FROM JEWELRY
TO BURGERS
AND HOT CHEESE
THE DOTTY’S STORY
Jeff Stanley was quite a guy.
In 1969, Jeff opened an eclectic gift shop in Des Moines, Iowa called “Dotty Dumpling's Dowry”. After only a few years, he came to realize a simple truth—the world needed hamburgers more than it needed jewelry.
Burgers, Anyone?
So in ‘74, Jeff moved his kit (and caboodle) to Madison where he opened the first burger-slinging Dotty Dumpling's Dowry.
Originally located on Monroe Street, he jokingly referred to it as “the Quonset hut” because it housed only a grill, countertop, and a few stools.
Two years later…
Dotty’s relocated to Regent Street right
across from Camp Randall. As Dotty’s burger-loving fan base grew, so did its need for more space.
State Street, Here comes Dotty’s
Just about the time the Berlin Wall fell and changed the world forever, Dotty's moved to Fairchild Street. Loyal customers remember this location for the vast collection of antiques and trinkets that filled the walls and hung from the ceiling.
(Canoe, anyone???)
Dotty’s Gets the Boot
In somewhat infamous 2001 local news, Dotty Dumpling's was booted from its rightful home on Fairchild to make room for the development of the Overture Center. Though Dotty's owned the building, eminent domain prevailed. This didn't sit right with Jeff, who made a point to stand up for all small business owners by vocally objecting to this unwanted transition. Many Madisonians remember Dotty's being the last building standing on the block.
The Legend Lives On
Cue 2003, and Dotty's new (and current) home at 317 N. Frances Street. Here, we remain a family-owned and operated business with Stanley’s daughter, Rachael carrying on the tradition as the “Hamburger Princess.”
Dotty’s Makes a Winning Burger
In 2008, burger guru George Motz picked Dotty’s as one of the best burgers in the country. He made it clear that we had a winning burger and thought our cheese curds were not to be missed, "These are a must-have on a burger tour of Madison. Skip the fries and get some curds, you'll never look at hot cheese the same way again.”
