When you think about barbecue, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For most folks, it’s the meat – those tender, smoky cuts that fall off the bone or slice like butter. And while we at Primal Cue are known throughout Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, as masters of the smoke, another aspect of our culinary repertoire deserves as much attention and praise.
While we pride ourselves on our high-quality, low-and-slow smoked meats, we also take great pride in our side dish offerings.
Sometimes, barbecue restaurants can hyper-focus on their meats. It’s understandable. The meats are what bring people to the doors. They take a long time and a lot of focus. The meats are where barbecue joints hang their hats. If the meats aren’t top-notch, then there is little point in discussing the sides.
However, we fully believe that a rich, complimentary side dish is every bit as important to the barbecue experience as smoky, juicy meats. In fact, we’d argue that at the best restaurants in Sun Prairie, WI, the sides aren’t an afterthought—they’re co-stars who share the spotlight with those carefully smoked proteins.
The Philosophy Behind Our Sides
When we opened Primal Cue as a restaurant in Sun Prairie, WI, we committed to making everything on your plate worthy of your time, money, and palate. Many Sun Prairie restaurants focus solely on their primary offerings, letting the sides fall by the wayside. We’ve all experienced that disappointing moment when you take a bite of a lackluster side dish that clearly didn’t receive the same attention as the entrée.
At Primal Cue, we reject that approach entirely. Our kitchen philosophy is simple: every component on your plate deserves to be exceptional. Our side dishes receive the same attention, creativity, and quality ingredients as our celebrated smoked meats.
Whether you’re a longtime resident or just passing through looking for places to eat in Sun Prairie, we want your entire meal to be memorable, not just the main attraction. That philosophy has helped us become one of the best Sun Prairie restaurants in the area, and we take immense pride in it.
Now, let’s explore what makes our side dishes unique and why they’ve become
legendary among Sun Prairie, WI, food enthusiasts.
Mac ‘n’ Cheese: The Undisputed Champion
Our side offerings start with our fan-favorite Mac ‘n’ cheese. This is not your rushed-for-time, straight-from-a-blue-box macaroni side. This mac ‘n’ cheese can stand up as an entrée. We offer it as an entrée with our Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese, a generous portion of mac ‘n’ cheese topped with a protein of your choice. (I recommend our brisket.) These are big, thick cavatappi noodles laden with a rich, creamy cheese sauce, topped with shredded cheese, and cooked until all the cheese melts and infuses into the noodles, so every bite is unique.
The secret to our Mac ‘n’ Cheese lies in our cheese blend. In Wisconsin, we take cheese seriously—perhaps more seriously than any other ingredient. Our rich and creamy cheese sauce topped with shredded cheese creates a delicious umami flavor that can’t be beaten.
The pasta is cooked al dente – with enough firmness to stand up to our substantial sauce.
Locals often tell us they come to our restaurant in Sun Prairie specifically for this dish, sometimes even foregoing the meats entirely! When searching for the best restaurants in Sun Prairie, WI, our Mac ‘n’ Cheese is frequently mentioned in reviews as a must-try item.
Primal Baked Beans: A Bean Symphony
Our Primal Baked Beans are one of our best-sellers. What’s a good barbecue without rich, unctuous baked beans? We use a varied selection of beans, including pinto, red, white, and black beans. Each bean brings something to the party in terms of flavor and toothsomeness. Then, we mix them in our signature Bean Sauce and bake them low and slow until they are the perfect barbecue side dish. People rave about them!
We bake our beans at a low temperature, allowing all those flavors to marry and mature. The result is a complex, satisfying side dish that complements every meat on our menu and has become a signature item at our Sun Prairie restaurant.
Cheesy Potatoes: Wisconsin Comfort Food Perfection
Our Cheesy Potatoes are another favorite side dish. Shredded potatoes are mixed with our secret blend of spices, Cream of Celery soup, sour cream, butter, and topped with a healthy layer of shredded cheddar cheese (this is Wisconsin, after all), and baked until all the flavors get to know each other. Each bite is pure comfort food heaven.
Many customers who come for food in Sun Prairie tell us these potatoes remind them of family gatherings and holiday meals – comfort food at its finest, but with an expert touch that elevates it beyond home cooking.
Coleslaw: Customizable Crunch
We offer shredded kale coleslaw because a good slaw is a quintessential barbecue side item. We serve ours with our Moonlight Sauce as a dressing on the side, so you can mix as little or as much dressing as you want and coat the leaves to your desired preference. Some people like their coleslaw nearly dry, and some want it drowned in dressing. We want to make as many people happy as possible, so leaving it to your discretion to make your favorite version of slaw seemed the most practical.
