Dotty Dumpling's Dowry

Was a little tough finding street parking on a Friday in middle of December but we found a metered spot after a little looking. The decor of this restaurant along with the atmosphere were very inviting with lots of historical items from the city on the walls which I always love. Service was fast and friendly without being too much which we appreciate very much. I chose the pub burger with a side of the coleslaw and that decision was proven to be perfect. They do their coleslaw in house and definitely had the unique twist on it with finely shredded cabbage and veggies. The burger was exceptionally perfect on the juiciness factor and that garlic sauce on it absolutely enhanced the flavor beyond comprehension. We'd love to come dine here again!

This is the spot. It is worth the hype. Being the best burger in Madison is clear. Strong contender for the best burger anywhere. It helps that service is always awesome, beer is great, inviting atmosphere, and the list goes on.

Started with the fried mushrooms, then got the turkey burger + sweet potato fries. The BEST burger anywhere hands down. I can't describe how amazing it was, you just need to try it for yourself! Also the sauces were on point. Awesome beer selection, our fave was the Spotted Cow -- crisp, refreshing and light enough to enjoy with our meal. Service was so friendly and super attentive. 20/10 experience 👌

We ordered Melting Pot- and Veggie- burgers, along with drinks and an appetizer of Mac & Cheese Wedges. Everything tasted good, but we found the portion of Mac & Cheese Wedges to be a little too small for the price. The restaurant was busy for a weekday afternoon, so we had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. Service was ok.

Tried this burger spot and really enjoyed it! 🍔 -The “Cheese Curds” were a hit—crispy and tasty. - My husband had the “Heart Throb Burger”, a spicy combo with Pepper Jack cheese (minus smoked bacon) and their signature Heart Throb Sauce—he loved it, especially the sauce! - I went for the “Homemade Spicy Veggie Burger”, the bean patty was flavorful, though not spicy to me. I also added grilled onions, tomatoes and lettuce to my burger. The Baja sauce was a bit light, so I added their English Garlic sauce—which was absolutely yum! Definitely a must-try!

Stopped in to DDD on Friday for lunch with my girlfriend. It was her first time and I hadn’t been there in years as I moved away. The atmosphere in this restaurant is so cozy and eclectic. I felt right at home and as if I had stepped back into the 1950s, in a good way. The decor is definitely a feast for the eyes and you will always see something you didn’t the last time you came. Our beers and food were great. The only minor issue was I asked for ketchup and mayo on my burger and for ketchup and mustard. No big deal and our waitress gave me a small Cash discount for the mix-up. We will definitely be back.

Pretty good place for a burger and beer. I would note that their burger price does not include fries so it’s gets pretty expensive. A couple beers and fries gets up to $40. Is it a $40 burger…. Probably not but it’s a decent place to eat.

Ordered - Melting pot burger - Buffalo wing - Chips Burger was top-tier. Buffalo wings were bit sour and salty but overall yummy. The amount was little less than becoming full for two adults. It's best to order a burger for each and one or two shareables.

If you're in Madison and want a burger- Dotty Dumplings is the place to go! Their burgers are cooked perfectly and are absolutely delicious! The restaurant is adorned with really cool decorations so make sure you wander around! The staff are super friendly too!

It has been a long time since my first review of Dotty's so its time for an update. Since moving back to town over six years ago we have been to Dotty's on many occasions. We still love the atmosphere and the interior decor. Their old fashions and blood Marys are still top notch. The food continues to be solid but ever since covid there prices have zoomed up. I know inflation is high especially for beef but compared to other places their prices seem disproportionately higher. On top of that the burgers seem smaller and you don't get a side and the sides are pricey. $4.40 for coleslaw??? We will likely not be visiting quite as frequently which is too bad since this was a favorite in college when they were on Regent.

This small dive bar was a great experience for our first time in Madison. Such a cute place + they had the Badger game on. The parking was a nightmare, we parked a few blocks away and walked. Service was good, waitress was attentive. They do ask on game days for a max one hour at the table. The burgers were really good! Slightly too pink for my liking (I usually like medium, but it was more medium rare). The sampler basket was fine, nothing special. Definitely not worth $16. The jambalaya is more gumbo like, but was probably my favorite thing! Spicy, seasoned perfectly, very tasty! We'd definitely be back for the burgers!

