The atmosphere won't win any contests but the vibe is genuine and the staff are fantastic. Grabbed a pulled pork sandwich and the portion size was gigantic for the price. I tapped out since I was stuffed but it was amazing. Bartender was great - friendly and attentive. Everyone at the bar was having a good time and chatting with everyone. I'm definitely going to make this a regular visit. I'm afraid to tell to ok many people cuz I don't want the chill vibe ruined
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew O
Great food! Sometimes the service is just ok.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Nachos, The Side Door Burger
Jessica Ollila
Great little gem that’s hidden just enough that it’s not too packed. Their food is delicious and of a good quality. The nachos are the best. Great food for reasonable prices. Be sure to check it out!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nachos
Ash dash
Absolutely amazing fish fry! Best in Madison! I'm in love can't wait to try more items on the menu. But for fish Fry's this is my spot from now on!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Friday Fish Fry
Zach Tichelaar
Not bad by any means but it’s not perfect either. I got a burger and there wasn’t nearly enough seasoning. Chicken Alfredo was bland as well. Service was good but the food was average at best
Andrew Moyer
Food looked great but after 20 minutes and repeated attempts to inform the wait staff we were ready to order food and drinks, we never received service and left. Won’t be going back. Might be least willing wait staff I’ve ever seen.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Lori Porter
Good spot for food and drinks. Dog friendly patio
Sebastian B-Z
"The picture says a thousand words" First place I've ever had undercooked chicken wings especially considering the words of the manager "they're frozen premade wings, so we just fry them again" Good job on messing up the impossible.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
scootcho
Just get dessert. Its phenomenal, all the options. Passionfruit cheesecake is the best.
Food: 5
Kelly Bohnenkamp
I have never had a flavor more immaculate in my mouth than the sriracha cheese curds with ranch.
Visiting from IL. Was looking for a low key chill spot and I found it. Aj the bartender was great! I came in right before the kitchen closed (I didn't know and even said nevermind) but they insisted and the food was FIRE! I got the hot chicken sandwich and waffle fries. Aj and the kitchen staff are the reason I'll be coming back next time I come to Madison.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marissa Stump
We went on a Sunday , probably around 5 pm. Not a very welcoming environment. Felt like a dive bar, which would be fine if that's what it was. We left because it was apparent that we were not going to get good service and the bartender working had one too many to keep up with the business that was coming in. I also have an issue with kids getting beers/ drinks for their parents and the bartender serving it to them . Just get up and get it yourself.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 2
Audrey Petitt
I was looking forward to trying the place - seemed eclectic, with a good menu! The one bartender & waiter working was stoned, drunk, or just completely out of his mind. He couldn't remember who ordered what- he put in the wrong order (added items to our order that we didn't order) - he put 2 tables on 1 check even though he was told we were 2 separate groups & even tried to charge for those extra food items...when we went to the bar to ask for the bill so we could leave, we had to explain 4x what a bill was...and that we wanted to pay... ok, enough about the service- the food - awful. The burgers were completely overcooked & the tater tots - were not even tater tots, they were coated in something & deep fried it seemed. We should have known better when it was empty when we arrived. We won't be back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Aj Sue
Side Door Grill is a good hearty simple American Food place with an impressive beer selection and a very knowledgeable staff.There's always a beer of the day that you can get a great deal on a pitcher...Food is Burgers, basics, fish fry on Saturday (add$1.50 and make your fish fry all-you-can-eat!). They also serve tots four different ways. And several tempting dessert choices too.Indoor seating is good... The place is as little dark and full of interesting memorabilia/flair... Nice setting for a clandestine meeting/date I think.Outdoor seating is pleasant with tables closer to the sidewalk offering some nice people watching.This is just off of state street so parking is easy if you don't mind walking a couple of blocks.
Recommended dishes: Loaded Tots, Fish and Chips
Tiffany La Liberte
Service was rough. We were the only table there and it took a long time to get server to come over and take a drink order. We were ready to order everything and explained it would be in two tickets. The food took a very long time considering we were the only table but we figured maybe short staffed. Three people ordered chicken Alfredo and came out with spaghetti noodles, when asked about it they just said they were out of other noodles...... Okay but didn't say that before ordered. Brought out wrong drink orders. Asked for second round of drinks when food came out but then everyone was done eating and server was talking to people at the bar and forgot so we cancelled drinks and asked for check when that took so long. He forgot we asked for check spilt which was no big deal but had to come back three to four times to ask how to split the tab..... Only five of us.
