Tamarack Pizza

Excellent piza. Great service and cheap!!!
Love this place.

It’s actually difficult to find a good eatery in Portage Wisconsin so I was pleased to see so many 4 star recommendations of Tamarack pizza. Last night I had an opportunity to try this local establishment. To be honest, I have passed it many times going in and out of Portage but never stopped there.
Last night my wife and I decided to order pizza out. In the past we would go to Pizza Hut which is directly across the street from Tamarack pizza!
Stepping into Tamarack, is like stepping back in time. When you open the door which has hand written signage, you enter a small flight of stairs which haven’t seen a broom in a while. You open the door to the establishment and you are thrust into the past. It’s an Lshaped tavern, dimly lit with multiple tvs on different stations. The place looked about half full and that was interesting for Tuesday night. A few patrons were at the bar and since nobody seemed to acknowledge my presence, I had a stool at the bar. They cook the hamburgers right behind the bar. Two waitresses seem to be involved in that process. So the overwhelming aroma there was of cooked meat. No where could I determine that pizza was also served at Tamarack pizza!
Eventually one of the waitresses asked what I wanted and I told her I had ordered a pizza. She quickly produced a standard pizza box and when I went to pay with a credit card, she informed me that only cash or check was accepted. When I had called, no such indication was given to me on the phone by the person who took the order. I paid in cash and left.
When I got home, and my wife and I shared the pizza, it tasted like the cardboard box it came in. It appeared to be topped with less than fresh ingredients and our overall feeling is that this was a pizza you could have picked up in the frozen food section of the grocery store and had a better result.
I’m glad I went back into the past last night, and I’m glad that I visited a local establishment. However this type of quaint establishment is not for everyone. It’s located on Highway 51 and would be a great backdrop for a Hollywood set. If you want pizza, go across the street; if you want a Locals Only cash bar, this is the place.

Usually we love coming here and eating as it has been a staple in the Portage area for many years. However the service always seems to bother me… We feel it is the downside to this place. Servers and staff who are under trained, unprofessional, sloppy at best, yelling across the resturant while your eating, yelling in and out of the kitchen. I could go on and on… We went in for pizza which is about all this place has going great for it and could not get it. Unfortunately they dont start cooking those until after 4pm. Burgers are ok if the bartenders behind the bar cooking for the day brought thier give a hoot. Some days good some days not. My soup bowl was probably20 years old and cracked and the plate that my wife’s food came out on was chipped. The give a hoot is missing again. Throw that old stuff away. Dont serve that to a customer.
I would suggest cleaning the place top to bottom and training staff. I would then rate this place higher.

I had the most awesome experience of running into Tamarack Pizza in Portage, WI on a Sunday night. There was no place to eat! Sher’s Wagon Wheel was closed and up for sale — my condolences. Full Throttle Saloon changed hands to another establishment and no longer carried a city permit to serve food. So I left aimlessly searching for something to satisfy my hunger.
As I continued along Hwy. 51 toward Madison I stopped at an Irish pub where there was nothing but really drunk people at the bar yelling absurdly at nothing and again no food. With high hopes I continued South through town. There had to be someplace to get something.
There it was! On the right. Tamarack Pizza, «Best Burgers Around» displayed proudly out front. As I exited my vehical I could only take in the exotic aroma of home-​made
pizza. Entering the resturant I noticed a quaint friendly atmosphere of locals there for dinner and regulars at the bar. It was a real warm nice feeling to find this place. best of all Sunday’s special is a 2-​toppings 15″ large pizza for ony $ 11.00.
I was definately in luck. The Sausage & Mushroom had my name all over it. The wait staff was considerably courtious and made me feel at ease and welcome to be among the patrons. She took my order and brought me a Capitol Brewery Amber pint immediately. Without too much of a long wait the food was delivered from the kitchen piping hot, crispy and bubbling with fresh mozzarella cheese, tender Italian sausage and loads of fresh mushrooms.
Immediately my senses were aroused by the intense flavor of fresh herbs like rosemary, tyme and oregano in the very ample supply of the made-​from-​scratch, more delicious than ever pizza sauce. I had hit the jackpot! This was the bomb!
If you ever happenstance to be in Portage, WI I highly recommend stopping by Tamarack Pizza as a must do place to eat. This is thin crust real Italian style pizza that deserve your utmost respect. Justa’ like mamas’!

