It's not often that a place will try their best not to have you eat their food, but none the less that's what happened. They were adamant about not accepting any take out orders but I assured them I was two doors down at a hotel, reluctantly he agreed after asking me what my room number was several times. I tried to order a burger but before I could name the burger I wanted the server dissuaded me by saying they only have a REALLY LIMITED MENU at the moment and that they weren't the full sized burgers and basically did what he could to dissuade me. Defeated I reluctantly withdrew my partial order since they clearly weren't interested in my business and if I did order didn't want to have spit in my food. Essen Haus, don't offer a late night food menu if you don't actually want to offer a late night food menu. wtf. read more

Came here with my sister and a few friends who insisted I have a boot before I leave Wisconsin. The atmosphere was interesting to say the least. Filled with German knick knacks and beer steins. It's a food & pub, so plan on waiting for the dining room to clear out before drinkers only can fill it up. The night we went there was live polka, a must for any German establishment. Be thankful the lights are dim, as a previous reviewer mentioned the place is pretty filthy. It's carpeted floors and anybody knows that carpet and drunk people just don't mix. You'd think they would have learned from Waffle Houses. Countless German beers on tap. It was kind of overwhelming. My favorite is the Optimizer. I felt sorry for my group that I got it in a gigantic boot since nobody else has a fondness for thick malty (and highly potent) ales. All in all, great fun. read more

This is a non-food review. I've had their cheese curds (ok), but that is all. My friend refuses to eat here since his friend had a less than stellar experience working in the kitchen. Anyway, the live polka music is amazing. One of the bands who plays on Thursdays is fantastic. They were playing everything we requested so we tipped them well! They have a great selection of German beers. If you've never had beer from a boot, you must do it here. Pass the boot around with your friends for a good time. They give you/you can ask for popcorn with your beer (free). Oh, and boots are half off on Thursdays! read more

The good news is that the Essen Haus is an authentic German restaurant and beer hall. The bad news? German food isn't cuisine that attracts most foodies. It's hearty and tastes good with bier (German-inspired spelling). More bier, more better. This review focuses on their FRIDAY FISH FRY. It's one of my favorite locations in madison for Friday fish. Options include 3-piece, bier battered, deep-fried cod for $10.95 or All You Can Eat for $13.95. It also includes several unique options: liver dumpling soup, salad or Deutsch salad (a selection of 4 marinated vegetables). Potato choices include Batter-dipped french fries, Potato pancakes, Baked potato, German potato salad or Mashed potatoes. Choose the liver dumpling soup (REALLY) and the potato pancakes. To get in quickly, eat early. To have the most fun, go a bit later. They have live polka music on Friday nights beginning around 8pm. WARNING: FOOD IS VERY INCONSISTENT. You'll either get a 4-star experience or a 2-star experience. We've been going here for fish more than 10 years and this has always been the case. read more

Went to Essen Haus for a friend's birthday on a Saturday night and had a great time! Dancing to the chicken dance played by the polka band (per our request =) was a blast! Good beer selection, large food portions, the fried mushrooms were good and cheese curds were so-so. I loved the pretzels and honey mustard (delish!). read more

We didn't do any essening, just a lot of drinking. Literally entered, ordered boot, drank like I hadn't had beer in years. The band playing at the time was spectacular. Even before the beer kicked in. Older gentlemen, with an Americana sound, doing ample covers of classic tunes. The drummer looked like John Malkovich, so we called them The Dirty Malkoviches. No idea what their real name is. The tables around us were friendly and chatty. Our Korean-in-lederhosen waiter was endearing. And the chanting and pounding when the glass boots were finished made for a jovial experience. Good college-town fun. read more

Visit the Essen Haus for the boot of beer and for the experience. Do not visit the Essen Haus for the food. The boots of beer make this place tons of fun and unique. Unfortunately, I was expecting much better food than what I had. The Essen Haus food was just okay. After visiting Germany on multiple occasions, I like to think I have a good sense of what makes constitutes good German food -- and Essen Haus doesn't serve that in my opinion. Our waitress appeared confused when we asked for Radeberger beer, a popular German import. I found it odd that the Essen Haus didn't carry this since every other German restaurant in the states that I've visited did have Radeberger. read more

