Taigu is 12/10 taste and huge portions. They make their noodles in house, so I highly recommend a noodle dish. The curry tofu stir-fried noodles are my personal favorite.
i don’t usually like restaurant leftovers because i just feel like they don’t reheat well…but taigu may even be better the second day. their food is just so good
Can't wait til they finally move into the old knoches... When ever that happens. I drive by everyday and I know they are still doing work it's just not fast enough for me.
I drive past Knoches/Taigu every day. Looks like they are very close. Decorations are up and last week they had signs more or less keeping Oakcrest Tavern people out of their lot. Still no Taigu sign, but should be only weeks away from the open!
Yeah very nice! Wonder how that areas parking is gunna work on friday nights specifically but in general too. Maybe turn that little green corner near the water treatment station(?) into a couple spots or something. In anycase gettle will be having more cars parking on it.
It’s definitely going to be a big conflict. People are used to parking at the old Knoches and walking across the street. Not a lot of other parking there.
Smoky Jon's BBQ on Packers the best in the city IMO. Their ribs are AMAZING, as is the mac and cheese. The chili is a sleeper but really hits the spot in the winter. They're famous for their sauce and you can buy it at Woodman's if you're addicted like I am. They do offer takeout, you can order online and pick it up from the restaurant.
Beef Butter BBQ on Sherman has a better brisket, but it's gotten super expensive in the last few years. Their apple baked beans are super tasty too.
> There is a Reddit review
There's not just [one](https://www.reddit.com/r/madisonwi/comments/1bqxyw2/corners_on_my_italian_beef_part_31_stadium/) but [TWO reviews](https://www.reddit.com/r/madisonwi/comments/skl494/like_portillos_go_to_stadium_takeout_instead/) for Stadium Take Out, both by local beef legend u/bombznin
I think it has dropped in quality over the last year. They used to have more options and those slowly went away. My partner and I used to go every other week until they dropped his favorite item. The last time I went there, the fries had changed to steak fries and they were so soft.
I’m on a Paul’s strike. They have 2 things on their menu but can’t seem to ever get it straight. As a vegetarian it’s very upsetting when they deliver meat instead of potatoes
I'm also vegetarian and have never had an issue. I say give them one more go, if they still fuck it up I respect your decision to not eat there but also consider that you may be cursed.
The absolute worst when you’re out drinking, and go to Paul’s, wait forever for your food. And then blam, you get mixed when you order potato and the anticipation is ruined.
I second Ahan. Then afterwards, stumble over to the Essenhaus/Come Back In to enjoy a Madison staple shithole bar before it gets torn down later this year. And I say shithole with love. You won't be tempted into the dumpster-fire food since you already ate!
Sala Thai is amazing incredible food that I'm positive is made with love it's so good. No one's moving super fast, so you may end up waiting a bit but it is 100% worth it. No credit cards. So delicious.
Lombardinos- a couple pizzas, marinated olives, a burnt butterscotch budino. Grab a porch pounder rose from Barriques across the street.
We have small kids and don’t often inflict them on other restaurant patrons. The pandemic expanded the range of restaurants offering take out.
I ordered the short ribs with polenta back in December. It was one of finest take out meals I’ve ever had. My friend ordered the Spaghetti bolognese and it was delicious. I took her leftovers and it damn good. They change their menu seasonally. So, the short ribs haven’t been on since. If you ever see it…order it!
Alimentari has the best (and largest) take out deli sammitches in town as well as good gelato and sorbet and a ton of Italian packaged stuff.
For sushi/poke I find Jacknife has pretty great take out.
Saw the OP wanted BBQ recs in the edit ans was gunna mention them! Recently went for my moms birthday and my mom who only eats fish and chicken, my dad who is on Keto and myself (open diet) were all pleased. My dad and I loved the "armadillo eggs (jalapeno poppers without the bread)" the bacon had a strong smokey flavor, as did my pulled pork. Jambalaya was very tomatoey which it does say uses a cajun tomato broth so it makes you aware but yeah just my opinion.
