Review
I found myself at Toby's the last two Fridays in a row, and feeling fresh - freshwater that it. Over the course of the two sittings I had the $11 bluegill and the $12 lake perch, both of which were spectacular. The basket of bluegill consisted of eight really big fillets that had the perfect subtly fishy undertones. They wore Toby's thin breading that has a little pep but is still subtle enough to let the fish take center stage. Sure, a little more salt might make them even more delectable but these things are pretty close to perfect as it is. The perch is the real deal (yellow perch), and the six hulking fillets were wrapped in the same light breading that lets the meat shine. This sextet was moist and juicy with a smooth flavor that was devoid of any fishiness. It was the classic stuff you're used to, and could easily go toe-to-toe with any perch out there. You hear that Milwaukee? ANY PERCH OUT THERE!
Hash browns with cheese and onion are my spud of choice at Toby's and these plates hit all the right notes. They are slick and gooey and when the American cheese meets the slightly greasy potatoes an idyllic flavor meld manifests. It even looks like the tubers might be shredded in-house which would be impressive but not all that surprising when it comes right down to it.
Toby's thick and creamy tartar pairs so perfectly with the fish that it really should be a crime. Luckily for me it isn't or I'd be doing 20 to life for sure. I'm a tartar fiend especially when it comes to fish this good.
A thick slice of French bread is the usual starch of choice in these parts but once in a while a milti-grain roll will fill its shoes. Both are good offerings and much better than a basic dinner roll, but still not the rye I've been longing for all these year. Maybe someday, Toby's. Maybe someday...
Historically the homemade slaw 'round these parts has had a noticeable sweetness, but either the recipe has recently changed or maybe my tastes have, but it was much less sugary these last two weeks. The saccharine slide is totally fine by me as it still has a satisfying crunchiness but losing some of the sugar yields a better balance overall. Sure, when compared to the dynamic fish it fades into the background for the most part, but slaw so often does.
Look, we all know Toby's can be a battle and if you're simply looking for a quiet Friday night out with the missus it's definitely not the place for you. If, on the other hand, you're looking to rub some elbows, knock back and Old Fashioned or two (or maybe even three) then Toby's might be just what the doctor ordered...I personally can't wait until our little one is grown so I can go back on a Friday night and get into the thick of it. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and just can't seem to get enough of what Toby's has to offer. Hell, I'm even thinking I might go for the Hat Trick this Friday.
We'd had plenty of "cheer" by the time we arrived at Toby's around 6:00 so the two hour wait around the bar actually flew by - or maybe it didn't, I can't really remember - I do know it was fun. There were a bunch of us so the lengthy wait was expected and we got the entire southwest nook to ourselves. Of course, I ordered bluegill (since it wasn't Friday) and it was every bit as magnificent with a significant jag on as it is stone cold sober...maybe even better.
The fillets were absolutely abundant and simply electric. They were smooth and slippery, and home to Toby's immaculate breading. This stuff is like a whisper floating across your earlobe, you barely know it's there except for the gentle breeze that follows it. There had to be at least 20 fillets on the plate and each was a revelation unto itself. Of course, they were highlighted ever further by the thick and creamy texture of Toby's traditional tartar which is some of the best you'll ever find.
Toby's steak fries are a special treat, but I couldn't pull myself from the hash browns with cheese and onion. This pan-full was as idyllic as they come and I practically licked the plate clean. I know some will harp on the American cheese they use, but to each their own; I find it endearing and delicious.
The sugary slaw, relish items, and the roll got gobbled up before any photos could be taken, but rest assured they were in attendance and did all they needed to do.
Am I overselling the greatness of Toby's bluegill? Sure, I was feeling no pain after IPAs during tailgating, Cows in the suite, pints at the Dane, and Old Fashioneds around the bar, so can't remember every little bit, but I do know this was Toby's through and through. Overall, we can't highly recommend this Fish Fry enough. People often ask "what's so great about it?" And while it's hard to put that into words it's evident when you're there. Toby's is Madison's best Fish Fry.
I found myself at Toby's the last two Fridays in a row, and feeling fresh - freshwater that it. Over the course of the two sittings I had the $11 bluegill and the $12 lake perch, both of which were spectacular. The basket of bluegill consisted of eight really big fillets that had the perfect subtly fishy undertones. They wore Toby's thin breading that has a little pep but is still subtle enough to let the fish take center stage. Sure, a little more salt might make them even more delectable but these things are pretty close to perfect as it is. The perch is the real deal (yellow perch), and the six hulking fillets were wrapped in the same light breading that lets the meat shine. This sextet was moist and juicy with a smooth flavor that was devoid of any fishiness. It was the classic stuff you're used to, and could easily go toe-to-toe with any perch out there. You hear that Milwaukee? ANY PERCH OUT THERE!
Hash browns with cheese and onion are my spud of choice at Toby's and these plates hit all the right notes. They are slick and gooey and when the American cheese meets the slightly greasy potatoes an idyllic flavor meld manifests. It even looks like the tubers might be shredded in-house which would be impressive but not all that surprising when it comes right down to it.
Toby's thick and creamy tartar pairs so perfectly with the fish that it really should be a crime. Luckily for me it isn't or I'd be doing 20 to life for sure. I'm a tartar fiend especially when it comes to fish this good.
A thick slice of French bread is the usual starch of choice in these parts but once in a while a milti-grain roll will fill its shoes. Both are good offerings and much better than a basic dinner roll, but still not the rye I've been longing for all these year. Maybe someday, Toby's. Maybe someday...
Historically the homemade slaw 'round these parts has had a noticeable sweetness, but either the recipe has recently changed or maybe my tastes have, but it was much less sugary these last two weeks. The saccharine slide is totally fine by me as it still has a satisfying crunchiness but losing some of the sugar yields a better balance overall. Sure, when compared to the dynamic fish it fades into the background for the most part, but slaw so often does.
Look, we all know Toby's can be a battle and if you're simply looking for a quiet Friday night out with the missus it's definitely not the place for you. If, on the other hand, you're looking to rub some elbows, knock back and Old Fashioned or two (or maybe even three) then Toby's might be just what the doctor ordered...I personally can't wait until our little one is grown so I can go back on a Friday night and get into the thick of it. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and just can't seem to get enough of what Toby's has to offer. Hell, I'm even thinking I might go for the Hat Trick this Friday.
Toby's doesn't serve bluegill for dinner on Fridays so you either have to get it for lunch, or dinner on a different day of the week. We were there for lunch this Friday so it was available and we couldn't pass it up. The bluegill was everything it's cracked up to be. The 10 fillets were petite and lightly breaded. They had a simply great taste without any overtly fishy flavors. The side of hash browns with cheese and onion were also crackerjack with crispy edges and slick, supple interiors. The slice of melting American on top may seem lowbrow to some, but is actually quite appropriate for those who are real fans. The big, bold supper club tartar really set the bluegill off, but the slaw missed the mark. While normally sugary and sweet, this batch was dry and flavorless. The slice of French was also so-so, but the single serve of Schoep's vanilla saved the day.
A few days later we showed up for dinner and decided to get the 2-piece cod special instead. The cod was incredibly light and flaky with a fall-off-thin breading that sat well in the belly. Keeping with the change-it-up mantra was a side of steak fries. These spuds were chunky and crunchy and came in a big pile that most would cower beneath. They, like both styles of fish before them, paired well with the big, bold supper club tartar. When dinner rolls around the menu, as well as the choice of sides, expands and I went for a basic salad instead of the soup or slaw. The cod for dinner came with rolls instead of French bread, and cinnamon rolls instead of ice cream. Dinner also comes with a full relish tray with tons of cellophane sticks.
Any talk of Toby's is good talk, and without a doubt we are getting spoiled on the Toby's chatter. Overall, we highly recommend the cod and bluegill as well as all the sides and add-ons. This is one of, if not the, most complete Fish Frys in Madison without a doubt. We love Toby's.
