I grew up in Madison.  I grew up at Ella’s Deli.  Ella’s is probably the most sensory heavy spot in all of Madison and kids LOVE it.

Ellas’ can be found at :

2902 East Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53704.

Their History:

In the early 1960s Ella Hirschfeld owned and operated Ella’s on State Street as a small kosher style deli/grocery/restaurant. At that time Ella’s provided an outlet for the Jewish community and others to buy kosher products over the counter, as well as offering restaurant service for about a dozen tables.

In the mid-sixties the current owners eliminated the grocery concept and expanded into a full service kosher style deli/restaurant offering catering for all events, delivery services, and expanding to a full menu, with an additional and separate dessert menu.

In 1976 Ella’s opened another location, thanks to the support of Madison’s community. Again the concept grew. Ella’s Deli now provides an entertainment experience, as well as delicious foods so that entire families enjoy coming to dine. In recent years, Ella’s Deli on East Washington Avenue became the only Ella’s Deli.

Under the same ownership for over 45 years, Ella’s operates with in-house bakers, full time cooks that prepare our foods from scratch, and animations designed and built on the premises.

SOURCE : Ella’s Deli

Their Menu:

“After 28 years, Ella’s is foremost all about food – casual dining blessedly free from the cookie-cutter conformity of fast-food franchises”
“The lengthy menu is (literally) a litany, from cabbage soup to nut-topped sundaes and the #1, a grilled pound cake hot fudge sundae, is a Madison culinary icon.”

- Madison Magazine, February 2005

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