So you are a freshman new to Madison - you have heard about the easy classes to take, and you know where you want to live. But, most importantly, where do you want to eat when you get here? There are so many restaurants on and near campus. Some are amazing, some are good and others you should not waste your appetite at. It can be a daunting task to choose where to eat, but to get the full taste of Madison you need to be a little adventurous. You can always eat fresh at Subway, but to eat well there are many other restaurants and dishes to try. Here is the inside dish on the best of Madison cuisine.
The Nitty Gritty on birthdays
Birthdays can be stressful your first year of college if you don't know where to go. If you have an upcoming birthday and want some special treatment, check out the Nitty Gritty, 223 N. Frances. The Nitty serves up the usual bar food, but the waffle fries and Black Bean Burger are a must try. The staff announces birthdays to the entire restaurant, and everyone will give you a birthday serenade. Make sure you stop by the Nitty to celebrate your 21st for their free beer accompanied with birthday balloon.
A slice of late-night Madison
Pizza Di Roma, 313 State St., can satisfy even the strongest late-night cravings at a reasonable price. The slices are huge, so come with an appetite and some patience for the inevitably long line. The Baked Ziti pizza is a delicious but filling choice, so either share with a friend or be prepared to consume two meals in one sitting.
Best ethnic eatery
While some of the ethnic restaurants on State Street may be intimidating at first, they offer up some of the best food in Madison. Husnu's, 547 State St., is a little more upscale than the other ethnic restaurants, but the lunch specials are affordable and delicious. Husnu's specializes in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, with everything from seafood to salad and kabobs. Whatever you order, be sure to try the rice sweetened with raisins and the warm pita bread.
Save your lunch money
If you are on State Street during lunch time and see a line out the door, you are probably looking at Mediterranean Café, 625 State St. Don't worry about the line, though, because this food is made so fast that you will barely have to wait. It is a little scary how they do it so fast, but no one is about to complain. Not only is this one of the quickest lunch places on campus, but the prices are also more than reasonable. The menu includes both sandwiches and entreés with rice, but the vegan lentil soup and fresh hummus with pita are customer favorites.
Must-try Madison food
Besides the beer and brats, there is one food unique to Madison's campus. The Mac and Cheese Pizza from Ian's Pizza is unlike anything you have ever tried. The generous slices are loaded with macaroni and fresh, melted cheese. This isn't Kraft - it is way better. Ian's Pizza has two convenient locations, 319 N. Frances St. and 115 State St., but the North Frances location is right by the Southeast dorms, making Mac and Cheese Pizza another late-night favorite for freshmen especially.
The Hidden Gem
Dotty Dumplings Dowry, 317 N. Frances St., does not specialize in dumplings as the name suggests, but Dotty's serves up some of the best bar food in Madison. But this is not your ordinary fast food - Dotty's has salads, sandwiches and burgers from ostrich to buffalo. Save some room for a Sample Basket, which includes fries, onion rings, fried mac and cheese bites, fried mushroom and, of course, cheese curds. The basket is big enough to share with a few friends, even if you might not want to.
Avoid the Freshman 15
The fruit cart on Library Mall offers local food at reasonable prices. For those of you freshmen who can't reach a grocery store to access fresh fruit, this option is especially helpful in maintaining a healthy diet your first year of college. The fruit cart is open Monday through Friday, weather permitting, at the beginning and end of the school year. It offers both fresh and dried fruits, from mangos to strawberries to avocados. If you want a healthy snack, stop by the fruit cart in between classes.
Best Farmers' Market Pick
The Farmers' Market on the Capitol Square is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from mid-April until the beginning of November and offers locally made vegetables, muffins, cookies and more. But if you want the true market experience, there is one item you'll need to try. The spicy cheese bread from Stella's Bakery comes straight from the oven to your hands, and you can taste it. Stella's even has a stand by Camp Randall before football games if you are in need of some pre-game cheesy bread. You will undoubtedly hear people talking about the famous bread, and the taste lives up to its reputation.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for'¦
You should probably know by now about the famous Babcock ice cream sold at the Memorial Union and dining halls. But break out of your cold ice cream shell and try the most underrated flavor: Orange Custard Chocolate Chip. The name may sound strange, but this rich treat with the slightest hint of orange will keep you coming back for more creamy goodness.