We showed up for lunch with a huge group (at least huge for tiny Toby's). We were eight adults (and a few kids) deep which took up a good chunk of one of the dining rooms, but since it was lunch there was no one else in it anyway so it wasn't really a problem. Eventually we got enough tables and chairs cobbled together and the waitress made her way over to get us some drinks and relay the lunch specials.
She eventually came back with the beverages and took our orders. There was a lot of freshwater fish on her notepad when all was said and done, with bluegill and hash browns comprising our line item. Like the drinks, the fish took a while to fry which was a bit surprising considering Toby's usually pumps it out like none other. When it came our way it was still hot, but not steaming like it has been literally every other time we've been there.
The bluegill in the basket looked wimpy compared to what we're used to as there were only 6 or so fillets. We've become accustomed to 9 or more of the diminutive divers dotting the checkerboard and to see so few was a bit of a shock. What's more, a couple of them looked and tasted more like perch than bluegill which definitely got out Spidey Senses tingling. As for the fish, it was good, but the breading lacked the signature seasoning we hold so dear.
Since multiple people ordered hash browns with cheese and onion they came on shared plates, which isn't necessarily a bad thing except that they seemed rushed. The edges weren't crispy, and the slices of American cheese on top weren't close to melted which left the flavors eerily separated instead of happily married.
Thankfully, the tartar was the good stuff and perked up the under-seasoned fish. The coleslaw was a mixed bag as one cup lacked the signature sweetness of Toby's homemade mix, while a different one delivered the goods. We suspect one scoop came from the top while the more flavorful one was from the bottom where is had a chance to soak in the goods
Finishing thing off was a piece of French bread that was more boring the benevolent. It would have ended the Fry with a real thud if not for the personal servings of Schoep's ice cream which everyone agreed helped Toby's save some face.
We're not really sure what's going on, but everything seems to have taken a little step back. While Toby's is still better than most of the other Fish Frys out there what we had this time around wasn't as great as we've come to expect. It's really a shame as this marks our first less-than-amazing experience at Toby's, and takes a little bit of the polish off the apple. Overall, we still highly recommend this Fish Fry, but can't just default to it when asked: "What is the best Fish Fry in Madison" anymore.
As you can see, there was too much goodness to even fit in the photo and the bluegill was as pristine as ever. A boatload of the small fillets overloaded the plate with their idyllic textures and alluring flavors. They paired perfectly with Toby's tremendous tartar and disappeared far too quickly...
When multiple people order the hash browns they come family-style, and our cheese and onion laden spuds were spectacular. I've heard the "American cheese sucks" argument many times over and get the gist, but simply don't agree. I love how it melts in and offsets the crispy potato crust with gooey goodness. It's a "too each their own" kind of thing but I trust Toby's take on it.
Plenty of their signature sugary slaw, a big basket of mixed breads, and full-on relish tray awaited our arrival at the table and set the stage for the fried goodness that followed.
43 years come and gone, 20 of which have been spent eating Fish Frys and telling the good people of Madison all about it - almost half my life now. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way... Fish on, Madison! And Toby's, please never change!Toby's doesn't serve bluegill for dinner on Fridays so you either have to get it for lunch, or dinner on a different day of the week. We were there for lunch this Friday so it was available and we couldn't pass it up. The bluegill was everything it's cracked up to be. The 10 fillets were petite and lightly breaded. They had a simply great taste without any overtly fishy flavors. The side of hash browns with cheese and onion were also crackerjack with crispy edges and slick, supple interiors. The slice of melting American on top may seem lowbrow to some, but is actually quite appropriate for those who are real fans. The big, bold supper club tartar really set the bluegill off, but the slaw missed the mark. While normally sugary and sweet, this batch was dry and flavorless. The slice of French was also so-so, but the single serve of Schoep's vanilla saved the day.
A few days later we showed up for dinner and decided to get the 2-piece cod special instead. The cod was incredibly light and flaky with a fall-off-thin breading that sat well in the belly. Keeping with the change-it-up mantra was a side of steak fries. These spuds were chunky and crunchy and came in a big pile that most would cower beneath. They, like both styles of fish before them, paired well with the big, bold supper club tartar. When dinner rolls around the menu, as well as the choice of sides, expands and I went for a basic salad instead of the soup or slaw. The cod for dinner came with rolls instead of French bread, and cinnamon rolls instead of ice cream. Dinner also comes with a full relish tray with tons of cellophane sticks.
Any talk of Toby's is good talk, and without a doubt we are getting spoiled on the Toby's chatter. Overall, we highly recommend the cod and bluegill as well as all the sides and add-ons. This is one of, if not the, most complete Fish Frys in Madison without a doubt. We love Toby's.
Toby's is a quintessential supper club. What is a supper club you might be asking? Well, that can be hard to define, but in our book it is a restaurant that serves "fancy" food, but without the attitude you get at a fancy restaurant. Big portions of high quality grub for a fair price are what characterize the best supper clubs out there, and that is exactly what hard working Wisconsin folks expect on a night out. (For more info on Supper Clubs check out Ron Fiola's documentary - Wisconsin Supper Clubs. Most supper clubs feature a "relish tray" which is usually a cool dish of carrots, celery, radishes, and the like, that awaits your arrival at the table. At Toby's, the relish tray gets you started and when paired with the basket of rolls and cellophane wrapped breadsticks makes for quite a little meal in and of itself. Many supper clubs also feature larger than life salad bars, but there is none at Toby's (there just isn't room in the pint-sized building!).
Toby's is busy every night of the week, but especially on Friday, and we recommend either going early (like 4 o'clock early), or late (8:30-9ish). On hot summer days the small space can get a little musty, and really crowded with hungry fish goers. As such, it not the most kid-friendly establishment, but then again, the best in Fish Fry rarely are. Kids + Fish Fry = Headaches for mom and dad.
The bluegill at Toby's will be abundant (10-12 fillets), lightly breaded, and simply succulent. Their well-spiced breading pairs perfectly with the delicate fish, creating a flavor that has to be tried to be appreciated. The fish will be accompanied by an idyllic house-made tartar sauce that will be thick, and creamy. The sauce finishes with a delightful zip that highlights the subtle fishiness of the bluegill. Not surprisingly, the sauce also blends flawlessly with the rest of Toby's fish offerings which include: cod, walleye, lake perch, and catfish (in descending order of delectableness).
Supper clubs like Toby's also feature plenty of potato options, but with fish the wise money is on the hash browns (add cheese and onion for the real deal), or the steak fries, which are among the best you will find. Regardless of your choice, they'll be expertly fried and compliment the fish exactly how they are supposed to.
The last element in any good Fish Fry is the coleslaw. Some like their slaw to be mayo-based and very creamy, while others are tangy, vinegar-based aficionados. Toby's slaw falls on the creamy end of the spectrum, and is simply superb. It is clearly made in-house, and the finely-chopped mix packs a real wallop.
Toby's isn't for everyone, but when you are talking about the best fish in the Madison area it simply must be in the conversation. The bluegill is an absolute classic - one you can't just find at any old restaurant. While we love the bluegill, you really can't go wrong with any of the fish at Toby's. They are the definitive Fish Fry in town, like it or leave it.
Few things in Wisconsin are as sacred as the bluegill. The diminutive lake dwellers are often overlooked, used to bait bigger fish, or generally discarded, but to those who know better they are some of the finest in fried foods. Toby's Supper Club is an expert in their preparation, but take note - they DO NOT offer them on Fridays. On Fridays they feature cod, lake, perch, walleye, and catfish, but the bluegill is reserved for the off-nights - it is a little strange, but that is just the way it is.
Inside Tip: Make yourself known...
If you go on a Friday Toby's will be busy and it will seem like there is no rhyme or reason to what is transpiring. What you need to do is get as close to the bar as possible, get a menu from the bartender if you need one (the Fish Fry specials are listed on the wall so you shouldn't), and figure out what you want. The waitresses will be hovering around the area and if you're lucky you can catch her eye. If not, let the bartender know you want to eat and they'll point the wait staff in your direction. At this point, just give them your order, continue enjoying some beverages, and they'll come back and get you just before your food is ready. Voilà!
