It took me a while to order at Maru, because I didn't really see anything on the menu that looked good to me. Nearly all of the dishes have beef and/or pork in them, but I prefer chicken. I ended up getting the Mixed Vegetable Noodles with chicken. The vermicelli was good, but I wasn't too impressed with the chicken. It was all dark meat and half the pieces were kind of chewy. I've heard decent things about the other dishes, though, so I might be willing to go back and try something else.
My friends have been obsessed with Qdoba since high school, but this is the first time I've eaten there. I'd put it at the same level as Chipotle. It's nice because the salads come in a tortilla bowl, but they aren't very big. For $7 or so, I would have hoped for a bigger salad. They also don't sell whole wheat tortilla, which is a downside. The food was good, though, and the chicken was well-seasoned. The guacamole was good, but not the best I've had. I'd go back if it was convenient.
I love sandwiches, but I didn't like my sub from Izzy's. The sandwich was relatively tasteless, and the turkey was the kind of slimy lunch meat that comes in a package at the grocery store. The bread was decent, but nothing special and I was a bit disappointed that they didn't offer wheat bread. The prices are good, but I won't go back.
I went to the theater planning on seeing Role Models, but it was sold out so we ended up seeing Bolt in 3D instead. I hadn't seen a 3D movie in probably 15 years, so I wasn't the least bit upset that we had to switch movies. Bolt was great. The story was interesting and the characters were fun and entertaining. There were plenty of under the radar jokes for adults and laughs that everyone would enjoy. The 3D was done really well and made the movie even more hypnotizing. My only concern is that I won't enjoy the regular version as much now that I've seen it in 3D!!
I thought it was a somewhat odd career choice for Vince Vaughn to star in a Christmas movie two years in a row, but Four Christmases is not just a holiday movie. Christmas is just an excuse to put the two main characters in some hilarious, but awkward, family situations. The movie is short, so you never get bored or feel overwhelmed. I was laughing out loud for the first 2/3 of the movie, and was pleasantly surprised to see that it still had depth and a real plot. I've already recommended it to a bunch of people. It really is a cute, fun movie.
I worked at a talent agency last summer and was able to read the script for this movie. I've been excited to see it for over a year now, and was not disappointed. Angelina Jolie's performance is extremely emotional and believable. At times you think she might be overdoing it, but you think about how you would feel in her situation and you realize she almost doesn't act crazy enough. The story is true, which makes it all the more interesting. The entire time, my friend and I were squirming in our seats wishing we could fix what was going on onscreen. It's long, but I felt that it flew by a lot quicker than a lot of other movies that length. I would definitely recommend going to see it if you have the time and you're ready for a heavy, but great, film.
I always go for the unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks when I go to Olive Garden. The bread is delicious, the salad is tasty and fresh, and I usually get the amazing Minestrone soup. This time, we tried the Calamari for an appetizer, which I was not impressed with. My friend got the 4 cheese baked ziti that looked good and was a huge portion. There's really no safe time to go, because you never know if there'll be a wait or not. Either way, it's worth it for the delicious food.
My friend and I went out to Applebee's for a huge dinner. At night (I think it's after 9pm) some of the appetizers are half off. They're the good appetizers, too, not the ones that you would never get anyway. They also have an appetizer trio, which is what we went with. We chose mini burgers, chicken rancheros, and buffalo wings-- all of which were amazing. Every course was good, and both of us were really happy with the way our food came out. I hadn't eaten there in a while and forgot how good their food is.
I've had mixed experiences at Carsons. Sometimes, the food and service are decent, but others I'm not happy with either. One time I found a hair in my salad. The only thing that is consistently good is the bread that they give out to each table. The menu isn't anything special and it's not the only restaurant around, so I wouldn't bother unless you're just craving really good bread.
I was so glad when CPKs started popping up in malls around Michigan. I've been to the one in Briarwood a couple of times and have gotten carryout. There is nothing I don't like about that restaurant- the food, drinks, and bread are good, and the service is usually pretty standard. It's one of the few places I'll credit with having good Tortilla soup, and the salads are good enough to make me think twice about ordering a pizza. My favorites: Chopped Salad and Vegetarian w/ Japanese Eggplant Pizza with a wheat crust and goat cheese.
I tried Ethiopian food for the first time last summer, and fell in love. It reminds me a bit of Indian food, especially since you eat everything with this delicious bread. I just wish Blue Nile was cheaper so I could take advantage of having Ethiopian so close to home. You pay per person and get an all-you-can-eat combination of the different dishes they serve. It's probably best to go with open-minded eaters since you can't really modify your order in any way. The food was delicious, but filling so we barely had room for seconds. The next time I can convince someone to drop $20 on dinner, I'll go there.
Pizza Bob's gets overshadowed by the places around it. With Bell's around the corner and Rod's next door-- you don't really think to go there for pizza and a shake, but you should. The pizza is just another greasy by the slice: gross but delicious all at the same time. The shakes are so good and you can get a bunch of different flavors and mixes. So if you get sick of Colliders or Bell's Pizza, don't forget about Pizza Bob's.
I've heard that Silvio's pizza is amazing, but I haven't had the chance to try it yet. I did have salad and pasta-- both of which were great. I had the manicotti and a greek salad. I was a little disappointed in the size of the manicotti, but it tasted delicious and the salad was very good sized. It's in a good location and they deliver until late, so I'll definitely be ordering from there again.
I'm pretty adventurous when it comes to my hair. I usually ask for crazy things and the stylist can never do it right. Cookie at Above Ground was the first stylist I've gone to that has actually made me happy. She really knows a lot about hair-- especially different hair types and color. Everyone that works there is so great, and they all help each other out. You usually don't just have one person looking at your hair, but a few people commenting on it and giving suggestions. I've seen people walk out with crazy color and cuts and more standard, but flattering haircuts. I'll miss them when I leave Ann Arbor!
Sottini's looks more like a deli than a sub shop. I like that they slice the meats and cheeses there in front of you. It's fresh and seems like better quality than a lot of other sub places. However... I love bread, and the bread was pretty tasteless. The texture was nice, but the bread added nothing to the sub. I asked for wheat, so maybe the white bread they have is better? I guess I'd go back and try again.
I miss the times when I had classes a couple of hours apart in the MLB and I could go sit at Beanster's for a while, eat and study. The food there is really good and they have a surprising selection including sushi and burritos. They have coffee, soda, and a bunch of other good bottled drinks. There's tons of places to sit and do work, hang out, etc. I wish I walked up by the League more often!
Pizza Hut was always my favorite place to order pizza from until I came to U of M and there wasn't one close enough to deliver. Of course I've found other delicious places that are conveniently open until 4am, but I'm still so glad they added this place to the Union. The mini pizzas are just the right size and if you're hungrier, they serve breadsticks and wings, too. You can order medium pizzas, and the guy working said they might even start delivering at some point. Thank you Michigan Union.
Chipotle coming to State Street was something my friends and I have been pretty excited about. I like how you can go through and see them putting the ingredients in your food. No surprises! Of course, the food is good just as it is at any other location, but for some reason the layout at this location kind of threw me off. I also expected there to be a bit more seating. Doesn't matter though, there's always carryout...
I've passed Kai Garden driving many times, but could usually never find a parking spot on Main Street to pull over into. I was finally determined to try it one day, and I'm glad that I did. They offer brown rice as an option for the meal, and most of the lunches were between $6-7. I got the Rose Shrimp, which was good, but not as spicy or flavorful as I had hoped. I would definitely go back and try another dish, though.
