Mar 31, 2024 by Meghan C.

This place was awesome. We went to the downtown location and they had a beautiful outdoor patio. It feels like you're sitting in a garden. They have a kids menu too which was amazing for our girls who had French toast and Dino nuggets. They were happy which made us happy too. The hubby and I had burgers and side salads, which were really good. Highly recommended!

Mar 24, 2024 by Mark C.

Great local corner bar in a 100 year old building. Great character!! Lourdes took great care of me as I was one of 4-5 losers in the bar at 3:30 in the afternoon. Ordered medium rare steak and came out medium +. Fries and steak both came out warm. I really hate when the kitchen screws it up for the help.

Mar 18, 2024 by Richard B.

Always a must have when we return to Madison. Great food and drinks. Service is always top of the line. Thanks Hilldale Location

Feb 12, 2024 by Estella M.

Wings are fire. I also appreciate the gluten free menu! Service solid. Pool tables are fun.

Feb 04, 2024 by Isabella K.

Best mac and cheese I've ever had. Same with the peanut butter cheesecake. My partner said the Mayan chicken wrap was just okay (he probably won't be ordering it again). Great ambiance. Low lighting and lively crowd. Got seated quickly. Friendly staff. I can envision a sitcom taking place at The Great Dane. I'll definitely be returning.

Jan 24, 2024 by David F.

I ordered take out, upon arrival it was cold...ok no big deal, my wife took a bite of her burger and immediately spit out a chunk of plastic wrap. door dash gave me a refund. im still very disappointed

Dec 29, 2023 by Hunter S.

Food was amazing, some of the best mac and cheese and burger I've ever had. The building was very neat, first time being in a restaurant with two story's. The only downside was service was poor. Our waitress took my drink for a refill and came back about 30 minutes later to check on us and didn't bring the refilled drink back, then on top of that our booth was quite dirty. Overall would recommend to try, and would probably try again myself in hopes for better service.

Dec 28, 2023 by Nicole W.

We forgot our password for our regular account so we have to start over. We were visiting between christmas and thanksgiving. We had great service! Sadly we cannot remember any of our servers names from the whole time we were there. The beer was exactly as we expected. The Mac and cheese was amazing! the salad was bigger than we expected! Great time all around! When we come back next year we will visit again!

Dec 28, 2023 by Nicole And Bill W.

We forgot our password for our regular account so we have to start over. We were visiting between christmas and thanksgiving. We had great service! Sadly we cannot remember any of our servers names from the whole time we were there. The beer was exactly as we expected. The Mac and cheese was amazing! the salad was bigger than we expected! Great time all around! When we come back next year we will visit again!

Dec 16, 2023 by Hadley B.

Came to Great Dane to show my dad and sister who were visiting a good time. We were playing pool, and a group next to us was very hostile with the space. After trying to make positive solutions with this group, this group told us numerous times to "f*ck off" and were calling us names. We decided to get an employee to help us. Mistake I suppose, because the employee did nothing after also being screamed at by the hostile group, and ultimately, we decided to leave after continued "f*ck offs" from this group while all we were trying to do was play pool :( On my way out, a group member would not let me pass and called me "a piece of white trash", but again, the employees didn't care and the group was allowed to stay. I used to love coming to this location, but I will NOT be returning.

Dec 14, 2023 by Alyssa L.

Service was terrible. Server was rude and demeaning towards my family. Her name was Lizbeth. Complained to the manager and was given a discount on our check, very kind of her. However, Lizbeth made it a point to come over, look past all of our dirty plates on the table and search for the cash we had laid out for the check. Very snobily she brings us our change. Will not be returning to the hilldale location because of this. Food was decent but overall not with it with the quality of service we received. So many places offer similar options as the Dane but I always choose it over others due to the great service I normally receive (at the other locations, first time dining at hilldale in awhile). Overall, very disappointed in our service and hope that something is done to change her behavior.

Dec 13, 2023 by Shannon M.

Well, if you like pretzels, this is the place! We had a three course meal and pretzels figured into each course (yes, even dessert). The soups (both potato and brown ale onion) came with pretzel croutons; the peanut butter cheesecake had a pretzel crust. And I haven't even mentioned the pretzel board! This consisted of crunchy, crackling, brown soft pretzels served with garlic butter and Bavarian mustard, along with pickles and salami. Our server was a bit...off beat. When the soups came, I realized we both had been given teaspoons and asked if there were soup spoons. The response was, "Be glad there are any spoons at all." Uh... We also ordered root beer for drinks that came out well after the first course and only because my boyfriend mentioned it. The restaurant was bustling with people, but not insanely loud; when we first came in we entered the door for the pool hall, which was much noisier. Overall, one to watch in Madison for pretzel fans!

Dec 10, 2023 by Chicki D.

Can't say enough about this great place. Walked in and was a little nervous because it was very noisy but happily I found the restaurant part was on the other side from the bar! We ordered famous Wisconsin cheese curds which were by far the best I've had. Husband got the fish fry which he said was perfect. The French onion soup was incredible. I ordered a salad which was absolutely loaded with all the great things I love in a salad...Granny Smith apples, dried cranberries, walnuts, Gorgonzola cheese and field greens! I've never had so many walnuts in a salad ever and that's my favorite part. Actually we went there because of that salad. So I would recommend this restaurant and driving down there you get a great view of the capitol.

Dec 08, 2023 by Kim K.

Lourdes is fantastic, bowl so good , I tell u forget other places, just come here, clean atmosphere, delicious bowl so flavorful, I travel for a living, I know a good place from a bad one, if I no like I walk out, I proudly come back here,

Nov 27, 2023 by Soza M.

Delish delish delish. But. There was NO sprecher root beer!!!! This is absolutely unacceptable and should be changed immediately. I had to drink WATER. As a child this was extremely disappointing. Do better. PS This was 2015 by the way so maybe this was changed. Hope you did better!

Nov 05, 2023 by Kenna G.

Husband had an I-5 and didn't care for it at all. He didn't even finish it. Our burger wasn't done and the fries were cold. The vibe was good. Our server was nice. Husband said the potato soup was good. Our hotel bar has a better beer selection. It's not a brewery. It's more like a chain restaurant.

Nov 02, 2023 by Kelli P.

Late review, we were here in October 2023. Our party of six had a great evening having dinner on the downstairs outdoor patio. The trees are lit beautifully; it's a perfect space with lots of greenery, vines, and flowers. The appetizers and entrees were amazing (had a yummy steak salad) and all enjoyed different beer and cocktails (purple haze was delicious). Our server was attentive and prompt. Passing through the restaurant bar area was lively and the downstairs hallway leading to the bathrooms has a great dane bust with a history description and a large UW Bucky statue. We could see the brew tanks down there, too. Fun!

Oct 19, 2023 by Damon D.

I like going to the one on Jupiter Drive, at the top of the hill just off Cottage Grove Road. Great view for miles. Service is good and the staff are friendly. Good burgers and a great selection of beers.

Oct 14, 2023 by Lori E.

We have recently gone WFPB and so we are trying to eat better when we go out. We loved this food! My husband had the Mediterranean bowl and cleared the plate. I brought half mine home as we splurged on the nachos, no meat, but we did have cheese. It was so good, some of the best nachos I've ever had.

Oct 09, 2023 by Mark U.

Great bar with a spot for everyone. This restaurant/bar/sports bar offers an atmosphere for everyone. Take your pick on where you want to sit and the food and drink will have you wanting to come back for more. Great food selection and drink menu. Service was good and knowledgeable on menu items, served with a smile and friendly conversation. With so many choices in downtown Madison, this one is a must-try.

Sep 23, 2023 by John W.

Good location. Beers, food and service were average. Not sure if I need to visit again.

Sep 13, 2023 by Jaclyn T.

Really nice waitress at the bar and good service but the boneless wings were awful. They were hard as a rock and overly cooked. Felt immediately sick after. Fries were good though! Loved the atmosphere. Just could've had better wings.

Sep 11, 2023 by Livvie A.

The burgers at the Great Dane are super good! When you think of a midwestern burger joint this is it and comes with really friendly staff to make it better. The place makes you feel like you are sort of at a home which creates a really nice ambiance. cool experience overall when I went.

Aug 19, 2023 by Ange C.

So lucky to be here in Madison for the CrossFit games! A friend and I came here for dinner and it was quite busy! They had a special menu for CrossFit games to I ordered a bun less bacon burger with fried sweet plantains. It really hit the spot. Friendly Midwestern charm, quick service, really great crowd too. We were here on a Thursday evening. I also got to order fried cheese curds as an appetizer- what a treat! Think of string cheese but like little chunks. It was crunchy and good.

Aug 19, 2023 by Barb M.

My first time in Wisconsin and I'm here for work. Stopped by for a late lunch on the patio. I am on my own but my server Michelle made me feel so welcome. Michelle gave me a few sample ales to try which was lovely. I had the Scotch ale and highly recommend it. It paired perfectly with the cheese curds. I also has the steak salad. Everything was fresh and delicious.

Aug 18, 2023 by Lewis H.

I've had several business dinners here Today we hosted 20 people Our server Liam did a fantastic job The food is always great and the drinks tasty Go and try it ask for Liam

Aug 18, 2023 by Liann A.

Came here for dinner during the week while on a work trip. We were hoping for a walleye fish fry but they didn't have any during the week. They were able to accommodate our seating for 5, we didn't really want a booth so we moved over to the bar stool area, they have both indoor, outdoor, and bar seating. Service was pretty quick. We started with some Brussels sprouts. There was a special wing deal that came with beer which is what I got and I got the Korean flavor with the bone in, Soo good. They had a full bar with wine, beer, and cocktails. They were able to split checks and the whole area was huge. They have a downstairs area for events and I can see this really poppin at night. This is in a pretty busy area so parking can be quite difficult, there's some street parking.

Aug 04, 2023 by Robert B.

We stopped in here as part of a mini brewery tour of Madison. I really wanted to be a fan, but I just couldn't. Let's start with the positives. The staff was present and efficient, but far from friendly. Okay, no big deal. I'm not here to make friends with the staff. The interior is cool with multiple pool tables, shuffleboard table and soft tip darts. Always fun. Lots of TVs also are nice. Also, the drink prices are quite reasonable. No complaints. The problem comes with the beer. This is a brewery and their beers are really just not good. Their fruited sours are neither very fruity or sour. Their mango or passion peach IPAs were almost completely missing the fruit and definitely not IPAs. Their flagship I5 IPA was a confused mess of too much mealtimes and pure buttering hops with no flavor or aroma. Very disappointing. The beer and the service is why I have to give them just 2 stars. I hope they can pay more attention to quality and find their passion in the future.

Aug 01, 2023 by Michael T.

Cool atmosphere at this place, server was fantastic, beer was really good and the food was great. Definitely recommend

Jul 27, 2023 by Wade T.

Perfect for a quick pit stop for food and beer. Great selection, open and inviting atmosphere, history. Nashville chicken sandi a little tough, but sauce was great. Very friendly. On agenda for next time around.

Jul 27, 2023 by Brian W.

Dropped in to waste some time, great location and space for meeting friends. Staff was super nice letting me try a few beers and explaining differences.  I had 2 beers and sat looking out the front window.  The poutine was delicious with a good gravy and cheese curds on top.

Sep 19, 2021 by Careena

The food and staff is amazing

Dec 08, 2020 by Mitchell

The entire menu reads well; it was hard to decide. I went with the Mediterranean plate with salmon. So much food! I was more than satisfied.

Dec 01, 2020 by Eric D.

Perfect place to grab drinks and even a bite to eat. The restaurant has a nice inside that has activities like shuffle board and pool to play while you drink with your friends. The staff is really nice and knowledgeable about their beers as well as quick with their service. You can't go wrong with any of their food, but you should keep it light because the beer is so good.

Nov 24, 2020 by Jolina S.

My first night back in Madison,this place is the go to for Cheese Curds !! So I've been here one other time the service was so so much better this time, they have dine in and all tables where socially distancing each table had hand sanitizer!! Mask required, loved the food chicken pot pie one of a kind, Reuben has Wisconsin Swiss loved the Irish twist

Nov 14, 2020 by Nathan P.

Good spot, lots of room, great food. I had the pretzel bun, brat and bacon burger with fries. A ton of meat to eat but was all cooked perfectly, really liked the grilled onions. Good fries too, sweet potato or regular. We also had the cheese curds, pretty good, but didn't wow me as I heard they would. My wife had the chicken pot pie and liked it very much. The kids ate Mac n cheese and grilled cheese. Mac n cheese was excellent and grilled cheese was huge, def bigger than kids sized and could easily be split between two kids.

Aug 30, 2019 by Albert C.

Was SOOOOO HYPED to try the Cajun chicken.... Tasted great with the sauce but the portions was questionable. I haven't been back to Madison since I graduated and my gf hyped me up for this sandwich and we were both in awe.... the photo speaks for itself! Sadness traps on my return.

Aug 20, 2019 by Josiah B.

This place has a cool name for sure.  It's just way too loud  to eat at.  They offer excellent prices on Hydro Flasks.  Definitely not a date lunch or dinner place.  If you're looking for a college bar feel minus the college kids this is your spot.

Aug 17, 2019 by Jonathan R.

Great service and amazing food! I had the burger and fries which was pretty standard but very good quality and my friend had the Chicken Pot Pie which looked like it was straight out of a fairytale! The patio is awesome when the weather is good!

Aug 12, 2019 by Michael A.

Ambitious menu, underdelivered. The falafel wrap was unequivocally recommended by server as best vegetarian option. It wasn't good. Friendly and fun atmosphere, food place to watch sports. Fun to try several beers at $1.75 for 4 oz pour.

Aug 12, 2019 by Rachel L.

We heard there was great beer and a wide variety of good menu items at this place right next to our hotel, so made the quick walk over. The inside is typical pub decor. I love the great Dane logo everywhere! The place was pretty busy, but no problem getting a table for 3. We decided immediately that we needed to share an appetizer of cheese curds, since we were in Wisconsin! These were delicious and I enjoyed the crema that it was accompanied with. If you split with a few folks, you'll each get to eat 7-8? For entree, I continued the trend of cheese and potatoes with an order of poutine WITH the fried chicken. This was a nice choice! Gravy was nicely flavored and there was a strong hint of garlic in the actual melt cheese curds as well. The fried chicken was chopped into strips and topped with chopped chives. Very enjoyable. At first I thought there wasn't enough gravy, but then found that it's just hidden at the bottom. I'd recommend. College vibe that we found very casual and comfortable to talk and hang out!

Aug 09, 2019 by Michael C.

I like the Great Dane and eat there regularly, especially on Fridays when I enjoy their clam chowder. BUT - Aug 9 at the Fitchburg location my bowl of clam chowder lacked clams and potatoes. It was more like warm milk that a clam pissed in and a potato sat next to during the making.  It took so long to get my meal and I was so hungry I did not send it back to the kitchen.  My mistake.

Aug 09, 2019 by Landon B.

Better for the drinks and night life than for the food. Depending on the spot you get, there won't be space to watch the game, but the staff is always friendly and timely.

Aug 07, 2019 by Creative F.

We came there for a good lunch as we were fairly hungry. We waited for our food for at least 30 minutes, even though there were only eight people in the restaurant beside us. The cheese didn't taste good if anything it was just melted sandwich cheese. The restaurant was cold and the food didn't taste too fresh. The edges of the burger tasted burnt. If anything the only good thing was the water

Aug 05, 2019 by Davlon S.

This spot came highly recommended and it did not disappoint.  Great drinks and great food. My party of 3 tried the  geese curds and they were better than the ones we had just tried at our hotel restaurant.  The menu had a variety of craft beers and mixed drinks that you can add CBD oil to for a small up charge. The food on the menu was varied and it was actually difficult for us to decide on what we wanted. The Nashville hot chicken sliders I got were delicious and the fried plantains were much better than I expected. I have 3 more nights here in town and we want to experience more spots but I wouldn't be surprised  if we came back here before we leave.

Aug 04, 2019 by Andrew P.

Waited 80 minutes for our food. Yes they were busy because of the CrossFit games being in town but if you know this then hire more people. Another option would've been to let the customer know about the delay then we could go to eat somewhere else.

Aug 04, 2019 by Josh W.

When visiting Madison one must explore the downtown area, and if one is hungry in the middle of exploring, one must eat.  This is not a bad place to get that meal.  The wife and I tried the opposite ends of the menu with the Harvest Bowl, and some limited time burger (a bunch of good and random toppings).  Both meals were solid at hitting the taste and quantity spots.  We would've been happy with the meals, but the real stars of the show were the dark beers on tap.  The brown ale and porter were smooth, and worthy of the WI beer legacy.

Jul 27, 2019 by Todd G.

Was visiting from Chicago and was told to try this place out.  Wish we could have ordered some food, but my family sat for a good 10 minutes at our table and nobody came to even ask if we wanted something to drink.  Needless to say, we left and went to the Tipsy Cow.  Wish I could have given this place ZERO stars.  The Tipsy Cow was GREAT!!!

Jul 22, 2019 by Chris C.

As longtime customers of the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company, my wife and I thought the downtown location would be perfect for our wedding after-party. We reached out to the Large Party & Events Coordinator, Tara, who was very kind and informative. We booked the outdoor beer garden but were concerned about potential rain, so Tara also reserved the indoor Rathskeller. Fortunately, the weather held up, but it was a relief knowing we had a backup plan. Our food was delivered on time, the beer was great as always, and the party was a perfect end to the night. Now we can not only recommend the Great Dane for drinks and dining, but we can also add private events to the list!

Jul 19, 2019 by Eric

Great outdoor space in the back. Best Nachos in town.

Jul 14, 2019 by Claire J.

There are many great places to get some great food in Wisconsin, and The Great Dane Pub is in my top three. The staff is so friendly and the food is SO AMAZING. The baked cod is actually really good, and the falafel and pita sandwich looked and smelled great. I will definitely be back!

Jun 28, 2019 by Rilakkuma R.

Seriously! amazing spot! price is great! wings are on point! fish fry is amazing! great beer and cocktail selections! will be coming back!@

Jun 28, 2019 by Christa H.

The Dane was awesome! We sat outside in the garden in the evening and the vibe was super chill. We had a salad and sandwich which were delicious followed by a milkshake for dessert! The wait staff was super nice and the restaurant was really cool. Highly recommend!

Jun 27, 2019 by Miranda G.

Great Dane had a nice selection of food choices. There's was something for everyone in our group - be it a burger, a salad, or a fish entree. We visited as a large group on a busy night, so our service was slow. Otherwise, everything we ate was fairly good and reasonably priced.  The only major issue we had with the food was that one soup order came out cold, but it wasn't worth the trouble of sending it back at that point. All in all, Great Dane has lots of options and good food, so it's a safe bet if you're looking for a bite to eat.

Jun 25, 2019 by Leah K.

Love it here but wish you would bring back the beers around the world bc it's awesome

Jun 24, 2019 by Tim

Taras cajun chicken sandwhich was very yummy!

Jun 24, 2019 by Bob G.

Was  disappointed we were not offered a patio dining table. Read about this being best outdoor dining place in Madison and Hostess did not even mention outdoor seating option. We instead sat inside and helped train a new waitress. Fish & Chips were way over breaded. Did not care for them   at all. Wife had hamburger which was good.

Jun 21, 2019 by Peggy S.

We loved the garden area! Food was great, music and atmosphere rounded out the evening! Would love to visit again.

May 30, 2019 by Mario J.

Me and the wifey went here for a anniversary meal, we were coming from Minneapolis see our daughter.  We've been here several times.  I had the Jamaican jerk chicken wings, the server recommended them, they were quite tasty and very well seasoned.  My wife had the fish tacos, with rice and black beans, they came with a barbecue sauce and a small harbeniero sauce which was hot, hot , but very tasty.  My wife gave me a taco in exchange for 3 wings, nice deal.  We also had some cheese curds which were outstanding, they were cheap, but they were worth it as they give you a ton of them.  Overall, a great meal as usual at the Great Dane Oub.

May 21, 2019 by Sara G.

Very friendly waiters, good food, prompt service! Can not complain about the way I was treated. I hope to return someday and try out more of the menu.

May 21, 2019 by Bryan H.

BBQ pulled pork was tasty. Service was good. Brew was good. Prices were good. Overall great experience.

May 12, 2019 by Makenzi W.

I was in town for a business trip and stopped by after receiving a recommendation from a friend! First thing I noticed, there was a pretty bad smell upon entering the venue. However, the hostess was kind and quickly helped me take a seat (PS if I wanted to sit at the bar, I would have sat myself. I know I'm one person, but even single parties enjoy sitting in the dining room). The menus are ADORABLE! The floral spring menu front was beautifully designed - I had to take a picture. My waitress was very attentive and helped me navigate the menu. Traveling from Texas, I had to get the things I can't get back home. So I ordered some curds and fish tacos (Texas has fish tacos btw. But every area does them differently). The cheese curds were great and the fish tacos were delicious. That habanero sauce - HOLY HOT! Watch out. That stuff will make you cry! Overall, great experience. I would totally recommend it!

May 08, 2019 by Haley H.

Service was absolutely terrible. We heard this was the best place to go but we're let down. Our waitress walked by many time without asking if we needed anything or refilling our water. However there was a really good looking waiter!

May 07, 2019 by Elizabeth B.

I visited for the first time yesterday and the service was good and the happy hour old-fashioned was amazing! I got the pretzel bun brat burger with sweet potato fries and it hit the spot. Nothing blew my mind (hence 4 and not 5 stars), but everything I had met my expectations well. The drink, however, I would come back for--a good deal for $2.

May 04, 2019 by Mayra L.

Came to visit a friend for her birthday weekend in Madison and she brought us here. We started with cheese curds and they were delicious. I had never tried them before and I was amazed. They were perfectly fried, the batter was not too thick and as soon as you bite in the cheese just melts in your mouth. Perfection. My sister and I shared the Wisconsin Mac n cheese and the Friday fish fry(fried Lake Perch). Both were delicious as well. The fish fry came with fries, slaw, and tartar sauce. The fish was crisp, tasty, and not too thick either. The Mac and cheese was creamy, cheesy and perfect. Managed to try Wisconsin staple foods all in one sitting!

Apr 28, 2019 by Jason S.

A great place to hang out with friends and enjoy the famous chicken pot pie!!!   This dish always remind me my Grammy's cooking.   Just love it!

Apr 27, 2019 by Stephen V.

I'm completely perplexed! I've written numerous words about this place and yet, this afternoon I am seeing that they aren't here. I used to frequent the Fitchburg location on Fridays. That was because I knew the place from prior stops at mostly the Cap-Square location that I first visited back in the early 2k's. Back then I went with a friend who liked the place and had grown up with what I was introduced as 'the chef'. This guy also played in a band with my friend, and we drank a bit together that night and had a grand o' time. Over the next couple years I would occasion the place with the same group, and also began enjoying the food. once in a while I would encounter the cook guy. He drank, and we drank, and he and I would talk food. Years continued to pass and I explored the menu. Fitchburg. I found myself working in the area with a frequency a couple years back and became friendly with a couple patrons who themselves would suggest their favorite menu items, so I tried different things, and settled eventually on Jaime's Fish Tacos!! This is the part I have written numerous times, both as a comment about this place as well as a measuring stick of accountability for countless other places who claim their Fish Tacos are supreme. Jaimie's Fish Tacos at the Dane are above reproach. Though they are not the finest of fish selections that could be utilized, they exceed the flavor scale on every measure! Tilapia has a bad reputation, at least to my mother, (she, bless her heart, fed me and my sisters pounds of truly shit-encrusted frozen fish sticks growing up, so her opinion as regards to her prejudice against tilapia is nada.) is negative. I on the other-hand still enjoy it when it's prepared well. And cooked as this is done and served with a excellent Habanero sauce (bbq too) alongside, it so tasty. The hamburgers are exceedingly well prepared as are the soups. All items are prepared from start to finish, as far as I've ever discerned. As for the cook, he is actually gone, but I am happy to see when I stop in even today, the menu hasn't been notable altered. I'm also prone to add, that while the chef I mistook as merely a chef, he was actually the exec chef somewhere during this period. I eventually became acquainted with the man who taught him, and he's taught me a couple cool things as well. Nothing in these words is about them, for while I eventually became a sort of friend to them, they are gone to my knowledge and remain anonymous hopefully.

Apr 16, 2019 by Nick W.

Great spot to watch games Fun games to play pool, darts, shuffle board The beers are ok nothing special Food is ok nothing special Still best place to watch sports

Apr 13, 2019 by Conner L.

I had the pub wings and they are very very good wings.  I tried the 3-Alarm, Asian BBQ, and the Habanero Hellfire and they are all top quality sauces.  I would recommend not getting all habanero because it's homemade and very spicy.  Great ambiance, great beer, and delicious wings.  8.5/10 would highly recommend.

Apr 12, 2019 by Jose Bien H.

DATE NIGHT ALERT! There is plenty of brews for the many different pallets and preferences! My personal favorite is the Crop Circle Wheat! They also have liquor for all you mixers and (insert something fancy) on the rocks folk! Late night menu, although limited, still offers a good amount of variety in selection - not to mention their large portions. Share plates and tip well! On top of all of this, there are four pool tables, two dart boards, and a shuffle board! Activities GALORE! Have fun! I swipe right on this business.

Apr 12, 2019 by David Z.

Trendy menu, packed with followers at noon, prices on the higher side ($13.95 for a Harvest Salad with tofu and a 2-piece fish fry with fries and cole slaw for two of us). Huge interior, lots of fans. Decent food.

Apr 10, 2019 by Rachel S.

My husband and I came here while in town for a visit and watched tow of the NCAA games there.  The drinks were great, food was solid and service was excellent.  Highly recommended.

Apr 10, 2019 by Dan N.

The Great Dane used to be my go-to for a lot of things, including late night eats.  This is my first time back to this location in years, and it's not as good as I remember, but still solid. My go to used to be the Cajun Chicken sandwich, with a side of plantains.  I used to think it was amazing.  This time it wasnt memorable.  Honestly I cant remember what was less about it-- dry?  Too little chicken?  Bland?  I mean, literally, it wasnt memorable.  I just had it, and my mind is blank.  I'm sure I'll give it another try in the future. I also got the soft pretzel with beer cheese.  It was a little stale and not quite soft enough. On our recent visit, we had a large party and wanted to be seated in the quiet dining room so we could talk, but our server insisted on seating us in the loud bar so she could have our table for herself, even though we politely requested to be moved and there was plenty of room. Why am I still giving four stars?  It's a Wisconsin institution that serves food late, has a diverse menu with many ok, good, and great items, and I'm sure other future visits will be better.

Apr 08, 2019 by Jim H.

Would not recommend this place. Bathrooms were dirty. Drinks weren't cold and when, in my party of eight, was done dining two of the ladies in our group found one or more hairs in their food. I'd stay away. A lot of downtown customers are stearing clear. I'd advise you do the same.

Mar 09, 2019 by Greg B.

Here is my experience at the Great Dane on the east side. It has been mediocre at best. The staff for the most part has been rube to me every time I come in. Maybe because I am in my 50's and they caterer to people younger. Examples are I ask for tooth picks and they tell me go up front and get one (even though there is know one up there). Another example is I ask for a beer and they try to keep the change unless I ask for it. This bar and grill is very convenient for me but if I don't get better service I will go to 1855 in cottage grove down the road.

Mar 07, 2019 by Diego M.

I was very impressed by the Great Dane! I highly recommend this place if you want some fun downtown or before a show at The Majestic. We had a quick bite to eat here before a show and also grabbed a bottle of champagne to pregame with. The bottle was pretty cheap for the quality. I was also able to drink it freely from the bottle which I enjoyed. The Brussels sprouts we had were really really good. I was very impressed by them! They were well seasoned and delicious! The plating was also very impressive. The service here was amazing. Our server joked with us and accommodated us! The vibe here was to die for. I really love it! And the music they played was a great mix of 2000s and new music. This place is really versatile. You could have a night out with the boys, a date night, or a place to grab a beer and enjoy the game by yourself. Overall a solid spot in Madison. Will 100% be returning to eat all the Brussels sprouts.

Mar 06, 2019 by Sophia M.

I'm from out of town and a local recommended this place. I ordered a flight of four beers and loved all of them, especial the seasonals. They have great mac and cheese too. Glad I was given this recommendation and will definitely be back next time I'm in Madison.

Mar 06, 2019 by Mark M.

This place was recommended by my bosses neighbor, originally from Madison, and even though I've never met him I like him already. This place just has a cool feel to it, like I'm really upset I didn't get to explore this place to the fullest. I say this because we went for lunch and it took every ounce of willpower to not belly up to the bar and try all of their in house brewed creations. Lunch wasn't awesome though, we started with some cheese curds and finished with a ginormous burger patty atop a brat patty, topped with bacon, sautéed onion, and melted cheese. I had my colloidal burger accompanied with battered and seasoned pub fries, all served with a stone ground mustard. This place was awesome, I hope to go back and experience the real feel soon! Since I didn't go all in, drop by and give em a try!!! Pro Tip: Be mindful of your lunch selection, they aren't stingy about their servings and want to make sure you leave fat and happy.

Mar 04, 2019 by Gwen C.

I LOVED The Great Dane. We started with one of the mixed drinks on the menu (a whiskey cocktail for $8 is an incredible deal for someone visiting from New York, let me tell ya) and snagged seats at the bar to order dinner. Their cheese curds were delicious, and I enjoyed the chipotle chicken quesadilla for dinner. As a group of 5, we decided on sharing a few pitchers and it ended up being a great deal. The atmosphere is really fun, especially on a Friday. Lots of younger people either eating, grabbing a drink, or both. Great place to start a Friday night out!

Feb 07, 2019 by Paul B.

This review is solely on the beer. I had two Devils Lake Red Ales and they were delicious. I'm a big red ale guy and these were probably the best I've ever had. I seldom order two of the same but this was worth it. The food looked really good from what I saw. I'll be back.

Feb 04, 2019 by Daniel D.

Great beer, great environment. Loved the crop circle wheat! The food is usually pretty good but ended up being over salted this time both the wing sauce and the chicken on the southwest noodle dish. I'd still recommend this place to anyone.

Jan 08, 2019 by Walt W.

I give it 5 Stars cuz I had a great time even though I got kicked out it was really no big deal you know The food was great drinks are great I guess the problem was I took some LSD and decided to take a shit in the hallway looking back yeah my mistake made it you look through it my sister said she voted for me I heard from a lot of people who voted for me in California with lot of people who voted for me in Colorado and Florida and wrote me in all day they were never on our ballot in Wisconsin where they

Jan 01, 2019 by Daniel C.

This review is for the beer and atmosphere. I have had the food and it is decent, but I wouldn't come just for the food. I really love the Dane for the beer, vibe and games! They have several pool tables and an awesome shuffle board table that they charge $8 per hour. I have a blast every time I come here. Most of my friends live outside of Madison but when we come back, this is one of our go-to meetup spots. 5/5

Dec 31, 2018 by Amber L.

Cheese curds, nachos and wings all met expectations. Nothing surprising, everything tasty. We tried, I think, nine beers? (Thank goodness for 4oz pours!!) Eight of them were goddamn amazing. This brewery is doing a lot of things very, very right. Emerald Isle, I'll see you again soon.

Dec 25, 2018 by Jaimie K.

One of my favorite Madison restaurants! From the burgers to the Caesar salads to the wings, you can't go wrong.

Dec 24, 2018 by Neal E.

There's a reason it's called "The Great Dane" and not " The Just OK Dane", or "The Good Enough Dane". What makes this place great is that you can have just about any kind of night you want here. Need peace, quiet, and a beer/cocktail after a long day of work? The downstairs bar area's low-lighting, chill music, and expert drink-makers will ease your mind and gear you up for another work day. Even if you're looking to paint the town red, you can bet the Dane has you covered on that front, too! The've got pool tables, dart boards, a very spacious bar area, and much much more! Or maybe you're just looking to try something new, break up the monotony? Well, The Great Dane has recently added CBD to their menu!* I've tried it myself, and I can tell you, it's the bomb.com! Go and have a great time at The Great Dane! *healthline.com/nutrition…

Dec 24, 2018 by Thomas H.

This is one of my favorite local watering holes.  The beer is great, and the food always plentiful.  I typically order IPAs at the Great Dane has one of the best.  Check them out!

Dec 24, 2018 by Samantha G.

i always feel like i want to go here a lot and then when i get here i remember why we don't go here that much...the menu is almost overwhelming there's so much on it, & it's all over the map. then whatever you order is generally alright. not great just ok. makes me wonder what they could do if they streamlined their menu & focused more on a somewhat smaller amt of dishes? however, the staff is always very friendly & accommodating, & their drinks are delicious.

Dec 21, 2018 by Jarod R.

Ordered a pub burger and falafel wrap through eat street. Food arrived warm and pub fries were crisp with an awesome seasoned salt. Would order again!

Dec 12, 2018 by Liza P.

I couldn't have been less impressed with the Great Dane.  I spentt $80 to feed myself and my kids,  and I went home filled only with regrets. I got the nachos,  and the pulled pork sandwich.  My grubs got cheese curds,  chicken wings,  and the brat burger with fries. The curds were a hit, but honestly - can you really go wrong with curds? There are no bad curds. The wings were sent back,  because they were dried out and gloppy with sauce. Unappetizing to look at, and not tasty. The brat burger was SO greasy,  I could have wrung the grease out and fried an order of fries in it. Somebody got diarrhea that night,  and I'm not telling who. The nachos were covered with jalapenos, which I asked them to omit, so they had to remake them. And guess what came out at the same time as the food? You guessed it right, faithful reader! The nachos! They weren't that good,  and they were expensive. The pulled pork was so incredibly salty, and tasted weird. The coleslaw that came with it was decent,  and the fries were also decent. Standard fries, you know? The service was good, though. Our server was attentive and took good care of us. The one thing we did like? The homemade sodas. The ginger ale was out of this world,  and I received good reports on the cream soda.

Nov 24, 2018 by Donald M.

Madison has some very nice restaurants surrounding their capital building, but The Great Dane seems to have a good foothold on their spot. They have a good selection of brews so i recommend a flight.   We ordered cheese curds for an appetizer.  I personally didn't have any, but there were a lot and our table ate them all. I took a roll of the dice and went with the chicken pot pie, and I was not disappointed.  Nice flakey crust with a thick and hearty filling.  Large chunks of chicken that were tender.  I would love to have it again.

Nov 20, 2018 by Mike L.

Great jerk wings and tacos tonight!   Had great service and atmosphere.   The scotch ale and citra were spot on and tasty!

Nov 17, 2018 by Mary S.

Came here during our visit to Madison. Wanted to hit a couple breweries and this one was right near our hotel. I had a White Russian but my husband had a saison that he wasn't too crazy about. The place was just ok but their cheese curds were actually one of the best I'd had! They came with a hatch Chile crema that I really want to recreate! So flavorful! We got the Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders, which, if you e read my previous reviews, I am huge fan of. My husband and I shared since we'd had the cheese curds as well. When the dish came out, the fries were a bit cold and after a couple bites of one of the sliders, my husband discovered that it was not fully cooked in the middle. After that, he was done eating and didn't finish. Unfortunate but I guess it happens!

Nov 15, 2018 by Kris B.

Really like this place. Good beer choice - nice variety. Food is great with a varied menu. Nice atmosphere. I was in town for only a couple of weeks but went a few times. Try the Brussels sprouts. If I come back to Madison, I will definitely return to the Dane.

Nov 05, 2018 by Kara K.

Variety of selections. Food was tasty. Brews were limited but good. Old Glory is recommend if you like something light but still on the hoppy side.

Nov 04, 2018 by Crystal D.

Wait time was less than estimated which was good.  The beer was delicious. The cheese curds and SAUCE was fabulous.  My spouse ordered a medium cooked burger and fries.  It was well done,  dry, and tasted like grill. He never adds sauces and this time he did.  It made no difference. The fries as well.  Unfortunately we sent it back. The mac and cheese was edible....pretzel was good!  The waiter was very stressed out with multiple large parties, seemed to be one of two waiters.  He was very kind.  The food was subpar. Not recommending.

Oct 27, 2018 by Miranda H.

One of my absolute favorite places to eat! We were craving the poutine so bad, we drove from St. Louis just to have it. The savory pot roast gravy mixed with the butter cheese curds and perfectly seasoned fries literally brings tears to my eyes. The Webster salad is so delicious and filling, but light and leaves you feeling satisfied not sluggish. I love how fresh all of their ingredients are and the staff is always so friendly. The prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is laid back while keeping a hipster charm. Will be back for years to come!

Oct 26, 2018 by Rich H.

Went there while in town to catch a Badgers game. Went to this place to grab a bite to eat and watch the Brewers Game on Friday night. It was an hour wait when we arrived. A couple left from the bar so we quickly sat at the bar. Bartender asked us if we would like menus and just eat at the bar, we said "Absolutely". Very glad we did. Great atmosphere, bartenders & servers are super friendly, beers are delicious (Scotch Ale was my favorite after sampling 3 different beers), burgers were really good, cheese curds were ok - the sauce though was Amazing though! I will definitely go back there next time I'm in Madison and need a place to eat!

Oct 15, 2018 by Emma A.

What a find. Such a great location... inside and out! We got cheese curds to start (mouth watering), and then ordered chicken pot pie, the Mediterranean plate, and turkey club for an entree. Mine was the pot pie, so you can trust me when I say WOW that's good! If you're looking to warm up in a cozy pub to watch the game, look no further. We plan to be back at least once!

Oct 07, 2018 by Jillian W.

Always had great experiences at the Great Dane. Tonight, however, was a truly disappointing & frustrating experience. We sat at the bar and watched the bartender drink. a. beer. while ignoring our group. I understand it's a Sunday, & everyone's tired, but this was truly an example of poor hospitality. I really would love to give the Great Dane 5 stars, as I have always loved coming here in the past. But after tonight, I don't know if I will ever want to come to a place that so obviously does not care about anything other than drinking on the clock.

Sep 29, 2018 by J. M.

Nice, friendly place that makes their own beer in an interesting building with several levels and rooms (including a pleasant outdoor beer garden) to explore, right in the downtown area near the Capitol building. My favorite beers are the German Pilsner and Wooden Ships E.S.B.; they also make good food and have a late-night menu.

Sep 27, 2018 by Iwona B.

Fish tacos, tomato and mushroom bisque and high-point harvest bowl were delicious. Great beer selection, cute outside sitting area and extremely friendly staff. I am definitely coming back!

Sep 23, 2018 by Rachael W.

I always have positive experiences when I come to this Great Dane whether it's for lunch, dinner or just drinks with friends. The most recent experience was during a busy lunch rush which the staff handled well. The wait time was accurate for our party of 6 and when we were seated the waitress was prompt. Even though she was busy she consistently checked on us and apologized for a kitchen mix up on our apps which she took off our bill. Our drinks were well made and we all enjoyed our perfectly prepared burgers.

Sep 13, 2018 by Chris K.

In Madison on business and as a Great Dane fan (and dad), I knew that I had to pay a visit to the Great Dane Pub.  Wonderful atmosphere and clientele mix, friendly staff, reasonably priced drinks, and a healthy offering of typical bar games.

Sep 03, 2018 by Nathan H.

We found the holy grail of burgers here today: the Brat & Bacon Pretzel Burger. "Literally the best meal I've ever eaten in my life." - My dad, Age 55 The pretzel bun, bacon, and cheddar were all "on point," solid, but it was the brat patty that elevated this burger to a higher plane of existence in the realm of things a person can experience. On another cool note - at the beginning of our stay, Pops and I both asked for some free tasters of their Stone of Scone and Emerald Isle Stout. Instead of bringing us each 2 tasters, our waiter brought us each 3. He just sauntered up to the table like, "Hey, I brought you some samples of our porter, too since it's pretty similar to the ones you asked for." What a bro.

Sep 02, 2018 by Savage Cinnamon R.

I absolutly love this place.The apple cheddar pie has to be the best pie I have ever had!

Sep 02, 2018 by Jennifer A.

I went to this place pretty late on a Sunday night to hear some food after arriving from out of town. I think because it was so late the servers were in mindset of closing up shop and going home... But I'm not willing to write this place off for good - I think this was just one bad experience. Pros: - food was decent - beer selection - open late Cons: - extremely slow service - only a small late night menu after a certain hour

Sep 01, 2018 by Mason B.

Already plenty of reviews about the food and beer here, so I'll cover something else. This place is great to come to if you're looking to have a social event. Plenty of pool tables as well as shuffleboard for the casual player. Pool tables cost $8/hr but they're pretty relaxed with the time constraints as long as nobody else is waiting. Would be an ideal spot for a mixer or some other social gathering, especially on weeknights when it's less crowded.

Aug 28, 2018 by Tiffany S.

I've been to the Great Dane several times and always thought it was just okay. This past week, however, I had a chance to sit in their outdoor garden and it was just wonderful. It's not the first restaurant with an outdoor patio in Madison, but it was one of the *loveliest* patios I have seen, with its lush greenery and string lighting. A+ for ambiance. It's great for a large group, and the upstairs balcony can provide a more intimate setting for smaller tables. Other general comments: - The fish tacos were pretty mediocre--I think sticking to classic American foods is your best bet at the Great Dane (burgers, fries, etc.). - The wait for the outdoor patio may be long. When I went on a Thursday night (group of 3), we waited 25 min for a table outside. I can imagine it's much longer on busier days.

Aug 27, 2018 by Andrew B.

Been here twice and had good food both times. Just what I was looking for in a brewpub - prompt and friendly service with good beer and better food. Ordered spicy dishes both times (I recommend the Nashville hot chicken sliders) and wasn't disappointed with the spice level either time - just enough to make your brow sweat.

Aug 23, 2018 by Serena M.

Went around 3p. Some people playing pool, the bartender seemed irratated that i wanted to get 4oz of the different beers. She didnt even write them down till i asked her to because I kept forgetting which were which. The place really unorganized and messy with random boxes laying everywhere.

