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The Weary Traveler
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants American (New) Bars, American (New) [Edit]
1201 Williamson StMadison, WI 53703
(608) 442-6207
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
144 reviews for The Weary Traveler
Review Highlights
"I love, love, love, love, love Bob's Bad Breath Burger."
(in 42 reviews)
"Board games, good music, good beer selection."
(in 12 reviews)
"Weary Tom Ka Tofu-Hit the spot for a light meal."
(in 5 reviews)
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144 reviews in English
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Review from Emigh C.
Madison, WI
1/12/2012
I watched two of my vegetarian friends commit the ultimate sin and order the Bad Breath Burger, and like me, they LOVED it! It because of places like this, that I'll never label myself a vegetarian. There's just so much opportunity to seduce your taste buds at The Weary.
Regarding the ambiance: Stepping into this place gives me the feeling of stepping back in time, somewhere in Europe where artists and intellectuals exchange ideas over flavorful food in a dark and cozy setting. While the menu has been described as pub fare, it's on the opposite spectrum from the standard breaded & fried selection of your typical American sports bar. Instead of plasma tv's, there are portraits and old musical instruments and other antiques secured to the walls. Yes it can be pretty loud at peak hours, but who needs to talk when you could be shoving gourmet yum yums into your face hole? Talk on your way home.
Regarding the staff: I've come here twice with children (not mine), first with a baby in a car seat, and the second time was with a 4 year old. The staff was very welcoming of the kids. One diner made a snide comment about the car seat, but screw him. The baby was a friggin' cherub, and he wasn't noisy or in anyone's way. The second time, the 4 year old was fine until the waitress tried to take away her grilled cheese, since she was done eating. This kid had a mini-meltdown that the unwanted food was being taken away! Wtf? I could tell the waitress felt bad about it, but she handled the situation with grace and tact, even when the mom failed to discipline the child. I was so embarrassed that I tipped extra. I'm sure it was one hell of a grilled cheese, based on everything else I've ever eaten here. Unless you are routinely complimented on how well your kids behave in public, I don't recommend bringing them to The Weary Traveler. This is really more for the grown ups.
Regarding the drinks: I like the tangy flavor of the Kombucha they serve. I like that it's not too sweet, and I love that they offer it with vodka. I've never thought to do that with Kombucha, but there's a first time for everything. I went here with my in-laws, and my MIL and I had a couple of Key Lime Martinis that were so good, I snuck over and asked the bartender if he would teach her how to make one properly, since she's never had much luck. Making martinis is kinda her thing. Anyway, he waved her on over to the bar and we watched his demo carefully as he gave some tips. What a guy!
Regarding the food: I rarely eat beef, but when I do, it's usually at the Weary. I'd like to shake the hand of whoever thought to put cream cheese on The Bad Breath Burger. And the garlicky yukon potatoes that come with it are addictive. The Hungarian Goulash surprised me as well. They serve theirs with a fresh roll on the side, not over pasta. Nice move, chef! I enjoyed sopping up the Goulash sauce with my hunk of fresh bread. The meat was really tender and it brought the flavor. Die-hard reuben lovers will enjoy The Weary's take on this popular sandwich, and vegetarians can't go wrong with the Sweet Corn, Quinoa & Black Bean Salad or the Mediterranean Plate. I've had the vegan cornbread twice, and both times I thought it was too dry. The baker should add more oil or try applesauce in the recipe to moisten it up and still keep it vegan. The Tuna Fillet and West of the Andes Sandwiches are top notch as well. The tuna isn't overcooked, and the chicken is juicy. And now I'm really, really wanting to go there for dinner...like, NOW! -
Review from J W.
Madison, WI
12/17/2011
I've been here 3 times. It was always crowded, but there's good reason why.
The service was always good, whether at the bar or at a table. The bartenders really know their stuff, and servers are always attentive.
The Tom Ka Tofu is awesome.
I will be back again. -
Review from Allison K.
Madison, WI
11/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
I bring all of my friends who come to visit to The Weary Traveler. No one has been disappointed.
I moved to Madison from Minneapolis a few months ago, and this place is definitely a favorite of the places I've tried. The West of the Andes sandwich with roasted veggies is one of the best sandwiches I've ever had.