No dumplings found here! This place was highly recommended for their cheese curds and we were definitely not disappointed. We ordered their sampler platter and a couple of burgers. I loved the cheese curds and fried mushrooms. I could eat them al day! My burger was a little on the bland side for me but it was really juicy. Our waitress was new on the job (forgot her name) but she was very friendly and made some great recommendations for beer. Loved the Spotted Cow! The music that was playing was great and not too loud so that we can still carry on a conversation. Also loved the history of this place.

First time here! Looking for more burger hot spots now that DLux is closed. We all really enjoyed everything. Came down for dinner on a Wednesday night before a show at the Orpheum and we didn't have to wait at all. The server was super friendly and just the right level of attentive! We all tried different burgers and we all agreed that they are good. Some of us favored it over Settle Down, some of us not so much. I think if they toasted the bun that would take it up just another notch and do tend to agree that the burger itself is just a smidge on the bland side but the fixings pull it all together. The Buffalo fries are fantastic. Bring a sweater, it was a smidge cold with the air blowing down. Great neighborhood bar and eatery and once again proves why Madison is such a great place to be a foodie.

My husband and I stopped here on a drive to South Dakota to pick up our new puppy about a month ago. It is in Madison which is such a fun city! We loved the name and were not mad when we realized it does not actually serve dumplings, haha! We each had the Wisconsin brat which you could never go wrong with! The sauerkraut on it was delicious too! The staff were all super friendly! There is also a lot of cool college sports memorabilia on the walls too! Definitely worth checking out if you're in Madison & need an easy bite!

If you're looking for a fantastic burger, come to Dotty!!!! Best burger I've had in a long time. They have a great kids menu and I appreciate any place that provides crayons, Wikki stix and oyster crackers for the kiddos. My daughter got the chicken strips and fries w/ranch. The ranch was so good. I got the Runnelstone burger and my husband got the heart throb burger. They both had a special sauce on it that was so so so good! Will def be back for more burgers and the spreechers root beer float!

So obsessed with Dottys I came here twice during my visit - and they remembered me from my first visit! Service at table or bar is awesome. The old vintage feel is very cool, be sure to read about their history! The burgers are SUPER fresh and amazing! I had the classic both times and be sure to get sweet potato fries! Homemade bbq sauce is dynamite too. 12/10 recommend!!

Great ambiance for a burger joint. Super packed but quick service. Food is extremely flavorful and fresh tasting. Would love to try all their special sauces.

Solid downtown burger joint. In the sampler platter, the fried mushrooms were fire. For the burger itself, I thought the patty lacked seasoning on the inside and the house garlic sauce (mayo-based) put the greasiness just slightly over the top. But nonetheless it was an enjoyable burger that I'm glad help up well.

I just love eating here, the food is so good. Meal items I've gotten include the Bacon Truffle Fries, Chili Cheese Fries, Chocolate Shake (2x), Toadstool Burger, Heart Throb Burger; I have not been disappointed yet. Pretty average moderately crowded smaller restaurant with busy staff.

Photos don't do it justice, but the pub burger was fantastic! 6 oz of meat made it the perfect amount without being too much. The onion jam was a great hint of sweet to add to the burger. Good ratio of bread to meat, and the burger was cooked just right! The sweet potato fries were also very good, just a very large portion as they don't come with the burger. Service was friendly and quick on a busy Friday!

Kept seeing this recommendation online so when my partner and I got to madison with an empty stomach, this was our first stop. For starters, we ordered the sample platter (Wisconsin cheese curds, fried mushrooms, fried mac and cheese bites, fries, and onion rings) which came with Aioli and ranch. Lived the cheese curds and fried, could've gone without the mushrooms. For my entre, I ordered a classic brat with raw onions and sauerkraut. I'm a brat snob, so I'd give it a 7/10. Could've been a little more charred, but overall good flavor. He ordered the Runnelstone, the restaraunts first specialty burger. Great flavor combinations, good portion. Our service was quick. You can tell the place has been around for a while based on the decor and the overall vibe of the place.

