La Mad has been around forever, but this was my first visit to the Northwoods location. I was looking for an electronics store on 281 and the traffic was just terrible; it was 5 o'clock rush hour. So I got off the freeway and pulled into the first place I could to map my location. The place was pretty slow at that hour, a group of women outside on their laptop, and one or two tables inside. I ordered a half sandwich with soup and bowtie pasta combo, and the cashier was kind enough to let me have a complimentary coffee. She did not ask if this was for dine-in or carry out, but then I had no idea they have separate ordering stations for either. It is one of those counters like Subway where you don't know where the line starts. Besides that little bit of confusion on MY part, everything was absolutely perfect, from the crispiness of the bacon on my half sandwich to the chopped peppers on my perfectly al dente bowtie pasta salad. The potato soup was equally delicious (lots of carbs I know) and also cooked to perfection, neither undercooked or too gluey. The manager is very hands-on and was present and visible as well as helping bus tables, as the place started to fill up as soon as I got there. I don't know why that always seems to happen. The decor is very charming, Country French, with lots of dark wood butcher block style furniture. At night it must be a real treat. I would definitely recommend this location but since I live far from there probably wont make it in for a while.
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