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Anvil Pub & Grille
Category: Restaurants American (Traditional) American (Traditional) [Edit]
N70 W 6340 Bridge RdCedarburg, WI 53012
(262) 376-2163
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
Sun 11 am - 3 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
37 reviews for Anvil Pub & Grille
Review Highlights
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"Highly recommend the black and tan onion rings." In 2 reviews -
"Wonderful patio in the back overlooking the river." In 6 reviews -
"Located in a historic blacksmith shop, very cool atmosphere." In 7 reviews
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37 reviews in English
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Review from Lawrence P.
Milwaukee, WI
Cool atmosphere and design. I've always eaten upstairs in the "loft" part of the restaurant. Food is good. Beer selection could be better.
The service was good and FAST. Creative menu with a good black bean burger. -
Review from Jenny Z.
I came here for lunch with a group of four-the space is very nice and atmosphere very nice. However, the meal falls short of something even from Applebee's or another bad food chain. I ordered the salmon salad and my greens were going bad and smallest portion of salmon I've ever seen at a restaurant was laid on top....add a few mandarin oranges and a quarter sized slice of bread and there goes $9!
My husband ordered the veggie burger, which was fine...the only redeeming part of the meal was the onion rings. The waitress was plenty nice and helpful and the restaurant itself was nice....but my only recommendation is go for the onion rings or nothing at all! -
Review from To and Jo S.
Madison, WI
very small. We were offered a high table near the entrance where everyone was coming and going. Not good. 45 min wait. We left. Can't comment on the food since we didn't eat there.
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Review from Tim D.
Milwaukee, WI
Great atmosphere, super service, and excellent food to make it a wonderful experience.
Can totally reccomend this restaurant, nice selection on the menu, great conscise wine list. -
Review from Hungry R.
Sheboygan Falls, WI
I was very impressed with this place from start to finish. A friendly hostess brought us to our table where we were greeted by our friendly server. Ordered the Anvil Bites to munch on while we waited for our lunch. I wasn't blown away with them, they were good but not Great. For my sandwich I tried the Chicken Club with Black & Tan Onion Rings. Chicken Club was a nice mix of ingredients and flavors, very tasty and a nice change of pace (Wish it would of been a bit larger). Black & Tan Onion rings were excellent, I'm not a huge onion ring fan but I love beer so why not... My friend got the burger and was very happy as well. Great little place can't wait to go back!!
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Review from Carolyn M.
Cedarburg, WI
Love this place - especially for their bloody mary bar on Sundays! But also, their homemade bread for their paninis is amazing (I just wish I wasn't gluten intolerant now!)
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Review from Brooke M.
Walnut Creek, CA
Outdoor patio overlooks the river- it is gorgeous. The place is so quaint with it's history and charm.
Order the tuna melt-
It's amazing. it's 930 am and I'm waiting until they open for lunch so I can order it. I had it yesterday! Any sandwich that is made in the hearth oven is good there-
Plus- good selection of beer -
Review from Kevin R.
Port Washington, WI
Fairly decent food, although a few knocks... We tried a few soups, a few sandwiches, two kids meals and dessert. Here are our thoughts:
- The sandwiches and soups were good, although nothing remarkable.
- Service was just OK. Nothing bad, nothing great, but acceptable. Our waiter didn't know the menu as well as I think he should have, as when I asked several basic questions (such as the type of soup base) he didn't know.
- The kids meals were small, even by kids meal standards. The atmosphere and layout is not kid friendly, although I really didn't have high expectations because it is directed at the adult audience anyways.
- Prices are a bit high for what you get, but after all everything in this part of Cedarburg is high. We paid $70 for 2 sandwiches (about $10 each), 2 kids meals ($5 each), two cups of soup ($4 each), two milks for the kids ($2 each), 2 beers ($5 each) and a dessert ($6) - plus tax and tip.
- The dessert was just plain bad. It was their Tres Leche cake, which is made by a local baker. How they classify this as Tres Leche, I have no idea. It was very dry and almost flavorless.
Overall, I may go back, but I won't be in a hurry to do so... -
Review from Becky S.
Grafton, WI
This is the best restaurant I've been to in Ozaukee County so far. The food always tastes fresh and the menu is inventive, at lease for WI standards. You can expect to try things you haven't had before. I especially liked the Salmon Pesto Soup, which I believe was a daily special. I know I can count on getting a good meal here.
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Review from Nicole M.
Old blacksmith'ery turned rustic chic Pub and Grille??? Yes, please!
