Craftsman Table & Tap

If you’re looking for a place with a great atmosphere, this spot delivers. There’s a nice bar with plenty of seating, a spacious dining room, and a comfortable outdoor area to enjoy when the weather’s nice. The beer selection is impressive, and the cocktail menu has some solid options. As for the food—it’s just okay. Not bad, but nothing that really stood out. Come for the drinks and the vibe more than the food.

I wanted to try this restaurant after my fiancé & his cousin went during restaurant week. His rave review & leftovers led me to get there! My pal & I went there on a Tuesday at 330p for an early dinner. I was undecided what to try & wanted to try the Mac n Cheese and I had a nice salad. My pal had a Rueben sandwich which she loved. We had cheese curds appetizer & creme brulee for dessert - both were excellent. We also had Old Fashioned cocktails which the server took additional time to explain some options to us. And from 3-530p weekdays is Happy Hour with Old Fashioneds at $5! The interior is classy, the servers are attentive, personable & speedy and the location is convenient with plenty of off street parking available. **highly recommend **

Good experience. Server was helpful with both drink and food suggestions. Both were good choices. Had the peach mango cider, pleasant , could taste the fruit. Not over powering. Had the caprees resoto. Good flavors, nice pesto touch. My son had the fish wall eye fish, decent flavor, lilely breaded and fried. My wife had a burger

We ordered the BBQ hamburger and added bacon and waffle fries, as well as the Caprese risotto with salmon. The burger itself was underwhelming—very little flavor and definitely not worth the $17 price tag. The bacon was the best part, adding some much-needed taste, but overall it fell flat. The Caprese risotto was just okay, and at $18 it felt overpriced for what you get. The salmon ($6 up charge - which felt worth it), however, was the highlight of the meal—perfectly cooked as requested and tasted great.

We really enjoyed our time here. Had the cheese curds which were excellent, I try to Wisconsin old fashioned for the first time. I love an old-fashioned, this was an interesting twist. Non-sweet for me. The burger was for my pregnant niece who joined us for the meal, the rest of us had the brussels sprouts salads along with the cheese curds and the soft pretzel covered in cheese sauce. Our waitress was excellent, but too young to drink so couldn't really tell me about the difference between a regular old fashioned and a Wisconsin old fashioned, but when in Rome huh? When I come back through Madison I will make this a regular stopping place.

Starting this by saying that even though there were missteps on our first visit... they handled it absolutely amazingly and we're so very kind. Nativity was our server and she was just an absolute ray of sunshine. ❤️‍🩹 We sat outside with my dog, I had a Gluten-free bun with their craft burger and their cross cut fries. The burger was over done, but not burned so I didn't say anything and the fries were cold. I made a comment that I didn't get something of my order, because I didn't want to be charged for something I didn't get, the manager was sent out and comped the whole meal. 🤯 I didn't ask for that, and even still tried to pay. 😅 But they were just so nice and completely over the top with hospitality. Very refreshing and will definitely be back.

The atmosphere is very nice for what we expected to be a pub, we felt a little underdressed, and that MAYBE explains our poor treatment by our server. The cheese curds were as good as advertised and my beer from Odd Side ales was tasty. Everything else was a disappointment. I had a double smash burger, it was tasty but fell apart in my hands and was difficult to eat. My son had the grilled cheese and found the apples in the sandwich off putting. He asked the server for a spoon for his soup but she never brought one. My wife had the fried chicken sandwich and asked for no coleslaw, but it was delivered with a heaping helping on the sandwich. She had to remove all toppings to get it off and ate the sandwich plane. She was not at all impressed. We were never asked about our food. We were never offered refills on drinks until we were done with our meals. This was at 5:00pm on a Sunday and they were not at all crowded. I do not anticipate ever going back and would not recommend to a friend.

Tried this place on a whim today. So happy we did. Our server Stephanie was great. She definitely went out of her way to make our visit top notch. The food was really good but the topper was the horseradish sauce. I've never had a better sauce. Check this place out. You'll be glad you did.

