Whenever I visit my college son in town, we always have dinner after his baseball practice. I really enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, tasty burgers and beer, and friendly staff. It's a great local dive bar and restaurant. read more

Hadn't been here since it was relaunched as Badger Tavern. I heard good things about their food, so checked them out for lunch. If you're there for food and not the bar, just take the immediate right turn into the separate dining room. Menus are on the table, and a server will quickly appear for your drink choices. I love that they serve fish fry (or grilled) every single day...not just Friday! I tried the grilled Walleye sandwich, which was fantastic!! The fish filet was fresh and tender and nicely seasoned. The hoagie bun was above ordinary as well, soft yet sturdy, and had a homemade element. Sandwiches do not have a side automatically included, so we ordered a half order of onion rings to share. The rings were just average. My husband enjoyed his brat with sauteed onions. He said it was very good. We will return! read more

See all

What a fantastic fish fry!! Erin was an amazing server. Even though we aren't regulars like many people there, it was a super welcoming environment. The energy was great, and the food came out quickly. The grilled and blackened walleye were both excellent. The coleslaw and tartar were also delicious. We've been here before for burgers, and we have really been missing out on the fish fry! I love that you can get the fish fry any day! read more

Badger Tavern - Grilled walleye and fries - Sports Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Had the grilled shrimp it was very tasty done well. Service was good. Felt very cozy great ambiance

I can't believe I haven't written a review for Badger Tavern - I've loved this place since it was Tony Frank's and continue to love it. It is a great neighborhood bar with surprisingly great food and a nice variety of beers on tap. While the food isn't anything fancy, the menu has a good range of stuff and everything I've had is always delicious. Bartenders and servers are attentive and provide good service. It's a small place so sometimes it can be hard to find a spot at the bar or a table, but it's worth the trip. They have one of my favorite grilled chicken sandwiches - again, nothing fancy, but always well cooked and very tasty. My mother swears by their fish fry. Parking lot is usually full and a bit haphazard, but there's plenty of parking down the street if you can walk a tiny bit. Highly recommend! read more

Badger Tavern - Grilled chicken sandwich - lettuce, tomato, with french fries. - Sports Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Had lunch here several times this winter. I finally got to try their chili which was excellent. Usually I am only here in summer when they don't serve it. I think it should be on the menu year round, it's that good. The rest of the food and service is consistently great. read more

Reuben was all I was hoping for! Delicious... just what I wanted and it was wonderful the next day too!!!! Service on top of things! What you would hope to find ... a welcoming Wisconsin bar - with regulars and feeling of being where you should be. Will definitely be back! read more

Badger Tavern - Reuben - Sports Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

I stopped by on a Sunday for an early lunch. The place was only getting filled. Prices were reasonable. Tex mex roll was flavorful. Ribeye steak sandwich was my favorite entree. It had a solid piece of steak in it. They serve fish everyday. I went for a 1 cod and 4 shrimp platter as well. It was very nice. Side soup was flavorful. Shrimp wrap was my other entree. read more

See all

I heard the Badger tavern has one of the best Reubens, so I had to try it for myself. They were not wrong! The Reuben was excellent!! It tasted not only fresh, but it was packed with flavor. French fries were fresh and hot as well. Service was prompt and friendly as well. I'll definitely be back to try other items. But if you're looking for a great Reuben, this is the place! read more

Badger Tavern - Sports Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Great neighborhood bar with friendly service and better than average bar food. Prices are very reasonable and they have one of the best burgers in Madison. If you go on a Friday for fish mid afternoon is the sweet spot. Right after the lunch crowd and before the dinner rush. The place is small, maybe 10 tables inside, and 7ish outside during warm months. They do have a long bar and a lot of regulars. For those in the know you can get the fish fry everyday of the week. Soup change daily and I highly recommend them. Portions are large so my husband and I usually split. They don't charge a split fee like many restaurants do. They also don't up charge you for extra sauce or ranch dressing for your fries. read more

