Tip Top Tavern — Restaurant in Madison

The Tip Top is the place you didn't know you needed. It's the witty staff and welcoming level of a nostalgia for a space that you've never been. It allows anyone, no matter who they are or what reason they might have for walking through the doors, to be reminded of one's own insignificant place in the world, but the peace that can be found in that position. Some, with ego, may find it unbecoming. However, they miss the beauty. They miss the draw. The draw is the inclusive nature. Anyone, from anywhere, treated just as equally, just as wholly, with the same level of access to the same burger, the same fish fry, which tastes precisely as you want one to when walking into a neighborhood bar. No surprises. No hurt. The comfort of a place that is new but familiar. The opportunity to let yourself go; listen to the conversation next to you; ponder the "what ifs" that exist outside this space; ask how should a person be and feel as if your own answer holds space in that answer. All this while never having to worry about what happened 10 minutes before you arrived or what is to come in the days ahead. The staff have your back. Like the quiet friend, who never leaves, despite how hard times might get, the Tip Top is what you can trust to turn to when your family, your friends, and the rest of the world disappoints you. After all, the true lover of life, is the one that keeps enjoying it, while deeply aware of the struggles in every day. Cheers to...

This place is a hidden gem! It is so much more than a hole in the wall bar! We have been here for brunch twice now, both trips have been spectacular. You are acknowledged immediately walking in the door whether busy or not. You can find a seat and they are quick to get to your table. The spicy bloody marys are actually spicy and the beer chaser with PBR is a nice touch. We have had the carnitas verdes(great flavor and cooked well!), tip top burger(tasted fresh and was huge!), and I've had the Eggs Benedict with the bourbon glaze and without. I did not care for the sweetness the first time, but knew it was so good. They had no problem removing the glaze the second time I came in and let me tell you as a person who orders every Eggs Benedict I ever see, this is hands down the best Eggs Benedict I have ever had! The english muffin is toasted and sturdy, the ham is cooked and thin to slice easily, eggs are perfectly poached with runny yolks, and the hollandaise is the perfect homemade delicious awesome that you want. I come from a family that makes homemade hollandaise and this is IT. Lemon flavor but not overpowering and isn't that gross packaged stuff you get from most places. The service is fast and kind. They really do it right here! This is our brunch spot! We live on the other side of town but will always...

Stopped in for brunch today around 11:30am, we didn't plan on going here but the other restaurant we were going to was closed. First impression, it was packed and loud but the staff was super friendly and cleared us a table quickly.

They had serve yourself tea, water and coffee which is in the front, a little rough getting back and forth with through a busy restaurant. All the food being served around us looked excellent, I tried the The Rooster and my dining partner had a special with poached eggs on a English muffin, pulled pork with hollandaise sauce.

The food came pretty quick considering the volume of people. We both agreed our breakfasts were just okay. They had all the fresh ingredients to make a excellent breakfast but I don't know if it was because they were so busy or what but it just didn't taste as good as it looked. Examples: the bacon was obviously quality meat but seemed pre cooked and had gotten tough to chew more like beef jerky. The sour dough would probably be nice and chewy but over toasted made it hard to bite through.

I am sure this is a good brunch stop but when it's super busy it just wasn't that for us. Additionally we had to almost yell to have a conversation across our small table. Oh yes cash only, didn't see that when we entered but they have a ATM for...