Madison may not be the fish fry capital of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's got to hold a title for something-but our culinarily snobby city still holds its own in this unapologetically greasy tradition. Especially with the Lenten season upon us, it can't hurt to know your choicest options if red meat is temporarily off the menu. Just call yourself Ishmael and read on to sample several local fish fries.
With boots filled with authentic German beer, waiters decked out in lederhosen and trays overflowing with wiener schnitzel and bratwurst, the Essen Haus offers customers a truly unique dining experience.
The cozy and rustic environment combined with a friendly and attentive wait staff make this traditional Bavarian Restaurant a wonderful place to share a hearty meal with family and friends.
On my visit, I decided to skip the traditional German fare and try the Friday fish fry. At $8.95, the all-you-can-eat beer-battered, deep-fried cod enticed me. For those looking for a higher quality fish, fried lake perch can be substituted for an extra $2.
The meal began with a perfect starter, a giant soft pretzel accompanied by spicy mustard and sauerkraut. A choice of soup or salad came with the fish fry. Fresh, crisp vegetables made for a good garden salad. Unfortunately, the ranch dressing was too thick. Warm German rye bread finished off the first course.
The fish itself was unimpressive. Five bite-sized pieces of cod and a choice of french fries or potato pancakes filled the plate. The fish tasted good but was not crisp enough-it could have used more time in the fryer.
The tartar sauce tasted ordinary with no distinct flavor to make it stand out. The fries were crispy and delicious, some of the best I've ever tasted.
The Essen Haus provides a deliciously unique dining experience. If you remember to stick with the German specialties and save the fish fry for another restaurant, you won't be disappointed.
-Kate Gehl
Generally when you think of a Friday fish fry, you think of a grungy tavern in rural Wisconsin. If you seek more hoity-toity fare, the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. The walleye at the Great Dane, unlike its proletarian counterparts, is lightly breaded and pleasantly crispy, and the French fries are well seasoned. This is no mere fish 'n' chips.
Admittedly, $10 and change seems a bit pricey for three pieces of rather generic fish, but if your Lenten belly aches for something more cosmopolitan, the Great Dane certainly fits the bill. The portion is by no means small.
The restaurant itself is gigantic, with seating on two levels, a pool hall and two bars, but it tends to be crowded, especially on weekends. Friday evening the wait for a table was almost 45 minutes. While you're waiting, order any of an outstanding selection of beers (prices vary), all of which are brewed in the Madison area, or a root beer ($1.50 with 50 refills)-it's a great combination of bitter and sweet that complements the meal nicely.
-Alex Balistreri and Danielle Szulczewski
If you're looking for a casual place to grab a bite to eat and relax on a Friday evening, State Street Brats is a great choice. Although none of the employees seem totally clear about the event details, the experience is ultimately enjoyable-especially if there is a Badger game on the big screens.
You can order your fish at the bar downstairs, or from a waitress on the second floor, and have it delivered to you anywhere in the restaurant. Whether you get the eight-ounce piece of fish ($6.25) or go for the 16-ounce meal ($9.25), your food will arrive in less than 10 minutes. Because the fish fry comes with a side of coleslaw, fries and two rolls, the eight-ounce option will probably fill you up. Both the coleslaw and the tartar sauce were too sweet, but with a tall glass of beer you end up with a pretty good bar meal. The fish fry runs every Friday from 4 p.m. until Brats runs out of food (around 9 or 10 p.m.).
-Kristin Richards
Catholic or not, there are some definite perks to the Lenten tradition of Friday fish fries. One such perk is Wando's Bar (the one with the fish insignia on the awning).
To accompany Wando's signature \fish bowl"" (a fruity take on a Long Island made with Sloe gin, vodka, Blue Curacao, lemonade and Sprite), diners at Wando's can choose from cod, walleye, salmon and shrimp every Friday.
The fish is all deep-fried and served with tartar sauce and a heap of fries for a reasonable six bucks. If you, like this critic, don't usually find salmon so scintillating, Wando's has your typical bar fare as well. Try a spicy Southwest burger with cheddar cheese and hot sauce, or an Italian chicken sandwich slathered with marinara.
The service at Wando's is friendly, if uneven at times, and the bar time is lively. Time your visit just right, and buying a pint of Guinness at the bar might earn you a free Wando's T-shirt. Instead of giving something up this Lenten season, maybe take on a new tradition or two. Try the walleye.
