Butterbird

Restaurant · South Campus

Butterbird

Restaurant · South Campus

1

1134 Regent St, Madison, WI 53715

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Highlights

Modern diner atmosphere with photobooth, fried chicken, bowls  

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1134 Regent St, Madison, WI 53715 Get directions

butterbird.com
@butterbirdchicken

$10–20 · Menu

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1134 Regent St, Madison, WI 53715 Get directions

butterbird.com
@butterbirdchicken

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 16, 2025

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These Are America's Next Great Food Cities

"A fried-chicken specialty spot launched by a prominent local chef, celebrated for its crispy, well-executed poultry and straightforward, crowd-pleasing comfort fare." - Regan Stephens

https://www.foodandwine.com/emerging-us-food-cities-11744710
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Saahil Panikar

Google
The atmosphere in here is 10/10. I love the modern vibes mixed with the diner aesthetic. It's a great place to watch the game. And I have to say the cheese curds were the best I've had in the entire city. I found the fried chicken itself to be pretty average, but the rest of the experience is so good we'd definitely be back.

Trav A

Google
My wife and I got food sickness from whatever we ate from here. We both have nasty bowel movements, upset stomach, and nausea. Either from their dill ranch sauce or their chicken. Like the place is cool, the staff were great. But there’s NO phone number to call and warn them about our sickness. I checked their website, on Google, and on Apple Maps. That is unacceptable. They get a 2 star, and that is me being generous. Be careful eating here.

thisis hybrid

Google
Great new place fpr regent street with lots of seating and fun vibes. Reminds me of a Nashville chicken joint. However, the food was not up to par, it was dry and quite tasteless overall for the extra price you pay compared to other fast food places. Parking is limited near the local bike shop.

Thadd Sapa-Kotlarek

Google
My good friend and I love the energy and homey design features at Butterbird! The chicken was fried with incredible quality, so amazingly tender. Though our meeting was a bit short, our winter harvest bowls remained through our conversation and nurtured our gathering! This is such a wonderful place for a date, especially in the summer when the outdoor patio is open! One tradition that I love about Butterbird is the Photo Booth with print out images to let the moment last! There are also fish fries every Friday, and burgers are also available if beef is preferred. For dinner, I ordered an extended version of the Harvest Bowl with more portions of certain ingredients, and I am grateful for how everything came separately packaged so I could disperse it into my own bowl. Thank you so much for the excellent meal preparation and the care we received. This is truly such a special restaurant! I can’t wait to come back with my family!

Peter

Google
I drive by it almost every night on the way home from work and finally got a chance to try them out. My buddy ordered the 2 pc chicken plate and said it was good - didn't get a picture, but it did look good. I ordered the bacon egg and cheese sandwich from the weekend brunch menu and it was melt in your mouth goodness - we also got a Biscuit and it was just as tasty - would highly recommend - service was 5 stars as well Look forward to another visit soon.

Julie Schneider

Google
Great atmosphere, like a modern 50’s diner. Service was fast (on a Tuesday evening) and every employee I spoke to was kind, respectful, and seemed happy to be there. The green goddess bowl is phenomenal, and I recommend it with the shredded rotisserie chicken. Drinks are good too! The butterbird punch is in the picture. I look forward to coming back again someday!

Beni Vaganov

Google
My friends and I came here over the weekend to cool down with some good food. That is exactly what we did! Not only was the food delicious but the places had retro diner vibes it was so much fun. They had outdoor seating too which was refreshing since not many places have that. Will be going back!

Julia Rap

Google
This place is a super cute, re-vamped classic 80s American diner. Atmosphere was very 80s-chic with cute accessories like board games and a photobooth. We went on a Friday night and it wasn’t too busy, we found a table right away, the service was good and the food came out quickly. We got two three-pc chicken tender basket to share and strawberry and chocolate milkshakes. It was good but nothing special or extravagant from this American diner. The green garlic mayo was delicious however and I strongly recommend it! There was also a photo booth which was super fun :) This place was pretty expensive for what it was though, which is part of the reason I gave it four stars. Overall, a fun dinner place to try out with friends or to just stop by for fries and a shake!
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Alice L.

