Madison Sourdough

Madison Sourdough’s eggs Benedict is one of my favorite breakfasts in the city. Period. Available in a veggie option, I always go with the ham — a thin slice, slightly smokey ham paired with a top-​notch hollandaise sauce. Honestly, the best part of the dish may be the delicious grilled sourdough that it’s built around. The last several times I’ve visited, the poached eggs have been overcooked, but I’m hopeful it’s just a passing phase in the kitchen.
It’s a warm, bright spot on Willy Street. Great for a quick solo breakfast or grabbing a pastry and coffee with friends. Their pastry selection is awesome and their breads are the best in town. Give this joint a try — I think you’ll like what you find.

Wow. Great bakery and coffee shop.
I’m very impressed by their vanilla and chocolate desserts.
Very calm, relaxing, and upscale shop.
Their desserts are much tastier than WholeFood & Trader Joes.
I’m definitely coming back here.
Love this place!
A+

Amazing brunch. Definitely sit outside on the patio if you can and get a half loaf of bread to nibble on while you wait for your food (if you have the self-​control to limit yourself to just a few nibbles). I got the Pepitas Polenta load and WOW so good. You’ll just have to get it to try for yourself. I love hearty breads where you can see how wholesome it is and this bread was exactly that.
I got the eggs diablo which is their version of shakshuka and it was incredible (insider tip: it also tastes incredible with the Pepitas Polenta bread)
My friend got the eggs benny which looked incredible I need to get next time– it was a huge serving (which is saying a lot for an eggs benny dish) that was placed on a massive hunk of their sourdough bread.
If you’re ever on Willy St I highly recommend stopping by and picking up a loaf of bread cause everything tastes better on real, delicious, freshly-​baked bread.

I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with chutney, spinach, provolone, and aioli. Others in my party ordered the roasted beet Reuben, and soups of the day.
My grilled chicken sandwich was tender, juicy and packed with flavor. The combination of chutney and aioli was a delectable pairing of flavor. The sandwich came with a moderate side salad that didn’t skimp on variety… We’ve all had those side salads that seem to consist only of lettuce.
I also enjoyed their beverage options and opted for a small blueberry Nessalla Kombutcha.
The beet sandwich was a unique and flavorful twist on the classic Reuben sandwich. It was surprisingly zesty and well-​flavored.
Both soups were fresh, flavorful and equally filling!
It goes without saying that their breads are some of the best loaves around!

Madison Sourdough holds a special place in my heart. The bread they offer, as the name suggests, is definitely what got them where they are. Whether at their location on Willy St or at their stand at the farmers market (which opens back up soon!!) the bread is incredibly fresh and ALWAYS delicious. I also always love their grilled cheese if you’re looking for a bite to eat. They have a good selection of local coffee and tasty teas as well. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
Oh and I’d be crazy if I didn’t mention a bourbon pecan bar I had once that completely changed my life. I had assumed I didn’t like bourbon flavored deserts, as I don’t generally like the liquor itself BUT this was amazing. If you are lucky enough to be there when they’re still selling these — you’d be crazy to turn them down.

I have enjoyed a lot of MSD’s pastries and bread. They have been really good. I’ve only been to their space on willy street once but it was nice and clean. They have a nice patio area you can sit and enjoy your breakfast or coffee.
They also serve MSD at the coffee shop near my work. I’ve had several different danishes, the brioche, and the regular croissant. They danishes and brioche are really good. Every once in a while the croissant can be a bit over baked on top but still a good taste. My coworkers really enjoyed their blueberry scone yesterday saying it was better then most they’ve had before.
I would like to go back to their location on Willy St because I hear they opened a new space with more dessert like options that are suppose to be pretty epic.

I ordered the Baker’s breakfast which included an over easy egg, ham and bread. The best part of my meal was the bread and European butter.
My friend ordered the French toast with berries and cream. I admittedly chose wrong because after sampling hers, I was jealous.
A great breakfast spot.

Being connected to MSCo Patisserie is a really good idea, because what better to accompany desserts than coffee! If I were to judge based on the coffee itself, I’d give it 3 stars, but boy was the barista/​cashier incredibly rude. He embodies the worst excesses of hipsters — outward ennui that permeates into his surroundings as well as a holier-​than-​thou attitude that presumes his customers to be imbeciles needing euthanasia. During my visit I saw this in action twice. First, I asked him if they had pour-​over options. He looked at me as if I had asked him what coffee is, and then proceeded to read down in a condescending voice what was written on the chalkboard menu. I was ready to let that slide, but while I was in the middle of drinking my coffee with friends he interrupts us and dismissively announces that they were closed, even though there was still ten minutes on the clock. Absolutely rude, and impacted in a real way my experience at this establishment.
Now notice that the coffee itself I rated three stars. I’m not really trying to say that their coffee is bad, but compared to the very high level of attention and professionalism displayed at many other coffee places, the coffee here needs to keep up if it is to survive. This might have gotten them by in the early 2000’s, but America’s coffee education has dramatically improved since. Even Starbucks nowadays has multiple brewed coffee options (I’ve gotten pour-​overs at Starbucks before), so the fact that this barista hasn’t even heard of a pour-​over makes me worried about its coffee credentials. And the espresso I got was meh. Weak crema and a sour flavor suggest underextraction, so hence my unimpressed opinion of Madison Sourdough.

