It had been decades since I last had breakfast at Mickies. With the recent publicity about the long time owners retiring and new folks taking it over we thought we would give the place a try - especially before the students all return to campus. It was a bit after 8am on a Friday morning and the place was hopping but we were able to grab a booth. The wait staff was hustling and eventually got to us. The service was very good from that point onward despite the fact that the place was packed by the time we left. The menu is on the back wall or via a QR code (never my favorite). They also have menus on the wall from the 50's which are eyeopening given today's prices. We started with a cherry milkshake that was not only delicious but huge so two of us split it. All three of us opted for their breakfast sandwich which you can build with many different variations - way more than most restaurants. All three versions were tasty. The side of yanks (American fry potatoes) were just OK but I didn't order them. Thumbs up and we will need to return sooner rather than later. read more

Classic delicious diner brunch foods. *CASH ONLY* they have an ATM inside. They greeted us at the door and were friendly and quick throughout our meal. I had the american cheese omelet with bacon and toast. My one complaint was that the bottom of my omelet was a lil burnt. Otherwise everything tasted exactly how it looked. We also got a vanilla shake. It came with extra straws and long spoons. I would personally recommend using the long spoons to consume this shake since I tried using the straw and it was difficult. Perhaps someone with stronger lungs would have more success. The shake was very sweet. Overall, had a lovely time. Will be back to try some of the sweet dishes next! Thanks :) read more

Mickies Dairy Bar - vanilla shake - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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The food was great with awesome value. We ordered the cheese curds and they were fried to perfection We got the scramble with the gravy on top and it was enough for me and my husband to share in our littles to nibble on The $2.50 cinnamon roll. It was a decent size and the cinnamon frosting was wonderful. Unfortunately, the waiter forgot about our dining guests' fries. Plus it was 90° with no AC and the fans were going at a low speed, so we're all sweating read more

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Was a great stop on our Wisco trip! My Mom and I split a Scrambler and a cinnamon roll for breakfast. The food was great and it seemed like the kitchen was really pumping out orders. Our server, however, kept on leaving and not returning or checking in on us for long periods of time. Additionally, the girl who was taking payments was a little snarky and kept on dropping change onto the floor. Other than that, the ambiance and food were spectacular. A definite stop if you're in Madison!! read more

We were looking for a breakfast place while we were visiting in town. This came up on multiple lists. It is a true diner environment. First up they take cash only. They have an ATM, but I highly recommend that you bring your own cash. We parked on the street, which is easy to do. There was no wait when we arrived. We opted for the scramble, a cheese, omelette, and chocolate chip pancakes. We also got a cinnamon roll for the table. The prices are excellence. Very good value, especially for the portion. Everything was delicious, but the scramble was not finished. Two people could share this easily.I would definitely come back again. It's close to the campus. read more

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Stopped in from Chicago en route to Eagle River for our annual pond hockey tourney. It's tradition. Cash only old school vibe with huge portions and great prices. Our server was always checking in on us and made sure we had everything we needed. I went with the sausage skillet. Every bite was so good. read more

loved the vibe and the diner atmosphere. food is cheap and good, pretty value. service is fast. also cash only read more

Mickies Dairy Bar - ruben chilli - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Mickies Dairy Bar is a Madison institution! The service is always perfect, friendly, and efficient. I am always really impressed by the hardworking wait staff and how they can handle a rush with ease, while at the same time they are so friendly and attentive. The food is amazingly good, a great value, and comes out lightning fast. This is hands down the best run restaurant I have ever had the pleasure of eating at. A+++++ read more

Yes, I understand the history and nostalgia of the place but let's be serious, the food isn't the best. If you judge quality by how massive the pile of food weighs in front of you, then you may be a fan. But if you are actually looking for quality, Mickie's doesn't hit the mark. There are other "greasy spoons" in the Madison area that delivers much better on the food/taste aspect. During my last visit, the bacon tasted like it was sitting around for awhile and my rye barely toasted. It makes sense why it took less than 2 minutes to get those and my 2 over easy eggs to me (went on a weekday when it wasn't busy). I live only a few blocks away and after my last visit, now remember why it isn't on my frequently visited list. Yes, it's a rite of passage for hungover UW students trying to eat their way out of a long night but for those seeking otherwise, Mickie's is not on my short list of must stop breakfast spots. Also, remember Cash Only (with an ATM on site) read more

this was hands down the best food I have ever had. Butter was incredibley soft and fluffy and nice and chewy. The waiters were amazing (shoutout big danny ) I would come here again every day if I could just for the butter. When I the butter is good, I mean it. W place fr read more

