The Curve — Restaurant in Madison

To say this was my worst resturant experience that I've ever had is an under-statement. To start off this place is run down, very dirty and the staff is rude towards other people, they are understaffed, and their demeanor seems like coming in for food was an inconvenience. I watched the server kick a ketchup packet to the corner instead of picking it up. Another group sat down before the table was completely cleaned and the server literally tossed a towel at this person and told him to "wipe up the table since you sat down before it's cleaned" and also sternly told others to not sit until they are ready but there's no one seating customers or letting them know when it's cleaned. After we sat down she told us we should make sure the seat is dry because she just cleaned it with bleach.

It also took 1 hour and 20 minutes to get our food (1 omelet and 1 corn beef hash) and then we realized that the corn beef hash is more expensive when it's a "special" versus what the price is on the menu.

There were so many things wrong with this experience that I almost forgot to comment about my food. My denver omelet was absolutely terrible, the eggs tasted weird and I had to cover it with ketchup and hot sauce to even finish it but after waiting so long I just dealt with it, only after I was ignored by the staff a few times. Also, the corn beef hash was...

This was our first visit to The Curve. It was outstanding. It was beyond outstanding. The atmosphere was that of a classic comfortable diner. The one and only waiter was on top of our every desire, sometimes even before we knew what we desired. The chef made the most perfect over easy eggs I have ever had. I ordered a side of onion rings with my breakfast, and the chef delivered them himself. He said, "Who the hell ordered onion rings?" When I told him it was me, he said, with a big smile on his face, "Good choice!" But what struck me the most about The Curve were the "regulars". We arrived at about 10:45AM, which I suspect is after the breakfast rush and before the lunch rush. For the next hour we watched at least a dozen customers arrive, eat, and sometimes leave. It was clear that the waiter, the chef, or both knew each one of them by name, and frequently by order. More than once I saw someone sit down at a table, have no interaction with the waiter, but be served exactly what they expected, within a couple minutes. It's not easy to make outstanding food, but lots of restaurants can do it. It's not easy to create an environment that feels like home, and virtually no restaurants can do it. The Curve succeeds on both counts. We will be back, over and over...

I've eaten here periodically for the better part of two years. I am now what might be considered a "regular." There are a lot of reasons that go into my high estimation of this place, many of which are probably personal to me, but I can objectively say a few things:

(1) The food is dirt cheap and much of it is homemade (e.g. they cut their own potatoes and the owner had homemade sausages once in a while). (2) It is extremely unpretentious. (3) It's one of the few places you can get a good breakfast in Madison and never have to wait in line. (4) The same 4 staff members have worked there since I started going. They will learn your name and remember your preferences.

On top of all that and its incredibly old-fashioned ennui, the regular clientele here are an authentic cross section of the real Madison, WI. You can listen to (talk to, eavesdrop on, etc.) people from all walks of life at The Curve, and you just will not get that experience in more gentrified parts of downtown. Here's hoping The Curve...