Review
While Stolley's Hogg Alley isn't what you'd call the "Madison area" it's still less than an hour away so we have been there a couple of times. This Friday we had some business in Milwaukee and since it was on our way home the Hogg was the obvious choice, and by god, it was a good one. We showed up on the backend of dinner (around 8pm), but the lateness actually worked in our favor big time. Tables were emptying out, and while we waited for a couple minutes for one to be cleaned it was anything but a hassle.
Sitting down we found bowls of coleslaw and German potato salad waiting for us along with a couple slices of super market rye. We assaulted the slaw which was rich and zesty albeit not chilled. It was a good mix, with noticeable horseradish and good-sized carrot cubes. The potato salad was warm and sweet and while we're not huge fans of the German variety it was pretty decent. When it comes to Fish Fry rye is where it's at and these twins found the sweet spot.
Our attempt to sample the chowder fell short as it was sold out, but we weren't too upset as Stolley's made up for it and then some. The fish came in no time and was smoldering hot. There were eight bluegill fillets of various sizes all of which were definitely the genuine article. First and foremost Stolley's light batter/breading took center stage. It was ideally seasoned for the delicate fish with plenty of salt and something unique. It's seriously some of the best you will ever eat. The subtle fish flavor of the bluegill pairs so well with it that it's almost hard to believe the resultant taste combination. It's nothing short of magical and quite possibly the tastiest fish we've ever had the pleasure to eat.
A couple potato pancakes came on the side and were every bit as good as the fish, if not even better. They were laid thin, crispy on the edges, soft in the center, and delicious all around. They were so good we asked for a second helping and the generous waiter brought two more free of charge...sometimes it pays to come late, I guess.
The tartar lives on the table in a big squeeze bottle and tastes phenomenal. It's incredibly rich and creamy with something special that's tough to pin down. It is very similar in taste and presentation to tartar you'll find at Crawfish Junction which puts it into the top tier as far as tartars go.
We chowed down on the fish and taters until nary a crumb remained. We were happy. We were satisfied. Then IT happened. When the waiter came to clear the dishes he made an unprecedented offer, one which no one could have seen coming. He said there were a couple more pieces of fish "sitting back there" if we wanted them. IF we wanted them? Of course, we did. It was free fish!!! Can you believe it? It was like Christmas, your birthday, and Father's Day all rolled into one.
The fish in question was Stolley's family-style All You Can Eat cod and it was superb. If it had indeed been "sitting there" it hadn't been sitting long as steam rose from its belly as we cracked it open. It featured big, flaky, planes of pristine fish with the same breading as bluegill (although the spicy shell wasn't quite as alluring on the ocean dweller). Still, it was quite superb, and amazingly free! Free!! FREE!!!
Free fish, free potato pancakes, AND a free beer! What's that, you say? Free beer? Yup, that happened too. Our second beer didn't appear on the bill and when we told the waiter it wasn't there he just gave the "don't worry about it gesture." It was really special and certainly something you don't expect at a bar. And speaking of the bill, it was amazing on its own. It read: Bluegill - $12, Side Salad - $4, and that was it. SIXTEEN stinking clams for all that greatness. It was insane and easily makes this the best Fish Fry we have ever had. I mean, how could it not be? Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and think it was a performance that may never be replicated. We left awestruck.
While Stolley's Hogg Alley isn't what you'd call the "Madison area" it's still less than an hour away so we have been there a couple of times. This Friday we had some business in Milwaukee and since it was on our way home the Hogg was the obvious choice, and by god, it was a good one. We showed up on the backend of dinner (around 8pm), but the lateness actually worked in our favor big time. Tables were emptying out, and while we waited for a couple minutes for one to be cleaned it was anything but a hassle.
Sitting down we found bowls of coleslaw and German potato salad waiting for us along with a couple slices of super market rye. We assaulted the slaw which was rich and zesty albeit not chilled. It was a good mix, with noticeable horseradish and good-sized carrot cubes. The potato salad was warm and sweet and while we're not huge fans of the German variety it was pretty decent. When it comes to Fish Fry rye is where it's at and these twins found the sweet spot.
