Azzalino's Bar & Grill

Update 8/09: Azzalino's is having problems. And is now closed.

In a word: Not quite roaring, but it swings.

The specs: #0266
Address, hours & details via Isthmus; reviews at TDPF, Cap Times, Isthmus, Wisconsin Fish Fry Reviews, Ruppert Food Blog,

JM ate the Laurel & Hardy special burger.
Nichole ate the Babe Ruth Home Run hot dog and a Coke.
The bill was $18, or $9/person, plus tip.
JM gave Azzalino's Bar & Grill a B; Nichole gave Azzalino's Bar & Grill a B+ (see our grading rubric).

Latest Azzalino's Bar & Grill news and reviews

Azzalino's has cleaned up its stop on Park St. real nice after Bennett's, which must be saying something. For a theme restaurant (in this case it's billed as a place for bootleggers and flappers), it's not overdone. Distilling paraphernalia, tables on barrels, and articles from the Chronicle of America on the walls contribute to the retro atmosphere. The night we went, we think the owner was at the bar, and he and the server were both warm and welcoming.

The menu was basic bar grub - burgers, hot dogs, fish fry and bbq. We placed our orders and got our drinks, in sturdy Mason jars, within moments. The food took a bit longer, but thankfully there's a checkers board on each table's lazy Susan. (JM pwn3d.)

JM's "Laurel and Hardy Special Burger" came with BBQ sauce and Canadian bacon, which sounded like a good idea on the menu but failed slightly in execution. The BBQ was good but the bacon was too chewy (which can lead to spills) and the beef was not much better than BK-grade.

Both baskets came with homemade chips. JM, not being a fan of chips, agreed that they were better than most, but not better than fries. Nichole, on the other hand, found the chips to be the best part of the meal. Though they were somewhat unevenly cooked and seasoned, that might improve with practice; and they were so warm and salty, with a sweet vinegar tang, that Nichole could forgive the variance.

The footlong chili dog was fun. (Thank goodness for cutlery.) Of course, one can't mess up a hot dog too badly, but this one really shone - fresh onions and tomatoes, spicy chili, and a bun that held up its end of the deal contributed to a fine meal. The floppy pickle, on the other hand, was depressing.

Overall, Azzalino's was fun, we just wish the food were a titch better -- maybe with a little time.

Comments

[Picasso Manolo]

Overall I would give Azzalino's an A-. The night I was here, a band was playing with a fiddler dancing on the bar. Azzalino's has some good fried food, calamari and cheese curds. The bloody marys are also very good with some texture. My girlfriend enjoyed the blueberry vodka with lemonade drink.

[Joe]

I ate at Azzalino's Bar and Grill last fri night, the fish fry was one of the best that I had ever had, my wife tried the specialty drinks said they were great, not a bad price for what you get either. Some of my freinds had a bucket of beer (really neat idea!) I will be back again, I hear that every wed night they have Karoke.

~Joe

[Kyle]

How dare they miscegenate? They's miscegenatin'! Get me a mike-a-phone! These boys is not white! These boys is not white! Hell, they ain't even ol'-timey! I happen to know, ladies'n gentlemen, this band a miscreants here, this very evening, they interfered with a lynch mob inna performance of its duties!

[Anne]

This bar is what Madison is all about. It has a good vibe and a friendly atmosphere with drinks at a fair price. Everyone who works there welcomes you the moment you walk in the door. Thanks Azzalino's for being a model bar for the people who really want to chill, drink and have a good time.

[Brett]

Haven't checked out Azzalino's yet, but I'm sure I'll miss the smut while eating. Good fish fry is a big plus in my book.

[repeat customer]

High Quality Food
Inconsistent Preparation and Presentation
Nice crowd, except late night- gets a little rough, esp. when "the punk" previously mentioned is behind the bar

Overall, I would recommend