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I'd been dying to try Butterbird since they opened, and finally ordered takeout with some co-workers (so I can't speak to the dine-in experience). Overall, nothing to write home about, but nothing bad. I ordered the Butterbird Classic (fried chicken sandwich) but removed the pickles. I got the sauce on the side. I'd been worried the lettuce would overtake the chicken, but it was a very small amount of lettuce that really had no impact either way on the sandwich. The chicken thigh was a decent size and cooked very nicely. There wasn't much to it, it didn't really have much flavor, but again it wasn't bad at all. I tried one bite without the sauce, then added a small amount of sauce. It's got a dill vibe going on which I dislike, so I did not add any more, but the sauce did help with some flavor. My co-worker got her sandwich with the sauce on it, and it was also a very small amount of sauce. On the side, I got way more sauce and gave the rest of mine to her. She used almost all of it. I also got the French fries with my order. They were good fries where I did not feel any need to use ketchup with them. We all commented that they reminded of us McDonald's fries, but obviously a little bit more gourmet. Another coworker got the coleslaw instead of fries, and said that it was good but way less substantial than the fries. So, the food didn't live up to the hype, and I'm not sure I'd spend the money again, but I do really want to try their Old Fashioned on Tap... so I might have to go visit in person when I'm not working and get another order.
After a few visits to Madison, I finally tried Butterbird and what a treat it turned out to be! Located a few blocks from campus, Butterbird is a retro-styled spot slinging up all things chicken...and cheese curd! The process is walk-in, walk-up, order, take a number and then head to the table of your choosing. Once done, leave everything, as they will clear your table. Its efficient and was an easy process from start to finish. We walked in, scoped a menu and then ordered a couple of chicken sandwiches along with an order of cheese curds. I got the standard chicken sandwich which was solid, and my buddy got the Caesar sandwich, and he enjoyed it quite a bit. The curds were more cheese stick-style, but still tasty, however a bit salty on their own. Service was super friendly from entry to food delivery and to exit. The space is really cool, well laid out, copious seating inside and features a great enclosed outdoor space, which is where we sat. Overall, really enjoyed our visit to Butterbird and definitely recommend for those in the area of campus!
I ordered a 2pc spicy chicken and a sprite. This was $22 and I felt disappointed to see such a tiny cup of sprite and chicken that wasn't even spicy. I think this spicy problem could be fixed if a rub of some sort was used; but, Butterbird puts a chili oil on top instead of seasoning. The only positive thing about this dining experience was the atmosphere of the restaurant- it's vintage and aesthetically cool. But with the small size and high price I was unimpressed.
We stopped by Butterbird for takeout to give it a try. The chicken was very good, nice sized pieces with crispy and juicy food. Pickles were a pleasant addition but the coleslaw was bland. I will be back to dine in.
What an exciting chicken place! In a market oversaturated with fast food chicken options, this one is among the best! We waited in a long line that went surprisingly pretty fast. It was the night of a concert so there were extra visitors in town. The inside reminds me of an old subway or train station. Plenty of seating and well decorated! I had no idea they served alcohol or had weekly specials! As for the food WOW!! The highlight of the order was definitely the rotisserie chicken and Swiss melt. Whatever sauce they put on the sandwich is amazing. The fries were OK nothing special. The cheese, curds and mac & cheese were definitely top-tier. I highly suggest trying the lemonade was fresh squeezed, and the cookie ls and cream milkshake was perfect. Sadly the chicken sandwich wasn't my favorite. The batter was as delicious but the chicken had some gristly parts I didn't love. I'll be back to have more curds and that rotisserie chicken sandwich!!!!
Ok as a vegetarian maybe I should have known this wasn't going to be a hit. But they had a lot of veg options on the menu and it gets a lot of hype. Ambiance: 5 stars Service 4.5 stars Food: 2.5 stars - fried tofu was a total miss - tasteless and floppy even with the pickles and sauce. Shake was just ok. Kale salad was lacking in anything but kale (not enough biscuit or cheese.) Coleslaw was watery and too tangy. Chicken from the meat eaters "wasn't as good as KFC" but prices were HIGH. Bbq sauce and honey mustard sauces were a highlight.
We visited Butterworth during the summer and we were impressed by how cool and hip the place is. We tried the famous cheese curds and they did not disappoint. The bar was kind of empty, probably because the university was out for the summer, but we still have a great time and enjoyed our drinks and overall experience
My go to brunch spot. So many different options and I love the weekly brunch specials. The kale Caesar salad is my favorite, simple but so good. I tried the rolls for the first time and they were amazing also! Perfectly salty and soft with a nicely browned crust. The service and staff are amazing. So friendly and kind, you can tell they put so much thought into every aspect of the restaurant. We tried the Peep Marshmallow Milkshake special for Easter weekend!! So cute and creative!
