Best Takeout Food: Asian Kitchen
Won by 44% of vote. View story »
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Best Burger in Town: The Old Fashioned
When looking for a good burger, students typically turn to the traditional Frances Street establishments of the Nitty Gritty and Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry. But, if you are in the mood for a good meal that actually comes with fries and without a mystery sauce, you need to walk the extra couple of blocks toward the Old Fashioned on the Capitol… View story »
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Best Cafe: Capital Café
Fitting in accordingly with the brand new Business School, The Capital Café mirrors the renovation and innovation that the building was constructed upon. Centrally located on campus on the corner of Park and Johnson, The Capital Café provides local convenience and comfort. Amid the lush round booths and ample bright lights, the Capital Café offers a variety of meal options… View story »
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Best Cookies?: Insomnia
Perhaps one of the most notorious restaurant battles in the greater State Street area occurs between Chipotle and Qdoba, and one of the main arguments many people in favor of Qdoba will make is that it is open late. Timing is the quintessential issue regarding many downtown eateries, and Insomnia Cookies is no exception. Insomnia caters specifically to the ever-present… View story »
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Best Ethnic Eatery: Kabul
Won by 35% of vote. View story »
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Best Place to Get Funky: The Majestic
Won by 36% of vote. View story »
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Best Homegrown Restaurant: Mickies Dairy Bar
Won by 49% of vote. View story »
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Best Haircuts: Nogginz
Won by 55% of vote. View story »
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Best Place for that Special Gift: Pop Deluxe
Won by 36% of vote. View story »
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Best Newcomer: Sonic Drive-In
Won by 50% of vote. View story »
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Best Live Tunes: The Terrace
Won by 65% of vote. View story »
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Best Pizza Joint: Topper’s Pizza
Won with 54% of vote. View story »
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Best Place for Romance: Tutto Pasta
Won with 46% of vote. View story »
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Best Clothing Store: Urban Outfitters
With 73% of vote. View story »
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Best Campus Bar: Wando’s
My Tuesday nights have become pretty standard. After a long day of class and a few Herald meetings, I head home and try to get some of my mountains of reading done. Then, as the clock strikes 10, my annoying text message ringer sounds. It’s from Sports Editor Emeritus Tyler Mason. “Bacon?” After successfully convincing my roommate to tag along,… View story »
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The Weary Traveler
The waitresses wear cowboy boots, a back wall is lined with board games and the music is just the right volume so you can still carry a conversation with friends. The Weary Traveler on the corner of Williamson and South Few streets, is home to this and so much more. When opening the pub in January 2002, co-owner and… View story »
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Cafe Soleil
If you deem the ritzy French restaurant L’Etoile overly extravagant for your student budget, do not fret. Your epicurean taste will be just as well tended to at the equally satisfying, albeit more casual, Cafe Soleil that occupies the lower street level space of the fancier and pricier L’Etoile. Located on the Capitol Square at 25 N. Pinckney St.,… View story »
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Myles Teddywedger’s Cornish Pasty
What exactly is a pasty? Many students have never heard of such a thing, and those who have are unsure of how to say it — though “pasty experts” all tend to agree it is pronounced “past-ee” with a soft “a.” These pies are commonly associated with miners in Cornwall, but they are also popular in the Upper Peninsula…. View story »
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Taqueria el Pastor
Taqueria El Pastor, or “The Shepard’s Taco Place” in Spanish, is a family-run restaurant that opened five years ago. It is located on 2010 S. Park St. and is a bit of a drive, so students may want to get a bus pass or find a ride. This authentic Mexican restaurant is complete with a bar full of Mexican… View story »
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Takara
Living in Madison, different cultures, beliefs and traditions expose themselves in a variety of ways to people daily. More specifically, when walking down State Street, choices of restaurants can overwhelm any number of senses. This past week, I kicked up my adventurous state of mind, and for the first time, I dipped some chopsticks into sushi. Opening in 2001,… View story »
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Brocach
With Madison’s colorful array of restaurants serving up a virtual United Nations in terms of international cuisine choices, it is surprising to realize one of Madison’s best eateries is not representing some exotic culinary corner of the globe but rather Western Europe, specifically Ireland. Brocach (pronounced rather like Tom Brokaw’s last name) is the restaurant themed to perfection, and… View story »
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Rising Sons Deli
Every time I walk down State Street, I peer through the windows of dozens of restaurants I have yet to set foot in. Rising Sons Deli (617 State St.) was one such restaurant until recently when it became one of my favorite dinner spots. Inside the door, Rising Sons looks like a ’50s-style diner, complete with high tables, swivel… View story »
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Pasqual’s
Although Pasqual’s may go unnoticed and unappreciated by members of the campus community due to its out-of-the-way location, this Madison institution truly stands out when it comes to quality Southwestern food. Restaurants that offer Mexican or Tex-Mex specialties are all over town, but Pasqual’s finds a way to carve its own niche among the countless burrito and taco joints…. View story »
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Parthenon
The outside of Parthenon Gyros provides people with a “Greek feel” due to its blue and white awning and decorative columns. The inside of the restaurant, however, is another story. Its bleak white interior resembles a bar fast-food restaurant rather than an establishment which boasts quality Greek food. Although its walls are decorated with pictures of Greece, this did… View story »
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Mickie’s Dairy Bar
Finally, a bar exists in Madison where college students want to go to nurse the morning-after munchies. The Madison favorite serves generous portions from the extensive menu including lunch, dinner and all-day breakfast specials. For those days when a hot dog sounds good at 9 in the morning, a better deal won’t come around than Mickie’s $1.50 wiener. The word… View story »