I've come here twice because I've heard this place has the best cheese curds in town, and they are definitely top tier - eat them while they're hot! I also got the shaved steak sandwich and it was interesting - the steak itself was undersalted, but actually balanced out really well with the saltiness from the dijon sauce, pickles, and cheese. The mixed greens side was also lightly tossed and not drenched in dressing - I really appreciate the health-conscienceness of this restaurant which is why I'm giving them 5 stars!

Today: The service is still phenomenal. The atmosphere is the same. The food on the other hand has taken a turn... Tonight I had my usual the fried walleye. The fish was perfect, everything else on the plate was dismal. Sorry but no more curry pickles, you now just get a generic spear. No more fresh crosscut fries as mine were lukewarm and mush. The recipe has changed for the coleslaw and no more toasted rye bread. $24 for an edible fillet of fish is just too much. SO, I then ordered the Reuben. Well same soggy rye bread, little to no sauerkraut, and the meat is just huge chunks of toughness with grissle and tendons... On top, no more fresh cooked kettle chips as now you get cold oil rich chips. I also ordered the creme brulee. Well, it was probably the oldest in the fridge. The hard sugar coating was liquid and the custard was stale. If you are considering breakfast, that's a hard pass for me too. The breakfast is just as bad. Overcooked rubber eggs and the biscuits and gravy could be used as hockey pucks. Sorry, but not sorry it's time to move on to another restaurant as this one I can no longer support. Too bad for everyone... 1 year ago: The service is attentive and personable. The food was delicious and portions were generous for the price. Would definitely come back!

Cute little place. We made reservations but probably didn't actually needing them. It took a while for our waitress to come greet us and get our order, but once that was done, things went pretty smoothly. We split an order of the deviled eggs app which was served with pickles, a bit vinegary but good. I had the breakfast BLT. The potatoes were well prepared, and the side of "'mixed greens" was gigantic! My friend had the American breakfast with ham. The ham was delicious. Juicy, moist, tender, flavorful. The scrambled eggs looked fluffy and well done, but unfortunately had a weird taste. It almost felt like the eggs were scrambled with teriyaki. Not a fan. The mimosas were filled to the brim! Overall we enjoyed it.

I took out lunch on a weekday. Tomato basil soup was probably my favorite item from here. Nashville hot chicken was not as hot as a Nashville hot chicken should be. But still good. Double smashburger was my other item. It was good as well. I liked the location of this restaurant.

Really disappointing. This was our first time eating here and we ordered bbq wings for carry out. We were excited to try them out, but ended up pushing through two each, and then just throwing them away. Out $30 for something going straight in the garbage. The meat was dry and the bbq sauce tasted like tomato, and not much else. Even the ranch tasted a little sour. Honestly, no redeeming qualities on these. Dang it.

This is the closest restaurant to our house, and we love going here. They have a great menu. We really like the fish and chips, the Brussels sprouts salad, and most of the appetizers. They have a great happy hour with $5.00 old fashioneds, the best tartar sauce I've ever had, and fantastic cheese curds. The service is consistently excellent. There are some servers and bartenders who have been there for years and they always make a point to say hi to us. The Beer BINGO on winter weekends is a blast and hosted by their awesome manager. The atmosphere is comfortable and fun. We love this neighborhood restaurant!

Went to lunch while visiting the area for work. A coworker told me I had to get the cheese curds and they did not disappoint. For my meal I ordered the chicken bacon salad it is HUGE I took half home!! It was very good just such a large portion wish it came in a half size. Quick service.

This restaurant is where I take out-of-towners to try Wisconsin fried cheese curds. They never disappoint! They are lightly battered and crispy with surprising soft and gooey cheese. So good. My dining companion ordered a burger cooked medium. He found it on the rare side, so order accordingly. The burger came with either homemade chips or greens. The chips were crispy and fresh. I tried the Mezze plate with pita, hummus, roasted veggies and crispy chickpeas. It was very delicious and filling. Will definitely order this dish again!

I'd say the service was great. We didn't had to wait much for getting seated considering it was Friday night. The place was full though once we were seated. The place was casual style dining. We immediately were greeted by our server as soon as we sat down & got plenty of recommendations. We ordered double smash burger & the steak entree. The food came out pretty quick and they tasted good.