The servers are super accommodating. It was crazy busy last time I was there, and our server came back to mention to my dairy free friend that there is butter on the bun of the burger. My friend was impressed and said most servers wouldn't take the time to do that.
Only warning is not to bring anyone hard of hearing; it's really loud at dinner time. But otherwise the ambience is pretty perfect. Pretty diverse crowd, too, which surprised me a little. -
Review from Martha P.
Madison, WI
2/4/2012
Five of us arrived for dinner Friday night around 8pm. The wait was longer than expected and was explained as many patrons having paid but not leaving. We sat at a table for 7-8, rather huddled at one end in order to hear each other talk! The food was very good - Bad Breath Burger, Ruben sandwich, Pork chop, and all with delicious sides, and the pricing seemed fair. Tap beer was excellent. I did not like two hot, after dinner drinks that I tasted - a buttered rum drink was not hot, and something with Framboise and Godiva liqueur smelled plastic-y.
If the server had been more engaging and attentive, and the noise level a bit quieter, I would certainly recommend another go. But, as I told my spouse who was not with us last night, there are some fine pubs around town these days, so we'll save this one for later, perhaps much later. -
Review from Shane B.
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Warm interior with lots of wood paneling. Bar runs the entire width of interior. Didn't stay for food but good selection of wisco beers I hadn't seen elsewhere. Friends have said the food is tasty. Great last stop spot on the night
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Review from Nev D.
Madison, WI
11/22/2011
Mostly everything about this place is awesome. By way of bar food, it's your classiest choice in Madison. The kitchen stays open until 1 am and serves up Tom Ka, Tuna filet sandwiches and much, much more. The Bad Breath Burger is a hearty classic and more fulfilling than your average dive burger.
The rail drinks are decently priced, and they have a good seasonal collection of specialties (Grogg in the winter!) and tap beers.
The decor is my favorite thing. It's antique-y and warm and the live music there usually reflects it. It can be chaotic when it's busy, but the interior is just so damn inviting, I can rarely be bothered to leave.
Will add, however, that I have become increasingly annoyed with the staff there. Just get over yourselves, please. -
Review from Madame V.
Madison, WI
9/17/2011
I absolutely love this place. While it's often crowded and noisy, it really does fit the bill for the type of atmosphere it portrays. (Very Bohemian, cozy bar and restaurant.)
I've never had a bad meal, the bartenders are attentive and fast.
The one complaint I have is that the servers are often overly busy and the service is neglectful from time to time. (If you don't like to wait or dislike large crowds, I'd go here on a week night.)
The late night menu is superb as well. The tofu soup is amazing. -
Review from Jennifer C.
Madison, WI
1/21/2012
Great atmosphere and great food! I would recommend this place to anyone!
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Review from Kelly F.
Madison, WI
My husband and I tried The Weary Traveler for the first time this weekend. The road is under construction, so driving was a little chaotic and it was hard to find somewhere to park. We ended up parking 3 blocks away and walking to the restaurant, but I guess that is pretty typical in Madison.
The restaurant was very dark and kind of loud. It was very cozy...the tables were a bit close together, and it seemed like the waitstaff had to squeeze by a lot. FYI...it is a "Seat Yourself" place. (They should put up a sign because we were confused when we walked in).
They had a unique menu selection. I was excited to see Kombucha tea on the beverage list! There are also lots of vegetarian options. I had the West of the Andes sandwich, and my husband had the Bad Breath Burger. Both were very good. I really liked that they offered mixed greens as the side, but the dressing could have used more flavor. Also, our food could have been hotter...it was warm, but I would have liked it more if it were HOT. I think the temperature of the food was just due to the fact the the waiter was very busy. He was very pleasant and refilled our water glasses and everything, but I think they could use a couple extra waiters/waitresses because they looked like they were stretched pretty thin.
Overall, we had a good experience and would definitely try it again...once the road is open. -
Review from Growling P.
Madison, WI
7/28/2011
Rating the Weary after living in Madison for many years, I would give it a 3. For the first five or so years of living in Madison, I would have given it a 5. So it gets a 4.
