When someone mentions the Badgers, automatically everyone thinks of the football team, Nigel Hayes and the basketball team, school spirit, and our party school reputation.
Little do other people know that Madison kills the food game. If any of these 5 foods are brought up in conversation, you know Bucky the Badger would be eating it.
1. Cheese Curds
Cheese curds are often foolishly compared to a mozzarella stick. This pistol of an appetizer is a solid piece of curdled milk, fried or beer battered to perfection.
If you think the cheese oozing out of the curd is the best part, it doesn't stop there. The various dipping sauces such as chipotle or ranch aioli complete this appetizer. Among the top cheese curds producers are Graze, Old Fashioned, and The Madison Blind.
2. Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are one of the biggest and most popular staples on campus, because it tastes amazing, costs $3.50 AND is equivalent to the size of your head.
You can traditionally catch UW students carrying spring rolls around at lunchtime with their choice of avocado, chicken or tofu, veggies, noodles, and paired with either mild or spicy sauce. Check out the 2 most popular food trucks on East Campus mall: Luang Prabang and Fresh Cool Drinks.
3. Ian's Pizza
You aren't doing it right if you're a UW-Madison student and haven't tried the infamous mac n'cheese pizza at least once. Combining the two most chosen late night/drunk eats into one slice could be classified as heaven on earth.
4. Babcock Ice Cream
Babcock, a local creamery right on campus, produces the most popular ice cream on campus. Located conveniently in the Memorial Union (a hot study spot) - students fly in and out even in the 15 degree weather. Flavors such as Badger Blast, Blue Moon, and Mocha Macchiato fit into every students' top choices.
5. Brats
A bratwurst is a type of German sausage made from veal, beef, or pork. Resembling a hot dog, you might be a tad suspicious, but the spectacular brat flavor blows hot dogs out of the water.
Popular choice of toppings include sauerkraut, grilled onions, mustard and pickles. Don't forget to pair this with a beer from State Street Brats for the ultimate brat experience.
These high quality, delicious foods make students proud to say they attend Madison. They are a defining feature of what makes up the best Big Ten school in the best college town.