OT- RIP Tim Seaver, Tios Restaurant
Hey folks- I know it's game day, and Off-Topic stuff is heavily frowned upon, but I had a hunch that, with so many Ann Arborites and UofM Alumni on the boards, that this would likely touch someone else here. If it needs to come down, though, I get it.
I just heard from my mother this morning that Tim Seaver, long time co-owner and operator (along with his wife, Harriet) passed away yesterday. She heard the news from his son, Jeremy, who reported that he passed away peacefully.
Tim has long been a staple in the Ann Arbor restaurant community. Prior to Tios, Tim was the manager, and later co-owner, of Pizza Bob's, starting in the 1970's and into the 80's He sold his stake in Pizza Bob's in 1983, and then went on to found Tios in 1986.
I have endless fond memories of going to eat at Tios- it was a regular spot that my family would visit, at the old location, crammed into a narrow space on Huron Street, right next to city hall. When I was a kid, I'd always get a quesadilla with a hot fudge-almond milkshake. I remember standing and reading the names of the folks on the hot sauce wall of fame, and almost melting my tongue off once after I tried Dave's Insanity Sauce. Tim and Harriet were like family to us- my mother is a self employed bookkeeper in Ann Arbor, and for many years, she kept the books for Tios. After my parents split up, when I was in 4th grade, my dad would take my sister and I to Tios for dinner nearly once a week, when we would go stay with him on Thursdays.
Tim was always there- I'd guess everyone who knows him remembers his signature work clothes, complete with tape measure suspenders. He was always quick to smile, with a generous nature and a great sense of humor.
Later on, Tim and Tios were there for some major moments in my life. After I graduated from UofM, we walked down to Tios from the Power Center nachos and margaritas. This was at the new- and current- location, on Liberty, right next to the Michigan Theater, after City Hall bought Tim out from the old location in order to build a parking lot. In 2017, Tim and Harriet catered my wedding party in mother's backyard. They brought chips and their iconic salsas (I'm still a #4 man myself), enchiladas, and some lovely little tres leches cupcakes. In 2020, they sent us a quart of their refried bean seasoning, and being able to make something that tasted so strongly of my childhood almost brought me to tears then.
Tim is survived by Harriet, and by Jeremy, who took over day-to-day operations at Tios several years ago. I'll always have a special place in my heart for him.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:14 AM ^
That's sad to hear. I never went to Tios, but I have fond memories of Pizza Bob's from my time as an undergrad.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:17 AM ^
Same. Good memories of Pizza Bob's
September 16th, 2023 at 4:33 PM ^
More fond memories from another 70s undergrad. Pizza Bob's Uptown/Downtown is where I learned that a Frito and anchovy pizza is actually pretty good. Very fond memories.
September 16th, 2023 at 4:56 PM ^
And the shakes at Pizza Bob’s! Epic.
RIP, good sir.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:35 AM ^
Really liked tios! Sad to hear
September 16th, 2023 at 11:35 AM ^
Being a Community High grad, Tios was a staple for lunch in the 1990s. In those days, it was the only place to buy non-Tabasco hot sauce. I think I only went a couple times after it moved, but the location on Huron was critical for cheap eats in high school.
On Fridays when I was in junior high and high school, I would take AATA to my father’s office in Lorch Hall and we would walk to Pizza Bobs before going to Hockey games. Yost was pretty empty in those days before the mid 1990s.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:37 AM ^
I'm sad to hear of this. His burritos were the size of your head. Didn't he have a 5 lb nacho plate?
I never had the chance to tackle that.
RIP.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:40 AM ^
He did have a 5lb nacho plate! Plus, in the late 2000's, he came up with a gimmicky giant nacho plate called 'Mt Nachismo,' because he was invited to host an episode of 'Man vs Food,' on the Food Network.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:57 AM ^
Thanks for posting. Definitely he was a part of what makes Ann Arbor very special.
Peace to his family.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:58 AM ^
I remember Pizza Bob's branch that used to be near the current Pizza House on Church Street. Conveniently on the way home from a bus from North Campus engineering classes in the mid-80s. Butterscotch shake on a hot day was quite a pick-me-up on the 15 minute walk to my apartment/house on S. Forest.
Never had a chance to go to Tios, because Thano's Lamplighter on E. Liberty seemed to be beckoning often.
September 16th, 2023 at 2:46 PM ^
Thanos was pretty great too. I know the cops miss that one as cops ate free there.
