First off, Luedtke's Wonder Bar is in the same location as the previous establishment known as "The Bar Next Door". The decor is much the same...but that is where the comparison ends.
I will always prefer to spend my dollar at a small business vs. a chain. I respect what it takes to make good food and make it consistently when you are working from scratch every day. For reference, some of my favorite spots in Madison are Otto's, Louisianne's, and The Tornado Room. Luedtke's Wonder Bar is a notch above that dynamic trio if you can believe it.
I have dined at Luedtke's Wonder Bar twice in the last two months. The latest meal being this last Friday night. I had seared tuna as an appetizer. The tuna was fantastic. The next thing I had was the crab bisque. I am not sure if this is on the menu every night but the two times I have been there, that has been the soup...Let me just say if it isn't on the menu every night, it should be! My goodness that is a great tasting soup. For my main dish I had a 9 oz fillet and garlic mash. The fillet had the consistency of sushi grade tuna. It was full of flavor and practically melted in my mouth. My only regret was that I didn't order the 12 oz! My wife had a crusted halibut fillet which she proclaimed was the best food she had ever had in a restaurant. That is high praise coming from her.
So, the food is definitely 5 star, the atmosphere is quaint and cozy, the wine selection is nice and the prices are definitely in-line with what you get for the money.
Hat's off Mr. Luedtke, we will certainly be back!