Mickies Dairy Bar

Awesome local place for a hearty breakfast. The pancakes are huge and the “scramble” was awesome: eggs, cheese, potatos, and your choice of meat. Cash only, but service was fast, frequent and friendly. BTW, the fried potatoes are called “yanks.” Never heard that term before, but if your food is this good for a fair price, you get to call it whatever you want.

Its reputation precedes it. Got a scramble, which was wonderfully huge (yanks = potatoes, btw). Service was nice and fast -- almost too fast. Couldn't finish the toast with the scramble at first, but waitstaff came by with the check -- although I wasn't there anywhere close to an hour, they do have a warning not to spend more than an hour there written somewhere. So, headed out to get out of the way (somewhat subconsciously) and within minutes wished I had eaten the rest of the toast. Oh well. Definitely worth a visit when in Madison.

Me and my husband stopped here for the first time. He got the corn beef scrambler and I got the blueberry pancakes. The portions are amazing, the food superb. The sitting was unique and I can say we will be coming back. Our server was knowledgeable and gave recommendations, which helped us decide. We absolutely will be returning

The food was not good. They were extremely busy but we practically left our entire blt and Philly cheese steak whole. Bacon tasted off. The Philly cheese had little to no flavor even with jalapeños on there. Coffee was okay. Service was great though. Would I recommend it, probably not. But the locals seem to love it.

I had the Scrambler and a Butterscotch Malt. Both were great. The Scrambler is a great portion for its price. This spot is cash only.

Great coffee, good food, and throwback atmosphere--old-school diner style. Plentiful portions. You won't find anything truly healthy here, though--it's all comfort food. Fantastic service. Limited seating and the line to sit gets super long on the weekends, so get there early. Cash only, but they have an ATM inside.

Well- my family loved the cinnamon rolls so much I didn't even get to try one. So....I'll definitely be back! I called so many places looking for icing vs cream cheese frosting (picky dad 🙄) and I FOUND IT HERE! Fresh cinnamon icing on fresh cinnamon rolls. I could tell they were delicious just by looking at them! Yum 😋 my dad use to frequent here often and the food is delicious too! Prices are amazing and the staff could not be better!! Parking is street parking only and it's cash only also. They do have a ATM available for use inside ($1 fee)

I went to Mickies Dairy Bar for brunch and honestly, it was a very disappointing experience. First off, there was a strong and unpleasant smell coming from the restroom—while I was eating. The restroom is located right next to several dining tables, which completely ruins the atmosphere and makes it hard to enjoy your food. Even more frustrating was the lack of modern payment options. In the heart of Madison, I expected basic conveniences like credit card or Apple Pay, but they only accept cash or Venmo.

Service was speedy for how busy it was. Started with the strawberry shake and it was great and flavorful. I got the burger and it was decent, but this place is known for their breakfast such as "The Scrambler". I had some and it was delicious and the serving sizes were very impressive. A great classic place to get a good breakfast meal, although it is popular and might require a wait.

One of the best diners in the city has to be here! I always go for the Scrambler, and this time I added mushrooms, green peppers, pancakes, and sausage. The service is fantastic, and the food is even better! I love the old school ambiance and the wonderful staff!

This place is absolutely wonderful. The food is greatly portioned, the service is always wonderful and I always leave having a great time. I take my friends and family any chance I get. 100% recommend this place for all to try

Excellent service! All in all, no complaints about the food, but doesn't have the "wow" factor of some other brunch places I've been to in Madison. Also cash only is a small inconvenience!

Love this icon in Madison WI right across from Camp Randall Stadium ! This is a must go to place! And, today, on my birthday was the first stop I wanted to make! Food serving is enormous, very generous portions! Prices are wonderful, scrambler with 3 eggs, cheese, onions and pepper $12. FYI- they only take cash! If you are ever in town this is a must stop! And if you are lucky enough to live in Madison, this should be your regular spot!!

Overwhelmed by the menu all at such reasonable prices! I got the strawberry pancakes which were a little soggy under strawberry syrup but still SO soft and cakey! I did not realize how massive the pancakes would be so would definitely only get a single pancake next time and probably not a side as we had way too much leftover from this meal. Service was really quick despite every single seat being full! I would definitely go back but order a very different meal. Great bang for your buck!

It's a breakfast classic. You can't do better than redonkulously huge portion sizes of redonkulously scrummy food for redonkulously cheap prices. TLDR: you'll be coming for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the value you get here.

