They have the best milkshake I've ever had! Chocolate peanut butter is my go-to. Some of my friends say the nutella is really good too, but I'd definitely pick the Chocolate PB over any other. They give you the shake in a glass, as well as whatever is left in that metal glass they use to make the shake. So you get quite a lot! I could honestly finish it all in two large sips, that's how good it is. Really filling though. This one time I had that shake for breakfast (yes, yes I did) and I was full until dinner! The fried chicken club salad and gritty burger (you don't really need the cheese, coz that gritty sauce is more than enough) are also great, as are the fries. I would totally recommend the waffle fries - beware of the appetizer portion though, its pretty big! The white cheddar cheese are really good. They're so light, and go perfectly with the gritty sauce. Chicken strips are decent too. read more

Nitty Gritty - Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Food-1 star. All through out college I tried very hard not to succumb to birthday dinner peer pressure. The gritty sauce is not good & I always leave nitty feeling like a train rammed into me. For a good burger, try dotty. Bar-3.5stars-only worth going during power hour. They raised the prices since I went to college, now a whopping $1.25 for a mixed drink, Madison I think I can afford this ;) the music is always Good but never new top hits, & the place is packed. I would never stay. Here past 11:15, leave & go to another bar! SKIP the FOOD. read more

I went here with a group of friends to celebrate my friends birthday (obviously). The Nitty Gritty is known as the official birthday spot in Madison and that it is. However the food was subpar. I ordered the sunrise burger which was pretty good but the bun overpowered the burger. The cheese curds were a nice side dish but I've had better. My issue with the food was my friend's dish. She had ordered a burger medium well and it came out medium rare at best. Also her bun was wayyy too much for the burger. However their Gritty sauce was very delicious. The service was alright. Again nothing special from our server but we were a big group and she at least handled that really well. The atmosphere was everything a madison bar and grill provides so it was fun. People were there for their birthdays and to enjoy some basketball games that were on. Overall a great place for your birthday (mainly on the weekend because of the free drinks) but for burgers I've had better. I will be returning to give it a couple more shots! read more

It's been awhile since I've been to the Nitty Gritty - at least a few years. We recently stopped back in on my boyfriend's birthday so he could take advantage of the bottomless mug you get just for being born. We were out around 6 on a Thursday - the bar was pretty empty when we arrived, but it was quite full by the time we left a little after 7. Bar service was prompt and polite, and they were sure to refill the birthday boy's mug as soon as it emptied. There's a special railed off area for birthday patrons to get refills, but sitting at the bar will also get the job done. Though it's been years since I've eaten at the Nitty, but I have fond memories of the chicken strips and Gritty sauce - next time we want some deep-fried goodness I'll have to keep the Nitty in mind. I'll probably opt for takeout though - while we had a nice enough time, I felt very, very, very old. Most customers were college kids, and families celebrating with their children. I asked to sample a raspberry hef that was on tap and the bartender told me it was her favorite thing on the line. One sip told me why - it was super sweet and tasted like a combo of raspberry Pucker and stevia. College me might have also liked it, but adult me wants no part of a drink that could be replicated by dumping a Smirnoff Ice into a Miller Lite. Long story short - it's hard to beat free birthday drinks, but if your plan isn't to get plastered, stop by earlier rather than later. read more

First time at this bar, I had issues with some staff being unprofessional, I will not be returning.

As soon as you enter and tell them it's your birthday, you get to pick your balloon and then head to the bar to start your unlimited drinks! Soda of course for those who are underage. I got the sirloin burger with waffle fries. It came on Texas Toast and was honestly such a great burger. I was so full I couldn't finish it. It was probably because of the first mug I finished before the food came out. Great for groups. I saw a lot of families with kids too. I got a tiny sundae at the end with a lit candle. It was adorable. The ambiance is nice. It's very dark inside. In interested to see what it's like during the day. I like how they call all of the names of people who have come in to celebrate their birthdays. They also write your name on the board at the bar! Great service. Great food. I'm going to checking out for lunch some time. read more

This is the place to go for your birthday. Gritty burger is awesome. Onion rings were meh. But still a great place. read more

The Nitty Gritty is definitely one of the places to go if you want to enjoy a good meal and have some fun. Their food, especially their appetizers, are super good. I'm a huge fan of the cheese curds. The nacho plate is GINORMOUS. The onion rings have a good batter to onion ratio, and their wings are super flavorful. I haven't had their burgers recently, but the last time I did, it was quite memorable. The sauce was delicious, and the ingredients were good quality. My favorite part about the Nitty is the dart board. I always have a good time playing darts with my friends here. For 4 people, it's $3 for a game, which is pretty reasonable at $1 per person. read more

Burgers was good. Fun atmosphere and our waitress was friendly. It was very busy but they seated us with a reasonable wait time.

