Taigu is one of my favorite Madison restaurants. I've loved everything I've tried, and everybody here is very friendly. Getting dinner here always puts a smile on my face.
They have an extensive menu of noodle dishes, and it's tough to pick a favorite. I'm a huge fan of the hot & numbing noodles with pork and peanuts. The sauce is extremely good, and the homemade noodles have a great texture and density.
I also love Grandma's Sweet and Sour Chicken. The sauce is wonderful. It's not overly sweet or syrupy, and has a nice undercurrent of vinegary tartness. It's nice and subtle, instead of the over-the-top sugary sauce some sweet and sour sauces are.
The scallion pancakes are incredible, too. They're flaky and the just the right balance of crispy and soft. They're simple and delightful, and always satisfying.
If you're in the mood for Chinese food, and are on the west side, you need to check out Taigu.