The Old Fashioned Menu (2025 Update)
Introducing the menu at The Old Fashioned, a beer bar in Madison, WI, is an experience that embodies Wisconsin culture with classic American dishes. From Wisconsin artisan cheese plates to Door County cherry salad, the menu offers a range of options for all palates. The must-try Wisconsin beer cheese soup and Green Bay-style chili showcase the best of traditional Midwestern flavors. Customers rave about the famous cheese curds and juicy burgers, along with the unique pickled baby beet salad. The Old Fashioned's ambiance exudes charm with vintage decor and a lively atmosphere perfect for gatherings. With attentive service and reasonable prices, this establishment is a must-visit for anyone looking to savor the essence of Wisconsin cuisine in a vibrant setting.
Appetizers for Big Shots or Sharing
Wisconsin Artisan Cheese Plates
4 different rotating Wisconsin Cheese plates available. See server for today's selection
Lazy Susans
Choose from one of two different lazy susans . On our lazy susans you will have such items as pickled beets, deviled eggs, Wisconsin cheese spreads, summer sausage, smoked lake trout and much more
Wurst Platter
Wisconsin's Best Wurst Platter is a selection of our local favorites; Bavaria Sausage Kitchen's Nurnberger bratwurst, knackwurst and weisswurst with grilled bread, sauerkraut, dilly beans and mustards
Cheese Curds
Voted Wisconsin's Best Cheese Curds! These are house-made fresh Wisconsin beer battered cheese curds
Spinach Salad
Fresh spinach and Wisconsin's Sarvecchio cheese with shaved red onion, sunflower seeds, croutons, deviled egg and hot bacon dressing
Door County Cherry Salad
Dried Door County cherries that have been plumped up with white wine served with mixed greens, Wisconsin buttermilk blue cheese, toasted almonds with a brandy vinaigrette
Pickled Baby Beet Salad
Pickled baby beets and Wisconsin's Salemville Gorgonzola with toasted walnuts, shaved red onion, mixed greens and creamy white wine vinaigrette
Classic Iceberg Wedge Salad
Iceberg lettuce with carrots, shaved red onions, Bavaria Kitchen's hickory smoked bacon, Wisconsin buttermilk blue cheese, croutons with French and blue cheese dressing
Salmon Salad
Grill-seared Norwegian salmon with Bavaria Kitchen's hickory smoked bacon, cucumber, shaved red onion, deviled egg, mixed greens with a tarragon vinaigrette
Salads
Soups
Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup
Beer and lots of Wisconsin Cheese garnished with Tietz Family Popcorn
Green Bay-Style Chili
Our secret recipe is slow simmered beef and red beans served over spaghetti; add shredded Wisconsin Cheddar, onion and sour cream
Tuesday Only - Pozole
Classic Mexican soup with pork and hominy. Served in a bowl with a side of tostadas, cabbage, radish, onion, cilantro and lime
Friday Only - Clam Chowder
New England-style clam chowder
Prime Rib Sandwich
Hot, shaved prime rib, sauteed with mushrooms, onions, red peppers and topped with Wisconsin provolone cheese, tiger sauce and pickles on a ciabatta roll
Wisconsin Burger
1/3 lb. Burger grilled over a live fire and topped with Wisconsin Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise and raw onion on a buttered and toasted bun
Spicy Burger
1/3 lb. Burger grilled over a live fire and topped with Wisconsin pepperjack cheese, jalapenos, fried onions, Bavaria Kitchen's hickory smoked bacon and smoked paprika sauce on a buttered and toasted bun
The Old Fashioned House Burger
1/3 lb. Burger grilled over a live fire and topped with fried onions, Bavaria Kitchen's hickory smoked bacon, Wisconsin aged Cheddar, garlic sauce and a sunny side up egg on a buttered and toasted bun
Double Brat
