Nite Cap Inn

Well seems I have drfted back in time, not pretentious, not fancy, good people, good food, give plenty of time

I’m not sure what all the fuss is about, this had to be one of the most unusual, and below average, dining experiences I’ve ever had. We arrived around 5:30 for the Friday fish fry, knowing it’d be busy. We walked in, told the hostess two, and we were asked if we wanted pancakes or fries, not knowing we were actually placing our dinner order with the hostess. Slightly confused, I said pancakes and my husband said fries. We were told it would be about an hour wait so we ordered drinks from the bar and were told we could wait outside with our drinks, we just couldn’t go in the road. After about fifteen minutes of waiting outside, a local cop drove by and told us we couldn’t be on the sidewalk so we were all forced to squeeze into the small patio area. After waiting for almost exactly an hour, we were called to our table. Now I can get past the outdated décor, but what we arrived to at our table was a bit bizarre. The food was already waiting at the table for us and it was at that point we finally saw a menu, seems like the timing is a bit off. The menu included baked fish and shrimp, it would have been nice to have known that upfront when we were apparently placing our order. Fine, we got fried fish and that was okay, we’ll move on. When we both bit into the fish, it was underwhelming, to say the least. The may serve a homemade recipe, but they certainly didn’t seem any better than what I could have purchased frozen from the local grocery store. The potato pancakes were also just okay. My husband and I like to try a new place every week, sorry to say that this place was a definite bust for us.

We found this place on Unilocal while camping in the area. Instead of cooking at camp we decided to go into Palmyra. The food was excellent and affordable. We went on a Saturday night, so it was German food. We were told on Friday they have a fish fry and that it is very busy. On Saturday it was not busy; and that’s a shame. We had kids with us and they loved the place. The staff was very nice and understanding about the kids running around. It is a wonderful place; give it a try.

A GEM. If you have gotten this far on Unilocal,quit analyzing. Just GO.
Ignore the few VERY old bad reviews. In summary: this unknowingly retro cool place is and has been in the family forever and produces DELICIOUS home cooked food. BELIEVE THE GOOD REVIEWS OF FRIDAY FISH FRY! And if you are really lucky on Thursday or Saturday, the German food is worth it! It might take awhile because Mom (I think her name is Susie) will cook to order.
That might give you time to enjoy a drink at the fantastic Formica bar — a serious nod to design of the era. REALLY.

Not sure if they still have it, but I think on Wednesdays they have German food, and it is damn good. Friendly and attentive service and you don‘t have to be a local yokel to be treated great!

I regretfully fell for the five star reviews. Cod tasted like it came out of a box and was heated in the oven, not freshly battered and fried. Potato pancakes look good but are flavorless without applesauce; I’ve made better at home. Coleslaw was excellent, but anyone can do that, thanks to commercially available dressing and shredded cabbage mix. No free soft drink refills to go with the all-​you-​can-​eat fish and potatoes, either— my Coke came in a can. I just moved back to WI, and if this is the best fish fry in the area, I’m better off reminiscing about 20 years ago.

Excellent food
Excellent service
Chicken crispy and delicious
The menu looks wonderful
I’ll be back to try everything

This is the best fish fry ever! Potato pancakes are a must, fish is perfect, you could also get chicken, walleye or baked fish but the main battered cod is so good I really don’t try the other things! They do dinner on Thursday and Saturday which is okay but fish is what it’s known for. Service and staff are great too! Expect a wait but always worth it!

Best.potato.pancakes.EVER.
Oh yeah… the fish is fantastic, the waitresses are perfectly Wisconsinite in their friendly and down-​home ways, their brandy old-​fashioned is nice and strong, the krinkle cut fries are stellar. My husband says you can judge a restaurant just on its coleslaw. The coleslaw here is perfect. So…

Best fish fry you will find… EVER! My family has been driving out to Palmyra for longer than I’ve been alive. They used to have large parties of people actually eat in their living room for a while. It’s a very family friendly place to eat, and it’s a perfect gettaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.
I almost forgot to mention that if you place a premium on potato pancakes, there is no other place in the world that compares. If you find yourself out there for dinner, just tell them you’re friends with the Packards, and they’ll hook you up with a spot in their living room.

great chicken and fish.
been going here for years and we just love it !!!

