The Grumpy Troll - Brew Pub - Mount Horeb, WI

I set out from work today, having canceled lunch plans with a friend because I didn't want to get her sick (I am just getting over a cold) and decided to go for a drive. Usually when I do this for some reason I head North/East. Not to any place in particular but just kind of a direction, just see where the road goes. Today, however, I decided to go South/West. It was about noon as I went through Waunakee and decided I was hungry. So I started looking for a place to stop. There was a few places in town there, but I just kept driving, letting the roads take me further West, and when they "T'd" I would go South.

I ended up in Mt Horeb, WI. I was here about a year ago with some friends during some festival they had in the street so the main road through was closed. I was going to keep going and just drive until something grabbed my eye. Well, The Grumpy Troll did just that. I have to say first off, that anyplace that makes beer is going to be a bonus in my book. Most of the time I can find one that appeals to me. I had too far to drive today so I didn't have one ~ really.

I walked up to the building and there was a sign that said Bar so I walked in there. Nicely lit place, friendly atmosphere, and you can see the kettles for the brewing. I walked back to the restaurant part and got a table. I was by myself so they kind of set me in the "out of the way" table for stragglers...kinda sorta ignored by waitstaff. I hate that table. So I had a LOT of time to peruse the menu. Looked quite appealing. Many appetizers, salads, burgers, chicken dishes.

I scoped out the burger section. Many selections, but none of which were just burger. All of them had "something" on them. I found a "build your own" burger and asked the waitress when she showed up if I could just get that without adding anything. Answer was a puzzled "of course". After a little bit of time, the burger shows up. It looks quite tasty! Settled on the plate with some waffle fries and burger garnish. I took a bite. Something wrong here. I can taste that it was char grilled. The meat had no flavor. Ok, that may be a bit harsh. It had some flavor, it tasted like beef. I looked at the table for some mustard to put on it, but believe it or not, in Mt Horeb, the Mustard Capital, you have to ask for it. I didn't bother.

Maybe I expect too much, I don't know. But in MY opinion, once you have a burger that has the flavor THEN put the fixins on it, THEN you have the awesome burger you set out to have.

The Grumpy Troll... I would probably stop back in here if I was in the area. The place was clean, not terribly expensive for a brew pub, and the menu looked like there was some good things on it. But if I am in Mt Horeb and hungry for a burger, probably gonna pass this place right by.