Viking Brew Pub - Stoughton

On a Sunday evening in October, something was noticeably amiss at this restaurant. The hostess did not greet us with a smile or make eye contact, and we were subsequently ignored for several minutes before being acknowledged. Even when a server was finally called over, they did not come to our table right away. Strangely, the owner was seen sitting at the bar the entire time we were there, only getting up after we gave him a look to speak to the server who was in plain view in the back room. When our order was taken, it was done so without any friendly acknowledgement. The food was decent, but nothing exceptional. To add to the disappointment, the women's restroom was out of order, which we found out when inquiring with a noticeably unhappy staff member. The owner, lacking any concern or apology, informed us that the men's restroom was also unavailable and directed us to use the facilities in the basement (which were not clean). As we were leaving, the hostess swept around our legs without much acknowledgment, and no one thanked us for our patronage. It was clear we would not be returning to this establishment, and we wondered if others had similar experiences.

Upon arrival at the Viking Brew Pub, we were informed that there would be a 30-minute wait for a table on a bustling Saturday night. As anticipated, we were seated about 30 minutes later. The evening special of Norwegian style meatballs was appealing, but unfortunately, they had run out when we tried to order. Disappointed by this news, we switched to the Scandinavian cod, only to find out that there were only 2 portions left. After selecting alternative menu items, we waited for about 40 minutes without receiving our food. When we inquired about the delay, our server apologized and admitted that it had been over 40 minutes since we placed our order. She informed us that it would likely be another 40 minutes before our food would be ready, as the kitchen was busy. Surprised by this news, the server suggested that we might want to consider leaving and dining elsewhere. Following her advice, we decided to try Angelo's in McFarland, which was just as fantastic as always. Unfortunately, we do not plan to return to the Viking Brew Pub and would advise others to avoid it if they are seeking prompt service.

A great friend and I do the Stoughton Art Walk annually and stopped here for some lunch. We sat at the sidewalk seating which at times was a little noisy because traffic on Main Street can be busy but it was really nicely shaded on a very toasty fall day. Our waitress Ashley G was definitely being kept busy but she was so friendly and checked on us several times. I had the Crimson and Clover IPA which was very good! It had a nice flavor without being overly hoppy. I also had the BLT which was really tasty--nice tomato, crispy bacon, and fresh lettuce on a well toasted multigrain bread. I forgot to take a picture but honestly it looked EXACTLY like the picture on the website which is really saying something. I can't speak for the interior because I didn't go inside. Definitely worth stopping in!

I would not recommend this restaurant if you are in a hurry. The service is very slow. The average cost per person is $20-$30. The food quality is rated at 4, service at 2, and atmosphere at 3.

We arrived at the restaurant before a show at the opera house around 6:20 pm and discovered that it's best to arrive a bit earlier and be ready to order quickly. Our appetizer, a giant and delicious pretzel, arrived promptly. The main dishes were also quite good. I had the spicy but not overpowering Hilda burger, and the potato keggers were a pleasant surprise with everything stuffed inside the tots, which I prefer. I highly recommend trying them. The forest cat and soot in my eye beers were both great choices for the fall season. The imperial raspberry sour was a delightful surprise. The peach IPA didn't appeal to everyone in our group, but I thought it was decent. The Viking bar had a cool atmosphere. Lastly, regarding the dog-friendly aspect of the restaurant, it applies only to the outdoor seating area as clarified by a previous review.