The Old Fashioned
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The Old Fashioned is located right off Capitol Square in Madison. They are a 3 diamond on AAA's restaurant list. The inside was very spacious to handle the amount of people stopping in. Their menu had a decent variety for food and drinks; easy to find something for everyone! We started with this Classic Old Fashioned as it's one of their staples. It had kore of a fizzy taste and not your typical variation of the drink. It was more refreshing for a summer day but I enjoy the classic styling more. For food, we started with the Cheese Curds that were seen on Food Network. I liked the flavor of cheese but wish they were a bit crispier. For entree, we shared the Old Fashioned Burger. The kitchen was kind to split the entree for us onto two separate plates. The burger was thicker than I expected as well as more well done. As far as service, staff was hustling. There were pockets of time we waited for water refills and there was quite a long wait between the curds and burger. Our server was extremely kind and bubbly through the lunchtime chaos which is always appreciated.
I absolutely loved my stop in here while walking the capitol square! The food and drinks gave WI supper club vibes! We sat at the bar to eat and drink and the staff always made sure we were attended to. I definitely recommend stopping in at this cool bar!
There is a waiting time on those busy nights, we visited Friday night. Make reservations, or get on the waiting list, it's well worth it. It's a busy restaurant, and the staff are well experienced to deal with it. It's not overly loud, it doesn't feel cramped. Lots of decorations and interesting things on the walls to see. We had a great waiter, knowledgeable and attentive. Food was delicious, cocktails were expertly made. The food and drink menus had something for everyone. Highly recommend to all people in and visiting Madison.
Popped in for a quick bite. Ordered French fries with horseradish dipping sauce for our app. The decided on the Salmon salad for our entree. The bartender had the kitchen split it for us and the presentation was wonderful. Everything tasted so fresh and the deviled egg added to the salad was a nice touch. The service was top tier.
This felt like the kind of place that a basic bitch would need to visit during a trip to Madison so we elected to stop in for lunch. It's hard for me to write this because it's a little bit of a sore spot knowing that I should have ordered the old-fashioned and I did not order the old-fashioned. I couldn't tell you what came over me actually I could. I felt very hung over last night after having a bourbon drink so the thought of it makes me shutter, but I don't know. Maybe I should've just sucked it up for the experience. GF however did order a local favorite the bloody Mary I am extremely picky when it comes to bloody Mary's from restaurants they need to be of a certain thickness. There needs to be a certain ratio of horseradish. This was on the thicker side, not as thick as I would've liked it. I feel like the horseradish might've been a little bit too aggressive for my liking. You hear about all these crazy garnishes, but the garnish felt pretty on par with what you would get at any other restaurant in the country. GF was asked how her bloody Mary was, "it was solid". We just wanted to do a little sharesies so we ordered the cheese curds which was an absolute must. obviously they were so good are they cheddar? Every cheese curd I've ever had previously has been white and these were orange and I'm intrigued by that and sure don't want to read into a little bit but the bottom line is that they were fantastic and I could not stop consuming them no matter how full I got. We also ordered the vegetarian Susan, which feels like a supper club thing to me, so we were somewhat successful in participating in the culture of Wisconsin during this restaurant trip. That shit was literally served on a fucking Lazy Susan. Why is that not more of a common thing that is fantastic and convenient. So many good things: pickle green beans that were tasty and made me feel better about myself, an excellent dill, potato salad that exceeded any expectations, deviled eggs, that were wonderful, coleslaw that was light and refreshing, there was also a cheese dip with two kinds of cheeses and crackers. Oh my God, so good. All the food at this place was very enjoyable and I hazard to guess that the old fashioned would be too
I was on a quest to find some amazing cheese curds while in Wisconsin and The Old Fashioned kept coming up in my searches! Luckily, since I was traveling solo, I was able to get a spot at the bar - it was very busy but I got seated right away. Ordered a Shrub, which is a non-alcoholic drink with cherry flavors. The company that makes the drink is woman-owned and Wisconsin based. I liked it! It tasted somewhat like a cherry Sprite but lighter. My cheeseburger had the option of upgrading to curds as a side instead of fries or salad and they were really good! They were a tad too salty but the ranch that came with them was fantastic and helped hide that a little. The burger was awesome too! Cooked perfect for my taste and the cheese melted all over it - yum. I really liked the atmosphere of the place, too. It felt like what I'd imagine Cheers to be like - much more so than the actual Cheers bar in Boston. Great decor, lighting and the staff was attentive for being at a busy bar. Definitely check them out when you are in Madison!! Parking is a little hard, but there's a garage a few blocks away that's only $1.50 an hour, so I'd recommend that.
