Brasa Review – Rotisserie Meat Lovers Paradise

Brasa Premium Rotisserie
600 E. Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Pros: great location – near downtown on Hennepin, awesome meat-eating atmosphere, family-style portions (with a few sandwiches for you party-poopers), local/sustainable ingredients, solid restaurant cred., summertime patio.

Cons: tiny parking lot, can get very crowded and loud.

Men, buckle up – this is a meat-lovers restaurant! Brasa Premium Rotisserie with (two locations – St. Paul on Grand and Minneapolis on Hennepin) sits nestled among the Twin Cities finest food neighborhood – Northeast. While it is located among other giants of the state’s finest restaurants, it stands out; just like it’s bright yellow sign and exterior walls.

Specializing in “Creole-inspired” rotisserie meats (the pulled pork is amazing), Brasa serves it’s goods family-style. Order small (serves 1-2), medium (serves 2-3) or large (serves 3-4) sizes of any of their menu items and fully customize your meal. It’s a good idea to get a couple meats and two or three side to maximize your variety. While the chicken is good, the pork is served naked (without sauce), because it simply doesn’t need anything – including bread.

What makes the meat taste even better is the building. Brasa serves it’s slow-roasted meat inside a structure that looks like a converted service garage. So, if you’re following me – you’re eating meat in a garage. Little else appeals to a man’s inner caveman than eating meat in a garage…except maybe eating meat in a cave.

If you can leave any room for dessert, I’d recommend it. Brasa’s dessert menu, although small with only 4 options, delivers on both value ($3 or $3.50) and flavor. The same items in another restaurant could easily run $5 or $6. The Chocolate Bourbon Tort satisfied my chocolate craving and had a solid hint of bourbon.

Brasa is not only a local favorite, but boasts some pretty solid restaurant cred. from a James Beard Best Chef (Alex Roberts) to being named one of the five meals not to be missed in America by Adam Richman, Travel Channel TV host and author. Now, Brasa can round out their list of awards by adding a 5 Star Review from If You Can Stomach!