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I used to live less than a block form the weary traveler when I lived in Madison, and wanted to see if it had lost its charm. Nope.
It's so warm and inviting. Food is nothing less than awesome. I was disappointed that the vegan chili isn't on the menu anymore, but I settled for the stand-by walleye sandwich. Soooo good.
Drinks...I don't remember them being that cheap. But I guess they are. Service never has been that great, but eh...it wasn't bad. Just a hipster attitude that really isn't necessary.
Also, bad move replacing Quolfrisch with Stella. Not. Good. That's why you lose a star. And the tude. But I'll definitely go back whenever I'm in town.
I've been to the Weary Traveler twice now over the last year, and each experience has left me scratching my head as to why there are so many fans of this place.
If the Traveler has any strong stuff going for it, it's that there is a very pleasant atmosphere and a good location. Sequestered about a block from the Willy St. Co-op, The Weary Traveler is in one of those neighborhoods that offers almost everything you could want. Great restaurants, fun bars, unique mom-and-pop stores, and hipster people with generally good attitudes. The restaurant itself has a nice ambiance that promotes relaxation and talk with friends, and the staff is impeccably polite.
All that said, I've had some issues with the place. First, their menu is ridiculously limited. You're handed a sheet of paper with about a dozen options on it including the appetizers, and a lot of the items are basically the same thing. Case in point, - Bad Breath Burger, Ace Burger, Carne Asada, etc. Chicken Breast with vegetables, Grill Cheese, Rueben. While each dish is written about as if it's something magnificent, to me it was just hard to buy into the ingenuity. Between myself and several friends I've now seen the majority of the dishes offered and had a taste, and I simply wasn't impressed. The burger was tasty, but not the best I've had, all of the meat was red and a choice was never given on that (even though I tend to like more rare food, this both times was questionably so). Portion sizes also varied; some were incredibly huge, others left one wanting to attend a second restaurant.
I do applaud them for a little originality with the sides. Instead of the typical "burger and fries," my burger had carrots and graham crackers. If anything, this was my favorite part of that particular meal as I almost always want more vegetables when eating out then what's offered and the crackers were yum-tastic.
Both times I went, the wait time for getting our meal was horribly long. The first time, there was just about no one in the restaurant, but we still sat there for 45 minutes with maybe one peek-in from our waitress to make sure our drink glasses were filled. The second time, not only did that same behavior occur, but on top of it we had a 40 minute wait just to be seated because it was so crowded you couldn't even move. Now I'll be the first man to say it's absolutely worth the wait at a good restaurant, but that's just it; I wasn't impressed.
Perhaps I'm being too harsh on the poor old Traveler, but when I'm yelping I try to put up more reviews for places that I could strongly recommend people to go. And with all the other fantastic options on Willy Street, this is certainly not a spot I'd recommend going.
The Weary Traveler is definitely a Madison staple. Delicious food and a cozzy atmostphere make this place one you'll always come back to. The walleye sandwich is amazing, as is the goulash and bad breathe burger!! Its hard to have a favorite here when all the food is fantastic!! The place can get packed rather quickly though, so if you have a large group better arrive sooner than later.
If you're not sure where to eat, the Weary Traveler will not disappoint.
I went here on a weekend night for a late dinner. My boyfriend and I split the bad breath burger (if we both have it, it would cancel out the bad breath element...maybe :D), and the tom kar tofu soup. The burger was delicious! Very good. The soup was also awesome! I was in Thailand earlier this month and ate a ton of tom kar, and this soup did not disappoint! It was creamy, lemongrass-y, galanga-ey...totally great! The beer selection was good too. I would love to try some other drinks next time I go back!
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.
Did you miss the part where the Bad Breath Burger is a burger with garlic, caramelized onions, and cream cheese? Just go and get it.
I've been saying it's the best burger in Madison, but it's been a little while so I need to go back and make sure that's true.
Only excuse is if you're a vegetarian...in which case there are a number of other options.
I'm not a big 5 star guy... but The Weary Traveler really does itself well. You could always find an issue to pick something apart... so let's list those out now: figuring out where to sit if you're new to the place, the music that some of the bartenders play too loud, the one meal that I didn't like, and... um... okay, done. Now, for what's good. This place doesn't even have a deep fryer. When it comes to the food, they take their time, they put it together well, and they use exceptional ingredients. The West of the Andes sandwich, the Chili (with meat), the Tom Ka Tofu, are all favorites of mine. I also like the Carne Asada, because the plate comes with great pickled veggies, fresh guacamole, nicely spiced sirloin, and a whole bunch of chips. Cut up that meat, mix the pieces together, and you've got a killer dip for dinner... go ahead, try it, you'll like it... I promise.
