Tucked along North Lake Street in the small Lake Erie community of Madison, Ohio, The 528 Tavern has earned a loyal following as a neighborhood bar and grill where hearty American plates meet a genuinely full bar. It is the kind of place where regulars come for big burgers and fresh-cut fries, stay for the weekend prime rib, and linger over a Long Island Iced Tea while live music plays. With a roughly 4.5-star Google rating across several hundred reviews and a steady ranking near the top of Madison’s restaurant scene, the tavern has built its reputation on generous portions, wings done many ways, and a seafood-leaning menu that punches above the price tag. This guide walks through what the tavern is known for, the dishes diners reach for again and again, and the practical details you need before you go.
Menu Overview
The 528 Tavern serves traditional American bar-and-grill fare with a noticeable lean toward seafood and char-grilled steaks. The kitchen is best known for its wings, hand-formed burgers, Southern-style fried chicken, and weekend specials such as prime rib and strip steak. Appetizers and soups round out the start of the meal, while a full bar pours beer, wine, and cocktails to match.
Because The 528 Tavern is an independent, locally run tavern rather than a chain, its menu is not published in full on a single official ordering platform, and offerings rotate with the seasons and weekly specials. The verified, priced items below come from menu listings and review aggregators; other dishes are confirmed by name through customer reviews but without a current published price. Where a price is not verified, we have noted it rather than guessing. Menus and prices change over time, so call ahead to confirm anything that matters for your visit.
Menu Categories & Highlights
The tavern’s menu is organized around the comfortable categories you would expect from a well-run bar and grill, with a few standout specialties.
Wings
Wings are a cornerstone of the menu, available in 10-count and 20-count orders. Reviewers and menu listings point to a wide range of preparations, including:
- Breaded
- Dry Cajun Rub
- Garlic Parmesan (a frequently praised hot garlic parm version)
- Honey Hot
- Honey Mustard
- Spicy BBQ (a popular favorite mentioned often in reviews)
Burgers & Sandwiches
Big, hand-formed burgers are one of the tavern’s calling cards, frequently called out for their size and the accompanying fresh-cut fries. Named burgers that appear across reviews and listings include the 5 Alarm Burger (a Cajun-style burger topped with hickory-smoked bacon, jalapenos, and American cheese), the Outlaw Burger, and the Black and Bleu. Specific toppings and prices vary, so it is worth confirming the current burger lineup when you order.
Appetizers & Soups
To start, diners mention a chicken quesadilla, crispy potato wedges, and house soups including French Onion and a clam chowder. These appear consistently in customer reviews, though current prices are not published.
Entrees, Seafood & Steaks
This is where the tavern’s seafood-and-steakhouse leanings show. Frequently mentioned plates include Southern Fried Chicken, haddock fish, Cajun shrimp, and char-grilled steaks. A standout is the Surf and Turf, pairing prime rib with a lobster tail. Weekend specials commonly feature prime rib and strip steak, and Tuesday is known for tacos.
Drinks & Bar
The 528 Tavern runs a full bar with beer, wine, and cocktails. Signature pours noted by guests include the Long Island Iced Tea and the Blue Hawaiian. Happy-hour options and live music on weekends add to the bar’s appeal.
Featured / Signature Dishes
A handful of dishes come up again and again when diners describe The 528 Tavern, and they capture what the kitchen does best.
- Surf and Turf — Prime rib paired with a lobster tail, the tavern’s marquee splurge and a clear nod to its seafood-and-steak identity.
- Outlaw Burger — One of the most-mentioned burgers, representative of the tavern’s reputation for big, satisfying burgers and fresh-cut fries.
- 5 Alarm Burger — A Cajun-spiced burger with hickory-smoked bacon, jalapenos, and American cheese for those who want heat.
- Southern Fried Chicken — Served as a four-piece plate with wedges, homemade coleslaw, and a side of ranch for dipping.
- Wings, Garlic Parm and Spicy BBQ styles — The garlic parmesan and spicy BBQ wings are repeat customer favorites among the many sauce options.
Prices (note may change)
The following prices are drawn from published menu listings. They reflect a snapshot in time and may not match the current in-house menu, so treat them as a guide rather than a guarantee. Several popular dishes named by diners, such as the Outlaw Burger, Surf and Turf, and the soups, do not have a verified current price and are therefore not listed with a dollar figure here.
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Wings (10 Count) | Choice of sauces including Garlic Parmesan, Honey Hot, Dry Cajun Rub, Breaded, Honey Mustard | $9.99 |
| Wings (20 Count) | Same range of sauce options, larger order | $16.99 |
| Southern Fried Chicken (4 Pieces) | Includes wedges, homemade coleslaw, and a side of ranch for dipping | $10.99 |
| 5 Alarm Burger | Cajun burger with hickory-smoked bacon, jalapenos, and American cheese | $7.99 |
Aggregated review data places the typical spend at roughly $10 to $30 per person depending on whether you order bar bites or a full steak-and-seafood dinner. Prices may change over time.
Restaurant Information (location, hours, contact)
- Address: 111 N Lake St, Madison, OH 44057
- Phone: (440) 428-6678
- Hours: Monday through Saturday, 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM; closed Sunday
- Style: Neighborhood bar and grill with a full bar, patio seating, and live music on weekends
Hours can shift around holidays and special events, so it is wise to call before heading out, particularly if you are planning a late-evening visit.
Popular Customer Favorites
Drawing on the dishes diners mention most, these are the orders that keep The 528 Tavern’s regulars coming back:
- The big burgers, especially the Outlaw Burger, served with fresh-cut fries
- Surf and Turf with prime rib and lobster tail
- Garlic parmesan and spicy BBQ wings
- Southern Fried Chicken with wedges and homemade coleslaw
- Haddock fish and Cajun shrimp for the seafood crowd
- French Onion soup and clam chowder to start
- Long Island Iced Tea and Blue Hawaiian from the bar
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The 528 Tavern located?
The 528 Tavern is at 111 N Lake St, Madison, OH 44057, in Lake County near the Lake Erie shoreline. You can reach the tavern at (440) 428-6678.
What is The 528 Tavern known for?
It is best known for big hand-formed burgers, a wide range of wings, Southern fried chicken, and seafood-and-steak plates such as the Surf and Turf, all served alongside a full bar. Weekend prime rib and strip steak specials and live music are part of the draw.
What are the hours, and is it open on Sunday?
The tavern is open Monday through Saturday from 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM and is closed on Sunday. Hours may vary around holidays, so calling ahead is recommended.
Does The 528 Tavern have a full bar?
Yes. The tavern pours beer, wine, and cocktails, with signature drinks such as the Long Island Iced Tea and Blue Hawaiian, plus happy-hour options.
Are the prices on this page current?
The listed prices come from published menu sources and reflect a snapshot in time. Menus and prices change, and several popular dishes do not have a verified current price, so confirm directly with the tavern before ordering.
For more dining inspiration, browse more menus, explore our food guides, or dig into more Tavern Menus.
Last updated: June 2026.