Doggy's is a pretty chill bar and restaurant. We stopped in after a Wisconsin game. Love that it's walking distance to Kohl's Center. I enjoyed the food. We shared a pub burger and the sampler appetizer. I thought the pub burger had a great sauce and the meat was cooked well. I hate that none of the burgers come with fries, so it's honestly really pricey per person once you add a side. The sampler was all things fried, so mushrooms, Mac and cheese, cheese curds, fries and onion rings. The cheese curds were great. The Mac and cheese bites were interesting because I think it's just Kraft Mac and cheese (but I didn't mind because it tasted nostalgic)! Overall and good stop if you're looking for pub food.

I would say my true rating is a 3.5/5. The food overall is kind of just meh. It's nothing to crazy an expected burger but definitely not the hype I was expecting. I think also the fact that the burger doesn't come with fries is a turn off, I would rather you just mark the price up to total with fries. We also tried the sampler and the fries to me just had no seasoning or flavor just regular fries. I think the service was ok nothing too crazy either as he never really checked on us after we got our food. They were also not busy that night but they are close to kohls center so I assume they can get busier.

Love this place! Great vibe with cool airplanes all around the joint. Service was wonderful. Food was very tasty. Delicious, fresh burgers, lots of beer options and kid friendly choices. Very patient with kids and lots of food side dishes. Scrumptious fudge bottom pie. Kids loved the games, puzzles and wikki stixs!

Dotty's is a Madison institution!! And might be my new #1 burger now that Dlux is closed. The food was amazing. Mac n cheese wedges with the housemade ranch never disappoint. My burger was perfectly cooked and the fries were crispy and delicious. My boyfriend did the build your own with allllll the fixins and loved it! Our server was attentive and kind. I love sitting in a cozy booth in the winter. There's such a nostalgia for me at Dotty's as I came here all of the time in college and I'm so glad I made it back!!!

Amazing....for years! Have never had a bad burger. Quaint and quite fine! We love it!

Good ambiance if you like dark Quant Curds were different in a good way Cajun chicken sandwich perfect level of zing

Came here around 1PM on a weekday, and got a booth immediately. Heard the burgers were good and took a hit deciding. Let's just the burger was amazing and juicy, the onion rings were 10/10 perfectly crispy, and I accidentally ordered a boat of pickles for $6..... but they were amazing and homemade. I count it as getting myself those tubs of grillos pickles from the store. My server was quick and friendly. Was a nice environment for me to a bit of work too.

This place is the home of my favorite burgers, yes as in plural. You can't go wrong with any of their burger selections. Today, I went with the Stanley's blue ribbon burger, but with a vegan patty. Their barbecue sauce is so delicious, I always ask for extra. We went during the business time of the lunch hour. We had our water and soda pretty soon after we arrived. The food arrived about 15-20 minutes later. The decor is very 50s inspired with an old movie playing in the background. Very cool vibe. This is on the other side of town for me so it's always a treat to come here.

A long-time, family owned institution known for their burgers... However we were not impressed. Our party had 14 people and we had to be seated separately because none of the tables can be moved. It was not a big deal since we were able to sit in the same area. We divided into two groups and the eight of us shared fried cheese curds, fried mushrooms, spicy hot chili, melting pot burger, fish fry dinner, and Beyond burger. The cheese curds, fried mushrooms, and melting pot burger were standard and nothing to get excited about. The fish fry was actually disappointing because the meat was dry and bland. The best item was definitely the spicy hot chili. It had a ton of ingredients with a good kick. Service was slow even though there were not that many patrons dining in and our server brought us food without plates and utensils. I had to remind her a few times. Another thing to take note of is they charge an additional fee for credit cards. Although we were divided into two groups for seating, we paid together under one bill. Who would carry +$200 in cash?

The atmosphere of the place is leaning heavily into old English pub, of which I think it does well. Seating is limited though, so expect a wait during busier hours and weekends. The drinks did not impress. The Brandy Old Fashioned I had was very poorly mixed. Kudos for not skipping on the spirits, but it did make for a less than optimal drink. The burgers are thick cut, juicy, and loaded with cheese. If that's your thing, this will be one of your better options in the Madison area.

Dotty Dumpling's Dowry is a must-visit food stop. The food is crafted and cooked fresh from local farms and markets, leaving the food very nutritious and also supporting the local business as well. The service was fast and quick despite being fully seated due to the Wisconsin-Bama game recently ending. They have a 1-hour seating limit so that helps the flow significantly. The environment itself is as Wisconsin as you can get. Many local decor and references plastered on the wall and of course, lots of cheese references! I highly recommend stopping by if you get the chance!

