Step inside Toby’s Supper Club in Madison and you feel the Friday fish fry heartbeat right away. Neon glow, clinking ice, and a line that proves locals know where dinner still tastes like tradition. You are here for crisp cod, perch, potato pancakes, and a rye slice that feels like home. Stay a little longer, because the stories are as satisfying as the plates.
The Friday Fish Fry Ritual
At Toby’s, Friday starts before the door even swings open. You can smell the fryer working, hear laughter stacking up at the bar, and feel that unhurried Wisconsin rhythm. You grab a spot, order an Old Fashioned, and settle in.
The plates land heavy, generous, and honest. Cod or perch arrives crackling, with potato pancakes, coleslaw, and that essential slice of rye. You butter it, dab applesauce, and suddenly the week loosens its grip.
Cod, Perch, and Walleye Done Right
The fish at Toby’s hits the table with audible crunch. Cod is flaky and comforting, but the perch whispers Northwoods nostalgia with every bite. Walleye shows up juicier than expected, proof the fry oil is watched like a hawk.
Each filet is seasoned to amplify the fish, not bury it. The batter clings thin and shatters clean, leaving no greasy afterthought. You squeeze lemon, swipe tartar, and remember why this ritual survives.
Potato Pancakes, Applesauce, and Coleslaw
Sidekicks at Toby’s play like headliners. Potato pancakes are crisp edged and tender inside, ready for a swipe of applesauce that hits sweet and tart. Coleslaw balances the fry with cool crunch…