Excellent, historical as well as famous eatery directly across from the Wisconsin Capital building. Although busy, the service and food was fantastic. Plenty of brewski selections to chose. Obviously, we had the app sampler then, I had to have the Wisconsin cheezeburger. Deliciously Delicious. Don't leave Madison without visiting!
I need to qualify this statement by saying I got takeout, and only got one thing - the cheese curds. On a recent stop through Madison, I asked a friend what "must try" items I needed to check out, and he recommended the cheese curds at The Old Fashioned. Needless to say, I found my way here. Came on a Monday evening in the summer time, and while it looked like most things in downtown were rather dead, this place was bumping. I'm glad I came in when I did, because a mob of people came as soon as I placed my to go order. The hostess that took our order was super friendly and even recommended a few sauces to try with the cheese curds (paprika and ranch). We placed our order, and within 10 minutes, we had our cheese curds. Walked across the street to the Capitol and sat at one of the benches, prepared to try the cheese curds. The cheese curds were......ok. I have not had a ton of cheese curds, but from what I was told to expect, they should be crisp on the outside and nice and cheesy on the inside. These cheese curds were cheesy no doubt, but were not crisp at all. It's as though they had been sitting out for a while (maybe that's why we got our order so quickly?). The sauces were good, but did not elevate the cheese curds to the level of "must try." OVERALL - perhaps it was just an off night, but it wasn't enough to bring me back. perhaps dining in is the way to go. CELEBRITY RATING - Ashton Kutcher
The ambiance is amazing warm woods which were very inviting. Wednesday night 5:30 a party of 6 and we were seated immediately in the bar area at a round table. The waitress was quick to come over bringing menus and taking our drink order. We order the cheese curds of course and the cheese plate. Visiting from Florida so I can't really speak on the curds. We all thought they were tasty. For our main course two of us had burgers all claimed they were well prepared and tasty, Mac n cheese was dry, spinach salad with salmon was fresh and flavorful. I had the wedge salad which was over a half head of fresh crispy lettuce. Two dressings combo so refreshing. The cheese tray was nice for $14.00. Overall service was great and the food was good.
I came to try their famous award winning cheese curds. I tried their Poutine as well. They were great. For main course, I tried their walleye tacos and they were fresh and tasty. This is a nice restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. It is right in front of the Capitol building if you want to sit out side on a nice day. The interior is really fun too. The place is busy but they are staffed well and everything you order magically comes so fast, I was surprised how efficient their service was. They also have a small selection of goods for purchase at the front desk. You can buy local cheese, candy.
Incredible joint. Exactly everything I wanted to find in WI, and more. Delicious cheese curds, excellent burger. The vibe was over the top, starting with the true classic country music to the Hamms beer sign next to a mounted deer head. Prices were spot on. Full bar, great salads and sandwiches, hardy entrees. Across from the capitol, this is a gem. Great service. Welcome to. Wisconsin.
After dropping the kid off at school, met friend for lunch. It delivered on pub food expectations. The restaurant is the typical bar pub style restaurant. Staff were friendly and service was slow but it was fine since we were not in a hurry. The portion size was large and food was good quality. Cheese curds were good. It's a good option for lunch or to grab a drink.