Late night good grub. Bun was over sized on my chipotle burger, but the burger came out really good. Had cheese curds as a side and a few drinks. Very lively for a sunday night. read more

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I've only been here for birthdays. Nitty Gritty offers free drinks for your birthday. Why not? What else can you ask for? The burger of the day is a good surprise every now and then, but I like the Big Grit because it's their biggest burger. It's loud here, but that's expected. Lots of college kids being obnoxious and all. read more

The food and service was good, but the women's bathroom was dirty. My husband said the men's room was disgusting. My rule of thumb is that if the bathrooms are dirty the kitchen probably is as well. Not going back. read more

The birthday spot! It is always fun coming here on your birthday for all the freebies you get (bottomless beer, birthday dessert, NITTY GRITTY MUG!). I've been to this location a few time and enjoyed the bday luxuries. Beyond the shiny freebies, it's a decent place to grab a burger, lots of veggie options in the burger department! They have an extremely cheap "power hour" where you can get $1.25 drinks (the cups are small, but c'mon, it's still a great deal). It's usually v crowded during that time, but not impossible to get a drink. Service varies, but it's a rather large restaurant and the food is very reasonable, so I don't typically go in expecting fine dining service. In summary: go on your birthday! read more

Thank you so much, Nitty Gritty, not just for exceptional food, but for exceptional service. My family and I were in town from Omaha, NE, and you guys were our last stop before we drove home. I had the spaghetti and meatballs, and they were the bomb. I went to the restroom, then we began our drive home. About five hours in, I realized I left my favorite sweater in our booth! I called in a panic and you guys said you would help me out. Oh my gosh, not only did you ship me my sweater, you sent me a pin, too. You guys are the best! See you next time we visit Madison! read more

Nitty Gritty - Spaghetti with the best garlic bread ever - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Nitty Gritty was a birthday tradition for our family when I was growing up. This location is our favorite one! Now that my husband is a Madison-newbie, it is a guarantee that we go there for his birthday celebrations! I believe it is free beer (or soda) all day on the day of your birthday (or within a week of.) You get a glass collectible mug for your drank and pick your balloon color! Lol. This is standard American fare with friendly service! When I came in with a broken ankle (and a wheelchair,) staff cleared a place at the table for me and made sure that I was comfortable. The Gritty Burger and vanilla milkshake cannot be beat. Come and enjoy yourself! read more

A favorite bar and restaurant of mine in Madison. The power hour deals are phenomenal and a basket of fries always pairs well with a rum and coke. Bar service is inconsistent but overall a pleasant experience read more

Posting a negative review for the staff and food wastage. We forgot our to go boxes which contained 2 full burgers and came back almost immediately (withing minutes) to get it. The server is saying with smile that oh sorry we threw it as people generally dont come back to get it...really? They couldnt save it for 2 minutes or maybe even check to see if the food is good enough to be donated. They were ready to just throw away everything...so much food all gone to the trash! read more

Had dinner at Nitty Gritty with the family while visiting the University of Wisconsin. The menu had a great selection and the service was good. We got a burger, chicken pesto sandwich and the pretzel bun pulled pork sandwich. All were delicious. Ordered a flight of beers from their extensive selection and enjoyed all of them. Fun place for casual dining. We will be back if U of W turns out to be my daughter's first choice. read more

5 stars!! My friends and I love nitty gritty. Yummy food and drinks. We experienced exemplary service from Sydney D! :)

Excellent! Manager went above and beyond making our meal perfect. Server was attentive. Chef even came out to check on our meal and explain how the BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich was prepared. Best Vegan Sandwich I ever had! Fries done to perfection too. Thank you for making it such a perfect night. read more

The beer is good, but the burgers leave a lot to be desired. I got a bacon cheeseburger cooked medium and it was rare/medium rare at best and was hard to eat. The cheese curds were good though, and service was average. read more

Eh, not my favorite. The crowd is a smattering of college kids as well as older folks celebrating their 10th? 11th? 12th? 21st birthday anniversary. It's a strange combination. Drinks are weak during their $1.25 rail drink hour. Seriously, I'd rather pay a few bucks more and get a full-strength beverage. The only thing I found impressive at the bar was how trashed my friends managed to get off of $20 worth of booze. read more

