Best of Madison 2020 Winners
See the 572 winners our readers declared the bee’s knees in our 39th annual readers poll.
Photo by Patrick Stutz, hand model: Danielle Lawry, drink made at Old Sugar Distillery
The 1920s were an era of decadence, emerging high fashion, increased consumerism and Prohibition. In honor of reaching a new decade, this year’s Best of Madison celebrates the connections between the rip-roaring 1920s and today, the new golden age. Best of Madison showcases the best of the best in the city. See the 572 winners our readers declared the bee’s knees in our 39th annual readers poll.
Best of Madison 2020 was presented by The Ho-Chunk Nation and Ho-Chunk Gaming-Wisconsin.
Dining & Drink
Once James Dole, “The Pineapple King,” figured out how to can pineapples in the early 1900s, the fruit became immensely popular in the United States. This helped lead to the invention of the pineapple upside-down cake. While it’s unknown exactly who created the first recipe, one of the earliest renditions was developed by Gold Medal Flour in 1925. Hubbard Avenue Diner’s bakery manager, Jason Harder — “The Pie Guy” — won gold for pastry chef. He reimagined the pineapple upside-down cake as a pie for Madison Magazine. This image also features items from two other winners: The pie plate is from St. Vincent de Paul Store (best thrift store) and the dessert server and spoon are from Odana Antiques (best antique store).
Photo by Chris Hynes
Artisan Food Product
★Carr Valley Cheese
★Hook’s Cheese Co. Inc.
★Madison Chocolate Co.
Bakery – Bread
★Madison Sourdough
★Stella’s Bakery
★Clasen’s European Bakery
Bakery – Sweets
★Greenbush Bakery
★Bloom Bake Shop
★Lane’s Bakery & Coffee
BBQ
★Smoky Jon’s #1 BBQ
★Beef Butter BBQ
★North and South Seafood & Smokehouse
Breakfast
★Hubbard Avenue Diner
★Marigold Kitchen
★Short Stack Eatery
Brewery
★New Glarus Brewing Co.
★Ale Asylum
★Working Draft Beer Co.
Brunch
★Sardine
★Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co.
★Short Stack Eatery
Burger
★Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry
★Culver’s
★DLUX
Butcher
★Knoche’s Old Fashioned Butcher Shop
★Ken’s Meats & Deli
★The Conscious Carnivore
Caterer
★Blue Plate Catering
★RED
★Wood BBQ Catering & Events
Cheese Producer
★Hook’s Cheese Co. Inc.
★Carr Valley Cheese
★Farmer Johns’ Cheese
Chicken Wings
★Chicken Licks
★Alchemy Cafe
★Monk’s Bar & Grill
Local Chef
★Tory Miller, Graze, L’Etoile, Estrellón
★Dave Heide, Liliana’s Restaurant, Charlie’s On Main, Little John’s
★Jed Spink, RED (Spink is no longer at RED. He currently is co-owner and executive chef at DarkHorse by Sal’s.)
Chinese
★Imperial Garden
★Chang Jiang
★Hong Kong Cafe
Chocolate
★Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier
★Madison Chocolate Co.
★CocoVaa Chocolatier
Coffee Roasters
★Barriques
★Just Coffee Cooperative
★True Coffee Roasters
Coffee Shop
★Colectivo Coffee
★Barriques
★Firefly Coffeehouse & Artisan Cheese
Cup of Tea
★Macha Tea Co.
★Java Cat
★Barriques
Destination Restaurant
★Ishnala Supper Club
★Hi Point Steakhouse
★Driftless Glen Restaurant
Ethnic Grocery Store
★Fraboni’s Italian Specialties & Delicatessen
★La Rosita
★Asian Midway Foods
Farmers’ Market (Other than Dane County Farmers’ Market)
★Monona Farmers Market
★Northside Farmers Market
★Westside Community Market
First Date
★Eno Vino Downtown
★RED
★Eno Vino Wine Bar & Bistro
Fish Fry
★Quivey’s Grove
★Avenue Club and the Bubble Up Bar
★Dorf Haus Supper Club
Food Cart
★Banzo
★Good Food
★Los Hernandez
Fried Cheese Curds
★The Old Fashioned
★Craftsman Table & Tap
★Curd Girl
Greasy Spoon
★Mickies Dairy Bar
★Monty’s Blue Plate Diner
★Gus’s Diner
Grocery Store
★Woodman’s Food Market
★Metcalfe’s Market
★Willy Street Co-op
Ice Cream/Custard/Gelato
★Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Co.
