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.