OT - Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Ann Arbor area
Hey all. My wife and I, along with our high schooler (oh, will that be a treat), will be making a roadtrip to Ann Arbor/Ypsi for Thanksgiving to be with our two in college. Going to save the daughter at Albion an 8 hour drive home, so she will just hang with us for the four days she is on break. The one at Eastern has to work as an RA for a holiday (this would be it).
We will be staying in a motel, so no opportunity to cook this year's meal. Any suggestions on what places will be open (and are good) for a Turkey Day meal. Please no fast food or super expensive places (i.e. Gandy Dancer and up). Only food limitation is chid at EMU is a Pescatarian (vegetarian who WILL eat fish). The rest of us are carnivores. Just need a few non meat options for them to choose from.
We know our way around, as we frequent Ann Arbor several times a year. However, Thanksgiving is causing me some anxiety and I don't want to be sitting in a Chinese restaurant, singing fa ra ra ra ra and watching them hack the head off a duck, ala A Christmas Story. lol
Game day will be spent in front of the tv, while the others go shopping. Go Blue. Beat Ohio.
November 8th, 2018 at 9:22 AM ^
Nothing says thanks like Sliders and Onion Chips...
November 8th, 2018 at 10:08 AM ^
This is dessert. lol
November 8th, 2018 at 10:30 AM ^
November 8th, 2018 at 2:42 PM ^
"food"
November 8th, 2018 at 11:32 AM ^
Many years ago (1992) my new bride -- who was from Atlanta -- went with me to White Castle in Canton. It was her first time. She opened the burger and looked at the onions and the steamed patty. She didn't eat it then, and she never has since.
As for me, I love sliders. They make me burp, but it's a small price for the pleasure of slamming down a sackful.
November 8th, 2018 at 11:42 AM ^
How long did the marriage last?
November 8th, 2018 at 12:04 PM ^
26.5+ years and counting ... :-)
November 8th, 2018 at 12:13 PM ^
She never had a Krystal Burger down there?
November 9th, 2018 at 4:07 PM ^
It's not real meat. I don't know what it is, but it's more like the artificial food from the movie ALIEN (need to read the novelization to understand what I mean).
November 8th, 2018 at 9:26 AM ^
No advice, but this brings back memories of when my parents visited me at UM over T-giving break 20+ years ago. I was also an RA, so I was stuck in the dorms. We cruised Ann Arbor for over an hour in mid-afternoon - every restaurant was closed. Some places were apparently open for brunch or lunch, but nothing was open afterwards. I think we ate pretzels and cheetos for dinner in their hotel room. I actually regretted not signing us up for the South Quad T-giving meal that, if memory serves correctly, you had to make reservations in order to be served.
I should have planned a little better, just as you're doing now. Good luck!
November 8th, 2018 at 10:10 AM ^
This was my fear. Three starving kids bitching at me, as I drive aimlessly around Ann Arbor, looking for something that is open. Ahhh, nothing says love like family arguments.
November 8th, 2018 at 9:27 AM ^
Webers is open for Thanksgiving.
They will have some decent Thanksgiving fare which I believe meets the criteria you are looking for. Plus, you could just get a room there. You'll thank me later.
November 8th, 2018 at 10:08 AM ^
This was one of the options I looked at. Always love a recommendation. Thanks.
November 8th, 2018 at 10:11 AM ^
I second the Weber's recommendation. Good food and good service. They won't rush you to leave and their prices are very good compared with the value and food quality.
November 8th, 2018 at 10:21 AM ^
November 8th, 2018 at 11:59 AM ^
Chop Suey Palace
November 8th, 2018 at 9:30 AM ^
We're ordering our Thanksgiving Meal from Whole Foods this year. Not sure if it's an option, but you could put in a pre-order from there and bring it back to your motel.
November 8th, 2018 at 9:33 AM ^
Can I ask about how much it's costing you per person? My wife has a business that is open 365 days a year and we always cook meals for the staff on holidays but we are thinking about just catering this year.
November 8th, 2018 at 10:10 AM ^
You can order from any grocery store. Also, I know that a lot of grocery stores will cook the turkey for you if you buy it from them for free or a small fee (will save you some cash, if you do that and get premade sides).
Costco also does premade Thanksgiving.
November 8th, 2018 at 10:55 AM ^
Does she own a hospital? If not, you guys are dicks.
November 8th, 2018 at 11:37 AM ^
She owns an emergency vet clinic so she can help animals that are injured or suffering on the holidays when no other place is open.
November 8th, 2018 at 11:41 AM ^
I'm very thankful that my wife opted not to have her clinic do emergencies.
