Scott Ja-Mamas

My husband and I stopped in today for a «snack» and split a pork sandwich and slaw. The food was delicious and the space is fantastic. It’s definitely a unique gem in the neighborhood. And to top it off, the owner was sweet as could be. We’ll be back!

According to some reviews, Scott Ja-Mama’s doesn’t have a pit and thus cannot claim to serve true BBQ. OK. Whatever you want to call the Baby Back Ribs served here I think they’re tasty, satisfying and pair really well with Scott’s chunky, dense, smoky/​sweet medium sauce. I like to order the ribs naked with the sauce on the side. To improve, add a pat of butter, a dash of sea salt and a turn or two of cracked pepper to the twice-​baked potato and then fluff up with a fork. The slaw is a forgettable side. The dinner roll is mostly filler. The stars are the ribs and the sauce for sure.
As pointed out this is a hole-​in-​the-​wall best for takeout. It’s easy to miss as you’re driving by. Cash or check only, no credit cards. On the occasions that I’ve stopped by everyone has been friendly and accommodating. This place definitely merits consideration if you’re thinking of adding another option to your BBQ rotation.

Let me begin by saying I normally like this place a lot and have always been treated very well by the owner and the gentlemen that work there. The food is mediocre to good but at less than $ 6.00 for a pulled pork sandwich with very good bbq sauce, I find that fair.
Today was VERY different. The middle aged lady that works there needs to learn some manners. Over the phone I ordered 3 pork sandwiches with 2 potatoes each to take home. I was told «uh…no…you can have 1,» in a snooty voice. She treated me like an idiot when I got there and explained in an exasperated tone that it doesn’t COME with the potato, I have to buy them separately from the sandwich. Yes, I am aware of this because I can read the sign and I am a regular customer. I said «I know, but I want to buy 2.» Again, I was told «no,» they «don’t have enough to spare.»
You mean there are potatoes out back and I, a paying customer, am not allowed to purchase one? The menu indicates that I may purchase an extra potato for $ 1.25. That is a great business practice for a small mom and pop shop, alienate customers when half the people like the place mainly because Scott is so nice and not because the food is amazing. I am very unhappy and probably won’t be back again. I’ll spend my money at Ted Cook’s where the food is amazing AND I am allowed to purchase all of the items from the menu.

Best BBQ and generous, friendly operator. Pork Ribs are my favorite, chicken is also great and my wife’s fave. Be ready to be underwhelmed by the atmosphere. It’s a take-​out and catering place. Down to earth people more concerned about the food and your pocketbook, not about being trendy or cool.

@FancyDinnerClub will never take Famous Dave’s for granted again, but at least the sauce was good
I had a serious hankering for ribs for some time. Things reached a head when I came home to see two clear plastic containers filled with baby-​back ribs that Brad had as leftovers. So when Matt texted me and suggested getting some BBQ, I started pre-​loosening the belt buckle to prepare. Instead of visiting our perpetually barbecue sauce covered friends at Ted Cook’s, we decided to branch out and try somewhere new. Matt consulted Eater’s guide to Twin Cities BBQ and we went to the first place on the list: Scott Ja-Mama’s BBQ.
At first glance, Scott Ja-Mama’s had everything a good barbecue place should have. Small menu with meat and carbs only: check. Neon signs galore: check. Three sweaty men crammed into a small kitchen: check and wink. It seemed like we made the right choice.
We ordered almost the entire menu (i.e. we ordered «chicken» and «ribs»). Chicken was ready right then, but ribs would be about 40 minutes, so we headed down the road to a bar to grab a beer while we waited. And they had Big Buck Hunter! I kept shooting the girl deer on accident and Matt basically destroyed me. I did win the bonus round where you are in an underwater shipwreck trying to shoot as many electric eels as possible, but I’m not really sure how I’m supposed to feel about that for a lot of reasons. I cut my losses and we headed back to pick up our feast.
When we got to the restaurant, Scott himself was there to greet us. Not often do you get to meet the inspiration for a neon sign face. And to top it all off, he let us help ourselves to what I previously thought was a prop refrigerator. Matt and I both snagged A&W Cream Soda, for the lulz. We loaded up our drinks, and two hefty styrofoam containers and readied the nom tanks for happiness.
After taking my first bite of rib, I was very conflicted. On one hand, I was very glad to be sating a long-​standing craving. On the other hand, the ribs were pretty bad. I’m no expert, but I am positive I shouldn’t have had to try that hard to tear the meat off the bones. I could actually hear David Attenborough in my head saying something along the lines of «the apex predator evolved over time to develop powerful incisors used to rend the flesh from its prey.» Having that inner monologue did make everything a little better, but no one has ever debated the benefits of nature documentaries or British people’s voices. I guess when you’re making a wish to your fairy god-​jamama for ribs, beggars can’t be choosers.
The chicken was a little meh, too. When they told us chicken was ready when we ordered, they must have just boxed up the chicken right then and turned attention to cooking the ribs, because it was room temperature when we got to it. I still thought it was tasty, but nothing spectacular. It is chicken after all, so there’s not a ton of room for error usually in terms of making it memorable.
There were some positives. The BBQ sauce at Scottie J’s is really really good. The pulled pork sandwich they have on the menu would probably be incredible with some of that sauce. Then there was the unexpected star of the show, the twice baked potato. I honestly don’t know what exactly it was. It might have just been the fact that both Matt and I picked up the potato and ate it with our hands, making for a strangely satisfying eating experience, but we both enjoyed it a lot regardless. The dinner roll was… well it was a dinner roll, and you can’t really screw that up.
I really wanted to like Scott Ja-Mama’s. And you know what, maybe I did. The people were nice, the price was right, and in general, sometimes you want something so badly that it doesn’t matter how much of a letdown it ends up being. This apex predator gives Scott Ja-Mama’s 2.125 out of 4 om noms.

