Went here one day after searching for a BBQ spot I had never been to and man am I glad I did. Zig Zag BBQ was like a hidden gem, at least for me. I had their 'Beef Heart of the Rodeo' sandwich. Not sure why they call it that because it has brisket AND pulled pork, but nevertheless, it was soooo good. I'd come back just for the sandwich, but I do want to try some of their other items. I was the only person in there initially, so the service was good. 2 more patrons came in after. This spot appears to be well known in the neighborhood and they do serve alcohol. I will be back. read more

ZIG ZAG BBQ - Beef heart of the rodeo sandwich and a slice of brisket. - Barbeque Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Nice vibe in the place, and tremendous portions. But the meat is quite ordinary, with generic level of smokiness, not much fatty flavor, and sweet barbecue sauce with all of the oomph and tang of Heinz ketchup. Still, there's something comforting - to you, and not the animal - about a chopped brisket sandwich that's piled halfway to the ceiling, and a half-rack of ribs that takes up the tray. read more

We were pleasantly surprised by how juicy and flavorful the chicken was. During the fall we LOVE their gobbler and it's always such a good vibe inside. They also package really nicely when we order to go read more

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Best BBQ I've had since moving from Dallas. Highly recommend. If you haven't tried this place yet, you should. read more

ZIG ZAG BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This place is unique. Fun/edgy decor. Their food is sensational!!! You cannot go wrong with any of it. My favorite is the pulled pork sando deal. You can't beat it and you probably can't finish it. Their meats are outstanding. I've found nothing else like it in the city. You cannot buy platters or meats by the pound (or fraction of lb). Their brisket and pulled pork are my go tos. The ribs are also good but I don't feel like I need to fork out that kinda cash when everything else is so good. Sides are interesting. They also have fridges w beers and wines and wine to buy. They clearly are thoughtful in what they offer. It's a small joint w picnic table seating inside and some outdoor standing tables. It's rarely filled for reasons I don't understand. Anyway it's great. Cool vibe. For sure go! read more

solid bbq spot that satisfies the itch! simple, no frills, good options. swung by for lunch with my boyfriend and we shared a half pound brisket and half pound pulled pork. he preferred the pulled pork, but i was personally a bigger fan of the brisket. the meat was on the drier side, and we weren't big fans of the cold bbq sauce. perhaps they'd be better in a sandwich? it was still decent though (especially for philly), and definitely satisfied our craving for bbq. the queso mac was the best mac i've had at a bbq place. it was made with real queso, and had what seemed to be nacho dust on top. it was so delicious and creamy, and i had way too much. we shared a medium which was a generous portion. we also shared a small potato salad which was extremely dill heavy and the cornbread. the cornbread was $4 for a massive piece, but it was so dry and the butter was awful. i would not get the cornbread again, but id be interested in trying the corn pudding. we sat outside on the benches, but there was also bench seating inside. service was fast, our food was brought out almost immediately. overall, this was a solid spot but i wouldn't go out of my way to come back. the queso mac was definitely a highlight! read more

ZIG ZAG BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I'm a big fan of Their portions* and the flavor Profiles. Just go! *seriously, the portions are huge. Had brisket, pulled pork, cucumber salad and cornbread. All delicious. read more

Very nice little bbq spot hidden on a small street. As you enter, there's a few picnic tables for seating and they have a drink cooler and shelf for utensils and such. Counter ordering and they'll bring out your food. It smells delicious as soon as you walk in, and the taste matches. Brisket was extraordinarily tender and melted apart. Just flawless texture and exactly what you want. The bbq sauce is amazing as well, very tempting to buy a bottle to take home. Sandwich was well put together. Mac and cheese was good, though the cornbread was a bit underwhelming. Overall very tasty stuff here, great quality to value. Guys that work here and the music also add to the chill vibe. Definitely will be back for more, thanks. read more

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Really good brisket, I haven't tried anything else yet. I'm looking forward to trying other menu items.