I think it's actually been years since I have been here. Stopped by for a quick drink and snack. Off the bar menu they had a delicious I don't remember what the drink was called, but it was blackberry for the first word and it had gin as it's token alcohol with a nice garnish of rosemary. It was delightful the waffle fries with the Louie sauce were super tasty. Louie sauce is their version of 1000 island dressing. Great place to meet with groups or families. Their kids menu is pretty good too. The service was good, the bartender was running the bar and also waiting on tables. Definitely will be back.

Revisited Craftsman Table & Tap haven't been there in many years and it was just as good as I remembered! The prime rib special was seasoned well . Cheese curds ( awesome) light, pillowy and slightly greasy. I will be back soon.

Still a solid choice for lunch or dinner, this time I got a fried chicken sandwich with house made chips, not too greasy and very crunchy.

Since I was here with a business group that reserved the upstairs room and terrace for their function, I cannot comment on the menu or dishes you might order as a regular customer. But I do believe that the quality of a catered event provides some useful information about what one could expect from the kitchen and the front of the house if you choose to dine here. Our event started with cocktails and appetizers. The bartender was professional and efficient. My Redemption Rye traditional Old Fashioned was excellent. I had two! The appetizers were average, but an ample and a satisfying start to the evening. The dinner itself was a buffet which included a mixed greens salad, cherry glazed salmon, thin sliced prime rib, a chicken option, roasted asparagus, and a potato option. I didn't have the chicken so no comment on that. The salmon was a tad overcooked and therefore a bit dry, but the flavor was fine. The prime rib was a perfect medium rare and nicely seasoned with an ample amount of salt and pepper. The asparagus was good, neither over nor undercooked. I skipped the potatoes. Compared to the many buffets I've had at similar events, this one was a solid "B+." To close out the event, a platter of bars (lemon, chocolate, etc.) was added to the buffet. Coupled with a Bulleit Bourbon neat, it was a satisfactory end to the meal. Based on my experience last night, I would consider returning to dine in the restaurant itself. If I do I'll update my review.

I've always had a wonderful time here and am curious if your experience depends on what you order, who is serving you, and where you are seated considering the differing reviews on here. I love the outdoor dining in the summer, especially when there is music! The cheese curds are one of my favorites in Madison and the deviled eggs are also great. I love all of the different beer options, which rotate frequently, and appreciate that the bartenders and servers let you taste them before you commit. You can even rent the upstairs area for private events which comes with your choice of food items and your own private bar. The pretzels and sliders are great and we loved their sauces. Lastly, parking is pretty easy due to the huge lot in the back as well as plentiful street parking. We will be back to try more menu items in the future!

My wife and I stopped in for lunch and and were very pleased with the experience. Nice place with a very friendly staff. Nice beer selection and Menu. I had a delicious Cobb Salad with chicken and My wife had a gourmet grilled cheese with that came with a huge side salad. Would definately stop back. Nicely decorated and great location for other shopping.

Traditional Pub feel dim lighting. Great staff, various food options. Went to lunch with the parents here. Our server was awesome, friendly, a helpful advisor, kept our glasses full, and checked on us a few times. Mom ordered Brussels sprout toast very delicious. Dad and I each had a bacon ranch salad with their tasty house made dressing. I would recommend Craftsman Table & Tap On other occasions I've enjoyed their hummus platter and mushroom Swiss burger. Laid back place to have lunch with friends or family with an old fashioned as well as few modern food options.

A reason to give a place a second chance...2023 I went for Restaurant Week and had a horrible experience. Hadn't been back till 2025 Restaurant Week. Went from 1 to 5! Happy Hour Old Fashioned was still $5! Sat at bar solo (again) and service was perfect. Food Yummy! Chose shrimp cakes w/arugula salad, walleye w/green beans & bacon, chocolate crème brûlée w/ blueberries & mint. Everything perfectly prepared. Recommend!

