Openings/closings: ‘Wait, didn’t that used to be ___?’

It's inevitable, restaurants come and go. But recently, quite a bit of turnover has us double-taking at the new names on former food and drink storefronts. It tends to always be one of the first reference points when describing a new food business: “You know, where _____ used to be.” Here are 31 new opens in the Madison area, and a reminder of what came before.

Ahan (where Eldorado Grill was)

Ahan (744 Williamson St.) opened in the historic Madison Candy Co. building in October 2023, taking over a space formerly housing Eldorado Grill, which closed in August 2022. While Eldorado Grill’s closing was lamented by many who loved the Food Fight restaurant’s Southwest-style offerings, Ahan has seen out-of-the-gate success at its new location, which more than tripled the size of Ahan’s first brick-and-mortar inside The Bur Oak on Winnebago Street. Ahan, run by Madison Magazine’s Chef of the Year Jamie Brown-Soukaseume , serves modern Southeast Asian fare.

Bar Manzo (where Skäl Public House was)

Mount Horeb residents are eagerly waiting for the new Italian American restaurant slated to take the place of recently closed Norske-style bar and grill Skäl Public House (209 E. Main St., Mount Horeb). New owner Nathan Mergen, who also owns 107 State on State Street in Madison, is thinking of naming the place Bar Manzo.

Camp Cantina (where The Wise was)

Located on the corner of Monroe and Regent streets, Camp Cantina (1501 Monroe St.) brings authentic Mexican tacos and dishes to the neighborhood. Camp Cantina opened in August 2023 after minimal renovations were made to the restaurant space. Camp Cantina is housed in Stadium Loft apartments — formerly The Wise Restaurant and Bar and HotelRED, respectively. Camp Cantina got its name due to the restaurant’s proximity to Camp Randall Stadium.

Casa Fiesta Mexican Grill (where KJ’s Curry Bowl was)

Father-daughter owned Casa Fiesta Mexican Grill (7005 Tree Lane) opened in July 2023, replacing the long-vacant building that once housed KJ’s Curry Bowl. Located across from Vel Phillips Memorial High School on the westside, Casa Fiesta offers a wide variety of Mexican dishes, including tacos, quesadillas and burritos. The restaurant also serves traditional Mexican soups and dishes. KJ’s Curry Bowl was in the spot from 2013 to 2017.

Comfort Fuel (where Salads UP was)

Comfort Fuel is serving up “comfort food with a healthy twist” at 439 N. Frances St., located just off of State Street. Opened by Forage Kitchen’s co-founder Doug Hamaker in September 2023, Comfort Fuel offers an assortment of dishes, including breakfast options, sandwiches, wraps, acai bowls and more. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options are available. The newly renovated space once housed Salads UP.

Dhaba Kitchen (where Haveli was)

Dhaba Kitchen (5957 McKee Road) opened in May 2023 in the former Haveli location in Fitchburg. When brothers Devinder Singh Badwal and Sital Singh retired, Badwal’s son, Rinku Badwal, didn’t want to run and own two restaurants, opting to take over Taste of India on Monroe Street and to close Haveli. Dhaba Kitchen owner Sumanjit Singh also owns Dhaba Indian Bistro in Middleton, which opened in 2012. Both restaurants serve the same large selection of Indian dishes.

Draper Brothers Chophouse (where Hamilton’s on the Square was)

This corner spot on the Square has long been a restaurant; before it was Draper Brothers Chophouse (101 N. Hamilton St.), it was Hamilton’s on the Square, and before that it was The Blue Marlin. The Blue Marlin closed in 2015 after 29 years in business, and Hamilton’s operated from 2015 to 2017 before closing. Then the building, which is a historic Italianate sandstone structure built in 1867, sat empty for a while before Draper Brothers opened in November 2023. Hamilton’s on the Square was named after its location, and Draper Brothers actually is also an ode to the spot — 101 N. Hamilton Street’s historic name is Draper Brothers Block.

