OT: Taste of the Town

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September 7th, 2009 at 10:27 PM
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Topher
Joined: 07/05/2008
MGoPoints: 737
OT: Taste of the Town

Maybe I'm kitschy, but I like Todd's Taste of the Town on ESPN football broadcasts.

1. Does anyone know where there is a list of these? I was thinking about making a Google map of them for posterity and to give me starting points for places to visit when I go to road games.

2. Has he done one in Ann Arbor (if so where)?

3. For the benefit of non-UM alums on the board, what are your nominations for Ann Arbor Tastes of the Town? I suggest the Mongolian grill and Cottage Inn (although I went there on Saturday and was disappointed, something must have changed from the last time I went there ten years ago).

4. Apparently Cottage Inn is favored by stoners: http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/aaa/425529349.html

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September 7th, 2009 at 10:30 PM | I've never seen if he's done (Score:1)
Sommy
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MGoPoints: 1976

I've never seen if he's done an Ann Arbor one, but you can bet the house when he does it that he's going to end up at Zingermann's.

Don't get me wrong -- Zingermann's is some good stuff, but it's so overhyped and overpriced it's ridiculous.

...and by that, I mean helter-skelter, willy-nilly and putt-putt!

September 7th, 2009 at 10:52 PM | When you live in Ann Arbor, (Score:1)
Brodie
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Joined: 11/19/2008
MGoPoints: 3454

When you live in Ann Arbor, yeah it's way overhyped. But for the occasional visitor? It's probably the best place in town.

When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing. -- Bo Schembechler

September 8th, 2009 at 10:12 AM | Z=Overhyped and priced (Score:1)
Happyshooter
Joined: 04/11/2009
MGoPoints: 237

When my wife and I lived in A2 about 10 years ago we went to Z's several times because it was so hyped. It was good but way over priced and not as good as the hype.

There are lots of great breakfast places and lunch spots just as great there and cheaper. Lately the morning after games we have been going to the Broken Egg and been very happy with the food and crowd there.

Howdy

September 7th, 2009 at 10:30 PM | I would say (Score:1)
JewofM
Joined: 08/25/2009
MGoPoints: 96

Zingerman's, Blimpy Burger or the Fleetwood Diner.

September 7th, 2009 at 10:57 PM | +1 for the Fleetwood Diner (Score:1)
Jarred
Joined: 01/12/2009
MGoPoints: 1094

+1 for the Fleetwood Diner reference. The Hippie Hash is a must have.

September 8th, 2009 at 2:02 PM | +1's (Score:1)
SF_Wolverine
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Fleetwood, Hippy Hash and the Greek Breakfast. Not to mention the complimentary entertainment 24/7.

“That’s why we signed him. Some guys when everything is going crazy around them you can see them change their personality. Tate is just the opposite.” -RR

September 7th, 2009 at 10:32 PM | Can't help you on one. I'm (Score:1)
formerlyanonymous
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MGoPoints: 13958

Can't help you on one.

I'm 90% sure he went to Blimpy Burger on his AA trip. Anyone else verify that?

As far as #3, Mongo, while good, is a chain these days. Check out this thread:

http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/ot-best-a2-restaurants-out-towners

I'll vouch for several Cottage Inn runs late at night while clean. It's awesome. When they had the 5 dollar pizza, I'd order one as I left the stadium and pick it up on the way to campus.

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September 7th, 2009 at 10:59 PM | I'm not sure if he did or not (Score:1)
JediLow
Joined: 11/11/2008
MGoPoints: 95

I'm not sure if he did or not - but Blimpy made Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (or some food network show)

September 7th, 2009 at 11:00 PM | Yeah, I saw the D,D,&D (Score:1)
formerlyanonymous
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Yeah, I saw the D,D,&D episode. Paul got the restaurant below.

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September 7th, 2009 at 10:56 PM | Cottage Inn (Score:1)
tmiller
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Joined: 09/02/2009
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I live in Kansas and have been to about 10 games. I have not missed a trip to the Cottage Inn when I make it up. It is now a ritual. Other than that I don't have enough AA culinary experience.
**edit**
I am not a world traveler or anything, but CI has the best clam chowder on the planet. I dream of it!

September 7th, 2009 at 10:41 PM | He went to Benny's when he (Score:1)
PaulVB
Joined: 07/05/2008
MGoPoints: 293

He went to Benny's when he was in AA. I think he got the Phelps breakfast.

