Now that you have taken your first few steps on Madison’s campus, there is a good chance you are feeling overwhelmed by the sheer size and energy that Wisco has to offer. In terms of food, not only is Wisco classified as the home to all things dairy, but Madison also includes a variety of ethnic restaurants and farm-to-table eateries. As a freshman, you may feel limited to the select options in Gordon’s but have no fear, that is NOT the case. Here are 20 hacks for you to kick butt in the food department:
1. Flamingo Run is your BFF
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Whether you’re searching for late-night munchies or a microwavable dinner, Flamingo Run has everything you need. Cereal, ice cream, chips, candy, chasers, gum, protein bars…the list goes on. Flamingo Run is basically a mini grocery store but with the bonus of the 20% student discount.
2. Three words: Citrus Kale Salad
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Fresh, the grocery store located right in the center of campus, luckily sells a salad that will turn any Kale-hater into a Kale-fanatic. This masterpiece consists of kale, quinoa, onions, feta, golden raisins, dried cranberries and onions in a delicious lemon, honey and olive oil vinaigrette. If you’re in the mood for a power meal or attempting to maintain healthy diet, the Citrus Kale Salad is most definitely the perfect option for you. Warning: once you have it one time, the addiction doesn’t stop.
3. If you want to build your own salad at Gordon’s…
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Major key: grilled chicken from the grill station. The meat in the salad section sometimes looks like mystery meat, and often raises many questions. If you want your salad to actually fill you up with a daily dose of protein, simply ask at the grill station for a grilled chicken sandwich without the bun. Plop that chicken breast on the top of your salad and you’re good to go.
4. You will want cheese curds all the time
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The insatiable desire for cheese curds is natural.The second you step on campus, you WILL want cheese curds. All I have to say to that is: treat yo’self. I’ve never had a bad cheese curd in Madison.
5. It is not game day without a Gordon’s Waffle
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You must fill up with fuel for the long day ahead. After an 8 AM wake-up call, you will be running from place to place all day, and will to load up on carbohydrates. Get your game day started with the famous W waffle loaded with whipped cream, raspberry jam, chocolate chips, and maple syrup.
6. When your parents visit, go to Graze
Photo by Avery Allen
Ask anyone on campus what their favorite restaurant is and 9 times out of 10 the answer will be Graze. The Magic Coffee at brunch will change the way you drink coffee forever and the Bibimbop will become your new favorite dish. You’ll want 5 servings of the bread and butter, and you’ll order the burger with the beet and walnut patty at least once. Another piece of advice: always order their seasonal lemonade in the Spring/Summer (it is KILLER). Graze caters to basically every food craving you will ever have. Oh, and the view of the Capitol is unbelievable.
7. Get a rewards card at any Badger Market
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If you’re addicted to coffee like me, you’ll want to invest. When you purchase a coffee, they’ll give you a punch card and you should use it every single time you go. Once you get all the punches, you get a free drink and you can start another one all over again. Of course we want our special Starbucks order from time to time, but to save some money this is the smartest option. Plus, the coffee is actually really good.
8. If you go to Roast, order the Sweet Potato Fries
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Many students would agree that Roast has the best sweet potato fries in Madison. Whether you’re getting a salad or a sandwich, you should order the Sweet Potato Fries as a side without question.
9. Order late night Insomnia Cookies
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Great news, you can order cookies up until 3 AM from Insomnia Cookies. If you’re feeling bold/hangry, try the deluxe cookies: triple chocolate chunk, chocolate peanut butter and s’mores. The ‘wiches are also to die for. Imagine two warm freshly baked cookies sandwiched between ice cream…no words. If you’re just looking to order a bunch of cookies for you and your floor mates (or just yourself), go for the Sugar Rush: 12 traditional cookies of your choice. Don’t forget a side of milk!
10. The Mexican station at Gordon’s is the best station
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The Mexican station is basically a Chipotle where you can make your own burrito or bowl BUT with the addition of the student discount.
11. Try Ian’s mac n’ cheese pizza
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Similar to the Citrus Kale Salad, once you have Ian’s Mac n’ Cheese pizza your life will never be the same. It is the #1 choice for late night eats and the #1 choice for pizza in Madtown. You must try it one of your first nights at school to start out the year on a good note.
12. Try the Spring Roll carts
Photo by Emily Klein
The two best Spring Roll trucks are Fresh Cool Drinks and Luang Prabang. Don’t be scared away by the size (bigger than your face) because without a doubt you WILL eat the whole entire thing. Also don’t be scared away by the long line outside the truck because it is 10000% worth the wait.
13. Make the Farmers Market part of your weekly routine
Photo by Avery Allen
One of UW’s most underrated aspects is the proximity to the capitol. Every Saturday morning, Madison locals and Badgers unite and stock up their pantries for the week ahead. The Madison Farmer’s Market is one of the biggest in the nation, and once you make the trip you will understand. Make sure to go hungry, because you will be eating sample after sample. You MUST get the cheesy bread at Stella’s and if you go on the later side, sometimes they make it buy one get one free. #SpoonTip: Fresh Madison Market occasionally sells leftover Stella’s cheesy bread. If you want to spruce up your dorm room a bit, the flower bouquets are stunning.
14. You will drop a lot of money at Forage
Photo courtesy of Forage Kitchen on facebook.com
Between the killer acai bowls and their fresh salad ingredients, you will quickly learn to love Forage. Although it is a bit pricey, Forage fulfills the fresh food craving you miss from home. They have every salad mix in you could imagine with their own flare, the most unique dressings, and a great power bowl. For all the incoming foodies, this is your place.
15. Get the “Hooked” App
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As college students, we are always searching for a good deal. The Hooked app sends you notifications when the restaurants and coffee shops in Madison are having specials or giving away stuff for free.
16. Red Card is your savior
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The Red Card is virtually the same as a Wiscard but you can use it at places on State Street. This is vital for when you cannot fathom the idea of another meal at Gordon’s, you need to stock up on fresh fruit and veggies at Fresh, or you want to go out to dinner with friends. An added bonus of the Red Card is that it also includes various rewards and coupons for your favorite places.
17. Don’t underestimate PDR
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Yes, Ian’s ROCKS but Pizza Di Roma also has bomb late night pizza. Coming from NY, I thought nothing could even come close to a slice of NY pie, but PDR fulfills my pizza craving. Even though it is a bit of a walk down State Street, I will tell you to tough it out because you won’t be sorry.
18. Treat yourself to Colectivo every once in a while
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Expensive? Yes. But, it is for sure one of the best coffee shops at school. The coffee is amazing, the smoothies are even better (shoutout to Green Hornet) and the food even knocks it out of the park.
19. Take advantage of Babcock ice cream
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Freshman year comes with a blessing and a curse when Babcock ice cream is staring you in the face at Gordon’s. You’re walking out the door and the power move is to stop, get the student discount, and shove down on some Badger Blast or Blue Moon. You can even brag to your friends at home that your ice cream is made here on campus.
20. Try at least two different food carts
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State Street is the best place to go when you want to indulge, with everything from Cali Fresh (Mexican) to Hibachi Hut. With so many different options, it fixes any craving and tastes even better than you would imagine. Bring your food to the terrace for a meal with a view.