I rarely leave Yelp reviews, but I wanted to for ZigZag. It's is authentically weird and absolutely delicious.... EVERY... SINGLE... TIME! Best BBQ, best meats, go there now before they sell out! read more

I did a takeout of turkey and pork. They were both moist and flavorful with a good smoke level. They were kind enough to include containers with extra sauce but I didn't need it. Nice assortment of beers too. I'm not based in Philly but I will return next time I'm in town. read more

Lackluster ribs... I ordered a half a rack of ribs and was very disappointed. I found them to be bland and dry with the flavor profile of a grocery store rib rub. They were not very plump or juicy! To top it off the bbq sauce is savory which some may enjoy but I added mikes hot honey for some sort of depth and soy sauce! Glad I ate this at home so I could tweak it. I made my own Mac and cheese so I can't comment on theirs. It's a nice atmosphere and friendly employees but the food is a disappointment to me. read more

ZIG ZAG BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Best kale Caesar ever! They do not skimp on the portion either. People are always super friendly here. Yeah their IG might be a little weird and have you scratching your head about what it all means but overall pretty entertaining if you ask me (Keep Zig Zag Weird). Wish they had a veggie sandwich cause my fiancé gets their meat Sandos and damn you can tell they love their craft. I don't want to be like make a veggie sandwich at a BBQ place, but then again, doesn't hurt to ask right ? Will continue coming here at least twice a month for that cheesy kale salad and yummy Mac. read more

TL;DR - Eat here for good meats in a neighborhood gem with staff who take good care of you and serve great food. Don't come here for fancy fine dining. Everything is delicious. It's not trying to pretend to be competition BBQ but it's damn great BBQ and that's a good thing. It's clear that the staff cares a lot about little things that make a big difference like separating the hot food and cold foods into separate bags when you get to-go or circling back to offer more BBQ sauce if you're dining in. It's clear that these folks care about their customers and take pride in their jobs. Thank you! My favorites: While I would never judge a BBQ place by their chicken, I have to start the review here as the unexpected hit. The "everything bagel" chicken is epic and not like anything I've found in Philly (nor Dallas for that matter.) Get it if it's served that day! It's lightly smoked (as chicken should be) and is clearly brined with care in advance so the product is moist and juicy. The lemon pepper chicken is great too but the everything is my jam. I always take the sauce that comes with the chicken but it's unnecessary unless you're reheating leftovers on day 3. Seriously - eat this chicken and you'll be happy. The pork ribs are awesome. If you like your ribs a bit fatty, you're in for treat. If you don't, you'll have some fat to eat around the fat pockets. Regardless, smoky ribs + great sauce = joy. You want this in your mouth. Unexpected great things: Colorado chili is fantastic and is my "I want to eat something delicious AF on the couch while watching TV take out". I'd say two thumbs up but the whole point of this treat for me is that you're holding the container in one hand, fork or spoon in the other and all fingers/thumbs are busy. Sides: I love their slaw. My wife loves the 'savory corn pudding' (and I would too but I'm trying to cut back on carbs.) We just tried the oxtail rice and holy moly that's some good eating. To close out: This casual and super chill BBQ jawn is great. Is it a competition BBQ place trying to compete with Franklin's BBQ? Nope. It's a small neighborhood gem. I can smell them smoking that meat when I walk my dog late night. I also taste the real deal smoked BBQ every time I eat there. This no nonsense place will serve you a great meal with staff that genuinely wants to make everyone you happy. read more

Some of, if not, the best brisket I've ever had. Really on par with some bbq I had in Austin TX. Nice little spot for sit down/takeout. Friendly staff. Bit on the pricey side but so much better than what's around. Come here if you're in the mood for some bbq!!! read more

It was a hot day, so heaps of meat weren't what I thought I wanted. So yes, I went to a BBQ joint and ordered a salad. First: The salad, a kale caesar, was delicious and satisfying. I have no regrets. Second: the meat is also excellent, and it's the reason to come here. My table also had pork belly nuggets. I had a bite, and they were delicious--meaty, chewy, a little sweet and a little tangy. The brisket was possibly my favorite brisket ever. I had one bite with the tangy, vinegar-y sauce and vowed to come back another time to eat a LOT of it! My companion enjoyed the queso mac and cheese with cheetos. Just go. It's so, so delicious. read more

