RecordWell Data

Essen Haus

514 E WILSON ST, Madison, WI 53703 · Dane County

49cited violations
11serious tier
17inspections

Establishment

Type
Restaurant (retail food serving meals) (Primarily Restaurant)
Inspected by
Public Health Madison & Dane County
License / ID
14779-3296
Official record
Public Health Madison & Dane County inspection reports

Other public records for this business

Year by year

YearInspectionsViolationsSerious
20262337
20242164
2021200
2018100
2017100
2015200
2014100
2013300
2012300

Inspections

  1. Jul 23, 2026 Re-Inspection · No Reinspection Required
    • Serious Priority (CDC risk factor)

      CLEAN - FOOD CONTACT SURFACES - Not Corrected

      Interior of both ice machines in basement are visibly soiled.

      Correction: Maintain food contact surfaces in a clean condition.

      Code WFC 4-601.11(A)

    • Serious Priority (CDC risk factor)

      CLEAN - FOOD CONTACT SURFACES - Not Corrected

      Interior of both ice machines in basement have visible black slime build on inner rim. Plates, bowls, and other utensils observed visibly soiled on wire storage rack adjacent to high temp dish machine.

      Correction: Maintain food contact surfaces in a clean condition.

      Code WFC 4-601.11(A)

    • Serious Priority (CDC risk factor) Corrected on site

      DATE MARK - EXCEEDED OR MISSING - Not Corrected

      Melon being cold held in the walk in cooler is not datemarked. Brat in walk in cooler date marked 6/10.

      Correction: Discard foods that are not datemarked, improperly datemarked, or held past the alloted 7 days.

      Code WFC 3-501.18

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice Corrected on site

      FOOD PREP SINK - Not Corrected

      Food prep sink is not available, it is obstructed by large hose.

      Correction: Provide and use a sink solely for the purpose of food preparation.

      Code WFC 4-301.16

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      HANDSINK - NON-HAND FAUCETS - Not Corrected

      Both handsinks located in the main kitchen of this facility is not equipped with a non-hand operated faucet.

      Correction: Provide a functional non-hand operated faucet at all hand sinks in the facility.

      Code WFC 5-202.12(C)

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      HANDSINK - SIGNAGE - Not Corrected

      No handwashing signage is provided at employee handwash sink in either of facilities restrooms that are used by employees.

      Correction: Provide a sign or poster at each employee handwash sink that reminds food employees to wash their hands.

      Code WFC 6-301.14

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      HANDSINK - NON-HAND FAUCETS - Not Corrected

      Handsink located in the main kitchen adjacent to meat slicer is not equipped with a non-hand operated faucet.

      Correction: Provide a functional non-hand operated faucet at all hand sinks in the facility.

      Code WFC 5-202.12(C)

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PEST - OUTSIDE OPENINGS - Not Corrected

      A gap is still present under the kitchen door that is large enough to allow the entry of insects or rodents into the food establishment.

      Correction: Repair this hole or gap so that entrance by insects or rodents into the food establishment is prevented.

      Code WFC 6-202.15

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PEST - EVIDENCE - Not Corrected

      Evidence of pests still observed. Droppings present in basement dry storage area & basement liquor storage area.

      Correction: Provide proper pest control by trapping or otherwise controlling pest problems on a continual basis. Clean up all pest activity evidence and increase control activities.

      Code WFC 6-501.111

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PEST - OUTSIDE OPENINGS - Not Corrected

      A gap is present under the kitchen door that is large enough to allow the entry of insects or rodents into the food establishment.

      Correction: Repair this hole or gap so that entrance by insects or rodents into the food establishment is prevented.

      Code WFC 6-202.15

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PEST - EVIDENCE - Not Corrected

      Evidence of pests observed. Mouse droppings observed along many of the wall edges. Heavy accumulation noticed in basement dry storage area & adjacent to high temp dishwasher.

      Correction: Provide proper pest control by trapping or otherwise controlling pest problems on a continual basis. Clean up all pest activity evidence and increase control activities.

      Code WFC 6-501.111

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - GOOD REPAIR - Not Corrected

      Throughout facility, there are many holes in floors, walls, and ceiling that need repair.

      Correction: Maintain the physical facilities so they are in good repair at all times.

      Code WFC 6-501.11

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - CLEAN - Not Corrected

      Standing water in basement.

      Correction: Clean the physical facilities at a frequency necessary to keep them clean.

      Code WFC 6-501.12

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - UNNECESSARY ITEMS - Not Corrected

      There are items stored in the basement of the food establishment that are unnecessary to its operation or maintenance, and are providing opportunities for pest harborage.

