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City Cast Madison

Thanksgiving is upon us! And it’s never too early to start planning your Thanksgiving dinner. If you’re not much of a home cook, don’t want to deal with the stress, or just wouldn’t mind a little help this year, here are some great places around Madison to grab your holiday meal.

Get an organic semi-boneless turkey for five, or just two from their take-home Thanksgiving menu, including sides like a wild rice casserole, a tart cherry and arugula salad, and much more. Orders close Nov. 24.

With a breaded cranberry sage seitan and roasted pecan marshmallow sweet potatoes, you won’t want to miss this menu. Place orders by Nov. 24.

At $40 per person, get a takeout order with sliced smoked turkey, mac and cheese, stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, your choice of apple or pumpkin pie, and more. Just to be sure to get your order in by Nov. 25.

Order by Nov. 25 to get Chef Sammy’s Thanksgiving dinner, which includes roasted turkey and a green bean casserole. Pie and sides are also available a la carte.

Check out Bonfyre if you’re looking to pre-order dinner for the whole family, with a choice of 3 pounds of roasted turkey or 2 pounds of bourbon glazed ham, soup or salad, tons of sides, and a whole pumpkin pie. You can also order from their a la carte menu.

The downtown eatery’s extensive holiday menu offers dishes you won’t see elsewhere, from porchetta roast to country pate. Their Heritage Thanksgiving Feast serves 5 for $325. Pickup is available in Fitchburg Nov. 27.

From savory to sweet, and even breakfast for the morning after, Pasture and Plenty has so many farm-to-freezer options available for pre-order.

Turducken, anyone? Join the restaurant staff on Nov. 26 for a full spread of holiday grub, where the 30 pound turducken is the star of the show. There are limited seats, so get your reservation in soon!

Dine in on Nov. 28, from a menu featuring a roasted organic turkey and the Statehouse herb crusted prime rib. Their full menu will also be available.

The professional chefs at Vibrant Veg are serving up Thanksgiving meals for your party of six, or for the solo dinner with plant-based savory and sweet dishes.

Where To Buy Your Thanksgiving Dinner in Madison

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Madison. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Madison Food & Drink

Food & Drink

At 18, Jessica Ricci is changing the world of microgreens in Madison. This young entrepreneur has turned her passion for growing into her business called 

Most of you have had Jessica’s microgreens at least once at a local restaurant. Spots that use New Life Greens include Lucille, Everly, Deliciouser, Todofresco, Cento, The Statehouse, The Boathouse at Edgewater, Draper Brothers Chophouse, Kettle Black Kitchen, Ancora Cafe & Bakery, Eno Vino, Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge, Cadre, and more outside of Madison!

We caught up with her to get the scoop on her business endeavors and find out why microgreens are so special.

Q: How did you manage school with your business?

 In high school, I was part of a youth apprenticeship program, so I attended school half of the day and worked the other half. At first, I would have school from around 8:00 a.m. to noon and work from then until 3:30 p.m. As my business grew I began to work longer days, but I loved what I was doing so much that it didn't feel like work to me. Now that I am out of school, I try my best to have a healthier work/life balance so that I can still enjoy time with my friends and family.

 Microgreens drew me in because of their unique appearance, flavor, and diversity. It amazed me how a plant at the beginning of its life could have the same flavor as its fully grown counterpart. For example, cantaloupe microgreens taste just like a cantaloupe!

Q: What method do you use to grow your microgreens?

I am now using a vertical hydroponic farming method. With my new indoor space, I am able to control the climate to ensure that I am producing the highest quality product in the most clean and sustainable way.

Q: Where did your love for plants come from?

 My love for plants came from my grandfather, Thomas Smith, he was an environmentalist and was passionate about connecting humans to plants. He instilled a love and appreciation for plants and sustainability within me. I am so thankful that I can spend my day-to-day with plants, it makes me feel connected to my Grandpa Tom!

Q: What is your favorite way to prepare and eat microgreens?