The Weary's food is consistently decent to good. They focus as much as possible on providing sustainable/locally raised beef and pork. There are usually two daily specials that add to the limited menu. The atmosphere is great; the place is filled with wood and has a classic tin ceiling. The food is pretty good value for what it is.
The biggest problem with the Weary is its limited menu. It has barely changed over the ten years I've lived here, and so now that I've spent time with each dish on the menu, there is nothing I want to eat. Many of the dishes are just okay, not great. The daily specials help add variety. When I am dragged here now, this is what I eat.
Best items: The quinoa salad, with beef. Many people are addicted to the West of the Andes sandwich (I've heard people swear by each of its iterations, the beef, vegetable, and tuna). I love the chicken dish, but can't eat it any more because it violates the sustainable meat provision I've wedded myself to.
Downsides: The salad the dishes come with is meh. The garlicky potatoes that come with many of the dishes are just okay. They are usually greasy and not plentiful. Boy, Woody Allen got that joke right ("the food is terrible, and what small portions!"). The Thom Ka has never been right (it is okay, but has WAY too much tofu, the flavor is just slightly off, and you continually have to pick lemongrass out of the soup). The chili is downright terrible; no idea why it has persevered on the menu.
Another large downside: the absolute chaos involved in getting a table when the restaurant is busy. Usually, it is first-come, first-serve, and people will maul your grandmother to get a table. If you are like me, you cannot rest or talk with your companion(s) easily until you've landed a table. Sometimes, one of the owners or bartenders will pretend to be hosts and have a sort of list for seating people. This, uh, sometimes works.
If you are passing through town or new to town, definitely check out this venue. If you hate commotion and want to eat at regular, busy hours, you might want to skip the Weary.
Oh, and the service? It is often great and often terrible. The servers make $$$, but it is hell for them to deal with the crowded space. Expect spotty service. The token dude is generally the worst. I expect nothing when he is assigned to our area. -
Review from Amber M.
Chicago, IL
8/17/2011
I tried this place last night. The space is fun and has playful decorations like lamps made from old telephones. The room handles the noise of a bar quite well. The service was a little...disorganized and spacey, but I couldn't tell how much of that was because of the two side entrances (as opposed to their usual front) during the construction on Willy Street.
For dinner, I had the pork chop with an orange- white wine sauce, which was solid-- very tender and with good flavor. My husband had the vegan chili with bacon. He thought it was wonderful; i thought it was good ,but not as good as my uncle's, and lacking in spice and fullness. -
Review from Tynan H.
Sun Prairie, WI
7/8/2011
The food was great and the place is really nice. This place is 100% stoked on organic food but that doesn't mean they skip out on the meat. There is a burger, chili, or fish as well as many vegetarian and vegan options.
The place was so busy we had trouble finding our waitress but other than that, very impressive. -
Review from Vincent V.
Bloomington, IN
5/26/2011
Great beer. Great music. Great Food. What else could you want?
I got the "Bad Breath Burger". It's made with local organic beef. It's just awesome. I eat a lot of burgers, especially when I see that it's locally raised. This burger however would make my top five of all time.
The staff is great. The bartender had great suggestions to pacify my inner beer-snob. He also had a lot of great local micro-brews which obviously helped him.
The place is nice. There was some nice bluegrassy tunes being played when I came by. I sometimes am indifferent towards music in restaurants. Either it's too loud and I can't converse with friends or it's so boring, quiet, and elevatoresque that I find it annoying. Perfect balance. -
Review from Jojo F.
7/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Bringing my parents up to Madison for the weekend, we had one mandatory stop: The Weary Traveler. This was not my first visit, so I went for my tried and true, Grilled Cheese with side mixed greens and a Nessalla kombucha.
My parents and husband all had Bad Breath Burgers. Needless to say, I had an exceptional meal, but insisted we keep the windows rolled down on the way home. Highly recommended! -
Review from Max M.
Madison, WI
12/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
TIM. Get the beef West of the Andes sammich!
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Review from Adrian W.
Chicago, IL
4/12/2011
Food: Five stars.
Drinks: Five stars
James Franco Doppelganger: Five stars. -
Review from Joseph H.
