Unearth The Voyage
Tucked just off the Capitol Square, The Old Fashioned feels like a secret locals happily share with anyone hungry for true Wisconsin comfort. Blink and you might stroll past its retro tavern glow, but one bite turns casual curiosity into a repeat ritual.
From cheese curds to that namesake burger, it is a snapshot of Madison hospitality in every plate and glass. Come ready to linger, because the menu invites you to slow down and savor what this city does best.
1. Finding The Old Fashioned Off the Square
Just steps from the Capitol, The Old Fashioned hides in plain sight on Pinckney Street. The sign is subtle, the doorway narrow, and the glow feels like it is meant for those who know.
Slip inside and the city volume softens, replaced by clinking glasses and the low hum of happy tables.
You feel the Wisconsin heartbeat right away. Old beer signs, polished wood, and framed nostalgia turn the room into a time capsule that still feels current.
It is the kind of place where servers learn your order, and a bartender remembers the cherry bounce you liked.
Come at lunch for a calmer pace, or embrace the evening bustle when the supper club spirit comes alive. Either way, you are not rushed.
This is where you toast the Square, settle into a booth, and let dinner stretch into conversation as the lights warm and the plates keep landing.
2. The Cheese Curds Everyone Talks About
These curds are a Madison rite of passage. Light batter, gentle crunch, and that melty pull you chase with every bite.
Dip into the tiger sauce for a creamy, tangy kick that sneaks up and makes you reach for one more.
They arrive hot, the aroma buttery and toasty. You will hear debates about whether to order curds or poutine, and honestly, both make a strong case.
Curds stay simple and perfect, while poutine turns indulgent with gravy and curds together.
Share them, but maybe do not. They go fast at happy hour, and tables light up when a basket lands.
If you are pacing yourself for a big burger, take it slow. Still, skipping curds at The Old Fashioned feels like visiting the Capitol and missing the dome.
3. The Old Fashioned Burger Legend
This burger is why many of us come back every year. The beef tastes like a butcher still signs off on it, the bacon adds smoke, and that fresh egg drips a little sunrise down the bun.
Each bite lands balanced and rich without tipping into messy chaos.
Ask for the doneness you love and you will likely get it right. Pair with crisp fries or onion rings if you want a proper tavern feast.
When the plate is set down, the smell alone tells you to put your phone away and focus.
It is not a novelty stack. It just nails the fundamentals you want from a classic burger in a Wisconsin supper club setting.
Call it simple, call it old school, but you will keep thinking about it the next day when the Capitol glints in the morning light.
4. Friday Fish Fry Near the Capitol
Fridays glow a little brighter here. The fish arrives golden and crisp, steam drifting up as you crack a piece with your fork.
Fries, coleslaw, and bread make it feel complete, like the Midwest tradition your friends swear by.
Ask for more tartar if you love it, because the table will pass the cup around fast. Some nights the room gets loud, but it is a good kind of busy.
You look out the window, catch the Capitol lights, and lift a forkful that tastes like Friday should.
If you lean walleye, it is a gentle flavor with a clean finish. Cod brings the satisfyingly flaky bite many of us grew up on.
Either way, it joins your mental list of reasons to stick around downtown a little longer after work.
5. Brandy Old Fashioned Done Wisconsin-Style
Order the namesake cocktail and watch the ritual. Sugar, cherry, and orange muddle down, brandy rolls in, and the soda topper sets the mood.
Sweet or sour, you get the sip locals grew up seeing at family tables and supper clubs.
If you like a twist, ask about Korbel cherry bounce and let dessert meet nightcap. It leans sweet, but it is a crowd pleaser.
When the bartender slides it over, you will understand why visitors make this their first stop after checking into a hotel nearby.
Take a seat at the bar, settle in, and let the glow match your glass. One old fashioned leads naturally to cheese curds, then sometimes to a burger, and here we are.
It is the slow Wisconsin evening you promised yourself on the drive in.
6. Beer Cheese Soup and a Chill Afternoon
When the air bites, the beer cheese soup answers. It is velvety, a little hoppy, and rich enough to warm you from coat to core.
A side of bread turns it into a lunch that carries you through a Capitol stroll.
Locals coach newcomers to pair it with a crisp lager or a root beer on tap. The flavors play nice, a little malty, a little sharp, and deeply comforting.
You might not plan to finish the bowl, but that plan usually changes fast.
