage door style walls up was lovely. I will say I wouldn't go with a group - couples are the easiest. Even groups of 4 had to wait because of the 'seat yourself' style where every couple sat with a table in between them and the next duo... human nature. Not the best logistics, but just fine for a party of 2. All in all, thanks Brasa for a very satisfying dinner - next time I'll put my ATL taste buds to the work of judging your sweet tea... watch out. If you ace that, I'll up you to the 5 star club.
(4)Corey C.
This place is great, but I'm giving it three stars for a few different reasons I will state throughout this review. First off I didn't read anything about this place before I went so there was no hype on my part, so there wasn't any let downs. This is what I expected from just driving past the place during my day to day life. It was going to be a little fast food style place with some okay food. Those expectations were a lot lower then what Brasa has to offer. When we got there the waitress informed us that they didn't open for another 10 minutes but we were welcome to sit down, it just might be a few minutes before we are attended to. Which was nice they let us sit down. First off the menu isn't hard to figure out (well depending on the person reading it) but its not a straight forward menu like 99.9% of all other menus are. So that was a negative. Its more of a soul or southern style cooking yet the food isn't spicy and when I asked about spicy food our waitress told me they had a good selection of hot sauces I could put on my food. The home made hot sauce was pretty tasty, but unless your from northen europe your not going to think its that spicy, then she brought out the other "good selection" of hot sauces which consisted of "Red Hot" and some other hot sauce you can buy at cub foods. That was another negative. They only offer sugar cane sodas in a bottle, no fountain, which isn't really a bad thing, but the only thing main stream is the mexican coca cola, and the only things that are free refills are the sweet tea (Which was great) and the lemon aid. Sort of a negative seeing that its almost like a Chipotle with waiter service. onto the food The food was pretty darn good, just not spicy like it should have been. I ordered the 12 hour roasted pork with the rustic cheesy grits and the black beens with rice. It was awesome! My dads from the south so it reminds me of home cookin except it wasn't anything near spicy. Other reviews have stated the grits were bland, that goes with out saying, all grits are bland. These were the best grits I've had!!! I mixed the pork, beens, and rice together then covered it all in the home made hot sauce it was great!!! My girlfriend bought the pork sandwich which was bland, it was missing a sauce or a cheese, with a good sauce or cheese this sandwich could possibly win a award, but with out it, the sandwich was pretty bland!!! She also had the side of corn bread which was AWESOME!!! Best corn bread other then my dads home made. I would have gave this place a 5 stars if they offered spicier food, a wide variety of hot sauces, offered sauce or cheese on the pork sandwich, and had fountain soda enjoy
(3)Tiffiny C.
I was here recently and ordered: Roast chicken, pulled pork, corn bread with honey butter, fried plantain, yellow rice with red beans, and squash with chorizo sausage. Also has a glass of sangria. It COULD have been stronger, but it was refreshing. All the meat here is blissful. The pork tastes like it came straight from a small town pig roast. My only complaint is the lack of sufficient AC. The walls are open in the summer and it was stifling there last week, despite the AC supposedly being on. Tiny place too, but the patio is nearly as big in sq footage of the restaurant.
(4)Jennifer K.
I went back to Brasa last week and had another great meal! I'm a huge fan of their creamed spinach, but those plantains and the dipping sauce they come with are really out of this world ;-)
(4)Kelsey K.
Have always had this as take out at this location. The park down the way is kinda nice to chill out and eat at if the place is busy. Best Choices: The beef (just do it and get lots-you will want more) Cheesy Grits (even if you don't like grits you will like these grits) Sweet Potatoes with Anduoui Sausage (more sausage would make it better but still pretty darn good) Corn Cakes (get a pile....cause 1 or 2 is just not enough especially if you have to share-could lead to fights over corn cakes)
(4)Carla J.
I've been waiting to go to Brasa. My partner is a vegetarian so rotisseries rate low on the great-date scale. So, this week she was out of town and I grabbed a meat-eating friend and headed NE. I really liked everything about Brasa. It was a beautiful night, so all the garage doors were open and the open air had that fabulous-weekend-in-the-city vibe. We had the worst table in the place and I looked directly into the men's room every time some guy went in or out. However, I did not let that deter me from focusing on enjoying myself and the food. It was our first time there and I already knew I was ordering chicken. I adore rotisserie chicken and was looking forward to trying Brasa's creole style. That meant I had big decisions on side dishes. There are 12 to choose from and I deeply desired most of them. When done with honor, side dishes are one of God's gifts to humanity. Luckily, there was a table of 10 next to us and they ordered l lot of sides and I eavesdropped during the service to spy which was which. Brasa wins the side dish award in my opinion. I ordered the Slow Cooked Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey and the Rustic Style Cheese Grits. (I got the last one!) My friend ordered the salad and the Fried Sweet Plantains. The greens were my favorite--deep flavor, not too salty, perfect tenderness. Yum. The grits were smooth and creamy. My friend was crazy about the plantains. The salad way OK, nothing special compared to other choices. Oh, the chicken?! Really great. Juicy. Delicious herbs, Fell off the bone. I loved it. I got a quarter chicken and it was a bit of a skimpy portion (could be gluttony talking here). Next time I'll get a half and take some home. My friend got the pork/chicken combo and she liked the pork better. Go figure. I took a star away because our waiter sucked. We had to ask for him to take our order, ask for refills, ask for sweetener, ask for ice for our ice tea, often ask twice and then often another waitress would end up helping us out. Plus, it bugs me when I ask what's best, what's recommended or if something is good and the only response I get is, "Yeah, it's good" to everything. Have an opinion. Not everything is excellent. What if I order wrong? My Yelp might lead someone astray!
(4)Mona R.
We went there on a nice summer day which made the whole experience wonderful. They sat us next to the open patio doors. I had the sangria which was good enough and a chicken sandwich which was really delicious. my husband had platter that included beef and pork and sides. All really good. we both enjoyed the food very much and the service was really friendly as well.
(4)D. L.
Oh Brasa, your meat is heavenly, your sides are amazing, your prices are right but really, please please please do something about the climate control during the warm months. I want to eat here way more often than I do but I mostly think about it when it's too hot to cook and I don't have AC so takeout isn't always ideal either. (It's fine in the winter, just as crowded but nice and toasty.) I still go for the shredded pork though (but the chicken and the beef are occasionally underwhelming -- when the former is dry and the latter is overly salty). While all the sides are great, it's the fried yuca that has stolen my heart and I always have to order the large. And the green sauce...slather that stuff over cardboard and I'd want to eat it. I wish the desserts followed through better on their Latin/Carribean/Southern flavors. They're a little uninspired and I always love to end a meal with dessert if the menu is enticing or special enough. Wouldn't a fried fruit hand-pie/sweet empanada of the day just be awesome? I'd totally go for something like that!
(4)jenny A.
My husband took me here for lunch on parental freedom day (i.e. MLK Day) and I pretty much dragged him back the next night for dinner. It was that good. The place was first recommended to us by Grina at Al's who is very picky about food to say the least. The meats are perfection itself. The pulled chicken in a light cream sauce is probably the best thing I've ever eaten that came from a chicken. Sincerely, it tops fried chicken and I'm quite devoted to that dish. The pork shoulder was great and so was the beef brisket. And unlike so many meat-centric restaurants the sides are what make Brasa so memorable. Andoille and yams are to die for. I love yams and these were the best I've ever, ever had. Black eyed peas with smoked ham, were tender and tasted delicately of smoke. Cornbread was awesome. Even the rice which is pretty much filler at most places like this was good, subtly spiced and not greasy or dry. I think what I appreciate about Brasa was that it was big flavors, but also small ones. Sometimes restaurants just dump sugar or spice on things to cover up for lack of quality in the food. At Brasa the food stands on its own. It's all local fresh and good for you, so eat it, already! Also extra points for the sangria which was awesome and washed the whole thing down well. We had the apple cake for dessert and it was also excellent. The bill for three people for dinner with drinks and dessert was $50. We were absolutely stuffed and had a little container of leftovers. Service was friendly and helpful and they are kid friendly to boot. Oh Brasa I love you. Is it too soon to go back? I'm including this on my U of M restaurant list, even though it is a bit off campus. It's a very cheap cab ride away and well worth the journey. Be warned though, Brasa is packed on week-end evenings and you may have to wait up to a half an hour for a table.
(5)Jess L.
I had fab takeout from Brasa the other night. The wait for a table was long, so I opted to take it less than a mile to my place of residence. The chicken was perfect, the black beans and rice were superb. I had leftovers for a few days of lunch at work. Love it!
(5)amy n.
Brasa was one of the best meals I've had in a looong time! I took my out-of-town boyfriend here on a date, and he is definitely one of those carnivorous guys who bypass anything green. This is only a place to go if you have that hankering for meat. No veggie options really. The building is very cool, essentially it is a garage with a kitchen. It got crowded very quickly, but I've never minded that. We each got a plate with the single meat option, which comes with two sides, and it was a perfect amount of food. I had the pulled pork; he had the beef. I kept stealing bits of his -- it was simmered in a realllly delicious barbeque-like sauce. For sides, I loved the yuca potatoes with andouille, and definitely the greens. I'll have to try the other ones next time. They even have mexican cokes!
(5)Mark C.
We waited 40 minutes to be seated, only to be informed that they were totally out of beef (it was only 6:45pm). Lame-lame-lame. That's 25% of their menu. We have frequented Brasa on & off for several years & we're finding more reasons not to go back every time we eat there. It seems that the primary focus is on turning over tables, getting further away from what originally made them a good restaurant. Too many good restaurants to go back there-too bad.
(1)Emily A.
Delicious! Just the right amount of food (I had chx sandwich w/ yuca) - I was a touch overstuffed, but didn't want to die. Good feel to the place (patio and open front in good weather) nice chill waiter, tasty food, and very reasonably priced. The Mexican Coke puts it over the top to a 5. Didn't have trouble parking, tho the closest street was starting to fill up once there were ppl waiting for tables -- about 7pm on a nice Sat evening. Only minor food suggestion is a little less heavy on the sides/sauces on the sandwich. The pulled chicken had great flavor but was a bit overwhelmed by the accouterments (which were also good tho).
(5)J M.
The pulled pork melts in your mouth and the creamed spinach is addicting. Great for take out or eating in in the summer. Up size your portions, you'll want the extra food!
(4)Jenna G.
I think Brasa has great food, and it reminds me a lot of homecooked food in Georgia, where I grew up. Brasa has recently made 2 major changes to their menu and foodservice, which prompted to me to review. First, there has been a noticeable price increase, especially if you've eaten there within the last 6 weeks. The sandwiches went up $2-3 a piece, but now include one side item, where previously they included chips. They no longer serve the chips with the sandwich. Prices on sides have gone up noticeably, sometimes as much as $3 for certain items. Second, the thing that really bugged me was that the portion sizes were OBVIOUSLY smaller. Very recognizably smaller - they upped the price of some side dishes by as much as $2 or $3, and then reduced the portion size by as much as half. I'm really disappointed - did their costs go up? Are the local farms charging more for their meat and dairy? I know the cost of collard greens hasn't gone up that much - I buy and cook them regularly. Very disappointed.
(3)Rona Y.
This place has amazing food! I have seriously never had a bad meal! The meats are all really good - I normally don't like to get chicken at a restaurant bc its just boring to me, but this chicken is so amazing, so try it! The only reason I am giving it a 4/5 stars is because on a warmer day it really sucks to have to sit inside. It is a small space and bc they are roasting meats all day it gets super hot and stuffy and does not make the dinning experience very pleasant.
(4)Maija M.
YUM! Husband & I each got the lunch plate (a meat, side & bread). I had the pulled chicken in a light pepper gravy (not a big gravy person, but this was light & flavorful), cornbread, & cabbage and apple coleslaw. All 3 were totally yummy. He had the pork, plantains & the other bread choice, a sort of corn flatbread. Also delicious. Service was very friendly & attentive. Definitely plan to go back!
(5)Elissa L.
Why did the vegetarian go the a rotisserie? Sounds like a bad joke. To be honest, I was forced to go. My boyfriend loves meat, so sometimes I give in and go to places like this. Joke's on me. It was frickin' awesome. They have an entire menu dedicated to those of us that are not flesh-eaters. And it's legit. I got the vegetarian bean fritter and begrudgingly bit into it, expecting a lackluster performance. To my surprise, it was delish. And of course, my bf's food was awe-inspring, according to him. My only complaint is that the whole joint smells like meat. Go figure.
(4)Joanna C.
Even good for vegetarians! I have to admit, I only went here because I received a gift card for Brasa, which I thought was odd since I'm a vegetarian. But I was pleasantly surprised when I reviewed the menu that most of the long list of side dishes are vegetarian, and I was blown away by how great they are! Do not miss the fried plantain, it's the best! Be careful of going here on a very hot day as we did, because it will get very hot indoors. We sat out on the patio, which was lovely, but you are in the sun so no cover from heat. Fortunately the sun was going down then, so later in the evening is great too.
(5)Aaron M.
I continually come back to Brasa for what I think is the best reason to re-visit a restaurant: The food is great. The meat has wonderful taste, the sides are varied and delicious, the beer is cold and in the summer you can't beat the patio. I think there is some psychological magicness about their menu, too. I think it's the same magic Chipotle has exploited: Keep the menu limited but allow for lots of customization. Our brains can only handle so many choices. (Have you gone to Cheesecake Factory lately? Is that menu not overwhelming???) Giving us one page of options is a relief for our over-worked decision-makers -- especially when every single option is so delicious. See you there.
(5)Brook C.
Brasa Rotisserie a northern take on a southern meat and three... I had been hearing a bit of hype over Brasa for the past few months, so the other day my boyfriend and I hopped on our bikes to go check it out. My partner in crime figured the best value to try the most food for two would be to get the plates and share. We choose the Pork Plate (because everyone raves about the pork), and Chicken Plate. Each plate comes with the choice of two sides. We ended up choosing the cheese grits, yams with andouille, the greens, and their daily special side which was black eye peas with bacon served with a half moon of honey corn bread. We got a nice sample of the menu, but over all I felt the food was lacking in seasoning for the southern concept foods. I also felt that my chicken had been hot held too long and had become dry. The pork was good but I can think of a few places who have better pork at around the same price point.... Bewitched. Over all I had to give Brasa A-Ok... but I will be going again to see if it was just an odd day.
(3)Joe P.
Great lunch spot, fast service and pleasant staff.
(4)Amy C.
I really liked this place. The building was so unique and unexpected - an old car garage with the 3 garage doors used as windows and a portal onto the patio! Fun on a nice night. We had a 30 minute wait so started with a bottle of red zinfandel and have to admit I was a little shocked at the $35 price tag since the rest of the menu was so reasonable. Next time I'll stick to the Surly. Service is average - a bit slow at times but there were only 3 waitresses. I had the combo plate (chicken and pork) because I couldn't decide. For sides I had the cheese grits and chop salad. The grits were salty (and I LOVE salt) but the SALAD was something to write home about. Crunchy romaine, pine nuts, parmesan and a dressing that was perfectly balanced. Hubby had the beef with chips/gauc and the chop salad. Same reviews around. The biggest bonus is all the meat is organic and local.
(4)Jim R.
Pulled pork. yum. We've been here twice, once in the dead of winter when the drafts from the garage doors chilled us between warming bites of pulled pork and cornbread, and again, this past week when unseasonably warm breezes at the outside tables made us smile as we gorged on family-sized piles of pork, beans and rice. Skip the chicken, which tends toward dry. Don't be seduced by the brisket, which promises more delights than it delivers. Concentrate on pulled pork, red beans and rice and cornbread, served up family-style. And don't forget the plantains with cilantro aioli and be sure to ask for the homemade salsa.
(4)Jordan S.
There is not going to be too much to this review. Everything was awesome. The food was fantastic. The service was phenomenal. The ambiance was unique and fun. I was hesitant to eat there. Now I can't stop telling people to go there. I can't wait until I can eat there again. This place is absolutely fantastic!
(5)Becca H.
You know, I'm originally from a southern part of the world and I grew up eating food like this 700+ miles from Minneapolis, so I have to admit I was skeptical about going out for greens & black eyed peas so far from home-- but I was pleasantly surprised by the excellence of the food at Brasa. We tried all three meat options, and I honestly can't choose a favorite-- i enjoyed them all immensely! Chicken, beef, and pork were all very tender and flavorful, and all of the side dishes were glorious. I felt like I was eating my Kentucky grannie's cooking again. The service was lackluster, frankly, but the food was sooooo great I'm giving it 5 stars anyway.
(5)Wanda M.
After watching Food INC, it is so nice to know where the food we are eating comes from. We ordered 1/4 Rotisserie Chicken from Kadejan Farms in MN. Warm Cornbread w/ honey butter. Yellow Rice w/ black beans. Fried Plantains. All were super good and have me wanting more. Fantastic decor; old mechanic shop. Looks like this place may have a nice patio in the warmer months.
(3)Elizabeth B.
Just returned from eating at this places after reading about 40 raving reviews. And, it's great. I went with my fiance and we decided to go early so we wouldn't have to wait. Got seated at 4:45 pm; it was almost empty. Here's what we got: Rotisserie chicken- amazing, juicy, the seasoning on the skin was delicious. Also, the sauce was addicting. Pulled pork- Soft, flavorful, yummy. Cornbread- Good but somehow not the best cornbread I've ever had. It definitely was soft and fluffy though. Chips with Guac- The guacamole was SO GOOD. Creamy, fresh, and omgYUM. The chips were overly salted though. Creamed spinach with jalapenos- I thought it was really good, especially considering I don't usually like creamed spinach. Fiance didn't really like it; said it wasn't spicy enough. Yams with andouille- Yummy, the flavors blended well. Cheddar grits- YUM!! these were awesome. Pineapple upside down cake- the sauce was really runny and it made it hard to eat it with a fork, but the cake was moist and flavorful. Also, the iced tea is amazing. Its kind of flowery tasting but a great compliment to the meat and sides. For portions, we got the 2 small meats, 4 small sides, 2 cornbreads, and 1 dessert. We are totally, absolutely stuffed, and it was only 44$ (including tip and drinks) I would definitely encourage everyone to try this restaurant at least once.
(4)Steve U.
I was finally able to make it over to brasa fit lunch the other day. wow! tasty and fast and not at all endorsed by the American Heart Association. the creamed spinach and jalapeno is amazing. a hint of warmth and smooth popeye song inducing spinach goodness. for really, i yam what i yam... the rotisserie chicken simply falls apart driving you to chase it around your plate and you really shouldn't get me going in the red beans and corn muffin. highly recommended.
(5)Kat W.
When I got dragged here, I wasn't really sure what to expect. But Brasa, you are black magic. Brasa serves a kind of southern/tropical plate lunch. You pick your meat, and get some sides. Voila. For my Brasa experience, I had the chicken with black beans + rice a salad, and the ever-beloved sweet tea. Tablemates had the pork and fried plantains. Everyone was on cloud nine with their meal. We had the delightful molten chocolate cake for dessert which was, like the rest of the food, really good. However, being more of a savory person myself, next time I would probably just eat another side instead. Besides the amazingness of the food I ate, their open kitchen was a fun addition to the atmosphere and they have a garage door on one of the walls that lets in great light in the winter, which is nice because it really warmed the place up.
(5)Michelle K.
Love it - especially the pork and the cabbage salad. Bring your sunglasses - for some reason I consistently end up staring into the sun, whether I'm indoors or out.
(5)S O.
If there were such a thing as 2.5 stars, I would give it that. I get it, it's a rotisserie, but the already limited menu totally lacks vegetarian options. While my carnivorous co-worker ate from a delicious and meaty selection, I opted for the items I was absolutely sure would not have meat: black beans! Corn bread! I can only rate this from my vegetarian perspective. I have no doubt others enjoy this place. The place is really TEENY though, so keep that in mind. In the summer, it's totally hoppin!
(2)Nick S.
I think people have already covered pretty much all that needs to be said about Brasa. From such a simple formula (three meats, a dozen sides, a few desserts) and such simple dishes, Brasa really does make magical things happen. All three meats are so deliciously tender and flavorful that it's always an internal struggle to pick which ones to get. Their sides are wonderfully complimentary -- especially the collard greens and cheesy grits. My gluttony has heretofore forbidden me from ordering a dessert, but when that day finally comes I anticipate it will be marvelous. For someone who lives in the neighborhood, the realization that Brasa does takeout was nothing short of a religious awakening. Call them up and about fifteen minutes later you can show up and have a dinner packed and waiting for you. Given how busy the place usually is, it's a nice way to avoid waiting for a table. Brasa is one of those restaurants that I have to laud just for having such broad appeal. I know I could bring anyone from my grandfather to my gourmand mouther-in-law to my teenaged sister there and they'd proclaim it delicious. Not every restaurant can say that, and those that can are golden in my book.
(5)Vivek N.
Third time is a charm. Went back to check out Brassa one more time, the high was the same as the initial high so the final rating for Brasa is 5 stars!! Just be sure to ask for the green sauce with the pork...it makes all the difference.
(5)Alex Z.
The food can be pretty good most of the time. After going there on a regular basis over a couple of weeks I quickly learned they have their good days and bad days. They have consistency problems. Sometime the chicken would clearly be overcooked. The cornbread along with the chicken were the items I ordered most often. The sandwiches were ok. They could be much better if they got better bread. Overall, based on its high rating on Yelp I expected better. It can be really good but also can often be mediocre.
(3)Josh V.
I love meat. There, I said it. And as a proud carnivore, I took it upon myself to finally check out this Brasa place after all this time. And lo and behold, it did not disappoint. I went there during the Red Stag Block Party, as I didn't want to eat a burger that would just disappoint me, and Brasa was right across the street. As soon as I walked in, the aroma of fresh spices and meats hit me hard. It was intoxicating and a smell that I shall certainly be back for. Their menu is compact, meaning that they know what they do well and do a lot of it, and all of their meats and side veggies and dishes are 100 % natural, locally produced and organic. For my first visit, I went solo, so I didn't get the sharing portions of all the meats or sides, but I went with a very delicious sandwich all the same. The slow roasted pork sandwich ($9) comes with homemade tortilla chips and is covered in pickled vegetables and a nice (if thin) coating of ginger mayo. The pork has also been seasoned with lime and garlic so has an out-of-this-world flavor to it. The server was very attentive and nice and recommended that I use the spicy, jalapeno-infused vinegar to really bring out the flavor of the pork. Now, normally I'm not a big vinegar guy, but this stuff didn't taste like regular vinegar at all and had a much more spicy bite than anything vinegary. I highly recommend this stuff on pretty much anything ever. Also, the chips came with a side of dipping sauce that was sort of like a spicy mustard/salsa. It was also so awesome that I really wanted to just lick out the entire cup it was served in (but I refrained... this time). Suffice it to say, Brasa is a restaurant that I will certainly be traveling back to very soon. Next time though, I'm bringing a few hungry friends along and we are going to get different meats and sides to share and do the family style sharing thing. It's going to be awesome!
(5)Ed P.
Is it me, or does this restaurant look like a re-decorated gas station? That was the first impression I had of Brasa Rotisserie when we pulled into the its exceptionally tiny parking lot . But as soon as you step inside.. The D(el)ISH: What wasn't good!?! If you are going to order and its your first time dining at Brasa, for the meat-lover I recommend the Combination plate. Because if if you are going to do rotisserie, you gotta do rotisserie right! The food specs: Pulled pork. Rotisserie Chicken. Cheese Grits. And of course, the Corn Bread! Ordered a side of Collard Greens w/ an Arnie Palmer - and I'm good! The DIRT: For the price, I thought portions would be bigger! Despite my only gripe, the restaurant serves really good food and appears to be a big hit. I mean, there was a line when we got in, and there was a line waiting when we left. If that isn't an indication of a restaurants' popularity and success, then please let me know! I recommend this place for its unique atmosphere and friendly staff. And the food, if you like it soulful, is OHSOGOOD!
(4)Abbey N.
Went at 6:30pm on a Friday night in Feb with our 2.5 year old son. Place was packed and bustling with that good restaurant vibe. We were told it would be a 25 minute wait but it ended up being 15. Super friendly service all around. The food was delicious; we ordered rotisserie chicken (delicious and the green sauce that comes with it was also really good), the pulled pork and the beef stole the show. Sides were a little hit or miss; guacamole was good, the corn cake good too, the black eyed pea special was just so-so. However, the over meal was a complete success -- loved our Mexican cokes! Really kid friendly without being obnoxious. Also, they have an awesome fire pit out back! Total for our meal was $45 w tip and I had dessert.
(5)M M.
The pulled pork was delicious and moist. The fried yuca was also good - crispy and seasoned well. The cilantro sauce was also very good. However, the rotisserie chicken was underwhelming - the white meat was dry and overall not flavorful. The pulled chicken tasted like meat smothered with Campbell cream of chicken. Will probably go back only for their pulled pork.
(3)Andrew T.
Minneapolis is a hidden gem for some amazing restaurants. Brasa, Salut, Chino and Quangs all come to mind immediately and that only scratches the surface. Today we will examine, at a very nigh-level, Brasa in Northeast Minneapolis. First, Brasa takes care in selecting the best ingredients available: 100% natural, locally-sourced and organic product selections. Of course, they cannot be 100% organic and local all the time, but they strive to be. Brasa cooks the way I was taught and the way I love: slow. The pulled pork melts in your mouth. Give it a little of either their chipotle or garlic-cilantro (I think but I don't remember) sauce and you are in heaven. The menu doesn't stop there: The rotisserie chicken is simple, but amazing and well-seasoned with a dry rub. They also have a slow-cooked beef and pulled chicken selections. For those of you not down with the meat, Brasa serves up some delicious vegetarian options and several side options, including my favorite cabbage and mozzarella salad. The Mozzarella is a new addition to the salad and compliments it well. If I could add any options to the menu, I would say try doing a "wild card" side each week, if you don't already. I now live in Chicago, so I don't get back often. I would start with a nice risotto cake (pan-fried) or something and see how it goes. Keep up the good work. See you soon
(5)Ramin R.
Absolutely delicious. The pulled pork melts in your mouth like sweet goodness. The white, limey sauce that comes with the Yuca fries and plantains is also very yummy. The fried sweet plantains could be much softer and sweeter (like at Puerto Rican places). But, all the meats and sides are really good and make for full bellies. They have these combo plates that are a good deal, but they don't let you order them individually if your party has more than 4 people. Kind of annoying.
(4)David S.
All the food here is great. It's definitely a very Poultry oriented menu, but there is some beef in there as well.
(4)Jennifer H.
They have a pretty decent selection of stuff for us non-omnivores. I think the best bang for your buck thing on the menu is actually the plate of 3 sides. I got the cheese grits, which were delightful; the creamed spinach, which was chock full of jalapeno (I added some sour cream at home to be able to eat them); the fried sweet plantains, which are amazing; and I went with the masa corn and cheese cake, which was puzzling but good. I'm still not sure what the spicy stuff on top of it was. Husband got the pulled pork. He said it was good, but he was confused by the fact that when you order the meat, all you get is meat. Just a pile of meat. It's an a la carte menu, yes, but it's still a bit strange. Also, it seems a bit excessive to charge $4.25 for a little cup of grits with some shredded cheese on top. Brasa is actually surprisingly kid-friendly, as evidenced by the big stack of high chairs. It was a little interesting wedging the high chair in the tiny open space by our table. The place is tiny. Not Colossal Cafe tiny, but it's tight in there. The staff was almost supernaturally nice. All in all I would go back but maybe do everything family style.
(4)Steve S.
Just an update to reccomend the Plantains. They are amazing!
(5)Jess R.
All I have to say is if Andy ever gets the recipe for the pulled pork I want it We did take out, although once we got there we both wish we could have stayed and ate - but the dog was with us. We decided to get a sampling of stuff - 1/4 chicken - huge thumbs up from the man 1/4lb Pork - My favorite - love it 1/4lb Beef - Not a huge hit, we do a spicy beef at home that tops it Grits - was good Spinach - was tasteful, but not a huge hit Cornbread - AWESOME, I had put the honey butter on it, but ended up scraping it off cause the bread is sweet enough without it and so dense and tasteful. We will definitely go again and give all the other sides an equal chance to impressing us :) But of course we will not leave without the corn bread and pork
(5)Tim P.
I've enjoyed a meal at Brasa about eight times and enjoyed it all eight. Though it was not perfect every time...the pork and beef have been dry from time to time, and the service was severly lacking once, but how much bad can you really say about a place that I am always in the mood for. Recommedations: The Beef is very good, followed by the chicken... The Yucca, Plantains, grits and cornbread all great! Also mexican soda. Combo beef plate with Plantains, and rice and beans and yucca for the app. Take a little of each with every bite . You will not be dissapointed. Unless you are lame.
(5)Oskar C.
Awesome place. My wife and I eat here often. Everything we have ever had here has been really good. Their pudding dessert is our favorite. Will keep coming back for the reasonably priced and excellent food.
(5)Donna B.
Mary-mother-of-cupcakes, does this place rock. Intrigued by the promise of entrees made with locally sourced ingredients, dear hubby and I trotted over to Brasa in NE Minneapolis for takeout on a recent summer's night... Our take? Bravo, Brasa! From the melt-in-your mouth rotisserie-fired meats and citrus-and-cilantro studded cabbage salad, to the fast, cheerful service -- we were decidedly dazzled. Pick a Protein Think pork, chicken and beef mambo-ing alongside sassy sauces and complex spices ... Smoky Spanish paprika ... Richly flavored ancho chiles. Oh happy happy joy joy -- heaven. Savor a Side Not to be outdone, imagine comforting beans-and-rice concoctions cha-cha-cha-ing into peaceful coexistence with crispy plantain perfection. Dabble in Dessert And speaking of cupcakes ... Did I mention the birthday-cake love ball that landed in our to-go bag -- all buttery and dense and proud of its non-crumbly-ness? Pish-posh nasty, dry cupcakes! Lard-icing laden wannabes take note: This is what a *real* cupcake should taste like. Tick-Tock Takeout Our order took only 10 minutes; exactly enough time to linger briefly on the patio over a couple of glasses of sangria. And our food wasn't all funky by the time we got home; in fact, it was still warm-ish -- even though we had a 20-minute drive. Babaloo, Brasa! We'll be back soon!
(5)Keshar N.
Roasted. Meat. BOOM! Do I really need to write anything else?! I have been dying to come here ever since I ate at Restaurant Alma. My favorite dish that was at Restaurant Alma, had the meat supplied by this glorious establishment. We ate here on a Friday night and we braced for the crazy crowd... but, it was not bad at all. We were able to get seated right away and began our meat-fest! We had the BBQ beef sandwich and the pulled pork. We also got the sides of mac and cheese, yams and cornbread... just a small meal, you know? The sandwich was SO good. The sauce was tangy and smokey/sweet and the pork was succulent... I have been waiting so long to write a review with succulent in it! Just so SO good. The food is prepared simply with high quality ingredients. The mac and cheese is life-changing... and heart-stopping, while the yams did not do anything for me. I just don't think they were for me. The cornbread is fantastic too. We ended the meal with their butterscotch pudding. Oh. My. God. Forget the stuff in the box, this is what pudding is supposed to be! Sweet and rich and with a little bit of a salty taste... YUM! Not only that, the meal is well-priced, the ambiance is great and the whole place smells like roasting meat! If you are looking for some BBQ not along the lines of Famous Daves, check this place out! Like I said... roasted. meat. BOOM!
(5)M L.
Personally, I think this place is a bit closer to fast food joint than restaurant. The food quality is good, definitely above fast food level. But the menu is pretty simple and standard, nothing fancy or unique about its selection. The atmosphere is definitely fast food-ish, however there is a waiter. I think if you called this place a restuarant you would almost have to consider chipotle one too.
(3)Chris K.
Alex Roberts is a genius. The chef behind Restaurant Alma, Alex opened Brasa in a converted gas station in NE Minneapolis 3 years ago. My life has not been the same since. Brasa specializes in slow cooked and rotisserie meats. Their chicken is succulent, tender and salty. Perfection. Their pork is tender, fatty and meticulously spiced. And the beef. Wow. The sides though make the meal at Brasa. The fried Yuca - a root vegetable that tastes like a light potato and has a texture somewhere between yams and potatoes - is out-of-this-world. You have to get it. The collard greens and turkey is salty, creamy and delicious. A great, slightly spicy salute to greens. Chips and guacamole are also spectacular, as is the creamed spinach and rice and beans... Ok, so the whole menu is unbelievable. Really. It is. South American soul food. That's the most succinct way I can describe Brasa. Delicious and addictive, your life will not be the same after your first meal at Brasa.
(5)Steve B.
I"ve had this on my top 10 list to check out for quite some time. Finally, I was able to eat here last night and wasn't let down at all. The food really is delicious. I was able to have a wide sampling of food, all of which was great!. I had a chance to eat the pulled chicken, roasted pork, and braised beef. My favorite was the braised beef as it was so tender and filled with just the right amount of spices. I also really like that the meat is local and hormone free The sides were just as delicious as I had yuca, cabbage and mozzarella salad, creamed spinach and collards. Can't wait to go back for more.
(5)Nina H.
Oh Brasa, How do I love thee? Please don't make me get on a scale within a week of coming here though. Brasa has consistently great food - and yes, mixing the grits with the collard greens or spinich is a sublime experience. The only argument I have with it is that the food doesn't reheat well probably due to the high fat content of all that yummy chicken and beans, (but who wouldn't want to eat it all when there!) I sorely miss Betty's coffee shop, which used to occupy the space, but can't think of another establishment I forgive more for being there now.
(5)Andres C.
Too small portions and we couldn't tell the difference between some of their breads. Good for someone wanting to experience Something different e.g Latin, without having to go to the sometimes unpleasant lake St. It has an average taste and go without expecting to have your mind blown away with something spectacular.
(2)Amy C.
If you want a good southern/ carribean meal, this is the place to go to. With Sweet plaintain and yuka roots fried to perfection that goes with the mojo sauce is just the beginning. Entree consists of a variety of meat selection: from pulled pork, beef, to rotisserie chicken. Also don't forget their amazing side dishes (besides the fried stuff). My favorite is their collard greens that is great for the soul. Overall I give it a 5 stars for food. However, I had a bad experience with one of the waitresses who was rude to us the entire night. We had to put up with her poo face the entire night (which was unfortunate). They need to improve their customer service during busy nights. Make sure you get there early during weekends because they don't take reservations.
(5)Joyce L.
People. this place rocks! Comfort food perfection. We went on a Tuesday evening at 7pm--packed. Wow. We had: the pulled chicken plate, pulled pork/beef combo plate, and the pulled pork plate. For our sides: Etoufee (one of the daily specials), creamed spinach, sweet potatoes with andouille sausage, corn bread, collard greens, and black beans. Everything was so yummy! Not much space to park in their lot but street parking is not a problem. No reservations taken. A little cramped if you have little ones (under 12 mo). but very accommodating staff.
(5)Melissa M.
One of my default restaurants: * Food: Family style with choice of combination platters - Moist Rotisserie Chicken, slow cooked beef and pork - Sides include cornbread, red beans and rice, grits, fried yuca + *Atmosphere: Old gas station with casual industrial feel *Value: Brasa makes good quality food at a decent price. *Extras: Great place for summer with patio seating and good comfort food in the winter.
(4)Lara B.
This is a relatively small space in northeast Minneapolis that opens up it's glass garage doors (cool) to an awesome patio when weather permits. The quality of the food and wines offered on the menu are more sophisticated than the environment might indicate. The menu is a bit confusing/overwhelming at first. The idea is that there are slow cooked meats that you can enjoy various ways; sandwich, salad or entree. And then there are the sides. Basically everything looks good and it's difficult to choose. On the up-side it's very hard to go wrong with your selection. Recommended: The Big Salad topped with Pork Shoulder OR The Pulled Chicken Plate with sides of Warm Cornbread & Honey Butter and Yellow Rice & Red Beans
(5)Meaghan N.
Across from White Castle in Noreast is a discreet new restaurant - Brasa! A great addition to the neighborhood. The menu features locally grown and organic selections, but there is not an ounce of hippy. Décor is industrial with a partially open kitchen and huge windows bring in tons of sunlight during the day. The menu is small and features a lot of meat and several sides you don't find in many establishments including: Collard Greens, Fried Sweet Plantains, Cheese Grits and multiple styles of cabbage. I tried the twelve-hour slow roasted pork and it practically melted in my mouth. As sides I had the Roasted Yams with Andouille Sausage and Masa Corn & Cheese Cakes. Yum-mee!! I wish I would have saved more room for dessert. Classic selections with a twist that I don't find often: Peach Shortcake, Red Velvet Cake and Coconut-Tapioca Pudding with Mango Sauce and Pineapple. A friend of mine has celiac's disease (a gluten, wheat, rye, and barley allergy) and is able to eat numerous dishes from their menu and goes a couple of times a week. Service was a little slow, but the food was worth the wait. They have a small parking lot, but I had no problem finding street parking. Brasa is quite small and is first come, first serve. I highly recommend and plan to go back the next time I am in town.
(4)Eileen C.
It's okay. Not great, but I also don't LOVE bbq. Had the pulled pork sandwich.. average.
(3)Briana M.
creamed spinach with jalepenos. cheesy delicious cheesy grits. yams with andouille sausage. roasted turkey and collard greens. cornbread. masa corn cakes. fresh guac. locally sourced food when possible. delicious.
(5)D J.
Everything about Brasa is Ah-may-zing! Great service & more importantly great food! Best place in Minneapolis that I've been to thus far.
(5)Michelle Y.
Great food, good atmosphere, great place and not on a busy street. Five star!
(5)Emily B.
We went last night and it was SO GOOD. we ordered about six things, some standing out more than the others. I already know what i'm going to get next time I go :). we got the pulled pork: it was good, nothing too special though, could have used more spices, I make a really good pulled pork though so maybe that's why I wasn't super impressed. The rotisserie chicken: awesome. so good. highly recommend. flavorful and tender. The crispy yuca: wonderful, never had yuca before but with the cilantro/ginger mayo sauce they give you it's the bomb. fried plaintains: again great dish. spicy corn cake: not spicy but very good, next time i'd try the cornbread. collard greens with smoked chicken: i've never had collard greens before so we tried them. good if you like collard greens, but I found out I don't. next time i'd try the creamed spinach. butterscotch pudding: superb. we shared but I wish I would have gotten my own! it's a small portion so get it even if you are full, wish you will be. get lots of small plates so you can try everything and enjoy!
(5)Heidi P.
I could lie and rate it 3-4 in order to keep people away, but the only reason to stay away would be because it's getting too crowded and I can't find parking and have to wait to be seated now. My fav is the pulled pork and spinach side. Oh, and the coleslaw is exquisite, with very little fatty mayo type dressing.
(5)Scott M.
The food tastes as if was prepared in huge batches - it's kind of like Boston Market, only more expensive.
(2)Emily U.
All I can say is their chicken is delicious. Sooo good! Sides are great. Southern-style. Try the grits and the collard greens. Located in an old gas station, they open up the front and the patrons spill out onto the patio. Great outdoor seating, especially in the summer months. A decent drink selection. Went a couple times, service was OK.
(4)Megs B.
Great place. However, make sure if you get the pulled pork to get sides that balance out its extreme saltiness. Something sweet like the sweet potatoes and andoulie sausage side and something spicy like the collard greens with jalapenos. The chicken is nothing to rave about me thinks. You could get something comparable at Lunds down the street. Do try the Yuca. --pros: cute young chefs named Andrew, Yuca and pure cane sugar soda, GRITS! cons: gets freaking hot in the summer, long waits sometimes, it gets really loud
(4)Mike B.
Really good roasted meats. The sides are really interesting too. The only kick I have is that they're very small and very popular, so you frequently have to wait.
(4)David G.
Sure great for meat but the sides make the experience complete. This was my fourth time there and I went with Yams and Andouille along with the sweet plantains. Our waitress helped us out pronouncing Yuca different than Yucca. One is delish and the other is a cactus. Go figure. The meat is great too but the bun surrounding the meat is really fabulous too. Local and tasty. I am going back next week.
(5)Mitzi D.
Delicious but skip the dessert! This restaurant was recommended to me by a friend of mine so we headed over there for my 30th Birthday celebration dinner since it is walking distance to the NE bars. Its a small venue with limited parking so I don't recommend it for very large parties. There were 6 of us for dinner and its family style only for groups 6 or more. Since it was a larger party we had to wait a hot second so we decided to get drinks while we waited. The Sangria with a hint of bubbles was delicious and refreshing! Once seated we decided on a whole rotisserie chicken which they bring to the table cut up and I love my friend who exclaimed "I never ordered a whole chicken before!!", Braised Beef, Creamed Spinach, Yams with Andouille Sausage, Plantains and cornbread for each person at the table. The meat was all very tender, juicy, well seasoned and delicious. The cornbread is served with honey butter and the sides were all equally as rich. They offered up a free birthday cake slice and we also added the soon to be off the menu red velvet cake. Don't do it. We decided the cake slice tasted like garlic and the red velvet cake was hard and dry. A disappointment but dinner was so good we didn't really care too much. I'd come back here again but this time I think I'll try the pork...
(4)Grey S.
Awesome food and very affordable.
(4)L. T.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. I'm always impressed by this restaurant every time I visit. A big reason why I give this restaurant 5 stars is for their consistency. From the quality of the food, the taste, the ambience, and the service--it's all good. Sure, I order the same things every time I visit Brasa, but I am never disappointed nor do I ever think, "This doesn't taste like it did last time I was here." I don't live in Minneapolis, so when I go to Brasa it's very sporadic, but I'm never dissatisfied--again, consistency is the key and this place has it!
(5)Tiffany F.
If my review were based on the food alone, Brasa would definitely rate a 5+. The food is amazing...love, love, love it! The yams were terrific and the red beans were perfectly seasoned. The service however, was extremely frustrating...our server was seemingly not in a rush to do anything at all and didn't realize that our food hadn't arrived yet (we ordered over 30 minutes prior). Excuse me ma'am, it's my lunch hour...not my lunch 2 1/2 hours! Resultantly, I now order carryout...which is much faster.
(4)K G.
Several of us have wanted to try La Brasa for some time. Some in our group said that they enjoyed it and would be back, but I definitely won't be back. It was suggested to us to try the family style, as it would be faster service and enable us to try more variety of sides. We ordered 2 mediums, 1 large- which was supposed to cover the 8 of us. We also ordered 5 sides as recommended- which we found out was supposed to be 20 servings, plus cornbread. The food overall wasn't that great. We enjoyed the rice and pigeon peas, but it was nothing special. The grits were pretty good. The pulled meats(pork/beef) weren't that great, but then again we each only got literally 1 bite of them, so it was hard to tell. Overall, we were glad to have been able to try 5 sides rather than just 1 each (which would have been the case had we ordered the 1 meat/cornbread/1side option each), but I'm not sure that it was enough food for all of us; not a great value for the $ either. It was a nice day in October to sit outside with a group of people for lunch, but I definitely wouldn't give this place a "Pick" rating as Minnesota Monthly did- I just don't see what they found exceptional about the place.
(3)Ramona H.
Just visited this for the second time and everything about it was just as good at the first time around! Delicious local, organic ingredients, basic (but great) wine and beer selection, and friendly staff. Menu is pretty minimum, but that seems to be the whole style of the place. Plus, the variety and quality of the sides makes up for it. Love it during the summer when they open the garage doors. Finding seating can be a little hard, but its well worth the wait. Really as good as everyone says it is!
(5)Dana S.
Delightful in every way. Tender, expertly seasoned meats; nice array of delicious sides; value-oriented combination plates available; cool decor that doesn't take itself too seriously , lovely indoor/outdoor setting, fantastic desserts. My favorites: Pulled pork Collards Potato salad Sweet potatoes Corn cakes Pineapple upside down cake a la mode Thank you!
(5)Nicole P.
Delish! I scored the two meats plate (rotisserie chicken and pork shoulder) with sides of collard greens, Brasa slaw, and corn bread muffin. Everyone was right, the corn bread was Amazing, i could go, order a whole plate full and some beers and be happy. But then again the Chicken an Pork were terrific, as was the Brasa slaw. I've never had collard greens before and they weren't bad, but not my cup of tea either. All products are locally sourced when possible and you can taste it! p.s. the cilantro aoili was so good it would make even bad meat fun to eat! though that isnt a problem here.
(4)Oliver M.
This is my favorite place to eat in Minneapolis. There are very few healthy options, but the food is delicious. The yucca and the beef are TDF. The beer selection is local and tasty (hoppy). The service is hipster, but friendly. The modern decor feels a little nouveau riche, but you won't notice it as soon as your food comes. Also, expect to wait for a table if you go at a normal eating hour.
(5)Darlene R.
Discovering Brasa is like discovering a treasured relative that you were separated from at birth. You cannot help but exclaim, "Where have you been my whole life?!" The food and service is as authentic, inviting and unpretentious as the city in which Brasa resides. Located in a converted garage with a blend of indoor and outdoor seating, they use organic and locally grown products that are paired in simple yet absolutely mouth-watering ways. I recommend the slow roasted pork and smoked beef (meat so tender it melts in your mouth); yellow rice with black beans; crispy yuca; creamed spinach; and, rustic style cheddar grits. I look forward to the next time I am in town so I can try the other items on the menu.
(4)Nadine Y.
Thank goodness I'm not a chicken, or a cow, or a pig. I couldn't imagine eating myself, especially in shredded form. But boy, I would be DEE-licious if I were served at Brasa.
(5)leslie s.
After much anticipation of eating at Brasa, tonight's dining experience was nothing less than disappointing. The service was deplorable as was evidenced by a non-existant waitress who coped an attitude when questioned about the wear-abouts of our food. The total meal time exceeded two hours with the kitchen being "backed up". Understanding that this can happen, there is no excuse that the sides will follow the main course by no less than thirty minutes. Even though the waitress tried to make apologies by "comping" dessert, the damage had already been done. I grew up ih the restaurant business and am loyal to non-franchise establishments, but the experience at Brasa was inexcusable, especially for a place that's been open for nearly four years. Simply too long of a wait for overly-hyped mediorce food with service that shouldn't even be called that.
(1)Lauren W.
Cannot get enough of this place. One of the best restaurants in the city in my opinion. Great food, fun atmosphere and treat yourself to Brasa when it's warm out and they open up the big garage door walls. Makes a perfect meals even more delightful.
(5)Julie R.
Their pulled pork sandwich is incredibly tasty, and in a great way, totally unexpected! I assumed it'd be something traditionally bbq style, and instead it was so light, tangy, and refreshing, which might sound weird for a pulled pork sandwich, but it's true! Their cornbread is also spectacular, and their cheesy grits are the best I've ever had, and I just moved back to mpls after a year in the deep south, So that says something!
(5)P X.
Since I work in NE Minneapolis, I have made a pledge to myself to discover every restaurant within a five mile radius of the office. But, I would be really stupid to even try to claim discovery of this long-time favorite of thousands. For me, lunch this past Thursday was the official "first" for me at Brasa and it won't be my last. The start of the meal was a bit difficult-parking and one-ways nearly killed the opportunity. I persevered and eventually scored a side-street parking spot. I was able to smoothly order a take-our meal of a quarter of rotisserie chicken and the cabbage mozzarella salad. The meal was ready within 10 minutes and I headed back to the office to sample. Fortunately for me, I found a spare fork at the office (they never put one in the bag). The salad was really good. I think it needed a bit more flavor, but over all it was a solid choice. The cabbage was finely shredded and there were crunchy tortilla strips tossed with the cheese and veggies. The chicken was great and came with a green creamy sauce (I actually am not sure what that was, but it was delish). The chicken was a tad undercooked, but that sort of stuff doesn't scare me and I gobbled it right up. Overall, I can see why this place is loved. I will definitely be back.
(4)Mike T.
Absolutely amazing food! The slow roasted beef brisket was particularlly amazing! I highly recommend this place.
(5)Michael C.
Fine addition to the casual dining scene in Minneapolis. A few years back, when I lived in Queens, I noticed the high density of South American rotisserie chicken restaurants. Now Minneapolis can claim to have one of their own. While Brasa takes the concept to the new level, adding in elements of the American South and Southwest to their offerings, Brasa is essentially an American version of a South American staple. You can basically order three main things, chicken, pork, or beef. Given the chicken is their logo, I recommend the chicken. But honestly, that's all I have had there so I cannot compare. Anyways, you top off the meat with some sort of side. I had the creamed spinach (not really like steakhouse creamed spinach because it is a lot less creamy) and black beans. Both of these sides were tasty. My only complaint was that the size of the sides was a bit small. On top of that, they have Mexican coke! I imagine that I will be back at this place at some point.
(4)Kore P.
We stopped by for dinner on a Tuesday night and were surprised to find the place full. Seating is pretty tight and space is at a premium. Not being familiar with the menu we chose Rotisserie Chicken, Prawn, Corn bread, Masa Corn & Cheese Cake and Crispy Yuca with Mojo. I tried to order a diet cola but they have no such thing. If you do not want something to drink that is not sweet or contains alcohol you are pretty limited. I went with water. The prawn was a little tough but we are in Minnesota a long way form the ocean so that is not a surprise. The food was prepared well but pretty simple in taste. The Mexican hot sauce on the table was much appreciated. The service was okay but not great.
(3)mike g.
This place is consistantly tremendous. The food is always great, especially the meats and unique side dishes. The brisket was a special and came with a very tasty sauce. I like the creamed spinach and jalapenos, as well as the bacon beans. The only problem with Brasa is that I wish that it had more seating. We've always had a great meal there.
(5)Steve G.
Very fun concept with the sharing of various meats and numerous sides. 3 of us had 3 meats and shared 5 sides and every item was excellent! Great island-like flavors and with so many sides there is something for every taste. Very easy to over order but it all tastes so good it's ok!
(4)Michelle C.
I love this place! It's a once a week stop for me! Food is consistently wonderful and service is awesome! Love love love!
(5)Josh P.
It was good tasting but way way way over priced. I came for lunch, spent $20 on the largest portion of meat thinking I would be full from it.... nope. They said it was enough for 4 people, it was about as much meat comes on a good sized pulled pork sandwich. Waste of money. Wasn't THAT good.
(1)Jim P.
I went to Brasa for lunch and it was fantastic. I had read a review and been referred there by some colleagues several times and figured it was time to make my maiden voyage. It's a very low-key, small restaurant in what appears to be a former quick lube store. I ordered a "2 meat plate" with pulled chicken, pork shoulder, collard greens and creamed spinach. Wow! The mix of flavors were outstanding and the meat properly cooked. I also ordered the smoked corn and mushroom chowder which was unbelievably flavorful and capped off with a small piece of their amazing cornbread. My biggest disappointment is that I waited so long to go to this most excellent establishment!
(5)Stephanie H.
Amazing place that made this Southern girl feel a little more at home. The pork was delish but my favorite things were the pulled chicken and cornbread. But really, it's hard to go wrong with any of the dishes here. My favorite thing to do is take a few friends, order one of everything and wash it down with a glass of sangria. Nothing beats Brasa on a summer night. I'm counting the days until I can eat on their patio again!
(5)Marcel D.
BooYah, best corn bread ever!
(5)Andrew L.
Great food, perfectly prepared proteins and delicious side dishes. Everything here is great including the hommade lemonade which was perfect. Very cool place, makes you feel like you're in somebody's back yard BBQ having amazing food.
(5)D A.
A great meal at a great price, I ate LOTS of food here for only $20 and the pulled chicken and the pulled beef sandwiches were unreal! The guac and chips and cornbread were well above average as well! Cool chinese food takeout containers too haha Ill eat here everytime Im in MN I can promise that!
(4)Kaye M.
Well I LOVE Brasa the food is always yumtastic! I'm usually a patron in St. Paul, but tonight, for logistical purposes, I met my friends at the location in Minneapolis. I was totally stoked and ready to take down a couple glasses of their home made ginger ale, but NOT at this location! This caused the drop in a star. A HUGE negatory for me! They don't serve the home made ginger ale in Minneapolis! I was totally bummed. We got their early with the blue hairs, so we didn't have to wait, but by the time we were done eating we could barely get out of the place there were so many people waiting. So make sure you get their early so you don't have to wait. The wait staff is always a little strange, forgot my drink, but that's ok, I still really just wanted my some ginger ale! Don't get me wrong, I'd still recommend this place, with the warning that they don't serve ginger ale and always expect awkward service.
(3)Matt M.
We went back again on Saturday . . . great! I will say that we still like the Minneapolis location better. Not sure why - The chicken and pork seem to be better.
(5)Zachary S.
Great pulled pork, great sides. Two people can eat for cheap here, or go (forgive me) whole hog and get your own plates. To share or not to share? Depending on the vibe and your mood, this place can be either Caribbean or Southern. Atmosphere is open and clean mod with the garage doors opened to the sun and breeze. The night we ate here, Lynn Rosetto Casper showed up and sat next to us. Listening to her decide on what to eat was almost as pleasurable as eating.
(4)Sara S.
Everything is simple-home-cookin', yet so special - The braised beef with plantains, greens, and cornbread are worth a visit to this gem.
(5)Nicholas P.
This place may just be my favorite place to eat in Northeast, or in Minneapolis, or in Minnesota for that matter. Sometimes I find my mouth watering for that savory Pork Sandwich from Brasa and luckily it is on my way home from work. The pork sandwich is amazing, but it's not your typical pulled pork sandwich with a barbaquey type sauce, no my friend, they use a white sauce that is absolutely amazing. There pulled chicken is pretty good, but I think it's the same sauce as the pork and not quite as good. The Beef sandwich is a spicy redish sauce that is amazing in it's own right. Depends on your mood. The sandwich's are all I've had, as well as some of their sides. Everything has been really good. A bonus is that they also serve Surly and Flat Earth on tap as well as a few other tasty beverages. Great atmosphere, A+ on the food. Oh yeah, not that you all care, but they use sustainable meat and sh*t like that.
(5)Tea B.
Holy God, the Twelve Hour Slow Roasted Pork is amazing. I don't usually like pork all that much, to be honest; I've had the occasional really-well-prepared pork chop that I've liked well enough, but that's about it. This, though, was something else entirely. Delicious, melt-in-your-mouth tender, perfectly seasoned--just amazing. The menu has meats (the pork, rotisserie chicken, pulled chicken, and braised beef), a number of different side dishes in either small or large sizes, a few sandwiches with the aforementioned meats, and various plate combos one can choose as an alternative to ordering items a la carte (e.g., a plate of 2 meats and 2 sides; 3 sides; 2 fried eggs and 2 sides; etc.). There were four of us today, and we went family style with a pound of the pork and the small-sized creamed spinach, cheesy grits, black-eyed peas with bacon, and cornbread. That was enough food for the four of us; I could have eaten more, mostly because it was all delicious, but I certainly didn't leave hungry. So, yes: my highest recommendations. The menu focuses on authentic, high-quality, locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients, and they're used to fantastic effect. I'll absolutely be back the next time I'm in town.
(5)Erin C.
After only one visit, Brasa is now a favorite Twin Cities food destination of mine. The atmosphere is very laid back--it is almost as though you are eating in a converted garage, except it's hip and smells like delicious roasting meats, not motor oil. My friend and I split the pulled chicken (yum), roasted beef (even yummier--you must order this), rice and beans (you must order this too), winter squash (just OK), fried yuca (delicious--came with a divine sauce), and corn bread t(accurately described as a buttery slice of heaven). Our bill was less than $23. I loved it all, and would eat it all again in the heart beat. If you haven't gone yet, make it tonight.
(5)justthenuts a.
simple menu, simple food done very well and for a reasonable price. there are no gimmicks here, just great food. i love this place, and they just opened a new location in st. paul. i wish this place was right across the street because i'd be ordering the meat by the pound just for myself. i've tried everything on the menu with the exception of the desserts, so i'm not going to write much. everything is great. the beer selection is small, but you don't go there to drink. the taps they have are solid.
(5)Dee T.
I'm glad we finally got a chance to head over to the original! Same great food, same great vibe...I have to try to restrain myself a bit better so that I can sample dessert sometime, but I can't stop polishing off the pulled chicken and the herb sauce. The yucca fries were a new side order for me this time...and all I can say is nom nom nom.
(5)Judd H.
This is another place I feel has WAY too much hype. Based off the other reviews it seemed as though this was the crack/cocaine of all restaurants in the metro. I split the combo so I could try the different meats and had several sides. I thought it was good although the cheese grits someone had raved about seemed a little bland. I'm not sure this place really needs a wait staff. The place honestly has a chain feel kind of like Chipotle. The service was just ok. I'll come back again but with realistic expectations.
(3)Jim A.
We tried a few different things and everything was great. Do you yourself a favor and get the banana pudding for dessert. You're worth it.
(4)Aki S.