I'm always looking for a quick meal to grab in between classes, appointments, etc. and Beyond Juice is the place to go. They've got a huge selection of smoothies that all have the essentials a meal should have. I tried the Tahitian Tease which was really good, filling, and only 230-something calories. Every smoothie comes with a piece of poppyseed bread, which I thought was a cute touch. I'd definitely go back to try the sandwiches and salads, too.
I went to Bagel Fragel around 3:45, which is apparently 15 minutes before they close. I thought it was weird that they closed so early, but even weirder that they were out of bagels. I had to buy a bag of day old bagels instead.
I wouldn't consider it a bad experience, though. The guy who was working was really nice and gave me a treat to make up for the fact that they were out of bagels. The day old bagels tasted just as good as fresh bagels and were still soft and good. I wouldn't compare it to Panera or Einstein's, but it's something to stop by.
I felt like a little kid in a toy store when I went to PetSmart to buy some stuff for my kitty. They have a huge selection of food, toys, and other things you need for your pets. Things are easy to find, because they have huge signs hanging from the ceiling and everything is separated by animal. They offer grooming, too, which is really convenient. Just be careful not to get too carried away... pet stuff can get pricey.
I've always heard good things about Maize n Blue, but didn't find out for myself until today. The selection is huge and they give you so much meat. The sandwiches are a little expensive (most are $8 or so) but they're just as stacked as the $13 ones from Zingerman's. You get the biggest pickle ever with your sandwich, too. As all good delis do, they offer Dr. Brown's Cream Soda and Black Cherry drinks. not bad...
I'm not sure how good Bivouac's outdoor goods selection is, but their woman's clothing is pretty good. It's so weird that a place with ski parkas is attached to somewhere that sells Juicy jumpsuits. The skin products they sell there are expensive, but I've heard they're the greatest. They usually have really good deals on jeans upstairs, too. If you're looking for jeans or a cute new top-- I'd definitely try Bivouac.
The first time I walked in to Urban about 7 years ago, I felt like I had found the store I had always been looking for. Throughout high school, shopping at Urban pretty much ensured that I was one of the more fashionable dressers. Then when I came to college, I realized that everyone here shops at Urban and it became a bit hard to look "unique" wearing their clothes. That doesn't change the fact that Urban has some really great stuff. Whatever your style is-- from jeans and a t-shirt to a sequined mini dress-- Urban has something for you. If you spend enough time looking, you can find some really awesome stuff that nobody else bothered to look for. Even though it's a bit played out at times, Urban is still one of my favorite stores.
American Apparel has become one of my favorite stores throughout the last few years. Some people complain that it's expensive, but knowing that I'm getting clothes made by well-paid workers in LA makes me willing to spend a couple extra dollars. Other people think that the clothes are boring, but that's the beauty of American Apparel. The clothes offer you the opportunity to layer and design your own look. I worked there for a bit, and it really helped me learn how to play with color combinations and get more creative with my outfits. Though this location isn't as good as the ones in big cities like NYC, it almost always has the newest styles. (Can't forget to mention the great staff too!)
I don't always have the best luck when I go to Star Vintage, but it's worth a look. They have some great things hidden in the racks there and if you're looking for a jacket or a sweater, they have a big selection. They get some great jewelry in some times and always have fun stuff around the holidays.
You have to climb up two flights of stairs to get to The Getup, the second of which is kind of narrow and scary. When you get to the top, it's hard not to get overwhelmed by the amount of merchandise in such a tiny space. The Getup is the kind of place I spend more time at than I plan to, but always leave with some great purchases. They get new things in all the time, and have one of the best vintage jewelry selections.
I had looked at the menu for Ahmo's before, but for some reason never ended up ordering anything. Today, I ordered the grape leaves plate with rice and a salad. The portions were large and the food was good. I was surprised that there were lentils in the rice, but I thought it was a nice touch. I'll definitely order from there again.
I don't usually think to stop at Saigon Garden since you have to turn off South U to get there. I went there the other day, though, and realized that it's totally worth the extra few steps. I had the chicken with hot pepper sauce, which was delicious and there was plenty left over for another meal. My friend had the chicken vermicelli and was also very pleased with her meal. If only the delivery minimum wasn't $20!
Bar Louie is a fun place to go with a group to have good food and drinks. Tuesdays, they serve burgers for $1. To actually add things on the burger it costs more, though, so they end up being closer to $3-4. Either way, it's a good deal for a good sized burger. The soft pretzel appetizer is really good, and my favorite salad is the Wedge Salad. Even though I've had some bad experiences there with service, the food is good so I keep going back.
I like to go to Amer's when I have the time to sit down and study and enjoy my food. The sandwich selection is overwhelming and the side salads/pastas that they serve are usually really good. I've been happy with the soups and salads that I've ordered, too. Probably my favorite part about Amer's is that they have Dr. Brown's creme soda and black cherry. My least favorite thing, though, is that it usually takes about 10-15 minutes to get your food. Don't be misled by the counter-- it's barely a counter service restaurant. If you only have a little time, try somewhere else.
For some reason, this BTB isn't as good as the one on campus. There's parking, but that means that there are a couple of spaces awkwardly set up in front of the building. I ordered the Roasted Veggie burrito, which I usually get at the one on campus, and was surprised that it tasted differently. The veggies weren't roasted-- they were basically raw. Even if I'm in the area, I'd rather drive past the one on Packard and go to the one on State.
I prefer BTB over Panchero's any day, but that's only because I live 5 steps away from BTB and am unhealthily obsessed with it. Panchero's burrito bowls are good [maybe even better than BTBs] and the prices are good, too. I've had a few weird conversations with the guys that work there, but I usually go late at night with a big group of people anyway so it's fine. After the bar, Panchero's is usually hopping and is almost fun to stop by just to see people.
This is probably the only White Castle I've been to that didn't seriously upset my taste buds. At other locations, the "burgers" have been soggy and green-- same with the fries. This location, though, made me think that I had been too hard on White Castle, because the sliders and fries were cooked well and tasted great. If I ever eat White Castle again, it'll probably be at this one.
Seriously, what bad can you say about Arby's? It is seriously the only place I eat roast beef, probably because it's the most delicious and juiciest roast beef on earth. It's so hard to stop myself from ordering the large sandwich with a large curly fry. This specific location could use a remodeling, but I've never had a problem there with bad food or rude service. Too bad I'd become 500 pounds if I ate there every day.
Cafe Felix was not at all what I expected. The decor is much more casual than I would have imagined, but the food is still pretty swanky and not at all cheap. The menu items are creative and delicious-- and so are the drinks. The night I went they were playing live music and you can sit outside when the weather is nice. I'd like to go back again soon.
I've always felt that Buffalo Wild Wings is a bit overrated. The sauces for the wings are really good [I always get the spicy garlic!] but at the end of the day, you can get better wings at other places. B-Dubs is mostly good for taking big parties [but don't expect the service to be quick] and drinking and watching the game. I only go there when I'm not concerned with how quick the service is, though, because that's usually the biggest problem. They have wing deals on certain nights so make sure to look those up!
Probably the most dangerous, but delicious, thing about Red Robin is the bottomless fries. I've never had a burger there that I didn't like [though my favorite is probably Banzai Burger with Boca patty.] The rest of the food is delicious, too. The atmosphere is pretty intense, but better than a lot of other chain restaurants. My suggestions: BBQ Chicken Wrap, Ensanada Chicken Platter, and the Mountain High Mud Pie!
