The Prospect Tavern — Restaurant in Madison

TLDR: Incompetent waitstaff ruins evening of bad food and worse atmosphere while management gaslights guests

Imagine waiting to celebrate a family success and having such a bumbling waiter that the mood shifts from frustration, to comedy, to aggravation in the space of 2 ½ hours. After arriving at Prospect Tavern we were seated at two adjacent tables for our party of 12. The reservation had been made in advance with no indication that this was out of the ordinary. Our waiter sidled up and we asked for separate checks. The response to this was befuddled staring, after which he went to the counter, stared into space, and returned to tell us that the manager said no separate checks. Not wanting to cause any (more?) confusion, we agreed to just have one check for each table and we would figure things out. Two tables proved to be two too many for our awkward attendant as he confused drink orders, or didn’t bother to take some, and didn’t bother to note that some guests were having appetizers as a meal. Appetizers took over an hour. We didn’t order a souffle, we ordered macaroni and cheese balls and an artichoke dip, both of which were probably frozen in the back. Because the apps took so very long, some of our party had to approach the counter and ask that their food be removed from the order. Which seemed to be no problem because AN HOUR AND A HALF into our meal, the entrees had still not been sent to the kitchen. Now we’re all very tired, and very hungry and becoming very silly as we start to make the best of things by joking that it must be his very first day, or that the manager must be his mommy. Granted, childish, but we are all almost two hours in and more than a bit peckish. When the food finally arrives, every plate is delivered to the wrong seat. The food ranges from good to awful. Pizza was good but instead of monterey jack cheese on a burger they substituted swiss with chili flakes. Burgers were way overcooked and everything else was just…fine. The waiter then decided to move things along by rushing us and clearing plates before people were finished. But we could’ve lived with all of that and written it off to a bad night. Until the checks arrived… Each table was supposed to have its own check but what we got were two checks that were completely nonsensical. Items from one table mixed with items from the other. I took the two checks and marked them so they could be corrected and brought them to our server. He proceeded to ask me if I was “sure.” Sure? As if we hadn’t just endured the longest pub meal in history? When I sat back down he approached to correct the amount of sodas. Now I am getting frustrated, so I told him to just put all the sodas on my bill and I would take care of it. And yet, more huffing and confusion from the staff. At this point, I walked over and said to just put both tables on one bill and I would do the math. This is when the manager (owner? mommy?) decided to step in. Not to offer apologies, or a solution, nope, to blame me for sitting and taking up table space for 2 ½ hours on a Friday night! When I pointed out that they took the reservation and that we gladly would’ve left way earlier IF OUR FOOD HAD ARRIVED, she stared at me and said, with all the disdain she could muster up, “well, did you order an appetizer?” As if ordering an appetizer was a crime that we had plotted on our way in to hold up the two tables that were actually being used in the empty, dingy, dark, tavern on its empty Friday night. In addition, I was called a name I will not type out here but, you know the one, rhymes with hunt, by a frequent guest who had been sitting in the corner. The person who we were celebrating was in the parking lot crying, her parents had had to leave halfway through the incompetency marathon without ever receiving their meals, and we were all a little worse for the wear. In short, unless you want to punish someone you really hate, don’t go to or recommend Prospect...

Don't listen to the one star reviews. This place is very warm and great for conversing. It's not so loud like the other bars around the area. The food is amazing and happy hour prices are great and affordable (you are in a bar after all where drinks are always expensive, but it is very affordable during happy hour). The bartenders are great people and always attend you when you need them. The food is just great! The family are amazing people. No disrespect is tolerated in this location so if you are planning to get drunk and be reckless, well, good luck. It is a great place to eat outside. I have been on a few dates here and always have had a good time. This is a place where you never feel pressure to order right away as some other bars do to customers. This is a peaceful bar/restaurant with a family who deeply cares about their customers. Anthony is a great person who works very very hard, he is the head bartender and will always try his best to help (It can get very busy). Overall, great place for a date, by yourself, or just to hangout with friends. Great atmosphere. I completely 100% recommend it for anyone who wants to get a quick drink or bite, or even relax. Happy hour is 3-6 and prices are amazing. Take my word for it, give it a try....

This review is a long time coming. I have been to the Prospect Tavern quite a few times over the past number of years and lately the food and hospitality has been above and beyond. While it has always been a great neighborhood spot to go to, I just feel as if the food has really hit its stride!

The prime rib is EXCELLENT! Worth every penny and as good as you can get in any steak house. Tender, tasty, succulent and enough to take home and have leftovers the next day.

The fish and chips are as good as any you can get on this side of the Atlantic. The batter is crispy and not too oily and the cod is plump, juicy, and cooked just right the chips are fresh and made to order as well! Couple that with the malt vinegar and you have sitting on your plate a traditional taste of England!

The beers poured by the bartenders are cold, fresh, and in the case of the Guinness poured correctly. Speaking of beers, their happy hour is the best in the area - plus it is EVERY DAY!

Whatever they are doing here at Prospect, they are doing the right way!

If you have not been here or if it has been a while that you have shown your face in this neighborhood staple, it is time that you revisit this old friend. I...