Villa Tap

Local spot, no frills, super nice service. I went for the Friday fish fry and had the walleye. It was really good! Crispy breading and fish was moist and tender. Surprisingly good Coleslaw. Also came with baked potato and a roll. Good value!

Favorite fish fry in town. Ordering may feel foreign on your first visit, but the bar is really helpful. Order after you find a table.

This spot is precisely what you expect, although the parking lot seems to hold more cars than the bar holds people. I'm not doing the math right, maybe. Very friendly bartenders with lots of beers on tap. I learned the pro tip later to order your fish fry in advance so it's ready when you show up. We were too late for walleye - next time, but the code had a lot of flavor and was crispy on the outside and tender inside - chef's kiss. The perch had more texture, but also delightful and more subtle flavor. We need a second helping

Some of the best bar food in Madison! Perfect lunch spot. The waitress was working at breakneck speed and was super nice. Chico is a really friendly guy!

My son tipped me off to this place. I’ve been to the Villa. Years ago. I’ve never eaten there UNTIL last Saturday, 10/5. That was possibly the best burger me and my boyfriend have ever eaten. So juicy and flavorful! Also, the mozz sticks were awesome and the honey mustard was right up there with Perkins! When I called the order in, it was loud. And I kept apologizing to the order taker because I couldn’t hear and he was sooooo nice. Any other place, I feel would have been annoyed. AWESOME!!! Also, Chico - my son thinks you’re a great guy and owner.

The fish fry is fantastic. It is very busy on Friday, so be prepared to wait, but it is worth it if you’re looking for a WI classic.

Great Madison dive bar w a stellar Friday fish fry. Couple of notes: 1. call ahead to order and they’ll tell you when to show up. 2. The baked potato is the way to go. 3. The perch is better than you’d think.

My first time there and I'll be back. Got the fish fry to go. Perch dinner with fries and Walleye dinner with a baked potato. Everything was cooked perfectly. Everything tasted delicious.

Chico's Villa Tap: holy Wisconsin Friday Fish Fry - *amazing*, went with Lake Perch, but I don't imagine there's an incorrect choice. Madison, Wisc. friendly service & sensibility. Aside from a few flat-screen TVs, it'd be hard to tell what year (or decade) is it inside - timeless. This is an outstanding bar-based fish fry, give it a try.

There is a lot of hype about the fish fry here and it's all true. It's a cozy neighborhood bar with friendly staff and patrons. There was a couple in their 60s next to us and the wife said she had been coming here since she was 6 and it hasn't changed. I got the walleye and my wife got the lake perch. The breading was very flavorful and the meat was savory. Perfectly fried. On a separate occasion I've gotten onion rings here and they were the same quality. Also, the onions don't slide out when you bite into them - one of my pet peeves with onion rings . 100% would recommend this place!

Opted for a bacon cheeseburger with Nueskes bacon on it for dinner tonight! The special was only $13.99, a steal! Plenty of parking in the parking lot, amazing friendly bartenders and the food came out fast! Another great meal at Villa!

One of the best fish fry's in Madison! Love that they offer the full menu at lunch too. We grabbed a mid day Bloody Mary and meal, shocked it was so busy. We've been going there for years on Friday nights, but never thought to go for lunch. The atmosphere is cozy and understated. The bartenders do a great job keeping up and you can often find the owner cooking. This one will be on our rotation for a long time.

Great food. Nice people! Great food, nice people. This is the stupidest app. All I want to say that the food is good and the people are nice but this STUPID app needs 85 letters or some damn thing. Once again...! Good food, nice people!!!!