In other news, the bartenders are friendly but generally not up for much conversation. The place is just as good for a couple of drinks as it is for dinner, and they have some great larger tables for some friends to get together and take advantage of their extensive board games collection in the back corner. It is also open late and serves dinner until 1am... which is a major plus as Madison tends to shut down much earlier.
A local, cozy, affordable, quality, friendly bar/restaurant that never disappoints... 5 of 5.
I had the Bad Breath Burger and it was delicious. There were bits of garlic in the patty and the cream cheese combined with the greasiness of the patty made the burger ooze with goodness. I did not put it down. The potatoes that came with it also had garlic with it and they were delicious as well. Yum.
Split a small Meat and Cheese Platter, but this was nothing to rave about. Sub par deli meats and cheese slices, not even cubed.
The service was acceptable, though the tables were small and the place loud.
Weary Traveler is one of the best little east side bars. The food is awesome, especially the bad breath burger. The waitstaff is attentive enough and quite often very attractive. Bonus!
It's a great hangout spot. Board games, good music, good beer selection. The atmosphere is really cool and laid back. I've had many a great evenings at Weary.
Stopped in on a Sunday night; we were in the mood for something different and "the usuals" weren't sounding too enticing. Yelp reviews looked fantastic, so we eagerly drove to the East side, parked along Willy Street, and made our way into the Weary Traveler.
The place was jumping - no tables available; dimly lit, very noisy (conversation), hip music playing (from a turntable - how awesome!). We considered getting a beer to help pass the time, but before we knew it (and before we could order a beer), our table was ready.
We were seated at a small, heavy wooden table. A drink menu, a salt shaker, and a pepper shaker were the only things on the table. Drink selection was decent - not great, but decent. Tap beers were heavily "IPA" influenced. Bottled beer selections were ok, but nothing unusual or especially interesting.
The menu? Interesting upon first glance, but delve deep into it, and there's nothing that really "grabs" you. We eventually decided on the Hungarian Goulash and the evening's special - Beef Bolognese with angel hair pasta.
We downed two drinks while waiting for our food; time passed quickly. We saw lots of people ordering the special, along with meat and cheese plates and burgers. Our food made its way - a large bowl of goulash and a large plate of pasta.
The goulash was decent; slightly spicy, with crisp veggies and soft pieces of beef. Biggest complaint? Too watery. My experience with Goulash has been that it's more stew/chili like. This was truly like soup with some big chunks of veggies and meat. It was good, but it wasn't "great."
Same holds true with the Bolognese. Tasty, yes. Life-altering? No. Not even "amazing." The beef was slightly greasy, the pasta was far too watery, and the whole meal was a bit of a let down. We paid our bill (expensive!!! $40 for two people with 4 drinks; $48 with tip) and made our way over to Sentry for a cupcake.
I'm still trying to figure out why this place gets such fabulous reviews...
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, $22. Very nice. Weary also has a great wine list. Other things to note:
-lots of vegan options
-no reservations
-they won't split a check for you, but you can use multiple forms of payment
-there's not much of a waiting area (besides the bar, which might be full). In the winter it sucks, in the summer, not so bad.
-sometimes its hard to find the hostess.
If you are willing to put up with these few minor annoyances (and you really should), take a trip to the Weary - it's kind of awesome.
Perfect premise. Decent tap (6-8 beers), with the right variety. They have a limited menu, but do everything well. And, it's an interesting menu. Goulash, burger, thai.
When I need a meal to save me, I'm here.
this place is great. everything on their menu is excellent, but three great standouts are the bad breath burger, one of the three best burgers in town, made with local organic beef, the tom ka, and the south of the border snack plate. there menu focus's a lot on local organic farm raised produce and meats. the service is acceptable, and improves the less customers there are. expect to wait for a seat if you get there between 7 and 9 thur-sat. you can get a good scotch for less than 10$, which is nice. they have a wide variety of games available to play, which combined with a few large tables makes it a great place to get together with friends. they are one of the few restaurants that serves good food late in madison.
