Karma Bar and Grill
600 E Ogden Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53202
Karma Bar and Grill 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 :
600 E Ogden Ave
Milwaukee, WI, 53202 - Phone (414) 220-4118
- Website https://www.karmamilwaukee.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 12
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner, Late Night
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
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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wenting x.
This place should be reserved for people that are drunk and just want something to eat. Nothing really about this place stood out to me and the food was below average. The bar seems kinda cool when you first walk in but then you get seated and realize how worn out the furniture was. They have these booths in the back of the bar..that can fit about 10 ppl..WHY? what a waste of space when other ppl are trying to get seats and theres just 2 ppl chilling in the booths. Should have gotten a better layout for place. The food was not special at all. My bf got the brisket dinner and the meat was actually tender, however it was ruined by the super sweet bbq sauce that was drenched over the meat. Actually i dont know if i would even call it bbq sauce....it was that bad. Also the beans were straight from a can--big nono. I got kuma burger with bacon and chilli. Very average, prob could've gotten the same quality burger from burger king. great tots, but then again how can you mess up frying tots. maybe this is why its a bar...so that drunk ppl wont be able to tell how bad the food is.
(2)Bob C.
I want to give Karma major props for being open during the great blizzard of 2011, when most places around here seemed to close up all or part of the day, including the restaurants on either side of it. They were a bit understaffed and understandably a bit slow, but they were carrying out their vital mission of providing beer and burgers for the hungry masses. I had a standard cheeseburger, which was not special but perfectly fine, and my wife had a veggie melt, which she said was delicious. I also give them plus points for the option of getting Tater Tots instead of fries as a side--I hadn't had them for quite a while, but they made great comfort mood in the midst of the storm, and I ate all of my own and most of my wife's. The walls are filled with HDTVs playing sports. We were there on a weekday mid-afternoon, and I'm not enough of a fan to enjoy reruns of old games, but this would be a lively place to watch a game live.
(4)Jessica B.
Karma has awesome food and amazing bloody's! Try the tots are the mac and cheese. Rumor has it brunch is coming soon!
(5)Mark S.
I've been going to this place since it opened, and it's been going down hill ever since. They started out with a winning recipe for a sports bar: Quality bar food Modern AV setup comfortable seating A lounge downstairs with popular events Now the food is junk, the seating is showing a lot of wear, and the downstairs is turning into a dump. It still gets used, but not like it used to. I've eaten at karma for the last time to prove a point that the food is no longer worth paying for. I got a plate of nachos with smoked chicken on them. The chicken was not warm, and simply tasted like gross smoke. The toppings were okay with the exception with the processed cheese (american most likely). Also, if you aren't going to use good looking fresh jalapeños, use pickled. Next I tried a steak panini. The break was unlike any panini I've had before which wasn't a good thing. It was chewy on the inside and on the outside, and just looked cheap. The meat didn't look appetizing, and I was required to season it myself so that the sandwich would taste like anything. It's okay for sports and drinks, but don't get food. And if you're just doing sports and drinks, go to Zims or Bar Louie. They're better for watching games and drinking, plus their food is edible. Parking is easy, so that's a plus.
(2)Jack R.
So my friend who is a manager Karma told me to come in and try the burgers, and when I didn't like it he would buy it for me... 'wink wink'. He knows how I feel about the glorious combination of grilled meat and bread, with lettuce, tomato, onion and mustard, and he said that the burgers had been changed since the last time I had one, and that they were 'new and improved' now. Why am I telling you this? Well because I think its only fair that the people who think my reviews are 'cool', and 'useful' and my precious ONE fan are fully aware that I was 'given the wink' to write this review! HaHaHa. Summed up in 10 words or less. It is exactly what you expect it to be. What is the Experience? This was not my first time at Karma and I like that they just skip the whole hostess thing most nights. The place is small enough to seat yourself and not overly busy so there is usually room to spare either at the bar, a tall two-top table of one of the four booths that easily accommodate six people. There is a huge roaring fireplace in the main dining room, so if you catch chills easily that is the place for you. There are also some more intimate tables further back if you and your date want to hide out. Even with self-seating the servers are attentive so you wont be waiting long before someone takes care of you. There is also a party room in the downstairs. They usually advertise it with free room rental. It includes a separate bar, and projector with theater screen. Who Goes There? In all my trips, it seems like a complete cougar den. Don't let the TVs, sports and the huge digital Las Vegas betting line board fool you. This place is packed with young professional ladies drinking wine and longing for a man like me (hey I can fantasize this is MY review) to sweep them away. Really though, my friend who works there tells me that the clientele is a majority single professional women, and some empty-nesters who own condos in the area. What Should I Expect? Expect the expected. Karma doesn't pull any punches. There are no crazy specials. This place doesn't get too wild at all, and actually they usually close up around 1/1:30 am. They offer a full bar, but the biggest sellers are the bottle and tap beers. The food is excatly what you want from comfort food- hot, simple, and plentiful. Between friends we shared the 'new and improved' burger, a chicken salad, a big bowl of mac and cheese, a side tater tots, and since it was customer appreciation night there was some complimentary pulled pork sandwiches (gosh this review is getting more and more tainted as I type). Everything was served up hot, the salad was fresh and the pulled pork was surprisingly tender for sitting in a buffet chaffing pan. Karma earned the four star rating by having an attentive server who joked along with us, but didn't try to become part of the group, and classic comfort food that was dead on in terms of value, price, and tastiness. Although, if you are a true connoisseur, I would still skip the burger. The 1/3 pound frozen burger patty just wasn't worth the classic yellow mustard I topped it with. And of course my friend wasn't actually working that night, so like most things 'new and improved' they buttered me up, suckered me in, and laughed all the way to the bank.
(4)Greg W.
I went here last Saturday for UFC 129. It's been a while since I've been here for a UFC match. The cover was only $5, which is reasonable because I've had to pay $10 before at some places. I knew it would be crowded with GSP fighting, so I showed up around 7:30. All of the tables in the front room where the bar is was already taken. If you walk straight back towards the patio there are a couple more tables on both sides. I was lucky enough to snag a table in the last room next to the patio. A lot of the seats are required to have 4 people and since I didn't know if my friend was coming with 1,2 or 3 people I took a table without that restriction. That worked out very well. The servers are very nice and will joke around with you. They do a good job of making sure you don't need anything. They have a descent selection of beers and the food is descent. It's a good atmosphere on UFC nights. Overall, it's a nice bar. It has a bottom floor with another bar and more seating + plus a projector screen. They have multiple TVs throughout. The main complaint I have here is there alcohol selction...it's weak! I'd have to go back on a regular day to probably have a more accurate assessment for the bar, because it's a lot of energy in there just due to the fights.
(4)A H.
I live pretty close to Karma and have been there multiple times. Its a great bar. The happy hour specials here are GREAT... definitely worth checking out when you're going to a happy hour. You won't be disappointed. Karma Tots are my favorite and they're only $5 during happy hour. They have a great Absolut selection which is perfect for me because I love a good flavored vodka drink. Not all of their food is stellar like the Karma Tots, but I've never had anything to complain about. Karma has a comedy show on some Friday nights and it is AWESOME. Such a creative idea to get people down into their lounge. I totally recommend checking it out if you're looking for something to do on a Friday night (and they are doing it). Reason for 4 stars instead of 5 -- I've been there a couple times when some of the waitresses/bartenders weren't very friendly. They just seem to be in a pissy mood for whatever reason. It makes a big difference when they're friendly and grateful for your business, but its not always like that. Still definitely worth going to for a drink though.
(4)Babs H.
Chicagoans, if you like Rockit Bar & Grill, this is right up your alley. Hate it? Then stay away because it's like Rockit's equally douchey twin brother. The food was good but there was so much Dave Matthews I wanted to hurl.
(3)Andrew J.
Pretty solid place. Love all the big TV's behind the bar. The mac and Cheese is very good. The other food I had was so-so.
(3)Anthony S.
Great neighborhood bar and grill under new management! Entirely new menu. If you like Mac & Cheese dishes, this is the place. Several interesting options. Quite an eclectic appetizer menu, too. I had the frickles (fried pickles) and the Duck Breast Tenders. Next time I am trying some Mac & Cheese; unless I get sucked into a burger entree. Several of the burgers look AMAZING! Bear Down!
(5)Jessica S.
I was in Milwaukee visiting friends last week when we decided to go watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and get some food. We started by calling Karma to see if there was a wait and the man on the other end responded, "No, but there will be." and proceeded to hang up the phone. We were slightly nervous at this point about what we might find at Karma in terms of customer service but ventured out anyway because it was a mere block away. We walked in and I was immediately in love with the huge, oversized dark wood booths and unique entry-way. The atmosphere and decor were really great. We made our way to the back of the restaurant and found a lone high-top table and waited 10 minutes to be acknowledged by a waitress. Now, granted they were super busy, but it would have been nice to at least known we had been seen. We were a group of 4 and after ordering a round of drinks, we waited (I kid you not) 20 minutes for her to come back and take our food order. We continued to keep forgetting about how long it took to talk to our waitress because she over-compensated every-time she was there, but it still sucked being without water or the side dipping sauce we asked for because she never checked back. The Olympic opening ceremonies were on every T.V. and it was great watching the event live. However, the music they were playing in Karma was soooooooo unbelievably loud and obnoxious that you could hardly enjoy the TV, let alone the people we were with. The pretzel rolls appetizer was really good and was finished quickly, and the spinach artichoke dip was also a hit. I had the fresh mozzarella panini and it was out-of-this world good. The food was really the saving grace of this place. Overall, the decor was cool and the food impressive, but the service was lackluster and the music volume was ridiculous.
(3)Brigitt P.
First time visiting Karma was before the Paul McCartney concert at Miller Park. The food was great and the service even better. There was even a shuttle bus to and from the concert! I will definitely visit again when in Milwaukee.
(5)Edward D.
Great place to watch the UFC fights! Good food as well!
(4)Linda K.
I really enjoy Karma. Great place. Pretzal rolls are amazing, so is the guac turkey sanwhich. The crowd is twenty somethings and some 30+. Good food, great for watching games or just getting a drink. Trivia on Thursdays is a blast too!
