Borland’s Tavern

We noticed there were black greasy specs on all of our glasses after we ate our food. We went up to ask the staff about it and one woman said that they knew about the problem. It is on all the serving ware put into the dishwasher. They got a new dishwasher and everything now has black, greasy, specs on it. They said they were told that the chemicals in the dishwasher are eating the rubber hoses and leaving the specs. They said they tried different things to remediate the problem but were told to get a another new dishwasher. But the staff said they just bought one, implying they were not going to pay for another one. The staff had the audacity to seem annoyed when I pushed further after they already said they knew about the problem
I do not know how long they have been serving their customers greasy black specs, seemingly made of chemically eroded rubber pieces, but that is disgusting. And the fact that they were very well aware of the problem was more disturbing. This needs to be investigated and the Dane County Public Health has been called. It is very clear that eating chemically eroded anything is not healthy and against public health policy. I feel extremely disturbed that this could be let go, and my eating of chemically eroded rubber pieces was taken so lightly. What else could they have been letting go, that may not be so obvious, if they don’t seem to have a problem serving their customers greasy black chemically eroded rubber specs?

Borlands was our family Friday supper go-​to place in the 60’s & early 70’s when I grew up in Madison. I recall when a fish fry supper was 63 cents, you read that right, sixty three cents. From other reviews, sounds like it hasn’t changed, except prices– a good thing. I wonder if they still have the 1950’s style metal tables. Back in the day, Wisconsin was all about big bars and this is one. Step in and you’ll be in the 60’s, sans the smoking in the restaurant area. I’m in a wheelchair now, wouldn’t be able to navigate the front steps or I would drive from Milwaukee tonight to step back to a simpler time. Don’t pass up a chance to eat here, especially for «fish Friday., and a brandy old fashioned sweet.

The place where the locals go. Excellent Classic Wisconsin fish fry and amazing bar burgers. Good luck trying to get in for dinner on Friday night!

Good old fashion stuck in the 70s bar with decent fish on Friday night. The best reason to visit this place is Saturday night fried chicken. No né does fried chicken as well as Borlands does.

While staying at a friend’s farm in Belleville, Wisconsin, he mentioned Friday Night Fish Fry. My Californian friend and I raised our eyebrows and asked, «Friday night what now?»
Needless to say, we had to experience this Friday Night Fish Fry.
On the way there, the concept was explained to us. For those unfamiliar with Friday Night Fish Fry, here’s a quick 411:
The Fish Fry is a classic Wisconsin tradition that originates from the state’s Catholic settlers strictly adhering to the whole no meat on Friday rule. Soon, restaurants and pubs would be using the Friday Fish Fry concept as a marketing ploy to get patrons into the door. This is what led to the statewide phenomenon where everyone hits their favorite tavern for some fried fish every Friday.
As for Borland’s, aside from being a real, living, breathing piece of precious Americana, the food is good. It’s pretty standard fried fare, so I think Borland’s charm lies more in its nostalgia.
Like one reviewer mentioned, it’s not really a place that sees a variety in customers. In fact, as we lined up for a table, we bumped into Grandma! Yes, the actual grandmother of the friend we were staying with. And I tasted Grandma’s cookies, so I know she knows how to do things right.

Just thought I’d post an update, since we found ourselves in Belleville again recently.
It was early — 4:30 — and they were just opening. Empty except for a few early-​bird elderly couples and a person getting take-​out. But within 30 minutes, the place was full. Lots of people waiting for take-​out, bar area full, dining area full, and a line a dozen deep waiting to be seated.
Fish was again excellent. Yummy cole-​slaw (even my dining companion admitted it *was* very good despite his preference for larger pieces). He said the shrimp were even better this time.

This place has a delish fish fry, with a down home feel. Usually my BF and I are city dwellers, but we will make it out to Borland’s for Friday fish fry on occasion.
I did feel a little uncomfortable, and like an outsider when we were there. Definitely not a place that sees many fashionista’s or women in heels!
I am like 99% sure they only take cash too, so something to remember on your way.

Quick review: A really old school diner/​tavern, complete with paneling, a smoking-​allowed bar, a smoke-​free dining room, and classic diner/​fried food. Basic, yet inexpensive menu and… a great fish fry. Service is definitely very «home town» and enjoyable.
Detailed review:
We decided to give Borland’s Friday night Fish Fry a shot, and am I gald we did. Belleville isn’t exactly «on the way» to many places, so it does require a bit of a commitment to give it a try. If you decide to venture down that way on a Friday, be sure to get there after 6:30pm, as the early crowd will have passed through, and you won’t have to wait too long for a table.
I personally like the look, feel, and vibe of the place — it’s old school; still stuck somewhere in the 60s without feeling too «Happy Days-​like.» The kitchen is small, cramped, and staffed by ladies that appear to have worked there for decades, and their experience shows when it comes to the fish fry, but more on that in a bit.
So, you’ll walk in to Borland’s, and the first thing you’ll see is a large bar and a few tables. There’ll be people eating, drinking, and smoking in this area. Tap selection is limited but decent — nothing too exotic.
If you’re there to eat, and you don’t want to sit in the bar/​smoking area, you’ll have to make your way to the back dining area. If there’s an open table and no line, seat yourself. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait in line for a table — there isn’t a host or hostess.
Once seated, you’ll be presented with the menu/​placemat — it’s a simple thing — they print the menu on your placemat, which reminds me of being a kid and visiting diners with my grandparents… they all seemed to do that back in the 70s and 80s.
We ordered the fish, and it comes only one way: breaded, deep fried (cod), with fries, coleslaw, and bread. No exceptions. They also offer scallops, burgers, and other standard bar foods.
Our waitress was a wonderful older lady who took fantastic care of us. It was busy, but it didn’t phase her, not even in the slightest. She was calm, friendly, fun, and helpful. Not the fastest, but we appreciated her «collected» nature.
We ordered a Whiskey Old Fashioned Sour, a few beers, and our food. The beers arrived immediately; the Old Fashioned seemed to throw the bartender a curve ball… we watched him struggle with how to assemble the drink — it’s obvious they serve more of the Brandy Old Fahsioned Sweets; our drink was strong but not real great. It was tolerable but I wouldn’t go back and request a second one.
Rumor has it J&M’s bar next door makes a mean Whiskey Old Fashioned Sour, so we’ll have to give that a try some time.
The fish arrived and it was a very solid fish fry. Cod pieces were nicely sized, lightly breaded, flavorful, moist, and truly indicative of a good fish fry. Nothing «over the top» — just good, reliable fish. My plate was slightly better than my dining partner’s — theirs was a tad on the greasy side, but it was completely tolerable.
The fries were wonderful — crispy, piping hot, straight cut, and excellent. Slaw was some of the best we’ve had, as was the bread. We’d definitely make the trip back to Borland’s for fish or food, any time.
Borland’s = WIN
Service = 4 stars (reliable, attentive, «welcoming»)
Food = 3 stars (solid, nothing over the top)
Value = 4 stars ($ 30 for dinner and drinks)
Misc = 4 stars (I like the place. It feels «right»)
Summary: It’s nothing fancy, and truth be told, it’s probably closer to 3-​stars of an establishment, but it’s the «reliable, homey» nature of the place that earned an extra star. This place ain’t fancy, it ain’t spectacular, but it’ll serve you well if you feel like making the drive to Belleville.