The good news is that the Essen Haus is an authentic German restaurant and beer hall. The bad news? German food isn't cuisine that attracts most foodies. It's hearty and tastes good with bier (German-inspired spelling). More bier, more better. This review focuses on their FRIDAY FISH FRY. It's one of my favorite locations in madison for Friday fish. Options include 3-piece, bier battered, deep-fried cod for $10.95 or All You Can Eat for $13.95. It also includes several unique options: liver dumpling soup, salad or Deutsch salad (a selection of 4 marinated vegetables). Potato choices include Batter-dipped french fries, Potato pancakes, Baked potato, German potato salad or Mashed potatoes. Choose the liver dumpling soup (REALLY) and the potato pancakes.
To get in quickly, eat early. To have the most fun, go a bit later. They have live polka music on Friday nights beginning around 8pm.
WARNING: FOOD IS VERY INCONSISTENT. You'll either get a 4-star experience or a 2-star experience. We've been going here for fish more than 10 years and this has always been the case.