Yeastbound And Down - The Varsity Blue of beer world

September 7th, 2009 at 10:43 PM | Good call. It struck me after (Score:1)
formerlyanonymous
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Good call. It struck me after you said it.

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September 7th, 2009 at 10:46 PM | Mongo is a chain. Cottage Inn (Score:1)
bklein09
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MGoPoints: 3023

Mongo is a chain.

Cottage Inn is excellent, but they have changed the recipe a little bit or something. They don't give you the sesame seeds on the crust unless you ask, and those make the pizza.

Maize and Blue Deli is a good alternative to Zingerman's. The sandwiches are HUGE and fairly priced for the size and quality. In addition, the wall with all the Michigan autographs gives the place a great ambiance.

If they were ever in town for the Minnesota game, I think hitting up the Brown Jug would be a logical choice.

Also, I second the person who said that he went to Blimpy before. It is the most obvious first choice.

Those Who Stay...

September 7th, 2009 at 11:03 PM | Maize and Blue is the best, (Score:1)
noshesnot
Joined: 12/09/2008
MGoPoints: 2

Maize and Blue is the best, by far. Good food, huge sandwiches (enough for a snack later, sometimes...), and not excessively expensive. Beats Zingermans into submission with a French baguette.

September 7th, 2009 at 10:48 PM | I have had a few different (Score:1)
richarjo
Joined: 05/21/2009
MGoPoints: 132

I have had a few different people talk to me about Pizza House halfway across the country, so that should up there. Of course, it's not a unique stop. What about Angelo's?

September 7th, 2009 at 10:51 PM | If (Score:1)
Jim Harbaugh Sc...
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Mongo is a chain - wouldn't Cottage Inn also be a chain?

Or is the AA Cottage different than the other ones across metro-Detroit?

http://twitter.com/#!/JHScramble

September 7th, 2009 at 10:53 PM | Mongo stretches from Maine to (Score:1)
formerlyanonymous
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Mongo stretches from Maine to Minneapolis. They're about to open franchises in the Houston, TX area as well. Cottage Inn is small enough where I don't really consider it a chain as much as a very small regional chain.

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September 7th, 2009 at 11:06 PM | Thanks for the answer (Score:1)
Jim Harbaugh Sc...
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IMO if you want good Pizza in Metro Detroit - my advice would be Buddys and then Shields -

Maybe the AA one has quality that the franchises don't?

http://twitter.com/#!/JHScramble

September 8th, 2009 at 12:19 AM | One more difference. (Score:1)
trickydick81
Joined: 11/23/2008
MGoPoints: 122

Cottage Inn started in Ann Arbor and the original is still there. The original also is a full service Italian joint, where the chain is mostly just pizza places.

As to all the mongo references... I just don't get the infatuation, it's alright, but nothing special.

And pizza house is a poor man's Pizza Bobs (Bobs invented chipaties and the sauce and Pizza House stole it).

September 7th, 2009 at 10:54 PM | Zingerman's (Score:1)
biakabutuka exp...
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Joined: 04/17/2009
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Is nationally renowned. They are so good at what they do, other companies hire them to teach customer service.

I would be surprised if he didn't go there.

September 7th, 2009 at 11:04 PM | In my opinion, the Maize N (Score:1)
mgopat
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In my opinion, the Maize N Blue Deli has far better sandwiches than Zingerman's does. The portions are massive, the selection is incomparable, and the family who runs the place is very nice. And you don't have to endure Zingerman's wait time (although you might sometimes have to wait a few minutes).

September 7th, 2009 at 11:33 PM | Every time I go to Maize n (Score:1)
Brodie
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Every time I go to Maize n Blue, I have to get something off whatever I try. I know it's a minor hassle, but it's not usually an issue at Zingerman's.

When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing. -- Bo Schembechler

September 7th, 2009 at 11:39 PM | Blargh, Dominick's for food? (Score:1)
BlueVoix
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Blargh, Dominick's for food? For sangria maybe, but for anything food related, you'd be better off going to a chain down on South U or State.

September 8th, 2009 at 12:07 AM | For Dominic's, the trick is (Score:1)
Catholepistimiad
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For Dominic's, the trick is to drink enough 1/2 gallons of sangria that the food is actually great! Just get there early after a game, and don't wait until late-season games: they are a seasonal business.

"The most important of all was that of the Catholepistimiad, considered not as a University proper, but in its true character, a village school." Education in Michigan during the Territorial Period, Lucy M. Salmon, 1884.

September 8th, 2009 at 12:14 AM | Then I wouldn't have enough (Score:1)
BlueVoix
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Then I wouldn't have enough money for the food.

