OT: Best A2 restaurants for out-of-towners

I'm a fan of Broken Egg for breakfast. It doesn't get the same publicity as other breakfast/brunch eateries, but it's still delicious.

Eve in Kerrytown is good. A little expensive, but still pretty good. Also, the head chef is on Top Chef (Still?) this season.

EDIT: Also, Benny's Family Restaurant on Industrial and Stadium is the best greasy breakfast on the face of the planet. I swear they make things with microwaves it's so fast...

Ashley's
The Fleetwood
Conor O'Neils is always interesting
I hear Red Hawk is good, I've never been, myself
Blue Tractor
Arbor Brewing Company

Why not blimpy? :(

ooo. it's a LADY.

i delight in Afternoon Delight. who knew a bran muffin could taste so good?

EDIT: and yeah, if you're looking to spend a lot of money for very good food, Eve and Logan both excel in that category...

Blue Tractor
Palio
Champion House
Saigon Garden
Grizzly Peak

cafe zola for all meals

Cafe Habana, a few doors down from the Arena. Cuban food with a happy hour that starts at 10pm!

but seva has really good food, unless you want something that was an animal. Also, Jerusalem Garden has really really good middle eastern food

U of M in the mid to late 90s, I used to stuff my face at Mongolian Barbecue. Not the height of cuisine, but not to bad. I would eat until I was about to pass out and top it off with a giant salad. Those were the days, dirt poor and try to fit all 3 meals into one.

I like the authentic student places more than the downtown restaurants. Charley's was always my favorite when I was there. They have a killer daytime happy hour ($2 pitchers from 2pm-6pm or something like that). If sushi is your thing there is a hole in the wall place on State called Totoro that was always my favorite. Marnee Thai on Main St. is a newer place that was really good when I went there. I would agree with everyone who mentioned the Broken Egg (best Breakfast food on campus). And you cannot forget the favorites like Mr. Spots, BTBurrito, and yes BLIMPY. If those kind of places are not her thing than you may want to find a new friend!

I suggest Grizzly Peak. Even though my wife doesn't drink beer, the menu & service there is nice enough for her to consider it a "nice place" while I'm allowed to sample delicious microbrews.

Although, if you're looking for the "true" ann arbor student experience, you can't go wrong with the Pizza Bob's (Slob's) chipati or sub sandwich. State st, between Packard & Hill.

Thanks, everyone. I've heard solid things about Ashley's, Red Hawk and Eve. Totally forgot about the great meals I've had at Conor O'Neils and Palio. Embarrassing.

Mr. Spots: American food, awesome wings, hoagies, burgers.
Casey's Tavern: Bar-ish, but great food, if you go you *have* to order the fried artichoke hearts appetizer, they are amazing.
Middle Kingdom: Best Chinese food in town.
Prickly Pear: Mexican, again, it's awesome (although I would avoid the Buffalo meat).

It's expensive and might not exactly be a place you want to go to immediately following a game, but West End Grill is awesome.

RED HAWK end of story.

Extremely good Indian food

I'm an out-of-towner and other than bars and what not, the only place I visit in The Brown Jug.

I don't particularly care for "nice" restaurants or the "best" A2 has to offer. The Brown Jug means more to me from an outside perspective because it is historic.

I get more out of a mediocre burger and beer for under $10 than spending $40 alone on appetizers at some really nice place in Ann Arbor.

I realize there are different strokes for different folks, but for me, I want to see Ann Arbor for its history of Michigan/Michigan football and the Jug provides that.

Gandy Dancer is a good option for a nice romantic dinner for you and your friend. They also have outdoor seating. I went about a month ago, and their bar is closed for renovations.

The Earl Uptown is also a nice quiet restaurant worth checking out. More on the pricey side.

I have not been to the Melting Pot on Main St. yet, although from ads on a local radio station they claim to have some type of roof-top deck? I don't know if that is necessarily true.

I would def co-sign Red Hawk, the place has great food for relatively cheap and usually has some nice rotating taps. I also enjoy the decor.

Good southwestern food, and this time of year they have a great patio out back

Dominick's - Great Sangria and good food especially the Italian Sub!

There's a place called Melange. It's on the west side of Main Street, about half a block north of William. The restaurant is downstairs, so no outdoor seating, but very classy. It's a pretty expensive place, so be warned. My wife loves the place, we go there a lot before hockey games.

For a cheaper meal try Jerusalem Garden, University Cafe (Korean) or Red Hot Lovers. On the other hand, Grizzly Peak and Red Hawk are safe bets and typically crowd pleasers.

Sava's restaurant is a new gem you may not know of, easy on the wallet and good food. Relatively new to Ann Arbor (opened 2007) and just expanded to take the old space that used to be Zanzibar last week, it has great comfort Americana type food, as well as a few hidden gems. The chicken pecan sandwich (!) is a MUST.

Also, I would avoid The Fleetwood if your friend isn't keen on blimpy burger, Fleetwood is in that same tier of great food but colorful locale.

If you want to play it safe, Cottage Inn is always reliable.

ALSO! If you make it in anytime not on Saturday or at night on Friday, The Brown Jug might have the most absurdly lengthy menu in A2, good food and a fantastic atmosphere.

I'd cosign Prickly Pear, Red Hawk, and Eve

Moving away from Downtown...

Zingerman's Roadhouse is an option.

Far away from downtown but(Barely)in Ann Arbor is Palm Palace (used to be Charley's before that LaShish) for Middle Eastern food on Carpenter and Washtenaw.

was great last week. I've been there a few times and have been very satisfied with the service, quality, and the food is authentic.

It looks like a dive, but it's average to middle of the road restaurant. Not high end. Very good IMO.