Mickies Dairy Bar - Chewy, soft, greasy, creamy, crispy delicious butter - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Went in for hungover brunch and left feeling like a new woman! I got the breakfast sandwich which is the best bang for your buck it's very cheap and the perfect amount of food (cuz their portions are HUGE btw). They allow for a lot of customization on the sandwich and two free veggies on top. I really recommend putting franks hot sauce on top to elevate it. It was like I was floating! My friends got the Rueben omelet and veg omelet w potatoes, as well as a blue berry pancake. They said the omelets were very good, very cheesy. Portions were HUGE, again. The blueberry pancake was the size of the entire plate. It was denser and a bit drier than expected but once you put syrup on it was no problem at all. The real star of the show was our superstar server, Tela! She deserves a raise and vacation time ahaha. She gave us a whole pitcher of water after seeing the state we were in very needed lol. The ambiance is great very diner. Makes you feel like you've been a regular for years! Thank you to everyone who made our visit so great! read more

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Love this icon in Madison WI right across from Camp Randall Stadium ! This is a must go to place! And, today, on my birthday was the first stop I wanted to make! Food serving is enormous, very generous portions! Prices are wonderful, scrambler with 3 eggs, cheese, onions and pepper $12. FYI- they only take cash! If you are ever in town this is a must stop! And if you are lucky enough to live in Madison, this should be your regular spot!! read more

Mickies Dairy Bar - Sausage veggie omelet - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Excellent service! All in all, no complaints about the food, but doesn't have the "wow" factor of some other brunch places I've been to in Madison. Also cash only is a small inconvenience! read more

Mickies Dairy Bar - Strawberry pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

It's a breakfast classic. You can't do better than redonkulously huge portion sizes of redonkulously scrummy food for redonkulously cheap prices. TLDR: you'll be coming for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the value you get here. read more

Overwhelmed by the menu all at such reasonable prices! I got the strawberry pancakes which were a little soggy under strawberry syrup but still SO soft and cakey! I did not realize how massive the pancakes would be so would definitely only get a single pancake next time and probably not a side as we had way too much leftover from this meal. Service was really quick despite every single seat being full! I would definitely go back but order a very different meal. Great bang for your buck! read more

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I can't believe it took me five years of living here before going to this Madison classic! For someone who doesn't love breakfast food, I loved this breakfast meal. read more

There is a line for breakfast on weekends. So I decided to take out.. Coffee malt was really good, thick and creamy. Quantity of the breakfast items was enourmous. I went for scrambler with beef. It came with a lot of potato and cheese. Gravy could have a little bit more flavor. Griddle cake was 2 pancakes. Each pancake was really huge. read more

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A staple in the madison diner scene, this place is a gem. Be prepared to wait outside in a long line (worth the wait) as Camp Randall stadium looms across the street. There is no diner in town that rivals Mickeys Dairy Bar. It has the classic diner decor and big, old school menus hang from the walls. The portions are ginormous and the prices are reasonable. The classic dish served here is without a doubt the Scrambler - a mountain of egg, cheese, meat, veggies and fried potatoes smothered in gravy. You will need a wheelchair if you're able to finish that (good luck). The pancake(s) are as big as your head and one alone could serve as a meal. The service is great, the atmosphere can't be beat and the location is in walking distance to Camp Randall and other shops, bars and restaurants along Monroe/Regent St. This is a must stop if you are looking for awesome food in a no frills, classic diner! read more

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What a great place! I have been meaning to come here for so long. I'm glad I finally did. It has a tremendous menu with great prices. There are breakfast, sandwich, and dinner items. The cinnamon rolls and the coffee cakes are yummy! I had one chocolate chip pancake for breakfast with a glass of milk, which cost under $10. There is a huge counter with tables and booths around the outside of the single room. The staff is awesome, and the ambiance is open and friendly. The hours are 6 am to 2:30 and expect it to be busy. The parking is a bit dicey. But if you're lucky, you can score one of the three spots across the street from the front door. But get here. It's worth it!! read more

