My mom was visiting from Georgia. Also my brother and they really wanted good lake fish something hard to find down in north Georgia. We came across this place on Google. The reviews were amazing so we decided to try it. Customer service over the phone was amazing. The owner himself was taking the calls for the fish dinners the day before. He and staff were very kind and very accommodating. The food was incredible. Probably some of the best fried fish I’ve had in my 33 years of living. Baked potatoes the size of my 2 year olds face! Definitely will be back again and again! Thanks Chico!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samuel Criscione
The Friday night Bluegill is the best in town, great old fashioned’s, the meat is from Jennifer Street market, the staff are the best people!! What else can you say!
Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips, Cheeseburger
David Brown
Let me start by saying that the OVERALL RATING of 1 STAR is because of (1) particular bartender which has prompted this review.
Food - Excellent (5 Stars) Service - Other than (1) bartender (5 Stars) Atmosphere - (4 Stars)
(BARTENDER SERVICE) (1=BoaPT / 5=Rest of the Staff)
Everyone except for (1) bartender is great. This (1) particular Bartender on a Power Trip (BoaPT).
I give “Service” NO SCORE as it wouldn’t be fair to the rest of the exceptional staff and workers of the Villa Tap. Although, in my comments above I rated the Service other than 1 person as a 5.
This is an issue as I always eat at the bar and have generally eat there on Fridays except for when I’m out of town. I started going to VT in end of May 2025 and have been going there for about 6 months…(estimate) and last night was the last straw with this (BoaPT). This hasn’t been an isolated incident with particular bartender. I will only speak for myself and not for what others have observed. I’ve been to the VT about 20 times and spent around $80 per visit for an estimated $1600 during that period of time.
This is my 1st NEGATIVE review of service in over 35 years of going to restaurants and dealing with bartender's eating at the bar. It NOT because I waited on a drink or food. It is truly unfortunate for myself, because the food and service all except for (1-BoaPT) is very nice.
I work hard for my money working with Medical Professionals and Staff in a service roll and (I WOULD NEVER TREAT A CUSTOMER THAT WAY)
I have thought about this post now for a couple hours…and vacillated on whether or not I should post. In the end I think it my post only draws attention to (1) and not the whole, but this (1) has ruined my experience at VT and the only way I can speak up is through this review and where I spend my discretionary dollars.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Diane Engel
Old place with amazing food. Steak sandwich was the best i have ever had. Chico does it right
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dan Wadzinski
Stopped in for the first time before our flight. Excellent fish fry, hand muddled old fashioned and a great tap beer selection! Met the owner Chico along with friendly bartenders and a local regular! Definitely will be stopping again!
P B Karnick
Perfect neighborhood bar. Bigger than it looks from the outside. Very comfy and welcoming.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Justin
Fun dive! I love the food! Delicious chicken sandwich! The cheese curds are a must! Also, the he bartenders and cook are so fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carson Linder
Steak sandwich was the best I've had, service was great too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alicia Hartel
The fish is amazing! We have a few faves but this was right up there with our usual. Their coleslaw is homemade and out of this world!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Karl Anderson
We went for Friday night, fish fry. Get there early because it gets busy right at 4:30. The walleye was phenomenal.
Recommended dishes: Burger, Cheeseburger, Shrimp Basket, Bacon Cheeseburger with French Fries, Walleye Fish Fry with Fries, Ribeye Steak Sandwich, Friday Fish Fry Walleye, Fried Perch Dinner with Fries and Coleslaw, Fried Walleye Dinner with Baked Potato and Coleslaw, Blue Gill Tacos, Walleye Fish Fry with Baked Potato, Bacon Cheeseburger with Tater Tots, Wisconsin Finest Fish Dinner Fry, Fried Cheese Curds
Thor Gust
Classic Wisconsin bar is to be expected! Great bacon burger, sports on, and great beer on tap!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Caleb Hill
Consistently leaves you in a good mood after visiting.
My mom was visiting from Georgia. Also my brother and they really wanted good lake fish something hard to find down in north Georgia. We came across this place on Google. The reviews were amazing so we decided to try it. Customer service over the phone was amazing. The owner himself was taking the calls for the fish dinners the day before. He and staff were very kind and very accommodating. The food was incredible. Probably some of the best fried fish I’ve had in my 33 years of living. Baked potatoes the size of my 2 year olds face! Definitely will be back again and again! Thanks Chico!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Friday night Bluegill is the best in town, great old fashioned’s, the meat is from Jennifer Street market, the staff are the best people!! What else can you say!
Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips, Cheeseburger
Let me start by saying that the OVERALL RATING of 1 STAR is because of (1) particular bartender which has prompted this review.
Food - Excellent (5 Stars)
Service - Other than (1) bartender (5 Stars)
Atmosphere - (4 Stars)
(BARTENDER SERVICE)
(1=BoaPT / 5=Rest of the Staff)
Everyone except for (1) bartender is great. This (1) particular Bartender on a Power Trip (BoaPT).
I give “Service” NO SCORE as it wouldn’t be fair to the rest of the exceptional staff and workers of the Villa Tap. Although, in my comments above I rated the Service other than 1 person as a 5.
This is an issue as I always eat at the bar and have generally eat there on Fridays except for when I’m out of town. I started going to VT in end of May 2025 and have been going there for about 6 months…(estimate) and last night was the last straw with this (BoaPT). This hasn’t been an isolated incident with particular bartender. I will only speak for myself and not for what others have observed. I’ve been to the VT about 20 times and spent around $80 per visit for an estimated $1600 during that period of time.
This is my 1st NEGATIVE review of service in over 35 years of going to restaurants and dealing with bartender's eating at the bar. It NOT because I waited on a drink or food. It is truly unfortunate for myself, because the food and service all except for
(1-BoaPT) is very nice.
I work hard for my money working with Medical Professionals and Staff in a service roll and (I WOULD NEVER TREAT A CUSTOMER THAT WAY)
I have thought about this post now for a couple hours…and vacillated on whether or not I should post. In the end I think it my post only draws attention to (1) and not the whole, but this (1) has ruined my experience at VT and the only way I can speak up is through this review and where I spend my discretionary dollars.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Old place with amazing food. Steak sandwich was the best i have ever had. Chico does it right
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stopped in for the first time before our flight. Excellent fish fry, hand muddled old fashioned and a great tap beer selection! Met the owner Chico along with friendly bartenders and a local regular! Definitely will be stopping again!
Perfect neighborhood bar. Bigger than it looks from the outside. Very comfy and welcoming.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Fun dive! I love the food! Delicious chicken sandwich! The cheese curds are a must! Also, the he bartenders and cook are so fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steak sandwich was the best I've had, service was great too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The fish is amazing! We have a few faves but this was right up there with our usual. Their coleslaw is homemade and out of this world!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went for Friday night, fish fry. Get there early because it gets busy right at 4:30. The walleye was phenomenal.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
great food! Chico is awesome!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger, Cheeseburger, Shrimp Basket, Bacon Cheeseburger with French Fries, Walleye Fish Fry with Fries, Ribeye Steak Sandwich, Friday Fish Fry Walleye, Fried Perch Dinner with Fries and Coleslaw, Fried Walleye Dinner with Baked Potato and Coleslaw, Blue Gill Tacos, Walleye Fish Fry with Baked Potato, Bacon Cheeseburger with Tater Tots, Wisconsin Finest Fish Dinner Fry, Fried Cheese Curds
Classic Wisconsin bar is to be expected! Great bacon burger, sports on, and great beer on tap!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Consistently leaves you in a good mood after visiting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Best dive bar in Madison. Jay is the best
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fun place.
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