First I was told by a native on the plane that I should come here for cheese curds. He had a big smile on his face while telling me about it. When I got to my hotel, I couldn't remember the name exactly and the girl at the front desk broke into a huge grin and told me it was Craftsman. The hostess broke out in a huge grin when I told her about the cheese curd recommendations. Guess what, they weren't wrong! The house salad was super tasty and fresh, the tomato basil soup was the perfect thickness and flavor ratios. And the cheese curds.... When I meet my soon-to-be-needed cardiologist, I will just show them the picture and tell them I just couldn't help myself!

Recently visited this place twice in the last month since I was last here in 2018. Nothing mind blowing, but still good. For Mother's Day, we had the prime rib sandwich and BBQ burger. The sandwich itself was okay overall, a bit dry but the dip helped. BBQ burger was average. My 5yo's burger was very dry, so she barely ate it. No amount of ketchup could salvage that. Chicken tenders and fries were also average, but it kept my 2yo happy. Service was also average. For a graduation dinner, we came in around 5:30pm with a group of 4 adults and 2 kids. We did not have reservations in advance, but was asked if we would be able to be done eating by 6:30pm for a group that would be coming in. Truthfully, didn't like that we were even asked that question - it felt like we were being pushed out. We also told them it would depend on how fast we would get our food, which also makes us feel as if the kitchen would be rushed to get our food to us rather than take their time to make it properly. With that said, our dinner was overall good. The server was attentive, but not once made us feel as if we had to leave by a certain time. The kids burger was less dry this time around, but she enjoyed it better. The cod was very good, no complaints. The chimichurri tenderized steak was not very tender, but it was fine. My kid was treated with an apple crumble dessert with ice cream on the house for her graduation, so that was really appreciated. Overall, good experience. Will still come back as my kids enjoy coming here and we could definitely try some other things on the menu.

The service was good. Our meals were a bit of a disappointment. Maybe better next time.

Met a friend for lunch. Sat at the high top. Immediately greeted at the table with menus and water. Friend had the Chicken Cob salad. Came to the table loaded with bacon, egg, tomato, zucchini, sliced chicken and plenty of dressing. Looked great and must have been tasty because it ended up being part of the clean plate club. I had the burger medium with a slice of havarti cheese, pickles, lettuce and tomato. Burger was prepared perfectly and adorned by the perfect bun. Not too big and crusty. Greens lightly dressed with an oil and vinegar accompanied the burger. Venue is nice and open, nicely decorated and a decent size. Service was better than most places these days. Value was good. I highly recommend without any reservations. Menu looked very inviting and daily specials appealed to my eye. Will definitely return.

We had a great lunch and servers were very attentive even though they had a steady lunch crowd. They even had a gluten free bun so I could have a burger. My rhubarb sparkling drink was amazing! Cant wait to try to recreate that recipe at home!

I've tried Craftsman Table & Tap twice at the desire of other people. The first time a year ago, food not even memorable enough to report on. Decided to give it a go for Madison Restaurant Week yesterday. Underwhelming again. I ordered from the special menu and friend ordered three courses from the regular. Chickpea chili and carrot soup delightful in flavor, texture, and presentation. Next course seemed to come quick. I had the mezze plate, friend a salad. I roast chickpeas at home so don't understand what was piled on the creamy and flavorful hummus here. Chickpeas were oily, texturally undesirable, and had an off putting flavor. Or maybe none. I don't know as I roast various spiced mixture chickpeas at home and they have all been winners based on the eaters in my household. I quit the Craftsman chicks after a few bites. The veggies had mild curry flavor but heavy salt. I needed to ask for more water a couple times. Service wasn't coming by. My friend's salad looked fresh and was passable but nothing special. The desserts came while we were still on our entrees. We sat at 3pm to avoid any potential crowds for Sunday brunch or restaurant week. We were surprised to be rushed. We did see our server leaving a few minutes after desserts were on the table and check paid. I appreciate we all want to go leave work in time, but management or another server could perhaps take over so guests don't have whip cream and ice cream melting while eating entrees. A walnut torte is a whole different thing here. It was nuts held together with flour or butter. I cannot recommend it. The apple dessert looked lovely. Friend had to dig to the bottom to get a few apple pieces. Needed bills back so I could overtip (in these trying times) and not do 15 or even 25%. The bills came back ten bucks short. I had to flag down another server to get our server so I could ask for the ten back. There are other options in Middleton. Craftsman isn't nailing atmosphere, food flavor, uniqueness, or quality, or service enough to make this worth it.