I usually went to Dominick's once every month or two, but I'm really not sure why. I wonder how they'd do if they didn't have the back patio.

September 8th, 2009 at 1:01 AM | nice (Score:1)
Catholepistimiad
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good for a laugh! you are right--you can't drink enough sangria for the food to taste good because you'd spend so much time just waiting for the single-use bathrooms. But god i love that alcoholic kool-aid.

and for all you smokers: you cannot beat ashing into a tuna can.

"The most important of all was that of the Catholepistimiad, considered not as a University proper, but in its true character, a village school." Education in Michigan during the Territorial Period, Lucy M. Salmon, 1884.

September 8th, 2009 at 12:10 AM | probably out of the reach of (Score:1)
Catholepistimiad
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probably out of the reach of most students (financially), but Zingerman's Roadhouse is an amazing restaurant. Absolutely All-American menu (every item is domestic, with many items locally produced) and they focus on regional american cooking. This is an absolute jewel we have in AA that people travel to from around the globe.

It ain't cheap, but should be memorable if you want to learn a bit about the food you consume.

"The most important of all was that of the Catholepistimiad, considered not as a University proper, but in its true character, a village school." Education in Michigan during the Territorial Period, Lucy M. Salmon, 1884.

September 8th, 2009 at 2:06 AM | "It ain't cheap" would be the understatement of the year (Score:1)
Feaster18
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Joined: 11/26/2008
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The food at the Roadhouse might be good and local, but if I'm paying $16 for a burger, I'd better see the cow grazing at the next booth over. There are so many better restaurants in Ann Arbor that provide far better value for the buck.

September 8th, 2009 at 12:21 PM | It cost big time, and is (Score:1)
Dred Scott
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It cost big time, and is worth every penny if you have it. The Chef is routinely nominated as best in the Midwest.

Great, fresh, expensive American food.

Everyone has a plan...until they get punched in the mouth.

September 7th, 2009 at 11:07 PM | It wasn't Taste of the Town (Score:1)
LongLiveBo
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It wasn't Taste of the Town but Zingerman's was mentioned in last weeks telecast of the game.

The Team, The Team, The Team.

September 7th, 2009 at 11:14 PM | Ahmer's is also very good. (Score:1)
marc_from_novi
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Ahmer's is also very good.

Willie Heston - 72 touchdowns; 4 National titles; 43-0-1 record; All-American; Law Degree

September 7th, 2009 at 11:54 PM | No and No for Mongo and CI (Score:1)
captainlonghair
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If you can dine at the same restaurant in Sterling Heights or Troy, it is automatically disqualified. Must be unique to AA. First thing ABC/ESPN does when they come to town is send a cameraman over to Zingermans to bring us those first person sandwich-man cam shots. I haven't been back to AA since last fall, but I assume Magic Wok is still in the Union. That's my vote.

September 7th, 2009 at 11:59 PM | You'd be incorrect, Magic Wok (Score:1)
BlueVoix
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You'd be incorrect, Magic Wok and their surly female workers no longer inhabit that corner of the basement. Pizza Hut is now there.

September 8th, 2009 at 12:01 AM | Too bad..every time I ate (Score:1)
captainlonghair
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Too bad..every time I ate there it was just so magical....or maybe it was just the MSG.

September 8th, 2009 at 12:11 AM | It was the MSG, I guarantee (Score:1)
BlueVoix
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It was the MSG, I guarantee it. Pizza Hut has actually made the spot significantly worse in making tiny personal pan pizzas that cost five dollars a pop. Last I saw em, they were consistently the least populated business in the MUG.

September 8th, 2009 at 12:17 AM | I ate there at least 5 days a (Score:1)
formerlyanonymous
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I ate there at least 5 days a week for two years. Best cure of a hang over ever. My buddy would walk around the corner and the lady would already ask if we wanted Bourbon Chicken or if we were feeling adventurous that day, which of course meant we were having the ginger chicken (which if you got at noon time was the best thing ever).

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September 8th, 2009 at 12:23 AM | I preferred getting a big (Score:1)
BlueVoix
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I preferred getting a big order of sweet and sour chicken with chow mein, especially when they had just taken out a fresh batch. Of course, after finishing the entire thing, you'd invariably feel like you had to crap your pants, but hey, that's pretty much a lot of freshman year.