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We really wanted to love this place, having recently moved to the neighborhood. Maybe we're just used to Mike's in South Philly, but the brisket at Zig Zag was abysmal. Wet, fatty beyond reproach, and cold. I asked for it to be on the leaner side, and what I received couldn't have been further from that. Nearly every bite dissolved on the fork as it entered our mouths, as the fat content was ridiculous. Terrible experience. Never returning. read more

Cool spot! We crushed half a rack of ribs, potato salad, mac and cheese, corn pudding, and corn bread. The ribs were fantastic and enjoyed both with and without dipping in the provided BBQ sauce. Of our sides, the potato salad and mac and cheese were our favorites, but we finished everything. I've had some pretty flavorless and dry mac and cheese at BBQ spots -- this mac is SO good. Creamy with a queso kick! In addition to soft drinks and other cool beverages, Zig Zag has a great assortment of beer and wine to go along with some great BBQ. We'll be back! read more

Everything was delicious! We tried the ribs, pork sandwich, and sides of potato salad and mac and cheese. BBQ can be an expensive meal, but we felt it was well worth it for the quality. read more

Last two times I went I got served some cold or room temperature pulled pork, haven't been back since. The Mac and cheese was cool tho

Great job ZigZag BBQ... My pulled pork sandwich was loaded with tender juicy bbq and the cole slaw was nice as well . Queso mac was real tasty and thats a lot coming from me since I'm not a fan of queso cheese but I had the feeling you guys would do it right and i wasn't disappointed! read more

I am glad I made some time today to check out Zig Zag BBQ! It is hard to find good BBQ in general..but when I kept hearing about a new BBQ place in Fishtown it was on my list of places to visit! Zig Zag BBQ is next to Martha..on a tiny street! Parking may be difficult because it is a mixed zone area...residential living and businesses! Now..to the setup during COVID..Best to call ahead instead of walking up like we did..but they were accommodating and offered wonderful customer service! They sold out of ribs (will be back to give them a try) so we decided to get: Brisket (moist; tender and flavorful); Wings (tasty rub; crisp and juicy on inside) and a side of Potato Salad (I've had better..pretty bland)! Our drinks of Hibiscus Watermelon and Mango (Top Choice) we're light and refreshing! This is a LEGIT BBQ spot! While waiting for the food..tons of patrons were stopping by to pickup their orders..so they have a following for sure! Stick to the meats..No sides needed in my opinion..keep doing the thing you do well..BBQ! I'll be back! read more

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I've been waiting for Zig Zag BBQ to open for months now, so was eager to put down an order 2 days before pickup as I was worried they would run out of food. For a party of 4, we shared 1 lb of brisket, 1 lb of pulled pork, a full rack of pork spare ribs, and sides of queso mac, potato salad, and esquites. The barbecued meats were nice and smoky. I definitely recommend the brisket and spare ribs. The sides exceeded my expectations. The queso mac and esquites had hints of lemongrass in it, which really elevated both side dishes. The potato salad ran out before I got to it, which must mean it was amazing as well. Price point wise, Zig Zag's is comparable to Mike's BBQ, except for the sides, which are on the smaller side and pricier. read more

ZIG ZAG BBQ - Pork spare ribs, pulled pork, brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This is very good TX style bbq. We ordered the brisket by the pound, the smoked banana pudding, and the brisket 'sammich.' The brisket was very smokey. It had a strong pleasant peppery seasoning. The bits on the point were fairly well marbled with extreme brisket fat flavorbombness. Howver other parts of the point and most of the flat were just 'good' (10% more dry than I'd like). The sammish is a interesting blend of flavors and textures. The brisket, pickles, and mustard are play nicely. I found the bun confusing. It was too dry and crumbly. Is it supposed to be corn bread? The smoked banana layered creamed banana with pie crumbles. It is an excellent sweet finish to bbq. read more