2/27/2011
The Weary is a solid joint on the underrated east side of Madison. Is this a place where extremely liberal folks hang out for good food and drinks? Yes. Thus, if you are not willing to overhear some "hippies" as my brother would call the folks that typically hang out here, then please stay closer to the capital.
I'll be honest - I've only had the Andes sandwich, but that is because this steak sandwich literally melts in your mouth. Everything from the bun to the steak is simply delicious. I personally love avocado and it's always fresh and full of flavor.
Are there other good choices on the smaller menu? I'd be willing to bet on it.
In addition, there is a great selection of beer. I've also been here with my parents on a Sunday afternoon and there was live music. I'm pretty sure my dad was taken back to his college "hippie" days. Undeniably sweet. -
Review from Leslie S.
Madison, WI
1/5/2011
The Weary Traveler is Madison, Wisconsin. That is an odd statement, but perfectly true.
It is part bar, which is requisite on account of this being a state that is very much about beer. The bar is a real bar. Not old-timey, not fashionable-hip, but a conglomerate of 20-80-somethings with unusual eyewear and hairdos, sitting around talking about the academe, but quite sincerely. The food is real bar food. Not a bowl of nachos. Not an ashtray of pretzels. Bar food as in the kind of food you might find in a bona fide Irish pub, you know, in Ireland. You can get nicely browned chicken with mashed taters there. Burgers. It's a short menu, but a real menu. You can definitely eat a good meal at the Weary.
Word to the wise - don't bring kids here. It's really crowded and no place for strollers or binkies. It's a place for grownups, young and old. You can't help but like it. -
Review from Emily J.
Madison, WI
7/7/2011
I used to be a server at the Underground Kitchen and our restaurant suffered severe damage when the building that hosts our restaurant caught on fire- we immediately closed the restaurant indefinitely. It was an exhausting and terrible day, and I went with two close friends to the Weary Traveler that evening.
Beyond the fact that I've had a fantastic history coming here for great food, I was very moved when after enjoying my meal (salmon like always duh) my server informed me that I had been recognized by Weary management as a Kitchen server and that my meal would be on the house due to our own restaurant's bleak future. It was such a thoughtful gesture, and it really goes to show how the restaurant community of Madison succeeds- as a community. There was no dramatic offering, nothing brought that we didn't order, just a simple move right at the end that nearly left me speechless.
To Weary: I enjoyed serving you guys when you came in, and wanted to express my appreciation for your thoughtfulness.
-Emily -
Review from Jesse S.
Madison, WI
1/16/2011
I have given the Weary Traveler three stars. I've been there twice and had the same thing-- Bob's Bad Breath Burger.
The first time it was delicious-- the perfect late night finish to a night of moderately heavy drinking.
The second time-- tonight-- it was just terrible. Waaaaay too much balsamic vinegar and the potatoes were incredibly salty. -
Review from Billy D.
2/14/2011
One of the best winter-drinking spots in Madison. Lots of windows, good warm drinks (read:glogg), and a warm fuzzy feeling. Has a very good ambiance in general.
Usually is pretty busy, so be prepared for a wait. Staff are generally pretty nice.
I think their menu has an identify-crisis, but the food impresses people. -
Review from Jenni W.
Milwaukee, WI
9/21/2011
Love this place!!! Lots of tasty veggie options, and they use many local and organic ingredients. They also have a good selection of microbrews and plenty of local personality.
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Review from Chris H.
Pleasant Hill, OR
11/5/2010
Surprise, surprise...right?
Here's a list of why Weary gets 4 stars:
1) It's a fun place to go to. I almost always end up having a fun conversation with the bartender or my server. There does seem to be a new guy serving there now who is kind of weird. I can't say for certain though because he didn't serve me.
2) The atmosphere is eclectic to the extreme. Every time I go I find something else on display, and I find myself wondering if it was there before. "How could I have missed THAT!?", I ask myself.
