Quivey's Grove

In a word: Quaint and quietly romantic.

The specs: #0534  
Address, hours & details via Isthmus; Madison Originals profile, reviews at Yelp, Madison Date Night, Stop Me Before I Blog Again!, mmm-yoso, Madison Fish Fry, Wisconsin Fish Fry Reviews and again, At First Taste; listing at Eat Drink Madison; official web site,

Latest Quivey's Grove news and reviews

JM ate the Monona meatloaf with a lemonade.
Nichole ate the Riley Reuben with an Old Fashioned.
The bill was $29, or $14.50/person, plus tip.
JM and Nichole both gave Quivey's Grove an A (see our grading rubric).

We'd been to Quivey's Stone House long ago (think: wedding gift) and had come to consider it a special-occasion place. Now that we've tried the Stable Grill, we're resolved to make it back more often (if we ever finish the List, naturally). Good service, warm atmosphere, and simple Wisconsin food at a painless price added up to a fine experience; it reminded us why we we're doing this in the first place.

The lemonade was good, if a little watery, but the Old Fashioned was robust and not overly sweet. Airy slices of sourdough with soft butter were not only delicious, but the bread basket itself was a gracious touch, perfectly suited to the surroundings.

Each menu item is named after a local town or historical figure, which anywhere newer than Quivey's would feel far more contrived. Here it fits. The Riley Reuben was stacked with smoky corned beef, good Swiss, and a mild housemade apple-cherry kraut on grilled dark rye. Nichole doubts she will have a better Reuben anywhere.

The Monona meatloaf was really tasty and filling. The small, firm medallions provided lots of surface area for the gravy and were a treat to eat. The spices in the loaf went all the way through without losing the star of the show: the savory, delicious meat. The skin-on red smashed potatoes needed salt, an easy DIY fix, but were otherwise well-prepared.

Quivey's is a treasure.

Comments

[Brett Myers]

Have you tried the Reuben at The Cooper's Tavern?

[EiMAtZ]

Yes.

[Amanda]

I love Quivey's! Somehow I got on their email list, which is great-- they send out coupons and notices about specials. And their food is so delicious. I'm glad you liked it!

[steve]

I like Quivey's, but if you go there on a Friday for Fish expect to wait. Might be a 3 drink wait too.

[kate]

We love going to Quivey's during restaurant week, when they have a kobe burger (complete with applewood smoked bacon and sharp cheddar cheese) that is just divine.

[catwoman]

yes - the Friday Fish Fry is great, but it's a zoo in there. Waits are *easily* over an hour. They have a fish fry on Wednesday nights, too, however - but we've never been on a Wednesday. I would suspect it's a lot less crowded then.

[Erich]

Quivey's is a true Madison treasure. What it lacks in vegetarian friendly-fare it more than makes up for in classic Wisconsin Fare.

I just love this place- so glad you reviewed it !

[Vail]

I love Quivey's Grove! I wish you had tried the Godiva Mocha Fudge Fantasy dessert while you were at the stable house... it is out of this world good. If you make it to the Stone House try a appetizer sampler because you won't believe how good everything is.

[Madison Fish Fry]

If there is one thing I love nearly as much as a Fish Fry it is a good Reuben. Have you had the Harmony Bar Reuben? If Quivey's is anywhere near that good, I have gotta try it. I have also had the Cooper's Tavern Reuben and it can't touch the Harmony in my opinion.

[EiMAtZ]

I haven't had the Harmony's Reuben, but their swiss burger was pretty good. Hmmm, maybe I'll have to check that out.

[Heather]

Quivey's Grove is a personal favorite of mine, and my go-to restaurant for out of town guests. Two things:

1. If you like the Kobe beef burger they feature during Restaurant Week, you'll be pleased to know that they have added a version to their regular menu.

2. On Fridays, they serve the fish fry in both the Stable Grill and the Stone House. I've often been able to get into the Stone House without a wait and they take reservations there, as well. Plus, instead of the sourdough basket, you get a tasty fruit muffin. Of course, most everything else on the menu is pricey, so keep that in mind if you have someone in your party not ordering a fish fry. The fish fry is a choice of: baked cod, beer battered cod with an all-you-can-eat option and their amazing pretzel crusted perch. I'm constantly surprised it isn't ranked higher on Best Of lists.

[Nicholas]

So JM got the same thing I did at Quivey's. My favorite part of the meatloaf was how it was prepared--the medallions. It was tasty, but not extraordinary. Awesome place!