Ohhh boy!! This place lives up to the HYPE. Best fish fry in Madison you say? Well, I can attest to it, as I have been to over 25 restaurants in Madison for their fish fry and it ties for first depending on the mood. If you are looking for a good old fashioned wisconsin bar, order at the bar, cash preferred experience. This is the spot for you. For the fish fry you can call ahead and place your order, but the real challenge is finding a seat. They recommend you come about 30-45 minutes before to wait out a table or early, like before 530 to grab a space. When you come in, place your order at the bar- drink and food, but make sure you grab a. Seat first because they need to know where to deliver it. As mentioned cash is preferred but they will take a cc down to hold the tab. The old fashioned was classic, perfectly balanced. And have you the choice of a topping! But really let's get to the food, we got cheese curds which were great, def 8.5/10 status but the star is the fish fry. We got perch and walleye and mmhmmm goooddd. We were so happy and satisfied. The fish was fresh, moist, juicy and the breading was light but super jam packed with flavor. You get a bread roll, coleslaw and whole plate of fries with your meal. I will say the fries could be better, crispier and more seasoned but the fish steals it for me. And their tartar sauce was some tang to it which I love. I am a fan of this spot and would love to come and sit at the bar or grab a booth with friends, so I'll be back and def for the fish fry! Happy eating!

Fantastic food and unbeatable service. I order carry out from here and I've never received such friendly service on a carry out order from any other place. The cook always greets me, bartender even offers me water while I wait. What other place does that?? Their food is top notch. They have a charcoal grill so everything has a good "backyard barbecue" kinda flavor. Love the vintage ambience too.

After years of torturous temptation every-time I drove down the street on Fridays and smelled that buttery goodness. I was beyond ready to try their Friday fish fry. Staff is friendly, you CAN order your dish ahead of time for pickup. The fish is perfectly cooked, super crispy with a crunchy batter and served with lemon. The fish is superb and confirms everything the smells were relaying!

Terrific bar Friday Fish Fry! The walleye was meaty, tasty, moist- breading crisp and flavorful. The cole slaw and tartar sauce were both exceptional. A good sized baked potato, and roll rounded out this delicious fish fry. And great service!

Hands down - the BEST fish fry in Madison. Not only is it the best, we also find it to be the most reasonably priced. The staff are such gems. It is evident Chico (the owner) cares deeply about both his employees and customers. We've been coming here for years, and whenever we stray away for a different fish fry we always regret it. The setup of ordering and getting your food is a littler different than most places. You order when you walk in (if you're seated at a table) and there is very little table service. Don't let that deter you. If you're a smaller party I highly recommend eating at the bar.

I used to enjoy coming here from time to time, until I overheard the owner telling another patron he purposefully serves undercooked chicken to patrons he doesn't like. I'm pretty sure he was joking but certain things you don't joke about! The ambiance is that of a typical dive bar. Overall the food is overhyped and mediocre at best. Fish fry is ok if you don't mind waiting over an hour.

Fish fry and jumbo shrimp!!! Amazing! The service is fantastic and the place is really cool. Definitely will stop in again. They have a pool table and a few other lotto games.

Best bar in Madison. Chico makes everyone happy! Don't miss out on the Friday fish. Go Early!

Another Friday, another great fish fry! This local hidden gem isn't so hidden! Right off Packers Ave- you can find Villa Tap. If you're stopping by for fish fry, you'll need to call earlier in the week to place your order. You pick a time and give your order. Show up 30+ minutes early, grab a drink and keep an eye out for a table to open. It's first come for tables and bar seating. Once you find a spot, you'll let the bartender know where you ended up and the food will be brought out during your designated time. We got cheese curds, the walleye dinner with baked potato and cod dinner with fries. The cheese curds were good, typical bar food, but great nonetheless. They come with a dill ranch- which I loved. Walleye dinner stole the show, it was perfectly breaded and cooked, the baked potato, coleslaw and roll were also great. We would come back for this!! The cod was also yummy, the breading has an interesting flavor, almost a light cinnamon taste- it's unique and good! The fries were crispy and hot. Everyone was super kind and the drinks were strong!