Our attempt to sample the chowder fell short as it was sold out, but we weren't too upset as Stolley's made up for it and then some. The fish came in no time and was smoldering hot. There were eight bluegill fillets of various sizes all of which were definitely the genuine article. First and foremost Stolley's light batter/breading took center stage. It was ideally seasoned for the delicate fish with plenty of salt and something unique. It's seriously some of the best you will ever eat. The subtle fish flavor of the bluegill pairs so well with it that it's almost hard to believe the resultant taste combination. It's nothing short of magical and quite possibly the tastiest fish we've ever had the pleasure to eat.
A couple potato pancakes came on the side and were every bit as good as the fish, if not even better. They were laid thin, crispy on the edges, soft in the center, and delicious all around. They were so good we asked for a second helping and the generous waiter brought two more free of charge...sometimes it pays to come late, I guess.
The tartar lives on the table in a big squeeze bottle and tastes phenomenal. It's incredibly rich and creamy with something special that's tough to pin down. It is very similar in taste and presentation to tartar you'll find at Crawfish Junction which puts it into the top tier as far as tartars go.
We chowed down on the fish and taters until nary a crumb remained. We were happy. We were satisfied. Then IT happened. When the waiter came to clear the dishes he made an unprecedented offer, one which no one could have seen coming. He said there were a couple more pieces of fish "sitting back there" if we wanted them. IF we wanted them? Of course, we did. It was free fish!!! Can you believe it? It was like Christmas, your birthday, and Father's Day all rolled into one.
The fish in question was Stolley's family-style All You Can Eat cod and it was superb. If it had indeed been "sitting there" it hadn't been sitting long as steam rose from its belly as we cracked it open. It featured big, flaky, planes of pristine fish with the same breading as bluegill (although the spicy shell wasn't quite as alluring on the ocean dweller). Still, it was quite superb, and amazingly free! Free!! FREE!!!
Free fish, free potato pancakes, AND a free beer! What's that, you say? Free beer? Yup, that happened too. Our second beer didn't appear on the bill and when we told the waiter it wasn't there he just gave the "don't worry about it gesture." It was really special and certainly something you don't expect at a bar. And speaking of the bill, it was amazing on its own. It read: Bluegill - $12, Side Salad - $4, and that was it. SIXTEEN stinking clams for all that greatness. It was insane and easily makes this the best Fish Fry we have ever had. I mean, how could it not be? Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and think it was a performance that may never be replicated. We left awestruck.
Hogg Alley is the biker bar-looking place on the way to Milwaukee with the logo in the shape of the iconic Harley emblem (you'll see it down to your left on eastbound 94 just before the Delafield exit). While the place may look like nothing more than a bastion for thirsty bikers (which it indeed is), it is also an oasis of pure Fish Fry pleasure for those looking to fill a tank of a different sort. We pulled our hog into the Alley around 1 PM and were surprised, but not shocked, that there weren't a ton of folks around - save for a handful of parched riders perched on the large octagonal picnic tables flanking the entrance. We poked our heads inside briefly to get a lay of the land, and quickly came to the conclusion that the cramped confines paled in comparison to the beautiful Friday sunshine and decided to just set up shop outside. The waitress was a peach, and came over with menus mere moments later and had an ice cold Cow for me not long after that. Vrooom!
There are a ton of Friday specials at the pig, starting with an $8 cod (AYCE available for dinner). From there the menu gets into the grimy goodness of $10 bluegill or lake perch, $8.50 smelt or the $12 walleye. While I'm a total sucker for each and every one of them, I settled on the bluegill since it is the least common, but the most delicious when done right. Turns out, Stolley's does it right. Amazingly right.
Since it wasn't really busy my fish was ready in the blink of an eye. Everything arrived at the table clean and separated - fish, tartar, and potato pancakes on a plate, and slaw, apple sauce and rye in a basket on the side. It was a well thought-out presentation, and clearly the product of years of trial and error. Sure, you could cram it all on one plate, but when you have the extra real estate to play with everything just goes more smoothly and allows you to mix-n-match as you please - and mix-n-match I did. The 7-8 bluegill fillets ranged in size from petite to brawny, but all tasted equally superb. Each was lovingly coated in a light, flaky breading, that had an impeccable amount of seasoning. It paired perfectly with the mild fish taste of the bluegill and was fried as only a true master can do. It all resulted in an amazing combination of flavors that was literally almost perfect.