ZIG ZAG BBQ - Brisket by the pound - Barbeque Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This really is a great bbq place. I bought a couple of brisket sandwiches over the pandemic and then again today. Every time, the meat is consistently good and expertly prepared. I could describe the meat as tender, savory, and satisfying, but these are just words. You have to try it for yourself. The sauce is real good, too, and I must admit there's a lot of it, but it doesn't get in the way of the big beef taste. On a night when your ex gets you upset, this is the sandwich you should get. It will make your sad tears go away and bring you happy tears of joy. Oh, yes, the sandwich is HUGE. It is all so good. You will not believe you've finished it so quickly. Brisket is usually not my first choice sandwich at other places, but here it is so good, I don't need to order anything else. There is seating in the small restaurant, benches and a large screen TV, for a down to earth, unpretentious feel. I would definitely sit there and eat if I wasn't in a hurry all the time. Maybe someday I will! read more

Solid BBQ joint. Brisket and Pulled pork were juicy, tender, and flavorful. The coleslaw flavor isn't for everyone but I really liked it. I love a good BBQ sauce and the sauce here is really good and goes well with the meat. I really disliked the cornbread and tried it twice to make sure the 1st time wasn't a fluke. It's super dry and lacks flavor. Still doesn't impact by 5 star review though. The guys behind the counter are SUPER chill and to me that kinda contributes to the experience. It just puts you at ease and in the mood for good BBQ and Vibes. Definitely a fan of this place. read more

LEGIT bbq. Plus fun international sides! Zig zag opened mid-pandemic and days after my child was born. Our friends popped by and brought us some BBQ for the newborn days and it's one of the best meals I've had! Yums. We also live down the street and are happy to have a fast to-go option - place your order, it's ready by the time you get there, and you have some TO DIE FOR brisket for din din. The sides are something else - interesting flavors that can be hit or miss, but enjoyable to try. Best so far: corn puddin'. read more

Great food and quick service! I had the half rack pork ribs, cornbread and the kale salad. The portions were generous and I took 2 ribs and half the salad home. Very relaxed atmosphere. read more

You don't find BBQ joints on your common block in Philadelphia, but when they do pop up, they usually hit the mark - and Zig Zag did NOT disappoint! Their menu is creative and traditional at the same time - they have the dishes you want and crave, but have their own spin on it. I had the pork rib sandwich - it was so tasty! Meat was cooked great, and their BBQ sauce has sweet and spicy notes. The meat was complimented with crunchy funyons and pickles, which was an appreciated touch. Their sides though are really on point. Nothing felt too heavy, and they had a lot of fresh notes. We had their queso mac, which was topped with flamming hot cheetos, so that had a nice kick to cut the creaminess of the cheese. The mexican style cream corn, potato salad, and slaw are all sides I would highly recommend. The slaw probably stood out the most, as it had fresh parsley notes and the mayonnaise base was not overly heavy. They have tons of other options too, like wings and racks of ribs, which I am dying to go back and try! If you are in northeast philly, you should definitely check this place out. read more

ZIG ZAG BBQ - QUESO MAC W/ a flammin hot cheeto garnish. Slaw, potato salad, and mexican style cream corn - Barbeque Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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So delicious! Best BBQ in Philadelphia, and honestly better than some of the barbecue places I tried in Nashville!

Zig Zag is a great neighborhood takeout spot with a few tables and chairs both inside and out (dogs welcome outside!). You can also do take out and bring it over to Philly Brewing Company's outdoor beer garden. Their meats and barbecue is very good as well as their sides. I'm always surprised at how much the bill comes to but we usually order way more than can be eaten in one sitting and have leftovers for the next day. The pulled pork and brisket are the best items on the menu - you can get both in the Beefheart of the Radio. The kale Caesar was good and the cornbread and Mac and cheese weren't bad either but the real star of the show is the meat! read more

