Oakcrest Tavern
5371 Old Middleton Rd, Madison, WI, 53705
Oakcrest Tavern Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Madison for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Madison for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Madison for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
5371 Old Middleton Rd
Madison, WI, 53705 - Phone (608) 233-1243
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 12
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Kelly D.
The Oakcrest has been around for a long time and I know a lot of people like it, but it just doesn't do it for me. I work right down the street, so I met up with some people for lunch recently and boy did I regret it. I should note that this was not my choice to begin with, but I was willing to give it a try. It is true that there isn't a lot of seating, but it wasn't extremely busy when we got there and our service was fast. We were in and out in a little over a half-hour. I agree that the staff didn't seem particularly friendly or happy, but they weren't rude either. I had a chicken sandwich with bacon and no side, while my four companions had burgers with fries or cheese curds. Everything was typical greasy bar-fare. I tried the curds but not the fries. The flavor was good, but it was so greasy and salty that my mouth was burning by the time I was done and my gut was already churning as we walked out to our cars. I was miserable for the rest of the afternoon. My husband felt the same, but I believe everyone else enjoyed what they had. In all fairness, I know my experience is a relatively individual one. I eat very healthy food and I hardly use salt when I cook or add it when I'm out. If you typically eat like this, you'll probably love it. I probably would have before I shifted my diet away from this kind of food. However, I do enjoy burgers and fries at places like the Great Dane, where they aren't grease-laden and loaded with salt. If you have a diet more like mine I wouldn't suggest eating here. I don't plan on going back, but I still give two stars because my experience my not reflect yours.
(2)Chazz B.
This is a pretty standard neighborhood joint. Fairly cheap, divey atmosphere where it is not uncommon to see small children and old folks. The high chairs kind of suck but they have normal ones too. To be honest I would go here a lot more if I lived nearby. It's not that big so it can get PACKED sometimes (esp Friday) But the real reason you go here is for Friday night Perch fish fry. I think they also do it on Wednesday but I can't be assed to look into it
(3)Brian C.
Its really hard to review this place. I love the idea of your local tavern, and this place fits the bill better than anywhere I've ever been. Heavily lined wood interior, big Friday night fish fry, divey atmosphere and menu. Unfortunately, that's all it really is in the end. Its not a bad place to eat by any means. Burgers are greasy and good, as are the fries and curds. Beer is cheap. A good place to catch up with folks and grab a beer. But nothing to go out of your way for.
(3)Ben W.
Everything we got was amazing, the cheese curds were perfect. I can honestly say this was the best burger I have had in Madison. The Prime Rib was delicious as well. Great atmosphere. Best bar
(5)Rudy V.
I enjoyed a burger and fries on Sunday afternoon, prepared exactly the way I requested. The Knoche's ground beef makes any burger better. And with hot, crispy fries, this is perfection. I had not visited the Oakcrest for 9 months, a victim the evening crowds and hour plus waits for the fish fry. I like the lightly battered fish filets. But, as Yogi Berra so wisely puts it, "Nobody goes there anymore 'cause it's too crowded." Although I've never ordered the filet mignon dinner, it must be pretty great to merit the $30 charge in this corner bar atmosphere and served on a paper plate. (But, it's REAL NICE paper!)
(4)Billy D.
Oakcrest is the classic neghborhood pub on Old Middleton. When you walk in, you'll notice how small it really is on the inside (looks big from the outside). Great place to grab a burger or fish or some interesting specials. Pretty decent menu with the standard pub choices, higher-than average quality for bar food.
(4)Steve L.