Small bar/​restaurant type setting.
Had the Hawaiian pizza and was really tasty.
Would recommend stopping on on your way thru town.
Next time I will maybe try the bacon burger.

I was back today and after my meal I was SURE I was going to bump these guys back up to the four stars after today’s experience. The server was super friendly and a little sassy (hey, someone who can dish it out as well as take it without getting all offended? I like that.) and the food was back to it’s normal flavor (even though it was a bit smaller than it had been in the past, that hasn’t changed). Overall, the Tamarack is a little bit more high-​energy than it used to be. Whether that’s a positive or a negative sorta depends on what you’re looking for.
Unfortunately, my three star rating has to stand.
They went cash only without warning.
Cash only is inconvenient enough; going cash only after previously accepting cards is even more so.
But that ATM fee? It’s $ 2.25. I know it’s really not a huge deal, but I feel like they’re seriously milking their new cash only policy for every cent. That’s not a good way to do business.
Seriously guys, I really like you. Give me a reason to bump this up again.

Great pizza, accommodating and friendly staff. Small and dated environment, but cozy and warm seating arrangement. Definitely will visit again

My husband and I were driving through Portage and saw a sign that said «voted best burgers». Of course he had to stop and try it out!
Horrible, voted best by who??? We both ordered bacon cheeseburger and I asked for medium rare and what I got was raw! It was repulsive it was so raw. I nicely asked the waitress to send it back and have it cooked a bit longer, she was a total snot about it. When the burger came back it was well done. Seriously well done, like a hockey puck. I didn’t end up eating it. My husband had ordered a medium burger and his came out well done originally. It really isn’t rocket science to get a burger at least in the ball park of requested doneness. We both left disappointed and vowed never to go back… ever!

Was trying to find decent place to eat after skiing at Devils Head and found this place after reading the Unilocal reviews. Called ahead and they were able to find seating for all 13 of us. Small place with a bar setting but very nice and quaint. The clam chowder was ok but the chili was very good. We also had the tropical and sausage pizzas and they were good but not enough sausage on the sausage pizza and not enough pineapple on the tropical pizza. We also got the lasagna and spaghetti with meatballs which were ok. I got the cheeseburger and it was tasty but also very greasy… kinda reminded me of a culvers burger. Price was very good for 13 people at around $ 70. Waitress was very nice and attentive. Dont know if I would drive out of my way to go to this place but it was a nice find if your in the area.

Passing through Portage looking for lunch. Excellent pizza and cheese curds. Would definitely go back for more next time.

Had a mushroom and Swiss jumbo burger. It’s was delicious. Best burgers ever. Can’t go wrong here for a great meal and a beer. Pizza is also very good.

Exceptional burgers and friendly bartenders. We heard from some of the other patrons the pizza is just as good. Definitely coming back to try the pizza.

Grew up in Portage and we’d do Tamarack every once in a while. The place is an old box care converted into a bar and mini restaurant. Food is awesome, pizzas are delish as well as burgers! The burgers are some of the best around. I don’t know of a place this good for miles. There is nothing on the menu that tastes bad here!

You can’t go wrong with this place. Burgers in the afternoon, pizza after 5. Either one will rank in your personal Top Ten.

Good pizza but the burgers are the best!!! Homemade soups are also on the menu and they always seem to change.
Very affordable and well worth the visit!

They’ve got a great steak sandwich and the burger was good. When I try the pizza I’ll update the review. Service was very good and it was a bar-​like atmosphere.