      Correction: Remove items that are unnecessary to the operation and maintenance of the food establishment. This includes food service equipment that is no longer used or nonfunctional.

      Code WFC 6-501.114

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - GOOD REPAIR - Not Corrected

      1. Multiple gaps and dented/warped filter panels present in main kitchen hood vents. 2. Multiple ceiling panels contain gaps, are warped, are missing or are discolored in main kitchen. 3. Holes & cracks are present in walls and floors throughout facility, multiple of which are present in main kitchen

      Correction: Maintain the physical facilities so they are in good repair at all times.

      Code WFC 6-501.11

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - CLEAN - Not Corrected

      1. Floors, walls, and ceilings throughout establishment need to be cleaned. 2. Standing water is present in the basement. 3. Blood and other liquid is present on the floor in the main kitchen walk in cooler.

      Correction: Clean the physical facilities at a frequency necessary to keep them clean.

      Code WFC 6-501.12

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - UNNECESSARY ITEMS - Not Corrected

      There are several items stored in the food establishment is unnecessary to its operation or maintenance & is providing harborage conditions for pests.

      Correction: Remove items that are unnecessary to the operation and maintenance of the food establishment. This includes food service equipment that is no longer used or nonfunctional.

      Code WFC 6-501.114

    • Serious Priority (CDC risk factor)

      TEMPERATURE - COLD HOLDING - Not Corrected

      True single top prep cooler has multiple products being cold held above 41F in lower compartment. Corned beef, pulled pork, house sauces, and other TCS products range from 42-45F. True 3 door cooler ambient temperature is 63F. All TCS products in cooler ranging from 55-63F. Walk in freezer in basement contains kraut meat that is not frozen date marked 1/10. All other products maintained frozen.

      Correction: Maintain cold TCS foods at or below 41 degrees F.

      Code WFC 3-501.16

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      WAREWASHING - TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE - Not Corrected

      An irreversible registering temperature indicator is not provided. Corrective Action: Provide an irreversible registering temperature indicator for a mechanical warewashing machine that sanitizes using hot water.

      Code WFC 4-302.13(B)

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice Corrected on site

      WIPING CLOTHS - Not Corrected

      Wet wiping cloths improperly stored on wire rack adjacent to high temp dish washer.

      Correction: Store wiping cloths in a container of sanitizer solution when not in use. Wet cloths used with raw animal foods shall be kept in a separate sanitizing solution.

      Code WFC 3-304.14

  2. Jul 15, 2026 Routine Inspection · Reinspection Required
    • Serious Priority (CDC risk factor)

      CLEAN - FOOD CONTACT SURFACES

      Interior of both ice machines in basement have visible black slime build on inner rim. Plates, bowls, and other utensils observed visibly soiled on wire storage rack adjacent to high temp dish machine.

      Correction: Maintain food contact surfaces in a clean condition.

      Code WFC 4-601.11(A)

    • Serious Priority (CDC risk factor) Corrected on site

      DATE MARK - EXCEEDED OR MISSING

      Melon being cold held in the walk in cooler is not datemarked. Brat in walk in cooler date marked 6/10.

      Correction: Discard foods that are not datemarked, improperly datemarked, or held past the alloted 7 days.

      Code WFC 3-501.18

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice Corrected on site

      FOOD PREP SINK

      Food prep sink is not available, it is obstructed by large hose.

      Correction: Provide and use a sink solely for the purpose of food preparation.

      Code WFC 4-301.16

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      HANDSINK - NON-HAND FAUCETS

      Both handsinks located in the main kitchen of this facility is not equipped with a non-hand operated faucet.

      Correction: Provide a functional non-hand operated faucet at all hand sinks in the facility.

      Code WFC 5-202.12(C)

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      HANDSINK - SIGNAGE

      No handwashing signage is provided at employee handwash sink in either of facilities restrooms that are used by employees.

      Correction: Provide a sign or poster at each employee handwash sink that reminds food employees to wash their hands.

      Code WFC 6-301.14

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PEST - OUTSIDE OPENINGS

      A gap is present under the kitchen door that is large enough to allow the entry of insects or rodents into the food establishment.

      Correction: Repair this hole or gap so that entrance by insects or rodents into the food establishment is prevented.

      Code WFC 6-202.15

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PEST - EVIDENCE

      Evidence of pests observed. Mouse droppings observed along many of the wall edges. Heavy accumulation noticed in basement dry storage area & adjacent to high temp dishwasher.

      Correction: Provide proper pest control by trapping or otherwise controlling pest problems on a continual basis. Clean up all pest activity evidence and increase control activities.