I cannot praise this little gem enough. Service was friendly and helpful, food was clearly prepared with skill and care. The potato hash did not disappoint — the flavors were harmonious yet each distinct — perfectly balanced. My wife had the broccoli quiche and was kind enough to let me try a bite (but just one) and I can safely say this was the best quiche I have ever tasted. The custard was absolutely melt-​in-​your-​mouth, the crust tender and flaky, and the seasoning just perfection. We ordered the London Fog each as our beverage on the recommendation of other Unilocalers and were grateful we did! We’ll be back as often as possible.

Baguettes: excellent
Chocolate croissant: excellent, especially when very fresh.
Granola Bar: this is what keeps me coming back whenever I pass through the area. They provided the bars during a bike the barns ride a couple of years ago. I had never been to MSC before, but those bars have made me a loyal customer. Very tasty and seem slightly healthful, too.

For breakfast, lunch, or dessert, Madison Sourdough can fulfill all of your pastry/​bread/​baked good needs.
I’ve been there once or twice to grab a pastry or bread to go, but honestly, my favorite thing to do is grab some delicious grub on Willy Street and then head on over to the Patisserie for dessert. Macarons, gateaux, tarts, but the thing that gets me just about every time… the religieuse. Iced choux pastry shells filled with crème anglaise. Flavors vary, which is nice. Pistachio and raspberry are particularly memorable. I have always found the staff to be friendly, full of knowledge, and willing to give recommendations.
Enjoy a decadent dessert with some strong French press coffee and a cute date who lets you share their pastry. It’s the perfect end to an evening dining out.

I love Madison sourdough! It’s one of my frequent weekend brunch place where I can sit outside and enjoy my food.
They have a wide selections of brunch and lunch items, from the classic egg benedits, to duck fat fried potatoes and a bunch of other sweet stuff. They also change up their menu every so often, with some special items during festive holidays and such.
Most of their dishes come with a slice of their sourdough, which is delicious. They also do the essential caffeinated drinks and blood maries.
I have tried their samlon egg benedits before and a tomato bisque with poached eggs and relishes dish this time. Amazing food and they do their portion quietly perfectly (to me, that’s less than what portions are here in the US). Menu is reasonably priced and there is a lot of room since they have a large ish back room, the main front room and also the front yard!
They also sell pastries and baked goods everyday, which are also amazing. So stop by not only for breakfast, but also for those goodies!

Great for breakfast or lunch! A good mix of standard and innovative dishes, all done well.
No parking lot, just street parking, but worth the inconvenience :)
I’ve been here several times and have nearly always enjoyed what I’ve tried.
Things I’ve tried:
Café:
Quiche– It’s a little different every day, but had a great creamy custard texture and is really flavorful. Comes with a simple and refreshing side salad.
Roasted Beet Rubin– If you are a former omnivore and miss a standard Rubin, this is a great replacement. Very flavorful, and the beets are a fun meat replacement. Would definitely recommend this one for anyone looking for something different to try.
Veggie Burger– Not my favorite. It’s was not as flavorful as I was hoping and the veggie burger fell apart after the first bit. If you are a Veg, see above.
Radish and Beet Salad– Very fresh and had a great citrus dressing. It’s seasonal, so you will have to wait until next summer to give this one a try. Very light and refreshing, but the portion size is huge, so plan on taking the leftovers with you as a snack for later.
Patisserie:
Chai Tea Religieuse– As good as it gets! Perfectly balanced, the chai spiced pastry cream pairs nicely with the icing and pastry. It really is a religious experience. Can I get a witness?!
I feel like I am authority on this because I spent 3 months in Paris and gained 12lbs in that amount of time. Primarily because all I did was eat pastries (and cheese) the whole time.
Opera Cake– First of all, it’s beautiful. If that’s not enough to draw you in, It is also a fabulous combo of coffee, chocolate and cake. Also, it’s topped with gold leaf and a tiny macaron.
Lots of «seat yourself» seating inside and patio seating in good weather. They have a variety of unique beverages (and coffee) or a self-​serve water station. This place also has a bus your own table situation, so be sure to not be a jerk and bring your plates to the back. :)

Never knew what this place was but assumed a bakery until I actually came in. Big selection of brunch plates plus pastries, so something for all kinds of appetite sizes. I came in and had a meal-​sized salad. It was so huge I had to box half of it home!!! (I think it was a Cobb)
Unlike a lot of places that serve this fare, there is ample seating. Think of it is as a better pret a manger/​au bon pain. My friend Annie just had a baby when we met up for lunch here, and the baby plus baby scooter (or whatever you call it) fit very comfortably.

