Madison meals that complement our favorite Packers

Packers Nation just passed through an oxygen-starved fit of terror, wonder, and apprehension following a highly improbable string of wins culminating in a do-or-die showdown with our archenemies from Chicago. Now we feel reborn, like a gaffed fish that flopped on the ice and luckily slipped back into the water of life. With the still-shocking realization that the Packers are really in the Super Bowl, The A.V. Club finds itself obsessing over how the game could be won by each individual Packer, and wondering, in a kind of sick and feverish food dream, how players’ skill sets might be best exemplified by Madison meals.

B.J. Raji
The young upstarts at Underground Kitchen (127 E. Mifflin St., 608-514-1516) exemplify B.J. Raji’s exuberant and youthful spirit. Grabbing the ball and just running into the end zone, ball clutched in hand way out front—that’s the kind of confidence carried by apps of venison pie with rabbit rillettes and mortadella, followed by pig heart salad.

Clay Matthews
Top-quality beef describes this defensive hero, who seemed to step straight from the lyrics of Led Zeppelin’s “The Immigrant Song” (“On we sweep, with threshing oar”). The filet mignon with a side of hash browns at Tornado Steak House (116 S. Hamilton St., 608-256-3570) crushes all appetites with seasoned meat and crisped potatoes. It’s an aggressive meal, intent on getting the job done.

Greg Jennings
The prowess of Greg Jennings was instrumental in the initial Packers drive, which resulted in a decisive first touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the game that brought us all to this awesome place. Jennings’ game seems a lot like the meaty Garibaldi sandwich at Paisan’s (131 W. Wilson St., 608-257-3832), nearly always on point and spiced with hot peppers if it’s required.

Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers will suddenly run with it and get the first down, spook the opposition by scuttling in a quick jag that fakes at a run but abruptly turns to a throw, or fire a bullet mid-range shot to the corner of the end zone. Our new hero is a clutch, complex, multi-talented quarterback who just might be the best in an arena of stiff competition, not unlike the burger at Graze (1 S. Pinckney St., 608-251-2700), a sublime blend of short ribs, ground sirloin, and ribeye that covers all angles and takes all comers.