Nitty Gritty-Madison
| Address: | 223 N Frances St, Madison, WI 53703, USA |
| Phone: | +1 608-251-2521 |
| Site: | thegritty.com |
| Rating: | 3.7 |
| Working: | 11AM–12AM 11AM–12AM 11AM–12AM 11AM–12AM 11AM–1AM 10AM–1AM 10AM–12AM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 14
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Jared Wold
With the Nitty Gritty, you have to know what you are getting yourself into. I hadnt been here for my birthday for a couple years, and my last birthday reminded me why I loved the place so much. Obviously this is a great place to go on your birthday. Free beer or soda or (this was news to me) a couple low cost cocktails all day! You get your mug (and a balloon or button if you are so inclined). Shots are varied and relatively inexpensive, and the food is solid. My personal favorites are the Gritty Burger and Fries (I can thank those fries for saving me from detox on my 21st Birthday!) and the boneless wings, which are HUGE thin chicken breast strips breaded and served in a choice of sauce. The atmosphere is always fun, and really the only drawback is that it can be really crowded with somewhat slow service at times. I dont recommend it if you need to get in and out quick for a Badger Basketball or Hockey Game or for state High School tournaments. But if you happen to have a day off on your birthday and can get a little loopy at lunch, this is a great spot.
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A Private User
Service horrible, food okay, better to come here for drinks than food. Ive been here many times for drinks and last night was my second time for dining; celebrating the birthdays of two friends. Our waitress came to our table once to drop off the food, and did not check back at all. One person got a burger with everything when they asked for a burger with nothing. Another person got the wrong sauce on their burger, and I got no side of mayonaise for my sandwich. All of these problems could have been easily rectified if she had just stopped by once to ask how everything was. By the time I did get the side of mayonaise which I had to ask for my sandwich was lukewarm. She did not come by once to refill anyones drink or even ask. Worst service ive had in a long time. Fun atmosphere in the bar though.
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A Private User
Went there for my birthday (as is the trend) and earlier in the night 8-ish) we went for dinner and drinks and it was great. Fast and friendly. When it got to ten (their "Power Hour - cheap rail drinks and beer), we waited over half an hour just to reach the bar. People were pushy and the bartenders were running around. The drinks may be price cheap, but you can never get to the bar to get them! Also, I wouldnt say its expensive. Try ordering off the appetizer menu ($4 mini corn dogs, fries, sliders, etc.). Call ahead if youre having more than 4 people!
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A Private User
The food is good. However, and this is probably just a function of the large crowds, the bar service was awful. They take your ID and your credit card, and they will not give you it back until you buy $10 worth of drinks. They thought they knew who I was even after me telling them I was someone else, then they said I owed more than what I bought. I had to tell them for the hundredth time I wasnt that person. They didnt pay attention and didnt really care. Maybe thats just a bar being a bar but I dont get that feel from other places.
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Sophia Carayannopoulos
Great service and great food even their delivery is phenomenal. When I had ordered food for delivery I had asked for no cheese and no dairy products. They delivered my burger with a note saying the changed the bun because this bun was dairy free. Yep, they took the time to make sure that my order was exactly what I asked without me having to give every excruciating detail. Ive been to many restaurants but this is the first one that every really made sure I got what I wanted :) THANK YOU NITTY GRITTY YOU GUYS ARE GREAT!
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A Private User
Go here for Burgers and beer. Salads are pretty great, too. Just *know* whether theres an event at the Kohl Center, or UW Graduation, or anything at all that packs the downtown campus area. If so, the bar is so packed you can barely move, the bartenders are swamped, and the dinner wait can be counted in hours. When theres not an event, youll have fantastic service, great food, very reasonable prices, a lighthearted atmosphere, free beer and Mug and balloon on your birthday, and overall a great Madison experience.
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Sam
Good food, service, and atmosphere! We were seated in a booth, received our drinks very quickly, and our food earlier than expected. I ordered a prime rib sandwich and didnt even finish half of it, I was so full! The Wisconsin cheese curds are amazing, as usual. We went a little late at night, around 8 oclock and there were lot of younger people around the bar. It looks like a fun place to hangout, whether youre grabbing supper or going out for a few drinks with your friends.
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A Private User
Terrible service. Every time Ive been. Ive been a lot. Several times for food, catch a happy hour drink, or power hour--all been very below average service. "Joe" is a jerk. Hes going to tell you he hates you. I think hes a fairly new co-owner... but the worst if you ask me. They better stay a "birthday bar" because thats about the last thing they have going for them. Wings are actually delicious. Everything else is almost worst than eating garbage.
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Ron Gratz
I think its one of the MOST overrated bars in Madison. So many other places to get a good burger. This place lives on their reputation of being a birthday bar (and being close to the Kohl Center) but thats as much as Ill give it. Its hard to get a drink at times, a lot of college students go there. Ive never had an experience at the Nitty Gritty that has been positive so the only reason I reluctantly go there is when Im invited for a birthday.
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Amanda Forsting
Everytime we go to Madison, this is one of the must-go stops on my bucket list (The other being Essen Haus). I find the Nitty to have the absolute best curds among all the places Ive been, and everything on their menu that I have tried has been absolutely fantastic! On a cold rainy or snowy day, they have some awesome hot cocktails! I love this place and always will!
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Avery Hall
The birthday theme is so fun! Not sure what the special was, but on a Thursday night we got big (strong) drinks for three for about five bucks total. Not the best drinks ever, by can you really complain for that price? Good throwback playlist. Shoulder-to-shoulder downstairs - upstairs is a little more chill. Definitely a college scene but fun for a night out!
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Ryan Schmudlach
I have always struggled to understand the hype of this place. The burgers arent that great, the bar is extraordinarily loud, the free birthday mug is a great gimmick to get all of your friends to buy pricey drinks, and the clientele seems to be exclusively bros and the stereotypical sorority girls. If thats your thing, then you might as well give it a shot.
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Matt Lynch
Great burgers and free drinks on your birthday. However, they have apparently started taking reservations (something they didnt do in the past). If you dont have one, prepare to be condescended to by their snooty host, who seems unable to believe that people dont make dinner reservations at bars.
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Lynn Freeman
Group event upstairs. Last year, we did the same event, and the food was out too early, cold when we ate it. This year, we waited 25 minutes for the pre-ordered, buffet-style food to come out. Disappointed with the service. Will try somewhere else next fall for our work team celebration lunch.
