Ollie's Madison — Restaurant in Fitchburg

Edit: My mom and I went back today (5/3/25) asking with my 21 month old son. When we got there, there were 2 other tables, there was a sign that said to take a menu and seat yourself, ok perfect. Our server came to take our drink order right away and then after that our food order. We got cheese curds for an appetizer and they came fairly quickly however, they were so salty we couldn't finish them. Then it all went down from there. My mom ordered the chopped salad with chicken and I ordered the chicken sandwich on a gluten free bun with a side of onion straws and Mac and cheese with fries off of the children's menu for my son. It took at least 45 minutes, if not more, for our food to arrive, we also never saw our server again after she took our order. I had to put the light on at the table to ask where our food was for it to finally come out. I understand a wait if it's busy, but it wasn't busy in the slightest. Then our bill came...$82 for lunch. For a salad, small chicken sandwich and kids Mac and cheese. OUTRAGEOUS. I completely understand adding 20% to the bill to support your staff, but if your going to charge customers that 20% charge, probably should make sure they are doing a good job, which they were not. I really want to like this place because it's one of the few gluten free restaurants in our area, but sadly, I don't think we'll be returning.

My husband and I ate here tonight for a date night. I have celiac disease and I had heard really good things about Ollie's and how they have a fully gluten free menu as well as dedicated gluten free fryers (you don't find that in our little town) so this was a treat.

We were seated right away and our server came over right away as well. My husband ordered a soda and I ordered a glass of wine and a water. The server explained that she was not able to bring the glass of wine to the table (I'm assuming she was under 21), but said that someone would bring it right over. She brought my husbands soda right away. After about 15 minutes with not yet receiving my water or glass of wine, I put on the little light asking if I could please get the drinks I ordered. She seemed very annoyed and again said she can't serve the wine. I asked if she could at least bring a glass of water then. She said they just finished washing cups so she would be back shortly with the water. Another 10 or so minutes went by and after I saw her take THREE other tables glasses of water, I again put on the light. Now I was a little upset, we had already gotten our appetizer and food and I still had no drink. I asked if she could please bring me the water I've asked for several times now and just a soda since no one can seem to bring the glass of wine. It seemed that what it took for her to actually ask someone to bring the wine over was for me to lower the cost of the bill because I was immediately brought my glass of wine after waiting 35 or more minutes. By that point the wine was warm. I'm not a big drinker, but it was the first big date night in awhile and after having our son so I wanted to enjoy a glass of wine.

The food was great but the service could be improved, especially when they automatically add on gratuity to your bill. I completely understand not being able to serve alcohol but then someone needs to be responsible in handling those tables for that server.

All in all, will we go back? Yes. However, we'll make sure our server is able to serve...

What can you say about a restaurant that not only serves good food, AND the Chef/Owner does such amazing things for the community? You can say—GO EAT THERE. Seriously, if you haven’t tried this restaurant yet what are you doing with your life? Our party consisted of 5 adults and one 2 year old with a very sophisticated palate. The ordering system was pretty cool. You scan a QR code and order from your phone! But our waitress, Danay, was available whenever we needed anything else, or had questions. She was very cool! We started with apps for the table- truffle fries, and smoked tofu wings and a Giant hot pretzel. YUM. All were delicious, server with dipping sauces and were piping hot! The toddler, who demanded food immediately, ordered the “Supper Club Platter” complete with deviled eggs, summer sausage, aged cheddar, carrots and celery with a side of whole grain mustard. However this little foodie demanded “ziki”. That’s tzatziki for all who don’t speak 2. Our waitress quickly brought it over and the kid ate the entire charcuterie board! The rest of us, less demanding humans opted for the Mulligatawny soup in a giant bread bowl, the Greek Out pizza, the Surf and Turf Smash Burger, the Forager Smash Burger (on a requested Gluten Free bun) and a Caprese Mac and Cheese. My fam loved everything. The Surf and Turf burger has shrimp scampi on it and I thought that was a weird combo, but my SIL said “it worked”. The forager had tons of shrooms! The pizza was ALL Greece, and no grease, with its juicy gyro meat and more of the fabulous “ziki”. My daughter said the Mac and Cheese was “very good”. My Mulligatawny soup was extremely delicious with layers of flavor!!! If you’re lucky, the Chef will come to your table to say hi, and talk to your 2 year old about local politics, and let him wear his hat! All in All, this was a very good experience from the food, to the staff, to the amazing decor with a nod of support to the LGBTQ community! Not overdone with bright rainbows—but more of a muted, sophisticated style! My only complaint is small- we sat close to the door, and even though its a double door with a vestibule, I did feel a small draft every so often. But, I’m an old Jewish lady…so, as we say, “Put on a little sweater”! Next time, I won’t...

Seating – The front desk had a sign saying to seat yourself and grab menus. Only vegan menus were available. When we finally flagged down a server, they didn’t acknowledge the lack of menus. They just seemed to huff and went to grab a standard menu from the bar, almost as if we were being unreasonable.

Drinks – We ordered two cocktails, which took 20 minutes to arrive. They looked and tasted like basic rail drinks: no garnish, served in plain lowball glasses with standard ice and black stirrers. For $12 each, they looked more like $4 dive bar drinks. Zero effort or presentation.

Food – The gyro and fries were underwhelming. The gyro had no real seasoning. Just tasted of lamb and sauce heavy on cumin, flat and one-dimensional. The pita wasn’t grilled or warmed, so it tasted straight from the bag. The vegan tofu sandwich was literally a block of unmarinated tofu on bread, drowned in what tasted like Sweet Baby Ray’s. Crumbled apart easily, no real structure to it. Slight smokiness aside, it was unappealing. Vegan cheese curds had good texture but were otherwise off.

Service – The staff seemed overwhelmed and uncoordinated. When we asked to move tables due to noise, no one offered to help with our things. Later, when our food arrived, we asked for silverware at the new table. Instead of bringing a fresh set, the server went back to our old table from ten minutes earlier and handed me the already-opened silverware. It felt careless and unsanitary. Who knows who handled it in the meantime? It would have been simpler (and far more hygienic) to just bring a wrapped, clean set.

Price – Our total was over $80 for two people, and we both left unsatisfied. The tip was rolled into the bill, which didn’t match the level of service or quality we experienced. We usually tip 20% anyway, but in this case it felt automatic and undeserved. Honestly, it felt like one more way the restaurant took more than it gave.

Overall – The whole experience felt careless and disconnected. I genuinely hope the cocktail class they host teaches more skill and presentation than what we experienced, because what we had...