(4)M M.
I have been here several times, most recently for a friend's b-day down in the sutra lounge. I have enjoyed some of the food, the drinks and the overall atmosphere. I really liked the setup they had for my friend, especially since it was much quieter down there. That is the only thing I would caution people about when sitting upstairs. To me, it's really loud! I would love to watch a game there someday.
(3)Dan C.
I used to live a block from Karma and I can see where some of the reviewers are coming from. Some nights it would be dead, others it would be packed. No real reason why. Well, on Saturdays when the Badgers are playing, you can forget about even getting in the door, but on a Monday night, you can park your car in there. Kind of like the night in October 2007 when the Red Sox won the World Series and I was there to see it all....by myself...and two others at the end of the bar. That's ok. The food is great: burgers, pub food, etc. The service was better than average, IMO, and better than any other place in that area. If I remember correctly, they have Hitachi plasma TV's. The picture quality is unbelievable. So, next time there is a Badger or Packer game, head down there and get a great burger, a Miller Lite, and watch the game on a TV you can't afford....great stuff.
(3)Britney H.
Fish fry was not the best. Great pace to relax and great drinks
(3)Matthew H.
Good good but nothing amazing.
(3)Allyson C.
Everyone wants a neighborhood bar, right? Well Karma is the epitome of your reliable local joint with good drink specials and bar food. I wouldn't say their food is anything to write home about, but the drinks are ridiculously cheap. Where can you go to get $2 bombs followed by $2 beer? Perhaps a over-filled college place downtown, but Karma is spacious with lots of high-top tables, booths and flat screens accompanied by an underground lounge for dancing. Very clean and chill - great game day spot. It's starting to get cold in MKE, and I remember their oversized fireplace. I think I'll be venturing back for the start of basketball and the crackle of the fire. If you cozy up to the bartender, you're likely to get free drinks like my boyfriend and I did! What's not to love about free??
(4)Joe M.
Huge fan of Karma, I've only been there twice but both times the food and service were excellent. I had the Greek burger and the blue cheese chicken sandwich. Be sure to go on an evening when the Brewers are playing, free uv blue bombers for every dinger socked!!
(5)Marty S.
As the other reviewers have mentioned Karma is a sports bar that is typically empty. Curiously despite more often then not being empty they are very restrictive on seating and always have their booths "reserved"...that type of attitude might explain a large part of why the restaurant is normally empty. The lower level is the "Sutra Lounge" and is also the location of the bathrooms so don't get the impression that it's anything overly classy. Karma does seem to be effective at getting college alumni groups to host basketball and football viewing parties and I presume they offer all of them food and drink specials. I attended a Marquette away game viewing there recently and they had specials of $2 Miller products, $5 nachos, and $8 burgers. The Karma chicken nachos were alright. It was more pulled chicken then slices/chunks like you find at other places, non-stadium style cheese, multi-colored chips and a few chopped veggies tossed in. The nachos are by no means worth making a special trip to search out but if you happen to find yourself in the bar for a drink (or possibly Chipotle and Panera have really long lines that you don't want to wait in...) then they are worth a try.
(2)Kathleen H.
The service is too slow for me to be a regular customer. *The food: My roommate and I are borderline-obsessed with the spicy mac & cheese and pulled pork sandwiches. Nachos weren't a huge hit with our group, but everything else that anyone has ever ordered was good (burger, salad, pulled pork sandwich, etc). *The people/service: The service is what prevents me from going to Karma more often. It takes 15 minutes to get a drink order in, and then another 15 until our food orders are taken. I've learned to put food & drinks in all at once, but it still generally takes 30+ to get our food. Another 20 minutes to get the check after asking for it, etc. Very slow. *The price: In line with other bars in the area ($10-15 for an entree, drink prices vary). Great drink specials during Brewers games. *The atmosphere: As mentioned in other reviews, the crowd is hit or miss. Tends to be busier during Milwaukee/Marquette sporting events, but other times have been less crowded.
(2)Patrick M.
Ahhh Karma, I live across the street from Karma and have been frequenting it for the past two years. I love the place, decor, atmosphere etc. The positives are they have always had the cutest and nicest servers.....Meghan, Candace, Brita, Juliana, and have lost a few of my other favorites but continue to find talented and personable Servers....in addition the decor of the place is very nice and the food and drink prices are very reasonable. Karma continues to have one of the best happy hours in Milwaukee with its daily "double bubble" from 3-7 pm.....basically a "buy one get one free" on most any type of drink. I am a little disappointed that they removed the bottled beer from the double-bubble but who can complaign about getting pints of Fat Tire 2 fer 1? Or Kettle One presses 2 fer 1? The bartenders could have a little more pizzaz (except Lindsay) and it is hard to determine why some nights the place is packed and some nights it is empty....it is a great mix of college crowd up to 50 year olds.....very East Side.
(4)Myra M.
My sister and I happen to come in during trivia to grab a bite to eat. Understandably busy but it seemed like they only had one server for the entire restaurant. The food was good but the 3cheese macaroni tasted more like no cheese macaroni. We waited quite a while to get our boxes and check. She came over and asked if we wanted a box we said yes then she came back empty handed and asked if we wanted our checks, we did so she left, came back with our boxes then went to grab our check. It might not have been the servers fault but they should be scheduling more people on their known busy nights. I would come in again but waiting around is worse than unappetizing food to me.
(2)Taylor S.
Solid easy dinner choice. They have burgers and fries to tour hearts content and make every bit delicious.
(4)Andy K.
The menu now sports a half-dozen Mac & Cheese options along with more burger options. I've had the standard Mac & Cheese and Karma burger in the past and both are solid choices - perfect to split and share as dinner for two. True comfort food! Today I had the Popeye Mac for lunch. You can't go wrong by taking spinach and artichoke off the appetizer menu and throwing it in to standard mac & cheese, can you!? No. Way rich in flavor, but the portion is way too huge. Tortilla chips from the dip would have been a nice compliment vs. breadcrumbs that looked to have come out of a box. At $12.99, I've got lunch and dinner. Also note that you should check for deals to save a few bucks. I should have gotten the Yelp 5 for 10 deal as nearly $20 is too steep for lunch.
(4)Kelsey S.
Karma is one of my favorite happy hour spots. Since it goes until 7pm Monday-Thursday, it's a little more generous time-wise than other locales. $1 off taps (and they have a decent selection) and $2 off apps (also good selection). I think the food has improved a lot over the years. The portions are generous and the menu accommodates a lot of tastes. I've recently tried the mac 'n' cheese (they have a whole menu section for this) and the Local Yolk burger (bacon, cheddar, fried egg) and they were both total hits. Lots of customization options for sandwich breads/buns, burger types, and sides. Friendly for carnivores and vegetarians alike. Prices typically are in the $9-11 range. The only thing that confuses me about this place is the basement lounge. The restrooms are downstairs, so you have the pass the lounge to get to them. I've walked in on some really awkward open mic comedy nights... like, small silent crowd staring blankly at a floundering comedian awkward. I don't know. Just odd. Other than that, two thumbs up! Also, they have a Brewers shuttle if that's your thing. You do need to make some purchase for a wristband, but it seems pretty popular. Also, they host trivia two nights a week. Basically, just go to Karma.
(4)Roya B.
Ate/drank at Karma before the Brewers game, got a wristband and took the shuttle from the bar to Miller Park with the intention of taking the shuttle back after the game to retrieve my car. After the game ended, we walked out to the shuttle buses and there was no bus for Karma. I called and the bartender informed me that their bus had just left the park so would be back in 20 minutes, but to call if the bus was not there in 25. We called back in 25 minutes when there was no bus, and she said that the shuttle left Karma and should be there in 10. I told the group of people waiting that the bus would be there shortly. After 15 minutes, no bus and I call again. The bartender said that the bus driver should be there shortly. Everyone is confused as Karma is no greater than 15 minutes away, and there is no traffic as it is 11:30 at night. I call again, and the bartender snapped on me and said that I literally called 3 minutes ago (no, it was 6) and said she would call the bus driver. She called me back and said that it would be another 10 minutes. After 15 minutes, the group of people waiting gave up and we all took the last cab to the bar. No bartender ever called me to tell me that the shuttle driver arrived and was waiting for us, so I assume it never showed. Never again.
(1)Sean B.
I truly have enjoyed coming here during football games or other reasonably big sporting events when my wife's nursing schedule has her sleeping in our loft. Service is great then, plenty of TVs and staff busting their butts. Food I order is consistently good, with a couple flavorful little tweaks from pub grub available, and enough just enough drink specials to keep all happy. I can spend hours here without seriously denting the wallet. Service during normal times has been suspect. Not under staffed, but much higher chance my drink will remained unfilled, or food delivered in a damn quick succession even when asked if want the entree right away or later. The lack of focus to serving someone a drink at a bar seat when the place is half empty has amazed me a couple times. And a gripe of my last visit: why o' why would they purposely turn off ALL the TVs' close captioning (at least they do show multiple events) a COUPLE HOURS b4 the main event. I don't care how addictive the tater tots may be, Sports Center, Poker, the games not being broadcast over the speakers, and the like, need CC. Can I further bold ALL the TVs? Despite the normal time issues which keeps the rating to just average, still a worthy chance I use Karma to host a fantasy football draft when I next have hosting duties, as groups are in their wheelhouse.
(3)Haley S.
I went to the Wednesday open Mic Comedy Night. Way more comedians than I could have even imagined! IT WAS SO FUN! Will definitely be returning to more of these events. Awesome atmosphere in the basement. I had a few drinks. Pricing seemed average for the area. I didn't try the food. But I saw someone with a plate of wings. And I was drooling looking at them. I also think I may have met my soulmate at your bar last night. So that is some good Karma.
(5)Pamela M.