*Toby's is technically in Madison, but about as far out on the southeast side of town as you can get. If you MUST stay closer to downtown and still want Bluegill try Dexter's Pub on North Street or the Big 10 Pub on Regent Street.
Next: Beer battered cod at the Owl's Nest.
Previous: Introduction.
Toby's is a quintessential supper club. What is a supper club you might be asking? Well, that can be hard to define, but in our book it is a restaurant that serves "fancy" food, but without the attitude you get at a fancy restaurant. Big portions of high quality grub for a fair price are what characterize the best supper clubs out there, and that is exactly what hard working Wisconsin folks expect on a night out. (For more info on Supper Clubs check out Ron Fiola's documentary - Wisconsin Supper Clubs. Most supper clubs feature a "relish tray" which is usually a cool dish of carrots, celery, radishes, and the like, that awaits your arrival at the table. At Toby's, the relish tray gets you started and when paired with the basket of rolls and cellophane wrapped breadsticks makes for quite a little meal in and of itself. Many supper clubs also feature larger than life salad bars, but there is none at Toby's (there just isn't room in the pint-sized building!).
Toby's is busy every night of the week, but especially on Friday, and we recommend either going early (like 4 o'clock early), or late (8:30-9ish). On hot summer days the small space can get a little musty, and really crowded with hungry fish goers. As such, it not the most kid-friendly establishment, but then again, the best in Fish Fry rarely are. Kids + Fish Fry = Headaches for mom and dad.
The bluegill at Toby's will be abundant (10-12 fillets), lightly breaded, and simply succulent. Their well-spiced breading pairs perfectly with the delicate fish, creating a flavor that has to be tried to be appreciated. The fish will be accompanied by an idyllic house-made tartar sauce that will be thick, and creamy. The sauce finishes with a delightful zip that highlights the subtle fishiness of the bluegill. Not surprisingly, the sauce also blends flawlessly with the rest of Toby's fish offerings which include: cod, walleye, lake perch, and catfish (in descending order of delectableness).
Supper clubs like Toby's also feature plenty of potato options, but with fish the wise money is on the hash browns (add cheese and onion for the real deal), or the steak fries, which are among the best you will find. Regardless of your choice, they'll be expertly fried and compliment the fish exactly how they are supposed to.
The last element in any good Fish Fry is the coleslaw. Some like their slaw to be mayo-based and very creamy, while others are tangy, vinegar-based aficionados. Toby's slaw falls on the creamy end of the spectrum, and is simply superb. It is clearly made in-house, and the finely-chopped mix packs a real wallop.
Toby's isn't for everyone, but when you are talking about the best fish in the Madison area it simply must be in the conversation. The bluegill is an absolute classic - one you can't just find at any old restaurant. While we love the bluegill, you really can't go wrong with any of the fish at Toby's. They are the definitive Fish Fry in town, like it or leave it.
Few things in Wisconsin are as sacred as the bluegill. The diminutive lake dwellers are often overlooked, used to bait bigger fish, or generally discarded, but to those who know better they are some of the finest in fried foods. Toby's Supper Club is an expert in their preparation, but take note - they DO NOT offer them on Fridays. On Fridays they feature cod, lake, perch, walleye, and catfish, but the bluegill is reserved for the off-nights - it is a little strange, but that is just the way it is.
Inside Tip: Make yourself known...
If you go on a Friday Toby's will be busy and it will seem like there is no rhyme or reason to what is transpiring. What you need to do is get as close to the bar as possible, get a menu from the bartender if you need one (the Fish Fry specials are listed on the wall so you shouldn't), and figure out what you want. The waitresses will be hovering around the area and if you're lucky you can catch her eye. If not, let the bartender know you want to eat and they'll point the wait staff in your direction. At this point, just give them your order, continue enjoying some beverages, and they'll come back and get you just before your food is ready. Voilà!
*Toby's is technically in Madison, but about as far out on the southeast side of town as you can get. If you MUST stay closer to downtown and still want Bluegill try Dexter's Pub on North Street or the Big 10 Pub on Regent Street.
Next: Beer battered cod at the Owl's Nest.
Previous: Introduction.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a hustle and bustle kind of guy, but when I'm out with a child the friendly confines of a dimly lit Toby's after 4pm on a Friday are nowhere near as appealing. I can't imagine standing around the bar with a little one...so I don't. I get my bluegill fix at lunch time and when I realized it had been almost a year since I'd done so I remedied that situation. The lunch potion came with seven fillets this Friday and the school was all huddled up on the south side of the basket. Each was lightly breaded such that the skin still showed through on the underside (how it should be). They were perfectly fried without and hint of grease and the most subtle, yet alluring fishy flavor. Bluegill is all about the essence and this stuff has serious swagger. It's some of the best in the game to be sure.
Toby's is known for their hash browns with cheese and onion, and while an edge on my disc got a little overdone it didn't detract from the the overall excellence. Those dark spots were easily trimmed away and the resultant gooey goodness got gobbled up. Toby's tartar is also a show stopper and the sweet, thick, zippy, peppy, tangy, tartar slipped and slid all over the surface of the sunfish making it something more...something out-of-this-world.
A little crescent roll was a pleasant surprise as it stood in for the usual slab of French bread. Toby's isn't afraid to change the small things up which suits me just fine as the French can get a little stale (no pun intended).
Toby's house slaw also waffles from sugary sweet, to strictly creamy, but is always finely-chopped and plentiful. Today was a strictly creamy day, and it was a little less alluring but still perfectly palatable.
I'll reiterate, if you don't like crowds DO NOT GO TO TOBY'S ON FRIDAY NIGHT. If however you like to have a drink or two, shoot the breeze, and kick off your weekend in style swing by the supper club, I'm sue they'd be happy to see you. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry whether in the daytime or the night. The fish is just too damn good not to.
The bluegill at Toby's is only 11 beans and while it's cheap, it doesn't mean they cheap out. A veritable boatload of bluegill fills the lunch hour basket adding up to at least 12 fillets. Each is home to a light and flaky breading that make the delicate fish shine. There are no rubbery or tough textures to be found which results in pure munching pleasure. While the light coating could use a hint more seasoning it does seem to vary from piece to piece so maybe it's just me.
There are plenty of great potato options to choose from at Toby's but I can't seem to pull myself away from the hash brown with cheese and onion. These spuds are pleasantly greasy with a great flavor meld between the gooey cheese, potent onion, crispy and supple shreds. They are some of the best around and that's all that needs to be said.
Toby's is a supper club by name and as such boast a big, bold, supper club style tartar. This stuff has it all, thickness, creaminess, pungentness? That's probably not a word, but I probably don't care. It kicks the fish into high gear and that all that matters. Ka-pow!
A thick piece of French bread sidles up to the fish like a sidler does as was just that and nothing more. The slaw is finely chopped and sweet and that just fine with me. And of course, no Fish Fry at Toby's would be complete without the bonus cup of Shoeps ice cream after. It puts a smile on everyone's face, big kids and little kids alike.
I know the horse has been beaten, and it probably dead and decomposing at this point, but every time I go to Toby's I'm going to tell you what's what. It great, it's superb, it's everything a Fish Fry should be. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry, and we're not horsing around.
Toby's can be a beast to get into during dinner on Friday. It's guaranteed that they will be busy and that you will have to wait for a table. You just have to roll with it and enjoy having a cocktail or two while crammed in around the bar. If you're like us, you'll just show up for lunch instead when the bar is open and the service much quicker.
While lunch is more informal than dinner, the portions are identical. The $10 bluegill basket features eight lovely fillets with a great texture and a light breading. It is very well balanced and some of the best bluegill available on this, or any other, planet.
Toby's signature steak-cut fries accompany the fish and are delightfully crunchy and hearty. They go blow-for-blow with the bluegill offsetting the succulent fish with their crispiness until the end.
A thick and creamy tartar hits the mark in every way possible and serves as a flawless complement to the smooth fish. Likewise, the homemade coleslaw plays its part to perfection without overshadowing the stars of the show.