I timed my visit wrong as a game had let out. Butterbird was packed! If you can find a seat at the bar, you can order there. Otherwise order at the front counter, pay, take your number, & find a seat. Based on other reviews, I ordered the classic butterbird sandwich with a side of green garlic sauce and fries. I also ordered a side of broccoli salad. I'd suggest skipping the broccoli salad, it was ok not great. Full of raisins and limo (ie not crispy) diced apples with sauce. Flavorwise, it was tangy and may have had a little but of caraway seeds. The sandwich was super moist, crispy outside and fall apart tender inside. The flavor was good. Definitely check it out. They have 80's music playing and, when I was there, local sports on play.
such a fun place on regent st!! we loved the decor and that it's close to a lot of other cafes. We came for brunch on Sunday around 12:30 and it was pretty empty. The counter service was quick and they brought it right to us. We both got the chicken and waffles and it was so good! The chicken was really juicy and flavorful, and the sweet corn waffles gave it a unique flavor that really popped well with the chicken. We didn't notice before ordering that they had cold brew and ended up going elsewhere for coffee, but for future reference now we know
Tried the 2 piece meal (NC), the Butterbird Classic (me), Rotisserie Chicken & Swiss Melt (Blue). Tasty sandwiches, excellent fries. Coke Shop. Order at the counter, full bar available. Will go back!
If you're looking for a casual, super cool restaurant with delicious food, then look no further than Butterbird. You order at the front counter, grab a number, and find a table. You can fill your own water cup and they'll bring the food out to you. The environment is super casual and friendly, while still being very clean and sleek. We ordered the cheese curds and they were absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend Butterbird for either a quick stop (for cheese curds of course), or a full meal. The service was friendly and the whole experience was very nice. This place is definitely worth a visit!
As a vegetarian I was not expecting to like/find anything worthwhile at Butterbird but wow was I wrong. They have tofu options for their entrees and have one of the best caesar salads in Madison in my opinion. The also have the best French fries ever! If you like thin/crispy French fries you'll love these. Highly recommend pairing them with the dilly ranch because it is herby and perfect. I also am obsessed with their shamrock shake which was minty and not too sweet (perfect). Service was quick and you can order at the counter or via the table QR code. They have tons of seating inside and a cute patio. Bonus points for the retro Photo Booth and overall retro vibe. I'm totally obsessed with this place and can't wait to eat here again.
Don't let the line scare you off - it moves fairly quickly! A group of 10 of us came on a Friday night, at 5:30pm, before a Badger Basketball game. Despite choosing the worst time we could have picked we were able to order our food with only about a 15 minute wait in line, and even got tables next to one another for all of us with no real issues. I had the spicy chicken sandwich, the honey hot sweet potato, and a bourbon smash. All were delicious. The chicken sandwich is in the running for the best I've had, but I will be craving the sweet potato on the daily. It's oddly delicious. The chicken was great, but the sweet potato phenomenal. The bourbon smash, which interestingly included ginger, was also great. I also must mention the staff. They all were so kind and friendly, and in the best moods despite the fact that they were unbelievably busy. read more
7 months ago
i ordered a vanilla shake and they told me that they didnt have any of the stuff in stock, it was the only thing i ordered besides a diet coke. i was eating with my friends and one of the workers came up to me with a shake made from scratch highly highly recommend this place. amazing food, great atmosphere and amazing workers. THANK YOU IAN FOR THE EXTRA CUPCAKE MILKSHAKES!!! read more
This place is new and owned by the same who head the Harvey house so I did have some expectations here. Given its opening weekend, you guessed it-there was a line even around early dinner time (5pm). There was only one person taking orders so that was kind of hard to muster through - she was very kind though so it's not her fault! Having standing in negative temperature outside for ~10 minutes, I'm not sure if it's worth the wait. Ambiance: I thought it was interesting - retro diner vibes meets sports people meets old school games. Casual vibes, lots of families oddly enough, but what kid doesn't love chicken tenders. They have a high top where you can play games but it's only at one table. Think tic tac toe, chess, scrabble, etc. Food: chicken tenders by itself is definitely lacking some flavor. It's moist and juicy. We had the chipotle mayo and was my favorite pairing (we also tried hot honey and dilly ranch). Hot spicy chicken sandwich: flavor was good but I think that's because of the sauce. Coleslaw: tangy, not my vibe. The fries: okay they sold me here. A fresh McDonald's replica The banana pudding sundae: it was a nice treat. I think a little overpriced in the realm of desserts. I'd come back to try some of their beverages. read more
7 months ago
10 months ago
I stopped by to have a quick early dinner. At that time, I was the only person dining in. The restaurant was spacious. I went for a badger hot fried chicken sandwich. It was a decent chicken sandwich. I wish it was a bit more spicy. For dessert, I tried the banana pudding sundae. That was an ok dessert. Here one orders food in the counter and sits in the seat. Unfortunately for me the dessert came first, long before the sandwich arrived. read more
5 months ago
Business owner information
Danny H.