Mickies Dairy Bar - Menu 2024 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Unique whole-in-the-wall location with history of serving Madison. No reservations, just join the quickly moving line on the sidewalk. Accepts cash only and has ATM on site. Quality breakfast items with plenty of selection. Large portions. Recommend and would return. read more

One of the best diners in the city has to be here! I always go for the Scrambler, and this time I added mushrooms, green peppers, pancakes, and sausage. The service is fantastic, and the food is even better! I love the old school ambiance and the wonderful staff! read more

The burgers were bigger then I expected and I had ordered two like I was 19 again. I could only eat one. I saved the other one for a mid afternoon snack. They came in a timely manner. The place was full but not overcrowded. Next time I will order the Rubin omelette. read more

Service was speedy for how busy it was. Started with the strawberry shake and it was great and flavorful. I got the burger and it was decent, but this place is known for their breakfast such as "The Scrambler". I had some and it was delicious and the serving sizes were very impressive. A great classic place to get a good breakfast meal, although it is popular and might require a wait. read more

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retro vibe inside but food is kinda mid. classic wisconsin diner experience. you really get your money's worth with the scrambler. it's massive and only $12 ! good spot to come if you're hungover. cash only read more

Mickies Dairy Bar - scrambler - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Had heard great things about this place as it's been around forever! Maybe my expectations were set a little too high? I definitely like the vibe of Mickies Dairy Bar. It's located right across from Camp Randall and seems to always be busy! They only accept cash but do have an ATM located inside. I ordered the Scrambler and enjoyed it overall. The portions were very large. I personally felt like the amount of cheese was overwhelming (but I guess that's what you get when you eat at a place with 'dairy' in the name). We also got an order of pancakes and no complaints on those! Overall, this was an OK option for breakfast/brunch in Madison and I'm glad we tried it out. Personally, I just didn't see the hype around the food and thought everything was pretty standard! read more

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Mixed review here. Food came quick and staff was friendly however the food tasted really bland and like I was about to go fight in a war or something lacked pizazz but old timely place so I understand the history, just not for me. read more

Classic diner food. Large portions. The ambience is pretty standard for a diner. Busy but cozy, the food didn't have that much flavor. Server was a little rude but it was busy. read more

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I was in town for a camp my daughter was attending at the UW fieldhouse. So, I had time to kill. I dropped into Mickies for a late breakfast. I had the griddle cakes which were fantastic and huge. I was eying all the other dishes as well which also looked fantastic. The place itself is small and cozy. I sat at the "bar". Service was friendly and efficient despite how crowded it was. A lot of old school, college charm. The only downside is it seems like you typically will have some sort of wait to get a table. There really is nowhere to wait so most folks are milling about on the sidewalk outside. Also you need to bring cash to pay. I always have cash on hand but I know not everybody does. read more

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Portions were pretty big but the food I ordered was just OK. I went here because of the good reviews I've heard about this place. I've had better breakfasts at greasy spoons and chain restaurants. read more

The amount of food for the price is amazing. Small diner set back in the 50s and only cash make this an affordable breakfast spot. Portions are huge so maybe share? The gravy they make is so good to put on anything. read more

The bacon scrambler with a coffee cake chaser will keep you warm and satisfied through a blizzard. Mickie's is an institution. You can feel history coming up through the floor. Great food, fair prices. Come early. read more

The cutest diner around. Very traditional/retro diner with cash only payment. No reservations and line can get to be pretty long, but definitely worth the wait. Great food with solid prices. read more

Mickies Dairy Bar - patty melt with sweet potato fries - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This is a Madison institution! Bring cash and prepare to wait in line, but it will all be worth it! I was super impressed with the pancakes! Large and fluffy with some fun toppings like strawberry. So good! The eggs were well prepared diner style. They had a funny name for their breakfast potatoes but still tasty. There was something called the scrambler served with gravy! Looked amazing, but might take more than one person to finish it! Definitely check out this historic diner if you're ever near Camp Randall Stadium. You have to go! read more