Aug 20, 2018 by Charlie W.

The Great Dane is just so underrated. The menu has so much variety and   all the food is fantastic. Food comes out quickly and the waitstaff is excellent. Cool location and outdoor seating area.

Aug 20, 2018 by Marissa L.

We stopped by the Great Dane when in Madison earlier this summer and had a nice dinner. We sat inside, but their outdoor courtyard area looks like it would be an amazing place to dine if the weather were nice. The menu is mostly your standard pub fare but with some variations. It looks like they have completely changed the menu since our visit, so the only thing that is still the same from what we got is the cheese curds. These were good, not my favorite in Madison, but a good starter. I had gotten cod with mashed sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts for dinner, which I sadly don't see on the menu anymore, but it was well-executed and quite tasty. The new menu does look good though, and if the dishes are as good as the ones we liked during our visit, we'd come back for another try.

Aug 09, 2018 by Andre F.

Fair pricing, great selection. Most of the beers I tried were excellent. Service was wonderful. Good location.

Aug 09, 2018 by Lily A.

Horrible late night service again tonight. Stopped in  this evening around 11:30 for food and drinks. "Bartender" (in a silly looking hat) ignored me for ten minutes and when he finally came to my side of the bar, proceeded to clean up empty drinks right next to me without a hello, a nod, or any kind of acknowledgement. He then walked away at which point I left to take my business elsewhere. This is the second time I've received bad service from this "bartender" (which is why I haven't been there in months). I'm done. Great Dane used to be a place I would frequent because the service was great. Unfortunately, no more.

Aug 06, 2018 by Kalle M.

Love the beer garden! It can be a bit busy as it gets later but always a good time and they have the best wheat beer around! Make sure to get the nachos.

Jul 22, 2018 by Ethan K.

Friendly service. Great place with a lot of people and commotion. Tried the High Point Harvest Bowl and it was an excellent light refreshing mix of vegetables and complementary flavors. Also had the Fish tacos were above average. German Pilsner was a good summer light beer

Jul 17, 2018 by Madelaine G.

Called to place a to go order off the full menu intentionally before 10 pm when the "late night menu" starts and extremely rude bartender refused to take my order, and insisted that the full menu was unavailable. Unimpressed per usual.

Jul 12, 2018 by Karen K.

i was extremely disappointed to learn that my favorite dish at the Great Dane - the Sesame Tuna Salad with Soba Noodles and Peanut Sauce -  has been removed from the menu.  I have health and dietary issues that limit my dining options - low carb, gluten free, red meat limited to once a week, and a sensitivity to bell peppers.  While this menu has a diverse range of tasty options, given all my restrictions, the Sesame Seared Tuna Salad was my go-to safe choice.   Today in an effort to find an acceptable substitute I tried the Carne Asada Salad.  I was deeply disappointed.  I anticipated that the corn salsa would have peppers in it, so asked for it on the side.  I was right and so avoided contaminating the salad with peppers.  I was startled when the black beans were served also mixed with corn and peppers.  The manager explained that that was the standard "black bean salsa" and of course salsa would have bell peppers.  Alas,  your menu describes the ingredient as "black beans" - no mention of salsa.  Too bad your menu was inaccurate. My main dissatisfaction was the quality, doneness and carving of the carne asada. The cut of meat was flank steak; It was served medium - I was not given a choice of doneness -  and incredibly sliced into tough, unchewable and therefore, inedible cubes, with no regard for the direction of the grain of this, now, leather-hard piece of meat.   I have prepared flank steak for 40 years.  This cut is best prepared by marinating it, broiling it to just barely medium rare, and carving it across the grain at a 45 degree angle into 1/8th inch thick slices that are as long as the flank steak is wide. I was truly appalled at how thoroughly ruined this meat was.  I even tried to slice the tough little cubes into thinner, across-the-grain slices, that I might chew, but, either the knife was too dull, or the meat was too tough, and I could not. PLEASE restore the Sesame Tuna salad to the menu; be more accurate in describing the salad components; and learn how to properly cook and carve flank steak.

Jul 06, 2018 by Patrick L.

Total crap. Horrible food, cheeseball sales-guy server and overall super-disappointing! Party of four and we were all disappointed with the food. Burger with sausage patty was hideous. Black bean burger tasted like a Trader Joe's patty. Pasta dish...we'll, it was as you guessed...not great. Ugghhh...stay away. One star, that's all. Yuck.

Jun 28, 2018 by Ari W.

Popped in to the GD tonight before heading to a Yelp Elite event. It was about quarter to six and the place was buzzing, but definitely not crazy busy. No wait and a table right away. Nice! This GD is probably my favorite of all of them. The outdoor seating area is really a hidden gem and definitely where you should always try and sit, weather permitting. For us, it was about 85-90° degrees outside with a hefty helping of Wisconsin humidity so we passed and sat inside. Womp womp. If the weather was cooler, or even just less humid, we would have been outside. The building is SO COOL and has a very interesting history behind it, too. It's huge, with the bar area and dining areas nicely separated and several different areas to keep it less packed feeling, even when it's full. Now for the food. They recently switched up the menu and I am a fan! Lots of interesting new dishes and of course all the classic favorites to choose from. We started with the Brussels sprouts and cauliflower appetizer. This is a newer addition to the menu and it is good! The cauliflower was my fav, but the Brussels were extremely tasty too. It had two sauces, one with some heat and one creamier, they paired perfectly. For my main, I went with the Fresh Grilled Salmon. It came with roasted new potatoes, green beans, and a carrot curry purée. The salmon had a beer mustard glaze and the whole dish worked together very well. The carrot curry purée - OMG I can't even describe how good this was. It was so creamy and smooth, like velvet. Yum. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the beans were good covered in the purée. The potatoes were fine, but maybe could have used a little seasoning. Really, I have no complaints at all though. Other fantastic dishes GD offers are the mac and cheese, the tandoori chicken, the MEATLOAF (this stuff is seriously great), the cheese curds, among others. And obviously the beer selection is wonderful! Check this place out! All the locations are fantastic, but the downtown spot is truly a must.

Jun 25, 2018 by Kasturi P.

I really wish every town had a Great Dane!! For someone who doesn't always love the limited, greasy options that most bars and pubs tend to have, The Great Dane is a godsend. The menu is FULL of great food, beer, and cocktail options. I ordered the African Peanut Stew and the fish tacos, while a friend got the shrimp and grits and poutine. Do yourself a favor and order that peanut stew!! The fish tacos were okay, the habanero-lime salsa that came with it was way too spicy but PRO TIP: ask for the milder salsa that comes with the other taco dish and they'll give it to you! I tried my friend's grits and poutine, both were delicious. The passion fruit beer I had didn't really taste like passion fruit but was good nonetheless. Our server was literally the sweetest in the world and food/drinks came out fast enough! I was very impressed by the variety of options on the menu and how they were "culturally diverse" (tacos, southern fare, etc). Definitely recommend!

Jun 20, 2018 by Dreea L.

Adorable atmosphere, some of the best chest curds ever, and the most amazing ranch Ive ever had in my life! I could bathe in it!!!!

Jun 17, 2018 by Cookie M.

Love this place! Traveling through, lovely beers & very tasty nachos! Thank you!  An old hotel w a lot of space.

Jun 16, 2018 by Natalia R.

Things I love in life: beautiful outdoor seating, good food and delicious beer. The Great Dane has all this in spades. We tried a bunch of cocktails and food. Things we loved: mixed berry mojito, passion fruit beer, Bloody Mary, Texas roadkill (or something) beer. Food wise, the Pretzel and Brat burger was to die for. Delicious homemade pretzel bun, a Wisconsin brat, caramelized onions and a delicious patty served with their homemade Pilsner mustard. I mean, WOW. I also tried their Mediterranean chicken sandwich which was decent but nothing great. The service is excellent, the location can't be beat and the food is so, so good. This location is full of history - highly recommend!

Jun 13, 2018 by Kaitlynn M.

The Great Dane is always a solid, consistent spot to grab bar food when in Madison. I went on Saturday night around 8 and was told there would be a 30 minute wait. I put my name in and gave the hostess my phone number. By the time I had ordered my drinks at the bar, my table was ready! Talk about fast service. When we got to the table our waiter informed us that they were unfortunately out of mac and cheese for the night. I LOVE the mac and cheese at The Great Dane so I was somewhat bummed by this news, but this restaurant has so many delicious options so I knew I could find something else that I would enjoy. I ended up going with the Mayan Chicken Wrap and my friend got the Cajun Chicken Sandwich. We both had out sandwiches with fries and enjoyed each bite. Each sandwich was about $10 each. So to be up by the Capitol in Madison on a Saturday night, this is a very affordable place to dine. In addition, during the summer they have a back patio/beer garden opened for guests. If you are headed to The Great Dane earlier in the evening, I recommend asking for a spot back there!

Jun 13, 2018 by Keith F.

The Great Dane seems to be one of those places you stumble upon while on vacation and you say to yourself, "I want something like this place close to my town".  It is in an older building (Downtown Madison location) and the service was excellent. First off the beer is really very tasty. My brother in law had the Scottish, I had the Crop Circle Wheat and the specialty Whit (I think it was passion fruit but I can't remember) just get the whit! All the beer was great. The menu is so very good that I truly believe you could literally close your eyes and point and you would love it. I had the Cuban, I was very happy with the Cuban. My Sister in law had the tandoori chicken and liked it as well. Fried cheese curds were superb. And pretzel sticks were awesome. You seriously will not believe this but the show stopper was the mustard that they serve with the pretzels. A coarse ground spicy brown with a kick and a cranberry mustard that you feel like you died and went to heaven. Yes, I said cranberry mustard, and I am not a cranberry fan either! Go here, don't forget to get a 6-pack to go also!

May 30, 2018 by Kayla S.

Great service, awesome beers, and the food was delicious. Highly recommend if you are in the Madison area! Bloody Mary was one of the best I've had in awhile. I had the Spicy Black Bean Burger, and you could tell it was made with fresh ingredients. Super delicious!

May 05, 2018 by Olivia K.

The Great Dane. A fitting name as this establishment is, to say the least, great. The sexy scent of hops wafts throughout the restaurant and greets you at the door. The waitstaff is helpful and friendly and will not judge you for ordering dino nuggets as an adult. The venue is outstanding. Bored of your family and friends and run out of conversational topics? Shake things up with an intense borderline aggressive game of pool or darts. You could also get away from them entirely and escape to another area of the restaurant as it is truly massive. Not to mention the cuisine is impeccable. I once observed an angel bringing my deluxe grilled cheese down straight from heaven. The beer is brewed in front of your very eyes- they really do it all here! And may I also recommend the root beer. This sweet nectar punches you in the face with flavor and makes A&W seem like dishwater. I would give my big toe for a taste of that holy drink right now.

Apr 26, 2018 by Brian N.

Stopped in for drinks and a appetizer.  The boneless chicken wings with honey spice sauce were amazing.  Some of the best cheese curds you can get in Madison.  Bartender was on point with service and mixed some great drinks.  Would highly recommend.

Apr 15, 2018 by Jeannie A.

Got to love this place. Relaxed enviornment and a very eclectic and diverse menus. Great local beers and burgers.   My husband had a burger and said it was good.  I had a Ruben that's was excellent.  I would recommend to everyone!

Apr 13, 2018 by Chantel S.

Amazing food and service!  The poutine was absolutely delicious.  The beer was tasty and the service was extra friendly.  Raquel our waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and super friendly.

Apr 07, 2018 by Christina O.

You must try the meatloaf, it's the ONLY reason I head to this restaurant when I am in town! The drinks are tasty and the apps are also good, but the meatloaf, it's amazing!!

Apr 07, 2018 by Bob P.

Always surprised how good this place is! We went with work, but the service was great, the apps were outstanding. We had the pretzels, which was the best I've ever had. We also had the cheese curds, again, very good. A bunch of us had the meatloaf, and again, outstanding!! Good stop for all yelpers!!

Mar 27, 2018 by William

Good atmosphere

Mar 24, 2018 by Craig M.

The beer... was underwhelming.  Ordered two different IPAs and was not impressed with either. Cheese curds were okay.  Sauces seemed thin, but decent flavor.   Had the Texarkana burger (because the waiter said they're known for their burgers)...  the burger was okay, cooked as requested, but the beef patty could be bigger, as you could taste more bun than meat. I'll possibly comeback, but order differently next time...

Mar 21, 2018 by Harrison R.

Service was quick and very friendly. Pork tacos were incredible and the unique beer exceeded my expectations.

Mar 20, 2018 by Mark S.

I had pretty high hopes coming here but left feeling rather unimpressed. I ordered a burger and fries and was really disappointed with my meal. Even though I ordered medium rare the burger was really dry and the fries were just not very good either. Aside from my main dish, everything was pretty positive about the experience. We had an order of cheese curds to share. Nice crisp batter on the outside and fresh tasting cheese on the inside. They have a wide selection of in-house brews. We had the Scotch Ale, which was not bad. The staff were really friendly, even offering us generous samples of their brews. Of our samples, I really liked the porter, which I would definitely order if I came back here. Atmosphere-wise, there is a lot of seating available. The booths are nice for a group of four to have a nice dinner, drink, and conversation. Overall it is a place I really want to like, but I just couldn't get past a subpar main dish.

Feb 27, 2018 by Meghan C.

Stopped in for a early lunch.  In and out in 30 minutes.  Be aware it can get crowded here quickly.  Great service.  Had the jerk pork tacos.  Amazing is all I can say!  Full on $15 including my drink.

Feb 18, 2018 by Kasey O.

Food is decent and the beer is pretty good. Setup at his Great Dane is much better than the one towards Fitchburg. If you're looking for a hangout spot for some beer and games, then this place is for you. There are also some tables in a quieter portion for a family meal. Definitely a younger demographic on the weekend evenings.

Feb 14, 2018 by Dusty R.

Yummy ass food and a great patio. The burger had a too much bun to burger ratio, but everything else we've ever gotten here are awesome. Keep it up

Feb 01, 2018 by Nicki D.

General Thoughts: Good food, but a little pricey for what you get. Some people may also be thrown off by the fact that they ONLY have Great Dane beer. No other beer. None. But hey there are LOTS to choose from and they have wine so that appeases me. I've ordered the meatloaf and mashed potatoes there twice and it is always delightful and delectable. The service is always fantastic and they are usually pretty quick to bring out the food no matter how busy it is, and it does get busy. The last time we ate there, I was SO pleased because the waiter sat us at least a table away on either side from other people. I just think that is so courteous. When it's not busy, I'd rather not be jammed in a corner with all 10 groups that are eating there at that moment. Our waiter was also super attentive, funny, and just all around awesome. I wish I could remember his name. I would say the food is good. Not AMAZING but good. The bill is always a little more than I think the food was worth, but for a downtown destination with lots of seating, great service, and tons of beer I still think it's worth going there. Definitely recommend especially to those Madisonites who are entertaining out of town guests. Lastly - they have shuffleboard so... two thumbs up for that.

Jan 29, 2018 by Elsa B.

Wonderful pub restaurant in Madison, WI A great view of the capital is close by. Great selection of beer and excellent pub food, with a varied selection. We came with a large party and were given a beautiful large table by a window. The Great Dane mascot was an impressive addition.

Jan 27, 2018 by Ben T.

I would consider this place to be one of my favorite places to go in Madison. The food is great, the service is probably the fastest I have ever seen in Madison (which is saying something for a town with some of the best service I have seen in many places)  and the beer is delicious. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good, safe restaurant with predictably excellent food and beer.

Jan 26, 2018 by Wendy M.

Cheese curds?  Outstanding!  Old school ambiance?  Check!  Brew quality?  Fab!  Pub burger?  OMG!!!  Nom nom.  Definitely a good spot to experience Madison vibe and famous fried cheese curds.  Don't miss it!

Jan 22, 2018 by M L.

Always a good time. Good beer, solid food and really great service. I've been for lunch, dinner, and late at night to play games...and I've never had a bad time. We even had Thanksgiving there this year when our plans changed last minute and they offered a free refill plate if you got the Thanksgiving dinner special.

Jan 13, 2018 by Daniel Z.

Always fun to come by! I haven't been to dinner here for a while but came for some late night hanging out. My buddies and I like to come here when we're just looking to have some beers and pool. They had a renovation over the summer, it doesn't look that different but it definitely feels newer. If it's crowded, which I can be during prime hours at night, you just leave your name/ID with them and when you're up, they ring a bell. For less than $10 an hour, it's def worth it! Clean and fun place to hang out! The wheat beer is awesome.

Jan 13, 2018 by Kyle M.

My favorite time of year, here, is summer. You can sit outside at their beer garden and enjoy the Wisconsin warmth. Now, I'm checking-in in January and still pleased- only dreaming of warmer weather. Lol The service today was great and I'm trying the quesadillas for the first time. They are a little spicier than I'd prefer, but I'm also a wimp to spicy food. Like, Taco Bell mild sauce is spicy to me. Ha! Other than my mouth a little peppery, the food is good! A definite stop if your a local or tourist visiting from out of town!

Jan 06, 2018 by Kristin S.

The Great Dane has been one of my go-to restaurants in Madison. It consistently has good food and a fun atmosphere. When it's warm out, I believe their garden patio is one of the best in Madison. I also find myself in there for late night fun, since they have a nice shuffleboard table and plenty of pool tables. The bar area is kind of loud, but they also have a large dining room to accommodate a more intimate & casual dining experience. Their menu is very diverse, with a great selection of salads and unique healthy options, as well as classics like burgers and Mac n cheese. I haven't made it there for brunch yet but I've heard good things! As an appetizer I've had their calamari, which was a very generous portion for two people, and their cheese curds, which are some of the best I've had in Wisconsin! I ordered the couscous, which was just okay but my friend had their buffalo chicken Mac n cheese which was really good! We also tried out some of their specialty cocktails, they make a really good dark and stormy! All in all, I would recommend this place to anyone. It has whatever vine and atmosphere you're looking for!

Dec 29, 2017 by Abbie M.

This place was average. Average beer. Average food. We were absolutely NOT blown away in any way. My husband liked his quesadilla but the "highly recommended" fish fry was just ok. On top of "meh" food and drink, in the middle of our meal, our server actually LEFT for the day. She was polite about it but it was honestly the most awkward thing and made us feel like we were in the way - especially since our second server was basically the restaurant equivalent of a babysitter.

Dec 28, 2017 by Heath N.

Nice atmosphere.  Love this place.  Great selection on house beers.  Has several pool tables.  A shuffle board table.  Very open place but also pool and shuffle board have there own area open but separate.  I was at the bar 2 hours and never even noticed them until I left.

Dec 23, 2017 by Kitty F.

I absolutely love the great dane.  Every time my husband and I ate in Madison we go.  Usually we end up in the one in Fitchburg, but this time we went to the one downtown near the captial.  I ordered my usual favorites, since we hadn't been there in a while.  The cheese cruds are some of the best, and the jalapeno dip was awesome.  I'm fairly picky with my burgersand I got the the one I wanted with the requests I asked for.  We did have a bit of a wait after we were seated til a waiter came, but they could have just been busy.  Any Great Dane is a good one and we'll definitely be back!

Nov 24, 2017 by Jaime G.

I visited my son and his girlfriend in Madison and he took us to The Great Dane and we had a blast. Nice crowd, nice beer very nice atmosphere. We played pool until almost 2am and the crowd was still nice. Is a place to visit in my next trip to Madison.

Nov 14, 2017 by Ashley M.

Good place, staff, and food!  Don't come very often as I believe it's a little pricey. But the beer selection is amazing.

Nov 12, 2017 by M S.

Solid time, every time. Have never had bad food or bad service. Appreciate they seem to switch things up on the menu occasionally, keeps things interesting!

Nov 09, 2017 by Kelsey P.

This is my go-to place in Madison! The Great Dane embodies Wisconsin's best (and cheesiest) qualities. It's a perfect balance of American classics with a Wisconsin pub twist. My boyfriend and I have dinner here 2-3 times a month and we are self-proclaimed Dane menu experts. He has a gluten allergy, which typically means he can't have burgers, but The Great Dane offers a delicious gluten-free bun that, half the time, he has to clarify is gluten-free with the server because it tastes so good. The servers are always friendly and happy to help you decide what to order. Their menu is always evolving and they offer amazing seasonal dishes that are unique but not so out there that you worry if you'll like it. There's something for everyone at The Great Dane with a wide variety of options and, of course, an endless list of beer on tap to choose from so you'll always leave feeling like you've had the true Wisconsin experience.

Nov 08, 2017 by Craig R.

Great beer, great atmosphere, and great food.  The smothered chicken was amazing.  Also had the peanut stew which was very good as well.  A must hit on every visit to Madison.

Nov 02, 2017 by Doug M.

I've been to The Great Dane dozens of times over the years  It's my number one standby every time I'm in Madison. Every menu item that I've tried from apps, soups, main courses and desserts has been consistently delicious. Ironically, the first few times I just came for the beer, which is the real draw. The food is just gravy on top - so to speak. I especially love when they have a cask conditioned draft.

Nov 01, 2017 by Andrew A.

Cheese curds and poutine w/ pork belly were amazing! I got the steak and i thought it was very good for a more casual, prewbub-type place. I went with a group of six and everyone was very pleased with what they ordered. Definitely recommend this place if you are stopping by Madison.

Oct 26, 2017 by Jen T.

Wish we wouldn't have chosen to eat/drink here on our first visit to Madison. IPA was horrible. Not even close to hoppy. Very flat and malty tasting. Food was also horrible. I had a burger and fries. Burger was dry and the bun reminded me of a bun you would get on a mcdouble from mcdonalds. Fries were bland. Service was okay! Will not be back.

Oct 16, 2017 by Diron K.

Great place, great atmosphere and very friendly staff. We stopped in here for a beer and a snack and were not disappointed. The Crop Circle Wheat beer is in the top three of wheat / hefeweizens I have ever had, it was a great beer. We also had the pretzel with cheese and it was excellent. The staff also let us try A new bourbon that was out and it was really smooth. Great place to get a beer and a bite to eat.

Oct 14, 2017 by Paige N.

Great food, great beer, great service! Andrew was our server and was excellent! Food and beer were amazing, as well. Will definitely be back! :)

Oct 14, 2017 by Ali S.

We're in town for a college roomie's wedding, so we stopped in for some dinner, drinks, catching-up. Had a great time.  The buffalo burger, sweet potato fries, and hot applesauce hit the spot!

Oct 01, 2017 by Carly D.

Solid beer menu and a good spot for groups for dinner/drinks. The wait was longer than expected when we stopped by for an early dinner on a Friday afternoon. Menu is extensive - we tried the pub burger and it was a decent meal.  Very friendly staff!

Sep 24, 2017 by Whit

Big fan of the Dane, but pass on the Devil's Lake. Not one of their better beers.

Sep 23, 2017 by Kat C.

This is a classic Madison establishment AND there's Buck Hunter! The bar recently got renovated so it's all jazzed up with lots of tv's for sports. This is a go to place for large groups and chill hang out nights where you just want to play some pool.

Sep 19, 2017 by Scott D.

Fantastic bar. Great beer selection. Best wings in town hands down. Service is friendly and quick.

Sep 07, 2017 by Ben

Go for the burger + brat-patty on the brat bun.

Sep 05, 2017 by F C C.

I'm judicious on service, food and quality along with cleanliness, however, I'm always fair and honest.  Additionally I'm also very forgiving and understanding.  I preface this because the 1 star is accurate and with good thought. The food was mediocre at best even for bar food.  Curds were very greasy, fish fry was tasteless bland and greasy.  One positive I would say the brat burger was good and cooked as ordered. Our server was friendly and somewhat attentive, although her knowledge of cocktails needs to be enhanced.   That was the good. Brandon, who tending bar downstairs was extremely rude, confrontational, and not very good in the service industry.   I will not return and I do not recommend this place.  I suggest the owner re-evaluate the staffs level of service as well as knowledge of easy cocktails (old fashioned).

Sep 05, 2017 by Noah C.

I've eaten here twice now, and both times were fantastic. The beer is delicious, and the pub fair is top-notch. Both times, we had great wait staff too. In some spots around the establishment, you can see one of any number of sporting events on their tv screens.

Sep 03, 2017 by Kyle M.

Average beer, average food. Their cheese curds sounded amazing on paper, but were very disappointing. Bad cheese curds in Wisconsin is kind of impressive. Also, they seem to advertise their root beer/cream soda/ginger ale as though it's house made, but they were all watered down and void of any real flavor. Our server mentioned the sodas are from a mix. Decent service at least.

Aug 24, 2017 by K B.

This place is great.  Fresh food, good prices.  Great Beer.  They also have a Sunday Brunch Buffet at a couple locations that is top notch!  Try this place- you will not be disappointed.

Aug 22, 2017 by Maggie V.

I wasn't totally looking forward to eating here because I thought it was typical Americana fare but I did enjoy it. We sat in the outdoor area and it was a great place to talk and eat. The drinks were good and the service was better than expected. I had a muffuletta which was more of a ham sandwich with some olive spread -- not a traditionally made muffuletta. The others I ate with had food that looked much better, including the kids meals my kids had!

Aug 22, 2017 by Mary E.

Ate here the last night of our stay in Madison, WI during the CrossFit Games. Overall good atmosphere with good lighting. We didn't try any of the beers and were really there for the food. Wings were EXCELLENT with a good crunch. I had a burger that was good but not memorable. My boyfriend said the same thing. Overall, we left satisfied at a good price. Service was fast, but the waiters walked around the old wooden floors with heavy feet, which gave a hurried vibe. Good food, fast service, nothing crazy.

Aug 13, 2017 by Molly R.

My sister in law had her rehearsal dinner here at The Great Dane. They set up a fixed menu since she was having such a large party. My husband and I both got the burger and it was fantastic. They quickly and efficiently served our entire party. We originally planned to sit outside, but after a rainy morning they offered to move our entire party inside. Be sure to play shuffle board and other fun games when visiting this location. It's a great place with delicious food, drink and good company.

Aug 09, 2017 by Anil M.

Amazing place -- really nice interior, and extraordinary big garden patio with high ivy-lined walls. The food menu is surprisingly large and eclectic -- not just pub food -- with great vegetarian options. The beers are not consistently great, but they are consistently interesting. Also great prices.

Aug 08, 2017 by Slick F.

The beers are generic in flavor and their ferments lack true innovation/creativity The food menu also lacks imagination, and their execution of their orders are often over sauced, over salted, under served (portion wise), or poorly done in general. I have eaten here several times and have never been truly satisfied with my experience. I can say though that the service has been great every time! Great staff!

Aug 07, 2017 by Britney Y.

Delicious food with many different choices to suit your mood. Great place to get together with friends.

Aug 06, 2017 by Elizabeth C.

I stopped here because I heard a lot of great things about their beer. I have to say I was a bit disappointed, I wasn't a fan of heir style of beer.

Aug 06, 2017 by Ron D.

Ended up getting the Emerald Isle stout with the pork jerk  tacos. Both were excellent and made even better by the attentive and friendly staff.

Aug 04, 2017 by Mike P.

We ate in the garden. It was a good atmosphere because it was not on a street.   My wife enjoys the beer and the hamburgers are good.   It could get a little loud   .

Aug 02, 2017 by Alan W.

This place was bumpin!!! Cheese curds were incredible. Chiangmai curry was the best thing I've ever eaten. Beet salad was ok. Grass-fed burger was so-so. Excellent service, cool vibe!

Jul 23, 2017 by James N.

The Great Dane has some excellent beers.  They have several of there own brews.  My favorites are their seasonal winter beers.  The food and device can be a bit hit or miss.  I'm generally satisfied by the food, sometimes it is amazing.  Overall the food is generally well season.  Sometimes a bit salty and sometimes not very fresh tasting.  I think my biggest complaints have been items over cooked, under cooked or having sat under a heat lamp too long. So, basically it is pretty good even when it isn't at it's best.  One of my other favorite things is that the wait times are too long for a table.

Jul 23, 2017 by Bryan X.

Occassion: After dinner drinks and snack with friends, touring Madison Food: cheese curds, red lager Thoughts: Accommodations of environment was great - there is a lively section with pool, TV's etc, and a portion that is quieter and appropriate for sitting down and talking. Cheese curds tasted fine, but tasted like the other cheese curds in the area (i.e. tipsy cow, old fashion). Beer was great.

Jul 19, 2017 by Renee S.

Sorry wrong place.....meant to review the one in Fitchburg.

Jul 19, 2017 by Shayn L.

My wife and I had some friends and thier children visit us from Rockford, IL.  So we decieded to take them downtown Madison for a tour and some good eats.  My buddy and I both love craft beer so I thought Great Dane would be a cool place to go.  The kids could play pool, darts, shuffle board and so much more.   We did flights of beers so we could try everything.  Very tasty!  As for the food this place is always great.  I had the best dish ever.....  Smotherd fried Chicken cutlets with all types of goodoes on it.  Andoullie sausage, artichoke hearts, a delicous sauce served with jalepeno mashed potatos topped with cheese and a side of fresh green beans.  Oh my..... a top ten best dish i've ever had!  Our friends had some amazing fish tacos and a plate licking burger.  Everything was served looking beautiful.  Well crafted and plated.  My wife had a California turkey club which she said was wonderful.  Always happy when all four people, plus our kids enjoy thier meals.  Kids had bowl of baked potato soup, a great burger, and a rueben!  Well done Great Dane!  We will be back again with another large group!

Jul 18, 2017 by Damon S.

I have been to The Great Dane many times over the years. It is always great. They only serve their beer, but I enjoy their beer. I went there last night for dinner and had the American Pale Ale. It was great. We sat outside on the patio in back. It is a great atmosphere. Service was great. Our server was very friendly and attentive. We started with the poutine and some wings. They were both great. The gravy on the poutine was great and the garlic cheese curds were delicious with the gravy and fries. I also really enjoyed the wings. They had great flavor and sauce. I had the Mandarin Chicken Salad. The salad was very fresh and the teriyaki chicken on top was great. I look forward to my next visit to The Great Dane.

Jul 11, 2017 by Jill H.

3.5 stars. Really, I would equate this place to a BJ's. Where they have just enough in-house beers to call themselves a brewery, but they're all run-of-the-mill. Their food is also just typical pub fare, nothing to write home about. Overall, just average.

Jul 08, 2017 by Martha R.

I enjoyed this place. They have a decent Bloody Mary - and it comes with a pretty good-sized beer chaser (~5oz?) My burger was cooked just right and was pretty amazing (though the pretzel bun was a little too big. I hate it when the bread overtakes the innards. Plus, because of the size of the bun it's almost impossible to get that burger+brat into your mouth. The menu is also too big for me - I just don't think that any restaurant should try to do so many things. First of all, they won't do them ALL well. Second, it's harder than hell for people to make decisions when they are hungry. BUT, the food was good, the service friendly, and the location was right next to the furniture store we came into town to check out. Overall pretty solid place to get some pub food, drinks, and good service. I'd go back if I lived in the area.

Jul 01, 2017 by Jen Barker W.

We sat in the garden out back. Nice escape from the busy streets of the farmers market.  Beer was good. The cheese on the poutine was so flavourful... but between that and the flight we were too full to eat our delicious meals!   Wisconsin mac & cheese and some amazing bacon burger.

Jun 27, 2017 by Christina A.

We went for the limited late night menu and I liked it! Service was good! We had a really nice waitress who was prompt and attentive. We were there at about 10:30 on a Sunday night and it wasn't busy. No Sunday drink specials. The blackberry summer cocktail was really good! Refreshing and very seasonally appropriate. The nachos were good but could have used more chips! The Mac and cheese was Wisconsin cheesy!! Bathroom downstairs is really nice. There was live music downstairs on a Sunday, but may have been for a private event.

Jun 24, 2017 by Sarah R.

We had a large crowd so the service was pretty slow and they ended up messing up on a couple of the bills but the food here is phenomenal so we'll definitely come back. Andy & i shared the ahi poke and wish we each would've gotten one. It was so delicious we devoured it in no time. The tuna was just slightly seared and the seasonings and marinade were delectable. Never would've imagined a brew pub having such awesome seafood. Their cocktails are also inventive and delicious. For dessert andy had the black & tan brownie which he says is also amazing. Cant wait to go back and try some of their other items that the rest of the group seemed to enjoy.

Jun 23, 2017 by Tina L.

I went here several times mainly to watch sport games and get a beer or cocktail. The food is okay honestly. I did not like the fish fry because to me it wasn't authentic and I have had better fish fry in a local bar. If you are new to Wisconsin or the Midwest and you have never had fish fry before, definitely don't try your first here. The fish wasn't fresh and it was too dried. Anyhow, it is a good place for hanging out, watching games and enjoying beer

Jun 16, 2017 by Adam C.

Stopped in for a bite and a beer at this Madison staple. We had the giant pretzel as an appetizer. It was served with homemade mustards which were really tasty, but the pretzel itself was dry and looked and tasted frozen. For the main course, I tried the Texarkana burger, which was a burger with onion rings and barbecue sauce. I asked for it medium, but the burger's texture was somewhere between a hockey puck and a door mat. I'm not afraid to complain in restaurants, but the food took a while to arrive and I didn't want to keep my entire group waiting (and the waitress's attitude left much to be desired). The rest of the burger wasn't bad; the ingredients were reasonably fresh, and the sweet potato fries were crisp without the grease. Their beer selection was decent (don't be prepared to find any Miller Lite on tap). I tried a light Czech pilsner and an amber beer, both of which were above average. At the end of the day, The Great Dane is a fine place to grab a beer (hence the 3 stars), but I'd go elsewhere to actually eat something.

Jun 11, 2017 by Glenn S.

Food wise, I have had better. Nothing I've had on the menu across all the locations, including this "flagship" one, has impressed me in the least. I would equate the food to overpriced bar food trying way too hard to be more upscale than it actually is. Beers on the other hand, that's a different story as I have yet to not like any of their brews. From seasonal to regulars, if you like beer, you should at least stop by a Great Dane location for beer alone. Sure, it's a bigger operation, but it's definitely better than the local brewpub in my hometown which seems to have a beer which is absolute crap every fourth or fifth brew on the list. Basically: go for the beers, eat the food out of convenience.

Jun 09, 2017 by Bob D.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. The Good Very nice "hidden" beer garden. Well shaded for those that don't enjoy the blistering sun (like me). Chicken salad croissant and "kohl" slaw were very tasty! Service was very good. The Bad Nothing! The Ugly Nothing!

Jun 02, 2017 by Daniel

The poutine appetizer is worth the trip alone. Burgers are good, but I'm not a huge fan of the in house beers.

Jun 02, 2017 by Babak S.

Awesome beer and very friendly staff!

May 13, 2017 by Jennifer M.

Looked good had lots of bar games but service was sub par and food did not taste fresh at all. Friend got cubana and tasted really stale. I got the burger and looked awesome but no flavor on the burger. Sad part is my friend that got the cubana only had one bite and because we had 4 different servers coming to us no one even noticed to ask what was wrong. Great view but probably won't be back. They weren't even that busy we went around 8 pm last night :(. Other friend got the sausage plate and he liked that

May 06, 2017 by Keiki-Alexander D.

Before you make a judgement about this review, I just want to say before I'd start that I was a fan of the Great Dane before (Hilldale location) So this start about a few day on a thursday, a few ago when I decided to go to the downtown location for lunch after meeting with a client and happen to say to myself "let's give Great Dane a go" and my first comeback visit was ok but not the best to say because the bartender was either talking to much to the employees off shift or friends, so I can't say but it was the best when at the time have questions. but I do not eat meat products but I only eat seafood. So yes, I'm a pescetarian and ask about IPA beers and the only one stood out was the Texas Bump and it was ok but it was the fish that had so much fish batter that it overpower the fish taste and quality. Keep in mind I used to live here as a undergrad student and after that I come back to Madison each summer but I haven't been to the G.D in such a long time. Then just yesterday, my friend from India and Chicago (native west african), we felt that we were not be taken seriously enough as customers. When I ask for a menu again to see if I wanted to start something difference, it was as if they has something against us. My friend also had questions this time around and the bartenders just walk pass us and I had to fill the role as bartender to answer this questions about beer. Now he is a light drinker from India and we got the Landmark Lite for him and that a minute if you understand what a minute is. But when I got my food and started to eat, I felt a little light headed and didn't feel good at all and cash out and left before my friend back to the Hostel which was down the street. As soon as I step in the hostel, my staff notice my skin color and I barf and barf for about 5 minutes in the restroom and i knew what got me sick. Their fish at the Great Dane. NOTICE: I didn't eat all day because I was busy with work and laundry, therefore I want to clear the air and ask to not cross contaminated the fish and the bartender look at me as if I was either crazy or being a picky. I will never go back to the Great Dane ever again and it was a waste of $18 dollars for a New London two piece and a beer that tasted weird but there again I did lose my sense of taste and smell in a car accident but no excuse for food like fish to get me sick. The only time this has happen when I was visit San Diego and this place call  BarleyMash that had the same results and it was due to cross contamination. So later that night I started to feel better and the staff at the hostel was checking up on me and wanted to be sure before they get off shift if they needed to call the emergency services and there was no need for that. So what a waste of money but thi experience tells me that their are not open minded or open arm to international relationships or understand what a pescetarian is. But The Hilldale was more open minded when I did visit there and explain and was a great experience. so that is why I left this review with two stars. (it should be one star) It's time for a education lesson about pescetarian. ( NO MEAT products - means No cheese, or Milk either). I should go back to filed a complaint. Just don't go there if you are pescetarian or vegan, it's not friendly at this locations

May 04, 2017 by Divya V.

Went here for a date with the hubby on a Thursday night. First impressions: it was PACKED! We were seated promptly. We could smell the beer brewing. Love the menu's (they are folded like a newspaper. We got a 6-beer flight and nachos to start with. The menu is pretty eclectic - reminded us of one of our fave St. Louis brewery (Schlafly's). The food - the nacho's were fantastic!! My grilled cheese with onion beer jam was very good. The pub fries were kind of disappointing. The beer selection was very good.

May 01, 2017 by Dana C.

This is a staple restaurant that we bring friends to who do not live in Madison. I've been to this particular location for Sunday Brunch and for dinner. It's an unusually long wait time to get a table here, but that's my own lesson learned to utilize their reservation tool online! 3 stars because the food is sub par and I'll probably return to try something else out. Tip: Get a sample of any beer in a 4 oz glass for under $2!

Apr 30, 2017 by Susan J.

Atmosphere nice, staff nice, menu sucks if you're looking for simple and affordable. I wanted steak but the only option is $24.00. I only need a 7 ounce. My daughter orders a burger and it was burnt. My son got a shake and it was just melted chocolate ice cream. Not worth it.

Apr 27, 2017 by FlyTie D.

Mediocre at best.  Pool tables.  Menu is barely adequate.  There's better places around the square.

Apr 23, 2017 by Angela

Will never be back to this location. Food came out suspiciously fast. Place wasn't clean. My boyfriend got food poisoning from his dish. Called to let them know, manager did not return call.

Apr 23, 2017 by Kara R.

NOT HAPPY: I used to LOVE this place, but i am a principled type of person.  I love the garden/balcony and there is no other place i know of in Madison that has this. Food:  My Curry bowl was the BEST i have ever had anywhere.  Seriously loved it...Hat off to the cook. Wait Staff:  Kevin-he made me laugh many times, was very nice, and timely.  I would not complain about him because he must not be given the power to adjust things on the bill when it doesn't seem right.  I have worked for many companies including the food/beverages industry and was always told,  "the customer is always right" or at least "you give them the extra pickle". The caveat to this was, i didn't want the pickle.  I wanted to be right....for futures sake, and taking $2 off my $88 bills was actually insulting.  I will tell you why. Manager KIM:  Since Kevin was not able to handle the bill, Kim came to the table and asked how she could help.  I explained to her that i didn't understand the bill.  She said, "it's right."  I didn't ask her if the bill was right, i asked her to explain it to me.  Ok, so first thought (maybe she didn't know what i meant or maybe......yeah).  I explain to her my story about traveling the world, ordering margaritas wherever i go, and NEVER paying $16.50 for a 3 shot margarita unless you call it and know you are going to pay more, but then with that kind of Tequila you usually just shoot it. After she was done rolling her eyes at me like she wanted to shove me off the balcony she said, i took a couple of dollars off your bill.  I replied, "I don't need or want any money off my bill, i need you to hear me.  She rolled her eyes and tried to explain alcohol and the prices of consumption in the Madison Area.  Well, first of all, i grew up in "Madison Area" so you can step off, second, Like i said before, i traveled around the world.  In Vegas my margarita was 12/drink (same drink but way better). In Boscobel, WI $10 (amazing margarita too, who would've known). Where's Boscobel??? Lol I just about lost it on her when I realized, she is not where i am at, she is not a good manager, and she has not been trained properly in customer service and maybe she had no power to do anything either, so she decided not to listen and basically insult me.  I understand being in a college town....who knows where people come from, but people please. I wanted two things at that point......i wanted her to HEAR me (without insulting my intelligence or patronizing) because she has no idea what my level of understanding is...Zero knowledge on her part.  TWO, at that point I wanted all my drinks for free because i was pissed at her lack of leadership and understanding.  I did not get either of what i wanted.  I left there paying the large bill of $88.  Now, this was for two people, but i added up what my drinks cost were, $16.50 for one 20 oz (beer glass). You can buy a whole 750mL for $19.99. Backstory:  my friends give me crap all the time because i always order a margarita where ever i go and that includes high class, low class, out of state margaritas, multiple states.  I recently had a triple shot Margarita at the Frog Pond near Arlington, WI.  That was awesome and $6.  Why, because she charged at $2/shot.  I have been places where they charge $10 for a margarita (already has two shots) and they up charge for the extra shot $3.50/shot.  So, that would be the highest I have paid $13.50  for a 3 shot margarita.  Another example.  Thursday night i went to Aranda's in Deforest and had a 3 shot Margarita with Jose $10.50 total. So to break this down more.  What she was telling me.....the GREAT DANE must over charge for tequila shots because??? Crickets......???? Waiting for it???? Nah   Hope the GD does something about it!!