I was in town for a camp my daughter was attending at the UW fieldhouse. So, I had time to kill. I dropped into Mickies for a late breakfast. I had the griddle cakes which were fantastic and huge. I was eying all the other dishes as well which also looked fantastic. The place itself is small and cozy. I sat at the "bar". Service was friendly and efficient despite how crowded it was. A lot of old school, college charm. The only downside is it seems like you typically will have some sort of wait to get a table. There really is nowhere to wait so most folks are milling about on the sidewalk outside. Also you need to bring cash to pay. I always have cash on hand but I know not everybody does.

Had heard great things about this place as it's been around forever! Maybe my expectations were set a little too high? I definitely like the vibe of Mickies Dairy Bar. It's located right across from Camp Randall and seems to always be busy! They only accept cash but do have an ATM located inside. I ordered the Scrambler and enjoyed it overall. The portions were very large. I personally felt like the amount of cheese was overwhelming (but I guess that's what you get when you eat at a place with 'dairy' in the name). We also got an order of pancakes and no complaints on those! Overall, this was an OK option for breakfast/brunch in Madison and I'm glad we tried it out. Personally, I just didn't see the hype around the food and thought everything was pretty standard!

retro vibe inside but food is kinda mid. classic wisconsin diner experience. you really get your money's worth with the scrambler. it's massive and only $12 ! good spot to come if you're hungover. cash only

What a great place! I have been meaning to come here for so long. I'm glad I finally did. It has a tremendous menu with great prices. There are breakfast, sandwich, and dinner items. The cinnamon rolls and the coffee cakes are yummy! I had one chocolate chip pancake for breakfast with a glass of milk, which cost under $10. There is a huge counter with tables and booths around the outside of the single room. The staff is awesome, and the ambiance is open and friendly. The hours are 6 am to 2:30 and expect it to be busy. The parking is a bit dicey. But if you're lucky, you can score one of the three spots across the street from the front door. But get here. It's worth it!!

There is a line for breakfast on weekends. So I decided to take out.. Coffee malt was really good, thick and creamy. Quantity of the breakfast items was enourmous. I went for scrambler with beef. It came with a lot of potato and cheese. Gravy could have a little bit more flavor. Griddle cake was 2 pancakes. Each pancake was really huge.

Unique whole-in-the-wall location with history of serving Madison. No reservations, just join the quickly moving line on the sidewalk. Accepts cash only and has ATM on site. Quality breakfast items with plenty of selection. Large portions. Recommend and would return.

Food was delicious Loved it so much, I ate there twice during my 6 day stay in the area

One of my favorite breakfast/brunch places in Madison so far! It's a cute diner with a wide variety of food options. There was a 10-15min wait, but it was well worth it. I got the scrambler (includes yanks, eggs, toast, etc) and absolutely loved it. It was delicious, quite a large portion size (you will have leftovers), and reasonably priced ($12 before tax & tip). They only accept cash but do have an ATM inside for convenience.

This diner has all the ambiance expected from a small town diner. It's family friendly and filled with smiling faces. The decor felt very Wisconsin breakfast diner which was great considering that's exactly where I was. The server was very helpful and had a great attitude. I ordered the Denver omelette and it was on point. The egg itself looked a little over cooked, but it was light and fluffy on the inside. The veggies and ham in the omelette were sliced to the perfect size and there was plenty of both veggies and meat inside my omelette. Everything had a healthy portion of cheese on it, just as I would expect at a Wisconsin diner. The cheddar and grilled onion covered hash browns were out of this world, and one of the highlights of the meal. The bread was good too. Overall I was very pleased with my experience at Mickies which is why I would definitely recommend that you check them out!

Food is delicious! Always more than a full serving! Love the vibe. Bring cash. There may be a line during busy event days. Always with the wait!

Classic diner food. Large portions. The ambience is pretty standard for a diner. Busy but cozy, the food didn't have that much flavor. Server was a little rude but it was busy.

A staple in the madison diner scene, this place is a gem. Be prepared to wait outside in a long line (worth the wait) as Camp Randall stadium looms across the street. There is no diner in town that rivals Mickeys Dairy Bar. It has the classic diner decor and big, old school menus hang from the walls. The portions are ginormous and the prices are reasonable. The classic dish served here is without a doubt the Scrambler - a mountain of egg, cheese, meat, veggies and fried potatoes smothered in gravy. You will need a wheelchair if you're able to finish that (good luck). The pancake(s) are as big as your head and one alone could serve as a meal. The service is great, the atmosphere can't be beat and the location is in walking distance to Camp Randall and other shops, bars and restaurants along Monroe/Regent St. This is a must stop if you are looking for awesome food in a no frills, classic diner!

