It should come as no surprise to you that I am a huge Wisconsin Badger fan! I was fortunate enough to spend my undergraduate career as a student athlete at The University of Wisconsin-Madison. I learned a lot during my 4 years in Madison, but most importantly I discovered that Madison has the best food (for a college town) in the country. Two weeks ago I returned to Madison for the first time in almost two years. I had an amazing time visiting the places I ate at when I was a student. After that trip I am confident in saying Madison is the best. If you have ever been to Madison or, like me, had the great fortune of being a Badger I am sure you will agree. I am throwing it out there. Madison can not be beat when it comes to food!
On the way back from my trip to Madison, I decided that the only way I can prove this is to see what other college towns have to offer. To do this I am going to need your help. I know that many of you disagree with me that Madison is the best. That is perfectly fine. I want to know what you think is the best? What college town did you live in that has better food? Leave a comment letting me know what you think is best! Tell me where you would eat and what you would order? If I go to your alma mater and try something that is better than what I have had in Madison I will send you a prize!
Ok so here are some rules to the contest:
1. DEFINITION OF A COLLEGE TOWN a city that is heavily influenced by a university or college. For example Athens, Columbia, Chapel Hill, Gainesville, Eugene, Auburn, Charlottesville, Austin, Tucson etc…. These are all examples of college towns. It can be a state capital, but it can not be a major city. Therefore Boston, New York City, Chicago, LA, Dallas, Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Diego do not count. This cities all have great food and lots of institutions of higher learning, but sorry these are not college towns. I can be swayed to make an exception if the food really intrigues me, but I want to stick to places that have a college influence.
2.NO CHAIN RESTAURANTS. I want to try unique local places, so no chains allowed. The only exception is if all the chain locations are in the college town.
3. KEEP IT AT STUDENT PRICES We all remember being broke college students right? I am going to keep meals $10 and under. Great food does not have to come at a great price. No single item I eat will cost you more than $10.
Other than that, I am open to trying any unique and amazing food that is out there. I hope that you will help me in discovering if Madison is the best. I am biased, but I can admit when I find amazing food, so please let me know what food you loved eating in college!
So far I am planning on going to :
Clemson, SC
Baton Rouge, LA
Auburn, AL
Oxford, MS
Blacksburg, VA
Columbia, SC
Chapel Hill, NC
Gainesville, FL
Durham, NC
Winston-Salem, NC
Please let me know where else I need to go and what I should eat!
- Taylor
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Hm…I think you need to come back to Santa Barbara. Although it’s definitely not friendly on the college budget…
COLUMBUS, OHIO!!!!!!!!! You are too heavily concentrated with Southern College towns. You need more Midwestern flavor!!!
For Columbia, SC you should definitely check out Immaculate Consumption, Cool Beans, Beezers, Miyos/M Vista/M Cafe, The Gourmet Shot and Yesterdays, Wild Hare (for Wings), Pawley’s Front Porch (was on diners drive ins and dives), Flying Saucer, Cafe Strudel, Dipratos, Nice-N-Natural, Devine Foods.
I know its a lot! and i am sure theres more. All are good picks.
For Columbia, SC: Beezers, Dipratos, MCafe/MVista/Miyos, Immaculate Consumption, Cool Beans, Nice-N-Natural, Gourmet Shop, Wild Hare(for the wings!), Cafe Strudel (best brunch/breakfast!), Yesterdays, Pawleys Front Porch ( was on diners drive ins and dives)
I know its a a lot but all are excellent choices!
Yes I need to make a trip to Columbus and other Big Ten schools! It will be in the works later in the year.
Charlottesville is great, too, though you have to take into account that it’s quite a bit smaller than Madison and also that we all have an emotional connection to the food we had during our college years. After I graduated, I took a few people to a place that had been a favorite for much of college. They thought it was okay but nothing special. Of course, they agreed about other places, so you never know! Regardless, check out our site for guidance when you make your way to Charlottesville. I’m envious of your culinary adventures!
Great post – and so TRUE. Of course, I’m also biased; I’m a UW-Madison alumn too. Madison has a lot of great restaurants and not all of them are pricey. A restaurant group in Madison published a cookbook of recipes from Madison-area restaurants and called it Madisons Originals Cookbook ( http://ow.ly/18hEA ). I’ve made a bunch of recipes from it and they all turned out yummy. Most were easy too.