The food at Red Hawk is good, but there's not much to choose from. Most things on the menu are pretty standard items offered at most American restaurants. It's nice to have a place to sit down and be served on State St., but there are other ones with better choices and better food.
My issue with the new Taco Bell in the League is that it's a Taco Bell Express, so it doesn't have all the great things. No Mexican pizzas or spicy chicken Crunchwraps or the millions of other delicious high calorie foods Taco Bell has. Then again, it is nice to have a Taco Bell so close by now. Convenient but dangerous.
They showed a sneak preview of this film last night at my school. Those things tend to be pretty loud, so it's easy to tell how everyone feels about the movie. I could tell that a lot of people were enjoying it just as much as I did. There were plenty of funny lines-- not necessarily quotable, but the kind of things you and your friends would say to one another. The drunk Caroline girl was probably my favorite character. I couldn't figure out which one of my friends she reminded me of the most. The movie really gets down to what it's actually like to be a teenager, not what it should be like.
I have lived across the street from Campus Corner for nearly 3 years now, and I very rarely have to go anywhere else. I get kegs, beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, and food from there. Campus Corner usually has everything I need and is disgustingly close to my apartment. The men that work there remember the regulars, which is a nice feeling. A couple of them can be a little creepy sometimes, but they've never overstepped any boundaries or made me feel uncomfortable. The best is when you run into one of them at a tailgate or something. I couldn't ask for a better across-the-street neighbor.
I seriously do not understand how Blue Front stays in business. Though I've walked in there a bunch of times, I think I've only bought something once. The shelves are always empty and they have very little variety in anything. I'm not even looking for difficult things usually-- they really just have no stock. How do they keep running? Maybe it's because of their lax ID policies...?
Diag Party Shoppe's location on State and William seriously couldn't be more convenient. It's the best place to stop between classes to get a drink or snack, and the pizza is actually really good. I'm pretty sure they deliver everything (including booze) but don't know exactly how it works. The family that runs it is nice and I rarely have trouble finding what I want there. I don't know what I'd do if it weren't right on State.
I wish I lived on the side of campus that is close to Village Corner. I always forget how much stuff they have there. There's a huge selection of wine and all the liquor you can imagine. They probably have the best selection of groceries in the downtown area without having to go to a grocery store. They don't overcharge and the staff is pretty cool. Thank you Village Corner for having everythinggg.
White Market is convenient in the sense that it has a lot of things that you would usually have to go to the grocery store to get. However, I wouldn't recommend getting fruit or vegetables from there. One time I bought some tomatoes for a last minute recipe and couldn't even use them because they were overripe. Other times, I've walked in and looked at the vegetables and changed my mind because they weren't fresh. Just go for the dry food and drinks.
It's nice to have the Village Apothecary around, because it has a lot of the things that you can only find at Rite Aid or CVS. They have tons of medicine there, which is great since college students tend to get sick all the time (thanks to no sleep.) It's right on South U so it's close to campus and convenient to stop at for cosmetics, hair accessories, medicine, or a snack.
I was walking down South U the other day and noticed What Zup for the first time. I walked upstairs to check it out and was shocked at what I found. Above Village Apothecary is this cute store with all the things that you would usually have to leave downtown to get. Obviously the selection isn't huge like Bed, Bath, and Beyond or something, but there is so much there that you can't find anywhere else. I'm so glad I discovered this store.. I'm sure it'll be helpful to have this stuff nearby!
Benny's reminds me a lot of the koney island type places my friends and I would go to in high school. It isn't very big and the decor is minimal, but the people that worked there were very nice and you feel home-y. Usually at places like this I order a Greek Salad or something, but I went out on a limb and got the Chicken Teriyaki.(sp?) To my surprise it was incredibly delicious and flavorful. My friend works at the soccer place next door and eats there all the time. I'm sure I'll be back for carryout soon.
Anna Faris is hilarious. She's not that good of an actress, but it doesn't even matter. Like her stoner character in Smiley Face, Faris plays into every "bunny" stereotype. The situations that she gets herself into and the dumb expressions on her face are priceless. Emma Stone is absolutely wonderful as the awkward president of the sorority. She could be my new favorite actress. There are so many great quotable lines from this movie. There should be more chick comedies like this.
Grizzly Peak has that nice dim-lit and noisy (but not loud) feeling at night. It's a nice place to go for a late dinner with friends and have some good food and a few beers. They offer beer samplers in case you can't decide which one to try. The menu is impressive and relatively affordable. The Wild Mushroom Burger is really good, and make sure you get an ice cream sandwich for dessert.
Cafe Zola is somehow able to be a nice restaurant while still feeling very casual. Both times I've been there, it has been packed with people. It's not cheap, but the menu has a good variety of great dishes. Make sure you try one of their delicious cocktails (like a Mimosa with brunch!) I only wish it was a bit closer-- and a bit cheaper.
For some reason, I feel like this theater is a little shady. I've been to it plenty of times, because it always has good movies showing at good times. When Indiana Jones came out at midnight they had actors putting on a little show in the lobby. There was a really loud gunshot, and the fighting was pretty intense. I thought it was nice that they did that. It's not too far from campus and always has movies right away, but it could use a good remodeling.
I almost always check Showcase times first. The building is huge, so there's always a good selection of movies. It gets all the popular movies the day they are released. Make sure you bring your student ID, because the adult ticket is $2 or $3 more than the student price (and they rarely make exceptions.) The concession stand is pretty impressive. They have everything from popcorn to pretzels to pizza to Ben & Jerry's. It's kind of expensive, but what big theater isn't nowadays?
The menu at Madras Masala is so extensive, it's a bit overwhelming. I freaked out and chose the Navaratna Khorma, because I got the impression it had 9 different kinds of vegetables. [Don't assume that 9 ingredients in a vegetarian dish = 9 vegetables.] It was very flavorful, but not really what I was hoping for. The Chicken 65 appetizer was also very flavorful-- and more my kind of flavor. I would definitely go back and try something else.
I have never tried a soup that I didn't like at Zoup! I love that they let you taste them before you commit to spending $5 on a bowl of soup. I always try at least 1 or 2 delicious samples each time I go, but end up getting the Chicken Pot Pie soup nearly every time. It's the soup that they're most well-known for and for good reason, too. It's so tasty and the vegetables are cut thick and chunky, so you can taste them. I could probably eat at Zoup! every day and never get sick of it.
Cloverleaf is not the kind of place you go if you want great service and expensive ingredients. But if you want a quick, greasy breakfast, then it's the place to go. The hash browns were cooked well and weren't too greasy or salty. The bacon was crisp, and my omelette was huge. It's not that Cloverleaf isn't good, but with Afternoon Delight on the other corner, I wouldn't choose Cloverleaf again.
Red Hot Lovers was crazy when I went in there around 1:45-2:00am. The line was to the door, and it was a bit hard to tell who was in line and who was waiting for food. After 15 minutes in line, we made it to the front and ordered. There were only 2 people working on a Friday night-- not such a good idea. The food was really good though. The burger was thick and tasty, more than most other "cheap" burgers. The fries were good, too, but would've been great with some seasoning. Maybe I'll try again during the day...
The sushi at Yamato is fresh and tasty. However, I like to get the "special rolls" that each restaurant usually has to offer. Yamato doesn't really have any of those. The sushi menu is average rolls mostly consisting of one or two types of fish. If you like more complicated rolls, there are other good sushi places in Ann Arbor to go. However, the miso soup and sake were both very flavorful and the atmosphere is nice. It's very small and hard to find unless you know where to look. That sort of "tucked away" feeling is really nice. I would go back there.
