Madison Sourdough — Restaurant in Madison

I want to give this place more stars as the food was great, but unfortunately the staff were rude, and despite the sweet treats we left with a bitter taste.

I stopped in with my parents to grab a coffee and some cake. Parking nearby is okay and there is a nice little outside seating area with shade and screened from the road by a tall hedge.

Choosing what we wanted weren't really sure and I got the impression the staff were in a hurry and while not rude they were very direct. We ordered 3 drinks and two cakes, one of the cakes when it was put on a plate the staff member saw and snatched it right back off the plate without saying anything directly to us, then gave us a new one and when asked why they said the other one wasn't up to their standard. Which was great, I thought wow they really care about their product, it was just communicated in such a weird and abrupt way.

We went to sit outside and waited for our drinks. The coffee was nice and the cakes were as good if not better than any others we had in Madison. They were on the high side of price but clearly worth it.

The main issue we had started when we got up to leave. We looked around for somewhere to clear our 3 mugs and 2 small plates but could not see anywhere. We couldn't see a sign asking people to clear away tables and as we had table service with the drinks coming too us as well we assumed a staff member must clear and wipe down tables.

Just as we started to walk away a staff member barked something at us and then turned around. They weren't near us, and weren't looking at us when they said it so we didn't really pick up much and when we asked them again they turned around and just said "clear your own table" in a very cold way. They turned away again before we could ask where.

So we got their attention again and asked where, and he pointed and mumbled (still couldn't really hear what he said) towards a small station with cutlery and condiments on. Turns out underneath the top level was a old tatty washing up bowl where customers can leave their stuff. If only there was a sign, or it was more obvious, or staff asked politely when you order or when they dropped off drinks for you to clear your own table. We get it places are busy and don't mind doing it all if its clear and obviously that's what we are asked to do.

There was so many opportunities to let customers know or to ask customers to clear away their table, and there was 100 better ways this staff member could has asked. It is probably the worst service we have had in Madison, and means I would be very unlikely to go back here, and if I did I definitely would not dine in. It's a shame because the food...

I’m extremely disappointed in the quality of MSCo’s pies as of late. Last Fall, they made the most divine deep dish apple pie I had ever encountered . . . which is saying a lot because I am great at baking and have lived in France. It had a streusel topping, and the filling had an almost apple butter consistency. They used an inside-out laminated pie dough that was like a rough puff pastry. It was shatteringly crisp, and had buttery flakes to dream of. The last three times I’ve ordered pie or galettes from MSCo they haven’t used that amazing pie dough. Instead, I’ve received extremely small slices of perhaps the worst pie I’ve ever eaten. The pie dough has no lamination, hence no buttery flakes. It tastes like cardboard and is so tough I nearly injured myself trying to cut into it.

Today, I looked at their menu and was thrilled to see they were selling my beloved Apple Streusel Pie again! I ordered two slices, believing it was the same apple pie I had encountered last year. However, upon inspection at home I noticed it wasn’t the same. The crust was that terrible cardboard crust mentioned above. I was so disappointed. The little things really make a difference during this pandemic . . . so this felt soul crushing.

PLEASE BRING BACK THE DEEP DISH APPLE PIE FROM LAST YEAR WITH THE INSIDE-OUT PASTRY DOUGH! STOP MAKING PIE WITH THE CARDBOARD CRUST SO THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO BAKE EVERYTHING MYSELF!!!

In the interest of fairness, however, I should note that the quality of MSCo’s pastries (i.e. their croissants, danishes, etc.) and their oatmeal cookies are still on point and the best in Madison. And, their staff...

We live in Sun Prairie (about 20 minutes away as the crow flies) and decided to do in person carry out. We checked out the menu online, decided what we would get (I have some dietary restrictions) and took off for downtown. When we arrived the tables were spaced out appropriately and everyone seemed to be eating and having a good time. We went in to order and you won't believe what happened.

We stepped up and ordered, I asked for my sandwich on sourdough (you know cause it's Madison SOURDOUGH) and I was told they couldn't substitute it. All they could do was give me a croissant, which I didn't want (and can't eat). MSD supplies bread for restaurants all over the city, however today they couldn't grant my request. I think what dumbfounded my wife and I the most is that we were at a bakery and they were either out of bread or refused to help me (I wasn't told what the issue was). The cashier apologized, but the vibe I got from her was (what's the big deal?). Frustrated, my wife and I left and got breakfast somewhere else.

MSD has great bread, it seems though since the pandemic started they have scaled back what they are making...and while it's understandable to a point, when the word sourdough is in your name it's probably a good idea to make sure you have enough on hand to...