Nearly all of the people reading this column are students, so nearly all of my articles have focused on campus area food. But I decided recently that this might be a disservice. Madison is home to a pretty awesome culinary scene, one that extends well beyond campus. So while most of my articles will focus on eateries that are in walking distance for most, I’m going to try to sprinkle in a few articles that extend a little further, starting with Williamson (Willy) Street.
Willy Street juts off John Nolen Avenue and extends east until it turns into Atwood Avenue. The Willy neighborhood has been called “alternative” and “hippie,” but I know it as one of the best places to eat in Madison. Willy Street is home to too many great spots. I’m leaving off plenty of places, including Umami, Pig in a Fur Coat and Mickey’s, but these are a few of my favorites.
Weary Traveler Free House – 1201 Willy St.
The Weary Traveler has become one of my favorite stops on Willy Street. It has been there for over a decade, and its success has probably been due to its consistency. Their menu has changed little since it opened, adhering to the adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” I have had almost everything on their menu, but a couple of my favorites are the chicken dijonnaise and the West of the Andes sandwich. The chicken dijonnaise ($13.25 for a breast or $12.75 for a leg and thigh) is pan seared and served on garlic mashed potatoes, buttered green beans and a Dijon cream sauce. The West of the Andes Sandwich ($8.75) can be made with beef tenderloin, tuna steak or roasted veggies and comes with avocado, pico de gallo and chipotle mayonnaise. I especially like the atmosphere at the Weary Traveler, which is warm and inviting.
Lao Laan Xang – 1146 Willy St.
There are several restaurants serving Laotian and Thai food in Madison, and Lao Laan Xang is one of the best. They have two locations, one on Willy Street and one further east on Atwood Ave. They have a very small kitchen with only a few tables, but they do offer take-out. Typical of Laotian and Thai cuisine, Lao Laan Xang features a plethora of curries as well as other stews. Although everything I have had here has been wonderful, I usually order the curry squash ($13.95), which comes with acorn squash, buttercup squash, zucchini, Thai eggplant and basil, served in their house curry sauce with coconut milk. It comes with a choice of chicken, tofu or shrimp. If you go here, be careful to order the right spice level. They can serve any of their dishes at four spice levels, denoted by a number of stars. Lao Laan Xang calls their one-star rating “Timid,” their two-star rating “Careful,” their three-star rating “Adventurous” and their four-star rating “Native Lao.” I consider myself to be pretty good at handling spice, but their “Careful” rating was bordering on too hot.
Eldorado Grill – 744 Willy St.
The Eldorado Grill is a bit closer to campus than the other two mentioned spots. It’s also a little pricier than the other two, so it might be a good option when parents are visiting. Eldorado has a modern feel and a pretty large dining area, where it serves southwestern cuisine (including a large variety of margaritas). I like their four cheese chile relleno ($17.99), where a poblano pepper is roasted and peeled, filled with scallion, fresh lime and four Wisconsin cheeses: goat, white cheddar, feta and Monterey. It is then hand-dipped in egg whites, pan-fried and served with rice, beans and salsa Veracruz. Their enchiladas are also good and are made in a few varieties. I like the spinach and mushroom enchiladas ($11.99), which are stuffed with Monterey Jack cheese, spinach, sautéed mushrooms and chile pasilla. They’re served with red rice and black beans.
While these places made it on my list, they are certainly not the only good places on a street brimming with great places to eat and drink. So, as you eat your way through Madison, venture a little off campus and consider exploring Willy Street.