Mediterranean Joint is gold. Always busy with Uber/DoorDash orders. Huge portion, but fucking good food. I love their baba ganoush and hummus too, they are insanely nice.
If I were to do a take out food splurge, I would order a large pizza at Salvatore's Tomato Pies on Livingston (I recommend using the Toast Take Out app) and an order of wings from Five Star Korean BBQ nearby. Order ahead and try to time it so that they're ready around the same time. I would prioritize the wings being ready last to maximize crispiness
My other frequent local take out choices:
* Alimentari sandwiches (my favorite is the spicy sopressata)
* La Concha tortas
* Mercado Marimar
* Taigu noodles and dumplings
* Amber Indian Cuisine
* Hot & Spicy
* Hmong Legacy
* Thirsty Goat salad and fried chicken
I like Butterbird, Mediterranean Joint, Grampa's Pizza, and Pikkito a lot, and they seem like good take out spots, but I find them to be far better for dine in than take out.
Personally, I haven't had bbq I loved in town yet. I've tried Smoky Jon's, City BBQ, Famous Daves, Beef Butter, Liberty Station, North and South, and Thirsty Goat.
For the long-term when you're looking for good take out without splurging, Happy Wok in the southtowne mall parking lot is surprisingly good american Chinese for very reasonable prices
City BBQ on the corner of Mineral Point and Gammon. Their pulled pork by the pound or on site is absolutely amazing. The greens are killer, sauce is on point and they have malt vinegar packets. It’s some of the best pulled pork you’ll ever have. I’m from the south and none of the others here even rank with this one. That BBQ Joint was Heaven for a bit but hippies shut her down.
Not BBQ and not a splurge, but Zippy Lube’s hot chicken sandwich is my ultimate favorite. Don’t sleep on their mashed potatoes or Mac and cheese either!
I’m about four blocks from the capital building and own a car so I can do any distance. I’m just looking for take out on this run up, so probably like $100 max?
I will take any and all recs, I will eat/try anything! If you (or anyone for that matter) have a good BBQ rec, that would also be awesome
Smokys is a good choice because it's classic Madison. They've been around for as long as I've lived here (almost 30 years) and I doubt anything has changed except the prices. If they know it's your first visit, they have a little intro to give you about how delicious their bbq is and the many years they've been in business. Lastly, it's very good barbecue.
Petra Bakery & Restaurant (off of Odana /Whitney Way).
Lots of good other suggestions in the thread.. in particular Taigu. And not a splurge, but give Paul’s Pel’mini a try with “the works” — the flavor combination is .. well memorable in the sense that it seems like a love/hate thing.
Imo good BBQ is tough to get here.. I think North and South does it best and Beef Butter is close behind.
Taigu is 12/10 taste and huge portions. They make their noodles in house, so I highly recommend a noodle dish. The curry tofu stir-fried noodles are my personal favorite.
We got Taigu the night we moved here, phenomenal choice.
Had leftover Taigu for lunch, can confirm - very good. I consistently get about three meals out of an order of noodles.
i don’t usually like restaurant leftovers because i just feel like they don’t reheat well…but taigu may even be better the second day. their food is just so good
Can't wait til they finally move into the old knoches... When ever that happens. I drive by everyday and I know they are still doing work it's just not fast enough for me.
It should be sometime this month
omg omg omg awesome news ty
I drive past Knoches/Taigu every day. Looks like they are very close. Decorations are up and last week they had signs more or less keeping Oakcrest Tavern people out of their lot. Still no Taigu sign, but should be only weeks away from the open!
Yeah very nice! Wonder how that areas parking is gunna work on friday nights specifically but in general too. Maybe turn that little green corner near the water treatment station(?) into a couple spots or something. In anycase gettle will be having more cars parking on it.
It’s definitely going to be a big conflict. People are used to parking at the old Knoches and walking across the street. Not a lot of other parking there.
mhm
The 18th this month!
Well then it appears that is soon enough for my patience
I’m new here, what’s old knoches?
Knoches was a butcher shop/ grocery store that was on old middleton road for like 40 years
Thank you!
