Awesome historic brick architecture. Great beer selection. Super friendly and engaging staff. Check out the salt/pepper saker selection.

I never liked or disliked the Come Back In - it's a typical bar and has good beer choices. They always offered me a chance for my band and I to play there, and exposure is always good. However, I never liked the manager, since all he does every time is yell at his staff and glare at everyone. He really creeps me out, the way he's always staring and crap. Anyway, last time we were there, it was below zero outside. We noticed a dick patron had left his yellow lab in his car with the windows all up and no blanket just to go inside and drink (people like that should never own anything that relies on them, btw) and he had been in the bar for a long time, because the windows were all nearly frosted over. I mentioned this to the manager since he checked my ID at the door, and he said, "Who the fuck cares, it's a damned dog," and shooed me inside. 1. that is freaking RUDE to say to a CUSTOMER. 2. yes it is a dog, but that is animal cruelty. I got a seat with my friends and kept an eye on the guy. Sure enough, just like all other times, he yelled at his staff and glared at the customers, doing nothing else. The cops showed up then and talked to him and he was pissed as all hell that someone (no, it wasn't me lol) called the cops to his establishment. And yes, it was about the dog in the car in negative degree weather. I was close enough to the situation to over hear it, and the guy was a dick to the cops too, saying things like "I don't f*cking care," and "who called you?! Tell me!" This guy is a real piece of work. After the cops left, I decided I 1. never want to come here again unless it is managed by a more decent person and 2. never will accept their offer for my band to play in a place that is managed by this guy, who obviously hates his job, customers, staff and, well, life. Until he is gone, I will never set foot in that place again. And, as I was leaving (he was yelling at staff at that time), I told him just that. He told me to f*ck off. Now keep in mind I was always polite in what I was saying to him. No customers should be treated this way. I don't care if you don't care about the dog in the car, this review is based on how rude the guy is and how he should be told off and hopefully never comes back to work again. read more

Great Beer Selection, Great Wings, Mostly Bad Service, Horrible Management. Let me preface this by saying that I've been a regular of the Come Back In for more than a decade, the earlier years out of choice, more recently because ... well, I think it's really just that my friends like the free peanuts and popcorn and I get outvoted if I suggest going elsewhere too often. PROS: - The afore-mentioned free popcorn (good and salty - serve yourself as you come in next to the bar) and free peanuts in the shell (ask for them at the bar). - They have an excellent beer selection, roughly two dozen tap beers split evenly between Wisconsin microbrews, other American microbrews, and imports, plus a big case filled with a good variety of imports and in-state and other American microbrews in the bottle. Like something German next door at the Essen Haus? Ask for it and they'll pop through the adjoining door and get you a mug of it (same ownership). - Their buffalo wings are very good, as good as any in town from BW3, Quaker Steak & Lube, or anywhere else, plus are bigger and meatier (I usually ask for them to cook them extra crispy to make sure they're fully done) and only cost 50 cents each. - They have a beer club. Every sixth tap beer you order is free, fill out the card (around 40-50 beers) and get a free meal. - Some of their servers and a few of their bartenders are very pleasant and are really nice and give good service. Don't expect to see them again next time you pop in a month later, though (see below) -They have some interesting stuff as decorations (huge Native American arrowhead collection, lots of vintage UW sports memorabilia, lots of vintage beer cans, signs, tap handles, etc..) CONS: - The regular weekday bartender, the bespeckled Jen, the only front-of-the-house employee to survive here long-term, is, to be blunt, mediocre-to-crappy in every way. She might look like a kindly librarian, but she's stingy and gives the bare minimum of service. She has poured hundreds of beers for me over the years, and EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM has been a short pour. Think that a bartender should offer something on-the-house to a regular customer (up until then a good tipper, too) on his birthday? That's reasonable, isn't it? Well, not to Jen. Think a bartender should tell long-standing regulars about the bar's beer club so they can avail themselves of free beers? Jen sure didn't - she kept mum about it for years and it was only when a short-lived new bartender who asked us for our beer club numbers and explained about the program that we learned of it. Jen, if you read this review, it's time to learn that a gratuity-based service provider who doesn't provide good service doesn't deserve a good tip - that's why you're probably making less money now than you did 5 or 10 years ago. - The manager, a middle-aged guy with 1960's glasses and a mean stare is, to be blunt, one of the least friendly, most unpleasant, most overbearing, least-customer service-oriented, etc... (I could go on with negatives to exhaust the review word count without coming close to finishing) . When I discovered that the lovely Jen had failed to tell us about the beer club and refused to do something about it, I talked to the manager, explained that as I was sure he recognized, my friends and I were regulars for years, we had lost out on free beers for years. He mumbled a curt "Sorry" and walked away. I was astonished. I had to chase him down and told him that we had essentially been cheated out of many free beers and that as regulars of his bar for a decade, he ought to do something about it for us. He grumbled and bitterly said "OK, I'll give you a free round." That was it. One free beer each. Additionally, the manager hovers and over-supervises, making for a unpleasant atmosphere, plus he's a royal ass to his employees, which is why this bar has probably the highest turnover rate of any business in town. Given that most bartenders, for the few weeks that they can stand working here, won't fill a beer mug all the way, I suspect that the manager orders them to pour short. - The food, other than the wings, is so-so, very typical bar food, not as good as the late night menus from Chilis, Applebees, etc... Breakfast is supposed to be good, but haven't had it. As soon as the new Ale Asylum brewpub opens near the airport, I think I need to convince our gang to frequent there or else to the Malt House for beer or Alchemy for beer and food when service has been too bad at the Come Back In. As I write this, I feel kind of dumb for having given this bar so much of my business over the years. In summary, if you like good beer and good Buffalo wings, plus can tolerate mediocre-at-best service, you might like this joint. Otherwise, it's entirely skippable. read more