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Madhatter
After more than a two-year hiatus, the Madhatter bar has made a triumphant return to downtown Madison. After closing its doors to make room for the new University Square, the new Madhatter opened last month at 328 W. Gorham St. — which happens to be right below The Badger Herald, next to Silver Mine Subs. Madhatter was intensely popular… View story »
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Lazy Jane’s Cafe
Daytime dining is often underestimated in its ability to win over foodies — simple soup and salad combinations tend to get a little boring. Sure, there are tons of different ways to have your morning and afternoon meals, but sometimes it can just be a variation on the same old story. Lazy Jane’s, located on the 1300 block of… View story »
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King of Falafel
With an abundance of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants in the Madison area, one only needs to step just off State Street to find the perfect setting for a delicious and enjoyable dining experience at King of Falafel (453 W. Gilman St.). With both a carryout section and a dining area, King of Falafel offers traditional Arabic cuisine for… View story »
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Cafe Montmartre
Just because it’s French doesn’t mean it’s pretentious. In fact, the class of patrons of the East Mifflin bar is probably the furthest thing from your mind when you walk into the low-lit wine bar. Although the name and varied wine selection may intimidate the average University of Wisconsin student, have no fear; there is no pretension here. Or… View story »
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Himal Chuli
Himal Chuli, one of State Street’s best-kept secrets, offers a dining experience worth talking about. Discreetly located on the 300 block of State Street, the authentic Nepali restaurant transports diners from a college town to a Himalayan kitchen. Adorned in Nepali tapestries, statues and photographs, and accompanied by Indian music, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant could easily be found in the… View story »
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Hawk’s
With jazz playing in the background and contemporary art on the exposed brick walls, Hawk’s Bar and Grill offers an atmosphere perfect for grabbing dinner with some girlfriends or catching the Brewer game with a couple buddies. Located on State Street, it is hard to miss the black awning and the chalkboard announcing the daily specials. The ambience is… View story »
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Great Dane
A Madison favorite since its opening in 1993, The Great Dane provides a casual yet lively atmosphere to have a sit down dinner, a glass of fresh, hand-crafted beers or play a few rounds of pool in the Billiards Lounge. According to Rob LoBreglio, the Great Dane Brewery vice president, the pub’s rapid growth and success ranks it among… View story »
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Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry
When a gold medal is awarded, foul play is often creeping along with it. When Dotty’s Dumpling Dowry was named the Gold Winner for Best Burger 2008 in Madison’s Best of Madison, naturally suspicions arose. Could a simple burger really achieve the greatness that a golden award signifies? I felt an investigation was in order. Upon arriving at the… View story »
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Crave
Would you eat dessert before an entree? If so, then Crave Restaurant & Lounge is your calling. The first page of the menu, which is desserts, quotes: “Life is short… order dessert first!” Besides having mouthwatering desserts, Crave represents its namesake well and has one craving for more food — a wide variety of soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers and… View story »
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Chocolate Shoppe
Nothing beats fresh, locally made ice cream from the heart of America’s Dairyland. Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream has an amazing inventory of unique, delectable ice cream flavors that are top-notch. Chocolate Shoppe worker Sarah Bewitz said the two most popular flavors of Chocolate Shoppe ice cream are Zanzibar Chocolate and Heaps of Love. The only way to describe Zanzibar… View story »
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Chautara
Sure, Five Guys and Taco Bell satisfy the standard American hunger or that late night drunken craving, but if you are looking to expand your horizons and avoid indigestion, Chautara on State Street is a superior choice. A mixture of Indian, Tibetan and Nepali food, Chautara’s cuisine is unique and health-friendly. Don’t be intimidated or disgusted by the word… View story »
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Casa de Lara
If you can sum up the willpower to hold on to your stomach past classic temptations like Potbelly’s, Chipotle and Jamba Juice as you peruse State Street, Madison’s busiest and most famed retail stretch, you will come across 341 State St., otherwise known as the home of Mexican restaurant Casa de Lara. Inside, the hostess will usher you to… View story »
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Cargo Coffee
You do not have to travel too far off the beaten paths of the UW campus to find a locally-owned coffee shop that is unique, to say the least. A friendly staff, comfortable atmosphere, and inexpensive, tasty snacks make Cargo Coffee, located at 1309 S. Park St., the perfect place to study, chat with friends or just relax and… View story »
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Brasserie V
If Sam Adams, Coors, Bud and Miller no longer quench your of-age thirst, mix it up and try the imported ales at Brasserie V on 1923 Monroe St. This spot is ideal for a post-Badger game bite — not that the stadium hot dogs aren’t delicious.Brasserie V’s food is as sophisticated as its name suggests. According to Brasseriev.com, a brasserie… View story »
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Biaggi’s
Though “Biaggi’s” sounds like a shady crime mob surname, this Italian restaurant’s food is far from criminal. Chain restaurants may be the bane of small businesses’ existences, as they usually lack uniqueness, but Biaggi’s takes a realistic approach to traditional Italian food.Originally started in Bloomington, Ill., Biaggi’s offers a unique look at corporate restaurant strategy. They want to make diners… View story »
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Bunky’s
Bunky’s Café on Madison’s near East side is one of the city’s most inspired ethnic dining locations. Originating primarily as an Italian restaurant in the Italian-American Greenbush neighborhood of Madison in the 1930s, it has transformed into an eatery unlike anything else. Owners Teresa Pullara and Rachid Ouabel have crafted a menu which represents a fusion of Italian and Mediterranean… View story »
