Local carnivores will love Dave and Misty Zapf’s new restaurant Z’s Smokin’ Bonez. Why? Meat is always on the menu. The Zapfs, the former owners of J. Cousineau’s, opened their new smoked sandwich shop on June 11 after deciding to sell J. Cousineau’s and feature Dave’s hobby of smoking meats at their new place.
“Part of the reason we decided to sell J. Cousineau’s was because our kids are getting older, and when you own a restaurant, you never really stop running,” Misty says. “When your kids get older, life gets really busy and you have to find something that will be a new fit.”
Dave and Misty lived in Maple Grove for 15 years and have developed strong roots in the community, so they didn’t want to leave. Also, a built-in and loyal clientele doesn’t hurt a new restaurant’s chances.
The menu features some old favorites from J. Cousineau’s: Minnesota-brewed beers, smoked sandwiches with all the fixings, and other favorites like dry-rubbed ribs, jalapeño corn bread, pulled pork sandwiches, and brisket chili.
Misty recommends a sandwich that her son created: The Big Piggy. “[The sandwich] is just stuffed with pulled pork and brisket,” Misty says. “It’s packed full of smoked meats and it’s really good.”
Items on the menu range from $3 for a mini smoked sandwich to $15 for ribs.
The restaurant will be open seven days a week. Besides dine-in services, customers will be able to purchase dinner-to-go by the pound, and the Zapf’s also want to introduce some catering within their new company.
“We’d like to help out at [our customer’s] events, provide the food,” Misty explains, “or even bring our own trailer and help them host a hog roast.”
Carnivore heaven.
Visit Z's
13623 County Road 30 in Maple Grove.
Business hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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Z’s Smokin’ Bonez Grand Opening Celebration
July 21-22
The ribbon cutting ceremony will be on Saturday and will feature all kinds of activities for kids and families including inflatables, free samples and face painting. At noon Sunday, a kid’s barbecue competition will occur and the event will be free. There will be lots of prizes including a Weber grill. Meat will be provided and applications can be picked up at Z’s Smokin’ Bonez.
