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Off-Campus Dining:

A-

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Off-Campus Dining Grades:

Quick Stats

Best Pizza

  • Ian's Pizza & Salad
  • Toppers Pizza

Best Breakfast

  • Sunroom Café

Best Chinese

  • Chin's Asia Fresh

Best Healthy

  • Chin's Asia Fresh
  • Cosi
  • Rising Son's Deli

Best Wings

  • Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar

Best Place to Take Your Parents

  • Tutto Pasta Trattoria

College Prowler Take

When dorm food fails to spark an interest, many students find themselves wandering up and down State Street looking for a more fulfilling alternative. However, students advise that if you are hunting for food during the lunch hours, be prepared for a wait. Places like McDonalds, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Noodles & Company, and Qdoba have the longest lines. If you do have a little more time, though, students suggest trying a sit-down restaurant like Stillwater’s. Apart from the everyday eateries, Madison does offer an array of fancier, more occasion-based restaurants. Near the capital are some elegant spots that allow students to dress up and enjoy the time. Try out Delmonico’s or Continental Café; both these places have great ambiance and expansive wine lists.

The areas surrounding campus are filled with every type of cuisine imaginable. Students can usually find food at an affordable price. The lower half of State Street offers chain restaurants and fast food joints. For nicer places, students travel farther up State Street and towards capital square. Another place offering a variety of food venders is University Square. Located one block from State Street, this mall plaza houses about five cozy restaurants. Those with a car, though, are truly in luck. The malls are only 15 minutes away with tons of eating options.

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Students Speak Out

Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:

WisAM says:

Engineering

Well, there is always State...

Well, there is always State Street. A variety of restaurants and stores that have lots of overpriced food and material goods. I wouldn't call off campus walking distance, but you can get to other restaurants and stores and malls by bus easily.

Off-Campus Dining: February 25, 2009
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Anonymous says:

Madison also has a lot of...

Madison also has a lot of different ethnic spots. The Casbah has an unbelievable Mediterranean cuisine. Some restaurants are more expensive than others, but then it gives you the option of going somewhere swanky for a nice occasion.

Off-Campus Dining
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Anonymous says:

The restaurants by the capital are...

The restaurants by the capital are all good, notably the Magnus and the Casbah.

Off-Campus Dining
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Anonymous says:

Madison has the most...

Madison has the most restaurants-per-capita in the Midwest. State Street is the place to go for food. BW3’s is a great wing place, Qdoba is an awesome Mexican/taco place, and if you like noodles, there is Noodles & Company. Many great restaurants are all in a short proximity to each other.

Off-Campus Dining
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Anonymous says:

If you are looking for high class,...

If you are looking for high class, look around the capital area, which has a ton of great restaurants such as the Tornado Club.

Off-Campus Dining
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Facts

Student Favorites

  • Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
  • Chin's Asia Fresh
  • Chipotle
  • Five Guys
  • Mia Za's
  • Rising Son's Deli

Other Places to Check Out

  • Blue Moon Bar & Grill
  • Brat House
  • Continental Café and
  • Delmonico's
  • Great Dane Pub & Brewery
  • Gumby's Pizza
  • Madison's Dining & Diversions
  • Ocean Grill
  • Old Chicago
  • Outback Steakhouse
  • Paison's
  • Parthenon-Gyros
  • Pastry Shop
  • Porta Bella Italian Restaurant
  • Restaurant Magnus
  • Spice's Kitchen
  • Stillwaters, Inc.
  • Taco Johns
  • Takara Japanese Restaurant
  • Tornado Club Steak House

24-Hour Dining

  • None

Grocery Stores

Capital Food Center

Restaurant Listing

Amy's Café
American, Greek
414 W. Gilman St.
(608) 255-8172
www.amyscafé.com
Price: $8-$15
Amy's offers American-style cuisine with a Mediterranean flair.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
Wings, burgers
529 State St.
(608) 255-9464
www.buffalowildwings.com
Price: $5-$15
This sports bar has two levels of seating, with large television monitors to show the day's biggest sporting event.
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–2:30 a.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–3 a.m.

