This is the kind of place that does two things. First it made me stop and think "I could move to Appleton". Secondly, I know that a month or a year from now I am going to wake up in the middle of the night and crave this place. Usually, an overextended menu is a bad warning sign. If you can't do 2 or 3 things well then do 20 things poorly. And this menu is overextended. No doubt about it. I had reviewed it online before going and still struggled with picking something long after I arrived. However, you could throw a dart at the menu and anything it landed on would be delicious. My 11 year old ordered the pesto chicken pasta and it was amazing. The 8 year got the shrimp Mediterranean salad and it was enormous and delicious. I got the Texas brisket burger and had to stop myself from licking the plate. The appetizer of potstickers were perfect. But I saved the best for last. If you only go here once because you get hit by a bus on your way out (only legit reason for going here only once) you have to order my wife's choice. Thai chicken and waffles. Everyone sampled and everyone agreed. It is the very definition of perfect food. Spicy. Sweet. Perfect. As for cocktails they were amazing but the booze is almost an after thought. Go here and eat. Service was solid and decor excellent. read more

Draft Gastropub - Beautiful open atmosphere. - The image shows the interior of a restaurant with wood-paneled walls and a patterned carpeted floor. A shelf filled with stacked firewood is positioned against the wall, and a flat-screen TV is mounted nearby. Warm lighting is provided by hanging Edison-style bulbs. In the background, diners are seated at tables, and a server is walking through the space. The overall decor has a rustic, cozy ambiance with a mix of modern and natural elements. - Gastropubs Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

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One of my favorites in Appleton. Make sure you try the pesto risotto if you get the chance! Yum!!!

Love. The only thing that sucks is raising prices but that' happens everywhere. Now this place is a special date night place instead of my usual go to. But it's still the greatest food ever!! read more

Foods was delicious, We tried coming once but they we're closed. Atmosphere, waitress was perfect. We will be back. So many items we want to try on the menu. read more

Draft Gastropub - Gastropubs Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

We enjoyed a well prepared lunch today. Service was excellent and the loaded bloody Mary was a treat.!

Great food, great atmosphere. Try the moody blue tenderloin or brisket burger. Truffle fries are really great, poke bowl is bussin, and the tartare really slaps. read more

Ventured out from our usual this evening. I'd give a 4.6/5. We enjoyed the atmosphere, drink choices, food options... Appetizers- bang bang shrimp and tuna tartare Main meal- Ribeye and Mediterranean salad Everything was really good. I was disappointed in the Mediterranean salad- basically a pretty dish of mixed greens, 4 tasty shrimp, 2 partial artichokes, a little feta/olive and lots of onion. Definitely give it a try if you haven't been. read more

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Excellent food, very friendly staff. The outside seating area opened today. Very comfortable read more

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I've been here several times before and every visit has been full of delicious food. We've been here for lunch and enjoyed soup and salad, but my absolute favorite is the Whiskey BBQ Burger. It's by far one of the best burgers in Appleton. It's full of flavor and loaded with cheddar, bacon, onion straws, BBQ sauce and greens. It's a whole meal in itself and will leave you full for hours. I would advise that the wait can be long, but the food is worth the wait! read more

They were full for reservations when we called at 6:30 on Saturday night so we showed up had a 45 minute wait (very reasonable especially given all local schools were having their homecomings). The menu is huge with something to fit any palate and dietary need (they accommodated our friends numerous food allergies easily, my low carb options were plenty enough for me with minimal adjustments and we didn't need to utilize it but there's a vegan/vegetarian menu with 2 salads, 2 sandwiches, a taco and 3 entrees). We all took sone time to narrow down our options and were all happy in the end with our choices (although several were still interested in the lobster pizza and lobster truffle Mac - next time!). We started with the artisan charcuterie board which split along 4 people was plenty and splendid with great variety and presentation. Those at our table drinking shared a bottle of Malbec and loved it enough that they bought 2nd bottle to bring home! Our entrees were even more delicious than the looked. The beef was all cooked exactly to the requested standard. The fries has fantastic crispness. The lobster bisque was rich and creamy. We all agreed this is a must visit restaurant in Appleton! read more

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This place is very good, been there about 4 times and have never been disappointed. Their Louisiana creole pasta is absolutely delicious!!

