By Lauri Lee
Northside Economic Development Coalition
You don’t have to travel around the world to enjoy international cuisine; just visit the Northside TownCenter. You’ll find African food and American favorites at Kingdom Restaurant, American comfort food from Bierock, Texas-style barbeque from Beef Butter BBQ, Italian from Benvenuto’s and Mexican from Habanero’s.
Northsiders are encouraged to patronize these local restaurants via whatever pandemic eating option you are comfortable with during this time. A cultural side benefit to some of the restaurants is that the food is cooked by people of many different heritages which broadens our horizons as we come together as neighbors.
Beef Butter BBQ stayed open during COVID-19. When the seating area was shut down to comply with pandemic regulations, online ordering and e-commerce were added to the website. Eight parking stalls were installed so people could drive up and get contactless delivery. For faster carryout, 14 freezer doors were added for fresh, smoked meats so it could be enjoyed by reheating to get flavor like it just came off the smoker. The meats will keep in the refrigerator for two weeks or in the freezer for six months.
Video screens were added on the freezer backs to show customers how meat is smoked, and fun facts rotate every 15 seconds to educate and entertain people as they eat in the restaurant. Plexiglass dividers provide a sense of openness. Before the end of 2020, the size of the kitchen will double to include another in-house smoker, walk-in cooler and freezer. A conveyer belt to carry your food to you is coming soon. Eat-in and order-to-go options are available.
Bierock is your source for savory pasty comfort food and craft beer. They’re open Tuesday through Sunday for takeout, curbside pick-up, delivery and in-store growler fills to go. To place a takeout order, visit bierock.square.site or call 608-515-8087.
Benvenuto’s serves Italian favorites from 11 am–9 pm for curbside pickup, delivery and limited eat-in service. Call 608-241-1144.
Habanero’s features authentic Mexican food with fresh and finest ingredients. Eat-in or carryout is available 10 am–8 pm by calling 608-244-1992.
Kingdom Restaurant serves authentic African recipes and American favorites from 9 am–9 pm, seven days a week. The eat-in capacity is 35 people, and there’s a drive-thru window. For orders to go, call 608-286-1238 or order at the counter. Third party delivery is available through GrubHub, DoorDash, EatStreet or Uber Eats.
Need your hair cut?
Hair salons and barber shops were hard hit by the pandemic with mandated closures for months. They are now open and taking every precaution for customers and staff to stay safe.
At the Northside TownCenter, you’ll find that both the salon and barbershop cut men’s, women’s and children’s hair. Contact Serenity Salon at 608-246-2002 for an appointment and visit madisonserenitysalonanddayspa.com for days they’re open. Check out Sherman Plaza Hairstyling at shermanplazabarbers.com. For information on services and hours Tuesday–Friday, call 608-244-3120.