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So far in Philly this is number brisket I've had so far. Brisket is like butter so soft. Still waiting to try beef ribs that's only available Saturday and the Mac n cheese with cheetos are amazing. read more

This marks the second year we ordered Thanksgiving dinner from Zig Zag. Where do I begin? I don't even like turkey, but the rub on this bird brought tears to my eyes. It was cooked to perfection, too. The sides were off the hook. Zig Zag got my partner to enjoy collards, for which I am eternally grateful. I really enjoyed the corn pudding and sweet potatoes, but the Mac and cheese owns my soul. Highly recommend. 100/10. read more

Decided to order takeout on a rainy day and had been wanting to try this place and wow, it did not disappoint! The brisket was suuuuper tender and had a fantastic bark on it! The mac and cheese was good but too spicy for me. All on all, what a fantastic bbq joint! read more

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I have been living in the neighborhood for a few years now. If I'm ever looking for comfort food, this place always lifts my mood. The atmosphere, staff, and quality of food are all amazing. Down to the salad, I like everything on the menu. The menu is simple and satisfying. My personal favorite is the brisket sammich slappy meal; I usually change up my side but I prefer the Mac n cheese. read more

I'm not from the Kensington-fishtown area and drove from Delaware County to get takeout from here. Worth the drive for Texas style barbecue. Please note that as of today (July 2021) they are doing road work on York street. So you can't get here directly from the East (I came off 95 and my phone kept trying to re route me through the road closed signs). I ordered the chopped and smoked brisket sandwich. And the amount of meat is quite impressive. It was perfectly executed with just enough smokey flavor that hits you up front , and then a tiny bit of kick as an aftertaste. It was delicious as is, even without adding from their side container of sauce. But when I added that it was been more so. For my side I ordered the quest Mac and cheese which had much more kick than the meat did from the queso. Was perfectly balanced by the cheese and to make it palatable. My brother ordered the chicken and queso sandwich which was delicious as well. Again, this place is not nearby. It is not super far from me, but not convenient to go more often. Which is a shame because I would love to go more often. Will def return when possible. read more

ZIG ZAG BBQ - Chopped and smoked brisket sandwich, piled high with meat - Barbeque Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Amazing bbq! Got a full rack of ribs and it's enough for 4 -6 (maybe 8?) ppl. Love the flavor, not too smokey. The brisket was even better than the ribs (if that's possible), tons of flavor but also not overly smoky. The potato salad has amazing taste and texture and the mac is cheesy and spicy, I loved it! BBQ can be expensive, but this place gives you a ton of food for the money and it's incredible! Will be returning for sure. read more

Craving BBQ and this hits the spot! They have creative twists: kimchi pulled pork sandwiches, Mexican creamed corn, smoked banana pudding - but simultaneously still check off all the boxes of what makes BBQ great comfort food. Their sausage is on point, so nom!! I love sausage - my inner German is evidenced through my palate - and theirs is super flavorful! I like my kimchi and creamed corn with a bit more kick but the BBQ sauce they provide was tasty, they use quality buns for their sandwiches, and their smoked banana pudding is not overly sweet! Note during COVID they are order ahead only. I got a bit held up after ordering and the owner/manager (??) was so sweet to call and check-in, even placing my food in the warmers until I could get there. My carry-out bag had my name written so nicely, the presentation was all one could hope for during COVID! I'd definitely go back and it is for sure a spot worth trying! :) read more

KILLING IT. What a great spot. Right next to Martha and Philadelphia Brewing Co makes it perfect for hopping among a few places for drinks and bites on a lazy afternoon. The chopped brisket sandwich was super tender with just enough sauce to keep delicious without being overpowering. For me though the pulled pork sandwich with fish sauce and lime is unreal. Kind of a larb taste but so much more rich. Please support this amazing place! PS don't forget Queso Mac and Cheese topped with flaming hot cheetoh dust on top! read more

I often get the pulled pork sandwich from here. It's delicious, massive in size, and very fairly priced. Comes with a side and includes tax, at least when you order online. Staff is super friendly. read more