I'd say the only thing you can get at Outback Steakhouse that I've yet to find anywhere else is the warm, absolutely delicious pumpernickel bread they serve. The dishes are typical American dishes, but you end up getting a medium grade steak for the medium price. They're pretty good with accommodating big parties, so if you're craving red meat-- check it out.
Panda Express isn't amazing Chinese food, but in comparison to what used to be in the Union- it's great. They have a decent selection of dishes and you can choose between Chow Mein, Rice, Fried Rice, and Veggies for your side. I had the Kung Pao Chicken and Mushroom Chicken and was pleased with both choices. Though they're known for their Orange Chicken, a friend of mine tries it every time she goes there and still hates it. I'd stay away from the fried chicken dishes if possible.
I've walked by Mr. Spot's a million times, but never bothered to look at the menu or even in the window. When I walked in, it smelled like delicious, but greasy, goodness. There were seriously 15-20 awards from the Michigan Daily for "Best Wings" so I decided to try the wings. They were so good. The hot sauce was seriously hot and really flavorful. The wings were meaty, not fatty. The only downside is that I was charged about a dollar more for a little side of ranch and 3 celery sticks. I would definitely get the wings again, though.
I went to Quickie Burger probably at its busiest time-- around 2am or so. The food took about 15 minutes, and I noticed that one girl's food had never even been made. It was a bit disorganized and hectic, but what do you expect when one cashier is ringing up a bunch of drunk students? The burgers are really tasty, though, and the curly fries are pretty much heavenly. We finally have a late night burger place near campus-- and it's good.
Backroom is good drunk pizza- plain and simple. I've heard it's good any time of day, though, and wouldn't be surprised. The name perfectly describes the place. There's enough room inside for about 5 people, and no attempt was made to make the place look nice. The pizza is surprisingly good, though. A late night stop at Backroom is just part of the college experience.
The reason why I love Rick's is because I know it'll be packed with people I know and there's a place to dance. Other than that, the floor is always slippery and dirty, sometimes it's impossible to get service at the bar, it gets incredibly crowded, the line can get really long, and sometimes the DJ sucks. But it's mostly upperclassmen, and they're hard on fake IDs, so there's not as many problems with younger people who can't handle their booze. It's purely the college scene and can be tons of fun. If not, there's plenty of other bars right around the corner.
Mitch's is probably best if you go with a group of friends. I've been with just one or two other people, and we always end up feeling overwhelmed by all the other groups of 6 or more. It's definitely a fun place, though, and worth a stop on a bar crawl or for a birthday. There's karaoke on Fridays if that's your thing. There's only one bar and it gets crowded, so make sure to stock up on drinks each trip you make.
The Blue Leprechaun looks so incredibly different than Touchdown's did. Judging by the name and the logo, you'd think it was some cheesy/shady dance club. However, it's actually a college version of an Irish pub. It has the dimly lit, loud music feel of Rick's while still keeping the social, "let's play quarters" feel of the Jug. The downstairs now has black leather couches. I was surprised and pleased with the "new Touchdown's" and will definitely go back.
Salsarita's surprised me. Sure, it's not authentic Mexican food, but it's what most people think of as Mexican: tacos and nachos. The salads are served in a huge (and delicious) taco shell. I was surprised that the shrimp was marinated, seasoned, and really good. It's definitely not the healthiest place to stop for lunch, but it's worth trying.
Rio Wraps has tasty food with basically no nutritional value. The salads are made with shredded iceberg and half-filled with crushed tortilla chips. The Baja Fresco salad is good, but at the end of the day it's about as healthy as the nachos. If you want something substantial and healthy, don't bother.
The Blind Pig is a fun venue. They have great concerts all the time that usually attract a pretty cool/interesting crowd. It's not very big, which is nice because the performances are more intimate and feel real. The disco ball is probably my favorite part. Drinks aren't overly expensive unlike a lot of other performance venues. Whenever I'm in the mood to see some live music, I'll check who's playing at the Blind Pig first.
I've been to Marnee Thai a couple of times for lunch. For $8.50 you get your dish, rice, a spring roll, and a salad. Both times I got the Panang, which is cooked in this delicious coconut curry sauce. I tried the chicken with cashew dish, which was also very good. Lunch closes at 2pm, so make sure you get there in time. The atmosphere is nice, the service is good, and the food is great. I'm sure I'll be back there soon.
I don't think enough people know that Artisan Bistro exists. If they did, it would be much busier. I stopped in around noon and there was only one guy sitting in there. The place has tons of seating. Since it's located on the corner of State and Packard, windows line the two biggest walls, making it really bright and comfortable inside. The sandwiches are healthy and creative, and they come with one of the side salads of the day. With the great food and the wireless internet, I can easily see myself returning again and again.
When eating at a Middle Eastern restaurant, I'm probably most picky about the hummus. Pita Kabob Grill passes my test. The chicken shawarma isn't always the best quality, but the chicken kabob, grape leaves, and fattoush are all delicious. Not only are they located just off State Street, but they deliver, too. There's really no reason not to try it.
I know a lot of people that don't like this place. I've gotten the veggie sandwich every time I've gone in, and it's been good. The bread that they use is good and different than normal sub bread. The tomato soup is definitely worth getting, as well as the cupcakes and muffin tops they serve. It's in a good location, so it's convenient to grab a sandwich between classes. They have games and TVs there, too. I like going every once in a while, but I definitely couldn't eat there everyday.
Usually when you order a salad from a pizza place, it's gross lettuce just thrown together with some stuff on top. The antipasto salad I ordered from Anthony's was made with mixed greens and fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. For about $3 more, you can get any of the flat breads with the salads. Those are originally $6, so it's a good deal. The cheesy garlic bread isn't very cheesy, but just garlicy enough. I would definitely order from there again.
I don't usually go to Biggby since I don't pass by it often. The few times I have been there I've been happy with my drinks. Their espresso is good, and they don't put too much milk in their cappuccinos. They have a good selection of sugar free syrups. The interior is cute, but there isn't too much seating. If I happen to be passing by, I won't hesitate to stop in and get a drink.
My friends and I were so excited when we found out that they were building a cafe in the Ugli. It's so convenient to not have to leave the building, and the sandwiches they sell are actually really good. They tend to run out of stuff, though, so it's frustrating if you study at night and need a snack. The coffee is decent, and they offer the same sorts of drinks that coffee shops do. You really can't beat the convenience.
Like the deli, Zingerman's Roadhouse is a bit overpriced, but good. They have a wide selection of drinks including old fashioned sodas, beer, and wine. The clam chowder wasn't as thick as most other places, but it was still pretty flavorful and didn't taste too "fishy." I got goat cheese on the warm spinach and wild mushroom salad, which was delicious. My server was very nice, but not too observant. Still, watching all the other plates go by made me want to go back and try more.
Pacific Rim has really good dishes. The portions are fair, and everything tastes great. I've only gotten seafood there, and it has always been fresh and cooked perfectly. It's a nice to place to go for a date or for a special occasion with some friends. The place is pretty small, so call ahead if you have a big group or it's the weekend. The service is good, and the servers are well trained and nice. I would go back any time.
I only have two complaints about Rush Street- it gets really crowded and there's barely any room to dance. The service is a little slow at night, but they serve tapas and great drinks so it's better to sit and take your time. The martinis are about $12. I believe they have one called the Femme Fatale that's great. On the weekends, it's a bit hard to walk around once it gets late, so go early and get a booth. The DJ plays good music and the crowd is more young professionals than college kids, so if that's your scene you should definitely check it out.
