TL;DR
J. Selby's in Saint Paul is still the vegan comfort food king. The nachos, crunch wrap supreme, buffalo chicken wrap, and Caesar salad were all phenomenal. The cookies and cream shake is a must. Staff is friendly, thoughtful, and great with recommendations. 10/10 — will be back to eat through the rest of the menu.
It had been years since I last ate at J. Selby's — we moved out of state and life just got in the way. But when my husband and I finally made it back, it was like no time had passed at all. Just as good as the first time.
We went a little overboard with the order (no regrets): nachos with pico de gallo, the crunch wrap supreme, the buffalo chicken wrap, and a Caesar side salad. Every single thing was phenomenal. If you're someone who thinks vegan food can't hit like that, J. Selby's will change your mind real quick.
The crunch wrap was crispy, loaded, and honestly better than the fast food version it's inspired by. The buffalo chicken wrap had the perfect amount of heat, and the Caesar salad was fresh with a creamy dressing and big crunchy croutons.
The staff was friendly, helpful, and genuinely great at giving recommendations — which matters when the menu has this many solid options.
The little moment that stuck with me? We ordered a cookies and cream shake to share, and they asked if we'd like it split into two separate cups. It's a tiny thing, but those small touches go a long way in my book.
10 out of 10 experience. I loved the food here and I will absolutely be back to work my way through the rest of the menu.
What We Ordered
| Item | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Nachos with Pico de Gallo | Huge portion, perfect for sharing. Loaded and flavorful. |
| Crunch Wrap Supreme | Crispy, satisfying, better than the original. |
| Buffalo Chicken Wrap | Great heat, packed with flavor. |
| Caesar Side Salad | Fresh greens, creamy dressing, big croutons. Delicious. |
| Cookies and Cream Shake | Thick, rich, and absolutely worth it. |
The Details
- Restaurant: J. Selby's
- Location: 169 Victoria St N, Saint Paul, MN 55104
- Vibe: Casual, bright, welcoming
- Price Range: $$ (affordable for the quality and portions)
- Vegan Status: 100% plant-based
- Our Rating: 10/10
Reviewed by Tia — a real visit, real opinions, real photos.
About J. Selby's
J. Selby's has been operating at 169 Victoria St N in St Paul's Cathedral Hill neighborhood since 2017. It's one of the most established 100% vegan restaurants in the Twin Cities — a place that's been serving vegan comfort food since before the current wave of plant-based restaurants arrived.
The menu is built around comfort classics executed with serious technique: nachos, burgers, wraps, shakes. Nothing requires explaining or contextualizing. It's food that anyone would recognize as a satisfying meal — the fact that it's fully vegan is almost beside the point.
The Full Menu: What to Order at J. Selby's
Nachos
The nachos at J. Selby's are a landmark item. The chips hold structural integrity (a lower bar than it sounds for nachos), the toppings are distributed properly rather than pooling in the center, and the pico de gallo is fresh. Order them as an appetizer or make them the meal — the portions support both decisions.
The Crunch Wrap Supreme
This is the consensus best item on the menu for first-time visitors. It's inspired by a fast food classic and genuinely improves on it: a larger tortilla, more interesting ingredients, and enough crunch from the tostada layer that the texture holds. The golden-brown exterior is worth noting — J. Selby's doesn't cut corners on the press.
Buffalo Chicken Wrap
The plant-based chicken gets a proper buffalo sauce treatment — actual heat, not the mild approximation that often passes for buffalo. The wrap format keeps it manageable.
Animal Fries
J. Selby's Animal Fries are loaded — vegan cheese sauce, vegan special sauce, grilled onions, and pickles. The kind of loaded fries that require planning around rather than eating casually. Order them to share.
Shakes
The shake program is serious. The cookies and cream shake is the reference item — thick, properly sweet, with actual cookie pieces rather than flavoring. Other flavors rotate seasonally. There's a reason people specifically mention the shakes when they talk about J. Selby's.
Practical Info
| Address | 169 Victoria St N, Saint Paul, MN 55104 |
| Neighborhood | Cathedral Hill |
| Hours | Tue–Sun, approximately 11am–9pm (verify on Google) |
| Price Range | $$ |
| Fully Vegan | Yes — 100% plant-based |
| Parking | Street parking on Victoria and Grand Ave |
Cathedral Hill While You're There
J. Selby's sits in Cathedral Hill, one of the better restaurant neighborhoods in St Paul. The same visit could include:
- Ngon Vietnamese Bistro (a few blocks away, vegan Vietnamese pho and dishes)
- Everest on Grand (Himalayan restaurant with strong vegan options on Grand Ave)
- A walk down Summit Ave (the historic residential boulevard with some of the best architecture in the Twin Cities)
The Cathedral Hill area makes J. Selby's a natural anchor for a day trip from Minneapolis, particularly combined with the St Paul vegan restaurant scene generally.
For more vegan restaurant reviews and guides, browse the MPLS Vegan directory or read our best vegan restaurants Minneapolis 2026 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is J. Selby's fully vegan?
Yes! J. Selby's is a 100% plant-based restaurant in Saint Paul's Cathedral Hill neighborhood. Everything on the menu is vegan.
What should I order at J. Selby's?
The crunch wrap supreme and buffalo chicken wrap are both incredible. The nachos with pico de gallo are perfect for sharing, and you absolutely need to try one of their shakes — the cookies and cream is legendary.
Where is J. Selby's located?
J. Selby's is located at 169 Victoria St N, Saint Paul, MN 55104, in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood.
Does J. Selby's have outdoor seating or a patio?
J. Selby's does not have a dedicated outdoor patio. The restaurant is a cozy indoor space with counter seating and tables. It can get busy on weekends, so arriving early or on a weekday is recommended.
What are J. Selby's hours?
J. Selby's is open Tuesday through Sunday. Hours are approximately 11am to 9pm on weekdays and 10am to 9pm on weekends, but confirm on their website or Google listing before visiting as hours can change seasonally.