Went here for brunch on a Saturday, primarily because they do reservations and we had 5 people. I would say the restaurant was about half full when we arrived, which made it nice to be able to talk across the table. Our waitress was pretty quick to come get our drink orders, and they came out in a reasonable time. Then it took a little while for us to get our food orders in and for it to come out. We saw a few other tables who were equal size come in after us and finish eating before us, so not really sure how that worked. As for the food, we got the brunch burger, brunch blt, chilaquiles, and the braised chickpea chili. The burger and blt had good reviews and they especially liked the breakfast potatoes. The chilaquiles was a reasonable amount of food, the pork pulled apart nicely, and there was a good amount of avocado, but it was a little bland. Not what the friend was hoping for. The braised chickpea chili should not be called a chili. I ordered it assuming it would be a comforting food for a rainy day, but it had a lemon zing that seemed more summery. It was more like a lemon lentil stew, but replace lentils with chickpeas. The chickpeas were plentiful, but the soup was way too acidic to think about eating the entire bowl. I was also really confused why there was sour cream in it. Overall, a couple misses and a couple okays. You at least get a decent amount of food, but the price points are a little higher than I tend to like. In the three times I've been here, what's on the menu just doesn't seem to live up to expectations.

Excellent walleye and green bean dish. Great draft beer selection. Bartenders were super polite. Wish I could stay longer and visit again.

First time here for me. Being on the far West side this was not really on my radar even though it is a Food Fight restaurant and we usually have a couple of their gift cards laying around. Friends suggested it so we trucked on out from Monona. We got there early enough on a Friday to enjoy there happy hour pricing. We took advantage of the $5 old fashions - very well made. Apps were $2 off so we got an order of the deviled eggs - they were OK. I think I have a better mix... Once seated (they do take reservations) with our group we ordered more of the happy hour priced old fashions since it was still before 5:30pm. Three of us got the fish and chips. Made with cod and served with waffle fries. I usually get a fish fry with walleye, perch or blue gill since moving back to Wisconsin so I have not had cod for some time. Hot, crispy and light. It actually was very good as were the fries. The fourth in our group got the barley salad with salmon. The salmon was done to her liking - medium rare. The server was unobtrusive and kept things moving. The prices were reasonable (OK that is a relative statement these days!).

A place for food fun drinks and even a party. My son going off to Iowa State this week prompted renting the upper level for a sending off party for him to invite friends, our family friends and it was a very special day. The food as is generally the case was what I've long enjoyed about this restaurant. Because following the pandemic the salmon and Brussels plate which had been my reason to visit since they first arrived in my neighborhood, was never brought back I myself haven't returned either. (I check the menu from time to time, still only salmon on a salad was what I found, not enough.) But the catered menu of favorites which included, naturally, the best cheese curds possibly in the entire Milky Way, as well as sliders, a burger as well as a relative to the French dip, sans a jus, and a Turkey BLT, each quite enjoyable. Regardless of my pescatarian and fruit preference these days, I broke my diet and indulged. The cheese curds were the first to break me down and shove cholesterol down my face, followed later by one of each of the sandwiches. As per the always consistent staff and their commitment to top quality work, the entire thing was an absolute success. My rating is about the high standards, my rating is 5 for the things I've written about, but four still for the singular item and I'll remain firm: BRING ME MY SALMON, ill return with my money along with my 5th. star!

Sat at the bar for lunch. Bartender was less than attentive. Spent most of her time chatting with fellow staff. Food was great, service was how you say, very bad.

Good food, good service, good drinks! Dog friendly! Literally my only gripe is that the Double Smash Burger needs dill pickles instead of bread and butter...but that's 1st world problems! Great little spot!

Very lovey staff. Great atmosphere.. the Brussels sprouts salad was stunning..my son's wrap was fresh .

I live in the neighborhood. Before COVID we use to come here fairly regularly. But always received a cold welcome. It was convenient but not desired. Just went there first time in a few years. Nothing has changed. Abrasive workers. They seem so stressed and very unfriendly. Just a bad vibe. Food is mediocre and the staff has no idea about the craft beers on tap. Don't waste your time here. There are many better places close with wonderful staff.

