Feiler's Food & Cocktails - Tues., July 12, 2005

Address: 4506 Verona Rd
Phone: (608) 271-6237

Just down the frontage road from Bennett’s is Feiler’s Bar & Restaurant, a Madison mainstay since 1966. We had a nice visit with Julie J, part-time bartender at the Village and part of the Feiler family, who told us that owner, Mary Feiler's mother is a sister to the owner of Smokey’s Restaurant.

Feiler’s is part bar, part supper club and does both well. The red and black carpet and red leather booth seats, the sizzling steak matchbooks, great food and reputation for mixing a good stiff brandy old fashion are the stuff that supper club legends are built on. The bathrooms are impeccably clean and we also liked the fact that they have a coat rack. Our waitress, Kathy, went out of her way to take care of us and overall service is prompt and friendly.

Tap beer selection could be better as it only includes Leinie’s Red, Spotted Cow and Bud Light. We prefer a Wisconsin beer over a St. Louis beer and a couple more imports or micro brews. The food, however, needs no improvement. Lindsay increased her grade for Feiler’s by one full grade level after just 2 bites of their burger and this reviewer feels their hash browns are, without a doubt, the best hash browns ever made. Although we did not have them, their twice baked potatoes are a customer favorite. The broiled cod special, the chili and other sandwiches also received rave reviews. Their salad bar is small, but everything is crisp and fresh and the pickled beets, outstanding.

Grades ranged from a solid B to A-, with most giving it a B+. If I get to chose my last meal, Feiler’s hash browns will be on my plate.

-Bar(b)