September 8th, 2009 at 3:55 AM | The crap your pants feeling (Score:1)
osdihg
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Joined: 12/09/2008
MGoPoints: 84

The crap your pants feeling is now being provided by Panda Express in the Union; it is an unpleasant feeling but one I am willing to sacrifice for Orange Chicken and Kung Pao Chicken.

September 8th, 2009 at 12:00 AM | I was last in A^2 around New (Score:1)
Jarred
Joined: 01/12/2009
MGoPoints: 1094

I was last in A^2 around New Years, but it appeared that Magic Wok was being replaced by another fast food chain (Pizza Hut or Taco Bell?). I think Panda Express took Villa Pizza's spot.

September 8th, 2009 at 11:51 AM | yes, it's a Pizza Hut. It's (Score:1)
octal9
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yes, it's a Pizza Hut. It's pretty good, too.

Panda is indeed in Villa's spot. +1 for orange chicken, magic wok always gave me a stomachache.

The U-Go's has expanded to take over STA Travel's old location. STA took over the back half of the Union Bookstore.

Mrs. Fields/the smoothie place has expanded and now includes Auntie Annie's pretezels.

September 7th, 2009 at 11:56 PM | Big Ten Burrito would be my (Score:1)
Brendan
Joined: 03/13/2009
MGoPoints: 312

Big Ten Burrito would be my vote for taste of the town. Cottage Inn is a great choice also as is Fleetwood Diner. I'm definitely hitting up some BTB when I get up there on Friday, though.

September 7th, 2009 at 11:58 PM | Splash the pot with a slice (Score:1)
captainlonghair
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How bout Tony Baloni's in In-N-Out? Where else can you get served a slice at 3am by a 10 year old kid? Taste of the town happens right there.

September 8th, 2009 at 12:47 AM | BTW, someone asked me for (Score:1)
Topher
Joined: 07/05/2008
MGoPoints: 737

BTW, someone asked me for directions to Scorekeeper's on the street right before the game. Clearly guys without tickets; I bet they got a seat real quick though?

September 8th, 2009 at 12:48 AM | Franklin Cider Mill (Score:1)
Topher
Joined: 07/05/2008
MGoPoints: 737

I also hit the FCM on the way back to DTW...that place is AWESOME!

September 8th, 2009 at 1:02 AM | Mr. Spots and Fleetwood Diner (Score:1)
36Chambers
Joined: 09/08/2009
MGoPoints: 1

I'm glad to see Fleetwood Diner mentioned, the Meaty Hippy Breakfast is pretty much the best thing I have ever eaten in my life.

But, I have not seen Mr. Spot's mentioned yet. I know there are a few at other colleges, but Mr. Spot's is freaking delicious.

September 8th, 2009 at 3:30 AM | Fleetwood is an institution. (Score:1)
a2bluefan
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Fleetwood is an institution. I have the Meaty Hippie breakfast every Sunday... unless I'm in the mood for the #8 instead.

I automatically downvote "B1G"
September 8th, 2009 at 2:11 PM | I love it, but if they ever (Score:1)
Brodie
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MGoPoints: 3454

I love it, but if they ever went there I'd bet more than a few people here would be pissed off. Ignoring Ann Arbor's dining options for a place in West Bloomfield = no no.

When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing. -- Bo Schembechler

September 8th, 2009 at 4:02 AM | As far as pizza goes, the (Score:1)
strafe
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MGoPoints: 1344

As far as pizza goes, the original Cottage Inn has some really good specialty pizzas that are really reasonable. Back Room pizza is across from BTB cantina on south U and (I think) Church St. and is good-divey pizza for a dollar a slice.

I would seventh Fleetwood, but I'd have a hard time enjoying it nearly as much if it wasn't 5 AM and I wasn't drunk.

For breakfast/brunch I would really recommend Afternoon Delight if you want something that isn't Angelo's (which has failed to impress me). Afternoon Delight has some really, really amazing breakfast food at much more reasonable prices and usually much better wait times, and I feel like it has a bit more Ann Arbor character. Also, Cafe Zola (I think its like 121 W. Washington or something) has some of the best waffles I have ever had.

If you're going out towards some of the higher end dinner places on main street, I think things like The Prickly Pear/Gratzi/Melange/Connor O'Neills are all staples that are generally popular and always deliver.

i should probably stop posting on mgoblog when I'm drunk.

September 8th, 2009 at 12:17 PM | Try Ypsi (Score:1)
buckley
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Joined: 07/03/2008
MGoPoints: 144

If you're heading east after the game, try Sidetrack or Aubrey's in Ypsi's Depot Town. Good food, atmosphere, and no game crowds.

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