Branded
The Iron Horse Hotel,500 W Florida St, Milwaukee, WI, 53204
Branded Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
The Iron Horse Hotel,500 W Florida St
Milwaukee, WI, 53204 - Phone (888) 543-4766
- Website https://www.theironhorsehotel.com/food-drink/branded.html/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
- Mon : 11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Late Night
Parking : Valet, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Loud
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Andrew K.
Terrible service. Waitstaff was very inattentive. Our larger group constituted the automatic 20% gratuity so our waitress was clearly more interested in her nearby boyfriend than our patronage. Would not recommend for the casual happy hour drinker.
(1)Geheimnis V.
The ambiance and the specialty drinks make Branded well worth a trip, even if you're not a guest at the Iron Horse. They can be pricey at $13/ea so avidity during happy hour is well advised if you're on a budget. Ive yet to try the food, but the drinks are always heavenly and the service excellent.
(4)Stephen S.
Located at the Iron Horse Hotel (Harley), this place is a big disappointment. Went in expecting great things but time and time again my expectations were not met. My first drink was poorly made...bartender was friendly (they all were) but had no idea how to make a drink...and this happened again during our two hours sitting at the bar...one bartender had to keep asking the other how this or that drink was made...and a couple friend of ours saw the same thing going on...in fact, they said that at one point it took them 20 minutes to get their drinks (they were seated at a table)! Also...the very first wine my fiance ordered was not available. Dammit, what's with bars running out of THE MENU ITEMS?!?! If you're not going to keep stocked up then get the heck out of business! Or switch your bar manager, who clearly can not figure out how to order! We ordered a lot of food because I really wanted to get a feel for this joint... We started with the house chips, which have a dusting of parm cheese...tasty for sure and probably the best thing we had all night...downhill from there... Next we ordered the Kobe Corn Dogs and Root Beer Ribs. After ten minutes passed the bartender brought out the ribs but then and only just then told us they were out of the corn dogs. Now read my above rant on the wine. Ditto it here. If you can't keep an item that is on YOUR OWN MENU that YOU put in front of my face and I then ordered FROM YOU and YOU put it in YOUR system and then YOU come back to me finally ten minutes later and tell me you're out of it...well, your place is headed for bad reviews, not only from me but many others I predict. So we decided to order the Popcorn Shrimp in place of the corn dogs. Some people may think it's awfully cute...that they'd serve the popcorn shrimp in a movie theatre-style popcorn box...but I've seen this before...presented even more stylishly...so don't give them too much credit...let alone, the shrimp was mediocre...something I could've done at home out of frozen Banquet bag. And there was no sauce of any kind. The ribs were nothing special either. So little sauce I wondered if it is possible they were running out of that also in the kitchen. So on we went...Sliders...one kobe beef the other a smoked turkey...the kobe was OK but the smoked turkey was boring and dry. And each cost about $5-6, and mind you, that's for ONE, and INDIVIDUAL little burger...so that you understand...we paid about $11 for what amounted to TWO little burgers...I've ordered sliders before...there's usually four or six of them for anywhere from $8 to $12 or so...so needless to say...OVER PRICED RIP OFF HERE! Don't order the sliders! Oh, and now that I think about it, cheese and bacon on the kobe was $1 extra each...so really, we paid $13 for two little burgers! And we kept on...DESPERATELY looking for something to love at this place...ordering the Penne pasta dish (which was pretty good actually...I was shocked) and the Meat Loaf. Meat Loaf. What picture comes to mind when I say meatloaf? Now the menu gave absolutely no hint of what was to come...I was thinking...Egads!...a slice or something of meatloaf, right? Well, put down in front of me were these medallion-like meatloaf slices wrapped in bacon. Now, it didn't taste bad...but this IS NOT meatloaf!!!! And what was put down in front of me is NOT what was described on the menu! How many bikers are going to settle for this when it's placed in front of them? I assume the ones that are trying to be all cool and sophisticated (like so many of those baby-booming -I wanna-be-so-cool-and-have-people-notice-me-and-have-my-kids-think- I'm- hip-and-maybe- if -we-get-lucky- we'll- end- up- swinging- with- another-couple biker morons pretend to be) won't say a thing... But I wanna see that biker that rides up from Georgia and his reaction. He might just go find the kitchen and punch the cook! And finally...dessert...it sucked too. Some kind of chocolate trio...truffles were no good...tasted almost stale or bland...the ice cream was a little portion and the cake or brownie or whatever it was was hard and equally as undelicious. The service was OK. Just OK. But SO not up to par for a place trying to be a top-notcher. Our appetizer round (the popcorn shrimp box and the chips) were left on the bar for over an hour and a half AFTER we were FINISHED...and I even pushed them two spaces over after a while! Clueless. Novices. Unprepared. Untrained. These were my mental notes about the place and the staff. They have all winter to get their act in order before the bikes start coming in droves. They better improve...or they are set up to give bikers the biggest disappointment since the Elton John fiasco at the 100th!
