Although the COVID-19 pandemic forced a number of Madison’s iconic businesses to shutter doors permanently, one of the remaining restaurants that’s been a fixture in the city for over two decades—Eldorado Grill—is still going strong.
The latest menu spans a larger Pan-Latin spectrum by blending spices and styles from Texas down to Argentina. These regional influences are also reflected in the dining room décor via bright colors and bold wall accents, while a new tortilla press in the kitchen flattens fresh corn masa into round cakes for the griddle before arriving in warm stacks at customers’ tables. And thanks to now having a wood-fired grill at the ready, Executive Chef Todd Sprik is adding a fiery, smoky hue to nearly every dish.
The current bar and beverage menu is similarly-themed with a “scratch bar program” crafting syrups and tinctures in-house. Mezcal- and tequila-forward cocktails like the Blazing Saddle complement the flavor profiles in dishes such as the seafood enchiladas, Blueberry & Bacon Pancake and smoked salmon tostadas. Plus a strong secondary focus on non-alcoholic drinks including sodas, house-made horchata, and seasonal agua fresca ensures guests of all ages can fully engage in the Eldorado dining experience.
Which is what makes Eldorado a prime choice for a family night out or celebratory gatherings just about any day of the week. Boozy Brunch on the weekends includes a large concha pastry, main entrée, bottomless coffee and two cocktails for $25. The array of a la carte sides makes it easy to satisfy hungry littles who may prefer more standard breakfast fare like crispy potatoes, buttermilk pancakes or biscuits. Another economical option is the “Dinner for Two” special—a prix-fixe meal for $65 featuring fresh tortilla chips, along with a choice of eight salsas, one small plate and two mains courses. But “Industry Night” might be Eldorado Grill general manager Garrett Schumacher’s best idea yet! A whole evening devoted to providing happy hour deals (until close) to service industry peers, as well as all essential workers, is what continues to earn this culinary establishment a place in many Madisonian hearts.
Eldorado Grill is open Tuesday and Wednesday, 4 to 9 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m. Happy hour is every day from 4 to 5:30 p.m. To learn more, visit eldoradogrillmadison.com.