Apr 19, 2017 by Michelle H.

My family and I came here last week for dinner. We were pleased that we didn't  have to wait for a table and were seated right away.  The service was terrible. We waited a quite a while before we were greeted. She took our drink orders and we ordered an appetizer right away (Nachos, which are my fav here!) It took about 20 minutes before our drinks came.  We got the appetizer..since when did they start putting black beans on the Nachos!?  ugh, they were kind of gross. The black beans were mushy (from the bottom of the can?) and there were a LOT all over them - disappointment. I ordered their steak, which was cooked perfectly. The mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus were yummy too.  I have been to other Great Dane locations and have really enjoyed the food. If this would have been my first time dining - I probably would not have been interested in going back.

Apr 14, 2017 by Tom

Poutine with their ham made in house with the cheese curds is delicious

Apr 10, 2017 by John F.

Great atmosphere, great scenery and a great bartender.  The basement was something special, but I preferred it upstairs.

Apr 05, 2017 by Greg A.

I've been to the Great Dane multiple times, and have to say it's one of the more diverse menus for a restaurant Madison. If I have a group from out of town that has different dietary needs I will take them here as I know they'll be something on the menu for each person . That said, I am not overly impressed with any one item on the menu. They do offer several self brewed beers.  These are nice, and I would suggest anyone looking for a local Madison Beer stop here.

Mar 21, 2017 by Maria J.

This a great place to stop for a drink while you are visiting Madison. After walking this beautiful city stop and have a drink here. Very friendly and family atmosphere. Big windows to watch the world go by.

Mar 04, 2017 by Yoli

Best wings! And great value pints during "hoppy" hour from 4-6 pm. Only $4

Feb 28, 2017 by Robb T.

Wound up here for a hockey tournament team dinner and was a bit disappointed.  The group was banished to the basement of the Great Dane and the restaurant/bar only assigned one server to the group of about 50 people including children under the age of 12. The food was all right yet my caribbean jerk tacos where not exactly what I expected.  Quite heavy on the pineapple flavor and very minimal on the cilantro and other spicy jerk flavors.  The bigger problem was the fact that the server assigned to our very large group started taking the orders of the parents versus starting with the two kids tables that the restaurant created.  The parents were all served easily and the children all waited (fortunately very patiently) for their food. The whole time our group was there it just seemed to me that our group was pretty much an after thought versus a group that was there to spend money on both food and beverage.  Maybe The Great Dane is a decent restaurant when you're not with a large group however, I am not sure that I would be willing to give The Great Dane a second chance.  We came here based on the recommendation of some University of Wisconsin alumni yet I was somewhat disappointed by the entire experience.   When the people that inform the restaurant of a large group they are bring in and how to best handle the ordering process when the group prefers separate bills please listen to the advise being provided and make sure that you understand that a majority of the group is children and their parents with the children being 12 years of age or younger.

Feb 19, 2017 by J P.

Excellent food. Better than average service. Outstanding beer! I love going to the Great Dane when in Madison!

Feb 19, 2017 by Tora C.

We started off with the poutine - it was delicious! Super good and just the right amount of gravy. The service was a little slow in the beginning (15m to get beer and waters) but service sped up halfway through. The chicken Cesar salad wrap was delicious - refreshing and not too heavy. The onion soup had lots of yummy cheese - however was a little too salty. Overall, a good family style restaurant.

Feb 19, 2017 by Ethan P.

This was a good meal for a Saturday afternoon. It was a good family atmosphere. The service was slightly slow at the beginning of the meal, but once we got our food it made up for it. The poutine was very tasty, reminds me of trips to Canada.

Feb 12, 2017 by Brendan S.

Both the beer and solid pub food make this Madison brewpub a go-to for casual bites after work or golf. The burgers are great. Vegetarians can find many choices on the menu.

Feb 07, 2017 by M.K. V.

Great place to eat after a long drive. They have a few rotating taps which was also nice. The food was good but the best part was definitely the tomato mushroom bisque. It was delicious. Our waiter was very friendly and pointed out his favorites on the menu when we had questions.

Jan 29, 2017 by CJ G.

Went here when I was in Madison for a few days. I was greatly impressed by the size of TGD--three upstairs areas plus a beer garden below.  The major downside was the lack of respect for dining patrons. Some party of 6-7 adults showed up with their bad ass caravan of 12+ kids and let their rowdiness neign. Instead of a manager politely informing them to quiet down or gtfo, two waitstaff were stuck serving them. Honestly,  I'm 1000% from children being banned from places that serve copious amounts of alcohol. BUT, the food was alright and I had some lovely beer flights, so it wasn't a total loss.

Jan 27, 2017 by Mike G.

Really good pub food and great craft beer. The location is right by the Capitol and its a historic building. Staff was quick and helpful. I was coming through town on my way home and saw the reviews on Yelp which were really good. I'm glad I stopped.

Jan 15, 2017 by Chad B.

Worst service I have ever seen!! Came to eat before packer game. One waitress handfull of customers and didn't get service for over 10 min plus no menu. #dontgohere!!

Dec 21, 2016 by S M.

Good food and drinks.  Great place to watch a game and shoot some pool.  Friendly folks.

Dec 17, 2016 by MJ J.

Food and beer is over priced.   Service was the worst I have had in a long time.  My wife's food was very cold and they were not happy that we sent it back.

Dec 16, 2016 by Jessica G.

A Madison classic. Great beer, yummy food, a huge menu. Not a huge fan of the brunch, but they make up for it in everything else. Love that this location has lots of pool tables, bar space, and darts. Love that the menu has so many different things on it - and really yummy, high quality dishes for being a Wisconsin bar! My favorites: Nachos, Sesame Tuna Salad, Curry Noodle Bowl, and of course, filling up a Growler!

Dec 13, 2016 by M S.

You just can never go wrong with the Dane.  It's our go-to when we can't decide where to go and they never disappoint.  Something for everyone on the menu, and almost everything is excellent.   And the beer is great.

Dec 10, 2016 by Edward P.

My son-in-law chose this restaurant for dinner and I'm glad that he did.  We had a group of 7 and they sat us in approximately 20 min., which considering everything that was going on in Madison at the time, was fast. The staff was very friendly and made us feel more like guest than customers. They have a good selection of beers, most of which they brew. I had the Emerald Isle Stout which is one of the smoothest and flavorful stout beers I have had.  If you like dark beers, I would recommend that you try this beer when you are in Madison. For appetizers we shared their  Old Glory Cheese Curds (1/2 lb) and their Giant Pretzel.  Both were delicious. I had a bowl of their Brown Ale Onion Soup which was fantastic. They describe it as: A rich chicken and beef broth filled with pretzel croutons and beer-simmered onions, then baked with Swiss cheese until bubbling. Served in a twelve-ounce crock.  It ranks up there with some of the best  onion soups that I have ever had. For the main course, I had the German Sausage Plate which contained a Bavaria Sausage Kitchen knockwurst and a bratwurst, garlic mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, Pilsner mustard, gherkins and homemade pretzel roll.  Delicious. Everyone including the kids enjoyed their meals, this is a rarity, as anyone with more than one kid knows.   Because of the good food all around, fast service and friendly staff I have to give them  a 5 star rating.

Nov 22, 2016 by Cindy K.

Super friendly staff, easy street parking, no problem being seated quickly. I had the West African chicken peanut stew. It was lovely; homemade and full of large cut, fresh veggies. The rest of the meal- ewwwww. Dudes, please change the fryer oil. Cheese curds because it's Wisconsin. Half of them had no cheese, and the batter was bland and full of old oil and raw flour flavor. The dipping sauce was okay even if it is bizarre to have Hatch chili in Wisconsin. The fish and chips. Super thick, flavorless batter over mild haddock- way too much for the delicate fish. The house made malt vinegar was odd and contained Worcestershire. What? Yes, seriously. The chips (fries), well, we were looking for the Sysco truck when we left. The house made coleslaw was fine, but with a tiny two ounce ramekin sized serving who can really say? Thanks but no thanks. There are too many wonderful restaurant choices in Madison to ever eat here again.

Nov 19, 2016 by Amy

The mac n cheese is a moderate portion size of cheese and carb

Nov 18, 2016 by Lauren U.

The Great Dane is a solid, consistent, easy place to go for beer or food. I've been a few times since moving to Madison and I'm always pleased with the service and the meals. The cheese curds are delish. I love the sauce that comes with. This is the place we take out-of-towners to introduce them to our new Wisconsin culinary delight. :) As others have said, it's kid- and family-friendly, which is also great when looking for a place for a group to eat. It's also nice for big groups or small events. I really like the options on the menu here. I can pretend to be healthy by ordering a giant salad or wrap, or I can go all out and get wings or a burger. It really doesn't matter in the end anyway because I always get a beer or two! I'm never amazed by the food, but I'm also not disappointed. For me, that is ok when the Great Dane is the option that makes finding "something for everyone" so easy. I'll be back!

Nov 15, 2016 by Meaghan K.

The food is good, one of the better places to get Great Dane food in the area.  The service, however, is only ok.  I went in one night to after work and was looking for food and a beer after a long day.  The bar wasn't full.  I was seated, along with two other people, and two college girls at the end of the bar.  That night, while I sat down, ordered a beer, mentioned that I was interested in food, ordered food, sat there and ate, paid, and finally left, the bartender said NINE words to me.  "Maybe he was just keeping it professional?"  No.  I work in the service industry.  You cannot have a quality or in any form good customer experience without saying more than 9 words the entire night.  "Maybe he just wasn't a chatty person?"  No.  He was talking up the two college girls at the end of the bar the entire night, conversations, hitting on them, giving them free drinks left and right.  They were there before I sat down, but while I was there, they didn't pay for a single drink, and the alcohol was flowing.  It was clear that this bartender was using the Great Dane resources to try and get into these girls' pants, and was ignoring other customers to get to his desired destination. Now to explain how this could happen and The Great Dane could still get 3 stars.  I have been in the service industry long enough to know that one sleezeball does not reflect on the ENTIRE restaurant, or restaurant group.  The food at this location is pretty good.  I'm sure the entire staff does not share this one douche of a bartender's customer service philosophy.  So I won't punish the entire restaurant for one ass of a bartender.

Nov 06, 2016 by Abdullah A.

My first time in Wisconsin so you know I had to try some cheese curds. Started off with the fried variety, as well as poutine. The cheese curds were very addictive and not too greasy. The gravy with the poutine was excellent, and we got pork on top for some extra calories that we obviously desperately needed. For my dinner I got the Wisconsin style cheddar Mac and cheese with buffalo chicken. The pasta was rigatoni, which made for a perfect vessel to contain large quantities of gooey cheese sauce. The Gorgonzola was slightly overpowering for my tastes, I would have liked to have tasted the cheddar more clearly. There was no scarcity of chicken. I would eat here again.

Nov 04, 2016 by Tina I.

First time patron of The Great Dane and I was super impressed with the service, servers and food. We were in a hurry (had tickets to a play) and they were accommodating and friendly! I was traveling on business to the area and everybody raved about this place. I was not disappointed. I loved the cheese curds as they were not just fried string cheese. When I'm back in Madison, I'll be here for sure!

Oct 30, 2016 by Kate H.

The Great Dane is one of my go-to's whenever I'm in Madison.  This place is a great brew pub right near the Capitol building, and it gives off quite the 'college town pub' vibe without being obnoxious.  As one might expect, their brews are excellent: they always have a good variety for whatever type of beer you like, and they always have different things to try. Most of the food (again, typical college town/Wisconsin vibe), is full of cheese and other things that aren't good for you, which makes them incredibly delicious.  On my last visit I tried the honey pepper salmon club, which was a bit disappointing (perhaps that's my fault for not getting something fried and/or cheesy, lol).  The salmon, despite being advertised as coming with a mayonnaise, was quite dry.  The bun seemed overly large for the piece of salmon, which didn't help with the dryness issue, either. The service was also a little on the slow side, but we did go during a Badger game so I know our server was quite busy.  Overall, I'm willing to overlook what I'm guessing was an outlier experience, and I'd go back next time I'm in the area.

Oct 23, 2016 by Margaret M.

The Great Dane is a tried and true Madison favorite. My husband and I love the Great Dane downtown for its convenience and great atmosphere. Their food is always delicious and their menu has so much variety! My personal favorite side they offer is their fried plantains - pretty unique. We usually go for dinner but more recently just tried their fish fry and brunch. Their fish fry was incredible and had both comforting (fried of course) and healthy (broiled) options. Portions are very generous and all entrees are reasonably priced. Their brunch menu is also phenomenal. My husband had the Belgian waffles - huge portion and very fluffy and flavorful - while I had the huevos rancheros - so yummy! We also did not have to wait for a table unlike the specialty brunch spots in Madison. Give it a try especially if you're not wanting to wait for Sunday brunch.

Oct 21, 2016 by Chad G.

Great place to grab a pint and meal. Comfort food and Craft Beer is hard to beat when it comes to Mad City.

Oct 18, 2016 by Steph M.

We visited here while we were in town for a football game.  We met up with some local friends and had a great time!  They handled our large group very well and there was plenty of space for us to spread out and enjoy ourselves.   The beer was good, which you come to take for granted in Madison, and the food was good as well.  We tried the cheese curds which were good (can't say they were our favorites of the trip but a close second). My husband and I split the Sustaina-burger buffalo burger and side of mashed potatoes that was really delicious!  The bun for the burger was a multigrain ciabatta that really withstood the burger and toppings.  All the ingredients were fresh, locally sourced and you could really taste the difference. Our waitress was very attentive even though it was a very busy day and was very pleasant. Overall great spot for food, drinks and fun!

Oct 18, 2016 by T V.

Solid 4/5. Classic Madison, good ole reliable standby, can't go wrong with the Dane. Nice little home brew selection (especially the Verruct). Good food, good enough where it makes you say, every so often, let's go to the Dane! Went there (downtown Madison location) for NYE 2012 and 2013 and had a blast! Pool tables suck compared to Brass Ring (if you are looking for billiards). Overall quality, lasting experience that brings you there multiple times.

Oct 15, 2016 by Julie

Hang out and play some pool in the back

Oct 03, 2016 by Adam V.

I quite like the downtown Great Dane, and have probably been here about a dozen times. First off, the downstairs bar is just the kind of place I like to drink: dim, cozy, a friendly barkeep and a TV I can watch soccer on. I've always liked the Great Dane's burgers, and order them frequently. If you're going to have a burger on the menu that includes a brat patty, and bacon, there's really not much point in ordering anything else. For appetizers, the cheese curds are tasty as well as the poutine. I'm a fan of nachos and the Nakoma nachos here are delicious (and can be spicy as hell sometimes). Wings are par for the course and are tasty as well. The Great Dane I think really shines when it comes to beer options. Their year-round offerings are very good and I find myself often saying "this is what this style should taste like" after having one. I'm always curious to find out what new brew has been scribbled artfully on the chalk board, so I'll often order a tasting round of them all. They don't always hit, but if you're an adventurous beer drinker you'll always leave happy.

Oct 01, 2016 by Aditi G.

It's cool to enter into a brewery right next to the capitol. The place is iconic with average food but good beers. I had the side of Mac and cheese and was disappointed specially while I was in the dairy state. Reuben sandwich was good but nothing to return

Sep 15, 2016 by B L.

I probably will not return to this restaurant.. My husband and I came in a couple weeks ago and I was not impressed. He liked the beer choices, but that's about it. The food was mediocre, we ordered the soft pretzel, it took forever to get out to us and it, along with the cheese dip, was cold. I've had better pretzels from a store bought em box honestly. The burgers we got were not that good, again, I've had way better elsewhere. All very bland food! Service wasn't anything special but wasn't bad either, needs better food/cooks! I'm glad the prices weren't higher because I would have complained then. Won't be returning

Sep 14, 2016 by Chi P.

This place has a great patio in the back to enjoy the great weather outdoors! That was probably my favorite part. My boyfriend and I ordered the falafel sandwich and the Inner Warmth Peanut stew (off their house special list). Both were okay, but nothing wow'ed me. The peanut stew especially just tasted like marinara sauce. I barely tasted peanuts, and even that was a stretch. I'm not a huge fan of marinara sauce in the first place, so this dish was definitely not the right one for me.

Sep 09, 2016 by Samantha C.

Beer is great, wings are delish, the poutine was terrible.... I was looking forward to their version but I was horribly underwhelmed by the lack of presentation and excuse for my appetizer. If you're drunk, try the poutine.

Sep 04, 2016 by Steven D.

We have been here twice now and it will be our go to place every time we visit Madison. Excellent menu choices and fresh made food. The court yard area is a very nice place to have Sunday brunch. They have a gluten free menu for those that have to abstain from wheat protein. Give it a try.

Sep 01, 2016 by Scarlet M.

Great food and a menu that should satisfy a picky eater. With a wide range of choices I've tried everything on their menu! Everything tastes fresh and worth every dollar. The west African chicken peanut stew is amazing! Also I recommend their Reuben sandwich. OMG. Anything I've ordered has exceeded my expectations!

Aug 17, 2016 by Stephanie M.

I came here while in town for work and this seemed to be a place I would love, but not really business friendly.  So when I found myself staying a day earlier and on my own, I came down.  As it would turn out, a friend was also in town and ended up here.  The bar was my type of place, laid back, great food, good beer, solid service, and a nice atmosphere.  I had the cheese curds bc when in Rome, and a burger with a brat and on a pretzel roll??? YUM.  All their local beers were nice and there was SO much room to spread out.  I am so glad I got to come.

Aug 12, 2016 by Greg E.

You'll enjoy your time here but definitely not a "must see" for Madison. The menu has something for everyone. The beer is mediocre. I've been coming here for the past 7 years and they haven't improved the beer... common guys, you gotta keep up with the Joneses. Good for large groups or to shoot some pool in a casual atmosphere.

Aug 12, 2016 by Jenny W.

Oh Great Dane. I've been to all of their establishments, and the service is always good and the food is good, too.

Aug 08, 2016 by Erica S.

Some friends of ours brought us here for the first time, and we really enjoyed ourselves! We have a toddler, so the efficient and friendly hostess directed us outside to a private and comfortable patio. As promised, a server came out eventually to take our order, and took excellent care of us ode several hours. We ordered a full flight of beers, and our friends each got a pint of their favorite. While there is a huge range and variety of beer styles served up here, we enjoyed the IPAs the most. All were solid brews- Great Dane definitely knows their stuff and has something to please everyone. The great outdoor atmosphere mixed with solid, experienced service made it a great experience for all of us. For a nice place to hang in Madison, we would definitely recommend it here.

Aug 06, 2016 by Cynthia F.

Great vibe, great decor, great location near Wisconsin State Capitol. Excellent service by Megan. Cheesecake dessert with raspberry sauce, served in a cup, was one of the tastiest desserts I've ever had. Perfect size for me: big enough to be satisfying; small enough that I don't need to feel guilty. Also enjoyed the vegan stew with rice. Loved the sweet cranberry mustard served with the  hot pretzel; preferred it to the more traditional mustard both Great Dane and other restaurants offer with their hot pretzel.

Aug 04, 2016 by Mik T.

At least they improved their menu, but it's some place, if I was by myself, would never go out of my way to go to. The food is good, but the employees seem very cliquey, I guess if you're type of the histper kind, I can see it.

Jul 24, 2016 by Tia K.

A good place to hang out, drink, and eat. The crowd was a little older than my friend and me, but nothing wrong with it. They have a great coffee flavored beer which I recommend trying! A bratwurst patty, a beef patty, cheddar, caramelized onions, smoked bacon, Pilsner mustard, all served on a salty pretzel bun. This thing is not a light meal, especially sided with mashed potatoes like I had. But it's delicious. The brat patty lends an unexpected flavor to the burger, and the bacon is thick cut. The mashed potatoes are actually really good, but the fried plantains are also a good side.

Jul 19, 2016 by Evan S.

I came here with some friends not expecting much as I thought that this place was only for the beer. But boy was I wrong. We had a fantastic server named Jake who helped us choose the best burger called the BBQ Piedmont burger and a house brewed beer to pair it with. He was so friendly and really made us feel at home while we dined there. Overall it was a great experience and will definitely be coming back soon!!

Jul 15, 2016 by Mike G.

Great brewery with great food. Great beer to choose from with a large menu. Staff was very pleasant, restaurant wasn't too loud and thereis a billiard hall connected with tv's, a bar, games and pool.   Great place to go and hang out.

Jul 11, 2016 by Gundy A.

Oh My Word!!!! Get the cheese curds. Phenomenal! Ordered a beer at the bar and the bar tender was great to explain what the Crop Circle Wheat was. Brewed by Great Dane, I was. Very happy. Visit this place, great service, beer is cold, cheese curds are hot, the meat loaf was A-maz-ing.

Jul 08, 2016 by Todd B.

It's a very large bar with some pretty good beer. Friendly service and a cool hangout.

Jun 30, 2016 by Michael H.

I'm trying to catch up on yelping places that I've been to so many times that they clearly rate very high in my estimation.  "The Dane" is surely one of those.  In my twelve years serving as a city commissioner for Madison, I spend many a Monday night with friends hanging out at the Dane for a few beers and some conversation, spend at the end of the bar where a special fold-down table was installed for my friend Dave Schaefer.  Rest in Peace, Schaefy!  The Dane offers (IMHO) the best in-house brewed beers in Madison, though the competition is constantly on the increase.  What they've really got going for them, beside the beer, is very decent pub food, something some of the competition simply misses the mark on.  Conveniently located just a block off the capitol square, this is a great place for a great pint of beer, a sandwich or meal, and it is also easy to find some good conversation.  Last I knew, they also offer free WiFi to customers, and the bartenders have always been easy-on-the-eye regardless of your orientation.  Dane, I love you, and your great people too!

Jun 28, 2016 by Drew G.

Not a fan of their beer, and they don't have other options. Large and sterile. Menu is big, but not that exciting.  Food is average. Place for college kids and young professionals to drink heavily.  Food take 30 minutes from ordering. I am only here because others invite large groups, and am always surprised how they stick around.

Jun 25, 2016 by Jason

The mac and cheese is killer

Jun 25, 2016 by Mark J.

Went here today for lunch. Fabulous beer "crop circle wheat" cloudy with lemon and went down like a treat. We ate outside in the lovely patio which reminded me of being in Italy, the creeping ivy up the brick walls looks amazing. Had the california turkey club and fries, very tasty! My wife had the grilled cheese and raw vegetables also delicious. Service was really good. Can't wait to return when we go back to Madison.

Jun 15, 2016 by Jonathon C.

The service was some of the worst I have had. Waited for almost 10 minutes for refills on refreshments and that was after 3 separate requests. The appetizers were okay but the main fare was not good at all. There were 6 people in our group and only one person actually enjoyed their food. Would not recommend to anyone and definitely will not be back.

Jun 12, 2016 by Hannah

We did the 10 sampler and loved it! The scotch ale is amazing

Jun 12, 2016 by Eddie C.

French onion soup was really good, I also had a half turkey sandwich.  Sanchwich was ok nothing to brag about.  Also had poutine for the first time as an appetizer and it was decent, probably wouldn't get it again.

Jun 12, 2016 by Athanas K.

Meh. This pretty much sums it up. Their beers are kinda meh, the food is definitely meh, atmosphere, service, decor - meh, meh, meh.

Jun 09, 2016 by Erin B.

Can't believe this place is still around!  I've always liked the building, and when we returned recently, we found it pretty much the way I last remember it in the late 1990s (yes, I've been around a while). Decent (not great) beer and solid food, though nothing spectacular.  I see they've added some new locations; downtown, this would be a good choice for midnight snacking.

Jun 06, 2016 by Liz M.

This place absolutely IS super touristy, let me just say that. But  for what it is, it's pretty cute, the food's quite good, and we had a blast. I recommend going on a Friday night- my husband and I each ordered from their Fish Fry specials, and both dishes were really excellent. They had fresh, seasonal veggies as a side option too, which was great. Most of what I tried seemed to be made from scratch, which is also a plus. Is this the pinnacle of fine dining? Nope. Is it the highlight of top local fare? Also no. But is it a decent and fun  place to go and get a  delicious dinner? Sure is! And, the service was fantastic.

Jun 01, 2016 by Denise B.

The best service staff I have had in a long time. Overheard unhappy customers at the next table and they handled it like champs. Food was great and beer selection rocked.

May 27, 2016 by Danae S.

We went here for dinner while in town to see The Lion King and our visit was fantastic. For starters, the service was excellent. We were seated right away despite it being pretty busy and very loud when we arrived. Our server was very attentive and quick. We also had two other waiters stop by our table to pick up dishes; seems like they all like to help each other. Now the food. I got the Texarkana Burger which came with the works: bacon, haystack onions, and a spicy cream cheese sauce on the side. I usually never eat anything spicy, but this stuff was the bomb. I ended up using most of it for my fries. Keep some water near if you're like me and you like everything on the mild side! Tl;dr: One of the BEST burgers I've ever had. We were all very pleased with the food and speedy service. We'll definitely be back!

May 23, 2016 by Jodi B.

The Dane (all locations) is a great staple in Madison that never disappoints. For the food, the Inner Warmth Peanut Stew is a very tasty and filling entree that lives up to the title's promise. If you like peanut, I also recommend the soba noodle and tuna salad. If you really like to have a great brunch buffet to indulge yourself in on a Sunday, theirs is the best I have ever been to and I definitely recommend going with friends (expect to want a nap afterward, though). Also, at least at the Fitchburg location, you can sit at a table that has its own taps that you can just pay for your beer after it adds up the ounces you poured yourself - SUCH a great idea! The Dane is a brewpub, but it's noise level is definitely family friendly and includes a great mix of a sports bar ambiance with areas of more intimacy.

May 22, 2016 by Jamie K.

While visiting Madison we had dinner at the Great Dane.  Ended up with a little theme.  Fried calamari app...it was very good served with a tomato based dipping sauce which I did not like.   I had the "Jaime's" fish tacos (which I had to get for my namesake) and they were light and fresh but the BBQ sauce and hot sauce that came with them were WAY to hot.   I split the tacos with a girlfriend and she got the salmon club on a pretzel roll.  That was great too.   I actually used the tarter sauce it came with on my fish tacos.   We had an enjoyable dinner.  We sat in the ivy covered beer garden.  Very pretty but the birds were a little loud and having a party in the Ivy.

May 21, 2016 by Evan E.

Awesome place!! Killer brew selection, a ton of fun!!!

May 17, 2016 by Jeff G.

We stopped in here for lunch on the way to a bike race in Minnesota.  Sometimes in gastropubs that serve their own beer the food or beer can be kind of lacking.  It is hard to do both well, mainly because it requires a major investment in two separate areas and not everybody is willing or able to do that.  Great Dane did very well in both areas.  The food was down right superb.  I had the curry noodle dish made with fresh pasta and it was a great choice.  The other guy ordered the fish and chips along with the cheese curds and I was jealous.  I had their porter with the meal and it was everything a porter should be - smoky and in your face grain.  I would hit this place again if it wasn't so far from home.

May 16, 2016 by Collin S.

With the previous working experience in one of the restaurants one can say that I may be a bit bias. But, there is a certain sense of community in all of the Great Danes I have gone to. Though I have only seen three they seem to set a good basis and each offer something unique. The menu is wonderful and old fashioned along with the home brews that are ever so present. For whatever occasion, the restaurant can tailor and provide a wonderful space.

May 08, 2016 by Claire C.

Cool pub right in downtown Madison with dual bars plus plenty of pool tables to keep you entertained for a night out with friends. They have a good selection of local beers on tap along with cocktails. Our group came here after a wedding at the Madison Club after midnight. This place was still busy with decent amount of people at the bar and playing pool. My boyfriend got some really delicious drinks made by the manager for only $6 each! Overall, this is a hot spot in downtown Madison for a fun night out with friends and good beers!

May 05, 2016 by D N.

Ordered a 4 sampler of dark beer and a soup/half sandwich.  Enjoyed the beer.  I ordered  African chicken soup and the alpine grilled cheese sandwich for lunch.  Both were great! Sat outside in their patio area.  Restaurant has a great atmosphere.  Only negative was hostess was more concerned about seating us in a location that they wanted us to sit and not a location in the sun where we wanted to sit.  It was a cold day and a bit of sun would have been nice.  Restaurant was not crowded.

Apr 23, 2016 by Amber R.

Had a 4 sampler of their beers and the peanut stew. The beers were good. The stew wasn't what I expected - basically spaghetti sauce over rice - could hardly  taste peanut at all. It was good, just not what I was looking for. Tasted everyone else's dishes and the pot pie, shrimp & grits and apple pie were very good. Seated right away during the Saturday farmer's market. Laid back atmosphere and nice patio. Would definitely come back.

Apr 14, 2016 by Amelia S.

Gr time last night at the pub. Crowded but great drinks and food. Home made root beer was a definite plus.

Apr 11, 2016 by Shannon G.

Great beers, even better food! Came here from Chicago with a few friends and we had a great time. Cheese curds were out of this world! *TIP!* Love their beers? Don't want to buy a full blown Growler? Get a "Crawler". You can get their beer canned for only $7! Definitely took a few of them with us home back to Chicago :) Will be back next time I'm around.

Apr 11, 2016 by Bethany H.

Overall a good place to have a meal and enjoy some beers.  The atmosphere here is pretty fun. However they do have multiple different sections that can fit the vibe you are looking for, whether it be more casual and fun at the bar, or more private dining.   Their menu does not make me do back flips with excitement, but I can't say anything bad about it either.  It is decent food that I have enjoyed multiple times.   The Great Dane does do a good job of brewing their own beer, and so it is a must to try some of their own beers.   Favorite Menu Item:  Poutine  - Honestly the best poutine in town. Perfect combo of that gravy, fry, cheese-curd goodness.

Apr 09, 2016 by Dale W.

Solid choice for lunch or dinner, great beers, their food is quite good, some of the best pub food I've had.

Mar 30, 2016 by Matthew D.

First time at the downtown Madison locations. I've reviewed the Wausau WI location and have tried the other location in Madison but was excited to try out the downtown Madison Brew Pub. This location is set up to party. One bar faces several table games featuring full size pool tables and shuffleboard. It seems to have a more open layout that would better accommodate big crowds of people without troubling couples. If your looking to avoid a crowd the hidden basement bar is perfect. The next thing I noticed is that the beer menu was exactly the same as the other locations. I almost hoped that Mad Town would have a signature brew only found here. The menu seemed to also be incredibly similar and didn't feature noticeable differences. Still a fun place that brews a few great craft beers and some good old fashioned German plates that are worth trying.

Mar 18, 2016 by Paul L.

Love it!! My food was fantastic!!! My beet salad was the best ever!! Atmosphere was fun and full of energy.

Mar 10, 2016 by Matthew

Decent beer and food but a great outdoor area. Also have a good number of pool tables and a locker to charge your phone!

Mar 10, 2016 by Megan K.

Will be back to try other things. The wrap was "Okay" and the beer I had was "okay" I will just have to try something new next time. The place itself is really cute inside.

Mar 06, 2016 by Miriam P.

Not crazy about their beer, so I usually get other drinks here. Food is generally ok, lots of choices so it is good for a group and/or kids.

Mar 05, 2016 by Fallon

Come here at lunch, dinner, late night, or for brunch on the weekend. It's always good and they have something for everyone. Fish tacos are to die for, watch out for the habanero sauce!

Feb 28, 2016 by Kevin D.

Excellent beers, and definitely the very best cheese curds I've ever enjoyed. Wife says the Beet Salad is worth the trip. But, they need more presentation information about the beers on tap, especially the specials. Barmaid was unable to conjure up anything about the specials except that "it's the only IPA we serve". Not a rousing endorsement. But nice place - we sat upstairs and could actually hear each other talking. !!why do restaurants think they need so much noise in the background ??? This was a nice place to spend an afternoon and would recommend it.

Feb 20, 2016 by Stephanie B.

Love the great dane, the food and beer is amazing!

Feb 13, 2016 by Chelsea M.

Fast , extremely friendly and professional service, beer is awesome, last night I enjoyed the Devils lake red , and one of the best burgers I've ever eaten (texacana) , 5 stars guys.  This one was a good find! I forgot to mention the cheese curds, AMAZING , MELT IN YOUR MOUTH , BUT A CRUNCHY OUTSIDE , PERFECTION

Feb 12, 2016 by Pat D.

A group of 10 of us visited the Great Dane Brew Pub for a late lunch Saturday. What a great experience! Lucky for us, they were able to accommodate our group even though we had no reservations. (There are a lot of tables at the Great Dane.) Our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable, and patient (we had 3 children and a baby.) There is an extensive selection of beverages available. The Emerald Island Stout was particularly smooth and creamy. The menu consists of a wide variety of pub foods such as burgers, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers with a lot of special twists thrown in. For example, I had the brat & pretzel bacon burger which had both a brat burger, a beef burger, bacon, cheese, and was served on a pretzel bun. This may have been one of the best burgers I have ever eaten! It was seriously that good. The home-made chips are also great. Crunchy, thick, salty, not particularly greasy. A very good chip. There are also some less traditional dishes such as the chicken-pot pie, mac & cheese adn peanut stew. Everrthing we tried was tasty and well-prepared. I am definitely a convert to the Great Dane Brew Pub. I plan to go back often!

Feb 12, 2016 by Julia F.

Went to Great Dane in Fitchburg for a brunch Sunday, not impress at all, way to expensive for the food they have on the menu and the buffet. Very standard quality and options. Then we tried the one by Hilldale hoping it would be better, but same thing, nothing special about their food and the buffet. Only good for a place to drink.

Feb 09, 2016 by Daniel K.

Decent bar food, but nothing to write home about.   Brewpub thing alone was cool 20 years ago when there weren't a lot of folks doing it, but they need to pick up their game on their in house  brews if they want to compete with the other great brewpubs that have opened in Madison.

Feb 03, 2016 by Kenny R.

Me:  What is the most popular dish on the menu? Waitress:  I don't know, I don't eat meat. Me:  I try NOT to eat meat also. Waitress:  I really don't eat here. Me: Ok, I'll have the poutine. Ok, she was a bigger girl (for a vegan)  and she wasn't much help. So, my party had the burgers...they weren't impressed.  Odd, my poutine was the star of the show and it was a $7 appetizer.  I win! Service:  I picked off the inept waitress and blindly gave her my credit card and snaked the tab from my friends.  Only 15 minutes later, she returned to ask "is this separate or all together?"   Dammit!   Awkward moment insues. Why did I tip you?  Ok, take away a star for mediocre burgers, one star for service....but damn...cool place!

Feb 01, 2016 by Josh Z.

This is a lifetime review, having visited the Dane many times over the last twenty years, otherwise would be 3 stars. I have enjoyed the Dane's food, beer and atmosphere for years, and this is the first time I thought, it is time to try somewhere new.  The food was sub-par.  We split several apps wings, fish tacos and cheese artichoke dip.  The wings seemed to be breaded and flavorless, and the dip/breadbowl were bad.  The fish tacos were good, but not nearly as good as the last visit when they featured a flavorful slaw.   On the other hand, this was the best beer I have ever had at GD.  The seasonals were well-above average, and Bier de Gard and Zenn Pilsner were top notch, among the best brews I've had in WI - flavorful, interesting well-balanced.   The service was awesome, as always.

Feb 01, 2016 by Eric S.

Standard. Their beers aren't the best, but you can count on consistency in the meal.

Jan 29, 2016 by David H.

Nice pub, great beer, nowhere to sit and the band was noisy. Food was ok for pub food.

Jan 29, 2016 by Stephanie C.

Tried the pub burger with sweet potato fries and shared 2 orders of cheese curds. Great, comfy vibe and really quick service. Cheese curds were delicious and not too greasy, and the burger was thick and fresh. I like my sweet potato fries to be crispier, but overall they were fine!

Jan 28, 2016 by Jamie S.

The Great Dane is a go to when you want bar food. Their burgers are my favorite. I like to get the Dane burger since it has artichoke dip on it. If I'm feeling adventurous I even get the pretzel bun. They brew their own beer and therefore you can only order beers brewed by them. They have many options so you can typically find something you like. Crop circle wheat is my personal favorite.

Jan 21, 2016 by Chy L.

I gatta say the Ruben here is really good! Stacked and piled high with shaved corned beef, on a bed of sauerkraut, lightly dressed in Thousands Island, all sandwiched between two slices of grilled, fragrant, and flavorful marble rye bread. Slices of swiss cheese were melted on both side of the bread, a plus! It comes with a side, feeling a little heavy,  I opted with the side salad resulting in an additional $2.75. The Ruben was $10.25, so $13 for lunch before tip may seem a bit much. However, if you get a regular side is a worthwhile lunch.

Jan 15, 2016 by Lindsey

I always order falafel when I'm here and it's great! If you find yourself here in the summer, the sunken outdoor patio is amazing. Oh and the beer is good too!

Jan 13, 2016 by Mark A.

How is it i have never reviewed the Great Dane? If you live in Madison, you know how great this place is. If you are visiting Madison - you need to go here.

Jan 08, 2016 by Sarah A.

A classic Madison institution. Food is decent, beer is super here. This is a great place to meet with friends for drinks. If you want a table, especially on the weekend, make a reservation or be prepared to wait.

Jan 01, 2016 by Debajyoti C.

We celebrated New Year at the Great Dane Brew Pub. It was a wonderful experience. The food is very good. The people out there are quite friendly and the service was great. It can get crowded sometimes and tables might not always be available. Parking is not a problem. There is an adjoining parking structure with ample spots. The special New Year event was pretty good. Will always go back to the Great Dane Brew Pub.

Dec 25, 2015 by Stacey L.

I'm pretty surprised I've never reviewed this Great Dane considering I've been here dozens and dozens of times over the years. As with many people, I fall in the camp that the Dane is a great place when you have a mix of interests and backgrounds and want to go out. Whether you're with hipsters, bros, parents, or coworkers, the Dane is going to satisfy everyone, if not actually downright please them. On the food and drink side, there are plenty of options that mostly hover in the pub food genre, but there are enough unconventional options to keep it interesting. They brew their own beer so the selection is limited in some sense - Great Dane brews aren't at the top of my list, but I truly enjoy the Stone of Scotch Ale and ordered Crop Circle Wheat for years before that. Favorite food items include the James Madison Pub Picnic in the winter, the California Turkey Club, the Webster Street Chicken salad, and the Dane Burger. I almost always order the mashed potatoes as a side. While not everything I've sampled is spectacular, I've also never had a "bad" meal. The thing we end up at this Dane the most for, though, is Big Buck Hunter. I have no interest in hunting and am in general not a video/arcade gamer, but there's something my group has found addictively fun about this game. At the Dane there's plenty of room around the machine for us to play as a group, and they recently got Big Buck HD - I don't like it as much as Safari, but it's more challenging and the technology is more responsive. NERD NERD NERD. TL;DR - the Dane's got something for everyone.

Dec 24, 2015 by Joe D.

The food is an ok deal (pretty good burgers and the chicken pot pie is surprisingly good) for about $10 a meal.  They have a pretty big menu, which can be nice for groups. Food is also pretty good- not bad but just above average. Things like the poutine are a great addition to the menu and Madison's food scene. Downside: you have to order food to sit in the beer garden (you'd think ordering beer would be the requirement...). Beer is hit (but a few times, I've had a miss, sometimes it is flat or stale), usually it is great and fun to have beer brewed by the place you're at. Also, the location (right off the square) and the atmosphere (in an old hotel) is great. Happy hour is a great deal.

Dec 23, 2015 by Allie B.

Love the selection of beers and bartenders. Food is typical bar food but always comes out fresh and hot.

Dec 14, 2015 by Hillarie H.

The Great Dane is a favorite local place for my husband and I. It has okay beers, and they tend to revise favorite dishes like the Inner Warmth Peanut Stew, and...the staff is kind of hit and miss...BUT we've had far more positive experiences than negative here. Their menu offers a lot of different options and most are very good. Their downstairs bar and beer garden are fun, interesting spaces. A familiar, comfortable place to grab some food and play casual pool.

Dec 11, 2015 by Brian P.

I had forgotten I reviewed this place almost 5 years ago, but I had an unfortunate experience here last week.  I stopped in on Monday night, as I was meeting with a friend who was in town.    I ordered the inner warmth peanut stew.  I've had peanut stew before, and this didn't taste anything like it at all.  There was no peanut.  It tasted like a tomato base, and nothing else. I also ordered an IPA that came out too warm.  I get that ales should be served warmer than lagers, but this was too warm.  Would have asked our server, but she was nowhere to be found.

Dec 11, 2015 by TJ S.

This was an excellent "first time to Madison" find!  Stayed at Hilton, walked two blocks...great beers on tap. Shrimp and grits a fantastic meal for sharing. Will be back!

Dec 10, 2015 by Savory B.

It's well enough. Smells of spilt beer but without the sticky floors. Being from out of town I didn't realize there were 5 or 6 locations. If you're from Ann Arbor, this place is basically Grizzly Peak Brewing. Everything was unexceptional but not bad. In a town with so many good options, pass it up. Dance club music in such a casual atmosphere was a bold choice.

Dec 05, 2015 by Stephanie K.

I had to score right down the middle because first, I love their food. Quite a big menu that makes decision making a bit difficult but I have never had a complaint with any selection I made. The turkey burger (whichever way you want it) is my favorite. Their poutine appetizer is pretty much as good as it gets, which makes it something I most always get upon visit. The loss of stars is for the beer. I'm not particularly fond of any of their brews, but that doesn't mean they aren't something I'll drink while I'm there (no other choice if you want beer). Though the beer isn't terrible I'm just not impressed. Wisconsin has so many better beer choices it is a let down to have such an uninspiring selection to go with such fantastic food.

