54 Main Bar & Grille More Than Great Burgers

If you're tired of those upholstered franchise hamburger chains, stop in to , the cozy retreat in the heart of Madison where wings and calamari co-exist comfortably with steak, ribs and mahi mahi.

A first glance at the menu reveals a substantial offering of appetizers with some surprises, such as short rib sliders ($11), blue cheese-crusted beef medallions ($11) as well as the standard kids' supply of calamari ($13), chicken fingers ($8), mozzarella sticks ($8), and wings, in Buffalo or smokey chipotle style ($9).

There's also a full range of salads, priced from $8 to $13.

The sandwich portion of the menu is topped by a tempting line-up of freshly-made burgers—no frozen beef here. The 54 Main features sauteed mushrooms, bacon, cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce and an onion ring, all for $13. The Jersey Boy is topped with Taylor ham, fried egg, roasted tomatoes and homemade cheese sauce ($14).

Patch began with pita slices served with a spinach and artichoke dip ($10), and having our greens never tasted so good. And while Patch adores a quality burger, we opted for the steak fajita wrap (also available with chicken), for $11. We ordered it without the guacamole (even Patch has its limit of greens), but it still came stuffed with well-marinated meat, crisp peppers and onions, all wrapped in a delicate flour tortilla. Enjoy the french fries, crispy and salty, to complement your meal.

Not in the mood for sandwiches? Entrees include a Kansas City sirloin steak ($25), bacon-wrapped salmon with asparagus and tomato ragout ($22), ginger-glazed mahi mahi ($21), and 54 turkey meatloaf stuffed with spinach and garlic ($18).

Not wanting to pass on dessert, we saved half the fajita for later, and ordered chocolate mousse cake, not too sweet and of a consistency that didn't fall apart under increasingly violent stabs of the fork brought on by a sudden sugar rush.

The corporate crowd fills the place up at lunchtime, says owner Joe Iossa, whose father was also a restaurateur. "We use fresh ingredients here, it just makes the food better."

54 Main Bar & Grille
54 Main Street, Madison
973-966-0252