Immediately felt welcome in this place. Friendly host, bartenders and waitstaff. The mocktails were delicious. We had buffalo tots which were quite good. Crispy with big chunks of bacon and bleu cheese. Also had their house made sausage Tuesday special. Very yummy with garlic and sun-dried tomatoes right in the middle. If you need GF options they have em. Didn't have room for dessert but the selections sounded divine. Was a very comfy cozy atmosphere. Not loud and obnoxious where you can't hear your table mates. Seemed like the parking lot was fuller than the crowd let on but found out many folks were attending a show at the PAC so probably walked from there. I will take every future opportunity to go back to this place. Mwah! read more

Couple of friends were excited to show us around this city for our first time and booked a reservation here to try a new place together. One of our party forgot his ID and although everyone, including the waiter, agreed he was clearly of age, it's a house rule apparently that ID must be present. No big deal. Rest of our drinks arrive and we let him have a sip to try because the cocktails were decent. The waiter saw and screamed at him before waddling away to tattle on us to the manager. The other staff stared in horror but also in a way that said this wasn't the first time this guy lost it. Even the manager looked so embarrassed he had to deal with it. Manager started to say he would let us stay when the waiter screamed no and yanked our card from us. It was so pathetic watching a grown man in his 40s throw a huge tantrum. Manager intervened by taking the card away from the waiter and comped everything we had ordered while the waiter was pouting and sulking next to him. We suspect the waiter was homophobic because the reaction was so absurd and unnecessary that it has to be either homophobia and/or a mental health problem. Our friends swear their city is lovely but also acknowledge what happened could have been hate-motivated and they're sad that this just reinforced what many people think about small town Wisconsin. We went to a nearby establishment where we were treated like humans (and they served us clearly upper 30s men without having to check our IDs). On the plus side, we tip very well and are glad this waiter is not going home with an extra $100. Hopefully this restaurant knows what they need to do with this unstable staff member for the safety and comfort of their diners and other staff. read more

Overall very good experience. Enjoyed their old fashioned menu along with a delicious burger and fries. I will come back! Bartenders were well trained and atmosphere was friendly and inviting. read more

HOLY WOW... Possibly the best wings I have ever eaten. Smoked and fried, just amazing. Great little place, intimate and dark. Great staff. Visiting fron out of state. Just incredible read more

Phoned in a carry out order for the brussels sprouts and brisket french dip. Food was packaged well and held up after a 20 minute transit. The sprouts are heavily sauced (almost too saucey) but the combo of goat cheese and candied pecans is a winner. Just doesn't need so much balsamic glaze. The brisket french dip is dynamite. It's comfort food in all the right ways. The sandwich is a hefty portion and made for 2 delicious meals. read more

Mill City Public House - Brussels sprouts - Beer Bar Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

See all

This is our second time eating at Mill City: the first time was a mixed bag, but we've heard people rave about it so much that we decided to try again. It was an hour and a half wait, so obviously they are popular! The interior is a great mix of rustic and art-deco, with a fun-yet-classy feel. The staff are professional and efficient; they did a great job keeping things moving despite being obviously short-staffed. We ordered the Tropical Agua Fresca mocktail and did not enjoy it, it was missing flavor or sweetness to balance out the slightly bitter, watered-down taste. The burgers were tasty and the fries were good, but everything was VERY salty. I'm not convinced their items are worth their high prices, especially since you can get better food for cheaper elsewhere in the area. We also had the creme brulee for dessert; it wasn't bad, but it was too heavy on the vanilla. Overall, everything we have had there has lots of potential but ends up missing the mark due to imbalanced flavoring and over/under seasoning. read more

See all

Had a great lunch today at Mill City Public House in Kaukauna. The food was delicious and the Jackalope decor was fantastic. They kept Bob Ross on one television and Bon Appetite on the other. The service was amazing and we had the opportunity to meet one of the chefs. I had the "an okay burger" by name but it was everything great. We also had the brisket sandwich which was a home run. It was super tender and melted in my mouth. I'll highly recommend this jewel. read more

See all

Came here for lunch with my parents before a baseball game. I got the classic smash burger. Burger was great - the bun was toasted perfectly. Fries were a little over seasoned, but they were still good! Definitely on the pricier side, but I'd say it was worth it food wise. Service wasn't the best I've had. Our server took a while after greeting us to get our drink order, but service doesn't usually make or break a place for me (maybe because I usually dine alone and it doesn't bug me as much). I'd still recommend checking this place out to anyone visiting! read more

See all

Chris was a fantastic server. Super friendly and attentive. The food, wow! Their house-made sauces were wonderful, and my wife cant stop raving about the street corn tots. This is now on our must-have short list. read more

This place has incredible food. It's probably the best burger in town. They also have some top quality specials. The service is always good, nice drink options and great appetizers. Highly recommend! read more

Amazing food, great people, full of passion and flavor! They have an awesome happy hour as well!