I've been here a bunch of times and have always had a good time! It's a much different atmosphere than most places I go in Madison, but that's what makes it fun. There's usually live music and some older couples dancing. I've never seen Essen Haus crowded, but there are always people there. The busiest I've seen it is during Stein Club on the 2nd Wednesday night of every month. Even then, though, the main dining room is pretty empty. The best thing you can do here is get a boot (or 2 or 3) and share with your friends! Two of the times I've been here we were able to get some free t-shirts (1 shirt for every 3 boots finished) and we're up for the challenge of trying to get another. This place is great for big groups or small groups (last night I came with 3 friends and played cards while sharing a boot). It's fun for just drinking or a heavy meal. On Thursday nights, boots are discounted. Not sure about other specials. read more

Wisconsin doesn't have good German food in general, but this place has some of the worst. My impression of that one severely overpriced jaegerschnitzel dish was a dried tiny piece of cutlet with surprisingly decent red cabbage and spaetzle that tasted like fried crickets from Mainland China. The liver dumpling soup's just one giant bland liver ball sitting in there and most of their other food items aren't that great, but you really shouldn't be there for the food anyway. What's seriously redeeming about this place is the beer selection. I've had a couple European buddies of mine complain about the beer being watered down, but they have a decent selection. The atmosphere is seedy and the place can be a real dump (yes, it is dirty), but it's a fun place to take your friends on a birthday party just to laugh, drink (I've yet to try the boot), joke, and polka. So basically no stars for the food and two stars overall because of a decent beer selection (watered down by a lot) and the fun kitschy atmosphere. read more

I didn't go to the Essen Haus much in college because it was far to walk on those cold, Wisconsin nights. Which basically meant EVERY night of both semesters, which is why I only have one memory of visiting in 4 years. Now that I'm old(er) and have a car, some friends and I drove to the Essen Haus for dinner because one guy kept talking about knackwurst. Note: there's a huge parking lot lot on the side of the restaurant. Unfortunately, there was no knackwurst on the menu. A friend and I split the schnitzel with the kickass mushroom gravy. We doubled our order of spaetzel and had side salads. German food can be hit or miss and although a bit pricey, the portions and the quality sort of make up for it. Also, I kind of feel sorry for the guys who have to wear lederhosen uniforms so I don't mind throwing them a few extra dollar bills. Average cost for a plate is $18. When we first arrived we were seated in what can only be called "Conference Room B," not in the main room but in a very separate, quieter room. We asked to be reseated and there we were, right smack in the middle of German decor of a big moose head on the wall and a stein the height of a 6 year old. Several tables were passing around the boot. I always thought that was a gross, unhygienic tradition. Essen Haus is a good place to bring out of towners to see the German cultural side of Wisconsin. So, for special nights only or birthdays because on a student budget, yikes! read more

The Essen Haus is one of my favorite Madison memories. The ceiling and walls are covered in bier steins and the wait staff runs around in lederhosen. The manager is a little nuts during dinner rushes, but the Rahm Schnitzel makes up for it. It's absolutely delicious. Of course you can't forget about the infamous boots and the wonderful bier selection they have. Come, get tipsy and enjoy the live polka band. Just don't get too angry if they don't play Roll Out The Barrel often enough or you'll find yourself outside looking in! read more

I'm probably one of a handful of Asian gals from Southern California who truly appreciates German culture - took the language in high school and college & have no shame saying that polka music can be pretty entertaining. So I had high hopes for Essen Haus when I went during a recent visit since it's in the reputed capital of German culture in America. Alas, the food was disappointing. So why the generous four stars? Because their festive Oktoberfest & yummy brats (for just $2.50!!) goose-stepped its way into my heart. It's also pretty awesome that this place whole-heartedly embraces the drinking (without being drunk and stupid) culture around these parts. Where else can you go (or at least for me since I'm in SoCal) to see a gigantic boot larger than my own calf full of great German beer? And you can't give a place less than four stars if they have 26 beers on tap, especially my personal girly fave, Leinie's Berry Weiss. It's also pretty damn cool that Essen Haus is bookmarked by two other bars/restaurants, Up North and Come Back In. This was probably one of my favorite joints in Madison. read more

Good food. Manager is kinda of out of control and has no idea what customer service is. He really makes for a bad environment. I really do like this place and the music is great. Other than manager great place. read more

Essen Haus - German Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

One of the funnest places you can go in Madison great food great service and how do you not love 30 German beers on tap and yes you can still get PBR read more

I have drunk many litres of beer here. I have drunk from the boot. The items to try: Big soft pretzels with mustard and horseradish. Their liver dumpling soup, with rye bread, an option for the entrees. Unhappily, the spiced prime rib has lost something over the years. read more