Its not really as mind blowing as places I'd typically give 5 stars to, but it really has no noticeable flaws, so I am going 5 here. Its comfortable, has a good variety of food (catering to everyone from meat eaters to vegans), good service, good beers, board games you can borrow and play, and its a nice break from state street.
The west of Andes or something is a great steak sandwich with avocados, their salad is good... idk, its good. On trip adviser one review was titled "chick place" which I agree with. Sandwiches or dishes are around $8 - 12
The Weary Traveler is a Willy Street institution and for good reason. They've got phenomenal food and a handful of local brews to soothe your soul. I generally get the West of the Andes, I just can't get over the memory of how damn good it is. A great neighborhood bar.
We started out by checking to make sure they are "accessible", since one of us has a wheelchair.. and they are, but having not been there before, we had no idea how cramped it is. We got in through one of the front doors, but there is no foyer or open space to wait for a table. They don't take rezzies, so this is important to note -- this is a very popular neighborhood joint and fills up fast. We showed up at about 6 on a Saturday and they were already quite busy. I started tweaking at this point, because it is stressful to navigate a crowded dining room with a w/c, and worse if there is no endpoint. But I only had to suffer for a few minutes (and I'm not even the one in the w/c, just the navigator), as they quickly squoze the three of us into a small table.
The food from their small but diverse menu was a-ok and extremely reasonable, and we loved the decor of this homey corner pub in my dear Willy Street 'hood. Mom had the mustard chicken and inhaled it; sister had a bleu-stuffed pork chop and it was also quickly devoured. I had a walleye sandwich, which was not as flavorful as it could have been. The garlicky potatoes with it, however, were delish. We finished with cheesecakes all around (yummmm), and I can tell you they have a most decent beverage list, too.
I really hate the stress of no rezzies, though.
We're going to try this place again. It was loud and a little crowded, but the prices are very reasonable and the food and service are good. All the beer is around $3-4. My husband had the special, which was pan-seared sirloin over barley and I had the west andes sandwich. He said the dish was alright, especially for the price -- $13. My sandwich tasted good, but was slightly a disappointment, because the bun was soggy with pico de gallo and the tenderloin wasn't sliced and a little tough, so I couldn't take a bite w/o pulling the entire steak out of the sandwich. I ended up eating it w/ a fork and knife, but overall I would go again for the value and atmosphere and try something different.
I love the atmosphere of this place. The food is unique and they offer enough variety to make each visit something to look forward to. The decor on the walls is pretty interesting. There's a funny "family portrait" that had me giggling.
At brunch I had an asparagus and swiss cheese egg frittata with amazing toast and three different kinds of jams that I never would have thought to try. The tuna steak sandwich is delicious and reasonably priced. My mom seemed to enjoy her reuben. :)
The reason I gave four stars instead of five is because I've been disappointed with their drinks. My bloody mary at brunch looked impressive with pickled brussel sprouts, mushrooms, onions, and olives, as well as lime and lemon wedges, but it was surprisingly bland. It did, however, get me pretty tipsy. And at a previous visit my rum and diet tasted so strange that I couldn't finish it. However, I did try Lake Louie on tap for the first time here and now I'm a big fan.
This place is definitely one of a kind. I'm looking forward to the next time I go, and hoping I'll have better luck with the drinks.
We only stopped in for one drink the other night, but boy howdy was that a strong martini! Boodles gin and olives, surrounded by taxidermy and globes, perched on a giant chess board mini stage...fun. Our server was cool, seemed like he could just pull up a chair and tell us some stories about his time at The Weary. I hear this is one of the only places in Madison for decent late-night food, so I'll have to be back!
Just an amazing, wonderfully diverse, deliciously unique restaurant. Please go and enjoy the menu, the specials, the owners (who are ALWAYS on premise). What to try? Everything. if you can't become a regular, I recommend the South of the Border plate to start, the Bob's Bad Breath Burger and the Gulash. The wine list is OUTSTANDING and the bar is top shelf (with very few exceptions) at well prices.
For me, the best thing about Madison was meeting my wife. The worst was leaving the Weary Traveler behind.
I heart the Weary! Every time I go here its always good. Everything on the menu is sooo great and all the beers on tap are delish.
There is just such an awesome vibe to this place and if you have not experienced it I suggest you get there. Such a unique awesome place.
Huzzah South of the Border Snackplate!
Huzzah vegan chili and awesome cornbread!
Not so huzzah the goulash, but what're you gonna do?
Good service, tasty foodstuffs, fun times!