Yelp
Really solid! I liked the interior atmosphere, 10$ cocktails were heavy i was tipsy after half my margarita. We also got cheese curds which were amazing and the chicken in the sandwiches were cooked perfectly and nicely battered. Also cute photobooth in the back of the restaurant! Loved this
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Kendall S.

Yelp
The inside ambiance is truly unmatched- old school diner vibes but with modern and updated bits. You walk up and place your order after walking in and are free to grab a seat wherever it's open (we went on a Wednesday afternoon- very much not peak hours) and they'll deliver your food to your table. We had the classic and fried chicken sandwiches with a side of cheese curds. The cheese curds were DELICIOUS! admittedly we haven't had the broadest list of curds just yet but would be willing to bet these stay on the list for us. They come with this dill like ranch and *chefs kiss* The chicken sandwiches were stellar and the fries were good. They are plain shoestring fries which can only be so good but yet they were. I'd give this place 4.5/5 stars and will definitely return!
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Aurora A.

Yelp
What an exciting chicken place! In a market oversaturated with fast food chicken options, this one is among the best! We waited in a long line that went surprisingly pretty fast. It was the night of a concert so there were extra visitors in town. The inside reminds me of an old subway or train station. Plenty of seating and well decorated! I had no idea they served alcohol or had weekly specials! As for the food WOW!! The highlight of the order was definitely the rotisserie chicken and Swiss melt. Whatever sauce they put on the sandwich is amazing. The fries were OK nothing special. The cheese, curds and mac & cheese were definitely top-tier. I highly suggest trying the lemonade was fresh squeezed, and the cookie ls and cream milkshake was perfect. Sadly the chicken sandwich wasn't my favorite. The batter was as delicious but the chicken had some gristly parts I didn't love. I'll be back to have more curds and that rotisserie chicken sandwich!!!!
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Noelle L.

Yelp
Ok as a vegetarian maybe I should have known this wasn't going to be a hit. But they had a lot of veg options on the menu and it gets a lot of hype. Ambiance: 5 stars Service 4.5 stars Food: 2.5 stars - fried tofu was a total miss - tasteless and floppy even with the pickles and sauce. Shake was just ok. Kale salad was lacking in anything but kale (not enough biscuit or cheese.) Coleslaw was watery and too tangy. Chicken from the meat eaters "wasn't as good as KFC" but prices were HIGH. Bbq sauce and honey mustard sauces were a highlight.
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Melissa G.

Yelp
We visited Butterworth during the summer and we were impressed by how cool and hip the place is. We tried the famous cheese curds and they did not disappoint. The bar was kind of empty, probably because the university was out for the summer, but we still have a great time and enjoyed our drinks and overall experience
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Maddie T.

Yelp
such a fun place on regent st!! we loved the decor and that it's close to a lot of other cafes. We came for brunch on Sunday around 12:30 and it was pretty empty. The counter service was quick and they brought it right to us. We both got the chicken and waffles and it was so good! The chicken was really juicy and flavorful, and the sweet corn waffles gave it a unique flavor that really popped well with the chicken. We didn't notice before ordering that they had cold brew and ended up going elsewhere for coffee, but for future reference now we know
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Jill K.

Yelp
Tried the 2 piece meal (NC), the Butterbird Classic (me), Rotisserie Chicken & Swiss Melt (Blue). Tasty sandwiches, excellent fries. Coke Shop. Order at the counter, full bar available. Will go back!
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Ellena K.

Yelp
My go to brunch spot. So many different options and I love the weekly brunch specials. The kale Caesar salad is my favorite, simple but so good. I tried the rolls for the first time and they were amazing also! Perfectly salty and soft with a nicely browned crust. The service and staff are amazing. So friendly and kind, you can tell they put so much thought into every aspect of the restaurant. We tried the Peep Marshmallow Milkshake special for Easter weekend!! So cute and creative!
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Ted K.