Some soft and crusty French bread often finds its way into the basket and serves as a satisfactory starch. To top things off Toby's offers an individual serving of Schoep's ice cream with their Fish Fry which is an added bonus you just don't find many other places, especially at this price point.
Toby's is simply the best, no ifs and or buts about it, and from the amount of people you see there on any given Friday you don't' really need us to keep saying it. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry, and likely always will.
Toby's has a great Fish Fry and perhaps the best that Madison has to offer. Their slate of fish is as complete as any, fully stocked with: cod, lake perch, walleye (baby pike), bluegill, and even catfish. During the lunch hour the baby pike goes for $12 and the bluegill for $11. I dined on both recently and here's what I thought...
They were great. End of story...
Just kidding. Don't get me wrong, they are great, but that's far from the end of the story. The baby pike is actually a man-sized portion as the two fillets add up to at least 10 oz. of meat. The young fish have a smooth and flaky texture that is more tender than their adult counterparts and don't have the same musky flavor. It's a really sophisticated rendition and tastes more like lake perch than a full grown walleye. The supple meat pairs elegantly with Toby's wispy breading resulting in perfectly balanced fillets.
The bluegill is also immaculate and as hearty as you see for $11. The nine or so fillets will vary in size but will be consistently delicious. The subtle fishy flavor is complemented by the same lightly-seasoned breading as the walleye resulting in nothing less than pure satisfaction.
Steak fries, baked potato or hash browns come on the side and are all good choices. The fries tend to fluctuate around the mean taste-wise but never get more than one standard deviation away and always come in droves. The hash browns, on the other hand, are always superb especially when loaded up with onion and topped with a slab of classic American cheese.
Toby's tartar is simply bangin', and while the fish doesn't call out for it, it always welcome. It's the supper club standard thick and creamy mayo mix with just enough relish to keep things interesting. It brings down the house every time.
At lunch a nice, soft piece of French bread partners with a cup of Toby's sweeter-than-most coleslaw forming a dynamic duo that's more than up to snuff. Where so many places stumble in this area, Toby's excels, be it ever so subtly.
As if the stupendous fish and fantastic sides weren't enough, Toby's even throws in a personal-sized serving of ice cream when all is said and done at no extra charge. How do ya like them apples (or in this case strawberries and vanillas)?
Toby's continues to impress and is easily one of, if not the absolute best Fish Frys Madison has to offer. Overall, we highly recommend both the bluegill and the baby pike as well as all the other fish they have to offer. Toby's is simply superb, and one place that clearly aims to please.
Toby's has a great Fish Fry and perhaps the best that Madison has to offer. Their slate of fish is as complete as any, fully stocked with: cod, lake perch, walleye (baby pike), bluegill, and even catfish. During the lunch hour the baby pike goes for $12 and the bluegill for $11. I dined on both recently and here's what I thought...
They were great. End of story...
Just kidding. Don't get me wrong, they are great, but that's far from the end of the story. The baby pike is actually a man-sized portion as the two fillets add up to at least 10 oz. of meat. The young fish have a smooth and flaky texture that is more tender than their adult counterparts and don't have the same musky flavor. It's a really sophisticated rendition and tastes more like lake perch than a full grown walleye. The supple meat pairs elegantly with Toby's wispy breading resulting in perfectly balanced fillets.
The bluegill is also immaculate and as hearty as you see for $11. The nine or so fillets will vary in size but will be consistently delicious. The subtle fishy flavor is complemented by the same lightly-seasoned breading as the walleye resulting in nothing less than pure satisfaction.
Steak fries, baked potato or hash browns come on the side and are all good choices. The fries tend to fluctuate around the mean taste-wise but never get more than one standard deviation away and always come in droves. The hash browns, on the other hand, are always superb especially when loaded up with onion and topped with a slab of classic American cheese.
Toby's tartar is simply bangin', and while the fish doesn't call out for it, it always welcome. It's the supper club standard thick and creamy mayo mix with just enough relish to keep things interesting. It brings down the house every time.
At lunch a nice, soft piece of French bread partners with a cup of Toby's sweeter-than-most coleslaw forming a dynamic duo that's more than up to snuff. Where so many places stumble in this area, Toby's excels, be it ever so subtly.
As if the stupendous fish and fantastic sides weren't enough, Toby's even throws in a personal-sized serving of ice cream when all is said and done at no extra charge. How do ya like them apples (or in this case strawberries and vanillas)?
Toby's continues to impress and is easily one of, if not the absolute best Fish Frys Madison has to offer. Overall, we highly recommend both the bluegill and the baby pike as well as all the other fish they have to offer. Toby's is simply superb, and one place that clearly aims to please.
As you'd expect, lunch at Toby's is slightly scaled back and the standard relish tray that comes with dinner is nowhere to be found. What you'll find in its place will be bluegill, which is not offered during dinner on Fridays and is one of Toby's treasures. The diminutive divers go for nine bucks and since they were available I didn't even consider ordering anything else.
The dude tending bar had tats galore and looked like he could punch through a wall, but handled our fish with grace. In classic lunch club fashion, the goods were ready in no time, came in a red-and-white wax-paper lined basket, and looked absolutely perfect. There were at least 10-12 bluegill fillets (which is a lot), with each being a tiny piece of fried perfection. They had the satisfying snap, and the light fishy flavor you expect from bluegill. The freshwater finsters were complimented by Toby's thin breading, which is light on the gums, but heavy on the taste buds.
Offsetting the delicate fish was a plethora of Toby's thick-cut, battered steak fries. They were done just right, as the crispy coating gave way to perfectly plump interiors. As far as fries go these are way up there. Toby's tartar is also among the best, and while the fries lend a contrast to the juicy fish with their crunch, the sauce shares the load, making the fish ever more succulent. The blend is as thick as it gets, and has just enough relish to make you take notice. It is expertly done, and although the fish hardly needs it, it adds something to the sensation.
A plain piece off French bread buddied up with the main trio, but was nothing special. Likewise, the coleslaw was just kind of there, and while the finely-chopped concoction is usually creamy and delicious, this time it was a little dry and boring. Oh well, coleslaw doesn't break many hearts anyway.
In classic Toby's fashion even the lunch Fish Fry comes with a dessert, and this today it was a single serving of Schoepps vanilla ice cream. It really is the cherry on top, and one of the subtle perks that sets Toby's apart. When it comes to Fish Fry the little things often that make the all difference, and Toby's is one of the places that really seems to realize that.
By rule supper clubs are going to be busy on Friday and Saturday nights and Toby's is far from the exception. Luckily for those of us who aren't always in the mood to fight the rush, Toby's Lunch Club is there to meet our needs. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and still think it is the finest that Madison has to offer regardless of the time of day.
I pulled into the lot at Toby’s around 12:15 and was glad to see it was not as packed as it is on a Friday night. There were still a lot of people mind you, but nowhere near as many as you expect during dinner time. I didn’t have any company today so I sat down at the bar alone and ordered my Spotted Cow from the friendly, heavily “inked” bartender. For lunch Toby’s only offers cod and lake perch which is nowhere near the array of fish that they do for dinner. That was okay with me though because I was in the mood for some melt in your mouth cod. I ordered right from the bartender, sat back, drank my drink and enjoyed a little SportsCenter. About 15 minutes later my fish was ready.
The lunch fish fry comes in a basket which is a definite departure from how the dinner is served. The 2 pieces of cod were light and flaky as I hoped but where not scalding hot which gave a tiny bit of grease the chance to accumulate. It was still very good but I think it must have had to wait a couple minutes for the French fries which were unbearably hot. The fries were delicious but I wish it would have been the other way around: scalding hot fish and lukewarm fries = still delicious, lukewarm fish and scalding fries = less delicious. Sacrifice the fries, not the fish! Regardless, it was still better than 90% of the fish out there just not pure perfection as I have come to expect from Toby’s.