Snotty, pretentious servers, CRAPPY service, loud, obnoxious hipsters, and the fucking slutty, stuck-up waitress hit on my friend (even going so far as to sit in his lap, eww!), thinking he was paying the tab and shit? Well, I was paying the tab. Oops. I don't care how good the food, is- bad service is a deal breaker for me. Ugh.
I absolutely adore the Weary T. The food is consistently awesome--nothing on the menu is bad. I recommend the Walleye sandwich, mostly because it comes with the world's best potatoes on the side (the sandwich is also good). Everything is hearty and tasty.
The only downside is *sometimes* the wait is long (and there's no real place TO wait) and/or the waitstaff is slow. Even then, though, the music is good, the decor is nice, there are board games to play, and most importantly, the beer is cold. Why hurry?
Oh, and I forgot: They refuse to split checks. Very lame.
I don't journey over to Willy St. as much as I would like, but when I do find myself on that side of Madison the Weary is always my first choice for dinner and drinks with friends. Back in college I first heard of this place from a coworker who lived in the area. He told me in no uncertain terms that I needed to come out after work for a few drinks and a late dinner, and I'm happy that I took him up on the offer. Since then I've made my way back on a semi-regular basis.
The best times at the Weary are when you come in and find a nice larger table right away, especially if you can get one of the corner tables. The place is almost always crowded, a victim of its own success in a way, and there are no reservations or waiting lists, just first-come first-serve. As mentioned, there really isn't a good place to wait, and if you end up here crammed in the corner of the bar hoping for a table to open it can be a frustrating experience. I don't think I've gone on a Friday or Saturday night in some time because of this, instead opting for weekday nights or later in the afternoons. It's a testament to how good this place is that I find myself working my schedule around their busy times.
The Weary hits all of the right notes: the food is exceptional, the tap selection is top-notch, and the vibe hits the right tone of hip and mellow. I've made my way through at least half of the relatively short menu, though I've been here more than enough times to try everything at least once over. I've been prevented from doing so by the extreme excellence of the West of the Andes sandwich - possibly my favorite in all of Madison. I usually get the tenderloin option (also comes with tuna or veggies), served with avocado, pico de gallo and chipotle mayo. It's simply the best. Also great: the Weary's Reuben - probably the best I've ever had, and the Bad Breath burger, which is as great as everyone says. The goulash is what I tend to go with when I'm looking for a smaller meal, and even then it's filling. There's a vegan chili as well, which I usually go Not-So and get with beef tips and bacon. And if you're there with a good sized group of friends you can't go wrong with either the WI cheese & sausage platter or the Mediterranean plate.
I love the Weary Traveler and I've spent many a great night over the last five plus years with friends and family - in fact the Weary is my father's favorite Madison restaurant on account of the goulash. The place is near perfect, and a consistent option for just about any occasion.
One of the best things about the Eastside. A nice cup of chili and a grilled cheese costs around $6. The people who work here are totally friendly. You can sit and play a game. Nice music is always playing, plus it isn't totally loud.
One note of warning though; the weekend nights can be kind of a mess. They don't seem to have much a seating system, there doesn't seem to be a host/hostess, and you can watch a table or a seat at the bar that you thought was about to be yours get swooped up by a more wily patron. But it is just that great of a place that you don't really care.
The Weary Traveler seems to have long been a restaurant fixture along Willy Street way much like Lazy Jane's and Jamerica. Initially walking in you can start to see why, the walls have poems fragments sprawled across them, mood lighting, the atmosphere bustling, a nuanced decor with suspended bicycles and rotary telephones on some tables, and a marvelous looking old style crimson ceiling, all very appealing and promising.
Unfortunately the food left me cold, literally. Learning after we ordered that the Carne Asada was out, my partner and I both switched choices to the famous Bad Breath Burger and the special of the day a pulled pork sandwich. After a wait which was over thirty minutes, the food finally came. The pulled pork sandwich was plain and simply cold, not even with the allusion that it had once been warm. I also heard the person next to me remark the same thing. Perhaps this is how it's done at the Weary but if so it was simply blah. The slaw was just as flat as the pork, not juicy nor that flavorful and the bun was dry, stale, and overly bready. The side salad was basically just plain greens with a tiny hint of dressing. I wasn't expecting a BBQ style gargantuan but it was simply very lifeless and plain.