I have really great memories of coming to this 19th century building as a child and watching in fascination as the blacksmiths would do blacksmith things while my Poppa (Grandpa) would narrate the goings-on so it's only natural that I was extremely excited to see that it was renovated into a restaurant; the interior of this joint is nothing but fantastic.
I went with a burger that had accompaniments of grilled onions, provolone cheese, and a blue cheese sauce that tied the ciabatta goodness all together. I opted for a side salad while and one of my table-mates got the black and tan onion rings (read: beer battered onion rings drizzled with stout beer); the onion rings were fantastic! For dessert we went with the chocolate lava cake that was extremely exceptional!
To drink, I got the local Cedar Creek Cranberry Blush- it was smooth a perfect light afternoon drink; I need to order a case now.
If you're ever in this charming town- don't miss this joint and take a few seconds to ask your server about its history. Also, if you go during the spring or summer months there is an outside patio that overlooks the Cedar Creek waterfall- sit there and let me know how much you love it. -
Review from Sarah C.
Middlesex, MA
Had the grilled salmon salad with Balsamic vinaigrette. The salmon was well seasoned and seared on the outside to keep the inside juicy and flavorful. Also sampled my husband's perch which had a delicious parmesean breadcrumb crust.
Good wine selection and cozy atmosphere. Located right in the heart of the shops in downtown Cedarburg. As an out of towner and visiting from the east coast, it was a great value as well. Would come again for a casual dinner. -
Review from Ian Y.
Brooklyn, NY
I've heard a lot of really great things about this place, but I went at the wrong time.
We got in before the cook did, so we were only allowed to explore the appetizers. Which were fine, but felt like prepackaged extravagances without any human touch.
I loved the atmosphere, but I'll need to come back for dinner next time I'm in town. -
Review from Anne E.
Milwaukee, WI
Charming little lunch spot on the river but I wouldn't go back. It's very small and too long of a wait. 30 min. wait for a table, then another 10 mins. to get a beverage. I had asked for extra lemon with my iced tea and I got one paper thin slice. I asked a busbyoy that came by for more and 5 mins. later he came back and said they were cutting up more. He never returned. Ordered the tomato basil soup, which was thick and more like a stew. The chunks of tomatoes hadn't been peeled and had tough skin on them. Ended up leaving without ordering our lunch because of the service being soooo slow.
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Review from Kryste N.
Chicago, IL
It's small, but insanely charming, the building is such a gem, and the food is good. I ordered a special, cedar plank Mahi Mahi - first let me say I rarely order fish, next let me say it was delicious. Service was excellent, overall, worth the wait. The best part, the bill! I'm from Chicago, and it would be unheard of to get two fish dinners and drinks for $52 with tip in Chicago! This place is a little treasure!
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Review from Ryan H.
The Onion Rings and the Beer are the only reasons I come here, their burgers are interesting.. but not in a good way.. The staff is friendly but the restaurant is not built to hold a lot of people so it can get crowded fast
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Review from Jessica O.
Milwaukee, WI
Ambiance: No complaints here. Exposed brick, nice décor and a split level dining room. Has a nice fire pit oven which gives the restaurant a homey feel.
Beverages: Full Bar. Coke products. Wine List. They got their bases covered.
Food: The menu is not very large which typically means the kitchen should have no issue turning out a first rate meal sadly that was not the case here. We ordered the "Toasted Ravioli with Marinara Sauce". The portion size was average, six in an order. The raviolis themselves had a chewy texture I did not dig at all and I swear instead of marinara sauce they opened a can of crushed tomatoes and called it a day. I did not detect a whiff of seasoning. I got the "Blacksmith Burger" and my dining companion got the "Pattymelt" which I didn't see on the menu and silently cursed myself for not having noticed it. I love pattymelts the way ants love a melted popsicle. After tasting his, I didn't feel so badly. It was the driest pattymelt I have ever tasted. I honestly don't know how he choked it down. My biggest complaint was with my meal though. I ordered my burger rare, and I stressed to the server I meant RARE. I told her I would rather she bring me a raw burger than a barely pink burger. She nodded her head in understanding. People, look through my reviews, it's a constant pet peeve of mine, I LIKE RARE BURGERS, I am practically a fricken lion when it comes to meat. I think you all know where this is going so I shant digress further. No the burger wasn't rare, it was barely pink. And my dilemma as usual is suck it up and eat my dinner at the same time as my D.C. or send it back and wait for them to fix it. Alas I sucked it up and was miserable. The burger itself wasn't very large and the bun it was on overwhelmed it and was a tad dry. The sad fact is the food here is a totally miss. Completely outside target range.
Staff: Made no attempt to establish any rapport with us. Took our orders, did the bare minimum of her job requirements and that was about it. The food did come out quickly so they have that going for them.
