City Cast Madison logo
March 26, 2026

Your Ultimate Guide to Madison’s Fish Fry Scene

City Cast Madison

Your Ultimate Guide to Madison’s Fish Fry Scene

00:00:00
View all City Cast Madison episodes

A Friday fish fry is a quintessential part of Wisconsin culture and everyone has their own takes on who does it best. But one Madison man takes his love for the iconic dish to new levels. Mike Seidel has tried and rated nearly 2,000 fish fries across the state over the years. Today, host Bianca Martin chats with Mike to find out what separates a “good” fish fry from a “great” one. From the batter to the fish to the sides, Mike’s rating formula takes everything into account. Photos and reviews from Mike’s adventures can be found on Facebook and Instagram

🥕 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers.

👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram

📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison morning newsletter

🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!

Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads

If you enjoyed today's interview with Julie Gokhman, the Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives at Taskrabbit, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 26th episode:

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
May 14

Hot Grilling Tips From a Madison Butcher

Memorial Day is right around the corner, which means it’s grilling season! Whether you’re heading to a cookout or barbecuing at home, we...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
May 13

How 3 Madison Moms Became National Mental Health Pioneers

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The National Alliance on Mental Illness takes this month as a chance to stand in community, recogni...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
May 12

Ikea Is Coming! Plus Cap Times Unionizes and Grads Flood the Isthmus

Soon Madisonians won't have to drive for an hour to get some Swedish meatballs. That’s right, Ikea is coming to town! The opening date an...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
May 11

Why Is Madison So Obsessed With Brandi Grayson?

Brandi Grayson isn’t one to shy away from conflict. She gained notoriety as a leader of Madison’s Black Lives Matter movement and is now...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
May 10

'Your City Could Be Better': Philly's Bold Nightlife Experiment — Presented By City Cast Madison

Madisonians, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking number...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
May 8

Center for Black Excellence and Culture Opens, Plus Park Street & Gov's Race Updates

On Wednesday, the long-awaited Center for Black Excellence and Culture opened to the public. The 37,000-square-foot building on West Badg...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
May 7

What Makes a True Wisconsin Supper Club

Supper clubs and Wisconsin go together like fried walleye and beer. It’s a classic pairing, and for good reason. Whether you’re new to Ma...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
May 6

Why Madison Is the Capital City of Ultimate Frisbee

Have you ever wondered about all those sporty folks who gather to throw frisbees on fields across Madison? They are probably ultimate pla...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
May 5

Wisco Birder’s Tips for Making the Most of Spring Migration

Did you know that nearly a million birds flew over Madison last night? Warblers, orioles, thrushes, and so many more bird species are mig...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
May 4

How To Know if You’re a True Madisonian

Now we’re not gatekeeping the title of “Madisonian,” but we want to know — what makes a Madison resident a Madisonian? If you’ve lived he...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art