For many Wisconsinites, thoughts of Madison would be incomplete without thoughts of State Street. Seen as a major attraction, the six blocks between the Capitol and Library Mall are chock full of all things good in life: shopping, restaurants and hipsters. Tourist materials boast that State Street is home to over 60 restaurants and 20 outdoor cafes, a good many of which I have had the (sometimes mis) fortune of dining. Yet for all the variety and hype, I must confess I am getting bored.
When recently faced with the conundrum of what to have for lunch, I realized I had no desire for the fares of the next restaurant in my rotation. Instead of heading to one of my tried and trues, I decided to make my way to less charted territory – I headed to Willy Street.
Just out of reasonable walking distance from campus, convincing anyone to accompany me to the neighborhood east of the Square can prove to be a challenge. As a result, I seize the opportunity when it presents itself. Everything State Street has, Williamson Street has arguably better. If you’re looking for a KFC or sports bar steer clear, but if you have a yen for locally grown foods or truly diverse dining options, you’ll find Willy Street to be a haven.
Serving everything from pizza and sandwiches to Indonesian and Jamaican, choosing which restaurant to indulge in can prove to be a challenge. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite spots on Willy Street for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but as the weather gets warmer I encourage you to venture out and discover your own.
Breakfast: A trip to Willy Street is incomplete without a stop at Madison Sourdough Company (916 Willy Street). The company bakes its own bread and pastries from scratch and sells both in its caf? and to vendors and restaurants all over Madison. Besides making buttery croissants, crusty baguettes and delectable brioche, the caf? serves breakfast entrees, soups, salads and sandwiches.
Open at 6:30 a.m., the sunny spot is perfect for breakfast, and menu highlights include their pumpkin Belgian waffle and breakfast sandwich with egg, aioli and cheddar cheese – though their bread and jam plate alone is enough to make any diner smile. The prices may make that smile wider as breakfasts range from $4.50 to $7.50.
Lunch: Just up the street from Madison Sourdough is one of my all-time Madison favorites, the Weary Traveler Free House (1202 Willy Street). Labeled as eclectic (read: frequented by hipsters, hippies and liberals), their hodgepodge of a menu is crafted from ingredients from local businesses. This, combined with a quirky d?cor, make dining at the Weary a truly Madison experience.
Serving sandwiches, salads, burgers and meats with goulash, tofu-coconut lemon grass stew and carne asada to boot, the only thing the dishes seem to have in common is their tastiness. The West of the Andes sandwich is legendary, and I have only ever heard good things about the Bad Breath Burger.
The same veg-friendly and omnivore-sympathetic menu is served for lunch and dinner, but if you’re going to make the trip I definitely suggest lunch: The Weary can quickly fill up in the evening with patrons to its well-stocked bar. Prices range from $4.50 for a cup of stew to $24 for a large Wisconsin meat and cheese platter with sandwiches averaging about $9.
Dinner: My favorite spot for dinner is Jolly Bob’s (1210 Willy Street). The restaurant serves up traditional Caribbean food, but I must admit what draws me there is the atmosphere. Tucked in a seemingly tiny unassuming building, Jolly Bob’s proves what matters is on the inside.
With live DJs four nights a week, a large outdoor patio and tropical drinks known to sneak up on diners, the overall vibe of Jolly Bob’s is, well, jolly. Serving up such delights as conch fritters, fried tortillas with grilled pineapple salsa and deep-fried plantains, the restaurant delivers flavors truly reminiscent of the islands – and those were just appetizers.
However, Jolly Bob’s also adopts island time. It may be awhile after that appetizer before you get your main course, and while the restaurant is certainly not somewhere to dine if you’re in a hurry, with a little patience and a lot of rum, the time will fly by.
While appetizers run from $3-$9.50, entrees are a little pricier at $13.50 to $18.50. But hey, still cheaper than Spring Break in the Caribbean! Entrees include BBQ Jerk Pork, Chicken and Veggie Curry and Almond Papaya Shrimp, which are served with Rice and Peas, Sweet Potato salad and Orange Jicama salad – with Banana Guava Ketchup for good measure.
These are just a few of the many restaurants Williamson Street has to offer. Other places of note are Roman Candle Pizza, Bandung and Sardine, which are American, Indonesian and French, respectively. The possibilities are endless when you stray from the Square, and foodies everywhere can find something to love on the other State Street. Find your taste buds on Willy Street today.
Allegra Dimperio ([email protected]) is a sophomore majoring in journalism.