Returned here for fish this Friday, despite my better judgement. Arrived quite early (around 4:15pm) and scored a seat at the tiny bar. - Tap list remains super limited + Happy Hour tap prices are fair - around $3 - $3.25 - Pedestrian list of bottled beers; no prices listed on their menu(s) - Staff remains a bit absent, although they are fairly friendly when they eventually get around to helping you - Fish fry remains sub-par. I truly don't get why people go so crazy for the fish here. All of the fish comes from a Sysco-box, as do the 5/16" crinkle cut fries (saw tons of bags of them). While the kitchen is efficient, the food is so bland. Zero seasoning in or on anything. I watched the cooks crank out plate after plate after plate of fish and fries; zero salt added to anything, including burgers and other flattop items. When my order of fried cod arrived, it was served piping hot but had zero flavor. Same for the fries - super fresh, but oh so bland. Rye bread was super dry, coleslaw was awful. - Side salad was quite literally bagged lettuce mix with 1 carrot stick. So... meh. I get that this is an "institution" but it just blows me away as to why. Super slow, super non-existent service, and completely flavorless fish and fries does not make for a good time. Done. For good. Really.
(2)Chelsey K.
I hate giving only two stars for such amazing burgers, but my most recent experience was annoying. There was a large group taking most of the space in the dining area, which is fine, except for the vast amount of noise - so much so that conversation among other tables was almost completely limited, but we got to know the large table of college students very well. On a Sunday during lunch hours it took about twenty minutes to even get a waiter, then another to receive two sodas and place orders. Meanwhile the large table ordering alcohol most certainly received the most attention. The food was still good, obviously the burgers being the best choice (the rest is fine, but typical bar food). It took two staffers to successfully serve us, and this took a total of about 90 minutes...way too long for two burgers and cokes. The large table was so vocal (I can tell you much of their life stories) other customers left, so it was disappointing to see the staff not ask for just a little less noise in such a small building. If you're looking for a good burger and don't mind possible noise or wait time, you won't be disappointed. If you're going with a large group, maybe choose a larger venue.
(2)Paul M.
The food was amazing. I got two hot dogs that were great! The atmosphere could not be beat. The only issue was a older guy in a red hat that worked there. I think was in charge of dishes. He kept staring at my girlfriend...
(5)Joshua B.
The Oakcrest... I can't recall how many times I thought about going here... I finally did one Friday afternoon for lunch. As Steve L. mentioned it takes forever for service here. Why does my lunch cost me an hour of time? Either way the food was good, prices were reasonable at best. This feels like your average neighborhood tavern. Service was ok...
(2)Nic W.
One word: Amazing! Had the perch on Friday. Portion and flavor were out of this world. My fiancé ordered a bacon cheeseburger just so we could taste some thing else on the menu and it was cooked perfect and tasted great. The hour and a half drive was worth it. Will be coming back!
(5)Rebecca P.
We love local tavern type spots (think Village Green in Middleton) and finally made it to Oakcrest after months of talking about it! We went on a Saturday night at 7:00 pm and only had about a ten minute wait! Walking in the door sort of feels like you're walking into a living room...great bar, open space, mix of high and low tables all lined with wood paneling, TVs, and beer signs! We had an energetic and attentive server, Crystal, that always made sure we weren't without a drink! We had a cheese burger and a ribeye sandwich. Both were awesome...burger comes from across the street at Knoches and was a no frills perfectly booked burger on a perfectly soft and crusted bun with tomato and onion (drooling as I type this)! The ribeye sandwich was also great and simple served on the same type of bun, we added grilled onions. We also had a side order of the clam strips (which I almost never see in our area) and they were equally great...a nice change of pace from fries! Beer selection was great and priced fairly...the old fashioned tasted like a mix (don't know if it was or not) so we will most likely stick to beer next time!
(4)Katrina T.
We went at 5 pm in hopes of beating the rush. It was packed. We got the last parking spot and waited 45 minutes for a table. It was not kid-friendly. Most of the tables are high with barstools and a highchair could not reach them. There was only one item on the kids menu, and it was more expensive than the adult food. Overpriced and not that great.
(1)Jolenta A.
Friendly, unpretentious, good old-fashioned comfort food. Love that they buy their meat right across the street from Knocke's. Wish we had more affordable, farm to table restaurants like this in the area. Bravo.
(4)Elizabeth B.
