"You 'll never look at hot cheese the same way again. That 's the slogan at Dotty Dumpling 's Dowry in Madison, Wisconsin, referring to the restaurant 's signature cheese curds. Located at 317 North Frances Street in downtown Madison, this longtime local institution offers specialty burgers, cheese curds and tap beers in quirky surroundings while becoming a city icon over the last 48 years. Start from the beginning. In 1969, Jeff Stanley opened an eclectic gift shop in Des Moines, Iowa. He soon realized that the world needed hamburgers more than jewelry. In 1974, Stanley moved to Madison and opened the first burger-slinging Dotty Dumpling 's Dowry. Originally located on Monroe Street, in what Stanley called The Quonset Hut, it housed only a grill, countertop and a few stools. In 1976, he relocated to Regent Street across from Camp Randall Stadium, then moved to Fairchild Street before being forced to leave in 2001 because of the development of the Overture Center. Finally, in 2003, he opened the current restaurant at 317 North Frances Street, off University Avenue. It remains a family owned and operated enterprise with Stanley 's daughter, Rachael, known as the Hamburger Princess, carrying on the tradition. Open from 4 to 9 on Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 to 9 on Thursday, 11 to 10 on Friday and Saturday and 11 to 4 on Sunday, the Dowry offers such old-time favorites as the Original Burger from 1974 with sharp cheddar cheese sauce, ketchup, mustard, pickles, relish and raw onions and the spicy hot chili with beef tips, pork tenderloin, smoked bacon, banana peppers and jalapeno peppers topped with cheese and sour cream. But don 't forget to start with the sample basket, one pound of deep fried French fries, cheese curds, mushrooms, onion rings and mac-and-cheese wedges. Or order a plate of cheese curds, a Wisconsin tradition, with breaded and deep fried White Cheddar Cheese nuggets served with house-made Ranch and honey mustard sauce. Today, the best selling burger is the Melting Pot with cheddar, Swiss and provolone cheese, smoked bacon and signature English garlic sauce. Also try the Classic Burger with cheddar cheese, ketchup, mustard, pickles and grilled onions and the hand battered and deep fried Atlantic cod fillet sandwich stacked with lettuce and tomato and served with house-made tartar sauce. In 2008, the Dowry 's Classic Burger was singled out as one of the best burgers in the United States by burger guru George Motz, who also raved about the Dowry 's cheese curds. Wash it all down with a couple of chocolate milk shakes. Dotty Dumpling 's Dowry is a must-stop for anyone visiting Madison for the first time."