Tasty chicken and beef rotisserie. The Creamed Spinich is tops and don't forget to request the Mexican Coke. Easy prices, something for all (partic family). Outdoor dining is great on a spring or summer nite.
(4)Lindsay L.
Brasa's food never disappoints, but unfortunately their service has on more than one occasion while dining here. I was shocked at how poor the service was here when I recently brought in a group of family members in from out of town to eat. We were there around 2pm on a Sunday afternoon and had to wait ridiculously long periods for our drinks and dessert. The place had tons of empty tables at the time so there was no good reason for us to have to wait 25 minutes to get our desert. We didn't get drink refills for over 15 minutes either. It seems like the servers just don't give a crap if people have to wait or not. We get that you are known for having fab food and people will probably come in regardless or their dining experience, but I'm not in any hurry to come back after the last encounter I had in Minneapolis. The last time I ate in St. Paul it was the same ordeal. All a server needs to do is say......sorry for the wait and I'm cool with it. I was a server for years so I get it. We weren't in a hurry or anything, we were just annoyed that the servers were much less than attentive.
(3)RICK L.
Very much enjoyed my meal both times I've been to the Mpls Brasa. Better meals each time compared to Grand Ave., IMHO, but I've only been to twice to each.
(4)Andy B.
Everytime I go I try and con the recipe for the pulled pork from the waitress, and she's always cagey about it. It's insanely good. Also their sides are crazy good too. The cheese grits are just crazy.
(5)Corey H.
Took six friends there a while back. We had to order meat by the pound, which sounded intimidating but it was phenomenal. Everybody ordered a dish to share (outside the chicken, beef, and pork). The beef was the winner for me. As for the sides, there was no clear favorite other than the cornbread.
(5)Matt M.
We gave it all a taste and found it all to be fantastic the pulled pork was so tender and full of flavor I'm already thinking of my next visit the braised beef had such a good flavor smothered in a tangy sauce that I wouldn't cal BBQ all the sides were awesome too collard greens full of flavor and reminded me of Granny's how she would cook them and sop up all those juices from the greens with corn muffins mmmmmmmmmmmmmm! So good! The sweet tea rounds out the whole experience nicely I hope to try desert next time!
(5)ed l.
The existing ratings speak volumes for this place and I completely agree! My personal favorites are the creamed spinach (which is more sautéed and less creamy) and the braised beef (so tender and slightly sweet). I love the food there and the service is fantastic. I will definitely be going back to this place often!
(4)Annie W.
orgasm in my mouth y'all. The cheese grits kind of slow your heart down when you eat them, but it's worth it. I've tried all the meat because I'm a beast and hands down my favorite is still the pulled pork. The mozarella salad (ordered so I don't feel like a fat fuck) is pretty delicious too. It can get pretty busy but if you live close enough, the take out is a good option. Though it is torturous to have the food in the car while driving home and not ravage it.
(5)Jacob y.
alex robert is the smartest person ever. He decided to open a restaurant that sells OK BBQ to some pretty rich people. This food is highly overrated. PEOPLE pls go somewhere else if you want aunthetic grilled food. nothing on the menu is wonderful. INSTEAD if you are going to pay this kind of price..get a reservation over at ALMA, robert's "REAL" restaurant
(2)Matt F.
Wow, great food! I thought my chicken was to die for and all the sides are creative and yummy. I ended up making everyone try the pulled pork when I tried it and had to fight off my friends from taking the rest of my mealThe prices are uber reasonable!
(5)Michael N.
i was watching man vs food and they made a stop here. looked so good i had to try it myself. i only grabbed a slow roasted pork sandwich to go so i'll have to review again after i sit down for a full meal here. the meat to bread ratio was spot on, so the outside of the bread was dry but the inside moist with buttery pork juiciness. i can't wait to come back and try the braised beef or chicken. the restaurant itself could get crowded but it looks like they have some outdoor seating when weather permits. for sure will be back for more meat and maybe a few sides.
(5)Andy P.
holy crap, this was good. Our foursome showed up, and there was a wait. We got beers, and then stood by the firepit (!!!!) Awesome! Once we were seated, we chose a bunch of stuff. I'm not being specific, because I managed to drink 3 Surlys before we sat down, so things are a bit foggy. I think the hoppy lubrication made me a bit more adventurous as far as food goes. I chose some pulled pork, and the spinach/jalapeno thing. There was also cornbread served, as well as some chicken. I hate spinach. I ate all the spinach, along with everything else that was placed on the table. All the meat was gone too. It was cooked to perfection, and was like meaty butter. I just loved it. I can't really say anymore than that it was wonderful, and the price was right. Share and enjoy.
(5)Bo T.
We had seen coverage of Brasa on Food TV and they did not disappoint. The pork was tender and worth the wait. Atmosphere is relaxed and the host was very friendly.
(4)Maureen F.
Delicious! I had the chicken sandwich with the smoked pepper sauce and cabbage. I savored every bite. I was very tempted to order some plantains, but am glad I did not as the sandwich was filling and just perfect. To finish off the meal we had a yummy chocolate lava cake with some creamy icing. I will definitely be coming back here and on my next visit I will have to try the pulled pork.
(4)Lauren H.
Not that Brasa really needs another 5 star review, but I can't say enough good things about this place! Everything I've tried has been delicious. I'd go for a combo plate and do the chicken and pork if I were you, both are awesome. The cornbread is not to be missed either, especially when it comes with honey butter on top! I always come back to this place when I am in the mood for comfort food, but unfortunately, I am always too full for dessert! For all you St. Paulites, there is a Brasa opening on Grand Ave this summer in the old Italian Pie Shoppe location! Enjoy!
(5)Lisa W.
The best restaurant we went to in MN. Has a very SF Bay Area vibe, but the difference is the waitstaff is actually friendly! Great food, loved the rotisserie chicken and the yams. The cheese grits were a little on the rich side for us! Kid friendly and economical. A must visit in the twin cities!
(4)Todd C.
What a great spot. Feels like the Punch Pizza of organic/locally souced BBQ. Limited options, limited beverages, but all top notch. The flavors are complex and varied, with the side dishes providing refreshing detours away from the standard BBQ flavors. Reasonably priced for the quality, this is one to check out, dining in on the patio or taking out to gorge in the comfort of your own home (as it can get crowded). Great vibe, too. Very casual.
(5)Benjamin V.
always a great stop when you're in the mood for some soul-warming food. it's a great cross of Caribbean and southern-style cuisines. the service can be a bit slow sometimes, but it's never been so bad as to deter me from coming back here time and again.
(5)Jen S.
I was asked recently if I moved away from Minneapolis what place would I miss the most...and I said Brasa! I eat here once a week (mostly take out) so I consider myself a semi Brasa expert. The yuca is the BEST thing on the menu (except for their brussel sprouts now - that might rival the yuca). But the pulled pork and meats are fantastic. The corn bread is eeeevil it's so good - evil because you just want to keep eating it. The rice and beans and the rice and pigeon peas are also homemade and amazingly tasty. Just the whole darn menu is tasty, okay? Go try it. Seriously!
(5)katia H.
Good stuff. Great corn bread and plantains. The chicken was a little dry but otherwise all was good. Great atmosphere, so relaxed I could stay there all day!
(4)Mel G.
My bf and I took his parents here when they came into town recently. Although we had to wait 30minutes to be seated, the fire pit outside kept us warm and off our feet. Once inside we got down to dinner, trying all 3 types of meat and ordering numerous sides. Everything was really tasty. Nonetheless, I don't think I'll be back anytime soon - just b/c there are so many other restaurants to try. One cool thing though, Brasa was featured on the Food Network Channel in March '09.
(4)Sarah J.
Delicious chickens and porks. Except the second time I went they'd run out of pork. Because they let people do take-out, which is apparently popular enough that they run out of the pork. Sad - and something to consider. Go early! The sides are good enough that I always want more than the two I get for the "plate" option, but unless you go with more than two people (which I recommend), it's not so cheap. The place itself is certainly cute. I have to wonder how it'll feel in the winter since several of the walls are actually garage doors. If you sit inside you can see the little chickens roasting away. The kitchen is about the tiniest one I've ever seen - I don't know how they make all that food. That said, it's a little crowded and I think I'm going to start calling up for take-out and eating in the park or at home. It's comfort food after all, and I want to eat it on my couch.
(4)Jen B.
Contender for best takeout in the Cities. The restaurant inside isn't too shabby either, although it looks pretty sketch from the exterior. You can tell this place has a buzz, since it hasn't been open for that long and already has a bunch of reviews. I'll try not to repeat what others have said, but I will say this: The chicken is so tasty and tender that it falls right off the bone. The yuca ain't bad either. I want to try everything on the menu, especially the much raved about cornbread.
(4)Dima M.
If I can sum up this place in one word it would be: YUM! Now go away and let me eat my delicious food. You can easily pass by this place and keep on going. It's very inconspicuous and naturally blends into the background, but don't let appearances fool you. The hardest thing is going to be making a decision on what to eat. I like to go there and get one of the bigger dishes and take the leftovers home. Also, at one point or another, try all the sides, because I can't decide which one is my favorite. Well, maybe the roasted yams with sausage are slightly more my favorite than other side dishes, but I'm a yam gal. As for the meats, well, you can't go wrong with any of them, but my personal favorite is the Creole style Rotisserie chicken. Oh yeah, vegetarians may not have an easy time finding something to eat here, but I'm sure you can try, or you can just sit and watch your friends eating all the delicious meat.
(4)Bill W.
Real chef food in a converted gas station. It's excellent. Go there, soon. Elder and younger males of the family dined there Saturday for lunch. It was still crowded at 3PM, which is good because they'll probably stay in business. We've had most of the sides and they are all great. This time it was the fried plantains as a shared side. I had a daily special side of yellow rice with pigeon peas with my pulled pork sandwich, bursting with flavor and excellent mouthfeel on all of it. We enjoyed the sweet tea also, but they could be a little better on refills. Really, go to Brasa, you'll enjoy it and become at least a semi-regular like me. Only downsides: Parking could be a little better. The MTC buses idle outside, so sometimes you get a low frequency vibration.
(5)Adam N.
Very good food. Extremely reliable for a good price. I go to the Brasa often, and have had nothing but good experiences. My go-to meal is the pulled chicken sandwich with a side of yucca. The yucca side comes with a very good aioli. The corn bread and sweet tea are also great.
(4)Prescott B.
Wow! Fantastic, locally grown, seasonal food from the America's! Some of the best grass-fed beef, free-range chicken and Berkshire pork that ever was. The ingredients are so good, that the simple cooking style accentuates and brings out their flavors. Fast service, friendly, a bit noisy on a Friday evening. Everything we had, the combination plate of beef and pork, sides of sweet potatoes with chorizo sausage and spinach in a sauce and thick corn and cheese tortas were fabulous! And they are opening a new location in St. Paul in May '09!
(5)Dan S.
Because of all the good reviews, which i agree with completely, I'm going to talk about what i ate and why it was amazing. We split two combination plates, one with chicken and beef, and one with chicken and pulled pork. For sides we had the sweet potatoes and sausage, corn bread w/honey butter, and chips and guacamole. The potatoes and sausage, amazing, the sausage is actually pretty spicy, matches perfectly with the sweet potatoes. Pretty sure the honey butter MAKES the corn bread, so good. The chicken and pulled pork were good, not amazing, but the beef was super good. All this plus three tap beers for about 47, love it.
(5)Justin G.
Three hungry Minnesotans and my pregnant wife were all well fed for less than fifty bucks. Amazing. I'm really starting to dig Minneapolis. We ordered: pulled chicken, pork shoulder, sweet potato & sausage, black beans & cornbread, and a salad, plus lemonades. The drinks came quickly but the food took another half an hour, I'd say. The chicken was fork-tender and succulent - my favorite. I was hoping to like the pork more but it was kinda dry. That was easy to rectify by swirling it into the sweet potatoes , which were killer. The butter and cornbread combination was heavenly. Bottom line: points off for disappointing pork and a long wait, but if I could I'd eat like this every day.
(4)Brian H.
Be adventurous with the sides. But for a main course, it's chicken all the way.
(4)Jennifer T.
I keep coming back. My favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities. The pulled pork is #1. The chicken is also mouth-watering. Try the red beans and rice. The cornbread is an excellent dessert. The ambiance is unique and the servers friendly.
(5)Beth M.
The pulled chicken was amazing and I will be making a second trip to Brasa for sure. So far I was not extremely impressed with dessert but there are plenty of places in town to get a dessert so this a minor point for me. The creamed spinach with jalapenos was not spicy and could have used a little salt but was still tasty. I cannot wait to try the pork next.
(4)John M.
If you haven't been here go tomorrow. If you are a vegetarian, stay away; there's nothing here for you anyways. While eating there in is dandy, I generally opt for take out. All the glorious pulled pork with none of the waiting. Does it get any better than that? That way I can stuff myself with abandon!
(5)Tim N.
Family was in town for one night and based on reviews, we decided on Brasa. WOWOWOW. What a great choice. With 2 in the family gluten-free, the food was amazing and the service out of this world. Anyone considering opening a restaurant needs to go here!
(5)Ivan L.
We heard a lot about this place, so Sherri and I headed down there on a Sunday night. We got there around 8pm and the place was full, but we only waited 5 minutes and were seated. It was our first time, so we asked the server for suggestions and he gave us great recommendations. We ended up with 1/4 lb of chicken, 1/4 lb of pork, and the side sampler plate (3 sides plus masa cake or corn bread). We were disappointed they ran out of fried plantains, but we tried the yams, the rice and beans, the chopped salad, and the masa cake. If you eat a lot, the individual platters might be better worth your money (you get 2 sides with one meat), but for us two, this was good. We finished everything, but we probably could have ordered one less meat. I liked the chicken better, but the pork was tasty as well. Would have loved to have tried the plantains or the yuca (or pretty much any of the other sides), but maybe for next time. The sides we did order were good. Cubed mozzarella in the salad was weird (the cubed part) and not enough. Sausage in the mashed yams are spicy, which gives it a nice kick. Maza cake was like flat bread. Yummy. Rice and beans were like...rice and beans. Not my favorite, but kind of a staple for this kind of meal, right? The only weird thing was the hostess who brought by the utensils wrapped in napkins and slammed it down on our table (and other ones as well) without a word as she walked by. Probably just a bad day. It's nice that the meats are raised locally. Seems like it gets busy a lot, so be prepared to wait for seating and for your food. Overall, a great tasting meal that's not the normal fare.
(4)Jodi E.
Totally fun, great ingredients, character with some grit --perfect!
(5)Austin W.
Wow! A treat to my senses! We had the pork, pulled chicken, and the beef and all were excellent. Also tried the spinach (our favorite thing here) and the candied yams and both are recommended. Great, great food.
(5)Debbie K.
My niece & I had dinner there tonight. The food was excellent! Portion sizes are good. You order ala carte, so no sides you don't want just to get a main item you want. The prices are reasonable. I am definitely going there again.
(4)Paul B.
Casual but elegant. Meat lovers delight.
(5)J. R.
I LOVE this place. I am usually so hungry that the thought of an hour wait would kill me, but for this place it is worth it every time! Their yuca is to die for and the sweet potatoes with sausage haunt my dreams. Whenever someone comes into town, this is one of the places I bring them. Loves!!
(5)S And B D.
just like everyone says, a great place, good food and a lot of fun. be prepared for a wait, but you can drink while you wait.
(4)Liz G.
Really great food, and a fun, casual atmosphere with friendly staff. Watching (and smelling) the chicken roasting behind the counter was a treat and it tasted as good as it looked, though the cilantro sauce on top was key. Candied yams, pulled pork and cornbread were excellent; beans & rice were take-it-or-leave-it, and the drink menu is well-rounded. They even brought out a cupcake with a candle for the birthday guy. Outdoor seating is always a bonus (and some picnic tables in back where you can have a drink while waiting for your table.) Good for groups, too.
(4)Andy G.
I went there last night after reading a few reviews on the place yesterday. Loved the place and it's so close to home. Turns out however, that I don't like grits or collard greens. Oh well. The chicken was amazingly juicy. I'll definitely be frequenting this place and playing roulette with the side dishes.
(4)rick e.
Drive in from Minnetonka area for this very good, unpretentious restaurant. Terrific choice! Pork was spectacular, chicken moist and juicy, and beef tender. Great grits and I'm from the South so know grits. Corn bread was awesome! Let's face it, I'm sure everything here is good! Never had bad experience which in the restaurant business is tough. Can't wait to go in summer and sit outside. It looks like an old gas station which adds to the "cool" ambiance!
(4)Aaks L.
Our first few hours in city moving my sister in at UMN twin cities and we landed at Brass for lunch on a Sunday late afternoon. And I'm so glad we did! I've lived in NC for 6 years+ and traveled all across country and I'm happy that Brasa's food makes it on my top 5 Rotisserie chickens across nation list. They do have few in site parking spots and street parking. We sat outdoors and quickly ordered our food (because the menu is not extensive): one rotisserie chicken plate 3 pieces with black beans and rice, pulled chicken sandwich adding side of guacamole and side of coleslaw. The food was great and so was the service. The ambience is very casual and fun. We will be back soon to try more!
(5)Jen R.
The last time we tried to eat at Brasa, it was closed for 4th of July. The next time we visited, it was a few days before Labor Day and I was nervous we'd miss out again. NOT THE CASE! They welcomed us with open arms and a menu full of delicious food. We sat on the patio (it was so quaint: surrounded by trees, which provided a good bit of shade on a muggy, hot day). We sat down and ordered a large crispy yuca (which said it could feed up to 4 people... nope, the two of us demolished that shit like Godzilla on Tokyo). We also split a chorizo chilaquiles and a spicy masa corn cake. Everything was sufficiently spicy! Which is HUGE for me, since I have been known to battle a ghost pepper or two from time to time. We also tried their cafe con leche, which was also very good. Bonus points for bringing out a bowl of water for our pooch, who enjoyed the shade as much as we did.
(4)Rikki L.
I would have never thought that I could get amazing creole cuisine in Minnesota, but Brasa delivers. We were at Brasa on a warm summer night and sat on their comfortably casual patio. The whole restaurant has a great ambience that fits their menu perfectly. I ordered the rotisserie chicken which was well seasoned, juicy, and just straight-up delicious. For sides, I ordered grits which were good albeit I prefer them a bit thicker and some cornbread which was good as well. I also ordered the fried sweet plantains, they were so very very good, I think they were even better than the plantains I had during my last trip to the Caribbean. I would 100% return to Brasa. Every server was super friendly, the environment is relaxing, and, most importantly, the food was fantastic.
(4)Kara D.
Brasa Rotisserie has been teasing me almost every day, as I always see it on the "Best of Yelp: Twin Cities" Yelp home page, waving it's big ol' plantains in my face. But I get easily annoyed with little parking and lots of waiting, so I didn't come here until I found a late and rainy weekday lunch date. The menu is not the most extensive one I've seen, but damn is it one of the hardest to choose from! Gahhh, everything on it sounds so good and flavorful. I was fickle as a mofo going back and forth between which protein (pulled chicken, roasted pork, smoked beef??) and sides (grits, red beans and yellow rice, plantains??). I finally settled on the roasted pork plate with red beans and rice, and a side of plantains. My friend ordered the pulled chicken plate, yet I forget which side she got since I was too busy slobbering all over mine. As we waited for our food, we were thoroughly entertained by so many toddlers. It was just one of those days where we were surrounded by them, and they were actually being hilarious and tolerable. Our food came out very fast, THANK GOD. My pork was so tender and flavorful, and the portion was generous. I hit gold ordering the red beans, because they had brisket in them too. My friend's chicken had this unique and delicious gravy on it that was zesty and creamy. We were enticed by the housemade hot pepper vinegar on the table, and we hesitantly tried a little drop of it. Well, we then giggled because this is a sauce you really "have to commit to", so don't be afraid to smother yo meats with it. We loved it. As you may know, parking, lack of resos, and the size of the place can be inconvenient, but worth it if you plan accordingly.
(4)Leah G.
This restaurant just jumped to the top of my books! Came here with a big group and loved the atmosphere, could not get over how good the food was, and had very friendly service! We came with a big group and got seated inside but they had the garage doors open so it felt like we were outside yet shaded from the sun. The inside is very fun and colorful as well. Only three beers on tap but all excellent choices! In the past we heard it was more family style dining but the waitress informed us that the menu changed to cater to smaller parties/individual meals. She recommended purchasing the specials and choosing our own sides so 3 others and I ordered the 4-piece Rotisserie Chicken and 1-pound Slow Roasted Pork as our main meats and fried yucca, collard greens, rice and peas, and cole slaw as our sides. I am so glad we did it this way because we got a try a lot of their food! Both the chicken and pork were so tender and juicy and all the sides were great but I especially loved that their yucca was fried! I would definitely recommend this to others especially bigger groups! They have a great outdoor patio with a good amount of seating as well. We loved sharing the dishes so we could try multiple things plus that ended up being very cheap! I was very happy with the prices and the service.
(5)Jerice A.
Absolutely love this place! Shredded chicken, yuca fries, cornbread are my favorite. Limited parking but street parking options. Brought my dog with me, they brought out a water bowl and let her hang outside with me. They have free wifi, so great place to do work. The servers are all so nice and gracious and the food is just delicious!!
(5)Julie M.
Atmosphere is a 5 (at least when the weather is nice). The food was great--love the yucca fries! We did find it a little odd that no BBQ sauce is offered with the pulled pork and it took a while for us to get any once requested, but then again we are a sauce kind of group. The black beans and red beans/brisket for sides were a hit (dipped them up with the tortilla chips served with my husbands pork sandwich). The corn cake is a great option for the vegetarians in the crowd. We enjoyed a few bean bag tosses while we waited for a table and then took a brief walk outside after our meal. Portion sizes are offered regular or large. We all had regular which was a perfect size. Don't forget to add the honeyed cornbread muffins to your meal, mmmmm. Sweet and buttery! Saw a couple of kids with a meal that would have made my kids happy--rotisserie chicken legs or grilled cheese served with chips and guacamole. I didn't see what other options there were for kids, but it looked good to me! Not sure what it's like during bad weather with the garage doors down, but it was a perfect night for us and we will be back!
(4)Mabel B.
What do you get when you have gumbo and rice? GUMBO FRIED RICE. Brasa is a lively restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Came here with the beau on a hot day but fortunately there was the delicious Sweet Cafe Con Leche to wet our whistles. A tasty coffee drink if you like something less sweet. I ordered the gumbo fried rice of course and the beau ordered a rotisserie item that i forget the name of. We also got a plate of plantains with the aioli. The aioli was da oneee, definitely a must try. Tried pretty hard to decipher each ingredient that was in it to try and duplicate it at home. Definitely recommend Brasa if you're looking for some quality creole food.
(5)Jim R.
Stopped in here for lunch to meet a friend on a warm and sunny spring day. It's a pretty small place with about 4 parking spaces so you might have to scour around the neighborhood (like I did) to find a place to park. Arriving slightly before noon, there was a wait for a table, around 10 minutes, but the staff is very efficient and things move along quickly. The menu features mostly meat and proudly announces that it gets its meat from local, sustainable farms. I enjoyed the shaved slow roasted beef sandwich with cheddar cheese and onion straws served on a square focaccia bun and I opted for the salad (romaine with mozzarella chunks) instead of the chips. While the menu isn't huge, unless you aren't a meat eater, its not hard to find something yummy. Lunch for two was about $30.
(4)Crystal L.
I cannot say enough great things about this place. Brasa is the first place I suggest to anyone if they're coming to visit or need a place to go eat. Everything is just so perfect! Not too salty. Not too bland. Very homey, comforting food, and so simple! That's what I love about it. You don't have fancy garnish or weird spices or plants you've never heard of before. It's simple. It's familiar. For must haves, order the Pulled Chicken and Spicy Cornbread. :)
(5)D J.
BRASA BRASA BRASA's!!!! I can't say enough about Brasa's. I've been to this restaurant several times because it's one of my favorite restaurants in Minneapolis. The food is AH-mazing! The service has always been great! The chicken, the greens, the cornbread, the spinach...honestly everything I've had at Brasa's has been delicious.
(5)Jessica M.
The shredded beef at Brasa is a must. I haven't tried their single portion selections, and appreciate the family style dining which makes is easier to try it all. The sweet potatoes are another favorite. This location is smaller than the spot in St. Paul on Grand & offers a smaller menu (no cat fish or Mac n cheese?!), which was a disappointment. Great patio
(4)Sophia S.
SWEET JESUS I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT!!!!!! The meat here is so delicious that I could eat it on it's own with no sides or even water! I wish all things to eat in this world came from Brasa. Too bad! Things I tried and I loved: GRITS (get them!!), PULLED CHICKEN (Yes!), PULLED PORK (Who doesn't love pulled pork?!), PLANTAINS (HOLY GOD!!!!) The plantains are great, BUT the sauce didn't really work with the plantains (in my opinion). Wish they had a choice of a savory or sweet dip for the plantains. Maybe a mango sauce? Whatevs! I also got lunch here one time and had a pulled chicken sandwich which was great. I subbed the cole slaw for tomato and mozzarella salad (which I didn't like). Also if you come here for lunch, get the bowl because they serve chips with your sandwich and it just gets to be too much bread. Anyway, go eat here!!!!!
(5)Gretchen B.
This review isn't for you, it's for me, so that I remember! Obviously, the people have spoken and they've said that Brasa is dope. Been for brunch lunch and dinner. Everything tastes good (except for the liquid-y hash), but I always leave feeling like I spent more than it was worth. I'd never suggest it but will always go if suggested. I wish they had a full liquor license because I think they could do something cool with cocktails. I also wish they had a happy hour. Just one happy hour. That's all I ask.
(3)David K.
The way my friend described it, if you're looking for great southern comfort food, this is the place to come. We had about a 30-40 min wait when we got there, but it was worth it. We started off with some beers, they've got several Minnesota beers on tap. Surly is pretty hoppy, while Bauhaus, as the waitress described it, has a cracker-like taste. We each had two beers each, I preferred the Surly. For food we got the medium size of the chicken, pork, and beef, and all three of them are great. The pork is more tender than the beef I think. The honey-glaze coated cornbread is amazing. And the beans and rice are the perfect complement to round out the meal.
(4)Ruth E.
I love the food at this place. It is so delicious. Last night I made a repeat appearance because I can't get enough of their food. Specifically, the pulled chicken, crispy yuca and corn bread make me drool every time I think about them!! Thankfully, I took the food home because the only complaint I have about this place is a lack of space. There's not enough parking (~6 spaces in the lot) and too few tables for how amazing the food is (there's always a wait during peak times and no reservations, even with the outdoor seating). I will say the lack of space is for a good reason. The food is seriously amazing and there are even some lawn games in the outdoor area. But the bathrooms aren't my fave (clean and cute, but SUPER HOT all the time) and I really don't like having to wait a long time. But the service is friendly and none of the issues are enough to stop me from going back.
(4)Jessica D.
I had been wanting to try this restaurant for basically our entire stay in Minneapolis (3 years). Unfortunately the day I finally tried it was the day before we moved out of state. The food here was melt in your mouth delicious. I don't remember everything we had but I do remember that it was all absolutely delicious. I think he had a 6 piece of chicken and I had done type of chicken in a cream sauce served with rice, it was all phenomenal. The day we were there they had a potato salad in place of the coleslaw which was also lovely.
(5)J.C. L.
Ridiculously good chicken. As in... maybe the best chicken you'll ever have in your life. The sauces are off the charts good, too. Make it a point to eat here at least once in your life... if not once a week.
(5)Sistha D.
I've always loved this restaurant! Frequent diner when I was a student at U of M and always come here whenever I'm in town. Took my boyfriend from Ohio end of July to enjoy this tasty place. Needless to say, he loved it, as expected. We shared: - Guacamole and chips- 6/10. I've eaten a lot of different variety of guacamole and this one is just OK. Nothing special. - 2 piece rotisserie chicken- 8/10 mostly for the AMAZING sauce. The waiter gave us extra sauce and I had to ask for another one, it's THAT good. I always order chicken. Parts of the chicken are under cooked and still bloody (This has happened to me a few times, sometimes I asked the waiter to cook it more sometimes I just avoid that part if I'm in a hurry). - 1/4 lbs smoked beef-8/10. Delicious. I'm not a big fan of this kind of beef but dang this was good. - Crispy Yuca w/ Citrus & Garlic- 10/10. First of all I already LOVE yuca and their yuca is just amazing especially dipping it in the green cilantro mayo sauce (I love cilantro too so this is just heavenly). - Gumbo Fried Rice- 9/10. I love gumbo. And I love fried rice. So this gumbo fried rice is just awesome. You can taste the okra, sausage, seafood. It tastes like you are eating gumbo. We finished this very quickly. Pretty sure licked the bowl too, delicious. If you like gumbo, get this. In the past I've tried a lot of different sides and plates. This restaurant is just DELICIOUS. If you are in town, go here. Worth it.
(5)Risa S.
the bbq beef was tender and juicy. guacamole was fresh and not overly seasoned. Sangria was very tasty! Staff was super friendly and accommodating. Extremely kid friendly. Will definitely be back!
(5)Maddy D.
We love this place! Great food! Potato salad is to die for but they rarely have it! It is usually a side dish they have occasionally. Pulled chicken is amazing.
(5)Alice M.
Brasa is my go to spot-- I am so lucky to have them in my neighborhood!! It is perfect fit for medium sized gatherings to eat some southern food family style. Be prepared to wait if you come at peak hours, especially in the winter when seating is limited. Make sure you get LOTS of green sauce and I recommend ordering a masa cake to build on. I love to smother mine with meat and sides like a tostada! You really can't go wrong with anything here, but my favorite meats are the pulled chicken and the smoked beef. I would get the beef more if the price didn't keep going up but so it goes. I love the candied yams with that caramel sauce, guac is a solid bet, fried yuca and sweet plantains are delicious with the almighty green sauce. I also like the cheesy grits, creamed spinach, and coleslaw. I'm telling ya... You can't go wrong with brasa!!
(5)Dorothy C.
Came here for lunch and it was an amazing experience. I had the 'pulled pork with an egg' bowl, and I couldn't stop after the first bite. The spinach, the pulled pork, the sauce etc all blended together really well. The person next to me was trying the gumbo bowl - that would be my next to-try. Service was efficient. Will definitely be back next time when I'm in town!
(5)Gabrielle A.
I love Brasa! I used to have lunch there all the time and I enjoy going to dinner there a lot. ALL of their meats are absolutely delicious to the point where it is pretty tough to choose a favorite. The creamy chicken they make is delicious and so is the smoked beef. They have great guacamole with delicious tortilla chips and their coleslaw has a great tangy taste to it. The food is a great conversation starter and even more fun to eat. Watch out, it can be REALLY steamy here on a hot day.
(5)Nick K.
Was looking for a lunch place while in Minneapolis for work, saw Brasa and thought we would give it a shot. WOW, what a delicious place! I had the smoked beef, with bbq sauce, cheesy grits, and fried plantains (special on the day). It was all superb, and quick. If ever in the area, and need a super high quality lunch, this is the place. My coworker was really satisfied with his lunch as well.
(5)Julianne Z.
Any restaurant recommended by Andrew ZImmern is a must visit for me. Expect to wait 20-30 minutes if you don't arrive at a peak hour, but it is so worth it and the food comes out super fast. I have never goten any of their bowls or sandwiches because I always go a la carte and order a bunch of things for their entire table to share. My favorites: Slow Roasted Pork: Succulent and punched with flavor. THeir best meat! Rottiserie CHicken: SOme people really like the beef but I think the chicken is a great bang for the buck and who doesn't love a drumstick? Sides: You cannot go wrong with cheddar grits, the jalapeno creamed spinach and the yams with sausage. I get the same 3 every time and then i get a side of corn bread. For 2 people, we got a 2 medium sides, 1 small and 1 corn bread and were filled to the brim! If you are in a mood for a drink, get their sangria. Sweet and very strong!
(5)Kev H.
Pulled chicken. Rice and red beans. Enough said. Alright, fine I'll continue. I came here with a large group of people for a Sunday brunch. I arrived super early and managed to snag a table for all of us, but nobody else arrived yet. I must say, I did not receive any evil stinkeye or anything like that, so that's a plus. Their menu consists of a large rectangular piece of paper (I forget if its laminated or not; my time spent waiting at my table for people to arrive was not productive at all) with a list of all the different Southern style dishes available. You can order things in different sizes, so I opted to shared with my friend. We went for the pulled chicken, and the rice and red beans. The rice and read beans were simple, but tasty, and went down super easy. The pulled chicken was flavorful, but I they were the teensiest bit dry to me. All in all, accommodating service, many different food combinations and variations you can order, and quite satisfactory food.
(4)Emma S.
When I go out to eat, I want to order a lot of the menu and share with everyone I'm with. At Brasa, this is not only possible, but encouraged. Going to school six hours from my hometown, my parents rarely get the chance to visit me. Growing up with two foodies, I knew I had to bring my A-game during their recent pick-me-up (no, really, they picked me up to take me home...). Never having been to Brasa, but always hearing great things, I decided to take them to the Southern side of Northeast. Brasa did not disappoint. We ordered the fried plantains and yucca, along with the roasted yams with Andouille sausage for starters. The minute the yams came out (we ordered a medium for three people), I thought, "oh no... This isn't going to be enough," but the richness allowed you to only eat a little of it, and it ended up being the perfect size. For main dishes, we went with the beef, collard greens, jalapeño and grits bowl along with the lime slow roasted pork. Epiphany: I need more grits in my life. It was like a bowl of happiness, and with the pork as a complimentary second entree, it was as if I discovered butcher heaven. I'm incredibly anxious to try their pulled chicken next - I can only imagine good things coming from that. Like parents like child, however, we didn't just stop at savory - no, we went all in and ordered dessert: their Buttered Tin Bakery pumpkin pie and their in-house chocolate cake with chocolate sauce. The most important lesson I learned from this was to never judge a dessert menu by its genericly-named items. The pumpkin pie had some of the best consistency I've ever tasted, and the chocolate cake was rich and satisfyingly superior to the basic Applebee's-esque lava cake I expected (sorry, Applebee's...). Three sides, two entrees, and two dessers were perfect for three [very hungry] people, and we still hadn't ordered everything on the menu. If you live by the true (albeit cliché) statement "sharing is caring," check Brasa out. And if you don't, they have single-serving portions as well, so you have no excuse.
(5)Jeanine K.
Brassa has been a go-to meal for many years, but recently I've been let down. Inconsistency is the word that comes to mind. Meats have been dried out (chicken), inconsistent flavor/ seasoning (beef and pork) and/ or inconsistent portions (chicken in particular - we once got a leg and wing in our 2 piece meal). Sides have been under seasoned at times, over seasoned other times and even perfect, sometimes all in the same order! What pushed me over the edge is on multiple occasions, items had been left out of my take out bag. Brassa is close to my gym and a great post workout meal, but not close to my home, so I'm not going back to picked up the missed items. It got so bad, I started checking my bag before leaving. Sometimes the missed items were silly - like they gave us the guacamole, but forgot to give us the chips. I can't even begin to count the number of times I have had to call to ask for a refund! Every few months we go back to see if things have changed and sometimes would get a great meal, to be let down on the next visit or two. I love the concept of what these guys are doing, just wish they could get it consistency right.
(2)Amy H.
My favorite is their chicken pepper gravy plate. Rich and delicious. Also love their salad. Butterscotch pudding is a perfect finish!
(4)Kim N.
I gotta buck trend here. Maybe it was because i had a to go order. But my chicken was unfortunately dry! Without the cilantro dipping sauce it would be hard to eat in some parts. Love the space and the ambiance but the chicken didnt hold up to all the good reviews ive read
(3)Alex C.
Brasa is my #1 choice for some good ol' comfort food and one of my top 5 restaurants in the twin cities. The menu is simple and short, but every item hits the mark. Don't expect any crazy, overpowering flavors. You're not getting any spicy mayo here! (although I love spicy mayos). This place is stacked with warm, really well cooked food where you'll get hints of different flavors but mostly taste the center ingredient of the dish. From all the meats (pulled pork is my fav) to the delicious fried yuca, spinach, and grits - You're not going to be disappointed with what you get. I've never had anything bad here yet but if I was forced to choose a favorite... Favorite dish: Pork & Over Easy Egg. This dish is perfect for me. Melt in your mouth pork with creamy, jalepeno spinach and some yellow rice. I get my protein, my vegetables, my carbs and I can mix it all together to get something that just works. Favorite Side: Spicy Masa Cake Definitely give Brasa a chance!
(5)Nahila A.
As I write this review, my mouth is watering for the meal I got a couple of days ago: the black bean fritter sandwich with a side of crispy yucca. It was so good, I didn't offer any to my colleagues, which is not normal for me. That's how good it was! We went on a Friday around noon, and it was busy. However, our wait wasn't long, and the four of us were seated in about 10 minutes. Our food also came out not too long after we ordered it. The place is big and open and also has outdoor seating for warmer days. It's a casual place with tables and booths and good for small groups. I saw all kinds of people there: students, couples, families, and individuals grabbing lunch on the go. When you walk in, wonderful smells slap you in the face. There's something wonderful about the ambiance, it was busy yet relaxing. I've had food catered from here once, and everything that I've had here has been good. I am looking forward to going back to try more sides and getting a large basket of crispy yucca #nomnomnom Other notes: There is a specific vegetarian menu. This place is also public transit friendly (2, 10, and 17) and there's a small parking lot along with street parking. I subtracted one star because my colleague found a small rock in her beans, which is scary and painful, so be careful. At least we know now that they don't use canned beans :)
(4)Matt H.
I decided there was nothing like some creole cuisine to warm me up on this frigid day so I went to Brasa for lunch. Ordered the black bean fritter sandwich (amazing) with an exceptional bun and the addition of guacamole was delightful. On the side: yuca fries and creamed spinach with jalapeno. The sides were phenomenal and as another reviewer pointed out you can tell the menu was really well thought out. It was not very busy at the lunch hour do to the weather but just about every person who arrived noted that -- which is to say, it was an odd occurrence. If you want a quick lunch, call ahead. This would be an excellent place to visit with a few friends and share multple dishes -- much like the courses at Alma (their other, more upscale restauraunt).
(4)Kristina G.
What a great place to share an incredible meal with friends or family! With family style sharing encouraged myself and two friends ate our way through a ridiculously delectable feast. The yucca, chips and guacamole, and pulled pork were my personal favorites. However, it would be difficult to find something that was not good. I adored the opportunity to introduce sweet plantains to my friends and we all recommend the Sangria if you are looking for something to drink!
(5)Natalia C.
Very nice place . Good food and customer service . Since I have a lots of food allergy and I am gluten free person I go there a lot . And they are also close to my neiborhood . They are not cheap but you have what you pay for .
(5)Sarah B.
Both the bf and I got off work early today (Monday), took a nap, and woke up not feeling like cooking. We had to run an errand and decided to check out Brasa, since it was super close to the other store. Best decision ever. It was decently crowded, but we were able to get a table right away, which was lucky, because from 5:30 on there was a wait. Our waiter was really helpful, recommending what and how much to order. We went with: Pulled Chicken Slow Roasted Pork Rice & Pigeon Peas Yuca Fries Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapeno Spicy Masa Cake The food was awesome! Both meats were delicious, the bf preferred the pork and I liked the chicken better. The sides were all great. The Yuca fries were a favorite, especially with the dipping sauce. The spinach was super yummy and spicy. The rice & peas was solid and the masa cake was fantastic. We got smalls of everything and that worked out really well for two. We even had a little bit to take home for a snack later. I can't wait to come back with a group and try all the things.
(5)Kelli H.
Sometimes, when I'm really hungry, I wish there was a worm hole in my house that I could walk through and appear in Brasa. Brasa has some of the most delicious food I've ever put in my mouth. Even thinking about it right now makes my mouth water. The smoked beef is pull apart and tender with incredible sweet and spicy BBQ over it. Some of my favorite sides are the yams and andouille sausage, the yuca with citrus and garlic sauce, and the fried plantains. It's Latin food with a Creole twist.
(5)Kandace M.
If I needed to request a last meal. The menu from Brasa Rotisserie would be the only thing that I would request. Simple ingredients, bold flavor, always consistent greatness. Dine in or carry out - I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(5)Theresa M.
Very reliably delicious food! Great for sharing and easy to control how much money you went to spend with the menu.
(5)Andrea R.
Regardless of the type of protein you choose, this place will have the perfect side (s) and with kick. I have never tried anything here that doesn't taste delicious. Even if you don't drink alcohol try the sangria, it's made with fresh fruit and they let it sit for a while before serving. I find the individual portions the ideal size for one. If you're not into waiting a lot to be seated, come in a boring week day or night, or go to the Saint Paul location that's bigger.
(5)K E.
Seems like the food here is delicious, but unfortunately the staff and management have some catching up to do. We tried to go around 7 pm on a Saturday, and had called twice to ask about wait times and food options for gluten free. Neither of those two times we called OR when we arrived and talked with the hostess did anyone mention that Brasa had SOLD OUT of practically everything on their menu. To their credit, they did write that they were out of nearly everything in tiny handwriting on a chalkboard that was mostly obscured so as to not deter people from waiting 45+ minutes for a table so that they could remain hungry. After happening by the chalk board, we talked with the hostess again who sheepishly said that she guessed we could order chicken but that the kitchen was nearly cleaned out. We were pretty upset because a decent restaurant would have informed us of this at any of the three previous opportunities and/or at least been vaguely apologetic about it. This restaurant did none of these things. We asked to speak to a manager, who to his credit was really nice but then lied and said they had just run out of the food less than a minute ago, which wasn't true since they'd written it on the chalkboard at least 10 minutes prior. Hopefully this was just an off night, but we were really, really disappointed in Brasa.
(1)Erin K.
If I could, I would give 6 stars. Brasa catered my sister's wedding this past weekend. The food was beyond amazing and the service was top notch. There were options for all types of food meeting various dietary needs of the guests. We had vegetarians, vegans, lactose intolerance, even one guest recovering from surgery with limited options was able to have an amazing meal. The guests raved about the food. The menu spelled out each dish clearly. The food was served family style and options included rice, beans, vegetable curry, cucumber salad, roasted chicken, and more. AND IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! The staff had a smile on their faces the entire time. It could not have been a smoother process. Thank you, Brasa, I'm so impressed.
(5)John W.
First off, great atmosphere and appealing menu, it was easy to read and I wasn't over or underwhelmed. I went with the pulled chicken plate with the red beans and brisket with yellow rice. The chicken in gravy was 10 outta 10, the yellow rice was tasty, but the red beans and brisket were a little bland and disappointing. I also got some fried plantains and cornbread. Both were amazzzzzing. I left satisfied and definitely looking forward to trying different things on the menu.
(4)Seth P.
I was in town this past weekend and off restaurants I went to this stood out as the best. The chicken was incredible! This will be my first stop next time I'm in town.
(5)Jason D.
Brasa is the perfect combination of comfort food and flawless execution. I had the Pork and Egg Bowl along with the seasonal Sweet Potato and Spice beer. The pork was tender, moist, and flavorful. The jalapeño spinach and yellow rice were divine, and egg yolk dripping over the top was the perfect comforting tie in.If I lived in Minneapolis, this would become our regular place for casual meals. I am going to have to stop by again before I leave and try something else. My waiter was kind, thoughtful, and very knowledgeable.
(5)Mike B.
EAT ALL OF THE FOOD. Honestly, this should be Brasa's slogan. I'd buy merch with that plastered all over it. But for serious, this should also be your motto as you look at the menu upon being seated after your half an hour wait (and you will wait, this place is tiny...and always packed, for good reason). I don't care how many people you have in your party. Two, three, twelve, doesn't matter. Order as much as you think you can handle and then order a little bit more. You won't regret it, especially if you're someone like me who doesn't like coming back to the same place twice due to the incalculable amount of places to eat in Minneapolis. Everything is delicious here. I don't think you could possibly go wrong with anything on the menu. Every plate is cooked with such precision and tender, loving care. You can practically taste the affection the chefs put into each dish. Of the full menu, here are my favorites: Meats -Slow roasted pulled pork with garlic and lime -Pulled chicken simmered in light cream and pepper gravy You will not find more tender meat than this outside of the best of the best BBQ joints. It just falls apart as you're cutting it, and then just melts into your mouth. Perfect seasoning, and the cream on the chicken is to die for. Sides -Creamed spinach with jalapeno -Roasted yams and andouille -Crispy yuca with citrus and garlic -Red beans and yellow rice -Cornbread with honey The cornbread here is some of the best cornbread on the planet, beating out many of the top restaurants I've been to in the South. I could literally just eat plates and plates of the yuca "fries," too. That dipping sauce that comes along with them is drinkable. It's that good. Southern food is hard to find here in the Great White North, and Brasa valiantly brings some much-needed heat to the Minneapolis food scene. Order everything. Clear plates, full stomach, can't lose.
(5)Whitney F.
Just plain good. After hearing raves about Brasa, with a weakness for real (real) southern food, I was obviously a little skeptical. Brasa was overwhelmingly genuine and just plain good. We arrived early on a Thursday for dinner. Meaning beating the 5 o'clock bell with six hungry folks. I was surprised that by 5:30pm every table in the small cozy location was full. We ordered some sangria and wine and split the large guac. We enjoyed that we could do family style, but opted to each get meats and side items. I chose the rotisserie chicken, mozz salad and yucca fries. Oh the yucca fries, in that heavenly green garlic citrus sauce. As juicy and perfect as the rotisserie chicken was, "sangria and yucca fries" has officially made the 2014 bucket list. With the reasonable prices, atmosphere both cozy and busy, and that green sauce, Brasa easily made this southerners top 5.
(5)Hannah F.
Where to begin.... I. Love. Brasa. This is my go-to place for comfort food and it just never gets old. My significant other and I often come here after church on Sundays, and my anticipation for this place never, ever fades. I can't say I have ever been disappointed by a dish. Favorite meats are tied with the pulled pork and pulled chicken with gravy. Favorite side dishes include, but are not limited to: crispy yucca, guac and chips (my guy's favorite), creamed spinach, collard greens, rice and beans, and fried plantains. YUM. Do yourself a favor and order lots of plates to share so that you get some of everything. Now, please excuse me... I need to wipe all of this drool off my keyboard.
(5)BK J.
I'm not sure why I waited so long to get in to Brasa. I know the reviews have been consistantly good and people rave about the food. Anyway, we were out shopping on a Saturday morning and the birthday girl said she wanted BBQ so we motored over to Brasa in NE. They were still in the process of opening so service was a bit slow but not horrid. We ordered beef and pork, guac, creamed spinach and yucca fries. The low point would be the guac - it was good but bland. On my final bit I splashed a bit of the hot pepper vinegar on it and that improved it a ton. The pork was great but the real winner was the beef - tons of wonderful beefy flavor in fork tender meat. The red sauce served with the beef was a perfect match. The spinach was also a winner and I might have to figure out how to make it myself. While you can go in and order a sandwich with a side Brasa is best experienced as a group so you can order multiple meats and sides and share. I would put Brasa in the category of one of those places that people must hit when visiting MSP.
(4)Maxx M.
Everything was excellent! It took me a minute to figure out the menu and the serving sizes. The food was fantastic and the service was great. I really like the fact that they source local ingredients whenever possible...and they list some of the sources on the menu. I also like the casual atmosphere. I felt completely comfortable hanging out in my Carhartt shorts. Now Yelp can stop pimping this place on my account and stop telling me to go to Brasa because: "Your next review awaits!". -Daddy Maxx Retro
(5)Vy B.
Brasa has quality meats and the menu is decently priced. There's nothing better than sitting at their outside patio on a hot summer day. The service is great and the atmosphere is calm and cool. The portions are pretty big and this place is great for groups or one on one with a friend. Love: pulled pork sandwich with cilantro sauce (tastes like a modern banh mi sandwich), guacamole, potato salad, creamed spinach Loathe: the plantains -- they are always dry and the cassava fries - no taste whatsoever. Parking is free but not readily available - perhaps 5-6 spots in their lot? There's a lot of free parking in the residential area next to the restaurant though.
(5)Alexander M.
Such a great restaurant, the collard greens, yuca, green plantains and cheesy grits are 100% great every time! They don't have the guava lime soda at this one and it's actually worth a trip to St Paul just for that! The food and atmosphere make for a great dining experience!
(5)Immaculate I.
Oh how I love plantains!! I went to this spot at 7pm on a Wednesday and it was PACKED!! There was a 45 minute wait. We got some drinks and stood outside waiting for our name to be called. The noise level is a little over normal conversation volume so if you're looking for a quiet, intimate place, this would not be my first choice. I had the pork sandwich and my companion had the fritter. I thought that the pork sandwich was a bit underwhelming. I may have had high expectations from some of these reviews. The plantains were amazing! I didn't end up eating the yellow rice or red beans because I was full from half of my sandwich. The service (Patrick) was great. He checked in on us, wasn't overbearing, just right. I would go back to try the fritter. I heard it was spicy and I feel as though my middle name really should've been caliente.
(3)Erin F.
Great and relatively inexpensive food! When I went here a few years ago with my Dad, the food wasn't nearly as good as what I experienced when I went a few days ago with my Dad and Fiance. There were a few faults here and there, but overall, especially given the fact that we got enough food for 3 for $60 that we still had some left to take over, it was a great experience. We ordered medium of the beef, medium of the pulled pork, 6 pieces of the chicken, sides of plantains, guacamole and creamed spinach. The beef was good. It was a bit less tender than I would have preferred, but definitely nothing to turn your nose up at. The pork was incredible. Some of the best pork I've had in a long time. It was moist and flavorful (and I don't even like lime) and had just the right amount of salt. The chicken was cooked perfectly. It reminded me of the peruvian chicken that we get in DC. The skin was perfect, the meat was juicy, not dry, and the sauce they give you to dip it in was great. The creamed spinach wasn't the best preparation I've ever had, but it was still good. The jalapenos added a bit of a kick. The plaintains were amazing. They were still soft and seared on the outside, so delicious. The guacamole was good, again not the most amazing thing we had there, but very good, just the same. The one thing that was slightly strange was the service. They seemed about one waiter short. The woman who was seating people was also handling tables, and they all appeared slightly out of sync. This resulted in us having to get our own water once or twice, but at least they had a big water pitcher we could use!
(5)Soumyadeep C.
It is overpriced and crowded, and not in a good way. I have heard about it from so many people that I finally decided to give it a try for lunch. Now, I understand the crowd for Sunday brunch, but $15 plates of pulled pork is frankly the size of kids' fare. The ambience of the place is like the nearby university campus restaurants, so I could not fathom the price. As for the rice and beans that came as a side, I've had better. Not going back to Brasa.
(2)Ahmad R.
Delicious. I've been here for takeout several times and have enjoyed everything. Chicken, beef, and pork mains were all good and the sides of beans, cornbread, yucca, and a couple others were also tasty. Brasa leans a bit pricey but it has an upscale quality to the food so we don't feel too put out by it.
(4)Yash K.
Yucca fries were amazing. Rotisserie Chicken was slightly bland but overall good food and ambience.
(4)Kate R.
Meat was GREAT, all the sides I had were bland as hell. I know, adapting spicy food to the Minnesotan tongue, whatever, but this was ridiculous. I like the small plate conceit- you can get a couple different meat plates, some small sides, and feed a large group family style, it works well. But seriously, so bland, and even the meat, while flavorful, wasn't what I was expecting spice-wise. Also we had terribly slow service, to the point where the diabetic member of our party was starting to get a bit floaty when we finally got our *drinks*. Perhaps that was a time of day thing, but quite disappointing. On the plus side, it was easy to find gluten-free and dairy-free food on the menu.
(2)Daisy L.
This was not what I was expecting. The plates are TINY. And they were out of yucca. What. Yeah, the food tasted all right - a little bit blander than I would've liked though.
(2)Troy P.
I straight up love Brasa! This is my kind of food served the way I like it, family style. I have never had a bad experience or disliked anything I've ordered. My favorite is probably the Pulled Chicken and Yuca Fries, they are basically a staple of my ordering selection every visit. The space is fairly small, tables are relatively close together and it can get kind of noisy. In the Summer it's pretty great, there is a nice size patio and 2 large garage doors that open the entire restaurant to the outside. Peak hours have always been busy, but they get the food out quick and the wait has never been unbearable. One thing to note is this location barely has a parking lot and it can be difficult to find street parking so plan on driving around. If you like good ol fashioned comfort food then this is your place.
(5)Jeff P.
Went to Brasa the other day for the first time and it was great. My friends and I pretty much ordered everything off the menu and shared it with each other and everything sure tasted great, especially the rotisserie chicken my absolute favorite. I am definitely gonna go back back again soon 5 stars from me.
(5)Monica S.
Visited with my sister who had already been there. She had chicken, I had pulled pork, and we shared greens, sweet potatoes and corn bread. She had mimosas and I had a sangria. Sangria was just ok. We both enjoyed our food.
(4)Sujan P.
Pulled pork heaven. You just got to try this place. See all the other reviews. Avoid going during peak hours Take out as good as dining in.
(5)Tetiana I.
Brasa is getting five stars for sure. Simple menu which allows you to build your own plate based on desires and today's mood. Chicken, beef or pork with yuca and plantains sides were my favorite so far. Also they are sized correctly starting from small which would feed one person and going to the bigger portions. They are sourced locally which adds up the points to the ratings as well. Without doubt if you are in the mood for pulled pork and plantains like me any other day you won't be disappointed with this restaurant.
(5)Heather T.
I went to the location in St. Paul in May of 2013 and never stopped thinking about it. Naturally, when I returned to Minneapolis last weekend, I had one goal: go to Brasa and eat all the food. And I did. Their slow roasted pork is EVERYTHING. If possible, it was even more delicious the second time. The pork, it is magical. Divine. The crispy yuca fries are great and all, but if I had the recipe for the citrus & garlic dip that accompanies the fries, I would pour it over everything. I would take shots of that dip. That the masa corncakes come with pickled vegetables on top is perfection. Creamed spinach with jalapeno? Yes, please. Anything? All of it? Yes and yes. I can't imagine that anything at Brasa is not completely delicious.
(5)Cassandra B.
You will wait when you get here, and it will be worth it. You might stand awkwardly on the asphalt with a drink in hand, looking longingly at those seated with delicious plates enjoying themselves on the patio. If you're lucky, you might score a seat at the picnic table with the other hungry folk. If you're smart, you'll come before the evening rush with no more than three friends and you should be good. When you're seated, you'll enjoy the warm, open-air vibe (weather permitting). You will order multiple plates to share in order to sample as much as possible. You will order more if it's not enough and your server will bring it happily. The meats are tender and perfectly seasoned. My favorites: smoked beef and pulled chicken with creamy, peppered sauce (droooool. And I don't even normally like pulled chicken). For sides, you may notice sizing is a little unpredictable. Fried yucca, for instance, runs large; start with a medium for your table. Do not miss the yams and andouille, cheesy grits, fried plantains, and fried yucca to share. While the yucca by itself is bland, the green dipping sauce is epic. The green sauce is served with the plantains too. You will eat the green sauce: Doctor's orders. (Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and take no responsibility for the relative health benefits of the green sauce.) Oh. and you'll eat the cornbread with honey glaze. It's moist with the perfect amount of sweetness. And I don't even normally like cornbread. You will be surprised at how reasonable the bill is considering the deliciousness of your experience. This place will rock your face off. You will return.
(5)Nicole G.
The best pulled chicken, cheesy grits, collard greens, coleslaw, candied yams and cornbread ever! Also, you can't beat the price! I highly recommend coming here if you are in the area!
(5)Nicolette Z.
It's hard to find really spectacular places to eat gluten free but Brasa is definitely at the top of that short list ! I have never once been disappointed. The atmosphere is great & love being able to sit outside during nice weather. It's small, so often times you have to wait a bit - but honestly this is a place I'd be willing to wait quite a long time for.
(5)Phillip Y.
Well, I came with my girlfriend to meet up with my old work colleague back in Iowa. I don't remember what I got to eat. I think it was the pulled pork but got some really interesting sides like collard greens and fried yucca. Overall, I thought it was a decent place but could be better. My colleague really liked it along with her fiancé so I guess it was a success. I don't know why but I think I prefer Cracker Barrel.
(3)Sijia L.
I went this place so many times. My fav is the jalapeno spanich and candid Yam. Sandwich is just okay. Price is friendly.
(4)Landy G.
Very good food. Smaller than I thought. It was comfortable and clean. I would go back.
(4)Steven D.
