The food here is amazing and we've never had a negative experience with the staff or quality of our meal. My 10 year old daughter and picky dad both love North of the Bayou as well, there's something on the menu for everyone. Cozy place, warm and friendly service, good beer and the food is outstanding!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sylvian Kaufman
Never EVER go to this restaurant. My family and I waited almost an hour for our appetizer, and then never even received our entrees as the bartender never put it in despite writing it down. She must’ve been too busy socializing with her coworkers. They don’t offer any type of non alcoholic drinks other than virgin hurricanes which cost just as much as the alcoholic version($14) which was not disclosed to us until we saw the bill. The manager then proceeded to blame us for our food never arriving by saying we should have said something sooner. I didn’t realize it was the customers responsibility to manage food times and employees. This place is a disappointment, the staff are lazy and untrained and the manager is ineffective.
Charlie Widmer
I came here because it seemed unique and interesting. Upon walking in, I thought it definitely had a unique vibe.The server seemed scared and confused - almost like she didn't really know why she was there.I ordered a medium chicken / sausage jambalaya. A bowl of cajun seasoned rice came with a few pieces of thin, old, dry, wilted sausage and one tiny hint of a chicken (the size of a quarter).I took it back and told her there wasn't chicken. She asked me, "What do you want me to do?" Very strange.After asking if she could just make sure I receive what I ordered, she came back 5 minutes later with the same bowl of old, dry cajun seasoned rice, one piece of sausage, and 3 small pieces of dry chicken.The good was old and dry. This was evident.Don't waste your time, unless you just want beer.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
rwitkins
We love this place. I'm a big fan of the shrimp tacos, and my partner loves the crabcakes paired with any of the New Orleans specialties, especially the Creole. Staff is always friendly, and the deck is perfect for outdoor dining. So glad it's in the neighborhood.
Ashley
Wow, so much better than expected after reading other recent reviews. Not much for staff, but they’re very up front about that from a sign outside the restaurant requesting that you order at the bar and stating they’ll check on you when they can! Our food was delivered pretty quick and SO delicious. My husband ordered the jumbalaya chimichanga and it looked like something that you’d order at an all inclusive resort - pretty, filling, and tasty! I got the shrimp po boy with sweet potato fries and I do have to say: don’t skip those fries, better than the average SP fry!! Also, 13/10 stars go to the crab cakes. Don’t miss out on this Madison hidden gem!
Hunter “D33r_Hunt3r_” P
Great fish, great beignets, great service!
Michelle Garcia
Decor was great and definitely has a new orleans feel. During my visit, we had to order at the bar. Service was not that great. The food was decent for the price.
Beth Christianson
I decided to try north of the Bayou I ordered a large order of chicken and sausage jambalaya to go. I was very disappointed. It was very dry I only found three pieces of chicken and five small slices of sausage in the entire order. I had to add Penzeys Cajun seasoning to Jazz it up and a little water. I think I will stick to making my own. Maybe I got yesterday's batch
B DOWLING
Look elsewhere for Friday night fish fry as the perch, cod, crab cakes and even the cheese curds taste old and spoiled. The excellent customer service Keekee displayed is the only reason this place got two stars.
Samantha Quinn
The staff is always great even though they are short staffed. The food is amazing and the drinks are great. Get the lady bug, tastes like koolaide!
Board said low staff be patient, no problem. Except staff was on phones or pouring "shots" for fun. Yes, they gave out one to each person free, but twice ignored us to purchase paid drinks we wanted. Food was quick overall (one app came out with dinner), but just meh. Won't go back, but wasn't terrible. Left full and had small lunch leftover of the pasta.
Kevin Lensert
Had to give order at the bar because shorthanded like most other places. I have had Cajun food in New Orleans several times, one time to watch packers and saints play when Favre was QB. This place was great gumbo, jambalaya chicken sausage, beer was good. Definitely go again.
Chloe B.
The night of partaking 2023 Mardi Gras! Very festive atmosphere! The cheese curds had a delicious pull and were super yummy especially that Cajun seasoning on the curds! The hurricanes went down way too easy! I love my shrimp and the shrimp po'boy was the perfect option for moi! This is my second time at this restaurant!
Tami Toth
Literally had the best experience. Staff was SO interactive & the food….. need I say more! ? Will definitely be back!
Ericka B.
Went here on a Saturday night, mainly because they're pretty much the only cajun restaurant in town and because we had a Bucky Book coupon. The place wasn't very busy, which we were kind of surprised about for a Saturday, however after going there I understand why. They had it so that you pick a table with a number and order at the bar and they bring the food out. Staff was nice, but clearly training and it was pretty slow all around both to order and to get the food.We ordered the fried okra as an appetizer and then the jambalaya and etoufee large size because they came with bread. It took probably close to 30 minutes to get our food and the supposed appetizer came out with the regular food. That said everything was hot and fine, but I would skip the bread and just get the regular size. We also, tried their amber beer, since we hadn't realized they brewed beer. This was the best thing we ordered. It was a very smooth drinking amber. Would definitely get that again.Again, the bartenders were nice and there seemed to clearly be a usual customer base here. However, it just wasn't the vibe I was looking for that night and wasn't what my expectations were. Mainly because I was pretty hungry when we got there, and then the food took too long. Would probably go back to try their beers, but not necessarily more food.
