on Williams. Be prepared for a wait, depending on when you get there, but it definitely fits your criteria as unique to Ann Arbor (Cottage Inn is now franchised, but Williams is the original location) and not Asian food.
Enjoy the trip.
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on Williams. Be prepared for a wait, depending on when you get there, but it definitely fits your criteria as unique to Ann Arbor (Cottage Inn is now franchised, but Williams is the original location) and not Asian food.
Enjoy the trip.
If you are looking for pizza, I prefer Pizza House (Church & S. University). Although both Pizza House and the original Cottage Inn serve alcohol so you can't go wrong there. I would also recommend Ashley's or Red Hawk on State Street, both have pretty good food and Ashley's has approximately over 9000 beers on tap.
I agree on Pizza House. Myself, and others I know, like it significantly more than Cottage Inn (it's good but nothing to write home about). The BBQ Chicken Pizza at Pizza House with the special crust is one of the best pizzas I have ever had.
pizza house is over priced and over-rated. i would much rather have my fill of backroom pizza for 1/4 the price.
Anthony's is great, but I doubt this is what they are going for from out of town. But yes Pizza House does suck and is nothing to go out of your way for...
Agreed, Pizza House is the best, and hits the spot especially if you're looking for deep dish. Cottage Inn is far inferior. They're basically delivery pizza that happen to have one restaurant for dining.
If you're looking for a slice you can go to NYPD (I heard the South U one closed), and if you're looking for something cheap, Backroom or In and Out (the latter I believe was $1 or $1.50 a slice when I was there).
NYPD is a poor excuse for new york pizza
but the In n Out closed....
Pizza House is another of my favorites. They have a TON of stuff on their menu if you don't want pizza and their drinks aren't the 1 shot and mixer you will get in a lot of other places. I am not saying they have the best bar, but it certainly is not the worst.
Pizza House pizza is nothing to die, or wait on line, for. For cheap eats id say try Ashley's (has millions of beers) right on State, or the Brown Jug or Good Time Charlies for cheap burgers and beer.
Middle of the road price range would be Red Hawks on State or a Zingerman's sandwich joint(422 Detroit Street) may be long ass line.
More expensive places would be Zingermans Road House, Gandy Dancer, the Earl, Palio, Gratzi, Bella Caio.
Or, you can do what i do, skip dinner and keep drinking.
Palio might be less expensive than Zingerman's, if you stick to their awesome spaghetti bolognese.
I like Pizza House but to me the pizza is over priced there. I remember a couple years ago ordering a pepperoni pizza from Pizza House and got it delivered and it cost $20.14. I called and said there must have been some mistake and the manager said no and tried to talk up why the pizza is worth it. But everyone has their own opinion.
As a michigan grad there is one place i always go to when i go back to AA. Either Zingerman's Deli which is right by Main Street OR Zingerman's Roadhouse, which is a 5 min drive. Look them up... theu are some of the best places to eat... not in Michigan... but anywhere. Also, I used to live right in front of Cottage Inn, not the pizzeria, but the restaurant on William Street, and there Clam Chowder is the best i've ever tasted... better than a few i had in boston, and they're menu as a a whole is really solid. Those three places are always clutch.
I have to agree wholeheartedly with that. The Deli will be busy, (with a line out the door) but the Roadhouse will be insane (due to its proximity to the stadium). On the other hand, it is one of the jewels of the Midwest.
Let's see ... You're from Dayton, so I'll relate a few places I know there to Ann Arbor establishments.
1. The aforementioned Zingerman's Deli. Nothing like it in Dayton, really. However, if you're the sort of person who likes the Dorothy Lane Market for its unique foods, great products and superb bakery, you'd probably like Zingerman's.
2. Lots of bars on Main Street (downtown) and South University (just off campus) will remind you of great places in the Oregon District. Conor O'Neill's, an Irish pub on Main Street in Ann Arbor, is almost as good as The Dublin Pub at the corner of Keowee and Fifth.
3. If you're looking for a place with a lot of different beers, there are a few choices, (no surprise). Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. on W. Washington St downtown is a really good microbrewery and restaurant. But, for my money, Ashley's (at S. State St and E. William) is the best "multi-tap" establishment. Reasonably priced, unbelievable selection of beers, and a great atmosphere.
