Review
The Dorf went above and beyond for this one and spoiled us with all-we-could-eat haddock. If you know this fish you know how fantastic it is and how easy it is to eat A LOT of it (I had five and probably could have eaten more had I been more focused). Best haddock money can buy IMO.
Since it was my big day (and the Dorf knew we were coming) I got treated to potato pancakes (without even asking for them). The cakes were simply smashing, featuring plenty of seasoning with a delightful subtle onion essence. Reports around the room were that the German potato salad and French fries were also above reproach.
Partnering with the haddock was the Dorf's homemade tartar which is as thick and can be, with plenty of tang and a notable sweetness that offset the saltiness of the fish's breading perfectly.
The house slaw is well-balanced and was quickly gobbled up as were the legendary fritters. If you've never had the pleasure of frittering in Roxbury do yourself a favor and get over there. Best bread option a Fish Fry has ever known.
I've had a lot of Fish Frys in my day, but this will surely go down as the most memorable one ever. It was pretty incredible that so many people came out and I am truly grateful for each and every one of them and to the Dorf Haus for their amazing hospitality and food.
Overall, I highly recommend this Fish Fry, and couldn't be more thankful for the Dorf Haus and my people. This was one for the history books.So far you've seen the best in beer battered cod, some benevolent bluegill, and the lord of all lake perch, but something is missing... There is no doubt these are all great Fish Frys, but none of them have been All You Can Eat, and isn't AYCE what Friday Night Fish Fry is all about you might be asking? Well, yes... And no. While getting all the fish you can eat is a good thing, if they fish isn't tasty and you don't want to eat a whole bunch, what good is AYCE really? I for one would rather have a smaller portion of great fish than a boatload of crummy stuff. Don't get me wrong, we love a good AYCE FF, but usually good fish and AYCE don't swim in the same school. That is unless you head to the friendly waters of Maier's Dorf Haus in the tiny village of Roxbury.
If it's Friday night the Dorf is going to be busy, and while your quoted wait time might be an hour, they'll probably get you a spot in about 30 minutes. While you wait you can sit at the bar, enjoy some ½ liter steins of German beer, and wolf down the amazing snack mix; but be careful, this stuff is delicious and will fill you up quickly... Don't forget, AYCE fish is just around the corner.
Your waitress will be a consummate professional and come clad in full German garb. She will take your order and immediately start bringing out the grub. First to hit the table will be a basket of the Dorf Haus' infamous fritters. The fried dough balls come with the Friday entrees, and when paired with a couple drops of honey are pure gastro gold. As with the snack mix, trying not to fill up on the fritters is damn near impossible, but force yourself to quit (if you're sweet, the waitress will bring you a fresh basket for desert). Along with the fritters some homemade slaw will appear pre-fish and be a perfect example of what slaw should be - zesty, creamy, and just the right consistency.
Eventually the fish, fries, and tartar will make their way out in family-style fashion. The fish will most likely be scalding hot so make sure not jump in too quickly. The Dorf serves their fish in thick, meaty chunks - probably a good 4 ounces each. This fish, whether it be cod or haddock, will be smooth and flaky, paired with a spicy breading that elevates it to another level. At this point you should go full force and take advantage of all this AYCE has to offer. 5 pieces? 6? The only one controlling you is you, and don't forget, fish is worth more than fritters.
Like the fish, the fries can be refilled as many times as you desire (which isn't always the case at AYCE Fish Frys). The Dorf Haus features a fine French fry. They are skin-on thick-cut julienned potatoes that are expertly fried. In addition, you can choose their authentic German potato salad which is surprisingly good. The warm blend come loaded with bacon/ham pieces, and emits a lovely BBQ essence. The house-made tartar is also near perfect with a creamy substrate and just enough relish to give it a pop without overwhelming the fish.
As with most supper clubs the Grasshoppers are great, and the Old Fashioneds are muddled before your eyes so don't shy away from them at the Dorf. This is the first of our AYCE adventures and probably the most shining example of everything an AYCE Fish Fry can be.
Inside Tip: Fritter at your own risk...
The fritters are superb and hard to layoff of, but try not to fill up too much since the fish is AYCE and amazing - you can always have another fritter or two after dinner. Also, try not to fill up on the highly addictive snack mix at the bar while you wait for your table. Lastly, this is an All You Can Eat Fish Fry. If you know you are going to want more fish after the waitress drops of the first plate, make sure to re-up before she leaves to ensure there isn't a gap. This works at most any All You Can Eat..
*The Dorf Haus is in Roxbury. If you MUST stay closer in Madison and still want breaded cod try Toby's Supper Club or Wilson's Bar & Grill on Madison' east side or better yet, if you happen to be around during Lent try St. Peter's Catholic School in Ashton (the best Family-style Fish Fry in history).
