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Turn Key Madison

4.1 (108 reviews)
Closed • 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated 2 months ago

Turn Key Madison Photos

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TURN KEY MADISON ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - Turn Key Madison

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Marc W.

So the two stars are for excellent full service at the bar and one rather good appetizer. Everything else gets a zero their "Ancho margarita stereo" with ancho chili liqueur suggests a spicy margarita. It is not. It is rock candy flavored with agave. It was sweeter than my wife's rail Margarita on the rocks with salt. Their French onion soup is arguably the worst I've ever had. Flavorless. Slightly warmer than room temperature and the cheese was barely melted yet alone browned. Their appetizer of pork belly Fundido was the best option of the evening. Flavorful delicious and filling it was fantastic. However, the $40 pork chop entrée was unpalatable. Describe as a pork chop topped with a strawberry barbecue sauce. The sauce had no strawberry flavor. The pork chop can hardly be described as a grilled pork chop and is better described as a salt brine soaked Virginia ham warmed topped with watered down sweet baby rays barbecue sauce. Honestly. You could take this cut of meat, put it in a wooden box in the woods and use it as a salt lick stand during deer season. It was disgusting as much as it was dehydrating. The accompanying mac and cheese was basically Kraft dinner topped with panko. The highlight was the summer squash and that's saying a lot as it was nothing special and for crying out loud-it's squash. My wife and I could not stomach finishing more than half the entree between us and left. I repeat. The servers at the bar were great. But nearly everything brought in front of us disappointed.

French Onion Soup
Carmen R.

Decided to finally try out the Turnkey. The ambiance was 10/10 and certainly had the old school super club feel. The brandy old fashioned...again, another 10/10. French Onion Soup was 9/10. Not hard to mess up soup really. Now for the rest of the food...uggg. We had the prime rib. The flavor was way too smoky and overpowering on the rub. Outside was too fatty and texture of ash. We also asked for crispy hash browns. No clue what the cook or server was thinking. It was completely burnt. Maybe they thought the dim lighting would hide it!? It also looked like a cheap square hash brown and likely was deep fried in the same oil as the fish. Fish log anyone ? The "charred broccoli" tasted like lighter fluid. I rarely spit food out, but that was in my napkin in a nanosecond. We will be back for drinks, but it will be a long time on the food. Sorry

Dinner and the drink menus are in vintage children's books, which is a cute touch.
Cheryl T.

Great location, easy parking, and cool vibe inside. My dining companion and I each ordered the fish fry. It was OK. The only option is fried and the batter was very thick. The coleslaw was OK, the fries were OK but the herbed biscuit was very different than expected and super yummy.

Brunch Burger
Dan D.

Head breakfast at Turn Key on Madison's East side. Food was Ok, service was fast & friendly. Their parking lot is huge and they have an event hall upstairs. The old building is super cool & interesting: This former office building is the last remnant of a twenty-acre complex called the Fuller & Johnson Manufacturing Company. In 1880, John A. Johnson and Morris E. Fuller purchased a small plow manufacturing company and soon renamed it Fuller & Johnson. Within a few years, the two bought an old factory building at the corner of E Washington Avenue and Dickinson Street and, by 1885, it "was the largest and most conspicuous enterprise in Madison." The company's chief product was the "Bonanza Prairie Breaker" plow; however, the company also manufactured other farm machinery. Also in 1885, the company built the main block of the extant office building with other sections being built in 1889 and 1909. In 1900, the company began to manufacture small, general-use gasoline engines, which became its main focus when the company sold its farm machinery line. The company remained in business until 1929. During its tenure, the firm was a leader in employee benefits. Specifically, it offered low-rent housing to employees and had profit sharing with supervisors. The building's next occupant was the Credit Union National Association, Inc., which utilized the building into the 1950s. ^^ from the Wisconsin Historical Society

Prime rib
Vince H.

Decent service and space. Our server was nice and we received most of our food in a timely manner, some of it was a bit slow but the drinks came quickly. The prime rib was decent, not too dry but a little salty. The Mac and cheese was okay, pretty creamy. Most of the food was just lukewarm, which contributed to the lower rating

Side salad and French onion soup
Ellena K.

We have been wanting to try Turn Key for awhile now and I can't believe we waited so long! We loved the warm, cozy vibe, especially the vintage lighting and unique decorations that gave the space so much character. We started off with the Pepper Mary and an old fashioned , the Bloody Mary was one of the best Bloody Marys I've ever had, lots of flavor. The entrees were generously sized and we had leftovers. We tried the Chicken Charchanski and the Prime Rib. The Chicken Charchanski was flavorful and reminded me of a take on chicken schnitzel. The Prime Rib was great, very tender. We were lucky to get the last one of the night! My only regret was not ordering a horseradish side with it. The Mac and cheese side was also wonderful and a must try.

Chips and dip, charred carrots, risotto
Olivia B.

Turn key has a great date night ambiance and some really interesting takes on supper club fare. I tried the chips and dip which was delicious, the chips were not too oily and the dip was fresh and tasty. The charred carrots were so delicious and had a really unique flavor to them. Also really enjoyed their turtle sundae for dessert! Drinks were tasty and service was excellent.

Corned beef brunch plate

We had brunch here this morning because my step-son got my husband and I a gift card. We had high expectations, but were disappointed. My husband's biscuits and gravy were good but the potatoes were served cold, as well as his pocket pancake. I ordered the corned beef and eggs. That didn't turn out well at all. Almost half the corned beef was just chunks of fat and was warm at best. Worst I've ever had short of something out of a can. We have some $$ left on the gift card so will try again for dinner. Just telling it like it is.

Friday fish fry
Masaru O.

Came for the Friday night fish fry the first Friday of Lent. We got lucky and there was a table open immediately. Not long after the place started to fill up quickly. The fish fry this day was two pieces of haddock. The french fries were the thinner kind that St Peter's in Ashton also does which I like. The fish has a light beer batter and was pretty solid. I wasn't that big on the tartar sauce, I like when it has more of a zing to it. It could be the lighting but it seems like maybe it had a touch of chipotle? The herbed biscuit is a unique touch here.

Brandy Alexander
Lindsay K.

We came here for a Friday Fish Fry. We were grabbing a drink at the bar and decided to just eat at the bar. We got there early, probably around 4:30 or 5:00 pm, and it wasn't crazy busy yet. By the time we left, it was packed and the bar was standing room only. Overall, it was a good fish fry with good drinks. The bartenders were attentive and friendly. I had their house Old Fashioned first, and I was not a fan. They were able to make me a classic Old Fashioned next and that was fantastic. They also had a really yummy looking Mocktail list which I always appreciate. But on Fish Fry Fridays I get to cheat. The fish was yummy, good French Fries, fun little biscuit that came with it. I ordered a Brandy Alexander for dessert (like I said, it was a cheat night... go big or go home)... I said I wanted it thick like you eat with a spoon. It was definitely a straw only milkshake type drink. Still delicious, just not the vibe I was going for. I'd come back here for fish fry, but I'd recommend coming earlier rather than later.

Cheese puppies
Ethan Y.

[Turn Key Wisconsin] A local gem in Wisconsin that gives off this old rustic cabin x diner vibe. Its got some creative takes on these classic comfort dishes. It's interesting since its like nothing around the restaurant however once you walk in, it is so busy. Both casual and date night dining Steak Au My Cheese Puppies Holy Moly Ravioli Burger Looks like some sort of pasta The vibes were so good. The food was amazing however the food took forever to come out. I think to the point where they were about to close and we came in about 2 hours before. The ambiance was very good, very busy. Overall 7.5/10, due to just the wait time or else it would've been close to a 10. https://www.turnkeymadison.com 1344 E Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703

The exotic beaches of Dane county
Yolanda G.