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Best “quick-stop” shop
The appeal of State Street’s Walgreens has to come from its convenient location. The pharmacy-without-a-pharmacist on the corner of Lake and State streets frequently runs out of milk, is excruciatingly crowded during passing-times and usually leaves me with the urge to apply hand-sanitizer upon exiting. Despite its downfalls, Walgreens continues to act as a shopping mecca for UW students. Between… View story »
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Cushiest student job
Wanna know if a job is easy? Check the job description. If it mentions the word “kiosk,” chances are you’re on easy street. Case in point: Have you ever seen anyone occupying those Downtown Madison Inc. kiosks on the Capitol Square doing any actual work? I haven’t. The people who swipe student ID cards at the SERF also work in… View story »
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Dirtiest dive bar
Maybe the least surprising winner of an award since Wilt Chamberlain was being named MVP by averaging a million points and a million rebounds a game (still a record), the Red Shed has pretty much locked up the Best/Dirtiest Dive Bar honors for the rest of the millennia, or at least until some brothel sets up shop in the spot… View story »
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Best campus people-watching spot
For most University of Wisconsin students, the views of sunny, sailboat-carpeted Lake Mendota from the Memorial Union Terrace can radiate enough pure joy to last a good several minutes. However, once out of the daze evoked by the unbridled glory of a glistening lake, students recognize the Terrace as the best people-watching spot on campus. The sheer volume of human… View story »
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Best haircut
Downtown Madison residents often complain they have to spend $20 on a haircut — not true! If you’re really on a budget, you have two options — develop sudden male pattern baldness or donate your scalp to science at Madison Area Technical College. On the other hand, while being at the mercy of the MATC beauticians-in-training means a great free… View story »
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Morning-after breakfast
Those that live in the Camp Randall area of campus know best just how good Mickies Dairy Bar really is. If you live east of the stadium and have never made the trip to Mickies, you’ve been missing out. It’s worth the walk. Mickies can satisfy Badger offensive lineman-sized appetites, as the portions are everything but skimpy. A hearty Mickies… View story »
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Best campus building
Was there really any doubt? While late-night refugees may collapse on stray bean bags or strip the late night café of every plastic-wrapped stale cookie under the florescent light, residents of Helen C. White will eventually grow tired of the fairly non-descript study rooms and trench warfare against their studies and shuffle across the street to Memorial Union, the vibrant… View story »
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Best “alone time” library
Nothing screams “alone time” like those masochistically cramped cages in the Memorial Library stacks. But for the sad and lonely college student who opts to favor productivity over the constant distractions and voyeurism of Helen C. White’s communal study areas, the stacks are ideal. Memorial Library may not have the lively social atmosphere of other study areas, but you do… View story »
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Best non-chain restaurant
It doesn’t have a catchy slogan or a goofy mascot to promote its food, but the Mediterranean Cafe doesn’t need one. The food speaks for itself. The menu at Med Cafe isn’t terribly expansive, but it doesn’t need to be. The can’t-miss item — and my personal favorite — is the shawarma plate, offered in the lamb and beef or… View story »
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Best place to act like a 5-year-old again
What better way to hearken back to a much simpler time of being a 5-year-old, away from the pressures and stress of college, than by taking a leisurely tour through Henry Vilas Zoo? Located less than a mile south of Camp Randall at the end of Randall Avenue in Vilas Park, awaits a 30-acre sprawling expanse of exotic animals. From… View story »
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Best Capitol-area bar
Deafening polka music and bastardized German traditions set the Essen Haus apart from most Madison-area bars. Lederhosen- and dirndl-garbed employees serve beer steins to customers in a dark, drafty, old building. Just like they do in Germany … maybe. Even if the “German” atmosphere is questionable, the Essen Haus tap beers are absolutely authentic, as they are all imported from… View story »
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Exquisite ethnic eatery
When I was a freshman, I decided to take advantage of downtown Madison’s rich dining selection and sample a new restaurant every day. This plan quickly deteriorated, but still I made a dignified effort. To increase my international exposure, I had dinner at Kabul one night and Husnu’s the next. But Buraka? It’s located between Husnu’s and Kabul, but is… View story »
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Swankiest hot-people bar
A soft metropolitan atmosphere, vibrantly upscale aura and exquisitely refined top shelf largely define Madison’s one genuine martini joint. Neither weekly games of chance nor the primitive aroma of freshly crisped lard are necessary to draw Blue Velvet’s altogether sophisticated crowd, with some of the city’s top bodies and minds quietly sifting through the huddled masses and into this West… View story »
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Dandiest delivery
Maybe it’s the delivery until 3 a.m. Maybe it’s the free menu with every order packed with more than 100 spectacular options for Chinese deliciousness, and maybe it’s the convenience of ordering online from the inescapable comfort of your roommate’s bowl chair. For whatever reason, Madison students adore Asian Kitchen. Inevitably, fortune cookie wrappers, soy sauce packets and sweet-and-sour sauce… View story »
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Best campus bar
Located at 603 State St., State Street Brats provides a very interactive atmosphere for its customers, as well as two spacious floors filled with party seekers on drinking nights. According to general manager Matt Goetsch, the secret to Brats’ success is the style of their specials, not just low prices. Goetsch said one popular special is Tuesday night “Flip Night.”… View story »
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In print and online… since 1969
This introduction appeared in the 2007 print version of the annual Bar & Dining Guide. You crunch a leaf beneath your shoe, and you breathe in the scent of fall carried on the breeze. As you start off on your walk again, a chance gust brings something flapping at your knees. Yes, it's that time of year again, the annual… View story »
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Fresco
