Seizing on the popularity of chicken sandwiches from chains like Popeyes and Chick-fil-A, Madison's Nitty Gritty has developed its own line of chicken sandwiches that it's selling as Cluck, an online offshoot of the restaurant. The dessert choices were good and the taste was even better. My wife really enjoyed the beet salad and I had the hotdog which was much more than an ordinary hotdog, with great mustard, greens, and wonderful bun. When winter sets in and fewer tourists come through, it can be hard to remember why they started the café. So many foodie friends told me about Driftless Café but I had no idea just how good it was until we visited. DRIFTLESS CAFÉ LUNCH MENU + Seasonal Soups with Hansen’s Country Bakery Bread and Butter - $3.50/cup $5.50/bowl Chef Luke sources high quality organic fruits and vegetables from Ridgeland Harvest just outside of Viroqua, WI, even well before running the Driftless Café. James Beard recognition, though it brings no cash reward, can feel like fuel during dark winter days. “We happen to be a part of both of those groups. Drove two hours to see Luke's restaurant in Viroqua, WI. Education. It was… Driftless Brewing Co. and Hillsboro both have taps here. Driftless Cafe: You'll be Wowed with the work of this James Beard Nominee for Midwest Chef of the Year! Winners will be announced May 1 at an awards gala in Chicago. SW Wisconsin is so full of tree-squeezin natural food growers and eaters, I knew a town like Viroqua had to have a great little cafe to cater to types that can appreciate good cafe culture and food. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. That puts it “front and center of this food movement,” Luke Zahm said. Given a nod again by the annual “Oscars of food” were L’Etoile chef Tory Miller, a previous winner of Best Chef: Midwest in 2012, Underground Food Collective co-founder Jonny Hunter and Heritage Tavern’s Dan Fox. We've done dinner there that easily rivalled celebrated restaurants in the great metropolises. Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Food editor and arts writer Lindsay Christians has been writing for the Cap Times since 2008. The Zahms estimated that the café sources 80 percent of its ingredients from nearby farms, with a strong fermentation and pickling program. The family returned to the area after Luke spent several years working in Madison at Kennedy Manor Dining Room and Bar, Lombarino’s and The Old Fashioned. Health Food Shop. Apr 14, 2017 - VIROQUA — Driftless Cafe chef Luke Zahm, who has owned the downtown Viroqua establishment with his wife, Ruthie, since 2013, is among seven Wisconsin semifinalists in the best chef in Amazing a little town like Viroqua has such a great restaurant. “I’m so proud to be here and be able to shine a spotlight on these amazing growers and producers,” Luke Zahm said. Wonderstate Coffee. Junior Sous Chef Sarma Restaurant. “The award gives credibility to that identity, to our farmers and producers in the area.”. COVID Safety Measures. Not Now. Delivery & Pickup Options - 123 reviews of The Driftless Cafe "Awesome place for lunch! The new host, Luke Zahm, is the chef and co-owner of Driftless Cafe, an announcement from the show on Monday said, and was himself the subject of "Wisconsin Foodie" segments. There was a problem saving your notification. The downtown Viroqua restaurant has been owned by Driftless locals, Luke and Ruthie Zahm, since 2013. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. What a charming city with an undeniable vibe and strong community support. Chef Luke Zahm, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Ruthie, works closely with nearby farms; the restaurant is amid the highest concentration of organic farms in the country. “When I left the area for college in Chicago, seeing Organic Valley and Wisconsin farms was a huge piece of my own identity,” he said. EVERYTHING was amazing. The Award-Winning Driftless Cafe and Bakery. Viroqua, Wisconsin. Log In. “It gives birth to all sorts of new ideas in the food world. In Viroqua, Driftless Cafe's Luke Zahm gets an unexpected James Beard nod. I had the sea bass, which was perfectly cooked and delicious. I will find reasons to return with another group, with my wife, with friends. Viroqua. She hosts the food podcast The Corner Table and runs a program for student theater critics. “In a small town, you don’t get a ton of people every night. Create New Account. This is my reason for not the full five stars. Performance & event venue. Once we were in Viroqua, we saw just why Luke and Ruthie Zahm came home to open this laidback-wear your jeans-gourmet-James Beard nominated restaurant. With the organic abundance of the Driftless surrounding him, Chef Zahn has come home to anchor something wonderful. They may not know which side to clear a plate, but they helped grow the greens on it. Established in 1990, the James Beard Awards recognize excellence in restaurants and food media. See