The Rathskeller room itself is classic Madison and a great place to talk and have beers or study. The restaurant gets two stars just based upon the space.
The new food sucks. The rueben was tiny, stale, and tasted awful. The warm potato salad with bacon would be a great idea, if it didn't taste like yesterday's french fries boiled in sugar and mayonnaise. I'll eat almost anything but after one bite I threw the entire serving out.
Also, the food is significantly overpriced. $6 for a brat and fries?!
Zero stars for the food, two stars for their luck to be in one of Madison's finest sitting spaces. Probably fine for french fries or nachos but eat lunch or dinner anywhere else but here, especially with so many great carts right outside.