Pink Heifer

Pink Heifer BBQ Saloon

After opening in Monticello a few years ago, Pink Heifer BBQ Saloon expanded to State Street this year. However, the new location doesn't have the full menu, full bar, ample dining space and charm of a historic building as the ...
Crazylegs race

The Weekend Ahead April 24-26, 2026

Here's a curated list of some of the major Madison, WI events happening this weekend ...
Beach Cocktails

Beach Cocktails: Pours, Drinks, Sips, and Bites

I recently vacationed in the U.S. Virgin Islands and enjoyed drinking fun, fruity cocktails throughout the week. Thus, I was happy to accept an offer to review Beach Cocktails: Pours, Drinks, Sips, and Bites ($21.99, Gibbs Smith), edited by Allyson ...
Midwest Horse Fair

The Weekend Ahead April 17-19, 2026

Here's a curated list of some of the major Madison, WI events happening this weekend ...

Food carts: Jakarta Barbecue Station, Métropolitain Handcrafted Street Food

September 17th, 2017

20170803_122905I wasn’t sure what to make of Indonesian BBQ at first, but it turns out, it’s one or the other, not both combined, at Jakarta Barbecue Station. That makes for a wide-ranging menu.

The pulled pork honey ($9) can be served either in a sandwich or as a salad and comes with kettle chips. I was impressed by how tender and moist the pork is, and the BBQ sauce has the right level of sweetness. I would definitely order this again.

The grilled pork dumpling combo ($10) has five dumplings, one spring roll and rice. The inside of the dumplings is almost entirely meat (no filler vegetable) that is quite subtle in taste and thus requires the dipping sauce. The spring roll was fairly average, meaning it’s not worth the $3 price if you bought it separately.

Other items on the short menu include spicy mango salad ($8) and Buffalo pulled pork ($9), plus there are daily specials such as corn dogs ($4).

***

20170830_122746Métropolitain Handcrafted Street Food specializes in huge po’ boy sandwiches. In fact, you’ll need a fork, knife and lots of napkins to get through them, as they are beyond stuffed with ingredients. The Korean braised pork ($8) is tasty to be sure, but the pork needed more braising, as many strands were tough. The apple slaw adds a bit of texture contrast and sweetness to this massive sandwich.

The Carolina smoked mushroom ($8) had a medley of sliced mushrooms spilling out. They are definitely the most prominent flavor, but you should detect some of the Carolina (mustard-based) BBQ sauce. Other sandwiches include Andouille sausage ($8) and crispy shrimp ($8).

The other part of the menu contains a few hand-crafted salads. When I opened the carryout container for the curried chicken salad ($8.50), I was impressed by how pretty the arrangement was. The cubed chicken was tender, and there was the perfect amount of the tasty mango chutney aioli.

Compadres Mexican Restaurant

September 10th, 2017

20170829_120226There is no shortage of Mexican restaurants in Middleton and Madison’s far west side. Joining the mix this summer in the intersection of the two areas is Compadres Mexican Restaurant, a decent entry into the crowded market but without any distinguishing features.

The layout of the restaurant is odd. As you enter the building, you walk into a wide room with a large bar and a few tables, making you think, “This is it?” But then the hostess will you take you around the back, where the actual (but still small) dining room is.

The menu, not surprisingly, is divided into the usual sections, such as burritos and fajitas. You can skip the Signature Dishes, as they’re basically the same items found elsewhere on the menu, just at a different price.

Among the appetizers, I had to get the one named For Avocado Lovers! ($6.49). This individually portioned dish is super fresh and bright, with bits of shrimp, diced tomatoes and diced onions over ripe and creamy avocado, all tied together with a little lime juice.

The sopes ($3.25 vegetarian, $3.50 with choice of meat) seemed like it could have been an appetizer, but instead, it was slotted under Traditional Plates. The thick portion of tortilla was slightly tough and difficult to cut. At least the chorizo was very tasty, and I wish there was more of it, since neither the queso fresco nor the sour cream added much to the overall flavor.

20170905_115412From the Mexican Traditional sectional, I tried the milanesa ($10.49 with chicken or steak). I chose the steak, which is tenderized flat and breaded like a pork chop with the right amount of seasoning. It is delicious on its own or with the accompanying tortillas as a pseudo taco. The accompanying fries seemed out of place for this dish.

Among the short selection of seafood items, the camarones a la diabla ($13.49) caught my eye. The shrimp was a bit overcooked, and the chipotle seasoning adds flavor, not heat. I really enjoyed the oily, garlicky sauce, which the Mexican rice sopped up nicely.

Compadres Mexican Restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner.

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See more photos in our Compadres Mexican Restaurant Flickr album.

Compadres Mexican Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Madison-area guide to Oktoberfests 2017

September 3rd, 2017

beer-stein

While Oktoberfest doesn’t take over the entire City of Madison like it does in La Crosse, we do have our fair share of celebrations each September (and October). Here’s a look:

Event When, where Of Note
Thirsty Troll Brew Fest Sept. 9, Mt. Horeb How long can you hold a stein? Try the Masskrugstemmen contest.
Dogtoberfest Sept. 10, Capital Brewery A fundraiser for the Dane County Humane Society, complete with a dog costume contest.
OktoBEERfest Sept. 16, Breese Stevens Field Includes reindeer ring toss and a wine tent for some reason.
VRBC Oktoberfest Sept. 20, Quivey’s Grove This event is put on by the Verona Road Business Coalition and features beer from Wisconsin Brewing Co.
Fall Beer Taste Sept. 21, Downtown Sun Prairie Enjoy beer and cider from 26 businesses, plus roaming entertainment, in Sun Prairie.
Essen Haus Oktoberfest Sept. 23, Essen Haus Includes a brat-eating contest and a bier-drinking competition.
Gear and Beer Fest Sept. 24, East Side Club Buy, sell, and trade musical instruments, recording equipment and vinyl records while drinking beer.
Quivey’s Grove Beer Fest Oct. 7, Quivey’s Grove Includes live music and more than 100 beers to sample.
    Madison Symphony Orchestra Urban Air

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