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| - I'm kind of surprised that, after many visits to Craftsman Table & Tap, I haven't written a review until now. I've been a fan since they opened - how could I not be a fan with their impressive tap list - and they've also been the starting point & destination of our cycling club's Tuesday night rides.
First, let's talk taps. Over 20 beers between the downstairs and upstairs bars, with a lot of rotation, but some that will make their home for a while. I've *really* liked this aspect of their beer menu - it's great to have a choice of something new or an old favorite. Wisconsin and other great Midwest brews are well represented (Toppling Goliath was very present this summer), but they bring in great beers from all over, including imports. Lagunitas Undercover Investigation Shutdown Ale and I became very good friends this year! They're also doing a lot of cool tap takeovers (folks from a featured brewery come in and "take over" all or many of the taps for a night. Great chance to try some rare or limited release beers) and beer dinners.
The food, I'd call it gastropub fare (not sure if that narrows things down much...) is delicious and the variety runs from casual (it's a great place for a burger and fries) to more upscale, dinner-date type of items. One of my very favorite meals in Madison is their pulled pork bahn mi sandwich, served with either fries or greens, depending on your mood. Like the beer list, there are staples, and rotating dishes.
Craftsman's cheese curds deserve special mention, and are on my (and many of my friends') short lists of best curds in town. I'm too noncommittal to name a single favorite of anything, but these very well may own that slot for me when it comes to cheese curds.
The staff and service are excellent and the servers & bar staff really add to the fun of a visit. The one time we had an issue (just kind of a Murphy's Law of restaurants thing), I brought it up and they were super responsive - truly one of those cases where I was more impressed with them than if there hadn't been an issue at all.
Tip: Go on a Sunday afternoon. The Packers will be on, and they have Beer-o Bingo! This is as much or more fun than it sounds, and you may walk away with a coupon for an order of curds and a token for a draft beer or a Bloody Mary!
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