See all

I have come to this place a few times, and its been pretty good. Food is what you would expect in tavern (perhaps a bit better) , service is pretty quick also, and the prices are reasonable, on that level it's good. Tonight there was a new fellow behind the bar. An older guy with a blustered red face. I don't go there too often so not sure if he's long term, or maybe just a new hire. A bit angry looking from the outset, and also a fellow who seemed out of place in the service industry. I ended up leaving on a sour note and very uncomfortable about the interaction. I wondered if it really worth going out in this economy running into unneeded aggression. The place to me had lost its appeal as a friendly somewhat family place. I realize that bar staff turnover quickly and owners need to deal with that. I will likely go back after some time. When the decks are clear. read more

Best fried shrimp in town. Hear me out. You should start making your chicken strips from scratch the same way. Price them about the same for a basket and you'll have the best chicken strips in Madison. Nobody around here has a truly memorable handmade chicken strip. Back to the shrimp. It was incredibly fresh, juicy and crunchy, and the walleye sandwich was just as good. It's a true northern po'boy. That shrimp batter should be used for everything fried on your menu, especially the curds. Also, shoutout to the hot bearded bartender who chased my mom and me down the street after we forgot our card. Great staff all around. read more

I love the food , burgers are great and the Wisconsin cheesesteak is my new favorite, not too heavy but oh so delicious . Service was on par for a busy lunchtime and if any place has that neighborhood feel it's badger tavern but being right on the beltline you don't expect it . I seem to like this bar more and more every time I go. It's got charm , good food , great bartenders and just enough badger memorabilia to give it feel of a neighborhood bar . read more

We stopped here on a Friday night, after we were excited for a local fish fry. It was a packed house, we got there about 5:30 after work and waited a half hour for a table... The food was great and solid burger with cheese curds. The only downside was with how busy it was, once we got a table we could barely enjoy it due to the noise and constant bombard of people. I definitely want to stop back on a less busy night and truly get a chance to enjoy the place! This is added to our list to continue to explore! read more

See all

We love this place! While it's a bar and not fancy, their food is reliably good--French fries hot, and the two-piece fish fry is more than enough. Every one is super attentive--and two fish fries, an Arnold Palmer, an an 8-oz beer (an interesting local brew) was $40! read more

This is a great neighborhood bar and grill, food is very good, great burgers and apps. The drinks are fairly priced and well done. Great place to just pop in on the way home. read more

Lunch | ~$80 Badger Tavern, Madison WI Visited: October 17, 2025 Group: 3 adults, 1 college-aged guest To those that are considering going to this place, if you are from out of town or want a friendly staff, I would recommend a similar type place closer to campus where they are more familiar with travelers, respect their guests and appreciate you choosing them over the many other possible options. Here is a factual account of my visit yesterday. After visiting a local pumpkin patch, our group chose Badger Tavern for a late lunch at the recommendation of our host -- a University of Wisconsin football player that we were in town to watch him play against OSU. When we arrived, I introduced myself to a waitress and explained that I was visiting for the game and didn't know the local customs. I asked politely if I could drink a single bottle of locally purchased apple-cider beer I'd bought earlier from the pumpkin patch. She told me it wasn't normally allowed but that an exception would be fine for such a special circumstance. I accepted her answer, poured it discreetly into a glass, and disposed of the bottle. Our waitress and table both understood that permission had been granted. Near the end of our meal -- after ordering three entrées, two baskets of fries and rings and four 3 or 4 alcoholic beverages and tipping 20% (even gave the bartender a dollar for serving the plastic cup of ice)-- a man who never identified himself as the owner approached the table, asked what I was drinking. I replied honestly that it was an apple cider from the pumpkin patch and informed him that I had asked and had been granted permission from a waitress. He immediately told me I had not received permission. Inferring I was being dishonest without pausing or attempting to verify my claim. I calmly replied that I had, and even suggested, with a friendly smile, that we could "wager on it" because I was certain. He declined, said flatly "No, you didn't," and told our group we could "take the beer and my group and leave." It was a rude, ignorant and a lesson to my young college age guest on how not to treat a customer that will stick with her, better than any management training ever could. We left quietly and without incident, but the experience was embarrassing for my host, who had recommended the place, and disappointing after what had been a pleasant meal. As a 1st time visitor to Madison and a lifelong fan of good local spots, I'd hoped for better communication and courtesy from ownership -- especially when a misunderstanding could have been solved with a brief, respectful conversation. I share this so management can review how such situations are handled. The staff and food were both solid; the confrontation at the end was not. I share this with a heavy heart, too. The owner, in my limited experience with him, strikes me as the kind of man that will repremand or let go of the waitress I spoke with, even though she was the most pleasant and friendly person I met while I visited his tavern. read more

