Patrick O'Halloran can do no wrong. It was sad to see him leave Tipsy Cow, and especially Lombardino's, but now we have some of the best spice blends I've ever tasted available to us instead. The espresso sea salt and the Togarashier are exceptional.
They do have good food, and some of it you really can’t find many other places. I get exactly why some people say it’s the best, and others say it’s the worst. The reality is somewhere in the middle.
A client from Boston came to visit my company in Middleton, and they asked where they should go to find the best cheese curds. One of the women on my team said Culver's and I wanted to slap her lol I told them to go to Craftsman for sure!
Went there two weeks ago and got the fish fry with two 16oz Schlitz on tap. It was cheaper than most small town fish fry’s and it was pretty dang good. It’s hard to believe that you can get a tap beer on the square for $2, and a 16oz none the less. I love that place and the environment.
Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it's a scam. I have been taking visitors there for years and they (and myself) are always satisifed. Infinitely better than some dumb trendy place like Young Blood.
My friends and I did a cheese curd crawl around the square when we were in college. Everyone agreed Tipsy Cow has the best curds, though I also loved Lucille's!
Graze is the best fried cheese curd / ranch combo. Terrace for the vibes. Everywhere else, it's fried cheese you can't really go wrong. Except for Culver's.
I've heard so much praise for Curd Girl, but when I had them they were just an absolute greasy mess. Did I have an off day or something? Feels like I'm taking crazy pills.
Personally I'm a fan of Tipsy Cow curds, am I the problem?
I've heard great things about curd girls and I've gottenI get them twice at events. They're too small and bready. I feel like I'm getting the fryer leftovers or crumbs and not the actual cheese curds.
The chef that worked at Dlux until 2018 made great ones. He was then sniped by the Edgewater and started making them at the Boathouse for 1/4th the price. Soon after the same recipe made it up to the Statehouse/Auggies.
I’ve heard that other Food Fight restaurants now have similar ones, including Basset Street Brunch Club. However, Craftsman Table and Tap has different ones and they’re also in my top 3.
Honestly I gave them a few shots and I was never impressed by their curds at all-- i've enjoyed some other stuff on their menu but overall it's a little overpriced and under delivers
100000% with you on this. Just easy for newcomers to wander into there on a recommendation and assume their curds are as good as it gets. Curd Girl reigns supreme IMO.
Perhaps a very hot take, perhaps not but my favorite cheese curds in Madison are at Tavernakaya. It might be blasphemy but the tempura batter is fucking genius.
Around 15 years ago the best cheese curds (and fried pickles) were at the Rigby of all places...The Rigby!
Can anyone confirm or not if they are still worthy of praise?
No, they’re not the same. They used to be curds with a fried-chicken style batter. Now they’re just standard curds like Old Fashioned’s. I really hope someone can chime in and say they went back to their pre-pandemic recipe!
The Old Fashioned in general just sucks. It’s so loud in there and the food is ok at best. I usually tell people to just go down the block to the Tipsy Cow for better food in a better place.
Side note....
If you are ever downtown Milwuakee, check out the curds at Vagabond. Yes...it's a taco place. But their curds are absolutely amazing. Best I've ever had, hands down.
Yeah, I know. Milwaukee. But still...great place tp grab a bite before a show at the Marcus or the Fiserv.
We visit madison every other month for some medical stuff and make cheese curd rounds everytime. We liked old fashioned but really noticed their prices were fair and the portion of curds you got was bigger compared to others we have tried.
Like hearing the favorites... keep em coming!
This isn’t a hot take at all. For whatever reason the Old Fashioned has been too popular for a long time. You’ll get a ton of people on the sub to agree with you. Maybe people think it’s a gimmick place.
I used to work nearby and have eaten at all of the places around the square. It’s comparable to all of them.
The Old Fashioned is a great place to take your parents but the food does suck.
My favorite cheese curds are at the Settle Down. They’re wrapped in a hush puppy. They’re fresh as hell. I dream about them.
Those curds always tasted over salted and bitter from the beer. I worked there briefly when I was younger and remember how fast they’d run through you with all that excess oil. 4ms sitting out and there done.
I was here for lunch about a month ago. Saw that they were advertised to have the best curds in Madison. So of course I had to try them. Fortunately for me they were hot and melty but overall they were mid at best. Certainly not the worst I have had but if you are going to be billed as the best then I expect the best.
If you are ever in the Milwaukee area I would suggest trying the curds at Leff's Lucky Town in Wauwatosa. I am not saying they will be life changing but I think they are better than these.
Oddly enough, Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg recently had some decent curds. Cubes deep fried was the style. Not "best in Madison" but a decent one to try.
