Paul's Pel'meni ★ 4.5
Paul's Pel'meni on West Gilman, the late-night Russian dumpling counter near campus, sells a single dish of pelmeni with butter, curry powder and sour cream.
Try: Russian pelmeni with butter, curry and sour cream
What to order at State Street Brats
- The dish to know
- Red brat with a side of cheese curds
Location
Address: 603 State St, Madison, WI 53703
More budget eats in Madison
Parthenon Gyros ★ 4.1
Parthenon Gyros on State Street, the long-running Greek counter on the pedestrian strip, serves gyro plates and souvlaki for a student-budget lunch.
Try: Gyro plate with fries and tzatziki
Dotty Dumpling's Dowry ★ 4.3
Dotty Dumpling's Dowry on North Frances, downtown Madison's burger institution, runs cheese-curd-topped burgers and hand-cut onion rings under $15 at lunch.
Try: Melting Pot burger with onion rings
Ian's Pizza by the Slice ★ 4.5
Ian's Pizza on State Street, the outpost of Madison's slice institution founded on Frances Street in 2001, runs mac-and-cheese pizza and rotating creations.
Try: Mac and cheese pizza by the slice
Mickies Dairy Bar ★ 4.4
Mickies Dairy Bar on Monroe Street, the campus-side diner since 1946 across from Camp Randall, runs Wisconsin diner breakfasts and the legendary Scrambler.
Try: Scrambler with hash browns and pancake
Banzo ★ 4.4
Banzo on Sherman Avenue, the falafel cart turned brick-and-mortar Israeli kitchen, runs fresh falafel sandwiches, hummus bowls and shakshuka brunch.
Try: Falafel sandwich and shakshuka brunch