Tubby's Too - Richmond, Wisconsin - Friday Night Fish Fry
This entry was posted on 22 August 1014 at 1:30 AM and is filed under Taverns Wisconsin, Friday Night Fish Fry, and Friday Night Fish Fry - book version.
Years ago, when I got out of the Army, I told a friend I just wanted to sit in an old Wisconsin tavern for a bit to reconnect with my Wisconsin. He took me to a tiny old bar out on Highway "A" between Richmond and Elkhorn, Wisconsin. That was almost 40 years ago, I believe it was called Tubby's back then too.
After we sat for a bit and had an adult beverage or two, my friend said, "Happy now? Is this Wisconsin enough for you Mister Army guy?
And I always remember my response, "Yep, just what the doctor ordered."
Last Friday little Dadio headed out on the teal and cream Harley to Tubby's Too Bar & Grill. It ain't changed much from those 40 years ago. Tubby's is the consummate Wisconsin Tavern. It is out in the lake country of Southern Wisconsin in Walworth County. It is a small place but the local people's presence gives it a big heart. Try to get there earlier because it is usually busy and you may have to wait a bit. There are only eight tables of different sizes and each with various numbers of chairs. Going solo this night, I bellied up to the bar to help conserve space.
They start dishing up the fish on Fridays about 5:00 p.m. and serve 'till about 9:00 p.m. ish. They offer deep fried Walleye or Cod. The price is the same for either. There are two-piece and three-piece options. This price I think is very fair considering the cost of transportation of sea food these days. Also, some places charge extra for Walleye just because they can. At Tubby's you get a fair shake for your buck.
You will get a choice of potato pancakes (the lake locals call them cakes) or fries. The potato pancakes do not look like the traditional homemade cake, but they taste like homemade.
You get a cup of cole slaw and some tender fresh dark bread slices held together with butter. The tarter sauce is my style - just tart enough to know it is there, yet creamy.
Every time I go out there to Tubby's Too I clean every crumb off the plates. That's probably the final seal of approval in the world of tavern fish fry. On Friday they also offer a 16 ounce T-Bone and Butterfly Shrimp.
Tubby's is owned by Tubby Brewer. He used to bar-tend there and has been the owner for several years now. The origin of the need-a-second-look name according to Mark the Bartender and a couple patrons is that it was chosen because there is a bar "Up Nort" with a similar name. So Tubby had to improvise a bit. Tubby's dad was also called Tubby so the current owner is a Tubby too.
Their other special night is on Tuesdays. They offer Steak and Shrimp; Steak and Lobster; Steak, Lobster & Shrimp; 16 oz. T-Bone; Butterfly Shrimp; and Prime Rib. The prices vary of course, but they are very competitive with bigger venues.
While eating my chow and downing several Miller Lites, I chatted with a guy from Chicago Bear country who has a cabin out on one of the nearby lakes. You will usually find yourself talking to somebody in Tubby's. It's just that kind of place.
Tubby's Too is cool with Cool Dadio.
To get there from Janesville, take County Highway "A" out past Highway 89 in Richmond. Cross over Highway 89 and stay on "A'' and Tubby's is a mile or so down on the right. The official address is W8497 County Road "A," Delavan, Wisconsin 53115. Folks may also refer to it as being in Richmond, Wisconsin. Phone (608) 883 - 2909.
{ 25 May 2007 Tubby's Too fish fry review } WordPress backup
Note: You can find a chronological list at the Cool Dadio Media Fish Fry Page of these fish frys as we have visited them. The list presents the most recently visited fish fry at the top, in lieu of alphabetical order.
Note: This Friday Night Fish Fry book version includes some of my favorite Southern Wisconsin fish frys after a revisit - a redux as it were. You can find all the fish fry reviews at the Cool Dadio Media Fish Fry Page.
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