I've been to many events at karma, multiple different group events with various organizations - for that I give 4-5 stars because they are so accommodating for all of these parties and gatherings! The staff is always very nice! Another great reason for 4-5 stars. This is a great place to watch most sporting events. And at least they had the UFC fight on! I don't understand why more places in Mke don't. The pay-per-view investment is nothing compared to customer spending. Yet, Karma was over-packed, under-staffed and down right dangerous at times when you could not literally get through or when a couple of dunk idiots were rude and trying to steal other peoples seats who claimed their spots a long before said drunk idiots decided they really wanted a seat (word to the wise: show up earlier than after the fights start if a seat is important to you). The food very much left something to be desired and the bloody mix out of a bottle. Cheese sticks are touted as wonton wrapped, which should mean crunch but they were stubby, bready and not very good. The chili had a decent spice but I wouldn't order it again. It was too salty or tomatoey, or maybe it was just the residual overly salty bloody mary bottled mix that messed up my palate. Fresh and tasty bar food is much appreciated! I had the hummus platter here once before and it was good so they are not completely lost when it comes to tolerable foods. But sometimes I need more sustenance. They could definitely make a little room to improve. And also Karma -- figure it out. Mid it's a major sporting event (1) and you're one of the few place people can go (2) -- staff fully including security, allow in what's safe and manageable, add more servers bartenders, open the downstairs bar. C'mon people. Thanks, Ari for the comment. I still really like Karma. Please keep testing and rotating the food, keep it simple and fresh. The downstairs needs more than one server when it's packed and the bar should be fully open down there for ALL drinks. I know that I will be back!
(4)Nana H.
As long as lived in Wisconsin i've never been to a fish fry as much as I pass by I decided to come here, and I really didn't feel like cooking. I decided to try the all you can eat option. I was given the choice of Baked cod or fried cod I went with the baked option. I really didn't enjoy the meal; the fries were dry and bland, I had to season the cod with salt. Maybe I should have gone McDonald's this was a waste of money for me. I really didn't feel like tipping. I should have stayed home and had leftovers NEVER AGAIN.
(1)J W.
First time eating here and probably the last. Got the cheese curds which were par for the course and the brisket sandwich with mac and cheese. The brisket was beyond dry and the sandwich as a whole was pretty tasteless, but was a flavor of explosion compared to the mac and cheese. Even a ton of salt and pepper did little to fix it. The extra star is for our server who was super sweet.
(2)Carrie G.
I had not been here for a long time. And apparently amid little fanfare a few years ago they changed their ownership. I wish I would have known that because I was relatively unimpressed in their early years, but today's Karma is much different and deserves a look. The ambiance is classy-ish and slightly upscale sports bar, but the tv's and jerseys on the wall make it clear; you want to be here for the game 'cause that's serious business. On a recent football Sunday, the Packers appeared on about 85% of available screens. But other regional games took up another 10% and a courtesy nod was even given to the completely-eliminate-from-the-playoffs-but-Âhometown-nonetheless-Brew Crew and their hapless play was captured on one screen on each wall. We started with the requisite bloody marys, which are offered in many sizes with a variety of topping options. But go big or go home and pay the $12 for the pictured signature drink pictured below and you'll forgo appetizers because they are all in your glass. For me it's always been about the mix and Karma has that covered, and covered well. A rich flavor radiates from the tomato base, but not so rich that's it's overwhelming or smoky (as happens too often). There's a hint of garlic and horseradish and a tinge of celery salt that all blends together very well. The pretzel dinner roll garnish is unique and welcome but a bit dry, it may be better served sliced open and honey buttered. Simply put, my entree was fantastic! I ordered the Turkey Squawk ($11). Sliced turkey, guacamole, an omelette egg patty, cheddar cheese and bacon were panini pressed on a ciabatta roll dressed with chipotle mayo. The roll was fresh and light, the mayo was well balanced. The egg was perfectly cooked and the turkey, bacon and cheddar were real and fresh. The sandwich was huge and it took more than a half of the football game for me to finish but it was so worth it. It was a pure symphony of great flavors! Service was also excellent. We arrived early and settled into one of the large U-shaped booths. Our server was attentive and cheery and didn't seem to mind George T's bad jokes, always a bonus. After this visit Karma quickly moved from nowhere-on-my-radar to a go-to-spot-for-big-games. And for brunch and perhaps even a fish fry too!
(4)George T.
Lions Stephen Tulloch knows what Karma is all about. He won't be celebrating on any QB sacks for the year. Torn ACL. We came out here for UYE unofficial Yelp event. Looking back I probably haven't reviewed it place in two or three years it's overdue. Sat at a booth service was good. Bloody Mary was a good special. Although they ran out of Malort. I still ordered a beer and shot for $7. Still a good deal. The lions packer game was on and we enjoyed the effort. I wasn't sure if anyone was interested In watching the Vikings game. But A few of us would have liked watching the brewer ball game at this time. But server wasn't sure if she could change it boo. -1. Besides that she checked on us well. Food: 5 Amb 3 Ser: 3 Location 5 good Parking lot and near the house. Value 4 83/2014
(4)Jennifer R.
Karma deserves an outstanding update. Over the past two years I've watched my favorite neighborhood pub evolve into an outstanding venue, offering something awesome for everyone. I've had some tremendous food and lots of fun along the way! Let's dial into the highlights: --Food. Oh my gosh. Delicious. Burgers that go with a side of anything. My favorites are the Patty Melt and the Mushroom N Swiss. Sweet Potato Fries with garlic-ginger aioli. Karma Tots with a cheesy ranch sauce and bacon. You'd be remiss however if you fail to try their Friday Fish Fry (the most perfectly seasoned baked fish in town, served on a bed of spinach for the fresh factor), or their appetizers (what sports bar has bacon-stuffed mushrooms? Karma!) the mac n cheese, or any of the other sandwiches. Tuesday night tacos are not to be missed...at least five different kinds (recently Beef, Chicken, Pork, Shrimp and Chorizo) for $2 each and you can add rice and beans to make it a plate. Finally, TRY THE BRUNCH. I recently enjoyed the Monte Cristo which I swear was as big as my head and had a side of this decadent berry sauce and mustard with a kick....mmm. The Creme Brulee Baked Oatmeal was, well...in a word, divine. The caramelized sugar crust on top of a thick layer of vanilla custard covering a layer of creamy yet firm baked oatmeal? Amazing. --Service. Outstanding. These people hustle hard and serve with a smile. I was there for one of the Wisconsin NCAA playoff games with a group of 10. Our waitress was at our beck and call despite the fact that the place was jammed. And at the end of the night she cheerfully handed each of us individual checks. Wow. Just...Wow! Consistently, the staff are some of the friendliest I've met and make me feel right at home when I fly solo. --Entertainment. It never stops. If the tons of TVs don't pull you into any of a multitude of sporting events (evidenced by the Chicago Black Hawks on one screen and the Brewers on another recently), you can always try your hand at their wildly popular Trivia nights (also on Sundays) and their comedy nights in the Sutra Lounge. They even bring in live music from time to time, so there's always something fun in the moment. --Free shuttles. Need a ride to the Brewers Game or Summerfest? Karma's got you covered in style. This year they have wait staff to serve you drinks so pretty much, your every need is covered. Gotta love that! --Atmosphere. This place has good bones. It's in the building that used to house the legendary John Ernst Cafe, maintaining the awesome brick fireplace as a nice element. The booths are huge and perfect for hanging with friends while you catch a game. Or bringing in family for a celebration. And there's a patio in back. That's about all I got. oh - you gotta try it yourself. Go already!
(5)Nicole H.
I was already a Karma fan after the Halloween party a few years ago, but we spent most of Wisconsin's March Madness run here and it served us so, so well. The crowds were big, but the servers kept on it. We had full glasses and full bellies and correct checks at the end of the night, which is really as best you can hope for with a jam-packed house! Brunch is so tasty and goes late on Sunday. The drink specials weren't for me, but looked pretty nice during game days. The mac and cheese was as good the next day when I had the leftovers for lunch. It's ooey-gooey, comes in huge portions and so, so satisfying. They have a lot and plenty of near-by street parking. It was a great "sports bar" atmosphere for the games without so much of the dude-bro, can't move without getting goosed, only here for the MGD crowd.
(4)Rachel F.
I'm just going to go ahead and say it: Karma is damn underrated and it's all their location's fault. Situated between East Town-ish, East Pointe-ish, East Side-ish and Downtown, it's sort of, well... in the middle of everything, quietly. The food - comprised primarily of comfort food/classic American bar fare - is always done well. Their menu is seriously extensive, too. This is a great place to catch the(e) game of your choosing. They also rock some pretty serious bar specials. The ownership is really invested in doing something special here. Real talk: If I had one complaint about my experiences at Karma, it would be to say that the service has been spotty. I've worked with great folks and experienced amazing, on point service at Karma, but I've also experienced somewhat scattered/inconsistent service while sitting at the bar. I'm never quite sure what to expect on that tip. This place is pretty damn great despite that one little gripe, however. I encourage you to go with an open mind if you've never been and you're looking for a fun spot to watch the game with friends, or are simply just looking for killer mac 'n cheese, burgers, bar apps, great drinks, etc. Also, I guess they have brunch now? This excites me as well.
(4)Kelly B.
I had been here a couple times previously (one for the zombie event and couple times for mac n cheese), but I was not aware that they participated in stand-up comedy. I spoke with the owner and he said it is a regular thing. Stand-up was in the basement, for a $10 a head cover charge. That's spendy. I ordered a vodka press and was impressed with the good pour. Joe just got a Riverwest Stein. They said we could eat down there which was good. We split the housemade hummus platter which included celery, pepper strips, pita triangles, tomatoes, and cucumbers. The hummus was nice and thick with a great taste - I thought it was really great. There were about 7 high top tables and some chairs set up as well as a couch "for the comedians", but everyone sat there. There were four comedians, and one headliner. The 'openers' were great and friendly, but the headliner was absolutely TERRIBLE. He was crass and rude, and kept going into personal laughing fits then insulting the venue "I can't believe I'm effin performing in this trashy basement". He would ask the audience questions and then heckle us, I actually ended up leaving my seat to finish out his set in safety at the bar. I was nervous when I could get up without him harassing me. At the bar I spoke with the owner, who agreed that he was "very rough". I would go back, but not for comedy night. The hummus proves that there is talent in the back of the house, but I am not interested in paying an extra $10 to be made to feel uncomfortable.