Yelp
If you're looking for a casual, super cool restaurant with delicious food, then look no further than Butterbird. You order at the front counter, grab a number, and find a table. You can fill your own water cup and they'll bring the food out to you. The environment is super casual and friendly, while still being very clean and sleek. We ordered the cheese curds and they were absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend Butterbird for either a quick stop (for cheese curds of course), or a full meal. The service was friendly and the whole experience was very nice. This place is definitely worth a visit!
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Olivia B.

Yelp
As a vegetarian I was not expecting to like/find anything worthwhile at Butterbird but wow was I wrong. They have tofu options for their entrees and have one of the best caesar salads in Madison in my opinion. The also have the best French fries ever! If you like thin/crispy French fries you'll love these. Highly recommend pairing them with the dilly ranch because it is herby and perfect. I also am obsessed with their shamrock shake which was minty and not too sweet (perfect). Service was quick and you can order at the counter or via the table QR code. They have tons of seating inside and a cute patio. Bonus points for the retro Photo Booth and overall retro vibe. I'm totally obsessed with this place and can't wait to eat here again.
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Aimee J.

Yelp
I timed my visit wrong as a game had let out. Butterbird was packed! If you can find a seat at the bar, you can order there. Otherwise order at the front counter, pay, take your number, & find a seat. Based on other reviews, I ordered the classic butterbird sandwich with a side of green garlic sauce and fries. I also ordered a side of broccoli salad. I'd suggest skipping the broccoli salad, it was ok not great. Full of raisins and limo (ie not crispy) diced apples with sauce. Flavorwise, it was tangy and may have had a little but of caraway seeds. The sandwich was super moist, crispy outside and fall apart tender inside. The flavor was good. Definitely check it out. They have 80's music playing and, when I was there, local sports on play.
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Anna B.

Yelp
Love the vibe in this place! So different and unique than any other restaurant in Madison. Think old school diner. All of the details are awesome, the restaurant is incredibly clean, and the service was great. They have lots of TVs, a great spot to watch a badger game. We stopped in for a late lunch so it wasn't busy. When you walk in you just order at the counter, take your number, and then find a place to sit. Our food came out within 5-10 minutes, super quick. I ordered the classic chicken sandwich with fries. I thought the fries were really good. I was expecting the best chicken sandwich and I wasn't very impressed. Flavorful but didn't taste like your standard chicken sandwich. Personally, I didn't love the dilly ranch on this type of sandwich and overall the sandwich was pretty rich. After our meal I ordered a dish of vanilla soft serve. It had an interesting flavor. I was expecting something like DQ but the flavor was definitely different. Overall great atmosphere and cool place but I wasn't super impressed by the food.
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Tiffany M.

Yelp
Danny is awesome! It was our first time and he gave great recommendations, let us sample some draft cocktails, and was a was just a great guy! Banana pudding is a must. The classic is really good and they make great fried pickles (on Tuesdays) The place is spotless, and service is phenomenal. Danny, you made our day
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Justin S.

Yelp
Business descriptions on apps like google maps and Apple Maps are not accurate- specifically saying it's pet friendly. Displayed hours are also inaccurate. Service was fine. And apology was issued about their misinformation. Oh and they don't have a phone! Claiming prompt response via email also proved incorrect after waiting 20 minutes with still no response- I had to physically walk to the location to learn I wouldn't be allowed in with my small dog- rules are rules! But this place seems poorly managed and I would avoid it!
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Mag L.

Yelp
Such an adorable space and a great addition to Regent Street. Everything we ordered was so delicious. The chicken tenders, swiss melt, fries, kale salad, and sauces were all amazing. Must get dilly ranch and green garlic mayo. Will be back for sure! Had lots of leftovers too that were great.
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Morgan S.