(3)Steven H.
Good bar! The bartenders were very helpful and friendly. The list of local bottle-only microbrew beers is excellent. The food is quite good. The Billy Blue salad was great, as was the duck confit "DLT" sandwich. Have eaten here twice and been very happy both times. Great hotel, too.
(4)Jon S.
My new favorite lunch place near work! Been a few times now. After getting the burger first time, brat the next...can't wait to get back. Staff is great to have conversion with. Atmosphere is just damn cool.
(5)Melissa P.
I recently took visitors here to show off Milwaukee and was not impressed for the cost. They have great drinks (pricey but unusual) and the appetizers were tasty and large portoins. We were not impressed with the entrees. The grilled cheese sounds good when you read it but is too messy and very runny. One of my friends got a burger and said half was done correctly but the other half was overdone.
(3)Mike C.
Old West theme meets midwest swanky. Great variety of beers & speciality drinks. Offer $5 speciality drinks during happy hour. The steak & cheese sandwich is one of the best I've ever eaten. It's a monster of a sandwich in an open face style on ciabatta bread. You may look like a slob eating it but you will be smiling ear to ear. A little off the beaten path but a must go to if your in MKE.
(5)Molly S.
LOVE. I'm giving it 5 stars not because it's totally perfect, but because it's awesome and I would go back in a nanosecond. Off the bat, yes, it's on the pricey side, so keep that in mind. The boyf and I were in Milwaukee for a fun weekend, so we we splurged a bit. It wasn't astronomical or anything, but more than we would normally spend. (We came on a Saturday, but if you're around during the week, they have happy hour Monday-Thursday from 4-6pm. $5 cocktails, wine, apps, etc.) Drinks: The boyf had the BARREL 1907 MANHATTAN ($12). He loved it. I'm not a Manhattan fan, but it was better (smoother) than any other I've tried, so there you go. I can't remember the name of mine...the cocktail menu online is not updated, but the one I had was called Old something. Whatever, it was amazing. Kinnickinnic whiskey, St. Germain, Prosecco, and Angostura bitters. One of the best cocktails I've ever had. Seriously. Get this. It's worth $12. Food: DUCK NACHOS ($14). OMG. These were so good. Yes, they're rich and drippy, but they are so, so good. In our post-dinner food coma, the boyf kept dreamily repeating, "Duck naaaaachoooooos..." SALT & PEPPER CALAMARI ($14): Really, really good. The cranberry chili sauce is awesome, but I wish there would have been more of it. The portion of calamari was pretty huge though. In fact, we didn't even finish it, since it is pretty heavy. Delicious, but definitely not light food. (Like others have said, I suspect the calamari may have been the reason for my slight indigestion and difficulty falling asleep later.) I'm not sure I would order the calamari again, not because it wasn't good, but because I would want to try other things, and it is pretty heavy. MAKIN' BACON PIZZA ($14 I think?): The online menu doesn't show pizzas, but they have probably 8 of them to choose from. Wood fired, dudes! This one had Nueske's bacon, caramelized onions, roasted potatoes, simple syrup, and fresh herbs. I effing loved it. The boyf wasn't the biggest fan, but said he would order a different pizza next time, since the dough is so good. These 3 things were more than enough food for us. Service: We sat at the bar, and our bartender was great. She made some killer drinks! She and the other bartenders were friendly and efficient. Also, the food came out way faster than we were expecting, so hooray!
(5)Steve S.