(3)Jan H.
Great bar food. Great atmosphere. The table service needs a lot of improvement. If you can flag down a server it's well worth the aggravation.
(4)Stephen M.
I know that I've written a review for this place before, but I have no idea where it went. I'm pretty sure it was in the 3-4 star range based on services rendered over the bar. I do recall liking the savory mac n' cheese as well as the nachos here. Beer pricing was decent, and they do a great job with finding the sports you want to watch on their many tv's. Unfortunately, this update come after checking them out for a UFC fight. I'm ecstatic that they show the fights...truly. But I joined two friends who had gotten there earlier and staked out a table. If they hadn't, I'd be one of the many people that must've been over the firecode packed in every standing room space possible. Add the very limited mobility to what seemed like a criminal negligence in staffing levels, and I was unable to get a thing from the sole server who was left to fend for herself in the lower seating area, even after I stopped her and placed an order. The option was there to go through the mass of guys surrounding the bar, but it made more sense to drink the beer that my friend ordered and didn't want than to hope that I could somehow get a beer and return before a five round match ended. Verdict? Don't think I'll come back for UFC fights or other major events. If you've got a hometown fighter in the main event match and you staff like it's a Monday lunch crowd, then you must be rich leaving all that money in your patron's pockets. I'm not in a rush to get to this corner of the neighborhood normally, but this is one less draw.
(2)Jen M.
Since my last review I HAVE become a regular. Wednesday night build your own mac and cheese night is super fun. And the best thing (this has been a bugaboo of mine, regarding other establishments that are not so nice about it, or refuse to do it at all): I went for lunch at Karma with a large group of co-workers on a weekday last week , and our waitress not only agreed to give each of us a separate check but did so VERY CHEERFULLY. I'm a committed fan.
(5)Janelle M.
I've completely changed my tune about this place. I had an all-around great experience here last night. My boyfriend and I were tired and hungry, and just wanted to grab a bite before binging on Netflix. We walked in and sat at the bar, only to find out that all taps are $2 during Happy Hour! Yes, that includes Lakefront. Awesome. We placed our order, and I really went off the rails. I mean, I'm a total daredevil. Instead of getting my standard black bean burger, I got beef. And fries. Crazy Friday night. I ordered the Black & Bleu burger and Bryan ordered The Burner burger (it's spicy, not burnt). I ordered it medium rare and it was actually medium rare, which never happens. Also, GET THE PRETZEL BUN. It's not hard and weird like the ones in the grocery store, it's soft and soaks up the juices from the burger in the best way. Not to mention you get WAFFLE fries, which the menu doesn't specify...that's one heck of a Valentine's weekend surprise. There was also a guy playing guitar and singing in the corner, and he was pretty darn good. It was nice to listen to him as opposed to trying to yell over bar music, which is usually the case on a Friday night. I completely overlooked Karma the first time I visited, and I'll definitely be back to take advantage of their burger lunch specials during the week.
(4)Ian P.
Here's a lesson, straight from the owner of Karma Bar & Grill: "Owning an independent restaurant in a city is all about Karma... it's all about how hard you work, how hard you try, and how much effect your efforts have on the community." Anyone who's visiting or in the area owes it to themselves to throw down their hunger here. I revisited Karma Bar & Grill today and here's the deal; just about everything on this menu calls for a riot. They've got house smoked meats, a killer six-cheese customizable mac n' cheese, homemade soups, daily deals, and their recipes are the exact type of homegrown food you want from a restaurant - for the right price. They are the comfort bar. The drink specials are cheap, the food is consistent and good, and the staff, although sometimes a little forgetful, hustle for their customers. This bar shines the best for their special events, their live music, and how accommodating the staff is. When you want 5 or 6 people to tail along, and not spend an arm and a leg on good food and drinks, this is where you head. If you read some of the other reviews, anyone can see that this is a well-loved place. What really earns Karma their rating however, is their awesome brunch menu and the sheer number of events and specials they have for their customers. I don't get why anyone would want to spend their money on the establishments next door when you've got a place like this right down the street.
(4)Eric M.
The mac n cheese makes the review a 4* minimum. Stopped there (for my first night living in Milwaukee!) to watch game 1 of the Stanley Cup at the bar and was struggling between a mac n cheese fish and a burger, so I got both and a couple pints. I occasionally overeat. And by occasionally I mean often. Judge me. I got a "side" of mac n cheese which turned into a rather sizeable boat. Highly recommend getting a side of buffalo sauce to mix in. I almost wish it were my main meal because, really, they have a section for just mac n cheese. I should have known. The local yolk burger was alright, but overcooked for medium rare. Their sweet potato fries were very, very tasty. They know how to season them for sure. I wish I had enough room to finish them. If I had to knock on service, the only thing I would say is that even though my credit card was used as a tab, I would have liked seeing an itemized receipt with my charge. Otherwise I thought the bartender did a solid job. I will be coming back!
(4)Mina B.
Nice staff, good food and fun atmosphere! I've only come on Tuesday's for the $2 tacos and $3 margaritas and have always been seated right away which is a nice change from bel air. However you don't get chips or rice and beans like you do at bel air unless you get a $10 platter. Plus side they have a parking lot along with live music, trivia and comedy nights
(4)Sherry L.
Our new place for wings. There's another neighborhood bar (which will remain un-named) that has been a go-to wing place for years, but Karma has knocked them out of 1st Place as far as we're concerned. They offer tasty options (buffalo, bbq, szechwan, sweet chili, and honey) and will mix up the flavors for you if you like - the sweet chili ROCKS! The best part, they will take to-go orders anytime. You would think that should go without saying, but try that in "the other place". Their prices are very reasonable, the service more than friendly, and the atmosphere relaxed (beautiful fireplace near the entrance). HUGE booths if you have a large party. It's a great east-side, relaxed-dining option!
(5)David P.
I'm giving a 5 star review for one reason and one reason only. The owner/manager's response to Nana H's review. I tried to see the response here in the reviews, but for some reason it did not follow the original review. Fortunately, I had seen it elsewhere, and I sincerely hope it goes viral. In short, if the food is half as good as the owner seems to take pride in along with the dedicated kitchen manager, then this place has to be good. I only wish I lived close enough to try it. There appears to be a very high set of standards here which the owner is proud of. This is always a good sign. 98% of the time, it indicates to me that the owner will care about each dish coming out of the kitchen and do their best to make sure it is up to their standards. This leads me to think that they put out some pretty darn good food. From what I could tell, the owner is willing to make things right if they're not up to a guest's liking or personal standards. The KM is hardworking and dedicated. The food seems to have a wide variety of selection and seasonings to accommodate almost anyone. The only detriment that I can find to the whole place is that they seem to be Packer fans, but that is a matter of personal taste, so this Bears fan will let it slide. They have waiter/waitress service which is always a good thing. But please be sure to tip, unlike the cheapskate who left no tip because she didn't like the food. (Duh lady, the waitress didn't actually do the cooking). It's incredibly ironic that this restaurant is named Karma. It will surely someday come back as a real bitch-slap to Ms. Nana H. In short, I would strongly recommend this place and would love to go, someday, and hopefully will.
(5)Bartleby F.
It was only my second visit and the first time was probably three years ago. Do not believe the daily lunch special they advertise. There is no 2-for-1 lunch option, it's just the $6.50 burger basket. The burger basket is totally worth the price. The waffle (or cottage) fries were fantastic and the burgers are cooked to order. They're not spectacular, but they are a hell of a deal for $6.50. Devon was bartending and the woman was amazing. She was flying solo and there was a group of 20 people plus at least another 15 scattered throughout. The woman was busy and hurried and yet she still managed to smile and be friendly. (There are a lot of bartenders and waitresses/waiters in this city that can't be arsed to smile at you on a slow day).
(3)Ilana O.
The place: crowded, loud, pretty good service. Gets packed for trivia, but I mean, where else can you feel like a rock star for spelling "obnoxious" correctly? The taste: apps- typical bar apps, but solid. Love the black bean burger dressed just like a meat burger. Everything I've had at karma has tasted pretty good. My face: pleasantly surprised, especially with the first bite... And the last bite of the skillet cookie. The happy hour specials are pretty good too- and there is a foursquare and yelp special that you can get to save some dough. Dinner for 2 usually sets me back $40.
(4)Syd Q.
Food was great, service was terrible. We waited for 25 minutes before the first person asked us if we wanted menus. Took another fifteen minutes to bring the menu by along with water. The environment is great but overall experience was affected by wait time. Poor communication amongst staff, various items from our orders were missing. Waitresses seemed pretentious.
(2)Liz Z.
I can't believe I've never reviewed Karma. I love this place. YOU will love this place. Karma is the standard by which all other bar & grills should be measured. Truly. Yes, it's located in a shopping center and I think that's why it sometimes gets overlooked. BUT I promise you, as soon as you walk through the doors, you will forget you're not in the heart of the nightlife district. The space is big without being impersonal, and the lighting makes it even a little cozy which is a welcome departure from your typical badly over-lit sports bar. Speaking of cozy, you MUST check out the lounge in the basement. Home to music and events (including a killer comedy show 2 Fridays per month, and an open mic every Wednesday), the lounge has a bar that is fully stocked and staffed, so you don't need to run upstairs for anything. Karma has all of the elements that make a good bar/grill great: *Easy parking *Awesome food (I especially love the burgers) *Generous portions *Great drink specials *Comedy shows, parties, and other fun events All of those things are outstanding, but what makes Karma really shine is the staff. Whenever I go to Karma, the service is the best I have ever had--anywhere. Seriously. Accommodating, friendly, and attentive servers and bartenders who all take pride in their establishment and also seem to genuinely like one another. They're a cohesive, playful team and you can feel it in the already-outstanding atmosphere. I heart you, Karma. Never change.
(5)Brad K.