I can't comment about the food since we left after waiting 1.5 hours without being served. I can say the service is TERRIBLE. We asked about our order (4 burgers and fries) after waiting 45 minutes and were told it would be up soon. 30 minutes later and still nothing. The server argued with us about checking on our order...ummm, you are a server of food and we waited an excess amount of time, at least pretend to do something about. Don't go here, unless you want to spend an entire afternoon waiting for burgers and fries.
(1)Dan S.
Go for the burgers, but don't forget to order the curds! I went to grab a good burger with a co-worker who had been told to try it out. Both of us are new to Madison so when we were craving some grease, we decided to try it out. The place is a total dive, but I'm a huge fan of WI dives. It looks like a little bar that belongs in the north woods, not on a Madison street. It's pretty small, but they cram quite a few people in. We had to sit at the bar when we showed up because it was pretty busy for lunch. We ordered some cheese curds as an appetizer and I'm so glad we did. Incredibly tasty and 'fresh,' and I highly recommend it if you can manage the extra calories. When the burgers came out, I was quite impressed. Definitely large, and great bun. The beef used is incredibly fresh, and mine was cooked medium to perfection with a little bit of pink. My only complaint was that they could have used more seasoning. While you can taste the quality of beef, it just seemed to lack spice and salt or something. But, overall, great burger. Just a heads up: even though it has the quality of a dive, I was a little surprised to walk out of there dropping almost $20 for lunch. And that's without any beer, just soda. Granted we got the curds, and I had ordered a few extras for my burger, but I was not expecting to spend more than $12-15.
(4)Robb S.
Yum, Yum & Double Yum. Best burger I've had in Madison so far. Delectable cheese curds. I'm looking forward to heading over there for the fish fry soon, and when I do, I suspect I'll change my review to 5 stars!
(4)Midwest G.
After an arduous trip to Menard's on the west side, I was hungry and mulled over my west side options. As I traveled down Old Middleton Rd., The Oakcrest came into view, and I impulsively pulled over and walked in. As a lifelong Madison resident, I remembered being here as a young person, and it's decor and layout had barely changed. You could have been in any small town Wisconsin bar, which in Madison is no small feat. There was one seat left at the bar, and the guy next to me was using the guy next to him as a trial balloon for his worldly knowledge of professional basketball. Rather than bust his bubble with the news that ESPN had no openings, I perused the menu and settled on a Capital Amber and basket of clam strips. Regarding this item, as one who grew up on places like Howard Johnson's and other similar franchises, I never expected to see it on a midwest bar menu. The combination proved to be a winner, along with a side salad. Mission accomplished.
(4)Why W.
It has been years since I have been in here. Much of Madison raves about Oakcrest Tavern. I was driving by, it was lunch, there was a snowstorm, work is slow, what the heck - I'll go to a tavern for lunch and have a burger. Not impressed. Not one person acknowledged me upon entry, or leaving. The waitress took her sweet time getting to my table. The "expediter" brought my burger but not the fries. That is o.k., but when I asked he sounded a bit annoyed and answered "they're coming". The guy cooking has absolutely no enjoyment for his job. It was a sad display, and since the kitchen cooking happens where you can see him, turn it on man, make it look like you want to be there. What I mean, I wait on people. I have a service industry job and have to acknowledge and greet customers. I also have to sell them stuff. My stuff is not in such high demand that I can ignore my customer. I judge, as do my customers, on how they feel when they come in a place. I don't care if it's old, dated decor. It doesn't do much to my impression to know their meat is ground daily and from the butcher across the street. Your place brought no enjoyment to that burger or anything else of my lunch respite. I'll stick with the Village Green in Middleton. At least I get a greeting from the brothers who own it, and I'm not even a regular patron.
(2)Eric H.
One of my favorite bars in Madison. Great burgers and the best tenderloin steak sandwich around. The fries are tasty as well. Stiff drinks and a nice neighborhood bar feel reminds me of coming here as a kid with my dad.
(5)Abby M.