Drinks and food before a show, got a spot at the bar during our wait. Good experience- good drinks read more

See all

Everything about this place is amazing. First I want to compliment the Jack-elope decor & bob ross playing on the tv, the ambiance of this place is so nice! We started off with two cocktails (amazing btw) and Brussels sprouts. They looked so good I forgot to take a picture before we dug in and they were even better than they looked. I had a hard time deciding what to eat for my entree because there were so many options that looked so good!!! I settled for the salmon BLT because it was different and all the ingredients listed sounded amazing. I was very satisfied with my selection, it had so much flavor!! Boyfriend got the jalepeno bacon burger which also was amazing, he had them add bacon jam to it. We ordered a side of the truffle tots simply because we can't pass up truffle... we are addicted and they satisfied that addiction. We ordered another round of cocktails and dessert. The beignets were so good and not greasy at all which we have had an issue with at other restaurants in the past. Unfortunately we are not from Wisconsin so we can't come back to try all the other delicious sounding dishes, but fortunately we visit Appleton every year when we come into town for the EAA show and this will definitely be on our list to come back every year! read more

See all

Food was very good, however pricey-my son had the Pesto burger, tots, I had mushroom burger tos, each of us had a draft beer. total was 58.00 something with 15% tip almost $70. it's a casual pub/ restaurant vibe. read more

Great old fashion and ambiance. Didn't try the food but many happy customers around enjoying their plates.

I was looking forward to the so-called number one smash burger in the Appleton area. My mouth had been salivating over some of the other reviews from ardent Mill City Public House lovers that had so lovingly shared. Nothing beats a caramelized all-beef patty with the lacy crisp edges that make a smashed burger what it is: a bite of burger Nirvana. Smashburgers are simple but deceptively complex to produce well. Most establishments that try their hand at the ultimate patty fail. So, how did Mill City Public House meet the expectations of a finicky burger lover? Not well. The patties lacked caramelization and had no crispness whatsoever. They were more like a typical bar burger one could expect to find at most corner bars in Wisconsin. The brioche bun did not help the burger, as it was too dense and bready to allow the flavor of the burger to shine. It was more like a speed bump to Flavor Town. I tried the special with the jalapeño jelly (a personal favorite), but I found the jelly to be cloyingly sweet and the only flavor noticeable. Might have been great on a PBJ, but a swing and a miss on an already low-flavored burger. It was an unfortunate experience, and the bready, flat, flavorless, not-a-smash burger I received had a high price tag. The only redeeming quality was the service from the server, which would be applauded at any high-end eatery and difficult to surpass. If the best smash burgers in the area are found at Mill City Public House, I will move on to a more private setting. read more

Great food!! Wonderful specials. Cute ambience. We took some food to go, since we were staying at a hotel the host gave me disposible utensils and wet naps, super appreciative. read more

I am currently in search of the best burger near me. I have had a couple of not so good ones, but today...yum. I checked my handy dandy Yelp app to see what my fellow friends suggested. Mill City Public House popped up. Sounded promising, so we went. I have really never understood the charm of a smashed burger before. This one was really good. Our server, Alex, was great! What an energetic and comedic guy. Really enjoyed him. I ordered the Cosmo Adjacent as my cocktail. It was something I had never tried before. Slightly fruity, a touch tart, but enjoyable. The menu is quite varied, and there were some other tempting items, but I remained focused and ordered the burger with fries. Wonderful decision. The double smash burger had just the right amount of char, aka the crunchy parts. The bun was also toasted. It may be the wagyu beef, or the excellent seasoning, but this burger was tasty. Fries were also good. The dining area we were in was small, but I think there might be another dining area. We were in the bar portion, while small, my husband and I did not feel cramped. We could have a conversation without any problems. Try it out and say Hi to Alex if you see him! read more

See all

Milly City is easily one of the best restaurants in Appleton! My husband and I eat there a few times a month. They have great menu staples but they all have a creative spin. The soups are particularly delicious and it's rare that I don't order their daily soup special! The staff at Mill City is extraordinarily kind and attentive. Service is always as good as the food! I would selfishly LOVE more vegetarian options! Most of the main entrees are meat-based (to be expected), so it would be nice if there were just a couple veg or veg-friendly additions, particularly to the larger plates. Although I like the falafel wrap and order it frequently, it is EXTREMELY salty, which I don't always have the palette for. When I don't order that, it can be hard to come up with a full vegetarian meal that's not made up of appetizers or a salad! All in all, totally love Mill City, and would recommend it to anyone! read more