Yelp
Whatever they put in their ranch is incredible, I would buy this by the bottle! I am a sucker for good fried chicken sandwiches and this one did not disappoint, true to the name it was buttery and the breading was perfect. Love the vibe inside too think classic diner vibes with tons of big screens and great beer on tap. I would love to come back for a Gameday to watch here. The staff is also super friendly at the counter and while bringing food out.
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Heidi S.

Yelp
Very nice atmosphere, parking is very limited, although in the bicycle store next to it there are two spots to park with a Butterbird sign showing two spots. Food was pretty good. This is a pricey spot. I actually got the popcorn chicken off of the kids menu and that was fabulous and scrumptious (and a lot came with it) and I don't know why that is not on the main menu. The cheese curds are delicious as well. Picture shows a tray of 3 appetizers. The cheese dip was spicy and had pieces of buffalo chicken in it which made it challenging to eat with chips. The fountain drinks are free refills which is nice. Overall we would go back for the curds and popcorn chicken for sure!!
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Thadd S.

Yelp
My good friend and I love the energy and homey design features at Butterbird! The chicken was fried with incredible quality, so amazingly tender. Though our meeting was a bit short, our winter harvest bowls remained through our conversation and nurtured our gathering! This is such a wonderful place for a date, especially in the summer when the outdoor patio is open! One tradition that I love about Butterbird is the Photo Booth with print out images to let the moment last! There are also fish fries every Friday, and burgers are also available if beef is preferred. For dinner, I ordered an extended version of the Harvest Bowl with more portions of certain ingredients, and I am grateful for how everything came separately packaged so I could disperse it into my own bowl. Thank you so much for the excellent meal preparation and the care we received. This is truly such a special restaurant! I can't wait to come back with my family!
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Nikki L.

Yelp
This restaurant is such a vibe. The interior is very high class, but I love that it's actually a fast-casual style of ordering. I got the standard chicken sandwich with the pickles and dilly ranch. It was AMAZING. The chicken was crispy and fresh. One of the juiciest chicken sandwiches I've ever had. I had fries with mine, but next time I want to upgrade and try for a specialty side. Pricing was very fair! I will definitely return. Also a tip for you if you are driving- they have a parking lot! I missed it when I got there for the first time because it was just a fold out sign and it wasn't exactly next to the restaurant. There is plenty of parking in the street though.
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Chone M.

Yelp
Always wanted to try this place, and I couldn't be more happy I did. Food is gas but the outdoor seating and ambiance really sets this place apart from anywhere else
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Cherise K.

Yelp
It's taken me a while to review this place because I had to visit again to verify my thoughts. So here they are. This place has one of the best chicken sandwiches I have ever had. I am actually obsessed with it minus the cost. If you come here please get the classic chicken sandwich, with a side of green garlic sauce and hot honey. Add both to the sandwich after taking an initial bite the calibrate and you will NOT be sorry. A perfect explosion of flavor, so addicting and delicious, you'll be thinking and craving it for days or weeks to come. It will ruin all other chicken sandwiches for a matter of time. But what will bring you back to earth is the fact that this amazing sandwich is $15 as a base. Add those sauces, tax and tip and there's $20 lunch for you. I would say it's worth it, because... did you just read above but that $20 price tag is hard to swallow, especially because the fries are mid. That being said, if we look at this whole experience, the service is great, the location is top notch and the layout/decor makes you feel like you're at a retro home gym haha. It's a vibe and the fact that r they have ice cream and cocktails plus is on regent makes it a great initial spot to kickoff the weekend or a game day. I will say this place also gets super busy so don't be afraid to order ahead and take it Togo. Happy eating!
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Sabra B.

Yelp
All I am saying is that Clueless was playing on all the TVs, Jell-O shots are readily available, and there are plenty of yummy chicken options. How could you not love this place?
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Kevin C.