I've been to Karma several times and each experience has been different. If this place is consistent on something, it's inconsistency. The one thing that's usually consistent is the below average service. Like the last time I went, when our server was talking with friends and I had to walk over for the bill. Something you usually can count on at Karma is slow service. The food, however, is inconsistent. Their Mac & Cheese plates are massive, low-priced, and delicious. They even have the breadcrumbs sprinkled across the top (rare for a sports bar). The rest of their food is either hit or miss. And the rest of their specials are either good or terrible. 6 wings and a pitcher of Miller Lite for $15? That's a deal? I'd rather buy 15 packs of gum and have fresh breath for months. The seating is unique and definitely an important factor in the enjoyment of your experience. The have cool U shaped booths that can fit around 8 people. Fun for groups, but somewhat hard to see the TVs way across the room. The high tables in the middle are closer to the TVs but uncomfortable. The patio out back is money in the summer but you're view is of people grocery shopping. The downstairs is cool but neglected. All and all, this place is a cool place to have mac n cheese and watch a game. But they should remove that stupid scoreboard that doesn't work and put a projection screen, or something.. Keep in mind that Karma is also a Nebraska bar, so during a Nebraska game you might want to steer clear. Also, the "Mystery Beer" bucket is awesome. 5 beers for $10, and a lot of them are MKE Brewing Company or that caliber (but maybe expired?).
(3)Marie D.
Seems like this might be a bit of a hidden gem of a sports bar. The location is kind of random (near the East Pointe plaza) and I have to say, the logo caused me to unfairly & incorrectly judge what this place is all about (it kind of looks like a tattoo parlor or biker-ish logo? my friends thought I was nuts when I articulated this, but either way, assumed this place might not be my scene) We met up with friends who had chosen the place - and was super pleasantly surprised. The bar is quite nice, a big back patio, a solid basement situation, and a million TVs perfect for watching a Packers game. Our server was really great -- we stayed for a whole Packers game, and he was quite attentive throughout, working hard & never neglecting us. II brought in Starbucks for a mid-game pick-me-up (I know, I know, I was judging myself) and instead of being sour about it, he was really nice. He even said he could take the trash even though I insisted I would take it out myself & throw it away. I didn't eat any food, but the rest of the group really enjoyed their burgers/tatertot nacho (?!) situations.
(4)Rick R.
I had not been to Karma since the ownership change, and I needed a casual gathering place for a few friends in that area, so it was time to go back. The menu had so many great looking items, I struggled with what to order and already started thinking about how soon I could get back to try what I didn't order that night. It's a very frustrating feeling. No, really. On my first visit, I started with the Almond Crusted Duck Tenders. I mean how could I not order something with that name? They were so delicious! Crispy and tasty crust, tender and delicious duck meat, and served with a delicious sweet chili dipping sauce. I passed the platter around to my friends and they all concurred. For my entree, I decided on the Texas Beef Brisket sandwich with a side of mac n cheese. The brisket was tender and had a nice smokey flavor to it. It WAS smoked, after all. I asked for the BBQ sauce on the side so I could taste the meat. I later added some sauce and was very pleased with the balance of sweet and savory. The mac n cheese didn't hit the mark for me on this visit. Based on the description, I was expecting the 6-cheese blend with pasta shells to be topped with a layer of bread crumbs and then baked. What arrived looked like it was cooked stove-topped and there weren't many bread crumbs at all. On another visit, I ordered the Local Yolk Burger that caught my eye on the first visit. I'm a big fan of fried eggs on top of a burger, especially when accompanied by bacon. Other restaurants offer this type of burger, but few deliver the quality I experienced at Karma. The burger patty was perfectly cooked to order, juicy and well-seasoned. The burger to bun ratio was right on in my opinion. I cut the burger in half to make it more manageable and also to break the yolk and let it flow. AWESOME! The ginger aioli dipping sauce for the sweet potato fries was incredible. Again, lots of places serve sweet potato fries, each seems to have it's own idea of the best dipping sauce. Some hit the mark. Some don't even offer a dipping sauce (gasp!). The ginger aioli is my favorite so far. There are still MANY other items on the Karma menu that I want to try, so I look forward to future visits.
(4)Jerry M.
I have been here at least a dozen times and the food and service has gotten progressively worse and worse. So bad this time it has inspired me to write the yelp. I may stop here again for a beer but I will not be eating there again.
(1)Damon R.
I was able to go back to Karma over the weekend to view the Jones Vs Sonnen fight.I must say that I was very pleased with Karma.I had heard that the menu was changed and that there were somethings different and i should give it another try. That I did. I wanted to give Karma a 4.5 only thing that made the .5 fall short was the fact that it can get a bit crowded and its a little small. Besides that the fact that the prices and the food have got a facelift, gives me reason to give them 4 stars which is actually 4.5 I got to karma a little after 8pm which was good because i would beat the rush of people who would come, yes they did come. I order a platter of boneless chicken wings which were excellent. They actually had french fries this time which is something that was not on the menu last time, only tater tots. The night went well. I ordered a couple of shots, didn't want any mixed drinks this time around. The shots were reasonably priced and served chilled which was great. The waitstaff was excellent as well. Now the people started to pour in and it was expected. I sat in the booth same as i did last time. An obvious upgrade were the sizes of the TV and the position because it was not hard to see even with people moving and standing around. As for that, there were people standing in front of the tables which is not desired. However these people were not rude and moved when asked. Thanks to the position of the tv's i could see with no prob. The owner actually addressed the people standing in front of the TV's. The owner is a class act from what i could see and he wasnt a guy that was trying to let you know that you were in his joint. Laid back observing, trying to make sure everyone had a good time. Now thats my kinda guy. The owner was very attentive and aware of what was going on. He made sure that everyone had a excellent evening. I read the specials and the weekly events and i saw that Karma has Sunday karaoke with free shots of vodka i think for the singers! I didnt know this before, perhaps it is new, perhaps it is not either way i will indulge in a little drunken Justin Timberlake cry me a river on a sunday night. You should come to! Hell have a drink or three i aint paying for them!
(4)Kevin P.
Stopped here with friend for the NBA Finals Game. I've been here plenty of times over the years and it's always a good time. Great food, service, and atmosphere! We had the boneless wings with honey sriracha sauce and tots...delicious.
(5)Amy B.
Me and a group of friends went in tonight for trivia. We have played trivia at a number of locations around the city, this was one of the greatest experiences we have had (we lost by a landslide). We sat at a table and our waitresses Michelle and Kasey were both very attentive and entertaining. They provided us with great advice on both the drink and food menu. Both were prompt and on point. I especially enjoyed the jalapeño infused vodka and the nacho app! You can definitely tell both are made in house with tons of TLC and attention. I'll be back again for trivia and to try the fish fry!
(5)Gina L.
This is my favorite bar in Milwaukee, and I lived downtown for 4 years. Fantastic service, homemade food, and the best games always on. Can you ask for more? Burgers and tots...do it! Also the turkey guac panini, and pretzel rolls are the bomb!
(5)David H.
Had a kick a** meal again here last night. Amazing Karma burger and delicious hummus. Love the never ending piles of veggies.... again.... #Tremendous
(5)Jason B.
Ari runs a tight ship. I've never had anything come out of the kitchen of Karma that didn't leave me extremely happy. Their Cuban sandwich is outta this world, but my all time fav their is the Buffalo Macaroni and Cheese (hold the blu cheese). It's ridiculous. Actually, I take that back, their breakfast burrito is my favorite. Nevermind. Just go there and eat. You're welcome.
(5)Regina S.
Great everything! Couldn't be happier with the atmosphere, service, food, and beverage! The appetizers are awesome and Karma is the perfect place for a lunch or dinner meeting, and they even have a venue space you can rent for your events!
(5)Lauren D.
I'm giving 5 starts for no reason other than the owner's response to Nana's half-wit review. If he cares that much about a Yelp review, imagine how much care and work he puts into his restaurant. If I ever visit Milwaukee, this will be the first place I go; hopefully to have a beer with the owner.
(5)Nick F.
Stopped here on a Sunday evening as my fiance was in the mood for "good mac n cheese" so i jumped on Yelp and this place came highly rated for mac&cheese, We drove downtown from the Menomonee Falls area, and went in. Pretty neat bar/restaurant. Good atmosphere, a large variety of TV's with various sporting events on. The service was great, the waitress was friendly and very helpful. We got the Karma tot's as a starter, and they were GREAT! could easily come here to hang out and engulf a plate of those without thinking twice. I ordered the Triple Decker sandwich (Ham&Turkey) It was a good typical club/decker sandwich. nothing out of the world but solid and a good portion. Those came with fries that were equally good. My fiance got the Basic Mac & Cheese with bacon and that was very good well worth the bit of a drive. We both enjoyed our meal abet a bit pricey for a sandwich & Fries, tater tots and some mac & Cheese and 1 Soda is was $35 + Tip. But we enjoyed it so i think we will be back again. *UPDATE* Came back on the 18th as my fiance was craving the karma tots and mac & Cheese. Her order was the same, this time i got the Local Yolk (Fried Egg/Bacon Cheeseburger) I ordered mine with a scrambled egg it was great! Still haven't been let down! **UPDATE** After coming to Karma more and more often, i love this place so i'm bumping it up to 5 stars, The Local Yolk cheeseburger with pepper jack cheese, the Karma Tots, the Mac n Cheese, the Pretzels, one of my favorite places in Milwaukee, Well worrth driving down from the falls.
(5)Sami J.
Was in town for a concert and we stopped here for a quick lunch. Our group split the cheese curds which were good, but small (more breading, less cheese). I had the Local Yolk hamburger which was pretty good but not fantastic. It didn't come with any toppings (ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc..). Everyone's else's thoughts were "eh" as well. Nothing overwhelming about the food, but hey, it's a bar so we didn't have the highest expectations. One thing I found really cool for the bar (that would bring me back) is that there is a huge sectional sofa downstairs in front of a projection/big screen tv (can't remember which). Great for watching games. They have a patio out back as well but it wasn't open yet when we were there. If you're looking for a good place to watch a game, this is it. Lots of TVs, tables, booths, etc... Don't forget to check in or check out the yelp deals. We got a discount on our lunch for doing so.
(3)Angie O.