Fajitas Tapas and Bar (where Roman Candle Pizzeria was)

Fajitas, Tapas and Bar (1920 Parmenter St.) opened in Middleton in June 2023 where the last remaining Roman Candle Pizzeria used to be. Fajitas, Tapas and Bar serves, you guessed it, fajitas, among other well loved Mexican dishes. Miguel Dominguez and his wife, Jennifer Dominguez, own the restaurant. Dominguez owned Fresco Fajita House in downtown Beloit from 2016 until May 2023 when he closed it to focus on his Middleton restaurant. The Roman Candle Pizzeria Middleton location served its final slice on Feb. 4.

Fratelli's Trattoria (where Angelo’s was)

Fratelli’s Trattoria is bringing “the real taste of Italy” to 5801 Monona Drive with prepared-from-scratch Italian cuisine. Fratelli’s Trattoria opened in May 2023. Fratelli’s Trattoria means “brothers’ restaurant” in Italian and is named for the two brothers who own and run the restaurant, Joaquin and Sergio Lopez. Fratelli’s Trattoria is located where Angelo’s used to serve home-style Italian dishes to the Monona community. After 30 years of service, the restaurant closed in December 2020 after struggling to bounce back after COVID-19.

The Frozen Local (where Nectar Bakery was)

Nectar Bakery announced in March that the business would close the Spring Green bakery to focus on weddings and events in 2025, and neighbors The Frozen Local decided to make the walking-distance move to 136 S. Albany St., Spring Green. Previously, The Frozen Local — which is an artisan ice cream parlor, bakery and small produce market — was sharing a space with Wander Provisions, which remains at 128 S. Albany St., Spring Green.

Gamma Ray Bar (where BarleyPop Live was)

Downtown, 121 W. Main St.’s legacy as a live local music venue lives on. What was once the Slipper Club, then The Frequency, then BarleyPop Live, will become home to a new tenant. Gamma Ray Bar is set to open June 1 by owner Kevin Willmott II, who remembers performing there as a musician when the space was still Slipper Club.

The High Crowd Cafe (where Buck and Badger Northwoods Lodge was)

The High Crowd Cafe is bringing CBD-infused teas, lattes, lemonades and baked goods to State Street. The High Crowd’s infused drinks are infused with anywhere from 25 to 100 milligrams of THC, depending on the customers preference. The cafe is owned by sisters Surma Hormozi and Samantha Odisho. They also own the Lincoln Park location in Chicago. The Madison location occupies the space that once housed Buck and Badger Northwoods Lodge which closed in 2020.

Jalisco Cocina Mexicana (where Muramoto was)

Jalisco Cocina Mexicana — named after Jalisco, Mexico, owner Gerardo Hernandez’s home state — opened in April 2023 brings Cal-Mex food to King Street. Hernandez and his wife, Brooke Hernandez, ran a food truck, Cultura Cali from 2021 up until the restaurant’s opening. The food truck makes an appearance for private events occasionally. Previously, Muramoto, a sushi restaurant, occupied the space. While Muramoto’s downtown location has closed, the Hilldale location remains open on Midvale Boulevard.

Lallande (where Crescendo Espresso Bar + Music Cafe was)

One of Madison’s beloved coffee shops didn’t say a full “goodbye” when it closed the espresso bar and music cafe in July 2022 after almost a decade on Monroe Street — there’s still a Crescendo location (minus local music) at Hilldale. But near-westside Madisonians welcomed its predecessor, Lallande , a European bistro that opened on Aug. 2 at 1859 Monroe St.

Little Palace (reopened) (where Little Palace … is!)

When owners and sisters Jacqueline and Stephanie Le announced they were closing Little Palace indefinitely in November 2023 in order to focus on their transition to becoming the second-generation owners of Hạ Long Bay , Madisonians thought they’d seen the end of Little Palace. The American Chinese restaurant was an exciting new open in 2022, taking the place of former tenant Mr. Kimchi, a Korean restaurant, at 225 King St., which closed in 2020. But then the sisters announced a reopening of Little Palace with a Hạ Long Bay/Little Palace blended menu while Ha Long Bay undergoes a renovation. Ha Long Bay, at 1353 Williamson St., closed temporarily on April 8 and remains closed with a reopening date forthcoming. Before it was Little Palace or Mr. Kimchi, the King Street space was formerly occupied by restaurants Cuco’s mexican Fusion, and Restaurant Muramoto before that.