Our go to bar for amazing and fresh food with friendly service and cold drinks! Things we always order are: the chicken wraps, burgers, jalapeño wontons, fries, cheese curds, ok everything! Plenty of parking out front, and easy to get to right off the beltline. read more

See all

It's a great bar to go too on a nice side of town,the food and drinks are excellent. But they are I'll suited for handicapped patrons,and the place is very small. It's a neighborhood bar so be prepared to be completely ignored here. read more

All around solid bar food, you literally can't go wrong. Small place but worth the wait. Quick staff. read more

See all

Like the Friday Fish fry so much, we came back for Saturday snacks! Weather was great, so we enjoyed the outdoor patio. Should have brought the grand pup - dog friendly and water bowls provided for our four legged friends. Had the Cajun Chicken Sandwich -- the Saturday Special -- which was a bit more than the snacks we intended. It was wonderful! Lots of chicken, moist and savory . The tomato was tasty too. And I had the fries - hit and crispy. G loved her burger and fries while Sam enjoyed the fried cheese curds and her appetizer. Service was top notch - both when they were busy on Friday night and Saturday afternoon when they weren't so much. Whether a Badger fan or not, I encourage you to become a fan of the Badger Tavern too! read more

Great food amazing service and cozy atmosphere The service was great everyone was very nice and kind I like this place read more

Badger Tavern - Jalapeño WONTON - Sports Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I was surprised that at 5:20 all the tables were full. Fortunately we were first in line and got a seat outside. The service was stellar. Fast and accurate. Maybe too fast. I felt a bit rushed but with people waiting I suppose that is to be expected. We ordered a salad for an additional charge in stead of the fries and it came on a separate plate. I had only eaten half of it when the blackened walleye arrived. I slipped the remaining salad next to the fish and then it didn't look so skimpy. The Cole slaw and fish were delicious but we still were hungry after eating. I think if there had been a piece of rye bread included I would have not left hungry and would have given 5 stars. Eating the fries would have solved the hunger issue too but I am on weight watchers so that is a no no. read more

Badger Tavern - Outside dining - Sports Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

Ordered takeout for work. Everything was amazing. The ribeye sandwich was cooked to order (med rare) with pepper jack and seasoned really well. The Southwest appetizer combo with the Tex mex egg rolls and jalapeño whipped not s was excellent. The egg rolls very mildly spicy but very flavorful, the wontons are delicious but if you don't like heat do not order them (I do like heat so I loved them). They come with a sweet and sour type sauce which was ok, but I ordered a side of pico to go with them and that was perfect. Also got the Exploding pig, which was extremely delicious, a couple cheeseburgers and fries/onion rings which I didn't get pics of but were reported to be excellent by the people that ate them. Staff was also really friendly when I went to pick it up, and it was done quickly. Our only problem is we want to try everything and our stomachs are already full, so will definitely be back. read more

See all

We went to the bar to order our takeout. We ordered drinks at the bar and we were waited on immediately. The atmosphere was amazing and a lot of buzz going on. We ordered fish dinner with a side of blackend shrimp. Yummy!!! read more

Badger Tavern - Sports Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Very good hamburgers. Service was great. As soon as we walked in the door we had a waitress asking us what we wanted to drink. Very causal atmosphere with seating indoor and outdoor. read more

See all

Went for lunch on a weekday, just a neighborhood tavern playing Prince, Tom Petty and Madonna on the box. Good burgers and garlic cheese curds. Holly was fast , efficient and friendly. read more