You go down a flight of stairs to get to the entrance of melange. When you reach the bottom, you see a restaurant/bar that looks like it belongs in Chicago. The decor is great and the lights are dim. Portions are big, which is great since the food is delicious. It might only be on the weekends, but they have a DJ after 9 or 10, I think. He played good music, but there wasn't much room to dance. The martinis are good and cost about $10-15 (try the Aphrodisiac!) It's a great place to go on a date or with friends.
Burrito Joint has alright burritos. They don't compare to BTB or even Panchero's, but they deliver until 4am and neither of those places deliver. The last time I ordered it took over an hour for my food to come. I called and asked where the driver was and was told he was close, but still didn't see him for a while after that. When the burrito did come, it was cold and soggy. I think from now on I'll just walk to BTB.
Mr. Pizza is a good place to order a decent, cheap pizza. They offer a 5-topping medium pizza (8 slices) for $9.99 and every order over $8 comes with free breadsticks (if you ask.) The pizza was good, but I wouldn't order chicken on top again. Some pieces were good, but others were chewy. The breadsticks were thick and fluffy, but need to be dipped. It was a good meal for about $12. Definitely worth ordering again.
I was surprised when I walked in to Dibella's. It was a lot bigger than I expected, and the decor was simple, but well done. As with other sub shops, you order and pay at the counter. The lady who served me was a bit rude. I answered that I wanted hot peppers twice, but she didn't hear me so she goes "Umm Hellooooooo." She looked like she might've been a manager, too, which is strange. The medium sub was huge. I could barely finish the first half. The Capicola was a bit fatty and there was barely any turkey, but the multigrain bread was good. I'd recommend trying it, but I probably won't go back soon.
Panera has great bagels and bread. It's the perfect place to stop for a quick, stress free lunch. This one is conveniently located right by Meijer, Target, Whole Foods, REI, and the mall. Usually, they give you a buzzer that goes off when your food is ready, but last time I went in there they had a number system where they bring the food to you. It's fairly-priced and there are a lot of great selections. Get your soup in a bread bowl!
For a special occasion, the 20 minute drive to The Common Grill in downtown Chelsea is well worth it. Though most of the entrees are between $20-$30, the food is delicious and the portions are generous. The Goat Cheese Ravioli is delicious and comes with shrimp, lobster, and pancetta. The complimentary rolls they serve are great, too! I would suggest calling ahead, especially around holidays or special events.
The only bad thing I have to say about Godaiko is that it's a bit expensive. Other than that, it's a great restaurant. Any of the sushi rolls can be made with brown rice, and they have private rooms for big groups. The Portobello Mushroom appetizer was amazing as well as the ginger dressing on the salad. I'd say it's worth the money.
I didn't get a chance to see it when it was in theaters, and I decided to order it at home one night. I had never expected I would like the movie that much. I was seriously leaning forward on my seat, fascinated with what was going on. I have a soft spot for musicals, but also for over the top John Waters-like movies, so this was the perfect movie for me. The singing is great and all the performances are well done. If Christopher Walken is in it, it's probably a good movie.
I really like that this is actually a nice sit down restaurant. I was surprised when I came to Ann Arbor and saw this really nice Cottage Inn. The pizza is good and so is the minestrone. They serve wine, too, which I never would have expected from Cottage Inn. It's a nice place to go for birthdays or other occasions, but you might get faster service if you go with a smaller group.
I actually know a decent amount of people that don't like Jimmy John's, but I don't understand how that's possible. The subs are so good! There are plenty of choices, and they're cheap. The Unwich is lettuce wrapped and makes a great snack in between classes. The location is just outside of Mason Hall where most of my classes are. Best part is delivery until 4am. Great for party nights and study nights.
NYPD has some really cool pizzas. I like the buffalo chicken pizza or they have a mediterranean type pizza that's good too. I've never tried the white pizza or the baked ziti pizza, but they look good. They're open late, so it's perfect for the Necto/Skeeps crowd to grab a slice on the way home. Don't forget the garlic knots!
So this is probably frequented more by Eastern kids, but it's really not far from Michigan at all. Find a friend with a car and go to Cold Stone. I'm not much of an ice cream person, but I love that they mix in the toppings for you (even though they don't always mix them in enough.) The Sinless Sweet Cream is sugar free and fat free, so why not give it a try? I suggest the Cake Batter flavor, too. Sooo good.
My experiences at Mr. Greek's vary each time I go in. Sometimes the service is great and other times it sucks. Sometimes the food is great and other times it's cold and mediocre. The chicken lemon rice soup is delicious, but the grape leaves are really meaty and a bit too intense. The murals on the wall are fun, though, and it's a good place to stop for lunch with friends.
Stucchi's gives you sooo much ice cream. I asked for a small scoop and received what a lot of other places would call a double scoop or more. I didn't even finish it. If you like frozen yogurt, they have a lot more flavors than other places, but it's not soft serve. The service there is fast, though. I went during Art Fair when there were about 15 other people in there and I still got served within minutes.
I hate to do this, but I'm going to have to say my opinion of Frank's goes down each time I go there. It is a good place to get a cheap and delicious breakfast, but I don't get the feeling that the place is that clean and the food is fresh. Last time we were there, my friend found a hair in two of her dishes. They only accept cash, which sucks for people like me who live with only a debit card. Frank's is good and convenient, but just not as nice as some of the other breakfast places around.
There's no question that Zingerman's has great sandwiches. (Didn't Oprah say they were good or something?) Anyway, they're piled high with delicious meats and fresh bread. The only problem is that a corned beef sandwich is easily $10, and I'm pretty sure it's $2 extra or more to get lean corned beef. It's great to splurge on a good sandwich every once in a while, but there are delis located closer to campus that are cheaper.
This is the same La-Shish that has locations all over Metro Detroit, but luckily this one is privately owned. A lot of the other ones closed down because of all the legal problems the owner had, but this one is still up and running well. I've found that it is run better than other La-Shish locations, and the food is still amazing. I love the fact that they bake their own bread! Nothing better than fresh baked pita.
Pineapple Express actually has a surprisingly good story with the whole cooked cop and drug lord murder plot. Still, it's not even close to dramatic. James Franco and Seth Rogen made a hilarious team! At first I had trouble imagining Franco as a hippie drug dealer, but he played the part so well. Just looking at their glazed eyes and blank expressions was enough to make me crack up.
The thing I love about BTB Cantina is that you can go there after the other bars close, continue to hang out, and get great burritos. The drinks, however, usually suck. Occasionally you'll get a good margarita, but the drinks are usually gross or taste like there's no alcohol in them. The atmosphere is cool, though, they have couches and some games to play. Your best bet is to drink downstairs at Charley's and head up to Cantina at the end of the night. That's usually when it's most crowded and fun anyway.
I love Espresso Royale. The State Street location is perfect for getting work done before class. The coffee and tea are really good, and internet is free (unlike at Starbucks...) If you forget your headphones, it's not a big deal because they always play great music. It can get really crowded around exam time, but it's almost always empty in the early morning. It's a great place to study or to meet up with a friend.
For a while I thought I didn't like Pizza House, because I didn't think the pizza is anything special, which it isn't. But they have some other really good things on the menu like the cheese bread with pepperoni. The chicken fingers and potato wedges are really good, too. Not only do they deliver until 4am, but it's one of the few places where you can sit down and be served until then.
