The best things we ate in 2025
2025 was the year of the sandwich. When I look back at the dishes around Madison that delighted me, several came between bread: the stacked muffaletta at Dinotto downtown, the fried chicken sandwich special at Ahan.
This year brought us beef on weck in Spring Green and Cuban sandwiches at an east side tavern, dreamy banh mi on the north side and pulled pork on Stella’s spicy cheese bread. LOOK AT THIS TORTA. (That’s from Casa Zaragoza.)
On staff, our best bites of the year ranged from savory fritters to Salvadoran pupusas and apple cider doughnuts. I’d like to share a few:
Ruthie Hauge, photo director: The onion fritter appetizer at Orchard in Verona. “Holy yum!” she says. “The cornmeal batter has so much flavor — a great blend of spices.” Made in a dedicated gluten-free fryer, Ruthie calls these fried onions and pickles “similar to pakora, but with (their) own unique flavor.”…