Hardee's #1503116, Store #32 - Madison, WI

CLOSED November 30(?), 2023 or sometime late 2023

4814 Annamark Dr.  Now Dave's Hot Chicken.

Visited July 28, 2019

Years ago Hardee's seemed poised to be almost the top dog but something happened and Hardee's faded into the background to be a nonplayer. 

The 1/3 lb Garlic Thick Burger was delicious and so much better than the Clown output.  So if the food is good, did marketing fail?

Pedro's - Madison, WI

CLOSED March 21, 2023

https://madison.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/restaurants/pedros-dining-room-closes-after-nearly-42-years-move-could-be-temporary/article_23e8527a-0e0a-5403-8bd1-654f0bf66f04.html 

3555 E Washington Ave

Established 1982

Visited October 6, 2018

I walk in with low expectations. The facade appears run down. The interior isn't that much better, the decor dating back at least 30 years. The booth fabric seat back has a massive 2 ft horizontal tear.

Java Cat - Madison, WI

CLOSED October 23, 2022 the 3918 Monona Dr location and RELOCATED to 4221 Lien Road

Visited May 19, 2019

Hip without being hipster.  A middle class coffee shop without the literary coolness of Starbucks although playwrights litter the table landscape.

Five Guys - Madison, WI

CLOSED August 28, 2022

https://madison.com/entertainment/dining/restaurants/first-madison-five-guys-closes-after-15-years/article_877468d9-c105-566e-9bde-3f9f50a14ea4.html

517 State St

 

Established 2007

 

Visited September 14, 2014

Mirch Masala – Madison, WI

CLOSED March 31(?), 2022 this location and relocated to 439 Grand Canyon Drive

449 State St

Visited November 15, 2015

State Street property is priced at a premium so that probably means the shop owners need to add a few more dollars to products to survive.

People's Bakery - Madison, WI

CLOSED February 15, 2021

https://www.facebook.com/Peoples.favorite/ 

2810 E Washington Ave

Established 2003

Visited May 31, 2014

A steady stream of customers came to buy doughnuts. We opted for the sandwich items. We arrived before lunch started so  they weren't ready for our lunch order but they were willing to accommodate us.

Plaka Taverna - Madison, WI

CLOSED November 30(?), 2020 

https://madison.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/restaurants/retirement-not-covid-19-bringing-end-of-beloved-plaka-taverna-in-downtown-madison/article_5334eae1-355d-5de8-b300-c5f4bc93ea66.html 

410 E Wilson St

Visited January 16, 2014

Plaka opens at 6 AM for the early risers and surprisingly it has its share of customers, local that is.

Pure Love Bubble Tea Global Market & Food Hall - Madison, WI

CLOSED and relocated a few stalls down

2161 Zeier Road

It isn't Starbuck madness here.  Could it become so?

Zen Zen Taste Global Market & Food Hall - Madison, WI

CLOSED 2021

2161 Zeier Rd. This stall is now Bowl Bowl Rice.

Jade Garden - Madison, WI

CLOSED December 31(?), 2019.  The land has been sold for redevelopment.

1109 S Park St

Visited April 21, 2019

The place isn't exactly run down but it could use a makeover.  It has a very blue collar feel. Those with money are unlikely to dine here. 

Burgrito's - Madison, WI

CLOSED November 2018.  Doomed by major construction and lack of sales

1835 Monroe St.

I'm not expecting much having had authentic Mexican burritos in California last week. Culturally uniform Madison tends to cater to conservative Midwest palates.

Chutney's Indian Cuisine - Madison, WI

CLOSED late(?) 2018.

I'm no expert but I've had my share of Indian food spending time eating in the Indian-centric Brampton area. The food in Brampton is made by Indians for Indians. I believe my background provides me a good reference.

Ella's Deli and Ice Cream Parlor - Madison, WI

 CLOSED January 21, 2018

2902 E Washington Ave

I wasn't planning to order any kitchen prepared foods, and I aimed straight for the ice cream. I asked what's popular, and I went with the first flavor the guy suggested which is Brownie Cascade. It is rich, decadent, creamy, chocolatey, balanced, infused with brownie bits to vary texture, and perfectly sweet. It's so good that I didn't even think but inhaled it. It is Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream and it lived up to its billing.  3.5 stars.

OM Indian Fusion Cuisine - Madison, WI

CLOSED March 2019  

https://madison.com/wsj/entertainment/dining/restaurants/om-indian-fusion-closes-on-east-washington-avenue/article_dabf1237-5395-5a61-aa8d-c379974eff37.html 

3579 E Washington Ave

OM is a relative new comer to the crowded Indian food scene. Madison must have a lot of Indian scholars and students otherwise a smallish city as Madison wouldn't be able to support as many Indian restaurants as it has. Either that or the white liberal educated want to show their acceptance of diversity.

Glaze Teriyaki - Madison, WI

CLOSED April (?) 2019

563 State St

What is Glaze?  Fusion? Japanese? Northwest healthy? I don't know but it needs a stronger identity hook.

Sliced Deli - Madison, WI

CLOSED August 2018 

601 Gammon Rd

Slice occupies the building that formerly housed Arby's. This is a less than optimal location for a fast food joint and I fear the less than optimal location may spell the doom of Sliced too soon. If Sliced shutters, it won't be because of the food because the food I had today is tasty good for under $5.

Mr. Torta's - Madison, WI

CLOSED  March (?) 2018

4527 Cottage Grove Rd

In the competitive restaurant business, you need to be outstanding if you're going to survive. You need to have something or do something better than the competition. A sandwich shop needs to be better than Subway. With that said, I'm predicting Mr. Torta's will be short lived unless they continue to tweak their product.

AJ Bomber's - Madison, WI

CLOSED June 5, 2016. The owners decided not to renew the lease.

The perfunctory hostess and listless bartender made for an unwelcoming atmosphere. Even the customers appeared subdued. In hindsight, maybe the closing explained the languid staff. 

The Milwaukee Burger has a great bold beefy taste and heavy bacony flavor. 3.75 stars.

Madison Cuisine - Madison, WI

CLOSED 2021 or 2023?

Police notices are posted

Suwanasak Thai Cuisine – Madison, WI

CLOSED early 2017(?) 

811 S Gammon Rd

This hole in wall has two tables arranged for in house dining so really it's set up for take out.  It had no air conditioning. Either it’s absent, not turned on, or in disrepair. It's all the more reason to take out. The have to recognize this is not Thailand and the white folks here are spoiled for AC.