I'm always on the hunt for a good fish fry, and after seeing all the raving reviews for Villa Tap, I decided to stop by last Friday for takeout. I called at ~4:30pm to place an order and was told the earliest I could do a pickup was at 7:30pm! Wow, these guys must be popular. We ordered 2 bluegills and a walleye dinner, with fries and a baked potato. The total came to $45 before tip, which I think was a great deal, given how much food we got. Both the bluegill and walleye tasted great. The batter on the bluegill was a little salty, and I personally found the walleye to be a little "fishy", but this fish fry was still probably one of the best ones I've ever had. My boyfriend said the "fishiness" of the walleye was very nostalgic and reminded him of the fresh lake bluegill that his family would catch and grill, rather than a rotten "fishiness". The sides were fantastic as well! The fries were perfectly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and came in heaps! The leftover fries from two fish fry dinners ended up being my whole dinner the next day. The coleslaw was also pretty good - cabbage was still very fresh and seasoned well but a little watery. I would definitely pass on their standard dinner roll though - pretty dense, flavorless, and not the standard rye bread that comes with a good Wisconsin fish fry. Lastly, the only person we interacted with was John - on the phone and through curbside pickup. Villa Tap better keep him around because he is a hoot! If you call the restaurant and find yourself enjoying talking to whoever's on the phone, I'd bet you're talking to John. He was very friendly and attentive and regularly updated us on our order when we showed up 15 minutes early. Can't wait to go back!

Excellent fish and shrimp. The best neighborhood bar on the north side of Madison. Great owner and bar tenders.

Best fish fry in Madison. I have yet to find anything better. The deep fried shrimp is absolutely over the top and they are huge. The staff is amazing than the old fashions are always flowing. We go at least 1 to 3 times per month. I heard that their other food items are great as well particularly the steak sandwich.

The comments, crowds, and wait time did not let down how amazing the fish fry is here! It was really impressive to see the teams routine and process as what seemed was hundreds of togo and dine in orders were being pushed out. The regular menu looks great as well. We will be going back often I feel. Best luck I've had at pull tabs in a while too! This is a neighborhood gem!

Nice takeout fish fry on Fridays. Three big pieces of Cod with a baked potato and slaw. Curbside pick up. Very busy on Fridays but if you stick to the time you have been assigned things go smoothly. Call early in the week because they general sell out. They close at eight.

Good food that's not quite worth the wait on a Friday night. This is definitely a spot that has a huge draw of regulars who make a visit their entire Friday night plan. As first-timers, we were not prepared to wait nearly two hours for a table and another 30 minutes for food. I think the key is either showing up for early-bird hours, our wait until closer to 830/9 PM. When you arrive, make your way back toward the men's room and put your name on the poster board hanging on the back wall of the bar. Be sure to include the number of people in your party. Seating appeared to go in order regardless of table size if they could fit you - we saw a group of three get seated at a six-person booth, and standing right next to the list gave us a pretty good view of the order. We also did see a group get delayed because they put themselves as a party of two but really had 5. Long story short: honesty is the best policy. Eventually we lucked into two extra bar stools that were tucked around the corner, and that made the wait slightly less painful than having to stand pressed against the wall and constantly in the way of servers and people trying to get to the restroom. Once we were seated we were quick to order since we'd had plenty of time to peruse the menu. We started with a basket of fries with ranch to dip, an order of spicy fried ravioli, a Pepsi, and a Shirley Temple. For entrees I opted for a cheeseburger and my boyfriend got the walleye fish fry. Even though I didn't order fish fry, I was also served a bowl of coleslaw and a roll when our drinks came. The roll was cold but soft and helped quell the hunger pangs. The coleslaw was okay, but I'm not a huge fan of creamy coleslaw on its own so I only tried a bite. After twenty minutes or so our apps arrived. The fries were actually really good and the ranch tasted homemade. The ravioli was a good portion and we think the spice came from pepper jack cheese (though we didn't see any pepper chunks present). Our food came ten or fifteen minutes later. My burger was also very good though basic. Soft bun, quality beef cooked to my requested temp, and a slice of cheddar cheese. Toppings like lettuce and tomato were extra so I skipped them, and your only condiment choice is the ketchup on the table. I wish they had mustard - maybe you have to request it from the kitchen? Despite being a plain Jane, it was delicious, but not wait for 2.5 hours delicious. The chips that come on the side were disappointing - I had high hopes since they list warm chips with dip as an appetizer choice, but these were just run of the mill, off-brand bulk-bagged potato chips. I would definitely skip them in the future and just sub in the fry appetizer. My boyfriend enjoyed his walleye, and it was a gigantic piece that was nearly a foot long. Overall, I'd return on a less busy day for an affordable and tasty meal, but I'm pretty sure we'll never be back on a Friday. There are a lot of great restaurants in town with a fraction of the wait. Also, due to the high volume of people the air was thick with the smell or burnt grease that made the wait a bit unpleasant. I totally understand why this is a neighborhood staple and I want to love it, but I think I'll keep my Fridays open to other options.

