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| - I've gone to the Gritty on my birthday every year since I turned 21. It's become a bit of a tradition that I meet up with my parents and grandmother for lunch or dinner, and this year was no different. I enjoy coming here on my birthday to get my free beer & mug, but other than this and friends' birthdays I can't really say that I would regularly visit. The meals are usually pretty good. I get the Grittyburger every year on my birthday - as others have said, it's not my favorite burger in Madison but it's not a disappointment. This year mine was slightly dry, but this is due to me ordering it done medium well. Regardless, I enjoyed it like always. My parents didn't enjoy their food as much. My mother said the caesar salad was watery, and both she and my father also thought their Spotted Cows tasted a bit off. Even so, we had a great time overall for my birthday. I always feel a bit awkward when the servers come out and sing "Happy Birthday" but I suppose if they don't mind I really shouldn't. For the most part the service is great. I've always appreciated the bartenders here in that they're always quick and efficient. The waitstaff are usually very attentive and pleasant, and I can't think of too many unfavorable experiences myself.
When I've come for others' birthdays I've had more varied experiences. I generally try something different on the menu. Last time I had the teriyaki chicken sandwich - very good. The appetizers are along the standard line of cheese curds and other fried food, and the spinach dip is pretty good too. However, when I've just met up for drinks it can get a bit boring. The atmosphere can come off a bit forced, and it can get a bit too loud. The birthday song they play is close to the most annoying song ever. It's guaranteed to get stuck in your head for days afterwards. Overall the Gritty is the kind of place that most everyone can agree on, which makes it great for getting people together on a birthday. I would recommend skipping when there's a home game at the Kohl Center, because the Gritty has a truncated Game Day menu like many other places in the vicinity. But on any other night the Gritty serves as a pretty decent place to get your birthday celebration started.
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