See all

THIS IS THE SPOT IN MADISON. Food is amazing and I would highly recommend the Friday fish fry, rueben, or the garlic cheese curds. It's a classic neighborhood bar with wonderful service and delicious drinks. Prices are good and it's easy to have an amazing time and only spend $25. If you want to get that classic Wisconsin vibe go to the Badger Tavern. read more

Badger Tavern - One hell of a double rum and coke. - Sports Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The service is quick, the servers are the very best. The servers Remember your names, once introduced, and always check back with you to ensure that you are satisfied with the food. Your order is fulfilled in record time, and is delicious. The day staff (Holly and Kelsey) are the best!! read more

Nice little joint. The last time I was here it was a Tony Frank's - So a long time ago. The burgers came as ordered. You order it rare it comes rare... Medium comes medium. Why am I bothering to report on this phenomenon? Because most burger joints and bars can't seem to cook a burger any other way than shoe leather - who wants a $7-12 burger cooked to shoe leather status? I had the Patty Melt... it was fine. Perhaps it could have used a bit more pre grill seasoning. Companions Badger Burger was proclaimed as "tasty". Over all prices are reasonable and the drinks stiff without being stringent. I'll be back. read more

Badger Tavern - Beam Old Fashioned Soda - Sports Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

It's a classic! The Badger Tavern is a place where you can relax and enjoy a burger and fries. It's an intimate place so during the summertime it's nice to sit outside. The menu is as simple as the location so look for your favorites such as rueben or a club. Just relax and come on in...the staff will take care of you. read more

See all

This is a great neighborhood bar. Or new go-to burger and beer place. The process are very reasonable and the staff is very friendly. The burgers are well seasoned and they have to be the best bar burger I've had in over 20 years in the Madison area. It's an easy to get to location and the is parking lot. For warmer weather, they do have an outdoor patio with decent patio furniture. It is clean and comfortable. read more

See all

Bartenders are all really cool especially the brunette girl. The food was spectacular. Would highly recommend the turkey wrap with boom boom sauce. my boyfriend really liked the blue cheeseburger. plan to go back for the fish sandwich. The chef is so nice!! we always seem to get lucky when we play the slots too read more

They're burgers are always a top notch. Cheese curds are delicious. Even when busy, food still arrives extremely fast.

I am happy to see that Badger Tavern has opened it's doors. Besides the signage, I don't think much has changed since the Tony Frank's days. The BT has a similar menu of it's predecessor and I opted for the patty melt. Perfectly cooked with fried onions on marble rye, it was exactly what a patty melt should be. A little grease, a little ooze from the cheese, and full of flavor. With being open just over a week, service still needs a little tweaking with multiple waitstaff coming to a table to ask for an order. Not a huge deal-eagerness is far better than apathy. Happy to have a local tavern back in business. read more

Badger Tavern - Solid patty melt. - Sports Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Cheeseburger was the best burger in Madison. Not even close, our whole table agreed on the rating read more

Badger Tavern - The dessert menu - Sports Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

Great burgers! Went in for a quick bite at lunchtime and was pleased to see a simple menu. Bar service was great, food was fresh, and belly left full. Sides don't come with sandwiches which is kind of the regular nowadays but it works if you aren't too hungry. Would go back there again read more

Food was good! Love to sit outside when it is warm. I added mushrooms to my cheese burger as an extra.. was charged twice.. I told her I only ordered mushrooms as an extra.. She came to my table angry and argued with me about ordering extra mushrooms. Honestly I would never have mentioned it if she weren't so rude. Imagine being argued with over a word... over wording? Sorry they lost me here.. and my extensive circle. I eat out a lot.. I post photos a lot. This was really not a great way to receive payment . Makes ya wonder what gives these days. Not fond of being scolded .. wow.. .79 cents ha ha They lost much over this little verbal mistake. Food is very good though.. cook great.. service hmmm read more

Just as good as they last time I was there. I had the patty melt and it was cooked to perfection. I have a feeling all their food is darn good. The people I was with also enjoyed their meal. Beers all around!!! read more

This is the best neighborhood bar by my place. Great drinks, affordable food, and great service. Keep up the great work. I will be coming back waaay more ! Clean friendly environment! read more