★Babcock Hall Dairy Store
★Culver’s
Indian/Nepalese
★Swagat Indian Restaurant
★Swad Indian Restaurant
★Himal Chuli
Italian
Cento, which placed in the categories of Italian, restaurant ambience and upscale dining, has building elements dating back to the 1920s. The maple floors, plaster beam ceilings, interior brick walls and stained glass are from 100 years ago. (Photo by Joseph Ridgway)
★Lombardino’s
★Paisan’s
★Cento
Japanese/Sushi
★RED
★Muramoto
★Takara 88
Kid-Friendly
★Hubbard Avenue Diner
★Nitty Gritty
★Monty’s Blue Plate Diner
Korean
★Sol’s on the Square
★K-Peppers
★Five Star Korean BBQ
Lake View
★Memorial Union Terrace
★Paisan’s
★Sardine
Latin American
★La Taguara
★Monona Bakery & Eatery
★El Wiscorican
Liquor Store
★Woodman’s Food Market
★Steve’s Wine Beer Spirits
★Trixie’s Liquor Store
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
★Banzo
★Parthenon Gyros
★OLIVA Italian Mediterranean Cuisine
Mexican/Southwestern
★Eldorado Grill
★Canteen
★Tapatios Cocina Mexicana
New Restaurant
★Buck & Honey’s – Monona
★Bar Corallini
★The Heights
Outdoor Dining
★Eno Vino Downtown
★Fresco
★Everly
Local Pastry Chef
★Jason Harder, Hubbard Avenue Diner
★Elizabeth Dahl, L’Etoile & Graze
★Kate Schommer, Short Stack Eatery
Pizza
★Salvatore’s Tomato Pies
★Sugar River Pizza Co.
★Glass Nickel Pizza Co.
Restaurant
★Eno Vino Downtown
★The Coopers Tavern
★RED
Restaurant Ambience
★Eno Vino Downtown
★Liliana’s Restaurant
★Cento
Sandwich Spot
These sandwich spots are the greatest things since sliced bread, which was invented in the ’20s. At Casetta Kitchen and Counter (pictured), The Coopers Tavern and Milio’s Sandwiches, you’re guaranteed to find a sammie that fits your craving.
★Casetta Kitchen and Counter
★The Coopers Tavern
★Milio’s Sandwiches
Seafood
As referenced in its name, Tempest Oyster Bar, the gold-winning best seafood restaurant, is known for oysters. Throughout the 19th century and early 20th century, oysters were bar food. Prohibition caused a decline in oyster consumption as saloons and bars closed. Luckily for us today, Tempest serves up East and West Coast oysters nightly. (Photo courtesy of Tempest)
★Tempest Oyster Bar
★Sardine
★RED
Southeast Asian
★Ha Long Bay
★Sa-Bai Thong Thai Cuisine
★Lao Laan-Xang Restaurant
Specialty Food Store
★Fromagination
★Fraboni’s Italian Specialties & Delicatessen
★Brennan’s Cellars
Steakhouse
★Tornado Room Steak House
★Delaney’s Steak Seafood Wine
★Johnny Delmonico’s Steakhouse
Supper Club
★Ishnala Supper Club
★Tornado Room Steak House
★Toby’s Supper Club
Tapas (Small Plates)
★Eno Vino Downtown
★Estrellón
★Eno Vino Wine Bar & Bistro
Takeout
★Parthenon Gyros
★Miko Poke
★RED
Upscale Dining
★L’Etoile
★Eno Vino Downtown
★Cento
Vegetarian/Vegan-Focused
What started as a way to conserve food during World War I has evolved into a way to cut down on meat consumption for health benefits and sustainability. Modern vegetarianism started in the mid-1800s, but it became popular in the 20th century. At the best vegetarian- and vegan-focused restaurants, you’ll find plenty of options. The Green Owl Cafe, Monty’s Blue Plate Diner and Everly (pictured) are this year’s readers’ picks in the category. (Photo courtesy of Food Fight Inc./Chris Hynes)
★The Green Owl Cafe
★Monty’s Blue Plate Diner
★Everly
Winery
★Wollersheim Winery
★Drumlin Ridge Winery
★Bailey’s Run Vineyard & Winery
Nightlife
During Prohibition, bartenders would likely have been out of a job during the ban on alcohol or secretly serving up moonshine at a speakeasy. Our readers are happy they can now enjoy drinks courtesy of this year’s best bartenders: Stephanie Paull at Blue Moon Bar & Grill (pictured), Pete Thompson at Vintage Brewing Co. and Travis Splan at Eno Vino Downtown. (Photo by Patrick Stutz)
Bar for Beer
★Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co.