Yelp
Some of the best customer service I've received. The staff are professional and welcoming. The food is delicious. I recommend their chicken sandwich and a shake. The atmosphere is incredible!!!
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MaryDan H.

Yelp
I was excited to eat at Butterbird because I've experienced excellent dining at the owner's other restaurant, The Havey House. Went early on a weeknight, knowing that parking would be tricky. Be prepared to walk a block or more, as Butterbird has no parking lot. The restaurant has a cool "diner" vibe, and I love classic diners. You order at the counter, and then your meal is delivered to you if you're eating in. Our meals came faster than expected. My classic sandwich was good, with a huge crispy and juicy chicken thigh. It came with lettuce, pickles and dilly ranch sauce. It was a tasty bite. I wished the soft roll was a bit sturdier, as it became messier and messier to eat. I made my sandwich a plate for $5.00 which added fries and coleslaw. The coleslaw and fries were just so-so. It didn't help that the fries weren't hot to begin with. My husband had a crispy thigh and leg. He liked them, but commented they were a bit greasy. He also thought the fries (comparable to McDonald's) were kind of blah. Would I go back? Yes, to try other dishes such as chicken tenders and soft serve.
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Chass C.

Yelp
There's been a lot of buzz about the new spot in town, from the owners of my fave, Harvey House. I tried the 3-piece chicken tenders with dilly dill dipping sauce, and they were perfection--juicy and fried just right. If you're a dill fan, you'll love the sauce! The whole diner vibe is on point, and the outdoor patio is perfect for a warm day. The menu has a great variety, and everything looked so tempting. The friendly staff and fast service made the experience even better. A must-visit for anyone who loves good food and a great atmosphere!
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Alexandra K.

Yelp
Butterbird was SO fun! First off, the ambience is cute and a little retro. A fun casual spot for sure. The service was wonderful. This was our first time and the woman at the register was kind and welcoming. She even gave us free tokens for soft serve because it was our first visit. Our food came out within five minutes and it was hot and delicious. We ordered the hot chicken sandwich and the smash burger. Both were great! The chicken was very tender and the burger was very yummy. And don't get me started on the fries! They were perfectly crisp and salty. We both ordered the Butterbird punch which was one of their cocktails on draft and it was refresh. Can't wait to go back!
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Ericka B.

Yelp
Went here on a Tuesday night to grab some dinner. Since we got there right around 5, the place wasn't crazy busy, but there was a steady stream of people and we did have to wait in line. It's order at the counter and find a seat style, so we placed out order and explored to find a table. There was way more seating than I expected and the outdoor patio was in full use. The atmosphere is one of a kind in Madison. Kind of retro diner meets indoor drive-in meets supper club, but it all works! All the staff we interacted with were also super friendly and clearly cared to make sure everyone was satisfied. We were there for happy hour, so we ended up ordering a Butterbird punch and a standard chicken slider. We also got the popcorn chicken, Tuesday special, and the Badger Hot chicken sandwich with salad. The punch was delicious. Very citrus and pleasant, could definitely get you in trouble. When they brought out our order they actually ended up bringing us a standard chicken sandwich instead of the hot. We ended up telling the person who took our order and the manager/(owner maybe?) was quick to come over and tell us she'd make sure we got the spicy sandwich and include fries. I'm so happy they got us the spicy sandwich because it's one of the few in town that actually has spice! This is now added into our chicken sandwich rotation. The salad that they served with it was also nicely dressed. The popcorn chicken were also tasty and were definitely larger than popcorn size, almost more like tenders. The slider and Butterbird classic were also tasty, but I would recommend the spicy between the two. The fries were fine, but a little too salty for our taste. Overall, very tasty food and excellent service. Prices also were pretty standard for a sandwich and side on the area. We were impressed and hope to come back soon! Glad that they lived up to expectations, if not exceeded.
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Rick R.