The tartar was, and always is, awesome, and helped to kick the fish up a notch. The roll served with lunch was surprisingly uninspired, but the coleslaw was good, so whatever. For lunch I don’t expect everything to blow me away, especially for 8 bucks or so. Plus, when all is said and dome Toby’s always gives you some sort of desert which kicks ass. This time it was chocolate ice cream (although it was from somewhere down south instead of Wisconsin ::eyeroll:: ).
I am glad to know that Toby’s does lunch. It actually makes it somewhat easy to get a great Fish Fry without the ridiculous crowd you would have to deal with at dinner time. Toby’s is one of the best around and although this particular visit wasn’t the best ever, a “B” visit to Toby’s is most others “A.”
We had just dined on the delectability that is Toby's cod a couple weeks back, but when Grahm's big day rolled around we were powerless to deny him his birthday wish. His wish of course was fish, with the classic supper club being the spot that drew his fancy. The core of our crew convened at 5:30, secured a bar-side locale, and got loosened up with a few beers and some key lime pie martinis (the bartender's specialty, we were told). By 6:00 our full party of 11 was in attendance and our orders finally sailed kitchenward.
We passed the next hour and a half BSing with the Yahn collective and enjoying the plethora of drinks which passed between Toby's speedy bartenders and our hoard. Eventually the wheels were fully greased and we hit dining room full-bore. Awaiting us were two massive relish trays, two bountiful baskets of bread, and our "appetizers," which were spread around the table in such a way that it required one to choose their spot with the utmost care. I chose wisely, landing directly on my plate of Toby's homemade coleslaw. The fresh and zesty slaw was a welcome sight and put some much needed sustenance in my stomach. The soft, fresh roll was also very good and along with the slaw set the stage perfectly for the big boppers which were to come.
Maybe Toby's went out of their way this Friday, or maybe it was just coincidence, but whatever it was they had a surprise in store for Grahm. The special birthday treat turned out to be Toby's blessed bluegill which is normally not on the Friday menu. With lake perch unavailable the foster fish took over our table as literally every fish eater ordered it. Nine people's plates overflowed with 10 to 11 of the lightly breaded, luscious fillets. The sassy sunfish was light and flaky, combining with the breading to produce an idyllic sensation. The flavors were well balanced and exactly what bluegill is meant to taste like.
Enhancing the already outstanding fish was Toby's rich, homemade tartar sauce. The mayo laden mix was extra thick, and its velvety texture complimented delicate bluegill superbly.
After our last trip there was no way we were going to pass on the hash browns with cheese and onion, and even though they cost a buck extra they were well worth it yet again. Since multiple people ordered them, the two massive potato-domes came family-style, each impregnated with ample onion and slathered with three slices of American cheese. The perfectly cooked taters were simply divine and helped take the meal over the top.
At some point during our dinner the waitress got word that we were celebrating a birthday. Perhaps it was the rendition of Happy Birthday that spontaneously erupted mid-meal (or maybe it was Grahm's mom whispering it in her ear)? Regardless of what it was, just as we were finishing our fish a small birthday cake appeared for old Grahmer. A second round of the traditional tune was sung and we all got to try a small piece of the fresh-from-the-freezer cake. It was a nice surprise, and was totally comp'd by our hosts - that is the kind of excellent service you can expect from a family-run place like Toby's.
Toby's is a classic supper club that has evolved to become one of Madison's most reputable Fish Fry institutions. Overall, we highly recommend the bluegill as well as each and every fish they serve. From cod to catfish, perch to pike, they do them all well, and support them with fantastic sides - a true hallmark of the best Fish Frys. Sure, Toby's can be a tough sell for the faint of heart since you are pretty much guaranteed to have a long wait, but you are also guaranteed to have one hell of a good time, and when all is said and done, that is really what Fish Fry is all about. I'm pretty sure the birthday boy would agree that a Fish Fry at Toby's with friends and family is the best present you could ever hope to get.
Same time next year, bud? We're already looking forward to it.
This trip to Toby's was much like every one before it - exceptional. I had an infant with me, but even so made it in and out in around 20 minutes. I'm a slave to Toby's bluegill and even though it's gone from $9.50 to $10.50 it's still an outstanding bargain. This time around there were nine moist, juicy fillets in the basket each of which was enrobed in light, flaky breading with just enough seasoning. I wolfed them down enjoying each of the salty delights with a generous dollop of Toby's textbook tartar sauce.
A side of steak fries comes standard with the lunch specials at Toby's and are crispy and delicious. The portion today was on the small side (at least as far as Toby's is concerned) but since the spuds are hearty they still filled me up.
It's hard to get a handle on the bread situation at Toby's since it's constantly changing, but this time it was just a standard dinner roll. Meh. On the other hand, the slaw is always the same and the finely-chopped, saccharine delight keeps me coming back for more.
Since I was in a rush I didn't stick around for ice cream, but rest assured it's included in the price of the lunch so make sure to ask for it if you want it.
While some might call it a rut, I call my affinity for Toby's a well-reasoned decision. I have been to the other places. For the most part they are usually more expensive than Toby's and their food isn't nearly as tasty so it would be silly to go there and get less while spending more. I try to be fair, but I'm not an idiot. Overall, we can't recommend Toby's highly enough and have no qualms about calling this the best Fish Fry in Madison.
We agreed to meet the well-respected duo that is Madison A to Z at the classic club around 4:30, hoping that we might "beat the rush." Yeah right... When we (Jer and I) arrived "on-the-dot" we weren't the least bit surprised to see Toby's was already bustling, and the entire bar area was full of folks waiting to eat. We struck up on conversation with an ultra-friendly 86 year old Toby's regular who we dubbed "Butch" and heard many stories of his glory days at UW and cattle prospecting near our hometown (truth be told, Butch did most of the striking up, he was friendly like that). It was totally cool, and when JM and Nichole arrived a little while later we were deeply engrossed in conversation with our new acquaintance and his lovely wife. They were just great folks, the kind you expect to find at Toby's.
As always, once we were all present the waitress found us and took our orders: Jer and I craved cod with hash browns (cheese & onion of course), JM picked the perch and fries, while Nichole plucked the pike and shared in our side of hash browns (when multiple people order the hash browns they come family-style, apparently). We didn't have to wait long (at least for Toby's) and took our seats in the "southwest wing" around 5 o'clock.
Of course, as soon as we sat down our quartet was greeted by the supper club staples that those of us born and bred in Wisconsin have come to expect and appreciate at our Fish Frys: a relish tray, a basket of rolls (including cellophane wrapped breadsticks), and our respective coleslaw/salad/cottage cheese choices. My coleslaw was clearly homemade, had a subtle taste of real cabbage flavor, and was simply delightful. It paired elegantly with the crinkle-cut carrots I snagged of the relish tray, and while I didn't partake in any of the celery, radishes, or green onion on the dish I was happy to know they were there for others enjoyment.
The requisite rolls were soft and delicious and when combined with the garlic infused breadsticks constituted a well above average bread option. I polished off my last bites of bun just as the fish came, and was delighted when I saw my tidy plate of cod with an enormous pile of potatoes in tow.
For $11 (a $1 jump in price from our last visit) Toby's treats you the three meaty pieces of cod which are expertly prepared. The stark-white cod was tender and moist, and paired with a light and tasty breading which wasn't overdone. I picked several sections of the translucent breading off the fish and enjoyed them solo to see just how good they were. It turns out the brilliant breading was outstanding on its own, so you can only image what it did to enhance the already pristine fish.
On its own, the fish was excellent, but when Toby's triumphant tartar joined in the mix, there was a new sensation that INXS themselves would be proud of. The homemade sauce was creamy and housed the ideal relish blend to go with its thick mayo contingent. The cup was small, but I made it last all the way to end as only small dabs were necessary with the cod.
The crowning jewel in this Fish Fry were the hash browns for which side plates were supplied. The porky pile of potatoes was infused with ample onion and capped with three slices of melted American. We were all allotted a generous portion of the shredded spuds and still wound up with some to spare. The 'browns were delicious, and boasted a crispy, golden shell and supple center. All in all, they were very good, and even better than Toby's thick-cut steak fries which we have been a big fans of in the past.