The burger was alright, I applaud the neat concept of adding cream cheese and some garlic and it was better cooked and tastier, but a burger is a burger; grill someone a piece of fatty meat how can it be un-tasty?
The service too was also fairly abominable. In no way rude, just really slow, and unhelpful. The specials weren't told to us and the board is fairly hidden, the food mysteriously took way too long, and it doesn't take 20 minutes to come pick up a credit card. I don't think this was a fluke either as I observed these waiting phenomenon happening to other tables.
Perhaps having a very eclectic menu causes everything to sort of swim in mediocrity without honing in on something with precision. I'm sure the Weary Traveler isn't as bad as I've made it out to be, the place is a staple afterall, but from my visit there it left me disappointed and weary.
Whenever I am back in town this place is a must! Everything on the menu is fantastic and the ambiance is cozy and terrific. Mom always gets the Catfish, a tasty nonalcoholic drink and faves about it. The burger is amazing, this is always what I recommend to carnivores, and I love the West Andes Snack plate. It is deliciously spicy!!! Thank goodness this place opened up in Madison, it gives me one more reason to visit.
I sure wish I'd come hungry....in any event, with the 87 degree temps yesterday, I was powerfully THIRSTY. Since I'd started with vodka earlier, I asked the bartender to surprise me with a big vodka drink to quench my thirst. She came back with a vodka Tom Collins, with muddled lemons in the bottom of the glass, and it was fabulous! I have a new summer cocktail, and here's the best part: $3.50 each! I told her she must've undercharged me, with a $7 tab, but she said that was the price for bar vodka.
I will definitely be back and hopefully try that Walleye sandwich and potatoes that Heather T. raves about.
This was always my favorite Eastside bar. The old-style tin ceilings and the odd poetry on the walls always make this place a visual trip. They have a solid beer selection. Naturally, Bob's Bad Breath Burger is the best burger in town. And they have other great late night snacks. It's a true neighborhood hangout where you are likely to bump into friends. Hearing Catfish play some traditional Americana occasionally is a bonus.
Yes, the service sucks during rush hour, and you run the risk of slow service and cold food. But what do you expect at a popular establishment?
Dim bar, cold drink, good tunes, Bad Breath Burger.
Oh yes.
This is SUCH a great place. They always get great live music, and it's fun to sit down with a sampler and some friends and actually get to HEAR them talk. A mellow place to catch up or settle down.
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.
Finding Safe Harbor at The Weary Traveler
Food haven on Madison's funky East side.
You are on Madison's East Side, and you are hungry. Your blood-sugar levels are dropping. You need to tuck into a hot meal, and you are a foodie. Where to go without reservations?
The Weary Traveler. It's the east side's most welcoming establishment for hungry diners in search of an inexpensive plate of quality food.
Deployed by the founders of The Blue Marlin and Magnus, The Weary Traveler offers a mix of comfort food, exotic fine dining-esque presentations of salmon and tuna, and seasonal specials which range from upscale tacos to fried calamari and spicy lamb dishes.
While the menu does change frequently, there are some delicious standbys at reasonable prices that you should know about.
The "Andes Sandwich" is a delectable blend of veggies and your choice of lamb or chicken. At $6, it's a hearty helping of healthful food.
"Bob's Bad Breath Burger" is one of the top contenders in the Madison burger brawl. Just don't eat one on a first date.
For Sunday brunch they serve up an all-you-can-eat pancakes with sausage and bacon. Oh boy.
The staff there is terrific: Funky, hip, and youthful; they are responsive and friendly. They also really don't give a damn about you.
The music comes from a Mac loaded up with iTunes and a slew of interesting and current selections. We rocked out to Pat Benatar (who seems to have found a new, younger audience) and mellowed out to Low and Massive Attack.
Earlier this month I sampled the Weary Traveler Bloody Mary, which is one of the better I've tasted in Madison. Spicy, zesty, tangy, and loaded with garnishes, I felt like I'd had a light lunch when I was done.
Extra points to the bartender for silently bringing a pickle on the side when she saw I had finished the first one!
Note to restaurant owners: condiments are cheap. The goodwill engendered by little touches like allowing kids to have a slice of orange, or an extra pickle for a hungry guy at the bar goes a long way towards garnering repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations.
So, the next time that blood sugar drops, drop into the Weary Traveler for a bloody mary and a hot plate of food. You'll back up to snuff in no time.
Word to the wise: choose your table carefully--the floor plan has some issues.
