Embark on a snack route from one end of the isthmus to the other. We’ve plotted points along a few snack-full courses from happy hour specials to late night menus and everything in between.
Photo illustration by Tim Burton. Source photos: Madison Magazine Archives; Nicole Peaslee, Nikki Hansen; courtesy of Tavernakaya, Fairchild
1. NEAR WEST
Start on Monroe Street at Sequoia for a Japanese beer at happy hour and a bowl of spicy edamame, then head to Fairchild for the deviled eggs and seasonal appetizer. Dig into Everly’s cauliflower fundido at the last Monroe Street stop before moving on to Regent Street for a Kosharie kebab or two. Finish the night at Leopold’s Books Bar Caffè with a dreamy affogato.
Photo illustration by Tim Burton. Source photos: Madison Magazine Archives; Nicole Peaslee, Nikki Hansen; courtesy of Tavernakaya, Fairchild
2. DOWNTOWN
Grab a Taiwanese-style milk tea at Taiwan Little Eats, then hit the Square for togarashi fries and O.G. pork buns at Tavernakaya before diving into a bowl of Mexican street corn from Canteen. That’ll keep you full for a bit, but pick things up later with empanadas from the late-night menu at Lucille and a warm basket of Russian dumplings at Paul’s Pel’meni.
Photo illustration by Tim Burton. Source photos: Madison Magazine Archives; Nicole Peaslee, Nikki Hansen; courtesy of Tavernakaya, Fairchild
3. NEAR EAST
Whet your appetite with a seasonal veggie snack at Green Owl Café on Atwood Avenue, then head to Starkweather Brewing Co. for a beer and a bite of landjaeger. If you still have room, sidle up to the bar at Ohio Tavern for tacos and a drink, or go for something a bit more avant-garde with Mint Mark’s selection of small plates and cocktails. Round out your evening with a little jazz — book it over to Williamson Street for a snacky basket at Café Coda.
Emma Waldinger is associate editor at Madison Magazine.
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Emma Waldinger (she/her) is an associate editor at Madison Magazine. She started her role in September 2022. Along with managing web and social media content, Emma writes and oversees food and dining coverage for Madison Magazine, including a monthly print column called “Back of House” and the digital BITE newsletter.
Emma graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in December 2020 with degrees in English (creative writing) and Environmental Studies and a certificate in Food Systems. At UW-Madison, she spent a year each leading art and design direction for Alt Magazine and the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Art Committee. Her first published writing was featured in Edible Madison magazine where she also filled in as guest editor for their Spring 2022 issue.
Emma’s life-long experiences with food and gardening have been the catalyst for her fascination with the intersections between art, ecology, agriculture, and good food. She lives on Madison’s near west side with her two cats, Sybil and Elio, and spends her time reading memoirs, baking elaborate cakes, and stewarding her little garden plot at Eagle Heights Community Garden.