Hi Jane - I am so sorry to hear about your experience with us. We…
Went here on a Tuesday night to grab some dinner. Since we got there right around 5, the place wasn't crazy busy, but there was a steady stream of people and we did have to wait in line. It's order at the counter and find a seat style, so we placed out order and explored to find a table. There was way more seating than I expected and the outdoor patio was in full use. The atmosphere is one of a kind in Madison. Kind of retro diner meets indoor drive-in meets supper club, but it all works! All the staff we interacted with were also super friendly and clearly cared to make sure everyone was satisfied. We were there for happy hour, so we ended up ordering a Butterbird punch and a standard chicken slider. We also got the popcorn chicken, Tuesday special, and the Badger Hot chicken sandwich with salad. The punch was delicious. Very citrus and pleasant, could definitely get you in trouble. When they brought out our order they actually ended up bringing us a standard chicken sandwich instead of the hot. We ended up telling the person who took our order and the manager/(owner maybe?) was quick to come over and tell us she'd make sure we got the spicy sandwich and include fries. I'm so happy they got us the spicy sandwich because it's one of the few in town that actually has spice! This is now added into our chicken sandwich rotation. The salad that they served with it was also nicely dressed. The popcorn chicken were also tasty and were definitely larger than popcorn size, almost more like tenders. The slider and Butterbird classic were also tasty, but I would recommend the spicy between the two. The fries were fine, but a little too salty for our taste. Overall, very tasty food and excellent service. Prices also were pretty standard for a sandwich and side on the area. We were impressed and hope to come back soon! Glad that they lived up to expectations, if not exceeded. read more
1 year ago
I didn't have high hopes for a delivered meal from across town, but I was completely blown away! I was working from home yesterday, and craving a hot chicken sandwich badly (it's been my number one pregnancy craving). I decided on Butterbird, and oh my gosh it was DELICIOUS! The best hot chicken sandwich I've ever had. It was still hot (temp wise), crispy, and so flavorful. I really loved the crunch of the pickles, they were super tasty. The Smokey chipotle mayo and hot chili oil added the perfect kick. I was super impressed, and can't wait to order weekly! read more
2 years ago
Butterbird was SO fun! First off, the ambience is cute and a little retro. A fun casual spot for sure. The service was wonderful. This was our first time and the woman at the register was kind and welcoming. She even gave us free tokens for soft serve because it was our first visit. Our food came out within five minutes and it was hot and delicious. We ordered the hot chicken sandwich and the smash burger. Both were great! The chicken was very tender and the burger was very yummy. And don't get me started on the fries! They were perfectly crisp and salty. We both ordered the Butterbird punch which was one of their cocktails on draft and it was refresh. Can't wait to go back! read more
6 months ago
2 years ago
Some of the best customer service I've received. The staff are professional and welcoming. The food is delicious. I recommend their chicken sandwich and a shake. The atmosphere is incredible!!! read more
1 year ago
Always wanted to try this place, and I couldn't be more happy I did. Food is gas but the outdoor seating and ambiance really sets this place apart from anywhere else read more
1 year ago
All I am saying is that Clueless was playing on all the TVs, Jell-O shots are readily available, and there are plenty of yummy chicken options. How could you not love this place? read more
Such an adorable space and a great addition to Regent Street. Everything we ordered was so delicious. The chicken tenders, swiss melt, fries, kale salad, and sauces were all amazing. Must get dilly ranch and green garlic mayo. Will be back for sure! Had lots of leftovers too that were great. read more
2 years ago
Fun ambience: clean, bright, and well decorated. A movie was playing on the wall screens. Order your food at the counter and find a place to sit. They will give a number to you upon ordering and will bring your food to your table when it's ready. Decent food with quality ingredients. The cheese curds are good, but I didn't eat anything that I absolutely must go back for. The restaurant was not busy at noon on a Thursday so it was easy to find a place to sit. read more
5 months ago
2 years ago
A great place for some of the best chicken in Madison, BUT, I was blown away by the Triple Smash Burger! Not to take anything away from the Chicken as it truly is delicious, but that Smash Burger was probably THE BEST burger I have ever had. Those meat patties was grilled perfectly and those red onions really added a great taste. Had I not been in town only for only one more day we would have gone back again. Thankfully my daughter goes to UW-Madison and I like coming up to visit as I can. There was a bit of a line, but the staff kept things moving well and we ordered, seated and had our food in about 20 minutes. A great place that I guarantee we will be back! read more