November 8th, 2018 at 11:45 AM ^
I'm pretty sure that the Whole Foods option requires an oven to finish the turkey cooking. Plus, a crap-ton of microwaving...which might not work out in a hotel.
November 8th, 2018 at 12:17 PM ^
Ah, you're right! Sorry, didn't realize this. My wife and mother-in-law just informed that we were keeping it easy this year and pre-ordering from Whole Foods, didn't ask any more questions after that!
November 8th, 2018 at 12:11 PM ^
I'm very thankful that my wife opted not to cook Thanksgiving anymore so I wouldn't have do emergency. :P
November 8th, 2018 at 2:16 PM ^
I don't blame you, lol
November 8th, 2018 at 12:06 PM ^
Do they help turkeys?
November 8th, 2018 at 3:02 PM ^
Actually, yes
November 8th, 2018 at 1:18 PM ^
So, hospital...
Tell her I said 'Thanks!' for doing the important, but dirty work. It's crappy work, because anything that comes in after hours is not routine, and is usually pretty bad. I have enough animals that my local emergency clinic is on speed dial.
November 8th, 2018 at 1:19 PM ^
Close enough! Good for you guys being decent people.
November 8th, 2018 at 1:31 PM ^
You're half right. My wife is a good person.
November 8th, 2018 at 2:07 PM ^
LOVE THIS. Logged in just to upvote. What a comforting and necessary service that many people wouldn't even think about.
November 8th, 2018 at 6:18 PM ^
props to your wife. What a selfless act. For all the pet owners around the area, I hope they don’t have to see your wife on thanksgiving.
November 8th, 2018 at 12:19 PM ^
Per other use below, here's the menu we ordered from: https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/shop/ARB/3516
We did the roasted dinner for 8, which is $130. But apparently it requires some re-heating.
November 8th, 2018 at 3:35 PM ^
Zingermans Roadhouse has Thanksgiving dinners that need to be heated and although not inexpensive, their food is very good. Here's a link:
November 8th, 2018 at 10:07 AM ^
Never knew this service existed. Welcome to life in the UP! lol
November 8th, 2018 at 9:30 AM ^
You could order a Thanksgiving dinner from a place like Busch's or Plum Market I believe, if you're okay eating inside your room. I'm almost positive that Whole Foods does that too but I don't know how pricey that would be.
November 8th, 2018 at 9:51 AM ^
Kroger might prepare these, too. Could be a cheap option for something very basic. But note that even though some places prepare these “fully cooked” meals, some still require an oven for you to reheat them.
November 8th, 2018 at 10:07 AM ^
Good options for us! Thanks for the tip.
November 8th, 2018 at 9:33 AM ^
Holidays. Recommended, though it likely requires a reservation.
November 8th, 2018 at 10:06 AM ^
I googled, but didn't see this one. Thanks!!!
November 8th, 2018 at 9:40 AM ^
Don't take the easy way out when live turkeys are available to you on North Campus.
November 8th, 2018 at 10:05 AM ^
We lived on North Campus for Grad School in the late 80s/early 90s. You had to run the gauntlet between the ducks and squirrels when walking to the parking lot, bus stops or classes. Ahhh, the good ol days.
November 8th, 2018 at 9:41 AM ^
We did this last year (my son is a Sophomore) - rented a house through AirBnB (shout out to Cute and Cozy!).
Weber's Grill was open for Thanksgiving. They also have a great boxed Thanksgiving Dinner you can pick up (which is what we did). Also, get an apple pie from Zingermanns.
November 8th, 2018 at 10:13 AM ^
Or hit up Grand Traverse Pie Company. Always good fresh pies there and likely can get 2 pies from them for what you would pay for a slice at Zingermans.
November 8th, 2018 at 9:51 AM ^
After divorce II, I took my boys to Cracker Barrel for Turkey Day, then an OHL hockey game. They loved it.
November 8th, 2018 at 11:17 AM ^
I hope the reason for divorce II is the woman in your avatar. Or else, prepare for divorce III
November 8th, 2018 at 4:20 PM ^
Well.... not really. Ex II was a cheating whore.... just like Ex I.... that's why I plan to not have an Ex III. FTR, my current (who has tolerated me for 6 years now) is a considerable up grade from both II and I.... in just about every measure. And she cheers for Michigan as long as we're not playing 'Cuse.
GO BLUE!
November 8th, 2018 at 11:27 AM ^
Cracker Barrel is a popular place for Thanksgiving dinner. A few years back I went there with my wife and mother-in-law. The place was packed. It was an hour wait at noon.