Dotty Dumpling's Dowry, 317 Frances St., makes its triumphant return to the Madison restaurant scene at 11a.m. this morning. The burgers, milk shakes and homemade desserts that were local favorites are back and the new restaurant will also feature a full bar, something the old restaurant lacked.
\We have lots of interesting beers and great food,"" said owner and self-described ""Hamburger King"" Jeff Stanley.
The new 116-person capacity restaurant has 24 beers on tap, as well as Sprecher Rootbeer. It has hardwood floors and furnishings, as well as mounted bears, a fox, beaver, raccoon and, of course, a badger.
Stanley did not leave the Fairchild Street location by choice. When the Overture Center, 211 State St., was created, the restaurant was claimed by the city through eminent domain and closed down.
Stanley fought the acquisition, and he also disputed how much compensation he was owed. Although he was paid around $500,000 for the business, he was given nothing in compensation for the disruption in his life and the business, he said.
Stanley was never able to find a building he could afford, so now he is forced to rent. He then had to turn the interior of the building from a barren slab of concrete to a beautifully decorated restaurant.
For the last several weeks, many employees have been working 80-hour weeks to make the new place ready, according to Erica Wiss, the kitchen manager. The new location has the benefit of being closer to the Kohl Center and Camp Randall Stadium, from which they hope to draw in game crowds.
The restaurant should be very busy with the reopening and three of the biggest weekends of the year coming up, Wiss said. She expects the Ohio State game, homecoming and Halloween to bring in many customers.
""We get probably 40 calls a day,"" Wiss said, referring to the interest that has already been drummed up in the restaurant.
The new restaurant will be located next door to Ian's Pizza, 319 N. Frances St. The proximity should benefit both restaurants, according to Ian's manager Ian Welsh. Ian's does not have a liquor license, so now pizza-eaters will have somewhere to drink right next door.
According to Welsh, employees from both restaurants have gotten along great. He also said the presence of Dotty's will help older clientele discover Ian's.
""I think a lot of people will have some beer and maybe try a pizza,"" said Welsh.