★Vintage Brewing Co.
★The Coopers Tavern
Bar for Cocktails
★Merchant
★Avenue Club and The Bubble Up Bar
★State Line Distillery
Bar with a View
★Memorial Union Terrace
★Eno Vino Downtown
★Camp Trippalindee
Bartender
★Stephanie Paull, Blue Moon Bar & Grill
★Pete Thompson, Vintage Brewing Co.
★Travis Splan, Eno Vino Downtown
Place for Trivia
★Echo Tap & Grill
★Tanner’s Bar & Grill
★Nitty Gritty
Bloody Mary
★Eldorado Grill
★DLUX
★Short Stack Eatery
Cocktail
★Girl with the Dinosaur Tattoo, Alchemy Cafe
★Margarita, Canteen
★Margarita, Pedro’s Mexican Restaurante
The 1920s were an era defined by Prohibition, which went into effect on Jan. 17, 1920, and continued until Dec. 5, 1933. Like many other cities, Madison was a place where breweries would create “near beer” and people would smuggle liquor into the city. There were speakeasies throughout the city, some on State Street, some on the east side and some on the outskirts of town, according to Madison historian Stu Levitan. Many people have identified Prohibition as the start of the modern craft cocktail movement. Click image for more information on prohibition cocktails. (Photo at Old Sugar Distillery by Patrick Stutz)
★Wollersheim Distillery
★Old Sugar Distillery
★J. Henry & Sons
Local Craft Beer
★Spotted Cow, New Glarus Brewing Co.
★Fantasy Factory, Karben4 Brewing
★Warped Speed, Lake Louie Brewing
Dance Venue
★Red Rock Saloon
★Crucible (tie)
★Majestic Theatre (tie)
★FIVE Nightclub
Dive Bar
★Le Tigre Lounge
★Caribou Tavern
★Silver Dollar Tavern
Hotel Bar
★Eno Vino Downtown, AC Hotel by Marriott Madison Downtown
★Camp Trippalindee, Graduate Madison
★The Wise, HotelRED
LGBTQ Bar
★Shamrock Bar & Grille
★FIVE Nightclub
★Crucible
Live Music Venue
★The Sylvee
★High Noon Saloon
★Majestic Theatre
Neighborhood Bar
★Dexter’s Pub
★Echo Tap & Grill
★Avenue Club and The Bubble Up Bar
Old-Fashioned
★The Old Fashioned
★Avenue Club and the Bubble Up Bar
★Dorf Haus Supper Club
Sports Bar
★Players Sports Bar
★Nitty Gritty
★Wilson’s Bar & Grill
Wine Bar
★Eno Vino Downtown
★Toot + Kate’s Wine Bar
★Eno Vino Wine Bar & Bistro
Arts & Entertainment
Movie theaters have always been places where people can relax and feel a part of a different world. The first “talkie” films entered the picture in the late 1920s. They brought a whole new experience to film, and people flocked to see them. It is estimated that more than 50 million people went to the movies each week in the middle of the decade, according to Digital History. Madisonians still love going to the movies and named Marcus Palace Cinema the gold-winning best movie theater (pictured). As the palace name indicates, the exterior of Marcus Palace Cinema even looks similar to the movie palaces built in the first half of the 21st century. This year’s silver-placing Marcus Point Cinema has a grand neon sign that is reminiscent of art deco, which is fitting for a company that started opening movie theaters in 1935. Moviegoers in the 1920s could only imagine getting a full meal and freshly brewed beer at the movies, but at bronze winner Flix Brewhouse Madison, it’s possible to get both while sitting down for a flick.
