We really dig this article from Tashween Ali at BuzzFeed on some of Ann Arbor’s most unique and tasty offerings.
Frita Batidos and Jerusalem Garden are some of our favorites!
1. Hippie Hash @ Fleetwood Diner
A quick jaunt from Liberty Lofts.
When you crave genuine rude diner service with your hangover brunch, come to Fleetwood. Hippie Hash hash browns topped with grilled tomato, green pepper, onion, mushroom, and broccoli with feta cheese will cure all your problems.
2. Duck @ The Earle
Just a few blocks from Mayer Schairer and 111 N. Ashley – Ashley Terrace.
Go to The Earle and order the most tender, succulent duck for a fancy schmancy dinner that WILL make you happy.
3. Fritas @ Frita Batidos
Within walking distance of the Old West Side.
Frita Batidos is the Cuban inspired burgers and shakes joint of your dreams. They take a spin on the traditional Cuban burgers usually made with spicy chorizo and served with shoe string fries. Here you can select from chorizo, black bean, chicken, fish, or beef. In between bites, sip on a cajeta or coconut cream batido AKA tropical milkshake.
4. Pizza @ Mani Osteria
Near Tower Plaza Condominiums.
You can grab a slice of wood fired nationally acclaimed pizza. But anything on the Mani Osteria menu is a win, including the handcrafted pappardelle bolognese. I have friends who would literally give up their second-born child for a lifetime supply of that sauce.
5. Fish & Chips @ Monahan’s Seafood
A Kerrytown classic!
Monahan’s makes you feel like you’re in a New England seafood market (but you’re still in Kerrytown. You’re here after perusing the Farmer’s Market, after all). Order the fish and chips and ask to make your chips Cajun. Trust me.
6. Coffee @ Comet Coffee
Bordering Tower Plaza Condominiums.
Everyone, especially coffee Instagrammers and aficionados, will find a caffeinated beverage to love at Comet Coffee. With pour-over, French press, and siphon coffee, the cup of Joe here is on par with big city coffee houses. Plus, good pastries (from Pastry Peddler, below). Not too shabby.
7. Brunch @ Selma Cafe
If you could start your Friday morning at a local-foods breakfast party cooked by volunteer chefs to support the local farming economy, wouldn’t that rule?
On a weekly basis for five years, Lisa Gottlieb, co-founder of Selma Cafe, hosted that party in her home. Two hundred-plus visitors come through to eat a seasonal meal with new and old friends (with name tags and all) for a suggested donation. All the revenue goes to pay for ingredients bought locally and the rest to fund micro-loans for the local farms.
Since April 2013, Lisa no longer regularly hosts brunches due to zoning issues. But Selma Cafe still goes strong with the support of the community. Currently the Cafe is serving breakfast on a monthly basis in Sunward Cohousing’s common house kitchen. Happy fifth birthday, Selma!
8. The Quad @ Blimpy Burger
The famous Blimpy Burger where you decide: Single, double, triple, quad, or – wait, for it – quint hamburger patties? Cheese, bacon, pickles, onions, and/or fried egg?
Super-sad news that it recently closed shop for new university development. BUT, rest assured, the people will have their quad back in a new location soon. On the last day of service at the iconic polar bear snow storefront, there was a line of devotees as long as the line for cronuts. But actually worth the wait.
9. Ethiopian Feast @ The Blue Nile
Mop up delicious Ethiopian stews, lentils, and veggies with rolls and rolls of spongy injera bread at The Blue Nile. This feast also comes with limitless spiced Ethiopian tea: cinnamon, rose hips, orange, and lemon peel. Did I mention it’s all. You. Can. Eat? It’s a bit pricy, but you’re paying to feel “cultured” anyway, right?
10. Lobster Bisque @ Le Dog
You have a small window of opportunity (11:30-2 p.m. or before the soup runs out) to get a cup of rich lobster bisque at the Le Dog hotdog stand. When it happens, you’ll feel SO PROUD.
11. Muffins @ Afternoon Delight
Just look at this muffin! Waiting in line for breakfast at Afternoon Delight is worth that muffin. (Eggs benedict, pancakes, frozen yogurt with fruit are also worthy contenders.)
12. Falafel @ Jerusalem Garden
The state of Michigan has no shortage of decent falafel with Dearborn as the largest Arab population in America, but eating these crispy, perfectly seasoned falafel at Jerusalem Garden is a holy experience.
13. Cocktails @ Ravens Club
It’s impossible to have a bad drink at Raven’s Club. They make innovative cocktails with housemade TRC bitters, while perfecting classics like the original hand-pulled old fashioned. Stellar nonalcoholic drinks too, housemade ginger beer for the win.
14. Pesto Waffle Fries @ Ashley’s
Ashley’s, home of THE WORLD’S BEST CRAFT BEER as its fiercely loyal fans will tell you, also has amazing pub fare like these PESTO waffle fries.