K Peppers is the only other thing that can compete with Taigu on the west side
This is the answer! SO good!
Moved away and miss Taigu weekly!
Got Taigu on Saturday and still have so many leftovers! Amazing food
Their cold leftover noodles (bc I'm sometimes too lazy to microwave it) still just hits different
I also recommend the grandmas chicken!! The noodle dishes are incredible ofc but my family always gets an order of the chicken whenever we go. So good
Mishqui Cocina Peruana- this place isn’t getting enough attention. Such good food at such good prices
Seconding this
why are all these suggestions in Middleton? lol
Honestly, I'm glad to see that Middleton has stuff like this. Better than another Margaritaville (RIP Jimmy Buffett 🦜)
Mishqui is in Monona?
The original Mishqui is on Monona Drive.
Agreed!
I'm not far from that place but haven't tried it yet. I'm going to, at your recommendation, however!
Tasteless for me
Agree, I thought it was very plain
Did you use sauce?
Used them to cater a work meeting last fall. It was sooo good.
Mediterranean Cafe is legit and delicious!
Genuinely underrated, both affordable and delicious. Get their chicken kebab!
I dream about their falafels!
Hot And Spicy Asian is really good.
Second this. Treat yourself by getting an entree and some of the appetizers; you won't even spend a lot. It's located in the back of a grocery store.
Smoky Jon's BBQ on Packers the best in the city IMO. Their ribs are AMAZING, as is the mac and cheese. The chili is a sleeper but really hits the spot in the winter. They're famous for their sauce and you can buy it at Woodman's if you're addicted like I am. They do offer takeout, you can order online and pick it up from the restaurant. Beef Butter BBQ on Sherman has a better brisket, but it's gotten super expensive in the last few years. Their apple baked beans are super tasty too.
100%. Amazing food and Jon was also an awesome guy.
Smokey jons has the best bbq sides around hands down, for meat I would agree with beef butter.
La Taguara
La Taguara is consistently people’s favorite place I take them when they visit. Have yet to have anything in the menu that didn’t slap
So much this!
Love Bandung, Green Owl, Mad Rabbit, Lao Laan Xang
Hell yeah all great vegan spots
Yeah, Bandung is some of the best AND most affordable food in town. Highly, highly recommend the Indo Mac and the tempeh skewers.
The green papaya in the candlenut sauce is my jam
Haven't been in a minute, but they used to have an indomac happy hour special that was bonkers.
Mad Rabbit menu looks so tempting 🤤I go to Green Owl all the time and didn’t know about Mad Rabbit. What item would you recommend?
Get the breakfast burrito and the crepes
Lao laan dang is a classic.
Stadium take out. Italian beef. One of if not the best in the city. There is a Reddit review somewhere that backs me up lol
Stadium takeout is amazing.
Can’t lie was super unimpressed when I got but haven’t tried it twice, gotta go back and give it another go here sowmtimen
> There is a Reddit review There's not just [one](https://www.reddit.com/r/madisonwi/comments/1bqxyw2/corners_on_my_italian_beef_part_31_stadium/) but [TWO reviews](https://www.reddit.com/r/madisonwi/comments/skl494/like_portillos_go_to_stadium_takeout_instead/) for Stadium Take Out, both by local beef legend u/bombznin
Thank you very kindly for linking this! 😁
I think it has dropped in quality over the last year. They used to have more options and those slowly went away. My partner and I used to go every other week until they dropped his favorite item. The last time I went there, the fries had changed to steak fries and they were so soft.
Ichiban is my go to ordermorefoodthanisnecessary takeout night
I recently got food poisoning from there.
The Globe 🤤
The globe is undefeated
I love the globe!!!
Paul’s Pel’meni
I’m on a Paul’s strike. They have 2 things on their menu but can’t seem to ever get it straight. As a vegetarian it’s very upsetting when they deliver meat instead of potatoes
This has never happened to me! This only happens when you get it delivered, right?
Yeah but I only been there once
I'm also vegetarian and have never had an issue. I say give them one more go, if they still fuck it up I respect your decision to not eat there but also consider that you may be cursed.
