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Fish Type: Walleye     Price: $9.75

Overall, I would highly recommend this Fish Fry.

Fish Score: Excellent
Potato Score: Good
Tartar Score: Good
Bread Score: Good
Miscellaneous Score: Good

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Comment: I guess Fish Frys are just like everything else in life. What is good for one person isn’t necessarily good for everyone, and while one person may like their walleye, someone else might not care for the exact same fish. It’s a tough thing to accept, but such is life, and such is Fish Fry.

Obviously, Wando’s Bar & Grill is a college bar, and as with most college bars, it carries the “& Grill” stigma (a lot bar, not much grill). While I agree that the downtown destination is slightly more bar than grill, there are far worse offenders out there, and Wando’s actually has pretty good food (especially their Fish Fry). While said Fry might bot be the “Best in Madison” as they claim, it is pretty darn good nonetheless. I suggested it to Nick, Rick, and Adam from work and they were interested, so off we went.

The waitresses at Wando’s are always speedy and we had our orders in to the kitchen within minutes of walking through the door. For some strange reason we all went with the walleye (except for Rick the non-fish eater who got a cheeseburger or some such thing). The plates were ready in well under ten minutes and made their way to our second floor table in style.

I wasted no time and plunged right in to the fried bevy. My walleye fillet was long and thin - basically exactly what I have come to expect at Wando’s. The fish itself was flaky and tender and I really enjoyed it. The moist meat was home to Wando’s well-seasoned breading and I basically tore it to shreds. Unfortunately, Nick’s piece had a few bones (which he was not a fan of), and a bit too much skin (which he also was not a fan of). Me? I’da just sawed right through the little buggers, but Nick was having none of it and picked through it until the end - to each his own I guess. Bones and skin are the risks of freshwater fish, and while I live with it and love it I accept that others can be skittish around them.

Thick crinkle-cut fries are the norm at Wando’s and this rendition was respectable. The chunky taters were loaded with season salt, and could have been a tad warmer, but that said, there was an absolute shitton of them which was nice for a fry fan like me.

The tartar was also ample, and while they have toned down the dill somewhat recently, it is still visible in the mix. In its current state the dastardly dill is muted by the thick mayo and relish contingent making it much more desirable.

The roll on the side was nothing special and mildly-stale, but at least it was there. The slaw was homemade, and borderline creamy, but only so-so.

While I’d call this visit to Wando’s another resounding success the same can’t be said for everyone in our party. I guess it’s true what they say: you really can’t win ‘em all (Wando’s still clocks in at around 95% so I'll take it). Overall, I still highly recommend this Fish Fry (even if Nick wouldn't have), and will be back for another round sooner or later I’m sure.



www.wandosbar.com/
602 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53715

(608) 256-5204