      Code WFC 6-501.111

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - GOOD REPAIR

      1. Multiple gaps and dented/warped filter panels present in main kitchen hood vents. 2. Multiple ceiling panels contain gaps, are warped, are missing or are discolored in main kitchen. 3. Holes & cracks are present in walls and floors throughout facility, multiple of which are present in main kitchen

      Correction: Maintain the physical facilities so they are in good repair at all times.

      Code WFC 6-501.11

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - CLEAN

      1. Floors, walls, and ceilings throughout establishment need to be cleaned. 2. Standing water is present in the basement. 3. Blood and other liquid is present on the floor in the main kitchen walk in cooler.

      Correction: Clean the physical facilities at a frequency necessary to keep them clean.

      Code WFC 6-501.12

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - UNNECESSARY ITEMS

      There are several items stored in the food establishment is unnecessary to its operation or maintenance & is providing harborage conditions for pests.

      Correction: Remove items that are unnecessary to the operation and maintenance of the food establishment. This includes food service equipment that is no longer used or nonfunctional.

      Code WFC 6-501.114

    • Serious Priority (CDC risk factor)

      TEMPERATURE - COLD HOLDING

      True single top prep cooler has multiple products being cold held above 41F in lower compartment. Corned beef, pulled pork, house sauces, and other TCS products range from 42-45F. True 3 door cooler ambient temperature is 63F. All TCS products in cooler ranging from 55-63F. Walk in freezer in basement contains kraut meat that is not frozen date marked 1/10. All other products maintained frozen.

      Correction: Maintain cold TCS foods at or below 41 degrees F.

      Code WFC 3-501.16

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      WAREWASHING - TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE

      An irreversible registering temperature indicator is not provided. Corrective Action: Provide an irreversible registering temperature indicator for a mechanical warewashing machine that sanitizes using hot water.

      Code WFC 4-302.13(B)

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice Corrected on site

      WIPING CLOTHS

      Wet wiping cloths improperly stored on wire rack adjacent to high temp dish washer.

      Correction: Store wiping cloths in a container of sanitizer solution when not in use. Wet cloths used with raw animal foods shall be kept in a separate sanitizing solution.

      Code WFC 3-304.14

  3. Jul 24, 2024 Re-Inspection · No Reinspection Required
    • Serious Priority (CDC risk factor)

      CLEAN - FOOD CONTACT SURFACES - Not Corrected

      Interior of both ice machines in basement are visibly soiled.

      Correction: Maintain food contact surfaces in a clean condition.

      Code WFC 4-601.11(A)

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - GOOD REPAIR - Not Corrected

      Throughout facility, there are many holes in floors, walls, and ceiling that need repair.

      Correction: Maintain the physical facilities so they are in good repair at all times.

      Code WFC 6-501.11

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - CLEAN - Not Corrected

      Standing water in basement.

      Correction: Clean the physical facilities at a frequency necessary to keep them clean.

      Code WFC 6-501.12

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - UNNECESSARY ITEMS - Not Corrected

      There are items stored in the basement of the food establishment that are unnecessary to its operation or maintenance, and are providing opportunities for pest harborage.

      Correction: Remove items that are unnecessary to the operation and maintenance of the food establishment. This includes food service equipment that is no longer used or nonfunctional.

      Code WFC 6-501.114

  4. Jun 28, 2024 Routine Inspection · Reinspection Required
    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      CLEAN - NON-FOOD SURFACES

      Several non-food contact surfaces are soiled and unclean. 1. Heating drawers are soiled with food debris. 2. Window ledge in walk-in cooler is soiled with food debris. 3. Shelving and spice racks throughout facility.

      Correction: Clean and remove dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris from all non-food contact surfaces of equipment.

      Code WFC 4-601.11(C)

    • Serious Priority (CDC risk factor)

      CLEAN - FOOD CONTACT SURFACES

      Interior of both ice machines in basement are visibly soiled.

      Correction: Maintain food contact surfaces in a clean condition.

      Code WFC 4-601.11(A)

    • Serious Priority (CDC risk factor)

      CROSS CONTAMINATION

      Flats of raw shell eggs stored over bread and other ready to eat foods in walk-in cooler.

      Correction: During storage, preparation, holding, and display, keep raw animal foods separate from each other and from ready-to-eat foods so that cross contamination is prevented. Unwashed fruits and vegetables have to be separated from raw animal ready-to-eat foods and washed produce. If there is question of possible contamination, discard ready-to-eat foods.

