The crowd was bustling as I stepped onto the Capitol Square near State Street, where balloons spelling out “Taste” framed the Capitol’s golden light. People sat on curbs, munching on everything from Korean hot dogs to chocolate dipped cheesecake, while music blasted from opposite corners of the Square. People even set up shop on the lawn of the Capitol, creating their own personal picnics.
The whole scene was a part of Taste of Madison, which took over the isthmus this past Labor Day weekend. The event is put on through the Madison Festivals Inc., a nonprofit that partners with more than 30 local volunteer groups to help bring the weekend to life. In 2025, the organization donated over $84,000 to local charities and nonprofits, matching the excitement of trying new food with giving back to the community.
With over 90 vendors and live music throughout the afternoon, the festival remains one of Madison’s most anticipated end-of-summer traditions. I attended the event on behalf of The Daily Cardinal to speak with vendors and festival‑goers and to try some fan favorites myself. By the end of the festival, I had a full stomach and loads of new friends.
I began on North Carroll Street, where first-time attendees urged me to try Ben’s Soft Pretzels — a recommendation I heard repeatedly throughout the day. Their Amish‑inspired pretzels, paired with more than 11 gourmet dipping sauces, have earned a loyal following across Columbia, Dane, Sauk and Marquette Counties.
Continuing up the street, I passed local staples like The Globe, as well as familiar food trucks such as Hibachi Hut. Higher‑end restaurants also joined the lineup, including The Post — which drew one of the longest lines of the festival — with dishes like Crab Rangoon Mac and Cheese and Chicken and Waffles.
Turning onto West Main Street, I found what might have been the longest line of the day: Glazed Madison’s Korean Hot Dogs. Chef Michael Yang shared that they’ve attended the festival for three years and now operate a storefront in the Madison Global Market.
“Our Korean Hot Dogs do the best at the festival, but our top seller is the mochi donuts at our store,” Yang told the Cardinal.
Despite the heat and the crowds, Yang said the team returns each year because “seeing people smile and enjoy our food” makes the long hours worth it.
I stopped just before Steak Escape and met Britt, the mother of a prospective University of Wisconsin-Madison student who had just stumbled upon the festival as her daughter was touring campus. The Minneapolis local claimed the “Buffalo Chicken Fries from Steak Escape were an all time favorite and the cheesesteak was the highlight for my daughter.”
My next stop was Bob’s BBQ Emporium, a double tent anchored by a massive smoker in the back. I knew I had to get a closer look at this operation and after being passed between several friendly employees, I finally had the chance to speak with Bob Brumley himself.
What often goes unseen is just how much work goes into preparing for this festival. For vendors like Brumley, it takes at least a week to get everything ready.
“We go through about 2,500 pounds of brisket and 400 pounds of pork belly for the weekend,” Brumley told the Cardinal. His BBQ truck has competed at the World Bacon Championship four times, placing in both the top three and top ten. After tasting his food, it’s easy to understand why.
Even more surprising, the BBQ Emporium is Brumley’s retirement job; before running this operation, he spent seven and a half years as a research scientist in UW-Madison’s Chemistry Department.
Roll Play was another standout, serving stickbokki, onigiri and seasonal boba tea flavors that drew a steady crowd. The local business blends street‑food inspiration with a hangout‑style atmosphere at its brick‑and‑mortar location on Garver Green Ste.
As I walked down East Mifflin Street, I saw a line wrapping around the block at JD’s Taste of Chicago, where festival‑goers were waiting patiently for Chicago dogs, steak burgers and the ultimate fair treat: deep‑fried Oreos.
While waiting for my food, I stopped next door at Sabor Queretano for elote (or Mexican street corn) — one of my favorites of the day. I chatted with Joe and Maggie, Madison locals and seasoned festival veterans.
“We brought to‑go containers… we want to try everything but can’t let it go to waste,” Joe told the Cardinal.
Maggie shined some light on her story, saying that she’s, “been coming here for the past four or five years and moved back to be closer to my family.” She also recommended Keur Fatou, a West African stand with a memorable chicken yassa dish, but she warned “their hot sauce is truly spicy… the owner adds ghost peppers, and it’s not for the weak.”
“Keur Fatou is my favorite and I come back every year for it… the chicken dish is the best,” Maggie told the Cardinal.
Beyond the food, music filled every corner of the Square. Festival‑goers danced near the Backyard Tailgate DJ and gathered on the grass with lawn chairs to enjoy headliners like Matt Stell and SuperTuesday.
Families, students and longtime locals turned the Capitol lawn into a late‑summer picnic, celebrating community, culture and all the flavors that make Madison unique.
Food has always been a conduit for connecting with others. My experience gave me the opportunity to hear numerous unique personal stories from vendors and event-goers. As I completed my circle around the Capitol Square, it became clear that Taste of Madison — besides being an excuse to try fantastic new foods — offers something even better. A sense of community.