Casual restaurant and bar located in downtown Madison! Of course being in Wisconsin, I had to try the cheese curds. They were made out of cheddar, and I was surprised at how sharp they were. Definitely a little greasy as expected, but still super tasty. We also got the combo fish fry, which came with three fish to try. The wait was roughly 20 minutes on a Saturday afternoon. The waiter was really helpful and gave us recommendations. read more
1 year ago
I wanted to get the curds but we were cheesed out (Lakefront curds and the Mars cheese castle ). They are award winning here, so if you are remotely in the mood, order them. Door County Cherry Salad - perfection. Great ratio of dressing to lettuce. The blue cheese was not overpowering and the cherries were such a great add. I would order this anytime I'm in Madison Heirloom BLT- I believe this is seasonal but that means that you need to hurry here and order it. Absolutely amazing. Location is great. We went in the summer and sat outside people watching and looking at the capital. Love this spot and I will dream of this salad until the next time I get here. read more
1 month ago
Im an out-of-towner so I wanted to get the full Wisconsin tasting experience. People said this was the place to go. And I wasnt disappointed. I started with a Wisconsin Old Fashioned. THey make them with brandy in Wisconsin - not bourbon like everywhere else. Its also a little more dilluted because they give it a shot of sprite. I loved it ! Nice Summer drink. Not as intense as a tradional Old F....I ended up having two. On to the food - I got a sandwich with two Wisconsin brats on it with a side of deep fried cheese curds. THe sandwich was great - pretzel bun and yummy brats. I would have fried the onions on there instead of using raw - but they were yummy too. The cheese curds were a delicous side of saturated fat =) My tummy liked them more than my heart. Also I think I had to drink about a half gallon of water to rehydrate after those. Nice little treat - I wouldnt eat them regularly. The people behind the bar were fast and friendly. The room is a pretty old-school vibe with lots of dark hardwood fixtures. And its right smack downtown by the Capitol. GIve it a try. read more
4 months ago
Best Reuben I've had in my entire life. 12/10 would recommend. And they don't skimp on the meat. read more
14 days ago
While in Madison, my number one thing to do was try cheese curds, so of course I had to try them at the place with the best ones! They definitely lived up to the hype and were perfectly gooey and crispy. The patty melt was also very good and tasted very fresh. I also ordered the cherry crisp, and wow this was a delicious dessert! It was so gooey and topped with the vanilla ice cream made a perfect end to the meal. The service was great, with frequent refills and check-ins from our waitress even though the restaurant was busy. The ambiance is also very nice with cute old-fashioned decorations around. This is definitely a touristy spot but worth a visit for sure! read more
You can't go wrong with the old-fashioned every time I've come to Madison. I've always made sure to come here. The food is good, the ambience is good, the drinks are good. perfectly located in downtown easy from all the hotels that I stay at. read more
HANDS DOWN THE ABSOLUTE WORLD'S BEST FRIED CHEESE CURDS!!! The most light, crispy, melt-in-your-mouth cheese-pulley madness you'll ever put in your mouth! Our server knew we were heading to a concert so worked swiftly to take orders and get help to bring out our food in a fast fashion! My two sons were very happy with the poutine (added grilled chicken) and accommodated request of sausage gravy on the side. Both said flavors were good, one said it was a little salty... yep. To be expected. I had a salmon salad that was grilled nicely and had decent slabs of tender, flaky salmon that was very filling! And what's wrong with going to this place without ordering an old fashioned? Every. Thing. With so many varieties to choose from-- you can't go wrong! I absolutely love the nostalgia and decor of this place, which is another reason we like to frequent here or take guests to this place. read more
22 days ago
1 year ago
5 months ago
Nice restaurant, in the evenings is busy, so many tourists. The food is delicious m, the customer service is great, the restaurant is clean and the prices are okay read more
1 year ago