I've been here on a couple occasions for take out and I haven't been disappointed yet. I would've never guessed what the neighborhood would look like, but it's kind of at the edge of a residential neighborhood. The parking lot probably only holds about 6 spots, so be prepared to park in the streets if you go late. So far on my visits, I've gotten the: - Slow Roasted Pork: super moist pork that melts in your mouth - Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapenos: exactly what it sounds like with just the right hint of jalapeno flavor. It's not spicy if that's what you're debating! - Crispy Yucca w/ Citrus Garlic sauce: they were surprisingly crispy still even after taking it home as take out. I could only imagine how crispy and hot it is if eaten there! I usually ask for extra of the sauce because it's like crack! Can't wait to go back to try more things off the menu!
(5)Alyska B.
I love slow food establishments, and after being introduced to Brasa by a friend a few years ago, I'm so happy I was able to go back again last weekend. Their indoor/outdoor space is lovely for a meal and cold drinks in the warm June weather. While the main meat dishes are fantastic for all palates (from mild but flavorful to downright spicy) their side dishes also really shine. Almost everything on the menu is (or can be made) gluten-free except for the cornbread, which adds even more points in my book. Parking can be a bit tricky if it's busy, but not impossible. I'll definitely be going back next time I'm up in the cities.
(5)Joshua C.
One of the best meals of my life. Pulled Pork, Rotisserie Chicken, Sweet Tea, and Cheese Grits. I'm going to try to make there every time I'm in MNPLS from now on. Pulled Pork - 5/5 Rotisserie Chicken - 4/5 Sweet Tea - 2/5 Cheese Grits - 2/5
(5)Jonathan T.
As I'm writing this review, I have to resist from slobbering all over my keyboard while I think about Brasa's savory and decadent Southern dishes. If it's your first time there, don't order the eggs and sandwiches. Order a couple of meats and sides that are either small portions (if by yourself) or medium portions (if you are with someone else). There's absolutely too much deliciousness at Brasa to eat in one sitting. My favorites are below: Meats -Slow Roasted Pork -Pulled Chicken Sides -Cornbread and Beans -Collard Greens w/ Smoked Chicken -Creamed Spniach w/ Jalapeno -Fried Plantains My goodness, I want to be back right now stuffing my face. I have never been so stressed out that I have had to resort to thinking about a happy place, but if I did, I would imagine it being me sitting at a table eating the slow roasted pork with the corn bread... guzzling it down with a dark beer. The best word to describe the food, in my humble opinion, is thoughtful. Everything is locally grown, cooked to perfection, and served by friendly and knowledgeable staff. My stomach is growling. Brasa, I will see you soon.
(4)Ryan F.
Somehow the girlfriend and I made it though another year together. I must be doing something right. As is our custom, we celebrate our year together by gorging on delicious meat. We have done Fogo, Butcher and the Boar, and a few others, but this year, our meat quest brought us to Brasa Rotisserie on Hennepin Ave in NE Mpls. This place has been on my radar for quite a while, so I was excited to finally get to check it out. First off, the bad- parking can be tough. They do not take reservations. The place is loud. And none of this is a problem once you get your food. I really like the counter service to get a beer when you wait. Even on a Tuesday evening in the middle of our Polar vortex of a winter the were on a wait. Nothing about 20 minutes and a Fulton can't fix, however. We had the 4 Pc. Rotisserie chicken, pulled pork, pulled beef, cornbread, creamed spinach with jalapeno and yellow rice/beans. Had a nice Malbec to wash it down. I make food like this sometimes, pulled pork, chicken, etc, and I have no chance to make it as good as they do here. Nothing was dried out at all. The only issue I had with the food at all was it needed a little salt. That is just my personal preference as a salt addict though so don't take my word for it. My baby and I don't need quiet restaurants with dark lighting and white tablecloths to celebrate being together. We need meat and booze. And this place delivered in spades! PS-it is not too bad on the wallet as well!
(5)Susan H.
This is my go-to restaurant in the Twin Cities when I want a really satisfying meal. Their yuca fries are amazing, especially with a little lime and some mojo sauce. I'd go for the pulled chicken over the other meats. (I do wish this location served fish like the St. Paul location.) And this is where I discovered the wonders of collard greens... with smoked turkey... always perfect. The platanos fritos are much better than the sweet plantains, but either works for me. Top it all off with some of their sangria (they have a small but local beer selection as well). If you're dining out for two, I'd recommend getting small servings of a bunch of the menu items to split. If you're in a group, go big!
(5)Teresa E.
One of my go-to places for comfort food, family/kid-friendly, date nights and meeting a friend. Yucca is great. Plantains are great. Pulled pork is great. CORNBREAD is awesome! It's a sharing menu so order up (portions are bigger than your stomach though) and try many things on the menu. Staff is fairly attentive and the prices are so legit. PLUS, Brasa supports local farms and sustainably grown foods. They brag about it on their menus. Both the Northeast and the StPaul location are similar in architecture. This includes a windowed overhead door that is opened on nice, warm days to expand seating into a makeshift patio/open air restaurant. So nice.
(5)Candice B.
Let me start by saying, the food is phenomenal! And typically the service is very quick and everyone is delightful. However, I am currently towards the end of my two+ hour meal here because our waitress is slower than molasses. It took at least 15 minutes for her to come grab our order, a half hour+ for our food to get to the table, she never checked on us until the very end to grab our plates, and now we're still waiting for the bill, it's been 30 minutes (although we asked for it when she cleared the table). I've never experienced anything like this here (and have been to both locations). I would have given 5 stars if it wasn't for this disappointing service. But just know the food is outstanding.
(3)Gabriel S.
Great food every time. They do a superb chicken and beans. I have had them at a couple of weddings and they rock at catering. I always get excited when I think of eating Brasa! I would try everything on the menu.
(5)Susan L.
My family came to town and I suggested that they try this joint out. They did change the plantains to say SAVORY plantains now, rather than sweet, which is a good change. They also described them a bit more and I like the change. Bravo Brasa - finger lickin' good!
(5)Leah S.
Brasa is the real deal! Great food, great service and unbelievable prices! I have eaten at both the Northeast and St Paul locations and love them both. We also get take-out often from Brasa when we are looking for something to make our belly smile. They are known for their slow cooked meats, and all of them are good. They serve them in small portions so you can try all of them. Then they have the most decadent sides. Try the spinach and jalapeno - you won't be dissapointed. Recently I tried one of their bowls- the Pork with an over easy egg was amazing, the only problem is you don't want to share this dish. This place is busy though so get their early or go at off times. We are using them to cater our wedding reception in May so stay tuned.
(5)Richard H.
Celebrating 2 birthdays this evening. Read good reviews. Nothing prepared us for what an amazing experience we had.
(5)Wil G.
Delicious! We did take out because it was packed and everyone was extremely happy with the food.
(5)Ben D.
Homey comfort food. Nothing really struck out as awesome to me. For what i paid, i wish the portions sizes were bigger. When I think of homey comfort food I think of larger portions. Parking can be a pain.
(3)Mike R.
We've been to Brasa a number of times for dinner, and I've recently started going for lunch as well. The cost can add up pretty quickly if you're really hungry, but the food is consistently great. We have tried and love virtually all the meats. My favorites are the pulled chicken, pulled pork, and catfish - in that order. I also love the sides. The black beans with cornbread are great (and beans are filling and healthy). My personal favorite is the spinach, though my wife prefers the collards. Hard to go wrong though. My most recent discovery is the Pork & Over Easy Egg bowl. I could eat it for lunch... every day. Can't wait to go back! Update 8/20: Writing this review made me crave the Pork & Over Easy Egg bowl so much, we went there for dinner. The food was as good as ever, but the service staff seemed really overwhelmed and they didn't quite have it together. We waited 15-20 minutes to be seated while there were several open tables and a full staff. One server would go pick up the water pitcher, fill up a single table, then walk by two other tables needing water... then another would do the same for a different table... repeat. At the end of our meal, I had to go find the server in order to pay. For a Tuesday night that wasn't that busy, they really didn't have it together very well.
(4)Brittany A.
Love this place. Such great food.. Great for sharing small plates. The food is fun southern dishes. You must get the sweet cornbread as one of the dishes! You won't regret it. Has a cozy atmosphere, tables are a tiny bit cramped, but overall good vibe. It's a great place of you are in the mood for something different and fun.
(5)Barath K.
Ate Rotisserie Chicken 8 Pc/whole with my family!.. Loved it.
(4)Moody S.
PROS: The food is simply incredible in terms of quality and price. Great place for lunch and dinner. The quality of their chicken is exceptional. You can definitely tell that it's indeed organic and naturally raised chicken. Best of all its healthy, light you'll find plenty of options. CONS: Seating is limited and somewhat inconsistent with the sauces they offer on the sides. They have an amazing sauce that works with everything but I don't always get it with my meals. PARKING: Parking is a bit of a challenge given the size of the lot and availability of street parking. All-in-all, If you're not in the mood for a sit down restaurant and you're looking for something that is good quality, healthy, relaxed and fast, give Brasa a shot and you'll not regret it! Trust me.
(5)Carly S.
This place is so awesome! The food is fabulous, one of my favorite restaurants in Northeast. I highly recommend the slow roasted pork sandwich, it is melt in your mouth delicious. Sometimes the wait can be a little long but it is well worth it. I take all of my out of town friends here when they come to visit.
(5)Jenni B.
Open air and amazing, affordable food puts Brasa way way at the top of my list. It's small, but wait it out for a table, it is worth it and then some. My strategy when coming here is to try as many things as possible, so my boyfriend and I will split two small entrees and have 3 or 4 sides (with days of wonderful leftovers). If I could reasonably fit more sides and entrees on the table, I would do it. I go into a happy eating frenzy when I'm here. Perhaps it's because I've never really has comfort food before and I'm making up for some serious lost time. The things I love here tremendously: - Curry Chicken Bowl: It's hearty with rice but has a light, uplifting curry flavor. The accompanying carrots and pineapple make this one so filling but not weighty (which is good because there's too much to gobble down, you simply can't stop at dish one) - Green Chili Bowl: This is probably the right amount of spice for the typical Minnesotan, but for me it's not a lot of heat. It does really impress me, however, with how it brings forth a bright green chili flavor. It's served with corn tortillas that aren't overly grainy, I don't typically like the texture but these ones were very mild in that department. - Sweet and Spicy BBQ Beef: I prefer the entree to the sandwich because it is just so darn tender. This is melt in your mouth beef like you can only get after a long, slow cook. - Crispy Yuca: This starchy, crunchy fried treat will free you from the desire for French fries indefinitely. The citrusy garlic sauce is cool and gives this side so much flavor. Every entree needs a side of yuca, there's no two ways around it. - Cheddar Grits: These are grainy, cheesy and very hearty. Heavy as they are, a small side will do, and unless you are immensely starving you probably won't need beans or rice with this tasty side. - Collard greens: A soft and tasty accompaniment that blends so well with any of our entrees when you get a bite with both. I was pleasantly surprised at my first taste of greens and encourage everyone to give it a go. - Corn Bread: Their corn bread is so sweet, everyone needs at least one. They come out about the size of a cupcake and they will make you feel warm inside they hit the spot so good. - Berry Shortcake: Light, crisp, and dusted with sugar for the perfect pair with fresh summer berries. Another awesome shout-out for brasa is that almost everything on the menu is gluten free, just as it is.
(5)Sue S.
I love the location, he patio and the wait staff. The meat selections are bland and unappealing. I would love it if they would add ribs to the menu...especially beef - Korean barbecue. Something with more flavor. The salads are wonderful as is the spicy masa corn cake.
(4)BenjamÃn S.
Wow. Brasa has the most innovative and well-executed take on a simple barbecue sandwich that I've encountered anywhere. It's not typical, but it is fantastic. The slow roasted pork sandwich with ginger mayo and cilantro was incredible; the flavors, while not traditional, were perfectly complementary. Even ignoring the final product, the ingredients themselves were savory; the pulled pork was as about as good as it gets, and the bread it was served on was fresh and flavorful. I look forward to having a longer sit-down meal here one day!
(5)Sarah U.
love this place! everything is good, even the different sides. It's basically the size of a garage, so not good for groups. But the food is good and rich
(4)Brett N.
Why 5 stars? Because... well, I'll explain. --- --- --- This was definitely my favorite meal in Minneapolis, and lands itself as my 600th review. I thought it would be easiest to just go through each item and rate it 1-5 Yelp stars: MEAT Rotisserie Chicken - 5 Pulled Chicken - 5 Beef - 3 Pork - 1 The review highlights led me astray here, citing the pork as the most mentioned item on the menu. It was catastrophically bad. I don't give 1-stars out very often, but the pork fully deserved it. That being said... the chicken was phenomenal. Chicken is usually the last protein I go for, but on a return visit, it would definitely be my choice. SIDES Grits - 4 Creamed Spinach - 4 Yuca - 5 Yams - 4 I liked all of them, but really loved the yuca. BREAD Cornbread - 5 Masa - 5 Both were top notch. DESSERT Peach Shortcake - 5 Just a dream of a dish. Total euphoria. I debated a lot about whether this was a 4-star or 5-star experience. What led to my decision was that I tried a ton of items. Of course I didn't love them all... that would be pretty tough to pull off. Now that I've visited once, however, I would know exactly what to order a second time around... and that would be nothing but items I rated 5-stars. So skip the beef and pork. Go crazy with chicken... even if you're not typically a chicken-eater. Trust me, I love red meat, but white's what they do best here. And don't just save room for dessert... it's a requirement.
(5)Rich T.
Happy to add another positive review to this spot. Great eats! The beef and rotisserie chicken are their best entrees. The sweet potato and andouille sausage is excellent as well as the yuca fries. Killer sauce. Great spot but always a little crowded
(5)Jeannie V.
I just love this place. The portions are perfect, they have a great variety and everything is SO GOOD. Never had a bad dish. My favorites are everything - creamed spinach, pork, chicken, rice and beans, yams, mac and cheese, cornbread, catfish. I've made it my mission to reproduce their entire menu in my own kitchen, but as it takes me 3 days to make 9 of their dishes (I've done it, seriously. Twice, in fact), I usually just go to the restaurant.
(5)Qaiser B.
What a nice place to go and eat. No frills and pretenses and yet very very posh place to eat. The food is really good and the service even better. The main Meat section can be made even more delicious by the nice side selections that they offer. There is also a separate vegetarian menu if you need one.
(5)Ash M.
Brasa catered a wedding I went to this past weekend....and it was AMAZEBALLS. I love love love that so much of the food here is gluten free :) The pulled BBQ beef was delicious/ juicy/ tender/ perfection. The "green sauce" is orgasmic (creamy yet refreshing), the creamed spinach was lip-smacking good, the mini corn muffins were light and fluffy, chips & guac & salsa was incredibly fresh, rice had just the right amount of seasoning, and any restaurant that serves fried plantains deserves 5 stars :) I'm drooling just thinking about the food again..... This restaurant almost makes me want to move to Minneapolis :P
(5)Dawn G.
Perfectly seasoned and tender pulled pork with magically delicious rice, a soft-cooked egg, and spinach. So incredibly good! You seriously have to taste this. The only complaint about the dish is that the spinach was so overcooked that it was pretty much grey. I kinda wish they had added it at the end instead of cooking it that long. However, it did not detract from the spectacular foodgasm. Generous portions meant I was able to make two meals out of it! I also stuffed myself full of the incredibly awesome fried plantains during my dining experience. Alone they're so yum but the flavor is enhanced by the delicious (cilantro?) aioli that came with it. My friends had the black eyed peas (wow!), the corn bread (um, yeah!), the chicken, and the cole slaw. All were very tasty and all worthy of another visit very soon. Perhaps on the outdoor patio next time. There were two open tables outside but we weren't allowed to sit there for some reason. It was one of the few nice days so that was disappointing. But the interior was cozy and smelled like the rotisserie, which was like a meat-lover's perfume. Brasa is a true gem in this neighborhood. They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait a little while. Don't worry, it's well worth it!
(4)Lisa P.
As anyone can see, Yelpers love Brasa and I don't disagree. Stopped in on a Saturday night around 6:30pm and the wait was an hour for 4 people, but we were able to order drinks while we waited. Unfortunately the restaurant doesn't take cell numbers, so you have to stay in the restaurant in a relatively small space to avoid missing your name being called. Everyone at my table ordered their own protein, and then we shared a bunch of different sides. My favorites were the yuca (other Yelpers were right - the green sauce is delicious!) and guacamole. The spinach was also good. I thought my rotisserie chicken was very good - moist and flavorful - and I would order it again. It also came with a side of that yummy green sauce. Prices were mediocre, but worth it in my opinion.
(4)Kalinn R.
Just hearing the name makes my mouth water! Brasa was one of the first restaurants I tried out when I first moved to the twin cities area less than a year ago, and I will never forget it. I live just a few blocks down, and I have to stop myself from eating here everyday. You can't go wrong with anything you order here! I for one can never leave without having a glass (carafe) ;) of sangria, and a side of yucca! I've tried all of the delicious meats, and I can honesty say I've never been disappointed. You will most likely encounter a wait to sit down and eat, but just grab a quick drink at the bar because I promise it will be worth it.
(5)Mark G.
5 stars hands down, this place makes everything delicious. We tried almost all the dishes and they were all spot on, the flavor is awesome in every bite. Please if you do go, try several items to get the full Brasa experience Their items will win you over and you may want more. Best to share everything, sharing is caring. Very tight quarters inside, they do have outside seating as well. Most times there is a wait, but it is worth it. This is my official go to spot when I visit the Twin cities. One of the best around.
(5)Mark S.
Brasa is by far my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities area! I have been here many times on dates, with groups of friends, and I always ask my parents take me here on my birthday. It's especially great to sit outside on a warm summer day in their patio area. Now to the best part: the food! My favorite items on the menu (in no particular order) are: 1. Fried Yucca - I'll admit, I'm still not sure what exactly Yucca is, but it's delicious and starchy (almost like a potato) and they serve it with a green garlic sauce 2. Cornbread - incredibly rich; I usually share one piece with someone that I'm with 3. Slow roasted pork 4. Pulled chicken - served in a pepper gravy sauce While I've only listed my favorite four items above, I've never been dissatisfied with anything that I've tried here. My favorite thing to do in a group is to order many different dishes and share them family style. I've found it best to order one (meat) entree and 2 small side dishes per person (which is the amount they recommend), which puts me the right amount of "full" after a meal. If you are reading this and wondering if you should try Brasa, do it! You won't have any regrets.
(5)Zachary C.
HOLY GOODNESS! Love the food. I crave it! Small place, so be prepared to wait, but it's worth it.
(5)Amy J.
I love the vibe and the openness of the restaurant. Brassa serves really good family style dishes. I found every dish I ordered to be on point! The food was timely despite being busy and the service was good.
(5)Laura H.
They have nightly specials that are really affordable ($7-10) and everything is to die for! For some reason I'm really into sauces....and they have a green sauce with the yuka that is some sort of heaven. Cilantro, creamy ranch, little kick -- its everything. Favorite dishes: (in order of must-haves every time I go) - Yuka fries w/ extra green sauce ! (very filling, small order will do for two!) - Braised Short Ribs FOR LIFE - Fried Catfish (with great toppings and not greasy at all!) - Rotisserie Chicken - Mac & cheese (when you are feeling naughty) One of my favorite go-tos when I lived on Grand Ave in St.Paul. My girlfriends and I went there almost weekly. The atmosphere is great for dinner after work, I feel like I can relax there. You order by the pound, like family-style sharing. But they also have plates if you are worried about splitting the bill. The owners are around often and very passionate about their food. You feel good supporting this business, is what I'm trying to say in all my blabbing about awesomesauce Brasa.
(5)Joe B.
Brasa was simply amazing! We started out with some chips and guacamole and oh my, were the chips good! They were crunchy and tasty and perfectly complemented the guac. Next we moved on and had the chicken with gravy, pork, yucca fries(favorite), plantains, rice and beans, and all were amazing. We also had the chocolate bundt cake which was oozing with fresh chocolate and the butterscotch pudding was fantastic. Prices were really reasonable for the food quality too! A must stop in Minneapolis and we don't know why we waited so long to try it!
(4)Nnenna F.
Chicken was the juiciest I've ever had, sides are well prepared,friendly service. The andouille and sweet potatoes could have been a little sweeter, collard greens were excellent. Finished our meal with a tasty cup of coffee and surprisingly complex chocolate pudding.
(4)Sean G.
This place is a solid 4 stars. Original, fresh mix-and-match lunches bring me back whenever I'm in the area. The wait can be a pain, especially since there's almost no room to wait in. It's awkward to stand right next to a table of people eating food. The seating is cramped and laid out a little weird, as well. Overall, though, I'm sure I'll keep going back. I'm thinking about those yuca "fries" right now....
(4)Conor O.
Brasa is a great restaurant. People love it. For me, it's more of a safe bet. The food is consistent, relatively straight-forward, and pretty cheap. In this sense, it's perfect for lazy nights when you're debating whether or not to go to Chipotle, or if you're taking a parent out, (especially if that parent is of the type that thinks that ketchup is, "too spicy.") The service is excellent and I hear the owner treats his staff well. A super tall guy named Ryan went above and beyond for our table.
(4)Laura B.
I love Brasa! Such a fantastic, affordable lunch spot. Even though the dining room is small, there's rarely a long wait, their staff are efficient and have always been friendly in my experience. The best thing about Brasa, by far, is the food. I haven't had anything that's not delicious here, meat, sides and sangria included !! Always a lunch spot I take out of town guests and it hasn't failed me yet.
(4)Todd M.
Introduced to Brasa by two very devoted regulars (Theresa & Corbett), I've been back, bringing 1st-timers a few more times myself. Both indoors/winter and outdoors/summer. Terrific food, good service and reasonable prices. So much flavor in simple, fresh tasting food. Cheers !
(4)Nichole K.
Brasa. Brasa, Brasa, Brasa. Where have you been all of my life? I work a mere 3 blocks away and it took me this long to finally bask in your glory. We arrived shortly after 5pm on a Monday and while we did snag the last parking spot in their small lot we got a table in a snap right next to the closed garage door with the sun leaking in; it is heavenly having the sun bathe your neck on such a brisk pre-fall afternoon. Though I didn't catch our server's name he was super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and didn't awkwardly flinch when I told him I needed a sangria as soon as possible. Prior to coming I had been yelping this place to get a good feel for what I wanted to order and with the ala cart family style menu I knew I needed a game plan so I wasn't totally clueless when I got there (I am one of those people that creates an itinerary for just about EVERYTHING, lol, it drives my bf nuts)...after slyly convincing my boyfriend that he wanted to share everything that I had on my list, we ordered: (s) Pulled Chicken (s) Pulled Pork w/lime (drizzle some hot pepper vinegar on this, you won't regret it) (s) Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapeno (s) Coleslaw (s) Fried Sweet Plantains w/ aioli (2) Pieces of Cornbread (1) Spicy corn masa cake Holy lord baby jesus. Everything was incredible. I would give each item at least an A with the exception of the Coleslaw which I will give a B; It was good and refreshing but I would have preferred a home-style slaw; just my opinion. It's really hard to choose a favorite because it was all mouth wateringly good but I found myself NEEDING to finish every little crumb of the spicy corn masa cake and the fried plantains. (I would recommend getting the plantains as your dessert as they are sweet and hit the spot perfectly.) The fried plantains also come with the brilliant little ramekin of Cilanto Ginger Aioli that was to die for; it sounds weird to dip something sweet and creamy like a plantain in there but listen to me now: DO IT. I want to drink this stuff by the jug. I should also note that my boyfriend who is a transplant here from Alabama has stated that it is the most authentic tasting Southern food he has encountered thus far; which is saying a lot. I know this was a wordy review but trust me when I say that you need to run, not walk, to Brasa RIGHT NOW. (Well, as long as they are open) :) I have homemade meatloaf in the fridge that is getting jealous right now because I want to put it aside for the second night in a row just to indulge in Brasa once more.
(5)Twincities G.
We do more pick up out of here than eating in, so I can only speak to the food, not the service. But the food is amazing. I tend to rotate between the chicken, beef and pork sandwiches, rice and chips and guacamole. It's pure, simple, comfort food at it's best.
(5)Monica L.
I love this place! First timers go during lunch time, where you can get a protein with a side so you can try different things here. I always get the pulled chicken, plantains, and yucca fries. Beware though there is limited seating inside and they don't take reservations.
(5)John M.
Brasa is probably the closest you're going to get to real Cajun food in Minneapolis. Every item on the menu is very delicious and I love sitting on their patio outside in the summertime. It's the perfect summer place.
(5)Katie M.
Why hello, favorite restaurant in Minneapolis/St. Paul. You made my transition away from 8 years as a vegetarian an easy one. My meat-loving friends took me here to re-wet my carnivorous palate and I've never looked back. All dishes on the menu are gluten-free, save the sliced bread, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, and sandwich rolls. Foods are locally and sustainably sourced. Their dishes feature cage free and non-confinement produced eggs and meat that is 100% naturally raised without hormones or antibiotics. Everything about Brasa's food screams superb homestyle cooking, including the family style portions. You will not be disappointed in any of the meats, I have nothing but praises to sing about all of the selections. Let me take a special moment to call out the Crispy Yuca with Citrus & Garlic. I may not be able to correctly pronounce this root vegetable, but I do know that I would bathe in the accompanying aioli. Think "jo-jos" but better. Order this or forever live in regret. Other personal favorites include: Roasted Yams & Andouille Homemade Chips & Guacamole (generous serving of guac) Collard Greens with Smoked Chicken With locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul, you have few reasons to not make your way over to this restaurant. St. Paul's location is slightly larger and features happy hour specials, and both restaurants have patios and garage doors that open (weather permitting). I will say that seats fill up fast and they do not take reservations. Be prepared for a wait if it is a weekend evening. Whatever you're doing Brasa, please don't stop. Ever.
(5)n. c.
Eh. I was underwhelmed. I got the pork which was bland. I drenched it in their spicy vinegar which made it ok. I also got collard greens. Not bad, not great either though. I've had much better. And the grits were bland and had hard bits in it (like the skin in popcorn). I'm not a grits connoisseur but I'm pretty sure that's not normal. Or if it is, I don't like it that way. Anyway, ok meal, overpriced, but very cute ambience. I'd come back just to have a few beers and hang out, but not for the food.
(2)Jennifer K.
This is good southern cooking. They have great chicken that isn't dry at all and very flavorful. My big turnoff though is that the tables are very close together so it feels like you are sitting on top of one another. It is also often a long wait to actaully get a table.
(3)William C.
I've been to Brasa quite a few times, but I'm finally writing a review!!! When it comes to roasted meats in the Twin Cities, there is little to no competition when compared to Brasa. It's located in a former automotive shop and the garage doors open during the summer months. I made a recent (and random) stop, because I had a craving for rotisserie chicken. The menu is quite simple. Select your choice of meat(s), sides and NEVER forget the honey glazed corn bread, NEVER. We ordered half a chicken (4 pieces), cheesy grits, yellow rice with beans and corn bread. As always the chicken was juicy, filled with flavor and AMAZING. Amazing is the only word needed for their legendary rotisserie chicken. The grits are creamy, cheesy, yet still has great texture. Don't forget the corn bread!!! Great food, wonderful service and amazing staff. *make a reservation, arrive early and prepare to parallel park on the street*
(5)Tino K.
I love everything about this place - the atmosphere, the decor, the service, and especially the food. I love how versatile the portion sizes are (small, medium, large); it makes it a great place to go solo, on a date or with a group of your besties. I've tried most of the meats and loved them all, so savory and juicy. The pulled chicken is succulent, and the pepper gravy it comes smothered in is amazing. The pulled pork is tender and delicious; try it with a few dashes of Brasa's vinegar concoction. And the smoked beef has a great, smoky, subtle BBQ flavor. You really can't go wrong with any of the meats. I loved the cheesy grits and collard greens. I had no clue what a spicy masa corn cake was, but what I do know is that I want to eat more of them. Trust me, there's a reason this place has over 300 Yelp reviews. If you haven't eaten here yet, go today. Or, better yet, right after reading this review.
(5)Jonathan H.
Yes a million times! Yes!!!!
(5)Paul C.
I love Brasa! This place is a great spot for a casual meal with friends. Simple decor (it's an old service station, and you can tell), excellent meats (especially the pulled pork) to build your dinner around, but the sides steal the show. Must have's include the Cornbread & Beans, Roasted Yams & Andouille, and the Fried Plantains. The same ownership as Restaurant Alma - how can you go wrong.
(5)Jessica K.
I feel like I was at a completely different place than what all the other reviews are saying.. I went here with my dad for a lunch. The parking lot is small so we had to find street parking which is a little daunting, but that is northeast for you so I won't hold that against them to much. We each ordered the lunch special which comes with a meat, bread and a side. I ordered the pulled chicken for my meat, I found it good but seemed like the gravy from biscuits and gravy with that heavy pepper flavor. It was good, but nothing outstanding. My dad ordered the pork which was a little dry. I am not sure if the lunch meats are leftover from dinners the night before and that is why they are a little sub par compared to what the reviews are saying? All the problems with the meat seem to be around the lunch hour. For the side we both ordered the Romaine and Mozzarella Salad. I found this to be very refreshing and delicious! For the bread, my dad ordered the cornbread and I ordered the spicy masa. The winner was definitely the Masa! It was a really nice balance! Not too heavy and not to light! For beverages we both had waters, I ordered the iced coffee and I loved that it was free refills! My dad ordered iced tea and to his displeasure, it was peach...it didn't call it out on any menus and that was bit of a fail. I think i need to make one more stop at this place and give it a shot and I would definitely do so. I feel like my experience just didn't live up to the reviews.
(3)Andrea B.
Love BRASA! Friendly staff ;) food = delicious. Tried the roasted chicken, collard greens with chicken, coleslaw, yams and andouille, and pulled pork sandwich! A lot of my friends loved the yuca fries too! All in all this place was a big hit and fairly priced. If you're coming for dinner at a popular time, allow a few extra minutes for street parking.
(5)Michael L.
Still love this place. Very affordable, very good. All the sandwiches are great, all the sides are great, what can I say, it's all good. Even the desserts are very good and a steal at only $3.50, at least the pear honey cake with mascarpone cream I had last night was fantastic. The only thing that could be improved is the beer list, only 3 taps (Surly Furious, Hell, and Bell's Brown recently). But it is usually so crowded I guess they don't want people hanging out here just drinking. They also have Sangria.
(5)Lindsey R.
Delicious. I've never been disappointed by any of the food. Service is great, even when you show up for takeout and there's a line, they find a way to make you feel like you matter as a customer. I wish it didn't cost so much, or we'd eat there more but at the same time it's a fair price for great tasting, high quality food in a high demand area so I totally get it. LOVE: Rotisserie chicken, pulled pork. LOVE THE MASA CORN CAKES, brussels sprouts, the greens, all sooo good. All the other meats and sides have been good, just not the super craveworthy ones listed above. I have never, ever tried anything at Brasa that I didn't like. So good. Great environment. So fun. Yum!
(4)Scott E.
It is not the fault of Brasa (or is it) that on the two occassions we have been here our conversations have evolved into an argument. We are a couple that rarely has tension in our relationship, but the moments here have been award winning emotional hell. We don't shout, rather the quiet smoldeing anger...sound fun? LOL. Anyway this has clouded the experience here. The first time it was raining hard and the second time was a very cold night. The old garage is well designed. The staff is professional and always working hard. Parking can be difficult. The food was good.The chicken is worth the visit and is served fast at a fair price. Next time we need some tension in our relationship we will be back...lol, just kidding.
(4)Joe S.
Everyone at my office loves this place and it was on the top of my list of restaurants to sample as a new Minnesotan. This food was amazing. Chips and guacamole were quickly consumed by my fam. My kids especially like the corn bread. We samples all the proteins and sides. Everything is great, but I enjoyed the pulled chicken and collard greens. Super busy on a Friday night, we came early and still waited nearly 45 mins for a table (4 in the party). Highly recommend.
(5)Reid S.
Great prices Great quality. Great service. Awkward waiting area. Hard to find parking. We had a fantastic server that helped our table of four adults select both the right amount of food, and dishes that would compliment our tastes. I will definitely return.
(4)Tracy G.
VERY good pulled chicken, but the price was quite high for the amount I got for take out. Not sure I would do that again. I will be back to try some sides and sandwiches though, I heard thats where it's at!
(4)Johanna V.
Brasa will always hold a special spot place in my heart. Not only was it the location of the first date with the boo, it is also the only restaurant I have been to in the twin cities with collard greens, grits, and cornbread on the menu. This place is like a big hug for my inner Southerner. They serve downright scrumptious food. The pulled pork is sweet and tender. Their chicken is juicy and well-seasoned. The fried yucca is to die for. We recently tried the masa torillas n' fixins with pork as well as their chips and guacamole. Everything was fresh and flavorful. I like that the structure of their menu allows you to play with the theme of your meal.
(5)Stephen M.
It seems unorthodox to give Brasa fewer than four stars based on others' reviews, but on my visit, two is generous. We arrived early on a Monday. It was crowded already at 6pm. The wait wasn't bad, but they could really do with a waiting area. There were lots of people trying to get to and from the tiny counter where beer was being sold, and no places for them to sit or stand without being in the servers' way or practically sitting on the tables of those already seated. Okay, it's a small and popular restaurant. I get it. But a little organization and/or guidance as to where you're supposed to wait would help everybody. The wait wasn't long, maybe 15 minutes. But once seated, the service was slow. Our order was taken quickly and the server had good recommendations, but then I watched my beer sit on the bar for a full 10 minutes getting warm while no one brought it to me, and we waited a pretty darn long time for our food. We ordered a good variety of things: pulled chicken, rotisserie chicken, and smoked beef, along with yams, yuca fries, and cole slaw. I'll start with the good: the yuca fries were absolutely outstanding. Perfectly crisp fried outside, full of flaky yuca flesh, flavorful, and accompanied by a delicious sauce for dipping. This was the highlight of the meal for me. The yams and slaw were pretty good, too. The spiciness of the sausage in the yams complimented the candied sweetness of the starch, but the whole thing was pretty soupy and sloppy. It seemed like it had been made with too much liquid, butter, cream, or whatever they use to mix it all together. The slaw was nice - crispy, flavorful, and a nice foil to the meat (which is all slaw should really be, in my opinion). The meats, then. My expectations were high and they were most decidedly not met. The pulled chicken tasted like a can of Campbell's cream of mushroom soup. I'm not exaggerating; it tasted more like salty, creamy mushrooms than like chicken. The flavor of the meat was completely overwhelmed by the gravy. This would be okay if the gravy tasted homemade rather than like something out of a can, but with every bite I just thought about Campbell's being force fed to me as a kid when I was sick or my mom was lazy. The menu description promised peppery flavor, but it was completely absent. I don't know if I've ever had a dish with such a big discrepancy between the Yelp consensus (amazing! incredible!) and the actual thing (completely underwhelming). The rotisserie chicken was flavored well but was just plain overcooked. The meat was flaky and dry, not moist and soft like roasted chicken should be. I can roast a better chicken than this at home. This is another thing that makes me think they just don't have enough people working in the kitchen. If it had been taken off the heat 5-10 minutes earlier, it would have been great. But we got an overcooked bird, like your Grandma's dry Thanksgiving turkey. The smoked beef was better than the chicken dishes. It was nicely spiced and the browning from the braise was evident. A good combination of textures. It was a little dry, though, like it had been left without enough liquid in the braise for a little too long. A decent meat dish, but not a great one. Based on how positively people have rated this place, I'm willing to give it another try. It seemed like they must have been understaffed in the kitchen and on the floor, hence the chicken roasting for too long and the food and drinks taking forever to reach us. I really hope we just caught them on a bad night and that if we return we'll be satisfied.
(2)Mo M.
It took me a few visits to really appreciate this place. That's primarily because I never would have guessed that my favorite meat here would be the chicken. And, similarly, that the close second would be the catfish! But for this type of establishment, you would think that the pork and beef would be better. And they aren't truly bad, but there's room for improvement. The pork has been quite dry when I've tried it, and the beef hasn't had much flavor to it. Which, for beef, is weird. If you don't plan out how you order things, it can get really expensive. That's the other reason for losing a star - I understand how ordering family-style works, but for some of the side dishes in particular, you really don't get much for your money. But some - the mashed potatoes and the creamed spinach - are plentiful and taste great. It's all very hit and miss. Best of luck ordering!
(3)Jeeya A.
Great food. Great Sangria. So happy to have found it.
(5)Clare S.
You have to get the pork...
(5)Mazie J.
An absolute staple in any MPLS trip we take. In fact, it's sometimes a deciding factor in trekking to the cities from DSM in the first place. We'll be in for a visit next week on our honeymoon and are quite excited to be reunited with the yuca fries and collard greens.
(5)Bill S.
Great food. We had them cater an event for us as well ant it was a huge hit!
(4)Elena P.
The menu is very well-constructed in terms of what's on offer, and the pulled pork I got was well-cooked and tasted good. Unfortunately, that's where my praise ends. The lime I got with the pork wasn't ripe at all and yielded none of the juice the menu indicated I'd be getting. I get it, it's April in Minnesota - but if you can't source juicy limes, you should be just using lime juice. I'd rather bottled lime juice than no lime taste at all. On top of that, the sides were very bland. The guacamole didn't taste like much of anything - no hints of onion, lime, or anything like that - and the salsa was sort of blandly hot. (This on top of the fact that I didn't want chips and guac, I'd ordered one of the rice sides). The cornbread was fine, but relied heavily on sugar and didn't balance that out with any savory notes. I get the feeling that they have modified the menu so that people who like more spice could toss on condiments, but since the foods they're deriving from rely on seasoning as they cook, that sort of model really doesn't work. Service-wise...eh. We apparently came during a shift change. It was chaotic and we had to wait a long time for our food, and again, my order was wrong. I didn't regret my meal, but I wouldn't come here again.
(3)kyle t.
Birthday dinner score! I have wanted to come here for such a long time and what a better event than a birthday dinner! I loved it from the minute we walked in the door! The place is much smaller than I thought it was going to be but I see now why there is always a wait. I must say I am planning already to come back in the summer when the bay doors are open and the patio is in full swing. That said the wait wasn't long and the service from beginning to end was fantastic! We shared a couple of meat dishes, the pulled pork and the pulled chicken and as much as I love pork the chicken rocked! For sides we shared the rice and beans (very good), the fried Yucca (amazing with a great dipping sauce), sweet potatoes with chorizo sausage (both our favorites) and the mozzarella salad which was one of the best salads I think I've ever had! The food was so good, fresh, flavorful and add to it great service and a very reasonable tab, hell of a night! Can't wait for summer and a table on the patio at night! KT
(4)Sagar P.
The wait can be long...but well worth it for amazing food that will leave you having dreams about it in the days to come.
(5)Jaris J.
Very good meal, we got the chicken and some vegetarian sides. Everything hit the spot; the sauce that comes with the chicken was outstanding.
(4)Brian S.
There's something to be said about natural, locally produced ingredients in food... and it's almost always good. Brasa Rotisserie is case in point. That roasted whole rotisserie chicken was legit. Perfect crispy skin and moist meat. Also had the homemade chips and guacamole, crispy yuca, collard greens, and corn bread with honey glaze. Wasn't a big fan of the collard greens but the corn bread was rich and delicious.
(5)Sarah S.
I am from the south and when I moved here to Minneapolis, one of the downfalls was that people looked at me like I was crazy when I wanted grits, gravy on my biscuits or offered to cook Brussels with bacon. Scandinavian food is delicious but it's no soul food. When I heard about the reputation (all good) of the amazing chef behind Brasa and then realized it was just a mile walk from home, we decided to take family in town to the location to all try it. The location is small, there were food on the floor and the service was confused as to what waitress was ours but we found a small table by the collapsible garage doors and ordered some sweet tea (ahhh Lipton sweet tea). The menu was awesome - roasted chicken, cheesy grits, okra and the table was even adorned with the appropriate southern pepper vinegar!! I was tickled that it all looked so delicious. We all got pretty much everything on the menu and picked off each plate and all of the food was delicious. The sweet yams were amazing and buttery, the chicken was covered in a tasty salty gravy and the grits were perfect! We declined to order dessert because we were all super stuffed but we cannot wait to head back to Brasa sometime soon! The prices reflect the gourmet southern soul food and a check for four people who all had some kind of an alcoholic drink on top of sweet tea was about $72 bucks before tip.
(4)Angelina B.
Great food, good price.
(4)Mai Y.
Amazing. Just amazing. I ate here yesterday and my mind is still blown. We went in and got their special, the pork belly. It's basically a thickened and jucier version of bacon...this place sure knows how to do barbecue. I am impressed. I recommend doing their pulled pork for meat. It literally melts in your mouth and is heavenly goodness. Don't forget to add the cornbread. Highly recommended. It is perfection. The taste and texture is just right. It's not one of those cornbread sides that taste dry or like it's been sitting around forever. I think all the sides tasted fine, but these were the standouts: -Collard Greens -Spinach and Jalapeno -Grits We also ordered the plantanes (they give you a huge portion!) and rice with olives - both good, but not a standout. This place is so much for fun if you share the plates! It does run a little on the expensive side, but it's worth it every once in a while.
(5)Brian S.
The meat is tender and the sides are tasty, I'll be here again.
(4)Nikki S.
Food is always amazing. Staff is nice. Great part of town, easy to find parking and on bus line.
(4)Neil K.
My favorite restaurant in the Minneapolis area. I come here about every week or two, with the pulled chicken in gravy accompanied with spinach and greens being the go-to meal. Seeing complaints about the price makes me scratch my head. I'm a big guy and have never left here hungry. In fact, I usually have enough leftovers for lunch the next day. As long as you don't go nuts on drinks, dinner should run about $20 per person, with a meat portion and two sides - which is good value in my book, especially considering the quality of the food. If you don't want to eat "family style", they do offer sandwiches and bowls which are pretty tasty. If you go during lunch/brunch, they also have plates that have a meat with your choice of bread and side. Waitstaff here is always very nice; they quickly get to remember you and what you order, as well as giving suggestions about new menu items. I've never gotten that pretentious hipster vibe you get at some wannabe foodie NE places. Some suggestions: Parking outside is limited, probably about 5 or 6 spots. You probably will have to find a space on the street. There is usually something available within a block or two, but if you don't like parallel parking, you can take the bus - the number 2 stops right outside and it is also accessible by the 4. This is a small restaurant. There is usually a wait most nights, especially Friday through Sunday. If you're in a rush, this is not the place for you. But you can get a drink at the bar to help pass the time. Things are better during the warmer months when they can open up the patio seating, which is very nice on warm summer nights.
(5)Katie B.
The beef. Wow. This place is my happy comfort go-to spot!
(5)Anne D.
Brasa catered my recent wedding and it could have not been any better. Ash was awesome at ensuring everything went smoothly and coordinating with the other vendors. The food was amazing (notably the Mac and Cheese). I would definitely recommend their catering services.
(5)Anna F.
Ok, honestly when I first heard of this place I really thought it was just a typical restaurant that served fried chicken and some mediocre sides. This is why you don't judge a book by its cover! Pardon my french, but DAMN THIS PLACE IS GOOD! I swear, their candied yam must be the freaking holy grail of candied yams. They use caramel to candy them. GENIUS! I got some Yuca as well, knowing nothing about it but tried it because it seemed be what everyone is raving about on yelp. It was good, so good that I had to order seconds with a bigger portion. If I had a bottomless pit of only one type of food, it would probably be the yuca. I didn't have any of the chicken, but my bf did. He said that the chicken was tender and juicy with the condiments given at the table to splash on top for move flavor. And the 'pièce de résistance' was the "green sauce" I don't know what's in it but its hella good (i know this by dipping my yuca in it). Food Verdict: Go,go, GO!!!....and be in rotisserie chicken heaven with a side of 'em god-sent candied yams.
(5)Amy K.
Pulled chicken in cream gravy with cilantro mayo sauce is ridiculous. Pair that with black eyed peas/rice and some creamed spinach w/jalapeño and your taste buds will punch you for not introducing these foods to them sooner. Love this place but always have to request the cilantro mayo sauce multiple times before it finds its way to my plate. NBD, really, just means my mouth has to do without the ck for a couple minutes - MUST have that sauce on it. MUST!! Really can't go wrong with the a la carte menu, IMO.
(4)Ben W.
The food at Brasa is really good. Food portions are not large, but the quality is good. I really recommend the fried yucca, the romaine mozzarella salad, and the pork.
(4)Gerard T.
I went to this place about 8 months ago, but remembered how great the food and staff were. I'll be in the area this weekend and will definitely be going again. It was a little bit of a wait time, maybe 30 to 40 mins so make sure you call ahead if you are going on the weekend. Everything on the menu was scrumptious!!!! Moderate prices and somewhat of tight or intimate ambiance. All in all, great food, great experience, etc. I've recommended it to a few people. Not from Minneapolis but love this place!!
(5)Beth A.
Oh Brasa, how I love you. I love your shareable portions, your lovely patio and your delightful soul food. But damn, you are busy. I discovered that the secret is to call in an order To-Go and within the time it takes for me to drive there, it's ready. This way I can order a bunch of food and save $$ by drinking at home! Mama hates lines but loves the black bean fritter sandwich and Yuca fries. The food is 5/5, but Brasa scores a 4 due to lack of seating... I still love you!
(4)Dan C.
This was our 1st visit. The atmosphere was inviting and the food was good. We will be back.
(4)Dawn S.
I couldn't believe how busy they were at 8pm on a Sunday night. We didn't wait long, but every table was full. The service was good. I love it that they have a separate Vegetarian menu. I've eaten at both the Minneapolis and St. Paul locations and each has different items on their menu - like St. Paul has macaroni & cheese and potato salad, but Minneapolis does not. The small sides do serve one, but two or three people could share a small if ordering separate proteins and ordering more than one small side. We tried: rice and pigeon peas w/ham sofrito cornbread and black beans crispy yuca with citrus garlic sauce homemade chips and Guacamole coleslaw smoked beef chocolate cake chocolate pudding Everything was really good. I'd definitely go back for more!
(4)Cassie M.
This is my favorite summer dinner spot in the twin cities. Their pulled chicken is to die for and I've never had better creamed spinach. The jalapeño gives it a really nice kick. I've yet to try their dessert because I'm always to full from the great sides.
(5)Adela J.
Tried some different items on the menu today: Rotisserie Chicken: Well seasoned tender pieces of meat. It didn't really have specific taste or any pop in flavor. I personally think that the grilled chicken at the Cub Foods Deli and Pollo Campero is the best. Having tasted all the meats at Brasa now, I'd say the gravy pepper chicken is still the best and this is the next best thing. Romaine & Mozzarella Salad: It was okay. It had tortilla shreds in it. I couldn't make out the mozzarella or dressing. Collard Greens: Pretty much like cooked Spinach. It was well seasoned but I couldn't make out the smoked chicken that was supposedly in it. Roasted Yams: Your standard mashed yams. I liked them. The sausage (with a kick) on the top was a nice salty touch.
(4)Jay E.
My grandmother was from the deep South; my family - all 100 + of the wonderful weirdos - are from Harlem and Brooklyn. I ate oxtails, pigs' feet, grits, cornbread, rice & peas... all-a-dat growing up. My Grandma had a chitlin recipe that called for a 40 of Ballantine Ale - black enough for ya? All of which is to say, I will turn my nose up at some stank, doodoo, imitation soul food. Brasa ain't that. Brasa is its own thang: a Northeast Minneapolis take on Southern cuisine that hits the right notes, consistently. DAT CREAMED JALAPENO SPINACH, SON! IT'S GOOD! Let me, uh, curb my enthusiasm. Much of the menu is good. The grits pass the authenticity test; the pulled pork does indeed melt on the tongue; the chicken is top notch; dem grits... THEY GOOD! I'm heading back this weekend, for the 5th time. Love that outdoor seating too. *milli vanilli joyous kickstep*
(5)Christi H.
I love Brasa! My boyfriend took me here on our first date, and it was a great experience. Its kind of a order in portions and share type of place. They have unique choices, and the food is great quality at a very reasonable price. I would highly recommend this place, you can spend $20 for two and walk out plenty full and happy. The atmosphere is different and cozy. If you're looking for something different and super yummy, this is the place to go. My boyfriend and I have since returned and were just as satisfied as the first time. Brasa rocks!
(5)Joe C.
Tried Brasa for the first time and the place lives up to the high ratings! Great food and great service. I love the way they setup the menu for different ordering sizes to easily accommodate sharing many different dishes without overloading. The prices are a bargain for the high quality of these dishes.
(5)Ella G.
The food was all excellent! For having a fairly small menu, there seemed to be something for everyone. Their sides are absolutely delicious! I would definitely recommend going on a nice summer night because they open it up to the night air and there is a lovely little patio with overhead strung lighting. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time, even on a Wednesday night, there was a little bit of a wait to be seated
(5)Sara W.
Brasa, why has it taken so long to proclaim my love to you? I hate picking favorites... but you might in the running for my fave restaurant (don't tell the others). Hello southern deliciousness! I love eating here, because it's a place you come to share (or not share if you're greedy) & eat multiple, delicious things. Most all of their items are organic, and sourced from the Midwest. Now onto a few menu items I enjoy over and over again: CRISPY YUCA, cornbread with honey glaze, pulled chicken, & candied yams. Seriously, I could eat that yuca everyday. Keep in mind that the space at their NE location is limited, so not great for a large group. Their St. Paul location is bigger, but I find the NE space to be a little more cozy.
(5)Jill P.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul. I love sharing dishes and I usually order more than I need so I can have leftovers. Also Brasa catered our wedding and everyone loved it. We also got two kegs of the homemade soda and that was a big hit too. It was very reasonably priced for catered food and the service was wonderful. I recommend Brasa for any catered event.
(5)Justin O.
Even though I have always been a fan of Brasa, I moved in across the street recently and it has now become my standby for a quality takeout meal. Their slow cooked beef is very satisfying, and their fried yucas with the green sauce is one of my favorite things to eat period. I would also recommend their collard greens, which are very flavorful but at times can be a little too salty. The only two things I can gripe about would be that it seems like their portions of meat are a little over priced for the amount you are given. Also, one of the last times I was in there I ordered a catfish sandwich, which is normally delightful. I understand that the place was jumping on a Saturday night and cooks can lose track of quality at times, however my catfish was raw in the middle and that was a huge bummer considering how much I loved it previously. I would still recommend going to Brasa, there just might be a couple hiccups along the way.
(4)Reggie F.
Pulled chicken sandwich is delicious! I think they've recently improved the recipe. I'm a huge fan.
(4)Kayla K.
Love Brasa! one of my favorite restaurants in the Twin Cities! The wait can be long sometimes, but it's totally worth it! I love the corn bread & the Yuca!
(5)E H.
Brasa is one of the few truly original and creative restaurants in Minneapolis. Everything on the menu is thought through and tasty, but I really like the seemingly simple sandwiches. The flavors are actually really complex. Get the hot peppers.
(4)Mark R.
Food here is great, but gets crowded quickly. Attentive, informed, and helpful staff, the menu is always excellent. Unfortunately restrooms, while clean, don't seem large enough for the seating capacity of a frequently packed restaurant!
(4)Joelle P.
This was my first time at Brasa Minneapolis. I have been to their STP Grand Ave location a few times and have always really enjoyed it. The Minneapolis location is smaller, but still homey and bright. My boyfriend and I opted for the lunch special "meat plate", it's a good deal, I highly suggest it. We both ended up getting beef as our meat, I got chips and guac as a side while he got fried plantains and we both went for the cornbread. We also got a side of candied yams to share. the beef is truly excellent. Nice and tender and flavorful. The lunch special is a pretty big portion too, I couldn't finish all of mine! The cornbread was my favorite part. The honey glaze is so flippin' good! My boyfriend is a huge fan of plantains and loved his, he said they were cooked exactly how he likes them: fried but still tender on the inside. My chips and guac were excellent as well. The candied yams were the only thing we weren't huge fans of...they were good, but just not exactly what we were expecting, probably would go for something else next time. The service was great, the food came fast, it wasn't very busy around lunch time and we found street parking really close. I love the concept of Brasa's food and I will continue to go back, both here and the Grand Ave location!
(5)Scott M.
This remains one of my favorite places to eat in Minneapolis. Family style soul-food can't get any better. Favorite things on the menu are the rotisserie chicken and pork with the ginger-cilantro aioli. We usually stick to a couple of our favorite sides but have tried most of them and you can't go wrong. Our Favorites are the red beans and rice, sweet plantains, yams with andouille and the guacamole. Oh and masa cakes!!! I'm already planning my next visit!
(5)David C.
Love this spot. It's not the best food I've ever had, but it's exceptional, tasty food at a very reasonable price. It's a winner in its weight class. The pulled pork is the super star, but the rest of the meat dishes are quite tasty. Just a dash of lime and you're good to go. I'm a huge fan of the masa cakes and the corn bread. Comfort food done right.
(5)Kate M.
Tonight was probably my 7th or 8th visit to Brasa. It's almost always been an excellent experience minus a few flakey servers. Food is usually solid. Why the 3 stars? -If you don't have a bar, take reservations. I have no fuss with places that don't take reservations but there is a decent waiting area. You can usually order a glass of wine and stand, but in the winter, it starts to feel like you're hovering over some poor diner just trying to enjoy delicious, delicious corn bread. In the summer, it's cool standing the parking lot. But, reservations would be better. -The cornbread is usually my highlight. Tonight 2 of us ordered the cornbread and we got one lovely looking muffin and one that looked like an ugly stepsister. It was squashed and sad looking and was way too dense. -The tortilla chip to gauc ratio is always off. There's always a ton of guac left and people at the table trying to scoop it up with shards of chips. --Tostones. We went once this summer and the NE location had savory plantains/tostones. They were divine. I love me some tostones. Tonight, just the sweet ones. TEASE. Brasa's meats are delicious and their yucca fries are a must have. But I'm feeling scowly at my ugly cornbread and lack of tostones. Oh, and the slow beverages tonight. Too long for my sangria.
(3)Adam B.
This place isn't as good as I expected. Alex Roberts achieves damn near perfection with Alma but bbq at Brasa falls pretty short in comparison. Some of the sides were outstanding and the service was good but the meat wasn't anything special. As a bbq enthusiast myself I wasn't amazed but it wasn't gross. I'd recommend Ted Cook's 19th Hole over Brasa.
(3)Jennifer J.
Waited 20 minutes for service. Finally flagged a server down who said it wasn't her section, but when she had a free minute she'd take us. Really? After all of that, food was just ok. Won't be back.
(2)sam a.
Some of the best food in Minneapolis; maybe a bit on the pricey side and atmosphere a little cramped during the winter (with outdoor seating closed.) Every meal I've had here has been terrific.
(4)Incalc U.
mmmm....Brasaaaaaa...The staff are knowledgeable, the atmosphere (plus the outside dining during warm months), is nice, and the food is amazing! Plus, it's a fun way to eat because you can order "family style", i.e., try a bunch of different sides and mains in smaller portions and share with the others at your table. I This is a great place to go with friends or a partner....it's also a great place to bring out of towners!
(5)Mike D.
Probably my wife's and my favorite restaurant....in the world. :-) Great gluten-free choices which matter to my wife. The menu contains nothing that you have not heard of, the server does not need to interpret the menu for you. It is amazing what comfort food becomes when genius chef people prepare it. I could go on and on, but, just go. Order anything, it doesn't matter.
(5)Tara D.
I went a little out of my way to find this one, and it turned out to be quite worth it. Minneapolis' Nice Ride (see separate review) really helped me get a taste of all DT Minneapolis neighborhoods in just four days. FOOD: I had the pulled chicken and the slow roasted pork + the spicy corn cake and the plantains. Wow. Everything was so good it was sick. They use fresh ingredients, cage-free eggs, a lot of organic products, hormone-free meats, and most items are gluten-free. DRINK: I had some small-batch brew they were serving on tap. A nice light beer for a hot day. SERVICE: Service (order at counter, they bring it to you) was excellent; very friendly and helpful. AMBIANCE: Open and light and airy and bright yet kind of modern/industrial in feel. Both the inside area and the patio are lovely. VERDICT: I'm going back to Minneapolis next month for a conference, and this is on my must-hit list. At least once. Maybe twice!
(5)Randall N.
The fact that I've driven by this place 50 times and didn't stop until a few weeks ago makes me angry. Seriously this food is good. A mix of carribean and southern BBQ practices....could be the best combo ever. I've been here several times and why I will say the portion sizes are kind of irritatingly small for the price tags, everything I've had has been fab. Yucca fries, cheddar grits, cornbread, masa cake, pulled pork and pulled chicken they've all been fan-friggin-tastic. The chicken with cream gravy is my favorite though. I could order 3 pounds of that stuff and sit and eat it for days. The gravy is divine. Again the price to size ratio is a little off if you ask me. I can't seem to get out of there for less than $12 and don't stay full all that long. However, the quality of ingredients is high, the flavors are excellent and I'm not sure anybody else in the area does what they do or do anything similar nearly as well. I don't eat here every week but when I do I enjoy every bite.