*EDIT* If you've ever been to Fox and Hounds in Beavercreek, or the British Pub at the Greene, Ashley's will be somewhat familiar for its multiple beer selections.
Enjoy!
Brick road, old train station, not a chain, good choice.
Everything except their brunch is overrated. Everything is overpriced.
I'll give them credit for their Martha's Vineyard Salad, but otherwise I agree.
Ann Arbor is an overpriced town, so why shouldn't a signature restaurant be overpriced, too. I just think it is a unique restaurant.
Amen. What they do on graduation weekends is almost criminal.
http://www.johnwcooper.com/annarbor-michigan.htm
Scroll down for the restaurants...
John Cooper would ever come back to Ann Arbor after his record here.
...
Cottage Inn Pizza on Williams St. is a great place for some post game pizza and adult beverages. I used to always go there after games with my Aunt & Uncle until they moved to Florida. It has alot more than just pizza.
Sorry about double post - typed and posted at same time
Grizzly Peak Brewing Company on Washington is pretty good, but Ashley's on State Street is one of the better places to go to especially if you rarely get out there. It's Ann Arbor's "premier multi tap." There are over 100 selections of beer on draft, and even more by the bottle...good burgers, plus it's right on central campus across from Angel Hall.
Ashley's burgers are fantastic. They also have an entire menu dedicated to their beers with descriptions and ratings.
Nothing special about the food at Ashley's, but the beer and whiskey selection is fantastic.
Agreed on unexceptional food at Ashley's, with the exception of the curry fries. Those are fantastic. They shouldn't work on paper, but somehow, they just work.
Of course, the beer and whiskey menu is fantastic, like you said.
God, I miss Ann Arbor.
I always try to eat and get some beers at Grizzly Peak or Arbor Brewing Company when I'm in town.
Grizzly and ABC are great choices for beer and food.
Also, although its fairly new, I would recommend Jolly Pumpkin (Main St). The beer selection is great, although a little different style than a normal microbrew. The food is pretty good as well.
It'll probably be pretty busy - but check upstairs, its seat yourself up there and you might get lucky.
I had my rehearsal dinner at Cottage Inn on William St. But I heard it had gone downhill in the past few years? (the restaurant itself, not the chain of pizza delivery stores).
Pizza House on Church, just SE of campus, is huge and decent.
Downtown features the most restaurants. Each one has some level of pretension. Grizzly Peak has good food + good beer. Arbor Brewing is the other downtown brewpub. A bit more downscale but some claim their beer > Grizzly Peak's. Blue Tractor is a new brewpub, a bit higher on the pretension scale.
Just down the street from the Gandy Dancer (north of downtown, a fair hike from the stadium) is Casey's Tavern, which is smaller but has great food for a tavern.
If you want a sports bar, there's the Arena on Washington, Scorekeeper's on Maynard (if you're under 30, this may be your first choice), and wait, Touchdown Cafe is closed, maybe the Brown Jug on South U.?
All are unique to Ann Arbor. In fact, if you stay downtown or around campus and don't go to the few chain restaurants there (Melting Pot, BD's Mongolian, BW3) you'll be someplace 'Ann Arbor' ish.
I agree about Cottage Inn Pizza, which would be great if you want to go low brow and be social. Another restaurant that I enjoyed in the same vein is the Mongolian Barbeque. The Chop House is probably the best restaurant in town (I think it is on Main street). Enjoy the game and beat PSU.
I actually like Mongolian BBQ but: it is Asian, a chain, and very not unique.
Total Fail on the OP's question.
Good Time Charleys - great drink variety, good burgers, and don't miss the Pizza Sticks. Get the Jamaican Iced Tea in a Pitcher (for one).
and will try to convince my friends to go there this weekend, as well. The friends always go for Pizza House - which is fine, but I never find anything food-wise that makes me excited - but I looooove the Count Twists at Charley's. Very bad for me but oh-so-tasty. And they have lots of fun shooters and drinks, if you are so inclined. And it's on campus...fun for people-watching if you're not an alum and good nostalgic value if you are.
Charley's used to be phenomenal before ownership changed in the mid-ish 90s. Now it's sorta meh. Still in a prime location, however.
