Ella's Deli - A Madison Classic

You won't miss the sign at
2902 E Washington St. (dwm)
More than fifty years ago Ella Hirshfield owned and ran the shop as a kosher style deli, grocery, and restaurant on State Street.

I remember our high school debate coach taking our team to Ella's Deli to eat after some of a tournament in Madison.  It was an intriguing place to a kid from Janesville.

The owners who took over from Ella expanded the original deli as a restaurant, deli, and caterer according to their history.

Then in 1976 it opened a location on East Washington Street.  It survives as one of the most iconic places in the city.

Since we moved to Madison five years ago, it is the place we take guests and a spot we like for something a little different.

A 1927 Parker Carousel out front beckons young and old.

Ella's is a restaurant with gadgets, gizmos, and lots of moving parts to delight and excite all ages.

This fish is forever blowing
bubbles under Ella's ceiling. (dwm)
It isn't just fun and games.  There is an ice cream parlor and good food in the big menu.

There are pages devoted to vegetarian options; blintzes; sandwiches; burgers; franks; salad platters; and stuffed baked potatoes.  The menu is 17 pages long.

Is this chopped liver?  Sure.  You can order Chopped Liver & Tongue for $14.95.

True to its roots, you can order Kosher; Yiddish; and classic comfort food.

1927 Parker Carousel (dwm)
I stuck with Chicken Noodle Soup on my last trip.

Save room for dessert and be sure to look at each of the items in the 10 page menu.  On our way in, we saw a drink we had never seen before.  In the menu it's called the Big Red - sweet strawberry crush with strawberry cotton candy floss atop the straw.

It is home to the most popular ice cream sundae in Dane County, the Grilled Pound Cake Hot Fudge Sundae.

Horse and Camel await riders. (dwm)
Here's the menu's description: Ask for a number one and try our famous sundae made with rich vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream over a generous slice of HOT grilled pound cake.

It is still my sister's go-to dessert order when she's in Madison.

Last May, Ella's fans and patrons got a surprise with news Ella's owners are putting the place up for sale after 41 years.

I can't imagine Madison without Ella's Deli.  But whomever buys it has a difficult act to follow - the spirit of the place, the animated attractions, and the carousel are as much Ella's as the Grilled Pound Cake.

Madison and Ella's eager diners anxiously wait to see what is next for Ella's Deli.  While waiting, though, I suggest you don't wait long - it's time to go eat at Ella's.

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