Hankering to dine out after months of eating solely at home? Madison’s Eldorado Grill is a solid choice as the restaurant is prioritizing guests’ comfort and safety in addition to rolling out a revamped menu.
“Our previous menu consisted mostly of Tex-Mex fare like baby back ribs, brisket, tacos and burritos. We were actually in the process of making changes right before quarantine began,” says general manager Byron Brown. “The focus was adding items to replace dishes that weren’t selling so well. Mainstays like our seafood enchiladas and pan-seared tenderloin are still available. But a few of our new entrées such as the mollete and fried catfish sandwiches have also become extremely popular. And the buttermilk-fried chicken for two is large enough to provide dinner for days because one order has 10 pieces of chicken (five thighs and five legs).”
Diners indeed will not leave hungry as generous portion sizes seem to be a signature characteristic of head chef Javier Cruz. The BBQ pulled pork sandwich is stacked with smoked pork, shaved red onions and coleslaw—then topped off with a healthy dose of chipotle aioli slathered on a toasted brioche bun locally sourced from Alpha Bakery. The bar is also fully loaded with 20 Mezcals and over 75 different tequilas for patrons to choose from. “We like to believe our margaritas pair well with everything; We even have a Mezcal one!” says Brown.
Another bonus is that happy hour specials (available every day from 4 to 5:30 p.m.) can been enjoyed inside or on the elevated deck outdoors—so well tucked away from the steady traffic on Williamson Street that it feels as if one’s lingering over a long meal in a friend’s backyard rather than a bustling block barely a mile away from the Capitol Square. Cheers to an evening in the heart of Madison well spent—and well fed!
Eldorado Grill is open Sunday through Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 4 to 10 p.m.