Food and service was great! Would definitely recommend. Staff was super friendly with a great sense of humor

Villa tap is one of my favorites. Chico runs a wonderful bar with absolutely excellent food. We all know their fish fry is by far the best in Madison, but all the other meals are no slouch either. You won't find a better place on the north side to have a drink at.

I'm a Northsider, so this was always the place to go for the best fish fry in Dane County. Yup, I said it, and I meant it. I'll fight you on this.... Fry aside, the Villa has been excellent about safety and social distancing the few times I've been inside. They have disinfectant spray bottles on the bar every 12 feet. Stools are spaced. Bartenders wear masks. Everything is very clean. My only complaint is that they don't have more space outside in the parking lot, which they could pull off.

This place had the best fish fry I've ever had. As a resident of Wisconsin for 30 years, I've had quite a few. We ordered take out and the Walleye (which was huge) and fries stayed fresh during the ride home. Sometimes fried food can get a little soggy. We also ordered the shrimp (also huge) and those were in the star of the meal. They were huge and I think they are bought fresh that morning from Jenifer St. market. Fries were excellent as was the Cole slaw. We had had dexters the week before and that was very good, but this fish fry was clearly much better. Can't speak to the rest of their food but we'll be headed back to try it soon.

Crazy awesome home style gregarious wait because it's so good place An unassuming exterior hides the genuine family style bar loved by the masses. Don't come here as a claustrophobic you have to accept and become one with the miasma of fish and people . It's worth it. Drinks are potent and served with smiles go here you won't regret the journey .

I went here with high expectations for their Friday fish fry. I've heard so many great things about it that it was a MUST to finally try it out. Unfortunately, there is no fish fry in the world that is worth a three hour wait in line for. We checked in the restaurant around 5:30-6pm and weren't able to eat until around 8:30-9pm. It was absolutely ridiculous. The bar is small and doesn't allow for a lot of room when you are just trying to grab a drink. If you're lucky you'll get a seat at the bar, but don't hold your breath. The food itself was fine. I was just happy to eat anything after waiting so long. The pieces of fish were medium sized and came with a potato. The service was minimal at best. Our bartenders were rude and stiff, but our waitress was kind. If you want to try this place as a check off your fish fry bucket list, then be my guest, but there are plenty of better spots that taste better and will let you eat within a decent time frame around Madison.

So it's a Friday night and I've tried several fish fries that were sub-par to say the least. I've been told by several you have to try Villa Tap. My friend and I were driving around with her puppy in her lap and I said..."time to stop and try"...she agreed and in I went. As I entered the establishment I looked around and knew a lesser man would have turned around and left, but being a lover of dive bars and fresh food, I forged on, around the bar to a spot to order take out. A few "do nots" for Villa...do not expect to order take-out on a Friday night and leave in any less than 30 minutes...do not expect lots of open seats....do not expect pre-cooked fish sitting under a heating lamp. I was attended to very quickly, placed my beer order and my food order...two fish fries (cod) with fries and cole slaw. And I waited...like everyone else did....enjoyed a beer and the lively, fun crowd. I watched as every meal with freshly cooked and served...no heating lamp needed. Eventually my food presented itself and I headed to the car (to a mostly patience friend and puppy) and headed home. Once home, the food provided to the best fish fry we have had in town...the right amount of batter, the fish cooked perfect and it all tasted so good. Long story short...we will be back!

My wife and I love the burgers here. They're the only burgers I get a craving for. However, the reason I'm writing this review is to let you know that the hours of operation information here is wrong. They're not open on Sundays at all.

