Those who have lived in Madison for a few years understand the growing presence of chains, especially on State Street, in place of the unique, small businesses that make Madison so captivating. With so much to do, see and eat, Madison charms more than 50,000 students each year. But, the rise of chain businesses threatens to dull some of that local character. Take a look at these 10 categories — covering food, drinks and activities — to discover how you can swap chains for local charm.
Fried Chicken Galore
Resist Raising Cane’s.
Drunk Cane’s on a game day or after a night out may feel like a Badger rite of passage, but next time you have an appetite for some good old-fashioned, greasy fried chicken, stroll on over to Regent Street and immerse yourself in the charming, retro atmosphere Butterbird offers to its patrons.
Mexican
Give Chipotle and Qdoba a rest.
Los Gemelos offers Mexican eats with budget-friendly prices comparable to Chipotle and Qdoba. It’s also open until 3 a.m. most nights of the week for post-going-out eats or late-night study sessions.
Sandwiches
Prioritize fresh ingredients.
True sandwich lovers understand that a good sandwich is only as strong as its weakest element. You can do better than Subway, Potbelly or Jersey Mike’s. Try Casetta, Alimentari or Dinotto for high-quality ingredients and sandwiches that are so good they’ll drive those chain sandwich shops far from your mind.
Poke
Forget FreshFin.
For a city that’s as Midwest as it can get, Madison has, surprisingly, quite a few options for raw fish, particularly poke. Next time you’re considering poke for a quick and refreshing meal, try Poke Plus or Poke It Up to support independent businesses.
Pizza
Pry yourself from the fast food.
Believe it or not, there’s more to life than Ian’s Mac ‘n Cheese pizza. It may be time to abandon Domino’s, Toppers and even Ian’s for some great and local pizza. Pizza Brutta on Monroe Street and Greenbush Bar on Regent Street offer fantastic, high-quality alternatives to fast-food pizza.
Chocolate
For those who indulge in the occasional sweet treat…
Try to resist the irresistible when you stroll past the heavenly smell wafting from Kilwin’s on State. Instead, check out Madison Chocolate Company, with a location on Glenway Street, right off the D bus line. For those who enjoy the simple pleasures of chocolate and coffee, Madison Chocolate Company has unique and incredibly decadent coffee offerings like a tiramisu latte and a creation called “The Alchemist,” featuring cozy fall spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom.
Cafés
Sack the Starbucks sessions.
Campus cafés are the vessel that drives us through all stages of student life — midterm cramming, hangovers and stiff first dates. Whatever the scenario, Madison’s local cafes have probably seen it all. Next time you head to class, broaden your horizons from Starbucks to one of the countless other coffee spots in Madison. If not for yourself, then for the poor employees who are tasked with managing the tsunami of online orders in between passing periods. If you’re anything like me, you are likely familiar with all the coffee spots downtown Madison has to offer, solely from bygone semesters of looking for fresh study spots. But if you need a refresher, some of my personal favorites are Bradbury’s, Barriques and Fair Trade Coffee House. This may come as a shock to some, but there are more (and far better) options in Madison to promote your caffeine fix and study sessions than the embodiment of corporate America. Dream with me.
Piercing shop
Pick PRICKED.
With the start of a new school year and the seasons changing, you may be looking for a change yourself. If you’re looking to scratch that itch by indulging in a new piercing, give PRICKED Piercing a try over STUDS, its chain counterpart.
Thrifting
Rags to riches.
Ragstock may be the student body’s hub for last-minute party accessories or holiday clothing, but if vintage thrifting is what you seek, stop by Singlestitch. Sure, it’s pricey, but the shop’s curated fashion guarantees you’ll find something unique and high-quality.
Movies
For your viewing pleasure…
Make it a habit to see films at the Marquee in Union South instead of making the trek to corporate-run AMC or Marcus Theatres. WUD film screenings are held on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the academic year. Selected films are curated by the passionate WUD Film Committee and the showings are completely free. It’s a win-win!
Even if you’re a student, just passing through Madison for your four years of undergrad, try to do your part in strengthening the community by shopping small. Whatever the craving or activity you’re looking for, ditch the chains and branch out to some smaller, local spots with more character that are waiting for you with open arms.