I was excited to try Butterbird since I've seen a few Instagram reels highlighting the new establishment, specifically its ambience. I was pleasantly surprised with the "cool" retro vibe inside including lots of brown, rounded corners, and dim lighting. As a plus, they were also playing the movie Little Shop of Horrors and other 80s classics on large TVs. When you enter the establishment you order at a counter, and I was definitely surprised by the high prices as seen in the menu photo I have attached. My boyfriend and I ordered two Butterbird Classic chicken sandwiches which includes a chicken thigh, shredded lettuce, dill pickles and dill ranch. I love pickles, but I was unsure I would like the dill ranch. I ended up really liking the dill ranch and the homemade dill pickles and were a little too tough for me. My boyfriend and I both loved our sandwiches, the buns were so buttery and the chicken was very good. I would have been happier with the $13 per sandwich price if they would have come with french fries or another side, but even french fries are $5 extra. We also got an order of the chicken-fried mozzarella sticks. They were lightly breaded and the papa's marinara sauce it came with was good, but they were not the best mozzarella sticks I've ever had, especially not for $11 for 6 sticks. We sat at the bar to eat which is connected to but on the opposite side of the front counter. The food came out in a reasonable amount of time, and our area was quickly cleared when we were finished eating. After eating we used the photo booth three times because that was something I was looking forward to, and I liked that the photo booth had a feature to email yourself your photos so you have the actual quality photos rather than having to take a picture of the printed photos. We hung a copy of our prints on the large bulletin, and I was happy to see some retro UW- Madison photos and ads framed by the photo booth. Overall, I really do like the branding for this restaurant, including the website, interior design, menu, and overall theme, but it is not an establishment I will frequent due to the prices. I also enjoyed the food, and would like to try the Banana Pudding Sundae, but it is definitely on the expensive side which was a turn off for me since it is on a college campus. Additionally, the staff was friendly and efficient, but I would not say the service stuck out to me as a customer. read more
2 years ago
The aesthetics and branding of this business are A-1. Props. But aesthetics/branding alone do not make a good restaurant. The second best thing about this place is the service. People were very nice. But $40 for my meal felt like a scam. I got several things so that I could get a taste of the menu. Chicken sandwich was just ok. Fries were a little too salty for me. The fried chicken pieces were fried a little too hard & were dark. Seasoning needs work. I was very excited about the pickles but they had a barely there, kinda flaky, light batter. Very underwhelming. Dill mayo was fine. The two things I enjoyed the most were the green garlic mayo (super tasty) and the Butterbird Punch. Overall feelings: If you're on Regent Street and have money to burn, sure, visit Butterbird. But what they charge does not equal the quality & taste. I would maybe go back for the drinks & to try the non-chicken items. Chicken is not worth what they are charging. read more
This review hurts me more than itll ever hurt the business. 1. I have loved. I mean loved. The Harvey House since its inception. Every out of town guest I send their way. It is magical. So. Imagine my thrill when these purveyors plan a fried chicken joint in what can only be described as a good fried chicken desert that is Dane County. 2. I waited with this news for nearly a year. I avoided the place for a month+ post opening. Every new place deserves a time to work it out. I would walk by during construction checking on timelines. I waited. 3. Tonight's the night. 8 piece chicken, dark side, smash burger, broccoli salad, sweet potato, fries and sauce. 4. There is no service. In that it has the same table service and ordering as the McDonald'snext door. 5. The ambience is the best part. If you're familiar with the Harvey House you'll notice the similarities. Though a bit louder. Bright. Beautiful. 6. The sauces (we ordered 6) were great. As was the broccoli salad. They reminded me of who started the place. 7. But the crux. The food. Chicken and burger. Awful. The smash burger was minimally acceptable. The fried chicken was awful. The breading is either flavorless or in the opinion of my son tasted like cucumbers. It was not served hot. It was not juicy. It was Kwik Trip fried chicken at best and that's being kind. It was awful. They shouldn't bother breading it. Their fries make McDonald's look good. I can't articulate how sad I am that this is their best effort. They should have tried good fried chicken first to formulate their own. Like Ripp's in Ladd, IL. Or a host of others. This seems like a bad culinary school senior project. read more
9 months ago
3 years ago
