Madison’s Cafe

The service was good. the atmosphere pleasant and they have a nice, reasonably priced wine list. I had a Ceasar’s salad which was good so i was hopeful. but then the breadbasket arrived olive oil was bitter and industrial tasting and no fresh cracked pepper or offer of oil. I must say that I’d had the bread before and the new bread offering is much better.
The entrees were the problem. I ordered the seafood pasta. The scallops and shrimp were cooked well, the pasta wasn’t too mushy but the sauce just about put me to sleep. BORING! there was enough garlic but it desperately needed some lemon and a bit of red pepper and if I’d been awake I would have sent it back. My sis ordered the chicken marsala and hated it. The chicken was heavily covered in Italian bread crumbs and deep fried (really! so she wondered it they had run it up to Bob Evan’s to be cooked) then a dab of brown gravy…(was it from a jar?) that they waved the marsala bottle it without spilling a drop. She asked for more so that she could moisten it a bit and received a generous bowl of it.
I’m sure others can recommend more appetizing items to order. Maybe we just picked the two worst.

they claim to be north Italian but use a red sauce for cooking.
they have many delightful dishes irregardless and may or may not have Kobe beef — you take your chances on that one.
Conscientious staff

Love love love Madison’s. Superb Italian food and service. Prices are reasonable for the quality of food. Complimentary bread is warm and delicious. I highly recommend the breaded zucchini appetizer. A+. The artichoke salad is also A+. So many good entrees to choose from. Prepare to leave stuffed.

I came to Madison’s based on a recommendation from a local… I’m always down to try little local restaurants when I’m traveling. So, enter Madison’s Pretty easy to find, and a parking garage right across the street. We sat on the patio, next to one of those big tall propane heaters, which was nice… For a while until it went out and not a single staff member gave it a second look. That’s what sets the tone for my whole review. Madison’s seems like the kind of place that was a great in its heyday, but age has simply gotten the best of it. It was very dark on the inside, and not to mention the majority of the clientele was over the age of 60.
They start your meal out with bread and a dish of olive oil, fresh garlic, parmesan cheese, and whipped butter. It would have been nice if the extras would have been served in something other than little plastic cups, but I can make do.
One nice thing about Madison’s is that you can order any of their pastas as sides. The menu says smaller portions smaller price, but you don’t know exactly how much. I ordered a side of the mushroom and veal ravioli with pine nuts, and it was fantastic. Everything was cooked perfectly and presented beautifully. I also ordered a cup of the clam bisque, which was really spectacular too. I had a small issue with the waiter dumping a portion of my soup down my pants leg, and then not offering to refill it or take anything off the check. I know that’s not a big deal, but a big portion of dining out should be the experience. Driving 2 hours home with pants that smell like clams did not leave the most pleasant Madison’s experience for me.

Good soup and salad with bread. Our waitress was very nice. We tried eating at 2 other places but not open so this was our third choice but ended being a good one.

Madisons opened up in Jefferson City just after I moved to town (uhh, a long time ago.) My first trip, the restaurant was fairly deserted; one of the owners asked if we would mind some Led Zeppelin on the sound system. That did it for me, I would have eaten there again even if the food was poor. But it was not poor — it has always been tasty; the house salad is still the best use of iceberg lettuce ever devised. Well, Zeppelin is no more to be heard; and the restaurant had some growing pains (I much prefer to sit in the main dining room). But it is worth my time and money, every time.

Can’t say how much I love the food at Madison’s! As soon as I walk in, I am hit by that delicious smell. The food has great flavor and the service is great also.

Me and some co-​worker had lunch from Madison’s. While the food was decent, the portions were not reflected in price. Not a restaurant I would eat often.

Very nice restaurant. Never had a bad experience. Their combination salad is the best salad I’ve ever had. Very good service as well!

Excellent choices on the menu. Quick and super friendly service. Came for a business lunch and clearly this is a hot spot for that.

Very nice little place downtown. This is an upscale place that you will pay more to get. My salad was so worth the price. It was fresh and had some most amazing tatse. The bread was a little tough like it had been nuked too long. Overall a good place.

We enjoyed our meal here. A highlight was the breaded zucchini appetizer. It was delicious. Lightly breaded and perfectly seasoned. I had shrimp Katherine in a delicious cream sauce and my date had lamb ravioli. Our waitress was nice and professional. Oh and the house salad with artichoke hearts and Parmesan cheese, always a winner.

My favorite place to eat in JC. The combination salad with the house dressing is TO DIE FOR. I’ve never been one to only order a salad at a restaurant, but this salad has changed that forever! The venue is very nice, the outside seating is surrounded by flowers from River City Florist, making for a lovely lunch or dinner.

Rob Agee, the owner is very hands on and a fixture in town. Never had a bad meal here. The wings and calamari are solid and I am a fanatic about both. Their combination salad is one of my favorite salads anywhere. The pasta is excellent.

Owner actually wrote me, show that he really take pride in is business. Will try again… keep you informed

First time we went there was back in July, was decent but found it overpriced for the portion sizes. Plus they charged .75 for each shrimp in a bowl of pasta! We are out of towners and had yet to find a decent restaurant but they were the best that we had found.
Went back again last night and were very disappointed, how on earth do you charge $ 5 for a tiny side salad. Most places offer that with the meal but they charge extra for it. Why?! Hubby got the Cajun pasta and said it was very overwhelming with all the seasoning. Took away from the veggies and meat. I got the jalapeño pasta and just have to say what jalapeño? Seriously that was the most lackluster dish I have ever had, no flavor at all just a mess of cream with some pepper in it. The kids meals were only a penny so that was nice but even then I don’t believe we will ever be back while here. Keep trying Madison’s!

So the restaurant does look a little old and shabby. And for some reason all the booths had pink light bulbs (is that some aesthetic thing I don’t know about?). But we’ve always had great food at Madisons. We love the pastas. I always get the Quattro frommagio. It’s delicious, very rich, and a nice sized portion. The bread with oil is tasty. We always ask for some vinegarette to add to it. It’s a decent price for what you get. The service is always excellent!
The restaurant could use a little updating, but that won’t stop us from visiting.
Look for coupons, too!

One of my absolute faves in JCMO. I love their Italian salad, and their lasagna is my favorite, ever! I don’t know what the creamy sauce is in there, but it ROCKS.

Hubby and I had the salad and soup lunch special. The salads were good; however, the soup was served lukewarm. The price was reasonable — $ 7.50 for unlimited soup and salad or $ 7.50 for soup and salad (seems like a misprint, but that’s what the menu said).
Probably will go back though because it is a favorite of my brother’s family. I will be sure to post again if my opinion changes.

Solid option, in downtown Jefferson City. I visited there today, for my first time. I went with a pair of young ladies who are well acquainted with the establishment and enthusiastic fans.
The floor plan is very large — not obvious from the store front — and apparently includes a basement area for larger, group events.
Lots of pasta on the menu. My friends ordered salads — which include the use of the St Louis staple of provel cheese. My steak sandwich also had a slice of provel, and an ample supply of mushrooms, thin sauteed onions, and a thick slice of steak — this is a knife-​and-​fork sandwich. Sadly, my steak was overcooked, but this is probably a function of having a waiter who seemed to be relatively new. I had asked for medium-​rare, but despite being tender there was not a spot of pink left.
I heard that the cajun chicken sandwich, and cajun chicken salad are both good, as well.