Animales Barbeque Co. Minneapolis

My breakfast sandwich obsession continues, this time at the new-ish @animalesbarbequeco. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a big-deal example of a food truck matriculating to a brick-and-mortar operation, so having this impressive setup materialize in our city is throwing off major “worth-the-wait” vibes. Ditto the spectacular breakfast sandwich. First things first: If there’s a better ham to be found in the Twin Cities, I haven’t encountered it, but it makes total sense that pork would be the front-and-center attribute of a barbecue joint’s breakfast sandwich, right? I’m so glad to see that chef/owner @jonwipfli has stamped the “Dr. Jon’s” name onto this ham, because his doctorate-level skills in the curing and smoking departments deserve top billing. And talk about a pile-on! The portion size is enough to outfit a smallish Easter dinner, in a good way, and it’s sliced so entrancingly thin that Hobart must be placing a “sheer” setting on its meat slicers. I’m also completely hooked on the soufflé-style egg, a baked marvel that is so delicately ethereal that I seriously wondered if molecular gastronomist José Andrés was working the brunch service. All other components are first-rate. The bun is a sterling example of the milk bun genre, rich and delicate and gently toasted. There’s just enough gooey Swiss cheese to make its presence known, and the sole condiment is a barely sweet and nicely punchy maple-mustard sauce. All of this goodness (if this isn’t Breakfast Sandwich Hall of Fame material, what is?) goes for $15.60, which is $13 with a tacked-on 20 percent service fee. Worth every penny, and then some. Weekends only. (And gratitude to @raphael_brion for the recommendation). #breakfastsandwich #breakfastsandwiches #barbecue #barbeque #bbq #ham #animales #mpls #minneapolis #brunch. Less