Yelp
I was greeted by a very friendly and welcoming FOH manager. I placed my order for a 2pc - leg and thigh - chicken snack with hot honey and a side of fries. I only waited around 5 minutes before my order arrived. The shoestring fries were perfectly cooked and crisp, some were lightly salted and some were missed by the salt shaker completely. The chicken did not look as appetizing. There were portions of both pieces with scorch marks. There were more scorch marks on the non-visible sides. The chicken skin was crisp but needed more seasoning, although the bitterness from the scorching may have just neutralized any seasoning flavor in the skin. The chicken in the leg was on the dry side (that's probably from over-cooking it), and the thigh meat survived the over cooking a bit more, but still no where near as tender and juicy as a fried chicken thigh should be. It was 6:00, so prime dinner time. The restaurant was about full, but I noticed carry-out orders, so maybe they were understaffed in the kitchen. I might give them a second chance next time I'm in town.
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Sho R.

Yelp
I stopped by to have a quick early dinner. At that time, I was the only person dining in. The restaurant was spacious. I went for a badger hot fried chicken sandwich. It was a decent chicken sandwich. I wish it was a bit more spicy. For dessert, I tried the banana pudding sundae. That was an ok dessert. Here one orders food in the counter and sits in the seat. Unfortunately for me the dessert came first, long before the sandwich arrived.

Saverio S.

Yelp
Top notch ambiance, something special. All they need are a few more vegetarian options...
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Tricia C.

Yelp
I didn't have high hopes for a delivered meal from across town, but I was completely blown away! I was working from home yesterday, and craving a hot chicken sandwich badly (it's been my number one pregnancy craving). I decided on Butterbird, and oh my gosh it was DELICIOUS! The best hot chicken sandwich I've ever had. It was still hot (temp wise), crispy, and so flavorful. I really loved the crunch of the pickles, they were super tasty. The Smokey chipotle mayo and hot chili oil added the perfect kick. I was super impressed, and can't wait to order weekly!
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Vivienne Q.

Yelp
Had high hopes for Butterbird once we heard that the owners of Harvey House were opening a new chicken restaurant. However, I believe it was overhyped. I will say that service is impeccable, and I had extremely positive interactions with all of the staff. The server heard us debating whether or not to get a side of fries (which we decided not to), and she gave it to us on the house! The reason for my review is the food was not anything amazing, and in some cases, just not good. We ordered the pretzel, Butterbird classic, and the Badger hot chicken sandwich. The pretzel was good while hot, but not even 20 minutes later, it was as hard as a rock. The chicken fillets in each sandwich were thin and mostly consisted of breading. With the high costs, I would have expected larger, thicker pieces of chicken. It was very disappointing. The saving grace was the banana pudding sundae. It was a really great mix of two things I love: banana pudding and ice cream! I am glad I tried this new addition to Madison, and I sincerely hope they decide to improve the quality of their food. Until then, I will not be back.
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Liz C.

Yelp
Fun ambience: clean, bright, and well decorated. A movie was playing on the wall screens. Order your food at the counter and find a place to sit. They will give a number to you upon ordering and will bring your food to your table when it's ready. Decent food with quality ingredients. The cheese curds are good, but I didn't eat anything that I absolutely must go back for. The restaurant was not busy at noon on a Thursday so it was easy to find a place to sit.
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Troy A.

Yelp
Great meal today. Two different chicken Sammy's and both were great...the only thing better than the food was the service...GM and staff were awesome, will definitely be back
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David Z.

Yelp
A great place for some of the best chicken in Madison, BUT, I was blown away by the Triple Smash Burger! Not to take anything away from the Chicken as it truly is delicious, but that Smash Burger was probably THE BEST burger I have ever had. Those meat patties was grilled perfectly and those red onions really added a great taste. Had I not been in town only for only one more day we would have gone back again. Thankfully my daughter goes to UW-Madison and I like coming up to visit as I can. There was a bit of a line, but the staff kept things moving well and we ordered, seated and had our food in about 20 minutes. A great place that I guarantee we will be back!
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Chloe M.