In classic Milwaukee Fish Fry fashion, potato pancakes and rye bread come standard with any Fish Fry. Sure, the Hogg allows you to substitute French fries for the pancakes, but only a crazy person would even consider it since these latkes are something special. They are definitely homemade and likely from some secret family recipe (the kind that one might be able to find out about, but would surely have to be killed shortly thereafter). They tantalized the taste buds with their delightfully crispy edges, and subtle onion flavor that was just enough to make you take notice. When a dollop of the included apple sauced was added they became even more delectable, and although I didn't need it, they probably would have been great with the syrup that is also available at no additional charge.
A full slice of marble rye was served with soft butter, and was a welcome change from the basic dinner roll you find at most Madison Fish Frys. It brought a nice contrast to the fish and paired elegantly with the mellow horseradish undertone of the creamy coleslaw. It was a delightful combo and although the slaw was probably the worst part of the meal, it was still delicious, which really says something about the overall quality of this Fish Fry.
When fish is fried as well as it is at Hogg Alley the tartar sauce can become an afterthought - just slap something on there, they won't use it anyway, right? Wrong. Any seasoned Fish Fryer knows that while great fish can stand on its own two fins, a terrific tartar can take it into even deeper deliciousness, and that's just what Stolley's sauce does. Their rendition is thick and creamy with just the right amount of relish. It is incredibly similar to our beloved Wilson's sauce and although the fish didn't need it, it boosted every bit it did bless.
While some might say we're crazy, I think this is easily one of best Fish Frys we've ever had. There is no doubt in my mind that Stolley's could go toe-to-toe with any Fish Fry in the state and give them a serious run for their money, if not beat them down altogether. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and will definitely be coming back - more than likely every single time we go to Milwaukee from here on out.
Hogg Alley serves up all the fish you could ever want and does them all superbly well. The AYCE cod is fit for a king, the lake perch is lavish, the bluegill is benevolent, and the walleye is nothing short of wonderful. It might seem strange to some, but those who love Fish Fry know that Stolley's is hog heaven.
This time I got to sample the $11 bluegill and the $12 walleye and was equally impressed with both. While the walleye fillet wasn't the largest I've seen that's the only place where it didn't come up big. The fall-apart-flaky fish donned Stolley's signature paper-thin, well-seasoned, lip-smacking, cracker-lacking, ass-smacking, taste bud-tackling, ultra-delicious homemade breading. There simply aren't enough hyphens in the world to describe how tasty this stuff is, but I think you get the gist. It's good. The light coating lets the moist, flaky fish come through whether it's the walleye, or the bluegill. The sunfish is every bit as enticing as the pike, but has a little bit of that mild fishy taste that makes it unique and sets it apart.
Unlike Madison, most places in the Milwaukee area feature potato pancakes with their Fish Fry and the cakes at the Alley might be the best I've ever had. They are rich and oniony, and complement the fish perfectly. The side of apple sauce that comes with only serves to make them even more alluring, and syrup is even offered for $0.50 extra for those who must have it.
As if fantastic fish, and perfect potato pancakes weren't enough the Hogg comes correct with a big old squeeze bottle of their homemade tartar. One huge push of this stuff is never enough and I found myself going back time and again for the zesty and creamy concoction.
In classic Milwaukee Fish Fry style, salted rye comes along for the ride and plays off the horseradish-laden slaw just right. These are the things that set a great Fish Fry apart from just any old Fish Fry, and Stolley definitely knows it.
While brats are great and you can make due with hot dogs, they simply can't compare to a Fish Fry as monumental as that of Hogg Alley. Overall, we highly recommend the Hogg and have no problem saying it's the best we've ever had. I don't care if the Crew stinks this year, I'm ready for another Friday night game. Who's with me!?
Hogg Alley serves up all the fish you could ever want and does them all superbly well. The AYCE cod is fit for a king, the lake perch is lavish, the bluegill is benevolent, and the walleye is nothing short of wonderful. It might seem strange to some, but those who love Fish Fry know that Stolley's is hog heaven.
