Barriques - Monroe St. — Restaurant in Madison

okay so here's the thing. i placed an order this morning via doordash and was delivered the wrong order. (honestly, i can't even get mad b/c a) the names were really similar, and b) i ended up liking what i got, so kayla douglas, if you happen to read this, i'm sorry for eating your food). i was originally going to accept the credit doordash was going to give me but i decided i still wanted the latte i originally ordered instead, so i asked for a redelivery. this time, not only did i get the correct order, but i also got the correct order from earlier as well. i opened the bag of goodies and there was a little note written on some receipt paper apologizing for the doordasher and wishing me a good day/weekend inside. it was such a cute lil surprise and i'm probably going to keep it for an indefinite amount of time because i'm a dirty rat and have hoarding tendencies and like little notes. honestly, it's little things like that that really make or break a day so this made my day. TL;DR: to the employees working at the monroe st. location: thank you and i hope y'all have a lovely day/weekend...

I enjoy all of the Barriques locations, and have found their prices on wine and alcohol to be reasonable or better than many other nearby stores. (Get the excellent Meomi Pinot Noir here, nowhere else, as it's the best price around.) Service has always been good and the food is very good for a coffee shop. One thing I have to downgrade is air quality. The Middleton location (not this one) has a really bad issue with smoke during lunchtime food rushes. The Monroe Street location (which I am reviewing here), is extremely stuff on a pleasant June afternoon. Is there no a/c? Honestly, it's stifling. Monroe can also be difficult for finding a place to sit, as well. The very large boots are rarely occupied by more than one person. And, as is the American habit, strangers don't share tables. Thus, plenty of seats available, but nowhere to sit, if that makes sense.

Location is terrific, across form Trader Joe's, among many unique shops, bars & restaurants, just a few blocks form Camp Randall Stadium and the UW Field House.

You're doing well in many areas, but please address the air...

Generally I like this place. Good coffee, good food, but this particular sandwich was about as bland and uninteresting as a sandwich can get. THE CUBAN sandwich seemed like a purchased version of what I would have thrown together in a couple minutes at home for my next days lunch. The ham was sub par and the amount of time it took to make seemed a little dramatic for the final result and presentation. If I would have used a cheap grocery deli ham and Kraft American Cheese I may have been able to craft a tastier result.

That being said I still LOVE Barriques wraps and coffee drinks, but whatever you do. DON'T GET THE CUBAN. This sandwich should be made as illegal as the much better cigars of...