How does Short Stack Eatery stack up against its breakfast competition in Madison?

Very favorably.

Short Stack, which opened March 28 Downtown, offers a supremely cheerful and pleasant environment, and has a well-conceived, well-executed menu. Although the order-at-the-counter, find-your-own-table concept may not work well enough at busy times or if you have a large group.

Fortunately, on my recent visit, at noon on a Friday, there were only two of us and it was a cinch getting a table. The line was just long enough for us to make up our minds about a menu on which most everything calls your name. More here.