Comfort soup
The Nile, 6119 Odana Rd.
There is no better lentil soup around than the “Egyptian” here, yellow split peas topped with a house blend of spices.
Quick trip to the Pacific Northwest
The Wiener Shop, 447 W. Gilman St.
The Seattle Dog, an all-beef or tempeh frank topped with cream cheese, sriracha, pickled jalapeño and sweet onion jam is among our favorites at this specialty craft dog-and-tater-tot spot.
Hot, hot, hot
Ichiban, 610 S. Park St.
“Beef with three pepper” may be listed as a one-pepper-hot dish at this Sichuan restaurant, but it is as hot a dish as we’ve had in Madison in a long time. Cilantro adds a depth of flavor to the burn. Not for the timid.