I placed a to go order, service was great! I ordered the Southwest with coleslaw and was disappointed when I opened it in my hotel room and there was just a little coleslaw on it, no BBQ sauce, and it was red in the middle.
Food: 1
Service: 5
Bryan Davis
Busy downtown staple with excellent food and service. As reliable as you can get downtown.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah R.
Amazing fish fry, outstanding service with a smile, great ambience, and BEST BURGERS in Madison!!
Pete Adsit
Been a few years since the last time I was here, which was pretty good. Definitely not the case today! Was told be about 20 minute wait, no problem. Was sat in that time frame. Drinks were ordered within 5 minutes, 10 minutes later 1 drink was brought, another almost 10 minutes the others were brought. Not sure why one came first, a root beer, coke, water and kids milk. Order was placed, the waitress seemed a tad confused when my wife asked for her burger on a bed of greens instead of a bun, then showed her on the menu. She also ordered jambalaya. 25 minutes passed, I was just about to ask for the soup but it came with our meal, she would've liked it before the rest of the meal so that was odd. 3 burgers, all were well done and dry. The waitress had asked if medium with some pink was ok, which we all said yes. I had a few bites and it was almost tasteless and not juciy whatsoever. I said something when our waitress came back, I would've liked a new one but she just said she'll let the kitchen know, came back a bit later and was offered a free dessert. Overall, it was a big let down that I was looking forward to as we don't get to Madison often. Dry, overcooked, and no seasoning. Bummer. Idk if ill be back. :(
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Scott Murphy
Dotty’s does not disappoint! Came out from San Diego in Wisconsin School of Business tour and dropped in based on friends recommendation. Burgers, fries and cold beers that are all the rage!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hamburger
Jessica M.
A long-time, family owned institution known for their burgers... However we were not impressed. Our party had 14 people and we had to be seated separately because none of the tables can be moved. It was not a big deal since we were able to sit in the same area. We divided into two groups and the eight of us shared fried cheese curds, fried mushrooms, spicy hot chili, melting pot burger, fish fry dinner, and Beyond burger. The cheese curds, fried mushrooms, and melting pot burger were standard and nothing to get excited about. The fish fry was actually disappointing because the meat was dry and bland. The best item was definitely the spicy hot chili. It had a ton of ingredients with a good kick. Service was slow even though there were not that many patrons dining in and our server brought us food without plates and utensils. I had to remind her a few times. Another thing to take note of is they charge an additional fee for credit cards. Although we were divided into two groups for seating, we paid together under one bill. Who would carry +$200 in cash?
Steve Ciesielski
Amazing. Best burgers in Madison. Fries were perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Colin Stuart
Stick to their burgers! Tried the chili that was supposed to be spicy… there was no discernible spice at all. All it tasted like was tomatoes and brown sugar.Also for $1.50+ they will add a slice of leathery cheese on top too… not like, shredded cheese that would actually accomplish something.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Hamburger
Joan C.
I've eaten here a few times over the past 30 years, and the food was always very good. Unfortunately, no more than average this time. Not bad, but nothing to really recommend or get excited about. Burgers seem a lot smaller than they used to be. I don't particularly mind that (don't need a huge burger anyway). But the taste of both my and hubby's burgers was just... nothing special. Not bad but I've had much more tasty meat and prep at several places in Northern WI (e.g., SLO's Pub in Woodruff WI--great burgers & fries!). The fries at DD's (we got the regular crinkle cut) were a good sized order to share but, again, just average. Server was pleasant but slow and a bit difficult to get her attention. Again, not bad but nothing special either. And the music was way too loud. Playing classic rock (60s, 70s) was great but no need to blast it, especially at 12:30pm on a Tuesday. Finally, I understand that many establishments are running on a thin profit margin but I really don't like the tactic of charging an additional fee for using a credit card. Sorry, it's not 'giving a break to our customers who pay cash'--it's charging more for using credit. Overall average, no better, and not the really tasty lunch experience we were hoping for.
Mike W.
Just an outstanding burger joint with great beer and cheese curds to die for. If Wisconsin were a single meal, this would be it. The ambience is eclectic and fun; they show old movies on TV. Servers are fast and friendly. And it's priced right.
This was an interesting place. It was packed for a game and the staff was running their butts off. The food was ok, not great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Cheese Curds, Pub Burger
Peter Rasmussen
Great food and service! Definitely recommend. Will be back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
christopher w.
Really cool decor and atmosphere. Waitress was excellent!! Accommodated our group of 4 plus an infant without any problems. Food was excellent!! Be it the cheese curds, sampler platter, or burgers and fish and chips. All were excellent at a fair price. We will definitely return!!