Charley's was a lot better before they chopped the restaurant in half a couple of years ago
I always thought Upstairs @ Charley's had a lot of potential, but it poorly promoted and no one went (maybe its bc they were stupid and charged cover). Now that its BTB is all 18 and 19 year olds IIRC.
Connor O'Neill's is my favorite. If you are at all interested in breweries you could try Grizzly Peak, Arbor Brewing Co, Jolly Pumpkin, or the Blue Tractor. The Heidelberg has some local beers on tap as well.
I loved the Heidelberg. Do they still do free wings Wednesdays in the bar downstairs? That deal was the bees knees.
there are a variety of great places in Ann Arbor, depending on what you're looking for. My favorite place is either Grizzly Peak (as others have mentioned) or Casey's, a little bar/grill across the street from the Gandy Dancer.
Be warned, however: There will be a hundred thousand people in Ann Arbor looking for a place to eat after the game. Expect a very long wait to get into any place that's even halfway decent.
Definitely agree on Casey's. That's one of the best hidden gems I've found in my time here, hardly anybody knows about it.
Also, if you're undecided by game day or your first pick is too busy, just walk up and down Main Street until you find something with a short line; you're pretty much guaranteed to get a good meal.
it's better on Sunday after you've drank too much. The grease soaks up all that excess alcohol. Plus, if you want to hang out for a while, there's a lack of space.
Once made an offhand comment about Blimpie not being as good as the hype and I almost turned in my MGoImaginaryMembershipCard. It DEFINITELY lives up to the hype, especially if you like the Steak 'n' Shake style of smashing the burger on the grill so it's covered in a layer of crispmogrified fat/meat juice.
But if you're looking for a great quality meat in your burger, then go to Knight's Steakhouse on Dexter. Be prepared to drive a ways off campus though...
if your constipated.
Knight's is few exits off campus.
For burgers, id go Grizzly Peaks... they have great flights of beer, too!
blimpy is overrated, they don't season the beef and so the burger meat has no flavor.
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/ot-best-a2-restaurants-out-towners
a bunch of solid ideas.
This thread could go to 200, for sure. Simply, you'd need a week, eating 3 meals a day, to hit up all of the awesome food spots in Ann Arbor. Actually, you might need 2 weeks. Whoever posted the link to the list of food in Ann Arbor was probably spot on. There are so many good places to eat it's mind-boggling. I need to go back to Ann Arbor right now and have a food orgy.
EDIT: Wherever you try to go, you're probably going to have problems, as it's the Thursday before a home game now, so getting a reservation anywhere (if you're trying to go to a place that takes reservations) is impossible, I'd imagine.
I am writing this from BTB Cantina on the corner of South U and Church, while i am munching on a grilled chicken burrito, and there are very few places i would rather be. (one being yost, only 4 hours to go!)
I am so jealous of you. Soak it up, man. It goes by in a blink. And BTB Cantina is awesome. You can get hammered, and then eat great late night grub...all in one place.
BTB Cantina is great, especially now that you can add queso to anything for $1 !
will they add Rotel bean dip?
So tired of that comercial!
BTB has limited sitting space and its right on the walking way back to campus from games so its normally packed on Saturdays after a game.
A unique place, eh? I think that is actually pretty hard to find anywhere these days. Cottage Inn is very nice, but hardly unique. Same with most of the micro-brews (go to the Darkhorse in Marshall for something amazing).
I would go for Jerusalem Garden (just google it) for food and Ashley's for drink. J-Garden is top-notch American Mid-East food and is loads better compared to the competition. It is unique for that genre of food. Ashley's has a killer selection.
If you want really unique, Earthen Jar should be open and you can pay for edible vegetarian fare by the pound.
For burgers, the Fleetwood Diner off Liberty one block past main is a solid place for a crusty atmosphere and is a choice du jour amongst townies (open 24 hours too).
Oh, come on (respectfully, of course), there is a reason why Yoshi's Japanese, I mean, Middle Eastern (that was hilarious) restaurant is always empty while J-Garden is full. Yoshi was positively nasty and more reminiscent of the Mid East place in Shekou.
I hate Blimpy, thought my burger tasted like crap, and I wouldn't mind if they went out of business. But hey, most people seem to like it, so I'd definitely give it a try if I was new in town.