(5)Jennifer H.
Went here over a year ago and got the small portions of meat and rice beans but ended up not liking it and thinking I'd never come back. My friend recently convinced me that I had the wrong impression and I should come back- this time ordering the pork sandwich. He was right. It was moist and the slight sour pickle was the perfect complement. I highly recommend the cornbread to go with it. It is amazing. Best. Cornbread. ever The sangria was also divine and complemented the sandwich well. Overall, our group of friend agreed that the beef was rather dry and the sides can be bland. Pork sandwich all the way!
(4)Darrell G.
The pork melts in your mouth. The creamed spinach is heaven. Great place to also get sweat plantains but you have to ask to see if they have them.
(4)Ben K.
Time: Ate here with the fiance on Friday, July 6th 2012 at about 5:30p.m. It was 100 degrees outside with a dewpoint in the mid-70s and a heat index north of 115. Miserably hot. This will factor in prominently in this review. Place: It wasn't that busy when we went. I'm guessing it was because it's the Friday on a weekend where a lot of people leave town for a vacation. The first thing I noticed when we walked in the place is that it wasn't air conditioned, and the staff looked and behaved like they were miserable from the heat. I get it. It's stupid-hot outside, and it's stupid-hotter inside where you're roasting all the meat. I had read a lot of the Yelp reviews about this place and was expecting a level of helpfulness and friendliness from the servers. The staff was very attentive, but they weren't friendly at all. Again, I get it - it's hot out. Totally understandable that you, as a server, are not all bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed when you're going to go home after work and have to immediately shower and start replenishing the 20 lbs of water/fluid missing from your body. But it still threw me off. Maybe we can work on getting some air conditioning in there? Kinda suprises me that such a well-known and well-reviewed business wouldn't have AC, if at the very least for their workers. Beer/alcohol: they have Surly Furious on tap. Woohoo! 2 pints please, at $5/each not a bad price. Other than that, the beer list looked about average. A seasonal brew or two, some staples, etc. Nothing outstanding, but if you have Furious, what else do you need? Didn't see if they had booze/cocktails/wine. Don't think so. Food: started with the chips and guac. The chips were awesome (clearly made by hand) but the guac was nothing more than pureed avocado and a little cilantro. When I come back, I'm skipping the C&G. It did come with a roasted tomatillo and chipotle salsa, which was great. That was also on my spicy masa corn cake later in the meal. Since this was our first time there, we ordered small portions of a ton of stuff. The pulled chicken was awesome; the meat itself was very flavorful if a touch on the dry side. Might have been a small issue had it not been smothered in sauce. The smoked beef was good, if you're a beef fan. I enjoyed it; it was the fiance's least favorite of the three meats we tried. The pork was the star of the show. Give it a squeeze of lime and a dash of the pepper vinegar on you're table, and you're in pork heaven. I could eat a few pounds of this in one sitting. Absolutely incredible. Yellow rice and red beans were great. I literally licked the bowl the beans came in. I didn't (and still don't really) know what the hell yuca is, but when you fry it and serve it with some kind of garlic lime sauce, I'm in. They were outstanding. Grits were wonderful and creamy. Cornbread was some of the best I've ever had. Crispy masa cake was also great. Overall, the food was excellent. My only overall comment in the negative is that most of the dishes could have used a little more salt. The flavors on everything were really good but could all have used a little bit of salt to make them stand out just a hair more. By the end of the meal, I was drenched in sweat. It was sweltering hot in there and I was seated so that for the first part of the meal the sun was shining on my back. WARM! That level of discomfort is what gives this place 4 stars instead of 5 - for now. We'll be back, and sooner rather than later.
(4)Greg N.
It's so nice when a place lives up to the hype. 90+ reviews, what is left to say? I'll just tell you what I had: Pork sandwich - wonderful. I basically never eat pickles, and even the goddam pickles were good on this sandwich. Andouille (sp?) and yams were also great, though I could have had a higher ratio of andouille. The yuca and aioli were also great. Wife had beans and rice, a salad, fried plantains (these were cooked absolutely perfectly and tasted delicious) and cornbread. This is one of those places where I'll want to branch out next time and explore the menu a bit, but will have a difficult time not re-ordering what hooked me the first time - in this case the pork sandwich.
(5)Carolyn A.
Dinner at Brasa is consistently phenomenal. The service is always good and the food is delicious. I would definitely get a few plates and share with your dining companions. Some highlights include the creamed spinach w/ jalapeno, corn bread (OMG), rotisserie chicken (it's spiced perfectly) and yams and andouille. Another plus is that most of the food is grown/raised in Minnesota. Not only does it taste better, but I can net out the many calories I consumed by saying I was eating local. My only gripe (which is sadly worth a star in my book) is that they don't take reservations at this location. I would go there more often if I knew I could plan ahead and not have to wait too long to be seated.
(4)Don B.
My wife and I went to Brasa (visit #2) for dinner before the Aquatennial thunderworks. We ordered pulled pork, brisket, greens, corn cake, corn muffin and a couple of beers. I don't know what it was. The food? The warm, humid air? The company? Whatever, it was one of those meals I didn't want to end. The brisket was moist and smokey. The pulled pork was flavorful with just enough fat. Is "unctuous" the right word? The corn cake was sweet and corny. The service was pleasantly professional. The prices, fair. But the meal was greater than the sum of its parts. Doesn't happen often, but when it does, you just need to smile and be grateful. Thanks, Brasa.
(5)Van L.
i love this place!! love it in the summer with the open air seating, or in the winter where it feels cozy. i've been for events (surly brewing), for fun with friends, for picking up a quick meal. everything is delicious. everything. cornbread. pulled pork. bbq. creamed spinach. my mouth waters just thinking about it. seriously one of the best in minneapolis.
(5)Lissa M.
Holy cow. I know the meat is the point, and the meat is dang near perfect. But you don't even need it, not at all. I could have eaten the jalapeno creamed spinach all day. Or the corn and mushroom chowder. Or the corn bread. Or ... Not to mention dessert. Add a generous gluten-free menu for those who are so inclined, and I'm sorry to live 2,000 miles away. The only down side is the green stain my sweater now has from my spinach gluttony--and I can live with that.
(5)Steph P.
So this afternoon, I was on my way home in the pouring rain. I get on the 2 bus (which, BTW, is not my usual bus) because it seems that the 6 just came by. I'm chillin on the bus and see Brasa and remember how one of my classmates said that she really liked their rotisserie chicken. Suddenly, the bus stops and the driver says to me, "Hey, this is the end of the line." Oh crap, I took the bus the wrong direction! If you know me and my sense of direction, you shouldn't be surprised. Well, instead of cursing myself, I took it as a sort of serendipitous event...I guess I was meant to check out Brasa today! And I'm glad I did! This is some tasty, comforting food! The menu points out that this is a sort of amalgam of North American, Caribbean, and South American home cooking. They practice the whole local, naturally raised, sustainable, fair trade, organic thing - which, as you can guess, means that it is both higher quality and more expensive than Boston Market. They serve two kinds of meat: marinated and spice rubbed rotisserie chicken and slow-roasted berkshire pork shoulder. I decided to get the Combination Plate ($14.50) which was 1/4 chicken and a small roast pork, which comes with choice of two small sides and cabbage salad. For the price, it's really a great deal b/c it is HELLA food! I enjoyed it for both lunch and dinner! Both the chicken and the pork were tender and relatively moist, with very subtle flavor. I was a tad underwhelmed by the chicken's flavors (especially compared to the Peruvian rotisserie chicken I've had at NYC's Flor de Mayo), which tasted jerk seasoned. I think that the roasted pork's flavor had a lot of integrity, a very pure "pork" flavor that wasn't at all greasy or overshadowed by sauce. There are also two condiments that came w/ the meats - a tomatillo chipotle salsa and a cilantro ginger mayo. The mayo was AWESOME! The spice and refreshing taste of the grated ginger went so well w/ the rotisserie chicken. The sides I picked (through the server's recommendation) were great! The tastiest collard greens I've ever had! Not prepared like a traditional Southern style, they are slow-cooked and have this very deep and creamy flavor. I asked what it was, and the server told me that they have a touch of creme fraiche...what a delight! The marinated chick peas w/ barley side is a refreshing cold salad, with perfectly cooked barley and chick peas (undercooked either of these is awful). I loved the light dressing that had orange zest...so good! There are a number of other sides that I'd love to try like sweet plantains, fried yuca, yams w/ andouille sausage, black eyed peas w/ berkshire bacon, corn grits w/ cheddar, rice and pigeon peas w/ smoked ham...oh man, yum. When you step in, you can tell that you're in a converted "something" (Beth B's review says it's an old auto shop)...with a very airy, casual feel. The menus are regular, printed on white paper and can be taken home. There's a white board that notes the selection of bottled beers and wines...hey, they have Mexican Coca-Cola here! and their Coca-Cola comes in glass bottles! And sweet tea! How neat. Overall, some delicious food that tastes like it is high quality. I think that it is actually a pretty good deal, and even more so if you come with a friend and split some a la carte items. I think that there are going to be more occasions of "getting lost" in the future. And in case you were wondering, on the way back I got on the wrong bus again. I think I need to get myself some dog tags.
(4)Meghan F.
The Pulled Pork blew my hair back. I the food is incredible. Sure space is limited, we waited 30 minutes for a seat, the drinks are spendy, it's crowded, but you will leave knowing you just ate sumthin' real special!
(5)Mike C.
For clarification, these three stars were given due to the apparent digression in quality that has happened over the years. If I were to never have gone here prior, they would possibly have earned 4 stars, but hey, that's life. My first Brasa experience was actually at the Minneapolis location. Nonetheless, prior to arriving at Brasa, we ate dinner at another bar and stayed for a few rounds of drinks. After, it was suggested that we go to Brasa and have some Cava (Spanish Champagne) possibly paired with a dessert. When we entered into, the apparent Midas Brake repair garage converted restaurant, Brasa we were pleasantly greeted by the aromatic smells of rotisserie chicken and pulled pork. After we were seated, we sipped Cava as we perused the menu. Keeping in mind that we had just finished dinner and had drinks at another establishment, the delicious aroma of chicken and pork wafting about the small room made me hungry yet again. I ordered a two meat sampler which allowed me to try the pulled pork, rotisserie chicken, collard greens, and Andoullie sausage yams. The pulled pork was tender and flavorful and paired with either the collards or yams offered a beautiful combination of flavors. The rotisserie chicken was served with a green sauce that I can only describe as some sort of upscale, herb infused variety of ranch dressing. The chicken was moist and seasoned wonderfully and accompanied with the green mystery sauce brought the flavors somewhere unimaginably magnificent. Needless to say, by the time we were done the bones were picked clean and the plate was gleaming. After, we ordered a small slice of birthday cake (on their menu everyday) along with another round of Cava and slowly nibbled away while sipping the bubbly drink. Happy and content we caught a cab and went home, ending a glorious night of eating and drinking (my favorite combination of, mentionable, night time activities). Since then I have eaten here a multitude of times and I am not sure if there has been a change of management, chef, or recipes, however, each time I go back the food just isn't as good as the last. This greatly saddens me as this was once a staple place for my family and friends to go as they serve everything family style making it a very ideal place for large parties. At any rate, I hope that Brasa figures things out and one day return to their glorious days of old. Till then, this customer might stop on by for sip of Cava and birthday cake, but will be bit more reserved regarding other menu items.
(3)T A.
Ate here twice while visiting the great state of MN. pulled pork was very good, the brisket had a nice sauce which could have used a few more degrees of spiciness, and the catfish was a hit with a very selective eater. I truly enjoyed the guava lime soda and the guacamole was spot on. A good casual restaurant. As an added bonus a great tasting gluten free beer!
(4)Ashley F.
My ladies and I opted to do the family style dinner at Brasa, and it was delicious. We had the pulled chicken, the braised beef, cheesy grits, cornbread, creamed spinach and butterscotch pudding. The chicken was probably my favorite dish. The pudding wasn't too shabby either. It was just not as good as I had hoped. I feel like the cornbread was lackluster, and the grits were just a little weird. But it was still good, and I feel like it's a decent value for your money.
(4)McLain C.
I'm a southern transplant, and finding good Southern food in the Twin Cities has been a challenge. I tried Dixie's on Grand (eh, NO), Shorty and Wag's (a FEW good sides and decent wings, but so NASTY and unsanitary), numerous barbecue joints (a few actually GOOD too!), and then I found Brasa. Well, well, well... This place does Latin/Southern/Creole cuisine, and they do it right. The roasted chicken is the best I've had in the cities, beating out the succulent rotisserie chicken at Redstone by a large margin. The skin is crackly and delicious and the meat is tender, juicy, and delicious. The pork is very good, but you can get better pork at some of the local BBQ joints. As far as sides go, the yams with andouille, the COLLARDS, and omigod the CHEESE GRITS are all delectable. If I could bring the Mexican cornbread from Whitey's Saloon up the street it would be damn near a perfect meal. One last note, I really like the emphasis on local product at this restaurant. Brasa proves you can eat at least somewhat locally and sustainably with no compromise in flavor, without breaking the bank.
(5)Seth M.
I got there right away at 11:00 on a Monday afternoon to meet with a colleague. I got a hot coffee, black to start with. Fantastic! I meant to ask about it, but I was in a hurry. I wish I would have had another cup. I had the lunch plate with braised beef, plantains and chips and guac. The meal was excellent, although I wish I would have eaten a little faster. My food got cold relatively quickly. I had a hard time picking which sides to try since they all looked so good. I wasn't sure if the two sauces were for the beef or the plantains, but I dipped the plantains in the white/green sauce and it was delicious. I would have tried the beef with the sauce had I thought of it. The place filled up fairly quickly and it became very difficult to talk to the person I was there with. Since the place is fairly small and a garage, sound just echoes and by the time we finished we were yelling to each other. There are so many things on that menu that I want to try, I will definitely be back.
(4)Eric T.
I had just gotten into Minneapolis, and my friends and I were trying to figure out what to do for dinner. Luckily, one of them suggested Brasa, which didn't have a tremendously long wait on a Wednesday night. She billed it as a bbq/rotisserie, but that doesn't really do it justice. It definitely does have rotisserie foods and some BBQ meats, but it's an interesting fusion of Southern, Northern, and Central American tastes that makes it unique. Not to mention, they seem to have locally sourced meats. They have a wide variety of side dishes, from cheesy grits to collard greens to fried plantains. They also have a pretty short menu, but even so, it was hard to decide what to pick. The pulled pork was pretty good, as was the rotisserie chicken. I wound up getting the pork and it was packed with pretty good flavor -- olive oil, garlic, and citrus. Not your average BBQ pulled pork. My friends and I each wound up getting the combo plates for one because we wanted a variety of different sides and the meats. Probably not a great place for vegetarians. I'd definitely come back here if I was in Minneapolis again.
(4)Nicholas L.
is this food love? i think so. This is my idea of classed up soul food. good ingredients, well prepared with the benefit of time. I'd say it is the prototypical classic bistro (with a few qualifications). They cook almost all their food slow, and well. So, when they are out of a dish - they are out. never been disappointed, and everything tastes just as good as it sounds. AND they have a fantastic beer menu as well.
(5)Flummerie Junket L.
This place makes me smile.... Like this :) The food is SO good. I crave it. They make awesome chips and guacamole. They make a whole lot of awesome everything. They purchase their meat from Thousand Hills thousandhillscattleco.com so you don't have to feel dodgy about eating it. You have to be a fast runner though... You will be one of MANY people parking your car in that little neighborhood and rushing in for one of the few tables they have. It's worth it.
(5)Robin R.
My boyfriend and I have been known to eat at Brasa more than once a week. It's our "fast food". We don't just eat there a lot because it's fast, that's just a perk. We eat at Brasa because the food has never let us down. It's always made with fresh ingredients and it warms me from the inside. Chicken, greens and sweet tea...yumm! Read more of my review at TastyStuffsMN
(5)Nick M.
Nothing really special to me. The restaurant is a converted gas station with rotisserie ovens inside. It gets pretty toasty in the summer, even with the doors open. Tip: grab patio seating. I had the chicken with the pork. Pork was decent, chicken was a bit dry to me, a bit underseasoned. I ordered the yuca fries, which were good. Corn bread muffin was good. Creamed spinach was below average. Kudos for the Oberon ale from MI. And the Mexican Coca Cola. Average. Prices were reasonable but wouldn't go again. I'm also from out-of-town, so if I were local I maybe would frequent a few times a year. But there is way better food in MN, IMHO.
(3)barry k.
This was one of the first restaurants we went to after moving to Minneapolis. My girlfriend and I love BBQ and so we had to try Brasa after several people recommended it. What I loved most was that we could order tiny portions of everything on the menu so we could try anything that sounded good. The rotisserie chicken and pulled pork were awesome. The GF preferred the cornbread. I liked the spinach. When our check came we thought it was an error because it was so low. It feels a bit like a fast food restaurant in the atmosphere, but if you don't mind that, it is totally worth checking out. I wish they had more hot sauce options.
(4)Vanilla Nugget X.
Yum. The chicken is great...we had the rotisserie chicken and pulled chicken - both delicious. I think you can really tell that this is high quality chicken - plump, tasty, and almost fresh tasting. Then, the added layer of cooking does it wonders. We went for brunch, so I also had the huevos rancheros special, which was a simple meal, but very satisfying. Homemade salsa, some black beans, and the eggs over a fried corn cake. Simple, clean, and I really enjoyed it. The fresh oj was awesome as well. I couldn't give it five because I am addicted to the awesome chicken at a place closer to home, but if I ever make Minneapolis my home, this would be my joint.
(4)Becky L.
Pulled pork, pulled pork, pulled pork...
(4)Andi B.
Since I started to YELP, I have had this review in the back of my head because Brasa Rotisserie definitely meets my criteria....Remember my criteria? (see About Me) After eating there this week and seeing that it has been reviewed over 250 times already, I guess I am not letting out a big secret! Brasa ROCKS! Each time I go there (mostly for lunch) I am blown away merely by the aroma when I walk in! I start salivating at that minute and then my poor dining partner(s) are forced by me to decide quickly and order so we don't have to wait too long for food to come! Well, enough about me, let's dive into the Black Bean Fritter sandwich...WOW! Thick, crispy and bean-y, great flavor, served on a heavenly bun with tomatoes, mozzarella slices, lettuce and creamy guacamole! My side option was Creamed Spinach with Jalapeno which reminded me of my weekend in Atlanta, GA, eating as much southern comfort food as I could! It was perfect this week because my dining partner ordered the lunch special which is a meat sandwich with one side. He got the pulled pork with Black Eye Pea Soup. Immediately we traded sandwich halves, so I also enjoyed the juicy, flavorful pork sandwich. He said the soup was delicious, but I didn't try. I trust his opinion, though. And for fun, we ordered a Masa Corn Cake to split....well, I tried to split it evenly, but after tasting, I had to sneak a bit of my partner's half! Brasa definitely cares about their treatment of food and their use of local food sources is a big plus for me! Hmmmm, now that I think about it, maybe I'll go tomorrow for brunch!
(5)Jordan S.
There is not going to be too much to this review. Everything was awesome. The food was fantastic. The service was phenomenal. The ambiance was unique and fun. I was hesitant to eat there. Now I can't stop telling people to go there. I can't wait until I can eat there again. This place is absolutely fantastic!
(5)Becca H.
You know, I'm originally from a southern part of the world and I grew up eating food like this 700+ miles from Minneapolis, so I have to admit I was skeptical about going out for greens & black eyed peas so far from home-- but I was pleasantly surprised by the excellence of the food at Brasa. We tried all three meat options, and I honestly can't choose a favorite-- i enjoyed them all immensely! Chicken, beef, and pork were all very tender and flavorful, and all of the side dishes were glorious. I felt like I was eating my Kentucky grannie's cooking again. The service was lackluster, frankly, but the food was sooooo great I'm giving it 5 stars anyway.
(5)Lia B.
First, when you move somewhere new, it's inevitable that someone will come to visit in the first month or so and ask you to take them to your FAVORITE restaurant. As if in a month you've tasted all the local flavor and can make this distinction. SO, when posed with this issue, I called on yelp. And might I say thank you. My boyfriend wanted meat, and meat we did receive. For an affordable price of around $40 we got an entire roasted chicken w/ a creamy cilantro sauce that we both loved (and of course I took home subsequent delicious leftovers... mmm southern chicken salad), 2 beers, 2 corn bread muffins (SO good) and some jalapeno tinted creamed spinach that I thought was alright and the boy devoured. Although I usually stick to more veggie-friendly eats and I wasn't totally blown away, I will definitely be returning. The service was a bit slow (it was busy though), but VERY nice and accommodating. And sitting 'outside' aka inside with all the garage door style walls up was lovely. I will say I wouldn't go with a group - couples are the easiest. Even groups of 4 had to wait because of the 'seat yourself' style where every couple sat with a table in between them and the next duo... human nature. Not the best logistics, but just fine for a party of 2. All in all, thanks Brasa for a very satisfying dinner - next time I'll put my ATL taste buds to the work of judging your sweet tea... watch out. If you ace that, I'll up you to the 5 star club.
(4)Kelsey K.
Have always had this as take out at this location. The park down the way is kinda nice to chill out and eat at if the place is busy. Best Choices: The beef (just do it and get lots-you will want more) Cheesy Grits (even if you don't like grits you will like these grits) Sweet Potatoes with Anduoui Sausage (more sausage would make it better but still pretty darn good) Corn Cakes (get a pile....cause 1 or 2 is just not enough especially if you have to share-could lead to fights over corn cakes)
(4)Mark C.
We waited 40 minutes to be seated, only to be informed that they were totally out of beef (it was only 6:45pm). Lame-lame-lame. That's 25% of their menu. We have frequented Brasa on & off for several years & we're finding more reasons not to go back every time we eat there. It seems that the primary focus is on turning over tables, getting further away from what originally made them a good restaurant. Too many good restaurants to go back there-too bad.
(1)Emily A.
Delicious! Just the right amount of food (I had chx sandwich w/ yuca) - I was a touch overstuffed, but didn't want to die. Good feel to the place (patio and open front in good weather) nice chill waiter, tasty food, and very reasonably priced. The Mexican Coke puts it over the top to a 5. Didn't have trouble parking, tho the closest street was starting to fill up once there were ppl waiting for tables -- about 7pm on a nice Sat evening. Only minor food suggestion is a little less heavy on the sides/sauces on the sandwich. The pulled chicken had great flavor but was a bit overwhelmed by the accouterments (which were also good tho).
(5)J M.
The pulled pork melts in your mouth and the creamed spinach is addicting. Great for take out or eating in in the summer. Up size your portions, you'll want the extra food!
(4)Corey C.
This place is great, but I'm giving it three stars for a few different reasons I will state throughout this review. First off I didn't read anything about this place before I went so there was no hype on my part, so there wasn't any let downs. This is what I expected from just driving past the place during my day to day life. It was going to be a little fast food style place with some okay food. Those expectations were a lot lower then what Brasa has to offer. When we got there the waitress informed us that they didn't open for another 10 minutes but we were welcome to sit down, it just might be a few minutes before we are attended to. Which was nice they let us sit down. First off the menu isn't hard to figure out (well depending on the person reading it) but its not a straight forward menu like 99.9% of all other menus are. So that was a negative. Its more of a soul or southern style cooking yet the food isn't spicy and when I asked about spicy food our waitress told me they had a good selection of hot sauces I could put on my food. The home made hot sauce was pretty tasty, but unless your from northen europe your not going to think its that spicy, then she brought out the other "good selection" of hot sauces which consisted of "Red Hot" and some other hot sauce you can buy at cub foods. That was another negative. They only offer sugar cane sodas in a bottle, no fountain, which isn't really a bad thing, but the only thing main stream is the mexican coca cola, and the only things that are free refills are the sweet tea (Which was great) and the lemon aid. Sort of a negative seeing that its almost like a Chipotle with waiter service. onto the food The food was pretty darn good, just not spicy like it should have been. I ordered the 12 hour roasted pork with the rustic cheesy grits and the black beens with rice. It was awesome! My dads from the south so it reminds me of home cookin except it wasn't anything near spicy. Other reviews have stated the grits were bland, that goes with out saying, all grits are bland. These were the best grits I've had!!! I mixed the pork, beens, and rice together then covered it all in the home made hot sauce it was great!!! My girlfriend bought the pork sandwich which was bland, it was missing a sauce or a cheese, with a good sauce or cheese this sandwich could possibly win a award, but with out it, the sandwich was pretty bland!!! She also had the side of corn bread which was AWESOME!!! Best corn bread other then my dads home made. I would have gave this place a 5 stars if they offered spicier food, a wide variety of hot sauces, offered sauce or cheese on the pork sandwich, and had fountain soda enjoy
(3)Tiffiny C.
I was here recently and ordered: Roast chicken, pulled pork, corn bread with honey butter, fried plantain, yellow rice with red beans, and squash with chorizo sausage. Also has a glass of sangria. It COULD have been stronger, but it was refreshing. All the meat here is blissful. The pork tastes like it came straight from a small town pig roast. My only complaint is the lack of sufficient AC. The walls are open in the summer and it was stifling there last week, despite the AC supposedly being on. Tiny place too, but the patio is nearly as big in sq footage of the restaurant.
(4)Jennifer K.
I went back to Brasa last week and had another great meal! I'm a huge fan of their creamed spinach, but those plantains and the dipping sauce they come with are really out of this world ;-)
(4)Carla J.
I've been waiting to go to Brasa. My partner is a vegetarian so rotisseries rate low on the great-date scale. So, this week she was out of town and I grabbed a meat-eating friend and headed NE. I really liked everything about Brasa. It was a beautiful night, so all the garage doors were open and the open air had that fabulous-weekend-in-the-city vibe. We had the worst table in the place and I looked directly into the men's room every time some guy went in or out. However, I did not let that deter me from focusing on enjoying myself and the food. It was our first time there and I already knew I was ordering chicken. I adore rotisserie chicken and was looking forward to trying Brasa's creole style. That meant I had big decisions on side dishes. There are 12 to choose from and I deeply desired most of them. When done with honor, side dishes are one of God's gifts to humanity. Luckily, there was a table of 10 next to us and they ordered l lot of sides and I eavesdropped during the service to spy which was which. Brasa wins the side dish award in my opinion. I ordered the Slow Cooked Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey and the Rustic Style Cheese Grits. (I got the last one!) My friend ordered the salad and the Fried Sweet Plantains. The greens were my favorite--deep flavor, not too salty, perfect tenderness. Yum. The grits were smooth and creamy. My friend was crazy about the plantains. The salad way OK, nothing special compared to other choices. Oh, the chicken?! Really great. Juicy. Delicious herbs, Fell off the bone. I loved it. I got a quarter chicken and it was a bit of a skimpy portion (could be gluttony talking here). Next time I'll get a half and take some home. My friend got the pork/chicken combo and she liked the pork better. Go figure. I took a star away because our waiter sucked. We had to ask for him to take our order, ask for refills, ask for sweetener, ask for ice for our ice tea, often ask twice and then often another waitress would end up helping us out. Plus, it bugs me when I ask what's best, what's recommended or if something is good and the only response I get is, "Yeah, it's good" to everything. Have an opinion. Not everything is excellent. What if I order wrong? My Yelp might lead someone astray!
(4)D. L.
Oh Brasa, your meat is heavenly, your sides are amazing, your prices are right but really, please please please do something about the climate control during the warm months. I want to eat here way more often than I do but I mostly think about it when it's too hot to cook and I don't have AC so takeout isn't always ideal either. (It's fine in the winter, just as crowded but nice and toasty.) I still go for the shredded pork though (but the chicken and the beef are occasionally underwhelming -- when the former is dry and the latter is overly salty). While all the sides are great, it's the fried yuca that has stolen my heart and I always have to order the large. And the green sauce...slather that stuff over cardboard and I'd want to eat it. I wish the desserts followed through better on their Latin/Carribean/Southern flavors. They're a little uninspired and I always love to end a meal with dessert if the menu is enticing or special enough. Wouldn't a fried fruit hand-pie/sweet empanada of the day just be awesome? I'd totally go for something like that!
(4)jenny A.
My husband took me here for lunch on parental freedom day (i.e. MLK Day) and I pretty much dragged him back the next night for dinner. It was that good. The place was first recommended to us by Grina at Al's who is very picky about food to say the least. The meats are perfection itself. The pulled chicken in a light cream sauce is probably the best thing I've ever eaten that came from a chicken. Sincerely, it tops fried chicken and I'm quite devoted to that dish. The pork shoulder was great and so was the beef brisket. And unlike so many meat-centric restaurants the sides are what make Brasa so memorable. Andoille and yams are to die for. I love yams and these were the best I've ever, ever had. Black eyed peas with smoked ham, were tender and tasted delicately of smoke. Cornbread was awesome. Even the rice which is pretty much filler at most places like this was good, subtly spiced and not greasy or dry. I think what I appreciate about Brasa was that it was big flavors, but also small ones. Sometimes restaurants just dump sugar or spice on things to cover up for lack of quality in the food. At Brasa the food stands on its own. It's all local fresh and good for you, so eat it, already! Also extra points for the sangria which was awesome and washed the whole thing down well. We had the apple cake for dessert and it was also excellent. The bill for three people for dinner with drinks and dessert was $50. We were absolutely stuffed and had a little container of leftovers. Service was friendly and helpful and they are kid friendly to boot. Oh Brasa I love you. Is it too soon to go back? I'm including this on my U of M restaurant list, even though it is a bit off campus. It's a very cheap cab ride away and well worth the journey. Be warned though, Brasa is packed on week-end evenings and you may have to wait up to a half an hour for a table.
(5)Jess L.
I had fab takeout from Brasa the other night. The wait for a table was long, so I opted to take it less than a mile to my place of residence. The chicken was perfect, the black beans and rice were superb. I had leftovers for a few days of lunch at work. Love it!
(5)Mona R.
We went there on a nice summer day which made the whole experience wonderful. They sat us next to the open patio doors. I had the sangria which was good enough and a chicken sandwich which was really delicious. my husband had platter that included beef and pork and sides. All really good. we both enjoyed the food very much and the service was really friendly as well.
(4)amy n.
Brasa was one of the best meals I've had in a looong time! I took my out-of-town boyfriend here on a date, and he is definitely one of those carnivorous guys who bypass anything green. This is only a place to go if you have that hankering for meat. No veggie options really. The building is very cool, essentially it is a garage with a kitchen. It got crowded very quickly, but I've never minded that. We each got a plate with the single meat option, which comes with two sides, and it was a perfect amount of food. I had the pulled pork; he had the beef. I kept stealing bits of his -- it was simmered in a realllly delicious barbeque-like sauce. For sides, I loved the yuca potatoes with andouille, and definitely the greens. I'll have to try the other ones next time. They even have mexican cokes!
(5)Jenna G.
I think Brasa has great food, and it reminds me a lot of homecooked food in Georgia, where I grew up. Brasa has recently made 2 major changes to their menu and foodservice, which prompted to me to review. First, there has been a noticeable price increase, especially if you've eaten there within the last 6 weeks. The sandwiches went up $2-3 a piece, but now include one side item, where previously they included chips. They no longer serve the chips with the sandwich. Prices on sides have gone up noticeably, sometimes as much as $3 for certain items. Second, the thing that really bugged me was that the portion sizes were OBVIOUSLY smaller. Very recognizably smaller - they upped the price of some side dishes by as much as $2 or $3, and then reduced the portion size by as much as half. I'm really disappointed - did their costs go up? Are the local farms charging more for their meat and dairy? I know the cost of collard greens hasn't gone up that much - I buy and cook them regularly. Very disappointed.
(3)Rona Y.
This place has amazing food! I have seriously never had a bad meal! The meats are all really good - I normally don't like to get chicken at a restaurant bc its just boring to me, but this chicken is so amazing, so try it! The only reason I am giving it a 4/5 stars is because on a warmer day it really sucks to have to sit inside. It is a small space and bc they are roasting meats all day it gets super hot and stuffy and does not make the dinning experience very pleasant.
(4)Maija M.
YUM! Husband & I each got the lunch plate (a meat, side & bread). I had the pulled chicken in a light pepper gravy (not a big gravy person, but this was light & flavorful), cornbread, & cabbage and apple coleslaw. All 3 were totally yummy. He had the pork, plantains & the other bread choice, a sort of corn flatbread. Also delicious. Service was very friendly & attentive. Definitely plan to go back!
(5)Elissa L.
Why did the vegetarian go the a rotisserie? Sounds like a bad joke. To be honest, I was forced to go. My boyfriend loves meat, so sometimes I give in and go to places like this. Joke's on me. It was frickin' awesome. They have an entire menu dedicated to those of us that are not flesh-eaters. And it's legit. I got the vegetarian bean fritter and begrudgingly bit into it, expecting a lackluster performance. To my surprise, it was delish. And of course, my bf's food was awe-inspring, according to him. My only complaint is that the whole joint smells like meat. Go figure.
(4)Joanna C.
Even good for vegetarians! I have to admit, I only went here because I received a gift card for Brasa, which I thought was odd since I'm a vegetarian. But I was pleasantly surprised when I reviewed the menu that most of the long list of side dishes are vegetarian, and I was blown away by how great they are! Do not miss the fried plantain, it's the best! Be careful of going here on a very hot day as we did, because it will get very hot indoors. We sat out on the patio, which was lovely, but you are in the sun so no cover from heat. Fortunately the sun was going down then, so later in the evening is great too.
(5)Aaron M.
I continually come back to Brasa for what I think is the best reason to re-visit a restaurant: The food is great. The meat has wonderful taste, the sides are varied and delicious, the beer is cold and in the summer you can't beat the patio. I think there is some psychological magicness about their menu, too. I think it's the same magic Chipotle has exploited: Keep the menu limited but allow for lots of customization. Our brains can only handle so many choices. (Have you gone to Cheesecake Factory lately? Is that menu not overwhelming???) Giving us one page of options is a relief for our over-worked decision-makers -- especially when every single option is so delicious. See you there.
(5)Brook C.
Brasa Rotisserie a northern take on a southern meat and three... I had been hearing a bit of hype over Brasa for the past few months, so the other day my boyfriend and I hopped on our bikes to go check it out. My partner in crime figured the best value to try the most food for two would be to get the plates and share. We choose the Pork Plate (because everyone raves about the pork), and Chicken Plate. Each plate comes with the choice of two sides. We ended up choosing the cheese grits, yams with andouille, the greens, and their daily special side which was black eye peas with bacon served with a half moon of honey corn bread. We got a nice sample of the menu, but over all I felt the food was lacking in seasoning for the southern concept foods. I also felt that my chicken had been hot held too long and had become dry. The pork was good but I can think of a few places who have better pork at around the same price point.... Bewitched. Over all I had to give Brasa A-Ok... but I will be going again to see if it was just an odd day.
(3)Joe P.
Great lunch spot, fast service and pleasant staff.
(4)Amy C.
I really liked this place. The building was so unique and unexpected - an old car garage with the 3 garage doors used as windows and a portal onto the patio! Fun on a nice night. We had a 30 minute wait so started with a bottle of red zinfandel and have to admit I was a little shocked at the $35 price tag since the rest of the menu was so reasonable. Next time I'll stick to the Surly. Service is average - a bit slow at times but there were only 3 waitresses. I had the combo plate (chicken and pork) because I couldn't decide. For sides I had the cheese grits and chop salad. The grits were salty (and I LOVE salt) but the SALAD was something to write home about. Crunchy romaine, pine nuts, parmesan and a dressing that was perfectly balanced. Hubby had the beef with chips/gauc and the chop salad. Same reviews around. The biggest bonus is all the meat is organic and local.
(4)Jim R.
Pulled pork. yum. We've been here twice, once in the dead of winter when the drafts from the garage doors chilled us between warming bites of pulled pork and cornbread, and again, this past week when unseasonably warm breezes at the outside tables made us smile as we gorged on family-sized piles of pork, beans and rice. Skip the chicken, which tends toward dry. Don't be seduced by the brisket, which promises more delights than it delivers. Concentrate on pulled pork, red beans and rice and cornbread, served up family-style. And don't forget the plantains with cilantro aioli and be sure to ask for the homemade salsa.
(4)Wanda M.
After watching Food INC, it is so nice to know where the food we are eating comes from. We ordered 1/4 Rotisserie Chicken from Kadejan Farms in MN. Warm Cornbread w/ honey butter. Yellow Rice w/ black beans. Fried Plantains. All were super good and have me wanting more. Fantastic decor; old mechanic shop. Looks like this place may have a nice patio in the warmer months.
(3)Elizabeth B.
Just returned from eating at this places after reading about 40 raving reviews. And, it's great. I went with my fiance and we decided to go early so we wouldn't have to wait. Got seated at 4:45 pm; it was almost empty. Here's what we got: Rotisserie chicken- amazing, juicy, the seasoning on the skin was delicious. Also, the sauce was addicting. Pulled pork- Soft, flavorful, yummy. Cornbread- Good but somehow not the best cornbread I've ever had. It definitely was soft and fluffy though. Chips with Guac- The guacamole was SO GOOD. Creamy, fresh, and omgYUM. The chips were overly salted though. Creamed spinach with jalapenos- I thought it was really good, especially considering I don't usually like creamed spinach. Fiance didn't really like it; said it wasn't spicy enough. Yams with andouille- Yummy, the flavors blended well. Cheddar grits- YUM!! these were awesome. Pineapple upside down cake- the sauce was really runny and it made it hard to eat it with a fork, but the cake was moist and flavorful. Also, the iced tea is amazing. Its kind of flowery tasting but a great compliment to the meat and sides. For portions, we got the 2 small meats, 4 small sides, 2 cornbreads, and 1 dessert. We are totally, absolutely stuffed, and it was only 44$ (including tip and drinks) I would definitely encourage everyone to try this restaurant at least once.
(4)Steve U.
I was finally able to make it over to brasa fit lunch the other day. wow! tasty and fast and not at all endorsed by the American Heart Association. the creamed spinach and jalapeno is amazing. a hint of warmth and smooth popeye song inducing spinach goodness. for really, i yam what i yam... the rotisserie chicken simply falls apart driving you to chase it around your plate and you really shouldn't get me going in the red beans and corn muffin. highly recommended.
(5)Kat W.
When I got dragged here, I wasn't really sure what to expect. But Brasa, you are black magic. Brasa serves a kind of southern/tropical plate lunch. You pick your meat, and get some sides. Voila. For my Brasa experience, I had the chicken with black beans + rice a salad, and the ever-beloved sweet tea. Tablemates had the pork and fried plantains. Everyone was on cloud nine with their meal. We had the delightful molten chocolate cake for dessert which was, like the rest of the food, really good. However, being more of a savory person myself, next time I would probably just eat another side instead. Besides the amazingness of the food I ate, their open kitchen was a fun addition to the atmosphere and they have a garage door on one of the walls that lets in great light in the winter, which is nice because it really warmed the place up.
(5)Michelle K.
Love it - especially the pork and the cabbage salad. Bring your sunglasses - for some reason I consistently end up staring into the sun, whether I'm indoors or out.
(5)S O.
If there were such a thing as 2.5 stars, I would give it that. I get it, it's a rotisserie, but the already limited menu totally lacks vegetarian options. While my carnivorous co-worker ate from a delicious and meaty selection, I opted for the items I was absolutely sure would not have meat: black beans! Corn bread! I can only rate this from my vegetarian perspective. I have no doubt others enjoy this place. The place is really TEENY though, so keep that in mind. In the summer, it's totally hoppin!
(2)Nick S.
I think people have already covered pretty much all that needs to be said about Brasa. From such a simple formula (three meats, a dozen sides, a few desserts) and such simple dishes, Brasa really does make magical things happen. All three meats are so deliciously tender and flavorful that it's always an internal struggle to pick which ones to get. Their sides are wonderfully complimentary -- especially the collard greens and cheesy grits. My gluttony has heretofore forbidden me from ordering a dessert, but when that day finally comes I anticipate it will be marvelous. For someone who lives in the neighborhood, the realization that Brasa does takeout was nothing short of a religious awakening. Call them up and about fifteen minutes later you can show up and have a dinner packed and waiting for you. Given how busy the place usually is, it's a nice way to avoid waiting for a table. Brasa is one of those restaurants that I have to laud just for having such broad appeal. I know I could bring anyone from my grandfather to my gourmand mouther-in-law to my teenaged sister there and they'd proclaim it delicious. Not every restaurant can say that, and those that can are golden in my book.
(5)Vivek N.
Third time is a charm. Went back to check out Brassa one more time, the high was the same as the initial high so the final rating for Brasa is 5 stars!! Just be sure to ask for the green sauce with the pork...it makes all the difference.
(5)Alex Z.
The food can be pretty good most of the time. After going there on a regular basis over a couple of weeks I quickly learned they have their good days and bad days. They have consistency problems. Sometime the chicken would clearly be overcooked. The cornbread along with the chicken were the items I ordered most often. The sandwiches were ok. They could be much better if they got better bread. Overall, based on its high rating on Yelp I expected better. It can be really good but also can often be mediocre.
(3)Ramin R.
Absolutely delicious. The pulled pork melts in your mouth like sweet goodness. The white, limey sauce that comes with the Yuca fries and plantains is also very yummy. The fried sweet plantains could be much softer and sweeter (like at Puerto Rican places). But, all the meats and sides are really good and make for full bellies. They have these combo plates that are a good deal, but they don't let you order them individually if your party has more than 4 people. Kind of annoying.
(4)David S.
All the food here is great. It's definitely a very Poultry oriented menu, but there is some beef in there as well.
(4)Josh V.
I love meat. There, I said it. And as a proud carnivore, I took it upon myself to finally check out this Brasa place after all this time. And lo and behold, it did not disappoint. I went there during the Red Stag Block Party, as I didn't want to eat a burger that would just disappoint me, and Brasa was right across the street. As soon as I walked in, the aroma of fresh spices and meats hit me hard. It was intoxicating and a smell that I shall certainly be back for. Their menu is compact, meaning that they know what they do well and do a lot of it, and all of their meats and side veggies and dishes are 100 % natural, locally produced and organic. For my first visit, I went solo, so I didn't get the sharing portions of all the meats or sides, but I went with a very delicious sandwich all the same. The slow roasted pork sandwich ($9) comes with homemade tortilla chips and is covered in pickled vegetables and a nice (if thin) coating of ginger mayo. The pork has also been seasoned with lime and garlic so has an out-of-this-world flavor to it. The server was very attentive and nice and recommended that I use the spicy, jalapeno-infused vinegar to really bring out the flavor of the pork. Now, normally I'm not a big vinegar guy, but this stuff didn't taste like regular vinegar at all and had a much more spicy bite than anything vinegary. I highly recommend this stuff on pretty much anything ever. Also, the chips came with a side of dipping sauce that was sort of like a spicy mustard/salsa. It was also so awesome that I really wanted to just lick out the entire cup it was served in (but I refrained... this time). Suffice it to say, Brasa is a restaurant that I will certainly be traveling back to very soon. Next time though, I'm bringing a few hungry friends along and we are going to get different meats and sides to share and do the family style sharing thing. It's going to be awesome!
(5)Ed P.
Is it me, or does this restaurant look like a re-decorated gas station? That was the first impression I had of Brasa Rotisserie when we pulled into the its exceptionally tiny parking lot . But as soon as you step inside.. The D(el)ISH: What wasn't good!?! If you are going to order and its your first time dining at Brasa, for the meat-lover I recommend the Combination plate. Because if if you are going to do rotisserie, you gotta do rotisserie right! The food specs: Pulled pork. Rotisserie Chicken. Cheese Grits. And of course, the Corn Bread! Ordered a side of Collard Greens w/ an Arnie Palmer - and I'm good! The DIRT: For the price, I thought portions would be bigger! Despite my only gripe, the restaurant serves really good food and appears to be a big hit. I mean, there was a line when we got in, and there was a line waiting when we left. If that isn't an indication of a restaurants' popularity and success, then please let me know! I recommend this place for its unique atmosphere and friendly staff. And the food, if you like it soulful, is OHSOGOOD!
(4)Abbey N.
Went at 6:30pm on a Friday night in Feb with our 2.5 year old son. Place was packed and bustling with that good restaurant vibe. We were told it would be a 25 minute wait but it ended up being 15. Super friendly service all around. The food was delicious; we ordered rotisserie chicken (delicious and the green sauce that comes with it was also really good), the pulled pork and the beef stole the show. Sides were a little hit or miss; guacamole was good, the corn cake good too, the black eyed pea special was just so-so. However, the over meal was a complete success -- loved our Mexican cokes! Really kid friendly without being obnoxious. Also, they have an awesome fire pit out back! Total for our meal was $45 w tip and I had dessert.
(5)M M.
The pulled pork was delicious and moist. The fried yuca was also good - crispy and seasoned well. The cilantro sauce was also very good. However, the rotisserie chicken was underwhelming - the white meat was dry and overall not flavorful. The pulled chicken tasted like meat smothered with Campbell cream of chicken. Will probably go back only for their pulled pork.
(3)Andrew T.
Minneapolis is a hidden gem for some amazing restaurants. Brasa, Salut, Chino and Quangs all come to mind immediately and that only scratches the surface. Today we will examine, at a very nigh-level, Brasa in Northeast Minneapolis. First, Brasa takes care in selecting the best ingredients available: 100% natural, locally-sourced and organic product selections. Of course, they cannot be 100% organic and local all the time, but they strive to be. Brasa cooks the way I was taught and the way I love: slow. The pulled pork melts in your mouth. Give it a little of either their chipotle or garlic-cilantro (I think but I don't remember) sauce and you are in heaven. The menu doesn't stop there: The rotisserie chicken is simple, but amazing and well-seasoned with a dry rub. They also have a slow-cooked beef and pulled chicken selections. For those of you not down with the meat, Brasa serves up some delicious vegetarian options and several side options, including my favorite cabbage and mozzarella salad. The Mozzarella is a new addition to the salad and compliments it well. If I could add any options to the menu, I would say try doing a "wild card" side each week, if you don't already. I now live in Chicago, so I don't get back often. I would start with a nice risotto cake (pan-fried) or something and see how it goes. Keep up the good work. See you soon
(5)Joyce L.
People. this place rocks! Comfort food perfection. We went on a Tuesday evening at 7pm--packed. Wow. We had: the pulled chicken plate, pulled pork/beef combo plate, and the pulled pork plate. For our sides: Etoufee (one of the daily specials), creamed spinach, sweet potatoes with andouille sausage, corn bread, collard greens, and black beans. Everything was so yummy! Not much space to park in their lot but street parking is not a problem. No reservations taken. A little cramped if you have little ones (under 12 mo). but very accommodating staff.
(5)Jennifer H.
They have a pretty decent selection of stuff for us non-omnivores. I think the best bang for your buck thing on the menu is actually the plate of 3 sides. I got the cheese grits, which were delightful; the creamed spinach, which was chock full of jalapeno (I added some sour cream at home to be able to eat them); the fried sweet plantains, which are amazing; and I went with the masa corn and cheese cake, which was puzzling but good. I'm still not sure what the spicy stuff on top of it was. Husband got the pulled pork. He said it was good, but he was confused by the fact that when you order the meat, all you get is meat. Just a pile of meat. It's an a la carte menu, yes, but it's still a bit strange. Also, it seems a bit excessive to charge $4.25 for a little cup of grits with some shredded cheese on top. Brasa is actually surprisingly kid-friendly, as evidenced by the big stack of high chairs. It was a little interesting wedging the high chair in the tiny open space by our table. The place is tiny. Not Colossal Cafe tiny, but it's tight in there. The staff was almost supernaturally nice. All in all I would go back but maybe do everything family style.
(4)Steve S.
Just an update to reccomend the Plantains. They are amazing!
(5)Jess R.
All I have to say is if Andy ever gets the recipe for the pulled pork I want it We did take out, although once we got there we both wish we could have stayed and ate - but the dog was with us. We decided to get a sampling of stuff - 1/4 chicken - huge thumbs up from the man 1/4lb Pork - My favorite - love it 1/4lb Beef - Not a huge hit, we do a spicy beef at home that tops it Grits - was good Spinach - was tasteful, but not a huge hit Cornbread - AWESOME, I had put the honey butter on it, but ended up scraping it off cause the bread is sweet enough without it and so dense and tasteful. We will definitely go again and give all the other sides an equal chance to impressing us :) But of course we will not leave without the corn bread and pork
(5)Tim P.
I've enjoyed a meal at Brasa about eight times and enjoyed it all eight. Though it was not perfect every time...the pork and beef have been dry from time to time, and the service was severly lacking once, but how much bad can you really say about a place that I am always in the mood for. Recommedations: The Beef is very good, followed by the chicken... The Yucca, Plantains, grits and cornbread all great! Also mexican soda. Combo beef plate with Plantains, and rice and beans and yucca for the app. Take a little of each with every bite . You will not be dissapointed. Unless you are lame.
(5)Oskar C.
Awesome place. My wife and I eat here often. Everything we have ever had here has been really good. Their pudding dessert is our favorite. Will keep coming back for the reasonably priced and excellent food.
(5)Donna B.
Mary-mother-of-cupcakes, does this place rock. Intrigued by the promise of entrees made with locally sourced ingredients, dear hubby and I trotted over to Brasa in NE Minneapolis for takeout on a recent summer's night... Our take? Bravo, Brasa! From the melt-in-your mouth rotisserie-fired meats and citrus-and-cilantro studded cabbage salad, to the fast, cheerful service -- we were decidedly dazzled. Pick a Protein Think pork, chicken and beef mambo-ing alongside sassy sauces and complex spices ... Smoky Spanish paprika ... Richly flavored ancho chiles. Oh happy happy joy joy -- heaven. Savor a Side Not to be outdone, imagine comforting beans-and-rice concoctions cha-cha-cha-ing into peaceful coexistence with crispy plantain perfection. Dabble in Dessert And speaking of cupcakes ... Did I mention the birthday-cake love ball that landed in our to-go bag -- all buttery and dense and proud of its non-crumbly-ness? Pish-posh nasty, dry cupcakes! Lard-icing laden wannabes take note: This is what a *real* cupcake should taste like. Tick-Tock Takeout Our order took only 10 minutes; exactly enough time to linger briefly on the patio over a couple of glasses of sangria. And our food wasn't all funky by the time we got home; in fact, it was still warm-ish -- even though we had a 20-minute drive. Babaloo, Brasa! We'll be back soon!
(5)Keshar N.
Roasted. Meat. BOOM! Do I really need to write anything else?! I have been dying to come here ever since I ate at Restaurant Alma. My favorite dish that was at Restaurant Alma, had the meat supplied by this glorious establishment. We ate here on a Friday night and we braced for the crazy crowd... but, it was not bad at all. We were able to get seated right away and began our meat-fest! We had the BBQ beef sandwich and the pulled pork. We also got the sides of mac and cheese, yams and cornbread... just a small meal, you know? The sandwich was SO good. The sauce was tangy and smokey/sweet and the pork was succulent... I have been waiting so long to write a review with succulent in it! Just so SO good. The food is prepared simply with high quality ingredients. The mac and cheese is life-changing... and heart-stopping, while the yams did not do anything for me. I just don't think they were for me. The cornbread is fantastic too. We ended the meal with their butterscotch pudding. Oh. My. God. Forget the stuff in the box, this is what pudding is supposed to be! Sweet and rich and with a little bit of a salty taste... YUM! Not only that, the meal is well-priced, the ambiance is great and the whole place smells like roasting meat! If you are looking for some BBQ not along the lines of Famous Daves, check this place out! Like I said... roasted. meat. BOOM!
(5)M L.
Personally, I think this place is a bit closer to fast food joint than restaurant. The food quality is good, definitely above fast food level. But the menu is pretty simple and standard, nothing fancy or unique about its selection. The atmosphere is definitely fast food-ish, however there is a waiter. I think if you called this place a restuarant you would almost have to consider chipotle one too.
(3)Chris K.
Alex Roberts is a genius. The chef behind Restaurant Alma, Alex opened Brasa in a converted gas station in NE Minneapolis 3 years ago. My life has not been the same since. Brasa specializes in slow cooked and rotisserie meats. Their chicken is succulent, tender and salty. Perfection. Their pork is tender, fatty and meticulously spiced. And the beef. Wow. The sides though make the meal at Brasa. The fried Yuca - a root vegetable that tastes like a light potato and has a texture somewhere between yams and potatoes - is out-of-this-world. You have to get it. The collard greens and turkey is salty, creamy and delicious. A great, slightly spicy salute to greens. Chips and guacamole are also spectacular, as is the creamed spinach and rice and beans... Ok, so the whole menu is unbelievable. Really. It is. South American soul food. That's the most succinct way I can describe Brasa. Delicious and addictive, your life will not be the same after your first meal at Brasa.
(5)Steve B.
I"ve had this on my top 10 list to check out for quite some time. Finally, I was able to eat here last night and wasn't let down at all. The food really is delicious. I was able to have a wide sampling of food, all of which was great!. I had a chance to eat the pulled chicken, roasted pork, and braised beef. My favorite was the braised beef as it was so tender and filled with just the right amount of spices. I also really like that the meat is local and hormone free The sides were just as delicious as I had yuca, cabbage and mozzarella salad, creamed spinach and collards. Can't wait to go back for more.
(5)Nina H.
Oh Brasa, How do I love thee? Please don't make me get on a scale within a week of coming here though. Brasa has consistently great food - and yes, mixing the grits with the collard greens or spinich is a sublime experience. The only argument I have with it is that the food doesn't reheat well probably due to the high fat content of all that yummy chicken and beans, (but who wouldn't want to eat it all when there!) I sorely miss Betty's coffee shop, which used to occupy the space, but can't think of another establishment I forgive more for being there now.
(5)Andres C.
Too small portions and we couldn't tell the difference between some of their breads. Good for someone wanting to experience Something different e.g Latin, without having to go to the sometimes unpleasant lake St. It has an average taste and go without expecting to have your mind blown away with something spectacular.
(2)Amy C.
If you want a good southern/ carribean meal, this is the place to go to. With Sweet plaintain and yuka roots fried to perfection that goes with the mojo sauce is just the beginning. Entree consists of a variety of meat selection: from pulled pork, beef, to rotisserie chicken. Also don't forget their amazing side dishes (besides the fried stuff). My favorite is their collard greens that is great for the soul. Overall I give it a 5 stars for food. However, I had a bad experience with one of the waitresses who was rude to us the entire night. We had to put up with her poo face the entire night (which was unfortunate). They need to improve their customer service during busy nights. Make sure you get there early during weekends because they don't take reservations.
(5)Melissa M.
One of my default restaurants: * Food: Family style with choice of combination platters - Moist Rotisserie Chicken, slow cooked beef and pork - Sides include cornbread, red beans and rice, grits, fried yuca + *Atmosphere: Old gas station with casual industrial feel *Value: Brasa makes good quality food at a decent price. *Extras: Great place for summer with patio seating and good comfort food in the winter.
(4)Lara B.
This is a relatively small space in northeast Minneapolis that opens up it's glass garage doors (cool) to an awesome patio when weather permits. The quality of the food and wines offered on the menu are more sophisticated than the environment might indicate. The menu is a bit confusing/overwhelming at first. The idea is that there are slow cooked meats that you can enjoy various ways; sandwich, salad or entree. And then there are the sides. Basically everything looks good and it's difficult to choose. On the up-side it's very hard to go wrong with your selection. Recommended: The Big Salad topped with Pork Shoulder OR The Pulled Chicken Plate with sides of Warm Cornbread & Honey Butter and Yellow Rice & Red Beans
(5)Meaghan N.
Across from White Castle in Noreast is a discreet new restaurant - Brasa! A great addition to the neighborhood. The menu features locally grown and organic selections, but there is not an ounce of hippy. Décor is industrial with a partially open kitchen and huge windows bring in tons of sunlight during the day. The menu is small and features a lot of meat and several sides you don't find in many establishments including: Collard Greens, Fried Sweet Plantains, Cheese Grits and multiple styles of cabbage. I tried the twelve-hour slow roasted pork and it practically melted in my mouth. As sides I had the Roasted Yams with Andouille Sausage and Masa Corn & Cheese Cakes. Yum-mee!! I wish I would have saved more room for dessert. Classic selections with a twist that I don't find often: Peach Shortcake, Red Velvet Cake and Coconut-Tapioca Pudding with Mango Sauce and Pineapple. A friend of mine has celiac's disease (a gluten, wheat, rye, and barley allergy) and is able to eat numerous dishes from their menu and goes a couple of times a week. Service was a little slow, but the food was worth the wait. They have a small parking lot, but I had no problem finding street parking. Brasa is quite small and is first come, first serve. I highly recommend and plan to go back the next time I am in town.