Mad Rabbit Cafe (where La Kitchenette was)

La Kitchenette, one of Madison’s few French restaurants , closed its doors June 2023 after the owner of seven years announced a number of challenges would mean she’d close her small, charming bistro . In its place at 805 Williamson St., Mad Rabbit Cafe filled a different void in the food scene as a vegan- and vegetarian-friendly eatery. Mad Rabbit Cafe opened in February 2024. Before it was La Kitchenette, it was another French restaurant that remains on the list of beloved but bygone Madison restaurants: Chez Nanou.

The Mediterranean Joint (where Poke Poke was)

The Mediterranean Joint (600 Williamson St.), owned by brothers Bunyamin and Ender Erk, offers a wide array of handmade Mediterranean dishes. The brothers have experience working at restaurants around the world, including Turkey, where they grew up. The restaurant opened August 2023 in Poke Poke’s former location. Poke Poke has since moved to 904 Williamson St.

Niji Madison (where Dolittle’s Woodfire Grill was)

Owner Amanda Chen combines Sichuan, hibachi and sushi at Niji Asian Cuisine (4323 E. Towne Blvd.), her third restaurant in Madison. Chen owns Fugu and Takumi but wanted to open Niji to create a larger, easier to access location for Takumi’s loyal customers. Niji is located inside a former Doolittles Woodfire Grill and opened in 2024.

One & Only (where Brasserie V was)

Belgian and French bistro pub Brasserie V closed in August 2022 after 15 years at 1923 Monroe St. It was replaced by an American bistro, One & Only , that has a fairly similar vibe. One & Only — from the same owners as The Library Cafe and Bar, The Free House Pub, The Flying Hound and Bear & Bottle — opened July 2023 . The owners of Brasserie V still operate Longtable Beer Cafe in Middleton.

Pikkito (where Mr. Brews Middleton was)

Daniel and Esmeralda Rodriguez opened their third restaurant in the Madison area in July 2023, bringing Peruvian favorites to Middleton with a casual restaurant called Pikkito (3301 Parmenter St.). The pair first brought Peruvian cuisine to Madison in 2007 when they opened Inka Heritage on Park Street. They also own Estacion Inka in 2016. Pikkoto is located where the Mr. Brews Taphouse in Middleton used to be.

Stone Porch Ale House (where Boulder Brewpub was)

In June 2023, the giant building at 950 Kimball Lane, Verona, became Stone Porch Ale House, operated by the same owners as Sugar River Pizza Co. The building formerly housed Boulder Brewpub, which closed in 2023, and Grey’s Tied House before that (which closed February 2018 after 12 years).

Sultan (where Roman Candle Pizzeria was)

The original Roman Candle Pizzeria location at 1054 Williamson St. closed May 2022, making way for new tenant, Sultan a year later in May 2023. The new Pakistani and Punjabi restaurant made quite the entrance into the Madison dining scene with its buzzy payment concept: no tipping. Roman Candle, one of Madison’s longstanding local pizza purveyors, would eventually close its final location in Middleton in February 2023.

Sushi Lover (where Doc’s Smokehouse was)

The westside gained an all-you-can-eat sushi and hibachi place when Sushi Lover opened March 2024 at 72 West Towne Mall. Zhenqi Li, a part owner in the restaurant, is also a partner at another new spot, Zen Ramen, which opened October 2023 . Sushi Lover takes the place of barbecue joint Doc’s Smokehouse, which was open at that location from 2019 to 2022. Before that, it was chain brewpub Granite City Food & Brewery, which closed abruptly at West Towne in 2017.

