QFanatic BBQ and Grill - Champlin, MN

The first thing that hits you is the unmistakable BBQ smell from the ovens. I went to Qfanatic on a cool fall evening. The strong BBQ smell was especially pungent in the crisp Minnesota air.

It was a serve yourself type of place where you place your order at the counter and pay then take your cup and plastic card with a number on it back to your table.  The service was very friendly none the less. The waitress greeted me with a big hello and asked if it was my first time here.  I got the feeling as though she probably knew most of the regular customers.  The dude that delivered the food was also very friendly.

They had old Mississippi blues tunes and newer Stevy Ray Vaughn music playing over the speakers.  It fit a BBQ place but, not in Minnesota.  It just seemed out of place.

I ordered a side salad to start off my meal but, there was enough food there for it to be a meal itself.  The salad had a very nice vinaigrette with gorgonzola and walnuts.  Everything was fresh and well prepared.  I liked it.

I also ordered the BBQ honey ham sandwich.  You get to choose which BBQ sauce you get.  Most BBQ joints will have all of them out for you to try or mix and match as you like.  So, that was a little bit of a downer.  The chef does make recommendations right on the menu.  So, I went with one of them.   It was the mustard BBQ sauce.  I was glad that I chose it because it was really good.  It had a bit of a hot kick to it while also being a bit sweet and fruity.

The ham had a very unique smokey smell and taste to it.  It immediately caught my attention when I put the sandwich up to my mouth.  My nose intercepted the delivery and I diverted to smelling the sandwich for a minute to let the aroma soak-in.  The only thing that I can think of is that the smell and taste must come from smoking the meat with local wood.   The shreded versus sliced ham also enhanced the aroma, I think.

The wedge fries were a little a little disappointing.   They were pruned like they had been sitting around for a while before being plated.
 I'm giving Qfanatic an 8.4 because they had a couple of culinary fails.  It is still worth checking out, and I'm glad that I did.

QFanatic BBQ and Grill
180 Miller Road
Champlin, MN 55316
(763) 323-6550
http://qfanatic.com/