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The Old Fashioned Tavern & Restaurant

Gastropub$$$$

Downtown Madison, Madison

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8.9^/10

867

ratings

Ranked #2 for burgers in Madison
The experts at Eater and Men's Health Mag recommend this place
"Try the Beer Battered Cheese Curds - Truly astounding!"(81 Tips)
"Good Wisconsin beers, fish frys, and of course old fashioneds"(8 Tips)
"House Burger (#30) is goddamn fantastic."(8 Tips)
"Try the Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet - Traditional Wisconsin drink."(7 Tips)

260 Tips and reviews

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JH H-DSeptember 16, 2019
Been here 5+ times
The Friday fish fry is BOMB!
Renae LJune 26, 2011
Chicken sandwich was good. Typical American cousin. Cheese curds were great. Extra treat was their crisp. Strawberry rhubarb crisp a la mode was delish.
Pete M.August 26, 2011
Been here 10+ times
Love the Applejack Old Fashioned. Any place that has Potosi on tap and a library of small town Wisconsin brews is a fave.
Alice FerrisJuly 24, 2013
Try the Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet - Traditional Wisconsin drink. I only drink them when in Wisconsin.
James BlakesleeSeptember 22, 2013
They make the best Brandy Old Fashion cocktails in Madison.
Men's Health MagNovember 17, 2011
It’s simple here. No. 8 if you want to split bratwurst with buddies, and No. 38 if you want one to yourself. Do yourself a favor, snag a side of mac and cheese. To drink? Easy, the Old Fashioned.
Justine BurkeSeptember 16, 2012
The house burger is amazing. The cheese curds are amazing. The beer is amazing. See a trend?
Mark FelderNovember 16, 2015
Extensive beer list, great curds. Try the Summer Sausage sandwich!
JenKuduJuly 16, 2018
Old fashioned burger 🍔 and cheese curds were delicious
Corey JacobAugust 15, 2014
My favorite dish is the beer cheese mac n cheese. Be sure to add bacon.
Todd MerchantOctober 2, 2015
Burgers, greasy cheese curds, fun dipping sauces and Wisconsin beer.
JD MaloneJanuary 7, 2015
Great cheese curds. Staff are friendly which is great after the long wait.
Matt ShredoJune 18, 2013
Wow, they weren't kidding, best cheese curds ever, hands down. And the bloody is fantastic too.
Alice FerrisJuly 15, 2016
Try the Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet - The quintessential Wisconsin drink. (via @Foodspotting)
Your 5th AuntOctober 14, 2012
Been here 10+ times
Delish soup and salad fresh from the Farmers Market from the square with a great amount of dressing.
Alice FerrisJuly 15, 2016
Try the Fried Cheese Curds - I saved all my calories today for this. (via @Foodspotting)
JH H-DAugust 5, 2022
Been here 5+ times
The Door County Cherry Old Fashioned sneaks up on ya 👀
Amy RobertsonOctober 11, 2017
Been here 5+ times
The best part is the massive tap list. The food is good but not amazing.
Jake SmithMay 20, 2013
This isn't just a Wisconsin beer bar. Be sure to check out the imported beer they have too!
Lane PelovskyAugust 15, 2014
Great place! Good beer selection and tasty burgers. Cheese Curds
CDecember 30, 2015
House Burger (#30) is so good. Try it with cheese curds!
John WiedemannSeptember 26, 2014
Really? Cheese Curds, old fashions, everything! Greatest thing since sliced bread!
Rami MassoudAugust 12, 2016
Fried cheese curds are very tasty
kris g.September 15, 2013
The beer battered cheese curds and the chicken fried steak were out of this world!
Ryan NixonAugust 8, 2024
Try the brandy old fashioned, they also have a great fish fry
Joe PachalFebruary 4, 2016
Good Wisconsin beers, fish frys, and of course old fashioneds
Diane StevensDecember 9, 2016
Had to have an Old Fashioned of course, very good! Also there's so many beers
Wanda GillesAugust 8, 2013
love #37 with no mustard. My favorite and is the best reason to eat at The Old Fashioned
TerryJuly 10, 2013
This is not kid friendly. Although there is an extensive kid menu, the atmosphere and restaurant is not conducive to kids. There isn't anything fun for them to do.
Photo Editing CompanyJanuary 8, 2016
The old Fashioned offer amazing taste of burger or any breakfast food.
Darren PortMay 25, 2013
Ask for the Spicy Wisconsin Bloody Mary! It's a meal in a glass that will keep your metabolism running!
Alex DaviesApril 22, 2012
The cheese curds are the best I've had in Madison and the Spicy Burger was great!
Mark RiechersFebruary 7, 2010
Been here 10+ times
The Old Fashioned Burger, onion strings and a brandy old-fashioned. Grease, cheese, bacon, booze–everything amazing about WI in one meal. Pro tip: eat the onion strings first, they get gross when cold
Renae LJune 26, 2011
Upstairs is a good choice if you intend on holding a conversation. Upstairs stops service at nine, though. Mac and cheese- okay at best- I've had much better at other places. You can get a side of it
David WozniakMarch 7, 2013
Great place, good food and 40 beers on tap. Cheese. Curds are a must
Dolores LoudermilkApril 16, 2018
Great burgers with amazingly flavorful beef.
Amy HendersonAugust 9, 2013
Breakfast is super affordable and delicious. The local sausage is incredible!
Alice FerrisJuly 24, 2013
Try the Deep Fried Cheese Curds - These are the best. Not healthy, but good.
Lisa BaetenOctober 30, 2013
Best old fashion I have had on years (whiskey sour with olives)
CorinneSeptember 25, 2014
Been here 25+ times
#30 is one of the messiest burgers I've ever had, but worth it.
Alicia BusseJuly 2, 2011
Best cheese curds! So good with the paprika sauce! The brat is served cut in half and sandwich style, FYI. :)
Kevin HarriganJune 14, 2011
This is a top 3 restaurant in the country for me. Everything is amazing and reasonably priced, too!
Heather BeachSeptember 23, 2014
Tomato soup is amazing. Try a cheese platter.
Rick SeidlerAugust 30, 2015
Massive beer selection and some pretty good food.
Ryan WoodhouseAugust 7, 2011
Been here 5+ times
Get a gin old fashioned... Bombay sapphire with sweet or press. Sounds a little funny but u won't be disappointed
Anna J.December 5, 2010
Been here 10+ times
Highly recommend the Blind Willie as it tastes much like an oreo. Also, the Applejack Old Fashioned adds a nice bite to the original.
Jared WickDecember 25, 2014
Have a sweet whisky old fashion with your fish tacos.
AmberMay 24, 2013
Great beer list, GREAT! But they served me pink chicken then didn't comp it.
Minh NghiMarch 31, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Spicy Burger. One of the best burgers in the nation!
John KilimasAugust 10, 2014
Great beer list very good service and food

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The Old Fashioned Tavern & Restaurant

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