Best fish fry in Madison? Possibly. It's up there for sure. Longest wait for fish fry in Madison? Probably. Worth it, but be ready. I've only been here on Friday's for fish, so I have no idea what this place is like otherwise. But on Friday's, it's a ZOO. The bar is packed to the gills. You write your name on a board with how many are in your party and then just wait. And wait. And wait. Once you are finally called and shown to your table, though, everything changes. The table are in the back, away from the chaos of the bar. It's dim and quieter. Service has always been great for me when I have been in, and once you order, the food comes out pretty quick. All of the fish is great, but I recommend the walleye. Nom nom nom.

Eat this burger! You know you are eating the best burger in the city when the owner is almost always there to great you as you walk in and ask how well you like it cooked. Villa Tap is a friendly neighborhood place, no pretense, no frills but it's been delivering excellent food and beverage at a fair price for as long as any of the countless regulars can remember. Go there, eat this burger!

I walked in and felt immediately at home with the wood paneling, string lights, and thick Wisconsin accents. We walked in to a pretty packed house, and luckily another customer tipped us off to the waiting system: write your name and number in your party on the neon yellow poster board duck-taped to the wall. And then wait. And maybe wait a little more. Do yourself a favor and order an old fashioned while you wait, they're only ~$4! Solid fish fry, arguably some of the freshest in town. Get the perch or the walleye. Wish they had bluegill. Baked potato on the side was pretty standard, as was the coleslaw. My only qualm was the service. Albeit friendly local folks, I asked for water twice without ever getting anything but dehydration.

Best fish fry in Madison! You'll have to get there early unless you are willing to wait up to a few hours for a table, though the wait is worth it.

The unassuming Villa Tap may not look like much from the outside, but it serves up quality bar food at extremely reasonable prices. The servers are friendly to regulars and to newcomers alike. I enjoyed that the bar plays the blues as background music instead of oldies or top 40. The Villa is well known for its Friday night fish fry and the waits for a table can exceed an hour at times. The lunch version, two pieces of fried cod, slaw, fries and a roll, can be had for a mere $8.50 and no wait.

We came for the Friday Night Fish Fry. We split the Cod. I liked the fish but felt like the fries and tarter sauce could be better. Worth a try.

This definitely a nice gem on Madison 's north side. My friends invited me to the fish fry and it is easily one of the best I've had. The walleye was superb and the service was great. I will definitely be recommending this place and I will be back when I come back in town.

Instead of complaining about how busy it is ... which is common sense on a Friday night anywhere ...I went in a little earlier 4:45 seated right away and enjoyed a great fish fry Friday .. loved the coleslaw !

I FINALLY had the Friday fish fry. It goes from 530PM until 930... but I'd strongly suggest getting in there by 9. My friend had the perch, which was kind of chewy and too salty. The potato he got was a bit tough, too. I had the walleye and a side of fries- it was a whole different experience. The piece was huge (see pic), and the fish was just delicious. Really, perfect. They also offer cod and a jumbo shrimp dish, neither of which I've tried yet. All come with slaw, rolls and butter. Service was good, and they do have malt vinegar if you want it (I felt sheepish because I brought my own just in case...). So, get the walleye, not the perch. And play the jukebox.

Absolutely love this place for their Friday fish fry. Have had their Walleye, Perch, Cod,and Blue Gill and all were wonderful. I like to take people with me so we can all order something different and share the fish. The place is small and busy. People are very nice and even though everyone might be in line for more than an hour, the wait is very tolerable. Ice cold beer and Bloody Mary's mixed with loud, happy conversation actually makes it fun. Bottom line - my husband has dialysis every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. We try at least once a month to get his Friday switched to Saturday, simply for this fish fry.

The fish fry is truly well done. I would definitely return. I plan to come back to try their cheeseburger and the other fried fish. This time around I got cod. The fries were good (thicker cut) but nothing special. Helpful tip: If you want a table, get here early. By the time I rolled in at 5pm, there was no parking left and already a long wait for tables. You can sign up for a table on the whiteboard but be prepared to wait. It's worth it for fish this good!