Overall, we highly recommend Toby's especially if you enjoy the true supper club experience. Yes, the place is tiny, and you should be prepared to wait, but that is what going out on Friday is all about in our opinion. Luckily, we had good company to pass the time with, and the reward for our patience was great fish for a great price. What more can you ask for? Good folks, good fish, good drinks, and good times - that's Toby's in a nutshell.
This time bluegill and a couple of Toby's famous colossal shrimp were on call, and boy, did they ever deliver. This bluegill is as good as it gets and there were plenty of the petite fillets to go around. The two monster shrimp bolstered the stellar lineup and made this plate much more than any one person should eat (but of course I did it anyway).
The hash browns on the side were fried crisp but still delectable once the cheese slice was allowed to meld. The big, bold supper club-style tartar took the freshwater fish to the next level, the slaw was as sweet and succulent as ever, and the basket of breads with cellophane sticks added a lot of variety to the table. Of course, there was a full-on relish tray and a couple of their famous homemade cinnamon rolls to boot. It's all almost too good to be true.
Overall, we still highly recommended this Fish Fry and are almost ashamed how long it's been since our last visit (almost four years!?!?) Rest assured that won't happen again. See you next week?Now, when most people think Friday Fish Fry they think Friday NIGHT Fish Fry, and if you've ever been to Toby's after 4:00 on a Friday you know what that means. Night time at the teeming club is no place for a toddler, and that's the way we roll these days, so for use it's Friday AFTERNOON Fish Fry all the way. Also, you'll find bluegill on the lunch menu and unless something has changed over the years, the sunfish doesn't show up after the real sun goes down.
I told myself I was going to get cod this time around since I haven't had it forever and it sounded good, but once I saw those gillys on the board, for a mere $11 no less, I just couldn't help myself...I know, I'm weak. The eight fillets fried in the blink of an eye and came out of the kitchen steaming hot. These buggers were as plush as they come, and had no fishy flavor whatsoever despite the skin that shone through the paper-thin breading. Not only did the breading have a light texture, it was a little light on the seasoning as well. A bit more salt in the mix would certainly set things off but I'm really splitting hairs here. This stuff is great any way you slice it.
Usually my hankering for Toby's hash browns can't be denied, but today I wanted the steak fries and stuck to my guns on that one. These babies have a satisfying crunch and come in droves so there is no danger of running out before the fish does. Toby's perfect supper club tartar is also as pleasing as the come and really caps the fish off with a bang.
The slice of French bread on the side was meh, and the finely-chopped slaw was missing its sugary goodness, making both merely placeholders. Luckily, dessert is always included with your meal at Toby's and the single serving of Schoep's vanilla made dad and junior plenty happy.
If you've never been to Toby's be sure to "check in" at the bar first. If the sun is up they'll just tell you to take a table, but if you're in at night be prepared to grab a drink, place your order, and wait for your table to be ready. That's just the way it works, and if you don't like it, there are plenty of others that do. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and will keep coming back during daylight hours until we can stomach the alternative.
This bluegill is everything you imagne it to be. 10-12 teeny little fillets let you know it's legit, and a translucent breading that lets the subtle fishy flavor tak hold. It's immaculate really.
The hash browns with cheese and onion are as polarizing as they come thanks to the processed slice of American cheese that top them. Sure it stands out, but I for one like it...just let 'er melt and and stir it right in. For me it's the right cheese for the job, and while it is certainly processed and "not real cheese" it has a home here. I also find it intersting that if a place like Graze slaps porcessed cheese on their burger people go gaga, but if a supepr club throws it on potatoes it's a cop out...you really can't have it both ways.
Toby's tartar has the perfect consistency and flavor, and the slaw is a serious sugarbomb (as far as slaws go at least).
When you do lunch at Toby's a single serving of ice cream comes with the meal, and since Schoepp's is gone it's an individual cup o' Kemps (which i'm sure someone out there has beef with).
This was a cod Friday and the $12 3-piece with all the usual sides is sure to satisfy. Toby's cod is pristine, and apparently of the highest quality. The fish flakes apart effortlessly into thick juicy planks that have a light and smooth flavor. They are perfectly complimented by Toby's light and flaky breading that sloughs off readily and necessitates a fork at times. It's a superb rendition and some of the best cod you will find anywhere.
For us the potato of choice in the hash browns (with cheese and onion), although the steak fries are exceptional as well. The onions come embedded in the circular hash-o-loaf while the slice of American is placed on top allowing it settle, but not melt entirely. Only upon mixing is the cheese fully melded with it's spudly supporter.
Toby's is a supper club and as such you'd expect a thick and creamy tartar and that's exactly what they deliver. The potent goo puts the proverbial icing on the cod cake and takes the fish from delectable to divine.
A nice soft roll stood in for the standard slice of French bread today, and while we can't say it's a permanent switch it would be fine with us if it was. The slaw was also a little different - lacking the sugar rush we've become accustomed to - but we were alright with that as the finely-chopped mix still struck the right balance. And of course, the single serving of Schoep's ice cream at the end tops everything off and is a bonus you don't find anywhere else. I mean, free dessert? Who else is doing that?
We've heard it all before and we're sure we'll hear it again, but regardless what some of the dissenters say we love the Fish Fry at Toby's. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and will keep coming back until we have a good reason not to...or until they close their doors. Whichever comes first.
If you've been to Toby's for dinner on Friday nights you know that it can be a challenge, especially if you don't like noise and/or have kids. Luckily, for those of us not wanting to fight the crowds, Toby's now offers lunch, including fish specials on Fridays. On our first lunch hour excursion to the Old Dutch Mill mainstay the only fish on special was cod, and we felt fortunate to even get that. Since then, Toby's has branched out, and the noon hour offerings this Friday included lake perch and (the usually not available on Friday) bluegill. Tricky Toby.
Since bluegill was on the menu my order was basically an afterthought. The kitchen had the baskets ready within mere minutes, and they were quickly brought to the table by the unexpectedly polite bartender with all the tats. My catch consisted of 8-10 bluegill fillets, a pile of steak fries, a cup of tartar, a cup of coleslaw, and a slice off a loaf of French bread. I wasted no time.
My first stop was the fish, and the bluegill on this journey was to die for. It was delicate and flavorful with just the right amount of snap. While the breading wasn't tissue-thin, it wasn't thick either, and more importantly the seasoning in it didn't mask the fish. The bluegill was simply superb with and all-around sweetness that bordered on perfection.
Typically you'd find us feasting on hash browns with cheese and onion when having dinner at Toby's, but during lunch the only options available are a baked potato or the thick-cut steak fries. Again, my choice was basically an afterthought. Like the fish the fries were plentiful and delicious with a crispy batter coating that goes toe-to-toe with any we've crunched.
Pairing with Toby's near-perfect fish was Toby's near-perfect tartar sauce. It is a seriously thick mix that doesn't skimp on the relish, but still has a great balance. While the bluegill barely needed it, the bites the blend did bless were truly transcendent.
I've always thought the slaw at Toby's to be some of the best around, but this rendition was a little sweet for my tastes. While I don't mind a good zest to the slaw, this finely-chopped batch was a little runny, and seemed to be spiked with sugar. It definitely had a pop, but it wasn't the back-of-the-taste buds pop I like. The slice of French bread was also a little off-kilter, but was a slight improvement over a basic dinner roll, so I can't complain. And of course, the real show stopper at Toby's is the dessert that is included with every meal (even lunch). This time around it was a nice single serving of Schoep's ice cream which is just a great way to finish off lunch.
Once again Toby's answered the call to action. Even at lunch they brought an impressive arsenal, regardless of whether a relish tray was part of it. The fish, fries, and tartar were all amazing, and the slaw and bread did what the needed to do. Tack on a shot of ice cream and there really isn't much more that needs to be said. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and assume we'll be taking advantage of lunch at Toby's more often from here on out. It is just too good not to.