Go to the Nitty Gritty for cheap alcohol. There's really no other reason to go. The Nitty Gritty is an okay place if you're looking for a bar that has good drink specials. Other than that, the Nitty Gritty doesn't smell good inside -- the front entry area smells like a frat house (old beer/dirty carpet stench), doesn't have very good food and doesn't have very good service. I went here for a friend's birthday party. I ordered a drink and some cheese curds. Our server was either confused or frazzled because, although the restaurant wasn't very busy at the time, she kept forgetting things and needed several reminders from us. My cheese curds weren't very good and were likely frozen. I know fresh, fried cheese curds -- and these definitely didn't fit the bill. You can't go wrong with a $2 cocktail, though. The birthday beer and balloons are a cute concept as well. PS: Anybody older than 25 is going to feel really old at the Nitty Gritty. The vast majority of patrons are college students. read more

If you want less than average food, service from college kids who have a less than caring attitude, in a dirty environment...this is the place for you. Our experience was flat out horrible. Our food was delivered nearly an hour after ordering. The beef, if you can call it beef, nachos were misplaced, lost and then delivered much later with cold fake nacho cheese that would only attract rodents. Burgers were maybe average. The chicken fingers are of the Sysco truck variety. Just nasty. No one really liked their food in our party of 8. It was nearly 9pm when we got our food and we just forced it down. This place has gone down hill. I will never eat here again and I will only recommended it to my worst enemies. One word to describe this place: Brutal. read more

We came here for a late lunch before the game. We waited about 15 minutes for a table for two and just hung out at the bar until our name was called. Then we got seated at a booth upstairs next to the window which had a nice view. Drinks - I chose from their summer cocktails, I had the mint tea julep. It was pretty good, but I was a little shocked by the quarter inch of sugar sitting at the bottom of my cup. I guess the menu did call out sugar as one of the ingredients. My friend just got the spotted cow, which you can't go wrong with Food - We shared the mini corn dogs to start which are always good - you can't really go wrong with those. Then I had the nachos off the appetizer section which came out on a giant platter and could feed four people. I liked the mix of cheeses, some shredded and some of the nacho cheese dip. My friend had a chicken sandwich which she also enjoyed. The service was attentive and fast, the food was pretty good and affordable. And if you're local, it sounds like it's worth coming out here on your birthday. read more

Nitty Gritty - Drink menu - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Not a bad night spot. Filled mostly with college students but not so rowdy as to not have a great time and experience some great drinks while networking read more

So, I'm in my early thirties but am clinging to my late twenties. I'm here from out of town and stroll in at 11:45 on a Wednesday looking for food. The music is late 90s / early 2000's, and the bar is moderately packed with twenty and thirty somethings. I approach the giant bar and pick a spot with great tv and people watching views. The bouncer chases me down and asks for my ID. I chuckle and hand it to him. But, man did that feel good. The bartenders (three) are super attentive. The guy that mainly serves me--Ben--gives me amazing local beer samples based on my stated tastes. Then, he gives me great menu suggestions. While I'm ordering, a guy approaches the bar to order 9 (yes, nine) shots. A girl comes up and tells him a friend of hers "looooves" him because the friend likes "seasoned" guys. I die laughing. She starts hitting on me. Ben saves me. Whew. I order a Sunrise Burger that basically comes out in seconds. It's amazing, except that the bun is a bit stale. Everything else is delicious. The side of Wisconsin cheddar cheese curds that I ordered based on Ben's recommendation is so amazing that I get a second. I proceed to calculate the number of miles I'll need to run tomorrow to undo this. Totally worth it. So. Good. Someone is singing happy birthday in the most obnoxious way- for the second time. Apparently, this is well known as, "the birthday place." Sure. I miss my twenties and now resent my birthdays But, not in this place. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to sing along to the Backstreet Boys... read more

Love coming here for my birthday! It's pretty awesome! I enjoy ordering my drinks from the special Birthday area! We had a waitress and she was amazing! Happy hour is awesome, you can get 1/2 priced rail drinks with your birthday mug so... for the non-beer drinkers. There's a tip for you! I got you covered! They also announce your name throughout the night to represent for the birthday folks! This is a great starter place for an awesome birthday night! Bathroom is pretty clean as well! Also, if it's after 10pm and there's a long line, try to hold off on that cigarette if you smoke (I don't smoke but my friends do) or you'll end up at the back of the line when coming back inside!!! read more

Nitty Gritty - My birthday balloon!!!! - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Whenever I go out for dinner and drinks I make sure to get names! I went in last week and I must say it was amazing! The lovely host, I believe her name as Ruby was great. She greeted us with great energy and sat us super quick. I also went up to the bar for a drink and there was a wonderful bartender in training Maddie who seemed to have been working there forever! Overall, great food, great service, will be back! read more

Pretty fun college bar! Went on a Sunday night in the summer so it was pretty empty. That being said, they had some great drink specials. Service was ok not great. When we got there, we just walked in only to be chased by the bouncer a few minutes later because he was off who knows where. The drinks seemed pretty easy but took longer than other places around town. We sat in a nice large booth which was clean (I have found sticky tables common, especially in college towns). read more