Stopped in for some drinks before a concert that was canceled due to weather. ended up weathering the storm there and had the prime rib special for dinner. It did not disappoint. It was very tasty. The prime rib French dip not pictured was also very delicious. The horseradish really makes the meal. Our server was very laid-back and attentive. For dessert ending the meal with a champagne cocktail with a sugar cube was a nice way to end the meal. The decor of the menus being in various books located near your table is a very cool way of looking at a menu. Next time I come I will be excited to try some of the other dessert cocktails that they offer vegan options.

Grilled carrots
Matt D.

The sign on the door says "supper club" -- it's not, but it's also a great restaurant with a funky vibe and a solid drink and food menu. Make sure to have a reservation. We made one online and were quick seated when we arrived. The vibe is quirky, with a hodgepodge of decor, a mix of thrift shop meets north woods urban industrial restoration. When it came time to order drinks and food we were not disappointed. Everyone loved their cocktails, especially their take on a brandy old fashioned. I had an NA cocktail which was great. We ordered hushpuppy curds and the grilled carrots for starters. The curds were a bit underwhelming, more breading than cheese, and the breading was loose so all the cheese melted out. THE CARROTS, however, were absolutely delicious. For entrees, most of our group got the Friday fish fry special. I had the trout, which was cooked excellently (proper crispy skin, delicious herby sauce, and a delicious vegetable hash. We decided to order dessert -- the menu looked good. We opted for the pistachio pudding pie. It was disappointing. The flavors were good but the crust was thin and the custard was over-set (too much stabilizer or over-baking turned it into rubber). Next time we will skip dessert. The service was excellent throughout. There was even a shift change in the middle of our dinner and the staff didn't miss a beat. Overall, it was a fun experience. We will be back, even despite a couple of menu misses.

Relish tray

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

Great bar, chill atmosphere, attentive bartenders. Enjoyed the food. Great for a date:)

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3 years ago

Turn key has a rotating menu that plays on key menu items. The gnocchi never disappoints, though you can't go wrong with any of it.

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3 years ago

So pleasant , and was great for outdoor puppy friendly seating. Great food and very sweet staff.

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4 years ago

Unique choices in a fun atmosphere. Excellent service. A bit pricey but worth the experience. Will go again.

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Merchant - Chile Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs

Merchant

3.8(758 reviews)
1.3 mi•Capitol
•$$

I was out and about, exploring Madison, and Merchant looked like a cool place to stop for happy…read morehour. I sat at the bar, and Mi took great care of me. I had dinner plans, so I just wanted to stop in for a drink and snack. They have some really good offers for HH and their cheese curds are half off. I had never had one, so it sounded like the perfect time to try. I got a glass of wine and the curds. They came out quickly, hot and fresh. It was a big bowl of fried cheese. They come with ranch and hot honey, and apparently they recently won best cheese curd at the cheese curd crawl. They were super tasty. Well seasoned, perfectly fried, and kind of chewy. I am not on the hot honey frenzy train, but I tried it and thought it paired well, just wasn't for me. The ranch was tasty though. Even the happy hour portion was hefty and I couldn't put down half. A little wine and cheese on a beautiful day, just makes for a good experience. They were making some pretty interesting cocktails behind the bar, and it is definitely worth coming back to try out their other options.

Wanted to sit outside for dinner and came across Merchant. Waitress was quick to come over with…read moremenus and water. We started with the cheese board for $32.00. Let's say not the best board I've ever had. Very light on the cheese for the price. Wouldn't order again. Cheese curds were tasty. My husband at the steak which came rare had to return to cook more. The fries were over cooked. My son had the Mac n cheese with chicken that he enjoyed. We also ordered a salad which was fresh and tasty. The menu was small but a nice place to come and have a drink after work then move in for dinner.

