From downtown Madison, head 20 minutes east on 151 and exit Bristol Street in Sun Prairie, where you will find a hidden gem called Porktropolis. It’s a meat-lover’s paradise, complete with brisket, chicken, salmon and of course, ribs and pulled pork.
I loved the Exploding Pig ($8.50), which is pork, ham, bacon, cheddar and chipotle mayo on dark rye. The real explosion here is the flavor, which makes puts this sandwich on my must-get-again list for future visits.
The ribs ($12.50 for a half rack) are served naked so that you can add whichever of the sauces you prefer. For the less adventurous crowd, try the Sweet Memphis Blues, which is your typical sweet (and delicious) BBQ sauce.
On the topic of sauces, choices include Door County Cherry, Chipotle Horseradish and Carolina Vinegar, amongst others. You can sample all of them right when you walk in. I thought the NOLA (similar to Buffalo) went well with TC’s Beef Brisket ($7.50), another excellent sandwich.
I’m not a huge fan of mac & cheese, but I was pleasantly surprised by how tasty the Red Pepper Mac Cheese was. In fact, that was the best of the sides. The Creamy Cole Slaw was not that creamy, and the skillet fried potatoes were just so-so. I would have preferred to see fries on the menu, just as another vessel for the sauces.
Porktropolis is open Monday-Saturday and also caters. While there are a few tables, it’s a place you should call ahead for carryout.
