50 Best American Restaurants near Cottage Grove

“Great place. Food is solid and decently priced. The one thing I don't appreciate is the constant changing of the menu. They used to have the best cheese curds in the Madison area, and then they changed suppliers, and now they are honestly pretty bad. Beside that great food, especially for a golf course.“

“One name, Gary. Gary was the gentleman that took my order and the counter along with about 5 other customers during my duration of waiting for my food. Gary was the nicest person I have ever encountered while ordering food. Gary went above and beyond with each customer including myself to make each transaction personable. It was a Thursday evening and fairly busy inside and out. Gary greeted each customer with a friendly face and would take it upon himself to take something off someone’s shirt or something they were wearing to start up a conversation. One particular customer was an elderly woman and her middle age son who was mentally challenged. She approached the counter alone but Gary asked for her son to come up too and to not be afraid that he wouldn’t hurt him. Carried on a conversation with him and his mother asking his name and just being in the moment with him while they placed their order that evening. You don’t see people like Gary often enough anymore in the world and it really touched my heart on how he interacted with every person that came to his register as of each person was special in their own way. I’m not one to come inside and order and wait for my food or to take time to do surveys, but this interaction is one I will not forget. We need more people like Gary. I tried doing this on the Survey but it limited me on Characters I could use. Hope this doesn’t fall on deaf ears. Thank you“

“The food was great & the cinnamon rolls were to die for!!! staff was excellent & very friendly!!! I will definitely recommend this place & will be returning very soon!“

“We - two did not know the area and wanted food that was not franchise food. We happened to be there Friday for fish fry and having in the past tried many many fish fries in Wisconsin this one was wonderful. We LOVED IT!“

“We live in Northern Wisconsin and ate here on a trip to visit family. The food was outstanding, the waitress Jacyln (not sure of spelling, sorry!) was very attentive and took care of us in a timely friendly fashion. The atmosphere is casual, which we like because we don't dress up much! We are so happy we found this place and will be sure to return next time we are in the area. OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND FOOD.“

“The appetizers were great and the server was amazingly friendly and attentive!“

“We met friends who were from out of town for lunch at Buck & Honey's on Sunday. They had never been there, so with my wife and me having been there before and very much impressed, we suggested it. What an incredible atmosphere, superb food quality and service that is so rare these days. We sure had a very memorable time and dining experience and will be coming back again very soon. Our guests could not stop raving about this place also. A shot out to our waitress Aliyah for such an outstanding job taking care of us. You sure are excellent at what you do and we thank you sincerely!“

“A Sad Return to What Used to Be a Great Spot I first visited the Green Lantern about 10 years ago when I moved to the area, and back then, the food was genuinely enjoyable—good enough that it stuck in my mind all these years. So when my wife and I decided to revisit recently, we were hopeful for a nostalgic and satisfying meal. Unfortunately, what we got was far from it. My wife asked about the fish before ordering and was told it was frozen and cooked—not a great start. She went with a salad instead, which arrived looking tired and withered, like it had been sitting out all day. Limp lettuce and watery dressing don’t exactly make for an appetizing experience. I ordered the 1/2 rack of ribs, expecting at least a decent meal. What I got was a plate of disappointment. There was a pool of greasy brown fat dripping onto the plate, and when I took my first bite, I thought I had just hit a fatty patch. By the fifth bite, I realized—there was no meat, just chewy, rubbery fat slathered in BBQ sauce in an attempt to mask the poor quality. When I politely brought this to the waitress's attention, she relayed the message to the cook. The response? “Ribs are supposed to be fatty.” I’ve eaten hundreds of ribs in my life, and while a bit of marbling is expected, these were inedible. No meat, just fat. What was once a solid local spot has clearly lost its way. If you're looking for a place with quality food and pride in the kitchen, sadly, the Green Lantern is no longer it.“

“Never a bad experience here. Absolutely wonderful staff - top notch. Great service - and super super quick! Delicious cocktails and the best, best, BEST Chipotle Southwest Salad. It’s my current hyper-fixation meal but from time to time, I like to spice it up with the delicious Steak Tacos and Poke Bowl! A lot of great menus items ranging from their signature dishes to seasonal dishes. Me and my boyfriend always say we should try new places, but can’t resist not coming here!“

“First time dining here. Great food and atmosphere. On a side note… To a beautiful lady. You were the beautiful woman dining—maybe with your mom—at “a restaurant by the river”. We locked eyes, shared a smile, and you held the door for me as we walked out. I wanted to introduce myself but got a little nervous. When you turned around after walking away, I knew I missed my chance. If you see this, I’d love a second one.“