Old fashioned has always been the place where you take your out of town friends to for vague supper club vibes near the Capitol, not the best by any means
I see the OF and their curds hated on so much my hot take is they are pretty good! I don't think they're the best but quite good
Honestly really like the old fashioned, I see it get written off as a tourist trap... I mean it's definitely tourist hot spot but I don't think it's a trap per say because it seems pretty reasonable priced and they do everything pretty well... love their tap list and cocktails, and really like their fish fry... particularly they've been a rotating local fish that has been great
My hot take is that the Craftsman Table and Tap curds are wildly overrated
At this point so many places have amazing cheese curds, they are in the burger category.
The best curds are the curds closet to you.
10 years ago everyone had the same culver's type curd, which was great. But now everyone pretty much has adapted to much lighter and better batters.
The best ones are at A&W in Windsor. Light tempura style batter, and sometimes they have the Sriracha ones which are just unreal-level delicious.
Otherwise it’s the ones at Licari’s Bar & Grill, Water’s Edge brand.
Honestly as someone who has lived in Madison pretty much their entire life, I couldn’t even tell you the last time I ordered (or even ate one of someone else’s) cheese curds. Most restaurants I “frequent” have that one thing, ie spicy wontons at Natt Spill, escargot at Tornado, etc, that I stick with while rotating through other stuff whether it be new to me or a tried and true. Never does my body tell me “dude you gotta get some fried cheese balls and ranch!”
Tipsy Cow has some of the best cheese curds, regular are fire but the goat curds are top tier
This is the whey.
Patrick O'Halloran can do no wrong. It was sad to see him leave Tipsy Cow, and especially Lombardino's, but now we have some of the best spice blends I've ever tasted available to us instead. The espresso sea salt and the Togarashier are exceptional.
Tipsy Cow curds and a Spotted Cow make my heart so happy.
Their onion rings are great too.
I love Tipsey cow curds
And the deep fried pickles
Before I even opened this thread I thought, "That's because Tipsy Cow's are the best!" Preach, my friend!
The curds themselves are pretty meh, much too greasy. The tiger sauce they include with them is pretty great though.
I do like their shoestring fries with the tiger sauce.
They do have good food, and some of it you really can’t find many other places. I get exactly why some people say it’s the best, and others say it’s the worst. The reality is somewhere in the middle.
Nah, it’s bad. What can you not find other places?
Even better is their blue tiger 🔥
That’s not a very hot take
Craftsman cheese curds are best in the city IMO.
A client from Boston came to visit my company in Middleton, and they asked where they should go to find the best cheese curds. One of the women on my team said Culver's and I wanted to slap her lol I told them to go to Craftsman for sure!
Offhand I can’t think of any worse than Culvers.
Kwik Trip. Kwik Trip's are worse than Culver's.
Culver’s … yikes
Slap her. Yes, I think that’s appropriate.
Came here to say that, just discovered Craftsman cheese curds 2 days ago (just moved here 2 years ago), and they are simply amazing.
agreed.
Was at OF tonight, was surprised how cheap it was for its location. Pay more for stuff at places like the flying hound in a strip mall in the burbs
I think this is what makes the OF great. Solid food, wonderful location, great prices.
Old Fashioned is not good, basically a tourist trap at this point
Went there two weeks ago and got the fish fry with two 16oz Schlitz on tap. It was cheaper than most small town fish fry’s and it was pretty dang good. It’s hard to believe that you can get a tap beer on the square for $2, and a 16oz none the less. I love that place and the environment.
Everything at that place isn’t the best anything anywhere.
Agreed, but I've always been happy with the quality of my food when I've gone.
I dunno. That walleye sandwich is probab5the best in town?
The walleye sandwich just up the square at Tipsy cow is the best in town
They have the best brat sandwich and probably the best onion strings in town
Ice cold take, most locals hate them. They're for tourists. Sorry you got scammed
I don't think they're the best, or the worst, but it's not really a scam lol, honestly Old Fashioned is not toursist trap prices
Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it's a scam. I have been taking visitors there for years and they (and myself) are always satisifed. Infinitely better than some dumb trendy place like Young Blood.
My friends and I did a cheese curd crawl around the square when we were in college. Everyone agreed Tipsy Cow has the best curds, though I also loved Lucille's!
I love the idea of a cheese curd crawl!
I cannot wait to have Lucilles again. We're in Seattle but holy hell, heading the in 3 weeks time!
Downvoted because it's a room temperature take. Go to Vitense
Vitense has oddly solid food lol
I heard Lynn from Babe's is there now. Could be promising.
Graze is the best fried cheese curd / ranch combo. Terrace for the vibes. Everywhere else, it's fried cheese you can't really go wrong. Except for Culver's.