deep fried cheesecurds and fish! it was pretty good. def had a sharper cheesy taste (it was cheddar cheese) that may be an acquired taste. 6/10 for me, i prob wouldnt go back but it was a lovely place! service was amazing and friendly. but unfortunately, i just wasnt a huge fan of the food read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
Came to Old Fashion on a mission to finally try their famous cheese curds and a Spotted Cow on tap (because when in Wisconsin, right?). The cheese curds absolutely lived up to the hype! Crispy golden perfection with that irresistible gooey center. Pairing them with a cold Spotted Cow felt like the ultimate Wisconsin experience. Service was on point. Prompt, friendly, and attentive without hovering. You can tell the staff genuinely enjoy what they do. The vibe here strikes the perfect balance between laid-back and lively, making it an easy spot to settle in and enjoy good food and drinks. If you're in Madison, this is a must-stop for classic Wisconsin flavor done right read more
3 months ago
3 months ago
A little busy, nice cozy place with a very friendly server. As for the food, the fried cheese curds lived up to the hype. The sandwich was mostly just okay. I liked the portion size, but it could have used more sauce and the turkey was a bit cold while the bread was warm. read more
6 months ago
Invited to join a local here. Reviews seemed positive...but I was a little disappointed. I ordered an Old Fashioned with sweet brandy. My friend order a sour & explained the difference was the type of soda used. It was ok. Ordered the Fried Perch with Fries, Coleslaw & added side of Mac & cheese. Perch was not fried fresh and lukewarm to touch which made the dish unappealing. Fries lack salt. Coleslaw was good. Macaroni was horrible! Not cheesy or creamy! Very underwhelming! Server Amalia was not attentive. Didn't refill drinks or check on us. Thankfully her colleagues were helpful. My friends liked the burger and grilled cheese (I tasted grilled cheese & should have went that route). My friend also said the bathroom was cool & clean...she knows I appreciate that aspect. Overall, the best part were the fried cheese curds!!!! Amazingly delicious!! read more
2 years ago
A hot spot in Madison! Everyone from the area told me about this place so obviously I had to stop in. I ordered the spicy burger with a side salad. I got to try some of their cheese curds here and I will say do not skip out on that! Prep some Lactaid if you're lactose intolerant. Their burger tasted better than it looks. Not spicy but if you like the flavor of pepper jack and jalapeño, definitely get it. Their salad had a restaurant dressing mixed in. I forget what kind but it was good! Service overall was nice. Our server was incredibly friendly! read more
11 months ago
By far our favorite spot, we returned for a second visit during our stay. We absolutely loved the location, the food, the drinks, and the vibes. The cheese curds & the old fashioned drinks are an absolute must order! The burgers and brunch menu were also fantastic! We tried so many versions of the old fashioned drinks and enjoyed everyone of them! It's a poppin' spot, yet service is attentive and quick! read more
Friday evening in downtown Madison and we find ourselves at The Old Fashioned for Friday night fish fry, cheese curds and of course, an old fashioned! We walked in around 8:15 PM and they were rocking! The wait was around 30 minutes, but we lucked up and grabbed a couple of seats at the bar. We quickly bellied up to the bar and began enjoying ourselves. First was a round of cocktails followed by some cheese curds then our fish fry. Old Fashions, superb. Cheese Curds, legit best I have ever had. They were light, airy, perfectly fried and featured just enough cheese. The curds were excellent on their own, but the dipping sauce elevated those little nuggets of gold! We both went fish fry, as apparently that's a big thing in Madison. I went perch and my buddy went combo. The fish was good, nothing great. Well fried, but lacked seasoning. I do appreciate them whipping up some homemade cocktail sauce for me as I'm not a huge tartar guy. The space is gorgeous. Dining stretches from the front door/windows to the back wall/kitchen. Decor is a mix of new and old, with a lot of old school Wisconsin relics from signage to tchotchkes to decorticate steins. Service was solid at the bar. Our bartender was friendly, helpful and quite pleasant to deal with. The hostesses left something to be desired. It was towards the end of the night, so they were probably tired, but they were not exactly a friendly welcome. Another thing that was impressive was the price we paid for two meals, an appetizer and 4 drinks...just shy of $80 including 20% tip! Certainly worth it! Overall, really enjoyed Old Fashioned. Happy to swing through on my next visit to Madison! read more