Dec 05, 2015 by Kathryn B.

Good food and greats beers on tap. A pint was only $5.50 of any of the micro-brews offered. I tried Emerald Isle stout, which was a nitro pour. It was really good, tasted like coffee! I also had the Mediterranean plate appetizer as dinner, and it was plenty for me.  My friends got a variety of other items which they all said were delicious. The food was typical pub-grub kind of stuff with a comfort/soul food flair. They even had shrimp and grits on special. The bar area was nice and had plenty of room to congregate and watch the Packers game.

Dec 02, 2015 by Julie

Pretty overrated imho. Try another Madison original for a better time and better food.

Nov 30, 2015 by Tony L.

Whenever I have someone visiting Wisconsin I have to take them to the Great Dane to check out what a Madison brew pub is like. Great menu and great execution. Their beer is also much better and smoother than most micro brews. Try their Sunday brunch. It's pricy but has more choices than most.

Nov 29, 2015 by Beth P.

I find myself missing the Great Dane since I transplanted to Milwaukee post-college. However, I've found that it doesn't top my list when I go visit Madtown. Part of the reason it doesn't make the to-do list is because their beers lie in the "OK" range. I appreciate that they brew so many beers...some are not that great. Being a beer snob, I gravitate towards other places when I am visiting. Still, their food remains delicious. I usually get the fish fry with slaw and fries with malt vinegar.

Nov 27, 2015 by Karen K.

Great beer...  But I will not return.  They filter their juke box music too disallow any country genre..  Wow

Nov 22, 2015 by Emily W.

Stopped here to have a few beers and watch football. Great selection of beers, coffee is ok, kind of expensive altogether but a fun place to hang and watch the game.

Nov 09, 2015 by Jared

All different kinds of beers

Nov 09, 2015 by Michael T.

Crop Circle Wheat. This beer is to DIE for. If only they sold this commercially, I'd have my fridge stocked at all times. Their entrees are okay, but they have surprising diversity for a brewpub. I've tried the Curry Noodle Bowl, Shrimp & Pork Belly Pasta, Dane Burger, cheese curds and poutine. All are pretty solid. This is a good place for a weekend night out.

Nov 01, 2015 by elijah m.

Average in all aspects. Crowded all the time. If you need a place for a 50 person breakfast, it is one of the only options in town. Patio decor is nice. They have some good beer and pools specials on off days.

Oct 29, 2015 by Katie H.

Love the GD. Food is always good, service is fast. Beer is hit or miss but the Oktoberfest is awesome! The ginger ale is too!

Oct 25, 2015 by P R.

The service was very discombobulated and they seemed very understaffed. Everyone was very nice- but it was just kind of frustrating. The food was pretty good. The place is huge and in an old building. I think with more help it'd be 4 stars.

Oct 24, 2015 by Emily J.

This will always be my first love in Madison. The food is always very good, and I love that they have some more exotic and veggie-friendly options. Craft beers are great here. The Rathskellar is my fav place to eat in the colder months, but as soon as it warms up, the hidden outdoor patio in the back is like a mini vacation. I've come here with large and small groups, and never been disappointed. I also love checking out the game in the lower bar, and there's a lot of pool tables to enjoy. I take all my out-of-town pals here first--it's the best place to whet their palates for a weekend of great food and drink in a city that has no shortage of it.

Oct 23, 2015 by Angel S.

Great beer. Great food. Great service. The Speedbump IPA was really good.  I like going to places and asking what their favorite dish is. Our bartender suggested the steak salad,  and it was very good. I can't wait to come back.

Oct 11, 2015 by Norah T.

I've had a bad experience with this place and no new experiences that really put it above the bar. Everytime I go I get disappointed. I've been to both the Fitchburg  and the downtown Madison locations and pretty much had the same or worse experience. One time me and a group of people came in a little late in the night for food the waitress had a severe attitude problem right off the bat would not split the check forced us to have a 30% tip which I understand since it was kind of late and we were large group. What really made it bad though is the fact of waitress kept sighing, rolling her eyes making exasperated gasps at everything we would say ask or do. The manager came out at one point checked on how everything was we complained, some of our food was cold since it wasn't cooked to order and on top of that the manager seemef to smile sarcastically. So aside from that bad experience which set the bar for this entire place, the other experience I had was extremely mediocre. When I went with a friend who I hadn't seen a long time just to get a pitcher of beer asking any question about what beers they had or if they had a certain beer visibly pissed off the lady behind the counter or frustrated her. Seems they only hire women with good looks for their waitstaff and ignore anything about customer service personality or general manners. Do yourself a favor go to one of the actual local places around Madison support them, their friendly staff, their less questionable hiring practices and avoid the generic trap that is all Great Danes in Madison.

Oct 10, 2015 by Kevin S.

Am in Madison for one night and went to the Great Dane before a wedding reception. Was great to get to try some of the local beer, but it would have been great if it wasn't brewery specific. A variety of local brews would have been good to have as well.

Oct 08, 2015 by Nurse

Great post-work brewery!

Oct 06, 2015 by Jeffrey Z.

This is definitely a meat, potatos, and beer type of pub. The portions are generous, the staff is friendly, and they have all the local beers to get you started for the evening. On game days, it can get a bit crowded, but that's part of the appeal. This definitely has a slight college bar feel to it, and the crowd seems to be younger. Evenings, this place is a good place to grab few drinks and apps to pregame. It is within walking distance of the capital and all of the other "get wasted" bars. Drop by for a quick lunch at this iconic bar or meet up with your bros here before heading out to Paul's Club for a wild night.

Oct 05, 2015 by Kori E.

It was our first stop once we got into town on Friday! We started off with the pretzel, and it was delish! They had a great beer selection and the prices were very reasonable! For my main, I got half of a wrap and a bowl of soup and it was A LOT of food. My fiance got the grilled cheese, and it was very tasty. Not your typical grilled cheese. I would definitely recommend checking them out. We were sat quickly during the lunch hour, but we noticed as we walked past on our way to dinner they were packed!

Oct 03, 2015 by Taylor B.

This is always a good place to grab a bite and a brew! Friendly staff, great atmosphere. The Dane burger is my go to but the rest of the menu is good as well. My over all favorite is the brown ale soup.

Sep 20, 2015 by Andrew J.

Very average food.  Their brews are also quite average and unremarkable.  There are better places to eat and drink  in town, but the location is good and you are unlikely to get poisoned or stabbed so...

Sep 15, 2015 by Luke B.

Great food. Great service, thanks Zoe. Beer is awesome.

Sep 12, 2015 by Chris O.

Great Dane was my first meal in Madison. It's a large-menu pub style restaurant: you can get any kind of meat, any kind of cheese, and any kind of potato, cooked any which way, with a beer, at this restaurant. I've also been told it has many Madison locations. They have enough vegetarian options too, but you better like cheese. My friend and I were visiting town, and ended up meeting a few people for dinner here. I had the old glory cheese curds and the Wisconsin style cheddar mac. I'm disappointed in myself because I didn't take pictures. The cheese curds were okay: this was my first taste of fried cheese curds, and Great Dane's tasted mostly like a premium mozzarella stick, but without the marinara dipping sauce. Only later did I discover that you could buy bags of fresh cheese curds at Saturday farmer's market for much cheaper, and that this method of consuming dairy products was much more delicious. The mac and cheese was a bit disappointing. There's really not that much cheese, and it's quite plain. Next time, I ought to add hot sauce on my own, or copious amounts of salt and pepper. The server we had was very friendly. When I asked him if he could charge my phone for me, he was helpful and said even though there's a "pay to charge" kiosk on the bar side of Great Dane, he could do it for me. I'd come back if I were meeting up with a larger group of friends in Madison, but there are plenty of pub-like American, traditional, blah blah blah places to eat in Madison to try, so it could be a while.

Sep 11, 2015 by Charles M.

Ordered a gin and ginger. Bartender forgot to add the ginger syrup. Entire table sampled my drink, no one could detect a hint of ginger. When I went back up and asked for it, both bartenders made jokes about "the guy complaining because he wants ginger ale." As a matter of fact, I did want ginger ale. When I ordered my drink the waitress said "ale" or "beer." If I'd known that "ale" meant "we'll put club soda in, forget the ginger syrup we use, and then mock you for asking us to make the drink correctly" I would have just skipped out on The Great Dane entirely. Manager came after 20 minutes, behaved in an incredibly rude and dismissive manner after hearing the events. I told him that all I wanted was for his bartender to make my drink correctly the first time or, barring that, to not be an ass after getting a request. I told him it was unacceptable, and swore because at this point I was frustrated by the awful service. He screamed "WE'RE DONE!!!!" Snatched the drink (my first of the evening which I'd barely sipped), and ran off. No one in my party of 4 will be visiting this establishment again. There are plenty of better bars in Madison, like Gibs on Willy St, that know how to make a drink and provide reasonable customer service.

Sep 06, 2015 by Miranda J.

My visit here was delicious and great. The servers know their beer selection well, and have great recommendations to help you with your decision making. They are patient with picky eaters like myself & quick on getting in orders. Thomas had the Great Dane Pub Burger- which he pretty much inhaled. I had the Veggie P-L-T. I even requested some cooked caramelized onions on the side to put on my sandwich, which was a great idea on my part. Everything came out quickly even on a busy game night. Though it was a little loud, which is to be expected during a packer game, it was a great spot for dinner and I recommend it to anyone looking for some great brew and food.

Sep 01, 2015 by Kristy C.

I debated between a three or four-star review, but when thinking about if I would be a regular if I lived in Madison, I had to go with three. It's not because of anything specific, just think there is way better beer and ambiance a elsewhere. The bartender was super friendly and helpful, made great recommendations, and was willing to keep my water filled for the entire time I sat at the bar reading a book. In addition, he was more than happy to offer my plenty of samples while I decided which beer I wanted. He was that perfect balance of chatty and quiet that is hard to master. But the best bartender in the world doesn't help if the beer is just mediocre. The food and ambiance were both decent. He recommended the special of the day, a meatball sub, which had delicious meatballs but wasn't as good as it could have been. The ranch dressing for the veggies is very thin and watery, so I was definitely glad it wasn't on a salad. It also just seems kind of weird (though I know it's not their fault), that a place named after a dog doesn't allow dogs on their patio. In other words, I wouldn't actively avoid going to Great Dane, but I might not seek  it out either.

Aug 26, 2015 by Barnali D.

I came here with a co-worker for a quick dinner when I was in Madison on business.  The food, drinks, and service was all good! We enjoyed our Great Dane-brewed beers, the cheese curds were delicious, and our burgers were good too! The service was polite and prompt, and the ambiance was very "old school" pub-like. Good spot!

Aug 24, 2015 by Katie S.

Great bar. They have great food and good beer. Me and my husband come here on sundays.

Aug 21, 2015 by Mike

Loved the steak! Good prices. My waitress was amazing, totally on point and quick.

Aug 19, 2015 by Michael R.

Nice cozy pub.  Awesome atmosphere. Everyone is extremely friendly.  Beer brewed here. First one is nice.  "Kolsch".  Gonna try a few.  4 pool tables to play. Very cool!

Aug 14, 2015 by Cleda W.

I came with friends to celebrate their first day of work we shared a pitcher of the circle wheat with lemon. Great choice. It was enough for 5 glasses. I wish we had ordered a second pitcher! I loved their menus which are newspapers. I thought it was an actual newspaper and started reading it and didn't realize until I opened it. I ended up with a turkey burger and fries. It was delicious and filling. We sat outside and had great conversation. It got a bit busy. Definitely great for groups. I'll be coming back for sure.

Aug 11, 2015 by Nicholas

Pot Pie and the Mac & Cheese are to die for.

Aug 09, 2015 by Charles F.

One of several in the GD chain.  The Dotty location is still the best. Food  Pub fair with some variety done pretty well.  The menu has quite a variety with things like a pesto pasta that's pretty good.  I've always enjoyed the Buffalo Chicken, the Poutine is pretty good although the gravy comes off as a bit generic/canned variety.   Beer  They brew some good brews and a pretty wide variety.  Last visit saw 17 different beers on tap.  A good place to grab a sampler and try something new along with the styles you already know you like. Service  Service is average and mixed depending on my visits.  Can be a bit slow during busy periods, otherwise usually meets expectations. Location  This place is huge with a small outdoor area that is not visible from the street, but makes for a nice quiet meal.  The basement is usually the best place to find a seat on a really busy night.  The bar is separate from the restaurant, nice for a family or those looking to not spend their time near someone elses.

Aug 08, 2015 by Michelle H.

I absolutely LOVE The Great Dane! I live a few blocks away from their Fitchburg location but have only been there 3 times. The downtown Madison brewery is where it's at! They have wonderful staff that are incredibly friendly, bubbly and nice! Management is hands on and that in and of itself is quite refreshing. Food menu choices are varied and eclectic which is quite lovely. I'm sure most patrons expect the standard pub fare and yes those staples are there but vegetarian options and twists on the traditional are mouth watering! Saving the best for last... the beers. Their selections are pretty incredible! They have seasonal and gluten free options so no one is left out! They now can! You can get your favorite beer in a growler that is an alternative to the glass ones that everyone has. Also! They have 6 packs! There is something for EVERYONE at The Great Dane! Even history buffs will love it since the building used to be a furniture store and hotel in the early 1900's! Go enjoy a cold one downstairs or the patio and you'll be immersed in Madison history! It'll be a great time and being that close  to the capitol you just can't go wrong! CHEERS!

Aug 05, 2015 by Veni V.

I really liked the beer and patio seating here! Right when I got there, we got seated fairly quickly (for 4 people) and were able to order our drinks soon after. Our waiter recommended some beers to us, which was very well liked by my friends. It did take awhile to get our orders in, but our waiter was very apologetic and helpful for what we all wanted to order. I ordered their Baja turkey burger with mashed potatoes--the mashed potatoes weren't as good as I thought they would be, but over all the meal was good. I can definitely see myself coming back here to have drinks!

Aug 04, 2015 by David G.

Tried a flight of their draft beers (they brew their own).  I really enjoy good beers. On average their beers were just okay.  Their wheat beer was good not great. Also tried their poutine. Fries were very good but dish was light on cheese curds and heavy on gravy.   Would not get again here.  This can be a great dish if made correctly.

Aug 03, 2015 by Tom C.

A great place for a burger and a craft beer. I had the pleasure of having the Texarkana burger. The atmosphere was pleasantly cool. The only draw back was finding parking close to the restaurant. The bartender recommend the food and it was delicious. I highly recommend this place for a burger.

Aug 01, 2015 by Jonathan

Black Earth Porter!

Jul 28, 2015 by Anna L.

Great food! Great atmosphere! Forgot to get an itemized receipt for work, emailed them and had it in 10 minutes. Excellent service and brew pub!

Jul 23, 2015 by Shani A.

I've been here more times than I can count, generally for the cheese curds and the games. Last time I was there (mid June 2015), the cheese curds weren't that great and we were told it was a new recipe. Hopefully they go back to the old recipe! The nachos are always a generous portion and delicious. It can be difficult to get a bar tender's attention, however, as they always seem to be busy.

Jul 19, 2015 by Jaime G.

4 stars for the beer and patio.  Some beer incould drink all day. I especially liked the sessional tri-pepper Pilsner that has a robust meaty green pepper flavor...and I don't even like pilsners. This was unique and worth taking home. Next was the crop circle wheat with a lemon garnish. So good and refreshing for the summer. I also had the black earth porter and the Emerald Isle stout but nothing to write home about. I then had the hard Ginger ale and it was way too sweet. Service is friendly but just ok - patio seems to get the short end of the stick on the weekends I guess. And we didn't try the good but it smelled excellent and noticed that it had a grass fed option. Would come back to try more beer out in the patio  for sure.

Jul 16, 2015 by Daniel S.

The tuna salad is wonderful. The beer is hit or miss. I much prefer new glaurus beer. The outside sitting area in the garden is lovely.

Jul 14, 2015 by Suzanne L.

Delicious wings (3-alarm is reasonably spicy, and i didn't dare venture into Habanero Hellfire) and the service was truly remarkable. Eleanor anticipated all of our needs, dealt with our large group well, and was funny to boot. I also liked all the beers I tried, especially the Red.

Jul 14, 2015 by Tavia B.

Great Dane is a Madison staple, with good reason. With a respectable selection of beers made exclusively by them, you know you'll get something special. Perhaps my favorite thing about all Great Dane locations is the ample room to spread out and hang out with friends. They all have a lot of space and people are always having a good time there - playing shuffle board is popular.

Jul 14, 2015 by J.C. O.

This pub lives up to the hype of a local landmark. Pleasant with charm and a menu diverse enough for any college town. But the airport version/franchise is overpriced and the service is rude, just like most airport bars.

Jul 12, 2015 by R B.

Good fish and chips and kids menu.  Great choice of beers,  I would have liked to try the beer garden but there was a long wait for outside so we took a booth which was a little noisey but okay.  My daughter had the Mac and cheese which was really tasty.

Jul 09, 2015 by Connie G.

The special was chicken and steak fajita's.The chicken was so dry you needed the wonderful beer to swallow it. The rice was bland and the black beans were straight from the can... No sizzling hot steak on a metal plate here... Pub burger came as ordered medium rare... But the bun was crumbly, reminded me of freezer burn. Why not a good roll toasted??? Asked for my onions to be fried,,, they were not freshly fried all I can say.... Hands down worst bun in my life ever....Loved the view from the east side looking at the Capital, the beer excellent, but still can not make up for the food

Jul 06, 2015 by Richard H.

I like this pub with some reservations. It's a downtown staple with a huge footprint, they have a billiards room, a dining area and a basement. They have a pretty long list of brewed-on-site beers; most of them are mediocre. The food suffers the same fate; extensive menu but nothing is terribly inspired. The best thing the Dane has going for it is the outdoor seating; it's a beautiful courtyard surrounded on all sides by a two-story tall brick wall. It creates a quiet and pastoral setting which is nearly impossible to find anywhere else in downtown Madison.

Jul 05, 2015 by Brock H.

Huge beer selection. We only tried a couple beers, but both were very tasty and well done. Very friendly service from the bar staff as well.

Jul 05, 2015 by sarah m.

Loved it! We were in town and the hotel recommended this for quality pub food. It was awesome! We had two bloody Mary's and the wings to start. Best wings sauce/ dipping sauce combo ever! Super rich and tasty. Also we had the pub burger with fries and some German sausage plate with mashed potatoes and saurkraut. Both awesome. All this food and two cocktails each set us back under 60 bucks. I couldn't believe it! I'll go back next time I'm in town for sure!

Jul 02, 2015 by Meghan M.

I was really impressed by the menu. My husband had the pork cooked in a banana leaf, I had the curry noodle bowl. Both were very flavorful. The kids menu has typical kid stuff (nuggets, etc.). We shared the Mediterranean plate, but that was pretty typical hummus, pita, veggies.  The beer was excellent, we tried stone of scone scotch ale and devil red.  The food came out really quickly, and the service staff was attentive. Is would recommend it to anyone visiting Wisconsin looking for a great brew pub.

Jul 01, 2015 by Emily V.

Delightful pub right near the Capitol. Came here when I visited Madison last weekend after a friend recommended it as a Madison must visit. Their menu was waaaaay bigger than I'd expect and had a good selection of vegetarian options as well as the usual staples. We started off with their beer bread, served with honey butter. It was good and so filling, I hardly had room for my actual dinner. Make sure to save room for the homemade sodas! I tried the root beer and the cream soda and they were both amazing. All in all, a great place!

Jun 29, 2015 by Jess N.

Good bites and good beer. A consistently good time. A great place to take visitors, as they have something for everyone.

Jun 24, 2015 by Ryann S.

Great Dane has average beer and average food... But the bars and the beer garden are awesome. If you're looking for an outdoor place to have some beers, their beer garden is perfect. They have amazing wings with some really good flavor options. The rest of their menu is just ok - it's not offensive, but I'd rather eat somewhere else downtown.

Jun 22, 2015 by Barton

Yummiest meatloaf, with garlic mashed, paired with the German Pilsner. Free pint for dad( me) on Fathers Day. Great (Dane) end to a short vacation.

Jun 19, 2015 by Todd

Great beer selection and hors d'oeuvres. Great service.

Jun 18, 2015 by Rose V.

I love the Dane for the ambience and the beer. The food is generally decent, but nothing too exciting. There's lots of options, including lots of veggie items, but just decent bar type food. The beer is quite good, with many different kinds from light to dark.

Jun 16, 2015 by Diane B.

What a great location--and they've made it even better with the patio, decor, seating.  Just great, along with the food.  And being from a craft beer mecca like San Diego, we really appreciate the history of the brewing here. So, why not a 5 star experience?  In a word, Eric. Unhappy, combative fellow who needs to find a job he likes. No amount of jollying the boy could make him into an even tolerable waiter.  Add that final whiff of racism and it was the complete package. Family member? Blackmailing the G Dane?  No matter. Gotta lose a guy who drives away return business.

Jun 07, 2015 by Teresa G.

Came here for dinner and had the pub burger with sweet potato fries. The fries were okay (I prefer them a little less well done) and the burger was medium-rare, which is exactly what I ordered. We sat in a booth by the brewing equipment. It was an easy place to stop for a quick dinner after a long day in a party of 4.

May 27, 2015 by Billy D.

Great Dane is the classic can't go wrong place to take any group  to Dinner in Madison and anyone will find something they would like. The beer is solid, they have an amazing patio in the summer, and you can always find a group of 20-something's hanging out in the bar... there are some good things, but on to the updates. Last week, I went for dinner and the food was inexcusable. The cheese curds were very greasy and almost all breading (no cheese). A friend and I got the sustain-a-burger and it was one of the worst burgers I had in a while. Not sure if they are getting complaisant or it was just a fluke, but I've lost all confidence in the Great Dane's food.

May 27, 2015 by Patrick L.

Loved this place. Beer was great. Food was good. Service was outstanding

May 27, 2015 by Liz R.

We had fun here late Sunday night of Memorial Day Weekend. Played pool and drank some beers. Very spacious place, really enjoyed it.

May 23, 2015 by Dana A.

Food was ok.  Beer was a meh.  Service was not great and our order was not correct. There are better places.

May 10, 2015 by Joshua N.

I don't know where to start. Amazing service, amazing food, and amazing beer. Our server was so friendly! I ended up going with one of his recommendations and couldn't have been happier. Our beers were all soo good! I love trying new places but it will be hard to go anywhere but here anytime I'm in Madison. I highly recommend this place to anyone in then area. I can't wait to go back.

May 09, 2015 by Blaise D.

The place is broken up into different and unique eating areas. So everytime you go you can have a different experience. I enjoy going with both family and friends. The food is great and the drinks are flowing.

May 06, 2015 by Mark H.

Food was amazing. Craft beer was good. Did not take discover card, just an fyi. Over all good experience. We will be back!

May 04, 2015 by Dan W.

The Great Dane Pub and Brewing Company is one of the finest drinking establishments I've been to!  They have TV's galore, plenty of seating (including an area with leather couches), 4 pool tables, a shuffle board table, two dart boards and a juke box.  On top of all that fun, they make their own craft beer!  The atmosphere is great, never gets so loud that you can't hear your group talking.  They also have a full menu with TONS to choose from!  I'm not from the Madison area, but Great Dane is a place I'd go anytime I'm there.

May 02, 2015 by Cathie

Eat outside on their lower patio in the summer!

Apr 28, 2015 by Neel K.

I've been to this location now on two separate occasions and have been pleasantly surprised both times. The restaurant itself is very large and has a great atmosphere and engaging staff. The most recent visit was during a very busy lunch hour where we were seated immediately and had a great view of the extensive beers available.   For food I had the grilled vegetable sandwich with a side of fries. The sandwich was spectacular consisting of multiple grilled veggies with cheese on a large gourmet crispy bread. The side of fries was also well seasoned and just the right amount to go with the sandwich. My wife had a vegetarian soup which she thoroughly enjoyed. Although we didn't get to enjoy any beverages the beer list was extensive and we look forward to going back for dinner. For vegetarians the menu is clearly demarcated with vegetarian options which are extensive and we look forward to trying more in the future.

Apr 23, 2015 by Sarah K.

I love Great Dane. They have an awesome, fun yet also chill atmosphere, great beer, great cheese curds, and great cheeseburgers.  I go there for the bar and also for dinner with my friends. They only have their own brewed beer and it is definitely worth it.

Apr 22, 2015 by Dawn

Dinner. Yum!

Apr 21, 2015 by Eric V.

I've been here several times and it seems like they tend to screw up my order about 50% of the time.  I was just there with a few people, and everyone else got their food then our waitress walked away, and I had to ask about my food.  Which she didn't come around until everyone was nearly done eating, I politely suggested that I would like something quick so I could eat my meal, but they brought the wrap anyways (Which was a small amount of chicken in it), after everyone else was done.  I just asked for a box, the check and paid full price.  Not pleased at all with this experience, I'm sure this will be the last time I have dinner there.

Apr 17, 2015 by Wes P.

The reviews clearly reflect times patrons came to the bar/restaurant when it's not busy. It took well over an hour to get our food and our waitress was rude and unapologetic while we waited. Food was average. Beer was average. Service was well below average. The grits were solid slop. If you are from the south DO NOT get grits here. I cannot emphasize how horrible the service was. Waitress was absolutely awful.

Apr 16, 2015 by Ashleigh C.

I stopped in here for lunch today and probably the best I can give this place is an ok ... I am a middle of the road wheat to lighter beer girl minus the hoppy flavor. I was very disappointed when they only had one beer I could stand. Had the french dip sandwich and fries... It was way better than the beer ever thought about being.

Apr 08, 2015 by Tiffany K.

After an entire day of drinking, my friends and I ended up at Great Dane for dinner. After an entire day of drinking, I needed something hearty, filling, and delicious to soak up all of the liquor. I had the Chicken Pot Pie from here and loved it.

Apr 02, 2015 by Jessica

Sesame tuna salad!

Apr 02, 2015 by William L.

Been to original, Hilldale, Wausau and Fitchburg locations many times. My wife liking the place says a lot, but many years have passed and they're not so alone as a brew pub. Overall a can't go too wrong place.

Mar 28, 2015 by Debbie

Best cheese curds we've ever had!!!!

Mar 22, 2015 by Nicole O.

This is the first place I ate at after moving to Madison, and it's definitely a Madisonian staple! My favorite thing to order is their steak salad! The Dane is a huge restaurant. In the summer, the beer garden is perfect to grab a drink and hang out at. I also frequent here late night as well. Pool tables, shuffle board, darts, beer, and cheese curds what more can I ask for?!

Mar 22, 2015 by Rachel B.

Have always loved the Dane. Even after moving away for more than 6 years now, it's hard to pass up when I'm in town. Favorites: drunken jerk pork, Texarkana burger, hot soft pretzels, enchiladas, tomato soup. Beer favorites: stone of scone and the hand drawn cask ales (though all are good).

Mar 14, 2015 by Bridget S.

Had I written this review a couple of years ago, I would've given the place 5 stars, but it seems that recently the Great Dane has gone straight downhill. This used to be my go-to place to take friends or relatives when they came to visit from out of town--the food and bar menus had varied selections that could basically please anyone, the prices were fair, the atmosphere was (and still is) great, and the service was (and still is) usually good. I've always loved that there are basically two restaurants in one here: a pool hall and lounge on one side, a sit-down restaurant on the other. However, despite all of these positive qualities, I can't get over how much some of the stuff has changed. The portions seem to have gotten smaller (which is fine), but the prices have not reflected this changel. Before, we were shocked at how much food we got for our money, but now, I don't feel like I'm getting the same bang for my buck. They used to nail everything that came out of their kitchen--from classic bar foods to innovative entrees--but recently, everything that I've tasted has just been average if not worse. There are about 5 different menus, depending on what time and what day you come in, and I'm pretty sure they've changed up a lot of their selection. On our most recent visit, I ordered the vegetable sandwich. I think it may be a new menu item, and it did NOT work for me at all. The flavors were confusing (broccolini, red peppers, mushroom puree, and microgreens???), the sandwich was poorly constructed (I ended up eating the fillings with a fork and knife because they refused to stay between the bread), and while it came out warm, the fries accompanying it were ice cold. Ditto on the fries served with my husband's burger, which was both flavorless and overcooked. Of the MANY times we've come here over the years, we have never had bad service until this visit. Our server was chatting with coworkers while we sat at our table in need of condiments, silverware, and drink refills. We also sat and waited for boxes while she checked her phone by the drink station, but at least we were entertained by the pool game going on nearby. This place just isn't impressive anymore. It's sad to say goodbye to an old favorite, but I highly doubt we will return.

Mar 13, 2015 by Toby

Beer and pub - food

Mar 09, 2015 by Courtney C.

Service is incredibly well mannered, knowledgeable, and attentive! Food is average but good for overall bar food! I did live the lite lager! You get a free beer in your birthday!!

Mar 01, 2015 by Joanna

Good beer, and very extensive menu. I've never really been wowed by the food or the service, but no complaints. Check out the downstairs bar if you are looking for an intimate atmosphere.

Mar 01, 2015 by Marty

Order the poutin

Feb 21, 2015 by Julie H.

GD is chain similar to a Rock Bottom or BJs. Three stars for a chain is good. They brew OK beer and serve food common to pubs. The only reason we came here instead of one of the better, original places on the square is because we had too many people in our party to think we could get a table together at a better place. GD came through with an immediate table, service, beer and food.... all at adequate quality.

Feb 19, 2015 by Peter

Get a flight

Feb 07, 2015 by Peter D.

Super generic food that tastes "meh". Decor is "meh." Nothing special in terms of cocktails or wine. Make their own beer but they aren't exceptional. Has nice outdoor patio enclave in the summer but it doesn't add enough to make me want to come here.

Feb 04, 2015 by Ron R.

Hmmm...wanted to try a place other than Old Fashioned and a friend that used to go to Wisconsin-Madison recommend this place.  I gotta say, the ambiance is nice and I bet this would be a great place to throw some drinks down, but I was here for food.  I did have 1 beer which they brew onsite and it was decent. The food however, was mediocre.  The Cheese Curds were average, definitely not Old Fashioned quality and you get far fewer for more money.  Just FYI, cheese curds here are $9 for about 12 pieces versus like 30 pieces at Old Fashioned for $6.95. We also ordered the Poutine which I have to say brought this place from 2 stars to 3 stars.  It was the hit.  Order this here if you come!! It was so good.  I only wish the cheese was melted just a little bit more on the fries. For my entree I ordered the most expensive sandwich at $12 versus the rest of them at 9-10.  It was the French Dip which the menu made sound like fresh prime rib sliced on a heavenly bun.  It was none of that...what a jip.  I bet it was Boar's Head sliced roast beef stacked on a baguette, cut in half and served with Au Jus. Not a fan, and would be hard pressed to return.

Jan 13, 2015 by Mitchell Y.

Great place! Came here twice in two days- once for happy hour, once for a wedding reception. All my beer drinking companions had great things to say about their beer (especially the polar vortex) and I loved the appetizers. The boneless chicken wings are gigantic chunks of chicken and the sweet sauce was very flavorful. Being in Wisconsin, it's only fair to judge a place based on its cheese curds, and the Great Dane delivers on those as well. At the wedding reception the brewhouse steak was good. I was skeptical about the chimichurri sauce, but it was a perfect partner to the steak. I also may have sampled some mixed drinks at this time, and their bartenders were all top notch. I have nothing but good things to say about this place. Very well worth your time if you're in Madtown.

Jan 11, 2015 by Marie M.

It's a great large space to go with a lot of people. The outdoor patio is amazing. However I don't particularly like the beer, it isn't very flavorful. But the service has always been great and I've never had a bad experience in that regard. The food a mediocre but I've only eaten the vegetarian options.

Jan 02, 2015 by Christine

Yum! Which one to try first?

Jan 02, 2015 by Christine

Food was excellent. Great beer...get a flight so you can figure out what growler you want to take home!

Dec 31, 2014 by Lexie V.

I get this place is a staple in Madison. Everyone says to go here and try it, so I did. The space is huge, maybe too big as it felt a bit lonely with all that drafty space? I sat at the bar and ordered a tasting. Good: I like any bar that is proud to be a plain, simple, working class dive joint. I'm always comfortable in this setting, so while I found the place to be too big to be intimate, I did like the energy of the place and the other patrons there. It was a fun, young, lively crowd. The bartender was very friendly too. Bad: food menu. Nothing remotely healthy to order. It's greasy bar food, so that means nachos, fries, etc. I wasn't feeling any of it the night I went so i did not order anything. It just didn't read appetizing to me. Beer. Not a fan. They offer a huge tasting as they apparently brew a ton of varieties. Not sure that's such a good thing? Much like I feel about Rogue Brewery, I think offering a ton of crappy to average beers is not good business. I'd rather they focus on a small variety of beers that taste great. Quality over quantity, people. The Old Glory Pale Ale was the one I enjoyed the most but it was totally average in the grand scheme of things. The Scottish Ale needs to be taken out back and shot and should never again see the light of day. :)

Dec 22, 2014 by Lindsey M.

Went here for dinner with a five co-workers.  It was mid week around 6:00pm, the wait was about 20 minutes with no reservations. We ended up going into the bar to wait and grab a beer.  I was impressed with the types/varieties of their craft beers.  I had a IPA type beer and just was not thrilled with it.  I wish I had gotten something a little less hoppy or asked for a sample before.  Normally I like IPA's but this one missed the mark for me. For dinner, we all ordered a bunch of appetizers to share, the food is OK but nothing special as it is just greasy bar food to me.   For our main meals we each got different options: fish, burgers, salads, etc.  Again everything was OK but it wasn't great quality or flavor.   The service was excellent and this is a great place to bring a large group. I think this restaurant is a fan favorite due to the cheap prices of the food and the beer variety.  Next time I would just come here for a drink and go somewhere else to eat.  There are so many great places for food around Madison.  I can see why this bar is a big hit with the students as after all of our food/drinks we each only spent about $30 including tip.

Dec 18, 2014 by Ashley H.

The quality of food & drink at this location has not decreased; however, other restaurants of this style in Madison (brewpub) have improved.  GD's rating goes down accordingly. Overall, I would say their house beers are enjoyable, but none are knock your socks off. The sustain-a-burger (local beef, greens) is my favorite menu item. Go to the biergarten  (outdoor patio) if it's nice out. Points for the shuffleboard and pool tables. It's good, but GD has lost its status as "great" due to a continuing influx of breweries that are really innovative.

Dec 14, 2014 by Liz Z.

Great beer? Check. Excellent cheese curds? Check. Standout service? Check. All I have to say is this place delivers. And Dan the bartender is as good as they get. Give that man a raise!

Dec 10, 2014 by Galen L.

Above average bar food and decent atmosphere.  Not a drinker so can't say I'd make this a return destination but wouldn't rule it out with a group.

Dec 08, 2014 by David N.

Stopped in the other day during a recent visit to Madison. Thought we would check out Great Dane after quite a bit of praise. Ended up trying five of their house brews, none of which rocked our socks off. Out of the bunch the porter was top dog.Grabbed an order of their fish tacos too. Much like the beer...nothing to write home about. Way too much breading, hardly any fish. Tortillas and accoutrements were well enough, but not even their hellfire salsa could save this fried fiasco. I'd definitely stop in again to check out a little bit more of their menu, as service was hospitable and friendly, and ticket times were above average. Cool vibe and plenty of space inside, just sad that the food and drink didn't meet expectations on our first go around.

Nov 30, 2014 by G. Sax

The mac n' cheese is as good as people say. Eat that!

Nov 29, 2014 by Emil C.

Food: I came here right after running the Madison Marathon for my traditional post race burger and some good beer. I sat at the bar and started off with a Texas Speedbump IPA. For my burger, I ordered the Applewood Bacon Burger with sharp Cheddar and a side of mashed potatoes. It came out with fries, so they brought me some mash potatoes separately in a small bowl. It was a good burger! I had plenty of time before I had to head to the airport to catch my evening flight home, so I had the Devil's Lake Red Lager and Old Glory American Pale Ale as well to help finish off the burger. Service: I had great service from the bartender. There was a big lunch rush, but she handled it very well. Not once did I feel neglected. Overall: A burger and beers is a post race tradition for me, but I will definitely need to return for their cheese curds and other items on their menu. They had a somewhat small but decent selection of craft beer.

Nov 28, 2014 by Steve c.

Excelent! This is a terrific restaraunt, good food and great service. One of the few open on Thanksgiving. Terrific fried chicken.

Nov 23, 2014 by Veeder V.

Somehow this place gets worse, not better.  The food is institutional.  The beer is syrupy.  Survives on its laurels.

Nov 21, 2014 by Donna M.

I'm a huge collector of things when I travel. One of the things my BF and I like to do when travelling is to collect pint glasses from various breweries we visit. Although I came to Madison sans BF for a work trip, I found Great Dane Pub and wanted to snag another glass for our modest (but growing!) collection. My friend and I came here after dinner to grab a few drinks, try the beer, and possibly grab a glass. It all goes downhill from here. The place was pretty crowded for a weeknight, but we found two seats at the bar. The bartenders here are literally the most blah bartenders I've ever encountered. I think workers at McDonalds are happier. There's quite a bit to choose from on tap, and there's a board showing the name of each beer they have. Since we were kind far away from the board (ugh, my granny eyes couldn't see) I asked the bartender what was on special hoping she'd be able to give us some recommendations. All I got was, "you can read the board to see what we have". Um, OK then. I decided to get a sampler, which was nice because you can choose the amount of beers you try and which ones. I got 4, and honestly, all of them were so blah that none of them were particularly special to me so I don't remember the names of which ones I tried. They were sour and old tasting, and seemed very watered down which is ironic and a little embarrassing if Great Dane brews their own. The entire ordeal was just so blah and unremarkable to me that I ultimately decided to forego buying a pint glass. It was an experience I'd rather have a momento of.

Nov 20, 2014 by Albina O.

Personally, I like the food at the Great Dane much better than at the Old Fashioned.

Nov 18, 2014 by Alyssa K.

While downtown near the capitol, my friend and I decided to check out Yelp and find a good place for lunch nearby.  The Great Dane had excellent reviews and was only a short walk away so we headed over.  This place didn't look too spacious when we walked in but they have plenty of space.  We ended up getting a table on the patio which was perfect for the September day.   Both the drink menu and the food menu looked great and I asked our server for some beer recommendations.  My friend ended up getting a sampler and I had a pint.  I tried a few of her samples and they were as awesome as my pint.   I can't actually recall what sandwich I ordered but it was delicious.  They do an awesome job here.  I will definitely stop by the next time I am back in town.

Nov 16, 2014 by Lisa N.

You know something is wrong when the celery sticks and ranch dip are the best part of the meal. Plus, we waited an hour for the food to arrive so we were hungry enough for anything to taste amazing. But the burger was dry and the eggs Benedict had the most tasteless hollandaise sauce I've ever experienced. The cheese curds were soggy and swimming in oil.  Beer was good but each one literally took 15 minutes to make it to our table after ordering. With all the amazing food in Madison I am sad to have wasted a meal here.

Nov 12, 2014 by Esther Y.

I've been here three times, and I've have a good time (but not great). The environment is open, very large (there's a bar, restaurant area, downstairs, AND outside seating area). Bartender is cool and gives great recommendations based on what beers you prefer (Coffee stout and dark ales for me please!), and I've never had to wait too long (even when busy).  But I'm not impressed by the food. First of all, the menu is not made for people who cannot eat dairy, so my options were very limited. First time, I had the cajun chicken sandwich, which was definitely tasty, but nothing spectacular. I've also had the BBQ Meatloaf--again, very good, but nothing that wowed me. Best part of that meal was the tiny little fries topping the meatloaf. I've also had the Chang Mai Curry Noodle Bowl. I believe there's a little dairy in that bowl, so I ate with my discretion, and it was thick but delicious. Noodles were soft but not soggy, and the broth was salty, spiced, and tasted American-Thai. Chang Mai Curry Noodle Bowl is probably the only dish I'd be willing to repeat if I went again. This menu is just not for me, only because I can't eat any of it. I can eat the wings and the salads, but then I'd just go to a place that specializes in wings and salads. I can see why people like coming here, and I'm always down to hang back with a beer; however, I wouldn't come back based on food alone. Love the environment, like the food. I would come back, and hopefully I'll find a dish I can vouch for.

Nov 12, 2014 by Charlie B.

Huge menu, huge beer list. This was our second visit here and it's a great stop if you are visiting Madison. We were in Wisconsin, so hit up a couple spots looking to beer flights. I love that you can create your own and add as many as you want. We decided to go crazy and try every singe beer, and had a really fun line-up of 14 or so beers on our table to go through. The food was solid, reasonably priced, decent service. It was super crazy on a Saturday afternoon with a long wait. If you can visit in warmer weather the beer garden in the back is also wonderful.

Nov 06, 2014 by Joe P.

Wow...the bartender was awesome!  He was very helpful with their in-house beers and providing us with a late night menu. They will give you some samples of their beers to find the one for you.  Both of the beers I had were great.  I had an APA and my wife had something slightly sweet which was better than the APA. I ordered a bacon cheeseburger off of the late night menu with sweet potato fries.  The late night menu may lack size, but that as made up in quality and taste.  I really liked their burger and fries.   Great beer, delicious food, and stellar service.

Nov 05, 2014 by Dan I.

