OT - Suggestions for BBQ in A2?

Submitted by jmdblue on

So it's my birthday and father's day this weekend so it will be busy.  However, the GF is taking me out tonight.  We often go to (the excellent) Raven's Club for nice meals out, but I've been without my smoker this spring/summer and I'm craving a brisket sandwich.  I'm also partial to good slaw.  Suggestions?

Yostbound and Down

June 19th, 2015 at 11:16 AM ^

Blue Tractor if you want to drink also, because they brew their own beer and they're right downtown. OK BBQ

IMO Zingerman's Roadhouse is the best in town, but it's Zingerman's so it's pricy.

If you want something quick, Satchel's on Washtenaw is alright, not really a dinner place though.

 

BJNavarre

June 19th, 2015 at 11:18 AM ^

Satchel's is decent, but their brisket is often dry. Blue Tractor is mediocre. There's a place in Saline that has great Yelp reviews, but I've never tried it (Saline Downtown Diner). 

Driving to Detroit for Slow's might be your best option if you want really good brisket. 

reshp1

June 19th, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^

Blue Tractor is decent in general, but their brisket is pretty hit or miss. Once I went and it was great, second time was more like roast beef (and not the good kind either). If you can settle for pork, most stuff there is pretty good.

NRK

June 19th, 2015 at 1:15 PM ^

If I have a craving for BBQ I'm okay going there when in A2, but it is not anything amazing. "Decent" is probably a good word for it. When I've been there in the past its beacuse other places were packed and we could sit downstairs and order appetizers (which aren't bad there).

 

Absolutely agree on the brisket (which in my opinion is a good measure of a BBQ place). I had it twice there - once it was okay, and once it was downright brutal. I've avoided ordering it since.

Trolling

June 19th, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^

Unfortunately, BBQ is one thing that Ann Arbor just does not do well. Your options are pretty much Blue Tractor, which I don't mind but a lot of people hate, and Satchel's (which I also don't mind). 

If you're down to travel a bit though, Ron Roadside BBQ is very good (on Pontaic Tr., very small) and Red Rock in ypsi is great in my opinion, better than your Ann Arbor options. 

As a final note, Tomokum has a korean BBQ extension and it's delicious (though you have to cook your own meet...duh).

Hope this helps!

UMAmaizinBlue

June 19th, 2015 at 11:44 AM ^

If you plan on having kids (or have kids still in school), might I suggets avoiding Ypsi schools period. My future sister-in-law teaches in the district and attensts to how horrible the system is every day. Ypsi may have cheaper prices and all that, but at a cost, regardless of the BBQ.

If you want something with charm that's close to AA but without the crazy costs, Northville, Canton, and parts of Plymouth are good. But chances are you're retired or have kids in college and all this is irrelevant, in which case, god speed in Ypsi!

bluebyyou

June 19th, 2015 at 11:22 AM ^

Add me to the list of those recommending Zingerman's Roadhouse.  Their BBQ is excellent...a bit pricey, but very good.  I have been going there on occasion for quite some time and I think that their quality has improved.  Their biscuits are excellent.  Ditto for their bread.  Pulled pork is very good and you have several options for sauces.  Their fried chicken isn't cheap, but IMO it tastes better than much of the chicken you typically find in other places. Their sweet potato fries make for a delicious appetizer.

skurnie

June 19th, 2015 at 11:24 AM ^

I like Satchel's but usually get the ribs. My dad said the brisket was good, though. It's no frills...you order at the counter, they yell out your number, you eat. The food is pretty good, though.

Blue Tractor is okay but severely overpriced and always incredibly busy (because it's downtown? because they have beer? I dunno, man).

LMV

June 19th, 2015 at 11:27 AM ^

Go tomorrow (only open 11a-2p on weekdays), and make the drive to West Texas Barbeque in Jackson. Certified best in the state of michigan.

WestSider

June 19th, 2015 at 11:40 AM ^

joint. But like MeanJoe says, cooking at home is fun, much less expensive, and you can experiment all you want. Whether you buy a popular rub, or sauce, you can find some really great stuff in stores and on the internet. In a jam at home, I do pulled pork and Sweet Baby Rays from Family Fare. I love BBQ so much I'm not afraid to do it that way

evenyoubrutus

June 19th, 2015 at 11:46 AM ^

Sounds like you're looking for a sit down place but if you are ever in the mood for something less formal I would highly recommend Hotel Hickman in Dexter. it is about as authentic as you are going to find in the Ann Arbor area

jaspersail

June 19th, 2015 at 12:01 PM ^

Lots of BBQ options in A2 these days with Rub, Old Carolina, Satchels, Red Rock, Roadhouse, Blue Tractor...

My favorite is Satchels. The brisket is really good 8 out of 10 visits, decent sides, and excellent sauce options.

I liked the sides at Red Rock, but the meat was subpar.

Slows blows them all away, if Detroit is an option.