After being turned away at an unfriendly popular Madison brunch place we decided to give this spot a try for a late breakfast on a Sunday. When we walked in it was rather busy but somehow we were seated immediately and I swear they gave us the best table in the house. Looking around we noticed everybody was having a great time. The place is old, built in the 1860's I learned from the unique newspaper menus. And it was familiar, comfortable like an old friend. My attitude immediately changed. The staff was friendly and helpful, they took pride in the food they were putting on the tables. The menu was diverse, I glanced at the plates people had around me and everyone seemed to be eating something different. We ordered several different plates for the table as we like to share with each other. Crab cakes eggs Benedict with asparagus,shrimp and andouille sausage omelette and prime rib and eggs, served with a hollandaise sauce as well. And to finish we all shared an order of stuffed French toast that was just stupid good. People around us were feasting on potato pancakes and sausages with applesauce and other German fare. We had a great time and we cannot wait to go back. Places like this don't happen by accident. These folks have been doing it like this for a long time. It was obvious. Food like this can't be faked. Cheers! read more

Come Back Inn has a phenomenal brunch menu and beer list. Service was great and the food delicious. It gets 4 stars and not 5 simply because the mimosa seemed to be light on the champagne. Regardless, I will be returning for their food, beer and service. read more

Really enjoyed our breakfast here, and good prices. $3 Bloody Mary's and Mimosas. Fed a family of four for $38. Our waiter was great, too! read more

Incredibly rude staff! Went here with a few friends and we were all carded when we entered the patio (no big deal, I understand they need to card). We ordered drinks and my husband and I entered the inside area to get popcorn and I left my wallet on the table outside with our friends. The bouncer FLIPPED and was very rude to us. He kept insisting that I show him ID even when I told him I just wanted popcorn and had already been carded. After he continued to be a pain in the butt about the ID I abandoned the mission for popcorn and went back outside to the table. The bouncer came out and started staring at me and he apparently asked his bar manager to come out. She very accusingly asked me "Are you the girl with no ID" at which time I produced two forms of government issued ID stating I was more than over the legal age to be there. She proceeded to give me a very sarcastic "you have a great night" and then she left. The tone was incredibly unnecessary. I used to like this place but the people working here are ruining it. read more

Won't be coming back. The food was only mediocre and the service was bad.

We have been to the "Come Back" for the weekend breakfast very many times. We never hesitate to take friends there as everything is always excellant. The food is out of this world. It never matters if the place is 1/2 full or packed, the food is always hot, delicious and as ordered. The wait staff is friendly and efficient and always has a smile for you. The atmosphere is one of the best in town. 5 STARS for the Come Back Inn. read more

I absolutely love this bar! It has an underground cellar look with a college town feel...the perfect place for a Sunday bloody mary after a long crazy weekend. It wasn't too loud, had a great crowd and everyone was very laid back. read more

What a great place to hangout. nice patio on the back, and beautiful lake views in the front. Breakfast there is awesome. I love their hollandaise sauce. A great micro brew selection. Ive been going there for at least ten years and always enjoy my experience. Its a must stop when I have family visiting from out of town. because not only the food and drinks are wonderful. The atmosphere is very warming and a visual delight. read more

I really want to like this place, and I think I would if they only cleaned it up a little. My husband and I came in on a Saturday night, drawn in by live music (an R&B/funk/blues band which was great). It's hard to argue with free live music in a bar with a good beer selection right by the shores of Lake Monona. The staff were friendly and helpful. Unfortunately the place was in serious need of cleaning - food (mostly popcorn) all over the floor, there was a piece of popcorn inside the oil lamp at our table, toilet paper on the bathroom floor, it just keeps going, and the overall impression was that of a grimy place in need of a good scrub. I would not consider eating there due to concern for cleanliness. Perhaps it presents itself better in daytime. Still, the music was great, and we ended up having a fun time, even though I initially almost didn't stay due to my first impression of the place. We might consider going back, though with some hesitation. read more

Was not impressed the last time I was here a few years back. Gave them another chance. Greatly disappointed. My husband's omelet was fine but a bit greasy. My huevos rancheros was bland but I ate it with hot sauce. The salsa was non-existent. The food came out lilukewarm. The fresh fruit was not fresh. When mentioned, the staff tried to argue that it was just how it was cut. Unprofessional. Will not be returning. Feeling queasy after dining there. read more

Had breakfast there after staying at the Ruby Marie, I had very simple fare and it was very bad, Burnt toast and luke warm water for Tea. I have worked in the food service for a lot of years, and for something this simple was terrible. I t maybe a good bar for beer, and boisterous fun but they serve breakfast also, and they need to improve greatly, or get a new cook, or chef,. read more

We came for breakfast and it was excellent. Service was also good. Will definitely be back.

BEST breakfast EVER! Its cheap and so delious. I go there almost every weekend and the weekend staff is good, the usual servers and hostess that is working are excellent...but...at night, the servers are pretty rude and I have bashed heads with a few off them..other than that, the breakfast food is so amazing..YUMMY!! I would definitely recommend going here for breakfast! read more

We have been coming here for a long time and it is always great. The bartenders always welcome you back. The food is yummy and we have never been disappointed. I really enjoy being able to go there with my friends or my parents because it is great for all age groups. My parents love it here and always say great things about the food. read more

great beer, great brunch, average bands on weekends, plenty o' great parking spaces, the best onion rings in town!

carolyne is the absolute bestest bartender in the history of the come back in. if she's not there, i'm not there.