Best (Affordable) Restaurants in Madison

Written by Gabby MassonPhotography by Calder SellBored of your regular restaurants? Want to try something new but unsure what? I know as a vegetarian and vegan, I am often frustrated by the seemingly limited restaurant options. However, during my years in Madison, I have found many great restaurants everyone loves, regardless of their dietary preferences or restrictions. My dad, an avid lover of steak and all things meat, has eaten at the following restaurants and enjoyed each one. Best of all (and most importantly), they’re all affordable on a college budget. If you’re ever in the mood for some great food and trying something new, take the time to visit one of these restaurants in Madison! 

1. The Green Owl Cafe

My absolute favorite restaurant in Madison is the The Green Owl Cafe. Located on Atwood Avenue, it is the Madison’s only vegetarian and vegan restaurant. I have never eaten something there that I didn’t like (seriously!). The crabby cakes (baked tofu and mushroom with vegan chipotle rémoulade) and deluxe nachos (with options to add sundried tomato-walnut chorizo or jackfruit carnitas) are mouthwatering appetizers that I often end up getting as my main course because they are just that good. If I don’t end up eating only appetizers, my go-to meal is the buffalo wrap, a tortilla filled with veggie nuggets soaked in buffalo sauce (I swear I can’t tell a difference from real chicken) with vegan ranch dressing and crispy, seasoned potatoes on the side. My mouth is watering thinking about it right now. I also recommend their peanut macrobowl, a combination of roasted sweet potatoes, coconut quinoa, steamed kale and carrots, ginger peanut sauce, and sesame seeds. Furthermore, their vegan cheesecake is the most delicious cheesecake I have ever had, including “real” cheesecake.http://www.greenowlcafe.com/ 

2. Monty’s Blue Plate Diner

Another favorite is Monty’s Blue Plate Diner, a member of the Food Fight restaurants, a restaurant group including the infamous Bassett Street Brunch Club, El Dorado Grill, Cento, Fresco, and more. Known for “diner style” food, they have fast service and great options for everyone. They have plenty of meals with meat, along with vegetarian and vegan options as well. They feature the “Impossible Burger™” (a veggie burger named after the inability most have recognizing that the burger isn’t made of meat) that can be substituted in any of their classic burgers. Other favorites include the vegetarian chili with cornbread, the heathen vegan shoplifter's delight (portobellos, fried tempeh, avocado, grilled red onion, and lemon-tahini dressing on a baguette), and vegan banana walnut pancakes. Don’t overlook the vegan brownies in saran wrap at the front counter — though they may not look like much, they are the thickest, fudgiest brownies of all time.  https://montysblueplatediner.com/ 

3. Everly

Everly, also a Food Fight restaurant, is located on Monroe Street and is a little more sophisticated than the previous, but still very affordable. My suggestion is to order everything and anything from the starters menu. Every vegetable is delicious (seriously — I hate beets, and love the beet dish), and I cannot recommend the fried brussel sprouts, charred broccoli, or beets and burrata enough. Furthermore, their truffle fries, edamame hummus toast, and potato curry samosas are outstanding as well. If you’re still hungry, the butternut squash and forbidden rice curry is so deliciously unique — not to mention a huge portion that is bound to be just as good leftover as at the restaurant.https://everlymadison.com/ 

4. Tex’s Tubb

Lastly, Tex’s Tubb, a Food Fight restaurant as well, has great Mexican options, including veggie and vegan dishes. For starters, they have bottomless chips with your choice of house-made salsas from a salsa bar. They also have vegan queso for chips and nachos. The Wil-mar burrito is my favorite item on the menu, filled with fried avocados, mushrooms, black beans, rice, and feta cheese. You can also order the fried avocados on the side because they’re just that good.https://textubbstacos.com Regardless of your food preferences, good food is good food, and I guarantee all these restaurants will have something delicious for everyone.