The atmosphere won't win any contests but the vibe is genuine and the staff are fantastic. Grabbed a pulled pork sandwich and the portion size was gigantic for the price. I tapped out since I was stuffed but it was amazing. Bartender was great - friendly and attentive. Everyone at the bar was having a good time and chatting with everyone. I'm definitely going to make this a regular visit. I'm afraid to tell to ok many people cuz I don't want the chill vibe ruined
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food! Sometimes the service is just ok.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Nachos, The Side Door Burger
Great little gem that’s hidden just enough that it’s not too packed. Their food is delicious and of a good quality. The nachos are the best. Great food for reasonable prices. Be sure to check it out!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nachos
Absolutely amazing fish fry! Best in Madison! I'm in love can't wait to try more items on the menu. But for fish Fry's this is my spot from now on!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Friday Fish Fry
Not bad by any means but it’s not perfect either. I got a burger and there wasn’t nearly enough seasoning. Chicken Alfredo was bland as well. Service was good but the food was average at best
Food looked great but after 20 minutes and repeated attempts to inform the wait staff we were ready to order food and drinks, we never received service and left. Won’t be going back. Might be least willing wait staff I’ve ever seen.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Good spot for food and drinks. Dog friendly patio
"The picture says a thousand words" First place I've ever had undercooked chicken wings especially considering the words of the manager "they're frozen premade wings, so we just fry them again" Good job on messing up the impossible.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Just get dessert. Its phenomenal, all the options. Passionfruit cheesecake is the best.
Food: 5
I have never had a flavor more immaculate in my mouth than the sriracha cheese curds with ranch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Visiting from IL. Was looking for a low key chill spot and I found it. Aj the bartender was great! I came in right before the kitchen closed (I didn't know and even said nevermind) but they insisted and the food was FIRE! I got the hot chicken sandwich and waffle fries. Aj and the kitchen staff are the reason I'll be coming back next time I come to Madison.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went on a Sunday , probably around 5 pm. Not a very welcoming environment. Felt like a dive bar, which would be fine if that's what it was. We left because it was apparent that we were not going to get good service and the bartender working had one too many to keep up with the business that was coming in. I also have an issue with kids getting beers/ drinks for their parents and the bartender serving it to them . Just get up and get it yourself.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 2
I was looking forward to trying the place - seemed eclectic, with a good menu! The one bartender & waiter working was stoned, drunk, or just completely out of his mind. He couldn't remember who ordered what- he put in the wrong order (added items to our order that we didn't order) - he put 2 tables on 1 check even though he was told we were 2 separate groups & even tried to charge for those extra food items...when we went to the bar to ask for the bill so we could leave, we had to explain 4x what a bill was...and that we wanted to pay... ok, enough about the service- the food - awful. The burgers were completely overcooked & the tater tots - were not even tater tots, they were coated in something & deep fried it seemed. We should have known better when it was empty when we arrived. We won't be back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Side Door Grill is a good hearty simple American Food place with an impressive beer selection and a very knowledgeable staff.There's always a beer of the day that you can get a great deal on a pitcher...Food is Burgers, basics, fish fry on Saturday (add$1.50 and make your fish fry all-you-can-eat!). They also serve tots four different ways. And several tempting dessert choices too.Indoor seating is good... The place is as little dark and full of interesting memorabilia/flair... Nice setting for a clandestine meeting/date I think.Outdoor seating is pleasant with tables closer to the sidewalk offering some nice people watching.This is just off of state street so parking is easy if you don't mind walking a couple of blocks.
Recommended dishes: Loaded Tots, Fish and Chips
Service was rough. We were the only table there and it took a long time to get server to come over and take a drink order. We were ready to order everything and explained it would be in two tickets. The food took a very long time considering we were the only table but we figured maybe short staffed. Three people ordered chicken Alfredo and came out with spaghetti noodles, when asked about it they just said they were out of other noodles...... Okay but didn't say that before ordered. Brought out wrong drink orders. Asked for second round of drinks when food came out but then everyone was done eating and server was talking to people at the bar and forgot so we cancelled drinks and asked for check when that took so long. He forgot we asked for check spilt which was no big deal but had to come back three to four times to ask how to split the tab..... Only five of us.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1