(4)Eileen C.
It's okay. Not great, but I also don't LOVE bbq. Had the pulled pork sandwich.. average.
(3)Briana M.
creamed spinach with jalepenos. cheesy delicious cheesy grits. yams with andouille sausage. roasted turkey and collard greens. cornbread. masa corn cakes. fresh guac. locally sourced food when possible. delicious.
(5)D J.
Everything about Brasa is Ah-may-zing! Great service & more importantly great food! Best place in Minneapolis that I've been to thus far.
(5)Michelle Y.
Great food, good atmosphere, great place and not on a busy street. Five star!
(5)Emily B.
We went last night and it was SO GOOD. we ordered about six things, some standing out more than the others. I already know what i'm going to get next time I go :). we got the pulled pork: it was good, nothing too special though, could have used more spices, I make a really good pulled pork though so maybe that's why I wasn't super impressed. The rotisserie chicken: awesome. so good. highly recommend. flavorful and tender. The crispy yuca: wonderful, never had yuca before but with the cilantro/ginger mayo sauce they give you it's the bomb. fried plaintains: again great dish. spicy corn cake: not spicy but very good, next time i'd try the cornbread. collard greens with smoked chicken: i've never had collard greens before so we tried them. good if you like collard greens, but I found out I don't. next time i'd try the creamed spinach. butterscotch pudding: superb. we shared but I wish I would have gotten my own! it's a small portion so get it even if you are full, wish you will be. get lots of small plates so you can try everything and enjoy!
(5)Heidi P.
I could lie and rate it 3-4 in order to keep people away, but the only reason to stay away would be because it's getting too crowded and I can't find parking and have to wait to be seated now. My fav is the pulled pork and spinach side. Oh, and the coleslaw is exquisite, with very little fatty mayo type dressing.
(5)Scott M.
The food tastes as if was prepared in huge batches - it's kind of like Boston Market, only more expensive.
(2)Emily U.
All I can say is their chicken is delicious. Sooo good! Sides are great. Southern-style. Try the grits and the collard greens. Located in an old gas station, they open up the front and the patrons spill out onto the patio. Great outdoor seating, especially in the summer months. A decent drink selection. Went a couple times, service was OK.
(4)Megs B.
Great place. However, make sure if you get the pulled pork to get sides that balance out its extreme saltiness. Something sweet like the sweet potatoes and andoulie sausage side and something spicy like the collard greens with jalapenos. The chicken is nothing to rave about me thinks. You could get something comparable at Lunds down the street. Do try the Yuca. --pros: cute young chefs named Andrew, Yuca and pure cane sugar soda, GRITS! cons: gets freaking hot in the summer, long waits sometimes, it gets really loud
(4)Mike B.
Really good roasted meats. The sides are really interesting too. The only kick I have is that they're very small and very popular, so you frequently have to wait.
(4)David G.
Sure great for meat but the sides make the experience complete. This was my fourth time there and I went with Yams and Andouille along with the sweet plantains. Our waitress helped us out pronouncing Yuca different than Yucca. One is delish and the other is a cactus. Go figure. The meat is great too but the bun surrounding the meat is really fabulous too. Local and tasty. I am going back next week.
(5)Mitzi D.
Delicious but skip the dessert! This restaurant was recommended to me by a friend of mine so we headed over there for my 30th Birthday celebration dinner since it is walking distance to the NE bars. Its a small venue with limited parking so I don't recommend it for very large parties. There were 6 of us for dinner and its family style only for groups 6 or more. Since it was a larger party we had to wait a hot second so we decided to get drinks while we waited. The Sangria with a hint of bubbles was delicious and refreshing! Once seated we decided on a whole rotisserie chicken which they bring to the table cut up and I love my friend who exclaimed "I never ordered a whole chicken before!!", Braised Beef, Creamed Spinach, Yams with Andouille Sausage, Plantains and cornbread for each person at the table. The meat was all very tender, juicy, well seasoned and delicious. The cornbread is served with honey butter and the sides were all equally as rich. They offered up a free birthday cake slice and we also added the soon to be off the menu red velvet cake. Don't do it. We decided the cake slice tasted like garlic and the red velvet cake was hard and dry. A disappointment but dinner was so good we didn't really care too much. I'd come back here again but this time I think I'll try the pork...
(4)Grey S.
Awesome food and very affordable.
(4)L. T.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. I'm always impressed by this restaurant every time I visit. A big reason why I give this restaurant 5 stars is for their consistency. From the quality of the food, the taste, the ambience, and the service--it's all good. Sure, I order the same things every time I visit Brasa, but I am never disappointed nor do I ever think, "This doesn't taste like it did last time I was here." I don't live in Minneapolis, so when I go to Brasa it's very sporadic, but I'm never dissatisfied--again, consistency is the key and this place has it!
(5)K G.
Several of us have wanted to try La Brasa for some time. Some in our group said that they enjoyed it and would be back, but I definitely won't be back. It was suggested to us to try the family style, as it would be faster service and enable us to try more variety of sides. We ordered 2 mediums, 1 large- which was supposed to cover the 8 of us. We also ordered 5 sides as recommended- which we found out was supposed to be 20 servings, plus cornbread. The food overall wasn't that great. We enjoyed the rice and pigeon peas, but it was nothing special. The grits were pretty good. The pulled meats(pork/beef) weren't that great, but then again we each only got literally 1 bite of them, so it was hard to tell. Overall, we were glad to have been able to try 5 sides rather than just 1 each (which would have been the case had we ordered the 1 meat/cornbread/1side option each), but I'm not sure that it was enough food for all of us; not a great value for the $ either. It was a nice day in October to sit outside with a group of people for lunch, but I definitely wouldn't give this place a "Pick" rating as Minnesota Monthly did- I just don't see what they found exceptional about the place.
(3)Ramona H.
Just visited this for the second time and everything about it was just as good at the first time around! Delicious local, organic ingredients, basic (but great) wine and beer selection, and friendly staff. Menu is pretty minimum, but that seems to be the whole style of the place. Plus, the variety and quality of the sides makes up for it. Love it during the summer when they open the garage doors. Finding seating can be a little hard, but its well worth the wait. Really as good as everyone says it is!
(5)Dana S.
Delightful in every way. Tender, expertly seasoned meats; nice array of delicious sides; value-oriented combination plates available; cool decor that doesn't take itself too seriously , lovely indoor/outdoor setting, fantastic desserts. My favorites: Pulled pork Collards Potato salad Sweet potatoes Corn cakes Pineapple upside down cake a la mode Thank you!
(5)Nicole P.
Delish! I scored the two meats plate (rotisserie chicken and pork shoulder) with sides of collard greens, Brasa slaw, and corn bread muffin. Everyone was right, the corn bread was Amazing, i could go, order a whole plate full and some beers and be happy. But then again the Chicken an Pork were terrific, as was the Brasa slaw. I've never had collard greens before and they weren't bad, but not my cup of tea either. All products are locally sourced when possible and you can taste it! p.s. the cilantro aoili was so good it would make even bad meat fun to eat! though that isnt a problem here.
(4)Oliver M.
This is my favorite place to eat in Minneapolis. There are very few healthy options, but the food is delicious. The yucca and the beef are TDF. The beer selection is local and tasty (hoppy). The service is hipster, but friendly. The modern decor feels a little nouveau riche, but you won't notice it as soon as your food comes. Also, expect to wait for a table if you go at a normal eating hour.
(5)Tiffany F.
If my review were based on the food alone, Brasa would definitely rate a 5+. The food is amazing...love, love, love it! The yams were terrific and the red beans were perfectly seasoned. The service however, was extremely frustrating...our server was seemingly not in a rush to do anything at all and didn't realize that our food hadn't arrived yet (we ordered over 30 minutes prior). Excuse me ma'am, it's my lunch hour...not my lunch 2 1/2 hours! Resultantly, I now order carryout...which is much faster.
(4)Darlene R.
Discovering Brasa is like discovering a treasured relative that you were separated from at birth. You cannot help but exclaim, "Where have you been my whole life?!" The food and service is as authentic, inviting and unpretentious as the city in which Brasa resides. Located in a converted garage with a blend of indoor and outdoor seating, they use organic and locally grown products that are paired in simple yet absolutely mouth-watering ways. I recommend the slow roasted pork and smoked beef (meat so tender it melts in your mouth); yellow rice with black beans; crispy yuca; creamed spinach; and, rustic style cheddar grits. I look forward to the next time I am in town so I can try the other items on the menu.
(4)Nadine Y.
Thank goodness I'm not a chicken, or a cow, or a pig. I couldn't imagine eating myself, especially in shredded form. But boy, I would be DEE-licious if I were served at Brasa.
(5)leslie s.
After much anticipation of eating at Brasa, tonight's dining experience was nothing less than disappointing. The service was deplorable as was evidenced by a non-existant waitress who coped an attitude when questioned about the wear-abouts of our food. The total meal time exceeded two hours with the kitchen being "backed up". Understanding that this can happen, there is no excuse that the sides will follow the main course by no less than thirty minutes. Even though the waitress tried to make apologies by "comping" dessert, the damage had already been done. I grew up ih the restaurant business and am loyal to non-franchise establishments, but the experience at Brasa was inexcusable, especially for a place that's been open for nearly four years. Simply too long of a wait for overly-hyped mediorce food with service that shouldn't even be called that.
(1)Lauren W.
Cannot get enough of this place. One of the best restaurants in the city in my opinion. Great food, fun atmosphere and treat yourself to Brasa when it's warm out and they open up the big garage door walls. Makes a perfect meals even more delightful.
(5)Julie R.
Their pulled pork sandwich is incredibly tasty, and in a great way, totally unexpected! I assumed it'd be something traditionally bbq style, and instead it was so light, tangy, and refreshing, which might sound weird for a pulled pork sandwich, but it's true! Their cornbread is also spectacular, and their cheesy grits are the best I've ever had, and I just moved back to mpls after a year in the deep south, So that says something!
(5)P X.
Since I work in NE Minneapolis, I have made a pledge to myself to discover every restaurant within a five mile radius of the office. But, I would be really stupid to even try to claim discovery of this long-time favorite of thousands. For me, lunch this past Thursday was the official "first" for me at Brasa and it won't be my last. The start of the meal was a bit difficult-parking and one-ways nearly killed the opportunity. I persevered and eventually scored a side-street parking spot. I was able to smoothly order a take-our meal of a quarter of rotisserie chicken and the cabbage mozzarella salad. The meal was ready within 10 minutes and I headed back to the office to sample. Fortunately for me, I found a spare fork at the office (they never put one in the bag). The salad was really good. I think it needed a bit more flavor, but over all it was a solid choice. The cabbage was finely shredded and there were crunchy tortilla strips tossed with the cheese and veggies. The chicken was great and came with a green creamy sauce (I actually am not sure what that was, but it was delish). The chicken was a tad undercooked, but that sort of stuff doesn't scare me and I gobbled it right up. Overall, I can see why this place is loved. I will definitely be back.
(4)Mike T.
Absolutely amazing food! The slow roasted beef brisket was particularlly amazing! I highly recommend this place.
(5)David K.
The way my friend described it, if you're looking for great southern comfort food, this is the place to come. We had about a 30-40 min wait when we got there, but it was worth it. We started off with some beers, they've got several Minnesota beers on tap. Surly is pretty hoppy, while Bauhaus, as the waitress described it, has a cracker-like taste. We each had two beers each, I preferred the Surly. For food we got the medium size of the chicken, pork, and beef, and all three of them are great. The pork is more tender than the beef I think. The honey-glaze coated cornbread is amazing. And the beans and rice are the perfect complement to round out the meal.
(4)Ruth E.
I love the food at this place. It is so delicious. Last night I made a repeat appearance because I can't get enough of their food. Specifically, the pulled chicken, crispy yuca and corn bread make me drool every time I think about them!! Thankfully, I took the food home because the only complaint I have about this place is a lack of space. There's not enough parking (~6 spaces in the lot) and too few tables for how amazing the food is (there's always a wait during peak times and no reservations, even with the outdoor seating). I will say the lack of space is for a good reason. The food is seriously amazing and there are even some lawn games in the outdoor area. But the bathrooms aren't my fave (clean and cute, but SUPER HOT all the time) and I really don't like having to wait a long time. But the service is friendly and none of the issues are enough to stop me from going back.
(4)Sistha D.
I've always loved this restaurant! Frequent diner when I was a student at U of M and always come here whenever I'm in town. Took my boyfriend from Ohio end of July to enjoy this tasty place. Needless to say, he loved it, as expected. We shared: - Guacamole and chips- 6/10. I've eaten a lot of different variety of guacamole and this one is just OK. Nothing special. - 2 piece rotisserie chicken- 8/10 mostly for the AMAZING sauce. The waiter gave us extra sauce and I had to ask for another one, it's THAT good. I always order chicken. Parts of the chicken are under cooked and still bloody (This has happened to me a few times, sometimes I asked the waiter to cook it more sometimes I just avoid that part if I'm in a hurry). - 1/4 lbs smoked beef-8/10. Delicious. I'm not a big fan of this kind of beef but dang this was good. - Crispy Yuca w/ Citrus & Garlic- 10/10. First of all I already LOVE yuca and their yuca is just amazing especially dipping it in the green cilantro mayo sauce (I love cilantro too so this is just heavenly). - Gumbo Fried Rice- 9/10. I love gumbo. And I love fried rice. So this gumbo fried rice is just awesome. You can taste the okra, sausage, seafood. It tastes like you are eating gumbo. We finished this very quickly. Pretty sure licked the bowl too, delicious. If you like gumbo, get this. In the past I've tried a lot of different sides and plates. This restaurant is just DELICIOUS. If you are in town, go here. Worth it.
(5)Risa S.
the bbq beef was tender and juicy. guacamole was fresh and not overly seasoned. Sangria was very tasty! Staff was super friendly and accommodating. Extremely kid friendly. Will definitely be back!
(5)Maddy D.
We love this place! Great food! Potato salad is to die for but they rarely have it! It is usually a side dish they have occasionally. Pulled chicken is amazing.
(5)Alice M.
Brasa is my go to spot-- I am so lucky to have them in my neighborhood!! It is perfect fit for medium sized gatherings to eat some southern food family style. Be prepared to wait if you come at peak hours, especially in the winter when seating is limited. Make sure you get LOTS of green sauce and I recommend ordering a masa cake to build on. I love to smother mine with meat and sides like a tostada! You really can't go wrong with anything here, but my favorite meats are the pulled chicken and the smoked beef. I would get the beef more if the price didn't keep going up but so it goes. I love the candied yams with that caramel sauce, guac is a solid bet, fried yuca and sweet plantains are delicious with the almighty green sauce. I also like the cheesy grits, creamed spinach, and coleslaw. I'm telling ya... You can't go wrong with brasa!!
(5)Dorothy C.
Came here for lunch and it was an amazing experience. I had the 'pulled pork with an egg' bowl, and I couldn't stop after the first bite. The spinach, the pulled pork, the sauce etc all blended together really well. The person next to me was trying the gumbo bowl - that would be my next to-try. Service was efficient. Will definitely be back next time when I'm in town!
(5)Jessica D.
I had been wanting to try this restaurant for basically our entire stay in Minneapolis (3 years). Unfortunately the day I finally tried it was the day before we moved out of state. The food here was melt in your mouth delicious. I don't remember everything we had but I do remember that it was all absolutely delicious. I think he had a 6 piece of chicken and I had done type of chicken in a cream sauce served with rice, it was all phenomenal. The day we were there they had a potato salad in place of the coleslaw which was also lovely.
(5)J.C. L.
Ridiculously good chicken. As in... maybe the best chicken you'll ever have in your life. The sauces are off the charts good, too. Make it a point to eat here at least once in your life... if not once a week.
(5)Gabrielle A.
I love Brasa! I used to have lunch there all the time and I enjoy going to dinner there a lot. ALL of their meats are absolutely delicious to the point where it is pretty tough to choose a favorite. The creamy chicken they make is delicious and so is the smoked beef. They have great guacamole with delicious tortilla chips and their coleslaw has a great tangy taste to it. The food is a great conversation starter and even more fun to eat. Watch out, it can be REALLY steamy here on a hot day.
(5)Nick K.
Was looking for a lunch place while in Minneapolis for work, saw Brasa and thought we would give it a shot. WOW, what a delicious place! I had the smoked beef, with bbq sauce, cheesy grits, and fried plantains (special on the day). It was all superb, and quick. If ever in the area, and need a super high quality lunch, this is the place. My coworker was really satisfied with his lunch as well.
(5)Julianne Z.
Any restaurant recommended by Andrew ZImmern is a must visit for me. Expect to wait 20-30 minutes if you don't arrive at a peak hour, but it is so worth it and the food comes out super fast. I have never goten any of their bowls or sandwiches because I always go a la carte and order a bunch of things for their entire table to share. My favorites: Slow Roasted Pork: Succulent and punched with flavor. THeir best meat! Rottiserie CHicken: SOme people really like the beef but I think the chicken is a great bang for the buck and who doesn't love a drumstick? Sides: You cannot go wrong with cheddar grits, the jalapeno creamed spinach and the yams with sausage. I get the same 3 every time and then i get a side of corn bread. For 2 people, we got a 2 medium sides, 1 small and 1 corn bread and were filled to the brim! If you are in a mood for a drink, get their sangria. Sweet and very strong!
(5)Kev H.
Pulled chicken. Rice and red beans. Enough said. Alright, fine I'll continue. I came here with a large group of people for a Sunday brunch. I arrived super early and managed to snag a table for all of us, but nobody else arrived yet. I must say, I did not receive any evil stinkeye or anything like that, so that's a plus. Their menu consists of a large rectangular piece of paper (I forget if its laminated or not; my time spent waiting at my table for people to arrive was not productive at all) with a list of all the different Southern style dishes available. You can order things in different sizes, so I opted to shared with my friend. We went for the pulled chicken, and the rice and red beans. The rice and read beans were simple, but tasty, and went down super easy. The pulled chicken was flavorful, but I they were the teensiest bit dry to me. All in all, accommodating service, many different food combinations and variations you can order, and quite satisfactory food.
(4)Kim N.
I gotta buck trend here. Maybe it was because i had a to go order. But my chicken was unfortunately dry! Without the cilantro dipping sauce it would be hard to eat in some parts. Love the space and the ambiance but the chicken didnt hold up to all the good reviews ive read
(3)Alex C.
Brasa is my #1 choice for some good ol' comfort food and one of my top 5 restaurants in the twin cities. The menu is simple and short, but every item hits the mark. Don't expect any crazy, overpowering flavors. You're not getting any spicy mayo here! (although I love spicy mayos). This place is stacked with warm, really well cooked food where you'll get hints of different flavors but mostly taste the center ingredient of the dish. From all the meats (pulled pork is my fav) to the delicious fried yuca, spinach, and grits - You're not going to be disappointed with what you get. I've never had anything bad here yet but if I was forced to choose a favorite... Favorite dish: Pork & Over Easy Egg. This dish is perfect for me. Melt in your mouth pork with creamy, jalepeno spinach and some yellow rice. I get my protein, my vegetables, my carbs and I can mix it all together to get something that just works. Favorite Side: Spicy Masa Cake Definitely give Brasa a chance!
(5)Emma S.
When I go out to eat, I want to order a lot of the menu and share with everyone I'm with. At Brasa, this is not only possible, but encouraged. Going to school six hours from my hometown, my parents rarely get the chance to visit me. Growing up with two foodies, I knew I had to bring my A-game during their recent pick-me-up (no, really, they picked me up to take me home...). Never having been to Brasa, but always hearing great things, I decided to take them to the Southern side of Northeast. Brasa did not disappoint. We ordered the fried plantains and yucca, along with the roasted yams with Andouille sausage for starters. The minute the yams came out (we ordered a medium for three people), I thought, "oh no... This isn't going to be enough," but the richness allowed you to only eat a little of it, and it ended up being the perfect size. For main dishes, we went with the beef, collard greens, jalapeño and grits bowl along with the lime slow roasted pork. Epiphany: I need more grits in my life. It was like a bowl of happiness, and with the pork as a complimentary second entree, it was as if I discovered butcher heaven. I'm incredibly anxious to try their pulled chicken next - I can only imagine good things coming from that. Like parents like child, however, we didn't just stop at savory - no, we went all in and ordered dessert: their Buttered Tin Bakery pumpkin pie and their in-house chocolate cake with chocolate sauce. The most important lesson I learned from this was to never judge a dessert menu by its genericly-named items. The pumpkin pie had some of the best consistency I've ever tasted, and the chocolate cake was rich and satisfyingly superior to the basic Applebee's-esque lava cake I expected (sorry, Applebee's...). Three sides, two entrees, and two dessers were perfect for three [very hungry] people, and we still hadn't ordered everything on the menu. If you live by the true (albeit cliché) statement "sharing is caring," check Brasa out. And if you don't, they have single-serving portions as well, so you have no excuse.
(5)Jeanine K.
Brassa has been a go-to meal for many years, but recently I've been let down. Inconsistency is the word that comes to mind. Meats have been dried out (chicken), inconsistent flavor/ seasoning (beef and pork) and/ or inconsistent portions (chicken in particular - we once got a leg and wing in our 2 piece meal). Sides have been under seasoned at times, over seasoned other times and even perfect, sometimes all in the same order! What pushed me over the edge is on multiple occasions, items had been left out of my take out bag. Brassa is close to my gym and a great post workout meal, but not close to my home, so I'm not going back to picked up the missed items. It got so bad, I started checking my bag before leaving. Sometimes the missed items were silly - like they gave us the guacamole, but forgot to give us the chips. I can't even begin to count the number of times I have had to call to ask for a refund! Every few months we go back to see if things have changed and sometimes would get a great meal, to be let down on the next visit or two. I love the concept of what these guys are doing, just wish they could get it consistency right.
(2)Amy H.
My favorite is their chicken pepper gravy plate. Rich and delicious. Also love their salad. Butterscotch pudding is a perfect finish!
(4)Nahila A.
As I write this review, my mouth is watering for the meal I got a couple of days ago: the black bean fritter sandwich with a side of crispy yucca. It was so good, I didn't offer any to my colleagues, which is not normal for me. That's how good it was! We went on a Friday around noon, and it was busy. However, our wait wasn't long, and the four of us were seated in about 10 minutes. Our food also came out not too long after we ordered it. The place is big and open and also has outdoor seating for warmer days. It's a casual place with tables and booths and good for small groups. I saw all kinds of people there: students, couples, families, and individuals grabbing lunch on the go. When you walk in, wonderful smells slap you in the face. There's something wonderful about the ambiance, it was busy yet relaxing. I've had food catered from here once, and everything that I've had here has been good. I am looking forward to going back to try more sides and getting a large basket of crispy yucca #nomnomnom Other notes: There is a specific vegetarian menu. This place is also public transit friendly (2, 10, and 17) and there's a small parking lot along with street parking. I subtracted one star because my colleague found a small rock in her beans, which is scary and painful, so be careful. At least we know now that they don't use canned beans :)
(4)Matt H.
I decided there was nothing like some creole cuisine to warm me up on this frigid day so I went to Brasa for lunch. Ordered the black bean fritter sandwich (amazing) with an exceptional bun and the addition of guacamole was delightful. On the side: yuca fries and creamed spinach with jalapeno. The sides were phenomenal and as another reviewer pointed out you can tell the menu was really well thought out. It was not very busy at the lunch hour do to the weather but just about every person who arrived noted that -- which is to say, it was an odd occurrence. If you want a quick lunch, call ahead. This would be an excellent place to visit with a few friends and share multple dishes -- much like the courses at Alma (their other, more upscale restauraunt).
(4)Kristina G.
What a great place to share an incredible meal with friends or family! With family style sharing encouraged myself and two friends ate our way through a ridiculously delectable feast. The yucca, chips and guacamole, and pulled pork were my personal favorites. However, it would be difficult to find something that was not good. I adored the opportunity to introduce sweet plantains to my friends and we all recommend the Sangria if you are looking for something to drink!
(5)Natalia C.
Very nice place . Good food and customer service . Since I have a lots of food allergy and I am gluten free person I go there a lot . And they are also close to my neiborhood . They are not cheap but you have what you pay for .
(5)Sarah B.
Both the bf and I got off work early today (Monday), took a nap, and woke up not feeling like cooking. We had to run an errand and decided to check out Brasa, since it was super close to the other store. Best decision ever. It was decently crowded, but we were able to get a table right away, which was lucky, because from 5:30 on there was a wait. Our waiter was really helpful, recommending what and how much to order. We went with: Pulled Chicken Slow Roasted Pork Rice & Pigeon Peas Yuca Fries Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapeno Spicy Masa Cake The food was awesome! Both meats were delicious, the bf preferred the pork and I liked the chicken better. The sides were all great. The Yuca fries were a favorite, especially with the dipping sauce. The spinach was super yummy and spicy. The rice & peas was solid and the masa cake was fantastic. We got smalls of everything and that worked out really well for two. We even had a little bit to take home for a snack later. I can't wait to come back with a group and try all the things.
(5)Kelli H.
Sometimes, when I'm really hungry, I wish there was a worm hole in my house that I could walk through and appear in Brasa. Brasa has some of the most delicious food I've ever put in my mouth. Even thinking about it right now makes my mouth water. The smoked beef is pull apart and tender with incredible sweet and spicy BBQ over it. Some of my favorite sides are the yams and andouille sausage, the yuca with citrus and garlic sauce, and the fried plantains. It's Latin food with a Creole twist.
(5)Kandace M.
If I needed to request a last meal. The menu from Brasa Rotisserie would be the only thing that I would request. Simple ingredients, bold flavor, always consistent greatness. Dine in or carry out - I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(5)K E.
Seems like the food here is delicious, but unfortunately the staff and management have some catching up to do. We tried to go around 7 pm on a Saturday, and had called twice to ask about wait times and food options for gluten free. Neither of those two times we called OR when we arrived and talked with the hostess did anyone mention that Brasa had SOLD OUT of practically everything on their menu. To their credit, they did write that they were out of nearly everything in tiny handwriting on a chalkboard that was mostly obscured so as to not deter people from waiting 45+ minutes for a table so that they could remain hungry. After happening by the chalk board, we talked with the hostess again who sheepishly said that she guessed we could order chicken but that the kitchen was nearly cleaned out. We were pretty upset because a decent restaurant would have informed us of this at any of the three previous opportunities and/or at least been vaguely apologetic about it. This restaurant did none of these things. We asked to speak to a manager, who to his credit was really nice but then lied and said they had just run out of the food less than a minute ago, which wasn't true since they'd written it on the chalkboard at least 10 minutes prior. Hopefully this was just an off night, but we were really, really disappointed in Brasa.
(1)Erin K.
If I could, I would give 6 stars. Brasa catered my sister's wedding this past weekend. The food was beyond amazing and the service was top notch. There were options for all types of food meeting various dietary needs of the guests. We had vegetarians, vegans, lactose intolerance, even one guest recovering from surgery with limited options was able to have an amazing meal. The guests raved about the food. The menu spelled out each dish clearly. The food was served family style and options included rice, beans, vegetable curry, cucumber salad, roasted chicken, and more. AND IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! The staff had a smile on their faces the entire time. It could not have been a smoother process. Thank you, Brasa, I'm so impressed.
(5)John W.
First off, great atmosphere and appealing menu, it was easy to read and I wasn't over or underwhelmed. I went with the pulled chicken plate with the red beans and brisket with yellow rice. The chicken in gravy was 10 outta 10, the yellow rice was tasty, but the red beans and brisket were a little bland and disappointing. I also got some fried plantains and cornbread. Both were amazzzzzing. I left satisfied and definitely looking forward to trying different things on the menu.
(4)Seth P.
I was in town this past weekend and off restaurants I went to this stood out as the best. The chicken was incredible! This will be my first stop next time I'm in town.
(5)Jason D.
Brasa is the perfect combination of comfort food and flawless execution. I had the Pork and Egg Bowl along with the seasonal Sweet Potato and Spice beer. The pork was tender, moist, and flavorful. The jalapeño spinach and yellow rice were divine, and egg yolk dripping over the top was the perfect comforting tie in.If I lived in Minneapolis, this would become our regular place for casual meals. I am going to have to stop by again before I leave and try something else. My waiter was kind, thoughtful, and very knowledgeable.
(5)Theresa M.
Very reliably delicious food! Great for sharing and easy to control how much money you went to spend with the menu.
(5)Andrea R.
Regardless of the type of protein you choose, this place will have the perfect side (s) and with kick. I have never tried anything here that doesn't taste delicious. Even if you don't drink alcohol try the sangria, it's made with fresh fruit and they let it sit for a while before serving. I find the individual portions the ideal size for one. If you're not into waiting a lot to be seated, come in a boring week day or night, or go to the Saint Paul location that's bigger.
(5)Mike B.
EAT ALL OF THE FOOD. Honestly, this should be Brasa's slogan. I'd buy merch with that plastered all over it. But for serious, this should also be your motto as you look at the menu upon being seated after your half an hour wait (and you will wait, this place is tiny...and always packed, for good reason). I don't care how many people you have in your party. Two, three, twelve, doesn't matter. Order as much as you think you can handle and then order a little bit more. You won't regret it, especially if you're someone like me who doesn't like coming back to the same place twice due to the incalculable amount of places to eat in Minneapolis. Everything is delicious here. I don't think you could possibly go wrong with anything on the menu. Every plate is cooked with such precision and tender, loving care. You can practically taste the affection the chefs put into each dish. Of the full menu, here are my favorites: Meats -Slow roasted pulled pork with garlic and lime -Pulled chicken simmered in light cream and pepper gravy You will not find more tender meat than this outside of the best of the best BBQ joints. It just falls apart as you're cutting it, and then just melts into your mouth. Perfect seasoning, and the cream on the chicken is to die for. Sides -Creamed spinach with jalapeno -Roasted yams and andouille -Crispy yuca with citrus and garlic -Red beans and yellow rice -Cornbread with honey The cornbread here is some of the best cornbread on the planet, beating out many of the top restaurants I've been to in the South. I could literally just eat plates and plates of the yuca "fries," too. That dipping sauce that comes along with them is drinkable. It's that good. Southern food is hard to find here in the Great White North, and Brasa valiantly brings some much-needed heat to the Minneapolis food scene. Order everything. Clear plates, full stomach, can't lose.
(5)Whitney F.
Just plain good. After hearing raves about Brasa, with a weakness for real (real) southern food, I was obviously a little skeptical. Brasa was overwhelmingly genuine and just plain good. We arrived early on a Thursday for dinner. Meaning beating the 5 o'clock bell with six hungry folks. I was surprised that by 5:30pm every table in the small cozy location was full. We ordered some sangria and wine and split the large guac. We enjoyed that we could do family style, but opted to each get meats and side items. I chose the rotisserie chicken, mozz salad and yucca fries. Oh the yucca fries, in that heavenly green garlic citrus sauce. As juicy and perfect as the rotisserie chicken was, "sangria and yucca fries" has officially made the 2014 bucket list. With the reasonable prices, atmosphere both cozy and busy, and that green sauce, Brasa easily made this southerners top 5.
(5)Hannah F.
Where to begin.... I. Love. Brasa. This is my go-to place for comfort food and it just never gets old. My significant other and I often come here after church on Sundays, and my anticipation for this place never, ever fades. I can't say I have ever been disappointed by a dish. Favorite meats are tied with the pulled pork and pulled chicken with gravy. Favorite side dishes include, but are not limited to: crispy yucca, guac and chips (my guy's favorite), creamed spinach, collard greens, rice and beans, and fried plantains. YUM. Do yourself a favor and order lots of plates to share so that you get some of everything. Now, please excuse me... I need to wipe all of this drool off my keyboard.
(5)BK J.
I'm not sure why I waited so long to get in to Brasa. I know the reviews have been consistantly good and people rave about the food. Anyway, we were out shopping on a Saturday morning and the birthday girl said she wanted BBQ so we motored over to Brasa in NE. They were still in the process of opening so service was a bit slow but not horrid. We ordered beef and pork, guac, creamed spinach and yucca fries. The low point would be the guac - it was good but bland. On my final bit I splashed a bit of the hot pepper vinegar on it and that improved it a ton. The pork was great but the real winner was the beef - tons of wonderful beefy flavor in fork tender meat. The red sauce served with the beef was a perfect match. The spinach was also a winner and I might have to figure out how to make it myself. While you can go in and order a sandwich with a side Brasa is best experienced as a group so you can order multiple meats and sides and share. I would put Brasa in the category of one of those places that people must hit when visiting MSP.
(4)Maxx M.
Everything was excellent! It took me a minute to figure out the menu and the serving sizes. The food was fantastic and the service was great. I really like the fact that they source local ingredients whenever possible...and they list some of the sources on the menu. I also like the casual atmosphere. I felt completely comfortable hanging out in my Carhartt shorts. Now Yelp can stop pimping this place on my account and stop telling me to go to Brasa because: "Your next review awaits!". -Daddy Maxx Retro
(5)Vy B.
Brasa has quality meats and the menu is decently priced. There's nothing better than sitting at their outside patio on a hot summer day. The service is great and the atmosphere is calm and cool. The portions are pretty big and this place is great for groups or one on one with a friend. Love: pulled pork sandwich with cilantro sauce (tastes like a modern banh mi sandwich), guacamole, potato salad, creamed spinach Loathe: the plantains -- they are always dry and the cassava fries - no taste whatsoever. Parking is free but not readily available - perhaps 5-6 spots in their lot? There's a lot of free parking in the residential area next to the restaurant though.
(5)Alexander M.
Such a great restaurant, the collard greens, yuca, green plantains and cheesy grits are 100% great every time! They don't have the guava lime soda at this one and it's actually worth a trip to St Paul just for that! The food and atmosphere make for a great dining experience!
(5)Immaculate I.
Oh how I love plantains!! I went to this spot at 7pm on a Wednesday and it was PACKED!! There was a 45 minute wait. We got some drinks and stood outside waiting for our name to be called. The noise level is a little over normal conversation volume so if you're looking for a quiet, intimate place, this would not be my first choice. I had the pork sandwich and my companion had the fritter. I thought that the pork sandwich was a bit underwhelming. I may have had high expectations from some of these reviews. The plantains were amazing! I didn't end up eating the yellow rice or red beans because I was full from half of my sandwich. The service (Patrick) was great. He checked in on us, wasn't overbearing, just right. I would go back to try the fritter. I heard it was spicy and I feel as though my middle name really should've been caliente.
(3)Erin F.
Great and relatively inexpensive food! When I went here a few years ago with my Dad, the food wasn't nearly as good as what I experienced when I went a few days ago with my Dad and Fiance. There were a few faults here and there, but overall, especially given the fact that we got enough food for 3 for $60 that we still had some left to take over, it was a great experience. We ordered medium of the beef, medium of the pulled pork, 6 pieces of the chicken, sides of plantains, guacamole and creamed spinach. The beef was good. It was a bit less tender than I would have preferred, but definitely nothing to turn your nose up at. The pork was incredible. Some of the best pork I've had in a long time. It was moist and flavorful (and I don't even like lime) and had just the right amount of salt. The chicken was cooked perfectly. It reminded me of the peruvian chicken that we get in DC. The skin was perfect, the meat was juicy, not dry, and the sauce they give you to dip it in was great. The creamed spinach wasn't the best preparation I've ever had, but it was still good. The jalapenos added a bit of a kick. The plaintains were amazing. They were still soft and seared on the outside, so delicious. The guacamole was good, again not the most amazing thing we had there, but very good, just the same. The one thing that was slightly strange was the service. They seemed about one waiter short. The woman who was seating people was also handling tables, and they all appeared slightly out of sync. This resulted in us having to get our own water once or twice, but at least they had a big water pitcher we could use!
(5)Soumyadeep C.
It is overpriced and crowded, and not in a good way. I have heard about it from so many people that I finally decided to give it a try for lunch. Now, I understand the crowd for Sunday brunch, but $15 plates of pulled pork is frankly the size of kids' fare. The ambience of the place is like the nearby university campus restaurants, so I could not fathom the price. As for the rice and beans that came as a side, I've had better. Not going back to Brasa.
(2)Ahmad R.
Delicious. I've been here for takeout several times and have enjoyed everything. Chicken, beef, and pork mains were all good and the sides of beans, cornbread, yucca, and a couple others were also tasty. Brasa leans a bit pricey but it has an upscale quality to the food so we don't feel too put out by it.
(4)Yash K.
Yucca fries were amazing. Rotisserie Chicken was slightly bland but overall good food and ambience.
(4)Kate R.
Meat was GREAT, all the sides I had were bland as hell. I know, adapting spicy food to the Minnesotan tongue, whatever, but this was ridiculous. I like the small plate conceit- you can get a couple different meat plates, some small sides, and feed a large group family style, it works well. But seriously, so bland, and even the meat, while flavorful, wasn't what I was expecting spice-wise. Also we had terribly slow service, to the point where the diabetic member of our party was starting to get a bit floaty when we finally got our *drinks*. Perhaps that was a time of day thing, but quite disappointing. On the plus side, it was easy to find gluten-free and dairy-free food on the menu.
(2)Daisy L.
This was not what I was expecting. The plates are TINY. And they were out of yucca. What. Yeah, the food tasted all right - a little bit blander than I would've liked though.
(2)Troy P.
I straight up love Brasa! This is my kind of food served the way I like it, family style. I have never had a bad experience or disliked anything I've ordered. My favorite is probably the Pulled Chicken and Yuca Fries, they are basically a staple of my ordering selection every visit. The space is fairly small, tables are relatively close together and it can get kind of noisy. In the Summer it's pretty great, there is a nice size patio and 2 large garage doors that open the entire restaurant to the outside. Peak hours have always been busy, but they get the food out quick and the wait has never been unbearable. One thing to note is this location barely has a parking lot and it can be difficult to find street parking so plan on driving around. If you like good ol fashioned comfort food then this is your place.
(5)Jeff P.
Went to Brasa the other day for the first time and it was great. My friends and I pretty much ordered everything off the menu and shared it with each other and everything sure tasted great, especially the rotisserie chicken my absolute favorite. I am definitely gonna go back back again soon 5 stars from me.
(5)Monica S.
Visited with my sister who had already been there. She had chicken, I had pulled pork, and we shared greens, sweet potatoes and corn bread. She had mimosas and I had a sangria. Sangria was just ok. We both enjoyed our food.
(4)Sujan P.
Pulled pork heaven. You just got to try this place. See all the other reviews. Avoid going during peak hours Take out as good as dining in.
(5)Tetiana I.
Brasa is getting five stars for sure. Simple menu which allows you to build your own plate based on desires and today's mood. Chicken, beef or pork with yuca and plantains sides were my favorite so far. Also they are sized correctly starting from small which would feed one person and going to the bigger portions. They are sourced locally which adds up the points to the ratings as well. Without doubt if you are in the mood for pulled pork and plantains like me any other day you won't be disappointed with this restaurant.
(5)Heather T.
I went to the location in St. Paul in May of 2013 and never stopped thinking about it. Naturally, when I returned to Minneapolis last weekend, I had one goal: go to Brasa and eat all the food. And I did. Their slow roasted pork is EVERYTHING. If possible, it was even more delicious the second time. The pork, it is magical. Divine. The crispy yuca fries are great and all, but if I had the recipe for the citrus & garlic dip that accompanies the fries, I would pour it over everything. I would take shots of that dip. That the masa corncakes come with pickled vegetables on top is perfection. Creamed spinach with jalapeno? Yes, please. Anything? All of it? Yes and yes. I can't imagine that anything at Brasa is not completely delicious.
(5)Cassandra B.
You will wait when you get here, and it will be worth it. You might stand awkwardly on the asphalt with a drink in hand, looking longingly at those seated with delicious plates enjoying themselves on the patio. If you're lucky, you might score a seat at the picnic table with the other hungry folk. If you're smart, you'll come before the evening rush with no more than three friends and you should be good. When you're seated, you'll enjoy the warm, open-air vibe (weather permitting). You will order multiple plates to share in order to sample as much as possible. You will order more if it's not enough and your server will bring it happily. The meats are tender and perfectly seasoned. My favorites: smoked beef and pulled chicken with creamy, peppered sauce (droooool. And I don't even normally like pulled chicken). For sides, you may notice sizing is a little unpredictable. Fried yucca, for instance, runs large; start with a medium for your table. Do not miss the yams and andouille, cheesy grits, fried plantains, and fried yucca to share. While the yucca by itself is bland, the green dipping sauce is epic. The green sauce is served with the plantains too. You will eat the green sauce: Doctor's orders. (Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and take no responsibility for the relative health benefits of the green sauce.) Oh. and you'll eat the cornbread with honey glaze. It's moist with the perfect amount of sweetness. And I don't even normally like cornbread. You will be surprised at how reasonable the bill is considering the deliciousness of your experience. This place will rock your face off. You will return.
(5)Nicole G.
The best pulled chicken, cheesy grits, collard greens, coleslaw, candied yams and cornbread ever! Also, you can't beat the price! I highly recommend coming here if you are in the area!
(5)Nicolette Z.
It's hard to find really spectacular places to eat gluten free but Brasa is definitely at the top of that short list ! I have never once been disappointed. The atmosphere is great & love being able to sit outside during nice weather. It's small, so often times you have to wait a bit - but honestly this is a place I'd be willing to wait quite a long time for.
(5)Phillip Y.
Well, I came with my girlfriend to meet up with my old work colleague back in Iowa. I don't remember what I got to eat. I think it was the pulled pork but got some really interesting sides like collard greens and fried yucca. Overall, I thought it was a decent place but could be better. My colleague really liked it along with her fiancé so I guess it was a success. I don't know why but I think I prefer Cracker Barrel.
(3)Anya C.
Chicken is the best. Pork was great. Beef was ok. Corn bread was great. Coleslaw was different/fresh. Guacamole was good. Collard Greens was great.Tortillas was great. I would prefer the fresh lemonade to be more sour and less sugar. Service can be better(constantly can't find server - but I guess it's a sort of self service store)
(4)Steven D.
I've been here on a couple occasions for take out and I haven't been disappointed yet. I would've never guessed what the neighborhood would look like, but it's kind of at the edge of a residential neighborhood. The parking lot probably only holds about 6 spots, so be prepared to park in the streets if you go late. So far on my visits, I've gotten the: - Slow Roasted Pork: super moist pork that melts in your mouth - Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapenos: exactly what it sounds like with just the right hint of jalapeno flavor. It's not spicy if that's what you're debating! - Crispy Yucca w/ Citrus Garlic sauce: they were surprisingly crispy still even after taking it home as take out. I could only imagine how crispy and hot it is if eaten there! I usually ask for extra of the sauce because it's like crack! Can't wait to go back to try more things off the menu!
(5)Alyska B.
I love slow food establishments, and after being introduced to Brasa by a friend a few years ago, I'm so happy I was able to go back again last weekend. Their indoor/outdoor space is lovely for a meal and cold drinks in the warm June weather. While the main meat dishes are fantastic for all palates (from mild but flavorful to downright spicy) their side dishes also really shine. Almost everything on the menu is (or can be made) gluten-free except for the cornbread, which adds even more points in my book. Parking can be a bit tricky if it's busy, but not impossible. I'll definitely be going back next time I'm up in the cities.
(5)Joshua C.
One of the best meals of my life. Pulled Pork, Rotisserie Chicken, Sweet Tea, and Cheese Grits. I'm going to try to make there every time I'm in MNPLS from now on. Pulled Pork - 5/5 Rotisserie Chicken - 4/5 Sweet Tea - 2/5 Cheese Grits - 2/5
(5)Jonathan T.
As I'm writing this review, I have to resist from slobbering all over my keyboard while I think about Brasa's savory and decadent Southern dishes. If it's your first time there, don't order the eggs and sandwiches. Order a couple of meats and sides that are either small portions (if by yourself) or medium portions (if you are with someone else). There's absolutely too much deliciousness at Brasa to eat in one sitting. My favorites are below: Meats -Slow Roasted Pork -Pulled Chicken Sides -Cornbread and Beans -Collard Greens w/ Smoked Chicken -Creamed Spniach w/ Jalapeno -Fried Plantains My goodness, I want to be back right now stuffing my face. I have never been so stressed out that I have had to resort to thinking about a happy place, but if I did, I would imagine it being me sitting at a table eating the slow roasted pork with the corn bread... guzzling it down with a dark beer. The best word to describe the food, in my humble opinion, is thoughtful. Everything is locally grown, cooked to perfection, and served by friendly and knowledgeable staff. My stomach is growling. Brasa, I will see you soon.
(4)Andy L.
Rica and I went here months ago and we liked it. It was really packed, and the car park can fit approximately 1.5 cars. Luckily, someone was leaving as we pulled in. There was a long wait, but that was okay because there are good beers on tap, and I don't mind awkwardly standing in the way of people trying to get to the bathroom or servers trying to reach tables. We got lots of little dishes, which included pulled pork, pulled chicken, yuca, and plantains. They were all REAL GOOD. Today, Rica and I got take out, which involved smoked beef, pulled chicken, yuca, cornbread, and coleslaw. Again, everything was REAL GOOD. Also, they prepared the take out order REAL FAST. We took it home and ate while watching TV. Margot wanted us to give her some so bad, but we did not because she is a dog.
(5)Yuriy G.
Everything was delicious, food was good, everything was well prepared. The food was fresh and the seasonal apple coleslaw was delicious. The only drawback is she never refilled our water.
(5)Myly F.
Whether I am at the NE Mpls or the Grand Ave St. Paul location Brasa delivers! Thumbs up: Delicious food and fills you up Decent customer service Good atmosphere Veggie options are good You get what you pay for Thumbs down: Parking (both locations aren't too convenient, small lots and street parking) Go during lunch and get their sandwich, meat, or side plates, bang for your buck and scrumptious!
(4)Gundy A.
Pulled pork was amazing and shrimp gumbo left me asking for more. Little disappointed in the portion size for the price. 2 beers, 2 meals, and plantains was over $50 including tip and not worth the portion size. I'll recommend Brasa to anyone because food is fresh and full of flavor but warn them about the price versus portion size.
(4)Adam G.
Probably our favorite restaurant in the cities. Plus we are gluten free and only the cornbread, I believe, has gluten. We'll miss this place more than any other when we move away next month
(5)Alex S.
Family style deliciousness. The flavors at Brasa are sooooo good. Good for all occasions.
(5)H B.
the food is horrible yuk!! no taste bland, not real southern carrib food I was looking for the catfish and macaro and cheese they don't serve it at this location the brasa on grand is much better. my guest was not happy about the food, New cook!! C- rating ;( they really need help wit the greens , they were not washed enough. terrible
(1)Aimee N.
Great home style cooking with great atmosphere. The location in Northeast opens up when it is warm out and the food is amazing and if you are there during great weather, it is a great atmosphere to enjoy a meal with friends and/or family. I prefer to come here with a group, we were able to order a number of items to share. Pick a few proteins and many sides! Some of my favorites are the collard greens with chicken. So good! If you walk towards the bathroom you will see Andrew Zimmerman's photo and endorsement if Brasa. That guy knows his food for sure
(4)Jennifer S.
A 45 min. wait on a Friday eve. standing in a crowd of people all waiting to have dinner. Atmosphere was friendly and bustling, and the staff behind the beverage counter were helpful and polite, neither rushed nor annoyed by questions. After our standing-around-in-a-crowd-visit with a glass of house red wine in my hand, and one of sangria in my friend's, we were seated across from one another at a small table right where all the staff were going into and coming out of the kitchen. She and I had to do a LOT of leaning into each other to hear one another speak. Our server was really pleasant, cheerful and helpful, and even recommended we try one of the night's specials, given that it's not usually offered. Thus, we both ordered their "catfish special", and also several single-serving sides: collard greens, coleslaw, yams with Andouille, and creamed spinach. Our plates were delivered with three large fingers/strips of crisply coated (with cornmeal) and fried catfish, a few slices of house-made bread-and-butter pickles, and individual cups of a tartar-type sauce as well as a buffalo-type sauce. There was no doubt that those pieces of fish were fresh out of the fryer! They were so tasty - hot, crunchy-crisp on the outside and delicate and moist on the inside. Each of the sauces was good on the fish. I first tried the collard greens. They had some smallish-pieces of ham or smoked chicken mixed in with them. They were tasty and well cooked. Next, I tried the creamed spinach. Oh, yum. I'm unsure whether I've ever eaten creamed spinach, although I imagine this was the style of spinach I loved as a child. My parents have told me that as a wee one, I loved eating (canned) cooked spinach because "Popeye" ate it. I loved watching that cartoon. Then I tried the yams with Andouille sausage. I liked it because I love cooked yams and sweet potatoes; however, the chunks of Andouille added nothing for my tastes. Lastly, I tried the coleslaw. All components were finely sliced and well combined. It had a dressing so light its taste was barely detectable. I thought it was great! As we grazed through our dishes, we talked and caught up with each other's lives and noted how the restaurant emptied out as time carried on. Maybe next time, we'll just come in later in the evening rather that standing around waiting in a crowd. But no matter what, I will be back to try some of that awesome-looking rotisserie chicken!
(4)Travis R.
Everything here is phenomenal! My favorite restaurant in the twin cities! Try the beef or chicken, and the corn bread is better than cake.
(5)K M.
Walked in and it didn't look like much, had the side door was a garage door, kind of cool feel to the place.......but the bbq is amazing. Had the chicken, ribs, brisket and pulled pork. The stand out was the brisket. 14 hours of smoked awesomeness! My friend liked it so much that he got a whole one to go and ate it in the hotel room. The sides are good, liked the red beans. It is a bit pricey , but the quality is top notch.
(5)Doug M.
Well this was an interesting, but fun, adventure. I was looking for someplace local to grab dinner, and Brassa Rotisserie came up on Yelp as well-recommended. So I hoofed on over about a dozen blocks. As I came around the corner, I saw this kinda sketchy-looking converted auto garage. But once I got inside, I was greeted by friendly staff, and saw that Brassa had been set up pretty well inside - making good use of the glass roll-up garage doors to allow a bright, airy feeling. Yet they still kept the "semi-converted" repurposed bldg feel that is oh-so-popular nowadays. The clientele was very diverse, ranging from blond dreadlocked moms with two small kids to elderly conservative couples. Good people watching. My server was very helpful. I told him this was my first time at Brassa, so he immediately walked me through the menu and format, suggesting amounts that were good for one or two people (e.g. meats come in small, medium, or large), and which meats and sides he liked best, what paired together well (e.g. which bread to pick), etc. All of this was done in a friendly, sincere manner. I was looking for something non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated to drink, which led to the hot teas, and the rooibos tea was suggested. It is a red herbal tea from Africa. Honey was suggested to go with it, which was a good choice. While rooibos was actually somewhat sweet by itself, the honey gave it more fullness. I know it was just from a tea bag, but it was nice to have a different type of option. I wound up ordering the recommended slow roasted pork for the meat - It was tender, juicy, and flavorful. My first side was roasted yams & andouille - This was an interesting mix; yams were smooth but not bland, with the andouille chunks giving it just enough zest. My other side was crispy yuca w/citrus & garlic - These were essentially cassava fries with a creamy citrus/garlic dipping sauce; but good in that they were sized more like steak fries and were not so dense and greasy like potato fries can be. Finally, my bread was cornbread w/honey glaze - A good firm single-serve cup/loaf of cornbread with a generous topping of sweet and butter; yum. The food items are all brought in their own small bowls or plates, which you can then add to a large plate that is already at your table setting. Whenever my water glass or tea cup was empty, it was promptly refilled (or I was offered more hot water). Always nice for a big water drinker like me. Not much more to say about the dinner. It was relaxed, staff members were top notch, and food was flavorful. It met my expectations based on other reviews, and I recommend it too.
(4)Sijia L.
I went this place so many times. My fav is the jalapeno spanich and candid Yam. Sandwich is just okay. Price is friendly.
(4)Landy G.
Very good food. Smaller than I thought. It was comfortable and clean. I would go back.
(4)Ryan F.
Somehow the girlfriend and I made it though another year together. I must be doing something right. As is our custom, we celebrate our year together by gorging on delicious meat. We have done Fogo, Butcher and the Boar, and a few others, but this year, our meat quest brought us to Brasa Rotisserie on Hennepin Ave in NE Mpls. This place has been on my radar for quite a while, so I was excited to finally get to check it out. First off, the bad- parking can be tough. They do not take reservations. The place is loud. And none of this is a problem once you get your food. I really like the counter service to get a beer when you wait. Even on a Tuesday evening in the middle of our Polar vortex of a winter the were on a wait. Nothing about 20 minutes and a Fulton can't fix, however. We had the 4 Pc. Rotisserie chicken, pulled pork, pulled beef, cornbread, creamed spinach with jalapeno and yellow rice/beans. Had a nice Malbec to wash it down. I make food like this sometimes, pulled pork, chicken, etc, and I have no chance to make it as good as they do here. Nothing was dried out at all. The only issue I had with the food at all was it needed a little salt. That is just my personal preference as a salt addict though so don't take my word for it. My baby and I don't need quiet restaurants with dark lighting and white tablecloths to celebrate being together. We need meat and booze. And this place delivered in spades! PS-it is not too bad on the wallet as well!
(5)Susan H.
This is my go-to restaurant in the Twin Cities when I want a really satisfying meal. Their yuca fries are amazing, especially with a little lime and some mojo sauce. I'd go for the pulled chicken over the other meats. (I do wish this location served fish like the St. Paul location.) And this is where I discovered the wonders of collard greens... with smoked turkey... always perfect. The platanos fritos are much better than the sweet plantains, but either works for me. Top it all off with some of their sangria (they have a small but local beer selection as well). If you're dining out for two, I'd recommend getting small servings of a bunch of the menu items to split. If you're in a group, go big!
(5)Teresa E.
One of my go-to places for comfort food, family/kid-friendly, date nights and meeting a friend. Yucca is great. Plantains are great. Pulled pork is great. CORNBREAD is awesome! It's a sharing menu so order up (portions are bigger than your stomach though) and try many things on the menu. Staff is fairly attentive and the prices are so legit. PLUS, Brasa supports local farms and sustainably grown foods. They brag about it on their menus. Both the Northeast and the StPaul location are similar in architecture. This includes a windowed overhead door that is opened on nice, warm days to expand seating into a makeshift patio/open air restaurant. So nice.
(5)Candice B.
Let me start by saying, the food is phenomenal! And typically the service is very quick and everyone is delightful. However, I am currently towards the end of my two+ hour meal here because our waitress is slower than molasses. It took at least 15 minutes for her to come grab our order, a half hour+ for our food to get to the table, she never checked on us until the very end to grab our plates, and now we're still waiting for the bill, it's been 30 minutes (although we asked for it when she cleared the table). I've never experienced anything like this here (and have been to both locations). I would have given 5 stars if it wasn't for this disappointing service. But just know the food is outstanding.
(3)Gabriel S.
Great food every time. They do a superb chicken and beans. I have had them at a couple of weddings and they rock at catering. I always get excited when I think of eating Brasa! I would try everything on the menu.
(5)Susan L.
My family came to town and I suggested that they try this joint out. They did change the plantains to say SAVORY plantains now, rather than sweet, which is a good change. They also described them a bit more and I like the change. Bravo Brasa - finger lickin' good!
(5)Leah S.
Brasa is the real deal! Great food, great service and unbelievable prices! I have eaten at both the Northeast and St Paul locations and love them both. We also get take-out often from Brasa when we are looking for something to make our belly smile. They are known for their slow cooked meats, and all of them are good. They serve them in small portions so you can try all of them. Then they have the most decadent sides. Try the spinach and jalapeno - you won't be dissapointed. Recently I tried one of their bowls- the Pork with an over easy egg was amazing, the only problem is you don't want to share this dish. This place is busy though so get their early or go at off times. We are using them to cater our wedding reception in May so stay tuned.
(5)Richard H.
Celebrating 2 birthdays this evening. Read good reviews. Nothing prepared us for what an amazing experience we had.
(5)Wil G.
Delicious! We did take out because it was packed and everyone was extremely happy with the food.
(5)Ben D.
Homey comfort food. Nothing really struck out as awesome to me. For what i paid, i wish the portions sizes were bigger. When I think of homey comfort food I think of larger portions. Parking can be a pain.
(3)Mike R.