Our choice to use kale rather than traditional cabbage was a deliberate one. Kale holds up better over time, maintaining its crunch even when dressed. It also brings nutritional benefits and a slightly peppery flavor that conventional coleslaw lacks.
Customers visiting Sun Prairie restaurants often comment on the freshness of our coleslaw and appreciate the ability to customize the dressing level. This slight touch demonstrates our commitment to ensuring every guest gets exactly what they want.
Cornbread: Southern Tradition with a Wisconsin Twist
Speaking of quintessential barbecue sides, what would slow-smoked meat be without a sweet piece of cornbread? We make our cornbread into muffins for practical individual serving portions. When ordered, we cut those muffins in half, dip them in butter, and heat them on our flattop griddle to get them a nice, rich crust. Then, we serve them hot with a side of our fabled honey butter. I bet you can’t eat just one!
Many guests visiting our restaurant in Sun Prairie, WI tell us this cornbread reminds them of their Southern grandmother’s recipe, which we consider the highest compliment.
Bourbon Apples: The Sweet Finale
Last but certainly not least, we offer our magical Bourbon Apples. It’s like getting an apple pie without a crust. We cook apples in an apple compote with a little bit of a lovely bourbon to bring out a new flavor for the whole mixture. The end result is soft apples with a rich, sweet, jelly-like compote served hot and fresh. Our Bourbon Apples complement any of our meets, but pairing them with our pulled pork is almost mandatory. You can’t go wrong with pork and apples, after all.
While tremendously popular with pulled pork, our Bourbon Apples have found fans who pair them with everything from brisket to smoked turkey. Some customers visiting our Sun Prairie, WI restaurants even order them as a dessert!
Rotating Vegetable Specials: Keeping It Fresh
Add a rotation of Vegetables of the Day that change daily to keep things interesting. Usually, we have our Primal Corn (sweet corn with a mix of red and green bell peppers and onions flavored with our signature dirt rub!), our Green Beans flavored with our dirt rub and given a generous dose of butter to enhance the flavor, or Mashed Sweet Potatoes, a traditional barbecue favorite.
Beyond the Restaurant: Primal Cue Catering
It’s worth noting that our celebrated side dishes aren’t just available in our restaurant. Our catering Sun Prairie services bring these same high-quality offerings to events throughout the area. Primal BBQ Sun Prairie catering ensures guests at your event can enjoy the full Primal Cue experience, from corporate functions to weddings, graduation parties, and family reunions.
Our catering packages allow for customization, so our team can accommodate your needs if you’re looking for a full spread with all our signature sides or want to highlight just a few favorites. Many clients tell us that guests at their events rave about the sides just as much as the meats, further validating our approach to creating a complete barbecue experience.
For smaller gatherings or those who want to supplement their home cooking, we also offer ala carte catering options. You can order individual trays of our famous Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Primal Baked Beans, or any of our other sides to complement your main dishes.
The Complete Barbecue Experience
We want our meats to be the main course, but we want you to remember our side dishes. They round out the meal and make everything even more memorable. We take pride in all our menu offerings, and there’s nothing better than when someone comes to visit us and says, “I have been dreaming about that mac ‘n’ cheese.”
We understand.
We dream about it, too.
This attention to detail across our entire menu distinguishes us among restaurants in
Sun Prairie. While many establishments might excel at one thing—perhaps their smoked brisket or pulled pork—we strive for excellence in every aspect of your dining experience.
When you visit Primal Cue, located conveniently near Grove Street, Sun Prairie, WI (and not far from the Sun Prairie Ice Arena for those catching a game or practice), you’re not just getting a meal – you’re getting a carefully crafted culinary experience where every component has been thoughtfully prepared.
Whether you’re a barbecue aficionado who appreciates the subtle art of smoke and spice or someone simply looking for delicious food near Sun Prairie, WI, our approach to side dishes elevates the entire dining experience. The next time you’re debating places to eat in Sun Prairie, WI, remember that at Primal Cue, we pour our hearts into everything we serve – from the mightiest rack of ribs to the humble side of beans.
Because in our book, there are no supporting actors on your plate – only stars.
Visit us soon and discover why so many consider us among the best restaurants in Sun Prairie, WI. We’ll have a plate waiting for you, complete with sides that are anything but an afterthought. 👉 Contact Us Today about our catering services, or stop in and experience the best barbecue joint in Sun Prairie!