At the end of the day, it is really quite sad. The boyfriend lives within walking distance of this place and had this been a good meal we probably would have frequented more often. -
Review from Gretchen D.
Grand Rapids, MI
We went on a hot July afternoon. Sitting outside by the river, with some shade, was delightful.
We were seated immediately. Our server was knowldegable, friendly and efficient. Hopefully this means past service issues in other reviews are behind them.
The beers were fresh and delicious.
The onion rings are very good.
Hamburgers are excellent, on are really good bakey bun, not some wonderbread thing. Many sandwiches are on a tasty homemade puffy flatbread that is really good.
We also like the Asian-flavoered cole slaw that was offerred as a choice.
All in all a delightful place with good food. -
Review from Kristin K.
Miami, FL
it was our first time in for dinner and it was amazing. Courtney our server was personable, outgoing, efficient & helpful with favorite suggestions. We all ordered soup, some of us had the SW Steak soup - which truly the best choice for such a cool night. Cream based, full of tender steak, black beans & corn. Could have been spicier if it was up to me, but over all - excellent. The Wedding Soup had allot of nice extras like tomatoes & whole leaf spinach - again really good. Our entrees were the bacon wrapped chicken stuffed with herbed cream cheese - omg. Simply amazing; the saltiness of the bacon worked perfectly with the cream cheese that was not too rich but balanced well with the plump chicken breast. Did I mention it was brushed with maple syrup? Our other entree was the perch. Really tasty, light & fresh. The coating was a perfect accompaniment to the fish. Both entrees had veggies & yummy garlic mashed red potatoes. Our wine by the glass, Gnarly Head Zin suggested by our server & it did not disappoint. Over all, an excellent experience. I will definitely return if I'm in town. My only suggestion is the bread was not up to par with the other offerings. A nice crunch baguette style bread would have been perfect with the soup.
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Review from Sandy K.
Located in a historic blacksmith shop, very cool atmosphere! Good sandwiches and fries. The service leaves a little to be desired but we sat upstairs and I felt bad for the waitress having to run up and down those steps. My husband said his burger was good. If you're in the area check it out for lunch!
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Review from Tina D.
St Paul, MN
We spent a couple of days in Cedarburg and resisted the urge to eat here for every meal! This rennovated historical anvil was charming, warm, welcoming and popular! We settled in on the beautiful torch-lit patio along the creek, and chose a great wine. They greeted us with warm crusty bread and herbed butter. We had the cedar-planked salmon, one blackened and one regular. Both were amazing! Our tossed greens were drizzled with an awesome balsamic vinaigrette, and the entire experience was unforgettable. A must while in adorable Cedarburg.
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Review from Dave H.
Cedarburg, WI
The patio area on the river is the best spot in Cedarburg. [Silver Creek Brewery is the runner up]. Inside is interesting but crowded. We have been there several times as it is close.
Couple of observations:
Weekends are extremely busy and the place is not that big. Avoid the weekends if you are local, or enjoy the wait. Get a bottle at the winery to keep you company.
The sandwiches are excellent. Not huge, but excellent.
A number of appetizers and entrees fall into the "tiny food" category. The bruschetta is especially entertaining. Very small and covered with creme cheese? Never again.
Wine pours are very very small. Order a bottle. One bottle=8 glasses. I kid you not.
Kitchen, bar help and most servers are 18-24. Nothing against that age group, but once the friends and employees that have clocked out show up at the bar, it can get annoying. Especially when they get a hold of the music. We walked because of it.
Overall a great place if you can get the right table on the right night. Otherwise it can be disappointing. -
Review from Colin O.
Cedarburg, WI
One of our favorite spots. Modern takes on American food with some great twists. Historic building and great atmosphere. Wonderful patio in the back overlooking the river. Slightly small menu but fun to try something with each new trip.
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Review from Brian K.
Bainbridge Island, WA
Decent food, great atmosphere. I remember when this place was a blacksmith shop and I wonder how they got all of the soot out of the walls. We sat upstairs and had a patty melt (OK, decent, somewhat dry), salmon (quite good, especially given that this is the midwest, nowhere near an ocean) and tenderloin (excellent, juicy and reasonably priced at $18). The waitress was quite poor, spoke loudly and had little knowledge of the menu. When we asked which was better between two of the steaks, she replied (so loudly that all of the surrounding tables could hear) "Well, I really don't like tenderloin." Um, that's it? We weren't asking what YOU like. We ordered the tenderloin anyway and it was excellent. So waitstaff was definitely lacking. Short wine list and surprisingly limited beer stock.
