One of south Minneapolis' tiniest barbecue heavyweights is bracing for what looks like its final season. Scott Ja-Mama's Hot Barbeque says it will "most likely" close at the end of the summer, though no final day has been set. The compact Tangletown counter has been a neighborhood fixture for decades, beloved for its ribs, pork sandwiches and a sweet, tangy family-style sauce that regulars swear by.
In a social-media post captured by Bring Me The News, the restaurant wrote, "We are very sad to say that we will most likely be closing at the end of summer," adding that it does not "have a final day in mind." According to the outlet, representatives for the business did not respond to a request for comment.
A Tangletown staple
Scott Ja-Mama's runs out of a snug, memorabilia-lined storefront near Nicollet Avenue and is known for straightforward, old-school barbecue and house-made sauces, as noted by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. With just a few seats and a grab-and-go pace, it has long been the kind of spot where neighbors pop in, grab a sack of ribs or a sandwich and head back out into the block.
Hours and where to go
The restaurant sits at 3 W Diamond Lake Rd in the Tangletown and Windom area. Its contact page lists regular hours and a phone number for call-in orders, per the Scott Ja-Mama's website. The site currently posts weekday and Saturday service times along with the pickup line, and customers are directed to check the contact page for the most up-to-date details.
Part of a tightening market
The news lands amid a rough stretch for Twin Cities barbecue joints. Northeast Minneapolis spot Beast Barbeque announced its own final date this spring, according to FOX 9. Reporters and industry watchers have pointed to climbing meat prices and razor-thin profit margins as key pressures, a trend examined by Texas Standard.
Scott Ja-Mama's social post did not give a reason for the planned wind-down, and Bring Me The News reports that staff have not yet set a specific final day. The post urged customers to "stop in one more time" while the shop is still serving its full menu, a quiet invitation for longtime fans to get one last taste while they can.
