Fish Type: Bluegill Price: $18.00
Overall, I would recommend this Fish Fry.
| Fish Score: Good Potato Score: Good Tartar Score: Fair Bread Score: Excellent Miscellaneous Score: Good |  |
Comment: It’s been around a year and a half since I’ve been to Oakstone and I heard they’d “upped their game” since then. When I realized they were taking part in the Potosi Cave Ale Fish Fry contest I figured now was as a good a time as any see just how far that game has come.
While the hybrid restaurant/recreation complex is taking part in the Fish Fry contest there wasn’t any actually Cave Ale to be found on tap or in cans…weird. I opted for an Old Fashioned instead and slurped it down before my $18 bluegill even hit the table. At first glance I could tell their game has definitely changed and definitely for the better.
The menu states the bluegill is Spotted Cow battered and if so it’s unlike any beer batter I’ve seen. It was super crispy and more like a fried chicken breading than a supple batter (which is actually a great thing on freshwater fish). The eight fat fillets were a joy to crunch and more than plentiful. The tartar that came with them was a thin mix with a ranch dressing-like consistency and a high dill quotient. It wasn’t exactly my cup of tea as I love a thicker, bolder blend, but I still did my due diligence on it.
There are a bunch of great sounding sides to choose from and I picked the potato pancakes from the pile. These were legit latkes (not just hash browns made to look like it), but they could have used some more onion and a bit more seasoning. By and large they were still very good and a nice departure from everyday fries. +1.
The slaw was a really flavorful mix and highlighted by a little something sweet - I’m thinking apple maybe? The half slice of rye was fat, fresh, and warmed just right. Yum. All in all, the sides were great and supported the fish perfectly.
Oakstone is an interesting concept to say the least but it really seems to be working. The place was packed, people were boisterous, the music selection was great, and the Fish Fry is clearly evolving for the better. Overall, this is an easy one to recommend and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make it through multiple rounds in this tourney. It’s justified.www.oakstonerec.com/
304 Commerce Pkwy
Sun Prairie, WI 53527
(608) 733-7035