The food and wine is absolutely phenomenal. I've eaten here so many times. The service is amazing as well. Always caring about what you think and providing the best they can be. The atmosphere is right on point. A little darker with great music. read more

Horrible experience! I have been working in Appleton for the past few months and have recently embarked on a meatless journey. Visited this establishment to indulge in the vegan options but was made to feel very uncomfortable by the server, Axel R. He attended to every other table in the area in which I was seated before taking my order. When taking my order, he seemed annoyed with short patience. After bringing me my food, he never checked to see how I was doing but checked on other tables 3 and 4 times. He finally came back to my table to ask if I would like the check even though I was not even done with my food. It was obvious that he did not want to serve me and did everything in his power to avoid doing so. It made me feel very uncomfortable especially since I was the only African American individual in the seating area. I'm not sure if it was my race or that I was a part of the LGBTQ community. Either way, I felt discriminated against and uncomfortable in an establishment that I was patronizing. It is hard enough being away from home and having to navigate an unfamiliar town but Axel's attitude towards and treatment of me definitely soured my visit and impression of Draft Gastropub! I would definitely implore management to discuss this situation with him and convey that customers should be treated better than how I was earlier today. read more

Don't forget your ID. They won't serve you even if you're 80. They get in trouble for serving minors and take it out on everyone else. Weak character. Horrible decision by ownership and management. read more

Food is always good. They change the menu so there's always something new. Scallops are my favorite along with the Draft old fashioned

I called in a takeout/curbside PickUp for Friday 4/24. Their Lobster Roll and salad were what I wanted, without the bread. They accommodated my order and were prompt with meeting me at my vehicle. Very friendly staff, fairly priced, great portion sizes! read more

Draft Gastropub - Gastropubs Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

We had a reservation on a Friday night. Kids enjoyed the pretzel appetizer. The pizzas were delicious and unique. The front of the restaurant nearer to the bar had a little more atmosphere than in the rear where we were seated. Friendly but not super thorough waiter who kept promising refills for the kids drinks but could never quite remember to take care of them. read more

LOVE this restaurant. I wish it was there when I lived in the area 20 yrs ago. I still get there a few times a year. I really enjoy the blackened shrimp tacos. The service has always been wonderful and consistent. The manager stops by the table a QUICK check in. That small touch means so much!! Yesterday I had the lemon cake for dessert friend's had the gluten free chocolate cake. We were all in HEAVEN!! My second time there a couple years ago we had a server who was maybe having an off day. I talked to the manager on my way out & he was sincere & grateful I had let him know. read more

Great food and service, truly no complaints. Atmosphere is clean and cozy. Our server was really nice and didn't rush us! read more

Draft Gastropub - Margarita Pizza - Gastropubs Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

Absolutely amazing food and service. For the price you'll feel very satisfied coming here. read more

Draft Gastropub - Buffalo chicken sandwich - A burger with a sesame seed bun, melted cheese, bacon, and vegetables is served on a wooden board. It is garnished with a pickle spear and a cucumber slice secured with a toothpick. A small metal container of ketchup and a side of French fries in a metal basket are also on the board. The setting appears to be a casual dining restaurant with glasses and utensils visible in the background. - Gastropubs Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

Great new additions to the menu. We had a coconut encrusted salmon and the Mediterranean pappardelle that were excellent. The only criticism is to not serve the Greek salad on the same plate as the pasta. The flavors ran together. Our server on May 6th for our reserved table of five was attentive and friendly. I wish we had gotten her name. She is five-star. We had been disappointed at an earlier visit, but this trip will have us returning. I believe our former disappointment was due to COVID limitations, which is understandable. Looking forward to trying the pretzel haddock in the very near future. read more

