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Best Places to Eat Around UW–Madison

ON JAN. 24, 2012, PATRONS COLLECT THEIR MADE-TO-ORDER FOOD FROM A PICKUP COUNTER AT THE NEWLY RENOVATED DER RATHSKELLER IN THE MEMORIAL UNION. (PHOTO BY JEFF MILLER / UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS)

Brain fuel is a must between study sessions, so we asked you to “Tell us the best campus-area place to eat from your days at the UW!” Here are some of the places Badgers mentioned!


Sunroom Café. I loved their chocolate chip and banana pancakes. 

David C.  

Gotta be Dotty’s for burgers! 

Adam F.  

The Parthenon. I was there for the grand opening in 1972 and ate there most recently on my road trip back to the Midwest a few years ago. Great place.

GC H.  

I loved Mediterranean Café. 

Wendy E.M. 

Amy’s Café and La Bomba! 

Bonnie P.C.  

Loved Smokey’s Steakhouse 

Debbie S.G.  

Met my husband at the Nitty Gritty, first date at Paison’s, got engaged at Porta Bella. 

Christina T.H.K 

The cafeteria at my dorm- Liz Waters- was actually very good! I also loved Rocky Rococo’s Pizza on State Street (this was the mid-1980s). 

Jil W.  

Mactaggert’s & Jin’s Chicken and Fish.  

Kalvin B. 

“Eat the Best Pizza” under the bookstore. And Rathskeller. 

Pamela C.K. 

BLTs & broccoli cheddar soup at the Radical Rye & amazing sandwiches at Cellar Subs!! 

Joe H.  

The Saz! The best (and only) Mediterranean/ Mexican fusion restaurant I’ve ever been to! I loved the feta chimichanga, complete with pinto beans and tzatziki sauce. Also Sukho Thai! 

Jodi H.N.  

Old Fashioned. Great cheese curds.  

David W.  

Der Rathskeller: One brat with sauerkraut and mustard + a cup of Sprecher Black Bavarian (or two). Nothing has beaten that in my post-Madison life. 

Aerobol J.  

ON JAN. 24, 2012, PATRONS COLLECT THEIR MADE-TO-ORDER FOOD FROM A PICKUP COUNTER AT THE NEWLY RENOVATED DER RATHSKELLER IN THE MEMORIAL UNION. (PHOTO BY JEFF MILLER / UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS)

Tutto Pasta and Oak Crest Tavern 

Jennifer L.  

Greenbush Bakery & Stillwaters on State Street.  

Sara L.  

Nostalgia reading all these places. Rexall Drug Store's counter served a hearty meal back in the day. Way back in the day.  

Carl G.  

The Grotto Restaurant and Flamingo Bar! Meals were free. My family owned it!!! 

Minnie S. 

The empanada food cart on the mall outside Memorial Library and the bookstore. What a treat! ‘93 

Heidi K.  

Ella’s Deli on State Street. They had the best hot corned beef sandwich on rye with fries. That was early-mid 80’s.  

Sharon P.  

Gordon’s and Toppers were the two main reasons for our freshman fifteen.

Tyler B.  

Loved going to the Red Shed for pot roast and jambalaya at lunch on Wednesday. Also Ovens of Brittany on State Street for breakfast.  

Laura C.  


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