Fitchburg has so few restaurants, especially south of McKee Road, that it’s no surprise Me & Julio has seen big crowds almost every night since opening in May.
When you walk in, it feels like a chain restaurant, perhaps a cross between Texas Roadhouse and Chili’s. An awkwardly positioned host stand is to the left of the entrance, and a giant bar sits in the middle of the restaurant.
Drinks and apps. You could be fine just having some specialty cocktails and eating off of the lengthy appetizer list. Me & Julio crafts its own margaritas, martinis and Bloody Marys.
- My favorite was the passion fruit margarita. It’s sweet, not too dense and not too tequila-y.
- The tequila old fashioned is an interesting spin on the classic Wisconsin cocktail. In fact, it really does resemble an old fashioned, though a bit stronger.
- The walleye fingers ($11.99) were pricey for the portion size, but I was pleasantly surprised by how fresh the fish tasted and the fact that it wasn’t overly breaded.
American and Mexican. You’ll find both American and Mexican cuisines on the lunch/dinner and breakfast menus. While you wait for your food, you can munch on some free popcorn that comes with your table.
- I enjoyed the heat and multitude of flavors in the Julio Burger ($11.99) coming from the poblano peppers, ghost peppers and chorizo patty.
- The plate of fish tacos ($12.99) is pretty filling. Unlike the walleye, the cod in the tacos did not taste fresh, but they were semi-saved by the thick, flour tortillas that tasted like grilled pita bread.
- I look forward to returning for breakfast to try the cajun hash ($11.99), which includes andouille, chicken, shrimp and cajun Hollandaise.
Me & Julio is open for dinner every day, lunch Monday-Friday and brunch on weekends. Tuesdays feature half-price classic margaritas.
Despite opening less than two years ago, the Edgewater Hotel has overhauled its food offerings. A revamped management team includes a new GM, a new executive chef and consulting help from Bartolotta Restaurants. I was invited recently to see the outcome of these transformations that abide by the theme of “Modern Midwestern.”
Bar food, too. Start or end your night at Augie’s, named for the previous owner of the Edgewater. You’ll find bar snacks, small plates, sandwiches and salads on the larger-than-expected menu.
Many, many cars drive on East Wash every day, but how many of the drivers have noticed the nondescript 
Onto the food. The one-page menu has appetizers (“snacks”), little plates and “dinners.” You’ll also find nightly specials (e.g. fried perch was available on a recent Friday).