Great food! Often very busy so plan accordingly. Service Is prompt. They can accommodate large groups. Over is always neat and clean! I recommend! read more

This place was highly recommended and comes by reservations only on weekends Cajun pasta. Ok. Mac and cheese? Ok Charcuterie board? Best. Please order this one. Beer selection? Minimal Tempranillo by the glass. Unexpected. The water is cucumber infused which is great but not what I expected for gastro pub vibe. Small place. Parking is a nightmare so know that during peak dining hours. Service? Excellent. Attentive. This place is classified as a gastro pub. I don't buy it. Id expect more beer and pub food choices. I'll go back. read more

Best chicken orange champagne salad. Yum. Excellent service and drinks! Love going there for a special night out.

Good food, good service, good atmosphere. No complaints. We went in one of late but they still provided good food. They even had a vegetarian menu that was great. read more

What a great place with a pleasant atmosphere, and an interesting menu. We really enjoyed our burgers and would definition come back to explore the menu! read more

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We wanted to love this restaurant but it was meh. The cocktails were pretty good, the appetizer was so-so, and the bowls were okay. Great presentation, though! I know people claim to love the ambiance, but it's nothing special. Music was loud 70s/80s rock which made it odd for the type of food they serve. read more

Draft Gastropub - Bao Buns - Gastropubs Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

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The Draft Gastropub is an excellent choice for dining. The atmosphere is great, the staff did a wonderful job of answering questions and in serving us. The food is fantastic, there is a large selection on the menu. I do not think you will be disappointed. read more

Draft is my parents favorite place to go! We met my moms high school BFF for lunch and it was great! Sat outside which was very nice with this great weather we've been having, although I felt our waitress forgot about us a few times. I got the coconut shrimp salad - YUM the shrimp was huge and fantastic. My mom got the Reuben and her friend got the champagne salad - all very good! read more

Top Notch, best food in Appleton Go try something different than Cheese Curds, bar food or supper club fare Had the opportunity to try the steak this week and I was disappointed, it was way overdone for medium. read more

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So yummy! Great service, I will FOR SURE be back! I would also recommend the pretzel! The menu is for sure on the diverse side and is always delicious! One of my families favorite spots to go to! read more

Draft Gastropub - I had Drafts scallops which was the special! - A plated dish includes an assortment of vegetables, microgreens, and a crispy garnish, arranged on a black plate. The presentation emphasizes fresh ingredients and artistic plating, suitable for a modern gastropub or fine dining restaurant. - Gastropubs Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

Excellent dinner and drinks! Service was wonderful and the ambiance was lovely. We will be back.

Nice afternoon stop. Had the tuna tartare and charcuterie board and both were great. They were having a featured cocktail Bourbon Pumpkin Smash that was really good. Been out of town so nice to be back supporting my local business. read more

Draft Gastropub - Bourbon Pumpkin Smash - Gastropubs Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

We got takeout here last night. The potstickers and burger are very good. I wasn't impressed with the honey goat cheese-- it's fried and comes on a plate of greens with crostini-- I love goat cheese but I guess only in small doses like on a salad or charcuterie board paired with meat and jam. The butternut squash ravioli with tenderloin was a 4.2/5. The tenderloin was very good -- 4.7/5, but the pasta wasn't anything too special-- it came in an abundant amount of cream sauce with a few nondescript veggies. The Irish Espresso Martini to go was disappointing-- a 2/5. Because of open container laws, you mix it yourself; it's served with an ice cube in the middle of the cup of cold espresso/coffee that probably diluted the drink before I could drink it. The two mini bottles that come with it to mix are Irish cream and brandy-- I've never had brandy in an espresso martini before and from this experience I can't deduce whether I'm a fan. Overall I would order from here again, just more selectively. read more