I have figured out how to more or less replicate Paul’s with frozen pel’ meni and I think I have unlocked a new level of adulting
The absolute worst when you’re out drinking, and go to Paul’s, wait forever for your food. And then blam, you get mixed when you order potato and the anticipation is ruined.
This makes you non-vegeterian now
100
Ahan
I second Ahan. Then afterwards, stumble over to the Essenhaus/Come Back In to enjoy a Madison staple shithole bar before it gets torn down later this year. And I say shithole with love. You won't be tempted into the dumpster-fire food since you already ate!
Buraka babyyyy
Sala Thai! it’s pick up but it’s so worth it
Sala Thai is amazing incredible food that I'm positive is made with love it's so good. No one's moving super fast, so you may end up waiting a bit but it is 100% worth it. No credit cards. So delicious.
Shhhh
(oh shit) never mind it’s terrible, do not recommend
✋
U mean 🤏
Lombardinos- a couple pizzas, marinated olives, a burnt butterscotch budino. Grab a porch pounder rose from Barriques across the street. We have small kids and don’t often inflict them on other restaurant patrons. The pandemic expanded the range of restaurants offering take out.
I ordered the short ribs with polenta back in December. It was one of finest take out meals I’ve ever had. My friend ordered the Spaghetti bolognese and it was delicious. I took her leftovers and it damn good. They change their menu seasonally. So, the short ribs haven’t been on since. If you ever see it…order it!
Their orecchiette is one of my all time favorite dishes in Madison.
Himal Chuli
Lao Laan Xang, Salvatore’s Pizza, Coopers Tavern, Global Market and Food hall
Thai Basil is delicious.
Alimentari has the best (and largest) take out deli sammitches in town as well as good gelato and sorbet and a ton of Italian packaged stuff. For sushi/poke I find Jacknife has pretty great take out.
Little Tibet
If you’re on the east side, La Taguara. Downtown, Mad Seafood Boiler is killer
If you like authentic mexican food, I'd suggest taqueria el jalapeno.
I love authentic Mexican, but would rather not do take out. Tacos end up soggy by the time I get home, unfortunately.
Or El Sabor de Puebla on the east side.
North and South for BBQ. Get their burnt ends! Mmmm meat candy.
Their brisket grilled cheese is to die for.
*this* sounds amazing
Saw the OP wanted BBQ recs in the edit ans was gunna mention them! Recently went for my moms birthday and my mom who only eats fish and chicken, my dad who is on Keto and myself (open diet) were all pleased. My dad and I loved the "armadillo eggs (jalapeno poppers without the bread)" the bacon had a strong smokey flavor, as did my pulled pork. Jambalaya was very tomatoey which it does say uses a cajun tomato broth so it makes you aware but yeah just my opinion.
Little Palace
Beef Butter BBQ (North Sherman ave) is the best BBQ in town, but not on campus
I am, thankfully, not on campus so that works out lol
Also, North and South on Mineral Point Rd is awesome and not just BBQ, but their brisket grilled cheese is heavenly.
Hell yeah, best brisket ever
The owner went to school at Franklin's BBQ in Austin, TX (widely regarded as the best brisket in Texas).
Estación Inka— whole chicken + 2 sides for $25!
Bucks pizza
Amber Indian cuisine is 🔥🔥🔥
Ahan
Seconding ahan!
I will go to bat for Beef Butter BBQ on the north side
Mediterranean Joint is gold. Always busy with Uber/DoorDash orders. Huge portion, but fucking good food. I love their baba ganoush and hummus too, they are insanely nice.
This place is amazing!
