Anticipating a wonderful night out with our group of 8 on 01/06/2024, we had drinks at the bar before being seated. My Reuben rolls and my wife's onion soup were "acceptable". My wife's Portabella Napolean entree, as well as another of the same dish at our table, however, was inedible due to a foul taste right away. My Beef & Mushroom Strudel also had a strange taste, and a texture that I would compare politely to Hamburger Helper. I haven't returned a dish to the kitchen in more than a DECADE, and tried several bites before returning 3/4 of it uneaten. There seemed to be something wrong with the mushrooms that night, and I'm usually a big fan of them! As our group had time obligations, we refused replacement dishes. When our bill came, I noted that the 20% tip was generated on the food before my wife's dish was comped, and before the manager comped HALF of my dish (WHO comps HALF of an unsatisfactory dish with only a few bites eaten?!?). I realize it is not the server's fault (Dan), but I still refuse to tip 20% on food that I heartily anticipated and did not get to eat. I adjusted the tip to 20% of the apps and drinks, and waited to locate Dan to explain why I adjusted the tab out of respect for him. This still resulted in a $12 tip and a $76 bill just at the table (excluding the bar tab). Dan's reaction was to request to talk to the manager about this! I should've adjusted my tip to ZERO at that point, and refused my whole bill out of disgust for suggesting that I pay for half of a meal that I could not eat. I would NOT recommend Mader's anymore - sadly, it is not the same Milwaukee icon that it used to be.
Carole H
While strolling through the downtown area seeing decorations we came upon the Old Third street shops. After browsing through Usingers and the Cheese Mart, we decided to nosh on something at Maders. The pretty holiday lights added an enchantment to the whole experience. We chose the Tiger shrimp Mac, liver dumpling soup and the grilled salmon salad. All were amazing and exceptional tasty. We topped it off with a warmed cup of Holiday Gluvein to add to the spirit which warmed us up nicely.
Rachel W
A previous poster said that Mader's was past it's hey day. Another poster said the food was basically "meh" and someone else described Mader's as being tragic. Based on our experience - they were being kind. The outside of Mader's has improved some in the past couple of years, but it could still use some cleaning and some love. Upon entering, we were ignored (yes, ignored) by no fewer than 3 Mader's employees (including the guy refusing to make eye contact - unclip the rope on the stairway - replacing it and practically running up to avoid people). Inside,the carpet was old, worn, dirty and full of cooking smells and dirt from years and years - pull it up, replace it or clean it. the entire place was sad, tired, dusty and way beyond it's prime. Not what it used to be and not a lot of hope it will improve. Basically - nobody gives a darn and it shows...
Andrew H
Great history, great building and ambiance, great costumes, decoration and celebrity pictures on the wall (Laurel and Hardy's was the best). The food, however, was (with the exception of the perfectly-done salmon my wife had) extremely...meh. We had a group of fifteen, all expressing similar sentiments, with a common addition that the many positives didn't warrant the prices. This is a restaurant, after all. The consumables are pretty danged important. We had a great get-together here. Nothing was bad at all. But this could be a fantastic must-do experience if they'd raise the level of the food and drink offerings, and thus fix the regrettable cost / dubious value calculation. As it is, the place feels like a fading has-been. It, maybe like our whole culture, needs a renewing revolution.
Janet E
Excellent dinner! Mader's is a well recognized restaurant in the Milwaukee area. The food was incredible and the staff were very friendly. We enjoyed looking at all of the pictures from President's, celebrities, race car driver's etc. Reservations needed.
J L
Mediocre, room temp Hungarian Goulash (two people), sauerbraten with barely ANY sauce, would have been good otherwise, Bavarian platter just "eh" and I've made better spaetzle myself. EXTREMELY overpriced for what you got. Best part was the fresh oven baked giant pretzel and my sister's spaetzle mac and onion soup. VERY disappointed. Waitress was lovely though. Will never go back.
Normal_DJO
I’ve only been to Germany once ( this past May ) so I’m far from an expert on German cuisine. I do know this, however…I didn’t eat any meal this good when I was in Germany. Mader’s was absolutely fantastic. The pork shank was fall off the bone good. The potato pancake appetizer was excellent as well. My only regret is not saving room for apple strudel. Maybe next time.
cecelola1
Phenomenal Service and Amazing Food. Rueben Rolls were perfection and Bavarian Sampler is next level. Definitely a stop you won’t regret if you are in Milwaukee!!!