Chin's Asia Fresh
Chinese
422 State St.
(608) 661-0177
www.chins.com
Price: $5-$10
Chin's food isn't just cheap and fresh, it's healthy, too.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

Chipotle
Mexican
658 State St.
(608) 250-4613
Price: $7-$10
Available for order online. Booth-style seating. Bar seating at the window looking out onto State Street. Most noted for their huge burritos.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Einstein Bros. Bagels
Sandwiches, bagels
652 State St.
(608) 257-9828
www.einsteinbros.com
Price: $2-$8
There aren't many surprises here, though every few months they will come out with a featured bagel that is worth a try.
Hours: Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m.–3 p.m.

Five Guys
Hamburgers
517 State St.
(608) 255-2520
Price: $5-$7
Fast service and great MTO burgers and fries while you wait. Great for families and friends. Can be very packed and hard to find seating around dinnertime on the weekends.
Hours: Daily 7 a.m.-10 p.m

Ian's Pizza & Salad
Pizza
119 State St.
(608) 442-3535
www.ianspizza.com
Price: $5-$10
How can you go wrong with pizza toppings like macaroni and cheese, guacamole burrito, and BBQ chicken and pineapple?
Hours: Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–10 p.m.

Mia Za's
Italian
515 State St.
(608) 661-3255
Price: $4-$7
Order on tickets where you can personalize your pastas, salads, pizzas, and panini with meats, veggies, cheeses, and dressings.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Noodles & Company
Asian to Italian pastas
232 State St.
(608) 257-6393
www.noodles.com
Price: $8-$15
This restaurant seems to be all-over the country. This particular location has two levels and a view of upper State Street.
Hours: Sunday–Wednesday 11a.m.–9 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Potbelly Sandwich Works
sandwiches, soups
564 State St.
(608) 259-9553
www.potbelly.com
Price: $4-$8
This place is known for their inventive sandwiches, delicious shakes, and flavorful soups at a quality price.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–11 p.m.

Qdoba
Mexican
548 State St.
(608) 280-8720
www.qdoba.com
Price: $4-$8
This is a late-night favorite. You can always find a spot to sit, and sometimes even someone you know. During the warm seasons, they offer outside seating and cold Coronas.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:30 a.m.–3 a.m., Friday–Saturday 10:30 a.m.–3 a.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m.–1 a.m.

Rising Son's Deli
Mediterranean and Thai
617 State St.
(608) 661-4334
Price: $4-$7
Very small, sometimes drafty restaurant. But students swear by the food. Famous for Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.-9 p.m.

Sunroom Café
Coffee, breakfast
638 State St.
(608) 255-1555
Price: $2-$8
This restaurant is a must for morning-lovers. The windows are tall and capture exceptional morning light, hence its name.
Hours: Daily 7 a.m.–9 p.m.

The Casbah Restaurant
Mediterranean cuisine
119 E. Main St.
(608) 255-2272
www.thecasbahrestaurant.com
Price: $8-$15
Located near the capital, this low-lit restaurant offers three separately themed dining levels. For a special occasion order a hookah and try King Tut's lower seating.
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Sunday 5 p.m.–9 p.m.

Toppers Pizza
Pizza
1368 Regent St.
(608) 284-8484
Price: $5-$10 per person
Great place to order food from; very fast delivery. Good pizza and breadstick deals.
Hours: Daily 10:30 a.m.-3:30 a.m.

Tutto Pasta Trattoria
Authentic Italian dishes
305 State St.
(608) 294-1000
Price: $10-$15
Students enjoy the festive scenery and extensive wine list. This is a great place for a night out with friends, or if on a date.
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–1 a.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–2 a.m.

Did You Know?

Each year towards the end of August, the city hosts the Taste of Madison. This fair of food is held on the capital loop, and offers samples of historic Wisconsin dishes along with the cuisine of local restaurants. Be sure to try a bite!

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