This diner has all the ambiance expected from a small town diner. It's family friendly and filled with smiling faces. The decor felt very Wisconsin breakfast diner which was great considering that's exactly where I was. The server was very helpful and had a great attitude. I ordered the Denver omelette and it was on point. The egg itself looked a little over cooked, but it was light and fluffy on the inside. The veggies and ham in the omelette were sliced to the perfect size and there was plenty of both veggies and meat inside my omelette. Everything had a healthy portion of cheese on it, just as I would expect at a Wisconsin diner. The cheddar and grilled onion covered hash browns were out of this world, and one of the highlights of the meal. The bread was good too. Overall I was very pleased with my experience at Mickies which is why I would definitely recommend that you check them out! read more

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One of my favorite breakfast/brunch places in Madison so far! It's a cute diner with a wide variety of food options. There was a 10-15min wait, but it was well worth it. I got the scrambler (includes yanks, eggs, toast, etc) and absolutely loved it. It was delicious, quite a large portion size (you will have leftovers), and reasonably priced ($12 before tax & tip). They only accept cash but do have an ATM inside for convenience. read more

Mickies Dairy Bar - Scrambler (w/mushrooms & peppers) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Very solid meal comparing to other diners I have been to. Got the cherry milkshake which was made right in front of us behind the counter and apple cinnamon pancakes and the Reuben omelette. Nothing blew me away but again very solid food compared to other diners. This place is worth going to just given the nostalgia of the interior of the place. The diner still has old-school aesthetics that make you feel like you are eating in a 1930s-1950s era diner. Old school booths that wrap around a long counter with servers taking your order behind the counter. The one thing to note for those that don't carry cash is that the restaurant only accepts cash. There is an ATM nearby though which helps. read more

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What a delightful place. Both the employees of the establishment were so nice and helpful and the food was just delicious. When I add on the prices it's a triple hit! We waited outside in a line for about 20 min and then they attempted to sit us in a booth. I say attempted because we smashed ourselves in but the last person we were with simply did not fit in the booth. He happens to be a big guy, over 6'2" and he is big in stature too. We ended up having to go back in line and then they seat us at a table. Then we had an adorable waiter with sleeves on both arms. He was so pleasant and easy to look at. We all ordered and everyone enjoyed their meal. We had the cinnamon roll French toast, the Scrambler with mushrooms and onions along with many cups of hot coffee. Our friends loved the pancakes that came with the meal that were really delicious!!! Just a good experience all around!' read more

Mickies Dairy Bar - The Scrambler - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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This is a true gem and has been for decades!! My personal favorite is the Scrambler. Ask for the gravy on the side, I never end up using it myself. Have them make the yanks extra crispy in it as well. Delicious!! And don't miss out on their blueberry coffee cake!! It's so good I've looked for recipes for it on line as I now live in Michigan. Luckily, our son is starting his schooling there and it goes without saying we will be eating here every visit!! read more

Mickies Dairy Bar - Buddies reuniting for first time in 25 years!! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

We are about six hours post-visit to Mickies Dairy Bar and I'm still full. Seriously. Bring cash and an empty stomach. If you are able to fast the day before you visit, I recommend that. The portion sizes are huge. The great news is that everything was tasty. Our party of five ate and ate our brunch choices and then passed all the dishes around the table and tried everyone's food. Highlights- the Reuben sandwich, which caused the orderer to say it was the best Reuben they ever had. The strawberry pancakes were gorgeous and covered in strawberries with whipped cream on top. The Griddle Cakes were full of cinnamon and raisin goodness. I would recommend only if you are a raisin lover. The Reuben omelet was delicious, and eventually consumed as it moved around our table. The blueberry pancakes were loaded with blueberries, and I liked them the best of our choices. The pancakes are served in two's, were dinner plate sized, and thick. If you opt for only one pancake you only save one dollar- so I'd recommend the full order and sharing. Our group of five likely could have shared three meal choices and still walked away full. As it was, we waddled away incredibly stuffed. Remember- empty stomach and CASH (no credit cards accepted). read more

Food was delicious Loved it so much, I ate there twice during my 6 day stay in the area read more