After reading the reviews on here and hearing feedback from coworkers who went here, I wasn't expecting much. Decent bar food was what I was expecting. We went on a Thursday night which is bike night and I gotta' say, I was impressed. Crowd was great and there was a great vibe throughout the entire place. The entire hotel staff made everyone feel welcome. We grabbed a seat in Branded, which is "seat yourself" seating. The floor was being worked by two waiters who kept busy. While service was not as quick as some other places, it was prompt and they gave you a feeling that they wanted you to relax and enjoy yourself. I ordered the Kobe sliders and my partner ordered the Branded Burger. The sliders were excellent. My partner said the burger had a different taste than Elsa's, our favorite burger, but was on the same level. High praise! After we finished our meal, we ordered another round of drinks and walked around the hotel lobby and the lot outside, looking at all the Ducati bikes. Overall, I was extremely impressed by the entire Iron Horse operation. Branded is a great place for a good, casual meal but it's just fun to take in the entire hotel. The Iron Horse and its restaurants are truly going to be a catalyst for the entire area.
(4)Scott H.
A great chic industrial vibe that seems perfectly matched with the top-notch hotel surrounding it. A slightly less pricey option for dinner than the more formal restaurant, Smyth, you'll still find plenty of tasty options to go along with your classic cocktail or craft beer here. My wife and I split the delicious and unique waygu/kobe/crab surf and turf sliders and a large salad and that was plenty to go on for a light dinner and set us back just over $20 before drinks. I'm a sucker for a vintage bar complete with exposed brick, filament light fixtures and tastefully-arranged antique bric-a-brac so this place is heaven to me. Wanted to run off with one of the high-top stools that looks like it was salvaged from my high school chemistry lab. Just a well-designed and very comfortable place to spend an hour or an entire evening.
(4)Meena V.
I've stopped here for dinner once, and drinks on a couple occasions. Food options entail exactly what you would expect of upscale bar food and check in at a solid B+. Not much for us vegetarians, but I have a feeling that's not quite what they're going for -- but that's ok, I'll eat down the street and come here to RAID THE CELLAR! So the drinks -- respectable cocktail list, featuring a solid array of classics, plus knowledgeable bartenders that know what they're doing and won't let you end up with a nasty, syrupy drink. They also throw some fun events, like their annual Repeal Day party, which bring in featured bartenders and drinks for the occasion as well -- fun stuff! Their wine list, though, is really this place's best attraction. They've gotten press for having one of the best lists in Milwaukee by far, and respectable by any measure in the region in general as well. Specifically, watch out for their "Raid the Cellar" weeks -- which is basically a period at the end of every season when they start selling bottles at their retail price in an attempt to clear out the cellar for next season. This of it as a sort of clearance deal for wine -- GREAT value for what you get, and the fact that you're still getting these deals at a classy venue. Also, ENTIRELY non-smoking!
(4)Melissa S.
Have hung out here while staying at the hotel on a business trip. First off, let me say that Clint the manager is a friendly, very nice guy who took care of me from day one of stepping in there. Drinks are good, they get quite a crowd after work but we still got seats no problem. Great space!!!
(4)Greg M.
I did not try the food but the drinks are absolutely terrible, at least if you order anything that they use their "craft" rye in. My brother and I ordered two manhattans and they tasted like they were made with a mix of pisco, well tequila, crushed up Flintstone vitamins, and hatred. We went back to the bar just to confirm that we actually had the right drinks and the bartender was glib and unhelpful. He proceeded to give us a lecture on how we couldn't expect bourbon in manhattans ("which only comes from Bourbon County, Kentucky") which was obviously why the drinks tasted so bad (because we were backwoods hicks who couldn't appreciate them obviously). When we pointed out that we had actually tasted rye whiskey before, he offered to give us a taste of their house rye. Once tasting it we realized we'd isolated the problem. In college I used to drink Skol vodka; this was worse and for nineteen times the cost. If I wanted shit rotgut, I would have went to a college bar around Marquette. Instead, I got shit rotgut for $10 a glass and a lecture. Overall, the worst rye I've ever had and terrible service. The free apples were awesome though.
(1)Rich T.
great for a special occasion or maybe a classy nightcap after a summer festival. unless you can afford $10 specialty drinks, this place is great only once in a blue moon. but really, it's a great addition to the city. i dig.
(4)Jason G.
This place is really fun. This is definitely a happy hour destination in Milwaukee. Wow! I couldn't believe how many people were there when I checked in to the hotel and they seemed to be all locals. Very cool. I have been back since I am now working in Milwaukee. I have taken clients over here as well. The service there is top notch every time. The decor is very cool (themed much like the hotel). The seats look cool, but not the most comfortable. That is the ONLY reason why I didn't give this place 5 stars. If you are in Milwaukee, stop here, but be warned; this place is very easy to get drunk in. You will end up leaving walking sideways.
