Chali Pittman
The grilled cheese and tomato soup at Madison Sourdough.
The grilled cheese and tomato bisque at Madison Sourdough is a luxurious combo and has become my go-to comfort food. It’s also inspired attempts to replicate the childhood treat at home, but whereas my tries came up short — the toast was burnt, the bisque was thin — Madison Sourdough’s version always shines: cheddar and provolone are melted evenly on toasted country sourdough bread and the sandwich carries its crunch even once dunked. The velvety tomato bisque is made in-house from 10 ingredients, including heavy cream. But the secret here really is in the bread: the country sourdough is made from whole grain wheat and an ancient grain called kamut. It’s also pleasant to look at — the bread is flecked with flax and sesame seeds, cheese melts down the middle, and it’s toasted an even golden brown every time. A sweetened Rishi black tea helps reset the palate between bites. You can also get your grilled cheese with a cup of corn chowder, but that’s a walk on the wild side.