I really like Karma. It's one of those places that I've been to multiple times over the past several years, and when I leave I say to myself "I want to come here more often." After the awesome Yelp Zombie Apocalypse party, I'm pretty sure Karma will now be in our rotation of places we frequent. This is a two-level bar & grill. The upstairs is the primary dine and drink area. There is plentiful seating at the bar, tables, and booths and many tvs to watch your favorite sporting event. The party room and another bar are located downstairs. You can rent out the downstairs space for private parties, I've been to several and they are always awesome!! The employees provide excellent service and are very friendly. Drink prices are fair, and the specialty cocktails are creative and delicious! There is no need to worry about finding street parking in this relatively busy part of town because Karma has a parking lot. I also have to note how clean this establishment is; lately I've been noticing how clean (or dirty) places are and I really appreciate the cleanliness of the bar area and bathrooms. Great job Karma!! I definitely look forward to coming back and trying one of the specialty mac & cheese dishes and a burger :)
(4)Amanda C.
We stopped in here after going to the Lakefront Brewery, they give you a coupon for a free beer before 6p.m. My friend and I were on our way from Chicago to Green Bay and after the brewery needed a bite to eat as well. Our bartender was very nice and attentive. We ordered the pretzel rolls with the cheese and honey mustard sauce (no cinnamon sauce), they were delicious! Perfect compliment to the beer from Lakefront.
(4)Charlie K.
Had the mac and cheese with grilled chicken and it was great. Quick and friendly service. Would definitely come here again.
(4)Rachelle S.
My friends and I found this place looking to eat on a rainy night. Wow! Their cheese curds are mouthwatering!!! I can't get enough of them. Great food and staff. I keep coming back
(5)Kyler O.
Living a couple blocks away I frequent Karma about once a month and have never had a bad experience. For Bar food Karma definitely sets the bar high with a unique menu that can fulfill just about any palates needs. I always find myself gravitating towards to Mediterranean veggie wrap with chicken(side of sweet potato fries) always hits the spot. The mac and cheese never dissapoints either if you are looking to indulge. Most Recent Visit: Stopped in here last night to watch the Badger basketball game with a fairly large group. Our waitress was very attentive, kept the drinks flowing and kept a smile on her face.
(4)Stephanie L.
We came tonight for the UFC fights. The place was standing room only. We still got our Drinks and food in a very timely manner. Our servers name was candy and she was awesome. She was smiling the whole time.
(5)Kathleen B.
Came here with our free token from Lakefront Brewery. The cheese curds were better than I expected! Nice little neighborhood to walk around during fall.
(3)Laura Z.
Karma is really nothing special, but it nonetheless holds a special place in my heart. It is your typical sports bar with lots and lots of TVs, including some on the outdoor patio. During sporting events it is packed to the brim, but otherwise is nearly empty. Also popular is team trivia. I used to go fairly regularly on Thursday and would recommend it. The food here is up and down. The menu is actually quite inventive (for bar food), but the quality of the final product is very inconsistent. I threw a party in the basement before and it was the perfect setup. Private but spacious and your own private bar. I highly recommend as a party venue. Oh and last but not least, I took the shuttle to summer fest from karma once. It was a pretty nice setup. Karma- it's nothing special but is a reliable old friend that always pulls through at the important times.
(3)Steven P.
I still stand by my A-ok. But that's not completely a bad thing. Karma still does a lot well and I think they've got a lot of good things going for them. I wanted to write this update simply because I had a great experience talking to the owner at a Yelp event back in May. The owner, Ari, who recognized me from my first review, pulled me aside and was super willing to talk about my dining and other experiences. I really appreciated the care that he showed in making improvements with his staff as well as the food variety they offer. I can't say many people are willing to take kind of feedback. I'm 100% positive that if you don't have a good experience here, your voice will be heard and considered. Pass it on! On that note... Pulled pork. Mac and cheese. Sweet potato fries. Try it all. But don't expect it to make you feel healthy. It's definitely good but comfort food.
(3)Julia R.
I have been coming to this place regularly for over two years for Thursday night trivia. The food is average bar food with limited vegetarian options and drinks are average. They have good happy hour specials. After coming here regularly for several years, I have almost NEVER had good service. I have had different servers, and am always courteous to the staff. They almost always make mistakes in the orders and are incredibly rude. For example, my friend ordered a salad and they brought the wrong one. When she let the waitress know, she was incredibly rude about it and when she went to fix the order, she brought out the wrong salad again. This is a typical story for the service here. I would never come here if not for the trivia.
(3)Christina L.
Karma is my favorite bar in town for watching sports and generally take off at least one day during march madness to spend here watching basketball and drinking beer. There are a ton of tvs. The drink specials during events are pretty legit. Plus the food is decent bar food. Comedy nights downstairs awe pretty fun too. I think you can rent out that area for no charge as long as you meet a minimum.
(4)Danielle S.
Karma is a nice spot to go to that's close to my apartment when I'm in need of a few drinks. The bartender is always welcoming and nice! Sometimes with the game on it can be busy in there and the bartender always makes sure to get my drink order when they possibly can. They have good specials for happy hour and late night happy hour, which is good. The deal voucher is definitely worth it and recommend others to purchase it as well! I'm not sure how the other waitstaff is since I like to sit directly at the bar, but if their anything like the bartender they should be friendly and attentive as well.
(5)Karrie M.
Karma is really a pretty great bar to watch some sports. Plentiful TV's, booths and tables, and lots of friendly sports fans. Service has always been pretty good. Nothing to complain about here! As for the food, they actually have a decent menu. Pretty good variety for a bar, and some pretty tasty items. Also, I haven't personally had the Mac and cheese, but I saw someone get a giaaaant bowl of it. Wowsa. Parking isn't always the easiest, but not terrible for the area. Overall, great atmosphere and there are fun times to be had here :)
(4)Megan B.
Living in Milwaukee, I frequent Karma quit a bit and this time wasn't like the others. We came in at about 5:40, the tables in the main bar that weren't seated with people all had reserved signs, so we sat in the back of the restaurant. Our server wasn't very friendly, wasn't concerned with her tables in the back of the restaurant, didn't take our order using a server pad, got our sides mixed up on the first go around, second go around our burger orders got mixed up. Our table was uneven and wobbly. Overall bad experience for a normally decent place.
(1)Patrick O.
Mighty tasty pork dishes. Mighty cheesy Mac n cheese. Had the War Pig, pork chop an pulled pork sandwich. Very fine creation. Sports bar theme which pairs well with pork. Saw some attractive daily specials on the menu, I'll be sure to return on a Friday for the Fish Fry of Beer Battered Cod and Cod Sliders. Give this place a try!
(4)Krystin F.
My friend and I ventured out to Karma because he was having a wing craving like no other. This place was close so we decided to give it a whirl! I had been here before for the summerfest shuttle and a drink. The happy hour prices and drink specials are surprisingly good here! Taps are only $3 including Guiness! Hoorah! This time though we had some food. Since my friend could not see beyond the wings we ordered the giant plate of them. I really liked that you could mix and match sauces so we were able to sample two flavors, buffalo and honey mustard. The order also came with fries, blue cheese dressing, carrots, and celery. The buffalo wings were very good, lots of that Frank's Red Hot flavor. The honey mustard wings seemed odd to me as they were more sweet than mustard. These wings were also fried. They were not my favorite but my friend liked them so, I guess it was just a preference! The only thing that dissapointed were the fries...good flavor, awesome salting job, they just needed a couple more seconds in the fryer as we both though that they tasted undercooked. The service here has always been great for me even on busy nights. If you want to come here for a game, plan to come early as it does get quite busy! Yet, as other Yelpers have mentioned, its worth it as they have a great viewing area. I will most definitely be back here for team trivia night!
(4)Joe P.
Descriptive phrase: decent pub food. Karma is an unassuming, though not unattractive, downtown Milwaukee. I met a couple of friends here last Friday intending to get the fish fry. We grabbed our own table near the back of the place, though there was a bar and more seating up front. Our waitress was attentive but not intrusive. I had a couple of pints of local beer. The waitress listed off their fish-specials for that night, which excintingly had more than just a fish fry. I opted for the blakened tilapia fish tacos. Three tacos came with a side (I chose tots). The portion was more than enough. The tots were crispy and acceptable. The tacos were very good. They had more of a kick than I expected with a siracha-laced sauce. I gobbled them up. One of my friends got a side order of 6 Cheese Mac & Cheese ($2.95) which he loved and was a giant portion. Definitely big enough for a whole meal if you're not starving. I don't recall the price of my tacos, but 6 beers, a side of mac and cheese, and my tacos came out to around $30. Not terrible for the location, but no steal. I'd recommened and probably will return to try some of their other concoctions. Oh, and if you check-in on Yelp you can get half off apps.
(3)Sue L.
Awesome, awesome, awesome!!! The staff were great! Very friendly and helpful in suggesting drinks and food. The gumbo and the jumbalaya were actually better than what I had in New Orleans at a 4.5 star restaurant that people line up for. Thanks Ari for such hospitality. You have a gem!
(5)Hannah S.
Great pretzle rolls!
(5)Christian V.
trivia bastion multilevel dining boneless wing goodness I first had their food at a YELP event. They served us some truly amazing mini burgers with loads of nifty toppings. That was enough to bring me back yesterday for drinks and appetizers. My wife raves about the amazing space they have downstairs for events and things, and they've even got a handicap elevator to get down there. I'll have to go back more often to get better acquanted, but the service was superlative and the food was superb, including the BEST boneless wings that I have had ANYWHERE.
(4)Megan S.
I love Karma! I frequent here a lot because of the great food. Everything you order has exceeded my expectations. The bbq nachos are amazing along with many other items. Also they have a great happy hour along with a late night happy hour that I enjoy. I highly recommend this places for dates, friends and families. Great food, decor and staff.
(5)Shin E.
$2 Taco Tuesday. I had the shrimp tacos and the tilapia ones. The shrimp ones are pretty damn good, and the fish ones are still good but not as good. The margaritas are nice for 3 bucks. The server didn't write anything down. Which is normally fine, but she screwed up twice. 1st was no salt on the drink, and the 2nd was no sauce on the tacos. She kind of sucked at making time to take my food order in the first place. Service is the luck of the draw here, which is unfortunate because my first time here was awesome.
