Gameday restaurant recommendations
My wife and I are going to the game on Saturday. I have been to plenty of games but I don't venture downtown much before the game. Are there any good spots to go to grab a bite before the game or is it just to busy to even bother?
Thanks for your input!
September 8th, 2021 at 4:23 PM ^
Frita Batidos if they're still open. I haven't been back in AA for a couple of years, but the food is good and I love the walk from there to the stadium. Can be a slog of a walk if you don't like walking.
September 8th, 2021 at 4:36 PM ^
They're still open and glorious. They opened a few satellite locations closer to Detroit that were temporarily closed for COVID and even my Spartan friends begrudgingly made the trip to A2 to get their Frita fix.
September 8th, 2021 at 6:01 PM ^
Yep, they even expanded their Ann Arbor location.
September 8th, 2021 at 7:16 PM ^
True story: I know a guy who drove non-stop from Somers Point, New Jersey to Ann Arbor for Frita Batidos.
September 8th, 2021 at 8:07 PM ^
Wow non-stop. Was that with or without the adult diaper?
September 8th, 2021 at 10:37 PM ^
Living in Ann Arbor, my wife and I eat in Ann Arbor's restaurants very frequently. Unless things have changed, we have noticed many restaurants are short on staff and wait times can be lengthy. Maybe things have changed since the students came back, but I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced the same problem, i.e., long waits to be seated and longer than usual times to get fed after ordering.
September 8th, 2021 at 11:19 PM ^
in all my years, never been there. what is their "go to" dish?
September 9th, 2021 at 5:28 PM ^
Frita - a Cuban style burger with choice of meat/veggie patty and toppings (stuff like fries, fried eggs, avocado etc)
Batidos - a Cuban style milkshake that can be boozy if you choose
some great Cuban sides (plantains, beans/rice, fries, etc etc)
10/10 recommend
September 9th, 2021 at 12:23 PM ^
I tried them for the first time last spring and could not believe how delicious they were!
September 8th, 2021 at 4:23 PM ^
Savas for downtown. the dixboro house (the boro) is a little outside downtown so may not be as busy and be able to then get down to the game
September 8th, 2021 at 8:12 PM ^
Just be forewarned that all of Sava's restaurants are pricey!
September 8th, 2021 at 8:26 PM ^
In other words, in Ann Arbor
September 8th, 2021 at 4:26 PM ^
Personally, before games I like to hit up Mr Spots for wings. It's surprisingly not insanely busy as long as you don't go like right as the crowd descends into that area.
September 8th, 2021 at 4:32 PM ^
My wife and I pretty much always eat/drink on Main Street before the game. Usually end up at Conor O'Neill's to drink at some point. We eat at Grizzly Peak, Pretzel Bell or really anywhere that we can find an outside table. Get there early on Saturday like mid afternoon or it might be tough to find a table.
September 9th, 2021 at 5:33 PM ^
^ Exactly this is what I do. The one time per year I make it.
September 8th, 2021 at 4:32 PM ^
I would completely recommend connor O'Neils Irish restaurant, about 15 minute walk to stadium, parking right by the stadium for cheap, but the food and beer are so worth it.
September 8th, 2021 at 4:36 PM ^
Brown Jug
September 8th, 2021 at 4:46 PM ^
Please for the love of god don't go to Pizza House. The most overrated and overpriced restaurant in Ann Arbor. Tomukun, Isalita, Mani, Pretzel Bell, Jolly Pumpkin, and Aventura are all great places to get a nice sit down meal
September 8th, 2021 at 5:38 PM ^
Don’t go to mani or isalita. Don’t support their owner
September 8th, 2021 at 5:52 PM ^
The owner thinks New Coke tastes better than Regular Coke
September 8th, 2021 at 8:08 PM ^
BASTARD!!!
September 8th, 2021 at 5:56 PM ^
Because…?
September 8th, 2021 at 6:25 PM ^
Pretty well known around a2 that he’s a raging alcoholic who treats his employees horribly and sexually harasses the female ones to the point many had to leave their positions.
September 8th, 2021 at 6:14 PM ^
This is the second or third time I’ve seen something along these lines. Not disputing or arguing with you, just wondering if you could give a little more background?
September 8th, 2021 at 6:40 PM ^
My girlfriend and one of her friends worked there awhile back in college. They said they felt super uncomfortable a lot of times and he made inappropriate comments to female staff. But they stayed because they were in college and it was really good money.
September 8th, 2021 at 8:18 PM ^
That sucks, but I’m glad to know it. Thanks for responding
September 9th, 2021 at 3:52 PM ^
I'm not taking for gospel random internet poster sharing anecdotal hearsay. And fwiw, Mani's great.