One of the best Jefferson County fish fries (all you can eat) in the tavern/​supper club category. Put your order in when you arrive and enjoy a drink at the bar. Sometimes a 15 min or so… but worth it.

Bring on the potato pancakes!

My favorite fish fry joint. Nite Cap’s potato pancakes are the yardstick by which all other potato pancakes are measured. I love the fish, and I’m always pleased with their tartar sauce. Standard bread and cole slaw come with meal, all you can eat for $ 10.75.
It does seem the crowds are not quite as big as in the past, perhaps due to the economy. I also happen to know the owner is trying to sell. I hope the new owners, if there are any, know a good thing when they see it, and leave the fish fry as it is.
Sometime I’ll have to go on a different night. I see during the month of October, they will feature several German dishes on Saturday.

Simply the best potato pancakes that I have ever had! Having grown up in Milwaukee all my life with fish Fry’s every Friday I was extremely happy to find the Nite Cap Inn. Potato pancakes made the way they were intended to be; crispy and full of flavor — just as they were when I was a kid in Milwaukee and went out for fish Fry’s with the parents.
On Friday’s (I have never been there any other night) the hostess will greet you at the door and ask if you would like baked or fried fish and potato pancakes or fries. I understand the fries are awesome as well. You leave your name with the hostess and then proceed to the bar while your table becomes available. Another tradition that I love; I don’t necessarily want to have to eat ten seconds after stepping into the restaurant; If I wanted that, I would do drive-​thru.
The bartender Don is awesome; he makes great drinks and always has friendly conversation ready, regardless how busy they are at the time. They have a nice selection of bottled beers but Don will make a killer Captain and Coke or Bloody Mary as well. You might be lucky enough to observe the owner, Helmut, playing the organ in the corner, another wonderful tradition at Nite Cap Inn.
If you are looking for modern style, huge expansive seating, average food, go elsewhere. If you went to any bar that served fish Fry’s back in the 60’s or 70’s, the Nite Cap Inn will certainly bring back those memories. Another great charm of this restaurant in my opinion.
They will yell out your name when your table is ready and you will be seated at the table, with the food already presented. Along with the fish and fries/​cakes you will also have the traditional rye bread, coleslaw and apple sauce. All exceptional food. I understand they have great desserts as well, but we are always way too full (all you can eat fish/​fries/​cakes) and never have been able to enjoy them.
Friends of ours turned us on to the Nite Cap Inn and we have done the same to numerous friends of our own and absolutely no one has ever complained about the food, drinks, service or in some cases the hour drive. It was totally worth it. We are lucky enough to be only 15 minutes away but have friends from Milwaukee that won’t blink an eye in coming out for a fish fry with us at the Nite Cap Inn.

My dad used to tell me if I wanted good food, «look for the place with the line out the door.» If you’re in Palmyra, WI, only one place meets that standard and that’s the Nite Cap Inn. The NCI has been packing the house on Fridays for years. People drive for crazy distances to catch the Friday tradition known as the Fish Fry. The owners decided to make their exclusive fish fry menu available on Wednesdays too for people who wanted the same great fish (cod or walleye) meal during the mid-​week doldrums. The cod fish comes as an «all-​you-​can-​eat» offering for about ten bucks, which includes authentic German potato pancakes (or french fries), apple sauce, coleslaw and rye bread. It’s awesome! The walleye includes the same sides and consists of two HUGE fillets but is not «all you can eat,» and costs a buck or two more. Frankly, I have a hard time finishing the second piece of walleye, they are just that big. Try to save room for a specialty, home-​made dessert if you dare.
You should be aware that some if the finest sauerbraten this side of the Rhine river (yeah, that’s in Germany) can be yours at the NCI too. They don’t serve it on Fish Fry nights but if you go on Thur, Sat. or Sun., and order it, it will just blow your mind. I know they have other German and American favorites on their menu but, I am so stuck on the sauerbraten that I never seem to order anything beyond that… one of these days.

Did the fish fry again this past Friday (¹⁰⁄₁) and just as before, it was absolutely stellar. The potato pancakes are literally to die for — I’d give my arm for a stack of them. Brilliant — absolutely brilliant.
For a full review, check out my site (listed in my profile). I’m sick of duplicating entries between Unilocal & my site.