How to Eat and Drink Your Way through Ann Arbor

Home of my adored alma mater, Ann Arbor is a place that’s very close to my heart – and stomach. When I go back to visit friends, I schedule out our activities very carefully to hit all the gastro-bliss experiences I miss. If you find yourself in Michigan, swinging through Ann Arbor, here are some of my very favorite places to nosh out.

Best Out-of-Ann-Arbor Breakfast: Beezy’s

There are half a dozen great breakfast spots in Ann Arbor, but when I’m away from the Mitten, it’s Beezy’s in Ypsilanti that I pine for. Whenever I talk about Michigan, I gush about Beezy’s breakfast burritos – whether or not it’s appropriate for the conversation. The (not too spicy) chorizo is a perfect partner to the scrambled eggs (and add in some avocado!), all wrapped up in a crispy grilled tortilla. I’ve tried a lot of breakfast burritos in my day, and this is still the one on top.

Beezy’s has an extensive menu – I also love their French toast (check their Facebook page for special recipe days!) and they recently started serving dinner. The atmosphere is so warm it’s like walking into a friend’s kitchen. Sometimes service can be a little slow, but it’s because the cashier is taking their time to chat with each customer or have a little dance party with them.

Best Place for Day-Drinking: Dominick’s

Dominick’s is no secret – in fact, I hope it reaches official landmark status soon. Tucked away behind the law quad, the family-run restaurant has a delicious menu of Italian food – but the main star here is their powerful sangria. Get a half-gallon to share with (several) friends, secure your spot at one of the backyard picnic tables, and just relax. Sangria is not meant to be chugged – though it goes down quicker than you’re expecting.

Since Dominick’s is a family business, they keep strict non-party hours. They clean out the restaurant each night at 10pm with an air siren and they’re not open at all in the winter or on Sundays, so prioritize this stop carefully.

Best Over-the-top-Diner Food: The Bomber

My Mom and I ate here twice one week when she visited. The Cap’n Crunch French Toast is a good choice if you’re looking for something sweet or try one of the delicious skillets for something more hearty.  The décor is focused on Michigan’s history as a World War II B-24 manufacturer. Kids will love all the model planes hanging from the ceiling. Come hungry.

Best Beer Selection for the Beer Snob in Your Life: Ashley’s

The first time a friend texted me to meet them at Ashley’s, I responded, “But where does she live?” Even though it’s on the main drag by campus, Ashley’s is so unassuming it can easily be overlooked. But if you’re a beer connoisseur, this is one place you have to stop at. With over 70 draught beers, 70 bottles, and 60 single malt scotches – not to mention cocktails and other spirits – Ashley’s is the place to get your beer snob on – or just try something new. The wait staff is incredibly helpful with advice and you can choose a beer flight if you simply can’t decide. Ashley’s is very popular and not very big, so it might be a squeeze if you have a big party at peak drinking hours, but it’s usually pretty calm during the day.

Best Hipster Brewery: ABC Microbrewery

Michigan is the birthplace of several delicious craft beers. One of our local favorites when I lived there was ABC Microbrewery in Ypsilanti (back then it was called Corner). With gigantic warehouse indoor seating and picnic tables in the beer garden, the brewery functions just as much as a community center as it does a distribution center. It hosts wonderfully hipster events, from craft fairs to burlesque shows to corn hole tournaments.  Their strawberry blonde beer is one of the most popular, but if you’re there for a limited release of one of their sour beers, make sure you at least get a sample. I’ve noticed the bartender beards are getting even more ferocious, but they’re still just as friendly as ever.

Can’t make it out of Ann Arbor proper? You can stop at the ABC Brewpub on Washington Street. Not quite as charming but they do have darts, shuffleboard, and delicious beer.

Best Batidos (and Open-face Grilled Cheese): Frita Batidos

There may be other batidos in Ann Arbor, but until Chef Eve Aronoff opened her Cuban-inspired eatery, I didn’t even know what the fruity milkshake was. Frita Batidos is one of the more affordable eats off Main Street and Chef Eve’s sophisticated approach combined with the food’s Latin American flair will make you feel like you’re eating something exotic and special – even if your ginger-lime juice comes in a plastic bag with a straw, just like it’s sold from street vendors.

The fritas (Cuban-inspired hamburgers) are made from chorizo, chicken, fish, beef, and even black bean, and start at $8. I usually go for the open-faced grilled cheese, a delicious blanket of gooey muenster with crisp red onions and creamy avocado on brioche. The last time I went I wasn’t hungry enough for a full meal, so I ordered a passion fruit batido (no rum, as I had just come from Dominick’s) and added a churro last minute for just a buck and a half.

It was ginormous! Probably a foot long and completely covered in a thick layer of cinnamon sugar, this churro was maybe too much for one person – but, never daunted by a sweet challenge, I finished it quickly. Piping hot with a subtle orange flavor, this churro has set my expectations super high for the rest of my life. I only regret not getting it with the Chocolate Español for dunking.

Best Fancy Drinking Experience I’ve Ever Had: The Grange

A looong time again, when I was working at an office in Ann Arbor, I was lucky enough to attend our Christmas Party at the Grange. Not only is their food phenomenal, but they have an excellent array of specialty cocktails. An Eggnog White Russian? Divine (and decadent)! My all-time favorite cocktail was a gin and ginger beer drink I had there. I’ve been trying to recreate it for the last four years, unsuccessfully.

The Grange is one of the pricier places on Main Street, but they are a regular participant in Ann Arbor’s twice-a-year Restaurant Week. The next Restaurant Week is from January 18-23 and offers a outrageously good deals for both lunch and dinner.

Hungry yet?

The Grange and ABC Brewery are both participating in the upcoming Restaurant Week. I’d also recommend The Gandy Dancer, Weber’s Restaurant, and Jolly Pumpkin. 

This is in no way a complete list. Expect a Part 2 in the future. Or, if you’re in the neighborhood, send me a tweet and I’ll give you some extra suggestions.

Have you been to Ann Arbor? What’s your favorite restaurant or pub? Or maybe you have a favorite local joint in your college town?