September 9th, 2021 at 5:49 PM ^
You can do whatever you feel - I never said you can’t or shouldn’t eat at mani because of SS’ post. I personally am glad to know his opinion and will try to do a bit more digging before eating there again.
Regardless of whether the owner is or is not a creep, in my experience ‘great’ is way overstating it for both mani and isalita. They were fine, not great, but to each their own.
September 8th, 2021 at 8:24 PM ^
Interesting that you mention this as being an Ann Arbor resident and having 3 kids go to school at Michigan, never heard this. However, did find a Michigan Daily story about the same thing at Sava's restaurants....
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.michigandaily.com/ann-arbor/former-employees-savas-bring-numerous-allegations-sexual-harassment-and-misconduct/
September 8th, 2021 at 8:13 PM ^
For pizza, hit up NYPD as Neopopolis is closed down. ?
September 8th, 2021 at 5:01 PM ^
Maize 'n' Blue Deli - 1329 S University Ave.
Beautiful walk from there to the Stadium - and depending on the time, you might be able to follow the band on the way in.
September 8th, 2021 at 8:10 PM ^
^^^ Agreed ^^^ Do not patronize Zingermans as they are also overrated and overpriced.
September 9th, 2021 at 10:39 AM ^
We are now best friends.
Zingerman's isn't even close to the quality, QUANTITY, and in many cases Z's is almost DOUBLE the price.
September 9th, 2021 at 4:00 PM ^
You can't be serious. Quality? Zingerman's is more expensive (50% , not double--look it up) BECAUSE it uses for better (and more expensive) ingredients---from Niman Farms to Sy Ginsberg. Let me know when an actual food critic waxes over M&B.
September 8th, 2021 at 5:08 PM ^
Under Useful Stuff in the dark blue banner next to Amazon:
https://mgoblog.com/content/guide-ann-arbor-eating-drinking
September 9th, 2021 at 10:41 AM ^
Not sure how often it is updated, but probably needs some "post-Covid" updates.
September 8th, 2021 at 5:09 PM ^
Frita Batidos can't be babeatos
September 8th, 2021 at 5:15 PM ^
I live in AA but never ate down here on GameDay. I'm gonna be tailgating all day but need to eat at some point. Do restaurants generally have long wait times before games?
September 8th, 2021 at 5:21 PM ^
I come in from out of town with a pretty set routine. Pregame sandwich at Amer's Deli on State, and then postgame run to car/drive aggressively to Zingerman's Roadhouse before it gets overwhelmed.
September 8th, 2021 at 5:26 PM ^
As other have said, Frita Batidos is the correct answer. I'll throw in Jamaican Jerk Pit as an under appreciated wild card, but it's not exactly game day food.
September 8th, 2021 at 6:40 PM ^
When Badger fans are in town I hear the lines get pretty long at Dumpsters.
September 8th, 2021 at 7:02 PM ^
There are many ways to play this. Fast casual, casual sit down, formal.
Fast casual: Blimpy burger, mr spots
Casual sit down: Grizzly Peak, Pizza House, etc.
Formal: Don’t sleep on Chop House for a night game. You can make a reservation, it honestly isn’t that busy… the food is top notch and on football saturdays you can get away with smart casual attire.
September 8th, 2021 at 7:06 PM ^
The Blue Tractor always has good food and good drinks.
September 8th, 2021 at 7:33 PM ^
When I was in undergrad pregame and postgame meal used to be Mr. Spots or the 1 dollar hot dog guy in front of my house on State and Hoover.
Now pregame meal is beers and a scotch at Ashley’s, followed by Mr. Spots. Post game meal for a night game will be something along the lines of Chop House, Gratzi, Pacific Rim, or West end grill.
September 8th, 2021 at 8:04 PM ^
When I lived in A2 about 10 yrs ago, Pacific Rim was the best restaurant in town.....
September 8th, 2021 at 8:20 PM ^
It still is definitely in the conversation
September 8th, 2021 at 9:29 PM ^
Definitely on of my favorites. Food has been consistently good for 15 years.
September 8th, 2021 at 7:36 PM ^
We've always had great food and beer at the Jolly Pumpkin on Main St. Everything pretty much they serve is locally sourced and the chef is great. Either of the Knights locations are great too, although they are outside of walking distance from the Big House.
September 8th, 2021 at 7:47 PM ^
This is a relatively new establishment, but Side Biscuit is quite good. It specializes in Buffalo, NY cuisine like chicken wings and pizza logs. It's not really a sit down establishment (only inside space is to order), but they have some outdoor seating. It is also not downtown, making it easier to visit.