The Nitty Gritty is a restaurant with two locations in Wisconsin: one in Madison and one in Middleton. The Madison location was opened in October 1968, whilst the Middleton location was opened in September 2002.
The Nitty Gritty is a popular venue for residents of Madison and Middleton to celebrate their birthdays and is known by the local moniker, the "Official Birthday Place". The Nitty Gritty offers guests who are celebrating a birthday free soft drinks or beer (if of legal age to consume alcohol). Birthday guests are able to access free beverages, served in a memento mug, throughout the day. Similarly, birthday guests are offered a free mini-dessert sundae to accompany their meal.
The Nitty Gritty began to promote its Madison premises as "Madison's Official Birthday Place" on August 22, 1985. In 2009, readers of the Wisconsin State Journal voted as The Nitty Gritty as providing the best burger in Madison.