welcome to butterbird

A new casual chicken concept in Madison, Wisconsin, Butterbird is located a stone’s throw away from the University of Wisconsin campus and Camp Randall Stadium. The restaurant provides a family and student-friendly space for congregating around delicious, casual food—while also offering a noteworthy bar in the Regent Street neighborhood.

founders

Founders Joe and Shaina Papach met in the kitchen of the iconic Gramercy Tavern in New York City. Joe then relocated to San Francisco to help run the kitchen at both of Michael Tusk’s Michelin-Starred restaurants, Quince and Cotogna, before moving to Yountville where he spent six years as sous chef at The French Laundry. Shaina’s diverse culinary resume includes cooking at Chez Panisse in Berkeley as well as in out of the kitchen positions overseeing programming for The Edible Schoolyard Project and Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture. In 2021, they opened The Harvey House, their interpretation of a supper club in Shaina’s hometown of Madison, WI. The restaurant received many accolades including being named one of Esquire Magazine's Best New Restaurants in America as well as being named one of The New York Times Best New Restaurants. They have partnered with Kaitlin Fischer, Director of Operations of The Harvey House, for this new concept.

the food

Anchoring the menu at Butterbird is, of course, the chicken. Fried chicken can be ordered by the piece while Rotisserie chicken comes by the quarter, half or whole. Guests are encouraged to get saucy with a variety of condiments such as hot honey, buffalo, green garlic, dilly ranch, and chipotle mayo, to name a few, with both preparations having an option to make it a plate by adding fries and slaw.
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While the chicken takes center stage, the expansive menu also features snacks, salads, sandwiches, sides and sweets that keep guests coming back for more. The snack section includes dishes such as a soft pretzel with Wisconsin beer cheese dip, fried super dill pickles, mac n cheese bites and chicken-fried mozzarella sticks with ranch for dipping. Salad options, which offer the option to add fried or rotisserie chicken, are a Kale Caesar with parmesan and crispy chickpeas and a chopped vegetable salad with kale, purple cabbage, brussels sprouts, and cheddar cheese with a zippy ranch dressing.
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Sandwiches pay homage to the bird with the Butterbird Classic made with a crispy chicken thigh, shredded lettuce, super dill pickles and ranch; the Hot Badger Chicken Sandwich which is similar to the classic but fried in chili oil and served with a smoky chipotle mayo; and then a Rotisserie Sandwich made with pulled chicken, green garlic aioli, swiss cheese, and shredded cabbage on a toasted brioche bun. Burger enthusiasts will not be disappointed as there is a Triple Smash Butterburger which includes a double smash patty, American cheese, griddled onions, super dill pickles, and a smashed Big Marty Bun.

Don’t eat meat? Butterbird has you covered with their Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese on a poppy seed bun. Golden fried eggplant can also be substituted for any of the other sandwiches.

And what is a chicken joint without sides? Guests can choose from a large selection including french fries, classic coleslaw, broccoli salad, roasted sweet potato, and hush puppies.
 
Ending the meal with something sweet is a must.  Opt for Banana Pudding soft serve sundae with Nilla wafers and whipped cream, the Sprecher Root Beer Float, or Vanilla and Chocolate soft serve with the option to add sprinkles or Joe’s magic shell.

the beverage program

The bar program includes cocktails as well as a curated list of beer and wine. A selection of draft cocktails, available by the glass or pitcher, include favorites such as the Golden Cadillac Margarita, Bourbon Old Fashioned and Long Island Sweet Tea while long pour drinks feature classics like a Paloma, Mai Tai and a Bourbon Smash. The bar menu also includes a classic selection of 90’s style jello shots.

the design

Designed by Brooklyn-based design firm Home Studios, the Butterbird space embodies the nostalgia of an American diner with a tile-lined bar in the center of the space, terrazzo floors, powdered-covered metal tables, and booths upholstered with black and white gingham or burnt brown leather. A nod to Wisconsin and the Badgers, color palates of maroon and cream can be found throughout the space along with UW-Madison memorabilia and vintage chickens. Televisions line the walls playing sporting events or 80’s movies. A section of the space is dedicated to games where guests can play pole tabs, a classic Wisconsin card game, or a variety of other games custom printed on top of stand-up tables such as tic tac toe, checkers, and backgammon. A custom claw machine is full of plush toys and eggs filled with offerings of free soft serve and soda.  A hall lined with chicken images leads to a custom photo booth as well as an outdoor seating area with AstroTurf for lawn games.

Butterbird is located at 1134 Regent St and is open for dinner from Tuesday through Saturday from 4pm - 9pm. In the near future, Butterbird will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week from 11am - 11pm. Follow us on instagram at @butterbirdchicken.