(4)Danielle I.
It's really fantastic when a review is met with kindness and response from a business hooray a business really cares what its customers like. With that this place is being bumped up to a 4 the ambiance improved much the last time I was there and the tots are still amazing super amazing best tots i have yet to find. And my friend whose a bit of a foodie agreed excellent tots. Go here for the tots omg! (TOT pimp). This place is huge btw with a great room downstairs for private parties I would consider this a venue for like a birthday party or you know that type of thing. Thanks Karma!
(4)Angel C.
On high recommendation of a friend I went to Karma on 4/11/13 to have their buffalo chicken mac 'n cheese. I am not friends with this person anymore because of the bowl of easy mac I was served (j/k). On top of the easy mac were these dried out chicken strips and a sorry attempt to revive them with hot sauce. 2nd attempt was today (6/26)...spinach and artichoke dip. The order was brought to me fairly quickly. Um...what I received was a bowl of bland gruel with spinach and other UFO's floating around. With the amount of pull the cheese has in it, you'd never think one would need to add salt and pepper...to a dip. Perhaps in their attempt to give me timely service, they forgot to season the appetizer. *shrugs* The waitress is the same one I had on a previous trip. Her fake enthusiasm shows through and through, honestly she is quite annoying. The place was empty, as it was the other time I've been there. Also, when did it become regular practice not to give accurate change? Yes, it was $.40...but it was rightfully owed to me got dangit! Long story short...there must be something there that is good, but I'll never find it because I will not be back. 1 star is for the neighborhood and the other star is for the quick service.
(2)Justin S.
Best happy hour in milwaukee! The quality is fantastic...never had a bad drink or dish here
(5)John A.
Very cool place. Great food. Reasonable prices. Great service. I will be back for sure.
(4)M M.
I used to frequent Karma on Thursday nights for Team Trivia. It was normally a pleasant experience. It was nothing special, but the sweet potato fries with the ginger aioli was normally a safe dining choice. However, the last four times that I attended Trivia at Karma, we were treated very poorly. On the first unpleasant experience, only one table was occupied by patrons. The rest of the tables had signs on them requiring 4 or more people in order to sit there. My girlfriend and I sat down at one of the bar tables that had a sign because we were expecting friends to come join us for trivia. We were asked to sit elsewhere by the waitress. We asked where we could sit that would allow us to still play trivia, and the waitress recommended that we sit in the basement. After I explained to her that it would prove difficult to hear the DJ during trivia if we sat in the basement, she conceded, and allowed us to sit in her section. We then waited for her to return to take our order. Our friends arrived, and we wanted drinks and food, but the waitress ignored us, even when we tried to flag her down. My girlfriend decided to go and order at the bar, and have them deliver our order to the table. After taking our order at the bar, the bartender spoke with our waitress, who came and apologized. She explained that she didn't think we wanted to order anything. When our food and drinks came out, the waitress delivered them, and didn't return until well after we had completed our meal, and our drinks had been dry for quite some time. It was not a pleasant experience considering it is mediocre bar food. The 3 times after this event we ended up with the same waitress. She seemed to recognize us, and the experience was very similar. Milwaukee has many better sports bar in the area. I can not recommend this location in good conscience.
(1)Denise D.
The new owner of Karma has sent me a message asking me to give it another try--I'm not sure when that will be since I'm no longer living in Wisconsin, but I'm updating this because Karma deserves more stars just for reaching out to me.
(4)Jaime A.
I love this place. I come here especially for the sweet potato fries and ginger aioli but last time I was here I was greatly disappointed. Our server was not good at all. Other people who ordered after us got thier app before we did. Was told our app was just put in. 10 min after she took our order. She put in the wrong burger. And I was missing ingredients on my orders. Missed broqn sugar on sweet potato fries! Main reason they are my fav. And spring mix on burger after the first one was a miatake. I was infuriated. I was full by the timw my burger came off of fries and my side. Server saod she checked to make sure my added ingredient was on burger it was. But.. she missed that it was supposed to have spring mix also. Every server should know thier menu items.
(4)Ashley S.
The service was great and our food was pretty good. We stopped here on a Saturday afternoon after a tour at Lakefront Brewery and sat on the patio, which was great, everyone should take advantage of it. The macaroni and cheese was delicious, I highly recommend it.
(4)Ben M.
Been here 4 times now in 2 weeks. Awesome Bbq (ribs, brisket, and pork were all phenomenal) Awesome wings, great assortment of sides and apps (mac and cheese is awesome and comes in many varieties, sweet potato fries, tots, hommus were all excellent)...try the duck fingers they were unique and delicious. excellent happy hour. Best service I've had in the area...my new favorite Milwaukee hangout. Oh...try the War Pig. Greatest thing I have ever eaten. The place is under new management, so out with the old Karma.
(5)Rebecca S.
I've been to Karma a few times over the past couple years but stopped back in last night for the last day of Downtown Dining Week. Karma is best described as an upscale sports bar- there are plenty of tvs and drink specials to keep the mens occupied; but the decor and atmosphere is nice enough that you don't feel like you're at Champs. And the food is really great! Last night for Downtown Dining Week I tried the fried pickle slices which were amazing- they were really lightly battered, so you tasted more pickle than breading. And when paired with the chipolte ranch sauce? NOM. I also had the Karma burger, which was a massive patty slathered with BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, jalapenos and bacon. My burger was cooked perfectly, the jalapenos added a nice level of heat, while the BBQ sauce helped balance the heat out. The side of tater tots was also good- perfectly crisp and seasoned. The only real bummer was dessert. I ordered carrot cake, which was dry and had a minimal amount of frosting. Others in my party ordered the ice cream cookie sandwich- which was much better. But to be fair, one doesn't go to a sports bar for dessert. Karma is one of those places I wish I went to more often, because the food is so good, the drinks are reasonably priced and the atmosphere is fun. So maybe I'll resolve to work on that this summer.
(4)Nikki S.
I often go to karma for football games and I've never had a bad experience. I love their boneless wings soo much, with that said the last time I visited they weren't the same I'm hoping it was a fluke and they haven't changed for good. Other than that I recommend this place to anyone looking for a great sports bar!
(4)Philip S.
Here's a haiku yelp for you Yelp-a-saurs. Get the mac and cheese Service is hit-and-miss... Ugh! Happy Hour? Yes! Had dinner here this week for a friend's birthday who has coeliac disease and was disappointed that their SPF (sweet potato fries for you Mr!) had wheat. What the what?
(3)Natalie B.
As a relatively new resident of Milwaukee's east side, Karma Bar & Grill has become a frequent stop for me & my best gal pals. KB&G first popped up on my radar for its infamous Thursday trivia night but has stayed a favorite in my crews' weekly repertoire for its spirited environment & great bar food. The ambiance, food, & trivia never seem to fall below my very high expectations. KB&G is always poppin', packed to the brim on Thursdays with its loyal trivia clientele; stragglers & late-comers will be fortunate to find a table. The only (personal) downside to KB&G having such a regular crowd is that the competition is very good at trivia, tough to break through to the top prizes ($30, $20, & $10 for first, second, & third places, respectively) for the casual pop culture fanatic. The Karma staff is attentive & friendly and the atmosphere is very fun-loving & casual - a mix of college students & young professionals, I would not recommend KB&G's Thursday night trivia for a family with young(er) children nor would I go there to enjoy a deep HTH conversation. I have been to Karma less frequently on non-Thursdays but, from my minimal experience, have gathered that it's still a great place to gather & be merry with friends. Karma's wide selection of televisions (coupled with their food & beer selections) provides a great basis for either the casual or intense fan to enjoy many a sporting event; KB&G itself reps Wisconsin & Nebraska, but is still very friendly & welcoming to fans that may deviate from those preferences (Boiler up!). In summation, Karma is a great neighborhood bar for the young Milwaukee professional. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to have a casual evening in the city.
(4)Matthew T.
Fantastic place to watch Badger games! Decent food. Terrible comedy night show. The beer is reasonably priced.
(3)Dave P.
Sports bars are not always my scene, but Karma has the perfect blend of everything I am looking for. I've been there on "game day" for a variety of sports, and it's a very cool crowd of good people but not deafeningly loud, plus there are 20ish TVs so there isn't a bad seat in the house. I've also gone there for trivia, to watch a UFC match, or just to get lunch, and it really has great applications for all occasions. Friendly staff, knowledgeable bartenders, and REALLY tasty food. Way better than "bar food", so definitely check it out. Karma is now a regular stop for me and it probably will be for you too.
(4)Sepehr S.
This place was amazing. By far one of the best places to watch spots in town. Went there for Sunday football and they had every single game gone even though the Packers were also playing. Service is amazing too with friendly servers and an outstanding menu with local favorites. Def coming back to this place for many more sporting events!
(5)Andrew R.
# 1 place to watch sports in Milwaukee. Karma has become my go-to bar. Great setup with tons of flat screen TVs. They get all the games. NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA and even the big UFC fights on pay-per-view. Full bar with good selection of beer and drinks. Always get good service. They'll put on any game for you if you ask. NFL Sundays are a must at Karma. I spent most of March watching the NCAA tourney there too. They always have good specials during games and even had a free shuttle to Miller Park for the Brewers opening day. Really good bar food. Appetizers are awesome. Boneless wings are a personal favorite. Nachos with beef brisket, also amazing. The fried cheese curds are the exact same ones they serve at Miller Park - which are great! Can never wrong with chicken fingers and fries. Even the ranch and honey mustard dressings are really tasty. Also highly recommend the buffalo chicken mac and cheese. The patty melt and all the burgers are very solid. No matter what sandwich you get, you owe it to yourself to order it with the tater tots. SO good!! I'll definitely be back at Karma again soon to watch some games or play trivia on a Thursday night.
(5)Mitch N.
As always a fantastic lunch at Karma. Love the beef brisket. Needs to be on everyone's lunch docket.
(5)Dani K.