3) The food. Bob's burger is as unique a burger as you'll find in Madison...and it tastes great. The potatoes that come with it are usually done VERY well and are, to me, more delicious than anything there. The small side salad is simple and tasty. I've also eaten the meat and cheese platter. I ordered that on my own, and I'm pretty sure I ordered the medium. When it showed up, I knew I should have ordered the small. HUGE is how I can best describe this plate. Oh, and it's good too. I've had a special here and there, and they're always good. I've really never been disappointed by the food.
4) The beer. Ok, the selection is limited. They have Two-Hearted on tap though, and that's good enough for me since it's the best (?) IPA ever made.
5) The location. I like it because it's close to home. There are other restaurants that are closer though, and I have never gone to them (or never gone back). -
Review from Natalie R.
St Paul, MN
3/24/2011
Friday night, 8:00 -- busy enough that we got tipsy while waiting for a table.
Worth the wait? Absolutely. Very fresh, tasty food. The Andes sandwich hit the spot, and the (super garlicky) potatoes were better than fries any day.
Even though the wait was long and the bartender was busy, he was was friendly and attentive. -
Review from Ellen O.
10/11/2010
On a beautiful fall day in Madison, a trip to Weary Traveler was suggested by my daughter's boyfriend. The neighborhood is a great conglomeration of older homes and shops with cafes. This comfortable and charming pub style restaurant was just right. The service was great, and our server knew many of the items intimately so that we could ask questions and make our decisions.
Bob's Bad Breath Burger was the champion of the day!! I loved it, and my daughter loved it too. I was so drugged by the multitude of nice flavors, especially whatever they use in the meat (I hardly ever eat burgers but it was explained this was special), and the caramellized onions, that I cannot recall what other items were ordered. They serve nice local root beers and brews.
I would not visit Madison again from Los Angeles without stopping in to enjoy another visit. A+++++ in my book. -
Review from Sriram S.
Madison, WI
11/17/2011
great food and service. has multiple veggie options as well
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Review from Emily E.
Madison, WI
1/26/2011
I've had a pleasant experience every time I go here. OK, what am I saying? This place kicks butt!!!! The potatoes that come with your meal are to die for! The bad breath burger is awesome, love the name.
It gets quite busy though, so expect a wait around dinner time. But have a drink at the bar, and enjoy some nice company. Once you get seated, there is a corner in the back FULL of games, so break out some scrabble.
This place is truly a Madison favorite of mine. Delicious food (veggie options). Can't remember how the service was last time, but I've gone back, so it couldn't have been terrible. Awesome, cozy place! -
Review from Alicia P.
Oregon City, OR
8/25/2011
I came here while visiting from Portland, OR and was impressed with the ambiance and variety of the beers. While I don't drink, my cousin and uncle both had a few pints and were very happy with the selection. The food menu is simple but eclectic with everything from burgers to sea scallops to meat/cheese plates. The atmosphere is definitely one of a neighborhood watering hole/gathering place. The decor is dark and on the English pub side and very inviting. Overall I think it is a great place to meet up with friends for a few drinks and a great dinner without having to spend alot.
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Review from David H.
Madison, WI
5/14/2011
Normally I would give this place 4 (or maybe 5) stars as it had a lot of character and the food was good.
However we had pretty terrible service. We were sat in a corner and basically forgotten about. While it was super busy, there were 4 servers (and a bartender) on duty. It took 30 minutes before we got a menu, then another 30 or so before we got anything to drink (not even water). In all the meal took 2 hours from when we were seated, which would have been okay if I wasn't thirsty for the first hour.
Not sure I would go back unless it was at an off-time, or if I do go back I'll make sure not to get the same server. The guy was just really disorganized. Did things like bus tables (despite there being 3 clean tables open/no need to take care of such things immediately) instead of refilling drinks/etc. Felt like a bit of a d*ck short tipping the guy, but the service really was that bad/I was worried it'd take a half hour to get my credit card or change back so I did the best I could. -
Review from Derek B.
Madison, WI
8/21/2011
For just two of us this place was great and we got seats at the bar immediately. I think larger parties (5+) could have a tough time getting a table but once they did they wouldn't be disappointed. The carne asada plate was delicious!
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Review from Megan S.