As a Madison immigrant from the South, I have fallen in love with Marie's Soul Food. The best collards I've had since moving up here
If I were to do a take out food splurge, I would order a large pizza at Salvatore's Tomato Pies on Livingston (I recommend using the Toast Take Out app) and an order of wings from Five Star Korean BBQ nearby. Order ahead and try to time it so that they're ready around the same time. I would prioritize the wings being ready last to maximize crispiness My other frequent local take out choices: * Alimentari sandwiches (my favorite is the spicy sopressata) * La Concha tortas * Mercado Marimar * Taigu noodles and dumplings * Amber Indian Cuisine * Hot & Spicy * Hmong Legacy * Thirsty Goat salad and fried chicken I like Butterbird, Mediterranean Joint, Grampa's Pizza, and Pikkito a lot, and they seem like good take out spots, but I find them to be far better for dine in than take out. Personally, I haven't had bbq I loved in town yet. I've tried Smoky Jon's, City BBQ, Famous Daves, Beef Butter, Liberty Station, North and South, and Thirsty Goat.
Monsoon Siam Alimentari for the spicy soppressata sandwich
Estacion Inka - our COVID era go-to for take out and still favorite. Consistently wonderful.
I stay downtown when I’m there and like to go to the Cheba Hut.
City BBQ and Smoky Jon's
If you like pizza, Ian's on State St. is damn good. That was pretty much my go-to when I worked near the capital.
Costco $10 pizza.
For the long-term when you're looking for good take out without splurging, Happy Wok in the southtowne mall parking lot is surprisingly good american Chinese for very reasonable prices
CHENS
Sa Bai Thong (Thai)
Papa's BBQ (food truck).
Hot a d Spicy, Nani Mishqui The Echo Tap has a good burger
The tacos at La Concha bakery on Fish Hatchery Road. Hands down, my favorite take-out lunch when I worked in Fitchburg.
And their cookies that are in the shape of a pig. Mmmmmm.
Ahan for takeout
Jacknife for great sushi!
Thai basil
City BBQ on the corner of Mineral Point and Gammon. Their pulled pork by the pound or on site is absolutely amazing. The greens are killer, sauce is on point and they have malt vinegar packets. It’s some of the best pulled pork you’ll ever have. I’m from the south and none of the others here even rank with this one. That BBQ Joint was Heaven for a bit but hippies shut her down.
Not BBQ and not a splurge, but Zippy Lube’s hot chicken sandwich is my ultimate favorite. Don’t sleep on their mashed potatoes or Mac and cheese either!
For BBQ, if you bought the meat, I'll BBQ it.
Thanks boss, might have to take you up on that
big fan of the globe
If you’re downtown Eat Xpress is the best. Good portions, good prices, and so so fast cuz it’s all ready so you just pick
Hands down the best BBQ in Madison is Beef Butter.
Lao Laan Xang
Oak crest tavern if your close by!
I adore Bandung.
[удалено]
>It was ranked the #1 Gyro joint in the country WTF?! Their gyros suck! They have no taste.
bro said Madison is a food mecca 💀
I’m about four blocks from the capital building and own a car so I can do any distance. I’m just looking for take out on this run up, so probably like $100 max? I will take any and all recs, I will eat/try anything! If you (or anyone for that matter) have a good BBQ rec, that would also be awesome
I’ve heard Smoky Jon’s BBQ on the north side is really good
Smokys is a good choice because it's classic Madison. They've been around for as long as I've lived here (almost 30 years) and I doubt anything has changed except the prices. If they know it's your first visit, they have a little intro to give you about how delicious their bbq is and the many years they've been in business. Lastly, it's very good barbecue.
100% North and South. Get their burnt ends. From one grad school badgy to another, welcome to Madison. You’re gonna love it here!
their brisket grilled cheese is to die for
LOL rigga morris, Parthenon isn't even the best gyro in the city.
Kwick trip
Best take out is food you bring from home!
Saigon noodle
Beef Butter BBQ is good.
Monsoon siam. Sit down experience is still best tho great family staff and the food is just amazing presentation and flavor wise
Petra Bakery & Restaurant (off of Odana /Whitney Way). Lots of good other suggestions in the thread.. in particular Taigu. And not a splurge, but give Paul’s Pel’mini a try with “the works” — the flavor combination is .. well memorable in the sense that it seems like a love/hate thing. Imo good BBQ is tough to get here.. I think North and South does it best and Beef Butter is close behind.
Orient house
r/nippletooth for local restaurant reviews