Next:Walleye Pike at the Beachhouse.
Previous: Lake Perch at Chico's Villa Tap.
We arrived at 8pm, and were not the least bit surprised when the hostess told us it would still be another 30 minutes or so before our party of six could be seated. This was no problem for our crew as we simply saddled up to the bar and began our warm ups. A few beers, and a couple of fancy-schmancy mixed drinks later, the opposition was ready, and team Fish Fry took the field for what was to be an epic battle.
Mere moments after we were seated our head coach and waitress, Nancy, came by to see how we were doing, and make sure we were ready for the game - we were. Acting as own personal Mike McCarthy, she fired the Fish Fry Fanatics up with her genuine humor and snappy comebacks to the Yahn boys' various witticisms. We kicked things off by ordering AYCE Fish Fry all around, save for our lone vegetarian who snacked on the ample, but not necessarily thorough, salad bar (no pickled herring? Please...). Additional refreshments were also requested which Nancy curtailed and brought to the thirsty troops posthaste.
After a brief stint away from the table to convey the game plan to the coordinators, The Coach returned with a basket of the Dorf Haus' signature fritters. Like Jordy Nelson in Super Bowl XLV, the fried dough was simply outstanding and took it to the defense right away. Our club put a score on the board early by emptying the entire basket of Jordy-bread, and kicked the extra point by asking Nance for a refill. She obliged without a second thought, and had the refill on the table before you could say "Touchdown Packers!"
Along with the fritters came a family style bowl of homemade slaw, which was rich and creamy, but had a subtle vinegar zing at the same time. It was a true paradox for the palate. This special teamer added another dimension to the team, as the soothing slaw left us in great field position, and put the offense in a spot to take control of the game. Within 15 minutes of ordering, the "O" took the field and we couldn't help but notice of the mass of talent which assembled on the dining field in front of us.
At least a dozen pieces of scalding hot fish hit the table, trailed by a full backfield of fries and veritable trough of tartar. I instantly snagged three of the large pieces of haddock and got ready for the snap with a few heaping spoonful's of tartar.
GREEN 18! GREEN 18! SET!And with that, the ball was in my hands. First bite - BAM! 45 yard completion inside the opponents 20. The haddock was on the money, just like our boy, Aaron Rodgers. The grandiose pieces were perfectly fried and coated in a superb breading which can only be likened to the deliciousness that is Kentucky Fried Chicken. This super salty treat combined with the flawless, meaty bites of haddock producing a transcendent taste that we honored with the moniker: The KFC of haddock. Like The Peoples Champion, the fish was nearly perfect and since it was AYCE, kept coming at us in full force. The incomparable haddock put it all on the line in a performance worthy the MVP.
While the haddock stole the show much like the Packers' aerial assault, the fries acted as our running game, doing just enough that they had to be respected. The thick cut skin-on fries were bottomless just like the fish, and served as a perfect compliment for our prized gunslinger. Like Starks and Jackson they didn't blow anyone away, but came through when they were needed most (the brief hiatus in between plates of fish). They played their roll admirably on this day, and fit Nancy's "crispy" description to a T. The fish and fry offensive was unstoppable, and was well complimented by the Dorf Haus defense.
The "D" in this case came in the form of huge bowls of homemade tartar. Having a great tartar sauce is akin to having a game changer on defense; if, for some reason, the fish is off, or the defense needs a big play, these guys have the ability to rise to the occasion and take the game over. Consider The Dorf Haus' homemade tartar a Clay Matthews clone. While the haddock was so good it didn't need much help from the defense, the perfectly mixed sauce was there when needed, and converted a great offense into a championship caliber team. If for some reason the fish would have stumbled, Clay and company would have been there to pick up the slack. Luckily for us, the offense at the Dorf was flawless, and displayed their dominance with championship belts throughout the meal.
Team Dorf Haus proved a serious point today, taking it to the completion on all sides of the ball. This truly is a lineup for the ages, boasting an MVP caliber fish, a solid French fry option, a game-changing tartar, and a coach capable of pulling it all together. By the time the game clock showed all zeros I had gone five for five on fish, with a pair of TDs (Tartar Depletions), and 2 FFPKs (French Fry Plate Kills). It all added up to a Fish Fry consumption rating of 132.1, and put this meal in the annals of history. It was a near-perfect performance by the Dorf Haus, and served as an omen for the following Sunday's big game.
Overall, we were thrilled with this Fish Fry and highly, highly recommend it. It was fantastic in every sense of the word, just as our Packers we throughout the postseason. I have no doubt they will carry this momentum into next season, and do our great state proud, yet again.
GO DORF HAUS GO!
