Kamp

Preschools, movie theaters, and beaches have a lot in common. For starters, each one is a prime location for naps. Better yet, they’re alternate dimensions where snacktime is the main event. Kamp is one of those places, too. Please don’t take a snooze in a booth at this Madison Valley spot, but do take advantage of their excellent finger foods. 

We realize that “snacks for dinner” sounds like a sad fate of Chex Mix and almonds, but it’s the route to take at Kamp. The Jamaican and Caribbean-influenced menu is full of the kinds of bites we wish we could eat at every wedding cocktail hour ever, like fantastic mini cheeseburgers, peppered shrimp tostadas with corn salsa on flattened plantains instead of tortillas, and crispy egg rolls stuffed with spicy homemade boudin sausage and pepper jack. And while there are larger entrees like run down clams and confit jerk-spiced duck leg, you’ll have a better meal sticking with appetizers and keeping the drinks coming.

photo credit: Nate Watters

Speaking of, Kamp’s cocktail menu is for everyone, and we love that. There are zero-proof concoctions that are just as exciting and thoughtful as ones full of liquor—like a completely non-alcoholic amaretto whiskey sour, tart and complex with velvety egg white froth, or a jalapeño-pineapple margarita with Seedlip Spice swapped out for the tequila. In a society that’s taking its sweet time transitioning into a sober-inclusive world, this is a huge win. Half-proof drinks experiment with base spirits like St. Germain, vermouth, and Aperol, while you can also sip on a garden variety Old Fashioned, or turmeric-infused vodka with carrot and bitters.

If you’re truly going to stay a while and exchange juicy work gossip with pals between mouthfuls of fries, the space should be exciting, too. The energy at Kamp lends itself well to both chilling out or going all out. And also much like preschool, movie theaters, and beaches, ending things with a swirled soft serve is always a good idea.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Nate Watters

Kamp Sliders

Don’t you even dare let the slipping sands of time disintegrate before securing a trio of Kamp’s miniature cheeseburgers for the table. With a salted flattop-smushed crust, sticky caramelized onion jam, yellow american, and pickles to karate chop through the richness, these are some mighty little sliders. There’s an option to add bacon, but they’re so good on their own that you don’t even need it.

photo credit: Nate Watters

Kamp Fries

Sliders without a side of hand-cut fries dunked in dill-y ranch? Let us not entertain that thought.

photo credit: Nate Watters

Green Plantain Shrimp Tostada

Picture a tostada, only instead of a tortilla, the shell is made from a smashed plantain. The result is a thick and crunchy vehicle for perfectly cooked peppered shrimp, spicy corn salsa, pickled fresnos, and dollops of tangy green crema. A must-order.

photo credit: Nate Watters

Boudin Egg Rolls

Kamp’s best dish. These crackly spring rolls are stuffed with boudin sausage, rice, and gooey pepperjack that brings it all together and somehow gets even more delicious as it cools. Topped with the accompanying mango chutney, they’re a home run.

photo credit: Nate Watters

Salt Cod & Potato Croquettes

Another fried snack we love, these potato croquettes have a samosa-spiced filling with hunks of cod and velvety potato, made even better by the citrusy lime sauce that comes with it.

Run Down Clams

This bowl of clams is the perfect entree for someone who usually orders a bowl of clams—because this is a good bowl of clams. We’d slurp the phenomenal chili oil-spiked coconut milk broth with a spoon, but thankfully this dish comes with a wedge of moist cornbread to soak it up. Note that when the cornbread is gone, there will still be leftover broth. “That’s where I come in, baby!” the long-forgotten fries interject.

Confit Jerk Spice Duck Leg

If you’re specifically in the mood for confit poultry slathered in tongue-searing spice, neat—this jerk duck leg will check the box. But with a few areas of tough meat and slightly undercooked ube, you won’t be unhappy by skipping it. Double down on the shareables instead.

photo credit: Nate Watters

Soft Serve

The flavors of the soft serve here change weekly and range from apple pie to wedding cake, and we advise you to please save room for this tasty ice cream. Consider a swirl, since the two flavors always complement each other—like the heat and salt of ras el hanout cooled down by buttery white chocolate.