Posts Tagged ‘downtown’

Cheba Hut

Sunday, August 4th, 2013

You certainly don’t have to be high or drunk to eat at Cheba Hut, located on campus, but you’d probably feel right at home if you were, plus there’s beer if you want to keep partying. More on that later.

In following their theme, they sell “toasted” subs here. The three sizes for the sandwiches are Nugs (4″), Pinners (8″) and Blunts (12″), all of which come with the standard veggies and your choice of white, wheat or “herb” bread.

From the Old School list, the Endo (reuben) was fairly standard (8″ for $6.09). I ordered it without all the toppings to keep it pure. My guess is that the bland pastrami was not made in-house, but that wouldn’t be surprising. I probably should have gotten the Dank (pizza), filled with genoa salami, pepperoni, home-grown marinara, provolone cheese and parmesan cheese.

On a cashier’s recommendation, I got the Jamaican Red (4″ for $4.49). It comes with spicy grilled chicken, cheddar cheese, jalapenos and black olives. The chicken itself was tender and tasty, but it didn’t mesh well with the other ingredients–it was like a salad gone wrong. I think I would have preferred the Acapulco Gold, which is chicken breast, home-grown BBQ sauce and swiss cheese.

One I probably won’t order on a future visit but worth mentioning is the Schwag, which is bologna, chopped onions and cheddar cheese and described as “out of stock.” That just conjures up an image of a late-night food binge and you’re slapping together whatever ingredients you have in your fridge.

Besides the sandwiches, you can find salads, soups and “Incredible Munchies” on the menu. From that list, I enjoyed the Goo Ball ($1.99), which is Rice Krispies, peanut butter, honey and cocoa. Others include Sticky Icky (PBJ) and Hemp Brownies.

Cheba Hut is open every day for lunch and dinner and past bar time Thursday-Saturday. It also has happy hour from 4:20-6:20 p.m. at its beer-only bar ($2 taps).

Cheba Hut on Urbanspoon

Bars at Dragon I, Osaka House

Sunday, June 2nd, 2013

Just a block from one another on State Street, Dragon I and Osaka House each offer two different experiences, depending on what time of day you arrive.

Both offer lunch and dinner during the day. Dragon I is a sister restaurant to Nam’s Noodle and offers mainly Vietnamese dishes, while Osaka House serves Japanese primarily through carryout and delivery, since its capacity is only 19.

By night, however, both become popular bars. Like Nam’s Noodle, Dragon I offers private karaoke rooms, which are located upstairs. From Sunday through Wednesday, the hourly rental fee is $25 before 9 p.m. and $30 after; Thursday through Saturday is $30/$35. The rooms come in various sizes to accommodate different-sized groups. You get unlimited songs–Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese and American–during the time in your room. If you like karaoke, you’ll love this experience, especially since it’s among your close friends, meaning you can pick songs you wouldn’t have the courage to do otherwise.

I have read how bad the service is during dining hours at Dragon I, and I see that it’s just as bad at night. A staff member may occasionally stop by to see if you need more drinks, but you’ll likely have to go all the way downstairs to order. Plus, no one seems to know how to make any of the featured cocktails And while the rooms are mostly soundproof, you can hear other singers through the vents.

From singing we go to dancing at Osaka House. The entrance to the bar is on Gilman Street, not State Street, which sort of gives you the feeling you’re going to a secret club. I’ve heard it called the “sake lounge,” but the manager told me it really has no name.

Inside you’ll find just a handful of bar stools, a nightly DJ and a small dance floor. From 9-10:30 p.m. the place is dead, but then suddenly the entire place reaches its 49-person capacity, and a line quickly forms to get in. Not surprisingly, it’s mostly a college-aged crowd, and even the drinks are aimed at them (shot menu includes Patron, Jose Cuervo, SoCo and Absolut–totally for students who don’t know any better).

Roast Public House

Friday, March 8th, 2013

The idea of a sandwich shop serving roasted meats certainly got my attention. Located on State Street where BW3s used to be, and close to competitors Potbelly, Erbert & Gerbert’s, Jimmy John’s and Full of Bull (now closed), Roast Public House stands out for its unique sandwiches.

Take the Cajun BBQ Brisket ($9), for example. The Bell’s Two Hearted-braised brisket was tender and oozing with flavor, and the meat is topped with cole slaw, something I always like to have on that type of sandwich. Meanwhile, the Turkey Spinach Dip Panini ($8) was as-a-whole awesome; however, I should note the turkey was super dry but saved by the homemade spinach dip and melted cheese.

On my next visit, I’ll probably get the Giambotta ($8), made of pork shoulder, cherry pepper pork gravy and vinegar peppers. All sandwiches come with kettle chips, though you can add fries or cole slaw ($1) or soup or salad ($1.50).

Even common appetizers have a delicious twist. The Signature Fries ($5) can be made one of three ways, including with gravy. I ordered them with nacho cheese, olives and tomatoes, and it was a hearty way to start the meal, although I wish the dish had more cheese on it.

As for the chicken tenders ($7.50), they are encrusted with sweet potato and served with a Sriracha lime aioli and chipotle sauce–both are fantastic (I was dipping other foods in that sauce).

Roast Public House serves lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday. It can get crowded quickly, and the downstairs–which has just a few tables–is really meant for private parties.

Roast Public House on Urbanspoon

    Madison Symphony Orchestra Urban Air

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