Ron was hesitant to return to the Dorf after a book signing gone awry many years ago, but after some coaxing he eventually gave in. In all honesty, it actually didn't take all that much convincing once I informed him that if ever there was an example of the perfect All You Can Eat Fish Fry the Dorf Haus might well be it. Everything at the Dorf is done right, from the lightly breaded haddock to the pillowy fritters, it's all simply sublime, and an easy sell if I do say so myself.
We both went for the $14 haddock, and paired it with their all new potato pancakes for a $1 up-charge. Before the main course comes the fritters and slaw find their way to the table giving you a chance to warm up, or over-indulge as it were. The fritters are served warm and when drizzled with honey provide a euphoric taste sensation. Of course you need to watch yourself since these are essentially donuts and one could easily fill up on them alone leaving no room for the outstanding fish which is to come. The slaw is the creamy kind and probably better than 90% of the slaws out there, but largely forgettable in the context of this Fish Fry.
The haddock showed up on the heels of the slaw and fried dough, and while the pieces have shrunk in size it actually increases the fish/breading ratio which is AOK with me. I crushed the first three perfectly-fried pieces in an instant and then four more on the re-up. This haddock is to die for; it's perfectly flaky, and kissed with a well-seasoned breading that's just thick enough to let you know it's there without taking away from the buttery fish beneath. Simply divine.
The Dorf used to be a "side o' fries" situation, but the second I heard "potato pancakes" come from our waitress' mouth, I knew what needed to be done...and my goodness, they did them right. Instead of 2 smaller cakes, they lump it into one large one, but it is absolutely breathtaking. It has an almost creamy texture and is extremely well-seasoned. While I'm accustomed to onion dominating the flavor profile of pancakes these were more balanced, and while you could taste the onion, there was enough diversity to keep you wondering what all is in there. Our waitress was even kind enough to bring a few fries with the second round of fish despite saying AYCE fries aren't included with the AYCE fish. In reality I think the owner recognized Ron and told her to throw in a little something extra to make up for any hard feelings from years gone by...
Last on the list is the tartar which is the supper club standard stuff - thick and bold and served in generous quantities. Not much more needs to be said.
As far as supper clubs go, the Dorf Haus is the best the Madison area has to offer in my opinion. It's got a welcoming vibe, the food is spectacular, the bartenders make a mean Old Fashioned, and everyone just seems genuinely happy to be there. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry, and have no reservations about placing it squarely atop our rankings. It really is the best around.
It's no secret that in order to have the full Dorf experience you need to be seated in Nancy's section (she's a peach); but our waitress Danielle was no slouch either and picked up where the legend left off. She took great care of us, and while she didn't have the bling (that the kids love) she brought a friendly smile and stellar service (which the parents love). She also had a basket of their signature fritters on the table before we even uttered the words "Fish Fry" which is a mark of a true pro. Since the fritters were on the table right away let's expunge on their virtues first.
As per usual the little balls of deep fried dough had us swooning from the start. They were warm and supple, with a sweet and spongy texture that was complemented just perfectly by the ample honey. My god these things are amazing, and likely the best possible bread option you could ever hope to find at a Fish Fry. 5 stars! 10 out of 10! 100%! Dilly dilly!
The Dorf Fry is an AYCE Fry and the first plate housed three small to medium sized pieces of haddock. While they were on the wee side, the slight stature is actually preferable since it increases the breading:meat ratio to near perfect proportions. This breading is whisper thin, and a beefier cut would surely crush the frail crust; the balance the struck makes for idyllic munching. I put the first trio down in mere moments and had a second set of triplets in front of me in no time. Like the first three this bunch got gobbled up thanks to the heavenly breading and lack of any sort of grease. It was a fish feast and although I plowed down seven pieces total I didn't feel the least bit bad about it.
As a German restaurant the Dorf Haus specializes in German potato salad, but if the warm and gooey salad isn't your thing skin-on supper club French fries are also available (and also AYCE). While these spuds were well-fried they're basically just a step or two above crinkle cuts, so if there is one failing with this Fry I guess this would be it...IF there is a failing.
The tartar game is tight in the Haus and this bold and brash blend easily takes the fish to the next plateau of awesomeness. It's thick as can be and like a cobra is impossible to shake once it's made contact with its victim. The basic slaw was also of the creamy variety and while it had some zip it wasn't nearly as alluring as the fritters or the fish.
If you've never been to the Dorf Haus do yourself a favor and get over there ASAP, even if it's not for a Fish Fry. The food is so delicious, the ambiance so unique, and the people so friendly that you really need to experience it for yourself to appreciate it. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and only wish we could eat it more often that we do. It's arguably the best you'll ever have.