BEST BBQ in Minneapolis. My family has been coming to this hidden gem, Scott Ja-​Mamas, for close to 20 years. I recently visited over the weekend and it had been quite a few years since I’ve last been. Scott Ja-​Mamas is a total dive. Everything is exactly as I remember it as a child. Every little trinket and poster hasn’t been moved in years. I’ve always had the pulled pork sandwich but I really wanted to try the chicken sandwich. I was extremely pleased with the quality and taste of my chicken sandwich. It was AWESOME. It even had cheese and a little bacon on it. The pulled pork sandwich is also amazing. Both sandwiches (along with steak) come with coleslaw and Lays potato chips!
Don’t let the building scare you! The employees are super friendly and the food is out of this world for a really great deal. I dare you to check it out!
Here’s a few tips:
*It’s cash or check only
*They only have one table in the whole place, plan on take out or sharing the table
*Street parking only — but it’s not that busy of a street

I do go here. I like the twice-​baked potato, preferring that to fries or jojo’s. I don’t care for beans that are portioned out in a small styrofoam cup and then heated in a microwave, which starts to melt the cup. Compared to most other places, the ribs are small and have less meat on them. The chicken is good, as is the sauce. The portion size of the beans and coleslaw are a bit too small. It’s good that they have a couple of tables and the daily paper, which I appreciate.
The food is okay but understand one thing. It is NOT BBQ. BBQ is smoked ‘low & slow’ as the saying goes. I get the sense that many of the reviewers here have a real narrow comfort zone and don’t go to other joints other than perhaps some of the chains. As at least one other reviewer has pointed out, Ted Cook’s is one of the best (or the best) for BBQ in the Twin Cities. I’ve had ribs around the country, east, west and south, and Ted’s is one of the top five that I’ve been to.

Delicious! Looks a little sketchy on the outside, but don’t be scared. The food is awesome and pretty inexpensive. We usually order delivery and everything we’ve tried has been great. The grilled chicken sandwich with spicy sauce is amazing. The beans and twice baked potatoes are also delicious.

Best bbq in the Twin Cities. Pork sandwich, coleslaw, twice baked potatoes. Don’t expect to pick this one up either.

Great food, and great people! Very friendly.
Check their hours as they are not open every day. You also can’t realistically dine in, so takeout and delivery are your best bets.

They have the best BBQ in the twin cities by far! Their beans, potatoes, and cole slaw are simply amazing! I’ve been eating here for most of my life.
The people are so friendly and nice, and you always get to meet new people when you share the two tables :)

Great food, great service, great price. Pork sandwich was generously filled, beans were thick and tasty, twice baked potato was tender and flavorful.

I think people like this place because it has that serious «hole-​in-​the-​wall» vibe and the staff are friendly. Frankly, though, the BBQ is average at best. Maybe I need to go when they have just done a fresh batch, but the ribs I’ve had were not great cuts and only prepared so/​so, and the pulled pork is drenched in sauce… what in the meat do they need to hide?
for BBQ in mpls, I think Ted Cooks is alot better. If you are willing to drive 30 mins, Tonka BBQ in Spring park is excellent too.