Hidden away atop the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, cutting-edge American cuisine is being served at the chic restaurant Fresco. After climbing up an open glass, almost futurist spiral staircase that stops at each exhibit floor, you will arrive at Fresco, famished and ready to eat your heart out. The dimly lit Martini lounge at the front is reminiscent of… View story »
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Bluephie’s
No matter what tastes you crave, Bluephie's could be your new favorite restaurant. The décor is modern and trendy yet still inviting, and the atmosphere is warm and friendly. Bluephie's is perfect for a lunch date or post-study session feast. The eclectic menu, including salads, noodle bowls, burgers, sandwiches and other hearty favorites, allows customers to either try something new… View story »
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Capitol Chop House
There is always that certain restaurant you save for special occasions — Valentine's Day, graduation or your parents coming to visit. It's the restaurant that if you had the money, you would eat at on a regular basis. If the Capitol Chop House is not this restaurant for you, then it should be. After eating at this steakhouse once, it… View story »
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Harvest
"Harvest" is an appropriate name for a restaurant that uses only the freshest ingredients in their meals, many of which are organic and locally grown. After being seated in a corner table with a view of the Capitol, I quickly realized that I was not going to find anything remotely resembling brats or waffle fries on this menu. The meal… View story »
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Main Depot
A mere six blocks from the hustle and bustle of Capitol Square lies one of Madison's best kept secrets. The Main Depot offers all the amenities, or delightful lack thereof, in a downtown bar without the drawbacks of grumpy bouncers and overcrowding. Located on Main Street, its cozy interior is accented by a red-paneled ceiling and a bright, train-themed stained… View story »
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The Old Fashioned
With the constant pressure to balance schoolwork, relationships and extracurricular activities, college can get pretty stressful. When times get tough, comfort food is a necessity. Most of the time, a pint of ice cream or a bag of chips gets the job done, but every once in a while, you have to bring in the big guns: fried food and… View story »
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Tornado Club
In every young person's life, there comes a time when he find himself longing for change — something new or different, a shakeup of the old routine, like a bar where you can drink without waking up the next morning with the stale taste of a fishbowl in your mouth, a bar without sweat and grease exhaust flowing from its… View story »
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Starbucks
Starbucks — that gigantic, looming coffeehouse chain auspiciously named after the first mate in Melville's "Moby-Dick." And just like in the book, Starbucks is almost more of a symbol than a coffee shop — for some, a business model for success in a global free market, and for others, the consistent exploitation of people and resources in third-world countries at… View story »
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The Froth House
If you are sick of the crowded and commercialized coffeehouses of State Street, maybe it is time to take a hike and consider The Froth House. This intimate coffeehouse is located just outside of campus on the west side of Camp Randall and is definitely worth the walk. Inside you will discover a unique elegance that is suggestive of Moroccan… View story »
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Barriques Coffee Trader
With so many equally distinct coffee shops littered around the streets of downtown Madison, it is quite likely one could find himself unsure of where to turn. Let me make it easy for you: Head off the heavily trodden path of State Street to the wide corner of West Washington and Fairchild Street, where just a block from the Capitol… View story »
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Lazy Jane’s
Because the Sunroom Cafe and Mickies Dairy Bar are practically on campus, few students stray very far from home when going out for breakfast. However, Lazy Jane's Cafe and Bakery (across the street from the Willy Street Co-op) is a good example of why the occasional break from the campus-centric breakfast dining scene is a very bright idea. In addition… View story »
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Lakefront on Langdon
Lakefront on Langdon, located right next to the Memorial Union Terrace, is one of the most convenient stops between class and State Street. It just so happens to be one of the most delicious stops as well. Lakefront is a Wisconsin Union Deli, so there are many a la carte items that can be found across campus. This consistency is… View story »
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Gotham Bagels
Though New Yorkers are regularly made fun of, I think it's safe to say they know a good bagel. Being from New York and a senior, it was not until this semester that I consumed what I consider a "legit bagel" in Madison. I try my best to avoid the chains' rolls with a hole as much as possible, unless,… View story »
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Scott’s Pastry Shoppe
For those early risers meandering around Capitol Square, there drifts a scent on the breeze that's sure to arouse anyone's taste buds. It is the smell of freshly baked pastries wafting from Scott's Pastry Shoppe, served starting at 6 a.m. on weekdays at its location on 19 W. Main St. on the Lake Monona side of Capitol Square. First comers… View story »
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Cafe Porta Alba
Specializing in authentic Neapolitan pizza, Café Porta Alba provides a plethora of choices on its gourmet menu. Using San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mushrooms and mozzarella cheese gives this pizza a full flavor that makes its imitators pale in comparison. Funghi, recommended by the waitress, is a Neapolitan pizza with mozzarella cheese, tomato, basil and mushrooms. The majority of Porta Alba's… View story »
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Cafe Costa Rica
Tucked away on South Butler Street, Café Costa Rica is hard to miss, with a brightly lit palm tree on the front patio and upbeat Caribbean music playing inside. But that's no gimmick — this genuine Caribbean café features entrees such as curried chicken, tico burritos and empanadas. For the Caribbean-food lover, this café is perfect its authentic cuisine, music,… View story »
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Eldorado Grill
On a Friday night, Eldorado Grill, 744 Williamson St., is the perfect restaurant to enjoy Southwestern entrees and margaritas far from the plebeians on State Street. The traditional Tex-Mex (and surprisingly vegetarian-friendly) menu has a touch of upscale presentation and quality perfect for impressing a special someone without an unbearable hit to the wallet. Built from the remains of an… View story »