MKSheridan
Not many places can you drink and dine where the likes of the Three Stooges and Ollie and Hardy and Belushi and Farley and countless others have hung out over the past century. Maders at 120 years old and going strong is legit and authentic to the core. It felt more German than places I've been in Cologne and Munchen and was older than many of those. The Knights bar entrance looks and feels like you have gone through a time machine, and once inside even more so, with the weaponry of that age hanging on the walls and two Knights in full armor facing off in the front window. The food was incredible, the service was top-notch, the atmosphere was unbeatable. And the greatest beer list...
Lloyd G
It has Valet parking which is huge plus. The Black Forest Torte was delicious and very much the real thing. I had Jaegerschnitzel which was ok. I thought the brown gravy was kind of bland. Our server was outstanding and prompt. Overall, it was a good experience, but not great!
Took a seat at the bar after a large group went to their table. Just 2 of us at the bar. No acknowledgement from the BT (2). No nod, no wave. After 10 minutes or so, the hostess offered us a booth in the bar area. We moved to the booth. Minutes passed before a server stopped. very busy Sat. night - understood. Ordered an appetizer & dinner. 2 drinks & 1 wine - req add'l bread, that was delivered to the table along with our check and to-go box. LOL - We were charged $6.00 for the extra bread that was neatly pack in our to-go box.
Lori M
We will be back soon! My husband had delicious pork shank and I had the beef and mushroom strudel which was amazing! Ended our delightful evening with a piece of wonderful Black Forest torte.
Kim W
Was so excited to go to Maders. I love German food. The first though is what a pretty place. Slow to be seated. Very slow to even see our waiter. He took so long getting a drink from the bar, our appetizers were delivered first. They were out of their Ruban rolls, not a good start. Food was ok to poor. I felt like everything came out so fast that it was premade and tasted like it. We will not be back.
Lauri J
What an amazing surprise on our visit to Milwaukee! We quickly decided this would be where the birthday celebration happens. We ordered reuben rolls, spinach salad (just like what we grew up with!), beef stroganoff, pork shank, and apple strudel. All excellent. The service? Even better. All in an atmosphere that feels warm and authentic. We so enjoyed our meal at Mader's and 100% recommend it.
MrFome
We arrived on our boat from Florida. I heard this was the place to take Heidi, my German wife. We're they right. The decor is amazing. The people who eat here are over the top. Food is to die for. Crazy how same owner for 120 years. The son is in the kitchen now cooking. They have the magic ? recipe.
Anticipating a wonderful night out with our group of 8 on 01/06/2024, we had drinks at the bar before being seated. My Reuben rolls and my wife's onion soup were "acceptable". My wife's Portabella Napolean entree, as well as another of the same dish at our table, however, was inedible due to a foul taste right away. My Beef & Mushroom Strudel also had a strange taste, and a texture that I would compare politely to Hamburger Helper. I haven't returned a dish to the kitchen in more than a DECADE, and tried several bites before returning 3/4 of it uneaten. There seemed to be something wrong with the mushrooms that night, and I'm usually a big fan of them! As our group had time obligations, we refused replacement dishes. When our bill came, I noted that the 20% tip was generated on the food before my wife's dish was comped, and before the manager comped HALF of my dish (WHO comps HALF of an unsatisfactory dish with only a few bites eaten?!?). I realize it is not the server's fault (Dan), but I still refuse to tip 20% on food that I heartily anticipated and did not get to eat. I adjusted the tip to 20% of the apps and drinks, and waited to locate Dan to explain why I adjusted the tab out of respect for him. This still resulted in a $12 tip and a $76 bill just at the table (excluding the bar tab). Dan's reaction was to request to talk to the manager about this! I should've adjusted my tip to ZERO at that point, and refused my whole bill out of disgust for suggesting that I pay for half of a meal that I could not eat. I would NOT recommend Mader's anymore - sadly, it is not the same Milwaukee icon that it used to be.
While strolling through the downtown area seeing decorations we came upon the Old Third street shops. After browsing through Usingers and the Cheese Mart, we decided to nosh on something at Maders. The pretty holiday lights added an enchantment to the whole experience. We chose the Tiger shrimp Mac, liver dumpling soup and the grilled salmon salad. All were amazing and exceptional tasty. We topped it off with a warmed cup of Holiday Gluvein to add to the spirit which warmed us up nicely.
