BP Smokehouse BBQ — Restaurant in Tomah

My husband and I were on our way back home from a trip and had a hankering for bbq when we saw this place pop up on our maps. I must say right away I knew we were somewhere special.

The music was a balm to that southern soul, and the atmosphere was amazing. Everyone was talking to one another as well as enjoying their meals. The food was absolutely delicious. Both my husband and I ordered the brisket combo but differed on the sides. I opted for the potato salad and collard greens (a nod to my moms Mississippi roots), and my husband got the fries, baked beans, and the peach cobbler. Let me tell you, the food was so good I ended up ordering the rib tips and some baked beans to go.

But the absolute best thing about this place? The owner Darren himself (though at first glance you’d have never guessed he was since he was behind the counter taking orders). You could tell he takes his love of food and people seriously. He didn’t put on airs or act as if you were lucky to be making his acquaintance. If anything it was the opposite. He was just so darn friendly, and passionate about creating that familial atmosphere. He took the time to get to know my husband and myself, even after learning we weren’t from the area. He took the time to talk to us about us, he took the time to share his knowledge (of life and meat), and he took the time to wish us a safe journey.

It’s this kind of food, care, and comfort that makes a family and let me tell you the food was amazing and was more than good enough to make us want to come back a second time, but it was Darren himself who made us lifers. I will GLADLY tell anyone who will listen, about the best bbq I’ve had since leaving my home state and coming to this one.

This is the way bbq joints are supposed to be. Good food, good music, and...

UPDATED from 1 to 3 stars.

I've since revisited this place three times on lunches paid for by my employer. I've sampled more of the cuisine on offer.

The ribs are my favorite thing they sell. They're dry style, light on the smokey flavor, meaty. 8/10.

The pulled pork is consistently good according to my coworkers.

Fries are good.

The Brisket is amazing somedays, other days dry and bland.

The brats are no better than storebought IMO.

Soda machine ran out of ice one of my visits.

If I were to guess, they must be leaving their food on a hotplate ready to serve. So, sometimes you get something from a fresh batch, other times your stuff has been sitting there for a while. I highly recommend coming during peak times, because I've discovered that's when the food seems to taste best. (Especially the Brisket)

The staff working during the day including the owner was much more friendly. In response to my last review, I was offered a free meal to give them another chance. I haven't taken that offer yet.

Overall, it's an ok place to get some BBQ for a good price.

Other complaints still stand.

old review

No A/C. The interior of the building was hotter than the outdoors.

Collard greens were bland mush.

Beef brisket was dry and flavorless on a plain white bun.

Green beans straight out the can were bland mush.

Brats were OK, but came with no condiments besides three pickles.

Corn bread would have been good if it wasn't drizzled in honey-like sweet syrup stuff. .

Root beer was watered down without adding ice.

Tea was straight up water.

Orange drink was normal.

Classic blues music playing...

The food smells delicious. The restaurant is a small "BBQ joint" with indoor and outdoor seating. The only problem was I have a medically indicated service dog. The onsite manager asked me to sit outside because some people may be allergic to the dog. I informed him it was a service dog. The dog had a red vest and a leash indicating such. The dog hadn't made a sound and was responding to silent commands. I explained that I was allowed to have the dog by law but that I would leave with a refund.

He immediately called the owner. The owner asked the ADA approved question: Is that a service dog? I explained yes and that he was clearly dressed as such. I was told the dog could stay so clearly there's no policy that the dog has to go outside because people might be allergic. I hate when employees don't know the law but make up a strange policy to justify their decision.

The owner claimed the manager didn't know. I think owners owe it to their managers to explain the law and teach them how to enforce it correctly. The owner stated they have lots of Vets that come in .... He had no idea that I'm a Vet!

I chose to stay because I don't believe they were intentionally trying you be mean. The food was delicious but not worth the aggravation. I asked the manager if I had been blind would I have been asked to leave. He said that's different! I want to know how. A medical service dog is covered under ADA.

The owner is doing his manager a real disservice.

Again, the food was great just leave your service dog at home if you're not not...