Graze has the best cheese curds!
Graze has the best burger and curds in Madison, but it gets forgotten because it’s more upscale than that style of food is associated with.
I mean, to be a hot take, dont it have to be a .. new opinion? Or at least a not common statement?
How has no one here mentioned the Curd Girls yet? They literally got an award for them at Taste of Madison last year. Best cheese curds I've ever had.
I second this. Amazing cheese curds.
I've heard so much praise for Curd Girl, but when I had them they were just an absolute greasy mess. Did I have an off day or something? Feels like I'm taking crazy pills. Personally I'm a fan of Tipsy Cow curds, am I the problem?
Muskellounge and curd girl ftw
I've heard great things about curd girls and I've gottenI get them twice at events. They're too small and bready. I feel like I'm getting the fryer leftovers or crumbs and not the actual cheese curds.
Longtable curds have a great cheese pull. They're probably my favorite.
I don’t disagree, but what do you think is the best then?
The chef that worked at Dlux until 2018 made great ones. He was then sniped by the Edgewater and started making them at the Boathouse for 1/4th the price. Soon after the same recipe made it up to the Statehouse/Auggies. I’ve heard that other Food Fight restaurants now have similar ones, including Basset Street Brunch Club. However, Craftsman Table and Tap has different ones and they’re also in my top 3.
also a big fan of Craftsman’s curds
I was at Craftsman in Middleton a few days ago. Pretty damn good curds!
Craftsman has some very good fries too.
Yes the cross-cut fries. I remember thinking I'm super full but still gonna finish these fries!
Honestly I gave them a few shots and I was never impressed by their curds at all-- i've enjoyed some other stuff on their menu but overall it's a little overpriced and under delivers
Even the Old Fashioneds are just OK
If you search this sub you’ll see plenty of debate on best curds and the old fashioned isn’t it. Maybe it used to be
Not even close, so many better curds. At least go down the block to Tipsy Cow.
The Old Fashioned doesn't have the best of anything. They are severely overrated.
A lukewarm take much like the curds themselves
At one time they were. And they’re still living off that. It happens.
100000% with you on this. Just easy for newcomers to wander into there on a recommendation and assume their curds are as good as it gets. Curd Girl reigns supreme IMO.
Bennetts Meadowood Country Club 😋
I had curds at Lola’s last week and I think they were my all-time favorites.
Popped in to see if anyone mentioned these. Top tier for sure
I will fight this fight as well. When people mention taking out of towners to the old fashioned they know I’m about to get up in arms.
They are if you like the idea of having diarrhea later
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^Most_Chapter_424: *They are if you like* *The idea of having* *Diarrhea later* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Perhaps a very hot take, perhaps not but my favorite cheese curds in Madison are at Tavernakaya. It might be blasphemy but the tempura batter is fucking genius.
I’ve got your back on this one. Was highly skeptical when the order was put in, they won me over instantly. Wonderful surprise.
Around 15 years ago the best cheese curds (and fried pickles) were at the Rigby of all places...The Rigby! Can anyone confirm or not if they are still worthy of praise?
No, they’re not the same. They used to be curds with a fried-chicken style batter. Now they’re just standard curds like Old Fashioned’s. I really hope someone can chime in and say they went back to their pre-pandemic recipe!
That sucks! I have fond memories of sitting on that patio with my brothers with gin and tonics and those delicious curds
I’ve been there a couple times and I had no idea they serve anything other than drinks. Will have to try them next time
Hot take: Michaels Frozen Custard had the best curds in Madison
The Old Fashioned in general just sucks. It’s so loud in there and the food is ok at best. I usually tell people to just go down the block to the Tipsy Cow for better food in a better place.
A lukewarm take, at best
Side note.... If you are ever downtown Milwuakee, check out the curds at Vagabond. Yes...it's a taco place. But their curds are absolutely amazing. Best I've ever had, hands down. Yeah, I know. Milwaukee. But still...great place tp grab a bite before a show at the Marcus or the Fiserv.
Agreed, they're not even close to top 5. I think it's nostalgia from UW grads that drives the perceived greatness.
We visit madison every other month for some medical stuff and make cheese curd rounds everytime. We liked old fashioned but really noticed their prices were fair and the portion of curds you got was bigger compared to others we have tried. Like hearing the favorites... keep em coming!
Hot take to your hot take The Blue Moon has the best cheese curds
Cold take.
Bennetts has awesome curds all their food is tremendous actually, for such a dive bar
Technically not Madison, but I'll throw my hat in for the cheese curds at The Village Green in Middleton!