 Microgreens can pair very well with any dish that a vegetable would — salads, smoothies, stir-fries, soups, grain bowls, veggie boards, and more! My favorite way to incorporate microgreens for the past month has been in spring rolls. They add so much flavor, texture, and freshness to the dish as well as make a beautiful appearance.

At 18, Jessica Ricci is changing the world of microgreens in Madison. This young entrepreneur has turned her passion for growing into her business called New Life Greens.

Q&A With the Queen of Microgreens

Get to know the natural side of Madison: the plants, animals, weather and more that make our city unique.

Madison Urban Almanac

Urban Almanac

Deals and more deals, please! Because in 

 economy, we’ll take all the drinks and food specials we can get. Here are a few delicious, and dang smart, happy hours around town.

This restaurant on the near-east side is serving Austin, Texas-style tacos, like beef brisket (very Tejano, indeed), margaritas, a house-made limeade, and more.

 Daily from 2 to 5 p.m. for half-off tacos, margaritas, draft beer, and wine.

Looking for a veggie-forward spot? Head to Monroe Street for a brightly lit restaurant with Southern California-inspired grub.

Monday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m. for $8 signature cocktails, and half-off select appetizers and wine bottles.

 for its “legendary ham sandwich,” this restaurant is beloved for its upscale farm-to-table menu.

Tuesday to Friday, 4 to 6 p.m. Get that hammy sammy for just $6, along with $4 fries, $10 burger, and $2 off house cocktails, beer, and wine.

This Wilson Street spot lives up to its name because its oysters and seafood will truly cause a commotion in the most amazing way.

Monday through Friday, 4 to 6 p.m. for $10 cocktails, $7 wines, $1 off draught beer, and food specials including $2 oysters, $3 shrimp cocktails, and more.

Head downtown for delicious tacos, served in two’s, and sip on any one (or a few) of their margaritas.

Daily, 2 to 5 p.m., and 9 p.m. until close. Get half-off tacos, signature margaritas, draft beer, and wine. Also for the brave, try their six Tecate cans and the bartender’s shot choice.

With two Madison locations, you can enjoy their food specials every day and all over town.

Monday to Friday, 2 to 5 p.m. at Capitol East. And daily specials at their Madison West location.

🤩 More, more, more!

Deals and more deals, please! Because in this economy, we’ll take all the drinks and food specials we can get. Here are a few delicious, and dang smart, happy hours around town.

The Best Happy Hour Deals in Madison

Find the best of everything that Madison has to offer.

Madison’s Best

Madison's Best

 began in Italy in 1986 under the belief that local food and traditional cooking preserves regional cuisines, encourages farming, and promotes sustainability. Promoted as an alternative to fast food, overproduction, and food waste, the movement and its ideas have since spread worldwide.

 through Genya Erling and a small group of students to bring the produce and food from Southern Wisconsin to campus. 

 has taken the movement’s credo and expanded it to provide meals to the Madison community.

 started as a small group of students cooking together, and grew to a partnership with guest chefs from Madison restaurants. In 2009, Slow Food UW began serving dinner to the community weekly during the school year. In 2011, 

 began serving affordable food on campus.

Slow Food UW is always looking for volunteers

 to work either of their weekly food events.

🍅 Plus, how to become an urban farmer

The Slow Food movement began in 1986 under the belief that local food and traditional cooking preserves regional cuisines, encourages farming, and promotes sustainability. Today, that mission is being carried out at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The Slow Food Movement at University of Wisconsin, Madison

How the Slow Food Movement Expanded at UW-Madison

People, places, and scenes from Madison's past.

Madison History

Are you hungry?! Good, because there are a lot of new spots soon opening around town that are ready to fill you up, buttercup! We spoke to Cap Times food editor Lindsay Christians, a friend of the City Cast Madison pod, to get the scoop on the spots where you 

This Latin American-style restaurant will soon be moving into the Moxy hotel in Downtown Madison. It comes from owner Ben Roberts and partner Alin Stupinean of Taberna Tacos & Tequila on Monroe Street.

