NEWS
Jun. 3, 2005
Bar time. A time like no other, when hoards of college kids
flood places like Qdoba or Taco Johns at 2 a.m. to satisfy their
insatiable hunger induced by cheap beer and dollar rails. Students
flock from the hills of Liz Waters and the beaches of James Madison
to stuff pounds of burrito down their throats. I can attest to
having a few - OK, many - nights like these. Whats the problem with
consuming loads of grease-laden food during the wee hours of the
morning? The big issue is money, although some may say cholesterol
as well. Eating out after buying drinks all night can get pricey,
especially if you make a habit of it. Which brings me to my point -
free bar food. Keep that money in your wallet and take advantage of
what many Madison bars have to offer. First, lets start with
Wandos, 602 University Ave. For the uninitiated, every Tuesday
Wandos laughs at your useless worries about carbs, for you will be
washing down your beer with the oil from your bacon. Not too
crispy, but not too rubbery, this bacon goes great with any drink.
Just make sure you dont drink too much, or youll be paying for that
bacon in another way. Wandos also just recently started \Chips and
Dip Night,\ which happens every Wednesday. This might be a more
viable option for satisfying late night cravings because it isnt as
salty as bacon so you wont feel the need to buy more beers to
quench your thirst. Maybe that isnt necessarily a bad thing though.
Both State Street Brats, 603 State St., and the Essen Haus, 514 E.
Wilson St., offer all-you-can-eat popcorn where every bite is
packed with buttery goodness. It is made in a movie theater-style
popcorn maker and you just scoop out as much as you want. If you
get a little thirsty, the boot has got you covered with enough beer
to satisfy anyones thirst. Then theres The Pub, 552 State St.,
Madisons best-kept secret when it comes to free food. Dont be
fooled by its unassuming appearance. Although its not one of the
most popular bars on State Street, The Pub knows whats up when bar
time rolls around. Inside, you can find a huge popcorn maker loaded
with buttery popcorn, Fritos, Doritos, Cheetos Puffs and supersized
cheese balls. It is an inebriated food lovers dream. So, the next
time youre out, skip the quick trip to Qdoba and get some of these
tasty treats. Im not saying nix the 1.5-pound burrito altogether
because that just isnt realistic. However, take advantage of what
Madisons bars have to offer. Not only do they have your basic food
groups covered, but its free! Kat is a senior and can be reached at
krpeterson@wisc.edu.