Fish Type: Cod Price: $10.00
Overall, I would highly recommend this Fish Fry.
| Fish Score: Excellent Potato Score: Good Tartar Score: Excellent Bread Score: Poor Miscellaneous Score: Good |  |
Comment: When asked to describe Willy Street certain terms jump into most peoples minds: alternative, liberal, cooperative, hippies... As the epicenter of Madisons counter-culture the neighborhood proudly endorses this reputation wearing it as a badge of honor rather than letting it serve as some sort of stigma. The attitude prevails at nearly every establishment up and down the street, culminating on the easternmost end at Mickeys Tavern.
More often than not proper isnt going to be one of the words you find amongst Willy Streets descriptors. Proper connotes an uptight, stuffy, traditionalist mentality, which Willy is anything but. However, Mickeys isnt afraid of the term, at least as far as Fish Fry is concerned. While Mickeys always has a Friday fish special, it isnt always their Proper Fish Fry, but when it is hungry patrons are in for a treat.
Mickeys fry is only $10, which is an appropriate price for a Fish Fry of this size (although Id gladly pay a couple more bucks for it if thats what they were asking). Two generous pieces of flaky cod are offset by a crispy, heavily-seasoned beer batter resulting in a very well balanced offering. Its a salty sensation that makes your mouth water in anticipation of each bite. Its simply great all around.
Adding even more sodium to the bloodstream are a sizeable stack of Mickeys super-seasoned fries. These spuds are crispy, savory and potent as all get out. While theyre surly too intense for some folks, a saltaholic like me simply cant get enough.
When fish is this pungent only the boldest tartars can stack up and Mickeys deluxe sauce does the trick. Its ultra-creamy and zippy as can be which helps to quell the seriously salted cod.
The only part about this Fish Fry that really isnt proper is the fact that Mickeys stiffs you on the bread, but luckily their homemade slaw actually makes up for it somewhat. Its a zesty vinegar-based blend that is as diverse as they come with a hint of heat from time to time. Its a good one.
In such a diverse and eclectic neighborhood its great to see a place that can still pull off a traditional Fish Fry. The fish, fries, tartar, and slaw are all superb, and while theres no bread its such a minor oversight with this one that I could really care less. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and think its only proper to do so. Its a current favorite of ours.
www.facebook.com/MickeysTavern
1524 Williamson Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 251-9964