Ann Arbor, MI
11/11/2010
I lived a few blocks away from the Weary for about three years and definitely ate a lot of West of the Andes sandwiches and South-of-the-Border snack plates while there. It's a reliably delicious, very reasonably priced, hip-but-not-too-hip place to enjoy lunch, dinner, or drinks in the Willy St. neighborhood. Although the menu is limited, there really is something for everyone and the food's so good you don't mind having the same entrees over and over.
As a side note, if you ever take a class next door at the Perfect Knot yoga center (which you should!), you'll probably end up down dogging to the smell of roasted garlic, making it even harder not to be lured into the Weary after a Bikram class! -
Review from carlos s.
Los Angeles, CA
4/2/2010
1 am, empty streets, Madison, WI, the state capitol building eerily lit in the background. Yelp brought me here for the Bad Breath Burger. It was an awesome burger, with garlic cooked in with the patty, a hefty slab of cream cheese, and caramelized onions all blended together perfectly.
Add to that a bottle of Lucky Louie Milk Stout (actually made with lactic acid), and the meal was perfect.
Jamie The DJ rocks! (a.k.a. DJ Lazy Bartender). He played some really mellow Bon Iver tracks on vinyl.
I would definitely come back if I ever find myself In Madison. -
Review from Kate S.
Chicago, IL
This weekend I went to Weary Traveler for lunch. I was excited to see what all the fuss was about and it was definitely very good.
The people in my party ordered one of two things: the West of the Andes sandwich or the Bad Breath Burger. I opted for the West of the Andes sandwich because I thought the Bad Breath Burger looked a little overwhelming. I had it with the steak and I thought it was delicious. I like that it was served with a salad, too. I also tried a bite of the Bad Breath Burger. Definitely an experience, but I don't know if I would have been able to stomach more than a bite. The side potatoes it was served with were also very good.
The atmosphere in Weary Traveler is really neat. The decor is cute and they have board games you can play which makes me very happy - especially because we played Apples to Apples. I will definitely return if I am able to hike over to Willy Street. -
Review from Meghan C.
Madison, WI
11/6/2011
Cool bar, but it is always really busy and honestly, I don't like any of their food. This is one of those places I would like to like, but don't.
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Review from To and Jo S.
Madison, WI
3/16/2011
I am happy to say that I finally got to dine here. There is a lot to make this place great. The food is hands down the best food I have had in the past 10 places I have gone to. Everyone in our party of five loved their dishes.
I had the Reuben and it was one of the best Reubens I have ever had. It comes with a delicious tasting and spicy sauce that actually puts it in a category of it's own. The bread was thick sliced and toasted perfectly. Truly a delicious sandwich and it came with salad and potato salad. All fresh and very good.
A few negatives were that it is way too crowded. They need to lose a few tables or get a bigger place. They were packed at 5:30 on a Wed with people waiting. We beat the line and got a table right away.
The waitress took our orders in a timely fashion. We had a bit of a wait for our food but nothing unreasonable considering how busy they were. Every plate looked beautiful when served.
We had a great time and the prices were spot on and very affordable.
One other thing was that parking was difficult to find. I had to park about a block away. No big deal really. -
Review from Molly O.
6/23/2009
It's unfortunate that the Weary doesn't seem to have a web site. Websites play a big role in whether or not I visit random establishments. Good thing I grew up in Madison so I know how great the Weary is. Please Weary, instead of a facebook page, create a proper website!
First off, I LOVE the atmosphere in this place, the long bar, the cute booths, the...um...bar. It has a cool vibe, for sure. The seating along the wall is extremely cramped...you will be fighting with your neighbor when getting up or out. Try not to spill their wine.
I have probably eaten about everything on the (somewhat locally sourced) menu since it is quite small. I love the West of the Andes sandwich, the goulash, the roasted veggie salad - everything is pretty great and definitely kind on your wallet. I remember they had a special of a side of ribs once for $9 instead of, say, $22. Very nice. Weary also has a great wine list. Other things to note:
-lots of vegan options
-no reservations
-they won't split a check for you, but you can use multiple forms of payment
-there's not much of a waiting area (besides the bar, which might be full). In the winter it sucks, in the summer, not so bad.
-sometimes its hard to find the hostess.
