It’s something when the country’s leading critic of all things smoked meats gives you a mention. Texas Monthly named Animales its only notable spot in the Upper Midwest, adding it to its extensive United States of Barbecue list. For the humble food truck, founded in 2018, it was a harbinger of bigger things. Next year, Jon Wipfli will trade in his mobile kitchens for a much larger space: Animales will open in Minneapolis’ Harrison neighborhood, occupying the former Royal Foundry distillery. “Having a full kitchen and full bar will be a game-changer for us,” Wipfli says—and being able to stay open during winter will help, too.