I didn’t expect to find decent BBQ in Oregon, but I was pleasantly surprised by the offerings, especially the sauces, of Ziggy’s BBQ Smokehouse.
The name is telling, as many of the items have a stronger smoky flavor than you typically find. The ribs ($14.95 half rack, $18.95 full rack) are some of the meatiest ribs I’ve encountered in a while. Despite being described as dry-rubbed, the ribs (at least the Texas version) didn’t have much seasoning, so unless you add some sauce, every tender bite will be a smoky sensation.
The smoked pork butt ($9.95) is similarly seasoned–as in, barely any–and smoky. Unfortunately, it was very dry, and it required a lot of the BBQ sauces to get through it. As I mentioned, I really enjoyed all four sauces, especially the hot sauce, even though it wasn’t spicy. All the sauces were the right thickness–not too watery, not too dense.
(Note, I actually ordered the bone-in pork chop, but the server messed up my order, so I stuck with the pork butt.)
The Big Zig ($11.99) is massive and could almost be part of some eating challenge. You have flavors coming at you from all angles, namely the onion rings, jalapenos, brisket, pulled pork, bacon, cheddar cheese and pepperjack cheese. The sandwich would have been even more enjoyable had it not been for the aforementioned dry pulled pork, along with the dry (and smoky) brisket.
I also enjoyed the jumbo smoked bone-in chicken wings ($0.75 per wing), which are plump and sport a char from the grill. The garlic parmesan sauce did not disappoint. Your other choices in sauces are BBQ and mild buffalo.
The smoked chicken salad ($7.95) was as average as a salad could be. The smoked chicken was tasty, but it came in tiny morsels amounting to maybe an ounce or two in portion. The craisins added some badly needed depth.
Sides include mini corn on the cob and southern-style green beans. The cajun fries were simply steak fries with a little cajun seasoning. The macaroni and cheese was standard, and the cornbread was sweet and fluffy–I could have eaten a whole batch.
Ziggy’s BBQ Smokehouse serves lunch and dinner every day and breakfast Tuesday-Sunday. It also has a small ice cream shop attached to it.
Speaking of dry, the Chuckwagon cornbread ($1.75 for a slice, $12.99 for a pan of eight) was missing the warmth and moistness of what I would consider good cornbread. Other sides on the menu include smoked bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers ($2 each) and cowboy pinto beans ($2.25).
On the far end of downtown Wisconsin Dells, right across the street from Famous Dave’s, is 
I would describe the brisket ($17.99) and pulled pork sandwich ($10.99) the same way: juicy and well prepared, but a bit pricey. I don’t think brisket should be more expensive than ribs; this dish would be better priced at $13.99 (that’s also what Famous Dave’s charges), while the sandwich should have been less than $10. Other dishes’ prices were just as puzzling, such as the hot wings ($15.99), smoked turkey leg ($18.99) and 16 oz. T-Bone steak ($29.99).