If you are willing to put up with these few minor annoyances (and you really should), take a trip to the Weary - it's kind of awesome.Listed in: Madison, My Homeland
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Review from Sarah R.
Madison, WI
The Weary Traveler occupies a space on Madison's East Side Isthmus that once housed a number of restaurants and businesses - all of which came and went. But the Weary, as it's known to neighborhood folks who frequent it, is a mainstay. Anyone familiar with the Madison food scene knows that the Berge Brothers (and partners) constitute a dynasty - with one branch operating the Weary and Magnus and another, Barriques, among other ventures. Yet their success is well deserved; the Berges operate some of the most consistent, finest and most comfortable food and drink outlets the city has to offer.
Despite this lineage, the Weary still maintains a humble, and appealing, feel; it's a neighborhood hangout with Django Reinhardt on the stereo and a full bar filled with service industry folk, east side residents and people who were lucky enough to stumble through. The tables are well worn, the ambiance is dark and cozy, and the menu is great, although it never changes - yet classics seldom do.
A full complement of board games (Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Apples to Apples) is available for patrons, suggesting that no one expects you to hurry in and out of the Weary; on the contrary, the kitchen is open until 1 AM and you are welcome to sit and play games, cards or just chat with friends over good food until then.
The menu's standouts are, as always, the West of the Andes sandwich, whose tenderloin version comes with a beautifully cooked and tender piece of locally-sourced beef. Or get it with a tuna steak for a lighter experience. Both are perfectly balanced by a slightly sweet roll, pico de gallo and plenty of avocado.
The Weary's own version of the Thai classic soup, Tom Ka, is chock-full of mushrooms, flavorful tomatoes, green beans and pieces of tofu, and is brimming with rich, delicious coconut flavor. The cup is big enough for two people to share; the bowl could feed a crowd.
For those who like burgers, Bob's Bad Breath burger earns rave reviews, too - but heed its advice and know that the garlic will do your friends in post-dinner.
Cocktails at the Weary are stiff and no-nonsense; the Old Fashioned is always a good choice, as is the Mojito. The Weary also offers plenty of good beers on tap and in bottles, too.
I hesitate to put up such a rave review of the Weary, which feels like our own little neighborhood gem, but word gets around, anyway, and it's only fair to give it its due. There's more than enough room for everyone, anyway, and all are always welcome.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Arthur S.
Madison, WI
8/20/2007
Grade: Pure Evil
Lousy service. Putrid food. I truly hate this place. This is a hippie's idea of fine cuisine. The hairy-legged waitress, with 4 nose rings and doused in patchouli oil was the cherry on this turd sundae. -
Review from Kedar D.
11/23/2009
Weary Traveler is a cool, inexpensive atmospheric old bar on Madison's hip East Side. It has more than a few vegan options but not the kind that I expected.
For one thing, they serve bar food here (burgers and whatnot). Yet, amazingly, they don't offer a home-made vegan burger or anything akin to that. It's a shame because this is the type of joint I'd expect to find a killer seitan burger, or tofu-quinoa-type patty. Even stranger, they have all the right ingredients for a killer vegan burger, but they don't seem to be able to put the pieces together.
While everything they have is labeled and cheap (prices range from $3.75-$7.75) none of the vegan dishes sound particularly interesting (options include: vegan chili; sweet corn quinoa blackbean salad; tom kha tofu stew; roasted vegetable salad; hummus-tabouli plate; guacamole-salsa plate).
I got a cup of vegan chili ($3.75) which came with a piece of cornbread. The chili was okay but not great. While it was spicy, I didn't like the overly-thick nature of it and the uninteresting ingredients. Where were the bell peppers? Or mushrooms? Or tvp? All this chili had was tomatoes, onions and beans which are okay, I guess, but pretty boring.
The cornbread was good, though. The service was friendly too. I generally like the atmosphere here (cozy and dark with lots of wood and a long bar). The beer selection and draft selections are also both unusual and extensive (with lots of local beers).
I just wish Weary Traveler had better vegan options. Then I'd come back often and I'm sure other vegans/vegetarians would as well. -
Review from Dan B.
Monroe, WI
7/16/2011
Comfortable like an old pair of slippers, and well worth dealing with the Willy street construction.