First trip since moving and had no idea about restaurant week, well it was fantastic! I ordered the beet salad which I have to admit I wanted to lick the plate, husband ordered the loaded waffle fries omg the portion was crazy but he was so happy, my entire was the fish tacos they were ok I was a little sad because hubby ordered the smashburger he just closed his eyes and groaned a bit, then our dessert I had the crème brûlée and honey had the pecan pie with vanilla bean ice cream all for $20 each we waddled out very happy customers for life THANK YOU !! service was attentive without being pushy great atmosphere , we are telling everyone!

Felt like I was imposing here! We came in at 9:07. They close at 10. There were 2 tables seated and nobody at the bar. Someday at the bar to order apps and a drink. The bartender seemed extremely bothered rather came in. The staff was cleaning in hopes of early closing. They were wheeling garbage cans through the dining room. The old fashioned was not good and the margarita was awful. He never even asked if I wanted salt on the rim. He was just obviously bothered that we were there. Never offered food menus, we had to ask. The wings were good and the pretzel was very good. But I would never come back here because I didn't feel like a paying patron, I felt like a bother and intrusion to the staff.

I wanted to like this place alot more than it turned out to be. The ambiance is nice, semi upscale irish/local bar, but the service was subpar and the food was just okay. I came to try their fish fry and happy hour. The cod was good, not great, the coleslaw was fantastic and the pickles were incredible. They saved the review along with the tar tar sauce. Now, while, I liked the fish fry quite a bit - I have a hard time fully recommending this place or aching to go back. Overall, I would say solid 3.5 experience.

Food was soooo underwhelming. Staff was welcoming and timely. Deviled eggs were basic, I can make better ones at home. Hot honey fried chicken was overly sweet and drenched in orange flavor for some reason, it was described as "popcorn chicken, hot honey glaze, toasted sesame" - seemed more like it was tossed in sugar water and orange than honey. Side salad had large cuts of cucumbers and carrots which was inconvenient to eat. Sliced would have better flow. Also it had peas...? The craft burger was pretty boring even after switching American cheese for havarti. Not enough flavor even with garlic pickles, dijonnaise, urban burger sauce. We did enjoy the Boulder Shake - a chocolate nitro stout.

Great place to eat with space for kids if you have them. There are a lot of tvs to watch if that is your thing. Not to start a fight or anything but these are our favorite cheese curds in the area. We ordered the hot honey fried chicken appetizer and I will say that was not good, it wasn't very flavorful and tasted mostly liked burnt sesame seeds. We had a burger with sweet potato fries, fish & chips, and the Brussels sprout salad. We liked everything, the burger and fries were delicious, and the spicy aioli that comes with the sweet potato fries is excellent. This is a solid restaurant to eat at.

I live near Craftsman so I stop by frequently. Their cheese curds are inconsistent in quality but when they're good, they're the best ones I've had! I mostly come for brunch on the weekends. The coffee is great (I say that as someone who usually drinks only fancy coffee). I really enjoy the chilaquiles, omelette, and French toast. The croque madame is tasty but it's a little too messy for me. The greens and breakfast potatoes that come as sides for many of the breakfast dishes are a nice addition. I rarely come here for lunch or dinner, but the Brussels sprouts salad is fantastic, especially if you add salmon!

Fish fry was very good and a nice portion of fish I had wallleye and partner had cod Both delicious, but I would like a side other than fries if possible

We were here on a Sunday in time for brunch and it was very quiet which I always get nervous about, but it seemed the whole town was quiet. We came for the cheese curds and we're not disappointed. They were light and flavorful and the dipping sauce was complimentary. We weren't starved so we split a breakfast BLT as well which was good, nothing revolutionary, but isn't that kind of what you want with a BLT? They did split the portion onto two plates for us so my half did not get any runny egg (just the fried whites) which I do think would have made it better. The potatoes though were absolutely fantastic. My only real complaint was that I ordered two separate soft drinks which both tasted like unclean lines so I didn't enjoy that, but my partner had a beer he enjoyed that tasted good. Our server was very kind and attentive. Overall would recommend stopping.