Yelp
Don't let the line scare you off - it moves fairly quickly! A group of 10 of us came on a Friday night, at 5:30pm, before a Badger Basketball game. Despite choosing the worst time we could have picked we were able to order our food with only about a 15 minute wait in line, and even got tables next to one another for all of us with no real issues. I had the spicy chicken sandwich, the honey hot sweet potato, and a bourbon smash. All were delicious. The chicken sandwich is in the running for the best I've had, but I will be craving the sweet potato on the daily. It's oddly delicious. The chicken was great, but the sweet potato phenomenal. The bourbon smash, which interestingly included ginger, was also great. I also must mention the staff. They all were so kind and friendly, and in the best moods despite the fact that they were unbelievably busy.
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Taylor D.

Yelp
Stopped by at 5:30 and ran into a line out the door, it moved pretty quickly! We ordered fried pickles, chicken tenders, and the hot chicken sandwich! All were delicious - the dipping sauces are all amazing. Hot honey and dilly ranch were faves. Finished our lovely meal with a banana sundae! Yum! Great vibes and service. Definitely a higher price point than some other chicken places. We got 2 drinks, an app, 2 entrees, and a dessert for about $80 with tip. We balled out a little bit... will definitely be back!
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Malia Y.

Yelp
This place is new and owned by the same who head the Harvey house so I did have some expectations here. Given its opening weekend, you guessed it-there was a line even around early dinner time (5pm). There was only one person taking orders so that was kind of hard to muster through - she was very kind though so it's not her fault! Having standing in negative temperature outside for ~10 minutes, I'm not sure if it's worth the wait. Ambiance: I thought it was interesting - retro diner vibes meets sports people meets old school games. Casual vibes, lots of families oddly enough, but what kid doesn't love chicken tenders. They have a high top where you can play games but it's only at one table. Think tic tac toe, chess, scrabble, etc. Food: chicken tenders by itself is definitely lacking some flavor. It's moist and juicy. We had the chipotle mayo and was my favorite pairing (we also tried hot honey and dilly ranch). Hot spicy chicken sandwich: flavor was good but I think that's because of the sauce. Coleslaw: tangy, not my vibe. The fries: okay they sold me here. A fresh McDonald's replica The banana pudding sundae: it was a nice treat. I think a little overpriced in the realm of desserts. I'd come back to try some of their beverages.
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Riley S.

Yelp
I went with a friend and the service was amazing! The cashier (I can't remember her name now) was so kind and the ambiance was a fun mix of retro and camp. For food, I got the butterbird chicken sandwich and it was so good (big fan of the pickle sauce with it)
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Kelsey O.

Yelp
Such a fun find! The inside of Butterbird is so cool. Lots of energy and bustling with people. Ordering at the counter was super easy and the food came out quick. My party had regular chicken sandwiches and a hot one. Oh the hot one had some kick! But great flavor on everything. The fries were 10/10. Perfectly salted. Will be back!
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Rachel J.

Yelp
The aesthetics and branding of this business are A-1. Props. But aesthetics/branding alone do not make a good restaurant. The second best thing about this place is the service. People were very nice. But $40 for my meal felt like a scam. I got several things so that I could get a taste of the menu. Chicken sandwich was just ok. Fries were a little too salty for me. The fried chicken pieces were fried a little too hard & were dark. Seasoning needs work. I was very excited about the pickles but they had a barely there, kinda flaky, light batter. Very underwhelming. Dill mayo was fine. The two things I enjoyed the most were the green garlic mayo (super tasty) and the Butterbird Punch. Overall feelings: If you're on Regent Street and have money to burn, sure, visit Butterbird. But what they charge does not equal the quality & taste. I would maybe go back for the drinks & to try the non-chicken items. Chicken is not worth what they are charging.
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Lisa D.

