The Hole-In-The-Wall Wisconsin Tavern Still Serves Friday Fish Fry Exactly How Locals Expect
Pulling up to 601 North St, Madison, Wisconsin 53704, I can already picture the golden-brown fish that awaits inside Tip Top Tavern, a place where Friday nights mean one thing and one thing only.
This snug tavern has been serving Madison’s Northside for decades, keeping traditions alive in an era when everything else seems to change overnight.
Walking through the door feels like stepping into your favorite uncle’s basement rec room, complete with vintage charm and the kind of regulars who know your order before you sit down.
The fish fry here is not some fancy reimagining or trendy twist on a classic.
It arrives exactly as locals remember it, with crispy batter, fluffy tartar sauce, and sides that have satisfied hungry Madisonians since long before food photography became a thing.
Every Friday, the ritual repeats, and I find myself craving that perfectly imperfect tavern experience all over again.
A Friday Fish Fry Tradition That Refuses to Budge
Friday fish fry at Tip Top Tavern is not trying to win awards or impress food critics.
It is trying to feed people the way they have been fed for generations, with thick cuts of cod or haddock encased in a crunchy golden shell that shatters at the first bite.
Tartar sauce comes in generous dollops, tangy and smooth, perfect for dunking each piece until the plate is practically licked clean.
Coleslaw sits on the side, cool and crisp, cutting through the richness of the fried fish with a refreshing crunch.
Rye bread arrives warm, sometimes with a pat of butter melting into the soft center, ready to soak up every last drop of flavor.
Locals do not question the menu or ask for substitutions.
They order the fish fry, settle into their seats, and let the ritual unfold exactly as it should.
I have watched this play out dozens of times, and it never gets old.
The Kind of Atmosphere You Cannot Fake
Stepping into Tip Top Tavern feels like traveling back to a time when neighborhood bars were living rooms you shared with strangers who quickly became friends.
Wood paneling lines the walls, worn smooth by decades of elbows and laughter, while vintage signs hang overhead like badges of honor from another era.
The lighting is dim but warm, casting shadows that make every corner feel a little more intimate, a little more like home.
Regulars claim their usual spots without asking, and newcomers are welcomed with nods and knowing smiles that say you belong here too.
There is no pretense, no effort to polish the rough edges or modernize the charm that makes this place special.
I have sat at the bar on slow Tuesday afternoons and packed Friday evenings, and the vibe remains the same.
It is a place that knows what it is and refuses to apologize for it.
Comfort Food That Hits Every Single Time
Beyond the Friday fish fry, Tip Top Tavern serves the kind of comfort food that makes you forget about calorie counts and meal plans.
Burgers arrive thick and juicy, cooked to order with cheese that melts into every crevice, creating a gooey masterpiece that requires extra napkins and zero regrets.
Grilled cheese sandwiches are buttery and golden, crisp on the outside and stretchy on the inside, the kind of simple perfection that reminds you why classic dishes became classics in the first place.
Fries come hot and salty, ideal for sharing but better enjoyed solo, especially when dipped into ketchup or ranch until the basket is empty.
The menu does not try to do too much or chase trends.
It sticks to what works, and what works is honest food made well and served without fuss.
I have never left hungry, and I have never left disappointed.
A Northside Madison Landmark
Located on North Street in Madison’s Northside neighborhood, Tip Top Tavern has been a fixture in the community for longer than most residents can remember.
The building itself is unassuming, the kind of place you might drive past without noticing if you did not know what waited inside.
But for those who do know, it is a landmark, a meeting point, a place where memories are made over plates of fish and baskets of fries.
Neighbors gather here after work, families stop by on weekends, and out-of-towners stumble in looking for something real and leave with a new favorite spot.
The Northside has changed over the years, with new businesses and developments reshaping the landscape, but Tip Top remains constant.
It is a reminder that some things are worth preserving, that tradition has value, and that a good tavern is more than just a place to eat.
I always feel a little more connected to Madison when I am here.
Hours That Welcome Night Owls and Early Birds
Tip Top Tavern opens at 11 AM most days, welcoming the lunch crowd with open arms and a menu ready to satisfy midday cravings.
