The only thing that has changed at Ella's in 20 years is the cover of their menu. It's refreshing to know that papier mache rots slower than my mind does. With tables, walls and ceilings buzzing with mechanical toys and games, and a full-fledged carousel operating during the summer, the environment proves to be kid-friendly, although as a kid I recall my taste buds not being well adapted to the bitter Kosher-style deli flavors I now eat with zeal: sweet and sour cabbage soup, open-faced reubens piled high with sauerkraut and swiss cheese (all this along with a side of cole slaw, and perhaps my zealousness is truly just geared towards cabbage), noodle kugel, cheese blintzes. My "mature" taste buds still cringe at the sight of tongue sandwiches and gefiltefish, but I can look past this. Treat yourself to a salad --- their croutons are fried in magical high-penetrating butter. Their ice cream comes courtesy of Madison's local Chocolate Shoppe, and is made ever the more extravagant when served over pound cake and topped with hot fudge.