One of the first places my new job sent me was Madison, Wis., and one of the first places I discovered after working hours was the Old Fashioned. Given Wisconsin’s rich traditions of supper clubs and taverns that celebrate beer, cheese, sausage and fish frys, I couldn’t have chosen a better starting point.
With its location in the heart of downtown, in an older building on the square that surrounds the state capitol, you’d think -- like me -- that the Old Fashioned has been a food and drink destination for all walks of life in Madison for generations. But the reality is the Old Fashioned was established in 2005. I think I have socks older than this place. Nonetheless, it seems to do old-school Wisconsin very well, and it seems to always draw a diverse crowd, from suits to students, singles to families, blue collar to politicos.
So, the Old Fashioned’s atmosphere and reputation was enough to draw me and my co-workers there to check it out. And the quest to find the best cheese curds in town. And the quest for good local beer.
With its location in the heart of downtown, in an older building on the square that surrounds the state capitol, you’d think -- like me -- that the Old Fashioned has been a food and drink destination for all walks of life in Madison for generations. But the reality is the Old Fashioned was established in 2005. I think I have socks older than this place. Nonetheless, it seems to do old-school Wisconsin very well, and it seems to always draw a diverse crowd, from suits to students, singles to families, blue collar to politicos.
So, the Old Fashioned’s atmosphere and reputation was enough to draw me and my co-workers there to check it out. And the quest to find the best cheese curds in town. And the quest for good local beer.
