Fish Type: Bluegill Price: $13.00
Overall, I would highly recommend this Fish Fry.
| Fish Score: Excellent Potato Score: Excellent Tartar Score: Excellent Bread Score: Good Miscellaneous Score: Excellent |  |
Comment: The Tour de Fish: Part I
Tobys 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 Fiolas 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 Tobys, 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 Tobys (there just isnt room in the pint-sized building!).
Tobys is busy every night of the week, but especially on Friday, and we recommend either going early (like 4 oclock 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 Tobys 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 Tobys fish offerings which include: cod, walleye, lake perch, and catfish (in descending order of delectableness).
Supper clubs like Tobys 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, theyll 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. Tobys 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.
Tobys isnt 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 cant just find at any old restaurant. While we love the bluegill, you really cant go wrong with any of the fish at Tobys. 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. Tobys 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 Tobys 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 shouldnt), and figure out what you want. The waitresses will be hovering around the area and if youre lucky you can catch her eye. If not, let the bartender know you want to eat and theyll point the wait staff in your direction. At this point, just give them your order, continue enjoying some beverages, and theyll come back and get you just before your food is ready. Voilà!
*Tobys 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 Dexters Pub on North Street or the Big 10 Pub on Regent Street.
Next: Beer battered cod at the Owls Nest.
Previous: Introduction.
www.tobyssupperclub.com/Tobys_Supper_Club/Home.html
3717 S Dutch Mill Road
Madison, WI 53718
(608) 222-6913