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Review from Aaron S.
Cedarburg, WI
It's only a few blocks from my home so I'd love to rate the Anvil but the four times I've been there, they have never had less than a 45 minute wait. Granted, it's at ground zero in a tourist town but 0-15 minutes is the norm in Cedarburg even during the busiest festivals. With dozen of other good options located a few blocks away, there is no reason to wait 45+ minutes for a pub burger.
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Review from Jax B.
Great food, moderate price. I have only been there for lunch. AMAZING LOCATION. In the heart of Cedarburg right next to the winery.
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Review from Nicole G.
Cedarburg, WI
I have been there several times and I am never dissapointed. The only draw back is that it is small and you may have to wait awhile for a table.
I suggest the anvil chicken. Love it! -
Review from Michael T.
Milwaukee, WI
The Anvil has a successful decor which combines an LCD TV and rustic old forge. The stars of lunch were the high quality $8 sandwiches. We had the BBQ Pork which actually tasted like pork, not BBQ sauce and the tuna melt which was spiked with fresh dill and served on some sorta thick, chewy pita bread. They have great fries. Why don't more places have great fries.
The Bloody Mary was lemony in a good way. Everything tasted fresh. -
Review from Dei P.
Menomonee Falls, WI
Was not impressed. Took my mom here for her birthday, we waited almost 20 minutes to be acknowledged once we were seated. Waited over 30 for our food. The waitress was mediocre and the bluegill sandwiches that we ordered were greasy and very fishy (no pun intended) tasting. It looks great. The staff was friendly enough, but if you're looking for good service & good food- this is certainly not the place.
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Review from Stephen S.
Milwaukee, WI
Great new hangout in Cedarburg! Anvil opened in the old blacksmith's shop (if you're familiar with Cedarburg) earlier in 2008 and is quite a hot little place.
Open for lunch and dinner the menu is full of yummy options...pesto mozzarella sticks and atichoke dip are two big hits off the appetizer menu as are the beer-battered onion rings!
Anvil's sandwiches are baked in their stone hearth oven and come out nice and warm! My patty melt was great and the Hammer Dog was one of the best dogs I've had anywhere!
Service was VERY good too. Really quite a surprise how good this place is. CHECK IT OUT. -
Review from gfiddy f.
Chicago, IL
I'd usually be concerned with the loss of an actual blacksmith but in this case I like the change.
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Review from Bill F.
Cedarburg, WI
Wonderful food and a great atmosphere inside of this old blacksmith make it a must visit if you are in the area. Highly recommend the black and tan onion rings!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/30/2009
Great atmosphere, with wonderful. We ate outside near the Cedar Creek and loved the patio area, and… Read more »
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9/30/2009
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Review from Joe D H.
Chicago, IL
We went to the Anvil twice during our stay in Cedarburg, Once for drinks on the patio by the water fall, beautiful and the staff very friendly. And back that evening for dinner. This time on the mezzanine. The waitress was an inattentive bore (one star down), but we will forget that. The food was great, I had shrimp fixed thee ways, delightful. The atmosphere was old stone, wood, and still a contemporary feel. Neat trick and I did not see anyone else in town up to their standards.
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Review from Stephanie W.
Cleveland, OH
This was a surprise to us. We found it one night as we were looking for another place. We grabbed dinner and it was phenomenal. The best shrimp I have had in the entire city. The place is beautiful and the service is perfect. Prices were less expensive than I would expect for the great quality of the food. TRY THE SHRIMP!!!
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Review from Mike P.
Kewaskum, WI
Having called the auction for Dan Nauman, the blacksmith that previously occupied the site, I was curious to see how they transformed a working blacksmith shop into a trendy Cedarburg joint. Wow! Great job! Fortunately it was not the classic case of nice digs but lousy food. We've been there half a dozen times and haven't been disappointed. Worth the stop for a good lunch.
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Review from Garth C.
Cedarburg, WI
My wife and I love this place. Great ambiance, good food and in cedar burg! Small menu but something for all!
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Review from Jason W.
Milwaukee, WI
One of our favorite lunch spots in the area. Excellent summertime patio seating by the water. You need to get there early to beat the rush. The upstairs seating area is always a bit on the chilly side so ladies be warned. The forge bread(is that what it's called?) is excellent. Chicken Parm. Sandwich A++
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Review from Alison R.
Chicago, IL
the outdoor patio alongside the river is fantastic in nice weather, even if it is a 40 minute wait. servers are super busy which means you may be waiting for refills. i wish the food was as good as the view-- salad was good, but not amazing. something was missing. perhaps i should have ordered something else? closed on Sundays. boo.