“Rumchata French toast and the walleye and eggs“

“Don't order take out, there is no quality control coming out of that kitchen. In particular the broasted chicken. I doesn't even resemble chicken, it's so bad. Prior to the Maple Tree reopening, it was awesome. We've tried a half dozen times since then with no luck. So we won't order take out again, and being long time locals, we have no interest in dining in with the long wait. Glad business is booming, just bring back good take out.“

“We stopped for a light lunch on our travels and it was very delicious. Great Staff, amazing food, and ice cold beverages!! We will be stopping on our way to and from the Badger games as it's right off the highway.“

“Great food and service! Very friendly atmosphere.“

“Our table ordered a mix of breakfast and lunch plates. All were delicious! The staff were very friendly. Seated quickly, got to order right away, and the food came fast. We all enjoyed watching them fuel up a plane and take off! Kids loved their paper planes too. ✈️ Plan to be back!“

“I would like to give a huge shout out to Varsity Bar and Grill! We kicked off Rachel's 40th Birthday Party at Varsity on Saturday. The food was oh so delicious, the service over the top exceptional, friendly and welcoming. Varsity is everything you could ask for in a small town bar and grill. Thank you to Tony, Ben, Lyle, Jeff and all at Varsity who helped make the party a success! We'll be back!!!“

“Top burger place in all of Madison! Get the Hanks double, such fast service you will barely be able to sit down at the Musky Bar before it's ready in all its greasy glory. Great sauce makes this a three to four napkin burger. Hits the spot when you have a Hankerin' for the best! Get the pickles on the side, delicious and you get even more! I will be back again and again.“

“The food is always great but the service and warm welcome we get from our server Shana is what keeps us coming back all the time“

“The chicken and potatoes were delicious! The salad bar is amazing! Pizza is awesome and dessert cookie pizza is delicious!! Pizza ranch certainly is “all that” and then some“

“We stopped at this Madison WI Culvers on our way to Rockford today and our 16mo made friends walking around the restaurant after we ate. The manager was so nice to her, gave her 2 stuffies and meal cards for our next stop through! Thanks, Ana! We'll see you again in a few weeks. :)“

“We love bringing out of town friends to Sal's. We had the Valentine's menu and it was the best food we've had in years! Tameka was amazing and the food came out so quick. Clean plates all day!“

“Delicious AyCe salad bar and fish fry. We will definitely go back.“

“This is a grill located in the holiday inn at American center. The staff is friendly and drinks were good. They have a thin crust pizza and pitcher deal. Service was good and this is a convenient place to unwind if you don’t want to leave the hotel.“

“definitely better than your typical truckstop food (Denny's, Iron skillet) excellent food, freshly prepared and good service, clean and (pretty servers) awesome bakery, parking for semis“

“Visited Monks on Father's day great food a special mention of a young man Maddox, a hostess. He was respectful and friendly and it was a very enjoyable time“

“Parking: Lots of spots but they keep pretty busy.

Kid-friendliness: There's nice tables to eat ice cream outside and plenty of space on the inside

Wheelchair accessibility: Should be able to roll right on in for a burger and fries and Frozen Custard too.“

“Great atmosphere best bartenders and drinks!!!! Would never have thought to stop without pub passes so definitely a great pls d to stop guaranteed a good time“

“Food was great and priced fair, we’ll be back.“

“Cute and cozy café! The fries were extra crispy, so they didn't get soggy from the chili which was really nice. The philly cheese steak was okay -- a little dry, but still good and I combined it with the leftover chili to make up for the dryness. The fruit was super good and cut up in smaller pieces. The pancakes were really sweet and yummy too. Overall, decent food, good price, and a nice atmosphere. Will definitely come again! :)“

“I got drive through like 2 times in, one each in the first weeks of August. I think the cashiers need to do better math. I was shorted .24 cents the first time and a penny the next week. Change shouldn't be complicated. Good food. Just disappointed as all money helps. I always make sure to take my seat belt off at the window, have both hands out to collect the change then put it in the cup holders so if I forget to grab any, it's there. There was no change there. So their math was wrong with change. Please improve on this as I don't want to continue to lose money to you.“

“Our class recently held our 50th high school reunion at this revnue! They did a fantastic job setting up the room and meeting our needs! We've held previous reunions here and will definitely come back again. Thanks to the owners and staff for making our MG reunion a great success!“

“Good food and customer service, but I really miss the old location with the outside dining.“

“Culver’s in Sun Prairie is a dependable place for a good meal or dessert. The restaurant is kept very clean and well organized, with plenty of seating inside and outside. Ordering is simple, the menu is clearly displayed, and the line moves quickly even during busy times. The staff here are consistently friendly and professional, greeting guests with a smile and making sure orders are right the first time. Whether you are coming through the drive-thru, ordering to go, or dining in, the service is quick without feeling rushed.