Great food. Great drinks. Not a secret. Recommended by locals, and I've extended the same to anyone heading to Madison and/or going to be near Willy St. Try a Jack Kerouac.
I do like this place. The service is good... and easy on the eyes (for the most part). They have a decent scotch selection, although a bottle of Laphroaig or Caol Ila on the shelf wouldn't hurt. The food has been hit or miss though... mostly miss. I had the chili once and asked them to add beef (which is an option on the menu). Instead, I got the regular ol' vegan chili. I had a tuna sandwich, which was good. The biggest disappointment though is their Bad Breath burger. Given that people have raved about it, I thought I'd give it a try... where to begin. I asked for medium, and it was more like rare. The bun literally crumbled when I picked it up. If you are going to have such a huge hunk of meat and fixins on a bun, make sure the bun is up to snuff the hold the damn thing. I am hoping (for their sake) that this was just a fluke, maybe a nearly stale bun snuck into the establishment an onto my plate. The burger itself wasn't very memorable, except for the bad breath I had after (literally). Finally, the potatoes on the plate were complete undercooked and sorta hard in the middle in that undercooked potato kinda way. I will return to this establishment for drinks, and occasionally the food... but jeez folks - you want a good burger, go to Culvers.
The Weary Traveler is the hands-down best restaurant in Madison. From the atmosphere to the appetizers (not to mention the Carne Asada - definitely in my top 3 favorite meals), this place is a must-visit.
Sure, there's the wait time to get a seat on a weekend night, but the vibe is good and people are generally quite friendly. They've got board games in the back and the beer is always excellent (everytime i go, they've got bell's oberon, so i'm grateful).
5 stars. Mmm, maybe we should go tonight ...
Outstanding, out-of-the-ordinary pub food, great atmosphere, good drinks. A little cramped on weekends and I think they don't heat the bathroom because no matter how warm with drink I am I always lose a finger or two whenever I have to pee.
Food-wise, skip the Mediterranean platter and the ghoulash and go for the generously splittable cheese and meat platter, the veggie salad, whatever the first sandwich option is (definitely with tuna!) or the Thai-something-something soup.
Sadly no longer carries Delirium Tremens beer.
Bad Breath Burger
Carne Asada
Me and my date could not stop saying "mmmmmmmmm" the entire meal.
Good atmosphere, good service. What more can you ask for?
I took some out-of-town guests to WT, purely based on the previous reviews here on Yelp and OH MY GOD! This place is great! Granted, it was a loud Friday night, but I was expecting (and even welcoming) that sort of environment. I was absolutely blown away by the food. When I skimmed the prices on the menu (before actually reading the item names), I mistakenly assumed I was looking at an appetizer menu! The prices are rock bottom, and yet the quality and character of the fare was outstanding. I'll be making sure to visit here again.
I'm no hippie, but I did feel at ease with the lack of any TVs in sight of our table and Michael Franti's voice barely audible in the background.
Maybe next time, I'll challenge my dinner guests to a friendly game of connect four -- yep, they've got a rack full of classic board/table/card games for those of us that prefer to interact with our friends while enjoying a pint as opposed to screaming at a sports game on TV.
pure. genius.
okay. i know i "should" love this place and think i am in the minority here but - c'mon. every time i am at this place i feel like they (the staff) think they are doing me a favor by letting me in.
had dinner w/ 3 others in late january and knew we were in for trouble from the start. first the "wrong server" came to our table, took our drinks order and disappeared. then the "right server" came to our table and said that the other person was mistaken. still no drinks. then the "wrong server" came back and apologized for the confusion. still no drinks. sooner or later, our drinks arrived and then we placed our dinner order. at the suggestion of the "right server" i got the pork chop special. a reasonable amount of time later, my table-mates dinners are served and i am informed it will be "just a few more minutes" for mine. my polite table-mates cannot be persuaded to start eating. . . 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes pass... at nearly the 25 minute mark, my food shows up, without apology, explanation, or accommodation.
c'mon.
i agree the food can be good, the atmosphere is fun, and the location is great but the service swings between disinterested and pretentious.
same goes for nat spill (owned by the same person/family, if i'm not mistaken). i've got better ways and places to spend my money.
Madison, WI
Category: Restaurants
Madison, WI
Category: German
Madison, WI
Category: Burgers
Madison, WI
Category: Chocolatiers and Shops
Madison, WI
Category: Barbeque
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