The Roxy Supper Club

The Roxy is an Oshkosh landmark. I remember back to my days as a poor college student at UW-Sloshkosh and hearing about the Roxy. I was always told that they have the best steaks in town. I've been to the Roxy on numerous occasions throughout my years living in Oshkosh, but I have to admit that 95% of the visits have been for breakfast on Sunday. Country fried steak with sausage and gravy? YES PLEASE.

This time around, I made it a point to visit on a Friday night for a fish fry and a brandy old fashioned sour. A-typical Wisconsin situation.

After putting our name in with the hostess, my husband and I were lucky enough to spot two stools at the far end of the bar. We snagged them and I ordered my mainstay.

The bartender grabbed a high ball and began generously shaking bitters into the glass. Great start. Next came a squirt of clear liquid from a squeeze bottle and a squirt of a red liquid from another squeeze bottle. My guess that it was simple syrup and maraschino cherry juice. This was followed up by a heavy-handed pour of Aristocrat brandy, in fact, I would guess almost two shots worth of brandy was added to the glass. Next came ice and the drink was topped off with soda.

Sitting at that bar, waiting for our table, I can't tell you how many old fashioned drinks that bartender served. But what I can tell you is that each and every drink was made in the same consistent manner.

My drink was overpowered by the cheap brandy, in a warming way. Even still, I wanted more of the squeeze bottle ingredients. The aromatics managed to battle through the brandy, as I got closer to the bottom of the glass. For a $4 drink, I appreciate the heavy hand on the liquor, but this isn't one of those old fashioneds that you want to necessarily savor, at least not on the first round.

The drink fit into the entire atmosphere of the Roxy. A place to meet with friends, have drinks, decent food, reasonable prices, slow service (but friendly!)---nothing extremely special. However, I'll be sticking to breakfast.

Rating (out of 5 olives)

The Roxy Supper Club
571 North Main Street
roxysupperclub.com