The food quality is always excellent. The ButterBurgers are hot, juicy, and full of flavor, cooked to order with toppings that are always fresh. The fries are crisp and golden, and the cheese curds are a Wisconsin favorite done right. The frozen custard is rich, creamy, and never disappointing, with flavors changing daily and the option to create your own combinations with mix-ins as a concrete mixer. Everything tastes freshly prepared and made with care, which is why it stands out from typical fast food.

This location is convenient for both residents and travelers passing through. Parking is easy, the dining area feels comfortable, and the staff keep the space clean and welcoming from open to close. It is a reliable stop when you want a meal that is made well, served with genuine hospitality, and consistent every time. Whether you are here for lunch, dinner, or just a frozen custard treat, Culver’s in Sun Prairie always delivers a great experience.“

“We ordered take out from the Cottage Grove Rd location. Our food was hot and delicious! My phone call was answered by the owner himself and handled with courtesy. He accommodated by vegetarian diet with no issues.“

“We Decided to try today while out on a motorcycle ride. We Arrived and walked in and were immediately greeted by staff. The atmosphere was nice and friendly. The staff was friendly. We ordered our drinks and food. We got the Prime Rib Sandwich with onion rings and the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich with fries. Both of the sandwiches were amazing. Very tasty and juicy upon first bite to the Last bite with the right amount of meat and vegetables/mushrooms with it. The fries were just right...not to crispy. The onion rings were a tad overdone and really crispy. Overall the food and drinks were 10/10. We will be back.“

“Always a great experience!“

“the best chicken wings around . period. mmmmmmm“

“What a great little hidden gem! Great drinks, gourmet food, amazing staff and we even got to meet the owner, Steve! Very friendly atmosphere. We will definitely be back!!“

“Gus's Diner brings in crowds for breakfast and lunch because the food is great and service is fast. Waitstaff almost run to keep up with filled tables. Nora was wonderful. Harried and hurried, she maintained a smile and responded quickly to every request. We drove an hour plus from home and can't wait to go back!“

“Great neighborhood tavern! Staffing changes have been made.“

“Huck is so knowledgeable in all his drink knowledge and so personable and idk how he remembers everything, your food menu is so versatile I finally tried everything on the food menu and it's even more amazing then the first time I will always recommend full mile“

“Culver's. We enjoy it. It's fast. More clean than a fast food place... Even though it's technically fast food as well. This place was generally the same.

Temp was set a bit cool for mid May. But if that's our biggest beef, they did a pretty good job“

“Loved the atmosphere. Seat yourself. Amazing Cajun Cod, thanks for the recommendation Angel! Looking forward to visiting again!“

“Great place for lunch or dinner. Always new specials & the staff is amazing.“

“Noel, the manager, always takes great care of us. We've become regulars at the Monona Denny's, mornings and the odd breakfast late at night as well. Noel recognizes us, is warm, and always keeps the coffee pouring before we ever see the bottoms of our mugs. The entire team works like a well oiled machine, and they really put so much effort and pride into their work. It's what keeps us coming back, even more than the food itself!“

“The VFW Post 7591 on Cottage Grove Road is a great organization that has a lot of things going on. The general public is welcome and encourages to come in. They hall a big hall anyone can rent out for their personal or business events… if it’s not already booked. Some of the events they have are every Tuesday is Bingo night, Wednesday are either music in the front bar or Karaoke, Thursday nights are free Trivia night with prizes, Friday night fish fry followed by music in the main hall, etc. Their are many other special events so come on in for a cocktail and check it out.This is a very nice and friendly place to come and hang out.“

“👩‍🦳I love the unlimited biscuits and gravy, and the unlimited corn muffins. The ambiance with the fire and the lanterns on the tables is delightful. It's also nice being able to shop and look around after or before dining. Highly recommend, especially if you're looking for old fashion experience. 💙💚“

“Excellent service and a great atmosphere“

“Absolutely GEM of a place!! I truly can't say anything bad about this place!! Barb and Brian the owners put so much care into how guest are treated. Barb makes great daily lunch specials and Damien, Emily and Sammy are the bees knees 🤗 I can't get enough of them“