My food writer buddies JM and Nichole of Eating in Madison A to Z have apparently coined a really great term. Swivel factor. Found first in their write-up of the Hody Bar & Grill, swivel factor refers to the frequency or severity of the barstool spin the regulars do when a newbie walks through the door of a bar/pub/tavern. I say that they apparently coined it because, when I Googled the term, I got a lot of Epinions reviews for computer monitors and chairs. So it's hard to tell.
But I love the term, and I've been thinking about it lately. The missus and I need to branch out a little, and we don't know enough people (sad but true) to ride along on a bunch of coat-tails. So we want to find a spot or two that are new (to us), good, and relatively welcoming to virgins. I don't want to have to know no damn secret handshake to get a burger and a beer.
It falls, then, to you, Madison readers: gimme some low swivel-factor joints that either serve reasonably good food, feature a lot of good beers, or are just good clean fun. We're not looking for the place that secretly circumvents the smoking ban. On the contary, we're big ban fans insofar as our dining is concerned. I'm particularly interested in Mickey's, since they're just down the road. But they're so damn tiny, I can't help but feel that walking into the place when it's busy might incidentally result in a minor sexual act.
For you non-Madisonians, please check out thedailypage.com/eats in the next day or so. I should have a new column appearing soon, this time on soft-shell crab. Come read about me biting into a whole creature, not just some faceless part.
But I love the term, and I've been thinking about it lately. The missus and I need to branch out a little, and we don't know enough people (sad but true) to ride along on a bunch of coat-tails. So we want to find a spot or two that are new (to us), good, and relatively welcoming to virgins. I don't want to have to know no damn secret handshake to get a burger and a beer.
It falls, then, to you, Madison readers: gimme some low swivel-factor joints that either serve reasonably good food, feature a lot of good beers, or are just good clean fun. We're not looking for the place that secretly circumvents the smoking ban. On the contary, we're big ban fans insofar as our dining is concerned. I'm particularly interested in Mickey's, since they're just down the road. But they're so damn tiny, I can't help but feel that walking into the place when it's busy might incidentally result in a minor sexual act.
For you non-Madisonians, please check out thedailypage.com/eats in the next day or so. I should have a new column appearing soon, this time on soft-shell crab. Come read about me biting into a whole creature, not just some faceless part.
I don't recall there being much of a swivel factor at JT Whitney's, and I enjoy the food. I'm not a beer drinker, so I can't help you there.
Aside from that, I'm quite interested in what you and the missus find, because the mister and I haven't had much luck.
We have been there, once. The lighting was really weird. But the food was good enough.
I'll be sure to keep the Internet apprised of our findings.
you there.
looks like youre doing ok
status report:
married for 1 year
get AA degree this semester
work full time in 4 star restraunt
staying on for AS in IT
hope this isnt out of line
seasons greetings from florida
Congratulations! I think I tried sending you an e-mail a while back, but it got bounced.
Yes, things are going well. No, not out of line at all. Keep rockin'; you know where to e-mail me.
I never get swiveled at when I walk into Ale Asylum, but I don't know if you've been or not.
Can you rule out places you already frequent and enjoy and places you tried and disliked? I might could offer an opinion or two.
-- your new Flickr pal
Yay for Flickr!
Yeah, we've been to Ale Asylum. Quite good.
The list, sad to say, is quite short.
There's the obvious: Great Dane, Angelic, Weary Traveler (where everyone is too self-absorbed to care if you just walked in--poses a different set of difficulties in getting comfortable), and the aforementioned JT Whitney's. Dane and Weary: good. JT and Angelic: meh.
Been to Eldorado (good), but not for the bar. Been to Brass Ring (decent), but not for long (all seats in the bar were PACKED). Interested in Harmony, Mickey's, Avenue, because they're all close to home--or anything else in that circumference centered on the Willy/Ingersoll area.
I've had good luck at The Bar Next Door on Olin Ave. The patrons seem to either keep to themselves or start friendly conversations. Even though they only have a small "kitchen" area, their burgers are very tasty.
Maybe it's too late to comment but, as a Mickey's employee, I really felt I must. You mentioned you were interested in checking out Mickey's but said, "But they're so damn tiny..." Were you being facetious? If not, are you talking about Mickey's Tavern on the corner of Willy and Thornton... the one right by the river?? If so, it is anything but tiny. Large bar room and then 3 more rooms beyond that, not to mention the outdoor patio outback.
You mos def must come visit.
Though there is a contingent of regulars, they are sweet, dear and friendly people and if they happen to swivel when you walk in, its only because they need to get that crick out of their backs from sitting on their stools for so long. (I tease)
We started serving food (burgers, mac and cheese, delicious pizza, salads, grilled chicken, pulled pork sandwich, steak and brunch on Sat. & Sun.)
If you want to avoid crowds, come in on a week night.
Hope to see you there!
(Damn, didn't mean to sound so much like an advertisement)
Hey Liz, I've been meaning to post a reply to your comment, which was very much appreciated.
I have to admit that the opinion I held of Mickey's internal capacity was based totally on surface judgement. It really doesn't look very big from the outside. We still haven't gotten there, but it's been a busy last couple months, at home and with the extended fam.
Anyway, as an update, we've been to the new Alchemy Cafe, and they're pretty nice. Best BL(f)T since Radical Rye closed.