Spencer Treu
Great burger!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carl V.
if you are wondering why this place is continuously rated the best burger in Madison, wonder no more! absolutely spectacular!
I placed a to go order, service was great! I ordered the Southwest with coleslaw and was disappointed when I opened it in my hotel room and there was just a little coleslaw on it, no BBQ sauce, and it was red in the middle.
Food: 1
Service: 5
Busy downtown staple with excellent food and service. As reliable as you can get downtown.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing fish fry, outstanding service with a smile, great ambience, and BEST BURGERS in Madison!!
Been a few years since the last time I was here, which was pretty good. Definitely not the case today! Was told be about 20 minute wait, no problem. Was sat in that time frame. Drinks were ordered within 5 minutes, 10 minutes later 1 drink was brought, another almost 10 minutes the others were brought. Not sure why one came first, a root beer, coke, water and kids milk. Order was placed, the waitress seemed a tad confused when my wife asked for her burger on a bed of greens instead of a bun, then showed her on the menu. She also ordered jambalaya. 25 minutes passed, I was just about to ask for the soup but it came with our meal, she would've liked it before the rest of the meal so that was odd. 3 burgers, all were well done and dry. The waitress had asked if medium with some pink was ok, which we all said yes. I had a few bites and it was almost tasteless and not juciy whatsoever. I said something when our waitress came back, I would've liked a new one but she just said she'll let the kitchen know, came back a bit later and was offered a free dessert. Overall, it was a big let down that I was looking forward to as we don't get to Madison often. Dry, overcooked, and no seasoning. Bummer. Idk if ill be back. :(
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Dotty’s does not disappoint! Came out from San Diego in Wisconsin School of Business tour and dropped in based on friends recommendation. Burgers, fries and cold beers that are all the rage!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hamburger
A long-time, family owned institution known for their burgers... However we were not impressed. Our party had 14 people and we had to be seated separately because none of the tables can be moved. It was not a big deal since we were able to sit in the same area. We divided into two groups and the eight of us shared fried cheese curds, fried mushrooms, spicy hot chili, melting pot burger, fish fry dinner, and Beyond burger. The cheese curds, fried mushrooms, and melting pot burger were standard and nothing to get excited about. The fish fry was actually disappointing because the meat was dry and bland. The best item was definitely the spicy hot chili. It had a ton of ingredients with a good kick. Service was slow even though there were not that many patrons dining in and our server brought us food without plates and utensils. I had to remind her a few times. Another thing to take note of is they charge an additional fee for credit cards. Although we were divided into two groups for seating, we paid together under one bill. Who would carry +$200 in cash?
Amazing. Best burgers in Madison. Fries were perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stick to their burgers! Tried the chili that was supposed to be spicy… there was no discernible spice at all. All it tasted like was tomatoes and brown sugar.Also for $1.50+ they will add a slice of leathery cheese on top too… not like, shredded cheese that would actually accomplish something.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Hamburger
I've eaten here a few times over the past 30 years, and the food was always very good. Unfortunately, no more than average this time. Not bad, but nothing to really recommend or get excited about. Burgers seem a lot smaller than they used to be. I don't particularly mind that (don't need a huge burger anyway). But the taste of both my and hubby's burgers was just... nothing special. Not bad but I've had much more tasty meat and prep at several places in Northern WI (e.g., SLO's Pub in Woodruff WI--great burgers & fries!). The fries at DD's (we got the regular crinkle cut) were a good sized order to share but, again, just average. Server was pleasant but slow and a bit difficult to get her attention. Again, not bad but nothing special either. And the music was way too loud. Playing classic rock (60s, 70s) was great but no need to blast it, especially at 12:30pm on a Tuesday. Finally, I understand that many establishments are running on a thin profit margin but I really don't like the tactic of charging an additional fee for using a credit card. Sorry, it's not 'giving a break to our customers who pay cash'--it's charging more for using credit. Overall average, no better, and not the really tasty lunch experience we were hoping for.
Just an outstanding burger joint with great beer and cheese curds to die for. If Wisconsin were a single meal, this would be it. The ambience is eclectic and fun; they show old movies on TV. Servers are fast and friendly. And it's priced right.
Restaurantji Recommends
This was an interesting place. It was packed for a game and the staff was running their butts off. The food was ok, not great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Cheese Curds, Pub Burger
Great food and service! Definitely recommend. Will be back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really cool decor and atmosphere. Waitress was excellent!! Accommodated our group of 4 plus an infant without any problems. Food was excellent!! Be it the cheese curds, sampler platter, or burgers and fish and chips. All were excellent at a fair price. We will definitely return!!
Great burger!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
if you are wondering why this place is continuously rated the best burger in Madison, wonder no more! absolutely spectacular!