Local Actor
★Sarah Day
★Karen Olivo
★Henry Malueg
Art Gallery
★Chazen Museum of Art
★Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
★Hatch Art House (tie)
★River Arts Inc. (tie)
Local Band or Singer – Alt/Indie
★Kat and the Hurricane
★Best Practice
★Mackenzie Moore
Local Band or Singer – Blues
★The Jimmys
★Kelsey Miles
★Madtown Mannish Boys
Local Band or Singer – Classical
★Willy Street Chamber Players
★Greg Zelek
★Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society
Local Band or Singer – Country
★Madison County
★Zac Matthews Band
★Shawn Schell
Local Band or Singer – Cover Band
★Cherry Pie
★Zac Matthews Band
★Best Practice
Local Band or Singer – Folk/Bluegrass
★WheelHouse
★Soggy Prairie
★Oak Street Ramblers
Local Band or Singer – Funk/Fusion
★VO5
★Phat Phunktion
★The People Brothers Band
Local Band or Singer – Hip Hop/R&B
★The Jimmys
★Rob Dz
★Rip
Local Band or Singer – Jazz
Jazz was all the rage in the golden age and we have Madison groups that know how to make us get up and dance. Ladies Must Swing (pictured above) has brought the big band sound to the area for more than 20 years. The 18-member Waunakee Big Band plays music from the ’20s through today around the Madison area. Lo Marie, a solo performer, combines jazz with soul and pop. Lo Marie is nominated for eight Madison Area Music Association Awards this year in connection with her newest album, “Le Rêve.”
★Ladies Must Swing
★Waunakee Big Band
★Lo Marie
Local Band or Singer – Latin
★Tony Castañeda
★Angela Puerta
★Orquesta MAS – Madison All Stars
Local Band or Singer – Rock/Metal
★Cherry Pie
★Lords of the Trident
★PILOT
Local Band or Singer – Singer/Songwriter
★Zac Matthews Band
★Bree Morgan
★Mackenzie Moore
Local Blogger
★Midwest Munchers, midwestmunchers.com
★Madison Mom, madisonmom.com
★Balkanina, balkanina.com
Classical Music Group
★Madison Symphony Orchestra
★Willy Street Chamber Players
★Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society
Columnist/Print Journalist
★John Nichols
★Neil Heinen
★Michael Perry
Comedian/Comedy Group
★Jackson Jones (tie)
★Monkey Business Institute (tie)
★Atlas Improv Co.
★Dina Nina Martinez
Local DJ
★DJ Nick Nice
★DJ Fusion
★DJ Aaron Jai
Movie Theater
★Marcus Palace Cinema
★Marcus Point Cinema
★Flix Brewhouse Madison
Museum
Chazen Museum of Art, 2020’s gold-winning art gallery and silver-winning museum, has the second-largest art collection in Wisconsin, which includes pieces from the early 20th century. This piece is Victory “Victoire” Automobile Mascot created on April 18, 1928 by René Lalique.
★Madison Children’s Museum
★Chazen Museum of Art
★Wisconsin Historical Museum
Local News Website
★channel3000.com
★nbc15.com
★madison.com
Performance Venue
★Overture Center for the Arts
★The Sylvee
★American Players Theatre
Performing Arts Group
★American Players Theatre
★Madison Symphony Orchestra
★Forward Theater Co.
Podcast
★Social Mornings with Jackson & Steph
★Madtown Mom Squad
★Cady Jax Knits
Photographer
★Maureen Cassidy Photography
★Laura Zastrow Photography
★Abbots Lane Photography
Radio Team
★Jonathan & Kitty, 105.5 Triple M
★Jackson & Steph, Today’s Q106
★Krista & the Morning Rush, 93.1 Jamz
Social Media Personality
★Jason Nolen, Cats of Madison
★Cassidy Miller & Cedar McAllen, Nox’s Madison Dog Park Meetup
★Niketa Rae
TV News Team
★Tim Elliot, Isabel Lawrence, Meghan Reistad and Charlie Shortino, NBC15
★John Stofflet, Leigh Mills, Brian Doogs, Mike Jacques, NBC15
★Amber Noggle and George Smith, WKOW
TV Personality
★Charlie Shortino, NBC15
★Amber Noggle, WKOW
★Charlotte Deleste, News 3 Now
Youth Performing Arts Group
★Children’s Theater of Madison
★Black Star Drumline Performance Group
★Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras
Home & Lifestyle
There’s no better time than now to rock a flapper look when you’re in the mood to kick up your heels and dance. In the 1920s, flappers wore short dresses or skirts, high heels, makeup and bob haircuts, which were considered taboo at the time. If you’re attending a special event and need an outfit that’s the cat’s pajamas, consider stopping at this year’s best thrift stores: St. Vincent de Paul Store, Agrace Thrift Store and Goodwill. You’re bound to find clothing or accessories similar to those from 100 years ago, or pieces with a modern twist. If you’re not sure what to wear, read “1920s-inspired looks for the 2020s” to get some ideas courtesy of local thrifter @sunsetsaraid (pictured at 10-time Best of Madison winner Eno Vino Downtown and who put together this outfit with St. Vincent de Paul Store finds). (Photo by Patrick Stutz)
Alterations
★Binh’s Tailoring
★Right Size Alteration Services
★Monetti Tailoring
Antique Store
★Odana Antiques & Fine Arts Center
★Deconstruction Inc.