Mill City Public House - Creamy tomato soup - Beer Bar Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

Atmosphere: Really small parking lot, tight fit during dinner hours. Host stand right when you walk in, please don't ignore and wait to be seated, they will move you if you seat yourself (I witnessed this a few visits back because a couple sat themselves at a large table when it was really busy and they were reseated to a 2 top). Trust the host! They know what they are doing. Large bar area. The inside is decorated really lovely. Comfortable seating throughout. Clean bathrooms. I love what they have on the tv's in the bar area, always fun to watch Bob Ross work his magic! Service: Host seats you right away and waters come shortly after. Staff does a good job describing the specials and are friendly. The waitstaff always has great communication with the kitchen, the apps are always spread out nicely from the entrée. Food: This is where I am so torn. I've ordered some of the same dishes several times, and one time it is the best thing you've ever eaten, and the next time it is just so-so. I think a lot of it has to do with the prep of the food and the garnish station. The meat portions are drastically different every time. I recommended to a friend to order the fried chicken sandwich, because it's something I've enjoyed. So we both order it, their piece of chicken was so small you couldn't even see it and was covered by the bun, and mine was so huge the bun looked like a cracker next to it. One time I ordered the ribs, super packed with garnishes (blue cheese, onion jam, scallions) and the ribs were really meaty, smokey and crispy on the outside. The next time I ordered them there was almost no garnish at all and the ribs were very wet with no crisp and little meat. They have great concepts, but I wish they would be more consistent. I will keep coming back hoping they find their groove. read more

Mill City Public House - Beet salad with salmon added - Beer Bar Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

See all

Don't walk Run!! 1st time, Went for a Team lunch!! Amazing exceeded my expectations!! If you are looking for food with flavor this is it !! Can't find to many restaurants who are not afraid to have an original taste!! Everything was original & flavorful ! I highly recommend the brisket Philly with Kale Cesar read more

Incredible burgers. Amazing experience with the staff. Great sides, top-notch service. Incredible sauces. Wow. For sure, one of the best burgers in Appleton without a doubt. read more

Mill City Public House - Absolutely incredible burger - Beer Bar Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

Service was friendly and skilled. Clearly well trained. Food was delicious, I had the andouille sausage special that was delightful, and a cup of delicious mushroom soup. The feel of the place is welcoming, friendly and inclusive. We really had a nice night. read more

Have eaten here a few times. The food is good and I recommend you try it. The service is excellent. While there are better restaurants in the area I believe you need to give Mill City a try. We especially love the Brussels sprouts!! read more

Burgers were great!!! However, we both found the tater tots extra salty! Staff was very friendly and service quick! Overall a good experience! read more

If you find yourself in Appleton, WI. make sure you visit Mill City Public House. The food at this place is top notch! They have a great selection of smoked meats and tons of specialty menu items. The service was excellent and the staff were very knowledgeable about the food they serve. The location is small and the parking lot is tiny but it feels very welcoming and comfortable for a bar. 10/10 read more

Mill City Public House - Burger - Beer Bar Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

See all

What an amazing experience. The food, service and atmosphere were perfect. I'm not a fan of smash burger but MCPH redeemed the concept for me. The kale salad with Caesar dressing was a perfect balance. For those from the Chicago area, this place had an aura of Chicago Pizza Oven and Grinder Company but better due to their unique options, and being more modernized. read more

My husband and I came here on a Thursday afternoon. We were happy that it was also happy hour. We ordered the soup of the day which was a creamy French Onion soup, that was really yummy! We also ordered the Beer battered cheese curds and they were just okay. We appreciate Mill City going out and trying to upscale the cheese curds, however we were not impressed with them. We then decided to share the ribs special which they have every Thursday and those were also just okay. The ribs were cooked nicely, fall off the bone kind of rib, but had they used a different sauce we feel it would have been tastier. The vibe of the place is nice and cozy and the bartender was friendly. We will try something else when we are back in town and give Mill City another chance. read more

See all

Update, they changed their menu. Now there are items in regular rotation with fried onions. This means the fries are heavily cross contaminated. They also changed my favorite burger and I miss it! My family and I were regulars but we have had to bid a sad farewell. If you don't struggle with gluten this place is still very yummy. read more

