Text - EDIT - REPLY TO SMOKY JON - ORIGINAL REVIEW BELOW\n\nHi Jon,\n\nThis is the same canned reply you leave for all of your negative reviews (yep, read them all), and it shows the same cavalier attitude as your bbq.... In reading through all of the reviews, the one thing noticed is that the vast majority of positive reviews are unable to compare to bbq eaten in the known meccas of this country, while the negative reviews have many comparisons to KC, Texas, S Carolina, etc, etc.....  you know, the people that have been around and actually do KNOW what it is they are APPRECIATING.\nKnowing that you HAVE won numerous awards in these very places, you would think that you wouldn't fall back on the review rating of those that don't know any better. No slam, I didn't know bbq from bratwurst until I started traveling either, but maybe it would be best to show WI what good bbq is, and not high-five yourself for being better than burgers and brats off the old Weber.... as my review stated, your place does have the potential to do that.\nSo, while respecting your opinion as well, I still must disagree with you, and have offered all of the actual reasons for doing so. In the end, it's your business, run it how you will - just don't point at awards for sauces you don't offer, years of experience when it's not you at the pit, and a canned reply to those of us that know bbq stating we must not know how to appreciate it..... \nAlso - my original review had everything in it regarding how to raise your food up to my, and many others, standards. Fix those issues, and I'll give it another shot. \n\nBest Regards,\n\nCaleb\n\n\nHi Caleb,\n\nThanks for your feedback, I respect your opinion but I must disagree with you. As you can see on the other reviews and by the awards we have won, our BBQ has great quality and taste. Also, we've been on the market for over 25 years, which makes us a great BBQ tradition for those who know how to appreciate it. Please contact me next time you visit us and we'll make sure our food is up to your standards.\n\nBest,\nJon Olson \n\nORIGINAL REVIEW\n\nI'm not sure why this place has 4 stars - was some of the worst bbq (with potential, will explain after I complain) that I've had. I also get that this IS Wisconsin, and bbq has a whole different meaning than in the bbq meccas around the nation, but damn....\n\nOrdered 1/2 rack w 1/2 chicken, 1/3 rack w pork shoulder sandwich, and 1/3 rack w brisket sandwich. Sides of baked beans, mashed potatoes, and mac-n-cheese. So, pretty good variety of what they offer. \n\nThe bad:\n\n- membrane not removed from ribs - trying to eat meat stuck to a huge piece of essentially dried and smoked skin as the bones are pulled apart is pretty gross. Any pitmaster or fan of bbq knows this needs to be removed prior to smoking, any other explanation boils down to plain laziness. Fully half of the meat was stuck to the membrane as it fell off the bones. And a star is lost!\n- chicken was smoked beyond merely dry - think chicken jerkey. And a star is lost!\n- both sandwiches were minced meat to the point of being indistinguishable from one another in both taste and appearance. Where are the slices of brisket and juicy chunks/shreds of pork? Not here. And a star is lost!\n- only one bbq sauce is offered standard, the only other flavor (same sauce, only spicier) has to be ordered separately and at extra cost. Sides were very small (about 2oz) and nothing extraordinary - mac-n-cheese was somehow \""flour-ey\"" with overcooked noodles. Can't imagine what end piece of corn with 5 kernels I would have received had I ordered that. And a star is lost!\n\nThe \""potential\"":\n\nThe taste of the ribs was not bad, the chicken as well. I think if the \""pitmaster\"" was given a raise and some training, or given the boot and replaced with someone qualified to run the pit, the food could be brought to par. I also think it's not to much to ask for a wider variety of sauces - where are the sauces that all of the newspaper clippings on the walls referencing Smoky Jon's contest awards at? Quit being cheap with the sides. I like taters, more than 5 bites please!! Hook up the mac with some cheese!! I support small businesses and love bbq, give me a reason to!!\n\nThe \""good\"":\n\nStaff is friendly. Most of the food had good flavor, but fell way short on the prep/handling end. Place was very clean and smelled delicious.
Group - teel