      Code WFC 3-302.11

    • Serious Priority (CDC risk factor) Corrected on site

      DATE MARK - EXCEEDED OR MISSING

      Several items are not date marked or past the 7 day date mark: 1. A tray of pre-portioned cups of house-made tartar sauce dated 6-18. 2. squeeze bottle of beer cheese dated 5-31 3. squeeze bottle of creole sauce dated 5-30 4. squeeze bottle of horseradish mayo dated 5-12 5. squeeze bottle of boom boom sauce dated 6-6 6. squeeze bottle of garlic sauce dated 6-6 7. squeeze bottle of house-made spicy sweet chili sauce dated 5-14 8. container of CBI sauce dated 6-11 9. pre-portioned smoked butt with no date.

      Correction: Discard foods that are not datemarked, improperly datemarked, or held past the alloted 7 days.

      Code WFC 3-501.18

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      FOOD - UNCOVERED

      Many spice containers left open. Open packages of crackers.

      Correction: All foods that are not part of a cooling process shall be covered at all times to prevent cross-contamination. If cross-contamination is evident, discard suspected foods

      Code WFC 3-302.11(4)

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      GOOD REPAIR - CUTTING SURFACES

      Cutting board near salad bar cooler in need of replacement or resurfacing.

      Correction: Resurface or discard cutting boards or blocks with excessive scratching or scoring.

      Code WFC 4-501.12

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PEST - OUTSIDE OPENINGS

      There is a large gap between the kitchen back door and the ground.

      Correction: Repair this hole or gap so that entrance by insects or rodents into the food establishment is prevented.

      Code WFC 6-202.15

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PEST - EVIDENCE

      1. There are small flies present, particularly near a garbage bin with glass and bottles that is left open. Some flies present in the bar area. 2. Mouse droppings observed along many edges of the floor, and a window ledge in the walk-in cooler.

      Correction: Provide proper pest control by trapping or otherwise controlling pest problems on a continual basis. Clean up all pest activity evidence and increase control activities.

      Code WFC 6-501.111

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - GOOD REPAIR

      Throughout facility, there are many holes in floors, walls, and ceiling that need repair.

      Correction: Maintain the physical facilities so they are in good repair at all times.

      Code WFC 6-501.11

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - CLEAN

      1. Floors, walls, and ceilings throughout facility in need of cleaning. 2. Debris near kitchen back door. 3. Standing water in basement.

      Correction: Clean the physical facilities at a frequency necessary to keep them clean.

      Code WFC 6-501.12

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      PHYSICAL FACILITY - UNNECESSARY ITEMS

      There are items stored in the basement of the food establishment that are unnecessary to its operation or maintenance, and are providing opportunities for pest harborage.

      Correction: Remove items that are unnecessary to the operation and maintenance of the food establishment. This includes food service equipment that is no longer used or nonfunctional.

      Code WFC 6-501.114

    • Not serious Good Retail Practice

      STORAGE - SINGLE-SERVICE

      1. Boxes of single service items on floor. 2. Water/grease damaged box of parchment paper in basement. 3. Single service plates on a shelf near warming drawers are soiled.

      Correction: Store single-use and single-service articles in a clean, dry location a minimum of 6-inches off the floor.

      Code WFC 4-903.11

  5. Jul 29, 2021 Re-Inspection · No Reinspection Required

    No violations cited.

  6. Jun 24, 2021 Routine Inspection · Reinspection Required

    No violations cited.

  7. Mar 21, 2018 Routine Inspection · Reinspection Required

    No violations cited.

  8. Jun 29, 2017 Routine Inspection · No Reinspection Required

    No violations cited.

  9. Jul 13, 2015 Re-Inspection · No Reinspection Required

    No violations cited.

  10. Jun 26, 2015 Routine Inspection · Reinspection Required

    No violations cited.

  11. Jun 5, 2014 Routine Inspection · No Reinspection Required

    No violations cited.

  12. Jun 6, 2013 Re-Inspection · No Reinspection Required

    No violations cited.

  13. May 31, 2013 Re-Inspection · Reinspection Required

    No violations cited.

  14. May 22, 2013 Routine Inspection · Reinspection Required

    No violations cited.

  15. Jun 28, 2012 Re-Inspection · No Reinspection Required

    No violations cited.

  16. Jun 26, 2012 Re-Inspection · No Reinspection Required

    No violations cited.

  17. Jun 19, 2012 Routine Inspection · Reinspection Required

    No violations cited.

Source: Public Health Madison & Dane County. History last read Oct 2, 2026. Violation text is the inspector's wording. “Serious” is the source's own top tier. About this data.