more of Driftless Cafe on Facebook. driftless organics red onions, driftless cafÉ croutons, organic valley buttermilk truffle dressing. Related Pages. A group of 9 of us ate there and we all were thoroughly pleased with the meal. - See 299 traveler reviews, 109 candid photos, and great deals for Viroqua, WI, at Tripadvisor. We came to explore the Driftless area and knew about the Driftless Cafe, so it was high on the list. Driftless Cafe - 118 W Court St, Viroqua, WI 54665 - Rated 4.9 based on 193 Reviews "Just had a late lunch there and the food was absolutely amazing. Chef/Owner/CEO of Wiscochef Enterprises L.L.C. The bill would allow bars and restaurants to sell mixed drinks and glasses of wine to-go in containers with “tamper-evident” seals. He also spent five years in the kitchen at Epic Systems. Roelli Cheese | Driftless Cafe In this episode of Wisconsin Foodie we travel to Shullsburg, WI and meet with Chris Roelli of Roelli Cheese. The housemade brat, the chicken Caesar, the catfish, the chili , the desserts…freakin’ everything. Her staffing options are different than in a city — servers may be young people who do farm share work in the summer and look to the restaurant for evening shifts. Specialties: fresh local flavors from the surrounding farms pizza, daily homemade specials, currys, pasta, soups & salads pies, brownies, cookies, cheesecake, art for sale, great atmosphere Chef Luke Zahm. January Winter Hours: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 11am-3 pm lunch, 5-9pm dinner.Sunday Brunch 9am -1pm. “There’s a fine line with your customers,” Ruthie Zahm said. The chef was recently nominated for a James Beard award and was featured on the PBS show Wisconsin Foodie, to give you some idea of the caliber of quality here. Zahm took over Driftless Cafe with his wife, Ruthie, in 2013 and was a semifinalist in the best chef: Midwest category of the James Beard Awards in 2017. Luke Zahm, chef and co-owner of Driftless Cafe in Viroqua, has been named a semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest in the 2017 James Beard Awards. You have permission to edit this article. Zahm’s nomination was in the “Best Chef Mid-West” category. In 2014, Edible Madison (which is based in Viroqua) named Luke Zahm a local hero and “the Driftless’s prodigal chef.” Luke is from La Farge, a tiny town of less than 1,000 where Organic Valley is based, and Ruthie is from Viroqua. Forgotten account? She/ her/ hers. I have never had a better lamb burger in my life…(and on a recent visit to Wales I set a goal to eat an entire lamb before I left the country---burger by burger, shank by shank---I know—disgusting! - See 302 traveler reviews, 111 candid photos, and great deals for Viroqua, WI, at Tripadvisor. Create New Account. But you do know your clientele.”. Buzz for Driftless has been growing bit by bit. I hope he's home for the duration. This new West Side restaurant is as much a bubble tea shop, and sticks to Vietnamese staples pho and banh mi. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. Several people ordered the risotto with a variety of mushrooms and other vegetables and were very pleased and several others ordered the beef and enjoyed that. The restaurant has become a bridge for this community. - See 305 traveler reviews, 119 candid photos, and great deals for … Beer selection is good, but not especially tailored for beer geeks. Rooted Spoon Kitchen Table. “For my staff ... we tell them all the time that people are paying attention to what we’re doing, the food we’re making, the impact on the community.”. See more of Driftless Cafe on Facebook. Driftless Cafe: Another Great Wisconsin Chef in Another Great Wisconsin Small Town - See 305 traveler reviews, 119 candid photos, and great deals for Viroqua, WI, at Tripadvisor. “I know these farmers. As such, dinner menus are … On special for $15 tonight! The prices were very reasonable and the options were good. Very well worth the drive out there. “To educate the public when you’re a server who’s worked and grown the carrots that day just comes naturally,” Ruthie Zahm said. Chef. The salads were crisp and fresh and we shared a couple of dessert items. Call us at: 608-637-7778. === LUNCH MENU === We are still accepting curbside pick up orders! Zoom in to see updated info. One Wisconsin name was new: chef Luke Zahm, co-owner of Driftless Café in the small town of Viroqua, two hours west of Madison. Luke Zahm, chef and co-owner of Driftless Cafe in Viroqua, has been named a semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest in the 2017 James Beard Awards. Tucked in the tiny town of Viroqua, Driftless Café is a Midwestern gem. There is a balance between a focus to serve simple food and a constant desire to innovate and push the limits of what can be achieved inside—and outside—a restaurant kitchen. Log In. Luke Zahm Chef and Owner of Driftless Cafe and Wiscochef Enterprises-- Host of Wisconsin Foodie, as seen on PBS Viroqua, Wisconsin 111 connections We stopped in for lunch based on the recommendation of our B&B innkeeper - great choice. We've been busy at the Driftless Cafe!We have created a space for you to enjoy supporting local farmers, and readying ourselves for the safest dining experience we can provide. You would do well to check out their website and menu online before making reservations but be aware their menu changes very often as its mainly locally produced food and is seasonal. Related videos. Mar 2019 – Present 8 months. Viroqua Food Co+op. Member @AFJEats and @ATCA. Driftless Cafe: Wow. 