★The Cozy Home
Appliance Repair
★Tri-County Appliance
★Appliance Service Unlimited of Middleton Inc.
★Handy Appliance Center
Assisted Living
★Attic Angel Community
★Oakwood Village
★Oak Park Place
You might notice there are more car categories in this year’s Best of Madison. We’ve added seven categories to give readers better advice on the best places to buy certain cars, parts or services. Many of the standard automobile functions we need today were introduced in the 1920s. We can thank the era’s inventors for introducing head restraints, automatic transmissions and car radios.
Auto: Domestic Auto Dealer
★Zimbrick Inc.
★Bergstrom Automotive
★Don Miller Auto Group
Auto: Import Auto Dealer
★Zimbrick Inc.
★Smart Motors Toyota
★Wilde East Towne Honda
Auto: Luxury Auto (Import and Domestic)
★Zimbrick Inc.
★Bergstrom Automotive
★Fields Jaguar Land Rover Volvo Madison
Auto: Used Car Dealer
★Zimbrick Inc.
★Smart Motors Toyota
★Bergstrom Automotive
Auto Detailing
★Zimbrick Inc.
★Buck’s Legend – Pro Detailing
★RC Detailing & Custom Accessories
Auto: Dealer Auto Service Shop
★Zimbrick Inc.
★Bergstrom Automotive
★Smart Motors Toyota
Auto: Non-Dealer Auto Service Shop
★Aeschbach Automotive LLC
★Smith’s Service Center
★Hometown Auto Clinic
Auto Body Repair
★Zimbrick Inc.
★Ball Body Shop Inc – Division of Smart Motors Toyota
★Gerber Collision & Glass
Auto Parts
★Zimbrick Inc.
★O’Reilly Auto Parts
★NAPA Auto Parts
Barber Shop
★Mark’s Barber & Styling
★Monona Barber Shop
★The GIRL Barber
Bed & Breakfast
★The Speckled Hen Inn
★The Livingston Inn
★Naeset-Roe Inn
Bookstore
Many of the authors we know and love today published some of their most famous works between 1920 and 1929. Find many of these classic books at gold-winning bookstore A Room of One’s Own. During the coronavirus, the store will bring books ordered online to your car.
“A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemingway
“A Room of One’s Own” by Virginia Woolf
“The Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
“The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner
“The Story of Doctor Dolittle” by Hugh Lofting
“The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway
“The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams
“Ulysses” by James Joyce
“Winnie-the-Pooh” by A.A. Milne
★A Room of One’s Own
★Barnes & Noble
★Frugal Muse Books Music & Video Inc.
Boutique Hotel
★HotelRED
★Mansion Hill Inn
★Graduate Madison
Childcare
★Hearts & Hands Inc. of Mount Horeb
★Campus For Kids Learning Center
★Kids Express Learning Center
Chiropractor
★LSM Chiropractic
★Discover Life Chiropractic
★Infinite Athlete Chiropractic & Rehab LLC
Cleaning Service
★Chem-Dry of Madison
★Mother Earth Cleaners
★Clear Vision Cleaning LLC
Clothing (Men)
★Duluth Trading Co.
★Jazzman
★Men’s Warehouse
Clothing (Women)
★The Purple Goose
★McFee on Main
★Hive of Madison
Commercial Developers
★Urban Land Interests
★The Alexander Co.
★T. Wall Enterprises LLC
Computer/Cell Repair Service
★Graphite Inc.
★Madison Computer Works Inc.
★Raven Computers Inc.
Consignment Store
★Happily Ever After Children’s Resale Boutique
★The Pink Poodle
★Next Generation of Stoughton
Dry Cleaner
★Klinke Cleaners
★Lake Mills Cleaners & Dyers Inc.
★Best Cleaners of Madison Inc.
Electrician
★Dave Jones Inc.