We've been to Brasa a number of times for dinner, and I've recently started going for lunch as well. The cost can add up pretty quickly if you're really hungry, but the food is consistently great. We have tried and love virtually all the meats. My favorites are the pulled chicken, pulled pork, and catfish - in that order. I also love the sides. The black beans with cornbread are great (and beans are filling and healthy). My personal favorite is the spinach, though my wife prefers the collards. Hard to go wrong though. My most recent discovery is the Pork & Over Easy Egg bowl. I could eat it for lunch... every day. Can't wait to go back! Update 8/20: Writing this review made me crave the Pork & Over Easy Egg bowl so much, we went there for dinner. The food was as good as ever, but the service staff seemed really overwhelmed and they didn't quite have it together. We waited 15-20 minutes to be seated while there were several open tables and a full staff. One server would go pick up the water pitcher, fill up a single table, then walk by two other tables needing water... then another would do the same for a different table... repeat. At the end of our meal, I had to go find the server in order to pay. For a Tuesday night that wasn't that busy, they really didn't have it together very well.
(4)Brittany A.
Love this place. Such great food.. Great for sharing small plates. The food is fun southern dishes. You must get the sweet cornbread as one of the dishes! You won't regret it. Has a cozy atmosphere, tables are a tiny bit cramped, but overall good vibe. It's a great place of you are in the mood for something different and fun.
(5)Barath K.
Ate Rotisserie Chicken 8 Pc/whole with my family!.. Loved it.
(4)Moody S.
PROS: The food is simply incredible in terms of quality and price. Great place for lunch and dinner. The quality of their chicken is exceptional. You can definitely tell that it's indeed organic and naturally raised chicken. Best of all its healthy, light you'll find plenty of options. CONS: Seating is limited and somewhat inconsistent with the sauces they offer on the sides. They have an amazing sauce that works with everything but I don't always get it with my meals. PARKING: Parking is a bit of a challenge given the size of the lot and availability of street parking. All-in-all, If you're not in the mood for a sit down restaurant and you're looking for something that is good quality, healthy, relaxed and fast, give Brasa a shot and you'll not regret it! Trust me.
(5)Carly S.
This place is so awesome! The food is fabulous, one of my favorite restaurants in Northeast. I highly recommend the slow roasted pork sandwich, it is melt in your mouth delicious. Sometimes the wait can be a little long but it is well worth it. I take all of my out of town friends here when they come to visit.
(5)Jenni B.
Open air and amazing, affordable food puts Brasa way way at the top of my list. It's small, but wait it out for a table, it is worth it and then some. My strategy when coming here is to try as many things as possible, so my boyfriend and I will split two small entrees and have 3 or 4 sides (with days of wonderful leftovers). If I could reasonably fit more sides and entrees on the table, I would do it. I go into a happy eating frenzy when I'm here. Perhaps it's because I've never really has comfort food before and I'm making up for some serious lost time. The things I love here tremendously: - Curry Chicken Bowl: It's hearty with rice but has a light, uplifting curry flavor. The accompanying carrots and pineapple make this one so filling but not weighty (which is good because there's too much to gobble down, you simply can't stop at dish one) - Green Chili Bowl: This is probably the right amount of spice for the typical Minnesotan, but for me it's not a lot of heat. It does really impress me, however, with how it brings forth a bright green chili flavor. It's served with corn tortillas that aren't overly grainy, I don't typically like the texture but these ones were very mild in that department. - Sweet and Spicy BBQ Beef: I prefer the entree to the sandwich because it is just so darn tender. This is melt in your mouth beef like you can only get after a long, slow cook. - Crispy Yuca: This starchy, crunchy fried treat will free you from the desire for French fries indefinitely. The citrusy garlic sauce is cool and gives this side so much flavor. Every entree needs a side of yuca, there's no two ways around it. - Cheddar Grits: These are grainy, cheesy and very hearty. Heavy as they are, a small side will do, and unless you are immensely starving you probably won't need beans or rice with this tasty side. - Collard greens: A soft and tasty accompaniment that blends so well with any of our entrees when you get a bite with both. I was pleasantly surprised at my first taste of greens and encourage everyone to give it a go. - Corn Bread: Their corn bread is so sweet, everyone needs at least one. They come out about the size of a cupcake and they will make you feel warm inside they hit the spot so good. - Berry Shortcake: Light, crisp, and dusted with sugar for the perfect pair with fresh summer berries. Another awesome shout-out for brasa is that almost everything on the menu is gluten free, just as it is.
(5)Sue S.
I love the location, he patio and the wait staff. The meat selections are bland and unappealing. I would love it if they would add ribs to the menu...especially beef - Korean barbecue. Something with more flavor. The salads are wonderful as is the spicy masa corn cake.
(4)BenjamÃn S.
Wow. Brasa has the most innovative and well-executed take on a simple barbecue sandwich that I've encountered anywhere. It's not typical, but it is fantastic. The slow roasted pork sandwich with ginger mayo and cilantro was incredible; the flavors, while not traditional, were perfectly complementary. Even ignoring the final product, the ingredients themselves were savory; the pulled pork was as about as good as it gets, and the bread it was served on was fresh and flavorful. I look forward to having a longer sit-down meal here one day!
(5)Sarah U.
love this place! everything is good, even the different sides. It's basically the size of a garage, so not good for groups. But the food is good and rich
(4)Brett N.
Why 5 stars? Because... well, I'll explain. --- --- --- This was definitely my favorite meal in Minneapolis, and lands itself as my 600th review. I thought it would be easiest to just go through each item and rate it 1-5 Yelp stars: MEAT Rotisserie Chicken - 5 Pulled Chicken - 5 Beef - 3 Pork - 1 The review highlights led me astray here, citing the pork as the most mentioned item on the menu. It was catastrophically bad. I don't give 1-stars out very often, but the pork fully deserved it. That being said... the chicken was phenomenal. Chicken is usually the last protein I go for, but on a return visit, it would definitely be my choice. SIDES Grits - 4 Creamed Spinach - 4 Yuca - 5 Yams - 4 I liked all of them, but really loved the yuca. BREAD Cornbread - 5 Masa - 5 Both were top notch. DESSERT Peach Shortcake - 5 Just a dream of a dish. Total euphoria. I debated a lot about whether this was a 4-star or 5-star experience. What led to my decision was that I tried a ton of items. Of course I didn't love them all... that would be pretty tough to pull off. Now that I've visited once, however, I would know exactly what to order a second time around... and that would be nothing but items I rated 5-stars. So skip the beef and pork. Go crazy with chicken... even if you're not typically a chicken-eater. Trust me, I love red meat, but white's what they do best here. And don't just save room for dessert... it's a requirement.
(5)Rich T.
Happy to add another positive review to this spot. Great eats! The beef and rotisserie chicken are their best entrees. The sweet potato and andouille sausage is excellent as well as the yuca fries. Killer sauce. Great spot but always a little crowded
(5)Jeannie V.
I just love this place. The portions are perfect, they have a great variety and everything is SO GOOD. Never had a bad dish. My favorites are everything - creamed spinach, pork, chicken, rice and beans, yams, mac and cheese, cornbread, catfish. I've made it my mission to reproduce their entire menu in my own kitchen, but as it takes me 3 days to make 9 of their dishes (I've done it, seriously. Twice, in fact), I usually just go to the restaurant.
(5)Qaiser B.
What a nice place to go and eat. No frills and pretenses and yet very very posh place to eat. The food is really good and the service even better. The main Meat section can be made even more delicious by the nice side selections that they offer. There is also a separate vegetarian menu if you need one.
(5)Ash M.
Brasa catered a wedding I went to this past weekend....and it was AMAZEBALLS. I love love love that so much of the food here is gluten free :) The pulled BBQ beef was delicious/ juicy/ tender/ perfection. The "green sauce" is orgasmic (creamy yet refreshing), the creamed spinach was lip-smacking good, the mini corn muffins were light and fluffy, chips & guac & salsa was incredibly fresh, rice had just the right amount of seasoning, and any restaurant that serves fried plantains deserves 5 stars :) I'm drooling just thinking about the food again..... This restaurant almost makes me want to move to Minneapolis :P
(5)Melissa S.
I grew up in North Carolina and now living in Minneapolis, I greatly miss my Southern food. For authenticity, I was not impressed. The way the grits were prepared I have never seen before and it was inedible. The "sweet" tea - Nope! You have to add a mountain of sugar for it to be Southern sweet tea. The rest of the meal (rotisserie chicken, plantains, cornbread) were fine but not Southern. I would go back for the chicken as it was flavorful and moist, but not when I'm wanting Southern food. I liked the atmosphere at this Minneapolis location; trendy, bright, but could get loud on a popular night.
(2)Dawn G.
Perfectly seasoned and tender pulled pork with magically delicious rice, a soft-cooked egg, and spinach. So incredibly good! You seriously have to taste this. The only complaint about the dish is that the spinach was so overcooked that it was pretty much grey. I kinda wish they had added it at the end instead of cooking it that long. However, it did not detract from the spectacular foodgasm. Generous portions meant I was able to make two meals out of it! I also stuffed myself full of the incredibly awesome fried plantains during my dining experience. Alone they're so yum but the flavor is enhanced by the delicious (cilantro?) aioli that came with it. My friends had the black eyed peas (wow!), the corn bread (um, yeah!), the chicken, and the cole slaw. All were very tasty and all worthy of another visit very soon. Perhaps on the outdoor patio next time. There were two open tables outside but we weren't allowed to sit there for some reason. It was one of the few nice days so that was disappointing. But the interior was cozy and smelled like the rotisserie, which was like a meat-lover's perfume. Brasa is a true gem in this neighborhood. They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait a little while. Don't worry, it's well worth it!
(4)Lisa P.
As anyone can see, Yelpers love Brasa and I don't disagree. Stopped in on a Saturday night around 6:30pm and the wait was an hour for 4 people, but we were able to order drinks while we waited. Unfortunately the restaurant doesn't take cell numbers, so you have to stay in the restaurant in a relatively small space to avoid missing your name being called. Everyone at my table ordered their own protein, and then we shared a bunch of different sides. My favorites were the yuca (other Yelpers were right - the green sauce is delicious!) and guacamole. The spinach was also good. I thought my rotisserie chicken was very good - moist and flavorful - and I would order it again. It also came with a side of that yummy green sauce. Prices were mediocre, but worth it in my opinion.
(4)Kalinn R.
Just hearing the name makes my mouth water! Brasa was one of the first restaurants I tried out when I first moved to the twin cities area less than a year ago, and I will never forget it. I live just a few blocks down, and I have to stop myself from eating here everyday. You can't go wrong with anything you order here! I for one can never leave without having a glass (carafe) ;) of sangria, and a side of yucca! I've tried all of the delicious meats, and I can honesty say I've never been disappointed. You will most likely encounter a wait to sit down and eat, but just grab a quick drink at the bar because I promise it will be worth it.
(5)Mark S.
Brasa is by far my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities area! I have been here many times on dates, with groups of friends, and I always ask my parents take me here on my birthday. It's especially great to sit outside on a warm summer day in their patio area. Now to the best part: the food! My favorite items on the menu (in no particular order) are: 1. Fried Yucca - I'll admit, I'm still not sure what exactly Yucca is, but it's delicious and starchy (almost like a potato) and they serve it with a green garlic sauce 2. Cornbread - incredibly rich; I usually share one piece with someone that I'm with 3. Slow roasted pork 4. Pulled chicken - served in a pepper gravy sauce While I've only listed my favorite four items above, I've never been dissatisfied with anything that I've tried here. My favorite thing to do in a group is to order many different dishes and share them family style. I've found it best to order one (meat) entree and 2 small side dishes per person (which is the amount they recommend), which puts me the right amount of "full" after a meal. If you are reading this and wondering if you should try Brasa, do it! You won't have any regrets.
(5)Zachary C.
HOLY GOODNESS! Love the food. I crave it! Small place, so be prepared to wait, but it's worth it.
(5)Amy J.
I love the vibe and the openness of the restaurant. Brassa serves really good family style dishes. I found every dish I ordered to be on point! The food was timely despite being busy and the service was good.
(5)Laura H.
They have nightly specials that are really affordable ($7-10) and everything is to die for! For some reason I'm really into sauces....and they have a green sauce with the yuka that is some sort of heaven. Cilantro, creamy ranch, little kick -- its everything. Favorite dishes: (in order of must-haves every time I go) - Yuka fries w/ extra green sauce ! (very filling, small order will do for two!) - Braised Short Ribs FOR LIFE - Fried Catfish (with great toppings and not greasy at all!) - Rotisserie Chicken - Mac & cheese (when you are feeling naughty) One of my favorite go-tos when I lived on Grand Ave in St.Paul. My girlfriends and I went there almost weekly. The atmosphere is great for dinner after work, I feel like I can relax there. You order by the pound, like family-style sharing. But they also have plates if you are worried about splitting the bill. The owners are around often and very passionate about their food. You feel good supporting this business, is what I'm trying to say in all my blabbing about awesomesauce Brasa.
(5)Joe B.
Brasa was simply amazing! We started out with some chips and guacamole and oh my, were the chips good! They were crunchy and tasty and perfectly complemented the guac. Next we moved on and had the chicken with gravy, pork, yucca fries(favorite), plantains, rice and beans, and all were amazing. We also had the chocolate bundt cake which was oozing with fresh chocolate and the butterscotch pudding was fantastic. Prices were really reasonable for the food quality too! A must stop in Minneapolis and we don't know why we waited so long to try it!
(4)Mark G.
5 stars hands down, this place makes everything delicious. We tried almost all the dishes and they were all spot on, the flavor is awesome in every bite. Please if you do go, try several items to get the full Brasa experience Their items will win you over and you may want more. Best to share everything, sharing is caring. Very tight quarters inside, they do have outside seating as well. Most times there is a wait, but it is worth it. This is my official go to spot when I visit the Twin cities. One of the best around.
(5)Nnenna F.
Chicken was the juiciest I've ever had, sides are well prepared,friendly service. The andouille and sweet potatoes could have been a little sweeter, collard greens were excellent. Finished our meal with a tasty cup of coffee and surprisingly complex chocolate pudding.
(4)Sean G.
This place is a solid 4 stars. Original, fresh mix-and-match lunches bring me back whenever I'm in the area. The wait can be a pain, especially since there's almost no room to wait in. It's awkward to stand right next to a table of people eating food. The seating is cramped and laid out a little weird, as well. Overall, though, I'm sure I'll keep going back. I'm thinking about those yuca "fries" right now....
(4)Conor O.
Brasa is a great restaurant. People love it. For me, it's more of a safe bet. The food is consistent, relatively straight-forward, and pretty cheap. In this sense, it's perfect for lazy nights when you're debating whether or not to go to Chipotle, or if you're taking a parent out, (especially if that parent is of the type that thinks that ketchup is, "too spicy.") The service is excellent and I hear the owner treats his staff well. A super tall guy named Ryan went above and beyond for our table.
(4)Laura B.
I love Brasa! Such a fantastic, affordable lunch spot. Even though the dining room is small, there's rarely a long wait, their staff are efficient and have always been friendly in my experience. The best thing about Brasa, by far, is the food. I haven't had anything that's not delicious here, meat, sides and sangria included !! Always a lunch spot I take out of town guests and it hasn't failed me yet.
(4)Todd M.
Introduced to Brasa by two very devoted regulars (Theresa & Corbett), I've been back, bringing 1st-timers a few more times myself. Both indoors/winter and outdoors/summer. Terrific food, good service and reasonable prices. So much flavor in simple, fresh tasting food. Cheers !
(4)Sabra B.
Brasa's menu is awesome... Anywhere that serves collard greens has my vote- I tried making them once-they were terrible. So I happily let the folks at Brasa make them for me. I've had the chicken and the braised beef-both were very tasty and not overcooked. Brasa is great for a group that wants to try a little of everything. They do small and large portions of their sides so everyone can get a taste. I highly recommend the grits and the plantain (both the sweet and plain variety). They're always a great way to start your meal!
(4)Nichole K.
Brasa. Brasa, Brasa, Brasa. Where have you been all of my life? I work a mere 3 blocks away and it took me this long to finally bask in your glory. We arrived shortly after 5pm on a Monday and while we did snag the last parking spot in their small lot we got a table in a snap right next to the closed garage door with the sun leaking in; it is heavenly having the sun bathe your neck on such a brisk pre-fall afternoon. Though I didn't catch our server's name he was super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and didn't awkwardly flinch when I told him I needed a sangria as soon as possible. Prior to coming I had been yelping this place to get a good feel for what I wanted to order and with the ala cart family style menu I knew I needed a game plan so I wasn't totally clueless when I got there (I am one of those people that creates an itinerary for just about EVERYTHING, lol, it drives my bf nuts)...after slyly convincing my boyfriend that he wanted to share everything that I had on my list, we ordered: (s) Pulled Chicken (s) Pulled Pork w/lime (drizzle some hot pepper vinegar on this, you won't regret it) (s) Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapeno (s) Coleslaw (s) Fried Sweet Plantains w/ aioli (2) Pieces of Cornbread (1) Spicy corn masa cake Holy lord baby jesus. Everything was incredible. I would give each item at least an A with the exception of the Coleslaw which I will give a B; It was good and refreshing but I would have preferred a home-style slaw; just my opinion. It's really hard to choose a favorite because it was all mouth wateringly good but I found myself NEEDING to finish every little crumb of the spicy corn masa cake and the fried plantains. (I would recommend getting the plantains as your dessert as they are sweet and hit the spot perfectly.) The fried plantains also come with the brilliant little ramekin of Cilanto Ginger Aioli that was to die for; it sounds weird to dip something sweet and creamy like a plantain in there but listen to me now: DO IT. I want to drink this stuff by the jug. I should also note that my boyfriend who is a transplant here from Alabama has stated that it is the most authentic tasting Southern food he has encountered thus far; which is saying a lot. I know this was a wordy review but trust me when I say that you need to run, not walk, to Brasa RIGHT NOW. (Well, as long as they are open) :) I have homemade meatloaf in the fridge that is getting jealous right now because I want to put it aside for the second night in a row just to indulge in Brasa once more.
(5)Twincities G.
We do more pick up out of here than eating in, so I can only speak to the food, not the service. But the food is amazing. I tend to rotate between the chicken, beef and pork sandwiches, rice and chips and guacamole. It's pure, simple, comfort food at it's best.
(5)Monica L.
I love this place! First timers go during lunch time, where you can get a protein with a side so you can try different things here. I always get the pulled chicken, plantains, and yucca fries. Beware though there is limited seating inside and they don't take reservations.
(5)John M.
Brasa is probably the closest you're going to get to real Cajun food in Minneapolis. Every item on the menu is very delicious and I love sitting on their patio outside in the summertime. It's the perfect summer place.
(5)Katie M.
Why hello, favorite restaurant in Minneapolis/St. Paul. You made my transition away from 8 years as a vegetarian an easy one. My meat-loving friends took me here to re-wet my carnivorous palate and I've never looked back. All dishes on the menu are gluten-free, save the sliced bread, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, and sandwich rolls. Foods are locally and sustainably sourced. Their dishes feature cage free and non-confinement produced eggs and meat that is 100% naturally raised without hormones or antibiotics. Everything about Brasa's food screams superb homestyle cooking, including the family style portions. You will not be disappointed in any of the meats, I have nothing but praises to sing about all of the selections. Let me take a special moment to call out the Crispy Yuca with Citrus & Garlic. I may not be able to correctly pronounce this root vegetable, but I do know that I would bathe in the accompanying aioli. Think "jo-jos" but better. Order this or forever live in regret. Other personal favorites include: Roasted Yams & Andouille Homemade Chips & Guacamole (generous serving of guac) Collard Greens with Smoked Chicken With locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul, you have few reasons to not make your way over to this restaurant. St. Paul's location is slightly larger and features happy hour specials, and both restaurants have patios and garage doors that open (weather permitting). I will say that seats fill up fast and they do not take reservations. Be prepared for a wait if it is a weekend evening. Whatever you're doing Brasa, please don't stop. Ever.
(5)n. c.
Eh. I was underwhelmed. I got the pork which was bland. I drenched it in their spicy vinegar which made it ok. I also got collard greens. Not bad, not great either though. I've had much better. And the grits were bland and had hard bits in it (like the skin in popcorn). I'm not a grits connoisseur but I'm pretty sure that's not normal. Or if it is, I don't like it that way. Anyway, ok meal, overpriced, but very cute ambience. I'd come back just to have a few beers and hang out, but not for the food.
(2)Jennifer K.
This is good southern cooking. They have great chicken that isn't dry at all and very flavorful. My big turnoff though is that the tables are very close together so it feels like you are sitting on top of one another. It is also often a long wait to actaully get a table.
(3)William C.
I've been to Brasa quite a few times, but I'm finally writing a review!!! When it comes to roasted meats in the Twin Cities, there is little to no competition when compared to Brasa. It's located in a former automotive shop and the garage doors open during the summer months. I made a recent (and random) stop, because I had a craving for rotisserie chicken. The menu is quite simple. Select your choice of meat(s), sides and NEVER forget the honey glazed corn bread, NEVER. We ordered half a chicken (4 pieces), cheesy grits, yellow rice with beans and corn bread. As always the chicken was juicy, filled with flavor and AMAZING. Amazing is the only word needed for their legendary rotisserie chicken. The grits are creamy, cheesy, yet still has great texture. Don't forget the corn bread!!! Great food, wonderful service and amazing staff. *make a reservation, arrive early and prepare to parallel park on the street*
(5)Martha H.
Love it, especially all the sides.
(5)Tino K.
I love everything about this place - the atmosphere, the decor, the service, and especially the food. I love how versatile the portion sizes are (small, medium, large); it makes it a great place to go solo, on a date or with a group of your besties. I've tried most of the meats and loved them all, so savory and juicy. The pulled chicken is succulent, and the pepper gravy it comes smothered in is amazing. The pulled pork is tender and delicious; try it with a few dashes of Brasa's vinegar concoction. And the smoked beef has a great, smoky, subtle BBQ flavor. You really can't go wrong with any of the meats. I loved the cheesy grits and collard greens. I had no clue what a spicy masa corn cake was, but what I do know is that I want to eat more of them. Trust me, there's a reason this place has over 300 Yelp reviews. If you haven't eaten here yet, go today. Or, better yet, right after reading this review.
(5)Jonathan H.
Yes a million times! Yes!!!!
(5)Paul C.
I love Brasa! This place is a great spot for a casual meal with friends. Simple decor (it's an old service station, and you can tell), excellent meats (especially the pulled pork) to build your dinner around, but the sides steal the show. Must have's include the Cornbread & Beans, Roasted Yams & Andouille, and the Fried Plantains. The same ownership as Restaurant Alma - how can you go wrong.
(5)Jessica K.
I feel like I was at a completely different place than what all the other reviews are saying.. I went here with my dad for a lunch. The parking lot is small so we had to find street parking which is a little daunting, but that is northeast for you so I won't hold that against them to much. We each ordered the lunch special which comes with a meat, bread and a side. I ordered the pulled chicken for my meat, I found it good but seemed like the gravy from biscuits and gravy with that heavy pepper flavor. It was good, but nothing outstanding. My dad ordered the pork which was a little dry. I am not sure if the lunch meats are leftover from dinners the night before and that is why they are a little sub par compared to what the reviews are saying? All the problems with the meat seem to be around the lunch hour. For the side we both ordered the Romaine and Mozzarella Salad. I found this to be very refreshing and delicious! For the bread, my dad ordered the cornbread and I ordered the spicy masa. The winner was definitely the Masa! It was a really nice balance! Not too heavy and not to light! For beverages we both had waters, I ordered the iced coffee and I loved that it was free refills! My dad ordered iced tea and to his displeasure, it was peach...it didn't call it out on any menus and that was bit of a fail. I think i need to make one more stop at this place and give it a shot and I would definitely do so. I feel like my experience just didn't live up to the reviews.
(3)Andrea B.
Love BRASA! Friendly staff ;) food = delicious. Tried the roasted chicken, collard greens with chicken, coleslaw, yams and andouille, and pulled pork sandwich! A lot of my friends loved the yuca fries too! All in all this place was a big hit and fairly priced. If you're coming for dinner at a popular time, allow a few extra minutes for street parking.
(5)Scott H.
Brasa is one of those places that focuses on what is important: Food. They simply just do food right. I'm not sure if it's due to their premium ingredients, or just the care that they take in their dishes. It's probably both! This place specializes in their meat dishes. I absolutely love their pulled pork! It's garlic-y, but not overpowering and has hints of citrus. It's also very tender and just falls apart. Their sides are also fantastic. They take just as much time and care in their sides as they do with their hallmark meats. My personal favorite is their Yuca that's served with this creamy sauce made of 100% delicious. The only downside about this place is that it can be a little spendy for how much you get. However, it's on par and similar to something like a Tapas or Small Plate restaurant. So while this is not a place that you'd go to every day for lunch, it is certainly worth the occasional indulgence.
(4)Jacqueline S.
Every item we ordered was delicious, and well worth a 45 minute wait for a table. Service was good, and we took home some housemade hot pepper vinegar (for just $2.50!). The spicy masa cake was great, and the beef and grits stood out as well. The yams and andouille were good but I wish it came with more andouille. The collard greens were nice and that yuca fries come with a tasty sauce.
(5)Douglas W.
I can't wait to return so I can try some more sides! This is some of the best rotisserie chicken I have had. I loved the rub, the chicken was moist and the skin was wonderful. I had the yams with andouille and greens for sides and added a piece of their terrific cornbread. It was all perfection. The place was rocking busy on a Tuesday night and the air wasn't working. They were on a wait for the patio and it was over 90 outside. I didn't mind, the ceiling fans were cranking and the place is so much fun I couldn't have cared less. It's really fairly priced although I would get more than the 2 pc chicken next time as the quarter dark might not be enough food for the heartier diners out there. This place is a must cheap eat in the Minneapolis area and you absolutely should check it out.
(5)Kimberly C.
As many times as I've been here I just realized that the green sauce they give on the side when you order chicken, that sauce that Ive always thrown out. . .it's actually really good on the rice with red beans. Also, forget what I wrote in 2011 review about the red beans and rice needing more salt. It was delicious this time around :-)
(5)Kate M.
Worth the wait! Always a line every time we go, great food with perfect portions, relaxed atmosphere.
(5)Ryan W.
After trying to go for German food and finding it closed on a Monday, we grabbed the next best thing we could find, hit the GPS and were off! After a short wait for a table we were seated outside to enjoy the beautiful night paired with outstanding fare! The guide to our food adventure quickly came to help us begin our quest to amazing tastes! Since it was our first time here, we asked for a few pointers and jumped right in. We ordered a medley of amazing tastes that all complimented one another. The meats were all cooked to perfection and the sauces they came with seems like they were created before the world was! Yep that good. We ordered 6 side small side dishes so that we could get a good taste of each. The yellow rice and beans were on par with Manna from heaven! The creamed spinach and jalapeño made my whole mouth smile and the corn bread was so moist and delicious I couldn't help but want more. I seem to continue to have a bad habit of needing to finish everything that is ordered, I have got to stop doing that! But in this instance, I couldn't help myself! I just had to eat until there was no more! I will be back, and if you are wondering if you should eat here too, you should!
(5)Tyler C.
Brasa is one of those restaurants that distinguish themselves on locally sourced ingredients. The food is amongst the best the in the neighborhood, but parking can be difficult to find, the restaurant is kinda small with smallish tables, and it's not especially climate controlled. It's a good place to go when the weather is nice, but many folks share the same idea and I've intended to visit it more than once only to leave because of the wait or I couldn't find a good enough parking spot. The portions are on the low side, and the prices are relatively high. It's not an excellent value, but it is tasty so one can't be that upset. I'd visit it more if it were a more pleasant experience, but it's unlikely to change and it seems to be working for them.
(4)Leslie M.
I'm adding my two cents to the long list of reviews in order to rave about the collard greens and black eyed peas! I can't be the only one who has a major craving for these delicious side dishes. Brasa opened my eyes to the deliciousness of collard greens. They are just too good. The pulled pork and chicken have always been exceptional. I love that I can bring meat eater and vegetarian guests alike and they will find something they love. When a friend came to visit from north Florida, he enjoyed the entire meal and their take on grits. Absolute authenticity - maybe not, but it tastes good. It can add up to a pricey bill but since everything is ala carte, you have control over your tab.
(4)Michelle F.
Absolutely delicious, shockingly cost effective (think 4 people happily stuffed with deliciousness for around $60), and delightfully easy to share and try new things. We went on a slightly chilly evening and it was completely worth staying in coats and hats to sit out on the patio. Takeout is a surefire win too.
(5)Cacey D.
I have to admit-- I have been freeloading on Yelp for years now. I rely on ratings and reviews to sift through my culinary options, but I haven't contributed. I decided it's about time I pitch in. Go to Brasa for brunch. They'll take care of you. First of all, the coffee here is great (& I think fairtrade). They have a waffle with bacon in it; if that's not comfort food, I don't know what is. Their sweet potatoes with sausage are excellent & every bite I've stolen from my husband's plate has been amazing. Interesting & intense savory flavor combinations... you really can't go wrong here. Great open air space in the summer and warmer months! It's a pretty small dining area, so the extra patio seating helps out with the wait time. Their parking lot is really small, so plan on street parking. I love trying out restaurants, so it takes a special kind of place to keep me coming back. Brasa is one of those places. I order something different every time I go, but I've never been disappointed. They don't open until 11am, so make sure you plan around that.
(5)Neal C.
Came in with high hopes, and they were exceeded by a long ways. We sampled basically everything on the menu except the collards and the creamed chicken-- and loved everything outside the pulled pork (which lacked flavor). The pulled beef was outstanding. The best beef I've had. The rotisserie chicken was cooked perfectly-- crispy skin, tender tasty meat. For the sides, of course the plantains were excellent; slightly crisp on the outside with a very moist interior. The creamed spinach was great-- they did not just dump tons of butter and cream, instead they made it with balance. Try the cornbread or the masa as well, it really pairs well if you like to put some beef or chicken on it and add flavor combinations. Yucca fries were a slight letdown... somewhat bland but still crispy. The candied yams were great though... not too sugary but rather a blend of sweet/savory (which, IMO is what you want). Great vibe, service, and reasonable prices-- go here for sure (though be prepared to wait).
(5)Jesselyn T.
Sat outside and got: - Creamed spinach with jalapeno: really good. Not a smack in your mouth spicy but enough for a tickle in the back of your throat after taste. - Slow roasted pork: Also amazing. - Rotisserie chicken: It was ok. Good but not like knock out of the park awesome like the pork and the spinach. - The corn bread is good and sweet. I will come back and get the fried plantains and dessert not enough stomach for everything! Dang.
(5)Ashleigh A.
Really there's not much to say about Brasa except, GO THERE! The menu is a la carte and flexible for individual meals or group meals depending on how you like to eat. You can keep it light or chow down if you're starving. Parking can be a bit frustrating, but I have always found a free place on the street (no meters.) No matter what you order, you can't go wrong. I recommend it especially for groups that have a price point difference between the people. You can eat here for a relatively low cost, but I know from experience, you can rack up that bill if your taste buds can't say no. Can't eat everything you order? No worries! They make GREAT leftovers.
(5)Amy T.
Great outdoor seating and patio. Love the yuca fries and the flavor on the rotisserie chicken is great! The chicken is tender, but not as tender as Cub foods/Sam Club's rotisserie chicken, not sure what that means...but, either way, it's pretty solid. The yuca fries alone will have me back. Yummy yuca fries in my tummy! Side note: My fiance is on the paleo diet and there were some good food options for him here.
(4)Jessica Z.
LOVE this place! It's our "go-to" for a quick, inexpensive, but really delicious meal!
(5)Drew P.
Excellent Cuban/Caribbean food. The atmosphere is nice and modern, and everyone we spoke to was helpful and friendly. Gluten Free was easy, lots of menu options and the staff was knowledgeable. The roasted pork and pulled chicken were very good. Really everything we tried was great. Their homemade pineapple ginger soda was great. They're spicy vinegar is a nice addition to the collard greens and roasted pork.
(5)Kelli F.
Great food and great service. Really glad we followed others suggestions and had dinner. We are a family of four and we tried a lot of the options. Rotisserie chicken was great. Grits, creamed spinach, and plantains were also really good. Definitely will come again!!
(4)Ellie S.
I'm a FAN of this place. I never thought I'd be so happy to eat pulled meat just sitting on my plate, but the seasonings they use are perfect and it is so juicy and prime. Highly recommend to go to with friends on a casual weekend day.
(5)Terry Scott N.
Brasa Rotisserie is simply unique. I have been twice, and twice I have been impressed with my local fare. If you haven't been yet, you deserve to try Brasa at least once before you die. For date night my significant other and I decided to walk down the street to Brasa. She had never been before, and I had gone once in the summer. The autumn experience was a bit different, the adjunct was that we had to wait for a seat, and-in a good way, they have great beer and an outdoor patio where patrons can take in the fire, the night sky, and have conversation while they wait for seating inside. We just walked-in without reservations, so we had a bit of a wait, but the host was cordial and complimentary. After about 45 minutes we were taken inside (be weary, the seating can be tight, but it is worth claustrophobia for the food), and seated near the window with a view of the street. Promptly our server was assisting us with drink selections and menu specials. Brasa's menu is short and sweet. I personally feel there is no need for excessive menu selection when you do the things on your menu right. We ordered more beverages; I had another Victory, and Babe had a glass of wine. The beer selection (for Taps) is limited, but impressive. Our drinks came and we were ready to order. We ordered a medium pulled pork, a medium coleslaw, a small of the yucca, and Gritz in cheddar, with an order of cornbread. This selection of meal is sharable, which, to me, adds so much to the dining experience. It means one must actually eat with another, converse and work together. The pork was insane; tender, full of flavor, and portioned well. The coleslaw, one of my favorite things to eat in general, was incredible, and the yucca seemed interesting and well done. All of the items we ordered were gone in less than 10 minutes-we scraped the plate. The best part was our order was out within the same amount of time it took us to finish-impressive for a busy weekend evening. Everything we had was simple, not overdone with fancy added extras, and delicious. Like the K.I.S.S. technique: Keep It Simple, Stupid. They did this and capitalized. We will be back. Brasa is definitely worth a try if you enjoy new and different ways to enjoy classic Rotisserie. Well done!
(5)Dunn Y.
Realizing Brasa has been reviewed a lot, I do love their food. Great casual spots in NE Mpls and Grand Ave. Good quality...natural, organic, local. So I do encourage everyone to at least try. One criticism...I never go to either location in the Summer. Too often they have the garage doors open in the dead heat and humidity, and it makes for a pretty uncomfortable eating experience (especially if you add the preponderance of flies buzzing around). But they seem to do well anyway, so I imagine they won't change. Fall, Winter, Spring...four stars. Summer...one star.
(4)Breanne K.
3 years later I can finally remove this bookmark. I wasn't blown away like I expected to be, but I did enjoy some good food. I got the slow roasted pork sandwich with a side of corn bread with honey glaze. The pork was spectacular, but what really drew me to that sandwich was the ginger mayo and pickled vegetables. Upon tasting, not as flavorful as I expected. The ginger was practically non-existent and the vegetables didn't add the tang that I was looking for. The corn bread was delicious though. Honey glaze on corn bread is necessary. Minnesota should make it a law that corn bread be smothered in honey glaze... . Brasa is fairly small, so I wish I'd made an effort to come in the summer to enjoy their beautiful patio. It always looks so packed there though.
(3)Trevor W.
A favorite spot for dates, nice lunch or even to go! A fast casual restaurant with amazing southern/latin food. If weather is permitting, I recommend sitting at a table on the patio or by the walkway. The food is very good and a huge value. You pretty much can't go wrong with anything on the menu which is the sign of a great place. No surprise the owners of this place also own restaurant Alma. I swear by the pulled chicken because the light cream and & pepper gravy is spectacular, crispy yuca with citrus & garlic hearkens to steak fries with a twist, cream spinach with jalapeno (I don't even like spinach normally), and best yet, they always seem to have a special with black eyed which are delicious. As if it couldn't get better, the serving sizes can be small, medium and large plus they serve Mexican coke!
(5)Daniel C.
I absolutely love this place and have never left disappointed. Very laid back and a great spot to go when the weather is nice and all the doors are open. I highly recommend the pork with black beans, jalapeño spinach and corn bread. Order it family style and then go to town.
(4)Stef H.
A co-worker recommended take-out from Brasa one particularly stressful day at work. I was skeptical as this genre of food really isn't really my favorite. But, being a team player, I went along. Lesson of the Day: Trust your friends and expand your horizons. The food is awesome! If the take-out boxes weren't so awkwardly shaped, I would have licked them clean. I ordered the beef, which is cooked to tenderness with enough sauce to have a bit of spice and flavor. The candied yams are sweet but not overly so, and the cornbread is moist and never gritty. I got adventurous and tried fried plantains and now I crave them. Butterscotch pudding, yes! We've also dined in. That can be a little tough. You usually have to park a couple blocks away (oh well) and there is usually a half-hour wait during dinner service. The restaurant itself is small so it can get quite noisy, so the patio is preferable. The service, however, is great. If your server isn't available to bring you your food/drink, someone else is bringing it. Last time we went, our waiter visited us at least six times, and two other people came by. We like Brasa so much we bring out-of-town visitors and are never disappointed.
(5)Mary L.
Hands down one of my favorite restaurants. I love that you can share everything and choose your sides. You're able to try so many different menu items without spending a ton. My personal favorites are the pulled chicken, cheesy grits and yucca fries. Yummm.
(5)Janeice D.
I went here the other day with the boyf and got the lunch special - pulled pork sandwich and the creamed spinach. I died, they were so beautiful and delicious. Seriously, I would love to jump into a pool of the creamed spinach and eat my way out. I will definitely be swinging in again (and soon) and probably get...the same thing. No regrets. Also that man on Man VS Food says that out of all America...his top five restaurants include Brasa and recommended that pulled pork and creamed spinach. Thanks, Bro. I owe you one.
(5)Kristin H.
If you've lived in the Twin Cities within the past five years you have probably heard of Brasa Rotisserie. Alexander Roberts, also known for his work at Restaurant Alma and oh yeah, his JAMES BEARD AWARD(!), opened Brasa in 2007 and it has been wooing patrons every since. Brasa is a home-style restaurant that tastes ten times better than anything you're used to at home. It's been a Minneapolites favorite for years, so a blog post is long overdue. A few tips for first-time Brasa diners: 1. Short on time? Both the St. Paul and Minneapolis locations offer takeout. Call in your order and pick it up (usually) about 20 minutes later. But be prepared, if the restaurant it busy, it might take a a few minutes to work your way up in line; the takeout pickup line and the beer/wine line are one-in-the-same. 2. Do you have a special event coming up? Brasa offers catering and it's just as good as in the restaurant. A friend had Brasa cater her wedding. They were easy to work with as she developed the menu, reliable the day of, and offered an affordable menu that the guests devoured! 3. Everything tastes better with the Signature Hot Pepper Vinegar. You'll see a bottle on each table when you dine in. I like it best on the yuca, but it really is good on everything. If you love it as much as we do, you can buy a bottle to enjoy at home, too! Atmosphere An industrial space with a unique southern charm. Service The knowledgable staff have always provided exceptional service, even when the restaurant is packed. They're happy to make suggestions and answer questions without passing judgement. Presentation Traditional, simple presentation in single or sharable proportions. Taste Brasa continually knocks my socks off. Classic dishes with killer flavor. So good, I've never left with a doggy bag! Value for Dollars Brasa doesn't offer any happy hours or date night specials, but the prices are reasonable for eating out. My husband and I usually get one beer each, two servings of meat, and 2-3 sides for around $30-$35. And let me tell you, that $30 will leave you more satisfied than ever before.
(5)Jacky W.
Cornbread. BBQ. Plantains (which I usually abhor, but when done by Brasa, they are the fruit of the gods). You will thank me over and over again if you go to Brasa. It is impossible to have anything that is less than perfection here. I came here for dinner and have been salivating ever since.
(5)Jenny H.
I LOVEEEE this place....love love!!!! Their pulled pork sandwich is SO delectable and their rice and beans are always good! I love their sides too, their yucca with sauce and their plantains are so good!!! Cornbread is really good, with real pieces of corn in it, that's how I like it!!! :)
(5)Melissa H.
Every single thing we've ever ordered here has been awesome, you should definitely give it a try! I could eat here almost every night. The peppered chicken and cornbread is especially good- you won't regret coming here
(5)Jessie W.
All the food here is delicious. I've never gotten a sandwich or an individual meal. I always get plates to share with whoever I'm dining with. If we're lucky we'll have leftovers. But it's so good we usually eat past the point of feeling full and straight on into miserably uncomfortable territory. I like their patio but it's so small inside that it fills up quickly and then you have to wait.
(4)Kurt M.
First off, seating is limited and even more so when the outdoor patio isn't available. Wait times may exceed your tolerance on busy nights. Parking can be an issue. Tables are crammed together to the point where some crowd aversive Midwesterners may find their personal space uncomfortably violated. Plates of food can rapidly begin to push the limits of your tabletop real estate making for awkward juggling. The noise level can make conversation a challenge. OK, so why go here? The food! This is an extraordinary place. A BBQ joint that serves very high quality, locally sourced, organic meats. The pulled pork, chicken and beef all have an amazing depth of flavor and texture. Add a dash of spiced vinegar or ask for more sauce if you wish. The sides are meant to be shared. The homemade Chips with fresh, chunky Guacamole are an outstanding combination. The candied yams, a dish I usually find offensive is a spicy, rich, much less saccharine dish than the customary glop served on many a Thanksgiving table. The Crispy Yuca w/ Citrus & Garlic is a light and grease free alternative to fried zucchini. The Creamed Spinach w/ Jalapeno is not to be missed. The Cornbread w/ Honey Glaze is dense and moist. The Spicy Masa Corn Cake w/ Cheese is satisfyingly savory. The lemonade is tart and the Mexican Coca-Cola is made with cane sugar. Coffee is robust and fair trade. For dessert, try the smooth, subtle Butterscotch Pudding. It bears no resemblance to the burnt umber colored stuff made out of a box. Service was personable, professional and very attentive despite the general hubbub. Avoid the crowds and try off-peak hours or brave the occasional hassle. Either way, highly recommended.
(5)Joe S.
*Rustic grits, the reason I come here *pull chicken and gravy, simple but delicious *cornbread and black beans, I like the texture of the bread. Taste just like grandma made them *collared greens and smoked chicken, I'm a fan but only for those who like that interesting collared green taste. I've dined in many of times, love the food service can be slow but worth the wait. I always bring people here to try the food. I really enjoy coming for lunch. It's defiantly on my list of favorite place in Minneapolis
(5)Kevin V.
This place is my favorite go-to restaurant for a night when I don't feel like cooking or when I have guests in from out of town. There's no other place like it. Family style soul food, great atmosphere for groups or a date, and within walking distance of my house. Always great service. Favorites: Any of the meats. Occasionally they have some ginger brussels sprouts that are spectacular. GREEN SAUCE- it can be slathered on anything on the menu.
(5)Richard Y.
Have you ever ordered something and not realized what it was when it was delivered to your table? That happened to my companion and I at Brasa Rotisserie. When the "grits" arrived at the table, we couldn't figure out what they were supposed to be. We've eaten a lot of grits (my companion grew up in North Carolina) and we were pretty disappointed at their interpretation of such a classic southern food. Moving past the "grits," the rest of the meal was meh. It vaguely resembles many of the pollo places I've been, but more expensive and not as good. I was amused to experience a trendy place serving soul food; in my experience, the best southern food is served on styrofoam.
(2)Amir S.
It has happened several times that I felt ashamed of being a meat lover. At many restaurants, I simply envy vegetarians who could with no hesitation order relatively healthy food out of the menu. However, Brasa is one of the few restaurants where I feel proud of my meat preference and feel sorry for my vegetarian friends who can't eat meat. So let it be the first moral of this review: although the vegetable sides are super delicious, if you're a vegetarian you won't enjoy Brasa as much as meat-eaters do. I think Brasa's chef (Alex Roberts) inherited a detailed instruction for the art of braising and rotisserie roasting written by an old, sage Minnesotan farmer. I also believe he has burned it as soon as he mastered the art of slow cooking so nobody else could cook meat like he does. I thought for hours and hours and was finally convinced that nothing else could explain the unique taste of their yummy food. Brasa's food is peerless and you couldn't find any food comparable to it anywhere else. So let it be the second moral: like any other unique things in the world, try it as many times as you could. If you miss it, nothing else can take its place. The fact that it's a converted gas station is a part of the restaurant's history. But I don't know why people overread it (why don't they instead give credit to its beautifully designed logo?) I tried hard to understand why it's interesting for customers that the restaurant's location used to be a gas station. Maybe if it was a converted public bath or a brothel, it would sound captivating to me. But seriously, what's interesting about a gas station? So, let it be the third moral: don't try to justify it. It has nothing to do with the building's past function as a gas station. But for whatever reason, it has a cool feeling. If the ambiance is important to you, you should try Brasa. What's the rational conclusion I can offer based on my three morals? I'll tell you: since the food is organic, sustainably produced and healthy (moral#1's implication) and with no doubt peerless (moral#2) and since there is nothing exciting about an ex-gas station (moral#3's implication), why don't you think of Brasa as your regular take-out restaurant? Since the food is mostly prepared in advance, they're fast. Moreover, their healthy food is affordable. What else do you expect from a take-out restaurant?
(5)Yvette C.
We found the Brasa because we were looking for gluten-free, then saw all the awesome reviews. We ate at both locations this week, the Brasa in St. Paul and now this one. This location in Minneapolis is a little smaller and they have a slightly different menu from the Brasa in St. Paul. Both locations have AWESOME YUCA Fries now our most desired new food find! Where have I been that I have never heard of this staple food from South America? BTW YUCA is not YUCCA--it is a root vegetable not a decorative landscape plant... The house-made bottled Hot Pepper Vinegar is delicious on the pulled pork and the greens, and isn't too hot. So good I bought a bottle of Hot Pepper Vinegar to bring home. Now the search for Yuca fries in Kansas City area commences...If you know of a good place please share!!
(5)Lauren K.
Fresh ingredients. The smoked pepper sauce on the chicken sandwich is outta this world, the fried plantains are outstanding, and the cornbread. One of my favorite restaurants.
(5)Michael N.
This is probably the single best restaurant that I've found so far since moving to Minneapolis 3 months ago. It's gotten to the point that every time the weather is nice, I start to think "we should go to Brasa today" I love the small plates. It lets you order things you know your'e going to love and also get risky trying new dishes. Here are some of my favorites -Slow Roasted pork. So good! It's so juicy and well seasoned it I have to order it every time I'm there. -Roasted Yams & Andouille. I don't know if I ever had this combination before trying it at Brasa but it's incredibly tasty. Definitely recommend it! -Crispy Yuca. I've noticed a lot of places having yuca dishes lately (which is awesome), but the ones at Brasa are by far the tastiest. The texutre/amount they're cooked is perfect and the green sauce they bring out with it is one of those dangerous sides that you can become addicted to and lose your mind trying to replicate at home. -Rustic Style Grits. These might be the only grits that I've ever had so I can't say with any authority how they compare to others. I just know I've wanted to try them for a long time after seeing people eat them in movies and I found them to be exceptional at Brasa. The servers & atmosphere are all amazing too. This restaurant is truly a gem and if you live in or are visiting Minneapolis, you need to make time to eat there at least once. It's fantastic!
(5)Santiago G.
Everything was excellent from start to finish. Very friendly staff. The food was to over the top. The pulled pork was super flavorful and tender. The rice and pigeon peas was very interesting and left me craving more and the chocolate tres leches cake was rich and creamy and the perfect end to a meal.
(4)Matt O.
Pork, yucca, chicken - it's all better than the last. Sweet space, too. Especially if you can get a table.
(5)Aimee S.
Thought it was a little over rated. The chips and guacamole were AMAZING, the staff friendly and helpful, but the main meal was a miss for both my husband and I. Mac and cheese was way way too rich, beef bowl too oily, and pulled chicken sandwich very bland. HOWEVER I'm told that we just happened to pick the worst things on the menu, so hopefully next time it will be better!
(3)Amanda C.
This is my go-to place to bring ANY out-of-towner for a meal. The meat is always top-notch, and ordering up a ton of sides so everyone can sample is a blast. Why aren't you here right now? The only acceptable answer is "because it's not in Brasa business hours when I am reading this review, Amanda." Fine. That'll get you off the hook... for now.
(5)Matt A.
I would highly recommend Brasa. I went here for lunch with a few coworkers and sat in their outdoor section in the sun. Beautiful day, good people, delicious food. I ordered the "meat plate," I believe, which was essentially seasoned grilled chicken and two sides. It's a good deal for lunch, and was more than enough to fill me up. Plantains were good, as was the sweet bread.
(5)Katarina A.
Oh, Brasa. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1. Your charming decor, industrial and modern, utterly perfect for the food. 2. Your friendly servers, who never hovered or let us feel lonely. 3. Your fair prices, that never leave us feeling cheated. 4. Most importantly, your incredible food. I have now tried every dish on the menu, and I wish I could get into them all, but I shall settle for personal favorites. Get the red beans and rice. It is hands down the best you'll find north of Kentucky. Also, the masa cakes. Tangy, corny, crispy, and utterly amazing. I had food wet dreams about this one for months. The pulled chicken. Bizarrely, I know some people who weren't so fond of this one, but I'm firmly of the opinion that they're wrong. It is creamy, peppery, and fall apart delicious. Hm... for a final favorite, I'd have to go with the cheddar grits (only available at Mpls. location). Believe me, though, there is no way to go wrong. This place needs no more positive press, but it truly is delicious, and my favorite restaurant I've ever visited. Love at first bite is possible, people.
(5)Victoria T.
Loved, loved, loved this place! The sides are incredible. My collard greens with smoked chicken were beyond luscious and the grits with cheddar: divine. My pork was wonderful but my partner's chicken was tender but boring ( thus, the 4 star rating versus 5). The beer selection, though quite minimal, was good beer! Loved this place so much that if I lived closer, I would go every week.
(4)Jimmy V.
After reading all the ravishing reviews all over yelp we walked in on a perfect Sunday afternoon. Ordered Pulled pork with rice & pigeon peas with ham sofrito. Pulled pork was average. it never melted in my mouth like lot of reviews i read. Found a big piece of cooked melted plastic in the rice :) the staff was kind enough to replace the dish with a fresh one but pulled pork remained on the table cold and dry till my next sofrito rice came to the table. Ordered flan which matched our expectation, but then was already bored and lost the charm of the brunch experience. Reading all the reviews (if they are for real :) ) i might give it a second chance, Because so far yelp reviews has never gone wrong for me.
(2)Stephanie F.
This place is tiny, but their food is packed with flavor. I'm moving to California and wish i knew a place is equivalent to this. I like to try small sizes of a few meats and a bunch of small sides.
(5)Colin C.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in the Twin Cities. Definitely try the pulled chicken, grits (!!!), cornbread, and yuka. The grits are only at the Minneapolis location. In summer sit on the patio - it's a better/quieter experience. I've never met anyone who didn't love it. Small parking lot, but we've always had a spot on the street. Carry out is an excellent option too!
(5)Jill S.
Love this place! Food is fabulous and it's a great place to share some delicious family style food- try a little bit of everything. Don't miss the yuca with citrus lime. Their sangria is delicious (too delicious!) great city dining.
(4)DeAnna E.
First, let me thank my brilliant coworker for suggesting this restaurant. I ordered the beef, spinach, masa, and plantains. The plantains were ok, but everything else (including the service) was wonderful. The beef, particularly, was so tender it cut with a fork. I highly recommend dining on the patio, if possible. You'll almost forget that you're in the middle of a metro area.
(5)Emily V.
My husband and I used to live across the street from this location. On the days they have their smoker going, the whole neighborhood smells like smoked meats. Awesome! I've had the chance to try just about everything on Brasa's menu. I also had them cater for 50 people for my company's picnic last August. It was excellent! See if you can get a group of 4 or 6 people to go! Everything is served to be shared, and the more people in your group, the more items you can try. One of my favorites is the rotisserie chicken. It's delicious on its own, but the cilantro cream sauce that comes on the side really sends it over the top. All of the sides are just fantastic, but I especially love the yams and andouille, collard greens w/ smoked chicken, and the rice and pigeon peas w/ ham sofrito (has green olives in it, which I love). If you're in the mood for a sandwich, get the slow roasted pork. It has ginger mayo, pickled veggies, and cilantro. I've heard some people complain about the portion sizes for the price. I guess since it's all a'la carte, it can add up quickly, but remember that Chef Alex Roberts is one of the most highly acclaimed chefs in the Midwest. The food is truly top notch and well worth $15-$20 per person.
(5)David C.
Hands down the best rotisserie in the area!!!!! The menu is so extensive, but everything I've tried on here has really blown me away! Rotisserie Chicken: A Not overdone at all; skin was just a golden brown and the meat was nice and juicy. Definitely tasted great. Seasoning was light, but the chicken itself was cooked so well that it barely needed seasoning. Slow Roasted Pork: A+ Incredibly tender and well seasoned. Portions were huge and taste was unrivaled. Cabbage & Apple Slaw: B Interesting take on the traditional slaw. Nonetheless, it did not disappoint. Chips & Guac: B Homemade everythign! Both the chips and guac were home-made. Very tasty. Guac portion was generous and was incredibly fresh. Spicy Masa Corn Cake w/ Cheese: A A very unique item on the menu, A cake made of ground corn topped with hot sauce and melted cheese. The flavor and texture was fantastic. The cheese was melted and helped congeal the cornmeal. So good! I would definitely recommend this place for a fast casual meal with friends. The food really blew me away. The service was prompt and friendly. Best of all, it was rather affordable and the portions were great.
(5)Addyson B.
Meats are delicious alone or on a sandwich. Well cooked and perfectly seasoned! Side dishes (we ordered the creamed spinach, masa cake and the cornbread) were all divine; I especially liked the cornbread muffin- best one I've ever had!
(4)Kele M.
I always eat way too much at Brasa because literally every menu item is delicious. I only wish they were a little less pricey... although I suppose it keeps me from eating here as frequently as I would if they were cheap and gaining a million pounds!
(4)Zoe L.
I had Rotisserie chicken and roasted yam with andouille. Very delicious. Chicken was a little dry and plain inside though. But the skin was crispy.
(5)Joshua N.
Something about this place that makes me love it in the winter but avoid it in the summer. Go with a group and get as much stuff as possible. It's awesome!
(4)Geoffrey D.
I always eat way too much here. The pulled pork is my favorite along with collard greens and yams with andouille. My friends all love the food. Unfortunately not much my wife (who is a vegetarian) can eat though.
(4)Tricia C.
You have to love a restaurant where you can order a plate of shredded meat. It's a little weird the first time but if you just go with it, you'll have a fantastic dining experience. Everything was delicious.
(4)Adam L.
I have been to Brasa several times for breakfast / brunch, but this was my first time going for dinner. The food is amazing. We had a table of 4 and tried almost everything on the menu. The service is fast, and the servers are very friendly and are able to answer any questions you have about the menu items. I would recommend getting several of the sides to share if you're going with a group. The small size side seemed too small to share with 4 people, unless you just wanted a spoonful or two. I would suggest several medium size options and a couple different meat options. The chicken is incredible. I would also strongly recommend the cornbread. It is moist and very flavorful. No matter what meal you eat here you will not have a bad experience.
(5)Melissa N.
Yum! Yum! yum! This place is so fantastic! I have never had a bad bite of food here. Super casual and a great place to go with friends (as you'll want to share and try everything). Better in the summer because there's extra seating. Lunch combos are outstanding and the perfect portion size. Go now!
(5)Sam M.
What can I say that has not already been said in 320 reviews? Jumbalaya? Hopslam? How 'bout just mmm mmm mmm. My wife and I used to eat here more frequently, but have kind of been on hiatus as we yelped about the town. I am glad to see that the things I liked about the place have not changed for the worse. Fat Tuesday brought Jumbalaya to the table. I liked it. Is it authentic? I have no idea, but it is good. We also had staples of pulled pork, creamed spinach (w/jalapenos) and guacamole & chips. All were great. I had a Bell's Hopslam. A seasonal IPA that is "out of this world" (in both taste and price).
(5)Julie D.
What a great find! We were looking to try someone different, Brasa fits the bill. We had lunch on the patio and was greeted right away by our server. We decided to order from the lunch specials menu. I ordered a pork sandwich on ciabatta served with tortilla chips and my choice of side. I got the potato salad. BJ got a smoked beef sandwich with beans and cornbread. Fantastic! I also enjoyed a Mexican coke. For dessert, we shared the butterscotch pudding. Here's a very important tip. DO NOT SHARE THE PUDDING. You deserve a pudding all your own. It is awesome! We really enjoyed everything about this place, the relaxing patio, the great service and the wonderful food!
(5)Beth W.