I had the sampler, which contained chicken tenders, wings, those pretzel things every else wrote about, and fries. It was deeeeliccccioussss. Seriously, I haven't tasted anything that good in a while. I think the sauces had a lot to do with it but I don't care because I'm officially in love. The service was polite and the seating was pretty good in numbers. The prices were also good, $23 for two meals. The exterior can give off a bit of a "rough" impression but don't let that fog any judgment because inside was nice and bar-y. I live two steps from here (literally, two steps), so I'm coming back for sure.
(4)Colin U.
I really enjoyed this place. I went here for a friends birthday dinner and it was really nice. They drink prices are O.K. and the atmosphere is really nice. The only problem I had with it is the food prices. It seems like they were really over priced for like a simple burger. All-in-all though, it was a nice place.
(4)James E.
First off - Food is great! I've been here a couple times, the service has always been fast and friendly. Seems like they always have a special or something going on too. They have a lot of HDTVs, great sports bar atmosphere. I'll be coming back often for Brewer/Packer games. If you go (which you should), order their sweet potato fries - good stuff.
(4)Ari S.
This place has decent food. Some items are excellent while others are hit or miss depending on the day. The servers are really nice and helpful. They give you these awesome birthday coupons that entitle you to free drinks and a meal on your birthday. The hard part is that management is very slow in entering them into the system. So it never arrives on time. They have very comfy booths with your own speaker system so you can catch a game or news. This is a great place to hold an event because they have a nice area downstairs that you can reserve.
(3)Andy C.
To mirror a little bit about what Terry has said, I'm a little mystified by the reviews. Namely, are the stars that other reviewers giving to Karma based on how empty or packed the place is? If so, I wasn't aware that it was a special requisite for a good place to be packed, or a bad place to be empty. The converse could be true, as I'm sure all of us have been to places that have been completely packed but not as good. Anyway. Location: 4 out of 5 I went to Karma on 1/16/10, probably my 2nd or 3rd time up to Milwaukee in a month. Being a little more familiar with the interstate system and where the roads go, finding the place wasn't really an issue. Actually, what I really ended up doing was planning to go to either Panera or Chipotle, and then walking by the entrance and menu of Karma. Free parking in the back of the building is a plus. Amenities and Decor: 5 out of 5 Wow, pretty neat interior, but I was particularly excited about the individual booths with audio/video control over the LCD flat screens. Since it was only about noon on a nondescript Saturday, not much was going on. The "Sutra" lounge downstairs is a different story. I mean, I'm all for snazzy and trendy, but honestly, it looked like all the animals on an African safari died, gave up their hides, and became the furniture in the lounge. I should mention, however, that the bathrooms are on the lower floor. However, there is a lift so I don't think accessibility options should be an issue should someone need it. Service: 4 out of 5 I personally like slow afternoons when there's not much going on. Our waitress for the day was training a new employee, so things took just a few seconds longer. Nothing really to complain about though - as both were quick to refill drinks and take away plates. They did forget to put one of my orders in, however, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise because what we did order turned out to be way too much food as it was. Both were apologetic when I brought it up, but I assured them that everything was alright. Quality of food: 4 out of 5 Not bad for sports bar/restaurant. You can certainly do a lot worse. I wanted to try the oysters, but we were alerted that they were still being prepared. ummm...cornbread crust with buffalo seasoning. A quick note - the smaller size of the nachos was excessive. I could only imagine what the larger size would have yielded. As others have mentioned, quite a bit of pulled chicken came with the nachos, and they were quite good. I had a cup of chili as well, which was well seasoned, spicy enough, and filled me up. The gf ordered the house "Kobe Burger" and I had a few bites when she was done. Good pop with the jalapenos, though if I were to order it myself I would have asked them to hold the bbq sauce. I highly suggest that you all try to sweet potato fries; get them while they're hot! Pricing: 3 out of 5 Probably a little on the high end of sports bars for lunch, but would be respectably priced for dinner. Does that make sense? Maybe not. Had I gone for dinner, I would have felt better paying 12 dollars for a burger. You just have to go in with the mentality of knowing that it's not going to be as cheap as eating next door at Chipotle or Panera. Overall: 4 out of 5 Pretty sweet place and easy to find even for visitors to town. I would definitely go here again if I were in the Milwaukee area.
(4)Zach J.
We stopped in to check out a UK game in the middle of the afternoon. The bartender was really great but the food wasn't. I had the cheeseburger and it didn't come with any toppings. Pretty plain and kind of disappointing. What was I expecting? It's bar food after all. The atmosphere is nice and the bar is really clean.
(3)Aaron Y.
My wife and I went here on a whim and we were glad we did. First off, when I checked into Yelp it showed that there was a deal I could purchase of $10 for $20 worth of food and drinks. I was kind of amazed that they let us use the deal the minute we bought it. I was expecting them to tell us that it couldn't be used until our next visit. I just went on their website so I could accurately post what I had for dinner but it looks like the menu online is different from what they have now. Much of it looks the same but I ordered a Cuban sandwich which I do not see listed online. It was really good and I'd definitely order it again. I had a side of the spice mac and cheese but was unimpressed. The noodles were a little undercooked for my liking and it tasted like they used a lot of sharp cheddar. I forgot what my wife ordered; some kind of burger. She really liked it. Normally she doesn't not eat leftovers the following day, a job left for me to do, but this time she did. When she eats leftovers its a good sign. Staff was extremely friendly and I could definitely see myself going back to Karma for the pretzel rolls. We didn't order them but the table behind us did and those rolls looked huge and delicious.
(3)Dawn J.
Not the best dining experience. Artichoke dip have had better, wings under cooked, burger ok. If you're looking for a nice meal, keep looking. If your looking for beer, sports and a burger.... This may be for you.
(3)viv p.
I've only been here for lunch. We were going to Chipotle next door, but saw the lunch special sign, and though, what the heck, let's try it. I had the special, which was a burger with tots or fries - i took tots. good choice, cuz the fries are no good. my hub had the friday Fish Fries (hence i know fries are not good). good portion and taste is not bad. Hub was especially happy that the fish fries comes with a glass of beer. Yes, in the middle of the day, but what the heck. The atmosphere inside is somewhat different. There seems to be some regulars drinking in the bar, and only a few tables were taken. There was only one server, and she was good and tried to work fast. But the food still came out late - I guess that's not the server's fault. :D
(3)Krys S.
I absolutely love the food there. The proportions are great, and generally awesome servers. I love that I can build me own Mac and cheese, and the guac on the sandwiches is delicious!
(4)Abe S.
I have been here once. I stopped by after I toured lakefront brewery and got my free beer and some nachos and sweet potato fries. The fries were delicious so I definitely suggest them. This is a great place for lunch.
(4)Terry O.
Mystified by the reviews. I live in Karma's neighborhood. More often than not, it's busy and lively; e.g., several Milwaukee Brewers teammates celebrated there in 2008 the night they clinched their playoff spot in the afternoon. Another example: I can hear the roar from Karma when the Packers score, all the way across and down the street. Tonight, going there for take out on a Thursday, there were probably 200 people upstairs (standing room only) celebrating Karma's 2nd anniversary. There were probably lots more on the even more attractive lower level, but I didn't look. Never been disappointed including an experience in their first week when the owner apologized for the service and food, saying they were "working on it". He gave us the meal for the price of the drinks, and it's been all good since then. Food is excellent. You can dial the audio into your booth to correspond to the game you happen to be watching (or no game at all if you want to talk). Always have had friendly and competent servers and bartenders. Very nice decor. As for being "in the wrong place", that's quite funny. The neighborhood is swarming with condos and apartments, and there are several bar/restaurants within two blocks. Karma's venue is where Milwaukee's OLDEST restaurant, John Ernst Cafe stood since 1848 until the family decided to sell. Then came Vivo, which was an odd place... then came Karma. So it's been a restaurant for 161 years, which says the location can't be ALL bad. I do agree that the name and graphic identity are odd for a sports-oriented place, but it IS more stylish with a better menu (by far) than the typical "Joe's Sports Saloon & Grill" kind of place; it's a sophisticated look and eclectic menu. My theory is that the owners decided on the name before they fully fleshed out the concept. Brunch, great appetizers, busses to the stadium for Brewers' games, various other "outings" for East Side tour events, a covered balcony/porch out back with a flat screen (one of two outdoor seating areas), stunning decor especially in the lower level, a couple dozen TVs, electronic board showing all sports betting odds and scores. And, as I said, way better food than the garden variety sports hangout. VOTED Milwaukee's #1 sports bar. Someone must have been going there, huh? Is that not enough? Sheeesh.
(5)Stephen S.
I don't know...food is good...but something's just a bit off here...maybe it's the location...Chipotle and Panera do well next door...but I never see this place packed...maybe I'm going on off nights...but I just don't see the charm of this place I guess. But like I said...good food.
(3)Rich T.
you guys were right about something being off about Karma. i got there about 10 o clock last night and the place was nearly empty save for a group of guys at the bar and a couple people outside. the decor was nice, it has an almost lodge feel with modern accents. bar was stocked with some top shelf liquors, so far so good. then comes the service. the bartender couldn't have been more disinterested in serving me as one of his only customers. no smile, no enthusiasm whatsoever. i ordered some food and he came back to inform me the kitchen was out of one of the ingredients and offered a close substitute. i say fine, but find it very odd. got my food, it was dece, nothing too special. then, as i'm sitting there finishing my beer i overhear my bartender's loud discussion with another barkeep in which he persisted to say the word 'fag' twice. now, i'm a big proponent of freedom of speech, but saying that word when there's a customer sitting right there makes me question the professionalism and attitude of the establishment as a whole. i wanted to say something, but i didn't really feel like getting into it. so in all, a weird experience. it's sad too, because the place certainly has potential. they need to do some tweaking to get it right. and don't you think Karma's a weird name for a sports bar? the font and name on the sign would probably be enough to alienate a lot of their potential clientele. it seriously sounds like some Ed Hardy club with annoying techno blasting. am i right? eh? this guy knows what i'm talkin about...
(2)Nicole K.
Sitting on Karma's patio with friends sipping on sangrias. What more could you ask for?? Btw, I love the Buffalo burger! Mmm...
(5)