Toby's Supper Club — Restaurant in Madison

Let me start by saying we were there on Fat Tuesday and before a Badger basketball game. I am from out of town and not familiar with this particular club, so I made a reservation. After waiting almost 90 minutes for our food, I was told the reservation saves us a table, but our food comes out after everyone else who ordered at the bar. Apparently, it works along the lines of you walk up to the bar, place your order, and get seated at a table when your salads are ready. I waited at the bar for over 10 minutes to check in and was never asked if I wanted to place my order or told how they work. The bartenders were not friendly. The place was packed. 2 bartenders and only 2 waitresses that we saw. We were hugely irritated when all tables around us were seated, served, finished, and gone before our food came. It wasn't until we asked what was taking so long that we received an explanation of how it all worked. I've been to multiple supper clubs and have never seen anything like this. I admit by then we were pretty mad, but in spite of that, the server remained very friendly and moved as fast as she could. Out of the 4 meals, 3 were good. 1 person ordered a steak, and it was so tough he could hardly chew it. One of my favorite things about supper clubs is the relish tray, and this one was sorely lacking. We had tickets to the game, so we had to shovel the food in and go. We paid as soon as the food came so we could just leave. There are several supper clubs in the area, and we chose this one because of the high rating. If we hadn't been in a hurry, or if we knew the process ahead of time, it may have been a much better experience. Now I know how it works, but next time I'm in town, I will still go...

On busy days I think the "Old School" system they have doesn't work and prices why no one uses it other than them. It's chaotic and confusing. The only people I see it benefiting is the owners and maybe the bartenders as it forces you to probably drink more than a regular restaurant. The bar is not an overflow waiting area it's the first stop no matter what your intentions are for your visit. Which is probably fine when it's not packed. But a 45 minute wait feeling like your standing in the way can't be enjoyable for the staff or the guests. And it's not like you can leave because all the waitress has is your name and face. We saw multiple tables free up and sit for 10+ minutes with food waiting on them (your soup or salad). Probably because this system doesn't work and is why no one uses it. Like what happens if we leave after we order but didn't get seated? There is a reason other places give you the little buzzers and have an actual point where you can meat the hostess or a free server or whatever. Which reminds me the whole bar as starting point also kinds of fall a part because they don't have like a spot for people who aren't sitting at the bar. You either stand in front of the bar entrance or flag them down from behind someone sitting at the bar. Again this system doesn't work and they aren't even trying to make it truly work. Having said all that. The food was very good. Probably the best fish fry we've had. And the staff was very friendly despite running around like their heads are cut off. So I just hope they can streamline their system of not for me but their poor waitress's running around the whole...

Last night's Supper Club was our second time eating at Toby's. I was surprised to realize I had not written a review after our first visit many years ago. Last night's visit was stellar and far superior to our first visit. We went on Tuesday night and I had made reservations for our group of six. (Our first visit was a Friday when they don't take reservations.)

This trip, both the service and the food were excellent. Let's start with the service. Our waitress was friendly, polite and prompt. She took our orders, checked on us multiple times, provided refills as needed, made recommendations as requested and just did an overall great job. There was also a busboy who helped deliver food and take away dishes and again he was friendly and polite.

For appetizers we had fried mushrooms, cheese curds, and fried pickle spears. They were all hot and tasty. I thought the prices were very reasonable for the portion sizes. Accompanying our entrees we were served a bread bowl with various rolls and crackers, a relish tray including carrot, celery, radish, and green onion and cinnamon rolls for dessert. Our group had a number of entrees including steak and lobster which everyone said were great. I had the bluegill and perch that I shared with my partner. Again, I was pleasantly surprised by the portion size of both. Lightly breaded and perfectly fried, these were delicious. I had the fries as my side. They were thin fries, crunchy and crispy, exactly the way like them.

Those of us who drank all had brandy old fashioneds. Perfectly made and perfectly priced. I'm looking forward to returning to Toby's but I'm going to stick...