Maybe its because I’m not the biggest fan of bbq but this place really didn’t excite my taste buds or maybe I just had too high of hopes for it to be great in my views. Went here on a tip from a customer of mine and when he said it was a hole in the wall he wasn’t lying.
Theres tons of knick knacks all over the place and old newspaper reviews of the restaurant it really is meant just for takeout. They do CASH ONLY. And if you want the beans you need to call ahead because if not don’t expect to get any they sell out quick.
The owners are super friendly and the portions are nice. The seasoning was alright the spicy is enough to give you a sting but not too bad where you can’t eat anymore after a single bite. Only thing that would have brought my 3 to a 4 is if I hadn’t gotten so many burnt pieces in my meal which consisted of ribs and chicken plus bread and a side of twice baked potato (which was BOMB in a goodway).
I’ll stop back in the neighborhood to pick up another order hopefully this time around my beans will be available and the pieces aren’t so burnt.

I walked in and it was like they knew I was coming and I was their best friend. Maybe one of the friendliest places I’ve been to in a while (and not overly friendly).
Now on to the food: It is the right amount of BBQ for the right amount of mouth. Not too spicy (and I love spice) and not too sweet, but it great mix of sauce on the chicken that I proceeded to devour.
Thought Scott Ja-​Mamas is a hidden place in south mpls, it’s worth it. Plus, everyone on here says, «I love visiting local businesses and supporting local» well, here ya go, this should be #1 on your next local food (and #2).

By far one of the nicest owner operator joints. And the food is great to boot!
Ordered the ribs as well a rib and chicken combo, and enjoyed our meal immensely. I like the combo because it seems to be the best of both.
The order arrived quickly, and again can’t rave enough how friendly the service was. Definitely be back!

I’m a bit of a BBQ snob. I’ve traveled all over the world and had some pretty amazing Q (Carsons, Rendezvous, etc.), so I’m tough to impress. After reading several good Unilocal reviews of this tiny place I decided to give it a try while in town for a trade show. My girlfriend and I had a pulled pork sandwich with medium spicy sauce and the ribs. The taste is unique and not quite Texas nor Carolina style. The very nice owner called it South Minneapolis style – fair enough. The lunch-​sized sandwich was only $ 5 and a delicious bargain. The ribs were «proper» meaning they DON’T fall off the bone. They use excellent quality baby backs and were cooked just right. The (only) 2 tables mean there is little seating available but it keeps costs down which is great. Only the mediocre sides keep this from being a 5 star, but we will certainly come back next time we’re in town.

I have to say that the sauce here should be sold by the gallon.
I would put it in my shower and wash my hair with it.
We got a rack of ribs, and 6 or so pork sammies.
The ribs were a little dry, but I was so distracted by the twice baked potato, the sauce and the bourbon that I almost forgot.
And they deliver sometimes, if you ask nice and you live in the neighborhood. And if they have the staff and food.
Honestly, I think if the city hydrants were to spit out the sauce at Scott Ja Mama’s, as a kid I would jack open the little red squat fire hydrant and run and scream naked through it on the hottest of summer days, then I would grow up to be a fireman, and use it to douse flaming buildings, and lure kittens from trees.

People over use the term «hole in the wall.» They will call any old place byt this title. But really, Scott-Ja-Mama’s in the first place I have ever been that should actually be called a «hole in the wall.» Why? Because you can barely breathe in there, much less eat.
I suggest eating your food on the sidewalk outside. Bring a blanket. You don’t want to be driving home with this barbecue wafting through your car. Make sure you look for the Holiday gas station and Auntie Em’s, or you will never find Scott Ja Mama’s.
You always know you are in a great place when the menu is very limited and appears to never have changed. We got ribs, and they threw in a ¼ Chicken, which I thought was pretty awesome.
Mmmm.

After rising from the ashes of my (seemingly) weeks long battle with the flu, I was hungry. And I wanted BBQ.
Sure, I hadn’t eaten a real meal in at least a week (do wings from Papa John’s even count?) but I was reeeeady for some action. I thought we’d have to drive to Rudolph’s (which is about as far as I was willing to let the man drive/​wait — do you think I was going out looking like I did? Hells naw) so imagine how AWESOME it was to find Scott Ja-Mama’s.
Ok, so we live like, 5 minutes from the place and I’ve sat in enough traffic right in front of it to know it’s there, it’s just so tiny that I never remember it. He told us when the food would be ready and he wasn’t a minute late. The place is the size of a closet, the guy was super nice, the prices are incredibly cheap and the ribs? Holy lord, I ate until my «eatin’ pants» (aka sweat pants) were uncomfortable. The chicken was a little dry but the sides made up for it. Who am I kidding? I ate the chicken, too.
I can’t even remember the time when I was a vegan/​vegetarian. Is that bad?
(Oh, and they are only open 3 or 4 days out of the week, so call first.)