Came here spontaneously on a Saturday midday. Started off with the cheese curds, desperately craving them. To be honest, they were meh to me, 3/5. to eat, my partner and I split the melting pot burger and the Pub burger. The melting pot was very underwhelming--the cheese wasn't even melted all the way and barely tasted the English garlic sauce. still decent. The pub burger was my favorite, the aioli was delicious. I'd get that one next time. For a large fries to share--the burger doesn't come with sides which is quite unexpected for a burger spot imo. Ambiance was cool, lots of stuff on the walls to look at Service was good My final eating would be 3.5/5 but I rounded up. Is still come back

Cute little spot in Madison! I was visiting from out of town and wanted to get my hands on cheese curds, so I hopped on Yelp to find a close spot and fell onto this one. I loved the ambience when I went into this spot with all the airplanes and cool decor. I loved it since I am in the aviation industry, so 5 stars for decor. I opted for take out...and there was a bit of a wait but the server was super friendly and asked if I wanted a drink while waiting so service here is wonderful! Now the food...it was delicious! The cheese curds are a musy...I mean, it's Wisconsin and the Homemade Spicy Veggie burger was filling and flavorful. All in all...good local spot!

The service is good, the beer is good, however the food is very overrated. We had a few different burgers and there was no flavor. We had to pay for extra garlic sauce to make it edible. The fried cod sandwich had a one strip of cod that only covered 1/3 of the bun. I wouldn't go back.

This place has been OVERATED for the last 50 years. I don't know who thinks this place is so good .The burgers are mediocre at best, you could probably find better at Culver's. My server looked so stoned they probably didn't even know what year it was. It's time they shut there place down.

Great establishment! I came here with only the best of company and I was impressed at the great customer service that we received. We first ordered deep fried pickles and they came out a little bit on the over cooked side. Without having to ask our waitress for another batch, we were immediately given a fresh batch at no extra cost. Our new batch was absolutely delicious and went well with our flight of beers. We ordered chili and classic jambalaya which were both extremely flavorful and good tasting. The chili was hearty and was well seasoned. The classic jambalaya was very well seasoned and had the perfect amount of sausage in it. Overall, great experience visiting here. It is clear to see that this place values integrity which is displayed throughout their food and customer service. Kudos, we will definitely be coming back for more.

Great food, efficient service! Lovely atmosphere. A Madison classic! Definitely on the list to come back to.

One of the most solid places in Madison for a burger! Every time I come here the burger never misses. Consistent quality is key. And the service is always good, too. We got: Stanley's blue ribbon- barbecue sauce goodness Toadstool-I'm a big fan of mushrooms, so this hit the spot

Dotty's is one of the best burger places in Madison! Their sweet potato fries are addicting! They have great drinks and shakes. The vibes are always good and service has been amazing every time. Great for takeout too, ready within 25 min no matter the time.

I took out dinner from here on a Friday evening. The place was very lively. Had I tried dine in, there would have been a wait. As it is friday, I went for the special fish fry. It was good. The melting pot burger was really good as well.

Great burgers. Great food. Service is quick, efficient, and kind. The atmosphere transports you straight into a classic pub. Not a single bad thing on the menu. Truffle fries are the way to go for an appetizer!

Dotty's was great. There was a 20 minute wait so we sat down at the bar and had a cocktail and beer. Service was excellent and place was cool. We had chili, the alumni burger and the melting pot burger. Total with tax was about $70. I'll be back.

Best burger I've ever had! Fun to see western movies on all of the TVs until a sporting event was on then basketball was the show of choice. Get there early because there will be a wait and it could be long! But boy is it worth it! My college kid and I shared the sampler...fried everything...mushrooms, cheese curds, mac and cheese bites, onion rings, and fries. So good! Then I got the Toadstool, a typical mushroom/cheese burger. The burger was cooked well with the perfect flavors of smoke and savory. Freshest bun ever! Perfect combination of everything! Chef's kiss! I just had to ask for more napkins because it was a bit messy. Fun, eclectic spot for great burgers! I'm still a bit disappointed that they do not in fact serve any kind of dumplings sadly. But the burgers make up for it! Definitely a Madison institution!