No mentions for this yet: http://www.evetherestaurant.com/
Pricey, but much closer to "fine dining" than you'll get at any MSV (Main Street Ventures) restaurants, which thankfully haven't been cited here yet.
Indian OK? Try Madras Masala on Maynard Street. It's probably the best of that type in town.
For beers, Dominic's (which can be horribly crowded) or Heidelberg (north of Huron Street and usually not too crowded).
My favorite "nice" restaurant in Ann Arbor was/is West End Grill. Check it out.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-west-end-grill-ann-arbor#hrid:JcqhWOJY_7LMoA... arbor restaurant
Alright, once the geezers and old timers are through talking, let some students inform you...
Mr Spots is probably one of the best burger and fries places around. Quickie Burger is NOT. I don't know what the hell the Daily was thinking ranking Quickie so highly - their patties explode with grease the second you bite in.
BTB is okay, but Panchero's, and Chipotle are stellar. I recommend those two more.
Jimmy John's is only average. Don't bother going there. Try Pita Kabob Grill if you like your garlicky Middle Eastern stuff.
It opened when I was a junior or senior (yikes) and back then I loved it. At the time I think the only other Middle Eastern establishment within walking distance for me was Oasis. It looks like it's still there so it can't be too bad, no?
I heard Mary Sue Coleman is having an open house brunch for all out-of-towners and their friends. Go check it out, the front door should be open. If its not try one of the back windows.
Ughh, gotta disagree with Mr. Spots. My roommate loved it, but I always had a bad stomach afterwards. I never tried Quickie Burger, though I liked Tubby's and was sad to see it go.
I like BTB better, perhaps bc I lived right next to it, and bc Panchero's and Chipotle were chains I had elsewhere. Hence I wouldn't eat here bc its not unique to AA. But I know a lotta people that liked the others better. Is there a closer Chipotle than the one on Washtenaw?
I can't stand Panchero's... Chipotle is good, but both of them are national chains so they're not really good for someone looking to soak up Ann Arbor's culture. BTB has two locations but is still specific to the city, has great food, and will actually serve you alcohol if you go to the Cantina.
Also, I'd recommend Noodles & Co. off the diag, but that's a chain as well. A damn good one, though...
edit: double post
Zingerman's Roadhouse is Ann Arbor-y.
Personally, I like the Blue Tractor, but its a bit further away from the city.
not worth the negging, but next time my son you will be -1.
+1 for the Roadhouse. Their buttermilk fried chicken is some of the best I've ever tasted. And there aren't many places around anymore that keep the Gin Fizz, the Sazerac, and the Vesper (read/watch Casino Royale) on the drink menu.
The original Zingerman's is great too - one of the best delis in the world outside of New York, and some would say it beats most of those as well.
A few others have mentioned Arbor Brewing Company - great microbrewery, lots of unique Ann Arbor-y menu items. Try the Drunken Chicken (IPA-soaked chicken breast grilled and put in a sandwich), and the sweet potato fries.
The Heidelberg is also great for authentic Bavarian/German food and beer; if you're not a fan of that, I'd stay away.
Finally, one that I'm surprised nobody has mentioned yet: Weber's Inn. It's a 4-star hotel off campus with a truly amazing restaurant. If you're looking for a fancier, steakhouse-type meal, I haven't found anywhere better in the whole city. It beats The Chop House by a longshot and it's unique to Ann Arbor.
The Blue Tractor Brewpub right off East Washington is a great new place to eat. Southern style BBQ with great burgers and lots of beer to choose from.
Try Great Plains Burger Company on Plymouth Road. They just opened up a couple weeks ago and have amazing burgers and shakes! Also, the food is all organic and high quality.
The Brown Jug. If Mich wins, you will run into a few players as well. Pizza House is also pretty good.
I miss college :(
If you change your mind about the Asian criterion and are into sushi, Totoro is the best around. Make sure to get the Michigan roll.
if you don't care about the price, Godaiko is way better than totoro. but for the price, totoro is the best in ann arbor
Any mention of the jug... just revives good memories.
Jug fries topped with cheez-whiz == amazing. All of the other food is surprisingly good, and of course, you can't discount the fact that they don't care that you sit there and play quarters and create a general ruckus.
and the fresh Backroom pizza that would burn the shit out of your mouth but you were probably too intoxicated to know it right away...