(4)Stephen M.
Stylish bar, with decent cocktail offerings and a fairly good menu, although the DLT that I'd ordered had a bone in it that had to be coughed out. Not good, people. Not good. Aside from that one experience, the bar is huge and gets a randomly stylish clientele based upon whatever happens to be going on that day. You'll get bikers (lots of money with nice HD's, not the Sons of Anarchy), the trendy, updressed fashionista types, business-class from the city and the hotel guests themselves. It makes for a pretty good variation, mostly present in the warmer months. And I will say, the menu is pretty good, as they share a kitchen with Smythe. Just watch out for the occasional duck bone.
(3)Cristie F.
As if the Iron Horse Hotel wasn't amazing enough, their on-site bar Branded offered up quite the spot for a very happy, happy hour after a drive in from Chicago. We were starving and pleased to see a happy hour menu with an assortment of $5 small bite plates. We started off with some fried eggplant with a lemon aioli. They were ridiculously good. There were about 10 lightly breaded chunks of eggplant, sitting on top of the creamy, yellow aioli. We then moved on to order a couple of ahi tuna sliders and meatball sliders. Both were delicious and perfectly sized for a snack. Service was also great. Our drinks and menu items came out quickly and our server was very helpful and wanted to ensure we had everything we needed on our drive up. I loved the ambiance and decor. Branded is decorated in the same manner as the Iron Horse Hotel. The vintage, modern decor with gorgeous pop art gave the bar a rustic yet modern feel. The outdoor patio is especially great on a cool summer night. If you're staying at the Iron Horse Hotel, or even nearby, Branded is a must stop for a quick, delicious bite and cold brew before, during, or after happy hour.
(4)Nicole H.
Before you read further, know that the rating comes because I can't see that I'll ever recommend this place to anyone else and since I feel like that's what our reviews do, I have to put my rating on the low end. My biggest complaint with Branded is the prices/value. If you go during Happy Hour (4-6), you can mitigate some of this, but for most of their open hours, I just think it's incredibly over-priced. Ordered two appetizers off their $5 Happy Hour list - meatball sliders and short ribs. Two sliders on the plate was reasonable for the $5, but the short rib was literally 3" long on a small dollop of grits. We had planned to share, but found that meant we each got one forkful each. Both were reasonably tasty, but nothing to really write home about. For the event the bar provided some free appetizers to sample - ended up having a duck slider that I didn't know was duck til someone told me. Friends ordered the truffle chips, which just tasted like homemade potato chips and the duck nachos, which were literally swimming in fat. Like they picked up a chip and the fat dripped off it. It was such a turn off. Duck is incredibly fatty - if you choose to use it on your nachos, you probably need to find a way to soak up some of the fat before you toss the pieces of duck on tortilla chips. I just felt like this was a failure of their kitchen to know the ingredients they were working with. These basically inedible nachos, as an appetizer, were $14. On all the sliders, the buns were slightly toasted, but still soft, which was probably my favorite part. On to the drinks - turns out our bartender was confused about which drinks were offered on the $5 list so he made us Red Belles at that price point. This drink was to die for. Red Bell Pepper infused Patron with all kinds of citrus flavor and agave nectar. It had a vaguely margarita flavor to it and was just refreshing and wonderful - would be great on a hot summer day. The thing is - the Red Belle is on the menu for $15. I assume there are people out there who spend this much on a drink, but I am not one of those people and neither are most of my friends. The rest of the drinks on the menu were in the $8-15 range Let me put it this way - I'll splurge on a double-digit cocktail at a place like Blu, where I'm dressed up and I'm there to enjoy the view and have my one cocktail. But at Branded I was in jeans and there were basketball games on the TV. This is a sit-down and hang out sort of place and I can't imagine drinking these costly drinks all night long. A tie with the Red Belle for best thing of the night was the whiskey soaked cherry that came with the Old Fashioned. I just wanted a cup of those. Door Co. Cherries was a sponsor of the event so I'm not sure if this is the way the cherries are always made and served, but they were amazing. All of the bite of the whiskey was lost and it was smooth and wonderful.
(2)Rick R.
