Bloomington Yesterday: The Bar-B-Q joint that helped pave the way for Met Stadium

Aleck Ellis, known for his popular Smoky Point Bar-B-Q restaurants, played a pivotal role in shaping Bloomington’s history. Ellis wasn’t just a restaurateur. He was deeply invested in his community, serving on several local boards and hosting meetings at his restaurants.

“My father was always community-oriented,” said his daughter Pat Lambros in 2008. “He knew everyone in Bloomington and worked tirelessly to make it a better place.”

Ellis opened a Smoky Point Bar-B-Q at 7800 Cedar Ave. S. near what is now the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.

In 1953, Ellis joined a group of community leaders on a trip to Milwaukee to study stadium designs. His suggestion to place the stadium near the Smoky Point Bar-B-Q not only benefited his business but also provided him with a short commute to his box seats at the games.

Metropolitan Stadium opened in 1956 and became home to the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Vikings and later the Minnesota Kicks soccer team. The site is where Mall of America now stands.