Friday, March 27, 2015

Madison VFW 8483

Without a doubt, fish fry’s are a cold weather activity.  They’re usually indoors, use heavy, fried food and the best supper clubs feature wood panels and a fireplace.  With the recent change in weather, my cohort and I got all antsy-in-the-pantsy and went for a brief journey just to the north of Madison to VFW Post 8483.

  

It was the first few gorgeous days after a long winter and obviously, we spent as much time outside as possible and didn’t show up until just before 8 o’clock.  This was not a good idea.  Apparently, they shut down the kitchen at 8pm since it is just a VFW hall and don’t have a full time menu.  I panicked upon hearing this, since I was the only one in my party to arrive.  Compounding my anxiety was the fact YOU HAD TO ORDER AND PAY ONCE YOU WALKED IN THE DOOR. 


Fortunately, I’ve prepared for this situation my entire life.  Hours of shooting baskets, pretending I’m winning the state championship.  

Squatting with small Volkswagons on my back thinking about tackling people at the goal line. 

Ordering countless fish fry’s without even looking at the menu to build my confidence in making “the Perfect Order”.  *quemontage*

Here was my moment.

Cashier: Well we’re about to close, what can I get you?
Me: I have to order now?
Cashier: Yep, and pay too.
Me: uhhhhhhhhh…… I’ll take the fish fry
Cashier: Which one? (there was cod and walleye)
Me: Yes… I mean cod.
Cashier: just the one?
Me: Nope I’ll take *counts on fingers*…Six
Cashier: that’s Fifty-eight dollars
Me: do you take cards?
Cashier: Nope.
Me: Super

It wasn’t what I had envisioned, but I made it through the ordeal and fish was on the way; time to find the bar and a Brandy Old Fashioned-Sweet.
The bar side of the VFW was actually pretty nice looking with plenty of TV’s showing the opening weekend of “The Big Dance” and a good setup with tables you can stand or sit around.  Big enough to fit food or a bunch of empty beer bottles.  Fish Fry aside, this would just be a nice place to post up and watch a few games.  As to the BOFS, I’ve ranted about fancy pants bartenders who think they’re really hot spit…Looking at you Craftsmen Table and Tap…and try to free hand the venerable BOFS only to produce a shitty drink while looking like a douche bag.  Well the VFW’s delightful barmaid started muddling the cherries and I was all, “here we go again”.  I was never so happy to be wrong!!  It was fantastic! Equally balanced sweet with bitters, and medium brandy presence; a gentlemen’s Old Fashioned.  Don’t get me wrong, I went to UW-La Crosse and LOVE a good stiff pint-sized mixer, but to be an accurate reviewer and maintain integrity in the evaluation process, it’s best to stay conscious for as long as possible.  They get 4 Tumblers.

                    

            Despite a limited menu served in a VFW dining hall, there was much class to be appreciated in this joint.  For instance, there was wood paneling everywhere decorated with multiple types of military insignia, pictures of veterans and plaques commemorating feats of yore.  Also, they served the meal in courses. First was the bread bowl, a vanishing luxury, then came the cole slaw.  The slaw was of the cream variety, but was still very light.  Oftentimes, the mayo-base will overcome everything else, but this VFW slaw was, as a fish fry friend and overall health enthusiast put it, “Balanced” (check out herblog).  This was the end of the courses though, the fish came out pretty fast and included baked beans!  I’ve found the bean dish to be an increasingly popular choice, perhaps replacing salad bars due to the filling nature of the legume, but without the cost to the restaurant.  In any case, they had good ones.  The potato choice was different as well with wedges covered in a crispy, tasty batter adding to the usual crinkle fries and baked potato.  The cod was a 6 inch filet, nicely fried, flaky and plenty warm.  A solid entrée to go along with decent, likely store bought tartar sauce.  Three Fish for a solid, but not special, fish fry
 




 Bottom Line: Great Bar scene worth revisiting with solid food but nothing extra special. Big time American points since it’s a VFW.




  

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