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Merchant
Merchant - Skillet corn bread

Skillet corn bread

Merchant - Spooky decor

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Spooky decor

The Botanist Social - mushroom flatbread

The Botanist Social

4.0(97 reviews)
1.5 mi•Capitol
•$$$

We loved this place! The drinks were phenomenal and Mikhail was outstanding--so friendly, polite…read moreand with great customer service! Our favorites drinks were the Mad Hatter (comes in a cute little cup), The Last Word (which came with blue flames on top ), Shy Girl, and a fig/blueberry cocktail (I can't remember the name--but it was delicious) The fried cheese curds were also SO good and definitely worth ordering. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we actually came back the very next day for happy hour The happy hour was such a great deal, and we had another wonderful experience with our waitress, Bella G. She was super nice and took great care of us! Amazing cocktails, great food, and fantastic service both times. Clearly we're fans! Highly recommend!

Came to Botanist Social for a cocktail and dinner before a game…read more Walked into the cool vibe and decor and got a nice welcome from the hostess as well as the waitress. I had the clover club cocktail and it was delish. Nice and refreshing and not too heavy. CLOVER CLUB Gin, raspberry syrup, egg whites*, lemon We shared the butter's salad and it was a nice mix. BURRATA SALAD Peaches, tomatoes, burrata cheese, sweet vinegar dressing I had the Campanella pasta as the main and it was very savory. Noodles could have been a bit more al Dente. CAMPANELLE PASTA Campanelle noodles, braised short rib, poached egg, balsamic drizzle Service was good throughout, our server did several check-ins. Cool spot. Small food menu but would come back again.

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The Botanist Social - Wall of liquor behind the bar

Wall of liquor behind the bar

The Botanist Social - Shrimp Rosemary Skewers

Shrimp Rosemary Skewers

The Botanist Social - Ramos gin fizz

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Eno Vino Downtown - Crispy Lobster

Eno Vino Downtown

4.1(438 reviews)
1.2 mi•Capitol
•$$$

We had a great experience dining at Eno Vino Downtown last Saturday evening. The service from Abby…read morewas simply amazing, and it made the whole evening event so pleasant. We went there to celebrate the 50th birthday of a friend from New York who was in town for the art fair. Abby was attentive, with good recommendations. She's such a sweetheart. We really had a wonderful time chatting with each other and eating the great food. The mocktails were excellent, and we decided on 2 sets of their special - a two-to-tango meal. The dishes were very generously served and delicious. I would highly recommend Eno Vino Downtown for any celebration.

I was staying at the AC Marriott for work and got in late on a Sunday (around 8:30) and since most…read moreplaces close at 9:00, I opted to come to Eno Vino since it's inside the hotel on the 10th floor. Pros: Great that they are open late - convenient to hotel guests and beautiful views of the Capitol and overall a nice vibe. Not super fancy but definitely nicer. My server was super welcoming and friendly - wish I had caught her name! They have an all day HH on Sundays which is a pretty good value! Half off a bunch of apps and then drink discounts as well. Cons: The drink I got (Hot Guava Summer) was just ok. Not bad but nothing special -- it tasted a bit watered down. I wanted the chicken tandoori skewers ($24 but $12 on HH) but unfortunately they were out of this dish! Instead I opted for the "bruschetta" which you can choose any 4 for $28. I opted for the sweet corn (too mayo-ey), fresh mozzarella (decent), brie & apple (decent), and prosciutto (decent). These all sounded really good but execution was not great. Some were too salty while others had flavors that didn't seem to totally jive. Also, the bread is super thick like french bread almost (definitely not traditional bruschetta). I ate most of the toppings and left behind a bunch of the bread.. I appreciated the variety in textures and toppings but this is not something I'd order again. Maybe the other food items are better so worth giving them another chance perhaps... This place is fine in a pinch, but next time I'd likely stick with a glass of wine and enjoying the view.

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Eno Vino Downtown - The Pearfect Elyx-ir - delicious

The Pearfect Elyx-ir - delicious

Eno Vino Downtown - Grilled lettuce - something new for me.

Grilled lettuce - something new for me.

Eno Vino Downtown - View from the restaurant

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View from the restaurant

Turn Key Madison - newamerican - Updated October 2026

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