It's going to be crowded, there are going to be long lines.
You might just want to wander downtown and find one without the worlds longest line.
Second, third, hell even fifth best within sight/walking distance is just fine for someone like me who tends to get a bit impatient and sometimes claustrophobic. It's downtown Ann Arbor, everything is going to be pretty decent, non asian, non-chain, and relatively representational.
Visit one of the outposts in the vast Zingerman's empire, principally the Deli (Kingsley & Detroit) or the Roadhouse (Stadium & Jackson). Or pick up something before the game at the Bakery (Airport Blvd).
Yes, it's overpriced. Yes, it's overdone. But it is still very, very good in all of its incarnations. And there is no place like the Deli for mixing the qualities of both a kosher deli and a snobby gourmet food store. The Roadhouse is also quite different, although, I think, not quite so unique as the Deli. You can get liquor at the Roadhouse, though, not at the Deli.
Blimpy's is also unique to Ann Arbor. But go to youtube and watch the episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives about it. You'll learn the right way to order, which is important. Otherwise the staff will yell at you.
The other places that people have mentioned are fine. But you can find versions of them in other cities.
I can't believe the only mention of Zingerman's is the Road House. I only get to one game a year, so I'm definitely planning on going there this weekend.
I understand that $12 sandwiches aren't everyone's idea of a great time, but it's uniquely Ann Arbor and the food is outstanding. Corner of 5th and Kingsley. (Edit: didn't read the last line closely enough, if you mean meet friends for beers, than Zingerman's is a no go. Maybe Sunday for lunch?)
Unique to A2 would be four places:
In the Main Street Area:
1. Arbor Brew Pub
2. Grizley Peak (better food, not as good beer, less atmosphere but quieter)
In the Campus Area:
3. Ashleys (lots of atomsphere and good beer selection)
4. Doms (Lots of atmosphere, women really like it but it is cool for all)
If you are looking for breakfast go to The Broken Egg and get one of their signature omelettes. Or if your looking straight dive breakfast go to Cloverleaf, their greek omelette is amazing. I doubt you will want to go there, but Dibellas has the best subs I've ever had. If you want a sit down place for lunch/dinner food, Sava's is pretty good.
If you are looking for breakfast go to The Broken Egg and get one of their signature omelettes. Or if your looking straight dive breakfast go to Cloverleaf, their greek omelette is amazing.
Northside is slightly better than Broken Egg, but BE looks more Michigan inside. Angelos is the Mich place from way back, but it will be crowded as hell and isn't as good as NS or BE.
Fleetwood Diner. It's best at 2am after a big win and a night of celebration.
Cafe Havana or something like that. Interesting food.
You're probably interested in something closer to campus, but The Quarter out on Stadium Blvd. is a really nice place, although the atmosphere is pretty quiet generally. Great food, and close to I-94 if that matters. It's about 50 yards from Zingerman's Roadhouse.
I ate at Blue Tractor back in February, and tried their beer sampler. I think they were still working the kinks out, because it was the worst collection of beer I'd ever tasted. Jolly Pumpkin on Main has been getting rave reviews for their beer and food.
Surprised no one has mentioned Ray's Red Hots (formerly known as Red Hot Lovers) by East Quad. This place has to have the best fries (waffle) in Ann Arbor, and the hot dogs are also good. The prices have gone up a little bit since they reopened, but the food is still worth the price. I would recommend the rueben dog, and the deal dog with grilled onions and hot peppers was a favorite of mine when they were still $1.25 (now $2.00).
The place got an upgrade since it reopened. I understand that some people in the past complained that the inside looked like a dump, but I thought that's what made the place unique and was one of the best parts of the place. Another plus is that I met Chad Henne there before the Florida game in 2007 and got a picture with him. It was pretty awesome to talk to him about the game, especially since my roommate at the time was a huge Florida fan.
Only downside about this place aside seems to be the slow service. They might have improved though since they've been reopened for several weeks now. I'd definitely recommend this place - it's one of our favorites.
... why not crash the dining hall at the Couzens dorm on the hill in central campus?
Hopefully they will offer veal parmigiana, which back in the day we lovingly referred to as "Elephant Scabs."
Bon Appetit!