Roxbury Tavern

Roxbury TavernRoxbury Tavern
Roxbury TavernRoxbury Tavern
Bar, Eatery

8901 County Road Y
Sauk City, Wisconsin, 53583
United States

// CLOSED //

Hours of operation:

4-9 pm Tues.-Thurs., 11 am-9 pm Fri. & Sat., 8 am-1 pm Sun. Closed Mon.

Cash or check only.
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.87
Reviews:
2
Ratings:
3
pDev:
5.94%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by emerge077:
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Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

4.16/5  rDev +7.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.25
2018: RIP Roxbury Tavern. Sadly the owner retired due to health issues, and the bar was sold. It was a true original.

2013: Finally stopped in here again and had a great experience chatting with Tom the owner. He was manning the grill inside and the smoker outside, but still had time to chat. There were a couple of salmon specials and the salmon sandwich I had was very tasty. Beer selection was good, Port Huron Porter, Paulaner Salvator, Lake Louie Coon Rock and Arena Pale, all on draft. Rotating O'so and Vintage drafts also. Service was quick and friendly, this place is a really unique rural tavern that has no equal.

2009: Please note, cash/check only, there was no prominent sign posted that mentions this. Kind of a hassle to drive to an ATM in Sauk City to pay for lunch. The owner wasn't working, and service was average this time. Ordered a burger and it came out completely plain. I understand made to order, but they never asked what I wanted on it. Seems like there were less bottles here, just Fransizkaner, Spotted Cow, & Old Style. Still a fun place, just a bit quirky, and that's just fine. We'll certainly be back again someday.

- - -

08-11-2008:
I'm glad that we made the trip up here before the Great Taste, based on DaPeculierDane's review below. It was a nice 20 min. drive from Madison, through the scenic countryside.

Fellow BA's acme, EehaiCJ, and I rolled in at lunchtime, there were a couple occupied tables, and a group of regulars at the circular end of the bar. Walked in and sat down at the long table in the front window. The bar was eclectic, some great decorations including hanging brass instruments, lanterns, and an unusual assortment of canned goods. A handsome hand-carved antique back bar with a large mirror was set off by some intricate detailing. Off to the sides there were two separate dining areas with more tables. Lots of artwork on the walls, even a branch with a beehive hung in one window. Mellow classical music was playing during the day.

Lake Louie was the focus of the tap selection, three of the four taps, plus Franziskaner Hefe. There were some coolers at the end of the bar, that contained several New Glarus beers, and a random assortment of imports like Paulaner, Optimator, and Lindemans Framboise. Not a huge selection, but we came for the Lake Louie anyway. All beers were served in LL pints, which were also for sale.

Burgers and BBQ pork here was tasty. Hand cut fries were also good with the homemade garlic & jalapeño ketchups. A tasty kraut and brat soup was also served for $2 on the side. Someday I hope to try the sunday breakfast here from 8am-1pm, or one of the rotating special diner menus. Our server was very accommodating and friendly.

Overall the Roxbury exuded an authentic and comfortable atmosphere. It was a real hidden gem. Not just a tavern but an unofficial community/cultural center all rolled into one. I'll definitely be stopping here again in the future.
Aug 11, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.86 by BarrelAgedG from California

Feb 20, 2016
Photo of DaPeculierDane
Reviewed by DaPeculierDane from Wisconsin

3.6/5  rDev -7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4
The story I’ve heard about the Roxbury Tavern is that Tom the owner migrated up from Chicago in 1989 and literally brought his bar with, slapping it squarely down in a 1924 (Swiss German style?) stone inn on the corner of Y and Kippley in the quaint little hamlet of Roxbury. The menu clearly shows an influence from far outside the small burg in NW Dane County.

The food is great and diverse. The menu includes a half dozen or more burgers. I recommend the Roxburger, a 1/3 pound of beef served up with bacon, ham, and a fried egg. Fresh cut fries or chips make great sides and are served with homemade flavored ketchups. The real treats at the Roxbury Inn are the theme nights. You can’t go wrong with anything on Cajun Night Thursdays or Mexican Night on Tuesdays. The Andouillie sausage and dirty rice is to die for.

Beer selection is simple but solid. Four taps consist of three Lake Louie offerings and a Capital seasonal. Bottle selection includes all or nearly all Lake Louie beers including several hard to find seasonals. Also found are options form local breweries such as New Glarus and Capital, some common German imports, several Lindemans lambics, and a hodgepodge of random craft brews. In an unincorporated township of just 1700 people the selection shines.

Atmosphere is really weird because of the diversity of customers. The clientele is a blend of elite Madisonian liberal diaspora, lots of bicyclist and artist types, and locals, generally farmers, construction workers, and conservative country bumpkins. The radio is usually set to Air America or NPR and yet it’s not out of the ordinary to overhear a conversation about mounting a scope on a deer rifle or some other very non-NPRish topic. The bar iself seats only about 8 but there are tons of tables in a couple of different rooms and the place can accommodate large groups. There’s nothing special about the décor. It’s just your standard country bar with mounted fish, and beer posters (though in this case they’re Lake Louie). Most beers are served in Lake Louie pint glasses and LL schwag is available for sale. In some ways this place feels like a Lake Louie tied house.

Service is awesome. The owner is usually behind the bar flipping burgers and all the staff are friendly, talkative, and prompt. Prices are very affordable.

This is a great stop if you’re on your way to dinner at the Dorf House next door, to Wollersheim Winery a mile up the road, or to any destination off of Hwy 12 such as the Dells. The Roxbury Tavern is located about two miles north of Hwy 12 just south of the bridge over the Wisconsin River in Sauk City.
Aug 22, 2006
Roxbury Tavern in Sauk City, WI
Place rating: 3.87 out of 5 with 3 ratings