This craft cocktail bar now open on the North Side is owned by lifelong Madisonian and vet of the bar industry, Simon Dettinger.

Coming soon is this Detroit-style pizza spot opening where a Salvatore's Tomato Pies used to be on East Johnson.

Continuing the love for East Johnson, Public Parking Bar has been getting a lot of buzz. They’re looking at a Sept. 5 opening.

The iconic tamale purveyor is moving to a larger space on Northport that was once home to Benvenuto’s Italian Grill.

Grab one, or a bunch, of doughnuts from this tasty doughnut franchise opening Aug. 17 on University Avenue. Some standout options are the Beach Ball with rainbow sprinkles and chocolate drizzle, plus their piña colada or maple bacon flavors.

This place has got everything! Prairie du Sac spot will have a full menu of snacks, dinner specials, a speakeasy, trivia, live music, and more!

This popular cafe is opening its fourth location in an apartment building off Cottage Grove Road in Monona.

🎧 Oh so very much more!

Are you hungry?! Good, because there are a lot of new spots soon opening around town that are ready to fill you up, buttercup!

New Restaurants In Your Madison Neighborhood

Everything to know about Madison neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Madison Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

 during the summer months. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin sat down with 

 to discuss hot patio spots in and around town. They laid out 

Enjoy some delicious Mediterranean food while sitting on the patio of this quaint, green-colored house. With string lights and hanging plants, this cozy patio is not to be missed. It’s also covered, so even if it rains, you can still enjoy this patio.

Known for its golf simulators, this is a great place to grab a drink and practice your shot. What you may not know is they have a great patio for people to enjoy. Full of Adirondack chairs, what’s a better place to kick back and enjoy yourself?

If you go to the entrance to the left of the Graduate, you will find Camp Trippalindee. Here, you are transported to a cozy bar that will make you feel like you’re at summer camp. Their patio overlooks part of downtown and you can even catch a glimpse of Lake Mendota.

Located on Lake Waubesa, this patio will make you feel like you have gone to an ocean-side town on the East Coast. With waterfront dining, a tiki bar, boat docking, volleyball, and more, there is a ton to do while enjoying the outdoors. 

Catch some live music at the East Side Club’s famous Tiki Bar. They also serve food every night of the summer including a brat fry hosted by the American Legion on Friday Nights. 

The Great Dane downtown is home to their outdoor patio known as “The Garden.” When you step into this patio, you are transported to somewhere in Europe with ivy-covered walls and string lights adorning the sky above you. 

 For a great cup of coffee and some fresh air, head over to Indie Coffee on Regent Street. With a huge tree in this back patio, shade is often provided making this a great spot on a hot summer day. 

Another great coffee spot with a patio is Lakeside Coffee House located right on Monona Bay. Enjoy a sandwich along with a yummy latte while sitting underneath the trees outside of this house-turned-cafe.

 Set up in a beautiful location along the Yahara River, Mariners Inn gives the vibe that you traveled to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. With plenty of seafood and steak to go around, this patio is great for a nice dinner with your friends. 

 Located on King Street, the Youngblood patio is a great spot to grab a tasty IPA, or any beer really! With both big and small tables, this is a great date spot or a place for you and all of your friends to gather.

 if you want to travel a little further. Check out 

. This winery is located in Prairie du Sac, about 40 minutes outside of Madison. It feels like you’ve completely left Wisconsin, and the U.S., and landed in a vineyard in Europe. 

Madison has many opportunities to enjoy great patios during the summer months.

The Best Patios in Madison (& Beyond) 

Groceries are something all of us need. Whether it’s making a pasta dish you found on TikTok or trying out traditional Hmong sesame balls, there is a grocery store for you in Madison.

This Italian grocery store is popular for its authentic ingredients like pasta, charcuterie board ingredients, oils, and kinds of vinegar. They also sell delicious sandwiches on Madison Sourdough bread starting at 9 a.m. (10 a.m. on Sundays) until they run out. 