Good beers and great German foods. We had to learn all about the traditions and power of the das boot! We were smashed when we left but had a great time. The steins hanging everywhere make for great eye candy. read more

Rude hostess. Waitress made up for hostess's crankiness. Pretzels good but not from a box iOnion rings tasted fishy. Food okay by not great. Don't go here if you don't like noise and crowds. Go here to drink beer. Updating my review to a four star because I did receive an email. I appreciate that a human reached out. This says a lot! read more

I had dinner here two nights in a row on a recent visit to Madison and enjoyed the experience each time. Main courses of sauerbraten and jagerschnitzel were excellent, accompanied by deliciously flavorful potato pancakes and the best sauerkraut I've had in years. The wide beer selection was what you'd expect in a good German restaurant, and the free pretzels with mustard and horseradish dip a nice bonus. Atmosphere for the early evening sittings was festive but not boisterous. Finally, I can't say enough for the waitstaff - attentive and friendly without being in the slightest intrusive. I'll be eager to get back here. read more

Pretty unique experience. Copious drinking, comfort food, and polka brings together a really odd combination of college kids, retirees, and yuppies. Yummy selection of German beers. Come with a group that knows how to play the boot passing game! It's really fun! They also have a giant stein that holds something like 3L of beer. read more

We had one more dinner in Madison and decided Essen Haus would be ours. It was a Saturday night and we were worried about getting a table at 730pm but not only did we get a table right away, we found parking right outside! The inside had the look and feel of a European restaurant and the staff was dressed in a variety of olde timey German looking garb. The beer selection was awesome. Lots of German brands. My buddies got Spaten and were pleased with that. I tried the Hofbräu Oktoberfest and stuck with that. It was wonderfully cold and fresh. A free basket of warm pretzels made the beer even better. Since we were now addicted to cheese curds, we started with that. They were the best we've had so far. I still don't know what these things are made of and I still don't care! For dinner I had Wiener Schnitzel which came with sauerkraut and fried potatoes. The Schnitzel was giant and very tasty. Not a big fan of kraut but my buddies also had it and advised that it was good. By 9 we noticed the place was full and then the umpa band started playing and the Essen Haus earned it's fourth star! The music was the standard polka stuff but you can't help but tap your feet and be happy. read more

Essen Haus - Cheese curds - German Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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This is the BEST place for German food & drinks. Biergarten und trinkenhallen! There are 36 German beers on tap & many more available in bottles. A full service restaurant; the prices are very fair & the food very good. Boots of beer are being passed around & people are dancing the polka & the Chicken dance. It's like Oktoberfest year round. What a fun & festive atmosphere; the bartenders & servers wear lederhosen & dirndls. Always a polka band on the weekends. I'd suggest this place for any out of town guest! Just a German Mardi Gras all the time! read more

I've always been told that the restaurant with the dirtiest kitchen has the best food. I would say this fits the bill. I know people in the restaurant industry that will not set foot in this place because of the rumors, but that's why you should go check out their food. Really. I think the food is pretty darn good, and the beer is better. I love the location and I enjoy bringing people here. It's a great place for drinking suds with buds. read more

DAS BOOT!!! The beer is the staple that keeps me coming back to the Essen Haus, especially with their selection of authentic German beers. Outstanding drinks and plenty of it, huge steins for little money. The huge boot is only $15 on Thursday night, so happy hour here usually turns into happy late night!! The food isn't bad, sits heavy if you're not ready of used to it though. The fish fry on Friday is pretty good too, all you can eat cod for $10 isn't bad!! read more

This was the total package; rare beer, rustic charm, rabble rousers in the corner enjoying der stiefel and friendly regulars at the bartop. A Polka band was tearing it down with all ages enjoying it. Most importantly, excellent schnitzel served by an expert tour guide behind the bar. Thanks for the great experience Phil! Anytime I am in WI I will be back due mostly to your service. read more

Essen Haus - Kickin' the polka jams! - German Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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This place is AWESOME. Love the beer and foods! The only reason why I gave it a four star instead of five is because they are understaffed on Friday and Saturday nights but the ones who are working do a terrific job considering their workload. Basically, this place can be summarized as DASSSS BOOOTTT read more