Home cooking, from scratch, local, and thoroughly delicious. I had the bean fritters and the carnivores in my group shared the chicken and pork. The flavors were declared perfect all around. I wondered how they'd rate, but my kids couldn't get enough of the yucca chips. The aioli dip was amazing, and I'm inspired to add cilantro to my own cole slaw. The corn muffins were good and my party seemed to enjoy the sweet potatoes with the sausage on top. This is soul food gone gourmet, and it's very, very right. I'll be back!
(5)Camie T.
My real rating for Brasa is 4.5 stars I met three friends at Brasa for dinner on a Friday night at 7pm. The place was busy but we only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table inside (the wait for an outside table was much longer). I had read that Brasa will open the garage doors on nice days to give it that open feel. They had the doors open the night we ate there but that was a mistake. The temperatures had reached 90+ degrees during the day and that, along with the hot kitchen and humidity made the interior of the restaurant almost unbearable. After entering the restaurant to get our drinks (while we were waiting to be seated), we quickly learned why the wait for inside the restaurant was so much shorter than the wait for a table outside. Its because it was bloody hot inside. It was easily 15 degrees warmer in the restaurant than it was on the patio. I feel that Brasa should have made a judgement call and closed the doors and turned on the air conditioning. We ordered the pulled chicken, pulled pork, beef, yellow rice with red beans and ham, cornbread, mozzarella salad, sweet potatoes with andouille sausage, and chips and guacamole. The favorites at the table were the pork (followed by the chicken) and the sweet potatoes with sausage (followed by the beans). The beans had a nice spice to them which was a nice twist. The beef was a bit over done and dry. I wouldn't order the beef again. Instead I'd go for a larger portion of the pork. We also ordered a pitcher of sangria ($28) and it was ok. It actually got worse the more I drank which isn't a good sign. Perhaps that was because it was so crazy hot in the restaurant. Overall, a good little find. The dress code is casual - we saw a little of everything. There are 4 parking spaces in front of the restaurant and there is ample parking on the street in the residential neighborhood surrounding the restaurant. They do not take reservations at the Minneapolis location but they do take reservations for 8+ at the St. Paul location.
(4)Candace R.
My bf and I saw this place on the Travel Channel, and decided it was one of our must visits on our trip to MN. We walked from our hotel downtown and got here on a Saturday afternoon and the place was pretty full. We were meeting up with some family and they luckily had grabbed a table on the patio, and got started with some chips and salsa. I had the pulled chicken sandwich which was very good. The service was a little lacking, as I had to wait quite a bit to get a refill on my drink, but the company was great so I didn't mind. I'd definitely come back to try some of the other items on their menu.
(4)Taylor K.
I went for dinner with a few coworkers earlier this week. OH MY GOD, it was good. The place was packed - always a good sign - but the service was still speedy and attentive and the atmosphere still felt breezy thanks to the large, open doors. I ordered a small serving of the rotisserie chicken. The serving size was delightfully generous and the chicken itself was hands-down the best I've ever had in my life. Moist, tender, perfectly white-meat throughout, and served with this incredible citrus aioli. I ordered a side of chips and guac, which I highly recommend - the guac was excellent but the chips were surprisingly special, too (handmade and at once perfectly crispy, oily, and salty). I will be back again. And again. And again.
(5)Matthew M.
Amazing Southern-style cuisine. Good comfort and soul food, not so pricey, good portions, amazing atmosphere, excellent service. The best!
(5)Kate T.
The ambiance was lacking and the sides aren't quite as delicious as the meat is but it's a definite must at least once.
(4)Jill S.
This is a place to get really good southern-style cooking in Minnesota. I love their smoked beef, but it is some of the SIDES that steal the show! Greens, beans, cornbread... all amazing! Pricing is a little steep for what it is, but it seems to be a fair value.
(4)Kathy S.
On my list of things to do once I got back in Minneapolis: eat at Brasa AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I've heard people raving about this place, and being an eternal meat-lover, I was bound to end up there at one point or another. It was inevitable. My friends and I love eating family-style, so Brasa was perfect when we were looking for a good dinner place to quell our cravings for meat. Our group of 8 ended up putting together two tables outside (I went a few weeks ago, when it was still warm) and stuffed our faces with tender chicken, pulled pork, ribs, yucca, veggie fritter sandwiches, and of course - huuuuge cornbread. :) Food. heaven. The service was decent and I loved the outdoor atmosphere (minus the Metro Transit bus loudly being fixed across the street). I'll be back!
(5)Rosemary T.
Juicy chicken, tender beef, buttery cornbread, and delicious collar greens! This is definitely a place to come to have some great lunch or dinner. The food was simply super!
(5)John W.
I have never been anything short of amazed by the quality of chicken and sides. I usually order take out to avoid waiting for a table, and also to decrease the amount of time separating myself from my favorite meal in Minneapolis. Im pretty sure they sprinkle something addictive in the green chicken dipping sauce because i cant stop thinking about it. If you know of better chicken anywhere, show me, because i don't believe you.
(5)Shelly E.
Brasa used to have one of my favorite black bean burgers in town. I've had it a handful of times in the past and it was everything you could ask for in a vegetarian-friendly burger. After last night - I've learned that these days are gone. What happened? What I remember as a flavorful, dense burger with a good portion of fresh guac and a big chunk of mozzarella on top has turned into a salty, flavorless 'crumbles-apart-the-second-you pick-it-up' burger with hardly any guac and small chunks of mozzarella on top. The bread also used to be what one would expect from a ciabatta bun but now seems like an imitation - a flaky, dry bun only shaped like ciabatta. Obviously, as a vegetarian, Brasa isn't a regular go-to place for me. But, my friends like it and often suggest it - so I'm usually outnumbered and rely on the one vegetarian entree they offer. I think it's just cruel that my one option has now turned into zero options. Next time, I'll stay home and make my own.
(2)Paola M.
Been here several times and have tried pretty much everything.... The roasted chicken is what gets this place the 5th star! Everything is good but the chicken is superb. I don't know what it is but every time I go back I am surprised by how good the chicken is. All the rest is very good too but if you have to pick just one thing, go for the chicken!
(5)Christina P.
Truth be told, I'm not a BBQ type of lady. Gnawing meat off bones and being slathered in sauce just isn't my scene. However, Brasa has managed to make BBQ feel upscale and be absolutely delicious. It's a laidback scene - very southern feel - but super cute. Lots of natural lighting and seating galore. Bonus for the wine, beer and authentic soda offerings. The food is seriously TDF (to die for) ... the cheesy grits, cornbread, the perfectly cooked chicken and beef... days later, I find myself still thinking about it. Add the bonus of a very inexpensive meal, and you have yourself a very loyal follower. Can't wait to get down & dirty again soon!
(5)Izabela R.
Amazing!! One of my favorite places to eat!!! I"ve had just about everything on the menu and LOVE it all!! My sister came to visit from Chicago and we ordered pretty much one of each, she was lovin' it as much as I do!! Great atmosphere, great service, delicious food!!!!
(5)Bee K.
Brasa is tiny and I live within convenient driving distance so I almost always opt for takeout when I do get to indulge in the bombass pulled chicken with gravy and honey-butter drenched corn bread. Each trip back to the takeout counter, however, the service has increasingly gotten worse. On my most recent trip, I waited in line for 10 minutes just to tell the cashier I had a takeout order. I arrived exactly within 25 minutes as instructed, so I anticipated my food would definitely be ready after the long wait in line to pick-up. The line took forever because the cashier line for takeout orders is also the beer/wine line for the 2405730824723 people who are waiting around for a seat. So poor dude behind the cashier is also the takeout order phone answerer and bartender in addition to cashier. Dude was seriously flustered, and when I finally told him my name for the order, he looked like he had no idea what I was talking about. Finally, he says, "I think I sold your order to someone else. What did you have again?" He re-ran my order through the cash register and said it would be ready in 5-10 minutes. Luckily, it was ready really fast, and he did apologize more than once, but I was disappointed. The whole point of getting takeout is to completely AVOID having to wait in the parking lot with the other 23073087082352 guests waiting to be seated.
(2)Thomas D.
I went there last night with my wife and another couple, and it was great. Arrived at 6:15 on a Friday night and was able to sit down right away. The place appears to be a converted gas station so they still have the huge garage doors, and they had them open on this warm spring evening (nice). Also there was quite a bit of outdoor seating. The food was very good, is done in family style and has a very southern influence (I am referring the true South). I lived in South Carolina & Southern GA ,and I have to say it really brought me back there. Like good home-cooked soul food. The four of us ordered our food together as a group which I recommend. We had the pork shoulder, and the beef which were both excellent. For sides we had the black-eyed peas, jalapeno spinach, yucca, and yams. Just like down South. The server did a really good job even though the place was maxed. We were going to order large sides, and he deterred us to the smalls which turned out to be a good decision. We ended the night with the butterscotch pudding which was delicious, and made me realize that this is what pudding tastes like when it is made with good ingredients. They are very conscientious about using organics and locally grown, which instantly makes me want to give them my money, and they didn't need a whole lot of my money for what we got. The bill was VERY reasonable - $55.00 for 2 which included beers, food, dessert, and tip. We will be going back! :)
(5)Asma A.
Reasonable portions. Their house hot vinegar was delicious! Good corn bread. Ridiculously long wait. Cool ambiance- set up in an old garage. Food was great.
(4)Dena S.
Sexy name, sexy food, sexy drinks, sexy patrons. This place is like the fever dream of an obese Texan. Two words for you, friends and neighbors: YAMS. And yams again. Villains will attempt to convince you to grow out of gooey foods and to start eating. . . i don't know. . . farfalle. DO NOT BE DECEIVED. Everything at Brasa is gooey for a reason. This is the straight path. We arrived at about 8:20, which was a bit tight as doors close at 9pm. They ended up fresh out of both my first choice for meat and my first two choices for sides-- a wee disappointing. Since I would shove everything on the menu down my pants I was perfectly happy with my runners up and the staff was great about letting us hang out on the patio after close, finishing our bottle of wine and watching the buses parked across the street turn their lights off and on for no reason. Brasa, you are a rock star.
(4)Joel P.
What a unique menu! If you haven't been, you gotta try it! Very unique menu with great flavor. The pork and chicken are amazing! Coke from Mexico? Yup! Original Dr. Pepper? Still exists and Brasa is where you get it! They also have a great line-up of beers as well. The place has a southern feel, champagne flavors, and beer budget pricing. See you guys again soon!
(4)Kelly S.
Could I love this place anymore than I do? I think not. The mere fact that I live within walking distance of Brasa might make me want to live in my apartment for a few more years. This is not a great place for a vegetarian, nor is it a great place to come with a big group (more than 6) as they don't take reservations. But, if you're a meat-eater and you're in a group of less than 6, GO TO BRASA NOW. I have never been disappointed with anything I've ordered at Brasa. The shredded chicken, beef, and pork are all superb (although the pork is my absolute favorite); the cornbread is fantastic; and there are days I find myself craving the sweet plaintains and the yucca with green sauce. Beyond that, the service is always friendly and helpful. (Like the time when I failed to follow my "don't go with a big group" rule and went with a group of 9 on Saturday night... bad idea on our part. We waited for over an hour and a half to get a space big enough for us. But, although the wait was painful, the staff got us seated as quickly as they could, checked-in with us frequently, obliged us in a game of "Can we guess what your name is?", and gave us free chips and guac when we finally got seated.)
(5)Hilary J.
Quality, local and sustainable ingredients made into soul-nourishing, affordable food. And I've never had bad service there. (It's hard to get good service for big groups anywhere, because it's hard to GIVE good service to big groups. Brasa, at least, has really good options for feeding groups, including meat by the pound and sides in three sizes.)
(5)Amy C.
This is my new favorite restaurant. Lucky me that I can walk there! Here's what I love about Brasa: -It's in an old gas station -They get their food from local farmers and vendors -They serve Mexican Coke in the bottle -They give you lots of sides to choose from (like warm cornbread with honey butter ... yum!) -The meats are out of this world good and I'm not even a big meat eater -It has a friendly, distinct community vibe I could just keep on raving about it. If you want to experience Northeast Minneapolis at its best, Brasa is a MUST!
(5)Audrey M.
I'm really impressed by how close most of the dishes were to authentic southern comfort food. The ettouffe was delicious and super filling. There was only one thing that disappointed: the rice. I've never had yellow rice that tasted so much like plain white rice. Confusing. However, the flourless chocolate torte completely made up for it. Oh my gosh....so good. I'm glad I brought the bf to help with it though- definitely too rich to tackle on my own. Best of all, the prices are completely reasonable, especially given the quality. We will definitely be back.
(4)Rachel W.
Parking: There is some parking in the lot. There is lots of parking on the street. Food: Ordered: cornbread, cornbread and beans, collard greens, spinach, cole slaw, chicken, black bean fritter sandwich and pulled pork. We ordered smalls of everything except for the chicken (6 piece chicken). We had 4 people. The blackbean fritter sandwich was HUGE. I shared with a friend. It was also very food, except kept falling out of the bread. I ended up eating it with a fork. The cornbread was amazing! The coleslaw was ok. It needed a bit more acidity. The beans were ok with the cornbread. Atmosphere: It's summertime and it's hot and humid. There wasn't any circulating air and it was really hot, even with the garage open. The person that came to serve us was very very sweaty which was a real turn off. I think this was why I gave it more of a 4 star rating. Overall: The food was good and I'd eat there again. I'd hope that the servers would be more mindful of the sweat on the face though...at least wipe it off first.
(4)John R.
A great place for protein. Good service too. Parking is a little tough.
(4)Britt B.
Northeast Minneapolis is where it's AT. There are so many cool shops and restaurants sprouting up in this area. Including Brasa. I stopped in on my bosses recommendation and it lived up to his hype. I had the pulled chicken sandwich. The meat was delicious, and I very much enjoyed the bun. Soft and not so large as large as to detract from the MEAT. Sadly, I didn't have room for the cornbread I've been reading so much about. I will be returning to try that and about 20 other things on the menu. Service was friendly and prompt, patio was comfortable, and I like that they are doing the local and organic thing. Great place! I totally recommend it!
(4)Marie D.
Delicious beef, collard greens, yuca and candied yams. Very crowded but casual atmosphere. Worth the wait!!
(5)Damali R.
I read about this place in an issue of Travel & Leisure and it sounded right up my alley. It's a great place to go by yourself. The portion sizes are actually a great size allowing you to try several things. The waitress was very friendly and the whole staff seemed to be having a good time. It was worth the trip and taxi ride over. It was extremely reasonable as well.
(4)Jeff M.
After my second visit to Brasa I still think the place is slightly over-hyped, but comforting enough to still make future visits. Finding a table for more than 2 people can be a challenge. My favorite thing about Brasa is the value you get for the quality of delicious food. My wife and I shared a small pulled pork, creamed chicken, spinach w/ jalapeno, yams w/ andouille sausage, corn bread, and two bottled sodas and the tab (with tax) came to under $25.
(4)Yoni R.
Adventurous comfort food? A tasty contradiction indeed. Fresh ingredients, ALL local meat and dairy, they even double filter their cooking water. The pork is incredible, the chicken is good but forgettable, the beef is in a sweet home-style BBQ sauce, it's tender and perfect, but a little fatty for my taste Brasa is all about the sides, here is my essential Side Guide (1-5 Stars): Yams & Andouille Sausage -- 2 Stars -- The sausage is good but the yams are not very flavorful. Collards w/ Smoked Turkey -- 5 Stars -- Pungent, rich, and surprisingly pork-like for being made with turkey. Some find them too be to bitter, but they continue to be the best greens I've ever had. Romaine & Mozzarella Salad -- 1 star -- Boring... too much goodness to waste time on mere roughage. Rustic Style Cheese Grits -- 5 Stars -- The best and worst thing on the menu. Creamy, riddled with enough cheese and butter to make ones arteries clench with glee. At least it's from local pasture based dairies and the butter is unsalted. Crispy Yuca with Mojo -- 4 Stars -- It won't be replacing the Frenched Fry as America's favorite contributor to heart disease anytime soon, but it will certainly quench your need for something starchy and deep fried. Surprisingly good, and the green Mojo sauce is amazing, it goes with almost everything on the menu, pairs particularly with the pork shoulder. Yellow Rice & Beans (Red or Black) -- 3 Stars -- Honestly, the beans and rice are a bit bland, but everything else is so heavily spiced and flavorful that it's kind of refreshing. Cornbread & Beans (Red or Black) -- 3 Stars -- The cornbread is excellent but the regular cornbread side comes with maple butter. I say skip the beans and go straight for the sweetness. Fried Sweet or Green Plantains -- 1 Star -- Don't bother. Homemade Chips & Guacamole -- 3 Stars -- Tasty, fresh, and light but I suggest moving right past the guac and get a spicy masa corn cake. Desserts are sub par compared to the rest of Brasa's offerings. The sweet tea is some of the best this side of the Mason-Dixon and they have Mexican Coke in the big glass bottles, made with real sugar, no corn syrup. Simply put, Brasa is the bomb, yo.
(5)Seamus H.
This really is as good as it gets. The meats are perfectly cooked, bursting with flavor and nearly melt in your mouth tender. I recommend the pork but if it's your first time you should really try all you can. Supplement your main dish with sides inspired by the South. The yams & andouille is the highlight, with the generous sausage chunks balancing the sweetness of the yams with spice and smokiness. I've only been to the Northeast location which is in a small, renovated garage space which opens up for nice outdoor dining in the summertime. I lived in Minneapolis for two years, ate at over 100 restaurants, and Brasa remains my favorite!
(5)Mike D.
I think that not much needs to be said about the food at this place. Beef, Chicken, and Pork were all well spiced and full of flavor. The cornbread was alright, spicy masa cake was not great but that may have been due to not eating it right away, the crispy yucca is pretty great, and the plaintains were awful. They did not have sweet plaintains, only savory tostones which I would rename Flavorless Bricks. However, forget that, the food is awesome and you should come here.
(5)Sarah L.
Good food, horrible service. I'm not sure what the server's deal was... he was definitely way over-extended, but he didn't communicate that to us once. I would have been much more forgiving if he at least clued us in to the fact that we'd have to wait 30 minutes to get our iced tea and 60 minutes to get our food. Oh well. Both my friend and I did like our food. I think her rotisserie chicken was better than my pork sandwich special. I also liked/loved her chips and guac where as my cabbage salad was just ok. I'll go back because I like the philosophy and the food, but will try to avoid any lunch/dinner rush times because they're obviously understaffed.
(3)Becky B.
Checked this place out while in Minneapolis on vacation and was so impressed! Loved the rotisserie chicken and pulled pork. Did the fried plantains, HIGHLY recommend those! Creamed spinach, cheesy grits and yams with sausage were our sides. Loved the entire meal, I would eat it again any day! Will absolutely return when I am back in the area. Hopefully I'll get to try them for dinner next time! Parking is a challenge though and they got pretty busy during the lunch hour.
(5)josh j.
Amazing food! If you took a champion BBQ'er who knows Latino cuisine and grew up with a grandma who taught them how to use white distilled vinegar, then dilute that amount of vinegar in half; you'd get some of the awesome flavors Brasa produces. Chicken sandwich with cabbage is off the charts. If the bill was a few bucks cheaper, we'd be there weekly.
(4)Yelp L.
YUMMY!!! That says it all!
(5)Berton T.
The restaurant had a great vibe and it was great that the whole restaurant turns alfresco when the doors are opened on a warm spring day. The food was awesome, I had the rotisserie chicken with cheese grits and spicy bread and it was simply divine. My partner ordered the pulled chicken with the friend yuca and they were delicious as well. The best part of the whole experience is that it didn't burn a whole in the pocket - lunch only cost $11 without gratifying. I'll definitely come back if I have the chance to.
(4)K H.
Brasa is a mainstay for me. So much so that I've continually forgotten to give it it's proper due. Well here goes... If I'm cereal; Brasa is milk - I make more sense when coupled with it (it makes sense if you don't think about it). Seriously though - Brasa is soul food. It's flavors are as deep and satisfying as any food I've tasted, yet the place completely lacks pretension. Brasa is one of those rare restaurants that I actually miss when I leave town for long amounts of time. Simply put, there are very few places that prepare food so well. You really can't go wrong here. But, my favorites in the meat category are the rotisserie chicken and the pulled chicken. My fave sides are the creamed spinach, the crispy yuca and the black beans and rice. The cornbread is great, however, don't sleep on the masa corn cakes. It took me awhile to get to them but I haven't looked back since. And that green aioli sauce... I put it on everything (in fact, I'm one impulse away from integrating it into my love life). The stuff is simply awesome. The St. Paul location is a bit spacier and has a couple of added menu items due to having a larger kitchen. However, you can't go wrong in either case. Just eat it.
(5)Sealu222 2.
I have to admit I was skeptical about Brasa. On our visit 12/26 we found ourselves waiting in a small open area, standing around right in the middle of folks who were trying to eat without anyone's posterior in their face. It was amazing that the wait staff could move around so many people who had no choice but to block their path to the bar and computer. Kudos to them for keeping their cool! After tasting the food though it became abundantly clear why it was so crowded. Loved the yucca, loved the pulled pork, loved the creamed spinach (spicy!) and loved the corn bread (like a dense cake!) Our group ordered many other dishes that were great as well, but those stood out as exceptional. I will be back....but earlier next time!
(4)Timothy E.
One of my favorite places in Minneapolis. Favorites include: pork, bbq beef, creamed spinach, yellow rice and red beans, coleslaw, and grits. The possibilities are endless, especially when getting take out! An added bonus, virtually everything is gluten free.
(5)Coleman D.
Tried the chicken. Tasted fine, but not sure what the rave is about.
(3)Tenzin G.
Rachel individual dish was very very good. The meat, the beans all spectacular. The prices were great and they had some good beers on draft as well. I recommend. I might even go 4 and a half but I don't want to dish around too many 5 stars;)
(4)Callan F.
This place is great! Service was quick, food was delicious. I ordered the pulled pork with a side of guac...SO GOOD! My co-worker ordered the pulled chicken with a side of mac n cheese and the black beans which was also amazing. I will definitely be back soon!!
(4)Dan S.
I was somewhat let down by a place that I have been wanting to go to for years, but tried it for the first time last week. The food was actually great, but in the back of my mind, I kept thinking I could be at Pastor Hamilton's, Big Daddy's or Lee & Dee's getting roughly the same quality BBQ for half the price. But for someone who wouldn't necessarily want to hang out in a tiny BBQ shack, this place would be a great option. I thought the candied yams were phenomenal as was the beef sandwich. I feel weird giving it an A-Ok review, because the food was all great. I guess I'm just spoiled by the dirt cheap prices of the hole-in-the-wall BBQ places that I am accustomed to visiting. With that said though, this place isn't even expensive. Most meat items are around $10 and the sides are around $4 a piece.
(3)Sarah S.
We didn't have a particularly bad or good experience here. I was so excited to try Brasa, but unfortunately maybe the high expectations/anticipation killed the experience? Maybe this place just isn't my style? I'll confess I'm not great at sharing food. I want to eat what I want to eat, and I want to eat all of it without feeling that I'm being rude taking the last bite. Our group opted to do a family-style meal, and maybe that's where the experience went bad for me. I should note part of the reason we tried this restaurant with this group was because it's gluten-free friendly. Our wait for a table was long, as it was a busy night. It was significantly longer than the hostess told us it would be, and we were emergency-level hungry by the time we got a table. The booth where we were seated barely squished in our group and we had elbow wars the entire meal. Maybe the lesson here is that this isn't the place to come with a group of 8 on a weekend. (No one in our group had been here before, so we had no idea how small the place was...) We ordered amounts based on recommendations from the waitress. Both my husband and I left hungry and ended up making a second dinner at home. None of the dishes stood out to me. They were all things I could successfully and reasonably make at home. When I eat out, I like it to be either something I'd feel guilty about making at home (ie filled with sugar, fat and/or salt) or something I couldn't make myself (time consuming/difficult to prepare). The fried plantains were good, but not enough to convince me to make a second trip here. The beer selections were somewhat limited. The waitress was rather absent, although it was a very, very busy night so that can be forgiven. Somehow, my husband and I ended up paying more than what we'd usually spend to eat out and leave with full, happy bellies. Generally speaking, we weren't particularly thrilled. Maybe we just visited on an off night? Maybe the wait made us too hangry to enjoy the meal. Maybe this style of restaurant just isn't for me - and not every restaurant can please every person, which is totally fine. Based on how much others love this place, you should try it. I feel like we should probably give it another shot (without the family-style dining...), but I'm having a hard time prioritizing giving this place a second chance over trying all the other places on my "to try" list...
(3)Chelsea J.
My favorite meal on my trip to Minneapolis was dinner at Brasa. I will long for this food when I am home in Washington. The two of us shared: medium pulled pork entree, medium rice and black beans, and medium yucca with dipping sauce. Everything was excellent and the portions were perfect to fill two people without being stuffed and leaving no left overs. You can choose small, medium, or large for each entree and side. The pulled pork is different than I am used to served without bbq sauce. Sprinkled with the vinegar-hot pepper condiment that sits at the table the meat is perfect. So fresh tasting and not heavy at all. Excellent side dishes, the yucca was so good and added sweetness to the savory meal. They were very busy and there was a line to get in the whole time we were there. Service was friendly if not a bit distracted but one can't expect more than that in a very packed casual bbq place. No complaints here. I can't wait to go back! This is on the top of my list for my next trip to Minneapolis. We left feeling full and satisfied with none of the heaviness or guilt that often follows eating bbq. Until we meet again!
(5)Mark D.
Every time I've been to this restruant I've had amazing food. From the braised beef to the chicken to the sweet sweet pork. Great ambiance, wonderful staff, and very good beer available. I would highly reccomend eating here!
(5)Erica C.
Wow, Brasa is drop-your-fork-and-smack-yo-mama good. After reading the reviews, I decided that we needed at least more than 2 people to go. I invited another couple to go with and I'm so glad I did!! The menu is designed for sharing and sampling a variety of food. The atmosphere was interesting, it looked like it was an old car garage. There's a very casual feel to the restaurant. We ordered 4 peices of the chicken, a half rack of st. louis ribs, small plates of pulled pork and brisket. For our sides we ordered guacamole, collard greens with smoked turkey, and candied yams. We also ordered cornbread... oh the cornbread... I just want to crumble it up and swim in it. The food is flippin amazing. Every bite was to die for. The chicken was seasoned so well and it came with a tasty herb sauce. It's probably the best rotisserie I've ever had. The ribs were smoky and delicious. The pulled pork was soft and so flavorful. I would have loved it in a taco or if you were my friend, a bowl of rice. I'm in love with this place. And yes, I think I will marry it!
(5)Anne B.
Went for lunch with a group from work 10 in all and every single item was wonderful! The mac and cheese was reminiscent of what Mom made growing up, the yucca was a very tasty new experience for me, the creole chicken was not as spicy as anticipated but tender and delectable nonetheless. Was disappointed that there were no grits on the menu...guess I'll have to go to the Mnpls location - I heard they are fabulous. Service was attentive and friendly. I love that they locally source their food ingredients!
(5)Allan R.
Loved it. This is the sort of restaurant I can get in big trouble at. Everything I tried was fantastic.
(5)krissy l.
Amazing chicken.. Great date night!
(4)K D.
For about $12, you get 8 ounces of beef. GOOD BEEF. Slow roasted, bbq, tender, juicy beef. I ordered 3 sides: fried plantains, fried Yuca (Cassava) , and Sweet Potato + Andouille. Each small side cost about $3 each and came in tiny bowls and I began to fear that my 200+ pound dad and fatass me will leave hungry. WRONG! We left pleasantly full and each bite was d e l i c i o u s! Very high quality food, but Brasa's use of corn oil to accommodate those vegans makes fat change impossible...butter is unheard of! (Little peeved cause why would vegans and vegetarians step into a rotisserie?? To give me misery?? I guess) We went there on a Tuesday afternoon and it was PACKED! We got the last seats near the exit door but we were grateful to have gotten seats. It was loud too; Was hard to have a conversation without borderline yelling.
(4)Caitlin M.
Best food ever. Yuca potatoes and that sauce they come with our heavenly. Making myself hungry just thinking about it.
(5)TwinCities S.
Good food. Not spicy...if you ask for spicy you will get spicy but its not Mexican food. If you feel like trying a newer taste other than your Minnesota palate is accustomed to..go here for an evening..it does get crowded making you think that it must be great if you are willing to wait to eat there. :) check it out..You may feel pretty hipster too!
(3)John B.
Eggs were one of the last foods I learned to love, but when I understood what 'killed' meant, I figured out the way I would only ever order them again. Which brings me to Brasa, the place that allows me to order them like that on a dish that is supposed to have them prepped another way, and the place I learned how to play with my food. When it comes to the Over Easy and Pulled Pork, the best breakfast meal I could possibly create, it has never been a problem to order the eggs Over Hard, the technical term for what my family has often called Killed. But the best part of the meal is before, when I get the Guac and Chips, and I get to play my favorite restaurant-specific game. It should say something about how important this ritual is to me that I'm willing to forgo guacamole for a few minutes longer to carry it out. The game is Sailboats. I had noticed pretty soon after I started to eat there on a regular basis, that a lot of the chips are able to stand up on one of their sides on the table or a plate or any hard, flat, level surface. When I put enough down, they did look like sailboats from far off, a vessel that I have probably boarded about as many times as I've played this game. It isn't an important thing for me to do, but I think that's why I enjoy it. It's not something I'm keeping score in, despite the fact that I'm hypercompetitive and rarely don't keep score in my life. It's something that requires patience, which I've never been accused of having. And it's something that takes up a lot of space, which... no, never mind- that's exactly like me. But probably the main reason I do it is that I invented it, and given that I like me, it's as much a tribute to myself as much as anything, regardless of what it means or doesn't mean. The other really good thing about Brasa is the coffee.
(5)Roland G.
Not impressed. Surprised because I usually see lines out the door. Guac was runny and bland. Chips were good. Mac and cheese was ok, nothing special. Chicken in cream had an off taste to it. Garlic toast- ho hum. Cornbread was good. But the worst part was dessert. Ordered butterscotch pudding to go. Comes with a cookie. They put the cookie in the pudding instead of separately packing it. 45 min later, the cookie has turned into a gummy, mushy mess. They either don't care or are clueless. To top it off our server treated us like we were panhandlers. I assure you, we are not. Won't bother returning.
(2)Sara G.
I have been here twice now and both times were great. I enjoy it in the warmer months when they can open up the garage door walls. The food was great, smaller portions so you can try a few dishes. This is fun for sharing also so you can try multiple things as everything on the menu that I have tried has been great! I will definitely be visiting more in the future.
(5)Sara M.
Today, Brasa catered our lunch at work. As per the usual, I absolutely adored the pulled pork (no sauce needed for me), the corn bread muffins (served in mini size for catering), the mashed potatoes, the brownies (O. M. G. delicious), and the delivery guy (laid back, thorough, and friendly). When I've gone to the restaurant, I love the yams and andouille and the chicken. The space inside the restaurant is small, but if you can get a spot on the patio, I would highly recommend sitting outside, especially with a cold beverage. YUM.
(5)Nora M.
I love this place. Everything is made with real ingredients and tastes great. Super kid friendly too, with lots of options other than the typical chicken nugget!
(4)Sarah B.
Our group of 11 people stopped in for lunch today and were understanding about the 25 minute wait for the table. We then waited another 45 minutes to get our food, much of which was cold when it got to us. Several tables which came after us were served before us. There were flies and wasps over the table and the service was just generally poor - the waitress hardly checked in with us and it was difficult to get her attention. When our bill came the gratuity was already added in, which would have been fine had our service been anywhere near adequate.
(2)Rene G.
Oh, my God, Oh, my God, Oh my God! This place is Ahhhhwwsome! We ate family style and ordered almost every side on the menu. Everything was DELICIOUS! I wish I could eat there every day. Greens, black-eyed peas, potatoe salad, dirty rice, pulled chicken, plantains....I'm drooling now.
(5)Andrea R.
I love Brasa! I have been here numerous times and always been very satisfied with the food. It is usually very cozy and chaotic so I like to get mine to go and go have a picnic or just bring it home. You can't go wrong with any of the options we've tried it all.
(5)Shatona G.
Great "soul food!" and a nice date atmosphere! There are not too many places to get greens, catfish, and cornbread. The restaurant is clean and the service is great!
(4)Anna F.
So I understand that this place is busy on fridays/saturdays and my friends and I came prepared for a wait, so the wait is not what I'm complaining about. After waiting for 2 hours in front, my friends and I were finally seated and told by the hostess that we'd be getting some free chips/guac for waiting so long. Seemed pretty nice of them, so when the waitress came around we mentioned this. She just brushed it off "oh no, we don't actually do that", which was a little annoying but I mean whatever, we were ready to leave it at that. But then, the manager comes and says "I heard you were asking for free apps for waiting so long, you know people wait a long time here blahblah it wouldn't be fair" and basically gave us a lecture about how we don't deserve free apps because people wait for hours all the time for their "wonderful" food. Buddy, we didn't ask for free apps, the hostess told us and we were just following up. Honestly, he just turned a non-situation into something that made us feel like we were being entitled cheapskates. And the okayish food did not counterbalance this. I will not be back.
(2)Emily P.
My boyfriend & I have eyed this place for awhile, but we've always been scared away by the large crowds waiting at the door on weekend nights. Finally we decided to step in while walking around NE in last night's unusually balmy weather just to check out the wait time. The hostess (?) was rather flustered, every table in this tiny garage was packed. Very noisy for a small place with loud & brash customers and a tiny but busy looking kitchen. Eventually we were told it'd be a 15 minute wait for the two of us, we decided to stick it out. Two more pairs of couples & one larger group were seated before us, I was pleasantly surprised when we were indeed seated within 20 minutes. The menu suggested 1 meat portion & 2 sides per person, so that is what we did, everything in a size small. We ordered 1 each of the pulled pork, pulled chicken, collard greens, fried yucca, rice & pigeon peas, and black-eyed peas with cornbread, the house special side of the night. The portion sizes looked small when brought to the table but our large plates were overflowing once we dished them out. We finished every last bite with no leftovers, and we both agreed it was the perfect amount of food. We were full, borderline stuffed, on the starving-to-so-stuffed-I-could-puke scale. The flavors were all delicious, I was impressed with the yucca and collards, though my favorite side was the rice with pigeon peas. My boyfriend loved the yucca, they were like crispy-but-meaty french fries served with a delicious creamy dip. I was thinking of rating this place 4 stars, mostly because the atmosphere of the place turned me off and it was noisy enough I couldn't carry on a conversation with my boyfriend across our tiny table, but then I saw our bill. $23.70 to feed two people on food that is locally sourced and sustainably raised?? Bonus star for that!
(5)Chloe B.
Brasa has become one of my new favorite local dinner spots. Great food (from local producers!). great atmosphere and great location in NE. For sides, the Yuca and Guacamole are to die for. We always get a couple of small meat dishes for the table and we leave full, happy and our wallets aren't that much lighter!
(4)Brooke O.
This place rocks, everything on the menu is amazing. I love the pulled pork and all the sides are great. The whole menu is pretty much gluten free which is awesome, get the GF cookies!
(5)Kevin N.
I was lucky enough to come here with friends when they had the pork belly special. The pork belly was the best thing ive eaten in the past year hands down, we ordered another plate after which they were kind enough to do even though it was past closing time. The sides are great, the collard greens and corn bread are my favorites but the fried plantains the the best bang for the buck. The pulled beef was good but was blown away by the pork belly. The other times ive come here the pulled pork was great as well. Great place for dinner, great service, good beer choices and i like sharing all of the food.
(5)Jess R.
This food is absolutely fantastic, not a bad item on the menu. Also amazing as takeout. The restaurant itself was a converted garage so it's pretty slick looking.
(5)Audrey M.
Just moved here from the South. I'm guessing my expectations were really high based off of the reviews. I will say this place is great for someone who was not raised on or has never actually had Southern food but as for me ehhh :-/ Tad bit on the expensive side and bland
(2)Ronnie G.
So here's the thing. I enjoy Brasa. I do. I swear I do. But...it's not magical. By what everyone says, this place must give you wings. I've come here numerous times and no doubt the food is good. Here's the problem. I don't think Thanksgiving dinner. And that's what Brasa is. Sweet potatos, meat, collared greens. The only thing it's missing is Cranberry sauce (blech). The wait is usually atrocious and I always get a beer, which I'm not fond of most of them (Surly's good but give me some liquor). In addition to being far, I only end up here once a year and that may be enough for me. One tip: Consider getting your food to go and eating at the picnic tables. Shorter wait and you don't have to tip.
(3)Trin N.
Grits n fried plantains a must.
(5)Anne M.
Amazing, delicious, melt-in-your mouth goodness. We got take-out last week and I'm still talking about how great it was. Only downside-parking is awful and it's crazy busy. Bring a friend who can circle the block while you wait in line for the best food you'll ever get in a to-go container. And call ahead to order.
(4)Dan P.
Ok. I've come to grips with the Brasa value equation. You get what you pay for-only not too much of it, but the food tastes very good. Rotisserie chicken (whole) $19.95 vs. Costco $5.00. That's some free range chicken, but it does taste good. Masa cake-excellent. Guacamole with chips- excellent. Beans and rice- very good. New (?) Pork Bowl- nice meal in a bowl for $9. Only issue was creamed spinach light on the crème and flavor-no problem, the friendly server fixed it for me. In cold weather, the dining area is a noisy little box. Better to go after the patio opens- could be June this year. Lunch for 4 including 3 beers = $66. A couple at our table ordered a couple appetizers and skipped the expensive proteins. Not a bad idea.
(4)Naomi T.
Few vegetarian options, but what I had was very good. Black bean patties or something.
(3)whistle m.
Came here for lunch and was so disappointed after all of the positive reviews. The portions of the meat were surprisingly small, the pork was dry and lacked flavor (had to ask for salt), and got a side of attitude with the service. We had a problem with our table and the server who brought our food treated us like we were unreasonable and causing her a lot of extra work when we wanted to move to another table. After that, we couldn't have left the restaurant fast enough. The whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth, literally and figuratively. Needless to say, we won't be back.
(1)Laura M.
The food is delicious. Absolutely delicious. The place is a tad small and the service was a bit delayed (hence the four stars) but the food is worth the trip. I had the pork belly, corn bread, and fried plantains. SO GOOD!! The pork was perfect, cut a piece of that, the corn bread and the fried plantain all on your fork and you are in heaven. They actually did the plantains just right (I should know, I'm Cuban). The children's menu was great and included a drink and dessert. Definitely, you must make this a stop when you are in the city.
(4)Keer M.
easy and comforting like all the soul food you eat down South made with quality ingredients. plan on waiting for a seat, but you can have a drinky while standing around.
(5)Liz W.
One of those restaurants where I live in fear of tasting anything but what I ordered the first time and every time after that because it was SO. DANG. GOOD. The pulled chicken in pepper gravy. Oh. BABYYYY. I'm usually a sharer when it comes to letting people I dine with sample my food. And I will gladly let you try a bite of my Pulled Chicken but in my head I'm like, "Please take a small bite." All good restaurants make you selfish. My one tip for Brasa in NE: If you're going to go with more than two people, be prepared to wait a little. Great two-person restaurant.
(5)Eddie C.
This review should have been written in June, but better late than never! Throwing up my virtual hand sign representing "MAN V. FOOD" and Adam Richman, need I say anymore!! Genius to the owners who converted an old gas station into a fine dining establishment but keeping with the casual and comfortable atmosphere of a blend of Creole and American. I appreciate slow cooked pork and rotisserie chicken and this place ranks as one of my best all-time. We started with Cornbread w/Beans, Crispy Yucca w/Citrus & Garlic (YUM!). Main dishes were the Slow Roasted Pork and Pulled Chicken and washed it down with a cold Stella Artois. I wish I had the culinary critics book for exceptional verbs because I can't describe in words how delicious our dishes were. Enjoyed our conversation with our waiter who smiled when he heard we were from California and learned about the restaurant through the Travel Channel. I'm so glad Brasa represented themselves confidently and whenever I'm back in MN which hopefully will be soon, I will make this place a must eat each time.
(5)Holly F.
The best in town! The pork is to die for and we can't get enough of the corn bread. The salad is so good you want to lick the bowl when it's done. This is especially a great kid place, which is hard to find!
(5)Katie W.
Amazing food; enough praise cannot be heaped upon it. Great for those of us with smaller appetites, too, as the family-style portions lend themselves very well to sharing and oftentimes a smaller appetite means a very reasonable bill. Especially during summer months, beware of the dinner rush. Brasa doesn't take reservations, so be prepared to wait, ESPECIALLY if you're coming on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night. I prefer to just eat earlier in the afternoon on weekdays to try and avoid the rush. Luckily service is quite fast, so once you get seated you will be fed very quickly. Brasa is my favorite restaurant. It's the place I always take people if I want to impress them. There really is something for everyone here!
(5)Kristie O.
Brasa! This place is the total package: amazing food & a casual chic atmosphere with a fresh air, open walls concept & fun patio! My favs: pulled pork; collard greens; rice & pigeon peas (A.K.A. arroz con gandules!). Choose the "Nordeast," Minneapolis location if you prefer chill folk and friendly service to pretentious folk and snotty service. Sorry St. Paul, but so true, time and time again.
(5)Zach F.
Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I prefer going with a group of about 4 people so you don't need to wait too long for a table but you are able to try a lot of different dishes. They don't take reservations but if you call ahead they can usually tell you about how long the wait will be. GREAT FOOD, seriously I have never had anything I did not like.
(5)May T.
One of the best take away dinners I have eaten in a long time. Everything people have said about the food is utterly and completely true. We got here before the dinner rush on a warm, late spring day in Minneapolis, placed our order and rushed back to enjoy our meal of tender pulled pork, rotisserie chicken, mozzarella and romaine salad, yellow rice and black beans and collard greens on my friends' backyard deck. It was a beautiful meal.
(5)Bob T.
Phenomenal food. Great service. Nice atmosphere. What ore could you ask for? Candied yams, yucca fries, and corn bread are musts.
(5)Mark L.
Well, I think this place gets 5 stars just because I don't know many other places where you can just order plates of pulled and roasted meats. Unfortunately, we came in with a party of six people and had to wait 45 minutes to get a table as the restaurant is very small (used to be some kind of garage/shop), but very popular. In the meantime, we were able to grab some drinks, and talk with the wait staff about what dishes were available. Once we were able to order, our waiter was very helpful in explaining how many people the portions are actually meant for (they come in small, medium, and large denominations) when we had already ordered about double the amount for our party. Thanks to him, we saved some money and still left with stuffed stomachs. Our waiter deserved a solid tip as he brought new dishes on the fly as we ordered them and kept our glasses full (you'll need a lot of water/wine, your choice). Overall, it was a unique eating experience, despite being some distance from downtown (make sure to call a cab).
(5)Kate L.
2 stars for First Impressions. I didn't even eat dinner here because of it. We arrived with plenty of time for waiting and eating prior to our evening engagement and were pleased to hear the wait for 4 ppl would be about 35 minutes.So beers in hand, we headed outside to hang out and wait. And wait. And wait some more. An hour had gone past and we were starting to wonder - no one else had been seated either based on the group around the fire. When we asked about the status, we were told it would be another 35 minutes or so because we were bumped out of line. WHY? Apparently, a Food Network celebrity had stopped by for dinner (not a show, just dinner) and that took priority over everyone else. He was seated immediately and the rest of us had to wait. If there has been a show filming or some event around this - or maybe a first time surprise visit, I could understand. But knowing full well that Brasa has been featured already on this show - a couple of times, this seemed completely unreasonable. Unable to wait the additional estimated 35 minutes, we left. I don't know that anything is worth over 1 hour of a wait, and considering they have no respect for people's time or money was a bit of a let down. It is the patrons like us that will drive the business - and continue to come back. Since the reviews are so good on this place, I might consider coming - I just hope I don't have the same unfortunate timing.
(2)Jess L.
Everything is amazing. It's my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities. Things to get: rotisserie chicken, chicken in gravy, beef, chips n guacamole, sangria, yuca*, rice and beans, cornbread* with honey butter, collared greens, jalapeño spinach. Be sure to get lots of extra green sauce and dip everything in it! It might be the best cornbread I've ever had and the yuca is amazing. Also some of the best chips and guacamole and sangria I've ever had....unfortunately the prices have increased over the last couple years but still worth it.
(5)Crysta M.
Good southern family style meal that won't scare off us northerners. The three different sizes for each option helps in planning out food for a variety of people, and it's definitely designed to share. Ordering sides are a must if you're also ordering meat, because the meat options are just that. You'll get a plate full of meat and nothing else. But add in some collared greens and cornbread and you've got yourself a nice meal. The homemade chips and guacamole are fantastic and work great as an appetizer. Once you know your way around the menu it's a pretty nice place, but the different way of advertising and presenting the food can lead to some misunderstandings. And with summer days finally upon us, their patio is a huge plus for going there.
(4)Chaleen A.
Came with my husband on a Wednesday night - he's been wanting to go as he is a foodie and heard really good things. The food easily met his expectations (and mine). We ordered the pulled pork and 2 piece chicken - so yum! The chicken was smaller than expected, but with the sides, I am full and pleased! Sides- creamed spinach, rice and peas (beans) and the yuca sticks -- all amazing!! We are looking forward to coming back and getting takeout. :). Our server was great too! HH drinks would be nice, but get it. :).
(5)Jessica L.
Yum, yum yum! Good dinner, good vibes and good eats! Décor: This place is actually a bit larger than expected. We went in the summertime, and it was a nice warm evening so we opted for the outdoor patio. To the side of the patio is even a little bonfire where people were gathered- how cool! Vibe: I don't usually have these in my reviews, but I have to make an exception for here. It's so laidback, comfortable and welcoming that you practically want to live there! Service: Very hospitable, friendly and accommodating. We were there for almost 2 hours maybe and we were never rushed with the check or anything. Thanks! Food: I went with a pretty large group so we ordered basically the entire menu. - Sweet cornbread- yummm, I finished this up, haha. I also like to mix things up in my mouth, so I liked mixing this and the sweet yams together :P Don't judge! lol - Fried plantains: not my favorite. I've had better. I thought they did it a bid soggy/overfried here. - Rice & beans: didn't try this as it's not my thing, but my friends liked it - Pulled pork: mmm, this stuff is supposed to come out nice and tender, and it is done really well here!! - Roast chicken: it wasn't my favorite, but it was still tender and juicy enough (it had the least flavor, so it just got overpowered by the others) - Chicken with sauce: yummmm! Totally not good for you, but definitely good for your tastebuds Overall: Great food, pretty good prices (it came up to be around $15-$20 for the 5 of us) and EXCELLENT atmosphere. Go for good eats and catching up!
(4)Christina W.
I love this place. My favorite item is the sweet plantains with a cilantro sauce. Sooo good! Everything I have had has been delicious. I usually go for the pork for two. The cornbread is nice and sweet and the masa cakes are delicious also. I'm just sad I don't get to go there more often.
(5)Ella Q.
Really delicious. They know what they're doing with food here. Just tried one of the Saffron Rice Bowls with pork for the first time -- delicious. I love the ginger/cilantro dressing and have bought it by the pint. It's good on the plantains, on the pulled pork, on greens, just about anything.
(4)Irina R.
OK, so for the longest time I thought that this place was a chicken distributing or packaging factory. I blame the logo. It seriously looks like the logo you find on the packaging of a whole frozen chicken in Cub Foods. I'm glad that a friend finally informed me that this in fact is a restaurant. I tried it and it was YUMMY. Pulled Chicken, Fried Sweet Plantains, Guacamole, Corn Bread, Yellow Rice... Any combination of the above will make sure to leave you satisfied. The simplicity (but quality) of the menu, combined with casual atmosphere makes this a great place for lunch either in the middle of the week or a weekend. The floor-to-ceiling windows are also wide open during the summer and combine inside of the restaurant with the outdoor patio.
(4)Lindsey W.
I truly love the meats here, all of them are delicious. I think this time my favorite was the pulled pork. I also tried the braised collard greens, so yummy! They had fantastic flavor. My hubs loved the corn bread and the crispy yucca. I tried the coleslaw and it was some what forgettable...I would go with a different veggie.
(4)Alycia M.
When going to Brasa expect to wait. Great things come to those who wait and that is so true when it come to Brasa. They have limited seating both indoors and out. I went on a Thursday night at about 7:30pm, with a group of 7 people and we were told it would be a 45 minute wait and we really did wait 45 minutes. We were lucky enough to sit outside and it was a perfect evening for it (I highly recommend asking to be seated out on the patio) . The service is good and while they have limited seating they do not rush you to get in and out, they let you enjoy your experience. The food is DELICIOUS, seriously. I ordered the black bean fritter and tried some of the yuca. This is was by far the best black bean sandwich that I have ever had and I would order it over and over again. I also ordered their sangria, which is a red sangria and it was very good. A lot of restaurants make their sangria to be very sweet, but Brasa does not. I will definitely be going back, there are too many items on the menu that I still need to try. As for parking, I believe they have ten parking spots in their lot, but there is plenty of on the street parking.
(5)Kerry W.
Love everything about it. Hard to imagine how it could be any better.
(5)Shannon L.
Delicious organic Creole cuisine. Haven't had anything I don't like. Could use more indoor seating
(5)Sheng Y.
Brasa is good, for its portion sizes and prices and for the outdoor seating and feeling of the atmosphere! I love the yuca!! It's the only place where I can rely on crispy yuca!
(5)Rachel E.
Living near Northeast I had driven past Brasa a few times but honestly thought it was an auto body shop. A few weeks ago, my brother surprised me with a phone call saying he and a friend were in the Cities for the day and wanted to take me out to lunch. His friend had heard of this place because it was featured on a food show so we stopped in. I had a chicken sandwich and it was delicious. The interior is industrial-style and gives a no-frills vibe; still very cool decor though. The only downfall of the visit was our service. It was not even remotely busy when we went but it still took 15 minutes for our server to come by our table. If it hadn't been so snowy and difficult to get there in the first place, I think we would've left. I'm glad we stayed because the service did get better and the food was worth the wait.
(4)Ellie C.
They have a specific vegetarian menu and you can't go wrong with rice and beans and sweet plantains - and theirs are fantastic! Good service and baby friendly.
(5)Colleen C.
Well, I see what all the fuss is about. The food is rockin' like nobody's business and I dig converted gas stations and other formerly ugly spaces made cool and awesome by good design and artful tendencies. The order: 2 fresh lemonades (sucked down swiftly) 1 order of hot cornbread + honey butter (it kills me, its so good) Braised beef (1/4lb) (meat winner) Pulled pork (1/4lb) Chips + Guac Chocolate pudding w/ huckleberry drizzle and fresh cream (drool) BE STILL, friends. It gets BETTER. The entire check was approximately $25 + tip for an overwhelmingly excellent meal. Locally sourced, carefully prepared, ferociously executed and extremely filling. Icing on the meat cakes? Service was great despite a full patio on a beautiful 75 degree, sunny day. The garage doors flung open...ahhhhh, it's a beautiful thing. YES, like....$15 per person! What!? Yes. Brasa, bravo! Best meal I've had in Minneapolis...
(5)Philip S.
Here's another 5 star review for Brasa Rotisserie. It is sincerely good food, and you can probably tell just by it's reputation and Yelp rating and so I will keep it brief: 1. Come early! 2. Order the Pork Sandwich - with the ginger mayo and cilantro. I AM categorically opposed to eating pork, but this is the shining exception 3. Have the Crispy Yucca as a side. Delicious and healthy alternative to fries and a completely unforgettable side dish. I could write a review just about these. That's all Yelp-a-saurs! Come to Brasa, you will NOT be disappointed :)
(5)Jennifer R.
Yesterday was a beautiful day, which means it was perfect for dinner at Brasa. Since it used to be an oil change place, and they kept the glass garage doors, they'll open them up when the weather's nice, and you get to enjoy open-air eating even without sitting on the patio. The food here is just as good as everyone keeps saying. We had the pulled pork, the rotisserie chicken, cheese grits, and cornbread. Everything was wonderful. I love the flavorful, spicy skin on that chicken, and especially the aioli that comes with it. But the cheese grits! Those rocked my world. I could have eaten those all day. Of course grits are made of corn, but they don't usually TASTE like corn. These had a great corn-y flavor, and combined with the cheese, it was incredible. From now on, when I think of comfort food, I will only picture Brasa's cheese grits. I loved that the food is served family style; it's great if you want to try a little bit of everything. And the soda selections! They've got Mexican Coke and five or six flavors of Jarritos. That definitely puts them over the top in my book.
(5)Rachelle T.
I made my very first visit to Brasa last weekend! Most definitely a great spot for the meat loving types. The space is tiny, very tiny and you'll find yourself waiting for a bit while the restaurant smells divine. I ordered the rotisserie chicken and it was amazing! The portion was rather generous as well, I was able to save a bit for a snack later. The corn cake was really tasty as well, I would love the recipe. But, I got to be honest, the sides really didn't do much for me. I got to sample the collard greens, the yams and the chips and they all seemed a bit on the oily side. Overall, Brasa is truly a unique spot for a casual meal.
(4)Krissy W.
I'm obsessed. Whenever I read hundreds of amazing reviews about somewhere, I always mentally prepare myself to be let down. That did not happen. Not one bit. I'm not even sure where to start. But I'll try. They serve beer & wine. They have small yet decent bottle & tap beer list. I haven't perused the wine list, but with only a $10 corkage fee, I'll stick with that. The menu can be a bit overwhelming if you're with a lot of people, but if one person is put in charge of the portions & preferences, it's manageable. For meats, I've tried to pulled pork, bbq beef, & chicken with gravy. All of them are heavenly. But in my opinion, Brasa is all about the sides. I've had the candied yams, creamed spinach, grits, mozzarella salad, plantains, crispy yucca, & cornbread. OMG. I'm drooling just thinking about all this deliciousness. The creamed spinach & crispy yucca are my favorite. I have no idea how they can make spinach taste so heavenly, but they do. Order an extra side of the yucca dipping sauce, it's unbelievable. The cornbread is unreal. I order one for both an appetizer & dessert. It's that good. Not only do my friends & I love this place, I was also able to bring my parents here. I was a little worried that they would be weirded out by the small size & family-style ordering, but they loved it. My dad said, "We felt like we were eating with all the hipsters!" (he meant that in a good way) The ONLY negative about this place is its size (& they don't take reservations). You do have to wait quite awhile to get a table. When my bf & I brought my parents here, we arrived an hour early so my parents wouldn't have to wait when they arrived. Just remember, the waiting is totally worth it.
(5)Pascal M.
"DOWN GOES FRAZIER! DOWN GOES FRAZIER!" That's what the announcers said after he ate everything on the menu from Brasa Rotisserie. How could one not have tried this place if you lived within the area? I mean, the building is former oil change shop. They even still have the garage, so cool. I ate here while I was in town on business. So good we even ordered leftovers to take to the room. We had tried their pulled chicken in gravy, slow roasted pork with garlic and lime, and smoked beef with sweet-spicy BBQ sauce. For sides, we had their Cabbage and Apple Coleslaw, Yellow Rice and Beans, Collard Greens, & Corn Bread with Honey Glaze. DAMN THAT WAS GOOD! That's about all I remember. If you live in the area, and you ain't been...smack yo self. Go get some of the most soulful creole/carribean cooking you can sink your teeth into.
(5)Cou P.
Great food which I have picture to prove it that we enjoyed them. Usually people have to wait long for a table but we just lucky to have table right after we walk in. We enjoy every dish on the table, even order more to go, to take home to share with kid's roommates. Even though it's pricy but tasty, will come back and try more dishes soon. (upon daughter's request)
(4)Susie A.
Amazing pulled chicken sandwich! Just the right amount of sauce and flavorings that you could still taste the juicy large chunks of chicken. Big, square, soft yet chewy bun that melted in my mouth... Chips unlike any I've had before. They were sweet, with just the right amount of coarse salt on them... adicting! and I'm not a chip person. My husband had the braised beef sandwich, which he loved, and my son had the shredded pork from the kids menu. He's not easy to please, but he said it was the best thing he's had! We all loved every bite we put in our mouths! They serve "happy animals" at Brasa (free range chicken, grass fed beef, organic eggs...). So you can be happy eating here too! We'll definately go back!
(4)Leah H.
We came here on a recommendation from a friend, and ordered the following based on previous Yelp reviews: Chicken & shrimp etouffee .25 lbs Rotisserie chicken .25 lbs Slow roasted pork .25 lbs Braised beef Large side of cornbread & black beans Regular side of creamed spinach & jalapeño I really wanted to try the sweet cafe con leche, but I was afraid that I would be able to finish all that we previously ordered. THANK YOU Yelp reviewers! It was great eats and we wished were had a few more meals in there to try out everything. Great tasting meat and favor in the sides. The black beans were yummy! (Big fan of Cuban food, and the black beans were on that yum-factor comparable.)