Taberna Tequila & Tacos (where Berke and Benham Seafood was)

Taberna Tequila & Tacos (1925 Monroe St.) opened its doors May 8 and offers patrons a laid- back environment to hangout and enjoy tacos and tequila. Owner Ben Roberts also owned two Pasqual’s Cantina locations in Verona and Middleton. The taco menu is divided into three categories — gringo, traditional and luxury — and will feature new or unique tequilas. The location previously housed Berke and Benham Seafood which closed in 2022 when owner Jim Berke decided to move back to Chicago.

Todofresco (where Cranberry Creek Café & Catering was)

Todofresco (114 E. Main St.) offers fresh salads, rice bowls, smoothies, wraps and cold-pressed juices to go. The new grab-and-go spot opened in September 2023, taking over the space that formerly housed Cranberry Creek Café & Catering, which remains open at another location on Lake Point Drive. Todofresco will embrace a Sweetgreen/Forage Kitchen-style menu. Todofresco is owned by Rule No. 1 Hospitality Group, which also owns Lucille, Merchant and Amara.

Trio Ramen (where Hurts Donuts Co. was)

The former Hurts Donuts Co. at 2831 Parmenter St. is almost unrecognizable now that new tenant, Trio Ramen , has moved in. The former doughnut shop that closed in April 2022 is now a ramen spot owned by a trio of women who opened their restaurant in February 2023. Previous occupants also include Blue Spoon Café and Max’s Farm Table.

Turkish Kitchen (where The Tin Fox was)

Middle Eastern restaurant Turkish Kitchen made the move from South Gammon Road to 2616 Monroe St. in September 2023. Former tenant The Tin Fox — serving “eclectic New American” food — closed in April 2020 . Before that, the space was home to Freiburg Gastropub , a German eatery.

Vaquero Mexican Grill (where Einstein Bros. Bagels was)

Vaquero Mexican Grill (3904 E. Washington Ave.) made a splash on Madison’s eastside with its fast service and handmade dishes. Vaquero offers a diverse menu and generous offerings for its patrons with a customizable menu. The restaurant opened March 2023 in a former Einstein Bros. Bagels shop.

The Wedge (where One Barrel Brewing Co. was)

When One Barrel Brewing Co. owner Peter Gentry decided to close its 2001 Atwood Ave. storefront serving its craft beer, local chef Jacob Guyette decided to keep the beer flowing at the space on Schenk’s Corners. One Barrel closed in July 2023, and Guyette’s The Wedge celebrated its grand opening in March 2024. The new spot is focused on beer, cheese and Wisconsin sports.

Willy Street Eats (where Lao Laan Xang was)

Owner Cliff Simmons always dreamed of opening a restaurant. After his release from prison he started saving up money for a restaurant and gained the knowledge to do so through a 12-week vocational training program offered by Just Bakery, a Madison nonprofit. Simmons opened Willy Street Eats (1146 Williamson St.) in March 2023, serving Southern comfort food he grew up on. The menu includes ribs, fish dinners and jerk chicken, just to name a few. Simmons also owns Emery and Eloise’s Comfort Food, a food truck named after his grandparents. Willy Street Eats is located where Lao Laan-Xang, which closed its Williamson Street restaurant in March 2022, after 25 years in that location. Lao Laan-Xang is now located on Atwood Avenue .

WAITING PATIENTLY FOR WORD ON …

The space formerly housing Estrellón (313 W. Johnson St.), Tory Miller’s Spanish tapas restaurant, is still for lease. We’re eager to see what goes into the former ramen restaurant Morris Ramen storefront at 106 King Street, which before that was RED, a sushi place. We’re also curious what takes the place of restaurant, bar and cafe Everyday Kitchen (2862 University Ave.), bakery Lane’s Bakery (2304 S. Park St.), fast-casual burrito place Burrito Drive (310 S. Brearly St.) and Italian eatery Vin Santo (7462 Hubbard Ave., Middleton). And while we wish we were waiting to hear about a new Capitol Square restaurant in the former space of American fine dining restaurant Graft (18 N. Carroll St.), we now know it will be demolished to make way for the 100,000-square-foot Wisconsin History Center.

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