This west side shop offers a variety of groceries from Middle Eastern countries, including a range of spices. Along with these groceries, they offer traditional Middle Eastern clothing for men, women, and children. 

This Italian grocery store has been a Madison staple since 1971. With fresh pasta, soups, sandwiches, and other entrees, there are plenty of options at Fraboni’s that can give you the taste of Italy. This is also a great spot to get imported and domestic meats, cheeses, and wines for your kitchen. 

Gooh Grocery focuses on providing fresh, sustainable groceries for the Madison community. The goal of this grocery store is to address food insecurity. Would you believe that it used to be a 

This market opened in 2020 selling quality ingredients from all around the world. Top-notch seafood is something you are sure to find at Global Market and Food Hall. There are also many different restaurants in the food hall where you can grab a bite like Dumpling House and Hmong Kitchen

Luna’s Groceries is all about building community. They are currently in the process of constructing a second location on South Park Street. While they have the standard groceries you may need, they also work to sell items you may not be able to find elsewhere. Many know they have the best mangoes in Madison. 

This family-owned grocery store is a great place to get traditional Hmong cuisine. From sesame balls to pork steam rolls, there is a wide range of products from the Hmong Legacy Market. They also sometimes offer hot deli dishes which are worth checking out too. 

This Mexican grocery store is a great place to get your groceries for your next Mexican dish at home. There are tons of meat options and delicious tortillas for your next taco night. And if you don’t want to make your own, you can grab some authentic tacos made at the market. 

If you’re looking for ingredients to make any Asian dish, Viet Hoa is bound to have what you need. This Asian grocery store has items from countries like Vietnam, Japan, China, Korea, and beyond. Plus, inside is the restaurant Hot N Spicy, a mother/son restaurant, which dishes out tasty Laotian food. 

Where Do You Get Your Groceries? 🛒 

How to Spice Up Your Grocery Trips While Shopping Locally

Wondering where to get a bite while sipping on your favorite cocktail? Look no further. Here’s a list of the best places to grab a bite — or even a full meal — while at the bar.

This is a Madison classic, serving traditional Wisconsin dishes like cheese curds and brats. But, they are most known for their burger which is a must try according to many regulars. While you’re here, top off the Wisconsin experience with a good ole’ old fashioned.

This spot opened up back in November and 

. This dining room/cocktail lounge is a great place to grab a seasonal cocktail while also having some tasty late night snacks. From pasta to dumplings, their menu expands over a variety of cuisine to satisfy your cravings.

A staple for many Madison residents and UW-Madison students, plaza is the place to be. Their Plazaburger is revered by many — paired with a $3.50 Long Island iced tea on Thursday nights — makes for the pinnacle bar meal.

 For my fellow vegetarians out there, head on over to the Harmony Bar & Grill for their Famous Harmony Walnut Burger. This secret recipe has been around for 30 years and it makes sense why it has stuck around for so long.

If you are looking for a cheap bite to eat, the Paradise Lounge is your next stop. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, the Paradise Burger is one of the 

This spot on the West Side is not to be missed. For the fish fry fans out there, you can get their fish fry not only on Fridays, but Wednesdays too. But if fish isn’t your jam, they also have burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, and more.

rave about the Reuben and brisket over at the Tip Top tavern. Both are sure to satisfy these classic sandwich cravings. And perhaps you indulge in their Friday Fish Fry, a Wisconsin staple.

From burgers to wings to salads, there’s something for everyone at this local brew pub chain. There are also a variety of beers for folks to try. A burger and a beer? Name a more classic combination.

 While they have the traditional menu options like burgers or cheese curds, you can also customize your own pizza. Then, top of your dinner with their donut bites, because what is not to love about that?

And if all else fails, odds are you can probably order a landjäger.

Here is a list of the spots with the best bar food in Madison. Whether it is a small bite or a full meal, there is something for everyone. 

The Best Bar Food in Madison 

Buildings around Madison are constantly being repurposed, but it’s not often you see a strip club transform into a grocery store. So, how did a two-story establishment at the corner of E. Washington and Schmedeman avenues go from Madison’s last strip club to a grocery store?