Food is amazing, if you're here visiting COME HERE! Atmosphere is great too servers are great 10/10! ( I get the house salad and the smoked Cesar wrap every time!) read more

Mill City Public House - Beer Bar Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

Service was attentive. The order was not as expected. I ordered the BLT blackened salmon sandwich. My understanding that BLT means bacon, lettuce and TOMATO. There was no tomato slice that I had expected. Lettuce was shredded (not in leaf form) and there was too much sauce that over powered the salmon that was a thin filet and burnt on the tail end. This sandwich made for a sloppy eating experience. The bacon was superior in flavor. read more

Our waiter was extremely rude, which is what will prevent us from returning. We were able to get seated immediately since there were only three of us, while others had an hour + wait, so that was nice. The food was good, but nothing to rave about. I will add, the host when we walked in was EXCELLENT and checked on us several times. I believe his name was Alex. read more

Having been here twice in the past month, I know I'll be here again in the near future. The restaurant offers a great mix of very tasty foods, helpful staff and a full bar. As a newer restaurant, it is getting a lot of business. On both of our visits (which were before 6 o'clock) we were able to get seated quickly. By the time we finished our dining, the place was packed and people were lined up for a table. The menu isn't huge; however, it offers something for everyone. Our friends are not adventurous eaters but they each found something on the menu and ended up loving it. In addition to the menu items, the restaurant normally has a special. On my last visit I had their meatballs on polenta special. It was simply fantastic. The restaurant has some really good drinks on their menu. I'd suggest going outside the box and trying one of their concoctions. Staff on both visits has been helpful and well informed. They have clearly eaten the food and on both trips were able to make excellent recommendations. While they have burgers, wraps and tator tots; this isn't bar food. You won't pay bar prices either; it is a little pricey. That said, the food and service has been worthy of the final bill. If you are on the fence about it, give it a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. read more

See all

We had a great meal here recently. The staff were friendly and had great recommendations for our first time. The place is spacious, but I would still recommend making a reservation. The sweet corn tots and cheese curds were a great starter. The smoke house and bacon jam burgers were phenomenal. A little on the pricier side for the area, ($18+ for a burger) but totally worth it. read more

See all

First, the atmosphere is very warm, a little dark but it really works! We had an amazing waitress, Lauren. She knew the food and explained it to a point that she made me want to order the burrata. So glad I did...The burrata appetizer is incredibly fresh and light eating. The flavors are there but not overpowering. Wonderful presentation. I ordered the brisket French dip. Wow!!! It was a deep rich flavor with a subtle crisp to the brisket and the horseradish wasn't too much, just right, complimented with a lite hoagie bun. And then the French dip sauce was so incredibly meaty tasting. A big win!!! My boyfriend had the side of brisket with the Brussel sprouts. The brisket was same as the sandwich...rich and lightly crispy. The brussel sprouts were crispy and full of flavor. We decided to get their crème brûlée. Wasn't excited about it being orange flavor (apparently it changes often) but to my surprise it was fantastic!!! Very light, thin layer of sugar with a nice crumble for texture on top. Another big win. This place is great. Would suggest to anyone looking for an upper scale burger and smoked foods. read more

See all

Food. Service. Ambiance. Kimchee burger. People. Jackalopes. This place is a MUST-SEE in Appleton. Grace told me the kimchee burger is on its way out so you better hurry up. read more

Great service from Ben and the entire staff. Food was amazing! My family had hot chicken sandwich, OK smash burger and an amazing salad! Drinks were excellent and dessert was delicious! You have to try the beignets. This place has a great ambiance to it! Love the ceiling and decor! We will be back! read more

The ambiance was relaxing with lower lighting and the service was great, but the food not so much. Both the appetizer and main dish were saturated in oils and salt. Probably would not return for the food, but would consider stopping in for a spirit to unwind and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere. read more

We walked in and whe bartender had waters infront of us before our butts hit the seat. We ordered some smoked wings which were delicious. Then the bartender ignored us. We wanted to order food we still had our menus finally grab the other bartender and place our food order. The food was excellent once we got it. The mushroom buger was $24 it was good but that's a little spendy. No sports on the tv. The Brewers were in the NLCS and they hey had a cooking show on. Asked for game and she said they didn't have any way to put it on. When the burger is that expensive they should be able to pay for cable. I hear the ribs are awesome on Thursdays. read more

The staff is very friendly and efficient. Unique craft cocktails and killer Smashburgers. The closest to Kwikie Snax diner from my younger days. 5 Stars!! read more