I'm a big fan of the Ironhorse, in general. I think it adds a nice touch to Milwaukee. I'm not one for "hotel bars" but this one is pretty cool. Yes, some of the drinks get up there in price, but it IS a "hotel bar" so that is to be expected. The difference is that the overall experience at Branded makes it worth it. It is a great place for people watching because of the variety of guests that stay at the hotel, mixed with the locals who come to hang out. There are plenty of places to spread out, such as the patio, the lounge in the lobby or The Yard out back, which is another experience altogether and should probably have its own listing in Yelp! When you go to Branded, ask for Aric. He is a rock-star bartender!
(4)Catherine G.
I have yet to stay at the hotel but I love the atmosphere of the bar area as well as the restaurant. For apps, we ordered calamari as well as a roasted portobello artichoke cheese dip. The calamari had this weird red cranberry chili sauce drizzled over it - not appetizing. The cheese dip on the otherhand was AMAZING. The bread was toasted to perfection and the warm and the gooey cheese just tasted so good with the bread. For my entree I had the DLT and a side wedged salad. Huge portions, fairly decent tasting, on the overly buttery side (to the point some of the bread was mushy..). For dessert, I had the flourless chocolate cake (??) - it was not memorable. Overall, I would have been willing to give this place another try esp because of the fun atmosphere. But when I went home, I had a HORRIBLE stomachache. I couldn't fall asleep for 3 hours b/c it hurt so bad. I was nauseous, sweaty, my back was hurting. At one point I thought I had pancreatitis and wanted to go to the ER. My friend told me that she had the same stomach pains and couldn't fall asleep either! We suspect it was the calamari....... Summary: Atmosphere: 5 stars Food: 3 stars by taste, but NEGATIVE stars for getting me and my friend sick!! :( Service: 3 stars (very slow - took us 2.5 hr to finish dinner)
(2)Cindy D.
The food is okay, if not a little overpriced. The service though is abysmal. The place is very aesthetically pleasing, but don't expect the service to live up to the hype. I've had better service at a Denny's.
(1)Bobby G.
Great friendly, personal service over 95% of the time! The remaining 5% I don't blame them for as it can get busy as hell there... so I don't expect much in said environment. The food is unique and more often then not, very well done. Ill be back again soon. Classy spot.
(4)Lauren C.
Had a delicious late dinner of soup and salad. Both items were unique and had all elements made in-house, like their delicious croutons. Even better than the food and wine was my bartender/food server. He was so polite and kind, a breath of fresh air for a weary business traveler. Even more so than the food, it's great individuals like this server that make a restaurant memorable and worth giving repeat business. I will definitely visit Branded again.
(5)Mike P.
WHY: Was trying to dine at the Iron Horse Hotel restaurant Smyth but they aren't open on Sundays (You lied Yelp. You lied.) ORDERED: Pretzilla - little pretzel balls with Spotted Cow and Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve FONDUE $12, Summer Manhattan cocktail $12 TASTED: The fondue was awesome! Loved the Wisconsin fondue ingredients paired with salty pretzel balls. If you run out of pretzels balls but have more cheese, you can purchase more for $2. These were a huge hit with my wife and I. My Manhattan was expertly crafted with an exact sliver of lemon garnish floating in it. So good in fact I walked up to the bar and complimented the bartender, who seemed really flattered. POST: Trendy industrial feel. Spacious. Cool comic book inspired large paintings on the walls. Hipster dad soundtrack providing the mood music. Friendly service. Easy free parking. Great appetizers, well made cocktails. CHANCE OF RETURN: 10/10
(5)Jelly R.
This and another bar/restaurant called "Smyth" are part of the Iron Horse Hotel. We came only for drinks, and started off at Smyth. They closed at 10, so we closed our tab and walked over to Branded to continue the evening. As far as I could tell, the cocktail menus at both Smyth and Branded are identical. It looks like Smyth is more food oriented, though, and Branded is more bar-oriented. I wish we'd come in summer, because the outdoor patio area looked really nice. Among the drinks we had, between Smyth and Branded: - Hop Happy - Warre's Rage - Cream City Spice - Original Smyth All were good. We also had the poutine, which was awesome.
(5)Liv R.
Love this place. Drinks all delicious, and the $3 beer on tap deal was awesome. Every time I go out, I always order Mac & Cheese. I have to say this was in the top 3, if not at the top of all the Mac I've ever had. Absolutely perfect! Fish tacos were also delicious, as was the salad. Service was great, our waiter was absolutely adorable! Would definitely go back again!
(5)Amanda G.
My favorite bartender was Tomek, he made delightful drinks and was very accommodating. He made the best cocktail I've ever had!