I ordered delivery from there the other day and was surprised to find the food at my door about 25 minutes later. Usually online orders take even longer than phone orders, but not here. Delivery is free and the minimum is only about $8. There were tons of peanuts in my Kung Pao Shrimp, but other than that it was really good. The vegetables were cut thick and there were no odd-looking additions. The portions were good, too. I got two decent sized meals out of the delivery. Not bad for something less than $10.
I'm the kind of person that loves to customize my own food. I figure if I'm paying for it, it should taste the way I want it to. That's one of the reasons why I love Za's. The pastas, salads, and pizzas are really good, but I haven't heard many great things about the paninis. There are some weird rules, though, like you can't put feta on a pasta because it's not listed on the card (even though it's an option for salads.) You also can't buy an extra piece of garlic bread after you've placed your initial order. Still, the food and the great location make it one of my favorite lunch spots.
Angelo's is a great place to go for breakfast/brunch. They use really fresh ingredients and have amazing coffee! They have seats outside, but when I went the other day they said that they didn't serve outside. You have to order to go food and eat it outside, which is weird. The omelette I ordered was huge, and my friend got eggs, meat, potatoes, and toast for only $7.50. You usually have to wait a bit, especially on the weekends, but it's worth it.
I've been to Studio 4 for a couple of special parties and had a good time, but it wasn't anything great. Cover and drinks can be ridiculously expensive, at least for a college club. The crowd is often questionable, too. It's within walking distance from a lot of places, but pretty far from where the majority of students live. Girls in heels will want to cab it. Also worth mentioning- there's a tree in the middle of the dance floor. I can't decide it that's interesting or weird as hell. Either way, it's not worth paying money to go and drink there unless it's for a special event or after party. Even then, make sure you know plenty of people going to ensure it'll be a good time.
A lot of students forget that there are plenty of great stores beyond Urban Outfitters. Vintage to Vogue is one of them. It's located in Kerrytown, which is a nice walk from the campus area. They carry a lot of popular brands from Free People to Nicole Miller. There's stuff for you, your sister, and your mom all in one store. The sale prices can get ridiculous as well. I got a $400 Nicole Miller dress for $50. The selection mostly reflects the Ann Arbor laid back style, but don't think it's some hippie store. There's a wide selection of styles, and though the brands they carry are a little expensive, they are still pretty affordable.
It always bothered me that I walked by the Michigan Theater all the time and never actually saw a movie there. They play a lot of independent films that you can't find at bigger theaters, and often host film series or screen old films. I also saw the Michigan Pops Orchestra there before. Sometimes there are special events, like when Wes Anderson and Jason Schwartzman came for an advanced screening and Q&A for The Darjeeling Limited. They say that you can't take the concessions into the theater, but I've never seen anyone be stopped. It's really nice on the inside and is definitely worth checking out.
Rackham is often forgotten about by undergrads even though people pass by it all the time. If there is an event held there, it's usually pretty easy to find since there is street parking and 3 parking structures all within simple walking distance. The construction next door on the soon-to-be North Quad makes access a little more difficult sometimes, but not bad. The seating is arranged in a semi-circle around a small stage. It's great for singing performances or small groups, but there is little room for a large dance group to perform. They have some great concerts there, though, and it's where 58 Greene usually performs.
My first time in Hill Auditorium was for my older brother's high school graduation. I thought it was a beautiful venue and had heard that it was engineered to provide great sound. Everything is very clear despite the size of the auditorium. The stage is pretty good sized as well. Since then, I have performed on the stage and sat in the audience. The seats are on enough of an incline where you can usually see pretty well, and the balcony doesn't feel miles away from the stage. There's not much of a backstage area, though. Some really fun events are hosted there like concerts (Mos Def came earlier this year) and Greek Week Variety show, which is tons of fun even for people like me who aren't in a house. It is definitely worth checking out the upcoming events there.
I have attended shows at the Power Center and performed there. From both perspectives, it's a great venue. There's tons of seating with very few, if any, blind spots. The lighting and sound is good, but I have seen a couple of music glitches there. I'm not sure if that was due to the system or the person operating it. The Power Center hosts a lot of great shows and tickets are usually affordable, especially with special student prices. The stage is nice and big, and there's plenty of room behind the stage and in the wings. There are a lot of dressing rooms, but they tend to get really hot. I'm not sure how much it costs to rent the space, but my guess is that it isn't too cheap. It really is a great performance space.
Oasis can be overlooked on the crowded South U & East U intersection. Since it's so close to the University buildings, I stopped there for lunch one day and was impressed. Though there's limited seating, the food is really good and well priced. I'm a pretty big critic of Middle Eastern food since I've been spoiled by home cooked, but I was pleased with Oasis's food. It's convenient, affordable, and delicious.
At first, I didn't like Bubble Tea. The idea of little things floating around in my drink wasn't too appetizing. After trying the Mango Stars, though, my attitude changed completely. Once you find the type of "bubbles" you like there, you'll probably fall in love, too. The tea really good, so you don't need to add bubbles if that's not your thing. The blended teas are really good as well. More reasons to check out Bubble Island- it's open late, the popcorn chicken is amazing, and you get a free tea on your birthday!
Ali Baba offers a lot more seating than the other Middle Eastern restaurants in the downtown area and used to be the only one that delivered. The food, though, is good, but nothing special. The prices are a little steeper than other places, too. The hummus with chicken is really good, but is somewhere around $13. The atmosphere is more "restaurant" and less "counter service" unlike the other Middle Eastern restaurants in the area. It's not as good as home cooked Middle Eastern food, but the food is enjoyable.
I've never tried the food at Rod's Diner. I actually don't know anybody that has. We go for the Colliders. It isn't a unique concept or anything-- tons of restaurants serve frozen yogurt blended with toppings, but it's the size and selection at Rod's that makes it different, not to mention the convenient location. They recommend that you get at least 3-5 toppings in your Collider, as opposed to other places that charge per ingredient. They have everything from fruit to cereal to candy bars. You can get it chocolate, vanilla, or twist, but the twist usually ends up tasting like chocolate. They're open until midnight Monday through Saturday and are open late on Sundays, but I think they close a little earlier. It's a great treat and really filling.
I absolutely love BTB. The burritos are delicious. The nachos and tacos are just as good. I love that they offer healthier options like whole wheat tortillas, fat free cheese and sour cream, and burrito bowls (it's a burrito without the tortilla.) The only bad thing about BTB is that they don't deliver. The line can get pretty long around 2am on the weekends during the school year, but it can sometimes be worth the wait. The quality is consistent and the staff is really friendly. You can't live in or visit Ann Arbor without trying BTB.
I have been to Palio's a few times and had good experiences. The food was good, the atmosphere is fun, and when the weather is nice you can sit upstairs outside. The place is huge and can fit a lot of guests. This one time, though, I had a horrible experience. The service was bad, and our food took almost an hour and a half. When it had been over an hour for our food, we decided that we would leave it our food wasn't at the table in 10 more minutes. The food came just as the 10 minute mark was up. The food wasn't even hot anymore and it made it so hard to enjoy. I don't even remember a manager coming over to apologize. I know it was one time, but it was enough to make me think twice before going back.
I'm not much of a red meat person, unless I'm at a really nice steakhouse like The Chop House. The steaks are delicious as well as the salads, appetizers, sides, wine, and everything else on the menu. The service is good and the servers are very professional. They have the long list of specials and ingredients memorized. If I remember correctly, they memorize your order also, but have never gotten it wrong. Of course it's much too expensive for the average college student, but if your parents are coming to town or you can convince your boyfriend to take you on a nice date for once- try The Chop House.