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Vientiane Palace
If it’s spicy food you’re looking for, there are always obvious options like Real Chili or Qdoba. In both cases taste buds are assaulted with that pin-prick-on-tongue spicy sensation. But why not try someplace different? Vientiane Palace isn't the most obvious spicy food destination. It’s tucked a block off State Street, but the value and Lao-Thai taste make the Palace… View story »
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Inka Heritage
If there's one thing Madison has no shortage of — in addition to protesters, dive bars and minority bookstores — it's vaguely ethnic restaurants. When a Mexican-Mediterranean restaurant goes under, and an Afghani-Mediterranean restaurant immediately replaces it, you can't help feeling there's nothing new under the sun. But fret not, Madison gourmands: The recent addition of a seldom-tapped cuisine will… View story »
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Nam’s Noodles
With the range of options State Street has to offer, students are often left in the dark about those fine establishments on the outskirts of campus. One such case is Nam's Noodle. Squeezed into a mini-mall next to Topper's Pizza on Regent Street, the inconspicuous location is a great find for any student looking for a pleasant sit-down experience away… View story »
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Best Alone-Time Library: Memorial Library
"What do you mean, my official Ghostwriter Club membership card is not an acceptable form of identification?" There, standing at the shallow gate that stood between me and my Student Choice Award-blurb destiny, I realized I wasn't in College Library anymore. Luckily, the librarian was temporarily stunned by the dazzle of Sheldon Turnipseed's bright, literacy-loving smile, and I passed calmly… View story »
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Best Lecture Hall: B10 Ingraham
We live in a world of dueling lecture halls, and in the battle for the hearts and minds of students, one looms over the rest. In the dank basement corridors of Ingraham hall lies a behemoth in comfort, "sitability*," and just plain style — all the stuff they don't teach in lecture hall school. With cushy blue seats, ample legroom… View story »
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Best Quick-Stop Shop: Walgreens
You have to make a stop and need to make it quick — if it's not past 10 p.m., where else to go but America's favorite 24-hour pharmacy? Recently I decided to bake a cheesecake, but I didn't have any more cream cheese! "To Walgreens!" I thought. After picking up a few necessities, I confidently strode toward the frozen foods,… View story »
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Best Campus Building: Memorial Union
The students have spoken, and it turns out that Memorial Union, by quite a margin, is the best building on campus. It's a good choice, really. The building couldn't take better advantage of its lakefront location, and the wonderful Memorial Union Terrace is as much of an icon of the University of Wisconsin campus as anything else. It has a… View story »
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Best People-Watching Spot: The Terrace
For most University of Wisconsin students, the views of sunny, sailboat-carpeted Lake Mendota from the Memorial Union Terrace can radiate enough pure joy to last a good several minutes. However, once out of the daze evoked by the unbridled glory of a glistening lake, students recognize the Terrace as the best people-watching spot on campus. The sheer volume of human… View story »
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Best Grocer: Woodman’s
It is hard to pinpoint the best part about Woodman's. Is it the fact that you can go there at 4 a.m. in leopard-print pajamas and rollers in your hair and fit in? Is it the monstrous size of the building, which can induce both panic attacks and shrieks of glee? One thing is certain, however: Woodman's unsurpassed selection is… View story »
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Best Cup O’ Joe: Starbucks
Even with the seeming glut of coffee shops in the downtown Madison area, Starbucks once again topped the competition as students' favorite coffee shop. In fitting hegemonic fashion, the coffee giant crushed second-place finisher Espresso Royale by more than a 2-to-1 margin. A skeptic might cite Starbucks' ubiquity as the reason for their continued SCA dominance. Indeed, the Madison downtown… View story »
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Best Burger Restaurant: The Nitty Gritty
When it comes down to the nitty gritty of burger joints in Madison, the only place to go is the Nitty Gritty. The Gritty, established in 1968 by former TV personality Marsh Shapiro, features everything from the famous Gritty Burger to the Veggie Burger to Vinnie's Pizza Burger — complete with mozzarella, marinara and spicy pepperoni. Other favorite burgers include… View story »
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Best Budget Restaurant: Ian’s Pizza
Too many times, I have woken up disoriented and a little queasy, wondering what exactly had taken place the night before, only to realize I had spent my weekly grocery allotment on an overpriced feast of crummy takeout. Mornings after a trip to Ian's Pizza, however, the process of reconstructing the previous evening is a completely satisfying one. Not only… View story »
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Best Delivery Food: Toppers
So it's 1:30 a.m., and you've got the late-night munchies. Who do you call? More reliable than Ghostbusters when your stomach is battling hunger: Toppers comes in as the reader's choice for Dandiest Delivery Food. Open every night until 3 a.m., Toppers is always there when hunger strikes. Besides the late-night urges, Toppers is also a great choice on game… View story »
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Best Fancy-Pants Restaurant: L’Etoile
Most of the people who voted in the Student Choice Awards haven't even been to L'Etoile, one of Madison's most elite restaurants; they just wish they had the class to take a date there and actually fit in with the crowd. A dinner at L'Etoile isn't just your average hoity-toity meal, as you don't know; it is a dining experience… View story »
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Best Morning-After Restaurant: Mickies Dairy Bar
The oldest remedy in the book to solve the hangover blues is to use the hair of the dog that bit you — in other words, drink some more. While that might be the most effective remedy, it certainly can't be called the most healthy or socially acceptable method. For that, you'd have to hit up Mickies Dairy Bar, located… View story »
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Best Mexican Restaurant: Chipotle
She starts making her way toward you, all watery and steamy. Your mouth is salivating just thinking about the first contact your lips will make with her. Several others have already laid their hands all over her skin, but it does not faze you. The only thing you can think of is that you wish she was naked. It may… View story »