Went to Essen Haus this evening for Father's Day dinner. They had a cookout going on outside with some very loud (not live, nor good) music, so we opted to eat inside so we'd be able to hear each other talk. The food was...meh. Someone particular about their food would have been appalled. Someone who is eating to eat would think it was fine. Any run of the mill foodie would probably think what I thought: the food was bland and greasy, lacking in seasoning, but true to traditional german flavors (sour-sweet-creamy-spiced). The prices were exorbitant. $19 for greasy pork weiner schnitzel with no salt, the breading falling off, greasy spaetzle strings with no salt, and a cream sauce without all the booze cooked out. The service was fine. Waiter nice, food didn't take too long (why would it for that quality of food). Teaching a two year old the word dirndl and lederhosen was entertaining. The place is definitely kid friendly in that it is forgiving of child behavior, has stuff for kids to walk around and look at before food comes, and a stage for them to mess around on if there's no polka band in residence. No kids menu, but they had booster seats and high chairs. This is not one of those places your kid has to be on good behavior to go to. I would not come here again voluntarily. Unless it was just to get drunk. Perhaps for a nice date night of drinking so much that I wouldn't mind the food? Or that I would be able to forget lack of sanitation in the bathroom. Which brings me to the cockroach. Not cool Essen Haus. Not cool at all, to be taking my toddler to the bathroom and see a cockroach just chilling there on the floor. They mean well, and its kitschy, but it's just not a place one goes to for the food. read more

We were there just yesterday with my husband celebrating our 10th year anniversary. Service was very unfriendly (waiter asked for debit card at the beginning, brought out the receipt in the middle of our main meal, refused to explain things on the menu we did not understand, brought out boxes for our food, even we did not ask and we were not finished), food was pre-cooked and just warmed up - potatoes taste horrible like this, stomach ache guaranteed. Zero atmosphere on the terrace. Two stars, because beer was good, Germany's merit. The whole experience ruined our night. We are since not long in Madison, therefore we might act a little bit touristic, but we stay long - and we learned already never to come back here! read more

As a bar, Essen can be a lot of fun. Servers in dirndls and lederhosen, an extensive stein collection hanging from the ceiling, a live polka band on weekends, and the infamous boots that encourages group bonding through drinking. For Thanksgiving dinner, however, my experience was lackluster. With no Thanksgiving plans on actual Thanksgiving this year my BF suggested trying Essen's family-style AYCE dinner. For about $25 per person they'll provide you with turkey, sides, and pie. For two people you get cereal-sized bowls of everything plus some sliced turkey breast and shredded dark meat. For larger parties you get a whole turkey and larger serving bowls of the sides. Pie orders are taken on slice-by-slice basis. We made our reservation about a week ahead for 2:15. First, I want to say the servers were hustling all day. No complaints about the servers themselves. The hosts and the owners were also going like crazy. Essen was packed to the gills - when we arrived at two the line was out the door. First issue: the waiting area was very disorganized and it was difficult to push down to the front to check in. Two must be a peak time because, as mentioned, the line was out the door. People were being seated near constantly, but we still didn't get a table until 45 minutes after our reservation. All in all I spent an hour waiting in the cold outside, then under the coat rack near the door, then in a hallway by the banquet room, then awkwardly on a ramp by the bar. Not exactly the best start to the day, but what could be done? Next year I hope they'll space out the reservations a bit more for anyone who makes their way there. After being seated it took almost ten minutes for someone to come the table for drink orders and to drop off a bread basket - with one cold roll for each of us. They didn't taste like they were fresh-baked. Food arrived not too long thereafter. The food: - Turkey: extremely dry even after being covered in gravy. I actually don't mind my meat on the drier side (I'm a well-done lady through and through) but this was chug-a-glass-of-water-after-each-bite dry. I didn't try the dark meat but it arrived shredded, which seemed weird. - Mashed potatoes: they had some herb in them and did not taste like potatoes or butter. They were real, but whatever seasonings were added were very off putting. + Stuffing: the savory highlight of the meal. Not mind-blowing, but by far my favorite thing of the spread. - Gravy: fine. - Yams: quite sweet but kind of disappointing in that they were just whole mushy yams instead of the traditional marshmallow casserole presentation. Unclear if they were fresh or from a can. - Mixed veggies: nasty, frozen, dry, and tasteless. Looked like they'd been sitting under a heat lamp for hours. I tried a carrot medallion and it tasted nothing like a carrot but slightly like the green beans that were in the mix. - Cranberry sauce: canned/jellied. Chopped up from its natural cylindrical shape. + Pie: I went with pecan and it was delicious. I'm pretty sure it came from a box (the crust looked factory-crimped) but I enjoyed it. I don't know if I've ever had pecan pie so I don't have much to compare it to, but in any case it was the best thing about the meal. Served with a small dollop of Cool Whip-style whipped topping. For $25 I found the whole experience disappointing, especially because it included so many items that were straight from a can or box. My BF thought it was great, and several people leaving were commenting how good it was, so maybe I'm in the minority? The other thing that I found bothersome was that you couldn't take any leftovers home besides the turkey. I understand this is to dissuade people from piling up their plates then ordering new bowls of sides and boxing it all up to go, but if you didn't get a second serving of something or ate most of what you had from a second round it seemed so silly to throw it away. We had a half a bowl each of mashed potatoes and stuffing from our second round that I crammed into our tiny turkey box when they server went to get our pie, but we had to leave our full first bowl of yams behind. I wouldn't have taken the veggies if you paid me, but if I had wanted them we had the entire first bowl of those as well. I'm truly curious how many pounds of food went into the trash over the course of their eight-hour Thanksgiving service. So sad. I will happily return to Essen for their normal bar hours, but I don't think I'll be spending any future holidays there. My disappointment in the meal led me to make my own stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, and cranberry sauce the next day to scratch my Thanksgiving itch. read more