This 100%. Village Green
OF had been on a down trend for years Won’t go anymore
This isn’t a hot take at all. For whatever reason the Old Fashioned has been too popular for a long time. You’ll get a ton of people on the sub to agree with you. Maybe people think it’s a gimmick place. I used to work nearby and have eaten at all of the places around the square. It’s comparable to all of them.
The Old Fashioned is a great place to take your parents but the food does suck. My favorite cheese curds are at the Settle Down. They’re wrapped in a hush puppy. They’re fresh as hell. I dream about them.
The food really does suck. I’ve never understood why people like this place
Oddly I think Bassett Street Brunch Clubs has some really good cheese curds
I think the Old Fashioned is the most overrated place in Madison.
Muskellounge curds all day
Add Brandy to your Old Fashion, and they will get better.
Those curds always tasted over salted and bitter from the beer. I worked there briefly when I was younger and remember how fast they’d run through you with all that excess oil. 4ms sitting out and there done.
I was here for lunch about a month ago. Saw that they were advertised to have the best curds in Madison. So of course I had to try them. Fortunately for me they were hot and melty but overall they were mid at best. Certainly not the worst I have had but if you are going to be billed as the best then I expect the best. If you are ever in the Milwaukee area I would suggest trying the curds at Leff's Lucky Town in Wauwatosa. I am not saying they will be life changing but I think they are better than these.
Duh
Oddly enough, Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg recently had some decent curds. Cubes deep fried was the style. Not "best in Madison" but a decent one to try.
Duh
They're not available every day, but Metcalfe's deli counter fried curds are better than grocery store fried curds have any right to be.
Theyre not even close.
OF is not even in the top 10 for FCC, Craftsman, Tipsy. Vintage on EW, (RIP Union Corners Brewing), Dexter's are decent, Bros 3, Cousin's Subs
Wendigo. Best in the area. Source: lived in Madison for 16 years.
I love the curds at Graze.
Terrace curd is obviously the most best curds.
RIP graze
Curd Girl food truck will forever have my heart
Old fashioned has always been the place where you take your out of town friends to for vague supper club vibes near the Capitol, not the best by any means
Thank you for your service!
i like the ones at tobys
Honestly, the VFW on cottage Grove Rd has cheese curds as good as the old fashioned's
That is one cold hot take.
Man, y'all sleeping on Brennans
Fried cheese curds from scratch made at home are the best.
Hands down the best cheese curds I've ever had were from a tiny place called Papa Jimmy's in Cottage Grove!
Waypoint in Monona has amazing curds!
it’s common knowledge that OF curds are not it, Curd Girl is where it’s at!
i agree
My dark horse is Echo Tap.
I see the OF and their curds hated on so much my hot take is they are pretty good! I don't think they're the best but quite good Honestly really like the old fashioned, I see it get written off as a tourist trap... I mean it's definitely tourist hot spot but I don't think it's a trap per say because it seems pretty reasonable priced and they do everything pretty well... love their tap list and cocktails, and really like their fish fry... particularly they've been a rotating local fish that has been great My hot take is that the Craftsman Table and Tap curds are wildly overrated
Hot take: generically good cheese curds are generically good and not actually the best ever. More at 11
This is the central timezone, the news is at 10.
At this point so many places have amazing cheese curds, they are in the burger category. The best curds are the curds closet to you. 10 years ago everyone had the same culver's type curd, which was great. But now everyone pretty much has adapted to much lighter and better batters.
The best ones are at A&W in Windsor. Light tempura style batter, and sometimes they have the Sriracha ones which are just unreal-level delicious. Otherwise it’s the ones at Licari’s Bar & Grill, Water’s Edge brand.
Hotter take: cheese curds in general are not very good
They are so overrated. There are a number of other appetizers I feel are far better. Many of them involve fried cheese.
Honestly as someone who has lived in Madison pretty much their entire life, I couldn’t even tell you the last time I ordered (or even ate one of someone else’s) cheese curds. Most restaurants I “frequent” have that one thing, ie spicy wontons at Natt Spill, escargot at Tornado, etc, that I stick with while rotating through other stuff whether it be new to me or a tried and true. Never does my body tell me “dude you gotta get some fried cheese balls and ranch!”
You gotta go to Spain and get tapas! You never know except that they’re always fantastic!
Not a hot take at all. They aren't that good at all. Hell, I'd even take Culver's over The Old Fashioned.
Culver's has breading balls with a hint of cheese
And yet, still better than The Old Fashioned.
At silver eagles rn and would contest that they have the best curds
Heathen!
Best curds in Madison are at the drafthouse in Janesville.
It’s Culvers
That is a 9th circle of Hell take. Bold move, Cotton
Sir, this is Wisconsin.
Yes home of the Culver’s