This might get a little cheesy šŸ§€

Stella’s Bakery in Madison

loaf of bread
Why get six mini loaves when you could get six large loaves? | Photo by @katiebeth26
When it comes to Stella’s Bakery, people often fall into two camps. Those who live for hot and spicy cheese bread, and those who just haven’t tried it yet. It’s a 608 institution and a Dane County Farmers’ Market staple that’s been vending since 1988 — maybe you’ve seen the line around the block.

Home of the Original Hot & Spicy Cheese Bread — Stella’s is located at 2908 Syene Rd. Aside from DCFM, you can also find these products at:
  • Westside + Monona Farmers’ Markets
  • Grocers like Willy Street Co-op, Metcalfe’s + Woodman’s
  • Restaurants including Cafe Hollander, Nitty Gritty, and Short Stack Eatery
With the outdoor market season coming to a close, we checked in with the folks at Stella’s to chat one more time about their treats + get the scoop on what the team is enjoying right now.

Q: How many tries did it take to perfect the spicy cheese bread recipe?
A: The recipe has always been the same from the beginning, however, we sometimes tweak the process for efficiency.

Q: While you’re known for your spicy cheese bread, what’s one item on your menu you think is underrated or deserves more of the spotlight?
A: Our cheese empanadas are not underrated by any means, however, they don’t have the attention and demand of the Hot & Spicy Cheese Bread. Our flatbread crackers are a new addition to our menu and it’s going to take some time to build momentum. They are unique, delicious, and versatile — great to eat by themselves or paired with a nice spread or dip. Once people try them, they are hooked.

Q: You’re a landmark at America’s largest producers-only farmers’ market. What are your go-to stops during Saturday on the Square?
A: Some of my favorites are spring flowers and plants and apples in the fall.

Let us know your favorite treat from Stella’s Bakery.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today, October 31
  • Trick or Treat with Lush | Mon., Oct. 31 | Lush, 702 N. Midvale Blvd., Madison | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Free+ | Stop in for a free sample + check out the Halloween goodies. 🧼
Tuesday, November 1
  • Sleepy Gaucho | Tue., Nov. 1 | 8-11 p.m. | The Bur Oak, 2262 Winnebago St., Madison | A night of tunes in the great American tradition that is the rambler’s drawl.
  • Paint and Sip | Tue., Nov. 1 | 7-9 p.m. | Wine & Design, 167 S. Fair Oaks Ave, Madison | $40 | Grab some friends or take yourself on a date to paint ā€œBlue Pumpkinsā€ while sipping spirits.
Wednesday, November 2
  • Step Afrika! | Wed., Nov. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison | $25-$50 | Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. šŸŽ­
Thursday, November 3
  • Blues Jam | Thu., Nov. 3 | 8-11 p.m. | Red Rooster, 2513 Seiferth Rd., Madison | Free | Appreciate local talent or show off your own at this blues jam session — sign-ups begin at 7 p.m.
  • El Mercadito | Thu., Nov. 3 | 4-7 p.m. | Centro Hispano, 810 W. Badger Rd., Madison | Free | Join the Centro community for tasty bites, live music, and community festivities. šŸŽ‰

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

Weather
  • 65Āŗ | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain
Traffic
  • Madison’s ā€œhairball intersectionā€ is opening up a bit as the outbound lanes of East Washington Avenue between Franklin Street and Blair Street are now open. 🚦
Community
  • Join Sustain Dane for its 14th annual summit themed ā€œBuilding Our Social Change Ecosystem.ā€ Register now for the event kicking off at 7:30 a.m. on Fri., Nov. 4. at Monona Terrace.
Eat
  • Think local when you break bread this holiday season. Check out these five Madison bakeries to stock up on some of the 608’s favorite baked goods. šŸ„– (Channel3000)
Sports
  • Get a sneak peek inside the newly updated Wisconsin football locker room featuring personalized player nameplates. Only four more football Saturdays this season, do you have tickets? šŸˆ
  • This season, Forward Madison FC had the highest average attendance in USL League One. Nearly 4,000 members of the flock attended every single game at Breese Stevens. Go Mingos.
Travel
  • How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to Bermuda). 🌓*
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The only things scarier than Halloween šŸ‘»

Things that Madisonians find scary

image of Madison with spiderwebs and dark filter
We hope everyone has a scary good Halloween. | Graphic by 608today team
It’s Halloween, so we thought we’d round up a few things that are especially scary to Madisonians.

🚧 Construction | Living on an Isthmus, there are limited detour options available.

šŸ§€ Dairy-free cheese substitutes | They say you can’t tell the difference, but we can always tell.

🚘 One-way streets | We should have them down by now but double + triple checking is routine to avoid getting caught backtracking around the square.

šŸŗ Imported beer | Why bother when the best of the best is brewed right here in Wisconsin?

šŸ—£ļø Goodbyes | A proper Midwest goodbye consists of an additional 30 minutes of conversation + maybe just grabbing another beer while we’re at it.

ā™»ļø Plastic bags | Filling a tote bag of Farmers’ Market goodies is a 608 rite of passage. Check out Lilada Gee’s storefronts to grab a cute bag while supporting a local artist.

🌭 Hot dogs | Give us a brat, boiled in beer, and smothered in sauerkraut — or give us nothing. (The Wienermobile is an exception to this fear.)
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ally.

Editor’s pick: Yesterday, 608today spent the day at Garver Feed Mill’s 2022 Pumpkin Party feasting on fall treats and Ian’s Pizza + enjoying the costume contests. Our favorite? The zoo animal and zoo keeper dog costumes.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We checked out Amara, Madison’s newest restaurant.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Ally Geiger, Ryan Waldman, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.


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