Service was OK, friendly staff. I enjoyed my meal (Turkey club with sweet potato fries), but everyone else I was with did not fully enjoy their food, saying something was soggy, inconvenient, or tasted "off".

Heard so many great reviews about this place and finally decided to check it out. We ordered the pretzel appetizer which was smothered in cheese and chives. The combination was nothing I've had before but certainly will have again. Our entrees were the BBQ burger, Angus burger, and cheese burger Mac. The cheese burger Mac was AMAZING, so tasty and came with garlic bread slices on the side. The cheese burgers, especially the BBQ burger, were even better. Criss cross fries were an up charge as the burgers only come with chips or a salad. Broccoli & cheddar soup was honestly one of the bests I've ever had. Overall this was a great find will definitely be coming back to this restaurant.

Craftsman Table is a Middleton must! My partner and I went on a date to Craftsman on a Saturday night. It was his first time there, and my first time back in at least 4 years. We were able to make a reservation just 6 hours before going out to eat. It was a busy night; some high schoolers there for formal, other couples on dates, and families of all ages. Both of us LOVED our meals and the drinks that accompanied. I tried the shredded sirloin sandwich and he had the bbq burger. We each got the pub chips and they were really great - lightly salted and a light crunch! If you are considering trying the cheese curds as an appetizer, I couldn't not recommend them more. They are a bit pricy, but totally worth it as they are sourced by a locally-owned cheese company, Carr Valley Cheese. The Craftsman curds are some of the best in Madison!

Had dinner there last Friday evening with my wife. The inside area was half filled and the patio about the same. We choose the outside patio. Bad choice! The constant roaring of motorcycles and cars without mufflers on the streets made it almost impossible to carry on a conversation. Not the fault of the restaurant. I had the fried chicken sandwich which had a peculiar greasy taste of shortening that was way beyond its life expectancy. Also was disappointed that the draft bees were only high ABV beers. Local favorites like Spotted Cow or even Coors Light were not available on tap. Lastly the service was mediocre at best. Will not be going back

Fantastic service and honestly the pics on this Yelp page don't do it justice. Here are some fabulous pictures that I took that are way better than 99% of the pictures on this yelp page. 10/10 would dine again.

Great place for casual dinner with great service and good food. Cheese curds definitely lived up to the billing.

French onion spring rolls amazing! Brussel sprouts toast was sweet and flavorful. Caft burger thick juicy delicious! Sweet potato fries just right ! My dark porter was to die for! The amiance is nice clean and well lit. Service was great. Prices fair. Very highly recommended

A place with decent food but an unfortunate staff member. During our visit last night the server we had rushed us basically out the door. Not only did this server fail to get us our appetizers before our entree but he also failed to bring side plates for a hummus appetizer. I'm not sure I wanted the plates either, he never stopped playing with his hair which should most likely of been in a hair net. Lastly, someone should tell him that rushing a table and failing to fill a water glass is a bad experience.

This is the first time in a long time that I have not given five stars. The Craftsman is always busy, I can see why it's busy the food was good. I expected a little more on the appetizer menu but the burger I had was really super. The service sucked! We sat at the bar which we normally do, the bartender was young but he knew how to sling drinks which is where my four stars come in. We get our food, as soon as the plate is down he ask how is our food?How do I know how the food taste I have not even taken a bite. He did not come back down to us to see if we needed any more drinks unless I waved him over. Actually after serving the other customers, he did not go back to them either. He would respond with yep, then I ask for the check and he just put the bill on the bar and taps his fingers on the bill. The drinks were really really good, the food was great, like I said the bartender was only 20 and he made great drinks just lacked the whole pay attention to the bar too. He did all his dishes, cleaned the counters instead of asking me if I wanted a drink which meant he lost out on more tip money. But go check it out!!

Good outdoor dining experience. Food is delicious and the services was quick. The kids loved their burger and fries. My burger was well cooked and chicken salad was refreshing. The outdoor seating could use some light in the evenings. Definitely will be back again to try other things from the menu.