My Type of Place! My wife and I fly into your town and we start chatting with our hotel shuttle driver. We start chatting about food, beer, etc... I tell him like pilsners and I'm not a fan of IPAs. He immediately recommends the Great Dane. I'm like cool, the Yelpers in town recommended this place on a thread I started. We check in, unpack, and off we go. The Arrival We walk in and the first thing I notice is the beautiful smell.  Only true beer drinkers can appreciate this smell. It's a perfume of brewers yeast and hops which is both intoxicating and delightful. A smile like the Grinch that stole Christmas creeps across my face. Is this heaven? No it's Madison, Wisconsin:)  So, we walk in the pool room area, but all the seats at the bar were taken. So we walk on the other side and plop down at the bar. We meet our bartender Jenny and she is sweet as pie. I get a flight of beers and I would say they have a pretty nice selection. For you Pilsner drinkers, this is money. They have more selections of that style that any brewery I've been too. I settle on the Landmark Lite, but I did enjoy the taste of the Pecks Pils and the Pumpkin Ale. The Landmark Lite is so smooth with no aftertaste at all. This is easy drinking at its finest and for me it's perfect. The Food We only had two apps, the assorted pretzel basket and the onion soup. The pretzel basket had four or five different types of fresh baked pretzels. Now the pretzels were awesome, but the show stealer was the Crop Circle Wheat Cranberry Mustard. My wife originally placed it to the side because she thought it was marinara sauce. I tasted it and said that's some sort of mustard. We both were a little shocked. I looked at the menu and yes this was truly a red looking mustard. I dip a pretzel piece into this red concoction and take a bite. WOW. The flavor profile will knock your socks off. First you taste the cranberry with it's sweet and then as it settles in your mouth you get the heat of the mustard. The heat I am talking about is compared to Hot Chinese Mustard where it reaches your sinuses. I'm not taking about that sorry ass Chinese mustard in the plastic packages, I'm taking about the one that comes in a small plastic cup. This cranberry mustard doesn't reach the sinus level of a Hot Chinese Mustard, but you can feel it. I need to shake the hand of the person who came up with this recipe. Whoever you are, you are a genius and if I could I'd have your children;) which reminds me, I need to buy some of that to take home to South Florida. Next up the Onion Soup. The cheese was melted to a prefect crust, which I love. I broke it up with my spoon and swooped in for the kill. Very tasty and not salty at all. The onions had that silky texture which is a must with this style of soup. Ambiance Open, inviting, and very clean. Service was very friendly and there is no doubt that this joint is popular with community. I would be a regular if I lived here. Verdict Listen, I know I'm a tourist and this was my first time here, but I know beer and food. This place has IT.  I feel very confident with rating this brewery a 5. I'll be back before I fly back home. Remember to tell Jenny that Dan from Ft. Lauderdale sent you and Stay Hungry!

Nov 01, 2014 by Jake E.

Three things I love about the Great Dane (near the square). Pool tables: I could shoot pool for hours-I love the setup and old time feel of the pool hall area. The natural wood, classic style tables, and social feel all make it a great place to chill with some drinks and sink some pool balls. Root beer: probably my favorite drink, and theirs is awesome. Try it. Multiple times. Outdoor seating: in the summer, it's a great little hideaway that stays cool in the shade. I usually just go here for a couple drinks, an app, and pool. The food is good-nothing out of the ordinary-but the setting allows it to be a good place to return to. One critique would be that the pool tables are badly in need of re-felting. They're beginning to really show their wear, stains, and are past faded.

Nov 01, 2014 by Cassandra R.

Terrible service...even overheard our server talking shit about us to the bartender....awesome! I don't believe in being mean to servers so even when we had drinks spilled on us and wrong orders delivered, both with no apology, we still said please and thank you. Luckily, we dodged being punched in the teeth (part of the overheard conversation) because we wanted our drinks within 20 minutes.

Oct 29, 2014 by J. W.

Food is great. Beer sampler is great. Good vibe. However, waiting for service is really bad.  Once you get a server, it's all good.  They had one poor server running around handling the entire bar area which was mobbed.  One you could get her attention (waited 20 minutes to place a food order), then things were fine.

Oct 26, 2014 by Logan M.

I came here for my very first dinner in Madison. It's definitely a really "sconnie" spot, and they serve some local staples, like curds, pretzels, and the like. We started with the giant pretzel, which was......... a giant pretzel. I debated for a long time between the Wisconsin cheddar mac and the chicken pot pie, but ultimately went with the cheddar mac because it had Wisconsin in the name (and because I'm pretty sure the pot pie had mushrooms, which I am deathly afraid of). The mac and cheese came with another pretzel and tasted like mac and cheese tastes... maybe a little better. I feel bad for giving three stars, because my experience here wasn't bad, but wasn't memorable either. It was also at a work event, so unfortunately couldn't drink. I think I'll need to give this place another try sometime soon and order something a little more exciting with a side of wisco beer. This is another one where I'd take someone who was visiting for the weekend to have a real Wisconsin experience.

Oct 26, 2014 by Chelsea M.

We are regulars at the Dane. Their craft beers are wonderful and their food is almost always solid. We have had a few misses, cold food, and their funny tasting artichoke dip. However, some of my favorites are the hummus plate- SO MUCH DELICIOUSNESS- decent fish fry, good burgers, and yummy burritos. Service is almost always good, statistically your bound to have a few less stellar experiences. We have never had anything bad here. It's our solid go to to a quick night out or a game day.

Oct 25, 2014 by Rikky S.

This had to be the worst experience with trying to dine out of my life.  Our party of 7 was originally told that there would be a 45 minute wait.  At the 50 minute mark, we noticed a table for 8 that was being cleared and assumed it was for us.  When we inquired as to where our name was on the list, we were told that it would still be a short wait.  They then seated three people at the large table.  After waiting over an hour, we again inquired as to where we were on the list and were told they were trying to find us a table.  When we pointed out that the large table had been used for only three people, we were told that they could "squeeze us into" a booth.  (Why they didn't seat the three people at a booth is beyond me.)  After 90 minutes, we were told that a large table had opened up downstairs and they were clearing it for us and it would be about 5 minutes.  Ten minutes later, the manager informed us that one of the owners had just come in with a large party and was given the table we were promised.  After waiting for almost two hours, we finally just left. During every encounter we had with the hostess staff and the manager, they were rude and condescending.  The customer service was so horribly bad as to not even be believeable.  Someone suggested we write a letter to the owners, but apparently the owners are part of the problem since they were the ones who came in with a large party and just took an empty table regardless of who might be on the list waiting for it.  Even if the food were top-notch (which we wouldn't know since we never got that far), the lack of respect for customers and the horrible way we were treated wouldn't make even the best food worth it.

Oct 24, 2014 by Louise M.

With a name like Great Dane, I was expecting a big ass Viking Thor lookalike with a hammer greets me by the door; or, ...a big huge dog. However, it was a tiny young woman who welcomed us. Nevertheless, the name sounds awesome Two coworkers of mine who are a Swede and a Dane used to argue all the time on who's better. The Dane said it is the happiest country in the world. The Swede said Danes are happy because when they wake up they can see Sweden. The Swede guy used to say too that there's only one great Dane, and it is a dog. They would go on and on and I really want to take the two here! Look! Another Great Dane!! It's a restaurant!! I saw the brew kettles as we entered the dining area. Then, I saw on the board.. Pumpkin Ale. Oh, that sounded good! Too bad, we were at business lunch. Perusing through the menu that looked like a tabloid newspaper, it didn't take me long to identify what I wanted though the menu was a sizable one. I just surrendered to Haddock fish fry. I've been trying to avoid fried foods; but, it was haddock. I love haddock. I love fish fry. I can't help myself. I also tried their tomato and mushroom soup. My customer who was dining with me opted for Reuben and the potato soup. My soup was interesting and very savory. I loved it. It was more like a minestrone than a Campbell Tomato soup. The potato soup looked good too but it looked heavy to me. It was a meal on its own. However, my dining companion seemed to enjoy it. The fish fry was excellent! I must say I am not a fan of beer battered fish fry that looked like a long balloon. It looked puffed out and smooth. I usually like it lightly battered and it forms to the fish shape. However, this one was good. The haddock also tasted delicious with the malt vinegar. The fries were a bit spicy as they tossed it in a mixed spice type salt. The Reuben was filled with corned beef and krauts. It was huge! The service was super fast and our server did a great job during the lunch rush. I didn't get the Great Dane name even after I ate there. I knew it was named after the dog breed, but why. Next time, I will have to really look for clues. Oh yeah, I am coming back. Hopefully for dinner. Maybe their Ale is as good as the one served to Odin in Valhalla.

Oct 24, 2014 by Emma K.

We did not eat here, so this review is only for the beer/bar and service. My boyfriend and I came here to watch the IU homecoming football game (yes, it was pathetic), and grab a couple of beers.  We sat at the only two seats open at the main (?) bar.  The TV on our end was showing some sports documentary without sound, and the IU game was on at the far end.  Once a few people moved from the other end, we asked the bartender if we could move down to see the game.  She said that was fine and didn't offer to change this TV that clearly nobody was watching.  OK, no big deal so we moved. I had two pints of the IPA while I was here and they tasted totally different from one end of the bar to the other (came from different taps).  I'm still not really sure it was the same beer ; I really enjoyed the first one but not the second.  My boyfriend tried a sampler with 4 beers then ended up getting two other ones in pints, and wasn't really a fan of any of them. The biggest part of the two stars is the service.  We were sitting at the bar for at least two hours, and I think we got asked once if we needed anything.  The rest of the time was us flagging down the bartender.  At first it was busy, and then at one point an entire wedding part bride and all stopped by, so I definitely understand them being prioritized.  However, for at least half the time we were there, the bar was mostly empty and we still had to flag people down. Once we moved to the far end of the bar to watch the game, we were right next to the area were waiters use the computer to put in orders and get drinks from the bartender.  It was basically like watching reality TV.  They snapped at each, complained to a manager about each other, etc.  It was actually really amusing for me, but not the best portrayal of a business. Their menu did look really good, and if I lived in the area I would give it another chance for dining.  However, if you are just visiting, there are lots of other amazing places I would recommend before this one.

Oct 23, 2014 by Colby D.

The food was amazing. Good healthy portions and the price was just right. However, nothing compares to their home brewed beer on tap. Not sure what beer to get, ask the staff. It almost as though they encourage the staff to drink every night to have that intimate knowledge of their  cervezas.

Oct 20, 2014 by Matt D.

A crushing disappointment. I'm not gonna complain about the wait time before we sat down. It's a busy place and that's to be expected. What I am going to complain about is everything else. An almost hour wait at the table for two burgers? Two burgers, that may I mention, were lukewarm when we finally got our hands on them. Why did we have to wait so long for these burgers? I'd ask my server, but he was constantly busy with other tables. He came to our table precisely 4 times. To order drinks, to drop off the drinks, to intercept someone else dropping off our food and for the check. That's it. Some manager looking type cleared our plates and asked how everything was. We told her it was just "ok.' No followup questions, nothing. I understand it's a busy place. But come on, letting burgers sit under the heat lamp for who knows how long is just not right. Our sustain-a-burgers, which are supposed to highlight local farms, just ended up being dry pucks of meat. I almost forgot! When the server brought back our check to sign, he told us our bill was less than originally shown because he charged us for another couples bill. So this unassuming couple got stuck with a slightly higher bill than expected. Not cool. Don't buy the hype for this place, and definitely don't buy the burgers.

Oct 18, 2014 by Sarah W.

We were here for a post rehearsal dinner party, great beer, delish mixed drinks, great for groups.

Oct 18, 2014 by Debra D.

My sister and I were in Madison and went to Great Dane twice in one week!! Beer, food,,service and atmosphere were all good. Cheese curds were delicious, pretzel basket was tasty try the spicy mustard dip. Our favorite is the tomato mushrooms soup it was hot and enjoyed each time on our cold fall visit.

Oct 16, 2014 by Ellie M.

I fucking love this place so much I had my damn wedding reception here (well, their Fitchburg location--but this is the one I usually frequent). The food is pretty impressive across the board, especially for the price point.  This place is Husband's and my typical date night. The waitresses are super cute.  The bartenders are super nice.  There's a walled-in outdoor patio that's swimming in low-lit ambiance in the warmer months (which basically means any time it's not snowing--this is Wisconsin, after all). The only time I've *ever* had anything resembling bad service here (with ~monthly visits for the last couple years) is the one time some waiter refused to get my buddy a bloody Mary sans horseradish because "it's a mix."  Bro.  Seriously.  Someone makes that mix--this is a freakin' brewpub, it doesn't come out of a bottle.  Buddy's girlfriend went to the bar and the bartender made him the aforementioned horseradish-free bloody without batting an eye.  I've never seen that waiter again.  Good. Five stars, hands down.

Oct 13, 2014 by Brent

Great burger and beer.

Oct 13, 2014 by Mzz. Julia X.

Thoroughly mediocre. Beer: mediocre. I got cheese curds and I don't know how they managed to make them so bland--they tasted like nothing. Even the side of Gorgonzola sauce I asked for was bland. How is this accomplished? Damn. This town sure serves up a whole lot of bland. I don't know what would motivate me to go here again. Maybe Geeks Who Drink trivia on Monday nights? Maybe.

Oct 12, 2014 by Jumaria

All the beers are brewed right there, freshest draft you'll ever have! And the beer battered cheese curds are an absolute MUST!

Oct 10, 2014 by Jenna

Coppertun bomber. 10% ABV

Oct 07, 2014 by Courtney D.

We would probably eat here again. Menu sounded good but we ended up getting everything packed up to go since my son was not having a good day and they seemed busy and I didn't want to take up a table with a tantrumming little one.

Oct 06, 2014 by Katie M.

I'm a big fan of the Great Dane. I cannot speak for the beers since I do drink beer but I am very familiar with the food. Appetizers:  The artichoke dip, fish tacos and tuna tataki are some of my favorites.  I often order either the tuna or the fish tacos as my lunch instead of as an app Food:  The brown ale onion soup is to die for!  Seriously, I have cravings for this soup!!!  I DREAM if this soup!  I also really enjoy the Texarkana burger (and I'm not even a burger person). My favorite sandwich has to be the salmon BLT-it is delicious! My only disappointments have been the mac and cheese and the chicken pot pie.  Not because they were bad but because I can make them a lot better at home. The staff is always friendly and efficient.  The Hilldale Great Dane is also very accommodating for children. The hosts tend to put all the families with small children in the same section.  Good for the families with children and good for the diners who don't want to see/hear young kids. As a side note:  the Great Dane brunch, while a bit pricey, is very good. It is also very busy so don't forget to make a reservation.  ;)

Oct 05, 2014 by TJ

Ended up here late at night. Great food and beers.

Oct 05, 2014 by Karen C.

So good all around! Beer: I ordered 7 out of the 16 brews they had on tap for a flight. Based on my order, they pulled out the BIG flight container. All were delicious. I even went back and ordered a pint of their stout. Food: Yummers! Only thing I wish I'd ordered was the cheese curds. Looks like I'm going to have to come back. Because life isn't worth living without cheese curds. Waitstaff: Nicest/friendliest staff ever. I came up alone, so was obviously eating alone. They happily sat me in a booth. And the waitress, Chloe, was super nice. She was attentive. Let me hang out and do my thing...eat, drink, and listen to book on tape. Highly recommend this joint! Plus so many brews!

Oct 01, 2014 by Bobby S.

The Great Dane has a fantastic atmosphere, an incredible set pool tables, and some pleasantly decent food; that being said, their beer is just plain bad. In fact, it's probably -4 stars bad, detracting from the 5 star everything else. The $6.00 minimum price tag aside, I've had something like 8 of their 15 "signature" beers and I'm borderline scared to try the remaining 7. Just bad. Come here for food and friends, but save yourself the money and hydrate yourself with water to last longer for the 10 better beer establishments near the square.

Sep 30, 2014 by Tanya H.

We went here twice during our trip to Madison, which shows you how great it was! We started with the cheese curds. They were actually our least favorite out of the many we tried but we ate them at almost every bar so the competition was stiff. I think the cheese wasn't oozy enough. However, that did make the next restaurant's taste extra amazing! So, well done guys! The first time there, I got the African peanut stew (I'm pretty sure peanut butter is an ingredient) which was unique and flavorful! I also tried the mac and it held up to my high mac standards nicely. The best thing I had was at brunch on our last day! The brisket pretzel bun breakfast sandwich! I miss it, just thinking about it. To top it off, I stole a couple tastes of a vanilla bean beer stout float! Amazing.   The beer is pretty good considering they brew all their own and they are more of a restaurant. They had a great scotch ale called Scone of Stone and double wit, that were pretty tasty. Oh wait, we actually went back again at the airport! Until next time, Great Dane!

Sep 28, 2014 by Dusty French

Bucky don't care

Sep 28, 2014 by Zack H.

The food was average... But that seems to be the MO for Madison restaurants. Everyone thought the Fish Fry, Cheese Curds, and Fish Tacos were ok, but nothing to write home about. Maybe we should have tried the burgers? The fried plaintains were an awesome side or subtitution to fries. Beers were ok too. The Isle Stout was very similar to Guiness, maybe a little bit more flavorful. The highlight of the meal was the outdoor back patio/garden. It's completely secluded and beautiful. Definitely sit out there if the weather is nice.

Sep 26, 2014 by Jim W.

A brew pub with good beer and consistently good food.

Sep 25, 2014 by David K.

Had a nice gluten free menu. Ordered the rootbeer and ginger ale which were tasty but lost flavor after first drink. Ordered the peanut stew over chili rice which was a mushy and more or less flavorless dish served over what appeared to be a zatarain rice. Also had the blackened mango mahi mahi with garlic mash potatoes. Blackened seasoning was tasty but fish didn't have much flavor. Garlic potatoes were the best part of the dish

Sep 23, 2014 by Marcie W.

The Great Dane is where I take visitors. It's menu is huge, so everyone can find something they want, the beer is good, and I've never been dissatisfied with the food. I'm addicted to their fish fry, which has a great breading (and the accompanying tartar sauce is delicious too!). My dad loves their wings. The Great Dane is a reliable option that has yet to disappoint.

Sep 22, 2014 by Norah L.

Not what it used to be. Went with a group Saturday night. Everyone's food was served cold (burgers) or soggy (salad). IPA was bad - they said it was their second night with a bad tap. For a brewing company that's disappointing. The wings were no good - the chicken wasn't great quality and didn't have much meat. Service was slow and wouldn't ever return.

Sep 16, 2014 by C W.

Yummmmm!!! So delicious! I had the Mac n cheese. My boyfriend had the Texacana burger. For an appetizer we tried the Poutine which was dill cheese curds, fries and gravy. The fries and gravy were exceptional, I wasn't too crazy about the cheese curds. The whole bill came go under $40. Not too bad! One thing I noticed(this is me being picky) was the servers grabbing glasses from the top where my mouth goes instead of the bottom. Again, just me being picky :)

Sep 15, 2014 by Sam B.

Based on other reviews, it must have just been a bad day when I visited. We sat at the bar and each ordered a beer. It was a college football Saturday, but the game on the tv was a really bad one. I only assume it had stayed on that channel from the previous game. Since we were the only ones watching that particular tv, I asked the bartender if he could change the channel to the only top-25 match-up that was going on. His response was that he would if he got a minute. It didn't seem that busy and it shouldn't take that long to hit a couple buttons. I'm not a picky person, so I assumed he was busier than he looked and was ok waiting. But a half hour later, he never came back. Small thing, but we definitely left after that one drink. So yeah, this sounds picky I know, but we were served and then mostly forgotten for the rest of the visit. Maybe they were focusing on the large groups with food. Just my experience of one visit.

Sep 11, 2014 by Luke F.

BIG fan of The Dane. All of the beers are great, but my favorite is the Devil's Lake Red. Great selection of flavors and styles for a pretty reasonable price...and shuffleboard, which is awesome. My one gripe would be that not all of the beer styles are available at every location, but there's enough variety that you can get over it pretty easily.

Sep 05, 2014 by Corey D.

Oh hey Great Dane. Some people call me a Great Dane! I like your space! Your rooms! Your games! Haven't yet found a beer I dig but I'm still exploring, still leaning about your hoppy offerings. The fact that you were the only place one Saturday night had a deck of cards in the Capitol means you have a special place in my heart.

Sep 01, 2014 by Philip P.

Ambience in the garden is magnificent with attention given to the landscaping. Staffing by management was less than adequate. Pleasant server was overwhelmed and lacked support. Manager was oblivious when this was brought to their attention.

Aug 29, 2014 by Stephen

Specialize in dark beers and beautiful women.

Aug 28, 2014 by Jeffrey G.

I wanted to bounce around town and try as many different spots as I could.  I was in town for business and only had 2 nights.  After doing my Yelp research, Great Dane was my first stop. Its a very cool spot, just a block off the main park area of the Capital. Beers were fantastic.  Started with their Kolsch and ended with their Cascade Mountain Porter on Cask  Quite impressed with both. For an appetizer I had to order the Steamed Pork Buns.  They are crispy house cured pork belly glazed with an IPA hoisin sauce. Served in homemade steamed buns with radish, Bermuda onion, carrot, house pickled cucumber and scallion.  There had to be a reason steamed pork buns were on the menu, alongside so many other traditional "pub" options.  I found out.  They are absolutely delicious.  Thats why they are the 6th toe on the menu. Great attentive, friendly, helpful service.   Wish I had more time in Madison.  Next trip....I will absolutely be back.

Aug 22, 2014 by Brad

Outdoor Beer Garden easily makes this the best Great Dane location.

Aug 21, 2014 by Todd S.

Great place to eat if you want some comfort food. The Root Beer is amazing and the staff is friendly. I had the Mac and Cheese with a pretzel bun and bread crumbs on it and it was delicious. Easily one of my favorite places in the city. And if I had to chose I would go back.

Aug 21, 2014 by Amanda B.

In town for a couple of nights (not long enough!) with my fiancé. We agreed on rounding up to 5 stars. Atmosphere was amazing--we sat outside in the beer garden. Service was excellent. Menu options were vast and well priced. Beer and selection was great--try a flight to sample a bunch. The food was good, but not outstanding. The poutine appetizer was the best thing we had--pretty tasty.

Aug 19, 2014 by Jesse B.

Yeah I'm a fan. For a local chain this place is good. Be prepared to get packed in like cattle during games but that should be expected. Plus, game days are always fun when it is busy and boozy

Aug 17, 2014 by Tanya

Nice patio area

Aug 16, 2014 by Alyssa H.

Had the most amazing and bizarre grilled cheese here with gouda cheese, avocado and tomato on a tasty tomato basil roll. Delectable! Their 4 beer sampler was just right too since I wanted to try more than one craft brew. Very satisfied!

Aug 11, 2014 by Steven T.

The building is beautiful inside and out. Parking can be tough but there is a garage next to it. We went for lunch on a Saturday and it was very buisy, people never stopped coming through the door. Good that they have a patio, second bar area and a bar down stairs with more seating. This place was big and old, one door still had the name of a previous hotel in old fancy letters. Old wood all over the place and it's a throw back to another time. Service was good for the crushing amount of people in the place. I had the scotch ale which was good but I was informed it's not there best choice for beer. I had the bacon cheese burger rare with the garlic mash instead of Fry's. The burger was good, see the picture. The burger was cooked perfect and had cheddar cheese, lettuce, bacon, tomatoe, red onion, pickles on a good roll. No ketchup etc and I ate it just how they served and it was a good burger. This mash potatoes were very good with some red skins left in and that wonderful garlic flavor, much better than Fry's in my opinion. The food took a little long but not that long for the massive amount of people in the placs which was ok because we had our drinks to work on. This is a nice place to get together for food and drinks and I would go back again. Bottom line it's a great place with lots of character and I can see why they have a crushing following, I would not want to work that kitchen for sure. Good job.

Aug 11, 2014 by Claudia C.

New Mexico Chile soup, salad and beer bread - yum! German sausage plate - yes! Chocolate paired with beer ( you can't leave without tasting the tri -pepper pairing), what's not to like? Pub food does not have to be greasy frat food. Thank you, Great Dane, for a fabulous lunch!

Aug 10, 2014 by Gerrit

Try all GDane locations. Great beer and wings. Main menu is wonderful too. A must stop while in Madison.

Aug 10, 2014 by Melissa

My boyfriend and I are patio enthusiasts and this may be one of our favorite patios ever! Definitely recommend checking it out!

Aug 09, 2014 by Caitlin B.

Excellent selection of food and I have enjoyed everything I have tried. The conserve-a-berger optioned as a buffalo burger is heavenly. There draft selection is also varied and vast. Often very busy so plan to wait a bit for a table on weekends.

Aug 08, 2014 by Kurt

get a sampler so you can taste the wide variety of brews before you settle on a favorite

Aug 08, 2014 by Ryan

Fantastic food and even better beer.

Aug 07, 2014 by Cias H.

I tried not to love the Dane. Really, I did. When you say you're moving to Madison, everyone immediately gushes that you have to go to the Great Dane. So of course, we went. I sat down, immediately sure that I was going to be disappointed in the bar food. Surely, the beer will be sub-par as well. Foiled again, as Dastardly would say. The craft beer, brewed by the Dane herself, is fantastic. The German Pilsner in particular is one of the best I've ever had. I could drink a gallon of it on a hot day. The food, much of it classic Midwest comfort food, hits the spot and leaves you wanting more. When we don't feel like going downtown, we hit up the Fitchburg location, which is equally fantastic. If you're just visiting, make it a priority to stop here. If you're a local, you're either already a fan or a dirty, dirty liar.

Aug 07, 2014 by Melissa J.

Great Dane is a staple in Madison. The food is solid, and you always know what to expect.

Aug 04, 2014 by Jimmy R.

Decent brew pub food.  Really good beer.  I'm a big fan of dark, porter's or Scotch ale. Every one I've tried has been excellent.

Aug 03, 2014 by Kelly R.

It's....pretty good. The Great Dane is a solid option if you're looking for seating/hang-out space for a group with various tastes. They can accommodate parties of all sizes pretty well. Came here with a very large group last week and they did allow us to reserve  - plus. For me, the food is pretty decent - nothing extravagant or out-of-ordinary, but usually, as the 3-star rating indicates, "A-OK." I've been here a few times and have tried various options - fish tacos, mac and cheese, cheese curds, etc. Not bad food by any means, but again - not great. It's a good and easy choice when you're with a group, however, as the menu is eclectic (peanut stew to falafel to wings - huh?) and the prices are affordable. I DO really enjoy the root beer here (they brew it!). Try some!

Aug 02, 2014 by Jared G.

Huge variety, always well executed.  Good beers, good cheese curds, good price.

Aug 01, 2014 by Jared W.

Good food, solid drinks, and cheerful service are hallmarks of all Great Dane locations, and this is no exception. I have enjoyed many an evening playing pool, having a few cocktails (I'm not a big beer drinker), and sampling the various items on the menu. Drinks are mixed just strong enough that you don't feel like they are overpriced. Some of my favorites on the menu include the West African peanut stew (get a cup or bowl of this with any meal and you won't be sorry), the Tara's cajun chicken sandwich, and the filibuster burger. The Tara's Cajun is a blackened cajun chicken breast served with a chipotle mayo on a kaiser roll. This is simply one of my favorite sandwiches on the planet. The West African is a tomato based rice soup with tender chicken and spices. Give me a cup of this and the cajun chicken, and I am a happy man. One other item that I enjoy is the pretzel appetizer, which is three old style pretzel rolls served with some spicy mustard and horseradish dip. The dip and the mustard will certainly clean out your sinuses!

Jul 31, 2014 by Steve S.

I was originally going to give this place a 4, but the more I thought about it, I think a 3 is more appropriate. First off, I was not impressed with the beer. They all had a fairly watered down taste and were lacking a full flavor profile. The food was good, but not much better than I could get at another non chain restaurant. My burger was good, not great. I got the one with the cream cheese and I was expecting a nice shmear on there. But it was really more of a light spread. All in all, not a bad place, but not great either. And yes, the courtyard was stifling.

Jul 28, 2014 by Mallory E.

I dined in the beer garden (downstairs) and it was beautiful! I decided to be a piggy and ordered the cheese curds, poutine, steak, side salad and 4 beer sampler. I allowed my waitress to pick my beers ( I told her I liked light and ambers) and she did a decent job. I ended up enjoying the beer that came with a lemon slice. The cheese curds were delicious, you can really taste the beer in the batter, and the poutine was ok. The gravy on the poutine was. Little chilled, but I stirred up the dish and it was good. The steak was amazing - the only problem was that a million flies/gnats tried attacking my food when the steak came out (I highly doubt this would happen inside). Overall pretty delicious! I couldn't tell if it was wheelchair accessible because the only bathrooms I found were downstairs.

Jul 27, 2014 by Nichole C.

Great Dane was a solid 4 stars for the food and an average 3 stars for the beer.  (Especially compared to other breweries and brewpubs in the area).  I will say...they do get some bonus points for being HUGE and having a ton of seating options (P.S. If you are debating sitting outside, know that the outdoor patio is what my partner lovingly dubbed "the stifling courtyard" and it was only around 80 degrees that day), for having an awesome menu (everything from delicious pub food to exotic Asian, African, and Indian dishes), and having some seriously fantastic Wisconsin favorites (food made with local beer, cheese curds, and sausage products, duh.). I ended up getting the Madtown Mountie burger (topped with french fries, garlic dill cheese curds, gravy, and a fried egg) which even overcooked (no one REALLY gives you medium when you ask for it.  Bah.) was freaking divine.  My man got the Texarkana burger and seemed pretty pleased too, but was obviously jealous of my superior choice of basically eating poutine on a burger.  The best of both worlds. The beer, on the other hand, was just OK.  The server actually chose my sampler based on my extreme indecisiveness and the fact that I pretty much only drink hoppy APAs and IPAs or strong porters and stouts.  I ended up trying all of the above plus a Belgian Pale Ale and a Belgian IPA.  Meh.  None of the beers made me want to take them home (thus adding to my growing collection of growlers I keep forgetting to bring with me on beer trips) which was kind of sad.  Everything seemed safe...not a lot of flavor or aroma in anything, really. I would totally come back here for the food and one of their lighter beer options, but I'd skip the heavy brews if I were you.

Jul 25, 2014 by AG D.

I enjoyed a really nice and simple lunch here at the bar,  I had a buffalo burger with "local" cheese served on a multigrain focaccia.  It was served medium well which is perfect for buffalo; since it's leaner than most meat many restaurants overcook it, not here! I appreciated the option to have dipping veggies instead of fries or a surcharge soup/salad; they were crisp and fresh.  I paired this with a very nice prairie fume white wine. Yes, I know they brew beer but I've just never been a beer person, give a girl a break. It's so refreshing to have a choice from more than one red and one white when choosing a none-beer beverage at a brewery restaurant!       The service was very friendly and attentive, although the server did seem a bit stressed.  I'd return here for a simple meal any day.

Jul 25, 2014 by Kristi S.

I don't know why this place has 4 stars. The beer and pretzels were delicious. The fish fry was over cooked and blah. My salad was wilted. It's easy to find good beer. I can live without the pretzels. I won't be back.

Jul 21, 2014 by Brian C.

This is a 3 star restaurant with a single reason for the fourth star: the beer garden. Great Dane is sort of like the Cheesecake Factory of Dane County-- a jack of all trades where the menu is broad, diverse, and mediocre. The beer leaves something to be desired. But MAN THE BEER GARDEN IS SO AWESOME. Ivy climbs up over the walls and creates an absolutely perfect atmosphere. I'd eat mediocre food and boring beer all day there.

Jul 21, 2014 by Cassilynn B.

I've eaten here twice, both times accompanied by my children.  While they made sure to set us away from the younger crowd, they didn't shove us next to the kitchen or in an unheated section (which has been an issues at other restaurants).  The food was very good and the service prompt.  The menu is varied and isn't the same stuff, different bend you find in many places.  We will be going back.

Jul 18, 2014 by Carly C.

I have visited several of the Great Danes around  Madison. The menu is very big, but I don't find anything on it to be amazing. Yes, they brew there own beer, but there is no shortage of that in Madison. If you're looking for a large selection of food (opposed to getting a great meal), a fun bar atmosphere, and good local beer selection, go here. Other alternatives would be; Sprechers, Old Chicago, or vintage.

Jul 17, 2014 by Cheryl S.

Love the Great Dane. I've been living out of state for the past nine years and when we were looking for a place for dinner and I suggested the Dane, my husband answered with an excited, "yes!" I had the Daneburger, which has artichoke dip on it. Yumm-o. Though our waiter seemed vehemently bored. Yes, that's a thing, because it's the best word to qualify the level of boredom he was at. And it was a little weird that they seated us way downstairs in the bar area when 1) we had a kid and 2) the upstairs had plenty of seating. Oh well.

Jul 16, 2014 by James N.

Fish tacos were very good. Cheese curds were alright but other places in town have better. Pretty good beer selection with great taste but a little weak/watered down for my liking.

Jul 11, 2014 by Jim D.

I had lunch there this week and got a buffalo burger with pub fries.  The food was good and the service was fine.  There was nothing that struck me as amazing.  I at lunch for during work hours so I didn't want to try a beer, which depending on the taste altered the rating.  I do enjoy a good stout.

Jul 09, 2014 by Pauline J.

I'm not even sure how to feel about this place any more. So here's a quick run down. Food: Great. Beer: Great. Bar staff: Great. Wait staff: Not very good. Security: Atrocious. Management: Great. Noise for neighbors: Atrocious. Jukebox: Does not stack songs, do not attempt to recreate John Mulaney's best meal ever. (completely unrelated to security staff issues)

Jul 08, 2014 by Doris D.

Fun place with a huge menu of options to choose from. HUGE portions, and this is coming from a Chicagoan! Very nice, would definitely be back here again!

Jul 07, 2014 by Jeff

The cuban is the meatiest cuban I've ever had and I've had a lot of cubans. It's doesn't come with mustard so you'll have to add it yourself.

Jul 07, 2014 by Melissa W.

Went there for the first time last night and was unimpressed with the service. Our waiter never came back to our table to check on us, see if we needed any refills on our drinks or ask if we would like dessert (assuming they have dessert.) Instead, he came back and left the bill on the table. I had the mac & cheese, which was good, but not worth returning for such poor service. The restaurant wasn't busy enough to account for it either. Won't be back.

Jul 07, 2014 by Brandon M.

Not surprisingly the beer was awesome! The service was meh...our waitress could have been a bit more cheery or even interactive. The food was okay, I did expect a bit better but I guess if the focus is on the beer, I can have a less than expected food experience. Overall I'd go again to get a better judge of the experience.

Jun 30, 2014 by Sheri R.

Went to the one in Fitchburg on Sunday and - sigh - it was super crowded and the hostess was downright bitchy. They have a brunch and a limited menu (it's the late night menu) until about 2;30. Brunch is $17.....very rich food for the most part. Eggs, desserts, donuts, soup & salad, small peel & eat shrimp, chef carved meat, biscuits & gravy, hush puppies, waffles, bacon, and more. Most of the food by noon was a little past its prime but the servers and staff were definitely hustling. Save yourself attitude and make a reservation if you go on a sunday. Otherwise, the beer if solid. PS it's also a noisy place inside, my 70-year-old dad couldn't hear me above the din.

Jun 26, 2014 by Maegan C.

I moved to Madison in October and have been to the Great Dane about 7 times since. I try to eat something new every visit (doesn't always happen that way) but I have never had a bad meal. I am also a huge fan of their Old Glory APA. Good beer, good food, helpful staff!

Jun 22, 2014 by Clinton B.

I have visited Great Dane many times and every time I leave, I am satisfied, happy with the selection and quality. To start, they brew their own beer right on site at most if not all their locations and you can take growlers out with you before 9pm for home enjoyment of some great unique brews, many of which are exclusive to Great Dane. Next is the menu, it always is able to hit the spot no matter your appetite for the day. The menu ranges from great starters that are veggie to fatty and delicious to the many sandwiches and entrees, all of which are to make you full, happy and satisfied. My favorite burger is the Brat and Bacon Pretzel Burger, even if it is an elbow dripper, it is worth it. Lastly, the atmosphere... not only do you walk in to the smell of yeast and malt (indicative of a real brew pub) but you also walk into an active, happy place where you can find your space and enjoy with family and friends. Whether you are looking to just sit down at the bar, play some pool or shuffleboard, or just grab a table and be served with a smile; Great Dane is the place with many options and welcomes everyone into their "home" for great fun, food and drinks. Overall, a great Madison staple and would be sorely missed by all who love a brew pub that knows what they are doing. I definitely suggest a pop on by next time you are in town. :-)

Jun 18, 2014 by Rick T.

For what seemed like hours or days in the car with stopped into this lovely place on a suggestion from a friend who goes to college here. I'm totally famished so I quickly order a Devil Lake Red lager and a flight of beers to warm this southerners cold dead body. After that I ordered a cup of West African peanut stew and an assorted pretzel basket with beer cheese sauce and cranberry mustard. Once my appetite was wet I order the German sausage plate w hot apple sauce a great choice in the middle of winter. I polished off my flight and had yet another great beer called Potters IPA. I really enjoyed my meal here and all the beers I had to wash it down, I may have forgotten a few items but that only means I had a great time here in Madison, Wisconsin. After eating I was quite full and warmed up. 5 stars easy!

Jun 18, 2014 by Julie M.

Love this place, it is so adorable with the outdoor patio. But the Dane Burger - not sure what to think about it. Burger is fantastic on its own but then they add artichoke dip to it? two things I love that should be a perfect match, but it was just meh. Probably just a mismatch in ordering on my part. Service was top notch.

Jun 18, 2014 by Amanda M.

The beer is pretty good, their scotch ale is my favorite.  Their pumpkin beer they often have in the fall is also very good. The food is really good, I usually order the cheddar mac or the bacon cheeseburger and potato soup, all of which are delicious.  However, they are very expensive for their portion sizes.   They now serve their cheddar mac in a smaller bowl inside of the larger bowl they used to serve it in and they raised the price.  For this reason and the fact that the staff is extremely slow I no longer eat there.  The last time we were there my husband and I were seated 5 minutes before a table of 6.  The waiter came over and said he would be back in a minute for our drink order.  The hostess sat that table a couple minutes later and he took their food and drink order before he took our drink order.  Then it took nearly 15 minutes for him to bring one pitcher of beer and 2 glasses.  We also had to chase him down to get our bill when we were ready to leave.

Jun 10, 2014 by Walter J.

If you go to Madison Wisconsin you have to stop by the Great Dane.  I think it might actually be a law in Wisconsin or something.  But seriously, the Great Dane has to be Madison's most famous bar and has been a staple there for decades. I have been to the capitol area Great Dane location probably a half dozen times over the past 10 years.  The food is always excellent, the beer is always really good, and the atmosphere is always great.   If you go during the warmer parts of the year, I would recommend sitting outside.  They have a really cool outside eating area. One last thing, in all the times I've been there, the staff has always been great.  College kids that don't take things too seriously so they can be fun. Definitely visit the Great Dane when you are in Madison, you won't be disappointed.

Jun 06, 2014 by Mae D.

Cheese curds were good but don't eat too much because you'll have a tummy ache afterwards. Great Dane pub wings was ok, there wasn't anything special about it. Buffalo Mac and Cheese was way too cheesy. Overall, food was ok but staff was friendly and welcoming.

Jun 05, 2014 by Deborah B.

Had a great time.  It was a perfect summer night for beer. We ate on the patio - warm without bugs. Also a man spinning some tunes.   From Ohio and wanted to try Wisconsin beers.  The sampler was the way to go especially with cheese curds and beer bread.   My husband had the sausage plate - being German he never can resist - he like the favors.  I had the chicken pot pie - a little too thick but filling.  I think the prices were reasonable    We walked around the downtown for an enjoyable evening.

Jun 03, 2014 by Blake B.

the beers were excellent - -I brew my own and have high standards for good beer -- the food was awesome - the environment was warm and friendly, my server was really nice and offered samples of many of the unique custom beers available. I thoroughly enjoyed the craftsmanship and the experience

May 30, 2014 by Lori

Make sure you ask for a patio seat during nice weather!

May 30, 2014 by Kate C.

I went here over Memorial Day weekend and had a lovely time.  I use a scooter and they were VERY able to accommodate so that was great.  We were a party of six with a couple different dietary needs and the server remained unphased.  I had the Mac and Cheese which arrived creamy and warm and delicious.  My partner had the fish and chips which he says were in the upper tier of his experience but not the pinnacle.  All in all a pleasant and easy dining experience

May 27, 2014 by Luciana L.

Great place to hang out with friends. Their brunch is great and food too! All locations are very nice.

May 26, 2014 by Cristina

The patio is awesome!

May 23, 2014 by Kathy K.

Outdoor garden is awesome! Very good food & service was very efficient. Will be back next time we are in Madison.

May 22, 2014 by Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company

Sunday Funday Bus Tour! Hop on! Tickets Here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunday-funday-party-bus-pub-crawl-tickets-11200142929

May 17, 2014 by Emily S.

The Great Dane on the square is my go-to place to take people when we are up near the Capitol - here are the reasons why: 1) When we have visitors, there are almost always kids. LOTS of kids.  Today we had four adults and six kids.  The downtown Dane has a nice basement area with large tables that is perfect for big parties with children because, not only is there room, it's usually less busy so our rowdy kids won't bother nearly as many people. 2) They have a humongous selection of food. If you can't find something you like at The Great Dane, you should probably just stay home. They have everything, including good options for kids and vegetarian meals that are marked with a little carrot to easily identify them. 3) Beer is good for you. Especially beer that is not made by a big beverage company.  My favorite is the Crop Circle Wheat, but I'm a wheat beer girl, so anything with wheat makes me happy. 4) The food is good. It's not the best food you are going to find in Madison, but it's good.  The Mac and Cheese (which I've probably eaten 10 times) can be really hit or miss. Sometimes it's amazing. Sometimes it needs more sauce.  Today I had the grilled cheese, which is really more of a vegetable sandwich with cheese.  This is the second time I've had this, and it was substantially better than the first. I really don't have anything bad to say about The Great Dane. Our server today seemed a little annoyed at having to serve a giant party of kids 5 and under, but one slightly peeved server does not a bad restaurant make...I think I said that right. ;)   We will keep coming back to the Dane...it's a bit like a Madison institution at this point. ;)

May 15, 2014 by Phil B.

