Huge Fan of Q-Fan
Forget about Famous Dave's. If you want some quality Q in this town, you don't have to look any further than Champlin's own Q-Fanatic. They might not be as famous, or have a hundred different sauces, which is the claim to fame of a lot of BBQ joints, but you can smell their quality in the air. Literally. Their mesquite aroma permeates the air outside the restaurant and you can almost taste the deliciousness the second you step into their parking lot.
The family that runs the restaurant started in the meat business back in 1893 with Johnson Brothers Meat Market in Hopkins. Though they have moved, to this day, Chef Charlie proudly upholds the tradition of quality ingredients with his own southern twist. And if you're a fan of the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, you have probably seen Q-Fan on one of their episodes.
Though a family friendly restaurant, they are reminiscent of a dive, with dark interior and self seating. You order at the window and, depending on if you're dinning in or taking out, they either bring your food to your table or hand you the bag filled with delicious heaven.
The Place
The family that runs the restaurant started in the meat business back in 1893 with Johnson Brothers Meat Market in Hopkins. Though they have moved, to this day, Chef Charlie proudly upholds the tradition of quality ingredients with his own southern twist. And if you're a fan of the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, you have probably seen Q-Fan on one of their episodes.
Though a family friendly restaurant, they are reminiscent of a dive, with dark interior and self seating. You order at the window and, depending on if you're dinning in or taking out, they either bring your food to your table or hand you the bag filled with delicious heaven.
Down to Business
The meat, the sauces, and the sides are all amazing. For the ones with a weaker stomach, honey BBQ sauce on... well... anything is what you're after, be it a pulled pork, chicken, rib tips, or their signature Q-ban sandwich. For those feeling a bit more adventurous, the chipotle or the espresso (oh yes, they put real espresso in that sauce) BBQ sauce would delight your pallet. If you are feeling frisky, the vodka sauce will set your taste buds and your soul on fire (but in a good way). Their newest addition, the ghost pepper sauce, I'm sure would appease even the boldest of tongues, though I have not been brave enough to try it yet. The sandwich that I go for: pulled chicken sandwich with espresso sauce and a side of the spicy potato wedges.
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| Pulled chicken sandwich (regular) with a side of spicy potato wedges and seasoned sour cream. |
For such quality food you'd think the menu would break your bank but it won't. The quality and the quantity are well worth the 8 dollars you will spend on your sandwich. Not to mention they use local ingredients. Downsides? Because they do use local suppliers, they run out of items on the menu. And though you'd think that the simple solution for that is just to make more, each meal is made to order and their meats are smoked for 4 to 11 hours so that's easier said than done. They proudly state that they are not a fast food establishment so the average wait time is about 20 minutes. My suggestion to curb your waiting-on-my-BBQ blues is to call ahead.
The Breakdown
Food:
Dessert:
Wait Staff:
Atmosphere:
Would I recommend?
I can't recommend this place enough. In fact, go and call them right now and order something. I'll just wait here.
AK
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