Tried their recently Sunday newspaper reviewed Cod fish fry carry out. Very near perfection. Very generous servings. Thick filets perfectly deep fried. Very good fries and roll. Tiny disagreements with the slaw seasoning (?horseradish) and the tartar sauce seasoning ( some spice I've had before) . We are eager to go back and try their Lake Perch fish fry. Reservation curbside pick up was great service.

Just a very comfortable and friendly neighbourhood bar that has bartender's without attitudes and food and drinks at the upper end of quality and value!

The food was wonderful and the old Fashions are great. The woman bartender though she needs a little personality fix. She also doesn't know what olives are in an old fashioned. I had to ask her each time to add them. Come on give us a smile. And the other thing is she didn't even offer us a tab. But when we walked in she was closing a tab for someone that got called for dinner. Do you have to be special?

First and last visit to this establishment on 5/17/19. Place was packed with people before 5pm. No one visible to ask how to obtain a table. Finally flagged someone down who said to sign up on a board posted near bar. Waited a few minutes to be seated only to wait 30 minutes for server to show up for our order. Then waited another 30 minutes for food to arrive. Fish was mediocre at best. Heavily battered and overloaded with pepper. Sever never once returned to ask if all was well or to replenish drinks. All the raves of this place make me wonder where these people are eating.

My favorite burger in Madison! You know it's special when the owner is always there and with a big smile on his face. Thanks Chico!

In my opinion this is the best fish fry in town. I hate to even give a good review because it's such a well kept secret but they deserve it. Chico IS the man!!

If you are looking for a no frills Friday night fish fry that will blow your mind, this is your place. I am giving this place 5 stars because it is wonderful for a very simple meal, with excellent service. We had a little trouble finding the door (the entrance is in the back facing away from Packers Ave.) but once we walked in and sat at one of their wobbly tables, we were instantly greeted by our friendly server. Though the bar was busy, we got our drinks immediately, along with a basket with two basic white bread rolls and coleslaw. All very standard issue. The fish was another story. Whoa. I got the Canadian perch and my boyfriend got the Canadian walleye. The large single piece of walleye was lightly breaded and fried perfectly. It was buttery, non-fishy, and totally delicious. The baked potato that came with it was pretty standard, but good. The perch was battered differently in a thicker, more crunchy coating. The little strips were just AMAZING. I got a pile of 7 or 8 strips that I honestly couldn't stop eating. The fries were done to perfection as well. My boyfriend and I are somewhat light eaters in general, but we cleared out all of that fried goodness in one sitting. On the way out the cooks from the back yelled good bye, the bartender wished us a good night, and someone standing by the door smiled and asked us to come back soon. I can't say enough about how friendly everyone here is. It looks like a burned out biker bar, but their simple menu is done right. I never thought I would like a place so much that doesn't have salad on their menu, but I anticipate we will be back many many more times.

Came in late on a Friday night. Were able to get the last order of cod they had, so went with one cod and one walleye. The cod was done really well, walleye was above average but not the best in Madison. The owner was behind the bar frying the fish. Was awesome getting to see him in action, hand breading every piece and frying it up to a perfect golden brown. If you love fish at a dive bar, this is your place. IF you are looking for more of an ambiance, go elsewhere. Good, solid food with no frills.

One liner: perch rocks If you are looking for an awesome perch fish fry, Villa is your place. One of the best I have eaten...light greasing and no grease. It is Canadian Lake perch if that matters to anyone. Small and cozy neighborhood bar!

Chico's Villa Tap is my favorite fish fry in Madison. They offer cod, walleye, perch, and JUMBO fried shrimp. The cod is my personal favorite with the shrimp a close second. Get your baked potato loaded. The Villa Tap is pretty small - I love going in on a Friday night just to see how a kitchen that small (it takes up a small portion of space behind the bar) puts out so much food consistently well. Always worth the wait. The staff is super; always smiling, joking, and happy to fill your glass! I also had a tasty Bloody Mary my last visit.