Wow! That’s quite the tour. You’ve already got Columbia on the list. Sadly, I can’t really offer up many suggestions for there and I know that it will clearly lose to some of the others on the list as well as to what you’ve shown of Madison. But, maybe they’ve gotten some better places since 2002.
But, I do have an Oxford recommendation: Handy Andy’s. Great burgers. Their BBQ is supposed to be good, too. But I haven’t had it.
Thanks Jed, Charlottesville is definitely on my list! I will let you know when I make a trip up there. I checked out your site and will definitely consult it for guidance.
Thanks Amy! I will have to Check out Handy Andy’s when I am in Oxford! In the next month I plan on making another trip to Columbia!
Thanks Liz, I will definitely look into these places, I appreciate the suggestions.
i recently took my first trip to madison for an interview, and every single meal i had was spot-on! forreal. i feel like it subconsciously made me love my interview too, haha.
as a VA native, i would rank the food scene in charlottesville above that of blacksburg (though don’t tell anyone at my alma mater in good old colonial williamsburg that i gave a shout-out to UVA!)
best of luck in your culinary adventure!
Charleston, SC is where you need to be.
Baked Charleston, on east bay street. any of the sweet and salty items or any pastries really.
Jestine’s restaurant downtown charleston. Amazing ANYTHING.
Thanks Sam, Charleston is on my list of cities to go to and I will definitely check out your suggestions!
I am glad you enjoyed your trip to Madison. I am definitely going to check out Charlottesville, I have heard awesome things! I took a look at your blog I like the stuff on there! Good luck with everything!
Try Amherst/Northampton MA. Small towns compared to what you’re talking about but there is some serious foodie heaven to be had if you know where to look. Best Sandwich and pastry in New England at the Black Sheep (full disclosure, I used to work there). Also the Lone Wolf, right next door does wonderful breakfast. Chez Albert will make you think you’re dining in Napa, or the French Countryside, the Monkey Bar has great cocktails. The Moan and Dove has something like 300 beers (and nothing from Busch, Coors or Miller). Amherst Coffee serves world class coffees (and whiskey!). The list goes on and that is just Amherst with a total pop of under 40,000. Go there, you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks Jesse, I am planning a trip to New England in late summer I will definitely have to check Amherst out! Thanks for the suggestion.
Let me know when you head to Austin. I will eat my way through there with you!
Sounds good Shayla I am going to be there the second week in April
Ann Arbor, MI – Zingerman’s Deli. Amer’s Deli is also worth a visit, but Zingerman’s is not to be missed. Their chocolate cherry bread (only available certain days) makes a wonderful breakfast, and their selection of sandwiches, cured meats, cheeses and condiments is top notch.
Thanks Robin! I hope to make it to Ann Arbor at some point and will definitely check these places out!
The Bagel Shop on High Street in Oxford, OH at Miami and Laughing Planet in Bloomington, IN … most amazing burrittos ever!!! (and I have lived in austin for four years)
Whenever you go to Oxford, MS you absolutely have to go to Ajax or 208. Some of the best good ole southern cooking you’ve ever had is at Ajax, including the Sweet Potato Casserole that is one of my friends and my personal favorites. If you go to 208 (which has amazing seafood) try the Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese, its an absolute favorite/famous dish amongst Ole Miss students as well.
Also, if you are going to go to Handy Andy’s, their banana bread pudding is the best.
Found your blog from food gawker. As a fellow Badger alum, I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment as Madison as one of the best foodie college towns! From the farmers market full of fresh local foods in the spring AROUND the capital to University-made ice cream and some of the best ethnic food carts YEARS before the food truck became popular in LA – Madison has it all!
When in Gainesville you should head to Satchel’s Pizza for sure. The food is great and the restaurant itself is an experience, just make sure to bring cash and plan on a wait. Also, order the salad!
Its useless. Madison is the best.
- Current UW Madison Student Athlete/Foodie
What about Berkeley? I am a recent graduate and man, has the place reshaped my view on food.
Oakland, Berkeley, SF is a trifecta of deliciousness.
Cheeseboard Pizza and Bakery. Bake Sale Betty’s. Gregoire. Ici. Oakland Chinatown. If you are ever in town, shoot me an e-mail.
I just stumbled on your blog since I’m looking for places in Madison to go to when I visit tomorrow for a conference.
Bloomington, Indiana // Indiana University
Not better than Madison, but some great food along Kirkwood Ave.
Hey Taylor – It’s Nick’s brother Chris. Gotta hit Tallahassee man – hit up Monk’s Bar and Grill for an AWESOME burger easily under $10!
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