Yelp
Butterbird has something for everyone. I saw kids and families, but there is also a bar with delicious sounding drinks. you order at the window and food arrives quickly to you table. I had the boneless thigh and a waffle and it was perfect. Fun retro decor. Loved it!
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Marc W.

Yelp
This review hurts me more than itll ever hurt the business. 1. I have loved. I mean loved. The Harvey House since its inception. Every out of town guest I send their way. It is magical. So. Imagine my thrill when these purveyors plan a fried chicken joint in what can only be described as a good fried chicken desert that is Dane County. 2. I waited with this news for nearly a year. I avoided the place for a month+ post opening. Every new place deserves a time to work it out. I would walk by during construction checking on timelines. I waited. 3. Tonight's the night. 8 piece chicken, dark side, smash burger, broccoli salad, sweet potato, fries and sauce. 4. There is no service. In that it has the same table service and ordering as the McDonald'snext door. 5. The ambience is the best part. If you're familiar with the Harvey House you'll notice the similarities. Though a bit louder. Bright. Beautiful. 6. The sauces (we ordered 6) were great. As was the broccoli salad. They reminded me of who started the place. 7. But the crux. The food. Chicken and burger. Awful. The smash burger was minimally acceptable. The fried chicken was awful. The breading is either flavorless or in the opinion of my son tasted like cucumbers. It was not served hot. It was not juicy. It was Kwik Trip fried chicken at best and that's being kind. It was awful. They shouldn't bother breading it. Their fries make McDonald's look good. I can't articulate how sad I am that this is their best effort. They should have tried good fried chicken first to formulate their own. Like Ripp's in Ladd, IL. Or a host of others. This seems like a bad culinary school senior project.

Gail H.

Yelp
Visited Butterbird located on Regent St. in Madison midafternoon on a Friday. The restaurant wasn't busy, plenty of seating, window seats too to people watch. Good customer service. Ordered the 3 tenders plate and the two piece meal. Both orders were excellent. The chicken is the best we've found in Madison at a casual restaurant (and we've been searching.) The reviews that say it isn't don't know what they're talking about.
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Tiana M.

Yelp
First of all, whoever designed this place has immaculate taste. All the decor went so well together and really contributed to the ambiance. I'm talking down to the wallpaper in the bathrooms, the speakers on the walls and the employees' outfits. 100% recommend a visit simply for the vibes. I also enjoyed the food. I ordered the rotisserie sandwich and lord was it good. I added a side of closeslaw which I really didn't like, though I am picky about my slaw. The pretzel was decent and came with a massive amount of cheese dip. Overall a good visit, staff were friendly, food came out quick and even though there was a line, it moved fast.

Jake Y.

Yelp
The food is good, the service is good. My main issue is the pricing. They serve a solid fried chicken, but the pricing of a single chicken sandwich makes me feel like I am paying for an experience or atmosphere. It's a good place if you are really in the need of fried chicken.
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Corbin B.

Yelp
Lots of hype around this place from the folks who do Harvey House. Inside is very harvey house. It's really pretty, big, detailed, slightly dark. J's fried chicken was lukewarm - we went right at open so maybe it was slacked preparing for a big rush. My sando was delicious. Hot honey was excellent. Cocktails were okay, didnt get any sides. Would go back!
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Max B.

Yelp
I ordered delivery and the order arrived quickly, was correct and delicious. I had the Badger chicken sandwich with extra chicken - it was enormous and very tasty. The only odd thing was the interface between ordering on their site and DoorDash. I had specific delivery instructions that were not communicated to my "Dasher." Not sure exactly where the glitch was.
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Allison G.

Yelp
One of the best patios in Madison! They had games, were playing Legally Blonde, it's shaded, plays great music, and the vibes are high overall. We just got drinks this time but are really looking forward to ordering the food next time. My husband and I each ordered the Cadillac margarita and got a pickleback & apple pie shot. All were delicious! I can't wait to come back...probably next week ;)