On weekends, Saturday and Sunday mornings start at 9 AM, perfect for those who want to ease into the day with hearty food and a laid-back vibe.
But where this place really shines is late in the day, when the place stays open until 2 AM most nights and stretches to 2:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, even though the kitchen winds down around 10 PM.
Night shift workers, students pulling long days, and anyone else wandering Madison after dark know they can count on Tip Top for a hot meal earlier in the evening and a familiar spot that keeps going long after most places close their doors.
I have stumbled in past midnight more times than I care to admit, grateful for a place that does not judge and always delivers.
The late-night crowd brings its own energy, a mix of exhaustion and relief that only a good meal can cure.
Service That Feels Like Family
Walk into Tip Top Tavern on any given day, and the staff greets you like they have been waiting for you to show up.
There is no forced cheerfulness or scripted welcomes, just genuine warmth from people who actually enjoy their jobs and the customers they serve.
Bartenders remember faces and orders, often starting to pour before you even ask, a small gesture that makes you feel seen and appreciated.
Servers move with practiced efficiency, balancing plates and conversations with equal skill, never making you feel rushed even when the place is packed.
I have watched them handle everything from first-time visitors to rowdy regulars with the same calm professionalism and good humor.
They know when to chat and when to give you space, reading the room like pros who have been doing this for years.
It is the kind of service that turns a good meal into a memorable experience.
A Menu That Knows Its Strengths
Tip Top Tavern does not overwhelm you with choices or try to be everything to everyone.
The menu is focused, featuring the kind of dishes that taverns have been perfecting for decades, from burgers and sandwiches to baskets and sides.
Each item is prepared with care, using quality ingredients and techniques that have been refined through years of repetition.
There are no trendy fusion experiments or Instagram-bait creations, just solid food that tastes exactly how you want it to taste.
Specials rotate based on the day of the week, with Friday fish fry taking center stage as the undisputed star of the lineup.
I appreciate the restraint, the confidence to do a few things really well instead of spreading too thin.
It makes ordering easy and ensures that whatever you choose will be satisfying.
Sometimes less really is more, especially when every option is a winner.
Prices That Make Sense
In a world where dining out increasingly means choosing between quality and affordability, Tip Top Tavern manages to deliver both without compromise.
Prices fall squarely in the moderate range, marked by double dollar signs that signal good value without sticker shock.
Portions are generous, the kind that leave you satisfied and maybe even taking home leftovers, stretching your dollar even further.
The fish fry, in particular, offers an impressive amount of food for the price, making it one of the best deals in Madison on Friday nights.
I have brought friends here who were skeptical that a place this authentic could also be this affordable, and they always leave converted.
There is no hidden pricing or surprise charges, just straightforward costs for honest food.
It is refreshing to eat well without feeling like you need to budget for the rest of the month.
The Regulars Who Make It Home
Every great tavern has its cast of regulars, and Tip Top is no exception.
These are the folks who have been coming here for years, sometimes decades, their stories woven into the fabric of the place like the wood grain in the bar top.
They sit in the same spots, order the same meals, and trade the same good-natured ribbing with staff and fellow patrons alike.
But they are never exclusive or unwelcoming to newcomers.
Instead, they set the tone for the entire space, creating an atmosphere where everyone feels like they could become a regular too.
I have struck up conversations with strangers here that turned into hour-long discussions about everything from fishing to local politics to the best way to make tartar sauce.
The regulars are the heartbeat of Tip Top, the living proof that this place is more than just a restaurant.
Why This Place Matters
Tip Top Tavern matters because it represents something increasingly rare in modern dining culture.
It is a place that has not been homogenized or corporatized, that has not traded authenticity for profit margins or Instagram appeal.
In an age when restaurants open and close with alarming frequency, Tip Top endures, anchored by tradition and sustained by a community that refuses to let it fade.
The Friday fish fry is not just a meal here.
It is a ritual, a connection to the past, a weekly reminder that some things are worth keeping exactly as they are.
Every time I visit, I am reminded why these old-school taverns matter, why they deserve to be celebrated and supported.
They are gathering places, community hubs, keepers of tradition in a world that too often forgets to look back.
Tip Top Tavern is one of the good ones, and Madison is lucky to have it.