Mermaid Cafe: a small cafe with a broad mission

No one does local quite like Lisa Jacobson of Mermaid Cafe. Stop in to try the popular Bahn mi, featuring Jordandal Farms rare roast beef on Madison Sourdough baguette, topped with house-pickled carrots and radish, cilantro and a spread of mayo. The Bahn meatless features lemongrass-marinated baked tofu, and is just as coveted as the carnivore’s version. Lisa has been serving local since 2005, and her commitment to supporting our community extends beyond the cafe’s doors; she teaches an Alice Waters-based seasonal cooking class each semester at East High School. Lisa also opens her doors for Winn Dixie night the 3rd Wednesday of every month, featuring a southern menu and spirited music.

One of my favorite menu items at Mermaid is the Caribbean carrot soup, featured in Madison Magazine’s March 2013 issue.