★All Comfort Services
★Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning
Flooring
★Sergenian’s Floor Coverings
★Nonn’s
★Coyle Carpet One Floor & Home
Florist
★Felly’s Flowers
★Klein’s Floral and Greenhouses
★George’s Flowers Inc.
Furniture
★Don’s Home Furniture
★A1 Furniture & Mattress (*Editor’s note: all stores are closing, Stoughton Road location set to rebrand this year)
★The Century House
Gift Shop/Specialty Store
★Orange Tree Imports
★The Soap Opera
★Wild Birds Unlimited
Hair Salon
★Be Inspired Salon
★ANiU Salon & Spa
★Ecco Salon
Handyman Service
★FIX’M Home Repairs
★Hill Electric Inc.
★Sigi’s Custom Solutions
Health Specialty Store
★The Healthy Place – Apple Wellness
★Willy Street Co-op
★Community Pharmacy Downtown
Heating & Cooling
★All Comfort Services
★General Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.
★Harker Heating & Cooling Inc.
Home Accessories
★HomeGoods
★Signs by Caitlin
★Don’s Home Furniture
Home Builders
★Veridian Homes
★Hart DeNoble Builders Inc.
★Brio Design Homes
Home Health Care Agency
★Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care
★SSM Health at Home
★Comfort Keepers In-Home Senior Care
Hotel
★The Edgewater
★AC Hotel by Marriott Madison Downtown
★The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club
Interior Design
★Zander’s Interiors
★Dwellings Interiors
★Brown & Beam
Jeweler
★Goodman’s Jewelers
★TQ Diamonds
★Chalmers Jewelers
Kitchen & Bath Design
★Frey Construction & Home Improvement LLC
★Dream House Dream Kitchens
★Bella Domicile
Laser Hair Removal
★ANEU Med Spa (tie)
★Ideal Image (tie)
★Robertson Cosmetic Center
★Electrolysis Clinic & Laser
Lawn, Garden & Landscape
★The Bruce Co.
★K&A Greenhouse
★Klein’s Floral and Greenhouses
Local Maker
Wild Bloom Studio, the silver winner for best maker, creates evil eye earrings (pictured) reminiscent of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” Most of Wild Bloom Studio’s handmade earrings are made from a lightweight polymer clay.
★Vicki Cookies
★Wild Bloom Studio
★Melissa Jenkins Designs
Moving Company
★Two Men and a Truck Madison
★Badger Brothers Moving LLC
★Gorilla Movers of Wisconsin Inc.
Mortgage Company
★Summit Credit Union
★UW Credit Union
★Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.
Music Store
★Strictly Discs
★B-Side Records
★Half Price Books, Records, Magazines Inc.
Musical Instrument Store
★Ward-Brodt Music Store
★Heid Music
★Farley’s House of Pianos LLC
Nail Salon
Ever since nail polish was created in the late 1910s after being inspired by the shine of car paint, Americans have loved adding pops of color to their nails. The trend really took off in the 1920s once women stopped wearing gloves and could showcase their nails. The “half moon,” in which the tip and bottom of the nail were left blank, was the main style and saw a revival in 2019. This year’s gold-winning best nail salon, Laquerus, is known for creating unique nail art. Laquerus technicians have painted everything from pizza designs to modern half moons (pictured) and Bucky Badgers to Ariana Grande lyrics on their clients’ nails. (Photo by Timothy Hughes, nails by Destiny Sparks @sparks_nails)
★Laquerus
★Polished Nail Studio
★Allura Nail Boutique LLC
Outdoor Living
★REI
★Patio Pleasures Pools & Spas
★Don’s Home Furniture
Pet Day Care & Boarding
★Camp K9 Pet Resorts and Day Camp
★Waggin’ Tails Doggie Dude Ranch & Pet Lodge
★The Dog Den
Pet Grooming
★Lori’s Pet-Agree Salon LLC
★Tabby & Jack’s Pet Supplies, Grooming and Doggie Daycare
★Groomingtails Pet Salon
Pet Supplies Store
★Mounds Pet Food Warehouse
★Mad Cat Pet Supplies
★bad dog frida
Physical Therapy
★UW Health
★Capitol Physical Therapy
★SSM Health
Plumber
★Dave Jones Inc.
★Monona Plumbing & Fire Protection Inc.
★Benjamin Plumbing
Real Estate Company
★Keller Williams Realty
★First Weber Realtors
★Stark Company Realtors
Retirement Community
★Oak Park Place
★Oakwood Village
★Attic Angel Community
Roofer
★Frey Construction and Home Improvement LLC
★Waunakee Remodeling Inc.