After being charged for someone else's dinner and not made aware of this until I returned home and checked my online banking, I called the restaurant three times over the course of a month. I also emailed the business requesting that my money be returned to me. The staff would take my number down, once they even took down my credit card information. They told me that the manager would be in touch. After I called three times and sent an email, I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Yesterday, I received an email and a call from Neale T. Hansen who I presume is the manager. In the email, he wrote: Samantha we received a letter for the Better Business Bureau today. I did however try to contact you March 20th at approximately 6:50 p.m. and the phone rings 5 times and returns to a dial tone as it did today at approximately 3:25 p.m. I was in class when he called at 3:25, and returned his call by 3:45. Also, I called his restaurant three times - so the fact that he only attempted to return one of those calls is rather troublesome. He asked for my credit card information in the email, which had also been given over the phone to another employee in one of my previous calls, who inaccurately reassured me "it would be taken care of." When I did call him back at 3:45, he was hostile with me - arguing that he'd called me back on March 20th and that no one answered. (Even though I have voice mail.) When I asked him how returning one of my three phone calls justifies his anger that I missed a call he didn't have an answer, he just kept repeating himself that he'd tried to call. There was no apology for mischarging me in the first place, or the lack of unanswered communication. I'm normally pretty gracious when dealing with restaurants as I've worked for a few before and a number of family members have managed them, but this was unacceptable. The Essen Haus received my first and what I hope is my last BBB complaint. I spent hours on this that I'll never get back. I hope he does indeed follow through on refunding the money that was mine in the first place and I can put this to rest. If you believe in business ethics, I wouldn't go to this restaurant. read more

In the anti-pantheon celebrating the worst dining experiences of all time resides this, our meal this evening at Essen Haus. I use the term "meal" very very loosely: after all, it took a half hour and taking the manager by the hand and leading him to our table before we got our water and, indeed, any acknowledgment of our existence whatsoever. Perhaps an hour into our reservation, we order our respective meals, with choice of soup or salad. A good 30 minutes later, we are advised that the clam chowder ordered by several of us is no more. We are left with . . . wait for it . . . liver dumpling soup. We are told that quite a few people ordered it. After all, it is cold out. No mention of whether they liked its taste or simply used it to warm their hands. We six all opt for salads (shock). Our waitress comes back 15 minutes later to say that pork and rice soup has been added to the menu. One of the six salads at our table switches to soup at this juncture. Another half hour later, we inquire into the whereabouts of our soup or salads, and are advised that the soup is still cooking and should be ready soon. We are back to six salads ordered and none served for another half hour. Five standard-fare-with-watered-down-dressing eventually are served. The sixth in our group got his salad well after we five had finished ours. Our fish fry arrives approximately two hours after we arrived. Well, *five* arrive; the all-you-can-eat fish fry ordered for the 16-year-old among us never arrives. Apparently, "all you can eat" means "how many can you swipe off the plates of your dinner companions while they are busy trying to flag down our waitress." Requesting water from our waiter required us first to explain that yes, one of those cylindrical-shaped objects (read: drinking glass) would be required as a necessary precondition to being able to drink the water. He continued to look baffled. Coup de grace? The waitress informs us that the restaurant will comp the all-you-can-eat dinner THAT NEVER ARRIVED and that there would be no further accommodation because the rest of the food was "fine". The fish was passable. The service was an abomination. Oh, and the extra tartar sauce arrived well after all the fish was gone. read more