For us Fish Fry means much more than just drenching a piece of cod in a batter so thick that you can't even taste the fish. We think that the flavor of the fish deserves to shine, which is why we tend to like freshwater fish dusted in a light, well-seasoned breading. While we still love a good beer battered cod now and then, the subtle nuances are what really keep us coming back every Friday, and beer batter can get monotonous if that is all you eat. Toby's Supper Club is one place that understands that Fish Fry goes beyond beer batter.
For our money Toby's is the best all-around Fish Fry in Madison. They run the gamut of freshwater options on Fridays and still have the cod that most people want (although theirs is a lightly breaded version not a beer battered beast). On this visit we sampled their $11 lake perch offering with a side of their famous hash browns with cheese and onions.
As per usual the fish came alarmingly fast, and was steaming hot. Five perch fillets dotted the red & white checkered piece of wax paper that lined the basket, and tasted great, although they lacked the pop of Toby's bluegill. Instead they had a mellow flavor which was complemented by a breading that was light to the touch, but also light on the seasoning. The fish flavor was very subtle making the perch a good stepping stone for those who like cod, but are considering branching out a little or just want a change of pace.
A small plate of hash browns came on the side and were exactly as they should be. The mini-loaf was fried to perfection and featured plenty of onion and a singular slice of American cheese. Their crispy edges were balanced by a supple center, making bites where both contingents were present a menagerie of textures and flavors. Crispy, gooey, cheesy, melty, yummy.
Expertly fried fish is great on its own, but when it's paired with a topnotch tartar magic happens. Toby's tartar is the Ace in the deck and makes everything it touches better than it was before. Toby's slaw is also some of the best you will find and clearly made in-house. It's a finely-chopped rendition that is zesty and delicious, and has a little sugar in it that really tickles the taste buds.
The bread that comes with Toby's fish varies from visit to visit, but this go-round is was the usual slice off a French loaf. The plain starch plays it part admirably, but draws little fanfare for its effort.
Very few places include dessert with their Fish Fry, but Toby's isn't your usual place. They always have ice cream, cinnamon rolls, or cookies (even during lunch), and the strawberry sundae ice cream today was the perfect ending to another marvelous meal.
If you're looking for the typical beer battered cod there are plenty of places to get your fix in town. However, if you're like us and want something different from time to time try the perch, bluegill, walleye, or catfish at Toby's Supper Club. We promise you'll be glad you did. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and will say it again: Toby's has the best all-around Fish Fry in Madison. Take that to the bank.
Of course, there are times when we want Toby's fish, but don't want the wait involved with Friday night. In these instances we just head over during the noon hour, when the same fish is served, but without the long wait and a few of the supper club perks (like the famous relish tray).
During lunch Toby's fish comes basket-style, and I had my order of bluegill about five minutes after I ordered it. Just because it's lunch time doesn't mean Toby's cuts any corners either. For $10 they pump out 11 bluegill fillets, a pile of fries, all the standard accompaniments, AND even a personal serving of Schoep's ice cream. This time it was Strawberry.
As always the bluegill this visit was smashing. Each of the diminutive fillets was tender and juicy, with no grease or rubbery textures. They all featured Toby's signature light breading which enhances all the subtle nuances of the fish without overwhelming any of them. It is truly almost perfect.
With so much fish you might expect that they'd skimp on the sides, but Toby's trots out a ton of taters. For lunch the only choice is between steak fries and a baked potato (no hash browns), but the portion is still bountiful. Each of them this round were big, long cuts with no skimpy little nubs. In addition they were all perfectly fried with crispy outsides and fluffy insides. Toby's knows how to fry.
When fish is as good as Toby's bluegill is it really doesn't need any help, but Toby's provides some of the best tartar available anyway. It's as thick as they come, creamy as can be, and monstrously mayo-y. It's the icing on the bluegill cake, and pushes the flavor of the fish even further.
Toby's homemade slaw is also superb, and you simply can't do much better than they finely-chopped, zesty blend. In addition, Toby's has recently upgraded their bread offering and the roll this round was a muffin-looking bun, that was incredibly airy, soft, and warm. It was a clear step up from the basic dinner roll, and worthy of some extra credit.
Toby's just continues to do their thing and represent the Friday Fish Fry about as well as anyone in the state. Overall, we highly, highly, highly recommend this Fish Fry and love each and every thing about it.
2007 was the last time I actually had lake perch at Toby's, and of course, the bluegill is mostly to blame. Toby's perch is no slouch either, but next the sunfish it just doesn't quite stack up even though it's better than almost every other fish out there. I put my order in after having a couple beers, and the bartender brought my basket out about 5 minutes later (Toby's kitchen runs like clockwork on Fridays).
While I truly love the bluegill, the lake perch this Friday was nothing less than amazing. The six fat fillets were moist and juicy, and slid down like butter. Each was perfectly fried, and coated with Toby's light breading which features just the right amount of spice to let the flavor of the fish shine through. It was a succulent dish, and while I still like the bluegill a little better the perch definitely gave it a run for its money.
Every other part of this Fish Fry upheld Toby's superlative standard as well. From the thick-cut steak fries, to the creamy tartar and the homemade coleslaw, each element was superb. A small slice of French bread finished off the basket adequately, and when all was said and done a personal cup of Schoep's ice cream sealed the deal.
While the fries were frugally portioned, they were expertly fried and totally delicious. Toby's tartar is also amazing, and arguably the best you will find anywhere. It pairs perfectly with the perch, and really pushes it over the top. The homemade sauce also has a great zip, much like the finely-chopped slaw which is sweet and savory, and good until the last bite. The small piece of French bread was tucked in under the tartar and was less impressive than the rest of the items, but at least it was there.
While the bluegill still rules the roost at Toby's, the lake perch is a definite contender for the throne. The perch was incredibly delicious, and will certainly make me think twice before defaulting to the bluegill from here on out. Overall, I highly recommend the lake perch at Toby's, and if for some reason the bluegill isn't available I won't hesitate to order it again.
$11 for bluegill today and it was awesome as always. Pretty much the standard lunch... Fast, friendly, in and out in 30 minutes. 10 fillets of varying sizes. Fish has a great flavor, but breading didn't have much seasoning. Still smooth and silky as the light breading lets the fish shine and the flakiness take center stage. Hard to complain about that.
Fishy fish loves peppy tartar and this sauce takes it over the top. Perfection incarnate, 'tis thick, creamy, and bold with everything you want and nothing you don't.
Hash browns with cheese and onion are normally above reproach. Today they were a little burned on their undercarriage. Still sufficed.
A big old chunk of fresh French bread and a 2 oz. cup of homemade slaw round it out, and while the slaw has lost some of it sugar it's still sweet as can be. And of course it wouldn't be Toby's without a single serving of Schoep's ice cream for desert.
I said there was no time to explain and I stand by that (even if I did explain a little). A quick and dirty review for a quick and clean lunch, you can't beat that. Overall, we highly recommend Toby's and still think it's one of Madison's finest no matter how long it takes ya.
We headed to Toby’s pretty early and noticed that even on a Monday night there was no shortage of patrons. It was not as packed as you would expect on a Friday but there were still plenty of hungry folks. Since it was not as busy we were able to ‘check in’ at the bar and mosey over to a table of our liking. We ordered a round of drinks quickly and gave the waitress our order at the same time. I went for the Bluegill and my girlfriend opted for the cod which was on special. My friend who came along went with the steak that was also on special and was very pleased with his choice. I guess Toby’s has a great Fish Fry AND great steaks, what a combo.
The Bluegill was again fantastic. Very light and tender with a delicious flavor. It did have a slightly elastic texture to it but that in no way detracted from the overall taste or quality. The cod was also superb, possibly the best around. It is so flaky and light it really does melt in your mouth. The fries were great as they always are, as was the tartar sauce. All the peripheral items were good too including the cottage cheese, pickles and cinnamon rolls. Toby’s is a great Supper Club experience.
Toby’s is great. There is really not a lot more that needs to be said.