The short cruise up highway 12 landed us in Roxbury in about 25 minutes. As we strode into the restaurant we were immediately struck by the authentic German architecture only to have it quickly overshadowed by the authentic Ninja Turtles arcade game in the game room. As the boys grabbed drinks and quarters, the little lady grabbed us a spot on the list and was told we would have to wait 30 minutes or so for a table. The time flew by and after only one round of TMNT our table was ready.
We were ushered to our table and shortly after our waitress, Nancy, stopped by with a basket of "fritters" and in traditional German style headed right to the bar to grab us another round of beers. As she left we each grabbed a piece of the fried dough, covered it in honey and tried a tiny taste... then another... then another. Before long we'd each eaten 2 or 3 and the entire basket was empty. These fritters were perfectly fried and tasted absolutely delicious. When Nancy came back we put in our orders: one salad bar, three Fish Fries, one Rouladen with Spaetzle and one more basket of fritters!
We started in on our second basket of fritters and within 15 minutes the fish was upon us. The haddock was served family style and came fresh from the fryer. It had a great flavor which came from a near perfect combination of fish and batter. The batter was fall apart flaky but not so much that I couldn't handle it with ease. It had a hint of KFC-like spice to it which combined well with the light and flaky fish. The fish was great all by itself, but when paired with the tartar sauce a truly euphoric experience was attained. This tartar was dead on, a thick combo of mayo and relish in just the perfect proportion that complimented the fish without stealing the show. We put away the first plate of fish and ordered a second. This second plate turned out to be even hotter than the first which I wasn't sure was even possible, it was truly remarkable.
With the Fish Fry you get a choice of French fries or German potato salad. This border war was easily won by the French as the slightly undercooked skin-on potatoes were easily better than the warm potato salad. While you can add a trip to the salad bar I don't see any reason to at an AYCE Fish Fry so I just went with the coleslaw which was creamy and had a little zing to it which was actually good. When all the fish was gone I again turned to the fritters, having one as my dessert.
If you are willing to take the drive to Roxbury I highly recommend you try this Fish Fry. The fish, tartar and fritters were absolutely superb with the fries and slaw not coming in far behind. Overall, the food is outstanding, the service is great and the quaint atmosphere makes for a unique experience. Basically the Dorf Haus has one fantastic Fish Fry, Gemuetlichkeit indeed.
The Dorf is definitely a destination, but the burned gas is more than worth its fish. We had a hearty contingent this Friday, but wound up with a mere 30 minute wait (not bad since wait times often exceed an hour). Our quintet contained mostly fish eaters, although a couple chicken lovers slipped into the mix (the chicken is AYCE too). The Dorf Fry comes in at $11, $13 with the salad bar. Since the fish is AYCE I never go for the add-on greens, but several salad lovers in our group claimed it to be "good, not great" partially because there was no coleslaw included in the spread.
Before the fish a basket or two of the Dorf's famous fritters found their way to the table along with some squeeze bottles of honey. The fried sweet-dough was warm and gooey, and simply superb. They are definitely the devil in disguise and you could easily sit there and eat them all night long, totally forgetting about the fish in the process. They are dangerously delicious, and the best bread option we've ever found at a Fish Fry. For those AYCErs who don't go for the salad bar a side of slaw will arrive before the fish. The Dorf goo is cool and creamy with consummate supper club zip. It is clearly made in house and blows the roof off the place.
Eventually our fish and fries arrived, and were steaming hot. My first plate was packed with three fat pieces of fish, a cup of tartar, and a decent portion of fries. As per usual, I started with the fish and was pleased, but not overwhelmed. The haddock was flaky and pure, and totally grease-free, but not quite perfect. While we've become accustomed to the Dorf's "fried chicken-like" breading, the light coating lacked the seasoning we've come to expect. While it certainly wasn't bad, it didn't bowl me over as it has historically.
Like the fish, the fries were on the level. The skin-on, Julienne-cut spuds were plush and plentiful, and offset the flaky fish perfectly. What's more, as long as you ask, more will come with the second round of fish which really helps to balance it all out. Some homemade tartar also strikes a balance, as the thick sauce adds a creamy pop that caps the haddock with flair.
If there was a failing to this Fish Fry it was definitely our waitress. She just wasn't around enough, it even got to the point where we had to go to the bar to get our own drinks. It was really too bad since Nancy (the Dorf's best) had the table next to ours, and was there every few minutes, getting this and grabbing that. Next time we'll be requesting a table in her section.
Despite the lackadaisical service this was another fantastic Fish Fry at the Dorf Haus. The fish, fries, tartar, fritters, and slaw were all great, and since they're AYCE we all left stuffed. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and will keep coming back to Roxbury anytime we want the best of the best.