Crowded with eclectic restaurants featuring any type of cuisine you desire, State Street is a true food Mecca.
After almost two semesters of reviewing Madison’s finest and not so finest, one begins to appreciate variety, specifically a versatile menu. With the semester reaching its close, it is important not to overlook those establishments that serve the best of both worlds: funky drinks and delicious food.
When zipping down a flight of stairs to the City Bar, 636 State St., one might immediately be a little apprehensive due to the dim lighting and large windowless room. The immediate reaction of feeling trapped in a basement quickly fades when balanced out by the friendly service, some good company and comfortable setting.
The City Bar is a multi-faceted bar-lovers dream. Watch a basketball game on one of three flat screen televisions while relaxing on an oversized black leather couch. Grab a strawberry martini (made from the City’s homemade strawberry infused vodka) at the large, square-shaped bar, or pile friends into a booth for some damn good bar food.
The Chicken Tenders appetizer is the perfect snack, ranking among the best that the City has to offer, especially for anyone who loves chicken fingers. They are deeply fried so the breading is crisp and crunchy, resulting in a tasty and filling appetizer. They are also served with a choice of French fries or homemade potato chips, from which I would recommend the chips that come with a side of Ranch dressing.
Standard appetizer choices include Jalapeño Poppers ($4.50), Buffalo Bites ($6) and White Cheddar Cheese Curds ($4.50), lightly breaded with Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce.
Burger selections are also quite impressive with a variety of toppings and other creative concoctions. The original hamburger ($4.50) is considerably large. A pound of meat with a large bun will fill a hungry stomach in no time.
If a hamburger seems a little plain, spice it up with a Mushroom and Swiss Burger ($6), Jalapeño Smoked Bacon Burger ($5.75), the signature City Burger ($5.50 with a spicy bleu cheese sauce), or the South of the Border Burger ($6 with jalapeños, double cheddar cheese and guacamole).
The sandwiches did not disappoint either. The Philly Cheese Steak ($6.50) is fabulous. Its thinly shaved meat topped with melted cheese in a soft hoagie roll is surprisingly not soggy.
The Ranch Chicken Sandwich ($6.50) also caught my eye. Consisting of grilled chicken topped with sautéed mushrooms, bacon, homemade ranch dressing and Swiss cheese. The Turkey Club ($6) and Shrimp Po Boy ($6.25) are a few other options.
Overall the City Bar is an enjoyable dining experience, deserving repeated visits in order to sample all the great selections. The single downside is that the kitchen is only open from 3 to 10 p.m., and the dinner crowd is usually fierce. The City also accepts phoned-in to-go orders. Although the City does not deliver, patrons can call in for a quick pick-up order.
For anyone looking for a cool place to grab a few drinks with diner, Happy Hour lasts from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. With 116 martinis on the menu and affordable drink specials, The City Bar is the place to go.
Until next week, happy dining!