The term “food desert,” or “food apartheid,” 

, refers to an area with a population of low-income residents with limited access to healthy and affordable foods. Madison’s east side has historically fallen into that category, with 

When Visions Night Club shuttered in 2020, Samba Baldeh, who represents District 48 in the State Assembly, and engineer and entrepreneur Jerreh Kujabi saw an opportunity to open a grocery store in its place. With 

funding assistance from two city programs

Both Baldeh and Kujabi were born in The Gambia in West Africa, which influenced many parts of the store. The word Gooh (pronounced “go-oh”) means “the one” in Fulani, one of the languages spoken in the region. The store also features many international items that were once hard to find in Madison.

The City Cast Madison podcast spoke to Baldeh and Kujabi about the journey of Gooh Grocery and how they’re working to 

incorporate accessible housing into the concept

From Strip Club to World Grocery 🎧

Buildings around Madison are constantly being repurposed, but it’s not often you see a strip club transform into a grocery store. This is the story of Gooh Grocery in Madison, Wisconsin.

How an East Madison, Wisconsin Strip Club Became a Grocery Store

How an East Madison Strip Club Became a Grocery Store

What Madisonians have been wondering. We break down why things in Madison are the way they are and how they work.

Madison, Explained

 and in celebration of the occasion, we’ve rounded up some of Madison’s Black-owned food businesses and restaurants that are making an impact in the community and deserve your attention all year round.

, Café CODA is billed as Madison’s premier place for jazz. The venue hosts an array of regular events, from soul karaoke and tango nights to improv performances and beyond. Owner Hanah Jon Taylor is an internationally known saxophonist and flutist who seeks to keep music in Madison’s air.

Known for their creative flavor combinations and expertly crafted pieces of chocolate, CocoVaa has been a Madison favorite since 2018. Owner Syovata Edari is a former trial lawyer and received her culinary training in France and Italy. Edari was 

recently named a 2024 James Beard semifinalist

What started off as a small pop up has grown into having a storefront on State Street. Just Veggiez is a vegan restaurant serving a “healthier version of your favorite comfort foods without sacrificing flavor.” The local restaurant is 100% Black and family owned.

A new addition to Madison, Gooh Grocery recently opened in 

. The grocery store at 3554 E. Washington Ave. sells all of the typical pantry staples but also has a Halal meat counter, and offers an extensive selection of West African, Hmong, and other international food items.

Newer to Madison’s restaurant scene is Willy Street Eats. The comfort food spot moved into the former home of Lao Laan Xang at 1146 Willy Street in 2023. The menu features items such as a Cajun shrimp basket, red snapper, and Friday fish fry.

Melly Mell’s makes soul food from family recipes passed down from generations. The popular catering business cooks the classics like fried chicken, catfish, mashed potatoes, and collard greens as well as barbeque, Mexican, and seafood dishes. The business used to have a restaurant off Badger Road but now focuses on catering events.

February is Black history month and in celebration of the occasion, we’ve rounded up some of Madison’s Black-owned food businesses and restaurants that are making an impact in the community and deserve your attention all year round.

food

Where To Buy Your Thanksgiving Dinner in Madison

Q&A With the Queen of Microgreens

The Best Happy Hour Deals in Madison

Latest articles

Where To Buy Your Thanksgiving Dinner in Madison

Q&A With the Queen of Microgreens

The Best Happy Hour Deals in Madison

How the Slow Food Movement Expanded at UW-Madison

New Restaurants In Your Madison Neighborhood

The Best Patios in Madison (& Beyond)

How to Spice Up Your Grocery Trips While Shopping Locally

Latest articles

How the Slow Food Movement Expanded at UW-Madison

New Restaurants In Your Madison Neighborhood

The Best Patios in Madison (& Beyond)

How to Spice Up Your Grocery Trips While Shopping Locally

The Best Bar Food in Madison

How an East Madison Strip Club Became a Grocery Store

Madison’s Favorite Black-Owned Food and Drinks