(5)Brad K.
I came here to watch the Breeder's Cup Classic. Calling ahead to make sure they'd show it, I figured being in the Iron Horse Hotel was a good place to watch a horse race. The servers didn't know about the race but happily turned it on for me when I asked. They even asked whether or not I wanted the subtitles on. The menu is limited but unique. The beer on tap is good and the bottle selection is good as well. We got the cheese churds. Usually when you order cheese curds you scrap through them and then are disappointed that there's not more. We could not finish (not even close) the order between two people. $13, but it's appropriate for how much food you get. They also offer a really cool menu item - Russian Roulette Pigs In a Blanket - one of them is laced with Habeneros peppers! The drink prices weren't cheap but weren't overly expensive. The atmosphere is dark and treny but not loud. A cool place overall. I'd go back.
(4)Talia R.
Love this place. Not only is it a really great atmosphere, the service, drink and food are all wonderful as well. We popped in last night for some pre dinner drinks and had a great time. Their new fall/winter cocktail menu came out and there were some great selections. Try the Old Fashioned or the Roundabout Sling- great cocktails. Our server was especially great; he was very friendly and knowledgable with some great suggestions.
(4)Jami J.
I have been here numerous times and it never lets me down. Their food menu and drink menu changes depending on the season. They always have some sort of sangria on their drink menu, my favorite has been their winter sangria. It's the best I've ever had. I've had other drinks off their menu as well and they are all just as good. For food, over the years I've tried nachos, cheese curds, chips and dip, popcorn, bone marrow, tacos and more. I cannot pick a favorite. Anything you get off their menu you will love. This is one place I'll drive to from Chicago just to eat and drive back home.
(5)Lisa A.
So nice nice bar in the iron horse (Harley-Davidson) hotel. Once I got past the name it was cozy inside. The crowd is sort of well heeled in a "non-Wisconsin-milwaukee but still in the Midwest sort of way" if that makes any sense at all. The decor is stylish and masculine, prices are about what you'd expect. We tried several drinks and they were all delicious. We didn't wait more than a few minutes either. Best thing about this place, though was the service. We weren't hotel guests but I felt all the staff really wanted to make sure we were taken care of. (Note this is also "secret service servers wearing earpieces" sort of place, too.) I'm deducting one star only because I am not a non-Milwaukee guest and felt there could've been more cheese on the poutine.
(4)Chad C.
PORK BELLY REUBEN BOYEEEEEEEE. Man that thing was GOOD. So were the fish tacos. I noticed a $3 fish taco night on Fridays. Like I needed another reason to love Friday. An important side note: these are the best fries in the universe. I never got excited for fries... until here. Take note, tell your parents.
(4)Tina N.
This sweet little gem is located inside the Iron Horse Hotel. Seated and greeted immediately & we were settled for a little snack. I had the Tokyo mule & the hubs and I shared the cheese board. Both were delicious & we enjoyed our short but memorable visit! Next time, we will try more of their food.
(4)Richard S.
Usually I find my star ratings falling in line with other Yelpers, but boy is my impression of Branded different than others! A St. Patrick's Day lunch did nothing but reinforce that Branded is my favorite Bar/Grille in Milwaukee. I decided to start off with a Barrel 1907 Old Fashioned. Diane ordered an Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale. My Old Fashioned was perfect and the Amerena Cherries that garnished it were so good, I asked for more to share. The beer came out in a can so I was a little suspicious. After our server poured the beer into a frosted glass I was curious. It turns out that the brewery bills it as America's first canned craft beer. I am not sure about that, but after the sip I was able to try I know that it was one of the best Ales I've ever tasted. It was slightly sweet and fruity with very little bitterness. I am not a beer guy, but I could order this one! For an appetizer, we ordered The Roasted Portobello Artichoke Cheese Dip. WOW!!!! The absolute best version of this dip I've ever had. Creamy, cheesy, Perfectly browned on top, with the earthiness of the mushrooms exchanged for the typical Spinach. Served with crunchy slices of toast instead of chips. We all had sandwiches. Here is a rundown! The DLT Pulled Duck, Lettuce, Tomato, Smoked Bacon, Balsamic Aioli. I only snuck a taste of the Duck and it was rich tender and wonderful! More importantly, Callie loved this huge sandwich. The Cheese Steak Shaved roast beef, Caramelized Onions, Wisconsin Swiss Cheese Sauce. Served open face, this was a really good "Wisconsinized" version of this classic sandwich. Diane couldn't stop raving! Smyth Steak Sandwich Pounded Tenderloin, Wisconsin Billy Blue Cheese, Caramelized Onions on a Griddled Sourdough Roll. Tender Steak, Sweet Onions, Funky Blue Cheese on a fantastic roll. What could be better? I understand that price is a factor in many of the less than stellar reviews, but I think the quality of the food here more than makes up for the admittedly higher prices. Our Sandwiches were so big, we all brought leftovers home. Even our Appetizer was big enough to bring some home for a Midnight Snack. Our sides are another example of this level of quality. Chips were fresh, homemade and sprinkled with Parmesan Cheese. A side of Fruit was actually a Beautiful Fruit Salad served in a separate glass bowl instead of the typical Orange Slice or handful of Grapes. Branded is not a run of the mill Milwaukee Bar with frozen mozzarella sticks and toaster oven pizza. Branded is not an everyday place. Branded is still my favorite bar/grille in Milwaukee!