When you first walk into this place, you know they're going to make some damn good fish. I went here this past Friday night and LOVED the food. The fish and french fries were cooked when you ordered them - not just sitting under a heat lamp. The place was packed and they took our name and we had a beer while we waited. There isn't a lot of room to stand around the bar, but we managed. The service was fantastic - seriously, the sweetest waitresses ever.
(4)Ben P.
Cozy little Tavern Bar. We went for the Fish Fry after reading it "is the best ever!". While it is good, it isn't the best in Madison. Since moving to Madison in May I have been on the look out for the best FF in town. So far Jordan's Big 10 Pub has this place beat. If you are looking for beers, some chow and a place to hang, this is a good, solid choice. It is kind of small but they seem to take care of the crowd. Update: I've been back a few times now and I stand by my review. It is just ok. If you are off work, after 9 and looking for a beer and a burger, and this is on your way home, then stop in. I had the bacon cheeseburger last night. The flavor that came out of the burger was from the mustard and ketchup. I even salted it. The fish my better 1/2 had was over cooked and dry. Out waitress was useless....I said hello to her as we walked in, then 10 mins later the bartender asked if we wanted to order food. I told him we were waiting for a table and said "is your name on the list". I get it, it is busy, it is hot and there is a lot going on. But if you are in the service industry put on a happy face. There are a lot of bars in this town and a lot of burgers and fish fry's. I'll probably be back, but it will be months from now. No chance this becomes our local spot.
(3)Brian N.
Amazing bacon cheeseburgers, cheese curds were perfect. Great "dive" feel to the restaurant. Staff was great' friendly and attentive. You may have to wait for a table if you go during prime dining hours.
(5)Larry L.
Melt in your mouth Burgers Great Friday fish! Super supper service
(5)Vicki I.
I went to the Oakcrest Tavern on a whim today for a quick lunch on my way out of town. I sat at the bar and had a bacon cheeseburger and sweet potato fries. A half order of fries was plenty for one and I liked that the sides were a la carte so I could choose for myself. The burger itself was one of the best I have had in quite a while. It was served medium rare so if you want something different, you best speak up. The bacon was cooked perfectly and I appreciated a choice of cheese. Can't speak for the staff other than the guys behind the bar who were friendly and willing to put the Blackhawks on the TV for this Chicago girl. Will definitely return with the hubs in tow. If we lived in Madison, I could see us becoming regulars.
(4)FJ S.
I've only been here for the fish fry about 20 times. It's the best in town, period!
(5)Cole S.
This was my first time at the Oakcrest. I came here seeking a great burger experience and that is exactly what I got. Honestly it is the best restaurant burger I've had in quite a while. I ordered the burger medium and was happy to get medium which is so often not the case at most other places. I also noticed on the menu their burgers are made from meat procured from Knoche's Butcher Shop. So if I had to say what made this a great burger I would have to say it was the perfect storm of quality meat and competent food preparation. Burger toppings and sides are ala cart which is what I prefer. Service was great. I will be back.
(4)Mark N.
Nothing special about the decor. It's a tavern, like any tavern in Wisconsin. Oh, except with the best cheese burger in Madison. Only one other place comes close. The burger is always medium well when I ask for it. It is a little dark on the outside and juicy. I working mans place to get a good burger and watch a game. Not fancy, but consistant.
(5)Jill H.
Hands down, the best fish fry in Madison. Fun atmosphere with great service. Expect to wait for a table, so just relax and enjoy the experience.
(5)Uncle Buck S.
Lunch or dinner, you can't go wrong at the Oakcrest. If you get a burger, be sure to get bacon. I don't know what they do, it is one of the best bacon cheese burgers around. A hidden gem that has outstanding flavor and is very fulling is the Chicken Teriyaki sandwich. It a huge chicken breast and the two pineapple slices are great. Last tip, the cottage cheese is solid, get it as an alternative to the something deep fried. Only challenge about this place is parking, so be ready to park on the street.
(4)Hillary S.