Somebody told me not to order for Pizza Pino, but I had driven by it a couple of times before it opened and wanted to try it for myself. I should have listened to my friend. The breadsticks were good, but the pizza was one of the worst pizzas I had ever had. It wasn't overly greasy or cooked badly or anything-- it just straight up didn't taste good. I think it might've been the cheese. Anyway, I'll probably never order from there again and if I do, it definitely won't be their pizza.
Bell's is one of my favorite pizza places in Ann Arbor. Maybe it just tastes so good because we usually order it late after a night of partying, but I've still enjoyed it plenty of times sober, too. A couple of my friends beg for Bell's cheese breadsticks whenever they come visit me in Ann Arbor. The pierogies are amazing! The salads are usually pretty good, but definitely nothing special. You can order delivery by the slice, which I don't think a lot of places offer. I'll definitely miss this place when I leave Ann Arbor.
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays the Greek Life community at U of M takes over this bar. A lot of athletes go there, too, especially on Tuesdays. It's pretty much a drunken mess- the epitome of a college bar. The dance floor is small and empty until around 12 or 12:30 when it gets packed. They play the same songs every week, which are the same songs you hear on the radio every hour, but it keeps everyone hype because they usually know every song. If the downstairs bar is too crowded, try going upstairs where you might get served a little faster. The drinks aren't especially delicious, but they aren't expensive so you might as well stomach your $3 Long Island or whatever. People have their feelings about the place, but a lot of times the people that make fun of it are the ones there every week. It's definitely worth checking it out, even if you just want to do some drunk people watching. Little known fact- Wednesday nights they serve burger, fries, and any beer on tap for $5. The food is surprisingly good, and it's a deal that's hard to beat.
I never made it to the original Good Time Charley's, but I'm glad it didn't end up shutting down for good. Charley's is a fun place to go with a group or just one other person. I've even gone there alone and done some studying during the day. The food is good (mmm Pepperoni Twists!) but the service can be slow, especially for big groups. The prices on pitchers are pretty good, and they sell these huge fishbowl drinks that are near impossible to finish on your own. They have a lot of outdoor seating, so it's a great place to go during Spring and Summer. They have karaoke every Tuesday night, and I've seen an eating contest or two there. Now, I feel weird if I haven't been there in a week or two.
I think Necto makes everyone think of freshman and/or sophomore year. It makes them think of a place they love(d) or somewhere they never went because of what their friends thought. All stereotypes aside, Necto really is a decent club. The drinks are good and inexpensive. They host some fun special events on Tuesdays and Wednesdays sometimes, and there are two different areas that you can rent out for private parties. Monday nights the crowd is very interesting. The music on the main floor might not be for everyone, but they have good drum and bass music downstairs in the Red Room. Thursdays it's mostly U of M and Eastern students aged 18-22ish (realistically there's probably a decent amount of under 18s with fake IDs, too) and a few Ann Arbor-ites. Saturday's crowd is similar, but it is a little less run by college students. Ladies- beware of serial grinders on Thursday and Saturday nights. Some of the guys can be a little creepy, so choose wisely. Friday night is Pride Night, so it's a lot of gay guys and their straight girlfriends there to have a good time and dance. I've seen quite a few straight guys that like to dance there on Fridays, too. Honestly, if you're over 21, there are plenty of other bars you can go to in Ann Arbor, but that doesn't mean you should rule out Necto entirely.
I remember when Motivation first opened, I was really interested to see what it was like. I think I went in for the first time a couple of weeks after they had opened and saw a few cool things, but wasn't that impressed. However, every time I've gone back since then, they've gotten in better and cooler stuff. It's a great hip hop style store. They carry sweet brands like Crooks & Castles and Dope Couture for guys and Hellz Bellz, Harajuku Lovers, and Tokidoki for girls. The prices are a little steep, but not nearly as bad as a lot of other boutiques.
Not only does Motivation have stylish clothes, but they bring some great artists to town, too. Lupe Fiasco, Matthew Santos, and Estelle are just a couple of the people that have been there. They also give out mixed CDs occasionally that are really good. It's definitely worth stopping in and checking it out.
The Brown Jug could be a great restaurant if the service wasn't so bad. The food is good-- great fries and the Mediterranean Salad is delicious. They have great shots (try the B-Wall,) and you can smoke there. However, if you go during day, don't expect to be done eating in less than an hour. The servers rarely check back on the tables and have forgotten drink orders and other simple requests multiple times. I'm not sure I've ever even noticed a manager in the place. At night the service is quicker, and it's a bit more understandable when it takes a while because it can get pretty crowded in there. It's a fun place to go with a group and place quarters. They have some really nasty shots for 21st birthdays, too. If you're under 21, don't bother after trying. They confiscate fake IDs.
It's hard to resist not getting Wendy's all the time since I walk by the Union every day. I've never had a bad experience at this one. The fries are always good, and the service is actually fast (unlike a lot of other fast food restaurants now.) They serve breakfast and are open until midnight. Too bad they stopped serving the Homestyle Chicken Strips.
The only reason I ever go to this Subway is because I'm in/around the Union and want a cheap sandwich. Once Pizza Hut and Panda Express are open, I doubt it'll look at all tempting. The subs are usually so messy you have to repack them once you unwrap the paper. A few of the employees are nice, but a lot of the others look like they hate their jobs. I also feel like they don't change their gloves often enough. They seem to handle a lot of different things with the same gloved hands, and that grosses me out a bit. It makes me wonder where else they compromise hygiene.
YCI is an almost nice boutique. They carry a lot of nice brands of jeans like AG, Cheap Monday, and Joe's. Still, I usually walk in there, do a lap, and walk out. Even though they sell great brands, they don't always sell the cutest things from those brands. Still, it's a good place to check out if you have a special occasion. They usually have some cute dresses there. Make sure you love what you buy, though, because everything is exchange only and I'm pretty sure that you can't return it at all after 14 days or even less.
The No Thai! on South U is conveniently located and a great place to grab some quick Thai. Whether the dishes are very authentic, I'm not sure, but they are delicious. Careful with the spices, though. I usually don't go about Medium and I like my food spicy. The couple of times I tried the Yoga Flame it was hard to finish my meal-- not that it's easy to anyway. They give you a lot of food, and if you mix the rice with it, it could easily be good for two meals. Sometimes you end up waiting almost 10-15 minutes for your food, but the location on 4th Ave. is usually faster. Too bad they don't deliver...
If you have a special occasion or just need a hot new outfit and don't mind dropping a few dollars, Poshh is a good place to check out. The selection is pretty limited, but that's the way it is at most boutiques. They usually have a lot of cute "going out" dresses that are good for nights at the bar or formals/semi-formals. I haven't tried any of the jeans there, but there's a decent selection. Don't forget to check out the jewelry. They sell these really great watches that are pretty unique and make great gifts.
John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell do it again in Step Brothers. Before the opening credits had finished, the audience was already cracking up. It's a bit dirtier than the other movies that they've done-- more f-bombs and lots of penis jokes, but it works. The story is pretty predictable, and the romance plot seemed a bit random and tacked on. However, I was too busy laughing to be too critical of the way the movie flowed. If you're into great one-liners and hilarious insults, Step Brothers should do you well.
I was thinking last year that one of the few animals that hadn't starred in a cartoon was a panda. Soon enough, I started seeing ads for Kung Fu Panda and realized that Hollywood got it right. I was not disappointed. I literally laughed out loud plenty of times throughout the movie. Of course, it follows the typical "outcast out to prove himself" structure, but the dialogue and innuendo keep it interesting. Yet another cartoon that is just as good for adults as it is for kids.