Essen Haus - That they can't spell "seating" should be your first warning. Take heed. - German Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This restaurant has come to typify the Madison ethnic dining experience: rave reviews for over-priced poorly prepared food that only tastes better because of the impaired judgement of too many beers. Our table had a variety of the pork and chicken schnitzel dishes, along with the spaetzle. The only thing that had any merit was the clam chowder. The schnitzels were bland, with a heavy, dirty oil taste. The spaetzle seemed like they went across the street to Wah-Kee and grabbed some noodles. I've made box spaetzle that tasted better than what we experienced. Not sure what the fascination is with the factory-made pretzels that you can get at Sam's club. The bar environment with the polka band and seemed to be festive, which is the only reason this got more than one star. If you're hungry, plenty of Madison restaurants that do have a passing grade. If you want German food, if this is the best it gets, may want to try Chicago. read more

Great beer and a great place to go with lots of friends. Loud polka music to dance to (if drunk enough) and gigantic boots filled with strong German beers. The beer menu is incredible, just be prepared to spend a little on it. Also, DON'T BREAK THE BOOTS!! They will charge your card for it and it's a hefty price. read more

"Alles hat ein Ende nur die Wurst hat zwei" Translation: "Everything has an end but the sausage has two" This is one of my favorite German beer drinking songs and is a perfect song for the Essen Haus. I have many great memories here, and some I cannot remember! This is a quintessential place to take friends from out of town no matter the age or amount of guests you may have. There's plenty of room here for all of your friends and family. Having lived in Germany this place is authentic. The beer and atmosphere is the definitely the draw, but the food is decent, and live music fits the bill. Who would not be impressed with a boot of beer? Impressive beer menu, so plan on staying awhile. Check the website or facebook page for the polka bands. It's still fun either way, but dancing the night away is a must if you live in Madison. Just remember to get a ride home... you'll need it! *** How could I forget to mention the wait staff are all dressed in traditional garb?*** read more

I like to drink as much as the next person but Essen Haus promotes binge drinking and throwing up. The food here is beyond reproach. With so many choices in Madison why go to some place and force feed yourself beer to the point of throwing up when you can get drinks, better music and better crowd in tons of other bars. read more

This place was so dirty it made me sick. If I would have stayed more than ten minutes I would have needed a shower. Has a health inspector actually signed off on this retched place? read more

Go for the beer and polka but skip the food! Also, Maifest & Oktoberfest are always a good time! Anyone who has been in the restaurant business or worked there knows the owner is notoriously cheap! Every penny is squeezed out and not much is ever re-invested back into any infrastructure updates. Although in the recent year a new floor was installed, the place just seems really dirty. Things on the wall have a thick coating of dust and cobwebs and it's very dark. The bathrooms are ancient and there is a smell of sewer when you walk into the restaurant. The food is expensive and as for being authentic German flavor, there is lots of room for improvement. We are in Wisconsin so there are a lot of German restaurants here however, Essen Haus in the only one in Madison with this large of a German menu. Go outside of Madison and you can definitely find better. The best reason to go to the Essen Haus is to enjoy the beer and polka. Great selection of seasonal beers and who doesn't like polka? It's the best thing there! Also, their Maifest and Oktoberfest events only get better each year! They put up tents in the parking log and have great out of town bands who play great German music. It's definitely a day of fun. We also appreciate the events being family friendly! read more

Disappointed :( It was dark and dirty. The bathrooms were disgusting. There were small nats flying around and the food was blah. Our waitress was very nice and the over all service was good, it was everything else that was blah. read more

Essen Haus was a great venue for our rehearsal dinner! The banquet menu had a huge selection to choose from and the pricing was very reasonable. Essen Haus staff were easy to work with and the wait staff were courteous, fun and paid close attention to our group. Highly recommend!! read more

WOW! i was amazed at how musty-mildewy smelling this place was, shocked at the prices, and really surprised when the roof started leaking on the table next to us. i also was disheartened, as a pastry maker that they didn't have a better representation of the Schwartzwalder kirschtorte. the one they serve here has a layer of hard ganache that pops off with the first cut. The place wasn't busy- only a couple of tables, but the service was slow, and distracted, as our waitress was training someone in. This is a place that just screams for Gordon Ramsay to come and do a Kitchen Nightmares show there. read more

To be honest this isn't my favorite place, but my friends like it and it is definitely an experience. The thing to do is get a boot and dance to the polka music on the weekends. Go nextdoor for free popcorn and peanuts to bring back. read more