Ohio Tavern

224 Ohio Ave, Madison - 53704
148 reviews
Dive Bar Tacos
(608) 515-9613

Cash only shysters. Sat at the bar last night, ordered a couple drinks. Chick bartender tells me the total, I give her a $20 then tip her $3 with part of the change. One minute later, same bartender tells me what I owe for the drinks. I remind her I just gave her a $20 and also tipped her. We ordered oysters and she offered to start us a tab, so I gave her my driver’s license. After oysters & first drinks finished, we felt totally ignored. Would have loved a second beverage, but my attempts to get their attention went unheeded. Felt invisible. Finally gave up and asked to cash out. Dude bartender seen we had oysters & charged $18. I tried I pay with a credit card, but was told cash only. Paid with tip & left. Realized today that I did not receive my DL back. Went back. Olive skinned, dark hair, earring dude finds my license and states I need to pay $18 for the oysters. I let him know I already paid. His reply, if you had paid you would have gotten your license back, that’s how a tab works. Then gave me the dead eye ransom stare that said “prove me wrong”. So I got the privilege of paying double for oysters. Patrons beware!!!

While I have not had the chance to eat here yet, this is a fun place to stop for a drink! They also do some events on some nights, including Kareoke!

Very friendly bartender and the tacos and street corn were top notch!!

We live up in Melrose, WI (la crosse area). We were down in Madison for the Midwest horse fair. After the rodeo, we were told they would have tacos.Y'all. The brisket tacos. Amazing. I swear it's some of the best brisket I have had. And they were real tacos. Not the weird ones from other places.Both bartenders were amazing. Drinks were good. Definitely going to be back when we come back to Madison.

Delicious tacos and drinks. Great street art around the side of the building.

Amazing tacos and the staff are amazing. During COVID they started taking in call in orders and accepted cards. Now that COVID is on the decline they don’t take call in orders or cards. Tsk tsk tsk.

Ordered the House Street Corn without bacon ($5), and the 3 for $11 tacos to split between my husband and I. We asked for one of the tacos from the meat menu subbed lentils to be veg. I do not recall the prices of the drinks but they were very reasonable in my opinion.Staff was super on top of things, got us drinks and refills immediately did not bat an eyelash at the vegetarian amendments, everything came out quickly and was delicious. Drinks selection is great especially the low cost cans and bottles, we love to eat out but like to save money too. This is a great value for the price, great portions, and great food.Bar is all cash, so come prepared. We looked it up online, checked the website, and probably even walked past signs on the way in and still did not know it was cash. Our bad. Thankfully there is an ATM inside so no worries there.Juke box and large projector screen were both on, atmosphere is calm and casual. Staff did not have uniforms or anything like that. Visited on a Tuesday evening around 7/8pm and there were maybe about 25 guests in the place which I would guess to be about 1/4 the capacity (just guessing). Around 9:15 when we were getting ready to go most of the tables cleared out and it became pretty quiet, again on a weekday I am not surprised- this is why we go out on quieter nights! It was not too loud or busy in this circumstance but I could see it having a bit more bustle and feeling crowded on a busier/weekend night.We will return, and would recommend trying to anyone new to the area or visiting.

Went to Karaoke hosted by Andrew. It was so fun. The whole staff and clients were so fun.

Great place, great service, and I totally recommend you try the Belmont tacos. They are delicious ?.

Excellent tacos and street corn! The Paloma is delicious and the beer is always cold!