Hung out here while in Madison for work and caught a playoffs game on a slow Tuesday night. Great neighborhood bar feel, friendly bartender and a random a cappella group that at one point broke out in song. Decent beer selection and one of the better bacon cheese burgers I've had in a while. The meat was incredibly fresh, a true mid-rare and the bacon was spot-on.
(4)Patrick B.
Just had my first burger from the 'Crest and let me just say, I can't wait for my next! If you like stuff that tastes good, then look no further. Oh, you say you're hungry, then you found the place. It's the real deal, not like a tiny Applebee's burger - humongous! Get off the computer and get to this place now! Just do it!
(5)Arthur S.
Grade: B+ Best steak dinner in Madison. Low prices. Keep this one a secret.
(4)Jason M.
Nothing too special here just good burgers, crinkle fires, and cheese curds. You can find other Wisconsin favorites here too. The joint can get crowded and they will cook the burgers to medium/medium rare so make sure to specify how you want it cooked.
(4)Joe R.
Great Food! Respectable prices. Very busy at times, difficult to get a table at peak times. Friendly environment, with clean bathrooms (that have foaming soap!) Highly Recommended!
(5)James R.
Sweeney's Oakcrest Tavern is a nice little place. A 1920's- 1940's exterior design gives way to wood paneling and a multitude of flat screens indoors. To the right, a bar with a 90-degree bend and made of the same wood as the paneling dominates to area. To the left, a modest dining room sits. The room is crowded with tables and seating is close to your neighbor. Coat hooks abound. Tables are in the center and high tops ring around the walls. It's certainly cozy, and in my opinion has a bit of that northwoods supper club feel, albeit in a downscale sort of way. I went on a Saturday with one partner and we were seated after entry at the last available table. Looking around at the dinners on other tables, I was impressed by the quality of the food as well as the portions. I saw the grilled walleye pike at one table and it looked as if they gave them a whole fish. Another table had a top sirloin that was about 2.5 inches thick and cooked perfectly medium rare along with a truly colossal portion of prime rib, also perfectly medium rare. Good signs! After ordering, the salad course came first. Typical iceberg with a few shreds of red cabbage and 3 large, fresh carrot sticks. The ranch dressing was homemade and fresh. The vinaigrette a true vinaigrette of oil, vinegar, and fresh herbs and also homemade but note that the other dressings available are not from scratch. After salad came our main course. I had the prime rib, medium-rare; my friend went with well done. There is only one cut, and it's a king cut at least. The thick, red meat came swimming in its own juices and had a mild, almost delicate flavor. Hers was well done, but she said it was still juicy and tender. She declared it the best she had ever had. For sides, I went with a baked potato and she with sweet potato fries, which was a slight upcharge. My potato was mediocre, but the few fries I stole were excellent. They were crispy outside and downright creamy in the center with a mild flavor. They may have been coated in something to enhance crispiness, but were good. Service was thorough and very attentive. The crowd seemed to be very 'neighborhood' when we were there and many young children were present. They were all well-behaved even though their parents were at another table. I'm a fan. This place was low-key, fairly priced and well-served by an attentive staff. Dinner looked great and tasted great. While it's not a date night kind of place, if you're looking for a modest place to have a good Wisconsin-style supper with your family you'd be pressed to find a better place. I'll be back to try the fish fry.
(4)Jack J.
I'm in love with the Oakcrest Tavern. The fish fry is okay and burgers solid, but to each his own. My meal of choice after a long day is a steak, fries (sometimes sweet potato), and a beer. And boy is it good. No Oakcrest isn't pretty or fancy. It can get crowded sometime. You're probably not going to get the healthiest options either. But it's everything I want it to be. And it's close enough to perfect for me.
(5)Eric R.
Came to town for business, had the Friday night fish fry. The perch is a little better than the cod, but both are good. They also have a very tasty cole slaw and the fries were hot, crisp and tasty. The price was right, with $13.99 and $11.99 respectively for the fish dinners. Had a couple of Spotted Cows to go with it, a nice fish fry. Pros: good food served fairly quickly, and I liked the small environment. Service could be a little more attentive.
(4)