The food here is amazing and we've never had a negative experience with the staff or quality of our meal. My 10 year old daughter and picky dad both love North of the Bayou as well, there's something on the menu for everyone. Cozy place, warm and friendly service, good beer and the food is outstanding!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Never EVER go to this restaurant. My family and I waited almost an hour for our appetizer, and then never even received our entrees as the bartender never put it in despite writing it down. She must’ve been too busy socializing with her coworkers. They don’t offer any type of non alcoholic drinks other than virgin hurricanes which cost just as much as the alcoholic version($14) which was not disclosed to us until we saw the bill. The manager then proceeded to blame us for our food never arriving by saying we should have said something sooner. I didn’t realize it was the customers responsibility to manage food times and employees. This place is a disappointment, the staff are lazy and untrained and the manager is ineffective.
I came here because it seemed unique and interesting. Upon walking in, I thought it definitely had a unique vibe.The server seemed scared and confused - almost like she didn't really know why she was there.I ordered a medium chicken / sausage jambalaya. A bowl of cajun seasoned rice came with a few pieces of thin, old, dry, wilted sausage and one tiny hint of a chicken (the size of a quarter).I took it back and told her there wasn't chicken. She asked me, "What do you want me to do?" Very strange.After asking if she could just make sure I receive what I ordered, she came back 5 minutes later with the same bowl of old, dry cajun seasoned rice, one piece of sausage, and 3 small pieces of dry chicken.The good was old and dry. This was evident.Don't waste your time, unless you just want beer.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
We love this place. I'm a big fan of the shrimp tacos, and my partner loves the crabcakes paired with any of the New Orleans specialties, especially the Creole. Staff is always friendly, and the deck is perfect for outdoor dining. So glad it's in the neighborhood.
Wow, so much better than expected after reading other recent reviews. Not much for staff, but they’re very up front about that from a sign outside the restaurant requesting that you order at the bar and stating they’ll check on you when they can! Our food was delivered pretty quick and SO delicious. My husband ordered the jumbalaya chimichanga and it looked like something that you’d order at an all inclusive resort - pretty, filling, and tasty! I got the shrimp po boy with sweet potato fries and I do have to say: don’t skip those fries, better than the average SP fry!! Also, 13/10 stars go to the crab cakes. Don’t miss out on this Madison hidden gem!
Great fish, great beignets, great service!
Decor was great and definitely has a new orleans feel. During my visit, we had to order at the bar. Service was not that great. The food was decent for the price.
I decided to try north of the Bayou I ordered a large order of chicken and sausage jambalaya to go. I was very disappointed. It was very dry I only found three pieces of chicken and five small slices of sausage in the entire order. I had to add Penzeys Cajun seasoning to Jazz it up and a little water. I think I will stick to making my own. Maybe I got yesterday's batch
Look elsewhere for Friday night fish fry as the perch, cod, crab cakes and even the cheese curds taste old and spoiled. The excellent customer service Keekee displayed is the only reason this place got two stars.
The staff is always great even though they are short staffed. The food is amazing and the drinks are great. Get the lady bug, tastes like koolaide!
Restaurantji Recommends
Board said low staff be patient, no problem. Except staff was on phones or pouring "shots" for fun. Yes, they gave out one to each person free, but twice ignored us to purchase paid drinks we wanted. Food was quick overall (one app came out with dinner), but just meh. Won't go back, but wasn't terrible. Left full and had small lunch leftover of the pasta.
Had to give order at the bar because shorthanded like most other places. I have had Cajun food in New Orleans several times, one time to watch packers and saints play when Favre was QB. This place was great gumbo, jambalaya chicken sausage, beer was good. Definitely go again.
The night of partaking 2023 Mardi Gras! Very festive atmosphere! The cheese curds had a delicious pull and were super yummy especially that Cajun seasoning on the curds! The hurricanes went down way too easy! I love my shrimp and the shrimp po'boy was the perfect option for moi! This is my second time at this restaurant!
Literally had the best experience. Staff was SO interactive & the food….. need I say more! ? Will definitely be back!
Went here on a Saturday night, mainly because they're pretty much the only cajun restaurant in town and because we had a Bucky Book coupon. The place wasn't very busy, which we were kind of surprised about for a Saturday, however after going there I understand why. They had it so that you pick a table with a number and order at the bar and they bring the food out. Staff was nice, but clearly training and it was pretty slow all around both to order and to get the food.We ordered the fried okra as an appetizer and then the jambalaya and etoufee large size because they came with bread. It took probably close to 30 minutes to get our food and the supposed appetizer came out with the regular food. That said everything was hot and fine, but I would skip the bread and just get the regular size. We also, tried their amber beer, since we hadn't realized they brewed beer. This was the best thing we ordered. It was a very smooth drinking amber. Would definitely get that again.Again, the bartenders were nice and there seemed to clearly be a usual customer base here. However, it just wasn't the vibe I was looking for that night and wasn't what my expectations were. Mainly because I was pretty hungry when we got there, and then the food took too long. Would probably go back to try their beers, but not necessarily more food.