This is a fine brew pub. I wouldn't really actively seek it out for its food or beer but I think both are decent. If you play ultimate frisbee in Madison you find yourself in these establishments a bit too often.

May 11, 2014 by Kevin H.

Run of the mill pub. Consistent and simple. Great Dane's got a decent selection of drinks and food. Doesn't disappoint. You'll know because the place is almost always packed. Their bagel/bacon/sausage burger is amazingly tasty and one of a kind. I've also tried their Asian pork belly bun, which was surprisingly good given how Asian food goes in Madison.

May 11, 2014 by Anne F.

Good food. A bit pricey. Nice to take out-of-town guests. I like the second-story booths at the Cottage Grove Rd. location especially.

May 07, 2014 by Crystal L.

Have always been a fan. My go-to whenever I go to eat dinner with a family member or friend, and now my go-to whenever I come back to visit. I like the one by Hilldale Mall a lot better than the one on the Capitol Square because there's a lot more space. Comfort food is what you'll find here...and comfort in general - you'll get more comfortable with the more beers you try. :) My favorite dishes are the meat loaf and the smothered and covered chicken. (both fairly salty by the way - but the good salty...the kind of salty that makes sense). And if I'm feeling ambitious, the beer sampler. Sometimes it's a hit or miss with the meat loaf - most of the times I've ordered it it's been perfect and juicy. A few times it was a little dry, but just let them know and they fix it for you - how they fix it I do not know....

May 07, 2014 by Brian P.

Great food and even better beer ordered the Mango Mahi Mahi delicious will be back for more

May 06, 2014 by Katie D.

Fun place to hang out with friends for some beer. Also, must have the cheese curds.

May 03, 2014 by Patrick M.

This was the first place I ate at in Madison and it was so great I went back the follow day. They have an eclectic menu to say the least and the first meal I had there was the Black & Tan burger with melted cheese sauce which melted in my mouth. A big plus about this place is they have sweet potato tater tots which are amazing and more healthy than regular tater tots/fries. The following day I had the New Mexico soup which had green chili in it which I thought was so random but it was very good. I had the Cajun chicken sandwich the following day which was amazing as well. The service was fast and very friendly. I asked one of the waiters directions that did not have the answer to but I literally watched him ask 2 other people to get the information he did and go out of his way. Great Dane's prices I felt the strength of their food was extremely reasonable and not overpriced at all. I would very much go back here if I visited Madison again, actually it would be the first step I make.

May 01, 2014 by Andrea P.

Great Dane is more or less an institution in town, and I've been there many times but this review has to do with their brunch. Oy veyyyyyy! So the location is, of course, ideal and it's a perfect meeting spot for some day drinking... i mean... bloody mary's and mimosas.... cuz I'm an adult and I wouldn't drink before noon unless it was called something classier. Anyways, so I had the biscuits and gravy and they were SO DRY! It was kind of like doing that crazy eating competition where you eat a spoonful of cinnamon and your entire mouth, throat and nose are instantly moisture-less? I mean, I've never done that before, but I can imagine that my experience with their B&G is similar enough. It caused me to guzzle my mimosa and water. The dining room was chock full of families and little kiddos. Now, I'm not opposed to taking your cutie-patooties out, BUT, my experience there wasn't pleasant due to the numerous screaming babies and kids with balloons frolicking about. Our server seemed about as over it as we were. We really couldn't get out fast enough. There are better brunch locales in town.

Apr 24, 2014 by Katie R.

I've been to the downtown Great Dane, but more to the Hilldale site.  Good stuff.  Really.

Apr 21, 2014 by Badger F.

Great Dane (downtown) has always been a regular stop for me. Service is always great and personable. Beer is good, but I feel as if the standards have gone down a bit since I've started. Maybe just a bad batch, but it will definitely not stop me from stopping by and shoot some pool or darts. I haven't played around with much food here, but from what I've had, brunch was excellent, while I feel some of the dinner food was overpriced for the quality. RATINGS (A+  --  F) Service: A- Food: (Brunch: B+) (Dinner: C) Drinks: B+ Price Point: B Atmosphere: B+ Overall Experience: B

Apr 20, 2014 by Adam B.

I have been to the Great Dane many times for drinks and many times for lunch but never for brunch. I would have to say the food was pretty average. Started out with a Bloody Mary and asked for it spicy. It was very good. For food, I got the North Star breakfast with bacon and scrambled eggs. The homemade biscuit was awesome. The bacon and homefries (although small portion) were also both good. My girlfriend got the eggs Benedict which I tried and the hollandaise sauce was bland. Now we didn't get the most extravagant brunch options on the menu, and they were good, But I expected better because I love a lot of their other lunch/dinner options.

Apr 20, 2014 by don g.

Went here for Easter Dinner with our family, we picked up our daughter and bf in Madison after 3 hour drive from Chicago. Had the $15 lamb dinner, my wife and I ordered this after having the last two years and loving the lamb....But all stopped here !..This year some braniac decided to serve cut up sliced lamb medallions instead of the usual nice slab of lamb filet that we used to compare to being served a great piece of prime rib!....Needless to say we were both still hungry after eating,( my wife is 120 lbs/5'7" & me 165 lbb- 5'9") the teasponful of caulifower and two potato medallians didn't cut the mustard....The filler roll doesn't count either....Note to mgnt: Please return to the standard way you used to serve lamb, If you have to, charge me an extra $3 more and serve us an Easter lamb meal....especially if you are going to charge $15 per plate for a tasting.....We will be back!!!!!...Please no more lamb medallions!.....Say CHEAP! CHEAP!!!.....Not cool....Sorry because we really love this place...still left 20% tip...server was terrific!!!......fodd was still tasty but please go back to way Easter lamb was meant to be!!!......Also my son loved his bacon burger and I thought mashed potatoes were amazing,.....that is the side I would I gave you with the lamb...WOW....flavor!!!....and the others had a good meal with their heouvos eggs and some brais sandwich

Apr 19, 2014 by Nick P.

The atmosphere is fun and authentic. The good was very good and exactly what I thought a pub should offer. The beer selection was superb if you are a real beer drinker. If your favor beer is PBR or Miller lite you won't notice a difference. Anyways the energy is incredible and for as packed as it was on a Friday night it still only took 15 minutes to be seated. Staff is very friendly and the service is quick.

Apr 18, 2014 by Elise M.

What to say? I have been to the Great Dane possibly a hundred times in the nearly 10 years that I've lived in Madison, so I feel like I should review it. Sidenote: I played Ulitmate Frisbee with MUFA for several summers, and we went there after our twice-weekly games for beer and dinner because they are the primary sponsor.   I've been to every location in Madison, except the one in the Dane County Airport, and I even visited the Great Dane in Wausau after a funeral. No matter the location, The Great Dane has always been a solid three start experience for me. It's not knock-your-socks-off amazing, but certainly not bad, and the food is pretty consistent. In fact, my biggest gripe with the Great Dane has more to do with their customer service and some of their policies than the food or beer itself. First of all, their reservation policy sucks. They won't accept reservations unless you have a group of 8 people or more. Then, they won't seat you unless your entire group is present. They also don't make dining with a large group easy, as my next story will illustrate: One time, my coworkers threw an informal going-away party for me at the Hilldale Great Dane. About 15 people from work showed up, and we all ordered food and drinks. It was a weeknight, and the restaurant was not excessively busy.  At the end of the night, we had racked up quite a bill. The waitress  refused to split our check for us. We only asked for it to be split 6 ways (by couple/family), so we weren't being unreasonable in our request. She refused. Well, not surprisingly,  none of us working stiffs was willing to pick up the entire $300+  tab for the group, so instead, we had to fumble around with the receipt and try to mark our names next to each item so it could be charged to the appropriate card. Some people, who only had cash, had to awkwardly ask for change. It was a huge hassle. I think she wouldn't split the bill so she could charge automatic gratuity...however, we would have actually tipped more than 18% had she been a good sport about it.  Because of this incident, I have never gone back to the Great Dane with a large group. I would not recommend the Great Dane for any large group events, despite the fact that they have a lot of space. However, if you're just looking for a nice family meal, then the Great Dane is probably a good bet. Almost all of the menu items are tasty, but I especially like their chicken wings appetizer (in Habanero Hellfire) and their New Mexican nachos. Their burgers leave a little to be desired compared to other places in Madison, but the fries are delicious, when they are served hot. Their beer is not great, but it's not terrible either. I don't have children, but the restaurants seem kid and family friendly (with the exception, perhaps, of their downtown locale). The Great Dane's recent expansions throughout the region have left it feeling a little bit "Chotchski-esque" in my opinion, but it's still probably better than hitting up Applebees. In general, I  would recommend that the Great Dane become a bit more accommodating of its guests, and treat people as if they value their patronage, instead of acting like they resent having customers. I doubt the popularity of the Great Dane will last forever, and a restaurant can only get by on overpriced (albeit, still tasty) mediocre food and beer for so long...

Apr 17, 2014 by Elisha

Beer is mediocre. Really thin mouthfeel on all. Had high expectations...

Apr 17, 2014 by Michelle F.

I can't say enough great things about this place.  There were a lot of choices in Madison, but we chose to go here our first night and subsequently the following day for lunch because the meal we had in the first place was THAT good. The first night, I decided to branch out and I got meatloaf.  My dining partner ordered the steak and we both loved our meals.  Thank goodness there was a fridge in our room, because we went home with a lot of leftovers. Their drinks were really good, too, and my friend went home with two bombers from there that he enjoyed thoroughly.  I would definitely be back!!

Apr 17, 2014 by Kevin S.

ok beer   food was so so.  serve left a lot to be desired.   There are a lot of great places to go in Madison.  Do your self a favor and put this low on the list.

Apr 14, 2014 by Fabi P.

Wir hatten die 24-er Chicken Wings Platte und sie war absolut genial! Allerdings muss man sagen, dass die extra scharfen wirklich zu ihrem Namen stehen - nichts für schwache Gemüter.

Apr 11, 2014 by auburn b.

The burger is OK. Some beers are better than others. Really more like 3.5 stars. Could be 4 stars with some improvements to the menu.

Apr 09, 2014 by Brittany B.

The Mac n Cheese with sourdough breadcrumbs is out of this world. So creamy and warm and giant portions. Their in-house porter was also yummy. Big space and it was easy to grab a spot for four, even on a Saturday night. Would definitely return.

Apr 08, 2014 by Sallie Jo C.

I'm a big fan of the Dane, even though I often don't drink while there. Their food is always made with fresh, quality ingredients. It's a great place for vegetarians and people who are healthy eaters in general, while still appealing to those who prefer typical pub fare. Tonight I ordered the salad with sashimi grade tuna. The tuna was truly excellent, which may be a surprise coming from a brewery. I am on a clean eating bender for a couple weeks so I requested a few modifications to the salad, to which they gladly obliged. This included replacing the soy-peanut dressing with their basil vinaigrette. What a great decision that was! My husband had the Cuban sandwich, which is something he often orders. It was huge and he said it tasted great. The staff are friendly and our waitress was prompt and took good care of us (and wasn't annoyed when I asked for modifications to my meal). We visit Fitchburg and Cottage Grove Dane locations quite often with our cycling group, and we have found all locations to have consistent food quality and service.

Apr 06, 2014 by B C.

A lot of people in Madison will tell you to come here, but the food isn't that impressive. The beer is what really draws people in. Definitely a lot more fun when you come in a big 6-8 person group and share a ton of appetizers and have some beers.

Apr 05, 2014 by Zestlife V.

Open late, a lot of options for everyone, elevated bar food, great BEER, win-win situation. Please introduce desserts, a wider range then I won't have to go elsewhere to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Mar 29, 2014 by Huma S.

I have been a longtime fan of Great Dane, the hamburgers and fish tacos are some of my favorites. Always find it to be a great place for lunch, dinner or to just hang out and have some appetizers.

Mar 19, 2014 by Sam R.

This is definitely one of my favorite bars in Madison. My girlfriend took me to a couple of bars and restaurants around the Capital building, and I enjoyed my time in the Great Dane the most out of any of them. The atmosphere is very laid back during the weekdays, which is a nice change of pace from the nights filled with drunken stupor whilst stumbling around State Street with all of my fellow inebriated, tuition paying colleagues. They brew their own beers here, and I think that they are all fantastic. My personal favorites are the Devil Lakes Red Lager, Crop Circle Wheat (seems to be their best seller), and the Pecks Pilsner. I've never had the chance to eat at this place before, but they seem to get their cliental to frequently order food (most everyone in here was eating), and the other people looked like they frequented the Great Dane quite a bit (a lot of businessmen stop by here during their lunch hour for a beer and a sandwich it appears). My favorite thing about this place is how nice their "bar games" setup is. I'm the stereotypical jock that obnoxiously ALWAYS has to be winning and thinks everything is a competition. Because of this, I'm an atrocious bar games snob. If bar games were the equivalent to being addicted to crack cocaine, this place would be my drug dealer on speed dial (just go with it?). For starters, the thing that keeps me and my arm candy coming back for more is the shuffleboard. Not too many places have a shuffleboard, let alone a nice one like they have. Second, they have two nice electronic dartboards. The dartboards are located where dartboards should be; in the corner where no one walks by. I've been to too many bars where I fear that I might accidentally throw a dart into someone's jugular because people are constantly walking in front of me during a throw, but not here. Every time that I've been to this watering hole, I have always seen the dart boards in use. Lastly, but certainly not least, their beloved pool tables. I'm almost certain The Great Dane Pub on E Doty has been voted "The best place to shoot pool in Madison" two years running - and for good reason. They have four, count em' FOUR, sweet pool tables. They are very classy tables, and to take it a step further, some of the nicest pool table setups I've seen in a public establishment. The felt stretching over them is clean and crisp, the balls always seem to be in top notch shape, and their pool cue are sweetness. It's no wonder that they are perpetually busy. Free pool and shuffleboard after 9PM on Sunday's!! But if I'm in town, I better not see your face around these parts because I'll have to hustle you in shuffleboard. Overall, this place is the cat's pajamas in my opinion. If you are looking for somewhere to have a beer or two while you take your buddies lunch money in a game of pool, shuffleboard, or darts; I would come here without a doubt.

Mar 16, 2014 by Allie J.

We had a large group from out of town and called to see if we could make a reservation for 12. No, too small. We arrived before 6:00 on a Saturday and were told that it would be a 90 minute wait. Eventually, we were told that we could order in the waiting area of the bar, which worked out well. The beer curds weren't fresh or warm. My burger was edible, but nothing special. My colleagues reported that their meals were similar: edible, not particularly fresh, but not gross. A few had positive comments about the beer. I suppose this wasn't a disastrous meal, but it wasn't worth the money and wasn't very good.

Mar 07, 2014 by Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company

Bockfest! 14 different Bock Beers, Free pretzels, commemorative mug, live music, The Bockfest girls and more! Tomorrow March 8 @ our Hilldale location from12-5pm. All for only $30

Mar 01, 2014 by Maggie R.

When my boyfriend and I moved to Madison (just 2 blocks away from the Great Dane) this past August, a family member gave us a gift card here and talked it up as the best restaurant downtown. This place is so overrated. It's basically an overpriced Perkins. Our first time there I got a burrito and my boyfriend got their chicken pot pie. He loved it, but despite my asking for the burrito to be extra spicy it tasted like bland sock full of rice. Despite this first experience, we returned a couple times for utterly forgettable meals, that is until we went last night for what will certainly be out last time. The last few times I went, I figured I might have been ordering their worst menu items, but as a WI native I figured they couldn't screw up a Friday fish fry. Boy was I wrong. My cod tasted like cafeteria food that I would get from my grandpa's assisted living facility. The fish was bland and overcooked, and came with undercooked green beans with not even a pinch if salt on them. I could have gotten the same thing from a frozen entree at the grocery store. And then there was the Philly Cheesesteak that my boyfriend got; presliced roast beef with Velveeta sauce... Philadelphians would be disgusted. Not to mention that I had 2 whiskey sours that both tasted like vodka lemonades. To top it all off we were given the wrong bill at the end of the night. Don't waste your money or your time at this place. The Old Fashioned has a much better fish fry and the bartenders know how to mix a drink. Any other night of the week Get the bangers and mash at Brocach. Just go anywhere but the Great Dane.

Feb 28, 2014 by Brian M.

I am always on the lookout for good local beers, and on a recent trip to Madison I learned about the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company so I decided at some point during my trip I was going to have to make a stop. I arrived one evening with a coworker and we decided that we wanted to sample some local beer and have a good meal. This place was pretty busy for a week night, which is usually a pretty good sign, however we didn't have to wait long for a table. Once seated we looked over the menu and immediately decided on starting off with an order of Cheese Curds, however these curds were somewhat of a disappointment. There really wasn't too much taste, and I almost felt like they came out of a box from the freezer. For my main entree, I decided to go with the New London Fish Fry, which was haddock fillets dipped in the a Pilsner batter served with tartar sauce, lemon, Kohl slaw and fries. Overall the fish was great, crispy, flakey, and delicious. I paired my meal with one of their own beers, the Crop Circle Wheat which was very good and had a great taste. Overall I was pleased with my visit to the Great Dane Pub, the staff was nice and friendly. The food was good, nothing exceptional, The beer was cold and delicious, however I wasn't as impressed with this place as I had hoped. If you are looking for a decent meal, with a locally made craft been then I recommend making the stop. Otherwise I actually prefer The Old Fashioned just down the street.

Feb 24, 2014 by Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company

Bockfest @ The Great Dane Hilldale March 8 Get your TICKETS NOW! 14 Bock beers on tap, Bockfest girls, Bavarian Pretzels and a lot of fun with live music for Mamas Dig Down!

Feb 24, 2014 by Peter C.

I went straight to the downtown Great Dane when my flight arrived, since I had been up since 4am and they don't feed you on the airplane anymore.  The airport location of Great Dane might as well have a different name, because the food at the downtown location is WAY better.  I was feeling like some comfort food, and the chicken pot pie hit the spot.  It's an interesting preparation, and one that I am becoming more fond of.  Instead of pie crust all the way around, it's just the top that has puff pastry, and the sides & bottom are a ramekin.  Wisely, I took a small bite of the applesauce because it's served hot, not cold.  Maybe everyone in Wisconsin knows this, but you can't really tell just by looking at it.  Would definitely come back.

Feb 20, 2014 by Susan

Close to the capital building and a parking garage.

Feb 20, 2014 by Ally S.

Great place to get dinner, drinks or watch a game any day of the week. The menu is HUGE and you are bound to find something you like. They have a nice gluten free menu that includes some salads, a thai pasta, nachos and a few other options. The downtown location is really big an has 3 bars and lots of TVs. Even on a crowded weekend night you still feel like you have room to breathe unlike some of the other Madison bars.

Feb 14, 2014 by Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company

Happy Valentine's Day! We know today is the day of romance and love and we know you love beer so we are giving a way a free Great Dane beer mug from 5pm to 10pm today FRIDAY the 14th. Beer = Love

Feb 09, 2014 by S B.

The numerous times I've been to the Great Dane have been fantastic! Their micro-brewed beers are excellent, with a range from deep dark stouts, porters, and deliciously boozy Scotch ales,  to hoppy, citrusy IPA's and lighter yet equally great pilsners and lagers. You truly can taste the care and craft in their brews! I also appreciate that though they have several locations, each one is unique unto itself, and not carbon-copies of each other. The food is also delicious, offering both tasty pub fare as well as more ethnicly styled dishes. I would recommend the fish tacos, and anything German-inspired they have to offer! The atmosphere is comfortable classic pub, without being a college bar or too stuffy. Great for fun dates, great food, and excellent beers!

Jan 27, 2014 by Patrick T.

Kitchen's open till 1am (?) on a Friday night. I came here to satisfy my late night food craving after a night at Merchant. Got the fried cheese curds which were of course delicious and unhealthy. I also ordered the pork belly bun which I was pretty surprised to see featured on the menu. They were no momofuku, but good enough for a joint in Wisconsin at 1 am! My food took a while to come, but I am a patient man, even when hungry -- I think they just had a barrage of food orders right before the kitchen closed.

Jan 26, 2014 by David B.

I travel to Madison frequently for work.  I have eaten at several Great Dane locations, so I don't know that this is necessarily a fair representation of the location I'm reviewing.   I quite like the Great Dane at the airport.  I always make a point of arriving at the airport early for my flight, regardless, so it's good to go there and have a few (or maybe 10) drinks and a little bite while catching up on emails and such. I highly recommend the tomato basil soup as a lunch, or maybe an afternoon snack. I visited another location with a friend--not sure which location, since I don't know the city well--and I had what must have been a daily special, because I don't see it on the menu at the web site. It was a roast beef sandwich that was really quite salty. Something has to be extremely salty for me to object, but object I had to. The side dish of white cheddar grits was really just instant grits with a few cheddar shavings on top. Not good enough. The waiter very kindly replaced my meal with a very good soup from the menu--the potato and bacon soup, which I highly recommend. On another occasion I visited the location on Doty St., and had Mad City Mama's BBQ Meatloaf.  Although I'm not crazy about barbecue sauce per se, it was not overpowering, and the meat loaf was pretty good.  The garlic mashed potatoes could have used more garlic. I was satisfied with that meal. My overall recommendation?  Pretty good, especially if you like beer. I'm not a beer afficionado, so much of what the restaurant offers is lost on me. Still, I'd go back for more food.

Jan 25, 2014 by The MAMAs

NO COVER – DONATIONS WELCOME | 21 & UP EVENT | Lords of the Trident, 4 Aspirin Morning, and Anna Wang and the Oh Boys! play to support the Madison Area Music Association

Jan 24, 2014 by Anne S.

I was in Madison last weekend for a Wednesday.  On Friday night there was a welcome reception, and afterwards a large group of out of town people wanted to go out.  Our of the locals in the group was an awesome guide and managed to get 20 so strangers to 2 cool bars.  We walked from the Hilton to the bar next door for a coffee shot, then came here to chill. Upstairs has a bunch of games and feels like a fun sports bar. Downstairs is more quiet and chill and has a bunch of seating. They have a lot of beer on tap.  Other people loved he beer, and enjoyed trying a lot of different good house made brews.  I don't drink beer, so I got a cider which wasn't house made. I got a plate of fries, which was a good size and very tasty and not expensive. I liked that you can see the tanks where they are brewing.  (I don't like to drink beer, but I love to see it being made). I like that different rooms here have completely different vibes.

Jan 23, 2014 by Judith D.

I had a great burger here. I met up with some friends and their family and had a nice dinner. Sadly I didn't get a beer.

Jan 22, 2014 by Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company

FREE 12oz mug of DaneBeer with each order of Beer Steamed Muscles $10 Downtown location only. today (Wednesday) only.

Jan 20, 2014 by Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company

Try our Winter Warmer!

Jan 17, 2014 by Chris M.

Very good Beer!  The food is not to bad either however lets be honest you are going there for the beer.

Jan 17, 2014 by C A.

During a business trip to Madison, this place was recommended by the hotel concierge so, I came here for dinner.  Next time, I'll do my own research for places to eat rather than completely trust the concierge.  I was disappointed with this place.  It's basically a huge, spacious, and loud bar, a good thing if that's what you're looking for, but the qualify of food was the not so good thing.  I had their braised beef.  It was smothered with some overwhelming salty/sweet kind of a barbecue sauce with a side of tater tots looking things and a side of mac and cheese.  Luckily, the beer I ordered was very good enough to wash down what little of the dish I ate.  The apple crisp dish I had for dessert was also underwhelming, the apple pieces were kinda tough and chewy.  The service, however, was the saving grace.  The waitstaff and bartender were friendly and prompt.  Not a place I'd recommend, there's a lot of other good places around the neighborhood where this restaurant is.

Jan 15, 2014 by Meghan H.

Their Applewood Bacon Burger is one of the best burgers I've had. The seven ounces of local grass-fed beef is where it's at. Just the right thickness and perfectly griddled. The thick-cut smokehouse applewood bacon is not just there to tag along; its meatiness stands out and holds its own in spite of the wow quality of the beef. The slightly melted sharp cheddar rounds it all out and reaffirms that you in fact are enjoying this burger in America's Dairyland. The French fries are just the way I like em. Minimally seasoned and balanced as far as actual substance and overall crunch. I appreciate how I can count on Great Dane for no frills, classic American deliciousness.

Jan 15, 2014 by Marc M.

Wisconsin is known for beer - years ago my dad worked for Heilman Brewery in LaCrosse.  The tradition continues at the four Great Dane Brewery locations. I had to try the cheese curds. I was so stuffed I could only order another starter. I went for the Juicy Brewskies - bratwurst and cheedar sliders with carmelized onions, dill pickle slice and horseradish mustard on a pretzel bun.  It was so big, it didn't ever fit in MY big mouth!  When I tried to squeeze it down, the cheese oozed out of the bratwurst patty! The other food item I ordered was BEEF JERKY.  They have a jar of homemade beef jerky sitting behind the bar.  For $3 per piece, it was very fresh and tasty, albeit a tad bit salty.  Overall was perfect to go with the IPA I enjoyed. The place was crowded for a snowy January Tuesday night in Madison... lots of different age groups and types of patrons.  In the other room were pool tables, and I didn't look around much beyond where we sat in the bar area and watched (then) #3 UW lose their first game of the 2014 season to unranked Indiana (boo!)  Despite the loss, the mood of the bar was lifted by the good beer and food.

Jan 10, 2014 by Kathy V.

The big ups: POUTINE. Not great poutine....but still poutine. Big space. They take your cell number if there is a wait and text you when you are up. Good idea. The not so ups: Bones in my perch. Dim lighting provides and "atmosphere," but everyone at the table, no matter their age, needed to use the flashlight capability on their phones to read the menu. I ain't mad at it, but the company I was with was what made my visit here enjoyable.

Jan 09, 2014 by Ricky S.

I've been to Madison 3 times for work and each time I've gone, I've been recommended to try Great Dane. Unfortunately, my visit didn't live up to the hype. However, I would give them a second try if I am in the area. I ordered their Brat & Bacon Pretzel Burger. Sounds amazing, right? However, I thought the brat was decent and the pretzel bun was too dry for me. The fried cheese curds on the side tasted stale. If you're looking for great fried cheese curds, stop by the Old Fashioned (I Yelped them in my other review). The only satisfying part of my meal was their beer. Their service is great...very attentive. My server stopped by many times to check up on me and kept my glass of water full at all times. As I mention, I would give them a second chance just because many other people have recommended this place.

Jan 06, 2014 by Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company

Today all of the Madison locations will be closed by 5pm with the exception of the Downtown location closing at 4pm. We are having our employee holiday party. Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience

Jan 02, 2014 by Jeneane B.

I had dinner here with a small group of business travelers.  We each tried a different one of the local Great Dane beers, and they were all pretty good (I had the Landmark Lite, which was a pretty good ale).  We had the cheese curds appetizer (when in Wisconsin, right?) and they were very good - not too heavy or greasy.   I and another one of our party had the steak special, which was very flavorful with Cajun seasoning.  The meal also came with a corn and bacon succotash - wow, yum!   When it came time for dessert, I wanted just a little something sweet, so the waitress offered to get me just a single scoop of one of their ice creams.  I had the Scotch Ale Caramel Crunch ice cream and it was REALLY good - plus she only charged me the "ala mode" price for the scoop!

Jan 02, 2014 by Ryan R.

Terrible service. The staff was incredibly rude and disrespectful. It was made very clear that customer satisfaction was the least of their concerns. I would highly recommend finding somewhere else downtown as there are many wonderful restaurants that far outshine this one.

Dec 27, 2013 by Daniel S.

When I think of Madison I think of this place. The beer is great, the food is diverse and extremely we'll made and the building is beautiful. I've heard raves about the African peanut soup(or whatever) but I opted for the brats and cheese curds.

Dec 04, 2013 by Crystal M.

Wow! My sisters and I are from vegas visiting our older sister who lives in Wisconsin. Came here twice and loved it each time! Omg great beer great food! What more can you ask for? Can't wait to go to next years beer Fest and visit this place again.

Dec 02, 2013 by Paul D.

The Great Dane has come to believe in its own mythmaking, I'm afraid.  Fatal to a company, in my experience, when it forgets the heart of its own purported mission.   Trying to book a party for a boy turning 13, making a once in a lifetime trip to Scotland this year - he won the trip, entirely on his merits and hard work; only group from the United States to be so honored - and we got nothing but corporate speak and rudeness from Noel, the GM.  A very short bagpiper tune - something my wife actually booked for my OWN birthday, at the SAME place, with absolutely no issues - and a party reservation for about 8; A favorite Noel quote would have to be "Your kid isn't the only one going someplace special this year."  I also was especially warmed by "market model" and associated other corporate-speak.  Oh, to add, when I informed Noel I couldn't but post my experiences online, "so, you're going to leave a negative review just because you didn't get your way?"  Um, yep, that's kind of how it works, Noel.  Not only did we not "get our way," but your empty corporate speak and absolute rudeness and contemptuous dismissal of something already done at your place, well, added up to "hit the road - we're too big."   Got it, Big Dane.  You are not the company I knew - and knew well, when I used to sit with Rob LoBreglio sipping with him and sharing my thoughts on some of his earlier experiments (I was in the trade, Goose Island).  Some may enjoy your pub food and beer, once a nice part of living in Madison.  You've lost this person's business, for good.

Nov 18, 2013 by Steven L.

Average food.  Cheese curds were like an archaeological dig through the breading to find the cheese.  I guess bread is cheap and cheese is expensive, but cheese curds are supposed to be all about the cheese!  Prices are a little on the high side.  House brewed beer was nothing special.  I do not understand why people love this place so much.

Nov 17, 2013 by Jennifer M.

Don't miss this gem of a "beer garden" in Madison. The best seat in the house takes a  little effort to find. Skip the bar and pool hall, go downstairs and through the rathskellar...you'll pop out into a Wonderland.  The menu rocks, service is way friendly with a smile (we loved Elise and Joel)...the beer bread and honey butter is delish.

Nov 14, 2013 by Robin

Nov 14, 2013 marks their 19th anniversary. ALL pints are $1.90 all day!

Nov 14, 2013 by Am S.

Average bar food at an average bar. The beer is fine. The food is fine. The wait is forever and I don't get it.

Nov 11, 2013 by Christine M.

Great Dane sits along the corner of a few streets and the space spans a traditional dining room, bar, and pool/darts section with tables. We came here later on a Thursday evening and the place was hopping. Despite giving our number and getting a confirmation text with a wait time of 15 minutes, after 30 we'd heard nothing. I checked in with the hostess and said they had no wait list and must have missed up. I generally like this system of text/calling, but it has to work. Fortunately, this was the only misstep we encountered. The menu is eclectic. Burgers, local favorites, pub food, Indian, and African fare to mention a few categories. I had the African Peanut Stew and a pretzel. Both were great. The pretzel was awesome! It reminded me of being in Bavaria! Others in my party enjoyed the cheese steak with jalapeno sauce and the burger with sausage. Clean plates and compliments all around. While the place was big and busy, our service was quick, efficient, and impressive. I'd come back if I was ever in town again. I don't think you can get tired of their menu options!

Nov 04, 2013 by Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company

19 year anniversary and we want to say thank you! Thursday November14th.

Oct 30, 2013 by Sara

Great food but I wouldn't get the cheese curds...at Great Dane they're basically mini mozzarella sticks. Save the calories for the old fashioned cheese curds

Oct 24, 2013 by George G.

Maybe the people who give this place a positive review are experiencing it through beer goggles? As a non-beer drinker, I am not impressed. There are plenty of better places to spend your money.

Oct 23, 2013 by Raphael A.

This is definitely a place that puts its makeup on and is totally presentable to mom, but underneath she's kind of just OK. The menu is fairly large and will have something for every kind of picky eater except the one that wants really good food or drinks. It's all kind of expensive, too. The best part about the Dane is the location and the games. It's really a good place to hang out - something that downtown just doesn't have. Playing pool or darts or shuffleboard is really nice when you've finished every last episode of The League.

Oct 22, 2013 by Jeff

The Low Country Shrimp & Grits is amazing! One of my top ten favorite dishes anywhere.

Oct 16, 2013 by Jason K.

A very nice brew pub indeed. I was able to try two of their beers on my visit. The scotch ale was delicious. The IPA on the other hand was an empty shell with no depth in flavor or complexity. I asked for a description like a real beer snob before I ordered and the bar tender was unable to speak to it, wish I would have taken that as a sign. The worst part about our experience was while we were waiting for a table for dinner. The hostess tried several different buzzing notification thingys before she found one that "worked" and said it would be about 30 minutes. 45 later I go up to check on the table to which she says my thing must have been broken, I'll seat you right away. I glanced down at the list to see a good 5 or so tables seated before us. Wish they would have tried at least walking around the waiting area once to see if we were still waiting. Didn't even get an apology. Now that I'm finished with my rant, I must say the food was great. We had the Imperial Fish Fry on recommendation from a friend, and it was awesome. It was cheaper than their Friday fry specials and they serve it daily.

Oct 12, 2013 by Kat

Oh my god! Whomever dreamed up the chocolate and beer flight is a genius! Gorgeous flavors and unbeatable beers! My favorite was the Crop Circle Wheat with the lemony, spicy milk chocolate!

Oct 05, 2013 by Kirstin

Texarkana burger=best food ever

Sep 30, 2013 by Aesha W.

This is a great pub in downtown Madison. They brew several of their own beverages, including ginger ale and cream soda. The soda is pretty good; I left with a growler my first time here. They also offer poutine as an appetizer, which I once thought sounded disgusting and would tease my Canadian friends about; I've seen the error of my ways. Best part about this specific location is the great outdoor garden seating. If you stop in when the garden is open, take advantage.

Sep 29, 2013 by Nicole H.

I know there's probably better options in Madison, but more often than not this Milwaukeean finds herself back at a Great Dane. There's something to be said for comfort and consistency. This location is central, easy to meet folks at and has so many options for seating - bar, patio, basement, restaurant ... The food is always solid and the menu is so varied that I can pretty much always find something to suit my mood, which is nice. From sandwich and soup and creamy mac and cheese to the sinfully amazing brat/burger/bacon amazingness, I really have never been unhappy with a meal here. There's a city parking garage on the block, which is convenient. The bar can be loud, but I love how cozy the basement is. They do shuttles to various Badger events. The Great Dane is just solid. I know I'm going to get good beer and guood food. And the food is the yummy comfort food that fills you up and prepares you to step out into a Wisconsin winter, you know? Great for pre- or post-game, great to meet friends and linger over extra drinks.

Sep 15, 2013 by Burger Guide D.

The Dane Burger consists of one-third pound of choice beef broiled to perfection, and then topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles, Bermuda onions and artichoke dip. The fact that this is a messy burger does not take too much thought. The Dane Burger does a good job of combining flavors with the standout topping being the artichoke dip. I found that the lettuce, tomato, and onion dressed the burger's appearance up, but did not do much for flavor or texture. Upon removing them the burger seemed more focused on the combination of the dip, beef, and bun. The beef could have been a little juicier, and I can't help but think what a really unique and tender bun that pairs perfectly with the artichoke dip could have done to make this burger a dream. Despite my thoughts on what this burger could have been, it is still a great burger and made me rethink the typical hamburger. For taking a risk and delivering, the Dane Burger is worth a try. Add-in the Great Dane's excellent beer, fun atmosphere, and tasty sides/snack and you have the makings of one the best bars in Madison.

Sep 14, 2013 by Travis W.

I love the variety of beers and food. Great, friendly and helpful bartenders. Reasonable prices and fun ambiance make this a fav when I'm in Madison.

Sep 07, 2013 by mark w.

Another awesome experience. Went with the baja burger this time, totally amazing!

Aug 26, 2013 by Jim K.

One of the best brew pubs in Wisconsin. Great food. Very Good Beer. Sit out back in the garden in the summer.

Aug 24, 2013 by Michael

Crop circle is a great refreshing summertime beer abc I recommend the pot pie or Mac and cheese.

Aug 24, 2013 by Bob

Would have went here but IBEW says to boycott them because they don't use union labor. Next pub.

Aug 23, 2013 by Dave C.

Was in town for a quick business meeting.  Stopped by for lunch  I had the Cuban sandwich and thought it was one of the better ones I've had.  Would certainly come back here if I'm in town again.

Aug 23, 2013 by C. Y.

For me, my visit to The Great Dane was sort of like going to a movie and enjoying the popcorn more than the film. I enjoyed the ever loving christ out of my bratburger. I could taste slight char on the brat patty and the burger patty and it was fan-freakin'-tastic. Of course, the only thing better than a great burger is washing down that great burger with a beer right? And that's where I caught the Dane woofin'. I first ordered a bitter on cask, which is not only one of my favorite beer styles but my favorite way to serve just about any style. Though I was happy that the beer was served at the proper temperature, it tasted sour ... as if it was either infected, or brewed with a sour mash. Whatever the case, it completely ruined the beer for me. I tried a sip of my girlfriend's Mild ale and was saddened to see that it too was not free of blemish. The finish had quite a bit of diacetyl, and I'm definitely not a fan of buttery beers. Fortunately the service was great. But as I implied before, I don't go to the movies for just the popcorn. In this case, I call the Great Dane's beer a flop.

Aug 20, 2013 by Chris M.

Great German pilsner, pretzel brat burger, & wait staff!  Very cool beer garden & historic building.

Aug 19, 2013 by Karly B.

Super average experience... Maybe I am too picky. (-) As huge fans of microbrews, every time we visit a new city we make a point to visit a brew pub and bring home a growler. After an entirely underwhelming experience at Great Dane, we actually sought out another brewery to bring loot home from. Try Ale Asylum instead. (-) Food was meh. Tuna tataki was over-cooked (If it's sushi grade, it should be barely seared!), wings were good (the homemade Gorgonzola sauce was the best part of the meal), and tandoori chicken was a confusing Indian/Mediterranean fusion. (+/-) Service was good although our server seemed a bit green, fumbling to remember the special brews. (+/-) The scotch ale was pretty decent but the rest of the beer flight was completely unmemorable. (+) The best part of Great Dane is their courtyard, outdoor seating.

Aug 16, 2013 by Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company

Closed all day Monday the 19th. Sorry for any inconvenience. we will open Tuesday as normal.

Aug 12, 2013 by Jason F.

I stopped by here a couple of Saturday's ago with my fiance for a late lunch.  The place looked pretty busy but that wasn't a problem since we were immediately seated in a booth.   There's not really much to say about the inside of the place as there is a bar area in one half of the restaurant and then a dining area in the other half up a stair or two.  The walls are brick and the tables are a darker wooden color.  I think I also noticed a sign that talked about a beer garden although I personally did not visit it. Since I was celebrating the completion of another marathon that morning, I decided to go with a flight of beers.  My flight came out situated in a serving dish that was in the shape of a dog bone.  I thought that was cool, especially since it fit in so well with their name.  All of the beers were pretty good and stayed true to the types that they were advertised as.  After a bit of a wait to order our appetizer, my fiance and I  went with the beer-battered cheese curds.  There was another wait (this happened quite a few times where our server disappeared for long periods of time) before we got our cheese curds.  They were delicious as the curds were gooey inside the battering.  My only complaint was that I couldn't really tell that the batter had any beer in it, yet they were still good.  For my entree I decided to go with the Wisconsin style cheddar mac and topped it off with the buffalo chicken.  It also came topped with sourdough crumbs and was served with a thick pretzel stick.  The macaroni and cheese was thick and gooey and tasted nicely while the buffalo chicken that I added was good as well.  I think that my favorite part of the meal was that after I had finished the pasta I used the pretzel stick to scoop up the rest of the cheese sauce from my dish.  Whoever thought of adding that to the meal was a genius! The bottom line for me is that I would definitely head back here again in the future.  I really enjoyed both the beer that I ordered and the food, now if only our server could have been a bit more attentive to us.

Aug 12, 2013 by Chris B.

Black Earth Porter & Stone of Scone Scotch Ale are very good.  Friendly service and nice atmosphere.  Good quality pub style food.  Always a favorite when we're in the Madison area.

Aug 10, 2013 by Samantha Q.

Every time I have gone to Great Dane the food has been excellent. The first time I went I had the Portabella mushroom sandwich, and more recently I had the Paoli Vegetable sandwich with fried plantains. Both are excellent and besides the food they have a great beer selection since they are also a brewery.

Aug 03, 2013 by Rowan C.

Downtown Location has the absolute best secret Patio!   I could stay all day surrounded by the green ivy walls, 2 stories high that make you feel like you are in a hidden jungle.   Tip: Just tried the tri-pepper beer, which I would give a thumbs up.  Light and spicy aftertaste, but not for everyone.

Jul 31, 2013 by Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company

Last concert on the square tonight at 7pm! Get some beer to go and enjoy the great music! @greatdanepub

Jul 31, 2013 by Angel S.

The menu has variety for many tastes in your group, and not just bar food (nice). The prices are pretty fair. Just know that if you go on a weekend evening, the wait could be long and the place is quite loud if you want to talk to your friends over a meal vs. shout at them. Tried the Pepper Beer and was quite surprised by the green pepper flavor that was a little sweet and the lingering spice on the finish. Normally don't like pepper beers too much, but want to because I love hot food so much. I'd buy it again! I ate the turkey burger and was very satisfied with it - good flavor. This place gets 3 stars overall because of the long wait we had and it was crazy loud. Food and beer would get a 4 star (but that's not an option here on Yelp).

Jul 22, 2013 by Marco C.

