Madison(Fitchburg): The Great Dane Brewing Company

Another recommendation, this time for casual, brew-pub food and atmosphere, was the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company. We entered in the address in the handy dandy GPS, and were on our way. After dealing with a bit of traffic, and a few glitches ("Hey, it says that there are railroad tracks here....but I don't see any railroad tracks, do you think we're going the right way?"), we found the "Great Dane".

We had parked on the lower level, and followed the signs to the large, fairly crowded dining area. We were seated and our really, really, nice Server(I'm sorry but I can't remember Her name), dropped off our menus. The menu seems like standard corporate "Brew Pub" fare.....with a large scatter shot of offerings from Pizza and Po' Boys, to Enchiladas, Chicken Sandwiches, and Burgers. The fact that Tuna Tataki and Spring Rolls were on the menu was the source of some personal amusement. My dining companions gave me a few puzzled looks as I broke out into laughter reading the menu. I was, of course, looking for some more appropriate "Wisconsin-ish" fare, and after searching a bit more (and giggling at the "King and I Pad Thai"), I found an appetizer that filled the bill.

Beer Battered Cheese Curds($6.50):

These were described as being 1/2lb of Wisconsin Cheddar Curds fried in a beer batter. Think of a perfect fried mozzarella, with a mild cheddar flavor. Everyone at the table enjoyed this. Not as salty as I thought it would be, this was a nice semi-gooey, crunchy treat. Unfortunately, frying the curd in the manner results in the loss of the curd-squeak.

The person who recommended the Great Dane to us. mentioned an item on the menu, that "no one in their right mind would order" (I'm assuming She meant other than another Wisconsonian). But since I had experienced a bit of Cheese Curd fueled temporary insanity, I decided to order up "The Great Dane's Brat & Bacon Pretzel Burger"($9.25). Just when you think you've seen it all.....

Before I go on, I need to inform readers that the rest of the post has been rated "TIV"...may be "too intense for vegans".

So what was this? It is a third-pound ground beef patty and a quarter pound bratwurst patty, topped with thick cut applewood smoked bacon and melted cheddar cheese. All on a pretzel roll. Served with fries, Pilsner Mustard, and lettuce, tomato, and pickle, that I assume was of ornamental value only.

You can see the pretzel roll in it's full unadorned beauty. When our Server asked me how I wanted my burger done, I replied "would it really make a difference?" Which cracked her up.

There was just too much going on, and too much salt. And in spite of my best efforts, and going into cardiac arrest and having to be revived by the "burger defibrillator", I could only finish half the burger before frying my curds.....

I don't even remember the fries....

I offered one of my eating companions the other half of the burger. And even though he is a pretty large guy, with an equally large appetite, he wasn't able to finish a quarter of the burger.

This is not a bad burger by any means.....but it was just a bit too much for me.

My eating companions found the food and to be pretty good, considering it was Pub Grub. The service was very nice and accommodating and the prices reasonable. The menu is large and varied. And the fried cheese curds were really good!

The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company (3 locations)

2980 Cahill Main
Fitchburg, WI 5371

Mon-Thur 11am - 2am
Fri-Sat 11am - 230am
Sundays 10am - 2am(Sunday Brunch served from 10am-230pm - $14.95)

Comments

[nhbilly]

Yeah, if I'm ever in that part of town to try the food. What a tease.

[howie]

That does look like a pretty intense burger, probably more so because it was preceded by a big plate of fried cheese curds.

I haven't had those in a long time. I think the KFC/A&W near me started serving cheese curds, but I'm afraid my heart will explode if I try eating them again.

[Wandering Chopsticks]

Isn't there a Great Dane in Madison? Could have sworn there was so you wouldn't have to drive to Fitchburg. Could have been a different pub though. My memory is hazy since all I did was drink. :P I would have remembered a pretzelburger for sure.

[Justin Lo]

I dunno, that soft pretzel roll looks mighty appetizing. Could you order it without the burger? Lol.

[penny]

Hey Kirk! Wow...coronary on a bun! Almost as good as the Luther (on the Krispy Kreme). The pretzel bun looks good though.

[Kirk]

Hi Billy - Gotta get those fried cheese curds.....you'll reject cheetos for the rest of your life!

Hi Howie - I've found that the curds need to be "fresh"..in fact when you shop for curds, the good places will tell you wehen they were made...preferably that morning!

Hi WC - You're correct, there's a Great Dane on Doty Street. But we stayed in Middleton. We had considered driving to Downtown, but this Wednesday was first Concerts in the Square, and about 30,000 people were expected, so we decided not to fight the crowds.

Hi Justin - Great idea! I'm sure they'd give me a pretzel roll "AB"...(Absolutely Bare). BTW, it's nice to have you posting again:

http://thefoodnazi.blogspot.com/

Hi Penny - My chest pains begin at the very thought! ;o)

[nhbilly]

Yummmmmmmmm cheetos.

[Reid]

Kirk,

Deep fried cheddar? Mmmm! I don't know about the burger though. I might have to vacuum clean my arteries after that one! :P

[Kirk]

Hi Billy - LOL! ;o) You cheetos lover you!

Hi Reid - The cheddar flavor in the cheese curds are very mild. That burger was quite....interesting.

[sandy]

oh everything looks good, specially the cheese curds. I've never had them, but am making plans. Do they serve the poutine there?

[Kirk]

Hi Sandy - Them deep fried cheese curds were good. No poutine on the menu. I did have poutine in Alberta....at an A&W of all places.