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Meat People Butcher, owned and run by industry veterans Pip Freeman and Jenny Griep, hopes to open by March 1 in the Lake Edge Shopping Center. “If a high school friend from senior year comes in with her family, that’s a whole different type of service. In 2017, as the Driftless Cafe’s chef, Luke Zahm, was a semifinalist for a James Beard award. Today, their vegetables are … We very much enjoyed the entire experience and definitely recommend this café to others visiting in the area. But I know that, because I’m here. “It’s just me cooking,” said Tory Miller, who serves a personal take on soul food Tuesdays through Saturdays out of the Estrellon bar space at 313 W. Johnson St. Delivery & Pickup Options - 126 reviews of The Driftless Cafe "I knew this place existed, I just knew it had to. Driftless Cafe: Fabulous! Aug 2015 – Jul 2018 3 years. Had the pasta special with salad and pork and vege soup. HOURS THURS-SAT 11A-3PM LUNCH 5PM-9PM DINNER SUNDAY BRUNCH 9A-1PM KITCHEN CLOSED FROM 3 TO 5 PM T-Fr and 4 - … Driftless Cafe, Viroqua: See 306 unbiased reviews of Driftless Cafe, rated 4.5 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #1 of 21 restaurants in Viroqua. “It’s super flattering,” said Zahm, who purchased Driftless Café with his wife, Ruthie Zahm, four years ago. But Luke and Ruthie, now parents of Eva, 12, Ben, 11, and 4-year-old Silas, still have family nearby. That the Driftless Café has been recognized by the Beard Awards, he said, “gives an identifying piece” to the farm-rich county in western Wisconsin. They have 8 taps of local stuff and 15 or so bottles. Especially in summer, Driftless Café has become a bit of a destination. The Zahms track credit card receipts from Madison, Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago, but they also rely on local support from family and friends they’ve known for years. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Just go. Another Great Wisconsin Chef in Another Great Wisconsin Small Town, Very unique, local ingredients, excellent experience, American Restaurants for Families in Viroqua, American Restaurants for Lunch in Viroqua. And visitors and locals may look for different things. Those words from Chef Luke Zahm sum up the curiosity and passion that inspire everything behind Driftless Café in Viroqua. Mix and match six packs-$12. The tomato soup is phenomenal. 0:06. I've been to a couple other options on the main drag, but always left wanting more. 2.2K views. “My aunts and uncles are the people who’d like to come in and read a menu that just says ‘steak, chicken, vegetarian.’, “We risk losing some of our really local customers because we do add farm names that they don’t understand or then think, ‘This isn’t really my type of restaurant.’”. The pandemic has pushed coffee shops to more closely control their supply chains, add walk-up windows, sell at-home coffee equipment and more. When the James Beard Awards semi-finalists list dropped last week, it included several names Madison diners are well familiar with. I know these people. Service very good. The taste was very good, though. Own or manage this property? I just brought 23 people to the Viroqua area for the sole purpose of eating at The Driftless Café. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Somerville, Massachusetts. So good. Judges include previous restaurant/chef award winners, regional restaurant critics and culinary educators with more than 400 judges nationwide. Or click here to get it online. Chef Luke Zahm has been called a sort of “Prodigal Chef.” He grew up in the Driftless Region of Southwest Wisconsin, moved around gaining important and transformative cooking experience, and finally decided to move back to the area, settling his family in the small town of … Winter Break: January 1st- 13th CLOSED! Our waiter, Sean, was excellent and service was great. Zahm is among the Best Chef: Midwest semifinalists, which will be narrowed down to “nominees” on March 15. And because it's Viroqua, smack dab in the middle of Next-to-Nowhere, Wisconsin, attitude is left at the door. Driftless Cafe, Viroqua: See 305 unbiased reviews of Driftless Cafe, rated 4.5 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #1 of 21 restaurants in Viroqua. 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