Merly Streep does an amazing job as Donna, the owner of a small hotel on a tiny Greek island. She shines during the musical numbers and the mother-daughter chemistry between her and Amanda Seyfried is priceless. Seyfried also surprises with an amazing voice and great display of emotion. It's hard to recognize her as the monotone Karen from Mean Girls. Pierce Brosnan is, of course, dreamy and also surprises with a decent singing voice. Sure, it was a bit corny, but it's a musical. It was hard to keep from singing and dancing along.
WALL-E became one of my favorite cartoons the moment "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" from Hello Dolly! began to play over the opening credits. The movie was surprisingly captivating since there is little, if any, dialogue in the first third of the movie. It is amazing how much emotion a little computerized machine can display.
The premise of the movie is almost too realistic. The earth has been trashed over so the humans moved to space and left machines to clean up the mess. Now, all humans are obese from drinking every meal and moving around on hover chairs. It makes you think twice about today's consumerism and waste. It is enjoyable for children without being devoid of value for adults.
Rendez-vous is open until 3 or 4 most nights, so it's a great place to study late at night. You can smoke upstairs, which is definitely helpful on long study days. The crepes are good, but the hummus is just so-so. They put too much dressing on the pitas, so they get soggy quickly. They have a lot of different types of coffee, but they can be kind of weak. If you're looking for a place to get some work done, especially late at night, it's a good place to go. If you're looking for good Middle Eastern food, you'd be better off next door at Oasis.
Oriental Express is my go-to place for Chinese delivery. They're usually fast, and you can order online, which saves the hassle of dealing with people over the phone. You can pay with credit card on the spot, so you don't have to give them your number over the phone. Most of the dishes are good and the prices are hard to beat for decent Chinese food. I usually get the Chicken and Shrimp with Vegetables. It's good and filling. The spring rolls and egg rolls are good, too.
If you're into trying locally brewed beer, then definitely head over to ABC. The Bavarian Bliss is pretty good, but not really my style of beer. There's a private room that you can rent out for parties with its own bar. The atmosphere is really chill, very Ann Arbor. The food is good and you get a free appetizer on your birthday.
I discovered Eastern Flame one night when Fleetwood Diner next door was incredibly packed after a show. My friend and I sat down in the empty restaurant and ate a pretty great meal. I took a menu and have gotten delivery a few times since. The second time I called, the guy remembered my previous order once I told him my address. I don't know if I should feel flattered or creeped out. Either way, the food is an interesting mix of Middle Eastern and Indian and is pretty darn good. They deliver until 4am, I think, so it's a great alternative to Jimmy John's or Bell's.
This is one of my favorite places to get Chinese food in Ann Arbor. I always order the Chicken with Asparagus, which isn't on the menu, but is usually on the little specials menu that sits on each table. It is delicious and has tons of vegetables and chicken in this really good brown sauce. I never understood why people didn't like eating there with me until I tried something else. I don't remember what it was, but it wasn't good. After that, I decided to stick to my regular dish. The chef has won awards, so if you find a dish you like, it'll be delicious.
How can you not like a place where you make your own food? They have a really good selection of vegetables that are usually fresh. The meats are delicious, but the shrimp are really tiny. The best part about the sauces is that you could mix together any random combination and your dish would still taste good. I usually get a little extra sauce to pour on it after it's cooked since it gets a little dry. I like that they started giving brown rice as an option. The drinks are on par with any other chain restaurant. The service is almost surprisingly slow, considering all they have to do is bring you drinks, rice, and tortillas. However, the grillers are usually cool and chat it up with you while you're waiting for your food. Tip them and you get to hit the gong.
Afternoon Delight is probably my favorite place to eat in Ann Arbor. On the weekends from about 12-2, the line is out the door, but it's worth the wait. The salad bar has everything you could ask for and tons of great dressings. If you're only planning on going up once, ask for the one trip price, because it's a lot cheaper. The plate is smaller, but you can pile it pretty high. The omelettes are big and you can substitute Egg Beaters for eggs. The frozen yogurt shakes come in a bunch of different flavors that you can mix if you want. (Try Peanut Butter & Oreo!) Most things are priced fairly, but somethings are surprisingly expensive. The Bagel and Lox is almost $9, but I've seen it and they give you 3 times as much Salmon as Bruegger's. The menu items are creative and delicious. It's too bad it closes in the afternoon...
Ashley's is a cool place. There's not much seating, so it can be hard to get a table at night. Big parties can pretty much forget it. Still, it's a fun place to go. The food is surprisingly good. I had this great chicken with mango salsa. They have fries served a few different ways. I tried the pesto fries, which were sooo good. They have a big selection of beer, so you can always find one you'll like.
When in doubt, go to Noodles & Company. Whenever I can't decide where I feel like going for lunch, I go to Noodles and it rarely disappoints. The Indonesian Peanut Saute and Pasta Fresca are my two favorites, but I've never tried a dish I didn't like there. The Med Salad is really good, too, and has noodles in it. The flatbread is really good and served warm. They've gotten my carryout order wrong a couple of times, but I've never had a problem when eating there. The best part is that they bring your food to you, bus your table, and you don't have to tip!
Potbelly's has amazing grilled subs. The quality of meat and vegetables is better than Quizno's, and they offer salads now, too. The chili is really good, as well as the milkshakes. You have to add their hot peppers to your sub! They make the sandwich a little oily, but are so good that you want to scarf down the sandwich before it ever gets a chance to get soggy. The giant cookies are cooked fresh daily. What more could you ask for?
The fresh baked bread that they serve at Cosi is the best! They have free samples sitting on the counter, so you can start enjoying the deliciousness right away. It's usually warm, but sometimes during odd hours it isn't fresh. Then it's just mediocre bread. The Signature Salad has fruit in it, which scared me at first, but is actually really good. I used to get the Chicken TBM with pesto chicken, but the quality of the chicken wasn't very good, so I started avoiding it. During lunch time, the lines can get pretty long. It's best in the late afternoon. Also, the service gets slow at night when it turns into a sit down place. However, they do serve beer and wine so it gives you some time to drink...
Sadako's sushi is fresh and delicious. The atmosphere is better than Totoro's, so it's a fun place to go with a few friends. Try to get there before 2:30, because the special lunch prices are pretty good. The miso soup is flavorful, but there is usually only a couple small pieces of tofu in it. The Dream roll is probably my favorite, but it can get messy since it's wrapped in cucumber. They deliver, but only from 6-9 and 5-8 on Sundays. The minimum is $15, but that's not hard to get to if you're ordering a couple of sushi rolls.
Totoro has some pretty good sushi. The fish is almost always fresh, and they have a decent selection of rolls. Unlike some other places, miso soup and salad come with sushi orders. However, they do skimp on the salad sometimes, especially with carryout. The Totoro roll (~$6) and Vegetable roll (~$5) are my two favorites. The prices aren't bad and the quality is much better than Sushi.come, which is right around the corner.
Sava's Cafe is definitely one of the best places to eat on State Street and even in downtown Ann Arbor. The owner, Sava, is really cool and is almost always there running the place. The staff is friendly, and they usually remember the people who come in often, which is a nice feeling. The artichoke dip, sweet potato fries, and muffeletta panini are delicious. My personal favorite is the buffalo chicken salad. This is one of the few places you can get awesome buffalo chicken that isn't fried. It's a perfect location for stopping for a bit in between classes. Definitely recommend it.
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