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Best Ethnic Eatery: Mediterranean Café
Mediterranean Café is actually the best restaurant in the world. I know, it's hard to believe that the best restaurant in the world could actually be in little 'ol Madison, Wisconsin — but believe it. Or go there today and let the restaurant make you a believer. I must confess I don't stray too far from my order — a… View story »
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Best Live-Music Venue: The Terrace
Ask any UW student about his favorite place to rock out on a warm summer's night, and the answer is resoundingly clear. Look no further than the green, yellow and orange sea of chairs that flood the Memorial Union Terrace. This lakefront live music gem has it all: great atmosphere, tasty Wisconsin cuisine, free-flowing beer, unbeatable talent — and best… View story »
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Best Hot-People Bar: Blue Velvet Lounge
The last thing I remember from my most recent jaunt at the Blue Velvet involves a bucket of ice, a blowjob and a wooden masher. Oh yeah, and hot people, too. I'm told, as my memory from the evening is a bit hazy, the following: An older (hotter) fellow — and I'm talking 80s, which sounds about right for the… View story »
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Best Bar: Church Key
Something's working at the Church Key. Maybe it's because it's not Madison Avenue. Church Key wins because the renovation job really cleaned 'er up, and somehow the place always seems so much bigger (and drunker) than one might expect on a Thursday night. The Church Key is simply the nice in-between bar — not a dive, but classy enough for… View story »
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Best Bust-A-Move Bar: Madison Avenue
If there is one thing the University of Wisconsin campus needs, it's a good, clean, respectable dance club where fellow Badgers can have a carefree drunken evening. Now, Madison Avenue may not quite fall into all of those categories. In fact, it doesn't fall into any of those categories except for the drunken evening one. But if you are looking… View story »
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Best Drink Specials: Brothers
No one wants to spend a fortune on booze each weekend. That's why drink specials are so important, and the majority of students agree that Brothers is the best place to go for a cheap drink. The location is great since it's near campus and a handful of other bars; the music is sometimes questionable, but people still dance; and… View story »
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Best Squat Bathroom: The Red Shed
Eclipsing the closest runner-up in the category by more than twice the votes, the Red Shed's facilities are the bathroom equivalent to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays of baseball. The threshold to the Shed's restroom has an outhouse-style door, which would be fitting if the head weren't even more revolting than an outdoor lavatory during mosquito season. While I can… View story »
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Best Dive Bar: The Red Shed
It might seem something of a dubious honor to be named "Dirtiest Dive Bar," but as any dive bar connoisseur worth his salt — or his Jagerbomb, as it were — will tell you, a dive bar's filthiness is directly proportional to its awesomeness. This can be no better proven than at the Red Shed, where the Real Thing Long… View story »
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Best Sit-down Bathroom: The Great Dane
When it comes to beer and a good time, the Great Dane can compete with any bar. But when it comes praising that porcelain God after a little too much of grandpa's medicine, well, let's just say the competition is no match. The Great Dane boasts separate-but-equal men's and women's bathrooms. The standout features to most are probably the sensory… View story »
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The Red Shed
The Red Shed is hardly an inconspicuous establishment, being easily sighted just off of State Street with a large busted-up wagon on the roof. What does a wagon have to do with a shed? Who knows? I guess you could call the Red Shed wagon a beacon of light to those who want to get blitzed like Daunte Culpepper. So,… View story »
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Quinton’s
As anybody who regularly walks or drives by the Gorham-Broom Street corridor knows, Quinton's Bar and Deli spent a lot of time in the construction phase. Before it finally opened its doors in February 2006, Quinton's teased passers-by with an "Opening Soon" sign for nearly a whole year, which led me to believe the establishment was really a front for… View story »
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Plaza Tavern
Among all the tee-totaling and evil deeds committed by PACE, it's good to know that there's an island of sanity located on Henry Street. Set course on the friend ship to the Plaza Tavern. Beer! Whiskey! Other booze! The origins of the Plaza are shrouded in mystery. Legend has it that a thousand years ago, two infant brothers, Remus and… View story »
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Pizza Di Roma
If you're looking for good service, friendly management and a high-quality slice of pizza in Madison, Pizza Di Roma is the way to go. In terms of specialty slices, their macaroni-and-cheese slice rivals anyone's in town. And for those of you pretending to watch your weight, the veggie-and-feta cheese slice always hits the spot. While many of Pizza Di Roma's… View story »
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Sunroom Cafe
I really don't want to tell you how good the Sunroom Cafe is. I don't want to tell you about the delicious food, cheap prices and relaxing atmosphere. But, after four years of delivering one great breakfast after another, I owe it to the good people at the Sunroom Cafe. Go there, enjoy your meal and leave some change in… View story »
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The Old Fashioned
Whether you're a Sconnie to the core with a hankering for some food of the motherland or an out-of-stater craving the cuisine of your new home, The Old Fashioned is the hottest new spot on Capitol Square. Offering dining and drinks that satisfy even the pickiest eaters, The Old Fashioned is sure to please with its comprehensive selection of appetizers… View story »
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Mickies Dairy Bar
Too hung over to scramble your own eggs? Too tired to flip your own pancakes? Have no fear, just mosey on down to Mickies Dairy Bar on Monroe Street and grab a seat — or a place in line — to enjoy a breakfast as awesome as your headache is unwelcome. The food is tailormade for college students: cheap, but… View story »
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Kabul
Every time I step into Kabul Restaurant, the soft lighting, dangling ceiling plants and spicy aroma make me feel like State Street is miles away. Great food, moderate prices and attentive service make me grateful that it's actually only a few blocks from campus. Kabul, located near Library Mall on State Street, offers a variety of Afghani and Mediterranean dishes…. View story »