September 16th, 2023 at 12:16 PM ^
Seemed like a good guy.
September 16th, 2023 at 12:28 PM ^
My reading comprehension sucks today because my initial reaction was I thought Tom Seaver already died and what's the connection between him and Tio's?
RIP to an authentic A2 dining legend.
September 16th, 2023 at 12:33 PM ^
I should have put a note about Pizza Bob's in the topic title- I was born in '86, so I always just knew him through Tios.
September 16th, 2023 at 12:47 PM ^
Since you were born in 1986, it's understandable if you don't know who Tom Seaver was.
September 16th, 2023 at 1:58 PM ^
I thought the same thing
September 16th, 2023 at 12:52 PM ^
Loved Tios. My wife and I ate there frequently. I ate at Pizza Bob's frequently while in school as well. RIP Tim.
September 16th, 2023 at 1:20 PM ^
Pour one out. Of a huge yellow 32oz plastic cup.
September 16th, 2023 at 1:21 PM ^
Oh my gosh we still have a bunch of those at my dad's place!
September 16th, 2023 at 1:40 PM ^
I'm in Chicago now, but had a yellow cup that lasted me a good 20 years. Loved me some Tio's.
September 16th, 2023 at 1:22 PM ^
Thanks for sharing this news. Tío’s was one of the best things about living on the north side of town Junior and Senior year. In addition to being our go-to joint, it served as a weekend hangover cure I’ve never been able to equal since.
I didn’t quite reach the wall of flame, but came awful damn close, and enjoyed the hell out of trying.
Hell, I live in Switzerland now and have several hot sauces in my home today that I discovered at Tío’s.
RIP Tim, and thanks for so many excellent meals.
September 16th, 2023 at 1:38 PM ^
In early 70s Pizza Bob had a truck they would stock with Pizzas, Subs etc which would go to the dorms like an ice cream truck. Some of my roommates drove that truck and we got all the unsold food to stock our refrigerator each night.
My goto PB items were Favorite xtra sauce, WW Sister Ann, and Hot Fudge Shake.
They always referred to Tim as "Typical Tim"
September 16th, 2023 at 2:38 PM ^
That's a great story about the Pizza Bob truck. He must have discontinued it by the time I was there in 1977. Or maybe I somehow missed out on it!
September 16th, 2023 at 2:47 PM ^
Ugh, yeah. Typical Tim's place for pizza on S State. Little hole in the wall. Wolf down food then either head to class or bring it home to "Voldemort". Several pounds were gained in that town. Yep.
September 16th, 2023 at 3:54 PM ^
RiP.
Used to chow down on the wet burrito.
September 16th, 2023 at 8:39 PM ^
The wet burrito was also my go-to order. Used to go to Tios all the time, although it was the one on Washtenaw. Not even sure if that one is still there.
September 16th, 2023 at 4:01 PM ^
Tios would deliver to the Daily, I ate the wet burrito a lot. RIP
September 16th, 2023 at 5:14 PM ^
I had Tio's a few times while in college and it was fantastic. The wet burritos were incredible and they had tons of hot sauces which was great. I worked in A2 for a few years after college and would go there for lunch on ocassion. I spoke with Tim a few times in passing at the Huron street location. Though one time I spoke with him for 10-15 minutes about hot sauce and he gave me some free samples. It's been so long I don't remember if that was something they did regularly or not. He was a nice guy and the food was excellent. I've only been back once to the [Liberty] street location which seemed pretty upscale comparatively. RIP Tim.
September 16th, 2023 at 5:24 PM ^
Aw man, one of my fondest college memories is discovering "the bucket" at Tios, a collection of hot sauces people bought, tried once, and left behind because they were crazy spicy. My friends and I tried to taste them all and ended up dying laughing at each other's reactions after each one.
September 16th, 2023 at 6:13 PM ^
I lived near Tios for a bit while at UM. Went there pretty regularly. Good reasonably priced food for a college kid on a budget. RIP.
September 16th, 2023 at 9:31 PM ^
RIP and condolences to his family and friends. I discovered his food just before Tio’s opened. He was serving a taco special at lunchtime in a bar on South U. I think it was Good Time Charley’s or next door to it. His house made extra hot salsa (aka #4) was and is amazing. I would to Tios just for that.
September 19th, 2023 at 8:34 AM ^
Just want to say thank you from the Seaver family for all the kind words about my father. It’s a blessing to know that so many people have fond memories of him and his restaurants.