Some days, this is the whole reason to stop in. Sit near the window, watch the Square move, and spoon up another bite.
By the time you are scraping the bottom, you will be negotiating with yourself about ordering curds as a victory lap.
7. Poutine For When You Mean It
Poutine here is a statement. Piled fries soak up a blanket of sausage gravy, while curds tuck into every edge.
It is bold, salty, and exactly what you order when you promise yourself a long walk later.
This is not light, and it is not trying to be. Share it with the table and you will still push back your chair between bites.
The best version lands hot, the gravy glossy and the curds still squeaky where they peek through.
Pair with a beer you love and pace yourself. You might still steal extra curds for dipping into fondue if someone ordered it.
Call it indulgence or research, but it will teach you why Madison friends swear by this spot on cold nights.
8. Mac and Cheese With Options
Mac and cheese arrives bubbling and ready to comfort. The sauce clings, the noodles keep their bite, and the portion can easily carry you through the day.
Add chicken for extra protein or invite hickory smoked bacon for a smoky, savory note.
Some folks split it and still leave happy. Others call it lunch and take a victory lap with a side salad.
You can dress it up or keep it simple, but either way, it is a reliable anchor when the weather pushes you indoors.
On busy days, it is the dish you know will hit the table just right. You lean back, sip something local, and let the warmth do its work.
Comfort is the point, and this bowl delivers it without apology.
9. Turkey Club With Tavern Attitude
The turkey club looks straightforward until you taste the details. Buttered toast brings crunch and warmth, bacon snaps, and the turkey keeps things clean.
Pair it with a side salad for a lighter balance when you have an afternoon schedule.
Some days the chill of the fillings contrasts with the warm toast, and you either love that or ask for a small tweak. The kitchen stays flexible when you speak up.
It is the kind of reliable lunch that suits both quick meetings and longer catchups.
Nothing flashy here, just comfort that does not drag you down. If you want an easy introduction to the menu, start with this.
Add a cup of soup and you have the kind of combo that turns a quick stop into a full reset.
10. Patty Melt and Onion Ring Day
Some days call for rye, onions, and a griddle. The patty melt shows up with Swiss sliding into caramelized onions, the bread toasted just to the edge.
Onion rings on the side stack tall, crunchy, and ridiculously snackable.
This is hands down tavern comfort. The first bite delivers that sweet onion hit you chase in a patty melt.
You might promise yourself half now and half later, but good luck sealing the box.
It pairs well with a malty beer and a seat upstairs where the light runs cooler. If you want to taste the old school heart of The Old Fashioned, this plate is a direct line.
You will leave full, happy, and plotting the next trip.
11. Weekend Brunch Vibes on Pinckney
Saturday mornings turn soft and sunny here. The room fills with coffee steam, easy chatter, and plates that lean hearty.
It is the perfect lead in to a market stroll when the Square wakes up.
You are not rushed. Servers move with that practiced ease, and the kitchen lands favorites that stick with you.
If you go for a birthday, the pickle surprise might make you laugh before you order round two of coffee.
Brunch feels like the tavern distilled into gentler light. Familiar faces, generous portions, and a pace that lets conversations bloom.
By the time you leave, the day already feels well started and just a little more Madison.
12. Where Service Feels Like Community
From the host stand to the last check, service runs smooth. You will see quick follow ups, clear recommendations, and genuine care even on busy nights.
When something misses, a quick word usually brings a thoughtful fix.
Upstairs can be cooler and quieter, downstairs buzzes with energy and bar chatter. Private events fit upstairs too, and the team resets the room without fuss.
You feel looked after, not hovered over.
It is why regulars bring visiting friends despite the occasional wait. The staff energy sets the tone and keeps the place humming.
Walking out, you will likely trade a wave with someone behind the bar and think about what you want to try next time.
13. Plan Your Visit Like a Local
Check hours before you go, since Sundays are closed and weekdays run to evening. Arrive early for dinner if you want a calmer room and quicker seating.
Parking near the Square can be tight, so a short stroll from a nearby garage works well.
Order curds to start and decide between burger, fish fry, or a seasonal pick. If a cocktail is on your list, the brandy old fashioned is the classic move.
Non drinkers have plenty of local sodas and that standout root beer.
When the plates hit the table, take your time. This is a place built for conversation, not rushing out the door.
Step outside after and catch the Capitol glow, feeling full in the most Wisconsin way possible.