Sheboygan's Grand Champion Miesfeld Market double bratwurst with raw onions, pickles and brown mustard on a buttered and toasted Highway Bakery hard roll
Turkey Sandwich
Shaved hickory smoked turkey breast with Wisconsin provolone cheese, tiger sauce and leaf lettuce on a buttered and toasted country bread
Tuna Salad Sandwich
Tuna salad with roasted red peppers, hard boiled eggs and leaf lettuce on buttered toasted country bread
Vegetable Sandwich
Grilled eggplant, portabella mushroom, roasted red pepper and zucchini with La Clare Family Creamery's Chevre and black olive tapenade on buttered toasted country bread
Walleye Sandwich
Beer-battered walleye with shredded cabbage, shaved radish and house-made lemon caper tartar sauce on buttered toasted country bread
Chicken Breast Sandwich
Wood grilled chicken breast with Bavaria Kitchen's hickory smoked bacon, melted swiss, Dijon mustard and mayonnaise on a buttered toasted country bread
Summer Sausage Sandwich
Jim's Blue Ribbon Summer Sausage, grilled and topped with Dusseldorf mustard, shaved red onions and Muenster cheese on buttered toasted rye bread
Build You Own Hot Dog
100% beef hot dog in natural casing from Baranek's Farm Fresh Beef in Crivitiz, on a buttered and toasted Clasen's Bakery bun. Add sauerkraut, raw onions, pickle relish, Dusseldorf mustard, WI cheese selection or add some Green Bay-style chili
Wisconsin Grilled Cheese
Wisconsin Swiss cheese, aged Cheddar, roasted red bell peppers and Bavaria Kitchen's hickory smoked bacon on buttered and toasted Texas toast
Pork Shoulder Sandwich
Wood grilled and slow roasted pork shoulder, topped with pickle relish, muenster cheese and smoked Spanish paprika sauce on buttered and toasted Texas toast.
Sandwiches
Entrees
Ribeye
Wood grilled 16 oz. Beef Ribeye topped with Wisconsin sweet cream butter and served with matchstick fries, tiger sauce and toasted Texas toast
Mac & Cheese
Featured on the Food Network this dish has Wisconsin aged Cheddar and Sarvecchio cheese, topped with crisp breadcrumbs
Bacon Mac & Cheese
Our classic Mac & Cheese with Bavaria Kitchen's hickory smoked bacon
Rainbow Trout
Grilled Rushing Waters rainbow trout from Palmyra. The whole fish is placed on a bed of baby spinach and pickled beets tossed in white wine vinaigrette
Chicken & Biscuits
Buttermilk biscuits covered in traditional chicken pot pie filling
Monday - Cheeseburger Night
Buy one get one free. 1/3 lb. burger grilled over a live fire and topped with Wisconsin aged Cheddar cheese with a side of raw onion and lettuce on a buttered toasted bun. Does not include
Tuesday - Ole Tuesday Tacos
Served in a warm flour tortilla. Your choice of roasted pork shoulder, roasted chicken, crispy walleye or vegetarian
Wednesday - Perch Fish Fry
Lightly battered lake Perch served with poppy seed coleslaw, matchstick fries, house-made lemon caper tartar sauce and rye break
Thursday - BBQ Feed
Wood roasted, dry rubs ribs and roasted pork shoulder, served with matchstick fries, Texas toast, poppy seed coleslaw and side of BBQ sauce
Friday - Fish Fry
Pick from either Cod, Perch or Walleye. Served with poppy seed coleslaw, matchstick fries, house-made lemon caper tartar sauce and rye bread.
Saturday - Prime Rib Dinner
Choose either the 12 oz. or the 8 oz. USDA Certified Prime Grade Prime Rib. Starts with a classic wedge salad followed by Prime Rib seared over a live wood fire then slowed roasted, with baked potato, onion strings and tiger sauce
Sunday - Scandinavian-Style Chicken Dinner
Half chicken rubbed with cinnamon, juniper and cardamom; grilled over a live fire and served with sausage & currant dressing, smashed red bliss potatoes, buttered parsnips and carrots