Taza Mediterranean

This one was completely accidental. Nobody sent me here.

My wife and I were literally just craving Mediterranean food, I started looking around on Google, found Taza in Middleton and said screw it... let’s go.

Why has nobody been telling me about this place? Because this was legitimately some of the best Mediterranean food I’ve had anywhere around Madison.

Not “pretty good for Middleton.” Not “I’d go back if I was nearby.” I walked out thinking this might have just become my new go-to Mediterranean spot.

And apparently Taza has quietly built up a pretty loyal following, because once I started digging around online AFTER eating there, I found people saying the exact same thing. It’s one of those places that somehow flies just under the radar while the people who already know about it keep going back.

The Lowdown

• City: Middleton, WI
• Address: 1900 Cayuga St, Middleton, WI

The Ambiance

Taza is not the type of restaurant you walk into and immediately pull your phone out because the dining room looks incredible. And I don’t mean that negatively. It’s just very much a “we care a hell of a lot more about what’s coming out of the kitchen” kind of place.

It’s tucked into a pretty unassuming spot on Cayuga Street in Middleton. There are tables up front and more seating toward the back, and everything feels pretty relaxed. Some people call it cozy and inviting, while others basically say the ambiance is nothing special but the food more than makes up for it.

I’m probably closer to the second camp. You’re not coming here because you want some massive dining experience. You’re coming because you want really good Mediterranean food without all the extra nonsense. And I actually kind of like that.

What I Ordered

My wife and I went for lunch, which I honestly think might be the move here. She got the chicken shawarma lunch combination. I got the gyro lunch combination. They were around $13.75 each when we visited, which felt like a pretty damn good deal considering the amount of food you get.

My plate came with gyro, hummus, tabbouleh and pita. And then because apparently that wasn’t enough food, we ordered a side of falafel too. Which ended up being the smartest decision we made all day.

My thoughts on the food

Let’s just start with the falafel. I’m dead ass when I say this: this might be the best falafel I’ve had in the Madison area. And I know that is going to immediately start an argument because Madison people have VERY strong falafel opinions.

But these were incredible. There was this really light crunch on the outside and then the inside was soft, flavorful and not even remotely dry. Every bite had so much flavor. And this is apparently not some controversial Taza opinion. Falafel is one of the things that continually gets called out in reviews, including people specifically praising that crispy exterior and soft interior.

Then there was the tabbouleh. I don't think I've ever cared this much about tabbouleh before. If you’ve never had it, it’s basically this super fresh Middle Eastern salad with a ton of parsley along with things like mint, tomato and onion, dressed with olive oil and lemon. Super bright, super fresh, acidic from the lemon, herby. I genuinely think it might be the best tabbouleh I’ve ever had.

The hummus was another standout. Really smooth, creamy, great flavor. Then there was the actual gyro. Really flavorful, good portion, and you get this thinner pita that you can open up and stuff everything inside. Just build the thing yourself and go to town.

My wife was equally impressed with her chicken shawarma. At one point she basically looked at me and said: “this might be the best Mediterranean food I’ve had.” Which is a pretty strong statement considering neither of us had ever heard anyone aggressively recommending Taza before.

Important & interesting info

• Taza is rooted in Palestinian heritage. The restaurant says part of its mission is creating employment, English-language learning and opportunities for immigrants in the Madison area.
• Go for lunch if you want value. The lunch combinations were around $13.75 when I visited, and the amount of food for the price was fantastic.
• Do not skip the falafel. This was my favorite thing I ate, and I’m definitely not alone.
• There’s a lot more here than gyros and shawarma. People also rave about the lamb shank, kefta, hummus and lentil soups.
• They’re currently open seven days a week from 11 AM to 9 PM, with carryout and catering. Their catering history traces back to Lulu’s, their first deli-cafe, which opened on Old University Avenue in Madison in 1984.

Conclusion

Taza is exactly why I love doing this. Sometimes the restaurants everyone recommends are amazing. But there’s something even better about randomly finding a place yourself and realizing: oh shit... this place is REALLY good.

I went into Taza with basically zero expectations. I walked out thinking it might have just become my go-to spot when I’m craving Mediterranean food. And after the fact, I started digging through Reddit threads and reviews and realized there absolutely is a group of people around Madison who already know. People call out the falafel. The hummus. The kefta. The lamb shank. The shawarma.

So maybe I’m just late. Either way, if you live on the west side, in Middleton, or anywhere close by and Mediterranean food is your thing: put Taza on the list. And whatever you order, get the falafel.