Navigate Southern Wisconsin's restaurant scene with this handy safety guide. Find out which area establishments have the most CDC recommended COVID-19 safety measures in place for their customers and workers. The Preparedness Guide ranks each restaurant from most complaint (green) to the least compliant (red.)  The rankings were based on the weighted scoring of the following criteria:

• Dining options
• Hand sanitizer for customers and workers
• Safe Distancing
• Disposable menus, plates, etc.
• Frequent cleaning
• Plexiglas barrier at pay/cashier station

Please Note: As of July 13, 2020 Public Health Madison & Dane County issued Emergency Order #8, mandating any individual over age 5 must wear a  mask or face covering when inside any enclosed building.

Stay tuned!

Update:

November 17, 2020

Janesville, WI -  As the number of positive cases of COVID-19 continue to rise statewide and in response to Governor Tony Evers" Emergency Mandate Order #1 Rock County Health officials have decided to return to Phase 1 and reduce capacity at libraries, religious centers, offices, restaurants and bars and similar facilities

from 50% down to 25%. The county phase plan also stipulates that people with positive cases should notify their close contacts of need to quarantine as well.

October 7, 2020

Madison, WI -  In response to rising COViD-19 cases in the state, particularly northeastern and Fox Valley region, Andrea Palm Wisconsin, Secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)  issues Emergency Order #3, reducing indoor public, gatherings to 25% of capacity (as set by local municipalities) for indoor spaces. The order does not shut down businesses or effect outdoor spaces. The order goes into effect October 8 and expires November 6.

September 27, 2020

Madison, WI - According to Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS) the state of Wisconsin has averaged over 2000 cases/day for the past 4 days. On September 26, 2020 Wisconsin hit an all time high with 2,817 new confirmed cases reported. 574 new hospitalizations in the same time period.  Governor Evers has re-issued a new mask wearing mandate. Wearing masks in public reduces the probability of airborne, respiratory droplets spreading the virus from an infected person to others.

The Wisconsin Restaurant Association's website has COViD-19 precaution guidelines/recommendations for its' member businesses but stops short of asking them to follow stricter virus prevention methods. As a result,

there still is no uniform safety compliance standards adopted by area restaurants.

A very brief review of area restaurants reveals that some businesses are indeed concerned about the health of their patrons and workers. 

China House in Brodhead, only allows carryout, no indoor dining. All customers must order by phone, or via a speaker embedded in a counter-to-ceiling, panel of plexiglass which separates patrons from the cashier.  Cash transactions occur via a slide out drawer. Food is slid to the customer through a curtain of clear plastic.  Workers are not wearing protective gear.

Cracker Barrel has removed chairs and tables from their dining areas to keep diners spread out.  Enhanced sanitizing protocols are in place according to the company's website, including regularly wiping off their iconic rocking chairs. Hand sanitizer is available around the restaurant and store.  A Plexiglass panel is now installed at the cashier. Customers are required to wear masks when entering the store. All employees wear masks.

Chang Jiang a Madison area, restaurant chain has adopted a stricter dining policy.  Customers can only carryout. counter-to-ceiling, plexiglass panels were installed at all cashier or ordering counters. Patrons must pay through a slot. Food is delivered to the customers via a plexiglass walled in, turntable..

China King in Stoughton, only allows carryout, no indoor dining. All customers must order by phone, or via speaker embedded in a counter-to-ceiling installed panel of plexiglass which separates patrons from the cashier.  Cash transactions occur via a slide out drawer. Food is slid to the customer through a curtain of clear plastic. Workers are not wearing protective gear.

Citrus Cafe in Janesville as per Rock County Phase 1 order reduced its' dining room capacity to 25% using the back room to spread out their patrons Additionally, all workers and customers are required to wear masks. All tables, kitchen supplies, dining ware are disinfected after use. Citrus Cafe asks their customers to stand six feet away from each other, the back room helps with spreading people out. There are hand sanitizers and wipes available for customers.

Domenicos Italian Restaurant in Beloit continues to keep its' dining room closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Delivery, carryout, and drive--through options are available at 618 4th Street where their other restaurant La Casa Grande resides You can also order online. The restaurant's dining room is currently being remodeled in compliance with future COVID-19 state and CDC safety mandates.

FoodFight Group Inc, a Madison-based restaurant chain, now has indoor dining at all of its' 20 locations.  Workers wear masks. Customers only need to wear masks when entering the restaurant. Most patrons remove their masks once they are seated at a table.  Enhanced sanitation procedures are in place.

La Casa Grande in Beloit continues to keep its' dining room closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Delivery, carryout, and drive--through options are available iat 618 4th Street where there is drive-up

window. The restaurant's dining room is currently being remodeled in compliance with future COVID-19 state

and CDC safety mandates.

Mario's Italian Restaurant in Edgerton has closed its dining room in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant will relocate to a new building and open the dining room there guided by COVID-19 state and CDC safety mandates. All employees wear masks, and counter spaces are disinfected regularly more often during peak times. The soon to open location will have plexiglass installed around the cashier station. Mario's currently offers delivery, carryout, and curbside order options.

Rock'n Rollz Sandwich Co. at all locations (Brodhead, Evansville, McFarland) has the following stellar, COVID-19 safety precautions in place. All dining areas are closed until further notice. Customers can only order by phone or online with a debit/credit card. You can only enter the restaurant to retrieve your order from a pickup table located at the front entrance. Only one customer may enter at a time. Other customers must wait their turn to enter outside the premises. Hand sanitizer and napkins are available at the pickup table. No cash transactions. All customers must wear masks as the employees do.

Note: Not all southern Wisconsin restaurants which allow indoor dining require their customers seated at tables to wear masks.