I am very upset at this Dotty's. First off why is dumpling in your name if you don't serve dumplings? I ordered a FRIED cajun chicken sandwich and proceeded to be handed a GRILLED chicken sandwich. I finally received my fried chicken sandwhich and it was horribly mid. I am very disappointed in this especially because of all these great reviews. DO NOT COME HERE!!!

Great place Visiting from SAN JOSE CAFIFORNIA had the melting pot, cheese curds, and a beer called Spotted Cow with had Great taste. But the important thing is the service by Manda. She is on point withe food asking if you need anything else asking how the food is great servservice highly recommend this place and Manda as a server. Than you

Grrat food tried the Melting Pot the cheese curds and a beer called the Spotted Cow good beer good food. Visiting from San Jose Californi. Service was great by Manda highly recomend. Great place

Really cool decor and atmosphere. Waitress was excellent!! Accommodated our group of 4 plus an infant without any problems. Food was excellent!! Be it the cheese curds, sampler platter, or burgers and fish and chips. All were excellent at a fair price. We will definitely return!!

Fantastic burgers, lots of beers to choose from, friendly service, and cool vibe - need I say more? The food at Dotty's is consistently top notch, but I especially recommend their burgers, their fried cheese curds, and their pickles (fried or regular).

Beware: They over promise the wait time and you end up late for your sporting event, concert, etc. The hostesses huddle behind the desk instead of helping to make tables available. Food has become mediocre for basic bar food.

I've eaten here a few times over the past 30 years, and the food was always very good. Unfortunately, no more than average this time. Not bad, but nothing to really recommend or get excited about. Burgers seem a lot smaller than they used to be. I don't particularly mind that (don't need a huge burger anyway). But the taste of both my and hubby's burgers was just... nothing special. Not bad but I've had much more tasty meat and prep at several places in Northern WI (e.g., SLO's Pub in Woodruff WI--great burgers & fries!). The fries at DD's (we got the regular crinkle cut) were a good sized order to share but, again, just average. Server was pleasant but slow and a bit difficult to get her attention. Again, not bad but nothing special either. And the music was way too loud. Playing classic rock (60s, 70s) was great but no need to blast it, especially at 12:30pm on a Tuesday. Finally, I understand that many establishments are running on a thin profit margin but I really don't like the tactic of charging an additional fee for using a credit card. Sorry, it's not 'giving a break to our customers who pay cash'--it's charging more for using credit. Overall average, no better, and not the really tasty lunch experience we were hoping for.

Great service and amazing food! Definitely a stop for lunch or dinner!! Burgers were cooked to order and very tasty!

A UW madison staple-we arrived about 7:30 pm on a Friday night and waited maybe 10 minutes at the bar. We ordered two old fashioneds which were pretty good, nothing spectacular. They have a good sized tap list as well. We enjoyed a burger and black bean burger as well as the cheese curds. Their curds are phenomenal. Husband loved the burger. The black bean burger was kind of bland probably wouldn't order again. Of note, their burgers don't come with sides therefore the pricing is slightly above average. They also tack on a fee for credit cards so cash is preferred. Overall it's a cool spot for those that want a burger (vegan and vegetarian options included). The best part about our evening was our waiter, Harrison. He was so attentive and sweet! Made our experience great.

Great costumer service at forty's dumplings dowry! I enjoyed a cup of chili and we had pickles, fries and two of the burgers! The restaurant had a great vibe with great waiters, and great music which was a plus! I would rate this place a 8/10 for service and location and a 7.3/10 for the food quality. It wasn't the best I have had but it was definitely nowhere near the worst! Definitely recommend coming with friends and family.

We went before a UW game. It was packed, but we found a booth. The servers were friendly and attentive despite the crowd. I was asked how I wanted it prepared, but my Black & Bleu burger was not moist or juicy. It just wasn't a burger to make me drool. All the items in this burger didn't seem to 'marry' together. It wasn't the great burger I was anticipating. The fries were also somewhat dry and maybe over-fried. This was only my first time here, so I try not to pass judgement. I will go again and see if I get a burger worthy of their neon signs.

Love, Live, Love Best Burgers I've ever had!!! I been eating here sine I was a teenager and come back Every time I'm in town

Fantastic burger. Medium well but a charred. Should've ordered a double. One of the better bloody Maria's I've had in a min. Feisty college waitress. Borderline rude but more sarcastic. Must have to be if she works at a Badger staple for college kids.