★Ridge Top Exteriors
Shoes
★The Shoe Box
★Morgan’s Shoes
★DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse
Spa
★Kneaded Relief Day Spa & Wellness
★Rejuvenation Spa
★Bergamot Massage Therapy & Bodywork
Specialty Spa
★The Brow Boutique
★Float Madison
★European Wax Center
Sports Team Apparel Store
★University Book Store
★DICK’S Sporting Goods
★UWshop.com (Name of the Game and Insignia)
Tattoo Shop
★Blue Lotus Tattoo & The Piercing Lounge
★Ultimate Arts Tattoo
★Lost Lakes Tattoo
Thrift Store
★St. Vincent de Paul Store
★Agrace Thrift Store
★Goodwill
Veterinarian
★True Veterinary Care
★Cat Care Clinic
★Sauk Point Veterinary Clinic
Wealth Management
★Edward Jones – Financial Advisor: Eric C Faust
★BMO Wealth Management (tie)
★Carreira Quinn Financial (tie)
★Walkner Condon Financial Advisors
Web Design
★The Digital Ring
★Strategic Brand Marketing LLC
★Lion Tree Group
Wisconsin Bank
★State Bank of Cross Plains
★Park Bank
★Oregon Community Bank
Wisconsin Credit Union
★Summit Credit Union
★UW Credit Union
★Dane County Credit Union
Recreation
Gold-winning campground Devil’s Lake State Park has provided fun for all for over a century. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Devil’s Lake is the third oldest state park in Wisconsin, having been founded in 1911. This postcard takes us back to what Devil’s Lake looked like in 1928. (Photo by Wisconsin Historical Society WHi 82050)
Alternative Fitness Center
★Flyght Cycle
★Transformation Center
★Orangetheory Fitness
Bike Shop
★Machinery Row Bicycles
★Budget Bicycle Center
★Trek Bicycle Madison
Bowling Alley
★Ten Pin Alley
★Schwoegler’s Entertainment Center
★Bowl-A-Vard Lanes
Campground
★Devil’s Lake State Park
★Governor Dodge State Park
★Blue Mound State Park
Dog Park
★Prairie Moraine County Park
★Badger Prairie County Park
★Token Creek County Park
Fitness Center
★Princeton Club
★Anytime Fitness
★Prairie Athletic Club
Golf Course
The “Golden Age of Golf Course Architecture” in America was between the end of World War I and the start of the Great Depression, according to PBS, and this year’s best golf courses are just as grand. Pleasant View Golf Course in Middleton is a three-time consecutive gold winner for its 27-hole championship golf courses, par 3 course and practice range located atop hills 300 feet above Lake Mendota. Home of the American Family Championship, University Ridge Golf Course (pictured) is a popular spot for both seasoned pros and newcomers to the sport. Feel at peace while teeing up at The Oaks Golf Course and admire the more than 250 oak trees surrounding the course. (Photo courtesy of University Ridge Golf Course)
★Pleasant View Golf Course
★University Ridge Golf Course
★The Oaks Golf Course
Martial Arts Studio
★Kicks Unlimited
★MadCity Martial Arts
★Infinity Martial Arts
Park
★Olbrich Botanical Gardens
★Devil’s Lake State Park
★Tenney Park
Personal Trainer
★Brent Berger, Transformation Center
★Katie Frank, REFORMadison
★Erin Tallard, Transformation Center
Pilates
★Club Pilates
★REFORMadison
★Prairie Athletic Club
Resort
★Sundara Inn & Spa
★Kalahari Resorts Dells
★Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort
Running/Biking Trail
★Capital City State Trail
★Pheasant Branch Conservancy
★Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Sports & Recreation Shop
★REI
★Fleet Feet Madison & Sun Prairie
★Brittingham Boats
Yoga
★Dragonfly Hot Yoga
★Inner Fire Yoga
★The Studio
Best of Madison 2021
Didn’t see your personal favorite businesses on this year’s list? Be a part of the nomination and voting process for next year’s Best of Madison readers poll. We received 120,417 nominations in August 2019 and a record-breaking 340,145 final votes in October 2019 — the highest in Madison Magazine history. We will be taking nominations for the 2021 Best of Madison from Aug. 1-31 at madisonmagazine.com. The top six vote-getters in each category will move on to final voting in October.
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