Had high hopes for Butterbird once we heard that the owners of Harvey House were opening a new chicken restaurant. However, I believe it was overhyped. I will say that service is impeccable, and I had extremely positive interactions with all of the staff. The server heard us debating whether or not to get a side of fries (which we decided not to), and she gave it to us on the house! The reason for my review is the food was not anything amazing, and in some cases, just not good. We ordered the pretzel, Butterbird classic, and the Badger hot chicken sandwich. The pretzel was good while hot, but not even 20 minutes later, it was as hard as a rock. The chicken fillets in each sandwich were thin and mostly consisted of breading. With the high costs, I would have expected larger, thicker pieces of chicken. It was very disappointing. The saving grace was the banana pudding sundae. It was a really great mix of two things I love: banana pudding and ice cream! I am glad I tried this new addition to Madison, and I sincerely hope they decide to improve the quality of their food. Until then, I will not be back. read more
Stopped by at 5:30 and ran into a line out the door, it moved pretty quickly! We ordered fried pickles, chicken tenders, and the hot chicken sandwich! All were delicious - the dipping sauces are all amazing. Hot honey and dilly ranch were faves. Finished our lovely meal with a banana sundae! Yum! Great vibes and service. Definitely a higher price point than some other chicken places. We got 2 drinks, an app, 2 entrees, and a dessert for about $80 with tip. We balled out a little bit... will definitely be back! read more
2 years ago
Such a fun find! The inside of Butterbird is so cool. Lots of energy and bustling with people. Ordering at the counter was super easy and the food came out quick. My party had regular chicken sandwiches and a hot one. Oh the hot one had some kick! But great flavor on everything. The fries were 10/10. Perfectly salted. Will be back! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Lots of hype around this place from the folks who do Harvey House. Inside is very harvey house. It's really pretty, big, detailed, slightly dark. J's fried chicken was lukewarm - we went right at open so maybe it was slacked preparing for a big rush. My sando was delicious. Hot honey was excellent. Cocktails were okay, didnt get any sides. Would go back! read more
10 months ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
One of the best patios in Madison! They had games, were playing Legally Blonde, it's shaded, plays great music, and the vibes are high overall. We just got drinks this time but are really looking forward to ordering the food next time. My husband and I each ordered the Cadillac margarita and got a pickleback & apple pie shot. All were delicious! I can't wait to come back...probably next week ;) read more
1 year ago
Just ate at Butterbird and I was skeptical at first. The ambiance is like a mix between a diner and a cute mechanic shop. The staff even wear jumpsuits and coveralls to complete the vibe. The prices seemed high for fast fried chicken, hence my skepticism. However, the food was really really good. I went on Saturday and had the chicken and waffle from the brunch menu. The waffle was a sweet corn one served with butter, maple syrup and your choice of chicken. I got two really well seasoned tenders and was so full by the time I finished. Anna and Ryan were two of the super kind servers I interacted with who definitely should get a raise for their attentiveness, friendliness and kindness. I even walked away with a to-go brownie to share with my kiddo despite my fullness thanks to these lovely souls. All in all, I'd recommend, especially for a chill day date where you want to impress but not feel too stuffy. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
The only thing saving this from a one star is that Butterbird is still relatively new. Given the previous reviews, I expected alot more. Like other things in Madison, the "cult of personality" seems to influence diners. Yes, this is the second restaurant from the Harvey House crew (which I adore) and the lines out the door are indicative that this influence is strong. Quite simply, BB was a disappointment-a fast casual (order at the counter and get a number) restaurant centered around fried chicken. And when you put all your eggs in this basket (get that pun?), you better deliver. And simply, it didn't. The chicken was devoid of seasoning, and while the coating was crispy, a layer of mush existed between the coating and the meat. The fried pickle snack I ordered was luckily saved by the dill sauce that accompanied. Due to the slices being so thinly sliced, if you didn't use the sauce, it tasted like vinegar soaked cardboard. The chicken entrees are served with a "chicken in a biscuit" hush puppy. This was actually too salty and lacking of any real chicken taste. A salty pasty ball. Add in the rather high price point $11 for a leg and thigh and $8 for the pickles and it becomes a head scratcher. Across town at Zippy Lube, a two piece clocks in at 7.99. I will give the BB crew credit on the interior. Modern yet classic, it is evident that considerable thought went into the signage, lighting, bar and seating. No doubt, with the Harvey House linkage, the restaurant will continue to draw customers and absolutely kill during home Badger games. And that is a shame, as the execution and taste of their food (at the time of this review) is simply not there. read more
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