We headed to Toby’s pretty early and noticed that even on a Monday night there was no shortage of patrons. It was not as packed as you would expect on a Friday but there were still plenty of hungry folks. Since it was not as busy we were able to ‘check in’ at the bar and mosey over to a table of our liking. We ordered a round of drinks quickly and gave the waitress our order at the same time. I went for the Bluegill and my girlfriend opted for the cod which was on special. My friend who came along went with the steak that was also on special and was very pleased with his choice. I guess Toby’s has a great Fish Fry AND great steaks, what a combo.
The Bluegill was again fantastic. Very light and tender with a delicious flavor. It did have a slightly elastic texture to it but that in no way detracted from the overall taste or quality. The cod was also superb, possibly the best around. It is so flaky and light it really does melt in your mouth. The fries were great as they always are, as was the tartar sauce. All the peripheral items were good too including the cottage cheese, pickles and cinnamon rolls. Toby’s is a great Supper Club experience.
Toby’s is great. There is really not a lot more that needs to be said.
We got to Toby’s fairly early, around 7pm, and the place was hoppin’ as it usually is. The Wednesday Fish Fry specials are not diverse as the Friday menu but the cod is still there. You can also get all the ‘normal’ options such as Baby Walleye and Lake Perch, but they are not on ‘special’. One interesting thing about Toby’s is that they do not offer Bluegill on Friday nights, but every other night of the week it is available. Since this was my first visit on a day other than Friday I knew I had to give it a try. What’s more, since my girlfriend was getting the cod, I knew I would be able to get a piece of that too. It was a total win-win situation for me.
We sat at the bar for a good 15 minutes before we were able to get our order into a waitress, which allowed me plenty of time to get through the first and into my second Spotted Cow. Delicious. About 30 minutes after that our food was ready and she led us to our table. The table was ready with the Supper Club staples: a dish of carrots, celery, radishes and green onion; a basket with two loaves of bread and a basket with crackers and breadsticks; a bowl of pickles AND two cinnamon rolls! Cinnamon rolls? I mean c’mon, that is almost too much. I just about passed out from over stimulation.
The Bluegill was delicious. There were at least 10 to 12 lightly battered pieces that just melted in your mouth. It almost makes me wonder why they don’t serve it on Fridays. I presume it is because they would not be able to meet the demand because this stuff was awesome. The cod was also spectacular, light and flaky with a marvelous taste that is tough to beat. Both of these fish, as well as all the other varieties at Toby’s, are easily recommendable. The taste and the crispiness of the steak-cut French fries were spot on, simply wonderful. The tartar sauce was great too. The only thing that wasn’t great was the bread that they served this time which not as good as it is on a Friday night.
The service is never fast at Toby’s but it adds to the ambiance of the establishment. You know you are gonna wait, so deal with it and enjoy a drink or two. That is what a Supper Club is all about. Even though it wasn’t Friday Toby’s still did a great job of putting out fantastic fish which really says something about them. The Bluegill was so good I am definitely going to go back on more weekday nights so I can get it. Don’t get me wrong, every fish they serve is great, but that Bluegill may be the best. I loved it. And to top off a fantastic meal like that with a cinnamon roll at the end is almost too much. Simply amazing.
We got to Toby’s fairly early, around 7pm, and the place was hoppin’ as it usually is. The Wednesday Fish Fry specials are not diverse as the Friday menu but the cod is still there. You can also get all the ‘normal’ options such as Baby Walleye and Lake Perch, but they are not on ‘special’. One interesting thing about Toby’s is that they do not offer Bluegill on Friday nights, but every other night of the week it is available. Since this was my first visit on a day other than Friday I knew I had to give it a try. What’s more, since my girlfriend was getting the cod, I knew I would be able to get a piece of that too. It was a total win-win situation for me.
We sat at the bar for a good 15 minutes before we were able to get our order into a waitress, which allowed me plenty of time to get through the first and into my second Spotted Cow. Delicious. About 30 minutes after that our food was ready and she led us to our table. The table was ready with the Supper Club staples: a dish of carrots, celery, radishes and green onion; a basket with two loaves of bread and a basket with crackers and breadsticks; a bowl of pickles AND two cinnamon rolls! Cinnamon rolls? I mean c’mon, that is almost too much. I just about passed out from over stimulation.
The Bluegill was delicious. There were at least 10 to 12 lightly battered pieces that just melted in your mouth. It almost makes me wonder why they don’t serve it on Fridays. I presume it is because they would not be able to meet the demand because this stuff was awesome. The cod was also spectacular, light and flaky with a marvelous taste that is tough to beat. Both of these fish, as well as all the other varieties at Toby’s, are easily recommendable. The taste and the crispiness of the steak-cut French fries were spot on, simply wonderful. The tartar sauce was great too. The only thing that wasn’t great was the bread that they served this time which not as good as it is on a Friday night.
The service is never fast at Toby’s but it adds to the ambiance of the establishment. You know you are gonna wait, so deal with it and enjoy a drink or two. That is what a Supper Club is all about. Even though it wasn’t Friday Toby’s still did a great job of putting out fantastic fish which really says something about them. The Bluegill was so good I am definitely going to go back on more weekday nights so I can get it. Don’t get me wrong, every fish they serve is great, but that Bluegill may be the best. I loved it. And topping off a fantastic meal like that with a cinnamon roll at the end is almost too much. Simply amazing.
This time around I showed up right at noon with Norbert and Travis in tow. Since it was lunch there were plenty of tables to choose from even though there were several likeminded groups getting their fish fix this Friday. The specials were listed on the neon board and I was pleased to see they included bluegill in addition to Toby's standard cod and lake perch. I bounced back and forth between the freshwater fish momentarily, but of course settled on bluegill once our waitress came around.
Big Norb, Travis, and I only had a few moments to discuss the weekly high school football goings-on before the food showed up - Toby's simply doesn't mess around when it comes to frying fish. My basket looked just beautiful from the onset. It was home to 10ish bluegill fillets, and handful of Toby's special steak fries, a small Solo of tartar and larger one of slaw, a slice of French bread, and a lemon wedge (the citrus would go unused). It was pretty as a picture, but destined to be destroyed.
The bluegill fillets varied in sized, but were consistently delicious. Each of the small swimmers was perfectly breaded and fried. Toby's breading is light and flaky with just enough seasoning to give the delicate fish an ideal balance of flavors. Of course, Toby's bluegill comes with the skin intact, so if you're scared of the skin this probably isn't the fish for you, although if you're scared of skin, Fish Fry might not be your thing in general. In my opinion, the skin provides a flavor that the meat would never be able to achieve on its own making the bluegill truly unique and incredibly desirable.
The steak fries at Toby's are more conventional than the bluegill, but no less delicious. Like the fish, they are consistently well-fried and boast crispy exteriors and plush interiors. These are the fries you've come to know and love, and if you haven't yet, you can bet you will should you ever get your mitts on some of them.
Light and flaky fish blends best with a mostly-mayo tartar, and that is exactly what Toby's delivers. Their homemade sauce contains the requisite amount of relish, but the mayo contingent comes to the front to provide the perfect complement to the fantastic fish.
When it comes to sides Toby's don't steal the show, but at this point they don't really need to. The slice of French bread that came with today was fresh, and soft, while the slaw was great, but still played second fiddle to the fish. Regardless, the killer coleslaw was cool and creamy with enough horseradish to keep things interesting.
Of course, once you've satisfied your salty side Toby's trots out a personal-sized cup of Schoep's ice cream for your sweet tooth. Today there were three flavors to choose from of which I went for the plain old vanilla. A little ice cream is simply a superb way to cap a Fish Fry, and since it's included in the cost of the meal it's a total bonus. Bluegill, fries, tartar, slaw, bread AND dessert all for only 10 skins? Sign me up!
What can you say about Toby's? They just never miss. The food is always superb, the staff is always incredibly friendly (even during the Friday night rush), and it's simply a smoking great deal. Overall, we highly, highly, highly recommend the bluegill Toby's, and think it's the #1 Fish Fry in Madison proper. End of story.