The Old Fashioned Tavern and Restaurant

The Old Fashioned's Web site describes this restaurant as the place "Where Wisconsin in King," and they're not kidding. The extensive menu includes many of the taste-delights for which Wisconsin is famous. There are different dinner specials each night, including a Friday night fish fry. Or come in any night to try Wisconsin-raised rainbow trout served with Door County beets or mac-and-cheese made with Wisconsin sharp cheddar and Sarvecchio (offered with a side of Fendt's Ring Bologna made in nearby Watertown). You really know you're in Wisconsin when the menu offers to add a fried egg, bacon or braunschweiger to any sandwich for $1.25. Entrees from about $9; sandwiches from about $6. Cheese flights combine both familiar and exotic cheeses, all created by artisan cheesemakers here in America's Dairyland. The beers--also made in Wisconsin--include one called Down & Dirty Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, produced in a small craft brewery about 30 miles away. Fittingly, though, the Old Fashioned--the classic whiskey cocktail--remains their signature adult beverage. The Old Fashioned is centrally located in downtown Madison, literally just across the street from the State Capitol.