We came here for brunch this morning and it was amazing. Several breakfast dishes caught our eye, but we settled on an eggs benedict and eggs diablo.
The eggs benedict was amazing. The hollandaise lemony and light. I’m not usually a fan of sourdough, but their sourdough is changing my mind. The thick slice of sourdough instead of an english muffin served as the base for the eggs benedict. Crispy edges and soft center made it a beautiful textural counterpoint to the perfectly poached eggs. Mmm, the eggs. It’s hard not to love breaking into that egg and watching that bright yolk melt into the light colors of the hollandaise. It’s a study in yellow.
The eggs diablo are two poached eggs served in a beautiful red tomato sauce, completed by grilled baguettes to help scoop up all that delicious sauciness. And their pastry display as you wait to put in your order is just so unfair. I WANT IT ALL. The brioche, the danish, and the granola bar all look so, so amazing.
I haven’t had their bloody marys yet, but Madison Sourdough may be my new favorite brunch spot.

The chefs and bakers are artists! The dishes are not only tasty, but looks attractive as well. Tried the quiche, strata, eggs benedict, baker’s breakfast, paris-​brest, vanilla coffee cream cake in my four visits so far, and none of them failed me! I simply love this place, both the café and the dessert bar.
Check out the artistic dishes~

It’s a fine bakery, but at the end of the day the food is expensive and not my favorite.
Take the breakfast sandwich, for example, it’s $ 8 without meat and then an additional $ 3 just to add bacon or ham. Madison has so many yummy breakfast sandwiches without up charging for meat, so why would I get this here?
The smoked salmon Benedict is drenched in hollandaise. Too much. I liked the biscuits and gravy, but felt that it was kind of like a soup. My friend ordered the chicken sandwich recently and the bread looked like grocery store bread.
You’re not getting anything special with the ambiance or anything either, there’s no table service, so while it’s ok, it’s never my first choice.
Maybe I just need to order that perfect dish and I will change my mind?

Ugh, how do I feel? Well, we had a love story on my first visit. I ordered an omelette with ham and cheddar. I loved it. Anytime I receive greens without an extra cost, I am impressed. The food was so generously portioned. The flavors worked together.
Then came the second visit. Biscuits and Gravy. My eggs were served on the biscuits and everything was drenched in gravy. My biscuits were not opened which I do not understand. I can not properly describe in words my annoyance when a restaurant does that. My husband ordered the eggs benedict. We planned to share. I realized that is difficult when they only give you ONE egg benedict. Why pluralize? You give one egg for $ 10. That is a really cheap move.

Madison Sourdough has some of the most expertly prepared baked goods in Madison. How can you resist one of their gorgeous loaves of bread or flaky croissants? One of my new favorite things is their currant bran muffin. The brightness of the currants pairs well with the sweet, nuttiness of the bran. The best part about it is the millet. Grains of millet are flecked throughout and there is a sweet, crunchy sugared millet on top. You get a nice crunch in every bite, followed by the creaminess of the millet. (Let me say it again. Millet.) It’s an experience.
In terms of other menu items… Their biscuits and gravy is so flavorful. Salty from the ham, spicy from sausage, buttery and flaky from the biscuits. There are some nice herbs in there as well. I tend to be a health nut, but I would crave this on the daily. The quiche here is also on a whole new level. It’s the creamiest. Just trust me.
So how does one resist anything here? You don’t, because you’ll be back. At least I will.

I came here with a friend, and I was not expecting much. Maybe this worked in my favor because I was blown away. For such a simple layout and café feel, this restaurant/​café manages to make an amazing breakfast that makes me want to come back again.
I was torn between getting the Eggs Diablo, Potato Hash, and eggs benedict. The eggs diablo looks amazing, but it had a chive cream so I went with the potato hash. I made a great decision because this plate was amazing. The potatoes are made with duck fat, and the combination of all the veggies, yolk (from the over easy eggs on top), and potatoes made me digging for more. The bowl itself is a bit small, but it’s so filling. My friend thought I was going to lick the bowl (which I restrained from because I was in public). Amazing.
The menu is huge, and I recommend reading everything because the items are various and all look delicious. There are also little pastries at the counter, and they looked very sweet. You also have to order at the front and sit, but they deliver it to you; overall, the environment was very cute and cozy. I also believe they have WIFI because I saw many people eating while working and reading, which I think I will do from now on.
In the end, I bought a loaf of Country sourdough (YUMMY! And a whole loaf for $ 4.50! Yes). I am definitely coming back.