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Do yourself a huge favor and go here! The food is amazing, we had the giant pretzel and the bourbon brisket sandwich, seriously the best. It's a very quiet, chill atmosphere. Our server was beyond, which is so hard to find nowadays!! read more

My husband and I came here one night after seeing some photos of the food on other reviews. We are glad we did. I had the Caprese burger. And it was flavorful. I believe my husband had the Draft Prime burger, but I cant quite remember. We also ordered the potstickers as an appetizer and those definitely did not disappoint. The only downside and the reason for the missing star is the service. While our server was pleasant enough.. he was a complete space cadet. After taking our drink order, he came back 5-10 minutes later asking us again what we would like to drink because "he didn't write it down." It sounds like the table next to us didn't fare much better as they had the same server, and while he was more attentive to them... he forgot numerous items from their order. I overheard one of the customers say it was not what they ordered but since it was a longer wait, everyone else had their food already and they were hungry, that they would just suck it up and eat it. Will we eat here again? Based on food taste and atmosphere alone, absolutely. I just hope our server is a tad better next time. read more

Draft Gastropub - Gastropubs Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

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One of my local fav's, rotating food and cocktail menus. staff is always friendly. not too far off the main highway.

Best place in Appleton. Food is amazing, haven't tried anything I didn't like. Bring the blue salad back. Servers are super friendly. Modern inside. read more

Ninety-nine percent unimpressed. Starting with the charcuterie, where the menu touts "European meats" consisting of "prosciutto" and salami. Without actually knowing, I do not want to come right out and say the meats were not European, but my suspicions are that they are not where perhaps the menu meant that they are European influenced. First, real Italian prosciutto has a very distinct flavor. When properly shaved, it is soft, smooth, and silky with a 2 to 4 mm layer of fat on the outer edges. This example was clearly a knockoff and did not taste anything like prosciutto at all. What was presented on our platter seemed to be shaved some hours before serving because it was very dry, crusty, and stringy just like ham. Try using freshly shaved Prosciutto di Parma or Prosciutto San Daniele immediately before serving for a good representation and customer satisfaction. It really is a shame that prosciutto does not have protected designation of origin as does champagne only coming from the Champagne region in France and Parmigiano Reggiano only from Italy. A customer ends up with ham with an undeserved fancy name. I also had issue with the salami. Again, I suspect it is of the American Genoa variety. Again, real Italian salami has a course texture, where the level of mechanical processing is minimal and certainly much more flavorful. I felt the cheeses were not too bad, but the rind really should be trimmed from the brie before serving, as it is not meant to be consumed. Brie is commonly spread like butter. The olive spread and bread offerings were good. They could lose the Rold Gold pretzels, as it cheapens the presentation. I was also at odds with the Black and Blue salad that I ordered for dinner, where it was supposed to come with 4 or 5 ounces of sirloin. What I received was a bed of spring greens, a couple of tomatoes, bacon pieces, and off to the side, chopped up pieces of beef bits. I was expecting that piece of sirloin as a whole piece of meat or cut into thick slices. These chopped up pieces immediately gave me the impression that they were simply beef trimmings from steaks served earlier in the evening to others. After the charcuterie demonstration, my fuzzy was frigid cold leaving me very skeptical. I do not want to go without mentioning that my server was nice, helpful, and timely with his deliveries. He is the reason I raise my grade one star level. I am not inclined to ever go back. read more

Very busy Friday, waiting at the bar, trying to close out our tab, gave away our table after 5 minutes, no apologies, rude, "that's our policy " after 5 minutes we give the table away, still waiting for a table 20 minutes later, snooty, very pretentious for a strip mall restaurant. Food was good, but nothing spectacular, highly priced, strip mall restaurant trying to be a Michelin restaurant, the ambience is nothing, they put a candle on the table and call it fancy, much better options in the area, nothing memorable about the whole dining experience. Jeans and a t shirt. I don't know why this place gets high reviews, I guess people are really not used to fine dining as you experience in larger cities, but if this passes for a unique dining experience in Appleton, it's pitiful. read more