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Ian’s
If there is one restaurant that offers variety on State Street, it's surely Ian's Pizza. The ingredients for most slices seem to come from menus rather than cookbooks. The attraction to Ian's is everything but traditional, though it still offers pepperoni, sausage, cheese and conventional combinations. Ian's menu includes vegetarian, chicken and steak-based flavors. By far one of its most… View story »
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Hawk’s
With homemade soups, salad dressings and a unique selection of specialty martinis and drinks, locally owned Hawk’s Bar and Grill offers a simple and relaxed atmosphere amid the bustle of State Street. Located in the heart of the business district at 425 State St., it is hard to miss Hawk’s large glass windows and inviting outdoor patio. On the inside,… View story »
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The Great Dane
The Great Dane is so good, it was almost left off this Bar & Dining Guide because its spectacular reputation doesn't need a review. The perfect marks it has received year after year were becoming old hat and even — dare I say it — boring, like the Dallas Cowboys in the mid-'90s. That's all you need to know. It… View story »
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Gino’s
After more than 40 years of family-owned service on State Street, Gino's has become a favorite Italian night out for many in Madison. The traditionally Italian, quiet, dimly lit atmosphere draws UW students and Madison residents alike to enjoy classic Sicilian style pizza, flavorful pasta and so much more. Its perfect location at 540 State St. includes a quaint outside… View story »
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Genna’s
I'm pretty sure you can judge a bar on how many embarrassing experiences you've had there — that's why the Plaza ranks so high in my book. But easily fighting for a top-five ranking is Genna's — a bar just off Capitol Square and just out of reach of most University of Wisconsin students. With a wide selection of beer… View story »
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Fair Trade Coffee
In a world of Starbucks, Wal-Mart and Exploit-o-shop, what could make your heart feel better than a tall mug of Fair Trade Coffee? Screw puppies. Fair Trade offers a bustling, yet comfortable eating environment occasionally interrupted by yells like, “turkey and cheese sandwich!” More than the laid-back, hip setting, Fair Trade boasts a dizzying array of slightly pricey, yet delicious… View story »
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Dotty’s
Dotty's lost some of its character when it was forced to move from its spacious State Street-adjacent location to the more intimate booths of 317 N. Frances St. What was once a two-story tribute to eclectic interior decorating and a staple of the undergraduate diet is now hardly distinguishable from a T.G.I. Garfieldbee's franchise, complete with sizable flat-screen TVs for… View story »
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Cue-Nique
If you're looking for a good game of pool and/or cards, the Union or the dorms aren't the places to be, Cue-Nique Billiards is. Even though it is easy to pass on by without even noticing it at the 317 W. Gorham St. location (above Quinton's), Cue-Nique offers a laid-back atmosphere not typical of the Madison bar scene. Don't be… View story »
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Club Frida
The first time I went to Club Frida — the upscale Tex-Mex restaurant's late-night transformation — I heard Tito Puente and Juanes, among others. We tore up the dance floor like nobody's business, much to the dismay of the rest of the bar. So, I decided to go back this summer. But it was Thursday night — a new one… View story »
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Buraka
Eating at State Street staple Buraka can be intimidating — those hoping to sample the restaurant's East African cuisine must first descend the steep stairs into the windowless but clean cavern beneath Husnu's and Kabul. Once confronted with a steaming plate of authentic African cooking, however, all else is forgotten in the joy of savoring great ethnic food. Located at… View story »
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Brocach
In such a Kraut town like Madison, finding a traditional Irish restaurant can be difficult for any Mick caught in Madtown. It even prompted esteemed Herald columnist Patrick Klemz to lament in a March 2005 entry: "Yet as a Madisonian, I come upon [St. Patrick's Day] with a heavy heart. For, in a town professing cultural acceptance of all, the… View story »
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State Street Brats
They say one of the best ways to learn about a city's culture is through its local bars and restaurants. When I came to look at the University of Wisconsin campus as a senior in high school, it took only one such example to make my decision for me. State Street Brats will always be near and dear to me,… View story »
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Amy’s Cafe
Easily lost amid the bevy of State Street bars and restaurants is Amy's Café, 414 W. Gilman St., and that's a damn shame. Because at Amy's UW students can find the best of both worlds — great food as well as a relaxed bar atmosphere, and both at reasonable prices. Located just off State Street (right across the street from… View story »
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Wando’s
Wando's must be a popular bar, as many of Madison's thirstiest waited in the butt-ass cold to enter the home of the fishbowl Saturday night, when this reviewer decided to throw a few down. The bar, found on the corner of University Avenue and Frances Street, is known for its fishbowls, a drink roughly the size of a Culligan water… View story »
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Plaza Tavern
Ah, the Plaza. Like a warm beacon in the night, she beckons weary travelers from afar. Or maybe that's just all the neon in the windows. I must be careful in giving too glowing of a review, for the weekend lines are already long enough without more of you nerds getting in my way. So let me tell you why… View story »
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The Majestic
For those looking to get their grooves on and dance the night away, the Majestic is one of the few bars in Madison to offer a two-story dance floor to strut your stuff. The Majestic gives college students an opportunity to venture away from the stereotypical beer-chugging establishments and enter a classy, upbeat place filled with bumping music and ample… View story »
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The Great Dane
Beer, pool, food and… beer — these are the four things in life that are closest to me. Now an astute reader would recognize that I counted 'beer' twice and may wonder why. My answer: take a vacation from your normal State Street pub crawl and walk to The Great Dane near the Capitol Square and you'll know exactly why…. View story »
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The Main Depot
