When flying in to Madison or just passing on the way somewhere in Madison I have wanted to try Ale Asylum.
So last evening our family who live here are making me dizzy discussing the crazy traffic and the Friday Fish Fry madness both on the roads and in the cafes (quite breathlessly I must say) when I whisper "how about ale asylum"...really softly under my breath...
Close to the house, no Fish Fry panicked early arrival needed, and a simple menu while sitting outdoors. Boom. I'm golden.
I had the Mad City Nutbrown and a Pantheon. Very nice! Our Madisonites order and swill so fast I have no idea what they drank. Oh well. They must fortify for summer before the beer pipes freeze and they are stuck with wine club deliveries for 7 months I guess. I have no idea being from the West Coast.
The meat pizza and the special- Hawaiian with horseradish mustard sauce were pretty nice.
Service was attentive and I liked the friendly nature of the place.
This place must be something special for they have their own zippy important looking driveway en route to the airport- a little tricky to leave but easy to get in.
Big parking lot sufficient to be able to skirt the beer stunned Madisonians wandering out clueless into the cars...
Prices are reasonable- once again you can take a bazillion Madisonites out to brunch or lunch or drinks or dinner for under $48 when the same services in LA would run you $150....
Secret for LA folks: flying out here plus food/drink bills is so economical- don't let your Madisonians travel to LA- promise you will meet them here and you can still afford to eat. Just keep emphasizing that this lovely city has all one could ever need and it should work.
No seriously- my husband still tells the story from 2012 of a Madison bar tab we had of just $7.50 for drinks for 3 people and he gesticulates and his eyes bug out.
I love Madison (when not sleeping in my boots under a dog or two).