(5)Rachel W.
Cool place to see but value for dollars spent is far from good. The fish tacos, recommended by the server, we're quite delicious - all 3 bites of them for $13. The presentation of the burger was cool with the brand on the bun, unfortunately the bun comprised most of the sandwich. The Manhattans lacked cherries and the explanation given was that it was a "new take" on the drink. The waitress was kind enough to bring a couple maraschino cherries (yuck). Invest in some Luxardos please! In the end we walked away minus $60 and still hungry. Not something I care to do again. Again, the space is awesome and I have no complaints about the service, just not pleased with the goods delivered.
(2)Colin A.
The Iron Horse hotel seems pretty swanky when you drive/bike past -- and I won't deny this -- yet I was pleasantly surprised at the laid back atmosphere experienced on a recent visit for drinks and dessert. Branded is one of three distinct places one can stop in for a bite to eat or drinks, whether you're staying at the Iron Horse or not. Service was pleasant and quick without being overwhelming, and our waitress provided great recommendations. As mentioned, the atmosphere was incredibly relaxed -- it's a bit of an older crowd here, which certainly keeps the "DB-ness" to a minimum. I had an old-fashioned (made with the "signature" rye whiskey) and it was good, but certainly not the best. Dessert was the perfect nightcap; we split a lemon tart and chocolate torte (yep, I learned the different between the two). The prices were a bit high; I'm not sure I'd ever pay $10 for another old-fashioned. Most wines start at $8/glass and the beers range from $4-12 (imports) with the average clocking in at $5. Ultimately, Branded is a bit out of my price range -- though the waitress was quick to mention their weekly happy hour. I'd probably return for those specials, noting the various wines and cocktails available for nearly half price, but I'm not sure Branded will become a regular fixture on my list of drinking destinations in the 414.
(3)Ken M.
Pappy Van Winkle on the shelf. If you know your whisky and like bartenders with mad skills, do this now and enjoy the great vibe of this place. The one and only drawback to this place (Iron Horse as a whole) is that the place uses Drakkar Noir as air freshener. Cool if you like remembering your first bottle of cologne from junior high school (oh, how the 8th grade ladies loved that smell at the Sadie Hawkin's Dance), but otherwise not a huge fan.
(5)C W.
The lounge is fantastic and the bar is beautiful but the $12 dollar drinks better be absolutely perfect. I ordered a manhattan that was advertised to Come with door county cherries! Hahaha! Maraschino were served. I think they have to be careful in Wisconsin. Most Wisconsinites know a door county cherry! Also the food was inconsistent.... Literally! Half of the curds had a different batter than the other half. No recipe????
(3)Tony K.
The best outdoor patio in Milwaukee. A great place to go on a Summer night.
(4)Carol K.