So darn cute! Atmosphere full of nostalgia and tradition. Service was super quick and friendly. The yanks and omelets were phenomenal. We can't wait to go back.

One of Madison's favorite breakfast spots. It's both inexpensive and pretty decent. Expect wait times when you here. Would recommend.

Ordered take out (only my second time). Got back to worn and was given the wrong order. When I called they said "Yeah sorry we wrote the wrong thing on the slip" But they charged me for what I ordered. When I pushed back they said I could come back in for some money back (if I insisted). The difference in price between what I ordered and what I got was $8, but they would only give me $3 back since I "did get my fries." Fries were inedible, way overcooked, coke and hard. Most likely I won't return and will definitely not recommend.

The amount of food for the price is amazing. Small diner set back in the 50s and only cash make this an affordable breakfast spot. Portions are huge so maybe share? The gravy they make is so good to put on anything.

This is a Madison institution! Bring cash and prepare to wait in line, but it will all be worth it! I was super impressed with the pancakes! Large and fluffy with some fun toppings like strawberry. So good! The eggs were well prepared diner style. They had a funny name for their breakfast potatoes but still tasty. There was something called the scrambler served with gravy! Looked amazing, but might take more than one person to finish it! Definitely check out this historic diner if you're ever near Camp Randall Stadium. You have to go!

We went to the Mickies Dairy Bar recently for the first time to have food, drinks and dessert and it was all nice.

Super cute old dive bar. Very large portions at a great price. Perfect for sharing with a friend!

It took our college attending daughter to get us to Mickies 8 years ago and we just went back. The atmosphere is so charming and the portions huge!!! Love the blueberry pancakes, mine will make 4 breakfasts!!!

Very solid meal comparing to other diners I have been to. Got the cherry milkshake which was made right in front of us behind the counter and apple cinnamon pancakes and the Reuben omelette. Nothing blew me away but again very solid food compared to other diners. This place is worth going to just given the nostalgia of the interior of the place. The diner still has old-school aesthetics that make you feel like you are eating in a 1930s-1950s era diner. Old school booths that wrap around a long counter with servers taking your order behind the counter. The one thing to note for those that don't carry cash is that the restaurant only accepts cash. There is an ATM nearby though which helps.

It's alright. Went on a gameday so had to wait a while, but that was expected. French toast was just fine. Be sure to bring cash!

Mickies was excellent. So much awesome that if you don't get there early there will likely be a lot of people there to get some of it. Plates were large and hearty

This is a true gem and has been for decades!! My personal favorite is the Scrambler. Ask for the gravy on the side, I never end up using it myself. Have them make the yanks extra crispy in it as well. Delicious!! And don't miss out on their blueberry coffee cake!! It's so good I've looked for recipes for it on line as I now live in Michigan. Luckily, our son is starting his schooling there and it goes without saying we will be eating here every visit!!

Food has no flavor. Was so excited to try this place. Good prices but very disappointed in the food and service. I will not be going back

Probably my favorite breakfast place in Madison! Nothing fancy, but way more delicious than a lot sf the fancy brunch spots. They have a great mom and pop feel, great prices, great portions, and incredibly friendly staff!

Had an omelet, yanks and a blueberry pancake, Fantastic food and service by Brenna and owner Shea!

If you're wondering where your past went, look no further than Mickie's Dairy Bar. You taste buddies will delight in their memories of the service and pride of history. Enjoy!

Can't give a 5 star because of the lack of parking and long wait lines but good and nostalgia is this place's bread and butter. Parking: you will have to find and pay for street parking which can be hard being across from Camp Randall Wait: the lines are always put the door to eat here so come with time to get a table Ambiance: the place is full and waitstaff are bustling so it's definitely a happening place with tight space for moving around. Not quite an intimate setting. The place is very 1950s style which gives nostalgic feel. Food: be prepared to get large portions. I recommend sharing unless you have a big appetite. You definitely get the bang for your buck. It was good food. Different style on breakfast so it was regular tasting. It wasn't outstanding but it was good! Overall, if you have the time, I'd recommend trying this place out at least once.

Great place for breakfast. We went right before a game and it was crowded but service was still amazing. This place is so cute and old fashioned. Highly recommend for a great breakfast with lots of verity. Can't wait to be back!