3 months ago
Love love love! Stopped in after a little research and those 5 star reviews don't lie! The curds are everything and so much more! The grilled cheese was gooey, buttery and straight from the state fair! We also got the brat sandwich and it was packed with onions and crisp pickles slathered with the tastiest spicy mustard! Great brat-snap when you bite into it! The highlight- 1. The Green Bay chili. Served with spaghetti noodles, and loaded with cheese, onions, and sour cream, was a little spicy and scrumptious! If I lived closer I would be getting that stuff weekly! Maybe daily! And highlight 2. Our server, Paula! She was quintessential Wisconsin sweetness! Helpful, friendly, just the right amount of chat and attention. I kinda want to move here and become her bestie!! Oh, and the root beer from the tap- cold and creamy with a zip! Won't be able to pass this town again without stopping! read more
I'd give them 4.5 stars but bumped it up due to the host and our server being spot on. Stopped in for lunch with my 9 year old grandson and had a great time! The restaurant is a local hot spot and it did not disappoint. The decor is fun and engaging. We were told it would be a 30 minute wait and were seated in 15. The greeter / host was bright, fun and engaging and our server was attentive making sure we, and especially the 9 year old, were not neglected. We ordered Mac n Cheese with apple sauce, Cheese Curds, french fries and Chili, 3 pictured. Grandson liked the cheese curds but the Mac n Cheese didn't hold up against Kraft boxed... LOL, I tried it, it looked and tasted great but if your kid .. oh, if you have a kid, you know what I mean... The fries were very good, crispy as I like them and the Chili was very very very good. read more
4 months ago
Great service and food. Excellent stop for food and would recommend. Shout out to the GM (Jennifer?) Who helped me get a lost receipt. Truly appreciate it! read more
1 year ago
If you're looking for some good fried cheese curds, then head over to The Old Fashioned! Probably one of the best fried cheese curds I've had. They serve it fresh out of the fryer, and the cheese is stringy and soft! So eat them while they're hot before the cheese cools and hardens. Also had the fish fry combo (cod, perch, walleye), and the fry had a good crisp. Cole slaw was delicious, not too creamy. Fries though were slightly old, as they didn't have a good crisp. The old fashioned drink was decent, but could have used a little bit more bourbon. Overall, great restaurant and would recommend! read more
PASS!! I visited for dinner and the place was packed, but the wait time ended up being shorter than expected. I ordered Cheese Curds and a Chicken Breast Sandwich with Haystack Onion Strings. The Cheese Curds were excellent, and I'd definitely recommend them. The Chicken Breast Sandwich was decent but nothing special- just a solid, average option. The Onion Strings tasted exactly as expected, nothing remarkable but still satisfying. I also tried a couple of the famous Old Fashioneds, but I'd suggest skipping them. They were weak and poorly mixed. My friend ordered a burger, and it apparently tasted as bad as it looked. Overall, I'd say stop by for the Cheese Curds and skip everything else. read more
We found ourselves craving curds and a burger on a Tuesday night and ended up at The Old Fashioned!! I hadn't been here in a few years and I was excited to try it again. We had a really great experience. The curds were perfectly cooked and so delicious. The burgers were fantastic - we both ate the entire thing! Our server was very friendly and took our order promptly. We loved our view of the Capitol and really enjoyed the natural light. We will definitely be back! read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
More info about The Old Fashioned
23 N Pinckney St
Madison, WI 53703
Capitol
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(608) 310-4545
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http://theoldfashioned.com/
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Ask the Community - The Old Fashioned
Is there a dining area away from the bar or is it all one big bar with tables where you eat food?
We sat by the front window and it was away from the bar. There were several tables that were not right next to the bar
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