What a great brewpub! I was in Madison for 10 days, and I somehow became the Duke, ha. My favorites included the Scotch Ale (surprisingly very drinkable), Double Dubbel (comes in a bomber, MY FAVORITE over all of them), and their Kolsch. Fantastic stuff. If you're fan of lighter, wheat beers, the Hefeweizen and Crop Circle Wheat are good choices - many of my friends enjoyed those. In general, the beers and alcoholic drinks are reasonably priced. I got a pretty tasty Long Island here as well. The food is yum, and there's loads of seating indoors and out. Until next time, Dane.

Jul 21, 2013 by Franklin D.

Bad ass. Full bar & kitchen upstairs. Another full bar downstairs, and a beautiful beer garden. Good beer, good food, cool staff, good crowd, you really can't go wrong. $10 for a pack of smokes from the bar. Ha! You shouldn't be smoking anyway, you naughty person, you. $9 for cheese curds. Yumm-o.

Jul 20, 2013 by Bernie

like apples? like rum? try the angry sailor!

Jul 18, 2013 by Rahul

What they call the Indian Tandoori Chicken is nowhere close to the actual tandoori chicken of India, but it's still awesome!

Jul 15, 2013 by Virginia

The blackened Mahi Mahi is delicious and the outdoor courtyard is lovely at night. Great service & great beer too!

Jul 12, 2013 by Kathy G.

Just don't eat at the one in the airport. Cold food.

Jul 08, 2013 by Tony D.

I try to go here ANY TIME I want wings.  They have the BEST wings in Madison by far.  Their wings are meaty and they come with a garganzola sauce that is out of this world.  They also have beer that is fantastic with a great amount of choices.  They also have a Ruben sandwich that is absolutely DELICIOUS!!!  Great place if you want great food and a great atmosphere!!

Jul 07, 2013 by Stina N.

I pretty much want to move to Madison to eat all of the food on the menu and drink all the beer. My boyfriend and I came here - based on Yelp reviews - while we were in Madison for the night.  We're a big fan of local craft and microbreweries/ brew pubs and make it a point to visit them when we're out of town.   We got there around 8:30 on a Friday, and it was pretty crowded.  (Always a good sign in my mind!)  They told us it was going to be about a 40 minute wait so we each grabbed a beer.  I got the Crop Circle Wheat and he got the Double Dubbel.  The Crop Circle was one of the best wheat beers I've had in a while.  Less than 20 minutes later, they seated us. I love the decor and over all vibe of this place.  The exposed brick walls, newsprint menus, and the dark wood.  It's huge too.  I didn't realize how crazy big it was! There were so many tasty sounding options on the menu.  We started with the beer bread and honey butter.  The bread was good, but the butter was amazing.  I pretty much wanted to spoon it directly into my mouth... but eating straight butter is kind of gross no matter how delicious it is.  For dinner I got the Applewood Bacon Burger with the buffalo patty on a pretzel roll with the sweet plantains on the side.  I've been on a huge plantains kick lately so the fact that they had plantains pretty much make me jump for joy.  My boyfriend got the brat bacon burger which he loved but wasn't even able to finish because it was so huge. Also, I love the fact that they focus on using a lot of local and sustainable food - local cheese, local grass-fed beef and local buffalo. The staff was SO friendly.  I think it might just be that people in Wisconsin are the friendliest people on the planet, but everyone was just so happy and nice and well...perky.  The service was great too.

Jul 03, 2013 by Leah

Half order of nachos no longer available at this location :(

Jul 03, 2013 by Helen A.

When I'm looking for comfort food the Mac and cheese always makes me feel better.. And washes down well with their own light beer yum!! The staff was friendly and the place was clean. I will be back.

Jun 24, 2013 by Lerin

Best brewery in town and best location

Jun 21, 2013 by Wulfstan C.

We were extremely impressed with this brewpub, our experience clearly putting this at or near the top of the class amongst all the ones to which we have been.  The steak chimichurri salad was huge and prepared excellently, the lettuce and other vegetables all fresh and good quality, the steak tender and beautifully cooked rare to medium rare, and the dressing flavourful yet delicate.  Kids' meals were great also, especially the nice, crisp and flavourful happy-face tater-tot-type fries.  Beer that we had was excellent and they have a wide selection with a good cask range, as well.  The place itself is nice inside with a traditional old-fashioned pub character plus patio seating in the back.  It also has a great location downtown about a block from the capitol.

Jun 20, 2013 by Jenny

Love the outdoor atmosphere, food is amazing, great vegan options! Always go at least once every time we are in Madison!!

Jun 16, 2013 by David G.

We've been going to the Great Dane for years. We enjoy their food, but we encountered a hostess today that really made our experience unpleasant. We went specifically to dine in the outside garden. When we got there about half the tables were occupied. Some of the vacant tables were in the direct sun, some were either in the shade or had umbrellas. She wanted to seat us in the direct sun, and when we requested shade, she told us that because there were only two of us, those tables weren't availabe (despite at least one deuce being in the shade). She went back and studied her seating chart for awhile, like she was really being inconvenienced, and finally sat us at a table that was only partially in the sun. The food was good, our server was excellent, but when you begin the experience being told that you're not really valued because there are only two of you, it really detracts! (BTW, the vacant tables stayed vacant the entire time we were there.)

Jun 15, 2013 by Tawnie R.

Went last Sunday for the brunch again.  Was all pretty good.  Not great, but good.   Don't know if we'll be back again, I guess I have a problem with paying $50 for brunch for two.  It's pretty pricey.

Jun 15, 2013 by Samantha P.

Great Dane is hard to describe.  It's a brew pub that also serves tandoori chicken!  We really enjoyed the food (fish fry and Thai chicken pasta), and the service was great.  I didn't try the beer, but I would come back just for the food and atmosphere!

Jun 13, 2013 by Andrew N.

At the recommendation of a friend I went here for dinner. The scotch ale was pretty good, but nothing too special. I tried the poutine (fries covered in cheese curds, and chicken gravy) as an appetizer, which were pretty tasty and a at a good price ($6). For dinner, I ordered the petite cut sirloin.  It was indeed small (about 6oz), but had a good flavor. They served it with caramelized onions and sauteed mushrooms, mashed potatoes and mixed veggies were the sides. They have a section in the menu about how they cook to temperature, but my medium steak was medium well. The steak had a good taste, but wasn't incredibly tender. They have a nice outside patio which is great for nice nights in the summer. Pros: nice outdoor patio, friendly staff Cons: food isn't anything special

Jun 04, 2013 by Liz

Their cheese curds are the best I have ever had. The west African chicken peanut stew is AMAZING!

Jun 01, 2013 by Rc

Habanero hellfire will BURN your ass! Be careful... Its good. But potent.

May 31, 2013 by Chelsey K.

While you can't argue with the delicious brews, the service and comfort has lacked at this Dane location for several years now. A few years ago, some friends and I made our first New Year's Eve stop at this downtown Dane. Not only was it ridiculously crowded, there was absolutely no additional seating available nor barely any standing room save right up next to the dj. Understandable, it was New Year's. But the service was worse. Two young, female bartenders were the only staffers available around 9pm. They were slow, to the extent of several beers taking almost fifteen minutes to be served. Shortly afterward, we noticed the only customers being served were handsome young men. Thankfully, we had a few of those with us, which is the only reason I'm certain we ever received our second round. We left shortly thereafter. I gave it another few go's the past several years, but again, each time served disappointment. The beer was fantastic. The food was great. The service and setting were less than adequate. One summer evening last year, I met a friend for a drink in the basement, which was so hot and humid we had to leave. Another time more recently, the young waitress took so long my friends and I left after one drink. The beer is the draw to the downtown Dane, but if you're able to hit another location, I recommend it. Hilldale or Fitchburg are bigger, better staffed, and haven't failed me yet.

May 26, 2013 by Daniella D.

Finally had a chance to have a meal  here both before & after the Great Taste of the Midwest beer fest as they were awesome enough to offer a free shuttle to & from the fest.   We had the Cuban & turkey club which were both really good.  The French fries were crispy & tasty.  The second meal was a burger & Mac n cheese.  Both were good but we liked our first 2 choices best. We didn't have a beer this time b/c of all the beer we drank at the fest. Next time in the area we will be sure to stop by for both food & drink.

May 20, 2013 by Shana L.

The West African Peanut Stew is absolutely delicious. I order it every time I dine here. The service is very good with attentive servers and bartenders.

May 19, 2013 by Jen T.

My friend and I came here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon.  It was busy, but not crazy busy.  We got seated right away in the beer garden....which was beautiful.  They restaurant as a whole has a nice vibe, and the bathrooms are super clean....which is a big deal for me!   They have a lot of different food and beer to choose from.  I'll definitely have to come back, because there is a lot I want to try. I'll start with the beer.  They have a nice variety of house brewed beer.  I had the crop circle wheat...wheat beers are my fave, and this was a good one! They have a very extensive menu with all sorts of food.  They have typical bar food, Mexican, pasta, Indian...needless to say, they have a lot to choose from.   I really like bar food, so I went with the burger.  They also had quite a few sides to choose from...I got the sweet potato tots.  They don't give you anything to dip them in though.  My friend got the quesadilla which came with a great chipotle bbq sauce.  Next time, I'm going for the brat and bacon burger.  Oh yes...you read that right.  That's a lot of meat!   Great place...can't wait to go back.

May 18, 2013 by Derek

In summer, be sure to visit the outdoor seating in the back.

May 18, 2013 by Kevin

The nachos are really good!

May 15, 2013 by Adam

It turns into kids playtime at 6pm. Although very well mannered. Those who don't should be beer boarded.

May 04, 2013 by Jason

Worst service ever. I wouldn't recommend coming here if you want to actually do something later, you'll be here for hours waiting for your waiter.

May 02, 2013 by Dylan K.

Well, I went back for the upteenth time--West African peanut stew is still delicious and top-notch. My friend got the fish tacos and the salsa is still burning hot. Yep, food is still great. Sadly, the beer is still pretty awful. Bland, unexciting, nothing really stands out. I guess the Texas Speedbump is alright, but these guys are just so boring. Stop making my trips a snoozefest when it comes to beer, alright?

Apr 21, 2013 by Rc

I love this place. Great tuna tataki, wings, amazing beer and everything else. Awesome staff, I can't say anything bad about this place.

Apr 16, 2013 by Kevin

Get the scotch ale !!!

Apr 16, 2013 by Ashe D.

Pretty good macaroni and cheese as well as the tomato panzanella salad. They make their own beer as well as soda (red cream soda, ginger ale, and cola maybe?). The service is pretty good. It can get really loud here, but they are accommodating of larger groups.

Apr 13, 2013 by Guillermo

Go to the pool hall!

Apr 12, 2013 by Janet Z.

The Great Dane is a staple local brew pub and restaurant.  It's larger than I originally expected so even when they're busy you're usually able to get a spot quickly.  As expected for a brewery, they have a nice beer selection.  More surprisingly, the food selection is pretty good.  They do an above average job with standard bar food (burgers, sandwiches, cheese curds, etc), but also have some more up-scale items.  I've had their burgers as well as the portobello sandwich and both were very good.  On my most recent visit I got a little more adventurous with the peanut stew (a hearty vege stew in a peanut sauce) and it was excellent.  I may have to start moving beyond the standard bar food.

Apr 09, 2013 by Karrey S.

This place was busier than hell on a Saturday night, but we still managed to get seated at a booth pretty quickly. They've got an awesome beer selection with great variety. The food was tasty, with a nice combo of your general bar-food fare and fancier items. I really wish I had tried the Thai peanut stew, but I ended up getting the Black and Tan burger with a Boca patty. We also had fried cheese curds as an appetizer, and they didn't disappoint. We also had our infant daughter with us, and instead of a high chair that would sit at the end of the table (there would be no room here for that), they had a special seat that clipped onto the table that we situated between us, and it worked wonderfully! I wish more restaurants would do this!

Apr 06, 2013 by Maura

Get the Scotch Ale- it's great!

Mar 28, 2013 by Charlotte H.

My online boyfriend, now husband, took me here when I visited him in Madison. The pub was cozy and nicer than I expected. I loved their cheese-curds! Why aren't they available nation wide??

Mar 23, 2013 by Sathish

No wings folks.

Mar 11, 2013 by Paul

The Green Chili is awesome!

Mar 04, 2013 by Kim

Beautiful night.

Feb 28, 2013 by Joel K.

I have visited the Great Dane twice while in Madison on business.  I did not eat on my most recent trip, but that's OK.  I go there for the beer--and it's pretty good stuff!  I am especially a fan of their Porters.  Black Earth Porter is named well, as its taste does have an earthy quality and wonderful mouthfeel.  I know there are pool tables and food at the place, but it all seems superfluous when the beer is this solid!

Feb 24, 2013 by Ryan

Ask for Dario. He makes the dirtiest drinks.

Feb 11, 2013 by William R.

Really enjoyed this brew pub. I had a burger and it was great and the beer selections is fantatsic.  I would eat here again!

Feb 09, 2013 by Wil

Always order from Kristen she's the best bartender :)

Jan 28, 2013 by Elaine

Grat beer and cheese curds

Jan 27, 2013 by James A.

Yeah, that's right. The Dane only gets 3 stars. Some people swear by this place, but to me, "not bad" sums it up pretty well. The food is decent to good overall. The cheese curds are only okay (the curds at the Old Fashioned and Capital Tap Haus are MUCH better). The tastiest item on the menu is the smothered and covered fried chicken, which is a delightfully artery-clogging boneless fried chicken breast covered in a spicy gravy with shrimp and andouille sausage. I would also recommend the buffalo wings, those are pretty good too. However, the beer is not good. With the exception of their porter, most are utterly flavorless. The scotch ale is nothing like I was expecting. And I actually think I like Bud Light better than their "Landmark Light" lager. I will say this, though, I love the fact that they have bar shuffleboard at the Dane downtown. Such a fun game, and not something you see every day.

Jan 25, 2013 by Kari

Try the Scotch Ale!

Jan 05, 2013 by Cristabel R.

I always get the fish tacos with sweet potato fries. Best in town. I really haven't had better fish tacos anywhere else despite my many failed attempts. They have a decent brunch buffet but you literally won't be able to eat for 3 days, it is an insane amount of food and you get full just looking at it all!

Dec 31, 2012 by Mike F.

How do you get excited about a dinner salad?  Tomatoes that taste like tomatoes, cucumbers that are firm, carrot & radish slices, & a great blue cheese dressing. The Texas Speed Bump IPA pours like an Irish Cream Ale. Great place - I will be back!

Dec 20, 2012 by Mike R.

Your typical brew pub with a respectable beer selection and a solid pub food menu (burgers, nachos, cheese curds, etc).  Service was receptive and always made sure our glasses were full.  What more can one ask for when in need of beer and a burger?

Dec 13, 2012 by Brad S.

Food was good and the bar tender knows how to make sure patrons are happy.

Dec 03, 2012 by Anand M.

The Great Dane is a small chain brewery and restaurant. It is a few cuts above the rest of the standard bars with food. With pretzels that will make you melt and dips that will make you burn, I was sold immediately. Unlike many restaurants, tey clearly state what is vegetarian, I highly appreciated that. My Mac and cheese was so creamy and tasty. It was the best one I had during my many visits to The cheese capital of the US (yes, happy cows come from Cali, but still). My portobello burger was juicy too! I'm not sure but I think you can't go wrong here. I have been to other bars with with good food, but somehow they perfected the bar foods. Great service and consistently good food. However, they are more a restaurant than a bar. I was surprised when the beers were just ok, I don't get too much satisfaction out of them.

Nov 19, 2012 by Adam

Great cheese curds and local beers!

Nov 13, 2012 by Chris S.

The Great Dane is a Madison standard and I would recommend it to anyone who is visiting Wisconsin. It is a staple micro brewery in a state that is becoming/is the state of micro-breweries. Even if the food is not incredible, there is still a large menu. I've run into some issues with the wait staff in terms of timeliness, but the Great Dane is a good place.

Nov 11, 2012 by Kevin T.

The Dane may have great beer and a good atmosphere, but the food is borderline inedible.   The menu is far too large, first of all.  They have burgers...and hummus.  They serve Italian "specialties"...and beer and cheese soup.  No restaurant can pull this off and pull it off well.   During the Badgers game yesterday, we ordered chicken nachos.  I think that the chicken must have run through the nachos, because I couldn't detect a single piece of chicken in the mix.  The nachos were not good.   We also ordered hummus.  Three of us ate roughly 10% of the platter, it was that bad.   The waitress made no effort to ask us how things were--and it was not a busy time.   Service is generally okay, but wasn't yesterday at all.   Drinks and beer are fine here, but if you want to eat, go elsewhere.

Nov 11, 2012 by Jason N.

I went here for the first time last night with a group for drinks, the great Dane is a alright bar. It was crowded and loud, but interesting. It wasn't quit my cup of tea, it was pricey and a little uppity.

Nov 09, 2012 by BJ

Always be sure to ask what they have for a selection of seasonal beers!

Nov 03, 2012 by Bocce L.

I love a good micro brew so going here was a no brainer.  Since we wanted to eat and it being a Friday night, the wait for a table was long.  It didn't help that we had to change our request from two people , then five and finally seven!  Not the restaurants fault, but it took about 90 minutes to get seated.  While we waited we were able to get drinks at the bar pretty quickly.  I stuck with the light Lager and the red Lager.  Both were very fresh and tasty to a beer snob like me. Once we got seated I was introduced to fried cheese curds (kurds?) that are standard issue in these parts.  Wow, how have I never had these before!  I don't know what if any cheese is in these things but they are delicious.  They taste very much like fried mozzarella cheese. We started with two orders for the table then quickly doubled it.   For my meal I tried the buffalo chicken fingers with asian sauce and a side of chips.  They were both great and after all the curds, filled me up.  Most of the other people got various fish, but I didn't pay much attention to anything not deep fried. This place was very busy on a Friday night but I didn't feel packed in.  I will absolutely go back to Great Dane if I ever find myself in Madison again.

Oct 31, 2012 by AJ H.

I've been to the Great Dane about ten times over the last couple of years. It's been for a variety of work lunches, friends' birthday dinners, and Saturday afternoon pool. I'm not a fan of the food -- I find it generally pretty bland, and I've never gotten the same thing twice. The burgers are okay, some of the salads are pretty good (the caprese is probably my favorite item on the menu), and I did enjoy the chicken peanut stew, if it did require a bit of hot sauce. I've tried at least half the beers (as pints) and don't really feel the need to have any more. There aren't any that I've had that I prefer to other similar styles of Wisconsin or even Madison-area beers. The service has varied, but is usually friendly. I think generally they try to set a relaxed pace and are knowledgeable about the menu (not easy -- it's huge!). The best thing there is the Saturday pool specials -- $4/hr is a fantastic deal and the tables are in good shape.

Oct 29, 2012 by Dan

Scone Scotch Ale is muy bien!

Oct 28, 2012 by Hitplay G.

As it turns out there are a lot of great places in Madison for beer. This place used to be one of them but it has rested far too much on its laurels and has declined precipitously in its service. I find that the service in Madison is routinely excellent. Perhaps servers aren't as knowledgable as in some big cities but they are generally very friendly and care about the customer. Not at Great Dane anymore. Last time I was in here I was treated like garbage by one of the clueless bartenders. Shocked by how rudely I was treated I spoke with another worker (unable to find a manager). She was a little less rude but tremendously more condescending. Needles to say I won't be back. There are dozens of place that have great beer AND great service in Madison. Don't need to be talked down to by a bunch of sadly soon-to-be unemployed college students.

Oct 25, 2012 by Matthew K.

The Great Dane Pub, great food, great beer, great atmosphere, great everything!  I really enjoy going to the Dane.  I went for lunch on a Friday afternoon (well, been there many times, finally got around to writing a review).  I had the Dane Burger, and wow, just as good as I had remembered it from previous times.  Juicy, fresh, tasty, and topped with the Dane's own Spinach Artichoke Dip.  I paired it with the Kohl Slaw, so tasty and fresh as well.  As an appetizer, my friends and I split the cheese curds, which are a must when you are in Madison! The beer, so good!  I had the seasonal Oktoberfest which was on tap, and this beer has a great caramel maltiness balanced nicely by the hops.  If you are in Madison and need some food and beer, go to the Great Dane, you won't be disappointed!

Oct 22, 2012 by David K.

Great time!!  It was packed so full on Friday night (nearly 2 hour wait) that we came back a bit earlier on Saturday night and waited a very pleasant chat-with-others-waiting 45 minuts...and well worth it.  Very nice selection of beer.  Friendly staff at every turn.  And for a bar-pub the food was very good.  Nice salad...spetacular chicken-pot-pie...delicious mac-n-cheese...nice price.  Not sure how often we'll have the pleasure of popping into Madison, but the Great Dane is on the "do again" list!

Oct 15, 2012 by Matthew

The cheese curds are alright, but the beer is great and they have pool. Plus the more you drink the better their cheese-curds taste.

Oct 15, 2012 by Peter Y.

This place is probably my favorite pub to go to in Madison. Let's start with the beer, because no one goes to pubs for their Shirley temples. The Great Dane has a wide selection of both local and imported beer. Now I'm by no means a beer connoisseur, but I actually enjoy their beer. Considering how I use beer as an avenue to get drunk, and not a source of enjoyment, I'd say their beer is pretty damn good. I'd highly recommend their Peck's Pilsner, as it actually tastes like something I had in Prague. Now on to their food... My god their food is absolutely delicious. It's like paradise in my mouth. Their cheese curds are fried perfectly, and is a must have if you're not from the area. Their Baja burger can feed a man for a week, with its giant, juicy and delightfully spicy beef. I've also had their mango mahi mahi, which is just as good. Finally, if you have a friend that's been annoying you recently, you should tell them to get the hellfire wings. Then just kick back and enjoy the show, as their mouth burns off. My point? Don't order the hellfire wings unless you really want to know what it feels like to set your inner organs on fire.

Oct 13, 2012 by David M.

Holy Beer Selection! I'm still in shock the bartender was willing to play the game 'what do you recommend' even more in shock that he made great selections 3 out of 3 times. Great array of tvs and lots of games. - just a great all around bar to grab a beer and watch a game.

Oct 07, 2012 by Bryan

Great brews!! Oktoberfest brew is awesome!!

Oct 05, 2012 by Allison

Some of my favorite cheese curds!

Oct 03, 2012 by Craig D.

(3) A-OK...good for College Kids & Average Pool players;-)lol

Oct 02, 2012 by Connor M.

Another one of Madison's staple institutions, the Great Dane is a perfect place to bring a larger group of people since they have such ample seating. Its a noisy place so be prepared to speak quite loudly to one another. Great selection of Wisconsin beers on tap, and a variety they brew themselves. The food is very good, though nothing that will really shock you. They use fresh ingredients and will never disappoint. Large portions also guarantee you won't go home hungry! My favorite aspect of the Great Dane is the pay by the hour pool. They have great pool tables and a selection of sticks which are suitable even for very good players. If you are looking for some of the better pool players in Madison the Great Dane is where they will be.

Oct 01, 2012 by Sherry L.

Dear God. Whatever you do, do not order the Habenero buffalo wings. I've never seen four grown men get their asses kicked so bad. It was painful to watch. Our waitress was a sweetheart though and bought the "winner" of their lame, lame wing-eating contest a pint of beer. Seriously? He finished one full Habenero wing.

Sep 29, 2012 by Adam

You have no soul if you miss out on the poutine. That is all.

Sep 18, 2012 by Craig

Wonderful location; tip: don't get stuck at the bar, explore the entire building, especially the outdoor courtyard.

Sep 11, 2012 by Jessica N.

This is a great go-to everytime I'm in Madison. Great brews and solid food. This time we got the case of wings with all 4 sauces which were delicious. African soup also good Cajun chicken sammy yum They have a great outdoor seating area which is great during the Summer as well.

Sep 09, 2012 by Neil K.

I've been a frequent patron of the Great Dane for over a decade, and there is good reason.  First, the beer is brewed on location and they have an amazing menu.  Add in the fun ambience and accommodating wait staff and you have a great restaurant.   If you're in Madison long enough, you'll hear people mention Crop Circle Wheat more than a few times.  It's the best beer the Dane brews.  All the other beers are good too.  You can do a beer sampler if you want to find some other favorites. There aren't many places that can say they have awesome meatloaf, ravioli, nachos and burgers.  Somehow, the Dane can straddle all of these different flavors and do them extremely well.  That's part of why I have come here so often; no matter what the people in your group want, they can get it here. You can have many different types of experiences at the Dane based on where you are seated.  The front bar area is super fun and chill if you want to shoot pool, darts, play the jukebox or just watch sports.  The dining area on the top floor is casual and great for groups.  In the basement, you take your own tour of the Dane brewing process, which is fun in itself.  Eating dinner in the basement is more intimate, as its a bit darker with the stone walls.  The best place to eat though is the back beer patio.  On a sunny day or a cool night, its a fun experience that makes the Dane feel like a fancy restaurant without having to pay for it. Staff is awesome.  Just tell them what you want, they'll help you out.  We used to rent out the Dane for large group events, and they were always helpful.   The Great Dane is an essential Madison experience.

Aug 31, 2012 by C M.

Wow!  Went to the Eastside locate (the only one without on site brewing). Four (count 'em) four locations; use your GPS to find the one closet to you. A great selection of beers and an extensive menu. Wasted my time last PM at the Ale Asylum, this place beats it hands down. One reviewer stated "loud, loud, loud" and it is; but, it's fun. Great ambiance. Great personable service. Making me wish I never moved away from Madison.

Aug 28, 2012 by Chris F.

Good typical American restaurant brewery. Good place for a good time in town, not so much for the good food, but that wasn't bad neither.

Aug 20, 2012 by Rani P.

I learned pretty quickly this was a hot-spot in Madison. With multiple locations (in a four-day visit, I went to two of them)- the menu, both beer and food, will keep you coming back to try more. The food definitely didn't disappoint- and ANYTHING you might be craving, or forgot you were craving, will be on this menu. The portions are huge- but you find yourself finishing every bite. If you are going to Madison for a visit or even just driving through- I recommend this spot to get a little taste of Madison's food, beer, and friendly service!

Aug 14, 2012 by Brannon A.

Great food, and good beer!!! The service leaves something to be desired, but the menu is loaded with great options and the beer always hits the spot.  Try their American Pale Ale, it'll get on whatever's ailing you with a quickness!

Aug 13, 2012 by Corrigan Z.

This is the second time I have been there in the last three years and had a VERY BAD experience.  We went two years ago because it was a great meeting spot after the Great Taste of the Midwest.  The waitstaff and bouncers were incredibly rude, though, and the manager was not to be found/bothered.  It was so bad, we avoided it last year while in town for the festival.   This year we went back, hoping that things had changed.  While the company has apparently gotten bigger, they are no better.  After keeping us waiting for more than an hour, they had trouble accommodating a party of seven (with two children), even though there was more than enough room at the tables.  The hostess for the biergarten (who was not more than 22 and certainly was embarrassing to her UW education if she was attending there) was very condescending and unhelpful.  She offered to  get her manager, but he or she never bothered to come by.  Then, the waitress, who did not come to our table for 15 minutes after we had been sitting there, refused to get us a round of beers, proclaiming in the most condescending manner,  "I think you need a round of waters first."  Notwithstanding that this 22-year old was probably an expert in binge drinking, we were not out of control. Or, to the extent that we were, it was only because we were famished and irate from having to wait so long for food and service.  So, we left, leaving me unable to satisfy my anger at being so disrespected by leaving a few pennies for a tip.  Let me explain something to you, Great Dane:  your beer is not that great.  I put it at a three out of ten.  I cannot remember anybody ever being excited about your food.  And, as has now been demonstrated twice, your service is awful.  What you do have is an excellent location for the beer festival.  But that is all.  We ended up having a great rest of our night, free of incidents, at your competitor, the Old Fashioned.  Unless you like being disrespected. I highly recommend nobody be tricked by this bar's location and go back to this place.  I certainly will never go back.

Aug 12, 2012 by Blake

Go downstairs and check out the beer garden out back.

Aug 12, 2012 by Faiza A.

Stopping at The Great Dane is a must when I am visiting Madison. On my last visit, we were seated downstairs for dinner. I did not care for the atmosphere at all! It was extremely loud because we were seated right near a bar.  Our server appeared more like a cocktail waitress and wasn't very friendly or helpful.  If I was grabbing a drink, I wouldn't mind. However, when I am having dinner, I need some peace! Nonetheless, great beer and food. I love  the Mac n Cheese with a pretzel! I will be back on my next trip to Madison but will be sure to sit upstairs!

Aug 11, 2012 by Janet

Be sure to sit outside in the garden patio.

Aug 09, 2012 by Andrew M.

After my first trip to "The Dane" I came away pretty impressed. I went there for a friend's birthday and we got to sit in the beer garden. It was a nice escape from the usual Madison outdoor eating experience. Despite the fly population, I thought the food was top notch. I got the Smothered and Covered Fried Chicken. Let's just say the description fit the bill. That chicken was smothered and covered in delicious gluttony.  I'm a creature of habit, so it will be tough for me to get something else the next time I go, but I hear the burgers are the bees-knees as well.

Aug 09, 2012 by Alex E.

This place is way overrated. It is a decent pub place with good Wisconsin grub, but nothing I would wait over 15 minutes to get. Their beers are good as they brew all of the beer themselves which is cool. Yet, the Great Dane is more a big name in Madison that under delivers on quality of food.

Aug 06, 2012 by Jeff W.

Simply put, you won't find a bar that has as wide and tasty a selection of custom micro brews in all of Madison - capital of American Beer country. This place is unique.  With a partially rotating seasonal menu, it has some unique offerings along with its exceptional beer offering. Whether it's a meal or a night hanging with friends to catch a game, The Great Dane is a wonderful experience.

Aug 04, 2012 by Brad

Cool place to eat and drink!

Aug 03, 2012 by Jenny H.

Awesome place to come late night for drinks.  There is a great patio outside with lots of space and pretty trees covering it.   I ordered the mac and cheese which was pretty good, rigatoni with Wisconsin cheddar and a beery Pilsner taste, served with a soft pretzel bun, and some drinks.

Aug 03, 2012 by Mallory P.

We are new to Madison and decided to try Great Dane as part of our welcome to Wisconsin tour. I'm glad we tried it once, though I'm not sure it will be on our go-to list. The service was great- from the host to the servers. Our server knew a lot about the beers and the food, which I always appreciate. We sat outside in the garden (it was way too hot, I don't know what we were thinking...). The cheese curds were OK. We had cheese curds from the Old Fashioned earlier in the week, so the bar was set pretty high.  We did a beer sampler (4 beers for $6). I won't pretend to be a beer expert - but none of the beers really stood out. We tried a pale ale, the crop circle wheat, a red ale, and a scotch ale. All fine. Nothing blew me away. The place seems really popular. I'm sure it's just a matter of finding the beer and menu items that fit you. I will probably try it again.

Jul 30, 2012 by Paul B.

Awesome Devil's Lake Red Lager and Wings. Can't wait for the the Great Dane's Brat and Bacon Pretzel Burger. Rollin' Wisconsin-style.

Jul 26, 2012 by Joyce H.

Everytime I come to Madison for work, The Great Dane is the place to be when it comes to post-meeting hangout and food. I came here several times over the course of 10 days! I think I came here at least 4 times. The outdoor biergarten is pretty great on summer days. A few notes: - two words: HONEY BUTTER. try it on their beer bread... it is very good. - the portions for lunch are very large! and very fried! mmm.... - the cheese curds here are a-ok. Word on the street is that the old fashioned's is much better. - they have tiny sampler sizes for the beer -- perfect for me since I have an allergy. I really like their dark brews. - service here is pretty attentive and very accommodating to large groups - large appetizers for groups - yummy pile of nachos I'm currently wearing my dad's vintage Bucky the Badger shirt that says "it's hard to be humble when you're from wisconsin." go big red!

Jul 24, 2012 by Daniel L.

aaah the great dane. So many warm memories sitting outside in the humid summer nights, with fireflies flying about, sipping on a pint of... ...well, here's where my imagination can go anywhere! A nice refreshing crop circle wheat... or a hoppy imperial IPA... or an emerald isle stout... or my favorite, the stone of scone scotch ale! All wonderful choices! The only regrettable thing is that the late night menu is so limited! I wish I could have this with poutine! instead, I have to settle for gringo nachos... which isn't bad when you're in your happy beer place... but man, the only other share-able thing on the menu, really, is the beer bread. And while I enjoy the honey butter and bread... please more shareable late night menu items!

Jul 23, 2012 by Steve T.

Two paths diverged into a wood, and be one traveller, long I stood...ok I took the path that offered really great craft beer and eats.  Great Dane delivered this very weary, strung out traveller one of the best interpretations of a German pilsner out there.  Two 16oz'ers disappeared like water in the desert (and for all practical purposes it is a desert here in Madison...about 100 deg F.).  Rarely has the confluence of thirst, heat, 18 hrs of driving, mental and physical fatigue, and just overall feeling beat been better medicated.  Livingstone would've been well advised to pack some cold ones from GD on his epic trek. Food was solid.  The Wisconsin fried cheddar cheese balls were like mozzarella sticks for cheese-heads, and the Dane burger, served char broiled with artichoke sauce, was delish.  Atmosphere was typical high end pub, and service was spot-on. I suspect that, like the traveller in Frost's poem, GD has and will continue to make all the difference...at least with regard to my sobriety.

Jul 20, 2012 by Laura Kate S.

Since I'd moved away, I hadn't been to the Great Dane in yeeears. Until last weekend. On the busy Saturday of Art Fair on the Square weekend, I stopped in with my godmother, my sister and her sleeping baby-in-a-stroller. The hostess was really great and found a table where we could wheel the aforementioned sleeping baby next to without having to wake her up. And when she did later wake up? A high chair was brought over pronto by our fab waitress. The food was delicious. My godmother maintains that the mussels were among the best ever, my sister enjoyed her burger, and I couldn't even finish the mound o' jerk pork I had. Yum!  Superbly attentive service and everything was fast and fresh - particularly notable as the place was packed. I remember why I used to like going there. And will take up the habit again now that I'm back in WI!

Jul 19, 2012 by Katie

Hot guys all over! I love Madison.

Jul 17, 2012 by Cliff W.

I dined at this establishment for a wedding rehearsal dinner, which facilitated a relaxing and unwinding atmosphere to meet everyone. Service was good for the three-table party I was a part of. Their half pound Atlantic cod fillet baked with a lemon herb crust was so well cooked and flavorful that I didn't feel the need to eat it with the side of drawn butter. The cod fillet was moist and flaked off easily with a fork, and its golden-brown lemon herb crust was light, crumbly and crispy. The couscous, though light and airy and with the almond slivers providing a nice crunch, could use some broth to give it moisture. The steamed green beans dressed simply in oil gave the whole meal homeliness. The salad preceding the main course was served with choice of balsamic vinaigrette, French or ranch dressing, all of which were quite thin and not overwhelming on the taste palate.

Jul 12, 2012 by Mark R.

So...time for an update.  I work near this location, so I come here often for lunch or dinner.  In addition, I travel a lot, and have been to numerous other types of establishments.  Take home messages: - the staff are GREAT at the Great Dane.  Whether spending 30 minutes talking shop with the brew meister, or just chatting with the bartenders and staff....the folks here are so friendly, laid back, and frankly, fun to talk to.  There have been many a day, bad at work, come for lunch and a beer, end up socializing, and leave feeling rejuvenated and upbeat. - the beers?  good to great.  I do NOT expect GREAT beer with every batch, variety, or brew.  Beer is a living thing, subject to temperature, climates, humidity, weather...even going back to the conditions under which the hops and malt were grown, as well as how sensitive the yeast is.  These guys brew really damn good beer, and true to how beer should be brewed...GREAT ingredients, with true yeasts.  Cheers! - ambiance - what more is there to say?  this is THE place to be.  From wacky, to straight laced, from old school woodwork and bar, fun games, great sports selection on TV, and, dare I say, the prettiest and most friendly wait staff around!  Just.  Plain.  Nice.  :) - Food:  The menus change, and go through rotation.  Classic pub fare, to healthy choices (try the tuna sushi roll salad..it's new, and damn, home made rolls...maybe not THE BEST...but, damn good for home made!)  always something nice.  Hey guys, if you read this, bring back the lamb....just saying  :P - dedication to what is "Wisconsin"....hell yeah.  from work ethic, to ownership, to local brews, to everything wonderful about our state....this IS Wisconsin. There is a reason this place is SO CONSISTENTLY busy busy busy.... hint:  it is busy during dinner and weekends....accept it, and roll with it...either plan on waiting or...jaunt upstairs...there is plenty of seating there, too.

Jul 11, 2012 by Scott S.

What makes this place great is that everything the have is good or very good. When we decide to go out to eat the default is generally the Great Dane because they have such a wide variety of food and do a good job at each dish that it doesn't matter what we are in the mood for. They also have pretty good beer. A good combo I like to get is the Oatmeal Stout and the Pot Pie they go well together especially in the wintertime. Another combo is the Crop Circle Wheat with the Fish Tacos. Two things I would rate exceptional: The Nakoma Nachos (served all night), and the clam chowder (Fridays only). When it is busy or a long wait just sit at the bar, there is usually available space. In conclusion: it be a mighty fine Pub.

Jul 09, 2012 by Cooper

Start with the Cheese & Artichoke Dip (if you're craving more, order the Dane Burger, which comes topped in the dip). Goes great with a Crop Circle Wheat in the summer.

Jun 28, 2012 by Nehpetsmai

When one more is too much, the sell half a glass. Now that is service.

Jun 28, 2012 by Nehpetsmai

Fish tacos are Delicious and filling. And the hummus is perfect

Jun 25, 2012 by Amanda M.

A group of nine of us were lucky enough to get a table here at 8:30 on a Thursday evening. Thursday nights appear to be quite popular with the teams from the Madison Ultimate Frisbee Association (I think they get free beer or something) and practically all of the tables in the place were full. Even with a full house our server was attentive, the food and drinks came out quickly, and the manager stopped by our table to check on us. Everyone had positive reactions to their food and beer. We had two orders of cheese curds - tasty, crispy coating on the outside and gooey cheese on the inside. I ordered the chicken potpie and loved it. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Perfect size for a single serving with a light flaky crust on top and vegetables that were cooked perfectly. My friend sitting next to me had the bacon and brat pretzel burger which he loved. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Then again what isn't there to love about a burger that consists of a hamburger patty, a bratwurst patty topped with applewood smoked bacon? The Great Dane was the perfect fit for a group as large as we had - there was something for everyone on the menu and the restaurant is obviously accustomed to dealing with large groups.

Jun 24, 2012 by Joshua H.

This past Saturday evening I made my way out to Fitchburg after having read some online reviews on Yelp.com and Urbanspoon.com and several of the hit items the Great Dane serves up. I even found some images on the net that really sold me on making a stop this past weekend to indulge myself in a classic burger that offered something different at the same time. Lets not forget that el fresco dining options never hurts either. At the Great Dane in Fitchburg, you get all that and then some. So let me walk you through the descriptive, visual and sensory pathway that was my "eat feat" for this weekend. Arriving at around 7pm I took the option to sit out at the bar in the "Garden Dining" section of the restaurant which I found fairly busy but not overcrowded either. I grabbed a seat and was quickly given attention by one of the bartenders who then kept close tabs on me during my whole stay. Having already seen the online menu I was pretty sure on what I was going to get for an app and entree but dessert still escaped me as no dessert menu was or is listed on the main menu. That I would have to wait and see on. Brown Ale French Onion Soup $5 This is the real deal when it comes to French Onion Soup! Great flavor, amazing aroma, a thick slice of melted bubbly cheese and then a thick slice of french bread underneath with ample soft, moist, chopped onions to seal the deal. Comes with 2 small whole wheat rolls to dip in and soak up the broth to! Burger Entree $10.50 + $1.00 for sweet potato fries The Great Dane's Brat and Bacon Pretzel Burger This burger is certainly what I needed. A classic burger yet something a bit different and not so basic. The pretzel bun all on its own may be to blame for this as its my first exposure to it but even the brat-burger dynamic may have played in, or maybe the bacon-burger-brat did it, or maybe the cheddar cheese-bacon-burger-brat combo to blame?? Who knows and who cares! It was darn good either way! It comes with Pecks Pilsner Mustard which I was quite liberal with to say the least as its a personal favorite condiment of mine so I was sure to see that nothing here was going to waste. Others should be forewarned....this burger is big and despite the bun and its hard pretzel covering to help support the mass of goodness inside, your going to get a little messy trying to eat this whole, even with two hands. Cut this monster in half and then you stand a fighting chance of keeping your hands from the onslaught I encountered (but so worth it!) The additional $1 for sweet potato fries was very well worth it! Warm, crisp and fresh with that smell and taste of real cut sweet potatoes is what I wanted and that is just what I got. A great companion to go with the taste of the burger! I shall note that sweet tater fries are my all time favorite side dish to any burger period, kudos to The Great Dane for offering this option! Not despite my initial feelings of being full, my curiosity for the dessert menu was still getting the best of me. At about that time my peppy, friendly and very attentive bartender (female who's name I never did catch) asked me if I would like to see the dessert menu.....I instantly obliged! It took me all but 10 seconds to see the very first item listed was Carrot Cake. My #1 pick for any dessert item anywhere. That said I never even looked at the other 4-5 items listed on the menu, it was a sealed deal when I saw my go-to items listed at the top. More so when it says "4 layer" within the subtitle. I took a chance in hopes this would be a spot on hit as many places in the past have sub par versions of "homemade" carrot cake which leaves me not so happy to say the least. On this occasion, my taste buds nor my stomach left displeased as this was a pure HIT on all levels. Carrot Cake: $5.25 Authentic cream cheese frosting, moist layers of cake with real carrot flakes and walnuts. I really took my time to let my taste buds bask in the depth, the richness, the melding flavors of what each bite of real carrot cake is supposed to offer its consumer. Its a darn good thing they serve this by the slice because people like me would have the whole cake gone otherwise. So in summary, my bill which totaled just over $26 (with drink) was well worth the food quality, quantity, the service, the outdoor dining atmosphere (even took in 5 innings of the sox/brewers game). I have to admit that during my hour stay I really got the feeling that the waitstaff enjoyed working there. They all seemed happy, energetic, lively and social to each other and the customers at all times. Makes you think its not only a good place to eat but also a all round good place to be on any occasion as well. In my case I come for the food, tonight I was very pleased and must give a strong recommendation for others to give a go with these food items and any others like it. If you find yourself bored and hungry on a Saturday evening, I found

Jun 17, 2012 by Mark

Srichacha mayo on the ahi tuna sandwich adds just the right amount of kick to the dish.