The Nitty is a Madison staple, and although it has a college bar feel, it's still a great place to grab a beer and meet friends. The staff I've encountered have all been helpful and friendly - the bar was packed in the middle of a busy "power hour" but the bartenders patiently and attentively explained the menu and took our orders. If you're looking for an inexpensive drink, come at 10:00pm for $1 High Life. If you're hungry for food, the burgers are also surprisingly decent. read more

We came to Nitty Gritty for breakfast one Sunday morning. We were in from out of town and we needed breakfast ASAP. Unaccustomed to the lines in Madison (what's with that?) we opted to come here because we could sit down right away. The one thing that was strange was how dark the setting was. Outside it was bright and inside felt like night. Anyway- we were happy to be sitting with drinks in our hands. We ordered cheese curds, because, Wisconsin. We had a mixture of breakfast and lunch items and everyone enjoyed their food. They were on a limited menu which was disappointing, but I would have been interested to try other things. This was a comfortable college bar type place to sit, drink and relax, I would come back here. read more

Great burgers and cheese curds plus the gritty sauce! Fast and friendly customer service, AND they were happy to honor the city tin coupon for takeout due to the pandemic. They offer curbside pick up too! read more

The Nitty is a game day staple. Good burgers, good sandwiches, good drink deals. My go to meal recently is the grilled cheese and soup. With their grilled cheese, you get to select two cheeses to use. My choice is American and Mozzarella. It has that taste you think of and the mozzarella makes it really gooey! The soups are always really good too! If soup is not your thing, order fries, cole slaw, or a salad. The bar is a good place to wait for a pal before the game or to watch the game on TV. The restaurant part has some TVs too but it's a bit more for conversations and Birthdays. If it's your birthday, don't forget to bring your ID for a mug full of beer or soda refills. It's not a fancy place but it's a Madison tradition. Definitely worth a check and see. read more

Nitty Gritty- The Place to Go for Birthdays. I went here this year for my birthday but did not order food. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the staff was very fun in helping me celebrate. They gave me a free balloon, beer mug, and some beer. I thought it was a fun place to begin the bar hopping. When I came here on a time that it was not my birthday, the place was a bit crowded. It was still fun but a little anxiety inducing. If you like larger crowds- check this place out on the weekend. If not then check it out during the week. read more

The nit grit is a birthday classic that keeps on giving. the veggie burger is quite excellent, but those cheese curds knock it out of the park EVERY. TIME. The alcoholic milkshakes are decadent, and although this spot can get annoyingly fratty, the cheap drinks during power hour make up for it. love the creative drinks too - the shot menu alone is impressive. my favorite bartender by far is Collin. quick with the pour and patient with customers, his charm really completes the easygoing feel that the nitty provides. read more

Amazing place to stop for lunch!!! I had the mac and cheese with pork on top. HUGE bowl and oh so delicious! My son, who considers himself quite the hamburger connoisseur, got the gritty burger and said it was amazing! They even brought small little ice cream sundaes for kids after lunch. My grandma got fish tacos and there were three huge ones! She said they were so good. read more

Had a good burger with all the typical bar food sides. Burger was great... blue burger with blue cheese. Fun atmosphere and friendly staff. But, it was very busy. We plan to go back the next time we are in Madison. read more

Came here 5 pm pre-hockey game. It was a 20-25 minute wait for a table. Not too bad of a wait and we had the time so we opted to grab a drink and wait. We weaved through people, managed to find a space big enough for our party of four to stand, though we were still elbowed and bumped as others weaved through. But, if it's this busy, must be awesome, right? Ok, I understand I'm not 21 anymore and bar hopping isn't a typical night, but the music was insanely loud. People were shouting to try to converse, and the Happy Birthday song to celebrate the birthday patrons was even louder. We waited well over our 25 minutes, but finally got our table. The burgers were really great. Hot, fresh and delicious toppings. The drinks were great for the value and I enjoyed people watching here. We needed to turn on our flashlight app on our phone to read the menu. I imagine this would be incredibly fun for a birthday celebration as you get a cup and balloon to celebrate and let everyone in the bar know it's your birthday! I would not want to bring my kids here as there isn't a good place to wait and I know they would hate the noise. But, food and drinks really were great and worth their value. The service at the table was great. Our server kept sofas full and literally hopped to his next table. read more

"Madison has some of the tastiest burgers that I've ever had. This is a really fun burger house where they serve up delicious charbroiled beef burgers with an awesomely memorable secret sauce." read more

Nitty Gritty - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin