Nitty Gritty-Madison — Restaurant in Madison

Very poor in many areas. It seems as if Nitty Gritty is hit or miss, and we just happened to get a bad night. Your mileage may vary. We went on a Sunday night, not busy at all, and maybe that was why the food service was so incredibly slow. Maybe they were understaffed; maybe the servers had to cover a ton of territory. After an initial, very friendly couple of visits from our server when we were getting ready to order, we saw the server maybe 3 times over the next 60 minutes. I had to pop over to the bar for a refill on my beer because the server was nowhere in sight. The bartender was very nice and prompt. But come on, isn't that what table service is for?

Our entrees-- simple bar food-- arrived after about 40 minutes. Again, the place was relatively empty. I'd ordered the "upgraded" burger platter with special, seasoned waffle fries for a $2.50 extra charge over the "regular" fries. But the waffle fries were paltry, unseasoned, and room temperature at best. I've made MUCH better fare in my air fryer, using frozen supermarket fries (which these surely were). We'd also ordered an appetizer that didn't come, and the server agreed to put in the order when our meals had come. Just when we were ready to write it off altogether, the appetizer finally arrived about 20 minutes after our entrees, an hour into our visit.

Will I go again? Probably, because I'm an out-of-town UW parent and I like staying at hotels in the area. My kid has had decent experiences at Nitty Gritty, and will want to go again. If they come through in better form the next time, I'll update this review. But come on, folks. It shouldn't be that difficult to serve hot, decent bar food within a reasonable time period. I'm chalking this experience up to pandemic blues and will hope for better...

For people with no concern to allergies this place looks like a really fun and great place but if you do have allergies do not come here till they train more! Got a GF burger and breaded chicken salad My waitress said she would ask as she wasnt sure there was a gluten free breaded chicken salad only grilled even though on menu. After awhile I went to the front to ask and the the guy informed me there was. so I went back to my seat the girl comes out to deliver food with another girl and they both tell me no only grilled is what the cook said. when I informed her what the other guy said she said let me go recheck and then came back later and apologized and said there was and he was a new cook and didn't know. So I waited awhile and they finally brought out the salad great I go to take a bite like this is to good sure enough she runs back out grabs the salad and apologizes and says that's not your salad so sorry and walks away she comes back with another chicken salad which sure enough the chicken was different. when brought up to I believe Gavin who said he was the manager he said no that was GF what she brought out, I tried to explain that she came out several times and he was like oh ok well I took it off so your good. Needless to say couldn't trust the food so I didn't eat the burger either such a bummer as they have great reviews but definitely need better training. Ended up being sick which is a bummer this was the only restaurant I tried as the rest of my food I prepared myself the two days I was in town. Hopefully they can train all staff in the right procedure of food and to reconfirm, maybe put something indicating...

Note: This review is from a few years ago.

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...