One of Madison's finest establishments, The Main Depot, is often overlooked in the grand scheme of things, perhaps because of the location or perhaps because of the eccentric mix of individuals one may run into while paying a visit to this neighborhood bar. Located just a stone’s throw away from the corner of West Washington and Regent Streets, the Depot… View story »
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Caribou
What, exactly, do you look for in a bar? Do you want an atmosphere that reminds you of the south side of Milwaukee circa 1964, where the walls are dark woodgrain and the light filling the room emanates from beer signs the likes of Schlitz? Do you actually want a beer like Schlitz, or Pabst Blue Ribbon? Do you want… View story »
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Qdoba
One of the best places to end a night on the town is Qdoba Mexican Grill. Located on State Street, Qdoba is open until 3 a.m. and is a favorite of the locals. Any weekend night around bar time you will find the line out the door with people waiting for food. One of the most popular items on the… View story »
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Paul’s Club
For those who like trees, Paul's Club at 212 State St. is the place to go. The arboreal atmosphere is supplemented by a friendly vibe, and patrons are always talkative. Secret-ingredient house specials like the Firefighter (a sweet, reddish concoction, which is Paul's only blended drink) and the Vulcan Mindmeld (aqua-colored with a lime and sure to have you divulging… View story »
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Mickies Dairy Bar
Settled on the corner of Regent and Monroe streets, Mickies Dairy Bar might go forgotten by the majority of students come February. With no football Saturdays and snow covering the ground, one needs incentive to make their way to Mickies. Alcohol-induced morning-after cravings are sure to give you the strength needed to make the Regent Street trek to Mickies, even… View story »
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Luedtke’s Oakcrest Tavern
If you're looking for a game to watch, odds are it's on at Luedtke's Oakcrest Tavern. With 30 televisions, including a projection screen in the back room, the Oakcrest caters to the sports fan in all of us. Serving more than 100 varieties of beer to go along with an extensive and affordable menu, the Oakcrest is a guaranteed great… View story »
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From the Editor
From a packed State Street bar after a football game to a martini-drinking-style establishment, the 2004 Badger Herald bar guide gives you everything from trashy to classy. For all your drinking needs, this guide brings nightly deals on specialty drinks ranging from the edges of Camp Randall Stadium to the outskirts of the Capitol and not forgetting any of the… View story »
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Lava Lounge
Nestled among the more mainstream University Avenue bars like Wando's and Brothers is the Lava Lounge (461 W. Gilman St.), an out-of-the-way hangout that offers a refreshing break from the usual campus scene. The Lava Lounge has a little something for every type of bar-goer. The jukebox includes everything from Andrew W.K. to Johnny Cash, the drink specials are some… View story »
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Jordan’s Big 10 Pub
An enlightened alternative to the overly formal nights of many downtown Madison bars, Jordan's Big 10 Pub, located at 1330 Regent Street, offers a casual atmosphere and comfortable settings. Set up as a sports bar, Jordan's is covered by big screen televisions immersing patrons in a constant flow of various sports programming. A large room lined in booths and a… View story »
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Johnny O’s
It’s Friday, around 11 p.m. and you’re walking down University Avenue. Up the street you see pairs upon pairs of bare legs, tight black pants, and gelled and spiked hair. No, Good Charlotte is not in town. It’s just a weekend night at Johnny O’s. Johnny O’s, located at 620 University Ave., is still in its first year of business,… View story »
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Cleaveland’s Diner
It started off with a six-pack of the Beast at 7 p.m. But then you decided to play Beirut at your neighborhood frat house … and lost. But you aren’t a sore loser, so you shook it off and headed to a bar, where you saw that one kid from class and he bought you an Irish car bomb. Three… View story »
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Ian’s
Judging by the small inebriated herd that forms inside of Ian's come bar time, there does not seem to be a better spot for a late night/early morning snack than the popular Frances Street pizza joint. A stop for a slice after hitting the town has quickly become a tradition on the UW campus. What sets Ian's apart from other… View story »
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Madhatters Friday Night After Class
It's not quite Friday night yet — or even Friday afternoon, for that matter. But you're looking for a good place to get an early start on the weekend's booze-laden debauchery. To find this early-bird equivalent to drink specials, look no further than Madhatter's. Starting at 3 p.m. Friday, adventurous partygoers can immerse themselves in a sea of $2 pitchers… View story »
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Come Back In
A slice of campus culture surprisingly far from campus, Come Back In is much more a Wisconsin bar than a Madison bar, and once patrons set foot within its confines, this seemingly blurred distinction becomes clear. Most of State Street's drinking establishments fall into one of two realms — the prototypical college dive with sticky floors and bottomed-out rails, or… View story »
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Bullfeathers
Bullfeathers pub and eatery, located just off of state behind triangle market, offers a not-too-crowded, not-too-boring environment. The atmosphere is that of a college pub right out of the movies — not too clean, not too dirty; with stained glass lights and wood everything. The bar offers the standard pool table, as well as a whole bunch of electronic dartboards…. View story »
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King of Madison
In a two-night bender that predictably ended with me curled up in the fetal position next to my trashcan, I experienced the best and worst of Madison. From what I roughly estimated to be the beginning of my birthday on the East Coast Friday night to a little after what I am told was the end of my birthday on… View story »
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Best Building: Memorial Union
University of Wisconsin students have recognized the versatility of the Memorial Union, voting it the best building on campus. The union won hands down over runner-up Grainger Hall, demonstrating its popularity — especially over buildings where class is actually held. Its proximity to Lake Mendota is a nice feature and offers distractions like dangling feet off the pier, watching the… View story »
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