Where We’ve Been Eating: Summer 2024
So many restaurants, so little time! In the late summer 2024 edition of Where We’ve Been Eating, our food tour guides explored four Madison restaurants we’ve been dying to check off our lists. Be sure to stop back for more great food recommendations, or book a Madison food tour to dive deeper into Madison’s thriving food culture.
It’s Good For You Pizza
521 Sherman Avenue
It’s Good For You Pizza (IGFYP) is a hidden gem of Madison’s Northside. When you walk in, you will immediately notice the restaurant’s focal point: their pizza oven and open kitchen. You can see the staff tossing and topping your pizza right in front of you. IGFYP has a standard menu of pizzas along with rotating seasonal topping options. The appetizer options also rotate and have a solid variety of fresh flavors. Pair your pie with a glass of wine from their surprisingly affordable wine list and you’re in for a lovely, fresh take on pizza night. It’s good for you, after all.
Minocqua Brewing
2927 E Washington Avenue
Originating in Minocqua (hence the name), Minocqua Brewing have distributed their politically driven beers in the Madison area for a few years. In March 2024, they opened their East Washington Ave. taproom with a list of tap beers, to-go cans, and wine/seltzer/coffee options.
With beer names such as ‘Dark Brandon’ and ‘Fair Maps,’ each beer comes with a rather direct political message. The taproom also has a small stage that holds shows routinely, and serves Mentoring Positives Pizzas (made across the street) to enjoy with your ice cold beer. Come for the political humor, stay for the top-notch beer.
La Pollera Colombiana
3579 E Washington Ave
lapolleracolombianarestaurantwi.com
Heading further east on East Wash, La Pollera Colombiana offers a large, vibrant space and an extensive menu that’s an ode to Colombian cuisine.
We tried the Filete A La Francesa, a French-style filet with lemon garlic sauce. The fish was light and baked with a nice breaded crust. We also ordered a combo platter of steak, roasted chicken, pork and chicharon — each bursting with flavor. If that wasn’t enough food, we added on the maduros — fried sweet plantains — to round out our meal.
With large, vibrant murals, excellent food, and a bustling atmosphere, La Pollera is worth the visit. Just get there before it gets too busy.
Camp Cantina
1503 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53711
Located across from Camp Randall on the intersection of Monroe St. and Regent St., Camp Cantina is a family-owned restaurant that serves up big flavors and portions for a great price. Hailing from Guanajuanto, Mexico, the owners of Camp Cantina showcase decades-old family recipes that are regional variations on Mexican classics.
The Guajillo Pork (which is the recipe of the owner’s great, great grandmother) was extremely tender and flavorful. We also ordered Tacos Dorados with fried cheesy potato tacos topped with lettuce, onion, tomato, and salsa — delicious!
There’s a lot of new restaurants popping up on Monroe and Regent Streets — and most of them are $25+ per plate and backed by big-time restaurateurs and investors. It’s so nice to have a restaurant in the area that is affordable (but not college-centric) and offers great food and a comfortable, friendly dining experience.
Ready to Explore More? Book a Food Tour
There’s so much food, history, and culture to explore in Madison. Why not experience it with a local food expert? Our guided food tours offer one-of-a-kind food stops, a healthy dose of local history, and a deeper appreciation of the restaurants and people who make Madison great. We’d love to see you on a tour — book today!
Published on Jul 24 2024
Categories: Local Restaurants