Text - I love Chipotle. I always order the same thing (carnitas burrito, extra rice, corn salsa, sour cream, etc) and I always expect the quality to be the same wherever I go. So, I find myself strapped for cash my last day in Vegas after taking some big losses at the blackjack tables, and lo and behold, the neon flashing sign catches my eye so I dash right in!\n\nWow, this place was HOT. No AC on whatsoever, and it did not make for a pleasant dining experience in 105 degree heat.  Let me say that eating a burrito with hot salsa is probably not the best thing to eat in these conditions, and that was one of the reasons I did not enjoy my burrito. The tortilla fell apart right in my hands, causing me to dump out my contents and making my own burrito bowl.  The rice was also mushy, and the meat was tasteless. \n\nThis is probably the worst Chipotle I've ever been to. If I find myself starving on the Strip again, I will probably not come here.
Group - teel


Text - Yes, it's a bar, but you have got to try the food!  Some of the best food we have had in Las Vegas without having to mortgage  the house!  We have been twice and both times the food was excellent.  Last night the soup was Lobster Bisque, and it was so good that I tried to get my husbands away from him.....no dice!  Hubbie had the special, which was pork chops, and cooked perfectly, and I had the best corned beef and cabbage that I have ever had in a restaurant!  Very seldom in life do you find a neighborhood restaurant with this quality of food!  Highly recommend them!
Group - jiva


Text - Whenever I'm on the West side of Madison and am thinking food. I'm thinking BBQ Baked Mac & Cheese at Vintage Brewing Co. Not only is it one of the better mac n cheese out there...but it has spicy bbq pulled pork as a base then a nice layer of creamy pasta then topped with seasoned bread crumbs. It's a must try if you go. \n\nAnd pretty much you can't go wrong with anything on their menu. Their burgers are fantastic (Big Sky Burger is pretty badass). There's also the bacon-crusted meatloaf with a side of mash potatoes and veggies...pretty awesome indeed. And recently I just tried their Asian Pork Belly Bites from their appetizer menu, sweet and savory, melt in your mouth goodness served with wasabi/cilantro aioli. Muah.\n\nAnd I'm giving this a five since they've found a way to really heighten up the flavors in American cuisine, providing it at affordable prices and they brew their own beer, which is another speciality they have.\n\nhttp://www.getnmahbelly.com/2013/02/vintage-brewing-co/
Group - jiva


Text - As much as I love the wings here (which has had the price jacked up lately) this place just doesn't know good customer service. 20 mins to get drink that turned out to be the wrong order, very dirty bar that didn't look like it had been cleaned in the last 12 hours. Even more disgustingly dirty bathroom, and this was early evening, I can't imagine what this place looks like after it gets busy in the later evening. If the public areas are this dirty I can't imagine what the kitchen might look like. By far the WORST BARTENDER SERVICE EVER,,(or lack thereof) and this is based on at least 5 visits thinking it might get better..... forever to get a drink, if it is the right order it's watered down, then the check is wrong and the bartender gets an attitude about correcting the tab accusing me of trying to cheat him. As I ask if he remembered serving me cosmopolitans (which I hate and never drink yet had 4 on my tab) I remembered he couldn't remember I ordered crown/coke to begin with when I did order it. Oh yeah, and very little comp for playing $80 in, max bet on quarters and only got two drinks comped? Management really needs to overhaul the staff here big time. Used to be the pinnacle of service standards some years ago. Lots of pooltables is really the only plus here.
Group - teel


Text - Food is good but 7 dollar Miller Light pitchers are even better! I ordered the chicken nachos and they were enough for the entire table! They were delicious! The Zingers are delicious and have the right amount of spice and crunch to them.
Group - jiva
Classify the following: I stopped by the Tip Top yesterday evening with some coworkers to finally check it out. I've been curious since renovations began and was expecting great things. After a late shift, we were there for drinks and light food. The place was bustling, and yes noisy, yet we could still have a conversation without straining at a table near the back wall - so don't be afraid to bring a friend here if you actually want to chat. Selection was great and everything that we ordered (and actually received) was excellent. The fried pickles are crispy, delicious, and done right.\n\nHowever after waiting a half hour for an order of chicken wings, we were able to grab our server's attention and ask about my wings. \""Oops,\"" she said. And then a not very satisfying apology. Having already waited a half hour, we were wrapping our night up and I said, \""Let's forget them\"" since she was offering any solutions. \n\nSomewhere between ordering the wings and realizing we wouldn't get them, our server told us she was taking off for the night and asked us to settle up with her. Our bill was completely off. You could say the free beers offset the lost order but it definitely wasn't intentional since the bill came first.\n\nI have high expectations of customer service and Tip Top Tavern failed, which is too bad because I was really beginning to like the place.