This time I got to sample the $11 bluegill and the $12 walleye and was equally impressed with both. While the walleye fillet wasn't the largest I've seen that's the only place where it didn't come up big. The fall-apart-flaky fish donned Stolley's signature paper-thin, well-seasoned, lip-smacking, cracker-lacking, ass-smacking, taste bud-tackling, ultra-delicious homemade breading. There simply aren't enough hyphens in the world to describe how tasty this stuff is, but I think you get the gist. It's good. The light coating lets the moist, flaky fish come through whether it's the walleye, or the bluegill. The sunfish is every bit as enticing as the pike, but has a little bit of that mild fishy taste that makes it unique and sets it apart.
Unlike Madison, most places in the Milwaukee area feature potato pancakes with their Fish Fry and the cakes at the Alley might be the best I've ever had. They are rich and oniony, and complement the fish perfectly. The side of apple sauce that comes with only serves to make them even more alluring, and syrup is even offered for $0.50 extra for those who must have it.
As if fantastic fish, and perfect potato pancakes weren't enough the Hogg comes correct with a big old squeeze bottle of their homemade tartar. One huge push of this stuff is never enough and I found myself going back time and again for the zesty and creamy concoction.
In classic Milwaukee Fish Fry style, salted rye comes along for the ride and plays off the horseradish-laden slaw just right. These are the things that set a great Fish Fry apart from just any old Fish Fry, and Stolley definitely knows it.
While brats are great and you can make due with hot dogs, they simply can't compare to a Fish Fry as monumental as that of Hogg Alley. Overall, we highly recommend the Hogg and have no problem saying it's the best we've ever had. I don't care if the Crew stinks this year, I'm ready for another Friday night game. Who's with me!?
I told ya I’d be back… And I told ya it wouldn’t be long before I was… I wasn’t lyin’... The Fish Fry at Hogg Alley is just too good to stay away from.
Actually, I just so happened to find myself in Milwaukee near the Summerfest grounds, and since Hogg Alley is on the way home, I just couldn’t resist. I couldn’t get away until 8:00 and had to put the pedal to the metal since I knew Stolley’s stopped serving fish at 9 (based on their website). I ripped into the lot just after 8:30 and hustled inside, expecting the place to be packed with hungry biker-types. It turned out that the dinner rush had passed and there were only a handful of people in the bar - although there were several folks in the dining room still. I quickly grabbed a tapper of Cow and asked for the Friday menu to see all that there was to see.
Since I had the bluegill last time out I wanted to try something else in order to get a better grip on the menu as a whole. I settled on the lake perch after some discussion with the bartender and had a steaming hot plateful in front of me about five minutes later. The perch pieces at Stolley’s are some serious hogs. These were some of the biggest fillets I have ever seen, and dare I say, eerily large. The three musketeers were long and meaty, but thankfully still had the lake perch flair. The meat was smooth and mild, and very flaky. It wore a wafer-thin breading that had a just enough spice so as not to over-power the fish. It was quite impressive, and while I am somewhat perplexed by the sheer size of the fillets, I gotta give Stolley the benefit of the doubt.
Riding shotgun were a trio of Stolley’s homemade potato pancakes. While the order normally comes with two of the dreamy cakes, I decided to add another for $1 since I remembered how tasty they were the last time (and I knew I’d want more). The spuds were, again, nothing less than superb. While they were a little thicker than previously, they were every bit as tasty and featured the same subtle onion flavor and spicy undertones. The flavor and texture combination was out of this world and highlighted even more by apple sauce on the side.
Further punctuating the meal was a near-perfect tartar sauce. The seemingly homemade sauce was super thick with perfect proportion of relish. Its powerful zip easily put the mild perch in its place so it had to be used sparingly. A creamy coleslaw also had some serious pop and mingled marvelously with the fish when they met in the same mouthful.
My rye didn’t come initially, but came quickly once I requested it. The side plate that showed up had two full slices of the starch, both of which were eaten with spoonfuls of slaw and/or tartar and/or butter. All in all, it was a remarkable addition, and a welcomed contrast in flavor.
As I did once before, I’m going to go ahead and presume it’s won’t be long before I find myself on a bar stool in Hogg Alley again. It’s simply a great place, with great food, all in the perfect location just outside of Milwaukee. Overall, I highly recommend this Fish Fry and while I would take the bluegill over the lake perch on my next turn, both are incredibly delicious and well worthy of a spot in our Top 25. ‘Til next time! Hogg On!