We are about six hours post-visit to Mickies Dairy Bar and I'm still full. Seriously. Bring cash and an empty stomach. If you are able to fast the day before you visit, I recommend that. The portion sizes are huge. The great news is that everything was tasty. Our party of five ate and ate our brunch choices and then passed all the dishes around the table and tried everyone's food. Highlights- the Reuben sandwich, which caused the orderer to say it was the best Reuben they ever had. The strawberry pancakes were gorgeous and covered in strawberries with whipped cream on top. The Griddle Cakes were full of cinnamon and raisin goodness. I would recommend only if you are a raisin lover. The Reuben omelet was delicious, and eventually consumed as it moved around our table. The blueberry pancakes were loaded with blueberries, and I liked them the best of our choices. The pancakes are served in two's, were dinner plate sized, and thick. If you opt for only one pancake you only save one dollar- so I'd recommend the full order and sharing. Our group of five likely could have shared three meal choices and still walked away full. As it was, we waddled away incredibly stuffed. Remember- empty stomach and CASH (no credit cards accepted).

This place is excellent. The line outside went super quick and service was great. The food is delicious and portions are huge. Highly recommend. It's loud but comfortable inside. Feels like you're in your grandmas kitchen in the best

Great atmosphere and prices! Visits: 10 Recommendations: the scrambler, chocolate chip pancakes

One of the best diners I have been to! The food was amazing! I got the skillet as I heard that was the thing to get and it did not disappoint. It was HUGE and I had to take it home but it was so worth it! I also go a milkshake as it is a dairy bar and that was also phenomenal. I have nothing but good things to say about their menu items and staff. If you are interested in going, please keep in mind that there isn't a lot of seating in there and they do not take reservations! They accommodate seating as best and fast as they can which is nice.

This iconic restaurant is a must! I haven't been to this place in awhile so it was great to visit again. Love this place for breakfast because it's always delicious! They serve the best breakfast potatoes aka yanks in my opinion. Reasonable prices, large amount of food given, and cash only, but there is an ATM available. Visit this spot on your next breakfast adventure in Madison.

All I can say is holy portion sizes! Everything is super huge, and DELICIOUS! I ordered a banana walnut pancake (1) with two eggs over medium and a side of bacon. I could not finish my pancake! Husband had a scramble and the kids had the kids pancake dish. Chocolate chip pancakes were a hit!

What a delightful place. Both the employees of the establishment were so nice and helpful and the food was just delicious. When I add on the prices it's a triple hit! We waited outside in a line for about 20 min and then they attempted to sit us in a booth. I say attempted because we smashed ourselves in but the last person we were with simply did not fit in the booth. He happens to be a big guy, over 6'2" and he is big in stature too. We ended up having to go back in line and then they seat us at a table. Then we had an adorable waiter with sleeves on both arms. He was so pleasant and easy to look at. We all ordered and everyone enjoyed their meal. We had the cinnamon roll French toast, the Scrambler with mushrooms and onions along with many cups of hot coffee. Our friends loved the pancakes that came with the meal that were really delicious!!! Just a good experience all around!'

The atmosphere at Micky's remind me of a old school diner. Whatever apatite you come there with, you will leave satisfied with not only a full tummy but also knowing that "you got what you pay for" because the portion sizes are great! We picked up the "Scrambler" but before hand, I was advised that the portion size will feed two. Well they were not kidding. Two people can eat off the Scrambler and we still had some left over. The potatoes skins and crunchy bacon bits were fried perfectly which added depth to the dish. However, if I order again I would not add the cheddar cheese. It was too overtaking. The gravy on top added enough flavor and creaminess. We also ordered the "French Toast". I have had many of french toast meals but this has got to be one of the best. The cinnamon was not over powering and what really got me was the rolls. Unlike other meals that come with slice bread, this dish has cinnamon rolls and not the large slices of bread or Texas toast (smothered with powdered sugar). This definitely became a staple for me when I'll visit again.

Beautiul 70-year-oldd restaurant and truly great breakfast. The cornmeal pancake (one is plenty) with butter and maple syrup was more delicious than I could have imagined. And it's perhaps the only restaurant where I feel comfortable ordering a strawberry malt as part of my morning meal.

This place is hands down my favorite sweet spot. Nothing beats a straight forward breakfast menu, cooked perfectly and generous portions. I look forward to every weekend simply because of their blueberry pancakes (which are a beast of a serving). Their portions can easily be split up & shared. I joke every time I order a scrambler that you can feed a family of four with one order. Support local - eat BIG - streeeeeetch your dollar!

Great breakfast! Fast and courteous service. Nice twists on breakfast classics. Will definitely be returning!

Good spot. Obvious by the long line! But the owner was quick to get people seated and explain estimated wait. Couldn't have been nicer! Food was good. What you want from a breakfast spot like this. The portions were so large I think I had enough for four meals. Cash only so come prepared or use their atm. Wish we could've tried a milkshake but too full!