Jun 16, 2012 by Sebastien

fish & chip is very good with a Peck's pils

Jun 12, 2012 by Craig

Get the wheat and sit in the patio in back, its fantastic!

Jun 12, 2012 by Samantha D.

I LOOOOOOOVED THIS PUB! We ate there on a warm summer night and had the pleasure of dining outside in the ridiculously romantic patio area. It was perfect. We ordered beers all around and an order of beer-steamed mussels to start. I have been day-dreaming about the mussels ever since. They came in a big pot full of steam and their own deliciousness, and each mussel was a bundle of joy. For dinner I ordered an Asian-style salad, and I enjoyed every bite. I ate at the Great Dane Pub several weeks ago, and ever since then I have been aching to go back. In short: I know that there are a lot of pubs in Madison, but the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company stands out among them!

Jun 09, 2012 by David K.

Just left the Great Dane in Fitchburg.  We ate on the patio.  Food was OK,  but we were in a smoker's convention.  Most people around us, and at the outside bar were smokers.  I would recommend that the hostess inform guests at the time of seating that smoking is allowed in that area.  You would at least know in advance before being seated and ordering.  We have been there several times in the past but had always sat inside until this evening.  Now we know better.  Our clothes and hair smell like smoke, and we are stuffed up.  Beth & Dave

Jun 09, 2012 by Tito S.

Food is very good but service is rarely anything above average. Overall a nice place to hang out

Jun 07, 2012 by Mitsuko

Everything that I sampled was fantastic, but surprisingly my favorite thing was the pretzel bread that came as a side to the mac 'n cheese.

Jun 03, 2012 by Scott

Had a really crappy service and screwed up 3 of the 6 diner's food order...my suggestion is not to come on a Sunday!

May 30, 2012 by Joanna

For a local, sustainable, grass-fed dinner, get the Sustain-a-burger, or substitute the same patty on to any of their other burger creations.

May 28, 2012 by Luke

Seems sexist, only women servers and all men are behind the bar or in the back; good food however.

May 28, 2012 by Bobby B.

Great meal, great service, and great atmosphere in the outdoor cafe, under the ivy.  Everyone in my group enjoyed their meal.  The specialty beers were excellent.

May 23, 2012 by Amanda D.

THE CHEESE CURDS. Do it. Seriously. Beer battered and awesome. Just had to say that. But any who, a great pub it was full and there was a wait, but my sister and I didn't feel like waiting and decided just to head to the bar and order our food there. Awesome beers and I love the decorative dog heads on the tap and the variety of beers, and the dark wood. Really gives it that pub feel. I ordered a Peck's Pils which was great and wings were good too. When I get a chance to come back to Wisconsin I am definitely coming back here! I'm a fan.

May 22, 2012 by Michael S.

West African Chicken Peanut Stew... YUM! Went with gf and family here while in Madison to attend a graduation and this is where we went the first night. I know i've been here before, but didn't remember much. The burgers gf and I had were really good. Loved my black and tan while gf had the sustainaburger. As mentioned before, loved the chicken peanut stew... Very good. Beer bread with honey butter was also really good, but I don't think worth the price. Gf's brother seemed to like the beers as before we left Madison he bought two growlers of beer. Good stuff here.

May 17, 2012 by Kate J.

Some of the best beer I've ever had!  The service was super great (our waitress was very friendly & knew a lot about the beer & let us taste samples).  Was a perfect start to my first trip to Madison.

May 07, 2012 by Jemmie W.

I don't consume alcohol, so this is a strange place for me to go to but the people I was with consume alcohol. This is a review for just the food. The ribs are just ok but a little dry. The sauce is too heavy and overbearing. I can make better ribs. The wings appetizer was better. The wings are juicy and the sauces - Chinese and jerk - are very good. The fried cheese appetizer is pretty good but let's be frank - a blindfolded monkey can't screw up fried cheese. If you like pubs and micro brews, this place may be for you.

May 06, 2012 by Kyle K.

Full disclosure: I was on the way home from a work trip and I had just napped in a parking lot nearby. I would have eaten the soles off of your shoes. Met a friend at the Great Dane, and upon walking through the door my perception changed. I had always pictured it as a generic brew pub along the lines of Rock Bottom, but this place is gorgeous. And HUGE. Sat at the bar, had the mac n cheese and exchanged barbs with the bartender (she was the best kind of snarky.). Had their imperial IPA and liked it a lot.  I'm really glad I took my friend's advice on this place and I'm sure I'll be back in the near future.

May 06, 2012 by Kim V.

The food (and beer!) is consistently delicious at The Great Dane. I'm always amazed at how big and diverse the menu is here... I'd say that this would be a very good destination for groups with a variety of palates. There's a number of Great Dane locations in and around Madison, but the environment here is the best of them all. Interesting, historic building with a really rich and comfortable interior - the basement has a gorgeous fireplace and field stone hearth that makes the space really cozy in the winter.

Apr 30, 2012 by Andrew K.

What a great place to enjoy a meal and a couple of beers. I went with my girlfriend for an evening after visiting Madison for the first time.   She is from the area and this was one of her old hang out's in her college days.  She had talked about it and my thoughts were that she probably remembered it as being better than it really was.  I have to admit though, the food was great and the beer was yummy. To start we had a couple beers at the bar (Landmark Lite Lagers).  It was a Saturday night and busy for them.   We waited for around a half hour but were able to find a place to sit in the area of the bar.  The waitress was quick and it was a nice atmosphere as far as being lively but still being able to hold a conversation.   We sat in the downstairs area, which was cozy.   Some other reviews complained about it being dark or dingy but I didn't find that at all.   We ordered a flight of 11 beers so we could try the remaining one's on the menu and made a game out of how much of them we would drink .  We also did our amateur critique on all of them and tried to describe what they tasted like.... it was a lot of fun and a great way to experience all the varieties that Great Dane had to offer.   My personal favorites were: Black Earth Porter, Devils Lake Red, Old Glory American and the Scotch Ale.   But again, they have a wide variety for any pallet. For dinner I had a Great Dane brat and pretzel burger which was simply AWESOME.  I mean, how can you beat a hamburger with a bratwurst on top of it?   She had the Sesame Seared Tuna salad which is one of her favorites.  I kept meaning to try a bite but never got to it between having my mouth full of burger and her enjoying her salad. The waitress was very good.  She was attentive and friendly and quick to serve us but not hoovering or a pest.  She was a good mix. The clientele was a good mix of families, adults and college students.  It wasn't overly party oriented but at the same time was a casual environment for everyone there. After dinner I realized that in addition to the restaurant side of the bar there was also a pool hall portion.  This was more filled with college students and I suspect could get pretty lively later in the night. Overall it was a great experience and I would certainly go there again next time I'm in Madison.

Apr 25, 2012 by Danielle

Best veggie burger I've ever had!

Apr 25, 2012 by Hoss M.

Great beer, great food! Right near the capitol.

Apr 21, 2012 by Cherine A.

I'm a huge fan of brewery restaurants... they always have the best food. This place was no exception. My boss and I came here for dinner during our business trip, and we wanted to try a place that was unique and unlike what we could try back home. While we waited for a table, we sat in the bar area and had a beer. He and I both ordered the Crop Circle Wheat, which the waitress said was like Blue Moon. I'm pretty picky when it comes to beer, but it was quite good. Once we were seated, we saw just how huge the menu was. It took us a while to decide what to order. We knew we wanted to try fried cheese curds... I mean, when are we ever going to be able to try them again except in a place like this? And holy cow they were yummy. They were super crunchy and rather addictive. I'm not a fan of ranch dressing, but apparently it's a pretty popular dip. They were perfectly fine on their own. My boss ordered the prime rib with cheddar mashed potatoes (which were great, by the way), while I decided to get their Wisconsin style cheddar mac n' cheese. Noticing a pattern with our ordering yet? When in Rome... My mac n' cheese was absolutely delicious. The sauce was thick and creamy, and it was topped with sourdough bread crumbs. It was a ton of food, so I couldn't finish it (even with my boss helping me). Needless to say, I'm a huge fan of this place. I guess it's a good thing they don't have a location in Florida, because I'd gain a lot of weight if I ate like this all the time :)

Apr 16, 2012 by Ryan H.

im almost sad that i found this place, because now i have a difficult time choosing between this place and the old fashioned when i visit madison... all of the food that i put into my mouth here was great. i also had a good amount of great beer so i dont fully remember what all the food was that i put into my mouth... just trust that its all good. i was equally as impressed with the beer though, if not more. they brew all their own beer, at least from what i remember. i am a pretty harsh judge of beer, just ask the horny goat, this place does it right. it was clear that they actually care about the quality of the beer they put out, which is sometimes not the case with gastropub sort of places. basically id definitely recommend trying this place out. youll be happy you did.

Apr 06, 2012 by Jenny L.

Love the Great Dane, but prefer the one downtown, normally.  We've had some meals here that just aren't as good as the one downtown.   That said, they've redeemed themselves.  We went recently for the fish and it was excellent!!  Got the pan fried walleye--so good.  And the kids meals are decent, too.  Love that you can get fruit or veggies for .50!   The parking lot and garage were full so I expected a long wait, but we were seated right away.

Mar 31, 2012 by Mark

Pecks Pils is the best Czech style Pils in the US. Mark it down.

Mar 28, 2012 by Ryan

Come check out The Bombshelters Thursday, April 5th for some great live music!

Mar 25, 2012 by Michael M.

My wife and I go out for "date night" in Madison every couple of months. When we go, we usually either eat at Great Dane or AJ Bombers. We like the food better at AJ Bombers, but you can't beat the beer at Great Dane. Great Dane has an enormous menu selection and most of the food is terrific. The burgers are great and the soups are delicious. However, I DO NOT recommend the fish fry. The fish is overcooked, over breaded and thin. It's like you're eating an over-fried piece of breading. We like going to brew pubs, and as far as the beer goes, Great Dane is top notch. In my opinion, it is even better than Water Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Capital Brewery in Madison. Enjoy!

Mar 21, 2012 by Adam M.

Your typical pub grub with a solid selection of local brews. Ate there a few times and service was always fast and friendly. Wait staff was always knowledgeable in beer selection and very patient with us. The one time I had the hot wings they were fantastic. The perfect amount of spiciness, they were meaty and portion was very generous. Had a few other dishes and all were solid in flavor and serving size.

Mar 15, 2012 by Lauren B.

Peanut stew was delicious. Waited twenty minutes for a table on a Wednesday, but our dinner came out quickly. Only complaint was that the red lager I ordered was the worst I've ever tasted, but my parents enjoyed the Scotch ale and wheat beer they ordered.

Mar 12, 2012 by Meg

My waiter was somewhat rude and my meal was kinda cold. My cocktails were pretty good though. Like the atmosphere. Only went there once and thought it was over priced considering the poor service.

Mar 08, 2012 by Kim

Best nachos ever!!!

Mar 08, 2012 by Lisa B.

I cannot speak for the food or for the drinks, I have been here many times and only come for one reason... Pool table rental by the hour, one of the few places in the downtown area of Madison you will find that.

Mar 06, 2012 by Sinisa N.

Nice casual place for a good beer and average pub food.

Feb 23, 2012 by Mirabel

Get the mac & cheese!

Feb 13, 2012 by Kris C.

I have eaten in the dining room of here before, however, this review is based on take out. The parking is great as it does have a parking structure, albeit somewhat small. The staff was quite friendly upon arrival and the place has that hometown brewery feeling to it. The hostess was not put out in the least that I was requesting take out. She politely handed me a menu and directed me to the bar to place my order. From start to finish, I was in and out in about 15 or so minutes. Not bad at all. The bartender was very nice and again not put off that I was just ordering food and not sitting down for a beverage. The food is pretty good here. I would say a kick above pub food as there are somewhat healthy alternatives. The only complaint I have is that they did not include any place settings for the order...even though I requested them to. Not the end of the world, that is what we have fingers and hotel towels for.

Feb 12, 2012 by Three Olives

They always have my favorite Three Olives in stock... Triple Shot Espresso! (Just don't tell the other 20-some flavors) Order it up with cola or in a cocktail with Three Olives Cake.

Feb 11, 2012 by Andrew

Helles Rauch very good.

Jan 28, 2012 by Tim

If your not hungry, but everyone else is ordering food and you want something light, order the kids fruit cup. Only 50¢ and consists of a substantial serving of kiwi and pearapple

Jan 25, 2012 by Bobb S.

The luster is slowly fading away from the brewpub.  In the years past, I would rave about the food and the quality of beer put out by the Great Dane.  I can't say that any longer.  Their beer is somewhat pedestrian and the food taste more and more like Sysco "from a can".  It is a shame as I have been a stalwart since they opened the original in 94/95.  Much better places to go in the area...Tipsy Cow, Old Fashioned, Coopers.

Jan 23, 2012 by Andy

Dominator Doppelbock is titties

Jan 19, 2012 by Pickle P.

a Madison staple! Everyone always asks "have you gone to the Great Dane?" Good beer - great food - impeccable service! Lots of space, beer garden, fun atmosphere, great downtown location!

Jan 15, 2012 by Gregory P.

I've been back twice now, including another location south of downtown.  Dinner was excellent, prices are very reasonable and service was good whether there was a big crowd or not. The only disappointing thing about this place is they haven't opened a location in my hometown, St. Louis.

Jan 08, 2012 by Dan

Veruckte Stadt Deutsche Pils...ausgezeichnet!

Dec 29, 2011 by Derek

Merry Isthmus is SUCH a delicious seasonal Belgian!

Dec 18, 2011 by Hashtag

The pretzels!!!!

Dec 17, 2011 by Riley's

The original craft beer scene of Madison.

Dec 12, 2011 by Christina H.

Peanut soup that everyone likes is not that great and I am a fan of dark beer so not a fan of the blue moonish beer. The darker beers were great though

Dec 04, 2011 by Jenn G.

Great Dane is a great pub if you're looking for a good variety of custom brews and good atmosphere, however, I was a little oversold on this place based on the other Yelp reviews and personal recommendations from friends. I did a sampler of several of their custom brews, including the County Cherry, Peck's IPA, Old Glory APA, Super Red, Speedway IPA and the Crop Circle Wheat.  Loved being able to do a sampler flight and try and bunch of the beers, so this is the way to go in my opinion.  Double vote for the County Cherry if you're looking for something different. The food was pretty average.  I thought it was going to be way better, so this is really the reason for the 3 star review.  The food was good, not great, and the frustrating part was that it would only take a tiny bit of effort to really make the food stand out.   I ordered the Wisconsin mac and cheese, and it was good.  Wish they had loaded up a ton of extra cheese on top, then baked it for a few minutes - then it would have been killer.  My friend ordered the Great Dane burger, which has artichoke dip on it instead of cheese, and he said it tasted like cream cheese on top and wasn't very flavorful. The bottom line is that this is a great place for atmosphere and beer, but has pretty average pub fare.  I'd recommend going elsewhere for dinner, then spending the latter part of your night sampling the delicious brews of Great Dane.

Nov 29, 2011 by D W.

A consistent crowd-pleaser every time we go to the Great Dane, no matter the location or the occasion! Our first meal in Madison last winter, the place we take our respective parents and relatives when they visit Madison, and the place we bring picky (and non-picky, for that matter) out-of-town friends and visitors. Standard American fare made interesting and a great pub-like atmosphere. What's not to love?

Nov 26, 2011 by Lindsey

Door County Cherry.

Nov 23, 2011 by Tom

Do not order the pumpkin ale

Nov 22, 2011 by Lisa K.

I love getting small tastes of beer before committing to ordering a whole pint, so I really liked the option to get pretty much any number of 3 oz tastes for a reasonable price. They came out in a tray with numbered slots for the beer and a card that said which beer was which number, which I appreciated. I was impressed that they accommodated our group of ten on a Friday night pretty easily. I enjoyed the fried walleye - if anything, the only problem was that there was far too much food.

Nov 17, 2011 by Men's Health Mag

Fresh brewed beer. Billiards without daiquiri stains. Food served on platters. No wonder the states mandate closing hours, or you’d never leave this place. Start with Peck’s Pilsner, go from there.

Oct 31, 2011 by Jamison W.

Good beer.  Good food.  Great place to take a group of people or pickier eaters as the menu has a little bit of everything.  The typical pub food is really top-notch and there is a lot of variety on the menu.  I've had all kinds of dishes here and never been disappointed.   (except when they took my favorite cajun-style haddock sandwich off the menu)

Oct 28, 2011 by Tomaso G.

visited this "original" location with friends from work.  atmosphere was decent.  if u are of "darker" complection, u get weird looks from other patrons.  i mean, we "stood out" a bit, but folks here are a bit obvious with their "weird" looks.  anyhow, I'm giving this place 3 stars and here's the breakdown: food:  4 stars good portion size. that's if you stick to anything "american".  Example was a friend ordered the Tandoori Chicken plate... well, there's nothing Tandoori about it.  The chicken looked like they came off the grill (which is not how tandoori's are done) and had some spices thrown on top of it.  She didn't like it.  the bback ribs were excellent however.  Again if you stick to the "american" grub you'll be fine.  Another friend ordered the rib eye medium-well, it was a bit over done. atmosphere:  3 stars.  decent typical bar scene in a college town/business district.  nothing spectacular but then again, you wouldn't expect anything more or anything less. service:  1 star.  we had an extremely rude server who gave us attitude as soon as we sat down.  it appeared he was not happy about having out-of-town business type people because as soon as we asked for separate checks, he threw an attitude and was quite rude.  rolled his eyes a couple times!!! he was "special" and if you do visit this joint and get Eric as ur server, look out!!! This place could have been better but again, if you can look pass the annoyances and focus on the food, you'll definitely like this place. BTW, the microbrew was not too shabby.  the beer sampler was pretty good. "Piece" out!!!

Oct 24, 2011 by Ian

Ignore all else, don't even look at the menu (it's not on there). Simply request the "Hot Wing Chicken Pizza." You will win.

Oct 23, 2011 by Brian

They don't have champaign in the morning sometimes...

Oct 21, 2011 by Kevin

The something planked salmon is amazing, so is the calamari. Didn't try the sandwhich salmon thing but what I had listed above was damn good. The photo is the left overs of my food.. Notice no salmon

Oct 21, 2011 by J Iain

was there once, nice place, good beer

Oct 19, 2011 by Tyler G.

Interesting menu with great bears.  There are multiple locations, I picked the one nearest the capitol.  The place was huge, complete with billiards downstairs.  I had their soup and salad option with their creamy bacon potato soup and their caesar salad.  The caesar dressing was pleasantly creamy without that strong vinegary taste some have.  Pricing was more than fair.  My lady and I ordered two sampler bones (four 4oz pours brought to you on a wooden dog bone that has numbers under the glasses that correlate to with a name board they give you, simple but very helpful!).  The majority of the beer tasted great and very fresh, like beers from a brew pub should. My lady got the fried plantains and they were amazing!  Not chalky, rather creamy and sweet!

Oct 16, 2011 by Scotty Z.

One of my favorite brew pubs in the country! The Great Dane never ceases to amaze: serving up delicious 'Sconnie style food and masterfully crafted beer in a warm, inviting atmosphere that just begs to be on your list of favorites! I've been a few times now and never had less than extraordinary. Their burgers are awesome, with LOTS of variety in everything from the meat (choose turkey or Buffalo if you want...there's even a burger with a brat), the bun (I usually go with the pretzel), lots of toppings (try some fried onions), and of course, CHEEEESE (well duh, it's Wisconsin). Oh, also, their fried cheese curds were among the best in Madison. The beer. It doesn't get better than the beer. They have lots of great seasonals. This last round I indulged in a few pints of the Oktoberfest. But, I've also enjoyed many an amber, lager, pale, and porter (their porter is pretty good). Their atmosphere is pretty cool too. In addition to their rich, wood tone dining room is also a cozy bar, a cool dark beer "dungeon", and a really cool outdoor biergarten. I would give this place as many stars as Yelp allows, and will be back time after time.

Oct 11, 2011 by John B.

Eat on the patio, grab a burger and brew.  Best beer, the verucht stadt.

Oct 07, 2011 by Jes

Scotch ale!

Oct 04, 2011 by Guy

Eat outside! Weather pending.

Sep 30, 2011 by Darian

Crop Circle Wheat = best beer in Madison, WI!

Sep 25, 2011 by Christophe A.

We went here because they have a gluten-free menu.  While the menu is gluten-free, it's not particularly healthy and is full of dairy and fried foods.  There were a few healthier options and I picked the salmon. It was alright. My biggest complaint is that the salad that comes with the entree came covered in croutons.  The waiter knew I ordered from the gluten-free menu but wasn't paying much attention to the details.  Oh well.  I didn't drink the beer but my friend that did said it was good.

Sep 19, 2011 by Julia G.

In a town with dozens of brewpubs, I can't really see a reason to come back to the Great Dane. The atmosphere is spot-on of what they're trying to do, but the food and beer just aren't up to snuff. Between the two of us, we tried 4 of the beers, none of which were good enough that I'd order them again. I wish they had at least a few guest taps at this place for those of us with different taste in beer from their brewer. The food was also so-so. There were a lot of things on the menu that looked pretty good, and we ordered a reuben and a sustainaburger. The burger was fine, but probably not worth the price tag. The reuben was way below average. The corned beef was fine, but there wasn't enough of it. The sauerkraut was so bland I had to open up the bread and see if it was there. Also, they served the thousand island on the side, which I've NEVER experienced with reuben before, and which prevented the flavors from integrating like they needed to. At least the coleslaw on the side was good. The cheese curds seemed like they'd been poured out of a frozen sysco package. In summary, food and beer are very mediocre. there is better to be had in every neighborhood in town.

Sep 16, 2011 by Michael W.

My wife and I came here after having noshed at the Taste of Madison earlier in the day. Being that we showed up around 7PM on a Saturday night, we figured that we would have to wait a while before getting a table and were prepared to do so. We were seated right away and had beer in our hands shortly afterward. ATMOSPHERE: While the basement and back of the restaurant are a maze, the lighting, layout and circulation through the dining area were done well. While filled with alot of people, it didn't seem at all crowded. Being a Chicago White Sox fan it was also nice to see good baseball being played on television much to the delight of the local fans. DRINKS: ROUND 1: Devils Lake Red Lager for me and Black Earth Porter for my wife. I enjoyed the Red Lager but it seemed a slightly subdued version of a standard red rye ale. As a self-proclaimed beer connoisseur I had to sample some of my wife's selection. The Black Earth Porter was very bold and full flavored and proved to be my refuge when my Round 2 choice was not available. FOOD: We both enjoyed our brews while splitting an order of Nakoma Nachos. The nachos were standard pub style and were good but nothing out of the ordinary. We were not expecting much but our entrees would blow us away. My wife had the Tandoori Chicken, which she thoroughly enjoyed and I had the Inner Warmth Peanut Stew. As a vegetarian I am often stuck with minimal options as far as entrees go; this was not the case at Great Dane. I spent a while wrestling with what I actually wanted for dinner given that I had many options to choose from. The stew was almost too good, as each spoonful found me focusing on some different aspect of it's flavor. I can say with certainty that I have never had a hearty veggie stew that I didn't make myself, until that night. I left nothing on my plate and felt comfortably full from this dish. DRINKS: ROUND 2: Black Earth Porter for me and Crop Circle Wheat for my wife. My only gripe comes at this point. I had asked for The Stone of Scone Scotch Ale, which was unavailable. That it was unavailable was not a problem, but the fact that it was not mentioned or noted anywhere was. That aside, we were both happy with our drink choices. SERVICE: Our server was swamped yet still managed to stay on top of our every need, which seemed an impossible feat. She was well-versed in the menu and had a very pleasant demeanor despite her hectic pace. PRICE: The price tag for 2 rounds of drinks, 2 entrees, and an appetizer was far less than we would have thought. Maybe we are used to the inflated prices of the Chicago metro area but all of that for under $50 almost sent us into shock. Good food paired with good beer and above average service is worth quite a bit more than that.

Sep 12, 2011 by Bean B.

Great vegan options and tasty beer!  Really, what more could you ask for?  This place will cater to your dietary needs so please don't hesitate to eat here. We split a hummus/pita plate and the inner warmth peanut stew.  We enjoyed every bite of our meal!  Our drinks did not disappoint us either:  Crop Circle Wheat and the IPA.   I was searching for vegan food downtown which was hard to find within walking distance so I started reading menus of nearby restaurants and this place was the winner. Seriously check it out!

Sep 12, 2011 by Ryan C.

It's only ok for me. I've had better beers and better food. People look at this place as a Madison staple, but if you are going to go, I would only go fro drinks. The food is fine if you go in with low expectations, it's just nothing special and there are plenty of better dining options that are a short walk from this place.

Sep 07, 2011 by Melissa

Try the tri pepper plisner! It's delicious!

Sep 05, 2011 by Brian K.

Really 3.5 stars... Beer: It varied from OK to decent. I had the Pale Ale (just OK), Pilsner (decent) and Scottish Ale (good). I like hoppy beers and they really don't offer much on that end. Food: Large menu with options. I had decent BBQ veggie burger with Kohl slaw. Side salad was large and tasty. Kitchen seemed to have it's act together. Overall, solid offering although it's not something I would seek out if it weren't convenient.

Sep 04, 2011 by Bruce

Cask conditioned Scotch Ale.

Sep 01, 2011 by Hayato

Habañero hellfire for all your dishes. A must have.

Aug 27, 2011 by Barb C.

Walked over to Great Dane after moving our daughter into UW. It was a beautiful night so we dined outside. The outdoor area is a hidden gem behind the restaurant. The food was great as was the service. We ate at another location and had a fantastic Easter Brunch. This is a great go-to restaurant when you're looking for a great meal and a pleasant, fun atmosphere.

Aug 21, 2011 by Scott

Outstanding Cuban sandwich, great selection of beer, sit outside, great venue to enjoy lunch and a drink or two!

Aug 21, 2011 by Jessica G.

Crowded but not overly loud.  We didn't try the food as we had dinner plans elsewhere but a nice place to have an informal gathering and enjoy some beverages.  We could still hold conversations, which was nice.  I didn't try any of the beers but the husband rather liked the Crop Circle Wheat, which came in a huge glass, and he also tried the Tri Pepper, of which I did have a sip.  A bit weird but not the worst thing I've ever had.  Good location, kind of odd layout as there are spots where it was hard to get around, and the bartender kept giving me diet cokes (yay for being the designated driver) so I was happy with the service.  Somewhere we would seek out again if we are back in the area!

Aug 20, 2011 by Rachel M.

We took our kids (5 and 8) here for dinner and sat in the courtyard. Awesome food. Even the "kid food" is good. Most places put some fries out of a bag and a microwaved burger in front of your kids. Ours had the Mac and Cheese (I tried some....wonderful!) and a brat. I love their wings, and the service was perfect. It's a great place to visit, and when we are in Madison, we always make a trip to the Dane. If you stay at the Hilton near State Street, it's a two block walk.

Aug 18, 2011 by Mark K.

Brewpubs tend to be my first target whenever I visit a new city. Great Dane happened to be a couple blocks away from the punk rock show we descended upon Madison for. I was stoked... until their beer touched my lips. It is very, very difficult for me NOT to finish a beer, no matter the circumstances: bodily capacity, time constraints, ore even a little Armageddon. But I actually abandoned some of my Crop Circle Wheat because it had become unpalatable 2/3 through the very generous pour. I enjoy wheat and citrus-y beers, but couldn't manage to finish a glass of it. The fact that a pair of fruit flies kept landing and launching off my lemon slice every sip didn't earn this brewpub any favors, either. NOM'd: Crop Circle Wheat

Aug 15, 2011 by Scott U.

All the dane locations are good (ok, i haven't done wausau yet...). I've been impressed with the consistency. The food is good (get the nachos!). Pizza and burgers are also good, but i don't have a lot of faith in their ability to go too far beyond standard pub fare (skip the peanut stew, falafal, mexican, etc. IMO). The beer is good (apa!). I especially like the aged apa from the hand pump when they have it... All in all, i nice casual place with good service and outdoor dining. I don't hesitate to bring out of towners here. update: the fish tacos are actually pretty good! beware the hot salsa. and the hot pretzels with horseradish/cranberry dip is good too.

Aug 06, 2011 by Sara

Read the front of the newspaper (menu)

Jul 29, 2011 by Kelly F.

I've been to Great Dane several times at its various locations.  The food is always pretty good...it doesn't "wow" but it doesn't disappoint.  It's one of the more reasonably priced "sit down" restaurants.  It's also a good place to get takeout if you don't feel like cooking.  The burgers are always good, and the quesadilla is really good if ordered without the sweet BBQ sauce. I recently discovered the basement area of this Great Dane location. It has a really cool atmosphere...kind of has a Prohibition era feel to it.  It's a nice place to sit and have drinks, and the bartender was very friendly and helpful.  I agree with other yelpers that it's not the best beer I've ever had, but it's pretty good, and I'd much rather have a microbrew than a Miller Lite.

Jul 24, 2011 by B B.

Since I was eating for lunch after drinking lots the night before, the smell of hopps (sp?) was very strong and I knew that I needed to make this lunch quick. The menu has samplers for cheap which was good fro the hair of the dog. The burger was good and many Wisconsin beers to choose from. My friend and I arrived just a few minutes after 11 and this place gets busy quickly. When I came back from the bathroom (which is downstairs) all the tables were filled just before noon. So, get here early. The fact that it was so busy so quickly with so many places to eat in the Capitol tells me that many things are good at this place.

Jul 19, 2011 by Jo H.

The Friday Night Fish Fry is pretty gross, actually. There are much better places to go for that. I'm not a fan of their beers, either. It's probably a fine spot for an end of night drink and something to soak up the beer in your belly before you make your way home.

Jul 18, 2011 by Michael S.

This place by far is one of my favorite brew pubs. Leave it to Wisconsin to put beer in their Mac and Cheese. I usually get a burger here, because they are tasty, but I can't think of anything I had here that was really nasty. They have this one West African Chicken Peanut Stew or something that is really tasty, and I recommend their hot pretzels and beer bread with honey butter for an appetizer. The cheese curds were pretty yummy too, but cheese curds are cheese curds, but the mustards they give you with the pretzels is fantastic! I can't comment on their beer that they brew on site, but my parents don't complain when they drink it. I know there's a lot of places to eat in Madison, but me and my family always go out of our way to eat here at least once, if not twice when we are in town.

Jul 10, 2011 by Don Z.

The Great Dane Pub in downtown Madison was only a short walk from my hotel.  I don't know what it would be like to find parking if I had driven here. The place is huge.  I didn't realize it at first, but it is like three bars in one.  There is the small pub with bar and some high tables, a large game room pub with another bar and pool tables, and then there is the "cave" in the basement with yet another dimly lit bar and booths.  (This would have been more my style, but I didn't discover it until I went looking for the men's room which is also in the basement.) As usual we camped at the bar and ordered a sampler.  The bartender served us with a smile.  The ten samples were presented on a large wooden dog bone shaped  tray. The beers were all drinkable, but there were too many lites, pilsners and other "safe" versions of beer styles for my taste.  (Unfortunately for the Dane, I had spent several hours earlier in the day at a pub with a much tastier selection.) I didn't settle in for a long session at the Great Dane, but if I was going to, then I might have had a pint of the Crop Circle Wheat, Devils Lake Red Lager  or the Black Earth Porter. The food that we had was tasty.  The Drunken Jerk wasn't me for a change, but it was what I ate.  The marinade, with a mix of sweet and spice nicely complemented the meat.  It would have been perfect if the meat was more tender.  They really should have taken the time to cook it until it was falling apart.  My wife's Sustain-A-burger was juicy and delicious. I spent about two hours at the Great Dane on a Thursday evening and it was hopping the whole time.  One thing that I noticed both in this pub and on the street, is that downtown Madison seems to have a high density of attractive young women.  I am a happily married man, but I thought I would add that to my review for all you eligible bachelors out there. Overall, I enjoyed my visit to the Great Dane Pub in downtown Madison.  The food was tasty, the atmosphere was fun.  The beer was OK, but not great.  If this place was in my neighborhood, I would definitely be a regular.  The beer is the deciding factor for me though.  I wish I could give this place a 3.5, but I cannot justify a 4 until the beer ranks up there with other fine Madison area breweries.

Jul 09, 2011 by Travis N.

First time back to this place in several years.  Also one of the first times I've had a beer that was essentially undrinkable.  Fun environment, but I wouldn't go back again for the beer alone.

Jul 04, 2011 by Alex L.

Cheese curds for appetizer were great.  I had the bratwurst and bacon burger which was unique,  tasty,  and delicious. I got the french onion soup as a side and it was great surprise as it was the best part of the meal.  It was even much better than the french onion soup that I had at the tornado room last night, which apparently was supposed to be some of the best in madison. Our server Morgan was nice and very helpful as well in helping us navigate our way around the big menu.  5 out of 5 as far as gastropubs go!

Jul 01, 2011 by Timothy S.

I raise them one star for their stance on the micro beer issue.   People are starting to wake up that we have the power to fight back and fight we will.  Great Dane is doing the absolute right thing.  Thank you Great Dane!

Jun 19, 2011 by Sean R.

The beers are solid, the tap lineup is quite expansive for a brewpub (most have 6 to 10 tops online at any given time while I've never seen fewer than a dozen at the Dane), the food ranges from good to very good, the building is cool, and it has probably the best biergarten in all of the Midwest. So this really should be at least a 4-star joint. But when the wife and I run up an $80 food and drink tab and you bring us a bill that includes a 50-cent line-item for extra pickles on a burger, you lose a star. Seriously? We drop 8 sawbucks here and you upcharge us for extra fucking pickles? That is some serious skinflintery, not to mention just plain bad form.

Jun 15, 2011 by Ron C.

The Great Dane Brat and Bacon pretzel burger could stun a water buffalo!  Damn, that is a lot of meat for a tofu eating Pacific Northwesterner.  Still managed to wedge in the deep fried Snicker sundae, which was a bit rich in combination with the burger. Good, diverse menu.  Draft craft root beer was very good.

Jun 12, 2011 by Jason H.

This is the first restaurant at which I've eaten in Madison, and it was a great way to start! I went with two friends who live here because it's their favorite restaurant downtown, and wasn't disappointed. We started with the cheese curds appetizer, which was tasty and awesome, and then I had a burger that was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. I'm sure I'll be eating here again.

Jun 09, 2011 by Elizabeth R.

The menu for this place is fantastic. You can get everything from a delicious wrap to a full dinner. If you are a health conscious person, this restaurant offers side options at no additional charge which include fresh cut dipping vegetables. It offers a delicious variety of food. I have been there three times, each time getting something different. My first time, I thought I would play it safe with a burger. Delicious, well cooked and overall a filling meal. I had it with the hot applesauce. I assumed this would be like traditional applesauce but it was a warm cup of apple cooked in cinnamon. This was almost like a pie filling. Delicious but slightly out of place for dinner. My second time I had the chicken salad on croissant with the dipping vegetables. The chicken salad had nice chunks of chicken and it was not watery. The one thing I can not stand is when my bread gets soggy from the chicken. My veggies included broccoli, celery, carrots and cucumbers. My most recent visit, I had the pulled pork sandwich with couscous. The couscous was delicious, typical but delicious, However the sandwich was amazing. Absolutely delicious. There are so words to describe the flavor and tenderness, so I will leave it at: Just try it. Seriously. The only thing that keeps me from giving this a "5" is the fact that they let loud uncontrollable children in the restaurant. I understand this is a family restaurant, but 2 of the 3 times I have been to the Great Dane, I have sat out in the patio. Each time, we have gotten one of the last available tables. We have been seated next to families with demanding children or just overall children who scream through their entire meal. I do not dislike children, but if I wanted it to sound like a Chuck E. Cheese, I would go there. I go to the patio to have a good meal and drink a beer with my fiance. (PS Their beer is fantastic) I do not go to listen to someone threaten little Bobby that if he does not eat his vegetables he will get it when they get home. My service and experience has not been up to par because of this. I mentioned this to the server and she did nothing. The one time I sat inside, we were seated nowhere near children and were provided the best service to date. I wish this restaurant took the ambiance of the entire restaurant under consideration when they allow disruptions like that to continue on. After all, if it was a drunk adult, they would be asked to leave.

Jun 09, 2011 by Melanie B.

So, they may as well have played "Glory Days" when I walked in here for dinner the other night. I have very fond memories of this place from when I was in my early 20s and used to visit friends that went to school here. Maybe I was one of those annoying people that Yelpers are complaining about being drunk and obnoxious. However, going there in my 30's is quite a different experience, namely we went there before Midnight. That being said, no matter what the "Dane" does it will always have a special place in my heart. Okay, the food.....The food is okay. I think it is the place where you just order a burger or the like because their menu is quite extensive and I am not sure they have the skill or food quality to really pull off all sorts of different genres of good. I usually stick to the Veggie burger and Portabella and they turn out great. Some of the other food ordered at our tables.....not so great. Beer: One of the beers my husband ordered came at room temp, which would be fine if we were in England however he didn't know it came warm and when we inquired the server just said "it came off the pull tap" Okayyy....what the hell does that mean? Could we just get a cold beer all up in this? Thanks! The server then got him a new one, which was cold. The Circle Wheat was good/refreshing however was a little too sour for my liking. Scene: It was a really beautiful day in Madison and we were really enjoying the patio that is covered with vines and nice and cool in the shade. The patio is where it is at and with good friends, the mediocre good can be overlooked.

Jun 07, 2011 by Apryl B.

I came here with a girlfriend after work to chill and unwind with a good meal and a nice brew.  The atmosphere was classic brew-pub with simple wooden embelished booths, tables and bar on the inside, and a nice patio on the outside.  Great selection of seasonal drafts as well as their year round wheats and ales.  I tried the Crop Circle Wheat and a seasonal Cream Ale they had, and I must say, that wheat was on point.  I'm not a beer expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I have my tastes, and I definitely enjoyed this one.   When I go to a pub, I'm a sucker for the fish and chips every time.  It came with a choice of 2 or 3 filets with a handsome portion of seasoned fries, cole slaw and a homemade tartar and vinegar on the side.  Very nice flavor on the crip of the fish, but just a touch too breaded for me. Points for crispness and flakiness of the fish, though. Very well done. Fries and tartar were good as well; very hot and fresh, respectively.  My friend ordered a chicken salad, and we had the hummus plate for an app. Yes, hummus.  This place has a pretty varied menu, which always gives me pause. From Margarita pizzas to Tandoori Chicken to Enchiladas, it's all over the map.   Our server, Chad, was great and attentive.  Much of the wait and hostessing staff did seem pretty frazzled and curt. Perhaps they were short of folks that night. I suppose I'll have to go back for two reasons: trying more food, and ordering the beer flights.

Jun 05, 2011 by Parintachin

This is an excellent place to compare factory meat vs. grass-fed. If you go with someone else, order the same burger, one regular, one grass-fed and sample both.

Jun 04, 2011 by Julia J.

This place is close to my friend's house, so I've ended up here a couple of times during visits to Madison. It's a great neighborhood American joint- good house brews and decent food. Service has always been between ok and good, which is good enough for a place like this. The outside patio is comfortable and has a good atmosphere. I'm a fan.

Jun 01, 2011 by Erica H.

I used to love this location of the Dane--great parking, good service and yummy food.  I don't know what has happened in the last two months, but it isn't good. I have never sent food back before in my life until the Great Dane in Fitchburg.  I have now sent back 3 things (all different occasions): hiding burnt rice under the peanut stew; not putting any blue or gorgonzola on the pizza where 'blue' is in the name, and mushed up couscous that was one big gross blob. I used to love you, Dane! What happened?

Jun 01, 2011 by Angela H.

this place is excellent! there is sometimes a long wait on the weekends, but it is well worth it. my husband and i have been here multiple times since our first time there, and it's taken me a long time to get anything but the mac and cheese. it's so damn good! and comes with a pretzel roll that is absolutely fantastic. the last few times we went though, i've been trying some other menu items and the cajun chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries really knocks it out of the park too. highly recommended on even just the food menu, but the beer selections are also really good. overall, a great place with a great atmosphere. i especially love eating out in the garden in back! :)

May 24, 2011 by Carrie B.

Yum! Had the buffalo burger with sweet potato fries.  I went back again the next day and had buffalo chicken with 3 alarm sauce.  Both were excellent.  The Devil's Lake Red beer is great.

May 21, 2011 by Kailyn G.

I frequent this Great Dane location often because it's closest to my house. The things I like: 1) Outdoor seating when it's warm 2) Everything I've had on their menu is decent. I like their burgers, the chicken pot pie, and the soup/sandwich combo is awesome. It's good old fashioned Midwest comfort food. 3) Awesome beer - scotch ale is my favorite. Environment: Casual, usually relatively crowded, but it's a big space so you don't feel cramped. Service: It's never bad, but I'm never walk away with an amazing experience either.

May 14, 2011 by Jen M.

I cannot review the food, as we simply came for pre-dinner beers. We were in town from Chicago, and this place had a great selection. Everything our table tried was excellent. Our server knew nothing about beer, but luckily my husband and uncle are brewers and could navigate our group in the right direction. They also will serve their craft beer in pitchers - god bless college students!

May 12, 2011 by Angel