The food was great. The ambiance? Loud but bearable. But the service? Yikes. We stopped n for lunch late on a Saturday afternoon. While I wanted to sit at a table, it was so loud back in the area with the tables we opted for the bar. One note about the tables and chairs- the chairs are like "old school" wood school chairs on rollers. A bit tricky to sit on but comfortable once you do. Behind the bar is a beautiful architectural detail from an old building. Of course I just had to ask and was told it came from Philadelphia and was supposed to have a stained glass window in it. Unfortunately- that broke during the move so now it is a mirror but a beautiful one at that. There is also a pool table located near the entrance way (love the felt red top) and large garage doors that will open in better weather to bring the outside in. And a trip to the bathroom in this bar is a pleasant experience given how nicely done they are. The bartender got us our drinks right away (and for those of you on Foursquare- know that your first drink is half off if you show a check in) and took our food order. So far so good. We ordered the soup of the day (a take on lobster bisque) which was absolutely delicious. Chunks of lump crab and lobster combined with fresh peas- this was my favorite part of my meal. But then there must have been some kind of a disconnect between the bar and the kitchen. It took another 50 minutes for anymore of our food to show up. I ordered the Cesar salad and my dining companion ordered the Branded burger with cheese and bacon. And then we waited and waited and waited. I was about ready to order more of the soup and call it a day as I needed to get on my way back to Chicago when finally the food showed up. It was good- but not good enough to off set the huge wait. Valet parking is available out front or there is usually street parking in this neighborhood. Lunch for two with drinks came to $45 which is about average for this area (although I've paid double the price for soup in Chicago that wasn't half as good!) So go for the food. Go for the ambiance, but go with alot of time on your hands or a book. For if your experience is anything like mine- you are going to have alot of time to read it.
(3)Jen H.
Service is really slow, regardless of whether or not it's crowded. Wines by glass choices are mediocre. Calamari salad was horrid.
(2)Malek K.
It is an ok place - took a turkey club tasted well - side order is fruit - it is not very heavy but enough also for lunch dish my friend took steak and cheese sandwish - it has good menu - it can be healthy as you can find salads etc. i recommend it check the pics
(4)Tammy M.
Wow - tough reviews! I really really enjoyed my visit on Valentiine's Day with my sweetie. First of all, the hotel is amazing - it's a great blend of historic Milwaukee with a hip urban vibe. We LOVED the bar - the service was okay, but the place, even early in the evening was jammed. I was impressed w/ how friendly the staff was. We ordered drinks - a cocktail and a beer which were fine and then caved and ordered dessert. The chocolate3 was decadent, rich and over the top and no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't finish it - it was delish! Pros - ambiance, music, free pool, lighting, amazing restrooms (yes really), nice staff, good locations, good drinks and dessert. OH, and without a doubt - people watching! Cons - parking, but I think they have valet if you're into that. I will go back and take friends. It's the sort of 'show-off' place that's fun to take out-of-towners!
(4)Erica K.
Branded is a great bar, but the outside Yard is where to be in the summer. I love the mix of people- suits, bikers, and everything in between- and how everyone is comfortable. Its an outdoor lounge with fire, oversized sofas and lights hanging overhead. The ambiance is a 10. The service leaves something to be desired- drink slowly because the waiter/tress is not going to be back for awhile. The pizza added this summer is fantastic- original and classic flavors, hand tossed and wood fired. The drink/beer list is decent- something for everyone to enjoy. Expect to pay $5 for a beer and $10 for a signature drink. The Kumquat Cooler is a summer favorite of mine. Will definitely be back before the snow comes.
(4)Jess A.
The thing that stands out in my mind is friendly. I'm so used to Los Angeles and the a-holes that seem to be everywhere, that it was really refreshing to encounter some genuinely nice people. Service was great, and our server was a big help picking out local beers to try. I was really impressed with the selection of local brews, and being from out of town they were all new to me. I told him what kind of beers I like, and he was dead-on with all of his suggestions. There wasn't a whole lot of food for this vegetarian to eat, but I made due. Veggie sliders were ok, and I really was happy with the cheese plate. I don't know if there is a demand, but I would recommend them adding more veg options to the menu. Other than that, I enjoyed myself here. Plus, the pool table is first come, first served...and free. I don't remember the last time I played on a free pool table.
(3)Jeffrey H.
Nice tendy bar in a fantastic trendy hotel. Great drinks, great service, reasonable prices. If you are ever in Milwaukee, stop by here to see and be seen. Beautiful people all around.
(4)Kristin K.
I really want to love this place... but the service... oh my. It's really too bad that such a great looking bar can have such unbelievably crumby service. The service at the bar itself was god awful, bad enough to make us move to a table instead. The table service was crumby too. I just don't get it; everyone had ear communication pieces, three or four managers were obviously on staff that night... but it was like everyone working there was off in "lala land." To have to get the attention of three employees to get a drink, and then another three to finally have someone come to the table to take our order... unacceptable. I see the opportunity here for a great place, but the bar needs to get its act together.
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