A previous poster said that Mader's was past it's hey day. Another poster said the food was basically "meh" and someone else described Mader's as being tragic. Based on our experience - they were being kind. The outside of Mader's has improved some in the past couple of years, but it could still use some cleaning and some love. Upon entering, we were ignored (yes, ignored) by no fewer than 3 Mader's employees (including the guy refusing to make eye contact - unclip the rope on the stairway - replacing it and practically running up to avoid people). Inside,the carpet was old, worn, dirty and full of cooking smells and dirt from years and years - pull it up, replace it or clean it. the entire place was sad, tired, dusty and way beyond it's prime. Not what it used to be and not a lot of hope it will improve. Basically - nobody gives a darn and it shows...
Great history, great building and ambiance, great costumes, decoration and celebrity pictures on the wall (Laurel and Hardy's was the best). The food, however, was (with the exception of the perfectly-done salmon my wife had) extremely...meh. We had a group of fifteen, all expressing similar sentiments, with a common addition that the many positives didn't warrant the prices. This is a restaurant, after all. The consumables are pretty danged important. We had a great get-together here. Nothing was bad at all. But this could be a fantastic must-do experience if they'd raise the level of the food and drink offerings, and thus fix the regrettable cost / dubious value calculation. As it is, the place feels like a fading has-been. It, maybe like our whole culture, needs a renewing revolution.
Excellent dinner! Mader's is a well recognized restaurant in the Milwaukee area. The food was incredible and the staff were very friendly. We enjoyed looking at all of the pictures from President's, celebrities, race car driver's etc. Reservations needed.
Mediocre, room temp Hungarian Goulash (two people), sauerbraten with barely ANY sauce, would have been good otherwise, Bavarian platter just "eh" and I've made better spaetzle myself. EXTREMELY overpriced for what you got. Best part was the fresh oven baked giant pretzel and my sister's spaetzle mac and onion soup. VERY disappointed. Waitress was lovely though. Will never go back.
I’ve only been to Germany once ( this past May ) so I’m far from an expert on German cuisine. I do know this, however…I didn’t eat any meal this good when I was in Germany. Mader’s was absolutely fantastic. The pork shank was fall off the bone good. The potato pancake appetizer was excellent as well. My only regret is not saving room for apple strudel. Maybe next time.
Phenomenal Service and Amazing Food. Rueben Rolls were perfection and Bavarian Sampler is next level. Definitely a stop you won’t regret if you are in Milwaukee!!!
Not many places can you drink and dine where the likes of the Three Stooges and Ollie and Hardy and Belushi and Farley and countless others have hung out over the past century. Maders at 120 years old and going strong is legit and authentic to the core. It felt more German than places I've been in Cologne and Munchen and was older than many of those. The Knights bar entrance looks and feels like you have gone through a time machine, and once inside even more so, with the weaponry of that age hanging on the walls and two Knights in full armor facing off in the front window. The food was incredible, the service was top-notch, the atmosphere was unbeatable. And the greatest beer list...
It has Valet parking which is huge plus. The Black Forest Torte was delicious and very much the real thing. I had Jaegerschnitzel which was ok. I thought the brown gravy was kind of bland. Our server was outstanding and prompt. Overall, it was a good experience, but not great!
Restaurantji Recommends
Took a seat at the bar after a large group went to their table. Just 2 of us at the bar. No acknowledgement from the BT (2). No nod, no wave. After 10 minutes or so, the hostess offered us a booth in the bar area. We moved to the booth. Minutes passed before a server stopped. very busy Sat. night - understood. Ordered an appetizer & dinner. 2 drinks & 1 wine - req add'l bread, that was delivered to the table along with our check and to-go box. LOL - We were charged $6.00 for the extra bread that was neatly pack in our to-go box.
We will be back soon! My husband had delicious pork shank and I had the beef and mushroom strudel which was amazing! Ended our delightful evening with a piece of wonderful Black Forest torte.
Was so excited to go to Maders. I love German food. The first though is what a pretty place. Slow to be seated. Very slow to even see our waiter. He took so long getting a drink from the bar, our appetizers were delivered first. They were out of their Ruban rolls, not a good start. Food was ok to poor. I felt like everything came out so fast that it was premade and tasted like it. We will not be back.
What an amazing surprise on our visit to Milwaukee! We quickly decided this would be where the birthday celebration happens. We ordered reuben rolls, spinach salad (just like what we grew up with!), beef stroganoff, pork shank, and apple strudel. All excellent. The service? Even better. All in an atmosphere that feels warm and authentic. We so enjoyed our meal at Mader's and 100% recommend it.
We arrived on our boat from Florida. I heard this was the place to take Heidi, my German wife. We're they right. The decor is amazing. The people who eat here are over the top. Food is to die for. Crazy how same owner for 120 years. The son is in the kitchen now cooking. They have the magic ? recipe.