(4)Elizabeth S.
Even when it was nearly freezing and rain poured from the sky, I made the trek to Brasa to get an order of pulled pork with mojo sauce. (I wish they'd give more sauce based on amount of pork ordered; I'm sure they'd give more if I asked, but should I really have to?) The selection of beer, wine, and other beverages is also above average. The service is consistently the worst I've ever gotten. Not that there's much for servers to do, but they have the worst attitudes and can't wait to get you out of the restaurant. Unless it's warm and the outdoor seating is set up, it's not worth it to dine in.
(4)Noah F.
The best meal I have had in the Twin Cities. Everything about this place is great from the flavorful and reasonably priced food to the warm and friendly atmosphere. Do yourself a favor and go!
(5)Veruca R.
I have eaten at the Brasa in Northeast and in St Paul. I've had pleasant experiences at both locations. We order lunch from Brasa about one a month for our office. They have a little bit of everything for everyone. I'm always impressed that they can take our order for 20+ people and have it ready in a half hour.
(5)Terence A.
Great tasting food. Plenty of sides for vegetarians. Get the plantains as long as they are sweet/ripe. Takeout service is fast too.
(4)Larry P.
Terrific rotisserie grilled meats. Chicken pork tender and juicy. Wonderful cornbread and some tasty sides, like collard greens, fried plantains, yams with andouille sausage and fried yucca. Wash it down with a tasty local draft beer. Casual atmosphere with outdoor seating in the summer.
(4)Annie D.
If you're the carnivorous sort, welcome to paradise. I hate committing to a "favorite" restaurant, but if pressed, Brasa might be it. Quality and simplicity are big here, which is how I like my food most of the time. I could live with just garlic, salt and pepper if they always ended up on free-range organic chicken, local pork and fried plantains. Oh, and the CORNBREAD! The buttery, honey-sweetened corn cakes make me want to sneak into their kitchen and steal the recipe. My friends and I eat a lot of family style meals and we loved that the menu was set up for sharing at Brasa (we did not share cornbread---for the record, that would be impossible). Prices are a little steeper than I wish they were, but the quality is up there. Even though we had to wait for a table, we had a round of beers and hung out in the (very) small waiting space, tortured by the smells coming out of the open kitchen. It's worth the wait, but if you get murderously jealous of the people eating, takeout is an option. Wow, I guess I am willing to commit, in a way. I seem to be willing to commit a lot of crimes for Brasa, and that's true love (so says a complete psychopath... or someone who just really likes rotisserie chicken). Tip: Brasa puts on a lot of Twitter deals, especially at their St. Paul location. They'll have free chicken wings with a pitcher of beer or 2-4-1s... all kinds of good stuff!
(5)Zoey Z.
Deets you need to know: 1. Quick 2. Efficient 3. Always local, fresh and flavorful 4. Get the pork over the chicken 5. Creamed Spinach a MUST! Even for spinach haters. Add Corn bread with honey glaze to your order--you won't be sorry. Going with a big group? Head over to St. Paul location. Looking for cozy? NE location
(5)Johanna C.
i'm from texas and there's nothing like some good, southern cooking that satisfies your stomach and warms your soul! if you're looking for some good comfort food in the minneapolis area, def check this place out! i had the slow roasted pork sandwich which was delicious and probably my fav item from all the stuff we ordered (and boy did we order A LOT!). you can also get the meats separately but i think the sandwich combo is a winner. Sides in ranking order of best to worst: Homemade chips & guac, Crispy yucca, candied yams, romaine & mozzarella salad, creamed spinach
(4)Gillian M.
Loved this place - I'm only sad we don't have anything like it in San Francisco where I live. My brother took me here when I came to visit Minneapolis for the weekend. There was quite a long wait so we grabbed a pitcher of beer and headed out front to the patio, which had ample seating. We also ordered some guacamole to tame our hunger, and it was delicious. Service was great, friendly, helpful in figuring out how much food to order for our 4-person group. ALL of the food was awesome. We had the chicken and BBQ beef for our meats, collard greens, yuca fries and cornbread & masa cake to share for the table. Straightforward, excellent food and it didn't sit too heavy in our stomachs afterwards. I highly recommend going here - but bring several friends so you can try several different menu items!
(5)Dylan G.
Second time eating at Brasa tonight, I will definitely be back to eat there again Service: I thought the service was good. My cup was never empty and the waitress was very informed in regards to my questions. Everyone working appeared to be happy to work there which makes a big difference in the service you get. Atmosphere: I thought the atmosphere was awesome. The building was very clean and the industrial garage doors they have that open up make the restaurant seem very open and comforting. Food: I had the rotisserie chicken for my meat, The skin was crispy and the meat was perfectly cooked and moist. The two sides I had were the: crispy yuca with citrus & garlic and roasted yam & andouille. The crispy yuca with citrus & garlic was delicious, the yuca was cut and fried like french fries and came with a citrus and garlic sauce. The sauce had a strong lime flavor that complimented the yuca. The sauce also came with the rotisserie chicken but I thought the chicken was fine on its own. The roasted yam & andouille was not something I'd get again, the andouille was perfectly spicy and delicious, however the yams were not as good. I felt the need to get a cornbread muffin and I have to say it was one of the best I've ever had. The friend I ate with got the slow pulled pork, coleslaw, and the black beans & rice. I tried all of her food and felt it was decent. The pulled pork and coleslaw were both delicious but I felt the rice was lacking some kind of flavor. I definitely recommend Brasa to anyone. Took my son and it was just fine for him. The best part is that for all of our food it was under $30
(5)Cory O.
I was disappointed with last night's experience. My wife and I have picked up takeout from there numerous times and the food is always very good. With last night's excellent weather, we decided to eat in so we could enjoy their patio. After we ordered, we waited at least 30 minutes for the food. During that time, nobody came by to explain what was taking so long. When the food finally did arrive, they brought it for my wife and me, leaving our 2-year-old sitting there without anything. Her food didn't arrive for another minute or two. When it did arrive, I asked for another glass of tea (which didn't arrive for about 5-10 minutes). The food was okay, not the excellence we've had before. The pork was cold. My sandwich was pedestrian. The homemade chips were bland. The cornbread was missing that honey-buttery flavor. Having eaten Brasa's food before, I was just disappointed--and the absence of a server didn't help matters any. Next time we order (as I'm sure we'll give them another shot because of their prior success), we'll just order take out..
(2)Lindsay H.
collard greens!
(5)Soly Z.
We waited about 30 minutes for our table (we were quoted a 40 min wait but it went a little faster than expected ). The smoked beef was delicious, as were the variety of side dishes we tried. The roasted chicken was good, but nothing extraordinary. The four piece order was actually three pieces, with a breast cut into two chunks. I liked the collard greens and creamed spinach with jalapenos best. My husband loved the yellow rice and beans. The restaurant was busy and the wait staff was very friendly and able to keep up with the crowd while making sure diners didn't feel rushed.
(4)William C.
This place is amazing. I've only been in the Twin Cities for a few months, but Brasa is by far the best place I've eaten at so far. We got there around 7:30 on a Friday night and we were worried that we'd have to wait awhile for a table. Luckily, since it was just the two of us we were seated right away. There were larger parties that were there before us, but didn't get seated until we were almost done with our meal. So larger parties be aware of the longer wait times, however I must say it is worth the wait. The girlfriend and I ate our meal family style, which was a good choice because everything we ate was fantastic. We decided to try both the masa and cornbread. The masa was one of my favorite parts of the meal. It had a good chewy, but also firm texture. The saltiness of the onion and cheese on top served as a perfect compliment to the sweetness of the masa bread. The cornbread was also very good, though I would pick the masa over the cornbread any day. We also ordered two sides to share. The yams and andouille, and the fried plantains. Both were pretty good, i mean it's fried plantains and mashed yams with sausage so it's kind of hard to mess up. For the meats we shared the braised beef, pulled pork, and the special of the night, miso glazed prawns. It's really too bad that the prawns were a special and not part of the regular menu. The fookin' prawns were the best thing I put in my mouth that night. The miso sauce was perfectly sweet and salty and the prawns were big and meaty. The best part? Prawns came shelled, but with the head intact. I do love me some delicious prawn brains. The braised beef was also fantastic, it was so tender and the bbq sauce it comes with was really good. I would definitely go with the beef over the pork. I felt the pulled-pork was a bit too dry for my tastes, but still pretty good. I'm already looking forward to the next time I dine here.
(5)Angela A.
I love this place! My mom and I have been in several times for dinner before events, fun to share a few dishes - especially love the andouille and sweet potatoes! Good to get here at off-times, if possible because it fills up quickly during peak hours.
(5)Jon M.
Ok is it just me or are the portions somehow getting smaller? Even my pork sandwich amazing flavor was light on pork. Hmmmmmm going cheap? I hope not as I would give them 5 every time but the portions are poorly sized. Ps chips and guac might be the best ever.
(4)Jane D.
Great place for my dad's birthday lunch! Well done sides served family style so we could all try the chicken, rice and beans, pulled pork sandwich, and plantains.
(4)Sarah C.
The pork. The crispy yuca. Even the rice and beans. Everything was delectable. Our server rocked it. She was polite and friendly but not overly so, and she was incredibly helpful as I asked questions about what foods would work with my restricted diet. The atmosphere is relaxing. We finished our drinks as the conversation rolled, and nobody hurried us out the door. We love. We'll be back. Many, many a time.
(5)Jillian F.
My aunt and uncle were in town so I wanted to take them somewhere yummy, I was recommended this. My uncle being jewish and my aunt being a picky eater this was a perfect place. I loved the sharing plates idea, and we got a large beef and about 4 sides. This was fantastic flavor, the potatos sides were amazing. And the cornbread melted in my mouth. And the sauce that is served with the potatoes and plantains are to dye for. The drink menu is small, but has some decent choices. Waiting did take a while for a table, but the waitress was fast once seated. The atmosphere was super nice on a summer day but I think it might feel more crowded during the winter. I think you might want to call ahead for larger groups and it seemed like a kid friendly atmosphere. Overall the food wowed me every bite and that would be the main reason to keep going back.
(5)Olivia H.
I have mixed feelings about Brasa. First just let me say I LOVE THE FOOD. But, I don't always like the service, and the wait is ridiculous. My recommendation? CALL AHEAD and do TAKE OUT. Then you get the food without the hassle. (lunch menu is excellent as well)
(4)Theresa D.
I have nothing but great things to say about this restaurant! We have always received awesome service and the food is wonderful.
(5)Jon S.
If I had a week to eat at the best restaurants in Minneapolis, where would I go? Aside from the obvious, (112, Alma, Bar la Grassa, Belle Vie, D'amica Kitchen, Lucia's, and Vincents), you just have to go to Brasa!! They now have two locations and I prefer the Minneapolis one because it is more intimate and the servers seem more informed. Yes, there is sometimes a wait, but it is all worth it in this pulled-meat heaven. Their "cheesey grits" (yes, I said it y'all) is great and if you over-order, as most do, they have cute little take home boxes. Tip: in the spring and summer months they have an outside seating area that is lively and cuts down on wait time.
(4)S A.
delicious food. tiny portions, jumbo prices
(4)Jarryd R.
Amazing! Small so be prepared to wait for a table, but it's 100% worth the wait! Highly recommend the pork sandwich!
(5)Michael P.
Very nice food and atmosphere. The staff was very helpful.
(4)B. C.
Absolutely love Brasa and try to make a point to come for lunch every time I'm in town, especially if the weather's nice enough to sit outside. I always recommend to get orders for the table to share. My favorites are the rotisserie chicken, slow roasted pork and surprisingly the smoked beef. For sides I stick to the beans, yuca and grits. My only qualm is the cornbread is inconsistent. Other then that there's nothing to not love.
(4)Summer L.
What is there to say about Brasa that hasn't been said before? Their rotisserie meats are divine, their sides are southernly sinful (read: cream and butter ahoy), and the options for a one-person sandwich are perfect when your group isn't large or full of picky people. I nearly always gravitate towards the chicken; the pork is rather fabulous as well. My favorite sides: the romaine & mozzarella salad, collard greens with smoked turkey, creamed spinach with jalapeno, and the never-endingly awesome corn cake. What's funny is that these have been my favorites for the last four years or however long it's been since they have been open; there haven't been many menu changes in that time. Not complaining. The only brutal part is eating in at Brasa. It's not bad service, it's simply lack of space. The place is friggin' tiny. There's not really anywhere for people to stand and wait for tables except to crowd around the bathrooms, and that's not fun for anyone. And if it's raining or cold outside and the patio is useless, the problem is doubly compounded. It's for this reason that I try to go off-hours whenever possible. I really hate standing around, smelling good food. Brasa is one of those places that is forever notable. And if I were smart, I'd start ordering massive piles of take-out so that I could enjoy it more than once every blue moon when the timing is right.
(4)Jordan S.
As a vegetarian, the giant chicken and "rotisserie" has always scared me away from Brasa. Biking by, it always smelled delicious and made me envious of those carnivores who don't have to bite and grin into a tempeh concoction and pretend it's just as good. So, I instantly when into "ah shucks" mode when my friends mentioned they were going to Brasa after a casual 40 mile bike ride we took one beautiful Saturday. But wait, Jordan, they have a vegetarian menu. I kicked it into high gear, knowing I'd get to enjoy all the fragrant smells of an atmosphere like Brasa without having to give up my non-meat-eating snootiness. I showered, dressed and walked dogs in record time and hurried back into Nordeast, where my friends were already sitting on the patio, drinking pitchers of sangria without me!! I arrived 15 minutes after they did and no worries, I didn't miss any sangria tasting... there was a wait. Woah, what a wait. Crowds of people in Twins paraphernalia stood in our way. Alright, we were a group of 8, so there wasn't much complaining on our part, but damn. I wish they took reservations. After about 35 minutes, we were seated. I was a little cranky. Forty miles plus forty minutes of standing idly in the sun does not make Jordan a happy girl. But whatever, I was ready to read this legendary vegetarian menu... Um. It's just the regular menu with the meat items taken out. That's fair. I was hoping for a little more variety than two items, but I'll get the Vegetarian Bean Fritter without guac and the Cornbread with Honey Glaze. The cornbread came quickly with everyone else's appetizers. It was sweet and broke apart easily. Qualities I love in cornbread. Soon after the Vegetarian Bean Fritter came and blew me away. It was miles above my expectation of a meat house's interpretation of bean cuisine. The mozzarella was thick and melty. The fritter part did not fall apart into a million different crumbles like the usual meatless burger. Everything surpassed my already high expectations. Brasa's Vegetarian Bean Fritter is excellent and makes up for the fact that it's one of two meals they have for us non-meat eaters. Careful about the hour you choose to go because they are popular and get a couple of orders of cornbread.
(5)Colleen E.
Brasa is one of my favorite places to go if I'm in the mood for some good southwest style cooking. This location has a great atmosphere, but go a little earlier than you think because it's usually packed for dinner and I don't think they take reservations.
(4)Angela S.
There isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said. This place is soooo good! I could eat Brasa's pork sandwich every single day. Their chicken and beef sandwiches are good too, but the pork is definitely my favorite. As far as sides go, I've found the rice and beans and crispy yuca to be the best. Oh, and the cornbread with honey glaze. The cornbread is nothing short of amazing.
(5)Christian F.
The food here is fantastic. I've never had a bad dish yet--I've gone multiple times, alone and with friends, and we've ordered all over the menu. Not one bad dish. It's popular, so there's usually a wait to be seated, but I won't knock a point off for that. You can still order a beer and hang out while you wait, and in the summer the outdoor seating is truly refreshing. Not only is everything delicious, but the portions are quite suitable. Most places try to make up for crappy food by giving you too much of it, and that's what Americans have come to expect (and it shows, in Minnesota's ever-expanding waistlines), but Brasa knows what a meal is supposed to look like. They have enough confidence in their food, perhaps, to let the quantity rest on the quality. I respect a restaurant that doesn't try to force too much waste on the customer.
(5)P D.
I had been meaning to stop in for quite some time and finally had the chance today. One of the few restaurants in Minneapolis that is gluten-free with the exception of some bread items. Family-friendly very busy -service could've been a little quicker but it was well worth the wait. Sampled little bit of everything - some chicken, some pork, some beef -as well as numerous sides. Yuca, plantains, red beans and rice were all top notch. The green sauce that they give for dipping was amazing (and available to take home for $5 a pint). If you are at all hungry ignore the small and medium and go straight for the large sides - they were the highlight of the meal! Next time I will pass on the meat, but my wife enjoyed the pork. Since she is stuck with a gluten-free diet, the real treat was that the bulk of the menu was okay for her to eat - save the sandwiches and corn breads. Great meat, fantastic sides - we will be quite happy to keep coming back.
(4)Justine L.
After going to three other restaurants with an hour long wait each, we (luckily!) ended up at Brasa. The casual and simple, yet cozy, atmosphere of the restaurant contributes to its comfort food concept. Among three people, we ordered the medium rotisserie chicken, small pulled pork, and small beef. For sides, they were, unfortunately, out of plantains (our fav!) so, we got the yucca fries and cole slaw. It was surprisingly the perfect amount of food! Everything was great, but here were our favorites and why: - Rotisserie chicken: crispy but not greasy skin, moist meat, amazing green onion infused sauce - Beef (I can't remember what they called this beef): the sauce was bbq meets meat loaf. Definitely hit the spot and brought you back to childhood. - Cole slaw: great sized veggies, lightly coated in sauce.
(4)Rachel C.
What can I say about Brasa aside from, "GO!!!" The food here is amazing. It's essentially a rotisserie and southern cooking place with family-style eating. They do have a few options to order individual plates, but the heart and taste buds of Brasa comes out in having a wide variety of options to taste and share. Order your meat by the weight (juicy and scrumptious plates full of chicken, pork, and beef), scatter in a healthy number of sides, and end your meal with a cornbread or two. The NE Minneapolis location is smaller than it's newer companion on Grand in St. Paul. The location is fun as the old garage doors are opened and outdoor seating is plentiful. It has a nice vibe to it, but I'm sure it's my favorite over St. Paul simply because this is where I discovered it. I don't think this place would ever be accused of being a healthy eating joint (creamed spinach and yams with andouille sausage are just two of the sides), but with sharing a variety of plates let's you try a variety of foods without having a heaping plate; trust me, you don't want to limit yourself here. My absolute favorite side is the crispy yuca with a green citrus and garlic dip that I would eat as a smoothie every morning if they let me. The dip is always the bowl that gets passed around the table constantly as we delight in our meal. Every time I bring newbies here, the moans of culinary delight far drown out the conversation at the table and I know I've made converts with each trip.
(5)Etienne C.
Four stars because five is reserved for transcendent experiences. Four, in my opinion, is an achievement in itself. Brasa deserves its reputation. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I tried almost everything and wouldn't turn down seconds of any of it. The pulled chicken might be too good, deal-with-the-devil good. The rotisserie is almost as good but bones are annoying. We got all the sides but the kale, and the only one I thought just mediocre was the andouille and yams. The beans were just so so, but the cornbread was fine. Had dessert, too. Mousse cake! Oh, dear. Each dish come in various sizes. We got everything for one person, small I think, and just ordered more if we wanted. We did. Four drinks, many sides, two mains and dessert later we escaped at under $55. The wait staff is attentive but brusque. They're mainly very young; an older staff might set a better example. My beer was served warm. That could happen to anyone, but it shouldn't happen at a restaurant.
(4)Samantha L.
Such a fan of this place, been here at least five times. Although they have regular entrees that can be ordered, I've never done it, sharing is the better deal in my opinion. The shreded chicken and salad are my go-to picks. The service can be a little hit or miss, but things get really busy on the weekends so I can't fault them too much. I really dig the family style. Its a throw-back to years past....."could you pass the salad please"?
(4)Gen W.
I grew up in the Caribbean and the flavor of the food definitely reminded me of home. Great place to grab a bite to eat. Unfortunately when I visited they were out of the dishes that I wanted. I ended up ordering their chicken, cornbread and yucca also called cassava in the Caribbean. Everything was tasy but I would like to try more things hopefully next time they will be more stocked and ready for business.
(3)Minh T.
Brasa has the kind of food that I really love: slow roasted meats, seasoned perfectly, with so much flavor in every bite. I looked at their sandwich list and was so tempted by the slow roasted pork. As it turned out, the list of side dishes sounded too delicious to turn down, so instead, I ordered the slow roasted pork and smoked beef meat plates along with the cabbage and apple coleslaw, roasted yams and andouille, grits with cheddar, and the cornbread. Don't worry, I split everything with a friend or else they'd have to wheel me out of there. Both meats were tender and delicious, but my friend and I agreed that we'd willingly give up our firstborn child for an unlimited supply of the pork, which had the perfect amount of fat to make it juicy and rich. Of the sides, the roasted yam and andouille were the trifecta of sweet, savory, and spicy. The cornbread also really impressed us. The grits were good, but didn't wow us, so next time, I think I'll give the creamed spinach with jalapeno a try. To end the meal, we ordered the butterscotch pudding and the pineapple upside down cake. Both were wonderful. The pineapple cake had a great rum anglaise sauce, which I could just drink -- it was so good. Brasa's has a fairly small internal space, but from what I could tell, they have a good amount of outside seating. I can't wait to go back again when the weather's warm.
(4)Mandarin Y.
This place was awesome. Good service and yummy food. Ordered the rotisserie chicken and it was so juicy, tender, and flavorful it was one of the best rotisserie chicken I ever had. They also offer a good variety of sides to choose from so I ordered their collard greens made with smoked chicken and their featured side of that night, black eyed peas served with yellow rice, and both sides were very tasty. It's a pretty small establishment so you might want to arrive earlier because this place fills up fast and their parking is tiny so you very well may end up finding street parking.
(4)Nate J.
I sought this eatery out because of it's reviews on Yelp. I located it easily and was very excited to eat here, and I was very hungry. I parked in their lot and walked in through the roll up garage door, giving a really fun and open atmosphere. The ordering area is clean and simple, I asked a server if I could sit outside, she responded nicely, and seemed really friendly, and said yes. I sat outside where they have a designated eating area, and it was a nice day, had shade and sunshine, a good place to enjoy life, and to eat I I grabbed a menu from another table, because the table I had schosen was without a menu upon it. I sat and began browsing the menu, and out of nowhere, a server appeared. She seemed pleasant, I asked what I should order, being my first time. What I decided upon was Pork and two sides collard greens and a delicious rice mixture , I 4 stars for delicious and comforting food, mixed in with some good soul food. Terrific service, very good and casual, definite recommend. $20 after tipping for a meal, tea, and cornbread. Minneapolis needs more restaurants like this, keep it local.
(4)Bryan E.
fun place. portions seemed small. Very busy place
(4)Brad O.
I get butterflies in my stomach whenever I think of Brasa. My first time eating at the restaurant rivals my first time ever being kissed. Aside from family and friends, Brasa is one of the few things that I truly miss about Minneapolis. *teardrop* I'm not a big-time carnivore or anything, but Brasa prepares their meat so that it is flavorful every time. How many meat-centric restaurants actually offer an all-vegetarian menu and a solid one at that? I could write a haiku about this place If I actually knew how to write a haiku. So instead I will just leave you with a few recommendations: The Black Bean Fritter is to cry for. The Smoked Beef and Pulled Chicken sandwiches are so good that you could literally save your failing marriage, beat depression, or cure personal hunger. It's as if all of the recipes came straight from GOD's cookbook, and Jesus is in the kitchen making it himself. If you don't believe in GOD, you probably will after eating at Brasa or at least magic...
(5)Glen S.
I was simply impressed with the food (and just about only the food) as I ate at Brasa. I hate judging a restaurant simply on crappy service, but I have to say, I felt like the service could have been a little better. It took a while to get any refills of anything and at times, seemed like the guys who worked there were "too cool" to be a server. Now, on to the food. The spices used to make the chicken I ate were amazing. How they mix and match them together until they get it just right is impressive. The meat falls right off the bone and the side dishes are just as wonderful. If it wasn't for the food, I think this place would have been 1 or 2 stars only, but the food really holds the place together. I would highly suggest to anyone who is craving that southern taste or just want a hunk of meat in their mouth.
(4)David P.
As others have noted pretty great place for carnivores. The have a few vegetarian selections so your friends who lean this way won't go completely hungry. The success of this restaurant really comes from their focus on keeping it simple and doing what they do well. All of it is quite good. But if pressed - I've had the pork, chicken and beef and I have to say I lean towards the beef when served alone. For the sandwiches I lean toward the pork but that is probably because I am a sucker for anything cilantro. The cornbread is pretty great and is probably a must order for those of you who enjoy cornbread. Finally, you have to appreciate that Brasa is one of the few restaurants in the city that serve Mexican Coca-Cola (with real sugar) AND the Original Dr. Pepper with real sugar (which I believe is the ONLY place in town that has it). The latter is a big deal, well, because it is made in one town in Texas and costs a mint to have shipped. Go ahead and look it up!
(4)Rebecca Y.
I went with a friend for lunch. Maybe I was expecting the best because I have to admit that I was disappointed. Now, I'm not saying this place is horrible by any means. But....I guess I was expecting the best. I ordered the pull pork which was somewhat dry with very little flavor. And no bbq sauce to make it taste better either. The waiter recommended the salad which was mediocre. The best part was the cornbread and honey butter. I probably will try it again as everyone has a bad day. It just won't be at the top of my list.
(2)Kimberly T.
I'm so glad I finally made it to Brasa! This place is amazing and the menu allows you to try a lot of plates, which I love - the more I get to eat, the better. We had a 1/4 lb of the rotisserie chicken, roasted pork & braised beef. The chicken was my favorite - the sauce that came with it was incredible. For sides, we got chips & guac, creamed spinach w/ jalapeño & cornbread. Everything was SO good. The cornbread was perfection! The guac was also really good, very smooth & creamy. The salsa that came on the side was also delicious! We got the devil's food cake for dessert, which was unnecessary, but really good nonetheless. We got ALL of this food & a couple beers each for $45. This place is awesome & I can't wait to come back!
(5)Amanda S.
Holy Sh*t This is good food. I don't ever eat pork, but tried theirs after being convinced of the integrity of the ingredients they use - namely the meat, which is all free-range/local. That pulled pork is just faaaantastic, it's worth going there just to get that. I was with a date and we shared quite a few sides. I usually am not a yam fan but I genuinely enjoyed the andouille & yam side. I also loved the creamed spinach and of course the cornbread is to die for, as many other yelpers have raved. Good atmosphere, very friendly and warm staff, busy, but not a long wait for 2. Go get your grub on kids, this is the spot.
(5)Scott N.
this place is fanTASTIC! we stopped in on the way to stillwater and had lunch. i had the egg and sausage sandwich, fried plantains, and greens. they got original dr. pepper and mexican cokes. real cornbread - i mean this place is a southern boy's dream in the mid-west. we stopped back in on the way to the airport and i had the special fried egg sandwich, with avocado and bacon (i like egg sammiches). everything we ordered was phenomenal and right on time. i will rave about brasa for a long time. love the fact that it's on hennepin ave. too (primus sucks!).
(5)Kristen D.
Still a favorite in Mlps. i am never disappointed when I dine here. If you have the chance to have the pineapple upside down cake with creme anglaise, DO IT. You will not be disappointed. It tastes like summer feels. I can't wait to be able to sit outside when the weather gets warmer.
(5)Chelsey L.
Nom nom nom. Thank you thank you Alex Roberts for taking me to brisket heaven. I was in Minneapolis for a week-long training and really had no clue where to go or what to eat. A friend said this was one of the 5 must-eat meals in America. I was extremely skeptically (leggit Southern food where it's below freezing for months on end?), but after reading some reviews, I trusted you fellow yelpers would not lead me astray. Our party of of 4 had quite a wait (about an hour) on a weeknight, but the meat and fixins were well worth it. We had the beef and pork (both were great, but the pork pulled ahead a little bit) with sides of cornbread, greens, and grits. I had no idea it was possible to get so much cheese in grits. Good good eats. Throughout the wait and once we were seated, service was just right. Friendly and helpful when needed. Bottom line, get yer belly here.
(5)Carrie W.
Summery: Great food, horrible service. I am in love with their food. My choice: raised beef, grits, rice & beans. Yum and yum. It tastes just right every time. No bad surprises here, just good food. My family has gone to Brasa twice or three times together cause we all enjoy the food. The problem is, every time we go we get horrible service. They don't communicate when the table will be ready, they don't offer drinks while we're waiting, and when we sit down they usually just look pissed we're there. Our waitress didn't even split our check at the end and we had 9 people. Isn't it just a given that 9 people will want their check split? When I've gone w/ one other person they were a little more attentive but lacked friendliness. Lesson learned: DO NOT go in a large group. Keep it small, 2-3 peeps. They can't handle much else.
(3)Terry B.
Straight up, some of the best tasting food I've ever had. If you know anything about fried plantains, Brasa's will leave you in awe! The pull pork was very flavorful and just melts in your mouth. And with reasonable prices and friendly staff, I will be back!
(5)S M.
Excellent - starting with the wonderful customer service to the food which was a perfect blend of flavors. I had the slow roasted pork, it was shredded, very flavorful, tender, and even though I ordered the small size, it was a good portion. The sides have to be ordered separately from the meat, I had the fried plantains and the homemade chips and guacamole. The guacamole was probably the best I have ever had. Chips were good, a little greasy looking, but they didn't taste greasy. The plantains were caramelized and could have been served as dessert. There was an interesting sauce with the plantains that was fresh and citrusy tasting (maybe some cilantro, don't know for sure what it was, but it was good.) A weird combination that really worked. My friend had the crispy yuca w/citrus and garlic. That was a superstar, probably my favorite of the sides. All tolled, with my meat and two sides, my friend's sandwich and side of yuca, a glass of wine, a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, and a complementary spicy masa dish, our bill was just over $35. Well worth it. The waitress was really nice, attentive, and was helpful with recommendations. This is now one of my go-to places when I visit Minneapolis!
(5)John A.
I love the dining experience at Brasa. Small plates to share make it easy to order everything on the menu to find your favorite flavor.
(5)Marsha L.
Melt in your mouth goodness! Worth the wait! Love the ambiance. Romantic and cozy, yet still hip enough to hang out and get a meal with friends or family. The servers here are all very friendly too. great place. The pictures don't
(5)Heidi B.
Food is great, service is not so great. Since there are too many other places close by, not my favorite.
(3)Mariel L.
I'm so happy I finally hauled ass to a Super Duper Supper Club outing, and ended up at another gem of a restaurant in Northeast; seriously, this section of the city is slowly becoming my gastronomic nirvana. At first, Brasa sounded like a churrascaria to me, just 'coz of the name and all. Turns out, it's more Peruvian-style rotisserie with classic (and twisted classic) Southern sides and desserts. Everything's meant to be shared, but I doubt you'd be willing to share some of the sides once you figure out how much they're worth fighting for. Yes, that means fighting your loved one to the death over the last piece of honey-glazed cornbread. Because the entire menu has different portions (from single-serve to family-size), it was tempting to try a couple of things -- and I easily succumbed: 1) Pulled pork and pulled chicken - both were very succulent and juicy. The chicken was bathed in a cream gravy, while the pork was seasoned with mojo. Both were crazy-fork tender (have you ever seen a crazy fork? That's gotta be one threatening utensil) and you have to eat it with one of the many sides. By the way, the sides options can get pretty overwhelming, so take as many return trips as needed to try all of them. 2) Creamed spinach with jalapeno - not so sure about the jalapeno (didn't come through), but the spinach was perfectly seasoned and tenderized. 3) Grits with Cheddar - I'm no expert on grits, but I imagine they would be, well, gritty (no sh*t?!), in which case this dish is perfect. The cheddar is sharp and mixes sooooo well with the piping hot grits, and it's an utter taste pleasure, especially when you mix it with the salty pulled pork. 4) Butterscotch pudding with cream - not as fantastic as the budino from 112, but definitely a close second. It's delicate but firm, and there's also a little bit of salt to cut back on the sweetness. Gotta love it. I ordered two cornbread pcs on the way out, and it was still warm when they gave it to me. Sadly, it was so warm and buttery that it tore through the cellophane; thankfully, I caught it. I think it was just fate telling me to eat the first cornbread instead of saving it for the next day. I'm so glad I did, because oh my Dios, it was so DELICIOUS. This cornbread is sooooo pornbread. Sorry grandma, I just couldn't think of a better way to describe these ecstatically awesome baked goods. And, no, the other piece didn't make it to the next day.
(5)Jon H.
I have been to Brasa twice now, and I will definitely coming back. The food is amazing and filling. The meats are delicious, the sides (especially cornbread) are delicious, and the price tag is, well, delicious? Great value, but that doesn't mean you compromise taste by going here over a fancy restaurant. If you can go here on a non-Friday or Saturday night, it will help because they don't take reservations and the restaurant is small.
(5)Virginie N.
Best pork sandwich you'll have in your life. The black bean burger is really good too- it has the perfect amount of spice and heat! I highly suggest ordering a side of yukka because they are amazing: it's like french fries but a million times better. go here!
(5)Dan B.
This is another restaurant that is slipping in my opinion. We used to love this place, the food was great, portions were awesome, and the service was fun. The last time we went in we realized that they had redone their menu. Kiss of death for me, I'm really tired of these places around the city that try to reinvent themselves every two weeks. The big problem was that their prices went up, their portion sizes went down, and there were no "package" meals: A meat and a couple sides for $XX. Now you pay per item, the sides are small, and you have to pay $2 for each corn muffin. Really? The plantains were off, the grits didn't have a good consistency, and the meat was just average. On top of that, all of the tables were sticky because someone had cleaned them with bleach which destroyed the finish, and the server went MIA for a long time. When we finally got a check, it took another 15 min to track down a server and tell them that it was not our check. All in all, I think this will be my last visit here for quite a while. Oh, and unlike every other 1 or 2 star rating on yelp in recent months, I didn't go here with a groupon.
(2)Rubun D.
I don't eat beef or pork, but this place is delicious. Both the Rotisserie and Pulled Chicken are light and delicious, though I am partial to the cream of the Pulled Chicken. The portions are not huuuge, given what you can end up with throughout BBQ joints in Texas, but the way it tears away easily makes every bite worth it. The cornbread is decent, with actual corn bits in it. The crispy yucca is quite nummy. The fried plantains should be a staple of every visit.
(5)Jason K.
My wife and I eeked over the Hennepin Avenue Grain Belt Bridge awaiting what a friend of ours said was the best restaurant in the Twin Cities. This guy usually knows his stuff, and this was another win by A.M. We peeked and pawed past many small establishments and ended up at what looked like an old Garage/Gas Station with the bay doors and everything. Very cool! We parked and entered the small establishment that screamed coolness. We sat by one of the bay doors and our waiter was super cool and they had the best beer in the cities, Surly Furious on tap for $4.50 a pint. What was real cool was watching the open kitchen and staff stirring goodies in huge stainless steel vats and the staff seemed to enjoy making quality food. My friend said I must order the Beef and Pork combo platter with the fried plantains. The beef had a sweet, yet smokey flavor to it, but the pork was a heaven sent chunk of pig. I have heard people say real good stuff melts in your mouth. This pulled pork actually does melt like meaty butter in your mouth. My wife took the black beans from the combo and ordered a separate corn bread, she said Famous Dave's was better for corn bread, but I had a bite and it was pretty good. The fried plantains were sometimes sweet and sometimes like potatoes. They had the best hot sauce ever, the stuff they make Buffalo Wings with on the table and I added some drops. Fantastic. So two Surly Furious later, the awesome pulled pork, the pretty good beef, the good plantains, and some good corn bread, I thought it was a solid restaurant. For $15 bucks I would have liked to have seen more pork and beef, but I was reminded everything is local and organic. I don't know about the best restaurant in the Cities, but it was a great atmosphere, solid southern/Caribbean food, amazing service and an overall great lunch. A.M. again is the king of recommendations.
(5)Lea S.
I love comfort food. So thank you either Jesus, Allah, Buddha, or whatever other force came down and created Brasa Rotisserie. Unlike most people in life I don't like to share, especially good food! Brasa helps me circumvent that whole situation by creating individual side dish portions. I think I am officially addicted to there Cheddar Cheese Grits. The fried Yuca was also a pleasant treat. It is paired with this tasty sauce that I wanted to bottle and take home. The decor and service are also fantastic. The staff is very attentive and friendly. The servers are very well versed on the menu and are helpful with suggestions (or in my case tie-breakers on which side dishes to order). I cannot wait until the outside seating is available again. I can already feel the breeze in my hair and smell the rotisserie on my cheeks.
(5)Tan N.
I came here with 3 other people, and with our combined hunger we devoured a pound of Brasa's meat and sampled about 75% of their sides/appetizers. Trust me, it wasn't just hunger that drove us to eat. We had 1/2 lb braised beef and 1/2 lb slow roasted pork. the pork is much juicier and flavorful, but that doesn't mean that the beef tasted like parched beef jerky. i would have been very content with 2 lbs of the braised beef, but if you are forced only to have one, choose the pork. The sides were all excellent, and your choice should really be driven by your own internal cravings and/or your sense of culinary adventure. the sangria- sweet and strong. well worth trying. service was excellent.
(4)Abby M.
We went here this past Sunday while in town and loved everything that we ate. It's best to order everything family style and try a little bit of each dish. We had the guacamole with homemade chips, rotisserie chicken, pork, beef, yuka with mojo, yellow rice with black eyed peas, veggie bean fritter, and pulled pork sandwich. We ordered smaller portions of the meat and the small sides and it was more than enough to fill us up and give us left overs. The guacamole and beef were the table favorites. It was busy when we got there and we had about a 10 minute wait, by the time we left it was even more busy and the line of people waiting was really long. Our waitress was friendly and gave great advice on portion sizes when ordering the meats and sides. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town and wouldn't mind ordering some catering from here for a party. I know it would be a hit!
(5)Nathan H.
Vegetarian menu available upon request, well presented comfort food at a very reasonable price, staff were open to and thankful for my recommendation to update a menu item, fried yucca, labeled vegan that came with a non-vegan aioli dipping sauce. Had the three dish sampler of yucca, guacamole and rice and beans. All-in-all a dinning success.
(4)Clayton K.
Really good stuff here. Their beef is what you need to get, and if you come with an empty stomach make sure you get the dinner for two because i felt that the single portion, while very good, was to small. Also the Chips their are super good seriously get them for an app. The Mexican coke is delish with all the food as well. Eat outside on sunset day inside was a little to warm for me personally, but this was during the summer time.
(4)Kristine F.
Absolutely delicious! Living nearby, I've kind of gotten into the groove of ordering take-out, rather than navigating their usual packed parking lot and indoor, olde garage-style seating space. My favorite picks from their menu are the yucca fries (big, hefty slices with a tangy green dipping sauce) and rotisserie chicken (perfect crispy skin and marinaded flavor right down to the bone).
(4)Thomas J.
I've been there three times and have enjoyed it as a place where you can have a good meal with friends, but I must admit that I generally leave a bit dissatisfied. Perhaps its my inability to put together the best combination or my feeling that pulled pork should be a bit spicier. In any case, I realize that it is not one of those places in MPLS where I feel I should bring guests to the city. It's just okay, but this city now has a lot of places that are much better than okay.
(3)John C.
The understated atmosphere cant hide the amazing flavors found within. By far the best carribean food you will find. Delicious pulled chicken dressed with a citrus marinade, fried yuca and amazing black beans and rice. This place is popular so it is tough to find a table on busy friday or saturday nights. Your best bet is to sneak by the lines and pick up your take out order to enjoy at home. From the first time i discovered it, it became a weekly stop.
(5)Lida K.
Delicious. Where all my meat dreams come true. The food here is ordered a la carte from the main protein to the side dishes and all in all it's worth for the price. Main Entree - best braised beef I've ever had. But the pulled pork and chicken are also definitely above average, fresh, and mouth watering. The seasoning is perfect -- not too much and not too little. It enhances the food not overpower it. Side Dishes - I adore the cheese grits and the corn bread. But overall everything seems wonderful. Get a veggie and a starch and you're meal will be perfection. Service - The waitress was nice enough and the people at the counter were really fast and friendly. This place is great to eat with friends or family. But the lack of AC and the humid as fuck weather made it a bit uncomfortable. Get in and get out. But next time I'm going to get it to go instead.
(4)Char L.
Best part of the meal was the cornbread. I repeat, get the cornbread. It's all crumbly and got a hint of sweetness. Delicous!!! Pulled pork was juicy and falling apart. Very good. Red Velvet cake was more of a brown color. It wasn't overly sweet and the cream cheese frosting was more liquidy than thick. I prefer my red velvet cakes to be more sweet with thick frosting, so I probably won't get this again. Homemade lemonade tasted very watery.
(4)Katie L.
This place is baller. It's the kind of joint where you order lots of plates and just share everything. The atmosphere is casual, and the restaurant is nice and open in the summer. It is small, however! Luckily we got there at 8:30 on a Sunday night, so we got a table inside right away. The waiter was a great guy with a cool mustache. He had no problem taking a few minutes to explain the menu to us and tell us about a few of his favorites. For our meats we got the pulled pork, barbeque beef, and braised beef. The pulled pork was my favorite-- tender and served with a few lime wedges. The barbeque beef was a big slab of meat served with coleslaw and hot sauce for you to eat with it. The braised beef was shredded up and topped with a great sauce. They were all excellent-- depending on what you like. For our sides we got the creamed spinach with jalapenos, rice and black beans. Loved the rice and black beans. I can't wait to try the cornbread. Next time I'll try one of their sandwiches.
(5)Abby L.
I have nothing bad to say about Brasa's food, ill eat all of it. Ive been to parties with their food and also on location. Ill continue to come back because of the food. As I've noticed other people have been saying, yes their service isnt the best. Sometimes its downright horrible. NEVER go with a big group. I went there for mother's day, and it took about 45 mins to get seated and 30 mins to get out. With the long lines outside in the rain, we really did want them to eat too, but Brasa wouldnt let us pay! Besides all that, I'm still going back to eat their food. Good service or not.
(4)Melissa C.
True Story: I once ordered cornbread as a side, got done with my meal, and ordered the cornbread again as dessert. That is some delicious cornbread. I bet that they'd oblige you if you wanted a whole meal of cornbread. Delicious, moist (oooh...point of controversy with cornbread aficionados!) and smothered in blissful honey butter. It'd be worth it. As for the rest of the food, I've only ever had the quarter chicken as a main dish. It's simple, moist and you just have to eat it with your fingers. The food here isn't fancy. It's simple and good. Consistent and homey. And sometimes that's just what you need. Could use: a broader selection of drink options (I'm talking getting a Diet Coke up in there, not necessarily alcoholic... although the chicken would taste mighty good with a Big Ginger. . . ) and bigger napkins. :)
(4)John B.
This is the ultimate comfort food. Excellent. We shared the slow roasted pork, spinach beans and rice. It was awesome. Great value. Great service. Great neighborhood joint.
(4)Dainty P.
I thought this was a good (but not spectacular) place! My husband thought it was awesome (he's never had southern food before)! I did enjoy the slow roast pork sandwich and the yucca. But the corn bread was kinda sad, it was slightly better than the jiffy cornbread mix that I could buy at the store (I guess, I had high expectations). Tiny and crowded place. So it is a Friday night, you're gonna have to wait outside (possibly in the cold...).
(3)Dennis L.
Hoo boy, I can't believe I've gone this long without eating here. I've heard so much about this place over the years from so many people and the praise is well deserved. The food is just amazing! I just did take out so I didn't really get to "experience" the restaurant, but I'd definitely go back. The menu is short and sweet; basically you get your choice of meats (purchasable by weight) or the sandwiches, sides, and deserts. For this go around, I had only tried the sandwiches, the pulled pork, the braised beef, the egg and chorizo, and the roasted chicken. All of them were phenomenal. My favorites were probably the pork and chicken, though the chorizo is really close up there too. Beef was tasty too, but wasn't as spectacular as the others. The meat is tender and the flavor just explodes in your mouth with every bite. And it's not just the meat; it's also the pickled veggies, the cilantro, the garlic mayo, and whatever else that's in there that's fantastic. The sandwiches also come with their homemade tortilla chips, very crispy and tasty, a good compliment to their scrumptious sandwiches. All this praise and I haven't even tried the sides or desserts yet! Without a doubt, I'm thinking this is a place I will frequent quite often from now on.
(5)Lauren B.
Now, I'm from the Midwest. I don't pretend to be an expert on Southern or Caribbean cuisine, and barbecue wouldn't even crack my list of top ten favorite types of food. That being said, Brasa is one of my favorite restaurants in the twin cities, and I can't say enough good things about the food. The cornbread is the best I've ever had. So are the cheese grits. The pulled chicken and pulled pork are fantastic. Really, there's not a thing on the menu I wouldn't recommend. I would, however, recommend calling ahead and placing a take out order during the winter. Without the outdoor seating, the space is quite small and gets crowded quickly. While this would not be a problem in most places, there's no good place to wait - no bar or entryway set aside for hungry, waiting customers. Just try not to feel too smug as you whisk away your bag of food while the crowd gives you envious glares...
(5)Jenny Y.
Yum! Just had this about 2 hours ago so it's still fresh in my mind.. I had the slow roasted pork and a side of corn bread and beans.. everything was delicious Roasted pork was tender and delicious.. no grease at all.. the creamy cilantro sauce just made it amazing Corn bread was really good..light, soft and delicious Beans were good too.. they are more a soupy type.. kinda a feel good soup I wish i knew that the portions are small though.. could have ordered more to try! for 1 person.. a small meat dish, and a small side dish is a good size.. not overly stuffed but i would say just right.. only thing is that it's good that i wanna try more!
(4)Paul H.
Ok for starters...way to turn a midas into a kick ass restaurant. I admit I came in for lunch at 330 pm so it was a bit slow but before j even self seated myself the server was asking what beer I wanted. Just getting done with fixing a customer machine, I was tired hungry and in desperate need of a brew. Food is top notch I had the chicken lunch special. All I have to say is wow. Food good service good...four stars until they surprise me for the fifth next time I'm around.
(4)Tishawna T.
MEAT, MEAT, & MORE MEAT!!! nom nom nom. This place knows what's up! The group I was with decided to just get the big plates of 4 different meats. You can't miss though... It's all awesome! One person in our group ordered the blackbean burger & said it was good (if you're not into meat). For my side I chose the cheesy grits (honestly had better) but still ok. No worries though, I just focused on my MEAT! There's limited seating, so be prepared for a possible wait if it's a busy time.
(4)S V.
There is something so satisfying about the simple (but delicious!) food you get at Brasa. There aren't a wide array of menu options, but every single thing just hits the spot, and the prices are so reasonable (we ordered rice and beans, 1/2 lb of braised beef, 2 pieces of cornbread, yucca fries, and drinks for less than $30 - amazing! And we had leftovers!). I'm particularly a fan of the braised beef, yucca, and cornbread (man, that cornbread). As a southerner myself, and a fan of Caribbean fare, I appreciate and love the authenticity of this food. Just as good when you get take-out, too.
(5)Don H.
After you find parking in the awkward lot or on the crowded street, you'll walk in the front door which is small compared to the space. When you first walk in here, you are assaulted with the sweet sweet smell of meats and BBQ. That's a good start. The decor is really cool, too, with big, chunky wood tables and open ceilings. This is definitely what I would expect. The four of us brought our own bottle of wine and patiently waited for service. Everything initially was quick, then it sorta slowed down. We got our order in, then waited. Then the food came. Between the prices and atmosphere, I expected heaps of food. But there just didn't seem enough to go around. In all, the bill was $90 even for BYO, which seems like a lot considering the food. Everything did taste great.
(3)Tony K.
My favorite bbq place outside of the South. With the exception of the pulled chicken, which is rather average for my taste, the meats all deliver what you'd expect. The sides are a little more hit or miss. The plantains, andouille with yams, and yuca are the standouts, the bean dishes and grits fall short, especially after experiencing the real thing. The patio is the perfect place to eat during the summer, but the inside gets crowded fast, so consider carryout if you're in any kind of hurry. With a few tweaks to the appetizers and a slightly improved beer list, this place picks up a 5th star.
(4)KatieRae A.
This places has hundreds of great reviews for a reason...I liked everything I ate. Loved the cornbread with honey butter, and the creamed chicken. Yuca sticks are really good too. I don't know if it's always like that but the iced tea was amazing. :)
(4)Steinar S.
Delivering great in their league! Good job!
(5)Josiah O.
Better late than never I guess. I had my first Brasa lunch yesterday after church and I wasn't quite blown away, but my menu napkin and even water cup were. It was a very windy day on their patio. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and a side of cornbread with honey glaze. The pickled veggies that come on sandwich could use a little more tang. But, the sauce it came with was perfect, the chips simple but they were a good contradiction in texture to the soft, fall-apart, juicy and flavorful piggy meat that I was savoring. Our server was M.I.A. for a good part of the visit but we did finally get out of there and now I can't wait to go back. Beef next time! Order the iced tea or the lemonade with your pork sandiwich. A nearly unbeatable pairing. This is my first 5 star rating I think, and the only thing I'd take off stars for was our waitress. She was nice enough, just took to long getting back to us. She was standing at her screen ringing us all up when her printers roll of tape ran out. A mistake, it happens, but it still took too long. 5 stars for the food which I want to go get some of right now. I say 'not sure' when it comes to beer and wine or full bar. Pretty certain they do not have a full bar and I didn't even go for the 3.50 Grain Belt. The iced tea was the right choice anyway. So to all of you lushes out there, I suggest you try the tea before you spend over a dollar more for just one drink. The tea gets refills homey.
(5)Hale L.
There's nothing like a good piece of tender, juicy slow cooked meat! This restaurants prepares them just right and serves them with multitude of delicious sides. We ate the pulled pork shoulders with cheese grits, black beans, cornbread and potato salad. The meat almost melts in your mouth. If I was stuck in an island with only one dish, it would be the cornbread with honey butter. I washed my meal down with a Mexican Coke. My wife ordered the sweet tea, and that was good. Service is excellent at this location. It was formerly a Valvoline Oil Change. They even kept the glass garage doors! If you like simple, unpretentious food, prepared well, then you'll love this restaurant. Make reservations, seating is limited in this location or prepare to wait about 15-20 minutes.
(4)Cheryl T.
Went again, stuffed my face, wish I could fit more into it, was completely worthless for the rest of the night fighting the -itis from an amazing meal. I don't think I could ever go eat here TOO often!
(5)Michael M.
Went while not even that busy, all the food was cold. Tasted good though, corn muffins are nothing special at all, even if they were hot. Lots of flys with the open walls. Will return in the winter for another try.
(2)Shen L.
These simple dishes (which can be ordered a la carte) are surprisingly delicious, and just the right portion size. I ordered the Braised Beef and Crispy Yuca w/ Mojo, which were pretty good. The service on that one particular day wasn't so good, so they actually forgot the Mojo, but the Yuca was good nonetheless. I would also recommend the Slow Roasted Pork and Sweet Plantains. I found the 1/4 lb serving of meat, along with an individual serving of side dish, to be sufficient for me, but the larger dishes would surely be appropriate for hungrier audiences or family-style sharing. I only wish it were open past 9pm!
(3)Anna P.
I love this place... The Pork is amazing. The service is really good, employees are very friendly and authentic plates are available!! A++...I will become a regular for sure!
(5)Liz M.
i lived around the corner so i went here a number of times right when it opened...the owners are very nice and have a young baby as i do so we chatted about baby stuff... very nice and welcoming... the food is good, decent food...i like the plaintains and the sampler plate is nice for variety..i like trying a bit of everything so that is cool.... it's small and busy often so go at odd times and you will be promptly served and well taken care of... i miss betty's bike and buns that used to be there but i am glad brasa is in the hood...definitely a welcome addition!!
(4)Nicole D.
Close your eyes and imagine the aroma of your favorite comfort food wafting around you. Okay, open them. If you're lucky, you will be in Brasa, a gem in Nordeast Minneapolis. Brasa announces itself to the world with bright yellow and black signage and you may be excused from confusing it with an upscale garage inside; that's the look it's grooving. You come for the food. The food: warm, roasted, savory food. You'll eat locally and regionally sourced beef, pork, and chicken cooked on a rotisserie or BBQ style. The sides are deceptively simple: greens, grits, corn bread, cabbage salad, etc. Just order up a plate of meat plus two sides and you'll find yourself projecting Oliver Twist: "please, sir. may i have some more?" It's just that good. It's hard to do simple food this well but Brasa pulls it off. It's reasonably priced, casual, comfortable, and can easily become an addiction. Take out or eat in. I like to go to Brasa for business lunches or dinner with friends.
(5)Tabinda H.
Super close to college and downtown neighborhoods; extremely cost-efficient and TASTY like manna! I'm a die-hard fan of "Nando's Peri-Peri Portoguese-style" but sadly there isn't any in the twin cities vicinity. This comes as close to it as possible and my roommates absolutely LOVE this place !
(5)Mr T.
I really liked Brasa. My food was excellent - the chicken, yuca and a salad. The only negative was the service was a little slow at times, but not terribly slow.
(4)Benjamin C.
a great place if you can get a table. pulled chicken sandwich + side of yucca is my favorite go-to lunch dish.
(5)Chris H.
Like Josh V, I love meat. It's so delicious and swallowing it makes me happy and satisfied. Ok, that's a little sick but I really enjoy Brasa. I'm usually a red meat-type guy but I'd rate both the pork and chicken above the beef here. Sure the beef is still fantastic but I really enjoy the pork and chicken, with their sauces. I also really, really like the cornbread and fried yuca. The place is super busy and can be quite obnoxious but I'll often order takeout. If you do this also, make sure to open the bag and/or ask if they included the sauces. The sauces are fantastic but I've found can be easily forgotten. Add in a bottle of Mexican Coke and it's a meal really worth the cost. (Last night, I ordered the pork and chicken sandwiches, medium yuca and cheddar grits, and one of each of the cornbreads = $36.) Cons, other than being loud/busy, I cannot think of much. I do wish they'd do some sort of unique buffalo sauce wings...
(5)Heidi K.
Love this place. Huge portions, good prices. Simple menu with decent variety. Pulled pork, potato salad, and rice and beans are awesome. Nice patio.
(5)Jessica G.
I was tempted to rate this restaurant a 1 star, so it would be less busy. My husband and I love this restaurant. The food is reasonably priced and solidly, mouth-wateringly delicious. We've been there a few times, and the highlights have been the 12-hour roasted pork, the braised beef, the pork sandwich (which I literally did not put down on my plate between bites, it was so good), the cornbread (so simple, but so buttery-honey delicious), and the crispy yucca (is anything deep-friend bad?). Be prepared for a wait, especially for more than two people, but we've always had good service.
(5)Dean D.
excellent!
(5)Michele G.
I was born and raised on BBQ. My boyfriend and I love the stuff. As first time travelers to MN we were curious what BBQ would be like. Yelppers, I can't agree with you guys on this place. We thought it was a mismatched, salty mess. The chicken was fine, not extraordinary but the pork tasted like it had been in a made in crock pot. We sampled a few sides and weren't overly impressed there either. Even the cornbread was just OK. I like the interior and the staff seemed cool but I think this currently trendy new hot spot is a disappointment. I give the concept credit and thought the sangria was nice. We both tried the meat with two sides hoping for something amazing...it was NOT there for us. The creamed spinach was the best side of everything we tried and definitely the most creative. Overall, we thought it was very weak BBQ. BTW, we are from Atlanta and I never once got the feel of the south from this restaurant perhaps Minneapolis yelpers meant south like Puerto Rico?
(2)Cristin M.
Yum, yum, yum! A friend of mine has been wanting to try Brasa for quite some time, so on my last visit to Minneapolis, I agreed to join her. I am SO glad that we went! This might be one of my new favorite places to eat in the Twin Cities. I ordered the roasted pork platter with red beans, corn muffin, and fried sweet plantains. I finished every last bit on my plate, it was all divine! The pork was perfectly seasoned, smokey, and still juicy. The green sauce (cilantro whatever) makes what is already tasty, uber tasty. The red beans had a nice smokey flavor with a hint of bacon, the corn muffin was big and perfect, and the plantains were just what they should be - sweet and a little crispy on the edges. I also ordered the sweet tea, which is a hard thing to find in Northern states. Theirs is pretty good, but could be a little sweeter. I won't complain though, I still went through three or four glasses with ease and pleasure. My friend ordered the combo plate with chicken, pork, cheese grits, and yams. The cheese grits were fantastic and the sausage on the yams really added to them. The serving was so large, that she brought about half of it home for dinner the next day. Oh, I can't wait to go back to Minneapolis so I can go back for more at Brasa!
(5)