SconnieBar — Restaurant in Madison

Almost always one of my favorite places to eat in Madison. ALMOST!

TIME OF DAY MATTERS- which was part of the interrogation I received from a male server.

When I ordered I asked if the Philly cheesesteak “is it made thinly sliced tonight or chunky?”

I have ordered it about three times before. First time I ordered it this is what my bartender said, “today it’s Ben making it. He thinly slices it Philly style. Our other chef just cuts big chunks and a lot of customers complain about the inconsistency. Make sure you ASK how it’s made before you order.” Ben even came out and spoke to me personally to be sure it was good.

As I’ve been accustomed to doing- I asked prior to ordering.

My sandwich came out with pink meat cut into approximately six chunks. Nothing about which is a Philly cheesesteak I’ve ordered here or any other restaurants.

I asked my server if it’s possible to have it remade I was told it could be thin.

He said “I’ll see what I can do.” It came back, large chunks were just smaller still very tough, chewy chunks of meat. I shouldn’t have to defend my eating habits or my digestive issues.

I did have to defend them.

My waiter said, as my plate sits at the bar with one bite out of it, with my credit card next to it, “it’s good now?”

I’m not eating it so obviously no.

He makes me defend myself. He said, “this is how we always make it. We ONLY make it one type of way. It’s not like we have a shaver back there.”

I’m made to explain myself while other bartenders stand by & give me faces like I’m unreasonable.

I explain I’ve ordered this multiple times- was even advised by a bartender there’s two chefs- Ben & another one- he said people complain about the latter because the meat is cut too thick, it comes out chewy & it’s no where near what Ben prepares. He said the other chef, “will make it Ben’s way-only if you ask though.”

Again- the waiter is pushing me to defend myself. “What bartender told you we prepare it that way?”

Are you not listening- I wasn’t told you prepare it that way- I’VE EATEN it from this establishment prepared that way by the chef Ben- why is the bartender’s name relevant?!

I asked how my sandwich would be prepared- as I’m accustomed to doing.

I was served something not similar- I shouldn’t have to defend my eating habits.

Then I was treated like I’m a certain type of woman for making a fuss.

Told “We ONLY make it this way. We don’t have a shaver.”

No you do not- because as I’ve stated to you & the female server- I’ve had it one type of way- I’ve been told to ASK HOW IT IS PREPARED PRIOR TO ORDERING FOOD.

As the bartender told me upon ordering the Philly the first time- he said “a LOT of people complain when so and so makes it. His is thick, tough, and chewy. You won’t like it. But don’t worry- Ben is here today.”

Exactly how the conversation went.

Even though I said Ben prepared it thin my server still said to me, “We ONLY make it one type of way.”

No you do not.

I said the person who cooked mine multiple times, I’ve even talked to the man myself. He comes out to ask me how my dinner is.

Why was I so harshly forced to defend my perspective instead of just told- a different chef is here perhaps we should accommodate you with something else.

Instead they made it seem like I was unreasonable, ridiculous, and a complete B for not preferring to naw my under cooked food into digestible pieces.

This was my favorite go to place. I told everyone about Sconnie Bar & the nice way they treat you.

But as my waiter said in his interrogation of me- “what time of day do you usually come?” Why is that a question?! I’ve said I had it a different way- I'm being interrogated about it to the full extent of harassment. My server said it’s because we need to know who is making it different. I said, Ben. Ben is in the reviews - compliments for his excellent cooking skills.

I asked, “Ben still works here?” Server said, “yes.” So why the interrogation?! Why the drill sergeant treatment of me?! Time you come matters!! A lot!! Usually treated better in multiple ways. Some care-...

Having recently visited the Sconnie Bar to see what they have done to the place, we were pleasantly surprised to find a new cleaned up interior and staff attitudes. I have returned one more time since and both times the service and the attitude of the staff were much improved from the former Lucky's staff. We stopped going to Lucky's for our weekly lunch about a year ago due to the declining upkeep of the property, which of course makes sense since they were moving, but still, we were regulars and gave good constructive feedback. Looking forward to hosting our work holiday party with this new crew. Oh yeah, the food is great as well! The manager was timely in his response to my request to use the back area for our party and has been patient in allowing us to get our act together, thank you! More...

i like this bar most bartenders are nice but one bartender/bouncer there with dark hair and hes new there was very very mean to me. He was incredibly mean to me and he was mean to me thinking it was awesome that he was mean to me and he was getting a kicking out of it. I do not appreciate people that are mean to people that are being nice to them. i was polite trying to make conversation and he was not happy about it and i was being nice and saying oh i see you are chowing down on food and i said what are you eating and he told me chicken tenders and i asked him well that sounds nice can i try and he said...